TechRadar Reviews

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Two-minute review

The Acer Predator X32QFS (or X32QFSbmiiphuzx to give it its full jargon name) is a superb do-it-all gaming monitor. Its fabulous 4K IPS mini-LED panel is a joy to use no matter what game or task is on screen, and it always displays colors crisply, brightly, and with punch.

A big factor to address right from the off is that this gaming monitor is unavailable in the US - which is a huge shame. For those that can potentially buy it, however, priced at £899.99 / AU$1,099 it’s a premium monitor. However, its position as more affordable than other premium screens such as the Alienware AW3225QF and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 means it will be tempting for those looking to save up and splash out for a monitor that can do everything well.

An understated gaming monitor in its design, there are no overt ‘gamer’ flourishes adorning the monitor apart from its curved, silver stand. Otherwise, it’s a monitor that will melt into any home office or productivity setup - despite being a gaming beast under the hood.

The juice under said hood is based around the excellent mini-LED IPS 4K panel that sports 1,152 local-dimming zones, as well as gaming specs that include a 150Hz refresh rate, a 0.5ms response time, and HDMI 2.1 capability. It goes further though, channeling that do-it-all characteristic elsewhere in its feature set as it also offers 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3 color coverage and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.

On top of that, the screen has enough ports to keep you well covered and sets itself up beautifully for being the center point of a multi-gaming machine setup. I’ve had my RTX 3090-powered gaming PC and PS5 plugged into it for a couple of months now and it’s a dream for both.

Gaming on PC is a wondrous sight - especially if you have a beefy enough machine to enjoy the 4K resolution - and games from Control to Frostpunk 2 draw you in on the X32QFS, treating you to enormous and immersive pictures and experiences.

The Acer Predator X32QFS also proves itself a worthy contender as a dedicated monitor for PS5 or monitor for Xbox Series X and was a brilliant companion to my PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro during testing. The HDMI 2.1 capable screen means you can tap into the best of Sony’s games on its newest, most powerful console while using it as an everyday PS5-presenter for games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Botany Manor has been a treat for the eyes.

However, it’s not just gaming that it excels in. Everyday work tasks from spreadsheets to writing documents are a joy and feature no text fringing or other frailties; while image work on the screen is also a pleasure with punchy, accurate colors and lovely contrasts. It’s even great for watching TV, films, or catching up on sports highlights.

Drawbacks are few, but one in particular is quite a shame: the monitor is not available in the US. This is a UK-focused release from Acer which is disappointing, if not only because the monitor exudes such a high level of quality. There’s also no remote or control hub which would be a nice touch for a monitor of this price, and some of the settings can be a bit of a drag to re-input all the time.

Away from those gripes, the fact that the Acer Predator X32QFS can do everything so well means it’s an easy screen to recommend for multi-purpose use, with gaming at the center of it. I think it goes a very long way to justify the price tag, and if you’re a UK gamer looking for a high-quality 4K 32-inch screen that’s in between premium OLEDs and affordable panels, then this is it.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Acer Predator X32QFS review: Price and availability

• List price: £899.99 in the UK
• No US availability
• UK-specific variant of the X32

The elephant in the room with the Acer Predator X32QFS is that it has no availability in the US. In something of a classic Acer style, this screen appears to be a sub-variant of a model, the X32, in this case. For full clarity, this means that you may come across different monitors also labeled as an ‘X32’ in your region. However, models with this particular variant's full name, the Acer Predator X32QFSbmiiphuzx, are the one exactly like my review unit. In practice, the result of this means that this version of the X32 is not available to US folks, though another variant may be.

Where it is available in the UK (for £899.99 at Overclockers), the price does pitch the X32QFS as something of a premium screen. In terms of other 4K 32-inch screens, it comes in at nearly twice the price of one our favourites in the Gigabyte M32UC, but it’s worth noting it comes in cheaper than super-premium OLED gaming monitors such as the Alienware AW3225QF, Samsung Odyssey G8, and LG 32GS95UE-B.

I think the X32QFS goes a long way to justify its price tag, and it being in between the likes of the M32UC and those OLED monitors means it’s pitched quite well price-wise. Positioned as offering something more than the affordable models, but a cheaper alternative to OLEDs - without any of the concerns that OLED brings - is a solid spot to inhabit. The performance of the monitor only serves to reinforce this price positioning and value proposition too.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Acer Predator X32QFS review: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Acer Predator X32QFS review: Design and features

• Super 32-inch IPS Mini-LED screen
• 4K; 150hz refresh; 1ms response
• Plenty of ports for multi-device setups

Keeping it simple, the Acer Predator X32QFS is a 32-inch 4K Mini-LED monitor with a very plain design. The aesthetic is very subtle and understated, and there are no ‘gamer vibes’ present, especially when mounted on a monitor arm which I have it set up with. Some of the typical angular aesthetic that gaming monitors have can come from the stand, so removing that has, in effect, toned down the style of the screen. If you fancy using that, however, its curved steel look is still attractive.

Looking a bit more closely, the top and the sides have narrow bezels, while the bottom one, housing the ‘Predator’ badge is slightly wider. Inside the chassis is an IPS Mini-LED panel with 1,152 locally dimming zones that offer deep blacks and vibrant, lush colors.

The Acer Predator X32QFS’s gaming specs are robust and certainly great for those looking for a crisp and smooth 4K experience. Rated for 150Hz, the refresh rate will cover those looking to get 4K at 144Hz on PC, and, naturally, means that a PS5’s or Xbox Series X’s maximum of 120hz is well catered for too. The 0.5ms response time also keeps things speedy for those looking to play online or competitively.

Elsewhere, specs-wise, there’s AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3 color space ratings, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 rating, 1,000 nits of peak brightness, and a color depth of 1.07 billion.

In terms of what’s lacking, there’s no remote control or separate hub for settings which is a shame, and perhaps not quite befitting of a screen that costs nearly a thousand pounds in the UK.

The monitor’s port selection is plenty good enough too. Sporting two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a single USB-C (that can provide 65w of power delivery), an audio jack port, and two USB-A ports (with the accompanying USB upstream port) there’s enough for multi-device setups as well as the incorporation of a sound bar and USB devices too thanks to its upstream connection of the latter kind. The addition of a KVM switch in the screen is welcome too.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Acer Predator X32QFS review: Performance

• Fantastic gaming images and performance
• Particularly perfect for PC, PS5, and PS5 Pro
• Wonderful specs and HDR presentation

Simply put, the X32QFS has performed brilliantly for me in every single way I have used and tested it. From games on PC as well as PS5 and PS5 Pro, to everyday work use, the monitor is just dreamy.

In terms of gaming, I enjoyed the screen most when using it with the PS5 Slim I have set up in my home office, and the PS5 Pro which I reviewed with the monitor at the end of last year. The X32QFS is HDMI 2.1 capable, so using a current-gen console with it can really unleash a machine’s abilities. This was the case with the likes of Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 Pro, with the game’s Balanced mode providing a supreme experience on the X32QFS.

Elsewhere, Alan Wake 2 was a sheer joy to behold, while the likes of Sony first-party games like The Last of Us Part 1, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, shine incredibly brightly on the X32QFS. PlayStation 4 games also look the part on the X32QFS so those still rocking Sony’s last-gen console can have great confidence in this screen presenting their games beautifully too - they were for me on both PS5 and PS5 Pro.

For PC gaming (via DisplayPort) the screen is a joy once more. Offering an excellent amount of screen real estate for games - without ever being too overwhelming - like Frostpunk 2 and Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War 3 - the amount of the barren snowy land of the former, and the bleak battlefield of the latter that you can take in all at once, and in great detail, is exquisite. Games like Control are also a delight on the monitor on PC, with the atmospheric Federal Bureau of Control building a joy to immerse myself in.

The experience I’ve had gaming on the X32QFS goes some way to cement my belief that a 4K 32-inch monitor is the sweet spot for PC and console setups; especially for those gaming PCs that are beefy enough to play nice with the resolution.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

For day-to-day work, the screen is bright, punchy, and crystal clear no matter if I’m deep in research and writing, swimming the spreadsheet waters, or even putting together custom images and doing light graphic work. The 32-inch screen is big enough for me to split it in two manually with windows too, without feeling cramped.

The brightness is a great quality in the screen in particular, with there being plenty of it, and thus enough to find the right amount for you, along with its HDR capability too. The baked-in settings are useful too, though I found the best settings for me were the ones making the most of the monitor’s brightness and HDR, and have had both on, with max brightness enabled and HDR color space selected for almost all of my use after testing the modes.

Backing all of this up further is the color accuracy. Offering 99% Adobe RGB and 99% DCI-P3, the monitor will have you covered if you’re using it for graphic work as well as gaming, serving up a treat for the eyes no matter its deployment.

While the Gigabyte M32UC comes in cheaper still and performs very well, and the likes of the Samsung Odyssey G8 can offer a bit more for pure gaming given the OLED panel and superb feature setup, the X32QFS is a tremendous alternative for a cheaper price, even more so if you’re afraid of OLED burn-in too. On that note, my testing didn’t throw up any other, albeit mainly-OLED-type concerns such as text fringing (where text can appear to have a shadow or blurry color around it).

In practical day-to-day use, some of the settings wouldn’t be ‘remembered’ by the monitor and would revert every time I booted up my PC. This is a small gripe but one I noticed happening relatively frequently despite tinkering in the settings. Also speaking practically, I’ve been able to hook up my PC, the PS5, a soundbar output, and utilize the USB ports on the monitor with no issue, as well as mount it on my Secretlab monitor arm and deploy a BenQ monitor bar on its top too.

It’s this ‘great at everything’ characteristic that makes the Acer Predator X32QFS an easy recommendation to make. It can turn its hand to anything and do a terrific job, and I’m looking forward to relying on its excellence for PC and PS5 gaming, as well as the demands of work going forward.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) Should you buy the Acer Predator X32QFS? Buy it if...

You’re a UK gamer looking for a 4K 120Hz gaming monitor
While it is not widely available on a global scale, it’s an excellent monitor for shoppers in the UK who can pick it up from the likes of Overclockers. Its specs and feature set, and quality mini-LED panel, mean that its price offers decent value for a high-end screen on that side of the Atlantic.

You’re looking for a super 4K screen for a multi-device setup and as an all-rounder
The range of ports the Acer Predator X32QFS has makes it a great screen for multi-device setups on a practical level but its outright quality means that playing on both PC and PS5 is a dream. It’s also a good fit for entertainment and daily office use making it a veritable jack of all trades.

You want a Mini-LED screen for high-fidelity gaming, entertainment, and productivity
The panel on this monitor is a joy to behold and a great advert for Mini-LED gaming screens. If you’ve been eyeing up this screen tech for your PC or console then I can confirm it’s a great match and makes for excellent gaming experiences as well as watching entertainment and doing work.

You’ve got a gaming PC that can make the most of 4K
If you have a PC that can crank out 4K gaming then, naturally, this 4K screen is a great match for you - throw in the rest of its qualities and you have an excellent companion to a 4K-capable gaming PC.

Don't buy it if...

You’re in the US
This is sadly more of a ‘can’t’ than a ‘don’t’, but US shoppers need to look elsewhere, perhaps to the ‘main’ X32, as this particular model isn’t available stateside.

You need even greater, faster specs
While the X32QFS has decent specs for 4K gaming, if you need something that can do any resolution faster in terms of Hz and frame rates, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.

You haven’t got a 4K-capable gaming PC
While not a total deal breaker given how enjoyable the monitor is to use as a PS5 screen, if you want to pair this with a gaming PC, but haven’t got a 4K capable machine, then you won’t get the best or make the most out of the X32QFS.

Acer Predator X32QFS review: Also consider

If you’re still not convinced about the Acer Predator X32QFS, or it’s not available in your region, then check out these alternative monitors.

Gigabyte M32UC
This remains one of our overall top picks for any console gamer or PC player and comes in much cheaper than the X32QFS too. It’s also got a curved screen for extra immersion and sports a great feature set that makes for excellent performance from colors to refresh rate, and from picture quality to response time.

For more information, check out our full Gigabyte M32UC review

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8
Perhaps the best 32-inch gaming screen money can buy right now, the Odyssey OLED G8 barely puts a foot wrong - in any department. If you can stretch your budget, then this is the screen to go for, bagging you that sweet OLED performance and picture quality as well as a top-tier feature set, specs, and screen protection suite.

For more information, check out our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 review

How I tested the Acer Predator X32QFS

• Tested over the course of multiple months
• Used almost daily for work and gaming
• Tested with an RTX 3090-powered PC, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Acer Predator X32QFS monitor for a few months now, using it almost every day for work, and several times a week for gaming. I’ve used it all day for work, from writing to managing spreadsheets and making work calls and communications, testing the screen in both light and dark modes constantly.

I have my RTX 3090-powered gaming PC connected to the monitor, a Yamaha SR-C20A soundbar for sound output when playing my connected PS5 Slim console, and I have made use of the USB ports on the monitor too to great effect. I tested the monitor on its own stand initially, but largely when connected to my Secretlab Magnus Pro gaming desk with the Secretlab monitor arm.

I’ve played a variety of PC games and PS5 games to test the screen out. On PC, I played Frostpunk 2, Control, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3, and A Total War Saga: Troy; while on PS5 and PS5 Pro, I tested Alan Wake 2, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 1, and Part 2 Remastered, and Horizon Forbidden West and Zero Dawn Remastered, as well as PS4 games such as Doom (2016) and Infamous Second Son.

I also tested the PS5 Pro extensively with the monitor when reviewing Sony’s latest console, and found it to provide excellent performance, opening up the extra modes in some of Sony’s first-party games, wonderfully, and presenting them beautifully.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024 - February 2025

Mindshift Backlight 26L: two-minute review

Finding the right outdoor backpack for landscape and adventure photography isn’t easy. Sure, there are lots of options available which is no bad thing, but the best camera bag for you ultimately depends on what you need to carry and what features you're looking for. For me, the Mindshift Backlight 26L, which is made by Think Tank Photo, has proved to be one of the best non-modular options available.

This backpack has been around for quite a few years now with no updates in design except for the availability of additional colors. Where many camera bag manufacturers constantly produce new versions to entice extra sales, Think Tank Photo has kept the faith in the Backlight 26L's solid design. I picked one up around seven years ago, it's covered many miles, and it is still holding strong, with what I expect to be many years of life left in it.

As the name suggests, this is a 26-liter backpack, with the main section being for camera gear; enough space for a day's shooting in the hills or at the coast; plus the space needed to carry essential outdoor items such as waterproofs, a large bottle of water or two, a laptop and a tablet, if required. There's also a way to attach a tripod, plus a waterproof cover so everything has been considered, not to mention it has a trick or two up its sleeve.

(Image credit: James Abbott) Mindshift Backlight 26L: price and availability

• The Mindshift Backlight 26L costs around $299 / £289 / AU$440
• It's available in four colors
• Still available new despite being on sale for many years

The Backlight 26L certainly isn't a new backpack and has been available for somewhere around 10 years. It's not the least expensive bag of its type either, but it's certainly not style over substance like many modern camera backpacks.

The Backlight 26L costs $299 / £289 / AU$440, but this is a bargain when you consider how tough it is and the many years of faithful service it has the potential to provide. There are also four colours available; Charcoal, Slate Black, Woodland Green and Montane Green.

Mindshift Backlight 26L: specs Mindshift Backlight 26L: design

• Comfortable to wear
• Useful features for the outdoors
• Fixed rather than modular design

Many outdoor backpacks these days are modular with the ability to use different camera inserts, such as Peak Design's Camera Cubes; this is to vary the ratio between photo gear and non-photo gear depending on what you're doing. The Backlight 26L follows a more traditional rear-entry design with a fixed, yet configurable camera section, alongside two additional pockets on the front of the bag.

The main front pocket offers a laptop section for up to 16-inch laptops, a 10-inch tablet section and enough space to pack a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants and other items, while the smaller front pocket is ideal for items such as a flashlight and gloves. The space for non-photographic items is nine litres, which is sufficient, although this is much less than the additional space you can enjoy with some modular outdoor backpacks.

On the sides, there are two large water bottle pockets with cinch cords that can carry 32oz / 1 liter Nalgene water bottles – I own one and they fit perfectly. Plus, the side pockets, in conjunction with the adjustable compression straps, can also be used for carrying a tripod. There is also a tripod carrying system that packs away neatly on the front of the bag.

This is a mid-sized backpack that meets airplane carry-on requirements, but it only weighs 3.9lbs / 1.8kg. It's incredibly comfortable to wear and the padded rear panel has an air channel and a lumbar support. The air channel may help on hot days, but it certainly doesn’t stop your back from becoming hot and sweaty. With all of this in mind, it's clearly a bag that's designed for day hikes and shoots because you can only carry essential additional items for the day rather than overnight camping kit.

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The manufacturer says that the bag can accommodate up to two mirrorless cameras, 5-7 lenses and a flashgun. From my experience this is true, but it of course depends on the lenses you're carrying and whether or not telephoto lenses need to be laid down in the bag rather than stood up. My standard configuration was a full-frame camera and 16-35mm lens, a second APS-C camera and lens, a 70-200mm f/4, a filter system and accessories, which together filled the camera compartment.

One of my favourite features of the bag is that with the waist belt in use, you can release your arms from the strap and rotate it to your front laid out horizontally. The rear access then allows you to access your kit without putting the bag down, which is fantastic in muddy locations and when standing in water. The back section even has a strap you can hook over the back of your neck to hold the bag open, although you won't often require it.

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Additional features include tough water-repellent material that I can tell you from experience will stand the test of time. The water resistance is absolutely fine for light rain shows, but in heavier downpours you will need to use the included rain cover. There are also loops to carry two ice axes or walking poles alongside daisy chain connection points for attaching other items with karabiners or smaller Molle-compatible bags.

I own the Backlight 26L, but there's also the smaller Backlight 16L and the larger Backlight 36L. All three sizes follow the same design but are, as the names suggest, different capacities; the 36L is deep enough for professional cameras with a built-in or attached vertical grip. However, I think the Backlight 26L is the most useful size because it allows outdoor photographers to be able to carry all of the photographic gear they typically need alongside additional outdoor items.

Should I buy the Mindshift Backlight 26L?

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

You'd like a lightweight backpack
At just 3.9lbs / 1.8kg, this is a lightweight backpack that's extremely comfortable to wear thanks to the well-padded rear panel with air channels.

You want a bag you don’t have to put down
Gear can be accessed without fully taking the bag off, which can be invaluable when standing in mud or water. Plus, it's useful for city shooting where the rear entry provides security.

Don't buy it if...

You'd like a modular bag
Modular bags allow you to use different inserts/ cubes within a single bag depending on how much photographic gear you need to carry.

You require more non-photo storage
With nine liters of non-photographic storage, if you require more you may be better off with the Backlight 36L or a modular backpack that uses inserts/ cubes.

How I tested the Mindshift Backlight 26L

• I'm a long time owner, over 7 years
• I've tested all its features rigorously and adapted the bag to various use cases
• It's journeyed with me many miles and for multiple types of locations

Having owned the Mindshift Backlight 26L for around seven years alongside other bags I use for different purposes, I've tested it over an extended period where all of its strengths and weaknesses have been exposed. It has been used in all weather conditions in the hills, mountains, at the coast and in the city, as well as being taken on flights as carry-on luggage.

First reviewed February 2025

As a lover of Obsidian Entertainment’s catalog of incredible role-playing games (RPGs), I think Avowed is absolutely another feather in the developer’s cap. Taking place in the Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed offers plenty for series fans to chew on lore-wise, while being a rich and inviting gameplay experience for newcomers.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Xbox Series X, PC
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: February 18, 2025 (February 13 for early access)

You’d be forgiven for thinking Avowed is a Skyrim-esque experience with its first-person perspective, flexible build variety, and a focus on real-time combat. But that’s really where the similarities end; Avowed is very much its own beast. And while it might not hold a candle to the breathtaking immersion offered by an Elder Scrolls game, it handily trumps them in regards to both combat and the overall quality of the writing. Witty, engaging, and dripping with tidbits of lore at every turn, it’s certainly up to the usual Obsidian standard.

It is, however, fair to say that Avowed won’t be for everyone. Omissions like the complete absence of a day/night cycle and the inability to pickpocket do hamper some avenues of role play. And even though the game has a satisfying compact 25-30 hour runtime, the occasional filler quest can slow pacing to a crawl.

These complaints aside, Avowed is still definitely worth checking out if you’ve got a fantasy RPG itch to scratch, and it’s a fantastic start for Xbox Game Studios’ 2025 output.

Voice in my head

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The player character in Avowed might just have the most unenviable set of tasks I’ve ever seen in a fantasy RPG. As the envoy of the Aedyran Empire, you’re sent off to the untamed, largely lawless frontier of the Living Lands. It’s a seriously dangerous place that folks nonetheless try their luck on in order to build a new life for themselves.

Unfortunately, the locals aren’t best pleased by the presence of the empire, and most NPCs treat you with the appropriate amount of suspicion. The empire also isn’t doing itself any favors, as it attempts to bring order to the Living Lands through authoritative measures.

As the envoy, you’re thrust into the center of proceedings. Officially, you’re here to investigate and quell the Dreamscourge, a spore-like plague that can turn people and creatures into uncontrollable, murderous lunatics. However, as the game progresses, you do get the feeling that this is just a front for the empire’s true intentions of control and dominance.

Best bit

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

While truly getting stuck into some thrilling combat scenarios was certainly a highlight, by far my favorite aspect of Avowed is its excellent writing and characters. I loved exhausting every dialogue option where I could, just to see what kinds of lore tidbits I could unravel or simply hear what a particularly entertaining character like Marius or Yatzli had to say.

You’re also a godlike, a person born with unique powers and a connection to the Adra, a crystal-like substance that has a consciousness all its own. This entity makes itself known as a veritable voice in your head, and much of the intrigue in Avowed comes from you deciding just how much you can trust it - especially as it seems to regard the Dreamscourge as a boon rather than a plague to be eradicated.

It’s an involving setup that leaves plenty of room for you to make your own choices. And while not every decision you make from quest to quest is directly consequential, there’s enough for you to decide how to conduct yourself and shape the future of the Living Lands. Do you represent the empire with unwavering loyalty, or grow sympathetic to the land’s resistance factions? It’s all presented through Obsidian’s expert penchant for writing, and I found myself eager to keep playing throughout as a result.

And my axe

(Image credit: Microsoft)

So how does character building work in Avowed? Well, there are three distinct skill trees you can invest points into upon leveling up, covering the fantasy RPG trifecta of fighter, ranger, and wizard. Each has myriad perks to help make your character stronger, with new perks opening up as you reach level thresholds.

What I will say is that sticking to one particular archetype (say, exclusively two-handed weapons) isn’t the best idea. Avowed can be a surprisingly difficult game, and given that you can swap between two distinct weapon loadouts at the press of a button, you’re strongly encouraged to mix up your build.

I opted to go for a mix of everything, with a sword and shield as my primary set, and a pistol paired with a grimoire of spells as my secondary loadout. With this I was able to cover practically all bases; strong offense and defense for up-close encounters, as well as two ranged options for crowd control and keeping a distance. What’s great is you’re not locked into any specific archetypes, with point respeccing costing only a small amount of gold.

