TechRadar Reviews

News

Reviews

Lepow TriScreen Pro review: This 27in 4K monitor with dual detachable 16in side screens is a space-saver for your desk
I was one of the first to test Sony's latest Inzone headset, and it sets a new standard for open-back gaming audio
Astell & Kern's off-shoot brand just dropped some of the best budget audiophile earbuds of the year — and you won't believe how cheap they are
I would ditch all my headphones in favor of these brilliant open earbuds' stacked feature set, were it not for one flaw...
UGreen NASync iDX6011 Pro NAS review: An AI-powered NAS combines workstation-class hardware with genuinely useful local AI

URL: https://www.techradar.com/rss/reviews

Updated: 2 hours 7 min ago

The incredibly cheap AGM Legion Pro is ideal for users who want a rugged Garmin-style watch for less than $100/£100

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 02:00

AGM Legion Pro: One minute review

The AGM Legion Pro is a budget-friendly, rugged outdoor smartwatch which competes with more expensive, adventure-focused rivals like those from Garmin or Suunto. It aims to do this by offering specs that typically belong to higher-end models, including military-grade durability, aluminum frame, and a Gorilla Glass-protected 1.43-inch AMOLED display.

The watch's performance is characterized by a significant trade-off between its impressive physical resilience and its unpolished user experience, which is a constant reminder of its low price tag. While the GPS is highly accurate once locked, matching the precision of the Suunto Race S, the process of starting an activity can be frustratingly slow.

Health tracking similarly lacks the finesse of its competitors. The optical sensors are reliable for heart rate accuracy at rest, but they cannot maintain the same level of precision during high-intensity exercise, frequently exhibiting a noticeable lag in capturing peak heart rate.

On a positive note, the physical durability of the Legion Pro is excellent; it withstood being plunged into water with zero performance issues and showed no damage from weeks of hard use, confirming its ability to outlast many other budget-tier alternatives.

One of the Legion Pro's most compelling features is its battery life. The 370 mAh cell provides outstanding endurance, lasting around 14 days with typical usage and dropping to a still-excellent 10 days with heavy usage that includes regular GPS tracking and Bluetooth calling.

The AGM Legion Pro is unlikely to be considered for our guide to the best smartwatches but might bulldoze its way onto our best cheap smartwatch list, if only for its rugged durability.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)AGM Legion Pro: Specifications

Component

AGM Legion Pro

Price

$99 USD / £99.98 UK / $149.99 AUS

Dimensions

48mm wide, 12.3mm thick

Weight

36g without strap

Case/bezel

Aluminum/Plastic

Display

1.43-inch AMOLED Screen, 60Hz refresh rate

GPS

GNSS and A-GPS

Battery life

Up to 10 days of heavy use, or 30+ days on standby.

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3

Water resistance

5 ATM and IP68

AGM Legion Pro: Price and availability

$99 USD / £99.98 UK / $149.99 AUS
Budget-friendly and affordable
More well-known brands compete well at this price point

At $99 / £99.98 / AU$149.99, the AGM Legion Pro is at the more affordable end of the smartwatch spectrum. Its biggest competitors are other budget-friendly and mid-range smartwatches, often with a focus on ruggedness or fitness, such as the Amazfit T-Rex series. For the money, AGM throw in both black and orange bands, which is a nice touch.

Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)AGM Legion Pro: Design

A rugged smartwatch with aluminum construction
A vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED display
Two strap options: black and neon orange

The AGM Legion Pro is a rugged outdoor smartwatch that is focused on durability. With an aluminum frame and solid plastic base, not only is the overall weight kept to a minimum, but it's also strong enough to withstand the knocks that inevitably come from exercising and exploring.

Its rugged aesthetic is backed up by meeting the MIL-STD-810H military standard for extreme conditions and its 5ATM water resistance rating, which makes it suitable for swimming and water sports up to 50 meters. It's shockproof, drop-proof, and highly resistant to dust and water.

Moving on to the display, AGM have opted for a vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED offering that serves up a high level of clarity and contrast while also delivering excellent visibility. I was also impressed by its 600 nits of brightness, which meant I had zero issues viewing the display, even in direct sunlight. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers 1,000 nits of brightness as a comparison, but it’s also more than double the price of this watch. To protect the display and cement its rugged status, the Legion Pro’s screen is shielded by ultra-tough Gorilla Glass, ensuring it can withstand significant scratches and impacts.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

The Legion Pro features two physical buttons, one of which is a programmable ‘hot key’ for instant access to a favorite function, like the best Garmin watches. This adds a layer of convenience when wearing gloves or when the touchscreen might be wet. The rotatable crown button is effortless to use and enables movement through menus at a predictable speed.

There are two strap options in every box, with the neon orange option being my favorite. The silicone material is ideal for versatility and resistance to sweat, but I did find an issue with the implementation of the buckle and hole. In my experience, the silicone was too rigid to make for a comfortable fit.

Design Score: 4/5

AGM Legion Pro: Features

A rugged smartwatch that delivers for outdoor enthusiasts
Built-in GPS and offline maps
Over 100 trackable activities

The Legion Pro is a genuinely tough smartwatch with a rugged durability that gives users the confidence that it can handle an adventure where other watches might fail. To put its rugged credentials to the test, I submerged it in water and was pleased that I didn’t encounter any performance issues as a result. I also experienced no issues with screen or case damage despite using the watch for a number of weeks and being far from careful about knocking it.

To complement its outdoor credentials, the watch features built-in GPS and offline maps. The combination makes it a perfect solution for accurate location and route tracking, especially when you don't have access to an internet connection. There’s also an integrated barometer, altimeter, and compass which enables users to find their exact position without a signal. I comment on its accuracy in more detail in the Performance section.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

The AGM Legion Pro has all the health features and activity tracking that you would expect from a smartphone of this price. This includes heart rate and sleep monitoring as well as dedicated swimming and golfing modes. In fact, there are over 100 trackable activities, which will be more than enough for most people.

Features Score: 4/5

AGM Legion Pro: Performance

Accurate GPS but slow to find a lock
Poor health tracking during intense exercise
14 days battery life with typical usage, dropping to 10 days with heavy usage

I didn't know what to expect when I received the AGM Legion Pro. I had already done my research and couldn't quite reconcile the low price tag with the impressive set of features. But after even just a short while of testing, it quickly became clear that this is a smartwatch that aims for the moon while lacking implementation finesse.

Take the GPS, for example. This proved to be as accurate as the Suunto Race S with only a small margin of error over a long distance, but unfortunately the experience of starting activities was a test of patience. Annoyingly, you can only have up to ten activities listed on the watch at any one time, which is far from ideal for anyone who takes part in a varied set of exercises. But maybe more frustrating were the delays that it took to acquire a GPS signal, sometimes taking around 10 minutes before it locks on. It's a clear trade-off: amazing results for the price once it gets going, but a noticeable hurdle getting out of the starting gate.

The story continues when it comes to health metrics. Comparing it to the reliable Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, I found no issues with heart rate accuracy when I was at rest. Unfortunately, its optical sensors couldn't maintain the same accuracy during high-intensity exercise. The feeling of my heart pounding in my chest was oftentimes only captured by the device after a distinct lag. I know it's not a smartwatch for serious runners, but the lack of real-time accuracy is a little disappointing.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

In terms of battery performance, the 370 mAh battery of the AGM Legion Pro lasted around 2 weeks with a typical level of usage. The testing period included constant health tracking, daily exercise tracking, and smart feature usage, including reading and responding to notifications. I found that the battery life dropped to nearer 10 days when I used GPS tracking and Bluetooth calling more regularly. No surprises there.

I was able to charge the smartwatch from empty to 50% in only 30 minutes, with a full charge taking 75 minutes. This was at a charging speed of 1W, which was the maximum that I was able to achieve using the supplied charging cable. The cable has a simple two-pronged attachment which magnetically connects to the back of the smartwatch. I found it to be fairly reliable, although not as secure a fit as the round attachment offered on the Suunto Race S.

Performance score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)AGM Legion Pro: Scorecard

Dyson's latest floor cleaner is a super-slim electric mop that got my hard floors sparkling in minutes

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 14:00

Dyson PencilWash: one-minute review

The Dyson PencilWash is a wet floor cleaner that’s a counterpart to the PencilVac launched last year. Unlike the PencilVac, the PencilWash isn't a vacuum. Instead, it’s essentially an electric mop with a soft roller that spins as water is dispensed onto it along eight points, and a squeegee that forces dirty water out of the roller into a storage tank.

It’s extremely slim and lightweight, with a long, slim handle and a full-size floorhead that’s almost identical to the one found on one of Dyson’s best wet-dry floor cleaners. It can soak up wet spills, wash away dried-on dirt, and pick up dust and dry debris in one sweep.

The PencilWash’s simple controls, lightweight and highly articulated head make it extremely easy to use, and almost effortless to maneuver around even tight corners, though its roller can’t reach right to the very edge of your baseboards.

The PencilWash is propelled by its large, fluffy microfiber roller, which spins to scrub your floors (Image credit: Future)

It’s very effective when used with plain water, collecting an impressive amount of dirt from surfaces that looked reasonably clean at first glance, though you can also use it with a cleaning fluid to help break down more stubborn and sticky stains.

It can be messy to empty because the dirty water tank doesn’t have a spout for clean pouring, and any debris that has accumulated on the squeegee and roller will need to be rinsed off or removed by hand. I found that the roller takes a long time to dry - even when I left it in a room with a dehumidifier running, it wasn’t completely dry for over a day.

The PencilWash's controls are very simple (Image credit: Future)

For me, the PencilWash’s biggest drawback is the price; the PencilWash only does wet cleaning, but costs almost as much as a good quality wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner like the Shark HydroVac Cordless WD201 / WD210 or the Bissell Crosswave HydroScrub. It does its job very well, but it’s tough to justify the expense for what is essentially a motorized mop unless you have no carpets or rugs to clean at all.

Dyson PencilWash: specs

Type

Cordless wet floor cleaner

Weight

4.85lbs / 2.2kg with water tank empty

Maximum run time

30 minutes

Clean water tank capacity

10.6oz / 300ml

Dirty water tank capacitty

11.4oz / 340ml

Dyson PencilWash: price and availability

Available globally
List price: $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549

The Dyson PencilWash is available globally for $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549, which is rather expensive for a wet floor cleaner without a vacuum. For comparison, the Bissell Crosswave HydroScrub wet/dry floor cleaner is $369.99 (about £280 / AU$540), while the Shark HydroVac Cordless WD201 / WD210 is $359.99 / £329.99 / AU$399.99.

It’s the most affordable Dyson floor cleaner you can buy right now, and you’re getting a great quality appliance that’s compact but powerful, so it’s a question of whether you have enough hard flooring in your home to justify the cost, or whether you’d be better served by a two-in-one cleaner.

Value score: 3.5/5

Dyson PencilWash: design

Super slim and lightweight
Full-size, fully articulated floorhead
Easy to operate

The PencilWash is a partner to Dyson’s super-slim vacuum cleaner, the PencilVac, with a similarly lean build. It consists of a slender copper-colored pole (which contains the rechargeable battery, controls, and a small LED display) and a full-size floorhead. This appears to be the same as the Submarine Wet Roller Head, which you'll also find on the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine.

The floorhead contains a large, fluffy microfiber roller, a refillable water tank, a ‘squeegee’ that forces dirty water out of the roller, and a tray that collects it. It’s easy to disassemble and slot back together, with all removable components colored red to make things as simple as possible. Unlike the PencilVac, however, the PencilWash has no LEDs to illuminate dirt on your floors.

The PencilWash is equipped with Dyson's Submarine Wet Roller Head (Image credit: Future)

The head is fully articulated and moves freely. It can be flattened to almost 180 degrees for cleaning under low pieces of furniture, and swivels smoothly to reach into awkward areas like behind furniture legs.

The PencilWash weighs 4.85lbs / 2.2kg without water, and feels nicely balanced with just 13.4oz / 380g in the hand. The water tank is in the floorhead, keeping the center of mass close to the ground.

The PencilWash comes with a charging stand, plus a clip-on tray for the floorhead (Image credit: Future)

The controls are simple and intuitive, too, with a power button and two boost options that dispense extra water for a certain period of time (five seconds or 30 seconds) if you need to tackle a particularly grimy area. The screen shows the current cleaning mode and power status.

The PencilWash comes with a charging stand, which holds the pole, and a tray to hold the floorhead when it’s not in use. Both are discrete and take up the bare minimum of space in small homes.

Design score: 4.5/5

Dyson PencilWash: performance

Cleans wet and dry dirt with ease
Can reach under low furniture and into tight spaces
Dirty water tank must be emptied with care

I tested the Dyson PencilWash in my apartment, which has black laminate flooring throughout the kitchen, hallway, and bathroom, which shows every water mark, crumb, and speck of dust.

Preparing the Pencilwash for use is simple; just remove the water tank and roller from the floorhead, fill the tank to the maximum line and twist it back into place, then dampen the roller with clean water and slide it onto its mount.

The floorhead contains the water tank, keeping the center of gravity close to the floor for stability (Image credit: Future)

When switched on, the PencilWash’s roller propels it forward, and the highly articulated head and lightweight handle make it effortless to push across your floors. Because the water tank is in the floorhead, most of the weight is kept close to the ground, keeping it stable and leaving the handle light and comfortable.

During my tests, I found that the PencilWash made light work of spills and dried-on dirt, such as spilled juice in the kitchen, and footprints in the hallway. Although you can use the PencilWash with a floor cleaner (such as Dyson’s own 02 Probiotic hard floor cleaning solution), I was impressed by how well it cleaned using nothing but plain water and agitation from the spinning roller, which is ideal if you have allergies that are exacerbated by cleaning products.

You can use the PencilWash with plain water or a floor cleaning solution (Image credit: Future)

Although the clean water tank appears small (it has a capacity of just 10.6oz / 300ml), the PencilWash is frugal with its use of water. A little goes a long way, and I was able to clean all my hard floors with the tank still mostly full at the end. If you’re cleaning a large home with hard flooring throughout, you’ll need to refill it partway through, but I was surprised by just how little water was required for thorough cleaning.

The floorhead’s articulation made it possible to clean even around the legs of my bathroom cabinet, which are particularly awkward. The head isn’t small, so I was surprised it was able to reach into such tight nooks and crannies. It’s a shame that the roller doesn’t get right up to the edge of baseboards, though. There’s a gap of around half an inch that goes unmopped, which is unfortunate since this area can be quite dusty.

The PencilWash is flexible enough to reach under low furniture and info awkward spaces (Image credit: Future)

I was also surprised by how well the microfiber roller picks up hair, dust, crumbs, and other dry debris, so you don’t need to vacuum before mopping. The downside is that dirt can accumulate on the roller and squeegee, and will have to be cleaned off by hand when you disassemble the head to empty the dirty water tray.

You need to be very careful when emptying out the dirty water, which involves disassembling the floor head and gently pouring the waste away. The tray isn't enclosed, so it's quite easy to accidentally spill.

You must be careful not to spill dirty water when emptying the PencilWash. It can scrub an impressive amount of dirt off floors that appear clean to the naked eye (Image credit: Future)

All the wet components can be cleaned with a mild antibacterial cleaner, after which you must leave them to dry out. I found that the roller took a particularly long time to dry, and even in a room with a dehumidifier running, it took over a day to dry out completely.

Overall, the PencilWash is very easy, and even fun to use — which is a surprising thing to say about a mop. It’s great for quickly refreshing hard floors mid-week, and for more thorough cleaning when necessary, thanks to its boost mode. If it could reach all the way up to my baseboards and was a little less messy to empty, it would have earned an extra half star.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Dyson PencilWash: should you buy it?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Dyson's cheapest floor cleaner, but you can get a good quality wet/dry cleaner from Shark or Bissell for the same price.

3.5/5

Design

Lightweight, simple to use, and flexible enough to reach into small spaces.

4.5/5

Performance

Comfortable in the hand and easy to use. Cleans wet and dry dirt well, but can be messy to empty.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You have a small home

The PencilWash is ideal for an apartment like mine with lots of hard flooring and limited space to store a floor cleaner.

You have pets or children

The Dyson PencilWash lets you tackle spills and stains quickly and easily, with its boost button providing a little extra cleaning power when you need it.

You have limited mobility in your hands

The PencilWash is very light to hold and takes virtually no effort to move around your floors.

Don't buy it if

You only need it for the kitchen and bathroom

This is an expensive cleaner for just two rooms. If your home is mostly carpeted, I'd recommend looking at two-in-one wet and dry cleaners instead.

You have unsealed wood floors

Wet cleaners are a no-go for unsealed floors.

Dyson PencilWash: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Dyson PencilWash is the right floor cleaner for you, here are two other options to consider:

Dyson PencilVac

The PencilVac is the broom to the PencilWash's mop, cleaning better than we would have thought possible considering its streamlined size.

Read our full Dyson PencilVac review

Bissell CrossWave HydroScrub

It's not as small and stylish as the PencilWash, but if you need a cleaner that can handle carpets as well as hard floors, this wet/dry model costs around the same and performs well across the board.

Read our full Bissell CrossWave HydroScrub review

How I tested the Dyson PencilWash

I tested the Dyson PencilWash for a week on laminate flooring, using the regular and boost modes. I tested it on ordinary everyday dust and dirt, as well as muddy footprints, dried-on juice, and milk. I cleaned it after each use, following Dyson's instructions, and allowed it to dry fully. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.

First reviewed April 2026.

Categories: Reviews

The Saros 20 is a predictably accomplished addition to Roborock's robot vacuum lineup, delivering all-round cleaning excellence

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 13:47

Roborock Saros 20: two-minute review

Roborock has raised the bar so high with its robot vacuums that it must be struggling to find new ways to improve, but the Saros 20 manages to do just that. It takes everything that was great about its predecessor — the Roborock Saros 10R; one of the best robot vacuums we've tested — and adds a couple of intriguing features on top.

While a lengthy feature list might be eye-catching, it needs to be in service of great cleaning power, and I'm pleased to report that Saros 20 doesn't disappoint on that front. In my tests, the bot delivered efficient vacuuming (I was especially impressed with its ability to pull pet hair from carpet), and was an equally capable mopper. Reliable and accurate navigation meant the cleaning coverage was always thorough, with the LiDAR puck-free design ensuring the bot was shallow enough to slide under low furniture with ease. Thanks to an extendable side sweeper and mop pad, room edges didn't get neglected, either.

Primary amongst the new additions on this robot vacuum is a 3.0 version of Roborock's 'AdaptiLift' chassis, which can now lift the bot over even taller steps, as well as enabling it to hover at exactly the right height for effective cleaning on chunky rugs and thick carpets. I could see clear evidence of this upgrade in action, with the Saros 20 adjusting itself as it made its way about in my tests. From a robovac's point of view, my home is relatively straightforward, but I suspect upgrade will really come into its own if you have thick rugs or especially tall room thresholds.

As is the standard with premium robovacs these days, the dock will take care of the vast majority of maintenance tasks for you — not only simple things like emptying the dust cup, but also washing (with hot water) and drying (with hot air) the mop pads, topping up water and dispensing detergent. It's so effective that the only thing I've had to do over around a month of use is refill the main water tank and empty out the dirty one.

New to this model is the fact that the jauntily named 'RockDock' will also dry off the internal dust bag, to stop things getting musty over time. I'm not sure this is essential, although if your bot will be tackling damp debris, it could be key to avoiding things getting pongy or unhygienic.

The Roborock Saros 20 is ultra-pricey, but that's no surprise given the amount of cutting-edge tech crammed in here, and the extensive feature list. Nor is the pricing out of whack with other brands' flagship models. If you want the best of the best, the Saros 20 should be in the mix. However, given the rate at which Roborock releases new models, I'd expect discounts to start to appear fairly quickly, so I'd still hang on a few months to avoid paying full whack.

That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Saros 20 review.

(Image credit: Future)Roborock Saros 20 review: price & availability

List price: $1,599.99 / £1,309 / AU$2,999
Available: Widely, including US, UK and AU
Launched: Announced Jan 2026, on sale from Feb 2026

The Roborock Saros 20 was unveiled at CES in January 2026, and first went on sale in various European countries from February, at a price of €1,499. As of late March, it's now also available in US, UK and Australia, at a list price of $1,599.99 / £1,309 / AU$2,999.

Regardless of where you live, this bot sits at the top of the premium price bracket. The high price is somewhat justified by the amount of cutting-edge tech crammed in here, the high build quality and the extensive feature list. This is one of the most capable robovacs on the market. However, some of the capabilities are nice-to-haves rather than essentials, and many people will be able to get away with paying less for a lower-specced machine, with very little compromise on performance.

It's also worth noting that Roborock releases new models at quite a rapid rate — the Saros is one of three new bots to be unveiled at CES — and as a result we tend to see prices dropping pretty quickly. If you're willing to be patient, you should be able to avoid paying full price on this model. In fact, at time of writing there's already an early bird deal that knocks off $210 in the US, and £180 off in the UK.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 20 specs

Max suction:

35,000Pa

Robot size:

13.8 x 13.9in / 35 x 35.3cm

Robot height:

3.14in / 7.98cm

Dock dimensions (W x D x H):

15 x 120.6 x 124 in / 38.1 x 47.5 x 48.8cm

Mop type:

D-shaped, Dual spinning discs, Roller

Max threshold clearance:

Double layer thresholds up to 1.77 + 1.57 in / 4.5 + 4cm)

Dust bin volume (base):

2.5L

Water tank volume:

4L (clean), 3.5L (dirty)

Base functions:

Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads, dry mop pads, self-clean

Roborock Saros 20 review: design

Chassis boosts the bot over thresholds and hovers it over thick carpet
Two spinning mop pads, one of which extends to clean edges
Dock takes care of most maintenance, including drying the dust bag

Roborock has honed its robot vacuum designs to near perfection over the years, and the Saros 10 is a feast of features picked from previous models, plus a few all-new additions.

The Roborock Saros 20 is an upgraded version of the excellent Roborock Saros 10R and has a sister model, the Saros 20 Sonic (itself an upgrade of the Saros 10). The headline new addition is that the AdaptiLift Chassis — essentially, the little feet that can raise the robovac up — has been upgraded to a 3.0 version, and gained some cool new capabilities in the process. As well as enabling the Saros 20 to vault itself over tall room thresholds, and lift itself out of the situation if it gets stuck, it has a further trick that makes it especially good at handling thick carpet.

The bot can assess the depth of the carpet or rug in front of it, and elevate itself to one of a selection of preset heights, where it will hover as it cleans. This theoretically means an efficient clean without the risk of getting bogged down in the fibers. It's suitable for pile up to 1.18in / 3cm.

(Image credit: Future)

One key point of difference between the Saros 20 and its Sonic sibling is the mopping setup. While the 20 Sonic has a single, D-shaped mop pad, the 20 has dual spinning discs. One can kick out to the side to mop close to the edges of rooms.

In fact, there's a whole clever lifting-and-lowering setup that can adjust to exactly what's going on under-bot. If the Saros 20 is tackling a mop-only task, its main roller will be elevated so floors get a thorough scrub without fine particles getting spread around or stuck in the roller. If tasked with just vacuuming, it'll leave its mop pads in its dock. And if it's on a mixed route, it can raise or lower its main roller and mops as required.

FutureFutureFuture

On the vacuuming front, you've got a roller that includes rubber fins and bristles, to agitate carpet fibers and sweep up debris from hard floor. It's split in the middle to help combat hair wrap, and the whole thing can be popped out from its casing for cleaning if required. This roller is supplemented by a side sweeper that can extend out to one side when the bot needs to sweep the edges of a room.

(Image credit: Future)

Another notable feature is the navigation system. The Saros 20 uses an upgraded version of 'StarSight', Roborock's own navigation technology that does not require a raised LiDAR puck to be positioned on top of the robot. This means it's shallow in profile, and as a result can sneak under relatively low furniture.

The object recognition has been improved, with Roborock promising recognition of over 200 common object types, as small as 0.8in / 2cm in height or width. In contrast, its Sonic sibling model uses more traditional LiDAR, but has a LiDAR puck that can raise or retract as required.

(Image credit: Future)

The jauntily named 'RockDock' clean station is the all-singing, all-dancing type that empties the bins, tops up the water tanks and washes and dries the mop pads for you. As is the current trend, Roborock has upped the cleaning temperatures to tackle grease and dirt more effectively: the mop pad cleaning water is 212°F / 100°C (i.e. boiling) and the drying air is 131°F / 55°C. Another added trick is that the dock will also dry its base and internal dust bag, apparently to lessen the risk of mold or odors.

Design score: 5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 20 review: performance

Although hesitant at first, AdaptiLift lifting works well on tall thresholds
Excellent at tackling pet hair on carpet
Even, full-coverage mopping and very good vacuuming too

To get started with my review, I set the Saros 20 up in my home and used it as my main vacuum for around three weeks. During this time, I scheduled regular cleans of different types, and observed the bot's capabilities. Having tested a number of Roborock robot vacuums now, I was expecting a straightforward setup process, and the Saros 20 didn't let me down.

Getting it hooked up to my WiFi was painless, and the speedy initial mapping run produced a map that was decently accurate, even if it did think my lounge was a 'sunroom' (what even is a sunroom?).

In general, it just trundled out and completed its scheduled cleaning tasks with no fuss. It never got lost or needed rescuing, and based on the data it almost always followed a logical route around each room, too.

(Image credit: Roborock / Future)

However, I did experience a few odd behaviors following more specific cleaning requests. Once, I sent it out to mop, but the mop pads were completely dry. Another time, I tasked it with a simple Zone clean, but rather than just cleaning the designated 1.5 square-meter area, it took a very convoluted, 20-minute sightseeing tour of my living room, stopping only when I instructed it to 'Return to dock'. However, in day-to-day use it proved reliable and behaved how I expected and wanted it to.

Vacuuming

After a couple of weeks of regular vacuuming with the Saros 20, I was impressed. It consistently did a thorough job on both carpets and hard flooring, and I didn't have any issues with clogging during self-empty, either — even though it was dealing with a decent amount of pet hair.

I also ran TechRadar's standard robot vacuum suction tests, using loose tea (to represent fine particles), dry oats (to represent chunky particles) and dog hair (self-explanatory). I tested pickup on both a mid-pile carpet and a tiled floor, and the results were very good.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

On carpet, almost all the oats were cleared in a couple of passes — with only a few being flicked out of my chosen cleaning zone — and the robovac made a very good attempt at clearing the tea, too (a purposefully very tricky task). On hard floor the results were equally strong, although it required a higher setting to tackle the finest dusty tea particles.

The Saros 20 handled oats at the edge of a room fairly well, but I did need to go in with a manual vacuum and a crevice tool to clear these completely. As with all robovacs I've tested, the side sweeper brush can only do so much, but this model's sweeper handled the challenge better than most.

FutureFutureFuture

I was most impressed with how well the Saros 20 handled dog hair on carpet. I rubbed a fistful of loose hair clippings into our living room floor, being sure to dig it right into the fibers. I then set the Saros 20 on a Zone clean using the maximum vacuum settings. After two passes only a fine layer of hair remained, and two more all-but cleared it all. That's an excellent result — typically, to clear pet hair you really need to get a manual vacuum out.

