TechRadar Reviews

Wix Studio is an all-in-one website creation platform that extends the capabilities of traditional website builders to meet the demands of agencies, consultants, and professional web designers. While not a typical choice for the best website builder, this platform deserves serious consideration for specific businesses.​

We have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders. We've seen the market evolve dramatically. While we named the Wix website builder as our pick for the best website builder in 2026, Wix Studio takes things even further for professionals and agencies.​

Built by the same company that led the concept of accessible web design, Wix Studio was specifically engineered for agencies managing multiple client sites. It includes enterprise-grade features like team collaboration, client handoff tools, and centralized workspace management that standard platforms simply don't offer.​

Wix Studio: 1-minute review

Wix Studio delivers a compelling package for agencies and consultants. It combines sophisticated design tools with practical business features that simplify client work. Unlike consumer-focused builders, it provides role-based permissions, real-time collaboration, advanced design tools, and automated client reporting — all from a unified dashboard.​​

What is Wix Studio?

Wix Studio is a website development platform that agencies and consultants use to build, manage, hand off, and maintain client websites at scale. Think of it as a complete workspace where you can collaborate with team members on different designs, then seamlessly hand off projects to clients without leaving the platform.​

With Studio, you get custom breakpoints for responsive design, Figma integration for importing designs, several AI website management tools, and a no-code CMS for content-heavy sites. It also includes features like personalized onboarding kits, content mode for safe client editing, and automated performance reports. Everything runs on Wix's enterprise-grade infrastructure with built-in security, automatic updates, and SEO tools.​

Features

(Image credit: Wix Studio )

Wix Studio packs an impressive feature set tailored for professional use. Its design tools offer precision control with grid systems, API management, custom CSS, and advanced typography. Responsive AI automatically adapts layouts for different screen sizes, while custom breakpoints let you fine-tune designs for specific devices. The Figma-to-Studio plugin lets you import your wireframes and prototypes directly into functional sites.​

For agencies managing multiple clients, you get real-time collaborative editing, commenting, and role-based permissions that keep teams synchronized. Your workspace lets you manage unlimited client websites from a single dashboard, accessible via web or mobile app. Client handoff is smooth thanks to personalized kits and content mode, which lets clients update copy and layouts safely without breaking design fundamentals.​

With the StudioCMS, you can create dynamic pages with custom collections, schedule content for later, and design your own multi-author workflows. Built-in analytics track traffic, signups, sales, and behavior across categories, with customizable reports you can schedule and export. Native integrations with Google, Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn connect to your social media campaigns seamlessly.​​

Unlike with Wix standard, AI tools extend beyond basic text and image generation. They help you create meta tags, Google Ads copy, CMS collections, and even generate code through the AI assistant. However, low-level code control is restricted, and certain integrations require complex workarounds. Starting at $19/month for the Basic plan and scaling to $159/month for Business Elite, this won't be the platform of choice for most individual and business users. But for agencies and freelancers managing multiple high-volume projects, this pricing is worth the toolset it offers.​

Tools

(Image credit: Wix Studio )

Wix Studio bundles multiple specialized tools into one platform. They cover everything from design and development to marketing and client management. Each one addresses specific needs that agencies face daily, for example:​

Design tools

Studio's design system includes grid layouts, flexbox controls, section stacking, and custom breakpoints for responsive design. You can also use CSS overrides to adjust specific style settings beyond the default options. There's an AI assistant that can make advanced layout suggestions, create workflows, and even write code for you.​

Figma integration

There's a Figma-to-Studio plugin that exports high-fidelity designs directly into Wix Studio, saving you the trouble of manually recreating the entire design. It speeds up the design-to-development process, which works great for designer-developers who can get to deliverables more quickly. Your designs still retain their structure and can be enhanced with Wix's interactive features.​

CMS collections and pages

Wix Studio's no-code CMS builds content-rich sites with multiple dynamic content streams like blogs, wikis, and knowledge bases. Create custom collections, connect them to repeating layouts, and generate hundreds of pages from a single template. Content translates into 180+ languages directly from the dashboard.​

Ecommerce

Build fully customized online stores with flexible product pages and category layouts. Wix handles the inventory, orders, returns, and refunds from the same dashboard. Native integrations add gift cards, loyalty programs, and dropshipping connections, reducing the reliance on third-party software.​

Collaboration workspace and hub

Manage unlimited client websites from one centralized hub. Role-based permissions control team access, while real-time editing and on-canvas comments keep everyone aligned on the current designs. A mobile app lets you manage projects on the go.​

Analytics and reporting

Track website performance across sales, traffic, bookings, subscriptions, and SEO. Schedule automated reports daily, weekly, or monthly to keep clients informed without manual work. Export data or create custom reports tailored to specific metrics.​​

Lots of AI tools

AI features generate text, images, and videos directly on canvas. Wix's AI code assistant provides code snippets and troubleshooting help. Responsive AI makes layouts mobile-friendly in one click, while AI-powered content marketing tools create meta tags, Google Ads copy, and CMS collections at scale.​

Client management features

Personalized client kits include brand assets, guidelines, and templates for smooth handoffs. Content mode gives clients controlled editing access to update copy and media without disrupting layouts. Automated status reports keep clients informed automatically.

Ease of use

(Image credit: Wix Studio )

Wix Studio walks a fine line between accessibility and power. The interface is sleek and minimal, with an inspector panel on the right that controls styles, spacing, and layout. You start with a clean dashboard offering three options: use a template, start from scratch, or import an existing site. This works for both resourceful beginners and professional designers.​

The drag-and-drop editor uses WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) functionality, so changes appear instantly. There's no need to understand code for basic website creation. However, there's a learning curve when mastering advanced features like responsive behavior and custom breakpoints. Some users suggest the platform is more complex than its marketing implies, particularly compared to the standard Wix Editor. There are also a few outdated components from the classic editor that haven't been updated, which can affect responsiveness.​

For agencies, the interface works great for collaborative workflows. On-canvas commenting, role-based permissions, and centralized multi-site management make coordination a breeze. The mobile app extends accessibility while travelling, letting you manage projects remotely. Yet while beginners can grasp basic functions with a bit of effort, professionals will need time to unlock the platform's full potential.

Wix Studio pricing and plans

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Basic

$19/month

$19/month

Standard

$27/month

$27/month

Plus

$34/month

$34/month

Business Elite

$159/month

$159/month

Wix Studio's pricing structure scales with your agency's needs. The Basic plan at $19/month includes 10GB storage, 3 site collaborators, and 1,500 CMS items. It's good for freelancers or small teams managing a few client sites. Standard ($27/month) and Plus ($34/month) increase storage, collaborators, and CMS limits, with Plus adding priority support. All plans include unlimited bandwidth, a free domain for one year, site analytics, and payment acceptance.​

Business Elite at $159/month is built for large agencies. You get unlimited storage, 100 site collaborators, advanced ecommerce tools, and the full developer platform. Compared to similar options, Wix Studio is competitively priced. Webflow starts at $18-$29 but charges more for ecommerce and CMS features. Meanwhile, WordPress requires separate hosting costs and paid plugins that can exceed these prices.

Security

(Image credit: Wix Studio )

All websites automatically include SSL certificates that encrypt data between visitors' browsers and your site using HTTPS and TLS 1.2+. Data at rest uses AES-256 encryption, the strongest commercially available standard. Payment processing complies with PCI DSS Level 1, the highest industry security standard, with anti-fraud protection included.​

Wix Studio maintains multiple certifications, including SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, and several ISOs, while remaining compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD. Real-time detection systems guard against DDoS attacks, keeping sites available during threats. Machine learning monitors pattern changes to block suspicious activity across accounts and sites.

Account security features include multi-factor authentication via email, SMS, phone, or authenticator apps, plus social login through Facebook and Google. Enterprise users get additional protections: SSO integration with Azure, Okta, Auth0, and Google; IP whitelisting for access control; full audit trails of user activities; and SCIM for automated identity management.

Wix also runs a Bug Bounty program with independent security researchers and maintains a strict third-party risk management program for vendors.​

How good is Wix Studio support?

(Image credit: Wix Studio )

Studio offers multiple support channels tailored to different user needs. 24/7 live chat provides quick troubleshooting and help for common issues, accessible through the floating chat icon. Response times are fast, particularly for premium plan holders dealing with design or functionality questions. Email support operates through a guided contact form that routes requests to the correct department, with response times typically ranging from 24 to 72 hours.​

For phone support, Wix uses a callback system rather than direct phone numbers. You request a callback through your account, then representatives reach out during business hours (Monday through Friday, with timing varying by region). The Plus plan includes priority support, giving agencies faster response times. The Help Center features tutorials, videos, community forums, and step-by-step guides covering everything from design basics to SEO.​

Enterprise account holders receive white-glove service with a dedicated customer success manager available 24/7. This manager handles technical questions, business strategy, and platform migration with regular check-ins. While standard support is solid, the lack of direct phone numbers frustrates some users when dealing with urgent issues.​

Wix Studio alternatives

Wix Studio occupies a unique position between beginner-friendly builders and developer-focused platforms. It's best for agencies and consultants who want advanced design control without diving into full code development.

Some of the best website builders for agencies include Webflow, which offers more code-level flexibility and appeals to developers comfortable with technical customization. You can see how the two stack up in our Wix Studio vs Webflow guide.

WordPress provides maximum customization but requires more technical knowledge and separate hosting, along with advanced design and management plugins like Elementor or Duda. Shopify still dominates the market for ecommerce-focused agencies.

Non-website building professionals may find WiXx Studio a little overwhelming. If you are just looking to build an individual website for your business, Wix's AI website builder may be a better option for you. You can see how they compare in our Wix Studio vs Wix AI website builder guide.

Wix Studio review: Summary

Wix Studio delivers a complete platform tailored specifically for multi-client agencies and consultants. It combines powerful design tools with practical business features like collaborative editing and role-based permissions.

A powerful CMS and Studio's ecommerce capabilities handle content-rich sites and online stores without any add-on subscriptions. Security is enterprise-grade with automatic SSL, PCI DSS compliance, and multiple certifications.

While there's a learning curve for advanced features, the platform balances accessibility with professional power. Pricing scales from $19/month for small teams to $159/month for large agencies — making it a worthwhile investment for seasoned service providers but not novices.

Wix Studio FAQs Is Wix Studio different from regular Wix?

Unlike regular Wix, Studio is specifically designed for agencies, consultants, and professional web creators, while regular Wix targets individual users and small businesses. Studio includes advanced features like team collaboration tools, role-based permissions, custom breakpoints for responsive design, and centralized site management. You also get Figma integration, advanced CSS controls, and client handoff features like content mode and personalized kits.

Can I migrate existing Wix sites to Wix Studio?

Yes, you can migrate existing Wix sites to Wix Studio. There's an import option when you start a new project, allowing you to bring in sites built on the regular Wix Editor. This gives you access to Studio's advanced features like improved responsive controls, team collaboration, and enhanced design tools. Enterprise customers get dedicated support from customer success managers who can assist with platform migration. However, some elements may require adjustments after migration due to differences in layout and components.

Does Wix Studio require coding fluency?

Wix Studio doesn't require coding knowledge for most website-building tasks. The drag-and-drop editor uses WYSIWYG functionality, meaning you see changes instantly. You can build professional websites, add ecommerce functionality, and manage dynamic content entirely through the visual interface. However, Studio does offer code access for those who want it —you can add custom CSS, use the AI code assistant, and integrate APIs for complex workflows. ​

What's included in the Business Elite plan?

The Business Elite plan ($159/month paid annually) is Wix Studio's top tier for large agencies. You get unlimited storage, 100 site collaborators, and the full advanced developer platform. Ecommerce features include advanced tools for managing products, inventory, orders, and customer relationships. The plan also includes the complete advanced marketing suite with native integrations for Google, Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Can clients edit their sites without breaking the design?

Wix Studio includes a dedicated content mode that gives clients controlled editing access — they can update copy, swap images, and modify basic content without touching your design. You can set permissions through role-based access controls, determining exactly how much each client can edit. For more hands-off clients, you can provide personalized client kits with brand assets, guidelines, and templates.

Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player: two-minute review

There’s no school like the old school, right? Philips certainly seems to think so anyway, because it’s delivered a product you may not have even realised you needed: the Fidelio FT1 is a belt-drive turntable with integrated phono stage and a built-in CD player, that can act as a Bluetooth transmitter and features Auracast connectivity.

And it costs less than a stand-alone turntable or CD player that might easily be considered ‘entry level’.

Obviously the FT1 is not that last word in sturdiness or unburstable build quality. It’s perfectly well put together, though, looks quite good in its gloss-black finish (as long as you’re not the one who has to clean it) and arrives with a very decent Audio Technica cartridge pre-fitted to its aluminium tonearm. Add in a control app to complement its physical controls and you’ve got a ‘just-add-speakers (-or-wireless-headphones)’ plug-and-play device that covers several functionality bases.

In practice it’s not without charm. There’s plenty of drive and energy to the sound, no matter the source of the music you’re listening to, and the midrange communicates very freely. Dynamic headroom is significant, and the Philips controls its (solid, detailed) low frequencies well enough to express rhythms with real confidence. It’s strangely flimsy where treble response is concerned, though, and the bass does tend to sound rather estranged from the rest of the frequency range.

It’s nevertheless an enjoyable listen overall, though, and there’s a lot to be said for the amount of sonic enjoyment, as well as extended functionality, your money buys. One of the best turntables on the market? For this money, I really think it's hard to argue against it.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: price and release date

• Announced in September 2025, but released early 2026
• Priced $349 / £269 / (approx.) AU$429

The Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player/ Bluetooth transmitter is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it sells for £269, while in the United States it’s yours for around $349. In Australia, meanwhile, the going rate is something like AU$429 – or, at least, that’s what today’s exchange rate suggests…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: features

• 33.3 and 45rpm turntable with Bluetooth transmission
• Integrated phono stage
• CD playback too

You can’t argue with the functionality that’s available here; certainly not at the asking price. In a chassis that’s actually a little narrower than your average turntable, Philips has managed to incorporate a record player with a switchable phono stage, a CD player and Bluetooth transmission. If you’re old enough to remember the whole ‘music center’ thing, you’re entitled to have a mild flashback just about now.

As far as the turntable section goes, the Fidelio FT1 is a belt-driven device that arrives with an Audio Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge pre-fitted to a straight aluminium tube tonearm. It has automatic speed-change via a dial on the plinth, and on the rear of the device there’s a switch to turn the integrated phono stage on or off.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

The platter is of die-cast aluminium and there’s a rubber slip mat supplied too. The FT1 is a Bluetooth transmitter, and can convert an analog signal from your vinyl to a digital equivalent and then send it to a pair of wireless headphones or speakers via Bluetooth 5.4 using one of the SBC, AAC or LC3 codecs with which it’s compatible. Philips, understandably, considers its Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers to be the ideal partner for the FT1, but any Bluetooth receiver is fair game. It’s also Auracast-equipped – so it’s able to transmit whatever’s playing to as many appropriate speakers as you have access to.

There’s a compact disc drive built into the FT1 too. The tray into which CDs are loaded emerges from the front right section of the plinth – the tray door also features an LED display which gives confirmation of the selected input and the usual ‘track number, time elapsed, etc etc’ stuff when a CD is playing. The regular CD player modes (‘shuffle’, ‘repeat’, ‘random’ and so on) are available, and the drive itself is compatible with CD-R/RW and MP3-CD as well as your ordinary CDs.

• Features score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Sound quality

• Quite direct and energetic character
• Insubstantial treble response and slightly dislocated low end…
• …which can make the midrange seem rather exposed

There are, of course, perceived differences in the fundamental sonic signatures of vinyl and compact disc – but initially, one of the most most striking things about the Fidelio FT1 is just how consistent and itself it sounds no matter the source of the music it’s playing.

For better or for worse, its own sonic character seems to override those of the format it’s dealing with. So a CD of Barry Adamson’s Oedipus Schmoedipus is presented in much the same way as a vinyl copy of Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal. The FT1 is an up-front, positive and quite energetic listen. It keeps a firm grip on the lower frequencies where attack and decay are concerned, so rhythms are expressed with confidence. There’s appreciable drive to its presentation, and a facility with dynamics that makes the up- and down-shifts in volume or intensity in a recording perfectly apparent.

Detail levels are respectable, even where the most minor and/or transient information is concerned. And the Philips discloses quite freely through the midrange, giving Doechii’s idiosyncratic delivery abundant character and attitude as well as revealing the goings-on of her technique and tone. This is further facilitated by the way the FT1 organises a soundstage – the midrange is nudged forwards, which further adds to both the intelligibility of voices and the overall sensation of direct communication.

Where tonality and frequency response are concerned, though, we’re on less solid ground. At the top of the frequency range the FT1 can quite readily become splashy and insubstantial, even at quite low volume levels – there’s a lack of body to treble sounds that never quite becomes edginess or hardness, but certainly serves to make the top end sound a little flimsy.

At the opposite end there’s no shortage of low-frequency substance, and a fair amount of tonal and textural variation – but there’s a sense of remoteness to the bass, a lack of unity with the frequency information above it that makes it sound a little distant.

The ability to stream wirelessly to headphones or speakers, or to physically connect to a system of some sort, is of course very welcome. But if you’re switching between the two you’ll need to be prepared to ride the volume control (either in the app, on your wireless speakers/headphones, or your amplifier), because the FT1 is noticeably quieter through its line-level output than it is through its Bluetooth equivalent.

• Sound quality score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Design

• 130 x 420 x 370mm (HxWxD, without dust cover)
• Plastic shell contains 20% recycled materials
• Detachable clear plastic dust cover

You can’t expect the Earth when ‘design’ is concerned when it’s obvious Philips has devoted the bulk of its budget to piling on the features – and sure enough, the FT1 is as pragmatic a piece of design as you’re likely to encounter.

The main box, on which the turntable platter sits (and in which the CD-related stuff lives) is built of hard, extremely glossy black plastic that features a fair amount of recycled post-consumer material. It’s shiny and reflective, as is all too obvious from my photographs – and even though the detachable dust cover is clear, rather than black, it’s just as keen to pick up fingerprints as the rest of the device.

Although the dust cover of my review sample doesn’t sit absolutely centrally on the plinth (it’s offset to the right just about enough to trigger my latent OCD), there’s no arguing with the standard of construction and finish here. Nothing feels vulnerable, even though the entire unit weighs less than 4kg, and the CD tray opens and closes smoothly.

The FT1 isn’t absolutely silent when it’s loading a disc or the turntable’s ‘auto start’ feature kicks in as the tonearm is taken from its rest and moved over the vinyl – but keep the asking price uppermost in your mind and there’s really not that much to take meaningful issue with here.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: usability and set-up

• Control app and physical buttons
• Auto-start and -stop
• Rapid Bluetooth pairing

Setting up the Fidelio FT1 is neither complex nor taxing. The die-cast aluminium platter needs to be put on its spindle, and the belt that’s attached needs to be put over the drive pulley. The tonearm needs its counterweight to be fitted and adjusted – Philips recommends a tracking weight of 1.5g or so. There’s a guard on the cartridge which needs to be removed. That’s your turntable section ready to go – for CD playback, just remove the transport tape holding the drawer closed and that’s all you need to do.

The FT1 can be hard-wired to an amplifier using stereo RCA connections – make sure the integrated phono stage is switched either on or off, depending on the input you’re connecting to. There’s a 3.5mm analog output on the rear panel too (not the most convenient location, but let’s not get bogged down in that), in case you’d like to connect a pair of wired headphones. Otherwise, the Philips can be quickly and easily paired with wireless speakers, wireless headphones or any other kind of Bluetooth receiver.

Control of the system is available via some physical buttons on the plinth. There’s a relatively big ‘power on/off’ button and a speed-control dial (choose between 33.3 and 45rpm). In addition, there are buttons handling Bluetooth pairing, source selection, Auracast, play/pause, and the opening and closing of the CD drawer.

The FT1 can be integrated into the Philips ‘Entertainment’ app, too. Here you’re able to duplicate the functions of the physical controls (apart from ‘power on/off’, weirdly), adjust volume, programme the CD player, adjust the clock or set a timer, check for software updates and plenty more besides. It’s not the most intuitive app around, in all honesty, but stick with it and it proves very useful indeed.

• Usability and setup score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Value

• Three separates in one, plus Bluetooth transmission
• If you can deal with a few sonic shortfalls, it's a lot of kit for the money

On the face of it, it’s hard to argue with the value represented by swapping $349 / £269 for an automatic turntable with integrated phono stage and CD player, especially not one that’s a Bluetooth transmitter and Auracast device too.

But of course, you didn’t buy the Fidelio FT1 just to admire its specification (or to constantly be dusting its high-gloss finish), did you? If you can live with its insubstantial treble response and, to a lesser extent, with its rather remote way with the low frequencies though, the Philips has plenty going for it.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

It's impossible to take issue over the plentiful separates built into a single chassis

5/5

Sound quality

There are a few compromises to be made here, but again, for the money there's still a lot to like

3.5/5

Design

A lot of glossy black plastic and it's a shade off rock-solid in terms of build quality, but it's all here and it all works well

4/5

Usability and setup

The turntable setup is well-explained and simple and the app, although not the most intuitive, is ultimately a a good and useful addition

5/5

Value

Accept its insubstantial treble response (and it's admittedly remote way with bass) and the Philips has a lot to recommend it

4/5

Buy it if...

You want multi-format convenience
Here’s a turntable, a CD player and a Bluetooth transmitter in a single shiny box

You own Bluetooth speakers and/or wireless speakers
You can connect the FT1 to a traditional system using stereo RCA cables, but where’s the fun in that?

You enjoy full-bodied low-frequency response
They may not get on with the rest of the frequency range all that well, but the FT’s bass sounds are deep, well-controlled and detailed

Don't buy it if...

You’re not particularly houseproud
The ‘none more shiny’ finish of the FT1 needs constant attention if it’s going to stay clean

You’re sensitive to high-frequency response
The Philips system is strangely boneless and insubstantial at the top end

You’re going to switch between wired and wireless use
There’s a fair discrepancy between the output volume of the Philips in one state compared to the otherView Deal

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: also consider

The beauty of the Fidelio FT1 is that it’s currently Number One in a field of very, very few - and certainly the ‘Philips’ badge is more credible that that worn by any of its nominal competitors. So unless you want to trust your vinyl collection to a brand you’ve either never heard of or that has a less-than-stellar reputation, the FT1 is probably the way to go.

That's unless you can stomach the idea of a Bluetooth-equipped turntable – the Sony PS-LX310BT is a particularly impressive example, the Majority Folio is also worthy of a look – and an affordable CD player as a separate purchase. But then, of course, you can’t stream your CDs wirelessly…

How I tested the Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

• Tested over the course of three weeks
• Tested its vinyl and CD performance, wired and wirelessly

Naturally I listened to both vinyl and compact discs during the course of my testing. I connected the FT1 wirelessly to a pair of matching Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers (review incoming!), and I also connected it to my reference system using RCA cables and with its integrated phono stage switched on.

I used it with wired and wireless headphones. That’s the thing about products with as much functionality as this – it takes ages to investigate every aspect of their performance…

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read more about how we test

Zettlab D6 Ultra: 30-second review

The world of NAS systems has been turned on its head in the past couple of years, with Ugreen entering the fray aggressively and Synology walking away from the prosumer market.

In what appears to be an attempt to rekindle the same spark that propelled Ugreen, ZettLabs is launching a range of NAS on Kickstarter, with a focus on personal AI.

Having already launched two ARM-based NAS, the D4 and D6, the two new AI models use Intel processors and are the six-bay D6 Ultra reviewer here, and an eight-bay D8 Ultra. These are both available through a pre-order system and can be purchased either barebones with no memory or with DDR5 pre-installed.

At the heart of the D6 Ultra is the Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H, a series 100 processor that first appeared in laptops back in late 2023.

This platform is powerful enough to handle the six conventional drive bays, the dual 10GbE LAN ports, and the dual USB4 ports that this NAS offers. The memory installed model comes with 32GB of DDR5, but this can be upgraded to 96GB for those who can afford 48GB modules.

Where this diverges from other six-bay NAS is that, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H and its Intel AI Boost capabilities, this system can host LLM AI models and run them in isolation. AI is a niche requirement, but those who don’t use AI are still going to get a fast, powerful NAS to share files, make backups, and interact with Cloud services.

With this level of system-resident functionality in a NAS, the price is higher than that of a conventional 6-bay NAS, so it will only be of interest to those who want its AI capabilities. However, Zettlabs aren’t the only NAS maker offering the hosting of local AI models, and the general features of ZettOS aren’t at the same level as more established solutions.

I wouldn’t write off the Zettlab D6 Ultra as one of our best NAS devices in years to come, but the operating system needs to mature before that happens.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Zettlab D6 Ultra: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $1680
• When is it out? On pre-order
• Where can you get it? Direct from Zettlab

This Zettlab D6 Ultra is currently on pre-order from the company's website and comes in two variants, with and without memory. The version I tested for this review came with 32GB of DDR5 memory and costs $1679.99, and the same hardware without that RAM is only $1079.99.

That’s either a reflection of how much RAM costs these days, or how much Zettlab is willing to charge you for it. As I was able to find Crucial 16GB SODIMMs for around $150 on Amazon.com, taking the thirty seconds to populate this machine yourself could easily save you $300.

For those interested, the 8-bay D8 Ultra, is priced at $1319.99 with no memory, and $1919.99 for 32GB, which is a similar price differential for two memory modules.

