TechRadar Reviews

KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine two-minute review

In a crowded market where there are so many fantastic coffee machines, the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine stands out by being one of the better-looking options on the market. Not only does it look premium, but it feels it too. This machine is solidly built, and the supplied accessories including the removable bean hopper, porta filter and tamper, have a decent amount of weight to them, further adding to the overall premiumness of the machine.

It’s available in a range of colors, but I feel my review unit in Porcelain (white) will be the easiest to match with kitchen decor (although I have to admit taking a fancy to the Juniper green, too).

If you want to get hands-on with your coffee-making process, it makes the process easier by way of a flat-bottom porta filter that I think should become customary on all coffee machines of this type. This design choice is a stroke of genius, giving you a far greater ability to apply a good amount of tamping pressure, essential for extracting a good shot of espresso.

While it does have ‘semi-automatic’ in its name, this only really applies to the amount of coffee grounds it will dispense into the porta filter. You decide how much that is, the grind size and, if you want milk with your coffee, that’s a manual process too.

Figuring out the optimal settings for your personal taste will, therefore, require some trial and error, but if you’re considering buying a coffee machine like this one, that’s likely something you’ve already considered and are happy to get involved with.

Some assistance is given, such as an ideal window of pressure shown in a pressure gauge, so you’ll know if you’ve put the right amount of coffee and applied the right amount of pressure when tamping. Once you’ve completed these steps, the KitchenAid Semi-Auto produces a wonderful shot of espresso. Taking all of this into account, I consider it to be one of the best bean-to-cup coffee makers.

It’s not short of competition in terms of price and features, and there are other models that offer greater usability, such as smart tamping and dosing systems — the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch, for example. Despite that, I think it’s competitively priced and can regularly be found with a discount, which only adds to its value.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: Price & availability

• Launched in 2024
• List price of $699.99 / £699 / AU$899
• Often available with a discount

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine launched worldwide a couple of years ago in 2024. It remains on sale today and more often than not, for the same price as when it launched. With a list price of $699.99 / £699 / AU$899, it’s fairly priced, but is arguably better value in Australia if you take direct currency conversions into account.

This KitchenAid machine is relatively light on features, offering just the basics of at-home coffee making, in the form of an integrated burr grinder, steam wand and hot water spout. In terms of price, it’s not short of competition, but some price-comparable alternatives offer more in the way of features.

These include the Breville Barista Express (Sage Barista Express in the UK) for $699.95 / £629 / AU$599, the Ninja Luxe Cafe with a price tag of $599.90 / £549.99 / AU$799.99 and the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo costing $699.95 / £499 / AU$649. In Australia, it gains another competitor in the form of the Sunbeam Origins Sense, which is now regularly available for under AU$700.

All offer a built-in grinder, varying levels of customization and a built-in steam wand. The Ninja and De’Longhi machines are able to produce cold-brew coffee, for example, something not on the KitchenAid’s menu. The Ninja Cafe Luxe also takes care of the grinding and tamping process for you, offering a more hands-off approach.

However, at the time of writing, this KitchenAid machine is on the receiving end of discounts of up to 30% direct from the maker in the US, UK and Australia.

• Value score: 4 / 5

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: Specs

Name

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine KES6551

Type

Bean-to-cup

Dimensions (H x W x D)

15.6 x 13.2 x 11.1 inches / 39.5 x 33.5 x 28.1cm

Weight

23.6lbs / 10.7kg

Water reservoir

84.5 fl oz / 2.5 liters

Milk frother

Yes, built-in steam wand

Bars of pressure

15 – 18

User profiles

None

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: Design

• Flat-bottom porta filter is a revelation
• Attractive, retro looks in a range of colors
• Clear controls

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is a relatively compact appliance with dimensions measuring 39.5 x 33.5 x 28.1cm (HWD), making it ideal for small kitchens or those who simply can’t spare the countertop space. At 23.6lbs / 10.7kg it’s quite a heavy unit, though, but its weight gives it added stability that prevents it from moving around when inserting and removing the porta filter.

KitchenAid is known for its chic color choices across its wider range of appliances and that’s the case here too. My review unit was the Porcelain (white) color with gloss finish, which is a standout for me, being easily matched with any kitchen decor. Other colors include Cast Iron Black, Candy Apple (red), Juniper and Stainless Steel.

This espresso machine is relatively light on button count, with the few available serving more than one purpose. The power button is on the left, while the start/stop button is on the opposite side. The middle is where most of the magic happens. The top left button will likely be used the most as it cycles through functions to pour the espresso shot, pour hot water and activate the steam wand.

There are also buttons to select a single or double shot, and to adjust the temperature of the water. Finally there’s a button to use when cleaning the machine.

The other main control is a silver dial that sets the dosage amount of coffee to be ground into the porta filter, and a lever to adjust the grind size. Pressing the central button begins dispensing the selected amount of coffee.

As with all coffee machines that require a hands-on approach, figuring out the grind size and grind amount for both single and double espresso is part of the fun, but requires plenty of trial and error. This is because the type of coffee beans you use will have an effect on the yield and, further to that, how they behave when being brewed. For example, a darker roast tends to perform better with a coarser setting than a medium roast due to the way it breaks apart when going through the grinder.

I used medium-dark roast coffee beans for this review and found turning the double shot dial to around 4 o’clock, and the grind setting to five lines from the right, yielded good results. While you can invest in scales to ensure you get the ideal amount — around 8g of ground coffee is often considered a good starting point for a single shot of espresso and 18g is considered optimal for a double — KitchenAid has added a small line in the porta filter baskets to indicate the ideal point where the coffee should line up once it’s been tamped.

You don’t want to go over this line, as doing so will create too much pressure during the brewing process, resulting in your coffee dripping out of the porta filter. A pressure gauge on the front of the machine shows an ideal window for a good espresso shot and, on a couple of occasions during my testing, the needle did go beyond it, resulting in the aforementioned drip pour.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

Speaking of the porta filter, I didn’t realize that a totally flat-bottomed one could be such a revelation! Every other porta filter I’ve used has two spouts protruding out the bottom; here, they’re integrated. This small design touch meant I could be a lot more confident when tamping, planting the porta filter firmly on a table and allowing me to apply force to pack the coffee grounds tightly enough. Porta filters with protruding spouts, however, require careful balancing when tamping.

This flat-bottomed porta filter is a commercial-size 58mm, and is satisfyingly weighty, which gave me added peace of mind that the KitchenAid machine has been made with care. The 58mm size has several benefits, including being used with a variety of tools and accessories — such as weighted tampers — to help achieve a well-extracted shot.

The 2.5L water tank at the rear of the machine features an integrated handle to help you remove it. This is one of the largest water tanks I’ve personally come across in a coffee machine, bigger than the Breville Oracle Jet’s (Sage in the UK) 2.3L tank. A water filter is supplied, which clips into a separate plastic handle. I had a little trouble at first getting the two pieces that hold the filter in place to clip together, despite following the instructions to leave the filter soaking in water for 5 minutes. I left it out of the water for a few days, after which it all clipped together as intended.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine also features an integrated steam wand with a silicone handle for safer handling, and a hot water spout. The steam wand is a traditional one, that meaning there’s no built-in thermometer like you’ll find on other machines such as the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch and Sunbeam Origins Sense, so you’ll need to rely on physical touch with the milk pitcher, or a use a separate food-grade thermometer, to determine when your milk is ready.

In the box is also a removable bean hopper, tamper (which is also well weighted), a 355ml milk pitcher (which does admittedly feel cheaper compared to the other accessories), single- and double-wall filter baskets in single- and double-shot sizes, and a cleaning brush.

A walnut wood accessory kit is available to buy separately for $249.99 / £229 / AU$349. This kit includes a bean hopper with a walnut-wood lid, and porta filter and tamper set with walnut-wood handles.

• Design score: 5 / 5

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: Performance

• Well-extracted espresso achievable after some experimentation
• Intuitive controls with visual aids
• Quick heat-up time

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is a very capable machine, and will brew a well-extracted espresso shot with a good crema — it just requires a fair amount of trial and error to achieve it. Virtually all manual and semi-auto machines will need that little experimentation, though, so it’s by no means a dealbreaker. However, where some machines like the aforementioned De’Longhi or the Ninja Luxe Cafe will assist you in recommending the ideal grind and dosage settings, the KitchenAid leaves you to your own devices.

After loading your beans in the hopper on top of the machine — which fits up to 225g worth — you’ll need to adjust the dosage amount and grind size. If you’re brewing a single shot of espresso, you’ll move the front-mounted round to the left to adjust dosage, and to the right for a double (icons are on hand to signify this). A lever just below this dial will adjust the grind size, from coarse on the left to fine on the right. Note that the dial and lever have to be perfectly aligned with the graphic dots; if they’re not, the machine won’t operate.

You are able to personalize the amount of coffee grounds produced by pressing and holding the central button until it reaches the desired amount.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Once you’ve selected your settings, press the button integrated into the dosage dial to set the grinder in action. This KitchenAid machine, like the brand's fully automatic models such as the KF8, is QuietMark certified, meaning it should be whisper quiet when the grinder is in motion. And sure enough, it is. The Philips LatteGo 4400 that I use daily is ‘SilentBrew’ certified but, in truth, I find it to be relatively noisy, and measured 69dB using the Decibel X app compared to 64dB registered by the KitchenAid when the grinder was in motion.

Once the grinder has finished, give the porta filter a little wiggle to help settle the ground coffee before removing it. This machine uses anti-static technology to help ensure nothing spills over the edge and it works like a dream, unlike the Sunbeam Origins Sense that dribbled some coffee during my testing despite claiming to also benefit from similar tech.

One of the key highlights of this machine is its flat-bottomed porta filter, which allows you to plant it on a flat surface to apply tamping pressure using the supplied tamper without disbalancing it. Once you’ve inserted and locked the porta filter in place for brewing — which is another simple and fuss-free process — use the buttons on the front of the machine to select a single or double shot, then set the water temperature to one of three settings. Finally, press the play/start button and your coffee will begin brewing.

Another key highlight of this machine is that it pre-infuses before brewing. This wets the coffee puck before full pressure hits it, which makes the water flow through the grounds more uniformly for better extraction.

If you’ve adjusted the dosage and grind settings correctly and provided enough tamping pressure, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful shot of espresso with a lovely crema. It’s unlikely you’ll get the best settings on your first try (I certainly didn’t), so be prepared for some trial and error.

As with the grind settings, you can personalize the amount of water used for both single and double shots by pressing and holding the start/stop button until the desired espresso amount is reached in your cup. These water volume settings will be saved for future use. To reset to factory settings, press and hold the dose button for three seconds. All indicator lights will blink to indicate settings are restored.

However, the machine doesn’t have profiles, nor can it store different settings. If you have multiple coffee drinkers at home who prefer different beverage types, then you’ll need to manually set the grind and dosage amounts each time. If so, I’d recommend keeping a note of the optimum settings somewhere.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

If you want to use the steam wand for milk foaming, you’ll first need to wait until the espresso has finished brewing as this machine doesn’t feature a dual boiler. Then press the button to switch from espresso to steam and wait a few seconds for the boiler to reheat. You’ll know when it’s done by way of a white LED on the left of the machine’s front panel. When it turns solid, you’re good to go. From here, press the same play/start button and steam will begin coming out of the wand.

As mentioned earlier, the steam wand here doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, so you’ll need to rely on touch to determine when the milk is done. I’ve had mixed results with ‘basic’ steam wands like this in the past, as some don’t provide enough pressure to effectively foam milk. That’s not the case here. I used both full-fat cow’s milk and oat milk during my testing and I was able to create a lovely textured foam each time. As with any steam wand, you need to angle it in the milk pitcher for the best results, but if you have the technique right, you’ll once again be rewarded with perfect milk.

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine has a descaling program to help keep it working at its best. You’ll know when it’s time, as a Clean Cycle light will blink. This didn’t happen during my testing, so I was unable to test the feature, but full instructions are provided in the user manual.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Competitively priced, but some price-comparable models offer more in the way of features

4 / 5

Design

Gorgeous looks, premium accessories and a clear button layout make this an espresso machine you’ll want to show off

5 / 5

Performance

After a brief period of experimentation, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful espresso, and the steam wand produces perfectly foamed milk.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want to experiment

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic machine relies on plenty of manual input, leaving you to play around with dosage and grind settings to discover the perfect brew for you.

You’ve not had the best luck when tamping with other machines

The flat-bottomed porta filter is a genius piece of design and makes tamping coffee grounds incredibly easy.

You want an espresso machine to admire

I think it’s a stunner and a far cry from some dark-colored box-like machines. You’ll love waking up to it day after day.

Don't buy it if...

You want a coffee machine that does all the work

The KitchenAid Semi-Auto does offer smart dosing to deliver an ideal volume of ground coffee, but everything else requires manual input. If you want your coffee at the touch of a button, an automatic model would be better.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: Also consider

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch

This De’Longhi machine offers the best of both worlds, with manual and automatic controls to hand. We found it to be near-faultless in our tests, praising its smart tamping system that makes dosing the perfect puck incredibly easy. Throw in a thermometer in the steam wand for expertly crafted milk and an attractive, compact design and you have a sensational machine.

Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Touch review

Philips Baristina

This affordable bean-to-cup espresso machine is stylish, well made and so simple to use. It dispenses ground coffee into a porta filter, tamps it for you and then moves itself into position to brew espresso. You have to make do with one grind setting, however.

Read our full Philips Baristina review

Philips LatteGo 4400

This fully automatic machine offers a comprehensive selection of coffee-based drink recipes, and produces all of them with great results. The integrated LatteGo milk foaming system works well, although I found the amount of foam produced might not suit cappuccino fans.

Read our full Philips LatteGo 4400 Series review

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine review: How I tested

I tested the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine over the course of a couple of weeks, using medium-dark roast coffee beans I picked up from my local supermarket. I’ve tested a few manual and semi-automatic coffee machines before, including the Sunbeam Origins Sense, so I was familiar with the process required for hands-on coffee making.

I had to experiment with the grind and dosage settings to find the ideal yield to ensure the espresso shots brewed with optimal results. I used the built-in steam wand to foam cow’s milk and oat milk, and found it produced excellent results with the correct technique.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2026

LG C6 OLED TV: Two-minute review

The LG C6 has a tough act to follow, because the LG C5 was one of the best TVs I tested in 2025. So I'm happy to report that not only does the LG C6 do everything the C5 can do, but its Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 image processor — the same one you’ll find in the flagship LG G6 TV — delivers a significant brightness boost and more refined picture quality overall, making the C6 a solid upgrade over its predecessor.

The 65-inch LG C6 I tested is priced at $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995 at launch, which is the same launch price as the C5 in the US and Australia, but is cheaper in the UK, despite the upgrades.

It’s worth noting that the larger 77-inch and 83-inch models now fall under a new designation as the LG C6H, and use the upgraded Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel found in the flagship LG G6 and LG W6 models. As a result, they’ll likely perform somewhat differently to the model I tested, and we’re not including them as part of this review — we plan to review the C6H separately.

The C6’s picture quality is fantastic. Colors are punchy, vibrant and natural all at the same time, looking more accurate than the picture on last year’s C5 in my side-by-side testing. Its contrast is superb, with deep blacks, punchy highlights and refined shadow detail.

Textures are crisp, motion is smooth and natural, and it upscales non-4K HDR sources well. It does suffer from reflections in bright rooms, and I did notice some banding in gray areas, but this isn’t enough to detract from its overall quality, which is up there with that of the best OLED TVs.

Its built-in sound is solid overall. The AI Sound Pro mode delivers refined bass, great accuracy and clear dialogue. Dolby Atmos effects aren’t as pronounced as I’d like, and the soundstage can feel narrow at times, so while its sound is decent, I’d still connect one of the best soundbars to the LG C6 for a more cinematic experience.

The C6 is a phenomenal gaming TV. It delivers a full list of gaming features, including 4K 165Hz in the C-series for the first time, and its razor-sharp performance will make gamers very happy. Pair this with its awesome picture quality, and the C6 sets the bar as a best-in-class gaming display.

LG’s webOS continues to be one of the top smart TV platforms around, and while there are no big upgrades this year other than more generative AI options, the settings menus have been streamline to make navigation easier, and thanks to its new processor, performance is smoother than ever.

Ads at the top of the home page and on the screensaver are still an issue, but it’s nothing you won’t find on other smart TVs. Ultimately, webOS 26 is still great.

The C6 is a nice step up over the LG C5, and is very good value for what it delivers. However, the C5 is significantly cheaper, and still available at the start of 2026, so if you don’t want to wait for C6 prices to drop, the C5 is a much cheaper option right now.

For UK users looking for a 65-inch TV, I would also recommend the Philips OLED910 — it’s effectively a flagship OLED at a mid-range price. As the C6’s prices drop later in the year, though, it’ll become better value.

LG C6 review: Prices & release date

The LG C6's boosted brightness means highlights, such as the sun in the shot above, have a nice impact (Image credit: Future)

• Released in May 2026
• 42-inch: $1,399 / £1,299 / AU$1,995
• 48-inch: $1,599 / £1,399 / AU$2,395
• 55-inch: $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,995
• 65-inch: $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995

The LG C6 is available in 42-65-inch models, with the 77-inch and 83-inch models now listed as a new model called the LG C6H, which uses the upgraded Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel, as seen in the LG G6. I haven’t included the C6H’s pricing here, as we plan to review it later.

The 65-inch C6 I tested is launching at $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995, which is the same price the C5 launched at in the US and Australia in 2025, but is cheaper than the C5’s launch price in the UK.

LG C6 review: Specs

Screen type:

W-OLED

Refresh rate:

165Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos

Smart TV:

webOS 26

HDMI ports:

4x HDMI 2.1

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 1.0 (US)

LG C6 review: Benchmark results

The above EOTF graphs show how accurately the LG C6 can hit HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the mor accurate it is. These results were taken with out-of-the-box settings in Filmmaker Mode: the same as all our tests (Image credit: Future)

Spectral power distribution refers to the intensity of light that a source will display at various wavelengths of color. It can reveal how accurate a source can show color at different light levels, and can be instructive to understand how a TV is handling color (Image credit: Future)LG C6 review: Features

The C6 comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, which are all side-mounted for easy access (Image credit: Future)

• Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor is flagship-class with better color handling
• Gaming features are as good as it gets right now
• Dolby Vision and Atmos, but not HDR10+, DTS or Dolby Vision 2

The LG C6 is the mid-range OLED in LG’s 2026 TV lineup, sitting above the entry-level LG B6, and below the flagship LG G6 and the revived super-thin LG Wallpaper TV, known as the W6.

As mentioned, there are two LG C6 models this year: the standard C6 and the C6H. The former is available in sizes 42-65-inch, and uses what LG Display officially calls a "Tandem WOLED" panel, while the latter is available in 77-inch and 83-inch sizes only, and uses the "Primary RGB Tandem 2.0" OLED panel that’s also used in the flagship LG G6.

The C6 does, however, come equipped with a new processor across all its sizes: the Alpha 11 AI Gen 3, which is the same processor that's used in the step-up G6 and W6 OLEDs. This supports an upgraded Brightness Booster, more refined upscaling, and picture enhancements such as 13-bit image processing (12-bit color plus one bit of brightness). It also supports 11.1.2-channel audio upmixing with its AI Sound Pro mode.

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are supported, but once again there’s no support for HDR10+ or DTS, and LG has no plans to support Dolby Vision 2 on this TV in the future.

For sound, the C6 comes with LG's usual 2.2-channel speaker system included. In terms of sound profiles, LG has trimmed back the options from eight to four, opting for AI sound modes over traditional sound modes such as Cinema or Sports.

The C6 has a Game Hub (pictured) which houses tons of cloud-gaming apps (Image credit: Future)

The C6 is fully equipped for gaming, with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 165Hz (a step up from the 4K 144Hz supported in the C5), full variable refresh rate compatibility including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG HDR, Dolby Vision Gaming, and auto low latency mode.

It comes with LG’s Game Optimizer dashboard, where gaming settings can be instantly accessed and adjusted for optimum performance.

The C6 uses webOS 26 as its smart TV platform, the latest version of LG’s own smart TV software. While there aren’t as many new, headline-grabbing features this time around, AI features such as AI Search and AI Concierge have been refined, menus have been streamlined, with the removal of some picture and sound modes, and some new Quick Card categories have been added.

The C6 also supports all major streaming apps including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and Prime Video.

• Features score: 5 / 5

LG C6 review: Picture quality

The C6 shows exceptional detail that is both natural and 3D-like (Image credit: Future)

• More accurate colors and refined contrast
• Excellent detail and boosted brightness
• Reflective screen can be an issue in bright conditions

Starting with brightness measurements, the C6 hit 1,438 nits peak HDR brightness (measured on a 10% white window pattern) in Filmmaker Mode. This is a sizable boost over last year’s C5, which clocked in at 1,180 nits in the same test. Standard mode receives a smaller boost, hitting 1,291 nits peak HDR in a 10% window, compared to the C5’s 1,191 nits.

Fullscreen HDR brightness has also received a healthy boost, with the C6 hitting 245 nits in Filmmaker Mode, up 25% from the C5, which registered 195 nits in the same test. In Standard mode, the C6 measured 232 nits compared to the C5’s 200 nits, so again a smaller change, but still positive.

In practice, this not only adds more brightness to SDR sources, but creates stronger contrast between dark and light tones in high-contrast scenes. Whites in particular, such as scenes of snow or white clouds, and any scenes with high peak brightness with the sun as a central feature, get a solid boost to make its picture more impactful over last year’s C5.

The C6 also does a good job with lower-resolution and SDR sources. An HD stream of Fight Club on Disney+ benefitted from upscaled textures and refined contrast, with darker scenes in particular looking great.

A DVD of The Amazing Spider-Man doesn’t quite look like it’s had the full 4K treatment, but textures are very neatly cleaned up, and there’s an injection of brightness to make it much more appealing overall.

I tried out Precision Master HDR Pro, a setting aimed to upscale SDR to HDR quality. While it did add more brightness and sharpened up textures, I found it to be too aggressive, as it created harsh edges around people and objects in The Amazing Spider-Man so I preferred to leave it turned off.

The C6's colors are one of its main highlights, looking look bold, punchy and vibrant, shown here in Elemental in Dolby Vision (Image credit: Disney / Future )

Color reproduction is superb on the LG C6, especially with Dolby Vision sources. In Elemental, streamed on Disney+, the oranges, pinks and purples of the vase as Ember fixes it are vibrant and punchy, with the C6’s new extra brightness adding even more shine to the picture.

In Wicked, as Elphaba stands under a tree in the Wizard & I scene, the pink flowers really pop on screen, but also appear more natural when compared to viewing the same scene on last year’s C5. The green of Elphaba’s skin also looks natural (allowing for the fact that it's green), with colors looking less saturated than on the C5, and for the better here.

It’s no wonder the C6’s colors pop, because it measured 99.7% and 75.8% coverage of the DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces respectively. These are excellent results for a WOLED screen, and the C6 basically matches flagship OLEDs in DCI-P3, which is the most important space for HDR viewing.

It also registered a color accuracy score of Delta-E 1.2, which is fantastic for out-of-the-box settings, and means it’s essentially impossible to tell it apart from ‘perfect’ colors. All these measurements were taken in Filmmaker Mode.

Contrast is another strong suit of the C6, as it delivers deep black tones and bright highlights that balance well, shown here in The Batman (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

Contrast is excellent on the C6. Watching The Batman, as Batman walks down a hallway, the balance between the dark tones of the wood-paneled walls and the light tones from the lamps are well separated, with each having their own nuances, creating strong contrast.

The same is true in Dark City — as John speaks to the desk clerk, black tones are rich, and contrast nicely with the bright and punchy desk lamp.

The C6 also displays superb shadow detail. Throughout The Batman, objects in dark backgrounds are still visible, such as the back wall of the subway platform or the portraits in Mitchell’s office. Comparing it to the C5, shadowed areas look more accurate, and true to how you’d expect the eye to see them.

Watching dark scenes in a pitch-black room, I did notice that black tones were raised in places. But by changing a few settings, dark areas on screen improved to the point where I was happy with them, without any in-depth calibration needed if you want to follow suit.

I dropped the ‘Near Black Detail’ option to -1 (it's 0 by default), dropped ‘Adjust Contrast’ from 100 to 95, and finally dropped ‘Black Level’ by 1, from the default 50 to 49. This didn’t dim the picture much at all, but improved black levels and contrast overall.

While watching a dimly-lit scene from The Green Knight, I did notice some vertical banding in a gray area of the scene. This was the first and only time I noted it in my test — I tested similarly difficult scenes in other movies — so it’s not enough to affect my score, but it’s something to note, as vertical banding has been a criticism of LG’s OLEDs in the past.

I compared the LG C6 to the LG C5, and the C6 demonstrates a more accurate color temperature, which is clearest when watching black-and-white movies. In Sunset Boulevard, the C6 delivers deep blacks, bright whites and a range of accurate gray tones.

Playing the same scenes on the C5, there's a green tint that affects the accuracy of the picture, and the C6 doesn’t have this issue. The green tint on the C5 isn’t noticeable in scenes full of color (and the TV scored excellent in color accuracy tests), but the starkness of monochrome really highlights it.

Dark City is another movie that allows the C6 to demonstrate its powerful contrast and refined detail (Image credit: Arrow Films / Future )

The C6 also delivered refined detail across content, with crisp textures that looked 3D-like but also natural and true-to-life. A close-up shot of Batman shows every bit of his stubble and other facial marks with real accuracy.

The C6 has excellent motion handling. I found Standard mode with the Natural motion setting to be perfect for sports (I tested soccer and baseball) and I used the Cinematic Movement motion setting for movies, which has been my go-to for LG for the last couple of years.

Without any processing on, there can be some judder in slow-moving movie shots, but Cinematic Motion worked well for delivering a panning shot of a cliffside cemetery from No Time To Die with natural-looking motion and much-reduced judder.

It’s not all plain sailing for the C6. I found that its reflection handling was merely average, noting some strong mirror-like reflections when watching darker scenes in brightly lit rooms.

While this was expected, I was impressed by the step-up LG G6’s anti-glare coating when I tested it, so I know that LG’s glossy OLEDs can crush reflections when given the tools; it's a shame the C6 didn’t receive the same treatment.

• Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

LG C6 review: Sound quality

The C6's built-in speakers do a solid job overall, but Dolby Atmos scenes like the Batmobile chase from The Batman (pictured) deserve a soundbar (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future)

• 2.2-channel speaker system
• Good overall sound quality
• Some sound modes removed

The C6 has a built-in, 2.2-channel speaker array that supports Dolby Atmos, but like last year, there’s no support for DTS. LG has removed some of the traditional sound modes, such as Cinema and Sports, in favor of AI sound modes such as the returning AI Sound Pro and the new Precision Sound Master Pro.

Using the AI Sound Pro mode in my go-to Dolby Atmos scene — the Batmobile chase from The Batman — the C6 delivered great accuracy and detail, with a strong link between the action on screen and the sound. Mapping was very good, as the screech of swerving car tyres and blaring horns passing by off-screen sounded authentic.

The AI Sound Pro profile focuses more on the mid-range this year, which I personally prefer. The changes also meant the bass felt more solid than it did on the LG C5, and while it doesn’t beat the likes of Sony and Panasonic TVs, it was still meaty in places.

Trying out the Precision Sound Master Pro setting, the soundstage did feel wider, and there was more overall volume, but it was personally too bright for my tastes.

I always used the Cinema sound setting for my testing in previous models, so I’m disappointed that this is no longer an option, but AI Sound Pro is a solid alternative.

Still, despite the C6’s solid sound, I’d hook up a soundbar if you want the sound quality to match the picture, as Dolby Atmos effects can get lost and the soundstage can at times feel narrow.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

LG C6 review: Design The C6 has a metal stand that looks premium and feels sturdyFutureThe rear panel has marble-effect design that again adds a premium look Future

• Premium design with bezel-less screen looks great
• Metal stand and trim feel high-quality
• UK remote still feels cheap

The C6’s design carries over from last year’s C5. It feels premium but more lightweight than the hefty G6. Its silver metal trim and base makes the TV feel premium. The screen has a near bezel-less design with no real border, giving the picture the full real estate.

