TechRadar Reviews

Honor Magic V5: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The Honor Magic V5 is a truly impressive folding phone. It’s the thinnest booklet-style folding phone ever, with two excellent displays, a design that expertly balances ergonomics and aesthetics, and fantastic battery life. Its rear camera system stands up to some of the best folding phones, while its internal hardware is as powerful as you’d expect from a device marketed on its multitasking capabilities.

The first thing you notice about the Honor Magic V5 is just how thin it is. At just 4.1mm thick (not including the sizeable camera bump), the Magic V5 is thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google Pixel 10 Pro, and even the region-locked Oppo Find N5, only beaten by the tri-folding Huawei Mate XT (another China exclusive). It’s so thin that it’s made me ask whether folding phones should keep getting thinner – its 7.95-inch inner screen really does disappear into your hand thanks to that ultra-thin frame.

Speaking of displays, the Magic V5 sports two excellent panels. Its 6.43-inch cover screen strikes a nice balance between compact and useable, and its 20:9 aspect ratio isn’t far off that of the iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25. The inner display measures 7.95-inches, with an approximate aspect ratio of 18:19.5.

That almost-square display is one of the best I’ve used on a folding phone, and makes reading articles, watching videos, taking photos a real joy. I also can’t get over just how similar the viewing experience is between the two displays – that’s a hard thing to nail given the change in material between the glass cover screen and plastic inner display, but Honor has done an excellent job.

The winning streak continues when it comes to the Magic V5’s battery, which is huge not only for a folding phone, but for a smartphone in general. With incredible engineering and straight-up alchemy, Honor has fit a 5920mAh battery into this phone – that’s larger than the battery in any comparable folding phone, and it's even bigger than the battery in the current-gen iPad mini. Charging is fast, battery life is long.

The Honor Magic V5 is the strongest contender to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Magic V5 outclasses Samsung’s latest booklet foldable in so many ways, and where Samsung does take the lead it isn’t by much. At £1,699 the Magic V5 decisively undercuts the Z Fold 7, which starts at £1,899 – though like all other Honor phones, the Magic V5 is unfortunately unavailable in the US. That limited availability will keep it off of our lists of the best phones and best folding phones, but if you’re looking for a folding phone in the UK or Europe, the Honor Magic V5 should be a serious contender.

Honor Magic V5: Price and Specs

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• Not available in the US
• Costs £1,699 in the UK (512GB of storage)
• Comes in three colors, including a unique gold option

Like all Honor phones, whether you can get the Honor Magic V5 depends on where you live. It’s not available in the US, but can be bought online or through carriers in the UK, Europe, and other regions.

In the UK, the Honor Magic V5 costs £1699.99 for the model with 512GB of storage – there are no other configurations to choose from. Honor is bundling a 66W power adapter and Magic Pen stylus in the UK – though as there is no stylus in the box, I'm not going to cover the accessory in this review.

Let’s address the elephant in the room – £1,699.99 is a lot of money for a phone. However, the Honor Magic V5 does manage to undercut its rivals quite significantly. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at £1,899.99, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at £1,799.99 – and both come with 256GB of storage, half of what the Honor Magic V5 offers.

And when you consider the Honor Magic V5’s impressive hardware specs, class-leading thinness and design, and impressive camera system, the value for money becomes even more apparent.

As for colors, the Magic V5 comes in Black, Ivory White (an online-exclusive option) and Dawn Gold, which has an eye-catching ripple effect on the rear panel. The specs below are for the Ivory White model I tested; the other two colors are actually a little thicker, at 4.2mm unfolded and 9mm folded, and are slightly heavier at 222g.

Honor Magic V5 specs

Honor Magic V5

Dimensions (folded):

156.8 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm

Dimensions (unfolded):

156.8 x 145.9 x 4.1 mm

Weight:

217g

Main display:

7.95-inch LTPO AMOLED

2172 x 2352, 120Hz, 403ppi

Cover display::

6.43-inch LTPO OLED

2520 x 1080, 20:9, 120Hz, 404ppi

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

RAM:

16GB

Storage:

512GB

OS:

Android 15 / MagicOS 9

Primary camera:

50MP, f1.6, 23mm

Ultrawide camera:

50MP, f/2.0, 13mm

Telephoto

64MP, f/2.5, 70mm (3x)

Cover Camera:

20MP f2.2

Inner Camera:

20MP f2.2

Battery:

5,820mAh

Charging:

66W wired, 50W wireless

Colors:

Ivory White, Black, Dawn Gold

• Value score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V5: Design

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• Looks simply phenomenal, and feels built to last
• Very comfortable to use
• Large camera bump and slightly noisy hinge

The Honor Magic V5 is the best-looking phone I’ve ever reviewed. This is a truly gorgeous piece of technology, and it’s clear that maximal attention has been given to achieving as much symmetry and ergonomic balance as the folding phone form factor will allow. The Ivory White color model is also the world’s thinnest folding phone at just 4.1mm thick when opened (not counting the substantial camera module). It’s a technical wonder that has me asking whether folding phones actually need to get any thinner.

Besides thinness, I noticed that the Magic V5 goes further than its contemporaries in providing a more comfortable experience. In the past, I’ve used folding phones with sharp edges and awkward bumps that make them uncomfortable to use for long sessions. On the Magic V5, Honor has flattened and rounded all the corners around the hinge, as well as the edges of the hinge itself – the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is almost as svelte, but has much sharper edges. The outer corners of the phone are also rounded off, which makes the unit very comfortable for one-handed or unfolded use.

Functionally, that hinge works well. It feels light to open, but not loose – it takes no real effort to open but won’t wobble much when partially unfolded.

Check out those rounded corners - this is the first foldable I've used that feels actually comfortable. (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

As for construction, the Honor Magic V5 is composed of an aluminum chassis and a woven fiber rear panel that feels as solid as glass or ceramic materials used in other phones. The cover display is glass and the inner display is plastic, with raised plastic bezels housing the magnets that keep the phone snapped shut. Moreso than any other folding phone I’ve used the Honor Magic V5 lays totally flat when opened – and the crease on the inner display is so minimal that I had to remind myself to look for it when I set the phone up for the first time.

The camera housing is also superbly designed, and perfectly walks the line between subtlety and flair with its all-black coloring, textured metal ring, and octagonal bracketing. The phone also sports dual IP58 and IP59 dust and water resistance ratings – better than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 but not quite dust-sealed as the IP68-rated Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Fresh water shouldn’t be an issue, but keep it well away from fine dust, gravel, and sand.

The Honor Magic V5 is a wonder of engineering and the most comfortable folding phone I’ve ever used. I’m a large guy with a pretty big handspan, so I sometimes found it a bit difficult to get enough purchase on the phone to get it open, but I’m sure this experience varies.

However... after my test period for this review had concluded and about two months of use in total, I noticed that the inner screen protector had begun to separate from the folding display. That's not the type of thing we want to see from any folding phone, especially after such a short period of use. For now, we can't say whether this is a design flaw or just a one-off issue: we've contacted Honor directly to ask for comment and another test unit.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Honor Magic V5: DisplaysImage 1 of 2

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• 6.43-inch cover display
• 7.95-inch folding display
• Both display have near-identical pixel density and top out at 3000 nits

The displays on the Honor Magic V5 are wonderful. The 6.43-inch cover display is amongst the sharpest and most vibrant screens I’ve used, and the 7.95-inch inner display is bright and immersive – what’s more, the viewing experience feels very consistent when switching between the two displays, something other folding phones have struggled to achieve.

In fact, when I unfolded the phone for the first time, I had to remind myself to look for a crease in the inner screen. It’s a far cry from the view-warping creases of folding phones from even a few years ago – I also noticed that, unlike some folding phones, the Magic V5 unfolds nearly perfectly flat, which makes it even easier to get lost in the expansive inner display.

In terms of technical specs, the Honor Magic V5’s cover display sports a resolution of 1060 x 2376 pixels, with 404 pixels per inch, while the inner display has a resolution of 2172 x 2352 pixels at 403 pixels per inch. What’s more, both panels top out at an absolutely ludicrous 5000 nits of brightness. Of course, those are theoretical limits, and your actual experience won't reflect those potentially harmful levels.

Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Magic V5 offers a sharper, higher resolution inner display, but can’t quite match the resolution and pixel density of the Galaxy’s cover screen.

Of all the folding devices I’ve used, the Magic V5 feels the most frictionless when switching between the two displays. Naturally, the glass cover display is a tiny bit sharper and looks a touch clearer, but Honor has calibrated these panels such that there’s little noticeable difference in color, brightness, or detail.

If there is an issue with the Honor Magic V5’s 7.95-inch folding display, it’s the issue common to all folding phones – that being that its larger screen space isn’t always efficiently used. Videos with a typical 16:9 aspect ratio can’t fill out the almost-square panel, and games often struggle to find a suitable safe zone (particularly first person games like Call of Duty). The inner screen is wonderful to look at, and perfect for reading, scrolling, and video calls, but a proper tablet might be better for streaming the best new shows.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Honor Magic V5: Cameras

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• 50MP main camera
• 64MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom
• 50MP ultra-wide camera
• Twin 10MP selfie cameras

Folding phones have, until this year, had slightly weaker camera systems than their slab-phone counterparts – but times are changing. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched with a 200MP main lens, resetting expectations for the types of pictures that folding phones can produce.

The Honor Magic V5 sports three great rear cameras that come very close to producing flagship-standard images. Across a variety of shooting conditions I was able to take great photos with the Magic V5 – I was particularly impressed by how much detail the sensors captured; even noisy scenes with lots of foliage were reproduced with good definition, even if the contrast sometimes left me wanting. The image stabilization is also great all the way out to the maximum 100x digital zoom.

However, I found the post-processing could be fairly aggressive, and was often unsure of how much AI had impacted the final image, especially at long zoom ranges. That’s something to keep in mind if you prefer your photos to be a true reflection of the camera’s abilities, as there’s no way to fully disable the image processing pipeline.

The Magic V5 sports a triple-camera array housed on its rear panel, composed of a 50MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera, and 64MP 3x telephoto camera. This gives the phone a lot of range and flexibility for still photography – the telephoto camera in particular strikes a nice balance between reach and usability for portraits and tighter landscape shots. Photos from all three cameras are bright and vibrant without looking unrealistically colorful, though there are some more vibrant profiles to choose from.

Taking photos with the inner screen's huge viewfinder is a real joy. (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

Taking photos with the inner display is really intuitive – that 8-inch panel makes for a great viewfinder, and the unfolded frame allows the phone to rest steadily in-hand. However, I found the default camera app a little bit clunky, with some quick options (most notably aspect ratio) hidden behind an in-app menu.

The Magic V5 supports video shooting at 720p, 1080p, and 4K resolutions at either 30fps or 60fps. That large display is a boost for shooting video too, with plenty of blank space around the 16:9 frame to place your thumbs (though, for some reason, some controls are still placed over the viewfinder).

One of the only true let-downs on the Magic V5 is its pair of selfie cameras. The inner and outer displays house identical punch-hole 10MP selfie cameras that prove lacking in almost every situation. This is allayed by the rear camera selfie feature, which uses the cover display as a viewfinder, but that won’t always be the most convenient option.

Honor Magic V5: Camera samplesImage 1 of 10

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(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• Cameras score: 3 / 5

Honor Magic V5: Software and AI

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• Android 15 with MagicOS 9
• Honor AI and Google Gemini
• Comprehensive multitasking tools

Like other Honor phones, the Magic V5 runs MagicOS 9, an Android iteration based on Android 15. As far as Android interfaces go, MagicOS sits somewhere between the speed and looseness of OnePlus’ OxygenOS and the stiffer, more structured feel of Samsung’s OneUI. It does the job.

As you might have guessed, the Honor Magic V5’s software shines brightest when it comes to foldable-specific features – the phone has a large suite of multitasking tools that allow for split screen and multi-windowed usage.

You can use a maximum of three apps at once in split screen mode (with one partially hidden off to one side), with another open in a floating overlay. To activate split screen mode you can either drag another app up from the taskbar or hold the bar that appears at the top of the screen. You can also open a single floating window when the phone is folded.

The situations that call for this level of multitasking are honestly pretty rare, but this is still an impressive amount of flexibility that helps the Honor Magic V5 feel like more than just a really big phone. Similarly to Apple’s Stage Manager tool for iPadOS, groups of windows stay together when you swipe up to see your opened apps, and I found it pretty easy to swap between split screen, multi-window, and full-screen modes with the on-screen buttons and contextual menus. However, some software isn't optimized for the folding display; I can give a pass to Honor on third party apps, but even pre-installed Google-made apps like YouTube sometimes gave me weird UI glitches. Luckily, this isn't too common.

MagicOS has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The phone can drive an external display at up to 1080p with the Magic Desktop feature, which is similar to Samsung’s DeX environment and allows for desktop-style usage with a keyboard and mouse. Back on the touchscreen, certain apps have a pull-down tab on the homescreen icon itself, which allows you to, say, quickly glance the time in another timezone or type down a quick note.

The phone is also loaded with AI tools from both Honor and Google (via Gemini, Circle to Search etc). These are found all over the OS, from generative note writing to AI image editing, and an uncanny feature that generates short videos from still images (first seen on the Honor 400 earlier this year). I personally found that Honor has been pretty heavy handed with implementing AI, to the point that it can be harder to find basic functions. For example, to crop an image in the photo gallery, you have to select “AI Edit”, which is now the catch-all term for photo editing.

• Software and AI score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V5: Performance

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
• 16GB of RAM
• Never slow, but does heat up a bit

As is typical for high-end folding phones, the Honor Magic V5 is fully loaded with top-end internal hardware, which translates to consistently great performance across multitasking and gaming. It’s got the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a full 16GB of RAM – that’s as good as it gets for Android phones, so you won’t come up against hardware constraints. The Magic V5 also comes with 512GB of storage, so no matter which configuration you choose you’ll have plenty of space for photos, videos, and apps.

I was able to make full use of the Magic V5’s software capabilities thanks to this array of high-end silicon. I never encountered any stuttering in the UI, and loading various apps was snappy and seamless, whether in full-screen or in MagicOS 9’s multitasking modes. There’s no lag when switching between apps or in games like Call of Duty Mobile – everything just runs, which is, in fairness, what you want from a phone that costs this much.

However, all that power in such a thin frame does mean the Magic V5 gets pretty warm. It never got uncomfortably hot, but it did seem to warm up very quickly compared to flagship slab phones. This is an these common to thin phone designs, as we’ve recently seen with the iPhone Air – the Magic V5 never got uncomfortably hot, but heat can have negative effects on battery life and potential performance over time, so it's something to keep an eye on.

With that said, I reviewed the Oppo Find N5 earlier this year – another ultra-thin folding phone with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset – and didn’t notice much in the way of heat.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V5: Battery

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• 5820mAh battery capacity would be impressive on a slab phone, let alone a foldable
• All-day battery life with plenty to spare
• 66W wired charging with 50W wireless charging

By some miracle of physics, the Honor Magic V5 has a 5,820mAh battery. Let’s put that into perspective – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 4,400mAh battery, the OnePlus Open has a 4,805mAh battery, and the Honor Magic 7 – a flagship slab phone – has a 5,650mAh battery. Folding phones are typically consigned to smaller batteries due to their split construction, but the Honor Magic V5 sports cells that add up to a fractionally smaller total than a massive Pro-grade cameraphone. It’s really quite something.

This translates to excellent battery life. I’ve used a few folding phones that sport ‘all-day’ battery life, but the Honor Magic V5 gets through a full day of mixed use so effortlessly that I might not think about recharging until midway through the next day. The phone supports 66W fast wired charging with Honor’s proprietary charging kit, but as there’s no brick in the box I could only test it with third party chargers (I got up to 80% in just under an hour with a 40W brick). The handset also supports an impressive 50W power draw in wireless charging. That’s much higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and many slab phones.

I will concede that the Honor Magic V5 seems to chew through battery a bit faster than slab phones, but the phone’s low-power mode is a real lifesaver when you’re caught away from an outlet. I felt fine leaving the house in the morning with around 50% charge, knowing that this would carry me through half a day or more of mixed use very comfortably. Of the folding phones I've used, this has the best battery life for sure.

Folding phones are known to be less efficient with their battery capacities than their slab phone contemporaries, as the cell is typically split between the two halves of the phone. That the Honor Magic V5 offers such impressive battery life is testament to Honor's engineering prowess.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Honor Magic V5?Honor Magic V5 score card

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

The Magic V5 isn't cheap by any means, but offers more than the competition for less money.

4 / 5

Design

The thinnest and most comfortable folding phone on the market, and beautifully built too.

5 / 5

Displays

Two beautiful and remarkably consistent displays.

5 / 5

Cameras

Three great rear cameras that get close to flagship standard. Selfie cameras are terrible.

3 / 5

Performance

Never slows down, even in the throes of multitasking. Warms up quickly.

4 / 5

Software

MagicOS 9 is loaded with multitasking and AI tools. It can be a little complicated at times, but flexibility is always welcome.

