TechRadar Reviews

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the third game in this Koei Tecmo-developed subseries, following non-canonical Breath of the Wild side story Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and the excellent original Hyrule Warriors that acted more like a celebration of the franchise as a whole. It's also another much-needed Nintendo Switch 2 game exclusive for the platform's first year.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: November 6, 2025

Age of Imprisonment differs from its predecessors in that it adheres to the canon of the series, specifically acting as a prequel to the events of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The Imprisoning War is something we learn much about in that game, and the premise is a match made in heaven for the Warriors franchise’s ‘1 vs 1,000’ brand of hack n’ slash combat.

Age of Imprisonment is handily the most refined, polished, and satisfying Zelda-flavored Musou to date. For one, it’s a game I’m thankful is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, completely avoiding the subpar resolution and glacial frame rate of its predecessor, Age of Calamity, on the original Switch hardware.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

It’s also a vast improvement in terms of combat in general. So much creativity has been squeezed out of the simple ‘light into strong attack’ combo strings the Warriors franchise is known for. But on top of that, there are powerful Sync Strikes between characters, multiple weapon types, Tears of the Kingdom-esque Fuse attacks with monster parts, and elemental reactions with the environment.

At around 30 hours (or less if you just beeline the main story missions), it’s pretty compact by Warriors game standards, too. While there’s plenty to do after the credits roll, Age of Imprisonment thankfully does not overstay its welcome, and I felt immensely satisfied with my time with the game overall.

Can’t believe that Ganondorf fella

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you’ve played Tears of the Kingdom and experienced its flashbacks to the Imprisoning War, then you know what to expect in terms of story in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. What this game does is flesh out that conflict, focusing on individual battles across the land of Hyrule, and the rebellion that helped quell Ganondorf’s invasion - however temporarily.

The game begins right after Princess Zelda is transported back in time after encountering Ganondorf’s ancient husk at the start of Tears of the Kingdom. We’re quickly introduced to King Rauru, Queen Sonia, and Rauru’s scholarly sister Mineru, the resident expert on ancient Zonai technology. From there, we set out to recruit the leaders of Hyrule’s various races to form a united front against the King of Evil.

One complaint I have, though, is that this feels like the safest way of going about showing a Tears of the Kingdom prequel. Outside of one or two endearing characters, there’s very little in the way of character development or interesting lore elements built upon here. Even Zelda herself largely takes a backseat, with much of the plot revolving around King Rauru and a mysterious construct that totally, definitely isn’t a way of shoehorning a Link-style character into the game. Ultimately, it’s another round of ‘Ganondorf has been a very naughty boy.’

That’s not to say the story in Age of Imprisonment doesn’t have its high points. Said mysterious construct is the most interesting aspect of the game’s plot, and its inclusion is handled in a deft and satisfying way, narratively speaking. But I was definitely hoping for more moments for Zelda herself to shine. Instead, she’s very much an afterthought once the plot gets moving properly, and that’s a massive shame given how integral she is to the events of both Breath of the Wild and its sequel.

Bring the light

(Image credit: Nintendo)

But okay, I hear you; this is a Warriors game first and foremost. Surely any shortcomings brought by the story can be made up for in the gameplay department, right? Well, if you’re here simply to know whether or not Age of Imprisonment is a better game than Age of Calamity, the answer to that is a resounding yes. And it’s not close.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Koei Tecmo has done a brilliant job fleshing out the playable roster of Age of Imprisonment. While most were made exclusively for this game and have little in the way of personal story, they all have unique move sets and abilities that are generally tons of fun to play as and improve through the game’s progression systems.

Obviously, it helps that Age of Imprisonment is running on better hardware. Image quality can be just a touch soupy at times (it appears to be using dynamic resolution to keep things smooth), but the game does a great job of maintaining a solidly high frame rate most of the time. I only ever encountered dips during the most bombastic special attacks, and really, that kind of slowdown is all good in my books.

Performance aside, Age of Imprisonment just does so much to make combat more interesting than both prior Hyrule Warriors games. It still uses that ‘light and strong attack’ combo system that governs most Warriors titles, but this game is far from a one-trick pony in that regard.

Most missions in Age of Imprisonment will have you controlling a team of two to four heroes, which you can switch between with a quick press of the d-pad. Large-scale maps usually encourage you to give orders to your roster of allies, which you can do easily by accessing the map from the pause menu.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

It’s here where each of your heroes’ strengths can really come into play. Zelda and Rauru, for example, have many light-element attacks, and thus are great against shades or gloom-inflicted enemies. Meanwhile, Qia, princess of the Zora, can use water to quickly demolish fire-shielded enemies or ones coated in sludge. You can even cause elemental chain effects, such as electrifying bodies of water or setting Rito sage Raphica’s bow-generated whirlwinds ablaze with fire.

Beyond that, you’ve got Sync Strikes, something of a coup de grace and the most satisfying abilities to pull off in Age of Imprisonment. When two characters have their Sync gauges maxed, they can team up (punctuated by an incredibly cool high-five cut-in animation) to perform a devastating Chrono Trigger-esque coordinated attack. Some pairs have unique, more powerful Sync Strike synergies to make use of - something to think about when putting together your team for any given mission.

But it doesn’t even stop there. Your warriors can also make use of Zonai devices to exploit enemy elemental weaknesses or counter certain powerful (and unblockable) attacks. These are always so fun to use, and are easily the best way of diminishing enemy weak point gauges for a critical strike. There’s just so much any given character can do, and I’m glad Koei Tecmo leveraged some of Tears of the Kingdom’s coolest mechanics and put its own unique spin on them.

Motley crew

(Image credit: Nintendo)

About half of Age of Imprisonment’s roster are characters unique to this game. These are pretty much background characters with little in the way of personal story beats, but they’re nonetheless incredibly fun to play as. These heroes, along with the mysterious construct, are actually able to make use of different weapons like greatswords and spears.

Furthermore, most can access the Fuse system, returning here from Tears of the Kingdom. Monster parts you collect from enemies can be attached to these weapons, and like in that game, they offer a variety of effects here. Some can dish out elemental damage, while others are great for quick weak point gauge breaking.

You’ll want to use these sparingly, however, as monster parts - as well as other materials gathered in missions - can be used to upgrade your heroes. The overworld map screen contains a smattering of side quests and ability-improving nodes that you pump required resources into to unlock enhancements. These range from granting extra health or special attack gauges to entirely new moves and features. If you don’t meet a node’s requirements, you can mark it with the Zonai sensor, which will show you all the missions, shops, and side activities where you can gather the necessary materials.

Progression is generally breezy in Age of Imprisonment, though one type of side mission that did irk me was the defensive engagements. These frequently show up on the map and are essentially contested territory. If not cleared within a certain amount of time, the territory will be reclaimed by Ganondorf’s forces, thus locking out any outposts or ability nodes until you win it back.

Defensive missions can show up at an alarmingly quick rate, and while they do offer materials, it just starts to feel like busy work after a few. Especially when you have to divert your attention from other side missions and upgrades to prioritize them. I’d be a bit more forgiving if they happened only every now and then, but you’ll almost always have one on the map to deal with at any given time.

Should you play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment?

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

You love Tears of the Kingdom
If you simply want more from the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom rendition of Hyrule, you’ll find it here. This isn’t a giant open sandbox by any means, but if you really like the vibe of those recent mainline Zelda titles, Age of Imprisonment successfully recaptures that.

You were disappointed by Dynasty Warriors: Origins
While I loved Origins’ gameplay, its reliance on a sole character was a huge sore point for me. Age of Imprisonment, meanwhile, has plenty of heroes to play as, all with unique move sets and abilities.

Don't play it if...

You're hoping for extra modes
Sadly, there’s nothing like the original Hyrule Warriors’ awesome Adventure Mode, where you could unlock new weapons, characters, and costumes. Granted, it probably wouldn’t fit as well here, but outside of some post-game missions, there’s not much to keep you coming back after the credits roll.

You want a satisfying story
Age of Imprisonment does bridge the gap between the Imprisoning War and Tears of the Kingdom, but it does so in a largely uninteresting manner. Don’t expect much in the way of fun or heartfelt character moments, or an engaging plot overall.

Accessibility

There isn't much in the way of substantial accessibility settings in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Options to display combo guidance on screen are nice, as are text and voice options for several languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Latin American, Dutch, Japanese, and more.

How I reviewed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

I played Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for 30 hours for this review. That play time encompassed the entirety of the main campaign, as well as around 60-70% of side missions and activities.

I played on Nintendo Switch 2 in both docked and handheld modes, though I ultimately preferred docked mode with a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller thanks to its more stable performance. The game is by no means bad or unplayable portably, but the larger screen size of my LG CX OLED TV helped the busy on-screen action become much easier to parse.

I’m a huge fan of both the Warriors and Zelda franchises, and I’ve poured hundreds of hours into the original Hyrule Warriors and other titles in the series besides. In that sense, I can see where Age of Imprisonment improves on its predecessors, as well as areas I think it could have handled better.

First reviewed October/November 2025

When the first season of Squid Game: The Challenge came out, I thought it was the best reality competition show I’d seen in years outside of The Traitors. But in just two short years, the Netflix gameshow has fallen from the best to the worst.

The recipe for why is actually very simple – in 2023, we were enthralled by the idea that Netflix’s biggest K-drama could be replicated with everyday people and exceptionally detailed gameplay following in the footsteps of what we saw in each episode of Squid Game season 1.

The new games that were introduced fused dynamic action with familiar tactics (e.g. the use of Battleships in the third game) and we genuinely grew to love the alliances and band of characters we saw on screen.

Almost none of that is represented in Squid Game: The Challenge season 2. The original show's games are still well replicated, but they’re mundane compared to the big classics we saw in season 1. New twists and turns mostly fall flat, and our cast is too weak to be memorable or build an invisible rapport with the audience.

And if that all isn’t bad enough, where on earth is Red Light, Green Light?

All of the reality TV sparkle has gone in Squid Game: The Challenge season 2

Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 has taken a risk by getting rid of the show’s most famous games (think Red Light, Green Light and Dalgona) and replacing them with brand-new gameplay. Half of our cast of 456 players are immediately eliminated by the new game Count, which is merely comprised of two teams counting 456 seconds before pressing a button.

It makes for the most anti-climactic premiere episode of TV I’ve seen this year, and I’m absolutely baffled for why Netflix would choose to use a counting game over the brutal run-and-stop elimination we’re all looking forward to. Annoyingly, it’s not coming any later in the series either.

Games such as Mingle in episode 4 win back some level of tension, but it might be too little, too late. In the first four episodes alone, we only see two and a half games played out, with dorm challenges or recordings of the contestants filling our screens in the meantime. Normally, if there is a strong cast and genuinely shrewd surprises, this wouldn’t be a problem.

However, we’re presented with labored and anti-climactic developments between cast members we can’t remember from one minute to the next.

Let’s address the changes first. There are a variety of new dorm challenges introduced to try and stoke up drama between players – the most successful of these being a secret boiler room where players are sent to enact eliminations or receive coins to use in a snack-filled vending machine. We also see players presented with a chance to swap meals for “scratchers” or pass around Russian dolls, both of with lead to potential disadvantages in the next game.

Despite the fact that none of these make the level of impact that Netflix is hoping for, it all feels too pre-meditated – and that’s the same problem we see with the casting. In short, it’s all gone a bit too X Factor, putting the pedal to the emotional medal so hard that nothing feels genuine. Everything we’re seeing feels overly contrived, and Netflix is trying far too hard to keep our attention.

Where season 1 introduced players we could connect with (think mother-son duo Leanne and Trey), Netflix is clearly trying to fit the same character profiles, but with less success. As soon as I can remember that somebody exists, they’re killed off, and that’s always been the downside of a gameshow with such a big cast. The finalists don’t become clear until the last moment, but this time there’s nobody in the interim to tide us over.

What does this mean for Squid Game: The Challenge season 3?

(Image credit: Netflix)

In short, this all isn’t amazing news for the already-renewed Squid Game: The Challenge season 3. It feels as though season 2 is following the original series slump that came at the same point (at least, in my opinion), which wasn’t completely clawed back by the time season 3 dropped six months later.

But it’s not all hopeless. Game stalwarts like Marbles returns, offering up the most emotional turning point we’ve seen across all iterations of the game, and the production design is still beyond astounding. We know season 3 will likely replicate the jump rope horror from the first season of Squid Game, and that’s got the opportunity to be the jewel in Netflix’s reality TV crown.

In the meantime, I’d rather rewatch the original series than get ready for the rest of Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 in the coming weeks.

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The Bluetti Pioneer Na isn’t just another grey box of portable power — it’s a signpost to the future.

At a glance

Capacity: 900 Wh

Battery: Sodium-ion (Na-ion)

AC Output: 1,500 W (2,250 W surge)

Weight: ~16 kg

Charging: AC + solar combo (0–80% in ~35 min)

Operating Temp: Charge to –15 °C, discharge to –25 °C

Ports: AC, USB-C (100 W), USB-A, 12 V, wireless pad

Price: £799 / ~$899

The Bluetti Pioneer Na isn’t just another grey box of portable power station — it’s a signpost to the future.

As the world’s first sodium-ion portable power station, it challenges the lithium-ion status quo with a chemistry that’s cheaper, safer, and performs far better in freezing temperatures.

While most power stations give up when the mercury plunges, Bluetti’s Pioneer Na is designed to charge at –15 °C and discharge down to –25 °C. That’s huge news for campers, off-grid explorers, or anyone living where winter bites hard.

With 900 Wh of capacity and 1,500 W output (2,250 W surge), it’s more than enough to keep laptops, fridges, routers, and power tools humming. It’s not the biggest station on the market, but for its size, it punches well above its weight — figuratively and literally (it tips the scales at 16 kg).

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Design and build

Bluetti hasn’t reinvented the aesthetic wheel here — the Pioneer Na sticks with the brand’s familiar industrial-chic look: matte dark grey casing, chunky carry handles, and a crisp LCD readout. It’s rugged enough for camping or garage duty, though not waterproof (so don’t leave it out in a snowstorm).

At 16 kg, it’s no featherweight, but it’s compact enough to slot into a van or under a desk. What stands out is the build quality — Bluetti’s hardware feels solid, and the tactile buttons and port layout are easy to navigate even with gloves on.

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Performance

Here’s where it gets interesting. The sodium-ion chemistry gives the Pioneer Na a unique edge: thermal stability and cold-weather reliability that lithium simply can’t match.

In tests, the unit powered a small refrigerator, LED lighting, and a laptop simultaneously without breaking a sweat. The “Power Lifting” mode also handled high-draw appliances like kettles and hair dryers, at least for short bursts.

Charging is another strong suit. Hook up both AC and solar input and Bluetti claims you can hit 80% charge in just 35 minutes. Real-world times were closer to 45–50 minutes, but that’s still outstanding. You’ll also appreciate its miserly 1.5 W standby draw, making it ideal for emergency standby use.

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Features and connectivity

The port selection covers almost every base:

2 × AC outlets (1,500 W total)

1 x 100 W USB-C for laptops and tablets

4 × USB-A ports for smaller gadgets

12 V car socket, DC barrel ports, and a 15 W wireless charging pad

Bluetooth or app integration is absent — something Bluetti includes on some pricier models — but the intuitive front panel compensates for that.

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Battery life and sustainability

With over 4,000 charge cycles and an estimated lifespan of 10 years, the Pioneer Na promises serious longevity. And because sodium-ion avoids scarce materials like lithium and cobalt, it’s greener and potentially easier to recycle.

This is still early-days tech, though. Sodium-ion batteries are new to consumer power products, so long-term reliability in the field remains unproven. Bluetti’s two-year warranty helps, but early adopters are still taking a small gamble.

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Drawbacks

There’s no getting around it — 900 Wh isn’t huge. For extended off-grid living or powering a home during long outages, you’ll need something beefier (or multiple units). It’s also fairly heavy for its size, and Bluetti’s customer service reputation remains mixed according to user reports online.

Finally, the price reflects its pioneering status — you’re paying a slight premium for cutting-edge tech.

Bluetti Pioneer Na: Verdict

The Bluetti Pioneer Na is a trailblazer: the first sodium-ion portable power station, built for real-world cold and genuine sustainability.

It’s ideal for adventurers, RV users, and homeowners who want dependable backup in frosty conditions — and a taste of what’s next in battery tech.

If you need raw capacity, there are bigger and cheaper lithium models out there. But if you want something that works when everything else freezes, the Pioneer Na is in a league of its own.

TechRadar says:

Buy it if...

You need a power station that works in freezing temperatures.

You care about sustainability and want to avoid lithium-based cells.

You want quick charging and solid all-around performance for small to medium devices.

Don’t buy it if...

You need multi-day home backup or high-capacity off-grid power.

You’re counting every penny — it’s innovative but not cheap.

You prefer tried-and-tested tech with years of user history.

Bottom line:

The Bluetti Pioneer Na isn’t just another power station — it’s the start of a new era in portable energy. Sodium-ion is here, and it’s impressively capable.

We rate the best power banks: top portable chargers.

Jackery has been busy expanding its new V2 line of its best portable power stations, ranging from the flagship Explorer 3000 down to the compact Explorer 240. Now, we’re looking at one of the smallest in the family — the Jackery Explorer 500 v2, paired with the SolarSaga 100W portable solar panels.

This setup is designed for users who want serious off-grid capability without the bulk or weight of a full-size generator. Compact, quiet, and built with the same attention to detail Jackery is known for, it aims to balance performance and portability.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Packaging

The Explorer 500 arrived in Jackery’s familiar plain shipping box, with a glossy orange inner carton for presentation. Inside, the power station was well-protected with cardboard corner bumpers and foam inserts. Included were the IEC13 AC charging cable and a user manual — simple, straightforward, and nicely packaged.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Design and Build

Out of the box, the Explorer 500 measures 311 × 205 × 157 mm and weighs 5.7 kg, making it a manageable size for travel or outdoor work.

Features at a Glance – Explorer 500

512Wh capacity from LiFePO₄ batteries

500W continuous output

2 × AC sockets (230V, max combined 500W)

1 × USB-A (18W max)

2 × USB-C (1 × 100W, 1 × 30W)

0–100% charge in just 1.3 hours via AC

Multiple charging options (AC, DC, solar, car)

Fast 10ms response UPS with multiple operating modes

Compared to the larger Jackery Explorer 2000 or Jackery Explorer 3000 models, it feels feather-light, and the large fold-out carry handle makes it easy to move around.

All the output sockets, control buttons, and display are neatly positioned on the front panel. On this UK model, you’ll find:

2 × 230V AC sockets (max 500W combined)

1 × USB-A (18W)

2 × USB-C (100W and 30W)

1 × 12V car socket (10A)

The AC and DC inputs are located on the right-hand side. Overall, the layout is clean, intuitive, and practical.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Charging

Using the Explorer 500 is refreshingly straightforward. Out of the box, the battery was at 28%, and when plugged into the mains via the AC cable, it began charging immediately. A full charge from that level took just under an hour, which aligns closely with Jackery’s claimed 1.3-hour full charge time.

It’s great to see Jackery continuing to rely on standard, widely available cables instead of proprietary chargers.

Alternative charging options include solar, a 12V vehicle socket, or a DC8020 input (11–60V, up to 10.5A / 200W). While DC8020 connectors aren’t as common as XT60 or XT90 standards, third-party adapters are easy to find.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: SolarSaga 100 Portable Solar Panels

As part of the bundle, I tested the Jackery SolarSaga 100 — the smaller sibling of the SolarSaga 200 reviewed earlier this year. With an advertised efficiency of 25%, I tested it on a clear November afternoon with low but bright sunlight.

Features at a Glance – SolarSaga 100W

Folded: 61 × 55.2 × 3.5 cm (24 × 21.7 × 1.4 in)

Unfolded: 122 × 55.2 × 2.0 cm (48 × 21.7 × 0.8 in)

Weight: 3.6 kg (7.9 lbs)

Setup, as with most folding panels, takes a few minutes, but Jackery’s attention to usability stands out. The build quality feels excellent, and the two-pin proprietary connector — while not standard — is actually a time-saver compared to traditional MC4 connections. It’s quicker, cleaner, and less fiddly.

A small junction box includes USB-A and USB-C ports, letting you charge small devices directly, no power station required.

The kickstands fold neatly away, and the panels are held closed by strong magnetic clasps rather than cheap snaps — a premium touch. The panels are a bit stiff when new but loosen with use.

A clever angle indicator helps you align with the sun, and under test conditions, the SolarSaga 100 produced a consistent 88W average output. That’s enough to fully recharge the Explorer 500 in around six hours — realistic and impressive for a 100W panel.

Overall, it’s a well-designed, travel-friendly solar panel that feels perfectly matched to the Explorer 500’s capabilities.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Display

The status screen provides all the essentials at a glance: state of charge, input/output wattage, voltage, and AC frequency. It’s small but bright, crisp, and perfectly legible even in direct sunlight — ideal for outdoor use when you need quick, accurate readouts.

Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Performance – AC and USB/DC

(Image credit: Future)

In everyday use, the Explorer 500 feels like a mini powerhouse. It comfortably powered a range of small household devices, including a milk frother, mini fan, and LED lighting, staying well within its 500W continuous output limit.

High-draw appliances like coffee machines or kettles are beyond its reach, though its 1,000W surge rating helps absorb brief startup spikes.

The USB section performs flawlessly, charging phones, tablets, laptops, and power banks simultaneously without issue. However, only two USB-C ports and one USB-A feel slightly limiting given the available front-panel space — an extra USB-C port would have been welcome.

The 12V car socket remains useful for certain accessories, though it’s increasingly outdated as USB-based standards take over.

A small auto-shutoff switch cuts power when draw falls below a set threshold — a handy energy-saving feature. Meanwhile, the built-in LED light offers dim, bright, and SOS modes, useful for emergencies or camping.

One omission is Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. While some will appreciate the simplicity, others might miss app-based control or monitoring, which competitors increasingly offer.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: UPS Mode

Jackery claims a <10ms response time for the Explorer 500’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mode — and in testing, it lived up to the promise.

Connected to a home office setup drawing around 220W, the power handover was seamless when the mains was cut — no flicker, reboot, or delay.