What might be more problematic for Zettlab is that the Super Early Bird pricing of the Ugreen NASync iDX60011 Pro with 64GB of DDR5 is only $1559, while the MSRP is $2599.

The iDX60011 Pro is also a 6-bay NAS, built on Intel mobile silicon, but it uses the more powerful Core Ultra 7 255H, a modern 200-series processor.

I haven’t tried that NAS yet, but it arrived today, so soon I should have a baseline for comparing the two platforms. But on paper, the D6 Ultra does seem expensive when supplied with RAM, and the iDX60011 Pro has a potential performance advantage.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Zettlab D6 Ultra: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 5 125H 14 Cores 18 Threads (34 TOPS)

GPU:

Intel ARC

NPU:

Intel AI Boost (11 tops)

RAM:

32GB DDR5 (expandable to 96GB)

Internal Storage:

256GB SSD for ZettOS

SATA Storage:

6-bays (3.5 or 2.5 inch mechanisms)

M.2 Storage:

2-slots M.2 2280, 2242 or 2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDs

Ports:

2x USB4

1x USB3.2 Gen2 USB-A (10Gbps)

1x USB 2.0

1x HDMI 2.0b

2x SD card readers, SD4 and TF4

1x SFF-8654(PCIE4.0 x8)

Networking:

2x RJ45 10GbE LAN

OS:

ZettOS

Maximum Capacity:

6x 24TB SATA (152TB)

RAID Modes:

JBOD/Basic/RAID 0/RAID 1/RAID 5/RAID 6/RAID 10

PSU:

20V 12A 240W

Dimensions:

256 x 237 x 186 mm (LxWxH)

Weight:

5kg

Zettlab D6 Ultra: Design

• Solid construction
• Great port selection
• Minor tweaks needed

The design and layout of the D6 Ultra aren’t radical, but the chassis's all-metal construction suggests this is a machine with a long life ahead.

However, if this NAS had been entirely metal, it would be exceptionally heavy, and the six drive trays are made of plastic.

Curiously, the trays are labelled A through F and are not numbered. What’s nice about the tray design is that for 3.5-inch drive installations, no tools or screws are required. What I didn’t care for is that they don’t include any sort of locking mechanism, and triggering them to open requires only a light press.

Given the utter chaos that disconnected drives can cause in a running system, these drive trays need locks or a mechanism to prevent all trays from opening accidentally.

A feature of all Zettlab NAS is the 3.49-inch display at the bottom left of the fascia, which shows drive status, network IP address, and more. Most people will need to get reasonably close to read the information from this display, but it’s a good alternative to flashing LEDs.

Also on the front are two card readers, one is SD4.0 and the other TF4.0, covering both common card types. And alongside those are a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port and a USB4 Type-C port. A feature that initially confused me was the button on the far right of the fascia, which I easily assumed powered the NAS up. It doesn’t.

The power button is on the back, out of the way. The button on the front is designed to initiate copying files from SD cards and USB ports to the internal storage.

On the rear are another USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, another USB4 port, a USB 2.0 port, dual 10GbE LAN ports, and an HDMI out. These are all to be expected on a NAS at this price point, but what I’ve not seen before is the SFF-8654, a port built to provide an external connection for PCIE4.0 card with 8 lanes.

Using that port, it should be possible to connect an external GPU, expand the storage, or install a 25GbE network adapter. While there isn’t the physical room inside the NAS for a full-sized video card, the SFF-8654 enables one to be outside with enough bandwidth to the system to be useful.

Based purely on the included ports, the specification of this machine was carefully designed to please those who use NAS systems to their fullest potential.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

My only concern about the hardware is that a few minor details suggest the D6 Ultra changed extensively during development, and the industrial engineers involved struggled to keep up with those modifications.

An obvious mistake I noticed was that the magnetically attached filter that covers the fans on the back doesn’t fit correctly. It’s too small, and slides down when attached.

Another is that, underneath the NAS, there is an access panel that provides access to the two M.2 and two SODIMM memory slots. The plate that covers this has four screws retaining it, when one or two screws would have been sufficient.

That’s a minor thing, but what’s more of an issue is that Zettlab provides two thermal pads to place on M.2 drives to connect them thermally to the skin of the D6 Ultra. Unfortunately, these pads are far too thick, and if four screws are tightened down, they could put excessive pressure on the NVMe drives to the mainboard, causing damage.

This configuration also doesn’t account for NVMe SSDs that have a heatsink attached.

I hope the filter and the thermal pads both get addressed when the D6 Ultra next has a version change, because the cost of this NAS dictates that the details are right.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Zettlab D6 Ultra: Features

• Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
• 28 PCIe Lanes
• Intel Deep Learning

For many years, NAS makers almost exclusively used either ARM SoCs or, occasionally, low-power Intel chips like the Atom or Celeron series.

The design logic for this was sound, since moving data from SATA drives doesn’t require much computing power.

What’s happened more recently is that the app installations on NAS have become much more sophisticated, with Virtual Machine and Docker containers being used, but also now we’re transitioning into an era where NAS are AI nodes curating the data they hold.

As a result, we’re seeing more machines like the D6 Ultra, which use repurposed mobile platforms like the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, a processor with 14 cores, a 7 Xe core GPU, and dedicated AI silicon.

This is far from the most powerful CPU that I’ve seen in a NAS, but the functionality that it inherently comes with because of this Meteor Lake generation processor casts a long shadow over those NAS designs still relying on ARM CPUs or Intel N300 chips.

The AI component in the Core Ultra is an important aspect that elevates it above lesser Intel silicon and ARM SoCs, but the feature of this hardware that has a greater impact, I’d suggest, is the 28 PCIe lanes.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Zettlan support documentation helpfully reveals how those lanes are allocated, taking the guesswork out of how the bandwidth pie is sliced up.

For starters, each of the two M.2 SSDs is configured as PCIE 4.0 x4, which could make them capable of up to 7,000Mbps transfers if used directly as storage. That’s eight lanes, and a further four are given over to the 10GbE LAN ports, with two lanes per port.

That’s twelve used up, another eight are allocated to the SFF-8654, and two are used for the SATA interface that the hard drives attach to. That leaves two lanes for the card readers and other minor requirements. It’s my understanding that the USB ports are all inherent to the CPU, so they don’t need PCIe lanes, but I could be wrong about that.

If all that is accurate, then this is one of the few NAS I’ve tested where most of the PCIe bandwidth is utilised, on a platform that has plenty to hand out.

However, this technical achievement isn’t the focus of the Zettlab marketing, because the favourite buzzword of the moment is AI, and the Core Ultra 5 does bring reasonable offerings to the AI table.

Where the D4 and D6 models have ARM processors with 6 TOPS (Trillions/Tera Operations Per Second) of AI processing, the D6 Ultra and its Intel Core Ultra 5 125H have 34 TOPS. That number is a combination of the CPU, GPU, and NPU, with Intel’s AI Boost silicon contributing 11 TOPS to the total.

That’s significantly better than the ARM chips, although compared with the likes of the Nvidia high-end GPUs, like the RX 5090, which can muster 3,352 TOPS, it's still at the modest end of the scale. However, this NAS is sufficient for running local AI models, and using the SFF-8654 port, external GPUs can be added to significantly bolster AI capability.

Overall, the hardware in the D6 Ultra is impressive, even if Intel has released better chips since the Meteor Lake era.

• Features: 3.5 / 5

Zettlab D6 Ultra: Software

• ZettOS
• ZettAI

Since the likes of Synology, Qnap and Asustor all have mature NAS operating systems, the best comparisons can be made between ZettOS and Ugreen’s evolving UGOS Pro operating system.

My immediate reaction to ZettOS was that even in this early stage, it has features that took at least six months or longer to appear on UGOS Pro, and a much better app selection.

These include support for Docker and Virtual Machines, media tools, Home Assistant, Plex, Jellyfin, Unifi, and a collection of developer tools.

While I’d have expected to see more software development options, the inclusion of Docket and VM provides an easy means to add those things either with a container or a VM of a desktop Linux distro.

I’m not a huge fan of the red, yellow, green dots for window controls, aping Apple; the Web interface is relatively clean and doesn’t require supporting documentation to navigate.

But there are a few significant holes in the feature selection of the OS, most notably with respect to security. At the time of writing, there is no 2FA, limiting access to the machine via a login and password, and if you use the Windows Zettlab AI NAS app, those are both stored on the client PC. It is possible to use a Zettlan Remote ID to connect to the NAS externally, using the Zettlab cloud portal.

I was a little shocked by some of the security choices made for this unit when I discovered that by default, the FTP server functionality was active. That’s not typically considered a wise move, and admins only activate that feature when they’ve put in place controls to avoid it being externally exploited.

Another area where this NAS OS veers slightly off the beaten path is its file system, which, to my understanding, is a proprietary one developed by Zettlab. Those expecting the choice of Ext4 or BTRFS will be disappointed, and I don’t think the current file system supports a hybrid structure with drives of different sizes. For sharing, SMB and NFS are supported, but I didn’t see any means to format USB-connected storage. In fact, all the external drives I connected, either to USB 3.2 or USB4 ports, were ignored. Eventually, I got a thumb drive that appeared to be formatted in FAT32, but drives that were preformatted in exFAT or NTFS were not recognised. That’s a feature that needs to be made a priority, I’d suggest.

Having two 10GbE LAN ports offers some great network bandwidth, but there currently aren’t any link aggregation or failover options to leverage the full potential of them.

In my tests, the USB4 ports did not work in host mode, although this feature, I believe, is promised. The USB-C ports did charge my laptop, at least.

The HDMI port does nothing currently, not even showing the Linux boot.

During my time with this machine, it underwent two firmware updates, suggesting that the software developers are backfilling functionality that’s either missing or not working optimally.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Software: 3.5/5

Zettlab D6 Ultra: Performance

• Network performance
• External drives limitation
• AI models

For my testing, I used six IronWolf 4TB drives and allocated them into a RAID 10 pack for the best possible speed available. And to enhance that further, I allocated one Crucial P3 NVMe drive as a 1TB cache.

Like with many NAS, for whatever reason, a single drive can only be allocated to caching reads, and it takes two modules to cache reading and writing. I didn’t have two spare M.2 drives, so I went with the cached reading instead.

Over a single 10GbE, the read throughput hit over 900MB/s, which is excellent. As there is no link aggregation on the network ports, that’s realistically as fast as it’s possible to go. Should host mode on the USB4 be made active, that should be capable of much faster speeds. But without caching, six hard drives hit a bandwidth ceiling of around 900MB/s, since each is only capable of about 150MB/s. For this reason, unless you run SATA SSDs or have large M.2 cache drives for both reading and writing, there is little point in using the SFF-8654 port to add more or faster network ports.

And, in the support material, it states that “We currently do not natively support U.2 or U.3, but our machines can expand via the SFF-8654 interface.” Since SFF-8654’s function on some motherboards is to connect U.2 or U.3, that seems an odd choice.

As I mentioned earlier, external drives' functionality is incomplete, and without support for NTFS and exFAT, it's extremely limited in what it can be used for. I also found it disappointing that if the system didn’t recognise the file format, it didn’t offer to format it into one it was happy to work with.

That fun was as if nothing compared to the adventure of using this NAS as an AI local platform.

Inherently, the D6 Ultra and D8 Ultra support a local LLM model that can analyse whatever documents you put on the NAS, providing a chatbot interface to work with the contents.

If that sounds great to you and you have lots of files you need to navigate with AI logic, then right out of the box, this might be the NAS for you.

When the processing of the local model occurs is configurable, so that it doesn’t step on current tasks like file serving.

What’s great about this functionality is how automatic some of it is. After loading some prior review content folders onto the NAS, I discovered that the LLM had created a photo album based on the files and the subjects that it saw in the images. It could then also answer questions about the files, revealing the knowledge it has gained processing them.

Or rather, that’s what is implied. Except when you ask it in the AI chat window, it wants you to specifically say which files it should check, which isn’t super-helpful.

I should also say that the default ZettAI created by Zettlab, I assume, was poor at some general AI tasks, like history.

To further explore this feature, I looked at all the models that the system has available to install. These included four variants of Gemma, the Google AI, four flavours of Phi, the open-source Small Language Models (SLMs) created by Microsoft, two more QwQ models made by the Owen Team, two DeepSeek-R1 models, and a couple of Meta-made Llama models.

It’s possible to load and use each of these, though they range in size from about 2GB to more than 4GB, and some use plenty of memory.

I tried a number of them, and to put it mildly, my mileage varied considerably.

What I learned was to not ask DeepSeek about history, since it failed the most basic questions about historical events.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Its collection of the Kings and Queens of England was horrifically wrong, with it deciding that Queen Elizabeth I reigned from 1237 to 1558, which would have easily made her the oldest person ever recorded, if it were true. For those wondering, her reign lasted from 1558 to 1603.

Realizing what a rich mine of alternative information DeepSeek could be, I then asked about which US presidents died in office, and it completely messed up that challenge. It said ten presidents had died while in office, whereas the right answer is eight. It got the names of those eight wrong, included people who died after they left office, and insisted that three presidents died while hunting.

ZettaAI did a better job of the King's question, although not perfect, as it left out Harold, who died at Hastings. But it entirely messed up the dead Presidents, leaving out Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, Warren G. Harding and even John F. Kennedy. Then it included Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, none of whom died in office. Out of eleven U.S. presidents it provided, the only ones it got right were William Henry Harrison and William McKinley.

I’m sure it’s possible to find subjects that these AIs are much better with than Western history, but the point is that if you were a student using these tools for homework exercises, you could be in deep, deep trouble.

To be clear, the effectiveness of these models, or not, isn’t a reflection on the Zettlab D6 Ultra, but the nature of AI technology, and its value to those expecting it to come back with generally correct answers.

When I questioned the ZettAI about how Abraham Lincoln wasn’t in the list of Presidents in one of those who were assassinated, it tried to say that the list of those who died in office didn’t include those who were killed, even though that was not a context I created. Then contradicting itself, it also argued that Lincoln died of Pneumonia, caused by the gunshot, but not directly from the assassination. This appears to be a riff on the concept that guns don’t kill people; complications from gunshot wounds kill people.

In short, if you are expecting something as powerful as datacentre AI in a small box on your desktop, you might need to scale that objective back that thinking somewhat, though as models improve, it might become an invaluable tool.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Zettlab D6 Ultra: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There are some positive things to say about the D6 Ultra, since, for a NAS platform in the earlier stages of development, ZettOS is already reasonably sophisticated.

Where more questions exist is in the value of AI on hardware like this, because, as nice as a Core Ultra 5 CPU is, it's hardly a data centre. Depending on the size of the dataset you wish to use with the AI, this could be a highly responsive and productive solution, or something painfully slow to access.

I’m aware that even more powerful NASs are coming along that can outperform the D6 Ultra, although if an external GPU were added to this platform, it might be quicker. What’s not a guess is that if you added an RTX 5090 to this machine externally and gave it 96GB of RAM to run its models, this could be an impressive local AI solution, but the system's cost would be a minor part of the total expenditure.

Given the power of datacentre AI solutions, a solution like the D6 Ultra is likely to interest only those who want to use models experimentally or isolate the development of an AI platform from the Internet.

But I have to question how cost-effective this would be in the long term, should the model reach a level of complexity where the NAS struggles to run it interactively to achieve the level of performance you might want.

Should the AI bubble burst and people realise that it's of limited use for many tasks, at least this hardware is sufficient to be an excellent file server and media system.

Should you buy a Zettlab D6 Ultra?

Value

Expensive option, especially with RAM

3.5 / 5

Design

Metal constuction but no tray locks

3.5 / 5

Features

Powerful CPU with plenty PCIe lanes

4 / 5

Software

A work in progress that needs more security features

3.5 /5

Performance

A quick platform with bags of potential

4 / 5

Overall

AI is unconvincing, but ZettOS could be great with some development

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want to explore AI on a NAS
The Zettlab D6 Ultra is AI-agnostic, allowing the deployment of a wide range of LLMs and even use as an AI test environment. It also has the potential to become much more powerful in this respect, using an externally connected GPU.

You have data to deep-dive
Using the provided AI tools, you can hand the local AI on the D6 Ultra a large amount of data, in photos, documents, or other file formats, and have the LLM look for relationships and patterns. You can even use it to create AI agents to alert you to things seen in newly added data.

Don't buy it if...

You want proper security
At this phase in the development of ZettOS, security doesn’t have the priority that many NAS users expect. While these things are likely to be added, security on ZettOS currently doesn’t support two-factor authentication, WORM volumes, or approved client IP/Mac addresses. At this time, it's purely user/group-level security using passwords.

You need hybrid RAID or Ext4
The RAID models supported by ZettOS are the basic ones most are familiar with, which include JBOD, 0,1, 5, 6 and 10. What this file system can’t cope with is drives of different capacities, and it doesn’t use a familiar file system such as Ext4 or BTRFS. View Deal

For more NAS solutions, these are the best NAS hard drives we've reviewed.

Romeo is a Dead Man is an action game in which you play as a guy named Romeo Stargazer who - in the first five minutes - has his face ripped off by some kind of demonic creature, only to be saved from the brink of death by his time traveling scientist grandfather and enlisted into the FBI’s Space-Time Police division and reborn as a cyborg known as DeadMan. Your enjoyment of the game may hinge on whether or not you vibe with this bewildering setup.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: February 11, 2026

It’s a bonkers premise that could only come from developer Grasshopper Manufacture, and the oddball creative minds of Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda (killer7, No More Heroes, The Silver Case) and Ren Yamazaki (No More Heroes 3).

It’s quite appropriate, then, that Romeo is a Dead Man’s difficulty selection screen is presented as a literal box of chocolates, because you never really know what you’re going to get from a Grasshopper-developed game.

Romeo is a Dead Man is not a visually stunning tour de force for the action game genre. Its story that traverses time and space can be tough to follow along with, and its cast of utterly bizarre characters seems as random as they are deeply charming. It may even disappoint those looking for something as fleshed out as, say, a Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, with its relatively straightforward combat and short runtime.

Me, though? Outside of some wonky performance issues (and a somewhat disappointing final act), I greatly enjoyed almost every moment of Romeo is a Dead Man in the 12 hours it took me to finish the game. And I loved it even more when turning up the difficulty for a New Game Plus run, as that’s where the game really forces you to learn the nuances of its combat, varied enemy types, and the hilarious ‘Bastards’ summoning system (more on that in a bit).

It might not be your pick for game of the year, but considering it’s not a full-price title, I highly recommend Romeo is a Dead Man if you’re in the mood for a wonderfully weird action game that’ll stick in the memory long after you roll credits.

Killing the past, again and again

(Image credit: Grasshopper Manufacture)

So what is the deal with this Romeo fella? Long story short, he falls in love with a woman he finds injured on the road while out on patrol. She’s rather fittingly named Juliet, and after being rescued himself and enlisted with the Space-Time Police, Romeo learns that she’s an extraterrestrial capable of duplicating herself, adopting various powerful forms, and generally disrupting the flow of time. Hey, happens to the best of us, right?

Best bit

(Image credit: Grasshopper Manufacture)

Romeo is a Dead Man has a vibe all its own. My favorite thing about the game is that it's unashamedly unique in many aspects. The way it handles combat and its supporting systems is one thing, but the ambitious narrative that weaves together so many striking art styles is something that Grasshopper continues to excel at.

Thus, Romeo embarks on a quest (aided by the spirit of his grandpa, who assumes the appearance of a large patch on the back of Romeo’s jacket) to save space-time from Juliet and a menagerie of other very evil people.

It sounds utterly nonsensical, and that’s because it is, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for games developed by Grasshopper Manufacture. What’s here in Romeo is a Dead Man isn’t as immediately parseable as, say, No More Heroes or Lollipop Chainsaw, but it doesn’t reach the dizzying ‘what on earth is going on’ heights of killer7 or The 25th Ward.

Romeo is a Dead Man, like the No More Heroes series, is a third-person 3D action game, but it loves to play around with other styles. Your hub is a spacecraft called the Last Night, and here you’ll be presented with a top-down, 2D pixel-based art style.

The ship is a joy to explore between missions, as there are plenty of colorful NPCs you can interact with for some fun dialogue. You might even recognize a couple of them from past Grasshopper works. My favorite has to be GreenRiver, a woman with - and I promise I’m not joking here - an encyclopedic knowledge of Premier League football/soccer club Manchester United and its most iconic strikers.

Vamos!

(Image credit: Grasshopper Manufacture)

Jumping into combat, then - the thing you’ll be doing most in Romeo is a Dead Man - you’ll find gameplay that’s very easy to pick up, but deceptively tricky to master. Especially at those higher difficulties.

Playing like a mixture of No More Heroes and Shadows of the Damned, Romeo primarily attacks with melee and ranged weapons, of which there are four of each. The weapon types are your pretty standard affair at a surface level. On the melee front, a balanced beam katana-like weapon is accompanied by a heavy but slow greatsword, and fast and agile fists, for example. Your ranged weapon options include a highly accurate pistol, as well as a shotgun, machine gun, and even a rocket launcher.

Going into Romeo is a Dead Man for the first time, I quite wrongly assumed that the ranged weapons wouldn’t feel nearly as useful or impactful as their melee counterparts. In actuality, they’re arguably your most essential option in combat.

Your standard zombie-like ‘Rotter’ enemies will tend to rush you down (some even plagued with nasty status effects) and thus are best dispatched with melee. However, more specialist enemy types that dot mobs in less frequent numbers will typically require you to shoot at weak points first for massive damage. These targets should take high priority, too; one is a ballerina-like monster that can buff all other enemies around it. While another can drop dangerous landmines in your vicinity.

Combat can be tough as you dance around mobs and prioritize certain enemy types. Rotters are largely fodder, but they effectively act as fuel for Romeo’s ‘Bloody Summer’, a devastating attack that does massive damage to anything it touches, which you’ll charge up by landing hits on enemies in the first place.

The game’s superb boss fights will then take everything you’ve learned - knowing when to attack and avoid, and carefully hunting for weak spots on these larger targets - and bookend each chapter with style. Bosses have terrifyingly grotesque designs and come with several mechanics and moves of their own you’ll need to learn. Especially, again, at those higher difficulty levels.

Bring in the Bastards

(Image credit: Grasshopper Manufacture)

Without a doubt, Romeo is a Dead Man’s weirdest, quirkiest, and most charming gameplay system is the ‘Bastards.’ You might want to sit down for this one. Bastards are zombie-like creatures (that honestly look alarmingly similar to killer7's Heaven Smiles) that you’ll grow and cultivate at home base on the Last Night.

They come with their own stats and parameters (such as attack power and cooldown rate), and a specialty to aid you in battle. During stages, you’ll collect Bastard seeds of three rarities, with the most desirable ones offering the most power, naturally.

By holding L1 and pressing another button, you can summon one of the four Bastards you’ve brought into a stage. There are so many different types, and almost all are useful and can help you form a playstyle all your own. One Bastard, for example, draws the attention of all enemies around it. Others still can freeze enemies, form a powerful energy beam between themselves and Romeo, and even plant a temporary weak spot on a foe.

There are tons of different Bastard types, to the point where I don’t think I even saw the majority of them in my initial 12-hour playthrough. You can even fuse two Bastards together, forming a new seed that, upon cultivation, will create a more powerful version based on those base Bastards’ stats.

It’s not the most straightforward system, but once I had my head around it, creating new and powerful Bastards almost felt like a game in and of itself. And with everything carrying over to New Game Plus (Bastards, Romeo’s stats, weapons, and more), there’s plenty of replay value to be had with Romeo is a Dead Man thanks to its fast-paced action and relatively short runtime.

Out of time

(Image credit: Grasshopper Manufacture)

There’s a decent amount of side content in Romeo is a Dead Man, too, often rewarding you with upgrade currency and badges that you can equip to give Romeo various effects in battle. Partway through the game, you’ll unlock a Boss Rush-style mode, as well as Palace Athene; a procedurally-generated dungeon of four scaling difficulties that you’ll gradually unlock throughout the story.

I found Palace Athene to be the weakest aspect of Romeo is a Dead Man. All difficulties of it share a pretty bland street-like aesthetic, and its narrow corridors can make dealing with enemies a real pain. Worst of all, though, these dungeons completely tank the game’s performance - likely due to the entire thing being rendered all at once. It’s horrendous to play at the highest difficulty setting, as that’s where the largest dungeons lie, and those are populated by the highest volume of enemies.

Another thing about Romeo is a Dead Man that, I think, could’ve been handled better is its closing chapters. The final two levels heavily reuse assets and locations found elsewhere in the game. And while the last couple of bosses are brilliant, the act of getting to them is a seriously painful gauntlet that completely ditches the often clever and semi-explorable design of earlier levels.

It’s something that really strikes me as odd; Romeo is a Dead Man is a self-published game. Which means Grasshopper, presumably, wasn't tied down by strict publisher deadlines. It’s a real shame, especially given the relatively high quality of the rest of the game. Well, bar one horror-themed stage that strips all your weapons away for a forced stealth section. Wasn’t too keen on that part, either.

Stages are often interspersed with trips to an alternate dimension known as Subspace, and I'd say these were the weakest parts of the game for me. While they do provide a nice break from combat, they can often drag on a bit too long with mazelike design and extremely simple puzzles. They get worse as the game progresses, too, as they tend to get longer with each passing stage.

These issues aside, I found plenty to love about Romeo is a Dead Man. As a huge fan of Grasshopper’s prior works, I certainly wasn’t let down by the game, and I’m happy to see the creative juices flowing once again at the developer. Especially after the rather rushed and divisive (but still mostly great) No More Heroes 3.