4 / 5

Battery

A larger battery than most flagship slabs keeps things moving all day. No notes.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful all-in-one device

The Honor Magic V5 has enough hardware power and software flexibility to get through most everyday tasks with ease. It's a great pick for light productivity/View Deal

You want a beautiful phone

The Honor Magic V5 is the thinnest folding phone on the global market and looks absolutely gorgeous. Everything in its construction looks and feels premium.View Deal

You want a cheaper folding phone

At £1,699.99, the Honor Magic V5 costs a lot. That said, it's cheaper than the competition from Samsung and Google, and is possibly even more capable. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

Despite the above, the Honor Magic V5 is still several hundred pounds more expensive than even the best slab phones. View Deal

You keep it simple

The Magic V5 has two screens, a suite of multitasking tools, an abundance of AI, and a total of five cameras. If you don't need loads of power, you might be better off saving some money on a simpler phone. View Deal

You want a familiar experience

The Honor Magic V5 runs MagicOS 9, which is a variant of Android, but those who value familiarity might prefer the simplicity of a Google Pixel or a phone in the well-known Samsung ecosystem. View Deal

Honor Magic V5: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

I've spent most of this review recounting the ways the Honor Magic V5 beats the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but if you're after a more familiar software experience, class-leading cameras, or Samsung DeX, you'll only get it with the latter.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review View Deal

iPhone Air

If you just want a thin, light, and powerful phone but don't think you'll use the folding display that much, the iPhone Air is the new thin and powerful handset that's got the entire tech world talking about it.

Read our iPhone Air review View Deal

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't the thinnest or most powerful folding phone, but it is the only one on the market that offers IP68 certification (that means it's dust sealed and submersion resistant). Our phones go everywhere with us, so durability is something to seriously consider.

Read our Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review View Deal

How I tested the Honor Magic V5

I used the Honor Magic V5 for an extended review period, culminating in a week-long stint as my daily driver. I used the Magic V5 to make calls, send messages, scroll through the internet and social media, play games, take pictures, and shoot video. I made sure to balance my use between the cover screen and folding display, and found that both screens could handle most tasks very well.

Blueair Blue Signature: two-minute review

The Blueair Blue Signature is a furniture-inspired air purifier for extra-large rooms, available from Blueair, Amazon, and other third-party retailers.

You can purchase the Blueair Blue Signature for a list price of $449.99 / £369, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for discounts to maximize the value. I’ve not spotted any in the UK so far, but at the time of writing, US customers can get a $50 discount at Blueair, bringing the price down to an even more reasonable $399.99.

(Image credit: Future)

While the mid-gray Light model is more to my preference, the navy blue Dark model I’ve been testing does a great job of blending into the room, rather than standing out like other white plastic air purifiers often do.

Like many of Blueair’s purifiers, the Blue Signature features an easy-to-clean fabric pre-filter, which is available in a range of colors to help it blend in with your decor.

At 15.5 inches / 39.4cm in diameter, there’s plenty of room to plonk down the remote or a magazine, but as I learned from my experience, you’ll need to be mindful about placing anything that could scratch the tabletop.

The Blue Signature is satisfyingly lightweight considering its size, making it easy to unbox and set up. I found it to be a little low for my liking, but this may well be down to personal preference.

(Image credit: Future)

There are two bases that can be purchased separately, a chrome ring or some wooden legs, that’ll increase its height and enhance its furniture-style aesthetic. Their prices are a hard pill to swallow, however, at a cost of $99.99 / £99.99 and $79.99 / £79.99, respectively.

The motion-activated controls on the top of the Blue Signature are responsive and easy to use, and remote controlling the purifier is straightforward on the well-designed Blueair app.

The app contains a host of useful features, including controls, automations, settings, and color-coded air quality graphs for up to a month of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 readings.

In addition to the four fan speeds, there are three modes available. These are Auto mode, which sets the Blue Signature to purify at speed one until contamination is detected, Eco mode, which operates the same as Auto, but the purifier remains idle, and Night mode, which lowers the purifier to its lowest speed and turns off most of the lights.

There’s a useful AirSense automation that provides a quick freshen up twice a day when the Blue Signature is in Auto or Eco mode, which runs regardless of the ambient air quality, though it can be turned off if desired.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of performance, I was very pleased with the Blue Signature’s efforts. It promptly detected and cleared the contamination caused as a result of my spraying dry shampoo from a couple of feet away, and displayed the readings in the graphs on the app.

It appears that the Blue Signature does a better job of tackling odors than other purifiers I’ve tested, as it made short work of removing the fragrance from the dry shampoo following my testing.

The Blue Signature operates satisfyingly quietly despite its power, maxing out at just 55dB at top speed, and giving readings as low as 27dB on speed one, which is quieter than a whisper.

As the brand makes some of the best air purifiers, it hasn’t come as a surprise that there’s so much to love about the Blueair Blue Signature. It has many useful features and performs well at a pleasingly low volume for the price, making it the perfect choice for larger spaces, without being conspicuous.

Blueair Blue Signature review: price & availability

• List price: $449.99 / £369
• Launch date: Mid 2025
• Available now in the US and UK

The Blueair Blue Signature has a list price of $449.99 / £369, and is available to purchase directly from Blueair or at Amazon.

This is a pretty good price considering it’s designed for large rooms, supports WiFi connectivity, and can detect and react to PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, meaning it’ll jump into action whether ultra-fine or coarse particles are present.

What’s more, I’m already seeing some great deals appearing in the US, with Blueair offering a $50 off the price at the time of writing, so you can pick the Blue Signature up for just $399.99. I’m yet to spot a deal in the UK just yet, but you never know.

Blue Signature 4.0 replacement filters look a little pricey at $99.99 / £99.99 each, but Blueair states that these filters can last up to a year, and their RealTrack algorithm calculates the lifetime left on your filter based on the fan speed, usage time, and pollution levels, meaning it should offer a more accurate expiry date compared to other models.

It’s worth noting that while the all-singing-all-dancing 7-stage filter uses Blueair’s HEPASilent technology, it’s not a true HEPA filter, though Blueair has insisted that their filters are actually more effective and operate at lower volumes.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the Blueair Blue Signature without any accessories, but there’s the option of two different stand formats if you want to make it look more like a piece of furniture.

These don’t come cheap, however, with the wooden legs, referred to as the Leg Base in Wood, costing $79.99 / £79.99, and the Ring Base in Chrome costing an eye-watering $99.99 / £99.99. As nice an addition as these would make, I must admit that I consider these grossly overpriced, which is a shame, as they would greatly improve the aesthetic.

Accessories aside, considering the Blue Signature’s reliable performance, easy filter replacement, and simple controls, this Blueair purifier offers plenty of bang for your buck, even at the full list price, making it well worth your consideration.

• Value score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Signature review: specs

Type

Air purifier table

Fan speeds

1-4

CADR (Clean air delivery rate)

Pollen 450 cfm

Dust 434 cfm

Smoke 455 cfm

Air changes per hour (ACH)

4.8

Filter

Multi-layered HEPASilent filter with activated carbon

Particle sizes detected

PM1, PM2.5, PM10

Dimensions

15.5 x 15.5 x 17.2 inches / 39.4 x 39.4 43.7cm

Weight

13.2lb / 6kg

Control

Touch controls / App

Timer

Yes

Additional modes

Auto, Night, Eco

Extra features

Tabletop, machine-washable pre-filters

Blueair Blue Signature review: design and features

• Pleasantly lightweight for the size
• Four fan speeds, three purifying modes
• The material of the tabletop surface could be better

The furniture-inspired design of the Blueair Blue Signature makes it pleasingly subtle for an extra-large room air purifier.

The Blue Signature comes in a choice of Light and Dark models, the former being a mid-gray color, and the latter being a navy blue, which is the model I’ve tested.

Both models come with a color-coordinated machine-washable pre-filter, a Nordic Fog with the Light, and a Midnight for the dark. At the time of writing, the Blue Signature Light model doesn’t appear to be available at Blueair in the UK, but it can be purchased from Amazon.

If you feel like mixing things up, there are four other pre-filter colors to choose from, which include a couple of neutral colors, a blue, and a green. Each pre-filter has a list price of $24.99 / £24.99, so it’s not too much of an outlay if you want to change up the color, or have a spare to put on while the other is in the wash.

(Image credit: Future)

Although rather large, at 15.5 inches / 39.4cm in diameter, the Blue Signature is surprisingly easy to maneuver, as it weighs only 13.2lb / 6kg, and I could use the gap between the pre-filter and the top section to carry it about.

The Blue Signature’s 17.2 inches / 43.7cm height might prove a little low to use as a side table for some, but it’s not inconveniently short. The wooden legs would definitely prove beneficial here, but I think I’d rather prop it up on something than pay that price for the four-legged base.

The smooth matte plastic on the top of the air purifier makes it look like what it is, the top of an appliance, rather than an item of furniture. I would have liked to have seen a slightly more premium finish, but it offers plenty of surface area for placing mugs, books, and remote controls.

Speaking of controls, the touch controls on the top of the Blue Signature are pretty nifty, as the motion-activation means they disappear along with the display. They’re pleasingly simple to use, and include buttons for power, Auto mode, night mode, a display lock, and cycling through the four fan speeds. It’s quick and easy to change the settings on the app, too, so I could switch modes without needing to move out of my comfy spot on the sofa.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a steady blue light under the top surface of the air purifier when the air quality is rated as excellent. It changes color depending on the level of contamination, and is automatically dimmed when the Blue Signature is put into Night mode.

When Auto mode is enabled, the Blue Signature fan runs at speed one consistently, increasing the speed to suit whenever the Blue Signature detects PM1, PM2.5, or PM10 contamination.

I appreciate that the air purifier continues to purify at a low speed despite the air quality registering at a good level, as many air purifiers simply idle on Auto mode, so they fail to react and purify the surrounding air of contaminants they aren’t capable of detecting, such as VOCs.

Lastly, there’s an Eco mode, which works much the same as Auto mode, except it sits dormant until contamination is detected, thereby conserving energy.

• Design & features score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Signature review: app

• Quick and easy device syncing
• Simple and straightforward interface
• Provides access to air quality graphs, settings, and automations

Adding a new device can be a headache in some cases, but as the Blueair app detected the Blue Signature straight away, I simply needed to select it and follow the instructions to connect it to my WiFi, which it did with no issues.

The Blueair app is simple to navigate, and the settings are easy to access and adjust on the dashboard for the Blue Signature. For day-to-day control, there’s a simple slider to amend the fan speed, buttons to enable each of the three modes, and the display lock function.

(Image credit: Blueair / Future)

There’s a useful feature linked to the Auto and Eco modes called AirSense, which means that my air purifier would stir into action for ten minutes at 10am and 6pm every day, though it can run for as long as twenty-five minutes if the air quality is a little lower.

This is particularly helpful if you plan to keep your air purifier set to Eco mode, as the air will still get a little freshen up twice a day. If you’d rather it didn’t embark on these mini cleaning sprees, it’s easy to turn off in the device settings.

There’s also a schedule feature, which can be used to set the air purifier to power on in a chosen mode at set times on your choice of days, before turning off at an allotted time.

(Image credit: Future)

Another nifty automation is the Welcome Home feature, which powers on the Blue Signature when you’re approximately fifteen minutes away from home, based on your location and specified transport method.

A color-coded graph makes it easy to review the collected air quality data on the Blueair app. There’s a different graph for PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, with the option to view the readings over the course of a day, week, or month.

Overall, the app provides all the essentials in an easy-to-navigate interface, and all functions appeared responsive, bar the few moments it can take for the graph to update and reflect the real-time air quality readings.

• App score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Signature review: performance

• Quick and easy setup
• Prompt detection and contamination clearing
• The dark tabletop appears to scratch easily

Getting the Blueair Blue Signature setup was a quick and simple process, as it was just a case of plugging it in and setting it up on the Blueair app.

I didn’t feel quite as comfortable using the Blue Signature as a side table as I did with the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table, as it felt a bit wrong putting things down directly on top of an air purifier, and the material looks like it’d mark and scratch easily.

While the dark blue table top collected fingerprints easily, they wiped off without much effort. This was a relief, as some darker-colored matte surfaces can prove notoriously difficult to remove fingerprints from.

(Image credit: Future)

Sadly, it got a bit scratched not long into my testing. Presumably, this was from me balancing the plug on it as I pulled it out of the box, though it was only the plastic part of the plug in contact with the surface, which is a concern considering it’s meant to be used as a tabletop.

These scratches were only really visible when caught in the light however, and likely more noticeable due to the dark coloring of the plastic. Either way, I’d definitely recommend enforcing the coaster rule in your house if you plan to use it as a table.

(Image credit: Future)

All of the modes worked as expected. Night mode reduced the fan to its lowest speed and extinguished the indicator light, the display, and most of the touch controls, though curiously, the Night mode and power button remain illuminated.

In terms of purifying performance, I was pleased to find that the Blue Signature only took around sixteen seconds to detect the dry shampoo I’d sprayed around two feet away.

After detecting the contamination, the air quality rating was updated to “very polluted”, and so the Blue Signature ramped up the fan speed. The air quality returned to “good” levels around twenty seconds from detection, and was back to “excellent” after a further minute, at which point the fan speed was reduced back to its lowest setting.

(Image credit: Future)

The Blue Signature appeared to clear odors better than other air purifiers I’ve tested. While the strong smell of the dry shampoo usually lingers long after the air purifier I’m testing has dealt with the particulate contamination, it was cleared fairly quickly by the Blue Signature.

This may well be down to the fact that the Blue Signature runs at its lowest fan speed in Auto mode, rather than simply idling, meaning it could prove a good option if reducing ambient odors is on your list of priorities.

I was impressed by the Blue Signature’s low volume too, finding that it operated quieter overall than the majority of the air purifiers I’ve tested to date. The loudest reading I recorded was 55dB when it was running at top speed, making it no louder than a conversation, and it operated at just 27dB on fan speed one, which is quieter than a whisper.

(Image credit: Future)

While the tabletop may leave a little to be desired, all in all, the Blueair Blue Signature performed really well. Its capacity to purify an extra-large room's worth of air, in-app features, quick detection, and contamination tackling make this a great air purifier for the price, and, ignoring my personal preferences on its suitability as a table, it looks a whole lot more attractive than any large-scale air purifier I’ve come across to date.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Blueair Blue Signature?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

The Blue Signature offers great performance, an attractive design, and a pleasant user experience for the price. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive to buy the base accessories to complete the look.

4.5/5

Design & Features

This furniture-inspired air purifier manages to stand out from the crowd without disrupting the decor. It’s easy to use, pleasingly lightweight, and has a large surface area for placing items.

4.5/5

App

The Blueair app makes it super simple to operate the Blue Signature. Its interface is attractive and easy to understand, making it easy to access the features and air quality graphs.

4.5/5

Performance

The Blue Signature reacted quickly during testing and made quick work of clearing the contamination. It also did a better job of clearing the strong fragrance of the dry shampoo than other air purifiers I’ve tested.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You don’t want a typical-looking air purifier
With a choice of fabric colors and optional bases, this air purifier is your best bet if you’re looking for something that’ll look more like a piece of furniture than an appliance.

You want constant purification
Many air purifiers simply idle quietly in the background when the air quality is considered good based on what they can detect. It’s nice to have the option of constant purifying here, especially as it seems to aid in odor removal.

You appreciate nifty automations
The Blue Signature offers some useful automations, including scheduling, powering on when you’re 15 minutes from home, and twice-daily ramped up purifying with AirSense.

Don't buy it if...

You want VOC detection
While the Blueair does a great job of detecting particulates, it doesn't register the presence of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), like some more premium options do. However, the good news is that the filter is still capable of filtering them, which is another reason why the consistent purifying in Auto mode is beneficial.

You don’t like lingering lights
Although not glaringly bright, it’s a shame the power and Night mode icons aren’t extinguished when said mode is triggered. This may only be a minor niggle for some, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you can’t stand any light at bedtime.

You don’t want to pay a premium for a pretty base
The Blue Signature looks good as-is, but the furniture aesthetic would be nicely enhanced when teamed with one of the bases on offer. I just wish that these extras weren’t so eye-wateringly expensive.

Blueair Blue Signature review: Also consider

Blueair Blue Signature

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09

Type

Air purifier table

Air purifier table

Purifying tower fan

Price

$449.99 / £369

$269.99 / £299.99

$749.99 / £549.99

Fan speeds

4

3

10

Modes

Auto, Eco, Night

Auto, Sleep, Pet

Auto, Night mode, Diffused mode

Filter

Pre-filter, 7-stage HEPASilent with activated carbon

Pre-filter, HEPA and activated carbon

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

App support

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

15.5 x 15.5 x 17.2 inches / 39.4 x 39.4 43.7cm

11.4 x 11.4 x 16.5 inches / 29 x 29 x 42cm

8.7 x 8.7 x 41.3 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

Weight

13.2lb / 6kg

10.7lb / 4.9kg

10.4 lbs / 4.7kg

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table
If you love the idea of a multi-functional air purifier but haven’t got the budget spare for the Blue Signature, then this SwitchBot alternative might be for you. Its wood-effect tabletop offers plenty of space for a mug and remote, and comes with the bonus of an integrated wireless phone charger. It only detects and reacts to PM2.5 or smaller, but it operates just as quietly as the Blueair, and makes for a great lower-cost alternative. If you’d like to learn more, have a read of my full SwitchBot Air Purifier Table review.