Mopping

In general use, the Saros 20 put in a seriously good shift when it came to mopping. The rotating mop pads did a stellar job of cleaning my tiled kitchen floor, covering the whole space evenly, removing marks and leaving a streak-free finish. It also reliably avoided mopping the thin, canvas rug, and I could see one of its pads popping out to one side as required to mop the edges of rooms.

To challenge the robovac further, I dribbled soy sauce and smeared honey on the tiled kitchen floor, then sent it out on a two-pass zone clean. It smeared the soy sauce about a bit on the first pass, then cleared it more effectively on the second. The honey put up more of a fight, and while the two passes did remove some of this sticky substance, I still needed to go in with a cloth to clear the remainder.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

That's not a surprise — no matter what the marketing materials would have you believe, no robot vacuum can match a damp cloth and a bit of elbow grease when it comes to cleaning hard floors.

Note too that this style of mop pad isn't a particularly choice for sticky or messy spills. The pads are only being cleaned when the bot returns to its dock, so to a certain extent the bot can only really smear the spillage around. (Roller mops, which are fed with clean water and the dirt scraped off as they go, tend to deliver more of a thorough mop. Although that mop style has its own down-sides, which I won't get into here.)

The Saros 20 reliably dropped off its mop pads in the dock when embarking on a vacuum-only run, but I was surprised — given the precise lifting/lowering setup this robovac has — that the rotating side brush didn't lift when mopping, even though the bot was on a mop-only pass. It pained me to see those spindly fibers spinning their way towards a puddle of soy sauce, and knowing they wouldn't be cleaned during the mop pad washing process.

Navigation & object avoidance

The Saros 20 performed well on my object avoidance task, skirting carefully around a shoe and pausing to judge the gap between two objects before slowly making its way between them. The performance here wasn't perfect — some things got pushed around when they should have been avoided, and as with every robot vacuum I've used, the Saros 20 couldn't resist chowing down on a cable or two — but it's good enough that I'd still recommend this bot for use in a fairly cluttered home.

I was especially interested in the advanced 'AdaptiLift' features, designed for use on thick carpet and for crossing tall thresholds. There was clear evidence that something was happening; on several occasions I could see the bot lifting and lowering in response to its surroundings. Although hesitant at first, the Saros 20 also learned how to cross the chunky room threshold between our wood laminate hall and carpeted living room, by backing up, raising its body up at the front, and approaching at speed.

Dock

The dock cleaning features are very impressive. After mopping the honey and soy sauce mess I expected to need to remove the mop pads and wash them manually, but after the self-clean cycle was complete they looked (and smelled) good as new, and with no stickiness to the touch, either.

I also had no issues with the self-empty mechanism jamming, as can happen when a robot vacuum has gobbled up too much pet hair. The automatic cleaning fluid dispensing is useful, and in general the dock just takes care of a good chunk of the maintenance so you just don't have to think about it.

I'm yet to make my mind up on the self-drying feature. The dock emits a humming noise while this is going on, and while it's not loud it is understandably noisier than a dock that doesn't have this mode. I've never had problems with a dock getting musty or clogging due to dampness, but that's not to say this drying feature isn't doing good things for my robot vacuum setup hygiene.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 20 review: app

Oodles of control options
Fairly easy to navigate, with a few exceptions
Perhaps a little overwhelming for newcomers

As a seasoned robot vacuum tester, I'm generally a fan of the Roborock app. It offers plenty of control options, is pretty logical in layout, and I've never had any issues with bugs, glitches, or sloppy mistranslations. However, the sheer volume of information that Roborock is wrangling here means things can get a little overwhelming.

(Image credit: Roborock / Future)

There are a few sections I feel could be streamlined, and I can imagine that a newcomer who's not especially tech-savvy could have problems making sense of it all. Thankfully, the presets and 'smart' options mean even if you haven't dug into all the various settings, you can still achieve some very decent cleaning.

App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Saros 20?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Expensive, but justified by all the tech crammed in — plus deals will start appearing soon.

3.5 / 5

Design

Low-profile, high-quality bot packed with useful features including a chassis that enables the bot to hover over thick carpet, and a dock that can dry itself to prevent mold and odors.

5 / 5

Performance

Strong vacuuming and very good mopping. Occasional odd behaviors, but very reliable in daily use. AdaptiLift innovation works well.

4.5 / 5

App

Well laid out and relatively intuitive given the sheer number of control options.

4 / 5

How I tested the Roborock Saros 20

I used the Saros 20 as my main robot vacuum for around a month, during which time it followed a set cleaning schedule of mopping and vacuuming. During this time I got a feel for its cleaning capabilities as well as any failings. I also ran a series of standardized cleaning tests to get a more objective view of its position in the wider market. These included testing the vacuuming powers on carpet and hard floor, and with fine and chunky particles as well as dog hair. To test mopping, I used honey and soy sauce, and for object avoidance I laid out an obstacle course for it to make its way around.

I compared my findings to the many other robot vacuums I've tested, and weighed everything up against the price to ascertain if it offers strong value for money.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

First reviewed March 2026

Categories: Reviews

The Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro delivers orderly autonomous mowing with impressive navigation accuracy

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 12:31

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: two-minute review

I have been exceedingly impressed with the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro and consider it one of the most sophisticated mid-range robot mowers in a marketplace positively rammed with wire-free models of all shapes and sizes.

Like many new mowbots in 2026, this one combines advanced LiDAR, Net RTK satellite data via Wi-Fi and 4G, and an array of vision cameras for highly accurate and reliable navigation even under trees or in complex gardens. Its three-wheel traction, meanwhile, helps it cope with slopes of up to 55% and most uneven terrain.

While the Navimow i210E's modest 22cm cutting width is no match for the much wider Mammotion LUBA 3, its logical mowing pattern produces a neatly striped finish across lawns of up to 1,000m² in area, albeit with recharge cycles mid-cut when tackling larger areas in excess of around 165m². Its onboard geo-location security system with alarm and notifications is an especially welcome addition.

The Navimow i210E's obstacle detection is capable of recognising most garden objects, pets, children and obstacles the size of a small rubber ball so you can feel confident it won't run slipshod over everything. Extremely quiet running and mostly intuitive app control further enhance its day-to-day usability, making this bot a particularly appealing choice for those seeking reliable lawn care with minimal intervention and zero noise pollution.

However, the Navimow i210E's premium tech inevitably raises the price, and some simpler gardens may not fully benefit from its sophisticated mapping and terrain capability.

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: price & availability

How much does it cost? £1,399 / $1,399
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? UK, Europe and USA

Availability of the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro is steadily improving across the UK, with the model starting to appear at authorized specialist dealers and selected online retailers. At the moment, you can purchase the Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro direct from Segway for £1,399 and Cheap Mowers or Mow With Us, where it sells for the same price. In Europe, the same model sells for €1,599.

In the USA, this model is called the Navimow i2 AWD where it is available in two variants: the i206 AWD ($999) with a maximum coverage of 0.15 acre and the i210 AWD, with a max coverage of 0.25 acre. You can purchase it direct from Navimow USA.

As part of Segway’s newer iSeries line-up, the LiDAR Pro variant sits towards the premium end of the mid-range category, reflecting its sophisticated navigation technology and all-wheel-drive capability. Some retailers may occasionally list slightly lower prices for closely related i210E variants, but the full LiDAR Pro AWD specification generally commands a higher premium due to its enhanced mapping accuracy and rough terrain handling.

Compared with other flagship robotic mowers that often exceed £1,600 and even £2,000, the i210E LiDAR Pro occupies a sensible middle ground, offering advanced positioning technology without reaching eye-watering price territory.

For buyers prioritising neat, methodical cutting and cable-free installation, I feel the price of the i210E feels competitive though at the expense of a narrower, standardized 22cm cutting deck.

Value score: 4 out of 5

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: specs

Max lawn size

1,000㎡

Mowing area per charge

195m²

Navigation

LiDAR + NetRTK + Vision

Antennae installation

Not required

Cutting deck width

22cm (1 x disc; 6 blades)

Cutting height adjustment

20-70mm, motorized

Drivetrain

3-wheel drive

Maximum climbing ability

55% (29°)

Maximum zones

20 zones

Drop-and-mow ability

Yes

Obstacle avoidance

VisionFence (140° RGB Camera + LiDAR)

Connectivity

Wi-fi, Bluetooth & 4G (1 year free data)

Security

GPS tracking, 4G, lift alarm, Apple ‘Find My’

Noise

59dB

Waterproof

IP66

Rain sensor

Yes

Mow time per charge

75 mins

Charging time

90 mins

Weight

17.35kgs

Dimensions

655.5 × 445 × 289.7mm

Product code

Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: design

Three-way navigation, including LiDAR
All-wheel drive
Recharges quite frequently

I'm a committed fan of robot mowers that don't require having a boundary wire pegged into the lawn. In fact, I see no point in wired models at all and would advise avoiding that old-fashioned tech and embracing a wire-free model like this new Segway or indeed any other model equipped with sophisticated navigation technology. Many are now available for under £700 and you can bet that prices will come down even further over the next year or two.

Most robotic lawn mower manufacturers have adopted a simple rectangular shaped design for their bots and the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro is no different. In fact, it's quite difficult to tell it apart from the Anthbot Genie, Mammotion Yuka and Ecovacs Goat. On the plus side, the Navimow's outer shell feels robust enough to withstand regular knocks from boundary edges and garden obstacles, while its IP66 weather sealing provides good protection against rain.

(Image credit: Future)

The Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro is a top choice for lawn sizes up to 1,000m² or a combination of that figure if you have several lawn spaces – up to 20 zones in this instance. However, this 1,000m² figure applies to a full 24-hour cutting period with recharge cycles in between. Hence, if you have a lawn that is over, say, 165m² in area and you have selected the slower 'Precision Mowing' setting in the Navimow app, the i210E may not be able to complete the task on a single charge. I know this because my lawn is 170m² and twice now it has headed back for an 80-minute top-up charge with just 4% of the lawn left to do, and with 15% of battery in the tank. If you'd rather your similarly-sized lawn was cut on a single charge every time, I would suggest the Navimow i220E LiDAR Pro instead, which is good for lawn areas of up to 2,000m².

The reason for this seemingly inflated measurement is that a robot mower's cutting area is measured as a total capacity over a given time period – in this case a single day rather than all at once — by calculating its efficiency per hour and factoring in charging cycles. Many manufacturers usually define the working area capacity by assuming that the robot will operate continuously — mowing, recharging and returning to mow — to maintain a maximum surface area. Yes, it's confusing but that's how the cookie crumbles. You can easily check your lawn size by visiting the Stiga website and using its simple click-and-drag tool to measure the size of your sward.

(Image credit: Future)

The Navimow i210E is equipped with three types of navigation — LiDAR, Network RTK and camera vision — that combine to form Segway's proprietary EFLS (Exact Fusion Location System) positioning tech. This clever combo allows the Navimow to negotiate narrow pathways, avoid obstacles and flowered borders, and mow under trees or even at night.

For the uninitiated, LiDAR is a form of navigation system that fires laser pulses ahead of the bot's progress, creating detailed 3D representations of the environment. Network RTK (Real-Time Kinematic), meanwhile, is a satellite navigation technique that provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy by using a network of online reference stations. Since Network RTK is Wi-Fi based, there is no need to have a satellite antennae spiked into the lawn, though you will need a Wi-Fi or 4G signal for the entire lawn space (Segway offers one-year of free 4G cellular data). The final part of this triple fusion navigation tech is something called VisionFence and it comprises a 140° RGB camera along with LiDAR to keep track of objects as small as a tennis ball and ensure that they're avoided.

Since there are just three main parts in the package — the mower, its charging dock and a longer-than-average power cable for the dock — I found this model amazingly easy to set up. You have two methods of initial lawn mapping at your fingertips – auto or manual. I used the manual mapping method of steering the bot around the perimeter like an RC car because my lawn has some rough borders with a few earthy bits. However, if your borders are neat and tidy, use the auto-map method instead. Mind, I will add that its single motorized front wheel isn’t as easy to steer as the LUBA range which comes with two front wheels so you’ll need to take it slow – which is always the best method when mapping anyway.

(Image credit: Future)

This model's AWD drivetrain is comprised of two heavily treaded rear wheels and the aforementioned single motorized front wheel that does most of the steering. Plenty of grip, in other words, for the i210E to tackle most rough ground and scale gradients of up to 55% (29°) – most standard robot mowers can only handle gradients of between 25% and 45%. Furthermore, Segway’s Xero-Turn system allows the machine to pivot smoothly without damaging turf and that's a big bonus if your lawn has lots of shaded areas where grass is thinner or less established.

The Navimow i210E features a fast-spinning 22cm cutting disc equipped with six razor-like blades — three more than most — that slice through grass like a fine pair of scissors. As long as you set a bi-weekly schedule, you should see no evidence of grass cuttings littering the lawn. In fact, this mulching technique is very good for the lawn because, as the cuttings decay they release nitrogen which helps keep the lawn in tip-top condition.

Thankfully the i210E's cutting height — 20mm to 70mm in 5mm increments — is motorized and easily changed using the Navimow app. And don't worry about it cutting in the rain because the unit's rain sensor will cause the robot to return to the dock for a few hours until it thinks the lawn has dried.

I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of robot mowers with small 20-22cm cutting decks because a) they take longer to complete a cutting task and b) the pseudo stripes they leave in their wake are overly slim and don't look quite as authentic as those made using a 40cm model like the Mammotion LUBA 3.

The Mammotion LUBA 3 (left) has a wider cutting deck that makes more authentic lookig stripes than the Navimow (Image credit: Future)

Also, as is the case with many models at the moment, the Navimow i210E's spinning cutting disc is centrally positioned with a gap of three inches on either side and that means it leaves a three-inch gap of uncut grass alongside solid borders which you will need to tidy up with a grass trimmer. Thankfully, pathways that are flush with the lawn are no issue because you can map the lawn to include part of the pathway so the mower straddles both when working.

I'll leave final words of praise to this model's exceptional security measures. To start with, the robot itself is indelibly linked to the user's Wi-Fi, email account and four-number pin code, rendering it useless to any prospective thieves. But more than that, it is also equipped with GPS tracking and a loud 'whoop whoop whoop' alarm that sounds the moment the bot is lifted or tilted — and the only way to stop the racket is by inserting the pin code on the machine or in the app. A notification is also sent the moment the robot leaves its working area. Perhaps best of all, this model's GPS tracking is linked to Apple's excellent 'Find My' app for extra reassurance.

Design score: 4/5

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: performance

Reliable and easy to use
Great cutting performance
Ability to work on rougher terrain

I've been exceedingly impressed by this model's cutting quality and its ability to create perfectly straight lawn stripes. In fact, I’d argue that the current enthusiasm for wire-free robotic mowers is driven just as much by their precise, systematic cutting patterns as by the welcome freedom from burying a silly perimeter wire around the lawn. The fact that they can be operated using an app and be scheduled to run regular bi-weekly cutting sessions while one gets on with other things in life is the icing on the cake.

One thing I've noticed with all the wire-free robot mowers I've reviewed is that their first cutting session always seems to follow the longest dimension of my south-facing rectangular lawn. At first I thought they were following a compass-based system from north to south but now I'm thinking that they simply choose their initial cutting direction based on the shape of the map that was created when first unboxing.

(Image credit: Future)

Hence, like every other bot I've tested, this model set off in the direction of my lawn's longest dimension, which is the way I want to view the lovely stripes they make when looking from the patio doors. Fear not if your lawn is a completely different shape or angle because you can change this mower's cutting direction in the app, albeit with some frustration.

In my tests, the Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro has always cut the perimeter of the lawn first, starting a good eight inches from where I originally mapped the borders. It has then worked its way outwards for each subsequent pass. Crucially, it has never once veered off course into the rhododendrons. In fact it has followed the exact path of my original mapped route with centimeter accuracy, even performing the same sharp turns I made when manually mapping the lawn using the app's virtual joysticks. Very impressive. However, as expected, some of my borders will need tackling with the grass trimmer, which is par for the course with lawn mowers of every kind.

(Image credit: Future)

After it has finished the perimeter, the i210E has mysteriously started cutting the main part of my lawn from the center to one side before heading over to the other side to complete the task. Mind, this is of no consequence because everything has always been perfectly cut by the end of its working session.

I haven't experienced any issues with the Navimow i210E's obstacle avoidance and tested it with a dog toy that I knew it would circumvent and a small rubber ball that I expected it to annihilate. Well it evaded both with self-assured coolness by turning around and going in the opposite direction before eventually returning to the same area to mow the strip on the other side of the obstacle. No, I still wouldn't trust this robot mower — or any other — to avoid dog mess, so pet owners will need to perform regular cleanups unless they want mashed turd all over the robot's wheels. Lovely.

The Navimow neatly avoided unexpected obstacles including a small rubber ball and a dog toy (Image credit: Future)

As pointed out earlier, the Navimow i210E doesn’t quite finish my 170m² lawn on a single charge and has always had to return to its charging base with just 4% of lawn area remaining. Which just goes to show that even though this model is good for 1,000m², it could take several re-charging sessions to complete a full task if the lawn's total area is at or beyond the mower's stated maximum work-space capacity. This is especially pertinent if you plan to use the Navimow on several different lawns — it can mow up to 20 zones in turn by following a preset route from one lawn to the next — so bear this in mind when making your final decision.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro: Navimow app

Clean interface
Not especially comprehensive
Could do with some tweaks

The Segway Navimow app's interface feels clean and modern, placing the most useful controls — scheduling, zone editing and cutting height adjustments – exactly where you’d expect them. Particularly pleasing is the way the app presents the lawn map, with crisp visual boundaries that make it easy to refine mowing areas or create no-go zones around flowerbeds and furniture. You can view this map with or without illustrated terrain.

While there is a pleasing absence of clutter in the Navimow app, I personally miss some of the deeper customisation possibilities that the Mammotion app provides. I have also been a bit confused by some of its elements, especially the mowing direction feature.

FutureFutureFuture

With other apps you're able to see superimposed stripes on the map that delineate the direction of the cut, which you can alter by touching and swivelling two fingers on the screen. However, in this app you're shown a superimposed multi-point compass-like image with the letters A to F for each one of its 12 different points — very confusing. In fact, for my first attempt at changing the cutting angle, I inadvertently tasked the mower with cutting the lawn in 12 different directions before hastily stopping it and selecting just one path, in my case from D to D for a north-to-south cut.

Despite this particular route direction anomaly, I think the Navimow app complements the hardware very well, offering an experience that feels mostly polished, practical and relatively easy to navigate. Crucially, connectivity has proved dependable in day-to-day use, while firmware updates have arrived without any dramas attached.

App functionality score: 4/5

Should you buy the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

Premium navigation, good terrain ability and genuinely useful wire-free convenience make the price feel fairly justified for smaller, complex landscapes

4/5

Design

Sleek, purposeful design with triple fusion navigation and robust AWD that feels durable and reassuringly premium

4/5

Performance

Precise, systematic mowing with confident slope capability, strong obstacle detection and neat results with minimal supervision

4.5/5

App functionality

Clean and mostly intuitive, the Navimow app makes mapping and scheduling pretty straightforward. But it's not perfect

4/5

Average rating

4/5

Buy it if

You want true wire-free setup

Instead of a perimeter cable, this mower uses LiDAR and RTK mapping, making installation a doddle

Your garden is a bit wayward

The Navimow i210E can handle gradients of up to 55% (29°), making it suitable for uneven or complex lawns

You value silence on a Sunday morning

You will never hear this mower working, even from a few meters away

Don't buy it if

Your lawn has a very simple layout

The AWD drivetrain and advanced sensor suite may be unnecessary if your lawn is flat, unobstructed and under 1,000m²

Your lawn is field-like with steep gradients

A three-wheeled model like this will likely struggle, especially on very gnarly terrain

You don't want any highfalutin tech

While the Navimow is very easy to set up and use, if you're a complete technophobe without a smartphone, perhaps stick to a conventional mower

How I tested the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro

While my lawn has a simple layout, my garden is surrounded by tall shrubs and humongous trees that produce a lot of shady areas where a mowbot might struggle. I set up the Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro's charging station in the usual place under a tall-standing beech tree, mapped my lawn manually and watched it work while I wrote much of this review under a parasol on the patio.

I checked its straight-line accuracy, how well it tackled the borders and, crucially, how efficiently it cut the grass. Fortunately, today's lawn robots are so advanced that I am rarely disappointed. As predicted, the Navimow mostly did exactly what I expected it to do, though I was flummoxed by its insistence to cut my lawn from the center outwards instead of more logically from the edge inwards. But hey, it eventually tackled the other side and all was well.

Categories: Reviews

KEF's nouveau Muo is a solid little Bluetooth speaker, but the game's changed since 2016 — and it's no longer top of the pile

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 10:00

KEF Muo 2025: Two-minute review

At a glance, the new KEF Muo Bluetooth speaker is pretty much the same as the old one — you remember, the one that launched back in 2016 (hard to believe, but that is 10 whole years ago). Naturally enough though, KEF has brought the specification up to date in an effort to justify that asking price.

So $249 / £249 / AU$449 buys you 40W of Class D power serving a 20mm and 58 x 117mm ‘racetrack’ mid/bass driver. It also buys Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive compatibility, 24 hours or so of playback from a single charge, 43Hz - 20kHz frequency response and ability with Auracast and the option to form a stereo pair, plus the facility to make a hard-wired USB-C connection to get content on board that way too.

Additionally, it buys some quite svelte good looks available in quite a few different colors, and a high standard of build and finish from a device that’s mostly constructed from aluminium. Portability is guaranteed thanks to a 740g weight and hardiness comes in the shape of an IP67 rating. Just be careful not to dent or scratch that lovely metal finish while you’re out and about…

One of the very best Bluetooth speakers at the price? Well, where performance is concerned, the KEF has a lot more going for it than it has issues — but there’s only so far rhythmic positivity, an expansive and organised soundstage, and great powers of detail retrieval will carry a speaker. The Muo is undermined by its slightly bolshy and over-assertive approach to midrange reproduction, and consequently leaves the door open to a few alternative models that would otherwise be quite firmly shut.

KEF Muo 2025 review: Price and release date

Released on September 30, 2025
Officially priced $249 / £249 / AU$449

The KEF Muo is on sale now (having arrived at the very end of September 2025) and in the United Kingdom it sells for £249. It’s available in the United States for $249, while in Australia it goes for AU$449. The market for Bluetooth speakers is enormous, of course - but it seems, given both the asking price, the design aspect and the use of materials, that KEF has Bang & Olufsen's A1 3rd Gen firmly in its sights…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Specs

Weight:

740g

Dimensions:

216 x 82 x 59mm

Battery life (quoted):

Up to 24 hours

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive

Drivers:

One 20mm dome tweeter and one 58 x 117mm ‘racetrack’ mid/bass driver

Aux-in:

No (USB-C audio passthrough)

Charger port:

USB-C

Microphone:

Yes

Waterproof rating:

IP67

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Features

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive
USB-C for charging and for data transfer
40W of Class D power

With one or two very rare exceptions, a Bluetooth speaker is a purely functional device and is specified accordingly. The KEF Muo, it’s fair to say, adheres to the rules rather than being an exception to them.

It uses Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, and is compatible with the SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs. The USB-C slot on the rear of the cabinet can be used for data transfer as well as for charging the battery, and if you hard-wire the speaker to a source of music then digital audio files of up to 16bit/48kHz are supported. And there are further connectivity options: the Muo is Auracast-compatible, and if you own a couple of these speakers they can be configured as a stereo pair. Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair are both available, too.

The battery itself is good for 24 hours of playback between charges, provided you’re not going to town where volume levels are concerned. And when the time comes, you can score an additional three hours of playback from a 15-minute visit to the mains. To go from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ shouldn’t take longer than two hours.

Once the audio information is on board, it’s served to your ears by a couple of drivers that make use of a total of 40W of Class D power. There’s a 20mm tweeter that takes 10 watts, while the other 30 watts goes to a 117 x 58mm ‘racetrack’ mid/bass driver that uses KEF’s ‘P-Flex’ technology. It’s an arrangement, the company suggests, that’s good for a frequency response of 43Hz - 20kHz.

If the speaker is standing upright in a ‘portrait’ orientation, the tweeter is above the mid/bass driver; lie the speaker down on its little rubber feet in a ‘landscape’ style and obviously the drivers are now side by side. The Muo automatically detects its orientation and adjusts its sonic output accordingly.

Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo review: Design

216 x 82 x 59mm (HxWxD)
IP67 rating
Choice of seven winsome finishes

First things first: this is not one of those bouncy, hardy, go-anywhere Bluetooth speaker designs that will emerge unscathed from a careless journey in the depths of a backpack. Oh, there’s absolutely no arguing with the way the Muo is constructed or finished — and IP67 rating against dust and moisture lets you know it’s tough enough — but the majority of the chassis is made of aluminium and it’s far from difficult to imagine marking or even denting the finish if you’re careless.

So while the 740g weight, 216 x 82 x 59mm (HxWxD) dimensions, integrated carry-strap and rubberised end-caps mean it’s fully portable, it’s important to have a degree of respect for the design choices here if you’re taking it out and about.

My review sample arrived in the ‘midnight’ black finish, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it in isolation — in fact, to my eyes it looks quite discreet and sophisticated — there’s no getting away from the fact that the other half-a-dozen finishes are a bit more interesting. No matter if you select silver ‘dusk’, ‘moss’ green, blue ‘aura’, ‘cocoa’ brown or orange ‘moon’, you’ll be in possession of a speaker that looks and feels like the premium item it’s priced as.

Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Sound quality

Great control and variation at the bottom of the frequency range
Impressive scale from a relatively compact cabinet
Midrange reproduction is not the last word in subtlety

In some ways — in many ways, in fact — the KEF Muo is a match for the best $250-ish Bluetooth speakers out there. It has plenty of positives where the sound it makes is concerned, but it’s equally true to say that it comes up short where some disciplines are concerned.

Listen to a 1bit/2.8MHz DSF file of Steely Dan’s Peg delivered via Bluetooth and there’s plenty to enjoy. The Muo is a notably expansive listen, able to easily escape the confines of its fairly little cabinet and create a genuine sense of scale in the recording. It does great work at the bottom of the frequency range — that claim for response down to 43Hz might seem optimistic but there’s no getting away from the fact the KEF digs deep and hits hard.

It exhibits great control and variation at the low end, too. Some speakers just thump along, but the Muo has some light and shade to its bass, and a degree of insight into texture and timbre that’s by no means a given. The straight edges at the attack of low-frequency sounds it creates allow for confident and positive rhythmic expression, too.

The top of the frequency range is equally detailed, and while it’s not the last word in treble substance this speaker stops well short of hardness or high-end edginess — and that’s true even if you decide to explore the upper limits of the levels the KEF is capable of. There’s a fair amount of scope where dynamics are concerned, and the Muo is able to switch from ‘quiet’ to ‘loud’ without any apparent stress and without altering its sonic character in any meaningful way.

Frequency response is nice and even, and the transition from the very bottom of the frequency range to the very top is smooth. Problems, such as they are, concern the way the KEF reproduces the midrange. The midrange is distinct from everything happening above and below it. In particular, it’s distinct where tonality is concerned — where the lower and upper frequencies are quite neutral and natural, there’s a forcefulness and a hint of glassiness that’s bordering on stridency to the way the speaker delivers midrange information.