Romeo’s eclectic shifting of art styles, amazing soundtrack, the way it tells its story across cutscenes, comic books, even one or two visual novel-style sections - it all adds up to form a wonderfully unpredictable ride; one I really didn’t want to get off.

Should you play Romeo is a Dead Man?Play it if...

You feel the AAA space has gotten a bit bland
Romeo is a Dead Man is a sensational palette cleanser if you’ve gotten a bit sick of big-budget open-world games and the checklist-style design they often employ. By comparison, Romeo is an undiluted injection of fun, madness, and irreverence. It’s an extremely confident game that won’t be for everyone, but if you dig it, you won’t soon forget the time you spent playing it.

You want fast-paced combat with a twist
The Bastards system is a brilliant addition to combat in Romeo is a Dead Man, and can really help you overcome the game’s higher difficulties when used in creative ways. You’ll even randomly generate a name and hobby for them upon cultivation, lending a bit of personalized charm that makes me smile every time.

You like weird, offbeat stories
Romeo’s journey is far from simple, and the game has a story to back that up. It’s bizarre and unpredictable, but not so much that it comes off as contradictory or pretentious. A cast of intensely likeable characters, however minor, also really helps the story and its overall presentation.

Don't play it if...

You would’ve preferred a longer game
Romeo is a Dead Man is pretty lean, at around 12 hours long for a first playthrough on the standard difficulty setting. While I’d argue there’s plenty of replay value to be had (I’m halfway through my first New Game Plus run), the rather abrupt way the game wraps up could certainly leave you wanting more, as it did me.

Accessibility

There’s little in the way of dedicated accessibility options here. You can toggle melee and ranged weapon aim assists, and there are three distinct colorblind settings (protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia) available. You can also adjust the intensity of these colorblind options, too.

How I reviewed Romeo is a Dead Man

I completed Romeo is a Dead Man from start to finish in around 12 hours, on PlayStation 5. That playtime included the whole main campaign, all Palace Athene instances, some Boss Rush time, and heading off the beaten path to find optional upgrades and collectibles. I played the game with a DualSense Wireless Controller, on an LG CX OLED TV, and with my gaming headset of choice, the Nacon RIG 900 Max HS.

First reviewed February 2026

When celebrating the 40th anniversary of Super Mario, I expected something more substantial for gaming's most iconic character than Mario Tennis Fever. But even if it's not a brand-spanking new platformer, the ridiculous success of Mario Kart 8 means it would be unwise to dismiss a Mario spin-off.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: February 12, 2026

Mario sports spin-offs have always been a fun arcade sports alternative to the more serious simulations. But Fever feels like it takes the most inspiration from Mario Kart, while retaining the solid tennis mechanics of its predecessors to make for a more fulsome Nintendo Switch 2 game.

It also does the opposite of what Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash back on the Wii U failed to do, and that's layering these mechanics with a wide variety of content, whether that's different modes and challenges or just having a large roster of characters and fever rackets to unlock so that you can mix up and experiment with the combinations to keep the gameplay feeling fresh.

But with Mario fans having to make do with re-releases like Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, is Mario Tennis Fever going to be enough to satisfy those hankering for a truly new Mario title?

Courting with content

(Image credit: Nintendo)

As the first new Mario game for the Switch 2 since launch title Mario Kart World, Fever makes less of a strong case than the faux-pen world racer as an exclusive for Nintendo's new hardware.

Apart from the motion controls of Swing mode previously included in its Switch 1 predecessor, there's a lack of any hardware gimmicks or technical grunt. The most clear difference from previous instalments is that Fever gives more bang for your buck - as it should, being the most expensive Mario Tennis title to date.

The main menu is packed with different modes to play, and sometimes breaks down into further modes. For instance, Ring Shot from Mario Tennis Aces returns, but this time just as one of many other modes under Mix it Up. Here, even more unusual rules come into play, which are also linked to the themed court you're playing in.

For example, one court is designed like a pinball machine where you and the ball can get bounced off pinball bumpers that pop up from the ground or the side, while another is themed after Super Mario Bros. Wonder, where hitting a Wonder Flower causes random things to happen.

This does, however, mean the annoying Talking Flower is a character here, and actually serves as the commentator. You'll also find that even though there's an option to turn off commentary, there will still be times when you can't shut him up.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Although Adventure mode is short and largely consists of tutorials, its latter half does make up for it, where instead of just tennis matches, you've also got some fun boss fights to make use of your tennis skills to defeat. It's the closest you'll get to a Mario game.

If you're after something more traditional, Tournament mode offers different tiers of difficulty playable in singles and doubles. A more unconventional challenge, however, is Trial Towers, where you have to complete a run of pre-set challenges with just three lives, progress resetting once you've failed three times.

What makes these trials fun is that each challenge has its own conditions, and also gives you a different character to play as, a good way to force you to mix things up if you're usually only sticking with one or two characters.

That choice of how and who to play is arguably one of Fever's strengths, with a total roster of 36 characters to unlock, more if you take into account the different colour options of several characters, such as Yoshi. There's a nice sense of progression that you'll always be unlocking something new, be it a new character, court, or difficulty mode, especially as some of these come from just playing a set number of matches.

So even if you eat dirt in an online match, you can at least console yourself that it counts towards your goal of unlocking something else. Any piece of grayed-out content will also tell you what you need to achieve to unlock it, which helps with working towards ticking off your achievements.

Fever dream

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Adding to that variety is, of course, the introduction of Fever Rackets. The best way of describing it is basically if you put Mario Kart-style items into a tennis match. Once you fill up your Fever gauge, you can activate this on the next returning ball, while having a short window to aim where in the court for it to go, and create all sorts of shenanigans on the court for your opponent.

Flame Racket, for example, scatters flames around where the ball lands, but this is also different from the Fire Bar racket, which creates one of those iconic spinning fire bars on the ground. Then there are rackets that give you an advantage, like having a shadow double running away to return shots for you, or another where you instantly dash to impossible lengths to catch a returning shot.

While these rackets can disrupt and even cause damage to an opponent, they're also not meant to be an ace. Where Mario Tennis Aces could let you win a match by breaking an opponent's racket, a KO isn't an instant forfeit in Fever. It's also possible to counter fever shots by returning the ball before it lands on the ground, meaning you can return a fever racket's effects back to the other player, potentially building up a tense rally with the knowledge that the loser is going to have the disadvantage of mud, slippery ice, or worse to stick out at least the next point.

If you'd rather not do with the gimmicks, then you can also just play classic tennis, where in the ranked online mode, you can choose between singles and doubles modes with or without fever rackets, while on the other extreme, Free Play or custom online lobbies gives you the option to pick two fever rackets in a match then swap between them before a serve so you can change up tactics.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Where fever shots feel underutilised is in the game's Adventure mode, which is also on the short side, even though it has some lovely presentation, including several of the best-looking cinematics in a Mario game since Luigi's Mansion 3.

Even the premise, which finds Mario, Luigi, and Peach (as well as the no-good Wario and Waluigi) turning into babies, is a fun idea that also justifies having to train Baby Mario back to his prime through a role-playing game-style levelling system.

Unfortunately, this also means much of the campaign is a glorified tutorial where you're being taught (and occasionally quizzed) by multiple Toads in every aspect of tennis, with the fever mechanics reduced more to aiming at an enemy weak spot. While there are some well-designed minigames in this section, which can also be replayed on higher difficulties, it's deflating to discover that the adventure proper will have you racing through its world map in and the whole campaign over in about 4 hours.

It's not without some highlights, though if you've already dipped into some of the other modes, there'll also be a touch of deja vu in some of the challenges encountered. The consolation is that there is at least plenty more for you to do in Fever, even if you've rolled credits in Adventure mode.

Should you play Mario Tennis Fever?Play it if...

You're after a variety of content in a wacky arcade tennis game
Mario Tennis Fever keeps things fresh with a generous variety of content, from unlockable characters to unlockable fever rackets, so that you're never far away from having something new to play with and master.

You want a fun tennis game to play with friends
The tennis mechanics are simple enough that you can play with a friend out of the box with a single Joy-Con 2 each, either with in-button or swing modes. You can play against each other or together in doubles, and multiplayer supports up to four players local or online, and even using Game Share locally, where only the host needs to own the game.

Don't play it if...

You're after a deep Adventure mode campaign
While there's plenty to be unlocked just playing matches or the different modes on offer, if you're after a meaty story mode, then you may find it short-lived when it's over in a few hours.

Accessibility features

Mario Tennis Fever doesn't have accessibility settings specifically, but its settings do allow for adjustments, such as performing moves like lobs and drop shots as one-button inputs, which you can assign to the bumpers or triggers. The camera position can also be adjusted between standard and raised perspectives, and you can also set which racket hand your character is using in both button and swing modes.

(Image credit: Nintendo)How I reviewed Mario Tennis Fever

I played Mario Tennis Fever for about 15 hours on Nintendo Switch 2, which included completing Adventure mode and unlocking a substantial amount of content over 100 matches across different modes. This also included playing some local and online multiplayer matches, but not its Game Share functionality.

I played primarily in docked mode on an LG C2 OLED TV with the default TV speakers. I played mostly with a Switch 2 Pro Controller, but also tested it in handheld mode, as well as the Joy-Con 2 for swing mode.

First reviewed February 2026

Atlantic.net is one of the older brands in the web hosting industry. Founded in 1994, its history stretches even further back than common consumer-oriented hosts like GoDaddy and IONOS. It was also among the earliest providers of cloud hosting.

Today, Atlantic.net boasts formidable infrastructure, operating from data centers spanning the globe and covering multiple regions from New York to Singapore.

Unlike most mass-market web hosts, Atlantic.net focuses on the more technical end of the spectrum. It offers cloud hosting, dedicated servers, GPU hosting, and specialized managed services. You can also get specialized options here, such as HIPAA and PCI hosting.

What types of hosting does Atlantic.net offer?

Aside from some typical hosting products most will recognize, like cloud hosting, the rest of Atlantic.net's product line is best described as either high-performance or meant for control and compliance. These primarily affect companies with specific regulatory, privacy, or other needs.

Cloud hosting

(Image credit: Future)

Atlantic.net's cloud hosting range is the most recognizable and should suit everyone, from regular users to developers and SMEs. It's also the most flexible, offering scalability from micro (1 CPU, 2GB RAM, Linux at $8/mo) to "wow" (32 CPUs, 192GB RAM, Linux at $816/mo).

This is surprisingly cheap compared to other cloud providers like DigitalOcean and VULTR, where plans with the same specifications cost $10/mo (the same at both providers). And that's not even mentioning Cloudways, which offers a managed Cloud at those same specs for $278/mo.

Pricing is also daily flexible, with customers able to choose between on-demand, 1-year, and 3-year terms. Naturally, the 3-year term option offers the greatest price reduction. You can also choose Windows-based cloud plans, but they cost more due to licensing fees.

Cloud hosting plans are also sub-categorized to cater to those with specific needs. This includes storage-optimized, memory-optimized, and compute-optimized plans. Each of these plans have their resource allocations tweaked to best serve your needs.

GPU cloud hosting

(Image credit: Future)

In the booming age of AI, GPUs have become more essential than ever before. If you're dabbling in this area, Atlantic.net offers a good range of NVIDIA-based GPU cloud hosting plans. The plans start at 32 CPU and 192GB of RAM with a single NVIDIA L40S card and range up to 224 CPU and 1920GB of RAM with 8 NVIDIA H100NVL cards.

Prices for these plans are naturally hefty (from a consumer's perspective) and start at $1058/mo on 3-year terms. At the upper end of the scale, expect to pay up to $19,262/mo on the same terms.

Dedicated hosting and bare metal

(Image credit: Future)

Atlantic.net's dedicated hosting plans start at pretty modest levels. That means servers with 6 cores, 8 threads, and 128GB of RAM for $266/mo on 3-year terms. At the high end of the scale are servers with 32 cores, 64 threads, and 1TB of RAM for $1,895/mo on the same terms.

Bare-metal servers are priced lower, with the starter server offering 6 cores, 12 threads, and 64GB of RAM for $138/mo (sale price). On the other end of the scale, it goes to 64 cores, 128 threads, and 256GB of RAM for $495/mo. You can also reach out to them to create a customized server that fits your requirements.

Specialized hosting plans (HIPAA and PCI)

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike regular web hosting plans that are loosely marketed by many service providers, specialized offerings like HIPAA and PCI hosting are beasts of an entirely different nature. You can't simply slap a "secure" label on a standard server and call it compliant.

Atlantic.net builds these environments from the ground up to pass audits and is one of the few providers willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which legally binds them to protect your data. That's one of the most critical requirements for any HIPAA-compliant application.

Atlantic.net's HIPAA solutions offer pre-configured packages. These servers also include the full compliance stack (Firewall, VPN, Backups) for Windows or Linux servers. Prices range from $333/mo to $757/mo, with custom options available.

(Image credit: Future)

For those running ecommerce websites or online stores, PCI-compliance is where Atlantic.net shares your responsibilities. The company ensures that your hosting infrastructure (physical network, hardware, and OS) is secure, while you ensure your application code is compliant. Prices range from $416/mo to $6,872/mo.

How fast is Atlantic.net hosting?

Since Atlantic.net is currently offering new customers 1 year of free cloud hosting, we decided to go big and test a server with 4 CPUs and 8GB of RAM based in their Singapore data center. That was apparently a good choice, as we recorded some strong results in both core performance and resilience.

However, take these test results in context because, unlike most other hosts we test, this one had to be built and configured from scratch. That process alone took us two days (due to slight server-end technical hiccups), unlike shared hosting, where a few clicks will do.

WordPress benchmark testing (G3.8GB Plan)

CPU & Memory

Operations with large text data

10

Random binary data operations

8.2

Recursive mathematical calculations

7.4

Iterative mathematical calculations

9.55

Floating point operations

8.44

Filesystem

Filesystem write ability

9.28

Local file copy and access speed

9.5

Small file IO test

10

Database

Importing large amount of data to database

1.4

Simple queries on single table

6.12

Complex database queries on multiple tables

7.17

Object Cache

Persistent object cache enabled

0

Wordpress core

Shortcode processing

6.9

WordPress Hooks

8.83

WordPress option manipulation

8.18

REGEX string processing

7.94

Taxonomy benchmark

8.47

Object capability benchmark

9.08

Content filtering

4

JSON manipulations

7.03

Network

Network download speed test

9.63

Overall

Your server score

7.7

WordPress core benchmark scores were quite good, with strong results across all categories. However, the overall score of 7.7 wasn't particularly good compared to other unmanaged VPS providers, especially Bluehost.

Part of the reason for this is likely the lower CPU core speed of 2.5 GHz, which is slightly lower than what we see in most contemporary hosts. For example, Bluehost runs 4th-gen EPYCs at 2.7 GHz, while ScalaHosting sticks with Intel running at 3.6 GHz.

Siege test (G3.8GB Plan)

Concurrent users

5

9

15

Transactions

8582

10888

10584

Availability

100

100

100

Elapsed time

299.08

299.01

299.82

Data transferred

701.37

891.56

865.25

Response time

0.17

0.24

0.42

Transaction rate

28.69

36.41

35.3

Throughput

2.35

2.98

2.89

Concurrency

5

8.91

14.99

Successful transactions

8582

10888

10584

Failed transactions

0

0

0

Longest transaction

5.42

5.26

6.16

Shortest transaction

0.02

0.02

0.02

True to form, with decent server specs, Atlantic.net held up well under siege, passing all three tests with 100% availability. It also did so without specific load-balancing features configured, showing similar results for longest transaction times even at high loads.

Customer support

(Image credit: Future)

Atlantic.net's customer support offers a "High Touch" approach that gives customers direct access to engineers, rather than navigating a maze of chatbots and menus.

This was proven during our test of their systems when he encountered issues with server provisioning. We sent a message to the support team from our customer dashboard and received a response within an hour.

The support staff at Atlantic.net knows what they're doing, and when first-line assistance can't help, problems are automatically escalated to the proper technical department. Our server provisioning issues were caused by a technical fault at their data center, and engineers worked overnight to resolve the complex issue within 12 hours.

You get several support channels here, including phone, email, a ticket system, and live chat. The support channels are available 24/7. However, it's essential to understand that support is available at several tiers, depending on the packages you purchase.

For self-help, there is a blog section that covers some content, but we find it a little unstructured and challenging to access. Seeking an answer from Google seemed faster - even if the answer leads you back to Atlantic.net's content. There is, however, very visible and extensive API documentation covering everything from authentication to DNS.

Who should use Atlantic.net?

Server deployment at Atlantic.net is fairly easy. (Image credit: Future)

Atlantic.net is a little special from our point of view. It's unlike Cloudways, which comes with an excellent server management dashboard. However, it's unlike a typical cloud provider because it lets you deploy servers that are fully configured to run specific apps, such as WordPress. You can even choose the deployment framework, such as a traditional LAMP stack or Docker.

That makes it technically usable by a broad range of users, while also being highly flexible in its options. Here, though, we have to insert a massive caveat. While deploying a WordPress-ready server (for example) works in a pinch, you'll still need technical skills to manage it. Imagine having to handle server security hardening, package updates, and everything else via the command line, and you'll get the idea.

Learning to manage your server via Linux command line may not be everyone's cup of tea. (Image credit: Future)

At the end of the day, the overall vibe it gives off is highly technical and professional. Because of this, we feel that Atlantic.net is suitable for either those with more niche requirements or, at the very least, certain categories of individuals with a decent level of technical skills, such as developers, system administrators, and the like.

So, who do we recommend it for? Here's a short list:

Healthcare Organizations and MedTech Startups: This is the group that will find Atlantic.net the most vital. Specific products here help them to solve a complex problem. For example, in healthcare, the biggest hosting headache isn't technical, but legal compliance.

SMEs without IT Teams: Thanks to managed services, Atlantic.net becomes accessible to a much broader market. SMEs that need more robust hosting but lack technical backing can rely on these services to move forward.

Ecommerce and Fintech Companies: The vital points to consider here are security and, again, compliance. Atlantic.net's PCI-Ready hosting options make this abundantly clear. Additionally, the 100% Uptime SLA and scalability can prove lifesavers during the sales season.

Final verdict

It would be a mistake to take Atlantic.net as your run-of-the-mill cloud provider. It's highly scalable and flexible, plus gives relatively non-technical customers some quality-of-life tools to make cloud hosting more manageable.

But don't expect it to be as simple to manage as Cloudways. That makes sense as well, since Atlantic.net charges significantly less. Almost half as much as Cloudways, plus Atlantic.net throws in more system resources.

For those seeking a middle ground between affordability and ease of use, Atlantic.net is definitely worth looking into.

Atlantic.net FAQIs Atlantic.net HIPAA compliant?

Yes, Atlantic.net is HIPAA compliant. It offers a fully audited HIPAA-compliant hosting environment and is willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). This document is required by law to share liability for protecting patient data. Their compliance stack includes encrypted VPNs, off-site backups, and intrusion detection systems.

Where are Atlantic.net’s data centers located?

Atlantic.net claims to operate a global network of data centers to ensure low latency and compliance with local regulations. However, when we signed up for a cloud plan, our options seemed limited to various US locations plus Singapore.

Will Atlantic.net help me migrate my existing website or application?

Atlantic.net claims to operate a global network of data centers to ensure low latency and compliance with local regulations. However, when we signed up for a cloud plan, our options seemed limited to various US locations plus Singapore.

How does the billing work for Atlantic.net cloud VPS?

Atlantic.net uses a per-second billing model for its cloud platform that's similar to Cloudways. While there is a set monthly fee, that's more of an upper-end cap. The reality is that you only pay for the exact time your server is running (not the time it's idle).

Does Atlantic.net support Windows or just Linux?

Atlantic.net is one of the few remaining places that offer Windows-based plans, especially across almost its entire product range. That means Windows Server editions (2016, 2019, 2022) across both their Cloud VPS and Dedicated Server lines.

I’ve been reviewing monitors for a long time, and I think we may be officially in the era of 4K monitors being standard or near-standard, given how popular they are now. It’s hard to find monitors that aren’t 4K these days; however, that also means companies have been chasing the 4K badge for a while now, and in that race, some have lost focus on color accuracy.

For business users who don’t care about their red looking like the perfect red or their blacks being perfect black, or their magenta having the perfect hue, this may not be a big deal, but for those who work in the creative space, particularly in design, where colors are your world, accuracy and factory calibration are massive.

BenQ saw this and cares about this space, so they created the BenQ PD2706QN, focusing on achieving color accuracy in their pixels, making each pixel count rather than just chasing density.

For creatives and designers who work in photo editing, illustration, graphic design, and more, this is not just a welcome addition to the market, it is a gap BenQ just filled with ease. Expect this one to shortly appear in our round-up for the best monitors for photo editing.

BenQ offers this display with 95% DCI-P3 gamut coverage, factory-calibrated Delta E ≤ 2, certifications from the biggest names, a Nano Matte panel, a built-in USB-C hub, and still only QHD resolution. So, the question must be asked: Is this enough in 2026?

BenQ PD2706QN: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The BenQ PD2706QN retails for around $400, available at a range of online retailer - however at the time of review, it's discounted to $280 at Amazon.com.

In the UK, it's similarly widely available, with it priced at £300 at Amazon.co.uk.

For that price, it's a solid monitor. BenQ also offers higher-end PD displays with greater resolution for a few hundred dollars more, but if you don't need 4K, the PD2706QN may be the better choice.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )BenQ PD2706QN: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

BenQ has always excelled at build quality, striking an excellent balance between price and craftsmanship across every monitor I've tested. The PD2706QN features a functional stand that gets the job done—though I do miss their Ergo lineup. Since BenQ now sells dedicated monitor arms, I'll forgive this and consider using one across multiple displays.

Back to the individual display. It has great color, but we’ve talked about that. What I want to cover here is the Nano Matte display, the physical build, desk usability, and a few more design-specific points.

To kick it off, BenQ's Nano Matte display is absolutely phenomenal. The screen remains high-precision, blocks light beautifully, and reduces glare, even when direct light hits the display. Even when light hits the panel directly, color accuracy stays sharp and precise, making it easier to keep your projects as picture-perfect as possible, whether you are editing during the day or at night.

The physical build of this panel is clean and professional without being boring or dated. It has relatively slim bezels and a matte black finish on the casing, keeping it looking professional and sleek. This is the kind of monitor you don’t feel the need to hide behind a wall, and you can showcase on your desk without it feeling too loud.

The stand is pretty good, too. I’ve not been a fan of basic monitor stands for quite some time now, but this one gets the job done. It’s nothing fancy, and I’d still prefer the ergo arms personally, but if you really want that feel, you can pop your monitor on a monitor arm like I usually do.

Some monitors feel premium, like the notorious Apple monitors, and other pro-tier monitors, and some feel cheap, like, well, I won’t name them here. The BenQ PD2706QN is a nice middle ground. It can blend in if needed, but it can also fit on a higher-end desk. Though odds are this tier display would be used on more budget-conscious setups.

BenQ PD2706QN: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The BenQ PD2706QN has been a great display for my team and I over the last three months. A member of my team or I have used it nearly daily over that span, and we have put it to the test and then some. This monitor has been used mostly for creative work, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Web Design, Video Editing in DaVinci Resolve, and more. It’s been great for ensuring color consistency across all projects. Even when moving from the connected MacBook Pro 16-inch display to this, we noticed almost no color differences, and if there were, they were negligible and didn’t slow us down at all when switching between mobile and docked work on this monitor.

Since BenQ emphasizes skin tone accuracy and shadow detail, we tested it extensively—not just in theory, but in real-world use. We work extensively with photos of people in our projects, so we edited them as we normally would using the PD2706QN and found that this panel reproduced a wide range of skin tones exceptionally well.

We also used this display as a reference monitor for a podcast recording, plugging the camera directly into the HDMI port to ensure we were in frame, properly focused, and had correct settings. Since BenQ included standard display inputs on this monitor, we easily switched between camera monitoring and editing—connecting our MacBook via USB-C, charging while connected, and switching between devices with the simple on-screen controls.

An upgrade over previous models, this unit offers a 100Hz refresh rate, making video playback and editing buttery-smooth. It’s not 120Hz, yes, but for our editing experience, we didn’t notice any massive loss in productivity or usability. I will say that for our 4K edits, we would cross-check some shots on the MacBook Pro display to confirm they looked good, but we were always pleased with the 4K output, even though we couldn’t fully appreciate it on this display.

Moving on, I used this monitor for some web design and coding. While it’s not a dedicated programming monitor like the BenQ RD280UG (Review Coming Soon, currently in progress), it does a great job of showing deep blacks in a terminal and even in a blank web design window.

For day-to-day productivity and business tasks, this monitor shines. It’s smooth, it looks great, there is no glare from the gorgeous Nano Matte coating, and the 100Hz refresh rate reduces eye strain, helping us use the panel all day with less fatigue than we would experience with other monitors. In our testing, we had users on this panel for admittedly 6 or even 9-hour days+ pretty frequently, with no excessive fatigue, discomfort, or desire to switch to another monitor.

BenQ PD2706QN: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

The BenQ PD2706QN occupies a smart position in the monitor market. It delivers factory-calibrated color accuracy that matches displays costing hundreds more, while staying practical for designers who don't need 4K resolution for their daily work.

