TechRadar Reviews

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G: two-minute review

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G is a budget to mid-range phone that offers a very impressive set of specs. A 200MP main camera, a huge 6,580mAh battery, a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, and a lightweight feel all sound great — especially when you consider the device’s modest starting price of £349 / AU$699 (about $470).

And luckily, the Note 15 Pro offers more than a nice-looking specs sheet. It’s a very capable phone, which impressed me in a number of ways. But it’s not without its flaws.

First of all, it has a great display for the price. Its 2772 x 1280 resolution, punchy colors, and support for formats like HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision is a real treat, and even though it doesn’t supply the highest peak brightness compared to the best phones out there, it’s perfectly capable of working in bright outdoor environments.

Similarly, the performance of this device is really solid. The MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra provided a smooth experience whether I was scrolling the net, gaming, or streaming video content, and delays were very rare during my time with the phone. I could also continue to enjoy whatever I was doing without needing to constantly check the remaining battery life. The high-capacity battery paired with admirable 45W wired charging keeps the device going all day long.

There are even more positives to note, especially in terms of the phone’s cameras. Sure, the lack of a telephoto lens means that you’re not getting the most effective zoom around, and the main camera is barely going to produce flagship quality. But in this price bracket, it gives very good results. I was impressed with the main camera’s attention to detail, its ability to naturally replicate rich colors, and the selfie camera was talented at picking up finer intricacies like hair strands and facial details too.

But there are some drawbacks worth noting. The main thing is the phone’s software, which, frankly, is pretty bad. Where to begin? Built-in apps are flooded with ads, the device is overflowing with bloatware, and the OS is insistent on spamming you with worthless notifications about apps you never asked for. You do get four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, which is commendable, but everything else about the software experience is poor.

I’m also not a big lover of the Note 15 Pro’s design. Its central camera module is bulky and slightly unsightly, its unappealing color options aren’t amazing, and it also looks a little bit cheap to boot. The IP68 dust and waterproof rating is very nice to see though, and buttons are well placed.

All in all, then, the Redmi Note 15 Pro leaves me feeling pretty conflicted. Despite its impressive display and performance, the poor software and middling design mean that it’s not quite a top-tier option. My top recommendation in this price-range would be the Nothing Phone (4a), but you can read more about my favored alternatives in the ‘Also consider’ section.

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: price and availability

• 8GB + 256GB for £349 / AU$699 (about $470)
• 12GB + 512GB is £399 (about $540)
• Not sold directly in the US, but could conceivably be imported

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G launched in January 2026, just over a year after the global launch of its predecessor.

It’s available with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space for £349 in the UK and AU$699 in Australia. However, some markets, including the UK, can instead choose a model with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which comes in at £399 (about $540 / AU$740). That represents a price increase over the previous model, which was available from £299 (about $400 / AU$560).

Although this phone isn’t directly sold in the United States, it could conceivably be imported, and I did spot a few online listings when producing this review.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: specs

Dimensions

6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches / 163.6 x 78.1 x 8mm

Weight

7.41 oz / 210g

Screen

6.83-inch AMOLED

Resolution

2772 x 1280

Refresh rate

120Hz

Chipset

MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra

RAM

8GB / 12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

OS

Xiaomi HyperOS 2 (Android 15) at launch

Rear cameras

200MP f/1.7 wide; 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide

Front camera

20MP f/2.2

Battery

6,580mAh

Charging

45W wired, no wireless charging

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: design

• Well built, but central camera module not my favorite
• Three color options — and they’re not the prettiest
• IP68 dust and waterproof rating

To be honest, the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G isn’t exactly the prettiest phone I’ve seen. It's fairly slim, and the screen is well-sized, but the central camera module on the reverse side lacks style — it almost reminds me of my kitchen stove at home. The metallic finish also has a slightly cheap look to it — I usually prefer budget phones to have more of a glossy, understated finish.

Of course, my dislike of the design is subjective, and some may appreciate aspects like the central camera module. But something else I personally wasn’t a huge fan of was the phone’s color options. There’s a basic Black, but also the Glacier Blue I reviewed here and a slightly murky looking Titanium alternative. All in all, I much prefer the design of Samsung’s recent budget releases, or rivals like the Nothing Phone (4a).

Still, there are some positives worth noting, such as the Note 15 Pro’s excellent IP68 rating. This means that the device is fully dustproof, and can survive being dunked under a meter and a half of water for as long as 30 minutes. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about a spot of rain or accidentally dropping it in the sink — it’s a durable lil’ thing.

Otherwise, the basics are done well. All of the buttons are well-made and responsive, and positioning them all on the same side means you’re less likely to press something accidentally while gaming or viewing a movie.

• Design score: 3/5

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: display

• 6.83-inch AMOLED display
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Respectable 3,200 nits peak brightness

Although I wasn’t bowled over by the Note 15 Pro’s design, its display actually exceeded my expectations.

You get a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, which is plenty large enough to enjoy all sorts of content on the go — be that movies, mobile games, or social media video.

The 2772 x 1280 resolution also means that you’ll be able to view HD content, and when watching videos on YouTube and streaming apps like Netflix, I was highly satisfied with the quality. Colors are punchy and vivid, faces and buildings maintain plenty of detail, and support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision only enhances the sharpness of movies and shows.

This model has a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, which is a slight bump over its predecessor. Although this figure isn’t quite class-leading, you’re still getting enough brightness to enjoy online articles or games in outdoor environments, even on brighter days.

Like a lot of modern handsets, the display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which means that keen mobile gamers will be able to play select titles at 120fps. More generally, things like scrolling on the web or social media feel silky smooth too.

Sure, you’re not going to get the phenomenal sharpness that top-class phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but for the price, I have very few complaints about this model’s display.

• Display score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: software

• Runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2 (based on Android 15) out of the box
• Four years of OS updates, six years of security patches
• Horrific bloatware and spam-like notifications

Out of the box, the Note 15 Pro runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2, which is based on Android 15. However, the phone will get four years of OS updates, alongside six years of security patches. For a budget device, that is very solid indeed, and gives the handset a respectable level of longevity.

However, that’s just about the only positive I have to say on the software side of things, as the Note 15 Pro provided one of the least user-friendly experiences I’ve had with a phone. A lot of the frustrations are the same ones we had with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G — which we rated very poorly in the software department.

The device’s UI is laid out simply enough, and any Android users will have no issue with navigation I’m sure. But there are some pretty frustrating quirks thrown in the mix. First of all, when swiping up, I was met with a bunch of tabloid and AI-generated articles and ads. This command is all too easy to accidentally trigger, and I can’t see why anyone would want to read 90% of the content pushed here.

In addition, many of the system’s baked-in apps are loaded with ads. I tried using the Mi Browser, and was instantly hit with an ad for Temu. I was subsequently bombarded with similar pop-ups on other apps, including the File Manager. This isn’t something you’ll have to deal with from a lot of budget competitors’ first-party applications, and it put me off using any of them.

We also have to mention the bloatware on this phone, which is nothing short of nightmarish. As soon as I set the Note 15 Pro up, I could see a ton of apps I never asked for, including the aforementioned (and dreaded) Temu, low-quality mobile games, AliExpress, and some kind of AI chatbot.

I can understand pre-downloading some first-party software and perhaps a few Google tools and the like, but there’s far too much bloat installed from the get-go, and you’ll likely have to take a decent chunk out of your day uninstalling it.

Pair this with frequent and unwanted notifications from ‘GetApps’, which surfaces constant reminders about software like Temu and Amazon Music — which are already loaded in by default — and the Note 15 Pro’s software score isn’t looking too pretty.

• Software score: 2/5

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: cameras

• 200MP main camera performs pretty well
• Neat 20MP selfie camera is also decent
• No telephoto lens, so zoom has its limitations

I was actually quite impressed with the quality of the Note 15 Pro’s main 200MP camera, which captured photos with admirable levels of detail and surprisingly true-to-life color.

Some budget phones use AI processing that creates artificial looking images with unnatural looking details and oversaturated colors, but this model takes a more simple approach. When snapping a picture of a local church shrouded in trees, I was satisfied with the rich greens of trees and foliage, as well as the deep blue sky.

Of course, you’re not going to get the true-to-life colors and exceptional attention to detail that premium phones — like the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10 Plus — can provide, but for a handset in the budget-to-mid-range bracket, the results are very decent.

The main camera is definitely best-suited to well lit conditions, and some low-light images could look a little obscured, but at night time, my environment would be brightened accordingly, and elements like streetlights didn’t exhibit exaggerated blooming or similar.

As you may expect, there are some limitations to the camera capabilities on-board, though. The main thing is that there’s no telephoto lens, so the effectiveness of zoom can vary. In 2x or even 4x mode, pictures still emerged with commendable clarity. When snapping a swan in the distance, details on its head and wings were easy to make out with 4x zoom, which can’t be said of all budget phones. However, when straying beyond that mark, photos could often look grainy and unrefined — something worth bearing in mind if you’re a photo enthusiast.

There’s also a 20MP front camera, which is neat for social media use or grabbing a quick selfie on the go. I found it captured intricacies like individual hair strands and lines on my face with relative ease, and it will certainly be up to the task of delivering clear video calls.

Finally, the Note 15 Pro’s video capabilities remain in-line with the bulk of the competition. You get 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and during testing I found captured content to be smooth, stable, and to look clean.

• Camera score: 4/5

A church hidden among trees, taken in natural light outdoorsFuture / Harry PadoanA street in Bath, UK, taken in natural light outdoorsFuture / Harry PadoanA swan captured using 4x zoomFuture / Harry PadoanA pigeon figure captured in low-lit conditions insideFuture / Harry PadoanXiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: performance

• Relatively smooth user experience
• 8GB or 12GB versions available
• LDAC, aptX, and Dolby Atmos support

As a phone in the budget to mid-range zone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G performs about as well as you’d expect.

Its MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra processor supplies a relatively smooth user experience, and I experienced no delays when scrolling social media, web pages, or playing more basic mobile games — even with multiple applications open at once.

When playing more demanding games like Genshin Impact, I spotted the occasional frame drop, but again, the game still ran plenty well enough, and the phone’s ‘Turbo’ mode kept things stable, even during busier segments. I was using the version of the Redmi Note 15 Pro with 12GB of RAM, so your experiences may differ slightly on the 8GB alternative, but that should handle day-to-day use, video streaming, and general productivity tools without a hitch.

The phone’s stereo speakers aren’t the highest quality ever — I experienced the odd bit of tinny audio, especially when listening at higher volumes, but they sounded pretty solid for the price you pay.

This phone also supports higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive, so you’ll be able to get the most out of your wireless headphones or earbuds that support such standards. There’s also Dolby Atmos support if you’re watching movies or listening to music in that format.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: battery life

• 6,580mAh capacity battery
• 45W wired charging
• No wireless charging

Like many budget devices, the Note 15 Pro prides itself on battery life — and you’re getting a big upgrade over its predecessor's 5,110mAh capacity battery.

This model has a 6,580mAh battery, and I found it lasted plenty long enough during everyday use. Even if you dip into more intensive apps for video calls or mobile games, you should be able to make it through the day without having to juice up your device, which is great to see.

When you do need to charge your phone, though, you’ll be able to do so relatively quickly. The Note 15 Pro supports 45W “turbo” charging, so you won’t have to wait around for hours on end to hit 100%. It’s not the fastest about, and some rivals, like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, offer 68W wired charging. But it’s definitely rapid enough.

Unfortunately, though, there’s no support for wireless charging, and as someone who uses this daily on my Samsung phone, this was a little disappointing. It’s quite common for cheaper and mid-range handsets to skip on this feature, but it would’ve been a very nice addition.

• Battery life score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Not the prettiest, and color options aren’t amazing, but well-built and IP68 rated.

3/5

Display

Impressive display with punchy colors and commendable detail — not quite as bright as some competitors.

4/5

Software

Solid software and security updates, but bloat, ads, and annoying notifications ruin the user experience.

2/5

Cameras

Very solid main camera, neat selfie camera too — but lack of telephoto lens means zoom is restricted.

4/5

Performance

Stable performance, speakers are decent but not the highest quality, although strong codec support is on-board.

4/5

Battery life

Much larger battery with solid 45W wired charging, but no wireless charging.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want a budget phone that doesn’t sacrifice on performance
Considering its modest price, the Note 15 Pro is a very steady performer. I experienced very little in the way of delays, even when keeping multiple tabs open while gaming, streaming video, and scrolling through social media.

You’re looking for a phone with great battery life
The Note 15 Pro’s 6,580mAh-capacity battery means that it can easily last for an entire day without needing to be charged. Its speedy 45W charging also means that you can revive it in no time as well.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a bloat-free OS
The Note 15 Pro’s biggest flaw is its software. The phone is loaded with bloatware, ads, pop-ups, and annoyances that get in the way of a smooth user experience. If you want a more straightforward, streamlined alternative, I’d recommend the two devices listed in the ‘Also consider’ section.

You need wireless charging
Like a lot — but not all — of budget and mid-range devices, the Note 15 Pro skips on wireless charging. If you’re using that regularly at your work station or on the go, then that omission could be frustrating.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: also consider

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

Nothing Phone (4a)

Google Pixel 10a

Price

From £349 / AU$699 (about $470)

From £349 / AU$649 (about $470)

From $499 / £499 / AU$849

Dimensions

6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches / 163.6 x 78.1 x 8mm

6.46 x 3.06 x 0.34 inches / 164 x 77.6 x 8.6mm

6.09 x 2.89 x 0.35 inches / 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm

Weight

7.41 oz / 210g

7.21 oz / 204.5g

6.56 oz / 185.9g

Cameras

200MP main; 8MP ultra-wide

50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope

48MP main; 13MP ultrawide

Battery

6,580mAh

5,080mAh

5,100mAh

Nothing Phone (4a)
I tested the Nothing Phone (4a) earlier this year, and had a fantastic time with it. The simple, relatively bloat-free software is a far cry from this messy Xiaomi alternative, and the design is absolutely gorgeous. There are some drawbacks, including underwhelming camera quality and a smaller battery than the Note 15 Pro, but it’s a considerably better device overall.

Read our full Nothing Phone (4a) review

Google Pixel 10a
We’re big fans of the Google Pixel 10a here at TechRadar. It hits the right notes in crucial areas, with an eye-catching design, excellent display, and impressive cameras. It offered a limited upgrade over its predecessor, and it’s a little pricier than the Redmi Note 15 — but again, I’d much sooner recommend Google’s budget device.

Read our full Google Pixel 10a review

How I tested the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

• Tested intensively across multiple days
• Used for gaming, working, and general productivity
• Made full use of various features and camera settings

I spent a number of days testing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G, during which time I used just about every feature it had to offer, took a whole lot of photos, and tried out a bit of mobile gaming.

In addition, I made sure to compare the phone against the similarly priced Nothing Phone (4a) on aspects such as camera quality, display, and general performance.

During photography, I made sure to snap a range of objects and environments in a wide array of conditions, including natural, artificial, and low-light settings. Most photos were taken using the main camera in 16:9 at the highest quality, but I also made use of the selfie camera and tried out the cameras’ zoom capabilities.

More generally, I’ve tested a ton of phones here at TechRadar, including budget-friendly models like the Motorola Moto G06 Power and pricier alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

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

Huawei Band 11 Pro: One minute review

The Huawei Band 11 Pro is a bridge device, sitting right between a simple fitness tracker and a full-blown smartwatch. Released in early 2026, it extends the capabilities of the standard Huawei Band 11 by featuring a more sophisticated build and an upgraded set of sensors. In comparison to many of the best fitness trackers, the Band 11 Pro feels more premium than most cheap ones that I've worn, such as the Amazfit Bip 6, but I'm far from convinced about the 'pro' label.

To give it its due, one feature inclusion that sets it apart from budget counterparts is the onboard GPS for tracking outdoor runs, cycles, and hikes, which is reason enough for the higher price tag compared to the likes of the Xiaomi Smart Band 10, which requires users to "piggyback" on a phone's GPS connection.

Despite its core focus being a simple tracker for exercise and health, the watch also includes basic smartwatch features such as notification handling, quick-reply texts, and even a remote camera control. These are handy features that help people feel connected to the world around them, but they're far from deeply integrated due to the lack of a QWERTY keyboard for the text replies, along with non-existent third-party app integration.

In terms of health tracking, Huawei looks to push the boundaries at this price point with Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis for detecting irregular heart rhythms and Sleep Breathing Awareness to monitor for potential issues like sleep apnea. I wouldn't want to rely on these for perfect accuracy, but they're helpful indicators of potential health problems.

Within the broader market of the best smartwatches, the Huawei Band 11 Pro sits in the premium budget sweet spot, directly challenging rivals like the Fitbit Charge 6. While it is considerably more affordable than flagship smartwatches like the Apple Watch or Huawei's own Watch GT series, it provides nearly all the same core health and tracking features, even if they're not quite as accurate.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Specifications

Component

Huawei Band 11 Pro

Price

$97 USD / £69.99 UK / $139 AUS

Dimensions

43.5 x 28.2 x 8.99mm

Weight

18 g (without strap)

Case/bezel

Aluminium alloy

Display

1.62-inch AMOLED Screen, 286 × 482 pixels, PPI 347

GPS

GNSS

Battery life

Max 14 days, Typical 8 days, AOD 3 days

Connection

Bluetooth 6.0

Water resistance

5 ATM

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Price and availability

• $97 USD / £69.99 UK / $139 AUS
• Very reasonably priced considering the onboard GPS feature
• Stiff competition from Fitbit, Garmin, and Amazfit

At this price, the Huawei Band 11 Pro is an absolute steal. Getting onboard GPS, an AMOLED display, and an aluminum case is almost unheard of at this price. Unfortunately, it’s not available in the US.

Comparable options include the Amazfit Bip 6 ($79.99 US / £79.90 UK) and the Fitbit Charge 6 ($159.99 / £139.99). If you’d like a cheaper alternative and are happy “piggybacking” onto your phone’s GPS, then you could go for the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 ($73.99 / £39.99).

The Band 11 Pro ships with a fluoroelastomer strap in either Black or Isle Blue finishes. If you’d prefer a braided nylon strap, you can have this in Field Green. Whichever strap you choose, the spec of the watch remains the same.

• Value score 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Design

• Large and bright AMOLED display
• Aluminum alloy case, which is a step up from polymer alternatives
• 5 ATM water resistance rating

The Huawei Band 11 Pro is a basic band-style design but with a more premium 'pro' aesthetic than most cheaper trackers. This is most noticeable in the upgraded 1.62-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, which is nearly 30% larger than its predecessor.

As impressive as the size is, it's actually the brightness of it which struck me first. Maxing out at 2,000 nits, it falls short of the much more expensive Apple Watch Ultra 3, but at this price the brightness is excellent; it delivered clear graphics, whether inside in a dark room or outside in full sun. The 347 PPI resolution isn't too shabby either, with text appearing sharp and icons vibrant.

From a build quality perspective, Huawei has opted for a CNC-cut aluminum alloy case which looks and feels markedly more premium than the polymer frames typically found on cheap fitness trackers. This metallic finish is complemented by a slim profile, measuring just 8.99 mm in thickness, allowing the device to sit flush against the wrist. In short, it looks the part, whether you're down the gym, out on a run, or at work.

I tested the version with the breathable fluoroelastomer strap and was surprised how comfortable it was. It’s also easily cleaned when exposed to dirt or sweat. All-day wearability, including at night, is possible due to the 25g weight (with strap), as it’s comfortable and you hardly notice it's there.

To ensure durability, the device carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating, meaning it's waterproof and able to withstand showering, swimming and even water sports.

• Design Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Features

• Onboard GPS and sleep insights
• Pulse wave arrhythmia analysis
• Sleep insights and emotional wellbeing

The ‘Pro’ label is on account of a number of feature decisions that Huawei has made to elevate the user experience beyond other entry-level alternatives. This begins with built-in GPS (GNSS), which means you can leave your phone at home when going out for a run or cycle and still track your route. It can also detect when you have stopped at a traffic light or for a break and will automatically pause the workout tracking, although like other Huawei watches, you can toggle this feature on or off.

Overnight, it tracks your average sleep HRV, along with heart rate and SpO2, and lets you know when something’s outside your usual range. It also includes Sleep Breathing Awareness, which monitors breathing disruptions during sleep for insights into your nighttime breathing. A basic presentation of your sleep data is provided on the watch, but a more in-depth set of graphs, reports, and advice are viewable in the Huawei Health app.

Next up is 'Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis', which identifies atrial fibrillation (AFib). It utilizes the same optical sensor technology that measures your heart rate, but applies a much higher level of data processing. The best Apple Watches also have an AFib feature, useful for determining whether your heart rate is irregular and whether you need to see a medical professional. If this is an important measurement to you, then I would go with this Huawei rather than a cheaper model.

For users who want help with monitoring their mental health, there's the Emotional Wellbeing Assistant. This provides real-time insights through its comprehensive mood and stress management system. Rather than just showing a "stress score", it uses physiological data to categorize your mood into visual states. These act as quick identifiers of what is going on inside your body.

• Features Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Performance

• A very easy and enjoyable watch to use
• Sub-par GPS accuracy not surprising at this price point
• Excellent battery performance

As is the case with all Huawei watches, the user experience is a positive one. The Huawei OS interface is clearly laid out with easy-to-understand icons. Moving between features and settings is quick and responsive with little room for confusion about how to navigate around the menus. You can also choose between a list or grid view depending on your preference. The lack of a microphone means there are no voice commands, but that would be a lot to ask at this price.

There are over 100 workouts to choose from with the entire set pre-loaded onto the watch. The order of these, and whether they appear in the quick list, is easily customized. The watch can auto-detect workouts like running, which I made use of a few times when I had forgotten to set things up prior to exercising. As soon as you choose your workout, the watch searches for a GPS signal and alerts you when it’s found. You can begin the workout prior to a GPS lock, but accuracy will be compromised.

I was impressed by how quickly and easily the Band 11 Pro was able to find a GPS signal, even when I was indoors. In terms of GPS accuracy, I ran side-by-side comparisons with the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, which performed as well as our gold standard, the Apple Watch Ultra series. Unfortunately the Band 11 Pro was left wanting with up to a 10% discrepancy on a range of tracked activities, including runs, walks, and bike rides.

As for health tracking, heart rate and SpO2 were in close range compared to the Watch Ultimate 2. Both watches also reported no abnormalities in relation to the Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis, which was not only great to see from an accuracy point of view but also from a personal health perspective!

When I wore the watch at night, it successfully picked up most of my waking, but not all instances. No surprises there given the low cost of the device and limited complexity of the sensors. Despite its claims to be able to track REM, deep, and light sleep; HRV (Heart Rate Variability), and more, I would take its reports with a pinch of salt. It can give indications and provide general trends, but this isn't medical quality data. The Oura Ring 4, one of the best smart rings, is a wearable sleep-tracking gold standard (or as close as it gets) and is considerably more expensive than this slender band.

The Band 11 Pro excels when it comes to battery performance and is in fact one of its strongest selling points. Despite having a significantly brighter and larger screen than its predecessor, it manages to achieve a maximum of two weeks' use when Always-On Display (AOD) is disabled and GPS tracking is kept to a minimum, worthy of one of the best Garmin watches.

When I turned on continuous heart rate monitoring, performed sleep tracking, and carried out a few workouts per week, the battery stayed alive nearly a week, which is reasonable given that you're not going to be using this type of tracker for long-distance off-grid excursions. I found recharging to be very quick, with 0-100% achieved in a little over an hour.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Huawei Band 11 Pro: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A great price for a budget smartwatch with some advanced features.

4.5/5

Design

A simple design with a metal case and AMOLED display sets it apart.

4/5

Features

Onboard GPS and excellent sleep tracking help elevate this smartwatch beyond super-budget alternatives.

4/5

Performance

Intuitive user experience and excellent battery life but lacks GPS accuracy.

4/5

Huawei Band 11 Pro: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want a simple fitness tracker that just keeps on going

With a low-power HarmonyOS, the Band 11 Pro can stretch to up to 14 days. That means it won't be a problem if you forget to pack the charger when going on holiday.

You need to sort out your sleep and need some accurate metrics

Through the use of medical-grade algorithms, the watch is capable of detecting sleep apnea risks and breathing interruptions.

You want a great-looking smartwatch without the premium price tag

With an aluminum alloy case and an AMOLED display, it moves beyond super-budget trackers without entering into flagship or ultra territory.

Don't buy it if...

You're an avid fan of the Google or Apple ecosystem

If you're reliant on Google Fit, Apple Health, Maps, or YouTube Music, then you'll find it difficult to make full use of the Band 11 Pro experience.

You love having third-party apps on your wrist

With zero support for WhatsApp, Spotify, or even Uber, you'll have a very limited smartwatch experience.

You buy a smartwatch for its pro features

Despite the name, it's hard to justify that this is a pro tracker. The lack of advanced health diagnostics and NFC capabilities limits its use beyond exercise tracking.

Also consider

Fitbit Charge 6

A very similarly specced smartwatch to the Huawei Band 11 Pro but with a slightly higher price tag. If you want a more recognisable budget smartwatch brand, then this Fitbit will do the job nicely.

Read our Fitbit Charge 6 reviewView Deal

Amazfit Bip 6

A square-shaped alternative with onboard GPS. Very similarly priced, so if you want a larger display, this is a great option.

Read our Amazfit Bip 6 reviewView Deal

Xiaomi Smart Band 10

A super cute and very affordable fitness tracker, but it lacks onboard GPS. We’d recommend this one if you’re on a seriously tight budget and don’t mind taking your phone with you for GPS connectivity when exercising.

Read our Xiaomi Smart Band 10 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Huawei Band 11 Pro almost non-stop for three weeks. I used it while running, cycling, walking, showering, working out, sleeping, playing with my children, texting, photographing, and daily life. I tested its GPS against the reliable Huawei Watch Ultimate and compared its specs to contemporaries in its price category.