Despite being just as detailed here as in every other part of the frequency range, the KEF hits the midrange hard and, especially when it comes to dealing with voices, is not beyond becoming a little ‘shouty’. No matter if it’s the otherwise-smooth sounds of Steely Dan or a 16bit/44.1kHz file of Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal, voices are approaching relentless and don’t require much encouragement, volume-wise, to occupy the front of the soundstage.

Ultimately there’s not as much subtlety to the way the KEF handles the midrange as is ideal. The fact that it’s so deft and nuanced in every other respect only throws this trait into sharper relief.

Sound quality: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Usability and setup

KEF Connect control app
Some physical controls
Speakerphone ability

Controlling the Muo can be done in a couple of ways. You can use an extremely brief version of the KEF Connect control app that allows control of volume and input selection, as well as giving access to five EQ presets and an indication of battery life.

And there are physical controls that run to a button to initiate Bluetooth pairing (on the rear of the frame), and buttons on the top covering ‘power on/off’ and ‘volume up down’.

There’s also a ‘multifunction’ button here that can handle ‘play/pause’ and ‘skip forwards/backwards’ and ‘answer/end/reject call’. Using the Muo as a speakerphone is simple (and becoming a rarity), and the built-in mic features noise- and echo-cancellation technology.

The day a Bluetooth speaker is difficult to set up and operate will be a sad one — and thankfully the Muo is as straightforward as you would hope. Open the ‘Bluetooth’ settings page of your source player, and press the ‘Bluetooth pairing’ button on the speaker — connection is swift and stable, and the next time you power the Muo on it will automatically seek to pair with its most recent partner.

Usability and setup: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Value

The KEF Muo looks and feels like a premium speaker, and in this respect it goes quite some distance towards justifying the asking price. There’s no arguing with the standard of its construction or finish, and its IP67 rating lets you know it’s ready to survive and thrive in any realistic environment.

And where sound is concerned, it’s most of the way there — but where it comes up short, it’s so noticeably lacking that it undermines the whole ‘value for money’ proposition more than somewhat.

Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the KEF Muo 2025?JBL Flip 7

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

A Bluetooth 5.4 speaker with aptX Adaptive, USB-C data transfer and even speakerphone duties — lovely

5/5

Design

Comes in seven finishes, just don't throw its aluminum casework around too much

5/5

Sound quality

Mostly deft and nuanced but let down by a harsh and rather shouty midrange

4/5

Usability and setup

The app is functional, and setup is aided by perks such as Google Fast Pair

5/5

Value

The build quality is worthy of the price tag; the sound quality is just a shade off

5/5

Buy it if…

Look and feel is as important as sound
No two ways about it, the Muo presents like a premium item

You want to choose from a wide range of finishes
How does a choice of seven sound?

You’re interested in wider connectivity
The Muo can be one half of a stereo pair, or part of an Auracast set-upView Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You judge strictly on a sound-per-pound basis
The way the Muo treats the midrange of a recording is rather at odds with the work it does everywhere else

You’re a bit careless
The IP67 rating is one thing, the vulnerable nature of all that aluminium is quite another

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)KEF Muo 2025 review: Also consider

As I said at the top of this review, it seems pretty obvious to me that KEF has the A1 3rd Gen from Bang & Olufsen firmly in its sights with the Muo. They are both quite self-consciously upmarket propositions, both make liberal use of tactile aluminium, and both are designed to please the eyes almost as much as the ears. And in some ways, the KEF is perfectly capable of holding its own in the company of the B&O — but when it comes to the way each speaker handles the midrange, it ceases to be quite so much of a contest.

How I tested the KEF Muo 2025

I used the Muo on my desk, in the kitchen, and in the garden (for the brief moments when it wasn’t blowing a gale). I connected it wirelessly to an Apple iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S (the latter of which allows connectivity via the aptX codec). I also hard-wired it to an Apple MacBook Pro (loaded with Colibro software) using the USB-C socket.

I tested the Bambu Lab X2D, and this dual-nozzle FDM 3D printer delivers exceptional print quality, material compatibility, and all at a superb price

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 09:00

Lifting the X2D out of the box, and first impressions are that this looks and feels like a smaller H2D. In reality, it reflects the design of all Bambu Lab's recent machines with the all-metal frame, matte dark finish, and enclosed glass-fronted chamber. There’s no doubt that this is a premium machine and successor to the X1C.

Weight-wise, this machine isn’t light, and at 16.25kg it feels solid and completely in line with the H2 series, just without the huge footprint, and for once leaving me a little more space in the workshop. This is a far more practical option for most studios where those larger H2 machines really do dominate the space. I positioned the X2D next to an H2D just to give a sense of scale of this smaller but no less impressive-looking machine.

Checking out inside, and the first indication that this isn’t just a small version of the H2D becomes apparent with a good look at the toolhead. The dual-nozzle system on the X2D is completely different from the arrangement on the H2D, with the main left nozzle using direct drive extrusion and the auxiliary right nozzle fed via a Bowden extruder mounted on the rear panel.

Mechanically, this is actually a very clever design as it means that the toolhead remains lightweight and nozzle switching is handled by a purely mechanical gear-and-trigger mechanism with no additional motor. In practice, the switching is quick during a print, with one raising and the other lowering side-by-side, so from that point of view, it’s much like the dual nozzle H2 series.

One of the big features of the Bambu Lab printers since the outset has been the ease of use; essentially, the machine handles pretty much everything for you, and this is certainly the case with this latest machine. Filament in the AMS loads easily, and the 5-inch touchscreen gives you a good idea of what’s going on. Likewise, mounting the aux filament on the exterior spool and feeding it through the mechanism is equally straightforward.

Checking out the back of the machine, and this is where you start to get an inclination that things are a little different with this machine, there’s a fan, an additional extruder and a filament switcher. While it all looks simple, a read through the info sheets that arrived with the machine highlights the level of sophistication that Bambu Lab now incorporate into this machine.

As I’m increasingly seeing the calibration process once all filaments are fed into place takes as long as some prints, but through the test from the first calibration sequence through to the last print I ran before writing up the review, I only had a couple of occasions where the printer stopped due to an issue.

On all occasions, this was due to small bits of filament debris being detected on the print area, usually from a piece of support material that I’d broken off when removing a print or failed to notice when wiping the print base clean.

On this fault detection, as I saw with the P2S, the machine will stop at the first sign of anything untoward. Initially, if you have the usual print anything approach, often to see if a print will succeed without supports, this will cause issues, as any trailing filament will be seen as an issue, and the machine will stop. However, once you start to properly support structures, then the number of stops quickly reduces to an occasional occurrence.

The X2D is an engineering machine at heart, and there are two major features that back this. The first is the three-stage air filtration consisting of a G3 pre-filter, H12 HEPA, and coconut shell activated carbon filter that enables safer use within the confines of an enclosed workshop or office. Even running ABS during the test period, the smell from the machine was minimal, and the noise throughout 250 hours of testing was impressively quiet for the most part, although the extractor fan is audible.

The other point for engineers and product design studios is the mixed extruder approach; the direct drive offers a lightweight head on a machine of this size. The left direct drive nozzle is suitable for specialist materials such as TPU, and the right, which is fed through a Bowden extruder mounted on the exterior of the machine, enables more standard materials, although limited to 200mm/s compared with 1000mm/s the combination of the two only slows print speeds down compared with the H2D by a relative margin.

When testing the first dual-material print, a 3D scan in PLA with PETG supports highlighted how well this system worked, essentially as well as the larger H2 counterparts, with a clean, highly detailed print. The PETG supports were easy to remove and provided a far cleaner result than any single-nozzle approach that utilises the same materials for the model as the supports.

One point to make is that if you're just starting out, getting the hang of Bambu Studio is far less intuitive, especially the filament assignment and workflow across two nozzles and the AMS - once you do work it all out, it does make sense, but there's still always something in the software that will catch you out.

Bambu Lab X2D: Price and availability

The Bambu Lab X2D is available now direct from Bambu Lab.

The non-combo version is priced at $649 USD (excluding tax) in the US, €629 EUR (including tax) in Europe, and $699 USD globally.

The combo version, which includes the AMS 2 Pro, is priced at $899 USD in the US, €849 EUR in Europe, and $949 USD globally. UK pricing was not confirmed at the time of this review. The X2D Combo is also $899.99 at Best Buy.

The machine ships with two hardened steel 0.4mm nozzles, a textured PEI build plate, a power cable, and accessories. The optional Vision Encoder for 50-micron motion accuracy is sold separately.

Bambu Lab X2D: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Bambu Lab X2D specifications

Print Technology: FDM
Build Area: 256x256x260mm
Minimum Layer Resolution: n/a
Maximum Layer Resolution: n/a
Dimensions: 392x406x478mm
Weight: 16.25kg
Bed: Heated (120°C max)
Print Surface: Flexible Steel Plate (Textured PEI)
Software: Bambu Studio / Bambu Handy
Materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC, PVA, PLA-CF, PETG-CF and more
Print Speed: 1000mm/s (toolhead) / 200mm/s (auxiliary Bowden hotend)

The X2D follows Bambu Lab's established design style that I’ve recently seen with the H2 and P2 series machines and uses a very similar all-metal frame, dark matte finish, and enclosed glass-fronted chamber, just in a more compact and manageable size.

In my workshop while I have several H2's running the size and weight make it impractical to move them around, the X2D while offering a direct comparision to the H2D as a smaller scale version offers a very decent alternative that takes up far less space and deosn’t hold back on the 3D print features, although the multi took and functionality is not available with this machine. Like the X1D, this is a premium-level machine designed for business.

The toolhead is once again the biggest point of interest, although there are differences between this and those seen on the H2 and P2 series, obviously. This difference becomes apparent as you start to look behind the machine and at the cable routing, and with the filament switcher, external extruder and filter box, it’s instantly apparent that the machine is designed for everyday professional use and with the smaller size, it’s better suited with appropriate safety features to be used within working environments.

Unlike the dual system on the H2D, while there are similarities with the X2D, placing both nozzles on a single shared toolhead, there's a direct drive main extruder on the left, and then a Bowden auxiliary on the right, with the auxiliary extruder motor mounted separately on the rear panel.

This design helps to keep the toolhead weight low, which matters at high print speeds where a heavier head would introduce more vibration and ringing. The design for swapping between the two nozzles is purely mechanical with no motor, just gears and a trigger. It all seems to work well and reliably through the test, so while on the surface the tool head looks similar, it is actually very different.

Taking a look at the print bed, this measures in at 256 x 256 mm, and using a single nozzle has a height of 260mm. However, if printing with both nozzles, this print area size reduces to 235.5 c 256 x 256mm.

The 4mm height reduction when using the auxiliary hotend is worth noting in the review — when the right nozzle lowers, the flow blocker moves below the left hotend, which physically reduces the available print height. For most prints, this is not a practical issue, but for tall models printed in dual-material mode, it is worth being aware of.

As with previous Bambu Lab machines, there’s a large 5-inch 1280 x 720 touchscreen, which is essentially similar to the one seen on the H Series printers, making it easy to navigate and update settings.

Bambu Lab has worked to simplify the UI and succeeded in giving quick and direct access to everything that you need. When I did want to move the axis or lower the print bed, those settings have now been set back a little into the menu system, but are still easy enough to find and navigate.

Another buidl feaute that Bambu Lab highlighted is the chamber lighting, however, I work in a well-lit workshop so only noted the improvement when I walked into the room to check a print late at night, in smaller studios and workshops this will inevitably be a good step forward alough for the most part the streaming live camera with the 1920 x 1080 resolution gives a good idea about the condition adn progress of anything on the print bed.

One last comment on the build, and that ‘s to do with the nozzle replacement, which is once again straightforward; unload the filament, cool the nozzle, remove the silicone cover, unclip and replace. With both nozzles, the full swap takes under five minutes. The tool-free design is great to see over earlier Bambu Lab machines, but has been a consistent feature for a few years.

Bambu Lab X2D: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The dual-nozzle extrusion system is the X2D's rather unique feature and has been primarily implemented to reduce the weight and bulk of the print head. This, as far as I can see, is the main benefit, and as that second nozzle with the engineering intended market for the X2D makes sense, it is inevitable that this will be used for support materials.

This means that the main left nozzle handles the model material while the auxiliary right nozzle deposits support in a different material , for example, PETG against PLA, or PVA for fully dissolvable supports, resulting in a clean interface between the support and model that should require minimal clean-up.

The second and more recognised use of the dual nozzle set-up is multi-material and multi-colour printing, where the instant mechanical nozzle switching cuts down on purge cycles that are usually required when an AMS-only single-nozzle printer is in action.

The main left hotend uses Bambu Lab's PMSM servo extruder, which samples the torque and position 20,000 times per second and can detect filament jams before they become print failures. Both nozzles feature hardened steel nozzles, making it an ideal solution for Bambu PLA-CF, PETG-CF, and PAHT-CF filament, and there's no need to swap out the nozzle for specialist hardened versions, as they’re already in place. The matte surface quality and structural properties of PLA-CF in particular benefit from the precision of the PMSM system, and the results through the test were consistently excellent.

Taking a look at the auxiliary right hotend, this uses a separate Bowden extruder mounted on the rear panel, which is then connected to the toolhead via a PTFE tube. This design keeps the toolhead lightweight but also means that there is a reduction in speed compared with the direct drive extruder; 200mm/s print speed, and compared with 1,000mm/s due to needing to maintain feeding stability.

For dual-material prints where the auxiliary nozzle is printing support structures, when combined with the main nozzle for the main construction, there is a slowdown in print speeds compared with the H series. On a typical two-hour print, the real-world time difference between the H2D and the X2D was around ten minutes for the 3D Benchy model.

Another feature that actually makes a dramatic difference to print quality when using specialist materials is the dual-mode thermal system. This enables a cool Mode that draws fresh air through the chamber for PLA, PETG, and similar materials, so you don’t need to open vents or leave the door ajar, and it helps to ensure clean bridges and overhangs.

Heat Mode actively heats the chamber to 65°C with the nozzle reaching 300°C, enabling ABS, ASA, and Nylon to print with minimal warping and decent layer adhesion. What I really like about this model is the three-stage air filtration; it just helps to prevent fumes from escaping into the workplace when using more advanced materials, although I still keep the machine with the others in a well-ventilated space.

Once again, prior to every print, the machine runs through a series of checks and tests, and these can take some time. These checks continue through the print process with features such as Dynamic Flow Calibration, which monitors the extrusion motor, hotend, nozzles, and filament in real time, compensating for wear and moisture automatically. This is something that obviously comes into play more as the machine starts to wear, but for busy print farms, this means that there will be less monitoring and fine-tuning for the machines if they’re running 24/7.

Once again, as I’ve seen with all recent releases, there’s the AI monitoring system that scans the build plate before each print and watches for spaghetti and purge chute jams, and again, as I found with the P2S, the sensitivity of this system is far greater than . Any debris on the print bed stops the printer immediately — a safety and quality measure that proved its worth across 250 hours of varied material testing. The 28-sensor array covering the feeding path, thermal environment, and safety status underpins all of this monitoring continuously.

Alongside the printer is Bambu Studio, which handles the model slicing, filament and nozzle allocation. For single-material prints, the one-click profile approach works well, and it’s easy to assign filaments, especially RFID-equipped options, with a click or two.

However, when it comes to dual-material printing, the whole experience is more involved, and it takes a while to get your head around how to assign filaments to nozzles and then apply those assignments to specific parts of a model. The process involves several menus, and with multiple similar-coloured filaments in an AMS, the process can become genuinely confusing, particularly if you’re new to the platform.

The underlying logic works once you run through a multitude of prints, and the RFID filament sync helps with parameter loading, but the interface for multi-nozzle filament allocation I still find confusing at times.

Bambu Lab X2D: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Through this test, I clocked up over 250 hours of print time and produced a mixture of single filament prints using PLA, PETG, PLA-CF, PETG-CF, TPU, and a range of dual and multi-material models, as this is really what this printer is all about.

By the end of the test, I can happily state that the X2D's print quality is absolutely what I’ve come to expect from the latest premium printers, models with smooth surfaces with minimal layer lines, and a consistency that held throughout the test period without any form of manual adjustment other than the initial build and loading filament.

Single-nozzle PLA prints in particular can be exceptionally fast and are as good as anything at this price point, or for that matter above, with the kind of surface finish that requires no or minimal post-processing for display or functional parts. This printer is essentially able to print at the same quality as the H2D.

The quality of the parts is in no doubt due to the advancements in the technology and build design, but also features such as the Dynamic Flow Calibration and PMSM servo system, which all work quietly in the background, and what impressed me most was the absolute print reliability across a range of materials, even TPU.

The dual-material workflow is where the X2D impressed me the most, and for the engineering and product parts I make, I only usually have a need for support and structural materials and print at between 200-500mm/s. The configuration of the nozzles and the different extruders I initially thought was going to be an issue, especially for speed. However, after multiple prints, while there was a difference in print times between this and the H2D, it was manageable.

As I started to increase the filament count then the effect was more marked, however, a major factor that did pull back time was the fact this machine is far better equipped to take two AMS 2 Pro’s than any previous Bambu Lab machine and the filament switcher actually seemed to pull back time.

When I started with the first dual-material print, a 3D scan in PLA with PETG supports, the printer instantly started to show the strengths of the design, with the support material that was used in far less volume coming through the Aux nozzle, with the main build material of PLA being used for the body.

While the print speed was slower than the H2D, there wasn’t a huge difference in it, and the quality of the prints was nearly identical. What was also apparent was that, compared with a single filament machine, support removal was cleaner, simply pulling away with a slight bit of force and minimal surface marking where the support meets the model surface.

There is, of course, some clean-up required, but the reduction in time spent finishing off the model compared to standard support removal is a major benefit. If I can avoid support, then generally I will.

PLA-CF and PETG-CF through the main direct drive hotend again performed well, with the PLA-CF used for parts that are used indoors and out of direct sunlight, while the PETG is better suited to outdoor use. The hardened steel nozzle handled the abrasive carbon fibre-reinforced filaments without feed issues across the test period, and the matt surface finish and structural quality of the resulting parts were excellent even when I tried to snap them in half.

This machine can produce engineering parts directly from the box, and the combination of the main hotend's material range with the HEPA-filtered enclosure enables you to use it for both professional and creative applications, and unlike previous printers that must be used in well vented areas that filter system does help to cut down on the fumes, I still use them in a well vented workshop.

Before starting the first print, I left the machine to run through the usual calibration process, which takes something in the region of 30-40 minutes, enough time to check out the software Bambu Studio. This is essentially the same as the previous version, just with the new X2D profile and based on Prusa Slicer.

As a whole, this is an excellent slicer that has become the industry standard; however, the implementation of the AMS configuration and nozzles can be a little confusing, especially if you’re just starting out. The questions around the software and how it works are the most common questions that I get, and even now, after years of using Bambu Lab printers, the software can and does still catch me out.

Assigning the AMS file to the nozzle is made simpler by the RFID chip, and updating details for third-party filaments is, to be honest, not difficult. However, once you’re in the preparation area, the filament selection and then assignment to the model is the area that, at some point, really does need a little more time developing for new and intermediate users. There is however some advancement with the filament swapper at the back that now enables you to channel filament from either filament input, be that two individual reels, an AMS and reel, or two AMS and this should make things more simple, but there are still situations, where finding a way to channel the filament to the left and right nozzles seems near on impossible.

One of the combinations that I often use is TPU paired with PLA, as it's just a good mix to produce some great accessories for a range of uses, primarily at the moment, boxes to keep memory cards and other gear safe. The size of this and the latest printers now means that you can print some sizable cases in a range of ultra-tough materials.

The one thing that I will point out is that all the TPUs that I ran through the system were Bambu's own branded TPUs for AMS, and this is run through the auxiliary Bowden hotend alongside PLA on the main nozzle. Again, the results are superb.

One slight issue with the system is that in order to gain that lighter print head weight, the second nozzle is fed from a Bowden auxiliary system, and this means that the hotend's motion speed is limited to 200mm/s due to the mechanics.

Dual-material prints, therefore, switch between the ultra-fast direct drive and slower Bowden, but in reality, for support structure prints, this actually works well; however, that speed reduction is notable compared with the H2D for multi-material prints.

In practice, on a typical two-hour print, the real-world slowdown amounted to around ten minutes, and as the complexity of the print and the amount of filaments involved in the process expand. that speed difference between the X2D and H2D increases.

For users whose primary use case is clean support removal or TPU-PLA combined parts, the trade-off is entirely worthwhile. For anyone wanting the fastest possible dual-material speeds, the H2D's system is definitely the better option despite being three times the price.

Multi-colour PLA prints with the AMS 2 Pro showed minimal purge waste when using two filaments; however, as ever, adding more colours from the AMS increases purge waste again, as I saw with the H2D. Colour transitions between the two nozzles are extremely clean, well-defined and unlike single nozzle options, there was no cross-contamination of colours.

As ever, the build plate adhesion was excellent throughout using the textured PEI plate. From experience, I now always use an IPA wipe before each print to remove any finger grease. Print ABS. I didn’t note any warping issues, and using PLA or PLA-CF, everything was essentially very straightforward, avoiding many of the traditional print problems from a few years ago.

While through the test period, PETG stuck to the platform well, this is probably due to the new print sheet and cleaning between each print. Over time, I’ll inevitably resort to a thin spread of glue stick, both to keep the material stuck to the base and to enable easier release.

Bambu Lab X2D: Print quality

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Dimensional accuracy - score of 4/ 5

Target 25 = X: 24.88mm / 0.12mm Error | Y: 24.91mm / 0.09mm Error
Target 20 = X: 19.79mm / 0.21mm Error | Y: 19.73mm / 0.27mm Error
Target 15 = X: 14.90mm / 0.10mm Error | Y: 14.75mm / 0.25mm Error
Target 10 = X: 9.80mm / 0.20mm Error | Y: 9.72mm / 0.28mm Error
Target 5 = X: 4.94mm / 0.16mm Error | Y: 4.80mm / 0.20mm Error

X Error Average = 0.158
Y Error Average = 0.218
X&Y Error Average = 0.188

Fine Flow Control - score of 5
Fine Negative Features - score of 5
Overhangs - score of 5
Bridging - score of 5
XY resonance - score of 2.5
Z-axis alignment - score of 2.5

Adding up the totals gives a final score of 29 out of 30.

BambuLab X2D: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Bambu Lab X2D is, without doubt, the most versatile mid-range FDM printer on the market, at least when it comes to out-of-the-box functionality. For the majority of professional users, the $649 price tag offers exceptional value for money, able to produce industry-leading quality prints at a price that a year or two ago would have only got you something in the upper entry-level range.

The dual-nozzle system does work and enables you to produce complex prints with clean support removal, minimal purge waste and a TPU-PLA other combo so that you can produce functional parts with rigidity and flexibility without any fiddling about.

This machine is a replacement for the X1C and is aimed at engineering, which is reflected in the multi-material support out of the box due to the hardened steel nozzles, PMSM servo extrusion, 65°C active chamber heating, and three-stage HEPA filtration, which are all standard features.

There are, of course, some limitations, and while this is close to being a smaller H2D, it isn’t quite. There’s the Bowden auxiliary hotend's speed, which, while slower, I found in real-world usage. While it did cause a slight slowdown, it wasn’t as dramatic as I thought, although this will be a major consideration.

More of an issue is Bambu Studio's multi-nozzle filament assignment workflow, which can still be confusing, and anyone buying this printer, or for that matter, any Bambu Printer, should really take time to learn how the allocation works before getting started - writing a small guide has certainly helped me, especially with the new filament switcher.

At the end of the test, there’s no doubt that the X2D is an exceptional and long-awaited replacement for the X1C, and while not perfect, it is well-priced for a machine that securely positions itself between the P2S and the H2D.

If you're an X1C owner looking to upgrade, the X2D is the natural next step. For anyone approaching this as their first enclosed FDM printer, the dual-nozzle capability and support for engineering materials make it an interesting choice at a price, although if you just want to print PLA and PETG, then take a look at the P2P, if you need a larger scale and faster print speeds for volume, then the H2D.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Should I buy the Bambu Lab X2D?Buy it if...

You want easy support removal

The dual-nozzle system eliminates some of the difficulty of support post-processing, and the results are impressive.

You use engineering materials

PLA-CF, PETG-CF, ABS, ASA, Nylon, and TPU are all supported with hardened steel nozzles and active chamber heating, so you can get started with no need for upgrades.

Don't buy it if...

You need the fastest possible print speeds

The Bowden auxiliary hotend is limited to 200mm/s, and for maximum dual-nozzle print speeds, the H2D's dual head system is significantly faster.

You are new to Bambu Studio

If you want a completely plug-and-play multi-material experience, the filament assignment workflow for dual-nozzle printing has a learning curve that requires patience

For more models, I've tested the best 3D printers you can get right now.

Categories: Reviews

The Revamp Tri-Care is heavy and awkward, but I can't fault how well it dries and protects my hair

Mon, 04/13/2026 - 11:25

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: two-minute review

The Revamp Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer is a mid-range dryer with an ambitious spec sheet. Alongside three speed and heat settings and a cold shot, it uses constant infrared heat to dry hair from within as well as switchable red (625nm) and blue (440nm) LED modes, designed to stimulate scalp circulation and support hair growth over time. Three magnetic attachments, a curl diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator, are then included in the price.

On high speed and high heat, my medium-length, fine hair went from wet to dry in around four minutes with a surprisingly sleek finish — smooth enough that I stopped having to reach for my straighteners. The lower heat settings feel genuinely gentler too, with the infrared seemingly doing a lot of the work rather than compensating with more surface heat. Hair felt noticeably softer across my testing period.

The light therapy modes are easy to switch between: one button on top of the barrel cycles between off, red and blue, but as with any light therapy device, the real benefits take months of use to show up. It's also worth noting that fitting any of the attachments blocks this light, so getting the full benefit means spending most of your routine nozzle-free.

Where the Tri-Care falls down, though, is in the handling. The weight sits in the barrel rather than the handle and this makes it tiring to hold even in short styling sessions. The heat and speed buttons sit exactly where your fingers naturally rest, which means they're always in reach, but also means you accidentally change settings mid-style.

At £199.99 (about $270 / AU$380), the Tri-Care sits at the upper end of the mid-range of the best hair dryers, but it fills a gap that nothing else currently occupies. If you want a dryer that takes hair health seriously without spending in excess of £300, the Tri-Care makes a strong case, ergonomic frustrations and all.

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: price & availability

List price: £199.99 / €149.99
Availability: UK / EU

Revamp's Tri-Care dryer, or to give it its full, long-winded name, the Revamp Professional Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer, costs £199.99 in the UK and €149.99 in Europe and is sold at Revamp, Amazon and Boots.

For this price you get the dryer plus three magnetic attachments: a curl diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator.

At £199.99 the Tri-Care sits at the upper end of the mid-range. The mdlondon BLOW is on par, price wise, but it ships with two attachments and lacks the infrared, red and blue light therapy found on the Revamp model. The most direct infrared comparison in the UK is the Nicky Clarke Infrared Pro at £129.99. It uses far-infrared technology to dry hair from within but, again, lacks the red and blue light options and ships with only one nozzle.

To come closer to the range of features and attachments of the Revamp Tri-Care, you're looking at paying £399.99 for premium dryers like the Dreame Miracle Pro. In Dreame's favor, you do get an essence mister to soften you hair, extra attachment and storage case but you're paying twice the price for those privileges.