After three months of real-world testing across photo editing, design work, and video projects, this monitor proved itself as a reliable workhorse. If you prioritize accurate, consistent color over pixel density, and want professional results without a professional price tag, the PD2706QN delivers exactly what it promises.

For more options, we've tested the best business monitors and the best monitors for video editing.

The Haworth Fern has two main design styles. One model has a headrest and a unique, adjustable lumbar support that moves up and down to help make it more comfortable for users. However, even though, on paper, this was great for some, it was not as popular as expected.

So, Haworth released a new variant with no headrest and no middle lumbar support, offering only the comfort built into the chair's backrest. I’m very glad that Haworth released the newer version. I was part of the group that wasn't a huge fan of the first model, but when I met the second model, I became a much bigger fan.

I have a love-hate relationship with headrests on ergonomic chairs, but for this one, it just wasn’t working with me. I also really appreciate the change-up for the lumbar support. The first one was good; some of my team even preferred the first version, but I am a bigger fan of the second.

Haworth Fern: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Haworth Fern starts at around $1200, with price alterations depending on the type of material use (mesh, digital knit, gradient knit, and leather), colors, and other features. Fully configured with 4D arms, an adjustable lumbar, a headrest, and premium materials, it costs $1,500 or more.

You can get it from the official US website, as well as other online retailers.

It's also available starting from £1190 from Haworth's UK website.

Compared to some in our guide to the best office chairs - think the Herman Miller Aeron (~$1,695), Embody (~$1,995), and Steelcase Gesture (~$1,200) - the Fern is competitively priced in the premium ergonomic market.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Haworth Fern: Unboxing and First Impressions

I’ve become really good at building chairs over the years of testing, but this one was by far the easiest I have ever built. All I had to do was cut open the box with my Grovemade Box opener, and then we were good to go.

The chair arrived completely assembled, with cardboard and padding protecting the base, and a bag wrapped around the chair itself.

Since I saved time on assembly, I was able to hop over and start testing the chair itself much faster. Right off the bat, I was thrilled with the design and the cool colorway, and even the material choice was great.

Haworth Fern: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This chair stands out. I’ve had a lot of chairs, and this one will stand out as unique. It’s impressive. It’s clean and sleek, yet has a cool pattern that makes it feel special. But at the same time, it looks like it could fit into either a home office or a traditional office setup. It has a traditional style and quality lumbar support, though the model I am focusing on has less lumbar support than the other variant of the same Fern chair. I chose no headrest and no lumbar addition for this one, as I, along with several others, prefer this model.

Haworth has a spectacular 3-part Wave Suspension System hidden within the otherwise simple backrest design. They use what they refer to as fronds, connected to a central spine, or central stem, to create a level of anchored support to then pair with the third layer of the Wave Suspension System, the cradle, adding a layer of supported comfort on top of everything, altogether creating an intentionally designed chair, not just a panel to lean against.

Even with all that said, the Fern has it all built into an otherwise unassuming design, blending in beautifully and offering refined comfort in a chair that isn’t obnoxious. The one thing Haworth was willing to be a bit standout-ish in was their choice of woven knit material. It’s noticeable when you get up close to the chair, and it’s great. It’s breathable, it’s comfortable, it’s soft and doesn’t scratch, yet it doesn’t feel like I’m sitting in my grandma’s sweater either. It’s a great material, and it works for all-day use.

Haworth Fern: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I don’t know about you, but it feels like work keeps getting busier and busier. Perhaps I’m doing it wrong, but gone are the days of wondering what I’ll work on next. I feel like I have a never-ending to-do list across the businesses I work with, my own business, and others. I sat down a few days in a row attempting to really focus on testing out this chair, and next thing I know it was hours later of getting things done, and I barely even remember anything about the chair.

Day two came around, and the same thing happened. Then, a third. At first, I felt bad that I wasn’t focusing on the chair, but then I realized that perhaps that’s the best possible note for review. I forgot I was using a chair. I stopped thinking about it. I just focused up and got work done. I wasn’t focused on gadgets or cool tricks, I didn’t have to adjust the chair over and over again, I didn’t have to keep playing with the lumbar support, nor adjust the headrest, I was able to sit back, get the tension set once, and then get to work.

Some chairs take a long time to get used to, to dial in, or to get “just right,” or maybe they’re great in some positions for some tasks but not for everything, so you feel like you need to frequently adjust or re-position, or maybe you desire a different chair for part of your day, depending on your working scenario. Thankfully, with the Haworth Fern, I haven’t experienced needing to change my seat around at all.

I can use this chair all day long, without needing or wanting to swap it out, even with the abundance of chairs around me. I was able to get my full testing in without any problems, and my team loves this chair too. I always test chairs and gear myself, and then have others test as well to ensure I’m not just an odd bird with what I like. My team loves the Fern. Some of my team members prefer the extra-lumbar version and the headrest version I got first, but most prefer the second model with standard lumbar and no headrest.

I like my chairs pretty tight. I like still being able to push back, but I want resistance, and quite a bit of it. This one gives me exactly that, which is great. For the times I wanted to stop, Haworth planned for that too and allowed the chair to be locked in a limited-range setting.

I also chose to get the tilt option. At first, I didn’t think I’d need it, but as a tester, I decided to give it a shot. It turns out that if you’re the kind of person who sits forward, leaning on your forearms on the desk while typing or writing, or if you simply find yourself already leaned forward, the tilt alleviates pressure and makes for a more comfortable experience. And, since it’s as easy as flipping a lever, you can switch in and out of this tilt mode super easily.

Haworth Fern: Final verdict

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The Haworth Fern delivers on its promise of adaptive, all-day comfort through genuinely innovative engineering. Its patented Wave Suspension System and edgeless back design create natural support that moves with you rather than against you.

After extended testing, the Fern proved itself to be a chair you can forget about — in the best way — allowing you to focus on work instead of constant adjustments. While the premium price point and lack of a full mesh option may deter some buyers, the Fern's combination of ergonomic excellence, sustainability credentials, 12-year warranty, and 30-day trial makes it a worthy investment for remote workers and office professionals who spend long hours seated.

For more office furniture, I've tested the best standing desks.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Lineup has been tried and true for generations of laptop variants, all scoring fairly well in reliability, durability, features vs. price, and all-day usability. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 is a big jump for Lenovo, putting a convertible form factor into their popular T-series lineup and risking cannibalization of their X-Series lineup. But, before we get there, let's dive into this laptop and how it performs on its own, without considering other devices.

The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 is a 14-inch laptop with a screen that can flip all the way around, converting the standard laptop shape into a more traditional tablet shape, all while running the same version of Windows 11. Additionally, this device supports Yoga Pen compatibility, providing another input option if you want to draw, mark up documents, sign contracts, or edit in other ways.

This computer has an Intel Core Ultra 200U series processor, also known as Arrow Lake, balancing performance and efficiency pretty well for this size machine. It’s worth noting that the Lunar Lake variants, unlike the Arrow Lake, are usually a bit more powerful, but for this model, the Arrow Lake is used to balance power to increase battery life. That alone says a lot about the device's intentionality and how it was designed to be used.

This is not designed as a powerhouse; it’s not meant to be the one machine to rule them all, and it’s not trying to break records with its performance. It’s trying to give a good experience when it comes to power, give you plenty for what you will probably actually need in your day-to-day life, all while giving you enough battery, which, if you’re getting a laptop, not a desktop, you probably really care about. As a niche device, it's unlikely to feature in our best business laptop round-up, where the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 stands out as the top 2-in-1 device.

However, this machine is built for those who need laptop functionality, with the added value of being able to mark up documents, photos, or other files. It’s built for people who redline a lot of documents and sign a lot of contracts, but it’s also for those who just need a tried-and-true 14-inch laptop with a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s not trying to be the most powerful machine, nor the most lightweight, it’s not trying to be the most brilliant display, or the best battery life ever. What it’s trying to do is give you a good amount of everything, all while staying at a decent price range.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 starts from $1345 / £1830, available from both Lenovo US and Lenovo UK, as well as many online retailers.

There are, of course, options to buy from other retailers as well if you want to. The model I have reached is just over $2,000 and features an Intel Core i7 265U, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD Storage. For this review, I also have the Yoga Pen, which is an optional accessory and comes with some packages.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

If you’ve unboxed one Lenovo ThinkPad, you’ve unboxed them all, at least up until this point. The vast majority of ThinkPads use near-identical packaging. This one has a matte-black box, minimal branding, and recyclable cardboard inserts. Personally, I’m thrilled to see less and less Styrofoam. Not sure if it’s my musical background that hates the sound or something else in me that hates the way it squeaks, but regardless of the reason, I am thrilled to see more cardboard.

Within the packaging is the ThinkPad, the charging brick, the USB-C Cable, documentation, and then the pen came separately. One thing that took a second to get used to, as an avid iPad user, is that this pen needed to be recharged via USB-C, I guess much like the entry-level Apple Pencil. Not a huge downside since the battery lasts for a while and recharges quickly, but worth noting.

Right off the bat, the build quality and aesthetic of the ThinkPad shine through. The now-standard business professional look, the standout ThinkPad badging, and the little red light. Once you open the machine, the keyboard has a bright red touchpoint in the middle, along with the physical trackpad buttons for clicking.

Of course, with any 2-in-1 device, one of the first things I try is the hinge. This one feels very sturdy, no wobble or weak spots, it feels like it was, obviously, meant to do this, and do it a thousand more times and beyond. I didn’t have any worries about the build quality or the hinge's longevity, unlike other 2-in-1s I’ve seen that have the hinge snap after just mild use.

All in all, the laptop's first impression was solid. It feels good, it looks good, it works… good…. It operates in a really positive manner, and it feels like something that could handle the daily grind as a daily driver.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

ThinkPads have always been known for their reliability. Believe it or not, I’ve been off of social media for the last 5+ years. What I do have is YouTube though, and I’ve now seen on my algorithm (as nerdy and niche as it probably is) people who are restoring old and dated ThinkPads with simply a new battery after the old ones were left plugged in for literally years and maybe adding some storage and sending them back out the door as fully functional devices for another few years. That’s wild. The hardware holds up, the keyboards stay snappy, the hinge holds strong, and the style, thanks to Lenovo keeping it simple, has stayed intact. Not many companies can say that. Some can, but not a lot.

Adding a 360-hinge to this tier of ThinkPads makes sense, especially because, with how Lenovo does it, you could never use these devices in tablet mode without feeling like you’re getting a partial laptop experience. Nay, rather, Lenovo makes it a simple value-add, not a form-factor change or compromise. With some devices, you can tell it’s a 2-in-1 because there are compromises in how a “real” laptop functions, but with the ThinkPads, whether they are 2-in-1 or not, they all function at the same level — and that’s impressive.

Moving on, the Lenovo Yoga Pen, which works with this ThinkPad, magnetically attaches to the side of the display, not the top or bottom. At first I wondered why they chose that placement, and then a mere moment later as I was testing tablet and tent mode, I realized that if the pen was at the top then it would have to be removed, or get knocked off, if used in tent mode, and Lenovo probably is a bit smarter than I am, so they thought ahead and chose to put it on the right side of the display.

When it comes to ports, I am genuinely shocked at what they can fit in these machines. There is barely enough thickness, yet Lenovo says “hold my adapter” and squeezes in a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, an optional Nano SIM, and an optional Smartcard reader. For this size laptop, that still blows my mind.

For those of you who maybe don’t treat your laptop like a newborn baby, you’ll be pleased to see the MIL-STD-810H, which ensures that your laptop can withstand all sorts of treacherous things you may allow to happen. Though I’ll still always suggest a good laptop bag from any number of spectacular companies like Nomatic, TimBuk2, Bellroy, Troubadour, or Airback, to name a few of my favorites.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I’ve got a fleet of laptops that I rotate. As I’ve said in past reviews, I usually carry two laptops, my iPad mini, and rotate between one to four workstations throughout any given day. I have 8 backpacks that I actively rotate through, and a team that helps me run extended tests to ensure longevity and multi-use cases. This laptop has been in my bag pretty frequently and has been good to great to use, depending on how you look at it.

If you look at this laptop compared to other devices in the ThinkPad line-up, I am admittedly a bit confused about why you’d choose this laptop over the X1 2-in-1 Gen 10. Unless, of course, you desire the longer-lasting battery and you care less about the higher-resolution display and more about either saving that money or putting it back into the machine for a higher-grade chip, RAM, or storage.

If you’re in that camp, then this, on its own, is a great device. On the basis of being a business professional machine that doesn’t need a high-end display, this laptop is flexible, durable, reliable, powerful, has a great battery, looks great, supports touch input, and has great ports.

I’ve taken this machine into meetings with me, where there are elements I can’t or don’t want to type out, so I whip out the Yoga Pen and jot down or sketch what is being described. I’ve used this to sign contracts, I’ve used it to edit some of my own writing and others, marking it up with “red ink” and sending it back, I’ve also used this as a great way to draw out ideas for a project I am working on where we are remodeling an area of an office and we wanted to get on the same page for design. I will say, this display is only 60Hz, so don’t expect a brilliant experience that’s just like pen and paper with this, but it will get the job done for basic tasks in the moment without having to grab another device or even worse, actual paper (ha!).

Beyond its uses as a Yoga Pen, this laptop has been incredibly comfortable to type on for long periods. The trackpad is responsive and easy to get used to. I still personally have to remind myself to use the touchpoint, but when I do, I am always pleased with how easy it is.

Yes, the display isn’t the best, but for professional business use, plenty of people still use 1080p in the real world, and this display works great for them.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 marks a solid debut for the T Series convertible lineup. It balances Arrow Lake efficiency with all-day battery life, ThinkPad durability, and genuine pen input versatility. The user-replaceable battery and MIL-STD-810H certification make it a smart long-term investment for mobile professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing reliability. While the Full-HD display and 60Hz refresh won't wow creative pros, business users prioritizing portability, battery life, and that iconic ThinkPad keyboard will find this to be a capable, dependable companion.

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For desktop picks, we've tested the best business computers.

The Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q is a 27-inch QHD IPS monitor with a 2560x1440 resolution, built for professionals who need a workstation, especially if that workstation is enterprise-managed. While the panel itself is nothing incredible, what is impressive is it’s utilitarian nature, with it’s integrated USB-C hub, the first USB-A facing up for probably a Webcam that I have ever seen, easy daisy chaining, a very functional base and stand, and the ability to have this panel enterprise managed so it can be up to date with firmware, downtime, uptime and more.

This is the first monitor I’ve seen that unashamedly focuses on getting the business owner's or the IT procurer’s attention, rather than the user's. As someone who fills that role at a company right now, if we had Windows machines, or better yet, if we had Lenovo laptops, which a lot of corporate businesses do, this becomes a near no-brainer for 95%+ of the staff. It allows for easy hot desking and remote management of devices, so you don’t even have to set foot on that floor or even in that building to service them, and the reliability is spectacular.

On paper, if you’re comparing this to displays featured in our best business monitors round-up, it’s not the most graphically brilliant, but Lenovo knows not everyone needs the best of the best, especially when the price tag is usually too high to bear. They’d rather dazzle in other areas, one of which is a reasonable hit to the wallet. Especially if buying in bulk.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Price and availability

The ThinkVision P27Q-40 is widely available from online retailers, as well as Lenovo's own website.

In the US, it's priced at $289 from Lenovo. In the UK, it's currently £360 from Lenovo's UK site.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

First impressions of this monitor were really simple. The unboxing was simple; there’s nothing flashy or glitzy. I did notice the unique cutout in the baseplate right away, but once I got everything set up, I got used to it pretty quickly. I will say that if you’re used to a standard monitor with all ports facing down, you’ll be confused, like I was. it took me looking a third time to notice the USB-C ports on the side, and it took me looking at the promotional tools for this panel to notice the USB-A under a rubber grommet on the top of the monitor. But once you find those, you realize just what the focus of this display is.

A few more quick things to mention: the bezels are pretty thin, the assembly was super easy, and the monitor comes with a generous amount of cables to kit out your new display. I only have one of these displays, but after looking through the documentation and finding that this has a USB-A on top, I noticed the big push for daisy chaining too, which a lot of ThinkPads offer, so it makes sense that Lenovo would push it for this display.

But I want to take a second to make sure you know how big of a deal that is. With one cable, you can plug into multiple monitors without a dock. You can sit at a hot desk or at your desk, plug in one cable, and connect to your display, charge your laptop, add another display, a webcam, and more. No docks, no special plugs or devices for your IT pro to manage. Just the monitor.

I also noticed, very quickly and obviously, that this is a very “ThinkPad” style of monitor. It has the same matted black finish, with subtle red accents and minimal Lenovo branding. There are sharp yet softened edges, no fluff, just a business-ready machine or display at your service.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Continuing with Lenovo, that’s said in the best way: Lenovo has made its name for having a professional look for a reason. They don’t stray and create wild new designs for every new model because that’s not their goal. Their goal isn’t to chase the next, best, or upcoming things; it’s to take what is working, make it better, and ensure reliability across the board. They do that with their laptops and their monitors.

As I mentioned, the bezel is minimal, making pairing with a second P27Q-40 really easy. And because there's no loud branding or large chin, you can easily pair this with another display in any orientation, not just two side by side. You could drop one in portrait, in one of my favorite setups: a center landscape with a portrait to the right of the center display. To make an arrangement like this, Lenovo allows its stand to rotate 90 degrees or even -90 degrees, which I don’t believe I have seen very often.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I’ve had this panel in my suite of monitors for the last 106 days at the time of writing this sentence. It’s been used for research, writing, virtual meetings, watching Dude Perfect and Bluey, playing background music in shots, project management, and as a secondary monitor for another monitor. It’s all done well.

Now, I will caveat that this is not a 4K display, so of course, it’s not as brilliant a panel as some of the 6K panels I am currently testing. But I bet if you showed up at a Fortune 500 company or a corporate office complex and asked the average employee whether they even needed 4K, most wouldn’t be able to answer, or would answer no. Unless they are in the tech space, care deeply about visuals and graphics, work in the creative space, or have another reason, most do not need or care about a full 4K resolution, so why spend the money?

I learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago when I built a co-working hot-desk space for a business I work with. I built 6 spectacular hot-desking workstations, each with dual 4K monitors set up in different orientations, hidden DisplayLink and Thunderbolt Docking stations so they looked integrated and would work with any laptop, and a single USB-C connection to run the whole deal. It was glorious. Now, a few years later, of the 20 or so staff that could use those spaces, exactly 2 even take advantage of the 4K resolution; everyone else has everything so blown up it’s not even worth having a 4K panel for them.

All that to say, a QHD panel is plenty clear and good enough for the average employee, even in 2026, especially with the advanced features the ThinkVision P27Q-40 offers. In my experience using it, I had no trouble with spreadsheets, project management, checking email, writing, sitting in a virtual meeting, plugging in and charging while running the display from my machine, and even twisting the base to get it situated just right.

Lastly, I like to think that I have a pretty good eye for monitors. And while I can’t always tell the difference between lower and higher refresh rates, your eyes will thank you. High refresh rates aren’t just for gamers and video editors. A high refresh rate makes for a smoother experience for your eyes, and if your eyes are more comfortable, you can get more done more quickly, allowing you to step away without exhausted, painful eyes. The Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40 seeks to do exactly that: offer eye relief without charging a fortune in upfront or ongoing costs, by using a variable display to conserve power.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This is the monitor that the IT pros would choose for the co-working spaces that they support. It would be a monitor that a finance team member would choose. It’s the kind of monitor that makes business sense.

True, it’s not the flashiest, but that's by design. Instead of wowing you with shiny features, it earns your trust and respect by showing up day after day and performing the way it should. It has enough features to make it worth grabbing in 2026, and a price tag that makes it reasonable to, even in mass.

If you’re a video editor, a photo editor, a professional gamer, or a person who needs 4K or above, then this is not your monitor. There are plenty to choose from. But if you just need a monitor that will get the job done, provide reliable connections, and make asset management easy, you should absolutely check this monitor out for your office.

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For more picks, we've tested the best 4K monitors.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is unlike the laptops I normally test. While most are trying to be the most powerful, the most impressive spec-wise, or the biggest and best screen, Lenovo chose to make a hyper-portable option that becomes an instant dream come true for those business professionals who don’t need a supercomputer.

Most people in the business world don’t need a machine that is breaking performance records, one they will never come close to using in their daily work. They need something they can bring to their day-to-day work that’s easy and convenient to carry from meeting to meeting, toss in a bag, and get everyday work done. Would more power be nice? Of course. Would it be nice to have a better screen? Yes. But for businesses buying devices for their employees, or for those who want to buy a machine they'll use for work and work alone, that’s just not always worth it; the ROI may not be there.

Thinking back to when I had a corporate job, or even to my friends and family who have corporate jobs, this may just be a spectacular option for them, giving them what they need and want, while staying super lightweight and functional. Compared to other ultra-portables made for professionals, it's unlikely to feature in our round-up of the best business laptops - but there's plenty to like about the laptop otherwise.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 starts at $1,095 / £1112 - and the Intel model is available from both Lenovo US and Lenovo UK right now.

The base model comes with a 256GB SSD, a non-touch display, no fingerprint reader, and a 3-cell rechargeable battery. If I build out as feature-rich as this machine can offer from Lenovo, I get up to $1,829, adding a fingerprint reader, a 1TB SSD, a touchscreen display, a slightly better camera and mic setup, upgraded wireless, and a slightly larger battery.

It's also available from other online retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 became incredibly impressive from the moment I first unboxed it. It’s hyper-lightweight, as I’ve mentioned, but it’s incredible when you hold it. It’s a full-size machine when it comes to the important things like keyboard size and ports, but outside of that, it’s small, but not too small. Pair that with the lower-resolution display, and things seem to just work.

Sure, on paper, it makes more sense to have a higher-resolution display and better everything, but in practice, this works. I pulled the zoom back from 150% to 125%, and I actually am pretty happy with this setup. It’s a great device to take around, even as a second laptop, due to its size and portability.

Lenovo sent a USB-C charger, which was nice, but I quickly decided to leave it in the box and use one of my Anker power blocks, portable chargers, or UGREEN bricks, along with some nice braided or retractable cables, depending on my setup for the day.

Another thing I was wary of before putting my hands on this machine was the device's quality. I’ve tested and used some lightweight laptops that feel cheap and poorly made. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, on the other hand, feels well-built, can handle life on the go, and still feels high-quality.

The keyboard features the iconic red Travkpoint at the center of the classic ThinkPad layout everyone knows and loves. Now, that the Trackpoint can even trigger a quick-action menu for select options, making things a bit more practical and helpful.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This laptop is the epitome of no-nonsense, in the best way. It’s a lightweight, unassuming, powerful, minimal laptop that gets the job done without bragging about it. This is the kind of laptop you grab to rely on, not one you buy to try to impress your boss, coworkers, or direct reports. This is the laptop you grab when you don’t even care what they think, you just care about having a machine that you can depend on and carry with you without even noticing.

Keeping the understated design, the matte black colorway is sleek and professional, with only a slight badge visible at the top. That, plus the red touchpoint, is the only pop of color on this machine, just branding and the touchpoint; everything else is a sleek matte black.

The build quality is exactly as expected. It’s built to last through day-in, day-out use. It’s got a strong chassis, the ability to tilt the display back to 180 degrees, and MIL-STD-810H certification, ensuring the laptop will be protected in environments a tad harsher than a boardroom, a backpack, or even when dropped.

Moving on to a bit more detail on the laptop, this machine has great ports for a full-size, powerful laptop, let alone a thin-line option. It has a standard HDMI, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, a smart card reader, and a headphone jack. That’s great even in powerhouse laptop worlds.

The review model here has 16GB of RAM, and so far, for my day-to-day use, running some product review writing in Notion, emails, Slack, and browsing the internet for some product research, this computer has been great and hasn’t slowed down at all. If you do a bit more heavy-duty work than casual use, the 32GB option would be a wiser choice, but if you are pretty light on usage, the 16GB variant may be a better fit.

Battery life is always a big deal in this class of laptop, and so far in my testing, I have seen an average of 9 hours and 12 minutes. The ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has a 54.7Wh capacity with a rated 10h+ of usage, and I can easily see reaching that if you drop the brightness from 100% to 80% and are smart about what you have running at once. Unlike more powerful laptops, there is a good chance that if you are grabbing this laptop, you are on the go regularly and not docking it to one of our favorite Thunderbolt docks, which would keep you charged.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I’ve had this computer in my arsenal for a few months now. I’ve regularly used it to check email, write my own review, and read a few other reviews. I grabbed it to jump into a quick meeting, and it’s been super easy to double up with the other laptop I need to carry with me in my day-to-day in “the real world.”

In my experience, it boots quickly and launches apps quickly; video calls are stable, though the camera is nothing groundbreaking. The audio is surprisingly clear, even though I still prefer headphones for any meeting that matters.

The screen is good enough for day-to-day use. Yes, I am well aware that it is nowhere near 4K, but for the day-to-day business work I’ve been doing, I have been okay with it, making it a reasonable trade-off. Don’t get me wrong: you clearly notice that it’s not 4K, it's not OLED, and it’s not brilliantly beautiful, but that might just be okay.

If your primary use for this machine is web-browsing, project managing, Slack-answering, email-drafting, word-processing, and or things of that nature, then this machine won’t disappoint — even without the best of the best panel. It’s bright enough to work well in office environments, even in bright ones, though if you’re in an abnormally bright area or facing consistent direct sunlight, it may be difficult for most displays to shine through, including this one.

