TechRadar Reviews

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: one-minute review

GameSir has an odd naming scheme for its game controllers – isn't the G8 Galileo already out? – but numbers aside, the selling point of the GameSir G7 Pro 8K is in the name.

A spin on our highly-rated GameSir G7 Pro, this new PC controller offers 8K polling, alongside all the things we loved about the original controller: it's lightweight and comfy to use, modular thanks to a removable face plate, and connects in a variety of ways.

For those not in the know, 8K polling means your controller speaks to your chosen device 8,000 times per minute, not 1,000 times like most other controllers, and it allows for more precise and reflexive movement. This kind of kit is designed for esports players, or people who really don't like to lose.

The idea of 8K polling tech is quite divisive: most people seem to view it as a hard-to-notice change, and not worth the price and other impacts, but GameSir has solved the first of those: the G7 Pro 8K is only marginally more expensive than the non-8K model, and it's a great budget option for people who want to test the tech.

That's doubly the case when you consider other 8K controllers; the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro's costs twice as much.

But another downside of 8K polling reared its head during my testing. This kind of tech can be CPU-intensive, and so not suited to PC gamers for whom processing is tight; I played a lot of Arc Raiders testing this thing, and it was noticeably more stuttery on my slightly older rig than usual.

It's not a problem for people with power rigs, or those who play older titles, and it wasn't even a problem on even newer games I tried, like Nioh 3. But it's something to be wary of in the GameSir, and any other 8K controller.

Gamers who don't need 8K will be better off looking at the G7 Pro: it's a little cheaper, and you're getting the exact same hardware. But if you've been curious about 8K polling, this is the option that'll let you dip your toes in without breaking the bank.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro 8K: Price and availability

• List price: $89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199
• Sells on Amazon and GameSir's website
• Three color options: AimLabs Edition, Champion Edition, Nioh 3

You can buy the GameSir G7 Pro 8K for $89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199, so it’s only a hair more expensive than the non-8K model (that goes for $79.99 / £89.99 (about AU$114)). GameSir’s choice to keep the price in the double-digit range will undoubtedly draw buyers in.

The controller went on sale in April 2026, just under a year after the non-8K model was released. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: that means it’s primed for Black Friday deals at the end of 2026.

GameSir sells a few different models of the controller. The one you can see depicted is the AimLabs Edition, but I’ve also seen a Champion Edition model and one themed around Nioh 3. They all cost the same, and work the same; the appearance is all that's different (though the AimLabs model, unlike the others, also comes with a month's subscription to AimLabs itself).

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: specs

GameSir G7 Pro 8K

Price

$89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199

Dimensions

5.9 x 4 x 2.2in / 152 x 103 x 53mm

Weight

10.88oz / 392g

Compatibility

PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C), 3.5mm

Battery life

Around 10 hours

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro 8K: design and features

On the surface, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K doesn't appear different from the original model, notwithstanding the AimLabs branding on my model, or whatever decal your chosen model has. That means you're getting the Xbox Wireless Controller-alike look, with a few extra trigger and rear buttons.

And there's nothing wrong with copying a great design. The GameSir is lightweight (392g), so you can hold it for long stints without fatigue, and the textured grips keep my hands from friction or sweating issues that can sometimes arise. All the buttons and controllers feel like they're in a good place to easily reach with my medium-sized hands — too good, as was the case with the plates on the back, which I repeatedly accidentally pressed during use.

Dig under the surface, and you get the real joy of the G7 Pro series: you can remove the face plate to swap out the joysticks and d-pad, which I did to pick out options that felt more comfortable to use, and easy to press in a flash. You can see in the image above all the options that come with the controller, and GameSir sells more on its website.

The default sticks are GameSir's anti-drift Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) Sticks Gen 2, which are lovely and smooth to use and feel sturdy. It's clear that the controller was designed for intense esports use, and I particularly appreciated the responsive 'clicky' face buttons.

The default sticks have the added benefit of looking clean: I found the G7 Pro to be something of a dirt magnet, with the black sticks I swapped to, as well as the face plate and rear plates, quickly picking up dust and scuffs. Yes, more so than other controllers I've used: I don't think it's a me problem!

The face buttons and d-pad are all lovely and responsive, with a satisfying 'click' feedback that most controllers don't offer.

Using GameSir's apps, you can play with the sensitivity of the sticks and add dead zones. These aren't the only buttons that are customizable, and I particularly appreciated the ability to toggle the triggers between analog and micro switch pickup. There are also four fully-mappable buttons: the aforementioned rear plates, and two bumpers nestled above the triggers.

Some other neat touches some may appreciate: a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones, a voice chat muter that's easy to tap when your hand's holding the grip, and a Multifunction button so you can remap buttons and change your headphone volume. This latter doesn't need the app: just press and go.

You can connect the GameSir to your device of choice in three ways. There's a simple USB cable that comes with it, and plugs into a port in the top of the controller. You can use a dongle that plugs into a USB-A port and allows for 2.4Ghz connection. Or you can use Bluetooth, which apparently doesn't allow the 8K polling, though I've seen users online who swear it still works. The dongle can be stored in an included controller stand when not in use, but there's nowhere to store it on the controller's body.

I mentioned before an app: there's a phone one, and a PC one. You can use this to create game control profiles and tweak settings, but it's far from necessary if you just want to play. In fact, the PC app reliably failed to recognise the controller during my weeks with it; hopefully, this'll be fixed soon.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro 8K: performance

Putting aside the 8K polling, you're getting the same performance here as with the original model, and that's great. The face buttons and d-pad are all lovely and responsive, with a satisfying 'click' feedback that most controllers don't offer. Even the triggers offered that same response when in micro switch mode.

Hall effect in the triggers is smooth to use, and I found myself switching between the two modes mid-gameplay to get the best of both worlds, as doing so is easy.

A draw to this controller is GameSir's Gen 2 TMR sticks, which are even more sensitive than the brand's first-gen ones. The biggest selling points are under the hood, though: these are designed to reduce wear and stick drift over a longer period of time. You might not notice this benefit, and that's the whole point.

If I had a small gripe, it'd be the small size of the auxiliary face buttons: the triple-horizontal line on the right, and double-square on the left (according to the manual, these don't have names), are used in various games for things like your map, pause menu, settings, or inventory. Yet they're small enough that pressing them in a frantic firefight or tense moment is harder than it ought to be.

(Image credit: Future)

Based on my testing, I'd estimate a battery life of around 8-10 hours, so a little shy of the non-8K model (naturally). That's on the lower end of things compared to rivals, but I'll point once again to the 8K factor. The controller saves juice by disconnecting quite frequently when not in use; several times, I'd go and make a tea, only to return to a disconnected controller. Annoying, yes; game-breaking, no.

Officially, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K is only designed to work on PC; the company's listings make no mention of other devices. But I used it just fine on an Android device too.

All of the compliments I've laid on the GameSir are doubled when you're using the USB cable or dongle to get 8K polling. It's a small upgrade, all things considered; a split-second here and a fraction there, but the confidence boost this extra polling speed gives you is no joke. Neither is the dreamy way the controller works; I've finally given those Arcs a reason to fear me!

As mentioned in the introduction, 8K polling is CPU-intensive, and it can (and will) cause stuttering for some gamers. As far as I can tell, you can't turn off the higher polling speeds either (other than by using Bluetooth), and so you should only buy this kit if your PC can handle it.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the GameSir G7 Pro 8K?Buy it if...

You're 8K curious
Most 8K-polling tech I've covered costs you quite a bit. If you've been curious about testing it but don't want to shell out for a pricey controller, this is a great option.

You're picky about your sticks and buttons
It's easy to remove the face plate and swap out joysticks and the d-pad to a range of in-box alternatives. GameSir sells even more options on its website.

Don't buy it if...

Your PC can't handle it
As mentioned, 8K polling is CPU-intensive. If you don't think your PC can handle this kind of hit, you'd be better off buying the non-8K alternative.

Also consider...

If the GameSir G7 Pro 8K hasn't ticked all your boxes, here are a few alternatives you may want to consider, and how they stack up against the model.

GameSir G7 Pro 8K

GameSir G7 Pro (non-8K)

Razer Wolverine v3 Pro 8K

Price

$89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

$199 / £179 / AU$329

Dimensions

5.9 x 4 x 2.2in / 152 x 103 x 53mm

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

6.1 x 4.1 x 2.5in / 157 x 106 x 65mm

Weight

10.88 / 392g

9.6oz / 272g

10.22oz / 290g

Compatibility

PC

PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile

PC, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-C, 3,5mm)

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-C, 3,5mm)

Wireless (2.4Ghz), wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 10 hours

Around 12 hours

Around 20 hours

GameSir G7 Pro
It's been mentioned loads through this review, but here's one more occurrence. Most people won't need 8K polling, and so should get this more affordable controller that's just as responsive, customizable, and lightweight.

Read our full GameSir G7 Pro review

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K
A much more premium offering; this is a top-tier controller with all the trappings: it has a carry case, was made with Razer's mouse tech, and has even more mappable buttons. We haven't tested the 8K model, but have reviewed the 'standard' version.

Read our full Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review

How I tested the GameSir G7 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for roughly 25 hours of gameplay
• Used on PC and mobile with wired and wireless connections
• Played a variety of online and offline games of several genres

I tested the GameSir G7 Pro 8K for roughly 25 hours of gaming, over the course of several weeks. The majority of that time was spent on Arc Raiders, but I also spent significant time on other titles, including Call of Duty Mobile, Nioh 3, The Division Resurgence, Hogwarts Legacy and Gotham Knights.

As you can likely tell from that game list, I tested the GameSir on multiple platforms: specifically, my gaming PC, and two different Android smartphones. This let me test all three of the connection options (wired, Bluetooth, and dongle), although most of the gaming was done on wired.

I’ve been reviewing kit for TechRadar for over seven years now, including controllers and other kinds of gaming, PC, and mobile kit. I’ve also covered GameSir’s various tech for other brands.

First reviewed April-May 2026

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: 30-second review

The ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 is Lenovo's first serious push into rugged Android territory. It arrives with MIL-STD-810H certification, an IP68 rating, and a genuinely useful screwless removable battery.

To avoid the power demands of PC hardware, Lenovo went with an ARM-based architecture, using the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 to deliver capable everyday performance. This SoC is combined with a modest 10.95-inch display that is sharp and readable outdoors.

One interesting feature in all SKUs is that this tablet has a replaceable battery. But given the exercise to change it isn’t something you’ll want to be doing on a regular basis, this feature is more about extending the tablet’s life, not giving it extended run time with extra batteries.

While it ticks lots of boxes for performance and durability, the one major weakness of this option is its cameras, which are low quality by modern phone standards

The starting price of around £499 is competitive with the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, which appears to be the inspiration for this device.

If your work takes place on a factory floor, a building site, or in a vehicle cab, this is a credible option. Those looking for a general-purpose consumer tablet should look elsewhere, but if you need a go-anywhere tablet for drone flying or collecting data outdoors, this could be one of the best rugged tablet choices.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: price and availability

• How much does it cost? £499/€499
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? You can get it from online retailers such as Insight in the UK.

Lenovo announced the ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 at MWC 2026 in Barcelona on 2 March 2026. It's currently listed as 'Coming soon' on the UK website.

Availability was confirmed for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa from April 2026. At the time of writing, Lenovo has not confirmed a US retail date, describing the X11 as a commercial product with pricing starting at €499 in the Eurozone.

What’s likely to confuse customers is the sheer number of SKUs that Lenovo has in this product line, which is ridiculous. In the UK alone, they make eight different options. The differences are primarily the storage capacity (typically 128GB or 256GB) and whether it includes mobile phone comms.

But there are models with no (Beidou + GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + QZSS + A-GPS), because the market for people who don’t want to know where they are is obviously huge. Some models come with a pen, while others do not.

The review hardware was a ZAHL0035GB, which comes with 256GB of storage, the Rugged Smart Case and Lenovo Tab Pen XE, but no slot for a mobile SIM.

That puts it directly in the orbit of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, which carries a street price of between £499 and £549 in the UK, depending on configuration. Samsung uses the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, so the competition is genuinely close on paper.

The UK retailer Insight carries three models, the cheapest being £563.99 inc. VAT for one with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but no 5G SIM card slot. The top model has 256GB of storage and is 5G-capable, and has a price of £615.49.

Higher-specified configurations with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage will command a premium when they become available. Lenovo has not published a full pricing matrix for all SKUs at launch. Business buyers will typically be quoted against volume contracts rather than consumer retail pricing, so the headline €499 figure should be treated as a floor.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 4/5

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: Specs

Specification

Detail

Model

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1

Part number / SKU

ZAHL0035GB

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (SM7635, 4nm octa-core: 1x2.5GHz + 3x2.4GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8GHz Cortex-A520)

GPU

Qualcomm Adreno 810

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

Storage

256GB UFS 3.1

Expandable storage

microSDXC

Display

10.95-inch IPS LCD, 2560 x 1600 (276ppi), 90Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass

Brightness

600 nits typical / 800 nits peak (high brightness mode)

Touch input

Glove and wet-touch supported

Rear camera

13MP, AF, LED flash

Front camera

8MP, 1080p video at 30fps

Battery

10,200mAh Li-Polymer, removable (screwless), battery-less mode supported

Charging

45W wired USB-C

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Bluetooth 5.4

Cellular (optional)

N/A (other models offer 5G Nano-SIM + eSIM)

USB

Dual USB-C (USB 3.2); simultaneous charging and peripheral use

NFC

Front-mounted NFC3

Security

Side-mounted fingerprint reader

Sensors

Accelerometer, gyroscope, compass

Positioning

GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo (cellular model)

Durability

IP68 (1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H certified

Dimensions

257.1 x 168.65 x 9.93mm

Weight

650g

Operating System

Android 16

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: design

• Lightweight
• Rubber bumper
• Toolless battery change
• Camera postioning

Pick up the ThinkTab X11, and the premise is immediately clear. This is not a tablet designed for the sofa. The chassis is thick by consumer standards, sitting at 9.9mm, and the 650g weight is modest for the category but noticeably heavier than a consumer 11-inch slate.

In the review hardware, it came with a soft silicon bumper that didn’t obscure any of the ports and is relatively easy to remove should you want to access the battery compartment.

The MIL-STD-810H certification covers a demanding set of environmental tests. That includes thermal extremes, vibration, altitude, humidity, and shock. The IP68 rating means submersion in up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes, and that’s without a rubber plug in the USB-C port. For field workers in manufacturing, utilities, or construction, these are not marketing checkboxes. They are basic requirements.

To get inside requires one strong fingernail to be inserted into a cutout on the back that then starts popping clips to remove a cover. To be clear, taking this cover off isn’t easy, and it isn’t something I’ve want to do multiple times. But when the tablet arrives, the battery isn’t installed, so it’s necessary to get it working.

Where I’d place this in the Parthenon of replaceable battery systems is that it's good that you can swap the battery, especially because it could extend the working life of the device, but it isn’t something you would want to consider doing on a regular basis. Eventually, the clips on the cover will fail, and with them goes the environmental protection.

It's worth noting that you also need to access the battery area for the installation of a MicroSD, or if you have a 5G capable model, the Nano SIM slot. I think an approach more like the Samsung Active5G with screws might have been a better plan, I’d assert.

That said, most tablets don’t allow the battery to be replaced without entirely dismantling the hardware, and battery exhaustion is a major component in tablets and phones reaching the end of their useful life.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The display supports glove and wet-touch input, and it's designed to work with the Lenovo Tab Pen XE, which comes with some SKUs.

That is an important detail on a site where latex gloves are mandatory, or inclement weather intervenes. The Corning Gorilla Glass should handle the usual workplace knocks, and the front-mounted NFC will appeal to logistics and access-control use cases.

An OLED panel might have been a good option, but the IPS panel used is reasonably colourful, and using something better might have driven the price up.

Dual USB-C ports allow simultaneous charging and peripheral connection without an adapter or dock. Although the second port is clearly also designed for an add-on keyboard, which Lenovo didn’t provide for this review. This is such a useful feature, and SoCs generally support more than one USB port, that I do wonder why other brands don’t offer multiple USB ports.

An external feature I’m not a fan of is the camera's placement, which is positioned deep in the left corner. The upper corners are the common place to hold a tablet and I found that I activated the camera app and saw nothing, as my hand was obscuring the sensor.

If the camera cluster had been placed in the middle, this could have avoided fingers and also provided more natural framing for image and video capture.

Other than that point, and the nail-breaking nature of the battery cover, the design of this tablet is pretty good.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4.5/5

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: hardware

• Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• Adreno 810 GPU
• 10,200mAh battery

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is the same platform Samsung chose for the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro. On a 4nm process with an octa-core configuration (four Cortex-A720 performance cores and four Cortex-A520 efficiency cores), it delivers capable everyday performance without generating excessive heat in a sealed chassis.

Spoiling my performance reveal slightly, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has a similar performance profile to the MediaTek Dimensity 7400X that I saw recently in the UleFone Amor Pad 5 Ultra.

The Adreno 810 GPU handles the expected range of business and light productivity workloads without difficulty. Video calls, document editing, ERP applications, and camera-intensive tasks are all within its comfort zone. Nobody is buying a MIL-SPEC enterprise tablet for gaming, and the hardware reflects that reality.

Memory options cover 8GB and 12GB LPDDR5, but all the UK SKUs were 8GB. For field workers running one or two dedicated applications, 8GB is sufficient. Environments running multiple concurrent enterprise apps, particularly with persistent background sync, will benefit from the 12GB option. Storage ranges from 128GB to 512GB UFS 3.1, supplemented by a microSD slot.

That combination is practical. Enterprise deployments often include large offline databases, maps, or media libraries. Being able to use a second USB device also allows for an external drive, and it would be easier to replace than the MicroSD card.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The 10,200mAh battery, charged at 45W, should cover a full shift under typical enterprise workloads. Lenovo has not published an official battery life figure. In my testing that I’ll talk about later, it recharges quickly, which makes the overall capacity less of an issue.

As a total capacity of 10,200mAh isn’t huge, and I’ve seen plenty of rugged phones with more, but in this context, it's enough to get at least two full working days out of the device, and with curation, the better part of a third day.

The front-mounted NFC is an unusual placement. Most tablets put NFC on the rear, which suits tap-to-pay and general contactless use. Positioning it on the front (upper right) of the screen makes it more accessible for door access control and identity verification, where the user faces the reader.

The hardware specification of the Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 is decent, and the choice of the efficient SoC has enabled the battery to be scaled to a level where the machine becomes awkward to carry or only suitable for vehicle mounting.

• Hardware score: 4/5

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: cameras

• 16MP on the rear
• 8MP on the front
• Two cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 has two cameras:

Rear camera: 13MP Omnivision OV13B10, AF, LED flash
Front camera: 8MP GalaxyCore GC08A8

As seems the norm these days, extracting the correct camera sensors from the Android system provided little hard information about the camera sensors. At one point it the primary sensor could have been from Omnivision, Samsung or Sony.

But thankfully, I dug into the replacement parts list on Lenovo, and that revealed that the main sensor is a 13MP Omnivision OV13B10, and the selfie camera is an 8MP GalaxyCore GC08A8.

Anyone with a decent phone will immediately be thinking how underwhelming these sensors sound, and they’re not exactly cutting-edge. I’m not sure why tablet makers immediately assume that their customers don’t need high-quality images, but it’s a cost-saving that many take.

That said, the pictures taken by the 13MP Omnivision OV13B10 are reasonably sharp, and if you don’t activate HDR mode, the colour makes a stab at being representative.

The problem with a 13MP sensor is that there isn’t much margin for errors. There is no anti-shake compensation, only two levels of digital zoom (1X and 2X), and there are no special modes, like panorama or time-lapse, whatsoever.

However, there are two functions that people will like, the first being that there is a specific camera mode for capturing documents. That’s useful, and the other thing that impressed me is that even with only a 13MP sensor, it will capture both 2K and 4K video. There is no means to change the FPS; it’s 30 FPS by default, but at least you can capture a proper resolution.

I won’t talk about the 8MP fixed focus front-facing camera, to avoid annoying anyone at GalaxyCore. But that it can only capture 1080p video is probably a good thing.

Overall, if you have good lighting conditions, you can make the 13MP Omnivision OV13B10 work for photography and video. Though I wouldn’t expect miracles, and it might have been a better plan if Lenovo had splashed out another dollar or less for a 32MP Samsung sensor.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark Pickavance

• Camera score: 3.5/5

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: Performance

• Modern and efficient SoC
• Workable battery life

Tablet

Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1

Samsung Tab Active5 5G

SoC

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

Samsung Exynos 1380

Mem

8GB/256GB

6GB/128GB

Weight

650g

433g

Battery Capacity

mAh

10,200

5,050

Geekbench

Single

1158

785

Multi

3293

2668

OpenCL

1852

3149

Vulkan

2685

3203

PCMark

3.0 Score

14641

12066

Battery

19h 27m

9h 38m

Charge 30

%

34%

26%

Passmark

Score

15758

13884

CPU

7404

6601

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

5409

5897

Slingshot Ex. OGL

3831

4750

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

3693

4758

Wildlife

2483

2991

Normally, I’d present the numbers of the review machine against a prior tablet in this instance, but I chose not to here.

That’s because no other tablet I’ve tested could get anywhere near these numbers, including some of the previous Ulefone Pad series. For example, the Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro scored only 296 and 1358 on the Geekbench single and multithreaded tests, which is a fraction of what this tablet offers.

Equally, GPU power is a magnitude better with the Pad 3 Pro, managing only 647 points on WildLife, or 18%. I’m sure there are Android tablets available that could go toe-to-toe with the Pad 5 Ultra, but I’ve yet to see them.

Another area this design excels in is battery life, even if I had some issues with getting PCMark to completely exhaust the battery without crashing. That’s not a problem specific to this tablet; it seems to happen with many tablets and phones, where something happens in the background that trips up the PCMark tool.

After running it a number of times, the best result I got was that it ran for 28 hours and 27 minutes, but there was still 39% of the battery capacity left. That result indicates that the total running time of the test using all the battery would be around 46 hours or more, which is substantial.

Using the provided 120W charger, it can recover about 27% of capacity in 30 minutes. That puts the total recovery from empty at between two and three hours. There is no wireless option, and given the battery's size, that’s probably not a bad thing.

Overall, the performance of the UleFone Armor Pad 5 Ultra is top-notch, and dramatically better than most rugged Android tablets.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Lenovo)Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1: Final verdict

I’m going to make one complaint that has nothing to do with the hardware-software combination Lenovo has created. It’s the naming convention.

When I live and breathe platforms on a daily basis, and I can even get confused, then something is badly wrong. Calling something a Lenovo ThinkTab X11 when you already have a Lenovo ThinkPad X11 is a patently dumb idea. And this recent thing of calling them Gen 1 and so on, that’s hyperbolically stupid too.

Here’s a ‘next-gen’ idea: stop now! Lenovo makes far too many SKUs of all its products, and naming them so similarly only causes further customer confusion. Someone wanting an Android tablet doesn’t need a degree in the nuances of Lenovo product naming conventions, if there are any. Rant over, and I should say that this problem isn’t exclusive to Lenovo; it's all over the commercial platform space.

For the purpose of this review, the ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 is a well-considered entry from Lenovo into a market that Samsung has dominated for years. The removable battery alone separates it from most of the competition. In a sector where devices must survive shifts rather than evenings on the sofa, that matters.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 provides enough headroom for the applications that enterprise Android tablets actually run. The IP68 and MIL-STD-810H certifications are genuine rather than decorative. The dual USB-C configuration is practical and is something that competitors typically do not offer.

There are only two areas that the ThinkTab X11 Gen 2 should embrace when it inevitably arrives. One is to repackage the battery so that the cover is part of the battery, and swapping them in and out is easier. And the other area that needs to be addressed is the cameras, which need to be brought up to the level of entry-level phones from today, not ones from five years ago.

With those things addressed, this would be the perfect rugged tablet solution for many people. In the meantime, the ThinkTab X11 Gen 1 is an affordable option that isn’t a bad device, though Lenovo could have made it even better with a bit of adaptive thinking.

Should I buy a Lenovo ThinkTab X11 Gen 1?Ulefone Armor Pad 5 Ultra Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Competitive vs Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro at this spec level

4/5

Design

Rugged build, removable battery, dual USB-C, solid MIL-SPEC credentials

4/5

Hardware

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, Wi-Fi 6E, mediocre cameras

4/5

Camera

Good sensor selection and L1 Encryption

4/5

Performance

Punchy SoC that’s power efficient

4/5

Overall

A lightweight, rugged tablet with good performance

4/5

Buy it if...

You need a field-ready tablet with a removable battery
Being able to replace the battery extends the working life of this unit, but it's not something you would want to do repeatedly.

Your deployment involves fixed or vehicle-mounted operation
Battery-less mode allows the X11 to run from a vehicle's power supply without battery wear. That covers fleet management, asset tracking, and production line terminals.

Don't buy it if...

You are a consumer buyer
The ThinkTab X11 is a commercial product. It will not be available through standard retail channels, and Lenovo is not targeting home users.

You are US-based
Lenovo has not confirmed availability dates for North America at the time of writing. Enterprise procurement timelines in the US are unclear.View Deal

Also Consider

Oukitel Industry RT10
Designed around the powerful Dimensity 7400X SoC, with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It's a heavier design but with much greater running time due to a large battery.

The downside of this design is that it only supports 33W charging, so recharging the 25000 mAh battery takes a long time.

At about $680 direct from Oukitel, the cost is similar.

Read our Oukitel Industry RT10 review

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged phones, best rugged laptops and the best rugged hard drives

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: two-minute review

The Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series is a premium automatic coffee maker that works brilliantly by itself, and even better when paired with the Philips HomeID mobile app.

The Café Aromis offers a huge menu of over 50 different hot and cold drinks, and encourages you to tinker with brew settings to achieve the flavor you prefer with your chosen beans. You can do this via the large, bright touchscreen, or better yet, through the mobile app, which guides you through your options with an interface styled like an AI chatbot, and saves your preferences to your profile for quick access later. You can even start brewing remotely through the app.

Once you’ve got the brew settings nailed down (including tweaking the grind size using a dial inside the bean hopper), you’ll enjoy consistently delicious hot and cold drinks, with thick and creamy hot or cold milk. The machine has two milk carafes (one for each temperature) and each one disassembles into three pieces of hard plastic that are extremely easy to keep clean without any special tools or solutions.

The Café Aromis encourages you to tinker with brew settings to attain a flavor you enjoyFutureThe espresso machine has a premium look and feel throughoutFuture

The Café Aromis is quiet too, and during my tests it was very similar to the Quiet Mark certified KitchenAid KF6 when heating, grinding, and brewing.

It’s hard to find fault with the Café Aromis, and I only noticed a few small quirks during testing. The chute for adding pre-ground coffee and bypassing the grinder has a tendency to steam up during brewing, and must be dried carefully to avoid coffee grounds sticking to the lid. You also have to take care to allow everything to cool down thoroughly before preparing an iced drink, otherwise the milk will be dispensed with a jet of steam and the drink will turn out warm — which isn’t a problem I experienced with the Jura J10 coffee maker.

Overall, the Café Aromis doesn’t just brew excellent coffee — it makes the process fun as well, even if you have no barista experience and don’t know which brew settings you need to change to alter the taste of your coffee. As long as you can describe the flavor you like, the machine will do the rest for you and make it effortless.

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: specifications

Name

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series

Type

Bean-to-cup

Dimensions (W x H x D)

9.9 x 15.3 x 17.8 inches / 251 x 389 x 452 mm

Weight

20.5lbs / 9.3kg

Bean hopper capacity

7oz / 200g

Water reservoir capacity

2 quarts / 1.9 liters

Milk frother

Yes, automatic hot and cold

Bars of pressure

15

User profiles

8

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: price and availability

• Available in the US and UK, but not yet in Australia
• List price of $1,699.99 / £849.99 (about AU$2,380)
• Cheaper than many similarly-specced automatic coffee makers

Philips unveiled the Café Aromis 8000 Series in March 2026, priced at $1,699.99 / £849.99. That converts to about AU$2,380, but at the time of writing (May 2026) it's not yet available in Australia.

That's certainly not cheap, but nor is it excessively expensive considering how much the Aromis has to offer. It costs around the same as the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch, which currently sits at the top of our roundup of the best coffee makers, and is a semi-automatic model without the automation and customization as the Aromis, or the connectivity.

In terms of features, the Aromis is closer to the Siemens EQ900 Plus, which has a list price of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300) and isn't widely available outside Europe. In that contect, the Aromis represents very good value for money.

• Value score: 5/5

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: design

• Premium look and feel
• Large, bright touchscreen
• Thoughtful design touches

The Cafe Aromis is one of the best-looking coffee machines I’ve ever tested, with a smart brushed metal case, a huge color touchscreen, and even a little real wood on top of the coffee dispenser — a small touch that adds to the premium feel.

There are two carafes — one for foaming hot milk and one for cold — which can be disassembled into three pieces of hard plastic for easy cleaning. There are no awkward tubes to wash, and milk never enters the body of the machine, avoiding buildup of bacteria.

The Café Aromis produces thick, creamy foam from dairy or plant-based milk (Image credit: Future)

Every part of the machine feels solid and well-engineered. For example, the coffee dispenser moves smoothly up and down to accommodate different sized cups, and can slide extra high if you want to brew directly into a travel mug (one of the options you’ll find in the machine’s extensive menus). The drip tray is deep enough to prevent spills, and has a pouring spout at the back for easy emptying. The case doesn’t attract fingerprints like many I’ve tested.

Even the maintenance hatch is nicely designed, with a hinge so you don’t have to remove it entirely, plus a brewing unit that’s easy to lift out for cleaning. Sometimes I’ve spent a long time wondering how to replace the brew unit in automatic coffee makers, but with the Aromis it only fits one way and slides right into place.

The brew unit is easy to access behind a hinged maintenance doorFutureThe drip tray is large and deep, with a spout at the back for easy emptyingFuture

The water tank is easy to remove and replace too, and comes with a water hardness testing strip and a water filter. The machine walks you through the process of testing your tap water and installing the filter during setup, to ensure it’s configured correctly.

The hopper sits on top of the machine, so make sure you have plenty of clearance overhead to access it. It has a tinted plastic lid with a rubber seal, which keeps out air and allows you to check how much coffee is remaining without admitting too much light, helping to keep everything fresh.

(Image credit: Future)

You’ll also find a chute at the front of the hopper, where you can add pre-ground coffee if you want a break from your usual beans. Just use the measuring scoop provided to ensure you get the correct dosage, and remember that you can’t adjust the strength of your drink if you do so — just the volume and temperature.

• Design score: 5/5

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: performance

• Hot and cold espresso and milk foam
• Consistent results
• Excellent mobile app
• Quiet heating, grinding, and brewing

As I’ve come to expect from Philips, the Café Aromis 8000 Series produces consistently excellent coffee, and although you’re spoilt for choice with a menu of over 50 hot and cold drinks, they are all broken down into sub-menus so it’s easy to find exactly what you want. Start by picking hot or cold coffee with or without milk, then peruse the various options.

You’ll be prompted to select the type of beans you’re using (arabica or robusta, and the roast level), but you can always tinker with the strength and brew temperature later, tweak the grind size, and adjust the proportions of espresso, water, and milk in longer drinks.

There is a huge menu, but the Café Aromis keeps things simple using categoriesFutureTake your pick from an array of different drink styles and sizesFutureYou can tinker with the proportions of milk and coffee, the strength, brew temperature, and moreFuture

One of the biggest selling points of the Café Aromis is its noise shielding, and during my tests it reached a maximum of 74dB while heating, 68dB when grinding, and 73dB when pumping. It’s certainly not silent, but ranks among the quietest bean-to-cup coffee makers I’ve tested; very similar to the Quiet Mark certified KitchenAid KF6.

Using pre-ground coffee worked well too, though I found that the lid of the chute tended to steam up during brewing, with water condensing on the lid, so I ended up leaving it open between brews so it could dry. It’s not a serious problem, but ground coffee will stick to any residual water, so it’s a little annoying. It’s also worth noting that, unlike some other coffee makers, the Café Aromis can’t detect when you’ve added grounds, so you’ll need to select the option manually before you begin brewing.

You'll be instructed to place a couple of ice cubes in your cup before brewing a cold coffeeFutureHeating, grinding, and brewing are all surprisingly quietFuture

The hot and cold milk carafes both produce thick, creamy foam, and during my tests they worked equally well with dairy, oat, and soy milks, which is always good to see. The carafes are very similar to the one used by the Philips LatteGo 5500, but it seems that the designers have solved the problem of milk occasionally missing the cup, as I never experienced this problem with the Café Aromis. Milk arced neatly into the cup even when I didn’t place it perfectly.

The machine’s touchscreen is large, bright, and easy to operate, but for me, the Cafe Aromis really comes into its own when connected to the Philips HomeID app. In my experience, mobile apps don’t usually add much to the experience of using a coffee machine — at most, they typically give usage and maintenance instructions that you could just as easily find in the paper instruction manual. HomeID is different though, and although you can create profiles and customize your favorite drinks using the machine’s interface directly, using the app makes it much easier.

It's well worth installing the Philips HomeID app to get more from your coffee maker (Image credit: Future)

Connecting the Philips Café Aromis to HomeID is straightforward: register yourself with HomeID (or allow it to use your Google account), then give it permission to search for nearby appliances, and add the coffee maker when it’s detected. Enter your Wi-Fi password to complete the pairing, and you’re ready to go. I was prompted to give the coffee maker access to call history, which was a little strange, so I declined and there didn’t seem to be any impact on the app’s functionality.

That done, it’s time to create a profile. After entering your name and choosing a color for easy identification, pick at least four of your favorite drinks, then customize them to suit your tastes and the size of your cups. Next time you want to brew, these will all be available via quick access shortcuts, so you don’t need to spend time poking at the machine’s screen.

Create a profile and you'll be able to set your favorite custom drinks for quick access (Image credit: Future)

Unlike many mobile apps for coffee machines, HomeID also lets you start brewing remotely, which is great if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to get off the sofa until absolutely necessary. You’ll need to verify that the Café Aromis is positioned in such a way that this will be safe, but once that’s done (and provided you have a cup in place), you can prepare a drink with a couple of taps.

It’s all very well designed, but my favorite app feature is the Barista Assistant, which helps you tinker with the taste of your drinks, even if you don’t have any coffee-making experience. The Assistant looks like an AI chatbot, and asks questions about how you’d like your coffee to taste, then changes the machine’s internal settings for you. I confess that I found my first espresso a little too strong, but I was easily able to tweak it using the Barista Assistant, which then saved my preference for future use.

Barista Assistant is presented like an AI chatbot, and changes the coffee maker's settings remotely to suit your tastes (Image credit: Future)

The only thing that the Barista Assistant can’t control remotely is the grind size, which you can adjust yourself using a dial inside the bean hopper. This has a significant effect on flavor, so it’s worth taking some time to tinker with it if your drink tastes too sour and ‘thin’ (under-extracted) or bitter (over-extracted).

It’s important to take care when brewing cold drinks, however, and ensure the machine has had a chance to cool down if you’ve recently prepared something hot. The first time I tried to make an iced latte macchiato, the drink turned out warm because I started making it too soon after a hot espresso, and the brew group was still hot.

Most importantly, the Café Aromis brews consistently delicious coffee (Image credit: Future)

That, and the condensation in the coffee grounds chute, were my only two quibbles with the Café Aromis, and in my opinion they weren't significant enough to stop it earning a full five stars.

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Philips Café Aromis 8000 SeriesPhilips Café Aromis 8000 Series score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Not cheap, but great value compared to other similarly specced automatic espresso machines.

5/5

Design

Stylish and solidly-made, with thoughtful touches that make everyday use a joy,

5/5

Performance

Consistently great hot and cold espresso and milk foam, and deep customization, particularly if you use the mobile app.

5/5

Buy it if

You love to experiment

The Café Aromis has a vast menu and encourages you to tinker so you create drinks you'll love. Flavor is subjective, but the 'conversational' app makes it easy to find something that will please your tastebuds.

You don't have barista experience

This espresso machine makes it easy to fine-tine the flavor of your coffee without a deep understanding of which brew settings should be tweaked to achieve a certain result.

Don't buy it if

You can't be bothered with apps

The Philips HomeID app adds a lot to the experience of using the Café Aromis. It's certainly not essential, and the machine works fine without it, but you're missing out by skipping it.

You're the sole coffee drinker at home

This is an excellent machine, but if you're brewing for one then the Philips LatteGo 5500 Series would be a more practical choice. It's also excellent, and is perfectly sized for small households.

Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Philips Café Aromis is the right coffee maker for you, here are two other options to add to your shortlist.

Philips LatteGo 5500 Series

If you like the look of the Café Aromis, but don't have the necessary countertop space and/or cash, the LatteGo 5500 Series is a great alternative. It uses the same excellent brewing and milk-frothing technology, but is perfectly sized if you're the only coffee-drinker in your household.

Read our full Philips LatteGo 5500 Series review

Philips Baristina

If you're looking for an entry-level bean-to-cup machine that makes brewing espresso from fresh coffee as simple as using pods, the Philips Baristina is the one for you. Look for the bundle that includes a milk frother if you want to prepare cappuccinos and lattes.

Read our full Philips Baristina review

How I tested the Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series

I used the Philips Café Aromis 8000 Series for two weeks with my usual regular and decaffeinated coffee beans, freshly bought from a local coffee roaster. I also used Lavazza ground coffee to test the hopper-bypass function. I used the hot and cold milk carafes with full-fat dairy, and barista-style oat and soy milks.

I tested my tap water using the hardness testing strip included with the coffee maker and adjusted the hardness setting accordingly. I also installed the water filter following the manufacturer's instructions.

I made a wide range of hot and cold coffee drinks, with and without milk, and experimented with customizing them using the settings on board the machine itself, and the Barista Assistant in the mobile app.

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

First reviewed May 2026

LG B6 OLED TV: Two minute review

The LG B6 is the entry-level OLED TV in LG’s 2026 TV lineup. While it provides a brightness boost over its predecessor, the LG B5, which I rated as one of 2025’s best TVs, the LG B6 doesn’t deliver the full and clear upgrade I was hoping for.

The LG B6 has a full suite of features and still delivers great performance, but as long as the LG B5 remains in stock and is less expensive, the new model is held back from being an unqualified pick by a few issues.