The included diffuser and nozzles give the Revamp Tri-Care flexibility for both curls and smooth finishes (Image credit: Future)

At the time of writing, the Revamp Tri-Care isn't available in the US so the closest rival if you're in the States, in terms of features and attachments, is the L'Oreal AirLight Pro. At $475 it uses infrared rather than red light therapy, with the focus on faster drying rather than scalp health, but it comes with an app for precise heat and airflow controls. A novel and welcomed extra.

This means, at £199.99, the Tri-Care sits in a gap in the market that nothing else currently fills and while £200 isn't an insignificant amount of money, you are getting great value for your money.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: specs

Model:

Revamp Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer

Wattage:

1,600W

Weight (without cord, approx):

1lb / 460g

Size (H x W x L, approx):

11.5 x 5.5 x 4.1 in / 29.2 x 14 x 10.5 cm

Airflow settings:

Temperature settings:

3 + Cold shot

Extra modes:

Infrared (constant), red LED, blue LED

Noise level

72dB average

Attachments:

Curl diffuser, wide concentrator, slim concentrator

Cord length:

9.8ft / 3m

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared review: design

Matte black finish with wide circular barrel
Two sliders on the handle for heat and speed
Button on top switches between red and blue LED modes
Three magnetic attachments: diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator

The barrel and easy-to-reach, albeit overly sensitive controls (pictured) make the Revamp Tri-Care simple to use. There are three heat settings and three speed settings (Image credit: Future)

The Revamp Tri-Care looks like a cut-price Dyson Supersonic and for the most part, that's exactly what it is.

Its barrel-over-handle shape has a black matte finish with silver accents around the front of the barrel, and on the filter that sits at the base of the handle. In a sea of increasingly funky colorways from rivals — Dyson, I'm looking at you with your Apricot Topaz and Jasper Plum models — there's something classy about this muted design. Even if, from a distance at least, the dryer errs on the side of looking cheap.

Once you hold the Tri-Care, its weight and soft plastic give it much more premium feel. As do the heat, speed and Cold shot buttons that sit flush with the handle. There's an extra button on the top of the barrel, used to switch between red and blue LED modes, and the On/Off slider sits on the rear of the handle.

Looking at the Tri-Care face-on and you can then see the central infrared beam sitting in the middle, a ring of alternating red and blue LEDs around it, and the four ionic emitters at the outer edge.

At 1lb / 460g, Revamp's dryer is noticeably heavier than most rivals — the Dreame Miracle Pro, by comparison, is 0.9lbs / 420g – and it's not well balanced. A lot of the weight sits in the barrel, which makes sense when you consider how much tech has been crammed in, but it also makes it uncomfortable to use for long periods. In fact, this heft is noticeable during short styling sessions too and while, size-wise, it's not unwieldy, you will feel the difference in your arms and wrists.

Looking at the Tri-Care face-on (pictured) and you can then see a ring of alternating red and blue LEDs around it, and the four ionic emitters at the outer edge (Image credit: Future)

The three attachments are all magnetic and swap over in seconds. Just align the pin and they click into place.

The slim concentrator is for working through sections precisely, the wide one for faster general drying and the diffuser for curls and volume.

Sadly, it's missing the attachment recognition feature (which knows which nozzle is attached and remembers your previous heat and speed settings) but this is a small complaint. Selecting settings manually each time is hardly a major inconvenience.

A much bigger inconvenience, though, is how easy it is to accidentally switch between settings. The buttons sit exactly where your fingers naturally rest and while this means they're in reach should you want to change them mid-style, they're too sensitive.

The Revamp Tri-Care hair dryer has clearly positioned controls on the handle, including an on/off switch on the rear (pictured) (Image credit: Future)

There wasn't a single styling session throughout my whole Revamp Tri-Care review period where I didn't accidentally change the speed or heat. Similarly, because of the relatively short handle, I wasn't able to shift my hand's position without blocking the filter or without the poorly balanced weight aching my wrists further.

Beyond these largely standard dryer design features, the standout addition for me is the use of infrared and LED modes:

Infrared
Red light (625nm)
Blue light (440nm)

The infrared light runs constantly and is invisible. Its job is to dry the hair from within, rather than just blasting heat at the surface. This results in less exposure to heat and, eventually and with consistent use, healthier hair and scalp.

The red LEDs sit at 625nm and work on the scalp rather than the hair itself. Red light causes blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow and the delivery of nutrients in this blood to the hair follicle. There's decent clinical evidence behind this. Stanford Medicine, among others, published a report that showed consistent use (over months) can help your hair grow longer and stronger.

The blue LEDs, at 440nm, are less well known about but still validated. A University of Bradford study found that blue light at 453nm can prolong the anagen phase – the active growth stage of the hair cycle — and there's also evidence it reduces scalp inflammation, which is a more common driver of hair loss than many people realize. It should also be noted that one report said the effects are stronger on Asian and caucasian hair and less effective on African hair. Other research suggests the two wavelengths work better together than either does alone.

Fitted with the diffuser (pictured), the Revamp Tri-Care is more unwieldy to use but it defines curls well (Image credit: Future)

Both the blue and red light are visible in use, without being distracting, but as is also the case with the Dreame Miracle Pro, as soon as you use an attachment, large portions of this light are blocked.

If the light therapy is the main reason you're buying this, you'll want to spend part of your routine without a nozzle attached.

Design score: 3 out of 5

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared review: performance

Dries hair quickly with a smooth, frizz-free finish
Quieter than most dryers at this price
Light therapy modes easy to switch between but benefits hard to assess short-term

For all my complaints about the Revamp Tri-Care's design, its a fast and incredibly capable dryer.

The three speed settings and three heat settings give you enough combinations to work with most hair types. High speed and high heat are great for a fast rough dry; medium heat and speed is good for everyday styling; and low heat is ideal for fine or damaged hair. The cold shot is then quick and does a good job of setting a style in place.

On high speed and high heat, my medium-length hair went from wet to dry in around four minutes with a surprisingly smooth finish. So much so, I've stopped reaching for my straighteners after use to knock out the last evidence of frizz.

The concentrator nozzle (pictured) helps the Revamp Tri-Care focus the airflow more precisely for sleek, polished results (Image credit: Future)

On the mid and lower heat settings, drying took longer but felt noticeably gentler, which is where the infrared technology likely earns its place – you're not compensating for the slower dry with more heat, the infrared is seemingly doing a lot of the work from within. My hair was noticeably softer across the board too.

Switching between the red and blue LED modes takes one button press on top of the barrel and is simple enough. As with any light therapy device, it's hard to quantify the true impact because they require consistent use over months to make a difference, and even then the difference is unlikely to be so stark that it's fully noticeable.

The magnetic attachments click on and off quickly and stay secure in use. The curl diffuser works well for enhancing natural curls without disrupting it too much, and the slim concentrator gives enough precision for working through sections. That said, while the attachments don't add a lot of extra weight, they do change how and where you hold the dryer in relation to your head. This highlights the poor balance and bulk of the dryer even more.

Elsewhere, the filter twists off the base of the handle for cleaning, which is easy enough to do weekly.

Noise-wise, the Tri-Care is on the quieter side for a 1600W dryer at this price, with an average of 72 dB. The Dyson Supersonic Nural at the same wattage measures around 79 dB (and has a more shrill, annoying motor noise).

In my tests, the average readings for each of the modes were:

Cool: 70 dB
Low speed: 73 dB
High speed: 77 dB

Performance score: 4 out of 5

How I tested the Revamp Tri-Care Infrared

I used the Revamp Enigma Tri-Care as my main hair dryer for four weeks, replacing my usual dryer daily on my fine, mid-length hair.

In the first week I worked through each heat and speed combinations, all three attachments, and both LED modes systematically. I then settled into more natural everyday use to get a realistic sense of how it performed over the remaining three weeks.

I timed sessions across the different settings and tracked decibels using the DecibelX app. I also compared the results to other dryers I've tested at similar and higher price points, including the £399 Dreame Miracle Pro.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2026

Categories: Reviews

I spent a week with the budget-friendly Creative Pebble Pro and was impressed by its solid sound and petite form factor

Mon, 04/13/2026 - 11:23

Creative Pebble Pro: Two-minute review

For budget computer speakers, the Creative Pebble Pro punch way above their weight with decent sound and an attractive, petite design. I would even say they belong among the best computer speakers in their price range. You won’t find anything at the Pebble Pro’s price point nearly as good, not to mention most of the alternatives at this price point are other entries in Creative’s Pebble lineup of speakers.

There are some expected compromises, of course, and once you start looking at options above $100 / £100, the competition looks more interesting. The Creative Pebble Pro does come with some features, notably Bluetooth connectivity and RGB lighting, plus they can be powered directly off a computer. But any support for high-res codecs, Dolby or DTS anything, or even EQ controls, are just not here. That said, you would have to look at the best gaming headsets under a hundred bucks to find those kinds of features at the same price point.

While the Creative Pebble Pro isn’t as small as an actual pebble, the speakers are fairly petite, at a little over four and a half inches tall. As the name suggests, they’re spherical, though they have a flat, angled face oriented toward the listener’s ears to compensate for their short stature.

Since they’re so small, there’s only room for one 2.25-inch driver per speaker, so Creative supplements it with a bass port on the back to help fill out the low end. There's also an opaque ring that lines the bottom and lights up when the speakers are turned on.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The right speaker is a little heavier, at the hefty weight of 415 grams (versus 365g for the left) because it’s the one with the power amp inside, as well as controls and ports. The controls consist of a pressable dial, a source button indicated by a Bluetooth symbol, and a button for the RGB lighting. Each control can be used for a variety of functions, so short presses and long presses garner different results. For instance, pressing down on the volume dial mutes the mic input when using the headset port.

Speaking of, the ports are situated in two places near the base of the right speaker. The aforementioned headset input and headphone are on the side, while two USB-C ports and an Aux port are on the back next to the non-detachable cable (which I would consider more of an issue if these speakers weren’t so cheap).

You might be wondering why there are two USB-C ports. Even if you’re not, there’s a reason. One of them functions only for power delivery and doesn’t actually transmit audio. When using this port plugged into a power adapter (not included, though you can use any spare one), the Creative Pebble Pro has a power rating of 15 watts RMS. When just powering the speakers via the other USB-C, which does transmit audio, the speaker system has a more limited power rating of 5 watts RMS.

Frankly, I couldn’t hear much of a difference between using the Creative Pebble Pro in the 5 or 15 watt mode, but it’s really not a big difference in power. Because of that, I typically just powered the speakers directly off a computer.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As far as the sound quality itself, I was impressed considering the price. They didn’t blow me away and they probably won’t blow you away, either, but at seventy bucks, they’re a good and affordable upgrade over laptop speakers.

Having tested these speakers with all sorts of media, I’ve found there to be two takeaways. The first is, of course, that I found them surprisingly decent-sounding with a strong mid-range performance and clear, if slightly dull, high-end. The second is that there’s very little in the way of bass. I almost wish there was a sub-out instead of one of the headphones jacks to bring back some low-end.

You’re not going to feel explosions, whether it’s in films or when playing games due to the limited bass. But, the audio is clear with decent sound imaging, as long as you position the speakers properly. I’m able to easily place where an audio element is in the sound stage, whether it’s a fighter jet flying by or enemy combatants yelling in the distance.

The last thing I’ll mention on the sound front is the fact that the speakers do tend to distort a little bit when turned all the way up on the 15W mode, so these are best used at regular volume levels. If you want really loud speakers for whatever reason, these are not it.

Though I consider the Creative Pebble Pro to be light on features (there are no EQ controls or app), they do at least offer the basics. Bluetooth Connectivity is on hand so that you can either connect your computer wirelessly or switch inputs to stream from your phone. During testing, I had no issues with connectivity or differences in sound quality since the speakers use the newish but not newest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

The speakers also work with the Smartcomms Kit (requiring an additional download) to automatically mute or unmute your voice as well as introduce background noise cancellation when talking.

Probably the more notable and unique feature here, though, is the inclusion of RGB lighting. Since there’s no app, various presses on the controls are used to turn on and off, as well as cycle through and fine-tune the RGB lighting. The amount of effects and colors are somewhat limited compared to other RGB-enabled devices I’ve tested, but they do offer a nice ambient effect to a computer setup. And, as with everything else with these speakers, the RGB lighting looks good for the price.

Creative Pebble Pro: Specifications

Frequency range:

80–20,000 Hz

Drivers:

2 x 2.25-inch mid-range drivers

Supported Connectivity:

AUX, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3

Audio Inputs:

AUX, USB-C

Outputs:

Headphone out, mic out

Creative Pebble Pro: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

How much does it cost? $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

While the Creative Pebble Pro is a solid pair of speakers, the one place that they really shine over the competition is in price. In fact, at $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99, you'll be hard pressed to find a new set of computer speakers for cheaper that aren’t a different model in Creative’s Pebble lineup.

In fact, the only real issue regarding their price is that they don’t come with a power adapter, which goes for an extra $39.99 (about £29.90 / AU$56.51). But before you calculate that into a potential purchase, you really don’t need to buy one for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, these speakers can be powered directly off a computer, though with lower power efficiency. And if you do want them at full power, you can just use any adapter with a USB or USB-C port, such as one of the many you probably have lying around like me from multiple years of smartphone ownership.

Also worth keeping in mind is that the green colorway is only available in the US, while the black and white ones are available everywhere.

Now, the Creative Pebble Pro aren’t the only cheap speakers out there. Edifier has become a recognizable name in the more affordable end of the speaker market and something like the Edifier MR4 are a worthy upgrade. They don’t have RGB lighting, but they sound better. And though their price tag of $129.99 / £109.99 / AU$179.99 (at the time of writing… they look to have gone up in price, possibly due to tariffs) is very good, that’s still double the price of the Creative Pebble Pro.

The Logitech Z407 is also a wonderful option in the more affordable range, with a going rate of $119.99 / £119.99 / AU$249.95. Again, that’s double the Creative Pebble Pro, so Creative wins out on price, but the Z407 does come with a subwoofer and wireless puck for control.

Price: 5 / 5

Creative Pebble Pro: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

You’ll be hard pressed to find a decent set of new computer speakers for less. Plus, these sound pretty decent.

5 / 5

Design

While there can be a tangle of wires, this system is fairly discreet thanks to its diminutive size.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The sound quality punches above its weight considering the price tag, but it does lack in the low end and is a bit on the dull side.

4 / 5

Average Rating

The very attractive price tag is made even more attractive by the fact that the Creative Pebble Pro are a decent pair of computer speakers.

4 / 5

Creative Pebble Pro: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The price tag on the Creative Pebble Pro is only matched by other Creative Pebble speakers. If you’re looking for decent sound under a hundred bucks, these speakers are an attractive option.View Deal

You want RGB lighting
It might be a bit limited, but the addition of the RGB lighting for some ambiance is a nice touch that budget gamers especially will appreciate.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for the best sound possible
The Creative Pebble Pro sound good for the price, but if you’re will to spend a little more (well, at least double), you’ll find plenty of options with more robust sound.View Deal

You want a lot of features
These speakers have Bluetooth, USB-C connectivity, and RGB lighting. But you won’t find EQ controls, optical connectivity, or support for high-res codecs or any kind of spatial audio or surround sound.View Deal

Also consider

Edifier MR4

The powered Edifier MR4 sound great for the price (and have a fairly affordable price tag) and come with a decent amount of inputs, punching well above their weight. Of course, being a budget-friendly model, there are some compromises such as limited bass and too-subtle EQ controls.

Read our full Edifier MR4 reviewView Deal

Logitech Z407

The Logitech Z407 are not as cheap as the Creative Pebble Pro (they cost almost double), but they’re still affordable, especially when considering the fact that they come with a subwoofer and wireless puck. Plus, the sound quality is very good. Considering they’ve been around for a little while, there’s no USB-C on hand. Instead, you’re stuck with micro-USB for a wired digital connection.

Read our full Logitech Z407 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Creative Pebble Pro

Tested over a week
Listened to different genres of music, shows and movies, and games
Tested the RGB lighting and various forms of connectivity

I spent a week testing the Creative Pebble Pro 2.0 Computer Speaker System including using them with all sorts of media, from shows and movies to music and computer games. I played around with the RGB lighting as well as the different inputs.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

First reviewed March 2026

Categories: Reviews

Pragmata’s blend of puzzles, hacking, and combat makes for some of the best space action I’ve ever experienced

Mon, 04/13/2026 - 10:00

Having played a bit of Capcom’s space action-adventure game Pragmata at Summer Game Fest last year, its AI-infused story and lunar setting, and its original combat that mixes hacking and gunplay at the same time, had its hooks in me.

I now know the game has delivered on those intriguing themes — and more.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: April 24, 2026

The combat is a true success, and the combination of simultaneous hacking, weapons, and the need for nimble movement and to be constantly aware can make for some excellent encounters, full of flow and sequence, and high-stakes danger. Almost without exception, balancing the hacking and weapons works completely too — yes, it forces you to multitask in the heat of battle, but somehow you quickly learn to look at both enemy and hacking screen like an Apache pilot, and execute a swift combo of both. It’s incredibly satisfying.

The setting and story provide the perfect capsule for the combat, too, and Diana and Hugh’s journey together is a memorable one. There’s a depiction of AI that feels rather timely, the moon base is exquisitely designed, featuring some extremely cool areas, and while not wholly unique, the relationship between the central pair is warm and sweet, and grows over the course of the game.

Hacked off

(Image credit: Capcom)

Visiting the Deplhi Corporation’s moonbase to investigate what happened after its communications ceased, astronaut Hugh is rescued from peril by young android girl Diana and soon learns that she’s not someone to just be protected, but someone who he can work with during every combat scenario to gain the upper hand against hostile security bots.

With Diana perched on your back, taking down foes involves completing a little on-screen matching puzzle (representing the girl’s hacking abilities) alongside traditional third-person shooting with Hugh’s arsenal of futuristic guns. Not only does Diana’s hack make enemies more susceptible to Hugh’s weapons in a bit of a one-two punch, but there are also status effects and extra boosts to damage that can be gained from each successful hack — though that often means spending a few more vital seconds navigating your way through a tricky matrix to hoover up some extra points.

Getting Pragmata’s action right is always incredibly satisfying — pulling off a tricky manual hack, quickly dodging an attack, and then following up with a rain of damage with a proton laser or shotgun to the head just feels great. Once you factor in the level of awareness you need, and the ability to quickly dodge to slow time at the right point, the complexity grows, but never overwhelms.

From low-grade walker bots through the ranks of tougher specimens all the way up to some pretty bombastic boss fights, there’s a deep satisfaction to be had from concentrating on combos, hacking nodes, and learning moves and weak points of enemies. The latter on bosses reminded me a lot of the Horizon games; identifying and learning weak points to target while dodging attacks around an arena.

Something else to consider is that Hugh’s guns are disposable and thrown away when empty. This means you constantly have to think on the fly and adapt to whatever weapons are around once your favorite is depleted. For example, I hated a chargeable laser weapon in the beginning, but grew to like it and rely on it as a result of necessity demanding I use it in times of need.

You can tailor your methods to your preferences, too, with a range of upgrades, abilities, and augmentations for combat, ready to be applied in a central hub once you’ve gathered enough resources. However, it’s worth noting that you won’t get to enjoy the full suite of weapons and gear until you venture back into a New Game Plus adventure, which is slightly saddening as I would have liked to experience everything in one go, trying out all the weapon types, and building fully personalised loadouts from all the options to master the game’s adventure, and its climax, in one sitting.

Lunar vibes

(Image credit: Capcom)

The lunar base provides the perfect backdrop for these enemy encounters, too.

It’s incredibly well done and fantastically realised. featuring several highly cool environments from an M.J. Escher-like 3D-printed, AI-generated New York cityscape to a nature-filled biome as standouts. All of the zones look spectacular and are full of nooks and crannies to explore and design quirks to enjoy. These contrast well with the clinical, almost NASA-looking aesthetic of the rest of the base, with its massive domes and towers and skywalks.

There are some almost metroidvania in the world, too: opening up shortcuts, having strategically placed save and fast travel points, and even a little bit of Dark Souls in the return of enemies once killed in areas when you go back to them.

Best bit

(Image credit: Capcom)

There's nothing more satisfying than when you nail a combat sequence in Pragmata, successfully utilising all the different bits and adeptly multitasking between them. Nailing a dodge, hack, and weapon strike all in quick succession makes you feel like the bots have no chance.

The narrative is not outrageously new or unique, and it starts off a little slow, but among all the bots and AI and sci-fi, there's a very human throughline. There’s a particular sequence in the second half of the game where Hugh and Diana slowly explore a series of rooms and offices; a nice change of pace, with a slow reveal of information through found files, an accompanying chill soundtrack, a noticeable change in the mood of our protagonists as they understand more, plus the uncovering of events that had occurred before Hugh’s arrival. Magic.

The relationship between Hugh and Diana works and pleasantly changes over time. At first, Diana’s playful innocence offsets the gruffness of Hugh — not totally unlike elements in The Last of Us, for example — but soon they want to spend more time together, and start making plans. Hugh begins teaching Diana about Earth and human ways of life, and it’s all quite sweet and parental. Both characters are wonderfully voiced, and by the end, I couldn’t help but come to care about both of them.

(Image credit: Capcom)

Pragmata is a wonderful, compact, space adventure with heart and soul. But that’s not to say it’s completely without a few things that stain the sheen, such as Diana’s and Hugh’s in-game, moment-to-moment commentary getting a little tiresome, some lazy enemy encounters in the back half that just lock you into smaller and smaller areas for mandatory multi-enemy fights, and a last section that does drag on a little too long.

But, all in all, Pragmata has been worth the long wait, and worthy of its place in Capcom’s pantheon of action games. Even though it’s over in a flash, its combat and hacking mix is exciting enough to pull me back in for another adventure via New Game Plus.

Should you play Pragmata?Play it if...

You’re a fan of puzzles and satisfying combat — simultaneously
The combat in Pragmata is excellent and, even though you’ll feel like you’re learning to play the piano on a unicycle in the beginning, mastering it is incredibly satisfying.

You’re after a short but sweet space adventure
Pragmata isn’t a long game, but it’s a good one. If you’re after a compact space adventure with solid storytelling, a wonderful setting, and compelling action, then this is for you.

You’re a sci-fi fan keen for a new story
While not hugely unique, Pragmata’s narrative, combat, setting, and premise do combine really well to make a wonderful addition to the sci-fi action-adventure game pantheon.

Don't play it if...

You get frustrated with slightly repetitive enemy encounters
There’s a host of different enemy types, but at times the game’s insistence on locking you into smaller and smaller areas with enemies to fight your way out of gets a little repetitive.

You’re looking for a massive, deep space adventure
Pragmata is a short, linear game that does mix things up well with different zones to explore, but keeps everything compact — if you’re hoping for a massive game, then this isn’t it.

Accessibility features

Pragmata has several grouped accessibility settings that can be adjusted in sets, though there are no colorblind options, which is a shame. These include a visual accessibility preset which changes language, subtitle size, and background; an audio accessibility set which changes subtitles, speaker display, and closed captioning; and a motion sickness accessibility set of features which includes center reticle display, motion blur, lens distortion, and depth of field.

How I reviewed Pragmata

I played Pragmata on a PS5 Pro teamed with a Samsung Q6F 55-inch 4K QLED TV and Samsung soundbar for about 10 hours, completing the main story and doing some exploring to boot.

I used a standard DualSense Wireless controller, and I also played for a bunch of hours on my PlayStation Portal. When using a headset, I relied on a SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or an Audeze Maxwell 2.

First reviewed April 2026

Categories: Reviews

I reviewed a soundbar designed to boost dialog for the hard of hearing, and the results impressed me

Mon, 04/13/2026 - 05:00

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 review

The Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is not my favorite soundbar, but it does something unique for the hard-of-hearing that will make it the ideal buy for some people. Just about every other soundbar has a dialog mode that can help boost that part of a movie or show, but none does it quite to the extent of Zvox.

It’s not the first soundbar I’ve come across for this purpose. The smaller Zvox AV157 that the company put out last year worked to achieve similar results, though the AV855 is better in every way (unless you want a smaller soundbar). Of course, it’s pricier, too.

As a regular soundbar, the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 checks most of the boxes, incorporating things like HDMI ARC (missing from that AV157 I reviewed last year), but comes a little short for those that don’t care about its voice-boosting “AccuVoice” feature. There’s no Bluetooth or WiFi Streaming, the spatial audio feature isn’t all that impressive, and, most importantly, the audio can sound a bit boxy.

But if you have trouble hearing dialog in your desired media, this soundbar may be the most extreme or robust solution out there. It may not be the best soundbar overall, but it’s tough to beat for vocal intelligibility.

(Image credit: Future)

On the aesthetics side of things, the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is fairly utilitarian looking. Basically, it’s a black, rectangular box with minimal curves, notable mostly for the durable metal housing it’s in. That’s okay in my eyes, because this is a soundbar with a purpose (which I’ll get to in a bit).

Its height is a bit lower than some soundbars, measuring at just under two inches, making it slot under a TV a little easier than some other models I’ve tested.

What is somewhat exciting about its design is the fact that, along with its four front-facing drivers (two for the center channel), it has two upward-facing ones for adding height to spatial audio — though this comes with a major catch that we'll return to in just a moment. There also are bass ports on each side to help improve the low-end response.

Another thing I appreciate on the AccuVoice AV855 is the fact that it has an LED display hidden behind the grill, so that every time I make any kind of adjustment, it will actually display whatever level it’s at or adjustment that’s been made. This is something that’s often missing on soundbars that are double the price.

The port selection here is pretty good. Having HDMI ARC is typical — though was missing from the smaller AV157 I reviewed last year — but it also has optical, line-in, line-out, and USB connections. There’s no wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, unfortunately, so it doesn’t quite double for listening to music off any source other than your TV.

Interestingly enough, there are no controls on the soundbar itself. All the manipulation comes via the remote (so don’t lose it). Thankfully, the remote enables you to adjust the AccuVoice for dialog boosting, the PhaseCue for spatial audio, bass, treble, and volume, along with things like changing input and muting.

Since the AV855’s focus is mainly on providing a robust dialog mode for those that have trouble hearing speech in media (or just want it clearer), the feature list outside of that is a bit muted. There’s no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming, as I mentioned, and it can’t be paired with other speakers.

It does, however, come with spatial audio. Now, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, so the results are notably less pronounced than I was expecting. Audio just sounds a little bigger when using this feature, which is called ‘PhaseCue’, but not as distinct as when I’m using full-fat Atmos. At least it has three levels to select from, though.

(Image credit: Future)

The star of the show is Zvox’s dialog booster. It's not like Zvox is the only company offering this, but the way the company implements it is much more aggressive than you'll find elsewhere.

Most dialog modes just do a minor boost to the mid-range where voices typically sit. AccuVoice does that, but boosts it significantly more than any other dialog mode I’ve used. Dialog modes on other soundbars typically have three levels. The AV855 has 10. But there’s more to it, as this soundbar also attenuates or reduces the high and low frequencies at the same time, and in more and more extreme fashion as you go up the levels.

Now, if you don’t have any issues with hearing (let’s exclude Christopher Nolan movies), then the AccuVoice mode gets increasingly unpleasant to listen to, with the sound increasingly resembling listening through an old phone with its boxy-all-sharp-mids results. But this feature, at least at its most extreme settings, is not for you.