The rear panel has a marbled design that adds a nice touch, and the ports of the TV are easily accessible on the rear-side panel, with all four HDMI ports in plain view.

LG’s Magic Remote in the UK does, however, continue to feel cheap compared to other OLED remotes. While it has a useful pointer, its overall build still feels plasticky and light, a far cry from the black, metal rechargeable remote that Philips supplies with its OLEDs. Fingers crossed this changes next year.

• Design score: 4 / 5

LG C6 review: Smart TV & menus

webOS is still one of the best smart TV platforms on the market, and webOS 26 takes a streamlining approach (Image credit: Future)

• AI features are becoming smarter
• Streamlined settings menus is very welcome
• Snappy navigation is also an improvement

The LG C6 uses webOS 26 as its smart TV platform, and it’s again one of the best on the market. Quick Cards are a useful tool where relevant apps can be organized by category, such as Music and Game, and new options have been introduced, such as Office and Learning.

The Quick Menu continues to be one of the most useful tools for adjusting popular settings such as picture mode with no fuss — just hit a button and it pops up at the side of the screen, with instant access to common settings, without totally interrupting what you’re watching.

LG has streamlined some settings menus, moving options such as Network and Energy Saving higher up in their category for easier access. Couple this with the new faster Alpha 11 processor and navigation feels easier overall, with better visibility and nice, snappy performance.

AI features such as AI Concierge are more refined, with better recommendations, and new features such as Generative AI can be used to plan activities or create images.

webOS 26 does still have large banner ads at the top of the screen that take up just over a third of the home page, and I did note that whenever the C6 went into screensaver mode it wouldn’t take long before sponsored ads appeared.

Still, these are the only negatives I had with what has consistently been a brilliant smart TV platform, and ads are becoming increasingly common on all platforms.

• Smart TV & menus score: 5 / 5

LG C6 review: Gaming

The C6 is a phenomenal gaming TV, with all the features and performance gamers will need (Image credit: Future)

• 4K 165Hz and full VRR support on all four HDMI ports
• 9.2ms 60Hz / 4.2ms 120Hz input lag time is as good as usual
• Superb performance and picture in gaming modes

The C6 maintains the LG C-series OLED’s reputation for best-in-class gaming performance and features. It supports 4K at 165Hz, variable refresh rate (HDMI spec, FreeSync, and G-Sync), auto low-latency mode, and Dolby Vision Gaming across all four HDMI 2.1 ports.

Activating its Boost mode in the Game Optimizer menu yields a measured 9.2ms (4K 60Hz) and 4.6ms (1080p 120Hz) input delay, a phenomenal result that gamers will be delighted with.

Playing Battlefield V, performance not only felt incredibly smooth as I targeted enemies while running, but looked excellent as well. The desert mission I played was bright and vibrant, and environments were incredibly detailed, with intricate textures in rocks and buildings.

Not much more needs to be said: the C6 is a gaming powerhouse.

• Gaming score: 5 / 5

LG C6 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Cheaper launch prices than the LG C5 in the UK
• Excellent picture and features for the price
• But the C5 is a lot cheaper in 2026, and may offer better bang-for-buck

The LG C6 is great value for the performance and features it delivers. It carries across all the elements that made the C5 one of last year’s best TVs, but offers higher brightness, more refined contrast and color, and has an upgraded processor for faster performance.

The 65-inch model I tested costs $2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995, which means it’s launching for the same price in the US and Australia as the C5, which is impressive enough, but it’s actually £100 cheaper than the C5’s launch price in the UK, even with all the upgrades.

If you’re looking to buy at the time of writing, however — May 2026 — the C5 remains the best option, with the same 65-inch costing $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,599 on average.

If you’re based in the UK and looking for a 65-inch, I’d also strongly recommend the Philips OLED910, which costs £2,199 at 65-inch (£500 cheaper than the C6) and boasts flagship-level brightness and colors, plus a superb built-in Bowers & Wilkins sound system. In smaller 42-55-inch sizes, though, the C5 is still the best option.

The C6 is still a premium TV in the grand scheme of the TV market, but those launch prices are likely to drop quickly. If you want to buy right now, the C5 is still your best value option overall, but as C6 prices drop it will become even better value.

As far as new 2026-released TVs go, I don’t expect many to match it on the combination of features and image quality for the price.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the LG C6 OLED TV?

The C6 has excellent black levels, but is prone to mirror-like reflections in brighter rooms (Image credit: Future)LG C6 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

An upgraded processor for more picture features and faster performance.

5/5

Picture quality

Superb picture quality, with great color temperature accuracy and a boost in brightness over the C5. It's quite reflective, however.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Good sound quality with solid accuracy that's decent overall, but could benefit from a soundbar.

4/5

Design

Solid build quality that feels premium, but remote still feels cheap compared to some others.

4.5/5

Smart TV and menus

webOS 26 feels more streamlined and introduces more AI tools. Easy to use and navigate.

5/5

Gaming

Full suite of gaming features including 4K 165Hz support and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Razor-sharp performance.

5/5

Value

Delivers on nearly all fronts, and launching for cheaper than the C5. C5 is still the better-value option while it's still around, however.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want excellent picture quality
The C6 delivers bold and accurate colors, strong contrast, refined detail and responsive motion, making it a perfect TV for movies, gaming and sports.

You want a gaming OLED
The C6 has a full suite of features across four HDMI 2.1 ports and delivers smooth performance. Easily one of the best gaming TVs on the market.

You want a great smart TV platform
Not many smart TV platforms are as intuitive, easy-to-use and come loaded with as many features as webOS.

Don't buy it if...

You'll be watching in a bright room
With a glossy screen, the C6 is prone to mirror-like reflections that are particularly bad in bright rooms.

You want HDR10+ support
The C6 supports Dolby Vision, but there's no support for HDR10+, which is becoming increasingly popular in both gaming and streaming.

You want the best built-in sound
The C6's sound is mostly solid, but it doesn't quite live up to its picture quality. I'd recommend a soundbar to complete the experience.

Also Consider

LG C6

LG C5

LG G6

Price (65-inch)

$2,699 / £2,599 / AU$3,995

$1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,599

$3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999

Screen type

OLED

OLED

OLED (Primary RGB Tandem 2.0)

Refresh rate

165Hz

144Hz

165Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Smart TV

webOS 26

webOS 25

webOS 26

HDMI ports

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

LG C5
Despite the color accuracy, brightness and performance upgrades in the C6, the C5 is still a fantastic TV in its own right, with superb picture-quality and gaming features. It's also currently available for a lot less than the C6.

Read our full LG C5 review

LG G6
The step-up OLED over the C6, the G6 delivers much higher brightness, bolder colors and stronger contrast, as well as an effective anti-reflection screen for bright-room viewing. It's the jewel in LG's OLED TV crown. However, the C6 comes with the same processor and gaming features, and is significantly cheaper.

Read our LG G6 review

How I tested the LG C6 OLED TV

Testing the C6 using our Klein K-10A colorimeter and Murideo Six G 8K metal test pattern generator — though we turn the lights off when we really take the measurements… (Image credit: Future)

• Tested over two weeks using HDR and SDR sources
• Tested in variable lighting conditions
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

My first steps in testing the LG C6 involved establishing its most accurate picture modes through casual viewing. I landed on Filmmaker Mode for most movies, as well as Cinema Home, and finally Standard for sports and broadcast TV.

I then moved on to critical viewing, using both HDR (4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming) as well as SDR (DVD, Blu-ray and broadcast TV) sources to test the C6's picture. I used these sources to analyze upscaling (of SDR), color, brightness, contrast, textures, detail and motion.

I used a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player when playing discs including 4K Blu-ray. I also used an Xbox Series X to test the TV's gaming features and performance.

Aside from subjective testing, I also took measurements on the C6 using a Klein K-10A colorimeter (profiled with a Jeti Spectral 15VA Spectroradiometer) and a Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator, and used Portrait Displays' Calman color-calibration software to record measurements.

To measure the C6's brightness, I used both HDR and SDR white window patterns ranging in size from 1-100%, taking readings in both Filmmaker Mode and Standard picture modes.

I also tested the C6's grayscale and color accuracy, taking an average of the Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what's shown on screen), looking for a result below 3. Anything below this is considered indistinguishable to the human eye.

I measured the coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces, hoping for a result of over 95% for the former.

I also tested the C6's HDR EOTF in 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits. This test shows the C6's accuracy at both light and dark levels. I also measured the C6's Spectral Power Distribution, which demonstrates its color performance, using the Jeti spectroradiometer.

Finally, I used a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input lag Tester to test the C6's input lag in milliseconds.

Read our in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar.

• First reviewed: May 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Hoover HF3 DynamicClean: one-minute review

DynamicClean is Hoover’s latest crack at the mid-range tier of cordless stick vacuum cleaners, and for the most part it's a great effort.

Weighing in at just 5.6lbs / 2.54kg, it's one of the lightest cordless sticks you can buy, which makes it pretty easy to push around and carry between floors. The 150 AW motor delivers good suction across carpet and hard floors, and Hoover's Anti-Twist brushbar technology keeps hair from wrapping itself around the roller, which means easier maintenance in the long run.

You also get HEPA filtration built in, which is a top selling point for anyone with allergies or pets, alongside LED headlights on the floorhead, three power modes, and a wall-mounted charging dock. It's a well-featured package for the money, and on carpet in particular it delivers surprisingly good cleaning results for the money.

(Image credit: Future)

Where the HF3 shows its mid-range roots is in the build quality and the battery. The whole thing feels a bit cheap in places, the bin is narrow enough to make getting your hand inside a challenge, and the headline 60-minute runtime only applies if you stick exclusively to Eco mode. Switch to standard or turbo and that number drops fast. It’s worth being aware this probably won't cover a whole house in one charge for most people.

Still, at its current price, the HF3 DynamicClean offers a lot of vacuum for not a lot of money, and the cleaning performance itself is hard to fault at this level.

Hoover HF3 DynamicClean: price and availability

• List price £179.99 (about $250 / AU$340) from Hoover Direct
• Currently on sale at around £129 from Hoover Direct and Argos
• Pet variant available with mini turbo brush

The HF3 DynamicClean is available now across UK retailers, though at the time of writing it's not sold in the US or Australia. Its list price sits at £179.99 (about $250 / AU$340), but you'll almost certainly find it cheaper. At the time of writing, both Hoover Direct and Argos had it listed in the sale for £149.99, which is a really good deal for what you're getting.

That's significantly cheaper than a comparable Shark cordless, which will typically set you back £200 or more for similar features, and it's a fraction of what you'd pay for a Dyson. If the anti-hair wrap tech is the thing that appeals, the Shark equivalent costs nearly double.

The Pet variant, which adds a mini turbo tool for upholstery, is also available for a bit more (£199.99) if you have furry housemates.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Hoover HF3 DynamicClean: Design

• Extremely lightweight and easy to handle
• Inoffensive colorway that blends in
• Feels a bit cheap and has nowhere to store attachments

The HF3 is a slim, upright stick vacuum that's harmless looking but doesn't exactly scream style. It's got a slightly boxy, utilitarian look, but the minimal light grey and black colourway should at least go with any house deco style. Sure, it's not the sleekest-looking machine out there, but at least it doesn't take up much room. And while it's not that premium feeling, it's perfectly fine looking and won't embarrass you if it's wall-mounted in plain sight.

At 2.54kg, this vacuum is feather-light in the hand. Pushing it around open floor space takes virtually no effort, and carrying it upstairs is a one-handed job. That weight is a plus if you've got multiple levels to cover or if you're buying for someone who finds heavier vacuums a struggle.

That said, while it's nimble enough on open stretches, I found it can feel a bit stiff when you're trying to get into trickier spots, like around chair legs or into the gap between the sofa and the wall. It doesn't have the same fluid manoeuvrability as some pricier cordless sticks I've used.

FutureFuture

Despite not being quite as nimble as the likes of a cordless Dyson or Shark, the floorhead steers around reasonably well, and the double-edge cleaning design means it can pick up dust along both its left and right sides, so it cleans along skirting boards and wall edges regardless of which direction you're pushing it.

There are also LED headlights on the front to light up dust under furniture, and the self-standing feature lets you park it upright mid-clean without it toppling over, though I did see some online reviews mention the head can lock into position when using it at odd angles on stairs, triggering an auto-shutoff. I didn't experience this myself, but it's probably something you should be aware of.

FutureFuture

Where the budget price of this device really shows is in the build quality. I'll be honest, it feels a bit cheap in hand. The integrated dusting brush and crevice tool have that thin, hollow plastic quality that doesn't inspire long-term confidence, and there's nowhere on the unit to store the latter either. It just has to live in a drawer somewhere until you need it, which is minor but still annoying.

As for the bin, its 0.7-litre volume is a decent enough size, but the opening is narrow, so getting your hand in to clean around the central filter cone can be a fiddle if you don't have particularly small fingers.

• Design score: 3/5

Hoover HF3 DynamicClean: features and performance

• Strong suction, though not quite Dyson-level
• Anti-Twist tech delivers on its promise
• Battery life and noise are the weak spots

The HF3's brushless motor does an all-round good job for a vacuum at this price. On carpet, it pulls up dust, crumbs and fine debris with a good level of suction. Hard floors are handled well too, with the floorhead transitioning smoothly between surfaces without needing you to manually adjust anything.

I must add that while the suction is great for the price, it isn't quite on the level of some cordless Dyson vacuums I've used. It does leave the odd bit behind here and there, particularly on higher-pile rugs, where a Dyson would have performed much better. For the price difference, that's expected, and the HF3 is still perfectly good for everyday cleaning. Just don't expect it to compete with something two or three times the price.

(Image credit: Future)

Hoover's Anti-Twist technology is the headline feature here, and it works well. Over my testing period, I didn't find a single strand of hair wrapped around the brushbar, which — if you've ever owned a vacuum without this — is worth the entry price alone. The brushbar itself also pops out easily for cleaning, keeping maintenance to a minimum

The HF3’s three power modes (Eco, Standard and Turbo) give you some flexibility in how you use the battery. Eco mode is gentle but best for lighter cleaning and will get you closest to that 60-minute runtime claim. Standard mode, which is what you'll likely use most of the time, is rated for around 30 minutes and delivers a decent clean.

(Image credit: Future)

As for Turbo mode, this cranks things up a notch, being ideal for stubborn patches. However, this mode burns through the battery fast, offering around 15 minutes of use at best, in my experience. This is the HF3's biggest limitation. That 60-minute figure Hoover promises is only really achievable in Eco mode with the handheld configuration, which isn't how most people are going to use a stick vacuum day to day. On Standard mode with the floorhead attached, you're realistically looking at 25 to 30 minutes, which probably won't cover a whole house in one go unless you live in a one or two bedroom flat.

Another niggle is the vacuum’s noise. For something this compact and lightweight, the HF3 is surprisingly loud. It's not unbearable, but it's noticeably louder than I was expecting — you certainly won't be using it while someone's on a call in the next room. Nevertheless, there are plenty of other positives to help negate this.

(Image credit: Future)

The HF3’s LED display on the handle, for example, works well – showing you the current battery percentage and which mode you're in at a glance. It's not a touchscreen, just a simple readout, but it's handy for knowing exactly how much juice you've got left.

The HEPA filtration is another of the vacuum’s strong point. Hoover claims it captures 99.9% of dust and allergens, and while I can't exactly verify that figure in my kitchen, it's a reassuring spec for anyone with allergies or asthma. The filter is washable too, which should save you money on replacements over time.

• Features and performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Hoover HF3 DynamicClean?Buy it if

You want strong suction without the Dyson price tag

The HF3 delivers solid cleaning performance for a fraction of what the big names charge.

You're tired of cutting hair out of your brushbar

The Anti-Twist tech works, and it makes maintenance less of a chore.

You have allergies or pets

The HEPA filtration and solid pickup on pet hair make it a practical choice for sensitive households.

Don't buy it if

You need to clean a large home in one session

The battery won't stretch to a full house clean on Standard or Turbo modes without a recharge.

You want premium build quality

This vacuum feels a bit cheap in places, and the attachments don't inspire much confidence.

You want something quiet: The HF3 is louder than its compact size would suggest.

Hoover HF3 DynamicClean: also consider

Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H

If you want stronger battery life, auto-sensing suction and a more premium build, the Shark is a step up in every department, but you'll pay around double the price for the privilege.

Read our full Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H review

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle

If you'd rather go corded and save some cash, Hoover's own HL2 upright offers relentless suction with no battery anxiety. It's less versatile, but it costs less and never runs out of power.

Read our full Hoover HL2 TurboStyle review

Vax Blade 4

A well-established cordless competitor at a similar price point, with decent suction and a familiar design. Worth comparing if the Hoover HF3 isn’t quite ticking every box.

Read our full Vax Blade 4 review

How I tested the Hoover HF3 DynamicClean

I used the Hoover HF3 DynamicClean as my main vacuum cleaner for several weeks across carpet, rugs and hard floors. I tested all three power modes, used the handheld conversion for stairs and upholstery, and assessed the build quality, bin emptying, wall dock, battery life and day-to-day usability throughout.

First reviewed: April 2026

Sender has been building a reputation as an affordable email marketing platform since 2012, and today it counts more than 180,000 businesses in its user base. The platform handles newsletters, automation workflows, transactional emails, and SMS under one roof, whereas many competitors split those features across multiple pricing tiers or reserve them for higher-cost plans.

We've been reviewing email marketing software at TechRadar Pro for over a decade, covering platforms from Mailchimp and Brevo to ActiveCampaign and Omnisend year after year. This Sender review is based on hands-on testing across the platform's automation, template, and form-building tools, cross-referenced against official documentation and verified user reviews.

My experience with Sender

(Image credit: Sender)

Creating an account takes about two minutes and requires no credit card, which sets the right expectations from the start. The dashboard is clean and easy to navigate, and you can launch your first campaign without sitting through a tutorial. For anyone coming over from pricier tools like Mailchimp, that combination of low friction and lower cost tends to land well.

Our experience confirmed what many longtime users report: Sender works best when your campaigns are relatively straightforward. The drag-and-drop builder is functional and fast, but you won't find advanced layout controls or content blocks that match what Klaviyo or ActiveCampaign offer at comparable price points. For simple newsletters, welcome sequences, or abandoned cart reminders, Sender is a capable and cost-effective tool, provided you understand where its ceiling sits.

Sender review: Features

(Image credit: Sender)

Sender covers the core email marketing toolkit without obvious gaps. You get a drag-and-drop email builder, a library of pre-built templates, a visual automation builder, subscriber segmentation, signup forms, and popups, including spin-to-win and exit-intent variants. Transactional email is also included at every tier, which is worth noting since many platforms treat it as a separate product.

The visual automation builder is one of Sender's stronger tools. You can map out multi-step workflows, set behavioral triggers like link clicks or cart abandonment, and combine email and SMS steps in a single flow. Pre-built automation templates cover common use cases such as welcome sequences and re-engagement campaigns, which cuts setup time considerably for straightforward programs.

That said, Sender shows its limits at the edges of the feature set. The template library skews toward basic designs, which can be a real constraint if you're producing brand-heavy campaigns. There's also no built-in CRM, so you'll need Zapier or a direct integration to keep your marketing and sales data synced. And while deliverability essentials like SPF/DKIM authentication and double opt-in are supported, there's no dedicated deliverability dashboard. If your open rates drop, diagnosing the cause takes more detective work than it should.

Sender review: User experience

The interface prioritizes simplicity, and for most users, that approach pays off. Creating a campaign takes a handful of clicks, and the drag-and-drop builder doesn't require any design background to produce something functional. Most users report being ready to send their first campaign within minutes of signing up.

A few rough edges show up once you move beyond the basics. Managing larger subscriber lists or building more granular segments can feel fiddly, with some actions requiring more steps than you'd expect. If your team is international, it's also worth knowing that the platform currently supports only four interface languages: English, Lithuanian, Polish, and Spanish. For most small businesses, though, Sender stays accessible without getting in the way.

Sender review: Customer support

Customer support is one area where Sender stands out against similarly priced tools. The company offers 24/7 live chat with an average response time measured in seconds, and users on G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot consistently praise both the speed and quality of responses. For a platform at this price point, that level of access is unusual.

Free plan users have the same live chat access as paid subscribers, which matters if you're evaluating the free tier as a long-term option rather than a trial. Support is also available through a help center and by email, though live chat is the fastest route for anything time-sensitive.

Sender review: Pricing

Plan

Price (monthly)

Subscribers

Notes

Free

$0

2,500

15,000 emails per month; includes Sender branding on emails and forms.

Standard

From $10

1000 to 200,000

Removes branding and adds SMS credits and multi-user access.

Professional

From $20

1000 to 200,000

Adds a dedicated IP address, animated countdown timers, in-email review collection, ecommerce reporting, and free SMS credits matching the value of your plan.

Enterprise

Custom

Custom

Unlimited sends, a dedicated success manager, and advanced user permissions.

The free plan is one of the most practical entry points in the market. At 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 monthly emails, it gives you room to run a real newsletter operation without any time limit. The main tradeoff is the Sender branding on outgoing emails and forms, which disappears as soon as you move to any paid plan. Both Standard and Professional scale from 1,000 to 200,000 subscribers, so you're not forced into a dramatic price jump the moment your list grows.

The Professional plan earns its premium over Standard with features that matter for active marketers. A dedicated IP keeps your sender reputation separate from other users on shared infrastructure, and the ecommerce-specific reporting covers metrics like revenue per campaign that Standard doesn't surface. On annual billing, Standard costs $7/month and Professional $14/month, which is worth factoring in if you're confident the platform fits your needs long-term.

Note that all listed prices exclude VAT, which varies by country.

Sender review: Specs

Spec

Details

Free plan

2,500 subscribers; 15,000 emails/month

Automation

Visual builder with behavioral triggers

SMS

Available on all plans; credits purchased on Standard

Integrations

WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Zapier

Support

24/7 live chat, help center, email

Should I buy Sender?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Solid core toolkit; limited for complex campaigns

3.5/5

Performance

Good deliverability; no dedicated reporting dashboard

3.5/5

Design

Clean interface; templates are functional but dated

3.5/5

Value

Among the most generous free plans on the market

4.5/5

Buy it if...

• You want a free plan that doesn't have a countdown clock. Sender's free tier supports 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 monthly emails with no expiry date, which is more room to operate than Mailchimp, Brevo, or Omnisend's equivalent offerings.
• You're running straightforward email workflows. The visual automation builder handles welcome sequences, abandoned cart reminders, and re-engagement campaigns without requiring a developer or a lengthy onboarding process.
• Support access matters to you at any budget. Live chat is available on every plan, including free, and Sender's response times are consistently faster than most competitors at this price point.

Don't buy it if...

• You need design-heavy, on-brand campaigns. The template library is functional but limited, and the editor lacks the advanced layout options available in tools like Klaviyo or ActiveCampaign.
• Your stack relies on a CRM for contact management. Without a built-in CRM, you'll need Zapier or a native connector to keep your marketing and sales data aligned, which adds friction for CRM-heavy teams.
• Your list is scaling fast, and your automation needs are growing. Once you push past basic triggers and simple segments, the platform's constraints become more apparent, and upgrade costs step up in fixed increments.

Also consider

• Mailchimp: It offers a broader integration ecosystem and more sophisticated audience segmentation tools. It's a better fit if you're running a complex marketing tech stack, though pricing rises sharply as your list grows.
• Brevo: Brevo (or Sendinblue) includes a built-in CRM and stronger transactional email capabilities, making it worth evaluating if contact management is central to how your team operates.
• Omnisend: Built specifically for ecommerce, with native Shopify and WooCommerce connections and pre-built workflows for post-purchase sequences and product recommendations.

How I tested Sender

• Set up a free account and built campaigns across newsletter, automation, and transactional email categories to test the builder and workflow tools end-to-end.
• Tested subscriber segmentation, form creation, and pop-up builder against typical small business use cases, including list growth and re-engagement.
• Evaluated pricing tiers against competitor platforms and cross-checked all features and pricing claims against Sender's official documentation, pricing page source, and verified user reviews.

Testing Sender involved working through its three core use cases: broadcast email, automated workflows, and list building. I built multi-step automations using the visual builder, created segmented subscriber lists, and set up signup forms and exit-intent popups. Pricing figures were verified directly against Sender's official pricing page. User feedback from verified review platforms informed my assessment of support quality and day-to-day usability.

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: two-minute review

The Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night is the company’s most advanced rotary shaver, and in this Ryan Gosling-friendly Project Hail Mary edition, it arrives wrapped in a layer of space-age storytelling about aerospace-grade engineering, longevity and precision.

Underneath the launch theatrics, though, this is a serious flagship shaver. Philips’ Triple Action Lift & Cut system trims hair down to a Sphynx cat-like 0.08mm, while NanoTech Dual Precision blades and 360-degree flexing heads are designed to stay close to the skin across awkward contours like the jaw, chin and neck.

An LED pressure-feedback ring around the shaving head changes colour as you shave, showing whether you’re applying too much or too little pressure. It sounds like a gimmick until you realise it’s training you out of bad habits.

(Image credit: Future)

That matters because most electric shaver irritation comes not from the blades, but from you mashing the thing into your face like you’re trying to sand a table. The light ring gives immediate feedback, while the GroomTribe app adds more detailed pressure and motion guidance if you want to get forensic about your morning shave.

Performance is excellent for a rotary model. It’s close, smooth and particularly good across contours, with enough flexibility to handle difficult areas without repeated punishment passes. Foil shavers may still edge it for absolute closeness, but few feel this forgiving.

Battery life offers 60 minutes of runtime, good enough for a fortnight of taming facial follicles, with a one-hour full charge and a five-minute quick charge for emergencies.

The wider bundle also includes a UV Power Charger, Quick Clean Pod, precision trimmer and three-in-one DeepClean Massager, so this feels more like a grooming system than a single shaver.

(Image credit: Future)

The Project Hail Mary collaboration is mostly cosmetic. You get themed packaging and a theatrical unboxing, but the shaving experience itself is unchanged from the standard i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night model.

Still, if you’re buying fresh and want one of the most capable rotary shavers available, this is an impressively polished option.

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: price and availability

• List price: from $499.99 (without movie tie-in)
• Launched March 2026
• Available in the US and UK

The Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night sits firmly at the premium end of the electric shaver market.

Availability varies by region and retailer, but it’s widely sold online through major electronics and grooming outlets, with discounts often available. This Project Hail Mary variant (XP9406/93) appears as a limited-edition bundle, though the core device is shared with other i9000 Prestige Ultra models, and the Night & Day edition without the sci-fi tie-in retails at $499.99 (about £370 / AU$690)

Philips attempts to justify the cost with a considerable accessories bundle, including a three-in-one deep clean attachment for cleaning, massaging, and priming the skin for moisturising.

That said, ongoing costs are worth factoring in. Replacement shaving heads and cleaning cartridges aren’t cheap, and the included cleaning system nudges you toward regular refills.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: specs

Type

Rotary electric shaver

Use:

Wet and dry

Blade system

NanoTech Dual Precision blades

Shaving system

Triple Action Lift and Cut

Contour following

360-degree Precision Flexing Head

Guidance

Active Pressure and Motion Guidance

Skin comfort

Hydro SkinGlide Coating

Battery life

60 minutes runtime

Charging time

One hour

Quick charge

Five minutes

Charging

USB-A cable, charging dock / UV Power Charger

Cleaning

Quick Clean Pod, one-touch open, fully washable

Attachments

Precision trimmer, three-in-one DeepClean Massager

Display

Color LCD, battery indicator, travel lock, app connection

Connectivity

Bluetooth, GroomTribe app

Warranty

Five years, extendable to seven years with registration

Replacement head

SH91, replace every two years

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: design

• Premium, reassuring build
• LED pressure ring gives real-time feedback
• UV Power Charger makes the bundle feel flagship

Philips knows how to make a top-end shaver feel expensive, and the i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night doesn’t disappoint. The handle feels solid, balanced and nicely weighted, with an ergonomic grip that makes it easy to control even when shaving wet.

The triple rotary head design, made from aerospace industry steel, is familiar Philips territory, but the smaller, flexible heads help the shaver maintain contact around the jawline, neck and under the nose. It looks technical without tipping into medical device territory.