Part of the reason this machine is so great for keyboard-first tasks is that, quite simply, the keyboard is comfortable. It’s the classic Lenovo keyboard that has grown in popularity for a reason. I’ve been able to sit and knock out a thousand words of writing without any fatigue, frustration, or wishing for a different keyboard, and without any consistent mis-types. On some keyboards, a key is slightly misplaced, the key shape is slightly off, or something else causes me to consistently mistype certain phrases or characters, but with the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, I haven’t noticed that at all. The keyboard is consistent, comfortable, full-sized, and easy to use.

The last thing I’ll dive into in this review is the port offering. My personal daily drivers are predominantly USB-C, with an HDMI port, but I still run into a lot of USB-A in my day-to-day life. So, I always have to have a dock, hub, adapter, or dongle with me. Granted, I know that USB-C is now the standard and that USB-A is becoming less popular, but there are still a lot of things I have to edit, update, or work with that are USB-A for now. With this ThinkPad, even though it's so small, I never needed a dongle, an adapter, or anything of the sort, thanks to its impressive port selection. And that adds a layer of usability that doesn’t always fit well on a briefing or a one-pager.

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The ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is great for most. It’s a laptop that, for a wide variety of people, would do exactly what they need it to do, nothing more, for a great price with a great weight, ports, and power.

I found this a computer that is very pleasant to carry in a bag or around the house or office, make sure you check out the ThinkPad X13 Gen 6.

If you need a high-end screen, this won't be the right laptop for you, but if you’re okay with a 1080p display and a keenly priced business machine, then it's worth a look.

For more powerful picks, we've reviewed the best mobile workstations.

TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: 30-second review

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

TP-Link has successfully sold the Omada branding to those who work with information systems each day as a byword for strategic thinking.

With managed network hardware that IT people can monitor and configure across multiple locations, equipment in this range has been understandably popular.

Not long ago, I reviewed one of the L2+ switches, the SG3428XMPP, which had two blocks of 1GbE RJ45 outlets, with eight utilising the PoE++ standard, which provides up to 90W of power per port, and sixteen PoE+ ports with a 30W budget per port.

The Omada SG3218XP-M2 is an L3 design, has only 16 Ethernet ports in total, but eight are PoE+ 2.5GbE ports, while the others are 2.5GbE LAN (non-PoE) ports.

Given the increasing demand for Ethernet bandwidth and TP-Link's own Access Points using the 2.5GbE PoE standard, this switch seems a highly appropriate inclusion in the Omada range.

Like the SG3428XMPP, this switch still has 240W of power to distribute over PoE, which is 30W per port. And, it ticks all the boxes in Enterprise networking bingo, with Zero-Touch provisioning, centralised Cloud management and AI-driven monitoring.

For those already using the TP-Link Omada management solution, the SG3218XP-M2 provides a drop-in solution which links via two 10Gbps SFP+ to a network backbone, adding enough high-speed PoE for eight WiFi 7 access points or HD security cameras.

As we move away from the 1GbE LAN, the SG3218XP-M2 is a stepping stone in the right direction, and at around $370 in the US, the return on investment is easy to justify.

Depending on your specific needs, this could be the best network switch around - and it's not expensive to deploy and manage these.

Omada SG3218XP-M2: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $370/£430
• When is it out? Available globally
• Where can you get it? Direct from a TP-Link, a retail partner or via an online retailer

You can buy the Omada SG3218XP-M2 directly from TP-Link or via online retailers.

If bought through Amazon or directly from TP-Link, the US price on Amazon is $369.99, and the UK price on Amazon.co.uk is £435.40.

Quite why this hardware is so much cheaper in the USA, I’ve no idea, but it is.

If this is the first Omada switch you’ve bought, I’d strongly recommend also getting one of the TP-Link dedicated controllers to work alongside it. Although you can use TP-Link’s Cloud controllers, you can also install the controller application on another system.

The OC300 TP-Link Omada Hardware Controller, designed to manage multiple Omada devices, costs £119.99 from Pacetech in the UK and $159.99 from TP-Link for US customers. And, the OC200 is only $79.99 from Amazon.com, and £71.99 from Amazon.co.uk.

Managed PoE switches of this spec usually aren’t cheap, especially from familiar brand names.

Looking at the usual suspects, D-Link doesn’t offer a Layer 3 managed PoE switch yet, sadly. Netgear has the XSM4328CV, a 24x10G/Multi-Gig PoE+ model with four 4xSFP28 25G ports, and the ability to deliver 720W. But given how much more throughput that switch offers, you won’t be surprised to learn it costs over $4000, if you can find one.

At a similar price to the TP-Link, the Cisco Catalyst 1300-16P-2G offers only 1GbE on the 16 ports.

The closest specification switch I found was the Ubiquiti Pro Max 16 PoE, which has 16 ports: 12 1GbE PoE+ and 4 2.5GbE PoE++, and it has the same dual 10G SFP+ ports. It can only distribute 180W of power over its PoE, but it costs only $279.

If you are already using Ubiquiti hardware, then it might suffice, but it’s not ideal for larger installations with lots of Wi-Fi 7 access points.

New products arrive all the time in this slice of the market, but given what others have available, the SG3218XP-M2 seems suitably priced.

• Value: 4/5

TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: Specs

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Item

Spec

Model:

Omada SG3218XP-M2

Interfaces:

16x 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ports (8x PoE+, 8x LAN)

2x 10G SFP+ Slots

1x RJ45 Console Port

1x Micro-USB Console Port

PoE Ports (RJ45):

802.3at/af/bt compliant

PoE+ Ports(802.3at PoE): 8 Ports, up to 30 W per port)

Power Budget: 240 W

Mounting:

Rack-mountable or shelf-standing

Switching Capacity:

120 Gbps

Packet Forwarding Rate:

89.28 Mpps

L3 Features:

32 IPv4/IPv6 Interfaces, Static Routing, Static ARP, Proxy ARP, Gratuitous ARP, DHCP Server, DHCP Relay, DHCP L2 Relay

L2 and L2+ Features:

Link Aggregation, Spanning Tree Protocol, Loopback Detection, Flow Control, Mirroring

L2 Multicast:

IGMP Snooping, IGMP Authentication, MLD Snooping, MVR, Multicast Filtering with 256 profiles and 16 entries per profile

Control options:

Omada Cloud-Based Controller, Omada Hardware Controller, Omada Software Controller

Maximum Power use:

299.4W (110V/60Hz) ( with 240W PD connected)

Dimensions:

440 × 180 × 44 mm (17.3×7.1×1.7 in)

Weight:

4.29 kg

TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Solid construction
• Active cooling
• Reasonable power budget

With so much switch hardware available from TP-Link, it’s important to first establish where the SG3218XP-M2 fits in the greater scheme of things.

TP-Link currently offers eight levels of switches, ranging from the Campus series to Aggregation, Access Max, Access Pro, Access Plus, Access, Agile, and Unmanaged.

The SG3218XP-M2 fits into the Access Pro tier, where it resides alongside five other designs, some of which feature 48 PoE ports, in addition to the four 10GbE SPF+ ports.

This design takes a step back from the extreme end of these choices, with only eight ports of PoE+, but it does offer those alongside another eight LAN ports, and all sixteen are 2.5GbE.

Compared to the bigger Omada Access Pro products, this switch uses the same robust steel construction but packages it more succinctly. Where the SG3428XPP-M2 is 330mm deep, the SG3218XP-M2 is only 180mm front to back, enabling it to fit easily into a shallow rack.

I discovered that, because it's only 4.29 kg, getting it into a rack is significantly easier, at least compared to an SG3428XMPP that I chose to swap it with.

TP-Link provides adhesive rubber feet if you prefer shelf installs, along with L-plates for rack mounting.

The current Omada switch designs all use fans mounted on the left side, drawing air from vents on the right, and in this case, there are two fans providing sufficient cooling for the system.

The fan speed is controlled by the monitoring hardware in the switch, and its rotational speed changes with the amount of PoE power it's outputting and the amount of data flowing through it. I’ve seen a few people complain that it's noisy, but with the workloads I ran through and the ambient temperature in my office, it was the exact opposite for me.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Where this switch might not be ideal is in those locations that use PoE for significant power distribution, since it’s only PoE+ 30W rated. TP-Link does make PoE++ switches capable of delivering 90W per port, but this switch isn’t suitable for that output level.

However, it can operate on all 16 ports, including the 8 PoE+ ports, at 2.5GbE, making it highly suitable as a backhaul for Wi-Fi access points that support 2.5GbE PoE.

The two 10G SFP+ ports are also invaluable, as they can be used to connect the switch to a 10GbE backbone or to NAS servers.

When TP-Link come to upgrade this switch into its next iteration, I’d recommend they add either two more 10G SFP+ or two 10GbE LAN ports, since the latter are now becoming standard for many of the better NAS platforms.

Overall, I like where the Omada SG3218XP-M2 sits. The mix of PoE and LAN with a 10G SFP+ backbone makes it ideal for small business deployment. Power users can connect to the eight 2.5GbE LAN ports, the PoE devices can get their best speeds from the other PoE ports, and other switches can chain via the SFP+.

My only caveat is that I’d definitely recommend that, along with the budget for the switch, enough money is allocated to include an Omada controller, if you don’t already have one.

Design: 4.5/5

TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: User experience

• Omada management
• Encourages localised controller

I’ve talked about the current Omada user experience in other reviews. But from the perspective of a professional IT person (and I was one once), this is a highly refined solution that gives you three options for configuring and managing switches, routers, access points, and the like.

In the context of the Omada SG3218XP-M2, if you already have a controller configured, deployment of the switch is remarkably easy.

The controller can be any computer with the Omada controller software installed, so it doesn’t cost anything to unlock this functionality for those with limited resources. Alternatively, there is an Omada Cloud service, and depending on how you use that, it can range from being free to a monthly subscription.

And my preferred approach is the local Omada controller, a dedicated box that monitors all the Omada hardware on the network and can make immediate decisions should hardware fail in situ.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

it and the broadband router on a UPS, the entire system will remain operational for a period during a power outage, enabling it to send warning messages and also configure the system to maximise battery runtime.

What’s great about the hardware controller is that if you place that and the broadband router on a UPS, the entire system will remain operational for a period during a power outage, enabling it send warning messages out and also configure the system for maximising battery running time.

Even if you use the Cloud version to administer a collection of remote sites, having local hardware controllers has some useful advantages, especially if the internet has a wobble.

For the largest installations, it's possible to create profiles for all Omada switches, access points, and routers, and execute them across the network and via the Cloud on other networks you control.

That makes rolling out new security strategies and VLAN plans easy, and adding a new Wi-Fi SSID will make it propagate across all access points automatically. But it’s important to say that you can make granular changes also, if those are deemed necessary.

• User experience: 4/5

TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

If you are considering deploying TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 hardware, like the TP-Link EAP725-Wall, then this is the switch designed to make the most of that technology.

There is little point in investing in Wi-Fi 7 if they connect to the internet via 1GbE, since the backhaul to the network becomes the limiting factor.

The Omada SG3218XP-M2 could easily support a 20GbE broadband connection and distribute it to eight PoE+ Access Points, and still have extra capacity for wired connections.

My only small concern is that just arrived on my desk is the Omada EAP787, and it needs 10GbE PoE++ ideally. That's fine for those who have an SX3832MPP or the POE380S 10GbE POE++ injector to connect it. But the Omada SX3832MPP alone is four times the price of the SG3218XP-M2, so going down that rabbit hole could get expensive.

Unless you’ve been chugging the corporate Koolaid and only do extreme deployments, the SG3218XP-M2 provides something significantly better than the many 1GbE PoE switches; its L3 credentials are excellent, and it slots effortlessly into the Omada controller infrastructure. And, given all its capabilities, the price is highly affordable.

Should I buy a TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2?

(Image credit: TP-Link)Omada SG3218XP-M2 Report card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

For the functionality it has, the price is right

4/5

Design

Solid construction and shallow rack friendly

4.5/5

User Experience

Adds L3 switching and 2.5GbE PoE+ to the Omada ecosystem

4/5

Overall

Perfect for those who want a balanced WiFi 7 installation

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You are deploying WiFi 7
To properly move the amount of data that Wi-Fi 7 access points provide, you need a minimum of a 2.5GbE backbone, and the Omada SG3218XP-M2 delivers that over PoE+. That simplifies the deployment and enhances the Wi-Fi user experience. Without a switch like this, spending on Wi-Fi 7 is largely pointless.

You use a 10GbE backbone
With two 10GbE SFP+ ports, it’s easy to integrate this hardware into a switched backbone and implement failover planning to cope with hardware failures.

Don't buy it if...

You want 10GbE PoE++
The best speed this switch offers is 2.5GbE, although the two SFP+ ports do run at 10GbE. There are switches that support 10GbE PoE++, but expect to pay much more for those than this, and you might have to consider a 25GbE backbone, or greater, to handle the traffic.

For more connectivity hardware, we've reviewed the best mesh Wi-Fi systems and the best Wi-Fi routers.

Chuwi CoreBook Air: 30-second review

There’s something slightly familiar about the Chuwi CoreBook Air. Once again, it follows the recent trend of 14-inch Windows laptops offering a premium build with aluminium alloy casing and a solid yet lightweight build. The specification list considering the price is also impressive, with more on offer than you would usually anticipate for a little under £500/$500.

From the outset, there are several features that really appeal. Obviously, the CPU, GPU and memory specifications all prove more than enough to run all productivity apps, but then there’s a good volume of ports. Through the test for normal use, a bit of word processing and browsing the internet, the battery was sufficient for a day's worth of work.

While the specifications hit the mid-range, making it ideal for most office-based tasks, I found that the CoreBook Air had enough to run Blender and CapCut without issue. Although limitations to the ability were pushed with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which did load but was just too jittery to play with any success.

For general use, such as Excel and PowerPoint, the machine was more than capable of handling large documents. What really impressed me was that, despite it only being a 14-inch machine and not a particularly expensive one, the screen clarity was exceptionally good, and the screen surface was able to limit reflections exceptionally well.

One of the other aspects you often find with a cheaper laptop is that it uses a proprietary power supply. However, here, the laptop is supplied with a 65W USB-C charger, which means if you do leave your charger at home, you can more than likely borrow somebody else's. Again, for a laptop of this size to have three USB-C ports, two on one side, one on the other, and a full-size HDMI just gives you even more connectivity options, as well as the ability to plug into other accessories, devices, systems, and drives.

Like some laptops of this type, slim and lightweight, while the quality is exceptionally good and the cooling is better than expected (though the fans do kick in and are audible), the keyboard area and trackpad do feel lightweight and less responsive than I personally like.

Neither the track pad or keyboard feel 100% precise in their mechanics, with the keyboard actuation lacking the satisfying feel of those featured in our guide to the best business laptops. I also found the trackpad wasn’t quite as precise, and you really needed to accurate about your click action in the bottom left. I’d also often mis-click, and the precision that you get with the likes of the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra just isn’t there, but then you could buy four of these laptops for a single unit of that machine, just to put that in context.

However, for a laptop at this price, the fact that it can handle all productivity, web browsing, word processing, light multimedia editing, and a little bit of gaming is impressive. If you’re in the market for a cheap laptop that will see you through the demands of productivity applications for work, and a little bit of media use, as well as downtime playing games and watching multimedia, then this machine should suffice. If you're looking to do heavier media editing or play top-tier games, this might be a little more restrictive, and you’d need to spend a bit more for a bit more power.

Chuwi CoreBook Air: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $479 / £404 RRP
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Geekom and Amazon.com

At present, the Chuwi CoreBook Air has a UK price of £404 and a US price of $549 and can be purchased directly from the Chuwi US and Chuwi Global websites.

Chuwi is offering TechRadar Pro readers a 13% discount on the purchase price when you use the code TechRadarAir.

• Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Chuwi CoreBook Air: Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 6600H (6-core/12-thread, up to 4.5GHz)
Graphics: AMD Radeon 660M
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
Storage: 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD
Left Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1
Right Ports: USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 3.5mm audio jack
Connectivity: Wi-Fi , Bluetooth
Audio: 2W stereo speakers
Camera: 2MP with privacy shutter
Size: 298 x 221 x 16.3 mm, 1.08 kg
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: 65W USB-C PD charger

Chuwi CoreBook Air: Design

The Chuwi CoreBook is a slim, lightweight Windows 11 Pro laptop that has been perfectly designed for portability and mid-range power use, essentially ideal for students, business users, and anyone looking for a home laptop that’s both robust and powerful enough for the entire family. The balance of the CPU and GPU means that it’s great for general use, but if you’re looking for the latest cutting-edge graphics power, then this is a mid-range machine. While powerful, it won’t be able to run some of the more top-tier games or multimedia software, although they will load.

With that in mind, portability is one of its key focuses. At just over 1kg, 1.08 kg, and measuring 298.4 x 221.3 x 16.3 mm, it will fit into almost any backpack or laptop bag without issue. It’s also one of the smallest and lightest laptops out there. The design is very similar in style to the Geekbook X14 Pro, although that had slightly more squared-off corners and a few key differences in the port configurations and, of course, internal workings.

Taking a look around the side of the machine, starting on the left, there’s a full-size HDMI 2.1 TMDS port to easily connect to larger displays or projectors. Next to this are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and these are fully featured, perfect for connecting to ultra-fast external SSDs or delivering power to other devices. On the right-hand side is another USB Type-C (data only), a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port.

Looking around the body, this is pretty much it for ports and buttons, but up on the top edge of the screen, it’s nice to see there’s a sliding camera privacy cover. It’s mechanical, but this is often the best solution; you know you have absolute privacy once that camera is covered.

On the base of the machine, there’s a huge vent panel, and again on the back with very minimalistic profiling. There’s a good amount of venting between the body of the laptop and the hinge for the screen. As the machine really starts to work, especially when playing games, you can feel the warmth filtering up through the gap between the screen and keyboard. As you open the screen, the hinge feels good and secure, showing little loss for everyday use. The keyboard layout and trackpad are of a decent size.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Looking around the body, this is pretty much it for ports and buttons, but up on the top edge of the screen, it’s nice to see there’s a sliding camera privacy cover. It’s mechanical, but this is often the best solution; you know you have absolute privacy once that camera is covered.

On the base of the machine, there’s a huge vent panel, and again on the back with very minimalistic profiling. There’s a good amount of venting between the body of the laptop and the hinge for the screen. As the machine really starts to work, especially when playing games, you can feel the warmth filtering up through the gap between the screen and keyboard.

When you open the screen, the hinge feels good and secure, showing little loss for everyday use. The keyboard layout and trackpad are of a decent size.

• Design: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Chuwi CoreBook Air: Features

Looking at the feature set, one of the bigger appeals here is just how small and lightweight this laptop is, just a kilogram. It will easily slip into a laptop bag or backpack without adding too much weight, and with its full aluminium alloy casing, it does feel nice and robust.

Opening up the laptop reveals the 14-inch Full HD screen with 1920 x 1200 resolution. It’s not the highest resolution we’ve seen in this style of laptop, but at this price, it’s all pretty decent and should suffice for day-to-day use. The screen itself is a 14-inch WUXGA display with a 16:10 aspect ratio that offers 315 nits of brightness. In brighter conditions, you might need to shade it a little bit. However, the surface of the screen seems to be of exceptional quality and helps reduce reflections and glare.

Complementing the visuals are dual custom box-tuned speakers that help provide audio—a step up from many speaker systems found on mid-range laptops.

Inside, powering Windows and other applications is an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with 6 cores, 12 threads, and up to 4.5GHz. This is coupled with a Radeon 660M (RDNA2) integrated GPU, which should be more than enough for most mid-range games. It also includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of PCIe SSD storage.

Ensuring the laptop has enough power for everyday use, there’s a 55Wh battery, which, while not the largest capacity, will still provide plenty of power for a day’s work, and shouldn’t take too long to charge using the 65W USB-C PD charger, charging up to 60% in just 55 minutes.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Features: 4 / 5

Chuwi CoreBook Air: PerformanceBenchmark scores

CrystalDiskMark Read: 3064.43
CrystalDiskMark Write: 1289.67
Geekbench CPU Multi: 5389
Geekbench CPU Single: 1397
Geekbench GPU: 7734
PCMark Overall: 5850
Cinebench CPU Multi: 8634
Cinebench CPU Single: 1429
Fire Strike Overall: 4492
Fire Strike Graphics: 4851
Fire Strike Physics: 18743
Fire Strike Combined: 1667
Time Spy Overall: 1720
Time Spy Graphics: 1528
Time Spy CPU: 5985
Wild Life Overall: 8748
Steel Nomad Overall: 214
Windows Experience Overall: N/A

Starting out with the Chuwi CoreBook Air is straightforward. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed, so all you need to do is run through the last few steps to get up and running. When I did this, it took about 15 minutes, signing into Microsoft and Google accounts, and making sure the system was fully updated.

One thing I also had to do was ensure all the AMD graphics drivers had been installed. While the AMD application was pre-installed, the final driver software wasn’t, so that’s something to note if you plan to buy this laptop.

Without those AMD drivers installed, even with the software there, the performance is considerably restricted. But once all updates were done to both Windows 11 Pro and AMD, the uplift was instantly apparent. As I started to load Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, all three applications loaded quickly. Opening documents and presentations, the machine handled them without much issue.

The only thing I’d note is that while Microsoft Word worked fantastically well, Excel and PowerPoint felt a little restricted on the display with that lower resolution. However, since the USB-C ports on the side are fully featured, you can always connect to a 4K display without too many issues, and that 4K resolution is easily supported by this machine.

Using Word to write this review, the speed of the machine was perfect for general work and productivity, and I was easily able to switching between Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Edge. Later, while compiling a PowerPoint presentation for an evening lecture, I was able to gather multimedia content and design the presentation again the laptop was able to handle everything smoothly.

Taking a closer look at PowerPoint, while it’s very usable on the 1920 x 1200 resolution screen, I always prefer more screen space, especially when flicking between slides. Here, connecting to a 4K monitor did help with that process. Although even on the Full HD screen, PowerPoint was very usable, and if you were on a train putting together a presentation, the clarity and brightness of the screen would suffice.

One thing I did note about the screen, aside from the resolution, was screen brightness. Brightness is limited to 350 nits. During the UK winter months, when daylight is at a premium, this isn’t too much of an issue, as most of the time it’s quite dark, and 350 nits is probably more than enough. But on a bright day in the office, with sunlight streaming through the window, that brightness was starting to be challenged. If you are planning to use this outdoors or in well-lit environments, then 350 nits is around the minimum you’d want.

Otherwise, the screen is very good, perfect for productivity, although a little limited when it rolls over into creative applications.

Having experienced decent performance throughout all the Microsoft Office applications, I moved on to some creative tasks, first, loading Adobe Photoshop, which ran surprisingly smoothly. I opened up images from the Sony A7 IV for other reviews, cropping, resizing, and doing some basic image enhancement. Photoshop was more than capable of not only handling those high-resolution image files but also applying effects. Once again, the only drawback was that with a screen of this resolution, the available workspace felt a little limited.

Switching to an application that feels more at home on this screen size, I tried Lightroom, which worked incredibly well. Enhancements and adjustments were applied quickly, and although the screen resolution felt a little low, Lightroom Classic was more than sufficient. Even when it came to bulk exporting adjusted images, the machine had no issue handling the load.

I then moved on to some higher-demand applications, including Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, to test 4K video. It became instantly apparent that this wasn’t going to be possible. While video was rendered on the timeline, as I dragged files across into the timeline in both applications, things began to slow down dramatically. I had to wait for the system to catch up, and the fans kicked in due to the increase in processing.

I retried the process, this time using 1080p footage downscaled in Adobe Media Encoder. Here, the footage was editable, and again I was impressed with the performance. while, the fans did kick in to help keep things cool, editing a relatively complex five-minute video was manageable. Switching to a less processor-intensive app like CapCut might be a good idea for light editing.

After modest results with video editing, I switched over to a little bit of gaming, loading Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I had to reduce all settings right down to the lowest and even drop from Full HD to 720p. Still, the game was jittery and not a great experience, despite it technically being able to run.

I then tried Red Dead Redemption 2, and again saw similar issues with scaling and choppy graphics. So really, if you’re looking to play the latest games, while the Radeon 660M integrated GPU is quite good for multimedia creation, when it comes to gameplay of higher end games, it just doesn’t have the power.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Chuwi CoreBook Air: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Chuwi CoreBook Air proves itself as a very competent day-to-day machine for use in and out of the office. It’s a decent size, lightweight, strong and robust. While the keyboard and trackpad might not be premium, they are of decent quality, and for most users, typing on them will feel perfectly fine.

What’s impressive is the pure performance of the mid-range CPU and GPU combo. While they aren’t AI-enhanced for applications, they’re perfectly good for day-to-day use, as well as watching multimedia and browsing the internet, this small laptop is more than powerful enough.

I also really liked the volume of connectivity options. The Wi-Fi connection speed seemed exceptionally good and robust, especially when connected to the Netgear Nighthawk M7 for the majority of testing. With three USB-C ports, two fully featured and one for data only, you have plenty of connection options, and that important flexibility of being able to charge the laptop with almost any modern charger.

While the 55Wh battery might not be the largest, it was more than sufficient for a good day’s light work, handling spreadsheets, Word, and PowerPoint. But as soon as you start pushing the processor, battery life drops rapidly. It’s good to see that you can get a 60% charge from a flat in just over an hour.

