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Updated: 32 min 7 sec ago

The Razer BlackShark V3 gaming headset might blend in with Razer's existing crowd, but the second you set it up, you just know it's something special

Sun, 02/01/2026 - 10:00

Razer BlackShark V3: One-minute review

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset is a truly fantastic piece of kit, which has finally convinced me to move on from the same headset I've been using for years. The sleek black design strays from the tacky-looking appearance of a lot of gaming headsets without losing the iconic branding of Razer products, but it never feels garish.

Controls on both earcups are straightforward and easy to use, too, giving you all the power you need in one convenient place rather than having to mess around with additional software. Plus, with 70 hours of battery life when fully charged, you're able to sink into all your favourite games with no threat of interruption.

Its crystal clear audio when gaming, paired with the outstanding microphone quality, makes it the only headset you need for your gaming setup too rather than needing platform-specific products.

The detachable microphone also makes it adaptable to suit your style, whether you're playing with friends over Discord or roaming around in-game while listening to some tunes. It's hard to want to use another headset once you've spent time with the BlackShark V3, which is high praise coming from a creature of comfort who doesn't like to change their peripherals often.

(Image credit: Future)Razer BlackShark V3: Price and availability

List price: $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350
Not exactly a budget-friendly headset, but quality makes it worth investing
Has almost identical features to the (more expensive) BlackShark V3 Pro

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless headset launched in July 2025, so a reasonable two years after the previous version: the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed. Having also used the V2 HyperSpeed in the past, I can safely say those two years of extra baking time definitely paid off, and there are some noticeable differences to make the additional $20/£20 cost worthwhile. Such as a new set of Razer Triforce Titanium 50mm Drivers, a lightweight ergonomic design which really feels as if it's putting comfort first, and a shiny new HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm Mic to make sure none of your audio gets missed.

Compared to other premium wireless gaming headsets on the market, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro 7P Gen 2 or Astro A20 X, the BlackShark V3 isn't an extortionately priced product. In fact, the $149.99 price tag is a reasonable ask for what you're getting, considering how many premium wireless gaming headsets fall closer to the $200 mark.

It's not an eyewatering asking price compared to something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, yet it still feels like a worthy upgrade if you're used to rocking budget-friendly gaming headsets. Having launched alongside the Razer BlackShark V3 X Hyperspeed, a tempting $99/£99/AU$179.95 headset, you may be convinced to cut costs and go for something that sounds almost identical in name. But you'd be doing yourself a complete disservice in doing so, which I need you to trust me on.

Razer BlackShark V3: Specs

Razer BlackShark V3

Price

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350

Weight

9.5oz / 270g

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile

Connection type

2.4 GHz Wireless / USB Wired / Bluetooth

Battery life

Up to 70 hours

Features

THX Spatial Audio, detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm mic,

Software

Razer Audio

Razer BlackShark V3: Design and features

Black design is more elegant than RGB-intense gaming headsets
Super lightweight design for long-term comfort
Despite its middle-ground price tag, it definitely feels like a high-end product

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset looks practically identical to the other Razer BlackShark V3 sets: the V3 Pro and the V3 X HyperSpeed. It's got a sleek black design with subtle Razer branding on the earcups and headband, which I appreciate since so many gaming headsets would take any opportunity to shove colours and logos in your face, which is somewhere I found the Astro A20 X fell short, since its design verged on slightly too in-your-face. But it doesn't need an interesting or quirky design to be a good product. In fact, it's a perfect example of something being so simple yet so incredibly satisfying.

(Image credit: Future)

Both the headband and the earcups have firm cushioning and padding, and aren't made of that horrible glossy material a lot of cheaper headsets use, similar to a headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, which boasts a similar build quality and black design. The headband used a breathable, almost netted fabric, and each earcup is made from breathable Sportsweave memory foam. Since the headset almost prides itself on being for esports, these elements have clearly been carefully designed to cater to being comfortable for competitive players. But for more casual gamers like me, they just feel like a nice treat.

Despite the firmness of the cushioning on both the headband and earcups, I was surprised at how comfortable they were in use. Usually, firmer earcups make wearing glasses when gaming uncomfortable as they push the arms into the side of your head, so I was shocked when I never experienced this discomfort.

All the controls you need are located on the ear cups too, which reduces the need for external software if you don't fancy downloading, with the left featuring all the important buttons like a textured power button alongside a smooth mic mute, so there's no chance of pressing the wrong thing when wearing the set.

(Image credit: Future)

In addition, a dial on the front of the ear cup is where you control your audio level, which is far easier to use than a scroll wheel on the bottom - something that most of the headsets I've used in the past specialise in. Now that I've had the convenience of a larger dial, I never want to go back to relying on these wheels, which are so easily knocked and altered.

The left cup is specifically for optimising your audio setup to suit what you're playing. Here, you've got a configurable roller which you can use for footsteps scaling in games like Battlefield 6 or Arc Raiders, game-chat balancing so you can sort out your game audio and Discord audio without having to open your audio mixer, and mic monitoring. This convenient wheel is accompanied by a smart switch button, too, in case you need to change your connection in an instant. Basically, the entire headset has been designed to make your life a lot easier and give you more game time rather than wasting precious minutes on sorting your peripherals.

(Image credit: Future)

The mic plugs into the right ear cup, too, which in itself boasts a sturdy build quality and matches the same sleek black design of the rest of the headset. If I had one complaint, it would be that the size of the foam cover is quite large, and it does feel pretty invasive given the short length of the mic as a whole.

That, and you can't conveniently store the microphone on or around the headset if you don't want to use the mic - you're at the mercy of your own ability to keep it safe when unplugged. Again, if you're used to the convenience of a compact headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, then this may be a frustration. But these are such minor inconveniences that were almost instantly outweighed by the joy of using the headset.

Razer BlackShark V3: Performance

Seamless setup, which means you can jump straight into use
Might as well be noise-cancelling
Customisable to suit whatever sort of gamer you are, competitive or not

Given I'd been using the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset until now, which I really praised as my holy grail, I thought the audio quality of a cheaper headset wouldn't be as impressive, and I couldn't be more mistaken. In fact, it's hard to express how impressive the sound quality of this mid-range headset really is without you hearing it for yourself.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset is by no means of bad quality. In fact, I was amazed by it when I first tested it and kept using it long after. However, I often found myself frustrated by all the wires that accompany it. After meeting the BlackShark V3, I feel as though I've got all the same sound quality as the Arctis Nova Pro with the satisfaction of a wireless headset.

(Image credit: Future)

From the second you set it up and start using the BlackShark V3, you're met with rich, deep audio, whether that's in-game or if you're just listening to some tunes while you do something else. For music-oriented games like Sword of the Sea and Herdling, two games I played during my testing of the BlackShark V3, the clear audio and almost noise-cancelling capabilities (though not actually part of the design) helped me to really sink into the game and experience each and every note in their soundtracks.

Even just watching YouTube videos or listening to in-game dialogue feels more intense, especially given the headset's ability to block out external audio without being completely noise-cancelling. The memory foam earcups really help in this regard, and they really help you from getting distracted by any noise around you.

This is also helped by the almost 70-hour battery life when fully charged, since you're rarely interrupted by those tedious beeps that remind you to plug it in. Battery life is a huge selling point with wireless headsets, which is another place the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, or any SteelSeries headset for that matter, becomes a close competitor with the BlackShark V3. If you do find yourself listening to these obnoxious reminders, what makes the Razer BlackShark V3 wireless headset worth investing in alone is the fact that a 15-minute charge provides you with an additional 6 hours of battery life.

(Image credit: Future)

You don't need to do any sort of additional setup to get an incredibly solid performance from the headset, though the option is there if you want it, courtesy of the additional Razer Audio software you can download. I don't usually bother with messing around with many settings, especially since I don't often find myself needing to enhance my audio to hear things like footsteps or distant gunshots, but it felt rude not to at least try it out in a game of Arc Raiders.

So, I downloaded the Razer Audio app and started playing around, and was once again pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to take your audio customisation that one step further. Paired with the configurable wheel, it feels as if the Razer BlackShark V3 headset really has been designed to enhance your gaming. Even though the packaging blatantly says it's an esports headset, all these details and ways to make your gaming experience that little bit easier by utilising all the audio cues of other players certainly reinforce that factor.

Although you can use Razer Synapse to customise things like your EQ settings and play around with THX Spatial Audio, the dedicated audio app definitely feels easier to use. Plus, having it conveniently on your phone rather than a desktop means you can more seamlessly customise your settings across platforms rather than having one setup on PC, and then others programmed in the app for console.

(Image credit: Future)

The buttons are incredibly well-positioned on both earcups, too. Unless you're a frequent connection switcher or a competitive gamer, you rarely need to use the left cup. And, the added texture on the power button makes using the buttons a breeze rather than having to go through that awkward fiddly phase of hitting the wrong thing when you change your headset, and you're not quite used to where everything is. Yes, I'm definitely projecting, but it's one of those little things that you don't really appreciate until you experience it.

Its impressive performance doesn't stop at its stellar button placement and crystal clear audio either. The 9.9mm HyperClear Super Wideband detachable mic offers astounding quality given its mid-range price tag, so much so that I actually received compliments on the "noticeable upgrade" compared to my old headset when jumping into a Discord call with my friends.

Should I buy the Razer BlackShark V3?Buy it if...

You find that comfort is key to a good session
The BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset has been designed to be just as comfortable as it is impressive. If you often find yourself tethered to your setup for hours on end, having a comfortable headset is a must, and not once did I find any part of the headset uncomfortable, even as someone who wears glasses when gaming.View Deal

You're looking for a way to really get the most out of your audio
If you've ever been intimidated by all the additional software that comes with gaming headsets these days, the Razer BlackShark V3 and Razer Audio app do everything they can to make it more accessible. It's got all the flourishes you need to really make the most of the headset without being inundated with options and not knowing where to start. View Deal

You feel like your current headset isn't offering you the richest sound quality
What separates a good headset from a great headset is its audio quality, so if you're underwhelmed with what you're currently receiving, the BlackShark V3 is bound to impress with its audio quality. Even without tampering with any of the sound settings, this headset is built to offer you crystal clear audio from the moment it is fresh out of the box and switched on. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You constantly jump in and out of calls, but don't want a massive mic in your face
It's hard to advise against the BlackShark V3, but the fact that there isn't any way to keep the mic safe and sound on the headset could definitely put some players off. If you like the convenience of how a SteelSeries mic tucks into the earcup, or a Turtle Beach headset mic slides neatly up the side of the headband, this set might feel like more of an inconvenience.View Deal

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset? Here's how it compares to two similar sets.

Razer BlackShark V3 wireless

Astro A20 X

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

Price

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350

$179.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99

$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$139.95

Weight

9.5oz / 270g

10.23oz / 290g

9.5oz / 266g

Compatibility

PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile

PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Android, iOS

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

Connection type

2.4 GHz Wireless / USB Wired / Bluetooth

Bluetooth / Lightspeed Wireless / Wired USB-C

Wireless (2.4GHz via dongle), Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth 5.3

Battery life

Up to 70 hours

40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)

Up to 60 hours

Features

THX Spatial Audio, detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm mic,

Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB, Playsync Base

360-degree spatial audio, retractable ClearCast 2.X mic

Software

Razer Audio

Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Companion App (mobile), SteelSeries GG

Astro A20 X
The Astro A20 X is a similarly priced product to the BlackShark V3, but it packs a bit more personality in its design through its RGB. If you don't fancy its flashy appearance, turning the RGB off ensures a battery life of up to 90 hours, beating the BlackShark, and this headset also boasts impressive audio quality alongside a fantastic detachable microphone.

For more information, check out our full Astro A20 X review.View Deal

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
The quality of gaming audio that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 offers is what makes it a suitable competitor against the BlackShark. With this SteelSeries headset, you're also getting a crystal clear mic, alongside a plethora of customisation options to ensure you're getting the very best out of your audio.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review.View Deal

How I tested the Razer BlackShark V3

Compared with my beloved SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset
Used every day for gaming and other media
Mic tested in Discord calls and Google meets

As soon as I realised just how quality the BlackShark V3 was, I ditched my old SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset. So, for two weeks, I've relied on this bit of kit to carry me through all sorts of adventures in games like Sword of the Sea, Once Upon a Katamari, and even made the most of its customization in a couple of rounds in Arc Raiders. Outside of gaming, it's also accompanied me for hours upon hours of Spotify sessions and the odd evening watching Netflix. If anything, these almost all-nighters definitely put the battery life to the test, too.

I also spent around 10 hours testing the BlackShark V3 with the PS5 in a decent session of Red Dead Redemption 2. I will admit, I wasn't jumping in for the fast, gunslinging combat, so I can't comment on how immersive that is. But, I must say the BlackShark V3 is phenomenal when it comes to showing off the natural sound design. Birdsong is clear as day with this headset, and I could've quite happily spent a lot longer riding around on my horse and tracking down every bird I could hear - something that I'd missed out on entirely when just relying on my TV's default speakers.

To test the microphone, I used the BlackShark V3 for meetings, voice calls, and multiplayer games like Peak, R.E.P.O., Outlast Trials, and shouting at my friends over Discord. Although I'd already put my old SteelSeries headset to one side, I did dust it off for a quick comparison, alongside my wireless Razer Kraken Hello Kitty and Friends edition Bluetooth headset, and they just don't compare.

First reviewed December 2025-January 2026.

I tested the earbuds that morph from workout headphones to open 'buds and it works — but that's only half the story

Sun, 02/01/2026 - 05:30

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro: Two minute review

Usually, when I review a product with a brand-new feature, I use that function for about a week before the novelty wears off. The Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro may not be the best earbuds I’ve ever tested, but I’ve been using its key selling point constantly over the testing period, and that at least says something.

Are they a pair of open earbuds? Or are they a pair of standard workout headphones? Yes and yes – these new hearables from Anker’s audio-visual sub-brand Soundcore do both. The bud’s body is adjustable in relation to its loop: you can have them as standard sports buds, or raise the bud somewhat so it’s further out of your ear. Ta-da, you have open earbuds.

In theory, you get the best of both worlds. Put them in open-ear mode and you enjoy your listening while still hearing what’s going on around you. Flick them into standard mode and you can hear your music with no distractions from outside, thanks in part to ANC turning on.

When I first reported on the buds, I guessed that they could be the best fitness earbuds of the year – it’s safe to say I was cautiously optimistic about them. The function is useful: I’d run along a busy road in open mode and close it when I reached a quieter park, or keep it open when cycling to the gym and close it when I got there.

A home-run, then? Not quite – these are the first earbuds I’ve ever seen trying out a form factor like this, and myriad teething problems plague the buds. I don’t think they are the best fitness headphones of the year any more, but it’s still a valiant effort.

Take, for example, the design. The buds aren’t that far from your ear when in open mode, so don’t let in nearly as much sound as rivals. But due to having AirPods-style tip-less ends, the Aerofits aren’t fully in your ear when in ANC mode, and so don’t actually cancel that much sound.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

The loop material is also quite flimsy, so the buds wobble a lot, and the buttons are hard to press when in ANC mode (but, admittedly, very easy in open mode).

You need to play around in the settings to get the best of the Aerofit 2 Pro too. The default EQ preset, Soundcore Signature, goes for a misshapen V-shaped sound profile which sounds pretty wonky; go into the equalization menu straight away. The Intelligent Noise Cancellation feature also gets in the way, by messing with your sound constantly; turn this off too.

You probably wouldn’t be buying adjustable buds like this if you weren’t okay with some tweaking, though; just know that you’ll have to be doing it quite a bit.

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: Specifications

Component

Value

Water resistant

IP55

Battery life

7 hours (earbuds), 34 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 6.1

Weight

11g / Charging case: 109g

Driver

11.8mm

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

Released on January 6, 2026
Priced at $179.99 / £179.99 (roughly AU$350)
Paying a premium for the novelty

Anker unveiled the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro at CES 2026 in the first week of the year, and put them on sale immediately after. Perfect for your new year’s fitness resolution.

The earbuds cost $179.99 / £179.99 (roughly AU$350, but they don’t seem to have joined Soundcore’s line-up in Australia). That’s the official price, but mere weeks after release, I’ve seen them discounted by $30 in the US and £10 in the UK.

As open earbuds go, that price is on the higher side of things, but you’re paying to be the first to test this novel kind of tech.

It’s a little higher than the launch price of the first Aerofit Pro, but that device plummeted in price over two years, and we could see the new model drop to similar lows over time.

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: DesignImage 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

Easy to switch between open- and closed-ear fit
Weak loop and heavy earpiece affect wear
IP55 protection, comes in black, white or purple

I’ve already described the Aerofit 2 Pro’s transforming gimmick; but how does it work? Basically, the sports loop connects to the driver housing via a connector that can be moved around five different settings; each one results in a different angle for the earpiece to sit at, relative to your ear. At the furthest extent, said headshell sits right in your ear, and at the opposite extent it’s hovering high above it. The first two are ANC (in-ear) mode, the latter two open mode, and the middle one is something in between.

I was skeptical about this, but functionally it works really well. Quickly I became adept at opening or closing the buds while they were in my ear, and in no time I was doing so without breaking my stride while on a run. Unfortunately, basically everything about this design (other than the ease of switching) poses problems.

The key one problem is the loop, made out of a thin silicone which just isn’t rigid enough to hold the earbuds in place. When I was running or working out with the buds, I often found that the battery-bearing counterweights would wobble. It was especially noticeable when in ANC mode. They never fell out, but it was an annoying sensation.

This is exacerbated by the buds’ weight. At 11g each, they’re the heaviest than any other open earbuds I remember testing.

(Image credit: Future)

The tip-less design brings with it another problem: the sound leakage on these things, especially in open mode, is significant. Your gym peers will definitely hear what you’re listening to.

Each bud has a button. No, not a sensor or an area you tap and pray something happened: an honest-to-God area that you press in and hear a satisfying ‘click’. Lovely. It’s really easy and simple to use when the bud is in open mode, however when in ANC mode, I found that the pressure needed to press the button instead just pushed it into my ear.

Now that I’m complaining about things: the material used for the end of the bud is a dirt magnet. When it’s in the case or ear it’s fine, but when I put the buds in my pocket or dropped them on the floor, they quickly picked up fluff and particles that were quite hard to clean off. That’s all to say: excuse the review images, I tried my best.

This section is already far too long, but let’s briefly touch on the case. It’s certainly on the big side, even for sports-hook earbuds, and it weighs 109g (including the buds). It has some neat touches: an LED bar gives you an indication of how much charge you have left, and the case also facilitates wireless charging.

Design score: 3.5/5

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

Little noise is cancelled due to design and the ANC algorithm
Battery life is 7 / 34 hours with ANC on
Several app features including handy EQ presets

Why have I been calling one form of the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro ‘ANC mode’? That’ll be because when you’re at these extensions, noise cancellation will turn on, ostensibly stopping as much surrounding sound as possible from entering your ears. An anti-open-ear mode, so to speak.

However, the Aerofit run into the same problem as the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: there’s no rubbery ear tip to create a natural sound-blocking seal, and so the noise cancellation is fighting an impossibly steep uphill battle from the outset. It doesn’t win the battle, and it’s very easy to hear surrounding sounds in this mode – I can hear myself typing this sentence over fairly loud music. It’s not a totally lost cause, and sounds are made quieter, but there’s little meaningful difference between open mode and ANC mode.

ANC mode may do more harm than it’s worth, though, because of Soundcore’s adjustable ANC. This is designed to automatically adjust noise cancellation and many earbuds have similar modes, but on the Soundcore, it had too dramatic an effect on the sound. Frequently, I’d hear dramatic shifts in listening volume or sound profile, and sometimes the volume wouldn’t be able to go very high to compensate for the ANC. On my first run with the buds, I was frustrated with how quiet the max volume was – until I realized it was the noise cancellation running amok. Thankfully this mode can be turned off.

(Image credit: Future)

Soundcore puts the battery life of the buds at 7 hours in open-ear mode and 5 hours with ANC turned on. My testing suggests these figures could be a little conservative, so I’m not going to knock the buds like I normally would with 5-hour listening time buds.

The Soundcore app brings a few extra features to the earbuds. These include the ability to customize what the touch controls do, a low-latency and a Spatial Audio mode, an equalizer and the ability to make ANC toggling manual instead of automatic.

The equalizer has a healthy selection of presets, most of which make meaningful adjustments to the sound, and there’s also an eight-band custom option too. I particularly like the Volume Booster preset, which doesn’t exactly sound fantastic, but it gives the buds that extra ‘oomph’ that you need with open buds when venturing somewhere noisy.

Pairing the buds to my phone was quick and easy, however I did have the occasional stuttering and connection dropping problems during testing.

Features score: 3/5

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

Single 10.8mm driver
Music sounds lifeless
Lovely, high max volume

There’s a custom-built 11.8mm driver in each of the Aerofits. Their most impressive feature, though, may be the support for Bluetooth 6.1, which is more advanced than most smartphones you’d be pairing the buds with. That pairs with Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and a support for LDAC.

When I first started listening to the Aerofit 2 Pro, I was in a quiet home and listening on ANC mode, and I was impressed by a few aspects. There’s decent spacing between instruments, and enough detail to hear the timbre of instruments. Lovely, and unexpected for fitness earbuds like these. However I made the critical mistake of listening to the Soundcore Signature EQ preset for much of my testing period.

This doesn’t sound great: it elevates treble, mutes bass and drops mids almost entirely, like V-shaped sound profile with a lop-sided ‘V’. Uncle Kracker’s In A Little While had distorted guitar that sounded like a fan with a scrap of paper stuck in it, while the chorus of Five More Minutes by The War and Treaty sounded like a duet between vocals and a lawnmower. And treble was far too prominent: Don McCloskey’s First In Flight was constantly jump-scaring me with brass stings.

However, jumping into the EQ preset menu let me salvage my listening experience; I’d recommend buyers to switch straight to ‘Balanced’, or one of the genre-based EQs if you only listen to one kind of music. Balanced levels out that ‘V’ into much more of a flat line, so you can enjoy the high-quality audio without any line or instrument being overwritten.

Max volume for the buds is pretty loud, especially on Volume Booster, but the auto-ANC mode can put a pretty significant upper limit; turn this off.

Sound performance score: 4/5

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

Novelty form factor aside, the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro go for quite a high price, compared to other open earbuds you’d be considering. These aren’t a budget option by any stretch of the imagination – I’d go so far as to call them premium, given that relatively few options exist above the $/£200 threshold.

All considered, it feels a little hard to recommend them for the price – you’re paying for the privilege of testing a new form factor of headphone, not for an especially competitive feature set or sound quality. You're not being ripped off exactly, but it's not a competitive price.

If you can find the Aerofit 2 Pro discounted, though, they’d be well worth considering. They don’t even need an especially meaty price cut; the minor discount already available is a good start.

Value score: 3.5/5

Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro review: scorecard

'The tiniest autofocus lens I've played with in over 15 years of testing camera gear' – the cheap Viltrox body cap full-frame lens is surprisingly sharp and has bags of character, but it makes even more sense for APS-C

Sat, 01/31/2026 - 19:00

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5: one-minute review

I mean, the pictures don't do justice as to how impossibly small the Viltrox AF 28mm f4.5 lens is. It's a true body cap lens – meaning that you can have it on your Sony, Nikon or Fujifilm mirrorless camera at all times with no real footprint, ready to go for quick wide-angle snaps.

On several occasions throughout my couple of months with what is the tiniest lens I've ever tested, I thought I had lost it, quite literally mistaking it for a body cap in my gear bag (I was testing multiple lenses at the time).

Yet despite the Viltrox AF 28mm f4.5's minuscule proportions – it measures just 15.3mm in length and is a featherweight 60g – it features autofocus and has a respectable f/4.5 fixed aperture. That's way faster than other body cap / pancake-style lenses I've tried, such as the Panasonic 26mm f/8.

Oh, and did I mention that center detail is surprisingly sharp? That'll be the 6 lens elements in 6 groups crammed inside, two of which are ED and another two being aspherical optics.

Quality falls off somewhat at the corners and lens flare is notable. So if you're looking for technical perfection and supreme versatility, then the fixed focal length, fixed aperture Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 is not for you. What it is, though, is a memorable lens that I'm confident you will grow fond of, and by heck is it cheap.

Just 15mm in length – Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 is a true body cap lens, with a much faster f/4.5 aperture than other such optics, icncuding the Panasonic 26mm f/8. If you don't mind something a little larger and pricier, then there are f/2.8 alternatives. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5: price and availability

Available in Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X-mounts
It costs $99 / £90 / AU$169, but Viltrox regular discounts its lenses by 15%
There's currently no indication of Canon RF or L-mount versions

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 first hit the scene for Sony E-mount in September 2024, and has since been launched in Nikon Z and Fujifilm X-mount versions. I wouldn't expect a Canon version since the camera giant sued Viltrox and those bridges feel burned (Nikon is next). Viltrox has joined the L-mount alliance, however, so there could be an L-mount version for Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma cameras – this could be a great pairing with the Lumix S9, for example.

The list price at the Viltrox store and trusted retailers is $99 / £90 / AU$169 (see links to the best prices, below). The 28mm f/4.5 is great value at full price, although I regularly see Viltrox doing site-wide discounts of its lenses, typically around 15% off. I've seen the lens for even less at cheap Chinese import online stores.

I usually include an Also Consider section in my reviews, but being available in three mounts there are too many alternatives to sensibly feature individually. For Nikon cameras, the Z 26mm f/2.8 is one possible, but it's 5x the price, while the 24mm f/1.7 DX (for APS-C) is around 2.5x the price – both are bigger than the Viltrox lens.

Fujifilm has its own XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR, which again costs much more than the Viltrox, plus the wider XF 23mm f/2.8 which was announced alongside the X-E5.

Sony makes a wider-angle 20mm f/2.8, while other third parties include TT Artisans with its AF 27mm f/2.8, which is much like Fujifilm's aforementioned 27mm lens for a much lower price.

For more options, check out my best Sony lenses and best Nikon lenses guides. Let me know in the comments below if a best Fujifilm lenses guide would interest you.

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5: specsViltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 specs

Type:

Wide-angle prime

Mount:

Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

28mm (or 42mm effective on Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm APS-C cameras)

Max aperture:

f/4.5

Minimum focus:

0.32m, 0.11x magnification

Filter size:

N/A

Dimensions:

60.3 x 15.3mm

Weight:

From 2.1oz / 60g

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5: designImage 1 of 3

Yes, there's autofocus! (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 3

But at just 15mm, there's no space for a manual focus ring – this is an autofocus-only lens (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 3

There's a charming slider to employ / hide the lens cap which protects the front lens element (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

This is a playful lens, with plenty of quirks that won me over - one being the slide lens cap, which protects the otherwise non weather-sealed lens from damage. It's just as well the lens cap is built-in, really, because a removable lens cap would be the tiniest of them all, no bigger than a dime. I would give myself less than a week before losing such a thing.

And there's nowhere to click a lens cap on in any case – there's no thread for lens filters, which is normally where a clip-on lens cap sits. Nope, it's the neat slide lens cap only, which I heart.

I was honestly surprised that Viltrox was able to fit such a small, but more so, low-cost lens with autofocus. Sat alongside those electronic contacts (which provide full communication between camera and lens for autofocus, plus metadata) is a USB-C port, which makes future firmware updates possible.

Image 1 of 3

There's the lens protector in place (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 3

And the lens protector hidden (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 3

The aperture is fixed to f/4.5, which is a decent all-purpose aperture for portraits and landscapes, but not so helpful in low light (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

On the note of focusing, there's another surprise on the flip side – there's no manual focus option whatsoever. No, this is an autofocus lens only – so you're reliant on your camera's autofocus skills.

Thankfully, I found autofocus performance with my mid-range Nikon full-frame camera to be snappy with the lens – but that's hardly a surprise given how lightweight the 6 tiny lens elements are.

I suppose adding a focus ring for manual focus would increase the bulk of the lens and water down its charm, but it was the feature I missed the most as autofocus can miss the mark occasionally. It's helpful to take control at such times.

Minimum focus is 1.05ft/0.32m, which makes for a 0.11x maximum magnification. In short, the lens's close focusing skills are fairly limiting for such a wide-angle lens. The ability to focus closer is a close second on my wishlist for this lens.