Those that do have hearing issues will find it incredibly helpful, as it does a fairly good job at isolating voices. In this respect, AccuVoice does its job well – and it's far cheaper than the Sonos Arc Ultra and its AI-aided dialog-boosting modes, which are also designed with the hard of hearing in mind.

The overall sound of the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 seems influenced by the AccuVoice feature, and always has a little bit of boxiness to it. It’s not something that really gets in the way when I watch a TV show (and I feel most people won’t notice), but is more noticeable when watching movies that typically have more audio elements, like a more filled out soundtrack. Music is similarly affected.

The low-end is actually fairly pronounced — something I was quite surprised by considering soundbars typically lack in this category when not paired with a subwoofer. It doesn’t go as low as a system with a sub, but it still had some rumble.

Ultimately, it does what it's designed for very well, but what it's designed for just isn't what everyone necessarily needs. I'd happily recommend this to people who find they need speech made clearer to follow movies and shows, and it does offer the added benefits of better bass and directionality than the built-in speakers of most TVs.

(Image credit: Future)Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar review: price and release date

How much does it cost? $369.99 (about £290 / AU$570)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US

At $369.99 (about £290 / AU$570), the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is among the more expensive of the best cheap soundbars out there. The Zvox AVV157 I mentioned before was initially released at $249 / £159 / AU$458 but is now about $200. It certainly comes with more limitations, such as worse sound and no HDMI ARC, but it’s quite a bit cheaper.

When it comes to other cheap soundbars, the Majority Naga 60 can be bought five times over for the price of the AV855. And it sounds a bit better, too. However, it doesn’t touch the power of the dialog mode of this soundbar.

If you really need that dialog boosting mode, then the price is a relative drop in the bucket. The Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is only available in the US at the time of writing.

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar review: specs

Dimensions

33.7 x 5 x 1.85 inches / 856 x 127 x 47 mm (soundbar)

Speaker channels

3.1.2

Connections

HDMI ARC, optical digital audio, USB, Line-in (Aux), Line-out

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Sub included

Built-in

Rear speakers included

Other features

AccuVoice, PhaseCue, Output leveling

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The dedicated dialog modes are the star, and upfiring speakers are nice, but it lacks of a lot of other mod cons.

3 / 5

Sound quality

The AccuVoice feature works wonders for intelligibility, but the soundbar itself can be a bit boxy.

4 / 5

Design

The design is good if utilitarian, but the built-in display is very welcome.

4 / 5

Value

The price might seem high for a cheap soundbar, but it’s worth it for the AccuVoice feature if it's what you need.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You have trouble hearing dialog
The AccuVoice feature works extremely well at its stated function. If you have issues with hearing, this is the best bet for focusing audio on the dialog of your chosen media.

You want all the fine tuning at your fingertips
The remote, as utilitarian as the soundbar, enables you to adjust all the AV855’s settings in one place — no need for an app or anything complicated.

You need a short soundbar
Its height may not seem like a huge deal, but many soundbars can end up blocking the receiver on the TV, or even the bottom of the picture. So the AV855’s short stature (though it’s fairly wide) is a consideration for getting it.

Don't buy it if…

You care about audio quality above all else
Its features, particularly the AccuVoice one, are nice, but they don’t make up for sound quality. If this is your top priority, I suggest looking elsewhere.

You don’t need dialog boosting
The AccuVoice feature is the main reason to get this soundbar. If you don’t feel like you’re having trouble hearing dialog, there are other soundbars to consider instead.

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar: also consider

Majority Naga 60
The Majority Naga 60’s biggest asset is its low, low price. Even though it is a single unit, it does have a built-in subwoofer and ability to project 3D audio. Of course, both are a bit limited and the soundbar itself has a habit of distorting at higher volumes.
Read our full Majority Naga 60 review

Zvox AV157
The Zvox AV157 is a cheaper option for getting that dialog boosting feature. It’s not quite as robust with that boosting and skips the spatial audio (as well as the HDMI ARC), but it is quite a bit cheaper.
Read our full Zvox AV157 review

How I tested the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar

(Image credit: Future)

Used regularly for a week
Tested with all sorts of media
Tested the different modes

I used the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar regularly for a week, streaming all sorts of media from movies to shows and music.

I pressed every button on the remote to check out the different modes as well as EQ settings. I also spent some time with the AccuVoice and PhaseCue features.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: April 2026

Categories: Reviews

Exit 8 review — you'll never look at subway tunnels the same way after watching this tense horror movie

Mon, 04/13/2026 - 03:47

Exit 8 is the latest horror game to screen adaptation, joining A24's Backrooms in championing liminal spaces and how terrifying they can be. Fans of the short game by Kotake Create will likely be surprised by just how effective Exit 8 is, bringing the story to life on screen.

Unlike the Exit 8 game, the movie does have more of a plot to give it some substance, and we immediately become invested in our protagonist, known simply as The Lost Man (Kazunari Ninomiya).

As he gets off a train, he receives a phone call from his girlfriend to tell him she is pregnant, something that fills him with anxiety as he is unsure if he is fit to be a father. He plans on meeting her at the hospital, so he advances through subway tunnels to get there. This is where he remains trapped for the majority of the movie.

It doesn't take long for The Lost Man to realize he is stuck in a loop, and learns he must identify "anomalies" if he wants to escape. If he sees an anomaly, he must turn back. If none are present, he can continue on until he reaches Exit 8. It sounds simple enough, but it's anything but.

The Lost Man sometimes struggles to tell what is an anomaly and what isn't, and this also becomes a fun task for us as an audience. Can we spot the anomaly before he does? Are we sure it is one? This can be anything from an incorrect sign to a fellow commuter standing motionless and grinning, instead of walking on by. If you've played the game, you will recognize many of them.

Yamato Kochi plays The Walking Man in Exit 8. (Image credit: NEON )

Yamato Kochi makes an impression here as a commuter turned terrifying horror character. This anomaly is particularly memorable from the game, and he goes on to play an even bigger role here, with a backstory of his own.

Director and co-writer Genki Kawamura, along with his writing partner Kentaro Hirase, have really expanded on the game's concept across the board. This gives the story more substance instead of just watching a character loop around and around; we really get more insight into who these people are and how they got here.

The movie does not rely heavily on jump scares; there are perhaps four or five, instead, it plays on feelings of dread and uncertainty. Mirroring the way first-person camera moves in video games, we follow The Lost Man as he peeks around corners and turns around, and it's not knowing what the camera will pan to that's the scariest thing of all.

There are, sadly, some pacing issues. The game has a short play time, with some streamers finishing it in 30 minutes, so some viewers may feel that there are moments where the movie drags on a bit too much. But its effective set design and interesting characters do make up for that.

Exit 8's ending may not stick the landing. I can see it being quite divisive, but I personally did enjoy how it drew to a close. This is one of the most faithful game adaptations I've seen, and it's going to have me looking at subway tunnels in a whole new way.

This movie will leave a lasting impression on you and is a welcome addition to this influx of liminal space horror movies. Long may they continue, if you ask me.

Categories: Reviews

The Asus ROG Kithara embraces hi-fi and makes for a powerful, precise planar-magnetic gaming headset

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 13:00

Asus ROG Kithara: one-minute review

There are a number of gaming headsets available that support high-res audio, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, but the new Asus ROG Kithara is one of the first we’ve seen that really takes the plunge into the challenging waters of the specialist hi-fi market.

Named after a stringed instrument in ancient Greece, the Kithara takes its old-school approach seriously, with a wired-only design that turns its back on modern digital features such as Bluetooth, noise-cancellation, and spatial audio. The focus on wired audio may well be a deal-breaker for some people, but in return, the Kithara provides outstanding sound quality that works a treat both for gaming and listening to lossless and high-res music on modern streaming services.

Although it carries the Asus name, and is part of the company’s popular Republic Of Gamers (ROG) brand, the Kithara was developed in conjunction with HiFiMan, a New York-based manufacturer of seriously expensive hi-fi equipment (founded by the fabulously-named Dr Fang, who really sounds like he should be the villain in a Bond movie).

HiFiMan is known in the audiophile market for its focus on ‘planar-magnetic’ headphones, which provide a more precise and detailed sound than the less expensive ‘dynamic driver’ designs used by most mass-market headphones. And, like many audiophile headphones, the Kithara also employs an ‘open-back’ design, which allows sound to pass freely through the earpieces.

Again, this could be a problem for some people, as background noise can leak right through the earpieces while you’re wearing them, while people nearby can also hear every note of your music, and every zap, ker-pow, ka-boom of your gaming action. However, the advantage of open-back headphones is that they provide a spacious, atmospheric soundstage that really immerses you in sound, whether it’s a concert performance or an alien planet crawling with zombies.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Asus ROG Kithara: Price and Availability

List price: $299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569
Less expensive than many high-end gaming headsets
Focus is on sound quality, with few additional features

The planar-magnetic drivers used by the Kithara represent the high end of the hi-fi market and are normally more expensive than conventional headphones and headsets. Even so, the Kithara’s price of $299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569 isn’t wildly high when compared to high-end rivals such as the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, or Audeze Maxwell 2 headsets.

Remember, though, that most gaming headsets also provide additional features, such as Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, noise-cancellation, or spatial audio. In contrast, the Kithara is a wired-only headset that spends its entire budget on producing the best possible sound quality, with little in the way of added extras.

Asus ROG Kithara: Specs

Asus ROG Kithara

Price

$299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569

Weight

14.8oz / 420g

Drivers

100mm Planar Magnetic

Compatibility

PS5*, PS4* Nintendo Switch*, Nintendo Switch 2*, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (audio only via audio jack on Xbox)

(*Microphone requires USB-C adaptor)

Connection type

Wired only: 3.5mm audio jack, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C

Battery life

N/A

Features

Frequency response of 8Hz – 55KHz; 1.8m gaming cable with boom mic; 1.8m hi-fi cable with 3.5mm, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C adaptors (USB-C supports 24-bit/96KHz)

Software

N/A

Asus ROG Kithara: Design

Bulky 100mm drivers
Separate cables and adaptor for a gaming rig and hi-fi system
Limited console compatibility

This is one instance where form and function go completely hand-in-hand. The outstanding feature of the Kithara is its use of HiFiMan’s 100mm planar-magnetic drivers, which puts them in an entirely different league to conventional headsets, such as the 40mm drivers used in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. The precision of the planar-magnetic technology also provides an impressive frequency range of 8Hz – 55KHz, which goes beyond any gaming headset I’ve used, including my trusty Master & Dynamic MG20, and only rivalled by hi-fi headphones such as Sennheiser’s HDB 630.

The downside of those humungous drivers is that the Kithara is also one of the biggest and heaviest headsets that I’ve ever used. Wearing the Kithara for the first time, I was taken aback at the sheer size of the earpieces, which cover my ears with so much room to spare that the Kithara initially slid right down over my ears and almost ended up dangling around my neck. It’s heavy too, weighing in at 14.8oz / 420g, which is considerably heavier even than Apple’s metal-clad AirPods Max at 13.6oz / 386g.

Fortunately, HiFiMan’s experience comes to the rescue, managing to make the Kithara more comfortable than I might have expected. The headband provides plenty of room for adjustment, so I was quickly able to find a comfortable position for the earpieces, and the well-balanced design ensures that the Kithara doesn’t feel oppressively heavy when you’re wearing it. One nice touch is that there are two sets of removable earpieces included in the box – one set with thick memory foam padding and a leatherette finish, or a slightly smaller set of earpieces covered with a lighter mesh material. The open-back design of the earpieces also provides good ventilation, so your head shouldn’t get too swampy during long gaming sessions. You will, however, end up looking like a Cyberman from Dr Who, due to the sheer size of the headset.

The connectivity options are a little complicated, though. Wired headphones are normally relatively straightforward – you just plug them into your PC, console or mobile devices, and off you go. However, the Kithara is attempting to satisfy both gamers and audiophiles, so it provides an extensive set of cables and connectors for use with different types of devices.

There are two separate cables in the box – one cable that includes a flexible microphone boom for gaming, and a second cable designed for listening to music with hi-fi equipment, such as an external DAC or amplifier. Each earpiece on the Kithara has its own 3.5mm audio socket, so both cables have a double-ended connector that plugs into the 3.5mm connectors on the Kithara earpieces (having removable cables like this also allows audiophiles to use their own specialist cables if they prefer).

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)

As mentioned, the gaming cable includes a microphone, and there’s an inline control for adjusting volume or muting the microphone as well. This cable has two 3.5mm audio jacks on each end, and the two jacks attached to the inline control plug into the 3.5mm connectors on the Kithara’s earpieces.

The other end of the cable plugs into your PC or gaming console, with one 3.5mm jack handling microphone input while the other handles the audio from your gaming rig. Some PCs do combine the microphone and audio into a single 3.5mm connector, but the Kithara also includes a USB-C-to-dual-3.5mm adaptor, which you can use with any device that has an available USB-C port. Asus states that a USB-C interface can provide a little more power and volume for the headphones, so it recommends using the USB-C adaptor whenever possible. The USB-C adaptor also supports high-res audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz, so it can handle most of the high-res audio available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other services.

Unfortunately, this does raise some compatibility issues for console users. Asus states that when using a PlayStation 4 or PS5, the microphone on the Kithara only works via the USB-C adaptor included in the box. However, the microphone doesn’t work with the Xbox at all, and audio input requires the 3.5mm audio connector on an Xbox controller, so console owners should pay close attention to the compatibility info on the Asus website to make sure the Kithara will work with the console you own.

The second cable is designed for use with a variety of hi-fi and audio devices and has a slightly different design. It does have two 3.5mm jacks on one end for connecting to the Kithara’s earpieces. However, the other end has a special ‘3-in-1’ connector that can be used to connect any of the 3.5mm, balanced 4.4mm, or 6.3mm audio adaptors that are included in the box. Most computers, consoles, and mobile devices will work fine with the standard 3.5mm adaptor, but audiophiles may prefer to use the 4.4mm and 6.3mm adaptors with a DAC, amplifier, or other hi-fi equipment.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Asus ROG Kithara: Performance

Planar-magnetic drivers provide superb sound quality
Open-back design creates a relaxed, open soundstage
USB-C adaptor supports high-res audio (24-bit/96KHz)

The Kithara arrived just in time for the new season of Diablo 4, and the first thing I notice as I zone into the capital town of Kyovashad is the sheer clarity and detail of its sound. The Kithara creates a real sense of a lively, bustling town around me, clearly picking out the sound of clanking metal from the blacksmith, and the bubbling cauldron of the alchemist when I stop by to stock up on some potions - details that I never really notice when I'm using my normal set of external speakers with my gaming laptop.

I'm not sure I'd call Diablo 4 a true open-world game, but the soundscape really opens up as I head out through the town gates. A crow squawks as I pass by, and I hear the sound of flapping wings panning over my head as it takes to the air. I also notice - for the very first time - the rattling armour and shield of my trusty companion, Raheir, as he jogs along behind me. The Kithara doesn't have the spatial audio features of more expensive rivals such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but the open-back earpieces are highly effective at creating a sense of space as I run along the road, including the crashing sound of a waterfall over to the left of me.

I get my first taste of combat as a band of Rogues pops up out of nowhere, and the first thing I notice is the power of those chunky 100mm drivers as I fire off a couple of lightning bolts. I only have the game volume set to 50%, but that's more than enough as the chaos of combat erupts all around me. And there's clarity as well as power, capturing the satisfying fizz of energy as my bolts swirl around, bouncing from enemy to enemy. My sorcerer is a typical glass canon, so I trigger my Earthen Bulwark magical shield, and it sounds like a slab of concrete being dragged along the ground as it swirls around me.

I've got to hand it to the sound design team on Diablo 4, as they've done a great job of keeping all the clashing sounds clear and balanced, and the Kithara is a great fit for the game as it has the precision needed to pick out all the sonic details of swords and shields, and the mystical energy of my spells as they all clash in combat.

Editor's note - PS5 performance

Alongside Cliff's extremely thorough and deep testing of the Asus ROG Kithara on a host of platforms, I have also been able to put the headset through its paces on PS5. Performance on Sony's current-gen console looks to be a big deal to Asus, with a dedicated badge adorning the Kithara's box - and largely it performs brilliantly. The audio quality is excellent and gives excellent, crisp, and detailed audio that's a joy to experience. However, the connectivity, cable setup, and the fact that you can only use the headset's microphone when plugged into the PS5's USB-C port hold it back and make the logistics of using the headset a bit of a challenge, especially in 'traditional' under-the-TV setups.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming

The sound design on Doom: The Dark Ages is, admittedly, a little less subtle, but the Kithara digs deep for the opening music, landing the grinding sound of fuzz-drenched guitars with real weight, while the martial beat of drums sets the mood for the mayhem to come.

I'm more of a role-playing games (RPG) guy these days, but the gonzo adrenaline rush of the Doom games is hard to resist, and I enjoy the metallic thud of the shield charge that softens up my enemies as I return to the game's opening section in Khalim. I decide to get some target practice in the Ripatorium mode, picking Unchained Predator by Finishing Move from the Jukebox. It's not my favourite musical genre, but the track's chugging guitar riffs cleverly sync with the bullets spewing from my pulse rifle, and the sheer gritty power of the guitar and drums will satisfy even the most die-hard metal-heads. And, as mentioned, the Kithara's oversized drivers have enough power to really make your ears bleed.

But, of course, the Kithara is designed for audiophiles who will enjoy a range of different musical genres, so I grab my iPad with Apple Music and switch to the hi-fi cable that is also included in the box. I start with the bouncing bass of Billie Eilish on Bad Guy, powered by an iFi Go Link Max DAC with a balanced 4mm connector.

The deep electronic bass that opens the track is firm and precise, but the rhythm is relaxed enough to bounce along like a playful puppy, and it immediately gets my feet tapping. The bass isn’t overwhelming, though, and there’s a really crisp sound to the finger-snaps that lead through the chorus, and a smooth, whispery quality on Billie’s vocals. Planar-magnetic headphones are sometimes criticized for weak bass, but the Kithara can hold its head up with planar-magnetic rivals such as the Audeze Maxwell 2, as it lands the final section of the song with a slow, juddering bass pulse that hits like a pile-driver.

A new high-res mix of Queen’s Seven Seas Of Rhye recently turned up on Apple Music, and the Kithara proves that it can match the power and precision of traditional hi-fi headphones such as the Sennheiser HDB 630 as it really lets rip on Brian May’s swooping power chords. It can handle Queen’s multi-tracked harmonies too, catching all the different layers of sound, and making room for Roger Taylor’s shrieking falsetto as it leads into the guitar break.

The old-school approach of the Kithara won’t suit everyone, and the lack of Bluetooth and noise-cancellation features means that it will mainly appeal to wired-only purists. But, if you’re an audiophile who really prefers the quality of traditional wired headphones, then the clarity, precision and spacious sound of the Kithara are hard to beat at this price.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Should you buy the Asus ROG Kithara?Buy it if...

You're chasing premium gaming audio in a wired set
I always prefer wired headphones, but I also like gaming, so the Kithara hits the sweet spot for me. It provides separate cables for gaming (with a mic boom) and high-res music, with adaptors for a range of hi-fi gear.

You’re an old-school Hi-Fi buff
he Kithara is totally old-school, with a 100% wired-only design. But it earns its keep thanks to those chunky 100mm drivers and planar-magnetic design that delivers high-end sound quality.

You have an isolated gaming setup
The porous open-back design of the Kithara leaks sound – both in and out – so it will work best in a snug man-cave where you can play games and listen to music in privacy.

Don't buy it if...

You want your gaming headset to offer everything
If you want Bluetooth for wireless audio, or noise-cancellation when you’re travelling, then look elsewhere. The Kithara is all about sound quality and simply ignores modern digital features (other than USB-C).

You want a gaming headset for travel
That open-back design really isn’t suitable for outdoor use or away from home. Wear the Kithara on the train to work in the morning, and you’ll be lynched by your fellow commuters.

You have a small head
The 100mm drivers are a sonic delight, but they mean that the Kithara is bigger and heavier than just about every rival headset we’ve come across.

Also consider...

If the Asus ROG Kithara might not be quite for you, then check out these fine alternatives as excellent audiophile options.

Asus ROG Kithara

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Audeze Maxwell 2

Price

$299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569

$599.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,349

$329 / £319 / about AU$450

Weight

14.8oz / 420g

13.4oz / 380g

17.3oz / 490g

Drivers

100mm Planar Magnetic

40mm carbon fiber with brass surround

90mm Planar Magnetic

Compatibility

PS5*, PS4* Nintendo Switch*, Nintendo Switch 2*, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (audio only via audio jack on Xbox)

(*Microphone requires USB-C adaptor)

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile

Playstation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile

Connection type

Wired only: 3.5mm audio jack, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C

Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio, LC3, LC3+)

Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (LC3plus /

LC3 / LDAC / AAC)

Battery life

N/A

Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System

80+ hours

Features

Frequency response of 8Hz – 55KHz; 1.8m gaming cable with boom mic; 1.8m hi-fi cable with 3.5mm, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C adaptors (USB-C supports 24-bit/96KHz)

Certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), 40mm carbon fiber, brass ring surround drivers, ClearCast Gen 2.X - Retractable Boom Mic and Smart-Switching On-Ear Beamforming Microphone with AI noise rejecting, ANC, Omniplay GameHub (connect four devices simultaneously)

Detachable hypercardiod mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox),

Software

N/A

SteelSeries GG/Sonar (PC), SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android)

Audeze HQ (PC)

SteelSeries Arctic Nova Elite
The Nova Elite is a real high-end option, costing almost twice the price of the Kithara. However, it provides excellent sound quality that will satisfy audiophiles, whilst also providing Bluetooth, ANC, and other digital features that the Kithara lacks.

Read more in our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review.

Audeze Maxwell 2
The latest iteration of Audeze's Maxwell will appeal to audiophiles tempted by its chunky planar-magnetic drivers and imposing sound quality. It’s a little more expensive than the Kithara, but it provides a wider range of digital features.

Read more in our full Audeze Maxwell 2 review.

How I tested the Asus ROG Kithara

Tested over two weeks, gaming and streaming audio
Used on PC, Mac and mobile devices, on a variety of games and listening to high-res music on Apple Music
Compared directly with the Master & Dynamic MG20 and Sennheiser HDB 630, as well as other gaming headsets and headphones

I’m lucky enough to test hi-fi quality headphones on a fairly regular basis, so I was able to compare the Asus Kithara with gaming headsets such as the Master & Dynamic MG20, as well as more conventional headphones from Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins.

As mentioned, I was eager to test the Kithara by jumping into the new season of Diablo 4 on my Alienware gaming laptop. Diablo has taken up most of my gaming time in recent weeks, but I also paid a return visit to Doom: The Dark Ages. And, believe it or not, I also spend a fair amount of time reviewing games on the Mac, allowing me to revisit Baldur’s Gate 3 and the zombie hordes of Resident Evil 3. And I was able to cover both bases with Death Stranding, which has a wonderfully eerie and atmospheric ambient soundtrack, alongside the beautiful, melancholy song-writing of Low Roar.

I also use a Mac for work all day long, so the Kithara was often plugged into my Mac mini in order to stream music from Apple Music, ranging from the high-res bombast of Queen to the classical elegance of Max Richter.

First reviewed March 2026

I reviewed the LG G6 for 3 weeks, and it's a fantastic OLED TV that's the new best option for brighter rooms

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 08:00

LG G6 OLED TV: Two minute review

The LG G6 OLED TV is the successor to the excellent LG G5 elite OLED, and it's a worthy follow-up. It uses a new-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel with a new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor to help it deliver better picture quality and performance. Feature packed and able to handle anything thrown at it, the G6 sets the standard for OLED in 2026, in more ways than one.

Picture quality on the G6 is excellent. It delivers punchy, vibrant colors that appear more natural and accurate than its predecessor, while also delivering powerful contrast with rich blacks and refined brightness.

The real game changer is its reflection handling, which does a fantastic job of limiting mirror-like reflections while maintaining better black levels than the Samsung S95F, which we rated as the best OLED TV for bright-room viewing… until now.

Detail is exceptional, with crisp textures, while motion handling is smooth and natural. The G6 is a truly impressive TV to look at.

The G6’s built-in sound has had some big changes, with a drop in the number of sound modes available for the 4.2-channel speaker system. I preferred using the AI Sound Pro mode, which has had its sound profile altered compared to the G5’s version of this mode.

It’s more direct, punchier and more accurate now. But ultimately, while the G6’s sound is solid, I’d still add one of the best soundbars for the full cinematic experience.

LG’s OLEDs are always among the best gaming TVs on the market and the G6 is no different. With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting a full suite of features — 4K 165Hz, FreeSync and G-Sync variable refresh rate certification, HGiG HDR, Dolby Vision gaming — plus a new ultra-low measured input lag of 8.9ms, the G6 is a fantastic gaming set.

LG's webOS continues to be one of the better smart TV platforms available, and webOS 26, the latest iteration, is another great instalment. There's a rich suite of picture settings, the navigation and layout is intuitive, and actually useful AI tools for content recommendations and user quality-of-life. It’s not perfect, with bulky ad space on the home screen, but there’s little else to complain about here.

At $3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999 for the 65-inch model I tested, the G6 is a premium-priced TV. Its US launch pricing is consistent with the G5’s launch pricing last year in the US, and is a little cheaper in the UK — and I don’t expect it will stay at these prices for long, because TVs always start dropping soon after launch. It delivers good overall value thanks to the performance you’re getting for the price, but it remains at the top end of the TV market.

If your priority is having the deep cinematic dark tones that OLED is known for, but viewable in as many lighting conditions as possible, the LG G6 is elite.

LG G6 review: Prices & release date

(Image credit: Future)

Release date: March 2026 (US/Aus) / May 2026 (UK)
48-inch price: $N/A / £TBC / AU$N/A
55-inch price: $2,499.99 / £2,199 / AU$3,999
65-inch price: $3,399.99 / £2,999 / AU$4,999
77-inch price: $4,499.99 / £3,999 / AU$7,499
83-inch price: $6,499.99 / £TBC / AU$9,999
97-inch price : $24,999.99 / £TBC / AU$29,999

The LG G6 is one of LG’s flagship OLED TVs for 2026, alongside the ‘Wallpaper’ LG W6. It sits above the mid-range LG C6 (and new LG C6H, which is the version of the C6 at larger sizes) and entry-level LG B6. It is widely available in 55, 65, 77 and 83-inch sizes.

There is also a smaller 48-inch model in the UK, and a larger 97-inch model in the US and Australia (though you should expect different performance results from these panels — especially the 97-inch model, which uses a much older OLED panel rather than the Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panel in the other sizes).

Prices have remained consistent with the G6’s predecessor, the G5, in the US and Australia, but in a surprising turn of events, the G6's launch prices in the UK are cheaper than the G5's were in three key models: 55, 65 and 77-inches, with all three coming in £200-500 cheaper than their predecessors.

LG G6 review: Specs

Screen type:

OLED

Refresh rate:

Up to 165Hz

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 (USA)

LG G6 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 a TV is. As with all our tests, these results are out of the box, without calibration, to demonstrate the performance most people will see. (Image credit: Future)

Spectral 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 is handling color. (Image credit: Future)LG G6 review: Features

Primary Tandem RGB OLED 2.0 panel and Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI Processor
4K 165Hz for PC gaming with full VRR support
New LG webOS adds more AI features and tweaks some settings

The G6 comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, perfect for those with multiple gaming devices and a soundbar (Image credit: Future)

The LG G6 is equipped with the Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel, the second generation of the redesigned OLED panel first introduced in the G6’s predecessor, the G5. It delivers higher brightness, and LG has added better reflection handling on top of that.