The biggest change over the B5 is the B6’s higher brightness. Bright scenes have more impact, highlights are mostly punchier and colors benefit, looking that little more vibrant. Contrast is powerful and appears stronger thanks to the brightness increase, while textures are crisp, as you’d expect from the best OLED TVs.

However, the LG B6 had more of a green tint than its predecessor when compared side-by-side. This meant that despite its improvements, the B6’s picture wasn’t the full step-up over the B5 that I was looking for — it giveth on one hand, and taketh on the other. Viewed in isolation, the B6 is still a great looking TV, though — the thing about slightly color tints is that your eye gets used to them quickly and then you can just focus on the image.

Much like previous years, the B6’s 2.0 channel speaker system is solid for day to day viewing with clear speech and it is accurate with some solid detail for movies. Bass however is limited and the soundstage is narrow. If you’re after the cinematic experience and want the sound to match the picture, I’d add one of the best soundbars.

The B6 is easily one of 2026’s best gaming TVs. It has a full array of features on all four HDMI ports — 4K 120Hz, full variable refresh rate options, HGiG, auto low latency mode, Dolby Vision Gaming — and has four HDMI 2.1 ports. An 8.9ms measured input lag means performance is smooth with razor-sharp response time, and the picture looks superb while gaming. If you’re looking for a gaming OLED, this is an excellent choice.

The webOS 26 smart TV software doesn’t reinvent the wheel compared to webOS 25, but it didn’t need to. What webOS 26 does is make navigation easier with a new menu layout, more Quick Cards and more customization. While the banner ad on the home screen is annoying, it’s the only wrinkle in webOS 26, which I rate as one of the best smart TV platforms on offer.

But as I alluded to above, while I think the B6 is a great TV overall, the B5 is definitely the better option while it’s available. The 65-inch B6 I tested costs $1,999 / £2,399 / AU$3,295 (with a cheaper B6E option available for £1,799 in the UK).

While this is a decent price and similar to the B5’s launch prices, the B6 doesn’t change enough to recommend it over the B5 if you're buying around its launch time. If it's a great-value entry-level OLED you want, I'd spend less on the LG B5.

If you have the budget right now, I’d definitely opt for the LG C6 (65-inch model priced at $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995) as my preferred choice. It's the best upgrade to LG’s OLED lineup in 2026, and provides even better brightness and picture than the B6, but with impeccable colors.

LG B6 review: Prices & release date

The LG B6 delivers deep black tones and crisp textures (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: May 2026
• 48-inch: $TBA / £1,299 / AU$1,995
• 55-inch: $TBA / £1,599 / AU$2,495
• 65-inch: $1,999 / £2,399 / AU$3,295
• 77-inch: $,2799 / £TBA / AU$TBA
• 83-inch: $4,499 / £TBA / AU$TBA

The LG B6 is the entry level OLED in LG’s 2026 OLED TV lineup, sitting below the mid-range LG C6 and flagship LG G6 and LG W6 (also known as the Wallpaper). The 65-inch model I tested costs $1,999 / £2,399 / AU$3,295 officially, which is the same launch prices as last year’s LG B5.

It’s worth noting that in some regions there are two LG B6 models: the B65 and the B6E. I asked LG what the differences between the two are, and it said the B6E does not have the following features: Precision Picture Master Pro, Precision Sound Master Pro, and it does not have the marble effect design on the back.

Other than this they should be the same, making the B6E by far the better deal, because I don't particular rate these features, LG's suggestion is that they have the same panel and Dolby Vision support otherwise. A 65-inch LG B6E model costs £1,999 in the UK, a full £400 cheaper.

LG B5 review: Specs

Screen type:

OLED

Refresh rate:

120Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos

Smart TV:

webOS 26

HDMI ports:

4x HDMI 2.1

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 1.0 (US)

LG B6 review: Benchmark results The above EOTF graphs show the accuracy of the LG G6 for hitting different HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the more accurate the TV is. The above measurements were taken with the B6 in its out-of-the-box Filmmaker Mode. On the next slide is the results for Cinema Home mode. FutureFutureSpectral power distribution refers to the intensity of light that a source will display at various wavelengths of color. It can reveal how accurate a source can show color at different light levels, and can be instructive to understand how a TV's panel handles color. This shows the B6 in Filmmaker Mode, Check the next slide for Cinema Home mode.FutureFutureLG B6 review: Features

The B6 has a good number of features, including four HDMI 2.1 ports (Image credit: Future)

• Alpha 8 AI Gen 3 processor is a good mid-range processor
• 4K 120Hz, FreeSync and G-Sync across all four HDMI 2.1 ports
• Higher brightness than the LG B5

The B6 uses a W-OLED panel, much like its predecessor. However, there has been a brightness boost (I’ll get into that below in the Picture Quality section) that would suggest it’s using the new OLED SE panel: a cheaper, brighter WOLED panel that we saw in action in the Panasonic Z86C, which is that company's new entry-level OLED for 2026.

The B6 comes with the Alpha 8 AI Gen 3 processor, which introduces a couple of new picture and sound tools such as the Precision Picture Master Pro and Precision Sound Pro, which both aim to upscale picture and audio respectively. It’s worth noting the B6E, a cheaper B6 model available in some regions including the UK, does not support these features.

The B6 supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio, but it does not support HDR10+ or DTS, the same as 2025. LG says it currently has no plans to support Dolby Vision 2. The B6 also supports Chromecast and AirPlay 2.

For audio, the B6 has a built-in 2.0 channel, 20W speaker system: the same as the B5 from last year. This year, much like the LG G6 and C6, the number of sound presets has been reduced to four, including AI Sound Pro, and Clear Voice for dialogue enhancement.

The B6 uses webOS 26, which introduces some refined AI features, such as AI concierge which now uses AI companions such as Gemini for lifestyle uses such as planning trips. The menu layout has also been re-ordered in order to prioritize major settings such as Energy Saving and Network.

For gaming, the B6 carries over the same features from the B5: 4K 120Hz, full VRR support including both FreeSync and G-Sync, auto low latency mode and Dolby Vision Gaming, all featured on four HDMI 2.1 ports. Game Optimizer returns with additional settings for gaming, including the Prevent Input Delay option.

• Features score: 5 / 5

LG B6 review: Picture quality

The B6 has some seriously bold colors, shown best in animated movies like Elemental (pictured) (Image credit: Disney / Future )

• Brighter than its predecessor
• Crisp detail and strong contrast
• Green tint visible in some scenes

Starting with measurements, the biggest difference between the B6 and last year’s B5 is the boost in HDR peak brightness. The B6 measured 835 nits in Filmmaker Mode, 895 nits in Cinema mode and 740 nits in Standard mode. These are big jumps over the B5’s 668 nits in Cinema mode and 637 nits in Standard mode.

For fullscreen HDR brightness, the jump hasn’t been quite as significant, with the B6 measuring 154 nits in Cinema Home, compared to 131 nits of the B5 in the same mode. In fact, there was even a drop in Standard mode, with the B6 measuring 150 nits compared to the B5’s 172 nits.

Moving to real-world testing, I found myself switching between Filmmaker Mode and Cinema Home depending on the content. Both picture modes looked good, but Filmmaker Mode suited darker, more contrast-y scenes, while Cinema Home looked great with colors and animation.

The B6 did a good job with SDR content. Watching an HD stream of Fight Club on Disney Plus, it upscaled textures to give them a crisper look and added some brightness that delivered stronger perceived contrast compared to some cheaper TVs I’d done this test on.

With lower-resolution content, such as YouTube videos, the B6 did a decent job upscaling textures and boosting colors to give them a better look, but ultimately the image didn’t hit 4K levels. There is a Precision HDR Master Pro setting in the main B6 model (not the B6E) which did sharpen textures when activated, but it was too artificial for my liking.

Watching a desert scene from Lawrence of Arabia, the white sands of the desert did indeed look brighter on the B6 compared to the B5 when I compared the two side by side, showing the brightness boost was real.

The B6 has received a brightness boost which is best shown in scenes with a lot of white tones, such as the scene from Lawrence of Arabia (pictured) (Image credit: Sony Pictures / Future )

In Dark City, as John is in the automat, the highlights from the overhead lights and the yellow walls also looked brighter on the B6.

However, during my B6 and B5 comparison, the scene from Dark City was the first to tip me off on a potential issue with the B6: green tint. The yellow walls of the automat seemed to have a green hue on them on both the B6 and B5, but it was more noticeable on the new model.

The B6 demonstrated strong contrast with deep dark tones in high contrast scenes. It also had a higher perceived contrast over the B5 thanks to the brightness boost. In The Batman, as Batman wanders the crime scene in Mayor Mitchell’s house, the balance between the light tones from the lamps on the wall and the dark tones of the dark-panel wood walls was excellent.

Unfortunately, The Batman also exemplified the green tint issue on the B6 compared to the B5. In the subway scene, the rear walls looked more green on the B6, looking like the gray I expected on the B5. Maybe I got unlucky with my review unit, but it was definitely worth noting as green tint has been a criticism of LG’s OLED TVs before.

While the B6 shows strong contrast in The Batman (pictured), this subway scene does show the B6 has a green tint — click to see it compared to the B5Warner Bros. / Future The LG B6 (left) and LG B5 (right)Warner Bros / Future

The B6 delivers bold, rich colors that benefitted from the new brightness boost. A Dolby Vision stream of Elemental on Disney Plus really showcased them, with the blues of Wade and his family, and the oranges and reds of Ember dazzling on screen. As Ember mends a vase, the purples and oranges of the new vase glistened, showing strong highlights.

In the ‘Wizard and I’ scene, as Elphaba stands under a tree with pink flowers, said flowers popped on screen, but still had great color depth.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures / Future )

The B6 delivered a measured HDR color gamut coverage of 97.4% of the DCI-P3 and 72.5% of the BT.2020 color spaces. While these aren’t bad results (we have a 95% threshold for DCI-P3, and are generally happy with a score above this), these numbers were oddly lower than the B5’s. The B5 had measured results of 99.5% and 74.85% in the DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces respectively.

Viewed in isolation, the B6’s colors and contrast were actually very good but it just seemed a shame that I knew how good the B5 looked in comparison in some scenes. With the added brightness, I was hoping for a bigger picture upgrade.

Outside of this, the B6 showcased excellent textures, striking a nice balance between crisp and natural. Throughout my testing, people’s skin looked realistic while finer details such as hair appeared refined.

Much like the G6 and the C6, the B6 benefitted from using the TruMotion feature. For movies, Cinematic Movement was more than enough, reducing judder in a panning shot of a cliffside cemetery in No Time To Die. With sports, the Natural motion setting worked better, doing more smoothing and judder reduction which worked better.

The B6’s screen is however prone to mirror-like reflections, especially with darker scenes. Even some brighter, more colorful scenes struggled under our testing lab’s overhead lights in Filmmaker Mode. It would be nice to see some more effective anti-reflection measures brought to the B6, as I know it's possible from my review of the LG G6.

• Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

LG B6 review: Sound quality

The B6's built-in sound is fine for casual viewing, but are lacking for cinematic scenes like the Batmobile chase from The Batman (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

• 2.0 channel, 20W speakers
• Decent sound overall but definitely benefits from a soundbar
• Fewer sound modes than last year

The B6 comes with a 2.0 channel, 20W speaker system and supports Dolby Atmos (but not DTS). LG has reduced the number of sound presets from previous years, dropping the number from eight to four.

These four presets are Standard, AI Sound Pro, Clear Voice Pro and Sound Wizard. As my go-to Cinema preset had been removed, I opted for my backup: AI Sound Pro.

Watching the Batmobile chase scene from The Batman, the B6 showcased accurate image mapping, accurately following the direction of swerving traffic and the bullet sprays from the Penguin’s gun.

The same was true playing Battlefield V, as the B6’s speakers did a good job picking out subtle effects such as the crunching leaves underfoot in a forest mission.

Speech was clear enough throughout my testing as well, with most dialogue easily audible over the rest of the soundtrack.

Due to its limited 2.0 channel speaker system however, the sound doesn’t match the picture in quality. Bass felt very contained and while there was some rumble as the Batmobile ignited its engine, it felt thin in places.

The soundstage also felt narrow, never truly extending beyond the confines of the screen. Atmos effects, such as the rain in The Batman, felt limited too. I’d recommend a soundbar if you want sound impact to match the quality of the visuals.

• Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

LG B5 review: Design

The B6's feet are made of plastic, a step down from the B5. Although the B6 still feels well built (Image credit: Future)

• Mostly premium build
• Feet are plastic this year instead of metal
• UK Magic Remote could do with an update

The 65-inch B6 I tested had a mostly premium build and design. It has a trim frame and near bezel-less screen allowing the picture to be the focal point. While it’s a small touch, the marble effect on the rear panel made it feel a little more premium, although it’s again worth noting this is only on the main B6 model and not the cheaper B6E.

One thing I was disappointed to find was that the B6 unit I was testing had plastic feet, compared to the B5’s metal feet. While the plastic feet were more than sturdy enough, it did detract from the B6’s overall premium design.

LG’s Magic Remote hasn’t had many updates in recent years in the UK other than the re-arranging and addition and removal of certain buttons, with the AI button taking center stage this year, and it could do with a refresh.

The US has the sleeker AI Smart Remote, but again when brands like Sony, Philips and Hisense offer more heavy duty, metal remotes, LG’s offering could be a bit more premium.

• Design score: 4 / 5

LG B6 review: Smart TV & menus

LG's webOS 26 is easily one of the best smart TV platforms around (Image credit: Future)

• Uses LG's webOS 26 smart TV platform
• Streamlined menus and more Quick Cards for easy navigation to key options
• Ads are annoying, but equivalent to other platforms

The B6 uses LG’s own webOS 26 as its smart TV platform. While webOS 25 was about the introduction of AI features — such as AI Concierge, for content recommendation and information, and AI Search, for advanced content searching — webOS 26 looks at refining menus for easier navigation while adding some new features.

Quick Cards, a place where relevant apps are organized by categories such as Sports, Game and Office, are back and some new ones have been added including Learning.

The Quick Menu, where picture and sound modes can be altered super-quickly without getting deep into menus, continues to be one of the webOS’ standout features.

webOS 26 is also very easy to navigate, with an intuitive menu layout that’s been re-organized for this year to make access to settings such as Energy Saving and Network easier, and these small changes have made navigation even smoother.

Unfortunately, the home page still features a large banner ad space at the very top of the screen which does push down the apps a bit. This is fairly common among modern smart TV platforms however and this is my only real complaint with webOS 26. It’s still one of the best OS on the market.

• Smart TV & menus score: 5 / 5

LG B6 review: Gaming

The B6 is a superb gaming TV, expertly handling fast-paced games like Battlefield V (pictured) (Image credit: Future)

• 4K 120Hz and full variable refresh rate support
• 8.9ms input lag at 60Hz, 4.9ms at 120Hz
• Excellent features and performance

The B6 comes with a full suite of gaming features including 4K 120Hz, variable refresh rate including both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG HDR, auto low latency mode, and Dolby Vision Gaming, with all features supported across four HDMI 2.1 ports.

The B6 had a measured input lag time of 8.9ms at 4K 60Hz (in Boost mode), which is a superb result and up there with the very best gaming TVs. It registered a 4.9ms input lag at 1080p 120Hz.

Gaming performance on the B6 is excellent. Playing a mission in Battlefield V, the B6 handled the chaotic gunfights which involved a lot of quick movement and targeting with ease, with inputs feeling very smooth. As I flew around the desert in a plane, the sudden changes in flight path felt effortless and intuitive.

Battlefield V also looked great on the B6, delivering some nice brightness during the desert mission, with the sun on the horizon showing the B6’s strong HDR highlights. Textures were crisp with some nice detail in the weapons and environments as well.

• Gaming score: 5 / 5

LG B6 review: Value

The Magic Remote (UK version shown here) could do with an upgrade (Image credit: Future)

• Great features and good performance
• Not the clear upgrade I wanted
• B5 is the better option while available, C6 is better when prices are close

The B6 is an interesting TV when it comes to value. The 65-inch model I tested costs $1,999 / £2,399 / AU$3,295, while the 65-inch LG C6 step-up TV currently costs $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995, meaning the B6 has a good price gap in US and Australia, but it’s close in the UK — too close, frankly.

There's a good reason to choose the B6 instead of the C6 in the UK and Aus when you're saving that much, but in the UK I'd absolutely choose the C6 given the close prices. That's complicated by the existence of the cheaper B6E, which a 65-inch costs £1,799: excellent value for a brand new OLED that size.

That being said, the B6 isn’t the full upgrade I wanted over the B5, unlike the C6 which is a superb upgrade over its predecessor, the C5. While the B6 delivers higher brightness and still excellent picture quality, it has some picture inconsistencies (particularly the green tint) so you're trading improvements in one area to steps back in another.

As a result, while the B5 is still available, I’d recommend it over the B6. A 65-inch B5 currently costs $999 / £1,199 / AU$2,199, which is a steal for that TV. Stock does seem to be dwindling in some regions already however, and when it disappears, the B6 is worthy of taking its place once it drops in price to the same kind of level.

Ultimately if you want a real upgrade, the C6 is the top dog but if it’s not in your budget, the B6 is still a very good TV.

• Value score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the LG B6 OLED TV?

The B6's detail is excellent, with textures like the deer's fur shown looking refined and crisp (Image credit: Future)LG B6 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Dolby Vision support as well as a full list of smart and gaming features

5 / 5

Picture quality

Solid peak brightness, rich color and contrast, but green tint in some scenes

4.5 / 5

Sound quality

Accurate and clear sound with AI Sound Pro but bass is limited and soundstage is too narrow

3.5 / 5

Design

Good overall build quality but feet feel cheaper than B5 and UK's Magic Remote needs a refresh

4 / 5

Smart TV and menus

webOS 26 feels intuitive with smooth navigation and a great array if features

5 / 5

Gaming

Extensive list of gaming features including 4K 120Hz, full VRR support and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Great picture and performance to match

5 / 5

Value

A very good TV but B5 is better value and C6 feels like a more worthy upgrade

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want an OLED TV for gaming
With a full suite of gaming features including 4K 120Hz and full VRR, razor-sharp performance and great picture quality, the B6 is a superb gaming TV

You want great overall picture quality
Strong contrast, solid brightness with punchy highlights and rich, deep colors, the B6 delivers a very good overall picture.

You want an easy-to-use smart TV
webOS 26 features a more streamlined menu layout for easier navigation as well as refined smart features, making it one of the best OS' on the market.

Don't buy it if...

You have the budget for an LG C6
The step-up C6 feels like a more worthy upgrade over its predecessor, with better picture accuracy, a significant jump in brightness and a flagship processor. Get the C6 if it's in your budget.

You want to watch in a bright room
While its brightness levels have increased, the B6 does have a reflective screen that struggled in our testing lab when lights were on.

You want top-notch built-in sound
While the B6's sound is mostly fine, its bass is average and its soundstage is limited meaning a soundbar is recommended if you're a regular movie viewer.

LG B6 review: Also Consider

LG B6

LG B5

LG C6

LG G6

Price (65-inch)

$1,999 / £2,399 / AU$3,295

$999 / £1,199 / AU$2,199

$2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995

$3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999

Screen type

OLED

OLED

OLED (EX)

OLED (RGB Primary Tandem 2.0)

Refresh rate

120Hz

120Hz

165Hz

165Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Smart TV

webOS 25

webOS 25

webOS 26

webOS 26

HDMI ports

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

LG B5
The B6's predecessor, the B5 delivers a lot of similar features and performance for a fraction of the cost. While the B6 delivers higher brightness, it's not the big upgrade I was hoping for. The B5 is definitely the better option while it's still available.

Read our full LG B5 review

LG C6
The LG C6 is the step-up model from the B6 and while it is pricier, it's also a much bigger upgrade, thanks to a new processor, much higher brightness and better accuracy. While the B5 and C5 weren't totally different, the C6 and the B6 are. If you have the budget, the C6 is worth the investment.

Read our full LG C6 review

LG G6
The flagship LG OLED for 2026, the G6 delivers superb brightness, picture quality and features worthy of a flagship TV. While it is an excellent TV, it is much pricier than the B6 and C6, so if you want the best value, one of those two models is your better option.

Read our full LG G6 review

How I tested the LG B6 OLED TV

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested in different lighting conditions over a couple of weeks
• Tested using both HDR and SDR sources
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

The first steps for my testing was to do some casual viewing to establish which picture modes were the best for the LG B6. I found that both Filmmaker Mode and Cinema Home worked for movies, depending on the type of movie, whereas Standard worked best for sports.

Once this was done, I started my critical viewing using some reference scenes I use for testing, including HDR (4K Blu-ray and streaming) and SDR (DVD, YouTube, broadcast TV) sources. I also used Prime Video and HBO Max to test sports on the B6.

I used these scenes to analyze the B6's picture, focusing on color, accuracy, contrast, detail, motion, upscaling and more. I also used other scenes to test the B6's built-in speakers.

For 4K Blu-ray, I used a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player and for gaming I used and Xbox Series X.

Moving on to objective testing I used specizlied equipment to take measurements of the B6. This included a Klein K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator and Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software to record measurements.

Brightness measurements were taken using both HDR and SDR white window patterns ranging in size from 1-100%, with a focus on 10% and 100% windows, for peak and fullscreen brightness, respectively. I also tested the B6's grayscale and color accuracy, taking an average of the Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what's shown on screen), looking for a result below 3.

I also tested the B5's coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces. Finally, I used a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input lag Tester to test the B5's input lag in milliseconds.

I also recorded the B6's HDR EOTF results with 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits targets. I also used a Jeti Spectral 15a to take the B6's Spectral Power Distribution.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

• First reviewed: May, 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

I should probably preface this review by saying that I've long been a fan of Logitech's mice, having used a G502 Lightspeed Wireless as my daily driver for more than five years. In fact, I love it so much that when mine finally gave up the ghost back in 2024, I literally just bought another identical model.

If you're familiar with my work, you might suspect a slight degree of bias in this review – and I'm sure that the coveted five-star rating above won't assuage those suspicions.

But honestly? I wasn't expecting much from the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike. The design is pretty simple, just a near-symmetrical chassis with two thumb buttons and a basic scroll wheel, plus a mildly futuristic aesthetic that you'll either find appealing or obnoxious. I've seen a hundred mice like this before, I thought upon unboxing it for the first time.

That was before I knew about HITS. The 'haptic inductive trigger system' is the main selling point of the Pro X2 Superstrike, and it's really something special: user-tunable actuation for the two main mouse buttons, with rapid trigger reset points to minimize latency. In other words, you can personally tweak the tactility of these clickers to exactly how you want them to feel, and it's frankly awesome. It's reminiscent of the satisfying feedback of hall effect buttons, and the mechanics behind it are similar as well, but I'll get into that later on in this review.

HITS aside (but really, these buttons absolutely rock), the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is just a staggeringly competent piece of hardware design. The rounded, symmetrical shape is very comfortable in the hand, and the total package weight of just 61g combined with smooth-gliding UHMWPE feet makes it feel great to use even on lower sensitivities. But with a 44,000 DPI sensor and 8K polling rate mode, it's well-equipped for fans of twitchy online shooters.

I'm just gonna say it: this is straight up one of the best gaming mice money can buy right now. Speaking of money...

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

Yeah, this hurts a little. Clocking in at $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299.95, there's no avoiding the fact that a lot of PC gamers will be priced out of enjoying the perfect clicks of the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike.

It's similarly priced to the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is a comparable premium esports-focused mouse with a simple, lightweight design – though it uses optical switches instead, which are durable and responsive but a lot noisier.

However – and it's not often that I say this – I do actually think this is a product that manages to fully justify its price tag. The Superstrike is something entirely new, but even aside from that, it's simply an excellent product in almost every way.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Design

• Simple but comfortable design
• Robust build quality
• No left-handed version

FutureFutureFutureFuture

I suspect that the ultra-modern design of the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike will be a turn-off for some potential buyers, but I like it. No rainbow RGB here, just a lone LED indicating your DPI preset. Stamping the product name all over the device makes it feel like something out of a utilitarian corporate dystopia – a vibe I'm fine with for my hardware aesthetic, though I'd rather steer clear from a societal standpoint.

Aesthetics aside, the chassis design isn't anything particularly earth-shattering, but you don't mess with a proven winner. The shape is essentially the same as Logitech G's previous Pro X Superlight 2, a symmetrical design with a gentle curve across it that fits comfortably in the palm. I've got pretty big hands, so I asked my (smaller-handed) partner to give it a try, and he reported that it felt very comfortable to use as well. I might say that the shape is somewhat better suited to claw- and fingertip-style grips, but as a palm-grip user, I found it comfortable even during extended gaming sessions.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite weighing barely more than 60 grams, the Pro X2 Superstrike doesn't feel flimsy in the slightest. The whole thing feels well-constructed, with a physical power switch and magnetic cover on the underside that conceals a slot to store the USB dongle. The feet are UHMWPE, tough and low-friction, and a small cutout at the front of the mouse houses the USB-C port for charging or wired use.

The main buttons have a weighty, tactile feel to them, while the scroll wheel offers firm rotation and a quiet but robust click. The side buttons are a bit softer, but still have a decent level of physical feedback and are well-spaced – I often like to map actions to these thumb buttons in shooters, and I didn't experience any misclicks. The mouse is very slightly front-heavy, presumably due to the HITS switch assembly underneath the two main buttons, and while I didn't have any issues with this, users who regularly lift their mouse clear of the mat may find that it requires a bit of getting used to.

The sensor is the Logitech G HERO 2 sensor, found in a wide range of the brand's premium gaming mice. It supports up to 44,000 DPI with up to 88G acceleration registration, and I can attest from using other mice with the same sensor that it's very reliable. For those seeking the absolute best low-latency performance, the box includes an adapter for you to connect the dongle to the power cable and place it directly on your desk, but it worked fine just plugged into the back of my PC, too.

The matte plastic shell does a good job of repelling fingerprint smudges (even from my sweaty hands during a heatwave that hit the UK while I was reviewing the Pro X2 Superstrike), and the casing is generally sturdy. It feels like a product that was built to last. Honestly, my only criticism here is the lack of a left-handed model; I'm a southpaw myself, and while I've adapted to using a mouse with my right hand, the same can't be said of every left-hander out there.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Performance

• HITS switches are truly phenomenal
• Fast and smooth movement is great for shooters
• Logitech G Hub software works well

(Image credit: Future)

Alright, let me talk about these switches properly for a moment. The way HITS works is essentially the same principle as hall effect keyboard switches, using metal plates and copper coils carrying an electromagnetic current with an analog sensor that precisely measures the click input.

Now, this means that you get incredibly fast input response, on par with the optical switches that are becoming more popular in gaming mice, but the real takeaway here is the adjustable actuation. Because you're not pressing a physical switch but rather moving a bit of metal up and down, you can use Logitech's G Hub software to manually adjust the actuation point. If you want hair-trigger actuation, it's yours. Prefer only firm, deep clicks to register? It can do that too, and everything in between.

The HITS design also allows you to adjust the trigger reset points (put simply, how soon the button can register another input when you start to lift your finger after clicking), and with no physical switch involved, the Pro X2 Superstrike allows for ultra-rapid-fire inputs. If you're using a semi-automatic gun, the only limit on fire rate is whatever the game itself imposes.

(Image credit: Future)

Without an actual switch to click underneath these buttons, there's no tactile feedback. In fact, when I first received the Pro X2 Superstrike and clicked the buttons before turning it on, I was immediately worried that it would feel horrible to use. That's where the 'haptic' part of 'haptic inductive trigger system' comes in: when you click, the button releases a tiny vibration that mimics the click input of a traditional mouse. It sounds silly, but it genuinely works - and like the actuation and trigger resets, you can adjust this too, or even turn it off if you're so inclined. But I wouldn't – it's really quite good once you get used to it.

The best part? They're ridiculously quiet. If you're noise-sensitive or you're a late-night gamer like me, a near-silent mouse is a genuine boon. In fact, Logitech, if you're reading this: please make a G502 with HITS (and then send it directly to my home address). I adore the Superstrike, but I do miss my thumb rest for everyday work.

(Image credit: Future)

Alright, enough about the HITS. Overall, the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike feels excellent for gaming, gliding smoothly across my mouse mat and delivering precise, latency-free inputs thanks to the Logitech Lightspeed dongle.

The G Hub software gives you plenty of sliders to slide, letting you adjust the usual settings like sensitivity and polling rate, as well as create profiles for individual games depending on your preferences. The 8K polling mode is something of a gimmick that likely won't make much of a difference to all but the sweatiest esports lovers, but it's there if you want it (though it's oddly not available in wired mode; you have to use the included dongle).

I stuck with the defaults for most of the games I tested, but I did make custom profiles for Valorant and Marathon to make the most of the super-reactive HERO 2 sensor. You can also map button input combos as macros, which was particularly useful for adjusting the DPI manually, as there's no dedicated DPI button here.

(Image credit: Future)

Did it make me better at shooting? No, my aim is still aggressively mid, but I certainly felt better playing with the Pro X2 Superstrike. After tweaking the HITS actuation to accept feather-touch inputs with an equally low reset point and strong haptic feedback, plinking hostile players at range with a precision rifle in Marathon felt gratifying.

The battery life is also solid, with Logitech claiming 90 hours of use on a single charge. I found this held up; I charged the mouse to full after unboxing it, and it was still kicking after a week of work and gaming.

Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike?Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Scorecard

Value

The price is high, but you get one seriously premium-feeling mouse for your money.

4/5

Design

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is comfortable, durable, and wisely keeps the design minimalist to focus purely on performance and tactile experience.

5/5

Performance

The sensor performs well and the battery life is good, but the HITS switches are the star of the show; a revelation for gaming mice that I can't wait to see appear in more mice from Logitech.

5/5

Average rating

Logitech has knocked it out of the park here. The Pro X2 Superstrike officially sets a new standard for mice, and deserves the highest praise.

4.84/5

Buy the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike if…

You want to fine-tune your mouse experience

Being able to adjust the actuation and feedback of your mouse clicks with HITS is a game-changer, and would frankly make this a positive review even if the rest of the mouse was a bit crap.View Deal

You want a lightweight mouse

Weighing 61g, the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is one of the lighter premium gaming mice available right now.View Deal

You're serious about esports

With 8K polling, up to 44,000 DPI, and fully customizable haptic input, this mouse feels like a love letter to esports gamers.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want lots of buttons

If you need a dozen or more buttons to map to your exact desires, this won't be the mouse for you – the Pro X2 Superstrike is all about clean, minimalist efficiency.View Deal

You’re looking for something cheap

The asking price is fair, but it's also undeniably pretty high. Gamers with tight budgets may need to look elsewhere.View Deal

You’re left-handed

Another year, another great gaming mouse with no left-handed configuration available. Sigh.View Deal

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Also consider

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini

If the minimalist design of the Superstrike appeals to you but you'd like something even more lightweight (and perhaps with a little RGB lighting), the ROG Harpe Ace Mini weighs a staggeringly tiny 49g. It's also a bit more affordable than Logitech's latest premium offering. Read our full Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini review.View Deal

Razer Deathadder V4 Pro

For those who prefer a more ergonomic mouse shape (palm grippers in particular), the newest Deathadder from Razer is a fine pick. It boasts a similarly high-spec sensor to the Superstrike and packs optical switches on the mouse buttons and scroll wheel, along with a very well-designed wireless dongle. Read our full Razer Deathadder V4 Pro reviewView Deal

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike

I traded out my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless for the Pro X2 Superstrike for a total of eight days while putting together this review, and guess what... I'm still using it. Not for everyday work (I value a thumb rest too much for that), but it's currently perched on the corner of my desk for whenever I load up Marathon or Warframe.

During my eight-day testing period, I used the Superstrike for both my regular day-to-day work for TechRadar (which, in mouse-specific terms, mostly involves a lot of clicking on links and highlighting text) and for everything I use my PC for during my off hours. This is mostly gaming, with a bit of mucking about in Discord and Scrivener for personal projects. Aside from the games I've already mentioned in this review, I also tested the Pro X2 Superstrike in Overwatch, Apex Legends, and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (yes, I know I'm late to that particular party – I'll get around to Borderlands 4 eventually).

First reviewed May 2026

Keychron K3 HE: One-minute review

The Keychron K3 HE is an analog keyboard with a minimalist form that belies its wealth of features.

The first thing I noticed was just how compact it is. Even for a board with a 75% layout, it’s small across all dimensions. It’s also quite light, which makes it a good portable option.

More impressive is the fact that build quality doesn’t appear to have been sacrificed. It feels solid and premium, rivaling the best gaming keyboard constructions. I also liked the wooden edge trim, which lends it a certain style that sets it apart from most in this sector, dominated as it is by plastics and metals.

However, despite being quite thin, my wrists still had to bend upwards to a slightly uncomfortable degree. The K3 HE is certainly worth pairing with a wrist rest, and it’s a shame one isn’t included. The two-stage feet don’t provide enough of a tilt to mitigate this, either.

(Image credit: Future)

The K3 HE also lacks the dipped middle row typical of many keyboards. What’s more, the keycaps are slanted forward, which, while I found comfortable, others might not.

On top of this, the keys also feel a little heavier than I'm used to, but they’re still quick and responsive. They provide plenty of feedback and sufficient dampening.

Since the K3 HE has analog switches, there are plenty of adjustments you can make to their feel and response in Keychron’s web app. This app is based on the open-source QMK firmware. Aside from adjusting the actuation point, you can also enable Rapid Trigger, assign multiple inputs to a single key, and even adjust the curve profile, to alter sensitivity as the key travels past certain points. There’s also an option to emulate controller inputs, but I couldn’t get this mode to work in practice.

The software is clearly laid out, but there’s no standalone app, and you can only use it when the K3 HE is connected via the USB cable. What’s more, updating the firmware is needlessly complicated, and there are a few usability issues that may prove frustrating when tinkering frequently.

However, the K3 HE represents good value when you consider all that it offers. Not many can compete with its quality and feature set at this price point. If you don't mind the unique key shape and can live with slightly inefficient software, the K3 HE is a good pick for those after plenty of analog functionality without spending the earth.

(Image credit: Future)Keychron K3 HE review: Price & availability

• $119.99 (about £90 / AU$170)
• Available now in black and white
• Good price for an analog keyboard

The Keychron K3 HE costs $119.99 (about £90 / AU$170) and is available now in two colorways: black and white.

This is a good price for an analog keyboard, and a hot-swappable one at that. It’s slightly less expensive than the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Like the K3 HE, this board features various customization options, including controller emulation — which actually worked when I tested this model. However, it doesn’t feel quite as premium, and it’s not so great for typing.

For a more luxury analog experience, the Steelseries Apex Pro can’t be beat. This is probably the best analog keyboard I’ve ever used. The key feel is glorious, allowing for superb control, and the whole unit is built like a tank. It’s seriously expensive, though.

Keychron K3 HE review: Specs

Layout

TKL

Switch

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

12.56 x 4.96 x 0.98 inches / 319 x 126 x 25mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Keychron K3 HE review: Design and features

• Light and compact
• Well-made
• Web app usability issues

The Keychron K3 HE cuts a minimal figure. It’s pleasingly light and compact, which makes it easy to move around or take with you on your travels.

It looks smart, too, and although I wasn’t sure about the wooden sides at first, they grew on me quickly. They also offer a nice counterpoint to the inorganic slabs adopted by many gaming keyboards. The RGB backlighting adds some vibrancy, but it doesn’t shine through the keycap characters, which is a shame as this would’ve made them easier to see in dark environments.

Build quality is also admirable. The plastic chassis feels smooth and solid, while the two-stage feet fold out with ease and offer a surprising amount of stability, preventing me from accidentally moving the board around, as I’ve experienced with others.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite the compact layout, you still get arrow and navigation keys, which I’m always pleased to see for productivity’s sake. There are also some basic but useful FN shortcuts on the F row, including one for screenshotting and several for media playback. These are all clearly labelled.

The K3 HE doesn’t feature a dipped middle row common on many keyboards, but the unique forward slant of the keycaps compensates for this somewhat. Along with their low profile, It makes it easier to hit them flush. However, I can imagine some won’t like this unique design.

Even taking into account the compact nature of the K3 HE, it still sits quite high off the ground, while the feet, despite having two-stages, fail to create much tilt. These aspects mean your wrists have to bend further than you might think to reach the keys. Using a wrist rest helped to alleviate my discomfort, but you’ll have to provide your own, since the K3 HE doesn’t come with one.

I appreciated the location of the switches for toggling connectivity modes and operating systems, too. They’re on the left side of the unit, rather than at the back as is typical, which makes them easier to reach.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the USB-C port is also on this side, which may prove a little inconvenient for certain setups. At least the included USB cable has an L-shaped jack, which means it doesn’t protrude as much as a standard one.

To customize the inputs of the K3 HE, you’ll need to use Keychron’s web app in a browser (there’s no standalone app you can download). You also need to be in wired mode. You can only use the web app in wireless mode to update the firmware of the 2.4GHz dongle.

However, updating the firmware is a convoluted process. You first need to download the Toolbox Driver, and then follow the process in the web app, although it’s not entirely clear when the update is complete. During this whole process, I encountered an error, with a dialog box instructing me to upload a required JSON file. It gave me no hint as to what file specifically was needed or where to acquire it, but somehow I got around the issue and the firmware successfully updated.

To update the firmware of the keyboard itself, you have to hold the escape key and disconnect the cable before reconnecting it. I then had to disconnect and reconnect the cable after this finished in order for it to be recognized again by the web app.

(Image credit: Future)Keychron K3 HE review: Performance

• Key resistance provides control
• Plenty of analog tweaks available
• Some connectivity issues

The Keychron K3 HE is a competent keyboard, whether you’re gaming or typing. The keys are a mixture of thocky and clicky, although they’re slightly biased towards the latter. Dampening is reasonable, but they don’t feel very well lubed. Presses can certainly be heard, but they’re far from the noisiest out there.

What stands out most of all, though, is their resistance. They’re heavier than you might expect, but since you can adjust their actuation point, they’re still capable of responding instantly. This resistance can be beneficial, too, as it can make typing more forgiving. The generous spacing between the keys can also help to prevent erroneous presses.

Despite their resistance, I didn’t find them a chore to use. They rebound quickly, making them snappier than they otherwise would. When playing games such as Counter-Strike 2, I didn’t find the WASD keys onerous to hold for long periods at a time.