While you can of course hard-focus your character down a specific skill tree if you’re wedded to a certain weapon type or armor class, I personally loved being able to adapt on the fly, especially as battles typically come against large mobs of enemies. Enemy packs do tend to show signs of organization, too, with pesky ranged units peppering you from a distance while chunkier shield-bearers getting up in your grille. Being able to respond with the same - hopping from a flaming sword to explosive crowd control spells - is where I got the most from Avowed’s combat.

And to be frank, you’ll need all the skills you can get. At launch, the combat AI of the companions you acquire in the game leaves a lot to be desired. It was all too often that I’d witness a close-range tank like Kai (the first companion you’ll meet close to the start of the game) either fail to close the gap to enemies or simply not bother to attack. It was a rare occurrence that companions left an encounter without being incapacitated first. Your party members can’t die, thankfully, but it would be nice to see improvements to their combat behavior in future patches.

With a little help from my friends

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Your party members aren’t much use in combat, then, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. Each of Avowed’s primary companions brings a unique, fleshed-out personality, and there’s plenty of banter to enjoy between them a la Dragon Age or indeed Baldur’s Gate 3.

Kai is the first one you’ll join up with, and contrary to his gentle giant appearance and mannerisms, he’s actually pretty loose-lipped which can hilariously cause more problems than it solves. Yatzli, meanwhile, is an absolute delight. Genuinely funny and perhaps ever so slightly unhinged, she became a staple in my party of three (that’s yourself and up to two companions) simply because I couldn’t get enough of her dialogue.

Your companions do have their own skill trees for you to invest in, which include passive perks and active skills they can perform on command which does lend them a bit of usefulness in combat. Typically, these skills are good for crowd control, such as Kai’s ability to stun enemies, or Marius’s trap-laying skills that can hold enemies in place for a good chunk of time.

A land worth living in

(Image credit: Microsoft / Obsidian Entertainment)

In Avowed, the setting of the Living Lands is genuinely breathtaking. More ‘open zone’ than ‘open world’ (like The Outer Worlds, you’ve got a lot of individual areas to explore separated by loading screens). However, each is richly dense with meaningful side quests, opportunities for exploration, and no shortage of jaw-dropping vistas to gawp at.

You have the bustling city of Paradis, itself replete with enterable buildings and winding side paths. It’s a labyrinthine city in nature and it’ll take some time for you to get your bearings there, but that’s partly why I love it; I simply didn’t know what to expect around every corner.

Emerald Stair was another highlight for me, an area absolutely dripping with a morose atmosphere - its deathly quiet farmlands and surrounding forests genuinely left me feeling unsettled. It has an almost dreamlike quality to it, making exploration in itself feel plenty rich and rewarding.

The maps of Avowed are quite large and there’s plenty to explore in each. You’ll be encouraged to, as well, as you’ll want to find valuable resources to craft and improve your gear to keep up with enemies that increase in strength as you progress. Avowed doesn’t employ cheap level scaling, thankfully, and it’s quite easy to wander into areas filled with powerful enemies you’re just not ready to take on. Exploration overall, then, can be as dangerous as it is rewarding.

Over on the performance front, Avowed does occasionally buckle under the weight of its busy, richly detailed areas. I ran into frequent frame rate hitches on PC, but the game was more stable on Xbox Series X. On console, I felt that the 30fps (frames per second) Quality mode was a little too choppy to be enjoyable, but the 60fps Performance mode was much smoother - even if the overall impact on lighting and image quality was quite noticeable.

Should I play Avowed?

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Play it if…

You want a well-written fantasy RPG
Avowed’s world-building and character writing are equally phenomenal, and up to the usual Obsidian standard. You might get a bit lost in the lore if you’re unfamiliar with Pillars of Eternity, but the game’s own narrative is plenty easy to follow along with.

You treasure build variety and challenging gameplay
From gleaming greatswords to face-rearranging spells, Avowed offers a rich power fantasy that you genuinely have to earn given the often high difficulty of enemy encounters.

Don’t play it if…

You were hoping for a larger open world
Skyrim, this is not. The lack of a day/night cycle and some of the more immersive role-playing aspects of Bethesda RPGs aren’t present in Avowed.

Accessibility

Avowed has a good amount to offer in the accessibility department to accommodate players of all kinds. On the camera front, you can adjust the head bob and camera shake strength (or turn them off entirely) if you’re prone to motion sickness. For the user interface, you can adjust text size and there are plenty of subtitle options, from displaying a speaker’s name to adjusting subtitle background opacity. There unfortunately doesn’t appear to be any colorblind options available at launch, however.

There are also five difficulty settings: Story Time, Easy, Normal, Hard, and Path of the Damned. So there’s plenty here to tailor a difficulty experience that’s right for you and, they can be changed at any time.

How I reviewed Avowed

My time with Avowed lasted roughly 25 hours across both PC and Xbox Series X Digital Edition. I was able to carry my save between platforms thanks to the Microsoft account functionality.

Playtime included a full playthrough of the main campaign, as well as a generous helping of side quests and exploration to improve my character’s gear. I predominantly played with an Xbox Wireless Controller on Xbox Series X, and the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro on PC. On console, I played on an LG CX OLED TV.

First reviewed February 2025

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: Two-minute review

The HP Chromebook Plus has a high-spec for this class of device, hoping to offer seamless performance whether you’re working, browsing, streaming, or gaming. Its two-tone dark grey and black color scheme does little to elevate its appearance, but it’s inoffensive enough to suit any situation. Its overall form is sleek, though, and the relative lightness and thinness are bonuses too.

What’s more, the build quality is high, thanks to its solid construction and premium feel to every surface, including the keys and trackpad. I also appreciated the thin side bezels around the display, letting it make full use of the space. It’s a small shame, though, that the lid doesn’t open particularly wide.

The port selection is not bad for a Chromebook, if a little sparse. However, it has most of the important interfaces that most users would need, including two USB-C ports either side that can both be used for charging, which is very convenient. However, it’s a little strange that they aren’t at the very rear of each side (the audio jack precedes the one on the left, while the USB-A port precedes the one on the right), but I’m nitpicking here. There’s also a microSD slot to round-out the line-up.

In use, the HP Chromebook Plus acquits itself very well. Navigating ChromeOS and using its various interface features, such as window switching, is a largely seamless experience. Productivity apps are handled with ease, although the cramped layout of the keyboard – caused by the inclusion of a number pad – did make typing trickier than with some of the best Chromebook devices, but I adapted somewhat after a while.

Streaming 4K video is within its grasp too, as is light multitasking. I was particularly surprised with its gaming performance, though, as it managed to run Asphalt Legends Unite with high graphics settings pretty much perfectly, which is impressive.

The display of the HP Chromebook Plus is another highlight. Although it might not offer the highest levels of brightness, it’s still perfectly clear, rendering color accurately and vibrantly no matter the viewing angle or lighting conditions.

Battery life is good, with the HP Chromebook Plus lasting close to 11 hours in our test. There are other Chromebooks that last longer, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, but considering its size and spec, it’s a valiant effort. It also charges relatively quickly.

The original list price of the HP Chromebook Plus is quite steep, but fortunately, we’ve seen it on offer for significantly less, which means it competes with some of the best Chromebooks on the market, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 and Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. It might lack the portability and tablet functionality of these two, but it makes up for this omission with a large screen and great performance, which makes it worthy of your consideration.

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749
• Available now
• Can be found for much less

The HP Chromebook Plus costs $549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749 and comes in one colorway. The unit I had was equipped with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, but it can also be configured with an Intel Celeron N4500 Processor and 4GB of RAM.

Despite its nominal price, we’ve seen it for considerably less when we’ve shopped around, sometimes by as much as half price, which brings it in-line with the more budget-friendly competition. This includes the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which is the best Chromebook overall in our view, thanks to its great display and typing amenability.

There’s also the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is our pick as the best Chromebook for those on a budget. Like the Spin 314, this Chromebook is also convertible, letting you fold it in half to use it like a tablet. However, neither can match the performance of the HP Chromebook Plus, nor are their screens as big, although some may prefer having a smaller device for greater portability.

• Value: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Specs

My review unit of the HP Chromebook Plus was configured with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3-N305 (8 threads, 3.80GHz)

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Well built
• Light and thin for its size
• Slightly odd placement of USB-C ports

The HP Chromebook Plus adopts a fairly typical design, with a grey and black color scheme that looks more formal than some other Chromebooks. While it’s not the most exciting Chromebook to gawp at, it’s nice to know it’s made from sustainable materials, including recycled aluminum and plastic that otherwise might’ve ended up in the ocean.

What’s more, the high build quality reveals itself on close inspection. The whole body feels solid, yet it’s also quite light and thin for a device this size. It’s not as thin as some other Chromebooks or laptops, but given its 15.6-inch size, it’s relatively easy to carry around and travel with.

Every panel is excellently fitted too. It even comes close to rivalling some of the best MacBook Pro devices in terms of its finely machined construction. The keys follow the same trend, feeling premium to the touch, and tightly slotted with minimal play. The trackpad is smooth and covers a large surface area, which enhances its usability.

The hinge for the lid is easy to operate yet secures the screen in place once open with hardly any wobble. However, it doesn’t open as wide as I would’ve liked, which inhibits its versatility somewhat. But the bezel for the screen is pleasingly thin, especially around the sides, which means the display can make the most of its allotted real estate.

Port selection on the HP Chromebook Plus is good, if a little limited for a device this size. It has two USB-C ports either side, both of which can be used for charging. There’s also a USB-A on the right side, and a microSD slot and 3.5mm audio output jack on the left.

The order of these ports is a little odd, though, since neither USB-C port is at the rear of their respective sides: the audio jack on the left and USB-A port on the right sit behind them. This can cause cables to get crossed when charging, given that many will be positioned with outlets in front of them. However, this is a small grievance in the grand scheme of things.

• Design score: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Handles most tasks well
• Surprisingly good for gaming
• Cramped typing layout

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the HP Chromebook Plus:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 10 hours and 41 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 205.246
Kraken Benchmark: 720.3ms
Speedometer 3.0: 10.5 (±0.37)

The HP Chromebook Plus performs very well on most counts. ChromeOS is very responsive for the most part, with window switching and other system actions working without much hesitation, making it easy to live with.

It also handles the kinds of tasks Chromebook users typically demand from their devices very well. Light to medium productivity is competently dispatched with, and the 8GB of RAM in my unit meant it barely faltered when multitasking across various apps.

The HP Chromebook Plus is equally capable of entertaining you as well. Watching HD and 4K content is entirely possible, streaming such content without a hitch during my time with it, keeping buffering times to a minimum.

Gaming was also a pleasant surprise. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings at 60fps with hardly a hiccup, which is impressive. It’s certainly not going to trouble the best cheap gaming laptops, but considering the HP Chromebook Plus has integrated graphics rather than a dedicated GPU, it puts in an admirable effort.

I should note that I did try to play Call of Duty: Mobile, but this repeatedly failed to run, crashing almost immediately upon opening. Whether this is a fault of the HP Chromebook Plus or of the game itself – or of the Games app launcher – is hard to determine.

Under heavy and sustained workloads, it can get quite warm towards the rear, but the area is small and it's not a concern. Thankfully, though, it stays relatively silent.

(Image credit: Future)

For typing, the HP Chromebook Plus is somewhat mixed. The keys feel great, offering plenty of feedback while being easy to actuate. However, since it features a number pad, the layout of the character keys is somewhat squeezed, so it took me a while to get used to the smaller spacing between them, although I was never entirely comfortable with using them.

The trackpad, on the other hand, performs without issue; it’s very responsive and super smooth to swipe with. Despite its large size, I only rarely experienced the occasional mis-click or mis-scroll when resting my palm on it while typing (a position inevitably forced upon me, due to the aforementioned key layout).

One of the main highlights of the HP Chromebook Plus is the display. The 1080p resolution is appropriate for the 15.6-inch size, with only a minimal amount of fuzz on the ChromeOS GUI. It’s also quite vibrant, displaying colors with great accuracy and avoiding the washed-out look that some Chromebooks suffer from.

Most impressively, the display remains clearly visible across a wide range of view angles and lighting conditions – again, not something that can be said about every Chromebook. I even tried using it next to a window with bright sunlight streaking unfavorably across the screen, and it did remarkably well to retain visibility. My one minor gripe, though, is that the maximum brightness isn’t as high as some other laptops and Chromebooks, but for the most part I had no problem with its levels.

The speakers on the HP Chromebook Plus provide clear sound that’s balanced across the frequency range. They generate minimal distortion, and largely eschew the tinny quality that other Chromebook and laptop speakers can suffer from. However, since they’re located underneath, audio can be somewhat muffled, but the effect isn’t so egregious as to ruin the experience.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The HP Chromebook Plus has a good battery life. During our battery test, where I ran a 1080p video on a continuous loop, it managed to last just shy of 11 hours (10 hours and 41 minutes), which falls short of HP’s claim of 13 hours, but is nevertheless an admirable performance.

This places it near the top of the rankings for Chromebooks we’ve tested. It beat what we think is the best Chromebook overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which only managed a little over 10 hours. However, it couldn’t beat the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which achieved over 16 hours.

Charging the HP Chromebook Plus from 30% to full took about 90 minutes, which again is an impressive performance.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch? Buy it if...

You want a great performer
The HP Chromebook Plus performs well across all areas, especially gaming. It also stays relatively cool and quiet.

You want a well-made machine
Not only is it built to a high standard, but the HP Chromebook Plus is also pleasantly thin and light given its size.

Don't buy it if...

You want a 2-in-1
Unfortunately, the HP Chromebook Plus isn't convertible, and neither does it have a touch screen, so you can't use it like a tablet.

You want the best typing experience
Since the HP Chromebook Plus includes a number pad, the rest of the keys are rather squeezed together, which I never fully got used to while typing.

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: Also consider

Here are other Chromebooks to consider besides the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch:

Acer Chromebook Spin 314

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is a convertible Chromebook that’s easy to live with thanks to its typing prowess, portability, and great display. It can be found for less than the HP Chromebook Plus, but bear in mind that the performance isn’t as good, and it can get hot when under load. Also, at 14 inches, the display isn’t as big either, but all things considered, it’s still the best Chromebook overall in our view. Read our Acer Chromebook Spin 314 review.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
Another 2-in-1 model, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best Chromebook for those on a budget. At 11.6-inches, it’s much smaller than the HP Chromebook Plus, although this will be a positive or a negative depending on your requirements. Regardless, you’re getting a versatile and very well-made Chromebook at this price, with a great battery life in addition. Read our Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.

How I tested the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch

• Tested for several days
• Used for working, browsing, gaming, and streaming
• Plentiful laptop experience

I tested the HP Chromebook Plus for several days, during which I used it for working and entertainment.

I typed with it a lot, and made sure to use various productivity apps, such as Google Docs and Google Sheets. I also played games, such as Asphalt Legends Unite, which I tried at various graphics settings. I also streamed video content at various resolutions, including HD and 4K. And I connected headphones and a gamepad via Bluetooth.

I have plentiful experience with all kinds of laptops and Chromebooks, including those designed for productivity and those for gaming. I have experience reviewing laptops and Chromebooks too.

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

Anthony Mackie deserves a spell in the Marvel spotlight. The fan-favorite actor has portrayed Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for over a decade but, a co-starring role in Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS) on Disney Plus aside, he's played second fiddle to other A-listers in the multi-billion dollar-spinning franchise.

That's no longer the case. Captain America: Brave New World, the penultimate Marvel Phase 5 film, puts Mackie in the leading man role he's more than merited. It's a pity, then, that his first big-screen outing as the titular hero isn't as brave or new as its subtitle implies.

On a wing and a prayer

Falcon and Captain America have got their hands full in Brave New World (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Three years have passed since Sam Wilson (Mackie) decisively adopted the Captain America mantle in FATWS' final episode. Since then, Steve Rogers' successor has worked in unison with Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who's also replaced Wilson as the MCu's Falcon, and the US military to carry out covert operations for the US government. Cap 2.0 and his wingman's latest assignment sees them successfully retrieve a mysterious package that Seth Voelker/Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito) and his criminal enterprise, aka The Serpent Society, were attempting to sell it to an unknown individual in Mexico.

Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford are on top form

The recovery of said package leads to Wilson and Torres, plus Wilson's associate – not to mention super-soldier and one-time wrongly imprisoned individual – Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) receiving an invitation to the White House by Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (Harrison Ford). There, Ross, who was partly responsible for breaking up the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War and is now President of the United States, confidentially asks Wilson to help Ross reform Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Additionally, the package that Wilson and Torres retrieved contained a sample of adamantium, aka the near-indestructible metal that famously coats X-Men icon Wolverine's skeleton. The corpse of Tiamut, the giant Celestial whose emergence from Earth's core was halted by the Eternals in their self-titled 2021 movie, is covered in the stuff – and the world's superpowers have all laid claim to its vast resources.

Wilson (center) meets Japanese Prime Minister Ozaki (left) and US President Ross (right) at the White House (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

To prevent a major geopolitical situation, Ross, who claims to be a changed man after his installation as the US' commander-in-chief, has invited numerous world leaders to Washington to sign a treaty that'll allow all parties to benefit from the discovery. Unfortunately, things go awry when an unusual song begins playing over the sound system – one that causes a suddenly brainwashed Bradley to try and assassinate Ross.

The fallout is significant. Bradley is sent back to prison, Ross retracts his offer to work alongside Wilson because of his friendship with Bradley, and Wilson and Torres go rogue to track down the real threat. Oh, and the treaty goes unsigned – cue the world's biggest nations racing to la claim to Tiamut Island and adamantium as a new arms race quickly threatens to spiral out of control.

It's here that the first signs of Captain America 4's unoriginality surface. When I spoke to director Julius Onah and producer Nate Moore ahead of the movie's release, they were at pains to stress that Brave New World isn't a simple rehash of previous Captain America films like The Winter Soldier. Yet, whether it's Cap defying his superiors once more, Bradley's brainwashing being comparable to Bucky Barnes', and the political thriller vibes that this movie and The Winter Soldier display, it's hard to argue against the similarities on show. In that sense, Brave New World feels like it's simply replaying The Winter Soldier's greatest hits, albeit with different personnel.

Brave New World's central conflict revolves around US President Thaddeus Ross and Sam Wilson (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The decision to keep Wilson and Ross apart from large stretches of Captain America 4's story is also irksome. Yes, keeping their encounters to a minimum makes them all the more suspenseful when the duo verbally and physically lock horns. As the movie's central conflict, though, I would've liked to see more tense showdowns between the pair, especially as Mackie and Ford's on-screen chemistry is as captivating as the hard-hitting punches and venomous barbs they throw at each other.

Brave New World feels like it's simply replaying The Winter Soldier's greatest hits

It's an even greater shame when you realize that Mackie and Ford are on top form. Ford brings buckets of charm, real menace, and emotional gravitas to the role held by William Hurt until the latter's death in March 2022. Indeed, Ford's ticking time-bomb-like display as a man, father, and leader slowly spiraling out of control is engrossing to watch. That's not a slight on Hurt's multi-movie performance as Ross, either – it's just that Ford is, well, afforded more screen time in Brave New World than Hurt was since his own MCU debut in 2008's The Incredible Hulk.

But this is Mackie's stage – and he absolutely delivers. It's incredibly fun to see Mackie's Wilson reveling in the role of Captain America, and displaying confidence and skill as Rogers' successor. Sure, his new Vibranium-infused super-suit helps to give him the edge on fights – his new costumes and various gadgets allow for some creatively entertaining set-pieces throughout – but, even without them, Wilson (and, by proxy, Mackie) is a far more assured presence who commands the screen with aplomb.

That isn't to say Wilson is the complete package. Unlike Rogers, Bucky, and Bradley, he's not a super soldier – he's an ordinary man who bleeds and can be hurt physically and emotionally. The latter is on full show in Captain America 4, too, with Wilson proving he's still grappling with the weight of responsibility of being the Star-Spangled Man with a Plan and Rogers' legacy. Unsurprisingly, Mackie lights up the screen during such moments with typically moving performances.

Shielded from originality

Sam Wilson's new Wakanda-produced super-suit helps him to stay in the fight against Red Hulk (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Mackie and Ford aren't the only ones who deliver acting masterclasses. In the disappointingly brief moments he appears, Lumbly gives a powerhouse performance that elevates each scene he's in. The endearing friendship he shares with Wilson is also enriched by such sequences – it's just a bummer that this dynamic, and the generational trauma oozing out of these melodramatic moments, isn't explored further.

Lumbly gives a powerhouse performance that elevates each scene he's in

The same is true of Wilson and Torres' brothers-in-arms relationship. There's a pleasing evolution to their banter- and respect-filled friendship from FATWS, but it's a dynamic that occasionally takes a backseat when it should've been leaned into more. Wilson's interactions with Ross' security advisor Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) and US Secret Service agent Leila Taylor (Xosha Roquemore) don't get much play, either.

Captain America 4 had me Hulk-ing out with rage over some of its creative decisions (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Captain America: Brave New World's biggest problems, though, center around its surprising lack of MCU interconnectivity and innovation. Sure, where the former is concerned, its clear ties and references to The Incredible Hulk and Eternals are satisfying. I and many other MCU fans have long waited for narrative pay off from two of the lowest-ranked films – on any best Marvel movies list – to be addressed, so I'm glad they are here. However, there are other Marvel projects, such as the universally panned Secret Invasion TV series, whose events are key to setting up Brave New World but have bizarrely been swept under the rug. Last May, Marvel said fans no longer needed to watch its Disney Plus shows to understand what happens in its movies. In practice, it's a smart move but, for a studio that prides itself on its shared universe where characters and storylines overlap and interweave with one another, it's a particularly big oversight for this flick, in my view.

For a studio that prides itself on its shared universe... it's a particularly big oversight

Then there's the aforementioned lack of imagination. As a character study and overall narrative, Captain America 4 is too safe and predictable for my liking. Moore and Onah told me that Marvel's goal is to always make the best movie possible, but there's no sense of that being the case here. I've seen the story before in The Winter Soldier and FATWS. I've already watched a man in a suit or armor (aka Iron Man) try to deal with a gamma-irradiated, seemingly unstoppable monster (i.e. Bruce Banner's Hulk) in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron. And, while its sub-two-hour runtime means Brave New World doesn't outstay its welcome, I've witnessed first-hand the problems that Marvel movies have when they move at a break-neck pace. Structurally, Cap 4 is as an uneven MCU film as I've watched for awhile.

My verdict

After Marvel released exciting new trailers for Captain America 4 and Thunderbolts in November 2024, I suggested they'd help Marvel Phase 5 to go out with a bang rather than a whimper. Four months before the Multiverse Saga's latest phase ends, I may be proven wrong because Brave New World isn't as great as it could've been.

I want to stress that it's not a completely bad movie. There are elements that are enjoyable and its cast, particularly Mackie, Ford, and Lumbly, anchor it with brilliant performances. As a standalone adventure that's supposed to herald a brave new world for the MCU, though, it's not nearly as narratively or creatively fulfilling as I'd hoped. Thunderbolts needs to deliver, otherwise I'll have plenty of egg on my face in May.