First reviewed: May 2026

Gigabyte MO27U2: Two-Minute Review

We’ve seen many glitzy gaming monitors over the past few years, so it’s almost refreshing to see a premium model that eschews all the in-your-face RGB lighting and pointy bits for a more sober option that better suits a mixed work-and-play environment.

But is the Gigabyte MO27U2 actually worth buying?

It’s a tandem QD-OLED screen with a multi-layer OLED structure that boosts brightness and efficiency, while Gigabyte’s OLED Care features help reduce burn-in risk. Its latest-gen sub-pixel technology fends off the spidery text that blighted predecessors, and this, plus the high resolution, high-pixel-density, reflection-reducing, glossy coating, means it’s also very good for work: multiple windows can be comfortably used at once and large spreadsheets can be more easily viewed.

When it came to multimedia, the QD-OLED’s penchant for color vibrancy and contrast quickly came to the fore, but there were some issues.

Despite a huge number of image-tinkering options in the on-screen display (OSD) menu, finding a perfect balance of HDR contrast and image clarity proved trying. No matter what I did, highlights would blow out noticeably in bright areas while patchy image aberrations often blighted content. I haven’t seen image-processing issues like that for a while.

Switching color spaces and preset modes often felt like installing a too-small carpet: shifting in one direction might smooth out some color issues but introduce horrendous blocky artifacts to gradients. It’s not altogether terrible, but I expect better from a premium gaming monitor.

(Image credit: Future)

The 240Hz refresh rate keeps rapidly moving objects practically blur-free, with G-Sync helping prevent image tearing.

Motion clarity is supposedly enhanced by Gigabyte’s ‘Ultra Clear’ technology, but the setting was grayed out no matter what settings I adjusted. Indeed, fighting with settings became a regular annoyance: while some changes provided instantaneous results, others would see the monitor essentially reset and potentially require a full Windows reconfiguration. A firmware upgrade made no difference.

The new Gigabyte Control Center app also felt like a broken mess. It struggled to identify the monitor, offered fewer options than the OSD and didn’t automatically sync with them. While you might not change settings regularly, you won’t want to tinker with this too much.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyond the 4K QD-OLED screen, the MO27U2 hangs its hat on its gaming enhancements. The OLED variable refresh rate (VRR) anti-flicker feature will appeal to console gamers keen to reduce flicker when variable refresh rates are in play. The ‘Tactical Switch’ button quickly drops the display size down to a 24-inch mode and switches the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 5:4 to suit particularly persnickety competitive first-person shooter (FPS) players.

There’s an all-green-screen night-vision feature, an Eagle Eye sniper-zoom window plus the usual on-screen crosshairs and contrast-busting Black Equalizer features to stop enemies from jumping out of shadows. Some feel gimmicky, but they’ll appeal to niche audiences.

Another core feature is Gigabyte’s multifaceted anti-burn-in technology, backed by a three-year warranty, which potentially provides additional peace of mind.

Ultimately, though, the MO27U2 is priced as a premium gaming monitor but misses the mark in just too many areas. There are better options for similar money.

(Image credit: Future)Gigabyte MO27U2: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $650 / £539 / AU$1,499
• When is it available? It’s out now in most regions
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia and elsewhere

Gigabyte’s MO27U2 is available at significantly different price points all over the world, yet it’s expensive everywhere.

It’s worth comparing it with other premium UHD, 240Hz QD-OLED monitors in your region as it’s likely you’ll find a better deal, especially in Australia where the price is significantly higher, for some reason.

• Value: 3 / 5

Gigabyte MO27U2: SpecsGigabyte MO27U2 specifications

Screen size

27-inch

Aspect ratio

16:9

Resolution

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness

250 nits typical SDR; 1,000 nits peak HDR at 3% average picture level

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms GTG

Viewing angle

178°(H)/178°(V)

Contrast ratio

1,500,000:1

Color coverage

99% DCI-P3

Inputs

1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (18W power delivery), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm audio jack

Weight

7.1kg (15.7lb)

Gigabyte MO27U2: Design

• Sober, work-friendly design
• Good connectivity
• Excellent gaming features

The Gigabyte MO27U2 has a thin yet robust glass screen that’s supported by a (refreshingly small) sturdy base. It’s simple to assemble owing to the stem clipping onto the back of the screen and screwing onto the base with a single thumbscrew.

The stem affords plenty of adjustment: there’s -5° to +21° of tilt, -15° to +15° of swivel, 90° of counterclockwise pivot and a generous 130mm (5.1in) of height adjustment. Its small footprint means competitive gamers can get right up close to it.

(Image credit: Future)

All of the important ports are covered. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, one USB-C port (that supports DisplayPort, 18W power delivery and USB hub connectivity) plus one USB-B upstream port and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack and (usefully) two 5W speakers. Some may lament offering only 18W of power delivery in the modern market, but that’s nitpicking. DisplayPort 2.1 is also an omission that few in the real world will miss.

FutureFuture

You can access the settings by a joystick button (and two programmable buttons) at the bottom of the screen. It’s mostly responsive and intuitive, but some adjustments can reset the screen and even require setting up in Windows all over again.

I'm not sure what’s happened to the Gigabyte Control Center app, which is now barely functional. On the occasions that it did detect the display, it only provided access to a handful of settings and then wouldn’t always sync them with the screen.

FutureFuture

A Game Assist menu provides access to ‘Game Info’ such as an on-screen timer, refresh rate display and multiple on-screen crosshairs. The Tactical Switch setting allows configuration of the shortcut button (next to the joystick button). You can also use it to automatically switch the display from a 16:9 ratio to 4:3 or 5:4. Resolution can be switched to a 24-inch mode with 4:3 and 5:4 options, something that makes a difference when playing competitive shooters.

Other features include an Eagle Eye sniper zoom box in the middle of the screen. I find this unusably annoying, but if you’re a camping sniper-type player, it might be beneficial to your ‘gameplay.’ There’s also ‘green-screen-style’ night vision (which I couldn’t get on with) plus (a welcome) flash dimming setting.

Other gaming features include AI Black Equalizer, which flattens contrast to reveal enemies hiding in shadows.

(Image credit: Future)

If you’ve got a console, then VRR mode can help prevent tearing in supported 120Hz games. Separately, Ultra Clear inserts black frames at 120Hz to reduce motion blur. It’s very effective and something that pro-gaming esports screens often make use of.

Other features are the usual monitor fare. There are plenty of image adjustment options and presets, so you can (at least attempt to) set up the monitor just so.

Finally, there’s a suite of OLED Care options including Pixel Clean, Static Control, Pixel Shift, Sub-Logo Dim, Corner Dim and much more. It also regularly performs an automatic maintenance cycle, but you can delay it if you’re in the middle of something important (unlike some rivals).

All in all, there are few features missing from the Gigabyte MO27U2, but it gets marked down for the terrible partner app and slow adjustment of some settings.

• Design: 4 / 5

Gigabyte MO27U2: Performance

• Impressive QD-OLED panel
• Mediocre HDR handling
• Fast 240Hz gaming performance

The tandem QD-OLED panel is generally very impressive. It gets bright (1,000-nit peak HDR brightness), with rich and vibrant colors, very good contrast and very nearly true blacks. The issue of spidery text (that we’ve seen with previous-generation panels) has been banished, and this, plus the UHD resolution and a physics-defying, low-reflection glossy screen means it’s excellent for work as well as multimedia consumption.

However, being a premium monitor means my expectations are higher. HDR performance is an issue: while details are visible in dark areas and bright lights pierce through them in localized areas of the screen, highlights get lost in bright areas too easily.

This image shows how highlights get lost in bright areas too easily (Image credit: Future)

Transitions and gradients are mostly very smooth, but most adjustments will transform them into a stepped, blocky, artifact-riddled mess. This will be a minor point for many gamers, but there are better performers for similar money (not least from Gigabyte) available, so it’s marked down accordingly.

Still, the 240Hz refresh rate marries with a fast, 0.03ms pixel response time to banish blur to a degree where only the most demanding competitive FPS players might grumble. Nvidia G-Sync compatibility ensures image tearing isn’t an issue.

The twin 5W speakers might not offer the best fidelity, but they get loud and punchy and are very useful for watching casual videos from time to time, so I appreciate their inclusion.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Gigabyte MO27U2?Gigabyte MO27U2 scorecard

Value

The Gigabyte MO27U2 is expensive in all markets but performance doesn’t quite live up to the price.

3 / 5

Design

Many gaming monitors are dripping with RGB and design flourishes. The MO27U2 is far more sober, which will appeal to many.

4 / 5

Performance

The MO27U2 is great for work but not perfect when it comes to multimedia and gaming performance.

4 / 5

Final score

Ultimately, the Gigabyte MO27U2 promises much but doesn’t quite deliver at its premium price point

4 / 5

Buy the Gigabyte MO27U2 if...

You want a fast, colorful, UHD gaming monitor and you can find it at a good price
The price of the Gigabyte MO27U2 varies widely from region to region. If you can find it cheap, the speed, high resolution and general color performance will make it good value.

You want a gaming monitor for work, too
The UHD resolution, basic-looking stand and low reflectivity mean you can comfortably work on the Gigabyte MO27U2 all day.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a demanding multimedia enthusiast
Though colorful and bright, the HDR performance isn’t the best and the settings don’t make it easy to correct all of the issues. While tandem QD-OLED is notionally the top technology of today, this isn’t the best implementation of it.

You’re not flush with cash
There are plenty of very high-quality gaming monitors on the market and prices are getting lower as the market matures.

(Image credit: Future)Also Consider

Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P
Gigabyte’s last-gen S-tier, 32-inch gaming monitor might technically be last generation but it’s better in many important ways and the price has dropped considerably since launch.

Read our Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P review

Gigabyte M32UC
Gigabyte’s non-QD-OLED, 4K gaming monitor packs in the features and still manages to offer a 144Hz refresh rate. It’s also significantly cheaper.

Read our Gigabyte M32UC review

Want more options? Check out our guide to the best gaming monitors.

Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2: one-minute review

The Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 is a wireless Nintendo Switch 2 controller that comes in at the fairly modest price-point of $39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55).

With Hall effect thumbsticks, rumble, and customizable RGB lights, it seems like an absolute bargain. Especially when you consider that the official Switch 2 Pro Controller is twice as expensive. But is it actually any good?

Well, the answer, unfortunately, is: not really.

See, the RGB S2 is plagued by a few too many issues when being used wirelessly, that it's impossible to recommend. Firstly, it requires a dongle to connect to the Switch 2, which is already a little inconvenient compared to many rivals in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

But the controller refused to connect to said dongle for some time, until I eventually discovered that it needed a firmware update, accessible via my Windows PC. Despite some initial problems, I eventually got the firmware update downloaded, and was able to connect the RGB S2 to my Nintendo Switch 2. But there was more trouble ahead.

A combination of input lag issues and random disconnections made using the controller feel extremely grating. And although it worked decently with a wired connection, I'd expected much better wireless performance.

This is a shame, too, as this Snakebyte controller actually has a decent feature-set given its low price. I mentioned the Hall effect sticks, but there are also remappable M1 and M2 buttons, switchable analogue and digital triggers, a 3.5mm port for wired headsets, and rumble as well.

OK, there's no NFC or gyro, and the controller is hardly the prettiest I've seen — the translucent design is a little cheap-looking, in my view. But its fairly comfortable to hold, and I can see the customizable RGB lights appealing to some gamers.

Ultimately, though the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 is impossible to recommend, due to its painful pairing process, input lag issues, and unreliable connectivity. If you're looking for a more solid budget-friendly Switch 2 controller, then the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 is well-worth checking out — or you can even go for the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller if you've got the cash.

(Image credit: Future)Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review: price and release date

• List price of $39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55)
• Which is significantly cheaper than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller
• Launched in June 2025

The Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 was released in June 2025 with a list price of $39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55). This wireless controller is firmly in the budget category — after all, it's far cheaper than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller, which comes in at $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95.

Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review: specs

Price

$39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55)

Weight

0.5lbs / 229g

Dimensions

6.1 x 2.4 x 4.1 inches / 156 x 60 x 104mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2

Connection type

Wireless

Battery life

Not stated (1,000mAh capacity)

(Image credit: Future)Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review: design and features

• Not the prettiest controller, but RGB lights are customizable
• Relatively comfortable and includes rumble, C button, and 3.5mm port
• Leaves out NFC and gyro

In total honesty, I'm not a huge fan of the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2's look. Its fully transparent plastic outer casing just feels a little bit cheap — although in fairness, this whole controller is. I also felt that some of the buttons — especially the D-pad — just lacked that quality I'd expect, even if this isn't a particularly pricey model.

The LED lights aren't too bad, though. Again, the loud RGB design isn't my favorite, but the lights are customizable, and can even be switched off if you want to conserve some battery life. The controller is also relatively comfortable in-use, with a smooth, rounded feel.

In terms of features, this Snakebyte model has a fair bit to offer. It's good to see customizable M1 and M2 buttons on the reverse side of the controller, which can easily be remapped — useful for inventory management in games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance.

You can also physically toggle trigger stops on or off on the controller, there's a C button for accessing GameChat in an instant, and there's a turbo button on the reverse side — though I never felt the need to use this. A 3.5mm port is also present on the underside of the controller if you want to hook up a wired headset.

However, there are some notable omissions to point out. First of all, there's no gyro, which means that motion controls in titles like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Galaxy won't be accessible. There's also no NFC support, meaning you can't tap amiibo figures, which can be used in titles like Kirby Air Riders and Donkey Kong Bananza.

Still, there is rumble — something the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 left out, and the feedback is relatively powerful on Snakebyte's wireless controller.

(Image credit: Future)Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review: performance

• Clunky set-up and pairing process
• Constant input lag issues and occasional disconnections
• Hall effect sticks are welcome, but controller only really usable wired

Although the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 has a solid feature-set for a budget-friendly controller, I have to say, I had a pretty awful time using it.

Let's start by talking about setup. Now, in order to use the controller wirelessly, you need to use a dongle, which is included in the box. This is already a bit of a sore point, given that many rival budget Switch 2 controllers can connect without one, but I inserted it into the system, and got ready for pairing. However, I was surprised to find that the controller wouldn't pair to my console at all.

I was able to set it up wired, by toggling on 'Pro Controller Wired Communication' in system settings, but whatever I tried, I couldn't get a wireless connection. After a bit of research, though, I discovered that the controller and dongle required a firmware update, available on my Windows PC, before using on my Switch 2.

The update itself — available on Snakebyte's website — wouldn't work for me at first, but after swapping the included USB-A to USB-C cable for one of my own, I managed to see it through. But I wasn't expecting what followed.

Sure, after updating the controller's firmware, I was finally able to pair it to my Nintendo Switch 2, but I soon realized that my troubles had only just started. While sifting through the console's main menu, I encountered constant input delays, making basic navigation feel troublesome.

And after firing up Mario Kart World, I realized that these issues weren't going to go away. While drifting, the release felt sluggish and unresponsive. Turning also seemed less fluid than usual, and input lag delayed my ability to use items.

It was the same for other games too. When trying the GameCube Classics version of Chibi-Robo! I encountered similar problems, with the titular character's movement often lagging behind my inputs. After a few minutes, the controller even randomly disconnected, which was pretty frustrating.

For reference, I was sitting close to my Switch 2 console, with the dongle inserted into the USB-A port. After this, I decided to use the dongle in the USB-C port instead, and the controller did feel a lot more responsive. However, I did still experience the odd bit of input lag, even when sitting closer to my console than usual.

So, even though this Snakebyte controller comes with Hall Effect thumbsticks — something that even the official Switch 2 Pro Controller leaves out, these wireless problems largely dampen the joy of that inclusion.

In fairness, the controller worked totally fine in wired mode, and while playing Pikuniku, I wasn't subjected to the same input lag issues or random disconnections. But if I wanted a wired controller, I'd easily be able to grab a competent one for less than $39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55).

When combining the clunky pairing process, occasional input lag, and random disconnections, I have to say, the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 is tough to recommend.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2?Buy it if...

You want a controller with customizable lighting
If you love vibrant RGB lights, then you'll likely enjoy the design of this Snakebyte controller. Its transparent outer casing combined with multi-colored LEDs is sure to appeal to many, and its easy to customize the pattern and color of the internal RGBs.

You're fine using your controller wired
If you're OK with using your controller wired, then the Gamepad RGB S2 could work well enough for you. With hall effect sticks and customizable back buttons, a wired connection makes the controller a lot more user-friendly than when it's in its temperamental wireless state.

Don't buy it if...

You want consistent, reliable performance
The Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 had constant performance issues when I used it wirelessly. With input lag and random disconnections, it's hard to rely on, and fails to compete with the pricier official Pro Controller.

You want the most simple setup
Not only does this controller require a dongle to be used wirelessly, but you'll have to go through a pesky firmware update before using it on your Switch 2. A lot of budget-friendly wireless controllers will pair to Nintendo's latest console without the need for any of this, making the RGB S2 tough to recommend.

Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review: also consider

Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

Price

$39.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55)

$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99

$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

Weight

0.5lbs / 229g

0.8lbs / 360g

0.5lbs / 235g

Dimensions

6.1 x 2.4 x 4.1 inches / 156 x 60 x 104mm

6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch 2

Connection type

Wireless

Wireless

Wireless

Battery life

Not stated (1,000mAh capacity)

40 hours

40 hours

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2
Although it leaves out rumble and NFC, the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller is very solid. Its TMR thumbsticks feel great to use, and its various Nintendo-filled designs are a joy to behold. With great battery life and customizable GL and GR buttons, the Rematch is a tempting budget-friendly option.

Read my full Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Nintendo's official controller doesn’t have TMR or Hall effect, but we're still big fans of it here at TechRadar Gaming. Its high build quality, top-class battery life, and smooth thumbsticks help it feel worth the relatively high cost. Its inclusion of NFC and rumble tech are also absent from a lot of budget models, so if you've got the cash, it's well worth considering.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review.

How I tested the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across multiple days
• Compared against other wireless controllers
• Played a range of Nintendo Switch 2, original Switch, and retro titles

I spent days testing the Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 controller, during which time I played a number of games, made use of its various features, and compared it against a a few rivals.

To fully assess the controller’s capabilities, I played classic titles via Nintendo Switch Online, such as Chibi-Robo!, as well as games for the original Switch and the Switch 2. I typically used the controller while my Nintendo Switch 2 was docked, and connected to my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.

More generally, I’ve tested a bunch of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories – not only controllers, but also cameras like the Hori Piranha Plant Camera, screen protectors including the Genki Aegis Shield, and cases such as the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case.

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

RewindPix: two-minute review

It's 2026, and retro is in. To be fair, retro is never not in — the definition of what's currently 'retro' just changes. Right now, in photography, the current retro hotness is the idea of a digital camera that 'takes pictures like film'. This is a very popular idea at the moment, and many cameras have tried to deliver it, from Fujifilm's expensive analog love letter the X half, to cheaper offerings like the screen-free Camp Snap.

Into the cheaper end of this arena steps the RewindPix PS135. Funded on Kickstarter, it's the brainchild of former tech worker Xiao Liu, who had grown frustrated with what he viewed as the poor quality of most analog-like digital cameras, and set out to create the new benchmark for a digital camera that feels like shooting film. The camera that I've been out shooting with over the past couple of weeks is the result.

At first blush, it might not be obvious what's different about the RewindPix. It's a plastic-bodied digital compact, equipped with a 13MP Sony-made sensor, a fixed 35mm equivalent lens, a flash and a viewfinder. So far, so standard, besides a cutesy wheel that you have to wind on between photos.

The real trick comes in the RewindPix companion app. Through this app, you have access to a huge number of film-like filters to imbue your images with specific look. Color-rich looks simulating slide stocks like Fujifilm Velvia; crunchy black & white looks; smooth-toned color looks that put one in mind of Kodak Portra; intense pink- and purple-hued looks that resemble specialist Lomography films – there's a lot in there.

From the selection, you can pick three of these looks, 'load' them into your camera as a 'roll' of 36 shots, and switch between them as you shoot. Once you've hit your 36, you reconnect to the app to 'unload' your shots and see what they look like (remember, the camera has no screen). From there, you can reload with three new film stocks, and repeat.

It sounds a bit nuts. And it kind of is. But honestly – it works.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

Having spent a considerable amount of time with the RewindPix, I'm not completely without my reservations, but I am quite charmed. One aspect of shooting film that none of the film-like digital compacts have managed to recreate for me is the excitement – that nervous anticipation of loading a new stock, and seeing what the results will be. Not even a beautiful piece of premium kit like the Fujifilm X100VI can give you that.

The RewindPix is as close as I've ever come to that feeling with a digital camera. That film-look selection screen is incredibly addictive; I genuinely felt like a kid in a candy store, and was carefully considering my choices every time I went back to reload. The shots certainly aren't perfect, and I came away with a share of duds as well as images I liked – but that's what happens when I shoot film, too.

Lightweight and well-designed, with a considerable fun factor, the RewindPix is a winner for the price. And with the potential for more film looks to be added to its repertoire via app updates, I can see it having long-term appeal, too.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)RewindPix: price and availability

The RewindPix is still in pre-release, following a mind-blowingly successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter where it incinerated its initial $15,000 (£11,214) funding goal to the tune of more than $1.1 million (more than £800,000) at time of writing. You can still pledge a minimum of $119 (about £89) to secure yourself a camera, though shipping timelines are still to be confirmed.

I think this is a good price, pretty much exactly where a retro-styled digital compact should be pitched. It's a little more expensive than the Camp Snap, though offers considerably more functionality, and is much cheaper than the overpriced Fujifilm X half.

RewindPix: design

• All-plastic build, but has a satisfying weight to it
• Beautiful big optical viewfinder
• Operates like a real film camera, complete with wind-on wheel

Those who aren't immune to a bit of retro kitsch (guilty) will likely be very charmed by the look of the RewindPix. It physically resembles the old-school analog compacts it's aping, with a simple rectangular body design that's centered around a big, round fixed lens in the versatile 35mm focal length. The lens also has a 43mm filter thread.

On the top plate of the camera is a big, honking, unmistakeable red shutter-release button (swappable to other colors), next to a shoe mount for attaching flash units if desired. The RewindPix does have its own built-in flash, and it's a proper Xenon flash, not an LED, meaning it fires with the proper level of intensity. You activate it via the sliding switch on the front of the camera body. On the bottom there's also a standard screw thread for use with a tripod.

Sitting at the top left is one of my favorite features: the big, beautiful optical viewfinder. So many new compacts — digital and analog — come equipped with tiny, boxy, fiddly viewfinders that are awkward and unsatisfying to compose an image with. Not so with the the RewindPix. You get a beautifully clear view of your scene, marked with framing lines. Of course, the fact that it's offset from the lens means that it only semi-accurately represents what your image is going to look like — but that's the case with all compacts in this mode.

The viewfinder is big and beautiful.Jon StapleyThe shutter button is swappable for different colors.Jon StapleyThere's a tripod thread on the bottom – and the camera comes with an attached UV filter.Jon StapleyAccessories can be attached via the top plate.Jon StapleyThe camera charges via USB-C.Jon StapleyNo strap is supplied, but there are eyelets for attaching one.Jon Stapley

Elsewhere, there's a genuine wind-on wheel, just as you'd find in a real film compact, and you do actually need to wind it on between frames. The RewindPix isn't the first digital camera to tap this well — the X half did the same thing with its wind-on lever, but personally I find this level of kitsch a lot more endearing in a $119 camera than I do in an $849 one.

In the center of the rear of the camera is a small LCD screen that tells you which film filter you're using and how many shots you've taken, and next to it is the sliding 'C' switch that lets you toggle between your three loaded filters. On the bottom left is the Wi-Fi button for connecting the camera to your phone, and on the bottom right is the 'M' button that switches to 'In-camera' mode if you don't want to fuss with the filters (more on that later).

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

Despite its all-plastic build, the RewindPix has a surprising amount of heft to it. There's a reason for this: two metal weights have been placed inside the body. According to RewindPix, this is for stabilizing the camera and balancing its weight, and is not an attempt to make the camera feel more premium than it is — but doing the former does still accomplish the latter.

The design is charming, and meets the brief of what it needs to be almost perfectly. If someone described the RewindPix to you then asked you to sketch what you thought it looked like, you'd probably end up drawing something that looks almost exactly like the real thing. It's what it needs to be! Nothing wrong with that.

I do have a gripe. I've listed all the buttons and controls on the RewindPix's body, and the observant among you may have noticed that I didn't mention a power button. That's because it doesn't have one. You turn the RewindPix on by winding the shot-advance wheel, and it turns itself off after a period of inactivity.

Now, one of the reasons I enjoy shooting with analog compacts like the Olympus XA2 is that I can always be ready. I can walk around with the camera in one hand, my finger on the shutter button, and the second I see something to capture, I can raise the camera, shoot, then wind on to be ready for the next. Many, many times, I raised the RewindPix and fired the shutter button to capture a moment, only to discover it had turned itself off.

Sure, most digital cameras have an auto power-off feature – but most offer a quicker startup solution than winding a geared wheel (and will also let you turn that feature off if desired). If the RewindPix is going to pretend to be a film compact, I'm going to use it like one, and the ability to be 'always-ready' is one of an analog compact camera's chief advantages, in my opinion. If RewindPix are taking update requests, a way to disable the auto power-off is top of my wishlist.

RewindPix: performance

• App-based selection of films is brilliantly addictive
• Image quality is decent, if unspectacular – film-based filters do much to punch up images
• Settings are fixed, which is great for ease of use, but can be creatively limiting

The RewindPix is unavoidably a bit fiddly, the way all phone-interacting cameras are. You have to connect to the camera's independent Wi-Fi network to load your film selections, then disconnect to shoot, then connect again to unload. I was using a beta of the Android version of the app (the full version has since been released), and it was mostly stable – though I did experience a connection drop that caused an image to disappear during the unloading process.

The app is the only way to fully engage with the film-simulation process. The camera has 4GB of pre-installed memory, and you can access your shots by plugging it in via the USB-C cable; however, the majority of film looks are stored in the app and applied there, so you need to use the app to get the full experience.