(Image credit: Future)

The weight also provides greater control when pressing keys part way, which you’ll need to do if you want to make full use of the K3 HE’s analog functionality. Speaking of which, there is a smorgasbord of options in this area.

In addition to setting the actuation point (which has a range of 0.2 to 2.8mm), you can also enable Rapid Trigger. This is a common feature on many analog keyboards, but with the K3 HE, you can adjust both the trigger and the reset distances, rather than just the latter.

You can toggle a progress bar to show the travel of key presses in real time, which is something I’m always pleased to see in analog keyboard software. However, Keychron’s goes one step further by accompanying this with a readout in millimeters. This is even more helpful, and not something I’ve seen before in such visualizers.

It’s a shame, however, that this visualizer doesn’t show the effects of your Rapid Trigger settings, which is the area most deserving of visual representation, given its not-so-obvious operation. It’s also annoying that you have to turn the visualizer back on every time you make adjustments to the actuation point or Rapid Trigger, or whenever you navigate back from a different section of the software. What’s more, the visualizer is only available when adjusting one key at a time, but not multiple.

(Image credit: Future)

Other analog functions on the K3 HE include the ability to assign up to four inputs to a single key, which trigger based on how far down you press said key. You can also adjust the curve profile by selecting one of two presets or creating your own. This is done by dragging four points on a graph to adjust sensitivity over the course of a key’s travel. This kind of adjustment is more common on the best PC controllers, but rarely seen on analog keyboards.

Speaking of which, there’s also a gamepad emulation feature in the web app, which includes the ability to mimic the analog control of joysticks and triggers. However, I couldn’t get this to work on the games I tried. This isn’t an issue with the games themselves, since I’ve got similar features to work on other analog keyboards.

In addition to analog-based customizations, the web app also has a SOCD function with a generous number of settings, and there are plenty of key mapping options. Naturally, there’s also a macro recording facility.

The K3 HE connected well via its different methods, and I didn’t experience any lag or dropouts while using the board. Hot-switching between devices was quick and easy for the most part, although there were times when it failed to re-establish a connection, particularly when switching from wired to wireless mode.

Battery life isn’t particularly great, either. After only a couple of days of using a mixture of connectivity methods, it died. Also, I couldn’t see a battery life indicator anywhere for the K3 HE, either on the board itself or in the web app, which seems like a gross oversight.

Should I buy the Keychron K3 HE?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The K3 HE is very well-priced for a hot-swappable analog keyboard with multiple connectivity options and plenty of customizations.

4.5 / 5

Design and features

The K3 HE is surprisingly compact and light, yet sturdy. The slanted keycaps might deter some users, though.

4 / 5

Performance

The switches are surprisingly heavy, but they’re responsive and offer good control. The finicky web app and poor battery life are blemishes.

3.5 / 5

Overall rating

The Keychron K3 HE is a very competent analog keyboard for the price. It performs well and features plenty of customizations, but it has a few drawbacks besides.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want plenty of analog options
There are numerous in-depth tweaks and features for the switches — more so than on many of its rivals.

You want to get a lot for your money
Not many keyboards offer analog switches and this many features for such a low price.

Don't buy it if…

You want slick software
The K3 HE has no standalone app, only a web app, and it can only be used when connected via the USB cable. It also has some usability issues.

You want a long battery life
The K3 HE didn’t last more than a couple of days during my testing, and for some reason there’s no battery indicator.

Keychron K3 HE review: Also consider

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro
The Vulcan 2 Pro is another reasonably priced analog keyboard. It too has a controller emulation feature, but unlike the K3 HE, it actually works. It doesn’t feel quite as premium, though, and the narrow and prominently floating keycaps hamper typing somewhat. Read our full Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless
The supreme analog keyboard. You’re unlikely to find a unit better built than this, and the switches feel incredible to use, operating smoothly and offering plenty of control. You’ll have to part with a lot of cash, mind, but if you’re serious about gaming with keyboards, it could be worth it. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Keychron K3 HE

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and working
• Experienced keyboard reviewer

I tested the Keychron K3 HE for several days. I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I used all of its connectivity modes.

I used its web app to make as many adjustments and enable as many of its analog features as I could. I played games such as Counter-Strike 2 to test its gaming prowess.

I’ve reviewed plenty of keyboards in my time, from everyday workhorses to gaming powerhouses, with varying price points, form factors, and switch types.

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

Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2: two-minute review

The Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 is a manual coffee machine that sits more at the prosumer end of the market. Its whole raison d'être is around helping you make barista-quality coffee by hand and, it achieves this thanks to the assistance of some smart features that help streamline the process, while leaving control fully in your hands.

As a complete package, the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 is an undeniably polished product. It has a silhouette just sleek enough to fulfil its prosumer aspirations and its tiltable touchscreen is super easy to use. It also comes with almost every accessory you could want and each is engineered to such a high standard that they’re a real pleasure to use, especially the hefty tamper and coffee distributor.

Beneath the hood, it has hardware as impressive as any of the best coffee makers we’ve tested. Its rotary pump maintains pressure better than the vibration pump many mass market machines rock, while its dual boilers ensure the steam wand won’t start to sputter out part way through foaming your milk.

It’s the Meraki’s smart features that really set it apart from other machines though — rather than automating every part of your coffee making routine, it augments them. For example, its built-in scale allows you to grind coffee to a specific weight every time, while a second scale lets you brew your coffee by weight, making it far easier to dial in a very specific grind to extraction ratio. Meanwhile, an integrated temperature sensor in the steam wand means you can set it to cut out when your milk hits your target heat, which is easier than relying on temperature alone.

So what’s it like in use? Honestly, pretty slick. Dialing in your perfect grind and dose feels far more granular than usual, thanks to the integrated scales. Those solidly built accessories make transferring, evening out and tamping your coffee far easier, then you can easily set to extract a ristretto or long black depending on your preference. Frothing milk is rarely my favorite part of making a coffee, yet that temperature sensor allowed me to concentrate more on honing my technique.

(Image credit: Future)

As a result, the whole manual process felt as rewarding as ever, while producing delicious and exceedingly consistent coffee. I was able to extract just the right flavor profile out of even cheaper beans over and over, while the one brew I produced with a more premium batch really let its exquisite mango tasting notes shine through. Despite the fact I’m not a major fan of milk in coffee, even the macchiato I whipped up using its steaming wand tasted great, with just the right amount of foam to add texture without overpowering the flavor of the coffee.

Really my only substantial criticism of the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 is its cost. Coming in at $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,799, it resides firmly at the premium end of the market and I imagine there will be quite a few people who balk at the idea of dropping that much on a manual coffee maker. However, cost is not the same as value: the experience of using this machine and the quality results you’ll get out of it totally warrant that price for those that can stretch to it.

(Image credit: Future)Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review: price & availability

• Available now
• List price of $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,799
• Available in white and black colorways

Having first been available for pre-order in March 2026, the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 is available now. It comes in two colorways: black or white. And barring a knock box, it comes with pretty much every accessory you could need, whether that’s a tamper, coffee distributor, cleaning brush, or blind portafilter basket for backflushing.

You’ll pay a premium for this premium device though. At a list price of $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,799, this is an undeniably prosumer device that comes in at the top price range of the best bean-to-cup makers we’ve featured. While it’s not quite as spendy as something like the $2,799.95 / £1,915 (around AU$3,865) Breville Oracle Touch (known under the brand name Sage in the UK) or the £2,199 (around $2,970 / AU$4,100) Siemens EQ900 Plus, it’s an expensive machine and doesn’t come with as many automated features as some machines. I’d argue it’s well worth the price you’ll pay but such a premium manual machine won’t be for everyone.

(Image credit: Future)Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review: specs

Category

Specification

Type

Manual espresso machine

Dimensions

14.57 x 14.57 x 16.34 inches / 370 x 370 x 415mm

Weight

32 lbs / 14.5kg

Water tank capacity

2.1 quarts / 2 liters

Steam wand

360-degree articulating with temperature sensor

Max pressure

9 bar extraction

(Image credit: Future)Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review: design

• Attractive, suitably professional-looking design
• Well-made accessories
• CoffeeSense only useful for Meraki beans

I’ll be upfront here: I flat out love the way the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 looks. At 14.57 x 14.57 x 16.34 inches / 370 x 370 x 415mm, it’s hardly the sveltest machine I’ve ever tested. But the fact its water tank, bean hopper and boilers are all separate towers prevents it from looking too hulking on my countertop, while the combo of its chrome fixtures and pivotable touch screen give it just enough flair to stand out from your average coffee machine.

But it’s not just the Meraki’s aesthetics that are finished to a high standard. All the accessories packaged with it feel seriously premium, and there weren’t any glaring omissions. Everything has a reassuring solidity to it: the portafilter has a wonderfully tactile wooden handle, while the solid metal of both the coffee distributor and tamp has sufficient heft to give you real confidence when producing the perfect puck of grounds. Extra little touches like the wooden box for storing the accessories on just add that final polish to the experience.

Don’t be fooled by this focus on looks though. Underneath the Meraki’s sleek exterior beats the ferocious industrial heart of a prosumer espresso machine. Discrete boilers for the brew system and steam wand should mean that you don’t have to worry about the wand’s pressure giving out part way through steaming, while its rotary pump maintains nine bars of pressure more consistently than the vibration pump used by many home machines.

(Image credit: Future)

The Meraki also has a decent amount of capacity. The water tank itself has a volume of 2.1qt / 2,000ml, which I’d say is pretty average for a coffee maker — you’ll get plenty of brews out of that, even if it’s not as colossal as something like the huge 2.6qt / 2.5L Breville Oracle Touch. Meanwhile, the Meraki’s bean hopper measures 2.36 inches high by 4.06 inches diameter / 60 x 103mm. Generally I found that was sufficient to fuel around four double espressos but, naturally, your mileage will vary depending on how you like to dose your grounds.

One of the things I love about the Meraki is that it sits firmly in the camp of a manual espresso machine — there’s no bean-to-cup function here — but it comes crammed with features to make you better at pulling shots and foaming milks.

Perhaps the most explicitly ‘smart’ function is its CoffeeSense feature. This allows you to scan a tag on compatible Meraki coffee bags and it will suggest the recommended grind size, dosing weight and extraction temperature for those beans to help you get the best result out of those beans. I can definitely see how that would be a neat feature for someone who’s happy to stick with one brand of beans but part of the joy of coffee for me is trying different varieties and growers, so I’m not sure I’d get as much use out of this as some.

(Image credit: Future)

But it also offers other ways to make dialing in your perfect brew easier. Built-in scales beneath both the grinder and grouphead allow you to grind your beans and express your coffee by weight, giving you really precise control over each. Meanwhile, Auto mode calculates the right brew weight based on how much coffee you’ve ground, making it easy to manually fix yourself a coffee without needing too much trial and error balancing brew time and grind. These are fantastic as a guide, allowing you to really build confidence before you start improvising like a true manual maestro.

Another impressive element of the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2’s design is its steam wand. It has a cool-touch design — although the head still gets hot so careful not to brush against it — and it’s super flexible, making it easy to get it at a perfect angle for frothing your milk. More innovatively, it has a built-in temperature sensor that allows you to stop steaming milk at the perfect temperature, rather than having to rely on touch alone.

None of these features are forced on you and they’re suitably light touch that it’s really easy to start trusting your own instincts once you’re ready. But I’ve never used an espresso machine that’s helped guide me so well between amateur and prosumer coffee making before — it’s just the right amount of support without making you dependent on its help.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review: performance

• Great automated features that don’t take away your control
• Steams milk with constant pressure and to your chosen temperature
• Produces wonderfully well-extracted, consistent coffee

So how easy is it to make coffee using the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2? Well, honestly, at first I found it a little unpredictable. Tiny variations in tamping pressure seemed to produce wildly different results — the first brew ran through the puck incontinently despite the fine grind I’d used, while the second over-extracted to such an extreme it made my mouth pucker like I’d licked an ibuprofen. Then I realized my mistake.

Turns out I’d slightly underestimated the Meraki’s grinder — as it’s calibrated for espresso, my default instinct to whack the grinder on one of the lowest settings was producing a silt that easily channeled or clogged the portafilter basket depending on how firmly it was tamped. After a bit of experimentation, I was able to dial in on my perfect results though, settling on a grind of 10.

Fortunately, the Meraki’s grinder perfectly suits this kind of tinkering. Not only do you have very granular control over the fineness of your grind, but the fact that you can dose using the built-in scale beneath the grinder makes tweaking the exact quantity of coffee you want super-repeatable. In automatic mode, I could simply dial in 18g for a double shot and it would stop grinding once it hit my desired dose, or I could go off-piste and simply grind it up manually using my best judgement.

(Image credit: Future)

Preparing the puck always felt like a breeze — all I had to do was place the portafilter on top of the dosing cup, flip it and then give it a few taps to transfer my grounds. A few twists of the coffee distributor and the grounds would be nicely distributed, meaning all I had to do was tamp it down with that wonderfully sturdy tamper. Each tool is so well put together that it’s a really satisfying process and it feels easy to get professional results.

And with that, I was ready to go — or at least once the water was heated up. While the two minutes and 10 seconds it took the dual boiler to heat up the first time is slower than some consumer coffee machines, it’s actually pretty fast compared to many prosumer units, which can sometimes take upwards of 15 minutes. Additionally, another neat feature of the Meraki is your ability to set the boiler to come on at a specific time of day, meaning it can be all warmed up and ready to go for your first coffee of the day.

Once I’d actually properly calibrated my grind and dosing, extracting properly was a breeze. In Automatic mode, I simply had to set the weight of my drink — for example, 36g for an espresso — and set it to run, whereas in Manual mode I could simply run it until I was happy with the quantity. Thanks to that rotary pump, it produced a steady stream of espresso, neither hemorrhaging coffee too fast nor letting it dribble out in fits and starts. It’s also pretty quiet, hitting just 65dB and making more of a whir than the juddering noise I’m used to from vibration-pumped machines.

(Image credit: Future)

Steaming milk has never really been my forte. As a black coffee drinker, I’ve never had much need to develop the knack. But the Meraki also makes this a lot easier. Not only does its dual boiler mean that it maintained constant pressure throughout steaming but, thanks to its built-in thermostat, the steam wand clicked off when my milk had reached my target temperature, meaning I could just focus on creating the right level of foam and getting it swirling. Not only did this help me whip up a passable macchiato but, when I’d gained a bit more confidence, I was able to make a decent manual latte using touch alone.

So what were the results like? Pretty sensational. Even trying with some relatively affordable decaf beans, the coffee the Meraki produced had a stable, beautifully caramel crema, just the right velvety texture and not straying too far into bitterness or acidity. Each shot I poured remained consistent, showing how easy it is to keep getting these great results. And when I tested it out with a premium bag of Dahwe beans from Ritual Coffee Roasters, the results genuinely blew me away: the flavor was flat out gorgeous, maintaining a pitch perfect balance of not being aggressively floral but confidently communicating its mango overtones.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ll admit that I much prefer making coffee than scrubbing up the mess I’ve made but cleaning up here is pretty straightforward. Everyday use really only requires you to purge the steam wand, then give it, the portafilter and the grouphead a wipedown with a damp cloth. Even doing the deep clean at the end of my review wasn’t particularly arduous. Cleaning the steam wand involves running it for bursts of 10 seconds multiple times while submerged in cold water. Making sure the machine’s innards stay squeaky clean is even easier — just pop in the blind portafilter basket, pop it in the machine and then select the cleaning option and a tutorial will walk you through the rest.

There’s always something deeply satisfying about making coffee yourself and that’s why I’ve always been a big fan of manual machines. But what I like most about the Meraki Espresso Machine is that it makes it much easier to take your hand-crafted coffee to the next level. Automated features don’t remove your agency — they instead support it, allowing you to freestyle more and more as your skills grow. And the end result is wonderfully extracted and thoroughly consistent coffee. So ultimately, if you like getting hands on with your coffee and money’s not an object, you’re going to get great results out of the Meraki.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2?Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

This is undeniably a premium espresso machine. But given its quality and the consistent results it achieves, I’d argue it’s worth every cent.

4.5/5

Design

Sleekly designed with really well engineered accessories. Dual boiler and rotary pump help maintain consistent temperature and pressure. Smart features really streamline your coffee-making without taking you out of the driving seat. However, the CoffeeSense feature only works with Meraki beans.

4.5/5

Performance

Warms up quickly, easy to dial in your perfect quantity of grounds and coffee size, temperature sensor in steam wand makes steaming milk easier, produces excellently well-extracted coffee that tastes consistent time after time, easy enough to clean.

5/5

Buy it if…

You love consistent espresso and well-foamed milk
Thanks to its rotary pump and dual-boiler, the Meraki maintains both temperature and pressure incredibly well, allowing you to pull consistently great shots every time.

You want clever features for streamlining your manual coffee making
With smart functionality like grinding and brewing by weight, and its steam wand’s built-in temperature sensor, the Meraki makes your coffee making workflow easier — without taking away your control.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t have a big budget
The Meraki Espresso Machine is unabashedly premium in its price. If the idea of dropping $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,799 on a coffee machine makes you break out in a cold sweat, it’s probably not for you.

You want coffee at the press of a button
Despite its automated features, this is still firmly a manual machine. If you just want fantastic coffee for minimal effort, you’ll likely prefer a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine.

Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review: also consider

Category

Meraki Espresso Gen 2

Breville Barista Touch Impress (Cold Extraction)

La Pavoni Europiccola (Millennium)

Type

Dual Boiler / Integrated Grinder

Single Boiler (ThermoJet) / Integrated Grinder

Manual Lever / Single Boiler

Dimensions

14.57 x 14.57 x 16.34 inches / 370 x 370 x 415 mm

16.42 x 13.11 x 13.50 inches / 417 x 333 x 343 mm

12.6 x 7.87 x 11.42 inches / 320 x 200 x 290 mm

Weight

32 lbs / 14.5kg

24.2 lbs / 11kg

12.1 lbs / 5.5kg

Water tank capacity

2.1 quarts / 2 litres

2.1 quarts / 2 litres

0.8 quarts / 0.8 litres

Steam wand

Professional 360° articulating cool-touch

Auto MilQ

Manual

Max pressure

9 bar

9 bar

Manual

Breville Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction
If you’re looking for a slightly more automated coffee, the Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction is a great fit. It still helps you dial in your perfect dose with the grinder but also allows you to tamp it in place without removing it. Once you’ve slotted the portafilter beneath the grouphead, you can then select from a range of 14 hot and cold drinks, including cold brew, and the AutoMilq steam wand will then froth your milk to order. Read our full Breville Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction review.

La Pavoni Europiccola
Alternatively, if you’re one of those people that despises any automation and thinks that even using a pump to extract your coffee is cheating, the La Pavoni Europiccola is definitely for you. Using a lever to generate the required pressure, it allows you to get literally hands on with your coffee and produces absolutely fantastic results. It’s not for the faint of heart though: it has a steep learning curve to master, heats slowly and it’s not cheap given you’re doing all the hard work yourself. Read our full La Pavoni Europiccola review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2

• Tested it over two weeks
• Tried a variety of drinks, beans and milks
• Measured how long it took to warm up and how loud the pump is

When testing the Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2, I used it over the course of several weeks. I experimented with different grind levels, used different varieties of beans and tamped at a range of pressures to see how consistent its results were. I also tried to make a variety of drinks and steamed several different varieties of milk to see how the steam wand performed.

To understand how well the Meraki worked as a manual machine, I made sure to extract several coffees without using the automatic dosing and steamed milk using touch alone, rather than relying purely on the steam wand’s temperature sensor. When assessing the performance of the boiler and pump, I not only timed how long it took to heat up in the morning but I also used a sound level meter to record how much noise it made during extraction.

When it comes to my own experience, I’ve been making and drinking coffee on a daily basis for well over two decades. I’ve also gotten hands on with a wide range of machines, whether they’re De’longhi, Breville or Gaggia. My preferred tipple to make with a machine is a double espresso or long black, although any time the weather is not positively arctic, cold brew is my go-to.

• For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.
• First reviewed: May 2026

Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Two-minute review

The Sonic Kids Battery Toothbrush is Ordo's entry-level electric toothbrush designed for children aged 4+. My six-year-old daughter and I tested the Squishmallows-branded model, but there is also a Wicked version for a slightly older demographic. If you prefer rechargeable toothbrushes, then Ordo sells an almost identical model but with an internal battery and a charging stand.

The design of the toothbrush is unashamedly targeted at young children. This begins with the fun and playful Squishmallows branding alongside bright and bold colors, but it also extends to the free-flowing and curvy shape. My child loved having her own age-appropriate toothbrush, and when I told her that she had to go back to her regular 'boring' toothbrush, she was genuinely disappointed.

One of the standout features of the toothbrush is that the heads are replaceable. Unlike the best electric toothbrushes aimed at adults, in which replaceable heads are almost a given, this is far from guaranteed with children's toothbrushes. Some electric toothbrushes aimed at children, such as Colgate's Kids Battery Toothbrushes and others from the likes of Oral-B, will only last a few months before the bristles lose their strength and the whole device is consigned to landfill.

Replaceable heads, just like an adult's brush, sets the Ordo apart and will help to ensure the longevity of the toothbrush as a whole.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Despite the replacement heads which Ordo will recycle for you, free of charge, the toothbrush itself doesn't score particularly highly from a sustainability point of view. It's constructed of almost 100% plastic and is powered by a single AA battery, which lasts 60 days.

The toothbrush produces 18,000 pulses/vibrations per minute, which offers reasonable performance in terms of bacteria and plaque removal. Older children will benefit from a more vigorous clean, but the Ordo delivers just about enough for children aged around four or five.

My child's regular toothbrush has an oscillating head, and so the sonic motion of the Ordo took a little getting used to. She also found that the vibrations ran right through the handle, causing an uncomfortable feeling in her hand. Sonic versus oscillating is a long-standing debate, and if you're wondering which to go for, our sonic vs rotating toothbrushes guide is worth a look.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

This Ordo toothbrush doesn't feature any additional modes beyond vibrating, and there are no timers in sight, not even a two-minute one. This was an issue for my daughter, who had no idea whether she had reached the magic two minutes and so relied on me to help her estimate that. The lack of 30-second pacing timers is unsurprising at this price point but would have been nice to have.

The features on offer and the performance delivered make the Ordo Sonic Kids Toothbrush a strong contender for a place amongst the best electric toothbrushes. If Ordo could integrate a two-minute timer and improve its sustainability credentials, then we'd have a five-star performer on our hands.

Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Specifications

Component

Value

Battery life

60 days

Sonic vibrations

18,000 pulses/vibrations per minute

Charging stand

No. Powered by a single AA Battery

Timer

No

Noise

Decibel level not published

Settings

1

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Price and availability

• $14.99 US / £12.50 UK / $24.99 AUS
• 2-pack of replacement heads: $9.99 US / £8.99 UK / $15 AUS
• Reasonably priced toothbrush but expensive replacement heads

The Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids battery toothbrush is reasonably priced given its build quality and replacement head capability. In the box are the toothbrush handle, two heads, and an AA battery.

Each head will last around three months, which means the upfront cost will provide six months' worth of toothbrushing. A 2-pack of replacement heads is almost as expensive as the toothbrush itself, so you'll need to factor this ongoing cost into your buying decision.

If your child is into characters such as Barbie, Batman, Minions, or Pokémon, then Colgate is the alternative brand to go for. They are usually around half the price compared to the Ordo, but the head isn't replaceable. That means once the bristles wear down, you throw the whole plastic handle away, making Ordo much more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Reasonably priced toothbrush but the cost of replacement heads adds up.

4/5

Design

Cute and attractive and will appeal to 3-7-year-olds.

4.5/5

Features

The lack of a two-minute timer and oscillating movement let the toothbrush down.

4/5

Total

A solid vibrating toothbrush with a cute aesthetic.

4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want an entry-level electric toothbrush

The Ordo lacks high-end features such as oscillating movement and a two-minute timer, but it is priced accordingly.

You want a cute toothbrush with replaceable heads

Most character-themed battery toothbrushes have fixed heads and are considered disposable. The Ordo, on the other hand, has replacement heads for greater longevity.

Your child has sensory sensitivities

At 18,000 vibrations per minute, this brush provides a mild, gentle hum that is perfect for children who find the toothbrushing experience overwhelming.

Don't buy if if...

You want an oscillating head action

If you want a superior cleaning action, then the vibrating movement of the Ordo can't compare to oscillating alternatives.

You want a toothbrush with a charging stand

The Ordo operates with a single removable AA battery rather than an internal battery with a charging stand.

Your child needs a timer

The toothbrush won't alert your child at 30-second intervals, which means they might find it difficult to know when to move from the bottom teeth to the top teeth.

Also consider

Colgate Kids Battery Toothbrush

These child-themed battery toothbrushes feature small, vibrating heads and extra-soft bristles designed for kids aged 3 and up. It's worth considering that the heads are non-replaceable, which makes the whole toothbrush redundant when the bristles are past their best.

Ordo Cam Squishmallows Sonic Kids Electric Toothbrush

A more feature-rich toothbrush for children with multiple cleaning modes, 32,000 pulsations per minute, and a two-minute timer. It comes with a charger to recharge the internal battery.

How I tested

My six-year-old daughter used the Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids toothbrush for one month. Her normal toothbrush is an Oral-B PRO Junior Electric with an oscillating head, although she has experience of a manual toothbrush as well. Her familiarity of both of these meant she was able to compare the Ordo to both ends of the spectrum of what's available for children.

First reviewed: May 2026

Apple AirPods Max 2: Two-minute review

I haven't always been an AirPods fangirl. In fact, in May 2021, when the company unveiled Apple Music Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless for free, as part of your Apple Music subscription, I may have come down quite hard on Apple's musical headgear — and for some time after that. Why? Because it took four more years for the Cupertino giant to work out how to get its Lossless music standard into its own flagship headphones.

Another thing that's taken Apple a very long time? Unveiling a second-generation update to said headphones. It's been five years and three months between iterations, a vast expanse of time in any area of technology, but an epoch in Bluetooth audio and among the best noise-cancelling headphones.

A happy by-product of the fact above is that it makes my delay in filing this review seem minuscule in comparison (I had a spell in hospital, but it did mean I could test the ANC in a key user-case scenario!). However, I mention the timeline mostly as a way to emphasise that based on looks alone, you'd be forgiven for thinking Apple hadn't used that huge stretch wisely. The ear cup design, webbed headband, driver array and yes, even the 'headphone bra' semi-case haven't been tweaked whatsoever for AirPods Max 2.

Did Apple simply not have the R&D budget, or did its engineers double down on their 2020 design as still being the best possible shape, construction, driver size and material for a set of cans? And why, given the glowing star-rating at the top of this review, am I still being so negative?

The answer to all of these questions is this: if you're using an iPhone 15 Pro (aka, the oldest iPhone that is still able to support Apple Intelligence) or later as a source device, AirPods Max 2 are some of the most formidable, featured and fantastic shut-the-world-out headphones I've ever tested — and I've been doing this full-time since 2019. They're doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet.

Design-wise, there's no perceivable difference — it's all under the hoodFutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

That's enough on what Apple hasn't done with AirPods Max 2; let's talk about what has been updated. The big upgrade is the inclusion of Apple's newer H2 chip, over the H1 in the originals. Given that this is the same in-house Apple audio processor that made its debut in the September 2022 AirPods Pro 2 (and also takes the wheel in the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, and original 2023-launch Apple Vision Pro), it might not seem like much of a headline grabber. But in AirPods Max it does a lot of heavy lifting.

The H2 chips — yes, you actually get one in each ear cup — add a plethora of new features, including Adaptive Audio (the Transparency mode can adjust itself to block some unnecessary sounds, and there's an optional slider to tweak just how 'adaptive' you want it to get), Conversation Awareness (so the over-ears can automatically lower the volume of your music and filter external sounds should you start talking to someone, then put everything back again once you stop yapping), plus Loud Sound Reduction and Personalized Volume to help protect your hearing but keep the sonic profile how you like it.

There's also Live Translation, which I enjoyed using here much more than on AirPods Pro 3, because it's so much easier to access via a long press of AirPods Max's on-ear Listening Mode button. The new Voice Isolation software also improves your call quality when it's loud or windy around you — and thanks to some extra processing power afforded by that H2 chip, you get much better voice capture from the headphones' three mics for voice pickup (two are shared with the ANC system, and one is an additional dedicated microphone) in the nine-mic total.

Elsewhere, Head Gestures let you nod to accept a call or check a message, shake your head to dismiss a message or decline a call, or nod to Siri silently. Also, the new Camera Remote feature means you can now take snaps on your iPhone camera using AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown.

And I left the best for last: Apple claims that the active noise cancellation is "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation" and when Tim Cook's behemoth states such a thing, I sit up and take notice. The noise-nixing here is next-level — and I mean near-silent, calming, cocooning and enveloping. It's like stillness as a backdrop to your music. If that's what you need, buy these headphones.

Any negatives? Two. The battery life is unchanged at 20 hours (which is easy to beat even much further down the headphone food chain), and there's still no support for wireless hi-res codecs. You can get Lossless-quality audio, but you have to use the bundled USB-C cable (or buy a USB-C to 3.5mm one, which Apple sells separately) introduced to the original AirPods Max via a software update in March 2025.

Does any of that last paragraph matter? For me, given the crispness, clarity, impact, fun, separation and sheer musicality available here, no. And I rarely say that hi-res codecs or stamina don't matter.

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Price and release date

• Unveiled on March 16, 2026 (available for pre-order as of March 25, 2026)
• Priced $549 / £499 / AU$999
• Available in 'Midnight' (black), 'Starlight' (white), Purple, Blue and Orange

There's been a curious trend in Apple's pricing of late. The inaugural AirPods Max arrived in December 2020 with an asking price of $549 / £549 / AU$899, so, with the second-generation update priced at $549 / £499 / AU$999, Apple is keeping the US MSRP the same, giving the UK a price cut and charging The Land Down Under a little more.

The thing is, this is not a one-off. Both the first-generation AirPods Pro and the follow-up AirPods Pro 2 were priced at $249 / £249 / AU$399 when they landed, so when AirPods Pro 3 arrived with a $249 price tag, it came as no surprise to US fans. However, those newest buds were priced a little lower than before in the UK, at £219, and — at AU$429 — a little bit more in Australia. For Apple's flagship earbuds, £30 cheaper in the UK yet AU$30 more expensive in Australia felt a bit harsh.

Here, there's a £50 saving to be had if you live in Blighty, but a AU$100 increase to pay if you reside in Oz. I'm sorry. I could suggest it's down to Australian Goods and Services Taxes (GST), relative incomes, International shipping costs, or perhaps a more bijou consumer base, but all of that would be pure speculation. I just cannot make that make sense to you.

Anyway, what of direct competition at this not-insignificant level? AirPods Max 2's chief rivals are perhaps most pressingly the five-star Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which hit shelves at slightly more affordable $449 / £449 / AU$699 price points, or the also five-star Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, which cost a fair bit more, at $799 / £629 / AU$1,299. Oh, and let's not forget the excellent Sony WH-1000XM6, which sell for $449 / £399 / AU$699.

But there's no shortage of competition at this level and – given options such as the inexpensive 4.5-star Nothing Headphone (a) with its remote camera function – at a few levels down from it too…

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Specs

Drivers

Apple-designed dynamic driver with new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier'

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

Up to 20 hours (with ANC enabled)

5 mins of charging nets 1.5 hours of listening

Weight

386.2g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip)

Waterproofing

Not rated

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Features

• Live Translation is enjoyable and useful
• Adaptive Audio is good; ANC is excellent
• Conversation Awareness is a game-changer

I've touched on a lot of great new features, so it might be worth mentioning an Apple headline grabber you won't get: heart-rate monitoring. It is available in both the flagship AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, yet despite the arsenal of sensors nestled in AirPods Max 2 (an optical sensor, position sensor, accelerometer and case-detect sensor in each ear cup, plus a gyroscope in the left cup), there's no PPG infrared light sensor to measure light absorption in your blood. And because of this, Apple isn't funnelling you quite so readily towards its free Fitness app with its over-ears, or offering you a virtual trainer, however you feel about that…

You also don't get Apple's Hearing Test or Hearing Aid suite of features; the only toggles to preserve your hearing health here are Loud Sound Reduction (switch it on and provided you're listening in either Transparency or Adaptive modes, the headphones will actively reduce your exposure to loud environmental sounds) and Personalized Volume, to readily adjust the loudness of your media in response to your surroundings, but they both work well.

Now, back to what you do get, and top of the list for me personally must be Live Translation. Why? Because it can be accessed with a surreptitious long press of the listening mode button (ie. the flush pill-shaped button located on the right ear cup that isn't the digital crown). I found this a much more reliable way to start Live Translation than squeezing both stems of my AirPods Pro 3. Quick accessibility is key with these kinds of life-hack features, and on a recent trip to Girona (the Catalonian city near Barcelona where Season 6 of Game of Thrones was filmed), I found it genuinely useful, rather than a novelty to play with. Now, Girona is a Catalan-speaking city, and Catalan isn't yet one of Apple's supported Live Translation languages, but I heard a lot of Spanish too — and I also have a long-suffering life partner who speaks both languages. You can see snippets of our conversation below.

Apple Apple

I've said before that this is an Apple offering you need to spend a bit of time setting up — ideally before your romantic city break — because there's a fair bit of red tape you'll need to cut through. You'll also need an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26 or later, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app downloaded (and the language modules you want downloaded), plus the latest AirPods Firmware version.

I also customized the iPhone Action button on my iPhone 15 Pro Max to start Live Translation, because in the moment it can be easier to tap your phone rather than your headphones, and it's all about speed of deployment with Live Translation. Once that's done, audible English responses are piped in as your helper answers your questions, with a transcription of the information they're giving you (and your questions translated) also appearing on your iPhone's screen. OK, perhaps your helpful human will find the fact that you're not taking off your headphones to talk to them a little rude, but it works beautifully and with very little lag.

Now to the other new features and claimed upticks in performance, all of which can be found, controlled, toggled and customized with a tap of the AirPods Max bubble near the top of the settings tab, or by swiping down from the top-right of your screen, to get the Control Center. Your listening modes include Off, Transparency (which works and without making music tinny, but there's no slider), Adaptive (which does have a slider, to allow more or less noise into your cans, albeit dynamically and in response to noises the headphones pick up around you) or Noise Cancellation (no slider, but it's excellent).

For me, the right way to go about this in most situations is to deploy both Noise Cancellation and the Conversation Awareness toggle, a little further down in that menu. This means that, by default, you're not being bothered, but when you speak up, music is automatically lowered and external noises are piped in as you need them. It's not that Adaptive Audio is bad, because it's not; I simply found that when using the Adaptive Audio profile I'd keep setting the slider right down to allow for fewer distractions, but if you don't have the luxury of blocking out the world in your working day, Adaptive will serve you well.

If you take just one thing away from this review, let it be that the noise-cancelling power in AirPods Max 2 really is 1.5 times better than before. It's fabulous; almost wickedly good at inhaling the noise from your ears, but without the vacuum effect I often find nauseating in rival cans (the few that offer ANC anywhere near this good, anyway).

Call handling is excellent; callers said my voice was remarkably clear, even on a windy UK seafront in Dorset. Gesture Control is also good provided you're relatively animated with your nods or head shakes, and the Camera Remote feature is a neat way to make photo capture easier on your iPhone. As with Conversation Awareness, it just makes for a simpler life when it comes to wearing headphones.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Sound quality

• Expansive, layered music aided by supreme ANC and Spatial Audio
• Vocals emotive and textured
• Could be a bit punchier, but a big improvement on the originals

I've spent enough time on how good the noise cancellation is, right? OK, so let's move on to the joys of head-tracked Spatial Audio. It's not a new feature with this iteration, but it is so beautifully implemented here you'll find yourself whipping them off to check there's no mini speaker under your chin or squirrelled away at the back of the room. Better than the original AirPods Max? Yes. It's likely due to the new amplifier under the hood plus the processing power of the H2 chipset, but it's cleaner all round — and I did listen in direct comparison.

My favorite home cinema setup is now an iPad and the AirPods Max 2 with head-tracked Spatial Audio engaged. If you're not so sure, try watching the opening scene of Alfonso Cuarón’s 2013 movie Gravity (it's a known test these days, but still). See?

When listening to music, you can expect an expansive, meticulously unfurled soundstage with a noise floor so low that bass frequencies rumble, snap and boom in so much space it's almost a crime. Fontaines D.C.'s I Love You is brooding through the intro and able to celebrate the juicy depth of Grian Chatten's vocals as well as I've heard in any wireless headphones. My Chatten playlist continues with The Score. Its textured acoustic guitar intro brushes each of my ears in turn before expanding yet further to let the vocal drop centrally. Add the USB-C cable to listen in Lossless on Apple Music and it's even better.

Timing, too, is exceptional. I dare you to stream Bad Bunny's Tití Me Preguntó and sit still. It's raucous, defiant, joyous and, in these headphones, it's why I love music.

For crisp leading edges of notes and an extra ounce of detail (again, we come to that 'integrated hi-fi versus fun' debate), you'll get just a little more insight and honesty from the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, but those headphones are pricier and for me, AirPods Pro 2's Spatial Audio knocks B&W's True Immersion solution clean out the water, with the latter coming off veiled and almost muffled in direct comparison.

Ask yourself this: do you want your music to feel emotional, zealous and fun — a more V-shaped presentation where upper mids (ie. vocals) and feels through the bass dart betwixt each ear? Or do you want a faithful, neutral stereo performance that leaves nothing out of the mix? Your answer is important because if you pick the first option, you own an iPhone and you can afford these headphones, I know you won't be disappointed.

• Sound quality: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Design

• A new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' is the only physical update
• …but for me, they're still the most comfortable headphones around
• Could do with an audio handoff option — and better stamina

As I've already mentioned and pictured, AirPods Max 2's appearance and indeed innards (save for a new chip and amplification module) remain largely unchanged. If you hoped Apple would completely overhaul the design, you'll doubtless feel wronged. But I maintain that the headband here is the most comfortable I've ever worn, and the metallic yokes are the most reliable and silent. I wear headphones almost constantly, but I also suffer from migraines, so a headband digging into the crown of my head doesn't help the pain in my noggin one bit. No such issue here, ever, and for me that's priceless. What I'm saying is, I think Apple found the fix here and I wouldn't want them to try again and alter it.