Captain America: Brave New World launches in theaters worldwide on Friday, February 14.

Master & Dynamic ME05: Review

10 years after their original release, the Master & Dynamic ME05 are back. Remastered for the modern era, these wired buds now include a Hi-Res USB-C adapter, meaning they’re able to seamlessly slot into your modern smartphone’s charging port. This revamped model also aims to provide “more expansive acoustics” and fit options, while still harnessing the strengths of their original, high-caliber build materials. But do these re-released classics still hold up?

Well, if we’re talking audio quality, the answer is yes – very much so. The re-released Master & Dynamic ME05 have an incredibly satisfying sound signature: it’s elegantly balanced, but adds a dash of warmth to ensure you get an exciting, yet tightly controlled listen. When I tuned in to I Want You by Moloko – a densely layered, all-action track – the Master & Dynamic ME05 captured each element with ease. The multiple synths, dramatic strings and thumping bass all sounded neatly separated and clear.

The details in this track weren’t lost either. For instance, bold vocals in the introduction maintained their breathy tone and the resonance of the piano wasn’t lost. The sudden crash of cymbals roused excitement without sounding harsh too, something I always listen out for in my epic quest to discover the best wired earbuds.

As I touched on earlier, there’s a pleasing degree of warmth to these buds, meaning you’ll hear clean bass that never sounds lethargic or muddied with lower-mids. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the hard-hitting drum machine could get admirably deep and sounded rhythmic and energetic.

If you’re a massive fan of bass-heavy bangers these might not quite offer the big boom you’re looking for, though. For instance, I threw on Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy and sub-bass didn’t have the raw power that’s meant to command the track. If that’s something you’re looking for, you may be better served by some of the best over-ear headphones, which are more capable of thunderous low-end output and customizable EQ.

Regardless, you’re getting fantastic high-resolution audio from these buds, whether you’re using the standard 3.5mm connector or the included USB-C adapter. This adapter supports up to 32-bit / 384kHz resolution audio, meaning you can indulge in higher-than CD quality sound with one of the best Android phones or best iPhones since the iPhone 15 switch to USB-C.

As well as the USB-C connector, the ME05 now come with a large selection of additional ear tips, including both gel and foam variants. This was something we hoped for in our review of the review of the original model back in 2017 – so kudos to Master & Dynamic for delivering! There’s also a premium-feeling carry case to keep your buds safe, adding some points in the value category.

On top of their stellar sound quality and generous fit options, the re-released ME05 have commendable build quality. The 8mm drivers are enclosed in sturdy and stylish brass casing. The metallic controller also feels durable and has well-sized button controls. Maybe some will find its central position a little unorthodox, but I liked it – sometimes wired buds place their controller too close to my cheek, which can be irritating when adjusting volume. And although it’s not detachable, the cable is up-to-scratch too – it's tangle-resistant and slim, and it really checks all the boxes.

There’s also a mic that’s handily positioned higher up the cable. This includes wind reduction tech for clear calling, which I’m happy to report works well. To test mic quality, I made a voice recording and found that there was a bit of static in the background, though my speech was still extremely clear-cut and natural-sounding.

At this stage, you may think I have little to no complaints about these remastered classics – and you’d be right. But they’re not quite perfect. That’s mainly because these buds aren’t ideal for when you’re out and about. I did experience quite a lot of cable noise – something that’s admittedly common with most wired buds – but they couldn’t mute this as effectively as models like the Sennheiser IE 200.

And although they’re comfortable in-ear, they are fairly heavy-feeling – not to mention the lack a waterproof rating, meaning you may want to look elsewhere if you need some earbuds for workouts or runs.

One more small thing before I start gushing again – don’t expect particularly stand-out noise isolation from the re-released ME05. When listening to a bass-heavy track between 40% and 50% volume, the sound of typing in my office was dulled, but I could still hear it a decent amount. That’s in part down to the more relaxed fit of these buds, meaning you’re not getting an ultra-tight seal. But still, there’s a silver lining here – I was happy to listen with these for hours on end. So, even if a model like the Shure SE215 has superior passive noise isolation, they were nowhere near as pleasing to keep in for long listening sessions.

With that said, I’d still class the Master & Dynamic as a top-drawer pair of in-ears. With awesome audio quality, eye-catching design and dual connectivity options, there’s just so much to like. At $199 / £169 (about AU$320), they’re not cheap but they are good value. A lot of audiophile-friendly buds will cost double that amount… or even more. And for the level of detail on offer, I think these are well worth your consideration.

Sure, if you want top-tier noise cancelling and waterproofing, you may be better off with a pair of the best wireless earbuds instead, but for those of you looking for a wonderful wired option, I can recommend these with ease.

(Image credit: Future) Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Price and release date

• $199 / £169 (about AU$320)
• Re-launched in December 2024

The Master & Dynamic ME05 re-released in December 2024, almost an entire decade after their original launch in 2014. They have a list price of $199 / £169 (about AU$320), which is by no means cheap, but nowhere near the price you’ll pay for more premium models like the Sennheiser IE 900 or the Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon. The re-released ME05 model is available in four classy colorways: Gold/Black; Gunmetal (Gray)/Black; Palladium (silver)/Black; and Palladium/White.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Master & Dynamic ME05? Buy them if...

You’re an audiophile that doesn’t want to spend a fortune
If you’re on the hunt for some high quality, yet still affordable wired earbuds, the Master & Dynamic ME05 are an awesome option. At less than $200 / £170, you’re not splashing out the kind of cash that some audiophile-grade buds demand. For instance, quality options like the Sennheiser IE 600 come in at around $500 / £500 / AU$1000… when on sale – yikes!

You want something with style
These earbuds are a good-looking option thanks to their metallic casing, premium-feeling controller and tangle-proof cable. They’re also available in four shiny color options, all of which ooze class.

Don't buy them if...

You’re seeking workout-ready earbuds
If you want some earbuds to accompany you on runs or through workout sessions, these aren’t going to be the best. They have no waterproof rating and aren’t the most snug fitting in-ears I’ve ever tried either. If you’re a fitness fanatic, I’d personally recommend checking out our guide to the best open ear headphones.

You want amazing noise blocking
These earbuds assume a decently loose and gentle fit rather than forming an ultra-noise resistant seal. That was fine by me, but if cutting out external noise is a key priority, you could instead opt for some wired buds with top-tier passive noise isolation, like the Shure Aonic 3. If you’re open to nabbing some wireless buds, you could pick an option from our list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds and enter into the world of active noise cancellation.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Also consider

Sennheiser IE 200
If you want even more affordable audiophile-grade audio, the Sennheiser IE 200 could be the perfect fit for you. With fantastic all-round sound, brilliant build quality and a lightweight design, you’re getting an incredible package. There’s no in-line mic or controller included with these and they use a 3.5mm connector, but if that’s okay with you, then the IE 200 are easy to recommend. Read our full Sennheiser IE 200 review.

SoundMagic E80D
And if you’re looking for an even cheaper option, look no further than the SoundMagic E80D. They have a USB-C connector with an onboard DAC, meaning you get a surprisingly detailed listen for some sub-$50 / £40 buds. The built-in controller isn’t as good as the ME05’s and audio won’t be quite so premium, but if great value is what you’re after, the E80D are well-worth considering. Read our full SoundMagic E80D review.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office and while on walks
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Master & Dynamic ME05 re-release over a one week period. During this time, I predominantly listened to music using Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE via its USB-C port, but I also tried them out using Spotify via my Windows laptop’s headphone port. I tested these buds in the office and while out on walks in windy conditions, in order to test both noise isolation and wind noise-reduction capabilities

When I threw on some music, I bumped tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – though I also spent hours tuning into songs from my personal library. Where appropriate, I also used the Sennheiser IE 200 to compare aspects including audio presentation, style and build.

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

Asus ZenWiFi BT10: Two-minute review

Back in the olden days of Wi-Fi 5, it was Asus’ ZenWiFi ‘mega mesh’ wireless routers that led the world. While regular mesh systems merely dribbled performance across numerous network nodes (like many still do), the ZenWiFi nodes innovatively used secondary 5GHz channels (plus, the nascent 6GHz channel) as fast backhaul to maintain peak performance at a distance. Nowadays, such advantages are built into the Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 standards, so where does that leave a Wi-Fi 7 version in the form of the ZenWiFi BT10? Let’s find out.

The two smart-looking nodes seem identical, but note the discreet sticker denoting one as the master. Failing to notice this may lead to hair being torn out, swearing for half an hour, decrying the powers that be and wondering why the dang thing won’t connect when you’ve obviously done everything right, repeatedly checked the password and #$@&%! drat. Otherwise, the setup process is simple via the phone app.

The app provides the usual monitoring and management settings on the first screen, and immediately asks if you want to reset the default password and set up a separate IoT network. You can assign devices to people, limit bandwidth, block them or assign them QoS optimizations for gaming, streaming or WFH. An ‘Insight’ tab provides suggestions for security and optimization. The Family tab enables you to set content filtering and on/off schedules (and, unlike some rivals, these settings are free).

Other features include Asus’ (Trend Micro-powered) AiProtection, which scans and protects your network as well as all the devices on it. The usual networking tools are available, including Google Assistant voice control. Ultimately, it’s well-featured and very intuitive. My main concern is that the QoS controls have a feature that tracks the websites used by everyone on the network. That raises some serious privacy issues.

Wired connections are the same on both nodes: there’s Gigabit WAN/LAN, 10G Ethernet WAN/LAN, and 10G Ethernet LAN. All the ports are color coded but that could be confusing to some users. There’s also a USB 3.0 port, which can be used for file sharing and media serving.

So how does it perform? On paper, the ZenWiFi BT10 is a tri-band router with 18,000 Mbps worth of throughput. Note, you can choose to reserve the 6GHz channel for backhaul, but leaving it at ‘Auto’ saw better results. I tested it by downloading video files from a Synology NAS to an HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 at close range, two rooms away (by the second node, at the front of the house) and 15 meters away in the back garden. It scored 1,661 Mbps, 614 Mbps and 370 Mbps, respectively, which is an excellent result.

All in all, the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 is a very appealing package that looks good, offers heaps of intuitive and useful features, plus fast performance to boot. Then there’s the price… Two nodes cost an eye-watering $900 / £779 / AU$2,799. Still, if you need high-end functionality and speed, it’s hard to beat.

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• How much does it cost? $900 / £779 / AU$2,799
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Asus has a plethora of Wi-Fi 7 routers, but (like other vendors) it’s pushing the expensive premium models out first. I saw many of its budget Wi-Fi 7 routers at the Computex 2024 trade show and those will offer similar features at lower cost, but there’s no sign of them appearing in most markets, at least not at the time of publication.

Until then, we’re stuck with inflated price tags. It costs $900 in the US, £779 in the UK and AU$2,799 in Australia. For some reason, Aussies seem to be getting particularly hard done by in this case. Most regions sell single nodes, but only a few, it seems, sell the three-node kit.

A tempting alternative is the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98. While it’s not a mesh system, the powerful gaming behemoth can single-handedly rival the speeds, performance and features of the BT10, but at a cheaper price. As with most current Asus routers, older models or cheap ones can be used as nodes thanks to Asus’ AiMesh technology – a potentially affordable way of expanding the network into dead zones. However, it’s quite a confronting device and not everyone will want what looks like a giant robot spider in their home.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Specifications

(Image credit: Future) Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Design

• Sleek enough for a stylish home
• Simple to set up
• App (and web-based firmware) are responsive, powerful and intuitive

The physical design of the ZenWiFi BT10 is not far from its predecessor, the ZenWiFi AX XT8. The grilles at the sides are more refined, but both will happily fit into a stylish home or office better than most on the market.

Setting it up is simple, thanks to the mature, intuitive and well-featured app. Just note that, despite the similarities, there’s a sticker on the primary node and you need to connect to that, as using the secondary node won’t work.

While there are many features accessible within the app, Asus has these and many more advanced options accessible via a web browser, and both interfaces are intuitive and responsive to use.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Security and Parental controls are included (without subscription)
• Has almost every consumer networking feature under the sun
• 10G Ethernet LAN and WAN ports

The Asus router app has been around for some time now and it’s well laid out, intuitive and packed full of features. The opening screen displays a wireless network map and provides a button to manually run a wireless-optimization cycle. There’s a real-time traffic monitor, CPU and RAM monitor, and an at-a-glance display of what type of devices are connected wirelessly and via cables.

The second tab breaks down which devices are connected along with their IP addresses and the resources they’re using. You can easily block them or assign them to family members to provide parental controls. There’s also the ability to configure Asus' AiMesh feature which lets you do things like turn the LEDs off, prioritize the 6GHz channel for backhaul or client connection, and see details like the IP address, MAC address and firmware version. The Insight tab offers smart recommendations regarding using secure connections, intrusion prevention and setting up family groups.

The built-in network security is called Asus AiProtection and it’s powered by Trend Micro. In addition to providing network security assessments, it offers malicious site blocking, two-way intrusion prevention and infected device isolation. It also powers the parental controls and (mercifully) doesn’t require a separate premium subscription – unlike other rivals.

The Family tab lets you add people and their devices to customizable and preset groups. This can provide web filtering that’s suitable for different children’s age groups (plus adults), setting up both online and offline schedules for each day of the week. Again, I’m very pleased to see Asus provide these features without asking for a subscription fee.

The final tab offers access to other standard router features, including QoS and VPN. While the analysis features that come with this are useful, I am concerned about the website history logging, which enables people to spy on the online activity of everyone on the network. You can also set up a USB port as a SAMBA media server or FTP file server, and there’s the ability to add Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

Accessing the firmware via a web browser provides access to all of the above along with functions like adding Dual WAN, 3G / 4G LTE USB WAN, Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, DMZ, DDNS, IPTV, automatic BitTorrent downloading, VPN management; Apple Time Machine compatibility, Shared Folder Privileges, among other high-level, network-admin features. Just note that many of these are available on Asus’ lesser routers, so don’t splash out on an expensive model just because one catches your eye.

Physically, each node has Gigabit WAN, 10G Ethernet LAN, and 10G Ethernet WAN/LAN network ports, plus a USB-A 3.0 connection. It’s also worth mentioning Asus’ AiMesh feature which can use most current (and many older), cheap and premium Asus routers as nodes to further extend a network.

• Features: 5 / 5

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 review: Performance

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 for blistering real-world speed
• One of the best performers at long range
• 10G Ethernet for fast wired connections

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 benchmarks

Close range: 1,661 Mbps
Medium range: 614 Mbps
Long range: 370 Mbps

The tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz) router promises 18,000 Mbps of theoretical performance, but that only exists in lab conditions and certainly can’t be achieved in the real world where every network’s situation will be different. It’s possible to reserve the 6GHz channel for backhaul only, but leaving it set to ‘Auto’ saw better results.

I ran my tests, which included downloading large video files from a Synology NAS (with a wired, 10G Ethernet port) connected to the router, to a Wi-Fi 7-equipped HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 laptop at three different ranges.

Up close, it managed 1,661 Mbps, which I’ve only seen beaten by Netgear’s Nighthawk 7 RS700S Wi-Fi router. Two rooms away, at the front of my single-story home (by the second node), it managed 614 Mbps. While that’s a significant drop, it’s still impressive, although other premium routers and mesh systems can be a bit faster. More impressively, the BT10 managed 370 Mbps, 15 meters away, outside the home in the garden. Only top-tier three-node mesh systems have rivaled that (and not all do).

In short, it’s very fast indeed, and I happily edited 4K video on my laptop from across the network with no issues at all.

• Performance: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Asus ZenWiFi BT10? Buy it if...

You want fast Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7 really is a game-changer in that it offers superlative performance for old and new devices alike. I never like calling anything future-proof, but the fact that only cutting-edge clients can come close to accessing its full performance is telling. It will be a very long time before it feels slow.

You have weak Wi-Fi in some areas
Some premium routers do a great job of distributing a strong signal across a large area. But there are plenty of larger buildings that have dead spots due to size or thick walls. If that’s the case, the BT10 will likely help you out, and you can still add additional nodes via Asus’ AiMesh technology.

You hate subscriptions
It’s been disappointing to see that some premium-brand routers now come with core features that you have to pay even more for. In some cases, that means paying for both parental controls and security software, separately. Asus deserves credit for keeping it all free.

Don't buy it if…

You want to save money
The BT10, like many premium Wi-Fi 7 kits, is incredibly expensive. While it’s nice to have a future-proof setup, you can still buy last-gen Wi-Fi 6 and 6E models, with similar features for substantially less. You can also add cheap nodes using old and cheap Asus routers that are AiMesh compatible.

You live in Australia
Australians appear to be the victims of price gouging when it comes to premium Wi-Fi 7 networking devices. The price here is anomalously high compared to other regions, even with the usual tax and shipping issues.

You only want basic features
Some people just want to access the internet without much fuss. If that’s the case, then the BT10 is overpowered, over-featured and overpriced for your requirements. You can save a massive amount of money on a lesser device that will still fulfill your needs.

Also consider

If you're undecided about investing in the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 router, I've compared its specs with three alternatives that might suit you better.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S
The elder sibling of the RS300 is twice as expensive, but it provides Wi-Fi 7 with an even faster speed of 19 Gbps, and has 10G Ethernet, so is great for high-speed broadband connections.

Read our full Nighthawk RS700S review

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98
This giant robot spider is the ZenWiFi BT10’s big, gamer-oriented brother. If you can get past the looks, it features similar features and performance in one, less-expensive package.

Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 review

TP-Link Deco BE63
It’s more mature in the market and the price has dropped even more. You also get three nodes to spread the signal even further. It’s a great-value Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit.

Read our full TP-Link Deco BE63 review

How I tested the Asus ZenWiFi BT10

• I tested it in typical home use
• I tested it at short, medium and long range
• I tested both the wired and wireless connections

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed in February 2025

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You’re not going to be wowed by the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3. But, if you’re looking for a laptop that’s “good enough,” a phrase you’ll see me use throughout this review, then you might be a fan of this laptop, especially considering that you can get it for fairly cheap.

In fact, its portability, decent enough performance, and pleasant aesthetics, particularly the Abyss Blue colorway, make it a contender for the best budget laptops out there right now. Considering that this is a slightly older model, you most likely will find it at a discount.

Being a more budget-oriented product does mean that it comes with a whole heap of compromises, from a mostly plastic built to shorter battery life and subpar audio quality. But, if you’re looking for one of the best laptops overall, you’ll probably need to spend a little more to get it.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is purely for those people who just need a laptop and want something that’s new, portable, and comes with Windows.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? Starting at $539.99 / £510 / AU$1,149.00
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The 15-inch version of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is available in the US, UK, and Australia, but, like most things Lenovo, is available in slightly different configurations per territory. For instance, the cheapest version of this laptop, which goes for $539.99 / £510 / AU$1,149.00, is available in the US, whereas the more powerful versions are available in the other territories.

While the highest configuration’s price tag is a bit exorbitant, especially since it’s mostly for more storage, the cheapest configurations make it a good idea for those looking to just get a laptop that’s thin, light, and doesn’t look cheap.

There are other options out there, such as the Acer Aspire 5, that offers a little more in terms of performance and battery life, but is a bit more limited when it comes to ports. It’s also almost half a pound heavier than the IdeaPad Slim 3.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Specs

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 may be a more budget-oriented model but it still comes with some customizations. For starters, you can choose between three CPUs: the Intel Core 3 100U, Intel Core 5 120U, and the Intel Core 7 150U. The more powerful the processor the snappier the response will be for browsing and day-to-day tasks. There’s also a choice between 8 and 16GB of RAM, though you can only get 8GB with the Intel Core 3 and 16GB with the Intel Core 7 CPU. Lastly, you can choose an SSD ranging from 256GB (there is the ability to just do a 128GB flash drive in the UK) to 1TB of space.

There is some light customization available outside of the internal components as well. You can upgrade from a non-touch to a touch screen. And you can choose whether to pay extra for a fingerprint reader. There’s also a color choice between Abyss Blue (reviewed here) and gray.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Design

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Is thin, light, and looks nice, though it’s not the most premium build
• Keyboard and touchpad are fine
• Has some appreciated security features like a webcam privacy shutter

Available in either Abyss Blue or gray, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 offers up that distinctive Ultrabook aesthetic. It’s thin, light, and, from afar, looks like a MacBook competitor. Of course, upon closer look, its mid-range bones are more apparent, like the fact that its chassis is made out of plastic.

However, it’s a nice option for people who just need a computer and don’t care about getting something expensive or top-of-the-line. It comes with a decently-sized 15.6-inch display that, at 1080p, is good enough for most people. Plus, that display on upgraded models such as the one reviewed is a responsive touchscreen.

The keyboard falls into the “good enough” camp, as it does the job but isn't particularly special. The keys are a bit stiff to the touch, so may not be a favorite of those typing out long essays. And there’s no backlighting either. At least there’s a numpad. The touchpad is equally fine; it’s accurate and responsive, but isn’t the smoothest to the touch.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Port-wise, you do get a nice assortment such as there’s an HDMI and SD card reader port, both of which you don’t always get in this caliber of computer. Of course, there’s the typical USB-C and USB-A ports as well as a headphone jack.

Lastly, there are some security features on hand that I do appreciate. Namely, there’s a fingerprint reader on the power button and privacy shutter on the webcam.

• Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Performance

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Good enough performance for day-to-day work
• Webcam is sufficient but limited
• Audio is underwhelming

When it comes to performance, the bar is somewhat low for the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 in that it doesn’t need to power demanding programs like games or editing software (if you’re looking for that kind of power, there are plenty of other laptops to consider as this is not one). What it needs to do and does well enough is handle day-to-day tasks such as browsing, streaming, emails, word processing, and the like. And it does those just fine. This laptop is meant for people who “just need a computer” at an affordable price.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Benchmarks

3DMark: Fire Strike: 4113; Time Spy: 1501; Night Raid: 14442

GeekBench 6.3 2469 (single-core); 8549 (multi-core)

Handbrake 1.8: 14:33

CrossMark: Overall: 1445 Productivity: 1459 Creativity: 1504 Responsiveness: 1308

Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 6:14:04

During use, I was able to use it normally with 15 tabs open in a browser, including some streaming, without much of a slowdown other than a split second refresh when switching tabs. The cheapest configuration, with its 6-core Intel Core 3 100U CPU and 8GB of RAM, will probably start to slow after just a couple years as it already has somewhat weak internals. The review configuration, however, has a 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM, so should offer an additional year of use, in my opinion, before starting to feel slow.

Since this fits into that category of devices that look like an Ultrabook, but are more of a budget laptop, there are some compromises elsewhere. The webcam, for instance, is good enough but at 720p @ 30 fps, is not the sharpest or smoothest. Plus, it does have a little grain to the image in low light settings.

More egregiously, the audio is underwhelming. While this is somewhat typical for budget and mid-range laptops, it’s worth pointing out. There’s not much in the way of bass or high-end, leaving you with a boxy, mid-range quality, like hearing something through a phone. Considering how many people simply stream stuff onto their laptops these days, it’s surprising that this isn’t better.