I don't mind the fixed f/4.5 aperture, though – that's right, you can't stop down to increase depth of field. For me, f/4.5 is a decent all-purpose aperture with a full-frame camera – it's shallow enough to blur backgrounds (when your subject / focus distance is close), and deep enough for sharp detail when your focus distance is further. What it's less ideal for, however, is low-light photography.

Image 1 of 2

And here's the lens attached to a Nikon Z6 II mirrorless camera. The camera's grip is longer than the lens! (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

Despite being a mid-range camera, my Z6 II felt a little big for the lens. I reckon a vlogging/rangefinder-style APS-C camera like the Nikon Z30, Sony ZV-E10 II and Fujifilm X-E5 could be an ideal pairing (the lens is currently available in Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X-mounts, not Canon RF or L-mount). (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

As you can see in the product photo above, the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 lens tucks in neatly on a full-frame camera. In fact, the grip on the Z6 II camera I was using for this test is deeper than the lens.

For me, Viltrox's body cap-style lens makes more sense being paired with a smaller camera than the mid-range model, above, and even more sense with an APS-C model rather than full-frame. I'll explain why in a moment.

It's currently made for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm X-mount versions, so the kinds of slimline cameras that would suit the lens include the Sony ZV-E10 II / A6700, Fujifilm X-E series / X-M5 and the Nikon Z30 / Zf series. Lumix users will surely hope that an L-mount version is forthcoming, especially since Viltrox joined the L-mount alliance last year.

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5: PerformanceImage 1 of 5

With a 0.32m minimum focus distance, selfies are possible (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

As for image quality, I have been pleasantly surprised. Detail is nice and sharp in the center. You'll find plenty other even sharper premium primes, but with a little additional sharpness applied in Adobe Camera Raw, I'm not complaining here at all. On the contrary, I'm impressed.

Sharpness falls off at the corners somewhat, and there's heavy vignetting in the corners, which again benefit from corrections in post. That said, those two notable lens distortions direct the gaze in the center of images and can add character, and as such I've avoided heavy-handed lens corrections and leaned into that style with my sample pictures.

It's these corner lens distortions that also make a strong case for using the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 lens with an APS-C camera, as most of its image quality foibles (technically-speaking) fall outside the 42mm effective frame.

I've not used the lens with an APS-C camera, but if that were all I had done, I'd be even more impressed by the optical quality as those heavier distortions would be outside the frame. And, that tighter perspective with APS-C makes it a compelling everyday lens – you'd never need to take it off the camera.

Image 1 of 6

Sunstars are pronounced (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 6

Strong light above this scene is leaking into the top left of frame, reducing contrast (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 6

An accidental lens leak. I like it! (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 6

Vignetting (light fall-off) is heavy. It's a good idea to dial in ±1EV exposure compensation to avoid images appearing too dark (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 6

When the conditions are easy – outside in bright daylight but in the shade, image quality is perfectly serviceable (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The same sentiment for corner quality can be said for lens flare. Viltrox itself bills the starburst effect as a draw to this lens – it's a pronounced and a little over the top at times, but again, I'm filing this under characterful rather than ugly.

I've been able to get a couple of light leak affects to when shooting towards the sun, too. These are the kind of effects that could do well in 2026 and beyond, where authentic and lo-fi images are trending over technically perfect ones.

The 'flaws' I've drawn out in this review are worth noting, but take them within context; this is a tiny, sub $100 lens. Design drawbacks and optical quirks only add to the charm of a lens that I'm very fond of.

Should I buy the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5?

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Buy it if...

You want a tiny lens that lives on your camera
Never has the term 'body cap lens' felt so more apt.

You're bored of 'perfect' lenses
It's design is quirky and its images even more so, but not in a gimmicky way – center sharpness is complimented by corner and lens flare distortion.

Don't buy it if...

You're a low light photographer
The fixed f/4.5 aperture is a little limiting in low light.

You're short of lenses
I'd class the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 as a fun backup for pricier, bulkier optics that are more able to deliver in more situations.

How I tested the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Viltrox sent me the Z-mount version of the lens
I paired it with a full-frame Nikon Z6 II
I've tested the lens over a couple of months, in a wide range of scenarios

I had plenty of time to use the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 lens – at least two months. I paired it with a full-frame Nikon camera, but haven't used it with an APS-C model.

Being a fixed focal length, fixed aperture lens, my testing didn't get bogged down in aperture comparisons and distortion at various focal lengths – I was freed up to use this lens in a very real way.

I've shot everything from portraits to landscapes and everyday observations. I've used the lens in good light and bad, and shot towards and around the sun / strong light sources to check for lens flare characteristics.

First reviewed February 2026

Categories: Reviews

FiiO's new elite hi-res audio player will delight you, provided you serve it only the best –but disappoint it at your peril

Sat, 01/31/2026 - 05:30

FiiO M27: Two-minute review

If there’s a stone FiiO has left unturned in the way it’s specified and built the M27 digital audio player, it’s invisible.

This is a portable(ish) music player for which the word ‘uncompromised’ is almost an understatement. Specification is thorough to the point of exhaustion. Twin ESS Sabre DACS with 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 compatibility, aptX Lossless and LDAC for Bluetooth, balanced and unbalanced analogue outputs, a super-slick Android 13 operating experience, a whole host of modes that allow the M27 to work as a USB DAC, a digital transport, a desktop system host and more besides… the list goes on.

So if you want a player (a big and heavy player, let’s be honest) with enough power to drive even the trickiest of headphones, with battery life that’s approaching ‘epic’, and that arrives with its own little desktop charging stand with integrated cooling fan, you’ve come to the right place.

All of this would count for very little, though, if the FiiO M27 didn’t have it where it really counts. Happily, this is a great-sounding machine – or, at least, it is if you treat it respectfully. Hi-res stuff enjoys amazing detail resolution, expansive soundstaging, sky-high dynamic response and the sort of singularity of presentation that makes every listen an event. Lower-resolution stuff, though, is basically exposed to ridicule. So don’t imagine the M27 is about to flatter your choices if your choices are incorrect…

Among the best MP3 players on the market then? Oh, without a doubt.

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future) FiiO M27 review: Price and release date

Released November 2025
Priced $1,799 / £1,499 / AU$2,699

The FiiO M27 launched in the middle of November 2025, and in the United Kingdom it’s priced at £1,499. In the United States it sells for $1,799, while in Australia you’re looking at AU$2,699.

And just because it’s possible to pay plenty more than this for a premium digital audio player, that doesn’t mean the M27 hangs out anywhere near the ‘affordable’ category…

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Features

Twin ESS Sabre ES9039S PRO DAC chipsets
Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless, Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast support
9200mAh battery

FiiO never knowingly underspecifies its products – so when it’s going all-out to create a class-leading, market-defining digital audio player, it follows that the feature-count here is significant.

For the M27, FiiO has leaned heavily on Qualcomm’s expertise. The machine features the company’s QCS6490 chipset with Snapdragon 770G architecture. Along with eight (count ‘em!) Kryo 670 cores and an Adrena 642L GPU, this arrangement promises lightning-fast response times, effortless multitasking and a solid foundation for streaming and playback no matter the size or type of the digital audio file the player is dealing with.

Qualcomm’s QCC5181 chipset makes an appearance too. It facilitates Bluetooth 5.4 wireless connectivity when the M27 is acting as a receiver, and allows for aptX Lossless and LDAC codec compatibility as well as Auracast and Bluetooth LE Audio. The FiiO will also function as a Bluetooth transmitter – in this direction it’s running Bluetooth 5.2 with support for aptX Adaptive and LDAC.

There’s more. Qualcomm’s Dragonwing AI platform, allows the M27 to offer a 31-band PEQ at resolutions up to 32bit/384kHz (among other things), global ‘All to DSD’ functionality for bitrates from DSD64 to DSD256, and fully controllable end-to-end audio processing.

The crucial business of digital-to-analogue conversion is taken care of by a couple of ESS Sabre ES9039 PRO chipsets that are good to go with resolutions of up to 32bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. They’re supported by sixth (and latest) generation of FiiO’s ‘Digital Audio Purification System’, which deploys a new FPGA and dual RIVER femtosecond crystal oscillators in a drive for vanishingly low jitter and optimal timing accuracy.

The M27 features a replaceable 9200mAh battery, which is a) good news where product longevity is concerned, and b) a massive amount of power. It translates to eight hours of playback via a balanced output or a touch over nine from an unbalanced alternative – and it also allows for power outputs big enough to drive even the most truculent headphones. And on the subject of big power outputs, if you connect the M27 to mains power via a fast charger and select ‘Ultra High Gain’ mode, a giddy 10,000mW of power is available.

Naturally the list goes on (and on). The M27 features a six-stage fully differential audio circuit – it doubles up on the high-quality components like signal relays, volume control chips and TI op-amps in order to independently process each channel of audio information, and then drives them via discrete power supplies. It has a high-current, low-loss, MOSFET-managed power path with big energy storage capacitors; it has copper heatsinks; it has a graphite vapour chamber and graphene thermal conduction pads integrated into the chassis to enable effective cooling.

And it has more besides. But for the sake of brevity, it’s probably enough to know that FiiO has left nothing – by which I mean nothing – to chance where the specification of the M27 is concerned.

Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Sound quality

Remarkably complete and articulate rendition of hi-res audio files
Deeply impressive powers of resolution and organisation
Almost comically intolerant of lower resolution stuff

I’m guessing that anyone who’s thinking of dropping this sort of money on a digital audio player is well served for properly high-resolution digital audio content. I certainly hope so – because while the way the M27 handles hi-res stuff is thoroughly enjoyable and deeply impressive, it’s got next-to-no time for stuff that dips below the magic 16bit/44.1kHz point.

So while a 24bit/192kHz file of David Bowie’s Low (which has somehow just had its 50th birthday) is delivered in the most eloquent, revealing and utterly engaging manner, the same content streamed as a 320kbps file via Spotify sounds almost as if the M27 is taking it personally.

Big files are lavishly detailed, arranged on a large and convincingly defined soundstage, and are laid out with considerable ‘left/right’ distance available and quite a lot of ‘front/back’ too. The spaces between elements of the recording are carefully observed, and even if the music involves few participants on this very big stage there’s a tangible sense of ‘togetherness’ about the way the FiiO presents it. The unity of its delivery makes for a confident and believable overall performance.

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)

It’s possible to fiddle with the sonic characteristics of the M27 quite extensively, of course - but leave well enough alone and the player has a neutral, uncoloured tonality that makes for a naturalistic presentation. The attention to detail it exhibits means texture and timbre of instruments and of voices are made apparent, and the low-level dynamic variations or harmonic under- and overtones are made apparent every time.

Frequency response, too, is convincing – from the deep, hard-hitting and endless varied bottom end to the bright, attacking top, the FiiO gives every area fair weighting and representation. And in the midrange, it communicates in the most direct and unequivocal manner – if there’s even a transient, minor detail concerning tone, technique, attitude or character in a voice, you can be sure the M27 is handing it over.

Those low frequencies are beautifully shaped and their attack and decay is observed in the hawk-like manner. As a result, rhythmic expression is almost casually correct and momentum levels are always appropriate to the material. Add in apparently limitless dynamic headroom and the full account of big shifts in volume or intensity that results, and the M27 goes quite a distance towards the accolade of ‘best pound-for-pound digital audio player on the market’ it craves.

Lower the tone, though, and cue up some lower-resolution content and the FiiO can’t really disguise its disdain. It’s a bit like watching Lewis Hamilton drive a bog-standard hatchback around a racing track: he’ll wring the maximum out of it, but at the same time he’s got one hand on the wheel, he’s checking his look in the rear-view mirror… it’s too easy.

Give the M27 a stream from Spotify’s free tier and it quite ruthlessly exposes the compression and its knock-on effects where dynamics, detail levels, harmonic accuracy and all the rest of it are concerned. You might be thinking 'Well, it would, no?' but honestly some players try to make the best of this sort of content. The FiiO M27 is simply not one of those players.

Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Design

Titanium or aluminium alloy chassis
157 x 85 x 28mm (HxWxD)
6in 1080p touchscreen

Until you see and hold it, the fact the M27 measures 157 x 85 x 28mm (HxWxD) and weighs somewhere between 550g and 630g (depending on your choice of chassis material – aluminium alloy or titanium are available) might seem a little abstract.

And then you see it and hold it, and you realise the FiiO is not ‘portable’ in the way lots of less expensive digital audio players are ‘portable’. This is a hefty unit, and the shirt pocket that’s strong enough to accommodate it has yet to be invented. Think of it in terms of ‘small desktop device’ rather than ‘pocket-friendly go-anywhere player’ and you won’t be far wrong.

Mind you, FiiO has gone to considerable lengths to make sure the look and feel also says ‘premium’ as much as it says ‘chunky’. The industrial design is interesting – angular and pointy but not threateningly so – and the choice of metals for the chassis (titanium or aluminium alloy) is a nice touch too. The front of the M27 is basically all Gorilla Glass-covered 6in 1080p touchscreen display, and the rear panel is a marble-effect slice of glass fibre. FiiO supplies a snug-fitting real leather case to help keep your M27 in tip-top condition. No mention is made of a vegetarian option.

Build quality is unarguable – the FiiO feels solid and made to last. The asking price insists on a certain standard of finish, of course, and it’s a standard the M27 comfortably surpasses.

Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Usability and setup

Android 13 OS
Six functionality modes
Fan-assisted charging stand

Accessing the full and exhaustive list of functions and options available to the M27 user can be done via the touchscreen. The FiiO is running an almost complete version of Android 13 as on operating system, and it’s just as swift and responsive to use as the prodigious processing power promises.

There are also a selection of physical controls, though, along with a comprehensive suite of inputs and outputs. On the upper edge of the chassis there’s a big turn/press dial dealing with power on/off and volume control. There are three analogue outputs/headphone sockets up here, too: 3.5mm and 6.3mm balanced connections with a 4.4mm balanced alternative inbetween. On the bottom there’s space for a full-size Toslink digital optical output, a coaxial on an RCA socket (it can function as either an in- or an output), two microSD card slots (each of which can accept cards of up to 2TB capacity), a ’hold’ switch to disable all physical and touch-controls, a switch to turn ‘desktop mode’ on or off, and three USB-C slots. One is for either charging the battery, or powering the M27 from the mains. One is for charging and also for data transfer. The third, which is designated ‘USB HOST’, allows connection to an external DAC if you wish to use your player as a digital transport.

‘Desktop mode’, by the way, bypasses the battery entirely when the M27 is connected to mains power, which obviously has benefits for the life of the battery. The other functionality modes are ‘Android’ (which allows access to third-party streaming apps), ‘Pure Music’ (only the FiiO Music app is available), ‘USB DAC’ (so the player can act as a soundcard for external devices), ‘AirPlay’ (no explanation necessary) ,‘Bluetooth Receiving’ (which turns the M27 into a Bluetooth amplifier), and ‘Coaxial Decoding’ (which allows digital information incoming via the coaxial socket to access the FiiO’s D-to-A circuitry). Something for everyone, I think we can agree.

On the left side of the player you’ll find a few physical control buttons: skip forwards, skip backwards, play/pause and a user-definable ‘multifunction’ control. On the right there’s a fairly large patch behind which the FiiO stores its wireless antennae. And on both sides there’s an area for some completely gratuitous lighting effects.

The M27 is supplied with a neat desktop charging stand with its own line-up of USB-C connections as well as an integrated fan to keep the M27 cool. The protective leather case features a stainless steel hollow-cut panel on its rear, backed by a gel pack, in a further effort to make sure the player runs cool.

Usability and setup score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Value

Fundamentally, the M27 doesn’t do anything that a less affordable digital audio player (not least from the FiiO catalogue) can’t do. But that’s slightly besides the point: the M27 is not only a fine-sounding player with a stack of wider functionality where desktop and full-system use are concerned, but it’s a quite luxurious accessory in the manner of some nice jewellery or a handmade pair of shoes.

If you’re a hard-nosed, clear-eyed consumer than you’ll struggle to make a case for the M27 – but if you value the intangibles as much as, well, the tangibles, there’s an awful lot to like (and to covet, quite frankly) about this FiiO machine.

Value score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)Should I buy the FiiO M27? Buy it if...

You’re after an uncompromised hi-res audio experience
The M27 can handle dizzily high resolutions and deliver them either digitally or via a selection of analogue outputs

You own a lot of digital audio content
The ability to up the storage here by as much as 4TB means you should never find yourself short of memory

You like nice things
It’s hard to quantify ‘pride of ownership’ but you know it when you feel it

Don't buy it if...

You think ‘value for money’ is a live consideration
FiiO itself can offer a huge proportion of the M27’s talents from devices costing considerably less than this

You have a strong idea of what ‘portable’ means
Yes, you can carry the M27 from one place to another easily enough - but don’t imagine it’s going to slip into the back pocket of your jeans

You’re vegetarian
There’s no alternative to the real leather case FiiO supplies – the M27 arrives with it pre-fitted, just to really drive home the point…View Deal

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)FiiO M27 review: Also consider

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T
You’ve come this far, so you may as well go the whole hog; I reviewed the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 for the website a couple of years ago, and it remains an extraordinarily capable device that’s a match for the FiiO M27 in every way. Well, in every way in sonic terms, anyway – FiiO has, not for the first time, managed to undercut its most obvious rival where price is concerned, and as a result your choice of ‘extraordinary digital audio player’ is not as cut-and-dried as it once was.
See my Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T review

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)How I tested the FiiO M27

I downloaded Qobuz and Tidal streaming service apps from the Google Play store, and slotted a 512GB SanDisk microSD card (filled with hi-res audio content) into one of the two microSD card slots.

I connected the player to wired and wireless headphones of appropriate quality (the Sennheiser IE900 on a 4.4mm balanced connection proved particularly sympathetic), and I also used it as a desktop DAC. And then I listened to lots of different types of music, stored in many different formats and at a variety of resolutions.

First reviewed in January 2026

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Categories: Reviews

I tested the KYY X90E laptop screen extender - a heavyweight dual-screen portable monitor with a lightweight price-tag

Sat, 01/31/2026 - 01:15

KYY X90E Portable Monitor: 30-second review

KYY is a Chinese hardware maker specialising in portable displays, and the X90E is one of its latest releases.

Described by the makers as a ‘triple laptop screen extender’, more accurately, this is two monitors in a single package, designed to provide three times the normal screen space when used in conjunction with the monitor that the laptop already has.

Its hinged structure places a 15.6-inch 1080p display to the left and the right of the laptop, and connects via a single USB cable.

It can be configured to mirror the contents, so others can see your laptop display from different viewpoints, or provide an extended desktop.

Power can be sourced directly from the laptop, or for extended use, a small USB-C power supply is included.

The obvious limitation of this platform is that it assumes the laptop has USB-C with an ALT-DP capability or Thunderbolt 3 or 4. And, according to KYY, its designed exclusively for Windows PCs, and doesn’t work with Apple MacBook hardware.

At a little over $300 from the makers, and weighing 2.2kg, any purchaser needs to be convinced that the price and the additional carry are worth it for their productivity.

Despite a few limitations at this price point, it’s an obvious candidate for one of the best portable monitors on a budget that we’ve reviewed.

KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Price and availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

How much does it cost? $240/£230
When is it out? It available now
Where can you get it? Direct from KYY or via online retailers like Amazon

As with previous KYY products, buying directly from the maker isn’t the cheapest way to get the K3 portable monitor. It's selling for $309.99 direct from KYY.

On Amazon.com, it can be found for a standard price of $239.99 - a 20% discount on its official $299.99 list price.

However, on Amazon.co.uk, the same hardware is £229.99, making it slightly more costly to those in the UK. KYY doesn’t sell on the French or German versions of Amazon, but it should be possible to find it in Europe from another online reseller.

Those looking for this hardware should be aware that KYY also makes the X90A and X90D models with different specifications, so make sure you have the X90E variant before clicking the 'buy' button.

Moving away from the KYY brand, there is a collection of remarkably similar products from other Chinese display makers, and some are more expensive, and others slightly cheaper.

Those willing to use 14-inch displays instead of the 15.6-inch displays the X90E offers can be under $200, and ones with three extra displays (making four in total) can be nearer $450.

At the Amazon.com price, this is not a major investment, even if it’s only used sparingly, placing the KYY X90E in the affordable category.

Value: 4 / 5

KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Specs

Model:

Z90E

Screen Size:

2x 15.6-inch corner to corner

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Compatibility:

TB4, TB3, USB 4.0, USB-C

Number of Ports:

Ports:

2x USB-C (data and power)

Quoted colour spec:

85% NTSC

Quoted contrast:

1200:1

Panel depth:

6 (Hi FRC)

Display Technology:

IPS

Brightness:

300 nits

Size:

388 x 227 x 30mm

Weight:

‎2200g

Accessories included

1x USB-C to USB-A Cable, 1x USB-C to USB-C Cable, 5V 3A 15W Power Adapter

Touch capable

Maximum refresh

60Hz

KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Structural integrity
Various display arrangements
Single cable connectivity

Out of the box, my first impressions of the X90E were positive. It’s constructed like Soviet-era infrastructure, with a metal skin on all non-display surfaces and two remarkably robust hinges linking the two monitors to a central support plate and foot.

The only downside of the rugged construction is that at 2.2kg, this isn’t a minor item to include in a laptop bag, and you will need one made for a 17-inch laptop to fit it.

When it’s unfolded, the width of the whole unit is a whopping 115cm, although you can make it slightly narrower by adjusting the hinges.

The standard orientation is to place the laptop in the middle and have an extra display on either side, but there are various other options, including rotating them back to provide left and right presentation screens, and also folding one screen away.

You can also use that one screen mode in portrait mode, if you like to mix your orientations.

One curiosity about this solution is that instead of there being one OSD and menu controls, each monitor has its own. I can’t seriously think of a scenario where you would configure one screen to have different brightness, contrast or colour temperature than the other, but this system has that capability.

On the subject of OSD menus, these ones don’t have a large amount of features, and the way they are navigated with buttons is painful. What I fail to understand is that these menus look unchanged from the first ones that appeared on tube monitors twenty-five years ago, same horrible fonts, same insipid colours. The maker's logic appears to be that people will only use it once, so there is little point in making it any better.

In this instance, a menu option to ‘copy to other screen’ might have been a smart choice, but clearly, the menu is something that comes with the display panels, and they’re gloriously unaware of each other.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

A feature that I liked much more was that both these displays can be connected using a single USB-C cable to the laptop. That one cable supports ALT-DP to send data to both screens, and also power. The downside of having the one-cable solution is that the screen on a laptop is one of the biggest power consumers, and having three could whittle the battery capacity down rather rapidly.

If you have multiple USB-C ports, you could power the laptop, which might have enough power to drive the external monitors and recharge the battery, or you can use the included 15W PSU to power the monitors directly.

There are only two USB-C inputs on the X90E, one is for connecting and the other is for power, so it’s not possible to give one screen each to two laptops, sadly.

It’s also not on the menu for any laptop that hasn’t got USB-C (or Thunderbolt) or USB-C that supports video output, because there is no HDMI input. While this solution using USB-C is plug and play, requiring no drivers to function, to achieve those standards its exclusively for Windows PCs (7,8.1,10 and 11), and won’t work with Apple MacBook systems.

Overall, the design of the X90E is focused on a specific customer profile who uses a modern Windows laptop with a display between 14-inch and 17-inch. And, while that might seem a little niche, from a percentage viewpoint, it’s a reasonable price for those who might want more screens added to their mobile systems.

Design: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Performance

Better than 300 nits
82% sRGB

Colour Gamut

Percentage

sRGB

82%

AdobeRGB

64%

63%

NTSC

61%

Rec2020

46%

Gamma

2.2

Brightness/Contrast

Maximum Brightness

312.7

Maximum Contrast

900:1

When comparing these displays, we need to be mindful that these are inexpensive IPS technology panels, and therefore, they can’t hold a candle to OLED or MicroLED technology in terms of contrast and colour representation.

That said, the panels on the X90E were significantly better than those on the KYY K3 I previously tested, suggesting that this maker has developed improved designs.

I’m going to assume that the makers quoted 85% NTSC colour gamut is a misunderstanding, because in my tests, that number was closer to 61%. I suspect it got mixed up with the sRGB, as that’s much closer to 85%.

I say that because while the contrast isn’t the 1200:1 that KYY predicts, the brightness of these panels is almost exactly what they claim.

What information isn’t presented here is the uniformity of luminosity, which isn’t wonderful. The rear illumination of this panel is in the middle, with each of the corners being around 15% less illuminated at 100% brightness.

One curiosity I noticed was that the default White Point on these displays is 7600, not the typical 6500. The OSD doesn’t offer specific temperatures, only ‘cool’, ‘warm’ and ‘user’ definable via R, G and B settings.

Looking at this panel overall, it has decent contrast, gamut and tone response, excellent colour accuracy and uniformity, but suffers from the aforementioned luminance uniformity.

Had the backlighting been more diffuse, this might have been a great result.

I’d summarise the X90E as better than anticipated, but hardly something that those working professionally with colour might gravitate to. But for office work and presentation, in an office with blinds, it's definitely a workable option.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Performance: 4 / 5

KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Final verdict

I recall being shocked by how usable the KYY K3 was, but the X90E is an even better solution and an implausibly low price. Yes, it’s on the heavy side, and it won’t work with anything other than a Windows laptop with USB-C or Thunderbolt, but it's hard to argue with its value proposition.

An HDMI input to allow another system to share the screens would have been a nice option, or to allow both the USB-C ports to act as inputs. But that these aren’t included, along with speakers at this price point, isn’t a huge surprise.

If you need to triple your screen space and don’t mind another 2.2kg of luggage, then the KYY X90E might be the right choice for you.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)KYY X90E Portable Monitor: Report card

Value

Cheap from online retailers

4 / 5

Design

Hinges allow for numerous screen layouts

3.5 / 5

Performance

Other than brightness uniformity, these are decent monitors

4 / 5

Total

Excellent value for money if you don’t mind some connection limitations

4 / 5

Should you buy a KYY X90E Portable Monitor?

(Image credit: KYY)Buy it if...

You need extra screens
Attach one cable and you have three screens not one, it's that simple, mostly. These 15.6-inch panels can be used in many ways and can be powered separately.

Don’t buy if...

You need color accuracy
This monitor has a limited colour gamut for a portable display, although the colours it does include are mostly represented well. If you are promoting a product where colour is essential, then this probably isn't the best choice.

You have a laptop without USB-C
This hardware doesn't need a driver to work, but it does require a Windows PC with a USB-C port or Thunderbolt that supports ALT-DP mode. Apple MacBook owners aren't included.

For more options, we've reviewed the best monitors for a dual-screen set-up.

Categories: Reviews

This Nintendo Switch 2 case may not be the most stylish, but its storage space and low price impressed me

Fri, 01/30/2026 - 22:00

Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2: review

Looking to protect your precious new Nintendo system? Then the Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2 could be worth checking out. This soft case is licensed by Nintendo itself, and has a range of compartments to help you organize your gaming gear – so is it worth picking up?

Well, if you’re not a massive fan of hard cases, it may tempt you. Yes, this is a pretty soft model, although it does still have a solid amount of padding to keep your console safe. You’ll find said padding on either side of the console compartment, which will soak up any impact in the event that you drop the case.

However, there are two other compartments – one in the center of the case, and a net in the front. These aren’t protected by much padding at all. So if you’re housing accessories in there, they may not be as well protected as they’d be in tougher models like the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case, which is in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

Still, there’s plenty of room to house the power cable and adapter and a couple of other gadgets, like the official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, for example. As a mid-sized case, this one’s not really big enough for your dock – I was able to cram it in, but it was a bit of a tight fit. Other than the three main compartments, there are also six slots for Nintendo Switch 2 or original Switch games, which isn't the most I’ve ever seen, but plenty if you’re going on a short trip.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to this case’s design, I have fairly mixed feelings. One thing I do like is the handle, which adapts in length when you lift it up – as seen on the Hori Adventure Pack for Nintendo Switch 2. The handle also flows around the edge of the case, meaning you can pick the case up by its side if you'd prefer. On top of that, the zip is secure, and a hook and loop fastener inside the case keeps your console in place effectively.

However, I’m not a huge fan of how this thing looks. It reminds me of a purse – and not a particularly stylish one. The square-patterned design, the soft feel, the puffed-out appearance… it just doesn’t do it for me. Another thing worth noting is that the fabric exterior is very prone to picking up dust and fibers, which isn’t an issue I face with the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector.

