TechRadar Reviews

PebbleHost has been around since 2017 and despite not often featuring among best Minecraft server hosting provider lists it is still a great host. It offers three different types of plan encompassing budget, premium, and extreme. Understandably, the prices vary wildly depending on what you choose here with the budget servers proving the highlight for those on a tight budget.

PebbleHost sticks to focusing on its Minecraft server hosting rather than including other games, but you can also sign up for VPS hosting or dedicated server hosting if you want more freedom. For gaming communities, there’s also Discord bot hosting. If you’re looking for the best dedicated server hosting, it could be worth checking out PebbleHost but in this review, we’ve focused on its dedicated Minecraft server hosting options. Here’s how we found the PebbleHost experience to be.

Plans and pricing

PebbleHost offers three tiers of Minecraft server plans. All its plans offer 24/7 customer support via Discord, a free MySQL database, full FTP access, unmetered storage, a free subdomain creator, unlimited slots, and global server locations. Where plans differ is in terms of the hardware involved.

The budget range uses older CPUs such as the Intel i9-9900k and Ryzen 5700X, and DDR4 memory. The premium range uses the Ryzen 7900 CPU and DDR5 memory, with the Extreme range using the same hardware but also offering dedicated CPU threads. The two pricier plans also provide a one-click Modpack installer and free automatic backups which are bordering on essential for any Minecraft server admin.

For all servers, you can use a sliding scale to increase the RAM involved, and whether you want any additional CPU threads for your server. The cheapest budget server offers just 1GB RAM but costs only $3 per quarter. A more mid-range option comes from the Premium server with 5GB RAM which is $11.25 per month. The cheapest Extreme server has 6GB of RAM and 3 threads and starts at $37.50.

PebbleHost offers a 72 hour refund policy which isn’t the longest but is fairly standard with other competitors like Shockbyte offering similar.

During the signup process, Advanced DDoS mitigation is added onto the price tag but you can unselect it. Another options include a dedicated IP, and additional MySQL databases. Whatever you decide, payment is possible via credit or debit card, Apple and Google Pay, as well as Paypal, FastSpring, and crypto currencies. Costs can ramp up (more on if it’s worth it later) but everything is laid out in a clear and obvious manner.

Ease of use

A screenshot of the PebbleHost control panel - running a low-end server. (Image credit: Future)

The sign up process with PebbleHost is straightforward and instantly offers up access with passwords for the client side of things and the control panel. During sign up, you’ve already picked what server type you want installed so that’s one step removed. All you really need to do is get the server started and operational.

On the control panel, there’s a list of options on the left hand side with easy ways to check out the file manager, set up your MySQL database, and add subusers which is great if you want to add admins or even a co-owner to your plan. The jar manager helps you switch between different versions like Paper, Vanilla, or Spigot.

For the most part, everything is clearly laid out so you won’t get confused. Opt for anything but the budget plan if you want a one click install for mod packs as well as automatic backups, and there’s even less work involved for you.

If you’ve never set up a Minecraft server before, you won’t get too confused here.

Speed and experience

Adding another user/admin to PebbleHost. (Image credit: Future)

PebbleHost offers servers located in North America (Canada), Europe, and the UK. Premium server users also have the option of a server located in Australia or Singapore, as well as the US. When signing up, keep an eye on what’s available as some server locations sell out.

I used a server based in Europe, as am I, and saw a steady 30-35 ping. There was no downtime either which is always welcome news.

How well the server operates really does depend on the plan you choose. While $3 per quarter seems like a bargain for the cheapest plan, in reality, you won’t get far with it. Even with no one active on the server, half the RAM is allocated, and once someone logs on, the CPU usage soars. It’s best to invest a little into something that actually suits your needs.

That’s even more important if you plan on installing mods or plugins (and you should). Still, even at its most basic, PebbleHost demonstrates what it offers. Just make sure you opt for a Premium plan at minimum if you want to gather together friends with no hassle. Although, bear in mind that if you opt for one of the more expensive plans, it could work out cheaper to go elsewhere.

Support

PebbleHost has two main forms of support -- a ticketing system and a Discord server. The Discord server is reasonably active and useful for quick advice from both staff and experienced users. It can also prove useful if you need advice about mods or other community elements which PebbleHost isn’t equipped to advise on.

When using the ticket system, I received a response within less than 10 minutes. It was both friendly and informative. If you’re truly stuck, you can pay $10 per month for advanced Minecraft support so someone on the PebbleHost team will setup up to 30 Forge/Fabric mods, as well as setup many other key additions for your server.

Besides direct support, PebbleHost also has a knowledgebase which is helpful and incorporates some YouTube videos. PebbleHost is also transparent with uptime with its server status page breaking down every server and part of the company’s infrastructure. At time of writing, its 7-day average uptime is a very respectable 99.992%.

Final Verdict

PebbleHost’s speciality is offering well performing Minecraft servers for those looking for something cheap or mid-range. It gets a little expensive for the most premium/Extreme options which makes your decision a little harder. When it comes to the budget price point though, it’s hard to fault PebbleHost.

I was particularly impressed with how quick and efficient support was (without being cold or unfriendly), and how straightforward the PebbleHost Control Panel is to use. The addition of a Discord server is always useful too.

The sweet spot here is going for a PebbleHost Premium server. Anything pricier is a little too expensive for all but the most high-end user, and the budget option is a little too basic and slow. Stick with the Premium server and you can have a good quality Minecraft server set up in no time. The backup of speedy support will ease any worries newbies to being a server admin may have.

JBL Tune 305C review

If you’re on the hunt for some new earbuds but you’ve not bought into the whole wireless thing, the JBL Tune 305C could be an enticing budget option. These wired earbuds promise punchy bass, a comfortable fit – not a bad package for £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21). So can the JBL Tune 305C live up to these bold promises, or do they instead fall flat?

Well, let’s start where it matters most – sound. Of course, the main attraction is meant to be JBL’s “Pure Bass” sound but despite providing enjoyable warmth, this won’t conjure up the low-end boom that bass heads may want. For instance, when I tuned into Black Eye by Allie X, there was a solid amount of depth to the thumping drum machine, but it lacked the impact and prominence in the mix to really have my head bopping. When listening to All Night Long by Chris Stussy, the bouncing bass never sounded lethargic or unresponsive, but again, it wasn’t as hard-hitting as I’d hoped.

You can be assured, however, that bass won’t sound nasty and distorted. Similarly, I didn’t experience much in terms of tinniness in the treble range or overly thin mids – something that all our picks of the best wired earbuds are capable of circumventing. But clean audio isn’t always a given with budget buds – the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector, for instance, are very cheap… and they sound it. The JBL feel like good value in comparison.

Another positive is that the JBL Tune 305C can play hi-res music files thanks to the inclusion of a built-in digital to analog converter (DAC) – pretty impressive for some buds that come in at £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21). But although overall audio is certainly clear, it doesn’t really sound massively detailed.

For instance, I tuned into Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington and piano notes soaring up and sinking down sounded slightly clumped – where they’d sound more individualized and defined using more premium buds such as the Sennheiser IE 200. Piano was also given a lot more breathing space with the IE 200, whereas it sounded more muddied with the Tune 305C – but not to a degree that it was totally lost in the mix.

One reason that I didn’t get a massively nuanced, informative listen from the Tune 305C was their in-ear fit. Like the Apple EarPods USB-C, they’re pretty loose-fitting, with an 'open-ear' design. They don’t include eartips, like the SoundMagic E11D, for example, meaning sound is less concentrated into the ear canal. Some may prefer the looser feel of these – I can’t deny that they were easy to keep in for longer listening sessions.

But still, they would occasionally feel as if they were falling out, especially when I was on the go. Not ideal if you’re on a run or working out. This design choice also limits noise isolation, so you may have to put up with the sound of that wailing baby on your four-hour flight… uh oh.

But again, some may prefer the more relaxed feel of the Tune 305C. On top of that, these are pretty lightweight and didn’t subject me to all too much cable noise – impressive for buds at this price-point.

(Image credit: Future)

And that’s not all – you also get a neat controller, which has volume, play/pause and mic controls built-in. Firstly, I have to say I was very impressed with mic quality. There was some very slight tinniness on a phone call, but my voice was nice and clear. Meanwhile, a voice recording came through with limited background static and well-defined vocals – rare for lots of wired earbuds.

You’re not going to believe me, but the fun doesn’t stop there either. If you hold down the volume up button for two seconds, you can even switch between Standard, Bass and Voice modes. EQ settings are pretty rare for cheap wired earbuds, so I was delighted to find this here. Really, the only downside practicality-wise is the lack of waterproofing, which would be ideal for listening in the rain or when exercising.

Another slightly disappointing aspect of these earbuds is their design. The buds each have a raised piece of plastic with the JBL logo on which looks a little clumsy, and the flat wire might not be to everyone’s taste either. Don’t get me wrong, my eyes didn’t burn just looking at the Tune 305C, but I was hardly swooning over them. The controller looks decent, however, and is positioned near your cheek for easy access, not to mention that the wire – despite not being too pretty – is tangle-resistant, which is useful if you need to slide these into your pocket.

All in all, the JBL Tune 305C are a solid pair of in-ear buds. They have typically clean audio with commendable bass and volume, EQ options and a surprisingly good mic. The loose fit does come with sacrifices in the audio and noise isolation departments and it's a shame not to see waterproofing too. But at £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21), there’s still plenty to like here.

If you want a step-up USB-C option, the SoundMagic E80D will outperform the Tune 305C in most departments, but there are some nice cheaper options too, such as the Skullcandy Set USB-C.

(Image credit: Future) JBL Tune 305C review: Price and release date

• £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21)
• Launched in 2024

The JBL Tune 305C launched in 2024 – the same year that the audio specialists dropped the Tune 310C model, which uses ear tips for a more snug, noise-isolating listening experience.

These in-ears are typically priced at £16.75 / AU$24, making them a very budget-friendly option. They’re also available in a number of attractive color variants including: Black, Blue, Red and White – I tested the latter for this review.

JBL Tune 305C review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the JBL Tune 305C? Buy them if...

You’re on a tight budget
If you want a cheaper wired option, these are worth considering. At £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21), you get audio that’s rarely tinny or grating, solid loudness and even EQ options – not bad at all.

You’re always on the phone
If you love a phone call, you’ll likely be satisfied with the JBL Tune 305C’s built-in mic. You get decently clear, defined speech as well as call controls, making these ideal for those who enjoy a good natter.

Don't buy them if...

You want strong noise isolation
Due to their loose-fitting design, these JBL Buds will offer very little in the way of noise isolation. If you’re looking for decent passive noise isolation at an ultra-low price, consider the Sony MDR-EX15AP. But if you want to take things up a notch and wouldn’t mind going wireless, then take a peek at our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds – which includes a very cheap option.

You’re expecting top-tier audio quality
If you’re expecting a top-drawer sonic performance from the JBL Tune 305C you’re likely to be disappointed. Sure, they have a built-in DAC for hi-res listening and pretty warm bass, but they can sometimes produce a fairly bloated sound, especially at high volumes.

JBL Tune 305C review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
If you’re looking for a stylish, moderately priced pair of wired earbuds, the Skullcandy Set USB-C could be the perfect fit. They boast a clean, curved design, attractive color options and solid sound quality. There are no built-in volume controls, which is slightly irritating, but IPX4 waterproofing does give it some points in the durability department. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMagic E80D
The SoundMagic E80D are some of the best budget-friendly wired earbuds around. Why? They offer excellent comfort, an inbuilt DAC for hi-res listening and impressive noise isolation. It’s a decent amount more than the JBL Tune 305C, sure, but if you have that extra cash, you’re in for a far superior sonic experience. Read our full SoundMagic E80D review.

JBL Tune 305C review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office and on public transport
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the JBL Tune 305C over the course of one week. When I used these buds for music listening, I mainly used Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but I also tried them out with YouTube and Spotify on my Windows Laptop.

Not only that, but I made sure to run through tracks in the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – read our guide on how we test earbuds for more. I did, however, also spend hours tuning into songs from my personal library. And I took the 305C with me everywhere for this review. I tested them at a busy London train station, on walks through my local town centre and in the office.

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

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: one-minute review

The Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System is just that. It is indeed an air fryer, and not really more than that, but the design is utterly unique. Rather than cooking in a plastic drawer, your food goes on a metal tray in a glass cooking container with built-in plastic handles and feet. The heating element, which Ninja calls the PowerPod, is placed onto the glass container. When your cooking is complete, simply remove the PowerPod and place the glass container right onto the table for serving.

If you have leftovers, you can just put the included lid on your glass container and stick it in your fridge. The glass containers come in multiple sizes and the PowerPod has an adapter so it will fit on each container perfectly. There are four cooking modes: Bake, Air Fry, Max Crisp, and Recrisp. Each runs at a different temperature range, so you have some flexibility.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: price and availability

• List price: $159.99 (about £127 / AU$251)

You can purchase the Ninja Crispi directly from Ninja’s website, where it’s available in a number of bundles containing multiple glass containers. You can also purchase extra glass containers in three different sizes separately: $29.99 for the six-cup container, $39.99 for the 2.5-quart container, and $44.99 for the four-quart size. The standard $159.99 system, which I tested, comes with the large four quart and the small six cup glass container. It’s available just about everywhere that sells air fryers online and in person, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and many more.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: specifications Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: design and features

• Heat comes from removable Crispi PowerPod
• Four cooking functions
• Looks functional rather than attractive

The cleverly designed Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System is a really a cooking pod, called the PowerPod, and a collection of glass cooking dishes. The cooking dishes, which Ninja calls TempWare Containers, withstand high cooking temperatures and are made just for the Ninja Crispi. You must use Ninja’s TempWare Containers; the PowerPod won’t work on other dishes. A built-in plastic piece adds handles and feet so you can place the dishes on any countertop. Each cooking dish comes with a metal crisper plate that nests inside and keeps the food off the bottom so air can circulate around it.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Place your food into one of the glass dishes on the crisper plate and place the pod on top. The PowerPod fits the small six-cup dish perfectly on its own. If you’re using the larger four-quart dish, you’ll need to use the included adapter for the PowerPod. Choose your cooking function mode: Recrisp (380°-400°F), Bake (375°-400°F), Air Fry (400°-425F), or Max Crisp (425°-450°). Select your cook time by pressing the - or + buttons. Press the start button to begin.

As with most air fryers, you will usually need to flip your food over halfway through the cook time. To pause cooking, simply remove the PowerPod and it will power off automatically. To re-start cooking, place the pod back onto the glass container and hit the start button once again.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The standard bundle comes with the largest glass dish, which has a four quart capacity, and the smallest one, which holds six cups. Ninja also makes a medium 2.5-quart glass dish, which is sold separately. Any of the glass dishes can be purchased separately, and there are different bundles you can buy with varying dish combinations. The handles and feet allow you to use the dishes for serving the food; there’s no need to transfer it to another container. All of the cooking dishes also come with an air-tight lid, so you can use the dishes for storing food as well.

Cleaning the Ninja Crispi is easy. You don’t need to clean the PowerPod, just the glass containers and crisper plates. They are even dishwasher safe, though it is easy enough to just wash them by hand. Though it’s not mentioned in the literature, I was able to use paper air fryer liners which made cleanup even easier.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: performance

Though there are four cooking modes, the Ninja Crispi is truly an air fryer. The Air Fryer, Max Crisp, and Recrisp modes all worked pretty much as expected. The Bake mode, however, was a bit disappointing. I tried baking several items, all of which turned out fully browned on the top and raw in the middle. Since air frying in general requires flipping for even crisping, I’m not that surprised that the baking mode wasn’t great. I think baking would be fine for something quite thin, like cookies or very small mini muffins. If you want to make something thicker, like full-sized cupcakes, you’re better off using a regular oven. Of course, most people don’t buy air fryers in order to bake.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I eat a lot of fresh roasted vegetables, so I air fried broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes. I used both Air Fry and Max Crisp modes. There is a learning curve, but once I got the hang of it, the veggies turned out delicious with just the barest spritz of oil. You definitely want to remember to flip your food, at least once during the cooking process. When I didn’t flip it, the food did not cook evenly. The Ninja Crispi is very, very fast. It’s a good idea to check your food frequently to make sure you don’t burn it. Even with careful flipping and checking, vegetables tend to brown (or blacken) quickly in some spots before all of them are fully cooked. Raw vegetables tended to come out more blackened and crisp rather than tender.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

My favorite vegetable cooked from its raw state was the diced sweet potatoes. They were crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. The next day I used the Recrisp mode to heat up the leftovers, which turned out great.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I made a bunch of veggie burgers, as well as protein waffles, veggie tots, falafel balls, and veggie “chicken” nuggets. They all turned out wonderful and crisp on the outside, tender on the inside. I didn’t need to add any oil to any of these convenience foods.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I hosted a Super Bowl party and air fried some frozen french fries for my guests. The fries disappeared so quickly, I ended up air frying another batch immediately! They were perfectly crisp and evenly browned on the outside and soft and fluffy in the middle. I did nothing to doctor them at all, no oil or seasonings, and they came out just right.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

My family got in on the air frying fun. My youngest is a more adventurous cook than I, and they made some panko-crusted and seasoned tofu squares. The tofu was delicious! As expected, it was nice and crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. They didn’t even have to press and dry the tofu first. I’m a vegetarian but my husband eats meat; he used the Ninja Crispi to quickly and easily cook some chicken breasts. They got nicely browned on the outside (flipping half-way through cook time is a must) and cooked all the way through.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

As I mentioned above, I did try Bake mode. First, I made some pancake bites in a little silicone baking dish. The tops browned but the rest was still raw. I actually pulled off all the tops, flipped them over, and put them through another bake cycle. That worked fine. I also baked a (rather thick) protein air fryer cookie with the same results. I did the same thing where I pulled off the top, flipped it over, and put it through another cycle. Again, it was fine that way. So if you do use Bake mode, just be sure your items are very thin.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System? Buy it if

You want to minimize cleanup and hassle

Put your food in one specially designed glass dish. Then air fry, serve, and store your food without having to move it to another dish. You only have one dish to clean. Easy peasy!

You want multiple cooking modes

From low heat to high heat: Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp.

You want portability

You could easily keep the PowerPod at the office, for example, and just bring the glass container with your food inside ready to air fry each day.

Don't buy it if

You want something pretty to keep on your counter

The Ninja Crispi just looks functional. It has a lot of parts (stackable, but still) so you’ll need some storage space.

You want the cheapest possible no frills air fryer

There are certainly cheaper options out there.

You plan to do a lot of baking in your air fryer

If that’s the case, you might prefer a toaster oven-air fryer combo appliance instead.

Ninja Crispi: also consider

If you're not sure about the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System, here are some other options to consider...

Ninja Double Oven Air Fryer

Cook two different items two different ways at the same time in this two-compartment air fryer oven. This is a good pick if you want to bake and air fry with the same appliance, which is why it earned a place in our roundup of the best air fryers.

Read our full review here.

Russell Hobbs Satisfry Dual Basket Air Fryer

Just want a regular air fryer? This two-basket version does the job, twice, earning it the title “best budget air fryer” on our list of the best air fryers.

Check out our full review here.

How I tested the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

• I tested Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp modes multiple times
• I used it daily for two weeks to cook a variety of food
• I cleaned it after each use

Although I’m a foodie, I’m kind of a lazy cook. As a wife and mother of three, I used to put more effort into crafting a variety of nutritious meals from scratch when my kids were little. Now that they’re grown, I still want to eat healthy meals, I just don’t want to take the time to cook them. The Ninja Crispi certainly helps me get food on the table fast. My family (my husband, my adult child, and I) used the Ninja Crispi daily, sometimes multiple times in one day, for two weeks. We made loads of fresh veggies, plus veggie burgers, veggie chicken nuggets, french fries, frozen waffles, breaded tofu, falafel, veggie tots, chicken breasts, pancake bites, and a protein breakfast cookie. I cleaned it after each use, which was quite easy. I did use paper air fryer liners sometimes, which made cleanup even easier.

Read more about how we test.

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The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is one of the new wave of CoreXY fully enclosed machines that I've reviewed this year, although this one is aimed directly at the entry-level market. Elegoo already has a decent history with this level of printer, with their Neptune printers being some of the most reliable on the market—if not the most well-known.

The main reasons for making the switch from the traditional bed slinger to the CoreXY machines is that they ensure high speed and accurate prints, and it's nice to see a printer of this type and quality come from Elegoo.