The ear cups are quite wide and extremely long, but they aren't especially deep, unlike the audiophile-grade options I've tried that felt like long lenses strapped across my head. An IP rating would be a plus, as would an actual case rather than the headphone bra Apple has stuck with (see the new Sony 1000X The Collexion for a novel idea that still actually protects your expensive headphones, Apple), but the build quality is resoundingly premium. All the more reason to want to protect it…

My main gripe here concerns the battery life. At 20 hours (albeit with ANC deployed), Apple is being left behind. We recently knocked the Sony 1000X for a lack of stamina, even with 24 hours in ANC mode, but you'll get 30 hours from the B&W Px8 S2 with noise cancellation on. And these options aren't class leaders — Cambridge's Melomania P100 (a fantastic set of cans) will go for 60 hours with ANC on.

And I have one other bugbear. In AirPods Pro 3, I suggested a dedicated iOS app might be necessary now, because of the additional Hearing Health suite (hearing tests, hearing aid functionality and virtual trainer perks), heart-rate monitor, and the fact that on-ear controls on an earbud are more fiddly than they are on an ear cup. Here, I think the in-iPhone solution suffices, but I'd like an audio handoff feature that works with Apple Music.

To be clear, I don't mean a cross-device feature to resume playback on another Apple device when I walk through the door, as pioneered by Bowers & Wilkins between its wireless headphones and wireless speakers (not too many of us still use HomePods or HomePod minis, I imagine), or true multipoint connectivity — if you're using the same Apple ID, your AirPods Max 2 will happily dart between your iPhone, Mac or iPad using its own Automatic Device Switching solution. No, I simply want to be able to seamlessly switch from streaming Apple Music on my iPhone to streaming Apple Music on my MacBook. I want to pause a song on my phone, sit at my MacBook Pro, open the Music app, and continue listening to the same track, or playlist. It's odd that this still isn't happening — but this is a review about AirPods Max 2, not the Apple Music user experience.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: value

• The best ANC over-ears for iPhone owners
• Some might think Apple should've tried harder though…

Here's the issue: people buy with their eyes first, then their wallets. And in one sense, there's nothing new to see here — buy the newest AirPods Max and few people will be able to tell if you just bought the older, heavily discounted set or the brand new H2-toting pair. My Orange review sample is one of the new Max 2-only colorways, but with so many bright finishes available (and oddly, none of them correspond with Apple's latest MacBook Neo colorways), it's hard to keep tabs on what's new and what's not.

It's unfortunate, because having tested them for over two months now, I can tell you that AirPods Max 2 are much better sonically than the originals. The ANC is as good as Apple claims it is, and they boast a greatly improved user experience to boot. But you'd never be able to tell that by looking at them, and when the model they look just like came out in late 2020, that could present a problem in terms of perceived value.

• Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Apple AirPods Max 2? @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:wght@400;700&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Poppins:wght@400;700&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,400;0,900;1,900&display=swap'); /* Reset & Base */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 *, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 *:before, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 *:after, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow *, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow *:before, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow *:after { box-sizing: border-box !important; margin: 0; padding: 0; border: 0; font-size: 100%; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; } /* Main Wrappers */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 { position: relative !important; overflow: visible !important; --riv-primary: #2E6E93; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-inner-wrapper { color: #1F2937 !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; padding: 1.5rem 1.5rem 2rem !important; border-radius: 0.5rem !important; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) !important; margin: 1rem 0 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-inner-wrapper.fv-no-header.fv-is-image-compare { padding-top: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed { width: 100vw !important; margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw) !important; } body { overflow-x: clip !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-inner-wrapper { padding: 0 !important; border-radius: 0 !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; background-color: transparent !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-inner-wrapper.fv-is-shop-the-look { padding: 0 !important; border-radius: 0 !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; background-color: transparent !important; } /* Slideshow Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; margin: 1rem 0 !important; --riv-primary: #2E6E93; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slides-wrapper { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slide { width: 100% !important; animation: fv-fade-in 0.3s ease-in-out; } @keyframes fv-fade-in { from { opacity: 0; } to { opacity: 1; } } /* Top Navigation Row (Redesign) */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slideshow-nav-row { position: relative !important; display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; padding: 0 0 16px 0 !important; width: 100% !important; z-index: 20 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-nav-btn { background-color: var(--riv-primary) !important; color: #ffffff !important; border: none !important; border-radius: 4px !important; padding: 8px 16px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; gap: 6px !important; transition: opacity 0.2s, background-color 0.2s !important; height: 36px !important; text-transform: none !important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-nav-btn svg { width: 18px !important; height: 18px !important; stroke-width: 3px !important; filter: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-nav-btn:hover { opacity: 0.9 !important; transform: translateY(-1px) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-nav-btn.disabled { background-color: #E5E7EB !important; color: #9CA3AF !important; cursor: default !important; pointer-events: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slide-counter { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; min-width: 40px !important; background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8) !important; padding: 2px 8px !important; border-radius: 10px !important; } /* Slideshow Dropdown Navigation */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select { position: absolute !important; top: 10px !important; right: 10px !important; z-index: 20 !important; appearance: none !important; -webkit-appearance: none !important; -moz-appearance: none !important; background-color: white !important; border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important; color: #1F2937 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; padding: 6px 32px 6px 12px !important; border-radius: 4px !important; cursor: pointer !important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.05) !important; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' fill='none' viewBox='0 0 20 20'%3e%3cpath stroke='%236b7280' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round' stroke-width='1.5' d='M6 8l4 4 4-4'/%3e%3c/svg%3e") !important; background-position: right 0.5rem center !important; background-repeat: no-repeat !important; background-size: 1.5em 1.5em !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select:focus { outline: 2px solid #2E6E93 !important; border-color: #2E6E93 !important; } /* Typography */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-chart-title { font-weight: bold !important; text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; font-size: 20px !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; text-transform: none !important; white-space: normal !important; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; padding: 0 20px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-chart-subhead { font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 500 !important; text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 2rem !important; color: #374151 !important; line-height: 1.7 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; display: block !important; text-transform: none !important; padding: 0 20px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .rv-chart-caption { font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; font-style: normal !important; font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.7 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; display: block !important; } /* Versus Chart */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-chart { display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; margin-top: 1rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-header { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0 1rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1; min-width: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center; padding-right: 1rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center; padding-left: 1rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-container { position: relative; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-chevron { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; width: 16px; height: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select { background: transparent; border: none; border-bottom: 2px solid; font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; padding: 0.25rem 0; cursor: pointer; outline: none; appearance: none; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center; direction: ltr; padding-right: 1.25rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center; padding-right: 1.25rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select option { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; direction: ltr; text-align: left; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-vs { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; letter-spacing: 0.1em; padding: 0 1rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-row { position: relative; height: auto; padding-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; display: block; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar-container { position: relative; height: 32px; display: flex; align-items: center; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; align-items: center; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-start; align-items: center; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar { height: 32px; width: var(--target-width); transition: width 0.8s ease-out; animation: fv-grow-max-width 0.8s ease-out forwards; display: flex; align-items: center; overflow: hidden; color: #ffffff; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar-left { border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; justify-content: flex-end; padding: 0 8px; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-bar-right { border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; justify-content: flex-start; padding: 0 8px; } @keyframes fv-grow-max-width { from { max-width: 0; } to { max-width: 100%; } } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-center-line { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 4px; background-color: #ffffff; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 1; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-inside-left { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-inside-right { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-val-text { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-pct-diff { font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-label { position: absolute; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); top: 0; background-color: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; white-space: nowrap; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .sr-only { position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; padding: 0 !important; margin: -1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; clip: rect(0,0,0,0) !important; white-space: nowrap !important; border: 0 !important; } /* Image Comparison Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-container { width: auto !important; margin-left: -1.5rem !important; margin-right: -1.5rem !important; margin-bottom: 2rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-image-compare-container { width: 100% !important; max-width: none !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; overflow: hidden !important; border-radius: 0 !important; background-color: #000 !important; touch-action: pan-y !important; user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-select: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-inner { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; display: block !important; transform-origin: center center !important; transition: transform 0.1s ease-out !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-bg { display: block !important; width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; pointer-events: none !important; user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-drag: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-fg { position: absolute !important; top: 0 !important; left: 0 !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; object-fit: cover !important; clip-path: polygon(0 0, 50% 0, 50% 100%, 0 100%) !important; pointer-events: none !important; user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-drag: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-slider { position: absolute !important; top: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; left: 50% !important; width: 32px !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; cursor: ew-resize !important; z-index: 10 !important; user-select: none !important; -webkit-user-select: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-slider-line { position: absolute !important; top: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; left: 50% !important; width: 4px !important; background-color: white !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.5) !important; pointer-events: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-handle { position: absolute !important; top: 50% !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) !important; width: 32px !important; height: 32px !important; background-color: white !important; border-radius: 50% !important; box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.3) !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; gap: 4px !important; pointer-events: none !important; z-index: 11 !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-handle.fv-image-compare-handle-square { border-radius: 6px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-arrow-left { width: 0 !important; height: 0 !important; border-top: 4px solid transparent !important; border-bottom: 4px solid transparent !important; border-right: 4px solid #4b5563 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-arrow-right { width: 0 !important; height: 0 !important; border-top: 4px solid transparent !important; border-bottom: 4px solid transparent !important; border-left: 4px solid #4b5563 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-label { position: absolute !important; top: 1rem !important; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) !important; color: white !important; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem !important; border-radius: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 0.875rem !important; font-weight: 500 !important; pointer-events: none !important; backdrop-filter: blur(4px) !important; z-index: 5 !important; transition: right 0.3s ease, opacity 0.2s ease !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-label-left { left: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-label-right { right: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-expand-btn, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-close-btn { position: absolute !important; bottom: 1rem !important; right: 1rem !important; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) !important; color: white !important; border: none !important; border-radius: 0.25rem !important; padding: 0.5rem !important; cursor: pointer !important; z-index: 20 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; backdrop-filter: blur(4px) !important; transition: background-color 0.2s !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-expand-btn:hover, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-close-btn:hover { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-close-btn { display: none !important; top: 1rem !important; bottom: auto !important; } /* Fullscreen State */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen { position: fixed !important; top: 0 !important; left: 0 !important; right: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; z-index: 999999 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9) !important; margin: 0 !important; touch-action: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-inner { width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; cursor: grab !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-inner:active { cursor: grabbing !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-bg { position: absolute !important; top: 0 !important; left: 0 !important; max-width: 100% !important; max-height: 100% !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; object-fit: contain !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-fg { max-width: 100% !important; max-height: 100% !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; object-fit: contain !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-expand-btn { display: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-close-btn { display: flex !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-image-compare-wrapper.fv-image-compare-fullscreen .fv-image-compare-label-right { right: 4rem !important; } /* Footer */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bottom-bar { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; gap: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-footer-content { text-align: center !important; width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-logo { display: block !important; margin: 0 auto !important; width: 120px !important; min-width: 120px !important; max-width: 120px !important; height: auto !important; object-fit: contain !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } /* Display Mode Controls */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-wrapper { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-title-container { position: relative !important; display: inline-block !important; max-width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-title { appearance: none !important; -webkit-appearance: none !important; -moz-appearance: none !important; background: transparent !important; border: none !important; font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; padding-right: 28px !important; padding-left: 10px !important; cursor: pointer !important; text-align: center !important; text-align-last: center !important; width: auto !important; max-width: 100% !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin: 0 !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; overflow: hidden !important; white-space: nowrap !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-title:focus { outline: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-title::-ms-expand { display: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-chevron { position: absolute !important; right: 0 !important; top: 50% !important; transform: translateY(-50%) !important; pointer-events: none !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-carousel-title-controls { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; width: 100% !important; gap: 12px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-carousel-nav-btn { background: transparent !important; border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important; border-radius: 6px !important; padding: 6px 10px !important; cursor: pointer !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 4px !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-carousel-nav-btn:hover { border-color: #9ca3af !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-carousel-counter { font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; } /* Legend */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-legend { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; flex-wrap: wrap !important; gap: 8px 16px !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 6px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-legend-color { width: 12px !important; height: 12px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; } /* Multi-Value Legend */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-multi-value-legend { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; flex-wrap: wrap !important; gap: 12px 24px !important; margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important; padding: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-multi-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; font-weight: 500 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-multi-legend-swatch { width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; } /* Chart Core Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-benchmark-group { margin-bottom: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-benchmark-title { font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; text-align: center !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-transform: none !important; white-space: normal !important; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; word-wrap: break-word !important; max-width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stacked-product { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-label { width: 150px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; padding-right: 10px !important; text-align: right !important; font-weight: 500 !important; display: block !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-container { flex-grow: 1 !important; background-color: #E5E7EB !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-height: 25px !important; border: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; position: relative !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar { height: 100% !important; border-radius: 3px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; transition: opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out !important; min-height: 23px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar:hover { opacity: 0.8 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-inner-content { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-inner-label { white-space: nowrap !important; overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; padding-right: 8px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-inner-value { flex-shrink: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-value-outside { padding-left: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; color: #374151 !important; white-space: nowrap !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-label.fv-primary-product { font-weight: bold !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; } /* Multi-Value Bar Logic */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-multi-bar-container { flex-direction: column !important; padding: 4px !important; align-items: stretch !important; gap: 4px !important; height: auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-multi-bar-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; height: 25px !important; width: 100% !important; } /* Stacked Bar */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stacked-bar { display: flex !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stacked-segment { height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: flex-end !important; padding-right: 8px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stacked-segment:last-child { border-right: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-segment-value { font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; } /* Grouped Bar */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-bar-product { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 150px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-transform: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; flex-grow: 1 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-row { margin-bottom: 3px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-container { height: 20px !important; } /* Line Chart Grid */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .riv-grid line { stroke: #D1D5DB !important; stroke-dasharray: 3 3 !important; } /* X-Axis */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-wrapper { display: flex !important; width: 100% !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-label-space { width: 150px !important; padding-right: 10px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-chart-space { flex-grow: 1 !important; padding-right: 8px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-wrapper.fv-grouped-x-axis { margin-left: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-line { border-top: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-ticks { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; padding-top: 4px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #374151 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-ticks span { position: relative !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-ticks span::before { content: '' !important; position: absolute !important; top: -6px !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; width: 2px !important; height: 4px !important; background-color: #D1D5DB !important; border-radius: 1px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-unit { text-align: center !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; display: block !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-title { text-align: center !important; font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; padding: 0 1rem !important; display: block !important; font-weight: bold !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-y-axis-title { font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; text-align: left !important; padding-left: 5.83% !important; /* Aligns with Y-axis line inside SVG (35/600) */ margin-bottom: 4px !important; display: block !important; font-weight: bold !important; } /* Shop The Look */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-container { position: relative !important; width: auto !important; display: block !important; background-color: transparent !important; transition: min-height 0.3s ease !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-wrapper { position: relative !important; width: auto !important; display: block !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-stl-container { width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-stl-wrapper { width: 100% !important; max-width: none !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-image { display: block !important; width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-container { position: absolute !important; z-index: 10 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-btn { position: absolute !important; margin-left: -0.75rem !important; margin-top: -0.75rem !important; width: 1.5rem !important; height: 1.5rem !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 2px 4px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06) !important; transition-property: all !important; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1) !important; transition-duration: 300ms !important; cursor: pointer !important; border: none !important; padding: 0 !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #1e293b !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-family: sans-serif !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-btn:hover { transform: scale(1.1) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-btn:focus { outline: 2px solid transparent !important; outline-offset: 2px !important; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #ffffff, 0 0 0 4px #000000 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-btn[aria-expanded="true"] { background-color: #3b82f6 !important; color: #ffffff !important; transform: scale(1.1) !important; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #ffffff !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-pulse { position: absolute !important; inset: 0 !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; background-color: #2E6E93 !important; opacity: 0.4 !important; pointer-events: none !important; z-index: -1 !important; animation: fv-stl-ping 1.5s cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1) 3 forwards !important; } @keyframes fv-stl-ping { 75%, 100% { transform: scale(2); opacity: 0; } } @media (max-width: 640px) { #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-hotspot-pulse { animation-fill-mode: none !important; } } /* Shop the look button */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-btn { position: absolute !important; bottom: 1rem !important; right: 1rem !important; height: 2.5rem !important; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95) !important; backdrop-filter: blur(12px) !important; color: #111827 !important; padding: 0 1rem 0 3rem !important; border-radius: 0.25rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 0.875rem !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) !important; border: none !important; cursor: pointer !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; z-index: 10 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; overflow: hidden !important; white-space: nowrap !important; max-width: calc(100% - 2rem) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-btn span { overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; white-space: nowrap !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-btn:hover { background-color: #ffffff !important; transform: scale(1.05) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-logo { position: absolute !important; left: 0 !important; top: 0 !important; width: 2.5rem !important; height: 2.5rem !important; object-fit: cover !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; border-right: 1px solid #f3f4f6 !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-icon { position: absolute !important; left: 0 !important; top: 0 !important; width: 2.5rem !important; height: 2.5rem !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; border-right: 1px solid #f3f4f6 !important; color: #1f2937 !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } /* All Products Modal */ #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 { position: fixed !important; inset: 0 !important; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) !important; backdrop-filter: blur(0px) !important; -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(0px) !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; z-index: 99999 !important; pointer-events: none !important; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, backdrop-filter 0.3s ease, -webkit-backdrop-filter 0.3s ease !important; padding: 1rem !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 { position: absolute !important; padding: 0 !important; align-items: flex-end !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.is-active { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) !important; backdrop-filter: blur(4px) !important; -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(4px) !important; pointer-events: auto !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-content { width: 100% !important; max-width: 42rem !important; max-height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; position: relative !important; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95) !important; backdrop-filter: blur(12px) !important; -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px) !important; border-radius: 1rem !important; box-shadow: 0 25px 50px -12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25) !important; overflow: hidden !important; transition: transform 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), opacity 0.3s ease !important; opacity: 0 !important; transform: scale(0.95) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-content { max-width: 100% !important; height: 85% !important; max-height: 85% !important; border-radius: 1.5rem 1.5rem 0 0 !important; transform: translateY(100%) !important; opacity: 1 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.is-active .fv-stl-all-products-content { opacity: 1 !important; transform: scale(1) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.is-active .fv-stl-all-products-content { transform: translateY(0) !important; } /* V2 Bottom Sheet Style */ #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.v2 { align-items: flex-end !important; padding: 0 !important; } @media (min-width: 640px) { #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.v2:not(.mobile-view *) { justify-content: flex-end !important; } } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.v2 .fv-stl-all-products-content { max-width: 100% !important; height: 85% !important; max-height: 85% !important; border-radius: 1.5rem 1.5rem 0 0 !important; transform: translateY(100%) !important; opacity: 1 !important; } @media (min-width: 640px) { #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.v2:not(.mobile-view *) .fv-stl-all-products-content { max-width: 700px !important; border-radius: 1.5rem 0 0 0 !important; } } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.v2.is-active .fv-stl-all-products-content { transform: translateY(0) !important; opacity: 1 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-header { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: space-between !important; padding: 1.5rem !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e7eb !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; position: sticky !important; top: 0 !important; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8) !important; backdrop-filter: blur(12px) !important; -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px) !important; z-index: 10 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-header { padding: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-logo { height: 1.5rem !important; width: auto !important; object-fit: contain !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-logo { height: 1.25rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-title { font-size: 1.25rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; color: #111827 !important; margin: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-title { font-size: 1.125rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-close { width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05) !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; border: none !important; cursor: pointer !important; z-index: 10 !important; color: #6b7280 !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; padding: 0 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-close:hover { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) !important; color: #111827 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-list { list-style: none !important; padding: 1.5rem !important; margin: 0 !important; overflow-y: auto !important; flex: 1 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; gap: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-list { padding: 0.75rem !important; gap: 0.5rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-item { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0.25rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-link { display: flex !important; align-items: flex-start !important; padding: 0.75rem !important; text-decoration: none !important; color: inherit !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; border-radius: 1rem !important; border: 1px solid transparent !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-link { padding: 0.5rem !important; border-radius: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-link:hover { background-color: #ffffff !important; border-color: #e5e7eb !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05), 0 2px 4px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03) !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-item.is-highlighted .fv-stl-all-products-link { background-color: #ffffff !important; border-color: #d1d5db !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 2px 4px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06), 0 0 0 2px #111827 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-image-container { position: relative !important; margin-right: 1.25rem !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-image-container { margin-right: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-number { position: absolute !important; top: -0.5rem !important; left: -0.5rem !important; width: 1.5rem !important; height: 1.5rem !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; background-color: #0f172a !important; color: #ffffff !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 2px 4px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06), 0 0 0 2px #ffffff !important; z-index: 10 !important; font-family: sans-serif !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-number { top: -0.375rem !important; left: -0.375rem !important; width: 1.25rem !important; height: 1.25rem !important; font-size: 0.625rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-image-wrapper { width: 6rem !important; height: 6rem !important; border-radius: 0.75rem !important; overflow: hidden !important; background-color: #f9fafb !important; border: 1px solid #f3f4f6 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.02) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-image-wrapper { width: 4rem !important; height: 4rem !important; border-radius: 0.5rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-image { width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; object-fit: cover !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-placeholder { width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; color: #d1d5db !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-placeholder { width: 1.5rem !important; height: 1.5rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-info { flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; justify-content: center !important; margin-top: 0.25rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-info { margin-top: 0 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-brand { font-size: 0.625rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; color: #6b7280 !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; letter-spacing: 0.1em !important; margin: 0 0 0.375rem 0 !important; white-space: nowrap !important; overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-brand { font-size: 0.5625rem !important; margin: 0 0 0.25rem 0 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-name { font-size: 1rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; color: #111827 !important; margin: 0 0 0.375rem 0 !important; display: -webkit-box !important; -webkit-line-clamp: 2 !important; -webkit-box-orient: vertical !important; overflow: hidden !important; line-height: 1.25 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-name { font-size: 0.875rem !important; margin: 0 0 0.25rem 0 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-meta { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; font-size: 0.875rem !important; margin-bottom: 0.375rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-meta { font-size: 0.75rem !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-price { font-weight: 700 !important; color: #111827 !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-sale-price { font-weight: 700 !important; color: #dc2626 !important; margin-right: 0.5rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-sale-price { margin-right: 0.375rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-original-price { color: #9ca3af !important; text-decoration: line-through !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-original-price { font-size: 0.625rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-commentary { font-size: 0.875rem !important; color: #4b5563 !important; margin: 0 !important; display: -webkit-box !important; -webkit-line-clamp: 2 !important; -webkit-box-orient: vertical !important; overflow: hidden !important; line-height: 1.375 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-commentary { font-size: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-action { width: 2.5rem !important; height: 2.5rem !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; background-color: #f9fafb !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; color: #9ca3af !important; margin-left: 1rem !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; border: 1px solid #f3f4f6 !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-action { width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; margin-left: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-action svg { width: 14px !important; height: 14px !important; } #fv-stl-all-products-modal-fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-all-products-link:hover .fv-stl-all-products-action { background-color: #111827 !important; color: #ffffff !important; border-color: #111827 !important; } /* Image Annotation Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-container { position: relative !important; width: auto !important; display: block !important; background-color: transparent !important; overflow: hidden !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-wrapper { position: relative !important; width: auto !important; display: block !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-ia-container { width: 100% !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-full-bleed .fv-ia-wrapper { width: 100% !important; max-width: none !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-image { display: block !important; width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-container { position: absolute !important; z-index: 10 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-button { position: absolute !important; margin-left: -0.75rem !important; margin-top: -0.75rem !important; width: 1.5rem !important; height: 1.5rem !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) !important; transition: all 300ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1) !important; cursor: pointer !important; border: none !important; padding: 0 !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #1e293b !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-family: sans-serif !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-button:hover { transform: scale(1.1) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-button.is-active { background-color: #2E6E93 !important; color: #ffffff !important; transform: scale(1.1) !important; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #ffffff !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-pulse-ring { position: absolute !important; inset: 0 !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; background-color: #2E6E93 !important; opacity: 0.4 !important; pointer-events: none !important; z-index: -1 !important; animation: fv-ia-ping 1.5s cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1) 3 forwards !important; } @keyframes fv-ia-ping { 75%, 100% { transform: scale(2); opacity: 0; } } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-static-tooltip { display: none !important; position: absolute !important; top: -10px !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translate(-50%, -100%) !important; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95) !important; padding: 10px !important; border-radius: 6px !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) !important; width: max-content !important; max-width: 200px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #1f2937 !important; z-index: 20 !important; pointer-events: none !important; white-space: pre-wrap !important; line-height: 1.4 !important; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-button:hover + .fv-ia-static-tooltip { display: block !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-logo-explore-bar { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; align-items: center !important; min-height: 30px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-logo-explore-bar .fv-logo { margin: 0 auto !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-explore-wrapper { position: absolute !important; right: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-logo-explore-bar { flex-direction: column !important; min-height: auto !important; gap: 0.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-ia-explore-wrapper { position: static !important; align-self: flex-end !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-explore-btn { background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95) !important; color: #1e293b !important; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb !important; border-radius: 9999px !important; padding: 0.5rem 1.25rem !important; font-size: 0.875rem !important; font-weight: 600 !important; font-family: sans-serif !important; display: inline-flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 0.5rem !important; cursor: pointer !important; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; pointer-events: auto !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-explore-btn:hover { background-color: #ffffff !important; transform: translateY(-2px) !important; box-shadow: 0 6px 8px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) !important; color: #2E6E93 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-explore-btn svg { transition: transform 0.2s !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-explore-btn:hover svg { transform: translateX(2px) !important; } /* IA Modal Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-active-modal-container { display: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-modals { display: block !important; position: static !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-modal-item { display: none !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-modal-item.is-active { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; position: absolute !important; top: 1rem !important; right: 1rem !important; z-index: 20 !important; width: 18rem !important; max-width: calc(100% - 2rem) !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; padding: 1rem !important; border-radius: 0.75rem !important; box-shadow: 0 20px 25px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 10px 10px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04) !important; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb !important; border-top: 4px solid #2E6E93 !important; animation: fv-ia-fade-in 0.2s ease-out !important; gap: 0.75rem !important; max-height: 80% !important; overflow-y: auto !important; pointer-events: auto !important; } @keyframes fv-ia-fade-in { from { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.95); } to { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); } } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-modal-header { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin: 0 !important; gap: 0.5rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-title { font-size: 1rem !important; line-height: 1.25 !important; font-weight: 700 !important; color: #111827 !important; margin: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-close-button { background: #f9fafb !important; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb !important; border-radius: 50% !important; width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; color: #9ca3af !important; cursor: pointer !important; padding: 0 !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; transition: all 0.2s !important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-close-button:hover { background: #e5e7eb !important; color: #111827 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-node-description { font-size: 0.875rem !important; color: #374151 !important; margin: 0 !important; line-height: 1.625 !important; white-space: pre-wrap !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-ia-node-description { font-size: 0.875rem !important; } /* Error Handling */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-ia-empty { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; height: 200px !important; background-color: #f1f5f9 !important; color: #64748b !important; border: 2px dashed #cbd5e1 !important; border-radius: 0.5rem !important; } /* Countdown Styles */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-container { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: center !important; padding: 1rem !important; position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box !important; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-header { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 2rem !important; z-index: 10 !important; width: 100% !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-title { font-size: 1.25rem !important; font-weight: 900 !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; letter-spacing: 0.05em !important; margin: 0 !important; font-style: italic !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-subhead { font-size: 1.125rem !important; font-weight: 900 !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; letter-spacing: 0.05em !important; margin: 0.25rem 0 0 0 !important; font-style: italic !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-timer-wrap { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; max-width: 64rem !important; z-index: 10 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-labels { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; padding: 0 0.5rem !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; font-weight: bold !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; letter-spacing: 0.05em !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-labels > div { flex: 1 !important; text-align: center !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-box { position: relative !important; width: 100% !important; border-top: 6px solid #333 !important; border-bottom: 8px solid #333 !important; padding: 1rem 0 !important; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #1f2937, #000000) !important; box-shadow: 0 25px 50px -12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25) !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; font-size: 1.75rem !important; font-weight: 900 !important; letter-spacing: 0em !important; font-family: monospace !important; color: #fff !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits > div.digit-box { flex: 1 !important; text-align: center !important; white-space: nowrap !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits > div.colon { flex: 0 0 auto !important; opacity: 0.5 !important; position: relative !important; top: -2px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-spike-l { position: absolute !important; left: -15px !important; top: 50% !important; transform: translateY(-50%) !important; width: 0 !important; height: 0 !important; border-top: 15px solid transparent !important; border-bottom: 15px solid transparent !important; border-right: 15px solid #374151 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-spike-r { position: absolute !important; right: -15px !important; top: 50% !important; transform: translateY(-50%) !important; width: 0 !important; height: 0 !important; border-top: 15px solid transparent !important; border-bottom: 15px solid transparent !important; border-left: 15px solid #374151 !important; } @media (min-width: 600px) { #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-container { padding: 2rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-title { font-size: 1.75rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-subhead { font-size: 1.25rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits { font-size: 2.25rem !important; letter-spacing: 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-labels { font-size: 0.875rem !important; padding: 0 1rem !important; margin-bottom: 1rem !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-box { padding: 1.5rem 0 !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits > div.colon { top: -4px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-spike-l { left: -20px !important; border-top-width: 20px !important; border-bottom-width: 20px !important; border-right-width: 20px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-spike-r { right: -20px !important; border-top-width: 20px !important; border-bottom-width: 20px !important; border-left-width: 20px !important; } } @media (min-width: 768px) { #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits { font-size: 3.5rem !important; letter-spacing: 0.05em !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-countdown-digits > div.colon { top: -5px !important; } } /* Mobile / Forced Mobile View / Labels on Top */ #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-pie-container, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-pie-container { flex-direction: column !important; gap: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-stacked-product, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-grouped-bar-product, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-stacked-product, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-bar-product { flex-direction: column !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title), #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title) { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-bar-label, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-grouped-product-title, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-bar-label, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-bar-container, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-bar-cluster, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-bar-container, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-wrapper, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-wrapper { margin-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-label-space, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-label-space { display: none !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-chart-space, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-chart-space { padding-right: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-benchmark-title, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-benchmark-title { font-size: 16px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-dropdown-title, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-dropdown-title { font-size: 16px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-carousel-nav-btn, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-carousel-nav-btn { padding: 8px 12px !important; font-size: 14px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-chart-title, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-chart-title { padding: 0 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-chart-subhead, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-chart-subhead { padding: 0 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-header, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-header { flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; padding: 0 !important; gap: 0.5rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center !important; padding-right: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center !important; padding-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-vs, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-vs { text-align: center !important; padding: 0.25rem 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-container, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-container { max-width: 100% !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-versus-select, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select { font-size: 14px !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-btn, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-btn { bottom: 0.5rem !important; right: 0.5rem !important; height: 2rem !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; padding: 0 0.75rem 0 2.5rem !important; max-width: calc(100% - 1rem) !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-logo, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-icon, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-logo, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-icon { width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg { width: 14px !important; height: 14px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view .fv-y-axis-title { padding-left: 5% !important; /* (30/600) for mobile view */ } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.mobile-view.fv-contains-line-chart .fv-footer-content { margin-left: -1rem !important; margin-right: -1rem !important; } @media (max-width: 599px) { #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-pie-container { flex-direction: column !important; gap: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stacked-product, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-bar-product { flex-direction: column !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title) { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-label, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-container, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-wrapper { margin-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-label-space { display: none !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-x-axis-chart-space { padding-right: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-benchmark-title { font-size: 16px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-dropdown-title { font-size: 16px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-carousel-nav-btn { padding: 8px 12px !important; font-size: 14px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-chart-title { padding: 0 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-chart-subhead { padding: 0 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-header { flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; padding: 0 !important; gap: 0.5rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center !important; padding-right: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center !important; padding-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-vs { text-align: center !important; padding: 0.25rem 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select-container { max-width: 100% !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-versus-select { font-size: 14px !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-btn { bottom: 0.5rem !important; right: 0.5rem !important; height: 2rem !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; padding: 0 0.75rem 0 2.5rem !important; max-width: calc(100% - 1rem) !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-logo, #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-icon { width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important; }#fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg { width: 14px !important; height: 14px !important; } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4 .fv-y-axis-title { padding-left: 5% !important; /* (30/600) for mobile view */ } #fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4.fv-contains-line-chart .fv-footer-content { margin-left: -1rem !important; margin-right: -1rem !important; } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Dataset", "name": "AirPods Max 2 score card", "description": "Excellent sound and ANC; lacklustre stamina", "creator": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "TechRadar", "logo": "https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dAwPEozB9GMMhAngdFJTHb.png" }, "isAccessibleForFree": true, "dateCreated": "2026-05-29T15:09:51.082Z", "citation": "Add your caption to explain the data, the learnings and the key takeaways of the data being visualized", "keywords": [ "AirPods Max 2", "Features", "Sound Quality", "Design", "Battery Life", "Noise Cancellation", "Value", "Overall", "Group 1", "benchmark", "comparison", "performance", "review", "TechRadar" ], "measurementTechnique": "Performance Benchmarking", "variableMeasured": [ { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Features", "value": 4.5, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Sound Quality", "value": 5, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Design", "value": 4.5, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Battery Life", "value": 3, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Noise Cancellation", "value": 5, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Value", "value": 4, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "AirPods Max 2 – Overall", "value": 4.5, "unitText": "", "maxValue": 5 } ]} AirPods Max 2 score card