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09
This Dyson air purifier requires a lot more investment, but it’s a fantastic choice if you want to get a clearer view of your air quality data. I love the attractive gold and white coloring, and can’t help but be impressed by its ability to detect and react to more than the standard PM contaminants, namely, VOCs, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide. And, while it can’t be used as a table, it does operate as a bladeless fan. To find out more about this 4.5-star rated purifier, check out my full Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 review.

How I tested the Blueair Blue Signature

• I tested the Blueair Blue Signature over a few weeks
• I explored the Blueair app and tested the modes and features
• I tested the purifier's detection and reaction speeds

After assembling the Blueair Blue Signature and syncing it to the Blueair app, I tried out the onboard touch controls and app-based controls before having a good explore of the different settings and features.

Along with using the Blueair Blue Signature passively in my home, I also conducted our standard testing procedure of spraying dry shampoo from around two feet away to assess its performance. I then assessed the air quality readings on the app to ensure they were aligned.

I measured the sound levels emitted from different fan speeds and modes, and compared these readings to the measurements I’ve taken from other air purifiers.

• First reviewed: October 2025
• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active: Two-minute review

Gym-goers or athletes who also care about their music quality surely know how few over-ear headphones are designed specifically for fitness; our list of the best workout headphones doesn’t have a single pair and my own fondness for them is tempered by just how rare they are. Most buyers instead have to buy workout earbuds, or repurpose normal over-ear headphones for their workout needs (and get very warm ears).

The Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active are a welcome addition to the anemic market segment, coming with a few features and design considerations which make them a step above rivals… though there are some curious deficiencies too.

You’d think US-based audio company Skullcandy would be a prime fit for workout headphones, due to its emphasis on bassy products and funky designs, and it is – its website has an entire section dedicated to ‘Gym & Workout Headphones’. But those are, like most companies’ offerings, just headphones that can be used to exercise. The Crusher 540 Active is different, as it’s designed intently for that purpose.

The ‘Crusher’ in the name points to one of the cans’ best features and the selling point for every member of this line. The 540 Active has a bass slider which can increase the bass from ‘normal’ to ‘quite bassy’ to ‘my head is shaking’, boosting the low end in an ill-tuned but energetic way. If you’re a gym user who loves bass-heavy thumping audio to help you push yourself to the max, this is a fantastic addition.

Dedicated Skullcandy fans might scroll down and notice that the Crusher 540 Active sounds startlingly similar to another pair of cans from the company called the Crusher Evo, and they cost exactly the same in most regions. I too was baffled by how similar these cans are and apparently fans were too, prompting Skullcandy to write a Reddit post detailing the differences.

The differences lie in a few design considerations: the soft pads can be removed and easily washed, perfect for people who get sweaty at the gym, and the band was designed to have a tighter clamp fit. This latter point, unfortunately, doesn’t have a noticeable effect, and the 540 Active frequently fell off my head at the gym when I was lying down. This could be a deal-breaker for some people, depending on your workout routine.

Audio-wise, you’re getting what you pay for; these headphones sound good but not quite great. However, the app offers perhaps the best personal audio test I’ve used in headphones so far, and the ability to crank the bass to 11 would make a nuanced audio design moot anyway.

I’ve mentioned a few features that I like so far, and they’re definitely the highlights of the Skullcandy, but beyond the bass and personal audio modes there’s a noticeable lack of extra features. I was surprised when first looking at the app to see how few tools were offered – but perhaps it’s best that you don’t use the app much, given the connection problems I had (more on these later).

You’re probably still wondering if I recommend the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active as workout headphones, and after testing them for several weeks, I’m not too sure either. They were great for running, great for workouts where I stayed upright, and good for general listening. But I found myself pre-emptively removing them during my gym sessions when I had to do a prone exercise, due to the fit – so you’ll have to ask yourself what your fitness life looks like and whether you need to do such workouts, before buying them.

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in summer 2025
• Costs $209.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99
• Few similar rivals

The Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active were released in summer 2025, and you can pick them up for $209.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99.

At that price they match the Crusher Evo and aren’t too far off other over-ears from the brand, slightly cheaper than the Crusher ANC 2 and more than the Hesh 540 ANC, so they’re a mid-range pick within Skullcandy's oeuvre.

Here’s where I’d normally compare the headphones to other options on the market going for the same thing, but the over-ear workout headphone market is so slim that there aren’t really any bespoke options to speak of.

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Specs

Drivers

40mm

Active noise cancellation

No

Battery life (ANC off)

40 hours

Weight

312g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0

Waterproofing

NA

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Bass slider for extra... bass
• 40 hours of battery
• Useful sound personalization

It might offend some that I’m going to discuss the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active’s titular feature in this section rather than the ‘sound quality’ one, but at the end of the day the crushing bass is more of a novelty and a boost mode than it is a genuine way of refining your music.

I’m talking about the slider on the Active’s left cup, my allusion to which in the ‘design’ section may have raised eyebrows (if you didn’t read the introduction and haven’t seen any of Skullcandy’s Crusher headphones before).

This slider lets you control how bassy your music is, with the lowest setting matching other workout headphones and the highest one literally making the cans shake on your head. I was blown away by just how bassy music can get if you pick the right track and turn the mode to full; it felt like walking into a sticky nightclub from one of London’s late-night streets.

Audiophiles won’t like this mode, as this boosted bass is somewhat formless and unreliable in what it augments, but I found it infectiously fun to play around with nonetheless. There’s an inescapable novelty to having your head literally shake as you listen to ridiculously-amplified house or hip-hop. Some music just isn’t affected by the boost though, especially acoustic and classical tracks, but it was great fun to see just how the Crusher 540 would affect a song.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s no ANC here to cut out the chaos of a gym, but I found the earcup cushions were pretty good at blocking out a lot of noise passively anyway.

The battery life clocks in at 40 hours according to Skullcandy, which is, roughly speaking, an average figure for over-ear headphones, but given the lack of active noise cancellation it might come off a bit low.

On your phone or tablet, the Skullcandy app gets you some extra tools (not the Skull-IQ app which I’ve used for the brand’s earbuds, as that won’t work – judging by Play Store reviews, lots of people have made the same mistake as I). I had a few connection problems wherein the app wouldn’t pick up the paired headphones, but usually hard-closing and reopening it fixed the issue.

The app offers you a Personal Sound listening test to apply an automatic EQ to your music, and it’s one of the simplest and easiest examples of this test that I’ve ever used, as you’re simply prompted to select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on whether you can hear a series of beeping tones played. Its analysis of my hearing also matched what other tests have told me, so it seems fairly accurate.

You can also use the app to switch between three standard EQ presets: music, podcast (which boosts treble but strips bass) and movie which reduced treble slightly. There’s no custom EQ for you to make your own mix, so audiophiles will have to rely on SkullCandy’s judgements.

Various EQ modes are the only features you get from the app, so if you were hoping for a smorgasbord of extra tools, you’ll be disappointed.

• Features score: 3.5/5

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Plenty of buttons on cups
• Doesn't clamp onto head strong enough
• Cups are removable for cleaning

On the surface, the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active might just look like your standard over-ear headphones, but the devil’s in the detail.

Just look at the cups, for one example of that – they’re loaded with far more buttons and dials than you’d usually see. The left cup has the USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm jack, the aforementioned bass slider and a surprisingly-small power button while the right cup has volume up, play/pause and volume down. Neat touches like slightly-different-feeling buttons ensure it’s easy to work out via touch what you’re reaching for.

The design changes continue to the material, with intentional picks for the gym-going intended buyer. According to Skullcandy, the foam cups have a coating to protect them against sweat, and can be easily removed and cleaned if you do get them mucky – I found them really simple to remove although reattaching them was a lot more fiddly. The band is designed to avoid grime as much as possible.

(Image credit: Future)

Thanks to the breathable material, and the cans’ light body, I found the headphones comfortable to use, even if I was exercising and sweating. The brand deems the cups ‘Sweat & Water Resistant’ although I couldn’t find an official IP rating anywhere.

Skullcandy’s also using a tech here which it calls Clamp Force Secure Fit, designed to give the cans a rigid fit so they’ll stay on your head when you’re working out, but while that’s great in theory it didn’t work in practice. The headphones would regularly slip off my head when I was prone, which is quite frequent depending on my workout routine, and I found myself taking them off every time I needed to lie forward or backward. That’s not exactly ideal for gym use, although I didn’t face the problem when staying upright or running.

A neat (though small) design trait is that you can fold the cups in on the body to make the headphones more portable – I wish more brands would let you do this.

You can buy the Crusher 540 Active in black, white or pink, which is a much more slender list of offerings than Skullcandy’s other Crushers (the ANC 2 has 10 options listed on the brand’s site, while the Evo has six).

• Design score: 3.5/5

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Sound quality

• 40mm drivers per cup
• Scooping bass, especially with slider
• Vocals lack some sparkle

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve already mentioned that the bass slider lets you turn the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active into a head-worn sub-woofer, but for the purposes of this section let’s imagine I’ve got the slider set to its lowest setting.

Even when bass is stripped out like this, it’s still a prominent part of the sound mix – these are workout headphones after all, and ones made by Skullcandy no less, so scooping bass is part and parcel of what you’re paying for. The mids benefit from this to an extent too, though there were a few times in my testing when I found vocals lacking the power and sparkle that some other headphones lend to treble.

As you can probably expect from the price, you’re not getting the most crystal-clear audio quality or nuanced sound stage, and I did hear some distortion on certain songs. But those all reflect the changed priority values that gym-going or jogging users will want, and I wasn’t disappointed at all when listing.

Skullcandy says that both cans have 40mm drivers in them, which is the same as the Crusher Evo. Having heard the 540 Active and understanding how they tick all the workout-headphone boxes, the company’s confirmation that these are the Evos but tweaked for exercise users, makes total sense.

• Sound quality: 3.5/5

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Paying for novel features...
• ... which won't be for everyone

At $209.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99, the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active aren’t the cheapest over-ear headphones in the world (although they’re certainly not premium models). That price isn’t going to the workout features – the Evo costs the same amount – and as I’ve already discussed, these didn’t always tick the boxes as workout headphones anyway.

What you’re actually paying for is the novel bass feature, which is what separates the Crusher 540 Active from other headphones you might be considering. And if this feature sounds great, then the price is certainly justified.

However if you don’t think you’ll make good use of the bass slider, or think the novelty will wear off quickly, there are other over-ears to pick up which are cheaper – and may perform just as well, or better, for a workout.

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active?Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The bass slider and listening test are great, though more features would have been appreciated.

3.5/5

Design

The loose grip hurts the suitability for workouts, but otherwise the design is fine.

3.5/5

Sound quality

While the sound quality is just decent, it's exactly what exercise-minded buyers will want.

3.5/5

Value

If you're buying the Skullcandy for the extra features, it's decent value, but other buyers will be paying unnecessarily more.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

You’re a huge bass-head
Some people stopped reading this review when I mentioned a bass slider which gets your head literally shaking. I probably don’t need to tell you to buy Crushers if that sounds like a fantastic selling point to you.

You sweat a lot
The easily-removable and cleanable ear pads will be great news to people who sweat a lot, as you’ll be able to easily freshen up your cans.

You’re not great at tweaking EQ settings
No equalizer here, but the personal audio mode will help you find your perfect audio mix without you faffing over buttons and sliders.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You’ll need to lie down with them
Wearing these rules out sit-ups, press-ups, bridges, skull crushers, and more – if your workout routine relies on these, then maybe earbuds are best.

You’re not interested in fitness
Well done for reading a whole fitness headphone review without wanting headphones for this purpose, but some of the unique features here will only benefit people doing a workout.

You want funky-looking cans
Skullcandy specializes in funkily-colored or -designed headphones, but the 540 Active are some of its few options that don’t come in all sorts of patterns and hues.

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review: Also consider

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

SkullCandy Crusher Evo

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2

Earfun Wave Pro

Drivers

40mm

40mm

6mm

40mm

Active noise cancellation

No

No

Yes

Yes

Battery life

40 hours

40 hours

14 hours (buds) 56 hours (case)

80 hours

Weight

312g

312g

5g (buds); 47.5g (case)

268g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Waterproofing

NA

NA

IP68

NA

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
The Jabra Elite 8 Gen 2 cost more than the Skullcandys and are in-ears instead of over-ears, but sound great and offer top noise cancellation. I include them here as we rank them as our best workout earbuds.

See our full Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review

Earfun Wave Pro
When I tested these older earbuds, I took them to the gym a few times and they worked fine. They have memory foam cups which won’t be damaged as much by sweat, have a fantastic battery life so you can forget charging them much, and sound really good for the price. Most importantly, they’re quite cheap.

See our full Earfun Wave Pro review

How I tested the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

• Tested for at least three weeks
• Tested at home, on runs and at the gym

I spent at least three weeks testing the Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active before writing this review. They were paired to my Android phone for the entirety of it, using Spotify, Netflix and a few other apps.

I did a lot of the testing at my local gym and on runs around my local area, as I've mentioned. I also listened at home, on public transport and on walks too.

This isn't my first Skullcandy review for TechRadar although I didn't test the original Evo. I've been reviewing devices for the brand for six years now including in-ear, open-ear and on-ear headphones.

• First reviewed in October 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: One-minute review

It brings me no pleasure to find that the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox is the most disappointing product I’ve tested in the brand’s catalog to date. PowerA is admittedly a brand I’ve had mixed feelings about in the past. Sometimes it provides real winners, like the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller, which I consider a solid alternative to the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Other times it doesn’t quite hit the mark, like we’ve seen recently with the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller and indeed the Fusion Pro for Xbox here.

First and foremost, the best Xbox controllers should provide a satisfying play experience with minimal frustrations, but this PowerA pad is loaded with them. From its awkward d-pad and abrasive textured grips, to obnoxious Lumectra RGB lighting and trigger locks that simply don’t work most of the time, this is a controller that tries and fails to punch above its weight class with an absurdly high price tag to match.

It’s not all bad. You at least get a carry case and charging dock included in the box. Battery life is reasonably strong, and a neat audio switch lets you adjust headset volume or mute your mic in an instant. I also love PowerA’s quick-twist thumbsticks here, which provide three adjustable height levels. Plus, they’re Hall effect, meaning they’ll be able to resist stick drift much longer than traditional analog sticks. Still, these high points don’t do enough to outweigh the myriad frustrations I have with this controller.

(Image credit: Future)PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Price and availability

• List price: $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95
• Comparable in price to the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
• There are plenty of cheaper and better options available for Xbox and PC

I’d feel a bit more comfortable recommending the Fusion Pro for Xbox if it weren’t for that eye-watering price tag. At $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95, it’s bordering on the premium territory of Xbox pads like the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

If the Fusion Pro provided a stellar controller experience, the price would be an easier pill to swallow. The issue for PowerA is that there’s no shortage of superb Xbox and PC-compatible controllers like it that are available for less than half of its price, including the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, GameSir Kaleid, and even the official Xbox Wireless Controller.

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Specs

Price

$169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95

Weight

1.44lbs / 0.65kg

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.2 x 2.4in / 156 x 107 x 61mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 30 hours

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Design and features

The initial package out of the box is promising. The PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox comes with a carry case and bespoke charging dock, both incredibly useful accessories that I welcome with any gamepad. Both are solidly made, too. Especially the charging dock, which is well-built, unintrusive, and can sit in any gaming setup ready to charge your pad up via USB-C. The carry case, meanwhile, is sturdy and has a compartment for the USB-C cable.

The pad itself bears a striking resemblance to the official Xbox Wireless Controller, which certainly isn’t anomalous in the wider Xbox controller market. It does feel slightly weightier than Microsoft’s pad, owing to inclusions like trigger locks and a magnetic charging dock connector.

Carrying on with the good, the controller’s quick-twist thumbsticks are genuinely brilliant. Turning them clockwise raises the thumbstick shaft, while lowering it when turned counterclockwise. There are three height levels here, and I personally found the middle setting to be the most comfortable. They lock firmly in place after adjusting, too, so there’s no unnecessary fiddling.

Besides a handy headset audio adjustment switch, that’s about where my praise ends for the PowerA Fusion Pro. To that end, I simply could not get on with the abundance of RGB lighting here. By default, a bright rainbow effect coats the controller, revealing a preset tribal-esque silhouette. It’s a nice pattern, but I found it to be really distracting during play.

You can change the RGB pattern profile (or switch it off entirely) via a dedicated button on the rear of the controller. I opted to keep it switched off, as some of the other pulse-like patterns weren’t much better.

The overall feel of the controller leaves much to be desired, too. The textured grips feel just a little too rough on my hands, making for rather uncomfortable long play sessions. The d-pad is also fairly listless, feeling fine on one end while awkwardly spongy and hard to press on the other. Admittedly, this could be an issue with my unit specifically, but something to keep in mind if you’re planning on buying.

(Image credit: Future)PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Performance

Despite my criticism, I can at least say the PowerA Fusion Pro does get the job done as a controller. If you can ignore the awkward d-pad and abrasive textured grips, performance is perfectly reasonable across the board.

A major gripe here, though, is that the 3-step trigger locks just don’t work. When set to the midpoint, you have to squeeze the triggers really quite hard to register the press. And on the most acute setting, the triggers stop working entirely.

This was the case across multiple games I tested with the controller, including Halo Infinite, Fortnite, and Final Fantasy 14 Online. I like a shallow trigger in games like these, as it lets me fire weapons (or access hotbars in the latter’s case) a good deal quicker, but I was unable to do this on the Fusion Pro.