After removing the printer from the box, it only took around 10 minutes to get it set up and started with the first print. What really impressed me was the fact that it was so easy to use. It actually compared really well against the new Creality and Anycubic machines and, again, was just extremely fast and ran through its various self-checks faster than those competing machines.

While an initial check through the specifications showed that this is a slower printer than the new Creality K2 Plus or the S1 from Anycubic, when it came to general print speeds away from the standard test models, the Centauri Carbon actually outpaced them.

As I've seen with many of the best 3D printers, there's a lot of self-checking that goes on, so the auto bed levelling, strain gauge system, and other fail-safes all help to avoid misprints. It's nice to see a printer of this type coming out with its own integrated camera as a standard part of the machine, rather than an optional extra—the main thing here is that it will also print Carbon fill straight from the box, again without any additions.

The enclosed design enables plenty of material support, and through the test, I used PLA, PETG, as well as TPU and carbon fill, just to give the printer a full run of materials. With more advanced materials, having that enclosed build area does help with print quality, and when it comes to materials such as PLA, you can always pop the top of the machine to increase airflow.

Overall, while there's nothing groundbreaking about the Centauri Carbon, other than the amount of printer that you get for the price. When it comes to build quality, design, and ease of use, I have to say I've been extremely impressed. Although it remains a closed system, as an out-of-the-box and easy-to-use solution, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is just a really well-thought-out and solid machine.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Price and Availability

The Elegoo Centauri Carbon can be purchased directly from the official Elegoo website as well as through major online retailers.

US: $299.99
UK: £299.99
EU: €329.99
CA: $449.99

• Price and Availability: 5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The first thing I noticed when I lifted the Centauri Carbon out of the box was just how heavy it was for such a relatively small machine. The reason for this is that it has a completely integrated chassis, which helps boost stability, and certainly, for a machine of this type, it feels really solid. That solid build is carried across the entire design of this 3D printer, and it all feels really high-quality, with reinforced aluminium alloy pillars and stainless steel side panels. They all add weight but, again, add to that rigidity, which is needed for a CoreXY machine.

Looking over the machine, the overall build is good and solid, with a high-quality glass door at the front and a touchscreen for easy navigation and control of the machine. One of the pitfalls of this type of machine is that a door or top needs to be removed or opened when printing filaments such as PLA, and that's certainly a case here—some of the latest machines have started to incorporate other manual or automatic vent systems. Considering the price, the build and design is very high, so to not featuring a vent at this level isn't an issue. For a machine of this type, the display is just about standard at 4.3 inches, offering a full-colour screen that is nice and bright and extremely responsive.

Inside, due to the design of the machine, everything is neatly packed away, so it looks like a really refined 3D printer. It would have been considered premium had it been released a year ago, but now it sits just at the upper end of the entry-level price point. From the outset, it just seems like superb value for money, considering the quality and the number of features that you get.

There's a lot here that is reminiscent of the old bed-slinger Cartesian printers, so we have the large 256 × 256 × 256 mm print area, and as standard, there is a flexible magnetic build plate. This enables easy model removal when needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

On the outside of the machine, you have your USB port so that you can transfer files offline to and from the machine, and the right-hand side of the machine features the filament holder, which is pretty standard and not enclosed. These days, it's more common to put your filament into a dry box of some type, and the design of this machine actually makes that next to impossible, so if a dry box is added, it will be an external module.

When it comes to the nozzle, there is a standard 0.4 mm option fitted by default, and as is now standard, this can be swapped and changed for a range of other diameter nozzles depending on the type of work you're doing. When it comes to the maximum temperature, this can reach up to 320°C—perfect for specialist materials—and there is plenty of flexibility over the adjustment of the temperature when needed. This is the Carbon model, so you guessed it, as standard out of the box, it's Carbon ready. Likewise, the bed temperature can also rise up to 110°C, again ideal for specialist materials.

• Design: 4.5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (default)
Max Nozzle Temperature: 320°C
Max Bed Temperature: 110°C
Filament Compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PLA-CF, etc.
Printing Speed: ≤500 mm/s
Acceleration: 20,000 mm/s²
Slicing Software: ELEGOO Slicer, supports third-party slicers
Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi
Display: 4.3-inch full-color touch screen
Power: 1100 W @ 220 V, 350 W @ 110 V

This is Elegoo's first CoreXY motion machine, and if we look at the quality of their previous 3D printers, this first launch sets a pretty good standard when it comes to entry-level machines of this type for others to follow.

Starting out with the build area, at 256 × 256 × 256 mm, this is big all things considered and will give you plenty of flexibility over the type of model that you print. When it comes to the actual size and weight of this machine, it measures 398 × 404 × 490 mm, which again really isn't that large for a machine of this type and build area. When you compare that with the traditional bed slinger, it actually takes up a lot less space. However, when it comes to weight, these machines are in a different league compared with the older bed-slinging Cartesian models and has a weight of 17.5 kg. So, despite that relatively small footprint, with the strength and quality of the construction, the weight of this machine is far greater.

Just taking a quick run-through of the tool head, and it's fitted with a 0.4 mm nozzle diameter, and this can be swapped out and changed for others. It's heated by a 60 W heater, which is quite powerful, meaning that the hot end will heat up quickly. Inside the tool head there's that filament cutter, which helps to avoid filament clogs but also lends to the belief that this is going to be a multifilament machine in the not-too-distant future, and as standard, it takes 1.75 mm filament—so good standards all around.

The build plate is a double-sided flexible magnetic plate, which again is pretty standard, and it can reach temperatures up to 110°C. Along with the nozzle's maximum temperature and the enclosed design of the machine, that will enable plenty of flexibility over the type of materials that you print.

The CoreXY kinematics enable several advantages over the previous Cartesian design. Primarily, they are a lot faster and also more accurate. When it comes to speed, it has a maximum tool head speed of 500 mm/s, which is impressive, and a maximum tool head acceleration of 20 m/s²—again, exceptionally fast. But as I've come to realise, speed isn't everything, and whilst it might not match up to the likes of the Creality K2 Plus or the Anycubic S1 with those speeds, the speed at which it does its self-checks and heats the hot end could make all the difference.

As we've seen with the likes of the Bambu Lab P1P and many other machines on the market, cooling is as important to print quality as heating, and Elegoo has really tackled this with a high-speed 5020 cooling fan, an internal enclosure cooling system, and an auxiliary cooling fan—all to help with the efficient cooling of models as they're being printed. In addition to cooling, there is also a filtration system, so if you are using toxic filament such as ABS, then the built-in nano mineral crystals should help to reduce the odours and particles coming out of the machine.

One of the touches that I really like is the built-in camera, which enables timelapse recording as well as monitoring. While this is possible on most modern machines, it isn't always the case that the camera is included as a standard part when you buy the kit, so it's great to see that it's standard for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

• Features: 4.5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Setting up the Elegoo Centauri Carbon took me around 10 minutes, with the most effort being lifting the 3D printer out of the box. The reason for this was that, while it looked small, it was actually surprisingly heavy, and I wasn't quite prepared for that weight. At 17.5 kg, it is about average for a CoreXY machine, but with its slightly smaller footprint than most, it was still a bit of a surprise.

Placing the printer onto a work surface, and it all looks extremely neat with assembly essentially consisting of plugging in the small LCD and removing all the packaging.

Switching it on, the printer ran through its setup process and auto-levelling, with all checks running through relatively quickly and smoothly. Feeding in the filament and following the load instructions, and all was complete.

Starting out, I ran a few of the test prints from Elegoo, and the machine quickly proved just how efficient and fast it could be. While this isn't the fastest 3D printer on paper, when it actually came to use, it seemed to be incredibly quick. Using the example 3DBenchy, it produced this in a little over 15 minutes, and to be honest, the quality of that print was really good.

As the test went on and I produced more prints, I became increasingly impressed with the precision and speed that the Elegoo Centauri Carbon was capable of when printing with a variety of different materials. One thing that really struck me was that, because of its size and quality of the physical machine's construction, there was very little vibration. Although it caused a little bit more noise than some, the speed at which it printed and the consistency and reliability it was capable of were really impressive.

Again, when it came to checking over those prints for print quality, there was little to fault. The test models showed that it handled negative space, overhangs, bridging, and dimensional accuracy exceedingly well.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

This is the fourth 3D printer that I have looked at in as many weeks that shows complete separation between the older Cartesian printers that I was reviewing a year ago and this new wave of CoreXY machines. The main thing here is that the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is far cheaper than many of its rivals.

When reviewing this machine, you can't help but make comparisons with the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, which sits side by side with it on the workbench. The Elegoo Carbon actually takes the lead, mainly due to the time it takes to do its safety checks and the speed at which the nozzle gets up to temperature. Otherwise, when it comes to actual print quality, both are actually very similar. I would say that while they compete, the X1 Carbon is still a more premium machine and, in the long run, is the better machine, but considering the price of the Centauri Carbon, it gives the X1 Carbon a run for it's money.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

It's incredible how far things can come in a year, with the Elegoo Centauri Carbon really being a competitor against the far more expensive Bambu Lab X1 Carbon. The print size is exactly the same, but with the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, you have those faster speeds due to the fact that the nozzle gets up to temperature really quickly, spends less time doing safety checks, and, ultimately—no doubt due to the rigid, high-quality build—it seems to be incredibly reliable.

The more I used the Centauri Carbon, the more I could see how this design has developed. What Elegoo has done is focus on the quality of the print and the hardware of the machine to ensure that it's able to compete in an increasingly competitive and advanced market.

I recently looked at the Anycubic S1, and that machine was capable of producing some of the most accurate prints that I've ever seen from a 3D printer of its type and price range. While printing some specialist materials, the S1 does require a nozzle upgrade. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon, however, comes ready and equipped to print with carbon fibre materials straight out of the box, and there is no other machine at present in this price range that can do that.

Its main competitor is really the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, but with that model costing over £1,000, there's a huge difference in price. So if you are looking to print with carbon fibre materials, whereas a few weeks ago I would have recommended the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon without a doubt, now you're spoilt for choice with the X1 Carbon, Original PRUSA Core One or now this ultra-cheap entry-level Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

Should you buy the Elegoo Centauri Carbon? Buy it if...

You want an outstanding printer

This smallish CoreXY machine pitches itself at a level that is well beyond it's price point. The build is outstanding, and the quality of prints and speed absolutely excels.

You want outstanding prints

While speed is the core of these new machines, dial down the pace and the print quality, utilising a huge variety of prints, including carbon, is outstanding.

Don't buy it if...

You need multifilament now

Although it looks like eveything is in place for multifilament printing, at launch this is a single filament machine.

You want to print at scale

While the build area is pretty good, there are plenty of machines that are now offering 300mmx300mmx300mm build areas.

For more 3D printing devices, I've also tested and reviewed the best 3D printers for miniatures and the best hobby 3D printers.

As a company, BenQ has been heading up and to the right for years. They crushed it with the monitor light bar and showed they could also dominate the monitor market. Then, they made dedicated monitor line-ups, some for coding, some for business, and some that are just great monitors for the masses.

The BenQ RD320UA is just a continuation of that greatness, but not in a boring way. In my humble opinion, it is in the running for the best monitor for programming on the market. But what makes this so incredible is that though it's a "coding monitor," I'd be thrilled to use it as a business monitor and never show a line of code. It's that good.

Granted, it's not the best monitor for photo editing and definitely not the best video editing monitor either. Most likely, though it would be good, it's not built for that. Nor is this built for gaming due to the 60Hz limitation. But, outside of creative or high graphical intensity needs, this monitor is incredible.

It has outstanding IO, a built-in KVM, a built-in backlight to help with eye strain, and specialized coding modes to help with eye training and clarity of code, helping supercharge your coding sessions without needing anything but this great monitor.

BenQ RD320UA: Price and Availability

Depending on the reseller or retailer, this monitor ranges from $650 to $700. It is more premium, but it's for a good reason. You can buy this monitor without needing or even wanting an upgrade for quite some time. Plus, its build quality and feature set are tremendous benefits.

If you're a programmer with multiple computers, perhaps personal and work, now with this monitor, you won't need a KVM. Plus, if you're a programmer and work at night or in the dark, with the RD320UA, you won't need a backlight as this will help illuminate behind the monitor, helping with strain. Lastly, it has an ergo arm built in, meaning you don't need a separate monitor arm.

You can purchase this monitor from BenQ's website, Amazon, and other retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Unboxing and First Impressions

The box for this monitor was shockingly thick, but then I remembered I got the model with the Ergo arm, which made more sense with how dense it was. The box all together was packaged fairly efficiently and had two main layers. The first layer had all the cables, documentation, and the ergo arm pieces. The bottom layer housed the panel itself.

The Ergo arm was super easy to set up, with a simple rubber-enforced twist clamp that I threw on the edge of my desk and then tightened down. There were no extra steps to assemble anything, grab and go. Then, I added the ergo arm piece that connects to the mount and the mounting piece that connects to the monitor itself.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The power cable easily tucked away into the cable management that's built into the Ergo Arm, but the USB-C that came with the monitor was a tad short for what I was wanting, so I left that out for now so I could plug my MacBook Pro into the front of the monitor and get a stacked setup working.

The first moment I plugged into this monitor, I was blown away by the Nano Matte panel's clarity and beauty. The clarity is remarkable, and the lack of glare is also huge.

Thanks to the ergo arm, I could position the monitor exactly how I wanted it to and get to work with incredible flexibility and ability. The Ergo arm didn't feel weak, but rather, it was high-quality and firm.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Design and Build Quality Specs

Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
Panel Type: Nano Matte
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Connectivity: USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort
Ergonomics: Adjustable Ergo Arm (height, tilt, swivel)

This monitor all around is a classic BenQ monitor. It's high quality, sleek, gorgeous, and has excellent ports. The monitor is made with premium materials. The Ergonomic arm is a fantastic feature that I wish more monitors included. BenQ's ergo arm is excellent all around. I hope it was longer on the top arm, but that could be me used to a full-blown, dedicated monitor arm I've used for years.

The Ergo arm on this BenQ display allows easy pivoting and rotation, enabling you to switch the monitor to portrait mode effortlessly. It also offers height adjustment, panning, tilting, and movement to the left and right. This feature is quite impressive. The core of the Ergo arm allows for twisting, providing maximum mobility.

The entire monitor is impressive, but the standout feature must be the built-in MoonHalo light ring in the back's mounting area. Surrounding the circular disc mounting plate is an entire LED light strip with a diffuser integrated into the monitor. This light can be easily turned on and off, offering complete temperature control. Additionally, built-in quick buttons allow you to display the light strip on the top and sides or for a full 360-degree effect.

What's particularly convenient is that this can be controlled through the complementary DisplayPilot 2 app, enabling you to make adjustments without reaching behind the monitor, asking Google to turn on the light strip, or fumbling with your phone to hit a button in another app. Everything can be managed directly from your mouse and keyboard through your computer. If the goal for usability is a frictionless experience, sign me up for DisplayPilot 2 because that app could not be more straightforward to use, and the fact that it can now help me turn on bright lights in my monitor, too, is just incredible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: In use

When I got this monitor, I was thrilled to set it up. Because I am testing other accessories on my main monitor setup, I threw this display on my secondary desk setup in my studio. I hoped to get a reasonable amount of time with this monitor, but I did not expect to be drawn to this display even when my main display is also a newer BenQ and is gorgeous.

The Nano Matte Panel enhances everything on display, and even in a room that doesn't have a ton of reflections or bright light glares or anything like that, I find my eyes feel like they are resting when looking at this display. They can lock in on what I am doing so quickly.

While I am not a professional engineer and work in code all day, I do have a few scripts I run weekly to do some back-end work for one of the companies I support. I was skeptical of the "coding mode" on this display, but I can say that it made a difference with readability. I wouldn't know that having this coding mode viewing option is an absolute must if you work with code, but if I did work with code daily, I would turn this feature on if I had it. So take that as you will.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The MoonHalo was super easy to play with and utilize. I love having lights behind my monitor, but nothing too crazy. Since I am still rocking the original BenQ Halo Plus lightbar (that still uses USB-A and Micro-USB, along with a wired puck if that gives any indication of age) at my main desk setup, I moved my desk to be in front of some Govee Glide Hexa Pro light panels that I had already set up on a wall. Now, I keep these on a warm glow, paired with a lamp from Vari on a set of drawers from Vari, and my desk has one LED light strip I keep on cooler white for a nice contrast.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

With the RD320UA, I'd be able to and would desire to negate the Govee panels and one of the lamps; I'd use the backlight and add a monitor light bar, and my whole setup would be ready to go lighting-wise. The MoonHalo makes it super easy to reduce eye strain at night by adding some backlight so the contrast isn't so intense, and it has an auto mode, so you don't even have to think about it. In addition to helping with your eyes, having the backlight turned on makes the whole area feel more elevated without needing extra accessories.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

One remarkable feature of this monitor is its built-in KVM switch, which makes it incredibly easy to switch between devices. I use several devices throughout the day, though most would probably have a work and personal computer. This monitor can connect to two devices, and with the press of a button, it allows you to swap your USB-connected keyboard and mouse (or use a Bluetooth receiver/dongle) from one computer to another, all while displaying the new computer on the screen. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video, and Mouse, and that's exactly what this function switches. Usually, if I have needed something like this in the past, I use a Logitech Keyboard and mouse that have multiple connections and then manually switch the input, but with the KVM built-in, I can now do this without any friction.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Final verdict

The BenQ RD320UA offers a compelling package for software developers, engineers, or business professionals in general, prioritizing eye comfort, screen clarity, and ergonomic design. While it isn't designed for gaming or streaming, its coding-focused features justify the premium price for professionals who code extensively.

For more dev tools, we reviewed the best laptops for programming.

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max ergonomic Office Chair continues the C7 legacy of chairs that has performed very well in the last few years. I've tried out the C7 and the C7 Lite; both have been excellent chairs.

Like many of the best office chairs from the company, the C7 Pro Max is designed to showcase the best of what Flexispot offers within not only this C7 line-up but also its entire catalog.

Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Price and Availability

The C7 Pro Max is Flexispot's most premium chair, priced at $799.99, but it is currently discounted at the time of writing this down to $599.99 on official website (check it out by clicking here). The C7 Pro Max comes in a light grey or a black colorway, with a matching seat color.

While you may be able to find this chair through some other retailers, it's worth noting that Flexispot runs deals fairly regularly on their site, making the products even more accessible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Unboxing and First Impressions

The C7 Pro Max came in a box like the other Flexispot chairs I reviewed. The packaging keeps everything secure, yet it's easy to unbox. Assembling the C7 Pro Max took around 27 minutes and was straightforward. The instructions were clear, the parts were easy to find and distinguish, and everything went together quickly.

At first glance, this chair looks a lot like the Flexispot C7 and Flexispot C7 Lite that I have previously checked out. It has a similar shape; you can tell it's part of the same design language. However, some things stick out as upgraded. First, the lovely design on the back "spine" of the chair, the controls are slightly modified, the leg rest is slightly changed, and the lumbar support is somewhat different. The rest looks very similar, just making the changes needed and learning from the success of the C7 Ergonomic Chair. What's great, and what matters, is that this chair is still fantastic; it's comfortable, it's premium feeling, it's sleek and professional, and it's great for all-day comfort.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Design and Build Quality Specs

Weight capacity: 330 lbs.
Height range: Recommended for users 5’9” to 6’11”.
Recline angle: Adjustable to 135 degrees.
Base: Aluminum alloy for durability.
Warranty: 10 years.

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max is constructed with a high-quality mesh seat that allows both support and comfort, all while allowing for ventilation for those who get a little warm in their posterior during the day if they are sitting in a leather seat, for example, that doesn't breathe. The most prominent feature of this chair is the dramatic lumbar support. While this feature is aggressive-looking, it's comfortable. I could dial in just how much resistance I wanted, and once I could pick that amount, I hadn't touched it since.

The last element worth mentioning is the metal base. Some chairs have a plastic base where the wheels connect to the piston that holds the chair up (and usually changes the chair's height too). However, the C7 Pro Max has a metal base, which adds to the frame's comfort and quality build design.

Flexispot C7 Pro Max: In use

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max has been a fantastic chair in my rotation for several months. In that time, I've gotten comfortable dialing in every setting just as I want for maximum comfort while working. While having a lot of adjustability is excellent, you do have to spend the time to set it up; otherwise, there's no point in choosing a nice ergonomic chair compared to a simple, no-adjustment dining chair, for example.