In spite of that, this is still a pretty well-priced case overall. The Puff Pouch comes in with a list price of $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95, but I’ve seen it going for less in some territories – it’s going for as little as £17.50 with some retailers in the UK. Is it the most durable or stylish case I’ve tested? No. But the Hori Puff Pouch should still keep your console nice and safe, and provides a very decent amount of storage – soft case lovers should at least consider it at this price.

(Image credit: Future)Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & specs

Price

$29.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95

Dimensions

12.3 x 7 x 3.9in / 313 x 178 x 100mm

Weight

0.4lbs / 186g

Number of game card slots

Compartments

Handle

Yes

Color

Black

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Not the sleekest or sturdiest, prone to picking up dust, but decent padding and handle.

3/5

Storage

Well-sized compartments with six game slots, not really large enough for dock.

4/5

Value

Not the most secure or stylish, but moderately priced.

3.5/5

Buy it if…

You want a cost-efficient option
The Puff Pouch has a list price of $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95, but I’ve already seen it going on sale for less. It offers a good deal of quality for the price you pay, so it’s worth checking out if you’re on a budget.

You’re not a lover of the hard cases
If you’re not a huge fan of hard cases, then the Puff Pouch is a nice option. It’s soft, but well-padded, meaning that it’ll still protect your console effectively.

Don’t buy it if…

You need a case that will house your dock
Although you could potentially cram your dock into the Hori Puff Pouch, it would be a real tight fit, and not particularly secure. If you need a true all-in-one option, I’d suggest checking out the Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2, or Nintendo’s official alternative – I’ve listed the latter in the ‘Also consider’ section if you want more details.

You’re looking for something super stylish
I’m not a huge lover of the Puff Pouch’s design. It looks a little like a purse to me, and not a particularly beautiful one. If you want something a little sleeker, my top recommendation would be the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector.

Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2: also consider

Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case
This is the case I use for my Nintendo Switch 2 day in, day out, and it should definitely be on your radar if you need some protection for your console. Nintendo’s official all-in-one case has individual compartments for your system, your dock, Joy-Con 2, a Pro Controller, cables… you name it. It’s spacious, highly protective, and offers top build quality. It’s expensive, and I wish the handle were wider, but for an all-in-one storage solution, it’s about as good as it gets. Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case review.

Hori Adventure Pack for Nintendo Switch 2
If you’re after a similarly sized option to the Puff Pouch, then I’d recommend checking out the Hori Adventure Pack for Nintendo Switch 2. You can carry this case traditionally with a handle, or switch things up a bit and use it as a cross-body bag. It’s pretty sturdy, has enough room for a handful of accessories, and doesn’t cost all too much either. Read our full Hori Adventure Pack for Nintendo Switch 2 review.

How I tested the Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

Tested over the course of multiple days
Took with me to the office and on walks
Trialed by a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and life-long gamer

I tested the Hori Puff Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2 over the course of a couple of days, using it as the primary mode of transport for my system. I also tried slotting a couple of accessories into the case, including the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 and a couple of third-party controllers.

To test the case’s durability, I made sure to drop it from a variety of distances and give the exterior a good scratching. Following this, I had a look for any wear and tear, to check if the model was as sturdy as advertised on Nintendo’s online store. I also compared this case to rivals on aspects like storage space and looks.

More generally, I’m a day-one Nintendo Switch 2 owner, a lifelong gamer, and an experienced tech reviewer. I’ve reviewed a whole lot of Switch 2 accessories too – I’m talking everything from cases through to screen protectors like the DBrand Prism 2.0 and cameras like the Hori USB Camera.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: January 2026

Categories: Reviews

I tested the world’s first f/1.4 135mm prime, and it’s a portrait photographer’s dream

Fri, 01/30/2026 - 19:00

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art: One-minute review

The Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A (2025) builds on the now nine year old Sigma Art 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM. So with nearly a decade of technicological and optical advancements, how does Sigma’s latest cutting-edge 135mm prime up the ante?

For starters, the mount options have vastly changed since last time. The original Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | Art supported Canon EF and Nikon F DSLR mounts, plus Sony E and L-mount, and eventually Sony’s newer mirrorless FE mount, too. By contrast, the new Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A only supports Sony FE and L-mount for mirrorless cameras at present. While it could come to other mounts at some point in the future, it shows the shift in certain camera manufacturers being a little more restrictive (* cough, looking at you, Canon).

(Image credit: Dan Mold)

The price has also changed – 2017’s Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A hit the shelves at $1399 / £1399, whereas the new Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A is $1899 / £1649 / AU$3,499, making it between 18-35% more expensive this time around. This isn’t just down to a decade of inflation and tariffs though, some of this cost will be down to its more premium build and redesign, being the world’s fastest 135mm with an f/1.4 maximum aperture.

But what's the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A actually like to use? Well, it's a phenomenal achievement, from the legendary Japanese lens manufacturer – delivering supremely sharp detail and dreamy bokeh, even if this is a particularly hefty optic.

Bottom line – if you need a short telephoto focal length with a super fast f/1.4 aperture, then this will be the one to go for, provided you shoot on the two mounts it’s currently available for and have deep enough pockets to buy one.

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art: Price and availability

Priced at $1,899 / £1,649 / AU$3,499
Lens hood, tripod foot collar and soft pouch included
Announced in September 2025

When it comes to value, the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art is one of the most expensive 135mm primes on the market, though it’s not quite as expensive as the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM which costs $2399 / £2399, or the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena which retails for $2597 / £2179. That being said, sadly the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 isn’t currently available for either Canon RF or Nikon Z mounts presently so it doesn’t offer a more affordable third-party option for Canon or Nikon users.

However, for the Sony FE and L-mount cameras that it is currently available for, it’s one of the more expensive lenses you can go for, but then it is the only 135mm lens on the market with that super wide f/1.4 aperture. If you're willing to pay the premium over a f/1.8 alternative, this lens is a must-have as you’ll be faced with no other options; it is an excellent portrait lens and one that delivers superb image quality.

For photographers looking for something more portable and svelte, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 or Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 lenses will be better options and one of the best third-party Sony lenses.

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art: SpecsSigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art specs

Type:

Short telephoto lens

Mount:

L-Mount, Sony FE

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

135mm

Max aperture:

f/1.4

Minimum focus:

1.1m

Filter size:

105mm

Dimensions:

111.7x135.5mm

Weight:

50.4oz / 1430g

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art: Design

Big and hefty, weighing 50.4oz/1430g
Houses 17 elements arranged in 13 groups
Has a removable Arca-Swiss tripod foot and collar
No optical image stabilization

The new Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art is chunky and that’s perhaps none-too-surprising to achieve its momentous f/1.4 maximum aperture. Its diameter of 111.7mm is larger than its competition and its length of 135.5mm makes it about 18% longer than its predecessor. In fact, it's only the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 and Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lenses that are longer, at 147.6mm and 139.5mm respectively.

The Sigma 135mm is heavier than its peers too – tipping the scales at 50.4oz/1,430g it’s significantly heavier than other mirrorless full-frame 135mm primes. Many 135mm primes from the likes of Sony, Samyang, Canon and Nikon all come in around 35% lighter or less, though none achieve the coveted f/1.4 aperture of the Sigma, so this is the price you pay for having a faster lens.

(Image credit: Dan Mold)

The barrel houses 17 elements arranged in 13 groups, four of which are large FLD glass elements along with strategically placed high dispersion glass which Sigma claims can suppress axial chromatic aberration. There’s also not one but two HLA (High response Linear Actuator) motors which drive the autofocus – the floating focus system allows two lens groups to be moved independently – I'll touch more on how it performs in the next section.

The original Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | Art lacked image stabilization when it came out nine years ago and unfortunately the new Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A omits this once again. However, while the original launched for predominantly for DSLRs, this new Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A is built with modern mirrorless bodies in-mind, many of which have very good in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which is more effective than optical stabilization (OIS) anyway, so it’s less of an issue that it would have been back then. We also have to remember that adding stabilization to the lens would likely result in the lens being even bigger – something I’m sure Sigma would be keen to avoid with its already very tank-like build.

I got hold of the Sony FE version, though the lens can also be picked up for L-mount alliance cameras, which includes Sigma, Panasonic and Leica bodies. It has a nice brass metal mount with a weather seal around it, showing that the lens has some sealing and protection from the elements, which is to be expected from Sigma’s premium 'Art' range (and this price point).

The front element of the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A is huge and takes 105mm screw-in filters (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Taking the front lens cap off reveals the huge front element, which has an oil and water repellent coating and also takes enormous 105mm screw-in filters. The front element is so large that the lens barrel protrudes at the front to make space for it (and presumably to protect it). This upshot is that the lens feels secure in the hand, with your supporting hand naturally resting on the focus ring.

The focus ring is a bit smaller than its predecessor but it offers plenty of grip and feels secure in the hand. It's smooth to turn, too. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Speaking of the focus ring, it’s significantly thinner than the old version at just 2cm wide, perhaps showing the shift away from manual focus, especially with how good modern face and eye detection autofocus systems have become in the past decade.

Looking at the new and old Sigma 135mm lenses side by side, the difference in real estate given to the focus ring is quite stark and has to be around half as wide this time around. That being said, its knurled rubber design offers plenty to hold on to and is smooth to turn. With the move to mirrorless, focusing manually is electronic rather than mechanical, which means we also miss out on a focus distance window.

The lens now comes with a tripod foot collar, you'll get a better balance on a monopod/tripod and reduce strain versus handheld shooting. I actually preferred attaching to a monopod while shooting outdoors to give me a more stable platform, especially when nailing such a delicately thin slice of focus shooting wide open at f/1.4.

The collar is removable, and while it can be screwed into a tripod or monopod, the foot has also been machined to work in Arca-Swiss mounts without the need to attach a plate.

One nice feature of the Sigma 135mm f1.4 DG Art lens is that it sports a tripod foot and collar. The foot accepts monopods and tripods, though it's also shaped to fit directly into Arca-Swiss mounts without the need for a quick release plate or adapter (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Also on the lens barrel is a switch to flick between AF/MF and there’s an iris ring which can be used to control the lens aperture, complimented by another switch to engage or disable the aperture ring from clicking – a handy feature for videographers who like the smoother un-clicked operation. It can also be locked into the ‘A’ position if you’d prefer not to use it at all and instead set the aperture via the camera body.

The lens barrel sports an iris ring for changing the aperture value if you prefer. It can also be locked off at the A position if you prefer to set the aperture in the camera body and it can also be clicked or declicked, the latter is more suitable for video. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

To wrap up, you’ll also find two AFL buttons on the lens, spaced 90-degrees apart from each other, with one on the left and the other on the top of the barrel for easy access when shooting in landscape or portrait orientation. These buttons can be assigned to a range of functions.

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art: Performance

Stunning shallow depth of field effects with f/1.4 aperture
Good face detection and eye tracking with my Sony test body
Some vignetting when shooting wide open at f/1.4

As previoously mentioned, the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DC | Art is a big and chunky lens that's almost twice as heavy as some of its rivals. This does make it a little unwieldy to use and I'd recommend a camera body with in-body image stabilization (IBIS) to reduce camera-shake – I paired it with the Sony A7R V.

If using a smaller body which lacks a vertical grip, I would also recommend adding a battery grip improve balance with the lens – it helps to keep the camera and lens more stable when taking photos in the portrait orientation.

Image 1 of 3

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/3200 sec, ISO1600 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 2 of 3

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO1600 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 3 of 3

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO1600 (Image credit: Dan Mold)

The addition of the tripod foot and collar is clearly a welcome addition and will come in use for those shooting on a tripod in a studio or on a monopod for scenarios such as shooting models at an outdoor location, or cars at a racetrack, for example.

Image 1 of 5

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/1250 sec, ISO800 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 2 of 5

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.8, 1/800 sec, ISO800 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 3 of 5

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/2500 sec, ISO800 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 4 of 5

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO800 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 5 of 5

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/2.8, 1/640 sec, ISO800 (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Focusing with the compressed 135mm focal length and with the aperture wide open at f/1.4 is a challenge because you’re playing with such a small focus area and very limited depth of field. Luckily, the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DC | Art has quick and accurate focusing through its Dual HLA motors, and nailing focus on the eyes becomes easier when shooting on a tripod or monopod, to eliminate camera-shake.

Your subject will also need to be very steady to avoid subject blur and the focus slipping onto the eyelashes – which is all very well with an accommodating adult, but more of a challenge with animals! You are also somewhat at the mercy of how good the eye detection and subject tracking is on the camera body, but the Sony A7R IV I paired the lens to performed very well.

Image 1 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/4000 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 2 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/5000 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 3 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/2.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 4 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/8000 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 5 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/6400 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 6 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/1.4, 1/8000 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)Image 7 of 7

Test shot with Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A: f/4, 1/800 sec, ISO100 (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Optically, the lens is razor sharp when you are able to land the focus exactly where you need it on your subject, while the background bokeh blur is stunningly beautiful, with enormous bokeh circles when shooting wide open. The bokeh is huge, smooth and circular due its 13 bladed aperture, and showed no signs of ugly onion ring defects you can get with cheaper optics.

Vignetting is a minor issue when shooting wide open, although this clears up by f/1.8. There is also a very subtle amount of chromatic aberration on edges of contrast, though both of these issues are very easy to fix in post, and for the most part can be dealt with using the profile corrections in editing software with a single click, so for me they're not a big deal.

Should you buy the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art?Buy it if...

You want the world's only 135mm f/1.4 lens

The Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | A is the only 135mm lens to boast a wide f/1.4 maximum aperture, so if you need such a tool in your arsenal – this is the one to get

You're looking for a bokeh monster

The 135mm f/1.4 lens is a beast when it comes to producing incredible background blur and beautiful large, smooth and circular bokeh

You shoot with Sony or L-mount bodies

Sadly, the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 is, at the time of review, only available for Sony E and L-mount bodies. If you're a portrait professional shooting on either of these systems, this is a lens to consider if your budget can stretch

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

This is one of the most expensive 135mm portrait lenses on the market – costing $1899 / £1649 / AU$3,499, you'll need deep pockets!

You prefer small and lightweight lenses

The Sigma 135mm f/1.4 is a chunky and heavy lens and its unwieldy handling makes it difficult to shoot with handheld – a monopod or tripod is often preferred to steady the frame

You don't need the f/1.4 aperture

If you don't shoot in super dim conditions or require the extra shallow depth of field that this lens will give you, there are numerous other options from Sony and third-partiesView Deal

How I tested the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art

I used the lens for a month, capturing everything from controlled still-life setups at home to outdoor portraits
I paired it with the 61MP Sony A7R V full-frame body, zooming in on images to assess resolution and clarity
I took shots throughout the aperture range, focusing up close and further away to judge image sharpness

I used the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art lens for a month, paired with a Sony A7R V to produce incredibly detailed 61MP files so I could zoom in and thoroughly inspect the image quality.

I shot a range of subjects from indoor still life setups to portrait shoots outdoors with the lens and shot at all of the available apertures to see how image quality and vignetting were handled throughout the aperture range.

I took a range of pictures with in-camera lens corrections both enabled and disabled to see the difference. I also shot in raw and JPEG formats, and gauged how things like corner sharpness and vignetting changed at different aperture values.

First reviewed January 2026

Categories: Reviews

Is Incogni a good choice for a data removal service in 2026? This expert review certainly thinks so

Fri, 01/30/2026 - 06:10

Personal data is constantly at risk, and bought, sold, and traded by data brokers faster than most people realize. As privacy concerns reach new heights, data removal services have become essential tools for managing one’s digital identity.

Incogni, developed by Surfshark (a major name in VPN and cybersecurity solutions), and now operates as a standalone product. Incogni automates the process of removing your personal information from hundreds of data broker sites. Instead of sending deletion requests manually, a task that could take hundreds of hours, Incogni does it for you, tracking progress and maintaining removals over time.

If you’re serious about data privacy and want a stress-free way to minimize your online footprint, Incogni is one of the best data removal services of 2026.

Incogni: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Future)

Incogni’s pricing is structured around individual and family plans, with clear differences between Standard and Unlimited tiers. For individual users, the Standard plan can be billed monthly at about $15.98, or annually at $95.88, which works out to roughly $7.99 per month and offers the best value if you plan to commit long term. This plan includes automated data removal from a large network of data brokers, regular progress tracking, and access to the main dashboard features.

For users who want more control over specific sites, the Individual Unlimited plan is available as an annual subscription at approximately $179.88 per year, or about $14.99 per month at effective pricing. The main advantage of this tier is the inclusion of custom removal requests, which lets Incogni pursue takedowns from sites that are not already in its standard broker database, making it better suited for people with a larger or more complicated online footprint.

Families can opt for the Family Standard plan, which covers up to five people under a single subscription and is billed annually at around $191.88, or about $15.99 per month when averaged over the year. This plan essentially extends the benefits of the individual Standard tier to multiple household members at a lower per-person cost. For the most comprehensive option, the Family Unlimited plan costs about $275.88 per year (roughly $22.99 per month effective) and adds custom removal capabilities for every account member, along with priority support for more complex removal needs.

Across all tiers, Incogni typically includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving new users a risk-free window to test how effective the service is for their situation. The service can also be purchased as part of the Surfshark One+ bundle, which combines Incogni with Surfshark’s VPN and other cybersecurity tools; this bundle can sometimes reduce your overall spend compared to buying each product separately, making it appealing if you are building a broader privacy and security stack.

Incogni: Features

(Image credit: Future)

Incogni centers its service on automated, law-backed data removal from a large and growing network of data brokers. It leverages major privacy regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and similar frameworks in supported regions, to compel brokers to delete your personal information rather than merely suppress it.

Once you subscribe and authorize Incogni to act on your behalf, the platform immediately begins sending opt-out and deletion requests to over 420 broker sites, covering both public people-search finder sites and non-public marketing, recruitment, and risk-assessment databases.

The service is designed to be as hands-off as possible. After the initial wave of requests goes out, Incogni tracks responses, flags which brokers have confirmed removals, and keeps resending requests where necessary so your data does not quietly reappear months later.

Users receive weekly progress updates that summarize how many requests were sent, how many are still pending, and how many have been completed, which makes it easy to see tangible results without digging into technical details.

The dashboard also shows which types of information each broker is likely to hold—such as contact details, demographic data, or behavioral profiles—so you have a clearer picture of exactly what is being removed.

On higher-tier Unlimited plans, Incogni adds custom data removal, allowing you to submit specific URLs or sites that fall outside the standard broker list and have Incogni’s privacy team pursue those removals on your behalf. This is particularly useful for obscure people-search sites, marketing lists, or niche industry databases that are not widely covered by competing tools.

Taken together, the combination of extensive broker coverage, recurring automated removals, weekly reporting, and custom requests makes Incogni a robust, low-effort way to continuously chip away at your digital footprint.

Incogni: Setup

Getting started with Incogni takes just minutes. After signing up:

You authorize Incogni to act on your behalf under applicable privacy laws.
The system automatically begins sending removal requests.
You’ll start seeing activity updates within a week.

During the first month, most initial removals are completed, while older or unresponsive brokers are automatically followed up on. Weekly progress reports make it easy to stay informed without micromanaging.

Incogni: Ease of use

Incogni’s web-based dashboard keeps things simple. The clean interface highlights:

Total removal requests sent
Brokers contacted
Status updates (pending, confirmed, or completed)

Even non-technical users can easily navigate the platform. Incogni’s automation eliminates the need for manual contact with brokers—making it one of the most user-friendly privacy tools in its class.

One limitation, however, is that Incogni doesn’t yet offer a mobile app, unlike competitors like Optery, which recently introduced one. Still, for desktop users, it offers one of the most intuitive setups available.

Incogni: Security and privacy

Incogni adheres to strict privacy standards. It collects only minimal personal data (such as your name and email) required to submit opt-out requests.

Communication between you, Incogni, and data brokers is encrypted. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands—an EU nation with strong GDPR protections—which ensures compliance with international privacy law.

Incogni also emphasizes transparency: users can see when and where requests are made and which brokers comply. There’s no data sharing or resale of customer information.

Incogni: Support

Incogni provides a mix of direct and self-service support options and has made noticeable improvements over time. For users on the Unlimited and Family Unlimited plans, live phone support is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., particularly helpful for real-time assistance with specific data removal issues or account questions.

All users can reach the team via email, with Incogni typically indicating a response time of around 24 hours. There is also a dedicated support portal where you can submit and track requests online, rather than relying solely on inbox communications.

On the self-help side, Incogni maintains a searchable Knowledge Base that covers common questions, troubleshooting topics, and explanations of how the service works, along with a blog that publishes broader privacy tips and product updates.

There are also detailed opt-out guides that explain how to manually remove your data from various people-search and data broker sites, and these guides can be accessed without an active subscription, adding value even for users still deciding whether to sign up.

However, Incogni does not yet offer live chat support, and while email and phone coverage are generally sufficient, some users may find the lack of instant messaging or extended-hours phone lines slightly limiting compared to competitors that have invested heavily in real-time, multi-channel support.

Incogni: The competition

Incogni competes with several leading data removal services:

(Image credit: Future / Incogni / DeleteMe)

DeleteMe – Offers deeper manual intervention and reports but costs more (around $129/year per user). Excellent for users who prefer human-handled removals.
OneRep – Strong focus on U.S. people-search sites with visual proof of removals, but less global coverage. Offers a limited free trial.
Optery – Very transparent, showing screenshots of exposed data. Has a free scan tier, though many removals require manual steps. Better visibility, less automation.
Privacy Bee – Adds dark web and Google Maps house-blurring tools but costs more and requires user input.
Aura – Combines identity theft protection with broader cybersecurity tools, but its data removal tracking isn’t as detailed as Incogni’s.

Incogni stands out for global reach, affordability, and hands-free automation, although some competitors offer more visual feedback or bundled extras.

Incogni: The verdict

Incogni delivers one of the most efficient and accessible data removal services available in 2026. It automates a complex process while keeping users updated at every step. For those who want stronger digital privacy without manual oversight, Incogni offers exceptional value — especially on annual plans.

While improvements could include a free trial or a mobile app - its automation, breadth of coverage, and consistent success in data removal make it a top pick for anyone serious about protecting their personal information online.

Sign up to Incogni

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Asus V16 and it’s as portable as large gaming laptops get — but this isn’t the only aspect that impressed me

Fri, 01/30/2026 - 03:13

Asus V16: Two-minute review

The V16 is a large gaming laptop with a strong spec at an appealing price point. It looks understated yet elegant, thanks to the smooth finish and lack of gaming-related embellishments. The rounded edges and smooth planes further add to its minimalist appeal.

What’s more, the V16 is remarkably sleek by the standards of its class. Despite the large 16-inch size display, its body is very thin and light, making it a contender for the best gaming laptop you can realistically carry around with you.

The build quality of the V16 is also commendable, featuring materials that feel premium and well put-together. It’s more solid than some of its rivals, although it’s perhaps not the sturdiest gaming laptop in existence.

There are enough connectivity options to satisfy most gamers, although the lack of an RJ-45 port might disappoint keen online players. The fact that all but one of the V16’s interfaces are located on the left – and none on the rear – might also be a pain point for some.

(Image credit: Future)

MyAsus is the utility software bundled with the V16, used to view system information and make performance tweaks. It gets the job done, although the interface and odd loading times make it less polished than rival software.

Thanks to the RTX 4050 in my review unit, the V16 managed to hold its own when contending with today’s AAA titles. I didn’t manage to achieve 60fps at full resolution when playing Cyberpunk 2077, but I still had a smooth and enjoyable experience at around 50fps with Ray Tracing enabled.

Heat made its way onto the keyboard while playing, with the space bar experiencing the most intense temperatures. It was still comfortable to use, though, and more impressively, the fans were relatively hushed.

The 16-inch display on the V16 provides a large vista for showcasing blockbuster titles at their best. The 1920 x 1200 resolution is just about sharp enough for its size too. However, while colors are vibrant enough, they lack the intensity of the best gaming monitors, and reflections can reveal themselves all too readily.

The starting price of the V16 makes it a tempting proposition, although there are others with similar costs that offer a better spec, such as the Acer Nitro V 15, which features an RTX 5050 in its base model instead of a 4050. However, the portable design, large display, and excellent keyboard are all points in the V16’s favor, resulting in a strong contender in the mid-range gaming laptop market.

Asus V16 review: Price & Availability

(Image credit: Future)

Starting from $949.99 / £849.99 / AU$1,399
Available now
Some rivals are better value

The Asus V16 starts from $949.99 / £849.99 / AU$1,399 and is available now. The base models in each region differ: the US gets an Intel Core 7 and an RTX 3050, the UK a Core 5 and an RTX 4050, and the Australian a Core 5 and RTX 3050. In the UK, we’ve also seen the RTX 5050 variant on sale for less than the 4050 counterpart.

This is a reasonable starting price for an RTX 40 series-equipped laptop. However, there are some rivals that represent better value, such as the Acer Nitro V 15, which has a significantly lower starting price (in the US, at least) but features an RTX 5050 rather than a 4050. Its display is an inch smaller, though, and it's decidedly bulkier and therefore less portable.

If you want to spend even less money, the MSI Cyborg 15 is a strong budget pick. You’ll have to settle for an RTX 30 series GPU to keep the costs down, but this still offers passable performance, and the overall design and brilliant keyboard of the Cyborg certainly haven’t fallen victim to cost-cutting.

Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus V16 review: SpecsAsus V16 review configuration

CPU

Intel Core 5 210H (8 cores) 2.2GHz

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB

RAM

16GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM

Storage

512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD

Display

16.0-inch, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10, 144Hz, Anti-glare

Ports and Connectivity

1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack; Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

Battery

63Wh

Dimensions

14.06 x 9.87 x 0.71 ~ 0.87in (357 x 251 x 18 ~ 22mm)

Weight

4.30lbs / 1.95kg

Asus V16 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Impressively light and thin
Decent build quality
Sufficient utility software

To look at, the V16 cuts a very un-gamerish figure. Only a small and discreet Asus logo adorns the lid, while the perfectly flat contours, unsullied by any of the protrusions or sharp angles typical for this class of device, further belie its gaming prowess.

Setting the V16 apart even more from its equally large rivals are its weight and dimensions: even the best laptops would envy just how light and thin it is. This makes it much easier to carry around than you might imagine – although you’ll still need plenty of space in your bag to accommodate its 16-inch diagonal.

Materials are impressively premium, too. The chassis has a super smooth finish, while the keys have a very subtle texture that enhances their tactility. What’s more, the whole construction feels quite solid, with minimal – but still noticeable – flexing to the panels.

Port selection on the V16 is adequate. There’s no ethernet port, which online gamers might lament, but you still get an HDMI port and a headset jack. There are also two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, the latter of which supports both power delivery and external displays.

(Image credit: Future)

All ports are loaded on the left-hand side, except for one of the USB-A ports, which is on the right. This lack of balance might prove inconvenient depending on your setup, especially for those who like some on the rear.

The utility software for the V16, MyAsus, doesn’t exactly have the most enticing interface, and the fact it shows loading bars every time you open it is a little disconcerting, even if they don't take long. The app contains some useful system information and various settings you can adjust. Along with the usual fan profile selections, you can also adjust the GPU operation, with modes ranging from Standard to Optimized, that control when and where the GPU and integrated graphics are employed.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Asus V16 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Smooth but unspectacular performance
Surprisingly quiet
Excellent keyboard

Asus V16 benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Single Core): 2,400; (Multi Core): 9,093
Cinebench R23 (Multi Core): 11,766
Cinebench R24 (Single Core): 104 (Multi Core): 684
Crossmark Overall: 1,598
3DMark Night Raid: 45,660; Fire Strike: 17,587; Steel Nomad: 1,543; Solar Bay: 30,689; Solar Bay Unlimited: 32,976; Solar Bay Extreme: 6,387; Solar Bay Extreme Unlimited: 3,515
BlackMagicDisk Read: 1,689MB/s; Write: 204MB/s
Civilization VII (1200p, AMD FSR, High): 77fps; (1080p, High): 105fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1200p, Highest, Balanced upscaling): 120fps; (1080p, Highest, SMAA x4, no upscaling): 69fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1200p, Ultra): 35fps; (1080p, Ultra): 37fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1200p, Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 60fps; (1080p, Ray Tracing: Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 36fps; (1080p, Ultra, no upscaling): 50fps
Marvel Rivals (1200p, Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 35fps; (1200p, no upscaling, Low): 58fps

The combination of the Intel Core 5 and RTX 4050 in my review unit resulted in respectable, if not outstanding, gaming performance. I got around 50fps when I played Cyberpunk 2077 at the Ray Tracing: Low preset. More importantly, I experienced virtually no slowdown or stuttering, even during busy scenes, which is always something to prize.