Lastly, it should be mentioned that, like most budget laptops, this comes with some bloatware.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9: Battery life

• Decent but not great battery life
• Has fast charging on hand

With a benchmark of six hours and almost 15 minutes, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is not going to win any awards. That length of time is good enough if you need to do a little work on the road, but not enough to get through a full work day without a charge. And it’s pretty low compared to what a lot of thin and light laptops, particularly Ultrabooks (that happen to be a little pricier on the whole), are able to achieve. The only laptops that this really beats out are gaming laptops that have to also supply power to dedicated graphics cards and older models that you probably wouldn’t compare this to in the first place.

On the bright side, there is fast charging on hand so that you can quickly get some extra juice with a short trip to an outlet. I was able to charge back up from 55% after about 40 minutes. So, if you want to go untethered to work while in front of the TV, you have enough battery life on hand and get a quick charge for more while taking a quick break.

• Battery life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9?  Buy it if…

You just want a computer

I’m not trying to be facetious. Some people want the Honda Civic equivalent of a laptop that looks good enough and does its job. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 fits that bill.

You want the portability of an Ultrabook without the price or small screen

This laptop offers the kind of portability most people want in a laptop without breaking the bank or limiting screen size.

You’re laptop hunting on a budget

If you’re worried about cash and don’t have any niche needs, you’ll find this laptop to be more than enough for the price.

Don't buy it if...

You want an Ultrabook

Considering that this is a solidly budget product masquerading as a premium one, you might be underwhelmed if you’re expecting an Ultrabook. It might be worth spending the difference for a MacBook Air.

You need long battery life

The battery life for this type of laptop is not what one would expect. It’s just good enough, but won’t make it through an entire day of work on a single charge.

Also Consider

If our Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Acer Aspire 5

If you’re willing to deal with a little more weight and a poorer port selection, not to mention skip the attractive Abyss Blue colorway, then the Acer Aspire 5 offers more in terms of performance and battery life than the IdeaPad Slim 3 does.

Read our full Acer Aspire 5 review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

If you actually want an Ultrabook, particularly something that still packs a punch in terms of performance and battery life, you’re better off paying a little more and getting the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3). It also provides an intuitive user experience the way most Apple products do. Of course, its base configuration comes with just 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, and upgrading either adds quite a bit to the price tag.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review

How I tested the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9

• Tested for a couple weeks
• Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
• Tested its webcam and audio

I used the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 for a couple weeks, doing some light gaming, watching some online content, and working on it. I also used it on the go and tested its various features like the webcam and audio.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU9 is one of those laptops meant for people who don’t need crazy powerful computers, but instead just need a decent sized screen, good portability, and enough power for normal day-to-day work without costing too much money.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

• First reviewed December 2024

Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni: Two-minute review

If you’re after an all-in-one robot vacuum cleaner – one that vacuums, mops, and then cleans itself by also washing and drying its mop pads – you’re typically looking at a rather premium price point. The Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni offers you all of that, but without that high cost. And it doesn’t necessarily make too many sacrifices on features either, which really highlights how much bang for your hard-earned buck it can offer.

Depending on where you live, there might be two versions of the T30 Omni available – a white Pro model and the black non-Pro edition that’s reviewed here and is available in the UK and Australia. Strangely, neither model is currently listed on the US Ecovacs website. The only difference between the two, other than their color, is the Pro model gets three additional features: Ecovacs’ Yiko voice assistant, a dirt-detection deep-mopping mode and an onboard camera. I missed none of these during my time testing the standard T30 Omni, although some users might find the deep-mop function useful.

The first thing that got my attention was just how compact – or rather squat – it is compared to other all-in-one robot vacuums that come with two water tanks in the cleaning station. Ecovacs says the T30 Omni (and its Pro version) will fit under any kitchen or bathroom counter – while my under-counter cabinets weren't designed for such a scenario, measurements indicate that if I were to make small changes to how they're structured, it would take minimal carpentry to get the robot vacuum and its dock stowed away neatly. The rest of the design is also very well considered and I think it’s one of the better-looking full-featured robot vacuums I’ve seen.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

It doesn’t disappoint in its performance either. With four suction levels and four water-flow rates, there are a lot of custom routines you can set up for the T30 Omni. What I appreciate even more is that even at its highest suction setting, the robot isn’t as loud as I’ve previously encountered with other similar models, even those from Ecovacs. The maximum suction here is 11,000Pa, which isn’t as much as other premium models available on the market, but it’s more than enough for most homes. However, if you have carpets that are particularly dirty with tangled hair or fur, it will have trouble sucking those up in their entirety. What hair and fur it manages to clean thankfully doesn’t get entangled around the main bar brush, making ongoing maintenance easy.

Also aiding in making the user lazy is how well it washes its mop pads after each cleaning session. You can choose how often you want the pads to be washed and how long you want to set the hot-air drying for. And that’s a good thing because those mops can get dirty – during my testing, I found the mopping to be so effective that the pads would get brown within minutes! I had no idea how much dust my hard floors could pick up! Better yet, the extendable mop pads ensure even the edges of my rooms were cleaned well, although the occasional corner can be missed.

The tanks are remarkably easy to refill or clean out, and so is the base tray that the mop pads are washed on. And while you can always bend down to press a button in a pinch to start or stop the T30 Omni, it will also respond to a light kick to the bumper.

All in all, I think this is a really good all-in-one robot vacuum cleaner, able to give even more expensive models a run for their money, making this a really great-value investment if you want to stop spending time on vacuuming and mopping your floors. Where there’s scope for improvement is with the Ecovacs Home smartphone app, but only marginally.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Price & availability

• Available since 2024 in UK and Australia; not sold in the US
• List price: £799 / AU$1,749
• Often discounted during major sales

Announced in May 2024 for most major markets, the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni is now listed for purchase in European countries, including the UK, and in Australia. Strangely, it’s no longer listed on the official Ecovacs website in the US, although it was announced for the American market.

At full price, the T30 Omni will set you back £799 / AU$1,749 but it’s often discounted to a much lower price, which makes this a truly worthwhile investment given its power and feature set. For instance, at the time of writing, it’s available for £699 directly from Ecovacs UK, while it’s dropped as low as AU$1,199 in Australia.

Other similar models can cost you around the £1,000 / AU$2,200 mark: for example, the Dreame L40 Ultra available in the US and the UK with the same 11,000Pa suction has a list price of $1,499.99 / £999 (unavailable in Australia), but take it up a notch and the 12,000Pa Dreame X40 Ultra with detachable mop pads will set you back a whopping $1,899 / £1,299 / AU$2,799. Similarly, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, with its interesting slimline design but with a maximum of 8,000Pa of suction costs $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,699.

There are, of course, cheaper robot vacuums but, given how well the T30 Omni balances power, performance and price, it represents very good value for money even at full price.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Specs Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Design

• Standard T30 Omni model only available in black; white is the Pro model
• Not as tall and heavy as other all-in-one robot vacuums
• Extendable mop pads that automatically rise to avoid carpets

Whether you opt for the standard T30 Omni in black or the white T30 Pro Omni version, the only physical difference between the two is the color – everything else is identical from a design perspective. Neither, however, come with any additional replacement parts, which is a glaring omission on Ecovacs’ part as you are immediately faced with having to purchase additional dust bags at the very least. Thankfully you won’t find the need to replace the mop pads too soon as the washing mechanism is fantastic, although keep an eye on them as, like any fabric, they will begin to show signs of wear and tear.

(Image credit: Amanda Westberg)

Lack of some replacement parts aside, the entire appliance, despite its plastic build, is quite solidly made. You’ll find no need for the user manual to set up the various parts of the robot vacuum’s dock – it’s all very intuitive and just slots into place. Once assembled, it doesn’t look like most other all-in-one robovacs – it’s shorter and looks more compact, although it has a similar footprint to other models. This compactness in height is what allows the T30 Omni to slot under a counter if you are able to fit it in.

Unlike other such all-in-one robot vacuums, the water tanks – clean and dirty – aren’t placed inside the clean station, but are an essential part of the dock, sitting atop the enclosure housing the 3.5L replaceable dust bag. From an aesthetic standpoint, I like that the translucent clean-water tank sits in the front, and it means you can see when a refill is needed. Both tanks have a 4L capacity, meaning they’ll last a few cleaning sessions before you need to manually do anything… although I don’t like having any dirty water in the tank for more than a day, so I’ve always just cleaned it out, but that’s just me. And I’m also appreciative of the fact that the dirty water tank is opaque and sits at the back of the machine.

Ecovacs has even put some serious thought into the design of the washing tray that the actual robot sits on to charge and have its mop pads washed. It reminds me of old ribbed washboards from the 1800s, with raised ridges that ensure the mop pads get a good scrubbing after (or during) each mop run. The tray is also very easy to remove and clean out.

Overall, I’m a big fan of the slightly voluptuous-looking clean station and how easy it is to get to any part of it to refill, clean or replace, although I can also see why some people may not like the look compared to the straight lines of other models.

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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The robot itself isn’t very different from the familiar round droid we see from most brands. There’s the usual lidar turret on the top to house Ecovacs’ proprietary TrueMapping 2.0 technology, while the top panel has three function buttons: zone cleaning, start/pause and exit/return to base. Combination presses of these three buttons can also be used but, from my experience, the only time you’ll really need any of them is at the initial setup process.

The top panel of the robot also simply lifts off to reveal the 300ml rectangular dust bin inside. You won’t, however, see the water reservoir, which is hidden under the opaque plastic.

On the front of the robot you can clearly see the obstacle avoidance system – called TrueDetect 3D 3.0 – on either side of which are distance sensors. Two contact points for charging are also visible on the rear of the robot, as well as the water inlet for filling the reservoir and the hatch to self-empty its dust bin. The front bumper is also sensitive to a light kick, which tells it to either start or pause wherever it is.

The underside of the robot has four anti-fall sensors along the rim, and there’s also a sensor that detects carpets. There’s one side brush, while the main bar brush has been redesigned to offer zero tangles when hair and fur is being vacuumed. I have to admit, I was rather skeptical about the ZeroTangle brush, but I’m quite impressed with how well it manages to remain free of all entanglements. The two rotating mop pads are affixed to the removable plastic supports via some seriously strong Velcro but, unlike more premium machines from Samsung and Dreame, the mop pads don’t automatically drop if you set the robot up for just a vacuum run. They do, however, extend outward to wash room edges and can rise up to 9mm to avoid carpets and rugs.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Amanda Westberg) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Features

• Up to 80% more suction power compared to the T20 Omni
• Spot cleaning improvements based on user feedback
• Foot-touch start/pause functionality

You’d think that, to keep costs down, the T30 Omni would be missing key features, but Ecovacs has managed to pack it full of the things you really need and left out anything that you wouldn’t necessarily miss – like voice control. The one thing that I do wish I could have tried is the deep-clean mopping mode that the Pro model has but, honestly, I didn’t necessarily feel any FOMO while testing the standard T30 Omni.

One feature I’m a massive fan of, and it’s actually a rather superfluous one, is the foot-touch start/stop functionality. What that means is giving the robot a light kick on the bumper makes it start or, if it’s already moving, stop where it is. I admit to being lazy and this makes my need to bend or reach for my phone unnecessary when I just need it to stop for a minute or two when I have to step in its path for whatever reason. I hands-down agree that it’s a novelty, but it’s the kind of fun feature I love.

Importantly for a robot vacuum, Ecovacs has upped the ante where suction is concerned. Compared to the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni’s 6,000Pa suction power, the T30 Omni now boasts a much better 11,000Pa. For its price point, this is a fantastic upgrade.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Another feature worth mentioning here is the reimagined spot-clean functionality that is now also available on other top-tier Ecovacs robovacs. At the press of the spot-clean button on the top of the robot, the T30 Omni will know to clean a 1.5m x 1.5m square area around wherever it’s located at the time. If it’s at the dock, it will clean around the dock; you can pick it up and place it anywhere in your home and it will begin the spot clean there. It’s a handy feature to have for those quick spills that need immediate attention.

One useful feature that’s not quite unique to the T30 Omni, but is effective nonetheless, is extendable mopping. This allows the mop pads to either remain extended at all times or automatically pull out when the robot senses a wall or furniture close by. This works so well that even thin furniture legs are identified and the mops can clean right alongside them and, where possible, move a full circle around them.

Other features include Bluetooth connectivity for easier setup and the Ecovacs Home app widget for iPhones and Apple Watches for getting a whole-house clean going instantly.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: App control

• Cleaner app than before but still scope for improvement
• A number of custom ‘Scenarios’ can be set up
• Editable map, but adding furniture is fiddly

I’ve reviewed quite a few Deebots over the last few years, some of which have been discontinued. So it’s fair to say I’ve seen the evolution of the Ecovacs Home app to its current form, which is arguably the best it’s ever been. It’s a lot cleaner and easier to use, although I still see scope for improvement. That said, in the few months that I’ve been testing the T30 Omni, I’ve not had a single app-related problem.

The Ecovacs Home app has everything you need to set up the T30 Omni if it’s your first Deebot, including giving it a name. In my case, I called the robot vacuum Dirt Vader. To get started, you can set the robot to do a mapping run which doesn’t take too long. It quite literally rolls through your home in a slightly random manner and picks up where the walls and doors are to create a basic map. This you can then edit in the app, adding names to the various rooms and even furniture. While it’s really easy to partition rooms, adding furniture is annoying as placements are not necessarily going to work on a flat 2D space.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The app displays all the cleaning options clearly, including the various combinations of vacuum and mopping, and how often of both you want the bot to do. You can choose the suction power and the water-flow rate.

You can set up what Ecovacs calls Scenarios – different cleaning runs to suit different needs. For example, I have one called Daily Clean, which is a single vacuum run throughout my home at the highest suction. Another one that I call Deep Clean is two vacuum runs in the carpeted bedroom, followed by two mop-after-vacuum sessions in the rest of the house with hard floors. I have another called Quick Clean, which is a single vacuum-and-mop run on only the hard floors (so it skips the bedroom). The options are plenty, giving you a lot of control over your floor-cleaning routine.

The app also lets you change the volume of the voice prompts of the robot which, by default, is really rather loud. You get the usual cleaning logs and you can also keep track of when you need to replace parts like brushes, mops or the dust bag. Setting up schedules is also there.

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You’ll get voice prompts and an app notification if the wash tray needs cleaning in the middle of a session – that’s because the mop can be set to be cleaned at regular intervals. I had mine set to every 15 minutes, so Dirt Vader would go back to the dock a couple of times during most cleaning sessions to wash the mops. I really do not like brown streaks on my light-grey tiles.

My only issue with the app is with the Scenarios tab: only two Scenarios are visible on most phone screens, but the Manage option gets in the way of the second listing. It’s also not immediately clear that you just need to slide to view all the different Scenarios. I’d also like the map to be a bit more detailed, but that’s not really a complaint, but an observation.

• App control score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Performance

• Hardly ever misses mopping a room edge or along furniture legs
• Excellent vacuuming prowess on hard floors
• Can struggle on excessively dirty carpets

We have quite a few Deebot reviews on TechRadar, and one thing they all have in common is their good performance. And that’s again the case here. In fact, I was rather impressed by how quickly, and accurately, the T30 Omni mapped out my apartment – it took just six minutes to do so and all walls, doors and floor types were correct even though it seemed to move rather randomly. It doesn’t account for furniture, but you can see the vague shapes in the basic map. Subsequently, I didn’t have a single issue with navigation either – Dirt Vader always moved in a clear pattern within each zone, hardly ever missing a spot.

Whether it’s just vacuuming, just mopping or both together, the T30 Omni does a very fine job indeed. During testing, I sprinkled some talcum powder on the floor to see how it would cope with such fine particles and, set to do a spot clean with vacuum and mop together, I was pleased that I couldn’t see white powder when I ran my fingers over the area.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While the side brush did scatter some grains of rice while vacuuming, a second run cleared those up as well. A few scattered grains that went into a corner did get left behind though, but I can’t blame Dirt Vader for a shoddy job – even my Dyson V15s Detect Submarine would have a hard time getting at those grains with the Fluffy Optic or the Digital Motorbar. I’d have to use the Crevice Tool for that. Perhaps the Dyson 360 Vis Nav, with its protruding tongue, might have picked up the stray grains… Or for situations like that, Ecovacs has another solution in the form of the Deebot T30S Combo, which packs a handheld cordless vacuum along with the robot.

Dirt Vader’s vacuum prowess is also quite good on carpets and rugs… provided the carpets aren’t already too dirty. Only the bedroom in my apartment has wall-to-wall carpeting and, over the duration of a week, my hair gets all over it. If there’s too much hair, I found that the T30 Omni set at max suction over two consecutive runs can struggle to do a deep clean. There were always some strands still visible, but it was along edges where it truly struggled to gather tangled hair. However, my medium-pile rug in the living room, which doesn’t get too dirty, always looked refreshed after a single vacuum run at max suction. On hard floors, reducing the suction to Standard or Strong is more than enough for a good clean.

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The brand-new ZeroTangle bar brush on the Deebot T30 Omni... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..and the same brush after three months of use. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Mopping is where the T30 Omni shines. When Ecovacs says ‘edge mopping’, it’s truly the case here. The extendable mop pads are effective at cleaning right along the 90º angle of a wall and where furniture legs meet the floor. No matter how thick or thin a leg might be, I saw Dirt Vader go a full 360º around the vertical axis where the height under furniture allowed it to go.

During my testing, I tried various water-flow rates and, for the kind of tiles I have in my apartment, the High setting was the best for a regular clean, so that is what I set it to for every Scenario. This saw all dusty footprints disappear in one mop session, as did a splatter of hot sauce on the kitchen floor. However, a thick, dried-up blob of mayonnaise took a couple of goes before it was cleaned up.

Getting the bin to auto-empty at the Extra setting meant that it was fully emptied, with only the barest film of dust along the plastic sides still visible, which can be washed out if you prefer, but I found no need to do so. The self-washing of the mop pads is also fantastic. After nearly three months of using Dirt Vader, the mop pads didn't look too worse for wear.

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The brand-new mop pads under the Deebot T30 Omni... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..and the same mop pads after three months of use (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

What I love even more than its ability to clean is how quietly it goes about its business of cleaning. Given I’ve regularly used it at its maximum suction, I’ve never really needed to increase the volume on my TV while it was doing its thing. And my TV is in the bedroom where it’s cleaning only carpets, so the suction is always on. Ecovacs says it hits a maximum sound level of 65dB, but that’s only when it’s auto-emptying. That’s still relatively quiet compared to other self-emptying models. While vacuuming at maximum suction, it’s only ever hit 57dB for me, measured using a smartphone app, so do take that number with a pinch of salt. Still, it’s one of the quieter robot vacuums I’ve tested.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review: Battery life

• Uses a 5,200mAh capacity lithium-ion battery
• Rated for up to 290 minutes on a single charge
• Can take up to 6.5 hours to top up an empty battery

Ecovacs has always endeavored to provide good battery life for its robot vacuums and, again, the T30 Omni delivers. Even with max suction and high water-flow rates set up for two mop-after-vacuum runs, Dirt Vader always had an average of 35% battery life still left after covering an area 74sqm. That isn’t bad at all.

It’s also intelligent enough to know how much battery it needs to finish an incomplete cleaning session if it does ever run out of power. This happened during one session, when I started my Deep Clean scenario (two vacuum sessions in the bedroom, plus two mop-after-vacuum runs in the rest of the apartment) when the battery was at 82% when it began. Instead of waiting till it was a full 100%, Dirt Vader charged till about 55% and finished the job it was meant to.

That meant I didn’t have to wait the full six hours for it to top up to 100%, which is how long Ecovacs says it can take the T30 Omni to fully charge up from empty. However, I can’t really vouch for that as I’ve not had an opportunity to see it fully drained after completing a cleaning run (even the one time mentioned above, where it charged just enough to finish an incomplete Scenario).

• Battery score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Should I buy the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni? Buy it if...

You want a relatively inexpensive all-in-one robot vacuum

I won’t call it ‘cheap’ but it’s definitely more affordable than some of its competitors. And given how well it balances its performance, features and price, I’d say this really is good value, especially when discounted.

You’re keen on getting room edges cleaned well

While the side brush helps a little to clean along the edges of a room, it’s the extendable mop pads that do the actual cleaning along skirting boards and furniture. And the software running the T30 Omni knows when it needs to do a full 360º too.

You want an all-in-one robot vacuum that can be hidden away

If you have the open under-counter space, the T30 Omni is short enough to be tucked away under your kitchen bench or island, or even under the bathroom sink – depending on how your home is set up. Your cabinets, of course, shouldn't be raised.

Don't buy it if...

You have wall-to-wall carpets that can get dirty quickly

Not only will the T30 Omni struggle to clean overly dirty carpets, it also won’t be good value as you won’t be taking advantage of its mopping capabilities.

You’re on a tight budget

While it might offer good value for money, the T30 Omni isn’t exactly cheap. If you want a more affordable option, you will have to consider foregoing some features that you'll find in most all-in-one models.

You don’t want any ongoing costs

All self-emptying robot vacuums will incur an ongoing cost of at least the dust bags, if nothing else. If that’s a deterrent, you could consider a self-emptying cordless vacuum cleaner like the Shark Cordless Detect Pro with Auto-empty System, which empties into a box rather than a dust bag, but then you will have to do the vacuuming yourself and it doesn’t come with a mop attachment.

Also consider

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

Currently sitting at the top of our best robot vacuum list, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni has 8,000Pa suction power and manages to deliver good vacuuming and mopping performance on hard floors. The app is intuitive, with good mapping and navigation too. However, the docking station is quite large.
Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review

Dreame L40 Ultra/X40 Ultra

If you have the money to spare and want one of the best premium robot vacuums that can handle pretty much anything, then consider the top-of-the-range Dreame L40/X40 Ultra. The L model is available in the US and the UK, but the X is available in Australia. Both offer excellent suction and mopping capabilities, with plenty of smart features that make them the most hands-off robovacs we’ve tested. The app is arguably the biggest disappointment here and they’re both large too.
Read our full Dreame L40 Ultra review
Read our full Dreame X40 Ultra review

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo

For a higher price than the Deebot T30 Omni, you can get an Ecovacs robot vacuum that also packs a handheld cordless unit alongside it. It’s arguably the epitome of an all-in-one, taking care of stairs, the quick clean-ups and the regular big jobs too thanks to that extra cordless vacuum. Housing the handheld unit, though, means the docking station has a larger footprint than most other robot vacuums.
Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo review

How I tested the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni

• Used in my own home for about three months
• Tried various settings and created different cleaning routines
• Scattered various common grains, powders and liquids to test cleaning

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While I've had the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni for a few months for testing, there was a period of 4 weeks where it was switched off from the mains while I was overseas. Unlike some other connected devices that may need repairing to your smartphone after such a long time of inactivity, the T30 Omni remained paired and started up as if it wasn't lying dormant at all.

During the three months of actual testing, I used the T30 Omni in my one-bedroom inner-city apartment at least once a week, trying out various permutations and combinations of vacuum and mop. Given I have a mix of both carpets (in the bedroom) and tiles (rest of the apartment), it was easy to test the T30 Omni's cleaning prowess. I scattered powders, grains and sauces on the floor to see how it performed, plus I made a note of dusty footprints on the living room floor that came from a rather dirty balcony.