Image quality is firmly in the realm of good enough. The 13MP sensor is a tiny 1/3.06-inch type, and the lens has a fixed f/2.2 aperture with four glass elements and two plastic ones. The level of detail is good enough for Instagram and other forms of online sharing, but isn’t at the level where you’ll be making prints from your images. Dynamic range is okay but not the best — blown-out highlights and murky shadows are a common sight. A well-chosen film look can help this look like artful choice rather than a technical limitation.

A stroke of design genius was the decision to allow you to load three films at a time, rather than just one. Having to complete the unloading and reloading process every time I wanted to try a new filter would have been a tedious chore; but having three at once is thrilling. It makes you much more flexible, with options for different lighting conditions, versus when shooting actual film where you must pick one roll of film at a time — I’ve been out with B&W film loaded while the light is rich and golden, or out with expensive color film on a muted day of drab, nothing-y light.

Whereas with the RewindPix, you can swap from one to the other with a simple switch of the ‘C’ slider. I found my preferred load out was generally to set C1 as a standard colour film look, C2 as a crazy or dramatic color look such as infrared or purple tint, and C3 as a B&W look. This made me feel well-equipped for all shooting situations – good and poor weather, indoors and outdoors.

Scrolling through the selection of film looks is genuinely delightful – there are loads!Jon Stapley / RewindPixThe process of uploading and processing the images. I experienced a connection hiccup, and as a result, my shot count dropped from 35 to 34.Jon Stapley / RewindPix

The RewindPix does have the option of the ‘In Camera’ mode, activated by pressing the ‘M’ button on the rear of the camera. This allows it to function more like a conventional compact – there’s no requirement for a phone connection or a limited ‘roll’ of 36. It just shoots indefinitely, with three filter options: Sunny Warm, Breezy Cool and Simply Mono. (Pro tip: if the app-based functions aren’t working and you can’t figure out why, it is possible you have activated In Camera mode by mistake. I learn these things so you don’t have to).

Shots taken using In Camera mode can be accessed directly from the card, and will have the filters applied, meaning the camera can function without a phone. Though honestly, this mode is a lot less fun, and removes most of the RewindPix’s key USPs.

As this is a point-and-shoot compact, settings are not user-controllable. The shutter speed is variable — the specs say it can go as slow as 1sec, though RewindPix’s promotional material says it’s fixed at a sensible minimum of 1/60sec. This is slower than normal for point-and-shoots (a fixed setting of 1/125sec is more common), and is perfectly fine for handheld shooting, but does mean you have to take a little more care that you’re holding the camera steady; a few of my more optimistic one-handed grab shots came out blurry and useless. I think the trade-off is worth it, as 1/60sec gives the camera a bit more latitude in low light, but it’s worth being aware of. Like any tool, you have to get used to its quirks.

Film Look: BWJon StapleyFilm Look: CYBERWARMJon StapleyFilm Look: FJVIVIDJon StapleyFilm Look: PURPLEJon StapleyFilm Look: IRCOLORJon StapleyFilm Look: CYBERWARMJon StapleyFilm Look: SABATTIERJon StapleyStandard Look: SUNNY WARMJon StapleyFilm Look: BWHCJon StapleyFilm Look: IRCOLORJon StapleyFilm Look: THE HOTELJon StapleyFilm Look: PURPLEJon StapleyStandard Look: SUNNY WARMJon StapleySTANDARD LOOK: Breezy CoolJon StapleyFilm Look: THE HOTELJon StapleyFilm Look: PURPLEJon StapleyFilm Look: IRCOLORJon StapleyFilm Look: CYBERWARMJon StapleyFilm Look: FJVIVIDJon StapleyStandard Look: SUNNY WARM (taken with Xenon flash)Jon StapleyFilm Look: FJVIVIDJon StapleyStandard Look: BREEZY COOLJon StapleyFilm Look: CYBERWARMJon Stapley

Ultimately, the RewindPix is unadulterated fun. It really is. The anticipation that builds up between loading the film looks and seeing how they come out, for me, is as close as digital photography has ever come to the excitement of waiting for film scans to come back from the darkroom. I shot more images than I needed to for this review, purely because I was enjoying myself, and because I wanted to see what the different film filters looked like. (What the hell is ‘The Hotel’? Only one way to find out!)

Can I see myself using it long-term, or does it feel like the novelty will wear off? I’m not sure, though I am still enjoying the camera after a couple of weeks’ of heavy use. The fact that RewindPix will be able to add new film looks via firmware updates to the app promises to extend the camera’s lease on life, as will the option to create your own filters. This requires upgrading to ‘Pro’, though you’ll be relieved to learn that this requires only a one-time cost of $9.90, not a subscription.

The small sensor, fixed-focus prime lens and lack of a settings control all place limits on the quality of images you can create with the RewindPix, as well as the types of images (you won’t be able to shoot portrait-style images with a shallow depth of field, for instance). However, I think the camera is sensibly priced for its type, and the huge groundswell of support for RewindPix on Kickstarter demonstrates that there is clearly an appetite for the idea.

Only time will tell whether the RewindPix sees mass adoption, and whether the many people who have been charmed by the concept are still using the camera years down the line. But I’d say if you like the sound of what I’ve described here, you have very little to lose by heading to RewindPix’s Kickstarter and securing a camera to try out for yourself.

Should I buy the RewindPix?

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Buy it if...

You want a retro-styled shooting experience that mimics an analog workflow.
Lots of cameras claim to shoot images ‘like film’, but the RewindPix is the first one I’ve used that nails the anticipation of it.

You want a take-everywhere point-and-shoot.
The RewindPix is light enough to carry around with you for fleeting grab-shots and street moments.

You prefer viewfinder shooting to a screen.
The lovely big optical viewfinder on this screen-free camera is a major plus.

Don't buy it if...

You want ultra-sharp image quality
There’s a limit to what can be achieved with a small 13MP sensor and a lens with glass and plastic elements.

You want control over your images
There’s basically no settings control other than the film looks, with fixed aperture and auto shutter speeds

How I tested the RewindPix

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

• I received a loan unit of the RewindPix for testing, and used a beta version of the app, which has since released officially.
• I’ve run three 'rolls' of film through the camera, as well as taking a number of images using the 'In Camera' mode.
• I’ve shot in variable light conditions and have taken the camera to several locations around London.

I've used the RewindPix to capture more than 200 images over a period of two weeks. I've used a beta version of the RewindPix app to apply several choices from the selection of film looks available, and have also spent some time shooting in the simpler 'In Camera' mode. I used the camera in various areas of London, predominantly focused on Hackney and the City, during which time the weather changed frequently between bright sunshine and overcast with showers.

First reviewed May 2026

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight sees everyone’s favorite morally dubious hero return to the streets of Gotham once more in TT Games’ latest brick-based adventure. It’s a real mish-mash of genres, combining RPG and brawler elements with classic Lego action-adventure platforming fun, but it makes for a charming adventure that Bat-fans are sure to love.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC (via Steam and on handheld)
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: May 22, 2026

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if nothing else, it’s something Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has turned into an art form. Riddled with references, jam-packed with jokes, and quintessential comic book ka-powery, there’s no denying that this is an ode to all things Batman.

But in particular, it’s evident how much the Batman: Arkham series by Rocksteady Studios and WB Games heavily inspired gameplay. If you’re more a fan of Lego than you are Batman, you might have missed the trilogy and its many accolades; released in 2009, 2011, and 2015, the three games in the series were met with abundant praise for their inventive free-flow combat, excellent stealth gameplay, and exploration mechanics.

Of note is that the original Lego Batman trilogy was released almost in parallel (across 2008, 2012, and 2014). While creative and well-received, ultimately, a Lego game is a Lego game; it’s for all ages and somewhat limited by its own bricky source material. Times have changed, and Lego has since gutted its typical game formula enough for Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight to make a pretty big swing at being more Arkham-like, combining the best of these two trilogies and Bat-media beyond. But does it hit or miss?

(Image credit: Lego/WB Games/TT Games))Put ‘em up…

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is still a Lego game at heart; its slapstick humor, goofy parodies of iconic scenes, and low-stakes couch co-op fun form the beating heart of its success. Broadly speaking, Legacy of the Dark Knight respects the Lego gameplay loop: fight, smash stuff, build something grossly overequipped to progress through the level, and repeat.

But hold your horses before you decry it as “just another Lego game”; there are some tweaks to the formula here, including some that fans may take issue with. That starts with the slimmer roster of seven playable characters (compared to over 100 in the most recent Lego Batman game), each with unique skills you’ll unlock as the game progresses. Broadly, these are inventive and distinct, though some fare better than others — I’m looking at you, Batgirl.

Newly added to the mix is a more fleshed-out combat system that mimics the Batman: Arkham series’ free-flow combat system. Now, your heroes can build combo stacks as they attack, dodge, counter, and land satisfying environmental takedowns, combining unique skills with melee combat in a super-fun brawl-style showdown, enunciated by the occasional “THAKK!” or “KAPOW!”.

(Image credit: TT Games / Warner Bros)

Fights such as these are a dime a dozen in both the overworld and in-level, and while they can be a little repetitive towards the late game, it’s still a marked improvement over older Lego titles. That being said, it feels like a lot was added in half measures to keep things simple; for example, I was a little disappointed by the skill tree for weapons, which offered a rather uninspiring array of movesets and upgrades, especially for the wider Bat-family.

A lot of fights are entirely avoidable if you opt for the stealthier approach; the game is littered with rafters, tunnels, and alcoves you can traverse or use to surprise enemies with a sneak attack. I got a lot of fun out of this, but again, it does make things a little too easy in places, especially when paired with the Detective Mode-like area scan that will help you locate intractable items and enemies.

Thanks to new difficulty settings, you can choose to make these encounters a little more consequential in play; I played mostly in the medium difficulty Caped Crusader mode, which still has infinite health but with more enemies. That’s more so because, for some reason, enemies could see me through walls on a few levels when I’d switched up to the more difficult Dark Knight mode. I’m hoping that’s a bug we’ll see fixed soon, because I enjoyed the higher stakes of having a finite number of lives… even if it was still pretty easy.

(Image credit: TT Games / Warner Bros)A feast for Bat-fans

So, how does Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight distinguish itself from Arkham and the original Lego trilogy? Well, the game is packed to the brim with trivia, old and new, parodying everything from more obscure comic book references like Bat-Mite right through to The Batman (2022), laced with ample pop culture references to tie in the humor of Will Arnett’s portrayal in The Lego Batman Movie. As a lifelong fan of Batman, it’s a real joy, and the hits just keep coming.

This mashup of references could well have led to frequent tonal whiplash between bleaker Gotham skies and campier retellings of the Caped Crusader’s escapades, but TT Games has sewn together these disparate storylines wonderfully through the power of parody. Still, over the course of its six chapters, the story does, in places, lose its way, but I was too enamoured by the imaginative level design, slapstick humor, and endless reel of references to really care about whether or not a game built around kids' toys is delivering a powerful narrative experience.

For me, Lego games have always scratched my collectathon itch, and this new Batman adventure is no different; you’ll collect everything from driveable vehicles, wearable costumes, and props inspired by the franchise, which you can proudly display in your customizable Batcave between bouts of pummeling through mindless hordes of henchmen.

Review info

(Image credit: TT Games / Warner Bros)

Throughout the game you see many characters’ origin stories, good and evil, but my favorite was Harvey Dent, where through a slapstick set of chaotic events he’s pummeled by ambulance doors, pie and then dragged along the pavement. Pure, unadulterated Lego nonsense.

Exploring Gotham City is also great fun as you zip and glide between the looming skyscrapers, scoring Wayne Tech and hidden loot from the rooftops and alleyways. It’s teeming with life and, despite the gloomy backdrop, there’s a real vibrancy to the game — not to mention the somewhat excessive levels of detail. You can literally see the texture of the Lego character paint as though they were real toys, and I’m not sure I even liked it as much as I was impressed with it.

On that note, I had never imagined — or hoped — a Lego game could be one of the more demanding games in my library, and had to drop a fair few settings to eke out the best performance from the game, especially when playing on my Steam Deck. Plus, I’m slightly disappointed to see that the same wall glitches I found in my demo playthrough are still there in the pre-launch software I’ve been reviewing, and I also found a fair few more bugs in the overworld. I was rewarded for completing encounters without ever going near them, the Sub-Wayne entry points frequently reset mid-solution, henchmen didn’t always spawn, and when they did, as aforementioned, they were sometimes X-Ray visioned.

All that being said, it’s undoubtedly up there with my favorite Lego games, and the magic is in how much love and appreciation the developers clearly have for both Lego and Batman. I doubt the new additions to Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight spell too much about the future of Lego games overall; in fact, it tells me that TT Games might just be itching to do more new and exciting things with each franchise, and that’s never a bad thing. There’s still plenty of fun to be had with the Lego formula, though, and Legacy of the Dark Knight stands as a fantastic example.

Should you play Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight?Play it if...

You’re a huge Batman fan
This one is truly a love song for fans of all ages, incorporating a little something from almost every form of Batman media over the past century. You’ll delight in finding some of the more obscure Easter Eggs and roll about laughing at iconic scene parodies.

You enjoyed the Batman: Arkham series
Especially if you’ve got a younger gamer at home who hasn’t had the joy of playing the action-packed trilogy, it’s a great way to show them just how much fun a Batman game can be.

You love a collectathon
There’s so much — almost too much — to see and collect around Gotham, and good fun to be had while doing so.

Don't play it if...

You want Arkham-grade action
This is, fundamentally, a game for all ages, so you won’t get parity with more complex combat systems like those found in the Batman: Arkham series.

Accessibility features

There’s great attention to accessibility options within Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight; on first launch, players can select from Vision, Hearing, Motor, and Motion Sickness accessibility presets, as well as between the three difficulty levels, two of which have no fail state (Classic and Caped Crusader).

If these presets aren’t quite right, there’s a litany of settings to customize; for visual needs, you can toggle audio description, high contrast mode, color blindness, full screen effects, text size, HUD visibility, marker display, camera shake, persistent center dot, and third-person camera reset, set up customizable subtitles, and choose between adjustable and dynamic field of view. For auditory accessibility, there are volume controls, closed captions, voiceover icons, night mode and audio output settings, and for any motor needs you can remap controls including sticks, invert the camera and tweak sensitivity, adjust controller deadzone and held or repeated button inputs, toggle aim snap and lock-on assist, adjust the game speed, aiming mode, gadget rapid fire, and skip quick time events or simplify them.

You can also toggle stud loss so the game is less punishing, it auto-saves for ease, and you can review text logs and tutorials at any time from the pause menu. Certain events are skippable via the pause menu (indicated on the HUD), and you can pause any time, even during cinematics.

How I reviewed Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

I spent over 20 hours in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, playing on my custom-built gaming PC with a Dell S3225QS monitor, 8BitDo Ultimate controller, and Razer Kraken Kitty headset, but also on my Steam Deck.

I covered a majority of the main storyline, explored Gotham to complete side quests and unlockable content, and played in all three difficulties to assess their impact on play. I compared my experience to other recent Lego games like the Skywalker Saga as well as my fond memories of playing the original Lego Batman trilogy.

First reviewed Mat 2026.

Sony 1000X The Collexion: Two-minute review

The Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones arrive 10 years since Sony released the first set of headphones in its 1000X series, and to mark the occasion the Japanese tech giant has delivered its most expensive pair of wireless headphones ever. These are an ultra-premium pair of over-ears that are aimed squarely to be a rival to Apple’s AirPods Max 2.

And the Sony 1000X the Collexion really do feel like Sony’s attempt at going for the AirPods Max's popularity without the restrictive nature of that model’s iOS-centric feature-set. Everything from the sound signature through to the flatter design feels like a challenge to Apple, and, on a number of fronts, I’d argue that Sony has risen to said challenge.

Let’s start where it matters most and discuss sound quality. The Collexion (as I will call them) have an incredibly expansive, spacious soundstage, which provides plenty of room for individual instruments to express themselves.

Vocals and instruments are expertly separated, and there’s a fantastic degree of balance across the frequency range, resulting in nuanced, articulate sound. Combine that with using LDAC or lossless wired audio, and you’re in for a very detail-oriented listen.

The broad, roomy sound will certainly appeal to fans of the AirPods Max and their successor, although on a personal level, I did prefer the tighter and punchier sound signature of the Sony WH-1000XM6.

In terms of features, The Collexion riff heavily on what the XM6 had to offer, with impeccable touch controls, a 10-band custom equalizer, and third-party integrations like Spotify Tap and YouTube Music Quick Access. But there are some notable differences.

Here, users can access DSEE Ultimate for upscaling lower-quality files to 96kHz and 32-bit. This is enabled by a new V3 chip, which also powers some 360 Upmix audio modes for Music, Cinema, and Gaming, although these are unfortunately pretty poor, meaning I barely ever touched them. This is a shame, especially as the headphones have a dedicated button for such modes.

Noise cancelling is very good on The Collexion, and a 12-microphone system provides a solid barrier against traffic noise, surrounding chatter, and the like. Sony has been clear that the XM6 are more ANC-focused, and this came across in my testing, with a few more sounds seeping in with The Collexion — but what’s here still competes well against models like the AirPods Max 2 and bests the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.

Something that has taken a substantial step down, however, is battery life. You’re only getting 24 hours now (with ANC on), which is a fair bit less than most of the competition. 30 hours is essentially a standard for premium wireless headphones now (in no small part thanks to it being Sony's usual benchmark), although The Collexion can still outlast the AirPods Max 2, which only manage about 20 hours of playtime.

I think these headphones largely nail their more luxurious design, though. They have a gorgeous faux-leather headband and earcups which both look and feel amazing, while titanium details also offer a nice contrast to that material, and make The Collexion stand out clearly over the more unified look of other models in the 1000X line, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Generally, the headphones also feel very sturdy, and although they have a fair bit of weight to them, they’re less hefty than the AirPods Max 2. The Collexion are also exceedingly comfortable, and I felt happy using them for hours on end without ever feeling the need to adjust them.

All in all, then, the Sony 1000X The Collexion are a great pair of headphones that, on the whole, justify their asking price. Factors like their luxurious build, spacious sound, and solid feature-set mean they fare well against competitors in this price range.

There are some downsides, such as lower battery life and ANC power compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6, as well as the underwhelming 360 Upmix modes, but all in all, these headphones are worth considering for any who loves the feel of Sony headphones but wishes for a more revealing sound profile.

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Price and availability

• List price of $649 / £550 (about AU$900)
• Released in May 2026

The Collexion were officially unveiled in May 2026, about 10 years after Sony released the first set of headphones in its 1000X series. They’re the most premium wireless headphones on Sony’s roster, and have a list price of $649 / £550 (about AU$1,000), meaning they’re $200 / £200 more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM6.

This puts them close to the AirPods Max 2 — though Apple has them undercut by a good $100 in the US, and £50 in the UK. Other notable competitors include the Dali IO-8 for £499 in the UK, though these cost a hefty $899 in the US. There's also the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 for $799 / £629.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: specs

Drivers

30mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

24 hours

Weight

0.7lbs / 320g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5mm

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Drivers

30mm dynamic

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Features

• ANC and battery life can’t match the XM6
• Best-in-class touch controls
• DSEE Ultimate for upscaling, plus LDAC and wired lossless available

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Sony 1000X The Collexion have a very similar featureset to the Sony WH-100XM6 — although there are some things that are exclusive to this pricier model, and some things they don’t do quite so well.

Let’s start with the new stuff. One brilliant addition is DSEE Ultimate. This technology is enabled by a new Integrated Processor V3 chip, and has never featured in a pair of Sony headphones until now (only in its music players).

DSEE Ultimate uses AI tech to upscale the sample rate of a lower-quality audio file (including stuff that's being compressed down for Bluetooth transmission) to 96kHz / 24-bit resolution. When using this on Spotify, a lot of the tracks I listen to regularly sounded a touch more detailed, and I highly recommend keeping this setting on.

On top of this, The Collexion bring high-resolution to the table via both wireless and wired means. First of all, these headphones feature LDAC for higher-res Bluetooth listening. This tech is still inherently lossy, but if you want to take a step up, you can connect the headphones to your listening device via a USB-C or 3.5mm connection for wired lossless audio.

Something else enabled by the V3 chip is The Collexion’s 360 Upmix spatial audio modes. Although there’s no Dolby Atmos support, there are Music, Cinema, and Game modes, all of which take a standard audio signal and convert it into a more expansive format.

Unfortunately, I found that these upmixed modes produced poor audio quality, so even though the feature is enticing in theory, I barely made use of it — more on that later.

Still, there are plenty of great features on board, such as The Collexion’s top-tier touch controls. These are the same as on the XM6 — you can swipe to skip tracks and adjust volume, cover the right earcup to enable transparency mode on the fly, and double tap to play or pause your music.

The touch controls are incredibly responsive, and the decision to use a double tap to pause means I never accidentally triggered a command.

Call quality is also strong once again, with four feedback mics on the inside of the headphones. There’s also a 10-band equalizer and presets for personalized audio, multi-point connectivity, voice assistant compatibility, and third-party software integrations like Spotify Tap and YouTube Music Quick Access.

A lot of these settings are available in Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is relatively easy to use, but some settings are buried deep in numerous sub-menus, which can be a irritating at times.

Anyway, let’s talk about the most important feature of all: active noise cancellation. Again, you get the choice to use full ANC, a transparent ambient sound mode, or no noise cancelling at all. There’s also adaptive sound control, which switches settings depending on your environment and behaviour.

Just how good is the ANC here, though? Well, Sony was clear with us that The Collexion are less centered around ANC than the WH-1000XM6 — despite also containing the QN3 processor and 12-microphone system, just like those headphones.

And although noise cancelling is still very good on The Collexion headphones, with surrounding chatter and traffic noise kept quiet even at medium listening volumes, I could certainly tell the difference compared to the XM6. While listening to music, some higher-pitched sounds, like typing and taps running, as well as louder sounds like doors closing, could still be heard.

If you want best-in-class ANC, I’d stick with the XM6 — or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 — but otherwise, you’ll likely be satisfied with the noise cancelling available here.

One other feature that’s received a downgrade from the XM6 is battery life. You only get 24 hours here, which Sony says is a result of The Collexion’s flatter design in the earcups compared to the XM6, which offer 30 hours of playtime.

But let’s be honest: 24 hours just isn’t very good. It’s enough to last you through a long flight, and will likely get you through a few days at the office, but avid listeners will still have to charge their cans fairly regularly.

Ultimately, the standard in this bracket is 30 hours, although Sony still outdoes Apple here, with the AirPods Max 2 only able to manage 20 hours.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Sound quality

• Expansive, open sound is striking
• Sensational attention to detail using LDAC and wired lossless
• 360 Upmix modes are best avoided

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that offer the sort of expansiveness that Apple’s AirPods Max 2 can, with all mod-cons available to you, but you don’t want the restrictions those impose on non-Apple devices, then I’d argue that The Collexion are the closest thing available.

These headphones conjure up an incredibly wide, spacious soundstage — using them, it feels as if you’re listening to music inside a large virtual room. They use a new 30mm driver, which has been redeveloped with soft edges and a harder center for enhanced detail and balance.

Listening to Voyager by Daft Punk, the airy synths sounded pleasantly forward, while the percussion occupied its own individual pocket, with plenty of room to express itself. Bass then entered the fray with tremendous impact, and came through with an almost three-dimensional quality. Spacey synths also carried a tremendous sense of space, while guitar licks danced away in the backdrop.

The headphones performed very well, no matter what genre I threw at them. With a deep house track like Planet 34 by Jesse Maas, the bass came through with admirable depth and agility, meaning the low-end sounded full and energetic rather than lethargic and ‘boomy’. Higher-pitched percussion in the treble range also maintained tight control, but never sounded blunt or underpowered.

Generally, there’s a pleasant balance right across the frequency range, and instrument separation is incredibly refined. Pair that with the headphones’ great attention to detail, and you’re in for a pleasantly nuanced listening experience.

I should be clear, however, that these headphones are at their best with some form of higher-res mode of listening. For instance, when I listened to Felini by Venerus and Marco Castello, I found that using LDAC over standard Bluetooth made a noticeable difference.

Vocals came through more naturally and articulately, while soft acoustic guitars sounded a little more expressive — the tune just had a more open, nuanced sound to it overall. This was also the case when using a wired connection, so if you want to experience The Collexion at their most intricate, make sure to use one of these options (iPhone users will want to focus on USB-C connectivity).

But how do The Collexion compare to the Sony WH-1000XM6? Well, The Collexion go for a more expansive and spacious sound, while the XM6 offer a tighter, punchier interpretation.

In Sadao Watanabe’s jazz-funk fusion record, Down East, I could detect a huge difference in the way that the headphones handled the smooth, funky bass. On the XM6, it was by no means overwhelming, but certainly impactful and slightly forward. There was still a solid amount of low-end weight on The Collexion, but the bass had a more spacious quality.

The Collexion’s more dispersed sound and almost distant low-end meant the track lost a bit of its bite, and I actually preferred the more direct approach of the XM6. There’s no doubt that The Collexion are capable of offering more space for individual instrumental elements to work their magic than the XM6, but some may actually prefer the tighter approach of the latter.

Ultimately, which you prefer is largely down to personal preference — I already preferred the sound signature of the WH-1000XM6 over the airy, broad approach of the AirPods Max 2, for instance, but I’m confident that both sound fantastic in unique ways.

One thing that did disappoint me, however, was the quality of the 360 Upmix modes. When using the Music mode, tracks sounded glaringly worse — vocals lost clarity, drums had a tinny edge, and keys in the mid-range lost their tonal accuracy. The Cinema mode was a bit better, but I still found speech to be less clear and defined, making for a weaker overall viewing experience.