(Image credit: Future)

The standout design feature is the LED ring around the shaving head. It changes colour as you shave to indicate pressure, and it’s much more useful than a light-up grooming gadget has any right to be.

Press too hard and it tells you. Ease off too much, and it tells you. Hit the sweet spot, and it effectively rewards you for shaving like an adult. Even Barbie movie Ryan Gosling could get to grips with it.

There’s also a colour LCD on the handle, showing battery status, travel lock and app connection. It’s clear and useful, though the pressure ring is the display you’ll actually pay attention to while shaving.

(Image credit: Future)

The accessories are substantial. The UV Power Charger sanitizes the shaver head while charging, while the Quick Clean Pod handles cleaning and lubrication. The 3-in-1 DeepClean Massager feels more lifestyle than essential, but it does broaden the package into skincare territory.

As for the movie tie-in, it’s mostly in the packaging and presentation. The sci-fi styling and engineered unboxing experience are fun, but once the shaver is on your bathroom shelf, the movie connection fades into the background.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: performance

• Comfortable rotary shave
• LED pressure guidance improves technique
• Strong across awkward contours

The i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night is excellent to use, with multiple shaving modes prioritising speed, comfort or a more thorough pass — and the LED pressure ring is central to that.

A lot of premium shavers promise smarter shaving, but this is one of the few where the smart feature is visible and useful immediately. The colour-changing ring helps you maintain the right pressure in real time, which is particularly helpful around the neck, where it’s easy to overcompensate and cause irritation.

It also makes the learning curve shorter. Rotary shaving requires a different technique from foil shaving or wet shaving, and the i9000 gently nags you into better habits.

(Image credit: Future)

The LED ring uses a simple color system: green means you’re spot on, orange means ease off, and blue/purple means stop being so timid. It sounds basic, but it quickly trains you into better habits. After a few shaves, you stop thinking about it, which is usually a sign that a feature is doing its job.

Closeness is impressive, and while I can’t verify the 0.08mm figure with lab equipment, the results are consistently close and clean. It’s especially good at following face contours, where cheaper shavers often leave patches that require repeated passes, and subsequently irritation.

The NanoTech Dual Precision blades cope well with mixed growth direction, and Philips says the system is designed for one, three or seven-day beards. In practice, it’s at its best on daily or every-other-day growth, but it still handles longer stubble better than most rotary rivals.

(Image credit: Future)

Comfort is the bigger story. The Hydro SkinGlide coating helps the heads move smoothly over the skin, while the pressure ring discourages the sort of heavy-handed shaving that usually causes redness. Used properly, it feels controlled rather than aggressive.

The GroomTribe app won’t be for everyone. Not everyone wants to Bluetooth-pair a shaver before breakfast. But its pressure and motion insights do make sense here, because they support the same behaviour the LED ring is encouraging on the device itself.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

Wet shaving with foam or gel works well, and the shaver is fully washable, so cleaning under the tap is simple. The Quick Clean Pod is more convenient, though, especially if this is going to be your main shaver.

Foil rivals such as the Panasonic Arc6 and Braun Series 9 Pro may still win for absolute closeness on short, straight stubble. But the Philips counters with comfort, flexibility and a more forgiving feel around awkward facial geography.

Unlike foil shavers, where multiple brands compete at the top end, the rotary market is effectively dominated by Philips — meaning the i9000 Prestige Ultra’s biggest competition comes from earlier Philips models rather than direct rivals.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night?Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Superb bundle and flagship performance, but the RRP is extremely high.

3.5 / 5

Design

Premium build, excellent ergonomics and a genuinely useful LED pressure ring.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Close, comfortable and forgiving, especially around contours and sensitive areas.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if

You want a top-end rotary shaver

This is one of the most capable rotary models around, with excellent contour tracking and comfort.

You have sensitive skin

The LED pressure ring, Hydro SkinGlide coating and app guidance all help reduce over-shaving and irritation.

You want the full grooming system

The UV Power Charger, Quick Clean Pod, trimmer and DeepClean Massager make this feel like a complete bathroom setup.

Don't buy it if

You’re on a budget

This is an expensive shaver, even allowing for the bundle.

You already own a recent i9000

The Project Hail Mary edition adds packaging and presentation, not a radically different shave.

You want the closest possible electric shave

Foil shavers still arguably edge rotary models for absolute closeness on short stubble.

Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night: also consider

Panasonic Arc6

A premium foil shaver that prioritises outright closeness, especially on short, straight stubble.

Braun Series 9 Pro

Another high-end foil option, strong on speed and closeness, with a more traditional shaving feel.

How I tested the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night

• Tested over two weeks
• Used for wet and dry shaving
• Tested with daily stubble and longer growth

I used the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night as my main shaver over two weeks, testing it on stubble, longer growth and more awkward areas around the jawline and neck.

I tested the LED pressure-feedback ring during normal shaving to see whether it made a meaningful difference to technique, and used the GroomTribe app to compare its guidance with the feedback on the shaver itself.

I also tested the UV Power Charger, Quick Clean Pod, precision trimmer and 3-in-1 DeepClean Massager to assess whether the wider bundle adds genuine value or simply makes the box look more expensive.

Find out more about how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.

Kit (formerly ConvertKit) has been a fixture in creator email marketing since Nathan Barry launched the platform in 2013. It rebranded in 2024, expanding its identity from a pure email marketing tool to what the company calls an "email-first operating system for creators," with newsletter management, visual automation, and a built-in commerce layer now sitting under one roof. Notable users include authors like James Clear and New York Times bestselling writer Nisha Vora.

TechRadar Pro has been reviewing business software since 2012, and, email marketing platforms are a regular part of our coverage. Our contributors have tested everything from enterprise tools like ActiveCampaign to creator-focused alternatives like beehiiv. This Kit review draws on hands-on testing across the free and Creator tiers to assess where the platform delivers and where it falls short.

My experience with Kit

(Image credit: Kit)

When you sign up with Kit, an onboarding survey routes you to the relevant features based on your goals. If you're migrating from another platform, Kit provides tailored import instructions for the tool you're leaving. The dashboard splits into five top-level menus (Grow, Send, Automate, Earn, and Learn), and navigating between them is straightforward.

The visual automation builder is where Kit earns most of its goodwill. Building a branching email workflow based on subscriber tags or behavior takes a few minutes rather than a few hours, and the drag-and-drop interface doesn't require any technical background. I did find the email editor underwhelming by comparison: the template library is limited, layout options are sparse, and there's no block-based editor of the kind you'd find on Mailchimp or Brevo.

One caveat worth flagging early: Kit is designed for individual creators and small operators, not marketing teams or large businesses. If you need multi-brand list management, a CRM layer, or complex ecommerce automation, you'll hit the platform's ceiling fairly quickly.

Kit review: Features

Kit's features fall into three areas: growing your audience, sending to it, and earning from it.

On all plans, including the free tier, you get unlimited landing pages, opt-in forms, and email broadcasts. The visual automation builder and unlimited email sequences unlock on the Creator plan, giving you the flexibility to build multi-step subscriber journeys based on behavior, tags, or custom triggers.

The commerce layer is a genuine differentiator. Through Kit Commerce, you can sell ebooks, digital downloads, courses, and paid newsletter subscriptions, with Stripe as the primary payment gateway. The Creator Network lets you exchange paid or free recommendations with other Kit users to grow your audience, a useful tool if you're in a well-populated creator niche. Both features are baked into the platform at no extra transaction fee beyond Stripe's standard rates.

Where Kit falls short is depth. The email editor's template selection is narrow, and layout customization is limited compared to what rivals offer at similar price points. A/B testing is available on paid plans, but content testing requires Creator Pro, while Creator plan users are limited to subject line tests. There's no built-in AI writing assistant, and the native integration library is smaller than what you'd find on Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign, though connecting via Zapier extends your options considerably.

Kit review: User experience

(Image credit: Kit)

The interface is one of Kit's strongest points. The dashboard is clean and consistent, and tasks like building automation sequences are presented as visual flowcharts with plain-language labels. If you've used a cluttered platform before, the simplicity here is immediately noticeable.

Power users will find some friction, though. There are no folders or tags for organizing automations, which becomes messy as your library grows. Reporting is capped at 90 days on the lower tiers, and the analytics dashboard is thin compared to rivals. Creator Pro adds subscriber engagement scoring and a dedicated insights dashboard, but it still won't satisfy anyone used to detailed behavioral analytics.

Kit review: Customer support

Support access varies by plan. Free (Newsletter) users are limited to the community forum and a self-serve knowledge base, with no live help available. Creator plan subscribers get 24/7 email and chat support. Creator Pro bumps you to a priority queue, which typically means faster first responses.

Beyond tickets, Kit has invested in practical educational resources. Kit University, the Tradecraft blog, and a library of creator business guides cover everything from list growth to monetization strategy, and the content quality is solid. If you're on the free plan and hit a technical wall, though, you'll be relying on community threads rather than direct support, which can be frustrating when you need a quick answer.

Kit review: Pricing

Plan

Price (paid monthly)

Price (paid annually)

Subscribers

Newsletter

$0

0

Up to 10,000

Creator

From $33

From $390

Price increases after 1,000

Creator Pro

From $66

From $790

Price increases after 1,000

Kit's free tier covers up to 10,000 subscribers with no time limit, making it a realistic starting point rather than a teaser plan. You get unlimited broadcasts, landing pages, and digital product selling without paying a cent. The tradeoff is a single automation, Kit branding on your content, and no live customer support.

Paid plans are priced by subscriber count, so it's worth thinking through your projected list size before you commit. Both paid tiers include a 14-day free trial, no credit card required.

Kit review: Specs

Spec

Details

Free plan subscriber limit

Up to 10,000 subscribers

Trial period

14 days on paid plans

Reported delivery rate

99.8% (Kit-reported)

A/B testing scope

Subject lines (Creator); content (Pro)

Commerce transaction fees

None beyond Stripe processing

Should I buy Kit?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Strong for creators; limited for complex marketing needs

4/5

Performance

99.8% reported delivery rate; reliable send infrastructure

4.5/5

Design

Clean interface; email editor is a bit basic

4/5

Value

Outstanding free tier; paid plans scale steeply

3.5/5

Buy it if...

• You're building a creator business around a newsletter or digital products. Kit's free plan, visual automations, and built-in commerce tools are purpose-built for bloggers, podcasters, educators, and independent authors. Few platforms match this combination at the same entry price.
• You want automation without a technical learning curve. The drag-and-drop workflow builder is accessible for beginners but flexible enough to handle multi-step subscriber journeys built on behavior and tags.

Don't buy it if...

• Design control matters to your brand. The email editor is functional but limited. Platforms like Mailchimp and Brevo offer significantly more layout flexibility and template variety at comparable price points.
• Your list is large or growing fast. Subscriber-based pricing scales aggressively. At 25,000+ subscribers on Creator Pro, monthly costs run well over $200, at which point flat-rate platforms start making more financial sense.

Also consider

• Mailchimp offers a broader feature set and a more polished email editor, making it a better fit for teams with complex marketing needs or strong visual branding requirements.
• MailerLite covers similar ground to Kit at a lower price point, with more design flexibility. It's worth a look if your list is already sizable or growing quickly.
• beehiiv is worth a look if newsletter monetization is your primary goal; its built-in ad network and sponsor marketplace can deliver revenue more directly than Kit's Creator Network.

How I tested Kit

• Signed up for the free Newsletter plan and explored the dashboard, automation builder, landing page editor, and email broadcast workflow.
• Reviewed Creator plan documentation and tested subject line A/B testing tools, app integrations, and sequence builder.
• Cross-checked pricing against Kit's official pricing page and verified feature claims against primary documentation on kit.com.

I tested Kit across multiple sessions on both the free and Creator tiers, building a sample automation sequence, creating a landing page, and drafting an email broadcast from scratch. Pricing figures are sourced directly from Kit's pricing page, while feature details were verified against official product documentation.

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro: Two-minute review

The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is the kind of interesting ereader innovation I want to see more of, even if the biggest appeal is still just how unusual it is. My ereader expert colleague reviewed the original Palma and the newer Palma 2, but I have been able to use both of these devices as my main ereader, to ensure a good basis for comparison.

The Palma 2 Pro takes the same pocket-friendly, phone-like form of the Palma 2 and adds a color E Ink display, more memory, Android 15, SIM support and stylus compatibility. The Palma is already somewhat of a niche ereader (and a niche we are big fans of), so these new features are quite ambitious.

The 6.13-inch, 2:1 screen is still the main reason to consider the Palma. It looks and feels more like a smartphone than a typical ereader, and comes complete with a speaker, dual microphones, side buttons, a rear camera and now a hybrid SIM tray. But rather than an LCD or OLED display, it uses an e-paper display that means it’s a much nicer experience for long reading sessions.

In other words — if you already consume books, articles or newsletters on your phone and want something easier on the eyes, the Palma 2 Pro has a lot of appeal.

Another new advantage is stylus support — like some of the larger models, the Palma 2 Pro works with a compatible stylus and enables note-taking directly on the device. Another great little extra is a combined SIM/SD card slot, which means you can upgrade the storage or add in a data SIM and access books (and the internet) when on the go.

The flip case can be folded back, making the Palma 2 Pro easy to use without removing it. (Image credit: Future)

Physically, the Pro is very similar to the Palma 2, though there are a few useful changes that show how the design has progressed more than just changing to a color display. The power button (that also houses the fingerprint reader) is still on the right edge but the volume/page-turn buttons now sit on the left with the smart button — a layout that feels a lot more intuitive.

The SIM/SD card tray is on the bottom and the body is a little thicker. At 172g bare on my scales (Boox lists it as approximately 175g), it’s still easy to carry around, and even with the soft case from my review package fitted, it remained pocket-friendly enough for daily use, plus there’s an excellent magnetic flip cover.

The biggest change, of course, is the screen. The Palma 2 Pro uses a Kaleido 3 color E Ink panel, whereas the Palma 2 has a Carta 1200 monochrome display. The upgrade to color immediately makes the interface, book covers, comics, web pages and some apps feel more engaging and useful than they do on the black-and-white Palma 2. To be clear, it’s not bright, glowing color like you get from a phone or tablet, or glossy like a magazine — it’s closer to soft pastels on paper.

While the black and white part of the display has the same resolution and DPI as the Palma 2, the Kaleido 3 color layer gives the screen a slightly grainier look, with grayer whites, compared to the sharp Carta display on the Palma 2.

While reading on the Palma 2 Pro is still great, it does mean the Pro is not an automatic upgrade for everyone. For pure monochrome text, the Palma 2 still has a clearer, more paper-like display, with better perceived contrast and cleaner whites.

That means the Palma 2 is still a solid choice, while the Palma 2 Pro is at its best for those who will actually make use of the color screen.

The Palma 2 Pro works with the Boox stylus, making quick notes and sketches easy. (Image credit: Future)

The Pro has had a slight bump in spec, which in turn makes the user experience a little slicker. An upgrade to Android 15 (the Palma 2 runs Android 13) gives the Palma 2 Pro a more current interface, while 8GB of RAM (up from 6GB), Android 15 and updated software tuning help it feel slightly smoother when opening apps, scrolling through menus and using gesture navigation.

It’s still an E Ink device, so you won’t mistake it for the responsiveness of a smartphone, but third-party apps such as Kindle, Kobo and Google Play Books work well, and Google Play Store support gives it far more flexibility than most ereaders.

I also found the fingerprint scanner accurate and very handy on the Pro. It’s quick to set up and, in daily use, it rarely failed to unlock the device. In comparison, the Palma 2 doesn’t unlock quite as reliably.

The stylus support worked well, and the Boox stylus is easy to start using — no pairing is needed. Handwritten notes can be made in compatible apps, like Boox’s Notes app, or on your ebooks with NeoReader. The small screen means it takes a little getting used to and it’s not as capable as a larger note-taking device, but it is a nice little extra for those who like to jot down handwritten thoughts.

Making it slightly less appealing though, is that buying the Boox stylus adds around an extra 10% to the price, and there’s no neat way to carry it with the flip cover.

(Image credit: Future)

The Palma 2 Pro continues some of the little niggles that felt out of place considering the price of the Palma 2. The body still feels plasticky rather than premium, the camera is more useful for quick scans than for taking photos, the speaker is basic and performance is on the low end compared to a phone. The Palma 2 Pro is also considerably more expensive than the regular Palma 2 and other mainstream 6-inch ereaders.

Still, I like the Palma 2 Pro for the same reason I like the Palma 2: it’s compact, versatile and something genuinely different. The color screen won’t suit everyone, but if you want a pocketable Android ereader that can handle books, apps, light web use, color-rich documents and the occasional note-taking session, it’s a great upgrade to one of the most interesting ereaders around.

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro review: Price & availability

• Announced October 2025
• List price: $379.99 / €399.99 / £379.99 / AU$679
• Available now directly from the Boox Shop and select retailers

The Palma 2 Pro is a much more expensive device than the regular Palma 2, with current pricing sitting at $380 / £380 / AU$679. That makes it pricey even by premium ereader standards, and it’s a notable step up from the Palma 2’s current $250 / £249 / AU$499 pricing.

On the plus side, that higher price does give you a tasty set of new and updated features. The Palma 2 Pro adds a Kaleido 3 color E Ink display, 8GB of RAM, Android 15, a hybrid SIM slot with mobile data support and compatibility with the Boox InkSense Plus stylus.

While these are all great additions, they won’t all matter equally to every reader, so the best value proposition is only going to apply to a smaller subset of potential buyers. If you mostly want a pocketable device for reading typical ebooks, the regular Palma 2 is still the better choice.

The Pro starts to make more sense if you’ll actually use the color display for book covers, comics, web pages, documents or apps, or if mobile data support is important to you.

The Boox website has a range of compatible accessories available. For the Palma 2 Pro, stylus support helps it feel more useful beyond reading, though it’s worth noting that the Boox stylus is sold separately and is priced around $46 / £47 / AU$72 — adding around 10% to the total purchase cost.

The standard box includes the Palma 2 Pro, USB-C cable, card tray eject tool, quick start guide and warranty card. My review package also included the Magnetic 2-in-1 protective flip case, which is another $22 / £22 / AU$38 or so from Boox.

Compared with mainstream 6-inch ereaders, the Palma 2 Pro is expensive, and it is on par with a mid-range smartphone. In fact, you could buy almost three Amazon Kindle or Kobo Clara BW ereaders for the price of the Palma 2 Pro, but they also don’t offer the same Android flexibility, color E Ink display, large storage capacity or phone-like form factor.

That said, I could better stomach the price if the Palma 2 Pro came with the stylus and case as standard, but as it stands, it only really offers decent value if you truly need the unique form factor and will actually use the full set of features.

• Value score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro review: Specs

Display type:

E Ink Kaleido 3 color

Screen size:

6.13 inches (2:1 aspect ratio)

Resolution:

300ppi B/W (824 x 1648 dots); 150ppi color (412 x 824 dots)

Processor:

Octa-core + BSR; identified by CPU X as QTI SM6350

System memory:

8GB RAM

Storage:

128GB (expandable via microSD up to 2TB)

Front light:

Adjustable (brightness and color temp)

Camera:

16MP rear camera; LED flash

Battery:

3,950mAh

Water protection:

Water-repellent, no IP rating

Software:

Android 15

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, data-only SIM support, A-GPS

File support:

20 document, 4 image, 2 audio

Stylus support:

Boox InkSense Plus stylus compatible

Dimensions:

159 × 80 × 8.8 mm (6.3 x 3.1 x 0.35 inches)

Weight:

172g measured (Boox lists 175g)

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro review: Design & display

• Available in Charcoal Black and Ivory White
• Color E Ink makes the Palma format more versatile
• Phone-like and pocket-friendly

The Palma 2 Pro mostly sticks to the Palma 2’s design, but the small changes do make it feel a little more polished in daily use. It’s still unmistakably a Palma, with the same tall, phone-like shape, rear camera, speaker, dual microphones, USB-C port and compact footprint, but it’s slightly thicker at 8.8mm (up from 8mm) and a little heavier at 172g on my scales, up from the Palma 2’s measured 166g.

The button layout has changed too. The power button with fingerprint scanner now sits on the right edge, while the volume/page-turn buttons have moved to the left with the smart button. The hybrid SIM tray is on the bottom beside the USB-C port, while the microphones have shifted closer to the speaker.

None of these changes dramatically alter how the Palma 2 Pro feels, but I think the layout is a bit more intuitive than the Palma 2 as volume buttons on the left mean they sit under a forefinger, rather than under a thumb on the right.

If you don’t use the volume buttons for page turning (or you are left-handed), then the smartphone-like layout on the Palma 2 might be preferable.

Left side view of the Palma 2 Pro (top) vs the Palma 2 (bottom) showing the new volume button location.FutureRight side view of the Palma 2 Pro (top) vs the Palma 2 (bottom).FutureTop view of the Palma 2 Pro (right) vs the Palma 2 (left).FutureBottom view of the Palma 2 Pro (right) vs the Palma 2 (left) showing the new SD / sim slot location. FutureRear view of the Palma 2 Pro (right) vs the Palma 2 (left) showing the colour difference.FutureAside from the colour, the grippy textured surface on the rear of the Palma 2 (left) and Palma 2 Pro (right) are very similar. Future

Build quality is very similar to the Palma 2 — it’s a little plasticky, and the rear panel has a rough, grippy texture. The Pro is white rather than cream, and the surface of the plastic is a matte gloss, rather than being purely matte, but isn’t slippery.

Unlike the silver buttons on the Palma 2, the Pro uses the same shade of white on the buttons and the body, giving a sleeker, understated look. While most ereaders use a lot of plastic, the build certainly doesn’t feel as premium as its price suggests.

While I didn’t run into any issues of the surface staining like my colleague experienced in her Palma 2 review, it’s still plastic, so even with the flip case, I wouldn’t leave it loose in a bag with keys or other sharp objects. Like a phone, it is best kept in a protected pocket of a backpack, and while the glass screen feels reasonably tough, damage is still worth guarding against.

My review package included the magnetic flip case, which is a big upgrade over the flip case that came with the Palma 2. It has a cloudy-clear flexible shell that clips around the device, plus a detachable flip cover that connects magnetically. The shell is the part with the magnets, not the Palma 2 Pro itself, and it also carries through MagSafe-style support so it can be attached to a compatible stand.

This makes it very easy to keep protected when on the go, but also allows it to be instantly pulled out from the flip case for more relaxed at-home use.

The Palma 2 Pro flip case protects the display and makes it much less likely to be damaged in a bag or pocket. FutureThe flip case has a magsafe compatible ring on the back, so it can attach to stands and other accessories. FutureWhile the rear is more exposed, the front of the flip case protects the entire screen. FutureThe Palma 2 Pro has a soft cover that attaches magnetically (and is MagSafe compatible) to the flip part of the cover. FutureThe soft case has a MagSafe compatible magnetic ring, so can also attach to other accessories. FutureFutureFuture

The case doesn’t give heavy-duty protection, but it’s an excellent compromise between a bulkier folio and a slim shell. The flip cover attaches easily but stays secure, the fake-leather material feels well made and there are no sharp or rough edges. It also adds good grip without making the Palma 2 Pro feel too big, and in fact I wish I could get this style flip case for my phone.

Sadly the new flip case is only available for the Palma 2 Pro, which feels like a misstep from Boox, as there is a Palma/Palma 2 flip case with magnetic attachment available, just in the older style. This means either of the outer, magnetically attached parts of the case could work fine with either device, but you can’t buy the actual shell with the magnets separately, which is needed due to the changed button locations.

Pocketability is still one of the biggest reasons to buy the Palma 2 Pro as it feels much closer to carrying a phone than a conventional ereader. Even in the flip case, it’s still easy to slip into a jacket or pants, and it is the right size to work with phone-specific bag pockets, or even accessories like waterproof pouches.

The display is where the Pro version will pique a lot of new interest over the Palma 2. It uses a 6.13-inch Kaleido 3 color E Ink screen, with the same 300ppi black-and-white resolution as the Palma 2, but color content is displayed at 150ppi. That’s normal for this kind of color E Ink panel, and it means the Palma 2 Pro can show book covers, comics, web pages, app icons and more in color but still give a crisp black and white e-paper experience for text.

Palma 2 Pro screen close up showing the fine detail and color the display is capable of. FuturePalma 2 (left) compared to Palma 2 Pro (right) with the backlight off, showing how the Pro's colour screen is noticeably darker. FuturePalma 2 Pro screen close up, showing the slightly grainy texture. FuturePalma 2 text close up, showing improved clarity and cleaner whites. FutureThe Palma 2 Pro icons are in colour, but it's not the vibrant or glossy look you might be used to with a phone. FutureThe Palma 2 monochrome icons are clear but look plain without color. FutureFrom left to right – the Palma, Palma 2 and Palma 2 Pro, showing the different in white with the backlight set to the coolest color temperature. FutureFrom left to right – the Palma, Palma 2 and Palma 2 Pro, showing the different in white with the backlight set to the warmest color temperature. FutureA close up of the Palma 2 (left) vs Palma 2 Pro (right) with the colour temperature at the warmest setting. Future

There is a trade-off, and overall clarity suffers somewhat. The color layer sits over the monochrome layer and adds a fine grid-like texture, so plain text doesn’t look quite as crisp or contrasty as it does on the Palma 2, and blank areas have a slightly grainy, screen-door-type look.

It’s still very readable, and I had no issue using it for long sessions, but the monochrome Palma 2 has cleaner whites and better contrast if all you care about is text.

Color on the Palma 2 Pro also shouldn’t be confused with color on a phone or tablet, or even a magazine print. It’s muted and pastel-like rather than glossy and bright, but that works well for an ereader.

The small touches of color throughout the OS make the device feel nicer to use, and switching back to a black-and-white ereader feels rather limiting, despite offering a better display for reading text.

Album cover art displays fairly well on the Palma 2 ProFutureColour icons add depth the the interface. FutureThe colour range is good, but has a muted tone compared to a phone screen.FutureYou can select a range of writing / drawing colours in the Boox note taking appFuture

Touch response is similar to the Palma 2. Page turns are quick enough, menus respond well enough and the touchscreen is accurate, but there’s still noticeable lag compared to a phone if you drag items around.

Screen refreshes can also look slightly fuzzier on the Pro because the color screen shows a little more ghosting, though if you tweak the settings to your own preferences, it produces a fairly clean image overall.

As with the Palma 2, the 2:1 aspect ratio won’t suit everyone, but it’s still the standout part of the design. It makes the Palma 2 Pro a very good fit for people who already read on their phones and want something easier on the eyes, while still keeping the same portable feel.

Boox describes the Palma 2 Pro as water-repellent, with protection against daily exposure such as spills, splashes and light rain, but it’s not waterproof and doesn’t have an IP rating. That’s fine for normal use, but I wouldn’t treat it like a waterproof ereader and take it in the bath.

• Design & display score: 4 / 5

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro review: User experience

• Android 15 with Google Play Store support
• More customizable than a Kindle or Kobo
• File transfers are easy

The Palma 2 Pro still isn’t a phone, even if it looks more like one than most ereaders. Setup is much like using a small Android device: you connect to Wi-Fi, sign in, activate the Play Store and start installing apps. It’s familiar enough if you’ve used Android before, but there are still plenty of Boox-specific settings to get used to.

That extra control is part of the appeal. You can adjust refresh behavior, navigation, power-saving settings, app optimization and reading layouts in far more detail than you can on a Kindle or Kobo. It can feel like a lot at first, but in daily use, the Palma 2 Pro gives you useful control over how much speed, clarity and battery life you want to prioritize.

Getting your documents and ebooks onto the device is quite easy. BooxDrop is a good starting point — it lets you transfer files from a phone or computer over Wi-Fi. If you are in the Google ecosystem, you can use the Drive app (or other Android app of your choice) and wired transfers over a USB cable on Windows just require plugging it in.

The Android to Mac experience isn’t as simple, and Apple requires its users to install third-party apps such as MacDroid to connect to an Android device.

USB-C OTG support also worked seamlessly, and like the Palma 2, the Pro will happily read files straight from a USB stick. For most users, though, BooxDrop or cloud storage is probably still the simplest option.