That said, the limited battery capacity means run-time is short. For brief outages or safe shutdowns, it’s excellent. But it’s not a substitute for a larger backup power system if you need sustained uptime.

Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Pricing and Value

(Image credit: Future)

As of writing, the Jackery Explorer 500 retails for £269 on the UK Jackery Store, while the SolarSaga 100 bundle is priced at £399. Purchased separately, the SolarSaga costs £169, so the bundle saves you £39 overall.

It’s not a huge discount, but given the build quality, ease of use, and strong integration between the two products, it’s still solid value for anyone seeking a portable, all-in-one solar power setup.

(Image credit: Future)Jackery Explorer 500 v2: Verdict

The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 may sit on the smaller end of Jackery’s power station lineup, but don’t let that fool you — it’s a seriously capable, well-balanced performer. While the larger models offer more muscle, the 500 hits a sweet spot between power, portability, and price.

Paired with the SolarSaga 100, it forms a genuinely self-sufficient off-grid system for camping, van life, or emergency use.

Yes, there are limitations — the modest port selection and lack of app connectivity are mild drawbacks — but for users who value simplicity, dependability, and premium build quality, the Explorer 500 delivers exactly what it promises.

We've listed the best portable power stations.

Dell Chromebook 3120: Two-minute review

The Dell Chromebook 3120 is a small but tough laptop designed to withstand the rigors of student life.

Its compact and rounded design is certainly different. The softer material around its edges help protect it from impacts, making the Chromebook 3120 tougher than many others in this field.

Not only is it more rugged than the best Chromebook constructions, it’s also easier to repair, thanks to its top-mounted keyboard and captive screws that keep the various materials together.

The price paid for this toughness, however, is the huge bezel around the screen, which reduces the display size by a disappointing amount. At least it features screws in each corner, which again should help with servicing.

There are only four ports on the Chromebook 3120: two USB-C, one USB-A, and a headset jack. The type-C ports are located on either side, which improves versatility, and both support charging and external display connections.

The performance of the Chromebook 3120 is respectable, handling the sorts of tasks students demand of their laptops quite well. It can also handle HD video streaming and even light gaming, though nowhere near as well as many of the best laptops, so temper expectations.

(Image credit: Future)

The display is sharp and vibrant enough to enjoy such content, although its lack of brightness can cause some visibility issues, especially when viewing darker scenes. It’s also a little too reflective at times.

I was pleased to see that even the non-convertible model of the Chromebook 3120 features a touchscreen, which can be useful for navigation, although it’s not smooth enough for dedicated illustrators and handwriters.

The keyboard layout is good, with plenty of space between keys to make typing comfortable. However, presses frequently failed to register when I used it, which was frustrating. Worse, though, was the touchpad, which is too small and imprecise for accurate and smooth navigation.

Battery life, on the other hand, is up to expected standards. It lasted close to 11 hours when I played a movie on a continuous loop, which eclipses many of its rivals, although there are others that can endure for longer.

Considering its budget pricing, the Dell Chromebook 3120 is a worthwhile proposition. Thanks to its durability, portability, and performance, it really shines as a study companion—but I would recommend pairing it with an external mouse to eschew the wayward touchpad.

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350)
• Available now
• Reasonable price

The Dell Chromebook 3120 starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350) and is available now. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and a 2-in-1 version is also available, with a display made with Gorilla Glass.

This is a fantastic price for a Chromebook of this spec, making it one of the best student laptops around thanks to its performance and touchscreen functionality.

If you’re looking for something even cheaper, the Asus Chromebook CX1505 is a great alternative. It doesn’t have a tough exterior or a compact form like the Chromebook 3120, but it has respectable performance and a great display.

Meanwhile, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is one of the best student Chromebooks in our view, thanks to its truly convertible nature and lively performance.

• Value: 5 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Specs

These are the specs for the Dell Chromebook 3120:

Dell Chromebook 3120 specs

Base configuration (Non-touch)

Review configuration

Max configuration

Price

$179 (about £135 / AU$275)

Clamshell: $299.99 / £369.68 (about AU$460)
2-in-1: $369.99 (about £280, AU$565)

Clamshell: $329.99 (about £250, AU$400)
2-in-1: $399.99 (about £305, AU$610)

CPU

Intel N100 (4-core/4-thread, 3.4GHz)

Intel N100 (4-core/4-thread, 3.4GHz)

Intel N100 (4-core/4-thread, 3.4GHz)

Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics (Integrated)

Intel UHD Graphics (Integrated)

Intel UHD Graphics (Integrated)

RAM

4GB LPDDR5-4800

4GB LPDDR5-4800

8GB LPDDR5-4800

Screen

11.6-inch Non-touch HD LCD (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare

11.6-inch Touch HD LCD (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare

11.6-inch Touch HD LCD, (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare

Storage

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio

2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio

2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

Camera

720p

720p

720p

Battery

42WHr

42WHr

42WHr

Weight

2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg

Clamshell: 2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg
2-in-1: 3.17 lbs | 1.44 kg

Clamshell: 2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg
2-in-1: 3.17 lbs | 1.44 kg

Dimensions

11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm

Clamshell: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm
2-in-1: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.85 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 21.5 mm

Clamshell: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm
2-in-1: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.85 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 21.5 mm

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Rugged construction
• Compact form
• Large screen bezel

The Dell Chromebook 3120 has an unusual outer shell for a laptop nowadays. It has rounded edges covered in a soft-touch material, almost as if it has been fitted with a bumper case. This makes it look more like one of the best rugged laptops than a budget Chromebook, and Dell claims it’s as durable as those more durable devices. According to Dell, the Chromebook 3120 can withstand 30-inch drops onto steel and 48-inch drops onto plywood, something that'll probably matter if this is going to be used by a child.

In keeping with the durable chassis, the lid is also reassuringly solid, with no wobble to it at all. What’s more, it’s also very flexible – even the non-hybrid variant can still recline all the way back to 180 degrees, making it very amenable to various setups.

Despite all this ruggedness, the Chromebook 3120 is very compact, making it very easy to carry around. It’s heavier than you might expect, but not to an onerous extent.

Another advantage of the design of the Chromebook 3120 is the fact that it’s easy to maintain. It features a top-mounted keyboard and a captive screw in the chassis that keep its various materials together, both of which make the Chromebook 3120 readily repairable.

One of the worst aspects of its design, however, is the huge bezel around the display. No doubt this helps with durability as well as repairability (there are easily accessible screws in each corner), but it severely compromises the already small real estate.

There aren’t many ports on the Chromebook 3120, but they’re wisely chosen. There are two USB-C ports, which should help the device to stay relevant for longer, and both accept charging and external monitor connections.

What’s more, they’re located on either side to improve versatility. The only other ports on the Chromebook 3120 are a USB-A and a headset jack, both located on the left, but these are the next two interfaces I would’ve chosen to include on a Chromebook.

The keys have a slight but noticeable texture to them that feels smooth yet tactile. There are some useful shortcuts on the top row, but there aren’t as many as you’ll find on other Chromebooks – even those the same size as the Chromebook 3120.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Good all-round performance
• Reflective display
• Poor touchpad

Benchmarks

These are the benchmark scores for the Dell Chromebook 3120:

TechRadar Battery Life Video Test: 10 hours and 44 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 181.945
Kraken Benchmark (lower is better): 743.3ms
Speedometer 3.0: 11.2 (±0.71)

The general performance of the Dell Chromebook 3120 is pretty good. It’s fast and snappy enough for basic tasking, from notetaking and essay writing to spreadsheet creation and browsing.

It can handle video streaming very well, too, even at 1440p. However, higher resolutions are beyond it, since you’ll have to contend with frequent and lengthy buffering times.

It’s even capable enough for some light gaming. I managed to play Asphalt Legends on medium settings smoothly, with no disruptive stutters or lag. Be warned, however, that not all Android games are compatible with the Chromebook 3120, including Alien: Isolation and Hitman: Blood Money—Reprisal.

The 1366 x 768p resolution is sharp enough for a display this small, and colors are pleasingly vibrant. Brightness is sufficient for the most part, although I wish it had more when viewing content featuring dark tones, as these can be hard to see at times.

The display also has a tendency to plunge into total blackness if the angle isn’t set just right for your particular environment. What’s more, it can be quite reflective, which further sullies the viewing experience.

(Image credit: Future)

The keys felt good to use, and their generous spacing makes them easy to navigate, even with the limited real estate. However, they lack feedback, and frequently my presses would fail to register while typing, requiring a firmer touch than with many other keyboards.

The touchpad, however, is more frustrating. It’s very small, which can make navigation and certain productivity tasks awkward, such as dragging items from one side of the screen to the other.

It also lacks refinement, with its jerky tracking spoiling my attempts at smooth, precise movements: the cursor either moved slower than expected or jumped too far ahead of where I wanted it to go. I also found that taps were very inconsistent, failing to register at least half of the time.

The touchscreen proved more responsive, but it can be quite grabby, resulting in unsmooth swipes and gestures. This isn’t the device for you if you plan on making copious amounts of drawings or handwritten notes, but the functionality is still useful for navigation purposes. It’s a shame that finger marks are quite visible, though.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Chromebook 3120 is very good. In our movie playback test, it lasted close to 11 hours, which is an impressive performance considering the smaller 43Whr battery, and puts it ahead of much of the competition.

It beats the Asus Chromebook CX1505, for example, which managed about 7 hours in the same test, but just fails to match the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, which managed over 11 hours.

It’s also reasonably quick to charge, taking about two hours to completely replenish.

• Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Dell Chromebook 3120?

Notes

Rating

Value

The can outlast it is well-priced given the spec and functionality.

5 / 5

Design

The tough chassis is welcome, as is the small size. Shame about the large bezel, though.

4 / 5

Performance

The Chromebook 3120 can be used for all sorts of tasks, and it deals with them all pretty well. The touchpad is poor, though.

4.5 / 5

Battery life

Battery life is above average, although there are others that slightly edge past it.

4.5 / 5

Total Score

The Chromebook 3120 does a sterling job as a student device, providing all the functionality and performance you could need for the classroom. But you’re best off using it with an external mouse.

4.5 / 5

Buy the Dell Chromebook 3120 if...

You want a durable machine
Thanks to its drop resistance and repairability credentials, the 3120 should last from term to term.

You want something easy to carry around
It might be surprisingly heavy, but it’s still very portable, largely thanks to its compact form factor.

Don't buy it if...

You want a great touchpad
The touchpad is too small and inaccurate for heavy use – get yourself one of the best mouse picks to go with it.

You want a large display
The lid housing the display is small enough, but the large bezel compromises it even further. It can also succumb to darkness and reflections under certain conditions.

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Dell Chromebook 3120 that are also fantastic for students:

Asus Chromebook CX15
It’s not as portable as the 3120, but it’s still quite thin. And its large width means you get a widescreen display, which is one of the highlights of the CX1505. It also performs rather well—and it’s cheaper than the Chromebook 3120.

Read our full Asus Chromebook CX15 review.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312
If you’re looking for one of the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks, the Spin 312 is a great choice. Its capable performance and sleek, portable design make it yet another student favorite. Plus, its display, though small, is a treat for the eyes, thanks to its sharp resolution. It’s a little reflective like the 3120, though.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review.

How I tested the Dell Chromebook 3120

• Tested for two days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Dell Chromebook 3120 for two days, during which time I used it for a multitude of tasks.

I used it for productivity, general browsing, streaming video content, and gaming. I also ran our series of benchmarks for Chromebooks and tested its battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop.

I’ve been using Chromebooks and other laptops for years, and have reviewed plenty of them as well, ranging in their price points, form factors, and purposes.

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

Asus Chromebook CX15: Two-minute review

The Asus Chromebook CX1505 certainly has a budget price tag, but its features and spec hope to counter the charge that it’s a compromised device unfit for modern purposes.

While it might appear sleek, on closer inspection it’s not as thin or as light as its looks might lead you to believe. That ultra wide display and the long underside support bar sully its portability credentials somewhat.

Build quality isn’t the greatest, either, and isn’t up there with the best Chromebook constructions. It’s still within reasonable bounds, but there’s some flexing to the plastic chassis.

The thin bezel for the display is a welcome touch, though, helping to maximize its already generous width. The keyboard also feels built to a higher standard, which is fortunate since you’ll be making plenty of contact with it.

All the ports on the CX1505 are located on its left-hand side, which may be a little inconvenient for those wishing to connect multiple peripherals. More of a problem, however, is their paucity: there are only four, and only two of them are USB (one type-A and one type-C port).

What’s more, the Type-C must be used for charging, so it won’t be available to you all of the time. An HDMI 1.4 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack round out the rest of the physical connectivity options, and they’re at least sensibly ordered.

The CX1505 acquits itself well in terms of performance. It can handle the productivity and entertainment tasks well enough, although 4K content streaming is just beyond its reach. It can handle some light gaming, though, albeit with relatively undemanding titles at low graphical settings.

More impressive is that large display. The width is useful for both entertainment and productivity purposes, while the Full HD resolution is still sharp enough for its size. It’s also bright and reasonably vibrant, making for pleasant viewing in all scenarios.

While the CX1505 is great for typing on, the trackpad is a let down. It’s jerky and imprecise when making small, slow movements, and its clicks feel unsatisfying.

The battery life of the CX1505 is reasonable, lasting seven hours in our movie playback test. However, many of its rivals can beat this figure – some by a considerable margin.

There was a time when a Chromebook costing this little wouldn’t have been worth your time, lacking the power and features to suit even basic usage. But the commendable – if not outstanding – performance of the CX1505, coupled with its generous and high-quality display, are certainly impressive aspects at this price, making it a contender for one of the best budget Chromebooks around right now.

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
• Available now in multiple colorways
• Budget end of the market

The CX1505 starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and is available now in various colorways, including green and pink. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage. An Intel Core version is also available.

This is a great price, even in the Chromebook market. It’s considerably cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14, which we think is one of the best budget Chromebooks. However, the CX1505 performs better, and that wider display makes it better for productivity and entertainment – if not portability.

If you want a high-performing Chromebook, then the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a better choice. This dispatches all kinds of tasks with ease, including harsher workloads such as gaming and multitasking; no wonder we think it’s the best student Chromebook. Its keyboard isn’t as good as that on the CX1505, though.

If you want to stay closer to the budget-end of the market and want something more compact but also powerful, the Dell Chromebook 3120 fits the bill very well, with more processing power and faster memory for a little bit more of an investment.

• Value: 5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Specs

My Asus Chromebook CX1505 review unit had an Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

Asus Chromebook CX1505

Price

Starting from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499

CPU

Intel Celeron N4500 Processor 1.1 GHz (2 cores)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

4GB LPDDR4X

Screen

15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, Anti-glare display, 300nits

Storage

64GB eMMC

Ports

1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm combo audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

720p with privacy shutter

Weight

3.51lbs (1.59kg)

Dimensions

14.15 x 9.14 x 0.79in (360 x 232 x 20mm)

ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Sleek and vibrant looks
• Compromised portability
• Lacks ports

The CX1505 has a neat, minimalist appearance buoyed by the vibrant colorways; I found the light green finish of my review unit particularly fetching, suiting its overall design well. The rounded corners and smooth, flat planes add to its appeal.

It’s quite a thin unit, although the prominent support bar running underneath rather spoils its sleekness. It’s also heavier than you might expect; coupled with the atypical width, the portability of the CX1505 is somewhat compromised.

What’s more, build quality isn’t particularly impressive, either. The slightly textured plastics may look and feel interesting, but they’re not the sturdiest and can succumb to considerable flexing.

The hinge for the lid feels sturdy in operation, but its looseness becomes evident once set in position. This isn’t disruptive, but it is noticeable, and isn’t exactly an auspicious sign for its longevity.

On a positive note, the bezel around the display is pleasingly thin, which allows the already generous real estate to be realized to its full potential, while the keys have a subtle graining which makes them feel tactile to use. They also actuate smoothly and solidly, with very little play or uncertain feedback.

If you’re looking for a Chromebook with plenty of connectivity options, you’ll be disappointed with the CX15. Despite its large size, there are only four ports (five on the Intel Core model, thanks to its extra USB-C port), all located on the left-hand side.

There’s one USB-C port (which is used for charging as well), one USB-A port, one HDMI 1.4 port, and a combo audio jack. At least they’re sensibly ordered; I’m always happy to see the power port at the end and the audio jack at the very front.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Reasonable multitasking capabilities
• More demanding tasks
• Good wide display

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Asus Chromebook CX1505:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 7 hours
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 121.752
Kraken Benchmark: 1254.9ms
Speedometer 3.1: 5.74 (±0.20)

The CX1505 is capable enough for everyday tasking. It can handle word processing and spreadsheet creation with ease, while streaming hi-definition content is also well within its grasp. However, expect some significant buffering if you’re watching anything above 1440p.

Even with the modest 4GB of RAM installed in my review unit, the CX1505 managed to juggle multiple browser tabs admirably. I still encountered some lag in such instances, but not to a frustrating extent. However, more demanding multitasking scenarios, such as running numerous apps simultaneously, lead to more severe slowdowns, as you might expect.

Light gaming is just about within its reach as well. Asphalt Legends ran smoothly enough when I reduced the maximum frame rate to 30fps, but I encountered frequent stuttering when ratcheting it up to 60fps, even on the default medium graphics settings. Those after some casual enjoyment are catered for, then – but those who take their gaming a little more seriously will be disappointed.

The display is pleasingly bright and vibrant. Colors are vividly reproduced rather than washed-out, as they can be on other Chromebook displays in my experience.

(Image credit: Future)

And despite its large size, the 1920 x 1080p resolution still looks sharp and clear. That wide ratio also makes various productivity tasks easier, as well as serving entertainment content well.

The keys of the CX1505 are well damped, resulting in softer presses than you might expect, but they’re still as snappy and as light as you would expect from a laptop keyboard. They’re well spaced, too, and thanks to that wide chassis, the numberpad doesn’t cramp the layout, as is the case with some other laptops and Chromebooks.

The trackpad has a solid and noticeable click, but it feels nasty and cheap, owing to the lack of dampening. Gliding isn’t the smoothest, either, with attempts to make small and precise movements resulting in lag and cursor jumps.

Taps are better, but inconsistent: being unresponsive at times, and too eager at others. The surface area of the pad is quite small, too, despite there being plenty of space for a larger module. At least it’s solidly installed, with no wobble to it.

The overall connectivity of the CX1505 is good for the most part. However, the Bluetooth radio stopped working on one occasion, severing connection with all my devices. Thankfully, fixing the issue merely required disabling and then re-enabling Bluetooth from the status area in the bottom-right corner.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The CX1505 has a respectable, if not impressive, battery life. It should see you throughout the day, but it only managed seven hours in our playback test, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop.

This beats the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which only managed six and a half hours, but it’s bested by rivals such as the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which both achieved times around the 11-hour mark. And the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook can last a hugely impressive 16-plus hours.

• Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the ASUS Chromebook CX1505?

Notes

Rating

Value

There aren’t many new Chromebooks priced this low, still less those with competing specs.

5 / 5

Design

It may look sleek and minimal, but it’s surprisingly heavy, and it’s not the sturdiest, either.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Considering its middling spec, the CX1505 is impressive in action, if not spectacular.

4 / 5

Battery life

Battery life is good but not outstanding; there are plenty of Chromebooks that can outlast it.

3 / 5

Total Score

It might not be a powerhouse, but the CX1505 is capable and cheap enough to make it excellent value.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a wide display
The 87% screen-to-body ratio certainly looks striking and helps with both productivity and entertainment.

You’ll be doing a lot of typing
The keyboard on the CX1505 is great, offering a satisfying feel and generous spacing, despite the inclusion of a number pad.

Don't buy it if...

You want serious performance
Some light multitasking and entertainment are possible, but demand anything more and the CX1505 will struggle.

You want something very portable
The wide and relatively hefty body of the CX1505 makes it less portable than you might imagine.

ASUS Chromebook CX1505: Also consider

If the Asus Chromebook CX1505 doesn't sound right for you, here are some alternatives:

Acer Chromebook Spin 312
The Chromebook Spin 312 is a more compact and versatile device, thanks to its small 12.2-inch screen and convertibility, allowing you to use it like a tablet. In truth, its touchscreen is best used when the unit is propped on a desk, rather than held in the hand, but it’s still one of the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks, and its amenable keyboard and keen display only add to its appeal. Battery life is pretty good, too.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review.

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch
For a more capable Chromebook, look no further than the HP Chromebook Plus. It’s great for all kinds of tasks, while the display renders all sorts of content well. Its most disappointing aspect is probably its keyboard, as the number pad squeezes the other keys, which may take some getting used to. Its official pricing might look high, but we’ve seen it around for a lot less.

Read our full HP Chromebook Plus review 15.6-inch

How I tested the Asus Chromebook CX1505

• Tested for several days
• Used for various tasks
• Plentiful Chromebook experience

I tested the CX1505 for several days, during which time I used it for productivity, entertainment, and general browsing.

I used it for word processing and spreadsheet editing, as well as streaming HD and 4K content. I also played mobile games downloaded from the Play Store, and ran our series of benchmark tests for Chromebooks.

I’ve been using Chromebooks for years and have extensive experience reviewing them. I’ve also reviewed other kinds of mobile devices, including tablets and laptops designed for productivity and gaming.

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

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1: Two-minute review

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 seeks to strike the ideal balance between price and performance with the Erazer Deputy 15 P1, featuring an auspicious spec and a reasonable price tag.

It doesn’t make the best first impression, though, as it looks like a budget laptop. Its utilitarian focus leaves little room for style or elegance, and there’s little to signal its gaming prowess.

However, I was pleased to see that the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is surprisingly free from bulk, lacking the thickness or unsightly protrusions of many others in this sector. It won’t trouble the best gaming laptop constructions, though, since the materials aren’t the most premium, and the chassis flex doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Thankfully the lid is more sturdy and also easy to use. There’s quite a large gap between it and the bottom chassis when opened, which I found helped with ventilation.

There’s a decent selection of ports on the Erazer Deputy 15 P1, too, including three USB-A and two USB-C ports. There’s also a Mini DisplayPort, an HDMI port, and an ethernet port, all of which are welcome additions.