What really strikes me about the CoreBook Air is the price. You’re effectively getting a powerful laptop for everyday use for not a great deal of money. Okay, the screen resolution might be a little low, and the brightness a little dim compared with some, but when it comes to the strength of the build quality and the abilities of that mid-range CPU and GPU combo, for most people and most workloads, this laptop will be more than sufficient.

Should I buy the Chuwi CoreBook Air?

Value

Excellent value for money considering the performance you can get from this mid-range laptop

4

Design

Good, strong build quality with the aluminium casing giving it a premium feel at a mid-range price

4

Features

Well-balanced set of features that aren’t groundbreaking but provide you with a good workhorse of a machine

4

Performance

Real performance is good for productivity. OK for creative applications. Best to look elsewhere if you want to do gaming

4

Overall

Overall, a well-balanced machine that’s great for most office work, light creativity and gaming

4

Buy it if...

You want on-the-go productivity
This ideal if you need a lightweight machine that handles office, browsing, and creative tasks smoothly in a travel-friendly size.

You want good general performance on a budget
The CoreBook Air delivers decent all-around performance and the ability to go slightly beyond simple productivity applications without spending a fortune.

Don't buy it if...

You want upgradability
With the RAM soldered in place, there’s no option to upgrade, which could limit compatibility with future applications.

You need top-tier media tools.
This laptop includes everything from speakers to a webcam and a relatively decent GPU, but if you're a content creator, they’re just not at the level required.

For more powerful productivity machines, we've reviewed the best mobile workstations.

If you think more pixels makes for a better PC monitor, you're going to love the new LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A. This 6K monster of a monitor has over 21 million of them. For context, a 4K display has just eight million. It's a massive step up.

What you don't get, at least not compared with a regular 32-inch 4K monitor, is more actual display size. Instead, those 21 million pixels are crammed into essentially the same 32-inch diagonal, resulting in much, much higher pixel density. Where 4K on a 32-inche monitor comes in around 140 pixels per inch, the LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A clocks in at 224 pixels per inch.

In other words, this is a true high-DPI display. It's a pretty high-performance display by several other metrics, too, at least for an IPS as opposed to an OLED monitor. There's good colour coverage and true 10-bit fidelity, for instance.

Less impressive is the 60Hz refresh. It's perhaps inevitable given the epic resolution and this monitor's productivity rather than gaming remit. But here in 2026, 60Hz seems a bit sluggish, as does the quoted 5ms pixel response time. Countering that is excellent connectivity, including dual Thunderbolt 5 ports and plenty of further USB-C inputs and outputs.

As for value, well, it all depends how you're coming at this LG. Compared to the near-enough $6,000 Apple Pro Display XDR, which is also 6K and 32 inches, it's a bargain, if less capable in some important ways. But at $1,999 or £1,799, it's also way more expensive than most of the best 4K monitors available today. So, you'll really want to appreciate those extra pixels.

LG UltraFine 6K Evo: Design and featuresLG // FutureLG // FutureLG // Future

• Minimalist design
• Mediocre build quality
• Excellent connectivity

Specs

Panel size: 32-inch

Panel type: IPS Black

Resolution: 6,144 x 3,456

Brightness: 450 nits SDR, 600 nits HDR

Contrast: 2,000:1

Pixel response: 5ms GtG

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Colour coverage: 98% DCI-P3

HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600

Vesa: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: DisplayPort 2.1 x1, HDMI 2.1 x1, 2x Thunderbolt 5 with 96W PD upstream, 1x Thunderbolt 4 downstream,1x USB-C upstream, 2x USB-C downstream, 1x USB-C upstream

The LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A is a slick display that looks like it's been designed to please Apple Mac users. In terms of pure aesthetics it will do just that, thanks to its minimalist vibe, slim bezels and engineering elements like a display hinge that mimics Apple's Pro Display XDR.

However, it's not as nicely built as either of Apple's own monitors, the Studio Display or the aforementioned Pro Display XDR. The mix of plastic and metal used here doesn't feel even nearly as premium as the lush alloys of the Apple alternatives. The huge external power brick is also a little untidy compared to monitors with integrated power supplies.

Still, by PC monitor standards, this LG is well enough screwed together and offers a decent range of adjustability from its stand. It also boasts excellent connectivity. You get dual Thunderbolt 5 ports with 96W of power delivery, just for starters.

To that you can add DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1 and another three USB-C ports. Together, that ensures pretty much all your connectivity needs are covered, including single-cable connectivity with a laptop, sharing the display with multiple PCs and even daisychaining with full 6K support.

Of course, the main event is the 32-inch 6K panel. It's an IPS Black item, so has heightened contrast compared with most other IPS monitors. But when it comes to not only contrast but also HDR performance, its specs still fall miles behind an OLED display.

That's no surprise given this monitor is only rated for DisplayHDR 600 certification. In other words, it lacks full-array local dimming. That said, colour coverage is good, extending to 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut and there's also true 10-bit per channel colour support without dithering.

LG UltraFine 6K Evo: PerformanceLG // FutureLG // FutureLG // Future

• Incredibly sharp visuals
• Good colour accuracy
• Poor contrast and HDR performance

The LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A is both stellar and disappointing in almost equal measure. But let's start with its finest quality, which is surely the incredible pixel density enabled by full 6K resolution on a 32-inch panel.

The resulting 224 pixels per inch makes for incredibly sharp visuals and fabulously clear and crisp text. It also allows for a huge amount of space for professional workflows. The appeal here compared to a mere 4K monitor, for instance, is that you can view 4K content in a window at full resolution and still have significant space left over for timelines, toolbars and more.

However, the 6K resolution and outstanding pixel density is compromised by the IPS panel's slightly old-school anti-glare coating, which introduces a touch of visible sparkle. Moreover, the step up from a 4K panel in terms of visual detail also isn't entirely earth shattering. Yes, this display is sharper and the text is crisper. But you're paying quite the price premium for those benefits.

The very fact that this is an IPS panel as opposed to OLED also makes it feel rather old fashioned. Sure, the colour accuracy at factory settings is good in both SDR and HDR modes. But even with the latest IPS Black panel tech and 2,000:1 claimed contrast, this monitor looks a bit watery and washed out compared to the latest OLED monitors. The black levels in particular look poor next to any OLED display.

In part that's thanks to the fact that this LG only has DisplayHDR 600 certification. That means it's specified with mere edge-lit backlighting, likely with around 16 zones, not full-array local dimming with hundreds or thousands of zones. In short, this is not a true HDR display.

The 60Hz refresh likewise adds to the sense of a slightly outdated display. Sure, this is no gaming monitor. But even for routine daily computing tasks, 120Hz or higher makes everything more pleasant. Of course, by IPS display standards, this is not a poor monitor. It's just, at this price point, you have so many options. What you gain in terms of 6K pixel density with this display you arguably lose in other areas.

LG UltraFine 6K Evo: Final verdictLG // FutureLG // FutureLG // Future

LG's new 6K display is an exciting prospect, on paper. The combination of native 6K support using the latest IPS Black panel tech is very appealing, for sure. In practice, this premium pro display somewhat disappoints.

For sure, you get an outstanding high-DPI experience. But unless your specific workflows benefit from the extra desktop space, the subjective upgrade in terms of visual clarity and the quality of text rendering is more marginal than you might expect compared to a 4K display of the same size.

At the same time, the limitations of an IPS panel, even with improved contrast, are all too obvious at a price point that includes 4K OLED alternatives such as the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM. The comparatively poor contrast and black levels are all too obvious. There's a significant speed deficit, too, in terms of refresh rate and pixel response.

Admittedly, LG has given this display outstanding connectivity that extends to dual Thunderport 5 ports with support for 6K monitor daisy-chaining. So, in many ways, this is a very powerful productivity tool.

The problem is the 6K and connectivity upsides come with quite a few compromises. Long story short, what many will want is a display like this but based on OLED panel tech. Given the lofty pricing, that isn't an outrageous ask even if such a monitor doesn't currently exist. Until it does, if you are happy with an IPS panel and your workflows will benefit from the 6K resolution, LG's latest Ultrafine monitor probably adds up. But only barely.

For more high-resolution displays, we've reviewed the best 5K and 8K monitors.

The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is not your usual business PC. It's not going to be the pick for casual users, or gamers, or admin work. And it's worth specifying that to begin with: this is a beast of a machine for professionals who need uncompromising power in engineering, AI, and all-around business performance, and who want a machine that is capable today and upgradable for the future,

Yes, it’s niche, and that’s okay. Dell doesn’t shy away from creating machines for a specific subset of users.

If you’re looking into this machine, there is a wide range in specs and pricing. The entry-level buildout is right around $1,000. But the high specs on my review unit are pushing $13,000. So, it may rank as one of the best workstations I've tested, but it certainly comes at a (hefty) price.

Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Price and Availability

The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is available from both Dell US and Dell UK in a range of configurations.

The entry configurations are priced at around $1,000 and still include a Core Ultra 7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an AMD Radeon Pro GPU.

As I mentioned, my buildout is pretty high-tier. My exact buildout is priced at $12,787 and features an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vPro with 128 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell with 96GB, 4 TB of storage, and a massive 1500W PSU… oh, and a DVDRW drive.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 brings me down memory lane; it makes me remember the PCs I grew up on, the one I learned my fascination with computers on, and then I turned it on.

The machine that once reminded me of dial-up and waiting for a simple PDF or low•res photo to fully render is no longer reminiscent of my past at all, and simply reminds me that this is 2026 and this machine means business for today, and tomorrow. That’s exactly how this machine feels. Granted, it‘s no small casing, but for the amount of power packed into this chassis, the power-to-size ratio is wild.

Another thing that quickly surprised me is the port offering. There are great DisplayPorts, USB-A and USB-C ports, a disk drive for crying out loud, and other great ports that make this a spectacular machine all around. What‘s awesome too is that the build quality is spectacular, yes, it is a big machine, but it's a big machine that is built to last, and built to be re-built as new components are released, keeping the desktop workstation around for quite some time to come.

Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This desktop has a classic tower design with a. 32L Chassis that offers great cooling, space to expand and change out parts in the future, and it fits the mold of what pro-level users are used to, which is a bigger deal than some may think.

For those who are not necessarily enthusiasts but are just pro-users, they may not care about the fancy new doohickeys, gadgets, and gizmos. They want a machine that will work the way they need it to, every time, without fail or downtime, and they want it to work right away. They don‘t want to have to learn a new system or rebuild their setup.

The form factor helps with that, but so does the port location, the simple DisplayPort out, the IEC power connection, not some proprietary cable, and the all-around business-first focus. It’s simple things like this that help business users.

Beyond the design, the build quality is great. It’s rugged enough that you can get work done without worrying about your machine breaking, and it looks and feels professional enough that it never passes as a gaming machine, keeping this strictly business.

The internals of this blast-from-the-past-looking tower are nothing close to those with which I grew up. It’s rocking an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 cores, up to 5.7GHz boost, and built-in NPU AI Acceleration. It has an NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell with 96GB, plus a total of 4TB of blazing-fast SSD storage, 128GB of RAM, and a power supply with plenty of headroom to add other components in the future.

This computer is fine-tuned down to the component selection for AI models, training, 8K video editing, large-scale rendering, massive database manipulation, CAD, simulations, and more. This machine is a powerhouse. Plain and simple.

Dell Pro Max Tower T2: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I work alongside engineers, those who work with large data warehouses, those who work with AI, those who work in 3D modeling, 4K and 6K video editors, professional photographers, those who run massive visual events, those who run full custom applications, and so on. I was able to work alongside all of those individuals with this computer to see just how powerful the Dell Pro Max T2 Tower truly is.

It is important to note that this is not a gaming PC; those are also highly spec’d, but in different ways. You could upgrade the GPU to a more gaming-focused one to get closer, but right now this machine is built for work, not play.

I'd happily use this machine as my workhorse for serious work. In high-performance roles like data engineering and architecture, tower PCs are common. This machine is spectacular for that. If you already have a monitor and keyboard setup you love, you're just looking for a more powerful engine for your ecosystem. That's exactly what this delivers.

It’s snappy, has great ports, doesn’t slow down, and stays quiet even during benchmarking tests.

Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is a powerhouse workstation designed for real productivity. It’s not your everyday gaming PC; it’s more than that. Yes, it’s not the most advanced gaming GPU, but it is among the most powerful for raw performance and processing.

For AI, data models, data-intensive work, massive productivity, and beyond, this will handle it. And thanks to the old-school tower form factor, this machine can be upgraded with other components as you desire, without breaking solder joints or cramming parts in.

In short, this isn’t the PC for most, but for those who know they need incredible power in a Windows machine to handle these kinds of tasks, then this may just be the enterprise-grade machine you’ve been dreaming of.

For more powerful options, we've tested the best business computers and the best mobile workstations.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a remake of what is perhaps the most divisive game in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like A Dragon franchise. It comes with overhauled graphics, refreshed combat, a more fleshed-out narrative, and, of course, a new separate story – dubbed Dark Ties – which follows the path of antagonist Yoshitaka Mine.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: February 11, 2026 (Steam); February 12, 2026 (other platforms)

Having recently gone back to the Yakuza 3 Remastered on PlayStation 4, I can say that Kiwami 3 is a very comprehensive remake, and changes to its visuals, combat, and story certainly feel striking.

But are all of these changes for the better? Does this remake continue the high standard that RGG Studio set with the first 2 Kiwami games? Well, the answer to those questions may not be particularly straightforward.

A Dragon reborn

(Image credit: Sega)

Let’s start by discussing the main game: Yakuza Kiwami 3. This follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu – also known as the Dragon of Dojima – a former Yakuza and Tojo Clan Chairman. Following the events of Kiwami 2, Kiryu decides to run an orphanage on the island of Okinawa. But it doesn’t take long before he’s embroiled in yet more drama.

His orphanage is under threat, due to it being situated on land that's needed for a government-backed resort plan. The new Tojo Clan chairman is shot by a mysterious figure. And a succession dispute is erupting among the Tojo family patriarchs. The narrative is still gripping, although this revisit does make a couple of changes.

As some fans may already know, there’s been a shake-up to the finale, which is undoubtedly going to ruffle some feathers. I won’t go into details, but in my view, this change isn’t executed very well. It takes some of the emotion and impact away from the original Yakuza 3, causing the game to fall short of the very best RPGs, narrative-wise.

Something else that may reduce the impact of the narrative is the newly added English voice acting. I know I’m far from the only one who’s said this, but some of the English voices are poor, especially that of Kiryu himself. There’s a lack of maturity and gruffness to the protagonist’s voice, meaning his iconic personality doesn’t shine through. As a result, I played through the game in Japanese.

Best bit

(Image credit: Sega)

One of the highlights for me was playing through the various mini-games at Morning Glory. So when I defeated the grand-champion of bug catching – Mame the dog – I was absolutely over the moon. That pooch puts up one hell of a fight, believe me.

Still, a lot of the other adjustments feel largely positive. For instance, combat feels far better than it did in the original. The new Ryukyu style – which is inspired by Okinawan weapon arts – is brutal and optimized for wiping out swathes of enemies at once. There’s a wide variety of weapons that Kiryu can use in this style, and learning new combos makes it truly devastating.

The Dragon of Dojima style feels excellent too, and perfectly personifies the classic brawler combat Kiryu is known for. You can learn new abilities, including heat action finishers and grabbing techniques – usually, you’ll have to use points earned in battle to do so. Other aspects, like health and strength enhancements, require you to use cash instead. In my opinion, this feels more streamlined and polished than the original upgrade system, and I really enjoyed enhancing my build as the game progressed.

Just generally, combat feels more refined in Kiwami 3. The issue of enemies continually blocking has been significantly improved, battles feel a bit faster-paced, and Kiryu’s movement feels more fluid. I did find that the game was considerably easier than other Yakuza games – at least playing on standard difficulty. As a result, I reduced my use of healing items in battle – but you can select a harder difficulty option instead, if you’d prefer a greater challenge.

Another significant addition is the Lalala Phone, which you can customize to improve Kiryu’s abilities – or just for aesthetic reasons. This is surprisingly fun and provides a real throwback to the late noughties. You can also add friends in Tokyo or Okinawa, and eventually unlock rewards for doing so, giving an actual incentive to use your phone. This has seemingly replaced the original’s Revelations feature, though, which was a source of quirky and often funny cutscenes.

(Image credit: Sega)

But before I move on to Dark Ties, I want to talk about two other major changes – one that I loved, and one that I was less hot on.

I’ll start with the good: Life At Morning Glory. Here, you can complete a bunch of mini-games, like helping the children with homework, sewing, harvesting crops, and fishing. I was absolutely addicted to these – especially the latter two, as they’re necessary for cooking meals requested by the kids. Cooking is a blast, and it’s really wholesome watching Kiryu bond with the orphans over food. More generally, you see so much more of Kiryu’s relationship with the children in this remake – and although he may be a punch-first, ask-questions-later kind of guy, you get a window into the softer, more sensitive side of him, which is a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in love with the other major addition, Bad Boy Dragon. In this story, Kiryu becomes chairman of the Haisai Girls and supports them in their aim to protect Okinawa, crush the oppressive Tokyo Night Terrors, and become Japan’s leading girl gang. You’ll fight in turf wars and large-scale battles in order to achieve all of this, and frequently recruit new members along the way.

Personally, I found this part of the adventure to be a little tedious. Fighting in turf wars feels same-y after a little while, and the trope of helping a group of underdogs win against the odds – as seen with Four Shine in Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Real Estate Royale in Yakuza 0 – just felt a little uninspired. The environments you battle through also lack differentiation, making this part of Kiryu’s campaign less compelling than others.

Enter the underworld

(Image credit: Sega)

Kiwami 3 definitely adds a lot of good stuff, but not all of its additions work out for the best. But my suspicion is that a lot of players – especially returning fans – will be more interested in the Dark Ties content, which follows Tojo Clan newbie Yoshitaka Mine. Here, you uncover the origins of Mine’s Yakuza career, explore his relationship with the brutish Tsuyoshi Kanda, and explore his desire to learn about genuine human bonds.

This is a shorter style of game, with just three chapters. Dark Ties clocked in at under 8 hours for me after I completed the story, as well as a healthy dollop of side-content. But there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Firstly, I want to talk about combat. We already gushed about Mine’s moves in our Dark Ties preview, and for good reason. Mine’s shootboxing style is truly vicious and brilliantly reflects his character – especially when you’re using the souped-up Dark Awakening mechanic. But even his normal moveset – made up of Intense knee smashes, rapid-fire jabs, and acrobatic grabs – makes Mine’s new campaign a blast to blitz through. Seriously, I even found myself enjoying random encounters with street thugs.

(Image credit: Sega)

I really took a shine to Kanda Damage Control as well. This sees Mine attempt to boost the reputation of his aniki, Kanda – a man who I’d describe as a disgusting pig if I were feeling generous. In order to do this, Mine has to do good deeds around Kamurocho – after which he always claims to be Kanda himself. It never gets old, honestly. These often involve high-octane battles, but sometimes descend into the typical wackiness that Yakuza is loved for. I spent a lot of time with this, and plan to max out Kanda’s rank in the coming days for sure.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Because the other major part of the game – Hell’s Arena – did not do it for me at all. This is basically a dungeon crawler where you have to avoid death, loot treasure chests, and destroy your enemies with the help of various mercenaries and weapons. In a similar vein to Bad Boy Dragon, the dungeon-crawling in Hell’s Arena can feel tedious, and the setting didn’t feel varied or interesting enough to draw me back in.

Story-telling is pretty good throughout Dark Ties, though. Mine is fixated on Tojo Clan Chairman, Daigo Dojima, and the way that the latter’s men will risk their very lives in order to save their boss. I was engaged with Mine’s pursuit of human connection, his conflicting relationship with Kanda, and his rise through the Tojo Clan, ensuring that Dark Ties felt like a worthwhile addition overall.

The Dragon and the Kirin

(Image credit: Sega)

We’ve spoken in depth about Yakuza Kiwami 3 as well as Dark Ties now, but it’s time to bring them together and look at the package as a whole.

Now, something that has whipped up a lot of discussion online is the graphical quality of the game – especially with regards to Kiwami 3. An update was released during my review, intended to fix “a lighting issue” and “other quality concerns”. This will be available for all players at launch.

Using version 1.11 of the game, I didn’t have some of the lighting issues encountered by other players, and with HDR active and a few tweaks, I had Kiwami 3 looking pretty solid. RGG Studios’ attempt at ‘tropical lighting’ can make some in-game elements appear oversaturated, though. Some street signs, for instance, looked almost too bright, creating quite the contrast against the original’s grittier color palette.

Just generally, I wasn’t bowled over by the visuals across both campaigns, actually. Some of the in-game textures – stuff like cars and walls, say – just look a bit dated, and lacked the sharpness I’d expect from a 2026 release. Sure, you’re still getting an upgrade overall from the remaster of Yakuza 3, and the game’s visuals aren’t ugly or anything – they’re just not especially impressive.

But back to the good stuff. I was really pleased with the performance of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on PlayStation 5. With 4K visuals and a smooth framerate, you can expect pretty seamless gameplay with very few hiccups.

I was also loving the soundtrack once again. Yakuza always brings together an eclectic mix of aggressive battle music, smooth jazz, and upbeat tracks to suit every mood or setting, and Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is no different. You can even listen to tunes from other Sega titles, like Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure, Persona 3 Reload, and Metaphor: ReFantazio using Kiryu or Mine’s phone, which I adored.

(Image credit: Sega)

But now I want to return to the questions that I posed at the beginning. Are all of the changes made in Yakuza Kiwami 3 for the better? Well, the short answer is no. On the whole, you’re getting an improved experience, with better combat, a shiny new battle style, and boatloads of new content. However, changes to the finale and the slightly tedious Bad Boy Dragon side-story felt less positive.

Does Kiwami 3 maintain the high standards set by its remade predecessors? On the whole, yes. The more streamlined upgrade system, good performance, and quality of life adjustments are most welcome. But I think RGG Studio could’ve made a more visually impressive game. A few other choices – like redesigning a major character named Rikiya and removing Revelations – may also upset some hardcore fans.

With that said, I was a fan of Dark Ties overall, in spite of a couple of flaws. I wouldn’t say that this helps to propel the overall package to the dizzying heights that other entries in the series have reached, though. And ultimately, I feel that Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties sit in the ‘good category’, rather than the ‘great’ one.

Should you play Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties?:

(Image credit: Sega)Play it if...

You’re looking for action-packed combat
The combat in both Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is very enjoyable. Smashing through enemies with the new Ryukyu style with Kiryu or viscerally attacking foes with Mine never gets old. I love using new skills against bitter ex-Yakuza called reapers in Yakuza Kiwami 3 or troublesome opponents in Kanda Damage Control in Dark Ties.

You want to learn more about Mine
Mine is a villain with quite a bit of depth, and Dark Ties is a great way to discover more about him. In this separate story, you’ll learn about the end of his business career and descent into the underworld, and it’s pretty gripping from start to end.

Don't play it if...

You’re a stranger to the series
If you’ve not played a game in the Yakuza series before, I strongly advise against starting with this one. By the time you find Kiryu in Okinawa, you’ve just missed out on too much lore. Go back to Yakuza Kiwami, or even better, Yakuza 0, and work your way up to this one.

You’re expecting amazing next-gen visuals
If you’re looking for a real spectacle to enjoy on your PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, then Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties may not hit the spot. Some textures look a bit dated, and the lighting may not do it for those seeking out a more realistic, natural-looking game.

Accessibility features

There’s a pretty comprehensive set of accessibility features to explore in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. You can set auto quick-time events, swap the left and right sticks, choose between rapid or hold button controls, and customize the camera to your liking. You can also alter subtitle language and text size, map controls to different buttons, and utilize color vision assistance.

(Image credit: Sega)How I reviewed Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties:

For this review, I spent more than 50 hours playing through Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. During this time, I rolled credits on both Kiryu's and Mine’s campaigns, defeated all of the reapers, and completed the Life At Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon storylines.

I played the PS5 version of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, which is connected to a Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. On occasion, I dipped into the Yakuza 3 remaster in order to compare performance, graphics, and gameplay.

I’m a long-time fan of the Yakuza series, and recently reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2. More generally, I’m a massive JRPG fan, and have written about titles such as Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, and Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter.

First reviewed February 2026

Freshsales, a CRM that’s part of the Freshworks suite of business software, is a platform designed to streamline and optimize the sales process for businesses of all sizes.

What sets Freshsales apart is its focus on sales-centric features, such as visual sales pipelines, built-in communication tools, and AI-powered insights. One of the best CRM platforms, Freshsales offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs and workflows. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, Freshsales aims to provide a comprehensive solution for managing leads, deals, and customer relationships, all while keeping the user experience simple and intuitive.

In this in-depth review, I'll explore the key features, pricing, ease of use, and overall value of Freshsales CRM — based on my experience with the platform. I've looked beyond the marketing to provide hands-on, objective analysis. I spent many hours navigating its "Freddy AI" ecosystem, testing its predictive lead scoring with real-world datasets, and evaluating its built-in telephony to see if it truly offers a single pane of glass experience. As with all our reviews, we never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that my verdict on Freshsales’ ease of use and its value for high-growth teams is based entirely on practical performance. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether Freshsales is the right fit for your business and sales team.

Get Freshworks CRM solutions from $9 per user/mo

Freshsales is just one of a suite of CRM solutions offered by Freshworks, which combine phone, email, and messaging. Each solution is intuitive, user-friendly interface and boasts strong sales features; all reasons why our editors recommend Freshworks for small businesses.View Deal

Freshsales core capabilities

(Image credit: Freshsales )

Freshsales offers a comprehensive set of tools that cover all the essential aspects of customer relationship management. Its centralized database makes it easy to store, organize, and access customer data from a single place. Meanwhile, the ability to enrich contact profiles with additional information from social media and other public sources is a valuable time-saver.