The Palma 2 Pro runs Android and has access to the Google Play Store, so you can download and use a wide range of apps. (Image credit: Future)

While the two devices are very similar, in my testing the touchscreen is a little better on the Pro compared to the Palma 2, but it still doesn’t feel anywhere near as responsive as a phone. Light taps are occasionally not picked up and swipes don’t always give enough instant feedback to help show you are doing it right.

Once I adjusted and used slightly slower, more purposeful touch interactions, it worked just fine, but there is a little recalibration compared to the haptic feel of a smartphone.

I didn’t have a lot of patience for NaviBall, Boox’s floating shortcut tool that opens when tapped. The idea is useful, but in practice it often sat over text or stopped pop-up buttons like confirm and cancel from working correctly and had to be moved before those buttons could be used. You can move it around easily enough, but I eventually stopped using it, as it added more friction overall than convenience.

The Boox InkSense Plus stylus is very capable, with 4,096 pressure levels, tilt support, a shortcut side button and replaceable 0.6mm tips. It’s also an active stylus, so it needs charging via USB-C, unlike the passive pens used by some note-taking tablets.

I found it great for quick annotations, short notes and rough sketches, but the small screen size makes sustained handwriting impractical. The Notes app can also convert handwriting to text, but I didn't find this useful due to the limited amount of writing I did.

If writing is important to you, check out my colleagues' reviews of the 7-inch color display Boox Go Color 7 Gen II, the monochrome 7-inch Boox Go 7 or the 10.3-inch Boox Note Air5 C.

The Boox InkSense Plus stylus works well despite the small display (Image credit: Future)

While Boox hasn't noted any hardware changes, the fingerprint scanner feels slightly improved on the Pro. It is easy to set up, and in daily use, I found it rarely failed to register and unlock on the first go. That makes it feel far more usable than it did on the Palma 2, where the sensor needed more careful finger placement.

Audio is still best judged by ereader standards compared to the surprisingly good results from some smartphones. The built-in speaker is fine for audiobooks and podcasts, but Bluetooth headphones or a small speaker are still the better option if you care about sound quality.

I had no issue with pairing Bluetooth devices, but using your favorite music streaming app needs a little setup to get it to work correctly. For example, with YouTube Music, I had to unfreeze the app and adjust power settings so Wi-Fi and Bluetooth weren’t turned off when the device slept.

The downside is that this has a noticeable impact on battery life, and if you use it as a music streamer, expect to charge it every few days. If you are serious about using it to play music, then the best bet is downloaded files and local playback through the built-in music app.

Video playback works, but only in the loosest sense, and it does not give a very watchable result. That said, music videos can be oddly pleasant if you lean into the low-resolution, low-frame-rate, pastel-color look.

The same is true for many mobile games — anything where high resolution or non-glacial framerates matter won’t be much fun, but some titles are perfectly playable.

The E Ink screen is not generally great for video. FutureGames are playable on the Palma 2 Pro, but expect a lot of ghostingFuture

The extra flexibility of being able to install and use regular apps is great overall, but despite the color screen, the Palma 2 Pro is much better thought of as a reading-first device that happens to handle audio playback and other light Android tasks better than most ereaders.

• User experience score: 4 / 5

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro review: Performance

• Faster than the Palma 2, but still limited by E Ink
• Handles Android apps well for an E Ink device
• Battery life is very good

Thanks to extra RAM, Android 15 and software tuning, the Palma 2 Pro is slightly faster than the Palma 2 in daily use, though it’s not the kind of spec upgrade that changes what the device is good at.

It’s still an E Ink ereader first, so the improvements are more about smoother user experience than enabling phone-like usage.

Boox doesn't specify the exact processor, but CPU X identifies the chipset as QTI SM6350, with two cores running at 2.07GHz and six at 1.71GHz, plus Adreno 619 graphics.

That's the same class of hardware as the Palma 2, but the Pro pairs it with 8GB of RAM rather than 6GB. Android 15 and Boox’s software tuning also help the Pro feel smoother in daily use.

The color screen makes viewing web pages a lot nicer. [Palma 2 left vs Palma 2 Pro right] (Image credit: Future)

In Geekbench 6 benchmark testing, the Palma 2 Pro scored 632 for single-core, 1,586 for multi-core and 835 for GPU, compared to the Palma 2’s 519, 1,211 and 723 respectively.

That puts it 22% ahead in single-core testing, 31% ahead in multi-core and 15% ahead for GPU, giving the Pro a measurable advantage even if the real-world difference is a bit more modest than the numbers might suggest.

In real-world use, page turns feel slightly faster and smoother than on the Palma 2, but the difference is small. App launching and multitasking are a little better too. Apps open a touch quicker, menus feel more responsive and gesture navigation is noticeably easier to live with than it was on the Palma 2.

You still need to allow for the usual E Ink delay, but the Pro feels a little less hesitant when jumping between apps or digging into settings.

As with the Palma 2, gaming on the Pro is also workable, as long as you keep expectations realistic. Simple games like Alphabear 2 and Two Dots run fine, while more visually involved games such as Monument Valley 2 and Sky: Children of the Light are playable in a way that feels odd, but not unpleasant, on the E Ink screen.

The color display does help here, though the muted tones and lower refresh rate mean this is still more of a novelty than a device you’d pick for gaming.

From left to right: Palma, Palma 2, Palma 2 Pro, with the backlight off, showing that the color screen is noticeably darker. (Image credit: Future)

Battery life is a little lower than the Palma 2, which isn’t surprising considering the better performance. The Pro uses the same 3,950mAh battery capacity as the Palma 2, and overall endurance is still very good.

The color screen itself does not use any extra power when it isn’t being refreshed, and even refreshes only use slightly more. The bigger impact comes from usage: when displaying a lot of color, the lower reflectivity means you tend to have the front light set slightly brighter than when reading plain text.

With conservative settings and around an hour of reading a day, I’d expect about five to six weeks from a charge, whereas the Palma 2 will do a week or two longer. If you’re using more apps, streaming audio, browsing the web and making use of wireless connections, two to three weeks is a more realistic expectation of battery life.

Charging speed will still depend on what you plug it into, but the Pro tops up quicker than the Palma 2 does in the same test. Using a wall adapter, the Palma 2 Pro went from 20% to full in around two hours, while charging from a laptop dock took it from 25% to 71% in an hour.

Overall, the Palma 2 Pro is a modest but useful step up in performance. Responsiveness is still limited by the lower-end hardware and E Ink display, but it feels smoother, handles Android better and has more than enough battery life to work well as a daily ereader.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It’s an expensive ereader, and while the color screen, stylus support, Android flexibility and pocketable shape help justify the price, it’s only worth it if you will use all the features.

3/5

Design & display

The phone-like design remains excellent, and color E Ink gives extra appeal. Text isn’t as crisp as on the Palma 2, though, and the device itself still doesn’t feel premium.

4/5

User experience

Android 15, Google Play access and Boox’s customization make this more flexible than a Kindle or Kobo, though it still takes some setup to get the best from it.

4/5

Performance

The upgraded memory and software make it feel faster than the Palma 2, but it’s still an E Ink device that’s best suited to reading.

4/5

Overall

The Palma 2 Pro is an even more versatile take on one of the most interesting ereaders around. It’s still expensive, but the color display, stylus support and compact Android design make it easy to like.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want a pocketable color E Ink device

The Palma 2 Pro keeps the unusual phone-like shape that makes the Palma line so appealing, but adds a color E Ink screen. That makes it better suited to reading comics, web pages and color-coded documents than the standard Palma 2.

You want a very compact ereader

Like its predecessor, the Palma 2 Pro is one of the most compact ereaders on the market. Its phone-like size means it can be carried around in your pocket or slipped into any bag, and even with a case fitted, it’s more appealing to take on the go than a typical ereader.

You want a pocketable ereader for quick handwritten notes

The Palma 2 Pro’s stylus support gives it an extra use beyond reading, letting you jot down notes in compatible apps or mark up ebooks in NeoReader. The small screen means it’s not a replacement for a larger note-taking tablet, but it works well for quick thoughts, drawings and annotations when on the go.

Don't buy it if...

You want a cheaper ereader

The Palma 2 Pro is far more versatile than a basic Kindle or Kobo, but it’s also much more expensive. If you only want to read books, you can save a significant amount by choosing a typical 6-inch ereader.

You want the cleanest text possible

The color E Ink screen gives the Palma 2 Pro more flexibility, but it also adds a fine texture over the display. If you love the form factor but sharp black-and-white text is your main priority, the standard Palma 2 is still the better option.

You need a bigger screen

The Palma 2 Pro is easy to carry, but its narrow 6.13-inch display won’t suit everyone. If you use larger font sizes, read a lot of PDFs or want more room for comics and notes, a 7-inch or 8-inch ereader will be a better fit.

The Palma 2 Pro sits comfortably in hand. (Image credit: Future)Also consider

There aren’t many direct rivals to the Palma 2 Pro, which makes recommending alternatives a little tricky. Its phone-like shape, color E Ink display, Android flexibility, mobile data support and stylus compatibility put it in a very small category. Devices like the Bigme HiBreak Plus/Pro have very similar features, but we have not been able to test one yet, and they are harder to buy plus not as well supported as a known name like Boox.

Ultimately, most buyers will be choosing between the Palma 2 Pro and a more conventional ereader, or deciding whether the regular Palma 2 is enough. I’ve included the closest practical options below, covering the standard Palma 2 and two mainstream 6-inch ereaders.

For even more options, check out our guide to the best ereaders.

Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro

Onyx Boox Palma 2

Amazon Kindle (2024)

Kobo Clara BW

Price

$380 / £380 / AU$679

$250 / £249 / AU$499

$130 / £105 / AU$199 (no ads)

$140 / £130 / AU$250

Screen

6.13-inch E Ink Kaleido 3

6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200

6-inch E Ink Carta 1200

6-inch E Ink Carta 1300

Resolution

300ppi B/W; 150ppi color

300ppi

300ppi

300ppi

Operating system

Android 15

Android 13

Linux-based

Linux based

Storage

128GB (expandable)

128GB (expandable)

16GB

16GB

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 690

Qualcomm Snapdragon 690

Unknown

1GHz

Battery

3,950mAh

3,950mAh

Unknown capacity, up to 6 weeks

1,500mAh, up to 53 days

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, data-only SIM support

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Waterproofing

No IP rating, water-repellent

No IP rating, water-repellent

No

IPX8

File support (including audio and images)

26

26

18

15 + audio

Audio

Built-in speaker, Bluetooth

Built-in speaker, Bluetooth

Bluetooth, no speaker

Bluetooth, no speaker

Dimensions

159 × 80 × 8.8 mm

159 × 80 × 8 mm

157.8 x 108.6 x 8 mm

160 x 112 x 9.2 mm

Weight

172g (measured)

166g (measured)

158g

174g

Onyx Boox Palma 2

If you like the Palma shape but don’t need color, mobile data or stylus support, the regular Palma 2 is the obvious alternative. Its monochrome screen is nicer for plain text, it has the same compact size and storage capacity and it costs quite a bit less than the Pro.

Find out more in our Boox Palma 2 review

Amazon Kindle (2024)

The latest entry-level Kindle is a much simpler device, but it’s also much cheaper. It’s a good fit if you mostly buy books from Amazon and want a compact, easy ereader without Android apps, expandable storage or color.

Find out more in our Amazon Kindle (2024) review

Kobo Clara BW

The Kobo Clara BW is still one of the best basic ereaders you can buy. It has a sharper-feeling Carta 1300 screen, waterproofing and built-in OverDrive support in select countries, making it a better choice if you want a straightforward reading device rather than a pocketable Android one.

Read more in our full Kobo Clara BW review

How I tested the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro

• Used as my daily reading device for 8 weeks
• Sideloaded eBooks, music and other files via BooxDrop, cloud, email and USB
• Downloaded Android apps for benchmarking, reading, streaming, browsing and light gaming

I began by following the on-screen setup process, connecting the Palma 2 Pro to Wi-Fi, activating Google Play and adjusting the main Boox settings for refresh rate, power-saving and system navigation. Like other Boox devices, there are more customization options here than you’ll find on a Kindle or Kobo, so I spent some time tuning the setup before using it as my daily ereader.

I used BooxDrop to transfer ebooks and music files, then tested other transfer methods including Google Drive, email, OTG and wired file transfer.

I downloaded Android apps from the Play Store, including Geekbench 6, CPU X, Google Play Books, Kindle, Kobo, Chrome, YouTube Music and a small selection of games. The reading apps were used to check page turns, refresh behavior and display optimization, while the music and browser apps were used to test how well the Palma 2 Pro handles more general Android tasks.

For most of the eight-week testing period, I used the Palma 2 Pro daily as an ereader. I also used it for web browsing, local music playback, YouTube Music streaming, audiobooks, light gaming and occasional video playback to test where its E Ink limitations stood out.

To compare it directly with the Palma 2, I used both devices side by side for reading, app use, navigation, scanning, sample photos and benchmarking. That comparison was especially useful for checking whether the color display, extra RAM and Android 15 made a practical difference in daily use.

Read more about how we test.

[First reviewed May 2026]

Mouse P.I. for Hire has caused quite the stir since it was revealed by Polish developer Fumi Games a couple of years back. Its rubberhose animation style, Doom-inspired boomer shooter gameplay, and Mickey Mouse-esque cast of characters helped it to stand out in the indie scene, and it’s already enjoyed a healthy dosage of positive reception from critics and players alike.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: April 16, 2026

So, when I got the chance to try it out on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s safe to say I was pretty excited. Playing detective in a noir, rodent-filled world sounds pretty enticing, right? And given that I had some long-haul flights up ahead, going with the Switch 2 edition to mouse around on the go felt like a no-brainer.

But just how good is Mouse P.I. for Hire on Nintendo Switch 2? And does the indie title nail the boomer shooter formula and 1930s cartoon aesthetic? Here’s what I think after more than 20 hours with the game.

Say hello to my little friend

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)

Welcome to Mouseburg, where the cops are more crooked than an old shrew’s teeth, the ‘cheesehibition’ brings unrest, and the stench of crime lurks on just about every corner. For private investigator Jack Pepper — a war hero and former police officer — mystery awaits, with the cases of a missing magician, a murdered mouse, and a shrew-trafficking ring all drawing his attention.

You’ll have to snoop around Mouseburg, shoot through your foes, dig around for clues, and solve these key cases, which may or may not be interlinked. It’s a fun premise for sure, and although the game is pretty linear, this ensures that the mystery is paced pretty nicely.

When it comes to the investigative aspects, Mouse P.I. keeps things relatively simple. Across various locations, you’ll stumble across clues — such as misplaced notes or photographs — and be tasked with pinning them up at Jack’s office. Here, he will be able to ponder evidence, resolve leads, and decide what action to take.

As a player, you’re not able to give much personal input into the investigation process — much of it unfolds before your eyes as Jack discusses his findings. It could’ve been interesting to see some multiple choice options or to think up correlations between pieces of evidence, but personally, I was happy for the game to take a more agile, straightforward approach.

Other than the main story, you’ll be able to take on side gigs, like gathering info for Jack’s journalist ally Wanda, or locating ingredients for his bar-owner buddy John Brown. The rewards for these aren’t always massive, but getting some extra coins to buy newspapers and comic books, as well as baseball cards required for a simple bar game, is always welcome.

Best bit

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)

Although Fumi Games nailed the black and white 1930s aesthetic, stepping into the film studio and seeing a burst of color was a clever twist and a feast for the eyes.

The main thing to discuss, however, is the game’s combat. This is a first-person shooter that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. The boomer shooter formula is executed very well, with fast-paced, brutal, and chaotic shoot-outs that feel thrilling to blast through. There's a bit of platforming mixed in too, which feels surprisingly sharp — and equally forgiving, as falling will simply respawn you from where you left off.

My only issue with Mouse P.I.’s rodent-packed shoot-ups is the unfortunate lack of enemy diversity. During the game’s approximate 20-hour run time, you'll encounter the same foes over and over again, which becomes a little dull in the latter stages. There's the occasional odd creature or robot sprinkled in, and the bosses offer some challenge, but it feels like the Devs could've given your enemies more weapon types and more unique looks depending on the area you're in.

For Pepper, however, things are a bit different. He's given a neat selection of weapons to wield against his opponents, including the James Gun (a playfully named Tommy Gun), the Boomstick (a shotgun), the Loose Cannon (a cannonball shooter), and more. The James Gun is certainly the most reliable, and it makes a lot of areas easy to tear through, but there’s a hard mode if you want to test your skills.

As a player, you can also choose to play with a controller, with a standard handheld setup, or with…ahem…mouse controls. The latter genuinely works pretty well, although I prefer the comfort of using a Switch 2 Pro Controller, personally. One thing I've seen a lot of players lament, however, is the lack of gyro, which is packed into a lot of rival first-person shooters, and it would've been great to see here.

A step down on Switch 2

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)

I've been pretty positive about Mouse P.I. for Hire so far, and I genuinely think it's a game that fans of games like Doom Eternal will love. But we're looking at the Switch 2 version in particular today, and on this platform, the game runs into far too many technical issues.

The biggest issue for this title is its unreliable frame rate. With the Switch 2 docked, Mouse P.I. is targeting 1080p at 60fps (frames per second) in performance mode and 1440p at 40fps in quality mode. In handheld, it's 900p at 60fps and 1260p at 30fps, respectively. That's already not the most impressive, after all, this is hardly the most demanding game out there. But Mouse P.I. still struggles to reach some of those figures.

The worst offender is Performance mode. In handheld mode, the game has constant frame drops, which can be pesky during combat situations and a bit of an immersion killer during exploration. Things are a bit better in docked, but I still experienced frequent drops, even when visiting areas like the kitchen by the bar.

Sure, things are a bit steadier in quality mode, but there are still occasional drops, and the lower frame rate just doesn't lend itself very well to the fast-paced, fluid nature of Mouse P.I.’s gameplay.

On top of this, I discovered other technical oddities, like menus scrolling without me pressing any buttons (no matter what controller I used), overlong loading screens, and even a crash when I was mid-mission.

Don't get me wrong, Mouse P.I. for Hire is still playable on Switch 2. As frustrating as these issues are, the port is still workable, and I was able to push through the pesky frame drops to get over the line. Apparently, there is a patch in the works to address some of the game’s performance issues, which is a positive sign, although I'd argue that it should’ve played smoother from launch.

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)

Having said this, there is still a lot to love about Mouse P.I. for Hire. Its story is pretty engaging, and the characters are voiced to absolute perfection. Yes, not all of the jokes about cheese land, but using it as a substitute for alcohol during the prohibition era really adds to the 1930s setting.

The rubberhose animation style is also stellar, and suits the noir vibe to a T. In the same way that Cuphead charmed audiences years ago, Mouse P.I. for Hire thrives off its charismatic, frantic, and sometimes bizarre animation. Oh, and that's not to mention the soundtrack, which features jazz hits from the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, as well as some iconic classical tunes.

All in all, then, Mouse P.I. for Hire on Nintendo Switch 2 leaves me feeling conflicted. On one hand, I'd argue it hits a lot of the right beats when it comes to gameplay, narrative, and visual style. But on the other hand, I have to say, the sloppy performance was a bit of a let down, and makes this specific version of the game tougher to recommend. And that's where I'm at: Mouse P.I. for Hire is a largely enjoyable, fantastically animated boomer shooter — but if you own another system, like a PS5 or PC, I'd steer clear of the Switch 2 version, unless there's a major fix rolled out, that is.

Should you play Mouse P.I. for Hire?

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)Play it if...

You're a fan of the boomer shooter genre
If you enjoy games like Doom and Quake then I'm pretty sure you'll have a fun time with Mouse P.I. for Hire. There are a lot of similarities, from the first-person perspective through to the brutal combat and fast-paced movement that should satisfy fans of those titles.

You love old school Disney animation
If you enjoy some of the vintage Disney stuff from the 1930s, you'll absolutely love the visual style of Mouse P.I. for Hire — it's executed brilliantly and adds a lot of charm to the overall experience.

Don't play it if...

You own a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC
If you have a system with superior specs to the Switch 2 on your hands, then I strongly suggest playing this game there instead. The performance issues on Switch 2 are pretty frustrating, and you'll be able to enjoy smoother frame rates on platforms like PS5.

You want gyro controls
Unlike a lot of popular FPS games, Mouse P.I. for Hire opts to leave gyro out on Nintendo Switch 2. There are mouse controls, if you like to use them, but I suspect most players will stick with a standard controller setup.

Accessibility features

There are a fair few ways to customize your experience in Mouse P.I. for Hire. For instance, there are three difficulty levels, you can either toggle or hold down R3 to crouch, you can turn blood effects off, and you can remap controls to your liking. On top of this, you can alter sensitivity, camera controls, aim assist levels, and even visual effects, like depth of field. Subtitles are also available, and you can pick from a wide array of text languages.

(Image credit: Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)How I reviewed Mouse P.I. for Hire

I spent more than 20 hours playing through Mouse P.I. for Hire, during which time I completed the main story, finished a bunch of side quests, and tried nabbing as many collectibles as I could.

Most of the time, I played the game in handheld mode on my Nintendo Switch 2, using the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones to hear in-game audio. However, I did play the game docked from time to time, and had my system connected up to the Sky Glass Gen 2 television and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.

More generally, I've reviewed a bunch of titles here at TechRadar gaming, including everything from Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties through to Kirby Air Riders.

First reviewed April-May 2026

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review

The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K is a 75% mechanical keyboard that delivers a surprisingly broad feature set given its price. Available at a price tag of just $115 — it's currently only available in the US — it's crammed full of features like 8,000Hz polling over both wired and 2.4GHz wireless connections, hot-swappable Silk POM switches, a dampened gasket mount construction, and a battery life measured in weeks.

I’ll start with what’s included in the box, because Keychron has thrown in a rather generous selection of bits and bobs. The standard gear is here, like a keycap removal tool, USB Type-A to Type-C adapter and an extension adapter for the wireless receiver. You’ll also find striking red replacement keycaps for the Esc and Enter keys, along with alternate caps to swap between OS-specific buttons like Command and the Windows key.

Build quality is a mixture of impressive and a little questionable, depending on where you’re looking. The PBT keycaps are a highlight with a premium feel and reassuring thickness. There’s very little wobble to speak of and even the biggest keys are well supported by pre-installed screw-in stabilizers.

It’s the outer frame that doesn’t hold up as well under pressure. There’s noticeable movement in the plastic shell, both along the front below the space bar and under any level of twist or strain when picking it up from the sides. I noticed this more when moving it around and fiddling with the keyboard itself rather than gaming or typing on it, but it’s not a great look compared to the best keyboards.

The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K only comes in one color — black with two shades of grey keycaps — and it carries quite an industrial vibe as a result. It’s a 75% layout, with 82 keys including a volume dial, and you’re given the choice of Keychron Silk POM Red, Brown, or Banana switches. I’ve been testing the latter, which sit towards the heavier end of the tactile range with a 57g actuation force. They’re fully hot-swappable too, so you can always switch things up later... if you’ll let me get away with that painful pun.

(Image credit: Future)

Hanging out under the keys is one of the niftier RGB lighting implementations I’ve seen in some time, as long as you’re willing to invest the effort in setting it up. You can go deep with dialing in exactly the look you want, with more than 20 effects in both per-key mode or what Keychron calls Mix RGB mode. The latter allows you to define two different zones, each with their own effects. I spent a good half an hour playing with different effects, even as someone who isn’t usually a massive RGB kinda guy.

The only downside is the keycaps are solid with no shine-through lettering, so while there is plenty of punch to the intensity and saturation of the effects, they are a little blocked.

Deeper under the hood, the V1 Ultra 8K runs on ZMK open-source firmware, which is a shift away from the QMK that powered Keychron's previous wireless boards. Realistically, it's not a change I imagine most people will actually notice day to day, but it's the reason Keychron can claim a frankly absurd 660 hours of battery life. I’d like to tell you I had the spare 27 days of continual use to test whether Keychron’s claim is valid, but in my testing I barely noticed the battery percentage drop and it was quick to charge up again when plugged in, so I’ll take the company's word for it. Connectivity covers all the bases with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3 with support for up to three paired devices, and wired USB-C.

The headline spec is the 8,000Hz polling rate, which works across both wired and 2.4GHz modes. If we’re all being really honest with ourselves though, nobody outside of the absolute top end of esports champions is likely to notice the difference between 8K and 1K. You’re not suddenly going to get better at Fortnite, I promise. It’s impressive that such a high polling rate is an option on a keyboard of this price, but you’re probably better off running a lower spec anyway and saving any potential extra strain on your CPU.

You can tweak that polling rate, and the rest of the V1 Ultra 8K settings in the Keychron Launcher web app. I’m a big fan of this approach over a downloadable app and I found it to be loaded with options, snappy, and easy to navigate. You are limited to Chrome, Edge, or Opera, and you’ll need to be using the USB-C cable to make changes, but any settings you do tweak are saved to the keyboard itself so will carry across devices and connection modes.

(Image credit: Future)

So, what’s the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K like to use day to day? For most tasks, pretty great. Those Banana switches have an early tactile bump and fire off about halfway through their 3.4mm total travel distance. In practice, that makes them feel super responsive and capable of handling a lighter touch than their 57g force suggests on paper. While gaming I never felt like my actions were lagging behind and N-key rollover means simultaneous inputs all register together with no missed keystrokes.

The gasket mount and polycarbonate plate give the V1 Ultra 8K a more cushioned feel, and the multiple layers of foam inside keep each press sounding deep and rounded. It’s a nice, grown-up sounding keyboard.

All those internal layers add up to make this quite a tall keyboard, however, both in terms of its frame thickness and the height of the keycaps themselves. I’m more sensitive to this than others as I daily drive a low-profile keyboard, but the V1 Ultra 8K felt even taller than most I’ve tested. I’d have appreciated a wrist support to counter that cliff of a front edge, and even without the feet extended I felt as though my hands were needing to lean back in normal use. Keychron will sell you a silicone or resin wrist rest, and I’d say it’s well worth considering.

Typing was a bit of a mixed bag. For chatting in Discord, general browsing or productivity, it’s entirely pleasant. For more dedicated writing sessions, I found the sculpted keycaps bundled with that lofty overall height a little harder to adapt to. Each has a noticeable dip that’s useful for keeping your fingers locked in on WASD, but that starts to get in the way when your fingers are flying around typing out a review. It’s workable: I still maintained 113wpm, which is about my normal pace, but accuracy dropped to 92% instead of the 96% I usually hit.

(Image credit: Future)Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: price & release date

• Available for $114.99
• Released in January 2026
• Not currently available in the UK

At $115, the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K sits in a compelling spot. It’s one of the cheaper wireless mechanical keyboards to offer 8K polling and undercuts major players quite convincingly. There’s a lot on offer for the price here, though it does skimp a little on build quality to meet that budget.

It was released in the US on January 2026. Unfortunately, though, it's not available in the UK as yet, so gamers and keyboard connoisseurs there will find themselves waiting a while to get their fingers on it.

(Image credit: Future)Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: specs

Layout

75%

Switch

Keychron Silk POM (Red/Brown/Banana)

Programmable Keys

Yes (Keychron Launcher / ZMK)

Dimensions

328.5 x 148.7 x 29.4mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

8K polling, tri-mode wireless, hot-swap switches, dual RGB, ZMK firmware, N-key rollover.

4.5

Performance

Responsive switches, cushioned feel and nice sound profile, sculpted keycaps are not ideal for extended typing.

4

Design

Industrial vibe, solid PBT keycaps with no shine-through, screw-in stabilizers for larger keys, but plastic case flex and tall profile are drawbacks.

3.5

Value

Packs a lot of features into quite an accessible price tag.

4.5

Buy it if…

You want premium features without the premium price
The V1 Ultra 8K offers a stacked spec sheet with 8K polling, hot-swappable switches, N-key rollover, and a battery that lasts weeks, all for $115.

You like the idea of customizing your layout or swapping switches
Hot-swappable switches, a web-based customization app, and an accessible price make this a low-risk entry point with plenty of room to experiment.

You need absolute bleeding edge polling performance
The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K delivers a full 8,000Hz polling rate over both USB-C and wireless 2.4GHz connections. If you feel you need that level of performance, it’s up to the task.