The C7 Pro Max has a gravity-sensing chassis that auto-adjusts based on weight, though this works better for those that 200lb plus, or perhaps it's just more noticeable. I've had friends and peers of many weights and heights check out this chair to see how well it worked for everyone. For those under 200 and under 6 feet tall, this is comfortable and even good. But this is an excellent chair from my little testing group for those a bit bigger and a bit taller. Even my son loves it.

The only issue is that he's five-years-old and skin and bones, meaning he doesn't come anywhere close to even the minimal weight suggestion from Flexispot, nor the height range -- though he does still love running down to my office to jump in this chair pretty much every chance he gets. For reference, I am about 6'2" tall and 210lb. For me, this chair feels great, and like it's designed for me in mind. I had a friend who is around 280lb and 6'4" sit in this chair and his immediate response was to exhale and smile -- in a good way.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The backrest is great; the armrests are stiff enough that I don't find myself falling to my doom after leaning on them and having them give out on me like has happened on other chairs. But, at the same time, I can adjust them to whatever setting I want to give me the armrest relief I am looking for. The leg rest is nice, too, though I feel like I need to lean back actively or adjust my legs just right to lean back while my legs are up too, that could be my build. Someone built differently than me may experience different proportions, making leaning back with the footrest easier.

For the past several months, this has been a great chair; through all my stress testing, early mornings, and long hours in this chair, It still looks as good as new and functions as though it's brand new. If you're looking for a new, high-quality office chair without paying the ultra-premium pricing of some of these chairs, the C7 Pro Max might be the chair you're looking for.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Final verdict

The FlexiSpot C7 Pro Max is a remarkable ergonomic chair designed for users who prioritize comfort and adjustability. While the price tag might be on the higher side, the build quality and extensive features make this a fantastic option, especially if you are taller and a bit bigger. This chair is an excellent representation of what makes the C7 line-up a great choice from Flexispot.

For more office space essentials, we tested the best standing desks and best office desks.

It's not any secret that I have tested many, many, many chairs. I rotate through them like some people rotate through socks. It's thrilling, and sometimes chairs rotate through, and I can't distinguish them from one another. Some stick around, some rotate through and get swapped out with the newest and shiniest chair that I need to put to the test.

The Autonomous line of Ergonomic chairs break that mold for me. Back in July of 2023, I reviewed the A72 ErgoChair Pro, and since that review, I have had this chair at one of my workstations exclusively. I can work in several workspaces throughout the week without wasting time diving into them. At one of these spaces, I have a desk setup that the A72 has lived at for a year and a half now, amidst all of the other fantastic chairs coming in and out that I have loved (most of them). There is something about the A72 ErgoChair Pro that became a baseline for me. Everyone of the best office chairs I reviewed was compared to that one for my chair at that desk. It became such a good base that I realized it was a good chair. I didn't see a chair surpassing or replacing it until I unboxed the Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh, which seems to be a perfected ErgoChair Pro at first glance.

Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Price and Availability

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh has two purchasing options. First, if you are "Buying for the Home," the price is $599, discounted to $549 for a limited time. However, if you are "Buying for the Office" or in bulk, you can grab a nice quantity discount of $507.82 per unit. You can grab the ErgoChair Mesh from the Autonomous website by clicking here and other select retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh arrives in a well-packaged box, ensuring that all parts are protected during shipping. There are clear labels and organized parts once unboxing, making the assembly process a dream. It took me about 22 minutes with a HOTO Electric screwdriver to put everything together correctly.

I immediately noticed that this chair resembles my favorite A72 ErgoChair Pro from my office. This model is an upgrade, enhancing some features while maintaining others that I love.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Design and Build Quality Specs

Materials: Ultra Air Mesh
Color Options: Black and gray.
Weight Capacity: Supports up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
Dimensions:
• Seat Height: 18–21 inches (adjustable).
• Seat Width: 20 inches.
• Backrest Height: 22 inches.
Warranty: 2 years.

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh is a very sleek and minimalist chair offered in the two most basic colors possible, and only those colors -- black and grey. This makes everything a lot easier on the warehouse side of things and is a premium choice, showing that there are only professional colorways.

The lightweight frame is robust and durable, leaving plenty of room to let air flow through the mesh seat.

This mesh seat is designed to keep you comfortable, even if you sweat during the workday. Those of us who run warm throughout the day appreciate such a design.

Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: In use

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh has lived up to the hype. By this point, you've heard me ramble on about how great it is; it's an upgrade to a chair that even someone like me, who has access to many chairs, has held onto for two years. So, I won't go into the Ultra Air Mesh micro-mesh fabric that enhances airflow and prevents sticky discomfort for those with a lot of moisture that collects in the posterior region of the body. Nor will I dive into the nine adjustment points, including recline angle, seat height, armrest positions, lumbar cushions and more. Lastly, it's not worth diving into the fascinating and one-of-a-kind 2:1 synchro-tilt mechanism that ensures balanced support between the back and seat, ultimately focusing on reducing strain to the lower body with the integrated lumbar.

This chair is excellent. It has just enough bells and whistles to keep those with a squirrel-like attention span when it comes to flashy new gear while not being so complex that you need a manual to sit down, only to feel like you're in a complex chair that rivals an F1 Jet. The backrest is like nothing I have experienced before. I can lean back along with my seat leaning back, which provides support I never knew I needed until I felt it for the first time. Additionally, the seat on the ErgoChair Mesh is wildly supportive while not adding any pressure points to my body. I can sit in this chair for 9 hours plus (and sadly, I have tested this theory). Part of this is because of all of the adjustment features; part of this is because of how fine-tuned you can make these adjustments. Some chairs have a tight or loose adjustment for the back tension. For this chair, for example, I can rotate a little wheel, much like the crank of an old car window when you have to roll it up or down, to fine-tune just how I want my backrest to be.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Final verdict

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh is a thoughtfully designed ergonomic chair that excels in performance, comfort, and style. While it comes at a premium price, its features justify the investment for those prioritizing quality and health. If you’re seeking a chair to enhance your work-from-home or office setup, this could be your next upgrade.

Make your workspace more comfortable with the best standing desks and best office desks we've reviewed.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: One-minute review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is one of the best SSDs for PS5 in its price range. Its 4TB variant in particular is significantly cheaper than the competition, especially when it goes on sale. It also scores well in the internal PS5 benchmark, even beating pricey licensed alternatives like the WD Black SN850P and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

If your number one priority is getting a high-capacity option with solid performance at the lowest possible cost, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the clear winner. That said, there are some significant drawbacks that arise with that reduced price tag. The most important is that this is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)-less model that uses host memory buffer (HMB) technology, something that you would expect from budget PC SSDs rather than ones made with consoles in mind.

The PS5 does not support HMB and Sony even recommends against fitting HMB drives. This is because it leads to somewhat uneven performance, which is noticeable when you’re copying particularly large files. It can also cause issues in games, though these are far from a complete dealbreaker as the vast majority of titles that I tested ran flawlessly, even the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

There was some stuttering in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, however, namely in a handful of cinematic moments where scenery changed quickly. Assassin's Creed Valhalla also had the odd hitch, though nothing that rendered either title unplayable or even really spoiled the experience.

(Image credit: Future) Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Price and availability

• 1TB is $94.99 / £74.99
• 2TB is $159.99 / £129.99
• 4TB is $269.99 / £233

Unlike the seriously overpriced Lexar Play 2280, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink comfortably undercuts the competition at its going rates. It's available at Amazon, where the 1TB model will set you back $94.99 / £74.99 - $30 / £25 less than the WD Black SN850X.

The price of the 2TB varies depending on its stock level but is most often found at $159.99 / £129.99 which is a very fair price for what you’re getting. The best value option, however, is the 4TB version which comes in at $269.99 / £233 and has been on sale for as little as $234.95 / £229.49 in the past twelve months.

This drive seems extremely popular, however, so prices do fluctuate week to week. The 4TB model, for example, is currently only available for the absurdly high asking price of $338.92 through a third-party Amazon seller in the US - so avoid purchasing one unless you can find it for around the above figures.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Specs Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

• Looks and feels premium
• Sold with and without a heatsink
• HMB model, so lacks DRAM

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink has a plain overall design. It comes with a chunky black heatsink fitted out of the box, with some small grooves to give it some texture on the top. Despite its large size, it fits absolutely perfectly in a PS5 or PS5 Slim. Even though this is a more budget-oriented product, nothing about its look or feel seems particularly cheap either.

It comes well-packaged in a compact cardboard box and small plastic tray, which is easy to open and should provide a good level of protection on the move. On the box, you will find instructions on how to access more production information, in addition to warranty or return details, via the Lexar website.

The most notable feature of this drive is the fact it is an HMB model. As I explained above, this means that the drive does not have any DRAM - a small bit of separate memory used to store mapping information. This, in essence, tells your system where to find specific data quickly, improving performance and longevity. With HMB, the host device is meant to be responsible for this function.

This is not the case with the PS5 though, which does not support HMB drives. Sony states that such drives “may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB”. Even so, HMD models are generally significantly cheaper than those with DRAM and will still function when fitted to a PS5 - so make for solid budget picks.

(Image credit: Future) Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Performance

• Impressive PS5 benchmark score
• Performs well copying games
• But very occasionally stutters while playing

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink delivers admirable performance on the whole, but it's far from consistent.

To give one example, copying a 67.25GB installation of Dishonored 2 to drive from the internal storage took just 22 seconds - while a smaller 59.22GB installation of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was fully playable in 26 seconds, four seconds more. This wouldn't be noticeable in general use but does demonstrate some of the spottier moments associated with HMB drives on PS5.

The largest file I tested, 101.9GB of Far Cry 6, took just 44 seconds to copy to the SSD, while the 80.7GB Remnant 2 took 34 seconds - all good results. Smaller games also copied smoothly and quickly, with a 24.22GB copy of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12.93GB installation of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop accomplished in 13 seconds and 6 seconds respectively. A relatively tiny file like the 2.72GB Slime Rancher 2 was then copied in only 2 seconds.

Similarly, good figures were observed copying from the drive back to the internal storage, with Far Cry 6 taking 6 minutes 51 seconds and Remnant 2 5 minutes and 24 seconds. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens took just 1 minute and 42 seconds, which is broadly in line with the times for similarly sized games on the more expensive WD Black SN850P. Just bear in mind that these figures are mainly due to the PS5’s internal write speed more than the SSD itself.

The drive also scored impressively well on the PS5’s internal benchmark, clocking in at 6,526MB/s. That’s significantly higher than the WD Black SN850P, just above the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, and close to the numbers achieved by the seriously pricey Samsung 990 Pro - excellent on the whole.

That said, things aren’t entirely perfect when you dive into games stored on the drive. The vast majority of titles that I tested were completely fine, but there were two exceptions. Exploring the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, I noticed the occasional framerate hitch which was entirely absent when playing on internal storage. Likewise, moments with lots of rapid changes in scenery in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (like the bombastic final boss fight) suffered from a few stutters - almost as though the drive was unable to load in assets quickly enough.

In the grand scheme of things, these are very minor problems and in my book are worth the cost savings represented by the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink - but it does mean that if you want a completely flawless experience across the board, you should look elsewhere.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink? Buy it if...

You want a cheap high-capacity drive
If you want a decent 4TB PS5 SSD for the lowest possible price, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is a solid contender. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard to complain much when it costs such a relatively low amount.

You want a model with a quality built-in heatsink
I did not experience any noticeable thermal throttling throughout my testing of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink, no matter what kind of intensive load I threw at it suggesting that its chunky heatsink is very effective.

Don't buy it if...

You want flawless performance
You won’t run into problems in most games, but some particularly demanding titles can push this HMB drive to its limits. If you want truly flawless performance, spend more for a model with DRAM.

Also consider...

If you want to weigh up the Lexar Play 2280 against some other options, here are two great alternatives.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
This officially licensed drive from Seagate is a great alternative if you’re shopping for a 1TB or 2TB model. It performs much more consistently, with no noticeable negative effects on your games.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Samsung 990 Pro
The Samsung 990 Pro is the cream of the crop, a premium SSD with an effective heatsink that boasts blisteringly high speeds. It's a fantastic performer and much more consistent than the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink but doesn’t come cheap.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink

• Tested for over a month
• Tried with a wide range of games
• Compared to other SSD models

I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for over a month, using it as my primary PS5 SSD at home. During that time I played a wide variety of games, including plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Doom Eternal, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and much more.

Throughout the testing period, I was careful to assess the performance of the drive in each game, in addition to a variety of copy tests, and compared my experience with hands-on testing of other models like the WD Black SN850P, Lexar Play 2280, Samsung 990 Pro, and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus builds on the success of the Delta 2, featuring the latest LiFePO4 battery technology for enhanced durability, safety, and performance. This portable power station is designed for users seeking a versatile power solution for various scenarios. While it excels as an all-around device, significant upgrades in design, an excellent array of ports, and an ideal size for portability make this model stand out.

Having spent considerable time working with the best portable power stations, the Delta 3 Plus is nearly perfect for most users' needs. Although it's not large enough to comfortably power an entire house—something EcoFlow does offer with larger models designed for whole-home backup systems—it's intended for easy transport, or dare I say, to be portable. It's perfect for camping, use at a cabin, providing power around a warehouse, enhancing a work truck's capabilities by adding outlets and power, working as your primary power solution for living or working out of a vehicle, and converting solar energy into usable power, among other applications.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Price and Availability

EcoFlow offers the Delta 3 Plus for $799 on their site, but it is currently on sale at the time of writing this for $649, making it an even better deal. While this price gets you a Delta 3 Plus, you could also pick up accessories to expand the capabilities of the power station, such as extra batteries, solar panels, a dual-fuel smart generator, alternator chargers, and more.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus came in a simple box with the essential cables to recharge via AC and DC. Unboxing was incredibly easy; I just pulled the power station and cables out of the box and was good to go. Right away, I remember smiling when I saw the size and port offering, knowing that this was the perfect size for most. Even the design is sleek, modern, and super simple -- in the best way. This power station can easily blend in and fit in most situations, and I have found plenty of scenarios to use this. Thanks to the port layout, the dual handles, and the shape of this unit, I have been able to fit the Delta 3 Plus into many workflows and scenarios without needing to change how I do things -- but more on that later.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Design and Build Quality Specs

Capacity: 1024Wh
Cycle Life: 4000 cycles to 80%
Outputs: 6 AC (1800W continuous, 3600W surge), 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 car port, and 2 DC5521 ports
Charging Options: AC (1500W), solar (500W), car (800W), or smart generator.

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus has a sturdy plastic casing around the IP65-Rated battery. There are integrated cooling systems that ensure optimal performance even when I put a lot of strain on this power station. Additionally, the LED display helps provide clear metrics crucial for performance. This shows battery level, output levels, time left under the current load, etc. This information is also readily displayed on the app; you can connect to it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: In use

I've had quite a bit of fun testing this all around my office, in my Jeep, on the road, in the yard, and the workplace. First of all, it's worth noting that in addition to being a great power station, this is also a seamless UPS with a 10ms switchover time, meaning it can be relied on for even critical devices that cannot lose power or have any downtime. With this in mind, I tested it a few times and simulated my power outage. My router could stay powered on without any blips, the same as my modem, computer, monitor, lights, and anything else I had plugged into it.

I recently built a giant playhouse/swingset in my backyard with my father. We had to keep drill batteries charged to swap to new ones during this time. With the Delta 3 Plus, I could have power out at the job site without running a crazy long extension cord from my house.

Another area I have been using the Delta 3 Plus is as a UPS and power station for my home office. Thanks to that 10ms switchover time, I have been more than confident to trust this to run things such as my Wi-Fi router and modem, my main workstation, which has a monitor, my chargers to keep all my gear juiced up, my Plex Server, my Synology Bee Station that holds a backup of my client data, my Apple TV, and more. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus can power it easily, pulling whatever power it needs off the wall to transfer to my gear and keep my vital tech running. Additionally, if the power goes out, it can keep my gear running for the duration of the battery (which would vary in time based on what I have plugged in) while staying quiet and without dropping power to my essential devices.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Final verdict

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus strikes an excellent balance between power, portability, and advanced features. While limited accessory compatibility may deter some users, its rapid charging, robust construction, and quiet operation make it a top choice for diverse power needs. Whether you're an adventurer, a homeowner preparing for outages, or a professional requiring portable energy, this power station delivers dependable performance.

For more portable power, we tested out the best laptop power banks.

Eureka Ergonomic is a company I had not heard of until about a year ago. I've gotten to know them better. I've had the opportunity to try out the Eureka Ark standing desk and the Eureka Serene ergonomic office chair. Both have been great and have given a great insight into Eureka Ergonomic as a company.

Both of those products have shown me that Eureka Ergonomic is a company that cares about making premium products that are just as beautiful pieces as they are functional. To put it another way, you wouldn't find Eureka creating the classic and infamous cube shelf system sold at every budget store. But they would make a gorgeous bookshelf system out of walnut. While their gear looks premium and high-quality, they also want to reach the cheaper product market. For example, this is a premium leather chair, but it's currently on sale for only $400. It's slightly different from a lot of the best office chairs I've reviewed - but that's arguably part of its charm.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Price and Availability

The Eureka Ergonomic Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair is sold for $700 on their website and is currently on sale for $400.

Eureka sells the Royal through its website (click here), Amazon, and select retailers. The Eureka Royal is available now and has four "interest-free installment" options via Shop Pay for those who need an option other than paying full price.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair came well-packaged with secure padding to prevent any damage to the chair. Eureka included any necessary tools for assembly (such as the hex key) within the box, helping to ensure that my assembly time was around 12 minutes without any hiccups or issues.

At first glance, after the assembly was complete, this chair looked a bit bougie, but then I remembered the price and realized it was very nice for the price. It looks great and is my first time sitting in the chair; it's comfortable all around.

Granted, the armrests are not what I am used to with ergonomic chairs, nor is there any lumbar support, but this one is wonderful for a padded side leather chair.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Design and Build Quality Specs

Material: Microfiber Leather
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Seat Height: 19.3" - 22.4"
Backrest Recline: 98° - 130°
Armrests: Fixed
Tilt Mechanism: None (limited rocking function)
Headrest: Adjustable
Warranty: 2 years (upholstery), 3 years (other parts)

Most ergonomic office chairs have a very similar look. They distinguish themselves with certain features, upgrades, fancier armrests or headrests, etc. The Eureka Ergonomic Royal, however, has a very different look. It stands out among all of my other ergonomic office chairs easily. Part of this distinguishability is because of the leather, part of it is because of the lack of a headrest, and part of it is because of the built-in and non-adjustable armrests that are solid and like a wall to the chair and not just an armrest on the arm... that the arm rest rests on...

Regardless of its stand-out design, the Royal has a lovely touch to it. There's a big difference between the old-school, dated, and fake leather executive chairs that are (thankfully) going away slowly but surely and the high quality, or "premium faux leather," of today. Yes, they're both fake leather. However, the quality of the material itself is significantly better here. I don't feel my legs sticking to the chair, nor my arms. I don't feel cold when I sit on it for the first time, and I don't feel like it will make me sweat an absurd amount.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: In use

My team has had this chair in our rotation of chairs for a few months now. At this time, the chair still looks brand new, even though we have used it rigorously. After hours upon hours of use, the plush cushioning still feels very comfortable even for extended use. Additionally, the faux leather I talked about earlier still feels cool without being cold, reducing sweat build-up or sticking to bare skin. The armrests are comfortable, though I do wish I could move them around sometimes. But, then again, when I look at this chair I am not shocked that the armrests don't move, becuase they aren't supposed to. Further, the lumbar support is lacking, though I don't feel pain when I use this chair for long hours, but rather just not supported and relieved in my lower back.

This chair is great for those who are looking for this style chair. If you are looking for an office chair that doesn't look like it's a piece of technology in and of itself, like a lot of the modern office chairs do, then this chair is a fantastic option. If you like the vibe of the classic leather executive office chairs but you don't want the discomfort that came with those, then this chair is for you.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Final verdict

The Eureka Royal Executive Office Chair gives off a luxury chair kind of feel, making it a perfect addition to both home offices and high-end executive spaces. Crafted with attention to detail, this chair boasts a sleek design and robust construction that ensure durability and aesthetic appeal. However, potential buyers who prioritize ergonomic features may find its lack of lumbar support and limited adjustability somewhat of a problem. These missing pieces could cause discomfort during long hours of work, making it essential for those who value optimal ergonomic benefits to consider their needs carefully.