I kept tabs on how well the mop pads were washed and dried after each clean, and checked the dust box inside the robot to ascertain the docking station's suction. Practically every feature of the robot vacuum was tested for this review, including the foot-touch start/pause function.

I have previously tested several other Ecovacs Deebot models, as well as robot vacuums from other brands, putting me in a great position to compare the T30 Omni's performance and features.

Read more about how we test

[First published February 2025]

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

If you're serious about competitive gaming, you want the highest refresh rate possible. It's pretty much that simple. Which is where the new AOC Agon Pro AG276FK comes in. Running at 520Hz, it's up there among the very fastest gaming monitors you can currently buy.

If there's a catch, it's that the native resolution is just 1080p. Purely for playing online shooters, that actually makes sense in terms of minimizing GPU load and maximizing frame rates. However, for other types of gaming and especially for all-rounding computing, the low pixel density of 1080p on a fairly large 27-inch monitor like this isn't ideal.

Needless to say, that lofty refresh rate makes for a very pricey panel for a mere 1080p model, too. So, the question the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK poses is just how dedicated to the cause of esports you really are. This monitor is never going to be a great all-rounder.

But if high refresh rates and low latency are your absolute priorities, this monitor looks like a strong package on paper. It sports an IPS panel with 0.5ms GTG response, HDR400 certification and dual DisplayPort inputs, plus a whole host of gaming-centric additional features.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $550 (estimated) / £499 / AU$999 (estimated)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the UK with other markets to follow

At £499 in the UK and a likely $550 in the US, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK lines up right next to the likes of the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG27FFX2A. That monitor actually has superior HDMI 2.1 connectivity, but is otherwise very similar on paper.

Of course, this is a heck of a lot of money for a mere 1080p 27-inch monitor. But then the 520Hz refresh rate is an extreme specification and comes at a cost. For most gamers, we'd recommend a high-refresh 27-inch 1440p panel as better not just for all-round computing but also for a broad range of gaming.

However, if you're into esports and you want the very lowest latency thanks to super high refresh rates, well, the 520Hz offered here really delivers.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Specs AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Design and features

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

As 1080p 27-inch monitors go, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is not exactly cheap. Mostly, that's thanks to the eye-watering 520Hz refresh rate. But it does have other attractions.

The 27-inch panel is an IPS item with claimed 0.5ms GTG and 0.3ms MPRT pixel response. In the context of LCD as opposed to OLED monitors, those are very impressive numbers. You also get HDR400 certification, which won't guarantee true HDR capability, but does mean this monitor will hit a punchy 400 nits.

The relatively elevated pricing also translates into a high quality stand with a full range of adjustment including height, tilt, pivot and swivel. It's well built, the materials feel high quality and the design includes some quirky asymmetric features that make this monitor stand out ever so slightly from the crowd. The slim bezels on three sides of the 27-inch IPS panel also ensure it looks current and up-to-date.

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As for connectivity, you get two DisplayPort 1.4 connections capable of the full 520Hz. The two HDMI 2.0 sockets only go to 240Hz, but then they're aimed at console connectivity, and that really only requires 120Hz at most. The ports are all located on the bottom of the chassis, while a slide-out headphone hanger is situated on the right-hand bezel.

Beyond all that, there's a smattering of RGB lighting, plus various gamer-centric options in the comprehensive OSD menu including overdrive controls, low latency modes, and adaptive sync, plus AOC's GMENU app that enables access to much of the functionality within Windows.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

If speed is what the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is all about, it definitely delivers. Undoubtedly the highlight is that 520Hz refresh. Many games have performance bottlenecks on the CPU, GPU or somewhere else in the system preventing them from hitting those kinds of frame rates.

The exception, of course, tends to be online shooters, which are optimized for maximum frames rates and are indeed the main target for this monitor. Up around 500fps, then, this monitor absolutely flies. Obviously the gains are marginal as you increase refresh rates. But you can certainly feel the reduction in latency and see the increase in motion clarity compared to, say, a 144Hz panel.

Put it next to a 360Hz monitor, and the gains will inevitably be more marginal. Ultimately, the extent to which you notice and benefit from 520Hz will always be subjective. But if ultra-low latency is something you think you're particularly sensitive to, well, this AOC gets the job done and then some.

It's also very fast for an LCD panel when it comes to pixel response. You can choose between the four levels of pixel overdrive in the OSD menu. A touch of overshoot can be detected in the fastest mode when jiggling an app window around on the Windows desktop. But actually in-game, there's little evidence of the kind of color shift that can be so distracting when monitors suffer from really bad overshoot.

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Anyway, this monitor is about as LCD tech currently gets when it comes to pixel response. You'll need to make the jump to an OLED panel to get something clearly faster.

Another strong point, relatively speaking, is the calibration. It's all really nicely set up in SDR mode, with punchy and accurate colors. In HDR mode, it's nicely executed, too, and that includes accurate SDR colors in HDR. That's handy because it means you can just leave this panel in HDR mode all the time and get great colors and accuracy for all content types.

Of course, this isn't a true HDR monitor. It has HDR400 calibration, but there's no local dimming. So, it's a case of correctly rendering HDR color mapping as opposed to really being capable of high dynamic range images. But that's par for the course for this class of display.

If all that sounds good, the major downside involves pixel density. 1080p stretched across a 27-inch panel like this makes for a lowly density of just 82DPI. That translates into blocky image quality and rough looking fonts on the desktop. For general computing, web browsing or content creation, this is not a great display. But that is not its remit.

Arguably the bigger problem is the slight lack of image detail in-game versus, say, a 270-inch 1440p panel. For gaming across a wide range of genres, a 240Hz 1440p panel can actually be had for less money and would be a better fit. But as a pure esports panel, this AOC delivers, you just have to be sure that's exactly what you're after.

Should I buy the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK? Buy it if...

You want ultra low latency

The 520Hz refresh makes for seriously low latency while the IPS panel also delivers excellent response times for an LCD panel. Only an OLED monitor will be quicker.

You like good color calibration

The AOC Agon Pro AG276FK isn't just fast. It's also very nicely calibrated with good color balance in both SDR and HDR modes

Don't buy it if...

You're an all-round gamer

If you like playing all kinds of games, not just online shooter, you'd be better off with a 1440p panel or maybe a 34-inch ultrawide, both of which can be had for the same money or less.

You want true HDR capability

The AOC Agon Pro AG276FK offers HD400 certification. But it doesn't have local dimming and it's not truly capable of high dynamic range rendering.

Also consider

Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P

If you want to join the high-refresh OLED revolution, give the Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P a try. It's a 4K 240Hz model, so not quite as high refresh. But the pixel response is ultra low and the 4K OLED image quality is to die for.

Read our full Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P review

Samsung Odyssey G7

If you fancy 1440p gaming, consider the Samsung Odyssey G7. It's the same 27-inch size, but offers 1440p at 240Hz for a reasonable price, albeit more than the AOC Gaming C27G4ZXE.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey G7 review

How I tested the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK

I used the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK for literally everything for around a week. For sure, it's a monitor aimed squarely at esports as opposed to getting work stuff done or browsing the web. But full immersion tends to provide fuller insights.

The core task was to assess the impact of that lofty 520Hz frame rates in a slew of online shooters, including my favorite Counter-Strike 2. Would the huge Hz number translate into noticeably lower latency?

Comparing the pixel response to the best IPS panels and also the latest OLED screens is also intriguing. Beyond that, checking out the overall color performance and HDR calibration, along with connectivity, ergonomics and build are all in the mix.

First reviewed February 2025

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

I don’t know that I’ve ever been as confused by a laptop as I have by the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid. It takes the 2-in-1 concept to a whole new level – one that not many have probably asked for. It’s a powerful laptop, by Ultrabook standards, with a screen that can be pulled off and used as a tablet. To make things even more interesting (see also: confusing), you can press a button to use the Android OS without removing the tablet, essentially interacting with the Android tablet portion as if it was an Android laptop. AND, there’s a few hybrid functions that work across both devices in a way that a separately purchased laptop and tablet just couldn’t.

Confused yet? Hopefully, you won’t be by the end of this review. But, to be fair, while the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 has the bona fides to compare favorably to both the best 2-in-1 laptops and the best Android tablets, it’s not a product that’s right for everyone.

Its unique form factor is most ideal for those that like working specifically in the Windows and Android ecosystems. So, if your tablet needs are met by something made by Apple, this is not going to be for you unless you want to transition over to Android.

That said, it’s a cool concept for those that work in both those operating systems. And, as long as Lenovo keeps the price “discounted,” it’s worth it. Even if it’s not perfectly implemented – there’s no headphone jack on the tablet (the ports are somewhat sparse in general) and the mechanism to dock the tablet back on the hybrid base station is a bit tricky. It’s unique, as both the Windows and Android portions of the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid equation are powerful, and it has a vibrant, sharp 14-inch screen. Plus, it comes with a stylus and it’s kind of cool to type something up (say, maybe this article) on the hybrid station with a monitor while keeping YouTube open for some distraction and procrastination on the tablet.

Confused still?

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? Starting at $2,040.44 / £1,399.99 (about AU$2,710.00)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

Considering how unusual the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is and the fact that it not only offers two separate devices that can be used together or separately but two different operating systems, its listed price of $2,040.44 / £1,399.99 is not that bad. It’s what Lenovo advertised when we first covered this device.

What’s so frustrating is that, for a time, especially when I first looked at the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus gen 5 Hybrid, it was listed at a much higher price, specifically $3,518.00 / £2,199.98 (about AU$4,260). Those prices are still listed as the “estimated value,” which is, frankly, insane.

First, you can get a quality Android tablet and computer for that original $2,000 price. Second, the fact that it’s shown as a discounted price means that Lenovo could potentially remove the discount from time to time to sell at the higher price tag.

Now, at the current, “discounted” price, it’s still plenty pricey, but it’s not a hard sell. If you were to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage – the same as the one that the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid comes with – you would spend $1199.99, not to mention you would have a smaller 12.4-inch screen. Of course, bigger isn’t always better with tablets as too big can be unwieldy.

Getting something equivalent to the Windows side of the Lenovo in a laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an 1TB SSD, not to mention that the screen (which is also the tablet) is an OLED panel with a 2.8K resolution, is going to cost at least $1,000 if not more.

Assuming that Lenovo really keeps the price at around its current discounted price, it’s worth it if you rely on Android tablets and Windows PCs and want something capable on both fronts for work.

It’s worth noting that it also comes with the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus and an easel stand for the tablet. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available in Australia.

• Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Specs

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid only comes in one configuration. The base, which houses the Windows-related components, comes with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and Intel Arc integrated graphics. While there are no RAM and SSD customizations, at least Lenovo offers up a good amount with 32GB and 1TB, respectively.

The tablet is also suitably souped up with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ mobile CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That’s on par with the most powerful Android tablets on the market right now.

Likewise, there are no customizations on the exterior either. At least you get a sharp 14-inch OLED panel with a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, though at 60Hz. It’s also available just in the one standard aluminum gray that most sleek laptops come in.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Design

• Limited ports including no headphone jack on tablet
• Screen can be removed to use separately as a tablet, while base still works as a Windows machine
• Comes with an accurate and sensitive stylus

When the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is in its standard laptop mode with the screen attached, it’s surprisingly normal looking. In fact, it’s a bit thick when closed as the hybrid station is a little over a third of an inch thick and the screen is just under a third. It almost looks a little dated if you’re not looking closely.

If you do look closely however, you’ll start to see the differences. For one, the keyboard has its own button to switch between Windows and Android operating systems – something you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, there’s a whole hybrid system that I’ll discuss in performance.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You’ll see the large vents on the sides of the hybrid station as well as the single USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports on each side, not to mention a mic/headphone jack on the left side. The tablet itself just has a USB-C port that’s hidden when attached to the hybrid station – there’s unfortunately no headphone jack on it, even if you can connect a pair via Bluetooth.

You’ll probably notice, like I did, that the display is quite stiff. It’s so stiff, in fact, that I thought I was going to break it the first time I tried to close it (I didn’t). This is in stark contrast to many 2-in-1 laptops, where the hinge is a little too loose so the screen sometimes sags, all in the name of making it easy to fold into one of the other modes.

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Where it really sets itself apart is when you pull the display off the base. When removed, the hybrid station can still be used as a Windows machine – you just need to plug it into a monitor via one of the USB-C ports.

The keyboard is fine enough to use and the trackpad is accurate enough that no matter how you’re using this computer, you won’t feel the need to grab an external anything. I won’t say that they’re the best I’ve used on a laptop, but they do the job and don't seem to have any noticeable shortcomings.

The tablet itself is a bit bulky as you’re still holding what’s basically a 14-inch screen, though it is a sharp one with a 2.8k resolution and a 100% DCI-P3. That’s good enough for some editing work. Plus, as a touch-screen, it’s very accurate.

Besides its large size, which can be a boon for some and cumbersome for others, the only other issue is the fact that it has just one USB-C port and no input jack for headphones, even if you can connect to it via Bluetooth. At least it has four 1-watt speakers (the hybrid station has an additional two 2-watt ones for a total of six speakers in regular laptop mode).

This package does come with an easel stand and stylus to make it a bit easier to use. A quick note on the stylus, which is the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus. It’s very accurate as well as sensitive, since it has “4,096 levels of pressure and tilt detection,” not to mention the fact that it has very palm rejection. Lastly, the stylus can magnetically clip onto the back or side of this device.

• Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Performance

• Both devices are powerful in their own right
• Cross-integration between devices is unique
• Can be used as an Android laptop

Whether you use it as a laptop, tablet, or some kind of in-between cross-pollinated system, the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is fairly powerful.

The hybrid station houses all the internal components related to the Windows portion of the experience, with an Intel Core Ultra 155H CPU, 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of solid state storage. Some discrete graphics would have taken this even further, but as it is, it can handle everything this side of video games and video editing. I was able to open 15 tabs, including four streaming videos on YouTube, without any slowdown in loading or even switching between tabs. I was even able to do some light gaming, but nothing all that taxing. It is powerful enough to do some photo editing.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Benchmarks

3DMark: Fire Strike: 7798; Time Spy: NA; Port Royal: 1584

GeekBench 6.3 1702 (single-core); 10693 (multi-core)

PCMark10: 6826

Handbrake 1.8.1: 3:52

CrossMark: Overall: 1629 Productivity: 1559 Creativity: 1822 Responsiveness: 1328

PC Mark 10 Battery Test (Office): 9:55

PC Mark 10 Battery Test (Video): 5:43

The tablet with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ mobile CPU, 12GB RAM, and 256 SSD of storage is pretty powerful for an Android tablet. It has no problem playing demanding games like Real Racing. Opening a bunch of tabs in Chrome (I stopped at ten) is speedy. Really, it can handle anything you could ask of an Android tablet. It even has a 1080p front-facing and 13MP back-facing camera. The front facing camera can be used with Windows for video conferencing and the like. It also has a physical shutter – always a nice touch.

Being able to use the hybrid base station and Android tablet as two devices is pretty cool, but what truly elevates the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid past just owning a Windows and Android device purchased separately – beyond the fact that they combine like a Transformer – is how the two devices still integrate on a software level.

The main way that they interact is through the Hybrid Folder that they share. You can put files of all sorts in there and they will sync to the other device, whether they’re physically attached or not.

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There’s also Hybrid Stream, which requires the tablet to be used as the only monitor, that lets you open a window to interact with the Android OS, while still using the Windows OS. It does run at a very slight delay, but is a cool way to access some Android-specific features without having to grab a second monitor to keep toiling away in the land of Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Freestyle is an app that takes this cross-platform integration in a different direction, allowing you to mirror or extend your display, if you’re using an external one, to the tablet, basically turning into a second monitor. It’s pretty cool, though extending the display is a bit laggy. The app also allows you to share files directly between the two devices if you don't want to go the Hybrid folder route, as well as stream apps from one device to the other. Of course, the screen mirroring and extension is probably the most important functionality with this app.

Another way to use the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is by pressing the Insert button, which also functions as a way to switch between the two operating systems without pulling out the screen, meaning that you can essentially use this device as an Android laptop. And it works fairly seamlessly for navigating as long as you’re not launching apps that need you to hold the tablet in your hand, such as a video game where you’re tilting the screen.

As mentioned before, there are a lot of speakers built into this device so that the hybrid station and the tablet can both emit sound. On their own, they do the job but are fairly thin. When used as a laptop, the Lenovo will use all six speakers. It’s not an audiophile experience by any means, but it’s much louder and fuller than you generally get with laptops. There’s still a small amount of hollowness, probably due to the fact that all the speakers are pretty small.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Battery life

• Up to ten hours of battery life in hybrid station
• Tablet has about eight hours of battery life

The battery life on the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is not going to wow anyone. But considering the unique form factor on display here, getting ten hours of use is pretty good, not to mention that the tablet itself can go eight. That said, it only got about ten hours in the PC Mark10 Office Battery test. In the PC Mark 10 Battery Test focusing on video, the results were five hours and 43 minutes. Depending on how you use it, you might not get a full day’s worth of battery without charging back up.

Since it can be charged via USB-C, it can charge back up relatively quickly. It’s worth noting that the tablet will keep itself charged up when docked to the hybrid station.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid?  Buy it if…

You use both Windows and Android devices

This was tailor-made for those that use Windows laptops and Android tablets. While that might not be a lot of people, the execution here is good enough that it’s worth considering.

You want something different

Even if your computing life doesn’t revolve around Android and Windows, if you’re looking for a different computing experience, this is about as unique as it gets.

You want a sharp, vibrant display

The OLED touchscreen here, even without considering the fact that it’s a tablet, looks very good and is certainly a pro for the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on any kind of a budget

At its lowest price, it might be cheaper than getting a top-of-the-line Ultrabook and Android tablet, but it’s still out of reach for many. When it’s not discounted, it’s not worth it to anyone.

You don’t use Android

If you’re not big into tablets or use iPads, this product is not worth it. If you’re looking for something unique, you’re better off considering the dual-screen Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.

Also Consider

If our Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

If you want a different computing experience, but don’t care about the tablet portion of the device reviewed here, consider the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i instead. It’s a similar price, but comes with two OLED panels that can be used in portrait or landscape mode, giving you the ability to double your screen real estate in laptop form.

Read our full Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

Sometimes a more classic form factor is the right way to go. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) has excellent performance with a long battery life, is a great looking laptop that’s incredibly lightweight, and doesn’t come with a learning curve to make the most of it.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review

How I tested the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid

• Tested for four weeks
• Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
• Tested the hybrid features

I used the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid for four weeks, doing some light gaming, watching some online content, and working on it. I used it in its various forms, whether as a laptop, tablet, Android laptop, or attached to an external monitor. I spent some time with its features as well, most notably the hybrid ones that are unique to this device.

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is an interesting machine as it’s for a very select group of people who use Windows laptops and Android tablets and are looking for a way to invest in one machine that can cover both needs.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

• First reviewed February 2025

For more Lenovo devices, we've reviewed and rounded up the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops.

Sony HT-SF150 review

If you’ve decided it's time to upgrade your sub-par TV audio, but don’t want to lose your life savings, the Sony HT-SF150 could be your ideal low-budget solution. This super-slim 2.0 channel soundbar aims to supply “punchy bass without compromising detail and clarity”, simple connectivity and cinematic virtual surround sound – but does it get the job done?

Well, let’s kick things off by talking about setup. It really doesn’t get much easier than this: simply connect your soundbar via HDMI ARC or digital optical, plug it into a power outlet and you’re away. I selected HDMI ARC mainly because it allows you to adjust the soundbar’s volume with a standard TV remote – pretty handy.

After getting the Sony HT-SF150 all set up, I got straight into testing its audio capabilities. I’m happy to report that it fared very well for a soundbar that’s often available for less than its already cheap $129 / £99 / AU$194 list price. I didn’t encounter much tinniness or distortion, even at medium to high volumes – something I’ve experienced with a lot of cheap soundbars. Speaking of volume, this thing can get surprisingly loud, in part thanks to its 120W power output, which is considerably higher than what some of the best cheap soundbars offer.

(Image credit: Future)

Staying with sound, I was impressed by dialogue clarity when using the Sony HT-SF150. For instance, I watched the movie Smile on Netflix and, when two women were speaking in an isolated room, the vocals were super clear and each character’s tone sounded natural. When listening to a podcast, I could switch to Voice mode using the included remote, which really brings speech to the forefront and presents it in a crisp, clear-cut manner.

In addition to Voice, there are Standard, Cinema, Music, Night and Auto Sound modes. That last mode tunes EQ depending on what content you’re consuming, though sometimes I still needed to do this manually.

Another glowing aspect of this soundbar’s performance is the effectiveness of Sony’s S-Force Front Surround virtual processing, which endeavors to emulate “cinema-style surround sound.” That may be a bit of a stretch for a soundbar with no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, let alone any sub or rear speakers, but, while watching The Boy and the Heron, I was struck by the soundbar’s ability to accurately map the heron’s flight as he soared across my screen and then towards me. You won’t get incredible verticality or room-filling expansiveness here, but the HT-SF150 certainly outclassed my TV’s efforts.

(Image credit: Future)

One area where a lot of standalone soundbars fall flat is bass output – it can be hard to muster a meaty boom without a dedicated subwoofer – especially in a budget model like this. And although the HT-SF150 won’t rock your world with mesmerizing low-end output, it still plates up decent bass. This model includes a built-in bass reflex speaker, which gives a leg up to deep tones and makes it ideal for movies or video games with dark or ambient scores.

When playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, I was met with impressive depth as the protagonist Cloud faced oversized mechanical monstrosities with thumping footsteps and ground-shaking attacks. I would’ve liked an option to raise bass levels manually to really enhance low-end output, but you won’t get that, unfortunately.

In some places, this game includes speech from the main cast, chatter from background characters or enemies and music from its grandiose soundtrack. This exposed a slight weakness in the Sony HT-SF150 – it sometimes leans into a slightly muddied presentation. When there are several layers to balance out, you may experience some business in the mid-range. There’s no abrasiveness or harshness to endure, just a bit of bloating that can leave some details under wraps.

(Image credit: Future)

You’re probably not expecting perfectly separated, ultra-detailed audio, so for the most part, the HT-SF150 performs well in this department. But sound isn’t the only positive part of this model, I also loved its design. Really, this soundbar looks a lot more premium than many of its budget counterparts. It has a beautiful leather-like finish on top, classy onboard buttons, and an attractive wraparound speaker grille.

The included remote is slim with well-sized button controls and a premium feel. Unfortunately, some features can only be triggered by repeatedly pressing certain buttons on the remote, which can be a bit confusing unless you consult the user manual.

The only frustrating aspect of this soundbar's design is its LED display. As with competitors like the Panasonic SC-HTB100, this thing just uses small lights to indicate volume and sound mode alterations or when it’s in Bluetooth mode. This works fine, but I do prefer a more visual display with letters and numbers – something you get with the Majority Elias, for instance.