This is a shame, given that the 360 Upmix modes are pitched as a major feature, and even have a dedicated button. But at the time of writing, they’re just not good enough.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Design

• Stunning faux-leather casing with titanium details
• Super-comfortable fit with plush earcups
• Slightly odd-looking case

Sony’s The Collexion headphones look strikingly different from models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM5, combining a beautiful faux-leather exterior with metal details.

The look of the outer casing is top-class, and is a clear indicator that these headphones are a premium product. Even when I used touch controls, the textured feel of the faux-leather was incredibly satisfying — and these small touches go a long way when you’re spending north of $500 / £500 on headphones.

Dual-textured metal links the earcups to the headband, and the metal is used for the various buttons and ports, and I can see people being divided on how enticing this looks.

Where the XM6 went for an ultra-fluid, homogenous design, The Collexion go for more of a contrasting look, and overall, I’m a fan. When we attended the product launch, Sony told us it was aiming to create a “timeless design,” and although I’d argue that headphones like the Marshall Monitor III ANC — which have a gorgeous retro look — do this slightly better, I still like The Collexion’s aesthetic.

Although the Sony WH-1000XM6 are my go-to headphones, there’s always been one thing I’ve disliked about their design: the bulky-looking earcups. The Collexion have done away with this, in favor of flatter and slimmer earcups — similar to those of the Sonos Ace. They look fantastic, and although Sony told us that the more compact form was a large reason for the reduced battery life, I’m a big fan of this choice style-wise.

Despite their flatter earcups, the Collexion are actually quite a bit heavier than the XM6. Sony’s new cans come in at 0.7lbs / 320g, compared to the 0.6lbs / 254g of their cheaper cousin. This is likely a result of the more premium materials being used, but I never felt that the headphones were too hefty in-use, and they’re still considerably lighter than the 0.9lbs / 386g AirPods Max 2.

In fact, I’d argue that these headphones are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever used. Their plush earcups, cushioned headband, and low-pressure feel is sensational, and makes for incredibly comfortable listening sessions, no matter how long.

There’s a wider headband on this model than on the XM6, which means these headphones won’t clamp too hard if you place them around your neck.

There are a few physical buttons on board, for altering noise cancelling levels and turning the power on or off, and for when (or rather if) you want to sift through the 360-degree audio modes. The rest is down to the touch controls, which are best-in-class.

Although I’ve been full of praise up to this point, The Collexion do have a few potential drawbacks worth pointing to, design-wise.

The first is that they're not foldable. This is a shame, as I love the XM6’s foldability, especially if I’ve forgotten the case and want to place them in a small bag or larger-sized pocket.

Another thing I'm not super-keen on is the case. Like the XM6, the Collexion have a magnet-lock case, which is incredibly practical and good to see. However, the look of the case is… not the best. It almost looks like a mini handbag, and not an especially attractive one. You can see it just below.

This is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but personally I preferred the more simple look of the XM6’s case.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Value

• Very high asking price
• Justified in most areas, but less so in others
• Overall they still compete well against the likes of the AirPods Max 2

So, do the Sony 1000X The Collexion earn their high asking price? Well overall, I’d say they do — but the picture isn’t entirely black and white (unlike their color options).

At $649 / £550 (about AU$900), these are Sony’s priciest wireless headphones, coming it at around $200 / £200 more than the WH-1000XM6. That value is realized in many respects, with more spacious and detailed sound, better upscaling, and a considerably more premium build.

However, these headphones lag behind the XM6 when it comes to ANC and battery life. They still compete well in terms of noise cancelling, sound quality, and design against similarly priced rivals like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and the Apple AirPods Max 2, but if you want a true pair of all-rounders with top bang-for-buck, then the XM6 would still be my top recommendation.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Sony's 1000X The Collexion (left) and the WH-1000XM6 (Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Should you buy them?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Excellent touch controls, DSEE Ultimate upscaling, ANC still very solid, although battery life disappoints.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Expansive sound with impeccable detail, but 360 Upmix audio is a let-down.

4.5 / 5

Design

High build quality, phenomenal comfort, but the case isn’t my favorite.

4.5 / 5

Value

Competitive against ultra-premium rivals, but the cheaper XM6 are better all-rounders.

4 / 5

Buy them if...

You want headphones with an expansive sound signature
These headphones offer an incredibly wide soundstage, with plenty of space for each instrument to do its thing. Combine that with their incredible attention to detail, and you’re getting expansive sound in every sense.

You value high build quality
I’m a big fan of the faux-leather material used for the earcups and headband on the Sony 1000X The Collexion. It gives them a real air of luxury — and for good reason, as they certainly don't come cheap.

Don't buy them if...

You don’t want to charge your headphones too often
The Collexion’s 24-hour battery life is not very good, and falls short of much of the competition. Premium alternatives like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 manage 30 hours, which is essentially a standard in the premium headphones space. If you don’t want to charge your headphones up too often, there are better options.

You’re looking for best-in-class ANC
Don’t get me wrong, The Collexion offer very solid noise cancelling, and Sony has been forthcoming in saying that the XM6 are the better product when it comes to silencing the outside world. But it’s worth flagging that better is available. The XM6 are my top recommendation, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — the original or their successor — are top-tier ANC-wise as well.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Also consider

Sony 1000X The Collexion

Apple AirPods Max 2

Dali IO-8

Price

$649 / £550 (about AU$1,000)

$549 / £499 / AU$999

$899 / £599 (about AU$1,100)

Drivers

30mm dynamic

40mm dynamic

50mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

24 hours

20 hours

30 hours

Weight

0.7lbs / 320g

0.9lbs / 386g

0.7lbs / 325g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C

Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

10Hz-43kHz

Apple AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2 are perhaps The Collexion’s most obvious competitor, and there are plenty of similarities between the two. Both offer expansive, spacious sound, a similar amount of playtime, and provide good — though not quite class-leading — active noise cancellation. Read our hands-on with Apple AirPods Max 2.

Dali IO-8
We awarded the Dali IO-8 headphones a five-star review when we tested them in late 2024 — and for good reason. With phenomenally detailed audio, outstanding build quality, and very good noise cancelling, there’s just so much to admire. The only caveat worth mentioning is that I found them to be far less comfortable than The Collexion headphones, though honestly most headphones are. Read our full Dali IO-8 review.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• I tested them for just under two weeks
• I predominantly tested them using Tidal
• Tested in real-world conditions

I spent more than a week testing the Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones, during which time I tested them in as many real-world situations as I could, to test the active noise cancellation.

Although I dipped into apps like Spotify, I predominantly used Tidal to test their performance, due to its support of higher-resolution files. I began my testing by sifting through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres, but I also listened to hours' worth of tunes from my personal library.

I’ve spent years testing all sorts of audio gear here at TechRadar, ranging from party speakers to audiophile-friendly wired and wireless headphones. I also reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM6 and compared them to rivals from Bose, Apple, Bowers & Wilkins and more — I've been using the XM6 headphones for more than a year now, so I had a deep understanding of how The Collexion differed from their counterpart.

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

Epomaker P65 review

In the world of mechanical keyboards, it can often look like brands are all trying to one up each other simply for the sake of it. It’s as if they feel they must be the most feature-packed, the most outlandishly designed, or have the highest spec numbers.

Epomaker has gone the other way with its premium P series, and the Epomaker P65 arrives as the most compact entry in a lineup, which also includes the P75 (75%) and P87 (TKL). All three share the same core DNA: CNC aluminum construction, gasket mounting, five-layer sound dampening, and VIA/QMK programmability. The P65 I’ve been testing takes that formula and squeezes it into a 65% layout with 66 keys and a rotary knob.

The first thing that hits you with the Epomaker P65 is its weight. At 1.3kg, this is a dense, planted keyboard that both looks and sounds like one solid hunk of metal, because it essentially is. Both the top frame and the bottom chassis are CNC-machined aluminum with a lovely anodized finish. That’s an unusually premium build for a $119 keyboard, as most boards in this bracket use an aluminum top plate over a plastic base.

My Khaki review unit has a retro, old-school aesthetic that’s reminiscent of stock keyboards from school computer labs, just significantly more upmarket. It’s a look that won’t appeal to everyone, and there’s a plain black option available too if that’s the case, but I found it refreshingly understated in a market full of aggressive RGB-littered designs.

Speaking of which, the P65 does include south-facing per-key lighting, but it’s quite muted when viewed from a normal typing position. I’m not particularly disappointed by that because it feels slightly at odds with the vintage vibe of the Khaki colorway, though you can always turn it off and I imagine it looks a little more at home in the black trim.

(Image credit: Future)

The double-shot PBT keycaps are well-made, with a subtle texture that feels good under the fingers. The font is simple and clear, though I did notice some strangely inconsistent stroke weights on keys like Backspace and Enter. Some letters appear thinner than others in a way that looks less like a stylistic choice and more like a rendering issue or printing problem.

Where the Epomaker P65 really shines is sound. My unit uses Epomaker’s own Zebra linear switches, or you could opt for the heavier Wisteria option instead. Combined with the aluminum case and five-layer dampening stack, the result is one of the most satisfying sound profiles I’ve tested in a while.

It’s deliciously smooth and creamy. Every keystroke has a clean, rounded character that scratches a very specific part of my brain. A warning though: it’s loud. This is not a keyboard for a shared office or an open-plan workspace. I can’t blame it wanting to be heard when it sounds this good, but there’s no missing it.

Typing performance is strong. I hit 129 words per minute at 97% accuracy in testing, which is comfortably above my average of 116/96. This result surprised me since the board didn’t feel quite that fast or clean during use, though I did notice I settled in with it much easier than other mechanical keyboards. The Zebra switches actuate at just 40g, making them light and snappy with a softness from that gasket-mount design.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the fixed six-degree typing angle is less ideal. I don’t actually mind the angle myself, but there are no adjustable feet at all and I would have liked the option to go a little flatter and steeper to see the difference. There’s also quite a tall, sheer front edge that isn’t ideal for extended typing sessions. For gaming and general messing about it’s not an issue, but for all-day productivity usage, I’d recommend adding a wrist rest.

Connectivity covers the three usual bases: three-device Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless via an included USB-A dongle (that has a neat magnetic cubby on the back), and wired USB-C. The Bluetooth connection was solid and reliable in my testing, though I had to dig into the manual to find the function key shortcuts for pairing and switching between device slots. There’s nothing printed on the keycaps to indicate which keys handle Bluetooth functions, which is a minor inconvenience during initial setup.

It’s also worth noting that while this keyboard is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, there’s no toggle switch to jump between modes and no alternate keycaps included to swap between platforms. I don’t necessarily need entirely different caps, but having the relevant symbols printed on there would have been nice to see.

(Image credit: Future)

The 4,000mAh battery delivers decent life without being a standout, offering roughly 16 hours with RGB on and up to 260 hours without. For gaming, the 1,000Hz polling rate over both 2.4GHz and wired is perfectly adequate and I never felt like my inputs were lagging behind. The P65 doesn’t pretend to be a competitive gaming weapon, and it lacks the adjustable actuation and rapid trigger features of Hall Effect boards, but as a general all-rounder it handles itself well.

If you’d like to mix things up, the P65’s hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, which is welcome given that limited stock selection of just two linear options. Swapping switches is straightforward with the included tool, but the tiny metal pins demand care and attention to get them lined up. It’s more nerve-wracking than boards where you can just slap a switch on without much ceremony. It’s not difficult and they do largely line themselves up; it’s just fiddly.

The weakest link is software. The Epomaker P65 uses VIA for customization, which is powerful once it’s running, but getting there is more effort than it should be. Both the web app and the downloadable version required manually uploading a JSON file from Epomaker’s product page to identify the keyboard, and even that took a couple of attempts before it stuck. Once recognized, all the expected functionality is here: key remapping, macros, lighting control, and a fun keyboard testing mode that plays sounds as you hit each key. But the overall experience feels more like you’re accessing a developer tool than a customer-facing app. Other brands in this price range are delivering smoother software onboarding, and Epomaker needs to close that gap.

(Image credit: Future)Epomaker P65 review: Price & release date

• $119.99 / £89, often seen on sale
• Available via retailers but strangely absent from Epomaker’s website

At $119.99 / £89, the Epomaker P65 sits in a competitive price bracket and undercuts most of its aluminum-bodied rivals while maintaining build quality. Despite being a relatively new release, it’s not difficult to find it on sale with one retailer or another, which makes the value proposition even harder to argue with.

(Image credit: Future)Epomaker P65 review: Specs

Layout

65% (66 keys + rotary knob)

Switches

Epomaker Zebra or Wisteria linear (hot-swappable, 3/5-pin)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired

Polling rate

1,000Hz (2.4GHz and wired)

Actuation force

40g (Zebra) / 45g (Wisteria)

Features

Aluminum construction, 5-layer dampening, per-key south-facing RGB, 4,000mAh battery, NKRO

Compatibility

Windows / macOS / Linux

Software

QMK / VIA

Should I buy the Epomaker P65?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Hot-swappable switches, tri-mode wireless, rotary knob, no alternate macOS keycaps.

4/5

Performance

Wonderful sound, responsive switches, 1,000Hz polling, decent battery, VIA integration needs work.

4/5

Design

Fully aluminum build, premium feel, understated aesthetic, no tilt adjustment and minor keycap printing quirks.

4.5/5

Value

Outstanding build quality for $119, competitive feature set, frequently discounted further.

4/5

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a gateway to mechanical keyboards
The Epomaker P65 would make an excellent first mechanical keyboard that doesn’t break the bank. You get premium build quality backed by a solid spec sheet and that signature mechanical sound.

You do more than high-level gaming on your PC
This isn’t the highest spec keyboard and it lacks some of the top-end features of more dedicated gaming boards. The trade off is an improved typing experience and a nicer board to live with day to day.

You prefer an understated style
Both color options of the Epomaker P65 are dialed back with flat, uniform styling. The Khaki option in particular has a certain old-school vibe that looks elegant and refined.

Don’t buy it if…

You need a quiet keyboard
Even with five-layer dampening, the P65 is loud and commands attention. The gorgeous sound profile is one of its biggest selling points, but if you’re working in a shared space, you might get a few side-eye glances.

You need bleeding-edge gaming performance
The Epomaker P65 cuts back on some of the pro-level gaming tech in favor of a more modest price point and higher build quality. You won’t find 8K polling or customizable actuation switches here.

You’re a Mac user who wants a seamless experience
While it’s fully compatible with Mac, there are no alternate keycaps in the box featuring macOS labels.

Epomaker P65 review: Also consider

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K
If you’re OK with a slightly larger 75% layout, the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K offers an 8,000Hz polling rate, ZMK firmware, and an absurd 660-hour battery life at a similar $114.99 price point. It’s plastic rather than aluminum, but delivers higher performance value with smoother software. Read our full Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review.

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX
If you’re willing to spend more for a gaming-focused 65% board, the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX offers Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation and a unique touch-sensitive control bar. It’s wired only and considerably pricier, but it’s a serious step up for competitive play. Read our full Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Epomaker P65

• Tested over a week as my daily driver for writing, browsing, and gaming
• Used across a Windows PC and MacBook Air via all three connectivity modes
• Typing speed tested using 10fastfingers, gaming tested across casual and competitive titles

I used the Epomaker P65 as my primary keyboard for a week, switching between a Windows desktop (wired and 2.4GHz) and a MacBook Air (Bluetooth). Daily use included writing (including this review!), general browsing, Discord chats, and gaming across a mix of casual and competitive titles. I tested typing speed and accuracy using 10fastfingers, played with settings in both the installed and web version of VIA, swapped switches using the included tool, and assessed battery life with RGB enabled during normal use.

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

I was lucky enough to preview Yoshi and the Mysterious Book back in April, and it genuinely caught me off guard. After all, this Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive seemed to break the mold. Not only did it swap Yoshi’s usual platforming-focused formula for a more explorative and puzzle-oriented adventure, but it also felt like it held the substance and creativity that the dino’s more recent outings lacked.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2 only
Release date: May 21, 2026

And I’m glad to report that the full game only reinforced my initial impression — Yoshi and the Mysterious Book feels like a step-up on many of its predecessors, offering a level of intrigue and ingenuity that’s sure to entice players of various ages.

But is this the right game for you? And does it stand among the very best Nintendo Switch 2 games? Well, after playing through the main story and collecting no end of Smiley Flowers, I have a fair few thoughts — which are mostly, but not entirely positive. So, here’s what I made of Yoshi’s latest game.

Whimsy overload

(Image credit: Nintendo)

As I mentioned in my preview, two words come to mind when I think of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book: charm and whimsy.

A lot of this stems from the Nintendo Switch 2 title’s art direction, which is truly exceptional. Everything from the hand drawn creatures through to the stop-motion style animation is executed brilliantly, and provides each character with bags of personality and uniqueness. The game is just overflowing with charisma, and I can see the visual style being a hit with younger players and fans of cozy games, for instance.

For anyone out of the loop, this game follows Yoshi’s journey of discovery through the many pages of Mr. E, a sentient encyclopedia filled with many mystical creatures. Yoshi will have to learn about the behaviour, abilities — and even taste — of these characters, and help Mr. E recover knowledge about them.

I loved how each creature had a distinct set of skills, all of which can be utilized to solve puzzles in the game’s various levels. The main puzzles are usually straightforward, and won’t have more experienced gamers scratching their heads for too long, I expect. Younger players may need a while to solve later-game conundrums, although Mr. E is at hand to offer advice if things get too confusing.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

You can give whatever name you want to the creatures in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and I had a fantastic time picking weird and wacky monikers for each of them. Mr. E can suggest names, but I preferred to use my own, such as ‘rodney’ for a blob-like creature that comes equipped with a fishing rod.

Where the real challenge comes in, is in finding the numerous collectibles dispersed throughout each page. There are occasionally secret hollows that you can uncover, and there are coins buried away in harder-to-reach areas too. But the main collectible is the Smiley Flowers, which often require the player to get creative with creature abilities or to stray far from the beaten path.

Some of these flowers are super-easy to find, but many are hidden with great care. Even as someone who’s played many platformers — and indeed, Yoshi games — I still struggled to hunt a bunch of the Flowers down. By keeping some of the collectibles shrouded in mystery, I’d argue that Yoshi and the Mysterious Book does just about enough to maintain appeal for all ages.

Having said that, I did occasionally wish there was a little more difficulty mixed in. Most of the platforming is very easy, and Yoshi’s continuous flutter jump makes getting to distant segments pretty seamless. Most enemies pose little to no threat as well, and Yoshi will quickly respawn in the rare event of a deadly fall or attack. This remains the case in boss fights, which are creatively crafted, but lack threat.

So many secrets

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Again, though, the game is not centered around its platforming and action — it’s all about the exploration. As much as I was hoping for a little more difficulty here and there, the straightforward action did keep me laser-focused on learning more about the various creatures and searching for new secrets.

And there are so many secrets to discover. One of my favorites came during a level with Shy Guys, where I was able to give them a range of items to unveil a hidden room and obscured Smiley Flowers. There are six chapters in the main story, and a further four after that, so there really are a huge amount of creatures to learn about and discoveries to make.

These chapters aren’t massively rich in terms of narrative —Yoshi and the Mysterious Book isn’t trying to be a deep or layered piece of media. You’ll repeat the same loop in just about each one: discover a few creatures, run into Bowser Jr. and Kamek, fight the boss, and move onto the next.

In terms of length, then, each chapter can be completed quite quickly — especially if you’re playing through levels without finding each and every secret. Still, I found the game to be best-played in short sessions. The discovery formula is enjoyable, but not addicting to the point that I wanted to play for hours on end. And personally, I enjoyed finishing one chapter per night — almost as if I was reading an actual book.

Wrapping up the story

(Image credit: Nintendo)

There’s only one main game mode in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, but there are a few ways to customize and enhance your experience.

The first thing that comes to mind is your ability to play as multiple different color Yoshi. I played through most of the game in orange, but there’s the typical green, as well as yellow, pink, purple, and more. Another neat addition is Amiibo compatibility. If you’ve got any kind of Yoshi, Poochey, or Bowser Jr. figure, you can ask Mr. E to tell your fortune, and unlock in-game currency.

This currency can be used to reveal hints to new discoveries, enabling you to fill out Mr, E’s pages more rapidly. But it’s also possible to exchange Smiley Flowers that you collect for exploration tools. You can get a radar to discover nearby Flowers, creatures, and the like, a heart-rate tracker, a speedometer, and more.

Yoshi can actually get up to some impressive top speeds, but even when the game is at its most chaotic, it runs without a hitch. I experienced very little in the way of frame drops or delays, with just a couple of rare performance dips in handheld mode. In docked, the game played flawlessly and looked stunning in 4K. It’s hardly the most demanding game, of course, but this is great to see regardless. Yoshi also feels great to control, and I never got frustrated with awkward platforming or janky combat.

With its endearing visual style, enticing exploration, and charisma-filled creatures, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a delight on Nintendo Switch 2. Yes, its low difficulty could leave me wanting more during boss fights, and those hoping for perilous platforming may not gel with this entry so well. But this title concentrates carefully on its core objective — of being an exploration-focused puzzle platformer — and gives Yoshi his most enjoyable game in many a year.

Should you play Yoshi and the Mysterious Book?

(Image credit: Nintendo)Play it if…

You want a slower-paced adventure to relax with
If you’re looking for a game that’s low on intensity and high on relaxation, then Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is perfect for you. Playing one chapter per night was a very calming experience for me, and the lack of high-octane action will suit more laid-back gamers.

You’ve got a younger player in your household
Although some collectibles are very challenging to locate, the main objectives in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are simple to complete. With its straightforward puzzler gameplay, this entry is ideal for younger players, and it’s sure to help develop skills such as problem solving and critical thinking.

Don’t play it if…

You want a challenging platformer
If you’re on the hunt for a tough Nintendo platformer, then this isn’t it. Yoshi’s new game is very much focused on discovery — to the point that platforming, and even boss fights, end up being very low in difficulty.

You’re not really into collectathons
A lot of the depth this game has to offer is centered around new creature discoveries and uncovering hidden Smiley Flowers. If you’re not a big fan of collectathons, then the gameplay here may not pique your interest all too much.

Accessibility features

There are only a handful of ways to customize your experience in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. You can pick between three control schemes, set a ‘patient’ or ‘hasty’ egg toss style, disable rumble, and choose to advance Mr. E’s dialogue manually or automatically. There’s no colorblind mode or way to zoom in the camera, which could’ve been a nice touch.

(Image credit: Nintendo)How I reviewed Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

I spent more than ten hours venturing through Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, during which time I completed the main story and collected a whole bunch of Smiley Flowers.

Most of the time, I played the game in docked mode using the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, with my system connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did dip into handheld mode now and then, during which time I connected to the console with my JBL Tour One M3 wireless headphones.

I’ve been a Nintendo Switch 2 owner from day one, and have played many Yoshi games, including newer entries, like Yoshi’s Woolly World and Yoshi’s New Island. I’ve also reviewed a number of Switch 2 games here at TechRadar, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Kirby Air Riders and Drag x Drive.

Full spoilers follow for The Mandalorian. Light spoilers also follow for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Seven years is a long time for a franchise like Star Wars to spend away from the big screen. Sure, the wait for new movie-based entries in Lucasfilm's iconic galaxy far, far away has been significantly larger in the past. In an age where entertainment titans are mining everything they can from their money-spinning signature brands, though, it's surreal to think that a whole generation of fans haven't seen a Star Wars movie at their local theater.

Well, now they can. The Mandalorian and Grogu, a film sequel to The Mandalorian, aka the hugely popular Disney+ TV series that stars the aforementioned pair, aims to replicate the success of its parent show and recapture the magic of seeing the legendary sci-fi franchise on the silver screen for the first time. Unfortunately, it achieves neither of its objectives.

Wherever I go, he goes

The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the pair's first adventure on the silver screen (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Picking up sometime after The Mandalorian's season 3 finale, The Mandalorian and Grogu reunites us with the titular duo as they continue to carry out their contractual work for The New Republic. That being, hunting down Imperial warlords still devoted to the Galactic Empire to stop them from reviving the autocratic regime.

The Mandalorian and Grogu has the air of being two hour-long episodes of its parent show that have been smashed together

To that end, the Mandalorian known as Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his Force-wielding pal are given a specific mission by Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver): rescue Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White) for his crime lord relatives known as the Twins. In exchange, the latter will provide information on the whereabouts of Lord Janu (Jonny Coyne), The New Republic's next target.

Sounds simple, right? I think you already know the answer to that. Long story short: Mando and Grogu get more than they bargained for on a quest that proves to be their most dangerous yet.

The Twins are as archetypal as you can get with a Star Wars villain — or, rather, villains (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Truth be told, they should be used to life-threatening situations as they've embarked on numerous perilous missions before in The Mandalorian.

And this is my first major gripe with The Mandalorian and Grogu, because it has the air of being two hour-long episodes of its parent show that have been smashed together.

There's a clear disconnect between The Mandalorian and Grogu's two halves

It's difficult to explain without getting into major spoiler territory but, despite The Mandalorian and Grogu possessing a narrative throughline, there's a clear disconnect between its two parts that occurs exactly at its midpoint.

Indeed, with Mando and Grogu seemingly completing their Rotta-based search and rescue mission quicker than expected, I fully expected the end credits of this 'episode' to roll before its follow-up chapter began. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I not only realized this wouldn't happen, but also that there was an hour's worth of story left to tell when 95% of the plot's loose ends had seemingly been tied up.

Jeremy Allen White does a solid job voicing Rotta the Hutt (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Director Jon Favreau might claim that, rather than repurpose The Mandalorian season 4's scripts for this movie, he had to "start from scratch with The Mandalorian and Grogu's screenplay.

Nevertheless, given the notable split midway through this film's story, I'm of the opinion that some of that unmade season's plot threads have been reused and, whether by design or not, give it the structure of a multi-episode arc that's been stitched together. Think of how The Clone Wars animated series' first few episodes were similarly sewn together to unnecessarily turn it into a big-screen offering, and you'll get the idea.