For more workspace essentials, we've tested out the best standing desks and best office desks.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: two-minute review

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are wireless gaming earbuds made for playing on the go thanks to their slender form and useful mobile-related features.

They certainly make a good first impression, with the elegant appearance of both the case and the earbuds themselves standing out. The AirPod-like stalks help on that front too, with the added benefit of making them easy to handle.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are also very well-made, on par with the best gaming earbuds around. The hinge of the case is strong, as is the magnetic pull to keep the buds inside. This can make getting them out a little difficult, but it’s a compromise I’m okay with.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be configured and customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. This has some useful features, including plenty of touch control assignments, but I didn’t find it to be the most stable app in my experience, with connectivity issues and failed firmware updates proving a real thorn in its side.

As wireless gaming earbuds go, the audio quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is quite good. Sound is admirably rendered across the frequency spectrum, although the highs lack the pristine clarity found in high-end consumer-grade earphones. It’s also a shame that the ANC isn’t all that powerful either. However, the THX profile does help to create a greater sense of space with its surround sound effect, while the bass enhancement bolsters the low end without introducing too much distortion. The microphone quality is also good, if not the best in class.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t great, lasting a couple of days according to my tests. Charging the case takes just over two hours, which again isn’t anything to boast about. However, the case charges the earbuds themselves quite quickly, meaning you won’t have to wait long to top them up.

With its competent sound and highly engineered design, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are a solid pair of wireless gaming earbuds. But while the sound is good, it’s not enough to make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed stand with the very best gaming earbuds on this front. At this price, you would also expect greater comfort levels, better software, and fewer glitches. Better value earbuds are out there, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds and the Sony Inzone Buds.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: price and availability

• $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95
• Available now in black and white
• More expensive than the best gaming earbuds

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds cost $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95 and are available now in two colorways: black and white. They come with Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless USB dongle, as well as a charging cable and three different sizes of silicone tips.

At this price, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are some of the most expensive gaming earbuds around. They’re even the same price as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming headset. With its over-ear design, it’s hardly as portable as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but we found it to have great battery life, high levels of comfort, and superb sound.

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, the best gaming earbuds right now in our view, are less expensive than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, yet they have terrific build quality and sound. We also found the companion app to be flexible and full of useful features.

Then there are the Sony Inzone Buds, which are about the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but offer superb sound and noise cancellation. Naturally, they're compatible with the best gaming console around right now – the PS5 – but they also work great with PC and mobile devices.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: design and features

• Great build quality
• Comfort slightly compromised
• Razer Audio app issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed ooze style. The matt black finish of the case is silky smooth and the engineering of the lid is impressive, opening with ease and closing with a satisfying click. The hinge is also weighted just right, with enough force to keep it securely shut.

In contrast to the case, the earbuds themselves are shiny. They feel equally as well-made, though, and ape the familiar design of Apple’s AirPods, with their long stalks protruding downwards from the drivers. In use, these stalks make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed easy to put in and take out, while the drivers curve inwards, which also helps to secure them in your ear.

However, it can be quite awkward to remove the earbuds from the case, as the lack of divots on either the earbuds themselves or within the case makes it difficult to get a hold of them. And thanks to the strong magnetic slots, turning the case upside down won’t cause the earbuds to drop out with ease. This is a small price to pay for the added security, though.

(Image credit: Future)

Three sets of silicone tips with varying sizes are included to ensure you’ll get the fit right for you. However, regardless of which tip size I tried, I did experience minor aching after extended sessions, as the plastic body of the drivers exerted too much pressure on the inside of my ear canal. For shorter sessions, though, they were perfectly acceptable.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. However, I had multiple issues with the headset failing to connect to the app on my Android device (a Google Pixel 7a). It also failed on numerous occasions to install a firmware update.

Once connected, though, you’ll find Razer Audio offers a range of useful tweaks, including various equalizer presets. The default is THX mode, which isn’t explained in the app, but this is Razer’s spatial audio engine. There’s also a custom profile that lets you boost or reduce multiple points across the entire frequency band as you see fit – a feature lacking in many other companion apps. However, it’s a shame that for PC users the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds don’t integrate with Synapse, Razer’s main peripheral software.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: Performance

• Decent sound
• Weak ANC
• Some connectivity issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds perform admirably for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds. The bass response is strong and there is enough clarity across all frequencies, although overall fidelity isn’t the best, with mild distortion occasionally rearing its ugly head.

The default THX EQ profile suffices for most scenarios, offering a balanced sound. THX is designed to impart a greater sense of positional accuracy, and I did find this to be the case, as audio pans subtly yet effectively to sonically map to your in-game environment.

The bass enhancement profile is also useful in elevating the low end without becoming muddy or overblown. However, I found that the enhanced clarity profile reduced the bass too much, and did little to actually improve fidelity as far as I could tell.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds also have ANC, although I didn’t find this blocked out external sounds all that well, even on the highest setting. There’s also an ambient mode to allow outside noises to come through, which is more effective, letting you hear yourself and other noises in the room clearly.

The microphone on the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is also good, offering sufficient vocal clarity, but it’s not equal to the mics equipped on the best wireless gaming headsets. However, for a set of earbuds, it provides reasonable quality.

Razer Audio can also be used to customize the touch controls, with a generous number of actions available to configure, including a two-second hold, double tap, double tap and hold, and triple tap and hold. These can be assigned to a myriad of playback and call controls, as well as other functions such as ANC toggling. What’s more, each bud can have different assignments for the same action, providing even more flexibility.

(Image credit: Future)

The various touch gestures are reasonably responsive and consistent, although the single press does require a firm hold rather than a mere tap, which makes it less convenient to use in a hurry. Also, the double tap and hold action took a while to perform its assigned functions during my tests.

The various wireless connectivity modes work well for the most part. Using the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle on PC and console is easy, as it’s simply a case of plug and play, requiring no further setup. When using the dongle, I found there was an improvement in sound quality, with enhanced clarity and better low-end response, as well as a decrease in lag compared to Bluetooth.

However, one downside of using the HyperSpeed Wireless method is that you can’t use Razer Audio when connected, as it only works via Bluetooth. This is a major inconvenience for those who like to tweak their settings frequently or on the fly.

Setting up Bluetooth was smooth for the most part, however, there were occasions when the earbuds failed to connect to my Android phone. I also experienced a bizarre issue where the volume reduced considerably when switching back to my mobile from a PC that was connected via the HyperSpeed dongle.

This issue was resolved easily by restarting the Bluetooth connection to my phone, and, hopefully, it’s a glitch that can easily be solved via a firmware update. I had no such problems when connecting to a Nintendo Switch, though, so it’s possible the fault lies with my mobile device.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t impressive, as they just about lasted a couple of days, during which time I switched between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes. Charging the case took over two hours, which is an average performance. The case itself, though, does charge the earbuds themselves quite quickly, and it managed to recharge the earbuds from half to full in about half an hour.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed? Buy it if...

You want numerous features
The ANC might not be anything to boast about, but the various EQ profiles and the customization options for the touch controls are welcome.

You want great build quality
In line with many of Razer’s products, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are built to a very high standard, with both the case and the buds themselves feeling premium and durable.

Don't buy it if...

You want the absolute best sound
Despite doing an admirable job, the sound quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed just can’t compete with larger headsets or earphones designed specifically for audio playback.

You want the best companion app / software
The Razer Audio app is useful when it works, but I found it wasn’t the most stable in my experience, and the fact it doesn’t work when connected via the HyperSpeed dongle is irksome.

Also consider...

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
As the best gaming earbuds around, you can’t really do much better than the Arctis GameBuds. With stellar sound and top-end features such as ANC and IP55 water resistance, they’re hard to beat. And to top it all off, they’re cheaper than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Sony Inzone Buds
As one of the best PS5 headsets, the Sony Inzone Buds have excellent noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life. We did find some issues with Bluetooth connectivity and the bass response wasn’t the best, but they’re still a compelling package nonetheless. They’re also the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full Sony Inzone Buds review

How I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed

• Tested for over a week
• Used on numerous devices
• Extensive gaming experience

I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed for over a week, during which time I used them when playing games, listening to music, and watching video content.

I tried them with an Android phone – more specifically a Google Pixel 7a – as well as a PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. I used both Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle to connect to these devices.

I have been gaming for about 25 years, and have experienced numerous headsets and earbuds during that time. I have also reviewed various gaming headsets and general headphones.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed December 2024.

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro is an impressive mesh Wi-Fi system that works in large spaces, can easily connect up to 200 devices, and has some pretty impressive features. As Wi-Fe 6E adoption continues to grow, and some manufacturers are even up to a Wi-Fi 7, mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro offer incredible wireless speeds and stability for users in a very accessible fashion. This system is easy to set up, can stretch to 7,200 sq. feet of coverage without a problem, and boasts a 2.5GbE port.

I've been running this system at my home/home studio/home office for the last few months to get comfortable with how well it operates. I've had a few hiccups, but this Wi-Fi system has been a massive upgrade from my previous Google Nest Wi-Fi mesh Wi-Fi routers (one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for everyday use) and has brought some enhancements I now cannot live without.

Like many people post-COVID, I work from home quite a bit. And, when I am not working from home, I still have things like my client server through Synology's BeeStation, my Plex Server, and other processes running on a Mac Mini Server I have in my home office that I need to access. All this and more can run easily in my 1990s house without ethernet cables running through my walls -- but more on this later.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Price and Availability

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro comes in a couple of options: a two-pack and a three-pack offering. The two-pack is rated at 5,500 sq. ft. and usually sells for around $400. My three-pack variant covers up to 7,200 sq. ft. and usually retails for around $600. You can pick this up at Amazon, Best Buy, or through TP-Link's official website by clicking here.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Unboxing and First Impressions

I'm a fan of minimalist tech. I like things to be simple and sleek. I also like things to work well. When I first opened the Deco XE75 Pro box, I was happy to see that the router was a sleep and sharp white dome that did not look bad. I've never been a fan of the black spider-looking routers that were so popular for so long, which is partially why I had stuck with a Google Nest Mesh Wi-Fi system for so long up until now. The units are compact and well-designed, with a beautifully designed point and an easy line of ports on the back, running up the height of the cylindrical design. The nodes, if you will, are all identical, meaning it's super easy to grab one and have it be the central unit -- something I later realized I could also change in the app if I needed to.

In the box comes the nodes, power adapters, and an ethernet cable to connect whichever node you want to be the primary node to your modem. The setup was super easy. I downloaded the companion app and followed the instructions. I had everything operational in a matter of 10 minutes at most.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Design and Build Quality Specs

Wi-Fi Speeds:
6 GHz: 2402 Mbps
5 GHz: 2402 Mbps
2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

Dimensions (W×D×H):
4.1 × 4.1 × 6.7 in (105 × 105 × 169 mm)

Included:
3 Deco XE75 Pro units
1 RJ45 Ethernet cable
3 Power adapters
1 Quick Installation Guide

The design of the XE75 Pro is simple and aesthetically pleasing. Normally, I hide away my routers, but in two instances in my house, I have left them out in the open. One was on purpose, and the other was because I didn't need to hide it. These nodes stand about 6.7 inches tall and 4.1 inches wide and are cylindrical. They have a matte white finish with a black top, and the ports are all located on one side, running up the node's height. There is a 2.5Gbe WAN port, 2x 1GbE LAN ports, a power jack, and a reset button. One thing to note that's missing is any USB ports; however, this was not a huge loss for my use case. I've had them in the past, and they are helpful, but with my Synology BeeStation and Mac mini server, I didn't miss it in this rendition of my home office setup.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: In use

I could get into a spec sheet and talk for a few hundred words about the performance of this router, but that wouldn't be as exciting as talking about my real-life use case. I set this router up several months ago, and it works well. I could connect with all my devices in my home and office as I needed to. The Wi-Fi was solid, I could reach my correct speeds, and the stability was pretty good. Nothing incredible and nothing terrible. That was until I dug into what this router could do, and everything changed for me.

One day, when I was contemplating running CAT 6 through the walls of my 1990s house so I could get both a more stable internet connection for my work and a wired connection to test some PCs that were in the queue that didn't have Wi-Fi antennas built in (shocking, I know), I remembered the ethernet ports on the back of the router that was sitting on my desk looking like a modern art piece. After some basic research, I learned that this could serve not just as ports on the central unit but could be something I plug a device into on the points connected over Mesh and connect as though I was wired to my modem.

When I figured this out, I took things a step further and bought a small network switch that I mounted under my desk (photo below). Now, I had multiple ports that I could connect to and get a stable internet connection, even without having a Wi-Fi antenna or relying on Wi-Fi. This was perfect for my BeeStation, my old Mac Mini Server (that I'm shocked is still kicking it, even without a reliable Wi-Fi antenna), and some smart home access points (Phillips Hue, Flic, etc). Next up, I wanted to make my connection as perfect as possible. At this time, my central unit was behind a Christmas tree and started having some issues. So, I looked it up; sure enough, Christmas trees can cause interference. So, I moved my main router to a different part of my living room and voila, I had a near-perfect connection to my other two access points running full Wi-Fi channels for 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz connecting to nearly 80 devices at any given time (yes, my house has a lot of smart technology). The Deco app also has a built-in optimizer to help with this; with one click, I could change the channels to cause less interference, strengthening my network even more.

Having those ethernet ports on the back of my points and being able to act as an extension from the central unit has been something I didn't know I needed, but now, legitimately, I cannot live without it. It has allowed me to connect even dated or limited devices to blazing-fast internet without having to poke holes in my walls and traverse between floorboards to bring a CAT6 Ethernet cable from my main floor down across the footprint of my home to my basement home office/studio. Further, it has helped me speed up my testing process, allowing me to run updates and download testing software without having to take another step to connect to my Wi-Fi manually. I can plug into a " wired " dock to my modem, and I'm automatically connected to the internet.

Another massive win for the Deco XE75 Pro Wi-Fi system is that I can have my own built-in VPN to connect back to my home network without paying some absurd fee or having some crazy tech added to my network. I could set this up with limited knowledge of VPN creation and only a few minutes. Now, anywhere in the world, I can connect to my home network and access printers, local cameras, local storage, computers on my home network, and so on.

Lastly, if I did want to pay, I could get a host of AI-enhanced features that TP-Link has that could give me even more ability through this incredible router.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Final verdict

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro is an excellent Wi-Fi 6E mesh system for those seeking high-speed, low-latency performance with wide coverage. The AI-driven mesh technology and seamless roaming make it ideal for large spaces with multiple devices, and the extra ethernet ports allow the ability to turn a wireless network into a place to plug in wired devices. While it lacks USB ports and some security features require a paid subscription, its performance, ease of use, and future-proofed design make it one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh options available.

For more for home networking, we reviewed the best Wi-Fi routers around.

This is a hands-on review to give you the chance to see what the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (2025) is all about as soon as possible. Stay tuned as we'll be expanding and upgrading this hands-on review very shortly with more info.

At the Intel Extreme Masters esports tournament in Katowice, Poland, Acer has unveiled a pair of new gaming laptops: the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI and Helios Neo 16 AI. I got to spend some hands-on time with the larger of these two new laptops, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is, unsurprisingly, a seriously chunky machine. The display is a gorgeous 18-inch QHD+ Mini-LED panel that looks stunning, and the large form factor means that it also packs a full-scale RGB keyboard and a metric ton of ports - something I always like to see on a laptop. It weighs in at a hefty 3.3kg (7.3 lbs) - granted, not the heaviest gaming laptop I’ve ever seen, but comfortably into ‘desktop replacement’ territory.

Meanwhile, the Helios Neo 16 AI is a little more svelte, with an optional OLED configuration available for its 16-inch display and a package weight of 2.7kg (6 lbs), making it a little more portable (though still fairly hefty). Otherwise, it looks like someone hit the 18-inch model with a shrink ray; it’s very similar but a little smaller. There’s also the 16S, which was previously unveiled at CES and offers a slightly slimmer overall design (the ‘S’ stands for ‘slim’).

These 'Neo' models were introduced a little while back, acting as a sort of middle ground between Acer's premium Predator gaming laptop line and the more affordable Nitro series. While they’re not exactly what I’d call affordable (more on that below), they are very fairly priced for the hardware on offer. I'm pleased to say that Acer hasn’t skimped on design quality to reduce the pricing; it’s purely a cap on the internal specs, as these laptops only go up to an RTX 5070 Ti while the ‘non-Neo’ Acer Predator Helios 18 AI can be configured all the way up to an RTX 5090.

The rear edge of the laptop features an RGB light bar behind the display. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Price and availability

While we don't yet have full pricing information for the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI, I can confirm that it will start at $2,199.99 in the US with a launch scheduled for sometime in May. The 16-inch version will start at $1,899.99, and is expected to launch a month earlier in April.

Now, it's important to mention that these are base configuration prices, meaning that you'll only be getting an RTX 5070 GPU, Core Ultra 7 255HX CPU, and a relatively standard 1200p LED display. Other configuration details are still up in the air; we know that both laptops can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM, but not the baseline amount, which is likely 16GB or 32GB. It's likely that opting for the more powerful configurations will jack that price up a fair bit, especially the Mini-LED display option.

However, these are still very reasonable starting prices, especially for an 18-inch laptop. The Helios Neo 18 AI's closest competitor will likely be the ROG Strix G18 from Asus, which already starts at $2,299.99 in the US - and that's for the RTX 4070 model.

A thicker chassis has its downsides, but it also means more ports for better physical connectivity. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Design

The build quality on show here is a notable step up from the first-gen Neo laptop design, which I noted was ‘quite robust’ but not exactly the best-constructed laptop I’d tested in my Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review last year. The keyboard and trackpad in particular feel a bit more sturdy, which is nice.

The Helios Neo 18 AI (and its 16-inch sibling) both retain the same excellent port selection seen in previous models, however, with basically everything you could possibly ask for: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even a microSD card slot. Anyone wanting to use this laptop for double duty across gaming and professional creative work should be well-served here (as well as by the respectable internal specs). Some of these ports, including the HDMI out, are located on the rear edge of the chassis, which helps keep some of your cables out of the way.

The keyboard is a fairly straightforward affair; customizable RGB backlighting is par for the course with gaming laptops, and the larger scale of the Neo 18 AI means that Acer has seen fit to go with a full-size key layout that includes a numpad. Key spacing is good and there's a reasonable amount of travel, meaning that typing feels comfortable. You've also got dedicated keys for both the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant in Windows and the Acer PredatorSense system tweaking software (which comes preinstalled), as well as a separate button above the keyboard that activates 'turbo mode' for gaming.

The size difference between the Neo 16 AI and Neo 18 AI is immediately obvious. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Performance

Acer sadly (but unsurprisingly) didn't let me sit and download a ton of benchmarks to run on the Helios Neo 18 AI, but based on the spec sheet, both the Neo 18 AI and Neo 16 AI are powerful without going completely overboard.

The GPU can be either an RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti, with a choice between 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 or Ultra 9 HX chips. System RAM is configurable up to 64GB of DDR5, and storage can be up to a 2TB SSD (with an extra M.2 slot for user upgrades).

One notable missing feature is Wi-Fi 7 support, with these Neo laptops instead opting for Wi-Fi 6E - likely a small cost-cutting measure by Acer, and one that personally doesn't bother me. Considering the RJ-45 port and Intel Killer Ethernet E3100G support, combined with the fact that this laptop is an absolute tank that almost certainly needs to remain anchored to a wall outlet for serious gaming, you should probably just be using a wired internet connection for the best experience anyway.

With a large form factor like this, a full-size keyboard with numpad easily fits inside the Neo 18 AI's footprint. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Early verdict

I was pretty pleased with the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 (and the Neo 16, too) - it feels like a smart move from Acer to have an option specifically for the midrange, ideal for users who don't want to shell out for an ultra-premium laptop from the likes of Razer or Asus's ROG line, but have enough cash to afford something a bit more heavyweight.