(Image credit: Future)

Back to the positives, though. I found this soundbar to be pretty feature-rich given its price-point. For example, you can toggle Dolby Dynamic Range Control, which makes Dolby Digital audio easier to hear at lower volumes. There’s also multiplex broadcast sound and USB connectivity available. One key feature is the inclusion of Bluetooth 4.2, which enables you to connect your phone to the soundbar and play music.

Musical performance wasn’t amazing over Bluetooth – breathy vocal details in I Want You by Moloko weren’t very audible and could sound a bit lost in the overall mix, even when listening in Music mode. However, the low-end kick in the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy was commendable and the depth and rapid decay of the drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X also stuck out to me. This soundbar is up to the task if you just want to listen to some tunes in the background, but it won't impress audiophiles or compete with some of the best soundbars.

Overall, the Sony HT-SF150 is a very solid budget soundbar with a broad feature set, generally clear-cut dialogue, considerable power, and an elegant design. For the price, it’s fantastic value and while it’s not without its flaws sonically, it can be trusted to offer a leg up to some of the best small TVs and even some more premium models. So, this soundbar is definitely worth bearing in mind for those on a budget, but if you’re a little short on space, the mini Hisense HS214 is an awesome alternative. Those with a bit more cash may also want to consider one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for mind-blowingly good spatial sound.

(Image credit: Future) Sony HT-SF150 review: Price and release date

• $129 / £99 / AU$194
• Launched in 2018

The Sony HT-SF150 is available in the UK and has an RRP of £99. In the US and Australia, the model has a slightly different name – the Sony HT-S100F – and a list price of $129 / AU$194. But I bring great news…this soundbar is often available for a fair amount less. I’ve often seen it sell for less than $100 / £90 / AU$180, which makes it an incredibly low-priced option. It may not be the newest soundbar on the market, but it’s compatible with all modern TVs thanks to its use of HDMI and digital optical connectivity.

Sony HT-SF150 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Sony HT-SF150? Buy it if...

You’re working with a tight budget
This soundbar is available at an excellent low price, making it fantastic for anyone on a tight budget. It may have a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$194, but it’s available for even less than this fairly regularly – that’s phenomenal value for money.

You want to keep your set-up looking classy
One of the best things about the Sony HT-SF150 is its high build quality and looks. A lot of budget soundbars have a tendency to lean into a plasticky, cheap-looking aesthetic – but not this one. Even if you have one of the best TVs, this soundbar won’t appear out of place on your unit.

Don't buy it if...

You want surround sound
If you want truly expansive surround sound, you’re going to have to keep looking – you won’t find it here. This Sony soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X (or Virtual:X) – meaning you won't get a next-level spatial impression. And of course, it’s a standalone 2.0 channel soundbar – there’s no sub or rear speakers included.

You’re looking for premium audio quality
For the most part, the Sony HT-SF150 delivers clean audio quality, with clear dialogue and impressive volume. But if you’re seeking truly premium audio, this soundbar won’t cut it. If you want booming bass, tightly controlled highs and super-rich mids, you'll need to stretch your budget a bit further. An all-in-one soundbar that offers all of these things and I can confidently recommend is the Sony HT-S2000.

Sony HT-SF150 review: Also consider

Hisense HS214
The Hisense HS214 is one of the best budget soundbars in the land. Why? It’s super compact, supplies clear dialogue and even has a built-in subwoofer – all for less than $100 / £80. Its small size means this Sony soundbar might produce a wider, more expansive impression, but if you’re short on space, the HS214 is a top alternative. Read our full Hisense HS214 review.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
Another solid compact option is the Amazon Fire TV soundbar. It’s not the most elegant-sounding option on the market, but audio is decent for the price and we found this soundbar super easy to use. Again, there's no Atmos or surround speakers included, but it's still a budget rival worth considering. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.

Sony HT-SF150 review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Connected the soundbar to the Hisense U7K TV at home
• Used the HDMI ARC connectivity option

For one week, I had the not-so-arduous task of testing the Sony HT-SF150. During this time, I used HDMI ARC to connect the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – which already has solid built-in audio.

While testing, I viewed a variety of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the PS5 to assess the soundbar’s gaming capabilities. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the SF150 and trialed Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to judge the quality of the soundbar’s Music mode.

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

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a Bluetooth speaker that does exactly what it says on the tin. It blasts onto the scene with booming bass output, high volume levels and blaring LED lights – this thing is by no means subtle! And at $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99 it’s by no means cheap, either – so let’s find out if the Boom 2 Plus is worth the cash.

It only seems right to start with the main attraction: bass. With BassUp 2.0 activated you’re going to get deep pumping low-end output, ideal for genres such as EDM or hip-hop, and for occasions such as house parties. Without it, you may find that bass is a touch underwhelming, so it’s worth toggling it on for when you really want to ramp up any low-frequency audio. Still, I didn’t find the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus could offer quite as ground-shaking bass as the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.

All-round sound quality is up-to-scratch, too. I found mids and highs to be clear and free of tinniness – a big relief. On top of that, there’s a nine-band EQ so you can get a more neutral sound if that’s what you’re after. The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus isn’t going to supply the phenomenal attention to detail that some of the best Bluetooth speakers can offer, but it does include the AAC codec this time around, so it's a little better for Apple users in particular.

This speaker comes with a nice set of features, all of which can be accessed via the free-to-download Soundcore app. You can pick from preset or custom EQ calibrations, toggle BassUp, and alter light settings. The LED lights attached to the side of the speaker can sync up to audio output for a more immersive listening experience, and watching them rumble as the speaker pumps bass is highly satisfying.

The lights were one of many features already included in the original Anker Soundcore Boom 2. Now, don’t get me wrong, the standard-sized model is a decent budget option, but the Boom 2 Plus is an upgrade in almost every way. You get more power – as much as 140W for hitting high volumes – a more curved, quality-looking design, and a strap for carrying the speaker over long distances.

But the Boom 2 Plus isn’t without its drawbacks. Of course, its far more expensive – yet still only has the IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it still lacks a dustproof score. On top of that, the Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2, with just 20 hours on offer. Now, that’s not too bad, but considering rivals like the Earfun UBoom X can muster 30 hours, you may be left wanting more.

But overall, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still an adept party speaker. You’re getting plenty of bass and plenty of ways to personalize both its sound and appearance. If you can grab it at a cut-price, I’d argue it's an option well-worth considering, but unfortunately there’s some really stiff competition in this price range. And if you’re able to stretch your budget a little bit further, I’d recommend going for the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 instead, which ultimately packs more of a punch and better protection against the elements.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Price and release date

• $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99
• Launched in May 2024

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is significantly pricier than the standard Boom 2 model, coming in with a list price of $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99. That’s compared to the usual Boom 2’s launch price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$219.99. I’ve spotted it on sale for around $200 / £170, though, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain.

This 2024-issued model is available in a number of color options – all of which cost the same. The colorways available to you are: Adventure Green; Explorer Green; and the variant I tested, Phantom Black.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Features

• Nine-band custom EQ
• Customizable LED lights
• 20-hour battery life is decent, but nothing special

In terms of features, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is almost identical to its standard-sized sibling. Button controls enable you to toggle on the low-end-boosting BassUp option, sift through light show settings and pair to a second speaker via PartyCast 2.0. And once again, there’s a USB-C port which enables the Boom 2 Plus to become a power bank.

If you download the Soundcore app, however, you get access to even more features. The standout is EQ adjustment, which grants access to a nine band equalizer and a small selection of presets: Soundcore Signature, Voice, Treble Boost and Balanced (as well as BassUp). I would maybe have liked to see a few genre-specific options, but there’s still plenty of customizability here.

The app also lets you personalize the Boom 2 Plus’ lights remotely. There are six effects available: Flash, Flame, Lightning, Scan, Cyclone and Bounce. On top of that, you can play around with a color wheel to get an even more tailored look to the speaker’s LEDs. The lights are on passive radiators which rumble violently during bass-heavy tracks, and this was enjoyable to watch, especially in dark rooms. They sync up to sound output, which makes for an immersive audiovisual experience, but if that’s not to your taste, you can switch them off entirely.

One benefit of going lightless is that you’ll save some battery life. And that might be useful, because the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2. That’s a little disappointing and given rivals such as the Earfun UBoom X can serve up an impressive 30 hours, its fair to say this speaker’s battery life is a bit unimpressive. 20 hours is by no means bad, but it’s worth noting that BassUp – like the lights – will contribute to faster drainage.

One thing you do get over the standard edition, however, is an aux-in port, which enables wired listening – pretty neat. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on Bluetooth 5.3, which is plenty good enough, and there’s also Google Fast Pair for a speedy setup.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Sound quality

• Booming bass with BassUp 2.0 on
• But won’t offer massively sophisticated all-round audio
• Impressive volume levels thanks to max 140W power output

Just by hearing this speaker's name, you probably know exactly what you’re going to get here. And if you guessed big, booming bass – congrats, you were right. Well, that is if you have BassUp 2.0 turned on – without this bass isn’t actually that impactful for a speaker of this size. But don’t get me wrong, having BassUp 2.0 on will definitely mean the low-end soaks up most of the limelight. For a party speaker, though, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When tuning in to Favorita by kryptogram, I was impressed by the speaker’s bass output with impactful, deep drum kicks instantly grabbing my attention. Similarly when listening to a house track, Dasha - Tour Maubourg Remix by Fusion Affair, the speaker showcased solid low-frequency response, with dominant, pumping bass. When I threw on Diva Bonita by bbno$, the track’s imposing sub-bass came through with authority, something that you’ll miss out on from a lot of cheaper models.

When I put the Boom 2 Plus next to the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, however, I did find the latter offered considerably weightier power in the low end – even with its XBass feature turned off. Of course, that model is a little more expensive, but if you want ultimate bass performance, I’d recommend it over this Soundcore speaker.

Regardless, the Boom 2 Plus can get very loud. That’s in part thanks to its high maximum power output of 140W – 100W of which comes from the two 50W woofers, with the remainder stemming from the speaker’s dual 20W tweeters. Pair that with the Boom 2 Plus’ competence in the bass department and you’re looking at a speaker that’s primed for parties or outdoor events, where you want to power through excess noise.

If you want a speaker capable of delivering a highly nuanced listen, though, this isn’t a top option. Sure, you get AAC this time (meaning any tracks played in AAC on a compatible device will be played without conversion or other inteference – most notably for Apple Music users on Apple devices) rather than SBC (the standard Bluetooth codec) alone, and there’s a nine-band equalizer that can help you tune a more balanced sound – but I still found there was a lack of detail, particularly in the mid and treble frequency range.

When listening to I Want You by Molko, I wasn’t struck by a true-to-life cymbal crash or particularly natural-sounding, breathy vocals. The speaker also wasn’t highly capable of managing this track’s densely layered mix, so you may want to turn to a model like the Edifier D32 if you’re looking for stronger instrument separation.

Of course, that’s not something this model has to excel in. Ultimately, this is designed to be a party speaker that leans into its low-frequency talents and it does that well. Also, even if they’re lacking a bit of detail, mid-range and treble frequency sounds rarely sound tinny or harsh, even at higher volumes. I also found that I could get a fairly balanced sound profile out of this speaker after turning BassUp off in Soundcore Signature and slightly tweaking EQ.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Design

• More curved, premium looking design this time out
• Still only IPX7 rated
• Eye-catching LED lights

In terms of looks, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a huge upgrade on its standard-sized sibling. It’s less stubby and blocky looking, now donning a wider, more curved look. On top of that, the metallic speaker grille has a more premium feel and appearance, creating a far cleaner aesthetic overall.

Of course, much has remained the same – the LED lights on the side of the speaker are still bold and vibrant – they can also sync up to bass output for a more immersive listening experience. And the button controls on top of the speaker are again well-proportioned, clear and responsive.

But with this speaker’s added length comes added bulk – meaning Anker has had to make a change here. That’s right: this model comes with a strap included, which can be attached to hooks on the handle. This is pretty basic; there’s no shoulder pad or anything, but it’s still a nice addition if you’re going to carry the Boom 2 Plus over longer distances. This is also welcome as the Boom 2 Plus is more than twice as weighty as the standard model, coming in at 8.4lbs / 3.8kg – though this is still fairly lightweight overall.

Something that, perhaps disappointingly, has remained much the same, though, is this speaker’s ingress rating. Like the standard Boom 2, this is IPX7 rated. Now, the positive here is that the speaker can be submerged in up to a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes – something we’d expect from all of the best waterproof speakers. It's floatable too if you want to take it into the pool with you, for instance.

The bad? This thing skips on a dustproof rating again, meaning it might not be the best beachside companion. If you want a more rough and ready model, look for the IP67 rating, which a ton of competitors have, including the fantastic Bose SoundLink Max.

But enough moaning. I did like the small rubber tab on the reverse side of the Boom 2 Plus. Simply flick this up or down and you get access to the USB-C charging port – which can be used to charge the speaker or external devices – as well as the aux-in if you want wired listening.

I was also a fan of the multiple color options available. You can grab the Boom 2 Plus in Phantom Black, Explorer Blue or Adventure Green – all of these look neat and are discreet enough to bring out the best of light features in dark rooms.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Value

• Considerably more expensive than standard model
• But does offer improved audio and design
• Unfortunately rivals offer better bang for your buck

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has a list price that’s almost double that of the standard model. So, with added price, you’re going to expect a massive improvement. Do you get that? In many ways, yes. I would argue that this model is far better looking and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has bassier, cleaner audio. If you want an all-out party speaker, it’s no contest – the Boom 2 Plus is far superior.

At the same time, you get a smaller battery life and there are some lingering issues such as the lack of a dustproof rating. Perhaps a larger problem for the Boom 2 Plus, though, is that it’s sitting in an awkward spot price-wise. If you go cheaper, you can grab the Earfun UBoom X, which also packs plenty of bass, as well as highly customizable audio. And if you can push your budget just a little more you can get the mighty Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which is a top-tier party speaker in my book – it can also double up as a karaoke machine if you’re into that kinda thing!

In its own right, though, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still a solid Bluetooth speaker and plenty good enough to keep the party moving. If you can get it for less than $200 / closer to the £150 mark, it’s a model well worth considering. Nonetheless, there is some stiff competition, which can’t be ignored.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus? Buy it if...

You want a bass-heavy party speaker
If you want a Bluetooth speaker for house parties or events, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has you covered. With a maximum power output of 140W and BassUp feature for booming low-end output, you’re certainly going to keep your guests entertained.

You want a lightweight option
Some boombox-like speakers can be heavy. Really heavy (I’m looking at you Tribit Stormbox Blast 2). But much like the standard model, the Boom 2 Plus bucks that trend, coming in at 8.4 lbs / 3.8kg. Combine that with the included strap and this speaker is pleasingly easy to take with you on the go.

Don't buy it if...

You want premium all-round sound
If you want a nuanced, supremely separated sound, this speaker isn’t for you. With the right tuning, you can get clear, decently balanced audio, but still, you’re not going to uncover the finest details.

You want a speaker that can brave any environment
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus skips on a dustproof rating, meaning it’s not totally primed for all outdoor environments. There are a ton of options with the coveted IP67 rating, but you can go a step further with the LG XBoom Go XG8T, which actually has military-grade protection against the elements.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Also consider

Earfun UBoom X
Like this Anker speaker, the Earfun UBoom X won’t offer the most detailed, revealing sound quality. But it does still pack quite the low-end punch, has some integrated LED lights and a wired connectivity option. The real win is that this model has a 30 hour battery life and super-low price for a speaker of its size, making it a very viable candidate to be your next party speaker. Read our full Earfun UBoom X review.

Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
I’ll keep it simple: the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is one of the best portable party speakers money can buy. It’s only a bit more expensive than this Anker model, but has superior bass output, more playtime and an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating. It doesn’t get much better than that. Read our full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested over the course of one week
• Mainly used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly listened to tracks via Tidal

I listened to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for hours at our music testing facility at Future Labs. I blasted a bunch of tracks from my own music library alongside tunes from the TechRadar testing playlist, which we use to assess audio performance across a variety of genres. I connected to the Stormbox Blast 2 with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and mainly listened to songs via Tidal.

Further to this, I played a podcast episode on Spotify and watched video content on YouTube in order to assess vocal clarity across different platforms. When appropriate, I used the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 to compare elements like sound, design and ease of use.

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

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

If your priority is to stay safe, there are two good reasons to choose G Data Total Protection: its twin malware detection engines. G Data combines its own engine with Bitdefender’s, which is also a reliable performer, helping to keep those detection scores high.

It’s better known in its native Germany than in the UK, which is why it isn’t tested so widely; the UK-based SE Labs doesn’t test G Data, and even in AV-Test (based in Austria) we had to go back to February 2023 for results, where it provided 100% protection.

AV-Comparatives is based in Germany and unsurprisingly covers G Data much more frequently, and here it provided a strong set of scores, albeit not the best. Most recently, it returned a solid 99.6% protection rating with eight false positives. That’s just short of the clean sweep we saw last year, but if you’d spent the past 12 months using G Data then it’s very unlikely you will have experienced a malware infection.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s no shortage of scan options if you’re concerned. You can run or schedule a full malware scan, or scan specific files or directories, your computer’s memory and startup processes, removable media, and also check for rootkits. Other options under Virus Protection allow you to access quarantined files or burn a bootable rescue image to a CD or USB drive.

G Data Total Protection’s features haven’t changed in any major way since last year’s review, which is both good and bad. For example, it’s good that you’re prompted to install a plugin for Edge, but you’ll find references to Internet Explorer scattered throughout the G Data suite. Indeed, parts of the application feel oriented towards Windows operating systems that have been end-of-life for years, and include extra features that cater to older PC hardware configurations. Discontinued browsers, apps and web services appear in configuration settings and additional software tools, though the disk defragmenter at least automatically excludes drives that it detects to be SSDs. You can override this, but we strongly advise against it.

As we observed last year, the parental controls include an option to block all SSL sites, otherwise known as most of the modern internet. They otherwise work as you’d expect, but that’s still not as helpful as Microsoft Family Safety, unless you’d rather not create Microsoft accounts for your children. G Data’s password manager is particularly poor, minimally documented, and still only has plugins for Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Use a dedicated password manager instead.

G Data is quirky but effective when it comes to malware protection (Image credit: Future)

More sensibly, as many people are still on modest internet connections and need as few delays to their downloads as possible, only downloads of up to 10MB are checked by the G Data Web protection tool by default. The files will also be checked once they’ve been downloaded, but if you’ve got a fast PC and internet connection to match, you might want to disable this option.

G Data’s firewall is simple and easy to work with, and its default autopilot is hassle-free. The backup tool supports differential and incremental backups of any selected files and folders, on the schedule of your choice, to physical media, a network location or a synced storage drive.

Unexpectedly, if you’re in the UK, G Data will be sold to you in US dollars, which means $50 for a one-device subscription, $66 for three devices and $82 for five devices. Whether you buy from a third-party retailer (good luck) or from G Data directly, there are no hidden price hikes after the first year of subscription, which is a real strength compared to its rivals.

(Image credit: Future)

G Data Total Security is the premium version of the company’s antivirus software, available on Windows and macOS, with iOS and Android apps to go with it. However, we actually recommend that you buy G Data Internet Security ($40) instead, as this gets you the powerful antivirus engines, plus the firewall, quarantine, cross-platform protection and parental controls – without the performance tuning and encryption tools, or the clunky password manager. You miss out on the device access controls and backup tool, which is one of the best we’ve seen built into an AV suite, but let’s not forget that Duplicati is free.

In truth, we still find the client’s old-school looks rather endearing, and love all the little touches – such as USB keylogger detection and the ability to include only some of the security suite’s features at install time – but it could do with updates for the Windows 11 era (and Windows 10 era), particularly when it comes to its privacy tools.

Nonetheless, G Data provides straightforward, effective and inexpensive protection against malware and other threats to your system, making it one of our favorite security suites, despite its quirks.

We've also rated the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

The Framework Laptop 16 defies categorization. It’s a gaming laptop, unless you decide not to choose discrete graphics, in which case it’s a productivity workhorse.

Even then you have decisions to make. Which keyboard? Should you choose a number pad? Perhaps an RGB macro pad? What about spacers, ports, storage? This is simply the most customizable laptop I’ve seen.

There are two drawbacks, starting with the price. But all the various input options, expansion choices and graphics swaps make specifying the Framework Laptop 16 a complicated matter. For PC Pro readers familiar with the inner workings of PCs this won’t be a problem, but Framework is hitting the point where you need a degree of expertise or you could make a costly mistake.

(Image credit: Future)

Start with the basics

As always with Framework, you can either build the laptop yourself – and bring your own OS – using its DIY Edition, or opt for a pre-built model. The former starts at £1,399, the latter at £1,699.

If you opt for pre-built, you have three options: Performance, Performance Pro (which, for an extra £50, includes Windows 11 Pro) or Overkill for £2,099. Both Performance models have the same core spec of an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Overkill ups the ante with a Ryzen 9 79440HS, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

Framework sent us its £1,749 Performance Pro configuration, but with the Graphics Module containing a discrete AMD Radeon RX 7700S chip, which adds £400 to the price.

So our test system costs £2,149, but that’s before adding any extras. As part of the price, you get six USB expansion cards to slot into the six bays built into the side of the chassis, and if you stick to USB-A or USB-C you won’t pay any extra. Want HDMI, a DisplayPort, microSD card or an audio jack? Those cost an extra £10 apiece. And if you want Ethernet you’ll pay £30 more. You can also order storage expansion cards, with 256GB (£45) or 1TB (£125) options available. In short, this is a smorgasbord of a laptop for you to kit out as you wish.

Choose carefully, though. You can only charge from the back four ports, while only three of the six ports support display output. And USB-C works in any port, but only the back two allow full USB 4 speeds.

It’s possible to replace and repair every part of this laptop yourself (Image credit: Future)

Key decisions

At this point, it won’t surprise you that the choice of keyboard and touchpad modules on the Framework Laptop 16 depend on you. Your choices, however, must include a keyboard module, touchpad module and spacers, with the possibility of a number pad, macro pad and LED Matrix spacer as extras.

Framework expects you to work out where to put the keyboard. It could be central, with two spacers on either side. Or perhaps you’re left-handed and would prefer to put the number pad there. Just as importantly, if one of these parts dies, it’s easy to replace.

There are a load of options to pick from, and Framework is happy to sell them to you. An RGB backlit keyboard – US English only, for now – costs £50. A number pad module is £39, while an RGB macro pad is an extra £79. This macro pad offers 24 programmable RGB backlit keys that you can configure how you like in software.

(Image credit: Future)

And there’s more. While black spacers for the keyboard come standard, you can switch to orange, grey or lavender for £5 a pop. Or go wild and buy the LED Matrix design for £39 each. The downside of this modularity is that there are seams; while everything is guided by magnets and fits snugly, you can see where the modules and spacers are separated.

The keyboard and macros are controlled by the open-source software VIA, and while Framework uses a simplified, browser-based version, there’s still a learning curve. Framework needs to work on this: it should be far easier to program the RGB macro pad, for instance.

My other gripe is about the keyboard. Framework says the keys offer 1.5mm of travel, but they were too mushy for my taste. If only Framework offered a ThinkPad-like keyboard option.