Excellent sound and ANC; lacklustre stamina

Features 4.5 Sound Quality 5 Design 4.5 Battery Life 3 Noise Cancellation 5 Value 4 Overall 4.5 01.534.56 Group 1 Data ProductFeatures ()Sound Quality ()Design ()Battery Life ()Noise Cancellation ()Value ()Overall () AirPods Max 24.554.53544.5 window.iFrameResizer = { heightCalculationMethod: 'taggedElement' }; (function() { /* Global animation function for slideshow re-use */ window.fvAnimateCharts = function(chartWrapper) { if (!chartWrapper) return; function animateBars(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment'); bars.forEach(function(bar, index) { /* Reset to 0 first to ensure animation triggers */ bar.style.setProperty('width', '0%', 'important'); bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'none', 'important'); var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth; if (targetWidth === undefined) return; /* Force reflow */ void bar.offsetWidth; var targetMargin = bar.dataset.targetMargin; var baseMargin = bar.dataset.baseMargin; if (baseMargin !== undefined) { bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', baseMargin + '%', 'important'); } setTimeout(function() { var marginTransition = baseMargin !== undefined ? ', margin-left 0.8s ease-out' : ''; bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out' + marginTransition, 'important'); bar.style.setProperty('width', targetWidth + '%', 'important'); if (targetMargin !== undefined && baseMargin !== undefined) { bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', targetMargin + '%', 'important'); } }, index * 50 + 50); /* Reduced initial delay */ }); } function animateLineChart(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var lineSvg = chartElement.querySelector('svg'); if (!lineSvg) return; var paths = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path'); paths.forEach(function(p, i) { if (typeof p.getTotalLength === 'function') { var len = p.getTotalLength(); p.style.transition = 'none'; p.style.strokeDasharray = len; p.style.strokeDashoffset = len; p.getBoundingClientRect(); setTimeout(function() { p.style.transition = 'stroke-dashoffset 1s ease-out ' + (i * 0.1) + 's, stroke-width 0.2s, opacity 0.2s'; p.style.strokeDashoffset = '0'; }, 100); } }); var dots = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot'); dots.forEach(function(dot, i) { dot.style.opacity = '0'; setTimeout(function() { dot.style.transition = 'opacity 0.3s ease'; dot.style.opacity = '1'; }, 500 + i * 10); }); } /* Execute */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); charts.forEach(function(chart) { /* If in carousel/dropdown mode, hidden charts are display:none. */ /* We only animate what is visible. */ if (window.getComputedStyle(chart).display === 'none') return; var chartType = chart.dataset.chartType; if (chartType === 'Line') { animateLineChart(chart); } else if (chartType !== 'Pie') { animateBars(chart); } }); }; function initialize(uniqueId, isSlideshow) { var root = document.getElementById(uniqueId); /* In slideshow mode, 'root' will be null because the container has '-slideshow' suffix. */ /* We handle that logic below. */ if (!root && !isSlideshow) return; /* Setup internal interactions (Carousel/Dropdown/LineChart) for a specific chart wrapper */ function setupWrapper(chartWrapper) { if (!chartWrapper) return; /* Responsive mobile view handling */ function checkMobileView() { var width = chartWrapper.getBoundingClientRect().width; var isMobileDevice = window.screen && Math.min(window.screen.width, window.screen.height) <= 599; var isMobile; if (width === 0) { /* Fallback for when width isn't available yet (e.g., hidden tab) */ isMobile = isMobileDevice || window.matchMedia('(max-width: 599px)').matches; } else { /* Mobile if container is small OR if it's a physical mobile device (overriding fixed-width iframes) */ isMobile = isMobileDevice || width < 600; } if (isMobile) { chartWrapper.classList.add('mobile-view'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('mobile-view'); } } /* Initial check */ checkMobileView(); if (typeof ResizeObserver !== 'undefined') { var ro = new ResizeObserver(function() { checkMobileView(); }); ro.observe(chartWrapper); } /* Always add window resize listener as a reliable fallback for DevTools and edge cases */ window.addEventListener('resize', checkMobileView); /* Labels on top handler */ var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true'; if (labelsOnTop) { /* If there are multiple charts and we're not in a carousel/dropdown, we might have mixed types. */ /* But typically, labels-on-top is a global setting. We'll apply it initially, */ /* and showInternalChart will toggle it if needed. */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); var hasVisibleBarChart = false; charts.forEach(function(c) { if (window.getComputedStyle(c).display !== 'none') { var cType = c.dataset.chartType; if (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus') { hasVisibleBarChart = true; } } }); if (hasVisibleBarChart) { chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } /* Legend interactions */ chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-legend').forEach(function(legend) { var chartId = legend.dataset.chart; var chart = chartWrapper.querySelector('[id="' + chartId + '"]'); if (!chart) return; var lines = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path'); var dots = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot'); var legendItems = legend.querySelectorAll('.riv-legend-item'); legendItems.forEach(function(item) { var productName = item.dataset.product; var safeProductName = productName.replace(/"/g, '\"'); var line = chart.querySelector('.riv-line-path[data-product="' + safeProductName + '"]'); var productDots = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot[data-product="' + safeProductName + '"]'); if (line && !line.dataset.origStroke) { line.dataset.origStroke = line.getAttribute('stroke-width') || '2'; } var highlight = function() { if (legend.querySelector('.isolated')) return; lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '0.2'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '0.2'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '0.3'; i.style.transition = 'opacity 0.2s'; }); if (line) { line.style.opacity = '1'; line.setAttribute('stroke-width', '4'); } productDots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); item.style.opacity = '1'; }; var clearHighlight = function() { if (legend.querySelector('.isolated')) return; lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '1'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '1'; }); }; var toggleIsolate = function() { var isIsolated = item.classList.contains('isolated'); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.classList.remove('isolated'); }); if (isIsolated) { lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '1'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '1'; }); } else { item.classList.add('isolated'); lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '0.2'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '0.2'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '0.3'; i.style.transition = 'opacity 0.2s'; }); if (line) { line.style.opacity = '1'; line.setAttribute('stroke-width', '4'); } productDots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); item.style.opacity = '1'; } }; item.addEventListener('mouseenter', highlight); item.addEventListener('focus', highlight); item.addEventListener('mouseleave', clearHighlight); item.addEventListener('blur', clearHighlight); item.addEventListener('click', toggleIsolate); if (line) { line.style.cursor = 'pointer'; line.addEventListener('mouseenter', highlight); line.addEventListener('mouseleave', clearHighlight); line.addEventListener('click', toggleIsolate); } }); }); /* Versus Chart Logic */ var versusCharts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-chart'); versusCharts.forEach(function(vc) { var dataJson = vc.getAttribute('data-versus-data'); var leftColor = vc.getAttribute('data-left-color') || '#E53935'; var rightColor = vc.getAttribute('data-right-color') || '#FFB300'; if (!dataJson) return; var versusData = JSON.parse(dataJson); var leftSelect = vc.querySelector('.fv-select-left'); var rightSelect = vc.querySelector('.fv-select-right'); var rows = vc.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-row'); function updateVersusChart() { var leftProduct = leftSelect.value; var rightProduct = rightSelect.value; leftSelect.style.color = leftColor; leftSelect.style.borderColor = leftColor; rightSelect.style.color = rightColor; rightSelect.style.borderColor = rightColor; rows.forEach(function(row) { var index = parseInt(row.getAttribute('data-index')); var data = versusData[index]; if (!data) return; var leftVal = data.productData[leftProduct] ? data.productData[leftProduct].value : undefined; var rightVal = data.productData[rightProduct] ? data.productData[rightProduct].value : undefined; var leftIsNum = typeof leftVal === 'number'; var rightIsNum = typeof rightVal === 'number'; var leftNum = leftIsNum ? leftVal : 0; var rightNum = rightIsNum ? rightVal : 0; var maxVal = Math.max(leftNum, rightNum, 0.0001); var leftWidth = leftIsNum ? (leftNum / maxVal) * 95 : 0; var rightWidth = rightIsNum ? (rightNum / maxVal) * 85 : 0; var winner = null; var pctDiffStr = null; if (leftIsNum && rightIsNum) { if (leftNum > rightNum) { winner = 'left'; if (rightNum > 0) { var diff = Math.round(((leftNum - rightNum) / rightNum) * 100); pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%'; } } else if (rightNum > leftNum) { winner = 'right'; if (leftNum > 0) { var diff = Math.round(((rightNum - leftNum) / leftNum) * 100); pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%'; } } } var leftDisplay = data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue : (leftIsNum ? leftNum.toLocaleString() : (leftVal !== undefined ? leftVal : '-')); var rightDisplay = data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue : (rightIsNum ? rightNum.toLocaleString() : (rightVal !== undefined ? rightVal : '-')); var unit = (data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].unit) || (data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].unit) || ''; var leftTextStr = leftDisplay; var rightTextStr = rightDisplay; var leftBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left'); var rightBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right'); var leftText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-left'); var rightText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-right'); var labelText = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-label span'); var leftWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper'); var rightWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper'); var existingPctDiffs = row.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-pct-diff'); existingPctDiffs.forEach(function(el) { el.remove(); }); if (winner === 'left' && pctDiffStr) { var pctSpan = document.createElement('span'); pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff'; pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)'; pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr; if (leftBar) leftBar.insertBefore(pctSpan, leftBar.firstChild); } else if (winner === 'right' && pctDiffStr) { var pctSpan = document.createElement('span'); pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff'; pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)'; pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr; if (rightBar) rightBar.appendChild(pctSpan); } if (leftBar) { leftBar.style.backgroundColor = leftColor; leftBar.dataset.targetWidth = leftWidth; leftBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', leftWidth + '%'); leftBar.style.width = leftWidth + '%'; } if (rightBar) { rightBar.style.backgroundColor = rightColor; rightBar.dataset.targetWidth = rightWidth; rightBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', rightWidth + '%'); rightBar.style.width = rightWidth + '%'; } if (leftText) { leftText.innerHTML = leftTextStr; } if (rightText) { rightText.innerHTML = rightTextStr; } if (labelText) { labelText.textContent = data.attribute + (unit ? ' (' + unit + ')' : ''); } }); } if (leftSelect) leftSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart); if (rightSelect) rightSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart); }); /* Carousel & Dropdown Logic */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); var dropdown = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-dropdown-title'); var prevBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.prev'); var nextBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.next'); var carouselTitle = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-title-controls .fv-benchmark-title'); var counter = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-counter'); /* Text Elements */ var subheadEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-chart-subhead'); var captionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption'); var footerContentEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-footer-content'); var bottomBarEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-bottom-bar'); var logoEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-logo'); if (charts.length > 1 && (dropdown || prevBtn)) { var currentChartIndex = 0; var titles = []; if (dropdown) { titles = Array.from(dropdown.options).map(function(o) { return o.text; }); } else { charts.forEach(function(c) { titles.push(c.getAttribute('data-title') || ''); }); } function showInternalChart(index) { if (index < 0) index = charts.length - 1; if (index >= charts.length) index = 0; currentChartIndex = index; charts.forEach(function(c, i) { c.style.display = i === index ? 'block' : 'none'; if (i === index) { var cType = c.dataset.chartType; if (cType === 'Line') { /* Line chart animations if needed */ } else if (cType !== 'Pie') { window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper); } /* Update labels-on-top based on current chart type */ var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true'; if (labelsOnTop && (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus')) { chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } } }); if (dropdown) dropdown.value = index; if (carouselTitle && titles[index]) carouselTitle.textContent = titles[index]; if (counter) counter.textContent = (index + 1) + ' of ' + charts.length; /* Update Subhead and Caption */ var activeChart = charts[index]; if (activeChart) { var newSubhead = activeChart.getAttribute('data-subhead'); var newCaption = activeChart.getAttribute('data-caption'); var currentChartType = activeChart.getAttribute('data-chart-type'); var hideGlobalCaption = currentChartType === 'Countdown' || currentChartType === 'Image Comparison' || currentChartType === 'Shop the Collection'; if (subheadEl) subheadEl.textContent = newSubhead || ''; if (captionEl) captionEl.textContent = newCaption || ''; if (footerContentEl) { if (newCaption && newCaption.trim().length > 0 && !hideGlobalCaption) { footerContentEl.style.display = 'block'; if (bottomBarEl) bottomBarEl.style.display = 'flex'; } else { footerContentEl.style.display = 'none'; if (bottomBarEl && !logoEl) { bottomBarEl.style.display = 'none'; } } } } } if (dropdown) dropdown.addEventListener('change', function(e) { showInternalChart(parseInt(e.target.value)); }); if (prevBtn) prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex - 1); }); if (nextBtn) nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex + 1); }); } /* Image Comparison Logic */ var imageCompareWrappers = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-image-compare-wrapper'); imageCompareWrappers.forEach(function(wrapper) { var inner = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-inner') || wrapper; var slider = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-slider'); var fgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-fg'); var bgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-bg'); var labelLeft = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-left'); var labelRight = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-right'); var isDragging = false; /* Zoom state */ var scale = 1; var panX = 0; var panY = 0; var isPanning = false; var hasPanned = false; var lastClientX = 0; var lastClientY = 0; var initialDistance = null; var lastCenterX = null; var lastCenterY = null; function updateTransform() { if (wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) { inner.style.setProperty('transform', 'translate(' + panX + 'px, ' + panY + 'px) scale(' + scale + ')', 'important'); } else { inner.style.removeProperty('transform'); scale = 1; panX = 0; panY = 0; } } function constrainPan() { var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); /* Max pan depends on how much the image is scaled beyond the wrapper */ var maxPanX = Math.max(0, (rect.width * scale - rect.width) / 2); var maxPanY = Math.max(0, (rect.height * scale - rect.height) / 2); panX = Math.max(-maxPanX, Math.min(panX, maxPanX)); panY = Math.max(-maxPanY, Math.min(panY, maxPanY)); } wrapper.addEventListener('wheel', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; e.preventDefault(); var zoomSensitivity = 0.005; var zoomFactor = Math.exp(-e.deltaY * zoomSensitivity); var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5)); if (newScale === scale) return; var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); var mouseX = e.clientX - rect.left - rect.width / 2; var mouseY = e.clientY - rect.top - rect.height / 2; var ratio = newScale / scale; panX = mouseX - (mouseX - panX) * ratio; panY = mouseY - (mouseY - panY) * ratio; scale = newScale; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen') || scale <= 1) return; if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return; isPanning = true; hasPanned = false; lastClientX = e.clientX; lastClientY = e.clientY; }); window.addEventListener('mousemove', function(e) { if (!isPanning) return; var dx = e.clientX - lastClientX; var dy = e.clientY - lastClientY; if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) { hasPanned = true; } lastClientX = e.clientX; lastClientY = e.clientY; panX += dx; panY += dy; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); }); window.addEventListener('mouseup', function() { isPanning = false; }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; if (e.touches.length === 2) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY; initialDistance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); lastCenterX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2; lastCenterY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2; hasPanned = true; /* Prevent click after pinch */ } else if (e.touches.length === 1 && scale > 1) { if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return; isPanning = true; hasPanned = false; lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX; lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY; } }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchmove', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; if (e.touches.length === 2 && initialDistance !== null) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY; var distance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); if (initialDistance > 0) { var zoomFactor = distance / initialDistance; var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5)); var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); var centerX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2; var centerY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2; var ratio = newScale / scale; panX = centerX - (centerX - panX) * ratio; panY = centerY - (centerY - panY) * ratio; if (lastCenterX !== null && lastCenterY !== null) { panX += (centerX - lastCenterX); panY += (centerY - lastCenterY); } scale = newScale; lastCenterX = centerX; lastCenterY = centerY; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); } initialDistance = distance; } else if (e.touches.length === 1 && isPanning) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - lastClientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - lastClientY; if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) { hasPanned = true; } lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX; lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY; panX += dx; panY += dy; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); } }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchend', function(e) { if (e.touches.length < 2) { initialDistance = null; } if (e.touches.length === 0) { isPanning = false; } }); function handleMove(clientX) { var rect = inner.getBoundingClientRect(); var x = Math.max(0, Math.min(clientX - rect.left, rect.width)); var percent = Math.max(0, Math.min((x / rect.width) * 100, 100)); if (slider) slider.style.setProperty('left', percent + '%', 'important'); if (fgImage) fgImage.style.setProperty('clip-path', 'polygon(0 0, ' + percent + '% 0, ' + percent + '% 100%, 0 100%)', 'important'); if (labelLeft) { if (percent < 10) { labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important'); } else { labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important'); } } if (labelRight) { if (percent > 90) { labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important'); } else { labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important'); } } } function onMouseMove(e) { if (!isDragging) return; handleMove(e.clientX); } function onTouchMove(e) { if (!isDragging) return; e.preventDefault(); handleMove(e.touches[0].clientX); } function stopDragging() { isDragging = false; window.removeEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove); window.removeEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging); window.removeEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove); window.removeEventListener('touchend', stopDragging); } if (slider) { var startDrag = function(clientX) { isDragging = true; handleMove(clientX); window.addEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove); window.addEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging); }; var startTouchDrag = function(clientX) { isDragging = true; handleMove(clientX); window.addEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove, { passive: false }); window.addEventListener('touchend', stopDragging); }; slider.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); startDrag(e.clientX); }); slider.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); startTouchDrag(e.touches[0].clientX); }, { passive: false }); } /* Expand/Close Logic */ var expandBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-expand-btn'); var closeBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-close-btn'); if (expandBtn) { if (window !== window.parent) { expandBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { expandBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* e.preventDefault(); // Removed to allow text selection */ e.stopPropagation(); wrapper.classList.add('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden'; /* Load high-res images if available */ if (fgImage && fgImage.dataset.highresSrc) { fgImage.src = fgImage.dataset.highresSrc; fgImage.removeAttribute('srcset'); fgImage.removeAttribute('sizes'); } if (bgImage && bgImage.dataset.highresSrc) { bgImage.src = bgImage.dataset.highresSrc; bgImage.removeAttribute('srcset'); bgImage.removeAttribute('sizes'); } }); } } if (closeBtn) { closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* e.preventDefault(); // Removed to allow text selection */ e.stopPropagation(); wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = ''; updateTransform(); }); } /* Close on Escape */ document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) { if (e.key === 'Escape' && wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) { wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = ''; updateTransform(); } }); }); /* Shop The Look Hotspots */ var hotspots = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-hotspot-btn'); var allProductsModal = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-modal'); var shopAllBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-shop-all-btn'); var allProductsList = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-list'); var stlContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-container'); function closeAllModals() { if (allProductsModal) { allProductsModal.classList.remove('is-active'); /* Remove highlights */ var items = allProductsModal.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-all-products-item'); items.forEach(function(item) { item.classList.remove('is-highlighted'); }); /* Remove min-height after transition */ if (stlContainer) { setTimeout(function() { if (!allProductsModal.classList.contains('is-active')) { stlContainer.style.minHeight = ''; if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } }, 300); } } hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false'); }); if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); var hotspotId = btn.getAttribute('data-hotspot-id'); var isExpanded = btn.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true'; closeAllModals(); if (!isExpanded && allProductsModal) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active'); /* Ensure container is tall enough */ var container = btn.closest('.fv-stl-container'); if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) { container.style.minHeight = '450px'; } /* Highlight and scroll to item */ var targetItem = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-item[data-product-id="' + hotspotId + '"]'); if (targetItem) { targetItem.classList.add('is-highlighted'); setTimeout(function() { targetItem.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' }); }, 100); } if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } }); }); /* Shop All button */ if (shopAllBtn && allProductsModal) { shopAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); closeAllModals(); allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active'); /* Ensure container is tall enough */ var container = shopAllBtn.closest('.fv-stl-container'); if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) { container.style.minHeight = '450px'; } if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } }); } /* Close button in all products modal */ if (allProductsModal) { var closeAllBtn = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-close'); if (closeAllBtn) { closeAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); closeAllModals(); }); } } /* Close modals when clicking outside */ chartWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* Only close if clicking on the wrapper or container, not inside a modal content */ if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) { closeAllModals(); } }); if (allProductsModal) { allProductsModal.addEventListener('click', function(e) { if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) { closeAllModals(); } }); } /* Image Annotation Logic */ var iaNodes = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-ia-node-button'); var iaWrapper = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-wrapper'); var originalCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-original-caption') || captionEl; var dynamicCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-dynamic-caption'); var exploreBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-explore-btn'); var currentIaIndex = -1; function closeAllIANodes() { iaNodes.forEach(function(btn) { btn.classList.remove('is-active'); }); if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'block'; if (dynamicCaption) dynamicCaption.style.display = 'none'; } function resetExploreBtn() { currentIaIndex = -1; if (exploreBtn) { var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span'); if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Explore'; } } iaNodes.forEach(function(btn, index) { btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); var isActive = btn.classList.contains('is-active'); closeAllIANodes(); if (!isActive) { currentIaIndex = index; if (exploreBtn) { var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span'); if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Next'; } btn.classList.add('is-active'); if (dynamicCaption) { var title = btn.getAttribute('data-title') || ''; var desc = btn.getAttribute('data-desc') || ''; dynamicCaption.innerHTML = ''; var strongTag = document.createElement('strong'); strongTag.textContent = title; dynamicCaption.appendChild(strongTag); if (desc) { dynamicCaption.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' - ' + desc)); } if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'none'; dynamicCaption.style.display = 'block'; if (footerContentEl) footerContentEl.style.display = 'block'; } } else { resetExploreBtn(); } }); }); if (exploreBtn) { exploreBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); if (iaNodes.length === 0) return; var nextIndex = currentIaIndex + 1; if (nextIndex >= iaNodes.length) { closeAllIANodes(); resetExploreBtn(); } else { currentIaIndex = nextIndex; var targetBtn = iaNodes[currentIaIndex]; if (targetBtn) { if(targetBtn.classList.contains('is-active')) { targetBtn.click(); } targetBtn.click(); } } }); } if (iaWrapper) { iaWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) { if (!e.target.closest('.fv-ia-node-button') && !e.target.closest('.fv-ia-explore-btn')) { closeAllIANodes(); resetExploreBtn(); } }); } /* Initial Animation */ window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper); /* Countdown Logic */ var countdownContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-countdown-container'); if (countdownContainer) { var targetDateAttr = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-target-date'); if (targetDateAttr) { var targetDate = new Date(targetDateAttr); var primaryColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-primary-color') || '#f97316'; var subheadColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-subhead-color') || '#ffffff'; var pad = function(n) { return (n < 10 ? '0' : '') + n; }; var updateCountdown = function() { var difference = +targetDate - +new Date(); var d = 0, h = 0, m = 0, s = 0; if (difference > 0) { d = Math.floor(difference / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24)); h = Math.floor((difference / (1000 * 60 * 60)) % 24); m = Math.floor((difference / 1000 / 60) % 60); s = Math.floor((difference / 1000) % 60); } var daysEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="days"]'); var hoursEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="hours"]'); var minsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="minutes"]'); var secsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="seconds"]'); if (daysEl) daysEl.textContent = d; if (hoursEl) hoursEl.textContent = pad(h); if (minsEl) minsEl.textContent = pad(m); if (secsEl) secsEl.textContent = pad(s); }; updateCountdown(); setInterval(updateCountdown, 1000); } } } if (false) { var slideshowContainer = document.getElementById(uniqueId + '-slideshow'); if (slideshowContainer) { var slides = slideshowContainer.querySelectorAll('.fv-slide'); slides.forEach(function(slide) { setupWrapper(slide.querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper')); }); } } else { setupWrapper(root); } } if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { initialize('fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4', false); }); } else { initialize('fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4', false); } })();

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

AirPods Max 2 are finally full of 2026 tech; you love to see it — just not hearing tests

4.5/5

Sound quality

Excellent ANC and head-tracked Spatial Audio with bags of space in the mix

5/5

Design

There's very little to see here until you get to the H2 chip and new amp — but if it ain't broke… 

4.5/5

Value

There is value here, you just can't really see it (because they look just like a set from 2020)

4/5

Buy them if…

You want to be held in a bubble of silence
If you want that and (ideally) you own an iPhone, these are the cans for you. Very little penetrates the silence here.

You travel a lot (and you don't speak the language)
Live Translation is well integrated here and for the first time I found it very useful, rather than a fun gimmick to use with my Spanish-speaking other half.

You value head-tracked Spatial Audio
This is especially true if you watch movies on the fly, but even if you just like Apple Music's Spatial Audio offering with head tracking, this is the flagship Gold Standard of the format.

Don’t buy them if…

You need proper stamina for long-haul flights
AirPods Max 2's battery life is not great — and by 'not great' I mean that any recent rival of note can beat the quoted battery life by at least four hours (and often by a lot more).

You own an Android phone
It probably goes without saying, but for this money (and for the number of features that melt away if you never bought into Apple's ecosystem), you'll be better served with a Sony, Technics, Bose, Cambridge or Bowers & Wilkins product.

You want LDAC or aptX Adaptive
No dice here, friend. That will come as no surprise to dyed-in-the-wool Apple fans, but if you want hifalutin wireless codecs for higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth, you'll need to look to Bowers & Wilkins or even Sennheiser — which, at the time of writing, has just announced its new Momentum 5 Wireless.

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Also consider

Apple AirPods Max 2

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

Drivers

'Apple-designed dynamic driver'

Not stated officially

30mm dynamic

40mm dynamic full-range carbon cone

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

Up to 20 hours (ANC on); 5 mins of charging = 1.5 hours of listening

30 hours (ANC on)

30 hours (ANC on)

30 hours (ANC on)

Weight

386.2g

250g

254g

310g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip); USB-C audio

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, USB-C audio

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, LDAC

Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless

Sony WH-1000XM6
If you’re after something a little bit cheaper that performs really well in every department without ever quite dominating it, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are excellent all-rounders with better battery life and LDAC support (ie. good for Sony handsets or Samsung Galaxy S-Series phones).
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Like the Sony cans above, you get an extra 10 hours of battery life over the Apple option, with ANC deployed. And what a great noise-cancelling performance it is! You also get Bose's Immersive Audio profiles, which we really enjoyed.
Read more in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review

View Deal

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Want a truly premium-feeling set of over-ears? These are gorgeous, and the detailed, neutral sound is sensational — although you do pay for that. That being said, the onboard spatial audio solution is easily beaten by AirPods Max 2… 
See if they're a better fit for you in our Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review

How I tested the Apple AirPods Max 2

• Tested for two months
• Tested on a trip to Girona, a hospital stay, coastal walks, and at my desk
• Used an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and MacBook Pro with Apple Music, plus downloaded Flac files on my FiiO hi-res music player

I used AirPods Max 2 for two months while compiling this review. Why so long? Because I had to have shoulder surgery after accepting them for review, so my testing involved listening to podcasts and music post-op from my hospital bed, with ANC on to distract me from my immediate surroundings, then plenty of streamed movies during my recovery (and to distract me from painful rehab exercises).

I listened at home, on a quick pre-op trip to Girona (which is where AirPods Max 2's Live Translation really came into its own) and on blustery Dorset coastal walks, and let me tell you, they kept me sane while navigating my early recovery away from my desk.

I've been testing audio products full-time since 2019, first as a staff writer at TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? (locked in our hi-fi testing facility for two years, I was), then as senior writer at TechRadar and, since early 2024, audio editor.

My background as a professional dancer means I'm always interested in moving to good-quality music even with a non-functioning shoulder. I never stop listening for precision, clarity, faithful timing, insight and good old-fashioned fun in recorded audio. And when said shoulder's fully better, I'm going to be back to throwing shapes while testing too. You just wait…

• First reviewed May 2026

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee
• Learn more specifically about how we test earbuds at TechRadar

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

Razer is a good brand for PC gaming hardware, but I have noticed a tendency over the years to make its generational hardware upgrades... iterative might be the kind way to put it, but if I were feeling uncharitable, I might call them rudimentary – improving something, but sometimes not to a sufficient degree that an entirely new product release feels worthwhile.

I feared this might be the case with the Razer Viper V4 Pro. That wouldn't have been a disaster by any means; we gave the previous Viper V3 Pro a four-star score when we reviewed it back in 2024, which is perfectly respectable. But when I saw the V4 Pro for the first time, my first thought was that it didn't look any different from the V3 Pro whatsoever, and my heart sank.

Once I got my hands on the new model, though, I was pleased to be proven wrong. Despite looking virtually identical to the previous model, the Viper V4 Pro has undergone extensive improvements where it counts – on the inside.

For starters, Razer has managed to shave off another five grams from the already-low package weight, bringing this mouse down to a staggeringly lightweight 49g. The battery life has been almost doubled, and the buttons (and scroll wheel) have been updated with new optical switches, which provide better durability without compromising on tactile feedback.

The sensor has been upgraded, too, with the Viper V4 Pro packing Razer's third-generation Focus Pro 50K optical sensor. 50,000 DPI is far more than 99% of people will ever need, but it helps cement this as a peripheral for serious, hardcore competitive gamers. The 8K polling rate (returning from the V3 Pro) also aligns with this; the average gamer won't need it, but for pros, it's a must-have.

Really, it's genuinely difficult for me to find anything I don't like about this mouse. It's comfortable in the hand and feels supremely responsive even in high-stakes virtual shootouts. The lack of a left-handed version is a shame (although I imagine many of my fellow southpaws have adapted to life in a right-handed world and use their mouse on the right out of habit), and it's admittedly pretty expensive, but these feel like minor issues – bugs on the windshield of an extremely nice car. From my time with it, I'm very confident in saying that the Razer Viper V4 Pro deserves a place among the best gaming mice on the market.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

Anyone familiar with Razer's hardware will be aware of the 'gamer tax' on the brand's products, but even taking Razer's often-steep pricing, this is one very expensive mouse.

At $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95, it's very slightly cheaper than the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is fundamentally very similar to the Viper V4 Pro beyond its right-handed grip shape.

Don't get me wrong: this is an extremely high-quality mouse, but there's no getting around the fact that it'll simply be out of reach for many PC gamers at this price point. It's arguably also quite feature-light for such an expensive mouse; some potential buyers might feel shortchanged here, especially if they're looking for a mouse with more customization options.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Design

• Incredibly lightweight design
• Sturdy, tactile optical switches
• No version for left-handed users

FutureFutureFutureFuture

Compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I use daily for work and gaming, the Razer Viper V4 Pro feels like I'm holding nothing at all (nothing at all...)

Seriously, I almost can't believe the Viper V4 Pro even weighs the 49g listed on the spec sheet; this thing is phenomenally lightweight, to the point where I actually busted out the kitchen scales to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Sure enough, it weighed exactly the listed 49g.

It's also just a generally very comfortable mouse to use. The exterior casing is almost entirely symmetrical and lacks a thumbrest, which would generally mean that it's best suited for claw and fingertip mouse grippers, but as someone who tends to shift between claw and palm grip styles, I can attest that the latter feels comfortable with the Viper V4 Pro as well. As I noted further up in this review, despite the mostly symmetrical design, the Viper only comes in one right-handed model, so lefties are out of luck.

(Image credit: Future)

The buttons and scroll wheel have a pleasing amount of tactile feedback, updated to shiny new optical switches underneath the matte plastic buttons. They feel robust, with the main two mouse buttons rated for 100 million clicks, though I would note that they have a fairly loud 'click' to them – something to bear in mind if you prefer a quieter mouse.

The underside of the mouse features only the sensor, a DPI/power button, and two wide PTFE feet that offer a good amount of smoothness on a variety of surfaces (more on that down in the performance section). I'm personally not a huge fan of DPI buttons being inaccessible during use, but it's unlikely to bother the majority of users.

Overall, it's a pleasingly straightforward design; considering that the Razer name is sometimes considered synonymous with bright RGB lighting, I like how stripped-back and purpose-built the Viper V4 Pro feels.

In fact, the only LEDs to be found here are a single white power indicator above the scroll wheel, and three RGB LEDs on the wireless dongle – which rather helpfully display the mouse's connection status, battery life, and polling rate mode via color-coding.

This dongle was recently redesigned from a rather blocky shape to a far more aesthetically pleasing mini dome with the Razer logo emblazoned on the top, and it connects to your PC via an included USB-C to USB-A cable. This cable can also be used to charge the mouse itself or connect it for fully wired play, but there's no Bluetooth support here, so laptop gamers with limited ports should bear that in mind.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Performance

• Snappy, satisfying performance in shooters
• Razer Synapse is better than ever
• 8K polling rate is probably unnecessary for most PC gamers

(Image credit: Future)

Simply put, this is one hell of a gaming mouse for first-person shooters. I used the Viper V4 Pro to play Valorant, Marathon, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike 2 – and while I'm not sure if it actually made me better at clicking heads, I certainly felt like it was a better fit for fast-paced, twitchy shooting than my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless.

Razer was kind enough to send me some mouse mats to test the Viper V4 Pro on, and I found that it offered a good amount of glide on practically any surface. From the moderate friction of the Razer Gigantus V2 Pro (featured in the photography for this review) to the silky-smooth tempered glass Atlas Pro mat, the Viper felt swift and easy to use regardless of surface. In fact (sorry Razer), I'd even say that you barely need a fancy mouse mat for this mouse; it worked perfectly even just on the bare wooden surface of my desk.

The Razer Synapse app has come a long way – no longer the annoying bloatware I used to heckle in every Razer product review, but now a sleeker and more effective (and, importantly, less intrusive) piece of tweaking software. Even better, it's now available as a web app, letting you tweak settings in your browser without needing to download the main app itself.

(Image credit: Future)

There isn't a vast amount of customization options here, which is unsurprising given the minimalist nature of the Viper V4 Pro, but the options you do get come with a great amount of granularity. Most importantly, the mouse sensitivity can be adjusted right down to 1-DPI increments to get you the exact right amount, and you can also adjust the sensor's tracking angle to ensure that the mouse input from fast horizontal movements stays level, which I actually did find helped with landing repeated shots on strafing targets. As you'd expect from a premium gaming mouse, you can also set up macros, but you'll need to download the full-fat version of Synapse for that.

One feature that didn't actually help at all was the 8,000Hz polling rate mode. This feature is becoming increasingly common as a selling point for both mice and keyboards, but I remain dubious; in my recent review of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K gaming keyboard, I called it a gimmick – and I stand by that assessment.

See, an 8K polling rate helps minimize input latency from your peripherals (the standard is usually 1K, which the Viper V4 Pro is set to by default unless you turn on the 8K mode in Razer Synapse), which is undeniably a good thing, but 1K polling is frankly already good enough for the vast majority of users in the vast majority of use cases. The average gamer likely won't even notice the difference – I feel like there was a very slight, almost imperceptible increase in reactivity, but not enough to actually make me hit my shots more consistently.

(Image credit: Future)

Still, I won't knock the Viper V4 Pro down a point for this, because it's something every gaming mouse manufacturer is also doing, and because this is a mouse marketed towards esports gamers. I'm sure the Valorant and League of Legends masters Razer quotes on its website actually can tell the difference in a high-stakes tournament match, I'm just too much of a filthy casual to really reap the benefits. It also doesn't make me any better at Slay the Spire 2. Seriously, the Waterfall Giant can sod off.

One nifty feature that I did appreciate was an adaptive polling mode, which can be toggled on with Synapse (though it's not yet available in the web app version). This switches on the 8K polling rate for gaming, but automatically returns to 1K mode for other activities on your PC, which helps preserve the battery life of the mouse. And on that topic: the battery life is great. Razer advertises up to 180 hours, almost double the 95-hour battery of the last-gen Viper V3 Pro, and I can confirm that I didn't need to charge the mouse even once during the week I spent testing it.

Should you buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro?Razer Viper V4 Pro: Scorecard

Value

Unsurprisingly for a Razer product, the Viper V4 Pro isn't cheap – but the great build quality and performance are worth it.

4/5

Design

The Razer Viper V4 Pro keeps the same clean, minimalist external design as the previous model, but with a lot of worthwhile internal improvements.

4.5/5

Performance

Sure, the 8K polling rate is probably overkill for the average gamer, but there's no denying that this mouse feels fantastic for fast-paced online games.

5/5

Average rating

This might actually be one of the best gaming mice Razer has ever made: no fancy features, just pure precision and performance.

4.5/5

Buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro if…

Battery life is important to you

The battery life on the Viper V4 Pro is best-in-class, and the LED battery indicator on the wireless dongle is a smart little inclusion.View Deal

You prefer a lightweight mouse

At just 49g, this is one of the lightest gaming mice on the market. Well, one of the lightest ones I'd actually recommend buying, anyway.View Deal

You want a mouse for competitive shooters

In one sentence: this mouse was made for clicking on heads.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want lots of features

The Viper V4 Pro is geared towards minimalist efficiency, making it a poor choice for MMO gamers who want lots of buttons to map.View Deal

You’re on a tight budget

Yes, there are pricier mice out there, but this is still a very expensive peripheral aimed at hardcore PC gamers.View Deal

You’re left-handed

There’s only one orientation available here, and it's for right-handed users. Sorry to my fellow lefties.View Deal

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Also consider

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini

Another super-compact, super-lightweight gaming mouse with a minimalist design that focuses on raw performance over features, the Harpe Ace Mini from Asus weighs exactly the same as the Viper V4 Pro (49g) but is slightly smaller and squeezes in a tiny bit of RGB lighting on the scroll wheel. Read our full Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini review.View Deal

Razer Deathadder V4 Pro

Basically the same mouse, but a bit heavier and with a less symmetrical body that favors palm grippers more. Like the Viper V4 Pro, the latest Razer Deathadder packs an updated sensor and new optical switches, making it another great choice for esports gamers. Read our full Razer Deathadder V4 Pro reviewView Deal

How I tested the Razer Viper V4 Pro

As is standard for my mouse reviews, I swapped out my ever-reliable Logitech G502 Lightspeed for the Razer Viper V4 Pro for one week, using it for both my day-to-day tasks and gaming during my off hours.

I downloaded the Razer Synapse app and spent a while tweaking the mouse settings to my liking, then dived straight into my current addiction (Marathon, which truly does not deserve the hate it's been getting online). I also played a selection of other games, mostly online shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, plus a spot of solo RPG gaming in the rather excellent Esoteric Ebb.

First reviewed May 2026

LincPlus LincStation E1: 30-second review

In this review, I’ve taken a look at a Pre-Launch model of the LincStation E1, and the hardware impresses right away, especially given the price. Inside is a 2+2 storage layout, dual-band Wi-Fi, and 4K HDMI output, and the feature set and newly developed LincOS are aimed at the entry-level.

The LincStation E1 hardware features a compact chassis, which, despite being entry-level, is exceptionally well finished and designed. The drive installation is quick, with a combination of two SATA bays and two M.2 NVMe slots accessed through a plate on the bottom of the drive.

In the early stages of the review, it was obvious that LincOS was in the early stages of development with limited features; however, with the latest update, the true potential of the NAS started to develop with an uplift in local performance and the ability to start setting up the personal cloud storage, although it still failed at the login.

The initial setup can be done completely using the mobile app, or on the PC, you can use the desktop client. On a Mac, however, the web interface is currently limited. Again, a firmware update during the review period resolved the most significant remote access issues, which is reassuring, but if accessing through the mobile or desktop App locally and then switching to remote, the software is still glitchy.

For a Windows-first-time NAS user who wants private local cloud storage, file backup, and remote access, it might not be the absolute best NAS device I've tested, but I found the E1 is a great choice given its price, especially once the software issues have been resolved. For Mac users who need frequent remote access, I would wait until the LincOS issues have been resolved.

LincPlus LincStation E1: Price and availability

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• How much does it cost? TBA
• When is it out? Pre-Order
• Where can you get it? Directly from Kickstarter

At present, the LincStation E1 is part of a Kickstarter campaign. If you're interested in taking a closer look and getting involved, head over to the Kickstarter page.

However, I am seeing it on Amazon.com for $219, with a very long shipping time.

Although you can't buy it, you can check out all the details at the official LincPlus site here.

• Value: 4/5

LincPlus LincStation E1: Specs

CPU: Rockchip RK3568, quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0GHz
RAM: 4GB DDR4
Internal flash: 64GB eMMC ROM
SATA bays: 2 × 3.5-inch/2.5-inch SATA
NVMe slots: 2 × M.2 NVMe
Network: 1 × Gigabit Ethernet (GbE); dual-band Wi-Fi
Video output: 1 × HDMI
USB: Included
Fan: Single fan; Silent / Auto / Full Speed modes
OS: LincOS
Dimensions: 218.5 × 88 × 140mm
Weight: 907g

LincPlus LincStation E1: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The first impression of the LincStation E1 is instantly better than many other entry-level NAS systems; it feels solid and well-built, even before the drives are installed.

When it comes to size, the compact chassis measures in at 218.5 × 88 × 140mm and weighs just 907g empty; this weight will obviously increase depending on the drive you install. This size and weight make it nice and compact, so it will easily sit on a shelf or behind a monitor without taking up too much space. During this test, it sat on the office sideboard next to the printers.

Getting started, the first step is installing the drives, which is easy enough; LincStation has provided clear instructions. The two SATA bays use tool-free trays, so essentially you just slide the drive in, then click the tray back into place, with the process taking less than a minute per drive.

The two M.2 NVMe slots are accessed via a small hatch on the base, which requires a screwdriver but is still quick to use. Slot the M.2 drive in, screw down the retaining bolt, close the hatch, and the storage configuration is done. Boot it up and run the initial setup from there; thankfully, it's all guided.

On the front of the box is a small array of status LEDs; while these are minimal, they’re enough to indicate the drives' health and when they’re being accessed. These LEDs flicker to indicate drive and network activity, and the power button shifts from orange to white when the system is running.

This is an entry-level machine, so there’s no detailed status feedback beyond that, no per-drive health indicators or detailed network throughput LEDs; essentially, anything beyond basic activity, you need to access the software interface.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Inside, a single cooling fan keeps everything cool in three selectable modes. These modes are selected through the software and offer Silent, Auto, and Full Speed. By default, the E1 is set to Silent, and throughout most of the test, the Auto mode was used without issue.

In Silent mode, the unit sits quietly, with occasional noise from the discs as they spin up. The only time you hear the NAS is when it’s under load, and the fan kicks in. Again, it is quiet and not really distracting, unlike other drives of this type.

Networking and connectivity are a little disappointing, with a single Gigabit Ethernet port. While this specification is standard for this level of NAS, I would have expected a more up-to-date 2.5GbE, especially given the inclusion of the two M.2 NVMe drives, which can be installed and will far exceed 1Gbps.

The built-in dual-band Wi-Fi is the more interesting addition and must be enabled in the settings before use, as I found it was switched off by default. This allows the E1 to be positioned anywhere in a home or studio without needing a cable run to the router, which will be a real benefit for many new to NAS.

• Design: 4 / 5

LincPlus LincStation E1: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The LincStation E1 is a NAS designed for those looking to take their first steps with Network Attached Storage, and, from that angle, the potential of this small box and all its features make it a very interesting option.

It’s worth highlighting now that the feature set is entry-level, with the box and OS designed to do all the heavy lifting, so all you, as the user, have to do after the initial setup is use it to back up, store, and access your files. There’s a little more to it, with the usual range of Apps that can run directly, so it can be used as a media server. What really differentiates this from others, aside from the 2+2 storage option, is that it can be set up to provide remote access.

This means that once you’ve configured and set things up, you can use it as your very own cloud storage, and you can grant others access, or at least that’s the idea.

This whole NAS utilises LincOS, LincPlus's proprietary operating system, and I couldn’t help but notice how early this seems in the development cycle, with some features inaccessible and others simply not working, though firmware updates progressively offered more access and stability.