On a more positive note, the Fusion Pro’s battery life exceeded my expectations, coming in at around 25-30 hours when used wirelessly via a 2.4GHz connection. I tested the controller over the course of a week, across both Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, and found I didn’t have to charge the controller until my very last few sessions with it. Impressive stuff, and beats many other Xbox controllers - both cheaper and pricier than this one - on battery life overall.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox?Buy it if…

You really, really like RGB
I can’t lie, the RGB pattern itself on the PowerA Fusion Pro is really quite lovely, and I like the underlying tribal-like pattern. For me, it’s just a bit too distracting during gameplay, but might be worth checking out if you like color-filled controllers.

Don’t buy it if…

There are better, cheaper options available
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a quality Xbox or PC pad. Most GameSir and 8BitDo controllers, for example, come in well under $100 / £100 while still being replete with desirable features.

Also consider...

I’m being honest here; the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox would be a hard sell at most price points. Consider these two excellent alternatives if you’re currently shopping for a new Xbox and/or PC gamepad.

PowerA Fusion Pro

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Price

$169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95

$199.99 / £179.99 (around AU$229)

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

Weight

1.44lbs / 0.65kg

0.72lbs / 0.33kg

0.54lbs / 0.25kg

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.2 x 2.4in / 156 x 107 x 61mm

6.5 x 4.5 x 2.2in / 164 x 115 x 56mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 30 hours

Around 10 hours

10-15 hours

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
A superb premium controller and one of the brand’s best-ever. This Xbox and PC controller’s unique selling point is its handy on-board LCD display, which lets you quickly customize aspects of your pad and gameplay sessions, including button mapping and headset volume. It’s a real winner for the price.

Read our full Nacon Revolution X Unlimited review

8BitDo Ultimate 2
For a more budget-friendly choice, I can’t recommend the excellent 8BitDo Ultimate 2 enough. Pleasant and subtle RGB ring lights, drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks, and sublime build quality make this one a real budget powerhouse.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox

• Tested for one week
• Played several games across Xbox and PC
• Compared to competitors from Razer, Nacon, 8BitDo, and more

I used the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox for a week in order to write this review. During that time, I played a wide range of titles on Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, including Fortnite, Silent Hill f, Tekken 8, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and much more besides.

Given this controller’s high price point, I compared it directly to similarly priced Xbox gamepad competitors like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and Nacon Revolution X Unlimited. These pads are slightly pricier, but offer more satisfying play with better build quality and high-end features (not to mention trigger locks that actually work).

Even then, I found a lot more to love with cheaper controllers, including the GameSir Kaleid and 8BitDo Ultimate 2. Both offer sublime features like Hall effect or TMR thumbsticks, clicky microswitch-powered buttons, and a tasteful amount of RGB that isn’t overly distracting to the eye.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat: two-minute reviewProduct info

This model may have slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat TH202
UK: Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat TH200UK

For this review, I tested the US version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

I love to consolidate appliances where I can, which is why when I heard about the launch of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, I knew I had to try it. Earlier this year, I tested the TurboBlade, a unique tower fan outfitted with arms with vents that blast out cold air and can be adjusted in height, orientation and direction for 360-degree cooling coverage. The Cool + Heat uses the same basic design but adds a small heater between the two fan arms.

There's a massive selection of settings to explore in this combo heater and fan. There are 10 fan speeds and three special fan modes (Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze mode). As a heater, the Thermo IQ mode lets you adjust the temperature between 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and there's also a Focus mode for quick room heating, and a Comfort mode for all-day comforting warmth.

Whether cooling or heating, you can choose between 45, 90, and 180-degree oscillation. There's no companion app, but you can adjust most settings using the remote control. Notable exceptions are the arm and vent positions, which have to be shifted by hand, and shifting between hot and cold modes, which requires the flipping of a physical switch. (You can't use the fan and heater together.)

The TurboBlade is one of the best fans I've tested, delivering effective, directional cooling (head to my Shark TurboBlade fan review for my full take on the original model). However, the heating functions left me a little underwhelmed. I expected the heat to come from the arms themselves (arguably the product's USP), rather than a small, fixed central vent, the maximum temperature was cooler than I'd ideally want, and the warming wasn't any more effective than that delivered by my cheap space heater. In all likelihood, you'll have to use it for long periods of time on cold days to keep a room warm. Not to mention, the vents go in one direction, so you'll need to use the oscillation function to ensure the hot air is evenly dispersed.

At list price, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is a premium buy (and $100 more than the fan-only TurboBlade). It's quite pricey considering the product can't be controlled by an app and adjusting between the fan and heater isn't hands-free. If you're thinking of buying one, I'd keep an eye out for a deal.

Read on to see how the TurboBlade Cool + Heat performed during various tests.

(Image credit: Future)Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: price & availability

• List price: $399.99 / £299.99
• Launch date: September 2025
• Availability: US / UK

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat launched in September 2025, just eight months after the original Shark TurboBlade was introduced to the market. In the US, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat comes in three colors – charcoal, white, and dove – and is priced at $399.99.

At time of writing the Cool + Heat has also appeared on the Shark UK website, but is showing as out of stock. The price listed is £299.99. Shark has a presence in Australia but I don't have details on when or if it'll also be available there. The original version of the TurboBlade, without heating, has a list price of $299.99 / £249.99.

Dual-purpose heater-fans are not a new idea – there are plenty on the market, with prices ranging between $40 and $750. The $399.99 price tag puts this fan on the higher end, although there are no other bladeless tower fans with similar designs, so if you love the windmill-style build, it may just be worth the premium price.

That said, I think this price would be easier to swallow if the fan was outfitted with app control, or at the least the capability to adjust the arms, vents, and switch between the fan and heater with the remote. Luckily, Shark isn't afraid of a sale, so hopefully you'll be able to avoid paying list price if you're savvy about when you buy.

You'll find Dyson's heater-fans in a similarly lofty price bracket. Options include the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 for $469.99, or the Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 (which throws in air purification too) and costs $659.99 / £549.99 / AU$899. (Head to TechRadar's Dyson fan guide for a breakdown of how the options compare.)

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat specs

Size (L x W x H):

13.8 x 11.8 x 45.9 in / 35.1 x 30 x 116.6cm

Cord length:

6ft / 1.8m

Weight:

19.8 lbs / 9kg

Fan speeds:

10

Oscillation:

45, 90, or 180 degrees

Fan modes:

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Heater modes:

Thermo IQ, Focus mode,Comfort mode 

Heater temperature range:

60-90F in Thermo IQ mode (equivalent to 15.6-32C)

Controls:

Touchscreen buttons, remote

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: design

• Multidirectional fan arms and vents that can be adjusted extensively
• Fixed, centrally located heater with vents that open and close
• Bigger than you'd expect, and heavy

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat arrived in several pieces, but took less than five minutes to set up thanks to easy-to-understand instructions. The tower fan features a base and a bladeless fan that comprises two arms at the top of the telescopic pole. These arms can be adjusted horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and the vents on the arms can also pivot so that air blows up, down, or straight on.

A heater sits between the arms of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat. The arms can only emit cool air, and the heater – hot air. Above the heater is a vent slider and a switch. The switch must be turned to the blue dot to use the fan, and the red dot to use the heater. If it's turned toward the red dot, you must also use the vent slider to open the heater's vents.

(Image credit: Future)

Although the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat comes with a remote control, not everything can be controlled by remote. You can set the oscillation to 45, 90, or 180 degrees with the remote, or adjust the angle of the base to your preference. You can also use the remote to set a timer, change the fan speeds, or swap between various heater or fan modes. However, if you want to go from heating to cooling (or vice versa) you'll need to flip the switch manually, you can't adjust the arms and vents of the fan using the remote either.

The remote control is compact and has a digital screen that shows the different modes in use, fan speeds, and oscillation degrees. When not in use, the remote can be stored on the magnetic top part of the fan where instructions are printed. There is also a digital touchscreen on the base that lets you turn the appliance on/off, adjust the display panel brightness, the heater temperature, fan speeds, and oscillation settings. Unfortunately, if you want to utilize one of the six special modes, you'll have to use the remote.

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of modes, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is equipped with three fan modes (Sleep, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze), and fan speeds between 1-10. The heater has three heat functions: ThermoIQ, which lets you set the desired temperature, as well as Comfort and Focus. Focus is a boost mode for the heater, Comfort delivers soothing warmth over multiple hours.

The SharkTurbo Blade Cool + Heat is bigger than you might expect– check the dimensions before buying – and at 19.8 lbs / 9kg it's not the easiest to move between rooms. If you are shifting it about, make sure the top and base are locked in place or the two will break apart when you move the product from room to room (I learned this the hard way).

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: performance

• Fan airflow reaches up to 30 ft / 9m away on highest fan speed
• Heater less hot and less powerful than I'd hoped
• Cooling is still excellent, with lots of adjustment options

Earlier this year I tested the Shark TurboBlade, and I was a big fan of the unique bladeless fan design and the way you could adjust the vents in different directions. When I heard the brand had taken the same fan and added a heater, I had to test it.

There are differences between the Shark TurboBlade and the TurboBlade Cool + Heat beyond the fact that it has an additional heater. For one, the Cool + Heat has a digital touchscreen on the base that lets you adjust four things: power, brightness of the display panel, oscillation settings, fan speeds, and Thermo IQ temperature.

I opted to use the remote so I didn't have to keep walking back and forth to the fan. The remote fits on the magnetic strip on the top of the back of the fan, and it's the only way to activate the special modes. If I could have my way, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat would come with app integration too, or at least a remote with the capability to adjust the vents and arms of the fan. I found it frustrating that I had to walk over to the fan and manually shift things about if I wanted to change the angle of air.

(Image credit: Future)

Let's talk about the fan before we dive into the heating function. The arms can be adjusted horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Combine that with the fact that the vents can be adjusted up, down, or straight on and, you can achieve 360-degree fan coverage of a room. I found this feature extremely useful in my kitchen, where it grows especially warm when I'm cooking on the stove or with the oven.

You can also set the oscillation at 45, 90, or 180 degrees, or simply adjust the angle and have it blow in one spot in the room. There are no sensors to prevent the fan from hitting walls or furniture, so you'll want to keep it clear of other objects.

(Image credit: Future)

In 'BreezeBoost' mode, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat's airflow can be felt as far as 30 feet / 9 meters away, but is much more noticeable at 20 feet / 6 meters. I didn't really need to adjust the fan speed higher than a 5 most of the time. Even a 3 fan setting was sufficient to keep me cool, though I appreciate having the option to increase the airflow right up to 10, or use the BreezeBoost mode on really hot days.

Sleep Mode provided some in-room circulation that I enjoyed at night. Best yet, it wasn't any louder than my ceiling fan. The Natural Breeze Mode mimics natural winds by randomizing the airflow. It is a lovely feature to use indoors when I'm not particularly hot but appreciate a 'breeze' every few seconds or so.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the heater, I have mixed opinions. I assumed that the brand would make hot air come out of the arms, but that's not the case. Instead, the designers placed a small rectangular heater in between the arms. If I wanted to use the heater, I had to physically go up to the TurboBlade, flick the switch to heater mode and open the vents.

For the most part, I used the Thermo IQ heater setting, which essentially lets you adjust the hot air between 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit (equivalent to 15.6-32 degrees Celcius – although I assume that'll be rounded up or down when this model comes to the UK). I also utilized the other two modes – Comfort and Focus. I can see buyers using the Comfort mode if they plan to spend a few hours in a room and just want some additional warmth. Focus is better equipped to warm up a room quickly.

(Image credit: Future)

The heater airflow isn't that strong. In fact, it didn't matter which mode I used, I could only feel hot air from a maximum of 10 feet / 3 meters away. The airflow from the fan is significantly stronger.

Plus, if you want to feel the full force of the heater, you have to be situated to the left of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, because that's where the vents are angled. For that reason, it's necessary to use the oscillation feature when using the heater.

The heater has a maximum temperature of 90F, which is somewhat average on the wider market. I recently tested the Dreame AirPursue PM20 and it has a maximum heater temperature of 104F. I know that some space heaters have a 90F temperature maximum, but for the price, I expected the temperature to be a little higher.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested how quickly the temperature rose in a room with the doors shut. In Thermo IQ mode, with the target set to the 90F maximum temperature, the room temperature rose from 77 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. I ran the same test in the Focus mode and found that the room went from 76 to 84F within 10 minutes. In both cases, it would have taken much longer for the room to heat if I had left the doors open.

It should be noted that my house is very old so I have little insulation and 10-foot ceilings. The room might grow warmer faster if your ceilings are lower and your house is more modern.

As someone whose home gets exceptionally cold in the winter, the heater element could be helpful but I'm not sure if it would be more effective than the small space heater I currently have. I also wish you could use the fan and the heater at the same time – using the lower fan speeds to circulate hot air around a room would have been invaluable.

Like the TurboBlade, the TurboBlade Cool + Heat has a timer that can be set on 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours. I rarely used this feature, but it's a nice option to have. I also like being able to mute the chime on the appliance, and how little maintenance there is beyond dusting the defense panel occasionally. If I could make some slight adjustments to the design, it'd be to add wheels to the bottom of the base. At almost 20 lbs / 9kg, it's not easy to move the fan and heater between rooms. Wheels could alleviate this and make it more accessible to those who may not have the strength to move it as easily.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

A premium-priced fan and heater with lots of modes and settings. I'd expect app control at this price, and there are cheaper, as-effective heater-fan options about. Perhaps wait for a deal.

3.5 / 5

Design

A tower fan with two adjustable arms and a heater centered between them. Rather heavy and bulky. Remote control can adjust most (but not all) settings.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Cools the room quickly thanks to the multidirectional vents and arms, but heater is less impressive. Specialty modes are fun and useful.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a combo fan and heater

Rather than crowd your space with a fan and a heater, you could invest in one product – the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat – which can do both things.

You want an ultra-adjustable fan

In fan mode, the arms and vents of the fan can be angled to blow cool air vertically, diagonally, and horizontally, or even in two directions at the same time. There aren't too many adjustment options for the heater, but you can still make use of the three oscillation settings.

You enjoy a fan and heater with multiple modes

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat has six special modes – three for the fan and three for the heater. Adjust the fan speeds and the heater temperature settings to your preference, and you can take advantage of Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze mode for the fan, as well as Thermo IQ, Comfort, and Focus mode for the heater.

Don't buy it if...

You want a really strong heater

While the heater is a nice addition, it's not as effective as I would've liked. The max temperature isn't that hot, and warm air doesn't blow out as forcefully as the cool air from the fan. You'll need to use the oscillation function to ensure the hot air is evenly dispersed, too.

You want complete hands-free control

If you want to switch between the fan and the heater on the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, you'll have to do it by hand on the appliance itself. Not to mention, the arms and vents can't be adjusted with the remote.

You want maximum value for money

If you forgo the unique adjustable armed design, there are plenty of other products on the market that heat and cool equally as well at a more affordable price. While the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat has some cool special features, it lacks some things I'd expect at this price – app control, for one. Perhaps it's best to wait until this product is on sale.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat vs TurboBlade

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat (reviewed)

Shark TurboBlade

Size (L x W x H):

13.8 x 11.8 x 45.9 in / 35.1 x 30 x 116.6cm

11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8 in / 29.9 x 80.2 x 113.9cm

Cord length:

6ft / 1.8m

6ft / 1.8m

Weight:

19.8 lbs / 9kg

15 lbs / 8.8kg

Fan speeds:

10

10

Oscillation:

45, 90, or 180 degrees

45, 90, or 180 degrees

Fan modes:

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Heater modes:

Thermo IQ, Focus mode,Comfort mode 

N/A

Heater temperature range:

60-90F in Thermo IQ mode (equivalent to 15.6-32C)

N/A

Controls:

Touchscreen, remote

Buttons, remote

Shark TurboBlade

The original TurboBlade doesn't have any heat functions – it's purely for cooling. There's also no touchscreen on the base, nor a display on the remote control. Otherwise, the two are very similar, with the same fan options and settings.

Read my full Shark TurboBlade review

How I tested the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

I tested the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat for over a week in my house in Texas in September. It was still pretty warm outside, so while I used the fan most of the time to aid in cooling down my home, I made sure to test the heating element to provide a full breakdown of how it works and how quickly it warms a room. I tested all the special modes, and compared the performance to other similar appliances I've used.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed October 2025

The stubborn part of me was convinced I would always consider Pan's Labyrinth to be the finest Guillermo del Toro movie. Then the new Netflix movie Frankenstein was unleashed, and it changed everything.

When someone as great as del Toro can outdo himself, it makes me even more hopeful for his future as a filmmaker. Once again, he made me cry with a sympathetic, tense, and utterly beautiful movie, the kind of offering that makes me remember why I fell in love with film in the first place.

Yes, it really is that good. Literature lovers among us may be concerned that it doesn't retell Shelley's story to the letter, but you needn't be, as del Toro's version offers a different perspective and does it very well.

Indeed, he even spoke about this in an Empire interview where he said, "The best moments in my mind of Frankenstein, of the novel, are yet to be filmed". So he set out to tell said best moments, resulting in this beautiful movie.

I really do mean it when I say beautiful, both in terms of its story and how it looks visually. I'm used to del Toro's movies being well-crafted, and he was right to partner with cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who he worked with on the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water.