The platform provides a visual sales pipeline that helps me track the progress of each deal from initial contact to closure. I can easily create and assign tasks, set reminders, and collaborate with my team to nurture leads effectively. I can also customize the deal stages, pipelines, and contact fields to match my specific sales process. The new AI-powered lead scoring is particularly useful, helping to prioritize the most promising opportunities based on their likelihood to convert.

When it comes to sales forecasting and pipeline management, Freshsales offers customizable sales reports and dashboards that provide real-time insights into key metrics such as revenue, win rates, and sales cycle length. I can easily filter and segment data to identify trends, spot bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions when optimizing my sales process. I can track everything from individual rep performance to overall team productivity and revenue growth. The visual dashboards make it easy to digest complex data and share insights with stakeholders across the organization.

(Image credit: Freshsales )

For those in the field, Freshsales offers a fully-featured mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing me to access customer data, update deals, and communicate with my team on the go. The app also allows me to view and update contact information, log calls and emails, schedule appointments, and even access key reports and dashboards. Applications are well-designed and responsive, making it a seamless extension of the desktop experience.

Another signature selling point of Freshsales is its integration with other tools in the Freshworks ecosystem, such as Freshdesk for customer support and Freshmarketer for marketing automation. It allows me to gain a holistic view of each customer's journey and ensures that sales, marketing, and support are always on the same page. Additionally, the platform supports a wide range of third-party integrations through its open API, allowing me to connect with my favorite productivity tools to simplify my daily workflow.

Beyond these core capabilities, Freshsales offers a range of advanced features that set it apart from other CRM platforms. For example, the built-in phone system allows me to make and receive calls directly from the CRM, with automatic call logging and recording. The email integration is also top-notch, with the ability to send personalized bulk emails, track opens and clicks, and sync conversations with contact records.

What's new?

Freshsales has undergone a significant transformation in late 2025 and early 2026, moving away from passive data entry toward a more proactive, AI-driven "Assistant" model. The most notable change is the rollout of the Freddy AI Copilot, which has evolved from a simple lead-scoring tool into a comprehensive generative assistant. This new version of Freddy can now autonomously summarize sprawling email threads, draft hyper-personalized follow-up messages based on the detected sentiment of a prospect, and even suggest the "Next Best Action" for deals that have remained stagnant in the pipeline for too long. For sales managers, this shift means less time spent on manual deal reviews and more time spent on strategy, as the AI identifies at-risk opportunities before they drop off the board.

The platform's connectivity has also seen a major boost through the Unified Customer Data Hub, a 2026 initiative that bridges the gap between the sales and support departments. Freshsales users now benefit from real-time visibility into active Freshdesk support tickets and "Customer Frustration Scores" directly within the CRM contact timeline. This integration ensures that sales reps aren't making outreach calls to clients who are currently experiencing technical issues, a common point of friction in high-growth companies. Furthermore, the introduction of Advanced Multichannel Sequences allows for smarter automation; for instance, if a lead ignores an email but engages with a LinkedIn post, the CRM can automatically pivot its outreach strategy to social channels or SMS, creating a more fluid and responsive buyer journey.

Finally, the onboarding experience has been modernized with the AI-Guided Data Importer, launched in January 2026. This tool drastically reduces setup time by using machine learning to map complex custom fields and historical data from competitors like Salesforce or HubSpot with over 90% accuracy. Coupled with the new Role-Based Workspaces, which declutter the interface by showing only the tools relevant to a user's specific job - such as prospecting for SDRs or territory management for Directors - Freshsales has successfully maintained its easy-to-use reputation while adding the depth required for larger, global sales organizations.

How easy is Freshsales to use?

When it comes to user experience, Freshsales features a clean and modern layout that’s very easy to get familiar with. Its dashboard provides a clear overview of key metrics, upcoming tasks, and recent activities, allowing me to quickly access information without feeling overwhelmed. The main menu is well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear labels and icons for each section of the platform.

(Image credit: Freshsales )

I can quickly access my contacts, deals, reports, and settings without having to hunt through multiple submenus or click through endless screens. The platform also allows me to tailor the interface to my specific needs and preferences, from rearranging widgets on the dashboard to creating custom fields for contacts and deals. The drag-and-drop functionality for managing deals and pipelines is particularly user-friendly, enabling me to quickly update the status of my sales opportunities with just a few clicks.

When it comes to the onboarding curve, Freshsales offers a wealth of resources to help new users get up to speed quickly. The comprehensive knowledge base includes detailed articles, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides covering every aspect of the platform. Based on my experience with other CRM tools like HubSpot and Salesforce, I’d say that Freshsales stands out for its simplicity without compromising on the core capabilities that sales teams need for their day-to-day.

In addition to the self-service knowledge base, Freshsales also provides a dedicated onboarding program for new users to the platform. This includes a series of interactive walkthroughs that guide you through the key features and functions, as well as best practices for setting up your account and importing data.

Freshsales also offers a range of time-saving features and shortcuts that further enhance its usability. For example, the global search function allows me to quickly find any record or file within the platform, while the bulk editing tools enable me to update multiple records at once. These small but impactful features make a big difference when you have to use the platform everyday.

While Freshsales is generally very user-friendly, I did encounter a few minor challenges. For example, the page timeout feature can be a bit annoying, as it requires you to refresh the page if you need to stay on it for an extended period. But overall, the combination of an intuitive interface, extensive customization options, comprehensive onboarding resources, and time-saving features leave me with a positive impression of the platform’s user experience. I particularly appreciate the inclusion of a proper onboarding program, something that’s sadly missing from a lot of other CRMs.

Freshsales integrations

(Image credit: Freshsales)

In my experience with Freshsales, I've found its integration capabilities to be a mixed bag. While the platform integrates seamlessly with other products in the Freshworks suite, such as Freshdesk for customer support and Freshchat for live chat, the number of native integrations with third-party applications is somewhat limited compared to other solutions.

Freshsales offers around 30 pre-built integrations with popular business tools, including Google Calendar, Mailchimp, Twilio, Quickbooks, Xero, and Trello. These integrations allow for streamlined data synchronization and workflow automation, saving time and reducing manual effort. For example, the Google Calendar integration enables me to sync my Freshsales appointments and tasks with my Google Calendar, ensuring I never miss an important meeting or deadline.

However, when compared to other CRM platforms like Pipedrive offering 400 integrations, or HubSpot with over 1,600 third-party app integrations, Freshsales' native integration options seem relatively sparse. This limitation may be a concern for businesses that rely heavily on a wide range of tools and require seamless data flow between them.

Fortunately, Freshsales provides a robust API that allows for custom integrations and extensions. API documentation is comprehensive and well-structured, making it easier for developers to build custom integrations tailored to specific business needs. Additionally, Freshsales offers native connectors for Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat), which enable users to create automated workflows between Freshsales and hundreds of other apps without coding.

Leveraging the Freshsales API and Zapier has allowed me to connect the CRM with several crucial tools in my tech stack. For instance, when a deal is won in Freshsales, I was able to set up a Zap that automatically creates a task in Asana for the customer success team to onboard the new client. This integration helps streamline the handover process and ensures that no critical steps are missed.

While the limited number of native integrations in Freshsales may seem concerning at first glance, the platform's API and compatibility with iPaaS tools like Zapier and Make provide ample opportunities for customization and extension. With a bit of technical know-how or the help of a developer, businesses can create powerful integrations that suit their unique needs and workflows.

How good is Freshsales customer support?

Again with customer support, Freshsales CRM is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, Freshsales offers a variety of support channels, including phone, email, and live chat, which are available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. However, the lack of 24/7 support that competitors such as Monday.com offer, can be a drawback for some, especially those with global operations or customers in different time zones.

However, I appreciate that Freshsales offers phone support across all subscription tiers, a welcome addition of a must-have feature that’s often missing from some competitors’ entry-level plans. Being able to speak with a support representative directly can be invaluable when facing complex issues.

In terms of self-service resources, Freshsales provides a solid foundation with its collection of case studies, how-to videos, and knowledge base articles. These materials cover a wide range of topics, from basic features to advanced workflows, and can be helpful for users looking to troubleshoot issues or learn more about the platform on their own.

Additionally, Freshsales offers an academy program with courses and certifications for admins and agents. This is a great way for users to improve their skills and demonstrate their expertise with the platform, which can lead to better adoption and more effective use of the CRM.

While its customer support is still strong enough, there are more areas where the company could improve. For example, the average first response and resolution times are not readily available, making it difficult to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of the support team. Similarly, customer satisfaction scores are not publicly disclosed, which could leave users wondering about the quality of support they can expect.

It’s also worth noting that Freshsales’ customer support is only available in English. This may be a barrier for users in non-English speaking countries or those who prefer to communicate in their native language. Expanding support to include more languages could help Freshsales better serve its global user base.

Freshsales pricing and plans

(Image credit: Freshsales )

Plan

Free

Growth

Pro

Enterprise

Price

$0/user/month

$15/user/month

$39/user/month

$69/user/month

Best for

Small teams just starting out with CRM

Startups and SMBs seeking efficient pipeline management

Growing businesses requiring advanced capabilities

Mid to large-sized businesses needing advanced customization

Features

Contact management; Deal tracking; Built-in chat & phone

Visual sales pipeline; AI-powered contact scoring; Sales sequences

Multiple sales pipelines; AI deal insights; Advanced workflows

Custom modules; AI-based forecasting; Audit logs

Limitations

Limited to 3 users

Lacks some advanced features

Higher cost may be prohibitive for smaller teams

Might be overly complex for small businesses

Freshsales’ pricing is flexible and competitive, offering a range of options to suit businesses of various sizes and needs. Its free plan supports up to 100 active contacts, with basic features like contact management, deal tracking, and built-in phone and email. For businesses requiring more advanced features, Freshsales offers three paid plans: Growth, Pro, and Enterprise.

The Growth plan starts at $15 per user per month (billed annually) and includes additional features like AI-powered contact scoring, sales sequences, and workflows. This plan help make Freshsales one of the best CRM of small businesses and startups looking for a cost-effective CRM solution with essential automation capabilities.

As a business grows and requires more sophisticated features, the Pro plan at $39 per user per month (billed annually) offers advanced functionality such as multiple sales pipelines, time-based workflows, and auto-assignment rules. I found this plan to be well-suited for medium-sized businesses with more complex sales processes and multiple teams.

For larger enterprises with extensive customization and governance needs, the Enterprise plan at $69 per user per month (billed annually) provides custom modules, AI-based forecasting insights, audit logs, and other advanced features. While this plan is more expensive, it offers a comprehensive feature set that can scale with the needs of large organizations.

There’s a flat 20% discount on annual subscriptions over monthly ones. Plus, additional discounts and bundles are available throughout the year if you’re looking to save money. For newcomers, Freshsales also offers a generous 21-day free trial for all plans.

Beyond your base plan, businesses can purchase additional bot sessions, phone credits, or configure-price-quote (CPQ) licenses as needed. While this lends more flexibility to the pricing structure, overall costs can add up quickly if you aren’t careful. You should carefully review your needs and factor in the cost of necessary add-ons to make sure you aren’t overspending.

How we test

At TechRadar Pro, our review process is designed to delve into the real-life daily workflows of modern sales teams. When we evaluate a platform like Freshsales, we follow a rigorous testing framework to ensure our recommendation stands up to the pressures of a modern-day business environment:

We perform a full, clean-slate installation of the software, testing the "AI-Guided Data Importer" by feeding it messy, real-world CSV datasets and historical exports from rival CRMs to see how effectively it maps custom fields and identifies duplicates during the initial migration.

Of course, we also get to grips with one of Freshsales' key features: Freddy AI. We feed Freddy AI complex email threads and customer sentiment data to see if its "Next Best Action" suggestions and meeting summaries are actually useful or merely generic. We specifically look for hallucinations in AI-generated email drafts to ensure they remain professional and context-aware.

In addition, unique to the Freshworks ecosystem, we test the bi-directional data flow between Freshsales and Freshdesk. We simulate active customer support tickets to see if the "Frustration Scores" update in real-time on the sales rep's dashboard and if the alerts are prominent enough to prevent a poorly timed sales call.

Finally, no assessment of a modern CRM would be worth its salt without considering the mobile nature of modern marketing and sales. As such, we test the Freshsales mobile app in real-world scenarios, evaluating its offline lead-logging capabilities, the reliability of its built-in cloud telephony over 5G and Wi-Fi, and the ease of access to Freddy insights while on the move.

Freshsales review: Final verdict

Freshsales shines in its core capabilities, offering a robust set of features that cater to the needs of sales teams of all sizes. The platform's intuitive interface and customization options make it easy for users to adopt and tailor to their unique workflows.

While the number of native integrations is limited compared to some competitors, Freshsales' open API and compatibility with Zapier and Make provide ample opportunities for extensibility. Customer support is generally strong, with multiple channels available and helpful resources for self-service. However, there is room for improvement in terms of response times and language support. In any case, Freshsales offers excellent value for money, with flexible pricing plans and a generous free trial period, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.

At the end of the day, Freshsales CRM is a powerful and user-friendly platform that offers a compelling blend of features, affordability, and scalability. While there are areas for improvement, particularly when it comes to the quality of support and range of integrations offered, the platform's strengths make it a top choice for businesses seeking a reliable and adaptable CRM.

FAQIs Freshsales actually free?

Yes, Freshsales offers a "Forever Free" plan for up to three users. It includes basic contact management, a built-in dialer, and 24/5 support. However, it is important to note that the free tier lacks any reporting, visual sales pipelines, or AI insights. It is best suited for solo entrepreneurs or micro-teams just starting to move away from spreadsheets.

What is the difference between Freshsales and Freshsales Suite?

Freshsales is the standalone sales CRM focused on pipelines and deal management. Freshsales Suite is an all-in-one platform that combines the sales CRM with Freshmarketer (for email campaigns and landing pages). If your team needs to manage the entire customer journey - from the first marketing click to the final sales signature - the Suite is the better value, though it comes at a higher starting price point.

Does Freddy AI cost extra?

This year, Freshworks moved Freddy AI from a built-in feature to a "Flexi-Add-on." For the advanced generative features (like email summarization and automated follow-ups), it costs $29 per user/month billed annually. The benefit of the flexi model is that you don't have to buy it for your entire company; you can purchase licenses only for the power users or high-volume reps who need it most.

Does Freshsales work offline

Yes, the Freshsales mobile app for iOS and Android supports offline functionality. You can view contacts, add notes, and create tasks without an internet connection. Once your device is back online, the app automatically syncs your changes to the cloud database.

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro: two-minute review

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is a premium, feature-rich, hybrid floor-cleaning robot that delivers an impressive 25,000 Pascals of suction – great for lifting fine dust, debris and pet hair from hard floors and even deep-pile carpet. With its ultra-slim profile. retractable LiDAR navigation turret and clever AdaptiLift chassis with omnidirectional wheels, this bot can clean under very low furniture and scale especially tall thresholds.

Those 'AdaptiLift' stilts also enable this robot vacuum to hover at exactly the right height over thick carpet and rugs. In practice, this worked extremely well – the Curv 2 Pro offers some of the very best carpet cleaning performance I've experienced.

While the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's navigation is robust and reliable (it uses a combination of lasers and an RGB camera), its Reactive AI obstacle avoidance isn't quite up to the accurate standards of some of its premium stablemates.

Given that this is a hybrid robot, it comes with a dual-spinning mop system that exerts 12 Newtons of downward pressure for tackling everyday messes though it will struggle with liquid spills and some ingrained stains. These mops also automatically detach or lift up whenever the bot is on carpet or crossing a rug.

The chunky, curvy look of Roborock's newly updated Hygiene+ 3.0 docking system may not be to everyone's liking but there's no doubting its efficiency at maintaining the robot on a daily basis. Like most of today's hybrid models, the dock charges the bot after every cleaning session, automatically empties the contents of the robot's diminutive bin into the dock's large 2.7-liter dust bag, and washes the robot's two spinning mop pads with hot water before wafting hot air over them to prevent smells and mould. In other words, it's mostly hands free.

Overall, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is an exceptionally capable everyday floor cleaning solution that offers excellent suction, intelligent navigation and a highly self-sufficient dock. Granted, it doesn't have the best obstacle avoidance I've ever encountered, but for everyday household cleaning of both hard floors and especially carpet, it's an efficient workhorse that shouldn't let you down.

(Image credit: Future)Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: price & availability

• List price: €899 (about $1,060 / £780 / AU$1,520)
• Available: Europe and Asia – US, UK and AU to follow
• Launched: September 2025

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro sits toward the premium end of the robot vacuum spectrum and generally delivers solid value for money, if your priorities are advanced automation and cleaning performance. High-end features like expert LiDAR-based mapping and decent obstacle avoidance justify the price for users who want a mostly set-and-forget cleaning solution rather than a basic scheduled robot.

That said, there are similar robots at lower cost that may suit some households just as well. For instance, in the UK the standard Roborock Qrevo S5V with a decent 12,000Pa of suction power, self-cleaning dock and similar mopping system retails at a smidge under £500 for the black model and £425 for the white. Or, for just £549, the excellent Dreame L40 Ultra with 19,000Pa is an equally good bet.

No question, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro offers very decent value for those who want maximum convenience and features (including AdaptiLift), but there are some less expensive robots out there that are on a par for typical floor cleaning tasks.

As of writing, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is only available in select territories, including most of Europe (where it's selling for around €899) and some Asian and Middle East countries. The rest of the world, including the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, will see staggered launches throughout 2026.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro specs

Max suction:

25,000Pa

Robot diameter:

13.8 x 13.9in / 35 x 35.2cm

Robot height:

3.1 in / 8cm

Dock dimensions (W x D x H):

17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 in / 45 x 45 x 45cm

Mop type:

Dual spinning discs

Max threshold clearance: 

1.6 in / 4cm (double-layer)

Dust bin volume (base):

2.7L

Water tank volume:

3.2L (clean), 3L (dirty)

Base functions:

Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads with hot air, self-clean

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: design

• Excellent suction power, with split rollers to avoid hair tangle
• Retractable LiDAR puck and 'AdaptiLift' legs for deep carpet and tall thresholds
• Large but fully-featured cleaning dock

As I mentioned in my review of the Roborock Q5 Pro+ in March 2025, there's a proliferation of robot vacuum brands on the market right now, each with a huge roster of models. This makes it a challenge for any journalist writing about a specific robot vacuum cleaner that is, in many ways, very similar to other models on the market, and it must be even more confusing for the consumer when faced with so many options.

Take Roborock, for instance. There are currently five different models in its Saros range, five in the Qrevo Curv Series, eight in the standard Qrevo range, five in the S Series, four in the Qrevo Edge Series and seven models in the lower-priced Q Series. And that's without even having a sniff at all the other brands like Dreame, Ecovacs, Eufy, Narwal, EZVIZ, Switchbot and iRobot. It seems that the world is awash in robot vacs at the moment and the same thing is already beginning to happen with robot lawn mowers.

But I digress – let's look at the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro in more detail and see if it's as good as the myriad of other premium models I've reviewed from the Roborock stable.

Robot vacuum design

On the surface, Roborock's Qrevo Curv 2 Pro adopts the same design principles as many other premium robot vacuum cleaners. The robot itself – 13.8 in / 35cm in diameter – is circular in shape with a centrally-located roller brush, an expandable side sweeping brush for edge and corner cleaning, two circular mops that are automatically ejected in the dock or raised whenever the robot is working on or crossing over carpet, a LiDAR turret for expert navigation, plus a full gamut of other navigational and obstacle avoidance aids. The Full Monty, in other words.

(Image credit: Future)

As one might expect from a renowned manufacturer like Roborock, build quality is exceptional throughout and well up there with the best in premium robot vacs. I've reviewed many Roborock products over the years and have never once experienced any issues aside from the odd clogging of a dust bag or some cotton tangled around a spindle. In the main, they have all performed reliably and efficiently. As a consequence, Roborock is the brand I always recommend whenever asked.

Given the popularity of Roborock's retractable LiDAR turrets that allow many models from its current roster to venture beneath low-slung furnishings, it's no surprise that Roborock has opted to fit the same RetractSense system to this particular model. As a result, when the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's turret is retracted, the height of the robot measures a squat 3.14in / 7.98cm.

That means it can scuttle under most wardrobes, TV stands and low sofas as long as there's a minimum of 3in / 8cm of clearance. This is a major boon for anyone who has struggled to clean such inaccessible areas using a standard stick vac, especially one that isn't equipped with a Shark-inspired bendy suction tube.

(Image credit: Future)

The Qrevo Curv 2 Pro uses the aforementioned tried-and-trusted LiDAR system for its primary navigation, a VertiBeam lateral laser system for accurate edge cleaning around furniture, an upward-facing Range Finder for measuring overhead clearance, a top contact sensor to prevent the robot from jamming itself and, importantly, a combination of 'structured light' and a front-facing RGB camera with LED light for expert obstacle avoidance in all lighting conditions.

According to Roborock the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro can recognise over 200 objects, 'from tangled cables to pet surprises' but presumably only when the 'Pet' switch in the app is activated. Incidentally, the Pet setting also ensures that the robot's brush roller stops working the moment the sensors detect a furry friend.

While I personally prefer the idea of a dual counter-rotating brush head system as introduced by iRobot, Roborock has quite recently started fitting some of its bots with single split rubber brushes that meet with a small gap in the centre, and that's the case with this model. According to Roborock, the so-called 'DuoDivide' layout helps deal with hair tangles by moving the hair towards the suction gap in the middle to prevent it from getting tangled around the roller's spindles. I vouch that this system works very well and I have no issues to report regarding pet hair tangles.

(Image credit: Future)

However, as mentioned in my article on overdue robot innovations I want to see, I really do wish robot manufacturers would adopt D-shaped bodies to their products, because the circular ones of norm require fitting a short 6.3in / 16cm roller brush between the robot's wheels, which leaves as much as 3.5in / 9cm of unused space on either side of the roller.

I cite iRobot's very early S9+ as an example. This D-shaped robot came onto the market in 2019 and featured a long 9in / 23cm rubber roller positioned near the front, almost across the entire width of the machine. This meant it was not only better at collecting dust along edges, but it also picked up a wider band of detritus with every sweep. Perhaps there's a valid technical reason why the vast majority of robot vacs are circular, so answers on a postcard please.

(Image credit: Future)

Let's look at this bot's suction power, because suction strength is one of the only differences between the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro and its sibling, the Qrevo CurvX. Where the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra TechRadar reviewed in July 2024 featured a then 'industry-leading' 10,000 Pascals of suction power, this one hits the 25,000Pa mark; 3,000Pa more than the Qrevo CurvX. Mind, even this lofty stat is still 5,000Pa shy of the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra I recently reviewed, but it just goes to show how fast robot vacuum technology has advanced in such a short space of time. For the record, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro offers five levels of suction, from quiet to MAX+.

Given that this robot is of the hybrid variety, it also comes with a full mopping system comprised of twin spinning mops on the rear, with the ability to extend the mop on one side for cleaning around furniture legs and in corners. These mops are only used for hard floor cleaning and are therefore either raised when the robot is crossing carpet or rugs, or left behind in the dock if the robot is only performing a vacuum task. Like all decent mopping bots, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's mops are given a thorough wash and dry after each working session, and you can read more about this in the Dock Design chapter directly below.

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, those with single or double thresholds up to 1.6in / 4cm in height will be thrilled to learn that the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro has been fitted with Roborock's clever AdaptiLift technology. Rather than relying on fixed-height wheels like traditional robot vacuums, AdaptiLift gives the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro the ability to dynamically raise and lower its chassis and wheels to adapt to complex floor environments.

The robot's two articulated wheels literally allow the robot to automatically lift and tilt its body to clear high thresholds and even maintain optimal brush and suction contact across different floor types, including carpets with up to 1.2in / 3cm of pile. It also helps free the robot when encountering an obstruction. By intelligently sensing floor transitions and responding in real time, AdaptiLift reduces the need for manual intervention while expanding the robot's practical reach within a home. What's not to like?

Dock design

Roborock's Qrevo Curv series is defined by the curvature of its newly updated Hygiene+ 3.0 dock design. Available only in white, this rounded design aesthetic differs from the rectangular norm and looks shiny, minimalist and, dare I say, rather swish when installed in a modern home. However, its rotund shape may not be to everyone's taste.

(Image credit: Future)

Like the majority of robot docks, this one charges the robot after every task (it takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to charge from 0%) as well as emptying the contents of the robot's small 270ml bin into the dock's much larger 2.7-liter dust bag. If you don't have pets, expect about a month or so to pass before the dust bag is full and ready for disposal. However, if you have hairy pets like me, then be prepared to fit a new bag every couple of weeks or so. To save on the cost of extra bags, I often remove the hair and muck in the bag using a pair of long-nose pliers. It's messy, yes, but it saves money in the long run.

(Image credit: Future)

Given that this robot also mops hard floors, the mops always go through a thorough cleaning regime in the dock after every cleaning session. This involves scrubbing them using water at 212F / 100C followed by a 122F / 50C hot-air drying session to prevent mould and nasty odours. All you have to do is occasionally fill the dock's 3.2-liter reservoir with fresh water and dispose of the contents in the 3-liter dirty water tank.