The G6 also features the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI Processor, which features Brightness Booster Ultimate, a ton of AI features including AI Search and AI Chatbot, and faster processing speeds.

New features also include 12-bit color processing and 13-bit output (the final 1-bit is a brightness boost), Dual AI Super Resolution, Dynamic Tone Mapping Ultra and enhanced AI Sound features including Object Enhancement.

The G6 supports Dolby Vision HDR, but as usual does not support HDR10+. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound, but again there is no DTS support. It also supports Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. LG says there are currently no plans for Dolby Vision 2 support.

Gaming is well supported on the G6, with 4K 165Hz, full variable refresh rate options including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG HDR, auto low latency mode, and Dolby Vision Gaming all supported across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Game Optimizer mode features as usual with plenty of settings available to tailor the gaming experience.

For audio, the biggest change is the reduction of available sound modes — from eight to four — with more of a focus on AI sound modes. The TV comes with the same 4.2 channel speaker system as last year’s G5 and again supports the AI Sound Wizard first debuted in last year’s Alpha 11 Gen 2 processor.

As before, there's no support for DTS decoding in the TV, so it's best if your source device or soundbar can handle this.

As for the latest iteration of LG’s own smart TV platform, webOS 26, there have been alterations to the AI features from last year, such as a more refined AI Concierge which can use Generative AI as well as a new layout for major settings in menus that prioritize users more.

The Quick Menu can also be customized to add more personal features such as Game Optimizer. Quick Cards return, and more have been added such as Home Office and Music.

Features score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Picture quality

Rich and especially natural color reproduction
Excellent contrast and shadow detail, even by OLED's standards
Surprisingly effective reflection handling that's a big step up

The G6 delivers excellent colors which appear both rich and accurate, shown here in The Wild Robot (Image credit: Universal Pictures / Future )

Beginning with some brightness measurements, the LG G6 hit 2,471 nits HDR peak brightness in Filmmaker Mode and 2,454 nits in Standard mode. While the Filmmaker Mode number is roughly a 200-nit increase from the G5, the Standard mode figure is a massive 604 nits increase (the G5 measured 1,850 nits), which is far higher than the 20% increase LG had promised.

Fullscreen HDR brightness has received the most meaningful boost, with the G6 hitting a measured 455 nits in Filmmaker Mode compared to the G5’s 331 nits. In Standard mode, it measured in at 373 nits, again a nice jump from the G5’s 297 nits in the same mode, meaning pictures should appear far brighter overall.

Color reproduction is arguably the G6’s greatest strength, though. Although colors don’t appear as 'bright' on the G6 compared to its predecessor, the LG G5, LG told me this was "by design" and I think the tweak has paid off: colors are simply stunning on the G6 while looking totally natural.

Watching the market scene from The Sound of Music, where orange, yellow and fruits sit front and center on screen, all these colors looked rich, refined and still packed plenty of punch, while also appearing true-to-life. Other scenes which feature green hills and blue skies, such as the ‘Do Re Mi’ scene, also demonstrate the G6’s excellent color accuracy.

Switching to an animated movie, The Wild Robot, the G6 again delivers gorgeous hues. A scene where Roz is surrounded by multi-colored butterflies shows excellent color balance between neutral and bolder colors, but crucially still delivers the richness you’d want from an animated movie.

Measuring the G6’s HDR color gamut coverage, it hit 99.3% of the DCI-P3 color space and 82.7% of the BT.2020 color space. These are both superb results and help explain why the G6’s color reproduction stands out — it's capable of showing pretty much everything that HDR video has to offer. It also registered a 1.4 delta-E SDR color accuracy in Filmmaker Mode: another brilliant result, meaning its colors are indistinguishable from 'perfect' to the human eye out of the box.

The G6 delivers strong contrast, with a good balance between dark and light tones, allowing subtle shadow detail to still break through (Image credit: Future / Warner Bros. Discovery)

The G6’s contrast is another high point. Watching various high-contrast scenes from The Batman, such as the investigation in Mayor Mitchell’s house and the subway fight scene, the G6 delivers powerful contrast with deep, rich dark tones of the dark wood surroundings balancing with punchy highlights from light sources.

This is also true in Alien: Romulus, where shots of space show ‘perfect’ blacks mixed with refined highlights of stars and suns. Next to the G5, these shots are not only more balanced but more controlled, demonstrating minimal clipping in the lights.

Shadow detail is also excellent on the G6. In The Batman’s many dark scenes, details such as Batman’s armor, the panelling of a column on the subway platform, and even the portraits on the walls of Mitchell’s house are all visible without the need for raised brightness.

One area where the G6 really impressed was its reflection handling. Playing dark movies such as The Batman, Nosferatu and Alien: Romulus with overhead lights in our testing lab turned on, I was surprised by how much of the picture was visible and even how few mirror-like reflections there were. Not even the ‘torture test’ of The Batman was muddied on the G6.

It’s the black retention that also impresses, as I found when testing the G6 next to the Samsung S95F, with its anti-glare matte screen. While the S95F can cut out mirror-like reflections totally, its black tones can end up looking gray compared to the G6 in some lighting conditions, while the G6 manages to balance both reflections and black accuracy.

The G6’s motion handling is fantastic. Testing various sports including basketball, tennis and football, pictures are smooth and responsive throughout with no signs of motion artefacts such as ghosting. Either the Cinematic Movement or Natural motion settings, located in the TruMotion menu, worked well during my testing, though I did find motion settings necessary as some mild judder would occur with these settings turned off.

Motion handling for movies was also great. I personally found that my preferred setting was the Cinematic Movement setting, which did a good job reproducing a panning scene of a rocky hillside from No Time To Die with only minimal judder (which is expected). Throughout the succeeding chase scene, fast motion camera shots appeared smooth.

A DVD of The Amazing Spider-Man shows just how impressive the G6’s upscaling is. The picture on the 65-inch model was bright, clean and had crisp textures compared to some cheaper TVs I’d seen. I already knew how impressive LG’s OLEDs were at upscaling based on the G5’s performance in this area in last year’s four-way OLED showdown I did, but the G6 took it a step further, adding even more detail.

Picture quality score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Sound quality

The G6's built-in speakers deliver accurate, punchy sound but ultimately a TV with this picture deserves a soundbar. Perfect for scenes like the Batmobile chase from The Batman (pictured). (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

4.2 channel speaker array with four sound more options
Great accuracy, good detail and solid power
Soundstage isn't that wide compared to a soundbar

Testing the G5 last year I found myself drawn to the AI Sound Pro mode as well as the Cinema setting. With the removal of the latter in the G6 this year, I settled on AI Sound Pro as my favorite after testing the G6’s built-in 4.2 channel speaker system. AI Sound Pro upmixes sound to an 11.1.2-channel configuration with the aid of the Alpha 11 Gen 3 Processor. Dolby Atmos is supported, but there’s no DTS support of any kind.

LG has altered the AI Sound Pro profile for the G6 and it results in a more direct, bassier sound than last year’s G5. The sound profile itself also focuses on more mid-range tones, which I found more appealing than last year’s brighter G5.

Using the Batmobile scene from The Batman, the G6’s speakers deliver punchy bass, capturing the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine during ignition accurately. Mapping between sound and the action on screen is precise, with the swerving tyres and car horns of passing cars sounding authentic. This is also true during The Mask. As The Mask himself tornadoes around, the G6 does a good job with the directionality of the sound.

While the G6 also delivers a respectable soundstage, with sound sometimes extending beyond the screen, it all still feels quite contained. The speakers don’t have the punch of a soundbar or of TVs with larger speaker systems such as the Sony Bravia 8 II or Panasonic Z95B. The G6 is good for general movie and TV viewing, but its sound doesn’t match the sheer brilliance of its picture.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

LG G6 review: Design

The LG G6 has both a stand (pictured) and wall-mounting options for some sizes in some regions (Image credit: Future)

Wall-mount and stand options for some sizes
Premium, sturdy build on the whole TV set
Remote still feels cheap in comparison

The LG G6 carries a lot of the same design over from the G5. It still has a metal frame that looks premium and feels reassuringly sturdy, along with a heavy, gray and metal pedestal stand that can be placed at two heights to make room for a soundbar. There’s a cable-tidy option at the back of the TV as well.

The G6 also comes with a slim-fit wall-mount in the box in some sizes (depending on region) for those that want to wall-mount their TV. The G6’s screen itself has a near-bezelless design, meaning the picture takes up basically all of the front — something that's not so true with Samsung's new 2026 flagship OLED TV.

LG’s Magic Remote returns here, and while the US remote benefits from a somewhat slimmer build with a more streamlined button layout, the UK is stuck with the old-style magic remote with a wheel.

The latter still feels light and cheap: not something you want for a TV at this price. LG could take some lessons from brands such as Philips and Hisense, whose remotes feel far more premium.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

LG G6 review: Smart TV & menus

LG's webOS 26 is still one of the best smart TV platforms available, with excellent quick card options and menu navigation. The large banner ad is a frustration however (Image credit: Future)

Uses LG's webOS 26 smart TV platform
Expanded Quick Cards and customizable Quick Menu are useful
More and enhanced AI features are actually welcome

The G6 comes with webOS 26 as its smart TV platform, which is the latest iteration of LG’s own smart TV. Some of the returning highlights features include the Quick Menu, which is a handy tool for easily changing picture and sound presets, and the Quick Cards feature, where apps can be organized into a relevant category 'card' on the home screen. For 2026, these cards have been expanded to include even more options.

The system also has an excellent array of accessibility options, which are also in their own quick card.

The AI Concierge, which previously helped you find tailored content recommendations based on searches and watch history, can now use Generative AI for other tasks, such as making travel plans.

Other AI tools introduced last year, such as Voice ID (which can activate a person’s profile with their customized settings simply by recognizing a voice), AI Search (for AI-assisted content search) and AI Chatbot (for troubleshooting) all return. There’s also an AI Art feature, where artworks can be generated, though you'll have a limited number of credits.

As for menus, webOS 26 is easy to navigate, clearly laid out and has enough options to customize picture and sound settings without being overwhelming. One downside is that the webOS 26 homepage has over a third of its top space taken up by banner ads, which can be an eyesore, but it's far from alone in this. It still remains one of the best smart TV platforms on the market.

Smart TV & menus score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Gaming

The G6 is a superb gaming display, expertly handling fast-paced games such as Battlefield V (pictured) and offering a full suite of features (Image credit: Future)

4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync all supported
Ultra-low 8.9ms input lag time measured using a Leo Bodnar 4K meter
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with full support for all gaming features

Following in the footsteps of LG’s previous OLEDs, the G6 is a phenomenal gaming TV. It comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports that have all the features gamers will be looking for: 4K 165Hz, VRR with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync supported, HGiG, Dolby Vision Gaming and auto low latency mode.

It also features the Game Optimizer menu where settings can be tweaked, including an 'Input delay' option. Activating Boost mode (for lower input lag), the G6 registered an 8.9ms measured input lag, beating the years of 9.2ms in its predecessors.

Playing Battlefield V, gaming performance on the G6 is razor-sharp and responsive. Whether it was a fast-paced mission driving a tank around war-torn Berlin or running from enemies in France, movement felt smooth and targeting was snappy and easy. There was never any stutter or delay during the most chaotic moments.

Gaming also looks gorgeous on the G6, with the rich contrast, bold colors and crisp detail it delivered for movies translated over to gaming. Once again, the G6 has set the bar for a gaming TV in 2026.

Gaming score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Value

LG's 2026 Magic Remote for the UK — fine, but should be more premium at this price (Image credit: Future)

Good overall value compared to other flagship OLED TVs
Consistent pricing with predecessor in the US, and cheaper in the UK
Still very much a premium TV

The LG G6 is a premium-priced OLED TV, with the 65-inch version I tested costing $3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999 at launch. It delivers the premium experience OLED fans will want, with excellent picture quality and superb gaming performance, but it is undoubtedly a top-end TV.

While it also is an improvement over the G5 in terms of picture quality, the G5 is better value at the time of writing, as it nears the end of its first year of life. You can pick up a 65-inch G5 for $2,199 / £2,249 / AU$3,199, so if you’re desperate for a new G-series, the G5 is your best bet in terms of value for money. If you can wait, the G6 is the better TV to go for once prices drop.

Still, the G6 is a fantastic TV, really showing what flagship OLED can do. If you have the budget, the G6 is worth the investment.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the LG G6 OLED TV?

(Image credit: Future)LG G6 OLED TV scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

A full suite of smart and gaming features that cover all the bases you could need.

5 / 5

Picture quality

Superb picture quality with accurate colors and contrast, plus improved reflection handling for bright room viewing

5 / 5

Sound quality

Solid built-in sound with a more direct and punchy AI Sound Pro mode, but can feel limited in its width at times. Fewer sound modes than last year too.

4 / 5

Design

Premium design with wall-mounting and stand options, Uk remote could feel more premium though…

4.5 / 5

Smart TV and menus

Intuitive smart TV platform with easy to navigate menus, Quick Cards and AI tools. Fewer quirks and ads than most platforms.

5 / 5

Gaming

A complete suite of gaming features including 4K 165Hz and full VRR support. with very low input lag. A gaming powerhouse.

5 / 5

Value

Delivers good performance and features for the money, but is at the pricey end of the market.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want excellent picture quality
Delivering colors that are both vibrant and authentic, with rich contrast, crisp detail and great reflection handling, the G6's picture is truly brilliant.

You want a truly great gaming TV
As with all of LG's OLEDs, the G6 is a gaming powerhouse with a full suite of features and responsive performance to match.

You want an intuitive smart TV platform
LG's webOS 26 continues to be one of the best smart TV platforms on the market with an easy-to-use menu system and plenty of personalization options.

Don't buy it if…

You're on a budget
The G6 is a flagship OLED TV and as such, it comes with a big price tag. If you're looking for cheaper, you may be better off with the mid-range LG C6.

You don’t want to use a soundbar
The G6 delivers decent built-in sound, but its speakers don't offer the same quality as its picture. A TV like this deserves a soundbar.

You want HDR10+ or Dolby Vision 2 support
Like all LG TVs, the G6 doesn't support HDR10+, a format you'll find on some 4K Blu-rays and streaming services. LG also has says it has no plans to support Dolby Vision 2, so that's arguably a knock to the future-proofness of this set.

LG G6 review: Also consider...

LG G6 OLED TV

LG G5

Samsung S95F

Price (65-inch at launch)

65-inch price: $3,399.99 / £2,999 / AU$4,999

$3.399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299

$3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295

Screen type

OLED (Primary Tandem RGB 2.0)

OLED (Primary Tandem RGB 1.0)

OLED

Refresh rate

165Hz

144Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

webOS26

webOS25

Tizen

HDMI ports

4 x HDMI 2.1

LG G5
The LG G6's predecessor. The LG G5 is a fantastic TV in its own right with the same superb gaming performance and picture quality. While the G6 does improve on the G5 in some ways, namely reflection handling and Filmmaker Mode accuracy, the G5 is significantly cheaper right now over a year into its life — while it lasts, it's a great deal.

Read our full LG G5 review

Samsung S95F
2025's Samsung flagship OLED, the S95F is a fantastic TV with brilliant picture quality, a sleek design and superb gaming features. While it's great for bright rooms, we actually found the G6 the better experience for bright room viewing when we put them side-by-side. Still, the S95F is a lot cheaper right now.

Read our full Samsung S95F review

How I tested the LG G6 OLED TV

The testing setup for the G6, with Klein K-10A colorimeter, Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator and laptop with Portrait Displays Calman software connected (Image credit: Future)

I tested the LG G6 over three weeks, watching streaming, 4K Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, and DVD
Tested in various lighting conditions in our TV testing labs
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software

I first tested the LG G6 OLED TV with some casual viewing to establish its best picture modes, settling on Filmmaker Mode for SDR, HDR and Dolby Vision sources.

I then conducted real-world viewing tests using both SDR (DVD and broadcast TV) and HDR (4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming) where I analyzed the G6's picture quality. I focused on color, contrast, shadow detail, motion and upscaling (for lower resolution sources such as DVD).

I also tested the G6's built-in sound by using reference scenes to test its sound performance, such as The Batman and The Mask, on top of other viewing.

Once these subjective tests were completed, I did some objective testing by taking measurements suing specialized equipment. I used the Klein K-10A colorimeter (after meter profiling with the Jeti 15VA spectroradiometer), Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator and recorded results using Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software.

I measured the G6's brightness in both Filmmaker Mode (its most accurate mode) and Standard picture modes, in both SDR and HDR. I used white window test patterns ranging 1-100%, focusing on 10% (peak brightness) and 100% (fullscreen brightness).

I also measured its HDR color gamut coverage, using both BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces, hoping for a result of over 95%. I also measured its SDR color and grayscale accuracy by taking the average of the Delta-E results (the margin for error between the test pattern signal and what's shown on screen), hoping for results below 3 (anything below can't be distinguished by the human eye).

I then measured the G6's EOTF in 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits brightness, which shows the accuracy at which the G6 displays in both dark and light areas.

I also measured the G6's Spectral Power Distribution using the Jeti spectroradiometer, which shows the G6's color performance.

Finally, I measured the G6's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester, measuring this is milliseconds (ms).

First reviewed: April 2026
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Categories: Reviews

Are these the best-designed workout headphones ever? I used them for a month to find out

Sun, 04/12/2026 - 05:00

H20 Audio Ript Ultra: Two-minute review

Our list of the best workout headphones is largely populated by earbuds, and there are scant over-ear options that are designed specifically for exercise. Enter the H20 Audio Ript Ultra, which are very very exercise-oriented.

These over-ear headphones come from a dedicated exercise audio brand, which also gave us the likes of the Tri Run bone conduction headphones and Sonar 2 Pro swim buds, and it generally focuses on simplicity and affordability.

Check one for the Ript Ultra, but cross the other. These are headphones that fix a few big pain points for gym-goers or runners, but at a high cost that non-exercise cans can easily undercut.

The selling point here is that the Ript Ultra are totally sweatproof: their silicone ear cushions are enclosed so no liquid can get to the drivers, and they can also be removed to be cleaned easily. Not to be sniffed at, that.

I also liked how tight and reliable a fit the H20 Audio cans provided: on runs and at the gym, they stuck reliably and resolutely in place, without slipping or falling as other headphones, even workout-specific cans, have. They rarely became uncomfortable, though my ears did get quite hot under the thick cups, so they might not be suitable for long summer runs (which is probably precisely what you'd want them for. Sorry).

As exercise cans go though, these do a great job at fixing the problems that make the best headphones poor tools for the task. But they also miss off several key perks that their 'standard' brethren too.

The audio quality is nothing to write home about sadly, and the noise cancellation is good but not great. The cans feel a little bit cheap in the hand, due to their using the same kind of hardy plastic regularly seen in budget tech, and there's no companion app for your phone to let you fine-tune the sound or enjoy extra features.

None of these is categorically a deal-breaker, especially in headphones designed for use when you're on the go in workout gear. But ultimately the rather high price of these headphones can, and should, have you asking for a little more.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

Released in mid-2025
Debuted for $249 / £244 / AU$410
Cheaper now

The H20 Audio Ript Ultra are priced akin to some pretty premium non-workout headphones. Debuting for $249 / £244 / AU$410, they ain't cheap.

Since their mid-2025 release, they've dropped in price a little bit. In the US they've dipped towards the $200 mark at times, and in the UK they're reliably below the £200 bar. But even with price cuts, they're still pricey against direct rivals — see for instance the workout-specific Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active, with bass slider, which also launched in summer 2025, but at a cheaper $209.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99. Oh, and they too are now also seeing discounts here and there.

The default models of Ript Ultra are black or gray, but two other models are available if you hunt around. There's a pink Betty x RIPT model, with a skull-and-butterfly logo on the cup (I couldn't work out who, or what, Betty was), and an orange Zwift x RIPT model themed around the cycling app. These versions seem to only differ in design colorways, not feature set.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Specs

Drivers

45mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC off)

50 hours

Weight

304g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Frequency response

Not specified

Waterproofing

Not specified

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

50 hours of battery life
Slight ANC complements the PNC
No extra features from app (because there is no app)

The quoted battery life of the H20 Audio Ript Ultra is 50 hours (presumably with ANC off, lower with it on). With cans often pushing the 100-hour mark these days, that's far from best-in-class, but I'd imagine it's still more than enough juice for most users. You'd have to forget to charge for quite a few marathons to run dry.

It's a little tricky to know how much battery you actually have, though, as the headphone voice simply says "battery: high" or similar. Luckily my Android phone can tell me the charge of paired accessories, so I could see the Ript's percentage, but others might need to rely on this vague reportage.

Because of the thick silicone cups, the Ript Ultra has pretty solid PNC, or passive noise cancellation, which can strip out loud background sounds without taking up any of your battery charge. There's ANC too; turning this on made a small impact on noise, and it's probably worth leaving off if battery is a concern.

There's no smartphone app to give you extra controls over the Ript Ultra: what you see is what you get. No equalizer, no 'find my' function, no listening tests. None of these are mandatory on headphones, but when you're paying a high price, you'd hope for a little more than 'zilch'.

Features score: 3/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Solid clamping force — secure, not uncomfortable
Sweatproof & cleanable, removable ear pads
They do get hot during workouts

The entirety of H20 Audio's sales pitch rests on its design, and I must say: job well done. Immediately, I noticed a workout cans pet peeve of mine was fixed: these things clamp on your head tight, and in all my hours of running and gym-going with them, they never fell off.

The main draw is their sweatproof design. While there's no IP rating, they're meant to be totally immune to perspiration: the silicone ear cups won't disintegrate like leather ones will, and can be removed to be cleaned easily. I found all these sales points to be totally accurate.

Silicone isn't the most comfortable material to wear, though, as it gets very warm. Frequently on runs, my ears would heat up and the area would get quite sweaty. The pads are also a bit thicker, and heavier, than alternatives I've used, but looking at the grand picture, these are also some of the most reliable workout headphones I've used because of the ear pads.

In the box, you do also get some other ear pads: they seem like leather to me, and they're softer. I wanted to test the default, more sweatproof option, so I didn't use these much, but it's a nice move that H20 is giving you regular alternatives.

On the left cup, there's an ANC button and USB-C port, and the right one has a power button, volume up and down buttons plus, perhaps surprisingly, a 3.5mm jack. That's right, you can plug these puppies in if you want better audio quality.

The Ript Ultra fold down, and come in a carry case for extra protection. According to my kitchen scale, they weigh 304g, but I'd say they fall in the general category of 'slightly heavier than normal over-ears'. The plastic they're made from feels a little cheap, and creaks a little in the hand, which initially made me worry that they were real cheapies. I was wrong those; having tested them for days now, I'm quite sure this plastic was actually used deliberately as it's more durable than other solutions.

Design score: 4.5/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

Custom 45mm driver
Decidedly flat, occasionally muddy audio
Lacking the crisp bass injection I'd have liked for workouts

Since H20 Audio packed the Ript Ultra with a custom 45mm driver, I was expecting a pretty unique sonic experience. But it was unique in the way a weekend at Glastonbury is: muddy.

The headphones have a pretty flat audio output, not offering scooping (or overdriven) bass as many many exercise fans would like, or treble to offer something a little different. Audio lines sound a little indistinct, smushed together, and music has... whatever the opposite of an expansive soundstage is. A congested presentation? Yes, a little.

The overall sound profile is generally warm, with lower-frequency sounds given prominence, but not clarity. Bass blends and bleeds into the rest of the mix: in Kasabian's Underdog, I couldn't tell what was bass and what was kick-drum.

If the planets align, you can get some lovely shaking bass with the headphones; Niko Moon's Paradise To Me offered a really lovely sub-bass. But the few exceptions made the rule even clearer. In the chorus of Sam Fender's Hypersonic Missiles, you'd think every instrument was recorded from the exact same microphone, for how even they sound.

Now, the great caveat: do people care about clarity and detailed audio in exercise headphones? I have no doubt that many will ignore this section. But some gym-goers or runners will want that extra bit of bass to help them knuckle down, or the sparkling treble to underpin that fantastic chorus that gets you to the finish line. I don't think muddy audio like this will inspire people to greatness or shave any time off your 10k PB.

The headphones connect via Bluetooth 5.2 — not 5.4, as H20's website lists — and there's no support for additional high-resolution codecs. What you hear is what you get. And if that's OK with you given the sweatproofing, fine. But it's not better than fine.

Sound quality: 3/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

Mid-range price for headphones
Other options get you more for your money

I've referred to the H20 Audio Ript Ultra as being a pricey pair of headphones; they certainly are, but it's worth noting that workout cans tend to be a little pricier than their standard counterparts. That's what you're getting for longevity.

Despite that note, though, the Ript Ultra do feel a little expensive for what you're getting. The lack of tie-in app, middling audio and ANC are all a little hard to swallow when you're paying a premium.

So what price would you put on protected headphones? If price is no concern, then these are fine for you, but there are alternatives that offer you more for your money. I've seen some reports online that this model is prone to breaking — although do note, that was not my experience — but it's always worth thinking about how you'll use them before spending the cash.

Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the H20 Audio Ript Ultra?H20 Audio Ript Ultra score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The battery life is solid enough, but the ANC isn't and the lack of an app or extra features hurts.

3/5

Design

They may be a little bulky, but they'll tick every box that an exerciser could want checked.

4.5/5

Sound quality

The audio isn't fantastic, with a lack of clarity and soundstage underlining an indistinct sonic offering.

3/5

Value

Beyond the exercise-proof design, you're really not getting much extra for your cash.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

You get sweaty when exercising
These things are supremely sweat-proof, and I see them lasting literal years of workouts if you treat them right. You can't say that about your Sonys!

You need headphones that stay in place
The tight lock of the Ript Ultra means they're great if you'll be doing press-ups, laying on a training bench or squatting and extending repeatedly. View Deal

You want headphones with a carry case
Headphone carry cases are surprisingly rare, yet useful if you want to protect them on the go. The Ript Ultra comes with one, as well as a few other in-box extras like back-up pads and an audio cable.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You like customizing your sound
No app and no equalizer means you're stuck with H20 Audio's default sound mix, and it's not amazing.

You want something lightweight
Between the thick silicone cups and heavy weight, you'll feel these when using them. If you want something comfortable and light, earbuds are a better pick.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Also consider

H20 Audio Ript Ultra

SkullCandy Crusher 540 Active

Raycon Fitness Headphones

Drivers

45mm

40mm

Not specified

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC on)

50 hours

40 hours

38 hours

Weight

304g

312g

Not specified

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.0

Waterproofing

IP54

IPX4

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active
These workout headphones have softer ear pads that are also easy to remove and clean, as well as loads of sound customization thanks to a bass slider. However, they didn't stick on my head at the gym — and the Ript Ultra did…
Read our full Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review

Raycon Fitness Headphones
Raycon has a reputation for somewhat hit-and-miss audio quality, but these headphones are much more affordable than the Ript and have a similar sweatproof, removable-pads design. So while we haven't tested them, on paper they're a reasonable budget alternative…

How I tested the H20 Audio Ript Ultra

Tested for a month
Tested at gym, on runs of various lengths, on walks and on public transport

I used the H20 Audio Ript Ultra for the best part of a month in order to write this review. They mostly saw use during my exercise (gym or runs around my borough), several times per week, but on occasion I used them in other settings like public transport and trips to the shops.