The light and the dark

The Mandalorian and Grogu's set-pieces will thrill many audience members (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

The Mandalorian and Grogu does win points for its action sequences, though. They're not wholly original in their makeup but, whether it's large- or small-scale battles, chase sequences, or vehicular- or duel-based combat, each one is as entertaining and well-executed as they need to be.

Grogu is the highlight of the show

Speaking of being entertaining, Grogu is — if it even needs saying — the highlight of the show.

Multiple scenes involving Mando's apprentice are played for laughs (and rightly so, because he's an adorable little tyke), but he also gets enough character development that indicates he's not only coming into his own as a protagonist, but also being firmly positioned as Star Wars' next big, well, star. Suffice it to say, newcomers will fall head over heels for the individual affectionately known as Baby Yoda, while established fans will re-fall in love with him all over again.

Grogu and the Anzellans provide plenty of light comic relief in the film's back half (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Of equal appeal is The Mandalorian and Grogu following in the footsteps of its parent show and introducing us to fascinating new corners of the galaxy.

With growing fan criticism that Star Wars was reluctant to move away from exploring desert planets, The Mandalorian has given us new worlds — and the odd old fan favorite, such as Mandalore — to explore since its initial release on Disney+, aka one of the best streaming services.

It's time for Star Wars to move past its overreliance on nostalgia bait

It's a baton that The Mandalorian and Grogu is only too happy to pick up, too. Indeed, in flying us to new locales like Nal Hutta and Shakari, one of the many forthcoming new Star Wars movies and shows builds on its TV forebear's desire to visit unexplored regions of the galaxy, especially in the lawless Outer Rim. I'll take more of the same with other projects you've got in the pipeline, please, Lucasfilm.

Sigourney Weaver's Colonel Ward doesn't get as much screentime as you might expect (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

While I'm making requests, it's also time for Star Wars to move past its overreliance on nostalgia bait, of which The Mandalorian and Grogu is as guilty of as its franchise contemporaries are.

Spoilers notwithstanding, it's a film dripping in Easter eggs and callbacks to other Star Wars projects, especially in its back half. That won't be an issue for diehards looking to mimic Captain America's "I understood that reference" line from The Avengers or Leonardo DiCaprio's finger pointing meme from One Upon a Time in Hollywood. Still, to me at least, the sheer number of nods to The Mandalorian and wider Star Wars universe felt more and more self-indulgent with each one I picked up on.

My verdict

The Mandalorian and Grogu is fine. It's an inoffensive and narratively safe addition to Lucasfilm's back catalog that'll still perform admirably at the global box office by virtue of it being a Star Wars movie, and the inclusion of Baby Yoda that's sure to lure in first-time viewers and diehard fans of the adorable green imp alike.

For those who grew up on the original films and/or want Lucasfilm and Disney to take more big creative swings in the vein of Andor, though, The Mandalorian and Grogu will feel like a missed opportunity. After all, this is the franchise's first big-screen outing since incredibly divisive 2019 flick The Rise of Skywalker, and I suspect some will have hoped that Mando and Baby Yoda's latest adventure would help to wash away the aforementioned film's lingering bad aftertaste.

Occasionally enjoyable though it is, The Mandalorian and Grogu fails to do just that and, as much as it pains me to say it, this isn't the way that Star Wars should've returned to the big screen.

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters worldwide on Friday, May 22.

Insta360 Mic Pro: one-minute review

The Insta360 Mic Pro is Insta360's flagship wireless microphone system, and it enters the crowded small wireless mic sector with two features that its rivals (most notably DJI) simply can't match: a customisable E-ink display on each transmitter, and a three-microphone array that uses digital signal processing (DSP) to simulate different polar pickup patterns.

The E-ink screen is the more immediately striking of the two. Via the Insta360 app, you can push any image you like to the circular 1.22-inch, 6-colour display and it'll stay there persistently, even when the transmitter is powered off. And unlike an OLED display, E-ink consumes power only when refreshing the image, not while showing it, which means it adds almost nothing to battery drain. It's a clever and well-executed idea.

The selectable polar patterns are perhaps more interesting in theory than they proved in practice during my testing. The Mic Pro's three-microphone array uses DSP to synthesise four distinct modes: omnidirectional, super-directional, cardioid and figure-8. These are not true multi-capsule configurations (they're digitally constructed from omnidirectional inputs) but the differences are real. In everyday use, though, I found myself leaving the mic in omnidirectional mode most of the time. Where the polar patterns become more useful is when you mount the Mic Pro on a camera's cold shoe and switch to cardioid or super-directional mode, turning it into a passable on-camera directional mic — something DJI's Mic series doesn't allow for.

This design isn't printed on — it's an image displayed on a circular E-ink screen. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Elsewhere, the Mic Pro's spec sheet impresses: there's 32-bit float internal recording, 32GB of onboard storage, NPU-powered AI noise cancellation, timecode sync, up to 400m wireless range, and impressive multi-channel flexibility with 4-to-1 and 2-to-4 configurations. That last one — distributing two transmitters to four receivers simultaneously — may be particularly valuable for multi-camera productions.

In my testing, the feature that impressed most was the noise cancellation. Tested against a running fan in my office, the Mic Pro's Strong noise cancelling setting completely eliminated the background drone, easily outperforming the DJI Mic 3 in the same conditions. There are some minor design caveats worth noting, but the Mic Pro's core audio credentials are excellent.

Insta360 Mic Pro: price and release date

• Launched May 19 2026
• Priced from $99.99 / £89 / AU$159.99 for single transmitter
• Available in three options

The Insta360 Mic Pro is available now in three configurations. The entry-level option (£89 / $99.99 / AU$159.99) gives you a single transmitter only, which makes sense if you're buying into the Insta360 camera ecosystem and/or connecting directly via Bluetooth, or recording on the transmitter's own internal storage. The middle-tier 1 TX + 1 RX bundle (£179 / $199.99 / AU$319.99) is the obvious choice for solo creators, while the full 2 TX + 1 RX kit (£279 / $329.99 / AU$529.99) adds a second transmitter and charging case for two-person setups.

For context, the DJI Mic 3, the Mic Pro's closest competitor, currently retails at £269 for the 2 TX + 1 RX bundle, making the Insta360 £10 more for broadly comparable headline specs, though with genuinely different feature sets.

All of the above is included in the priciest Insta360 Mic Pro bundle. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Insta360 Mic Pro: specs

Dimensions

TX: 38 x 38 x 12.2mm / RX: 55.8 x 27.7 x 21mm

Weight

TX: 19.7g (without clip or magnet) / RX: 29.8g

Range

Up to 400m

Connectivity

RX: USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm jack, headphones

Bluetooth

Yes

Battery

10 hours (transmitter), 11 hours (receiver), up to 30 hours with fully charged case

Noise cancelling

Two-level

The transmitter's USB-C port allows wired charging, plus data transfer from its 32GB of onboard storage space. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Insta360 Mic Pro: Design

• Transmitter's E-ink display can be customized
• Clip or magnetic attachment
• Receiver features small OLED screen

The Mic Pro transmitter is a small cylindrical puck 38mm in diameter and just 12.2mm tall with the E-ink display taking up one face entirely. It weighs 19.7g without its clip or button magnet attached, making it light enough to clip to a lapel without dragging on clothing.

That E-ink display is the first thing anyone will notice about the Mic Pro, and rightly so. At 1.22 inches with a 197 PPI resolution, it's sharp enough to render logos and text cleanly, and its six-color capability means branded graphics translate well. The persistent display could be a practical boon for multi-mic setups where visual identification of TX units matters – and because E-ink draws power only during refresh, it barely contributes to battery use. It's a well-thought-through implementation of a novel idea.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

For mounting, the Mic Pro follows the now-familiar dual-approach used by DJI and others: a small clip for collars, caps and lapels, and a button magnet for direct attachment to thinner fabrics. The Mic Pro clip doubles as a cold shoe adapter that lets you mount the transmitter directly onto your mirrorless camera — effectively transforming it into an on-camera directional microphone when paired with the cardioid or super-directional pickup mode. As far as I'm aware, this isn't something DJI's Mic series supports, and it expands the Mic Pro's versatility for run-and-gun filmmakers.

The receiver is a conventional rectangular unit with a cold shoe clip, USB-C and 3.5mm outputs, and a small display for monitoring levels and settings. It's not especially compact by current standards (it will feel a little awkward when plugged into your smartphone, for instance), but it does the job.

The charging case is where things get a little more mixed. It looks smart, with a transparent front panel that shows you what's inside — two TX units, one RX, plus dedicated spaces for clips and magnets, and two smartphone adapters. My concern is a practical one: that transparent panel will attract fingerprints and may scuff with regular use. The hinged opening also took some getting used to; it's not quite as smooth or intuitive as DJI's case designs.

Both the receiver and transmitter can fit on top of camera cold shoes.Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen

There are two other niggles worth mentioning. First, there's no dedicated space in the charging case for the 3.5mm audio cable — a small but irritating omission. Second, the Mic Pro's included windshields don't fit inside the charging case either, which means they (like the audio cable) will need to go in the carrying pouch instead. DJI's windshields fit neatly inside the Mic 3 and Mic Mini 2 cases, which is a design touch that makes a difference if you're packing light.

On the subject of what's in the box: as mentioned, a soft zip-up carry pouch is included, big enough to fit the charging case plus cables and windshields. It's a welcome inclusion. Less welcome, for those like myself using older iPhones, is the absence of a Lightning adapter as standard — though with Apple's transition to USB-C, it's hard to be too surprised that Insta360 has made the Lightning plug an optional extra.

Insta360 Mic Pro: Performance

• 10 hours battery life (transmitter), 11 hours battery life (receiver)
• Up to 400m range
• Superb two-level noise reduction

The Mic Pro's audio quality is superb. Recordings are clean and clear, with a 48kHz sampling frequency and 24-bit wireless transmission that's standard for the class. 32-bit float recording is also supported but as always with these kind of mics, it applies only to internal onboard recordings, not to the live wireless signal.

That said, those internal recordings — stored on the transmitter's 32GB onboard memory — could come in very useful for demanding content creators. 32-bit float means you can recover audio from unexpectedly loud events in post without clipping or distortion, and the available recording durations are generous: up to 44.8 hours of 32-bit mono, or 22.2 hours of 32-bit stereo. The stereo internal recording capability (available due to the transmitter's three-mic array) is also a nice touch for recording ambient soundscapes and ASMR-style captures, and unique to the Mic Pro in this category.

The four selectable polar patterns — omnidirectional, super-directional, cardioid and figure-8 — are generated by combining the inputs from three microphone capsules using DSP rather than using discrete capsules for each mode, and I found the results to be good but not transformative. The differences between modes are audible, but in most recording scenarios omnidirectional will serve you perfectly well. Where pattern selection becomes most valuable is in cold shoe mounting: in super-directional or cardioid mode, the Mic Pro functions as a credible on-camera directional mic, giving you a single piece of hardware that covers both lavalier and shotgun mic duties. It could be very handy for solo creators looking to reduce the amount of kit they have to carry around.

The Mic Pro can pair directly with several Insta360 cameras, including the Ace Pro 2 pictured here. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The noise cancellation is where the Mic Pro most clearly distinguishes itself from the competition on audio quality, however. The system offers two levels — Weak and Strong — driven by an onboard NPU. In my testing with a fan running continuously in my office, the Strong setting completely eliminated the noise, with no audible trace remaining in the recording. I tested the DJI Mic 3 in the same conditions and found it less effective; the Mic Pro's Strong mode outperformed it clearly. Weak mode also did a solid job, which is important because there are real-world situations in which Strong mode can't be activated (such as when you're recording without a receiver).

The Mic Pro can pair directly with Insta360 cameras including the X5, X4 Air, Ace Pro 2 and Go Ultra via Bluetooth, delivering 48kHz audio without a receiver. In theory, it's a good way to cut down on complexity for anyone who owns a recent Insta360 camera. In practice, however, I found that when testing with an Ace Pro 2, I couldn't access noise cancellation or adjust the Mic Pro's settings (apart from gain) through the camera menu. It's possible this will be addressed through firmware updates but at the time of writing, DJI's OsmoAudio ecosystem integration feels considerably more complete and polished.

The maximum range from transmitter to receiver is quoted at 400m in open conditions, matching the DJI Mic 3, and the battery life of 10 hours for the transmitter and 11 hours for the receiver should see through a full shooting day with ease. A five-minute fast charge delivers 1.5 hours of additional use, too.

Should I buy the Insta360 Mic Pro?Buy it if…

You need the best noise cancellation available
The Mic Pro's Strong noise cancelling outperforms the DJI Mic 3 by a clear margin. If clean audio in noisy environments is your priority, this is the wireless mic to beat.

You want one mic that covers both lavalier and on-camera duties
The ability to mount the Mic Pro on a cold shoe and switch to a directional polar pattern gives it a multi-role capability DJI can't match.

Don’t buy it if…

You're not sure you'll use the headline features
If you don't need the E-ink display or polar patterns, the DJI Mic 3 offers comparable core performance at a similar price — and its ecosystem is more mature too.

Your windshields need to live in the charging case
A small but real inconvenience: the Mic Pro's windshields don't fit in the charging case, unlike DJI's equivalents.

Insta360 Mic Pro: also consider

DJI Mic 3

Still the benchmark compact wireless mic for most creators, the Mic 3 offers comparable audio quality, 32-bit float internal recording and a more mature wireless ecosystem. At a similar price to the Mic Pro's 2 TX + 1 RX kit, it's the natural alternative if the Insta360's headline features don't appeal.

Read our DJI Mic 3 review

DJI Mic Mini 2

If you don't need 32-bit float, multi-pattern recording or on-camera mounting, the Mic Mini 2 is a far more affordable entry point into quality wireless audio. At £89 / $199 for the full kit, it's exceptional value.

Read our DJI Mic Mini 2 review

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the Insta360 Mic Pro

• One week of testing indoors and outdoors
• Connected to Panasonic Lumix GH6 and Insta360 Ace Pro 2
• Tested indoors and outdoors

I've had plenty of time to test the Mic Pro in a range of scenarios and configurations: indoors and outdoors, in noisy and quiet environments and paired with the Panasonic Lumix GH6 mirrorless camera and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera. I've been able to test it clipped it to my clothes as well as mounted on the GH6 like a shotgun mic, and I was also able to compare its performance and noise cancelling capabilities directly with those of the DJI Mic 3.

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

Marshall Milton ANC: two-minute review

The Marshall Milton ANC brilliantly fuse everything I loved about the company's Major and Monitor models. They combine the iconic on-ear look of Marshall’s most popular headphones with the noise-cancelling capabilities and rich feature-set of their pricier over-ears, but for an official price of $229 / £179 / AU$329.

This combination has resulted in something that ranks among the best on-ear headphones, and that perform well across (the vast majority of) the board.

Just at a glance, the Milton ANC clearly stand as a middle point between their two siblings. For example, they have the PU-leather and golden detailing, alongside the exposed wires — design elements I loved on the Marshall Monitor III ANC. However, their on-ear build and smaller sized earcups are likely to appeal to fans of the Major line.

Of course, the Milton also bring active noise cancellation to the on-ear form, and they pull this off pretty well overall. There are some limitations to how effective ANC is — the lack of a full seal around the ears means that some harsher sounds will still seep in with relative ease.

However, I used the Milton on a flight, and they dulled the sound of a jet engine and surrounding chatter very well, enabling me to enjoy my tunes without many distractions, which isn't always the case with on-ears.

Marshall also aimed to level up its on-ear sound quality with the Milton, and I’d argue that they sound very decent for the price you pay. Some may find them to be a little bass-heavy out of the box, and they aren’t the most expressive-sounding headphones I’ve ever used — but a custom EQ can remedy the first point, and it’s also important to remember that these are moderately priced on-ears, not $400 / £350 over-ears.

The Milton offer energetic, clean, and relatively spacious sound, and perform well across various genres, and they even bring LDAC and USB-C audio to the table. The LDAC codec enables higher-res Bluetooth listening, and the Milton is the first Marshall product it’s featured on. Meanwhile, USB-C or USB-C to 3.5mm wired connectivity provides the highest-fidelity audio possible, and it’s great to see here.

One thing I really admired about these on-ears was their sustainable design. They’re made of 42% recycled materials (by weight), and multiple parts of the headphones are replaceable. You can also easily screw off the ear cups and replace a battery if need be. And this doesn't come at the cost of good looks — the Milton ANC effortlessly pull of the retro-style Marshall look.

These on-ears are also very plentiful in the battery life domain. You can get up to 80 hours of listening time with ANC off, and an admirable 50 hours with noise cancelling on, which is even better than the high-performing Beyerdynamic Aventho 100. Battery health settings are also accessible in the Marshall Bluetooth app, which I found to be relatively user-friendly, despite a few loading issues.

Perhaps the very best thing about the Milton ANC, though, is their almost weightless feel in use. I’d say that the Milton are the most comfortable on-ear headphones I’ve used in my entire life — I’m usually more of an over-ear fan, but sometimes I even forgot I was wearing these headphones.

Ultimately, then, the Marshall Milton ANC are an accomplished pair of on-ear headphones that perform well where it matters most. They aren’t quite perfect — I would’ve liked to have seen wear detection on-board, and there are some limitations in terms of sound and ANC. But for the price you pay, I think these headphones are well worth the investment.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Milton ANC review: price and availability

• List price of $229 / £179.99 / AU$329
• Released on Marshall website on May 19, 2026
• Coming to select retailers on May 27, 2026

The Marshall Milton ANC are available for $229 / £179.99 / AU$329, placing them directly between Marshall’s budget-friendly on-ears, the Major V, and their premium over-ears, the Monitor III ANC. They are currently available in Black only.

The Milton ANC were released on Marshall’s website on 19 May 2026, but will be available from select retailers starting on May 27, 2026.

Marshall Milton ANC review: specs

Drivers

32mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

50 hours ANC on; 80 hours ANC off

Weight

200g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Milton ANC review: features

• Colossal battery life of up to 80 hours with ANC off
• Lossless wired audio and LDAC for higher-res Bluetooth listening
• Commendable yet inherently limited noise cancellation

The Marshall Milton ANC are overflowing with features, including some that Marshall has never offered in its products before.

One exciting addition is LDAC, which enables you to stream higher-res audio over Bluetooth, from a compatible device. Of course, Bluetooth audio is still inherently lossy, but if you want the best quality possible, you can connect your device to the Milton via USB-C for wired audio — there’s even a USB-C to 3.5mm cable in the box.

The Milton ANC also bring support for Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, making it easy to locate your on-ears if you’ve forgotten their whereabouts.

A lot of the good stuff we saw on the Monitor III ANC features here too, including a five-band equalizer alongside a handful of presets, a customizable M button, and Auracast connectivity. You can access all of this in the Marshall Bluetooth app, which is well laid-out, but prone to a few loading issues in my experience.

I was pleased to see the Soundstage mode make a return, which is intended to “make your sound more spacious”. This works nicely, and I found myself using it pretty often. The effects aren’t as drastic as you get from some headphones’ spatial audio options, but you can adjust the metaphorical ‘room size’ and ‘amount’ that you want to employ spatial sound. For me, a medium room at 80% was the sweet spot.

Let’s also talk about battery life — something Marshall has been leading the way with on its Bluetooth speakers like the Kilburn III and Bromley 750. Things are no different on the Milton. You get a whopping 80 hours of playtime with ANC off, and a still-great 50 hours with noise cancelling active.

That’s considerably more than a lot of premium over-ear headphones, such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 can offer.

In-line with upcoming EU regulations, the battery will be readily removable and replaceable. Repairs and replacements are available through Marshall directly, as part of the company’s aim to deliver more sustainable tech.

I think it’s about time we go to the main event, though, and discuss ANC. When I attended the launch of these headphones, Marshall stated that “the Milton were designed to push ANC performance further than on-ear headphones have gone before”.

And I have to say, the Milton offer pretty solid noise cancelling capabilities all things considered. Even while on a flight, the rumble of a jet engine and of general chatter was dulled pretty effectively. These headphones don’t fully cover your ears, so there are limitations to what they can do, and on occasion, I’ve still been able to hear sounds like cars passing by or babies screaming when out and about.

Still, it’s neat to see ANC on some Marshall on-ears. The adaptive ANC is paired with a dynamic loudness feature, which adjusts audio playback depending on the noise level in your vicinity. If things are getting noisy, the headphones will raise the bass and lower the mids — the idea is to "to energize listening sessions – no matter what", though obviously this is great for running tracks to keep you pushing, and less so for podcasts.

There’s also a transparency mode if you want to be more aware of your surroundings when out and about, as well as battery preservation options to extend the long-term lifespan of the headphones.

Marshall has rammed these on-ears with just about every feature you could want… well, just about. I would’ve liked to have seen wear detection included, so that my music automatically pauses when I take the Milton off — it's pretty standard fare these days. Otherwise, though, their features suite is golden.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Milton ANC review: sound quality

• Clean, energetic sound
• Bass is a little heavy-handed out of the box
• Enjoyable, spacious sound with Soundstage mode active

Out of the box, the Marshall Milton ANC offers an energetic sound signature, and I was instantly struck by the hard-hitting bass. For some, the low-end may feel a little over-emphasized — and with more stripped back, acoustic tracks, I preferred using a custom EQ with a slight bump in the mids and some reduction down low.

However, I think that the signature sound will be a hit with a lot of listeners — the meaty bass was great for tracks like Authentic Computers 2.0 by Kolter. The pumping bass came through with seismic impact, but didn’t sound lethargic, and never obscured synths or vocals in the midrange. Meanwhile, drums higher in the frequency range sounded expressive yet controlled, helping to maintain the track’s high energy.

With more acoustic, laid-back tunes like Get It Up For Love by Ned Doheny, the Milton continued to perform well. Acoustic guitars in the build-up didn’t have top-tier expressiveness and detail of premium over-ears like the Sony WH-1000XM6, but they remained nice and clear in the mix, and intertwined with soulful vocals with elegance. Again, percussion was brilliantly balanced in the mix, and this even remained true at top volumes.

By default, the Milton ANC offer a solid soundstage, with a decent amount of width and immersion. However, if you make use of the Soundstage feature in the Marshall Bluetooth app, you can get more three-dimensional, spacious audio.

When listening to Down East by Sadao Watanabe, it really did seem as if sound had been released into a virtual room — the leading saxophone had more space to work its magic, while percussion felt as if it occupied a more distinct pocket.

I've flagged this in the Features section above, but I was also delighted to see LDAC make an appearance on a Marshall product, and it opened up more intricate detailing when listening to higher-res files on Tidal. Nothing is going to beat USB-C audio passthrough, however, which provides lossless quality via a wired connection.

Even using a more basic Bluetooth codec like AAC, though, the Marshall Milton ANC are a very solid-sounding pair of on-ears. They won’t astonish audiophiles with perfect instrument separation or top-tier attention to detail, but their engaging and energetic sound is sure to appeal to many.

On top of this, the Milton offer commendable mic quality, with four of the total six microphones being used for clear calls. I tried recording my voice and was very satisfied with the clarity of my speech throughout.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Milton ANC review: design

• Repairable and made of 42% recycled material
• Plush earcups are super-comfortable
• Beautiful retro-style look

I’ve mentioned a couple of times how Marshall is aiming to produce more sustainable technology at the moment, and the Milton ANC are a glowing example of that.

First of all, they contain 42% recycled material (by weight), which is a pretty significant proportion. On top of that, multiple parts of the Milton are replaceable, and Marshall can service the headphones or sell replacement parts when needed. The earcups also use bayonet locking, making them simple to screw off and on, and under the left earcup, you can easily unscrew a panel to replace the headphones’ battery.

It’s not all about sustainability though — the Marshall Milton ANC are brilliantly designed right across the board.

The earcups are more plush than those featuring on the Major V, and it’s incredibly apparent. They feel amazingly soft in use, and fit on my ears perfectly. The headband also feels relaxed, and never clamped down too hard, while still remaining secure.

Combine these two factors, and the Marshall Milton ANC are, without question, the most comfortable on-ear headphones I’ve ever used. I’ve used them for all-day use at the office, and never felt agitated or uncomfortable, which is a huge plus.

These headphones also look great in my opinion. The faux-leather casing, the golden Marshall logo, the exposed wires… these headphones nail the retro-style and look pretty premium for the price. The multi-directional button for playback control is attractive too, and was easy to use whenever I wanted to pump up the volume or skip a track.

Marshall has made a real effort to stress the ruggedness of the Milton, and I have to say they do feel pretty hardy. The practical draw-string case also helps to keep them safe against any tumbles or liquid splashes.

Speaking of which, the Milton ANC do not have a waterproof rating, which is a bit of a shame given their focus on durability and longevity. Don’t get me wrong: this is pretty common for headphones, but it would be nice to see a player like Marshall start adding IP ratings to its on-ear and over-ear products. Despite this, Marshall told me that the Milton were tested for higher humidity conditions and should be able to survive the odd raindrop, for example.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Milton ANC review: Value

• Well-priced against the competition
• Incredible comfort, solid sound, and loads of features
• A great middle point between the Major V and Monitor III ANC

The Marshall Milton ANC are well priced against a lot of the competition. For instance, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100, which offer ANC, a similar amount of battery life, and similarly strong audio, are priced at $229 / £199 / AU$314.

On top of that, the Milton fit perfectly between Marshall’s more budget-friendly on-ears, the Major V, and its premium over-ears, the Monitor III ANC. The former will typically set you back $149 / £129 / AU$259, and the latter have a list price of $349 / £299 / AU$569.

The Milton offer the form-factor and compact style of the Major V, while cramming in a lot of the smart features and noise-cancelling capabilities of the Monitor III, neatly fusing what makes their sibling models so appealing.

And just overall, I think you’re getting good overall quality for the money you spend. With top-tier comfort, plenty of playtime, and a sustainable design, the Milton ANC feel like a worthy investment.

Are they the best sounding headphones ever? Perhaps not — they lack the detail and balance that some competitors can supply. But still, these are hardly the most expensive on-ears out there, and their energetic sound signature is sure to appeal to a large proportion of the market.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Marshall Milton ANC?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Higher-res Bluetooth audio, great battery life, solid ANC; where's the wear detection?