A small amount of heat was generated on the keyboard during my play time, but this was never uncomfortable. Oddly enough, the space bar experienced the highest temperatures, rather than the rear, as is the case with many other gaming laptops. Also unusual was the fact that the sides and underneath stayed remarkably cool as well.

As expected, the fans in the V16 whirred continuously while playing demanding titles, but the noise was suppressed quite well. Also, the tone and pitch was far less grating than in other gaming laptops I’ve tried.

The large 16-inch display of the V16 is certainly great for gaming, with the thin bezels around the screen enhancing the visual experience further. The 1200p resolution also offers sufficient sharpness for the size of the screen.

(Image credit: Future)

Colors are vibrant enough, although they do seem a little washed-out compared to those rendered on the best gaming laptop displays. What’s more, the display can be quite reflective, although minor positional adjustments were enough to remedy this.

I had no qualms with the keyboard, though. The keys are generously spaced (which is impressive given a number pad is present), so they’re comfortable to use, and the WASD keys are easy to locate thanks to their translucent design and subtly different texture.

While they feel clicky and snappy, the keys also have plenty of dampening, so they never feel harsh when you hammer down on them. They also have a pleasing amount of travel, which further enhances their feedback and tactile nature. The above qualities make the keyboard great for typing as well.

The touchpad on the V16 is probably the biggest I’ve seen on a laptop, which is useful for navigation purposes. Yet despite its size, it didn’t get in the way when using the keyboard for either gaming or typing.

Performance: 4 / 5

Asus V16 review: Battery Life

(Image credit: Future)

Decent battery life
Outlasts rivals

For a gaming laptop, the V16 has a respectable battery life. It managed to last over 12 hours during our movie playback tests, which is several hours better than many others in the sector, and almost double that of the Acer Nitro V 15.

It also posted a commendable result in the PCMark Gaming battery test, lasting just shy of two hours. The Nitro V 15, by contrast, managed a little over 90 minutes.

Battery Life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Asus V16?Asus V16 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The three-figure starting price is always good to see in a gaming laptop, but there are a few rivals that offer even better value.

3.5 / 5

Design

For a large gaming laptop, the V16 is phenomenally light and thin. The quality materials and sturdy construction are further plus points.

4.5 / 5

Performance

AAA performance is pretty good, while the keyboard is enjoyably tactile. The large display is also pleasing, although it’s a bit too reflective.

4 / 5

Battery Life

An enduring lifespan for this class of device. It beats many rivals, although it still flags behind more general laptops.

4 / 5

Total

The V16 might not have cutting-edge AAA performance, but it acquits itself well in other areas. It has some strong rivals at this price point, though.

4 / 5

Buy the Asus V16 if...

You want something portable
The thin, lightweight body of the V16 is quite the feat for a gaming laptop, making it much easier to travel with than other similarly-sized rivals.

You want a great keyboard
The deep travel, satisfying clickiness, and generous dampening of the keys make them a joy to use, whether you’re gaming or typing.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best performance
The RTX 4050 in my review unit was good, but no match for the later 50 series GPUs.

You're on a tighter budget
Although the V16 is well-priced, there are cheaper alternatives with less powerful GPUs, if you can settle for them.

Asus V16 review: also consider

Acer Nitro V 15 Intel
The base model of the Nitro V 15 is arguably better value than the V16, since its starting price (in the US at least) is less, yet it boasts the more recent RTX 5050 GPU. It’s an inch smaller than the V16, though, yet is nowhere near as portable. Read our full Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review.

MSI Cyborg 15
If you’re on a really tight gaming laptop budget, the Cyborg 15 could be a great prick. It’s currently one of the best budget gaming laptops around, thanks to its low price point. You’ll have to settle for an older RTX 30 series GPU to keep the costs down, though, which is a significant downgrade on the 40 series options in the V16. Read our full MSI Cyborg 15 review.

How I tested the Asus V16

Tested for several days
Ran games and benchmarks
Extensive gaming laptop experience

I tested the V16 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming and general browsing.

I played Cyberpunk 2077 at various settings, and ran TechRadar's series of benchmarks tests, designed to comprehensively assess all facets of performance. I also tested battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop until the V16 shut down.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a number of systems and components during that time. I've also plenty of experience reviewing gaming laptops of all kinds, from budget offerings to state-of-the-art machines.

First reviewed: January 2026
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

I've finally found the only gimbal I need — here's why the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is my go-to stabilizer for every camera I own

Thu, 01/29/2026 - 17:00

Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro: two-minute review

If you’re serious about video capture, there’s a good chance that a gimbal is on your ever-growing shopping list. And if you’re looking for something that can support one of the best cameras for YouTube and general video capture, the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is an option you might want to consider.

This is a pro-spec gimbal that comes with a built-in camera for AI subject tracking and remote viewing, a touchscreen remote, impressive battery life, and a respectable 5.51lbs / 2.5kg maximum payload. It’s packed with features, and the Pro kit comes with a range of useful accessories for not much more than the price of the standalone Pro option.

The MT3 Pro even features a detachable 1.4-inch touchscreen remote, which can be used to control the gimbal from up to 32.8ft / 10m, with the ability to see what the AI tracking camera sees. This is fantastic, whether you’re capturing yourself or simply working at a distance from the camera. You can, of course, also access many gimbal settings via the remote, and there’s a mount that attaches the remote to the multi-angle arm that’s included in the pro kit.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

In terms of build quality, there’s no faulting the MT3 Pro. It feels like a quality product, as you’d hope and expect for the price. It’s a surprisingly compact gimbal considering it has a maximum payload of 5.51lbs / 2.5kg, which is enough to support a range of different cameras and necessary accessories up to some professional options.

The MT3 Pro is comfortable to hold thanks to the contoured grip and the weight of just 2.36lbs / 1.07kg. Plus, the included mini tripod acts as both a stand and an extended handle / grip. The Pro kit also comes with a multi-angle handle, which is perfect for adding stability in ‘side handle mode’ and for capturing low-angle shots in ‘briefcase mode’. Another useful feature is the ability to switch the camera to portrait mode in a matter of seconds, without having to rebalance the gimbal.

A great aspect of the MT3 Pro is that it comes with everything you need to attach and stabilize smartphones, action cameras, compact cameras and larger mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and video cameras. For most professionals and advanced users, a mirrorless or video camera will be the obvious camera of choice, but you never know when you may need to attach an action camera or smartphone, so this functionality remains useful – if you shoot just with a phone, however, you'll find a better alternative in our best phone gimbals guide which includes Hohem's own iSteady M7 in top spot.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

The camera mount is Arca-Swiss compatible, which means you can attach your camera and camera cage to the gimbal. Like all gimbals, the MT3 Pro conveniently folds flat for transport and storage. Parts of the MT3 Pro are Teflon-coated, intended to make balancing easier when adjusting the tilt, roll and pan arms. The MT3 Pro was easy enough to balance, and the arms certainly moved with ease during the process.

One of the more interesting features is the AI subject tracking for humans, pets, vehicles, and pretty much any subject you might want to capture. The subject tracking works well, incredibly well, when it comes to locking onto subjects as you move around them, or if the subject itself moves – the gimbal will follow. 'Any subject' may seem vague, but during my testing I was able to select literally anything, and the MT3 Pro would dutifully lock on to it.

The gimbal achieves success here thanks to its 2MP AI camera. This not only allows the gimbal to see the subjects it's tracking, but, as previously mentioned, it also provides a live view of what’s happening in front of the camera. It’s not a live feed from the camera, but it remains useful by allowing you to select the subject to be tracked. You can set custom follow speeds to make the MT3 Pro quicker and generally more responsive when required. You can also use hand gestures to control some functionality of the gimbal, which is useful for vloggers.

The Hohem Joy app allows you to perform several tasks, including updating firmware, controlling the gimbal wirelessly, setting up shooting tasks such as timelapses, and smartphone camera control when stabilizing your smartphone. It’s not the best app of its kind, but it could be worse, and I was surprised to find a firmware update available for the pre-sale MT3 Pro I was testing.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

One thing I did find tricky with the MT3 Pro is that some features and functions are tucked away behind multiple button presses, as well as being accessible on the remote. This is fine if you use gimbals daily, but for less frequent users it will take some time to learn what one, two, three or four presses, or a long press, of a button does. Not a dealbreaker, for sure – just something to be aware of.

The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro is an impressive and useful gimbal thanks to these features and others, including the Spot Mini Motor, which can be set up to add easy motorized focusing of your lens / follow focus. This is only available in the Pro kit. Standard features include control of compatible cameras, and there’s also a built-in light. This has Kelvin and brightness control, and although it’s not the brightest it does add useful fill light in some situations.

This and the AI subject tracking will of course take their toll on battery life, but Hohem claims that the 4350mAh battery can provide up to 20 hours of use when these features aren’t being used. I wasn’t able to fully test that claim, but a single charge did more than cover my testing period, which spanned a couple of weeks and multiple shoots.

Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro review: price and availability

The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro was announced on January 6 2026, alongside the Hohem iSteady MT3. The latter is a less expensive option with a lower maximum payload and fewer features. The iSteady MT3 models will initially be available in the United States with pre-orders open now. Hohem has suggested that a wider release to the UK, Australia and other regions could follow in March/April.

I reviewed the iSteady MT3 Pro kit, which costs $549, while the iSteady MT3 Pro costs $449. Without listing everything you get in the Pro kit, in addition to what comes with the MT3 Pro, you also receive a carry case, multi-angle handle, a focus motor and associated accessories, among other items, and for just $100 more it's an attractive option. We'll update this page when we have details of pricing and availability for regions outside the US.

Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro review: specs

Dimensions:

Folded: 8.5 x 11.6 x 2.6 inches / 216 x 295 x 65mm / Unfolded: 13.3 x 5.9 x 7.8 inches / 338 x 150 x 199mm

Weight:

2.36lbs / 1070g

Max payload:

5.51lbs / 2.5kg

Verical shooting:

Yes

Compatible phone width:

58 to 90mm

Connectivity:

USB-C / Bluetooth

Battery life:

Up to 20 hours (without AI tracking)

Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro review: also consider

Hohem iSteady M7

If you only need a gimbal for stabilizing your smartphone, the Hohem iSteady M7 can support devices that weigh up to 1.1lbs / 500g, so even the Max and Ultra models of the phone world can be kept steady. It also features a telescopic extension, AI subject tracking and a detachable touchscreen remote.

Read our Hohem iSteady M7 review

DJI RS4 Mini

The DJI RS4 Mini is a more entry-level option than the MT3 Pro, but comes in at a lower price while retaining DJI’s signature quality. It also features AI subject tracking, and a maximum payload of 4.4lbs / 2kg. The arms are on the stiff side when it comes to balancing, but it’s otherwise a worthy consideration if you’re on a budget. DJI also has the pricier RS4 in its range, and more recently announced the RS5.

Read our DJI RS4 Mini review

Should I buy the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro?

(Image credit: James Abbott)Buy it if...

You want excellent subject tracking
The AI-powered subject tracking, along with the live view from the AI camera, is fantastic for keeping your camera locked onto the subject, whether that’s you or anything else.

You use multiple cameras
If you shoot with a range of different camera formats, including your smartphone, the MT3 Pro has you covered, with mounts for phones and action cameras included.

You need long battery life
With a battery life up to 20 hours when you’re not using AI tracking modes, you should, in theory, be able to get a day’s shooting out of the MT3 Pro.

Don't buy it if...

You only shoot video with a smartphone
With its 5.51lbs / 2.5kg maximum payload, this is a gimbal that’s designed to support up to full-frame mirrorless cameras. A phone-only gimbal would be a more cost-effective option if that's all you use.

You’re on a budget
The iSteady MT3 Pro certainly isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for in terms of features. However, if you’re on a budget, less expensive alternatives are available, including the iSteady MT3.

You rarely shoot handheld
If you only occasionally shoot handheld, a camera cage with handles could be a great option that saves cash. You will need extremely steady hands, though.

How I tested the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro

I tested it over a couple of weeks
I paired it with a range of cameras
I tested all of its features

The Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro was tested over a couple of weeks indoors and out, with my smartphone, compact camera and full-frame mirrorless cameras, and with video accessories attached. The gimbal was tested according to what I was shooting, but emphasis was placed upon overall stability and the effectiveness of the AI-powered subject tracking. I also tested the touchscreen remote, the spot mini motor for focus control, and the other accessories included in the kit.

First reviewed January 2026

Categories: Reviews

Cairn's complete dedication to its arduous climb may turn off many, but I found it to be a fulfilling, gratifying, and thoughtful adventure

Thu, 01/29/2026 - 08:00

In Cairn, almost every person Aava meets as she ascends Mount Kami and every loved one who leaves her messages from back home, all continuously ask the same question: “Why are you attempting this climb?” It’s a question I kept asking myself when another slip cost me many minutes of careful progress, when my backpack was bereft of food and drink, and when I couldn’t see a clear path upwards. We shared the same answer, though. Sheer stubbornness and dogged determination to reach the top of the damn thing.

It’s amazing what innate and primal feelings an ultimately pointless challenge to climb a big mountain can draw out from us. It’s the same push that’s driven people into keyboard-smashing and mouse-crushing rage just to complete Bennett Foddy’s ridiculous climbers GIRP and Getting Over It.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PC
Release date: January 29, 2026

Cairn, the climbing adventure from French-based developers, The Game Bakers, thrives on exactly that same desire to conquer a seemingly insurmountable task. And it fully commits to that idea. Sure, there is a well-written story, some charming characters, and a few other elements thrown in, but this is a game where you’ll spend 15 hours or more carefully and deliberately climbing a mountain – and probably falling a few dozen times, too.

Why do we fall, Bruce?

(Image credit: Future / The Game Bakers)

It starts, though, in a climbing gym. A place that’s very familiar to me, as I’ve been indoor bouldering for over three years now. While there’s a minimal UI and no in-depth tutorial, the controls and the objective are obvious here, with clearly labelled handholds to guide you.

Best bit

(Image credit: Future / The Game Bakers)

Of course, successfully completing a climb is unquestionably the most satisfying part of the game, but I was surprised by how much time I spent in the game's photo mode, too. Usually, I wouldn't look twice, but Cairn offers so many picture-worthy vistas and moments that I lost count of the number of times I took a break to enjoy the scenery and beautiful environment crafted by The Game Bakers.

Getting to grips with the controls doesn’t take too long. You simply control one limb at a time, move it to where you want to go within reach, and press a button to set it down in that position, with Aava grasping an edge or planting her foot if possible. I did experience some clipping through the walls and unnatural limb positions, but these glitches seem inevitable when there’s so much freedom to choose your path.

The game automatically picks which limb it feels is best to move each time based on your balance and weight distribution. I found it works well the majority of the time, though it can cause issues in more panicked moments if the wrong body part you didn’t want to move suddenly comes away from the wall and leaves you in trouble. There is an option to choose which specific limb to use manually, which I made the most of when tackling some risky sections, but you shouldn’t need it for every movement.

I do like to think that my climbing experience helped me to understand and work out an approach to some of the game’s problems, especially when I got to exploit some ideas or techniques that I’ve picked up or seen implemented by others. I think that speaks to The Game Baker’s dedication to getting its core climbing mechanics right, that you can find your way through some routes with genuine climbing technique.

(Image credit: Future / The Game Bakers)

This isn’t intended as a boast, but I do wonder how well Cairn will play out to someone with zero experience of or interest in climbing. We are far from the obvious handholds and clearly directed paths of an Uncharted or an Assassin’s Creed game, a further step from the more arcade-y and puzzle-based climbs of Jusant, and not even close to the ludicrousness of a Bennett Foddy-like.

There are maps and guides you can find in some areas of the mountain, but these offer little more than a difficulty gradient and an intended line up increasingly treacherous rock faces of Kam – the specifics of how you follow it are up to you to solve. And you don’t really get feedback on your moves until you’ve made them. Something that may look good could actually put Aava under huge stress, her arms and legs shaking as the camera slowly zooms in to warn you that a fall is imminent unless you change something.

A meditative state

(Image credit: Future / The Game Bakers)

So, Cairn isn’t easy, and the path to the top is littered with reminders of past climbers who have abandoned their ascent, gone missing during a climb, or died attempting the challenge.

And yet, even in the face of all this, Aava and I continue to press on, because it’s so satisfying when everything goes just right. We’re unleashing the same screams of anguish, exclamations of exhaustion, and bursts of expletives every time we fall, but also entering the same meditative state when seeing a wall and unleashing the same roars of triumph after finally nailing a tricky section.

You’re rewarded for exploring areas or routes away from the obvious path as well, with a stunning vista that shows off the clean art style and gives the minimal audio a chance to stand out. You can also find food, items, secrets, and hidden points of interest that help further reveal Aava’s character, the lore of the mountain, and the lives of the community that used to live on it.

What I like most about this is that Cairn plays these straight. There are perhaps elements of mysticism and fantasy at play, but there is no grand reveal or bonkers conspiracy hidden in the mountain; instead, the aim is to simply expand the world, understand Aava better, and have a rest between climbs.

(Image credit: Future / The Game Bakers)

These moments of downtime, when you can set up your bivouac, are also when you need to engage most with the game’s survival elements. Foraging for food, collecting water, maintaining your health, and mending your climbing gear are all important parts to ensure you reach the top.

I could take or leave these distractions, which aren’t too obtrusive but also not massively engaging. Luckily, there’s a toggle to turn them off completely if you’d prefer, as well as a couple of other assist features that offer better fall protection and more auto-saves.

Much like The Game Bakers’ brilliant boss rush gauntlet, Furi, there’s a level of dedication to a singular idea in Cairn that might put off many who don’t gel with the concept. And even I’ll admit that the game’s punishing nature did make me want to give up multiple times – especially in its gruelling final sections.

But it all comes back to that repeated question: why climb the mountain? Well, when I climb, there’s little else quite so satisfying when you flash a route or puzzle a path through a seemingly impossible problem. When it clicks, Cairn offers exactly that, just on a much grander scale, and somewhere where I can experience it without giving up the safety of a comfy crash mat.

Should you play Cairn?Play it if…

You play games for the challenge
Cairn isn’t easy, so if you get a lot of satisfaction from games that pit you against tough challenges to overcome, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.

You appreciate a good story and atmosphere
While it’s not the focus, I was drawn in by Cairn’s story, characters and atmosphere, which gives the game an excellent framework around all the climbing.

You’re a climber
Beginner, intermediate, and expert climbers will all find a lot to like in Cairn, thanks to its clear love of and dedication to the sport.

Don’t play it if…

You want a light and silly climber
As I said, this is nothing like the no-less-challenging but breezier climbing games we’ve seen before, and definitely not as forgiving as a puzzle platformer.

You’re irritated by survival mechanics
The game’s survival elements are fairly light touch, and you can completely disable them if you want, but if you want the full experience, they can be a small irritant.

You’re scared of heights
This one goes without saying, right?

Accessibility

Cairn offers fully remappable controls and size options for subtitles. Outside of that, the rest of the accessibility features are all to do with adjusting the difficulty of the climbing mechanics and intensity of the game’s survival systems.

With the former, you can switch on more obvious feedback when you grab holds and automatically skip some quick time events. For the latter, you can simply turn features on or off, including the need to eat or drink, the need to stock up and maintain your climbing equipment, the ability to quickly recover from a fall, and add more regular auto-saves.

How I reviewed Cairn

I played Cairn for around 18 hours on a PlayStation 5 Pro on a Samsung S90C OLED TV using a DualSense Wireless Controller. I also played a couple of sessions on the PlayStation Portal, which worked well but was a bit more fiddly than I would have preferred.

Audio was played through a Samsung HW-Q930C soundbar or SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7, which helped pick out the minimal yet effective audio design throughout the game.

While the main game took 15 hours to complete, there are reasons for multiple playthroughs if you want to find more secrets, try different routes, or tackle the terrifying 'free solo' mode, where you can't use pitons.

First reviewed January 2026

Categories: Reviews

Bridgerton season 4 part 1 review: Benedict might be the catch of the season, but someone else should be instead — and that’s enough to keep me hooked for part 2

Thu, 01/29/2026 - 02:01

Sometimes, you're simply better off being a young and wild bohemian lothario, loitering in seedy bars and waking up with more than one woman in your bed. Bridgerton season 4 part 1 puts an abrupt stop to Benedict's (Luke Thompson) foolhardy days, and there's a part of me that wonders if things are best left the way they are.

Our first four episodes of the new season have a real 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' energy to them, and not just because Netflix has annoyingly decided to split season 4 in half. While Benedict and new character Sophie (Yerin Ha) charmingly embark on a touch-and-go romance, everything else around them feels like more of the same.

Depending on how much you love Bridgerton, this is either a blessing or a curse. The fact that season 4 sticks so rigidly to its tried and tested format means that we're not really being offered anything new – if you've seen any of the past three seasons, you've seen this one.

Not only that, but Benedict and Sophie's courtship is a blatant rip-off of Cinderella (or perhaps more accurately, the 2004 movie A Cinderella Story). The creative move to a generic fairy tale feels like a low blow for a show that was once at the pioneering forefront of modern period dramas.

But don't worry too much, we're not being completely cheated out of seductive drama. As our four episodes progress, the chemistry between our love interests is undeniable, even if Benedict frequently acts like a total man-child. However, I don't think Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) should have named him as the catch of the season, because that title clearly goes to Violet (Ruth Gemmell).

Benedict is not the beating heart of Bridgerton season 4 part 1, and he's messing things up with Sophie already

I don't need to explain too much story here if you know your Disney princesses. Violet is absolutely sick of the fact that Benedict makes no effort to find a wife, and she's determined to make him her project for the social season.

Across the way, maid Sophie works for fellow new arrival Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), who immediately inserts herself into the story as a scheming new villain. Araminta functions as our wicked stepmother, stewing furiously when Sophie sneaks off to the first masquerade ball of the season. She steals Benedict's heart while she's there, prompting a town-wide search for the mysterious masked woman without a glove.

Despite it being completely obvious to anyone with eyes that Sophie was that girl, the initial search to bring Benedict and Sophie together is painfully laborious. It's a narrative we've seen in play thousands of times, and nothing about this version is remarkable or authentic. However, the payoff is worth it once they admit their feelings to one another.

Benedict and Sophie are from two completely different worlds, but when they're away from society, they've got all-timer potential. They truly bring out the best in each other, but the second someone else catches wind, the cracks start to show. It's astonishing how Benedict can bring himself up and let himself down in the same breath, and if I were Sophie, I'd be steering well clear of him.

But if all our girls chose to stay single, we wouldn't have a show, would we? Eloise (Claudia Jessie) has siloed herself to the metaphorical shelf, and I wish she could peacefully live the single girl life she's so desperately to cling onto. Francesca (Hannah Dodd) is sexually unfulfilled, while Lady Agatha (Adjoa Andoh) is embroiled in a seemingly pointless feud with Queen Charlotte.

Woe is to be a woman in Bridgerton, if you ask me... except for my new hero, Violet.

Violet is the real star of Bridgerton season 4 – part 2 better treat her amazingly well

I'm rooting for you, girl. (Image credit: Netflix)

All too often, the older woman is overlooked when it comes to being romantically viable. I'm not talking about the Samantha Jones, Sex and the City type of older woman, but the quietly doting mother who's been pigeonholed into her identity by her circumstances, not who she is. Lady Violet Bridgerton falls into the latter category, but season 4 part 1 is her chance to shine.

Even before Bridgerton started, Violet was a woman on the sidelines. A loyal widow to the husband she lost some years before, her life has been her children, even when it comes to her social standing. She throws lavish parties purely in the hope that she can marry her kids off, never stopping to exist as an individual.

But along comes Lord Anderson (Daniel Francis), intent on getting into Violet's heart and knickers. He's ever the gentleman, taking things as slowly as Violet needs while she comes to the gradual realization that life is indeed for living. Their hidden romance isn't the butt of an elaborate joke but a prize to be sought after, growing in importance as the episodes continue.

We can talk about Benedict, Sophie, or any other youngster until the cows come home, but that is where the real magic is happening. Dynamics that incorporate the effortless representation that you didn't know you needed is what creator Shonda Rhimes does so well. This is women writing for women, in a space where women feel seen, safe, and satisfied all in one. That, my friends, is priceless, no matter how mundane the big picture has become.

It's Violet alone who has me hooked for Bridgerton season 4 part 2, dropping in a month's time. I hope Netflix treats her the way that she should be treated, let alone Lord Anderson.

As for Sophie, she's still got the threat of Benedict's lewd behavior and Araminta's devious plans hanging over her head... but surely a girl will catch a break sooner or later, right?

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Categories: Reviews

Alienware 16X Aurora

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 10:00

Alienware 16X Aurora: Two minute review

Compared to the Area-51 line of gaming laptops from Alienware, the 16X Aurora is more about simple on-the-go power than benchmark-breaking performance. Starting at $899 (£1,449, AU $2,549), the Alienware 16X Aurora serves as one of the best gaming laptops you can buy under $1K, thanks to its Intel Core 7, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, and 16GB DDR5 RAM. It’s enough to play any big AAA title at 1080p with respectable frame rates, do some light creative content curation, and perform general computing tasks.

Despite all of that, it remains just as portable as a MacBook Air or Razer Blade 16 while maintaining solid performance power alongside the cool design Alienware has spent the past several decades being known for.

The look of the 16X Aurora features anodized aluminum on the top and bottom panels beyond the magnesium alloy interior frame, which balances a nice weight of around 5.66 pounds (2.57 kg) with less than an inch in height when closed. A beautiful deep blue colorway and smooth curvatures around the edges remain in line with Alienware’s design philosophy. Adding a nice amount of ports (no SD Card slot, unfortunately) makes this gaming laptop something that both PC gamers and creators can appreciate.

(Image credit: Future)

This is why the mid-tier configuration (which is the model Alienware sent to me for review) of the 16X Aurora provides great 1440p performance and portability that allows the laptop, alongside its pretty chunky power adapter brick, to sit in a standard-sized laptop backpack. What we have is an Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage.

That’s enough for modern games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows to be played at nice frame rates and max settings if used in conjunction with Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology. Configuration options don’t get higher than a 5070, as the highest $2,699 price point just increases RAM and SSD storage size. At that price, users are better off getting a gaming laptop with less RAM and SSD storage and going for a higher GPU like a 5070 Ti or 5080.

While the speakers may be below average in sound quality, the other highlight of the 16X Aurora is the beautiful 2560 x 1600 display that also manages to pump out a 240Hz refresh rate. This is definitely perfect for competitive gamers who want to play Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite with the comforts of playing on a gaming desktop. Beyond that, image quality is awesome as well, even if only SDR is available.

One of the biggest things where the 16X Aurora does disappoint is battery life, which is, on average, around four hours. If that wasn’t a big enough issue, charging is relatively slow as well.

Users who don’t mind having to constantly have their battery charger on them at all times are still going to have much to love about the 16X Aurora. Not only does it travel incredibly well space-wise, but it also has enough performance power to play today’s most popular games at good frame rates.

Alienware 16X Aurora: Price and availability

How much does it cost? It starts at $899.99 (around £1,449 / AU$2,549)
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? From Dell’s online store or other digital retailers

Interested readers can purchase the Alienware 16X Aurora now through Dell’s online store or other digital retailers, including Amazon. The starting price of $899 (£1,449, AU$2,549) provides some solid 1080p performance through the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB, and 1TB SSD storage, and there are customization options that almost provide parity among the various territories.

The only outlier is the lack of a mid-range review configuration for Australia, requiring 2TB SSD storage when matched with an Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB DDR5 at AU$3,899. In the US and UK, the configuration I reviewed comes with a 1TB SSD for $1,999.99 (£1,799).

At the highest $2,699 (£2,399, AU$3,899) configuration, you still get the Intel Core Ultra 9 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 alongside 64GB DDR5 RAM and 4TB SSD storage. One thing that’s constant across all options is the 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display pumping out a 240Hz refresh rate alongside the 1080p webcam.