Don’t buy it if…

You do more typing than gaming
The tall frame, sculpted OSA keycaps, and lack of an included wrist rest make this a challenging board for extended typing sessions, especially if you’re coming from a low-profile setup.

You’re looking for maximum build quality
The V1 Ultra 8K certainly doesn’t feel cheap, but it’s left behind by alternatives that offer aluminum frames that don’t flex under pressure.

You run an all-white setup
There’s only one color scheme for the V1 Ultra 8K and it’s an industrial gray affair.

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: also consider

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K

Gamakay TK75 V2

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro

Layout

75%

75%

Full size

Switch

Keychron Silk POM (Red/Brown/Banana)

Mechanical (Pegasus/Phoenix)

Razer Analog Optical Gen-2

Programmable Keys

Yes (Keychron Launcher / ZMK)

Yes

Yes (Fully programmable)

Dimensions

328.5 x 148.7 x 29.4mm

325 x 136 x 28mm

445 x 139 x 39mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (Customizable)

Yes (Customizable)

Razer Chroma RGB

Gamakay TK75 V2
Even more budget-friendly, the TK75 V2 is another 75% wireless board with gasket mounting, but goes for silent switches and even adds a small TFT screen for battery and system info. You do lose the 8K polling rate, the extreme battery life, and the open-source firmware flexibility, but at $89.99, it's well worth a look. Read our full Gamakay TK75 V2 review.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro
If it’s serious competitive gaming performance you’re looking at, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is our pick for best gaming keyboard. It’s the other end of the price scale at $249.99, but offers the same 8K polling rate along with second-generation analog optical switches with adjustable actuation, rapid trigger support, and per-key sensitivity customization. Read our full Razer Huntsman V3 Pro review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K

• Used as my primary keyboard for a week
• Connected both wired and wirelessly, on Mac and Windows
• This review was typed entirely on it

I tested the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K by making it my daily driver keyboard across all work, productivity, and gaming for a week. I used it on both an Apple MacBook Air and a Windows desktop PC, jumping between wired and wireless connectivity modes.

I swapped out a few keycaps using the included tool, uninstalled and reinstalled one of the switches just because I could, and played around with the full suite of settings in the Keychron Launcher web app.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: May 2026

It’s been almost a year since the 2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout left large parts of Spain and Portugal without power.

Specifications

• Capacity: 2016Wh (LiFePO₄)
• Output: 1800W continuous
• UPS switchover: ~10ms
• Cycle life: ~4000 cycles to 80%
• Charging: AC, solar and car charging supported
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi app control
• Weight: 19kg
• Dimensions: 350 × 580 × 75mm

For many households, it was a reminder that backup power is no longer just for off-grid enthusiasts or enterprise users.

That creates an awkward gap in the market. Whole-home battery systems remain expensive and complex to install, while portable power stations are often designed more for camping than permanent indoor use.

The BLUETTI FridgePower attempts to sit directly in the middle — and after spending time with the system alongside the BlueCell 200 expansion battery and optional Magnetic Display, it becomes clear that BLUETTI may be onto something.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Design

The first thing that stands out about FridgePower is that it doesn’t look like a traditional power station.

Gone are the rugged plastics, exposed handles and camping aesthetics typical of the category. Instead, BLUETTI has designed something intentionally slim and understated. Finished in an off-white colour, FridgePower feels far closer to a modern home appliance than an off-grid battery system.

At just 75mm thick, the unit is designed to slide behind or beside appliances without dominating the room. In practice, it feels more like a smart-home accessory than “prepper gear”, and that’s likely exactly the point.

(Image credit: Future)

The main unit itself is deliberately simple. On the front sits a power button alongside a basic battery indicator. Around the rear are the AC outlets, solar/DC input, IEC charging socket and expansion battery connection hidden beneath a flap.

The BlueCell 200 expansion battery mirrors the same dimensions and overall design language, although the inclusion of a solitary 18W USB-C port feels slightly odd given the otherwise appliance-focused approach.

BLUETTI says the system can support up to three expansion batteries, pushing total capacity beyond 8kWh — enough to keep essential appliances running for extended outages.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Setup

One of FridgePower’s biggest strengths is how straightforward it is to install.

Plug the unit into the wall, connect your fridge to the AC outlet and you’re done. If mains power fails, the battery automatically switches over in around 10ms.

For renters or homeowners unwilling to install a dedicated battery system, that simplicity is appealing.

Adding the BlueCell expansion battery is similarly easy. Power down the main unit, connect the expansion cable, then restart the system.

(Image credit: Future)

In ideal circumstances, setup takes only a few minutes.

Reality, however, may depend heavily on your kitchen layout.

Our test setup used under-counter fridges positioned beneath a kitchen peninsula, leaving very little wall space to mount the FridgePower neatly. Unlike BLUETTI’s promotional images, there was no obvious place to position the units without them becoming visually intrusive.

Eventually, we managed to fit both the FridgePower and BlueCell behind the kitchen kickboard, although doing so revealed a few design limitations.

(Image credit: Future)

The expansion cable arrangement only allows the batteries to connect in one orientation: main unit on the left, expansion batteries on the right. Because of our available space, this forced us to stack the units and invert the BlueCell so the cables could reach properly.

The manual doesn’t mention any restrictions around stacking the units beyond basic ventilation clearances, although the setup does show how dependent the system can be on the layout of your kitchen.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s also a more UK-specific issue involving Type G plugs.

Unlike European or US plugs, UK plugs route cables downward, which creates some awkward clashes around the rear panel. One plug partially obstructed the ventilation area, while another competed for space with the AC charging cable. We managed to make everything fit, but cable clearance was tighter than expected.

A simple reorientation of the sockets would likely have solved the issue entirely.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Performance

Once installed, FridgePower largely disappears into the background — which is exactly what you want from a backup system.

The unit powered both fridges without issue, while charging drew around 1400W from the wall. During testing, switching off mains power resulted in no visible flicker from the fridge lighting, suggesting the UPS switchover works exactly as advertised.

Cooling noise from the internal fan was noticeable while charging, but still quieter than the compressors of the fridges themselves. Once fully charged, the system became effectively unobtrusive.

(Image credit: Future)

With both fridges actively running, we observed a combined power draw of around 110W. Based purely on continuous usage, that would translate to approximately 37 hours of runtime from the FridgePower and BlueCell combination.

In reality, fridge compressors cycle on and off, meaning practical runtime should be significantly longer depending on appliance efficiency and ambient temperature.

For most households, that’s enough to comfortably ride out typical outages without worrying about spoiled food.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Monitoring and app support

The optional Magnetic Display is a neat accessory, although not an essential one.

If your intention is simply to install FridgePower and leave it alone, the display doesn’t add much functionality beyond what’s already available in the BLUETTI app. Still, it’s well designed and offers at-a-glance monitoring for battery percentage, power flow, ambient temperature and humidity.

Oddly, the clock only supports a 12-hour AM/PM format, which feels unnecessarily limiting for an otherwise global product.

(Image credit: Future)

The BLUETTI app remains the primary interface for the system, largely because the FridgePower itself lacks a built-in screen. Thankfully, anyone familiar with previous BLUETTI products will feel immediately at home.

The app provides detailed monitoring for charge levels, power usage and input/output statistics, alongside basic configuration settings for the Magnetic Display.

It’s functional, stable and easy enough to navigate, although some users may still prefer physical controls for a product designed to function as a household appliance.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: More than just a fridge backup?

Interestingly, FridgePower may appeal to a broader audience than BLUETTI originally intended.

Its slim dimensions make it suitable for home server racks, networking setups or homelab environments. During testing, we attempted to mount it inside a 12U rack cabinet, although the cabinet itself lacked sufficient depth for a clean fit.

Still, deeper racks would easily accommodate the system, and the 10ms UPS response time makes it more than suitable for protecting networking gear, servers or home office equipment.

(Image credit: Future)

Traditional rack-mounted UPS systems remain expensive, bulky and often reliant on ageing lead-acid batteries. FridgePower’s LiFePO₄ chemistry offers significantly longer lifespan and arguably makes far more sense for modern home users.

And because the unit simply provides standard AC outlets, you’re not limited to refrigerators. As long as you remain within the 1800W limit, FridgePower can support almost any household appliance.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Pricing

At the time of writing, BLUETTI has yet to officially confirm UK pricing, with shipments expected to begin in June 2026.

Current US pricing is expected to be:

FridgePower: $1299

FridgePower + BlueCell 200: $2498

FridgePower + 2x BlueCell 200: $3697

FridgePower + 3x BlueCell 200: $4896

Magnetic Display: $50

As with most BLUETTI products, frequent discounts and launch promotions will likely bring real-world pricing down considerably.

(Image credit: Future)BLUETTI FridgePower: Final Verdict

The BLUETTI FridgePower succeeds because it focuses on solving a very specific problem exceptionally well.

Rather than chasing whole-home backup ambitions, BLUETTI has created something far more for everyday users: a slim, quiet and easy-to-install battery system that keeps essential appliances running when the power goes out.

It isn’t perfect. The rear socket layout could be better, installation flexibility depends heavily on your kitchen design, and the accessory ecosystem still feels slightly underdeveloped. But those shortcomings are outweighed by the sheer practicality of the concept.

For renters, apartment owners or anyone unwilling to commit to a full home battery installation, FridgePower occupies a clever middle ground that barely existed before.

Pricing will ultimately decide how successful FridgePower becomes. But if BLUETTI can keep the entry price competitive against larger portable power stations, the concept makes a lot of sense.

In a market full of oversized power stations trying to do everything, FridgePower stands out by focusing on one task and doing it well.

Category

Score

Design

4.5/5

Performance

5/5

Portability

2/5

Value

4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

We've listed the best power banks.

DJI’s push into portable power has been surprisingly assured, and the DJI Power 1000 Mini Portable Power Station feels like the most deliberate product in the range so far. It takes the core idea behind the larger units and trims it down into something you might actually want to carry.

This is a 1kWh-class power station that doesn’t feel like luggage. For creators, vanlifers and anyone working on the move, that shift in usability matters more than raw output figures, and might make it the best portable power station choice for them.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Design & portability

This is where DJI gets it right.

Specifications

• Capacity: 1008Wh (LFP battery)
• Output: 800W continuous / 1000W peak
• Cycle life: ~4000 cycles (to 80%)
• Weight: 11.5kg
• Dimensions: 314 × 212 × 216 mm
• Ports:
  • 2x AC outlets
  • 1x USB-C port
  • Built-in retractable USB-C cable (100W)
  • 2x USB-A
  • SDC port (DJI ecosystem)
• Charging:
  • 0–80% in ~1 hour (AC)
  • Solar and car charging supported
• Connectivity: App control via Wi-Fi
• 2x AC outlets
• 1x USB-C port
• Built-in retractable USB-C cable (100W)
• 2x USB-A
• SDC port (DJI ecosystem)
• 0–80% in ~1 hour (AC)
• Solar and car charging supported
• 2x AC outlets
• 1x USB-C port
• Built-in retractable USB-C cable (100W)
• 2x USB-A
• SDC port (DJI ecosystem)
• 0–80% in ~1 hour (AC)
• Solar and car charging supported
• 2x AC outlets
• 1x USB-C port
• Built-in retractable USB-C cable (100W)
• 2x USB-A
• SDC port (DJI ecosystem)
• 0–80% in ~1 hour (AC)
• Solar and car charging supported

• 2x AC outlets
• 1x USB-C port
• Built-in retractable USB-C cable (100W)
• 2x USB-A
• SDC port (DJI ecosystem)

• 0–80% in ~1 hour (AC)
• Solar and car charging supported

The Power 1000 Mini is impressively compact for its class—closer in footprint to a large lunchbox than the typical brick-like power stations we’re used to.

At 11.5kg, it’s not light, but it’s manageable in a way most 1kWh units simply aren’t.

Compared to the DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station, the difference is immediate.

The 2000 is something you plan around; the Mini is something you just take.

Small touches help. The integrated retractable USB-C cable is one of those features you don’t think about until you use it—then wonder why everyone else hasn’t done it.

The front display is equally straightforward, showing charge level, estimated runtime and live input/output figures clearly at a glance.

Outdoor visibility is generally good, although direct sunlight can wash it out slightly.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Performance

In use, the Power 1000 Mini delivers exactly what its size suggests. It’s ideal for:

- Charging laptops, drones and camera gear

- Running small appliances

- Acting as a mobile workstation power hub

The 800W output ceiling means it’s not built for high-draw appliances like kettles or heaters, and that’s the key limitation. But within its intended scope, it performs reliably.

DJI’s use of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery chemistry is also reassuring at this price point. Compared to older lithium-ion designs, LFP offers better thermal stability and significantly improved longevity, which helps justify the investment for anyone expecting to use the unit regularly over several years.

Charging speed is a genuine highlight. Being able to push the battery up to 80% in around an hour makes it far more flexible than older, slower-charging units. Rather than relying on overnight charging, the Mini feels built for quick top-ups between shoots, journeys or campsite stops.

Thermals are impressively well controlled too. Even during rapid charging, the unit never became noticeably hot in our testing, with only a small amount of warmth around the ventilation areas under sustained load. Noise levels are similarly restrained. Fan noise is minimal during general use and remains surprisingly subdued while charging—quiet enough that it largely disappears into the background in a home office or campervan environment.

By comparison, the larger DJI Power 2000 does produce slightly more audible fan noise when charging, although the difference isn’t dramatic.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Front-facing light

One feature that’s easy to overlook until you actually need it is the integrated front light built into the Power 1000 Mini.

Positioned across the front panel, it’s bright enough to be genuinely useful around a campsite, during a power cut, or when packing down camera gear late in the evening. DJI includes multiple brightness levels alongside an emergency flashing mode, turning the unit into something closer to a practical utility device than simply a battery box.

It’s not powerful enough to replace a dedicated lantern or work light, but it’s far more functional than the token LEDs many rivals include. More importantly, it reinforces the portable, grab-and-go nature of the Power 1000 Mini—everything you need is integrated into the unit itself.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Accessories & real-world testing

DJI supplied a car charging solution for testing (the DJI Power Car Battery Charging Cable), but we weren’t able to fully evaluate it.

Our only available vehicle during testing was a Tesla Model Y, which doesn’t support traditional alternator-based charging in the same way as a combustion vehicle.

That’s worth bearing in mind—this accessory is far more relevant if you’re running a petrol or diesel setup. Ideal for the van, RV or Camper lifestyle.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Solar panel experience

We also spent time with DJI’s 200W foldable solar panel, manufactured by IBC, and this is where the wider ecosystem feels less polished.

The panel itself is functional and reasonably well made, but compared to alternatives like the Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel, it’s noticeably less user-friendly in day-to-day use.

It feels heavier and stiffer than expected, setup is more awkward due to the multiple MC4 connectors, and the popper-style support legs are fiddly compared to simpler kickstand designs. There’s also no solar alignment indicator, making it harder to optimize positioning quickly outdoors.

More disappointing was real-world solar performance. Despite sharing the same 200W rating as the SolarSaga 200W, DJI’s panel consistently produced lower output in identical conditions.

On a bright sunny day, the Jackery panel could comfortably exceed 200W, while the DJI panel struggled to consistently reach 150W using the same placement and timing.

Individually these are minor complaints, but together they make the solar setup feel noticeably less polished than the power station itself.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: DJI Power 2000 - quick comparison

The DJI Power 2000 sits above the Mini in DJI’s lineup, and the difference is largely what you’d expect:

Capacity: roughly double (around 2kWh)

Output: significantly higher, suitable for appliances

Weight & size: much larger and heavier

Use case: home backup and high-load scenarios

In practical terms:

The Power 1000 Mini is about mobility and convenience

The Power 2000 is about sustained power and versatility

They’re not competing products—they’re aimed at different kinds of users.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Features & limitations

The Power 1000 Mini largely mirrors the wider DJI Power ecosystem, but there are some important differences between it and the larger DJI Power 2000 we tested recently.

Most notably, the Mini does not support AC back-feeding functionality. Unlike the Power 2000, it can’t feed stored power back into a home circuit or act as part of a more integrated backup power setup.

For most users, that won’t matter. The Mini feels designed primarily for creators, campers and mobile users rather than full home backup scenarios. If your workload revolves around cameras, laptops, drones and lighting, the balance of portability and capacity makes far more sense than carrying a significantly larger 2kWh unit.

If, however, you’re looking for something capable of supporting household appliances or acting as part of a more permanent emergency power setup, the Power 2000 remains the more capable option.

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Pricing & configurations

DJI Power 1000 Mini (standalone):

- UK: £449

- US: ~$570–$600

DJI Power 1000 Mini + 200W Solar Panel Combo:

- UK: ~£833

- US: ~$1,127

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Accessories

DJI Power Car Battery Charging Cable

- UK: ~£45

- US: ~$55–$60

DJI 200W Foldable Solar Panel (IBC)

- UK: ~£339

- US: ~$420–$450

(Image credit: Future)DJI Power 1000 Mini: Final Verdict

The DJI Power 1000 Mini is a carefully judged product. It doesn’t try to outgun larger power stations—instead, it makes a strong case for why you might not want one in the first place.

DJI has managed something surprisingly rare here: a 1kWh power station that feels designed to be carried regularly rather than reluctantly.

If you need something you can actually carry, use regularly, and charge quickly, this is one of the most convincing options in its class.

If you need raw output and all-day appliance support, you’ll still be better served by something like the Power 2000—but you’ll feel the difference every time you have to move it.

Category

Score

Design

4.5/5

Performance

4/5

Portability

5/5

Value

4/5

Solar ecosystem

3/5

Overall: 4/5

We've listed the best power banks for portable charging.

Shark ChillPill review

The Shark ChillPill is a personal cooling system, which means you can use it as a fan, a cooling plate you can press against your skin or a mister. Portable fans have always been around, but I’ve not seen anything else that combines these three functions into one device that manages to look stylish and cute while doing it.

Trust Shark to pull it off. The brand many readers will know for their vacuum cleaners and hair-styling products has a habit of combining solid tech, thoughtful design and straightforward controls, and I’m happy to report the ChillPill is no different.

The only catch is the price. It’s expensive for a portable fan at $149.99/£129.99. But as I’ll get into below, it’s so much more than that and if you really feel the heat, well worth the price.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

If you’ve ever held a compact pair of travel binoculars, you’ll already have a good mental image of the Shark ChillPill. It’s made up of two cylinders connected by a hinge in the middle. The larger cylinder is lighter and houses the fan, that’s where you attach the different heads. The smaller one holds the battery, controls and a small screen, and it made the most sense for me to use that one as the handle.

At 45 X 84 X 112mm and 350g, it’s compact enough to carry in most bags but not small enough to slip into a pocket. So manage your expectations if you were hoping for something as tiny and light as a regular cheap travel fan. This has considerably more tech inside it, and you can feel that.

The hinge in the middle makes it really versatile. If you lay the cylinders flat and parallel, it’s a handheld fan. But twist it so they’re perpendicular and it’ll stand on a desk or any surface, directing air exactly where you want it. I used it this way a lot while working, and it’s a great setup for that.

It comes with a small cloth carry case. I’ve seen other reviews describe this as fitting the ChillPill itself, but I’d say it’s a squeeze and doesn’t fully cover the top. Best to use that as storage for the spare attachments instead.

There are some genuinely lovely color options here, each with a darker color for the fan cylinder and a lighter one for the battery cylinder. There’s Carbon (black), Glacier (turquoise), Haze (dark blue), Dragon Fruit (pink), Match (green), and Iced Latte, a pale brown and beige with a slightly shiny finish, which is the one I tested. My personal favorite of the range is Glacier.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

Controls are really straightforward. The smaller cylinder has a dial at the top with textured edges that you turn to move the fan through the ten speeds, and a small screen that shows speed and battery level. It also displays a little icon depending on which attachment you’ve fitted. There’s a fan, a water drop for the misting pod then a little snowflake for the cooling plate.

Press the screen down to turn it on and long press to turn it off. There’s also a lock and unlock switch on the side to stop it accidentally activating in your bag, which is necessary as I did turn it on a couple of times without meaning to before I got into the habit of locking it.

Charging is via a USB-C port on the base of the smaller cylinder, tucked under a sealed flap. A green icon flashes when it’s charging and you can use the fan while it charges, though not the cooling plate.

The three attachments twist into place really easily. In fact, there’s an overall high build quality to the whole thing, which makes it feel really satisfying to use and hold.

Beyond the three included attachments, Shark also sells additional accessories. There’s a crossbody strap, a wrist strap, clip, clamp and sleeve. These are all sold separately, which is worth knowing — there's no strap included as there is with some rivals, like the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan.

That said, they’re not expensive and could be really invaluable to buy along with the fan from the get go, as it will allow you to attach it to a pram, desk or use it hands-free on the move. If I was taking it on holiday, I’d snap up the crossbody strap in a heartbeat.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

The ChillPill is genuinely powerful, more so than any other personal fan I’ve tested. At mid-range settings — around 4 or 5 — it’ll cool you down effectively without blasting you in the face or hurting your eyes. Especially if it’s propped up on a desk nearby, which is how I used it the most during the day while I was working. Settings 9 and 10 get considerably more powerful and are for when you really need it, either to cool down quicker or outdoors in more serious heat.

I’ve seen other reviews flag the ChillPill as very loud, and I’m going to respectfully push back on that with my measurements — I clocked it at 43.4dB at speed 1, 59.5dB at speed 5, 66.5dB at speed 8, and 70.5dB at speed 10. For context, my high-tech kettle just before it finishes boiling is 69dB and my hairdryer is 78dB. So yes, it gets louder as you turn it up — that’s true of every fan — but calling it really loud at speed 10 is a stretch. I also used it at night on setting 5 and the sound (which I’m guessing is akin to white or green noise) helped me sleep.

Battery life was impressive for such a small device. I ran a test with the fan at speed 5, which is the sweet spot I’d realistically use it at on a desk all day, and it lasted for 8 hours and 10 minutes. Now Shark claims 11 hours at the lower settings, so this is a welcome surprise.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

The misting pod works by filling a small tank with water, which then soaks the wick inside the attachment. There’s a wick pre-installed that Shark recommends you replace monthly and three spares in the box. Getting the old one out is fairly easy with either your fingertips or a pair of tweezers.

Once it’s set up, there’s a small opening at the top and then you can choose between constant or interval misting modes. I found the mist to be fine enough that it won’t soak you or anything around you, which means you can use it indoors or on public transport if you’re mindful about it but I probably wouldn’t use it directly over electronics.

The attachment I was least sure about before testing it was the cooling plate, which Shark calls InstaChill. And yet it was the one I ended up loving the most.

Using the fan behind the metal plate to cool it down, the InstaChill allows you to gain targeted relief by pressing it against your skin. It’s very cold, like touching an ice pack fresh from the freezer. I used it on my wrists and the back of my neck and it had an instant cooling and calming effect. Although this is probably a subjective experience, I’m always a little too warm and using this on the pressure points on my neck didn’t just cool me down but made a real difference for focus, alertness, and heading off a migraine.

Based on my battery testing, the cooling plate lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes before you run out of juice. That might not sound like much, but it's doing serious work to cool the plate down to ice-pack levels of cold.

I also don't think anyone would realistically be using that attachment continuously. I run hot and even I found 30 seconds on my skin was enough before it got too intense. In practice, you're more likely to use the fan, switch to the plate for a minute or two on the pulse point, then switch back. For that kind of use, 1 hour and 40 minutes goes a long way.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

I think the Shark ChillPill makes the most sense for anyone who really feels the heat, if you’re traveling to a warmer climate or work in offices with no upper temperature limit (yes that’s a real thing in the UK, there’s a legal lower limit but not an upper one). It'd also be a great fit if you're dealing with perimenopause or menopause symptoms or suffer from migraines and would benefit from the cooling plate’s targeted effect on pulse points. But really it'll be good for everyone else as the summer heat hits.

The only notable downside to the ChillPill is that it’s expensive for a portable fan at $149.99 / £129.99. But it’s three cooling tools in one well-built and thoughtfully designed device that happens to be small enough to carry anywhere. That said, it's only really good value if you genuinely plan to use all three of those attachments and if you have enough budget left over to buy an accessory, like the crossbody strap.

If you just want a fan, there are cheaper options, including the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool. Expect to see more premium portable fans entering this space. The era of tiny, underpowered travel fans that just seem to move hot air around seem to be giving way to solutions that are more effective and considered, and the ChillPill is currently leading that charge.

Shark ChillPill review: Price & release date

• Priced at $149.99 / £129.99
• Launched in March 2026
• Currently available in Europe and North America

The Shark ChillPill was released in March 2026, priced at $149.99 / £129.99. It's available in Europe and North America at the time of writing.

For a portable fan, this is expensive. It’s worth being honest about that. You can pick up another portable fan, like the JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan for $73.49 / £69.99.

But the ChillPill isn’t really a portable fan, it’s three cooling tools rolled into one, which makes direct price comparisons tricky. There’s nothing else on the market right now that does exactly the same thing.

The closest rival is the Dyson HushJet Mini at $99.99 / £99.99, which launched in April 2026. It's fan only — so doesn't include misting or a cooling plate — but it is well-engineered, quiet and around $30 / £30 cheaper. So if all you want is a powerful, stylish portable fan then it’s a strong alternative. If you want the full cooling system, it isn’t.

Beyond that, if you want a fairly small desktop fan for working or at home that you don’t need to be portable, there are some good alternatives to consider. Like the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo, a desktop fan also from Shark with the same misting technology at $149.99 / £129.99. Or the MeacoFan Sefte 8in at £79.99, a great desktop fan for working and sleeping, which we rated for its ability to blast out impressively strong airflow at a pleasingly low volume.

For now, the ChillPill remains the most versatile product in this space. All in all, it’s expensive. But if you’ll genuinely use all three attachments, it’s good value. The people who’ll get the most out of it, like those who can’t sleep in the heat, commuters, anyone dealing with menopause or migraines, will likely find the price very easy to justify.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Shark ChillPill review: Specs

Weight

350g / 0.7lbs

Dimensions

45mm x 841mm x 112mm (L x W x D)

Colors

Carbon, Glacier, Haze, Dragon Fruit, Matcha, Iced Latte

Battery life

Up to 11 hours

Should I buy the Shark ChillPill?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

With three modes and a screen, features are simple and work well. Battery life is impressive and extra attachments are handy — though you'll need to pay more for them.

4/5

Performance

Works well in all sorts of environments with plenty of power and longevity. The fan is excellent (if a little loud at the highest settings) and the cooling plate and mister give a much welcome alternative way to cool down.

5/5

Design

It looks cool, is exceptionally well built and can be used in a few different ways. It's compact, fairly light and gets bonus points for all the vivid color options.

5/5

Value

It's expensive. There's no getting around that. But I think for many people that price is absolutely worth it and you're getting a top-performing and well-built device.

4/5

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Buy it if...

You struggle in the heat
Whether that’s migraines, perimenopause or menopause, travel to a hot climate, camping or any other reason the heat is difficult, this was made for you.

Standard portable fans have never quite cut it
It’s more powerful and versatile than anything most people will have tried, especially in such a compact package.

You appreciate good design — and don’t mind paying for it
You do need to spend a bit here, but you get a genuinely fantastic product for your money.

Don't buy it if...

You need something truly pocket-sized
It’s compact but not slip-it-in-your-pocket compact. You’ll need to look elsewhere and accept something considerably less powerful.

You’re on a tight budget
The price is the only real downside here. If spending over $100/£100 just isn’t feasible right now that’s completely understandable.

You only want a straightforward fan
It’s excellent as a fan alone, but it makes the most sense if the misting head and cooling plate appeal to you at least some of the time.