Alexandre Desplat has composed many of my favorite scores, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and again, The Shape of Water, so there's some familiar names here, and this makes for a beautiful collaboration. A movie like this shines when there's a great score alongside it, and trust me, you'll get that here.

That's not the only similarity Frankenstein shares with The Shape of Water, either, as both made me cry a lot. I do tend to cry at many movies, admittedly, but no one tugs at my heartstrings quite like this guy. I will always be obsessed with del Toro's sympathetic lens and how he crafts his characters.

Jacob Elordi's The Creature is as captivating to watch as it is heartbreaking. We see the world through his eyes, a technique I always love, which was done wonderfully in Leigh Whannell's Wolf Man, too. Forcing us to see things from a seemingly impossible perspective, a place we will never be, is jarring and makes for an excellent narrative device.

It's not all doom and gloom, though, as his signature brand of wonder does shine brightly at times. Amid the horrors, there's hope and innocence, something that brings me back to his movies over and over. We get to see as much light as we do darkness, taking us on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. While it is a bleak story, of course, it's balanced with this overarching feeling of empathy that stays with you long after you leave the theater.

Frankenstein is best seen on the biggest screen possible

Victor Frankenstein is played equally as brilliantly by Oscar Isaac, embodying the spirit of a man who is ostracized but refuses to give up, a complicated man who has long been the subject of many literary debates. He's a traumatized, obsessed man, rich in complexities. This comes across brilliantly in Isaac's performance.

The entire ensemble is excellent, with huge names like Mia Goth (she really is a star, like her iconic horror character Pearl professes), Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Christoph Waltz rounding out the cast. Nobody is wasted here; I was impressed by every role.

This is only elevated by beautiful costumes and set design, which have transportive powers at the best of times, but I couldn't believe that 2 hours and 30 minutes had passed. It really does fly by, and I can't wait to watch it all over again.

I urge people to go and see Frankenstein as soon as possible. Its arrival on Netflix does mean more people will get to see it, but it's best experienced in theaters if you can. It's a cinematic feast for the eyes and should be seen on the biggest, loudest screen possible.

When it does arrive on Netflix, I highly recommend checking out del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, too, to further satisfy your grisly cravings. What better way to celebrate Halloween than that?

You might also like

• 8 new horror movies on Prime Video, Shudder, HBO Max and more in October 2025
• Weapons and Together are good, but 3 other horror movies of 2025 top my charts – here's where to stream them
• Ballad of a Small Player is the new Netflix movie you haven’t heard of that needs to be streamed on the biggest screen possible

FiiO QX13: Two-minute review

Another day inevitably brings another FiiO product – and today’s FiiO product is the QX13 USB headphone amp/DAC. It’s an established product type, sure, but anyone with even a passing interest in the company knows FiiO seldom does things by halves.

So $219 / £199 / AU$349 buys a small, beautifully made device built from either carbon fiber or aluminum, and fronted by some heftily toughened glass. On the inside there’s the usual FiiO over-engineering, from the ESS SAbre DAC arrangement to the Texas Instruments amplification, and on the outside there are a couple of audio outputs, and a small and extremely informative full-colour display (ideal for those who can read all the way down to the bottom line in the opticians without any help). FiiO even provides a protective leather case that attaches magnetically to your iOS or Android device in the interests of both tidiness and swankiness.

Connect via USB-C to a smartphone, games machine, laptop or anything else that could do with an audio leg-up, and the improvements are both obvious and wide-ranging. In almost every respect, but especially where soundstaging, detail retrieval and dynamic impetus are concerned, the QX13 is a significant step on in quality.

If it wasn’t for the device’s tendency to hit treble sounds with quite such vigor, it would be approaching ‘ideal’ and be part of the best portable DACs around.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)FiiO QX13 review: Price and release date

• Release date: July 2025
• Price: $219 / £199 / AU$349

The FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC is on sale now, and in the United States it sells for $219. In the United Kingdom it's around $219, while in Australia it goes for something like AU$349.

This puts it towards the top of the ‘USB headphone amp/DAC dongle’ market but, as we shall see, FiiO has done its best to make that price seem fair enough…

FiiO QX13 review: Features

• ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO DAC
• Texas Instruments op-amps
• Powerful ‘desktop’ mode

You’ve got to hand it to FiiO – it hasn’t let the requirement for the QX13 to be as compact as possible prevent it absolutely piling on the specification.

At the heart of the product is an ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO digital-to-analog conversion chipset. Capable of dealing with resolutions up to a giddy 32bit/768kHz and DSD512, it features eight channels arranged in parallel and a couple of low-noise ES9312 regulators dealing with output matching on each audio channel. Amplification is provided by half a dozen Texas Instruments op-amps arranged to reduce crosstalk and minimize interference.

Thanks to this optimized layout and also to the efficiency of its heat dissipation, the QX13 can deliver comparable power to full-size headphone amplifiers when it's in ‘desktop’ mode. Meanwhile, its high-precision power regulator can adjust the headphone amplification where gain and output power is concerned, in real time.

Part of the efficiency of the heat dissipation is thanks to the carefully shielded digital and analog boards. This also, of course, allows for more precise signal processing at every stage. Once it’s decoded from digital to analog, the signal passes through several stages of expansion and enhancement in an effort to deliver as complete an account of the information as possible.

There’s more, of course – there’s always more when FiiO is involved. The use of XMOS crystal oscillators allows the QX13 to be compatible with the 10-band lossless PEQ that’s available via the web or the Android FiiO control app. UAC 1.0 mode means the QX13 is compatible with PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and other gaming devices. It’s compatible with the company’s compact ‘ESTICK’ power bank.

But by now you get the picture – FiiO seemingly has a limitless supply of kitchen sinks it’s prepared to throw at every device it manufactures.

Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)FiiO QX13 review: Sound quality

• Positive, detailed sound
• Spacious and organized presentation
• Rather over-confident high-frequency reproduction

Unsurprisingly, the FiiO QX13 passes the first test (‘does it improve on the unassisted sound of the average laptop or smartphone?’) in quite some style. It’s an altogether fuller, more convincing and more enjoyable listen than you can achieve simply by plugging your headphones into the output socket of a device like this.

It’s a remarkably open and organized listen. The soundstage it creates during a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is expansive, carefully controlled and equally carefully laid out. Each element of recording relates naturalistically to each other, but each has a discrete pocket of space in which to operate; the sound is at once focused, unified and spacious. The spaces between each element are given the necessary prominence, and the QX13 keeps these silences very dark indeed.

Frequency response is fairly even. From the bottom end to the very top, the FiiO gives every area more-or-less equal emphasis – it’s slightly tilted towards the higher frequencies, but not fatally so. And at every point, it identifies, retains and reveals an impressive amount of detail. If there is minor, fleeting information regarding tone or texture in a recording, the QX13 has no problem placing it in convincing context.

It’s similarly adept when it comes to the dynamics of harmonic variation in a voice or an instrument, too, and where the broad dynamic shifts in intensity during a 16bit/48kHz FLAC file of Beak’s Carob Honey are concerned, the QX13 fairly steams through them. The amount of dynamic headroom it has available is significant.

The bottom of the frequency range is tightly controlled, and the attack and decay of individual notes and/or hits is so closely observed that rhythmic expression is confident and direct. The midrange communicates in the same positive, eloquent way; there’s really no mistaking a vocalist's attitude when they’re described by the FiiO.

From the lowest frequencies to the highest, there’s a common tonality to the QX13’s presentation that creates a strong impression of singularity and of ‘performance’. At the top of the frequency range, though, the FiiO overplays its hand just a little. It attacks high-frequency information with absolute zeal, and it doesn’t take much (even a mild lack of sympathy where source machine, content or partnering headphones are concerned will do it) for treble sounds to become slightly hard and overly assertive.

This is what I mean by ‘slightly titled towards the higher frequencies’, and it’s this trait that means the QX13 doesn’t pass the second test (“does it represent value for money when judged against its peers?”) with anything like the same breeziness as it does the first. That this FiiO has a fistful of sonic talents is not up for question, but whether it’s the best-sounding device of its type and price must remain a live question.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)FiiO QX13 review: Design

• Carbon-fiber or aluminum construction
• Magnetic leather case for ultimate iPhone convenience
• 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD)

You’ve two choices where the finish of your QX13 is concerned: carbon-fiber or aluminum.

The former consists of 21 layers of material that adds up, according to FiiO, to a device that’s six times stronger than steel. This version of the QX13 weighs in at just 33.7g, whereas the aluminum alternative is a whole 39.2g, but it does feature a laser-engraved rear panel that, suggests FiiO, makes for an ‘elegant yet advanced’ appearance. Mind you, you won’t be seeing much of either material if you slip the QX13 into its protective leather case. FiiO has, in one of those ‘so simple it’s brilliant’ moments of inspiration, made the case magnetic - so it will cling to your iPhone in the manner of a MagSafe. If you’re an Android user, there’s a magnetic ring provided in the packaging to perform the same function.

The little 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD) device is beautifully made, no matter the material you prefer, and the standard of finish is very good, too. FiiO is to be congratulated on its use of third-generation Corning high-strength glass for the majority of the front panel – its scratch-resistance is second to none.

Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)FiiO QX13 review: Usability & setup

• 50.5mm IPS screen
• Hybrid 3.5mm output
• 60- and 120-step volume adjustment scales

As far as setting up the QX13 goes, things couldn’t really be more straightforward. It features two USB-C sockets, one of which is for charging the battery and the other for data transfer – both can be connected simultaneously, and FiiO provides a short length of braided USB-C / USB-C cable to help.

There’s a switch to engage or disengage ‘desktop’ mode, and at the top of the device there are 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm output sockets. The smaller one can be specified as an SPDIF if you want to connect your QX13 to a larger system digitally, so it’s just a question of making the necessary connections and away you go.

Or, at least, away you go provided you have the required dexterity to get the FiiO set up to your satisfaction. The screen is bright and clear, most certainly - but it tries to include too much information in one go (file type, file size, volume level, mode confirmation, UAC type, EQ setting, you name it). The set-up menus themselves are typically FiiO in their thoroughness but the size of the font that’s been used is necessarily small, and the few physical buttons available to navigate them are small too.

Ideally you’ll have eyes like a hawk and fingers like cocktail sticks. Otherwise there could be a fair bit of back-and-forth to get what you want, and some squinting to ensure you’ve got it once the device is functioning.

Usability & setup score: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)FiiO QX13 review: Value

You can’t judge the value for money of a product like this on the basis of the amount of stuff your money buys – a portable USB DAC/headphone amp needs to be small and light. No, you judge it on the way it’s made, the way it’s finished, the way it’s specified and, most importantly, the way it makes your USB-C device and headphones sound.

And in all these respects, it’s very decent value for money indeed, but the quirks of its audio character mean it’s not quite the no-brainer FiiO was undoubtedly hoping for.

Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should you buy FiiO QX13?Buy it if...

Your USB-C-equipped device could do with some audio assistance
The QX13 improves on the native sound of smartphones and laptops to quite a degree.

You have some good wired headphones
And if you have some good wired headphones on a cable that terminates in a balanced 4.4mm connection, even better.

You admire some thorough (and small-scale) engineering
How does FiiO squeeze it all in? It’s a question as old as electricity itself…

Don't buy it if...

Your eyesight isn’t all it might be
Some of the information displayed on the screen is beyond ‘tiny’.

Your fingers are of similar size to those of King Charles III
The physical controls require deft, rather than sausagey, digits.

You’re especially sensitive to high-frequency sound
The FiiO attacks the top of the frequency range in quite determined fashion.

FiiO QX13 review: Also consider

Helm Audio Bolt
It’s not as thoroughly specified as the FiiO QX13, but the Helm Audio Bolt is not to be underestimated where audio quality is concerned. If you can live without a display and a magnetic holster, this is a very compelling alternative.
Read our in-depth Helm Audio Bolt review to learn more

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)How I tested the FiiO QX 13

• Various headphones
• Various audio file types and sizes
• Various sources of music

I mostly used the FiiO QX13 with my Apple MacBook Pro, but I also tried it out with a Google Pixel 8 smartphone and a FiiO M15S. Two of these three products benefited no end from the QX13’s d-to-a conversion and headphone amplification.

I listened to plenty of music of various genres, various file sizes and types, and I listened for well in excess of a working week.

• Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

JBL Grip: two-minute review

The JBL Grip is a new entrant into the audio giant’s Bluetooth speaker lineup, sitting between the Clip and Flip lines. It has a seltzer-can-inspired look, attractive ambient lighting, and a highly durable exterior. Yes, it really has all the key design elements covered. But does the Grip sound any good? I tested it for two weeks to find out.

I’ve got to say, the JBL Grip is a pretty solid sounding speaker overall. Of course, it’s a pretty small model, so there are some limitations in terms of bass response, and when volume is pushed up high, music can sound pretty one-dimensional. But still, you’ll get clear, well-balanced, and decently punchy sound from this small cylindrical model.

Arguably the best thing about the JBL Grip, however, is its brilliant all-round design. I’m a big fan of its can-sized dimensions, and when you combine that with its textured exterior, it's both satisfying and easy to… well, grip. Like a lot of the best Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Grip is also dust and waterproof thanks to its IP68 protection against the elements, making it ideal for shower or beachside listening.

It’s also a real beauty, with the speaker coming in an appealing range of colors. I tried out the purple model, but there’s also pink, red, blue… you name it! An ambient lighting panel on the reverse side of the speaker is also very easy on the eye, though I do wish there was a light mode that synced to the speaker’s output for more immersive listening – something I’ve seen on speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750.

The lights on the JBL Grip are customizable via the JBL Portable app, which opens up a range of other options too. There’s PlayTime Boost if you want to get an extra couple hours of playtime, stereo group if you want to use two Grip speakers in stereo mode, and a range of EQ options, including a custom option.

On top of that, the JBL Grip supports Auracast, meaning you can link a bunch of compatible JBL speakers up to it for additional loudness and coverage.

At $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129, the Grip isn’t exactly cheap for what it is, though it's hardly unfathomably expensive either. For me, I think its marginally larger sibling, the JBL Flip 7 just feels like a better value buy. It offers considerably better sound, with regimented, pumping bass and full-bodied, detailed sound. But it’s also got better battery life and the same durability – with only a slight increase in size and price.

Overall, though, I still think that the Grip is a neat addition to JBL’s vast lineup of Bluetooth speakers. If you’re digging its hand-held design and you want a sub-$100 option with personality, it’s one of the best models available to you right now – and you should totally get a Grip (thank you, I'm here all week). But if you’ve got a little more money to play with, I’d still recommend going for the Flip 7, which is an exemplary Bluetooth speaker.

(Image credit: Future)JBL Grip review: price and release date

• $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129
• Launched in September 2025

The JBL Grip was launched in September 2025, and is the very first speaker in its line. It’s priced at a mid-point between the Clip 5 and Flip 7, and will typically cost $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129. You can purchase this speaker in a range of colors too, including: Black; Blue; Pink; Purple; Red; Squad (camo); and White.

JBL Grip review: specs

Weight

0.8lbs / 0.4kg

Dimensions

2.5 x 6 x 2.6 inches / 64 x 153 x 65mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Battery life

14 hours

Speaker drivers

1x 16W full range driver

Waterproofing

IP68

(Image credit: Future)JBL Grip review: features

• Customizable lighting
• Multiple EQ options in JBL Portable app
• Commendable 14 hour battery life

The JBL Grip is equipped with just about everything you could want from a small Bluetooth speaker. And if you download the JBL Portable app, you get access to a whole lot of customization options.

For instance, the app features light adjustment, which lets you select from the following effects: freeze; bounce; trim; switch; and neon. You can also select from a small pool of colors and adjust brightness to get the precise look you want. It would be nice if there was a slight effect that synced to your music, but I still like the degree of personalization available here.

Another thing you can tailor to your taste is EQ. There are a handful of presets to choose from, like JBL Signature, Chill, and energetic. However, you can also create your own sound with the custom seven-band equalizer. This works nicely and I did stick with a custom tuning for a considerable chunk of my time with the speaker.

There’s even more to discover, though, like stereo pairing if you’ve got a second Grip, and Auracast connectivity, which enables you to link a load of compatible speakers for increased volume – models like the JBL Xtreme 4 and JBL Charge 6 support this.

Before we tie things up, a quick word on battery life. Technically, you can get up to 14 hours of playtime from this model, but that’s with volume low, minimal lighting, and use of the PlayTime Boost function – an option that essentially reduces sound quality for two additional hours of listening.

Usually, you’ll get up to 12 hours of listening, which is pretty solid for a model of this stature. You can fully recharge it in 3 hours too.

All in all, the Grip has just about every base covered. Sure, it doesn’t have an integrated mic for clear, hands-free calling – something you’ll find on a rival like the Edifier ES20. But still, there’s plenty of functionality to sink your teeth into.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Grip review: sound quality

• Clear, well-balanced audio with AI Sound Boost
• Some limitations with small size, especially at high volumes
• Decent weight to bass, but Flip 7 blows it out the water

As you may expect, the small size of the JBL Grip does come with some sonic limitations, but for a model in this weight class, it performs well overall.

When tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the deep drum machine sounded fairly commanding, while vocals remained clear in the mix. In the track’s intro, strings suddenly pierce through, but these sounded a little restricted on the Grip – the attack just sounded a little blunt or dulled, reducing the dramatic tone.