(Image credit: Future)

There is value to be had at the lower $899 price point. This places it in direct competition with budget gaming laptops like the Acer Nitro V 15, shaving less than half an inch off the display real estate but providing some outstanding battery life with comparable performance power.

Going into the mid-to-high range options is where the higher prices kick in. However, when you begin looking to spend that kind of money, there are other interesting options. At the highest range of premium laptops, the Razer Blade 16 is what we consider the best overall gaming laptop. Not only does it have the portability and gorgeous display, but can be pushed to 4K-level performance, and also offers better speakers.

Value: 2.5 / 5

Alienware 16X Aurora: Specs

The Alienware 16X Aurora is available in several configurations, some of which you can find below:

Alienware 16X Aurora (Review)

Alienware 16X Aurora (Cheapest)

Alienware 16X Aurora (Highest)

Price:

$1,999.99

$899.99

$2,699.99

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core 7 Processor

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Graphics:

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070

RAM:

32GB DDR5

16GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen:

16-inch 2560 x 1600 display with 240Hz refresh rate

Storage:

1TB SSD

4TB SSD

Ports:

2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports, 2x Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x universal audio jack (RCA, 3.5 mm), 1x RJ45 Ethernet port, 1X power-adapter port

Wireless:

MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925, 2x2, 802.11be, MU-MIMO, Bluetooth wireless card

Camera:

1080p at 30 fps, FHD RGB-IR HDR camera, Dual-array microphones

Weight:

5.66 pounds (2.57 kg)

Dimensions:

0.92 in × 10.45 in × 14.05 in (23.40 mm × 265.43 mm × 356.98 mm)

Alienware 16X Aurora: Design

Weighs 5.66 pounds and less than an inch thick in height when closed
Plenty of ports, yet lacks an SD Card slot
No biometric security or camera shutter

The Alienware 16X Aurora's design is certainly unique, offering stylish vibes that you're not going to get anywhere else when it comes to gaming laptops in its class.

The deep blue (or 'Interstellar Indigo') color really does blend well with the sleek angles, giving the Alienware 16X Aurora' a unique spaceship aesthetic. The Alienware logo is on the top panel, which is made up of anodized aluminum, as is the bottom of the laptop.

Unlike the Area 51, don’t expect elaborate RGB lighting on anything outside of the single-zone keyboard when opened. Thankfully, there are enough configuration options for color and effects through Alienware’s Command Center app. The interior frame is made up of magnesium alloy, which helps in terms of keeping the 16X Aurora lightweight 5.66 pounds (2.57 kg). When closed, the gaming laptop is less than an inch high at 0.92 inches.

(Image credit: Future)

On the left-hand side is an Ethernet jack, single USB-A, 3.5 headset jack and a status-indicating LED. That’s matched on the rear with another USB-A, two USB-Cs, and single HDMI port. As mentioned earlier, the lack of an SD Card slot is disappointing, considering the bigger Area 51 laptop has one.

When open, the 16X Aurora features that lovely 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display with a 1080p web camera at the top. It’s a shame that there aren’t any biometric security features in terms of the camera, and the lack of a fingerprint scanner.

Meanwhile, while using the keyboard and touchpad below the speakers feels nice, it would have been good to see it come with mechanical switches like its bigger Area-51 sibling.

Design: 4 / 5

Alienware 16X Aurora: Performance

Can handle resource-heavy AAA games at 1080p and 1440p
Several performance settings through Alienware Command Center
Lovely-looking 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display with 240Hz refresh rate

One of the first games that I tested to push 2560x 1600 performance on the Alienware 16X Aurora was Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. An audio/visual masterpiece, it’s a fantastic way to see what a laptop or desktop can do in terms of image quality and frame rate. The 16X Aurora managed to hit an average of 30fps with max settings and around 50fps thanks to Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology.

This was nearly constant with other single-player games as well. I got similar results with Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Black Myth: Wukong on Ultra High settings at around 27fps. Meanwhile, 2025 awards darling Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 worked well on the 16X Aurora, reaching an average of 60fps as well. Finally, Doom: The Dark Ages, provided around 46fps.

(Image credit: Future)

When it came to multiplayer and competitive games, the Alienware 16X Aurora also provided some solid numbers. Marvel Rivals on ultra settings at native resolution provided an average of 44.7fps. Playing a couple hours of Roblox, every game room performed over 200fps as well. Playing Forza Horizon 5 lent an average frame rate between 60 and 110fps. Even fighters like Street Fighter 6 ran well at max settings with 60fps. As mentioned previously, DLSS, alongside other tech like Frame Generation, can help improve frame rate performance depending on the supported game.

Alienware 16X Aurora Benchmarks

Here's how the Alienware 16X Aurora performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6 (Multi Core): 19,715; (Single Core): 3,028
Crossmark Overall: 2,321; Productivity: 2,183; Creativity: 2,477; Responsiveness: 2,292
3DMark Fire Strike: 31,480; Steel Nomad: 2,987; Time Spy: 13,594
25GB Copy Test: 1,780 MB/s
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Medium): 43fps
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1080p, Medium): 63 fps; (1080p, Ultra High) 36fps
Black Myth: Wukong (1080p, Medium) 111fps; (1080p, Cinematic) 45fps

Add Alienware Command Center’s ability into the mix, and general 1440p performance is great when placed in Overdrive mode. At this point, the 16X Aurora’s fans whirr into action while making use of the gaming laptop’s Cryo-Chamber cooling system. One thing that’s for certain is that it doesn’t get loud when performing general gaming tasks, but can turn into a jet engine when pushing specs.

The 16X Aurora can handle modern games at native resolution with strong visual fidelity and competitive performance. Most importantly, games look fantastic on the lovely display. Though it lacks HDR capabilities, image quality and color accuracy is great overall. Playing games with exceptional art design like Dispatch and Lumines Arise are a treat with this display. 100% DCI-P3 and ComfortView Plus makes this great for content creators who use Adobe Suite software, including Photoshop and Premiere Pro. On the other hand, the pure gaming performance of this display is above average as well thanks to its 240Hz refresh rates and G-Sync capabilities.

(Image credit: Future)

However, it's too bad that the stereo speakers that come inside the 16X Aurora let the laptop down. These speakers feature Dolby Atmos, but often sound hollow while lacking audio nuance. If the cooling fans are engaged at max, hearing anything is incredibly difficult. Listening to music or gaming isn’t a great experience, but audio during video conferences is fairly standard. In adequate lighting conditions alongside a quiet room, using Zoom and Google Meet sessions isn’t that bad. Just don’t expect any webcam software enhancements or the likes here, though the 1080p webcam works well enough.

Taken as a whole, the 16X Aurora delivers a well-rounded experience in terms of game performance and visual quality. Though the audio doesn’t match everything else, that’s what good gaming headsets are for.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Alienware 16X Aurora: Battery life

Battery life is around four and a half hours
Charging takes around two hours
Requires a large power brick adaptor

Gaming laptops aren’t known for their long battery lives, and the Alienware 16X Aurora serves well as an example of this. The six-cell 96Wh Lithium-Ion battery on average lasts just a few hours when the laptop is being used for general computing tasks.

During our Web Surfing (Battery Informant) test, we were only able to get 4 hours and 23 minutes of usage before the laptop ran out of juice. During everyday testing, I was able to get around half of that; meaning users are going to have to carry the large adapter with them at all times.

Don’t expect any quick charging out of the 16X Aurora either, as it’ll take around two hours for this to charge to full. Through the USB-C with DisplayPort, users can also charge a power adapter of adequate power; however, GPU performance will be limited.

Battery Life: 2.5 / 5

Should you buy the Alienware 16X Aurora?Alienware 16X Aurora? Scorecard

Value

The lower spec $899 configuration puts it at the top of most laptops within that range, but the higher $1,999 price tag for more powerful configurations are expensive purchases.

4/ 5

Design

That classic Alienware styling is always a winner, in addition to its portability in size and weight. Despite some great port variety, the lack of an SD Card slot and biometric security in some form is an issue.

4 / 5

Performance

At 1080p and 1440p resolutions, this gaming laptop can handle the best in visually arousing AAA games and high frame rate competitive titles.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

Less than four and a half hours of battery life is good enough for a bi-coastal trip. Anyone needing more is going to need that large power brick with them.

2.5 / 5

Total

Though battery life, speakers and price are concerns, the Alienware 16X Aurora provides good portability with its slim and light design, great performance and a lovely 16-inch display.

4 / 5

Buy the Alienware 16X Aurora if...

You want solid 1080p or 1440p performance
Anyone wanting excellent 1440p performance will appreciate the Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 and 32GB DDR5 for many big AAA titles.

You need a lovely display and high frame rates
The 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display is great for playing games and watching or creating content, while also providing a high 240Hz refresh rate.

You want a portable laptop
Weighing less than six pounds while almost an inch thick when closed makes this a great portable gaming laptop. Add those Alienware-specific design elements alongside a slew of ports, and this is one of the coolest-looking laptops in its class.

Don't buy it if...

You need long battery life
Expect around four hours of battery life for general usage. Attempting to play resource-intensive games means significantly less time between charges.

You want better speaker quality
The Dolby-certified speakers lack high volume levels, and are fairly hollow in audio quality.

You want something affordable
The 1080p lower-end Nvidia RTX 5060 configuration at $899 is a great price but our $1999 review configuration with the 5070 and Intel Core Ultra 9 is definitely pricey.

Also consider

If my Alienware 16X Aurora review has you considering other options, here is another laptop to consider:

Razer Blade 16
Anyone looking for style, portability, and serious power may want to look into the Razer Blade 16 if their pocket is deep enough.

Read our full Razer Blade 16 review

Acer Nitro V 15
If absolute power isn’t your primary concern, and affordability is of the most importance, then the Acer Nitro V 15 is a solid option.

Read our full Acer Nitro V 15 review

How I tested the Alienware 16X Aurora

Tested the gaming laptop over the span of a week
General computing tasks include Google Docs and Tidal
Games played include Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Forza Horizon 5, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Dispatch, Roblox, Neon Inferno, Lumines Arise and Street Fighter 6

During my week with the Alienware 16X Aurora, I split my time between general computing tasks and gaming. Most of my everyday usage of the gaming laptop started with software like Google Chrome and music streaming service Tidal. Google Chrome allowed me to see how the laptop handled day-to-day tasks, alongside how many tabs could be open at once. Tidal was more of a test of speaker quality through a hi-fi audio music streaming service.

When it came to games, I used Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Forza Horizon 5 to test more resource-intensive games. Lower resource-intensive games were used to push frame rates and display refresh rates, and these included Street Fighter 6 and Roblox. Games that I used to showcase color vividness in the display included Dispatch, Neon Inferno and Lumines Arise.

Windscribe VPN review

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 05:49

Windscribe is a solid all-rounder in the VPN market. It's got plenty of privacy-boosting tools, can keep up with HD streaming, and has a fresh, non-corporate approach to its UI and branding. Ultimately, Windscribe doesn't feature in our top VPN rankings, but it's still worth checking out if you're looking for a lightweight and reliable VPN.

We put Windscribe to the test ourselves during our latest round of reviews, and were impressed with its core tools and unblocking power, but felt that today's best VPNs offer more for a similar price. Keep reading, and we'll dig in.

Servers

Windscribe has servers in 116 locations. It sounds like a lot, and it's certainly a good spread, but other VPNs have more servers in more places. ExpressVPN, for instance, has 188 server locations.

The global distribution of these servers is more impressive. Windscribe's servers cover 70 countries in total, which puts it ahead of other VPNs that don't feature in our overall top 5. PureVPN only covers 66 countries, VyprVPN features in 64, and PrivareVPN in just 62.

The lion's share of these servers is in North America and Europe, which is par for the course. However, we noticed that Windscribe's coverage in Asia is particularly weak, with only 16 locations covered. This means that if you live in Asia, travel there, or otherwise want to spoof your location to somewhere in the continent, you may have to settle for a server outside of the country or city you're targeting.

Features

Windscribe apps are widely available for all popular platforms, too, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. We're glad to see that feature and UI parity are consistent across all of these apps. Plus, if you want a lightweight option and not a full-blown app, Windscribe's browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Users have a choice of VPN protocols, too, with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 all on the table. WireGuard employs industry-standard AES-256 encryption, which ensures that your web traffic is kept safe from third-party snoopers and cybercriminals. To further enhance your online security, Windscribe has built-in stealth technology designed to conceal your VPN usage entirely, so you can avoid VPN bans enforced by schools, workplaces, and oppressive governments.

ROBERT is Windscribe's DNS-backed tool to help users block ads, malware, trackers and more (Image credit: Windscribe)

The powerful apps look great and are easy to use for beginners.

In September 2025, Windscribe rolled out a major app revamp, focused on improving the overall usability and adding more customization options. The refresh introduced a new home screen, redesigned settings menu, and the ability to rename server locations. These updates aren't particularly groundbreaking, but they are valuable quality-of-life improvements that highlight the provider's dedication to its userbase.

It's important to note that these apps also include many advanced features including split tunneling (on the desktop as well as mobile devices), MAC address spoofing (a clever way to reduce the chance of being tracked), versatile auto-connect rules, full IPv6 support, and even a command line interface to automate the VPN from scripts.

ROBERT is Windscribe's DNS-based tool for blocking ads, malware, trackers, and various internet content types like gambling, porn, fake news, clickbait, and so on. How effective is it? We'll take a look later.

There's no 24/7 support but Windscribe does have a decent web knowledge base and a helpful support chatbot. You can raise a ticket if you need more advice, and in our experience, replies are detailed and helpful.

New features include Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) that can bypass SNI filtering so others can't try to view or maybe block the domains you're trying to access.

While many VPNs offer no control over DNS at all, Windscribe allows you to define which DNS to use when the VPN is connected or disconnected. The latest addition includes support for DNS-over-HTTPS, and as Windscribe also runs Control D (a very configurable DNS service, with a free plan) we expect to see more related features appear over time.

The Android app has a new ‘Decoy Mode’ which is an interesting privacy feature (Image credit: Windscribe)

In addition to paid plans, Windscribe also offers a very generous free plan (Image credit: Windscribe)Windscribe pricing

Windscribe's free plan offers a generous 10GB of data transfer a month if you register with your email address, and 2GB if you don't. You're limited to 11 countries – North America, across Europe, and Hong Kong – but that's still far better than some (Hotspot Shield and a few others don't give you any choice of locations at all).

Upgrading to a commercial plan gets you unlimited data and access to all 110 locations.

One of our favorite things about Windscribe is the fact that it gives users unlimited simultaneous connections to play with. So, if you have a lot of devices you need to protect, or want to share your account with friends and family, you only need to pick up a single subscription. It's great value for money that you don't see everywhere.

Prices are fair. Monthly billing is only $9 – many VPNs charge $10-$13. Pay for a year upfront and the price falls to an equivalent $5.75. That's not cheap but it's within the range we expect for a premium VPN, and it's still far lower than some. ExpressVPN and Hide.me both ask $8.32 a month on the annual plan, NordVPN charges $8.29 from the second year.

If low prices are top of your priority list, though, there's money to be saved elsewhere. As we write this, Private Internet Access has a three-year plan that's only $2.03 a month for the first term, while Ivacy's five-year offering is only $1 a month. Sure, we don't like long-term contracts either, but look at the totals. Hand over $69 to Windscribe and you get one year of protection. Give Ivacy $60 and you're covered for five.

Windscribe does offer a 'Build a Plan' scheme that cuts costs by allowing you to buy only the locations you need for $1 each. Each location adds 10GB to your free bandwidth allowance, and your plan must have a minimum of two locations.

For example, providing your email address gets you 10GB of data a month. Add the US and UK locations, and you'll get 30GB of data for $2 a month. You can upgrade to unlimited data for another $1, or a total of just $3 a month, and that's billed monthly. No need to sign up for years.

If you only use a VPN for occasional short trips, say, that looks like a great deal. Surfshark's monthly-billed plan is more than four times as expensive at $13, for instance – okay, that's the full service with all the locations, but if you don't need them, who cares?

Another option, ScribeForce, enables signing up a group of users (a business, a family) with the same account. There's a five-user minimum, but you'll pay just $3 each, billed monthly, for access to the full and unrestricted service.

Unusual add-ons include static IP addresses. Adding a US or Canadian residential IP costs $8 a month (data center IPs are $2) and could greatly improve your chances of accessing any blocked sites, and enable connecting to IP-restricted business and other networks. Once you have a static IP, you can also enable port forwarding in the Windscribe web console.

Whatever your preference, Windscribe supports payments via card, PayPal, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies via CoinPayments.net, along with gift cards and assorted other options via Paymentwall.

Windscribe doesn't have the lowest headline prices, then, but it's fairly priced for the features on offer, and there are huge savings to be made if you're covering multiple users.

There is a small catch in Windscribe's money-back guarantee, which only covers you for three days and if you've used less than 10GB of traffic. So, if you think that might be an issue, download and try the free version before you buy to make sure it delivers what you need.

Windscribe protects your privacy with AES-256 encryption and doesn't keep logs (Image credit: Windscribe)Privacy and logging

Windscribe's privacy features include strong AES-256 encryption, SHA512 authentication, a 4096-bit RSA key, and support for perfect forward secrecy (keys aren't re-used, so even if a snooper gets hold of a private key, it will only allow them to view data within one session).

The apps use multiple techniques to reduce the chance of data leaks, including redirecting DNS requests through the tunnel to be handled by the VPN server, and optionally using a firewall to block all internet access if the connection drops.

We checked Windscribe's performance on a Windows 10 system using the websites IPLeak, DNSLeakTest, and DoILeak and found no DNS or other leaks.

Windscribe claims its ROBERT DNS filter can protect your privacy by blocking trackers, but how well does it work? We connected to our nearest server, then tried accessing 156 common trackers, and ROBERT blocked 147. That's one of the best results we've seen. ROBERT did even better at keeping us away from malicious sites, and the ad blocker scored an excellent 93% (most VPN ad blockers managed 40-90%.)

We enabled the Windows app's firewall (similar to a kill switch) and began using various tricks to forcibly close the VPN connection and see what happened.

We found the app didn't display a notification to warn that we'd been disconnected. If it wasn't able to reconnect immediately, that might leave the user with no internet, and no idea why.

This situation probably won't last long, though, as the app tries to reconnect as soon as it spots the problem, and we were typically online again within a few seconds. This may be a small usability issue, but in privacy terms, the client worked perfectly, handling every oddball situation we threw at it and always protecting our traffic.

Windscribe's stance on logging is covered in a clearly written and refreshingly short privacy policy which explains what the company does and doesn't collect.

There's a tiny amount of very minimal long-term logging, but it's limited to the total bandwidth you've used in a month (essential to manage usage on the free plan), and a timestamp of your last activity on the service to allow identifying inactive accounts.

The system collects some connection details – username, VPN server connected to, time of connection, bandwidth used during the session, number of devices connected – but these are held in the VPN server's RAM only, and are lost when the session closes.

Other than that, there is no logging of connections, IPs, timestamps or browsing history. Or as the privacy policy puts it, 'we do not store any logs on who used what IP address, so we cannot tie user activity to any single user.'

Here is some of the data from Windscribe's transparency report (Image credit: Windscribe)

As there is no data on your activities, Windscribe points out that there's nothing to share. This is backed up by a transparency report which covers the numbers of DMCA and Law Enforcement data requests over the year, and in both cases states that: 'Exactly zero requests were complied with due to lack of relevant data.'

This is all good, but we would like to see Windscribe go further. Many VPNs have had their systems publicly audited to check for logging or other privacy issues, and that gives far more reassurance to potential customers than comforting words on a website. We hope that Windscribe (and all other VPN providers for that matter) will soon do the same.

In June 2023, Windscribe's Co-Founder and CEO, Yegor Sak, was hit with a lawsuit in connection with alleged offences committed by an unknown user. Fast forward to April 2025, and the case was dismissed in court due to a lack of evidence, becoming a landmark victory for no-log VPNs as law enforcement bodies increasingly pressure VPNs to keep lawfully accessible records of user records.

In the meantime, it's worth remembering that Windscribe gives you 2GB of data per month, for free, without requiring an email address or any other personal data. If you're just looking to protect email and basic browsing, and can live with the data limit, this automatically gets you more guaranteed anonymity than you'll have with almost everyone else.

Speed testing is an important part of any VPN review (Image credit: Speedtest.net)Performance

We put Windscribe's performance to the test using a 10 GB line and a local UK-based server. We then measured download speeds using benchmarking services including SpeedTest (both the website and command line app), Cloudflare, Measurement Lab, and more. We ran each test using at least two protocols and in both morning and evening sessions.

Windscribe's WireGuard speeds are, in a word, awesome. The VPN clocked in at 840 Mbps - making it one of the fastest providers in our most recent round of testing, beating the likes of PIA and ExpressVPN (using the Lightway protocol).

OpenVPN speeds tend to be a little slower than their WireGuard counterparts, primarily because the protocol isn't as streamlined and efficient. It's made up of more lines of code, too.

So, it wasn't a huge surprise when we saw Windscribe clock in at 368 Mbps using OpenVPN. It's not a chart-topping performance, as ExpressVPN and Surfshark were both faster, but you'll still have no trouble checking out HD streams or enjoying stable torrenting.

We can only measure the speeds for our test locations, of course, and you may see different results. If performance is a top priority for you, using the free version gives you the chance to check local speeds (from the 11 free locations) without as much as handing over your email address.

Alternatively, Windscribe's 'Build A Plan' option could give you a month of unlimited traffic to a couple of locations for only $3, a low-priced way to run all the intensive speed testing you need.

Windscribe was able to unblock Netflix for all but one of the regions we tried (Image credit: Netflix)Netflix and streaming

Plenty of today's biggest and best streaming platforms geo-restrict their content - meaning the shows you love won't be available if you head overseas on vacation or for work. Luckily, VPNs like Windscribe can help you regain access by geo-spoofing your location. All you need to do is connect to a server back home.

However, some platforms are cracking down on VPN usage, blocking IP addresses known to belong to VPN services. It's why only the best VPNs, and the ones that frequently refresh their IP address pool, actually work as streaming VPNs.

To put Windscribe's unblocking powers to the test, we first threw it at a selection of Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan libraries. We're happy to report that it worked like a charm every time.

The good news continued. We had no trouble tuning into Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Channel 5, and Australian services 9Now and 10 Play.

The only hiccup we encountered happened when we attempted to check out Prime Video. The site sniffed out our VPN usage and refused to display any streaming content until we relented and switched Windscribe off. This isn't a deal-breaker in our books, but it is something to keep in mind if a lot of the content you love is exclusive to the platform.

Failing only one of our test sites is a very impressive result. If only a 100% track record will do, though, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access, ProtonVPN, PureVPN, and Surfshark all unblocked every one of our test services in their last review.

Save yourself a packet with our exclusive Windscribe offer here

Windscribe fully supports P2P and torrenting (Image credit: BitTorrent)Torrents

VPN providers generally don't boast about their torrent support, and it can be a challenge to figure out what you're allowed to do. TunnelBear was so quiet about its P2P policy that we had to email tech support to ask.

Windscribe is much more open and transparent. Just point your browser at the company's Status page and you'll see its full list of locations, which of them support P2P (most) and which of them don't (India, Lithuania, Russia, and South Africa, at the time of writing).

Your options are just as clear in the Windscribe apps. Locations where torrents aren't allowed are marked with the same crossed-out 'P2P', but select anything else and you can download whatever and whenever you like.

We don't like to take a provider's website promises for granted, even when they're from a VPN we trust, so we tried downloading torrents from three P2P-approved servers. Everything ran smoothly, and our downloads completed with no connection or performance issues at all.

Factor in Windscribe's free plan and various anonymous payment options (cryptocurrencies, gift cards), along with its decent performance levels, and the company makes a great torrenting choice.

Windscribe offers clients for most major platforms (Image credit: Windscribe)Client setup

Tapping the 'Get Started' button on the Windscribe site took us to the Download page. The website detected and highlighted the best choice for our laptop – the Windows client and Chrome extension – but there were also links to downloads for Mac, Android, and iOS, extensions for Firefox and Edge. Plus guides to cover setup on routers, Linux, Kodi, Amazon Fire TV, and other devices.

Still not enough? No problem. Paying customers get tools to build custom configuration files for OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. These can be used to manually set up connections with third-party apps, routers, and more.

Installing the Windows app is easy. You're able to create an account just by entering a username and password, which gets you 2GB of data a month. Hand over your email, too, and you get 10GB. Tweet about Windscribe, just once, and you get an excellent 15GB a month forever (not just a one-off.)

To put all that in perspective, TunnelBear's generosity stops with a 2GB monthly data allowance, and Avira Phantom VPN's free package gives you a tiny 500MB.

Check out our exclusive Windscribe offer

Windscribe's Windows app features a smartly designed interface (Image credit: Windscribe)Windows app

Windscribe's Windows app has real visual panache, with rounded corners and classy flag backgrounds (check the screenshot above) to highlight your current location.

It's more cluttered than most, with plenty of text, icons, and buttons crammed into a very small space, but there's also been real thought put into the design and overall it works well. Hover your mouse over an icon, for instance, and a tooltip explains what it's about.

Windscribe's full location list shows you countries to begin with, which can be expanded to view available servers (Image credit: Windscribe)

The app displays your current protocol and port, always helpful, but it's not just a static label. Click it and you can change the protocol and settings to whatever you need. The app even offers to set the protocol as a default for that network. So, if you have to use one protocol to get online at the library and another at the coffee shop, you don't have to change them manually. Once you've connected, allow the app to save your settings for that network, and it'll automatically connect next time.

Tapping Locations displays the full location list. This opens with a list of countries and you can expand any of these to view its available servers. Each server has a latency indicator to help you find the fastest option. You can also mark countries as Favorites, displaying them at the top of the list for zero-scroll reconnections later.

The Windows client has lots of useful expert-level settings (Image credit: Windscribe)

The interface is very configurable. You can order locations by alphabet, latency, or location. You can even display latency as bars or figures, have the interface docked or a free-floating window, display notifications for events or hide them, and the list goes on.

There are many interesting connectivity features, and these are often as tweakable as the UI.

Windscribe gives you plenty of choices when it comes to VPN protocols (Image credit: Windscribe)

Supported protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, and WStunnel, connection times were speedy at 1-2 seconds, and the app uses helpful notifications to tell you when you're connected, and when you're not.

OpenVPN is securely configured with AES-256-GCM encryption and SHA512 authentication. We couldn't find any issues with Windscribe's WireGuard setup, and it's good to see IKEv2 connections that don't store your credentials and are configured to use maximum-strength encryption so that they're not vulnerable to theft.

Split tunneling allows you to decide which traffic is routed through the VPN, and which bypasses it. Unlike most VPNs, this isn't just for apps, you can set up rules for specific IP addresses and host names, too.

Unusual extras include the ability to set up your device as a Wi-Fi hotspot (if your OS and network adapter supports it), or as a proxy gateway for use by TVs, gaming consoles, or anything else that can work with a proxy server.

One surprising feature is that Windscribe's desktop clients can import custom OpenVPN and WireGuard configuration files from other providers, and then display those servers alongside their own. If you use another VPN but its app is underpowered, you might be able to use Windscribe's instead. You don't need a subscription.

There's a lot to like here, especially for advanced users who like to tweak every aspect of their VPN. If you can find the settings you need, that is. We got lost several times scrolling up and down, clicking various icons, opening drop-down lists, and generally trying to figure out what's what.

If you're happy with the basics, the good news is you won't even see most of the complexities unless you go looking. As long as you can choose a country from a list and click a Connect button, Windscribe's apps will work just fine.

Windscribe's Mac app is an impressive piece of work (Image credit: Windscribe)Mac app

If you're a Mac user then you'll doubtless be very familiar with VPN providers largely ignoring all your needs, saving their best features for Windows and leaving you with the bare minimum. But here's some good news: Windscribe hates that approach just as much as you do, and its Mac app is as close a match to the Windows edition as anyone could expect.

Take the interface, for instance. There are no pointless variations, no 'do it this way on Windows, but that way on Mac' rules to remember. It's the same stylish look, the same icons, the same main menus, and almost the same options, all in the same order.

Mac VPN apps generally don't have as many advanced features as Windows, mostly because Apple's security model doesn't give them as much control over your device. Seems like no-one told Windscribe this, though, because its Mac app has all the key features we saw on Windows: WireGuard support, the firewall (kill switch), custom DNS settings, MAC spoofing, split tunneling, port and protocol options, network allow-listing, proxy support and more.