Initial setup on macOS was not possible via a desktop client; however, using the iOS setup for the LincStation was possible with my device, which handled the first connection and basic configuration. Once the drive is on the network, browser-based access is available, but the web interface in its current state is limited in the features; again, updates unlocked more as the review progressed.

The full LincOS experience, including reliable remote access, cloud-sharing configuration, and the complete administrative feature set, seemed to require a Windows machine, so I opted for the New Asus PX13 2026.

On this Windows 11 machine, accessing the NAS through the client app, once the drive was configured and set up as a RAID 0 pool, the system was easy to use, and file management and sharing features worked flawlessly across the local network. The interface e has more than a few quirks, with the Apps acting more like filters, but still, it shows potential. On macOS, the experience is more restricted, and on iOS, the remote access features in particular proved temperamental throughout the test.

Remote access via LincAccess is positioned as not requiring manual port forwarding, and in principle, this works. In practice, the test unit did not have reliable remote access until a firmware update was applied mid-review. After that update, remote access worked on Windows and, to a lesser degree, on Android. While iOS worked, the connection wasn’t reliable for remote browsing. The main issue was Password rejection: the correct credentials were rejected for no apparent reason.

Remote access is probably the key feature, but at present, unless you’re Windows-based, the reliability just isn’t there through the software.

Looking at the local options and the Smart Album, which automatically sorts uploaded files by type, photos, videos, documents, music and gives those files to you in browsable categories on the left sidebar of the interface. This actually works well and is one of the more finished-feeling features of LincOS.

As I’ve seen on other NAS systems, there will be AI-powered photo tagging with face and scene recognition, but again, these are listed as a planned feature, but, at present, aren’t featured. What does work, however, is that uploaded images are recognised as image files and sorted accordingly. This is about as basic as you get, but at present, there’s no deeper AI categorisation.

The 4K HDMI output is a nice addition, and to be honest, it is common on NAS devices at this level, which don’t generally include it. Connecting the E1 directly to a 4K monitor via HDMI enables playback of video files stored on the NAS without needing a streaming device or a PC.

If you’re thinking of running a video or music stream in the office, this is a perfect NAS for a media and file server. What I liked about the connection design is that it works alongside Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling the E1 to be positioned behind a monitor and connected to both the display and the network without a cable running to a network hub.

The local account system works well, and you can set up different users if you work in a small office. This means their data is on the drive, but can only be accessed by them.

Essentially, all data stays on the device and the local network, but if you need to share files locally, it’s easy enough to invite others. What marks this NAS out is that you can also set up remote access, a feature you only usually see on more expensive systems. The trade-off is that setting up remote access requires more manual involvement than plug-and-play cloud NAS alternatives, and in the current state of LincOS, that process is hit-or-miss.

• Features: 3 / 5 (*As reviewed - may change once features are available)

LincPlus LincStation E1: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Getting started with the LincStation E1 is, as I said earlier in the review, straightforward, and anyone new to NAS shouldn’t find anything from the hardware and storage installation to the setup with the App exceptionally easy.

The only real issue comes later with connecting to the local cloud from a remote location, but as I discovered through the review, LincOS is evolving, and while many features have been unlocked, the OS feels far from a final release.

However, while the OS feels like an early beta, with many features as yet unreleased, it does show potential, and when used as a basic NAS on a local network for storing and retrieving files, backing up documents and image libraries, and making shared folders accessible across connected machines and mobile devices, the performance was pretty decent.

If this is your first NAS, the ease of use will definitely appeal, and in any home office or small studio, the E1 essentially does what it is designed to do: it stores your files, keeps them accessible, and requires little to no additional input.

If you’re already using a NAS, the hardware design and potential features will also make this appealing, especially the headline personal cloud option. That may warrant an additional mention in an update to this review, as this still doesn’t appear to be working even with the latest update.

Another point for anyone who already owns a NAS is that it only features a 1 Gby network connection, so while you can add ultrafast storage, with that connection type, the access speeds will be limited.

In real-world testing with this stick, I saw about 80-115 MB/s for reads over a wired network, and image and video file transfers were noticeably slower than on my 2.5 GB-equipped NAS.

Again, the fact that there are two M.2 NVMe slots is great and shows an embrace of the latest storage technology; however, any benefit beyond size is offset by the connection speed.

During the test, I used two Lexar PCIe 3.0 M.2 drives, configured as fast storage tiers alongside the SATA drives. Again, while the internal speed is there, the network limits its use.

Another feature I particularly liked was the Wireless connection, which is switched off by default. Switching it on is done through the App, and once activated, you can disconnect the NAS from the wired network, freeing you to place it anywhere you want rather than needing to find a spot near the router or hub.

Wifi performance is lower than wired and with slower transfer rates; however, if you’re working on a small scale, just having that can be easily achieved by all machines in the house or building, is incredibly useful.

While network-attached storage potential is the main focus, another feature that will appeal is 4K video playback via the HDMI output. This works for most standard video file formats through the onboard My Videos App. Unlike other NAS systems, there’s no way to install media servers such as PLEX through the interface.

Inside the NAS is an RK3568 ARM processor, which is essentially entry-level and ideal for file storage and handling small network tasks.

In the test, the processor's power was insufficient for video decoding or other demanding processes, such as running a web server.

However, there are some good built-in feature apps, such as Smart Album photo, that help you filter through your images. Again, this takes time to run through the indexing process, so it's fine for small businesses, but at a scale, you may get tired of the wait.

With several thousand images, the initial indexing process is slow enough that I would suggest starting it and returning later rather than expecting quick results. The system remains usable during indexing, but responsiveness in the LincOS interface can become a little slow.

LincOS system during normal use is fast enough on Windows and other platforms, and typing in the IP on the LAN will enable you to access the Web UI, which again offers plenty of options, but as yet, many just don’t feel complete and act as filters to stored content rather than an app in the traditional sense.

At present, the hardware for this product is solid and perfectly pitched at the entry level; however, the LincOS, while it shows potential, isn’t ready and most disappointing is the lead feature, the personal cloud, just doesn’t work.

• Performance: 3 / 5

LincPlus LincStation E1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The LincStation E1, as an entry-level NAS, works well, and if that were all it were, it would be a great investment for any home or small office new to NAS systems. The fact that it has a 2+2 storage layout, SATA and SSD, dual-band Wi-Fi, 4K HDMI output, and a really compact design, paired with decent build quality, initially shows lots of promise for a box at this price.

Even with the somewhat still-in-development OS, the box works well locally, enabling you to store and access files across a local network, and the built-in apps offer a little more so that you can quickly find and view your content.

However, while this box has so much potential, the OS isn’t finished, and the main feature that would make this a five-star product just didn’t work, though a firmware update will inevitably fix it soon. The private cloud storage and file backup on a box at this price is exciting and will make this a very useful product. But at present, while the box is designed to do that, that feature is unreliable and just doesn’t work.

Then you have the UI, which is slightly different across systems, but again, that consistency seems to improve with each update. So hopefully by the time this NAS finally hits the shelves, it will reach the full potential that it promises.

At the moment, given the price, it’s a decent enough local-area NAS, and once remote access works reliably, it will be fantastic.

The wired network connection is a performance limiter, but again, this is designed to be entry-level, easy to use, and affordable.

Should I buy the LincPlus LincStation E1?

Value

Decent and well-balanced hardware at an entry-level price, but the software still needs development.

4/5

Design

Compact, well-designed box with a better finish than the price suggests.

4/5

Features

Decent hardware feature, aside from the slower choice for the ethernet port, and let down by an unfinished OS. This result will change once all is accessable

3/5

Performance

Fine for basic NAS tasks, network speed limits the full potential of the NVMe storage, and remote connection just doesn’t work at present

3/5

Overall

Interesting hardware in need of software development; worth watching closely

3/5

Buy it if...

You’re new to NAS

If the E1 is your first NAS and your primary machine is Windows, LincOS delivers decent performance for file backup, shared storage, and, in the future, basic private cloud access.

You want private cloud storage.

Not available yet, but when it is, this will make it one of the cheapest solutions for privately sharing files, without paying subscriptions.

Don't buy it if...

You primarily use a Mac or iOS.

Mac support is limited in the current LincOS release, remote access from iOS is unavailable, and full feature access requires a Windows machine.

You need polished, stable software.

LincOS is a first-generation platform with glitches. If you want something out of the box and ready to go, this will offer the basics, but you’ll need to wait for that stability.

For more network-attached storage, we've rounded up the best NAS hard drives.

HoverAir Aqua: One-minute review

The HoverAir Aqua is a drone unlike anything else on the market right now, and for once that's not marketing hyperbole. Manufacturer Zero Zero Robotics has built the world's first truly waterproof self-flying camera — one that can take off from and land on the surface of the water and follow you through waves and spray that would destroy most consumer drones. If you're a solo watersports enthusiast who's ever wished you could capture good quality aerial footage of yourself without hiring a drone operator, the Aqua is literally the only game in town.

That monopoly on novelty is both the Aqua's greatest strength, but also the lens through which you need to evaluate it. Because while the concept itself is undeniably thrilling, my real-world testing revealed a product that feels very much like a v1.0: innovative and impressive in the right conditions, but rough around the edges in ways that its steep asking price makes harder to forgive.

The Aqua is the first waterproof consumer camera drone, and an impressive feat of design. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Perhaps the most important thing to understand before buying is how the Aqua's tracking works. Unlike DJI drones that use computer vision to lock onto and frame a subject, the Aqua tracks the Lighthouse, a wearable device you strap to your arm. While this is an eminently sensible solution for an environment where reflections, spray and constantly moving surfaces would confound visual tracking, it has real consequences for your footage: in Orbit mode, for instance, I found my head was consistently cropped out of frame, because the drone is circling the Lighthouse, not me.

There are other niggles too. My review sample suffered from persistent Lighthouse connection drops — reconnecting almost immediately each time, but loudly announcing every single event via an intrusive, irritating voice alert. And one of my best video clips was ruined by a water droplet on the supposedly hydrophobic lens, which feels like a major concern for a drone built around water compatibility.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

It's also worth noting that the Aqua's maintenance demands are higher than any non-aquatic drone I've tested: after saltwater sessions, you'll be rinsing, patting dry and checking battery compartments as soon as you get home.

That being said, take it out on a calm sea on a bright morning with your paddleboard, and it does something no other drone can do. For the right user — the solo surfer, kayaker or SUP rider who wants hands-free aerial footage without risking a wrecked drone — the Aqua is really the only viable option on the market.

HoverAir Aqua: Price and release date

• Launched globally on May 28 2026 — except in US
• Priced from $1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999
• Fly More Combo available online only

The HoverAir Aqua has had a long road to market, being initially teased in August 2025 ahead of a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. Nearly a year on, it's now available globally — except in the United States, where it's apparently falling foul of the same regulatory issues that have kept DJI's recent launches off the shelves. So while I've been given US pricing, it's not yet available in buy in the States.

Three bundles are available at launch. The Standard Combo ($1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999) covers the basics: the Aqua itself with one battery, a USB-C cable, the Lighthouse wearable with armband, a repair kit, and a single waterproof battery bag. The Basic Combo ($1,399 / £1,219 / AU$2,199) adds a second waterproof bag, an extra smart battery, and a charging hub. Step up to the Fly More Combo ($1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,986, online only) and you get two additional smart batteries, three waterproof battery bags, a maintenance kit, and the charging hub — the most complete package for anyone planning longer sessions on the water.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Given that the Aqua's 23-minute battery life is on the shorter side for a drone at this price point, those extra batteries in the higher-tier bundles are well worth considering. A single charge isn't going to last a through even a modest paddle session, so building a battery collection from day one makes sense.

At $1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999 for the entry-level bundle, the Aqua is a significant investment. It's substantially more expensive than the HoverAir X1 Pro and well above most entry-level drones from DJI. Zero Zero Robotics is clearly pitching this as a premium, specialized product for water sports enthusiasts rather than a mass-market flyer, and the pricing reflects that.

• Price score: 3.5/5

HoverAir Aqua: SpecsHoverAir Aqua specs

Camera:

12MP 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor

Video resolution:

4K, 2.7K (vertical only), 1080p

Frame rates:

100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps

Flight modes:

15+ specialized modes

Beacon range:

Up to 1km

Wind resistance:

Level 7 (up to 33 knots / 38mph)

Waterproof rating:

IP67

Storage:

128GB internal (no microSD slot)

Battery:

2013mAh, up to 23 minutes flight time

Charger type:

USB-C / charging hub

Weight:

249g / 8.8oz (approx.)

Dimensions:

202 x 206 x 64mm

HoverAir Aqua: Design and build quality

• Non-foldable quadcopter body weighing 249g
• Striking hot orange finish
• No carrying case included in any bundle

The Aqua cuts a distinctive figure on the beach. Where most consumer drones play it safe with black, grey or white, HoverAir has gone for a vivid hot orange color finish. The color makes the drone easy to spot both in the air and on the water, as well as conjuring up images of life jackets and buoys. It feels entirely appropriate for a water-focused drone.

While folding drones dominate the market, the Aqua is a rigid, non-foldable quadcopter — a deliberate decision by HoverAir to preserve structural integrity and waterproofing. At 202 x 206 x 64mm and 249g, it's lightweight and compact but certainly not pocketable; the non-folding body means it takes up noticeably more bag space than a DJI Lito or Mini would.

Which brings me to the Aqua's most glaring accessory omission: there's no carrying case or pouch included with any of the three bundles. The higher-tier combos include waterproof bags for the batteries, but nothing to protect the drone itself. That leaves the lens and propellers exposed to whatever else is rattling around in your backpack. For a drone pitched at outdoor adventurers, I felt this was a pretty major oversight.

The drone works best when paired with the Lighthouse beacon unit, which can attach to the user's arm.Future | Sam KieldsenThe Lighthouse has some basic controls on board, but generally acts as a beacon for the drone to autonomously follow.Future | Sam KieldsenDrones and water don't usually mix, but the Aqua is happiest when floating.Future | Sam KieldsenAt under 250g with a 0 class rating, it can be flown close to people and buildings too.Future | Sam Kieldsen

With minimal clearance between the propellers and the underside of the body, the Aqua needs either a flat, hard surface or a dedicated landing pad for land-based launches — I'd strongly recommend picking one up if you ever plan to use it away from the water. You can hand-launch and catch it in the air instead, which is what I did throughout testing, but that's not something I would necessarily recommend to anyone new to drones.

On the front of the drone sits a 1.6-inch AMOLED screen, which lets you switch flight modes and review settings without reaching for your phone. In bright sunlight it's big and bright enough to be legible, and when you're balanced on a paddleboard in the middle of the sea, not having to fumble with a smartphone is a welcome convenience. The Lighthouse wearable is similarly straightforward: a chunky, rubberized device designed to be worn and forgotten while you focus on whatever you're riding.

As mentioned above, the Aqua's maintenance demands are quite extensive. After flying in salt water, the drone needs a thorough rinse in fresh water and a careful pat-down with a clean cloth before its next flight. The battery compartment features a color-coded indicator strip that flags the presence of any moisture before you insert a battery, which is a clever touch, but you'll also need to remember to fully dry your hands before swapping cells on the water. So, owning the Aqua comes with an ongoing upkeep commitment that goes well beyond what you'd expect from a conventional drone.

• Design score: 4/5

HoverAir Aqua: Features and flight performance

• Up to 23 minutes of battery life
• Tracks using Lighthouse unit rather than camera
• No object avoidance tech

The most important thing to understand about how the Aqua flies is also the thing that most sets it apart from conventional follow-me drones. Rather than using computer vision to identify and frame a human subject — the approach DJI takes with its excellent ActiveTrack tech — the Aqua locks onto the Lighthouse wearable.

In a watery environment, where reflective surfaces, spray and constant movement would make visual tracking unreliable, this makes sound engineering sense. In practice, however, it produces some frustrating results. During an Orbit flight — where the drone circles you at a set distance — my head was consistently cropped out of frame, because the drone is orbiting the Lighthouse on my arm rather than centering me as a subject. Anyone who cares about precise, well-composed shots should know that the Aqua will keep you in the frame most of the time, but it won't always frame you the way a human operator would.

So planning your shots is key – and because you can adjust tracking distance and height, you should be able to get the angles and framing you're looking for. It might just take a couple of attempts.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

That said, the SUP mode I tested (designed specifically for stand-up paddleboarding) performed very well. With a calm sea, minimal wind and good visibility during a rare UK May heatwave, the Aqua tracked my position reliably and kept pace with me comfortably. The drone can theoretically fly as close as 50cm above the waves, and in calm water it did so confidently.

I'd be keen to test it in choppier conditions, where the claimed Level 7 wind resistance and wave-skimming abilities might face a stiffer challenge, but those aren't the conditions I had available. For now, consider the flight performance assessment here a fair-weather one.

One highlight that absolutely does deliver as promised is the turtle flip: should the Aqua end up upside down on the water, it can right itself and take off again without any intervention. I tested this, and it works exactly as advertised. A small thing perhaps, but a reassuring one.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Less reassuring was the persistent connection instability between the drone and the Lighthouse. On every single flight I conducted, the two devices repeatedly lost and immediately re-established their link. Each dropout triggers an audible robotic voice announcement — both for the disconnect and the reconnect — which quickly becomes maddening. Whether this is a hardware defect specific to my review sample or a wider software issue remains to be seen, but it's something HoverAir will need to address urgently. A drone that narrates its own technical difficulties every few minutes is not a relaxing filming companion.

The Aqua offers three control methods beyond the automated flight modes. The Lighthouse itself handles single-button launches and returns; the HoverAir app provides touchscreen manual control, though with a short effective range and imprecise joystick inputs that make smooth maneuvers difficult; and HOVERAir's Beacon twin-stick controller offers what could well be the most satisfying manual flying experience of the three — but without one, I wasn't able to test it during this review.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Battery life came in slightly under the claimed 23 minutes during real-world use, which is par for the course with drone manufacturers' quoted figures. The more meaningful battery consideration is simply having enough of them: 23 minutes goes quickly when you're mid-session, and the Fly More Combo's three-battery setup feels sensible.

It's also worth noting that, like all HoverAir drones, the Aqua uses ShadowTrack positioning rather than active obstacle avoidance — meaning it won't autonomously fly around objects in its path. On open water that's rarely going to be an issue, but it's worth bearing in mind if you plan to fly it on narrower waterways or on land. Thankfully, the sturdiness of the design and the protected propellers means that minor, lowish speed collisions with trees or fences shouldn't result in a wrecked drone.

• Flight performance score: 4/5

HoverAir Aqua: Image and video quality

• 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor offering 4K up to 100fps
• H-Log (10-bit) support for post-production grading
• Hydrophobic lens

The camera features a hydrophobic, self-heating anti-fog lens and single-axis gimbal. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Let's start with the elephant (or should that be whale?) in the room. The Aqua's lens is treated with a hydrophobic coating designed to repel water droplets, which seems to me a vital feature for a drone that launches directly off the surface of the sea. During my testing, a single water droplet on said lens ruined several minutes of otherwise usable footage. For a drone whose entire identity is built around being in and around water, a wet lens is inevitable. This issue alone has the potential to leave users seriously frustrated — even if, as with me, it only happens the one time.

When the lens is clear, the results are encouraging. With a maximum bitrate of 160Mbps (double that of the DJI Neo 2) the Aqua produces clean, detailed 4K footage in good lighting conditions. There are two main shooting options to choose between: the default color profile delivers vibrant, punchy footage at up to 60fps, and is perfectly usable straight out of the drone; the flat H-Log profile, which tops out at 30fps, gives you more latitude in post-production. I graded some H-Log footage and was able to dial back the slightly over-saturated tendencies of the default color science to arrive at something more true-to-life and cinematic. For anyone planning to edit their water sports footage seriously, shooting H-Log is probably the way to go.

The hardware has its limits, though. The 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/2.55 aperture and single-axis mechanical gimbal mean the Aqua can't compete with the best camera drones on pure image quality — the DJI Air 3S, for instance, produces far superior footage, and costs less.

But that comparison only tells part of the story: the Air 3S would not survive the conditions the Aqua was built for. Judged purely as a water-capable camera, the Aqua has no rivals. Judged as a camera drone in general, it sits firmly in the average tier for its price bracket. The 2x digital zoom is soft, as it tends to be on small sensors, and low-light performance isn't a strong suit given the narrow aperture.

Stills come in at 12MPwith HDR support, plus the ability to shoot in RAW DNG, and are competent if unspectacular — serviceable for social media use, but not the Aqua's primary selling point.

• Image and video quality score: 4/5

HoverAir Aqua: Testing scorecardDJI Lito X1

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Expensive for its tracking and camera performance.

3.5/5

Design

A robust aquatic design let down by the lack of an included carrying case.

4/5

Features and flight

The Lighthouse tracking system is an ingenious solution to the challenges of flying over water.

4/5

Image and video quality

Solid 4K footage with useful H-Log support, but a water droplet on the supposedly hydrophobic lens ruined one of my best clips.

4/5

Should I buy the HoverAir Aqua?Buy it if...

You're a solo watersports enthusiast
If you surf, SUP, kayak, wakeboard or foil and you've ever wanted aerial footage of yourself without a dedicated camera operator, the Aqua is the only drone that can safely go where you go.

You already own a conventional drone
The Aqua makes the most sense as a specialist companion to a regular land-based flyer rather than as your only drone. Pair it with a DJI Lito X1 or Mini 5 Pro and you have a capable all-conditions setup.

Don't buy it if...

You want a general-purpose drone
On land, the Aqua is a below-average performer for its price. The DJI Lito X1 delivers better image quality for a fraction of the cost, and handles everyday aerial photography and videography far more capably.

Precise framing matters to you
The Aqua tracks the Lighthouse wearable, not you as a subject. If you need a drone that keeps you centered in the frame the way a human camera operator would, the Aqua isn't the best choice.

HoverAir Aqua: also consider

DJI Air 3S

If your priority is camera performance rather than water compatibility, the Air 3S is where to look. It costs a similar amount to the Aqua's Standard Combo yet delivers near-professional image and video quality that the Aqua simply can't match. For anyone who primarily shoots over land, the Air 3S is the stronger all-round investment. Just don't expect it to survive a touchdown on the surface of the sea.

Read our in-depth DJI Air 3S review

DJI Neo 2

The Neo 2 is the closest thing in concept to the Aqua among conventional drones — a compact, lightweight selfie-style flyer that tracks and films you autonomously without needing a controller. It's considerably smaller and lighter than the Aqua, and a fraction of the price, making it the obvious starting point for anyone drawn to hands-free aerial filming. Just don't take it into the water...

Read our in-depth DJI Neo 2 review

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the HoverAir Aqua

• Tested during SUP session and from dry land
• I tested various control methods and flight modes
• I captured both videos and photos

I was provided with a review sample of the Aqua well ahead of its global launch, which gave me time to test it over several sessions on the UK coast, mainly in hot, sunny conditions that were ideal for getting out on the water, if not entirely representative of the rougher seas and stronger winds that the Aqua may face in the hands of real-world buyers.

My primary test was a SUP session at the beach, during which I flew the Aqua using the SUP automated flight mode and assessed its tracking performance, framing and reliability in a real watersports context. I also flew it over dry land to evaluate its capabilities as a general-purpose drone. I tested the app-based manual controls, though I wasn't able to assess the Beacon twin-stick controller during the review period.

On the camera side, I captured footage using both the default color profile and the flat H-Log setting, grading the latter in post-production using DaVinci Resolve. I also ran through the Aqua's post-flight maintenance routine — including a fresh water rinse and dry-down after saltwater use — to evaluate the ownership demands of an aquatic drone.

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

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Two-minute review

It has only been about seven months since the Xiaomi 15T Pro launched, and already, its successor has landed. The 15T Pro was my favorite better-than-mid-range-but-not-quite-flagship phone of 2025, so I had high hopes for this newer model.

On the surface, though, it would seem that not much has changed. The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a very familiar look, and it shares a lot of specifications with last year's model, too.

So, what's new? The 17T Pro boasts a significantly larger battery (it's now 7,000mAh, up from 5,500mAh on the 15T Pro), and it charges more quickly (it can be juiced up at 100W with a wire and 50W wirelessly). It also has a newer and faster processor inside, and comes in some lovely new colors.

Otherwise, it's a very familiar phone, with the same screen specs, the same camera hardware, and similar software features to its predecessor. That's not a bad thing; it just means the Xiaomi 17T Pro is not particularly exciting, especially if you already invested in the 15T Pro.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite the lack of hardware changes, the camera system still stands out as one of the most accomplished in this price bracket. The Leica-backed color science is as impressive as ever, and there are more pro-level features than you'll find in similarly-priced phones, like the ability to shoot in 4K 60fps with Log.

Just like last year, though, the ultra-wide camera fails to impress. It has a much lower resolution than the other cameras, and it lacks autofocus, which limits its usefulness.

As for the performance, I have no complaints. This 17T Pro has a proper flagship-grade chip inside, and it's excellent for productivity and gaming alike. The experience is enhanced by some strong haptic motors, a lovely screen, and very decent speakers.

The battery tends to last me just under a day and a half on a charge. It's very easy to live with, but with such a high-capacity cell inside, I was expecting more. Perhaps we'll see improvements as updates roll out. On the plus side, it charges very quickly, either wired or wirelessly.

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is very easy to recommend overall. It might not be a revolutionary update, and 15T Pro owners shouldn't rush out to buy one, but this phone still stands out as one of the best in its price range (which, following a price increase, is now firmly at the top of the mid-range spectrum). The cameras are among the best you'll find on any non-flagship phone, the performance is hard to fault, and it looks and feels premium throughout.

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• 256GB model costs £799
• 512GB and 1TB versions also available
• Not available in the US or Australia

The Xiaomi 17T Pro starts at £799 in the UK. That's for the model with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, though 512GB and 1TB variants are also available, costing £849 and £999, respectively. The phone isn't available in the US or Australia at the time of writing.

Frustratingly, those prices represent substantial increases on the Xiaomi 15T Pro, which started at £649 only six months ago. Increases seem to be plaguing all phone manufacturers at the moment — the similarly-specced Honor 600 Pro costs an eye-watering £899.99, which also marks a £200 increase over its predecessor — and a £799 price tag puts the Xiaomi 17T Pro at the sharp end of the mid-range spectrum (it's probably better described as an entry-level flagship).

Thankfully, Xiaomi's T-series phones often come with enticing bundle deals or early discounts, so we're expecting to see the same here, but details haven't surfaced yet.

The 17T Pro also stands out among its similarly priced rivals through its super-sized battery and 5X telephoto camera, which neither the Honor 600 Pro nor Vivo X300 FE match.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Specs

Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s key specs:

Xiaomi 17T Pro

Dimensions:

162.2 x 77.5 x 8.25mm

Weight:

219g

OS:

Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16

Display:

6.9-inch OLED, 144Hz

Resolution:

1280 x 2772 pixels

Chipset:

MediaTek Dimensity 9500

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

Battery:

7,000mAh

Rear cameras:

50MP (f/1.7) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide, 50MP 5x telephoto (f/3)

Front camera:

32MP (f/2.2)

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Aluminum frame and glass-fibre rear
• Black, Violet, Deep Blue options
• IP68 dust and water-resistant

The Xiaomi 17T Pro looks almost identical to last year's 15T Pro. The only notable change with the design is that the bevelled edge around the camera module has been removed. The camera bump appears smaller on the newer model, but in reality, the thickness is about the same.

That said, we do get some new colors to choose from. The 17T Pro is available in Black, Violet, or Deep Blue, and I have the latter in for testing. The colors are a bit livelier this time around, and I'm all for it. The blue model reminds me of the Galaxy Z Fold 7; it's a very similar shade. I loved it on that phone, and I love it here, too.

It's a pretty large phone, around the same size as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it feels very premium. The sides are made from aluminum, and the rear looks and feels like glass, but it's actually a reinforced plastic and glass-fibre panel.

The rear doesn't smudge easily, so it's easy to keep it looking nice, and you also get a matte black TPU case included in the box.

It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, matching last year's model, so you needn't worry about using it in the rain or at the beach. The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, which should do a decent job of warding off scratches, and there's a basic plastic screen protector installed as standard.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Display

(Image credit: Future)

• 6.9-inch 144Hz OLED display
• 3,840Hz PWM dimming
• 3,500 nits peak brightness

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a large, fully flat screen with slim symmetrical bezels on all sides. The specs match the previous model, but the 15T Pro already had a great screen, so that's not a bad thing.

It has a blisteringly fast 144Hz refresh rate, but applications that will actually utilize such speeds are few and far between. Still, it's super smooth, and it'll dynamically switch down to 60 or 30Hz to conserve battery life.

The phone also supports DC dimming. This means you shouldn't see any flicker, even while using low brightness levels. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I'd be lying if I said I could tell the difference, but it's supposed to be easier on your eyes.

It's also a very bright panel, and I never had trouble seeing it outdoors, even in direct sunlight. Xiaomi says it can output 3,500 nits at peak, but these measurements should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Regardless, the 17T Pro's display is more than bright enough for most people's needs. And perhaps more importantly, it can dim as low as 1 nit, perfect for late-night scrolling sessions

Otherwise, the screen delivers exactly what you'd expect from a high-end OLED panel. The black levels are impeccable, the colors are vivid, and HDR content looks superb on this screen.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• 50MP main (f/1.7)
• 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
• 50MP 5x telephoto (f/3)
• 32MP selfie camera (f/2.45)

Last year, I felt that the Xiaomi 15T Pro had the most impressive cameras in the upper mid-range/sub-flagship category. The new model comes with the exact same set of snappers, so while I would have loved to see some hardware innovation, these lenses were already ahead of the pack.

The main camera has a sizable 1/1.3-inch sensor, roughly matching the main sensor of the iPhone 17 Pro. You also get an impressive 5x telephoto with OIS and the ability to focus from just 30cm away.

What's less impressive is the ultra-wide camera. It only has a 12MP resolution, a relatively tiny 1/3.06-inch sensor, and it's fixed focus, so you can't use it for close-ups.

The ultra-wide gave me some uninspiring results, and it's pretty useless in low-light conditions, but if you stick to the main and telephoto cameras, you can expect some great shots.

(Image credit: Future)

The 17T Pro benefits from Xiaomi's partnership with Leica, just like its flagship phones. This means you get the same excellent picture profiles and lens simulations as the much more costly Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

There's also a new addition to the roster called Leica Live Moment, which is similar to Apple's Live Photos feature, but comes complete with the Leica color science you know and love.

The feature works across all of the rear lenses, and it works in Portrait mode, too. Just like Apple's version, it captures a second or so of video before you press the shutter, and you can extract different frames to use as your photo, or share it as a short looping video. The main difference is that you can use all of the excellent Leica-backed picture styles and some unique watermarks to make your live photos stand out from the crowd.

Around the front, you'll find a 32MP punch-hole selfie camera. Again, this shares the same specs as the previous generation. It provides decent results, but unlike Xiaomi's mainline flagships, this selfie camera doesn't have autofocus — so group shots won't always look as sharp as they could.

(Image credit: Future)

Overall, it's a pretty versatile setup, and the standout is the telephoto. The reach of the 5x lens sets it apart from the competition and provides some lovely compression when used for close-ups. I'd recommend turning off automatic lens switching in the settings if you want to do so, as it has a tendency to jump to the main camera sooner than it needs to.

Xiaomi's default image tuning has very appealing color reproduction, and the slightly higher level of contrast makes images pop. If you're not feeling the default flavor, though, that's no issue, as there are loads of styles to choose from, and they can all be customized in Pro mode.

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is equally impressive for video shooting. It supports Xiaomi's excellent Log profile at up to 4K 60fps, and you can even shoot 4K 120fps on the main lens, albeit without much stabilization.

• Cameras score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Camera samplesFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureXiaomi 17T Pro review: PerformanceFutureFuture

• MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset
• 12GB RAM
• 512GB / 1TB storage

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC, the same flagship chipset that we've seen in phones like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro. It comes with 12GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of storage. I have the 512GB version.

Having used the Oppo Find X9 Pro as my main phone for several months, I'm already very familiar with the capabilities of this chip. It's super powerful, and while Qualcomm's latest might have the edge in certain games, the Dimensity 9500 is never going to hold you back.

The phone feels speedy, no matter what you ask of it. I've been sinking some hours into Neverness to Everness, the latest graphically demanding gatcha game that makes even the most expensive phones on the market sweat. While it struggled at the highest settings, the Xiaomi 17T Pro had no trouble running it at 60fps on the 'balanced' preset, which still looks stunning.

The frame of the phone gets pretty toasty after a while, but that's just the cooling system doing its job, and I didn't notice much of a performance hit. If you use the included case, it'll keep your fingers comfortable, and of course, it's even better with a clamp-on controller like the GameSir X5 Lite.

It's also worth mentioning the haptics, as they also enhance the gaming experience. The vibration motors in this phone are stronger than most and are able to provide very precise feedback, which is great for typing.

The speakers are also very impressive. They can get pretty loud, produce detailed highs, and have better bass response than most phone speakers in this price range.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: SoftwareFutureFutureFuture

• Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16
• iOS-inspired design
• 5 years of updates, 6 years of security patches

The Xiaomi 17T Pro runs Hyper OS 3, Xiaomi's custom software built on top of Android 16. I haven't noticed any major changes with this release; it's essentially the same experience that I had with Xiaomi's recent flagships and the latest Poco devices.

The difference here, compared to Xiaomi's pricier phones, is that there's a bit of bloatware to clean up when you first set it up. It's nothing major — just a handful of random preinstalled apps — but having to remove them detracts from an otherwise premium experience.

Aside from that, I have no real complaints about the software experience. Hyper OS 3 has been consistently smooth and responsive, and it's easy to customize the look if you don't like the default vibes.

As we've seen with most Chinese Android skins lately, there's some Apple influence to the styling. Xiaomi has its own version of Dynamic Island, and some of the lock screen options look quite iPhone-like, with oversized clocks and depth effects. Most importantly, though, they look good and work well.

Xiaomi is promising five generations of updates and six years of security patches for European customers. It's a decent showing, if slightly behind the commitments offered by Samsung and Google. This means the 17T Pro should get the latest version of Android until at least 2031.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Battery

(Image credit: Future)

• 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has the largest battery of any Xiaomi phone to date, besting the brand's mainline flagships with a whopping 7,000 mAh capacity.

With such a large cell on board, I had high hopes for the battery life, but the reality was a little underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, the battery life is very good — it always gets me through the day, and usually through a second morning. But I was expecting a little more.

To be fair, though, I received the phone well before the launch, and it was running pre-release software. There's every chance the battery life will improve further as the software becomes more optimized.

In any case, charging the 17T Pro is barely a hassle. It supports up to 100W speeds with a wire, and the powerful wall adapter comes included in the box. I found it was enough to take the phone from fully dead to well over 50% charged in half an hour, which is impressive considering the capacious battery pack.

The wireless charging speeds are impressive, too. The Xiaomi 17T Pro can be juiced up at up to 50W with Xiaomi's official wireless charger, but don't expect those speeds with any old charging pad; everything I had to hand topped out at a measly 15W.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17T Pro?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The 17T Pro is not an outright bargain, and it costs substantially more than its predecessor. But it's in line with the competition, and boasts more impressive overall specifications.

4 / 5

Design

The Xiaomi 17T Pro looks and feels premium, and it comes in some very fetching colours — but it's basically the same as the old one.

4 / 5

Display

The display is large, crisp, and bright with plenty of eye-care features.

5 / 5

Cameras

The main and telephoto cameras are excellent, but the ultra-wide could be improved.

4 / 5

Performance

The Xiaomi 17T Pro will handle just about anything you can throw at it. The haptics and speakers are very good, too.

5 / 5

Software

Xiaomi's Hyper OS is feature-packed and smooth, but a bit of bloatware sours an otherwise premium experience.

4 / 5

Battery

The 17T Pro packs a massive 7,000mAh battery that charges very quickly. I expected it to last longer, though, so perhaps more software optimization is required.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want an excellent camera phone at an affordable price

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a lot of the same camera features as the brand's more expensive flagship phones, but it won't hurt your wallet quite so much.

You're looking for speedy performance and solid battery life

With a full-fledged flagship SoC and a mammoth 7,000mAh battery on board, the Xiaomi 17T Pro offers a great experience for gaming and productivity.

Don't buy it if...

You already have the Xiaomi 15T Pro

There aren't too many changes from last year's model, so if you already have that phone, this won't feel like much of an upgrade.

You love ultra-wide photos

While the cameras on the Xiaomi 17T Pro are impressive overall, the ultra-wide is much weaker than the other lenses, especially at night.

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is a great sub-flagship option, but it's important to look at the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth checking out.

Honor 600 Pro

Honor's recently released 600 Pro is a similarly priced phone with a focus on cameras and gaming performance. It offers autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, but the Xiaomi has better video capabilities and a nicer telephoto camera.

Read our full Honor 600 Pro review

Vivo X300 FE

Vivo's latest sub-flagship is another strong contender. It also has excellent cameras, but it's not quite as powerful, and the ultra-wide camera is even worse. Limited global availability may limit its appeal, too (note that we haven't yet reviewed this device).

Xiaomi 17T Pro

Honor 600 Pro

Vivo X300 FE

Price:

TBA

£899

€999

Display:

6.83-inch OLED

6.57-inch OLED

6.3-inch OLED

Cameras:

50MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto

200MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto

50MP main; 8MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto

Processor:

MediaTek Dimensity 9500

Snapdragon 8 Elite

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

Battery:

7,000mAh

6,400mAh

6,500mAh

How I tested the Xiaomi 17

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

I popped my SIM into the Xiaomi 17T Pro and used it as my main phone for just over a week. I used it as I would use any other phone, taking lots of photos and videos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps.

I also compared the experience of playing graphically demanding games like Neverness to Everness to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra. I ran plenty of benchmarks on the phone, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.

I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using the included wall adapter and USB-C cable.

First tested May 2026

OSCAL Pilot 6: 30-second review

The Oscal Pilot 6 is a rugged Android phone designed for anyone working outdoors who needs a phone that can withstand far more than a standard commercial model. The design is rugged and, whilst it’s slightly larger than a standard phone, its plastic reinforced casing keeps it from being overly large, and it will just about slip into a pocket.