The Erazer Deputy 15 P1 impressed me with its gaming performance, handling AAA titles at high and even max settings very well. Cyberpunk 2077 and Dying Light: The Beast ran more smoothly than I was expecting given the RTX 5060 installed in my review unit: I experienced little in the way of stutter or significant frame rate drops.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 stayed remarkably cool throughout, with the hottest temperatures confined to the very back of the unit. There’s plenty of fan noise, though, so you’ll want to use a good pair of headphones to deal with this.

I found the image impressively sharp given the 1920 x 1080 resolution, since quality can suffer when this many pixels are stretched across a large display such as this. It’s also quite vibrant, although it’s perhaps a little more washed-out than some of its rivals. It’s quite reflective in suboptimal lighting conditions, too.

The full-size keyboard is a welcome sight, and there’s plenty of space between the keys. The floating keycaps are a nice touch as well, and they’re tactile enough for gaming purposes. They’re quite narrow, though, which I found to be problematic when typing.

The touchpad is smooth and quite small. Despite this, it can still get in the way when using the WASD keys, so you might want to disable it when gaming (easily achieved via an Fn shortcut).

The battery life of the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is nothing spectacular, but it’s not the worst in this sector, either. It managed to last close to seven hours in our movie playback test, but fared worse in the PCMark gaming battery test, where it only just managed to eclipse 90 minutes.

In many other regards, though, the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is a very capable 1080p gaming machine, offering a great experience for the money. There are other strong performers at this price point – and some considerably cheaper – which might have the edge in certain areas. But the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is still a worthy choice if you’re looking for a capable gaming laptop at the budget-end of the market.

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Price & Availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts from £1,099.99 (about $1,500 / AU$2,200)
• Available now
• Strong similarly-priced rivals

The Erazer Deputy 15 P1 starts from £1,099.99 (about $1,500 / AU$2,200) and is available now. Various configurations are available, including models with an Intel Core 9 and an RTX 5070. RAM and storage amounts vary between 16 and 32GB and 1 and 2TB respectively.

This is similar to the Acer Nitro 16 AMD, which is one of the best budget gaming laptop picks around. You’ll have to settle for a 4000 series RTX card, but the 165Hz refresh rate helps to elevate the experience.

For something even cheaper, there’s the Nitro V 15, another 1080p machine. You can configure this laptop with an RTX 5060, although the performance isn’t as good as the Erazer Deputy 15 P1’s.

• Value: 4 / 5

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Specs

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 base config

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review config

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 max config

Price

£1,099.99

£1,349.00

£1,699

CPU

Intel i7-13620H (10 cores, 3.6GHz)

Intel Core 7 250H (14 cores, 2.5GHz)

Intel Core 9 270H (14 cores, 2.7GHz)

GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 8GB

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 8GB

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 8GB

RAM

16GB DDR5

16GB DDR5

32GB LPDDR5X

Storage

1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

Display

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) IPS, 16:9, 144Hz

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) IPS, 16:9, 144Hz

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) IPS, 16:9, 144Hz

Ports and Connectivity

USB Type-C x 1 (with DisplayPort), USB 3.2 x 2, USB 2.0 x 1, HDMI x 1, Mini DisplayPort x 1, 3.5 mm jack x 1, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

USB Type-C x 1 (with DisplayPort), USB 3.2 x 2, USB 2.0 x 1, HDMI x 1, Mini DisplayPort x 1, 3.5 mm jack x 1, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

USB Type-C x 1 (with DisplayPort), USB 3.2 x 2, USB 2.0 x 1, HDMI x 1, Mini DisplayPort x 1, 3.5 mm jack x 1, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Battery

51.6Wh

51.6Wh

51.6Wh

Dimensions

0.9 x 14.2 x 9.7in (24 x 361 x 247mm)

0.9 x 14.2 x 9.7in (24 x 361 x 247mm)

0.9 x 14.2 x 9.7in (24 x 361 x 247mm)

Weight

5lbs / 2.25kg

5lbs / 2.25kg

5lbs / 2.25kg

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Basic appearance
• More portable than expected
• Generous keyboard layout

It’s clear from even a cursory glance at the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 that it isn’t trying to win any style awards. Its austere looks are purely functional, with no fanfare in sight. The Medion logo on the lid is small and discreet, finished in a slightly darker shade of black than its surroundings.

There are a few unsightly juts and angles, but compared to others in this class, it’s pleasingly free from bulk. It’s reasonably thin, and although it features a rear protrusion for ventilation purposes, this isn’t as bulbous as many other examples. It’s also not as heavy as you might expect, meaning the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is one of the more portable 15-inch gaming laptops out there.

It’s not exactly built to the highest standards, though. The materials are far from the most premium, and the chassis has a fair amount of flex to it. Thankfully, the lid is a more solid affair, while still being easy and smooth to pivot into position.

There’s a noticeable gap between the display and the bottom half of the unit, which I haven’t seen before. This seems like a good idea for cooling purposes, though, helping to prevent heat radiating onto the display itself.

The bezel around the display is thin on most sides except the bottom. This is somewhat of a shame, but it does at least help to emphasize the widescreen effect.

(Image credit: Future)

Since it’s quite a wide unit, the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 manages to fit in a full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad. The keys themselves don’t feel cramped, either, and I appreciated their floating design. They’re narrower than you’ll find on many other gaming laptop keyboards, though.

There are a generous number of ports on the Erazer Deputy 15 P1. There are three USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, spread across both sides, which improves convenience when connecting various peripherals. There’s also the obligatory headset jack.

On the rear you’ll find the power port, sandwiched between an HDMI port and an ethernet port. This location is a little impractical, since the included power adapter has an L-shaped barrel, meaning the cable will have to trail over your HDMI or ethernet cable, depending on your setup.

There’s also a Mini DisplayPort on the rear, which is a rare sight on a gaming laptop, but one I welcome all the same. One of the aforementioned USB-C ports can also handle external display connections.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Great 1080p performance
• Sharp but reflective display
• Impressive cooling abilities

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 Benchmarks

These are the various benchmark scores for the Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1:

Geekbench 6 (Multi Core): 14,639; (Single Core): 2,826
Cinebench R23 (Multi Core): 17,525; (Single Core): 2,056
Cinebench R24 (Multi Core): 1,111; (Single Core): 120
Crossmark Overall: 2,001
3DMark
Fire Strike: 26,820; Steel Nomad: 2,693; Solar Bay: 47,158; Speed Way: 2,938; Port Royal: 7,322
BlackMagicDisk Read: 3,917MB/s; Write: 2,458MB/s
25GB Copy Test: 278MB/s
Civilization VII (1080p, Medium): 190 FPS; (Max Resolution, High): 148 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, High): 121 FPS
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Medium): 150 FPS; (Max Resolution, Highest): 140 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Highest): 159 FPS
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p, Medium): 117 FPS; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 59 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Medium): 258 FPS; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 215 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Ultra): 240 FPS
F1 2024 (1080p, Medium): 254 FPS; (Max Resolution, Max Quality, No RT): 113 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Max Quality with RT): 87 FPS

The RTX 5060 and Core 7 250H combination in my review unit proved more than capable of keeping up with the latest AAA titles. When I played Dying Light: The Beast, I was getting fps figures in the low-to-mid 200s. This was with maximum graphics settings applied, DLSS upscaling set to Balanced, and Frame Generation turned on.

It didn’t run Cyberpunk 2077 quite so impressively, but it was still a great experience nonetheless. I was getting frame rates in the low hundreds on the maximum Ray Tracing: Overdrive preset, again with DLSS and Frame Generation turned on.

What’s more, its 1080p resolution looked sharper on the 15.6-inch display than I expected. It’s also surprisingly vibrant, although colors are still a little washed-out compared to other gaming laptops, and especially to the best gaming monitors. It’s also quite reflective in certain lighting conditions, and not even the highest brightness setting can mitigate the effect.

The cooling, on the other hand, is more impressive. During my play time, none of the touchable surfaces became anything more than lukewarm, not even the underside. The hottest part was just above the keyboard, but even this area wasn’t too hot to handle.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, that aforementioned gap between the lid and chassis prevented any heat leaking onto the screen. To achieve this all-round cooling, you will have to endure a fair amount of fan noise, but the best PC gaming headsets should keep this at bay.

The keyboard is great for gaming with. The keys have just the right amount of travel to make them tactile, and the WASD keys are textured and colored differently to make them easier to locate.

However, the keycaps are quite narrow, which can make them awkward to use. They’re well-spaced, which helps to prevent mispresses when gaming, but I found typing more of a challenge.

The touchpad isn’t as large as you might expect given the size of the Erazer Deputy 15 P1, but its smooth surface makes it easy to use. I still triggered it accidentally when using the WASD keys, but thankfully there’s an Fn shortcut to quickly disable it.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Battery Life

(Image credit: Future)

• Average battery life
• Relatively fast charging

The battery life of the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is fairly average for a gaming laptop. It managed to last six hours and 47 minutes when I played a movie on a continuous loop. This is about the same as the cheaper Acer Nitro V 15.

It lasted one hour and 47 minutes when I conducted PCMark’s battery benchmark for gaming scenarios, which again is similar to the score achieved by the Nitro V 15, although it’s down on the two hours and 26 minutes of the Nitro 16 AMD. It is at least quick to charge, taking about two hours to replenish from empty to full.

• Battery Life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1?Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

I haven’t encountered similarly priced 1080p laptops that can game as well as the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 can, although some come close – and some of those are cheaper.

4 / 5

Design

It’s not the most exciting or the most premium, but it’s surprisingly compact and portable for its size.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The 1080p performance is superb for the price, while the sharpness of the display belies its 1080p resolution, although it's quite reflective.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

Not the best, not the worst. Some cheaper gaming laptops have similar endurance levels.

3.5 / 5

Total

The Erazer Deputy 15 P1 hits all the right notes at this price point, although the reflective display and lackluster design mar it somewhat. There’s strong competition at this price point, but the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 can hold its own against them.

4 / 5

Buy the Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 if...

You want high-end performance
The Erazer Deputy 15 P1 can handle high-to-max settings on demanding titles very well, keeping cool all the while.

You want to carry it around
Despite its 15.6-inch size, the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 is surprisingly portable, thanks to its thinness and relatively light construction.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best display
Despite how sharp it looks, the display isn’t as vibrant as others, and it can be overly reflective.

You want something quiet
The price you pay for that excellent cooling is fan noise. Get yourself a good pair of headphones.

Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review: Also Consider

Acer Nitro 16 AMD
The Nitro 16 is similarly priced to the Erazer Deputy 15 P1, but it has a slightly bigger screen and a sharper resolution. You won’t be getting the latest RTX GPUs, so performance won’t be as good, but the 165Hz refresh makes up for the shortfall somewhat in certain games.

Read our full Acer Nitro 16 AMD review.

Acer Nitro V 15 Intel
The Nitro V 15 is cheaper than the Erazer Deputy 15 P1, yet still gets RTX 5050 and 5060 cards. However, even with the latter equipped, it can’t quite match the performance of the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 in my experience, perhaps due to the inferior i7 chip in the unit I tested.

Read our full Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review.

How I tested the Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and other tasks
• Plentiful gaming laptop experience

I tested the Erazer Deputy 15 P1 for several days, using it for gaming, working, and general entertainment.

I played AAA titles such as Cyberpunk and Dying Light: The Beast at various settings. I also ran our series of benchmark tests, designed to ... every facet of a laptop's performance.

I've tested plenty of gaming laptops before, from budget offerings to range-topping powerhouses. I've been PC gaming for over a decade and have experience with plenty of other machines and systems as well.

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

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card: review

The Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card has been my Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express card of choice since it arrived at TechRadar Gaming HQ a few months ago.

As the very first 1TB microSD Express model to hit the market, it’s one of your few options if, like me, you need loads of storage for an absolutely mega Nintendo Switch 2 game library. Pair this fact with its solid results in benchmarks and brilliant performance in real-world use, and you have the ultimate upgrade for Nintendo’s latest console - provided you can afford it.

At $58.98 / £59.45 / AU$119.34, the 256GB version of the Lexar Play Pro Micro SD Express Card is almost bang on the price of its biggest competition, the officially licensed SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2. Lexar also smartly offers a slightly more affordable 128GB edition, so those with very modest storage needs can save a little cash.

The star of the show is that aforementioned 1TB variant, though, which comes in at a much more premium $199.99 / £199.99 price. In my eyess this is very fair for what you get, especially when you factor in the strong 831.97MB/s read speed it achieved in my benchmarks.

(Image credit: Future)

This is very close to the 900MB/s read speed claimed by the manufacturer, with the difference easily attributable to differing testing conditions. The card fared much worse when it comes to write speed, however, reaching 310.03MB/s, which is just over half of the claimed 600MB/s.

Sure, some other cards do reach higher speeds (much higher, when it comes to write speed), like the aforementioned SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 or competing PNY microSD Express Card, but you’d be hard-pressed to notice any tangible difference in the real world.

I experienced no issues at all with missed frames, slow-to-load assets, or noticeably elevated load times in any of the titles that I’ve played using this card, which ranged all the way from graphically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition to less intense adventures such as Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster.

Nothing quite compares to the freedom of knowing that you won’t have to fiddle around to find space in order to install each new game that you get, and, for that, the Lexar Play Pro MicroSD Express Card comes emphatically recommended.

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card: Price and specs

Price

$58.98 / £59.45 / AU$119.34 (256GB)

Capacity

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

Quoted read speed

900MB/s

Quoted write speed

600MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

831.97MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

310.03MB/s

Should I buy the Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card?Buy it if...

You need a mega storage boost
If you’re after a 1TB Nintendo Switch 2 storage expansion, your options are pretty limited. Lexar is one of the few manufacturers offering a 1TB option; it performs decently and is reasonably priced, so it should be a top choice if that’s what you're after.

You have the budget
If you’re happy to spend a fair chunk on a Nintendo Switch 2 accessory, then the 1TB Lexar Micro SD Express Card should be your pick. The hefty capacity will likely keep your storage met for years, so think of it as a long-term investment.

Don't buy it if...

You need the absolute fastest card
The only problem with the Lexar Micro SD Express Card is its underwhelming write speed in my benchmarks. It’s slower than some of the competition, though the strong read speed means that this doesn’t really impact general use.

Also consider

Want to compare the Lexar Micro SD Express Card to its biggest competition? Here are two strong alternatives to weigh up.

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

PNY microSD Express Card

Price

$58.98 / £59.45 / AU$119.34 (256GB)

$59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.95

$59.99 / £59.99 / around AU$100 (256GB)

Capacity

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB

128GB / 256GB

Quoted read speed

900MB/s

880MB/s

890MB/s

Quoted write speed

600MB/s

650MB/s

550MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

831.97MB/s

894.4MB/s

893.74MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

310.03MB/s

674.1MB/s

713.42MB/s

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2
This officially licensed card from SanDisk outperforms the Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card and comes in at a similar price. You are limited to a 256GB capacity, though.

Read our full SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 review

PNY microSD Express Card
The PNY MicroSD Express Card is thus far the fastest microSD Express card that I’ve tested. It's the option to pick if you’re after the highest speeds, but again, there’s no 1TB option.

Stay tuned for our full PNY microSD Express Card review

How I tested the Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card

• Used for multiple months
• Tested against other microSD Express cards
• Subjected to standardized benchmark tests

As I previously mentioned, the Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card has been my personal Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express card of choice since it arrived a few months ago. In my time with the card, I’ve used it almost daily with my own Nintendo Switch 2, constantly evaluating its performance in a wide range of games.

I also benchmarked the card against the competition in a series of standardized tests, recording and comparing the results directly. I measured the sequential read and write speed of each card using a standardized benchmark via CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings.

To do this, I relied on the Lexar Play Pro MicroSD Express Card Reader, which features an active cooling fan. This was provided by Lexar alongside the Lexar Micro SD Express Card for the purpose of this review.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2025

• View or buy Atem X at iQAir or via Amazon
  

IQAir Atem X: two-minute review

I've had the IQAir Atem X Air Purifier since April 2024 – and it has never once disappointed me. The real standout is the design. This sleek, stylish Swedish air purifier looks like something you'd find in New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It's large, but the fact you can place it flush against the wall means it won't get in the way.

Underneath its fashionable exterior, the IQAir Atem X works harder than the most utilitarian of air purifiers. This is one of the very best air purifiers I've used, and I've tested over 50. The only model that I've been more impressed by is the Levoit EverestAir, and it's a narrow margin.

Since I have a smoking neighbor, I take air purifiers seriously, and often I've wished I had more than 3 or 4 speeds to choose from. The IQAir Atem X has 8 speeds, so I can always find the most effective speed that's not so loud enough that I need to wear ANC headphones. It also boasts much higher-than-average CADRs (clean air delivery rate), which make it suitable for use in large spaces.

The purification uses 'HyperHEPA' filters (ed's note: I'm confirming if this is true HEPA, but will assume not) and 'impactors' (equivalent to pre-filters). I have an open plan home, so there are no walls to separate the living room and kitchen, but the IQAir Atem X removes my neighbor's tobacco smoke, and my occasional kitchen odors, very efficiently. This is even more impressive considering there's no activated charcoal filter. It's really hard to believe that something so beautiful can work like a beast to remove odors so quickly.

You can control the Atem X using the touch controls that sit on the back side of the purifier but are still very easy to access, or via a useful companion app. However, there's no voice assistant support for those who prefer to go completely hands-free.

The main sticking point for many people will be the price. This is a very expensive purifier, and the replacement filters don't come cheap, either. However, if you want something functional and beautiful, and are happy to invest to get it, it's an excellent choice. So, that's the short version – keep reading for my full IQAir Atem X review.

(Image credit: Future)IQAir Atem X review: price & availability

• List price: $1,399
• Available: US online, various other countries via dealers

The IQAir Atem X is available to buy online in the US from the IQAir website or via Amazon. At list price it costs $1,3999. It's also available in various other countries, but typically via dealers.

The air purifier uses three HyperHEPA filters at a time, and the replacement pack is $199, which is among the most expensive filters I've ever encountered. Fortunately, the filter pack only needs to be replaced once a year if you're using the purifier regularly, or maybe less often if it's not being used as much.

In the air purifier market, the IQAir Atem X is considered a premium purchase. It's significantly more expensive than my favorite purifier, the Levoit EverestAir, which has a list price of $499.99 and is comparable in performance. Price-wise, the IQAir Atem X is comparable to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP04, which retails for $1,199.99 at the time of publication.

The IQAir Atem X is an extremely good air purifier, and the various functions, user-friendly features, and quality build help justify the price. However, it is incredibly expensive – and especially if you factor in the ongoing cost of filters – and may not be in everyone's budget.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

IQAir Atem X specs

CADR:

Dust 417; Tobacco smoke 422; Pollen 454

Size (W x H x D):

27.1 x 27.1 x 10in / 68.8 x 68.8 x 25.4cm

Control:

Touchscreen buttons, app

Filters:

Impactors (pre-filter), HyperHEPA

Modes:

1-8 fan speeds, Quiet, Balanced, Max, Smart

Contaminants detected:

PM 2.5, PM10, CO2

IQAir Atem X review: design

• Stylish, minimalist design with recessed touch controls and smart controls
• Pre-filters and 'HyperHEPA' filters, but no activated charcoal filter
• Adjustable airflow

The AQAir Atem X Air Purifier is large, but it doesn't look bulky. That's because it has a slim, minimalist design. In fact, I think this air purifier looks like a work of art; something you'd see at New York's MoMA. I love appliances that aren't easily identifiable, and the Atem X definitely falls in this category. Guests always ask what it is – especially since there are no controls on the front.

IQAir is a Swiss company, and the air purifier is actually made in Germany. The Atem X reflects Swiss design sensibilities in the clean lines and uncluttered look. For example, the power cord is retractable, so any excess can be hidden. Also, the front of the air purifier is completely free of controls – they're located in the back, and also recessed, so even from a back view, they're unobtrusive.

(Image credit: Future)

The Atem X comes with a detachable wheel base, which makes it easy to transport, but is the only part of the air purifier that looks clunky. I'll be honest with you here: the wheel base is somewhere in my garage and I couldn't locate it for the review. Because I knew I would only use the air purifier in my living room/kitchen space (it would be overkill in one of the bedrooms), I never bothered installing it.

There's a leather handle on the back of the air purifier that makes it easy to move short distances. However, it weighs 28.7 lbs / 13kg, so if you need to move it frequently or transport more than a few feet, it would probably be a good idea to attach the wheel base.

(Image credit: Future)

Around the circumference of the Atem X, three-quarters of the grilles are for air inlet, and one quarter (at the top) is for air outlet. The direction of the airflow can be changed to flow towards the left or towards the right of the top of the purifier.

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the air purifier is also quite functional and user-friendly. The recessed controls are on the back, directly underneath the outlet grille. I never encounter a problem trying to access them – and honestly, I think that placing them on the back contributes to the beauty of the air purifier and prevents it from looking utilitarian).

They include the power button, smart mode (to switch between the manual fan speed settings and automatic fan speed control), light button (to turn the control panel lighting on or off), Wi-Fi button, filter status, and Ethernet status. There are eight options on the fan speed slider, and this is also where the air quality index color is displayed (when not changing the fan speed).

(Image credit: Future)

The air quality indicator colors are as follows: green for good, yellow for moderate, orange for unhealthy or sensitive groups, red for unhealthy, purple for very unhealthy, and flashing purple for hazardous.

The IQAir Atem X can also be controlled via a companion app. Attached to the back of the stand is an ID card that contains the QR code to scan and download the app, the Certification of Performance, and the serial number. In addition, the company recommends using the card to pry off the air purifier's front cover when it's time to replace the filters (and I can confirm the card works much better than a butter knife or flat-head screwdriver, which could damage the panel).

The filtration system includes three 'impactors' – equivalent to pre-filters – which are designed to trap large particles, lint, and fibers. Underneath the impactors are the main filters, called HyperHEPA (editor's note: I'm confirming with IQAir, but assume these are not true HEPA filters). These are designed to capture hair and dander, pollen, dust mites, airborne mold, viruses and bacteria.