The choice of keyboard and touchpad modules is up to you (Image credit: Future)

Upgrade ability

While shuffling around the Framework’s modular input mechanisms is easy enough, actually getting into the device is harder than on the Framework Laptop 13. After removing all of the input modules, you have to pull a cable in the metal plate, helpfully labelled number 1. From there, you can use a T5 screwdriver (one comes with the laptop) to remove 16 captive screws labelled 2 to 17.

Our pre-built model came with a single 512GB M.2 2280 SSD installed. If you want to add another, there’s room for a smaller M.2 2230 SSD underneath. The DDR5 memory is upgradable, as is the battery and, in theory, the motherboard (this is also your route to future CPUs). The other upgrade is the GPU, but at the moment the Radeon RX 7700S is your only option. I’d like to see Nvidia get involved, but Framework is making no promises.

You can also buy the laptop with both the Graphics Module and the Expansion Bay Shell. The idea is that if you want to travel lighter, you can swap the shell with the graphics module. However, it’s a trickier process than it should be.

Frequent travelers will probably make the effort, though, as even without the Graphics Module the laptop weighs 2.1kg. With it, that goes up to 2.4kg, and the height at the back increases from 18mm to 21mm.

You can buy a pre-built Framework Laptop if you prefer (Image credit: Future)

Speed boost

Framework’s 16in anti-glare display comes with a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel, and it performed well in our technical tests. It covers 75% of the DCI-P3 gamut with a peak brightness of 485cd/m2and an average Delta E of 0.21. There’s also an anti-glare coating, which is better for work than for games or watching films.

Still, when I started testing with one of my favorite games, Control, it looked great. The game features a lot of red lighting, which looked bright and vibrant on the Framework Laptop. The pair of speakers sound good, too, only lacking in bass.

As for speed, I started at 1,920 x 1,200 on High settings with medium ray tracing presets, where the game ran between 40fps and 48fps but with several stutters. Cutting ray tracing and dropping to Medium settings kept me more reliably above 50fps, albeit again with a few hiccups. The fans were spinning loudly during gameplay, keeping the system cool.

Those aren’t great results, especially compared to laptops with an RTX 4070 – which now cost less than £1,500. For example, on Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s highest settings, the Framework reached 86fps at 1080p and 49fps at the panel’s native resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. An RTX 4070 system scored 104fps and 60fps respectively.

It’s a similar story for productivity performance. Although the Ryzen 7 7840HS is a fine processor, with eight high-performance cores and 16 threads, a glance through these pages will review cheaper laptops that outperform it. Bearing in mind this is a laptop with gaming skills, however, it was great to see battery life of 8hrs 49mins in our web-surfing test.

(Image credit: Future)

Final word

While I have my criticisms of the Framework Laptop 16, then, it’s obvious in so many ways that this is a company with ethics at its heart. That stretches to the 1080p webcam, which produces good detail and colours but also features a switch next to it that turns it off. There’s another switch for the microphone, too.

Then there’s its approach to materials: the cover is made from 75% post-industrial recycled (PIR) aluminum, the bottom cover is 90% PIR aluminum, shipping is fully carbon offset and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Framework is setting the standards for other to follow.

While the Framework Laptop 16 isn’t for everyone, it offers tech enthusiasts the chance to build their dream laptop – provided that the dream involves a 16in screen and all-AMD parts.

We've also rated the best monitors for gaming.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

D-Link is aiming to take surveillance in new directions with its DSS-200G series of Layer 2 switches, which are designed to power the latest IP cameras and provide automated recovery services. This family of four switches is headed up by the 28-port DSS-200G-28MPP, which has a punchy power budget of 518W and offers support for 90W 802.3bt PoE services.

We reviewed the DSS-200G-28MP model, which sits on the rung below and offers a more modest 370W power budget with 30W 803.2at services available across all 24 gigabit ports. Both have four pairs of unpowered copper and fiber dual-personality gigabit ports for uplinks to a network video recorder (NVR) or server.

The switch can power any PoE-compliant device, but D-Link has focused primarily on surveillance usage. It incorporates 6kV surge protection circuitry to shield external cameras against lightning strikes.

One common feature of the DSS-200G series is the block of five DIP switches at the front, which are used to hard-set certain features. The first switch sets an ingress priority function so packets entering port 1 have the highest priority while those incoming on port 24 have the lowest.

The second switch enables a PoE extend mode on the first eight ports. This overcomes the 100-metre PoE cable length limitation by allowing powered devices (PDs) to be placed up to 250 meters away but, in common with all PoE extenders, it drops speed to 10Mbits/sec.

The third switch activates an isolation function so packets incoming on a “controlled” port will only be forwarded to a designated uplink port. This is a handy security feature; it means that if an IP camera is compromised, the intruder can’t gain access to any others attached to the switch.

The D-Link DSS-200G-28MP provides a power budget of 370W (Image credit: Future)

Next up is D-Link’s PD-Alive function, which pings the IP address of a device to check availability and, if it doesn’t respond for a specific time, will reset its PoE services and send out notifications, although for traps, only the less secure SNMPv2 is supported. Lastly, the fifth DIP switch enables STP, which uses redundant paths to restore connections due to a link failure.

Two management modes are available, and selecting the standard option from the quick start wizard presents a web interface with access to every switch feature. From here, you can configure all Layer 2 functions, create surveillance and voice VLANs, assign one of three PoE priorities to each port and enable the global ONVIF service so all compliant IP cameras are discovered and placed in a separate VLAN.

The surveillance mode presents a completely different interface with a smart graphical topology view showing all ports and attached devices. After we connected three D-Link PoE IP cameras, they were identified and automatically assigned icons with the correct model photo.

The two web consoles include a graphical view for monitoring functions (Image credit: Future)

Add non-D-Link cameras and, as long as they’re ONVIF-compliant, the switch assigns a generic camera icon but won’t identify their make or model. Devices such as our Netgear Wi-Fi 6 APs were simply classed as “other” but, in all cases, PoE services can be manually recycled to force a remote reboot.

The graphical theme continues with the console offering a filtered view showing only IP cameras along with their IP addresses and power consumption. You can keep a close eye on total power consumption and switch stats from the surveillance overview page, set schedules to control when power is provided to selected ports and configure the PD-Alive function on individual ports instead of using the fourth DIP switch.

The web console is mainly concerned with surveillance functions and offers greatly reduced access to switch settings. This isn’t a problem, though, as you can swap back to the standard mode if you need to tweak something and then return to surveillance mode.

The DSS-200G-28MP is a worthy contender for business surveillance duties as it offers plenty of smart IP camera management and monitoring features. Value looks good, too, as it includes a generous PoE budget, but you’ll need to focus on D-Link’s IP cameras to get the best from it.

We also rated the best secure smartphones.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

SMBs that want a cloud file-sharing service that snaps neatly into their existing workflows will love Box, as it offers more app integrations than most of its rivals – over 1,500 in fact. Even better, admins can control which third-party apps are to be made available, and users can browse and install them directly from their personal web portal.

There’s a lot more to Box than that, however. It’s packed to the gills with collaboration tools: along with the obligatory cloud file-sharing and syncing services, it provides facilities for issuing file upload requests to external users, strong access controls for shared files, Box Preview for viewing and editing files in a browser without downloading them, Box Relay for automating repetitive tasks and Box Notes for taking real-time meeting minutes.

The new Box Canvas adds an extra sharing dimension that allows you to create secure virtual whiteboard sessions. Users can access this from their web portal, start sessions, invite other users and employ a selection of templates as well as drawing and editing tools to create interactive meetings, training sessions and more.

Box provides free iOS and Android mobile apps (Image credit: Future)

Box is available in five plans, with the Business Plus on review starting at three users and costing £20 each per month when billed annually. It enables a 15GB maximum file size, a 50-file version history, includes initial access to ten app integrations and gives value a big boost by offering unlimited cloud storage.

User onboarding is swift and they’ll find the web portal very easy to use. It opens with an overview of all their files and folders, and shows the most recent documents across the top. The left menu bar provides one-click access to all tools including Notes, Relay and Canvas.

When sharing content with team members, users can apply one of seven access permissions, ranging from viewing only to full editorial rights, and receive notifications when anyone accesses them. Box Collections is a smart feature that allows users to organize files, folders and web links in personal logical groups in their web portal without having to create new shared folders for them.

Install the local Box Drive app from the portal’s Sync page and you’ll receive a mapped drive with quick access to cloud files. You can mark any for offline access so they’re downloaded and stored locally and changes made are synced back to the cloud when internet access is restored.

Microsoft Teams users will find the Box app a worthy addition. We added it to our Teams desktop app and, after logging into a Box account, it presented an interface that’s a near-perfect replica of the web portal.

Box Insights keeps admins appraised on all file activity (Image credit: Future)

Business Plus supports unlimited external collaborators – people outside your organisation that are invited to work with you on shared files. They require a Box account to access them, but this isn’t a deal breaker as when we shared a file using an email address outside our account domain, the user was prompted to create a free Box Individual account, which provides 10GB of cloud storage and a 250MB file upload limit.

There are no such limitations on file upload requests, as external users don’t need a Box account for this. Users select a folder, create a file request, paste the web link into an email and send it to the recipient, who drags the required files into the web page to send them.

Box Business Plus delivers a superb range of cloud file-sharing and collaboration tools at a price that is sure to appeal to SMBs. It supports an incredible range of app integrations and tools, delivers strong access controls and neatly amalgamates everything into a well-designed web portal.

We've also ranked the best customer relationship management software for small businesses.

Anker Laptop Power Bank review

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is designed to charge large devices on the go, thanks to its high 165W output, large 25,000mAh capacity, and convenient extra features. For such a heavy-duty battery, the Anker Laptop Power Bank does a good job of remaining slender, although it’s as weighty as you might expect it to be. It’s also quite thick, so certainly better stored in your bag than in your pocket.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is very well built, with every material and panel feeling solid. The screen has hardly any flex either, so I would be confident in it withstanding normal wear and tear.

This display provides various readouts, including those for temperature and wattages for each of the four outputs, which is more than some of the best power banks offer. It’s a shame, however, that it only covers a small area – smaller than the physical size of the screen would lead you to believe, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.

As a result, some figures can appear quite small. This can lead to misreadings when, for instance, charging the bank itself; since it gives the battery percentage to two decimal places, 10% can look like 100% when you glance at it from afar.

It features one USB-C and one USB-A port, both located on the side. This might seem like a strange placement, but the Anker Laptop Power Bank has an ace up its sleeve – two, in fact.

This is because it comes with two inbuilt cables. One loops round into its own clip, creating a makeshift carrying handle (which Anker condones; it can withstand over 20,000 bends), while the other is retractable, with the jack end connecting magnetically to the base to keep it tucked away. This keeps cable clutter to a minimum, as well as saving you the trouble of bringing your own.

Both cables feel very durable and thick, as do the strain reliefs at the base of the jacks themselves. However, they’re flat and rectangular rather than round, which means that they tend to twist themselves when you go to use them, but I only found this to be a minor inconvenience.

The charging performance of the Anker Laptop Power Bank is good. All three USB-C outputs can deliver up to 100W, and Anker claims an M3 MacBook Pro or an iPhone 16 can charge to 50% in about half an hour each. While charging, the display also usefully tracks the output wattage in real time.

I managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G in about two hours, which is an admirable performance. More impressively, though, the battery only dipped to about 50% – which means you might just be able to get two full charges out of it – and replenishing its battery from 0% to 100% took just 90 minutes.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank can also charge four devices simultaneously, with the power output dipping to a maximum of 130W. There’s also a trickle charging mode for devices that only need low currents, such as smartwatches and earbuds.

For $99 / £89, the Anker Laptop Power Bank represents good value, considering its power, versatility, and convenience. If you’re a power user who travels with large devices, you likely won’t be disappointed with the Anker Laptop Power Bank as your companion.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Laptop Power Bank review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Laptop Power Bank? Buy it if…

You have large devices
All three of the Anker Laptop Power Bank's USB-C outputs can charge at 100W, which is more than enough for many modern laptops and tablets.

You're forgetful
The two integrated USB-C cables, one of which doubles as a carrying handle, are handy additions if you regularly forget to bring your own.

Don't buy it if…

You want something light
At over half a kilo, the Anker Laptop Power Bank isn't exactly light. The thickness means you probably can't carry it in your pocket either.

You're not a power user
The 165W output and 25,000mAh capacity are probably overkill if you're only ever going to charge your phone and other small devices.

Anker Laptop Power Bank: also consider

Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)
As the best power bank for power users, the Anker Prime has the output and capacity for serious demands, eclipsing the Anker Laptop Power Bank on both fronts. It also features similarly detailed readouts. However, it has three outputs rather than four, it’s marginally heavier, and doesn’t have any inbuilt cables. But if power is your primary concern, you can’t do much better than the Prime.

Amazfit Up: One-minute review

The Amazfit Up earbuds feature an open-ear design, making them a great choice for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music. This makes them particularly popular for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor runners, and anyone who struggles with traditional in-ear or over-ear designs.

But these earbuds take a different approach. While many of the best open-ear headphones rely on ear hooks that go over the top of your ear or neckbands for stability, the Amazfit Up earbuds "clip" onto the edge of the ear instead. This isn’t unique to Amazfit – other brands, most notably the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, have used a similar design, along with various budget-friendly alternatives.

However, the Amazfit Up buds could be a game-changer for those who find ear-hook designs uncomfortable, especially if you have thick hair or wear glasses (I’ve personally had trouble with them for both of these reasons).

Another key selling point is price. Amazfit, owned by Zepp Health, is known for its budget-friendly fitness smartwatches, like the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro, which we praised for covering the basics at an affordable price – though not without its drawbacks. The Amazfit Up follow a similar pattern.

Open-ear earbuds can be pricey, with brands like Shokz and Bose offering premium options that require a serious investment. And since open-ear listening isn’t for everyone, spending that much can feel like a gamble. The Amazfit Up buds offer a more affordable entry point, though, as with most budget-friendly devices, compromises are inevitable.

Read on to find out what I thought after three weeks of testing the Amazfit Up – and whether budget-friendly buds can deliver without cutting too many corners.

Amazfit Up: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Priced at $49.99 / £44.99
• Released in late 2024
• Cheap compared to rivals – but competition is mounting

The Amazfit Up earbuds launched in late 2024 with a price tag of $49.99 / £44.99. At the time of writing, there’s no official pricing or release date for Australia.

This price makes them an incredibly budget-friendly option – not just among open-ear designs but among wireless earbuds in general, even compared to those in our best budget wireless earbuds guide.

For context, our current top pick for open-ear earbuds, the Shokz OpenFit, cost $179.95 / £179.99 / AU$289, making them significantly more expensive. While the Shokz model does have a more premium build and better sound quality, fit is subjective. Personally, I found the Amazfit Up more comfortable for my ears, making them an outstanding value prospect.

Some other earbuds with a similar clip-on design – where the buds attach to the edge of the ear rather than sitting in, over, or around it – are priced much higher. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which we rated highly in our review, are often considered the gold standard for clip-on earbuds but come at a steep $299 / £299 / AU$449.95. The Huawei Free Clip, another alternative, is also pricier at $212.37 / £169.99.

That said, the market for affordable clip-on earbuds is growing. Models like the JLab Flex Open and Anker Soundcore C30i are priced similarly to the Amazfit Up, offering more competition in the budget open-ear space.

So while the Amazfit Up is a strong contender at this price point, it’s not the only budget-friendly option. However, considering what it offers, it stands out as a great value – though it’s worth keeping an eye on the increasing competition in this space.

Amazfit Up: Specifications Amazfit Up: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• A clip-on design
• Incredibly comfortable and light
• Exterior looks a little cheap

The Amazfit Up earbuds feature an open-ear design often described as “clip-on.” While this term is becoming more common, I find it a little misleading since there’s no clamping or tight pressure involved.

Each earbud consists of a main housing that sits behind your ear, connected by a small curved band to a spherical speaker that rests lightly in your ear’s concha, just above – but not touching – your ear canal. While this design isn’t unique, it’s a clever take on open-ear audio, allowing sound to play close to your ears while keeping your ear canals free for situational awareness.

Unlike many earbuds that create pressure points over time, these distribute their lightweight 5g-per-bud so evenly that I barely noticed them, even after hours of wear. In fact, they’re some of the lightest, most comfortable earbuds I’ve tested – and I’ve tested a lot. That’s rare for me to say, as I usually experience some level of discomfort with most headphones. After wearing these for a while, everything else felt heavy in comparison.

For me, this design wasn’t just more comfortable – it was also far more practical. The area behind my ear, where many other open-ear buds sit, is already occupied. If I’m not wearing contacts, my glasses rest there. I also have thick, long hair and often wear hats, especially when running. This is why ear-hook designs tend to get in the way for me, and why the Amazfit Up felt like such a great fit.

(Image credit: Future)

For everyday use, they were ideal for walking and light jogging. While I wouldn’t trust them for intense activities like sprinting or inversions during yoga, they stayed more secure than I expected during running, especially compared to ear-hook designs.

Visually, they’re… fine. The textured design isn’t particularly sleek or premium-looking. A friend pointed out that they resemble a 1990s Star Trek: The Next Generation gadget, and I can’t unsee it now – especially with the small red light and ridged details adding to the sci-fi aesthetic. That said, once they’re on, all you really see is the sleek black band, which I actually loved.

The earbuds are IPX4-rated, meaning they can withstand light splashes, sweat, and rain. That’s fine for casual workouts, but some fitness-focused earbuds offer better water resistance, so it’s something to consider if you plan to use them in tougher conditions.

The charging case is compact and functional, but feels a bit flimsy. While it does the job, it doesn’t seem particularly durable, so it’s worth handling with care.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Amazfit Up: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Multi-point connectivity
• Connects with the Amazfit line of smartwatches
• 24 hours battery in total: 6 from the buds, 18 from the case

The Amazfit Up earbuds come with a decent range of features, though there are some gaps. One of the most notable omissions is the lack of an app, which is frustrating for those who like customization options. However, they do support voice assistants, including Zepp Flow and other phone-based assistants.

For controls, Amazfit has opted for actual buttons positioned behind the ear. I really appreciated this, especially for fitness use. A tactile button makes a huge difference – especially when your hands are sweaty, cold, or tired. These buttons allow you to adjust volume, play and pause music, skip tracks, answer or reject calls, and wake up your voice assistant. There are multiple input methods – single, double, and triple-taps, as well as a press-and-hold gesture. While the positioning behind the ear isn’t the most intuitive at first, I found the controls to be responsive once I got used to them.

One standout feature is multipoint connectivity, which is rare for budget buds and something even the Shokz OpenFit (our top open-ear pick) doesn’t offer. I connected the buds to two devices simultaneously, my Macbook Air and my iPhone, and the connection was seamless between them both.

Amazfit claims that the Up earbuds integrate well with Amazfit smartwatches, though I wasn’t able to test this firsthand. If you already own an Amazfit watch, this could be a nice bonus.

For calls and noise reduction, Amazfit advertises an “advanced AI algorithm” designed to reduce background noise, particularly wind. While I could still make calls outdoors, and they performed better than expected in windy conditions, the call quality was just okay – my voice sounded slightly muffled and distant according to the person I was calling. For casual use, they do the job, but if you rely on earbuds for frequent calls, you’ll likely want something with stronger microphone performance.

Battery life is decent but not outstanding. You get 6 hours per charge and a full 24 hours in total with the case too, which is lower than some competitors. For comparison, the Bose Ultra Open buds offer 7.5 hours per charge, while the Shokz OpenFit buds deliver 7 hours per charge and 28 hours total. So while the Amazfit Up holds its own, it’s not leading the pack.

• Features score: 3.5 / 5

Amazfit Up: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Decent clarity and crispness
• Volume and bass okay considering the design
• Only a little noise leakage

Open-ear earbuds aren’t designed for premium, immersive audio, especially at the budget end of the market. But I was pleasantly surprised by the way the Amazfit Up sounded – design and price considered.

Since they play audio just outside of your ear canal rather than sealing sound in, they naturally lack some punch, particularly in the bass. That said, there’s still enough low-end presence here to keep workouts energized, and I found the overall sound to be really enjoyable. Vocals come through well, instruments in the higher range are crisp, and the treble is clear – though occasionally a little on the sharp side. The soundstage has an expansive feel, making tracks sound open rather than compressed.

Compared to pricier alternatives like the Shokz OpenFit Air, the clarity isn’t quite as refined, but the difference isn’t huge, especially considering the price gap. Volume levels are decent here, though not the loudest. Then again, the whole point is you’re meant to be able to hear your surroundings, so what could be a negative with other designs is a plus here.

One thing I noticed was a slight vibration at times, which is common with this style of earbuds. Noise leakage is also expected, but in my testing, it was minimal. At about three feet away, people could detect a faint sound but couldn’t make out what was playing. Only those standing very close could actually hear the music, but even then, it wasn’t intrusive. So in the past, I wouldn’t have recommended this design to take from say a run to the office, but unless you’re used to strict silence, these can multi-task.

Ultimately, you’re not getting top-tier audio or ANC here, but that was never the point. Instead, for casual listening, workouts, and walks, the Amazfit Up buds deliver a surprisingly solid, well-balanced sound for the price.

• Sound quality: 3.5 / 5

Amazfit Up: value

(Image credit: Future)

• Excellent value for money
• Cheap compared to rivals – though there is competition
• A good way to try this design

The Amazfit Up earbuds offer excellent value for money, delivering a surprising combination of decent sound quality, excellent comfort, and good features at a budget-friendly price.

While open-ear designs typically come with compromises, the fit is a standout feature, making them far more comfortable – especially for those who struggle with ear-hook designs, many of which are significantly more expensive. They also seriously undercut premium clip-on competitors like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds while still offering a solid listening experience.

That said, the market for affordable clip-on earbuds is growing, with brands like JLab and Anker offering similar designs at comparable prices. While competition is likely to increase, the Amazfit Up still holds its own as one of the best budget-friendly open-ear options we've tested. If you’re looking for an alternative to ear hooks without spending a fortune, they’re well worth considering.

• Value: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Amazfit Up? Buy them if…

You want open-ear earbuds but dislike ear hooks
A great alternative if the more common ear hook design don’t work for you. Ideal for those with long or thick hair or who wear glasses.

You have a clear reason for open-ear buds
If you dislike the feeling of blocked ears, need to stay aware of your surroundings, or worry about external noise, these are worth considering. Otherwise, there are better options.

You’re on a budget
They’re not the cheapest buds we’ve ever tested, but they’re significantly more affordable than most open-ear rivals – perfect if you’re unsure about this style and don’t want to risk it.

Don’t buy them if…

You need ultra-secure buds
They’re more secure than expected, but they don’t match the stability of sports earbuds with fins or more robust ear hooks.

You’re unsure about the style
They offer good situational awareness and decent sound, but their unique design won’t be for everyone.

You want a premium look, feel, and sound
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds may cost significantly more, but they offer better sound, a sleeker design, and an app for customization – something the Amazfit Up lacks entirely.