If your VPN needs are simple, or you're just not interested in the low-level tech, all this power might sound intimidating. No need to worry, though: unless you click the Menu icon and go exploring, you'll never even know these options are there.

Whether you fine-tune every setting or ignore them entirely, the Mac app is generally very easy to use. Tap the On/Off button and you're speedily connected to your nearest server, then tap again to disconnect, and there's a list of other locations if you need them.

The app still looks a little more complex than some of the competition, just because it has more icons, buttons and status information. But, generally, it's a well-designed mix of functionality and ease of use, and a must-see for any Mac user looking for a little extra power.

The mobile apps are good, too (Image credit: Windscribe)Mobile apps

Windscribe's Android app follows a similar design to the Windows version, with the same gorgeous background flags, the big On/Off button, and details on your new IP and preferred protocol.

A list of countries (expandable to city level) makes it easy to find the server you want. You can switch to list Favorites and specialist Streaming locations. There's also a Custom Config list that might enable using other VPN servers with Windscribe's interface and features.

A comprehensive Preferences screen comes absolutely stuffed with features. The Connection panel alone enables choosing between WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, TCP, IKEv2 or Stealth, and selecting your preferred port, as well as choosing which apps use the VPN, and which don't (split tunneling). It also provides integration with Android's Always-On feature to let you set up a system-wide kill switch, or enable GPS spoofing, define a packet size, allow or block local network traffic, and more.

A Network Whitelisting tool enables automatically connecting to Windscribe whenever untrusted networks are accessed while ignoring others. So, for instance, you can configure the service to automatically connect when you access Wi-Fi on the train, but stay offline when you're at home or work.

Windscribe's iOS app earned bonus points immediately for an unusual privacy plus. The app detects your external IP and network but can blur them, ensuring you won't give away clues to your identity if you share a screenshot.

Although the app can't match the Windows edition for power, it still has wide protocol support, kill switch, and ad, malware, and content blocking. That's already outperforming most iOS apps, but it's Windscribe's more unusual options that really help it stand out from the crowd. Most VPN apps can't access servers from another provider, for instance, or allow you to set a preferred protocol depending on the network you connect to.

Grab our exclusive Windscribe deal here

Windscribe even offers browser extensions for most popular web browsers (Image credit: Windscribe)Browser extensions

Windscribe's Chrome, Edge, and Firefox extensions provide a quick and easy way to connect to the VPN from your browser. This has its limitations – they're simple proxies and only protect your browser traffic – but if you only need the VPN for basic browsing tasks, they're your most convenient and straightforward option.

The extensions make an immediate positive impression, courtesy of a stylish interface along the lines of the desktop and mobile apps. The basic operations work much as you'd expect. Autopilot mode enables connecting to the best location with a click, you're able to choose countries or individual cities from a list, and set your most commonly used cities as Favorites.

There are some nifty privacy features with the extensions (Image credit: Windscribe)

Need more? The extension can block WebRTC leaks, fake your GPS location, time zone, and language to match your chosen Windscribe server, keep switching your browser user agent to make you more difficult to track, stop websites begging you to let them show notifications, and even delete first or third-party cookies when you close the tab.

The browser extensions support Windscribe's ad and malware-blocking tool ROBERT, even for free users. Known malicious and phishing sites, bandwidth-sapping ads, trackers, social media widgets, and other nasties can all be exterminated in a click or two.

The sheer volume of options can make the extensions look complicated but Windscribe does a lot to help. A small start-up tutorial explains which buttons do what, and a useful additional introduction is that the many settings each have a sentence or two describing what they're all about.

Put it all together and this is a very capable extension that delivers far more than you'll get with other VPN providers, and even many standalone Chrome privacy extensions. Don't just take our word for it – the excellent 4.7 rating on the Chrome store suggests most users agree.

Windscribe has a knowledgebase but it's rather lacking (Image credit: Windscribe)Support

If you have any technical troubles, Windscribe's support site is a good place to begin looking for answers. Resources start with collections of articles on common topics, including 'getting started' guides, technical troubleshooting, billing questions, and some general FAQs.

These tutorials don't always have the range and depth we'd like, but they more than cover the basics. The Android setup guide doesn't just say ‘go install the app at Google Play', for instance, as we often see with lesser providers. It quickly explains what a VPN is for, gives a link to the Play Store, an alternative direct APK download if you need it, and covers the setup and usage basics, complete with helpful screenshots.

If your problem isn't covered by the website, you can always contact support directly via a ticket system (there's no live chat). In our experience, replies can sometimes take around a day to arrive. When they do, they're friendly, accurate, and complete. We think they're generally well worth the wait.

Windscribe review: Final verdict

Windscribe is a likable VPN, with good-looking and powerful apps, expert-level features, and one of the most generous free VPN plans around. The array of advanced options and settings means this probably isn't the best choice for newcomers or anyone only looking for the VPN basics. If you're unsure about Winscribe, there's an easy and risk-free way to find out for sure. Just install the free version and see how it works for you.

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Categories: Reviews

I tested the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo - and it's another impressive machine at an unbelievable price

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 05:35

The Carbon 2 Combo follows hot on the heels of the Centauri Carbon launched last year, and is aimed as a family friendly multicolour filament machine. While we expected the multicolour filament system for the Carbon, this is still in development and is expected later in the year.

The Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is not only a worthy addition to the original Centauri but also offers a slightly different take on the multifilament design, although it doesn’t stray too far away, offering four-filament printing at an extremely budget-friendly price.

When the Centauri Carbon launched, it stood alone as a machine that was exceptionally cheap for what was on offer, and while the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is still an engineering machine that comes in at a relatively low price, it now has competition from most of the other main manufacturers, so it doesn’t stand out to the same degree.

That said, the Carbon 2 Combo is a solid machine with its sturdy build, and unusually for a multifilament machine at this price, an almost completely enclosed design, although the filaments are still left exposed on the outside of the machine before being passed through the Elegoo CANVAS system into the single nozzle head inside.

Having tested the original Carbon and been impressed, this new iteration is certainly exciting, even more so when the quality of the machine is revealed as it’s removed from the box.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo: Price and availability

The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is available now and can be purchased directly through the Elegoo US website for $449, and via the Elegoo UK website for £399.

Value: 5 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once again, the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is a solid and slightly weighty machine considering its small size, coming in at 19.69 x 18.90 x 29.25 inches and weighing 42.66 lb.

While the machine itself does look and feel quite small, once you've put the Perspex top in place to make it completely enclosed and popped the four reels onto the side of the machine, it does start to add to the size and bulk of the unit. But it’s still far smaller than many of the larger fully enclosed systems that I’ve reviewed in the last year.

Again, the styling is nicely product-designed with the main framework of the machine being made out of metal, which gives it that sturdiness and weight, essential for COREXY. Likewise, the four filament reel holders on the side slot on brackets are secured through bolting onto the body, and again, they hold firm and tight and have an exceptionally high-quality feel.

The one oddity is the box that sits on top of the machine. It's very much like the protective covers that you use on resin printers and simply slots over the top of the feeder tubes from the CANVAS unit that's bolted to the top right of the machine.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Compared with the advanced multifilament boxes with filament drying, this all seems just a little bit more basic, but then again, this is a cheaper multifilament machine than some others, and when you compare it against the likes of the newly released Anycubic Kobra X, it does feel like a level up.

That, and the fact that alongside the use of metal for the main frame, it features a glass door and otherwise very clean industrial styling with very Elegoo futuristic graphics, that do give it an enthusiast rather than professional look.

One of the major features that stands out is the new integrated CANVAS system, which needs to be installed when the machine arrives. Essentially, there’s a single bracket that screws into the top of the machine, and the CANVAS is then mounted onto the bracket. Once it’s attached and that Perspex top is put in place, it all feels nice and secure, if not as product-designed as the rest of the machine.

When it comes to control, Elegoo has really worked at slicing software, and it's pretty much in line with the rest of the industry when it comes to functionality and ease of use. But what really stands out is the front-mounted touchscreen, which again is nice and large, clear and easy to navigate. And with RFID filament reels, it’s extremely easy to use, recognising the filaments that you’ve installed, so you don’t need to go in and manually program them.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Design: 4 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: FeaturesSpecs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Print Technology: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
Build Area: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (included)
Maximum Nozzle Temperature: 350 °C
Maximum Heated Bed Temperature: 110 °C
Print Speed: Up to 500 mm/s
Dimensions: 398× 404× 490mm
Filament: PLA,PETG,PLA-CF,ABA, ASA,PC,PA,PET
Weight: 17.65 kg
Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.08mm
Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.48mm
Bed: Heated bed
Print Surface: Flexible build plate (removable and bendable)
Software: ElegooSlicer (recommended)
Input File Formats: STL, OBJ, 3MF, STEP
Output File Format: G-code
Connectivity: USB Drive, Wi-Fi
Input Power: AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz
Rated Power: 1100W @ 220V / 350W @ 110V
Ambient Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C

One of the big new features of the Centauri Carbon 2 is, of course, the fact that you can now do multicolour 3D printing. It does this by means of the CANVAS system, which is bolted to the side of the machine with four filaments mounted on the side feeding through into a single nozzle printhead. It looks a little bit different from most other multicoloured systems on the market, but functions much the same.

Like the original Centauri Carbon, this machine is once again aimed at beginners, hobbyists and anyone who's looking for a relatively small, multifilament-ready machine that can handle engineering materials but is slightly limited for space, and, of course, budget.

What surprised us about the original Centauri was that its price did not reflect its quality. It was an absolutely superb machine for not a great deal of money, and once again, the quality of the Centauri Carbon 2 is of exceptionally high quality. Even against other relatively budget multifilament machines, it is in a class of quality of its own.

The biggest innovation of this new machine is the new CANVAS system. This is essentially a box that sits on top of the machine and feeds the filaments mounted on the side of the machine into the Tool head inside. In order to make the machine fully enclosed, or at least the print area, that Perspex box sits on top, essentially making it almost airtight, giving a far more controlled printing environment than that of the open-style printers that are much more common at this end of the market.

One of the aspects that I like about this machine is the design of the CANVAS system. From the outset it’s just easy to use and as soon as you place the filament into the feeder tube, it’s grabbed and pulled through the system. It doesn’t involve you having to manually feed filament through. Once it’s in, you know it's inserted properly, and the machine essentially handles the rest of the process for you.

Another feature now becoming more common across all 3D printers is the RFID-based filament detection. If you're using the Elegoo RFID filament reels, you can essentially just tap these onto the machine over the RFID reader, and the filament will be recognised before it's used in the system. This means you can't accidentally use ABS to print with a PLA profile.

As with many other manufacturers, Elegoo has its 3D print community platform, which enables the easy sharing of 3D print models and the Elegoo community. This also means that you can instantly download files from the NexaPrint platform directly to the printer without needing to do your own modelling or download from other systems, which just helps to streamline the process for those just getting into 3D printing.

Once again, the machine uses the CoreXY mechanism, which makes it incredibly fast compared with the old Cartesian-style machines. And whilst it still makes a noise when printing, it is relatively low, which makes it a good option if you are using this in the home or in a small office.

As we saw in the Centauri Carbon and in most 3D printers these days, there is a 5-inch touchscreen with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate both the prints and the printer settings.

When it comes to nozzle temperature, the machine is capable of going up to 350°C. This is enough for most engineering materials and elevates this above most other entry-level machines. The enclosed print environment also helps with more complex materials such as ABS and nylon, which require a more stable printing environment to avoid warping and other print defects.

As we’ve now seen across the board from other 3D print manufacturers, there are all of the new features that come with these CoreXY machines that we’ve come to expect, including fast printing, smart auto-levelling, temperature control and, most importantly, consistency across the prints regardless of the material used.

Features: 4.5 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I started off with the Centauri Carbon 2 by just running through a series of pre-installed models and was impressed instantly with the quality of model it was capable of producing. Checking out the layer quality of the single filament prints showed just how high-quality a printer this is, which is even more impressive considering the price.

Having run through the single filament prints in a relatively short time, I moved on to the multifilament print. Here, they’ve only included a couple to get started with, one of which is the Elegoo logo on a small badge. Again, this printed in a relatively quick time and, like when used for just a single filament print, the machine started its purging process out of the back, with a small pile of filament building up as each colour was swapped through the CANVAS system to create the print.

While the conditions at the moment are exceptionally cold, around 0°C outside and around 19°C in the workshop, that temperature unfortunately does drop, and the humidity is slightly higher due to the time of year, with the constant rain in the UK. This has meant that, through the test, initially I had the reels mounted on the outside of the machine in the workshop, and some very fine filament hair was appearing on the multicoloured print.

I then moved the machine into the office and replaced the filament, at which point the filament hair disappeared, and the print was clean. This is worth considering, as unlike some of the more expensive multifilament printers that keep the filament in a dry box so it stays in top condition, here, while the machine itself is fully enclosed, the filaments are left exposed on the outside. So, if you are in a workshop or studio where temperatures and humidity can drop and build, this is something to be aware of.

Another point to note is that the filament holders on the side hold card reels well and securely, although with some plastic reels, I had a couple of occasions where the Elegoo PLA reel slipped off the holder. I ended up putting a small rubber sticker onto one of the sides of the holder, which just helped to grip the reel's inner a little more robustly.

As the prints came off the print bed, the printer didn’t fail to impress. The multifilament printing quality is exceptionally good, with clean lines, and when I did a print with white and purple, there was very little contamination between those two filaments, which is an issue that I’m increasingly seeing with some of the cheaper multifilament 3D printers.

When it came to some of the more standard 3D printing traits, the quality of the print was exceptionally good, with the dimensional accuracy being well handled, no doubt helped by that enclosed print environment. While there are some small issues, especially with dimensional accuracy, the overall quality is more than enough for most home and small business users, even if you want to make functional parts.

While standard single and multiple printing is all very well and good, this is the Centauri Carbon 2, so it’s designed to work with engineering materials, not just standard PLA. Taking a look at some common filaments, I was pleased to see the Centauri Carbon 2 was once again able to print with these materials as easily as standard ones, and they seemed to feed through the CANVAS system far more reliably than I’ve found with some of the other multifilament options available. Print quality once again was exceptionally good, and dimensional accuracy really stood out, which is impressive considering the price of this machine.

If you are a small business looking to make functional parts on a budget, then the Centauri Carbon 2 really does live up to expectations.

The one issue here is that, while you can print with these advanced materials, compared with the likes of the H2D and some of the other larger machines, your print area is rather limited, but will still give you good flexibility over what it is that you're printing.

For some more advanced users, this is quite a locked-down system, with very little flexibility, especially through the Elegoo slicer, to really dive deep into the machine settings. It’s good to see that there is live printing and remote monitoring through the software, meaning that for small businesses, this is a really good and affordable option.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

If you are a small business looking to make functional parts on a budget, then the Centauri Carbon 2 really does live up to expectations.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: Print quality

3D print Test 1

Dimensional accuracy - score of 5

Target 25 = X: 24.93mm / 0.07mm Error | Y: 24.85mm / 0.15mm Error
Target 20 = X: 19.97mm / 0.03mm Error | Y: 20.01mm / 0.01mm Error
Target 15 = X: 14.94mm / 0.06mm Error | Y: 14.95mm / 0.05mm Error
Target 10 = X: 9.96mm / 0.04mm Error | Y: 9.88mm / 0.12mm Error
Target 5 = X: 4.99mm / 0.01mm Error | Y: 5.01mm / 0.01mm Error

X Error Average = 0.042
Y Error Average = 0.068
X&Y Error Average = 0.055

Fine Flow Control - score of 5
Fine Negative Features - score of 5
Overhangs - score of 4
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.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Elegoo needed to produce a near-perfect machine with the Centauri Carbon 2, as the original had really surprised the market when it arrived due to its quality and price. While there was some upset when it was announced that there would be no multifilament upgrade for the Centauri Carbon, Elegoo have gone some way to address this with a decent upgrade offer for Centauri owners to the Centauri Carbon 2.

While that still hurts a bit, because you are having to buy an all-new machine, the cost of this new model is only a little more than some other manufacturers charge for the multifilament dry boxes and there is a loyalty program from Elegoo which if you are a Centuri Carbon owner is well worth checking out.

When it comes to print quality, the detail and accuracy of the prints really do stand out, and while there are some imperfections, once again considering the level of this printer, especially when you compare it with printers of the same price from other manufacturers, this is exceptional value. Not only does it stand alongside some of the market leaders, but because it's able to handle engineering materials and has that fully enclosed environment, it is still one of the best-value 3D printers on the market.

Now Elegoo have two phenomenal 3D printers: the Centauri, which really takes the market for single filament engineering printing on a budget, and now the Centauri Carbon 2 offering multifilament printing at the same quality with a similarly sized machine. You have two affordable options for home and business that really don’t fail to impress in almost every way.

Should I buy the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2?Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value:

Once again, Elegoo has created an exceptional value machine—this time in multifilament printing.

Design:

Solid, robust and nicely designed, although the Perspex top does look a little peculiar

Features:

For a machine of this price, it’s packed with features and offers far more than the competition.

4.5

Performance:

Decent performance all round—just make sure you keep the filament in excellent condition.

Total:

An exceptionally low-cost printer to enable you to print usable multicoloured parts on a budget.

4.5

Buy it if…

You have the Centauri Carbon
If you bought the original and you're not thrilled that the filament upgrade was not available, then the Centauri Carbon 2 is an equally impressive printer with multifilament added.

You're printing engineering materials
It was only a couple of years ago that you'd have to pay well over £1000 for any machine that could print engineering materials. Now, with the Centauri Carbon 2, you have a very affordable option.

Don’t buy it if…

You only print single filaments
While multifilament printing is the direction most are heading, many people still stick to single filament most of the time. If that’s the case, then the Centauri is still a superb option.

You want a modular printer
This is very much an out-of-the-box and use machine. So if you want something more modular, this might not be the best option for you—it’s best used as is.

For more top-performing models, see my guide to the best 3D printers I've tested and reviewed

Categories: Reviews

Grado's S750 open-back wired headphones offer crystal clarity and a wide soundstage, but the fit isn't a hit

Wed, 01/28/2026 - 03:30

Grado Signature S750 review: two-minute review

The Grado Signature S750 headphones are the latest addition to the audiophile brand's Signature series alongside the HP 100 SE and the S950s, both of which are considerably more expensive. They feature a newly designed S2 driver and the new Grado B Cushion, which reduces the distance between the driver and your ear canal and which also spreads pressure more evenly across the surface of your ear.

These headphones sound sensational at sensible volumes with well-produced music, and they're particularly great with close-miked vocals and rapping. The sound stage they produce is extraordinary, with superb precision and detail.

Easy entrant for our best wired headphones guide, then? Yes, although there are a few points to note: they are quite bright, and can get harsh with poorly produced or highly compressed music. They may also be a little bass-light for some tastes.

(Image credit: Carrie Marshall / Future)Grado Signature S750 review: price and release date

Released October 2025
Priced $1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400)

The Grado S750 headphones were launched in October 2025 and went on sale the following month with a recommended price of $1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400).

This is hardly wallet-friendly territory, is it? At this price, their closest competitors might be the slightly cheaper Shanling HW600 (which might suit those with larger heads). However, this money is far from as expensive as wired over-ear headphones can get – just look to Final, with the $3,499 / £2,999 / AU$5,899 planar magnetic Final D7000…

The new B Cushion brings you very close to the driver for a more immersive experience (Image credit: Carrie Marshall / Future)Grado Signature S750 review: specs

Transducer type

Dynamic

Drivers

50mm dynamic

Operating principle

Open-back

Headphone connection

4pin Mini XLR

Frequency response

6kHz - 46kHz

Nominal impedance

38 ohms

Extras

Source connection 6.3mm; Signature Gold 12-conductor detachable cable, new B Cushion earpads supplied

Grado Signature S750 review: design

Lighter weight than the HP100 SE
New Signature Gold braided cable
Extra padding on the headband

You'd never mistake these headphones for any other manufacturer's: the S750 have the Grado family looks. But these headphones are over 10% lighter than the HP100 SE, although at 460g they're still quite hefty.

As we've come to expect from Grado the S750 come with a 6-foot cable with a 6.35mm single-ended plug, connected to the headphones with twin 4-pin balanced XLR. This cable is a new design called Signature Gold, with a braided design that Grado says is softer, more durable and lighter than before. It's still quite hefty, though, and I was conscious of its weight when I was listening at my desk rather than lounging in an armchair.

The S750 have a very similar headband to their siblings, but the headband is 50% more padded than earlier models and is very comfortable during long listens. The assembly makes use of aluminium alloy gimbals, stainless steel height rods and reinforced aluminium junction blocks, and it has rotation limited to 105 degrees to reduce wear for long-term durability.

Design score: 5/5

The headband is more padded than previous models, making it perfectly comfortable for long listens (Image credit: Carrie Marshall / Future)Grado Signature S750 review: features

New 50mm carbon fiber and paper composite driver
New B cushion to reduce distance from driver to ear
Easy to drive

The Grado S750 feature a new 50mm S2 driver that uses a carbon fibre and paper composite diaphragm and a lightweight copper-aluminium voice coil. The impedance is 38 ohms and sensitivity is 115 dB, so these are relatively easy headphones to drive. But if you like to listen loud you'll get best results from an amp with reasonable headroom.

In addition to the new driver the other big change here is the new Grado B Cushion, which is designed to shorten the distance between the driver and your ear and which features a smaller interior opening. There are eight slits to improve airflow and open up the sound stage, and the flat surface is designed to distribute pressure more evenly across your ear.

Whether you'll like that very much depends on whether you're a fan of the on-ear fit; as someone who prefers larger ear cups that envelop my ears the B Cushion felt as if it didn't really fit properly. That combined with the 460g weight meant that I couldn't wear the S750s to listen as I worked at my desk: as a varifocals wearer using a tall and wide display I move my head a lot, and the S750s wouldn't stay put. The S750s are compatible with Grado's G, F and L cushions if, like me, you'd prefer a different fit.

Features score: 4/5

We love Grado's design ethos, which reminds us of steampunk (Image credit: Carrie Marshall / Future)Grado Signature S750 review: sound quality

Exceptionally wide soundstage
A little bass-light
Superb on layered, well-produced music

You know those "I've never heard that before!" moments? The Grados deliver that again and again across a wide range of genres, eras and artists.

Grado describes the sound of the S750s as a "natural musical presentation" and I think that's a good description: there's no attempt to inject false excitement by boosting the low end.

That, and the nature of open-back headphones, means the sound is relatively bass-light – although the low 6Hz frequency floor means you get some nice sub-sonics you can feel, such as fingers hitting an acoustic guitar or damping a bass string. If you're a big fan of pumping EDM or stadium-sized kick drums you might prefer a different set of Grados, though; the bass is clear and well separated but it isn't trying to get a party started.

On tracks such as All Saints' Pure Shores or Christine and The Queens' Tilted, both of which have very strong, deep bass in the verses, the Grados spotlight the vocals and the interesting things going on around them rather than letting the bass overpower them. The spoken section in the latter song is a particular delight, as is the expansive, airy chorus of Kygo and Selena Gomez's It Ain't Me. The high frequencies are bright and airy and the overall spaciousness is well suited to atmospheric, layered widescreen songs such as Radiohead's Burn The Witch, Reckoner and There There, as well as to live and acoustic music.

Open-back headphones are known for their spacious sound, and that's particularly true here: the soundstage that the S750s delivers is wonderfully lifelike with precise positioning, great dynamics and particularly vivid voices on tracks such as Little Simz' Point and Kill, which features intertwined raps, glorious backing vocals and smile-inducing brass that the S750s were absolutely made for. If you're a fan of close-miked singers or rappers, or of breathy woodwinds and bowed cellos, the Grados will give your goosebumps goosebumps.

One of my favourite songs to test headphones with is U2's Vertigo, and it's enormous fun on these headphones: the song's spaced-out mix is even more thrilling on the Grados, with The Edge's crunching guitar and luminous delay sounding like his amp is in the room right next to you.

It's on less bombastic music such as Taylor Swift's Last Great American Dynasty where I really got the grins, though: the Grados do a spectacular job of revealing its subtle musical layers, as they do with the electric piano and atmospherics of The 1975's Somebody Else, the birdsong and burbling synths of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Welcome to the Pleasuredome and the piano stabs, slap bass and strings of The Blue Nile's majestic Tinseltown in the Rain.

While the S750s are great with well-produced music at sensible volume, if your tastes are more punk rock or you just like to listen really loud you're going to want to roll off some of the high frequencies: their brightness can be harsh, especially at higher volume levels where instruments such as the ride cymbal in the intro to Radiohead's Reckoner become wince-inducing.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Grado Signature S750 review: value

There's no doubt that these are very expensive headphones: you could buy five pairs of Sennheiser HD 660S2s, nine pairs of Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pros or seventeen pairs of Grado SR80x headphones for the same money.

But they're handmade, beautifully built and considerably cheaper than their Signature range siblings or four-figure planar magnetic rivals such as the Final D7000. They’re made for a very specific and demanding kind of listener who's happy to pay for a premium product. And they do sound sensational.

Value score: 4/5

Grado Signature S750: Should you buy them?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Everything's here, but for me, the fit could be better

4 / 5

Sound quality

Expansive, detailed and delicious, albeit occasionally a tad bright

5 / 5

Design

Lighter than you'd imagine and beautifully padded

5 / 5

Value

They're not cheap – but they do sound sensational

4 / 5

Buy them if...

You want to spend less on a Signature
These are the entry-level model in Grado's very premium Signature series, and they're considerably more affordable than their siblings.

You like it close
The positioning and clarity of instruments and voices is exceptional, with close-miked voices so near to your ears they're almost indecent.View Deal

You like it lush
If we were to use one word to describe the sound, it would be "luxurious". View Deal

Don't buy them if...

You're on a budget
Our current pick of the best headphones, the Sennheiser HD-660S2, are a quarter of the price. There are very many high quality open-back headphones that don't cost anywhere near as much as these premium headphones do.View Deal

You want to commute
The relatively hefty weight and on-ear design means these headphones were rather precarious when we moved around. And the sound leakage will make your fellow passengers livid.View Deal

You only listen to Hüsker Dü
These headphones are best suited to well-produced music: think Stevie Wonder, not Steve Albini.View Deal

Grado Signature S750: also consider

Grado Signature S750

Meze Audio 105 Silva

Grado SR80x

Price

$1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400)

$499 / £469 / AU$999

$125 / £130 / AU$179

Type

Open-back on-ears

Open-back over-ears

Open-back on-ears

Drivers

50mm dynamic

50mm dynamic; bio-cellulose, titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer

44mm dynamic

Weight

460g

354g

240g

Impedance

38 ohms

42 ohms

38 ohms

Connectivity

4pin Mini XLR/source connection 6.3mm

Dual 3.5mm TS output

3.5mm headphone jack

Frequency response

6kHz - 46kHz

5Hz - 30kHz

Wired, 3.5mm headphone jack

Extras

Source connection 6.3mm; Signature Gold 12-conductor 6ft detachable cable; new B Cushion ear pads supplied

Carry case, soft pouch for cables, 3.5mm TRS to dual 3.5mm TS cable, 3.5mm TRS to USB-C adapter w/ integrated DAC, 3.5mm TRS to 6.35mm TRS adapter

Very few (no case)

Grado's SR80x are a fraction of the cost of the Signature range, but they're still very special. In our Grado SR80x review, we said that they are the best affordable on-ears we've ever tested.

The Meze Audio 105 Silva are our current pick of the best wired headphones for audiophiles. They have a silky low end and excellent mid-range performance. The soundstage isn't as wide as some rivals but the Silva are very precise and involving.

How I tested the Grado S750

Tested for 4 weeks
Used for music listening and audio mixing and mastering
Tested with digital music library and lossless streaming via an SSL audio interface; with vinyl records via an Onkyo amplifier; and with CDs directly into a Marantz CD6007 CD player

I’ve been a recording musician since the 1990s and I’ve been writing about speakers, headphones and other hi-fi since the 2000s. I wanted to experience the Grados both as listening headphones and as working studio headphones. For that latter task, I used the S750s while mixing and mastering songs in Logic Pro, listening via a 32-bit/192kHz SSL 2 audio interface.