(Image credit: Future)

Rather surprisingly at this price point, there's no activated charcoal filter. As a general rule, I'm inclined to dislike air purifiers that don't contain activated charcoal, because that tends to be the 'secret sauce' that removes the odors. For example, my Alen BreathSmart 75i has a big, heavy odor filter and I can actually shake it and hear the activated charcoal inside. However, this doesn't seem to impact the Atem X's ability to clear odors, as I'll get into in the Performance section.

(Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, this isn't one of those air purifiers that needs to be turned upside-down to remove the filters. However, the process is more involved than some competitors. After prying the cover off, you need to unlock the locking levers and rotate the air purifier to remove the grilles and the three filters.

The impactors are on the other side of the grilles, and they should be vacuumed with a brush attachment whenever the air filters are changed. However, I vacuum both the air filters and impactors at least monthly. Depending on how dirty the impactors get, they should be rinsed under running water and then thoroughly dried before reinserting.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

IQAir Atem X review: performance

• App provides a lot of helpful information
• 8 speeds and three special modes provide plenty of control
• Cleans air quickly and is quiet in use

As a general rule, I'm perfectly content to control the IQAir Atem X using the onboard controls – especially since I can easily reach it while sitting at my desk. However, for testing purposes, I downloaded the app to my smartphone and spent some time controlling it from there.

The app is chock-full of helpful information. For example, it shows both the daily and the hourly weather forecast in my area, as well as the humidity level. The app also provides health recommendations based on the local air quality, such as "enjoy outdoor activities", and "open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors".

(Image credit: IQAir)

With the air purifier, the app measures such pollutants as PM2.5 (fine particles), PM10 (larger particles), and carbon dioxide levels, as well as humidity levels, and the temperature in the room.

Inside the app, I can turn the air purifier on and off, and adjust the fan speed, brightness levels, lock the control panel, view remaining filter life, and use smart mode. There are actually three smart modes I can select from in the app – and they're not available on the onboard controls.

(Image credit: IQAir)

Quiet mode ensures the fan speed does not exceed level 5. Balanced mode ensures the max fan speed does not go higher than level 7. During periods of high pollution, Max mode changes the fan speed accordingly, with no limit on fan speed. In Smart mode, the air purifier's fan will automatically adjust based on pollutants detected.

I love having 8 fan speeds, so I can set the purifier precisely to fit my comfort level. I tend to use level 4 or 5, as this removes polluted air quite well, while still being relatively quiet. (For example, the noise level is around 44dB on the 4th speed, compared to 65dB when it's set on 8).

(Image credit: Future)

There's a reason why I can set it at a lower rate and still clean the air. That's because the average air purifier that's considered good (not to be confused with just the average air purifier) has a CADR in the 200 range. However, the IQAir Atem X has CADRs of 417 for dust, 422 for tobacco smoke, and 454 for pollen. This means that it cleans air at a much faster rate. (It's more normal for a purifier to just have one CADR, which would usually either be an average of the rates for dust, tobacco smoke and pollen or the highest of those three.)

For example, when I walk into the living room and my neighbor has been smoking – I set the air purifier fan on 8, it removes the smoke and odors in less than 10 minutes (usually only 7 or 8 minutes). And then I set it back to 4 or 5 to maintain the clean air.

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the IQAir Atem X?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

One of the two most expensive air purifiers I've ever tested, but one of the very best (and best-looking) as well.

3.5 / 5

Design

Stylish, with recessed controls on back and retractable cable. Has both touch and smart controls, and airflow is adjustable.

4.5 / 5

Performance

High CADR means it cleans air super-fast. Eight fan speeds provide precise control.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You like customization options

Most air purifiers give you 3 to 5 speeds, but the IQAir Atem X provides 8, and you can also adjust several other settings as well.

You want to clean a large space quickly

With some of the highest CADRs on the market, the IQAir Atem X is great for use in large spaces.

You want an air purifier that looks good

Some air purifiers look like something you'd find in a hospital, and although the IQAir Atem X is white, it does not have that sterile, clinical look. The Swiss-design is actually quite beautiful.

Don't buy it if...

You want a quick and easy filter replacement process

It's not hard, but there are several steps involved in disassembling the IQAir Atem X, including prying the cover off, unlocking the locking levers, rotating the air purifier to remove the three filters, and pressing down to remove the impactors. Compare this to some air purifiers that only require pulling the magnetic cover forward, and then pulling out only one filter pack.

You're on a budget

You're getting into an arm-and-a-leg territory (possibly a kidney) to purchase the IQAir Atem X Air Purifier. There are certainly less expensive options on the market to choose from, and if you're only cleaning a small space, it's overkill.

You want to use voice assistants

Although there's an app, which is quite easy to use, if you want to be totally hands-free, you may prefer an air purifier that is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant.

How I tested the IQAir Atem X

I used the IQ Air Atem X in my condo-style apartment (open living room/kitchen, 2 bedrooms, built in 2016, HVAC) for a year and a half. During this time, I used it primarily in the living room/kitchen area, to clear cooking smells and second-hand smoke from my neighbor. I don't need that much power in my bedrooms – and I don't want to push it from room to room.

For this review, I noted how it responds to various pollutants and how quickly it removes them. Since I work from home and sit at my desk at least 8 hours a day – usually more – and my desk is close to the kitchen, I've had plenty of opportunities to test it with various cooking odors, especially when I'm writing and not paying attention to what I'm cooking. As a consumer tech journalist, I've reviewed over 50 different air purifiers, and I drew upon my experience to get a feel for how the IQAir Atem X compares to the wider market and if it is a good value for the money.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed October 2025

Acer Aspire Go 15: Two-minute review

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is an affordable Windows laptop with a spec that should prove capable enough for everyday use.

Considering its 15.6-inch form, it has a sleek and slender body. It’s also quite thin and light, which makes it easier to carry around than expected. The light silver finish and minimal aesthetic also imbue the Aspire Go 15 with some style, although there are a few unsightly angles that mar its appearance somewhat.

It isn’t built to the same high standards as the best laptops, much less many of the best Ultrabooks, either. The materials aren’t premium, and its construction isn’t as reassuringly solid as I would’ve liked. The lid isn’t the most stable, either, and its downward protrusion means it lifts up the rear of the unit when opened beyond 90 degrees, which is a design choice I’m not particularly fond of due to its impractical nature.

On a more positive note, there’s a decent selection of ports, including three for USB-A, one for HDMI cables, and one for Ethernet connections. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader.

(Image credit: Future)

The everyday performance of the Aspire Go 15 is very good, handling light productivity and entertainment workloads with speed. However, more intensive tasks such as gaming fare worse, given that it lacks a dedicated GPU. Light gaming is still possible, though, and both fan noise and temperatures are kept to a minimum.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Aspire Go 15 is its display. Its grainy finish can be distracting, while colors can look a little washed out in some cases. Worse still is the restrictive viewing angle, with images and scenes becoming totally obscured when the display is set even slightly beyond optimal bounds.

The battery life of the Aspire Go 15 is quite good, though, lasting close to 12 hours during our movie playback test. However, there are quite a few rivals that can outlast it, such as the Dell 14 Plus.

Considering its price, the Aspire Go 15 represents a very good value, offering a more affordable alternative to the best Windows laptops that cost a good bit more. There are also better-performing Chromebooks for less money, such as the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which also has a better display, but if you can live with its display, the Aspire Go 15 is one of the best budget laptops going and well worth adding to your shortlist.

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Price & Availability

• Starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450)
• Base models have weak specs
• Review model is still well-priced, though

The Aspire Go 15 starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450) and is available now. A range of Intel and AMD CPUs are available to choose from, while RAM and storage capacities range from 8GB to 32GB and 128GB to 1TB, respectively.

This is a good starting price for a Windows laptop, but for this outlay, you’ll have to settle for a weak spec. My review model was considerably more powerful than the base model, and priced closer to some strong rivals.

However, it still undercuts other affordable Windows machines, such as the Dell 14 Plus. We found this laptop to be an excellent value, though, thanks to its fast performance and enduring battery life, while its light design even makes it a worthy alternative to some of the best MacBooks.

If you’re willing to look beyond Windows machines, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is another enticing proposition. This is cheaper than the Aspire Go 15, but has a stronger performance and a superior display that doesn’t suffer from the same issues. No wonder we think it’s one of the best Chromebooks around right now.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: SpecsAcer Aspire Go 15 Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Maximum configuration (US) | (UK)

Price

$299.99 / £299.99

$549.99 / £649

$819.99 / £899.99

CPU

Intel N100 (4 cores, 3.4GHz)

AMD Ryzen 7 5825U (8 cores, 2.0GHz)

Intel Core i7-13620H | Intel Core 7 150U

GPU

Intel UHD Graphics (integrated)

AMD Radeon (integrated)

Intel UHD Graphics (integrated) | Intel Graphics (integrated)

RAM

4GB LPDDR5

16GB DDR4

16GB DDR5 | 32GB DDR4

Storage

128GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

1TB PCIe 3.0 SSD | 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

Display

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080), 16:9, 60Hz

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080), 16:9, 60Hz

15.6-inch (1920 x 1080), 16:9, 60Hz

Ports and Connectivity

2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1

3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1

3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1

Battery

53Wh

53Whr

53Whr | 53Whr

Dimensions

14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)

14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)

14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)

Weight

3.92lbs / 1.78kg

3.92lbs / 1.78kg

3.92lbs / 1.78kg

A wide selection of spec configurations are available, with both Intel and AMD processors. There is a mix of PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 SSDs depending on the spec, so some drives will run slower than others, and that's not always immediately apparent when looking at retailer specs sheets.

It also doesn't include the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standard, but Wi-Fi 6 is fast enough for most people's needs, while the inclusion of an Ethernet port is welcome.

Overall, for their various price points, these are about the specs one should expect.

• Specs: 3.5 / 5

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Reasonably light and thin
• Lacking solidity
• Odd lid design

The Aspire Go 15 is a basic but smart looking laptop, with extraneous details kept to a minimum. The light silver finish of my review unit helped to impart some elegance, too, although a few unsightly juts and angles spoil its otherwise smooth contours. While the Aspire Go 15 is quite wide, it’s relatively light and pleasingly thin, which makes it easier to carry around than you might imagine for a 15.6-inch laptop.

Build quality isn’t exactly the greatest, though, with cheap looking – and feeling – plastics that flex to an inauspicious degree. Thankfully, the keys feel more premium: they’re solidly fitted and have a prominent texture that’s satisfying to touch.

(Image credit: Future)

The lid is also better made than the rest of the unit, featuring a solid yet smooth hinge mechanism. I welcomed how thin it was, too, although I was less keen on its bottom protrusion. This causes the rear of the Aspire Go 15 to lift off ground when opened to angles beyond 90 degrees – a deliberate design choice but one that feels unintuitive and can result in loose fabrics and other materials underneath the chassis getting caught, which isn’t ideal.

There was a reasonable selection of ports on my Aspire Go 15 review unit. I welcomed the three USB-A ports, spread across both sides for added convenience. There was also an HDMI port and an ethernet port: increasingly rare sights on modern laptops, and again ones I was glad to see. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader, both of which are mild shames.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Great general computing performance
• Some light gaming is possible
• Relatively cool and quiet

Acer Aspire Go 15 benchmarks:

3DMark Fire Strike: 3,646; Steel Nomad: 205; Wild Life Extreme: 2,229; Wild Life Extreme Unlimited: 2,200;
GeekBench 6.5 Single-core: 2,000; Multi-core: 6,605
CrossMark Overall: 1,109; Productivity: 1,149; Creativity: 1,125; Responsiveness: 954;
HandBrake - 4K to 1080p average FPS: 43.24

For everyday tasks, the Aspire Go 15 is very capable. It can handle light productivity, from word processing to spreadsheet creation, without much if any slowdowns. It also had no problem streaming 4K content. I didn’t experience any midway buffering pauses or stuttering, for example.

However, the viewing experience is marred by the quality of the display. It has a noticeably grainy finish, which can be distracting at times. Colors can also look washed out.

What’s more, the display darkens considerably if the angle isn’t set just right, to the point of near-total blackness sometimes. Thankfully, once you’ve found the optimum position, there are next to no reflections visible on screen.

Since there’s no dedicated GPU installed in the Aspire Go 15, it isn’t particularly great for creative and gaming workloads. Cyberpunk 2077 is playable on the lowest preset, but naturally, you’ll have to make do with some rough visuals and uninspiring frame rates.

(Image credit: Future)

The game is even passable on Medium settings and upscaling, but you’ll have to contend with even lower frame rates and more input lag, rendering the experience less than enjoyable.

Mercifully, though, I experienced little fan noise from the Aspire Go 15 during such intensive workloads, never elevating above a faint whir. It also stayed commendably cool, with certain portions of the body reaching lukewarm temperatures only.

Another highlight of the Aspire Go 15 is its keyboard. The aforementioned keycap texture helps them feel more tactile, as does the surprising amount of dampening of the switches, despite their short travel and very low profile.

What’s more, they’re snappy and responsive, which only improves their typing prowess. And despite featuring a number pad, the layout doesn’t feel cramped. Those number pad keys are relatively small, though, but they’re still eminently usable. So overall, if you’re looking for one of the best laptops for writing, the Aspire Go 15 could well be a contender for you.

The touchpad is less pleasant to use, though. While it’s smooth enough for easy gestures and swiping, it’s not as large as those in other 15-inch laptops, which compromises its navigation abilities. Also, clicks and taps lack feedback and even rattle at points, which further hampers their functionality.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Battery Life

(Image credit: Future)

• Reasonable longevity
• Rivals can far outlast it, though

The battery life of the is quite impressive. It managed to last close to 12 hours when playing a movie on a continuous loop. It’s also quick to charge, taking about two hours to fully top up.

The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch achieved a similar score. However, others in this sector can outlast it by quite some distance, including the Dell 14 Plus, which lasted over 13 hours when we ran a similar test.

• Battery Life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Aspire Go 15?Acer Aspire Go 15 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Aspire Go 15 ranges in price from incredibly cheap to reasonably-priced for a Windows machine exhibiting this kind of performance.

4.5 / 5

Specs

While the Aspire Go 15 isn't loaded with the very latest specs, for the price, they're pretty decent.

3.5 / 5

Design

It’s surprisingly thin and light for such a large laptop, but the construction isn’t exactly the most premium.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The Aspire Go 15 is great for everyday tasks and brilliant for typing on, but the poor display and lack of graphical power are drawbacks.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Battery life is quite good, but others can outlast it by a long way, too.

3.5 / 5

Total

The Aspire Go 15 is a very competent laptop for the price. But there are better all-rounders in the Chromebook market, if you really don’t need Windows.

3.8 / 5

Buy the Acer Aspire Go 15 if...

You want basic tasks done fast
Light productivity and 4K streaming are both dispatched with surprising ease.

You’ll be doing a lot of typing
The keyboard is a dream to use: it’s super responsive and provides plenty of feedback. The full-size layout doesn’t feel cramped, either.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best display
The grainy finish, lack of brightness, washed-out tones, and exacting viewing angles all add up to a less-than-stellar visual experience.

You'll be conducting intensive workloads
Since it lacks a dedicated GPU, the Aspire Go 15 isn’t the machine for creative pros or heavy gamers.

Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Also Consider

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
Although it’s more expensive, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus still sits in the affordable Windows laptop bracket. It boasts a Snapdragon X Plus chip (so beware, this is an ARM machine), which can handle everyday tasks with aplomb. The display isn’t as big as the Go’s, but it’s significantly sharper and less fussy, not to mention it features touchscreen functionality.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review.

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch
Stepping outside of the Windows ecosystem, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is one of the best Chromebooks around, thanks to its excellent performance and display. What’s more, it’s cheaper than my Aspire Go 15 review unit. It’s also one of the best student Chromebooks.

Read our full HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review.

How I tested the Acer Aspire Go 15

• Tested for several days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Plentiful laptop reviewing experience

I tested the Acer Aspire Go 15 for several days, using it for working, entertainment, gaming, and general browsing.

I also connected various peripherals to it, and ran our series of benchmark tests to assess its overall performance. I also tested its battery life by playing a movie on a continuous loop until it expired.

I have plenty of experience testing all kinds of laptops, from everyday workhorses to high-end specialist machines. I’ve also reviewed Chromebooks and other computing devices, such as tablets.

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

No one likes to be watched, even if the watcher has no real face, eyes, hands, or body. If there's an image of a floating face that seems to be watching your every move, it's gonna get old fast – and Napster View (forget about music) and its new AI platform straddle the line between real utility and overwhelming creepiness, helping me finally answer the question of just how much AI is actually too much.

The Napster View and AI idea is novel and potentially useful: a team of virtual assistants, each with their own area of expertise, at your beck and call to solve real-time problems. They will, if you let them, look at what your desktop screen, or even, via your computer's webcam, your real world.

The secret sauce for the platform is the $99 Napster View hardware (it's currently only available in the US), which puts any one of a half-dozen experts (and their avatars) in a circular 'holographic' screen right above your desktop.

The hardware is lovely if a bit over-built. A roughly two-inch in diameter but quite thin screen is connected to a pair of folding metal blocks that balance the display on top of your MacBook display by sort of cantilevering it against the back (rubber keeps the metal from scratching your laptop). There's a USB port on the back of the top block, which receives the included USB cable. You then plug that into one of your MacBook's available USB ports.

It works with any of the best MacBooks running an M1 chip or newer, and it's your Apple silicon-based MacBook that drives the graphics; however, you can also just run the interface on your desktop. The whole reason for the $99 hardware is to get that floating interface out of the way.

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Setup is fairly straightforward. You have access to your 'team', which includes your Chief of Staff Kai Mercer, a financial advisor, Kevin Jones, and the wellness guide, Elena Garcia.

While these are just a collection of slightly topic-tailored LLMs, each one also features an attractive avatar who stares out at you, waiting for your first request. Eleven Labs made them so they move just enough to seem lifelike. But when they talk, it's mostly just their mouths that move in sync to voices that, ultimately, do not always seem to fit the face.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

When I first installed the screen, I couldn't get the floating window off my desktop and onto the custom hardware. Turns out I had to give the Napster for Mac app some permissions, and then the avatar, in this case Kai's, appeared on the circular screen. The 3D effect is pretty decent, and appears to use some lenticular technology to separate the avatar from the background.

Kai, like my other avatar team members, blinks and watches me. But none of the avatars listen until I hit the mic button. After that, the interface adds options for turning on my webcam so the AI can analyze what I show it, a screen-share option, and a message center.

It took a couple of tries to get the Napster View avatar to see my screen, but eventually I figured out I had to choose the option to share the entire screen.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

I switched to the financial advisor, 'Richard Warnok', and asked it to analyze some fake small-business financials I had Gemini cook up. 'Warnok' did a good job of assessing that I was overspending and needed to make some changes, but when I said I wanted to lay off staff, he couldn't help me write the email. In fact, none of the avatars would help in that regard.

I then added a one-time $250K expense for a pet tiger. Warnok spotted it, and we eventually agreed it was a bad choice. It could not help me cook up ideas to monetize it.

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In my conversations with the AIs, which use a variety of models (including some from OpenAI and Google Gemini) depending on the task, it became apparent that they had no sense that I was engaging with them through a visual avatar. All told me they had no hair, no face, no arms. Even the one who had pink hair, my coding guide, insisted she had none.

I did enter a lengthy coding session with her in which she spit out what looked like usable JavaScript code, but she was not much use in helping me test it.

I didn't like that even when using the hardware screen, the software interface took up some screen real estate and blocked part of my MacBook screen.

What I liked even less was the avatars staring at me. Also, if I left the mic on, they listened to everything. That could be maddening.

Creating your own avatar

Perhaps the most fascinating part of Napster AI is the platform's ability to build a digital twin. That's right, an AI version of you that can interact with colleagues, friends, maybe fans, when you're not available.

There's quite a process here that starts with uploading a decent photo of yourself. The system will use it to build a rendered avatar, which is a nicer-looking version of you. You can even dress it up. I chose a nice blazer.

Napter AI asks for your LinkedIn profile, which is used to build a baseline career history. The most fascinating party, though, is the AI interview.

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One of Eleven Labs avatars (backed by Napster AI) interviews you for about three minutes about your career, highlights, your thoughts and feelings on your chosen industry, and how you want to interact with people. It's kind of a fun process, and even though it was just an AI, I felt sort of seen.

With that done, the last step is for you to read a paragraph of permission text that helps gather your voice print and ensure that you gave Napster AI permission to create your digital twin. I was pleased to see that Napster AI retains no right to my likeness or voice.

Unfortunately, my first attempt failed for unknown reasons, and I had to do the entire process again.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

My second attempt succeeded, though I think the AI questions were somewhat less insightful. It's almost like they rushed through the interview.

In any case, my Digital Twin is live and is living somewhat creepily in the Napster View. We engaged in a conversation that was, well, weird. My voice sounds almost but not quite like me. The animation of the mouth and face is not fantastic, but it sort of works.

As with the other avatars, mine appears to be floating on the screen, and like one of those images of Jesus some people hang on their walls, the eyes appear to be following me.

You can publish your digital twin and share the link on LinkedIn and other social platforms. Those who want to chat with it, though, do need to sign into Napster AI and agree to certain conditions.

Final thoughts

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Napster View is a fascinating, if not necessarily useful, combination of hardware and AI software. Your affinity for it will largely depend on how comfortable you are with engaging with digital life forms who have ones and zeroes coursing through their virtual veins.

The hardware is well designed, and the holographic screen is effective. But I'm not comfortable with a face (even my own) staring at me all day. Plus, there's the need to verbally converse. Yes, you can wear earbuds, but you'll still be talking out loud to your computer. Your officemates or home office companions may not appreciate all the chatter.

The digital twin is impressive, and while it's not something I think I'll actively use, I am aware that this is the start of a trend. More and more people, especially those in business, will be employing digital twins to handle low-level tasks and, especially, communications.

Businesspeople using this is also a function of the price. It'll cost you as much as $49 a month to use Napster AI's digital team services (and run that digital twin). Consumers won't likely sign up for that, but small companies that want to think big and maybe be even more productive with the help of AI might be interested.

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Two-minute review

The Lomography Lomourette is a compact half-frame camera built for the fun of film photography. Lightweight, inexpensive and simple, it strips the analog shooting experience down to its creative essentials. With a fixed f/8 plastic lens, manual focus dial and two-position shutter speed lever, it’s all about finding the joy and beauty in imperfection.