Amazfit Up: Also consider

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a good shout if you don’t have a budget to consider and you’re pretty convinced by the open ear form factor. They look sleek and deliver some excellent sound, all things considered. It does feel like a risk at this price though, so you’ve been warned.
Read our full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review

Shokz OpenFit
If you like the idea of open-ear headphones but aren’t a fan of the clip-on style and want top-tier sound quality, the Shokz OpenFit are our top pick, featuring a comfortable ear-hook design. Alternatively, you might prefer the Shokz OpenFit Air, which we found to be even more comfortable during our testing due to their improved design.

Read our full Shoz OpenFit review

Sony LinkBuds Fit
If you’re here because you want sporty buds and don’t want to risk the design of these, then consider the Sony LinkBuds Fit. They sound good and are from a brand we trust to deliver, but we also recommend them as they’re incredibly comfortable – likely to appeal to those who haven’t liked in-ears in the past.

Read our full Sony LinkBuds Fit review

How I tested the Amazfit Up

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for three weeks
• Tested at home, in a cafe, at the gym and outside in all sorts of weather conditions

I used the Amazfit Up open ear buds for three weeks before writing this review, and that involved listening to music and watching streamed movies. This gave me a good opportunity to trial them in a range of different environments and all sorts of situations.

Throughout the testing period, I used the Amazfit Up alongside my iPhone 14 Pro via Bluetooth. Streaming was done via Spotify and Mubi.

I listened at home, whilst travelling on a train, working in a cafe, working out at the gym, running along the beach and in the countryside and walking outside in all sorts of weather conditions.

I've spent the past 12 years testing a wide range of headphones and earbuds, particularly those designed for fitness. I have a keen interest in tech that emphasizes comfort and user-friendly design.

• First reviewed in February 2025.

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Roborock Saros 10R: two-minute review

The Roborock Saros 10R is one of Roborock's 2025 flagship models, and proof if we needed it that robot vacuum cleaner innovation is advancing at a truly blistering pace.

Yes, the Saros 10R is expensive ($1,599.99), but that's the price you'll pay for any premium robot vac, especially when it's from one of the best robot vacuum brands around; Roborock is well known for consistently pushing the envelope of robot vac design, innovation and reliability.

This new flagship model can be considered a direct successor to the popular S8 MaxV Ultra and is available in two variants, the Saros 10R I'm reviewing here, which is equipped with a new type of Solid-State LiDAR that doesn't require a turret, and the cheaper Saros 10 which uses a retractable turret.

All you really need to know is that the Saros 10R is squat enough to zip under furnishings just 8cm in height while sporting a gorgeous looking mirrored glass dock, oodles of suction power, revolutionary StarSight LiDAR navigation and mapping, plus a fully integrated mopping system with full self-cleaning facilities.

If you have a cluttered home with a complex layout, lots of furniture and a surfeit of messy kids and pets in tow, this is the model – this autonomous household helper does pretty much everything but make the tea. That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Saros 10R review.

(Image credit: Future) Roborock Saros 10R review: price & availability

• List price: $1,599.99
• Launched: February 2025
• Available: US

Although robot vac prices have generally dropped in price while offering far more tech for your money, the very latest premium models will always cost in excess of a grand, at least for the first few months of their shelf lives. That's certainly true of the new Roborock Saros 10R which retails at an eye-watering $1,599.99.

Yes, there are other high-end bots out there that offer generally similar performance to the Saros 10R – the Dreame L40 Ultra for instance – but I haven't come across another model that does quite as much as this one, including its ability to negotiate the deeper recesses of the home.

The Saros 10R launched in February 2025 and is available in the US only. As of writing, it's not expected to make it to UK shores – it does, expect it to arrive around March 2025. Assuming it's roughly the same price in pounds as it is in dollars, it would be around £1,290.

If you live in the US, you can purchase the Saros 10R direct from Roborock, or via Amazon. Best Buy also sells Roborock robovacs, so it may also become available there.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R specs Roborock Saros 10R review: design

• Impressive vacuum and mopping features
• Extremely stylish mirrored dock
• Expert navigation, mapping and obstacle avoidance

Most robovacs these days are equipped with a LiDAR turret that protrudes about half-an-inch above the body of the bot. This not only makes the robot look a bit ugly but, more than that, it prevents the bot from passing under low-slung furniture like cabinets and some sofas and beds.

By stark contrast, this stunning, black-only hybrid model from Roborock eschews a turreted LiDAR in favour of a flush, newfangled solid-state LiDAR navigation system (as opposed to rotating LiDAR, where the laser beam rotated 360-degrees). This not only takes navigation performance to a whole new level, but also allows the robot to venture beneath furniture with just an 8cm gap to the floor.

In fact, at just 3.14" (7.98cm) in height, the Saros 10R is the first robot vacuum I've ever tested to make it under my TV cabinet with just one millimetre of clearance. What's more, having a robot vac with no LiDAR turret means no more issues of a spinning LiDAR module sticking on a loose strand of pet hair – it happens. And of course, it also gives the unit a much more sleek and stylish appearance.

Navigation features

Aside from raw suction power and overall cleaning performance, a robot vac is only as good as its navigation system. As alluded to above, the majority of modern robots use two-dimensional LDS (Laser Distance Sensor) LiDAR and it serves them well. However, Roborock has thrown that book out of the window and has equipped this model with StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, a Dual Transmitter Solid-State LiDAR system that offers '3D Time-of-Flight scanning of the home for expert navigation around and under low-lying furniture, and enhanced mapping by capturing detailed height and depth information'. I'll take that, whatever it means.

The Saros 10R also features front-mounted RGB and infrared cameras for high-resolution visual recognition, side-mounted VertiBeam Lateral Obstacle Avoidance for moving around irregular-shaped furniture, walls and unfurled cables, and a front-mounted LED headlight for improved navigation in dark spaces. There is also another infrared camera and transmitter on the rear, plus the usual array of downward-facing drop sensors to stop it from falling down a flight of stairs, no matter which way it's facing. (Here's more on how robot vacuums navigate.)

To give you some idea of how far ahead of the game this robot's LiDAR system is, Roborock says that its 3D StarSight LiDAR system produces over 21,600 sensor points as opposed to standard two-dimensional LDS LiDAR, which produces just one. Consequently, this potpourri of navigation systems makes the Saros 10R ideal for cluttered homes with irregular layouts, a surfeit of furnishings and a lot of obstructions like toys, shoes and other household items. As of writing, the Saros 10R's obstacle avoidance system can recognise up to 108 household objects.

Bot design

That's Roborock's pioneering navigation system out of the way, so let's take a look at the mechanical stuff starting with this model's suction power. According to Roborock, this model sports 20,000 Pascals of 'HyperForce' suction power and that's about as strong as it currently gets (the upcoming Eureka J15 Max Ultra will apparently offer 22,000Pa, but that's the highest we've seen). It means its suction will reach deep down into medium and deep-pile carpet, removing a lot of obstreperous dust particles in the process. This model also includes a feature called DirTec that automatically increases vacuum power whenever heavy soiling is detected.

I should point out that raw suction power alone isn't the be-all and end-all of a vacuum cleaner's performance, since much of the work is also performed by the brush roller. And I think Roborock has nailed it with its DuoDivide anti-tangle main brush – a rubber two-piece corkscrew design that shuffles pet hair towards the centre where it's instantly sucked into the robot's slightly larger-than-average 270ml internal bin. This brush head will also raise by a few centimeters when heading to and from the dock to avoid any unnecessary contact with the floor.

Along with the main brush bar, the Saros 10R is also fitted with an anti-tangle side sweeping brush that pops out of the side by a couple of inches so it can reach into corners and around furniture legs. This side brush also lifts when not required, like when on carpet.

(Image credit: Future)

Like the Roborock Qrevo Curv I reviewed a few weeks ago, the Saros 10R can negotiate thresholds, small steps and floor-mounted tubed furniture legs up to 0.39 inches (1cm) in height. However, the Qrevo Curv's chassis can raise much higher so consider that machine instead if you have tall thresholds.

I'm personally not a big fan of robot vacs that also wet mop the floor, but that seems to be the 'in' thing these days, especially when it comes to the mid-to-upper range of robot vacs. Sure enough, this one comes with a full bells-and-whistles mopping system.

Like most modern hybrid robot vacs, the Saros 10R uses twin spinning mop pads for cleaning hard floors and, like the Qrevo Curv and some Dreame bots, the right-hand side mop articulates outwards for edge cleaning along skirting boards and around furniture legs. Similarly, the mops lift by 10mm when traversing carpets. However, since the mops are attached magnetically, they can also be left in the dock whenever the robot is assigned to a vacuum-only task so that there is zero chance of a damp mop running over even the shaggiest of rugs and carpets.

You get three levels of water flow with this model's mopping system – low, medium and high – but I would suggest sticking to low if used on wooden flooring. Furthermore, I can't vouch for the safety of using this model – or any other hybrid bot for that matter – if your floors are made from delicate laminate since thin laminated flooring is easily warped if water seeps into the joins. (Here's more on how to clean hardwood floors.)

Like the vast majority of Roborock robot vacs, this one also offers its own built-in voice control, if that is your wont. What's more, the voice control continues to work even if your internet system is offline. Alternatively, you can program it to respond to Google Home and Amazon Alexa prompts. Likewise, the robot itself has a voice and it will often pipe up to let you know what it's doing before and after a task, including announcing when it's about to empty its bin into the dock's larger dust bag.

All robot vacs I've tested have either used Chinese or American-accented voices, which is fine. However, with this model – indeed all Roborock models – there's also the option to download British-accented voices (male or female) which makes ownership in the UK a little more personalized (if this model ever arrives in the UK…).

(Image credit: Future)

As if you haven't already absorbed enough details for one day, the Saros 10R also provides some cool tech for your pets. For instance, you can remotely drive the robot around like an RC car or select Pet Search and it will look for your dog, cat or gerbil and take a picture of it. You can also use its built-in microphone and speaker to chat with your furry friends, but I would practice this first while you're at home in case they freak out the first time you use it remotely.

Dock design

I recently wrote a feature on robot vac innovations I'd like to see and chief amongst these was a request for better looking robot docks that you wouldn't mind having in the sitting room if space elsewhere was limited. By bizarre coincidence, this model arrived a week later sporting a cleaning dock embellished with a tempered glass front fascia replete with a stunning black mirror finish that reflects its surroundings – especially wooden floors – so well that you hardly notice it sitting there. Thank you Roborock.

At 18.7" (47.5cm) in height, 15" (38cm) in width and 19" (48.8cm) in depth (if you include the ramp), the Saros 10R's charging and self-cleaning dock isn't especially small, so you will need to find an adequate spot to locate it with several inches of space on either side so the bot can dock without difficulty.

(Image credit: Future)

Like most modern hybrid robovacs, the Saros 10R's dock will automatically empty the contents of the robot's small 270ml bin into its much larger two-liter dust bag every vacuuming session and sometimes mid task if requested to do so in the app.

For the mopping system, it comes with two water containers – 3 liters for clean water and 3 litres for the dirty stuff – which you will have to attend to from time to time by simply emptying the dirty water into a sink or toilet and topping up the other tank with fresh water. This model also comes with a detergent dispenser that can be filled with your own choice of hard floor detergent, though Roborock, like any floor cleaning product manufacturer, will naturally advise against this so you're persuaded to buy their own brand.

(Image credit: Future)

There's no shortage of sci-fi tech in this dock when it comes to cleaning the mops. On returning to the dock after a mopping run, the dock's scrubbing mechanism washes both mops using hot water at a very effective 176F (80C). If its intelligent dirt detection system senses excessive dirt in its cleaning tray, it will rewash the mops to ensure near perfect cleanliness for the next session. It will then proceed to dry the mops using wafts of warm air at 131F (55C). When it's time for its next mopping mission, the dock will automatically fill the robot's small water reservoir with warm water for improved stain removal.

Some docks I've seen also come with a self-cleaning feature that injects water into the mop tray. However, in most instances you need to get down on your knees with a brush to help move the dirty water towards a suction tube. By contrast, the Saros 10R's self-cleaning system does it all for you by scrubbing the tray in hot 176F (80C) water before porting the dirty stuff up a small pipe positioned at the rear. To activate the self-cleaning function, simply go to Dock Settings in the Roborock app and select 'Self-Cleaning for Cleaning Tray'. I should add that it's worth checking the cleaning tray from time to time to remove any excessively large pieces of debris that are sometimes collected by the mops and the robot's brush rollers. The two-part tray is easily cleaned with a brush and some hot tap water.

If you have a smart modern kitchen and you like your appliances to be fully integrated, you can also request this model as a svelte plumbed-in version that automatically fills the fresh water tank while emptying the contents of the dirty water container into a drainage outlet.

• Design score: 5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R review: performance

• Industry-leading navigation
• Great vacuum performance
• Excellent dock functionality

There's a lot to get into on the performance front here, so I've broken this section up into sub-sections. I'll start with that pioneering navigation, then look at obstacle avoidance, vacuuming performance (including the results f our suction tests), mopping performance, and finally dock performance.

Navigation performance

As mentioned above, the Roborock Saros 10R uses StarSight to navigate, an innovative system comprising a turret-free LiDAR, front-facing RGB and infrared cameras, and all sorts of other sensors to help it maneuver through even the most complex of floorspace layouts.

I've had it running for the past few weeks and at no point has it failed to find its dock or simply stopped mid-task for no reason. Mind, that's been the case with most Roborock models I've reviewed. Its mapping is exemplary and you can watch it all unfold in real time on the app's map screen.

Like a whirling dervish, it trundles off on its mapping run – an advised process when using it for the first time – and completes the task with impressive speed. In fact it took just five minutes for it to map my open-plan living space comprising five different areas. Yes, it merged two areas together as one room but even that was easy to rectify, simply by going into the app and dividing them into two separate rooms.

One of the most common anomalies with LiDAR-equipped robot vacs is their refusal to punch through a bed or sofa valance. This is because LiDAR treats a fabric valance as a solid boundary. Well I'm pleased to say that the Saros 10R is the first LiDAR-equipped robot vac I've ever tested that's capable of penetrating the valance on my lounge sofa.

Rather confusingly, it doesn't do it every time it's vacuuming the lounge so perhaps it's something to do with its angle of approach at the time. That's the thing with robots; they sometimes behave in mysterious ways. Either way, I'm very happy with this discovery.

(Image credit: Future)

I also tried to replicate a threshold using books but the Saros 10R isn't designed for anything much higher than 0.39 inches (10mm). Unlike the Roborock Qrevo Curv, which scaled the same book experiment like an off-road tank, the Saros 10R made an attempt to ride over the books but then thought better of it and retreated. Hence, if you have tall thresholds up to 1.5" (4cm) in height, Roborock's Qrevo Curv model would be a better bet.

Obstacle avoidance

Most robot vacs I've tested haven't been that great at small obstacle avoidance, especially when the objects have been less than an inch and a half in height. Sure enough, the Saros 10R at first refused to recognize one specific obstacle – a one inch-high nylon dog bone that's been too low in height for most robot vac's cameras and obstacle sensors to detect. Like the majority of bots, it basically rode over the bone and then struggled to extricate itself by moving hither and thither while one of its wheels raised the whole unit up in the air at a cock-eyed angle.

(Image credit: Future)

I checked the Roborock app to see if I'd missed a setting and, lo and behold, I discovered that I hadn't activated the 'Pet' option that 'recognizes and avoids pets and their waste with precision'. I remember seeing this option when I first set it all up but the 'avoids pets' explanation sounded unnecessary to me, since most pets are larger in size than any small obstacle. So I originally left the option off. In hindsight, I think this function in the app needs to be amended to just say 'avoids pet waste' to circumvent any confusion, because once I'd activated it the Saros 10R became a different beast altogether.

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, it consistently avoided said bone every time I dropped it in its path. Sometimes it would avoid it by about six inches and other times come perilously close but deftly work its way around it. I should add, however, that it may not clean as closely to the object when the pet option is selected. Swings and roundabouts spring to mind. Would I rely on this model to reliably avoid all pet waste all the time? No way, José. I've been down that road already and don't wish to go there again.

Vacuum performance

The Saros 10R vacuums like a trooper and comes with five power bands – from Quiet to Max+. I have my test model set between Max and Max+ since I see no reason to select anything less, given that the bot has enough battery to complete an entire sweep of my home in either of these modes. And besides, even if it were to run out of juice it will simply return for a full recharge – which takes about two and a half hours – before heading out again to complete the task.

Unlike non-LiDAR robots like those from iRobot, this model vacuums in a systematic pattern that makes a lot of sense, especially when you're watching it work. I also like the way the side brush pops out of the casing whenever the robot approaches a corner. It does a fine job of flinging debris into the path of the roller brush. This brush also lifts off the ground when the robot is vacuuming rugs.

Aside from its generally excellent suction performance, a quick shout out to the developers for coming up with such an effective two-piece corkscrew-shaped brush roller because at no time has any pet tangled on it. Instead, any hair is cleverly coaxed towards a centre gap between the rollers and into the mouth of the suction area. In this regard, I can wholeheartedly recommend this model as one of the best robot vacuums for collecting pet hair.

For my hard floor vacuum test I scattered raw oats, flour and half a crushed Hobnob biscuit and set it to clean a small zone in the kitchen using the Max setting and two passes for good measure. As expected, the robot disengaged its mops in the dock and headed straight to the specific area I drew on the map. It duly sucked up all the larger pieces of detritus but did leave traces of flour in the floor seams.

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So I reprogrammed the test, this time using Max+ mode and it collected a bit more flour than before but still left some evidence in the cracks. I personally don't consider this a fail because no robot I've tested has ever completely removed flour from the joins in my wooden flooring. And anyway, in the real world one wouldn't rely on a robot vac to perform a one-off sweep of a specific area when you should, by rights, have a cordless stick vac to hand.

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Test two involved the same ingredients on the medium pile rug I have in front of the dogs' beds, with the Saros 10R set to Max+ mode and two passes. Aside from some light evidence of flour on the rug that was easily finished off by the Dreame R20 stick vac I recently reviewed, I still rate this test a success. I was especially impressed with the way it moved both vertically and laterally across the rug to ensure full coverage.

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(Image credit: Future) Mopping performance

As I've mentioned above, I'm not a fan of mopping robots, mostly because I'm lucky enough to have a cordless wet-and-dry hard floor cleaner which I find is more than enough for occasional mopping duties. Nevertheless, the industry seems to have decided that mopping is what people want so, along with observing its bi-weekly mopping runs, I also put this model through a specific mopping test in the kitchen.

Using a hotchpotch of wet ingredients – soy sauce, syrup and a teaspoon of milk – and a pre-set zone routine in the app using the low water setting, the Saros 10R's dock filled the unit's small onboard water container with a mix of warm water and detergent, and primed its two spinning mops. It then trundled off to its predetermined zone.

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(Image credit: Future)

Well blow me down with a feather if it didn't clear the floor of all evidence in a single sweep. This really impressed me because I at least expected to see a smear of syrup. That's a fine result in my book.

Dock performance

I've only had one minor issue with the dock and it occurred directly after a family Christmas with five dogs and three cats in attendance. Once everyone had gone home, I unboxed the Saros 10R and set it to work in the lounge. This room hadn't been swept for three days and the Christmas tree had dropped a lot of pine needles.

Cutting to the chase, the unit duly swept up as well as anyone could reasonably expect from a high-performance model of this nature but when it proceeded to dump the contents of the robot's bin into the dock's large 2-litre dust bag, the hair clogged up the works. A quick check of the robot's bin showed an enormous conglomeration of pet hair and pine needles protruding from the bin's outlet port and another clump that had blocked the inlet tube leading to the dock's dust bag.

I should add that every robot I've tested has had at least one issue like this – and even my Dyson Gen5detect has jammed up from time to time – so I put it down to rare circumstances and a combination of matted pet hair and pine needles. I'm personally not sure if the Saros 10R's dock suction is as strong as the Qrevo Curv's because it sounds quieter, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, I'm very pleased to report that the dock has experienced no further problems during the past four weeks I've been using it.

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In terms of self cleaning the mops, it did them well enough in my opinion given the amount of muck on the floor. However, I would always advise removing them and giving them a good scrub under a hot tap with some washing-up liquid for good measure. By the way, I especially liked the way the dock cleaned the mops' tray using water and a revolving mechanism to sweep the dirty stuff towards a small rubber suction tube.

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Although Roborock advertises up to seven week's worth of floor matter collection before its dust bag requires binning, I am having to change the bag every three weeks – but then I do have a large menagerie of furry creatures. Hence, I'd like to see some bigger dust bags going forward.

In conclusion, I have been really impressed with this robot vac's overall performance and I find it hard to give it anything less than five stars in this category. It's just so reliable and efficient at the tasks it was designed to do.

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R review: app

• User friendly
• Superb customization
• Impeccably clear maps

Judging by the Reddit forums, I'm not the only one to think that the Roborock app is the best on the market. This app is just so customizable, intuitive and informative to use. Firstly, it produces a highly detailed map of the home with evidence of every nook and cranny. And you can edit the map to your heart's content, whether that's dividing or merging rooms, or adding keep out zones and virtual barriers. Aside from being able to create an endless range of timed schedules, you can also assign specific zones you want cleaned on a frequent basis, and save them as routines that appear on the home screen for convenience.

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The app also offers something called SmartPlan as an option when cleaning. This feature supposedly weighs up the tasks it's previously performed and adjusts its cleaning method accordingly. Hence, if, say, the robot mopped the kitchen yesterday it might avoid doing it today. I personally leave it off since I don't want it doing anything I don't want it to do.

This app also features a full smorgasbord of custom features, including settings for floor cleaning, the dock, the robot's reactive obstacle avoidance, maintenance, remote viewing, robot settings, the list goes on. Furthermore, each menu you select brings up a range of individual tweaks with explanations that you could spend many happy hours fiddling with.

• App score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Saros 10R? Buy it if...

You want unbridled efficiency

This bot performs all tasks with consummate skill.

You want hands-free operation

The Saros 10R's self-cleaning features are a key selling point – the dock will not only empty the dust cup and wash and dry the mop pads, but clean itself too.

You need versatility

This bot is designed for complex environments – layouts with a mix of floor types and lots of obstacles.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

The Saros 10R is expensive with a capital E. And while the premium features and tech help justify that asking price, if you don't need the very latest tech then there are plenty of options that'll do a very good cleaning job for a lower price.

You have very tall room thresholds

While the Saros 10R is pretty good at getting over raised thresholds, it's not as good as the Roborock Qrevo Curv.

You don't require a mopping function

Mopping (and the related mop dock functions) bump up the cost of this model considerably, so if you're not fussed about that then look for a vacuum-only model and save some cash.

How I tested the Roborock Saros 10R

I received my test model of the Saros 10R just before Christmas and set it up before the New Year 2025. For the following month I ran different daily schedules in both vacuum and mopping modes. It has been one of those robot vacs that just gets on with the job without making a song and dance about it.

However, for purposes of this review, I also put it through three specific TechRadar tests involving both vacuuming and mopping just to make sure it was as efficient as it seemed. As you will have read, it sailed through everything without any major hiccups. I should add, however, that that was the least I expected from a brand which has a reputation for producing great gear that just works.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

• First reviewed February 2025