For the testing process, the headphones were paired to my smartphone, listening to music on Spotify Lossless, Tidal or installed media, as well as watching videos on YouTube and Prime Video, as well as making calls.

I've tested a plethora of exercise headphones for TechRadar in the past, as well as other audio products and fitness tech. These include some products cited in the competition section.

First reviewed in April 2026

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Categories: Reviews

The Dreame Z20 Station is an excellent example of how power, performance and price can be balanced in a cordless vacuum

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 17:43

Dreame Z20 Station two-minute review

The Dreame Z20 Station has completely changed my home cleaning habits, thanks to a combination of terrific suction power, useful cleaning modes and a self-empty docking station that makes vacuuming an absolute breeze.

While its 250AW of suction power can be beaten by some newer models from Dyson and even Dreame itself, it’s still impressive and utilizes a well-designed floorhead that ensures dust and debris is effectively collected from both hard floors and carpets.

As the name implies, the Dreame Z20 Station reviewed here includes a self-emptying charging dock and is only available in the US and Australia.

A model without the docking station, known simply as the Dreame Z20 is available in the US and UK, but not in Australia. The number of attachments included with either model also varies depending on where you live.

Called the Illumination Omni-Brush, this floorhead features a built-in LED light beam to help reveal dust that’s otherwise invisible to the eye. It’s a similar feature to Dyson’s Detect technology which, it must be said, is a bit more effective than Dreame’s implementation, but only in the sense that Dyson’s version is brighter and covers a slightly broader area of the floor. Dreame’s CelesTect technology, as it’s known, does still show up dust on hard floors and after the initial shock of realizing just how much was on mine, I found it to be an invaluable feature.

Unlike the top-of-the-line Dreame Z50, whose floorhead can automatically detect floor types and adjust its inlet to maintain good suction and reduce damage to carpets, the Omni-Brush requires the user to manually flick a front-mounted switch as you move from hard floor to carpet and vice versa for the optimal clean.

Speaking of cleaning, I found the Auto mode to be the best of the three suction settings on offer — the other two being Eco and Turbo — as it’s the only mode that dynamic suction comes into play and the Z20 would function perfectly well if you never changed settings. Whether that was to clean up dirty floorboards or remove hair from my carpet, it handled it in one pass quite effectively.

The LCD display on the top of the handheld unit shows a graph of dirt sizes that the vacuum detects during cleaning, much like on a Dyson, but it’s a lot more animated than its competitor. I initially found this feature a bit superfluous and an excuse to use up the display real estate, but it ultimately enabled me to carry out a more thorough cleaning of my home, as it shows when all dust and debris under the floorhead has been vacuumed.

Using the Dreame Z20 day to day is a simple process, with the power and mode select buttons falling nicely under the thumb. There’s decent manoeuvrability in the Illumination Omni-Brush cleaning head too, but the vacuum is top heavy, which makes it tiring to use for longer cleaning sessions. The wand is also a bit too short for my liking, which caused some lower back pain from having to bend slightly during every clean, and it’s sadly not extendable like in the Z50.

The Z20 comes with a few additional attachments, although the exact number and type varies by country, with the US getting a broader set compared to Australia. Changing attachments is easy thanks to large press-in buttons.

The main feature that differentiates the Z20 Station from the standalone Z20 available in the UK is the former coming with an auto-empty docking station. This is a freestanding charging base for the vacuum that automatically empties the dust cup into a 3L bag every time you place it on the stand. The dust bag is accessed via a magnetically attached side plate. Dreame says the bag is big enough for up to 100 days of dust and debris, although that will depend on the amount of dirt that’s collected each cleaning run and how often you clean, but a spare is supplied in the box to help save on initial costs of buying extras.

Other than its weight and height, there’s really not a lot to complain about here — with excellent suction and performance, plus the ease of having a self-emptying feature, the Dreame Z20 Station represents good value for money, especially if you can pick it up during a sale.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Dreame Z20 Station: Price & availability

Announced at CES 2025, available since early-2025 in US, mid-2025 in Australia
Station model not currently available in UK
List price: $799.99 / AU$799 (standalone vacuum costs $299.99 / £299)

The Dreame Z20 Station was announced at CES 2025, so it’s not exactly ‘new’, but it then had a staggered rollout worldwide, arriving in the US first, followed by an Australian launch in July of that year.

With a list price of $799.99 / AU$799.99 — and with it seemingly never far from a big discount — the Dreame Z20 Station is well priced, especially when compared against direct competitors. There is arguably greater value in the US, as the Dreame Z20 Station is supplied with a few extra attachments compared to the Australian variant. These include a rotating soft dusting brush and a flexible adapter that allows the vacuum cleaner to get underneath chairs and tables for example, without you having to bend down.

The Station model on review here, which includes the auto-empty dock, isn’t currently available in the UK. A standalone Z20 cordless model (so without the dock), is available in the US and UK at a lower price point of $299.99 / £299 — and again, never far from a discount — but isn’t available in Australia at the time of writing. The vacuum itself is the same no matter which version you get.

Perhaps the closest competitor to the Z20 Station would be the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite, which offers 280W of suction power compared to the Dreame’s 250AW, along with an auto-empty docking station. However, this Samsung model costs $899.99 in the US, and nearly double that of the Dreame in Australia at AU$1,499. The Dyson Gen5detect also offers 280AW of suction power, but can’t self-empty, and will set you back $1,049.99 / £799 / AU$1,599.

While Shark has a few auto-empty options in its vacuum range at a similar price point to the Z20 Station that don’t incur the ongoing cost of purchasing replacement dust bags, the Dreame manages to outdo them in terms of pure power.

Value score: 4.5/5

Dreame Z20 Station: Specs

Weight (handheld unit):

2.2kg

Weight (with wand and floorhead):

3.3kg

Dock weight:

5kg

Bin capacity:

0.6L

Dust bag capacity:

Suction power:

250AW

Maximum runtime:

90 minutes

Turbo mode runtime:

up to 10 minutes

Charge time:

up to 4 hours

Dreame Z20 Station review: Design

Sleek, premium look for vacuum and dock
Can feel heavy after long periods
Separate stand for attachments

The Dreame Z20 Station is made up of two components: a cordless vacuum cleaner and a docking station that’s used to both automatically empty the vacuum’s dust canister and to recharge its battery. The standalone Z20 cordless vacuum looks (and performs) identical to the Station model reviewed here.

It’s part of a wider Z-series of cordless vacuums in Dreame’s lineup — with up to five sold depending on where you live — and is positioned as the mid-range option. The highest-spec variant available in most territories is the Z30, while the even more powerful Z50 Station is currently only available in Australia.

Other than the white Dreame Z10, the other Z-series models are mostly all-grey affairs, but with subtle differences to tell them apart. In the case of the Z20, Dreame has given the predominantly gray color of the vacuum and the docking station some copper/brass accents that are a lot more prominent than on the Z50. In my opinion, this is the best-looking Z-series Dreame vacuum as the copper/brass color gives off an added sense of luxury.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Dreame Z20 ships with one main floorhead called the Illumination Omni-Brush. As the name implies, this floorhead features a built-in illuminating LED light to help reveal dust and debris on floors that are invisible to the naked eye. It’s a similar feature to Dyson’s ‘Detect’ floorhead and shines out over 140º. I haven’t used a Dyson myself, but my colleague and vacuum expert Sharm has. She confirms that the green beam used by Dyson is brighter and has a broader beam, but adds the Dreame’s interpretation of the technology is still incredibly beneficial.

A small comb is integrated into the floorhead to prevent hair from tangling, and there’s a small switch on the front that adjusts a movable lip on the brushroll housing — you’ll need to flip it when moving from hard floors (lowered for close suction) to soft floors or carpets (raised to maintain optimal clearance between the roller and fibers, preventing carpet damage).

The tube connecting the handheld unit to the main floorhead isn’t telescopic, which may put taller people off. Indeed, I felt some pain in my lower back as I had to bend ever so slightly to ensure the cleaning head remained in contact with the floor, and I’m roughly 177cm tall.

With the main vacuum unit, the tube and floorhead combined, the total weight is 3.3kg, making it one of the heavir cleaners we’ve tested at TechRadar. As a result it did cause my arm to become tired, even during shorter cleaning stints of around 10 minutes.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There are two buttons on the main vacuum body — one for power and one to switch between cleaning modes. Both are placed where your thumb naturally falls, resulting in easy control. Above the buttons is a color display that shows which cleaning mode you’ve selected, both via a temporary image that shows up when you select a mode, and then a color theme to indicate the mode you’re in. The default automatic mode is yellow, Eco is green while Turbo is red.

When particularly dirty areas are detected, a graphical representation is shown on the LCD display. Particles are divided into four categories depending on their size, with a rising bar for each indicating the number of particles detected. While Dyson also offers a similar feature, I much prefer Dreame's design.

At first I thought it was a bit gimmicky, but the more I used the Dreame Z20, the more I found the graph to be beneficial when cleaning. Before I would usually pass the vacuum over my floors quickly, but thanks to the graphical display, I spent more time moving around my home to ensure the graph levels returned to 0 before moving to the next spot of floor.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Like many of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the Dreame Z20 can be converted into a handheld cleaner by removing the main wand and attaching any of the other tools. Exactly which tools you have at your disposal will vary depending on where you live and which version of the Z20 you get.

As already mentioned, the Z20 Station ships with a single main floorhead, along with a motorized mini brush and a combination crevice tool. The US version adds a flexible adapter and an extra extension piece for the main rod.

The standard Z20, available in the US and UK, includes two main floorheads — a multi-surface brush and a soft roller brush for hard floors, both are illuminated — along with a motorized mini brush, rotating soft brush and some extension pieces.

No matter which variant you choose, the extra attachments all store on a separate docking station that sits on the floor. It’s not particularly big and each attachment has a dedicated spot, but it is an extra thing you’ll need to make space for.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The onboard dust canister is rather a standard 0.6L, and given the fact it’s automatically emptied every time the Z20 is returned to the docking station — which itself utilizes a three liter dust bag — it’s unlikely you’ll ever actually fill it!

Speaking of the auto-empty docking station, it looks just as sleek as the Z20 vacuum cleaner, decked out in a matching grey color finish. You’re able to adjust the orientation how you see fit and depending on where the nearest power point is, as there are four available outputs for the cable in the base. A magnetically attached side panel conceals the 3L dust bag inside, and requires just a small amount of pressure to remove.

Battery life is rated at up to 90 minutes of runtime in the Eco power mode, which should be plenty even if you have a large home. Switching modes does have an effect on battery life and recharging to full can take a few hours (more on that later). The battery on the Z20 is swappable, but is naturally an extra added expense.

Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Dreame Z20 Station review: Performance

Good suction on carpet and hard floors
LED light beam reveals dust that’s invisible to the eye
Auto mode is a great set-and-forget option

The Dreame Z20 Station offers an impressive 250AW of suction power. However, compared to the likes of the Dyson V16 Piston Animal with its 315AW and Dreame’s own Z50 Station which offers a staggering 330AW of suction, the Dreame Z20 could look underpowered but don't let that put you off.

I think Dreame has done a great job optimally harnessing that power with a floorhead design that cleans with both front and back movements. As you'll read below, I found that I could clean the majority of messes in one pass on any kind of flooring.

The Dreame Z20 has three power modes, and to test them all, I sprinkled flour, rice and hair (separately) on both carpet and hard floor.

Hard floor performance

Hard floors are objectively easier to keep clean compared to carpet and most cordless vacuums will be able to keep them dust-free even with low suction power.

To test how well the Dreame Z20 Station could handle different sizes of dirt and debris, I concocted a mixture of cacao powder, long-grain rice and coffee beans. I sprinkled this mixture on wooden floorboards and it took one forward movement in Auto mode to clean up the mess. There was a small amount of the mixture left in front of the floorhead that had been pushed forward, but this was easy to clean up with a second going over. And, as expected, the vacuum did boost its suction power automatically when it detected this mixture on the floor.

I was just as impressed with the performance in Eco mode, as even with the lower suction, my mixture was removed off the floor without any issues. I did need to switch to the Turbo setting however, as a few of the coffee beans did become stuck within it.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

I don’t have a pet, but for the purposes of this review, I was prepared to take some clippers to my own hair. With a decent chunk of hair available to sprinkle on my floor, the Dreame Z20 Station once again proved it had no trouble cleaning it up on both Auto and Eco modes.

The laser on the Illumination Omni-Brush tool does a good job of highlighting dust and debris on hard floors that is invisible to the naked eye, either illuminating a bright aquamarine or creating visible shadows. It’s not as bright as the light on Dyson’s Fluffy floorhead, nor is the beam as broad.

Indeed, when using the Z20 during the day when my home was filled with natural light, it was a little tricky to see the effects of the CelesTect technology. When ambient light levels are lower, it naturally performs far better. And, unlike the Dyson Fluffy Optic tool, the Dreame beam can’t be switched off, making it superfluous when cleaning carpets.

Still, l ultimately found it to be invaluable when cleaning my home. In fact, my partner messaged me from home one day when using the vacuum, claiming he was experiencing “trauma” from the amount of dust that was now visible on the floor.

Carpet performanceFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

I used the same mixture of cacao powder, long-grain rice and coffee beans on a relatively low-pile carpet and found that performance wasn’t quite as effective as it was on hard floors.

By this I mean that in both Auto and Eco modes, I needed to pass over the mess with two front and back movements to ensure everything was cleaned up. Given the fact it took these two passes in Auto mode, which automatically kicked into Turbo mode when it first detected the spill, I expected Eco mode to either require more passes, or just not succeed at all. However, as you’ll see from the images above, both modes only required a double pass (forward and backwards twice), which I found impressive.

It was a similar story with hair. The Z20 Station did effectively remove my trodden hair trimmings from the carpet, but needed a couple of passes in order to do so, which is still pretty darn good compared to other cordless vacuums we’ve tested here at TechRadar.

Handheld and accessories

As I’ve already mentioned in this review, the Z20 Station comes with a varying number of tools depending on where you live, and a separate cradle to store them. US customers receive a few more tools compared to Australia — these being a Rotating Soft Dusting Brush, a Flexible Adapter and an Extension Hose — and since I’m based in Sydney, Australia, I was unable to test them.

However, my colleague Sharm has recently reviewed the Dreame Z50 Station (an Australia-only model at the time of writing) which comes with these attachments, and found the rotating soft dusting brush did an admirable job of keeping shelves dust-free.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

The set of attachments that come with the Z20 Station in both countries include a motorized mini brush, a combination tool and a soft brush tool.

Converting the vacuum to handheld mode and back again is a simple process as the buttons to disengage pieces are large and work as intended. Simply remove the extension rod, clip on your desired attachment and you’re away. However, given the main unit is quite large and the battery makes it relatively heavy, I found myself using two hands to hold onto it when vacuuming upholstery, for example.

Cleaning performance when in handheld mode is just as good as its regular mode and I was pleasantly surprised to find the dynamic suction adjustment carries over too. However the graphical display doesn’t function, i.e. when the vacuum applies some boost to the suction power, the bars don’t indicate what type and how much of a particular particle type has been detected.

Dock performance

Emptying the Z20’s dust canister is easy thanks to the free-standing charging dock. Just place the unit on the dock to trigger the auto-empty function. Whether you have the vacuum in handheld mode or the full unit, the function will trigger, although the additional weight of the wand and floorhead makes for a more seamless experience by providing the right amount of pressure inside the dock to force the self-empty to take place. You can also manually get this feature to come on by pressing a button on the dock.

While auto-empty works well, I should note that some dust and debris could occasionally remain stuck towards the handle end of the canister. I found that I needed to knock these around with my palm to dislodge them and trigger the auto-empty functionality again.

One final performance metric worth mentioning are the noise levels. I used the decibelX app on my iPhone to measure sound levels in each mode. Eco returned a result of around 63dB, similar to a washing machine, and Turbo mode saw it increase to 79dB, similar to heavy traffic. That’s quite standard for a vacuum of this caliber.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Dreame Z20 Station review: Battery

Up to 90 minutes on Eco mode; 10 minutes in Boost
Battery takes up to 5 hours to fully recharge
Swappable battery reduces interruptions and life cycle

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

When using the lowest-powered Eco setting, Dreame claims the battery will last up to 90 minutes. That’s impressive and puts the Z20 up there with some of the longest-lasting runtimes and on par with our current-favorite cordless vacuum cleaner, the Dreame R20 — clearly Dreame knows how to eke the most out of its vacuum power units.

On test, with the crevice tool attached, I managed 1 hour 38 minutes, which is in line with Dreame’s claims. However, with the Omni-Brush cleaning head attached, which is motorized, the battery life in Eco mode dropped considerably to 42 minutes.

Using a vacuum cleaner’s Boost mode comes with the expectation that battery life will take a considerable hit and that is indeed the case for the Z20, as I managed just 10 minutes before it completely died.

I got around 60 minutes of runtime when in Auto mode, but given the fact that suction power is dynamically adjusted in this mode, runtime will depend a lot on the area being cleaned and how dirty it might be. A countdown displaying the remaining battery percentage is shown on the digital display, which changes to just “Lo” when it drops below 10%.

If you want to be able to clean for longer, or to ensure you maximize the runtime of your Dreame Z20, then you’ll need an additional battery pack. An official power unit is available from the Dreame store in the US for $69.90, but at the time of writing I am unable to find one on either the UK or Australian stores. Third-party power packs are available from the likes of Amazon, but these should be used with caution as they can void your machine’s warranty or damage the unit if overheated.

Battery score: 4/5

Should I buy the Dreame Z20 Station?Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Great build quality and features, and the fact it regularly receives heavy discounts makes the Dreame Z20 Station a good-value option.

4.5 / 5

Design

Sleek and easy to use, but feels heavy during prolonged use. Plus the CelesTect light is better than the usual white headlights on other floorheads to reveal hidden dust.

4 / 5

Performance

Excellent suction even in Eco mode. Auto mode works as intended to make cleaning a fuss-free process.

4.5 / 5

Battery

It’s possible to get well over an hour from a single charge, although most users will get less than that, which is still a great result.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want an efficient, low-effort clean

The Dreame Z20’s Auto mode dynamically adjusts suction power to ensure all floor areas are cleaned effectively. It’s a great set-and-forget option that takes the guesswork out of cleaning.

You want a more hands-off experience

The Z20’s auto-empty docking station makes emptying the onboard dust canister as easy as can be. And with the bag being large enough for up to 100 days worth of dust and debris (possibly longer if you don't have pets or don't vacuum every day), you won’t have to replace it that often.

Don't buy it if...

You want something easily maneuverable

Due to the weight distribution, the Z20 can be uncomfortable to use for long periods, and with the extension rod not being that long, taller people may feel it in their back.

You don’t want to incur ongoing costs

The auto-empty dock is undoubtedly useful, but you’ll need to pay for dust bag replacements.

Alternatives

Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra

This Samsung also comes supplied with an auto-empty docking station, but offers a staggering 400AW of suction, resulting in superb cleaning performance. It’s roughly double the price of the Dreame, however.
Read our full Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review to learn more

Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty

It’s cheaper than the Dreame Z20 at full price and it also comes with an auto-empty docking station that doesn’t require dust bags, resulting in excellent value for money.
Read our in-depth Shark PowerDetect review for more info

How I tested the Dreame Z50 Station

I used the Dreame Z20 Station in my own two-bedroom apartment as the test space, which includes a variety of flooring — carpet in the bedrooms, tiles in the bathrooms and hardwood floors in the kitchen and living areas.

While I used it mainly for regular cleans, I also decided to cut my own hair (to mixed result) so that I could tread it into the carpet to determine how well the vacuum would perform.

I also created a mixture of pantry items to test cleaning of different dirt sizes — this included cacao powder, rice and coffee beans — which I sprinkled over both carpet and hard floor.

I also used all three attachments to see how well they work with the handheld unit, including using the motorized miniature brush on my bed head and sofas, while the crevice and brush tools were used to clean drawers and skirting boards.

To measure battery life, I used a stopwatch to time when the machine powered down on its own during different suction settings and with different attachments. I also ensured that I only tested the battery on mixed flooring when it was particularly dirty and with the main floorhead, to see how long it would run with dynamic suction.

Read more about how we test vacuums at TechRadar

[First reviewed April 2026]

Categories: Reviews

NordVPN review: still the pinnacle of VPNs

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 10:56

How we tested NordVPNNordVPN review scores

Ooma Office VoIP service review 2026

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 10:44

Ooma Office stands out as a reliable, no-contract VoIP solution crafted specifically for small businesses that prioritize simplicity and affordability in their communication needs.

As of early 2026, its pricing structure remains competitive, starting at $19.95 per user per month, and recent updates have expanded features, including advanced analytics, deeper CRM integrations, and enhanced security options, to better support modest growth.

This comprehensive review covers every key aspect—from an introductory overview to detailed comparisons—drawing on the latest available information to help business owners determine whether Ooma Office aligns with their operations.

Ooma Office VoIP: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office maintains a straightforward, tiered pricing model that scales with small teams without locking users into long-term commitments, a major draw for startups and SMBs wary of hidden fees.

The entry-level Essentials plan costs $19.95 per user per month (billed monthly) and packs over 50 essential features, such as unlimited domestic calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, a virtual receptionist for professional call greeting, seamless mobile app access for on-the-go communication, and even one complimentary toll-free number with 500 included minutes (overages billed at roughly 3¢ per minute). Taxes and regulatory fees are bundled into the quoted price, simplifying budgeting.

Stepping up to the Pro plan at $24.95 per user per month unlocks significant productivity boosters, including a dedicated desktop app for computer-based calling, 250 SMS text messages per month (with additional texts at $0.0095 each), videoconferencing for up to 25 participants via Ooma Meetings, one-touch call recording, and automatic voicemail transcription sent directly to email. This tier appeals to teams that need more than basic telephony, such as quick video huddles or message logs for follow-ups.

The top-tier Pro Plus plan, priced at $29.95 per user per month, caters to slightly larger or more feature-hungry operations with 1,000 monthly texts, videoconferencing scaled to 100 participants, robust CRM integrations (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), hot desking for shared extensions, advanced call queuing, team chat functionality, and an auto dialer for outbound campaigns. For enterprises eyeing SIP trunking, multi-site management, custom analytics dashboards, and dedicated call center tools, a bespoke Enterprise plan is available through direct sales quotes, often tailored for 50+ users.

Add-ons keep costs predictable: extra phone numbers cost $9.95 per month; toll-free minutes beyond the bundle incur low per-minute rates; and hardware such as IP desk phones starts at a one-time $59.99 purchase (with bring-your-own-device support). Number porting remains free, though some initial setups may include a $29.95 activation fee. Compared to legacy phone systems, Ooma's model eliminates the hefty upfront hardware investments and maintenance contracts, making it a cost-effective pivot for businesses in rural areas where reliable VoIP is essential.

Ooma Office VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office's feature set emphasizes reliability and core business tools, with over 100 capabilities distributed across tiers to avoid overwhelming small users.

Universal access points include Ooma-enabled IP phones, the cross-platform mobile app (iOS/Android), and softphone options, supporting crystal-clear HD voice calls, SMS/MMS messaging, and fax-to-email conversion.

Ring groups allow simultaneous or sequential ringing across extensions—ideal for sales or support teams—while music-on-hold, call forwarding, and virtual extensions ensure no call drops during off-hours.

Pro and higher tiers elevate the experience with call analytics tracking duration, volume, and outcomes; dynamic caller ID that displays team-specific info; enhanced call blocking powered by Nomorobo (flagging over 2 million spam numbers daily); and Ooma Meetings for video calls with screen sharing, recording, and participant controls.
Integrations have matured significantly, now linking with Salesforce and HubSpot for Pro Plus (contact sync, logging), QuickBooks for billing tie-ins, and Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 for calendar-based availability routing.

Pro Plus exclusives such as shared voicemail pools, online appointment booking widgets, HIPAA-compliant mode (with a Business Associate Agreement for handling protected health information), and performance leaderboards foster team accountability.

Multi-site support lets distributed teams (e.g., a PA headquarters with remote reps) manage unified directories, while bulk user imports streamline onboarding. Recent 2026 enhancements focus on AI-driven insights, such as call sentiment analysis previews in Enterprise, positioning Ooma as more than just a phone system but a lightweight UCaaS platform.

Ooma Office VoIP: Getting set up

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Getting Ooma Office operational typically spans 15-30 minutes, starting with a quick online signup, number selection or porting (free, processed in one to seven days), and app downloads. Bulk CSV imports handle user provisioning for teams, auto-assigning extensions and devices; compatible IP phones plug into Ethernet for instant provisioning via Ooma's cloud.

For analog holdouts, Ooma adapters bridge existing handsets at low cost. Multi-location setups involve assigning site-specific prefixes and failover rules through the portal—no on-site servers required. Optional white-glove activation ($29.95+) includes expert walkthroughs, ideal for first-timers. Post-setup, firmware auto-updates ensure uptime, with 99.99% reliability SLA on higher plans.

Ooma Office VoIP: Ease of Use

Navigating Ooma Office feels intuitive from the first login, thanks to a clean web-based admin portal that prioritizes speed over complexity—perfect for non-technical owners juggling multiple roles. Adding users, extensions, or ring groups takes just minutes via drag-and-drop interfaces, with customizable ring timers (e.g., 20 seconds per phone before failover) and unlimited virtual receptionist greetings that are recordable directly in the browser.

The mobile app mirrors desktop functionality for calls, texts, and presence indicators (busy/available), enabling field reps to stay connected without lugging hardware.

Pro users rave about the desktop softphone's company directory, one-click video launches, and speed dial groups, which scale decently up to 20-30 seats before feeling crowded. Overall, its low learning curve minimizes training time and earns high marks in user reviews for "set-it-and-forget-it" reliability.

Ooma Office VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Ooma delivers round-the-clock support via phone (US-based reps), email ticketing, and live chat, resolving 90% of issues same-day per user feedback. A self-service knowledge base brims with 100+ video tutorials on ring groups, integrations, and troubleshooting, plus a community forum for peer tips.

Enterprise clients access white-glove onboarding, custom SLAs, and a dedicated account manager. Response times average under 2 minutes for chat, making it responsive for urgent outages—strong for the price point.

Ooma Office VoIP: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Ooma prioritizes end-to-end encryption for all voice, video, and text traffic (SRTP/TLS protocols), safeguarding data in transit and at rest against intercepts.

Pro/Pro Plus tiers amplify protection with intelligent spam screening (Nomorobo integration blocks robocalls proactively) and password-locked meetings, while HIPAA mode on Pro Plus enforces audit logs, data retention controls, and a signed BAA for healthcare compliance—crucial for PA clinics handling PHI.

The privacy policy outlines data collection limited to service delivery (call logs, billing), with no-sale assurances but legal disclosures permitted. Account access relies on strong passwords, though multi-factor authentication is absent as of 2026 reviews—a noted gap relative to enterprise peers. Regular vulnerability scans and SOC 2 compliance underpin trust for SMBs.

Ooma Office VoIP: The competition

While Ooma Office excels in simplicity and value for small teams, it faces stiff competition from more feature-rich UCaaS platforms at similar prices.