In Never Would by M-High, I was again treated to surprisingly deep, impactful bass – but not at the expense of controlled, decently detailed percussion in the treble range. With volume pushed to the 90-100% mark, low end did sound a little thin, and instrument separation was diminished, resulting in a slightly narrow sound. But that’s pretty common for a lot of small speakers, in fairness.

Similarly, tracks with booming sub-bass won’t be replicated all too well on the Grip due to some inherent restrictions. If you’re looking for almighty low-frequency output, I’d suggest checking out one of the best party speakers instead, like the JBL Xtreme 4.

Still, overall bass performance is solid, especially as you can set a custom EQ with enhanced low-end output, if you’d prefer. And in less bass-heavy genres, the Grip performs very admirably. In Rains again by Solji, soaring vocals remained emotive, with the breathiness in the performance audible throughout – that’s even without higher-res codecs like LDAC or aptX.

The speaker’s wraparound design also means you get a pleasing listen from all angles, with AI Sound Boost also onboard to optimize output for “bigger sound with less distortion”.

I compared the Grip to the Flip 7, and if you want the best sonic quality in a small body, that’s where I’d suggest spending your money. The regimented bass and more full-bodied sound is simply intoxicating. Having said that, the Grip does perform nicely – you’ll just have to make a few sonic sacrifices to enjoy its smaller form factor and sleek design.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Grip review: design

• Rugged, durable exterior with IP68 rating
• Easy to grip and ultra light
• Attractive looks with fun array of color options

I’m not always bowled over by the look of JBL’s Bluetooth speakers, but I actually love the Grip’s design.

When I visited JBL at the Nordisk Film studio in Copenhagen, an employee noted how research was undertaken in the food and drink industry finding that consumers widely preferred the slim and tall soda can style over the traditionally shorter and stubbier alternative. As a result, the Grip is made to resemble the former, and is “inspired by the proportions of a seltzer can”.

I for one love the shape and size of the Grip. As its name suggests, it’s easy to grab on to, with its textured exterior providing additional grip. Its also pleasingly light, earning it top-class portability.

Playback controls are elegantly positioned towards the ‘lid’, while power, Auracast, and pairing buttons sit on the top. A light control button can be found on the reverse side, where you can also find a fabric loop that can be used to hook the speaker onto something.

As is typically the case with JBL, the Grip comes in a beautiful array of colors, including: Black; Blue; Pink; Purple; Red; Squad (camo); and White. I tested the Purple variant and it really stands out from the crowd in the best way, and the inclusion of a light panel compliments the vibrant colorways even further.

But the good times keep rolling. Yes, the JBL Grip is extremely durable, largely thanks to its impressive IP68 dust and waterproof rating. This means that the speaker is fully dustproof, and can be submerged in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. That makes it perfect for listening in the bath or shower, or even at the beach. JBL also calls the Grip ‘drop-proof’, so it truly is a hardy lil’ fella.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Grip review: value

• Not exactly cheap for its size
• JBL Flip 7 offers superior overall sound-per-pound value
• Still, plenty of quality here

JBL has positioned the Grip right between the Clip 5 and Flip 7, pricing it at just under $100 / £90 / AU$130.

Now, that’s hardly super expensive, but it's not exactly cheap for a speaker of this size. The mightier, more detail-oriented Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 is on-sale pretty regularly for around the same cost, and the larger JBL Flip 6 can often be found at a similar price as well.

On top of that, the new Flip 7, which we awarded a glowing five-star review, feels like a slightly better value pick, at least in some territories. OK, in the US, it’s a full $50 more, but in the UK, you can pay just £20 more for the Flip 7, and experience significantly better audio, with rumbling low-end output and improved dynamics. You’ll also get more playtime in an only marginally larger, heavier package.

I want to give the Grip its flowers, though. It's still a solid sounding, aesthetically pleasing, and feature-rich Bluetooth speaker. And for less than $100 / £90, I think a lot of consumers will enjoy its soda-can dimensions, durable build, and fun lighting.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the JBL Grip?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Customizable lighting, strong EQ options, multi-speaker pairing.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Good overall clarity and balance, noticeable compression at higher volumes.

4/5

Design

Beautiful looks, top-class dust and waterproofing, durable construction.

5/5

Value

A quality speaker that’s not exactly expensive, some rivals provide better bang for your buck.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want a hardy audio companion to take out and about
One of the best things about the JBL Grip is its incredible durability and protection against the elements. It has IP68-rated dust and waterproofing, meaning it can take a dunking underwater without a hitch – perfect for shower or beach-side use!

You want a vibrant, stand-out speaker
In typical JBL fashion, this speaker comes in a range of eye-catching colors, including purple, red, and squad (camo). The ambient lighting only makes it stand out further from the crowd, making this a great pick for any colorful tech lovers.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best sound quality around
The JBL Grip sounds good overall, given its size, but it didn’t exactly blow me away, sonically speaking. If you want the best sound quality around, a small rival like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation is our top pick.

You’re looking for a speaker to get the party going
This model has a 16W power output, so it's not ideal if you want a powerful speaker for parties. If that’s what you’re after, I’d go for a larger model like the LG xboom Grab – or even the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, if you wanna go all out.

JBL Grip review: also consider

JBL Grip

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

Edifier ES20

Price

$99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129

$99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149

$89.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99

Weight

0.8lbs / 385g

0.9lbs / 420g

0.7lbs / 326g

Dimensions

2.5 x 6 x 2.6 inches / 64 x 153 x 65mm

4.1 x 3.8 x 3.8 inches / 104 x 95.3 x 95.3mm

3.6 x 3.7 x 2 inches / 90.4 x 93.7 x 49.7mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.4

Battery life

14 hours

14 hours

15 hours

Speaker drivers

1x 16W full range driver

2 x 40mm active drivers; 2 x 46.1 x 65.2mm passive radiators

1x 43mm full-range driver

Waterproofing

IP68

IP67

IP67

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
If the JBL Grip is the seltzer can, then the UE Wonderboom 4 is the traditional 12 fl.oz / 330ml can of Coca Cola or mug of coffee. It’s shorter, stubbier, and similar to the Grip in many ways. It has a great waterproof rating, solid audio, and good battery life. Read our full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review.

Edifier ES20
This one’s a little smaller, but I absolutely loved my time with it. The Edifier ES20 is a square-shaped small speaker that combines retro style with customizable ambient lighting. It dishes out surprisingly punchy audio, has IP67 dust and waterproofing, and even makes use of a noise-cancelling enabled mic for clear hands-free calls. Read our full Edifier ES20 review.

JBL Grip review: how I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for two weeks
• Used at home and at Future Labs
• Tested using Spotify and Tidal

I spent more than two weeks testing out the JBL Grip, using it instead of my typical go-to Bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. I exhausted all of the Grip’s features, using a range of light customization options and listening across a variety of spaces.

For the most part, I used the Grip in my kitchen while cooking and cleaning – but I also used it while taking showers and for analytical listening at our music testing room at Future Labs. Here, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library – via both Tidal and Spotify.

More generally, I’ve reviewed dozens of speakers, headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and more here at TechRadar, where I have a particular focus on audio-visual technology. I’ve tested most of the Grip’s competition, so I know what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly convoluted market.

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

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2: review

If you’re looking for one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards, then you can’t go wrong with the SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2.

This recent release from storage giant SanDisk is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you don’t need to worry about any potential compatibility issues. It also boasts an attractive Mario red design that helps it stand out compared to the numerous non-gaming options on the market.

It even comes in cheaper than some unlicensed alternatives like the PNY microSD Express Card - at least for the time being - so you’re not getting ripped off for wanting a Nintendo-approved model. The card performed well in benchmarks, achieving an average read speed of 894.4 MB/s and write speed of 674.1 MB/s and even beating the manufacturer’s own claimed figures (though this is likely just the result of different testing conditions).

It was actually the fastest read speed among the models that I tested for comparison, which included the aforementioned PNY alternative and the officially licensed Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Future)

It also impresses in the real world. As you would expect, given those strong benchmark results, I never experienced any noticeable loading time slowdowns while playing fast-paced games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

File transfer speeds on the console itself were good, too. My 60.5GB installation of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition was copied to the micro SD Express card in a total of 14 minutes and 25 seconds, then moved back to the internal storage in 12 minutes and 1 second. A smaller game, the brand new Pokémon Legends: Z-A, moved to the card from the internal storage in 1 minute 48 seconds, then back in 1 minute 16 seconds.

This is one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, and the only downside is your limited options when it comes to the card’s capacity. There’s just one 256GB model, which should be enough for most users, but not if you have a particularly large game collection. Hopefully, there will be some more variants on the way, but in the meantime, the great value Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card has you covered with its mega 1TB capacity.

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2: Price and specs

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.95

Capacity

256GB

Quoted read speed

880 MB/s

Quoted write speed

650 MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

894.4 MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

674.1 MB/s

Should I buy the SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2?Buy it if...

You want a simple storage upgrade
The SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 is an easy choice. It’s officially licensed by Nintendo, so it will work perfectly with your console and doesn’t come in any more expensive than unlicensed options.

You need reliable performance
This model also performed well not only in my benchmark tests, but also in real-world use. Pick it up if you need a storage device you can rely on.

Don't buy it if...

You’re after larger or smaller sizes
Sadly, this card only comes in one capacity: 256GB. If you need something bigger or even smaller for your game library, then you need to choose something else.

Also consider

Not keen on the SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2? Check out these worthy alternatives.

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card

PNY microSD Express Card

Price

$59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.95

$58.98 / £59.45 / AU$119.34 (256GB)

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

Capacity

256GB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

128GB / 256GB

Quoted read speed

880MB/s

900MB/s

890MB/s

Quoted write speed

650MB/s

600MB/s

550MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

894.4MB/s

831.97MB/s

893.74MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

674.1MB/s

310.03MB/s

713.42MB/s

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card
The Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card was the first 1TB microSD Express model on the market, and it remains the best choice if you want a high-capacity option that performs well on Nintendo Switch 2.

Stay tuned for our full Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card review

PNY microSD Express Card
The PNY microSD Express Card isn’t licensed by Nintendo, but still performs well. It also has a cheaper 128GB capacity, so it could be the better pick if you have a small game library and only need a modest storage boost.

Stay tuned for our full PNY microSD Express Card review

How I tested the SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

• Tested against other microSD Express Cards
• Using a range of benchmarks
• Real-world use also evaluated

I reviewed the SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 alongside three other Nintendo Switch 2-compatible microSD Express models, including the Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card and PNY microSD Express Card, for the purposes of side-by-side comparison.

I tested the sequential read and write speed of each card using a standardised benchmark via CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings. In order to facilitate this, I relied on the Lexar Play Pro MicroSD Express Card Reader, which features active cooling via a fan.

To see the real-world performance, I used each card with my personal Nintendo Switch 2 - playing a range of games and timing different file transfers on the system itself.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

Taking control of a lighthouse wasn't on my video game bingo card for 2025, but that’s the thrust of Keeper, a puzzle adventure game from Double Fine Productions, with an emphasis on strange style and atmosphere over mind-warping challenges and obstacles.

Inspired by Creative Director Lee Petty’s musings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keeper imagines a post-human island where metamorphosis has run riot with unusual lifeforms now occupying structures and environments, all built around a central mountain.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Xbox Series X
Available on: Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PC, Steam
Release date: October 17, 2025

There’s a surrealist feeling here, as if Double Fine reached into the minds of artists Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, while drawing inspiration from some of the odder music videos from Radiohead and Gorillaz; this vibe is only given more weight from music that blends soft uplifting tracks with glitchy, darker tunes that wouldn’t be out place on an album like Kid A.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

Petty describes the game style of Keeper as “weird, but chill” and I can’t disagree. There’s a sense of discovery and wonder as the adventure progresses, yet without the angst to constantly press on at speed.

Lighthouse leanings

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

This journey begins in a suitably bizarre manner: a run-down, dormant lighthouse suddenly erupts with light to rescue a seabird, who you soon discover is called Twig, from a cloud of dark and malevolent bat-like creatures.

Flipping to the player’s control, the lighthouse shakes awake, crumbles to the ground, and then sprouts a quartet of legs to shakily stumble down a rock outcrop and begin a journey to the top of the mountain, with Twig in tow.

And that’s about as much as Keeper reveals in its opening chapters.

There’s no narration, no spoken or written dialogue, or any other text to give voice to the characters or setting. Rather, the world react to the lighthouse and Twig's squawks, while an authored camera acts as your guide, being fixed in place from scene to scene, which ensures your attention is directed to important parts of the environment without being overtly obvious.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

While I would have liked a bit more movement to better peer at some of the weirder and wonderful details of the island and its inhabitants, this approach works well and meant I never really got lost or turned around in what can be a visually bombastic setting.

Keeper also drip-feeds abilities and ways to interact with the environment, initially starting with the simple move to shine the lighthouse’s light independent of its direction of momentum, which has the satisfying effect of prompting some plants and fungi to bloom and sprout.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)Best bit

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

The game’s strong and striking art style and its gorgeous world, which you’ll traverse in increasingly creative ways, are the true highlights of Keeper. This is accompanied by a trippy but compelling soundtrack, evolving with each new area.

This quickly evolved into the ability to focus an intense beam of light onto surfaces, which melts away some obstacles and prompts reactions from onlooking critters. It scratches a very innate human itch to try things, and had me blasting light at all sorts of objects and outcroppings to see how the game would react.

The lighthouse then gains the albeit to dash, helping it traverse obstacles. And as the game progresses, there’ll be new ways to navigate the world; I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but it kept Keeper feeling fresh over some 39 chapters.

In general, the light is the main way the lighthouse can interact with the world, but Twig is not merely here for the ride and effectively serves as the lighthouse’s hands. When a little blue star emits from an object, be it mechanical or natural, Twig can be sent to interact with it, which switches the player into using a button, key, or joystick to have the seabird peck, pull, or turn the object.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

It’s the combination of the lightbeam and Twig that holds the key to most of the Keeper’s puzzles. Starting off as simple one-stage puzzles, such as shining a light on an organic growth to get it to react, then sending Twig out to pull it out of the way, building to ones with multiple stages and interactions at once.

One of the more complex puzzles involved jumping between three points in time, in a rather creative and satisfying way to bring back life to a machine; oddly enough, it reminded me of the brilliant Effect and Cause mission in Titanfall 2.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

None of these puzzles were particularly challenging. And I only had a couple of moments of head-scratching where the tight camera angles meant I missed a path to an object or interaction I needed to complete a puzzle.

There was one area where I had to get past a blocked tunnel, where I could see the solution, having followed previous interactions, but the game’s logic wasn’t playing out here. With mounting frustration, I’d hit my head, and indeed the lighthouse’s, against it multiple times, thinking I needed to perfectly time a suite of moments to blow away the blockage. Instead, I simply had to first take another path, which, given the camera angle and the color palette of the area, seemed more part of a wall than a navigable route.

Ultimately, I was expecting more complexity to some of these puzzles, so I would overthink potential solutions, rather than poke around in a few more corners, which, to Keeper’s credit, is exactly what I was supposed to do.

While I lack the patience to ponder really tricky puzzles, I do wish there were a little more challenge to the ones Keeper throws up.

Some are so simple that they almost feel like busywork, such as needing to rotate a thumbstick to crank a wheel rather than just pressing a button and having it done. Keeper just about keeps to the right side of this, but there are times when interactions can feel there just for the sake of it, rather than leading to interesting discoveries.

The world is enough

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

The absence of brain-wracking puzzles, or indeed any failstate for Keeper, is intentional, with Double Fine wanting the journey through the world to be front and center.

And what a world it is.

You start out crunching through a ruined and near-fully obscured seaside town – you can just make out a tarmac road now lost to eons of passing time – to traversing seaside paths, caves, forests, mini archipelagos, and towns and structures that wouldn’t look out of place in a Zelda game.

Adopting a cartoon-like aesthetic that reminds me of Disney Pixar movies, these areas are all gorgeous and richly detailed despite using the soft, painterly-esque textures. There’s a vibrant color palette here, too, which just begs Keeper to be played on an OLED display, such as those you’ll find on some of the best 4K TVs.

Naturally, light plays a big part here, with the beam of the lighthouse cutting through right shadows and intermingling with volumetric fog. But it's the way the light triggers a reaction from the flora and fauna that makes the environment feel alive.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

There’s nearly always some creature on screen, be it Twig quietly chirping as the lighthouse enters a foreboding cave, to flocks of birds soaring across a blue sky, jellyfish floating in technicolour plateau, and hulkling beshelled creatures walking, flying, or swimming in the background.

Animation is also top-notch, from the scuttling of tiny creatures to Twig’s wonderfully expressive movements. I can’t help but be impressed at how Double Fine manages to inject so much character into the lighthouse, blending its scuttling insectoid legs with the jaunty wobble of its broken body and metal roof, which serves as at pseudo hat that shields the light-holding structure, itself able to convey a surprising amount of emotion in cutscenes.

Add in some detailed soundwork that even has the quiet clicks of gears moving as the lighthouse ‘looks’ around, and deft use of cinematic camera angles, and Keeper presents a an absorbing world I could just sit and stare at; there are some platforms and outcrops in the journey that exist solely for this with the camera pulling back and giving you a surreal landscape to drink in.