I used the same interface to play lots of recorded music, listening to largely uncompressed recordings as well as streaming. I streamed in Apple Lossless where available.

For vinyl playback I connected the Grados to my Onkyo A-910 stereo amplifier. For CDs I listened to my Marantz CD6007 CD player through the same headphone output, and also directly from the CD player's own output.

First reviewed: January 2026
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

Insightly CRM review 2026

Tue, 01/27/2026 - 07:56

Insightly is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform that helps businesses manage contacts, sales pipelines, and projects. Founded in 2009, it is well established as one of the best CRM platforms and serves over 1.5 million users in more than 25,000 organizations worldwide. Insightly targets small to mid-sized businesses and emphasizes affordability.

At TechRadar Pro, we don't just look at features; we look at how those features survive a Tuesday morning office rush. To review Insightly, our experts tested the platform's unique post-sale workflow - converting a won deal into a live project to see if data carries over without friction. We spent 30 hours building custom pipelines and interacting with the new Insightly Copilot to see if it actually saves time or just adds another layer of complexity.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, allowing us to be honest about Insightly’s premium pricing while highlighting its genuine strengths in project management and its recent design overhaul.

During my review, I found that Insightly provides a strong set of features, including lead and pipeline management, project tracking, and workflow automation. It aims to give a unified view for handling customer interactions, enhancing team collaboration in sales and marketing.

What distinguishes Insightly is its focus on usability. The company asserts that its interface is easy for beginners while still offering essential features for growing businesses. In this review, I will assess how well Insightly fulfills its promises and analyze its strengths and weaknesses as a CRM.

Insightly CRM core capabilities

Insightly's dashboard is super easy to navigate (Image credit: Insightly)

Insightly enables users to create comprehensive contact records, featuring custom fields, tags, and connections between contacts and organizations. Importing existing contacts and organizing them into categories was straightforward.

The platform includes a flexible pipeline system that can be tailored to various sales processes. I set up multiple pipelines for different products or services, each with unique stages. The drag-and-drop feature for moving opportunities between stages offered an intuitive visual representation of deal progress.

Real-time visibility into the sales pipeline allowed me to quickly evaluate the health of my sales funnel. I could filter and sort opportunities by criteria like value, probability, or expected close date. Insightly also provides pre-built reports and the option to create custom ones. The dashboard was particularly beneficial, enabling me to visualize key metrics at a glance.

The mobile app, compatible with iOS and Android, grants access to most core features. During CRM testing, I updated contact details, managed tasks, and captured business cards using my smartphone. However, some advanced features were missing, which might restrict field users who depend on mobile access, such as sales reps who spend a lot of time on the road - something that's more and more common with the rise of hybrid work.

In addition to its CRM capabilities, Insightly serves as a project management tool. This allows for a smooth transition from opportunity to project after a deal closes. The platform offers plugins for popular email clients like Gmail and Outlook, enabling users to sync emails and calendar events. Insightly’s workflow tools automate repetitive tasks, send notifications, and update records based on set triggers. Although creating complex workflows required initial effort, they significantly enhanced efficiency once in place.

Furthermore, late last year, Insightly officially joined the agentic CRM era with the launch of Copilot. Designed to combat the fact that most teams use only a fraction of their CRM's power, this AI assistant introduces four major capabilities: conversational task management, AI-powered data hygiene, insight generation, and intuitive adoption.

Nonetheless, Insightly’s social media integration features need enhancement. While it provides basic social profile linking, it lacks advanced social listening and engagement tools found in some other CRMs. Additionally, the useful workflow automation is only included in higher-priced plans. Although there is a built-in dialer and call routing for phone-based sales teams, these features are only available as paid add-ons.

How easy is Insightly CRM to use?

Insightly has carefully considered how best to present essential sales data to its users (Image credit: Insightly)

Insightly is a standout in the CRM world for its user-friendly design. As soon as I logged in, the clean interface made me feel at ease. The customizable dashboard lets me arrange widgets and data visualizations to prioritize the most important information for my workflow.

Navigating modules is simple thanks to a clear menu structure that helps me quickly locate what I need. The consistent layout across sections lessened the learning curve as I explored features beyond the main dashboard. I especially valued the quick access to recent items and favorites, which made my daily tasks much smoother.

Beyond the customizable dashboard, creating custom fields, pipelines, and workflows is quick and easy. This level of flexibility means Insightly can evolve with my business, which is vital for long-term use.

The onboarding process is well-organized, featuring guided tours and tooltips that introduce key features while I explore the platform. Insightly also has a thorough knowledge base, video tutorials, and webinars covering everything from basic functions to advanced features. I found these resources to be informative, straightforward, and easy to navigate.

Within a few hours, I felt at ease managing contacts, tracking opportunities, and generating basic reports. More complex tasks, like setting up automated workflows or customizing advanced reports, took longer to learn but were still manageable without extensive training.

Also, Insightly underwent a total visual overhaul recently, so it now features an accessible color palette, improved spacing for better readability, and a redesigned "Subscription & Billing" center for more transparent cost management. The new look is designed to make it even easier to gett to grips with.

But while it is generally user-friendly, some users may find certain advanced features less intuitive. For instance, the relationship mapping feature, although powerful, required some trial and error. Setting up complex automation rules also needed a closer look at the documentation. Nonetheless, my overall experience regarding ease of use remained positive.

Insightly CRM integrations

Insightly makes it simple to connect your CRM with all the other business tools you use (Image credit: Insightly)

Insightly features the AppConnect hub for third-party integrations, providing numerous pre-built connectors for popular business tools. Users can link Insightly with finance, ERP, marketing, HR, and other vital applications. Setting up integrations with Slack, Google Apps, and Microsoft Outlook was straightforward.

The platform offers plugins for both Gmail and Outlook, enabling direct syncing of emails and calendar events with the CRM. It also works with sales and marketing automation tools like MailChimp, Gong, Drift, and ZoomInfo. For ecommerce, connections are available with Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. These integrations use an intuitive no-code platform, allowing easy setup of custom workflows without technical expertise.

For businesses needing complex integrations, Insightly offers access to its REST API. This open API supports custom integrations with nearly any system, providing flexibility for unique workflows or proprietary software. Advanced use cases become possible, such as connecting Power BI to Insightly via the API for detailed analyses and visualizations of CRM data.

Larger organizations benefit from Insightly's integration with single sign-on (SSO) tools like the identity management solutions OneLogin, AuthO, and Okta Identity Management. This feature enhances security, data protection, and identity management while linking to preferred third-party applications, boosting productivity. This advantage is not fully utilized by many other CRMs.

One area for improvement is social media integration. While the platform allows basic social profile linking, it lacks advanced social listening and engagement features found in some competing CRMs. However, Insightly can connect with an iPaaS vendor like Zapier for more advanced social media integrations.

How good is Insightly's customer support?

When it comes to customer support, Insightly offers a mix of self-service resources and direct assistance channels. But during my evaluation, I found lots of room for improvement in the support system, especially when it comes to the live communication options available to entry-level users. Issues like long wait times, insufficient product knowledge, and inactive community forums further accentuate this problem.

In the absence of 24/7 live support, Insightly’s primary customer service channel is by email. However, its response times can vary, which makes it unreliable during a busy workday. Thankfully, phone support is available between 9 AM - 4 PM PT on weekdays for regular users. On the other hand, the self-service knowledge base covers a wide range of topics, from basic setup instructions to more advanced features and troubleshooting guides. I found the articles to be clear and easy to follow, often accompanied by screenshots or video tutorials.

For users willing to pay extra for premium live support, Insightly offers the Guided Onboarding Program and the Premier Support and Success Plan. While the former costs $1,500 one-time, the latter is priced upwards of $3,000/year. User testimonials reveal the quality of support received to be quite good, but it’s unfortunate to have to pay thousands of additional dollars each year for some features that competitors are offering free of cost, such as integration and developer support.

Insightly CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Plus

Professional

Enterprise

Price

$29/user/month

$49/user/month

$99/user/month

Best for

Small businesses needing basic CRM functionality

Growing companies requiring automation and advanced permissions

Large organizations needing unlimited storage and customization

Features

Custom email templates; Lead management; Basic reporting

Workflow automation; Role-based permissions; Lead assignment rules

Unlimited records; Unlimited storage; Custom objects

Limitations

Limited automation capabilities and storage

Some advanced features only available at higher tiers

Higher cost may be prohibitive for smaller businesses

Insightly CRM's pricing is clear and structured, accommodating different business sizes and requirements. Currently, there are three main pricing tiers: Plus, Professional, and Enterprise, all billed monthly per user. The platform also used to offer one of the best free CRM plans, but this is no longer available.

The Plus plan costs $29 per user per month when billed annually. This plan is suitable for small teams or new businesses using CRM. It includes essential features like lead and pipeline management, custom email templates, and basic reporting. However, it lacks advanced features like workflow automation and lead assignment rules.

The Professional plan costs $49 per user per month, offering more advanced features. This tier includes workflow automation, lead assignment rules, and configurable dashboards. For businesses with complex sales processes or those looking to grow, this plan balances features and cost well.

The Enterprise plan at $99 per user per month when billed annually is Insightly's most comprehensive choice. It offers advanced features like advanced permissions, custom objects, and API access. While it may be too much for smaller organizations, it provides the scalability and customization that larger enterprises or rapidly growing businesses may require.

Insightly offers a 14-day free trial for all plans but does not provide a money-back guarantee. For users needing more than a CRM, Insightly All-in-One combines CRM, Marketing, Service, and AppConnect, with a 30% discount compared to separate purchases. Although I did not find specific discount codes, choosing annual billing results in a slight discount compared to monthly billing.

How to pick

Insightly positions itself as the unified choice for mid-market teams. To decide if it fits your organization, consider if you need a CRM that continues to be useful once a sale is closed. Insightly is for businesses (like agencies, consulting firms, and manufacturers) where the real work starts after the deal is won. If you need your sales team and your delivery team in the same software, Insightly is the market leader. If you only need to track leads and don't care about project delivery, a lighter tool like Pipedrive will be more cost-effective.

Also, consider if you are underutilizing your CRM. Insightly’s recent research shows most teams only use 30% of their CRM features. If you are looking for a platform that uses AI to proactively summarize threads and clean data for you, Insightly is a fantastic choice. If you prefer manual control and a no-AI interface, you might find the UI too cluttered.

Think carefully about the integrations you need, too. If you use Unbounce for landing pages or DocuSign for quotes, Insightly's native integrations make it a plug-and-play powerhouse. However, if you rely on a massive web of niche third-party apps, you may find yourself needing to upgrade to the Professional tier to access the full AppConnect hub.

And, if you're a small or mid-sized organization that feels locked out of the high-end AI features of Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics, Insightly is a prime candidate. As CEO Steve Oriola noted, Copilot is specifically designed to let mid-market teams "compete like enterprises" by automating the busy work that usually requires a massive operations team. So if bigger players seem out of reach, it might be worth giving Insightly a go.

How we test

Our evaluation of Insightly focuses on continuity and intelligence. Regarding the post-sale transition, we tested the Opportunity-to-Project conversion process. We checked if custom fields, contact roles, and internal notes migrated perfectly into the project management module, or if data silos began to form.

We also carried out a UI click-rate audit. Following a recent design refresh, we measured the number of clicks required to reach key settings and reports, specifically evaluating the new Open-in-New navigation and redesigned tabs.

And, of course, not matter how good the CRM or how good the team using it support is crucial. As such, we tested Insightly's 24/7 email support and the limited phone support windows. We evaluated whether the help center articles have been updated to reflect recent additions.

Insightly CRM review: Summary

From my experience with Insightly, it is a reliable choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a user-friendly and feature-rich CRM. The platform offers strong core capabilities, with a quick interface that creates a seamless experience.

Insightly's easy-to-use interface and customization options enhance its attractiveness, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. While customer support is adequate, there is room for improvement, especially in response times. Additionally, the lack of advanced social media integrations without using Make or Zapier is a notable drawback.

Overall, Insightly is a capable CRM dedicated to providing a good user experience. It may not match enterprise-level solutions like HubSpot CRM or Salesforce, but it certainly earns a spot as one of the best small business CRM platforms on the market.

Insightly CRM FAQWould Insightly CRM be better for a small business or a larger one?

Insightly is generally best suited for small to mid-sized businesses. While it offers robust features, some users have reported that it may be less ideal for large enterprises with very complex workflows or a need for deep customization.

For instance, larger enterprises often make use of a massive volume of data, and Insightly's plans have specific limits on records, storage, and API calls. While the Enterprise plan offers a higher capacity, it may still not be sufficient for companies with hundreds of thousands or even millions of records. These limitations can hinder growth and require significant data management.

Does Insightly CRM have a mobile app?

Well aware of the hybrid work trend, Insightly does have a mobile app for both iOS and Android. This allows users to access and manage their CRM data on the go. However, some users note that the app may not have offline access.

What are Insightly's security credentials like?

Insightly is SOC 2 Type II certified and offers security features such as data encryption, single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication, and role-based permissions. It is also GDPR-compliant.

What is the onboarding like for Insightly CRM?

Insightly offers a structured and comprehensive onboarding process designed to help new users and teams get up and running quickly. The approach is a mix of self-service resources and paid, hands-on guidance, catering to different needs and budgets.

For new users who prefer to learn at their own pace, Insightly provides a wealth of self-service resources. This is typically the first point of contact after signing up for a trial or a new account. Alternatively, businesses that require a more personalized and hands-on approach can opt for Insightly's "Guided Onboarding Plan" in exchange for a one-time fee. This is a collaborative process where you work directly with an Insightly specialist.

Categories: Reviews

Apptivo CRM review 2026

Tue, 01/27/2026 - 07:07

Apptivo CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform that aims to provide an all-in-one solution for managing sales, marketing, and customer service.

With a suite of over 65 integrated apps, Apptivo is one of the best CRM platforms on the market and offers a high degree of customization, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs. It also features very competitive pricing compared to other major CRM providers, with plans starting at just $15/user/month - making it a great CRM for small businesses and startups.

At TechRadar Pro, we specialize in finding the hidden gems in the crowded CRM market. To review Apptivo, our experts performed a rigorous stress test, activating and syncing across its 65+ integrated apps to see if the data remains consistent across the entire ecosystem.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, which means our praise for Apptivo’s 24/7 human support and our criticism of its dated interface are based entirely on our hands-on experience. We test the software as a real user would, ensuring that our verdict on its value-for-money is grounded in operational reality.

In this in-depth Apptivo review, I'll take a closer look at the platform's features, ease of use, customer support, and overall value to help you determine if it's the right CRM solution for your business. Let's dive in and see how Apptivo stacks up.

Apptivo core capabilities

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Just like any CRM, Apptivo provides contact and account management tools that allow me to store and organize all my customer data in one centralized location. During my first few minutes with the platform, I found it easy to import my existing contacts via CSV file.

Once contacts are in the system, Apptivo makes it simple to track all interactions and communication history. You can log emails, calls, meetings, and notes for each contact. I like how Apptivo pulls in email conversations automatically when synced with Gmail or Outlook, saving the manual work of logging those touchpoints.

I can also automate lead assignment based on predefined rules, ensuring my sales reps are always working the most promising opportunities. The software offers lead scoring, which helps me prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert.

A visual sales pipeline provides a clear overview of all my deals, allowing me to quickly identify any bottlenecks or at-risk opportunities. I can drag-and-drop opportunities through each stage. Deal values and probability are clearly displayed. I can also create customized sales stages that align with my unique sales process. Apptivo's forecasting tools use predictive analytics to provide accurate revenue projections, giving me valuable insights to guide my decision-making.

For analytics, Apptivo comes with a wide range of pre-built reports covering sales, marketing, and customer service metrics. I can also easily create custom reports and dashboards to track the KPIs that matter most to my business. For example, I can filter data, change chart types, add custom fields, and save custom views. The ability to schedule reports and have them automatically delivered to my inbox is a nice time-saver.

Beyond the core CRM capabilities, Apptivo offers a suite of integrated business apps that cover everything from project management to billing and invoicing. While I primarily use the CRM features, it's great to know I can easily expand my usage as my business needs evolve. In terms of third-party integrations, Apptivo's app marketplace also offers a variety of third-party integrations to further extend the platform's functionality.

Plus, a nice recent addition is the CRM's dynamic app bundles. To combat menu clutter, Apptivo now offers industry-specific App Bundles. When you sign up, you can select "Real Estate" or "Consulting," and the system will automatically pre-configure the most relevant apps and hide the ones you don't need.

Unlike competitors with limited on-the-go capabilities, Apptivo offers mobile apps for iOS and Android that provide full access to the CRM's features. Whether heading into a client meeting or dabbling in a bit of hybrid work, I always have the most up-to-date customer information at my fingertips. Plus, the mobile app's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.

While Apptivo checks the boxes for core CRM functionality, the depth of features in certain areas leaves something to be desired compared to more mature CRM systems such as Salesforce and Hubspot. For example, Apptivo lacks some of the advanced lead scoring and routing options found in enterprise platforms like Salesforce. Additionally, while the reporting and analytics are solid overall, some of the pre-built reports lack flexibility and the custom report builder has a bit of a learning curve. Apptivo also currently does not offer a sales assistant in the form of an AI tool or forecasting, like some of the leading CRM players.

How easy is Apptivo to use?

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Apptivo features a clean and clear — if slightly dated — user interface. It starts you off on your agenda page, which functions similarly to a calendar view of your upcoming tasks and appointments. I like how you can quickly switch between different views to filter for just upcoming or overdue tasks. The left sidebar contains several useful project management links for tasks, emails, notes, follow-ups, and more.

The top navigation menu is where Apptivo organizes the various apps you have installed, grouped by functions like CRM, marketing, financials, etc. It’s highly customizable and modular, but it does mean the top menu can get crowded if you activate a lot of apps.

Diving into the core CRM features, I found adding new records like contacts, accounts and opportunities to be straightforward. The data entry forms are clean and support custom fields. However, this is where the dated nature of the interface starts to show itself. For example, the save button is at the top of the record, requiring lots of scrolling on longer forms.

Apptivo's interface is very customizable, which is a double-edged sword when it comes to ease of use. On one hand, you can tailor the account to your preferences, like reordering the top nav apps, adjusting page layouts, and creating custom fields and views. On the flip side, the initial setup and customization process has a bit of a learning curve. You'll likely need to invest some time upfront to optimize your account.

Luckily, Apptivo provides a variety of onboarding and training resources. There's a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and videos covering the main features. But for a guided walkthrough, Apptivo offers paid training packages and professional services to help with implementation, data migration, and one-on-one training. These services typically cost extra, but can be helpful for those struggling with the interface.

Despite its datedness, Apptivo’s web-based CRM is usually quite responsive, even when dealing with a large database. When tested, the interface scored an impressive 91/100 for desktop speed on Google PageSpeed Insights. The mobile apps for iOS and Android are also well-designed and offer access to most key CRM functions on the go.

It's also worth noting a significant change to the UI. While previously more spreadsheet-focused, Apptivo updated its visual boards recently. You can now perform bulk actions directly from the Kanban view, such as dragging ten deals into a new stage and triggering a single automated email to all of them at once.

Overall, despite a few shortcomings, I've found Apptivo to be a user-friendly CRM overall, especially considering its extensive feature set and customization options. The modular app structure and customizable interface do require an initial time investment to set up and learn. But once configured to your liking, Apptivo is intuitive to navigate and the core CRM features are straightforward to use.

Apptivo integrations

Out of the box, Apptivo provides integrations with a limited number of popular business apps and services. The most notable of these are the Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integrations, which allow for the smooth syncing of contacts, calendar events, and emails. Apptivo also offers pre-built integrations with a few other business tools like Quickbooks for accounting, Mailchimp for email marketing, and RingCentral for phone systems.

For situations where a pre-built integration isn't available, Apptivo provides an open API that allows for custom integrations with other software. The API documentation is comprehensive and the platform supports industry-standard REST and SOAP protocols. However, building custom integrations does require significant technical expertise, so most businesses will likely need to engage a developer for help.

Compared to some other CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot, Apptivo has a much more limited selection of third-party app integrations available. While the core bases are covered, businesses that rely heavily on niche software may find they need to build custom integrations more often with Apptivo.

I was also a bit disappointed to discover that Apptivo does not yet offer a direct data sync with any major social media platforms. The ability to automatically pull in lead and customer interactions from social channels can be very valuable for sales and service teams. While you can manually import social data or build a custom integration, a pre-built option would be a welcome addition.

That said, for the integrations it does offer, I've found the data syncing to be generally reliable and performant. When configured properly, data flows seamlessly between systems without any noticeable lag or errors. Apptivo also provides detailed logs that allow you to monitor the status of integrations and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Unlike most other CRMs, however, you can also set up automated workflows that span multiple apps. For example, you can configure a workflow that automatically creates a task in Apptivo when a lead fills out a form on your website, then sends a personalized email follow-up via Mailchimp, and finally alerts the assigned sales rep in Slack. These cross-app workflows can significantly boost productivity and ensure no leads slip through the cracks.

For most small to midsize companies, Apptivo's integration capabilities should be more than sufficient to streamline data flow and processes across their key software tools. However, enterprise customers with strong data centralization needs may want to look elsewhere.

How good is Apptivo's customer support?

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Apptivo provides multiple channels for customer support, including live chat, email, and phone. The live chat is available 24/7 for all paid plans, which is a huge plus for businesses operating across different time zones or outside of regular business hours. For more complex issues or detailed inquiries, Apptivo offers email support. User reviews from around the internet mention fast response times, friendly support agents, and quick resolutions.

Apptivo also offers an extensive self-service knowledge base called "Apptivo Answers" that includes detailed user guides, video tutorials, and FAQs covering all aspects of the platform. I've found this resource to be well-organized and easy to search, with most of the usual questions answered without contacting support. The articles are clear and include helpful screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

For users who prefer a more hands-on approach, Apptivo provides live webinars you can attend on a regular basis. These cover topics ranging from getting started with Apptivo to advanced features and best practices in the CRM. If you’d prefer one-on-one training, Apptivo offers 60-minute paid sessions starting at $125 USD covering different modules and use cases. You can also enlist company professionals to migrate your existing data or implement the entire system for you for an additional fee.

While Apptivo doesn't publicly disclose its average resolution times or customer satisfaction scores, the overwhelmingly positive reviews and ratings from users speak to the effectiveness of its support. On customer review sites like Capterra and G2, many users praise Apptivo's customer service as one of its strongest assets, frequently citing the responsiveness, expertise, and friendliness of the support team.

Apptivo pricing and plans

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Plan

Lite

Premium

Ultimate

Enterprise

Price

$15/user/month

$25/user/month

$40/user/month

Custom pricing

Best for

Small sales teams managing deals and quotes

Fast-growing teams needing an all-in-one CRM

Large teams requiring automation and integrations

Enterprise organizations with complex integration needs

Features

18 apps; 100 custom fields per app; 24/7 support

46 apps; 250 custom fields per app; 3rd party integrations

57 apps; 350 custom fields per app; Advanced automation

65 apps; 500 custom fields per app; Dedicated account manager

Limitations

Lacks some advanced features and integrations.

Higher price than Lite plan but fewer features than Ultimate.

Significantly more expensive than lower tier plans.

Requires custom price quote and implementation.

Apptivo offers four pricing tiers — Lite, Premium, Ultimate, and Enterprise — which allows businesses to choose a plan that aligns with their specific needs and budget. Apptivo does offer a free starter plan, but it's important to note that this plan is very limited in terms of features and functionality. It's really more of an extended trial than a viable long-term solution for most businesses. That said, Apptivo's 30-day free trial for paid plans is on par with the industry standard, with ample time to test the system before committing.

As for the paid plans, the Lite plan starts at just $15 per user per month when billed annually, making it one of the most cost-effective options on the market for a fully functional CRM. Even at the Lite tier, Apptivo includes essential CRM capabilities like contact management, opportunity tracking, and customizable dashboards. As you move up to the higher-priced plans, you gain access to more advanced features and a greater number of integrated apps.

For businesses that need more advanced features, Apptivo's Premium plan at $25 per user per month (billed annually) offers a significant step up in functionality. This tier includes additional apps for project management, invoicing, and email marketing, as well as more advanced customization options and integrations. This is followed by the Unlimited plan at $40 per user per month, which also includes relationship management and inventory tracking. But in my opinion, the Premium plan provides the best balance of features and value for most small to medium-sized businesses using Apptivo.

Compared to other popular CRM platforms, Apptivo's pricing is highly competitive. For example, Salesforce's Sales Cloud starts at $25 per user per month for the Essentials plan but includes fewer features than Apptivo's Premium tier at the same price point. Similarly, Zoho CRM's Standard plan is priced at $20 per user per month, while Apptivo offers more advanced features for just $5 more.

I also appreciate that Apptivo doesn't lock you into a long-term contract, unlike some enterprise-grade CRMs. All plans are available on a month-to-month basis, giving you the flexibility to adjust as your business needs change. But opting for annual billing does provide a significant discount of 20% compared to the monthly rates.

Still, I think Apptivo could improve its pricing by offering more bundled discounts or add-on packages. While the pricing for individual plans is competitive, there are fewer options for bundling multiple apps or features compared to some other CRM providers. However, it does offer custom enterprise pricing for larger organizations with more complex needs.

How to pick

Apptivo is built on a modular philosophy, meaning you only turn on the apps you need. To decide if this approach to business software fits your goals, there are a few factors you should evaluate. First, are you looking for a One-Stop-Shop? If you want your CRM to handle not just sales, but also invoicing, project tracking, and supply chain management without paying for five different software subscriptions, Apptivo is a powerhouse. However, if you already use specialized tools like Xero or Asana and just need a standalone sales tool, you might find Apptivo's broad feature set distracting compared to a focused tool like Pipedrive.

Also, would you prefer human-centric Support or AI self-service? In an era where most CRMs are moving toward AI-only support, Apptivo’s 24/7 live chat with actual human beings is a major differentiator. If your team lacks internal IT resources and needs a safety net to help with custom field setup or workflow logic, Apptivo provides better value than most budget-tier rivals.

And finally, be honest about your team’s UI preferences. Apptivo’s interface is famously functional but retro in its design. If your sales reps are used to the sleek, modern aesthetics of Monday.com or HubSpot, they may find Apptivo’s denser, more traditional layout frustrating. If they value speed and raw data access over eye candy, the interface is highly efficient once learned.

How we test

Our testing methodology for platforms like Apptivo focuses on integration integrity and workflow fluidity. We test the platform’s toggle-on architecture, activating a new app (like Invoicing) and measuring how long it takes for existing CRM data to populate. We also look for data friction - any instances where we are forced to re-enter customer information that should already be in the system.

Regarding support, we conduct unannounced support tests at 2:00 AM PST. We evaluate the response time of the 24/7 live chat and the technical depth of the agent, ensuring they can solve a complex multi-app workflow issue rather than just pointing us to a help article.

And because Apptivo houses so many apps under one roof, we use Google PageSpeed Insights and real-world loading tests to ensure the interface doesn't lag as the database grows. Our testers specifically look for delays in Global Search results across Apptivo's 65+ app ecosystem.

Apptivo review: Final verdict

Apptivo delivers a robust set of core CRM features, including contact management, lead tracking, opportunity management, and sales forecasting. While some advanced features may be lacking compared to enterprise CRMs, Apptivo covers all the essentials for small to midsize businesses.

24/7 live chat, responsive email support, extensive knowledge base, and regular training webinars ensure that users can get help whenever they need it. The support team is knowledgeable, friendly, and consistently goes above and beyond to resolve issues and answer questions. While there are some areas for improvement, such as expanding the third-party app marketplace and simplifying the setup process for non-technical users, Apptivo's overall impression is a promising one.

For small to midsize businesses seeking an affordable, customizable, and user-friendly CRM with excellent support, Apptivo is a strong choice.

Apptivo CRM FAQWhat are Apptivo CRM's core features?

Apptivo is a cloud-based business management platform that offers a suite of over 65 integrated apps. As such it offers a wide range of features - both in the core platform and through these integrations.

The core features include tools for managing contacts, leads, and sales pipelines. It also offers features like email marketing, customer segmentation, lead scoring, and automated lead assignment.

Does Apptivo CRM have a mobile app?

Yes, Apptivo is accessible through all mobile phones, including dedicated apps for iOS and Android.

Aide from the costs, what are the differences between Apptivo's plans?