The bulk and weight, while more than your average consumer phone, is still less than many other larger rugged smartphones. Still, it’s nicely designed with the usual industrial design aesthetic synonymous with rugged smartphones. It’s comfortable to hold and use, and when it comes to that ruggedness, it offers IP68/IP69 and MIL-STD-810H ratings, highlighting that it can withstand significant abuse.

What makes this phone stand out against many of the other rugged smartphones is that it not only features all the usual camera specifications, including a massive 108-million-pixel camera, but also a thermal camera, which makes it great for trade, and a large 10,000mAh battery, which ensures that it can last for days in between charging. This battery can also be wirelessly charged at 15W and supports reverse charging for topping up other devices.

When used to navigate productivity apps, the handset's speed is okay, just held back a little by the MediaTek Helio G100, which is really a mid-range CPU, backed again by a mid-range Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. So, whilst it’s usable for updating documents and browsing the internet, it’s not the fastest on the market. What is nice, though, is that it’s all fronted by a 6.78-inch 120Hz screen, which is perfectly viewable in all conditions.

Also, what I really liked was that it has a built-in 98dB speaker that produces relatively decent audio quality. If you’re working on-site and want to listen to music, then this could be the perfect option.

For the consumer market, this phone is a little large for the general user. However, in trade, engineering, and surveying, the features, build quality, and size make it one of the best rugged phones I've tested. It’s just a little bit of a shame that it’s limited to 4G.

OSCAL Pilot 6: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? £330/$294
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Oscal or Amazon

At present, the Pilot 6 is available on Blackview's fficial website, with the 12GB/256GB model priced at $558.99 / £319. But keep an eye on the website as the price does change.

• Value: 4/5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Specs

CPU: MediaTek Helio G100, octa-core, up to 2.2GHz
Graphics: Mali-G57
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X, expandable virtually up to 36GB
Storage: 256GB UFS 2.1, microSD/TF expansion up to 2TB
Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou/QZSS
Audio: 4.5W 98dB Smart-PA BOX speaker, USB-C earphone support
Camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 rear, 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 front, 160×120 thermal camera
Size: 182.8 × 82 × 18.1mm; 410.8g
OS Installed: DokeOS 5.0 based on Android 16
Accessories: Manual, USB cable, SIM ejector pin, and lanyard

OSCAL Pilot 6: Design

As I removed the Pilot 6 from the packaging, it was unmistakably a rugged smartphone with the usual industrial design, with credentials, including IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H. Sure enough, in the hand it feels good and rugged, and whilst it’s larger than most consumer-model smartphones, it’s not overly cumbersome, and it’s easy enough to handle, measuring 182.8 x 82 x 18.1mm and weighing 410.8g.

Whilst the size and weight do make it a little bit more bulky than a consumer phone, such as an iPhone, it’s still not overly large. If you do need to put it in a jacket or pocket, then whilst it’s going to be relatively bulky, it’s possible.

Checking through some of the build materials, it does look like OSCAL has really put a lot of thought into the rugged design, with an Al-Ti alloy used for the metal frame bracket, aluminium side strips, and the shockproof plastic base, which thankfully stays in one piece if dropped from a height.

It’s also good to see that the large 6.78-inch screen uses Gorilla Glass 5, and throughout the test, it withstood being dropped and submerged in water with no damage other than a little grime on the body, which was easily wiped away.

That screen offers a decent brightness of 750 nits, which makes it more than viewable in almost all sunny conditions, and throughout the test, which was conducted in the late spring in the UK, that brightness was made it easy to read documents and website content easily enough.

Alongside the impressive 108-million-pixel camera, which is backed by a Samsung sensor, is an infrared camera that enables you to pick up heat signatures, which will be especially of interest to anybody working in trades. This feature, along with the torch that sits at the top of the handset, is activated through dedicated apps that are all pre-installed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The torch offers 93 lumens of brightness, and being mounted at the top of the handset rather than the back makes it very easy to use. There’s no ability to focus it, so whilst it’s relatively bright and great for looking into crevices, it isn’t a replacement for a standard flashlight that has a focused beam.

Another feature I liked was the 98dB speaker on the back, which you can see clearly on the phone. This produces very loud audio, which is great for listening to music whilst you’re busy at work.

And ensuring it runs all day, even if you can’t charge up, there’s that huge 10,000mAh battery, which charges relatively quickly but has more than enough capacity to last all day without a charge.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Features

The Oscal Pilot 6 is packed with features, with the main headline being the 160 x 120 thermal imaging camera that can detect heat signatures between -15°C and 550°C. Whilst that resolution might not seem that great, when it comes to detecting everything from wildlife hiding in the bushes if you’re out shooting photographs to detecting where piping and wiring might be if you work in the trade, a thermal camera like this on your smartphone can be a real use.

The camera is activated through the thermal app, with a 25Hz frame rate that provides a relatively smooth live view, and it offers under 50 mK thermal sensitivity alongside measurement and reporting tools, giving you a complete suite in this one relatively small mobile phone.

Alongside the headline thermal camera is a 108-million-pixel HM6 main camera, capable of capturing high-resolution images perfect for surveys and site visits, as well as for video conferencing. There’s a 50-million-pixel Samsung JN1 front camera that also offers decent resolution and frame rate.

The mobile phone is powered by a 10,000 mAh battery. This offers plenty of usage time and features 27W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 10W reverse charging, if you need to top up other devices.

Interestingly, another main feature of the smartphone is the 98dB loudspeaker, which is visible on the back of the phone near the camera array, and it is perfectly good for listening to music on-site. As long as you’re not too bothered about high-fidelity music, it is perfectly good, but where it really comes into its own is through speakerphone calls, because that speaker makes it far easier to hear if there’s a group of you on a conference call, utilising the phone.

When it comes to rugged credentials, they’re pretty impressive, with IP68 and IP69K ratings alongside MIL-STD-810H, meaning it can survive being underwater for a period of time, as well as being dropped and generally not looked after quite as carefully as you would with a standard consumer-level mobile phone.

When it comes to connectivity, this phone is only 4G; however, it offers NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth 5.2. When it comes to network connectivity, whilst it doesn’t offer 5G, it is backwards-compatible with 2G and 3G.

Inside, powering the smartphone is a MediaTek octa-core Helio G100, 6nm, up to 2.2GHz, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.1 ROM. Whilst built-in storage is quite limited, as is the RAM, the RAM can be expanded to 36GB using virtual RAM, and, with a TF card or microSD card, you can expand the internal storage up to a huge 2TB.

The 6.78-inch 2.4K 120Hz screen is nice and bright, reaching 750 nits. That 1080 x 2460 resolution lets you see plenty on the screen, so if you do need to update documents, it’s a good resolution and brightness for doing so, even out in the field.

Checking through the specifications and features, it is quite obvious that this phone has been designed primarily for field use, by trade and industry, rather than consumer phone users. Still, with those loudspeakers, which, used in moderation, are pretty good, and with that large bright screen and decent resolution, it is equally good for watching back media and taking pictures if needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Features: 4.5 / 5

OSCAL Pilot 6: Performance

The first thing you notice about the phone compared to my phone is its size and bulk. Whilst it is smaller than many rugged smartphones, it is considerably bigger than a standard iPhone, in my case, an iPhone 15 Pro. Still, it is of a decent size, and you can easily hold it in one hand with no issue.

It’s not as bulky and cumbersome as some rugged smartphones, so if you do want to use it as an everyday phone, then it is a good size. Likewise, the bulk is bigger than most consumer-level smartphones, mainly due to the reinforcement that makes it rugged, and whilst it will fit into a jacket or trouser pocket, it is worth considering that it is that much larger than a standard phone.

For everyday use, making calls, even though it is restricted to 4G connectivity, that connectivity is good and strong, and actually, in many situations, was better than my iPhone 15 Pro when it came to making standard calls. Obviously, the internet connectivity wasn’t as good, limited by that 4G connection.

As I’ve seen with other Oscal and Blackview phones, the Android 16 version that is used on the device is DokeOS 5.0, a slightly customised version for this brand of phone, and to be honest, it works exceptionally well for most uses, including many bespoke apps that enable a lot of functionality, including the torch, thermal camera and that speaker system. Alongside the custom apps, you also have all the usual Android applications, so if you want to download Google Docs, it's already installed on the phone.

Once you get up and running, accessing my standard applications, say Google Chrome for browsing and Google Docs, the phone can handle that quite well, and that larger-resolution screen enables everything to fit on quite nicely. This is quite an upgrade from many of the standard HD phones on the market, and whilst limited by the 4G connectivity, that screen resolution is absolutely ideal, giving plenty of real estate when you do need to edit or read documents.

The screen speed is also relatively good, although not quite as responsive as some other rugged smartphones. What I did note in the feature set is that there is a glove mode, so if you’re wearing gloves for work and still need to use that connectivity, you can activate it and still use the phone. This can be really handy both at work and when you’re out cycling and need to use a phone without removing your gloves.

In use, switching between apps, the phone was more than able to handle it, and whilst there were a few slight pauses, the overall workflow was quite smooth. What impressed me was the camera app; whilst it isn’t fully featured, it does offer a pro mode and plenty of flexibility over the images you take. That image quality, whilst not high-end, is also pretty good, and if you want to use it for something other than taking detailed site photos, then it’s actually far better than I had anticipated.

On the phone, there are a variety of apps, including AI Chat, AI Video, AI Photos and AI Music. All of these are pre-installed but require you to sign up for relatively expensive subscription plans. Likewise, some of the other applications that are pre-installed offer wallpaper options, but there’s advertising always integrated that wants to take you over to Temu, and there were several occasions when, for no reason whatsoever, an advert for a game would suddenly pop up on the screen, which I found incredibly annoying.

As the initial review went on, I actually went through and deleted a huge volume of the pre-installed apps, just because I kept getting notifications about products and Temu, or about games I didn't want to play when I was least expecting them.

One of the app options that was quite good was AI Photo, which lets you use a bit for free before you need to pay. You can enhance several pictures for free before any cost is involved, and I would’ve preferred a non-AI app pre-installed that let me play around with some images, rather than almost every single option on this phone trying to get me into some other subscription model.

Once I had settled all the apps on the phone and gone through and deleted a lot of them, the phone itself was actually pretty good, very much aimed at the mid-range, with a Helio G100 being perfectly good for all of the standard Android apps, navigation, messaging, watching media and quite a lot of other work apps, even able to download CapCut and utilise that to edit short video clips without any issue.

I also really like the headline features. The thermal imaging camera is really good and easy to use, and whilst the resolution is pretty low, with all the different colour overlays that you can use, it’s really good for spotting animals and creatures hiding in the bushes, and if you do want to detect pipes and electronics that are hidden behind walls and plaster, then it’s perfectly possible to do that as well. More of a guide than anything else, but it’s nice to have that feature built into the phone.

The small torch on the top of the phone was also good. Whilst it isn’t focused, the brightness is sufficient to be able to look inside cavities or the back of cupboards to discover things in the same way that you would with a standard flashlight. It’s a bit of a shame that it’s not focusable, but the brightness is there and is pretty decent.

The battery life is also superb, and it’s only after this first week of testing that I realised I still hadn’t charged the phone and just how good having such a large battery is. Essentially, you just keep the phone in your bag on standby, and you know that it’s going to be there, ready to go when you need it.

Overall, as a business phone, the Pilot 6 is a great option. It is slightly larger than a consumer-level phone, with a thermal camera, a high-resolution main camera, and that torch, and it all comes together with the ability to make calls, making it a useful addition for anyone working out in the field.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Oscal Pilot 6 is a great smartphone option for anyone working in industry or trade. The thermal camera and high-resolution main camera let you detect piping, wiring, and other heat-related objects that other cameras can’t, and, as it’s built into a smartphone, it is a good, quick indicator for on-site visits.

Backing up the thermal camera is a very decent 108-million-pixel main camera, which is good for taking detailed site images that are first-rate in tone and, compared with some other high-resolution cameras, maintain quality. I was just impressed with the overall tone, detail and clarity this small camera was able to produce.

The torch is a nice addition, but it’s not the best smartphone torch I’ve seen. The fact that it is mounted at the top of the smartphone does make it a little more useful and versatile, but with no ability to focus and, to be honest, limited brightness, it’s great for looking in cupboards and other things that are close. But if you’re thinking of using it as a flashlight, then its power just isn’t quite up to it.

As a slightly left-field feature, the speakers are actually pretty decent. If you’re on a conference call with people on site, this phone is well-suited to that use, and you can hear things above the ambient sounds of a building site, which could be exceptionally useful.

But then you come onto some of the downsides of this phone, and primarily that is the fact that many of the apps require a subscription or take you to some advertising randomly when you least expect it, and after a day of testing, I decided to sit down and delete all of the apps on the phone that would automatically take me elsewhere.

Once the OS was cleaned, it’s a relatively decent system, and DokeOS, as ever, is nice and stable and proved fast enough, even with a 4G network connection.

The CPU and GPU are mid-range. Whilst they’re good for productivity, they’re not ideal for multimedia editing or gaming. Still, if you want to do a bit of light gaming or multimedia editing, to be honest, most phones are powerful enough these days.

By the end of the test, it was clear that if you’re working in the trade or industry and looking for a rugged, thermal-cameras smartphone, this is a great option. If you’re into outdoor activities, then whilst this is a good mid-range phone, it probably won’t fully meet your needs. Whilst that camera is good, there are better options out there.

Should I buy the OSCAL Pilot 6?

Value

Great value for a phone, with high-resolution and thermal cameras in one relatively compact unit.

4/5

Design

Usual tough, rugged design with industrial aesthetics that enable this phone to stand up to more than most. 

3.5/5

Features

A very decent set of features for a smartphone, with the added interest of that thermal camera.

4/5

Performance

Very capable mid-range smartphone, just limited by 4G connectivity and slightly intrusive apps.

3.5/5

Overall

With the apps cleaned, this is a decent rugged smartphone that can withstand more than most and offers decent performance.

4/5

Buy it if...

Need thermal vision
If you need a phone with a built-in thermal imaging camera, this is a great option, backed by a high-resolution main camera for detailed site images.

Work away often
That 10,000mAh battery just kept going, needing just one charge per week despite heavy testing, making it good not only for trade but also for camping or as a backup phone for emergencies.

Don't buy it if...

Want slim comfort
While a smartphone might be appealing, at just over 400g and considerably larger than a consumer-level model, it can be more cumbersome to carry daily.

Need 5G speeds
It’s surprising that there are still phones without 5G connectivity, but for its use, 4G is more than adequate. If you do need a faster connection, 5G rugged smartphones are available.

For more durable devices, we've tested the best rugged tablets and the best rugged laptops.

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Two minute review

The Samsung HW-Q990H continues the high standard set by its predecessors, which are reliably among the best soundbars on the market, delivering a full, multi-box Dolby Atmos experience for one of the most competitive prices around. While it doesn’t offer that many changes from its predecessor, it’s still a fantastic system.

An 11.1.4 channel soundbar system, the Q990H is packed with superb sound-enhancing features such as SpaceFit Sound Pro and Q-Symphony, which add more layers to its already excellent sound. Sound Elevation (where sound is raised to the height of the TV itself) is one of two new features introduced, and while I didn’t use it for much of my testing, it could be useful depending on your circumstances.

It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enhanced audio formats, and there’s even support for 4K 120Hz and VRR passthrough in the soundbar’s two HDMI 2.1 In ports — perfect for those who don’t own one of the best gaming TVs.

The Q990H’s performance is phenomenal. It delivers an immersive, powerful sound with bass that’s both meaty and controlled, aided by the returning small-sized, dual-driver subwoofer introduced in last year's Q990F. Sound mapping is accurate, with details placed precisely to the correct channels and connected with the action on screen. Speech is consistently clear, and Dolby Atmos effects are re-created faithfully with real clarity. While it doesn’t innovate much on last year’s Samsung HW-Q990F, it’s still a superb soundbar.

Design-wise, the Q990H benefits from the compact subwoofer, which is easy to position while still delivering excellent sound. While the soundbar itself feels sturdy and has a nice color to it, the actual grated design doesn’t feel as premium as 2024’s Samsung Q990D, and the alphanumeric display isn’t always the easiest to read, but is a welcome feature. It would be nice to see Samsung mix up the design of the flagship model in future.

The Q990H is incredibly easy to set up and use. Actual installation took a few minutes, and I used the SmartThings app to control EQ and other features, never running into any issues. There is a supplied remote for those who don’t want to use the app, but I suggest you give the app a try.

The Q990H is a premium soundbar system, and while it delivers the performance to back up its asking price of $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, there aren’t a great many changes over its predecessor the Q990F. The latter is available for $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 at the time of writing, so it's the better option in my view. Once it disappears though, the Q990H is a more than worthy successor.

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Release date: May 2026
• Price: $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the flagship model in Samsung’s 2026 soundbar lineup. It sits above the Samsung HW-900H, HW-Q800H and the HW-QS90H, the latter of which is a follow-up to the Samsung QS700F from 2025.

The HW-Q990H’s launch prices are pretty consistent with its predecessor, the HW-Q990F, from last year. The Q990H is launching for £100 cheaper in the UK and AU$100 cheaper in Australia, however.

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Specs

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Speaker channels

11.1.4

Connections:

1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Sub included

Yes

Rear speakers included

Yes

Features

Q Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Sound Elevation, Auto Volume, Game Mode Pro, Tap Sound, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HDMI 2.1 120Hz pass-through, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through, wireless Dolby Atmos

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Features

The Q990H has two HDMI In ports, both of which support 4K 120Hz passthrough for gaming (Image credit: Future)

• 11.1.4 channel soundbar system
• Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support
• HDMI 2.1 input ports rated for 4K 120Hz gaming

The Q990H doesn’t bring many new features to the table compared to last year’s Q990F, but that’s not a bad thing, as that soundbar's features were pretty impressive. The Q990H is an 11.1.4 channel soundbar system comprising four units: a main soundbar, a subwoofer (the same compact unit introduced with the Q990F), and two rear speakers. It has the same 23-speaker layout as the Q990F.

In terms of audio support, the Q990H supports Dolby Atmos and DTS: X sound formats, and there’s support for Eclipsa Audio, Samsung and Google’s joint foray into the 3D sound world. Wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are also supported.

Connections are the same as last year, with an HDMI eARC port for connection to your chosen display, as well as two HDMI In ports. Both are HDMI 2.1 and rated for 4K 120Hz gaming, and both support HDR10+ HDR. There's also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming.

The Q990H introduces two new sound features. Sound Elevation is designed to direct the sound towards the screen itself in order to create a more natural listening experience, while Auto Volume aims to reduce sudden spikes in volume when changing channels or content.

Returning sound-enhancing features include SpaceFit Sound Pro, which optimizes the sound profile to suit the environment you’re in; Adaptive Sound, which analyzes the content being played and adjusts it in real time; and Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes voices within a scene and optimizes them. The Q990H also supports Q-Symphony, which enables a compatible connected Samsung TV’s speakers to be employed to enhance the audio further.

There are a number of night-mode listening features as well, such as Private Audio, which directs the sound to the rear speakers, and Moderate Bass, which mutes the subwoofer and directs the bass to come from the soundbar itself.

The Q900H can be controlled by the SmartThings app, where adjustments to the EQ and sound levels for each channel can be made. You can also choose from the soundbar’s four listening modes here: Standard, Surround, AI and Game. The aforementioned sound enhancements can also be controlled via the app.

• Features score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Performance

The Q990H's excellent sound positioning and detail mean scenes like the Death Star attack from Star Wars: A New Hope are immersive and cinematic. (Image credit: Disney / Future )

• Detailed expansive sound
• Powerful, controlled bass
• Great Atmos reproduction

Of the Q990H’s four sound presets (Standard, Surround, Game and AI) I chose Surround, as I felt it gave the most consistently immersive sound. I also used the SpaceFit Sound Pro setting to calibrate the soundbar to our testing lab, and this created a more immersive sound profile.

The Q990H’s sound placement and mapping are superb. Watching the Death Star attack run from Star Wars: A New Hope, the whir of the X-Wing’s engines came from the rear speakers, laser fire came from all around, and the flight paths of the various TIE fighters and X-Wings was accurately placed, making me feel like I was in the cockpit.

Watching The Batman, as Penguin fired a spray of bullets towards Catwoman, the sound travelled from the front to the rear channels, following the direction of the action on screen. In the chase sequence itself, the swerving of tires and blaring car horns travelled across the soundbar, again mapped perfectly.

The compact subwoofer first introduced in last year’s Q990F returns here, and I was reminded of how good it was. Despite its smaller stature, the Q990H’s subwoofer packs a mighty punch. As the Batmobile’s engine fires up in The Batman, the subwoofer delivered an almighty rumble that filled the room, accurately delivering the roar and the crunching gear changes during the driving sequences. Crucially however, the bass never got ahead of itself, as the subwoofer demonstrated excellent control, with the same gear changes delivered with great detail.

Speaking of detail, the Q990H delivers it in spades. During the Darkstar test flight in Top Gun: Maverick, subtle sound effects, such as the wind passing through the jet’s outer panels and the tightening of Maverick’s gloves are all well balanced with the bass of the jet engine and the loud beeps of the various displays.

The Q990H benefits from four height channels, meaning Atmos effects are reproduced accurately. As Maverick flies over Admiral Kane in Top Gun: Maverick, the sound of the Darkstar’s flight path went over my head, delivering an expansive sound. The same was true as TIE Fighters flew overhead in Star Wars, with height channels precisely following their iconic howling sound.

The Q990H's subwoofer delivers powerful, controlled bass: perfect for capturing the roar of the Batmobile's engine in The Batman (pictured) (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

Throughout my testing, the Q990H’s front channels delivered crystal-clear speech, even in complicated scenes such as the Batmobile chase, accurately delivering the Penguin’s frantic shouts over the loud explosions and impacts.

As I tested the Q990H with the Samsung S95F, one of 2025’s best OLED TVs, I tried out the Q-Symphony setting. This added extra volume and more power to the front channels by using the S95F’s speakers, giving everything extra punch. If you don’t own a Samsung TV, fear not — this Q990H still sounds fantastic without Q-Symphony.

I tried out the new Sound Elevation feature, and while it did move the height of the sound effectively, it wasn’t necessary for my viewing. This could be a useful feature for those who wall-mount the soundbar, but I’d recommend giving it a try to see if it fits your environment.

The Q990H is also a solid soundbar for music. Listening to a Dolby Atmos version of Bad Bunny’s BAILE INoLVIDABLE, the Q990H delivered tightly controlled low-end from the track’s heavy bass synths and drums later in the song. The piano sounded detailed, and Bunny’s varied vocals were delivered accurately. High notes had plenty of brightness without sounding overbearing, and the horn section sounded punchy and detailed.

Switching to a heavier track, Dir En Grey’s Un Deux, the Q990H did a great job delivering the pounding guitars, crunching drums and Kyo’s soaring vocals, capturing the wide production of the track with its big soundstage. While other soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra, are better for music overall, the Q990H is still great.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Design

While I like the compact subwoofer, the rest of the HW-Q990H could do with a design refresh (Image credit: Future)

• Return of the brilliant compact subwoofer
• Sturdy build quality
• Design becoming familiar

The Q990H is almost identical in appearance to last year’s Q990F, which in turn felt like a cheapened design of the 2024 Samsung HW-Q990D. While the Q990H does have a sturdy, weighty build that feels premium, my criticisms of last year’s design remain.

The highlight is once again the compact subwoofer design. The dual-driver unit is weighty, but has a much more visually appealing cubed design. Due to its more compact size, it’s much easier to conceal than most subwoofers. The main soundbar measures 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches), which was the exact width of the 55-inch Samsung S95F OLED TV I tested the soundbar with. It’s quite a deep soundbar however, so you may need to consider this when placing it.

The actual look and materials of the Q990H are the main issue. While the metallic grille that’s been used for years remains, the cheaper-looking grated design introduced in the Q990F is still here, and it doesn’t look as appealing as older models. The same is true of the rear speakers, which don’t feel or look as premium.

The alphanumeric display included can still be a challenge to a read, but it’s still welcome. While the Q990H’s overall design is fine, Samsung could stand to learn from other multi-box units, such as the JBL 1300Mk2.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Setup and usability

You can control the Q990H with the supplied remote (pictured) or the SmartThings or new Samsung Sound app (Image credit: Future)

• Easy, hassle-free setup
• SmartThings app for control as well as remote
• Wireless connection between soundbar and other units

As I’ve found with the last few iterations of Samsung’s flagship soundbar, the Q990H was a breeze to set up. I simply connected the main soundbar to the TV via HDMI eARC, and then paired the subwoofer and rear speakers by holding down a button. At one point during my testing I had to disconnect and re-connect the same units due to a brief Wi-Fi issue, and this again took a matter of minutes.

The Q990H can be controlled by the supplied remote or the SmartThings app. I opted for the latter, and it allowed me to easily make adjustments to the EQ and sound levels as I saw fit, with said changes happening almost instantaneously. It’s worth trying out the app, but the Q990H also sounds great out of the box.

One quick note: Samsung advertises its new Samsung Sound app as the new control, though at the time of writing it doesn’t offer the full compatibility or support all the features of SmartThings, so you’re best sticking with the latter for now.

• Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: ValueSamsung Q990H soundbar FutureSamsung Q990H subwooferFutureSamsung Q990H rear speaker Future

• Great flagship performance and features
• Still a premium price
• Only minor upgrades over predecessor

The Q990H is undoubtedly at the premium end of the soundbar market. Priced at $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, it’s pricier than a lot of all-in-one options such as the Sonos Arc Ultra and Marshall Heston 120, as well as more budget surround sound models from the likes of JBL, Hisense and Ultimea.

Major rivals such as the JBL 1300MK2 are also available for less, with the 1300MK2 priced at $1,699 / £999 in the US and UK (it’s pricier in Australia at $AU2,299). That said, the 1300MK2 did launch several months ago, so its prices have had time to drop.

Still, the Q990H is a flagship soundbar that delivers phenomenal audio quality and comes with a ton of useful features, most prominently its HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming. Compared to said multi-box rivals, it’s also pretty fairly priced.

There is the small matter, however, of the Q990H’s predecessor, the Q990F, still being available. While the Q990H offers a couple of upgrades, the Q990F is still a fantastic soundbar in its own right, and at $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 it’s the better option right now. Once it disappears, though, the Q990H will make a worthy successor — and we’ll have hopefully seen some discounts by then.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q990H?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Great list of sound enhancing features, WI-Fi and Hi-res audio for music and 4K 120Hz for gaming

5 / 5

Performance

Detailed, powerful sound with faithful and accurate Dolby Atmos reproduction

5 / 5

Design

Compact subwoofer returns and feel sturdy, but design feels familiar and could do with a refresh

4 / 5

Setup & usability

Easy setup and usage with easier supplied remote or SmartThings app

4.5 / 5

Value

A premium experience with a price to match. Few upgrades over predecessor

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the full Dolby Atmos experience at home
The Q990H delivers a powerful, refined and immersive sound experience with authentic Dolby Atmos, bringing the cinema to your home

You want a soundbar to cover all the bases
With Hi-res audio support, Dolby Atmos and DTS: X and 4K 120Hz for gaming, the Q990H really does cover all the bases.

You want a compact but powerful subwoofer
Some subwoofers prioritise design over sound and vice versa. The Q990H's subwoofer does both: it's small enough to hide but without compromising on sound.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The Q990H is a fantastic soundbar, but it comes with a premium price tag. There are cheaper Atmos soundbars available.

You want an easy-to-read front display
The Q990H design hasn't been updated for a while, and the LED front display is still tricky to read.

You own the Samsung HW-Q990F
The Q990H introduces a couple of new features and refinements, but it's not dissimilar to last year's Q990F. View Deal

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Also consider

Samsung HW-Q990F

Samsung HW-Q990F

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Sonos Arc Ultra

Price (May 2026)

$1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999

$1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599

$1,699 / £999 / AU$2,299

Dimensions

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm

2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)

Speaker channels

11.1.4

11.1.4

11.1.4

9.1.4

Connections

Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes / Yes

Yes/No

Sub included

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Rear speakers included

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Samsung HW-Q990F (2025)
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the Q990H's predecessor, and was Samsung's first flagship model to use the compact subwoofer featured on the Q990H. It delivers very similar performance and features to the Q990H, and is currently cheaper. This is your best bet until the Q990H's prices start dropping.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990F review

JBL 1300Mk2
The JBL 1300Mk2 is an 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos system, the same as the Q990H. Its rear speakers are detachable from the front soundbar for easy storage, making it a neater system than the Q990H. While it is cheaper, it's lacking the 4K 120Hz passthrough the Q990H has, so if you want gaming features, the Q990H is your better option.

Read our full JBL 1300Mk2View Deal

Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbar that delivers great performance. It's better for music than the Q990H, but the Q990H has rear speakers and a subwoofer included as standard, whereas the Arc Ultra's are optional. If you want the best value, the Q990H is my pick.

Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

How I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H

• Tested with the Samsung S95F OLED TV
• Tested using different sources
• Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and stereo sound tested

I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H with the Samsung S95F OLED TV, which allowed me to test out the Q-Symphony feature, which employs the Samsung S95F's speakers in conjunction with the soundbar.

To test the Q990H soundbar, I used reference Dolby Atmos scenes that I also use to test TV speakers, namely The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick on 4K Blu-ray, and Star Wars: A New Hope for 4K streaming.

I used the Samsung SmartThings app to test out its sound features, including SpaceFit Sound Pro and Sound Elevation, as well as testing out its different sound presets.

I also tested the Samsung HW-Q990H's music capabilities using Dolby Atmos tracks such as Bad Bunny's BAILLE INoLVIDABLE, as well as stereo tracks such as Dir En Grey's Un Deux.

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

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Specifications

Component

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro

Price

£249.99

Dimension

44.5 x 40.8 x 9.5mm

Weight

30.4g without strap

Case/bezel

Titanium

Display

1.92-inch AMOLED, 489 x 408px

GPS

Dual-band L1 + L5, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS

Battery life

Up to 10 days

Connection

Bluetooth

Water resistance

Yes, 5ATM

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro: One minute review

(Image credit: Amanda Westberg)

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro looks quite similar to an Apple Watch Ultra 3, only slimmer, and I get the feeling that’s very much the idea. The same raised bump on the titanium shell protects the digital crown, and houses an additional side button. It’s the same shape as the Ultra 3, the screen is bright and colorful, and as you can see from the TikTok video embedded below in which I compare the two, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an Apple Watch at first glance.

However, just because Huawei’s stealing Apple’s lunch a little in the design stakes, that doesn’t mean this just a cheaper knockoff. Huawei has been making quality wearables with accurate metrics for ages now, and the Fit 5 Pro is another absolute win in my book.

It’s light and comfortable to wear, with the wide screen and slim design ensuring it sits flush and close to the wrist, like the Garmin Venu X1, making it perfect for more comfortable exercise, and not weighty or cumbersome to wear during sleep tracking. The tough ‘aerospace-grade’ titanium-alloy shell is a great get at this price, with the closest-priced Apple product, the Apple Watch SE 3, using aluminum, plastic and nylon. The whole aerospace thing is a bit of a gimmick, but titanium makes the whole package feel much more premium and stylish, and it looks as good as it feels.

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro battery is claimed to last up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, but with near-constant wear, multiple GPS workouts, and with the always-on display turned off, I got around six days during my testing. The LTPO AMOLED display is powerful, and nearly two inches wide with an adaptive 1-60hz refresh rate. In layman’s terms, it’s bright, smooth and powerful, and in such a thin smartwatch it’s a real battery sucker. Nevertheless, six days is still triple the usage I get from the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on a single charge, even though the latter is triple the price.

Like Apple, Huawei relies on its own walled-garden ecosystem, as a result of being a Chinese company and operating behind the ‘great firewall of China’, preventing its integration with apps like Google Maps, Spotify and others from major US tech companies, although it supports some select integrations like Strava and Komoot via the Huawei Health app. The AppGallery must be accessed from your phone’s internet browser and the apps downloaded from there, with no Play Store or App Store integration.

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro uses Chinese apps for its core functions, like Petal Maps for navigation instead of Google or Apple Maps, so to sync with your phone you’ll also start needing to use Petal as your primary map app. Lately, Huawei has been using the UK-based Curve digital wallet — this is good news, as it’s a feature that’s long eluded Huawei watches outside of China.

However, if you’re an Android or Apple user, your Google and Apple wallets don’t automatically work with your watch, although this is slightly less of a dealbreaker, as Garmin also uses a proprietary wallet system. WhatsApp can only be interacted with via notifications, not a dedicated WhatsApp interface. These pain points are not necessarily a dealbreaker for everyone, but it does make shelling out for the Fit 5 Pro in favour of the best Apple Watches or best Android watches that bit harder to swallow.

There are a bunch of interesting wellness features on the watch. Much was made at launch of the ‘mini-workouts’ feature, and there are 30 in total, for which you follow a cute panda avatar in stretching or light aerobic exercises lasting up to a couple of minutes, many of which you can do at your desk. These are targeted at specific body parts, used to correct posture or stretch your neck, spine, legs, or even face.

(Image credit: Future)

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro is built for fitness tracking, and it’s strong in this field. On a 5K test route around Paris, the Fit 5 Pro cleaved closely to the top-tier Garmin Fenix 8 Pro in terms of distance, pace and heart rate measurements, with just 1bpm between the different ‘average heart rate’ measurements. Having tested the Fenix 8 Pro against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor and being satisfied with its accuracy, I feel good about Huawei’s metrics here when compared to the Fenix 8 Pro, especially for its low price. I also tested it against the new Google Fitbit Air fitness tracker, which again recorded just a 1bpm difference in my average heart rate. Unfortunately, my Polar H10 heart rate monitor malfunctioned during testing, but I’ll update this review if any scores differentiate from a new device.

The Fit 5 Pro packs dual-band L1+L5 GPS, which supposedly means it’s more accurate when you’re among tall buildings. When I tested its GPS credentials against the Garmin, there was 30 meters between the estimations of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro; the Fenix 8 Pro thought I’d run 5.04km, while Huawei calculated 5.01km. A total of 30/5000+ meters is to me a reasonable statistical difference, as it’s a less than a 1% margin of error, and perfectly fine for most amateur athletes. Huawei’s TruSleep sleep-tracking and TruSense heart rate algorithms are industry standard, and there are more sports modes to choose from than you could ever need. It’s a strong fitness tracking choice.

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro offers good battery life, accurate tracking, and lots of nifty features — and those who want Apple Watch Ultra aesthetics and performance at a budget price are going to love it. But if you want a smartwatch that can handle apps, calls, notifications, directions and other convenience features, be prepared to jump through a few extra hoops thanks to Huawei’s walled garden.

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Price and availability

• £249.99 in the UK
• AU$249.99 in Australia
• Not available in the US

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro costs £249.99 in the UK and AU$299 in Australia. It’s unavailable in the US due to the ongoing ban on Huawei consumer electronics.

It’s very well- priced considering it’s packed with features and packs a durable, premium build, as watches with titanium bezels and sapphire glass usually tend to retail for a lot more.

If that’s still too dear for you, the Huawei Watch Fit 5 (aka the non-Pro version) starts at £159.99 in the UK from Huawei’s website, and around AU$225 in Australia at third-party outlets. Rather than titanium alloy, its case is made of softer recycled aluminum, and its design is more akin to an Apple Watch SE rather than the Ultra series.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Scorecard

(Image credit: Future)

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A really great price for this watch.

5/5

Design

It’s a great-looking and feeling watch, and the Huawei HarmonyOS software is intuitive.

4.5/5

Features

The lack of third-party app support is always a blow, but lots of sport stuff and (finally!) a digital wallet.

3/5

Performance

Fast, accurate tracking compared to the top-flight Fenix 8 Pro. Good battery life and an easy all-day wear.

4.5/5

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You’re on a budget

For the price of an Apple Watch SE 3, you get a far more hard-wearing and powerful fitness tool.

You’re an athlete

Love multi-discipline sports? Bounce between the gym and the pavement? You’ll love this watch.

You need a digital wallet

Huawei’s Curve Pay integration means you can stop for coffee after your run, even without a phone to hand.

Don't buy it if...

You need third-party apps

Want Spotify, WhatsApp, TrainingPeaks and other such integrations on-watch? Huawei’s limited AppGallery will make life more difficult for you.

You’re using an iPhone

Even though the Fit 5 Pro has a ton of great features, it’s hard to recommend for iPhone users — Apple makes setting up and using its watches absolutely seamless, and Huawei makes life harder by operating on a separate ecosystem.

Also consider...

Apple Watch Series 11

If you're on Apple, any of the Apple Watches should be a serious wearable consideration, but the middle-of-the-road Series 11 strikes a balance between premium and affordable.

Read our Apple Watch Series 11 review

Garmin Vivoactive 6

A powerful, affordable Garmin watch with serious staying power and loads of training credentials. If you don't mind the plastic body, this is a winner.

Read our Garmin Vivoactive 6 review

How I tested

I wore the Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro for around a week, draining the battery, sleeping with it on, and using it for exercise. I tested the micro-workouts feature, used the Emotional Wellbeing tools, and took the watch swimming, walking and running. To test its running metrics I compared it against the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch, Google Fitbit Air fitness tracker and Polar H10 heart rate monitor, wearing multiple devices on runs.

Backrooms is A24's new horror movie and one that I had been excited about for a long time. As someone who is obsessed with Kane Parsons' Backrooms YouTube series, I was intrigued to see how it would translate on the big screen. We had the chance to talk about Parsons' "fairly simple" story in an interview.

For me, it worked perfectly, but I do think it's important to acknowledge that I have been a fan of the very idea of Backrooms for a long time, which is why I stand behind my 5-star review. There are a few things that may be frustrating to newcomers, which I'll reference throughout.

First off, we need to talk about the sets. Backrooms is nothing without its iconic, empty, yellow location, and it was so exciting seeing it on this scale. It felt so vast and terrifying even in the early stages of exploration. But our introduction to them is my favorite part of the movie.

The movie wastes no time in throwing us straight in there with some grainy, shaky found footage. I firmly believe that this opening scene will go down in history with other horror greats, because it is the most anxiety-inducing few minutes as we follow a person trying to outrun a mysterious creature.

It's the instability of the found footage camera that makes this so tense. It whips around rapidly, makes jarring movements, and is a nightmare for anyone with motion sickness. Complete with shaky images, great sound design, and bizarre sets, this is an opener that sets the tone of the movie.