4.5/5

Sound quality

Clean, energetic sound with LDAC and wired lossless, but could sound more balanced and detailed.

4/5

Design

Sustainable, durable construction with an iconic, enticing look, and best-in-class comfort.

4.5/5

Value

Well-priced against competition and not short on all-round quality.

4.5/5

Buy them if…

You want maximum comfort
The Marshall Milton ANC are, without a doubt, the comfiest on-ear headphones I’ve ever tested. They never clamp too heavily, and the plush earcups ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy your tunes for hours on end.

You’re looking for on-ears with noise-cancelling capabilities
A big positive about the Milton compared to a model like the Marshall Major V, is that they come with adaptive noise cancelling. That means that you can block the outside world out to decent effect, and the headphones can even adjust ANC levels depending on the noise levels in your environment.

Don’t buy them if…

You want the best sound quality available
Although the Milton offer very decent sound for the price you pay, they don’t offer the most nuanced or detailed sound I’ve ever heard from a pair of headphones. For the best sound quality, it may be worth looking to the over-ear market, and going with a pair like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless.

You’re looking for a budget pair of headphones
Although the Milton aren’t massively expensive, especially for the quality on offer, you can certainly nab great quality headphones for less. In the over-ear category, it’s worth checking out cans like the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 and the Soundcore Space 2. But if you want to stick with on-ears, I’d recommend taking a look at the Sony WH-CH520, listed below.

Marshall Milton ANC review: Also consider

Marshall Milton ANC

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100

Sony WH-CH520

Price

$229 / £179 / AU$329

$229 / £199 / AU$314

$60 / £60 / AU$99

Drivers

32mm dynamic

45mm dynamic

30mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

No

Battery life

50 hours ANC on; 80 hours ANC off

40 hours ANC on; 60 hours ANC off

50 hours

Weight

200g

220g

137g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.2

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-22kHz

20Hz-20kHz

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100
We rated these on-ears from Beyerdynamic pretty highly when we tested them last year and, as a result, they made the cut in our guide to the best on-ear headphones. With impressive ANC, strong battery life, and beautiful looks, there’s a lot to like about these headphones, although we did wish they sounded a little more detailed. Read our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review.

Sony WH-CH520
If on-ears are your thing, but you don’t want to spend upwards of $200 / £150, then the super-cheap Sony WH-CH520 could be perfect for you. They don’t feature active noise cancelling or fancy looks, but what they do provide is solid sound quality, plenty of playtime, and upscaling for lower-res audio files. Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review.

How I tested the Marshall Milton ANC

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested over the course of multiple weeks
• Used on a flight, public transport, and on walks
• Predominantly streamed music on Tidal

I spent weeks testing the Marshall Milton ANC, taking them with me just about everywhere I went. I used them on a flight, train journeys, my daily walks, and while working away at the office.

When listening to music, I used Tidal to experience the headphones’ higher-resolution capabilities, but I also dipped into Spotify from time to time. As always, I used the TechRadar testing playlist, which features songs from a wide variety of genres, but I also spent hours bumping tunes from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, and have tackled everything from premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6 through to small Bluetooth speakers like the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2. I’ve also tested a whole lot of Marshall products, including headphones such as the Marshall Monitor III ANC and soundbars like the Marshall Heston 60.

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

Obsession is among the huge range of new horror movies in May, and it is already doing more than enough to stand out from the crowd. With clever marketing including a phone number to call, everyone's been creeped out by the premise from the very beginning. I've been following this movie on social media for months, and I will admit that I am obsessed with Obsession.

When you strip it back, the premise of Obsession is a very simple one. A man makes a wish on a novelty toy, asking that his crush would "love him more than anything else in the entire world", and it comes true. But like any cautionary tale whether it's a genie's lamp or a monkey's paw, sometimes wishes backfire spectacularly.

Immediately, you face palm at just how extreme this wish is. Bear (Michael Johnston) is very explicit in what he wants, to the point that he asks to be the singular object of Nikki's (Inde Navarrette) desire. It's an unreasonable wish, because even those of us in committed relationships have other things that we love. Nothing can come between me and my hobbies, let me tell you.

The One Wish Willow, a whimsical novelty toy invented by director Curry Barker, takes Bear's request very literally. Indeed, Nikki does begin to love Bear more than anything, and it's more terrifying than he could have anticipated. Instead of giving Bear a passionate romance, she begins to stalk and obsess over him, and it is soon clear she is no longer Nikki but something else far more sinister.

Obsession sets out to make us incredibly uncomfortable and succeeds in multiple ways. Inde Navarrette's portrayal of Nikki is well rounded because yes, she does an excellent job at freaking us out, but she also shows us a human side of Nikki and what she lost. The movie reminds us repeatedly that Bear wished for this, he took away Nikki's agency, and now he's left with the stuff of nightmares.

You wished for this... (Image credit: Focus Features)

Navarette's unhinged performance is impossible to look away from, no matter what she's doing. There are some incredibly horrifying scenes in Obsession, as "Nikki" does her best to win Bear's affections and be the girl of his dreams, just as he asked. I did not expect things to get as dark as they did so be warned, some really messed up stuff happens. Nikki twists into something monstrous, a far cry from the person Bear loves.

Curry Barker has made something very special here. It ticks all the right boxes for any horror fan: it's gory, scary, and shocking. But it also forces us to confront some uncomfortable topics about relationships, desire, and consent. Nothing that happens in the movie would've happened if Bear hadn't broken the One Wish Willow, everything is a horrible, twisted consequence of his own actions. It's a tough pill to swallow.

Obsession is the kind of movie that lingers. Whether it's the disturbing scenes or the very idea of robbing someone of their humanity for your own selfish desires, it's sure to stick with you. I've seen plenty of interesting opinion pieces, videos and debates around the movie, which all good horror movies should do. It's a modern classic and I believe we'll be discussing it for many years to come.

Everywhere you look people are really analyzing Obsession and having a blast doing it, and because of this, its impact should not be ignored. It's only May and it has a very real chance of being 2026's best horror movie.

Many people are rallying for Obsession to be recognized during award season. With more horror movies being noticed recently, like Amy Madigan's performance in Weapons, I am hopeful that Obsession will get the flowers it deserves. It's thoroughly entertaining and grabs you by the throat, refusing to let go.

Truly, I could not have wished for more.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: One-minute review

OLED display tech has some killer advantages over traditional LCD panels. But it also has some weaknesses. Enter the new MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36. It's a 34-inch ultrawide model that debuts Samsung's very latest 5th Gen QD-OLED technology. Is this the OLED monitor gamers have been waiting for?

The basic proposition here is actually quite familiar. We're talking 34 inches, 21:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 3,440 by 1,440. That doesn't make for terribly impressive pixel density. But then this is a display that's unambiguously aimed at gamers.

The argument for this form factor is that there's decent image detail for games while not generating a massively debilitating load for your graphics card. That's important if you're going to make the most of the 360Hz refresh rate.

Speaking of which, that's the first obvious upgrade over previous 34-inch QD-OLED panels, which topped out at 240Hz. Next up is brightness. This panel is rated at 300 nits full screen and 1,300 nits peak HDR, up from 250 nits and 1,000 nits respectively. The HDR certification has also been bumped from True Black 400 to True Black 500.

Another important improvement involves ambient light. Up to now, all QD-OLED panels reflect a purple tint in strong ambient light, which compromises outright black levels and contrast. This new 5th Gen QD-OLED panel reduces, but doesn't quite eradicate the problem.

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, there's sub-pixel structure. This is the first QD-OLED panel generation to offer true vertical RGB-strip subpixels. To cut a long story short, that helps with detail rendering precision, including text and fonts, albeit that even with RGB-strip subpixels, this isn't a true high-DPI display and the font rendering is never going to be that crisp. But it does now match an LCD of the same size and resolution.

All told, the new panel tech is seriously sweet. It's that bit punchier on the desktop in SDR mode and, if anything, feels stronger than the 300 nit rating. But it's in games where this ultrawide QD-OLED really sings.

The combination of 0.03ms response and 360Hz refresh makes for incredibly rapid and responsive gaming. The motion clarity is pretty awesome. 21:9 monitors aren't the classic choice for esports, but this thing certainly has the speed for very competitive titles.

But the best bit is HDR gaming. MSI includes its EOTF boost mode for optimal HDR visuals and the result is stunning. This is the first OLED gaming monitor that looks almost as good in bright, sunlit game scenes as it does in darker scenes punctuated by sizzling details like lazers or neon lights.

In short, no LCD monitor, even one with full array local dimming, even comes close to the precision of the per-pixel lighting offered by this type of display. Once you've gone OLED, you won't want to go back, especially this OLED.

For the record, the feature set on offer here is strong, too, with comprehensive connectivity including USB-C with 98W of power delivery, a fully adjustable stand and a three-year warranty that includes burn-in cover.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $899 / £999 / AU$1,899
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

At around $899, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is retailing for around $150 more that its direct predecessor based on 3rd Gen Samsung QD-OLED tech. In the context of OLED gaming monitors, which are generally pretty expensive, that's probably a decent deal in return for the upgrades on offer.

Of course, an LCD-based panel of the same size, resolution and refresh rate can be had for half the money or less, but then that's OLED for you. It's the pricey option among the best monitors. One caveat to all this is that the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is proving popular and is often sold out of sites like Amazon and Newegg.

• Value: 3 / 5

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: SpecsAcer Predator X32 X Specifications

Screen size

34-inch

Resolution

3440 x 1440

Panel technology

Samsung QD-OLED

Refresh rate

360Hz

Response time

0.03ms

HDR

DisplayHDR 500 True Black

Brightness

300 nits full screen, 1,300 nits peak HDR

Connectivity

HDMI 2.1 x2, DisplayPort 2.1a, USB-C with 98W PD, 2x USB-A hub

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Design

• Well built
• Good connectivity
• Three-year warranty

If the QD-OLED panel in the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is fancy and new, the design of the chassis and stand is largely familiar. And that's broadly no bad thing.

It's solidly built and the stand offers a full range of adjustment , including height, tilt and rotate. There's pivot, too, but only 20 degrees each way. In other words, you can't pivot this panel into portrait mode. But then it is a 21:9 aspect ultrawide gaming monitor.

As for connectivity, we're talking DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C with 98W of power delivery and a two-port USB-A hub. In other words, pretty much all your connectivity bases are well covered. Just note that if you aren't interested in the USB-C connectivity, MSI may well release a cheaper version of this display in future with that feature either stripped out or with the power delivery reduced.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI also includes a three-year warranty with burn-in cover. The issue of OLED burn-in is likely to run and run. We are now several years into the the availability of QD-OLED gaming monitors and they are broadly proving pretty robust, albeit they will exhibit some light burn-in with heavy use.

Along with the three-year warranty and plenty of burn-in compensating features like pixel shifting, it's worth noting that Samsung claims that this latest 5th Gen QD-OLED panel is twice as durable as the previous generation. That bodes well for long-term resistance to burn-in.

Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 has a glossy rather than matte screen coating, which is great for contrast and visual punch, but does come at a cost in terms of added reflectivity.

(Image credit: Future)

• Design: 4 / 5

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Performance

• Improved brightness
• Sizzling HDR visual
• Incredible speed

Out of the box the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is immediately brighter and punchier than its predecessor, albeit the difference isn't immedaitely dramatic. That said, the overall vibe is, if anything, more impressive than the 300 nit full-screen brightness rating implies.

Part of that is thanks to the fact the QD-OLED panels use pure RGB subpixel technology. Monitors using LG's competing WOLED tech rely on an additional white subpixel to achieve their brightness ratings.

That can be problematic because most real-world content as opposed to test patterns are a mix of colors rather than pure white. For color brightness, the white subpixel either won't boost brightness at all, or can blow colors out. Consequently, QD-OLED has better true color brightness.

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 has true RGB subpixels. (Image credit: Future)

Anywho, for almost all use cases, this new generation of QD-OLED panel tech has sufficient SDR full-screen brightness. But for HDR content, it positively sizzles. It's at its very best rendering a game scene that's a mix of very bright and very dark elements, all rendered at the same time with incredible precision and contrast.

Think an inky black background punctuated by a bright strip light, a control panel full of fizzing LEDs, or sparks, gunfire and lazers. On this monitor, that kind of thing looks stupendous.

MSI has also once again included its EOTF boost mode functionality. It basically combines the best aspects of the VESA HDR 500 mode with the Peak 1300 nits mode, enabling the highest brightness for both darker and brighter gaming scenes. In practice, you can use EOTF boost mode for pretty much all HDR content and get the best possible experience, instead of having to switch modes to suit the scene lighting. That's a real benefit.

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 admittedly isn't quite so impressive in brighter outdoor game scenes. But full-screen brightness is much improved on previous generations of OLED in that respect and pretty close to being a solved problem.

Along with all the HDR goodness is the usual speediness of OLED. This new pane ups the refresh rate to 360. Combined with the ridiculously quick 0.03ms pixel response, the result is pretty outrageous response and clarity. This is a very fast display.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36?MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 scorecard

Value

At $899, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is about $150 more expensive than it's predecessor. So, like all OLEDs, it's not cheap. But it is probably worth the extra money if you are already shopping OLED gaming monitors.

3 / 5

Design

This is a well-built, properly engineered display with a strong feature set. Relatively low pixel density is the only obvious weakness.

4 / 5

Performance

For this class of display namely a 21:9 34-inch ultrawide 1440p panel, this is the best we've yet seen. It's stunning.

5 / 5

Final score

If you are in the market for a 21:9 1440p gaming panel, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is the very best you can buy.

4.5 / 5

Buy the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 if...

You want the latest OLED tech
The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 sports Samsung's very latest 5th Gen QD-OLED panel tech, and it's seriously stunning.

You want incredible HDR visuals
The new QD-OLED panel mostly fixes the slight flaws of previous-gen QD-OLEDs. It's brighter and looks incredible with HDR content.

Don't buy it if...

You want a high-DPI experience
As with all 34-inch 1440p panels, pixel density is not a strong point. For games that's fine, less so for all-round computing.

You want a bargain
At the thick end of $1,000, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is a lot of money for a 34-inch ultrawide monitor.

• Originally reviewed in May 2026

Keurig K-Crema: one-minute review

Keurig has become a go-to coffee maker brand in the US, with its brewing products rivalling fellow big dogs like Nespresso, Breville, and Ninja. One of its latest innovations is the K-Crema single-serve coffee machine, featuring the manufacturer’s new PressureInfusion Technology, which (according to Keurig) delivers five times more pressure than its standard brewers.

What does that mean for you? Smoother coffee with bolder flavours and a visibly creamy texture on top — though just how much crema you get depends on the roast you use, with darker roasts resulting in more crema and lighter roasts producing less in my experience.

This high-pressure coffee maker offers four main cup sizes — 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz — and two espresso options — single shot and double shot. While the pressure mode can be used with any of these, there’s also a classic mode. Using the brewer is straightforward, with its control panel easy to use and its removable parts requiring minimal effort to clean. The coffee-making process is also a joy, with brews taking around one minute, with minimal noise, and the results packed with rich flavor — regardless of the setting.

(Image credit: Future)

The K-Crema uses K-Cup pods, Keurig’s own coffee capsules specifically designed for use in its brewer, and there is an impressively wide variety of K-Cups available, including options from big coffee brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, Green Mountain, and McDonald's, offering a way to brew your favourite coffee at home.

While prices on these pods vary, a box of 24 pods costs around $20 (not including the delivery fee), making them more affordable than they would be in-store. However, you are restricted to using K-Cups in the machine.

The K-Crema uses K-Cup capsules, like all of Keurig's coffee makers (Image credit: Future)

The K-Crema itself also offers good value for money, given the quality of its design, features, and results. While $219.99 is still a pretty penny, it’s in line with the cost we’d expect for a single-serve capsule coffee machine, especially one of this standard. If that’s still a little out of your price range, look out for regular discounts that bring the K-Crema down to around $149.99.

Keurig K-Crema: price and availability

• List price $219.99
• Regular discounts drop it to around $149.99
• Available at third-party retailers like Target and Walmart
• Not available in the UK or Australia

The Keurig K-Crema retails for $219.99, putting it in the same price ballpark as the Nespresso Pixie — one of our best coffee maker picks — while offering more functionality. As such, the brewing machine offers excellent value for money, which becomes even better when regular discounts drop that price to $159.99. Unfortunately, those in the UK. and Australia are out of luck as the K-Crema is unavailable in those regions at the time of writing.

However, when buying any capsule coffee machine, you also need to consider the price of the pods. The K-Crema uses K-Cup pods, which can be purchased directly from Keurig or third-party retailers like Amazon, though subscription services are also available. A box of 24 pods from Keurig costs roughly $20 (with delivery free on orders over $35), working out around 80 cents a pod, with bigger discounts available on bigger boxes. While you can only use K-Cup pods with the brewer, the variety of brands and beverage options is pretty impressive, with pods available from Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Green Mountain, and more.

Keurig also offers an optional recycling and composting service called K-Cycle, whereby you can purchase a K-Cup pod recovery bin ($139.95 for a small five-pack and $189.95 for a large five-pack), fill it with your used K-Cups, and return it to the company. Keurig then converts 75% of the pod’s weight into compost and 25% into recycled product.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Keurig K-Crema: specifications

Type

Single-serve capsule coffee maker

Colour

Black

Capsules

K-Cup pods

Brew pressure

Two options: Classic or Pressure

Brew sizes

6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, shot, double shot

Water reservoir capacity

72 oz

Special features

PressureInfusion technology, energy saver auto off function, high altitude setting, multistream technology, adjustable drip tray, descale indicator, pressure lock

Smart control?

No

Dimensions

13.3in x 8.5in x 13.1in / 33.8cm x 21.6cm x 33.3cm

Dishwasher cafe?

No

Keurig K-Crema: design

• Stylish black and silver matt design
• Adjustable drip tray
• Removable hand-washable parts
• Descaling indicator

The K-Crema is a stylish-looking coffee maker, featuring a black matte body with silver matte accents. While it takes up a bit more counter space than, say, a Nespresso Vertuo, a good portion of the space it occupies is due to the removable, 72-oz water reservoir on its side. On top of the machine is a control panel, displaying a circle of large buttons, each indicating the brewer’s various cup sizes, with a Keurig 'K' button in the middle. Just above these buttons are two more for brew pressure: one for Classic and another for Pressure.

Around the base of the control panel is a handle that, when pulled upward, opens the top of the machine to reveal the K-Cup holder below with a needle inside and a set of (more noticeable) sharp needles above that pierce the cups. Underneath where the cup holder hits is a drip tray that can be adjusted to suit the size of the cup you’re using or removed entirely to accommodate travel mugs.

You can adjust the height of the drip tray to suit different sized cupsFutureThe dray is plastic, which helps avoid scratching your drinkware, but isn't dishwasher-safeFuture

The drip tray, K-Cup-holder, and aforementioned water reservoir can all be removed and must be hand-washed with soapy water, rather than putting them in the dishwasher.

The rest of the machine can be wiped down with a cloth, but be super careful to avoid the needles inside the machine and the K-Cup holder — and to keep little fingers away — as they’re extremely sharp. I did find that I had to regularly wipe down the base of the machine, above the drip tray, as coffee would often splash back during brewing.

The K-Crema uses sharp spikes to pierce capsules, and they are more prominent than those of similarly specced Nespresso machinesFutureThe used pods are easy to remove, but don't drop into a handy bin like Nespresso Vertuo capsulesFuture

Keurig recommends periodically hand-washing the removable parts and advises that if you taste a change in your beverage's flavour, or regularly use flavoured cups, you may need to clean them more often. At the very least, we advise rinsing your pod holder regularly. Fortunately, if descaling is your issue, the machine will display a light indicating that you need to descale the machine. Keurig offers its own descaling solution, as well as water filters and rinse pods to help maintain your machine.

Apart from the splashing, our primary issues with the machine’s design were the small response delay after pressing a button, and that the pressure lock, which was meant to automatically engage during a pressure brew — and is indicated by a red light — didn’t seem to work for us. The light didn’t come on, and the lock didn’t engage, allowing the handle to be lifted. However, this may have been an issue with our specific model, as we’ve not seen reports of this issue from other customers.

The buttons on top of the machine make it easy to select your preferred drink size (Image credit: Future)

• Design score: 4.5/5

Keurig K-Crema: performance

• Bold, rich flavours
• Brews in around one minute
• Pressure mode produces smoother brews
• Crema depends on roast type

Operating the K-Crema is wonderfully straightforward, once you’ve read the instructions. All you have to do is insert your K-Cup into the holder, pull down the handle, and then select either Classic or Pressure, followed by your brew size — select the large 'K' symbol to start .

We found that on Classic, with an 8oz brew selected, a coffee took around a minute-and-a-half to brew, including heat-up time. A pressure 6oz cup was similarly speedy, taking just one minute and 12 seconds.

Keurig advises that dark roasts produce the most crema (Image credit: Future)

Overall, the coffee taste on both modes was bold and flavorsome — especially on the shot and double shot settings — but you can definitely notice a difference in the Pressure mode: the brew is simply smoother and richer.

I was slightly disappointed by the crema, as there was only a small amount on top with each test. However, I was using a medium roast, and Keurig does warn that a dark roast will produce the most crema. So, if you want lots of crema but don’t like a dark roast, this may not be the machine for you.

The K-Crema is particularly quiet in use (Image credit: Future)

The machine was surprisingly quiet throughout our tests, registering an average of 64 decibels, most of which was the sound of the stream of liquid from the coffee maker hitting the liquid already in the cup below. We were also impressed by the heat of the brew: not so scalding hot that you have to wait to enjoy your drink, but just right for those of us who enjoy standard coffee shop temperatures. Once finished, the used, punctured cup was easy to remove thanks to the small lips on either side of the holder.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Keurig K-Crema?Keurig K-Crema score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

At $219.99, this coffee maker offers excellent value for its price tag, offering more functionality than some of its competitors — and a better quality brew. Keep an eye out for regular discounts for even better value.

4.5/5

Design

The K-Crema is a stylish, fairly minimalistic coffee machine with clear, large buttons and straightforward functionality. It does splash a bit, but fortunately the clean up is pretty low effort.

4/5

Performance

This coffee maker makes flavoursome, rich coffee in around one to two minutes, with the pressure mode offering an even smoother brew. Just don't expect lots of crema if you're not a fan of dark roast.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want coffee shop drinks at home

The K-Crema uses K-Cups, and the variety of pods available is pretty impressive due to Keurig’s many brand partnerships. Choices include Dunkin’, Lipton, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Twinings, and more, allowing you to enjoy coffee shop coffee from the comfort of your kitchen.

You're serious about flavorful coffee

The K-Crema uses multi-stream technology to more evenly saturate the K-Cup’s coffee grounds, allowing it to extract more flavour and aroma, and it shows. The coffee brews are bold, rich, and, when using Pressure mode, super smooth. If you care about the flavour of your coffee, this coffee maker is well worth considering.

You want a quality coffee maker that won't break the bank

This brewer retails for $219.99, but offers high-quality performance and results for that price tag. While it may not offer the bells and whistles of more high-end coffee makers, it offers more functionality than similarly priced competitors. What’s more, thanks to regular discounts, you may even be able to pick it up for almost $70 less.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You don't want to be tied to using K-Cup capsules

While there’s a wide variety of K-Cups available, you may not want to be tied to using Keurig’s range. If you prefer alternative third-party coffee capsules or are moving from another brewer brand, like Nespresso, and hope to continue using the same pods, this may not be the coffee maker for you.

You want more than the basics

The K-Crema does what it does well, but if you’re looking for a more barista-style coffee maker with the ability to froth and steam milk, or grind your own beans, you won’t find that here. But, if you’re starting out on your coffee machine journey and simply want an affordable, easy-to-use machine, this is one to consider.View Deal

Keurig K-Crema: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Keurig K-Crema is the right coffee maker for you, here are two alternatives to check out.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop

The smallest and most affordable Nespresso machine around, the Pop produces rich, full-bodied espresso in a couple of minutes. The only drawback is that Vertuo pods are relatively pricey.

Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly

Another affordable capsule coffee-maker, the Finesse Friendly can also create authentic-tasting cappuccinos and lattes using capsules filled with long-life milk.

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: One-minute review

I've reviewed pretty much every AndaSeat gaming chair launched in the last two years, and I've got to say the Phantom 4 Pro line is the most confusing of the lot. It doesn't quite know what it wants to be, straddling two lanes of design decisions, compromising on one more so than the other.

The big talking point is the adaptive lumbar support that AndaSeat has built into the Phantom 4 Pro. It flexes, shifts, moves with your spine, providing support for any and all angles, and you can (after much fiddling) shift it back and forth to really dial in exactly how you sit.

But critically, although yes, the Phantom 4 Pro line does indeed hit all of the ergonomic standards it needs to (with full certification) it feels like a bit of a swing and a miss. The brand has sacrificed a lot to hit those heady heights, and I'm not sure it's worth it, certainly not if it's aiming to be one of the best gaming chairs money can buy.

It's just not comfortable. Not in the same way that the Kaiser is, or even the Novis (my personal budget favorite). And that's an issue, because this is inherently first and foremost, a gaming chair (albeit one that you're going to have in your home office) and one you’re expected to spend countless hours sat in day-in, day-out.

And I know why this is. There's two prevailing trains of thought when it comes to how you design office chairs. The first mostly revolves around comfort: "How can we take a design we've already established and make it even better to sit in next time?". Squishier padding, memory foam, plenty of bounce, encapsulating supports, spongey adjustable arm-rests, magnetic headrest pillows, soft fabrics, you name it. This is typically where brands have fun with bucket seats and exciting new features.

(Image credit: Future)

Then there's the other line of thinking. Ergonomics first. Heavy lumbar support, mesh weave, lightweight, integrated headrests, a hard seat base, all designed to tick off health and safety check-boxes, or ensure your butt doesn't atrophy after months of use (the AndaSeat X-Air is an example of a very similar style to this), and that the wheels don't roll too fast in case of a fire (it's a genuine EU convention I promise: EN 1335 / BIFMA).