Surreal feel, Pixar plot

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

Keeper’s artistic presentation and aesthetic wear the theme of metamorphosis very much on its sleeve. The idea of how nature could evolve without human interference, then taken to a surreal level, isn’t subtle but is certainly eye-catching.

Yet for all the weirdness Double Fine touts, including one set piece where it felt like pseudo-70s psychedelia was being forced into my eyes, I found the core narrative of Keeper to be fairly normal. The story of an unexpected journey to reach a destination with a newfound companion, while avoiding an unknowable malevolent force and encountering strange but companionable characters on the way, could be picked from a Disney movie.

While there were some really fun and captivating set pieces across Keeper’s adventure, I could see the direction of the story and its beats from miles away. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as Keeper is more about the vibe of the world than an unfurling plot.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

However, with inspiration from Dali and mycelial networks, I was hoping for a story that embraces bizarreness below the surface or had a more thought-provoking story than one that could be boiled down to being a buddy adventure.

There are some neat storytelling flairs, such as having details and context layered in achievement text; for example, you only find out that the antagonistic force that’s threatening the island is called The Wither via the first achievement and chapter titles – the latter you’ll only see in the chapter select menu.

But these don’t really go deep enough for my liking, and I was left wanting to know more about the island, the societies that inhabit it, and The Wither.

Hidden objects in Keeper unlock achievements that sprinkle in detail to the story. (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

It could be argued that any deeper elements of the story are open for interpretation, but I don’t think there’s enough environmental storytelling here for that to play out. I’m all for games being considered art, but I don’t think they work as vehicles for abstract interpretation in the same way as paintings.

None of this would matter if Keeper lent more into its puzzles and systems of interaction to present more of a challenge and depth to its world. Take Astro’s Playroom as a prime example: it hardly has a plot, but it throws up a bounty of puzzles and system-led interactions all wrapped up in an oddball world.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

But Keeper eschews the puzzles for a more absorbing adventure, yet I feel it needs more of a story to hold that up.

A great example of this can be seen in 2012’s Journey, which tells its emotional story through its environment, music, and exploration, without the need for any text or puzzles.

None of this is to say Keeper fails at what it set out to do, especially as I enjoyed my time with it and happily jumped back into chapters to drink in its visual splendour.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

Were this a decade ago, I’d have happily applauded a Pixar-style narrative and aesthetic in an adventure game.

But it's 2025, and my expectations from artistically focused games are higher than what Keeper delivers.

Ultimately, with all the turmoil at Xbox right now, I’m pleased to see Double Fine have the chance to create something esoteric and original, rather than a remaster of an existing game. And for that reason and more, Keeper is worth experiencing over a weekend to immerse yourself in its art, world, and creativity.

Should you play Keeper?Play it if...

You want a gorgeous, weird world to explore
Keeper’s art style is undeniably special, awash with colors and surreal flair that’s worth taking the time to take in. If you have an OLED TV, then it's a feast for the eyes.

You want an atmospheric game for the weekend Around seven hours long, Keeper is a game you can play over a weekend, yet not feel like you’ve been short-changed on the experience thanks to its solid pacing.

You have Xbox Game Pass
Keeper is a day-one release on Game Pass, so if you have a subscription to the service, it’s well worth checking out, especially as oddball creative games coming from a Microsoft-owned studio deserve to be experienced.

Don't play it if...

You want a thought-provoking story
Keeper’s main story has a lot of heart and emotion, but ultimately it feels a bit too Disney-esque despite the surreal setting. You’ll enjoy the story, just don’t expect it to stay with you.

You want a challenge
There’s absolutely no failstate in Keeper, and its puzzles are very straightforward. So if you’re looking for an adventure game that’ll work out your grey matter, you might want to look elsewhere.

Accessibility

Keeper has a selection of accessibility options that you can adjust to suit your needs. UI text size can be adjusted, and screen narration is also on offer. There’s also the option to adjust how frequently prompts pop up. There’s a standard option to tweak different volume settings, such as turning down the music but keeping the main sound up. At launch, Keeper will feature 26 interface languages.

Most importantly, there are fully remappable controls and the ability to accept alternative inputs, along with the standard options to tune aim sensitivity and vibration feedback.

Keeper can have a lot going on screen at once, which can be a challenge for people like me with somewhat compromised sight. There's not much that can be done here, but the pacing of the game means you have time to take in the details and spot areas of interest at your leisure.

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)How I reviewed Keeper

I played Keeper to completion, over around seven hours, which involved poking around in corners for secret paths and achievements. As a fairly linear game, there aren’t any extra modes or features to tap into, with Keeper all being about its main story experience.

I reviewed Keeper on an Xbox Series X connected to an LG C1 OLED TV running in its gaming mode, playing with a standard Xbox Wireless Controller. There are no performance or graphics settings to choose from, and I simply ran Keeper on my setup as it came, with no adjustments, and got a rather smooth experience.

On the audio side, I played Keeper using a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal Xbox headset for the course of the game, which worked well with the soundscape and music the game pumped out.

First reviewed October 2025

There's been something of a narrative that new Prime Video movie Hedda is simply a Saltburn-style retelling of Henrik Ibsen's classic play Hedda Gabler, but that doesn't remotely do it justice. Those who think the gender-swapped characters and LGBTQIA+ romance are the most interesting things about it aren't digging deeply enough.

If there's anyone that knows a thing or 35 about sapphic movies, it's me. I report on them every chance I get, and if I'm not doing that, I've likely worked Carol, Ammonite or Bound into conversation. I'll confess that Hedda caught my interested because of Nina Hoss – who played Cate Blanchett's fictional wife in Tár – but little did I know what a treat I was in for.

Of course this film isn't perfect. Considering how messy Hedda is as a character alone, it was never going to be. But there's no doubt that this is the strongest entry in director Nia DaCosta's body of work to date. She received an unjustified amount of flack for The Marvels and the 2021 version of Candyman, and I hope the same doesn't happen here.

We almost need to read between the lines to fully see the brilliance of what Hedda has to offer, and that's half the fun. A friend described it to me as a whodunnit mystery where you already know who the killer is (instead you're searching for the motive), and I think that's a fair assessment.

It's sexy, scandalous and as wild as you'd hope it to be, but it's also controlled, pulling back when it needs to. When it comes to creating a memorable dinner party, that's exactly the balance of tension that you're looking for.

Hedda is more than simply sex and scandal – it's a moving mirror

If you're unfamiliar with Ibsen's original story, this is what we're dealing with: Hedda (Tessa Thompson) is an unhappy newlywed, feeling like she's being stopped from being her true self. When her husband George (Tom Bateman) wants a new position at work, Hedda decides to throw an extravagant party so George can invite boss Professor Greenwood (Finbar Lynch) and try to seal the deal.

During the evening, George's rival Eileen (Hoss) arrives to poach Professor Greenwood for the same role, prompting the party to fall into chaotic disarray. Eileen's writing partner and lover Thea (Imogen Poots) tries to keep her on the straight and narrow, but Hedda takes her meddling too far.

The most satisfying part of Hedda is how effortlessly DaCosta pulls off dangerous power play dynamics between women, with the man's world around them becoming peripheral in the process. Thompson's Hedda isn't a woman that you'll like, or who even seems to consciously know what she wants.

She's acting on impulse, and everyone around her feels the consequences of the decisions she makes. This means a hell of a dinner party for us, bringing long-buried tension and trauma to the surface, where they explode onto whoever is nearby. That's usually Eileen and Thea, and boy is their romantic triangle a complex one.

Where the structure falters, the cast hold it up

Tessa Thompson, Nina Hoss and Imogen Poots in Hedda. (Image credit: Prime Video)

The core structure of Hedda isn't playing to shock factor like Saltburn, and it arguably could have deepened and ultilized the intimacy and pure romance between the three women a lot further. But even with these small faults, our cast deliver something to be in awe of.

While Thompson's accent is… interesting in the Prime Video film, her conviction and gumption can't be faulted. It's not easy to make us completely devoid of empathy for a character while still making them likeable, and she maintains the balance at all times. Poots plays an effective counterpart as anxious Thea, calling out Hedda's manipulation like she's shouting into the wind.

For me, it's Hoss who gives the performance of the movie. There's an exceptional scene after Eileen gets drunk and swims in the lake, entering the drawing room to talk to her male rivals while her dress is wet and see-through. She tells explicit stories on top form, and by the time she has them metaphorically eating out of her hand, the dress is dry.

This is the level of detail that's worth paying attention to, making the overall effect of Hedda as filling as a sumptuous cake, caressing every possible details of humanity to serve up an ugly truth worth devouring. It's tough to make odious people appealing, but we love to watch when it works (that's why reality TV is so popular).

Without spoiling anything, DaCosta also changes the ending of Ibsen's play. With one simple tweak, she removes sapphic media stereotyping that Hedda could have easily fallen prey to, and that alone is a fantastic way to sum up what she has achieved.

We've all had enough of classics being adapted, but when they hold a mirror up to who we've become and what we're capable of so deftly, who are we to look away?

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How do you follow up one of the greatest role-playing games (RPGs) ever made? The answer, according to developer The Chinese Room, is a shallow action title set in a lifeless, empty world with a bland story, apocalyptically bad pacing, and janky, repetitive combat.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: October 21, 2025

Where its legendary predecessor offered fantastic freedom of choice, a cast of complex, well-written characters, and a dynamic open world filled with opportunities for emergent play, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 brings absolutely nothing similar to the table. It looks pretty at times, but that’s literally all that can be said in favor of this disappointing follow up.

To be outclassed in almost every regard by a game from more than twenty years ago should be a source of embarrassment, let alone by one that was literally released in an unfinished state by its original developer.

It’s hard to view Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 as anything other than a cynical cash grab that will massively disappoint long-time fans like me.

(Un)dead world

(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

Set in the World of Darkness universe from the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop game, Bloodlines 2 takes you to an alternate version of Seattle gripped in a battle between the living and the dead. It's a world that looks a lot like our own, but has an alien, sinister edge to it.

This is most obviously conveyed in an atmospheric, neo-noir art direction that sees the dark streets bathed in fog and glowing neon lights, but extends to everything from the depressing barks of random non-player characters as you walk past to the aggressive tone of in-game advertisements.

Although the visuals are impressive enough at times thanks largely to the gorgeous lighting, there’s nothing here that appeals beyond the surface level. Almost the entire game takes place within the same city block and it's just depressingly barren. Random civilians roam the streets, while others stand around nearly motionless on street corners dispensing the same canned voice lines every single time you walk past.

Best bit

(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

The visuals are by far the best part of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and can be pretty impressive when you first boot up the game. The night-time Seattle setting is striking thanks to its bright neon lights and a smattering of thick snow.

There are a handful of buildings with modeled interiors and their inhabitants never waver from their set positions - making everything feel sterile and lifeless. There are no moving vehicles at all, exacerbating the issue.

It’s hard to adequately convey just how little there is to do in this map. Sure, there are some collectible marks that you can hoover up for bonus experience points (spoiler: you won’t need them, and there’s seemingly no reward for getting them all), but that’s your only real activity aside from some bland side quests. Attacking civilians sees you chased by the local police who often spawn right in front of you and, if you keep it up, instantly killed in a canned animation.

Santa Monica in the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines was not a large map either, but felt significantly more lifelike and gave you some interesting ways to mess around with your chosen vampire powers in between its missions.

Plodding along

(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

Story is clearly the big focus in Bloodlines 2, but sadly it does nothing to make up for its shortcomings everywhere else. The basic thrust is that you’re an elder vampire awakened from a centuries-long slumber with the voice of a dead detective called Fabien in your head. With a sinister mark on your hand that limits your original power, you team up to solve Fabien’s murder as you try to work out how to remove it.

It’s an interesting premise, but the narrative is extremely rigid, which severely limits the possibilities for role-play. Your vampire has a set name, Phyre, and beyond choosing your gender and one of six vampire clans, you have vanishingly few opportunities to impact the plot.

As far as I can tell, your choice of clan barely makes any difference either. I went with Toreador, the alluring artiste faction, and this fact was referenced about three times in throwaway dialog in total. Even when you are able to make choices, they seem incredibly inconsequential beyond a brief epilogue cutscene that you see right at the very end of the game.

If that wasn’t enough, the storytelling suffers from terrible pacing throughout. It's split between three separate time periods which it alternates between at the end of each main quest. One is in the 1920s and takes place entirely in tiny rooms, while the other two are modern. In two of the timelines you play entirely as Fabien, which basically involves trudging through the deserted streets with none of your usual traversal powers (like the ability to climb walls or glide) to reach one of the few buildings with interiors to talk to someone.

(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

It’s absolutely miserable and many of these segments seem consciously designed to waste your time, forcing you to frequently double back with every completed objective. Named non-player characters (NPCs) sit around in the same static spots, meaning that you’re constantly walking between the same buildings to glean a new spec of information over and over and over again. It doesn’t even pay off as the plot veers awkwardly between entirely predictable and completely stupid as it plods towards its unsatisfying twist ending.

Fabien has a few special powers up his sleeve, like the ability to converse with imagined objects or dead bodies, but they can only be used at very specific points decided by the developers. They also serve to cheapen any actual detective work that you would otherwise be doing by simply telling him what he needs to know for the story to progress.

I love a narrative-driven game, but there is nothing here that’s particularly enjoyable. As a Malkavian vampire (a very madness-prone faction), Fabien is suitably bonkers, but beyond some annoying quips there’s very little examination of what that actually means and how it would impact his crime-solving role in the blood sucking community.

It’s significantly worse written than the compelling indie Vampire: The Masquerade – Shadows of New York visual novel from a few years back - and that game mercifully didn’t force you to haul yourself between buildings for each new line. The voice acting is also hit and miss. The performances for Phyre and Fabien are decent on the whole, but minor characters are often flat and awkward-sounding.

Tooth and claw

(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

There is at least some combat to break up this monotonous formula when you’re playing as Phyre. The bad news is that it's simply bad, with buggy heavy and light strikes and sloppy finisher animations that get old the two hundredth time. It might not impact the story, but your chosen clan does dictate which abilities you’re able to unlock, and some of them are quite good. I enjoyed using my charms to turn foes against each other, though there aren’t very many powers per clan and no ways to develop or augment them.

Your choice of clan is also undermined by the fact that you can still unlock the abilities from other clans by collecting the right blood types (obtained by harvesting highlighted NPCs around the map), which only further de-emphasize player decision-making in what is purportedly an RPG.

You have no inventory, so you can’t keep any guns on hand for fights, but can at least pick them up via telekinesis for a few shots if they’re dropped by one of the five or so enemy types that you’ll be facing ad nauseam throughout the game.

The combat designers presumably went on strike at some point towards the end of the game’s production, too, as the initially quite tightly designed encounters soon devolve into massive swarms of enemies equipped with overpowered ranged weapons that are just frustrating to deal with.

The game is also a technical mess, at least on PlayStation 5. Crashes are frequent later on, with a particularly nasty one forcing my console to reboot several times, and the frame rate always completely tanks whenever you enter or exit a building.

All of this leaves Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 almost impossible to recommend. If you’re a lover of the original game, you’re going to hate it, as it represents the antithesis of everything that made it so great. If you're new to the universe, literally any other World of Darkness game would be a better introduction. Yes, even Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood - at least it’s not this dull.

Should I play Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2?Play it if…

You only want a decent-looking vampire game
If you literally only care about the visuals, then Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 might satisfy. The lighting can be particularly impressive when you’re walking through its Seattle streets.

Don’t play it if…

You love the original game
If you’re a big fan of the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, then you should stay away from this so-called sequel. It contains none of the elements that made the first a cult classic and will just be a big let down.

You crave an RPG
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is basically a glorified walking simulator with terrible combat thrown in. It’s not going to give you your role-playing fix, so you might as well play something else.

You’re after a good story
The story is not particularly exciting or interesting and is horribly paced. There are countless other RPGs with better stories, and if you’re after something set in the World of Darkness, I’d highly recommend the visual novels instead.

Accessibility features

There are a small number of accessibility options in the game, namely the ability to enable or disable subtitles and tweak their size. You can also reduce camera movement using a slider. Controls cannot be rebound on consoles, though there is a setting to invert the Y axis.

How I reviewed Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

I played almost 15 hours of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 on PS5 for this review. During that time, I completed the game once, having experienced every major story beat and a small handful of the boring side quests.

As a huge fan of the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, I frequently compared my experience to that game, having completed several full playthroughs over the years.

I also compared it to other games set in the same universe, namely Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York and its sequel Vampire: The Masquerade – Shadows of New York in addition to others like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice plus Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood for good measure.

Throughout my time with the game, I played it with the standard DualSense Wireless Controller and an Astro A20 X gaming headset for audio.

First reviewed October 2025

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: One-minute review

The HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC (yes, that is its full name) has its flaws, but its strengths make those drawbacks easy to overlook. With over 16 hours of battery life, a stunning OLED display, an ultra-portable design, and an affordable starting price, it's hard not to recommend the OmniBook 5 14-inch, depending on what you're looking for in a laptop.

It starts at just $679 / £850 / AU$1,599 for a base configuration with a Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display.

Somewhat frustratingly, the US base configuration only has 256GB of storage, while the UK and Australia's starting specs include 512GB of storage. Luckily, Best Buy has a middle-ground configuration for US users that offers great value for your money at just $20 more than the US base configuration.