It would be nice to see more of a shift towards thinner form factors in gaming laptops (something that the 16S model does achieve), but that doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon; not with Nvidia's GPUs still bringing the same sort of power and cooling requirements to the table. That's a reasonable tradeoff for performance, though - and after all, any 18-inch laptop is going to spend most of its time acting as a desktop replacement system anyway. In short, I'm excited to see more - we'll be doing a full review of this gaming laptop once Acer starts to send out test units, so watch this space.

First reviewed February 2025

How we test

While this is a review, it's important to bear in mind that it's only a hands-on account based on my limited time with the device at IEM Katowice 2025. As such, there aren't any concrete performance figures to speak of, and there's the possibility that there may be specific flaws (or benefits!) that I may have missed. It's also possible that the product may be changed in some way before release, which may render parts of this hands-on review incorrect.

When reviewing laptops and tablets, I spend as much time as possible using the device as if it were my own: I'll browse the web, watch videos, and create content. Ideally, we also run a variety of benchmarking software to stress-test the hardware, and keep track of component temperatures and battery life while doing so. I also pay close attention to the weight, profile, and build quality of the device itself, as well as rigorously testing any moving parts such as keys, buttons, and touchpads.

Read more about how we test

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: two-minute review

The KitchenAid KF6 is a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine, and it does its main job exceptionally well: brewing a delicious, rich espresso with the best crema I’ve ever seen.

It offers a wide menu of espresso drinks, each of which can be customized and saved to a custom profile. In addition, it includes an automatic milk-frothing system for options including cappuccinos, caffe lattes, and macchiatos. Unlike the higher-end KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 we reviewed in 2024, there’s no separate profile for plant-based milk.

Macchiato is one of seven customizable espresso drinks on the menu (Image credit: Future)

In addition, it's one of the quietest coffee machines we’ve tested here at TechRadar, with a pump that’s barely any louder than your refrigerator. The only significant noise happens for a moment during grinding and milk frothing, and it’s over in a second or two.

Thoughtful touches include a brew group that purges itself automatically between drinks to ensure you always have fresh beans ground to the correct size (like a barista would purge their grinder); a chute so you can make an occasional drink using a different bean to the one in the hopper; and a comprehensive set of cleaning functions that make maintaining the machine as simple as using it.

It’s also less expensive than you might expect. Fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee makers are never going to be cheap, but the KF6 costs far less than the KF8, with only a few compromises – and it’s often available at a discount, too.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: price and availability

• List price $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799
• Far less expensive than KitchenAid KF8
• Often available at a discount

The KitchenAid KF6 launched in 2024, and is available to buy directly from KitchenAid, or from third-party retailers. It has a list price of $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799, but you can often find it more cheaply. For example, at the time of writing it’s discounted to $999.99 in the US and AU$1,599 in Australia for Valentine’s Day.

It certainly isn't cheap, but fully automatic bean-to-cup machines never are due to their complexity; plus the KF6 delivers plenty for the money. It's far less expensive than its higher-end sibling, the KF8, which has a list price of $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599. While the KF6 makes a few compromises to keep the cost down, it remains an exceptional coffee maker; in my opinion, it's much better value than its big brother. We’ve rounded up today’s best prices for you here:

• Value score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: specifications KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: design

• Sleek and modern look
• Takes whole beans and grounds
• Automatic milk texturizing system

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 is a sleek, modern-looking coffee maker, with a matt finish and brushed stainless steel accents. It's available in three colorways: stainless steel, cast iron black, and porcelain white (the latter of which launched in January 2025).

Its screen measures 2.4 inches diagonally (6cm), which is smaller than that of the KF8, but it’s still bright and clear, with plenty of space for reviewing and tweaking your drink settings. You operate the machine using a set of touch-sensitive buttons positioned beside the display, and the power button is located discreetly on the left-hand side of the case.

The KitchenAid KF7 is controlled using a set of touch-sensitive buttons arranged around its small color screen (Image credit: Future)

The bean hopper is accessed via a hatch on the top, and has a central dial that twists to lock and unlock it. The hatch has a rubber seal to help keep your beans fresh. Next to the hopper, you’ll find a small chute where you can insert a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you want to use a different bean from time to time. This is particularly handy for those who prefer to switch to decaf in the evening; the machine will detect if the chute has been opened and automatically offer you the option of using ground coffee rather than beans when you next select a drink (a thoughtful touch). The KF6 arrives with a scoop to make this easier.

The KF6's water tank has a capacity of 2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters, which is the same as the other espresso machines in KitchenAid’s fully automatic series, and has a folding handle that makes it easier to carry it to the sink. You also get a water-testing strip, so you can decide which water hardness setting to choose, and a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank. Additional filters are available to purchase directly from KitchenAid, or from Amazon.

The water tank is easily lifted out of the side of the machine, and comes with a filter that screws into the bottom (Image credit: Future)

The dispenser slides smoothly up and down to accommodate different-sized cups, and can dispense coffee and milk into one or two cups.The drip-tray beneath slides out smoothly when lifted slightly, and contains a removable bin where used coffee pucks are deposited. The tray has a spout shape at the back to avoid mess when emptying and rinsing.

The KitchenAid KF6 has an automatic milk-frothing system, but unlike the KF7 and KF8, it doesn’t come with a dedicated container. Instead, you just place the end of the tube into your own jug or cup of milk. The results are the same; the only difference in practise is that you can’t pop the closed container into the fridge between uses. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, the KF6 doesn’t have a separate profile for plant-based milk. You can still use it to heat and texturize oat, soy, or almond milk, but the system is optimized for dairy.

Used pucks are dispensed into a removeable bin that sits inside the drip-tray (Image credit: Future)

The only downside to the design is that I noticed a few small scratches on the stainless steel drip-tray after testing, which must have been caused by the bottom of the glass and ceramic cups I was using. They were noticeable only when observing up-close, however; you’d never see them in ordinary use. I was just a little surprised it happened so quickly.

• Design score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: performance

• Makes exceptionally good espresso with thick crema
• Good choice of customizable drink presets
• No profile for plant-based milks

The KitchenAid KF6 is very simple to use and, most importantly, makes a gorgeous espresso – rich and delicious, and with exceptionally thick crema that even earned praise from team coffee aficionado and reviews editor Josh Russell, who noted that his manual espresso machine couldn’t produce similar results.

The KF6 doesn’t have quite such an extensive menu of presets as the KF8, but still offers plenty of choice. There’s scope for customizing the strength, temperature, volume, and body of each drink, too. The options offered by the KF6 are:

• Espresso
• Cappuccino
• Caffe latte
• Macchiato
• Latte macchiato
• Americano
• Coffee

The KF6 can also dispense hot water and warm milk. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, it doesn’t offer a cooler water option for brewing green tea, or foamed milk without coffee for a babyccino.

The KitchenAid KF6 produces an incredible espresso (Image credit: Future)

When I tested the KitchenAid KF8 in 2024, I found that the default settings for a cappuccino and latte didn’t produce as much milk foam as I like, and it was the same with the KF6. Thankfully, both machines let me adjust the volume of the drink to add more milk, which resulted in thicker foam. It’s easy to play around with the options before making your espresso drinks, and once you’ve set your preferences, you can save them to one of four custom user profiles. The KF6 supports six profiles, but four will be plenty for most households.

The KF6 is Quiet Mark certified, meaning it has been designed with noise reduction in mind. It’s definitely quieter than most of the best espresso machines I’ve tested. It reached 75db for a second or two while foaming milk (similar to a vacuum cleaner) and 66dB while grinding coffee (about the noise of a normal conversation), but averaged a mere 44dB while the pump was in operation (a very gentle hum).

Unlike the KF8, the KF6 doesn't have a mode optimized for plant-based milk (Image credit: Future)

Sometimes, the convenience of a bean-to-cup coffee machine is offset by the hassle of maintaining it, but this isn't the case here. All of KitchenAid’s fully automatic espresso machines offer a great selection of cleaning and maintenance functions, and you’ll be prompted when it’s time to run each one.

After each milk-based drink, you’ll be advised to run the "easy milk rinsing" program, which uses water from the tank to flush the lines. To keep things hygienic in the longer term, the "deep milk cleaning" function uses a cleaning solution to give everything a good wash and remove proteins and bacteria.

There’s a quick option for rinsing the brew unit, plus a deep-cleaning mode that requires you to remove the brewing unit and insert a cleaning tablet to remove any build-up of oils that could start to impact the taste of your drinks.

Remove the panel on the right-hand side to access the brew group for cleaning (Image credit: Future)

The KF8 also offers a function that purges all coffee from the hopper and brew unit (ideal if you want to switch to a different bean), and one that evaporates all water from the system (great, if you won’t be using the machine for a while or need to transport it). You may need to use a cloth to absorb a little leftover water from the dispenser once it’s done, but the evaporation system works very well.

Generally speaking, I found the differences between the KF6 and the KF8 to be quite small. Although there are fewer drink options, the ones I use frequently are still available (and customizable). The absence of a special container for milk barely affects the experience at all, and the smaller screen is still ample for displaying your various options.

The only thing I really missed was the plant milk option from the KF8, which yielded particularly silky micro-foam when used with almond milk. If you rarely use plant milk, it’s well worth considering opting for the KF6 instead – the experience is just as good; it handles dairy equally well; and it brews an exceptional coffee.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 Buy if if

You love espresso

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this machine produces truly great espresso, with masses of golden crema. It's delicious, and it will be perfect every time – with no skill necessary on your part.

You want minimal hassle

The joy of a bean-to-cup machine is its ease of use and consistency, and the KF6 excels in both areas. It makes preparing your favorite coffee a piece of cake, and is refreshingly easy to clean and maintain.

Don't buy it if

You prefer plant milk

There's nothing to stop you using the KF6 with your favorite plant-based substitute, but it's optimized for dairy. Unlike the KF8, there's no profile for soy, almond, oat and other alternatives.

You're on a tight budget

The KitchenAid KF6 is great value for a fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine, but if money is tight then you'd be better off choosing a manual espresso machine instead.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: also consider

Not sure whether the KitchenAid KF6 is the right espresso machine for you? Here are a couple of other options that you might like to consider:

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

This is our favorite manual bean-to-cup machine, and an excellent introduction to the world of espresso. Plus, it's less than half the price of the KitchenAid KF6.

Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review

Breville The Barista Impress Express

This espresso machine gives you the choice of manual or semi-automatic operation, and for those who lack the experience of grinding and tamping coffee, Breville's Impress system helps you create the perfect puck.

Read our full Breville The Barista Impress Express review

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: how I tested

I tested the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 using fresh coffee beans from local coffee shop, Mokoko, and chilled whole milk. I used each of the machine’s preset drink options, experimenting with the volume, temperature, strength, and body settings, creating a custom user profile.

I also ran all of the machine’s cleaning programs, including the intensive profiles for cleaning the milk system and brewing group, and evaporating water from the whole system. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.

First reviewed February 2025

(Image credit: Future)

AnkerWork M650: one-minute review

The wireless microphone market is a crowded one. Whether you shoot with one of the best camera phones or a dedicated video camera, content creators are spoilt for choice when it comes to upgrading their voiceover audio. Among the best wireless mics at the moment are the Rode Wireless Micro and the DJI Mic 2, both of which are rated highly for their ease of use and sound quality.

It’s into that busy fray that the AnkerWork M650 steps. A two-mic kit shipped with a touchscreen receiver and packaged in a tidy charging case, the M650 promises high-quality audio recording with cross-platform compatibility. In the box come both Lightning and USB-C connectors for hooking the receiver up to your smartphone. It can also slot into a camera’s hot shoe, with a 3.5mm cable included for connecting to a microphone port.

On paper, the AnkerWork M650 offers a feature-packed setup. It promises dual-channel lossless pickup with optional noise cancelling and on-board storage for up to seven hours of uncompressed audio. Transmission range is a useful 200m, while the receiver has a streamlined touchscreen interface with access to a range of settings, including gain adjustments.

In practise, the AnkerWork M650 delivers on almost all fronts. Pre-paired out of the charging case, the kit is foolproof to use. Open the lid and you’ll find the two mics good to go, with a receiver that comes alive in a blink, instantly displaying audio levels on its bright screen. Key controls can all be accessed with just a few swipes of the icon-based interface.

The transmitters themselves are bigger than those of the Rode Wireless Micro and DJI Mic Mini, but their circular design looks subtle enough. Attaching them is a cinch with the built-in clips, which also double-up as magnetic mounts which can be rotated through 90-degree increments. The transmitters are relatively weighty at 30g apiece, but they hold firm however you wear them.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

Recording performance impressed me in testing. Dialogue sounds clear and natural by default, with the option to adjust the EQ through the AnkerWork software. Noise reduction is also effective in outdoor environments, although it can be aggressive on its highest setting, giving vocals a processed tone.

Battery life is decent but not exceptional. The transmitters and receiver are rated for six hours on a single charge, with a further nine hours available from the charging case. At a total of 15 hours, the AnkerWork M650 is outgunned by the DJI Mic 2.

Still, with a raft of useful features, I think the AnkerWork M650 strikes an excellent balance of performance and usability. Options such as real-time monitoring will appeal to seasoned creators, while the intuitive setup makes it satisfyingly simple to operate. That includes neat design touches, such as the twist-to-lock smartphone adapters.

There are cheaper, screen-free options available if you only want to record audio to a smartphone. But if you need the flexibility to record quality audio with a range of shooting tools, I think the AnkerWork M650 is a good value alternative to the DJI Mic 2.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) AnkerWork M650: price and release date

• $199.99 / £249.99 / AU$199.98 for the complete kit
• Includes 2x mics, a receiver and a charging case
• Available now in black and white with swappable back covers

The AnkerWork M650 wireless mic launched in March 2023. It’s available now, priced at $199.99 / £249.99 / AU$199.98. That makes it quite a bit cheaper than the twin-transmitter DJI Mic 2 Combo, which is arguably its closest like-for-like competitor. Unlike the DJI Mic 2, the M650’s component parts can’t be bought separately: it’s only available as a kit. Luckily, it’s a complete one.

The kit includes a pair of transmitters, a receiver and a charging case. You also get USB-C and Lightning smartphone adapters, as well as USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables, reflecting the universal connectivity of the kit. Adding further value to the bundle is a pair of wind shields, a travel sleeve and two swappable transmitter shells.

It’s available in black or white, with the color scheme reflected across the case, transmitters, receiver and smartphone adapters. The black kit comes with one gold and one green replacement back cover for the transmitters. The white kit includes blue and purple shells.

There are simpler wireless mic kits which can be picked up for significantly less than the AnkerWork M650, including the DJI Mic Mini and the Rode Wireless Micro. Taken together, though, I think the contents of the AnkerWork kit make it excellent value for content creators who are likely to use it with both a smartphone and a camera.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) AnkerWork M650: specs

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) AnkerWork M650: Design

• Circular transmitters with swappable back plates
• Built-in clips or magnetic attachment
• Receiver with levels monitoring and 1.47-inch touchscreen

The AnkerWork M650 follows the same basic formula as most wireless mic kits. You get a pair of transmitters, plus a receiver that connects to your camera or smartphone. These all live inside a charging case. Open it up and everything is automatically paired, ready to go.

There are a few design touches which set the AnkerWork M650 kit apart. Its transmitters are unique among the wireless mics we’ve tested in being circular. Measuring 45.5mm across, they are larger than most and relatively weighty at 30g. Despite their size, the domed shells give them a good dose of subtlety. They look less obviously like microphones than many transmitters. They also have a party trick: the back covers can be swapped for different color shells.

There are two easy ways to attach the transmitters to your clothing. The first is to simply latch them to a hem, collar or lapel using the built-in clip. Alternatively, pull on the clip and you’ll find it’s one half of a magnetic mount: put it under a layer of clothing and it can hold the transmitter in place on the other side. This magnetic setup also allows you to rotate the clip through 90-degree steps, so you can always make sure the pick-up is facing your mouth.

On the transmitter itself is just a single button, which can be used to mute the microphone (turning the indicator light red). This also serves as a way to manually power the transmitter off, in the unlikely event that you don’t have the case handy. Each transmitter also has a port which can be used to connect a lavalier mic. This is the same jack used to fix the optional wind shields in place.

The receiver is just as neat. A tidy little brick with a bright 1.47-inch touchscreen, it’s the hub through which audio is relayed to your devices. It also has just a single physical button, which is used to lock the touchscreen. Everything else is controlled via the intuitive, icon-based interface. There’s very little learning curve here: almost every key setting can be accessed with just a couple of swipes – and even for big fingers, the touchscreen is sized just right.

The main screen features two side-by-side graphics which display info from each transmitter in real time, including battery status, signal strength and audio level. Swiping left or right brings up settings for each transmitter, including gain adjustment, which can be boosted or lowered in 3dB increments. Swiping up lets you control the mics in sync, while swiping down lets you adjust the receiver settings, including the degree of noise reduction.

Connecting the receiver is equally straightforward. Your options here are plentiful. The clip underneath doubles up as a hot shoe mount, with USB-C and 3.5mm audio ports on the side for wiring up to a camera. If you’re pairing it with a smartphone, take a bundled Lightning or USB-C adapter, slot it into the mount on the back of the receiver, then twist to lock it in place. From there, the receiver sticks directly into the port on the bottom of your phone. The fit is firm and the position is a natural one for the receiver’s modest dimensions.

That 3.5mm audio port can also be used for real-time monitoring, which is a feature that more experienced content creators will appreciate. Equally, if you need to capture standalone audio, simply hit the record button on the receiver and it can save up to seven hours of lossless audio to its built-in storage. This can be accessed later by dropping the receiver into the case and connecting it to a PC or Mac using a USB-C cable.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) AnkerWork M650: Performance

• Dual-channel pick-up with VoiceShield noise reduction
• 6 hours battery life (transmitter), 9 extra hours battery life (receiver)
• Omnidirectional audio and up to 200m range

Each transmitter is equipped with an omnidirectional pick-up that’s capable of capturing 24-bit audio at 48Khz. This isn’t as flexible as the 32-bit float audio support offered by the Mic 2, which can better avoid clipping if volume spikes, but its quality will be more than good enough for most content creators.

It’s worth noting that there’s no equivalent of Rode’s Intelligent GainAssist, which automatically adjusts audio levels to suit the environment. You’ll need to monitor levels using the readout on the receiver and make any necessary gain adjustments manually. In general, though, by keeping the mic a consistent distance from my mouth, I didn’t have any issues with clipping.

Nor did I encounter any problems with pairing, syncing or storing recordings during testing. I didn’t test the claimed 200m transmission range to its limit, but I found the connection stable and reliable even when roaming a fair distance from the receiver.

To assess sound quality, I recorded voiceovers in a range of settings, indoors and out, both quiet and noisy. Overall, I found results clean and natural. Audio captured by the M650 had significantly more clarity and depth than output from the built-in mics on my smartphone and DSLR camera. WAV files saved directly to the receiver were particularly clear.

If your ears are keen enough and you want a slightly warmer tone or more low-end depth to your voiceovers, you can adjust the EQ through the AnkerWork desktop software. That’s also where you can configure the low-pass filter.

Windy conditions are the biggest challenge for any wireless mic and the AnkerWork M650 is no exception. It features two levels of VoiceShield noise reduction which can be enabled using the receiver’s touchscreen. The feature is very effective at isolating vocals, even when there’s a lot of background hubbub. The drawback is that, when the system is battling noise at its highest setting, voices can sound digitally compressed and over-processed.

I found the best balance for recording outdoors was to attach one of the included dead cat wind shields and set the noise reduction level to low. This did allow a little more noise into recordings but not enough to be distracting, while crucially having a less noticeable impact on audio quality.

For content creators who want to upgrade their audio, you can really hear the difference in quality versus a device’s built-in microphone. The lack of Bluetooth connectivity might be a dealbreaker for some, but the added flexibility would likely come at the cost of bit-rate. For most, its reliable 24-bit recording and decent noise-cancelling tech will make the M650 worth the money.

In terms of battery life, the nine-hour boost offered by its charging case is less than some, but you’d need to be using the AnkerWork M650 kit pretty heavily to exhaust its full capacity in a single shoot. In reality, I never once encountered a dead battery. Both the transmitters and the receiver are rated for six hours on a charge, which is plenty. Plus most users are likely have the kit in and out of the case regularly.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) Should I buy the Ankerwork M650? Buy it if…

You want a complete wireless mic kit

Shipped with two mics and a receiver in a charging case, the AnkerWork M650 also includes USB-C and Lightning smartphone adapters, 3.5mm audio and USB-C cables, plus windshields and two replacement back covers.