In the hand, it feels every bit a toy camera. The build borders on cheap and there’s little in the way of refinement, with no aperture control or metering. What you’re getting here is a cheerful camera that embraces experimentation. The film advance wheel, for example, is independent of the shutter release, which allows for intentional or accidental double exposures.

Then you’ve got the half-frame format itself. Doubling the image count from 36 to 72, it allows you to squeeze twice the entertainment from a single roll of 35mm film, by shooting two vertical stills that sit side-by-side in the same area as a standard photo.

In use, the Lomourette can be both delightful and unpredictable. When you nail the exposure and focus distance for a given scene, it produces pleasantly grainy stills with realistic colors and surprisingly good contrast. Shot on Kodak Ultramax 400, images benefited from natural skin tones and the genuine haze of analog nostalgia, rather than a stylized recreation. The 24mm lens isn’t the sharpest, but it’s still capable of rendering impressively crisp detail and edges.

But shooting with the Lomourette also requires patience and a sense of humor. Loading film is fiddly, the focus adjustment dial is crude and the viewfinder doesn’t exactly match what the lens sees. Framing errors, light leaks and accidental overlaps are all part of the creative ride. You’re guaranteed to lose exposures along the way, usually due to under- or over-exposure. The pay-off is that the good ones capture memories with a rich, attractive look, while the happy accidents have a distinct charm of their own.

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That’s not to say there aren’t frustrations. The detachable Diana+ flash is inconsistent, sometimes refusing to fire even when the ready light glows. Exposure control is entirely manual, so you’ll need to choose film that suits your shooting conditions: ISO 200 or 400 is best for bright daylight, while the Bulb mode can be used for long exposures if you’ve got a steady hand.

Ultimately, the Lomourette isn’t for perfectionists. It’s aimed at those who value spontaneity over total control. This is a budget plaything for film newcomers, experimental shooters and anyone who wants to rediscover the joy of photography without the pressure of technical mastery. It’s a low-stakes way to play with film and embrace the magic of analog unpredictability.

If you’re after a dependable film camera that delivers consistently sharp, perfectly exposed images, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you like the idea of a pocketable, characterful camera that makes every frame a small surprise, the Lomography Lomourette is a refreshingly care-free reminder of what makes film photography fun.

Lomography Lourette: price and availability

The Lomography Lourette costs $69 / £65 and is available now, in multiple colorways, through the Lomography website and other retailers. The Diana+ flash is bundled with the camera, as are colored gel filters.

Lomography Lomourette: specs

Lens:

24mm plastic lens

Focus:

0.6m, 1–2m, 2–4m, ∞ (infinity)

Lens Aperture:

f/8

Shutter Speed:

1/60sec, Bulb (B)

Film Format:

half-frame (using 35mm film)

Flash:

Yes, with Diana F+ attachment

Power source:

1x AA battery

Weight:

3.9oz / 110g

Lomography Lomourette: design

Compact, bright and light, the Lomography Lomourette feels more like a toy than a serious photography tool. That’s entirely the point: this is a playful analog camera that comes in on a tight budget. Like the original Diana camera of the Sixties, the Lomourette’s body and lens are made of plastic, with no frills to sweeten the deal.

There’s some rounded detailing up top and a textured effect on the main body, but little about the Lomourette feels premium. It weighs next to nothing and there’s a sense of bargain basement about the assembly. That said, it also somehow feels robust enough to survive at the bottom of a family backpack. And if it doesn’t, the low cost means you’re unlikely to lose sleep over it.

Controls here are kept deliberately simple. There’s a shutter speed lever to toggle between normal (1/60sec) and bulb for long exposures, alongside a shutter release lever to the photographer’s right. On the front of the lens is a rotating dial which can switch focus between four subject distances: 0.6m, 1-2m, 2-4m and infinity. What you don’t get is any control over the aperture. Unlike other Lomography cameras, the lens here is fixed at f/8.

On the top plate, you’ll find a mount for the Diana+ flash attachment, as well as a film advance wheel. The latter operates independently from the shutter. That means you can fire off multiple exposures on the same frame, intentionally or otherwise. It’s a creative feature, but also one of several quirks that can trip up beginners. If you don’t want fully or partially overlayed exposures, you’ll need to make sure you’ve fully wound on between shots.

The flash itself is a detachable unit powered by a single AA battery, its two prongs slotting neatly into their dedicated holes. In keeping with the camera’s pared-back personality, the flash doesn’t feature any kind of exposure or intensity control. It’s either on or off, although you do at least get a ready indicator and the option to test-fire first.

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Everything is easy enough to find your way around with your fingers, even if the amount of play in the controls is testament to the cost cap. Bigger digits may also find it difficult to rotate the focus distance dial: rather than gripping the outer edge of the lens, you need to get your tips into the inner section and twist, which is easier said than done.

Loading film can also be tricky. Due to the small size of the teeth on the take-up spool, getting the film leader to catch can take a few tries. Likewise, the rewind lever needs to be perfectly aligned with the canister before the back panel and main body can be latched back together using the door switch. It all becomes a bit easier once you’re familiar with the process, but it’s a reminder that loving the Lomourette requires a little patience.

As you’d expect from a budget film camera, the viewfinder isn’t linked to the lens. This makes it easy to accidentally shoot with the lens cap still on. Even when it’s off, the viewfinder only gives a modest window for your eye to work with, and what it shows doesn’t perfectly reflect what’s being framed by the lens.

These are just some of the facets which increase the margin for error when using the Lomourette. They arguably add to its character: you can’t use it expecting the precision of a digital camera or the sophistication of a more advanced film compact. Instead, the Lomourette rewards a relaxed approach, where missed exposures and happy accidents are part of the creative process.

The half-frame format is a perfect fit for this fun-first ethos. It doubles your exposures from 36 to 72 on a standard roll of 35mm film, splitting each frame into two portrait shots. That makes it great for storytelling in pairs or simply getting more value from your film. It also makes the resulting images half the size, which helps to hide any shortcomings in the optical quality.

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Like many of Lomography’s cameras, the Lomourette is more about feel than fidelity. Yet despite its plastic lens, many of the stills it produces are real keepers. While its image quality was never going to rival that of a more serious film camera, I was pleasantly surprised by how much contrast and clarity it captured.

Shoot in bright daylight and you’ll find that the Lomourette often delivers an attractive balance of realism tinged with nostalgia. Shadows and highlights are rendered with more depth than expected, while colors come through with a surprisingly natural hue, particularly skin tones.

Shooting on Kodak Ultramax 400, I found that stills have the quality of real memories from the mind’s eye: not too tinted, just an honest – if slightly warm and fuzzy – record of the scene. It stops short of the rose-tinted romanticism you encounter with some of the best instant cameras, leaning instead into the honest, grainy character of film.

The Lomourette’s 24mm lens doesn’t resolve a huge amount of detail, but it’s not as soft as you might expect. Nail the focus distance and you can get clean, defined edges. I shot stills sharp enough that text on clothing or the rim of a coffee cup stood out clearly, even through the haze of film grain. Zoom in and there’s enough detail to crop a single half-frame for sharing or use as a phone wallpaper.

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That said, consistency isn’t the Lomourette’s strong suit. Exposure can vary wildly between frames, especially when lighting conditions change. Some shots are washed out, others underexposed. That’s just part of the deal. Without a light meter, it’s down to you to read the scene and shoot according to your film and the available light. ISO 200 or 400 is a good starting point. The ‘normal’ shutter speed of 1/60sec is just about fast enough for handheld shooting in daylight. Indoors, you’ll either need to use the flash or shoot a long exposure with the bulb mode.

My hit rate was probably 60%, with the rest affected by errors. Many of these were simply too dark or blown-out to be usable. But other shots with technical issues proved to be unexpectedly artistic. For example, overlapping frames produced layered compositions that felt intentional even when they weren’t, with shadows and light streaks crossing the border between stills.

Focus adjustment is fiddly but functional. The four-step dial is imprecise and tricky to twist, but it works well enough. Even when the focus isn’t perfect, gentle blurring adds to the lo-fi aesthetic. Soft fuzz provides a patina that complements the richness of the results, with slight barrel distortion adding further character. This is a camera that celebrates imperfection.

The only real frustration was the flash. When it fired, the detachable Diana+ flashgun produced a burst of light that gave life to low-light stills, particularly close-up indoor portraits. But despite testing its functionality and ensuring the ready indicator light was lit, there were several occasions where it simply didn’t fire, resulting in wasted exposures.

For such a simple camera, the Lomourette gets you thinking about film speed and shooting conditions. It would be easy to feel frustrated by the shots lost to errors. Yet playing with it isn’t meant to be about technical perfection. If you’re willing to surrender to the process and celebrate the attractive analog shots it does yield, the Lomourette is a lot of fun to shoot with.

Should I buy the Lomography Lomourette?

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Buy it if...

You want grainy retro stills
Results from the Lomourette are packed with analog charm. Lovely rich colors, hazy focus and lashings of grain give images the attractive vintage quality many associate with film nostalgia.

You want to maximise every roll
The half-frame setup lets you squeeze 72 stills from a standard roll of 35mm film, while the option of multiple exposures means you can stack even more on top.

You want a cheap film camera
With a basic interface and bargain build, the Lomourette is an affordable film camera that’s ideal for everyday use. Stick it in a backpack and you shouldn’t be too worried about what happens to it.

Don't buy it if...

You want a premium film camera
The Lomourette comes cheap and that’s reflected in the build quality. The lightweight camera body feels plasticky in the hand, as does the shutter release lever and film advance wheel.

You need foolproof performance
Its controls are relatively simple, but it’s still quite easy to shoot with the Lomourette in the wrong shutter setting or accidentally overlay exposures. Loading film can be fiddly, too.

You want the best image quality
Distortion, grain and soft focus are all part of the appeal here. If you want to try analog photography that consistently yields pin-sharp results, the Lomourette isn’t the answer.

How I tested the Lomography Lomourette

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

• Tested over two months
• Shot 1.5 rolls of film
• Used in different lighting

I used the Lomography Lomourette for two months to get a proper feel for its quirks and creative potential. During that time, I shot a full roll of ISO 400 and a partial roll of ISO 200 film. To mirror how most people are likely to use the Lomourette, I tried it both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of lighting and weather conditions.

I threw the Lomourette in a backpack for several family outings, to see how its build stacks up in everyday use. I also handed it to a six-year-old for a true test of how intuitive it is for anyone to pick up and shoot with.

I made sure to work my way through every one of the camera’s controls and settings. That meant loading it up with film and winding it on, then doing the reverse when the roll was finished. It also meant experimenting with the Diana+ flash attachment, using the camera’s bulb setting for long exposures and exploring its four-step focus to see how accurately the distance measurement affected subject sharpness in the resulting exposure.

After having the negatives developed and scanned, I reviewed every frame to evaluate color accuracy, exposure consistency and overall image quality. This approach – both analytical and holistic – gave me a genuine picture of how the Lomourette performs in the real world.

First reviewed October 2025

Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review

The Dyson V11 launched in 2019 and sits around the middle of the brand's stick vacuum lineup. It's not the most hi-tech model in the range, but when it comes to cleaning powers it's one of the best cordless vacuums I've tested.

One of my favorite features is the LCD screen, which provides a ton of useful information. It'll tell you which mode you're using and exactly how much cleaning time you have left in that mode, and it'll flag up issues like blockages and show you how to fix them.

The design looks and feels premium, but is rather top-heavy, which makes it a little awkward to use in handheld mode in particular. From a usability perspective, it would benefit from a lock for continual running, so you don't need to keep the trigger pressed at all times. It's also lacking an air intake slider on the main floorhead, which could be opened up to make the vacuum easier to push on deep-pile carpet.

Where the V11 shines is in its cleaning powers. In my group test of various cordless vacuums, it was one of the most effective at cleaning on carpet, and handled pet hair incredibly well, too. Despite being top-heavy, it maneuvers very well, and the battery life is excellent.

Price-wise, the Dyson V11 sits the in premium bracket. For some people, it'll be worth investing a bit more to unlock the special features that come with Dyson's best vacuums – I missed having automatic suction adjustment based on floor type, and a soft floorhead with a dirt-illuminating laser for hard flooring.

However, it's still an excellent vacuum when it comes to cleaning powers and battery life, and an especially strong recommendation if you spot it on sale. Read on for my full Dyson V11 review, including the results of my in-depth tests.

(Image credit: Future)Dyson V11 review: price & availability

• List price: from $629.99 / £429.99 / AU$1,199
• Availability: worldwide, including US, UK and Australia
• Launched: March 2019

The Dyson V11 launched in March 2019 and remains a key model in the brand's lineup. It's available widely around the world, including in the US, UK and Australia. At time of writing the list prices were from $629.99 in the US, £429.99 in the UK, and AU$1,199 in Australia. That puts it in the premium price bracket for vacuums.

There are various bundle options for the V11, with different tools included. There are also two different iterations of the main machine – one with 200AW of power, and another with 185AW of power. The more powerful option is usually called the V11 Advanced, but I have seen lots of inconsistency with Dyson vacuum names, so do check before you buy.

In the wider lineup of flagship Dyson vacuums, the V11 sits above the Dyson V8 (see how the two compare in my Dyson V11 vs V8 article). There's a bit of a step down in price between the two – the V8 is around $589.99 / £329.99 / AU$999, but is regularly heavily discounted.

The V11 sits below the V15 Detect, which has a list price of around $849.99 / £649.99 / AU$1,449. See how the two match up in my Dyson V11 vs V15 Detect comparison.

Is it good value for money? Kind of. It looks and feels premium, features like the LCD screen are very useful, and the cleaning is generally excellent. However, I'd expect an Auto mode for this kind of money. Dyson promo codes are rare, but Dyson deals do crop up semi-regularly, and especially around major sales events like Black Friday.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson V11 specs

Weight (no attachments):

4.5lbs / 2.06kg

Weight (with wand and main floorhead):

6.6lbs / 3kg

Bin size:

0.77L / 0.2 gallon

Max runtime:

60 mins

Charge time:

4hrs 30

Size (H x W x L):

49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8 in / 126.2 x 26.7 x 25cm

Filter:

Whole-machine filtration

Max suction:

185AW / 200AW

Modes:

Eco, Med, Boost

Submarine option:

No

Floorheads:

Motorbar

Dyson V11 review: design

• Useful, intuitive screen provides information
• Easily maneuverable but a little top-heavy and not that comfortable to use
• Trigger-operated, with no lock for continual running

The V11 was the first of Dyson's cordless stick vacuums to have its motor, cyclones, dust cup and wand all arranged in a straight line. This in-line configuration is designed to improve suction efficiency compared to the previous setup.

There are three power modes – Eco, Med and Boost – and you cycle between them by pressing a round button. There's a useful screen that spells out which mode you're in, as well as how long you have left on the battery in the current mode and with the current attachment. This screen will also flag any issues and help you fix them – for example, it'll tell you if there's a blockage, and where the blockage is.

Testing alongside vacuums that used various symbols, LEDs and color-coding to convey information made me all the more appreciative of the V11's straightforward setup. It's intuitive to use and easy to understand, with minimal potential for confusion.

(Image credit: Future)

To switch the V11 on and off you use a trigger. In newer models, Dyson has swapped this for a one-press button. The trigger means you don't have to have a free hand to switch the machine on and off, although it can be annoying to have to keep it compressed during longer cleaning sessions – it's frustrating that there's no lock for continual running.

Thanks to the in-line configuration, you'll now need to remove the wand to empty the bin, which is a bit of a hassle. Once removed, you push down the big red lever open the bottom hatch and to shoot out the contents of the bin. This works well, although I did on occasion have to go in with my fingers to pull out clumps of hair or dirt.

(Image credit: Future)

There's one main floorhead – the Motorbar floorhead – which is suitable for use on either hard floor or carpet. The version that came with my test model did not have a slider to adjust how much air can get in, but other V11 models we've tested in the past have included one of these. A slider can be extremely useful on deep-pile carpet, to release some of the pressure and make the vacuum easier to push around.

Newer Dyson stick vacuums (the V15, Gen5detect and V16 Piston Animal) have the ability to sense how dirty your floor is and bump up or low suction as required, but that's not included here. If you want to maximize battery life, you'll need to switch modes manually.

(Note: it looks like a previous version of the V11 did have an Auto mode. Our original V11 review mentioned sensors in the floorhead that measure brush resistance as an indicator of floor type, and the ability to increase suction for carpet and lower it for hard floors. I've also spotted some press photos that show the vacuum with 'Auto' on screen. However, my review model has no such capability, and I can't see any mention of it on the various international Dyson sites.)

(Image credit: Future)

Like pretty much every modern stick vacuum, you can reconfigure the V11 to turn it into a handheld. Exactly which detail tools are included will depend on which bundle you go for, but expect a Mini motorized tool, Combi tool and Crevice tool at a minimum. I found the tools easy to add and remove, and everything felt secure once clipped on.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of comfort, the V11 isn't the best. The main body of the vacuum is rather heavy, and the in-line configuration means this part is rather elongated. So while the overall weight is acceptable, it doesn't feel that balanced and is especially unwieldy in handheld mode. (This issue is worse in newer Dyson vacuums.) There's no padding or shaping on the handle to improve comfort or grip. However, the floorhead maneuvers well and pivots easily, and can lie nice and low to the ground for cleaning under furniture.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson V11 review: performance

• Excellent cleaning on carpet, but would benefit from an air intake slider
• Strong cleaning on hard floor but other models more specialized for this
• Superb at clearing of pet hair

During general use, I was very impressed with the V11's cleaning powers. I missed having an Auto mode, though – these are now fairly common amongst the vacuums I test, and it's reassuring to hear the suction amping up and down as I move around the house. I tended to default to Med mode, which probably means I was wasting battery life when cleaning my hard floors, as these don't really need much suction.

To gain a more objective view of the V11's cleaning performance, I ran a series of standardized cleaning tests. For these, I used a mix of dry rice and lentils to represent chunky debris, and dry, loose tea to represent fine particles. I also used dog hair from a friendly local dog groomer. I tested all the particle types on medium-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet, and a lino floor.

Carpet

The V11 performed extremely well on medium-pile carpet. It cleared every speck of tea in one forward pass in Med mode, earning a perfect score in this test. It handled the chunky rice and lentils almost as well – a few stragglers were left in the fibers, but the vast majority disappeared in one forward pass.

(Image credit: Future)

This vacuum is not quite as well suited to deep-pile carpet, but not because of a lack of suction. The V11 picked up both fine and chunky particles very efficiently on my deep-pile test carpet, but it was just a bit hard to push, and there's no air intake slider to lessen the strain.

Switching to Eco mode did help, and pickup was still very effective in this mode. If you have mostly medium-pile carpet or are happy to manually switch modes as you move onto deeper-pile carpet, the V11 is still a very solid choice. (For other options, head to my guide to the best vacuums for carpet.)

Hard floor

The Dyson V11 performed well in my hard floor suction tests. It cleared most chunky and fine debris with a single pass in Med mode, but did cause debris to pool when the floorhead was pulled backwards over the spillage. This is a common issue with vacuum cleaners, although Shark has come up with a solution that improves things considerably (the Shark PowerDetect Cordless features this pull-back technology).

The V11 is a solid choice for hard floors, but there are other models that are more specialized for this floor type. The best vacuums for hard floor have a separate, soft floorhead that's equipped with a laser to illuminate dirt that might otherwise be missed (examples include the V15 Detect and Dreame R20).

Pet hair

The Dyson V11 is one of the best vacuums for pet hair that I've tested. It cleared all the hair from the medium-pile carpet with a single pass in Med mode, and was very effective on deep-pile carpet too – I had to shift down to Eco mode to make the vacuum easier to push, but it cleared almost everything in one pass, leaving only a few rogue hairs.

(Image credit: Future)

My review sample didn't come with a small motorized tool, which is what you'd usually use on upholstery (there are two options in the Dyson range: the older Mini motorized tool or newer Hair screw tool). I used the Combi tool to remove pet hair from a velvet cushion, and it was incredibly effective, clearing everything in a single pass in Med mode.

The down-side of the Combi tool is that it has a relatively small suction area, so it'd take you a while to cover, for example, a whole sofa. Mini motorized tools are included with some V11 bundles, and available to purchase separately if not. However, note that I ran the same test using Dyson's Mini motorized tool with the Gen5detect, and it was decent but not as effective as the Combi tool.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Dyson V11 review: battery life

• 15 mins in Boost mode, 33 in Med mode, 65 mins in Eco
• 4 hours and 30 mins to recharge
• Battery removable and swappable

Officially, the Dyson V11 will last 60 minutes in Eco mode, but on test I managed 65 minutes. That's an excellent maximum runtime. As ever, more powerful modes will drain the battery much more quickly, but the V11 is much better than most on this front.

I think it's more important one to pay attention to is the runtime in 'medium' mode, because that's the one most people will be using most often. In my test, Med mode lasted 33 minutes of cleaning. As a rule of thumb, anything 30 minutes or longer is good.

In the most powerful Boost mode I managed 15 minutes of cleaning, which is very good. This mode is designed to be used only occasionally, for the toughest dirt. It's not meant for general cleaning.

The battery is removable and swappable, which is good news because this is often the first thing to fail on a cordless vacuum. Recharge is slow at 4 hours and 30 minutes.

You're unlikely to run out of juice unexpectedly because the V11 will spell out on its screen exactly how much cleaning time you have left – and it'll adjust timings depending on which tool you have attached and which mode you're in. (Interestingly, the timer doesn't just count down, but can jump about a bit.) If you press the mode button while the vacuum is plugged in, you can also see how much charge it is, as a percentage.

• Battery life score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy a Dyson V11?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium price partly justified by high-end, user-friendly design and strong cleaning. At this price, I'd expect auto adjustment, though.

3.5 / 5

Design

Very maneuverable but a little top-heavy, and lack of lock for continual running is annoying. LCD screen very useful and intuitive.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Excellent on mid-pile carpet and superb at dealing with pet hair. Good on hard floor and would benefit from an air intake slider for deep-pile carpet.