Nextiva's Essential plan starts at $19-$25 per user per month (annual billing), delivering superior call reporting, unlimited SMS/video, and unlimited international minutes to 40+ countries, though it caps advanced AI on base tiers and requires annual commitments.

RingCentral starts at $20 per user per month, with 90+ native integrations (including AI transcription and bots as standard), robust analytics for mid-market scaling, but costs rise for premium video or global expansion.

GoTo Connect, at $27 per user per month for five-plus users, excels in hyper-flexible routing (skills-based queues), deep Salesforce syncing, and granular origin-based reports—ideal for sales-heavy firms—but its interface can feel busier for absolute beginners.

Budget-conscious options like Dialpad undercut at $15 per user per month, bundling AI real-time coaching and transcription across plans, yet skimp on video conferencing depth and toll-free allotments. Finally, 8x8 matches Ooma's $24 entry with 100+ global calling features and contact center add-ons, but its steeper learning curve and setup complexity better serve established enterprises over scrappy startups.

Ooma Office VoIP: Final verdict

Ooma Office remains a top pick for small businesses, those that crave plug-and-play VoIP with virtual receptionist polish and affordable upgrades. Its 2026 refinements in analytics, HIPAA support, and integrations close prior gaps, offering solid mileage without bloat.

That said, if your team anticipates rapid scaling, heavy reporting, or 50+ users, competitors such as Nextiva or RingCentral offer deeper tools at comparable costs, making a trial comparison warranted.

Categories: Reviews

Grasshopper review 2026

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 10:21

Grasshopper provides a simple, affordable VoIP service ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs seeking professional phone features without the complexity of hardware.
Acquired by LogMeIn (now GoTo) in 2018, it serves over 400,000 customers with unlimited users on flat-rate plans, emphasizing remote work flexibility. Its core appeal lies in the ease of setup on existing devices, business texting, and call management tools tailored for growth, with no per-user fees.

Pricing and plans

Grasshopper VoIP offers three main plans tailored to different team sizes, starting at $14 per month with annual billing and including a seven-day free trial.

The True Solo plan costs $14 per month when billed annually ($18 per month) and includes one phone number and one extension for a single user.

Solo Plus steps up to $25 per month annually ($32 monthly), supporting one number with three extensions and unlimited users. For larger teams, Small Business costs $80/month on an annual plan ($92/month) and includes five numbers, unlimited extensions, and unlimited users.

All plans feature unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, voicemail transcription, virtual fax, mobile and desktop apps, and 24/7 support. Higher tiers add multi-user call routing, simultaneous ringing, and advanced options such as call recording to Small Business. Add-ons such as extra numbers cost $9 monthly; extensions range from $3 to $5 monthly; professional recordings are $75 one-time; and Ruby receptionist integration starts at $160 monthly.

Additional fees apply for business SMS setup ($19 one-time plus $1.50 monthly TCR fee) and international calls (up to 95¢ per minute with a $500 deposit). Service focuses on the US/Canada market, with no native integrations or video features.

Features

(Image credit: Grasshopper)

Core features include mobile/desktop apps, unlimited business texting/MMS, voicemail transcription, virtual receptionist, call forwarding/routing/transfers/blasting, custom greetings, phone menu, virtual fax, business hours control, and instant response auto-texts.

Higher plans include call recording, analytics, and multi-number support; add-ons include a professional voice studio ($75/order), call blasting ($10/month), and international calling.

Video conferencing relies on third-party integrations and focuses instead on essential calling and SMS for small teams.

Getting set up

(Image credit: Grasshopper)

Setup takes minutes: select a plan and a local/toll-free number (or port an existing number), download the mobile/desktop app, configure greetings/extensions, and start calling/texting over WiFi/VoIP.

No hardware is needed as it overlays existing phones; extensions support time-based forwarding and announcements for quick customization. Users report seamless activation, with temporary numbers during porting (1-2 weeks).

How easy is Grasshopper to use?

Grasshopper prioritizes simplicity with intuitive apps for calls/texts from any device, masking personal numbers for professionalism.

Extensions and routing handle team coordination effortlessly, suiting remote/hybrid workers in healthcare, real estate, franchises, and consulting. Custom schedules, screening/blocking, and shared access reduce missed calls, though advanced users may find analytics basic.

Support

The company offers US-based phone support 24/7.

You can also reach the company by email or live chat, and there’s a comprehensive online knowledge base with FAQs/videos.

A beta chatbot aids quick resolutions; social media and security-specific emails enhance access. Users praise responsive, knowledgeable agents for billing, setup, and features.

Competition

Grasshopper offers virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, and basic VoIP features for small businesses and solopreneurs. Competitors offer more advanced options, such as AI tools, video conferencing, and team collaboration, often at comparable or higher price points. Key players include Nextiva, Dialpad, RingCentral, and emerging options like Quo and MightyCall.

Nextiva stands out with plans starting at $15/user/month, featuring unlimited calls, video meetings, IVR, and low international rates, surpassing Grasshopper's basic capabilities.

Dialpad, from $15/user/month, emphasizes AI-driven real-time transcription, post-call summaries, and global numbers in 70+ countries, unlike Grasshopper's US-only focus.

RingCentral delivers enterprise-grade tools, including AI summaries, MMS, and 300+ integrations, but at higher costs and greater complexity than Grasshopper's simplicity.

Grasshopper's flat-rate plans (around $25/month for small teams) appeal to budget-conscious solos, offering a better value than per-user models like Nextiva's $75 for five users. MightyCall ($20/month) and Talkroute ($19/month) target growing teams with call recording and modern UIs, while Google Voice ($10/month) is well-suited to Google Workspace users. Larger providers like GoTo Connect and Aircall cater to call centers with analytics

Grasshopper review: Verdict

Grasshopper suits small businesses, prioritizing affordability, simplicity, and scalability over advanced compliance or video.

Larger firms may prefer competitors with broader features, but its low entry price and ease make it a strong starter VoIP option.

Categories: Reviews

Microsoft Teams Phone review 2026

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:52

If your business depends on reliable, high-quality voice communication for customer calls and team collaboration, a robust phone solution is essential.

As organizations across industries continue transitioning from traditional PBX setups to modern voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) systems, Microsoft Teams Phone has emerged as one of the most natural options—especially for companies already embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Microsoft Teams Phone extends the familiar Teams interface into a full-fledged business phone system, streamlining internal and external communication.

But while its integration and scalability make it attractive, the platform isn’t without trade-offs. In this review, we cover everything from plans and pricing to usability, features, support, and how it compares against rivals like RingCentral, GoTo Connect, and Zoom Phone.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Microsoft)

To use Microsoft Teams as your business phone system, your company must subscribe to one of three Microsoft 365 enterprise plans—E1, E3, or E5. The Microsoft 365 E1 plan costs $10 per user per month and includes web access to Microsoft apps, but it requires an additional Teams Phone license of about $8–$10. The E3 plan, at $23 per user per month (rising to $26 on July 1, 2026), includes desktop apps and the same requirement for an additional Teams Phone license.

The Microsoft 365 E5 plan, currently priced at $57 per user per month (rising to $60 on July 1, 2026), explicitly includes Teams Phone functionality. Businesses can enhance their setup through additional calling plans, such as a domestic calling plan priced at $12 per user per month that provides 3,000 minutes, or a combined domestic and international plan at $24 per user per month that includes 3,000 domestic minutes and 600 international minutes.

Conference rooms and shared devices require separate licenses at around $8–$15 per month, or $40 for Teams Rooms Pro. While these prices may seem high—especially with the upcoming 2026 increases—the value extends beyond telephony to include Microsoft’s core productivity apps, cloud storage, and email, making the total package appealing to organizations already using Microsoft 365 as their digital backbone.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Features

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Teams Phone includes most of the core features expected in a premium VoIP solution.

Businesses can set up call queues, forwarding, voicemail, auto-attendants, and customized call routing based on business hours or holidays. Other tools, such as call parking, delegation, transfer functions, and real-time presence indicators, make day-to-day communication more efficient.

However, Teams Phone is less suitable for organizations that require complex call center functionality.

Advanced routing options and detailed ring group configurations are limited, and there is no native support for call recording. Despite Microsoft’s broader software ecosystem, there is still no direct CRM integration with Microsoft Dynamics or other leading CRM platforms, preventing automatic logging of call data.

Reporting tools exist, but they focus mainly on network and call quality rather than on performance indicators such as response times or call-handling efficiency. Because of these limitations, Teams Phone serves smaller and mid-sized businesses more effectively than large-scale call centers that demand higher customization.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Set up

Setting up Microsoft Teams Phone is relatively intuitive, particularly for companies that already use Teams.

Administrators can plan user roles and call routing in the Teams admin center, and provisioning new accounts takes only a few minutes. The system integrates with existing Microsoft services such as Azure Active Directory, making it easy to sync users and permissions. Businesses migrating from older phone systems can port numbers directly, though this process may take extra time depending on the complexity of their network.

The key to a smooth setup lies in preparation. By auditing teams, departments, and workflows before launch, administrators can efficiently configure user groups and call distribution methods. Teams Phone is also highly scalable, allowing organizations to add new users or branch offices with minimal disruption as they grow.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Ease of use

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The user experience is one of Teams Phone’s strongest aspects.

The interface mirrors the Microsoft Teams environment, making it instantly recognizable for employees who already rely on Teams for chat and meetings. For new users, the layout is intuitive and consistent across devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Microsoft also supports device flexibility, allowing calls to be transferred seamlessly between desktop and mobile devices. Integration with Apple CarPlay makes it easier for mobile workers to manage calls safely while traveling.

Importantly, users do not necessarily need to install the Teams mobile app to receive forwarded calls, which can simplify deployment for organizations that prefer minimal device management. Nonetheless, new adopters should plan training sessions to help staff get comfortable with call routing, queue management, and group settings.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Support

Microsoft offers an extensive library of help resources, including tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and community forums within the Microsoft 365 support portal.

Unfortunately, not all service tiers receive access to live 24/7 technical support. Most users must log tickets through the online portal and then wait for a response, which can vary from a few hours to longer, depending on the issue. The inconsistency in response time and quality is one of the platform’s weakest points, especially for businesses that depend on uninterrupted communication.

For faster help, companies can subscribe to Microsoft’s premium support tiers or work with certified partners that provide managed services and real-time assistance. While these options add cost, they can significantly reduce downtime.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Security has long been a strength of Microsoft’s enterprise offerings, and Teams Phone benefits from the same protections.

All data is encrypted with SSL both in transit and at rest, while audio and video traffic use SRTP protocols to safeguard media streams. Businesses that subscribe to E3 or E5 plans also gain access to Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, which includes behavioral monitoring and compliance enforcement tools.

Although Microsoft has experienced several security vulnerabilities in the past, the company has maintained a consistent record of addressing them quickly. Teams Phone’s security infrastructure evolves with regular patches and updates.

However, some industries may find Microsoft’s layered licensing model challenging when aiming for full compliance with specific regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR, since additional add-ons may be required.

Microsoft Teams Phone: The competition

The VoIP space is full of strong competitors, and several alternatives offer capabilities that Microsoft Teams Phone lacks.

RingCentral MVP provides a robust feature set, including built-in call recording, CRM integrations with platforms such as Salesforce and Zendesk, and reliable 24/7 customer support. It also integrates directly with Microsoft Teams, offering the best of both ecosystems.

GoTo Connect stands out for its straightforward pricing model and comprehensive feature suite, which includes SMS messaging, fax capabilities, and geolocation-based call routing. Zoom Phone has become increasingly popular among small and medium-sized businesses for its simplicity, pay-as-you-go pricing, and seamless integration with the broader Zoom platform. Other noteworthy options include 8x8 and Vonage Business Communications, both of which deliver advanced analytics, broad global coverage, and a variety of third-party integrations.

While these competitors outperform Microsoft in some areas, none match the native integration that Teams Phone delivers within the Microsoft 365 environment.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Final verdict

For those who already use Microsoft Teams, the ease of moving over to the VoIP offering is a big plus, and it’s also ideal for businesses that are looking to scale up in the future, as purchasing additional user licenses can be completed in minutes.

The system does come with its flaws, though, and is not a good fit for businesses that require more complex phone configurations. In addition, the cost of purchasing the licenses and call plans can quickly add up if your business has heavy telephone usage, or if you want to use different solutions for other aspects of your business operations which means paying for multiple subscriptions.

The lack of 24/7 support from Microsoft is also a concern when it comes to troubleshooting and potential downtime. Businesses that want 24/7 support with the system can however get this through a third-party supplier.

Finally, unlike some of its rivals, Microsoft is an incredibly well-established company, and so if you go to the effort of setting up Teams Phone – and buying into the Microsoft ecosystem more generally – the service won't disappear one fine day.

Categories: Reviews

I spent a week testing the Xiaomi 17, and it outmuscles the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 in several key areas

Fri, 04/10/2026 - 07:00

Xiaomi 17: Two-minute review

There are plenty of amazing flagship phones on the market, but these days, they all have pretty massive screens. If you prefer a smaller phone, but you don't want to compromise on specs, then your options are more limited.

Of course, the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S26 fit the description, but what if you wanted to try something different? In that case, you might find yourself looking at the Xiaomi 17. It has a 6.3-inch screen, just like the other devices I mentioned, but the specs are much more appealing.

The Xiaomi 17 boasts the speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a massive 6,330mAh battery, 100W charging and 50W wireless charging, and a triple 50MP camera array with Leica color tuning. On paper, it's the best of the bunch.

(Image credit: Future)

After testing the phone for a couple of weeks, I wasn't left disappointed. This is an all-rounder that doesn't fall short in any area. It's fast, the battery lasts well over a day, and it charges extremely quickly.

A solid display and speakers make for a great gaming experience, as does the thermal management. The cameras are easily among the best in their class, too.

My main complaints with the Xiaomi 17 are the lack of autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, which limits its utility, and the fact that it can't zoom as well as its Ultra sibling — but that's none too surprising.

In the past, the best Xiaomi phones have been seen as budget-friendly alternatives to the best iPhones and best Samsung phones, but that's no longer the case. The Xiaomi 17 is on the upper end of the price spectrum. It's certainly not cheap, but considering what's on offer, I think its price tag is justified.

If you're looking for a do-it-all flagship with a smaller footprint, the Xiaomi 17 is very easy to recommend. It's not a massive improvement on its predecessor, but it's still one of the most enticing options around.

Xiaomi 17: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

256GB model costs £899 / AU$1,399
512GB model costs £999 / AU$1,599
Not available in the US

The Xiaomi 17 is available to order now in most regions globally, but as always, that list excludes the US. In the UK and Australia, the base model (with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage) will cost you £899 / AU$1,399, rising to £999 / AU$1,599 for the 512GB version.

This pricing puts the Xiaomi 17 in direct competition with heavy hitters like the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Google Pixel 10. In fact, it's on the more expensive side of that list, but there's a good reason for that.

The Xiaomi 17 has a larger battery, faster charging, and better camera specifications than most of its direct competition. So, while it's certainly not a bargain, the Xiaomi 17 doesn't seem overpriced, either.

Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17: Specs

Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17’s key specs:

Xiaomi 17

Dimensions

151.1 x 71.8 x 8.1 mm

Weight

191g

Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16

Display

6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz

Resolution

2656 x 1220 pixels

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

Battery

6330mAh

Rear cameras

50MP (f/1.7) main, 50MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide, 50MP 2.6x telephoto (f/2)

Front camera

50MP (f/2.2)

Xiaomi 17 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Aluminum frame and glass back
Black, Venture Green, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue options
IP68 dust- and water-resistant

One of the defining features of the Xiaomi 17 is its size. It's not a tiny phone, but it's similar to the base-model iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26. If you have smaller hands or hate carrying a big slab in your pocket, but you still want flagship specs, the Xiaomi 17 will suit you well.

This year, Xiaomi has ditched its usual black rectangular camera island in favour of a much more iPhone-like camera configuration. This design is unlikely to turn heads, but it looks decent enough, and you get an extra camera compared to the iPhone 17.

To be clear, I'm not complaining. The phone looks and feels premium. I've always been fond of Apple's hardware, and it's no surprise that I like this, too.

The biggest design difference between the Xiaomi 17 and the latest iPhones is that Xiaomi's base model lacks the Camera Control and Action Button. All you get here is the volume rocker and a power/lock button. On the other hand, Xiaomi includes a basic clear case in the box, and a factory-applied screen protector; I can't imagine we'll ever see the same from Apple.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to color options, the Xiaomi 17 is available in Black, Blue, Green, and Pink. I have the green version in for testing, and I'm very fond of the shade. The color is matched on the side rails, no matter which one you pick.

The Xiaomi 17 is IP68 rated, which means you don't need to worry about dust, and it'll even survive brief dips in fresh water. It doesn't quite match the IP69K rating of its Ultra sibling, but it's likely to be water-resistant enough for most people's needs.

Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Display

(Image credit: Future)

6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display
2160Hz PWM dimming
3,500 nits peak brightness

The Xiaomi 17 has a 6.3-inch 1220 x 2656 OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The specs aren't too dissimilar to those of last year's Xiaomi 15, but the display on the Xiaomi 17 has a higher peak brightness of 3,500 nits (up from 3,200 nits), as well as superior 2160Hz PWM dimming (up from 1920Hz).

The extra brightness is appreciated, but the Xiaomi 15 was no slouch in that area, either. In any case, the phone is very easy to see outdoors in direct sunlight. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I can't say I noticed the higher PWM frequency, but some users will certainly appreciate it.

(Image credit: Future)

The Xiaomi 17's screen looks excellent straight out of the box, with vibrant, accurate color reproduction and the deep, dark blacks that high-end OLED panels are known for. Of course, if you prefer to tinker, there are plenty of color options in the settings menu, too.

The main thing that sets this display apart is that it's more compact than most. It's large enough so as not to feel cramped, but it's small enough that reaching the top of the display doesn't feel like a chore. If you have smaller hands, I think you'll really appreciate it.

Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

50MP main (f/1.7)
50MP ultra-wide (f/2.4)
50MP 2.6x telephoto (f/2)
50MP selfie camera (f/2.45)

The Xiaomi 17's rear cameras have the same specs as those on the Xiaomi 15. This means you get a 50MP resolution on every camera, with a 17mm-equivalent ultra-wide, a 23mm main camera, and a 60mm telephoto.

My main complaint about the Xiaomi 15 was that the ultra-wide camera lacked autofocus, which meant you could only use it for wide landscape shots. Unfortunately, that hasn't been addressed here, so don't expect to use the ultra-wide for close-ups or group photos.

Otherwise, the cameras on this phone are quite impressive. I especially enjoyed using the 2.6x telephoto, which has macro focusing capabilities and can focus on objects that are just 10cm away from the lens. Funnily enough, the Xiaomi 17 is actually better than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra for telemacro shots, because that clever optical zoom technology in the latter phone increases the minimum focus distance.

(Image credit: Future)

The Xiaomi 17's main camera has a respectable 1/1.3-inch sensor size. It's easily the best performer in low-light conditions, and it's capable of producing some authentic background blur when your subject is close enough.

The selfie camera is the only lens that benefits from a spec bump. It's 50MP, up from 32MP, and it now has autofocus. The difference is measurable. Selfies look much sharper and more detailed on the newer model.

In the past, I've found Xiaomi's image processing to be a little hit-and-miss, but that's changing rapidly. The Xiaomi 17 is very consistent, with natural-looking colors and a gently boosted contrast that makes images look eye-catching and exciting.

There are loads of great filters to play with, and portrait mode has excellent subject detection and convincing bokeh effects. You can take some stunning images with this phone.

Video performance is strong, too. The native camera app allows you to shoot in Log at up to 4K 60fps on all of the rear lenses, and gives you full manual controls, if you want them.

Cameras score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Camera samplesFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureXiaomi 17 review: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
12GB of RAM
256GB / 512GB of storage

The Xiaomi 17 is powered by one of the most powerful mobile chips on the market, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it's paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

With specs like these, it's no surprise that the phone is a powerful beast. From complex video editing to high-end gaming, no matter what I threw at the Xiaomi 17, it handled the task with ease.

Being a smaller phone, I was a little concerned about the thermals, but I needn't have been. Even after a solid hour of playing Genshin Impact on the highest graphical settings, the Xiaomi 17 had barely started to warm up.

A decent game overlay and really solid speakers add to the experience as well. The phone's speakers have a better bass response than most rivals', and plenty of clarity, which makes getting immersed in a title easy.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: SoftwareFutureFutureFutureFuture

HyperOS 3, based on Android 16
New iOS-inspired makeover
6 years of updates and security patches (EU)

The Xiaomi 17 runs the latest version of HyperOS, which is a very heavily customized version of Android 16.

If you've used a recent device from Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco, you won't be in for too many surprises, as the basic layout and functionality remain the same.

Aesthetically, though, there are quite a few changes. The OS feels more iOS-influenced than ever, complete with its own version of the Dynamic Island, a very familiar-looking quick settings panel, and lock screen options with depth effects and oversized clocks.

Personally, I quite like HyperOS 3, and I also appreciate how customizable it is. If you find something that doesn't look or act in the way you would prefer, there's a good chance you can change it.

(Image credit: Future)

It's 2026, and no flagship is complete without a healthy serving of AI features. Here you'll find all the usual tools like translation, transcription, writing assistance, and more.

The features I actually found myself using on the Xiaomi 17, though, were the AI image editing tools. Xiaomi includes all the favorites, like outpainting, object removal, upscaling, beautification, and so on. Everything I tried worked excellently.

Overall, I find HyperOS 3 very easy to live with; my only major complaint is that the battery optimization measures are a little heavy-handed. You might need to tweak some settings to make sure your notifications arrive promptly.

When it comes to long-term support, Xiaomi promises six years of updates and security patches. That's not a bad offering, but it's slightly behind the updated terms committed by Samsung and Apple.

Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Battery

(Image credit: Future)

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

One of the most surprising things about the Xiaomi 17 is that, despite being a smaller phone, it actually packs a larger battery than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Using the latest silicon-carbon tech, Xiaomi has somehow managed to cram a 6,330mAh cell into this phone, while the Ultra only gets a 6,000 mAh equivalent (at least in Europe).

With my normal use, I found myself going to bed with about 40% battery remaining. I wasn't able to get two days on a charge, but the battery would get me well into the second day. So, if you use your phone sparingly, a full two days might be achievable.

Charging is rapid, too. The Xiaomi 17 supports wired speeds of up to 100W, and wireless charging up to 50W. There's no charger included in the box, but thankfully, Xiaomi supports the PPS charging standard, so you won't need an official Xiaomi charger to make the most of that impressive wired speed.

My Sharge HyperTower 170 powerbank, for instance, was able to deliver the full 100W, which took the phone from fully dead to around 65% charged in just half an hour.

When it comes to wireless charging, you'll need the official Xiaomi charging stand to get the maximum 50W speed. The phone will still work with Qi2 accessories, but you'll have to wait much longer to get to 100%.

Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Xiaomi 17 is priced similarly to its competition. It's not an outright bargain, but it's fairly priced.

4 / 5

Design

While it might not be the most original design, the Xiaomi 17 looks and feels premium throughout.

4 / 5

Display

It's bright, sharp, the colors are accurate, and best of all, it's not massive.

4 / 5

Cameras

Not a massive upgrade over the last gen, but an improved selfie camera and refined processing keep things appealing.

4 / 5

Performance

It's super quick, and it doesn't get too hot.

5 / 5

Software

HyperOS is super customisable and looks nice, too.

4 / 5

Battery

This mammoth battery will get you well over a day of use, and it charges in a flash.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a smaller phone without the usual compromises

With a massive battery, powerful performance, and top cameras, the Xiaomi 17 gives you a full-on flagship experience in a more pocketable size.

You're looking for excellent cameras

While this isn't the only flagship with a 6.3-inch screen, its cameras make it stand out from the pack. In my opinion, these are the best of the bunch.

Don't buy it if...

You already have the Xiaomi 15

The Xiaomi 17 isn't dramatically different from its predecessor. Sure, there are a few upgrades here, but Xiaomi 15 owners can safely skip this one without feeling like they're missing out.

You want a super long-range zoom

The zoom on the Xiaomi 17 is decent, but it can't compare with the likes of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Xiaomi 17 review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 17 is an excellent compact flagship, but it's important to consider the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth looking at.

iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is the most compelling non-Pro iPhone in a long time. It sports a massively upgraded screen, powerful performance, and great cameras — but it still lacks a dedicated telephoto camera.

Read our iPhone 17 review

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung's smallest flagship phone didn't benefit from many upgrades in 2026, but when it comes to software features, it's still on top. Personally, though, I don't think the cameras can keep up with Xiaomi's.

Xiaomi 17

iPhone 17

Samsung Galaxy S26

Price:

£899 / €899 / AU$1,399

$799 / £799 / AU$1,399

$899 / £879 / AU$1549

Display:

6.3-inch OLED

Cameras:

50MP main; 50MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto

48MP main; 48MP ultra-wide

50MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 10MP telephoto

Processor:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Apple A19

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Battery:

6,300mAh

3,692mAh

4,300mAh

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 put my SIM card into the Xiaomi 17 and used it as my main phone for around two weeks. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.

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

I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using PPS-supported chargers from Ugreen and Sharge, along with the included charging cable.

First tested April 2026

Categories: Reviews

Main menu

Error message

Technology

Navigation

News

Reviews

New forum topics

The incredibly cheap AGM Legion Pro is ideal for users who want a rugged Garmin-style watch for less than $100/£100

Dyson's latest floor cleaner is a super-slim electric mop that got my hard floors sparkling in minutes

The Saros 20 is a predictably accomplished addition to Roborock's robot vacuum lineup, delivering all-round cleaning excellence

The Segway Navimow i210E LiDAR Pro delivers orderly autonomous mowing with impressive navigation accuracy

KEF's nouveau Muo is a solid little Bluetooth speaker, but the game's changed since 2016 — and it's no longer top of the pile

I tested the Bambu Lab X2D, and this dual-nozzle FDM 3D printer delivers exceptional print quality, material compatibility, and all at a superb price

The Revamp Tri-Care is heavy and awkward, but I can't fault how well it dries and protects my hair

I spent a week with the budget-friendly Creative Pebble Pro and was impressed by its solid sound and petite form factor

Pragmata’s blend of puzzles, hacking, and combat makes for some of the best space action I’ve ever experienced

I reviewed a soundbar designed to boost dialog for the hard of hearing, and the results impressed me

Exit 8 review — you'll never look at subway tunnels the same way after watching this tense horror movie

The Asus ROG Kithara embraces hi-fi and makes for a powerful, precise planar-magnetic gaming headset

I reviewed the LG G6 for 3 weeks, and it's a fantastic OLED TV that's the new best option for brighter rooms

Are these the best-designed workout headphones ever? I used them for a month to find out

The Dreame Z20 Station is an excellent example of how power, performance and price can be balanced in a cordless vacuum

NordVPN review: still the pinnacle of VPNs

Ooma Office VoIP service review 2026

Grasshopper review 2026

Microsoft Teams Phone review 2026

I spent a week testing the Xiaomi 17, and it outmuscles the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 in several key areas

Pages

Main menu

Error message

Technology

You are here

Navigation

News

TechRadar Reviews

Reviews

New forum topics

Pages

Search form

User login