You want a mic that’s easy to use

Pre-paired out of the charging case, the M650 offers plug-and-play simplicity. There’s just one button on each transmitter, while the receiver’s icon-based touchscreen interface is intuitive enough for anyone to navigate.

You want premium audio recording

With dual-channel lossless pick-up, the M650 captures clean, natural voiceovers. You have the option of mono or stereo recording, plus the ability to make granular adjustments to the gain level via the receiver.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best battery life

On-board battery life is par for the course at six hours per charge, but the case only offers a further nine hours. That pales in comparison to the DJI Mic 2’s case (18 hours).

You want a budget smartphone kit

The AnkerWork M650 represents good value for such a feature-heavy wireless mic kit, but there are more affordable options out there for content creators who only need simple smartphone connectivity without a touchscreen receiver.

You want clean, noiseless audio

VoiceShield noise reduction does an impressive job of cancelling wind noise when shooting on location, but it can make voices sound a little processed. The high setting should only be used as a last resort.

AnkerWork M650: also consider

Rode Wireless Micro

If you mainly create content with your smartphone and you’re happy with a screen-free receiver, the Rode Wireless Micro represents excellent value. It’s a tiny, low-fuss option that’s up and running in seconds.

Read our Rode Wireless Micro review

DJI Mic 2

A pro-grade recording kit which is arguably the M650’s closest competitor, the DJI Mic 2 offers a similarly seamless setup for premium audio. It costs more, but includes support for 32-bit float recording.

Read our DJI Mic 2 in-depth review

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future) How I tested the Ankerwork M650

• Used regularly for several weeks
• Paired with both cameras and smartphones
• Tested in a range of recording environments

To fully explore the capabilities of the AnkerWork M650, I tested it regularly over the course of several weeks. I used it to record voiceovers in a range of scenarios, from quiet home environments to noisy outdoor settings.

Paying particular attention to the effectiveness of its noise reduction feature, I used the AnkerWork M650 on a number of windy days. I tested it with VoiceShield switched off, set to low and at its highest setting, both with and without the optional wind shields installed, before comparing the results.

Because the M650 is such a complete kit – and one which content creators are likely to use in a number of different ways – I tested it with both a smartphone and a camera. I attached the receiver to my iPhone 12 via the Lightning adapter. I also used it on the hot shoe of my trusty Nikon D7100, connected via the 3.5mm audio cable. For completeness, I also used the AnkerWork M650 as a standalone solution, recording audio to its on-board storage.

Throughout my tests, I interacted with the wireless mic kit as real users would. That meant monitoring levels in real time on the receiver’s touchscreen and adjusting gain settings. I also tried attaching the transmitters to different items of clothing, used both the clip-on and magnetic solutions, to see how effectively they held.

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

Aspyr has built an impressive resume of classic action-adventure remasters over the last few years. The masters of the remaster have previously given delightful modern refreshes to the first three Tomb Raider games and delivered a seminal update to two excellent Soul Reaver titles, and now the Texas-based studio has returned its attention to the original Lara Croft timeline.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC via Steam and PS5
Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release date: February 14, 2025

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered brings 1999’s The Last Revelation, 2000’s Chronicles, and 2003’s The Angel of Darkness to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch and PC with a treasure trove of visual enhancements. Cleaning these Core Design developed titles up after twenty-five years and getting them to look this fresh is nothing short of wizardry at this point.

The Last Revelation, for example, charts Lara’s adventures in Egypt as she works to overcome an ancient curse that she accidentally set in motion, and the level of polish and modern graphical flourishes impress throughout. A new lighting engine sees shafts of sunlight penetrating forgotten temples and provides atmospheric warmth and illumination from fire pits and torches.

Character models have increased levels of detail while retaining the charm and personality of the original releases and the various Egyptian tombs benefit from dramatic rejuvenation that begs you to explore them. Simple flat textures have been replaced with detailed geometrically interesting assets in some spots, creating a sense that these environments could actually exist and aren’t just flat painted boxes anymore.

(Image credit: Aspyr) A graphical revelation

Once again making use of the original source code as the framework for these remasters, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered enables players to instantly swap between the shiny newness and the classic visuals with the push of a button. The Last Revelation and Chronicles, which both debuted on the original PlayStation, see the biggest leap in overall fidelity, and while The Angel of Darkness still receives a noticeable improvement over its PlayStation 2 origin, its revamp isn’t as impactful.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered isn’t pixel-perfect in its execution, however. Chronicles, which acts as an anthology of sorts for previously untold Croft escapades, suffers from some occasional clipping at the edges and corners of buildings. It’s a minor gripe for sure but one that does pop up throughout Tomb Raider V and does prove distracting whenever it appears.

Likewise, all the original cutscenes are preserved and reused here without any visual enhancements or improvements, but the low-res FMV (full motion video) sequences of yesteryear are brief and have a charm of their own.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Aspyr)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Aspyr) Bothersome buttons

Mirroring the remasters of Tomb Raider I-III, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered introduces a new modern control scheme for each game aimed to provide an accessible experience for new players unfamiliar with the original games and their classic tank controls. It’s unsurprising then, if not a little disappointing that, just like Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, this latest collection fails to introduce a reliable, modern control scheme.

Before delving into what does and doesn’t work with the modern scheme though, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate the tank controls. Tank controls, the slightly clumpy yet functional feel when you get used to them, and inputs from the original releases, undoubtedly remain my favorite way to experience these games. Classic Tomb Raider always required precise traversal and, while not the most natural method of controlling a character, tank controls allowed just that.

Despite the precision of the original tank controls, players would still occasionally make accidental slip-ups, causing our pony-tailed heroine to plummet to her demise. Aspyr has introduced a couple of new moves for Lara that, while certainly not exciting on paper, do remove some of those frustrating pratfalls of old.

For starters a new slide-to-run animation, a previously cut action from the original games, allows Lara to keep her momentum after disembarking a sloped surface. There are also two new animations for hanging on ledges as well, with the extra actions designed to prevent an untimely death regardless of whether Lara is facing toward or away from a drop.

The aforementioned new animations are available in both tank and modern control schemes, with a brand new ‘turn around in place’ action that is exclusive to the modern scheme and spins Lara a neat 180 degrees on the spot.

(Image credit: Aspyr)

Entering a new area and flicking between the remastered graphics and the original visuals and appreciating the astonishing work and artistry of the team at Asypr. Far from a simple resolution bump, every decaying tomb, claustrophobic cave, or industrial cityscape has clearly received a lot of love in its modernization.

The new additions are good in theory, even if their implementation into Lara’s ever-increasing moveset leaves a lot to be desired. The turn-around-in-place move, for instance, requires the finger dexterity of a double-jointed gymnast to perform, with the default input requiring two opposing face buttons to be pressed simultaneously. I found myself adopting a claw grip like one might use when playing a fighting game, whenever the situation required a tight turnaround.

It's here that the cracks in the modern control scheme start to show. The default control layout doesn’t mesh well with in-game directions. At the start of The Last Revelation, when an adolescent Lara is navigating a Cambodian temple with mentor Werner Von Croy, Von Croy will often dole out instructions as part of the tutorial level. After diving into a pool, the puffed-up archaeologist suggests we “use ‘Action’ to climb out of the water”, except, with modern controls, Lara does nothing but bobs up and down staring at the edge of the pool. Through much trial and error, I discovered that an entirely different button makes Lara climb out of pools, and even worse, grab ledges mid-fall.

The Action button debacle isn’t an isolated instance either with several context-sensitive inputs not aligning with their in-game instructions. While the modern control scheme does have some perks including fluid horizontal movement, it requires some extensive tinkering and remapping of the controls within the options to make it remotely usable.

Another aspect that could use refinement is the weapon system, although the new on-screen ammo counter is a blessing. Switching between the weapons in Lara’s arsenal requires players to pause the game and scroll through the available armaments. There is a new shortcut system in place, requiring players to hold the touchpad and press one of the face/shoulder buttons to bring up individual weapons but it feels unnecessary and clumsy. A weapon wheel would have been a much simpler refinement and worked well for similarly revamped games such as Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition.

(Image credit: Aspyr) Lights, camera, action

One modern addition I absolutely adore is the returning and expanded photo mode. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered builds on the already brilliant photo mode of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered by letting players toy around with Lara’s stances, facial expressions, costumes, and weapons and even moving her freely around the scene.

Aspyr has gone beyond the standard photo mode in Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered and incorporated a new flyby camera mode, and let me tell you, it’s incredible. The flyby camera mode allows players to position up to twenty different cameras around any scene in The Last Revelation and Chronicles, tweak various settings like field of view and roll, and then press play to witness a cinematic flyby of their custom scene.

Flyby mode is so simple and so powerful. I was creating dynamic, professional-looking animations immediately. The possibilities are literally endless and if you love Tomb Raider, you’ll definitely get a kick out of exploring each level using flyby mode.

Unfortunately, the feature currently appears to be absent from The Angel of Darkness. The sixth mainline Tomb Raider game, where Lara goes all Jason Bourne around Europe in a supernatural murder mystery, is a notoriously sullen affair so it makes sense that The Angel of Darkness doesn’t currently support the brilliantly fun flyby mode just yet. It’s a shame as The Angel of Darkness looks fantastic here and exploring Paris or Prague with the new Flyby camera would make an entertaining distraction from all of the brooding.

The flyby camera is a mind-blowing toolkit for fans of the series and a feature I hope Aspyr retrofits into Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, and that every 3D game incorporates and iterates on it from here on out.

Should I play Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered? Play it if...

You love a thrilling caper
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered sees Lara searching for relics, evading traps, and solving implausibly engineered puzzles on three globetrotting adventures. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered delivers hours of exciting, pulpy fun in a beautifully presented package for the price of a cinema ticket and a large popcorn.

You have a playful, creative side
As photo modes go, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered’s is one of the best around. Creating unique custom shots by harnessing a suite of selectable stances, facial expressions, outfits and the ability to move Lara around in any scene is great fun and the new flyby mode takes that creativity to a whole new level.

Don't play it if...

You have limited patience
Tomb Raider as a series is synonymous with challenging brainteasers, but even for a veteran of the series, the controls can feel like a constant puzzle to understand themselves and the modern control scheme compounds the issue further.

Accessibility

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered provides only a few, basic accessibility options for players. Subtitles are enabled by default in all three games and are clear to read with a subtle grey background to them. Controller settings can be tweaked with optional vibrations and adjustable stick sensitivity.

All three titles do a poor job of introducing players to controls with no onscreen button prompts or tutorials. Voice lines and subtitles will occasionally guide players on what to do but the instructions often don’t correlate with the default control schemes, making certain sections impassible without much trial and error.

Quality-of-life improvements such as the inclusion of boss health bars, ammo counters, and cutscene skippers are all welcome additions.

(Image credit: Aspyr) How I reviewed Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

I played through the campaigns of all three titles while regularly switching between modern and tank controls, testing Lara’s newly added animations in each. I spent a couple of hours fiddling around in photo mode throughout my playthrough, taking time to experiment with various poses and outfits and producing fun flyby shots.

I played Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered on my gaming PC which runs a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti on a Dell U2415 Monitor. I used my EasySMX D05 controller and my Sony Gold Wireless Headset. I also tested the collection on PS5 on a 4K Sony Bravia TV, with my DualSense wireless controller and my PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset for the most part, and occasionally through the built-in TV speakers.

Prior to playing Tomb Raider IV-VI Remaster, I also chose to revisit the original games on the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2, enabling me to appreciate the differences in controls, visuals and playability to the new remaster.

First reviewed February 2025

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition: Two-minute review

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition is part of a great lineage. It’s been almost 20 years since the first Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin launched – back then it was an iPod dock with a 30-pin connector. It’s moved with the times, of course, so now this version offers aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec compatibility and the ability to host numerous music streaming and internet radio services within the ‘Music’ control app it has in common with other Bowers & Wilkins wireless audio products.

The look of the Zeppelin Pro is, of course, the look. The Zeppelin line is very much its own thing, and build quality and the standard of finish are predictably good. And when it comes to business, the Pro Edition features a reworked tweeter array and uses the titanium dome unit found in the class-leading B&W 600 S3 series of passive speakers. That's along with a couple of mid-range drivers and a relatively large (150mm) bass driver, plus 240 watts of power to drive them; the on-paper specification is promising to say the least.

And in practice, the Zeppelin Pro Edition makes good on that paper promise. It’s simple and quick to get it up and running, and once the listening starts in earnest there’s next-to-nothing to take issue with.

It’s a detailed, spacious and vigorous listen, able to tease out the finest details yet hit with real determination at the same time. The tonal balance is convincing, the frequency range is integrated smoothly, and there’s an openness to the presentation that’s far superior to any other one-box option among the best wireless speakers at this budget. It’s not the last word in dynamic expression, true – but nevertheless, the ‘plus’ column is far, far longer than the ‘minus’ where sound quality is concerned.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Price and release date

• Costs $799 / £699 / AU$1,349
• Launched in late 2024

The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it costs £699. American customers will have to part with $799, while in Australia it’s more like AU$1,349.

You’re not short of choice where wireless speakers at this sort of money are concerned, of course. The excellent Naim Muso Qb Gen 2 is down to this sort of money nowadays, and things like JBL’s Authentics 500 are well worth considering too…

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility
• 240 watts powering a five-driver array
• 35Hz - 24kHz frequency response

In most respects, the Zeppelin Pro shares a feature-set with the 2021 incarnation of the Zeppelin. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX adaptive codec compatibility, 240 watts of Class D grunt powering a five-driver array, compatibility with the exemplary Bowers & Wilkins ‘Music’ control app, a claimed frequency response of 35Hz - 24kHz… so far, nothing has changed.

In fact, the only major difference where features are concerned is regarding 40 percent of the driver array. The Zeppelin Pro uses the same 150mm low-frequency driver and the same pair of 90mm ‘FST’ (fixed suspension transducer) mid-range drivers as the 2021 model – although the mid-range drivers have had their cone damping upgraded in an effort to minimize cone break-up.

The tweeters in the Zeppelin Pro, though, are 25mm versions of the titanium dome design that’s currently in use all across the company’s 600 S3 range of full-size passive loudspeakers. This, it’s fair to say, is an upgrade on the double-dome tweeters fitted to 2021’s Zeppelin. Revised digital sound processing is deployed to take account of the new and improved tweeter line-up.

As with previous Zeppelins, the Pro features built-in multi-room functionality - it can be paired with other Zeppelins or members of Bowers & Wilkins’ ‘Formation’ range of wireless speakers (in case anyone remembers them). The Pro can also be used in conjunction with any of the company’s current (and excellent) line-up of wireless headphones and earbuds.

And as with previous Zeppelins, the Pro is only part-smart. Bluetooth connectivity is all well and good, of course, and the fact that it can sit on your home network and access your favourite streaming services (or, at least, some of them) is good news too – but there’s no DLNA or UPnP compatibility, so network connectivity only takes you so far, and the speaker has no truck with voice assistants either.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Sound quality

• Wide and organized presentation
• Punchy and detailed in equal measure
• Dynamic, but not to the extent separate speakers

Everything’s relative, of course, but while the idea that the Zeppelin Pro creates a true sense of stereo separation is hard to get behind, there’s no denying it generates a wider and more spacious sound that pretty much any other price-comparable single-unit wireless speaker is capable of.

It’s this openness that’s the most immediately striking thing about the way the Bowers & Wilkins performs. You’d never confuse it for the sound of two stereo speakers, of course, but whether it’s playing a 16bit/44.1kHz file of The Wedding Present’s Dalliance or a 24bit/96kHz equivalent of Summon the Fire by The Comet Is Coming, the Zeppelin Pro musters a big, well-organised and entirely convincing soundstage on which a recording can fully express itself.

There’s a gratifying amount of attention paid to the spaces between instruments and voices, and the amount of elbow-room each element of a recording enjoys makes for a coherent and easy-to-follow presentation.

Low-frequency impact is significant, and there’s good control of the attack of bass sounds at the same time – so the low end doesn’t blur, and rhythms are confidently described. The mid-range benefits a great deal from the overall spaciousness – vocalists of all types and all competences get the chance to properly communicate, for better or for worse.

And at the top of the frequency range, the reworked tweeter arrangement allows for plenty of substance to accompany the top-end bite and attack the Zeppelin Pro can muster. Integration of the frequency range is smooth and unobtrusive, despite the numerousness of the drivers here.

The Pro maintains a nicely neutral tonality throughout, and manages to invest every part of the frequency range with plenty of broad and fine detail. It does good work with high-frequency transients, and gives the bottom end lots of texture and variation where lesser speakers can just thump along monotonally. And the mid-range is absolutely alive with personality – there’s an eloquence to the way the Bowers & Wilkins hands over a voice that is never less than engaging.

Only a slight inhibition during the bigger dynamic shifts in volume and/or intensity prevent the Zeppelin Pro from scoring full marks here. If ever a band indulged in the ‘quiet/LOUD/REALLY DAMN LOUD’ dynamic, it’s The Wedding Present – but when the angst really gets into full swing the Bowers & Wilkins just can’t quite breathe deeply enough to give it the fullest expression.

It’s not that everything happens at a fixed level of attack, you understand – it’s just that there’s greater distance between the most contemplative and most fierce moments in the recording than the Zeppelin Pro is able to describe.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Choice of two new finishes
• Choice of 15 (!) downlight colors
• Still looks like a Zeppelin

If you’ve seen one Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin, you’ve seen 'em all – which is not meant to be any kind of a put-down. In one guise or another, it’s a product that’s been in production for almost two decades, and it’s rapidly approaching ‘classic’ status – and the way it looks hasn’t done any harm in this respect.

So the Zeppelin Pro is recognizably a Zeppelin, and at 210 x 650 x 194mm it’s the same dimensions as the 2021 model. You’ll need a decently sized surface to stand it on, although at 6.6kg it’s hardly a burden where weight is concerned.

The speaker wears its relative bulk quite lightly, though, and this is helped in no small way by the two finishes – both new – in which it’s available. My review sample is in ‘solar gold’, and ‘space gray’ is also available. And within the stable, logical and extensive control app, there are no fewer than 15 different ‘ambient light’ colors with which to illuminate the speaker’s foot (and, if you’re anything like me, expose exactly how long it’s been since anyone did any dusting around here). Or you can turn it off altogether, of course.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Usability and setup

(Image credit: Future)

• Bowers & Wilkins ‘Music’ control app
• Some physical controls
• Swift and stable wireless pairing

The Zeppelin Pro is ‘just’ a wireless speaker, and as such it doesn’t take long to set up – unpack it, plug it in, let the ‘Music’ control app (free for iOS and Android) discover it, connect it to your local network, and you’re in business.

The control app is fairly thoroughly specified. As well as Bowers & Wilkins’ curated content, it’s also able to let you integrate your favourite music streaming service(s) – as long as they’re Amazon Music, Deezer, NTS, Qobuz, SoundCloud or TIDAL. Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 provide alternative ways of getting music over to it. Internet radio is available via Last.fm and TuneIn.

EQ adjustment (or, more accurately, bass and treble adjustment) is available, and the app also lets you update firmware as and when, and for some reason has a switch to allow aptX Adaptive reception to be switched on or off.

There are a few physical controls at top of the rear of the speaker, too. ‘Bluetooth pairing’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘play/pause’ and ‘power on/off’ are all available.

• Usability and setup score: 5 / 5

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review: Value

• Bowers & Wilkins devices are always of a very high standard
• Not as pricey as some B&W devices, but just as impressive
• Excellent specs and sound

If you know Bowers & Wilkins, you know there’s seldom any issue regarding the standard of build and finish of any of its products – and that’s as true of the Zeppelin Pro Edition as it is of a pair of its passive speakers costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Add in thorough specification, nicely executed control options and an intangible, but definite, pride of ownership and we’re well on the way to calling this wireless speaker ‘very decent value for money’. The way it sounds simply confirms things.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition? Buy it if...