Various levels of moisture can be added to the mops depending on the type of flooring you have. Simply go to the Roborock app and select the level of moisture required – for vinyl flooring I would suggest a higher level, and for wooden flooring I'd opt for one of the various levels well below the midway mark. This is especially pertinent for thin laminated flooring which can easily warp if too damp.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: performance

• Exemplary carpet cleaning performance
• Acceptable mopping performance
• Slightly disappointing obstacle avoidance

I have no major anomalies to report regarding this bot's navigation which is generally very good, though it might take the long way round to get to its place of work rather than a direct path. I've noticed a lot of robot vacs do this but then I've also noticed that some models, specifically those from Roborock, appear to learn over time and eventually take the shorter, direct route. I would expect this model to start doing the same over the next few weeks.

While the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's first mapping run of my open-plan area was a success, it didn't initially name the rooms in my home as accurately as the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra. While it correctly named the kitchen, it treated the open-plan lounge and dining area as one large room and called it the sunroom. It also named the hallway as the living room and the hall passage as a bedroom. By comparison, the Matrix10 Ultra not only named every room correctly, but all areas were divided correctly, too.

(Image credit: Future)

Mind, this slight hiccup in the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's room recognition was easily rectified by using the Roborock app to divide, merge and rename all rooms correctly. The key takeaway here is that this bot has never not found its charging dock, has never got lost under a sofa and has never stranded itself under the dining table. Every cleaning task has generally gone without any navigational hitches, and that's all you need to know.

Obstacle avoidance

For my obstacle avoidance test I laid out an assault course of dog toys, including two small items to replicate the size of average dog waste. While the robot deftly avoided the larger obstacles over two inches in height, it twice ran over one of the smaller items, a one-inch tall nylon bone. In the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's defence, this item often flummoxes robots though I'll admit that I was surprised that the Curv 2 Pro didn't avoid it given the Roborock website's poo-dodging claim.

FutureFutureFuture

I then added a phone cable to the mix and, despite adjustments in the app, I was surprised to see the robot run over the cable on three separate occasions, even wrapping the cable around the brush head in one instance. This one really surprised me so I checked the multitude of parameters in the app – I had 'Pet' selected for extra overall sensitivity – and I couldn't see any conflicting settings. The upshot is that, while I consider this model's obstacle avoidance to be generally acceptable, I wouldn't rely on it to avoid all clutter in the home. More importantly, I would never rely on it to avoid dog mess of any shape or form.

Vacuum performance

Roborock has been marketing this bot as one of the best for carpet cleaning and, on evidence of my test using oats, muesli and crushed biscuits, I'd say the claim is spot on. I was blown away by how well it tackled the test.

I admittedly selected two passes in the app and MAX+ mode for 25,000Pa of suction, but I needn't have bothered going that far because pass number one was enough to remove the vast majority of detritus. That's an exceptional result, and one of the best I've seen for carpet pickup. I also tried it on a thick pile carpet upstairs and was equally impressed that it a) it managed to collect a sprinkling of oats and b) it didn't get bogged down in the pile.

The carpet rug before the vacuuming testFuture... during the test...Future... and the results afterwardsFutureThe contents of the bin following the testFuture

For the hard floor test, I used the same ingredients but changed the suction one level down to Max. I was generally very pleased with the results though, as is often the case with robots, the edges weren't completely cleaned and some of the debris was scattered by the robot's spinning side brush – which just goes to show why having a cordless stick vac to hand is always advisable.

The Qrevo Curv 2 Pro before the suction test on hard flooring...Future... during the test...Future... and the results afterwardsFutureAs with many bots, the Curv 2 Pro didn't do a perfect job of the cornersFutureMopping performance

In terms of its bi-weekly mopping ability, I've been impressed by the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's overall performance. It has dealt with light stains and general footfall marks very well, including regularly extending one of its articulated mopping pads when traveling along skirting boards, in corners and around chair and table legs.

However, there's only so much one can ask of a twin-pad mopping system like this because, unlike some roller-based models which rinse the roller while it's cleaning, the pads on this aren't cleaned during the mopping task. And that means that any gunk that appears to have been cleaned off the floor actually remains on the mops – which is then spread around the rest of the floor. It's the nature of the beast, which is why it's never advisable to let a robot with spinning pads loose on a large-ish liquid spill.

To prove this, I created a small 'zone' in my kitchen, squirted some tomato ketchup over my wooden floor and commanded the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro to go and clean it up, having set the mop moisture setting to medium. On initial evidence it did a fine job at removing the mess, though it did leave one small smear behind. However, on closer inspection in the right reflective lighting, I could clearly see some clear but slimy swirls on the floor which would invariably dry, leaving a tacky residue behind.

Before the mopping test...Future...during... Future... and the results afterwardsFutureAnother look at the mopping resultsFuture

Had I not had the excellent Roborock F25 Ultra to hand to completely finish the job, I would have had to reach for the good old mop and bucket to fully remove all residue. This is no slight on the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro since all mopping robots of this nature behave the same way. You just need to choose your battles carefully.

Dock performance

While I don't mind the look of the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's dock, it's not a patch on its stylish stablemates, the Roborock Saros 10 and 10R, which both come with black mirrored docks that meld into the background of any room. By contrast, this one is larger in appearance and much more noticeable.

From an operational point of view, the dock itself has proved faultless over the past few weeks with no anomalies to report. Yes, the bin emptying process is quite noisy but it's been powerful enough to always empty the robot's bins even when packed with dog hair. It has also washed and maintained the mops very well leaving no residue behind.

(Image credit: Future)

Is there anything negative to report about the dock? Well I'm not keen on the design of the dock's dust bag container, since its deep and narrow, downward-facing chamber entails having the dust bag hang and bend at the top where it connects with the inlet. When filled with detritus, the weight of it could feasibly cut off airflow into the bag. I should add that I haven't had any issue to date with the emptying process but I still maintain that it's an odd design that appears to go against simple physics. But what do I know?

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: app

• Exceedingly comprehensive
• Well laid out
• Easy to use

The Roborock app is an essential companion that elevates the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's overall cleaning experience from the moment you open it. Cleanly designed and intuitively laid out, this app makes both initial setup and day-to-day control extremely straightforward, whether you're a first-time robot vacuum owner or a seasoned user who requires a plethora of customization options.

Roborock / FutureRoborock / Future

Mapping is mostly accurate, with detailed floor plans that are highly editable, allowing you to label rooms, set no-go zones, define virtual walls and customize cleaning routines with surprising precision. Moreover, the ability to adjust suction power, mopping intensity and cleaning sequences on a per-room basis gives users a level of control that few competitors can match, Dreame notwithstanding.

The Roborock app also supports a raft of scheduling options, self-created routines and multi-level home management, making it easy to tailor cleaning to your lifestyle. Combined with its stable connectivity and regular firmware updates, this app feels genuinely mature and thoughtfully engineered. Which is why it's still my favorite robot app of all.

• App score: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

A premium robovac (although a step below most flagship models). Advanced specs and features justify the price tag.

4 / 5

Design

Sleek, ultra-slim profile and packed with features. Dock is comprehensive but quite chunky.

4 / 5

Performance

Excellent vacuuming and especially impressive on carpet. Mopping very acceptable but obstacle avoidance a bit underwhelming.

4 / 5

App

The Roborock app is the gold standard for design and features.

4.5 / 5

How I tested the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro

With so many similarly-specced robot vacs on the market, it's becoming quite difficult to detect the differences between them. But in this day and age, specs mean nothing if the bot doesn't perform to the high standards that TechRadar's writers expect.

We always strive to get the best out of the products we review and always push them to the limits of their functionality. In this case I tested the robot vac on different floor types, watched it navigate a room, set up an obstacle course and put it to four performance tests – carpet vacuuming, hard floor vacuuming, general mopping and messy mopping. Half points out of five are then awarded for each category and averaged out for a final score. Five stars are only given to a product that unequivocally impresses on all fronts but four-stars products, too, are absolutely worth investigation.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed February 2026

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: One minute review

Amazfit has been on a hot streak recently. Fresh off the release of the Bip 6 and Active 2, the company has now released the latest version of its most capable outdoor watch, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro. The watch is showcased by the super successful ultrarunner and official commercial partner Ruth Croft, who says that Amazfit “gives her the tools she needs without getting in the way of the run."

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is pitched as a value alternative to premium rugged watches like the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. While it costs significantly less, it packs very competitive hardware, making it a compelling option for outdoor athletes and budget-conscious consumers.

With a military-grade (MIL-STD-810H) rating, a titanium bezel, and sapphire crystal glass, the T-Rex 3 Pro is seriously rugged, built to withstand extreme temperatures and is 10 ATM water-resistant, certified for scuba diving up to 45 meters. In addition to its already excellent diving features, the T-Rex 3 Pro has a dedicated dive computer mode like the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The 1.5-inch AMOLED display is also impressively specced, with 3,000 nits of peak brightness to compete with the latest crop of Apple Watches. Beyond that, the watch offers up to 25 days of typical use on a single charge, a very good feat considering Garmin’s battery lives have been creeping downwards. When tracking outdoor activities, it still delivers up to 38 hours of continuous, high-accuracy dual-band GPS (which connects to six satellite systems). This endurance sets it apart and makes it ideal for multi-day treks or ultra-races.

The main trade-off is the software. It runs on Amazfit's proprietary Zepp OS. While Zepp OS is smooth, fast, and feature-rich for health and fitness tracking, it operates on a closed ecosystem. This means there are no major third-party apps, including Spotify, Google Maps, or Strava. There's a lot to commend the T-Rex 3 Pro, but this lack of integration is its most egregious downside.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Price and availability

• $399 USD / £399 UK / $600 AUS
• Incredibly affordable given its rugged qualities
• Cellular connectivity will require upgrading to a more expensive smartwatch

At sub-$400 / £400 / $600 AUS, the T-Rex 3 Pro is an incredibly affordable alternative to the more expensive Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 (the Ultra 3 costs $799 in the US, so the T-Rex 3 Pro is fully half the price). It’s missing a number of features, including ECG support, crash detection, third-party apps and other integrations. If you’re not concerned about this, then the T-Rex 3 Pro delivers an awful lot of smartwatch for not a lot of money.

Value score 5/5

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Design

• Rugged and premium build
• High-end AMOLED display
• Two size options

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is a rugged and outdoors-focused smartwatch that embraces a deliberately chunky and robust aesthetic. You could even call it a delightful homage to the classic digital sports watch, the Casio G-Shock.

The overall design aesthetic is probably more reminiscent of the Garmin Fenix 8 series, with both watches boasting circular, rugged designs and a blend of physical buttons (four on the Amazfit, five on the Garmin) and touchscreen operation. Personally I don't think you can beat the tactile experience of physical buttons.

The fiber-reinforced polymer case is combined with a Grade 5 titanium bezel and buttons for a tough yet lightweight construction. The case contains a high-resolution 1.5-inch AMOLED display that is capable of an impressive 3,000 nits. As a result, I had absolutely no problems using it out in direct sunlight. The display is inset slightly and protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

In addition to everything you'd expect from a typical smartwatch, the T-Rex 3 Pro features a built-in LED flashlight located at the top of the case, just like the best Garmin watches. This offers adjustable brightness and a dual-color mode, with the red light designed to preserve night vision during camping or late-night navigation.

While the T-Rex line used to be one-size-fits-all, and that size was huge, the Pro 3 introduces a second option. As a result, you can now choose from the original 48mm model (tested and photographed) and a more compact alternative 44mm model. The latter retains the rugged titanium/polymer build but fits much better on smaller wrists or under jacket sleeves.

Design Score: 4/5

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Features

• 180 sports modes including skiing
• 10ATM water resistance
• NFC enabled

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro offers an extensive set of features covering over 180 sports but with a distinct leaning towards more adventurous activities, including skiing and snowshoeing. The ski mapping feature enables users to find their nearest ski resort and navigate with detailed maps. According to Amazfit, these maps include "cable cars, color-coded slopes, and clear route guidance for groomed runs as well as off-piste, backcountry, or telemark routes."

While taking part in icy-cold endeavors you'll be glad to know that the T-Rex 3 Pro is resistant to temperatures as low as -40℃ and includes a smart Low Temperature Mode that keeps vital software functions of the watch operational in environments as cold as -30℃.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

If you're planning on showing the water who's boss, then the 10 ATM water-resistance capabilities will come in handy. That means the watch is certified for diving to a depth of 45m and therefore ready for all your freediving and scuba diving excursions.

Tracking is taken care of by the new BioTracker sensor that delivers highly accurate heart-rate tracking even in challenging outdoor conditions. For pro-grade precision, the watch can also be paired with an Amazfit Helio Strap.

When you fancy a coffee or high-protein shake while on the slopes or on a long run, the inclusion of Zepp Pay takes advantage of NFC technology so you don't need to go rifling through your stuff in search of your phone or bank card. Up to eight bank cards can be stored with password-protected contactless payment, keeping your transactions secure.

Features Score: 4/5

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Performance

• Excellent health and activity tracking
• Fantastic battery life
• Poorly implemented AI assistant

The T-Rex 3 Pro performs well when it comes to health and fitness tracking. I tested it alongside the more expensive and trusted Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 and found it reported very similar health metrics, including measuring heart rate to within a single beat. It also measured the same 96 percent reading for blood oxygen, which is very impressive considering the Watch Ultimate 2 features a dedicated X-Tap sensor for accurate readings.

I used my normal cycle route to test the GPS accuracy of the T-Rex Pro. This route includes both rural and built-up environments, which makes it an ideal test for GPS performance. GPS locking was almost instant, even when still in my house. GPS lock was maintained throughout the 4km ride, with no dropouts experienced. I compared the distance on both the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 and onthegomap.com and found that the watch was within an impressive 50m of both, a statistically insignificant 1.25% difference.

The watch also delivers exceptional battery performance, lasting 9 to 10 days in my testing even with the Always-On Display and continuous health tracking active, which would qualify as ‘heavy use’. For those prioritizing longevity, disabling the AOD stretches performance to nearly 3 weeks. During high-accuracy GPS tracking, the battery proves its rugged credentials by draining only about 3% per hour, making it a reliable companion for multi-day adventures.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

I’ve tested a few Amazfit watches now but haven’t yet delved deep into the Zepp Flow AI functionality. Getting hold of the T-Rex 3 Pro provided the ideal opportunity to change that. Zepp Flow is a conversational AI assistant and one of the first tools of its kind for smartwatches. I’ve always found navigating through smartwatch menus a bit laborious, and so I was eager to see if Amazfit was able to deliver a more intuitive hands-free experience.

After checking online for some of the commonly accepted commands, I began by saying, “I want to go for a run.” Zepp Flow recognised my words perfectly and immediately launched the run activity. There was no need to select “Go” as the activity began straight away. With my impressed face on, I then asked Zepp Flow if it will rain this afternoon. The watch responded with “I cannot provide weather information for past times” even though it was only 1.30pm.

A little more unsure than I was after launching the run activity, I set about seeing if Zepp Flow could help me access the watch’s smart features. I therefore gave the device access to my contacts and asked it to call my wife. Unfortunately, it kept thinking that I was saying Hutton rather than Hatton. I understand that these misunderstandings can happen, but rather than asking me to say it again or “Did you mean Hutton” it just stopped listening, end of conversation.

I find that if my experience of an AI assistant stutters a few times, then I quickly stop using it, and that was very much the case with Zepp Flow. Alongside a lack of third-party apps, I was left a little disappointed by the limited smartwatch features on offer.

Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

At this price point it doesn’t get much better than this.

5/5

Design

A solid titanium-built case featuring a 3,000-nit display and pro-dive durability.

4/5

Features

A set of impressive features aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

4/5

Performance

Highly accurate health and fitness tracking, but Zepp Flow lets the watch down.

4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want a rugged build and great battery life on a budget

At sub-$400/£400, the T-Rex 3 Pro offers a very impressive set of specs.

Specialized outdoor and safety utilities

With advanced navigation, a built-in speaker and microphone, and an integrated flashlight, you'll have everything you need when you need it most.

Don't buy it if...

You need cellular connectivity (LTE)

For that you’ll need to upgrade to something like the Garmin Fenix 8.

You rely on third-party app integration

As is the case with all Amazfit watches, you won’t find the likes of Spotify, Google Maps, or WhatsApp.

Also consider

Garmin Fenix 8

This is the ultimate watch for adventure enthusiasts, with a smorgasbord of hardware and software features and a battery that lasts for weeks.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal

Apple Watch Ultra 3

A powerhouse of a wearable, adding 5G, satellite connectivity and new screen technology to an already-winning formula. The Low Power Mode can stretch its runtime to a remarkable 72 hours, and its fitness metrics are accurate against a leading chest-mounted heart rate monitor. 

Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 reviewView Deal

How I tested

During my month-long testing of the T-Rex 3 Pro, I took part in a range of different activities, including cycling, running, football, aerobics, and more. Unfortunately I didn’t have a skiing holiday planned during the testing phase, so I wasn’t able to try out the dedicated skiing features. There were plenty of other features to keep me occupied, though, including health tracking, water resistance, Zepp Flow, messaging, and battery life.

First reviewed: February 2026

DXRacer Martian Pro: One-minute review

I knew the DXRacer Martian Pro would be one of the best gaming chairs I've ever sat in, and three months with it have only confirmed my suspicions.

Why did I know this?

I tried a similar chair at CES 2025 – one that can heat you up and cool you down thanks to built-in tech, and I have genuinely thought about it every week since then – and the Martian Pro somehow also takes things up another notch with an in-built massager too, increasing its comfortable gaming chair credentials further still.

When it’s a cold day, you can turn on the seat heater to warm you up, the fan to cool you down, and the massager to relax you. I promise it’s as great as it sounds

What’s more, despite all these technological features, it still feels soft and comfortable for long working days and gaming sessions thanks to plenty of cushioning, a 4D lumbar airbag you can tune perfectly to your needs, and a magnetic headrest you can position perfectly every time. Did I mention the 4D armrest,s too?

All that’s to say, this gaming chair not only hits the essentials, but it also puts the cherry on top for a superbly comfortable experience.

(Image credit: Future)

My only gripe is that it’s useless without charge – the electronic recliner will power off too, leaving you stuck in one position with no way to change it. This is easily solved if you’re always near a plug for the power cable, or willing to charge the battery for wireless use, but the latter can be a little tedious (especially as the battery can drain fast) – so think twice about this chair if sockets are at a premium.

DXRacer Martian Pro: Price and availability

• Costs $899 / £580
• Premium features justify premium price
• Only available in one color at the time of reviewing

The DXRacer Martian Pro will set you back $899 / £580 (Australian pricing isn’t available at the time of reviewing) and can be picked up from the DXRacer store.

This price, especially the US cost, puts it into the higher tier of gaming chairs, which makes sense given that this chair is enhanced with various technological goodies.

These upgrades make it an attractive offering over less technologically impressive alternatives if you have the cash to splash, but if you’re on a budget, you can get by with less flashy alternatives.

(Image credit: Future)DXRacer Martian Pro: Specs

Price

$899 / £580

Dimensions

49.6 x 27.6 x 21.9in / 126 x 70 x 56cm

Max user weight

275lbs / 125kg

Min seat height

17.7in / 45cm

Seat width

22in / 56cm

Warranty

2 years

DXRacer Martian Pro: Design and aesthetics

• Classic black look with minimalistic accents
• Premium feel
• Some noticeable branding

The DXRacer Martian Pro comes in one design: black with red arrow accents.

It’s certainly not as loud design-wise as my trusty Spider-Man themed seat, and it definitely sits towards the professional end of gaming chairs, but it’s not a plain design either, if that is essential for your needs.

The fabric choice is a faux leather that feels premium to the touch, and is easy to wipe clean, with the accents being stitched on in red. Though I’d be careful not to spill anything too much on the chair, as the seat and backrest have some mesh elements (to help with airflow from the heater and ventilation) that I wouldn’t want to pour a lot of liquid on.

(Image credit: Future)

As for the armrests, they feature the 4D adjustments we expect from gaming chairs worth their salt – they can be moved up/down, pulled in/out, pushed forward/backward, and can tilt left/right to provide the ideal position.

Once you’ve set your armrests’ stance, they’ll then lock into place securely.

The side controls that adjust the backrest tilt and the airbag lumbar support are plasticky and feel a little less premium than the actual chair itself, but they don’t ruin the overall aesthetic experience delivered by DXRacers’ Martian Pro.

DXRacer Martian Pro: Comfort and adjustability

• Plenty of adjustment options
• Built in heater, fan and massager
• Cushiony despite the gizmos

Even ignoring the massaging and heating enhancement, the DXRacer Martian Pro chair has a full range of comfort and adjustment options.

Firstly, using a control on the side of the chair you have the ability to recline the backrest gradually from further forward than you’d want to about as close to horizontal as possible without this chair becoming a bed – though with the back massager active this ultra recline supremely relaxing to the extent you could drift off (definitely, totally, assuredly not speaking from experience).

Then there’s the 4D armrests I mentioned above, and of course, the height adjustments you’d expect from a standard office chair.

The seat is a good size too, with enough room to sit comfortably cross-legged when I want.

Though for the lumbar support, I’d maybe knock a point off simply because the airbag design can be a little more finicky to adjust compared to a traditional pillow. The advantage is that once set, you don’t need to worry about it slipping out of place, but finding the comfiest position took more time than I’d have liked.

(Image credit: Future)

Your neck pillow, on the other hand, is much easier to get right. The magnetic attachment makes it supremely easy to find the exact right spot for it on the headrest, while holding it securely in place once you’ve made your placement decision.

But of course I can’t not devote some space to the heating, cooling, and the massager.

Starting with that third one, the massager is activated by pressing the M-button on the side of the chair and can swap between different modes by pressing it again, or switched off by holding the button down.

The massage is delivered by in-built actuators – four pairs (one for your right and one for your left) which start at your lower back and end around your shoulder blades – and while its isn’t especially intense, it can provide some much-needed relaxation during a stressful gaming session, or your work day.

Just note, it can be a little noisy.

Now for the heating and ventilation. These are built into the seat and activated via two buttons found below the right armrest – one for each option. Long pressing once activates the heating/cooling, then quick pressing it changes the setting between three strengths – long pressing again turns it off.

I was surprised by how quickly the heating kicks into gear even at the lowest setting, and over the colder months when I’ve been testing this chair, it has provided me with some much needed warmth. The fan is also great for cooling you down, and I expect I’ll be relying on it plenty come the summer.

Despite being jam-packed with electric gizmos, the chair feels pretty darn comfy. I use it all day, every day for work and enjoy every moment – and not simply because of the heater and the massager.

(Image credit: Future)DXRacer Martian Pro: Assembly

• All required tools included in the box
• A little heavy thanks to electrical components
• Can be built alone, but would recommend getting a friend

Putting the DXRacer Martian Pro together was fairly straightforward. I was able to assemble it all on my own using just what came in the box, thanks to the clear instructions.

However, given the inclusion of massaging and heating components, this can make parts of the chair a little heavier than normal, so having an assistant to aid your construction is advisable, as it should make the process even smoother.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the DXRacer Martian ProBuy it if…

You want great comfort
With a full suite of adjustment controls and a built-in massager, this gaming chair is the complete comfort package.

You need to feel toasty/cool
The heater and fan are so useful and effective in this seat, and definitely make this seat an easy pick for me over a lot of the competition.

You’re after something for work and play
While it boasts a couple of red accents, this black gaming chair looks appropriate for both your home office and at your gaming station.

Don’t buy it if…

You have no spare plugs near your chair
You can use this chair wirelessly, but it is a major battery sink, and when it’s out of charge, it loses quite a lot of functionality, including the ability to recline. Sitting near a constant power source is therefore advised.

You’re after something affordable
I’d say this DXRacer chair is solid value, but it’s still quite pricey, which makes it a tough buy if you’re looking to stick to a low-ish budget.

Also consider

DX Racer Martian Pro

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022

AndaSeat Kaiser 3E XL

Price

$899 / £580

$549 / £469 / AU$799

$389 (around £290 / AU$580)

Dimensions

49.6 x 27.6 x 21.9in / 126 x 70 x 56cm

51.2 x 27.6 x 19.3in / 130 x 70 x 49cm

54.3 x 29.1 x 29.1in / 138.0 x 74.0 x 74.0 cm

Max user weight

275lbs / 125kg

285lbs / 130kg

395lb / 180kg

Min seat height

17.7in / 45cm

17.7in / 450mm

18.1in / 460mm

Seat width

22in / 56cm

18.5in / 470mm

21.1in / 535mm

Warranty

2 years

3 years

3-years

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
This popular gaming chair is a strong alternative without any tech bells and whistles. It’s comfortable with plenty of adjustment options. Importantly, it's a lot cheaper than the Martian Pro too.

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

AndaSeat Kaiser 3E XL
We called this one of the best value gaming chairs you can buy today in our review, thanks to its style, lack of gimmicks, and comfortable shape. It misses out on bells and whistles, but could be a solid pick-up if you're on a budget.

For more information, check out our full AndaSeat Kaiser 3E XL review

How I tested the DXRacer Martian Pro

I tested the DXRacer Martian Pro over a few months of UK Winter, giving me plenty of reason to use the in-built heater. It was my work office chair every day I worked from home during that time, and I also used it for PC and handheld gaming most days as well.

I also compared it to a handful of other gaming chairs we’ve tested, and of course, my trusty Spider-Man Anda Seat seat.