The problem is that these two design methodologies are so paradoxically juxtaposed to one another, that they can't exist equally in tandem, implemented to a high degree of efficacy. That's a long way of saying, if it's comfy, it's probably not good for you, and if it's good for you, it's probably not comfy.

Sadly, the Phantom 4 Pro falls in the latter category. Yes, its features are quite impressive on paper, but it lacks that element of comfort that, if I'm honest, it looks like it should have. Which is a shame. It might, ergonomically, be the best office chair, but it certainly isn't the nicest to sit in.

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: Price and Availability

• Costs $389 (around £290 or AU$545)
• Only available in the US at launch
• Multiple colorways and fabric options

Right now, you can pick one of these bad boys up in the US for $389, directly from the AndaSeat webstore. You've got your choice of upholstery, Linen Fabric, or the Premium PVC leather, and some fairly muted colorways as well.

That's quite the surprising development in of itself, as AndaSeat's webstore gives you access to some store exclusives, and a wider array of color options. Not so today. Instead, you've got "Elegant Black" (PVC leather) and "Royal Black" (PVC leather with some orange, or goldish stitching), and "Ash Grey" (fabric) and a "Carbon Black" option as well.

Intriguingly, there's also no XL variant on offer here like there usually is, either, so if you sit outside of the realms of AndaSeat's proposed height and weights, you're up a particular creek without a movement device.

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: Specs

Price

$389 (around £290 or AU$545)

Dimensions

53 x 27.56 x 27.56 in / 134.5 x 70 x 70 cm

Max user weight

220 lbs / 100 kg

Max seat height

20.2 in / 51.5 cm

Seat depth

22 in / 56 cm

Recline angle

90–135° (with 15° rocking)

Warranty

5-Years

Material

Premium PVC Napa Leather, Breathable Linen Fabric

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: Design and Aesthetics

• Impressive appearance
• Black PVC leather is especially good
• Doesn't look overly gamer

Visually, the Phantom 4 Pro looks pretty damn impressive. Especially the black leather edition I have here. At first glance, this thing is clean. You've got some bolstering, sure, but it's not too dramatic, treading a fine line between gaming and office chair.

On a call with your CEO? They're not going to be put off by any glaring seatbelt grommet holes from a bucket design lifted straight out of Recaro's back catalog, and there's no snake-based logos or RGB glimmering away in the background telling you to buy Gamersupps either.

The leather in particular looks utterly lush. It's smooth with a fine grain appearance, and the stitching is remarkably tight, with even the embroidered logo looking far cleaner than it has done in the past. It's not quite at the old Noblechairs Legend level, but it's close, and that's seriously impressive, given the cost.

The caster base, too, is nice. It doesn't have the cleanest weld lines, but let's be fair, you're not going to be looking at the undercarriage of this thing that often. The wheels are super smooth and glossy, gliding nicely along the floor.

(Image credit: Future)

Before I get into the two big show-stoppers, though, I do want to cover the added accessories that AndaSeat provides, because, well, the list is quite sparse. You do get a magnetic memory foam headrest pillow that sticks on quite nicely to the headrest area, and two spare bolts and an Allen key, and that's about it. If you're looking for a nice care package, you'd better look elsewhere.

So, onto the key features then starting with the armrests. The ones here are a bit controversial. In short, they're fully adjustable across three axes, including, what I'm dubbing as an infinite rotation angle, or 360 degrees. You can just continually spin them. That might sound odd, and it kind of is, but it's insanely useful to move them out of the way during assembly. Otherwise, they're still padded, mildly squishy, with that soft sand-blasted-style coating that you've seen on a hundred other gaming chairs.

Two of two features. Gotta be that lumbar support, right? I've got a lot to say about that in a minute (curse these pesky design subsections limiting my editorial flow), but the tl;dr is that it's a fully fledged, "dynamic", "auto-tracking" lumbar support. Basically, sit in the thing, and it pivots and twists depending on how dapper your spine is, with 15 individual depth locking positions that, fortunately, you can adjust in between (with a bit of effort).

(Image credit: Future)AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: Comfort and adjustability

• Seatbase is tough
• Lumbar support is aggressive and complex
• Armrests are impressive but also might be controversial

I've spent a lot of time testing the Phantom 4 Pro. Trying to understand it. Trying to come to terms with that aggressive lumbar support. And it is aggressive. I almost always come into these reviews as best I can, fully blind. I do get the pitch for the product, but I tend to try and forget everything between that and when it arrives purely so I can go into the review with fresh eyes as a buyer would.

The lumbar support caught me entirely off guard. After I built it, the lumbar was fully extended in its maximum position, and, try as I might, I just couldn't adjust it. I looked at the manual. I tried moving in and out, and nothing worked. It was only when I accidentally grabbed it with one hand, in the crevice at the bottom, then pulled it forward that I figured out it was actually possible to adjust it. Which is nuts. At its full extension, my head couldn't reach the headrest pillow, and I was practically perched on the very edge of my seat if I wanted to lean back and put my feet up.

Once I figured out that you can actually grab it from underneath, and then ratchet it forward with your hand, or pull it all the way out and then reset it back flush to the chair, I was convinced it was actually worth it. It's frustrating to say the least. AndaSeat, I know you read these so make a better instruction manual please.

Moving on to the seat base, and boy is it tough to sit on. The Phantom 4 Pro uses 55 kg/m3 cold-cure foam, which is a high-density design (albeit the lowest density in AndaSeat's chair range).

It's a bit of a staple of AndaSeat's arsenal of gaming chairs in fact. The Kaiser 3E and the Novis use a 60 kg/m3 setup, and the Kaiser 3 Pro and 3 have a 65 kg/m3. More density doesn't necessarily mean softer either, as it depends on how the bolstering is set up, and how that foam is tuned, plus the general thickness of it.

It can still be 55 kg/m3, and harder, despite having fewer cells in a broader space. The bad news is, the Phantom 4 Pro is, well, quite hard. It's not that there's no padding, but compared to those softer options, like the Novis, the difference is palpable.

(Image credit: Future)

Lastly, we have the armrests, and I'm torn on these. One of my biggest criticisms of a number of AndaSeat chairs in the past is the fact that the armrest ends are often either too big or a bit abrasive, and almost feel like they should've been oriented in the opposite direction. With the Phantom 4 Pro, you actually have the latter as a choice. You can spin it entirely so the lightly embossed AndaSeat logo is situated at the rear, and has a smooth, curved end facing forward. Or alternatively, spin it a complete 180 degrees from there, and instead have the flat-end facing forward. A one-off decision for 90% of us, maybe, but it's a nice touch.

The price you pay for that flexibility is a lack of quick access to lateral movement (side-to-side). If you want to shift the armrests out, even slightly, you have to take an Allen wrench to the underside of the chair and move the entire armrest. It still moves up and down vertically, but you lose that sideways movement, which is surprisingly useful from time to time, particularly for us cross-legged sitters. Plus, as they constantly spin, you can't actually put that much pressure on them without movement occurring. Lean sideways, or push on them to get up, and they'll move outwards away from you.

I could deal without the lateral movement, sure, a lack of that is fine, but a locking button to stop the spin that you press in to rotate would be a quick-fire fix for sure.

Other than that, the usual bells and whistles are here: you've got the recline adjustment, tilt, seat base height adjustment, gas piston, you know the drill, and it works; there's little more that needs adding.

One final thing I'll add, that does frustrate me quite a bit, is how limited the Phantom 4 Pro chair is in terms of human capacity, too. Max load is just 100KG or 220lbs, and max height is 6 '1 or 185cm. That's not a lot of flexibility there. Particularly given there's no XL variant yet either.

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro: Assembly

• Easy build process
• Done in 20 minutes
• Seat back bolts were tight

There's not a whole lot to say about the build process. Overall, it was very consistent with every other gaming chair I've ever constructed. You grab the base, plug in the casters, pop the piston in, and add the covers. Fit the armrests to the seat base. Attach that to the seat back, then install the seat base mount, with its levers, and slot it onto the piston.

AndaSeat includes everything you need to get it built, and a fairly hefty instruction manual, but as I've already mentioned, the lack of a guide on how to use that adjustable lumbar support is painful.

One other thing I will say is that there are bolts included in the seat back that you need to remove by default, and they are incredibly tight, so you might need a second set of hands, or a bigger Allen key, or a power drill. Depends how strong you are. Similarly, they're quite the challenge to get back in, too, once you've got the seatback slotted into position.

Otherwise, it’s an easy build.

(Image credit: Future)Should You Buy The AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro?Buy it if...

You want aggressive lumbar support baked in
Like your spine perfectly cradled? Need a certificate to show HR? The Phantom 4 Pro is your guy, it might not be the most cushiest of chairs out there, but there's no denying it supports you where it counts.

You're after a gaming chair that doesn't scream gaming
One word to define the Phantom 4 Pro line? Understated. It's crisp, clean, with beautiful materials and designs. There's no outlandish colorways or insane logos, just pure class.

Don't buy it if...

You prioritize comfort over ergonomics
Look, ergonomics are great, they really are, but an obsession over them in favor of comfort? Less so. Some of us just want a comfortable, cushy seat to sit in after a long day at work. This ain't it.

You're not a perfectly sized human
Heavier than 100kg or 220lbs? Taller than 6'1 or 185cm, then sling your hook, pal, the Phantom 4 Pro ain't for you, and there's no XL edition either (yet).

Also consider...

Not a fan of AndaSeat's lumbar implementation and want something with a bit more cush? Try these alternatives.

AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022

Razer Iskur V2

Price

$389 (around £290 or AU$545)

$519 / £414 / AU$724

$649.99 / £599.99

Dimensions

53 x 27.56 x 27.56 in / 134.5 x 70 x 70 cm

54.3–58.3 x 27.6 x 27.6 in / 138–148 x 70 x 70 cm

23.62in x 27.56in x 51.18in / 600mm x 700mm x 1300m

Max user weight

220 lbs / 100 kg

285 lbs / 130 kg

299 lbs / 136 kg

Max seat height

20.2 in / 51.5 cm

21.9 in / 55.5 cm

14 inches / 355.6mm

Seat depth

22 in / 56 cm

20.9 in / 53 cm

15 inches / 381mm

Recline angle

90–135° (with 15° rocking)

85–165°

152°

Warranty

5-Years

5-Years (extended warranty)

3 years

Material

Premium PVC Napa Leather, Breathable Linen Fabric

NEO Hybrid Leatherette, SoftWeave Plus Fabric, Napa Leather

Black

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
An absolute legend in the world of Techradar's gaming chair coverage, and with good reason. With exceptional comfort, removable magnetic lumbar support, and a size range that the Phantom 4 just can't cover, despite being four years old at this point, it's still a fine pick.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

Razer Iskur V2
In many ways, a similar concept to the Phantom 4 Pro, Razer's Iskur v2 with its built-in lumbar support still performs admirably, with a remarkable build quality, and solid armrests all around. Also, it kinda just looks good, you know? Albeit at a slightly inflated price.

For more information, check out our full Razer Iskur V2 review

How I tested the AndaSeat Phantom 4 Pro

• Tested over 3 weeks of constant use
• Fully built by hand with included tools
• Used in all manner of configurations possible

Testing gaming chairs and office chairs generally is quite challenging. You need a broad knowledge of other gaming chairs in the area, otherwise everything looks and feels good. These are premium products designed to encourage comfort or ergonomics, so having a broad sense of the industry is pivotal.

Fortunately I've reviewed practically every AndaSeat gaming chair in the last three years, and a few more besides that. I actively compared the Phantom 4 Pro, to my experience with the Kaiser 3E XL (my daily driver), alongside the Novis, the Kaiser 4, the 4 Pro, and the X-Air too.

Predominantly I used the Phantom 4 Pro as my daily driver for around three weeks before writing up my review, keeping an active diary of any bug-bears or issues that arose during my time with it. Comfort issues that might be apparent on day one typically shift over time, so it's important to keep a running log.

I also got my partner (a dinky 5'5 lady) to sit in and provide me with her feedback, along with a few members of my close friends and family as well, asking for their opinions and direct feedback, questioning them on comfort, the feel, the build quality, and what their experiences are with it, providing me with a broad spectrum of qualitative views from multiple body types.

Read more about how we test.

First reviewed May 2026

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K: two-minute review

The premium keyboard space is weird, man. I've been reviewing PC hardware long enough to know that you can usually get a pretty darn good product without spending top dollar, but that's arguably not always the case with keyboards. The bottom end of the market is awash with crappy membrane keys and cheap mechanical switches that fail at the drop of a hat, so I find myself frequently more likely to recommend more premium offerings like the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K.

Priced at $229.99 (around £170/AU$320), it's certainly aiming to be one of the best keyboards on the market, and it does a lot to justify that admittedly rather steep price of admission. Straight out of the box, this feels like a high-end keyboard: the chassis is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, weighing almost two kilograms in total, with doubleshot PBT keycaps.

For typing, it's a dream; the Keychron Silk POM Banana key switches have an immensely satisfying thwock to them, sitting somewhere between the quiet linear actuation of traditional red switches and the loud clickiness of tactile brown switches. The whole user experience feels great, with multiple connectivity modes and great battery life for wireless use.

(Image credit: Future)

I would hazard that, despite featuring the obligatory RGB key backlighting, this likely won't be the ideal option for gamers seeking the best gaming keyboard — at least, not with the Banana key switches in my review model. There is a linear red option available, which offers slightly greater key travel and significantly reduced actuation force, and high-intensity gamers will probably find that better.

While the Q1 Ultra 8K's namesake 8,000Hz polling rate is ostensibly aimed squarely at PC gamers, offering ultra-fast responsiveness and near-zero input lag, it's frankly a bit of a gimmick. All but the twitchiest pro gamers are unlikely to notice any real-world difference; in fact, I used the Q1 Ultra 8K for almost two days before realizing that the 8K polling mode was switched off by default, and I'd been playing Marathon with the regular 1,000Hz polling — and I didn't notice the slightest bit of input latency, so this is a somewhat milquetoast complaint on my part.

Overall, this is a very good keyboard that doesn't quite reach all-around perfection, but will still prove a worthy purchase for anyone who spends a lot of time typing at their PC. If you're looking for something compact but still satisfying to type on, the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is a solid choice. If you want a compact keyboard to take on the go, though, look elsewhere — this one is far too heavy for that!

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Price & release date

• Costs $229.99 (around £170/AU$320)
• Available now in the US
• Sits at the upper end of the market price-wise

At the time of writing, it appears that the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K isn't available to shoppers in the UK and Australia — potential buyers in those regions will have to settle for the Q1 Max, which offers a similarly premium design but uses slightly cheaper key switches and lacks the 8K polling rate feature.

If you're in the US (or willing to import), you can pick up the Q1 Ultra 8K for $229.99 (around £170/AU$320) – a fairly steep price, though one that puts it in the same bracket as the similarly great SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3. Looking at the wider premium mechanical keyboard market, this pricing is reasonably competitive.

(Image credit: Future)

Inside the box, you get a set of alternate keycaps for switching between Windows and macOS compatibility, along with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, USB-A adapter, and a small set of tools for hot-swapping both the keycaps and key switches.

• Price score: 3.5/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Specs

Layout

75%

Switch

Keychron Silk POM Banana (Linear Red and Tactile Brown also available)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

12.9 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches / 328 x 145 x 32mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customisable)

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Design & features

• Robust machined aluminum chassis
• Comfortable concave PBT keycaps
• Great degree of customization

My review unit of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K uses the black colorway, and I really like it. Almost the entire unit has a matte black finish, with dark gray used for accenting for keys around the edge of the board and a bright cyan tone for the Esc and Enter keys.

Combined with the tall, blocky keycaps, simple lettering, and the highly satisfying physical volume knob in the top-right corner, it's all got a distinctly retrofuturist feel to it. The white colorway rocks a similar vibe with gray and red accent keys that would make it look right at home aboard the USCSS Nostromo.

Indeed, I was almost loath to turn on the RGB lighting, because it almost detracts from the clean, retro vibe this keyboard has going for it. Fortunately, those RGB LEDs are addressable on a per-key basis, and Keychron's free software gives you a wide degree of customization. Personally, I was a lot happier with the aesthetic of the Q1 Ultra 8K after setting the backlighting to a cool blue that matched the accent keys.

(Image credit: Future)

The all-metal construction means there's virtually no flex or sponginess in the chassis whatsoever, with every keypress feeling very solid. However, it also means that this keyboard weighs a whopping 1.73kg – quite literally more than many of the laptops I've reviewed for TechRadar, and far too heavy to be practical as an on-the-go keyboard despite its compact design.

The Silk POM Banana switches require quite a bit of actuation force, which takes a bit of adjusting to if you're coming from a non-tactile keyboard with either linear or membrane switches. They also have less travel distance, which might be an issue for some mech keyboard purists, but didn't bother me in the slightest once I got used to typing on it.

Both the keycaps and the key switches themselves are hot-swappable, and the box includes a puller tool, a hex key, and a mini screwdriver for making your own adjustments should you want to do so. It also comes with a set of alternate keycaps to swap it over to Windows compatibility mode (the default keyboard layout is for macOS), and there are two switches on the rear edge for switching OS and connectivity modes along with a standard USB-C charging port, a cable for which is included in the box.

Given the degree of available customization and the robust, high-quality design of the surrounding board, the Q1 Ultra 8K could be a solid choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who want to tweak their hardware. The larger keys also feature new screw-in PCB stabilizers, which help make the space bar in particular feel a lot less wobbly than it does on some mechanical keyboards, especially when hitting it at either end with your thumb. The double-gasket key switch design uses two separate silicone pads (as well as an acoustic pad on the bottom of the keyboard) to reach a deliberate and very satisfying typing sound that takes me right back to the early 2000s.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of the aforementioned connectivity modes, you've got a few options. Wired will be the way to go for most gamers, as it ensures minimal input latency hand-in-hand with the 8K polling rate feature. This can be done directly via USB-C to USB-C using the included cable, but there's also a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box in case you don't have any free USB-C ports.

If you prefer a wireless connection, the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K supports both Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz connectivity, both of which I found to be highly effective in my tests. The 2.4GHz option is probably a little more reliable in terms of input latency, particularly in environments with heavy Bluetooth signal traffic (I was testing this keyboard in the privacy of my own very rural home, not a busy office!), but I didn't experience any noticeable problems with the Bluetooth mode.

(Image credit: Future)

The last unique design feature I'll touch on is hidden on the underside of the keyboard: a wide gold 'art plate' with a sort of astronomy-themed pattern engraved on it. What purpose does this serve? None, as far as I can tell, and you won't even be able to see it when actually using the keyboard. It looks fairly nice, I guess, but it feels slightly like a pointless addition.

Completely absent from the base of this keyboard, however, are any sort of adjustable feet. For a $200+ keyboard, that's simply unacceptable. It won't bother some users, but as someone who prefers a steeper keyboard incline to use with my padded wrist rest, it might actually be a dealbreaker for me if I were opening my own wallet – so for that, I must dock a point from Keychron.

• Design and features: 4/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Performance

• Satisfying typing with sharp actuation
• 8,000Hz polling rate is nice, but sort of unnecessary
• Looooong battery life

I'm always a little dubious when keyboard companies start making their own key switches instead of using the ever-dependable Cherry and Gateron brands, but the Keychron Silk POM switches in this keyboard are really very nice to use.

As I mentioned further up, I think the Banana yellow switches in my review model are a bit better suited to typing than gaming, though they're certainly not bad. I used the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K to play several games, including Warframe, Marathon, and Remnant II, and didn't have any significant issues with misinputs or keypresses not registering. The higher actuation force of the Banana switches compared to the mainstream linear red switches you'll find in many gaming keyboards did take a little bit of getting used to, but I still found it to be perfectly acceptable.

(Image credit: Future)

For typing, though? This keyboard is a dream. The concave keycap tops let your fingertips slide into the center of each key for confident inputs, even when touch-typing at speed, and the reduced travel and subtle bounce on the Banana switches compared to Keychron's own red and brown switches mean that you don't feel like you're hammering the keys — even if you're a somewhat forceful typist like me.

I know I've mentioned the acoustic experience of this board already in this review, but it really does bear repeating. This keyboard just sounds so damn good to type on. It's like an old 90s Packard-Bell keyboard and a snare drum had a baby. There's no audible click like you'll see with blue switches, though, so typing gently will actually result in a fairly quiet experience — good for office environments where you don't want the loudest keyboard in the building.

(Image credit: Future)

The 8K polling rate feature (which requires either a wired or 2.4GHz connection, as Bluetooth doesn't support it) is switched off by default, since some older PCs don't support it. It's set to 1,000Hz as standard, though turning it on in the Keychron Launcher software is very straightforward — you can also use the software to adjust the default keybindings and set up macros, if you're so inclined.

Still, I honestly didn't register much, if any, difference when I turned on the 8K polling. Even in twitchy competitive games like Marathon and Valorant, I didn't feel at any point that swapping over to the 8K polling mode made my inputs feel faster or more responsive.

I should be clear at this point that I am not a 'pro gamer' by any definition of the phrase. I was Diamond-ranked in Overwatch back in the day and have the (dubious) honor of being a Legend 2 veteran in Warframe, so I'd like to think I'm at least above average, but I accept that I'm not really the target audience for a feature like this. If you are a hardcore gamer and you're primarily playing very twitchy, reaction-based games like Valorant or Counter-Strike, then the 8K polling rate may prove beneficial, but the simple fact is that most players aren't going to suddenly find themselves playing better after turning it on.

My last note here will be on the battery life of the Q1 Ultra 8K in wireless mode, which is certainly up to spec. Keychron promises up to 660 hours of use on a single charge, and while I didn't leave the keyboard running for a full 28 days (!) to test that, I will say that it didn't need charging even once after my initial wired testing, and I used it in wireless mode with the RGB lighting on for a full week. As far as wireless keyboards go, the battery life on offer here is undeniably great.

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K?Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K scoreboard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

The Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is undeniably pretty costly, but it delivers a decent feature set and premium build quality that helps justify the asking price.

3.5/5

Design and features

I'm a fan of the Q1 Ultra 8K's minimalist aesthetic, and the multi-device connectivity is a solid addition. It's shockingly heavy, though!

4/5

Performance

The keyboard is extremely satisfying to type on, even if the 8K polling rate mode isn't going to make a difference to the vast majority of users.

4.5/5

Overall rating

Despite its fairly high asking price, the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is a good choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who want a compact board that looks and feels like a premium piece of hardware.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want a great typing feel
The Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K delivers an excellent typing experience, with comfortable keycaps and weighty, satisfying actuation on the Silk POM Banana key switches.

You've got limited desk space
Although the weight means it isn't the most portable keyboard ever, this is still a pleasingly compact unit that is perfect for those working on small desks.

Don’t buy it if…

You want something portable
It's small, but it's very heavy. Users who want a keyboard they can easily drop into a backpack and take on the go should look elsewhere.

You're on a tight budget
As great as the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is, there's no way around that $200+ price tag. If you don't want your wallet taking too much of a hit, there are plenty of more affordable alternatives out there.

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Also consider

Corsair K70 Pro TKL
This Corsair option is a little larger than the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K's 75% layout, and offers a similarly rich feature set with performance-focused HE switches, 8000Hz wired polling, and a wider range of physical controls. It has a wristrest, too! Read our Corsair K70 Pro TKL review.

Keychron V6 Max
If you want a full-scale keyboard instead, Keychron has you covered for that too: the V6 Max is one of the best keyboards on the market right now, essentially taking the Q1's great build quality and performance and expanding it into a 100% layout keyboard. Read our full Keychron V6 Max review.

How I tested the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K

• Replaced my usual keyboard for one week
• Used for daily work, personal projects, and gaming
• Close to a decade of experience testing PC hardware

As is my usual modus operandi for keyboard reviews, I swapped out my trusty Asus ROG Strix Scope RX in my home desktop setup for the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K for one week. During that period, I used it for my daily work at TechRadar, as well as personal writing projects and some gaming during my off hours.

I mostly played Marathon and Warframe during my testing period (in addition to a lot of typing), but for variety's sake, I also mixed in some Valorant, Remnant II, and Slay the Spire II – though the keyboard's use was largely relegated to hitting 'E' to end my turn in that last one. I naturally also installed and tested out the free Keychron Launcher software.

I've been a tech journalist for more than eight years, and during that time I've reviewed dozens of keyboards, mice, headsets... you name it, I've probably had my mitts on it at some point. I'm also a long-time PC gamer and self-confessed keyboard freak, meaning I have a keen eye for what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to PC peripherals.

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

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition: One-minute review

The Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition is one of the more unusual keyboards to land on my desk in recent memory, purely because it's made of concrete. I mean, it's right there in the name.

The popular peripherals brand has taken its already well-regarded K2 HE and encased part of it in concrete, resulting in a 75% TMR gaming keyboard that tips the scales at 3.5lbs / 1.59kg and carries an air of brutalist confidence that few peripherals can match.

The concrete bottom casing sports a pleasant speckled finish with a satisfying density to it, while color-matched gray PBT keycaps pull the whole aesthetic together into something that looks like it was hewn from a single slab. It's a genuinely distinctive design, and the fit and finish throughout is strong, sustaining Keychron's fantastic build quality, but just with a different material altogether.

Under the hood, the K2 HE Concrete Edition features Gateron's potent double-rail Nebula switches which feel excellent under finger. Paired with Keychron's clever Launcher software, it also provides access to features such as rapid trigger, analog actuation, dynamic keystroke and more besides to make this a very potent gaming keyboard indeed.

Connectivity covers Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB-C, allowing the keyboard to be connected to up to three devices, backed by a 4,000mAh battery rated for up to 240 hours with the lights off, which is pretty strong. The only thing more pro-grade players may not be as content with is the lack of a proper 8000Hz polling rate, although for most mere mortals, it's completely fine.