You know an icon when you see (and hear) one
There aren’t all that many current audio products around that can genuinely be referred to as ‘classic’. The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is one.View Deal

You enjoy spacious, detailed and lively sound
By the standards of speakers in a single enclosure, the Zeppelin Pro sounds gratifyingly open – and it’s a perky, informative listen at the same time.View Deal

You think synesthesia is pretty cool
You won’t see colors because of the sound the Zeppelin Pro makes, but you get a choice of colors to accompany it.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have significant shelf space
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition remains one of the larger wireless speakers around, and it needs a correspondingly large shelf space in which to operate.View Deal

You want a fully smart speaker
The lack of wider networking compatibility, voice-assistant interaction and so on means the Zeppelin Pro Edition is not quite PhD ‘smart’.View Deal

You want to hear every bit of dynamic variation in a recording
The Pro Edition is a strong performer, but it lacks the lung capacity to give complete expression to the biggest shifts in intensity and/or volume.View Deal

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition: Also consider

Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Gen
The closest smaller equivalent to the Zeppelin Pro, also made by a hi-fi legend. Far more compact, still a hugely impressive performer with tons of connectivity options. Here's our full Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Gen review.View Deal

Cambridge Audio Evo One
A magnficient speaker that's also pretty wide, like the Zeppelin Pro – but it has a flatter and more traditional design that may suit some people. The screen on the front is nice too, and the built-in phono stage makes it well-suited to turntables.View Deal

How I tested the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition

I positioned my review sample on the top shelf of my Blok Stax 2G equipment rack, and then because it was preventing my turntable from sitting there I also positioned it on a necessarily large bookshelf.

I used my Qobuz and TIDAL accounts to stream music of many different varieties and file sizes, and I also checked out some favorite internet radio stations using TuneIn.

I can’t pretend it was any kind of hardship to do this for well over a week…

• First reviewed: February 2025

Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless: two-minute review

Ultenic has certainly upped the ante with the U16 Flex Cordless vacuum, launched in August 2024. As you may have already guessed from the name, the most notable feature is the U16 Flex’s flexibility. Thanks to a clever bendable elbow feature in its wand, this cool cordless does all the bending for you – making light work of pushing the floorhead deep under the furniture.

That's not the only feature borrowed from today's best cordless vacuums. The floorhead has 'GreenEye technology'; essentially bright green LED lights that help you track down less obvious dirt, dust and dander... as well as adding a bit of space-ship coolness. There’s a tangle-free roller brush that actually works, three power modes, six-layer HEPA filtration and a funky illuminated display panel that adds more spaceship vibes.

Operation is one-touch, by which I mean you don’t have to hold the power button in to keep it going, which is always a relief to my poor RSI-ridden hand. Ultenic promises the battery will last up to a full 60 minutes. I managed 54 in my tests, but that's still very respectable.

For all these features, you may well be expecting a price tag along Dyson lines, but perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the U16 Flex cordless is its price – if you shop smart, you can pick one of these little beauties up for under $200 / £200. It's absolutely one of the best budget vacuums I've tested.

I test it in out my four-bed home over the very busy Christmas and New Year holidays, and it did a sterling job on hard flooring (of which we have plenty). I loved how lightweight it was, and the power lasted plenty long enough to whip round downstairs before the next gaggle of guests descended.

However, there's one concession you'll need to make for that mind-blowingly bargain price. To get carpets clean, Normal mode won't cut it; you'll need to call on the maximum 'Turbo' mode. Unfortunately, the U16 can only manage 12 minutes of cleaning in this mode; not long enough to make it around my mostly-carpeted upstairs. So this one is only really suitable for people with mostly hard floors in their home.

Now you’ve read the short-and-sweet version, keep going to discover the full highs and lows of using this budget-friendly cordless in my full Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless review.

Everything that came in the box for my review model (Image credit: Future) Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless review: price & availability

• List price: $219.99 / £219.99 (but discounted everywhere)
• Launched: August 2024
• Availability: US / UK

The Ultenic U16 Flex cordless vacuum is a straight-up bargain. If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight player without dropping a small fortune, this sleek little number is worth a look.

Officially, purchasing direct from Ultenic the list price is $219.99 / £219.99, which is in TechRadar's lower-mid price bracket for vacuums. However, at time of writing, it's discounted there and on Amazon, so you can expect to pay more like $150-$180 in the US, or £160-£170 in the UK. That's firmly in the budget bracket.

Sadly, Australians are out of luck because it’s not available there yet. But for everyone else, this vacuum delivers mid-range performance for a low-end price-tag. It’s got power, it’s lightweight, and it’s brilliant for getting into all those low-level nooks and crannies.

If you’re after a cordless vac that’s stylish, effective, and doesn’t leave you eating instant noodles for a month, the Ultenic U16 Flex has got your back.

• Value for money score: 5 out of 5

Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless specs Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless review: design

• Lightweight, with flexible wand for getting under furniture
• Intuitive LED display and good bin capacity
• Slightly plasticky build quality

Landing on my doorstep in a compact box, with a fair number of plastic bags and foam padding, it wasn’t especially eco-friendly looking on the packaging front, but the Ultenic U16 Flex was very well protected. After pulling out and unwrapping all the elements, I found it was super easy to put together without any need to look at the quick setup instructions.

In red, black and a hint of purple, the Ultenic U16 Flex cordless vacuum gives me '80s throwback fear. The design has hints of early Dyson, too – that purple cyclone-like filter chamber looks very familiar. Overall, it's lightweight and easy to use; you won’t be breaking a sweat lugging it around.

The build quality feels a bit on the budget side – kind of plasticky and a bit clunky to connect the wand to the floorhead, but given the price that's not a dealbreaker. It's sturdy enough to get the job done without worrying it’ll collapse mid-clean.

(Image credit: Future)

The main design highlight for me was the flexible wand, which can be released to bend forwards. It's an idea borrowed from today's best Shark vacuums (like the PowerDetect Cordless), and a game-changer for reaching awkward spots – like under the couch where crumbs and dust bunnies love to party. It bends and twists like a pro, making those hard-to-reach areas not so hard-to-reach. Combined with the lightweight build and searing green LED lighting in the floorhead (this one inspired by the far-pricier Dyson V15 Detect and Gen5detect), it was perfect for quick zips around the house.

Oddly, the control panel isn’t nearly as sexy as the previous model, the slightly cheaper U12 Vesla (which I have also put through its paces) but it’s still nicely styled and techy-looking. There's one button for switching between power modes, so you don’t have to overthink anything while you're cleaning. Plus, the battery indicator is super clear – no guessing games about how much power you have left in the tank.

The control panel shows power level and battery percentage, and the light ring turns more red as the power dials up (Image credit: Future)

The main floorhead is solid enough, with decent swivel action that lets you glide around furniture. It's also shallow enough that it doesn’t get stuck under my sideboards, like competitors' models have. It only comes with one detachable crevice tool, but let’s face it, that’s the one we all use – I’ve got a cleaning cupboard full of weird and wonderful (and never used) nozzles from various ghosts of vacuums past. If you do need the gentler approach of a bristled nozzle, for furniture or upholstery etc, one slides out in handheld mode, which is handy because it’s always there, close to hand.

The Ultenic U16 Flex features a generous dustbin for the cordless sector, with a 95ml capacity. I could vacuum round our 4-bed home at least twice before needing to empty it, and given that we have two very hairy spaniels and two messy kids so that’s pretty impressive. When it’s time to dump the contents, the process is simple – just press the release button, and the lid flaps open. You can then empty it directly into the trash with minimal mess – and I never had to get my hands dirty digging out any stuck muck.

The bin empties easily. (Image credit: Future)

The Ultenic U16 Flex’s charging wall mount is space-saving and convenient. I didn’t fix it to my wall because it wasn’t staying, but I could check how well the vacuum slots in and out and always appreciate a mount where the charging is automatic once docked – no need to fiddle about manually inserting the charger port. If you prefer, you can also slide the battery out and charge it away from the vacuum, which would be handy if you don’t have a socket where you want to store your cleaner.

Overall, the U16 Flex is designed to offer everything you need, with a few cool extras on top. It might not feel as premium as some high-end brands, but nor do you have to sell a kidney to buy it.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless review: performance

• Excellent maneuvering, and great on hard floors
• Easy to empty and clean
• Battery-sapping Turbo mode needed for carpets

Let me start by saying that the Ultenic U16 Flex cordless vacuum isn’t great on carpets. It’s not the worst I’ve tested, but if you have wall-to-wall carpets throughout and like to feel the power of dirt lifting through from the floorboards underneath, this is not the vacuum for you.

Those with mostly solid floors, like me, should keep reading, especially anyone who is really feeling the cost-of-living crisis right now (also me!). The Ultenic U16 Flex has three power levels: Eco, Normal (which is the default startup setting) and Turbo.

In Eco mode, which gives you the maximum battery life, it did a perfectly good job of sucking up dog hair, crumbs and small particles of dust/dirt from my solid floors (in the busiest rooms of our home: the open-plan kitchen, hallway and utility). However, it wasn’t great at dealing with bigger debris like hay and shavings (we have horses, and half the yard seems to come home via the kids’ socks). Normal was much better and so it was the mode I used most of the time on my hard floors.

On carpet I felt like I was wasting my time in Eco mode. Normal was okay, but I also had to call upon the battery-depleting Turbo mode for carpets. The vacuum only lasted around 12 minutes in Turbo mode. This was okay if I was only cleaning the downstairs, where there's just one room that's carpeted, and it's small. However, it wasn't long enough to clean the four carpeted bedrooms upstairs.

The Ultenic U16 Flex took a little longer than I’d expect to complete a full battery recharge – around four hours. I could have done with a spare battery to tackle upstairs though.

Using the crevice tool in handheld mode (Image credit: Future)

The real star of this vacuum, though, has to be the flexibility. The floorhead swivels and moves really smoothly and I can glide around my furniture without getting the floorhead stuck. I never felt like I was doing battle with the vacuum, and my hand/arm never ached, even when testing the battery to its maximum use in Eco mode (I clocked 52 minutes).

The flex wand is also a total game-changer. It bends low so I don’t have to, stretching under areas that I can normally only reach by getting down on my hands and knees. That almost never happens so it was quite satisfying/disturbing to see how full the bin got when I tackled under the island and kitchen sofa.

Plus, the attachments are really easy, if slightly clunky, to pop on and off. I’ve been using the crevice tool on the end of the long wand for the edges of my baseboards and getting cobwebs up high, and it worked perfectly – again without making my arm ache.

The brush bar is great on hard floors and doesn't get choked with hair (Image credit: Future)

In handheld mode, the Ultenic U16 Flex really shines for quick and targeted cleaning jobs. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for tackling stairs, upholstery, or even light spills in your car (just don’t expect thorough detailing – for that you might need to invest in one of the best car vacuums).

With the crevice attachment, you can reach tight spots effortlessly, like between couch cushions or the corners of stair treads, without contorting into awkward angles or straining your wrists. In handheld mode, the suction is the best you’ll get from this cordless, easily picking up crumbs, and dust. I’d have like a mini upholstery head attachment, ideally with power brush, for really getting those deep-grained pet hairs out of my couch cushions though. TechRadar's best vacuum for pet hair list has some alternative suggestions here.

It's light and nimble for cleaning the stairs (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to noise, the Ultenic U16 is pretty average for cordless vacuums – not too loud but not super quiet either. In the lowest power it recorded 71 dB on my decibel meter app, in Normal it was 74 dB and in Turbo it went to 82 dB, which is comparable to a food processor or blender. It’s not silent, but it’s definitely quieter than I expected for the price. The good news was I could vacuum in Eco without making my spaniel bark his head off, which is a huge win and a rare feat. He still lost his cool when I dialed up to Turbo, though.

Suction tests

When I ran our standard vacuuming tests – one with flour to mimic fine debris, and another with oats for larger particles – the results were exactly as I’d anticipated. The Ultenic U16 did well on the hard floors and failed on carpets.

The flour test was completed on our engineered wood flooring, and I found I had to switch to Turbo mode to get the best results, but it only took two passes to achieve a clean strip of flooring.

Flour on hard floors, the left strip shows Eco mode and the right is in Turbo (Image credit: Future)

Next came the oats test, again on engineered wood, and I was surprised to discover that I could get all the oats up as easily in Eco mode as I did in Turbo. In fact, the Ultenic U16 Flex made really light work of clearing away the entire spill, with a little help from the spaniels!

Oats on hard floors, the left strip shows Eco mode and the right is in Turbo (Image credit: Future)

Moving into the snug to check out performance on carpet (a short-pile wool number), and the flour test was an absolute fail. Eco mode barely touched the flour and even in Turbo I had to do a bazillion passes and then call in the big guns (my Miele Duoflex cordless) to get the job done.

Flour on carpet, the left strip shows Eco mode and the right is in Turbo (Image credit: Future)

The oats test was a bit better on carpet, but I still had to spend a lot of time going back and forth over the same spots. Then I had to get the crevice nozzle out to suction up the strays that had snuck into the threshold joint. I nearly ran out of power before my carpet was clean again.

Oats on carpet, the left strip shows Eco mode and the right is in Turbo (Image credit: Future) Maintenance

I found the Ultenic U16 easy to clean and maintain. The bin pops open really easily and empties straight out – no fishing about with sticks to unblock clogs. The HEPA filter is also simple to access, which is a bonus for those who hate vacuum maintenance.

The filter is easy to clean under a running tap (Image credit: Future)

You just detach the dustbin by pressing the release button and the filter is easy to spot and pull out. Wash it under a running tap and leave to dry – there’s a spare so you’ll always have a dry one to hand. Another bonus of this cordless is the hair-evading brush in the floorhead, which didn’t get wrapped in any hair, string or random threads during the entire test period.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless review: battery

• Battery lasts 12 mins in Turbo, 52 mins in Eco
• 4 hours to fully recharge the battery
• Removable and swappable battery

The Ultenic U16 Flex provides a practical balance between performance and battery life, especially in a home with mostly solid floors like ours. In Eco mode, the vacuum lasted a generous 52 minutes. That's not quite as long as the hour promised by Ultenic, but it's still plenty of time to tackle everyday messes in busy areas like my open-plan kitchen and hallway.

Most of today's best cordless stick vacuums will offer a maximum of 50 or 60 minutes' of cleaning (and a couple offer up to 70 minutes), although of course the suction in that mode will vary from model to model.

In Turbo mode the battery lasted just 12 minutes. It's not unusual for a stick vacuum's maximum suction mode to drain power that quickly, but the fact I had to use Turbo mode quite a lot when tackling carpets wasn't ideal.

Recharging takes around four hours. The U16's battery is removable and spares can be purchased if you want to extend the cleaning times further.

• Battery life score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless? Buy it if...

Your chiropractor is on speed dial

Anyone with limited strength, RSI or back pain will really appreciate this flexible, lightweight vacuum that makes cleaning tight spaces and under furniture a breeze.

You like to see what you’re cleaning

The bright LED lights in the floorhead of this thing are really exceptional, possibly the best I’ve tested – no dirt, hair strands or dust will escape your attention, even in the darkest of corners.

Analogue is your thing

Those who value simplicity and convenience, with easy-to-use features and quick attachment swaps will love the lack of nonsense tech and complicated controls. Turn it on, vacuum, empty and repeat. Simple.

Don't buy it if...

You covet a champagne lifestyle

If you’re all about luxury and expect a premium feel this is not the vacuum for you – it’s functional, but the plasticky build might not vibe with your high-end tastes.

Carpets are everywhere

You need heavy-duty suction power for deep-pile carpets; this one’s definitely better for hard floors.

You like a quiet life

If you are noise-sensitive and crave near-silent cleaning – or have a newborn or irritable neighbours, the sound levels may disappoint. It’s not super loud, but it’s no whisper either, especially on max power.

How I tested the Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless

I tested the Ultenic U16 Flex cordless vacuum for four weeks during the festive season, during which we hosted far too many family gatherings than was good for our livers, and a child’s birthday, too. Our home is a Victorian, four-bed detached property that is mostly open-plan downstairs. We don’t have any thick-pile carpet, but we do have virtually every other type of flooring – porcelain, terracotta, luxury vinyl, engineered oaks, wool carpets and lots of flatweave rugs. I used this cordless as the only vacuum during the testing period, in every room and up the stairs, checking out the various attachments as I went. I also conducted controlled tests using flour and oats on hard floors and carpet, monitored the sound levels using an App on my iPhone and timed battery use and charging.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners.

First reviewed January 2025

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: ONE-MINUTE REVIEW

OLED monitors are becoming widespread, and Asus is among the first manufacturers to release a gaming monitor with the panel technology on a 27-inch 4K display. The result is essentially a smaller, slightly less powerful screen than the company’s larger ROG screens, shedding the ultrawide and curved properties that many gamers (myself included) consider unnecessary – but it’s ROG, so it can’t be that simple, can it?

What we’ve got here is an exceptional piece of technology with a bunch of old gimmicks bolted to the sides.

On the tech side, the panel is gorgeous, pulling off 4K resolution paired with a 240Hz refresh rate and offering a max brightness of 450 nits (1,000 HDR). Its selection of ports on the back is quite generous, including several USB-A ports to keep your cabling situation a bit tidier. The integrated monitor interface is also quite easy to use and provides an amazing level of depth to tailor screen performance to your needs.

On the extras side, like many of Asus’ top-end Swift monitors, you’ll find a downward-facing projector that shoots the Republic of Gamers logo onto your desk in red. This resides in the monitor stand with the lens protruding between the screen’s three feet. The feet extend out quite far from the monitor and are both huge and very over the top. It’s a signature of the ROG Swift range of monitors and it exists to be distinct.

Complementing the projector is a programmable RGB logo on the front of the screen and a larger one on the rear left of the monitor, along with some lighting around the projector housing. These lighting details I’m fine with, I have no axe to grind with RGB provided it’s not over the top, but the accumulation of all of these aesthetic extras has left me with a feeling of ‘why are we doing this?’

And this criticism manifests best when we get to pricing. Despite offering a combination of features that are new and in-demand on the market, slightly older monitors with more impressive specs (like larger screen size) can be picked up for less.

With these things in mind, while I’ll applaud Asus for offering a display with a technology arrangement previously unseen, and likely in demand from at least a subset of PC users, I’m content with the opinion that a 4K, OLED, high refresh rate monitor better appeals to a graphics and visual quality lover – and that such a user likely wouldn’t mind going a size up to 32 inches and pocketing the potential savings.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

• How much does it cost? $1,099 / £1,098 / AU$2,099
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Technology retailers in the US, UK and Australia

The ROG Swift 27-inch OLED breaks new ground by offering the gorgeous, darkness-enhancing panel technology at a high refresh rate at a 4K resolution on a screen of this size. This explains the high cost, but the price is driven higher by a combination of things.

Asus’ inclusion of RGB lighting, a unique stand and its iconic (if unnecessary) downward-facing projector add to its appeal, but its great user interface and array of ports are more deserving of praise.

Similar monitors are available from LG, Gigabyte and Alienware, often sporting larger displays at the same price, or the same size at a lower cost. This monitor’s closest competitor is the MSI MPG 272URX, starting at $799.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,799.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: DESIGN

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Asus is awesome, not just because it always does top-quality stuff, but also because it’s always doing something interesting. In the display category, the brand has been strapping downward-facing projectors to its premium ‘Swift’ range for a long time, while incorporating a tripod-style stand with three feet extending out from the base of the stand.

This is iconically ROG and… well, getting old. The company has strapped this projector to its top-end screens for some time, all while other gaming peripheral aesthetics have matured. Competitors like Alienware and MSI now look more grown up across their entire product line-ups. Even much of the ROG range looks more charming and less gamer-y.

Even if the projector didn’t leave a poor taste in my mouth, I’d still be disappointed in the stand. It spans a far greater space across my desk than it has any right to, and its footprint limits my ability to push the display further from me without it falling off the back of the desk. Though this wouldn’t be a problem for users mounting the display elsewhere, as it’s VESA wall-mount compatible. On the default stand, it also allows a 90º pivot (allowing for a uniform portrait orientation) and 110mm height adjustment, along with 30º of swivel.

A programmable RGB light on the rear left side gives a nice illumination against the wall, and lights on the monitor stand itself look quite good when viewing the screen from the back, but many users likely won’t engage with these. The ROG logo on the front, the stand lights and the projector light can’t be changed from red, which might be disappointing to folks fond of a particular color.