And then, it quietens down considerably. Backrooms turns into a slow burn after its tense opening sequence, something that may disappoint fans after it immediately gave us heart palpitations. But this gives us time to introduce us to Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his therapist, Dr Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), the movie's excellent central characters. There's also another stellar performance from Creep's Mark Duplass, in a role I won't spoil for you.

We learn about Clark's difficult past, especially with his ex-wife. As a furniture store owner and failed architect, his job perfectly mirrors the strange Backrooms he finds himself in, after he clips through a wall in his store and ends up surrounded by yellow walls and ominous buzzing from the lights above. At first, he finds it fascinating and attempts to map the place out so he can show Mary.

Unfortunately, Mary is skeptical when he shows up to his next session with a crudely drawn map. Clark insists he'll bring back proof, enlisting two of his employees to go into the Backrooms with him with a video camera, giving us enough time to brace ourselves for more creepy found footage.

Indeed, any scenes involving the shaky handheld camera are by far the scariest. I was glad that Backrooms leaned into that grainy, low-quality footage that makes these liminal spaces feel ten times worse. On the flip side, though, I was relieved the movie doesn't entirely rely on found footage, as that may have been too jarring.

This is the movie that long-time fans have been waiting for. It's a beautiful, eerie expansion on Parson's already impressive lore. Much praise has been given to him for his use of the 3D modelling software Blender, and he gets to showcase those talents here. He is currently A24's youngest director, too, but it certainly never feels amateurish.

Backrooms has some well-orchestrated jumps, but if you're expecting loads of them, it won't happen here. Much of the dread and horror comes from the camera either creeping towards something or moving around erratically, both of which are very effective.

The movie also stays true to A24's brand of creepy, slow burns. It works very well here, in my opinion, but there may not be enough to hold the attention of non-Backrooms enthusiasts. In my eyes, though, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Chuwi AuBox X 256V: 30-second review

Chuwi has crammed Intel's Lunar Lake platform into one of the smallest and most affordable packages, close in size to the original Intel NUC. The Intel 200 series processor is a serious proposition for anyone chasing efficient local AI compute, a punchy compact desktop replacement, or a whisper-quiet home server.

The 115 TOPS headline figure is not marketing fluff either. With the NPU, GPU, and CPU all pulling together, this machine genuinely handles Copilot+ workloads and lighter local LLM inference without breaking a sweat.

The price is the real story, though. At around $829 direct for the model with the Core Ultra 7 256V silicon, this is slightly more costly than a similar 1TB configuration from GMKtec while maintaining a similar physical footprint. Build quality is impressively high, and it comes with USB 4.0 ports, dual 2.5GbE LAN and dual monitor outputs.

The downsides of this design are that the 16GB of memory is not upgradable, the small size of the system doesn’t allow for a silent cooling system, and using the second USB4 port requires a docking station.

However, most high-end mini systems are transitioning to surface-mounted memory, and there aren’t many other options powerful enough for local LLMs.

Overall, if this system had been launched only a few months ago, it would have been cheaper and probably offered a 32GB option. But its price and specifications increasingly look like the new norm, and by definition, that’s a retrograde step from the systems that came out a year ago.

At a lower price, this might have been featured in our best mini PC guide, but that argument gets less compelling above $800.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $829/£612.87
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Currently, this machine can be obtained directly from Chuwi

Considering the specification, the price of the AuBox X 256V seems reasonable, but hardly a bargain - it's available direct from Chuwi here.

We’ve seen Intel 200 Series systems costing over $1000 on several occasions, so finding this one with the Core Ultra 7 256V chip directly from the makers for $829 is a small revelation.

The UK price is £612.87, and based on the current exchange rate, it is a little more expensive than in the USA. Euro pricing is €707.58, which is probably the most costly option.

At the time of writing, Chuwi has yet to release this hardware via online resellers, but they sell many products via Amazon, so its appearance on that channel is only a matter of time, I suspect.

For those wanting the same system style but at a lower price, Chuwi has a Core Ultra 5 225V model, just called the Chuwi AuBox X, that sells for $699/£516.76/€596.62. That design comes with the same 16GB of memory, but only 512GB of storage.

These are the only SKUs, and the maximum memory is only 16GB in either case.

The only competitor using the same processor series in a mini PC form factor is GMKtec NucBox K13, which is priced at $719.99 for a machine with the Core Ultra 7 256V and 1TB of storage. If you are willing to work with a 512GB drive, that price can be $669.99.

That makes the Chuwi AuBox X 256V seem overpriced, but there are subtle differences between these designs that might make the Chuwi system worth the extra money.

I suspect the price difference we are seeing is largely due to the dramatic increases in memory and storage costs that are affecting products currently in production. It may be that GMKtec finished making the K13 before these price hikes occurred, allowing them to undercut Chuwi in this instance.

What I don’t have a reason for is why only these two makers have built systems around this mobile silicon, because it seems well-suited to mini PC use.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Specs

Model:

AuBox 256V

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 8C/8T, P-core up to 4.8GHz, E-core up to 3.7GHz, 12MB cache

Architecture:

Lunar Lake (Series 2), TSMC N3B process

TDP:

8-37W (configurable)

iGPU:

Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe2 cores, up to 1.95GHz, XeSS / XeSS3 support

NPU:

Intel AI Boost NPU4, 47 TOPS, OpenVINO / DirectML / ONNX / WebNN

Total AI TOPS:

115 TOPS (INT8)

Memory:

16GB LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s, on-package (soldered)

Storage:

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD ZHITAI Ti600

Storage expansion:

2x M.2 2280 (up to 1x PCIe 5.0 + 1x PCIe 4.0)

Display outputs:

HDMI 2.1 FRL (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz), HDMI 2.1 TMDS (4K@60Hz), DP 1.4 via USB-C (4K@120Hz), USB4 (4K@144Hz)

Max resolution:

8K@60Hz

eGPU:

Yes, via USB4 (40Gbps)

USB

1x USB4 40Gbps (PD + DP), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0

Network

2.5GbE RJ45 (Intel), Wi-Fi 6E (up to 2.4Gbps), Bluetooth 5.3

Audio

3.5mm combo jack

Power

100W 20V / 5A USB-C

OS

Windows 11 Pro, multi-language

Dimensions

128.4 x 128.4 x 40.5mm

Weight

580g

Colour

Black

VESA mount

Yes, VESA 100

Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Design

• Mostly metal Mini PC
• USB ports on front and back
• Easy internal access

Mini PCs are not exactly celebrated for bold industrial design, and the AuBox X is no exception. Chuwi has kept things understated. The chassis is a compact black square measuring 128.4 x 128.4 x 40.5mm. That is smaller than the GMKtec NucBox K13, which runs to 186mm in length. The AuBox X is genuinely pocket-sized in the way that very few desktop-class machines manage.

At 580g, it is light enough to mount behind a monitor with the supplied VESA bracket, or it can happily live on the desktop, being so small.

Build quality is the area where Chuwi's budget DNA tends to show itself. The brand has a long history in the affordable tablet and laptop space, and its finish tolerances are better than some might expect.

While it isn’t engineered like an Asus NUC, it’s not cheap and plastic either.

The issue with a NUC this small was always going to be thermal design, and it is a genuine talking point here. Chuwi promises whisper-quiet operation, and the Core Ultra 7 256V is well suited to that ambition. With a configurable TDP range of 8 to 37W, the chip can run extremely cool under light loads.

However, when the processing load kicks in, the fan volume becomes much more noticeable. I noticed this on my desk, but if the system were behind a monitor, I suspect it would be much less apparent.

The port layout is generous, given the limited space on the front and back. Up front, you get two USB-A ports for everyday peripherals, plus one USB4 and the audio jack. On the back is the other USB4 port, but it is used by the external PSU to power the device.

Because of that choice, you will need a docking station to use both USB4 ports.

This might be a worthwhile purchase because each of the USB4 ports is rated at 40 Gbps, enabling them to support external SSDs, DisplayPort video, power delivery, and eGPU enclosures.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

One especially useful feature is that the two M.2 NVMe slots are both 2280-sized, enabling this machine to take the least expensive storage in the most common form factor. By default, one of these slots is already occupied with a 512GB module, and that is connected thermally to the metal case with a silicon thermal pad.

On the rear are four USB-A ports, with three being USB 3.2 Gen 2 and one being USB 2.0.

As it has a total of four Gen 2 ports, that means one on the front is, by definition, a Gen 1 port, although Chuwi failed to label any of the USB ports, and I deduced that by testing them all.

Curiously, all the other ports are labelled, including the dual HDMI and DP and 2.5GbE LAN port on the back. But as the makers used black lettering on a dark grey case, it's not like they are easily readable.

Networking is handled by a 2.5GbE Intel port alongside Wi-Fi 6E. At this price, 2.5GbE is expected, and I was a little surprised that we didn’t get two LAN ports. Users planning to use the AuBox X 256V as a home server or NAS companion will appreciate the faster wired throughput. You could easily add another 5GbE or even 10GbE LAN port using an adapter with a USB4 port.

Internal access is straightforward, requiring only four screws to get inside. Once open, you can access the two PCIe M.2 slots. According to the specification, one of these is Gen4 and the other is Gen5, but it isn’t clearly labelled whether the faster port is SSD1 or SSD2.

I suspect the Gen5 one is SSD1, but I don’t have a Gen5 drive to test that assertion. The default Gen 4 drive was inserted into SSD2 on the review hardware.

My only reservations about using a Gen5 drive in this system, and a larger-capacity Gen4 mechanism, are that no thermal pads are included to transfer heat from the drives to the case, and as a result, there might be a tendency for them to overheat.

• Design: 4 / 5

Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Features

• Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
• 16GB of LPDDR5X
• Local AI platform

,The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a Lunar Lake chip. Lunar Lake is Intel's second-generation Core Ultra platform, built on TSMC's 3nm N3B process. It is a genuine SoC design, meaning the CPU cores, iGPU, NPU, and memory all live on the same package. That architecture brings real efficiency gains, but it also brings a fixed memory ceiling. The 256V ships with 16GB LPDDR5X running at 8533 MT/s and there is no way to add more.

The chip packs 8 cores across two architectures. Four Lion Cove P-cores handle the heavy lifting, boosting to 4.8GHz. The remaining four Skymont E-cores top out at 3.7GHz and handle background tasks. In PassMark testing, the 256V scores around 19,500 in multi-core, which puts it ahead of the previous-generation Core Ultra 155U and competitive with AMD's Ryzen 7 8840HS despite drawing significantly less power.

Chuwi quotes the PassMark multi-core score as 19,547 on their product page. That puts it ahead of the Core Ultra 5 226V (Chuwi's own lower configuration) and the Ryzen 7 7840HS. It trails dedicated gaming and workstation chips, as you would expect from a 37W-maximum mobile platform.

The integrated Intel Arc 140V is the graphics story here. This is an Xe2 architecture iGPU with 8 compute units running at up to 1.95GHz. Chuwi positions performance as close to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, which is a stretch, but the Arc 140V is genuinely the best integrated graphics Intel has shipped.

It supports hardware ray tracing, XeSS upscaling, and XeSS3 Multi Frame Generation. For light gaming at 1080p on medium settings, it is a credible option. For serious gaming, the USB4 port opens the door to an external GPU, which transforms the proposition entirely.

The 16GB LPDDR5X is soldered onto the package. That is the nature of Lunar Lake. There is nothing Chuwi could have done differently. For most everyday tasks and Copilot+ AI workloads, 16GB is workable. For serious local LLM inference, particularly with larger quantised models above 7B parameters, the memory ceiling will bite.

A 7B model in Q4 quantisation sits around 4-5GB. A 13B model in the same format pushes past 8GB. Running either alongside Windows and supporting applications starts to feel cramped.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Storage is more flexible. The stock 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD gives ample room for the OS, applications, and a reasonable model library. The dual M.2 2280 slots are the important feature. One supports PCIe 5.0, which is genuinely forward-looking in a machine at this price. Users who want to load larger model libraries or run fast storage for video editing will appreciate the room to expand.

The headline AI figure is 115 TOPS combined. That breaks down to 47 TOPS from the dedicated NPU4, 64 TOPS from the Arc 140V GPU, and a small contribution from the CPU. The NPU4 supports OpenVINO, DirectML, ONNX Runtime, and WebNN. That breadth of framework support matters when you want to run models built for different ecosystems without converting them first.

The 47 TOPS NPU comfortably clears Microsoft's 40 TOPS threshold for Copilot+ certification. That means Recall, Cocreator, Click to Do, and real-time Live Captions all run natively on local hardware rather than bouncing to the cloud. For privacy-conscious users, that is a meaningful difference.

Chuwi specifically calls out OpenClaw support on the product page, which is a local AI agent framework for automation and scripting. It does not come pre-installed, but the hardware is fully capable of running it.

But, a short warning before doing that. OpenClaw isn’t classic AI; it’s an Agent, and therefore, to do clever things, it needs to use an AI to help it decide what to do with its problems. Using it with free AI services is extremely challenging, and even with paid-for AI services, it is possible to incur significant cost overruns given how many tokens OpenClaw can chew through.

• Features: 4 / 5

Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Performance

Mini PC

Chuwi AuBox X

GMKtec K13

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Cores/Threads

8C 8T

8C 8T

RAM

16GB LPDDR5X 8533

16GB LPDDR5

SSD

1TB ZHITAI Ti600

1TB Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E

Graphics

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

3DMark

WildLife

28538

22653

FireStrike

8456

7364

TimeSpy

4012

3413

S.Nomad

2809

1914

Cine24

Single

122

116

Multi

633

508

Ratio

5.17

4.39

GeekBench 6

Single

2796

2731

Multi

10566

9429

OpenCL

30397

25982

Vulkan

34962

26274

CrystalDisk

Read MB/s

6941

7132

Write MB/s

4900

6338

PCMark 10

Office

8657

7781

WEI

Score

8.8

8.6

The only system I could reasonably compare this to is the GMKtec K13, since they use the same underlying platform.

And, it was soon apparent that the one in the Chuwi AuBox X 256V has been tweaked to deliver more than its brother in the GMKtec K13. I should state that I no longer have the K13, and it may be that GMKtec released later firmware that would level this playing field.

On paper, the Core Ultra 7 256V is an impressive mobile chip that comfortably handles everyday productivity workloads. Office applications, browser-based tools, video calling, and light code compilation all run without hesitation. The P-cores deliver strong single-threaded performance for tasks that do not parallelise well.

Where the chip feels its mobile origins is under extended operations with sustained load. The 37W power cap means the machine eventually throttles when pushed hard for long periods. This is not unusual for Lunar Lake in any chassis, but it is worth testing thoroughly with the loan unit, particularly given Chuwi's compact cooling solution.

This is where the Chuwi AuBox X 256V earns a separate conversation. The mini PC market has split into two camps. There are machines built around AMD Strix Halo APUs with up to 128GB of unified memory, purpose-built for serious local LLM inference.

Then there is everything else. The AuBox X 256V sits in the second camp, which is marginally less impressive, but it sits there with more credibility than most.

The 16GB memory ceiling is the critical limitation. Running a 7B model in Q4_K_M quantisation via Ollama or LM Studio is perfectly manageable and produces usable inference speeds. The GPU can handle the computation while the NPU assists with preprocessing and tokenisation, conveniently.

I’ve not started including AI benchmarks yet, but it is clearly something we will be looking to add, since people are making purchasing decisions based on AI performance.

The picture changes if you factor in the USB4 port. Connecting an eGPU enclosure with 16GB or more of discrete VRAM immediately removes the memory constraint for GPU-side inference. An RTX 4060 Ti 16GB in an external enclosure, for example, turns the AuBox X 256V into a genuinely capable local AI server at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated workstation. That is not a common use case, but it is possible, and this hardware supports it natively.

For Copilot+ workloads, the story is straightforward. Windows Recall, Cocreator, and Live Captions all run on the NPU and iGPU without touching the cloud. The 47 TOPS NPU handles the classification and inference tasks that these features rely on. In practice, that means image recognition, real-time transcription, and on-screen summarisation all work locally, with the privacy benefits that implies.

Speech recognition and lightweight embedding models are well within reach. If you are running a local assistant, a RAG pipeline over a personal document library, or a code completion backend via Continue or Tabby, the AuBox X 256V has enough horsepower to make it feel responsive. It will not replace a machine with an RTX 4090 or 5090 for anything serious, but for a small home server running background AI tasks, it punches well above its price point.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Final verdict

(Image credit: Chuwi)

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a computer that was so well designed, was built around an excellent platform and had the potential to deliver such a good user experience.

It is a shame, therefore, that Chuwi then took such a solid foundation and let one extremely poor choice take away some of its shine.

Clearly, the person who said that 16GB of memory was plenty had no idea of the implications of that choice, or it was an entirely price-driven decision, where the cost of a 32GB or larger model was considered unworkable.

There is a potential workaround to the memory limits for AI users that involves adding an external GPU using USB4. But that’s an even greater expense to justify, and there are other Intel systems, like the Beelink GTi Ultra Series, that support an external GPU via an exposed PCIe slot.

These do cost a little more, starting at around $869 and requiring a PCIe dock that adds $179, but connecting a graphics card directly rather than via USB4 offers significant benefits. And, those systems come with 32GB of RAM onboard.

In its efforts to capture those with AI interests at the asking price, the Chuwi AuBox X 256V has a relatively narrow use case in that one area. But for more general use, it’s a punchy system that delivers enough performance to compete with traditional desktop systems.

Should you buy a Chuwi AuBox X 256V?

Value

More expensive than the CMKtec K13

3.5 / 5

Design

A small system that uses USB4 for power

4 / 5

Features

Powerful 200 series CPU, Arc GPU and Intel NPU, but only 16GB of RAM

4 / 5

Performance

Up to 25% quicker than the K13

4 / 5

Overall

A neat system that should have cost less or had more RAM options

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want power in a small package
This is an excellent choice if you want a compact, quiet desktop that handles everyday tasks and Copilot+ AI features without any cloud dependency. But this system is also ideal for a mini server, hardware firewall and a dozen other tasks.

You are dipping your toes into AI
For those experimenting with local LLMs at 7B to 13B parameter scales and want a capable, low-cost starting point, this system ticks those boxes.

Don't buy it if...

You need more than 16GB of RAM
As the memory in this system cannot be replaced, the 16GB of memory you get out of the box is as much as it will ever have. Whether for LLMs, video editing, or heavy virtualisation, the stock RAM is soldered and permanent, which might not fit with larger models. Any plan to run 30B+ parameter LLM models without an eGPU is made impractical with this memory amount.

You need a discrete GPU
If you want an external discrete GPU, then a machine with a PCIe slot, or OCuLink, and an OCuLink box would be a better choice. While it is possible to use USB4 for an eGPU, it doesn’t have the bandwidth that direct PCI Express or OCuLink offers.

Also Consider

GMKtec NucBox K13
A very similar design to the AuBox is built around the same platform, but slightly cheaper. It has a larger enclosure and a 5GbE LAN port. However, it has also been limited to 16GB of RAM with no memory upgrades being possible.

Check out our GMKtec NucBox K13 review

Minisforum UM790 Pro
A powerful AMD system using a Ryzen 9-class processor, supported by the Radeon 780M GPU. Targeted towards creatives and gamers, the expandable memory and dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs allow you to boost performance according to your requirements, with the standard version already delivering remarkable capabilities.

Check out our Minisforum UM790 Pro review

For more professional hardware, we've reviewed the best business computers.

Keurig K-Mini Mate: one-minute review

Keurig’s range of coffee makers is among the most popular available in the U.S., rivalling the likes of Nespresso and Ninja. Released in 2025, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is the brand’s smallest brewer to date, measuring just nine inches tall and four inches wide, with a modern matte design that’s available in four different colours.

While this coffee maker is the most compact in Keurig’s range, it still offers the same quality we’ve come to expect from the brand, delivering bold, flavorsome single-serve brews between 6oz and 12oz. The machine itself is effortless to use: you simply top up the water reservoir to your desired brew size, insert the K-Cup pod, and press the brew button.

(Image credit: Future)

We found the brewing process for a 12-oz cup took around 1 minute 40 seconds from start to finish, including heating time. Likewise, cleaning the machine requires minimal effort, with its removable parts straightforward to remove, handwash, and re-insert — there’s even a light to indicate when the brewer needs descaling.

Considering the K-Mini Mate’s $89.99 price tag, it offers exceptional value for your money, while its size makes it the perfect coffee-making companion for smaller spaces such as offices, dorm rooms, and kitchens with limited counter space.

(Image credit: Future)

Our only gripes with this brewer are that there is some splashback during the brewing process and some drippage afterwards, but these are more quirks to be aware of than major issues. A slightly more frustrating practical issue is that the 12oz water reservoir needs to be refilled with fresh water after each use.

However, overall, considering the quality of the K-Mini Mate’s design and performance, it offers exceptional value for its $89.99 price tag. Its size and reliability make it the perfect coffee-making companion for smaller spaces such as offices, dorm rooms, and kitchens with limited counter space.

Keurig K-Mini Mate: price and availability

• $89.99 from Keurig
• Regular discounts drop price to between $59.99 and $79.99
• Available at third-party retailers, including Target and Walmart
• Not available in the UK or Australia

Initially available exclusively at Target for $79.99, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is now available from third-party retailers and Keurig directly for between $79.99 and $89.99 (depending on whether a discount is available). However, Target regularly discounts the coffee maker even further, with the price dropping as low as $59.99. Unfortunately, the K-Mini Mate is not currently available in the U.K or Australia.

For that price tag, you’re getting excellent value for money. While this brewer may not offer the wealth of features some of the best coffee makers do, it is considerably more affordable than other top compact coffee makers, such as the De'Longhi Dedica Duo ($299.95 / £279.99) or the Philips Baristina ($449.99 / £299.99 / AU$599).

If you’re after a no-frills capsule (K-Cup pod) machine that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the K-Mini Mate, though if you want a larger water reservoir and a few more features — while sticking with the Keurig brand — and don’t mind spending a bit more, it’s worth considering the K-Mini Mate Plus ($109.99) or the K-Crema ($219.99). Keurig’s range of products, including the K-Mini Mate, is not currently available in the UK or Australia unless imported.

While the K-Mini Mate is technically a capsule coffee maker, it only uses K-Cup pods, Keurig’s own brand of capsules, which can be purchased directly from its website or third-party retailers like Amazon, with subscription services also available. A box of 24 pods from Keurig costs around $20 (with free delivery available for orders over $35), which works out around 80 cents a pod. However, bigger discounts are available on bigger boxes.

The variety of K-Cup brands and beverage options is pretty impressive, with pods available from Starbucks, Dunkin’, Green Mountain, McDonald's, and more. What’s more, at the time of writing, those who register their new machine with Keurig receive 50% off their next beverage order (valid for up to five boxes of K-Cup pods (conditions apply).

Keurig also offers 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: 5/5

Keurig K-Mini Mate: specifications

Type

Single-serve coffee maker

Color

Black, Red Rocks, Glamping Green, Pink Sands

Capsules

K-Cup pods

Brew pressure

Two options: Classic or Pressure

Brew sizes

6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz

Water reservoir capacity

12oz

Special features

Energy saver auto off function, high altitude setting, descale indicator, travel mug friendly

Smart control?

No

Dimensions (H x W x D)

9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches / 23.1 x 9.9 x 27.7cm

Dishwasher safe?

No

Keurig K-Mini Mate: design

• Compact and lightweight
• Four matte colors available
• Easy to clean
• Some drips and splashback
• Water reservoir needs refilled after each use

The Keurig K-Mini mate is the brand’s smallest brewer to date, measuring just 9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches (H x W x D). As such, it’s ideal for those with limited kitchen counter space or for those looking for a coffee maker for a smaller space, like a home office. The design is sleek and modern, with four matte colours available: Black, Glamping Green, Pink Sands, and Red Rocks — all of which retail for approximately the same price.

At the top of this slim coffee maker is a simple control panel, featuring a brew button (indicated by the Keurig ‘K’ logo) and a descale indicator light that turns on when your machine needs descaling. The top of the machine lifts open to reveal a removable K-Cup pod holder at the bottom and a single sharp needle at the top that punctures the K-Cup. At the front of the coffee maker, near the bottom, is a slot for the removable drip tray, which can be removed entirely to accommodate travel mugs.

(Image credit: Future)

At the back of the machine is a removable 12oz single-cup water reservoir, with markers for 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz. With no specific modes for different cup sizes, before making your beverage, simply fill the water reservoir to the line corresponding to the brew size you want. However, note that the water must be refilled with fresh water after each use due to its smaller capacity.

While the K-Mini Mate isn’t dishwasher-compatible, its removable parts can be easily handwashed, and its body wiped down with a cloth. Just be careful when wiping near the needle inside the machine, as it's extremely sharp. Likewise, there’s a smaller, less noticeable needle inside the K-Cup holder that you should be extra cautious with when hand-washing

(Image credit: Future)

Our only grievances with the K-Mini Mate’s design (which are our only main issues with the machine overall) were some splashback during the brewing process and a little bit of drippage after the process had finished. These are more frustrating quirks than deal breakers, but they’re worth being aware of if you have children in the house.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Keurig K-Mini Mate: performance

• Rich, flavorsome brews
• Brews 12oz cups in around one minute 40 seconds
• Effortless to use
• Not overly loud

Brewing a beverage with the Keurig K-Mate Mini is extremely straightforward. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible coffee makers we’ve ever used. The process simply requires you to fill the water reservoir to your desired capacity, open the top of the machine, insert your K-Cup pod, close the machine, and press the ‘K’ brew button. That’s it.

(Image credit: Future)

We conducted our testing with KPod Italian Decaffeinated pods (medium roast) and found the results impressive. Each brewed coffee was sufficiently hot, without being scalding, and packed with bold, rich flavor. 12oz coffees (the maximum size available) took around one minute and 40 seconds to brew from start to finish, including heating time, with the average sound level during operation registering between 63 and 65 decibels, about the volume of a conversation in a busy cafe, with most of that volume coming from the sound of the coffee hitting the liquid already in the cup.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

During our first test, we used what we thought was a sufficiently sized mug for a 12oz coffee (judging primarily by eye), but in actuality, it was probably a 10oz, which meant the 12oz brew filled it right up to the rim. In future testing, we made sure to use a larger mug size that allowed for the brew and the addition of milk. Our advice, then, is to choose a mug that is around two ounces larger than the brew you plan to make, especially if you plan to add syrups or milk to your beverage.

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Keurig K-Mini Mate?Keurig K-Mini Mate score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

This compact brewer offers excellent value for money, considering it offers a high quality of performance and design for less than $100.

5/5

Design

Keurig's smallest coffee maker is compact, modern, and available in four colours. It's perfect for smaller spaces, but brews can splash back during operation and the machine drips a bit following use.

4.5/5

Performance

The K-Mini Mate delivers the quality performance we'd expect from a Keurig coffee machine, delivering bold brews in under two minutes with ease.

5/5

Buy it if

You need a coffee maker for a small space

The K-Mini Mate is a compact coffee maker, measuring 9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches (H x W x D). As such, it's an ideal brewer for those with limited kitchen space or for smaller spaces, like dorm rooms or home offices.

You want a high-quality coffee maker for under $100

Finding a quality coffee maker for under $100 can sometimes be a feat, but at $89.99, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is definitely worth considering. It may not have the bells and whistles of other brewers, but it delivers high-quality results and performance. Plus, regular discounts — especially at Target — can see the price dropping to between $59.99 and $79.99.

You want cafe-quality coffee at home

The K-Crema uses K-Cup pods, and the variety of pods available is pretty impressive. Due to Keurig’s many partnerships, beverage pods are available from brands, including Dunkin’, Lipton, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Twinings, and more, allowing you to enjoy coffee shop drinks from the comfort of your home — while saving some cash.

Don't buy it if

You want a lot of modes and features

The K-Mini Mate is a no-frills single-use coffee maker. While its water reservoir offers various brew sizes and its Keurig’s K-Cup range includes a variety of beverages, the machine has no specific brewing modes and few special features. While this makes it straightforward to use, it may make it less suited to those who want extra bells and whistles, like milk frothing.

You don't want to refill the water reservoir after each use

Due to its 12oz capacity, the K-Mini Mate’s water reservoir needs to be refilled with fresh water after every brew. This could be frustrating for those who plan to use the machine to make multiple beverages in succession. If that’s you, then we recommend checking out the K-Mini mate Plus, which offers the same quality but with a larger water reservoir.

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

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

Keurig K-Mini Mate: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Keurig K-Mini Mate is the right coffee maker for you, here are two other options for you to consider.

Lavazza A Moda Mio Smeg

This stylish capsule coffee maker brews an exceptional espresso using Lavazza's A Moda Mio capsules, which are a lot more affordable than some other brands. The downside is that they're not as easily recyclable as Nespresso capsules or K-Cups.View Deal

Philips Baristina

If you want a coffee maker that's small and easy to use, but you don't want to be tied into using a certain type of capsule, the Baristina is the machine for you. It makes using fresh beans just as easy as pods, without the waste.

Read our full Philips Baristina reviewView Deal

There are bound to be many people reading this review and wondering why something that should have been covered a decade ago has resurfaced on our site.

And, it is true that Seagate launched the IronWolf 8TB model in 2016, hardware that is hardly considered current in 2026.

But this review isn’t covering the mechanism that Seagate launched then, the ST8000VN0022, thankfully. Instead, it is the one that came after that in 2019, the ST8000VN004.

For complete transparency, they released a newer option, the ST8000VN002, in 2021, but during my review, I’ll explain the differences and why you might want one over the other.

OK, I accept that this model has been around for 8 years, almost, but we’re exceptionally busy here at Tech Radar Pro, and we get to things eventually.

The fundamentals of the 8TB IronWolf have been remarkably stable across the past decade. Every generation has used CMR recording, which matters. IronWolf drives feature CMR technology and AgileArray firmware, ensuring smooth RAID performance, reduced vibration, and efficient power management. The 180TB per year workload rating, the RV sensors, the three-year warranty, and the bundled Rescue Data Recovery Services have all persisted as defining features of the consumer tier.

The EHA (European Hardware Awards) named the Seagate IronWolf portfolio Best Hard Drive for 2025, which suggests the brand has maintained its reputation well.

However, there is one significant blot on this landscape, and that’s the price increases that this drive, and others have experienced in the past six months.

An IronWolf 8TB costs about 95% more than it did in 2025, depending on the region it is sourced from, and prices still show an upward trend. Admittedly, this isn’t as bad as the price increases we’ve seen in memory and SSDs, where some items have quadrupled in cost, but it’s a shock to a market that expected cost reductions over time.

Is it the right time to buy Seagate IronWolf drives? That depends on how flexible you are about timescales, and if you believe that the AI crash is just around the corner or that the price pad today will be a fraction of where it might end up going. Whichever side of that line you fall, there was probably a better time that has since passed.

Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Price

You can’t get the ST8000VN004 on the Seagate site, but the company still makes it, and it can be found on Amazon (and other online retailers) for $299.99 on Amazon.com, or £283.94 on Amazon.co.uk. The price across the rest of Europe is €317 via Amazon.

To put that in perspective, in October of 2025, the same drive would cost you £145 in the UK, making it 95% more expensive in just a few months.

But Seagate’s competitors have pulled the same rug up under their customers, with the Western Digital 8TB WD Red Plus being $314.99, and the Toshiba N300 8TB NAS is close to $400.

The only cheap alternative I’ve seen is from a brand called MDD or MaxDigitalData, which sells an 8TB drive for $238.95, but I have no experience with this brand.

Excluding that option, Seagate is the cheapest option for 8TB 7200rpm NAS drives.

However, if we break down the current Seagate IronWolf drives, there is an important trend that we need to understand. As a side note, I’ve not included one of the 10TB models, since these don’t seem to be readily available at this time. All these prices are from Amazon, but you might get a better deal elsewhere.

Type

Capacity

Model

Dollar Cost

Per TB

IronWolf

4TB

ST4000VN006

$169.99

$42.50

8TB

ST8000VN004

$299.99

$37.50

10TB

ST10000VN0008

$399.00

$39.90

12TB

ST12000VN0008

$410.87

$34.24

14TB

ST14000VN0008

$541.75

$38.70

16TB

ST16000VN001

$579.99

$36.25

18TB

ST18000VN000

$744.45

$41.36

IronWolf Pro

4TB

ST4000NT001

$259.00

$64.75

8TB

ST8000NT001

$319.99

$40.00

12TB

ST12000NT001

$459.99

$38.33

16TB

ST16000NT001

$579.99

$36.25

20TB

ST20000NT001

$719.99

$36.00

24TB

ST24000NT002

$859.99

$35.83

28TB

ST28000NT000

$1,019.99

$36.43

32TB

ST32000NT000

$1,159.99

$36.25

As you can see, based on cost per TB, the most expensive IronWolf or IronWolf Pro are the 4TB capacities, and the sweet spot is the 12TB IronWolf. The 8TB IronWolf isn’t a bargain, but it's cheaper than the IronWolf Pro 8TB. Counterintuitively, the larger the drives get, up to 24TB, the cost goes down per TB.

Where things get weird is with the larger IronWolf models, as they approach their 18TB zenith. Due to poor availability, the 16TB IronWolf costs the same as the 16TB IronWolf Pro, and the 18TB model is actually more expensive.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Design

As a reviewer of hard drives for at least the past thirty years or more, one of the critical selling points that makers often highlighted was the number of platters and heads.

And some brands still detail this in their product overviews, but Seagate does not.

Part of this coyness is down to the maker wanting to change the number of platters in existing product lines without generating a user backlash.

However, as storage technology has advanced, which allows for greater data density on each platter, the makers can reduce cost (and increase profit) by reducing the number of platters but retaining the same total drive capacity.

Curiously, the 8TB IronWolf is a classic example of this in action.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The first version in 2016, the ST8000VN0022, had six platters and twelve heads, at roughly 1.33TB per platter. Then came the ST8000VN004 that replaced it, which I believe had five platters and ten heads, which works out to 1.6TB per platter.

And finally, in 2021, the ST8000VN002 arrived, and it is suspected that it has just four platters, making each 2TB.

Note that the N004 is a 7200 rpm drive, whereas the more recent N002 is a 5400 rpm unit. They both use CMR recording technology, have the same 256MB of cache, and have a 3-year warranty. But the N004 uses 7.8W of power in operation, where the N002 uses less than half of that at 3.4W.

The faster rotation speed does translate into some extra transfer speed, 210MB/s versus 202MB/s, but even in an array with up to eight disks, that extra performance still doesn’t justify the extra power consumption for a system running 24/7. And, since power generally turns into heat, a system using the N002 drives might run cooler, too.

Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Understanding the price hikes

(Image credit: Seagate)

As I mentioned at the start of this review, prices for all hard drives, not just NAS-specific ones, have increased in the past six months. Why is that?

• AI Data Centre Demands
• Supply Constraints
• Component Shortages
• Production priorities

Clearly, the biggest impact is being felt on those drives and drive types that are used in an AI data centre. Which is slightly odd, because while many companies have laid out ambitious plans to build massive gigawatt-consuming AI facilities, the number of these that have actually been built, or even broken ground, is remarkably small.

So, where did all the hard drives from the channel go? Mostly into warehousing, where they’re being held for the companies with the big plans. Some have gone into data archival solutions created by major cloud suppliers, expecting a huge increase in demand, but most are sitting waiting for AI to call them to action. For the drive makers, the idea that all this pre-sold stock might suddenly end up back in the channel if the AI bubble bursts must be a truly terrifying one.

While it doesn’t impact the 8TB model covered here, drives above this one, 10TB and up, are impacted by shortages in helium supply, which is necessary for high-capacity drives, and has hampered production output.

What has exacerbated the situation is that, wishing to cash in on the AI boom, drive makers have focused more heavily on the larger capacities, all of which need helium to work.

Prior to the AI era, there was a general transition underway from physical hard drives to SSDs. But since SSDs are now stupidly expensive, that has propelled system builders back towards the humble HDD, increasing demand.

Reacting to this, drive makers have focused on data centre, enterprise, and high-capacity consumer drives (IronWolf/EXOS), which are being prioritised, leading to shortages of general consumer models. And, in the context of the wider market, drives like the IronWolf 8TB are considered both business and consumer, further increasing demand for them.

In short, this is a perfect commercial storm in which market forces are aggressively driving prices, and the outlook is uncertain.

If it's ever been the right time to shop around, then this is it. Or, wait out the storm and hope that the AI bubble bursts and releases lots of stock into the market, forcing prices down.

For anyone working on a major NAS or server deployment in the near future, this news is not positive.

Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The IronWolf ST8000VN004 is a mature, well-understood drive at this point. The core technology is not new, but that is not necessarily a weakness. CMR reliability at 8TB is proven, the compatibility list with NAS vendors is extensive, and Seagate's IHM integration is now embedded across most major platforms, including Synology and QNAP.

For home users or small businesses, the IronWolf 8TB is an option, but its 12TB brother offers better value. If you specifically want 8TB drives, then use the 5400rpm ST8000VN002 instead. It’s technically a little slower, but it has half the power consumption, impacting the cost of ownership.

But there might be better alternatives with higher-capacity drives, where the overall spend on drives isn’t substantially different.

Let’s imagine we have a six-bay NAS, and the plan is to use RAID 5 with a hot-swap drive ready to handle any failure. Using 8TB drives that would give 24TB of usable space and would cost approximately $1800 in drive expenditure.

Switching to 12TB drives, getting 24TB of usable capacity under RAID 5 requires only three drives, and even with a hot spare available, you have two free bays and a total outlay of $1644. And, some additional savings could be made on the NAS, getting a four-bay model.

There is an argument that an array with five active drives will perform better than one with three, and it will. But many NAS use SSDs for caching, and unless you use 10GbE networking, the roughly 630MB/s that the 12TB drives can shift won’t seem slower than the 1000MB/s that the 8TB could transfer.

Internally, there might be a difference in transfers, but to LAN-connected users, the performance benefit of having more drives in the array isn’t apparent. There is also good logic that the more drives you have, the greater the statistical chance that one of them will fail, though smaller drives also lead to a faster rebuild in the event of a drive failure.

So would I buy the 8TB IronWolf? Neither model has a compelling argument at these price points. There is a better argument for the 12TB, or the Pro 12TB.

My concern is that because people are spending company money in many cases, they’ll just pay what drive makers are asking, encouraging them to make even fewer drives, forcing prices even higher. Eventually, the businesses currently reaping massive profits (like Samsung and Micron) will cook their golden goose completely, if they haven't already

For more top performers, we've tested out the best NAS drives you can get.