Shark ChillPill review: Also consider

Dyson HushJet Mini Cooling Fan
If you want something from a brand with serious experience in this space, Dyson’s latest personal fan is well worth considering. It’s lighter and more stripped back than the ChillPill, without the same 3-in-1 versatility, but Dyson really know what they’re doing when it comes to airflow. We haven’t tested it yet, but our full review is coming very soon.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo
If the Shark ChillPill appeals because you want to cool down at home or as you work, then the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a tabletop fan that's worth a look. It also has a misting feature we loved during testing. It's small for a fan but not as portable as the ChillPill. If you don’t see a need for something small you can use on-the-go, stay with Shark just consider the FlexBreeze HydroGo instead. Read our Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo reviewView Deal

How I tested the Shark ChillPill

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

• Tested for a week
• Used all three settings regularly
• Used at home, in the city, in the countryside on a walk and in a park

I tested the Shark ChillPill for a whole week during a surprisingly warm spell in the UK, which meant I could put it through its paces properly. I used it while working at home on warm days, remote working in coffee shops, on a walk in the countryside and having a picnic in the park, all when temperatures were high in the UK. I also used it at night to see how both the cooling effect of the fan and the sound it makes impacted my sleep.

This week-long testing time gave me a good opportunity to run the battery down across a range of settings and properly test the longevity.

I’ve been writing about and testing tech for more than 15 years, covering health tech, smart home devices, wearables and audio products. Always with a focus on whether a device can actually make your life better, rather than what’s on the spec sheet.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: April 2026

IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp: two-minute review

IKEA's color-shifting Varmblixt smart lamp, with its donut-shaped frosted glass diffuser, makes a striking focal point. It's easy to operate using the switch included in the box, and it casts a soft glow whether you use it on a table or mounted on a wall.

The Varmblixt was designed by Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis and comes with a preset palette of pastel hues designed to complement its curves. Pressing the button on its remote once will turn it on, and double-pressing will switch to the next shade in the sequence.

This works well straight out of the box (and handing it to visitors so they can change the mood lighting during dinner is fun), but the Varmblixt really comes into its own when used with the IKEA Home Smart mobile app. This lets you choose from a much larger range of colors, adjust the lamp's brightness, and link it to other IKEA smart devices such as motion sensors and scroll wheel switches.

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You can even incorporate it into a mix-and-match smart home setup using the Matter protocol. To do this, you'll need IKEA's Dirigera smart hub, so be prepared for that extra expense if you want to use the Varmblixt's smart capabilities.

Connecting the Varmblixt to the Home Smart app wasn't quite as straightforward as it should have been and involved some trial and error. You should be able to link any IKEA smart home device by scanning the QR code on the item or its packaging, but the app failed to connect to the Varmblixt (or the Bilresa switches I later used to control it).

I eventually found that I could get around the problem by waiting for the connection failure notification to appear in the app, then selecting the option to connect without Bluetooth. The lamp and switches were then linked to the app without a hitch.

(Image credit: Future)

Once your devices are linked, IKEA's app is extremely simple to use and is a good introduction to smart home tech. Unlike the Philips Hue app, which gives you granular control over every switch and light in your home, linking a device to IKEA Home Smart works immediately, with a limited but useful set of options.

Once you've linked the Varmblixt lamp, you'll find that you can pick from a much broader palette of colors, although the hues selected by Sabine Marcelis are highlighted so you can find them easily. Alternatively, you can use a color wheel to choose the shade you want.

The lamp doesn't offer as many colors as a Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance bulb, but its smooth shape and frosted diffuser mean it's effective at setting a mood with indirect lighting.

(Image credit: Future)

You can even set the Varmblixt to change colors on a schedule. The default 'adaptive' option changes the light temperature during the day, so it becomes cooler during working hours and warmer in the evening when you want to unwind, but it's also possible to create your own timed color changes.

When you connect a controller to the Varmblixt, there's no need to spend time configuring what each button should do; again, it works right away. When I linked it to a Bilresa dimmer switch, I found that the wheel was pre-programmed to control the light's brightness.

Overall, the IKEA Varmblixt lamp is a pleasure to use, and a real conversation-starter when you have guests. App setup can be a bit fiddly and requires IKEA's smart home hub, but it works very well with the remote alone.

• Performance score: 4/5

IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp: price and availability

IKEA first showed the Varmblixt smart lamp at the CES tech show in January 2026, and the donut-shaped light went on sale in the US and Europe in March of the same year. It's not available in Australia at the time of writing, but it might be released more widely later in 2026.

It's priced at $99 / £55 (about AU$140), which is about standard for a color-changing smart lamp without additional features like music or media synchronizing. For example, the Govee Table Lamp 2 is $69.99 / £69.99 (about AU$100).

However, if you want to use the smart functions and choose from a wider array of colors, you'll also need IKEA's Dirigera smart hub, which costs an additional $109 / £70 / AU$129, so you'll need to be sure that you want to invest in IKEA's wider smart home system first.

• Value score: 4/5

IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp: design

This is a new take on the original donut-shaped Varmblixt lamp, which was released in 2022. This lamp (also designed by Sabine Marcellis) had a glossy orange surface that cast warm light into the room. The 2026 Varmblixt replaces this with a white frosted glass diffuser and cycles through a palette of pastel colors selected by the designer.

The Varmblixt lamp has a flat base so you can use it on a table, and a hole in the backplate so you can mount it on a wall (though be aware that it's a wired lamp, so you'll need to place it near an electrical outlet).

The lamp is wired and is supplied with one of IKEA's standard Bilresa remote controls, which takes two AAA batteries (not included).

• Design score: 5/5

Should you buy the IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp?IKEA Varmblixtt Lamp score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

The lamp itself is very reasonably priced, but connecting it to the app requires the rather expensive IKEA Dirigera hub.

4/5

Design

Very unusual but attractive design, with an iconic shape and a thoughtfully curated set of colors. Optional wall-mounting is a nice touch.

5/5

Performance

Key features work flawlessly, but app setup wasn't quite as smooth as it should have been. The HomeSmart app is excellent once the lamp is connected.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a statement light

This is a dramatic light, and really draws the eye, whether you use it as a table or wall lamp. I've yet to find a person who wasn't immediately fascinated.

You already own IKEA smart devices

App connectivity requires IKEA's smart hub, which won't be a problem if you're already invested in the brand's smart home ecosystem.

Don't buy it if

You want advanced features

The IKEA Home Smart app lets you create a simple schedule and connect to switches, but for complex lighting scenes and syncing with music, you're better off picking a light from Philips Hue, Govee, or Nanoleaf.

You need task lighting

If you need a lamp to work by, take a look at IKEA's range of desk lights, or consider fitting one of the brand's smart bulbs into one of its lamp bases.View Deal

IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp: also consider

Govee Table Lamp 2

Another captivating smart lamp, this model can display a solid color or multiple hues at once, with customizable scenes. It's a similar price, but its cylindrical shape doesn't have the same 'wow' factor as the Varmblixt.

Read our full Govee Table Lamp 2 review

Philips Hue Play Wall Washer

These lamps cast a smooth gradient of light over your wall, and can synchronize with content on your TV screen if you have an HDMI sync box. They're brighter than the Varmblixt, with a lot more features. but are much more expensive as well.

Read our full Philips Hue Play Wall Washer review

How I tested the IKEA Varmblixt LED lamp

I tested the Varmblixt lamp with the remote control included in the box, switching between all the preset colors, and then connected it to the IKEA Home Smart app using a Dirigera hub. I used all the color and scheduling options in the app, comparing it with a Philips Hue Wall Washer lamp. I also tried controlling the lamp using an IKEA Bilresa dimmer switch with a scroll wheel.

First tested April 2026

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle: one-minute review

The Hoover HL2 TurboStyle is a budget corded upright that's clearly been designed for people who don't want to think too hard about their vacuum cleaner. It’s one of the best upright vacuum cleaners for those that just want something that picks stuff up, doesn't cost much, and won't break their back carrying it upstairs. At under 5kg it's one of the lighter corded uprights you can buy, and the 850W motor delivers consistent suction that doesn't fade the way a cordless stick does when the battery starts dropping off.

Hoover's Anti-Twist brushbar technology works well in practice, keeping hair from wrapping around the roller in a way that genuinely saves you the grim job of cutting it free every few weeks, and the dual-speed setting means you can dial the brushbar back for hard floors without it scattering debris everywhere. The LED headlights are also a nice touch for spotting dust under furniture, and the push-and-lift handheld mode makes it easy enough to get at stairs and upholstery without detaching half the machine.

(Image credit: Future)

Where the budget shows is in the build quality and the finer details. The plastic has that slightly hollow feel that makes you handle it a bit more carefully than you probably should have to. There's no app, no sensors, no clever features – which is fine if you don't want any of that, but it does mean you're paying purely for cleaning performance and not much else.

For the price, the HL2 TurboStyle does the fundamentals well and the suction holds up across carpets and hard floors without any complaints. It's not that exciting to look at but it does what it promises as a sensible, no-frills upright. If that's all you're after, look no further.

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle: price and release date

• Available now in the UK priced at £169.99 RRP, currently on sale at £129
• Also available from retailers such as Currys
• Colours: Pastel Pink, Teal

The HL2 TurboStyle is only available in the UK, where it sits at a very accessible price point. The standard Home model is available in pastel pink or teal colourways and has an RRP of £169.99 (about $230 / AU$320). However, at the time of writing, it’s currently priced at £129 (about $180 / AU$240) either direct from Hoover or Currys. The Pet variant (which adds a mini turbo brush for upholstery) can be picked up for £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340).

For context, that's significantly cheaper than a cordless Dyson, which will set you back at least £300 / $400 / AU$600 for something entry-level, and around the same price as a lot of budget cordless sticks that'll give you 20 minutes of runtime before needing a charge. If you're happy being tethered to a plug, the HL2's price is hard to argue with.

• Value score: 4/5

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle: design

• Lightweight and nimble for a corded upright
• Bin release button is far too sensitive
• Color choices could do with a rethink

The HL2 is a compact, slim upright that doesn't look like much out of the box, and that's OK. It's not trying to be anything it’s not – it's a mid-range vacuum cleaner that gets the job done with very little faff. At under 5kg, it's noticeably light for a corded machine, and the swivelling floorhead makes it easy to steer around furniture without needing to do that awkward three-point-turn you get with bulkier uprights.

The eight-meter working radius is generous, too. I was able to do most of a room without having to unplug and move to a different socket, which takes the annoying part out of a corded setup. The cable itself is long enough that I stopped thinking about it after a while (apart from needing to move it out of the way to change direction).

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Build quality is where you start to see why this machine has the price point it does. The main body is fine, sturdy and sensibly laid out, but the attachments feel a bit cheap. The crevice tool and dusting brush have that thin, hollow plastic feel and while nothing broke during testing, I’m not sure if it would survive being bashed around over time.

The bin is a good size at 2.5 liters, and the one-click emptying is supposed to make disposal straightforward but in reality I found the release button to be a little too trigger happy. On one occasion, when I was carrying the bin across to the kitchen, the button rested gently on my hand and the hatch popped open spilling the entire contents across the floor. It's a design quirk that will likely catch you out at least once.

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As for the colours, I tested the teal version, which is inoffensive enough. The pastel pink is clearly aimed at a specific buyer, and fair play. But I do think a simple black, dark grey or more neutral option would go better with any home, and it feels like Hoover missed a trick not offering one.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle: features and performance

• Impressive pickup, especially on carpet
• Anti-Twist tech works well with hair
• Push-and-lift handheld mode is useful but basic

After trying it across multiple floor types, I found the HL2's 850W motor does a genuinely good job. When running it over a high-pile wool rug that I'd already gone over with my Dyson cordless, the Hoover pulled up a surprising amount of extra lint, dust and general debris that the Dyson had clearly missed. There's something to be said for the raw, consistent power of a corded motor, and the HL2 reminded me why uprights still exist.

There are two brush bar speeds, controlled by a rocker switch on the floorhead: one for hard floors and one for carpet. The carpet mode is pretty aggressive, digging into the pile with enough energy that you can see it lifting as the vac passes over it. Meanwhile, hard floor mode dials things back so you're not flinging dust around. It's a simple setup that works well, but it’s worth flagging how a lot of modern, premium models have sensors which can detect a change in floor type and switch between these modes automatically. This is definitely missed here.

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Hoover's Anti-Twist technology does a good job, too, as I didn't end up with any hair wrapped around the brush bar during my testing period. The LED headlights on the floorhead are a nice touch as well, lighting up darker areas under the sofa and bed where dust loves to hide.

The push-and-lift conversion to a handheld is perfectly functional, too. You press the button, lift the main unit off the base, and you've got a handheld vac for stairs and above-floor work. It's fine for quick jobs, but the unit is a bit unwieldy for extended handheld use, and the stretch hose, while reaching two metres, doesn't give you quite as much flexibility as a proper dedicated handheld.

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For day-to-day use, the HL2 is pleasingly smooth to push around. There's very little effort needed to glide it up and down, and the swivel head handles corners and furniture legs without too much fuss. Suction is consistent throughout, which is the benefit of being plugged in, and I didn't run into any blockages, overheating or performance dips during testing.

If there's a complaint about performance, it's that the HL2 doesn't really do anything beyond the basics. There's no auto-adjust for floor types, no dirt sensors, no display showing you anything useful. That's expected at this price, but it does mean you're relying entirely on your own eyes and judgement, which, after using smarter vacuums, can feel a little old-school.

• Features and performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Hoover HL2 TurboStyle?Buy it if

You want reliable suction without battery anxiety

The corded motor gives you consistent, strong cleaning power for as long as you need it.View Deal

You have a mix of carpet and hard floors

The dual-speed brushbar handles both well, and the Anti-Twist tech keeps maintenance lowView Deal

You're after a budget-friendly upright that stores easily

This vacuum is under 5kg and compact enough to tuck away without taking up half a cupboard.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You're used to cordless freedom

The cord is long, but it's still a cord, and once you've gone cordless it's hard to go back.View Deal

You want premium build quality

The attachments feel a bit flimsy and the bin release is far too easy to trigger accidentally.View Deal

You care about smart features

There's no auto-adjust, no useful display and no meaningful app integration here.View Deal

Hoover HL2 TurboStyle: also consider

Shark Navigator Lift-Away
If you want a more robust corded upright with better build quality and a proper lift-away canister for stairs, the Shark is a top notch alternative that doesn’t cost all that much more.

Dyson Ball Animal 3
An extremely powerful option from Dyson that might cost a bit more, but is especially effective on carpets and has a massive bagless bin that doesn’t need emptying daily.

Hoover HU300
Hoover's own step-up model adds multi-cyclonic technology and a HEPA H13 filter for better filtration, and is generally a bit more refined than the HL2.

How I tested the Hoover HL2 TurboStyle

I used the Hoover HL2 TurboStyle as my main vacuum cleaner for several weeks across carpet, rugs and hard floors in a multi-level home. I tested it alongside my regular Dyson cordless to compare pickup, used the handheld mode on stairs and upholstery, and assessed the build quality, bin emptying, storage and day-to-day usability throughout.

First reviewed: April 2026

Creative Sound Blaster GS5: One-minute review

The Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is a gaming soundbar that can be used with all sorts of devices, with a form factor that’s suitable for desktops, according to the brand.

Its plain appearance won’t set hearts ablaze, but it has a certain minimalist charm that’s unlikely to offend. Customizable RGB lighting is on hand for those who want to brighten their setup, too.

The build quality of the GS5 is reasonable. It feels quite solid without being too heavy, although the chassis material doesn’t feel particularly premium. It falls short of the best soundbars in this regard, and no doubt contributes to its relatively low price tag. And while it’s a compact unit, I still think it’s a bit too large to sit comfortably on your desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The remote is similarly compact and functional. It’s well made and easy to use, although it can be slow to respond, especially when trying to adjust certain parameters with quick, repeated presses.

The GS5 produces a good sound for gaming. Audio effects are impactful, but overall fidelity is lacking somewhat, which is especially noticeable when listening to music or watching movies.

Altering the sound in Creative’s desktop app can help, though. There are plenty of adjustments here, including a 10-point EQ graph and other audio-enhancing features. Some of these improve clarity and impact, while others, such as the volume-leveling function, are less effective.

It’s a shame that these alterations only take effect when listening to the GS5 on PC via USB, and it’s also disappointing that the mobile app offers nowhere near the same number of adjustments as the desktop app.

I have fewer complaints about the connectivity of the GS5, though. Bluetooth works very well, pairing quickly to my devices and making it easy to hotswitch to wired connections. Speaking of which, you get many options here, with USB, Optical, and AUX ports on board. There’s even a 3.5mm headphone jack on the side of the unit.

All these options and features are impressive for a soundbar of this price. Many of its rivals are a lot more expensive, and while they may offer better audio quality, the GS5 is still worth considering if you’re on a budget. Just don’t expect a space-saving desktop unit with pristine sound.

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $99.99 / £74.99 / AU$129.95
• Available now
• Cheaper than many rivals

The Creative Sound Blaster GS5 costs $99.99 / £74.99 / AU$129.95 and is available now in one colorway: black.

This is a reasonable price for a gaming soundbar, especially one that offers so many features. For something even cheaper, there’s the GS3, the younger sibling to the GS5. However, this is smaller, less powerful, and lacks the same features.

For more premium options, there’s the Creative Katana SE, which has a similar feature-set and audio quality, while the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro has more advanced features, including an infrared camera with AI tracking to keep the sound centered on where you are.

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: Specs

Frequency range:

65–20,000Hz

Drivers:

3.35 x 2.16 inch full-range racetrack drivers

Dimensions:

510 x 102.7 x 82.6mm / 20.07 x 4.04 x 3.25 inches

Weight:

1.5kg / 3.3lbs

Audio Inputs:

Bluetooth 5.3, Optical-in (TOSLINK), 3.5mm AUX-in, USB Audio (Type C)

Audio Outputs:

3.5mm Headphones-out

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Restrained looks
• A little too big for desktops
• Feature-packed desktop app

The GS5 has a rather functional appearance; the all-black design looks smart, but also a little dull. The RGB lighting, however, does impart some interest, with its keen luminescence and plenty of customization options on tap.

Although the GS5 is smaller than your typical soundbar, it’s still a bit too cumbersome for desktop use, despite Creative’s intentions for it. It mightn’t be particularly wide but it's quite tall and deep, so it takes up more space than you might think. At least the overall form is sleek and minimal, lacking unnecessary angles or protrusions.

Build quality is reasonable, too. It feels solid in the main, and although the materials employed don’t feel particularly upmarket, they’re sufficient for the job. I also appreciated the soft rubber feet, which help to stabilize the soundbar, as well as protect the underlying surface.

The LED display is limited to just two characters, but it’s clear enough without being distracting, and is sufficient for conveying information. The side knob is similarly discreet, and rotates smoothly with light notching. Also operating well, the surrounding buttons only require a light press to work. They’re coated in a soft rubber that feels comfortable, although it's a little pointless in my view.

(Image credit: Future)

Feeling of a similar quality, the IR remote control is compact and sits nicely in the hand. The buttons operate with a satisfying solidity, too, and there are plenty of adjustments available, from volume and track skipping to toggles for various audio features.

However, not every feature and function that the GS5 has to offer is present here. To gain access to further tweaks, you’ll need to install Creative’s free desktop app. Here you’ll find plenty of in-depth options to tinker with, including EQ graphs and various enhancements.

It’s clearly laid out for the most part, although adjusting some of the functions for the sound mode are a little confusing. It’s not immediately clear how the Sound Mode, Acoustic Stage, and Equalizer sections are linked, but they are. What’s more, adjustments made in the app fail to sync up with the GS5’s LED readout. For instance, if you’ve selected Gaming mode via the app, this won’t show up.

The app’s interface isn’t the most appealing, with certain UI elements looking a little low-res. Also, some clickable objects, such as drop-down boxes, didn’t always respond properly in my experience. What’s more, I was disappointed that the app won’t recognize the GS5 if connected wirelessly via Bluetooth; you must have a wired USB connection. Ultimately, though, these are minor niggles, and overall the software is stable and usable.

It’s frustrating that the mobile app is far more limited than its desktop counterpart. It only offers a few adjustments, and these are ones that are already present on the remote, although I understand it may be more convenient for some to use their phone rather than the remote to control the GS5.

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Impactful and punchy sound
• Lacks fidelity
• App settings only take effect on PC

The GS5 is an effective companion to your gaming sessions. Sound effects are punchy and impactful, adding real bite to sword swings when I played The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and gunfire in Counter-Strike 2. Sadly, the overall fidelity of the GS5 isn’t particularly great, which is especially noticeable when listening to music. It’s certainly not in the same league as the best speakers for audio enthusiasts, nor is it on a par with the best gaming headsets.

There’s plenty of volume, although it’s a shame that the increments aren’t very precise; you’ll find the sound hardly changes as you increase or decrease the volume by one or two digits, before it suddenly jumps on the third or forth.

You can make several adjustments to tailor the sound of the GS5 to your needs. You can control the tone by seven levels: 0 is the neutral point between the two extremes of ‘warmth’ and ‘brilliance’ (as Creative terms them), with three either side for more bass or more treble.

(Image credit: Future)

The brighter tones were impressive, enhancing the clarity of that aforementioned punch to game sound effects. However, the lower tones were disappointing, muddying the bass rather than making it fuller.

On top of this, there's also a SuperWide setting, which promises a more expansive soundstage. You can toggle between Near and Far modes (or disable it altogether), based on your distance from the bar. I found this to be an effective feature, as it really does impart a greater sense of space. The Far setting adds some unwanted airiness, but not to the extent that it undermines clarity and depth entirely.

Then there are the plethora of what Creative calls Sound Modes. On the remote, you can only toggle between two of these: Gaming and Movie. The latter seemed to offer greater fidelity at the expense of impact, whereas the former had the opposite effect, emphasizing mids and lows at the expense of clear trebles.

In the Creative desktop app, there are many more of these modes to choose from, including those designed for specific games. You can even design and save your own custom profiles, with independent sections for speaker and headphone settings, should you wish to connect one via the 3.5mm jack on the side of the GS5.

(Image credit: Future)

To shape your sound, there’s an EQ graph with a range of 31Hz to 16KHz, plotted with 10 points that you can drag to boost or cut frequencies by 6dBs. For convenience, there are additional sliders for overall bass and treble, allowing you to adjust multiple frequencies in those domains simultaneously. There’s also a Preamp slider that can be used to alter overall volume.

Alongside this traditional EQ, the app also has a feature that Creative calls Acoustic Engine. Here, you can adjust more sound-related aspects. There are further sliders for enhancing bass and treble frequencies, which stack on top of what can be achieved with the EQ. There’s also a setting called Dialog+ that’s designed to make dialog clearer, and in my experience this does indeed achieve its aim.

I found the Smart Volume setting less effective. This claims to intelligently ride levels to prevent loud and unpleasant spikes in volume. Unfortunately, in action, it sounds like an unsubtle audio compressor, causing a slight pumping effect but not actually taming peaks all that well.

All these options are a little overwhelming at first, but on the whole they’re welcome and meaningful additions. However, it’s a shame that any custom sound mode you create can’t be selected via the remote. Worse still, these only work on PC via USB — you won’t be able to use them when connected via Bluetooth, or when connected to consoles and other devices, wired or wirelessly.

Connecting to various devices via Bluetooth was as quick and as painless as I could’ve wished for. I couldn’t discern any difference in sound quality between USB and Bluetooth connections, either.

What’s more, switching between Bluetooth and USB connections was also seamless. I could switch between them without needing to unplug and replug the cable, which made hot-switching that much easier. There are also ports for AUX and optical connection, which means that overall the GS5 has an impressive range of connectivity options.

The performance of the IR remote was somewhat disappointing. I often experienced delayed inputs, especially when adjusting the Tone parameter, for some reason. And while I appreciated the media controls for play / pause and track skipping, these only worked on PC via USB, not on console.

Should I buy the Creative Sound Blaster GS5?Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It offers quite a lot for its relatively unassuming price tag.

4 / 5

Design

The unfussy and compact form are positives, but it’s still too large to sit on desktops comfortably.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The GS5 doesn’t have the best fidelity, but there are plenty of sound-enhancing features to somewhat make up for this.

3.5 / 5

Overall rating

The GS5 packs in plenty of features and connectivity options, but the lack of audio quality compared to hi-fi alternatives is clear. It’s also a little too big for desktops, but at this price, it’s still worth considering if you’re on a budget.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You’re on a budget
As soundbars go, the GS5 is quite cheap, yet it still has a lot of features and connectivity options.

You want plenty of customization
Using the GS5 on PC unlocks a wealth of tweaks, most of which make meaningful changes to the sound.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best sound quality
The lack of clarity compared to top-tier rivals is apparent, and music and movie lovers might be especially disappointed.

You want something discreet
Although Creative does say the GS5 is fit for desktops, it’s still a little too large, in my view.

Creative Sound Blaster GS5 review: Also consider

Creative Katana SE
Another Creative model, the Katana SE is a powerful, bass-heavy unit that, like the GS5, features plenty of customization and connectivity options. Unfortunately, though, it also shares the same lack of fidelity, so it still can’t compete with audio-focused soundbars and speakers. Read our full Creative Katana SE review.

Razer Leviathan V2 Pro
The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro impressed us with its powerful low-end and wide sonic landscape, although we did find mid and high frequencies to be a little disappointing. It does have a Virtual Headset mode for increased immersion, though, as well as an infrared camera with AI tracking to make sure you’re always at the center of the soundstage. Read our full Razer Leviathan V2 Pro review.

How I tested the Creative Sound Blaster GS5

• Tested for several days
• Used for various content on various devices
• Plenty of gaming and audio experience

I tested the GS5 for several days. I used it for all kinds of content, from gaming to watching videos and listening to music.

I also used it with various devices via its various connections. I used it with my PS5, gaming PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android phone, with a mixture of USB and Bluetooth connections.

I have experience testing a range of audio gear, including headsets designed for gaming and headphones and speakers designed for audiophiles. Such products have spanned a range of price points, form factors, and feature sets.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: April 2026

Logitech G512 X two-minute review

The Logitech G512 X reminds me of what Citroën tried to do with the C3 Pluriel — a car so busy trying to be everything that it ended up being not quite enough of anything. This is a keyboard that seeks to blur the lines between gaming and enthusiast-grade, which is a tricky line to walk — and one that the G512 X doesn't quite manage.

On one hand, it's trying to be one of the best keyboards money can buy, with capable tactile switches, gasket mounting and strong acoustics, and on the other, it's positioning itself as a top-end TMR gaming deck with potent HE switches with rapid trigger, dual actuation and all the rest of it. For $199.99/£199.99, this feels like a two-for-one deal I can get behind, but only in some respects.

In practice, the G512 X impresses with strong mechanical credentials and fast analog switches that can be swapped in an instant with the bundled pullers to provide the precision and power more competitive gamers will appreciate. I also like the clean software and the pleasant and rather striking black and purple chassis (it can also come in white and mint).

(Image credit: Future)

However, there are several limits to its powers that, to me, stop it from being a top contender for one of the best gaming keyboards out there. For instance, the chassis here is predominantly plastic and can flex at the corners, meaning the Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition is a much stronger bet for build quality, while the fact that the analog hot-swappable powers only extend to 39 of the keyboard's switch sockets just feels like an oversight. The likes of the Cherry Xtrfy MX 8.2 Pro TMR Wireless and Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE have already addressed this more convincingly with full hot-swap support.

Likewise, the high price tag is hard to ignore, even if you're getting some genuine cleverness here. The likes of the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact and Corsair K70 Pro TKL offer as much, or more, gaming grunt for a lower price, and the aforementioned Keychron adds wireless connectivity for an identical price. Nonetheless, it's still more affordable than the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3.

Logitech G512 X review: Price & release date

• Costs: $199.99 / £199.99
• Available May 2 2026
• Towards the top end of the market

The Logitech G512 X is available in two sizes, and therefore two prices, with the 96% option I have here the dearest at $199.99/£199.99. If you wanted the smaller 75% option, you'll be paying $179.99/£169.99. The keyboard is currently available for pre-order, with shipping from May 2 2026.

The price puts it towards the top end of the market for similar Hall effect gaming keyboards, and it's similar in a lot of respects to the Corsair K70 Pro TKL. The Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact is also a potent wired choice, and is a fair bit cheaper than Logitech's offering, although it lacks some of the versatility of the G512 X.

Other more pro-oriented products that this keyboard is designed to compete with, such as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, cost a bit more, though, arguably due to having extra software trickery or wireless connectivity options.

(Image credit: Future)

In the box, Logitech provides the keyboard itself, a USB-C to USB-A cable for wired connectivity, switch and keycap pullers that double as feet and documentation. There is also a wristrest available, although that is a separate purchase.