4 / 5

Battery life

Long runtimes in Eco, Med and Boost, although lacks an Auto mode to maximize battery life.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You have a hairy pet

On test, the V11 proved absolutely excellent at clearing dog hair from carpet. The Combi tool also removed hair from a velvet cushion incredibly efficiently.

You have lots of mid-pile carpet

The V11 performed especially well in my cleaning tests on medium-pile carpet, clearing fine and chunky particles with ease.

You want long runtimes

Sometimes, cordless vacs will have a long runtime in their lowest suction mode, but not it'll drop dramatically for the other modes. The V11 has a generous runtime in all three modes.

Don't buy it if...

You want maximum value for money

While far from the priciest Dyson, I think the V11 is a tad overpriced. The simpler, cheaper V8 delivers better bang-for-buck. Or, arguably if you're spending this much, you'd be better splashing a bit more cash and going for a V15 with its far longer feature list.

You have mostly hard floor

While the V11 performed well in my hard floor tests, there are other models that are more specialized for this. Look for a vacuum that has an extra, soft floorhead, and laser illumination to highlight hidden dirt.

You want something that's comfy in handheld mode

The V11 is a little top-heavy and difficult to wield in handheld mode, plus you'll need to keep the trigger compressed at all times.

Dyson V11 review: alternatives to consider

Model:

V11

V8 Cyclone

Dyson V15 Detect

Weight (stated):

6.6lbs / 3kg

6 lbs / 2.7kg

4.57 lbs / 2.07kg

Bin size:

0.77L / 0.2 gallon

0.54L

0.77L / 0.2 gallon

Max runtime:

60 mins

60 mins (check)

60 mins

Charge time:

4hrs 30

4 hrs (check)

4hrs 30

Size (H x W x L):

49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8 in / 126.2 x 26.7 x 25cm

45.7 x 8.3 x 9.8in / 116 x 21 x 25cm

49.6 x 10.5 x 9.8in / 126 x 26.6 x 25cm

Filter:

Whole-machine filtration

99.99% to 0.3 micron

Whole-machine filtration

Max suction:

185AW (200AW for Absolute)

150AW

240AW

Modes:

Eco, Med, Boost

Low, Med, Max

Eco, Auto, Boost

Submarine option:

No

No

Yes

Floorheads:

Motorbar

Motorbar

Digital Motorbar, Fluffy Optic

Dyson V8 Cyclone

The V8 Cyclone is an updated version of the bestselling V8. It's simpler than the V11, with no info screen and a less premium build. However, on test it still proved excellent at cleaning, and it's much cheaper than the V11.

Read TechRadar's Dyson V8 Cyclone reviewView Deal

Dyson V15 Detect

The model that sits above the V11 is the V15 Detect. It's pricier and heavier, but adds a slew of extra features, including automatic suction adjustment and a separate, soft floorhead with a laser, designed specifically for hard flooring.

Read TechRadar's Dyson V15 Detect reviewView Deal

How I tested the Dyson V11

For two weeks, I used the Dyson V11 as my main vacuum cleaner. I used it regularly, in both handheld and floor mode, in a four-story home with a mixture of carpet, tiled and engineered wood floors. During this period I focused on usability, assessing how intuitive and comfortable it is to use. I also got a general feel for its cleaning performance on different floor types, as well as how effectively it handles hair (my own, armpit-length hair and that of my black Cocker spaniel).

To get a more objective view of this vacuum's cleaning powers, I also ran a series of tests in our testing studio. For these, I used loose dry tea to represent fine particles, and a mixture of dried rice and lentils to represent chunky debris, as well as dog hair from my local groomer. I tested the V11's pickup on medium-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet and lino. I also used the detail tool to clear hair from a velvet cushion.

These tests formed part of a wider group test, where I compared multiple cordless stick vacuums side by side. This group test included the Dyson V8 Cyclone, the Roborock H60 Ultra, the Dreame R20, the Dyson Gen5detect, Dyson V16 Piston Animal, Shark Detect Pro and Shark PowerDetect.

• Re-reviewed: October 2025
• First reviewed: 2019

Silicon Power US75 SSD review

I have the Silicon Power US75 in the labs – a Gen4 NVMe SSD that offers high-end performance for mainstream builds without trying to get too fancy. It slots into the middle of the Silicon Power range and is one of the cheaper 7GB/s-class Gen4 drives available. It’s aimed at creators and gamers who are after fast yet affordable PCIe Gen4 storage.

The 1TB US75 (as tested) is rated for 7,000 MB/s sequential reads and 6,000 MB/s sequential writes – making it a good fit for handling large media files, giving fast game access or other storage-heavy tasks.

(Image credit: Future)

The US75 is a single-sided module and uses the Maxio MAP1602 controller that offers decent efficiency.

While currently hard to find in every capacity (depending on your location), Silicon Power offers it in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB versions. The endurance is 300 TBW for 500GB, 600 TBW for 1TB, 1,200 TBW for 2TB and 2,400 TBW for the 4TB drive. That's pretty normal endurance for this class of drive and if you need higher, look at the Silicon Power Xpower XS70, which tops out at 3,000 TBW for the 4TB model.

The US75 is backed by a 5-year warranty, which is typical for a mid-range drive, but is better than most budget offerings.

(Image credit: Future)

In CrystalDiskMark, the US75 hit 7,356 MB/s sequential reads and 6,233 MB/s writes, and the real world profile (which mimics everyday file work more closely) gave 4,412 MB/s reads and 5,806 MB/s writes.

Using the Blackmagic speed test, I got 5,847 MB/s reads and 5,626 MB/s writes. In Iometer, the drive gave 690k read IOPS and 982k write IOPS – a great result that keeps up with pricier Gen4 drives.

Even in sustained runs, the US75 stayed reasonably cool despite the lack of a heatsink, but adding one is still a good idea for hot gaming builds and must-have for PS5 upgrades. You can get the US75 in a variant with a heatsink (and it's also PS5 compatible), but while readily available in the US, it's harder to find in the UK and rarely seen in Australia.

All in all, the Silicon Power US75 gives excellent Gen4 speeds at a price that few other drives can match.

Silicon Power US75 SSD review: Price & specs

Price (1TB)

$79 / £65 / AU$119

Interface

PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe, M.2 2280

Rated speeds (1TB)

Up to 7,000 MB/s reads, 6,000 MB/s writes

Form factor

Single sided module

Controller

Maxio MAP1602

Endurance by capacity

500GB: 300TBW; 1TB: 600TBW; 2TB: 1.2PBW; 4TB: 2.4PBW

Warranty

5 years

Compatibility

Desktop, laptop or PS5

Dimensions

80mm x 22mm x 3.6mm, 8g

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Silicon Power US75 SSD?Buy it if…

You want a fast yet affordable SSD upgrade
The US75 gives great bang for buck and compares well with similar performance drives.

You want peace of mind
The US75 comes with great endurance numbers and a long 5-year warranty, so you can depend on it for a long time.

Don't buy it if…

You want ultimate performance
The US75 is fast, but performance is capped by the Gen4 interface. For PCIe 5 speeds, consider the Silicon Power US85.

You need very large capacity
The US75 maxes out at 4TB, so if you need more storage, then consider the Silicon Power Xpower XS70, which has models up to 8TB.

Silicon Power US75 SSD review: Also consider

Orico O7000 SSD
It's another high performance but affordable SSD for those after Gen4 speeds without blowing the budget. Read our Orico O7000 SSD review for the full story.

After something different? Take a look at our guide to the best SSDs, or let me know what you would like to see reviewed next in the comments below.

Aqara Camera G100: two-minute review

Security cameras now come in many different varieties, including those meant solely for indoor use and those meant mainly for outdoors. However, what the Aqara G100 offers is, on the face of it, the best of both worlds

Weatherproof with an IP65 rating, it can be used indoors (to keep an eye on pets and children), or outdoors (to see who is at the front door or in the backyard). It’s small too, perfect for placing on a bookshelf or mounting upside down in a porch using the screw and wall plug provided.

However, what really differentiates the Aqara G100 from many of its competitors is its comprehensive smart home compatibility. Whereas many of the best home security cameras are now compatible with Amazon’s Alexa (including the Amazon-owned Ring and Blink, of course), the Aqara G100 is also compatible with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and – crucially for those invested in the Apple ecosystem – Apple HomeKit including Home KitSecureVideo (HSV).

Not only can the camera’s built-in motion sensor and spotlight be used within home automation routines, it’s also possible to stream a live feed from the Aqara G100 on Apple TV. The only technical limitation here is that Apple caps the video resolution at 1080p for some reason, despite the camera being capable of a more impressive 2K resolution (2,304 x 1,296 pixels). It’s even possible to hook up your Apple Photos library to the Aqara camera to recognize faces it captures via the motion sensor.

Nor is smart home compatibility the only trick up the Aqara’s sleeve either. It works perfectly well as a standalone security camera too. Indeed that’s how most buyers will probably use it. Mains powered via a USB-C cable, it usefully boasts a MicroSD card slot for storing up to 512Gb of footage. This means you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to store video in the cloud as you do with many cameras, especially some of the cheaper models (Apple users can also use their iCloud storage via HomeKit Secure Video).

(Image credit: Chris Price)

You don’t even have to pay a monthly subscription fee for basic AI functionality. However, if you want the full shebang, including pet and parcel detection, then you will need to pay for Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription service (see details below).

If you have multiple Aqara cameras, the HomeGuardian Unlimited package also includes an innovative Fire Detection feature based on a flame recognition function. However, this isn’t intended to replace conventional fire-detection systems such as smoke alarms and heat sensors

Finally, the camera offers two-way audio so you can reassure your pets if they seem distressed, or tell your family members when you’ll be home.

(Image credit: Chris Price)Aqara Camera G100: subscription options

HomeGuardian Single Camera: £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) per month, or £39.99 (about $50 / AU$80) per year for a single device. Includes: 90 days of video event history, person, animal, vehicle, package, fire detection.

HomeGuardian Unlimited: £7.99 (about $10 / AU$16) per month, or £79.99 (about $100 / AU$160) per year. Supports unlimited cameras in one home, 90 days of video event history, person, face, animal, vehicle, package, fire detection, Premium AI Event Detection, AI Video Summary, AI Video Search.

Aqara Camera G100: price and availability

• Costs £34.99, $34.99, AU$89
• Available since July 2025
• Sold in the US, UK, and Australia

Generally, security cameras are not expensive to buy. Even the most advanced models offering solar power and mobile phone (4G/5G) connectivity tend to cost less than £200. However, many are priced quite cheaply because you need to pay a monthly fee to store video clips in the cloud.

The Aqara G100 is unusual in that not only is it very cheap, it also comes with a built in MicroSD card slot for video storage. Yes, you will have to buy a MicroSD card, but these only cost around $15 / £10 / AU$20 so you soon make your money back from not having to fork out the cost of a subscription. That said, you can pay a monthly fee for storage if you want (Aqara’s HomeGuardian costs from £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) a month) if you want advanced AI functionality, such as the ability to differentiate between different people and objects.

Given its low price tag, it’s also worth noting just how well equipped the Aqara G100 is for the money. One of my criticisms of Aqara’s recently-launched G410 Video Doorbell is that, despite costing over £100, it didn’t incorporate waterproofing – unbelievably remiss for a product that’s going to sit on the outside of your house all year round.

Yet this G100 camera – which is intended for indoor and outdoor use – does feature decent IP65 water resistance. Not only that, but it also comes with other useful features that make it a very versatile piece of kit. These include compatibility with a number of smart home platforms as well as AI functionality.

• Value score: 5/5

Aqara Camera G100: design

• Versatile indoor/outdoor mounting
• Available in black or white
• Waterproof connectivity

Again, one of my criticisms of the recently reviewed Aqara G410 video doorbell was its design which was extremely big and bulky. In fairness, that’s partly because it is powered by four AA batteries, whereas the G100 only uses mains power. Nevertheless, it’s true to say that its stablemate, the G100, is a much more compact and better-looking piece of kit – similar in looks to a Nest camera, but not quite so sturdy.

Available in black or white (we tested the black), it comes with a simple mount for standing on top of a cupboard or bookshelf. Alternatively, you can do what I did and install it inside a cabinet using the wall plug and screw provided (remembering to change the viewing setting to upside down in the Aqara app). Usefully, the camera can be rotated 360 degrees within the mount to get the perfect angle, while the field of view is a decent 140 degrees.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

While most people will probably choose to use the camera indoors, there is the option for mounting it outdoors providing you have access to mains power (it doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable lithium battery). Unusually, the USB-C cable provided connects to the camera via a waterproof sleeve below the camera. This can easily be swapped over to a much longer USB cable if you're running the cable from an indoor power source.

A waterproof cover is also provided for the MicroSD card slot and reset buttons while at the back of the camera is a small speaker. On the front of the camera is the lens itself plus a surprisingly powerful spotlight, blue power light button and a microphone.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Aqara Camera G100: performance

• 2K image quality
• Good night vision
• Slightly complex menus

When it comes to performance it’s fair to say that the Aqara Camera G100 is solid, rather than spectacular. Certainly, the 2K camera won’t win any awards and the field of view isn’t the widest either. However, for the super-low price tag we didn’t have any major complaints – it simply does the job.

Night vision is actually quite good thanks to dual night vision modes that gives you a choice between color night vision (with the built-in spotlight) or black and white night vision which is the default mode. The camera isn’t overly sensitive either which is a good thing as sometimes they are triggered by the slightest movement.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Less impressive is the two-way audio through the tinny speaker, but again this isn’t unusual and in reality you probably won’t use it that often (unless you want to have a chat with your dog while you are out!). One unusual feature is the voice disguising option which can turn your voice into that of a robot or clown, or otherwise disguise it.

This feature is also provided on Aqara’s recently launched G410 video doorbell where it makes more sense, especially for women who may want to protect their identity from those ringing the doorbell. However, it probably isn’t that useful on a general camera which is probably going to be used mostly indoors.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

One small gripe is around the onscreen menus within the app which take a little bit of getting used to, partly because there are so many different options. For example, as well as being able to see a Live View from the camera, you can view a Video Event history divided into different categories (person, motion etc). You can also program different actions, such as turning on the lights in the house when the motion sensor is triggered or opening and closing the curtains.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

For advanced users, these are all useful perhaps, but if you want a simple plug and play solution, then there are easier cameras to use. That said, it's not difficult to set the camera up in the first place thanks to voice-based instructions, and we didn’t have any issues with broadband connectivity between the camera and router despite the device only working on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi frequency, not 5GHz. It was also straightforward adding the Aqara camera to Apple HomeKit, although as previously noted, picture resolution is restricted to 1080p.

• Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Aqara Camera G100?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Put simply, the Aqara is unbelievably good value for money. Featuring a MicroSD card slot you don’t even have to pay a monthly subscription for storing video clips.

5/5

Design

Available in black or white, the Aqara is a compact circular shaped camera with a versatile mount and waterproofing for installation either indoors or outdoors.

4.5/5

Performance

Offering 2K video quality, the Aqara Camera G100 provides reasonable quality images although sound quality from the built-in speaker isn’t the best.

3.5/5

Overall

An extremely versatile security camera with a very competitive price tag. Can be used indoors or outdoors and with multiple smart home platforms - including Apple Home.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You need a versatile home security solution

Undoubtedly this is one of the most versatile security cameras on the market, suitable for either an indoor or outdoor installation and compatible with multiple smart home platforms.

You have a limited budget

It’s difficult to imagine a security camera offering better value for money, especially when you consider you can store video clips on a MicroSD card rather than having to pay a monthly subscription.

Don't buy it if

You want to install outdoors but don’t have mains power nearby

The Aqara can certainly be used outdoors but will need to be connected to the mains as it doesn’t offer battery power. At the very least, you will probably need to invest in a new USB-C lead for outdoor use.

You want the highest sound and video quality available

Don’t get me wrong, the Aqara’s sound and video quality is OK, but there are much better performing security cameras around if you have a bigger budget.

Aqara Camera G100: also consider

Product

Aqara Camera G100

Blink Outdoor 4

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Battery)

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

Subscription price

From £3.99 a month

From £2.50 a month

From £4.99 a month

None

Viewing angle

140 degrees horizontal

143 degrees horizontal

140 degrees horizontal

360 degree view

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4G/5Hz)

Wi-Fi/4G

Audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Video

2,304 x 1,296 pixels

1080p

1080p Full HD resolution

4K video resolution

Power

Mains

Battery

Battery

Battery, solar

Hardware price

£34.99

£69

£199 (battery model only)

£189 (with solar panel)

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (battery)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera boasts two 3000°K spotlights. You can also buy a mains-powered version as well as a separate solar panel.

Read our full Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review

Eufy 4K S330 security camera

An extremely innovative battery and solar-powered camera, the Eufy 4K S330 can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings - ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K Security Camera review

How I tested the Aqara Camera G100

• I used the camera indoors
• I installed it myself
• The camera was connected to Apple Home

As is clear from the review, the Aqara Camera is a very versatile piece of kit, so I installed it in several places around the home – including the kitchen and my home office. However, it wasn’t installed outside because I didn’t have a suitable mains power connection outdoors.

Using the wall plug and screw provided I mounted the camera inside a cabinet to focus on a small balcony. I also adjusted the mount to focus on the door and other areas of the room to see how sensitive the lens was to movement (it is quite sensitive).

The camera was used over a period of seven days mostly via the Aqara app. However, I also connected it to Apple Home, where I was also able to control the camera’s functionality including switching the spotlight on and off, testing two-way audio and viewing live footage.

First reviewed October 2025

GL.iNet Comet: 30-second review

The GL.iNet Comet (GL-RM1) is a compact, hardware-based KVM-over-IP device. It allows you to remotely control a computer (desktop, server, or headless system) at the BIOS level, even if the OS isn’t running. It’s designed for IT professionals, homelab enthusiasts, and anyone needing reliable remote access without ongoing subscription fees.
With a base price of around $80-90, and discounts for bulk purchases, this isn’t an expensive option for those who need to control computers that aren’t in the same location.

Yes, it is entirely possible to achieve that purely with software, but that assumes you have a mechanism to remotely power the system on, and those options are generally limited in terms of screen resolution and performance.
Acting like a conventional KVM, with cables that connect to USB, HDMI and Ethernet, and powered by USB, the GL.iNet Comet circumvents many of the classic issues with this type of technology by clever design and provisioning.

There are alternative options, like JetKVM, that offer a WiFi connection the Comet doesn’t include, but they are also more expensive.

For another $13, GL.iNet makes a small board that can be fitted to a desktop PC, which will help remotely power up that machine without getting Wake-on-LAN to work reliably or having someone physically power it up. The brand also has another gizmo intended to help power remote laptops: the Fingerbot, which is designed to press the laptop's power button.

One good reason not to buy this device, from our perspective, is that the Comet PoE (GL-RM1PE) exists —a version of this hardware that can be powered by a PoE network connection for even greater flexibility. That costs another $25, but it allows you to use this with systems that don’t power their USB ports when they shut down.

Overall, the GL.iNet Comet is a product that lives up to its promises, and for a small outlay, it could avoid unnecessary journeys or the need for assistance.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GL.iNet Comet: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $90/£90/€90
• When is it out? Available now globally
• Where can you get it? Direct from GL-iNet and online retailers.

GL-iNet keeps the pricing of the Comet remarkably straightforward, costing $89.99 in the USA, £89.90 in the UK and €89.87 in Europe. That seems like a better deal for Americans, for some inexplicable reason, but GL-iNet picks up the bill for international shipping for US, Canadian, European, and Asia Pacific customers.

The two potential accessories are the ATX board for desktop systems, costing $15.90/£12.90/€18,92 and the hilariously named Fingerbot, which is $29.99/£22.90/€30.93, making the UK the best place to source those items.

As an alternative made by GL-iNet themselves, the Comet PoE (GL-RM1PE) is  $109.99/£106.99/€119.99, but his model has proven so popular that it's out of stock in some regions at this time.

Most of these items can be found on Amazon for the same prices, if you prefer that retailer. I'm seeing it on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk right now.

The most popular product with a similar capability is the JetKVM, which sells for the same price in the UK via wisfPi. And the makers of that hardware also have a $19 ATX card and a $35 separate PoE splitter. What they don’t offer is anything like the Fingerbot, yet.

There are some options for cards that combine the functionality of the Comet with the ATX card, but these are exclusively for desktop or server installs. These can be found as cheaply as $60.

But for self-contained solutions, the Comet seems reasonably priced, and the accessories also won’t bust the budget.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 4/5

GL.iNet Comet: Specs

Feature

GL.iNet Comet (GL-RM1)

Type

KVM-over-IP (hardware-based)

Video Support

Up to 4K @ 30fps, audio passthrough

Remote Access

BIOS-level (even if OS/network is down)

Connectivity

Ethernet only (no Wi-Fi)

USB Ports

1 x USB-A 2.0 (no USB 3.0/3.2)

Power Input

USB-C (5V/2A, adapter not included)

Onboard Storage

8GB eMMC

Web Interface

Yes (no client software required)

Security

Hardware isolation, 2FA, Tailscale VPN

Accessories

Optional ATX board, Fingerbot

Subscription Fees

None

Firmware

Updatable

Dimensions

80 x 60 x 17.5mm

Weight

85g

Included Cables

All except the power adapter

Warranty

2 years

GL.iNet Comet: design

• Small and potent
• Lacks a power adapter
• No through-ports

There is a fine irony with this device, in that GL.iNet made it remarkably small at just 8cm long and 60 cm wide, but the number of cable connections makes it seem much larger.

Thankfully, you don’t need to attach every cable, and I was able to get the review Comet operational with just four wires.

Obviously, the box needs power, and it accepts a 2A USB-C input, the sort of power that modern phone chargers output.

One slight curiosity is that the GL-iNet website states that you should only use the PSU provided, even though no PSU is actually included. Despite that confused messaging, I found it worked with a phone charger with no problems. Maybe, if you have a PC that supports the charge-while-off feature on one of its ports, you could power it from the host system.

The obvious weaknesses of this design are that it doesn’t have through-HDMI or through-LAN capability. The lack of a through HDMI solution means that if the host system has only a single HDMI port, it must be unplugged and reconnected to a local monitor to use it locally.