Then we get to the price: $199.99. That's a hefty premium to pay for this concrete variant of a keyboard that's otherwise identical to the standard $130 K2 HE inside, especially when a similar price (or slightly less) can net you some of the other best gaming keyboards out there that are a little more performance-focused, such as the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact and Corsair K70 Pro TKL.

With this in mind, keyboards as versatile and feature-rich as the K2 HE Concrete Edition from bigger manufacturers, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, will command a higher price.

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition Price and availability

• $199.99
• Available now
• Towards the top end of the market

The Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition is available to purchase online now from a variety of retailers, including Amazon and Keychron's own store for $199.99. It doesn't seem to be natively available in the UK, though. This puts it more towards the top-end of the gaming keyboard market, especially as it carries a bit of a premium over the standard K2 HE with purely cosmetic upgrades.

(Image credit: Future)

To be fair to Keychron, you do get a fair bit in the box, with the keyboard itself alongside a keycap and switch puller, plus cables, USB receiver and documentation. There is also a wrist rest available, although that is a separate purchase.

For a similar (or lower price), you can get other Hall effect gaming keyboards, such as the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact and the Corsair K70 Pro TKL. Other more pro-oriented products, such as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, cost a bit more, though.

• Value score: 4/5

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition: Specs

Layout:

75%

Switch:

Gateron Nebula Double Rail

Programmable keys:

Yes

Dimensions:

12.7 x 5.2 x 1.41 inches / 322 x 132 x 36mm

RGB or backlighting:

Yes (customizable)

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition review: Design and features

• Partially concrete chassis
• Immensely sturdy
• Rich software when digging into it

The talking point of the K2 HE Concrete Edition is right in the name, with some of the chassis being made of, well, concrete. Of course, the entire keyboard couldn't be comprised of the material, owing to its fragility in smaller elements, but Keychron has tried its best to put it where it matters.

For instance, the entire bottom casing of this keyboard has a pleasant speckled finish and a dense thickness to it that marks it out as concrete. Even if that's as far as the use of the material goes, I'm still a big fan of it. It's a keyboard that reminds me of the funny Roger Stevens Building from my days at the University of Leeds, with an almost brutalist finish.

Keychron's keyboards have a bit of a reputation for their heft, and I've noted in the past that the likes of the Q1 Pro and Q60 Max models in my own collection could conceivably be used as weapons with their machined aluminum finish. The concrete chassis on the K2 HE Concrete Edition takes that to another level, tipping the scales at 3.5lbs / 1.59kg – for a smaller form factor keyboard like this one, that's seriously heavy.

The fit and finish elsewhere is strong, with color-matched grey PBT keycaps that look excellent and feel pleasant under finger. PBT is a more durable plastic than the swathes of ABS I'm used to seeing on more mainstream keyboards, and is also much less resistant to the horrible keycap shine that plagues ABS-capped boards after a fair amount of use.

(Image credit: Future)

The 75% layout on offer here is a favorite, providing a good blend of functionality and the ability to save desk space. We get everything from a proper F-row to arrow keys and a single-column nav cluster, plus the usual alphanumeric keys. It's essentially a TKL layout that's been squished up a smidgen.

On the left side of the chassis is where you'll find the interface, with a USB-C port for charging and wired connectivity, plus toggle switches for both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz operation, and for switching between Windows and macOS. The only thing I think is a slight shame is that there isn't a place to store the USB receiver when it isn't in use.

Keychron's lightweight, web-based Launcher handles software and customization duties for this keyboard, providing identical functionality to the standard K2 HE models. You can fiddle with actuation points on a scale from 0.5mm to 3.8mm of the switch's travel on a per-key basis, while dealing with things such as rapid trigger, analog powers, dynamic keystroke and so on. It's a slick and feature-rich interface that I think other brands could learn something from.

• Design and features score: 4 / 5

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition review: Performance

• Brisk and responsive TMR switches
• Rapid trigger powers, plus more advanced software choices
• Versatile wireless connectivity

As much as Keychron has fiddled with the outside of the K2 HE Concrete Edition, the inside remains unchanged from the original keyboard. That means we're getting Gateron's double-rail Nebula switches, which are a linear TMR switch with a smooth and brisk keypress and lots of customization to make this a powerful gaming keyboard.

You actually have to dig into the spec sheet to find that these are TMR switches, rather than Hall effect, which is something we're seeing become more common with gaming keyboards in 2026. Without getting too much into the weeds, TMR stands for Tunnel Magneto-Resistance, and is a technology we've mostly seen applied to game controllers rather than keyboards. It's essentially designed to offer a greater degree of precision and general responsiveness over the litany of Hall effect products we see in controllers and keyboards.

It's also meant to be more power efficient, theoretically helping the rated battery life of wireless keyboards such as the K2 HE Concrete Edition.

These Gateron double-rail Nebula switches, on their own, are a 40g linear switch that felt surprisingly responsive for general productivity tasks. Sometimes magnetic switches such as these can feel a little soulless for extended periods, but that isn't the case here. Being pre-lubricated, they also benefit from being especially smooth under finger, helping both their acoustics and perceived responsiveness.

(Image credit: Future)

Technically, the K2 HE is also hot-swappable, although much like a lot of other TMR and Hall effect gaming keyboards out there, the choice of switches you can swap in is minuscule. Not even all of Gateron’s other Hall effect switch models are compatible.

As much as this is a keyboard you can use for general day-to-day stuff, it's most at home when you're in games, and when you've fiddled about in software for a little bit. It's here where I chose to set the actuation and reset points as high as they'd go for the WASD and weapon select keys in Counter-Strike 2, essentially turning those switches into hair trigger. It meant inputs required very little effort, which becomes very handy in quick-draw scenarios where you need to bring a weapon out or throw a grenade as quickly as possible.

Configuration in Keychron's Launcher software for this is easy, as it's possible to select a few switches, and then set actuation and reset points with one slider in one fell swoop. It can also be done globally if you want it across all switches.

The software also opens up much more advanced means, such as dynamic keystroke and multiple actuations per key, so you can go through one switch's travel and do everything from walking to running, and even crouching without moving a finger to a neighboring switch. It's a handy addition for FPS titles, preventing you from needing to stretch across the keyboard for other controls, depending on how you have it mapped.

Also hidden in the software are analog powers, unlocking this keyboard's ability to be used with controller-like precision. This makes playing racing games such as my customary Forza Horizon 5 much easier with a keyboard, although I still prefer the intuitiveness of a controller, or even better, a proper wheel and pedals setup.

(Image credit: Future)

Keychron provides its own flavor of SOCD tech with the K2 HE Concrete Edition. This allows you to activate one key while holding down the other for especially quick actions. In this instance, it works based on the most recent one pressed; for instance, if mapped to the A and D keys, it can allow for unnaturally quick side-to-side movement. It's very clever, although not something you'll probably use too much in online games, given Valve wields the ban hammer for anyone who uses it in online Counter-Strike 2 games.

As with the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact I tested recently, the key thing with this keyboard is whether you'll notice the purported step up in precision and responsiveness against more 'normal' Hall effect choices. Even as someone rather well-versed in these types of products, it isn't necessarily something I can appreciate as much as the pro-grade players this keyboard is arguably designed for. I want to believe it's making a difference, of course, although it's hard to scientifically judge without turning this review into more of an engineering paper.

The K2 HE Concrete Edition connects via Bluetooth, a bundled 2.4GHz or over wired means, and will work on up to three devices. I've found pairing and connectivity to be stable and easy in my week of testing. It is a shame that more pro-grade players don't get an 8000Hz polling rate wired or wireless for even brisker input reporting, although for most folks, the standard 1000Hz will be more than fine.

The 4000 mAh battery inside is also rather large for a keyboard of this size, and powers it for up to 72 hours with the vivid backlighting on. Turn it off, and that rises to 240 hours, which is excellent endurance.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Design and features

The K2 HE Concrete Edition ticks the right boxes when it comes to offering a unique and solid build, not least with its use of concrete. The fit and finish elsewhere is strong, too, and we've also got versatile wireless connectivity and software to go with it.

4 / 5

Performance

The K2 HE Concrete Edition is a very responsive keyboard with smooth and brisk TMR switches, complete with extensive rapid trigger and software configuration. It lacks an 8000Hz polling rate, although how useful this is to mere mortals remains to be seen, though.

4 / 5

Value

The K2 HE Concrete Edition sits towards the top end for such a potent gaming keyboard, and offers a beefy set of features and construction. There is quite the premium for a purely cosmetic upgrade, though.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a concrete keyboard
If you've always wanted a feature-rich gaming keyboard that looks and feels like a brutalist building, then the K2 HE Concrete Edition is perhaps one of your only options. It nonetheless provides a stylish and very different look that few rivals can equal.View Deal

You want a feature-rich gaming keyboard
Gateron's double-rail Nebula switches inside feel excellent with a smooth and snappy keypress, while Keychron's Launcher software unlocks rapid trigger, analog actuation, dynamic keystroke, and more, making this a seriously capable gaming board beneath its striking exterior.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You're performance-focused on a budget
At $199.99, you're paying a significant premium over the standard $130 K2 HE for a material upgrade that doesn't touch the internals. Rivals at a similar price point, like the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact, offer a more purely performance-oriented package at the sacrifice of some versatility.View Deal

You need an 8000Hz polling rate
If you're a competitive player who demands the absolute highest polling rate, the K2 HE Concrete Edition will leave you wanting. It's perfectly fine for most players, but enthusiasts chasing peak responsiveness should look elsewhere.View Deal

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition review: Also consider

Corsair K70 Pro TKL
This Corsair choice is down on price and versatility against the K2 HE Concrete Edition, but it comes with creature comforts such as more physical controls and a wristrest. It also comes with an 8000Hz wired polling rate if that's important to you, although it is quite loud. Read our Corsair K70 Pro TKL review.View Deal

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3:
This SteelSeries option is up on Keychron's choice in price by a fair margin, but provides the backing of a bigger brand if that's important to you, plus versatile wireless connectivity and feature-rich software. Its switches aren't quite as powerful as those featured here, though. Read our SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review.View Deal

How I tested the Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition

• Tested for around a week
• Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
• A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist

I tested the K2 HE Concrete Edition for around a week, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.

I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Forza Horizon 5, to best gauge its optical switches for speed, precision, and the benefit of its TMR switches. I also made sure to use Keychron's web-based Launcher software to test every facet of the keyboard.

I've been a tech journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.

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

Developer ZA/UM’s new title Zero Parades: For Dead Spies has the unenviable task of following Disco Elysium, an award-winning role-playing game (RPG) widely praised for its unique voice and philosophical insight. It seemed like lighting in a bottle, something that likely could never be matched or replicated — even more so when most of the writers who worked on the game departed in a messy (and controversial) change in leadership.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC
Release date: May 21, 2026

Zero Parades looks and acts like Disco Elysium. It's another text-heavy RPG where the rolling of dice determines the outcomes of most encounters, and you stumble your way through major events by making inspired, occasionally diabolical choices, and interacting with a bizarre cast of characters. Dig beneath the surface, however, and it's not like Disco Elysium — in fact, in many ways it's really not trying to be. This is a more grounded and ambitious experience that builds on its predecessor's identity rather than trying to imitate it.

It seems less exciting at first, as the tone is more grounded, and it's harder to feel connected to the less bombastic protagonist initially. However, it's vastly more ambitious in scope and subject matter, and it makes small, but influential, improvements that raise the standard of what dice-driven RPGs like this can achieve.

I spy

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

You are Hershel Wilk, a spy who wakes up in the coastal city of Portofiro after a particularly disturbing dissociative episode that's left you not quite able to remember what just happened. Her angry handler suggests that whatever "it" was, it wasn't very good, and your job is to try and uncover your mission and get it back on track.

Unlike Disco Elysium's amnesiac cop Harry DuBois, Hershel still knows who she is. Reality is less easy to grasp, though, and that's partly because reality is complicated. It's a messy tangle of international conspiracies, post-industrial fallout, bad faith actors manipulating innocent people, and an ever-widening gap between those who have means and those who don't.

Zero Parades is Disco's ideological successor and a natural follow-up to that game's conclusion: that the pursuit of capital and power infects everything, even unions and progressive movements. Zero Parades examines what happens when labor loses the class conflict, when work dries up and the bankers turn your once-thriving urban center into a tourist trap, and when the much-vaunted opportunities of the privileged world turn out to be unavailable for you. It's the 2000s to Disco Elysium's 1970s, in other words.

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

As in real life, class consciousness has faded in the world of Zero Parades. The angry embers of it still exist in those old enough to remember the days when change seemed possible if everyone worked together but they're incapable of pushing back against the entrenched power of the monied classes (or to use the game's favorite phrase, the techno-fascists) who police their morality, close down their places of gathering on technicalities, and threaten to take what few liberties they have left unless they adopt the culture of their imperialistic neighbors. Consumerism and dozens of fragmented ideologies, many of which are entirely unhinged, flood in to fill the gap left by the death of class identity.

Zero Parades is quieter than Disco Elysium. It puts fewer manifestos in its characters' mouths, and it's also generally more interested in showing how conditions shape people and societies than it is in making a specific statement. You're trusted to come to your own conclusions based on what you see and how it aligns with your experience but it's no less observant and incisive than its predecessor and just as adept at using a Marxist lens to examine the faults of government and society.

It takes a while to recognize that, though. In the early hours, Zero Parades seems far too disorganized. It lumps together gentrification, post-modern cynicism, gun control commentary, the disadvantages of the Global South, weaponized bureaucracy, critiques against globalism, and the outsized cultural influence of superpowers like the US with commentary on Peronism, dangerous and deluded talk show hosts, and a whole lot more.

You can spend a good five or six hours wandering around the city's starting zones with a protagonist who feels more like a shadow than a human, picking up various pieces of seemingly disconnected history and personal trivia with no clue why it matters, if any of it does at all. It does, eventually, and Zero Parades deserves credit for how expertly it brings all of these disparate pieces together as the game progresses — even if it takes a long time to pay off.

Less easy to overlook is the off-putting use of commas. Zero Parades would benefit from another editing pass in the future, partly to correct some typos, but mostly to deal with the egregious number of comma splices, where a comma separates two complete ideas instead of a sentence. The script is bursting with them, and it's incredibly distracting.

Skill issue

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

You might not be able to do anything about Zero Parades' grammar, but you can do something about how messed up the world is. Or try to, though your efforts cause mayhem as much as they help anyone. You have multiple ways to tackle almost every encounter, all of which are effective, even if they may not all be ethical.

That's standard for this kind of RPG, but one of the most exciting things the game does is open new paths through failure. Normally in games like these, including Disco Elysium, if you fail a check or make the "wrong" choice, the consequence is either having an option removed or suffering some kind of negative effect. Zero Parades also makes you suffer negative effects, but through these you gain new ways to interact.

Best bit

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

Zero Parades' strongest facet is its unflinching examination of modern society — who gets to wield power and influence in it, the struggle to find identity in what feels like an unmoored existence, and how capital frequently blocks paths to a fairer, more equitable society. It manages to weave together dozens of issues and viewpoints without losing its own distinct voice, and there's nothing else like it in gaming at the moment.

The more dramatic ones happen when you fail active dice rolls like, for example, failing to match the nerve of a psychotic doctor who just drank a formaldehyde cocktail. You can still get what you want from him, but on his terms (in this case, prying teeth out of a teenager's head with a crowbar), which leads to a whole new network of possibilities with their own permutations of outcomes.

However, there's a decent number of passive checks — the ones that happen in the background without you seeing — that you can fail as well, and some of these have even longer-lasting effects. In one instance, I failed a personality-related check that kept Hershel from understanding the true motivations of someone she was speaking with. That naivete pushed Hershel into a completely different relationship with this person, giving her a disadvantage in future checks and opening an otherwise-blocked branch of interaction. This scenario wasn't the only one of its kind, and it goes a long way toward making every encounter feel important.

Hershel's skills influence whether you're likely to fail a check, and while they're fewer in total compared to Disco Elysium, Zero Parades tends to do grander things with them. Skills like coordination have little value early in the game, but later, in tense situations where you need to make a quick escape or disarm an opponent, it's an essential tool for survival.

Cold Read seems like it imitates some of Disco Elysium's observation skills, except getting an accurate read of a stranger often makes a vital difference in how conflicts with them progress. Zero Parades deftly scatters these more action-packed sequences throughout the game without straying too far from its genre roots, and they make good use of another new feature.

Mental health check

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

Where Harry had morale and health in Disco Elysium, Hershel has fatigue, anxiety, and delusion. These fluctuate based on your choices, circumstances, and certain items you wear or consume. Alcohol has benefits, for example, but increases delusion, while chugging coffee lowers fatigue and spikes anxiety. Alone, these seem inconsequential but conversations can quickly go off the rails and dredge up something from Hershel's psyche to push her delusion toward dangerous levels.

Hershel suffers negative effects once these levels pass certain thresholds and, if they keep rising, loses a skill point in a related area. You can also exert yourself to raise chances of succeeding with certain roles at the cost of increasing your pressure levels. Managing these is straightforward in the early game, but as events escalate and quickly grow out of control, keeping Hershel healthy and still having a decent chance of passing important checks becomes much more complicated. It's a perfect fit for a psychological drama, but it's also an excellent way to make your choices feel like they matter in ways you don't typically see in other RPGs

That's less true for conditioning, Zero Parades' refined and expanded version of Disco Elysium's thought cabinet. Hershel can ponder several thoughts at once, about things like the futility (or aspirational nature) of credit debt and gain special bonuses. They start out quite tame, like getting +1 for a personality skill, but steadily become more complex and influence things like your interactions with specific people or groups. They also have violation criteria, where saying the "wrong" thing or purchasing certain items goes against the conditioning, removes your bonuses, potentially adds new ones, and gives you unique disadvantages in certain situations.

How these thoughts affect your actions is more interesting than what the system tries to say. Zero Parades is a game where Hershel can be whoever you think she should be, and freedom of choice is essential in that. Deciding not to smoke cigarettes for a few hours or not picking one kind of dialogue just to get a specific bonus doesn't change who she ends up becoming, as most of the choices aren't tied to important outcomes. Managing bonuses and consequences adds a welcome extra layer of strategy, but it feels gamified and disconnected from Zero Parades' themes.

Zero Parades aims high and only rarely misses. It's confident enough in its message to leave you to figure it out for yourself, and the improvements to Disco Elysium's foundations make its roleplaying among the best in the genre. It just takes a bit of patience to get there.

Should I play Zero Parades: For Dead Spies?Play it if...

You love well-written RPGs
Zero Parades might not have the sensuousness and excitement of its predecessor's script, but it's still wonderfully written and insightful.

You want your choices to matter
They will. Everything from how you interact with people to how you fail and how far off-the-rails you let Hershel go has an influence over certain aspects of how the story plays out. It just takes time to see the effects.

You enjoy figuring things out for yourself
This game is every bit as enigmatic as Disco Elysium, and while you'll have clues pointing you toward what to do next, it very much expects you to poke around and find things out on your own.

Don't play it if...

You hate text-heavy games with slow plots
There is a lot of reading in this game, and it takes a long time before things start to take on a shape that makes any sense.

Accessibility features

Zero Parades includes text size toggles and an option for dyslexic-friendly font. There's also a suite of color options so you can change outline colors for characters and objects and another set of color options for dice checks and interface features.

How I reviewed Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

I played Zero Parades for more than 35 hours on PC (with an RTX 4080 Super GPU and Intel i9-14900F) using a Razer Viper mouse, SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 wired keyboard, and Beyerdynamic DT990 headphones.

In that time I completed the main story once and multiple side quests, though there are many different outcomes I didn't see and some quests I unknowingly locked myself out of based on my choices.

First reviewed March 2026

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review

The MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K is a gaming mouse with a pro level spec and some useful features. Despite this, it also has a pretty competitive price.

There's nothing spectacular or gamerish about the way it looks, maintaining as it does a relatively understated aesthetic. There’s only a small logo that allows some subtle RGB lighting to pass through.

In the hand, I found the Versa 300 more bulbous than I’m accustomed to, with a more prominent hump in the middle. However, I adjusted quickly to the shape and found it comfortable thereafter. In fact, it actually fitted my palm as well as the best gaming mouse shapes.

(Image credit: Future)

This fit also helps to impart a secure feeling, making me confident in performing lift-offs. This is further aided by the concave side walls and their diamond grip pattern. It’s a shame, though, that this grip area isn’t made from a soft touch material like silicone or rubber; it merely adopts the same smooth plastic as the rest of the unit. Regardless, I still found it provided sufficient grip and feedback.

The Versa 300 is quite a light mouse, weighing just 66g, which makes it easy to maneuver. However, there are certainly lighter mice around, and what’s more the weight doesn’t feel evenly distributed. Most of its mass seems to be concentrated near the rear, which can cause the whole unit to tilt backwards when lifting off. At least the Versa 300 feels solid and durable, which is always a positive. The body material feels smooth and upmarket, too, belying its budget price tag.

In action, the Versa 300 is quite impressive. The first aspect I noticed was just how smoothly it glided. This surprised me, given the PTFE skates are quite small compared to those on more premium gaming mice.

The included USB cable is braided and quite long, which makes it amenable to a wide variety of setups. It’s also quite light, although it still adds a small but noticeable element of drag to movements. The connection to the USB-C port is as solid as I could’ve wished for, so I wasn’t concerned about accidentally yanking it out.

(Image credit: Future)

The Omron mechanical switches feel satisfying enough, but they’re a little heavier and travel a little further than those on more elite gaming mice. This makes them feel less snappy. I still found them just about light enough for competitive play, but more serious head clickers might find them too sluggish for their needs.

The scroll wheel is somewhat unusual, due to its prominent, spiky finish. Far from being uncomfortable, though, I found this texture pleasing and it provided good feedback.

The middle click is also very satisfying, feeling more like a true button press than many others, thanks to its long travel and definitive thud when actuated. It’s probably one of the best middle clicks I’ve experienced.

However, the notching of the wheel is a little too light for my tastes, making it somewhat harder to judge single flicks compared to others. There’s no free scroll or tilt scroll feature, either, which some premium gaming mice get.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Center, the brand’s peripheral software, is simple to use and laid out clearly. There is a reasonable amount of adjustments here, including five customizable levels for the DPI selector, ranging from 100 to 26,000, as well as rebinding options.

These are quite limited, though. You can only swap inputs around, assign media playback controls, and trigger macros (a fairly basic macro recording facility is included). It’s a shame you can’t customize the RGB lighting from here; for that, you’ll need to download another app, Portal X, which just creates more inefficiency.

You can enable more advanced features, such as Motion Sync and Angle Snapping, as well as alter the debounce time between 0ms and 30ms (in increments of 1ms). You can also adjust the lift-off distance, but this only has two settings: low and high.

Battery life is also excellent. After using the mouse consistently for several days, in both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes, it only dropped around 10-15%. I didn’t experience any connectivity issues, either, with the two wireless modes maintaining a stable, lag-free signal.

Other gaming mice may have a greater selection of advanced performance based features, but it’s hard to complain about their absence in the Versa 300, given its competitive pricing. There aren’t many in this sector that offer a top-draw spec for so little, making it a compelling pick for those on a budget.

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $99.99 / £59.99 (about AU$140)
• Available now
• Well-priced for its spec

The MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K costs $99.99 / £59.99 (about AU$140) and is available now in black only. It comes with a braided USB cable but no grip tape or spare skates.

Considering its spec, the Versa 300 is well-priced. There aren’t many gaming mice at this price point offering dual wireless connectivity modes, an 8K polling rate, and advanced tweaks.

It’s significantly cheaper than the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, which is one of our current favorites in the sector. But the Razer has more advanced software, granting you access to more adjustments and functions. We also loved its snappy mouse clicks, an area where the Versa 300 falls short.

However, if you’re after a truly budget gaming mouse, it’s hard to beat the Cooler Master MM311. We found it performed much better than it had any right to. It may lack multiple connectivity modes and a rechargeable battery, but you can’t really get better performance for less.

Should I buy the MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K?Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Not many gaming mice offer this much for so little.

4.5 / 5

Design

I like it, but some might find the shape a little too bulbous. MSI Center offers a decent selection of customization options.

4 / 5

Performance

A very smooth glider, and the 8K polling rate is certainly welcome. Clicks are a little heavy, though, and the unbalanced weight might cause problems when lifting off. Battery life is excellent, though.

4 / 5

Final score

The Versa 300 is an impressive gaming mouse for the price, and if you’re ok with not having the snappiest clicks around,, it’s worth considering.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a smooth glider
The Versa 300 glides across padded surfaces with ease, which feels excellent.

You’re on a budget
There aren’t many gaming mice that offer this kind of pro-level spec for less.

Don't buy it if…

You want a light and balanced pointer
The Versa 300 isn’t the lightest gaming mouse around, and the weight feels biased to the rear, which can cause tilting when lifting off.

You want the snappiest clicks
I found the buttons a little heavy relative to other elite models, which might be anathema to pro gamers.

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review: Also consider

Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro
This is one of the best gaming mice we’ve ever tested. Performance and build quality are excellent, and there are plenty of customization options on hand. It’s a lot more expensive than the Versa 300, but it’s a hard pointer to beat if you’re serious about competitive play. Read our full Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro review.

Cooler Master MM311
The MM311 is very cheap, yet it offers performance you’d associate with more premium options. It doesn’t have a built-in battery, and it doesn’t have multiple connectivity modes, but these are minor omissions considering the budget price tag. Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.

How I tested the MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for several days
• Used for a variety of games and tasks
• Extensive gaming mouse experience

I tested the Versa 300 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general productivity. I used all of its connectivity methods with two different Windows PCs.

I played a variety of games, from fast-paced shooters such as Counter-Strike 2, where speed and precision matter most, to games requiring a more considered and versatile and more encompassing mouse functionality, such as Subnautica 2.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have experienced many gaming mice in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, from budget offerings to pro-level and feature-packed premium models.

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