• Price score: 3.5/5

Logitech G512 X review: Specs

Layout:

96% (75% also available)

Switch:

Gateron KS-20 (analog), Unknown Brown tactile (mechanical)

Programmable keys:

Yes

Dimensions:

13 x 5.9 x 1.9 inches / 386 x 150 x 48mm

RGB or backlighting:

Yes (customisable)

Logitech G512 X review: Design & features

• Stylish black and purple chassis
• Build quality leaves a lot to be desired
• Reasonably intuitive layout

Logitech has opted for a different look to a lot of its other past gaming keyboard efforts with the G512 X, adding a welcome splash of color, such as the purple-accented Esc and arrow keys, alongside the dual dials in the right corner and the color that's sandwiched in between the black of the frame down the sides and around the back. Both sizes of the Logitech G512 X can also come in white with mint accents, and you can swap out the colored keycaps for ones that match the rest of the body for a more uniform look.

There's a certain style here that I'm quite a fan of, alongside the diffused lighting aesthetic across the front.

For a $200 keyboard, the fact that the frame feels like it's mostly plastic isn't a great first impression, especially as rivals incorporate a lot of metal for sturdiness, or even go as far as to make the case out of a material such as resin, or concrete, in the case of Keychron's latest entry.

(Image credit: Future)

This has the effect of making the chassis flex under heavy pressure both in the middle and at the corners, giving the G512 X a much cheaper feel that I'm not a fan of, not least from a brand that should (and can) do better. Despite this, there is a decent amount of heft to the frame, with it tipping the scales at 2.2lbs/1kg, which means some thought has gone into it. Just not enough in my book.

The fit and finish elsewhere is quite reasonable, with pleasant PBT keycaps under the finger that have a nice grip for comfortable typing. PBT is a more durable plastic than the swathes of ABS I'm used to seeing on more mainstream keyboards, and is also much less resistant to the horrible keycap shine that plagues ABS-capped boards after a fair amount of use.

Logitech offers the G512 X in two layout varieties, with either a 75% or a 96% configuration available. The former offers the benefit of a TKL layout (also known as Tenkeyless, which means the keyboard doesn't have a numpad) in a slightly squished-up fashion, with an F-row, arrow keys and a single column nav cluster alongside the usual alphanumeric keys.

(Image credit: Future)

The 96% layout is the one I have, and it supplements this with a number pad. The placement of keys against other keyboards of this form factor I've tried is different, owing to the two dials in the top right. By default, the dials control backlight level (left) and media volume (right), although they can be remapped in Logitech's G Hub software. Usually, the navigation keys are moved above the number pad, but they're now part of a function layer, with only the Print Screen key above the number pad. Otherwise, this is a method of packing in most of the functionality of a full-size keyboard into a slightly space-saving chassis.

The interface around the back is where things get a little interesting, as you'll find standard features such as a USB-C port for wired connectivity, plus two buttons – one for scanning the keyboard to check for any analog switches installed (this is then reported into software for customization purposes), while the other enables Game Mode. In the middle, there is a cubby hole for the nine Gateron KS-20 analog switches that can be swapped into the keyboard and a shelf for five silicon rings that can be placed around a switch to help denote where a secondary actuation point is (if they're set in the software).

(Image credit: Future)

I like the clever use of storage space on the rear of the G512 X, and I think it's a smart feature that other keyboard makers could take notice of. The silicon rings do tend to fall out of the back of the keyboard, though, if you move it around.

On the underside, you'll find some small feet that raise the keyboard up by default to a more comfortable angle, although the included keycap and switch pullers also double as feet for an even taller angle. Getting these into place in between the existing feet is quite finicky, and they don't feel the most secure.

On the topic of software, G Hub handles configuration duties for everything from RGB lighting control to key remapping and dealing with rapid trigger and actuation point options. For rapid trigger and such, you can program inputs on a scale from 0.1mm all the way down to 4mm, giving a lot of configuration. There are also options here to set two actuations per key and deal with SOCD tech, which I'll get into later.

(Image credit: Future)

The RGB lighting here is rather bright, and there is a good deal of customization offered in the software to change colors, patterns and the like. My only criticism is that in a lot of cases, the backlighting doesn't extend to the edges of some of the legends.

• Design and features: 3.5/5

Logitech G512 X review: Performance

• Tactile mechanical switches by default…
• …which can be swapped to HE switches for more speed and precision
• Solely wired connectivity, although with 8000Hz polling rate

It's on the front of what's inside the G512 X where things get quite intriguing, as this is one of only a handful of keyboards out there that'll accept both more standard mechanical switches and magnetic or analog switches in one go. The only others that spring to mind are the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE and the Cherry Xtrfy MX 8.2 Pro TMR Wireless, although in this respect, I'd argue both of them have a leg up on Logitech.

That's because this 'board only accepts its analog TMR switches on 39 of the hot-swappable sockets, mostly on the left side of the keyboard, as that's where most of the switches pressed for gaming exist – the arrow keys are the only notable exception, according to Logitech. I understand why they've done this, but surely it would've made more sense to offer that precision and power across the entire alphanumeric set, rather than just over half of it.

This keyboard ships first and foremost as a more traditional mechanical choice, with it available either with indeterminate Linear or Tactile switches; my sample shipped with the latter. I feel it is quite important to note that some of the documentation I was provided with for this keyboard calls these switches 'MX Mechanical Switches' when I can find no evidence that these are proper Cherry MX switches. There isn't any branding on them to suggest so, for instance, and the housing doesn't look like the MX Browns I'm so used to, leading me to believe these are some form of clones.

(Image credit: Future)

To be fair to Logitech, the clones it has fitted provide a positive actuation with a healthy bump halfway down the travel alongside a smooth travel and a surprisingly light 38g weighting.

Acoustics here are strong, with no case rattle or ping from the stabilisers or internal mechanism, while the G512 X also has internal gaskets to provide a slightly more responsive, 'bouncier' feel under finger. There is a fair amount of key wobble, though.

Hot-swap support for the standard mechanical switches is the usual MX-style three or five-pin switches, and it works the way you'd expect, with no soldering or funny business required. Just note that the bundled switch and keycap pullers Logitech has provided aren't great at doing their job, so you'll want to find a combo puller or separate ones from elsewhere. It took me several attempts before I even got a grip on either the keycap or the switch.

When it comes to the analog switches, Logitech has opted to use Gateron KS-20 Hall effect switches for the nine included on the rear of the keyboard, which I've seen fitted to HE keyboards in the past from the likes of Wooting and even Sony. These feel as I expected, with a smooth keypress afforded by having no physical mechanism inside and all the benefits of speed and precision over what comes by default inside the G512 X.

The key thing here is that these are powered by TMR sensing sockets, rather than the more ubiquitous Hall effect, which is something we're seeing become more common with gaming keyboards in 2026. Without getting too much into the weeds, TMR stands for Tunnel Magneto-Resistance, and is a technology we've mostly seen applied to game controllers rather than keyboards. It's essentially designed to offer a greater degree of precision and general responsiveness over the litany of Hall effect products we see in controllers and keyboards.

It's also meant to be more power-efficient, although as this is a purely wired keyboard, it isn't that important compared to wireless TMR keyboards from other folks.

(Image credit: Future)

As much as this is a keyboard you can use for general day-to-day stuff with its full mechanical set, it's more at home when you use the keycap and switch pullers and swap out the mechanical switches for analog ones, which is very easy. For my testing, I elected to swap the WASD keys, Shift and the 1, 2, and 3 number keys for speed in Counter-Strike 2 for movement, crouching and weapon selection.

With those switches swapped out, you can go into Logitech's G Hub and scan the keyboard, which will recognise the new switches as being analog, and you can then configure things such as rapid trigger, dual actuation and more. I didn't set the actuation and reset as high as 0.1mm, as I've often felt that's too sensitive, and instead set it to a more reasonable 0.5mm.

This decision essentially turns these switches into hair triggers. It means inputs required very little effort, which becomes very handy in quick-draw scenarios where you need to bring a weapon out or throw a grenade as quickly as possible.

Using G-Hub also opens up more advanced features, such as dual actuation, where you can go through a switch's travel with two inputs mapped. This is where the little o-rings that Logitech provides come in, as they're specifically designed to notify you when that second input should be recognised.

There are limits to the G512 X's powers, though, as its switches don't support more progressive and controller-like analogue inputs, as you'll get on rivals from the likes of Wooting and Keychron at this price. This is handy if you wanted to play racing titles such as Forza Horizon 5 with your keyboard.

Logitech provides its own flavour of SOCD tech, known as 'key priority', which is controllable in G Hub, and can be mapped to seemingly any pair of switches. It allows you to activate one key while holding down the other for especially quick actions. In this instance, it works based on the most recent one pressed; for instance, if mapped to the A and D keys (the typical default in a lot of rival choices), it can allow for unnaturally quick side-to-side movement for a tactic known as 'jiggle strafing' in Counter-Strike 2.

It's very clever, although not something you'll probably use too much in online games, given Valve wields the ban hammer for anyone who uses it in online Counter-Strike 2 games.

Connectivity with the G512 X is strictly wired, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless choices available. Over this wired connection, you also get an 8000Hz polling rate for more frequent reporting of inputs than 'standard' gaming keyboards, which can lead to a more responsive feel. This isn't necessarily something that mere mortals can feel, although for the pros, where every millisecond counts, it's a useful addition.

• Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Logitech G512 X?Logitech G512 X scoreboard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

The G512 X is quite expensive for a wired-only gaming keyboard, even though it boasts some clever features that make it rather versatile. You can get wireless choices at this price, alongside stronger enthusiast-grade mechanical options.

3.5/5

Design and features

I like the look of the G512 X, with its black and purple-accented chassis and the convenience of its 96% layout, although the fact that there's a lot of chassis flex and it's mostly made of plastic leaves a sour taste for the price.

3.5/5

Performance

There's no denying the G512 X is a clever keyboard, with its ability to swap out mechanical switches for HE ones virtually at will, with full compatibility for rapid trigger, SOCD and such with the latter, and this is a fast keyboard with the right switches inside to boot. I just wish it worked on more sockets.

4/5

Overall rating

The G512 X is a curious product that makes for a good mechanical keyboard and a decent rapid trigger one, although it sometimes feels like its versatility is the very thing that lets it down, not least for a higher price tag and with a plastic chassis. I'd still rather have one great keyboard than two good ones.

3.5/5

Buy it if…

You want mechanical and analog switches in one keyboard
The G512 X is quite unique in that it can offer the benefits of both tactile mechanical switches and analog options in one product, providing the comfort of one and the speed of another without needing to change keyboards.View Deal

You want striking looks
I'm also a big fan of the black and purple finish Logitech has opted for with the G512 X, which gives it quite a striking finish against its contemporaries.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want more versatile connectivity
It is possible to get performance-focused gaming decks with wireless connectivity at a similar price to the G512 X, which is useful if you want less visible desk clutter or to connect to multiple devices at once.View Deal

You want something more affordable
As versatile as the G512 X is, it comes at quite a cost, especially if you don't need all of its features. You can sacrifice some elements, and opt for the likes of the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact or the Keychron K2 HE and get similar gaming-centric features while pocketing a few extra pounds or dollars.View Deal

Also consider

Corsair K70 Pro TKL:
This Corsair choice is similar in outlay to the G512 X 75% variant, and while it may not offer as much versatility as Logitech's choice, it provides a performance-focused option with fast HE switches, 8000Hz wired polling and comes with more physical controls and a wristrest. Read our Corsair K70 Pro TKL review.View Deal

Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition:
This special Keychron choice ditches any potential issues with a plastic chassis by using one made of concrete, plus has feature-rich TMR switches with more customisation and input options, plus versatile wireless connectivity for the same price as the G512 X. It doesn't have any mechanical switch options, or 8000Hz polling, though.View Deal

How I tested the Logitech G512 X

• Tested for around a week
• Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
• A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist

I tested the G512 X for around a week, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.

I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Forza Horizon 5, to best gauge its TMR switches. I also made sure to use Logitech's G Hub software to test every facet of the keyboard.

I've been a tech journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: April 2026

Kenwood MultiPro Go food processor: two-minute review

Full disclosure: I live in a tiny apartment that has more of a kitchenette than a kitchen, so space — both countertop and cabinet — is at a premium. So I usually try to find essential appliances that are compact and eyed the Kenwood MultiPro Go for a long while before putting my faith in it.

The main reason it caught my attention was its design — available in lovely light colours (Clay Red and Storm Blue as Kenwood calls them in Australia, there's an additional green one in the UK), the appliance is eye-catching and memorable compared to the usual black or grey machines. Another positive is its Express Serve attachment that drops processed foods directly into a container of your choice. You do need to use a wide-mouthed container, though, as the processed items won't to scatter through the relatively large opening of the attachment.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

To keep the whole system compact, Kenwood has thoughtfully added a groove for winding the power cable around when stored, although the plug is too large and hangs off the bottom of the base.

While the main bowl and the Express Serve attachment can sit on top of each other if you want to store the appliance that way, they’re not truly stackable and the latter just ‘sits’ atop the former. That said, if they were truly stackable, the entire appliance would be too tall to fit into even a deep drawer or tall cabinet shelf, so storing one attachment separately is definitely the way to go.

The bowl has a full capacity of 1.3L but only about 0.75L of that is usable for effective processing. That is admittedly not a lot, but is sufficient for a small household. For example, it can easily chop an onion or two in one go, grate 2-3 carrots and slice a couple of potatoes without you needing to empty the bowl first.

Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar

Chopping a single large onion took barely 2-3 seconds, but if you find some larger pieces, just give it another quick whirl for better consistency. In a similar vein, grating carrots and cucumbers was also very fast, with two carrots taking no longer than 5-6 seconds. Use the Express Serve attachment for grated and sliced produce and you won’t even need to open the bowl, thus saving you a bit of prep time. Also note that the grating and slicing blade is the same — one side to grate, flip it to slice.

I was rather sceptical about the Kenwood MultiPro Go being able to knead, but making small amounts of cookie and pasta dough is doable. Making breadcrumbs and pesto is also quick and efficient.

Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarSharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar

While Kenwood says the parts are all dishwasher safe, I’ve handwashed the attachments every time. This increases the life of the bowl and blades by reducing wear and tear on the parts, and honestly, cleaning them by hand is very easy to do. There aren’t too many nooks and crannies for food to get stuck into, but you can always keep a small brush handy in case items like cheese get caught where your hand can’t reach.

The Kenwood MultiPro Go is, admittedly, a basic food processor, but if all you need are the basics, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. And it’s not expensive either, even at full price, but it’s often discounted.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Kenwood MultiPro Go review: price & availability

• List price: £54.99 / AU$117
• Available in UK and Australia directly from Kenwood and authorised retailers
• Comes in three colours in the UK, two in Australia

While the Kenwood MultiPro Go food processor isn’t available in the US, it’s widely available in the UK and Australia (as well as other European and APAC markets) for an affordable price of £59 / AU$117. Note that this is the model that’s just the food processor and shouldn’t be confused with the Kenwood MultiPro Go Blend option that adds a small blender attachment to the mix for £89.99 / AU$179.

Even at full price it’s a worthwhile investment if you don’t have too many chef-y needs, but keep an eye out for discounts, either directly from Kenwood or from third-party suppliers. I’ve seen it as low as AU$69 in Australia where I’m based.

In comparison, other compact models like the KitchenAid Go 5 Cup Food Processor will set you back £179 / AU$228 at full price but can also be found discounted (I’ve seen prices around £125 / AU$189). Admittedly the battery-powered model demands a higher price, but I would argue that the Kenwood MultiPro Go is a lot more versatile as the KitchenAid can only chop, whip and purée.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Kenwood MultiPro Go review: specs

Power

650W

Key dimensions

30cm tall, 16cm wide

Total capacity

1.3L

Usable capacity

0.75L

Speeds

1 + Pulse

Blades

2 (chopping knife blade, reversible 4mm slicing/Grating disc)

Other features

Dishwasher safe, Express Serve attachment

Should I buy the Kenwood MultiPro Go food processor?Buy it if...

You don’t have a lot of kitchen countertop or storage space

The Kenwood MultiPro Go is a truly compact kitchen appliance that can be stored away in a large under-cabinet drawer or a cabinet shelf, but note that the Express Serve attachment will need to be kept separately as it's not fully stackable.

You need an affordable food processor

Even at full price, the Kenwood MultiPro Go is affordable, but it's often discounted. It even offers more value for money compared to some of its other compact competitors like the KitchenAid Go, which is battery powered, as it's more versatile despite offering limited functionality.

Don't buy it if...

You have more chef-y needs

While it can knead, chop, slice and grate, you'll need to get something more proficient if you also want to whip, purée and perform other processing that the likes of the Breville Paradice food processors can take care of.

You need to process larger quantities of food

With a maximum usable capacity of just 0.75L for liquids and solids, the MultiPro Go is fine for small batches of food, but you'll need something larger for bigger quantities.

How I tested the Kenwood MultiPro Go

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I've been using the Kenwood MultiPro Go since late 2025 for personal reasons, but found it so impressive, it needed to be highlighted.

In that time, I've used the compact appliance to process breadcrumbs, make cookie and pasta dough, plus chop onions, slice cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes and sweet potatoes. I've grated cucumbers for tzatziki and carrot for a cake. I've also made pesto and hummus, as well as a coriander and mint chutney.

While I have been tempted to wash the parts in the dishwasher, I've always erred in the side of caution and handwashed the blades and bowls.

Read more about how we test products on TechRadar

[First reviewed May 2026]

ZimaCube 2: 30-second review

The original ZimaCube was a Kickstarter campaign by IceWhale that delivered a workable NAS with a reasonable specification. Having proven the concept, the ZimaCube 2 Personal Cloud NAS is a direct-to-retail launch that addresses several shortcomings of the original.

Replacing the N100 CPU is a Core i3-1215U, an Intel 12th Generation Alder Lake chip with six cores, eight threads, 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, and DDR5 memory support.

At $799, it ships with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD pre-installed, along with ZimaOS already loaded, which can be upgraded to ZimaOS+ for a small fee. Six SATA bays are ready for drives, and four M.2 slots sit in the expansion section for NVMe storage.

That puts it in direct competition with the UGREEN NASync DXP6800 Pro, which costs north of $1,000, though that machine does come with an i5-class CPU.

Where the ZimaCube 2 stands out is its pair of free PCIe slots, which make it straightforward to add 10GbE LAN, a discrete GPU, or additional M.2 capacity. It also accepts up to 32GB of DDR5 memory.

That flexibility extends to software as well. The internal 256GB NVMe drive runs ZimaOS, a Linux-derived NAS platform, but IceWhale also supports TrueNAS for those who prefer it.

On the whole, the ZimaCube 2 addresses many of the complaints levelled at the N100-powered original, while keeping the minimalist styling intact. But with memory and storage prices what they are, is it offering enough performance for buyers looking to run local AI workloads?

This might not be one of the best NAS devices for home and small business users, but the impressive functionality and build quality make it an interesting alternative.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)ZimaCube 2: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $799
• When is it out? On pre-order
• Where can you get it? Direct from IceWhale

The ZimaCube 2 is only available direct from IceWhale for $799.

At that price, this Personal Cloud NAS sits above the mainstream six-bay offerings from Synology and QNAP but below their higher-end units with comparable processing power. The QNAP TS-664 in the same bracket uses a Celeron N5105. Neither offers Thunderbolt 4 nor any of the open-platform flexibility.

The Synology DS1825+ is an eight-bay machine that also ships without 10GbE as standard, uses the same AMD Ryzen V1500B with four cores, and comes with 8GB of DDR ECC. Synology asks $1,149.99 for the privilege.

The DS1621+ is now end-of-line and has not been replaced. The only six-bay DS series NAS Synology currently offers is the ageing DS620slim, built for 2.5-inch drives.

Closer in price is the five-bay DS1525+, at $799.99. That gets you the same AMD Ryzen V1500B, the same 8GB of DDR4 ECC, two M.2 slots, USB-C (not Thunderbolt), and a single proprietary PCIe expansion slot with Gen3 x2 lanes. Networking is dual 2.5GbE, though you can add higher speeds via the PCIe slot with a $109.99 E10G22-T1-Mini card.

It is worth noting that since Synology began restricting compatible drives to its own-brand range, you can no longer use third-party M.2 SSDs in these machines. Synology's own SSDs arrive in remarkably small capacities and at eye-watering prices. The SNV5420-400G Enterprise Series M.2 NVMe SSD, a 400GB drive with a 650MB/s write speed, costs $484.99. If Synology is still positioning itself as a prosumer and small-business NAS vendor, its pricing makes that argument difficult to sustain.

Asustor has the Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T, a six-bay machine with a Quad-Core AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14, 2.5GbE LAN ports, the option to add 10GbE via PCIe, and four M.2 slots. It lacks Thunderbolt but does support USB4. Asustor wants $1,539.99 for that, which puts it on par with the ZimaCube 2 Pro.

A more balanced comparison is with Ugreen, which launched its iDX series at CES 2026 with Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, dual 10GbE, and Thunderbolt 4 at competitive prices. Those units are entering the market at the same time as the ZimaCube 2, and their specifications closely overlap with those of the ZimaCube 2 Pro.

From Ugreen, and currently on offer, $679.99 gets you the four-bay NASync DXP4800 Pro, which uses the i3-1315U, comes with 8GB of DDR5 RAM, 10GbE and 2.5GbE LAN, and dual M.2 slots running at Gen 4x4. It lacks Thunderbolt and has two fewer bays, but the processor is 13th Gen rather than 12th.

Six bays from Ugreen means stepping up to the NASync DXP5800 Pro, which uses the i5-1235U found in the ZimaCube 2 Pro. It comes with dual 10GbE LAN, 8GB of RAM, dual PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 slots, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a single PCIe x4 slot. The asking price is $1,027.99. The ZimaCube 2 Pro costs $1,299 and comes with 16GB of memory.

Circling back to the ZimaCube 2, the pricing is reasonable for what you get, particularly when compared to Asustor or Synology.

• Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)ZimaCube 2: Specs

Model:

ZimaCube 2 Personal Cloud NAS

CPU:

Intel i3-1215U, 6 Cores, 8 Threads

GPU:

Intel UHD Graphics (64 EUs), Intel Alder Lake-UP3 GT1

NPU:

N/A

RAM:

1x 8GB LPDDR5 (upgradeable to 32GB)

Internal Storage:

256GB SSD for ZimaOS

SATA Storage:

6 bays (3.5 or 2.5 inch)

M.2 Storage:

4 slots M.2 2280/2242/2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0

Ports:

2x Thunderbolt (USB-C) 40Gbps, 4x USB 3.0 USB-A, 1x USB 3.0 USB-C, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x PCIe 4.0 slot (x16 physical, x4 lanes), 1x PCIe 3.0 (x4 physical, x2 lanes)

Networking:

2x RJ45 2.5GbE LAN

OS:

ZimaOS 1.61

Max Capacity:

6x 32TB SATA (192TB) + 4x 8TB M.2 (32TB)

RAID Modes:

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

PSU:

External 19V 11.58A 220W

Dimensions:

240 x 221 x 220mm (LxWxH)

Weight:

7.4kg (including the PSU)

ZimaCube 2: Design

• All-metal construction
• Bays are not lockable
• Easy internal access

From the outside, the ZimaCube 2 looks remarkably similar to the original. It is the same size, the same aluminium box, with storage below and the system above, which makes sense from a heat management perspective.

The six front-loading SATA bays sit behind a plastic grille held in place by magnets, but there is no obvious way to remove it. The designer left no tab to pull it or get a fingernail underneath. Having removed it a couple of times, I would be more likely to leave the grille in the box than deal with it repeatedly.

With the grille off, there are six vertically mounted drive trays and a seventh for the four M.2 drives. The trays were a disappointment on several counts.

They are not lockable and require screws, regardless of whether you are fitting 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. Virtually every branded NAS maker now offers tool-less 3.5-inch trays, and installing 24 screws for a full build is a tedious way to spend an afternoon.

Extracting the M.2 bay means unscrewing a retained thumbscrew, but that alone is not enough to pull it free. Getting it out required me to remove bay six first, just to find something to grip. These are the sort of issues that should have been caught at the prototype stage.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Another carry-over from the original is the placement of the ports 14cm up the cube. Three USB 3.0 ports sit on the front (two USB-A, one USB-C), alongside an audio jack and the power button. Around the back are the power inlet and reset hole, dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, dual Thunderbolt 4, dual USB 3.0 Type-A, DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI 2.0 video outputs.

The problem with routing USB and Thunderbolt cables from mid-height is that most external drives ship with cables that are not long enough to reach a desk without some awkward draping. Placing the ports on top would not be much better. This is why most NAS designs put the mainboard, and its associated ports, at the base.

The upside of IceWhale's approach is that the system is genuinely easy to access. Remove four screws, lift the top, and everything is exposed: the DDR5 SODIMMs, the two PCIe slots, the CPU cooler, and an unoccupied M.2 slot on the motherboard.

What I found slightly odd is that there are no fans pushing or pulling air through this area, only small perforations in the sides and rear. Warm air will naturally rise and collect where the system lives, but there is no active mechanism to extract it. The CPU cooler in this model is noticeably larger than the one in the original ZimaCube, which helps, but once the heat leaves the chip, it still has nowhere obvious to go.

Keeping the same enclosure no doubt reduced the cost of bringing the ZimaCube 2 to market. But the fact that almost none of the physical design problems have been addressed is hard to overlook.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

ZimaCube 2: Features

• Intel i3-1215U
• 20 PCIe lanes
• Not an AI platform

More than anything else, the N100 processor is what damaged the original ZimaCube. Intel gave that chip just nine PCIe lanes, which was simply not enough to service six hard drives, USB ports, and dual 2.5GbE LAN simultaneously.

The ZimaCube 2 swaps that for the Intel i3-1215U, a CPU with six cores, eight threads, and, critically, 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes. Since those lanes are PCIe 4.0 rather than PCIe 3.0, the total available bandwidth is more than four times what the N100 could offer.

The architecture splits those six cores into two performance cores with hyperthreading and four efficiency cores, giving eight simultaneous threads in total. That is not as capable as the ZimaCube 2 Pro, which uses the i5-1235U with ten cores, but it is more than sufficient for the typical NAS workload mix.

In practice, the ZimaCube 2 can handle Docker containers, media transcoding, RAID rebuilds, and light virtualisation running concurrently, without the processor becoming the obvious throttle.

That said, the 20 lanes have to stretch across a lot of hardware. The bandwidth consumers include two M.2 slots on the mainboard, four M.2 slots on the bay-seven riser, two PCIe slots, six SATA drives, all the USB ports, dual 2.5GbE LAN, and the two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 connections. That is why there is no 10GbE LAN port included on the standard model.

The four M.2 slots in the expansion bay also deserve some clarity. Each runs at PCIe Gen 3 x1, which gives an individual bandwidth ceiling of around 800MB/s per slot. That is adequate for tiering or caching, but it is not the full-speed NVMe performance the slot count might suggest. Users expecting PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds will be disappointed. Those planning to use them as high-capacity supplementary storage on top of a SATA array will find them perfectly serviceable.

The obvious answer to both the missing 10GbE port and the slow M.2 slots is the PCIe expansion slot, but what those slots appear to offer and what they actually deliver is worth clarifying.

The larger x16 slot looks as though it could take a low-profile video card, but electrically it is only PCIe 4.0 x4. Each lane delivers 2GB/s, so there is enough bandwidth for a single PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe drive or two 10GbE LAN ports.

The second PCIe slot is physically x4 but electrically only two lanes of PCIe 3.0. IceWhale sells an accessory card for this slot, with two M.2 2280/2242/2230 positions, though it was designed for PCIe 4.0 and would perform better in the x16 slot. With two PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives on that card, each would get around 4GB/s.

There is also a PCIe to 2.5GbE Ethernet adapter available, offering a relatively inexpensive way to add network bandwidth if your infrastructure supports channel bonding. Alternatively, Thunderbolt adapters can deliver 5GbE or even 10GbE if you need it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

It is hard to overstate how much of an improvement the i3 represents over the N100. The bandwidth increase alone unlocks possibilities that simply were not available before. Even so, this is 12th Gen Intel silicon built on Intel's 10nm Enhanced SuperFin process, a considerable distance behind the Series 100, 200, and 300 silicon Intel currently ships.