If the host has dual video outputs, then that’s not an issue. But what GL.iNet needs to consider is a USB-C connected version where the video comes over that connection, along with keyboard, mouse and LAN port, making deploying that model even simpler.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Ethernet port is less of an issue, but it does require two network lines to operate both the host system and the Comet. A cheap five-port 1GbE Switch would solve that issue if only a single line is available.

To make this solution work locally, only the Comet's IP address is required. However, those wanting to connect from another network, on the other side of the world, will need to use a Cloud service. Unlike some similar products, there are no ongoing costs for Cloud connections, irrespective of use or the number of Comets you use.

What I didn’t try with my Comet was the ATX card or the Fingerbot, as neither of these was supplied for this review. From what I understand, the ATX card is designed for server or PC installation, where it connects between the power and reset buttons and the motherboard, so you can press those buttons remotely. And, the port on the Comet marked USB 2.0 is designed to connect to the external backplane plate of the ATX card to square that circle.

As we’ll get into in the user experience section, the Achilles heel of any remote KVM technology is finding a reliable way to power a system back up from either a shutdown or hibernation. If you have a system that wakes from USB input (keyboard or mouse) or can be woken via Wake-on-LAN, you should be able to deploy the Comet successfully.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4.5/5

GL.iNet Comet: In use

• Windows and Mac app
• Slow virtual media
• Security options
• Needs a fall-back plan

As I mentioned previously, it is possible to have direct access to the system on the same network by knowing its IP address and having a login to that system. Those wanting to control a system from farther away need to register for a GL.iNet account and use the web portal to select the target device.

I used the Windows application, which lists all the registered Comets and provides more control over the connection once it's established.

When you first connect, the system will be presented as being in its typical screen resolution, and the speaker and microphone will be disabled. But the settings control of the app allows these to be enabled, which might prove to be highly useful for someone trying to fix an issue with the help of someone standing next to the computer.

One mild confusion I had was that by default, there are two mouse cursors, one on the remote system and another on my viewing PC. The remote cursor follows my local one around with a tiny delay, which is odd to see. However, I soon discovered you can disable this by toggling ‘Show Local Cursor’ and have only the local mouse pointer.

Using the settings sidebar, you can set alternative resolutions, orientations, the quality of the graphics, and choose between WebRTC H.264 or Direct H.264. On a local LAN, I didn’t notice any significant difference in high quality. The LAN port on the Comet is 1GbE, but for those connecting from another site over the Internet, the broadband performance could be the limiting factor to the quality and lag levels you might experience.

One of the classic limitations of LAN KVMs is that if you press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, the local computer will react, not the remote system. The app provides a clever way around that by having shortcuts for that and a few other special key sequences, and you can create your own.

You can also cut and paste to the remote system, send a Wake On LAN command and open a BASH terminal to the Comet, which, if you hadn’t guessed, runs Linux. And, you can SSH into it.

For those interested, the source code for this device is available in a GitHub repository, and it's based on PiKVM but with a newly created GUI by GL.iNet.

Where I was less impressed was with the Virtual Media functionality, a mechanism that GL.iNet put in the Comet that allows bootable images to be uploaded and mounted so the host system can boot off that virtual drive.

There are two issues with this, the first of which is how slow it is to upload images to the flash memory on the Comet. And the speed of that memory isn’t the only issue, as it only offers a total capacity of 5.73 GB. That’s barely enough for a Windows 11 distro, if you are prepared to wait long enough to load it on there. What this device needed was a USB 3.0 port to connect an external drive to and then mount it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Security wasn’t an afterthought here, and it impressed me that when you initially set the Comet up, it doesn’t have a silly admin/admin default. You must set a password, and you will need this and that of the remote system to get to its desktop.

For those who are more security-minded, 2FA can be activated, and there is also now the option for Tailscale, a VPN solution built on Wireguard. This should be reasonably secure if you have the proper protocols in place for when those with passwords leave and regular changes are made every few months.

What I really liked about this hardware was that when it links to a host system that’s booting, the keyboard becomes active early enough to get into the BIOS, enabling all manner of changes to be made.

The only snags I ran into were getting the system to reboot after a full shutdown, since the system I picked to use for testing appeared to ignore wake-on-LAN magic packets on occasion.

Without the ATX card, or on a system that couldn’t use that or the Fingerbot, the best solution would probably be to set the BIOS to start on power loss and use a smart socket to toggle the power. And, even if WOL or hibernation work as intended, that might be a good backup plan if you can’t get the system to wake when required.

Overall, with the exception of the Virtual Media aspect, the Comet works exceptionally well, and is certainly fit for purpose.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• In Use: 4/5

GL.iNet Comet: Final verdict

There are only two valid reasons not to buy this excellent solution, and one of those is the PoE version also sold by GL-iNet. The other is the third incarnation of this concept, currently being promoted on Kickstarter —the Comet Pro —which bears an uncanny resemblance to the JetKVM, with its front-facing display. That hardware can be obtained for $129.99 via Kickstarter, suggesting it will cost more when sold through standard retail channels.

Before the Comet launched, the JetKVM held sway over the sub-$100 remote KVM market, but since then, tariffs have increased the device's cost in America and reduced its availability.

For that same market, the Comet is available and competitively priced, and does the job that many IT departments need.

I’d probably recommend the PoE version for those who use PoE, and I’ll be curious to see what extra the Pro model offers once it's available in retail.

Should I buy a GL.iNet Comet?GL-iNet Comet Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

One of the cheaper remote KVMs available

4/5

Design

Small device, but lots of cables, and you need a 5V power adapter

4.5/5

In Use

Works with any system, and you can even enter the BIOS

4/5

Overall

Does what IT people want with a few minor caveats

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You need to remotely control a system
If the system you need to control is on the other side of the building, campus or in another country, the GL.iNet Comet works just as well. It’s OS-agnostic, and it offers options for remotely powering up systems.

You need a secure KVM
With WireGuard support via Tailscale, it's possible to establish secure remote control from one network to another across the internet. But you need a Tailscale account to have that option.

Don't buy it if...

If the host system is also used on a daily basis
Because there is no through port on the HDMI, if the host system only has one video output, it will be necessary to unplug this device for the system to be used locally. Which isn’t ideal.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best business routers

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100: Two-minute review

I really like the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 and have enjoyed my time reviewing them, but feel a little conflicted because their sound quality may actually be one of their least interesting qualities.

That’s not to say that they don’t sound good – in fact, I think anyone shopping for a pair of headphones for under $250 (and are used to cheaper headphones) will have nothing but great things to say about how these sound. They’re fun to listen to, just a little exaggerated in their tuning (a little hyped, if you will) particularly through the low end and not as detailed as I would expect, especially from an audio specialist such as Beyerdynamic.

But if their big brother, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, can hang with the best wireless headphones in terms of audio quality, the Aventho 100’s best attributes have more to do with their design, from the cool old-school Aviator look to the fact that they fold up to a relatively small size for easy portability. They also come with a very healthy battery life that adds to their long-haul flight appeal.

Overall, these are fun headphones that are great for anyone looking for something a little distinctive or a bit more portable, where the last word in audio quality is not the most important factor (again, they sound good, but they don’t do anything particularly special on the audio front at this level either).

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic Aventho 100: Price and release date

• Priced $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00
• Released on July 8, 2025
• Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100‘s price tag of $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00 is firmly in mid-range territory. And that’s appropriate for these headphones. They have a solid feature set, but it’s not the full kitchen sink. And these on-ear headphones are meant a little more for those looking for a unique looking pair of 'lifestyle' headphones than those wanting the ultimate audio performance, which in the Beyerdynamic ecosystem are the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300.

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are available in the US, UK, and Australia. If you’re in the EU, they’ve been available since July of this year whereas those in North America have been able to order them since September.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Specs

Drivers

Not stated

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

More than 60 hours (or more than 40 hours with ANC)

Weight

220g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive; USB-C charging

Waterproofing

N/A

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Features

• No proprietary spatial audio or headtracking
• Supports lossless over Bluetooth
• Adaptive ANC and transparency modes available via app

While the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 doesn’t have the full bag of tricks of more expensive headphones like head tracking or Dolby Atmos, they have enough to satisfy most people. To start, these headphones support lossless audio including aptX Lossless and the aptX Adaptive codec (which automatically balances quality and latency over Bluetooth) as well as the more vanilla AAC and SBC. Multipoint connectivity is on offer as well, which is useful.

Most of the Aventho 100’s adjustable features are accessible via the easy-to-use mobile app. The presses and holds on the action button can be remapped to a small number of different options, though I do wish Beyerdynamic could have facilitated the enabling / disabling of active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes here.

On that note, not only are both ANC and transparency modes available in the companion app, but both have three levels (low, medium, high). Both work reasonably well. I was able to use the ANC while working in a cafe and didn’t hear anything but the music I was listening to. The transparency mode does a good job as well, though as soon as I play music at anything but a low level, I can’t really hear my surroundings.

Overall, I appreciate the inclusion and think these profiles work well, particularly so given that these are on-ear headphones, but they aren’t going to be quite as robust as what you'll find in flagship Bose or Sony headphones – Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), I'm looking at you… 

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Design

• Cool if not quite premium old-school Aviator aesthetic
• Foldable with soft case
• Very long battery life

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100’s design are notable in comparison to other headphones not only because they’re on-ear as opposed to over-ear (as the majority of $200+ headphones tend to be these days), but because they sport an old aviator-style aesthetic that is marked contrast from the competition.

Of course, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 aren’t the only aviator-inspired on-ear headphones out there. The Master and Dynamic MH40 already fit the bill (see the heritage MW50 Wireless too), but are also often double the price. Unlike those M&D headphones, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are half metal and half molded plastic, which keeps them from feeling as premium on my ears as they look in their advertising images. Still, whether you get the black, brown, or cream colorway, they do have quite the vibe.

Filling out the look are the removable ear cups and headband padding. Both have a relatively plush feel and are covered in what I can only assume is some kind of pleather-type material.

On that note, the feel and fit is comfortable. There is plenty of adjustment for different size heads via the ear cup yokes and that padding is soft enough that I’m able to wear the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 for long listening sessions without feeling fatigued. They do sit a little tight on the head initially, but this can be stretched out.

(Image credit: Future)

The controls all sit on the right earcup (left and right are marked on the cloth inside the earcups) and consist of a volume up, action, volume down, and power / bluetooth pairing button. And they responded quickly and accurately, whether I’m adjusting the volume or pressing the action button twice to go to the next track.

One thing I appreciate about the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is that they’ve been designed for easy travel. They not only come with a soft traveling case and USB and Aux cables (the former for charging), but have foldable ear cups so that they take up less space. That makes these much more attractive for those who travel light like myself over something like their big brother, the Aventho 300, or even bigger headphones like the Apple Airpods Max or Sony WH-1000XM6.

Lastly, the battery life on the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is quite impressive. With ANC on, they still last 40 hours, and without, can last 60 without needing a recharge. Plus, if for some reason you get really low, 15 minutes of charging turns into 15 hours of playback. That kind of fast charging is very helpful.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Sound quality

• Lots of bass
• Fun, but not very neutral or accurate sound
• Has low latency for watching media

When using the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100, I listened to all sorts of music for a benchmark. This included rock, hip hop, electronic dance to acoustic and jazz. After my extended time with these headphones, I was struck by the amount of low-end the default audio profile has.

In fact, I had to go into the EQ settings in the app and use the “neutral” setting to get a more balanced sound. Simon & Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair doesn’t sound quite as good as Kendrick Lamar's DNA. It’s no surprise then that this setting cuts the bass quite a bit, along with an extreme high-end cut.

Speaking of that high end, the Aventho 100 have plenty of presence, sometimes even sounding a tiny bit harsh (also helped with that neutral setting). Somehow though, they don’t have quite the resolution that I’ve experienced with other Beyerdynamic headphones.

I appreciate that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 support lossless audio, but these are not audiophile-grade listening headphones. I may sound a bit negative on these headphones, but they actually do sound fun to listen to. They’re just not accurate in the way the Aventho 300 are – and I also tested those.

Since many people also use headphones when watching TV and movies, it’s worth noting that these work well with streaming Netflix or Youtube. Not only do they use Bluetooth 5.4 but have a low latency mode available through the app. I didn’t notice any lag or latency when watching something on my phone or computer.

• Sound quality: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Value

• Not overpriced, but not exceptional value, either
• Significantly cheaper than their big brother
• Competition at this price will have other compromises

Some headphones punch way above their weight compared to their price tag and some come with a hefty price tag that are only really justified by their name or because they’re marketed as "premium".

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 fit into neither of those categories. At $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00, they’re about what I would expect them to cost. As mentioned, they look cool but are partially molded plastic instead of more premium (and costly) materials. Their sound quality is also fairly middle-of-the-road. Of course, they’re a step down in terms of sound quality from the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, but those have an MSRP of $399.99 / £359.00 (about AU$640). That’s almost double, and it's not lost on me – because the Aventho 300 do sound better.

I’ve also mentioned the Master & Dynamic MH40, a pair of headphones that takes similar influence from past headphones but use more premium materials, sound a little better, but also cost around $400.

At a similar price point, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro focus less on style and more on value. They’re also slightly cheaper at $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300), though being an Anker product means it will see regular discounts below that price tag. They support high-res audio but aren’t any more detailed than the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100.

• Value: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100?Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

ANC, transparency mode, and multipoint connectivity are just some of the features on hand, only missing Dolby Atmos support.

4.5/5

Design

The Aventho 100 look cool and fold into a small package, making them fairly portable

4.5/5

Sound quality

The sound quality is good with plenty of bass, but doesn’t sound as detailed as one might hope from this brand.

4/5

Value

They cost about what they should, neither being overpriced or offering a particularly excellent value

4/5

Buy them if…

You want some cool looking on-ear headphones
If you don’t mind the half plastic build, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 look really cool with their throw-back vibes.

You want portability and a long battery life
These headphones last a long time and fold up pretty small making them ideal for on-the-road use.

Don’t buy them if…

You care about audio quality above all else
I feel bad that I keep saying this because they sound good, but you can find other headphones in the same price point with fewer features or stripped down in some other way that sound better.

You want premium
While these look very cool, they still don’t look like the premium headphones that their aesthetic presents them as. This is a small gripe, but worth noting since the Aventho 100 are big on style.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Also consider

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro
The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are just a little cheaper with a comparable audio quality. There’s plenty of bass and a decent (though not great) amount of detail. They also have have an impressive battery life. Of course, aesthetically, they’re a bit on the chunky side.
Read our full Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300
The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 might be almost double the price, but they offer the kind of pristine audio quality that Beyerdynamic is known for. They’re also a little more feature-filled, mainly including Dolby Atmos, not to mention have a similarly long battery life.
Read our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review

How I tested the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100

• Tested the various features over two weeks
• Tested with different music as well as video streaming

I spent a week using the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 as my daily headphones. While using them, I listened to all sorts of genres from electronic and hip hop to rock and acoustic music to compare the frequency range and soundstage. I also tested them with streaming video and used the various settings such as ANC, transparency mode, EQ, and multipoint.

After testing, it seems that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are best suited for those wanting a pair of headphones that look and sound fun.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

• First reviewed in November 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: two-minute review

We photographers often obsess over gear, even if we may try to deny it. Despite this uncomfortable truth, it’s always great when you find something that reduces the amount of kit you need, which is exactly what the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 does.

With Tripod, Desktop, Monopod and Trekking Pole Modes, plus the Smartphone Clip for attaching your phone to the tripod, the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 is one of the best travel tripods available. This level of versatility means you can have one tripod to provide a range of solutions, which can be unbelievably useful when traveling.

It’s a well-built tripod and looks and feels more expensive than it is. The ball head is also excellent quality and offers dual panning controls. The tripod plate is on the long side, extending beyond the edges of the head. This is because the Arca-Swiss compatible plate transforms into a smartphone holder for attaching your smartphone to the tripod.

Knobs and dials are finished in a pleasing red that contrasts with the chrome and black finishes elsewhere and match the leg angle release buttons and center column locking knob on the legs. However, I didn't find the chrome or chrome-look finish at the top of the three legs to be the most visually attractive.

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The four-section legs are made of carbon fiber and feature twist locks. What I really like here is that the thinnest bottom leg sections are still chunkier than the middle sections of many other travel tripods. This makes the legs satisfyingly rigid when fully extended and improves stability as a result. The leg release buttons for changing the leg angle can be fiddly, but aside from this, they’re great.

The main limitation of the tripod, however, is that the maximum height is 1570mm / 5.15ft. On the plus side, the minimum height is 175mm / 6.9in, and the weight of the tripod and head is just 1.65kg / 3.64lbs. As a travel solution, this is perfect, but you’ll need a full-size tripod if you want something taller and/or weightier.

In the tripod kit, you also get three short carbon fiber legs made up of two sections, which feature a twist lock. These are for the Desktop Mode, which requires you to split the centre column using a hex key and then insert the shorter section with the base to attach the ball head. Transforming into this Mode is the fiddliest, but it’s still much more convenient, and reduces weight, compared to carrying both a travel and a desktop tripod.

Without the ball head attached and with the desktop legs angled out at 90 degrees, you can create a support for use in Monopod Mode. It’s nowhere near as effective as dedicated monopods with three mini legs built in, and certainly nowhere near as stable, but it’s still a potentially useful and welcome feature.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

The Trekking Pole Mode simply requires you to remove the leg without the foam and extend it, although there’s nothing to suggest the two legs with foam couldn’t be used as a pair of trekking poles instead. When you use a leg, or two, in this mode, you have to remove the rubber foot at the bottom of the leg. This can be used to cover the screw thread at the top of the leg while also revealing the metal spike at the bottom.

The maximum payload of the legs is 20kg / 44lbs, but since the head’s maximum payload is 10kg / 22.04lbs, this is the figure to go with. However, 10kg is still a respectable payload and will accommodate the vast majority of camera and lens combinations. The maximum payload of the legs also explains how one leg, or possibly more, can be used safely as trekking poles.

The Freewell 5-in-1 is a fantastic tripod that does everything it claims to, and does it well. The only use of the five that doesn’t appeal to me is the Trekking Pole Mode, because if I know I'll need trekking poles, I’ll always take them with me. However, if you’re hiking and feel the need for a trekking pole, the ability to utilize the tripod leg or even a couple of them is useful.

I’m a fan of small desktop tripods with Arca-Swiss ball heads, so I can use L-brackets with them for low-level shots, and this one fits the bill. For me, it’s Tripod, Desktop and Monopod Modes which are the most effective. The robust metal smartphone holder built into the tripod plate is a work of genius. In fact, the overall implementation of the different Modes illustrates innovative design that takes the humble tripod beyond expectations.

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: key specs

Head

Ball head

Leg sections

Four

Height

175mm – 1570mm / 6.9 inches – 5.15ft

Weight

1.65kg / 3.64lbs (head & legs)

Max Payload

10kg / 22.04lbs (head)

Material

Carbon fiber

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: Price and availability

The Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 launched on October 8, 2025, and is priced in US dollars at $330, which at the time of writing converts to £246 / AU$500. This is a reasonable and attractive price for a carbon fiber travel tripod, and excellent value when you consider the versatility of this model. Amazon sells Freewell gear, so the tripod will likely be available on Amazon soon.

The tripod comes with a smart padded carry bag with handles and a shoulder strap. Inside the bag are the short Desktop Mode legs, a carabiner clip that can be screwed into the tripod to hang filter kits, and a couple of hex keys. The larger one is used to tighten the legs, and the smaller is used to split the center column. Splitting the center column allows you to set the tripod to Desktop Mode and also use the shorter legs as a base in Monopod Mode.

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: Also consider

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

The Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod is a small, lightweight travel tripod with three functions and a different basic design from the Freewell. Just like the Freewell, it can support multiple camera types, including smartphones, but it's ultimately more limited because it doesn't offer the same number of modes or functions.

Read our Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod review

Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod is a unique model due to its articulating center column, which isn't a common travel tripod feature. It's well-made, but one of the heavier travel tripods available at 4.4lbs / 1.98kg.

Read our Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod review

Should I buy the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1?

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

You need versatility

This tripod performs several functions of different types of tripods and does all of them well.

You’d like portability

This is a compact and lightweight travel tripod that won’t take up too much space or weigh you down.

Don't buy it if...

You need height

At 1570mm / 5.15ft, this isn’t the tallest travel tripod available, but it is adequate in many situations.

You mainly shoot video

If you mainly shoot video, there are video travel tripods available with fluid heads and other video-specific features.

How I tested the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1

• The tripod was tested for several weeks
• Handling, stiffness and rigidity were assessed
• All five uses were tested

I tested the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 over several weeks, mainly for stills photography but also for some videography, despite it not being a video tripod. The tripod was tested in all five modes to assess effectiveness and handling.

I used the tripod with several different camera and lens combinations, shooting subjects including landscapes, cityscapes and product photography. I carried the tripod extensively using the carry case and also with the tripod attached directly to my camera bag.

First reviewed October 2025

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27: One-minute review

The Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 might make me a convert to the all-in-one PC, thanks to its sleek and ergonomic build, vibrant screen, and solid performance. The fact that it can be used as an external monitor is not only the cherry on top, but a point in favor of it being considered among the best all-in-one computers out there.

Of course, the lack of modularity, as with any all-in-one, can frustrate those who are used to digging into cases and upgrading parts, but as far as a hassle-free package, this is one of the best computers you're going to find on the market.

That said, even outside of its form factor, there are a few issues, such as the 'just okay' sound quality and a confusing array of configurations.

I will admit that if you go on the Lenovo website or Best Buy in the US (where my review unit can be purchased), you won’t be quite as confused as me. But UK and Australia shoppers will have some very different configurations available to you.

Whatever configuration you go with though, they're all more than enough to satisfy your general computing and productivity needs, so if you’re in the market for an all-in-one PC, the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 is a very easy recommendation.

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? Starting at $979.99 / £1,020.00 / AU$1,149.00
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Thanks in part to the continuing relevance of the Apple iMac and its current iteration, the Apple iMac 24-inch M4, every brand has some kind of sleek, attractive all-in-One computer on offer. And like the iMac, the hardware seems eerily similar to what you would get from a powerful Ultrabook or Macbook.