In terms of interaction, hidden behind the ROG logo on the front of the monitor is a handy set of buttons: two on the left and right, and a joystick nub in the middle that's perfect for adjusting display settings.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: FEATURES

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The ROG Swift 27-inch monitor is one of the few screens of such a size operating a 4K resolution on an OLED panel – a feature in itself worthy of praise and certainly appealing to some users. It offers this combination of features with a tiny 0.03ms response time and a whopping 240Hz refresh rate, combined with a maximum brightness of 450 nits (1,000 nits HDR).

Dolby Vision HDR is also available, but I elected to disable this and switched to standard HDR, as it kept turning my display off and on again when entering different programs.

ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM Key Specs

Screen size: 27-inch
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 250 nits full screen, 1,000 nits max HDR
Color coverage: 99%
Response time: 0.03ms
Refresh rate: 240Hz
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black400, HDR10, DolbyVision
Features: FreeSync Premium Pro, NVIDIA G-Sync, KVM Switch, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x Headphone out, 1 x USB-B upstream, 3 x USB-A downstream, 1 x USB-C (90W Power Delivery)

The screen itself is slightly glossy and the in-built monitor software gives the user quite a lot of control over its performance. A single nub behind the ROG logo on the front of the screen allows you to adjust quick settings, including superfluous things like enabling an FPS counter, a persistent crosshair or even a stopwatch or timer. This software is generally more useful for selecting your preferred HDR calibration, adjusting brightness, and tailoring the screen’s performance to your needs.

Obviously because it’s an OLED panel, there is worry of burn-in occurring, and Asus’ solution is quaint. Simply by pressing the button on the left (beside the nub) you can activate the company’s OLED Care program, which refreshes the pixels to avoid damage. The program runs for about six minutes and it’s recommended that you perform this action often to increase the longevity of your device. The monitor will remind you every eight hours or so by default to run the program, but you can disable this pop-up in the on-device settings.

The ports on offer with this display are also very accommodating. A USB-B port running to and from the monitor and your computer allows the three integrated USB-A 3.2 ports to communicate with your PC, cutting down on cable clutter. There’s also a USB-C port with 90W power delivery (great for charging a phone or even a laptop), a DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 ports.

Finally, bringing the panel's main range of features back into range (4K, 240Hz), it’s worth considering this as a monitor for an already particularly dedicated enthusiast. Operating a 4K monitor at a high frame rate in most new games is going to require a fairly competent (and expensive) gaming rig, though most competitive games (think League of Legends and Valorant) that run smoothly on a broad range of computers will typically complement this monitor well – so perhaps it’s more a screen for gamers looking to compete online.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: PERFORMANCE

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The ROG Swift OLED 27-inch is perfect for making gorgeous games look amazing. An upgrade to an OLED screen continues to be the best way to upgrade your gaming visual experience in a single purchase – you can upgrade your computer’s internal components, sure, but the output monitor’s better handling of darkness and contrast will always be more noticeable than slightly higher graphics fidelity.

A 27-inch sized screen is fairly common among gaming PC setups, though a 4K resolution can be difficult to cater for as games become more demanding as quality scales up – though this will certainly appeal to gamers craving beautiful visuals. The panel performed exceptionally well in every game that I played, and the deep blacks were particularly welcome in games like The Headliners, Helldivers 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, where darkness is a big part of the gameplay.

TV shows look awesome too. Invincible, Severance and For All Mankind in particular looked great, with the color clarity up to scratch, but the experience would have been made better by integrated speakers. Built-in sound isn’t a top feature request for monitor shoppers but it’s nice to have when it’s there, for convenience at least.

And it’s not all about gaming – the monitor is also a more-than-capable productivity monitor, and I didn’t notice any text fringing when using Google Docs or Google Keep. Its dealing with apps in dark mode is splendid, and I liked the inclusion of a KVM switch, allowing you to quickly switch between your connected computers. The USB-A ports aren’t difficult to access in the back of the monitor, so you won’t be spending much time pulling cables and dongles out of your actual PC if you don’t want to.

Maximum brightness of 450 nits – or 1,000 nits with HDR enabled – was also notable as it’s easy to find similar monitors with slightly higher HDR brightness. Nevertheless, it’s serviceable and hardly an issue.

Should I buy the Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM? ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-INCH: Report Card Buy it if...

You want a high-end, 27-inch OLED monitor

A 4K resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate on an OLED panel isn’t particularly common – yet.

You like ROG aesthetics

It doesn’t get much more gamer-y than ROG, and the downward-facing projector is certainly a… choice.

DON’T BUY IT IF…

You’re looking to save money

This monitor is surrounded by alternatives that are either larger (for the same cost) or cheaper for the same size.

You can’t stand over-the-top aesthetics

The gamer projector is not for everyone, nor is all the lighting or the huge stand.

Also consider

LG 32GS95UE-B

Though it originally launched at a higher price, the LG 32GS95UE-B can be picked up for a much lower cost than the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM – with 4K, a 240Hz refresh rate and a low response time to boot, along with a 32-inch panel.

Read our full LG 32GS95UE-B review

MSI MPG 271QRX

Cheaper, though only offering a 2K resolution rather than 4K, MSI's MPG 271QRX is a much more affordable OLED solution.

Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX review

MSI MPG 272URX

Offering similar specs at a significantly lower price, this MSI monitor is a much more accessible OLED gaming solution than Asus’ offering.

HOW I TESTED THE ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-INCH

From the moment I received the ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-inch for testing, I got to work setting it up and optimizing it for gameplay and productivity tasks. I quickly assembled it and replaced my monitor with it at home, using it over a three-week period. I used it every day that I was home over this time, whether it was for watching YouTube videos, Twitch streams, TV shows or playing videogames.

Most of my time with the monitor was spent playing videogames. Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Headliners, Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Car Manufacture and FlyKnight were among the games I tested the monitor with. I used the monitor with a variety of settings enabled and disabled, and used a DisplayPort connection.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed February 2025]

Hisense U9N: Two-minute review

The Hisense U9N arrived on the scene after the rollout of the Hisense U8N, a mid-range mini-LED TV offering exceptional performance and value for money. And while the step-up U9N series is arguably eclipsed by the U8N when it comes to value, it nonetheless offers a noticeable upgrade in picture and sound quality and has a more premium design.

Availability of the Hisense U9N is limited to the US market, where, befitting a premium TV, it is sold in 75-inch ($1,999.99) and 85-inch ($2,999.99) screen sizes. Those prices are a considerable saving on the initial release prices and are notably less than premium mini-LED TV offerings from Samsung and Sony. For this review, I tested the 75-inch U9N.

The U9N’s specs include a mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 local dimming zones (in the 85-inch model) and a Hi-View Engine X chipset borrowed from the company’s limited edition ULED X series TVs. Along with providing AI-driven picture enhancements, this carries support for the Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG high dynamic range formats.

Picture quality on the U9N is stunning. Images are bright, and have exceptional detail and contrast. Colors pop without looking garish, and it has notably better motion handling than other Hisense TVs I’ve tested. But what really sets it apart from the U8N and also lets it compete in the premium mini-LED TV arena is its precise, refined local dimming, which creates deep, uniform-looking blacks with fine gradations of shadow detail. Also, its picture doesn’t lose contrast and color richness when viewed from off-center seats – an important factor for watching with groups.

Sound quality is another U9N strong point. A built-in 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system delivers robust sound with clear positioning of dialogue and effects, along with a decent bass kick. Audio performance is helped by the TV’s design, which positions the left and right speakers in an angled aluminum bezel so they can emit sound directly at the viewer, while the top surface contains upward-firing speakers for Atmos height effects.

As with other Hisense TVs in the US, Google TV is used as a smart TV interface and it’s a flexible and relatively uncluttered platform with a compelling Ambient mode for displaying artwork and photos. Hands-free voice commands are supported, and there’s also a built-in mic on the remote if you don’t want the TV to be set in 'always-listening' mode.

Gaming features on the U9N include dual HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. Input lag is slightly high compared to the best gaming TVs, but that’s not something more casual gamers will notice.

The Hisense U9N ultimately adds up to a great value. It does cost quite a bit more than the step-down Hisense U8N, but if you do have the money to spend, the upgrades it offers are worth it.

Hisense U9N review: Price and release date

The Hisense U9N is one of the brightest TVs we've yet tested (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: April 2024
• 75-inch: $2,999
• 85-inch: $3,999

The Hisense U9N is sold in 75- and 85-inch screen sizes, with availability limited to the US market. As a 2024 model, prices for both sizes have dropped since the TVs first shipped, with the 75-inch version now widely available for $1,999.99 and the 85-inch for $2,999,99.

In Hisense’s TV lineup, the U9N series slots in between the mid-range U8N series and the limited-release ULED X series, the latter of which it borrows several features from.

Hisense U9N review: Specs Hisense U9N review: Benchmark results Hisense U9N review: Features

The U9N has two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support; additional HDMI ports support eARC. (Image credit: Future)

• Mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 zones
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR
• Two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 144Hz support

The Hisense U9N features a mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 local dimming zones (in the 85-inch model). It uses the same Hi-View Engine X chipset found in the company’s limited-edition ULED X series TVs, which features AI-driven scene detection and real-time image enhancement. High dynamic range support includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, and there’s an ultra-wide viewing angle feature to ensure consistent picture quality when watching from off-center seats.

The 75-inch U9N I tested features a 4.1.2-channel built-in speaker system powered by 76W of amplification that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with IMAX Enhanced. The U9N’s thicker-than-average aluminum bezel houses front-firing left and right speakers and there are upwards-firing Atmos height speakers located at the top.

Hisense TVs use the Google TV smart TV interface, and the U9N series also features a built-in mic for hands-free voice control. (Works with Alexa is also supported.) Gaming features include 4K 144Hz support for PC gaming, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The U9N’s inputs include two HDMI 2.1 ports, and there’s also an ATSC 3.0 tuner for receiving Next-Gen TV broadcasts.

• Features Score: 4.5/5

Hisense U9N review: Picture quality

The U9N's picture looks uniformly good even when viewed from far off-center seats. (Image credit: Future)

• Exceptional brightness, refined local dimming
• Rich color reproduction
• Impressive motion handling

The Hisense U9N’s high brightness levels easily exceed other premium mini-LED TVs such as the Samsung QN90D and Sony Bravia 9. I measured HDR brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern in Filmmaker Mode at 2,694 nits, while a full-screen HDR white pattern measured 590 nits in the same mode. Those numbers indicate that the U9N can display the full level of highlight detail in most movies and TV shows with HDR without having to resort to tone mapping, and programs like sports will also look good when viewed in bright rooms.

Hisense says the U9N has an anti-reflection screen coating, though I did note some screen glare when viewing with my room’s overhead lights on. One strong picture-quality positive for daytime sports viewing is the U9N’s ultra-wide viewing angle feature, which ensures that pictures had uniform contrast and color saturation even when viewing from far off-center seats – as you might have to do when watching with a crowd of people.

The U9N’s color gamut coverage was also exceptional, measuring 98.9% for UHD-P3 and 81.5% for BT.2020 in Filmmaker Mode. Those results best other premium mini-LED TVs we’ve tested, and rival what you get with the best OLED TVs. Grayscale accuracy in the same mode was less impressive, averaging 3.5 (we normally look for a result under 3), though color accuracy averaged out to an exceptional 1.1.

With its extraordinarily bright picture, the U9N looked fantastic when viewing sports. Watching the Eagles trounce the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the respective green and red hues of the players’ uniforms popped from the screen, and highlights like stadium lights gleaming off helmets gave the image a strong sense of realism and depth. The U9N also did a great job of upscaling the HD picture, making it look near 4K-like.

Darker content such as the Apple TV Plus show Severance also shone on the U9N’s expansive 75-inch screen. Season 2 Episode 4 takes place in a frozen rural landscape, and the U9N rendered details in the wintry scenes with a high level of subtlety. Severance frequently uses monochrome color schemes – blue, especially – for sets and costumes, and the U9N displayed these vividly while also leaving skin tones looking completely natural.

Other scenes from the same Severance episode demonstrated the U9N’s precise local dimming. As the MDR team camps outdoors on a corporate retreat, there are several scenes with campfires being lit and torches wielded at night. On the U9N, these fires blazed against a black background with minimal blooming effects. Even when I checked the blooming torture test clips on the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray test disc, I could see only just the faintest signs of backlight blooming.

When I did a hands-on test of a pre-production U9N back in early 2024, I was disappointed with its motion handling. But Hisense clearly made progress on that front with the production version of the U9N, which has no such issue. When I watched a reference scene from Bond film No Time to Die where 007 walks across a craggy mountain cemetery, the picture looked impressively solid, even with no motion processing applied. The U9N's solid motion handling also yielded benefits for sports, which looked fluid yet fully natural.

• Picture quality score: 5/5

Hisense U9N review: Sound quality

A thick aluminum bezel houses front-facing and upward-firing speakers. (Image credit: Future)

• 4.1.2-channel, 76W speaker system
• Auto Acoustic Tuning feature
• Good height, width with Atmos soundtracks

The U9N features a 4.1.2-channel speaker system powered by 76W. Front left and right drivers are built into the sides of the TV’s substantial aluminum bezel and upwards-firing drivers are located on the screen’s top. Around the back, a pair of built-in bass drivers handle subwoofer duty.

An array of audio adjustments are provided beyond the U9N’s basic sound presets. The Advanced Settings menu has an Auto Acoustic Tuning feature that lets you optimize the TV’s sound output based on measurements taken of your viewing environment using the mic in the remote control. There’s also a multi-band equalizer adjustment, wall-mount compensation, and a subwoofer level adjustment.

The U9N displayed consistently clear dialogue and volume levels could be set fairly high without hearing any distortion. Watching the recent sequel Twisters, in an early scene where the students seed a tornado, only to get caught up in the ensuing turmoil, the sound of wind and loose objects – like vehicles and bodies – blowing around exceeded the screen area and had a good sense of width and height. Shouted dialogue in this sequence also came across clearly, and there was even a decent level of bass thump.

We usually recommend adding one of the best soundbars to any TV, but the U9N could easily stand on its own as long as you’re not overly fussy about home theater sound.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

Hisense U9N review: Design

The U9N's widely spaced support feet require an equally wide TV stand. (Image credit: Future)

• Widely spaced support feet
• Premium design with angled bezel
• Full-sized, backlit remote control

Unlike other premium (or premium-aspiring) TVs I’ve recently tested, the Hisense U9N opts for widely spaced support feet instead of a pedestal-type base. These barely cleared my 59-inch-wide TV stand, with just a 0.5-inch of space on each side, so make sure you first measure your own stand. The feet provide sturdy support for the TV, though I wished there was a variable height option to clear more space for a soundbar, if you choose one.

The U9N’s bezel is angled on the sides to accommodate the TV’s front-firing speakers. This gives the TV a more premium look than other Hisense TVs, which have a more basic design. Rear panel connections include four HDMI ports (two of which are HDMI 2.1), an optical digital audio output, 3.5mm analog audio input and output jacks, and a pair of USB-A inputs.

Hisense’s full-sized remote control has curved edges and a more solid feel than most other TV remotes. The keypad is backlit and there are buttons to directly access the TV’s quick menu and broadcast channels guide, along with streaming services including Netflix and Disney Plus. A centrally located mic button lets you selectively access Google voice commands when you’ve disabled the TV’s built-in mic.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Hisense U9N review: Smart TV and menus

The U9N's Google TV smart interface. (Image credit: Future)

• Google TV with Ambient mode
• Live TV program grid
• Extensive picture adjustments and quick menu

Hisense uses Google TV as the smart interface for all of its TVs in the US. This provides an editable row of apps at the bottom of the home screen, along with a row of suggested content directly above. The suggestions that appear here are based on both your viewing history and Google search history – an arrangement you sign up for when entering your Google account in the TV’s user profile. My only serious issue with Google TV is that you need to create a Google account to download apps from the Google store, and not everyone will necessarily want to participate in the ever-growing Google-verse.

Scrolling down the home screen reveals a range of suggested content categories, while tabs at the top of the screen let you access a Live program guide with both Google Freeplay free TV channels and broadcast channels received by the U9N’s ATSC 3.0 tuner.

A Screensaver option in the TV’s main menu enables you to configure Ambient mode, which kicks in when the TV is on standby. Selections here include an art gallery with Google-curated images, custom-generated AI art, and photos from your personal Google Photos account. You can also add weather and time widgets, which will show up as an overlay on any images in Ambient mode.

Hisense provides extensive picture adjustments in the U9N’s setup menu, with options to have the TV automatically detect content with Filmmaker Mode and IMAX Mode tags, optimize picture settings based on the scene, and upscale standard dynamic range (SDR) programs to high dynamic range (HDR).

A quick menu (called up by pressing the Menu button on the remote) lets you easily switch picture and sound presets, as well as directly access both picture and sound adjustment menus.

• Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U9N review: Gaming

A Game menu allows for easy gaming-related picture and sound adjustments (Image credit: Future)

• Two HDMI 2.1 ports
• 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision gaming
• 15.2ms input lag

The U9N’s dual HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. We typically ding TVs in reviews for providing only two, rather than four, HDMI 2.1 ports, but an additional HDMI port on the U9N supports HDMI eARC, allowing for both PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming consoles and an external soundbar to be connected all at once, so we can accept it here.

A Game Bar menu (accessible via the quick menu) provides a range of stats and game-related picture and sound adjustments, including genre-specific presets, when the TV is in Game mode.

At 15.2ms, the U9N’s input lag in Game mode is on the high side compared to the best gaming TVs, though I didn’t notice any issues during casual gaming with an Xbox Series X.

• Gaming score: 4/5

Hisense U9N review: Value

Hisense's full-sized, backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

• Priced lower than premium mini-LED competition
• Cheaper Hisense U8N series is also excellent
• Still, a great overall value

At around $2,000, the 75-inch Hisense U9N is priced lower than its closest mini-LED competition when it comes to picture and sound quality. You can buy the Samsung QN90D in a 75-inch screen size for around $2,400, while the Sony Bravia 9 will cost you around $3,500. Taken in that company, the U9N is an exceptional value.

The main thing that chips away at the U9N’s value is the also-excellent Hisense U8N (around $1,299 for the 75-inch screen size), which has an even brighter picture than the U9N plus similar gaming features and performance. You get a more refined local dimming with the U9N, however, along with better P3 color space coverage and superior off-axis picture performance. The U9N’s 4.1.2-channel speakers also deliver more powerful and immersive sound than the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel speakers.

All things considered, the Hisense U9N still stands out as a great value, and one well worth considering even at a $700 premium over the Hisense U8N.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U9N?

Dual bass drivers on the TV's rear convey the ".1" subwoofer channel in Atmos soundtracks. (Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want to watch in bright rooms
The U9N’s high brightness and excellent off-axis picture picture quality make it a perfect choice for viewing sports in bright rooms and with large groups.

…and also want a great TV for movies
The U9N’s refined local dimming and versatile handling of programs with high dynamic range makes it great for viewing movies and TV shows in HDR.

You want great built-in sound
A 4.1.2-channel, 76W speaker system with front- and upward-firing drivers lets the U9N project loud, clean and immersive sound with good bass.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best gaming TV
The U9N has better-than-average gaming features and good gaming performance, but other TVs best it when it comes to measured input lag as well as offering extras like cloud gaming.

You’re on a budget
While the U9N is easy to recommend, Hisense’s U8N also delivers great overall performance and a mostly similar feature set at a much lower price.

Panasonic Z95A review: Also consider...

Samsung QN90D
Samsung’s flagship mini-LED TV costs more than the U9N and doesn’t support the Dolby Vision HDR format. Its picture quality is equally good, however, and it also has a sleeker design and better gaming features, as we found in our Samsung QN90D review.

Sony Bravia 9
Sony’s flagship TV is about as premium as mini-LED gets, and we appreciated its bright yet refined picture and powerful sound in our Sony Bravia 9 review. But, it’s considerably more expensive than the U9N and lacks the Hisense’s HDR10+ support.

Hisense U8N
The step-down series from the U9N in Hisense’s TV lineup, the U8N has a nearly as good picture along with impressive sound quality. It’s also an exceptional value as we said in our Hisense U8N review.

How I tested the Hisense U9N

Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)

• Tested over the course of two weeks
• Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
• A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I tested the Hisense U9N, I first spent a few weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments. I next selected the most accurate preset (Filmmaker Mode, in this case) and measured grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I made measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space was also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the U9N can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources.

I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy after I'd assessed its out-of-the-box performance. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, and 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Hulu, and other services.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar for more information.

• First reviewed: February 2025
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