There are no AI accelerator components here whatsoever. Ugreen's iDX series has moved to the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, rated at 96 TOPS. Neither the ZimaCube 2 nor the Pro model can compete with that, so if running a local LLM on your NAS is the goal, this is not the right machine.

One last point worth flagging is the memory configuration. The machine ships with a single 8GB DDR5 module. There is a free slot, so getting to 16GB is straightforward, but a single module means the NAS is not running in dual-channel mode. DDR5 4800MT/s is inherently dual-channel in specification, but most systems only enable it with two modules fitted. Adding a matching module would noticeably improve memory bandwidth.

IceWhale states the system accepts two 32GB modules for a maximum of 64GB, which is four times the total in the N100. At current RAM prices, most buyers are unlikely to go that far, but there is headroom if needed.

The ZimaCube 2 platform is a significant step forward from the original. The problem is that the NAS market has moved forward, and some of the competition is now ahead of where this machine has landed.

• Features: 4 / 5

ZimaCube 2: Software

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• ZimaOS Plus
• Paid licensing tier
• TrueNAS approved

ZimaOS arrives pre-installed and boots straight to a browser-based dashboard, with no keyboard or monitor required during setup, provided the machine finds a network connection.

The interface has matured considerably since the early CasaOS days. Drive management, RAID configuration, Docker container deployment, and an app store covering Plex, Jellyfin, Immich, Photoprism, Home Assistant, and several hundred more are all accessible from the same web UI, with no command line needed.

Compared to the relatively limited app selection that Ugreen currently offers, ZimaOS looks well-stocked. Plex, Home Assistant, Jellyfin, Nextcloud, Syncthing, Pi-hole, Portainer, Tailscale, and WordPress are all there.

It is worth noting, though, that most of these apps are not native ZimaOS applications. When you launch them, they open as web-based applications with their own port numbers rather than appearing within the main system interface. That suggests the App Manager is essentially managing pre-configured Docker installations behind the scenes.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There is a reasonable argument that with tools like Portainer now widely available, the concept of native applications matters less than it once did. That was previously one of the strongest selling points for Synology. What ZimaOS does is make Docker installs feel as seamless as native apps while still delivering the functionality users actually want.

What users do not want is an unexpected bill.

The introduction of a paid ZimaOS Plus tier, priced at $29 for life, has generated debate in the community. IceWhale frames it as a contribution to sustainable development rather than a subscription, and states that a third of licence revenue is distributed back to community contributors.

Core functionality for most home users is available without the Plus licence. The paid tier unlocks unlimited disk support, unlimited users, and certain advanced features. Whether that feels fair depends on how much of the Plus tier a given user actually needs. Given the overall cost of the machine, asking for a licence on top feels like a second bite of the cherry.

If you don’t pay the extra $29, you get a version of ZimaOS that can support a maximum of four disks and three users. And, although basic RAID is available in the free version, Plus enables advanced configurations for better redundancy and data protection, including enhanced support for ZFS and larger storage arrays. There are also enhancements in remote access, backup/sync and priority support.

It’s worth noting that the license is ‘lifetime’, but it applies only to that specific hardware, not to any other ZimaOS devices.

That said, the cost and the debate can both be sidestepped entirely. The platform was designed with OS flexibility in mind, and TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox, and OpenMediaVault all run without modification. pfSense and OPNsense are options for anyone wanting to repurpose the hardware as a network appliance.

• Software: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)ZimaCube 2: Performance

• Network options
• Expansion possibilities
• Limited M.2 performance

The case for buying the ZimaCube 2 Standard over its predecessor rests almost entirely on the Core i3-1215U. The original ZimaCube's N100 was a four-core, low-power processor with nine PCIe 3.0 lanes, which proved wholly inadequate for a six-bay NAS running dual 2.5GbE networking alongside M.2 storage and any active workload.

The i3-1215U changes things fundamentally. Six cores and eight threads with 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes means the bus contention that plagued the N100 is no longer a concern. Docker containers and media transcoding can now run at the same time without the processor struggling, and the system can handle light virtualisation on top of that.

Networking on the standard model tops out at dual 2.5GbE, which in practical terms means a ceiling of around 280MB/s per port. For home backup, media streaming to multiple devices, and general file serving, that is adequate. For workloads demanding higher throughput, the Thunderbolt 4 ports offer a direct-attach path at up to 40Gbps, which is a meaningful alternative to 10GbE for single-machine workflows.

Anyone wanting permanent 10GbE over the network will need the Pro model, or will need to use the PCIe 4.0 slot for a 10GbE card. These are not expensive, and you are not limited to IceWhale-approved options.

From a performance standpoint, the weak link in the ZimaCube 2 is the M.2 expansion section. Gen 3 x1 per slot does not offer a dramatic improvement over SATA SSD speeds. If you plan to use the slots for hard drive caching, one slot for reads and one for writes, the speeds are acceptable. For anything more demanding, the PCIe 4.0 slot is again the route to better performance.

And that is the underlying tension. The PCIe 4.0 slot is the answer to the 10GbE question, the faster M.2 question, and the GPU question. But there is only one of them. Giving this machine four times the bandwidth of its predecessor turned out not to be quite enough.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Performance: 3.5/5

ZimaCube 2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The ZimaCube 2 is a much better machine than the original, but several problems have been carried straight over from the first generation without being fixed.

IceWhale seems committed to the cube form factor, even though NAS buyers generally do not care what shape their hardware is. What is telling is that the team listened carefully to criticism of the N100 processor and acted on it, yet largely ignored feedback about the missing drive tray locks and the awkward port placement.

Perhaps the third generation can fix what this one has not, while still keeping the distinctive shape.

In other respects, the ZimaCube 2 is the machine the original should have been. Swapping the N100 for the Core i3-1215U removes the architectural ceiling that undermined the first generation, and Thunderbolt 4 gives the standard model a high-speed access path that partially offsets the 2.5GbE networking limitation.

The M.2 expansion section is slower than its slot count implies, and 8GB of RAM is tight for a machine capable of running Docker containers alongside a six-bay RAID array. But both are straightforward to fix, and the open platform means the hardware is not held back by the software running on it.

At $799, this is a genuinely compelling option for anyone who wants a capable, expandable, properly hackable six-bay server without paying Pro prices.

Should you buy a ZimaCube 2?

Value

Lots of features, a solidly built

4 / 5

Design

Repeat of the first ZimaCube

3.5 / 5

Features

Six bays, six M.2 slots and PCIe expansion

4 / 5

Software

Workable OS once you have paid extra for + option

4 / 5

Performance

Limited by the 2.5GbE LAN ports and Gen3x1 M.2 slots

3.5 / 5

Overall

Plenty of possibilities in one NAS

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want something flexible
The ability to configure this system in numerous ways is undoubtedly a strong point. It has enough processing power for multiple functions, and you can expand storage, memory and network bandwidth as required.

You like value for money
While it isn’t cheap exactly, what you get for the asking price is impressive when compared to some name brands. The quality of construction is high, and you can easily upgrade many aspects.

Don't buy it if...

You want an AI-capable NAS
IceWhale do include some AI tools in the apps store for ZimaOS, the processor in this NAS doesn’t have a dedicated NPU.

What you can do is add a low-profile video card, like the Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 included in the Creator Pack version of the ZimaCube 2, boosting the Compute functionality. But that costs $2499.99, for a system with an i5 CPU and 64GB of RAM.

You want 10GbE networking out of the box
It is possible to put a 10GbE network card in this system, but that takes up the PCIe slot that you might want for a graphics card or faster M.2 slots. Without the 10GbE card you are limited to dual 2.5GbE LAN ports. View Deal

For more NAS solutions we've collated the best NAS hard drives around

GameSir G8 Galileo: one-minute review

The GameSir G8 Galileo is an excellent mobile controller that packs plenty of value for both casual and more serious mobile gamers. With full-size grips, Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, and a pair of programmable rear buttons, it comes close to replicating a true console controller experience.

From my time with the G8, its thumbsticks are a real highlight. In testing, I found them to be smooth and precise, though they are quite sensitive and may take a little getting used to if you’re not familiar with a pro-style controller. The triggers are equally refined with configurable deadzones and a useful hair-trigger mode for instant response. The buttons are membrane yet tactile and reliable, with two more hiding around the back. It’s just a nice bundle of inputs all round.

As a die-hard fan of the Xbox Wireless Controller, it feels incredibly familiar. The grips are pleasantly sculpted with the same chunkiness as a stock Xbox controller, and they stayed comfortable through long play sessions, thanks in part to some gentle texturing on the back. It's not without its shortcomings, though.

You’ll likely need to take your phone case off, and the screenshot button lives dangerously close to the firing line. That said, at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99, the GameSir G8 Galileo is hard to look past.

GameSir G8 Galileo: price and availability

• List price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99
• Available via Amazon, GameSir, and major retailers
• Watch out for similarly named versions to ensure device compatibility

The GameSir G8 Galileo launched at the backend of 2023, but make no mistake, it’s not showing its age and still holds its own against more recent rivals. At its $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99 price point, the G8 Galileo undercuts both the Backbone One 2nd Gen ($99.99 / £99.99) and the Razer Kishi Ultra ($149.99 / £149.99) by a comfortable margin, which is particularly impressive given that its feature set stacks up well against them both. No carrying case is included in the box, though GameSir does sell a bundle with a basic pouch for around $10 more.

GameSir hasn’t made things simple with naming and compatibility, so you’ll need to stay switched on when shopping. I’ve been testing the G8 Galileo Type-C, which only lists Android compatibility officially. That’s all that’s shown on the box, too, but I was able to use it natively with an iPhone 17 Pro, though it wasn’t recognized by the GameSir app. There’s also the GameSir G8+ (sometimes called the G8 Plus), which comes in both Type-C and Bluetooth forms.

GameSir G8 Galileo: Specs

GameSir G8 Galileo

Price

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99

Dimensions

8.54 x 4.21 x 2.13in / 217 x 107 x 54mm

Weight

8.88oz / 252g

Connection

Wired USB-C (pivoting connector)

Compatibility

Android 8.0+ (iPhone worked unofficially)

Software

GameSir App

GameSir G8 Galileo: Design and features

• Full-size console grips make this feel like a proper controller
• Pivoting USB-C connector for stress-free installation
• Swappable thumbsticks with three additional shapes included

The first thing you notice about the GameSir G8 Galileo is its size. Where most mobile controllers try to stay as slimmed down and portable as possible, the G8 holds its form. It has chunky, pleasantly contoured grips with a textured finish on the back.

The marketing materials proudly boast this design is laser-engraved, though I wouldn’t have known to be perfectly honest, sorry, GameSir. It feels like any other grip texturing I’ve tested, but it’s nice enough and does its job. The whole thing feels closer to holding an Xbox controller than it does any other mobile pad I've used, or any handheld console for that matter.

For anyone who's found the Backbone One a little too compact, or who just doesn't get along with flatter, Joy-Con-style mobile controllers, this could be the answer. If it weren’t for being a bit wider, you’d have convinced a blindfolded me that this was an Xbox controller.

Build quality is solid throughout, helped, I’m sure, by the choice to go with a full-height phone deck rather than a smaller bracing bar. It gives the G8 a real heft that I personally think is to its credit, but I can’t argue doesn’t make it considerably more of a lump to store in a bag.

There's no creak or flex anywhere in the chassis, the spring-loaded extending mechanism moves confidently, and the rubberized grips inside the cradle hold everything securely in place. It’s a tidy system, and I never felt like my phone was exposed or at risk of going anywhere. I tested with both a Poco X5 Pro 5G and an iPhone 17 Pro, and the camera bump sat neatly in the extended section without any issues for both.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Shoutout to whoever at GameSir came up with the pivoting USB-C connector, because it’s excellent. It tilts up and down to make the process of seating and removing your phone feel far less nerve-wracking. It's a small quality-of-life detail, but one I really appreciated and frankly hope others copy.

Where things aren’t as flexible and friendly is case compatibility. GameSir says cases under 1mm should work, but that’ll only account for the absolute thinnest of featherlight cases. I was able to connect while keeping my slim iPhone case on, but having taken a closer look at the angle it forced the USB-C connector into, I swiftly lost my nerve and took it off. If you use a case of any substance, you're almost certainly taking it off every time you want to play. Not a dealbreaker, but certainly an annoyance if you’re out and about.

GameSir includes three replacement thumbstick caps (short, tall, and dome), which are easy to swap thanks to clever magnetic faceplates. However, you only get one of each alternate option, meaning you can't run a matching pair unless you stick with the defaults.

Those default sticks are nice enough, with textured edges that look suspiciously like those on an Xbox Series X controller, but it seems like an oversight or needless cost-saving measure to include singles and not sets. The face button caps aren't swappable on this model either; you'll need to upgrade to the G8+ MFi for that.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)GameSir G8 Galileo: Performance

• Hall effect sticks and triggers with app customization and hair-trigger mode
• Two programmable additional buttons on the back
• Some games need a nudge before they'll recognize the controller

I’m a relative newcomer to the kind of mobile gaming that calls for an add-on controller, but the GameSir G8 Galileo quickly converted me. It only took a few minutes of Fortnite for me to begin to forget I was actually playing on my phone. It’s a natively supported title, and that’s evident while playing, though I did often have to launch the game through the GameSir app to ensure it was recognized.

Other games rely on hardware mapping, which I found equally finicky to launch at times, though intuitive enough when I got going.

The Hall effect joysticks are excellent, buttery smooth, but I found them highly sensitive, too. For more serious players than myself, this will be a plus with loads of intricate precision on offer. For more casual players (a category I’m firmly a part of), they took a little getting used to. My unit did need calibrating out of the box to centre the left stick, but the process was straightforward in the GameSir app, and the sticks have been faultless since.

The Hall effect triggers are equally impressive. They're analog with a full range of travel, and I felt like I had plenty of throttle control while playing Forza Horizon 5 via Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming. For faster response in shooters, there’s also a hair-trigger mode, which I found was snappy and reliable. What I particularly appreciated was that hair-trigger mode still respected the deadzone settings configured in the app.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

The D-pad is clicky with a short travel distance when you commit to an input, though it has a slightly mushy initial feel and quite a bit of wobble overall. More of an issue is the screenshot button placement directly below it, which sits just a little too close to the D-pad down for my liking. I accidentally fired it off mid-game a couple of times, and I can’t help but feel like it would have been better placed further out of the firing line.

Around the back of the G8 are a pair of programmable buttons, something of a rarity for mobile controller grips. I have a love-hate relationship with back buttons, but I got on well with these. They’re well-sized and perfectly placed to be easily accessible without getting in the way, and they take just the right amount of actuation force to avoid accidental misclicks. Worth noting they’re unbound by default, so you’ll need to head to the GameSir app to configure them to your liking.

The 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom of the controller is a welcome inclusion for latency-free wired audio, particularly useful on phones that have dropped the port themselves. Passthrough charging worked reliably throughout my testing, with both phones still reporting fast charge speeds while connected through the controller and no problems with overheating.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)Shoudl you buy the GameSir G8 Galileo?Buy it if...

You want a mobile controller that feels like a real gamepad
The full-size grips and Hall effect inputs make the G8 Galileo less portable than alternatives, but the difference during longer gaming sessions is significant. If comfort is your priority, this is the one.

You feel like the face buttons are never quite enough
The addition of two bonus, programmable buttons on the back of the G8 makes a huge difference. They’re nicely aligned, so they’re within reach when you need them, but won’t get in the way when you don’t.

Don't buy it if...

You want something you can slip into a pocket
The GameSir G8 Galileo's full-size phone deck and grips make it significantly bulkier than alternatives like the Backbone One or Razer Kishi V2. It's a backpack controller really, not a pocket controller.

You're an iPhone user who wants full support
While I was able to get titles to play nicely with the G8 on mobile, it’s not officially supported and wasn’t recognized at all by the GameSir app. For full functionality, you’ll need to step up to the G8+ MFi instead.

GameSir G8 Galileo: Also consider...

Still not sold on the GameSir G8 Galileo? Here's how it compares to a couple of our other favorites.

GameSir G8 Galileo

Razer Kishi Ultra

Backbone One 2nd Gen

Price

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95

$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99

Dimensions

8.54 x 4.21 x 2.13in / 217 x 107 x 54mm

9.64 x 4.36 x 2.53in / 244.8 x 110.8 x 64.3mm

6.93 x 3.70 x 1.34in / 176 x 93.98 x 34.03mm

Weight

8.88oz / 252g

9.38oz / 266g

4.86oz / 138 g

Connection

Wired (USB-C)

Wired (USB-C)

Wired (USB-C / Lightning)

Compatibility

Android

Android, iOS

Android, iOS

Software

GameSir App

Razer Nexus

Backbone App

Razer Kishi Ultra
The Razer Kishi Ultra is the premium option. With haptic feedback, RGB lighting (of course), and an excellent companion app. If you want the absolute best feature set and don't mind paying nearly double, Razer absolutely delivers.

For more information, check out our full Razer Kishi Ultra reviewView Deal

Backbone One 2nd Gen
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is a more portable alternative. It's lighter, slimmer, and should play nicer with phone cases thanks to its magnetic adapters. However, it lacks Hall effect sticks and costs a little more than the G8.

For more information, check out our full Backbone One 2nd Gen reviewView Deal

GameSir G8 Galileo: one-minute review

• I spent a few days testing across Android games, cloud gaming, and exploring the GameSir companion app
• I tested on a POCO X5 Pro 5G playing Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile, Need for Speed No Limits, and Forza Horizon 5 via Xbox Cloud Gaming
• While it’s not officially listed as compatible, I also explored functionality with an iPhone 17 Pro

My testing covered most of the workload a controller like this will handle: native mobile games with controller support, a competitive shooter, a racing game, and cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass. I used the GameSir companion app to calibrate the sticks out of the box, tested hair-trigger mode in Call of Duty Mobile, and tried all three replacement thumbstick caps to check out the magnetic faceplates and swap system.

I also spent time troubleshooting some hardware mapping recognition issues in Call of Duty Mobile and Need for Speed No Limits, which turned out to be a game-side requirement to complete the tutorial using touch before any hardware input is accepted.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2026

Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver: two-minute review

The Laifen P3 Pro is positioned as a compact electric shaver perfect for travel, and it's immediately reminiscent of the Panasonic Swipe Right we reviewed last year: a small, blocky design with a three-slot shaver head, waterproofing, and USB-C charging.

It's almost suspiciously similar to the Swipe Right, in fact, though it feels a bit more premium. The body is constructed of precision-machined aluminum and comes in either the default alloy or 'space gray' colorways, with a small window on the front that shows the motor at work. Both the transparent top cover and the shaver head attach magnetically with a satisfying snap, and the charging port is concealed seamlessly in the base with a small lid. It's almost as if Apple designed an electric shaver.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike Panasonic's effort, though, the P3 Pro eschews any fancy touch technology for the ol' reliable: a simple button. Hold to turn it on and off, and click to activate the shaver once it's turned on. Easy as pie, and instantly fixes one of our biggest issues with the Swipe Right — nobody needs finicky touch controls for something as simple as a travel razor.

However, like many compact shavers, the P3 Pro is ill-suited for anyone with a large beard. The lack of a trimmer head or any other special attachments (which feels like a significant omission, considering how easy it is to remove the standard shaver head) means that while trimming a beard is technically possible, it's a slow and ineffective process. For stubble, though, it absolutely blasts through and provides an impressively smooth finish for a dry shave.

The only other downside here is the price. I'll dig into it further down in this review, but needless to say, Laifen has unfortunately followed Apple in pricing as well as design ethos. This is a damn expensive product, though I have to concede that the premium design and performance do justify the asking price.

In short, I fully expect to see our esteemed editors put the Laifen P3 Pro in the 'best travel' slot of TechRadar's best beard trimmer and electric shaver roundup, and will be having some stern words with the Home Tech team if it doesn't make an appearance somewhere in that list.

Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver: price & availability

• List price: $179.99 / AU$249.95 (about £173)
• Launched: September 2025
• Availability: US, Canada, Australia, and Europe (UK import only)

The Laifen P3 Pro originally launched in late 2025, and is available directly from Laifen in the continental US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. UK shoppers do get free EU shipping, but you'll have to buy in Euros as Laifen only maintains a generic European site, not a UK-specific one.

Pricing varies somewhat between regions. In the US, it's a steep $179.99, and the EU price of €199.99 converts to an even more expensive £173.34 at the time of writing, while the Australian price of $249.95 is a little more affordable after conversion and US sales tax.

It's undeniably quite a lot of money for an electric travel shaver — even a very high-quality one like this. Nonetheless, I don't want to knock it down too much for this; it really does feel like a high-end product that's built to last, and if you've got the dough, it's a worthy purchase.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver specs

Waterproof

Yes, IPX7

Battery life

Up to 100 minutes

Charge time

45 minutes approx.

Charger type

USB-C

Accessories

USB-C to USB-C charging cable

Suitable for

Face and neck

Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver review: design

• Very compact and sturdy design
• Waterproof and easy to clean
• Parts attach magnetically

Aside from the (mildly pointless) visual flair of the motor window, the P3 Pro has a pretty straightforward design. It's very compact, small enough to easily fit in the palm of your hand, meaning it can be carried in a bag or even a pocket. The cap that protects the blades attaches magnetically and doesn't seem to be at any risk of falling off in transit.

The shape is perhaps not quite as ergonomic as some of the best electric shavers (which are commonly shaped to fit into your grip), but this is ultimately just a byproduct of how small the P3 Pro is. When using it, I found it fitted comfortably in my hand; granted, my hands are quite large, but I think you'd need extremely tiny palms to struggle here.

The aluminum casing makes it a little weightier than some competitors, but I didn't find that to be a problem, and the brushed metal finish offers sufficient grip even with damp hands. The entire unit feels very durable and well-constructed.

(Image credit: Future)

Underneath the glass motor window is a pair of LED icons that indicate whether the razor is turned on or set to 'flight mode' (meaning that it won't activate unless you hold down the button). The single control button is responsive and has a nice, satisfying click to it.

With an IPX7 waterproof rating, the P3 Pro is technically safe to be completely submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. I can't see any rational scenario where that would be necessary, but the point is that you can safely use it in wet environments; no need to worry about moisture damaging it.

Once the USB-C port is sealed with the attached tab, you can simply remove the triple-blade head and wash both parts under running water (though it should be noted that you'll need razor oil to re-lubricate the blades if you wash them with soap or other cleaning products, and this isn't included). I found washing it to be remarkably easy after use, and simply rinsing it thoroughly without soap was perfectly sufficient after a regular shave.

(Image credit: Future)

It's genuinely really difficult to find a single design flaw here, really. As I mentioned earlier, the magnetic blade head lends itself to swappable units, and a proper beard trimmer attachment would've been a very welcome addition here, but overall, the P3 Pro is exceedingly well-designed for its intended purpose.

I would maybe note that it could benefit from having slightly more in the box. I won't mark Laifen down for the lack of attachments (after all, this is supposed to be a super-compact travel shaver), but it would've been nice to see a small brush or some blade oil included here. The charging cable is also only USB-C to USB-C, meaning you'll need an adapter if you want to charge it from a regular wall outlet. In truth, though, this is mostly nitpicking on my part; I honestly really love the design of the P3 Pro, and it really feels like a premium device in the hand.

• Design score: 5 out of 5

Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver: performance

• Gentle even on thicker stubble, but won't work on full beards
• Wide-angled head provides a nice close shave
• Where does the hair go??

OK, I'll be completely honest here: I have a full beard, and the Laifen P3 Pro is simply not designed to deal with that. I did find that it was ideal for eradicating stubble on my neck and cheeks, and it was at least somewhat capable of tidying up the edges of my beard, but the latter was a slow process and lacked the precision of a proper beard trimmer. Nonetheless, I was pretty cautious; I get the feeling this thing could've happily cleared off my whole beard if I actually went straight for the skin.

With that knowledge in hand, I enlisted the help of my father, who maintains a clean-shaven look but has been known to let it get a bit scratchy. His report was glowing; week-old stubble came off swiftly and with virtually no irritation, resulting in a shave as close as you'd expect to get from a larger electric shaver.

(Image credit: Future)

It's not particularly noisy (it was far quieter than the cheap old Philips B1216 trimmer I usually use for beard care), and the dual 12,000RPM motors do a great job of cleaving through thicker stubble. The head has a wide-angle foil design - similar to the Panasonic Swipe Right I mentioned earlier in this review - that helps cover more skin and provides a closer shave.

Although Laifen officially designates the P3 Pro for face and neck use, that flatter head design means you could feasibly also use it for other parts of the body, too - provided the hair you're dealing with isn't too thick. I didn't deign to shave my armpits or legs during my testing period (I don't need to be more aerodynamic, sorry), but I reckon a lot of users would be able to use it for this if so inclined.

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life is reported at an impressive 100 minutes, and I tested this by turning it on from a full charge and leaving it running with a stopwatch. Yes, this was a fairly annoying process — it's quieter than some electric razors, but it's certainly not silent — but I'm pleased to report that it ran dry at just shy of 93 minutes, which I'd say is close enough considering that a daily once-over takes barely a minute or two. It's certainly longer than some bulkier competitors can muster, which is stellar performance for such a small device.

It holds its charge remarkably well when not in use, too. I actually received this shaver more than two months ago and didn't have a chance to review it immediately, yet it was still at near-full charge when I finally unboxed it. The USB-C cable offers fast-charging, which can get you about eight minutes of shaving from just three minutes plugged in. If it's completely drained, you'll get a full charge in around 45 minutes.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Laifen P3 Pro electric shaver?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Compact, travel-friendly design but with very robust construction, single control button, waterproofing, USB-C charging.

5 / 5

Performance

Highly effective foil shaving, fantastic battery life, lacks attachments for precision beard trimming.

4.5 / 5

Value

High asking price, but largely justified by its great quality and performance. Worth looking for discounts.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a travel razor
If you want to maintain a clean shave on the go and prefer to travel light, this is probably the single best option on the market.

You want an easy clean shave
If you're aiming to maintain a nice close shave with minimal fuss, the P3 Pro is ideal - it delivers a clean finish with easy cleaning.

You like to shave in the shower
With IPX7 waterproofing, you can use the P3 Pro in the shower without fear of it getting damaged or waterlogged.

Don't buy it if...

You're maintaining a beard
Without any extra attachments for precision trimming, the P3 Pro just isn't well-suited for anyone who wants to look after a full beard.

You're on a budget
Although it's an extremely premium-feeling product, there's no denying that the price tag will place this shaver out of reach for some potential customers.

Laifen P3 Pro: also consider

Panasonic Swipe Right
Probably to closest product on the market to the P3 Pro and notably a lot cheaper (but only in the US, for some reason), the Swipe Right from Panasonic is a similarly ultra-compact travel shaver that won't suit bearded users but delivers a nice close shave on the go if you prefer the clean-shaven look.

Read our full Panasonic Swipe Right review

Braun Series 9 Pro
We called the Braun Series 9 Pro "the Bugatti Veyron of beard trimmers", and like the Laifen P3 Pro, it has the triple threat of a beautiful build, clean design, and excellent shaving performance. It also has a solid battery life of one hour and can achieve a great shave either wet or dry, so if you’re looking to spend even more money, you can’t go wrong with this.

Read our full Braun Series 9 Pro review

How I tested the Laifen P3 Pro

• Used it periodically over the course of a month
• Used by both myself (bearded) and my dad (clean-shaven)
• Tested in both wet and dry environments

I used the Laifen P3 Pro regularly throughout January, about twice a week on average, mostly to tidy up the stubble on my neck beneath my main beard. Once I realized that it would be poorly suited for beard trimming, though, I enlisted the aid of my visiting father, who used it daily for three days and agreed that it delivered a great shave.

During testing, I ran the battery down to empty to test its longevity, cleaned it multiple times, and used it both dry and in the shower. While I mostly used it with only water or no moisture whatsoever, both my father and I also tested it out with off-the-shelf shaving foam, and found that it performed well regardless.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed April 2026