As such, AiO models like the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 are generally reasonably priced. The Yoga AiO 27 starts at $979.99 / £1,020.00 / AU$1,149.00, while the iMac M4 has a more expensive starting price of $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999, plus it has a smaller 24-inch screen. On top of that, Apple’s upgrades, whether for RAM or hard drive space, come at a premium.

Another good benchmark as far as price goes is the HP OmniStudio X 31.5. Its lowest configuration is actually cheaper at $830.99 (about £620 / AU$1,270) for an Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, as well as a 1080p 27-inch screen.

It’s worth noting that there are some serious variations between what’s available in the US, UK, and Australia. The UK and Australia both have customizations (more on that below) unlike the US with Australia actually offering discrete graphics.

So, Australians, at least, can probably game with this AiO, though everyone else will need to temper their expectations.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27: Specs

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Soldered RAM
• Configurations can vary widely by region

The offerings from Lenovo on the Yoga AiO 27 (specifically the 27IAH10 model) is pretty straightforward, however, there’s a lot of variance between territories.

In the US, you have two models available directly through Lenovo. The base configuration comes with a Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

The more expensive model is the same, but with a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU and 1GB SSD. Best Buy offers a different model that’s similar to the more robust one, but without the touchscreen, which is what was reviewed here.

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 specs

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 base configuration

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 review configuration

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 max configuration

Price:

$979.99 / £1,020.00 / AU$1,149.00

$1,319.99 (about £990 / AU$2020)

AU$4,559.00 (about $2990 / £2230)

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 5 125H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Graphics:

Integrated Intel Arc Graphics

Integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6

RAM:

16 GB LPDDR5X-7467MT/s (Soldered)

16 GB LPDDR5X-7467MT/s (Soldered)

32 GB LPDDR5X-7467MT/s (Soldered)

Storage:

512 GB SSD M.2

1 TB SSD M.2

1 TB SSD M.2

Display:

27" QHD (2560 x 1440), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 99%sRGB, 400 nits, 120Hz, 4 Side Narrow Bezel

27" QHD (2560 x 1440), IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 99%sRGB, 400 nits, 120Hz, 4 Side Narrow Bezel

27" QHD (2560 x 1440), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 99%sRGB, 400 nits, 120Hz, 4 Side Narrow Bezel

Ports:

Ethernet (RJ45), USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out / Side: USB-C (USB 10Gbps), USB-A (USB 10Gbps), Headphone / mic combo

Ethernet (RJ45), USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out / Side: USB-C (USB 10Gbps), USB-A (USB 10Gbps), Headphone / mic combo

Ethernet (RJ45), USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out / Side: USB-C (USB 10Gbps), USB-A (USB 10Gbps), Headphone / mic combo

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 2x2 BE 160MHz & Bluetooth® 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 2x2 BE 160MHz & Bluetooth® 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 2x2 BE 160MHz & Bluetooth® 5.4

Camera:

5MP IR/RGB with Dual Array Microphone

5MP IR/RGB with Dual Array Microphone

5MP IR/RGB with Dual Array Microphone

Weight:

Starting at 18.51 lbs | 8.4 kg

Starting at 18.51 lbs | 8.4 kg

Starting at 18.51 lbs | 8.4 kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):

22.26 x 24.13 x 9.25 ins | 565.5 x 613 x 235 mm

565.5mm x 613mm x 235mm / 22.26″ x 24.13″ x 9.25″

565.5mm x 613mm x 235mm / 22.26″ x 24.13″ x 9.25″

In the UK, you can choose CPUs including an even more powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, between 512GB and a 1TB SSD, and you can choose between touch and non-touch screens. You are locked into 32GB of RAM.

Australia only allows you to choose the size of the hard drive, but is more powerful since it has that Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, 32GB of RAM, and actual discrete graphics in the form of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU.

Regardless of what you choose (or have available to you), the RAM is soldered in, unfortunately.

As mentioned earlier, you are able to choose between a touch and non-touch screen, though the resolution (1440p), refresh rate (120Hz), and basically everything else about it is the same.

You can also choose whether you get an IR-enabled webcam or not for a nominal upgrade. Otherwise, everything on the exterior including the color called Luna Grey is the same regardless of model.

• Specs: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27: design

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Sleek, attractive look with good ergonomics
• Good ergonomics
• Great looking screen that can be used with other computers

I remember when I first started seeing Windows all-in-one computers start to pop (long before I was a writer) and they were not pretty. The word I would probably use is egalitarian. So it was a bit of a surprise when I got the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 in all its Ultrabook glory.

Yes, in my opinion, this AiO is basically what you get when you take a Lenovo Yoga laptop and turn it into an all-in-one. It’s sleek, comes in a very attractive colorway called Luna Grey, and has a gorgeous screen (more on that later).

In fact, it’s so nice looking, I had to double check that it didn’t have an aluminum case. Instead, it’s made of 30% ocean-bound plastic – pretty cool for those worried about the environment. The box it comes in is also fairly sustainable as it’s all paper or cardboard.

Back to the computer, it has some good ergonomics. First, it has a round base that can pivot in either direction 90 degrees, while the screen itself can pivot and additional 45 degrees to each side. Its tilt is up 10 degrees and down 5, which I do wish was a little more. And it has a lift of 70mm. It’s pretty easy to adjust the screen to your liking.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Speaking of the 27-inch screen, its resolution is decent at 1440p, much higher than I'm used to seeing on AiOs. But what’s more impressive are its other aspects. It has a solid refresh rate of 120Hz, supports HDR (though Lenovo doesn’t specify to what degree), and has quite wide color coverage and accuracy.

In our benchmarks, it had a sRGB rating of 116.5% and DCI-P3 of 82.6%, meaning it’s great for colors but not as good for contrast. It does have an accuracy of Delta>0.21.

Other design details include two three watt tweeters and two five watt tweeters to support Dolby Atmos, dual microphones, and a five megapixel camera.

Some models have IR capabilities like the one reviewed and some do not, a feature useful for Windows Hello that unlocks the computer when you log in instead of having to type in a password or use a fingerprint reader.

If that’s worrisome, don’t worry. Among the buttons on the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 is an e-privacy shutter.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

There’s also a power button, an OSD button for controlling screen settings, and a switch button as you can actually use the screen as a standalone screen for another computer or use just the computer part with an external screen.

That means that there are two HDMI ports, one out and one in. The port selection in general is pretty robust and also includes three USB-A and two USB-C ports along with an ethernet and aux jack. Some of them are on the back of the stand while some of them are on the side.

Lastly, the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 comes with its own matching keyboard and mouse. They’re both wireless and work fine, but if you’re particular about your accessories, you might want to upgrade to one of the best keyboards and best mice, especially the mouse as it doesn’t have any side buttons.

That said, I didn't have any issues with them during general use or even spending a bit of time working on them.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga AiO 27: Performance

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Good performance for most work
• Using it as a monitor for another PC is seamless
• Sound quality is OK

Here's how the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

GeekBench 6.4 (single-core) 2889; (multi-core): 15,500

3DMark Fire Strike: 8,072; Time Spy: 4,396; Night Raid: 34,260

CrossMark Overall: 1,865; Productivity: 1,756; Responsiveness: 1,430; Creativity: 2,164

Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p, High): 56 fps; (1440p, High) 47 fps

I threw around the Ultrabook label earlier for the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27, and I mean it. The PC comes with the same CPU, integrated graphics, and RAM configurations that you would find on one of the best laptops that wasn't specifically for gaming.

In terms of day-to-day use, that means you can easily have a bunch of tabs open and do just about any productivity work you could think of. It can handle some creative work, such as photo editing, but is a bit underpowered for editing video or 3D design. That is unless you like long rendering times.

It can do light gaming, but won’t be able to handle the latest AAA titles unless you can get your hands on a model with a discrete Nvidia GPU, which is currently limited to Australia.

Really, I find this best for having a large, pretty screen to do regular productivity work and maybe some streaming.

I’m more impressed by the fact I can use the screen as a monitor for another computer. That 1440p resolution can be limiting if you have a souped up gaming laptop, but it does allow some device consolidation if you like to have one computer for productivity and one for gaming. Regardless, using it as an external monitor is pretty seamless.

While it’s nice that the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 can support Dolby Atmos, the sound quality is decent but not great. It’s a bit mid-heavy and doesn’t quite have the clarity that having the best computer speakers would.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27?Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Though the various configurations in different territories is a bit confusing, what you get for the price is pretty good.

4.5 / 5

Specs

The specs on the Yoga AiO 27 are more akin to an ultrabook than a dedicated desktop PC, but its components are more than enough for general computing, streaming, and even light gaming in some cases.

3.5 / 5

Design

It’s sleek and attractive. More importantly, it has a great screen and very flexible ergonomics.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The performance is more than enough for most people. The only real let down is the sound quality, which is still fine.

4.5 / 5

Total score

As a package, the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 punches above its weight considering the price, flexibility, and vibrant screen.

4.25 / 5

Buy the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 if...

You want an attractive all-in-one computer
This AiO is not like the models of yore. It’s sleek and attractive the way Ultrabooks are. Plus, it has a great, vibrant screen.

You need ergonomics
This AiO can turn every which way, so it’s very easy to adjust it to your eye level or to swivel it around to show someone else your screen.

You want something that also works as a monitor
The fact that you can plug another computer into the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 as if it’s a monitor is a very cool feature and adds to its versatility.

Don't buy it if...

You want upgradability
This computer is the opposite of upgradability. Not only is the screen and computer in one package (as is always the case with these types of computers), the RAM is soldered in place. There’s no upgrading this down the line.

You want discrete graphics
If you’re in Australia, you can get this with an Nvidia GPU. Otherwise, you’re just not going to be able to get it (at least for now), meaning demanding tasks like 3D design, video editing, or AAA gaming will struggle.

Also consider

If my Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 review has you considering other options, here are two other AiO PCs to consider...

Apple iMac 24-inch M4
The Apple iMac 24-inch M4 is the pinacle of this type of computer and still sets the bar, especially in the looks department. It’s also fairly powerful thanks to Apple’s M4 chip, but it hasn’t gotten a meaningful update outside of that Apple silicon and upgraded RAM in quite awhile.

Read the full Apple iMac 24-inch M4 review

HP OmniStudio X 31.5
The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 is a bit more powerful than the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 thanks to its discrete graphics, plus it comes with a 4K display. It is a bit more utilitarian, though, not to mention its base model is much weaker than the Yoga AiO 27 I've been using.

Read the full HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review

How I tested the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27

• Tested for a couple weeks
• Used it for productivity, streaming, gaming
• Tried out its various features

I used the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 for a couple weeks, mainly for productivity, and I also used it for some streaming and tried to do some light gaming as well, not to mention tested its various features.

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

• First reviewed November 2025

Usually, by the time I've gone through the first litre of resin, I'm tired of the mess that these resin 3D printers tend to create. So, while I was excited about the innovative new feature design of the Piocreat Halot-X1, I was also slightly reserved about this new machine.

As yet, there is only one resin 3D printer that I feel 100% confident about using all the time, and that is the Formlabs Form 4, but as that particular printer is well out of the price range of most people, there have to be other options available to supply ultra-high-resolution prints from this format.

The Halot-X1 has come a long way compared with many other resin 3D printers on the market, and it promised to provide some very fine detail prints, which I can totally confirm it does. In fact, I was impressed with the quality of the models it produced.

The initial set-up was incredibly easy, just remove the packaging, fill the tank with resin, and select the print impression. There's no levelling process or anything else. The one thing that struck me from the outset was the change in the build plate design, which was completely different from anything I'd seen before.

I was dubious about the design working when it started due to the complete lack of needing to set anything up. It just seemed too good to be true that there was no fiddling around with sheets of paper and other checks. Literally, it was a straightforward switch-on and press go.

However, after 30 minutes, I could see the print emerging, and it looked absolutely spot-on. As the process continued, the print formed beneath the build plate. I could see that the auto-levelling process had worked 100%. I've now had the machine for well over a month. I've not been running it continuously, but every few days, printing out objects and small characters just to see how far I could go with this particular printer. So far, it's been incredibly consistent.

There have been a few issues along the way, and inevitably, quite soon, I am going to have to change the nFEP film. But for now, with several litres through the machine, all seems to be working absolutely fine.

While for the most part the use is simple and easy, there have been a few hiccups, the auto resin feed system just doesn't seem to work, however much I fiddle with it, and there have been a few support structure fails. From experience with previous resin printers, I've found checking the tank after each model is always a good idea.

Then there's the age-old issue of the mess. After each print finishes, it needs to be transferred over to a wash, then cured, and along the way, gloves and goggles still need to be worn and disposed of. So while you might get that additional quality, it does come at the cost of time.

However, this resin 3D printer is definitely a step forward, and with that new build plate design, making it so much easier to extract the prints, it does help reduce a lot of the mess that's usually created. So, while it's by no means perfect, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Price & availability

The Piocreat Halot-X1 can be purchased directly through the Piocreat website, although you do need to ask for a quote on the price rather than make a direct purchase.

Otherwise, retailers such as 123-3D.co.uk retail the printer for £579, and in the US, companies such as 3DWithUs.com list the printer between $579 and $749. The availability of the printer will become more widespread soon, and you should be able to purchase it through many online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Piocreat Halot-X1 has descended from the Creality Halot series and features much of the same consistency and quality we saw on those machines. In fact, Creality have passed over their resin printers to this new company, Piocreat, which usually deals with more B2B machines, with the Halot-X1 being one of their first consumer-level options.

Compared with the old Halot machines, the X1 takes on a new style and design. It's has a smaller footprint and overall form factor. It's also more ergonomically designed, with a touchscreen on top, a visor-style shield protecting the resin area, and a tank that raises, rather than using the traditional mechanism of the print bed lowering into the tank.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The machine also comes with an automatic resin feed system in the combo version, which just adds to the level of professionalism. It's something we've seen on previous machines with various rates of success. Again, as with many 3D printers, there are multiple ways to transfer files over to the system, either through USB or Wi-Fi, and it's good to see this did seem solid with our review sample.

Compared to many other resin 3D printers, the footprint is relatively small, 344 x 331 mm with a height of 434 mm. You do then have to consider the visor when that's open, but to be honest, compared to many others, it's nice and small and definitely easier to use due to the design, compared with those that still utilise a lift-off cover.

The weight is also relatively light at 12.9 kg, lighter than most FFF printers. This essentially means it's very easy to stick in the corner of an office. However, because it's resin, you do really need to make sure that it's well vented, at the very least by a window, and ideally with its own enclosure and extractor to ensure that any toxic fumes don't enter your workspace.

When it comes to the design, it just looks completely different to the past HALOT machines, with a more modern design. There are a few big changes alongside the aesthetics when compared with previous generations, most notably the quick-release platform, which features a twist-release mechanism that can release any print in around three seconds. That time proved pretty much correct during testing.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Piocreat Halot-X1: FeaturesSpecs

Connectivity: USB + Wi-Fi support
Size: 344 × 331 × 434 mm approx
Accessories: Quick-release build plate, resin vat, tools, optionally AFU (auto resin feed unit)
Build Volume: 211.68 × 118.37 × 200 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01–0.2 mm
Print speed: Up to ~170 mm/h
Resolution: 16K Mono LCD: 15,120 × 6,230 px, pixel size ~14 × 19 µm
Motion system: Fixed build plate, moving optics/vat

Initially, the Halot-X1 looks like any other resin 3D printer, but there are some major changes in the technology and design. Starting off, however, with some of the more traditional features, the 16K mono LCD offers a 15,120 x 6,230 resolution with a pixel size of 14 x 19 µm. This should guarantee extremely fine prints, and that’s certainly what I saw during the test.

Print speed is also finely tuned with speeds up to 170 mm/h, which is relatively fast, by no means the fastest on the market, but considering the small footprint and balanced pricing, that’s not a bad rate at all. Likewise, the build volume is impressive for the size of the machine at 211.68 x 118.37 x 200 mm, large enough for most character and miniature printing, and also suitable for a good amount of prototype engineering prints. However, if you want to go larger than that, an FDM printer is a better idea.

On to some of the more major new features, including the auto-levelling. This works with a fixed build plate, so there’s no need for manual calibration, and throughout testing, this actually proved incredibly effective.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

There’s also a motion detection system so that the vat screen light moves instead of the build plate, this helps to reduce shaking and improve stability during the print.

The LCD and exposure system have also been overhauled with a 92-zone intelligent exposure system, which only enables the areas that need to be lit. This helps to improve the longevity of the LCD.

There’s also an optional Double AFU or auto-feed unit, and this enables resin monitoring, auto resin refill, preheating of the resin, RFID identification for the bottles, and generally less need to interact with any resin. While I had this kit for the review, the bottles of Creality resin that I had didn’t seem to be compatible, so this is something I’ll return to when I have compatible resin bottles to test.

The most notable new feature, as I mentioned in the build section, is the new quick-release build plate. At the same time, it might seem like a small change, as we saw with the Formlabs Form 4, a quick-release plate can make a huge difference to the ease of use of these machines.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The setup of the Halot-X1 was probably one of the quickest of any resin 3D printer that I’ve used. Essentially, all I needed to do was remove the packaging, make sure everything was in place, switch it on, pour the resin into the tank, and press go. There’s a single model pre-installed onto the system, and as I just pressed play, after no more than 10 minutes of set-up, the Halot-X1 got to work printing.

The initial print took a few hours to run through, and from the intricate network of support material, I could already see the quality of the print within. While there was quite a bit of support structure, it was all very fine and detailed.

Once the print had finished, I pulled the platform away from the printer, twisted the two handles on the side and the print dropped the short distance into the wash basket. It was then left to wash for around 30 minutes. On removing the print, the support structure was removed relatively easily, revealing an extremely detailed print below.

This is, of course, the highly optimised print that comes with the printer, so I did expect it to be exceptionally good, and thankfully, it was. Despite my choice of resin color, the detail and quality of the modelling really stood out. It is a bit of a shame that only one test model is included on the machine, I would’ve liked two or three, just to test out what the machine was capable of before trying my own options.

However, switching over to Halot Box and loading in my first few test prints, I transferred them to the machine via a USB stick, due to the fact that I was having some initial connection issues between the machine and my network. That issue seemed to be resolved later on through a firmware update.

As the first few prints emerged, I was once again struck by just how quick and easy this was. I think taking out the step where you have to use a spatula to extract your prints, which can often be a really messy process, just makes using the printer much easier. You still need gloves and eye protection, but it's far easier than with most other printers.

I’ll also say that I always use these printers in an extremely well-ventilated room. So while there might have been some fumes coming from the resin, there was a constant draught of air through the workshop to ensure that those fumes didn’t hang around. And actually, with a fully sealed environment, it did appear that the fumes inside this machine are well contained.

Alongside the printer, I also had the AFU unit, which should’ve enabled me to use the auto resin filling option. To be honest, the AFU unit looks great. However, once I plugged it in and tried to install a Creality resin bottle, I found that the height of the bottle wasn’t sufficient for the tube. Then, when I tried to adjust the tube, I found I couldn’t get a decent seal for the screw cap onto the resin bottle. Eventually, I realised this wasn’t the correct bottle to use with the system.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Trying out a few other options and bottles that correctly fit the cap, I still couldn’t get the system to feed properly. So in the end, I just left it aside, something I’ll take a look at again at a later date.

Ultimately, now with several litres of resin poured through the system, and lots of characters and small prototype objects printed, I’m impressed, firstly by the speed, and secondly by the pure accuracy of the prints. There’s a high quality to the finish, and the surface detail was really well produced. There were a few situations where the support structure was missing, it obviously started to print, but then got stuck at some point, only to partially reappear on a later overhang. But this was rare, and always easy to clear from the main print.

When it came to straight lines and the visibility of layers, the fine resolution really does make a difference, and the final print is as close to injection moulding as I’ve seen from any resin printer at this price. So if you’re looking for a resin 3D printer for modelling, small production runs, or printing miniatures, then, actually, for the price, this is the best option I’ve yet seen.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

This is the first of the Piocreat Halot-X machines that I’ve seen, and it’s a really good start, although they do have a foundation with the Creality Halot machines, which I was extremely impressed with in the past. The new mechanism and design really do seem to work, and I like the fact that it has such a small form factor compared with the older machines.

But for me, the real winner here is that new build plate, just a simple twist action to release the 3D print makes a huge difference, not only in time but in the amount of mess and faff that can be involved with resin 3D printing.

Extracting the print from the build platform is one of my pet hates with these machines, and the fact that they’ve actually come up with a very good and simple solution makes a huge difference.

Then there’s the auto-levelling system, which also just seems to work. I’ve printed several litres of resin through the Halot-X1, and while on a couple of occasions the resin has run low and needed refilling, the success rate has been exceptionally good. I’ve only seen a few incidents where the support structure has failed, with the usual odd gaps in the print, but those have been rare. For the most part, I’ve had a near 100% success rate on the printing process.

There’s still the issue of having to clean and cure the print afterwards. If you just want a quick and easy solution, then don’t use resin, go directly to FFF. However, if you want the best possible detail from your prints, and as close to injection moulding as you can get, then this is a superb option. If you’re printing miniatures or jewellery designs, then the fine detail and accuracy make this a superb option.

Should You Buy the Piocreat Halot-X1?

Value:

High-quality resin printers don’t come cheap, but for the quality of detail and build, this is exceptionally well priced

4

Design:

This is the first generation of this innovative design, but it does appear to work, despite a few small quirks.

4.5

Features:

One of the great things about resin printers is their relative simplicity, and here the refinement of levelling and the build platform make a huge difference.

4

Performance:

The detail is as good as any, and the speed sits around the mid-range, giving a good, balanced approach to this new resin printer.

4.5

Total:

As one of the first Piocreat 3D printers I’ve looked at, I have to say it’s extremely impressive — especially considering the size and price.

4.5

Buy it if...

You want high‑detail prototyping

You regularly print miniatures, jewellery prototypes, dental models, or other parts where ultra‑fine resolution matters.

You're a regular user

If you need a reliable, compact resin 3D printer, the quick-release build plate just makes it easier to use.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

You want a cheaper resin printer and don’t need 16K resolution or the extra automation.

You hate a messy workflow

Resin printing always demands cleaning, ventilation, and materials handling. If you prefer plug‑and‑play with minimal fuss, an FDM machine might be better.

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