Apptivo's different pricing tiers vary significantly in terms of the number of available apps, custom fields, workflows, and storage space. Higher-tier plans also offer advanced features like email sequencing, notification builders, and custom applications. Annual billing offers a discount compared to monthly payments.

How do I integrate Apptivo with other tools?

Apptivo offers integrations with a number of third-party business tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, PayPal, and Slack. It also provides an open API for building custom integrations, which may require technical expertise

How secure is the data stored in Apptivo?

Apptivo employs several layers of security to protect user data, including 256-bit encrypted SSL connections for data transfer and encryption of sensitive information stored in the database.

Categories: Reviews

Less Annoying CRM review 2026

Tue, 01/27/2026 - 06:50

Less Annoying CRM is a straightforward platform designed with simplicity in mind, making it one of the best CRM platforms for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It was founded in 2009 by two brothers, who focused on making it as easy to use as possible - or in other words ‘less annoying’ than other platforms on the market.

The platform keeps things simple with a single-tier pricing plan: $15 per user, per month. You get all the features, no surprises or extras to buy. You'll find essentials like contact management, task tracking, and sales pipeline visualization — just the basics without overloading you.

It's not the most advanced CRM out there, but a user-friendly interface and great customer support make up for it. The company clearly prioritizes small businesses, from its product design to its business practices, making it a great fit for those seeking a hassle-free CRM.

At TechRadar Pro, we understand that for many businesses, the best CRM isn't the one with the most features, but the one that actually gets used. Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, which allows us to be brutally honest about Less Annoying CRM’s lack of advanced automation while celebrating its transparent, single-tier pricing. Our verdict is based on one question: Does this tool truly remove the annoyance of data management for the average small business owner?

Less Annoying CRM: Core capabilities

Less Annoying CRM provides a straightforward approach to customer relationship management, emphasizing essential features without adding unnecessary complexity. The contact management interface is user-friendly, making it easy to add custom fields to meet specific business needs.

The platform integrates leads within its pipeline management feature, helping users track them from initial contact to final sale, offering a visual representation of the sales process. During my testing, I found the pipeline view clear and easy to understand. However, the customization options for the pipeline are limited compared to more advanced CRM solutions, which may be a drawback for businesses with complex sales processes. If advanced features are what you need, I recommend checking out our Salesforce CRM review for a complete CRM platform, or our HubSpot CRM review for a free option.

Less Annoying CRM also includes basic sales forecasting and reporting tools. Users can create simple reports on pipeline status and sales performance, but it lacks the advanced analytics and predictive features present in some enterprise CRMs. For small businesses and solopreneurs, this level of reporting might suffice, but those needing deeper data analysis may find it lacking.

Less Annoying CRM's cloud-based platform is accessible from any device with internet access, removing the need for separate mobile apps. I found the mobile interface responsive and easy to navigate, allowing quick updates and access to customer information while on the go. However, there are no downloadable apps for iOS or Android.

I liked how Less Annoying CRM handles task management and calendar integration. It sends daily email digests with upcoming tasks and events, but syncing with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook turns the CRM into a central hub for managing customer interactions and personal schedules.

Email integration is another core capability that Less Annoying CRM manages well. Users can BCC a unique email address to automatically log correspondence with contacts in the CRM. This simplifies keeping communication records current without needing manual data entry after each interaction.

While it covers the basics of contact management, lead tracking, and simple reporting, Less Annoying CRM lacks some advanced features of larger CRM systems. For example, it does not have built-in marketing automation tools or extensive third-party integrations.

The platform balances flexibility and simplicity in customization. Users can add custom fields and adjust pipelines to some degree, but the options are not as extensive as those of more complex systems. This level of customization is likely adequate for many small businesses, but those with specific or evolving needs might feel restricted.

For security-conscious users, Less Annoying CRM offers 256-bit encryption following industry best practices. While this provides a solid data protection foundation, businesses in regulated industries should further evaluate whether these security measures meet their compliance requirements.

How easy it Less Annoying CRM to use?

Less Annoying CRM lives up to its name with a user interface focused on simplicity and easy navigation, making a one of the best CRM for small businesses. Upon logging in, I noticed the clean design that presents key information without overwhelming users. The main dashboard gives a quick view of upcoming tasks, recent activities, and pipeline status, allowing easy access to essential data without sifting through multiple menus.

The interface has a logical layout, with clearly labeled tabs for contacts, calendar, tasks, and settings. During my testing, I found most features within a few clicks, showcasing the thoughtful design. The muted yet professional color scheme creates a distraction-free environment for users to concentrate on their work.

Less Annoying CRM 's web-based platform adapts well to different screen sizes and devices, allowing users to access data from desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. However, I noticed that advanced accessibility features like screen reader optimization or high-contrast modes are not present, suggesting room for improvement.

Integrated web forms are also a recent addition. You can now build lead-capture forms directly inside Less Annoying CRM and embed them on your website. Leads are automatically funneled into your CRM, and you can now even use these forms to update existing records, a significant recent improvement.

Customization options in Less Annoying CRM balance flexibility with simplicity. Users can add custom fields to contacts and companies for tailored data collection. Creating custom pipelines is also straightforward, easier than in some complex CRM systems. While this level of customization suits many small businesses, those needing specialized workflows might find options somewhat limited.

Onboarding resources are a strong point for Less Annoying CRM. The platform offers a comprehensive help center with detailed articles and video tutorials on various system aspects. These resources are well-organized and easy to follow. The company provides free phone and email support to all users, including trial users, which is helpful for small businesses without dedicated tech support.

An intuitive design and focused features contribute to a fast learning process. In fact, I was able to navigate core functions of the CRM comfortably within a couple of hours. For most small business users, I estimate full proficiency can be achieved within a few days to a week of regular use, depending on specific needs.

But while the simplicity of Less Annoying CRM is a strength for many, some users may see it as a limitation. Those used to more feature-rich CRM systems might find the streamlined interface lacking advanced functionalities. However, this simplicity is intentional and aligns with the platform’s goal of providing an easy-to-use solution for small businesses.

Less Annoying CRM integrations

Less Annoying CRM offers a small number of integrations, however through Zapier you can unlock many more. (Image credit: Less Annoying CRM )

Less Annoying CRM provides a limited selection of integrations to meet essential business needs, falling short of larger CRM platforms. It offers a few pre-built integrations focusing on key functionalities like email syncing, calendar management, and data import/export. But my evaluation showed that these native integrations cover basic requirements for most SMBs.

But, Less Annoying CRM's integration with Zapier significantly enhances possibilities, allowing users to link it with thousands of other applications. I found creating Zaps to be easy, enabling automated workflows with tools I frequently use.

For advanced users and developers, Less Annoying CRM offers an API for custom integration and data synchronization with third-party applications. API documentation is thorough and well-structured, providing detailed explanations and examples for different endpoints. I appreciated the inclusion of OAuth 2.0 support, which improves security for API integrations.

In terms of reliability and performance, Less Annoying CRM shows a commitment to high data management standards. During my testing, I found data synchronization to be consistent and timely, with no noticeable delays or discrepancies. The company also utilizes "Uptime Robot" to monitor their site and quickly resolve downtime issues.

Less Annoying CRM’s integration options are adequate for many small businesses, but those seeking a broader range of pre-built connectors might find the selection limited. Ironically, the focus may lead some users to rely more on Zapier or custom API integrations to connect with their complete suite of business tools, increasing complexity.

While the help center provides basic information, I also found myself wanting more detailed guides and best practices for setting up and maintaining connections with other software. Some additional information could be particularly useful for users new to integrating various business applications.

Less Annoying CRM AI functionality

Unsurprisingly for a platform that values simplicity, Less Annoying CRM does not have native, built-in AI capabilities. Its core philosophy is to provide a simple, straightforward, and affordable CRM solution without the complex features found in enterprise-level software. This focus on simplicity means it deliberately omits advanced functionalities like AI-powered lead scoring, sales forecasting, or contact enrichment.

Even so, Less Annoying CRM can't completely avoid AI tidal wave. It can be integrated with third-party AI services and automation platforms to add some of these functionalities. The primary way to achieve this is by using platforms like Zapier. Although Less Annoying CRM largely avoids bloat, it has introduced several high-impact updates in the last few months to keep pace with modern business needs, including the addition of fully automatic email logging with the major providers.

How good is Less Annoying CRM customer support?

Less Annoying CRM is known for its strong customer support. The company provides two main support channels: email and phone, available from 9 am to 4:30 pm US Central Time, Monday to Friday. While this schedule may not suit all time zones or after-hours needs, it covers standard business hours for many small business clients.

I personally found email support to be prompt and helpful. Phone support offers immediate help for urgent matters. However, Less Annoying CRM currently does not provide live chat support, which could be a drawback for those who prefer instant messaging for quick questions.

Self-service resources include a help center, which is thorough and well-organized, with numerous articles and guides on various platform features. During my search, I found the search function effective, quickly guiding me to information. There are also video tutorials, which are especially beneficial for visual learners or those who like step-by-step instructions.

I liked that customer support is entirely free, even for trial users. Less Annoying CRM's commitment to accessible assistance aligns well with the company's goal of being user-friendly. It's a refreshing change in an industry where premium support usually incurs extra costs.

While it does not publicly share specific response and resolution times, user testimonials suggest that email responses are generally quick, often within a few hours. Resolution times may vary based on issue complexity, but the support team appears focused on providing timely solutions.

A key limitation is that customer support is currently available only in English during CST working hours. This could be a significant issue for users from different locations and cultures. As the company grows, addressing this gap would be a big help when expanding to international markets.

Less Annoying CRM plans and pricing

Less Annoying CRM offers one price, making a picking a plan incredibly simple. (Image credit: Less Annoying CRM )

Plan

All inclusive

Price

$15/user/month

Best for

Small businesses and solopreneurs seeking a simple and affordable CRM solution

Key features

Unlimited contacts and companies; Custom fields and pipelines; Integrated calendar and tasks

Limitations

Limited to 10 users; larger teams need to contact for enterprise pricing.

Less Annoying CRM truly lives up to its name by providing a simple and user-friendly solution designed for small businesses. I found its simplicity to be its strongest asset, offering essential features without the complications of larger systems.

The platform features an easy-to-navigate interface, clear pricing, and responsive customer support, making it appealing for businesses wanting a straightforward approach to customer relationship management. While it may not include some advanced functions typical of enterprise CRMs, Less Annoying CRM delivers core features in an easy-to-understand way.

I think Less Annoying CRM is ideal for small businesses, startups, and individual entrepreneurs who value ease of use and cost over extensive customization and detailed analytics. Its clear approach to contact management, pipeline tracking, and task organization allows users to quickly adopt a CRM system without a difficult learning curve or hefty financial commitment.

How to pick

Today, when most CRMs are becoming complex AI hubs, Less Annoying CRM is a deliberate minimalist. To decide if it fits your workflow, ask yourself if that's the right trade-off for you. Do you find yourself ignoring 90% of the buttons in tools like HubSpot or Salesforce? If you just want a digital Rolodex with a simple calendar and lead tracker, Less Annoying CRM is the right choice. If you require complex if-then logic or high-level sales forecasting, you will likely find it too restrictive within six months.

Another major reason to pick Less Annoying CRM is its CRM Coaches. Every user gets a real human to help with setup at no extra cost. If you value personal service over agentic AI features, this platform wins. And scalability should also be a factor. Less Annoying CRM is designed for teams of 1 to 50 people. If your goal is to grow into a multi-national enterprise with complex departmental silos, you should pick a more scalable platform like Zoho. If your goal is to remain a lean, efficient small business, Less Annoying CRM's stable, single-tier $15/user price point is one of the most predictable budget option on the market.

How we test

At TechRadar, our testing methodology focuses on speed, accessibility, and reliability. We start our assessment from the first engagement with the platform, measuring how long it takes from the moment of sign-up to having a fully functional, customized pipeline. For Less Annoying CRM, we specifically tested the claim that "anyone can learn it in minutes" by tasking a non-technical tester with setting up three custom fields and a five-stage pipeline.

We also tested the essential integrations - specifically Google Calendar and Outlook - to see if the sync is truly bi-directional and real-time. We also evaluated the BCC email logging feature to ensure no communications are lost between the CRM and your inbox. And while it is disappointing that Less Annoying CRM doesn't have a dedicated app store download, we still tested the mobile web interface on multiple devices (iOS/Android).

Less Annoying CRM: Verdict Less Annoying CRM FAQHow much does Less Annoying CRM cost and is there a free trial?

Staying true to its name, the pricing of this CRM is straightforward and "less annoying." Eschewing the complexity of the pricing plans offered by other CRMs, here there is a flat rate of $15 per user per month, with no additional fees, tiers, or contracts. There is also a 30-day free trial with full access to all features. You don't need to provide payment information until the trial is over.

What are its core features of Less Annoying CRM?

Less Annoying CRM provides many of the essential CRM functionalities small businesses require. For instance, the platform comes with contact and company management so users can store and organize all their contact information, notes, files, and interactions in one place. It's also possible to create and manage customized workflows to track leads, sales processes, and projects.

It also becomes easier to manage communications. Users can schedule and track events and tasks, with the ability to share calendars with their team. Email logging is also straightforward, with individuals able to automatically log emails from their connected email accounts, such as Gmail or Outlook, to their contact records.

Does Less Annoying CRM have a mobile app

No, Less Annoying CRM does not have a native mobile app - which is a little disappointing. Many of the other CRM platforms we've reviewed do have one. However, the web application is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any device with a web browser. Excitingly, however, a dedicated mobile app is currently in beta, promising a faster, more native experience for reps in the field soon.

What features would many users complain are missing?

While it excels at simplicity, Less Annoying CRM is not a full-featured enterprise solution. As such, it may not be suitable for larger companies that require advanced functionalities, such as complex sales analytics or forecasting, extensive workflow automations, or role-based permissions beyond basic levels. It's a balance between simplicity and complexity. Less Annoying leans heavily towards the former, which will be fine for some businesses but insufficient for others.

Categories: Reviews

SugarCRM review 2026

Tue, 01/27/2026 - 04:50

As a customer relationship management tool, SugarCRM has history on its side. Since SugarCRM launched in 2004 as an open-source customer relationship management platform, it has since evolved into a full-fledged commercial suite, with tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. But what really sets it apart is the amount of flexibility it offers, making it one of the best CRM platforms on the market.

Sugar CRM features powerful AI tools, like predictive analytics, which provide valuable insights into customer behavior and sales forecasting. Combined with its user-friendly interface, this makes SugarCRM an attractive option for businesses that prize accessibility and automation.

Regular updates, including SugarCRM's Precision Selling overhaul, show the company's commitment to innovation, but the learning curve can be steep for new users. The platform also features an unconventional and unstructured pricing system, which can prove intimidating to small businesses.

At TechRadar Pro, our business software experts look past the legacy label to find the operational truth. To review SugarCRM, we conducted a 40-hour deep dive into the Sugar Sell and Sugar Market ecosystems. We didn't just test the basic lead-tracking features; we spent time building custom Dashlets, testing the SugarPredict AI with complex B2B datasets, and evaluating the platform’s new Focus Drawers to see if they truly reduce the tab fatigue common in older CRM systems.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on SugarCRM’s high cost-of-entry and its powerful, "time-aware" data engine is based strictly on how it serves the needs of a scaling enterprise in 2026.

SugarCRM core capabilities

SugarCRM is feature rich and integrates AI into some of its most important tools (Image credit: SugarCRM)

SugarCRM's centralized database allows users to access and update contact details, interaction history, and account-specific data, enabling a complete view of customer relationships. It lets users track and nurture leads through various stages of the sales funnel, with customizable lead scoring. You also have tools for tracking deal progress, assigning probabilities, and forecasting potential revenue.

A sales pipeline offers visual representations of the sales process, allowing sales managers to quickly assess the health of their sales funnel and identify bottlenecks. I liked how the drag-and-drop functionality was implemented, making it easy to update deal status.

For forecasting, SugarCRM uses historical data and current information to help reps fulfill their quotas. I found the AI-powered forecasting tools to be flexible, allowing users to create projections based on various criteria such as product lines, territories, or individual sales reps. This is a valuable feature for businesses looking to make more data-driven decisions.

The system offers a wide range of pre-built reports and dashboards, covering key metrics across sales, marketing, and customer service. I also had the ability to create custom reports and visualizations without extensive technical knowledge. This has got even more detailed with the CRM's recent Sankey diagrams, which allow you to see exactly where deals are dropping off and which marketing channels are providing the most fluid path to a sale. Additional analytics tools also provide extra insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall business health.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access and update data on the go. I found the mobile interface to be intuitive and responsive, offering most of the core functionalities available in the desktop version.

SugarCRM also excels in its marketing automation capabilities. The platform offers tools for creating and managing marketing campaigns, tracking their performance, and nurturing leads through automated workflows. I was particularly impressed by the email marketing features, which allow for personalized, targeted communications based on customer data and behavior. With SugarPredict 2.0, the CRM moves beyond simple scoring and can now autonomously enrich contact records. For instance, if you enter a name and a company, SugarCRM's AI now searches social and public data to populate the profile and apply tags based on their current buyer intent signals.

Apart from sales, the system supports customer-facing teams by including case management tools, allowing support teams to track and resolve customer issues efficiently. There's even a knowledge base feature, enabling businesses to create and maintain a repository of helpful information for both customers and internal teams.

For collaboration, activity streams provide real-time updates on customer interactions and internal communications, ensuring that all team members are on the same page. I imagine this would be particularly useful for fostering cross-functional collaboration and maintaining a consistent customer experience across touchpoints.

SugarCRM offers extensive options for tailoring the CRM to specific business needs, from custom fields and modules to workflow automation. Additionally, SugarCRM's open API architecture allows for seamless integration with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its adaptability to different business ecosystems.

How easy is SugarCRM to use?

SugarCRM provides a rich set of features, but new users must navigate a learning curve. The UI is functional yet feels outdated compared to modern CRM systems. The layout is logical, featuring a left-side navigation bar for quick access to modules like Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities. However, the numerous options can be overwhelming for new users.

You can adjust the interface to meet your needs, rearranging fields, creating custom modules, and designing dashboards. While the flexibility is useful, it also makes the initial setup more time-consuming. Without careful planning, the system can become cluttered. A small but powerful recent UI addition to the platform is the "Last Interaction" field. Now, across all modules, a new column shows the exact date and context of your last engagement (email, call, or meeting) at a glance, allowing for instant prioritization of neglected leads.

Accessibility features exist but could be improved. The platform includes keyboard shortcuts, which assist users with mobility issues. However, screen reader compatibility and color contrast options need enhancement for users with visual impairments. Text resizing and color adjustments are available but lack the smoothness seen in some modern applications.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling users to access and update CRM data on the go. However, the mobile interface lacks some depth and customization found in the desktop version, limiting users who depend on mobile access.

SugarCRM offers a wealth of resources to help you get the most from your CRM (Image credit: SugarCRM)

The company provides various learning options, including documentation, video tutorials, webinars, and instructor-led sessions. SugarCRM University offers structured learning paths for different roles and skill levels. Despite these resources, the system's complexity means new users may need weeks to become fully proficient, especially if customizing the platform for their organization.

The global search function is powerful, allowing me to find information quickly across modules. However, search results can be overwhelming due to the volume of data. Advanced filtering options help, but mastering them adds to the learning curve.

SugarCRM's reporting and analytics tools are robust but can be complicated for beginners. Creating custom reports and dashboards requires a solid understanding of the system's data structure. While pre-built reports exist, tailoring them often needs extra training or support. I also liked the system's workflow automation capabilities. But setting up workflows can be complex and may need extra effort.

Overall, SugarCRM's ease of use varies. Organizations willing to invest time in setup, customization, and training can find it powerful and flexible. However, those seeking a simple, out-of-the-box solution may face challenges due to the platform's complexity. New users should prepare for a steeper learning curve compared to simpler CRM solutions.

SugarCRM integrations

Integrations help you expand your CRMs ability to support your business (Image credit: SugarCRM)

SugarCRM excels in integration, connecting easily with other business tools. It offers many pre-built links, ideal for quick setups. These include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, DocuSign, and Slack. This allows users to blend SugarCRM into their workflows with minimal setup.

I appreciate the support for iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. It really expands connectivity, especially for custom needs or niche applications. Even non-technical users can create complex workflows, boosting productivity and data consistency.

For advanced needs, SugarCRM offers a REST API. Developers can create custom links and extend functionality. The documentation is thorough, with guides, samples, and references. However, using it requires technical skills and programming knowledge.

SugarCRM handles data syncing well, keeping information consistent across systems. It even offers a choice between real-time or scheduled syncs, which is missing from most CRMs. Still, it's best to monitor the process when exchanging large volumes of data.

The platform simplifies integration management by combining external connectors into a central interface. It offers insights into the status, history, and issues of integrations. Data mapping tools help align fields, reducing errors.

How good is SugarCRM's support?

SugarCRM provides a well-rounded approach to customer support, offering various channels for assistance. Its online support portal acts as the main hub for service interactions. Users can submit and track support cases, access documentation, and connect with the SugarCRM community.

But the support system has a tiered structure with different subscription levels. All customers have access to basic support, while higher-tier subscribers enjoy quicker response times and extra channels.

Email support is available to all customers, with response times varying by issue severity and subscription level. Typically, responses for non-critical issues range from a few hours to one business day. However, for urgent matters, the support team often prioritizes responses, sometimes providing initial feedback within an hour.

SugarCRM's self-service resources are extensive. The knowledge base covers a wide array of topics, from basic functions to advanced customization. The documentation is well-organized and regularly updated, making it useful for troubleshooting or learning about new features. Additionally, SugarCRM offers video tutorials and webinars for visual guidance on various platform aspects.

The community forum is another valuable support resource. Users can connect with peers, share best practices, and sometimes receive help from company staff. While community support can vary, I found the SugarCRM forum to be active and helpful.

Enterprise and Ultimate edition customers can access 24/7 phone support for urgent issues, a major benefit for businesses across different time zones. For those needing even more hands-on assistance, SugarCRM provides professional services and training options, including implementation support, custom development, and online or in-person training sessions.

However, the live chat functionality could definitely stand to improve. During testing, I found that live chat support was often unavailable and wait times were usually much longer than anticipated.

Still, user feedback regarding the platform's support quality is mostly positive, with many customers praising the knowledge and responsiveness of the support team. However, experiences can differ, with some users reporting delays in resolving more complex issues.

SugarCRM pricing and plans

SugarCRM offers several platform variations and plans - this can get a little confusing (Image credit: SugarCRM)

Plan

Sell Essentials

Sell Advanced

Sell Premier

Price

$59/user/month

$85/user/month

$135/user/month

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses needing basic CRM functionalities

Mid-sized businesses requiring advanced features and customization

Large enterprises with complex CRM needs and high-volume sales

Key features

Basic lead management; Sales automation; Standard reporting

Advanced workflow automation; AI-powered analytics; Customizable dashboards

Guided selling; Advanced forecasting; Enterprise-level support

Limitations

Limited to 3-5 users maximum

Requires minimum of 3 users

Requires minimum of 10 users

SugarCRM has 3 main product lines: Sugar Sell for sales teams, Sugar Serve for customer service, and Sugar Market for marketing automation.

Sugar Sell, the primary CRM, begins at $59 per user monthly with 12-month billing. The base plan, Sugar Sell Essentials, targets small to medium-sized businesses and includes essential functions like contact management, basic workflow automation, and standard reporting.

Sugar Sell also presents advanced tiers: Sugar Sell Advanced at $85 per user monthly and Sugar Sell Premier at $135 per user monthly. These higher tiers add features like advanced workflow automation, improved support, and AI-powered analytics.

Most plans necessitate at least 3 users, while some higher tiers require a minimum of 10. This could limit accessibility for very small businesses or startups with few team members.

SugarCRM provides various add-ons and integrations that enhance functionality but incur extra costs. However, the company does not publicly disclose pricing for these add-ons, complicating cost estimation without contacting their sales team.

SugarCRM offers a free trial for 7 days, allowing potential customers to explore the platform before purchase. However, it lacks a permanent free plan.

Regarding discounts, SugarCRM does not publicly promote standard discount programs. However, my research suggests that enterprise-level customers can often negotiate better rates. Bundling multiple Sugar products, such as combining Sugar Sell with Sugar Serve, might also yield cost savings, although specific details are not readily available.

In comparison to other CRM providers, SugarCRM's pricing falls within the mid-range. It tends to be pricier than basic CRM solutions such as Less Annoying CRM, but it can be more cost-effective than some enterprise-level competitors. Also, a recent study by Nucleus Research suggests that SugarCRM users might reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 32% compared to Salesforce.

How to pick

SugarCRM is no longer a one-size-fits-all tool. It has evolved into a high-performance engine for companies with complex, data-heavy sales cycles. To decide if it fits your business needs, it's important to consider a few factors, including your internal resources and the tools you already employ.

If you have a dedicated CRM administrator or an IT team that loves to tinker, SugarCRM is a dream. Its open-standard architecture allows for deeper customization than HubSpot or Pipedrive. However, if you are a small team looking for a plug-and-play solution, the platform’s steep learning curve and mandatory demo-led onboarding may feel like an unnecessary hurdle.

Also, think carefully whether you need an everything-in-one tool. If your sales team is tired of switching between five different apps to see a customer’s journey, SugarCRM’s recently added Focus Drawers and Sugar Connect (which embeds the CRM directly into Outlook or Gmail) are top-tier. If you are already happy with your existing marketing and service tools, you may find SugarCRM's integrated suites redundant.

How we test

Our testing methodology ensures that every review is grounded in the reality of modern business operations. We measure UI Efficiency by counting the number of clicks and screen refreshes required to complete a standard sales task, such as qualifying a lead and scheduling a follow-up. As such, we specifically tested SugarCRM's Focus Drawers to see if they successfully keep users on a single dashboard.

We also tested SugarCRM's 180+ ERP integrations. We simulated a Sales-to-Finance handoff, pushing a closed deal into a mock ERP system to check for data latency and syncing errors. And we got to grips with SugarCRM's mobile app in real-world scenarios, testing its Geo-Mapping for field sales reps and its ability to log voice notes and meetings while offline.

Finally, no review is complete without examing cost. However, we look beyond the sticker price to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over 24 months, including the cost of required user minimums and the Premier Support tiers often necessary for enterprise features.

SugarCRM review: Final verdict

SugarCRM is a strong and flexible CRM solution that provides a wide range of features for sales, marketing, and customer service. Its best quality is how customizable it is, which allows businesses to create an experience that fits their needs.

That said, some users might find the interface a bit complex, which could be a challenge for smaller organizations with limited technical expertise. While the pricing is competitive for mid-market businesses, it may be a bit high for very small teams or startups.

Overall, SugarCRM seems like a great fit for medium to large enterprises that have the resources to make the most of its features. Businesses, such as manufacturing organizations, with complex sales processes or deep integration needs will find it especially useful.

SugarCRM FAQWhat are some of the key features of SugarCRM?

Many of the core features of SugarCRM are those that users would expect of a leading CRM. These include ome of the most important features of SugarCRM include sales automation to help streamline the sales process by automating repetitive tasks, tracking customer interactions, managing leads, and providing a visual representation of the sales pipeline.

The platform provides tools for managing support tickets, tracking cases, and monitoring service level agreements (SLAs). It also includes a knowledge base and self-service portal for customers.

In terms of customization and flexibility, SugarCRM also stands out. Users can tailor the platform to their specific needs by creating custom fields and modules, modifying layouts, and automating workflows with SugarBPM - the business process management (BPM) feature of the platform. The system also leverages AI to provide predictive analytics, such as lead scoring and sales forecasting, giving businesses valuable insights into customer behavior and sales trends.

Is SugarCRM open-source?

SugarCRM originally began as an open-source solution, which allowed for extensive customization and a strong community. While the company has moved away from a completely open-source model, its heritage still influences its flexibility and API-driven architecture.

How does SugarCRM handle data security and compliance?

SugarCRM prioritizes data security and compliance with features like role-based access controls, end-to-end encryption, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. They also have a bug bounty program to encourage the reporting of security vulnerabilities.

Is there a mobile app for SugarCRM?

Yes, SugarCRM offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data and perform key tasks from their mobile devices. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Key features of the SugarCRM mobile app include remote and offline access, GPS and location mapping, real-time updates, and customizable dashboards.

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