Aside from a bit of pricing confusion, this OmniBook is a great pick for basic work and school-related tasks, especially if you want a laptop that's going to easily last all day, making it one of the best laptops for students and remote workers out there.

The lightweight design also makes this perfect for commuters. While the performance could be stronger, it's hard to complain at this price–and with such an impressive battery life.

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Price & Availability

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

• How much does it cost? Starting at $679 / £850 / AU$1,599
• When is it available? It's available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from HP in the US, UK, and Australia, or at various retailers like Best Buy

The OmniBook 5 14-inch is available now in the US, UK, and Australia starting at $679/£850/AU$1,599 on the HP website. The base configuration in all three regions includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 CPU, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch OLED display.

The one big difference is that the US base configuration includes 256GB of storage while the UK and Australia base models have 512GB of storage.

With that said, an upgraded in-between configuration is available in the US at Best Buy for just $20 more than the base model on HP's website. That configuration has 512GB of storage and even bumps you up to a Snapdragon X Plus processor. So if you're in the US, I would definitely suggest opting for that version.

The US and UK prices for the OmniBook 5 14-inch are pretty reasonable, but the top configuration in Australia is a bit pricey for the specs you're getting (more on that below).

• Value: 4 / 5

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Specs

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

• Lower starting storage in the US base configuration
• All configurations include an OLED display
• Upgrades available for CPU, RAM, and storage

My review unit is the US top configuration of the OmniBook 5 14-inch, which is priced at $899, but the base configuration starts at $679/£850/AU$1,599. There is also a middle configuration in the US available at Best Buy for $699, which includes 512GB of storage and a Snapdragon X Plus processor.

All starting configurations include a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. However, it's important to point out that the base model in the US only has 256GB of storage, half of what you would get in the UK and Australia, which is why I suggest going for the Best Buy configuration instead if you're in the US.

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC starting configurations

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price:

$679

£850

AU$1,599

CPU:

Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100

Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100

Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100

GPU:

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Memory:

16GB

16GB

16GB

Storage:

256GB

512GB

512GB

Screen:

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

Ports:

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack

Battery (WHr):

59 WHr

59 WHr

59 WHr

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Camera:

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

Weight:

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

Dimensions:

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

The top configurations of the OmniBook 5 14-inch bump you up to a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor and 32GB of storage. The US and UK configurations also get 1TB of storage, which unfortunately isn't the case in Australia.

The top configurations in the US and the UK are a pretty good deal, especially if you can find them on sale, but the top specs in Australia are hard to recommend when you're not getting that storage upgrade. Even so, the improved processor and increased RAM could be worth paying extra for some users.

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC Top Configurations

Region

US

UK

Australia

Price:

$899

£1,049

AU$1,999

CPU:

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100

GPU:

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics

Memory:

32GB

32GB

32GB

Storage:

1TB

1TB

512GB

Screen:

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

14-inch (1920x1200) OLED

Ports:

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

Battery (WHr):

59 WHr

59 WHr

59 WHr

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Camera:

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter

Weight:

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)

Dimensions:

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)

• Specs: 3.5 / 5

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Design

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

• Incredibly lightweight
• Stellar OLED display
• Build quality feels a bit low-end

The OmniBook 5 14-inch isn't pushing the envelope with its design, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's very portable, weighing in at a mere 2.85 pounds. The chassis doesn't feel "premium", with its plastic-y keyboard deck and display bezels, but the low weight helps make up for that.

Plus, it's what's on the inside that counts, which in this case is a superbly snappy keyboard. HP's laptop keyboards can be pretty hit or miss for me, but I loved typing on this one. It has just the right amount of tactile feedback and key travel without being loud. However, I wish the power button was separated from the rest of the keyboard. It matches the rest of the function-row keys except for a little LED indicator.

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(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

The touchpad is also pretty good. Considering the price point on this OmniBook 5 14-inch, I was expecting a mushy touchpad, but I was pleasantly surprised. It might not be the best touchpad I've ever used, but it has a satisfying amount of travel and feedback just like the keyboard. The speakers are also surprisingly decent and got plenty loud enough for my needs.

The real star feature here is the OLED display. I love OLED, and this display did not disappoint. Colors really pop on it, more than you would expect from a sub-$1,000 laptop. It passed our display tests with flying colors, too, reproducing 194.5% of the sRGB color gamut and 138.4% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. I genuinely enjoyed watching shows and movies on the OmniBook 5 14-inch and even playing a few games on it because the display looks phenomenal.

• Design: 4 / 5

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

• Performance could be better, but isn't bad, either
• Weak graphics performance
• Keeps up fine with basic daily tasks like web browsing

If you're mainly looking for a laptop for things like web browsing, replying to emails, word processing, or studying, the OmniBook 5 14-inch is definitely up to the task. This little laptop is more than capable of handling basic work or school-related tasks. I had no trouble managing over a dozen tabs on Firefox while working on the Omnibook. However, if you want to use resource-intensive apps, like Adobe Photoshop and the like, you may want to spend a little more elsewhere.

The OmniBook 5 14-inch's performance falls far short of the MacBook Air, which only costs $100 more than the top configuration. It came in over 1,000 points behind the M4 MacBook Air on the Geekbench 6 single-core test and lagged by over 3,000 points on the multi-core test. Of course, there are plenty of reasons you might not want a Mac or might simply want to save money, especially if you can find the Omnibook at a discount.

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC

MacBook Air M4 (13-inch)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025)

Geekbench 6 single-core

2,414

£3,679

2,436

Geekbench 6 multi-core

11,309

14,430

11,321

Crossmark (Overall)

1,184

2,009

1,165

Crossmark (Productivity)

1,116

1,875

1,081

Crossmark (Creativity)

1,298

2,369

1,328

Crossmark (Responsiveness)

1,074

1,505

983

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

If you're only doing lightweight or web-based tasks, the OmniBook 5 14-inch's more humble performance scores probably won't be an issue, it's just worth keeping in mind. Plus, considering the starting price, it's hard to complain.

It's also worth noting that the OmniBook 5 14-inch is by no means a gaming laptop. It managed to run lightweight, 2D games fine, but really struggles with anything more. Wildfrost ran very smoothly at 60 FPS with no issues, but I was only able to get about 20 FPS in Death's Door and about 30 FPS in Risk of Rain 2. These aren't particularly demanding games, so definitely don't expect to be playing any AAA titles on the Omnibook, but games like Stardew Valley or Slay the Spire should run fine.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Battery Life

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)

• How long does it last before the battery dies? Just over 16 hours.
• How long does it take to charge to 50%? About 30 minutes.

Battery life is by far the OmniBook 5 14-inch's biggest strength. It lasted a staggering 16 hours and 2 minutes in our battery test, which, for context, is 2 hours longer than the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air. While you're getting a notably less powerful processor in the Omnibook, you get really impressive battery life in exchange. For some, that could be a worthy trade-off.

My only complaint here is that the left side of the keyboard deck gets noticeably warm when the OmniBook 5 14-inch is charging. It's not uncomfortable, and you won't have to charge it often, but when you do, you can't miss how one side of your keyboard is warmer than the other.

• Battery Life: 5 / 5

Should you buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC?

(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

Aside from a couple of quirky configuration differences, this laptop offers great value for your money, especially when it comes to battery life and display quality.

4 / 5

Specs

The base specs are a bit weak for the price, but every configuration includes a really impressive OLED display.

3.5 / 5

Design

While the build quality could be a bit better, the keyboard, touchpad, low weight, and stellar display easily make up for it.

4 / 5

Performance

Overall performance is somewhat lackluster, but good enough for basic daily tasks and lightweight games.

3.5 / 5

Battery Life

With over 16 hours of battery life, the OmniBook 5 14-inch can easily last you all day.

5 / 5

Final Score

Despite a few flaws, this OmniBook 5 14-inch offers great value with incredible battery life and a stunning display at a relatively low price.

4 / 5

Buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC if…

Battery life is your top priority
The battery life on the OmniBook 5 14-inch is genuinely impressive. Depending on your usage, you can easily go a full day or possibly even two without charging.

You want an OLED display at a budget-friendly price
The OmniBook 5 14-inch's OLED display is one of the best I've tested, which is surprising given this laptop's relatively low price, even for the top configuration.

Don't buy it if...

Performance is your top priority
The Omnibook 5 14-inch is great for students, casual users, and lightweight work tasks, but it doesn't have the processing power for gaming or resource-intensive creative apps.

You want premium build quality
This laptop's design isn't bad, but it does feel like a budget-friendly laptop, with plastic bezels and a plastic keyboard deck that gets pretty warm while charging.

How I tested the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC

• I spent about a week using the Omnibook
• I mainly used it for web browsing and work-related tasks, with some light gaming
• The OmniBook 5 14-inch went through our extensive battery of benchmark tests

I spent about a week using the OmniBook 5 14-inch mainly for web browsing and work-related tasks like answering emails and writing (this review included).

I also used it for watching movies and doing a bit of casual gaming. All the games I tried on the OmniBook 5 14-inch were played through Steam at native resolution with no FPS cap. With automatic graphics presets turned on, most games defaulted to low or medium graphics quality.

I've reviewed dozens of mainstream laptops, including other HP Omnibooks and budget-friendly laptops like this one. When I test these kinds of laptops, I'm looking for a good balance of price, performance, and features and considering who each laptop would be best for (or not best for) based on that price-to-performance ratio.

• Originally reviewed October 2025

As a press delegate at London Film Festival, your watchlist usually passes double figures – but after two weeks, the movie I'm still thinking about is Train Dreams. In all honesty, there's not a higher compliment you can give a film, especially one that most people haven't seen yet.

In an age where we want everything in an instant (including answers to the questions movies ask of us), it's a brave move to opt for a slow-burn story. It's even braver when said story isn't one familiar to most people, demanding that we go in with no prior knowledge to watch a deeply personal journey.

This is how to best experience the new Netflix movie, based on the Denis Johnson novella of the same name. Combined, the streamer and the story are demanding that we leave our brains and baggage at the door to live out the life and death of Robert Grainier, a lumberjack working on the railroads in the early 1900s.

Sure, there's plenty of steel being fashioned into tracks that ferry bemused passengers from A to B, but Grainier's occupation is the least interesting thing about his life. Joel Edgerton plays him with such an unguarded sense of masculinity that you cannot help being invested in his love of life, love, and the world around him (and that's just in a nutshell).

Train Dreams is the most beautifully understated Netflix movie of the year

On the whole, I cannot tell you how impressed I am with Netflix for gifting us Train Dreams. I was initially skeptical about whether a streaming platform would be the right fit, but being able to watch in the privacy of your own home echoes the personal intimacy we see reverberate through Grainier and the film itself.

Edgerton runs away with this, and it's all thanks to his commitment to vulnerability. On the surface, Grainier is the archetypal man's man – he routinely leaves his wife and kid at home to work seasonal lumberjack jobs, embodying the traditional masculine values of physical labor and strength, responsibility and self-reliance.

Yet Edgerton strips that all away to reveal a man who would do anything for his wife and daughter, revering them with just as much authority and respect as he would give to any man working alongside him. He's open about his emotions, letting himself break down in front of Gladys (Felicity Jones) and Claire (Kerry Condon) respectively as life becomes something he doesn't recognize and cannot grasp. He has wronged, and his conscience is restless because of it.

It's an astonishing portrait of a man enveloped in a lifetime of turmoil, and I cannot think of a better point in time for us to quietly unpack what it means to be a man than now. Life is tough, and Grainier has it a lot harder than most, and it all feeds into a beautiful invitation for introspection... something that's still actively shaping my worldview a few weeks on.

It's all about the meaning, but don't discount what you're seeing on screen

Felicity Jones and Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams. (Image credit: Netflix)

While the meditating on the not-so-brilliant fruits of Grainier's life of labor, what we're seeing on screen aptly reflects that. Train Dreams' aesthetic is one shrouded in mist, keeping secrets of the past and future at bay while we get lost in the present. The natural landscape of rural America is nothing short of astonishing, essentially becoming a secondary character or member of the Grainier family.

Train Dreams is a story tinged by longing, and I felt my heart and mind open up to something bigger while I was watching. I yearned for my love, my family, my sense of place, and of course to visit the film's gorgeous location, absorbing it with nothing else around me but my thoughts. While the subject matter is often provoking and difficult to process, these hope-filled moments – the kind we spend our whole lives looking for – act as a mental palette cleanser.

There are issues here too. For those who aren't a fan of the slow-burn, Train Dreams takes a noticeable length of time to properly stoke its fires, and that could be to its detriment once its release into the big wide world. I'd have like to have seen Condon's character Claire utlilized more evenly throughout the film (or at least give her more screen time after she's introduced), and I predict people may be left unsatisfied by the way Grainier's life ends. For me, it's the perfect salute to life's natural cruel streak.

Netflix is really hitting a stride of offering us everything in moderation this year, and Train Dreams is another successful string to its bow. In such a saturated release window (we're heading into Awards season, after all), I can see it being lost in the fanfare, but I cannot urge you enough to board this train for a ride that will leave you changed.

Train Dreams releases on Netflix on November 21, 2025.

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Marshall Bromley 750: two-minute review

Expectations are undoubtedly weighing heavily on the Marshall Bromley 750, which is the very first party speaker that the audio specialist has released.

Why? Well first of all, Marshall has had a pretty impressive run in 2025, nailing its typical Bluetooth speaker launches, like the Kilburn III, but also new product categories, like home theater. But also, Marshall’s first party speaker comes with a hefty price tag to match its hefty form factor. Specifically, it will set you back $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,799.

So, can the Bromley 750 maintain Marshall’s momentum in 2025 while also competing with the best party speakers around in spite of its considerable cost? Well yes, actually, it succeeds on both counts. Here’s why.

First of all, let’s talk sound – probably the most important aspect of any speaker! The Bromley 750 sounds as you’d expect. With its 500W of Class D amplification, you’ll get almighty bass output, but especially in Dynamic listening mode, you’ll still be treated to clear, defined mids and expressive, controlled treble.

One of the most interesting additions the Bromley makes is its sound character control. This lets you adjust audio on a scale of Dynamic to Loud. When you lean more towards a dynamic configuration, you’ll get a pleasingly nuanced, detailed listen, even in the absence of LDAC or aptX.

However, if you swing things the other way, there’s more of an emphasis on raw power. Bass is ramped up and you’ll get a less analytical listen, but this is very useful if you need maximum loudness for a giant outdoor area, for instance.

Whether you’re using Bluetooth, 3.5mm, or USB-C audio, you’ll be able to adapt EQ to suit your personal needs and taste – something I expect from all the best Bluetooth speakers. However, this doesn’t work with the XLR/6.35mm combo ports, which otherwise function without a hitch and offer delay/reverb effects via the speaker’s physical controls.

Perhaps my main criticism of the Bromley 750, though, is that its app is sort of disappointing. You can’t remotely adapt EQ for the speaker or alter sound characteristics, and there’s simply not that much to experience in there. That’s a shame given that the Marshall Heston 120 made great use of its revamped, feature-rich companion app.

Elsewhere, though, there’s still a lot to love about the Bromley 750. I was a big fan of its adjustable lighting, its impeccable 40-hour battery life and its high quality finish to name a few things.

Ultimately, the Marshall Bromley 750 makes for a fantastic debut in the party speaker world. It is expensive, even compared to some similarly-sized rivals, and app controls could be better. Still, this thing offers addictive audio, beautiful lighting, and plenty of playtime. As a result, I’d recommend it to those who have the cash.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Bromley 750 review: price and release date

• $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,799
• Launched in September 2025

The Marshall Bromley 750 released in September 2025 and is the audio specialist’s first ever party speaker. It has a list price of $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,799, meaning it's pretty pricey, but it is constructed of premium materials and delivers extensive battery life alongside powerful audio.

Marshall Bromley 750 review: specs

Weight

52.7lbs / 23.9kg

Dimensions

25.7 x 16.3 x 14 inches / 652 x 413 x 355mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, USB-C, RCA, 2x XLR/6.35mm combo jacks

Battery life

40 hours

Speaker drivers

2x 10-inch 150W woofers, 2x 5.25-inch 50W mid-rangers, 2x 1-inch 7W tweeters, 2x 0.8-inch 14W tweeters

Waterproofing

IP54

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Bromley 750 review: features

• Multiple ports, including XLR/6.35mm slots for karaoke / instruments
• Entertaining range of lighting options
• Impressive 40 hour battery life

The Marshall Bromley 750 is a versatile party speaker, and offers a range of connectivity options to help you keep things fresh. Of course, there’s Bluetooth 5.3, but there’s also USB-C and 3.5mm ports for wired listening.

Interestingly, though, if you look at the reverse side of the Bromley, you can also discover RCA ports for keyboards and turntables, as well as XLR/6.35mm combo ports for microphones and electro-acoustic guitars.

One of my colleagues performed Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert using a mic, and it sounded great. The speaker has delay and reverb effects on-board too, and these worked very nicely indeed. The only other thing worth noting about this is that you can’t alter EQ while using the XLR/6.35mm combo ports, which some may hope for.

My favorite feature of the Marshall Bromley 750 is certainly its integrated stage lights. There are three different modes – an ambient setting, and two dynamic alternatives that react differently depending on audio output. The lights look absolutely fantastic, and really help to further immerse listeners in the music. You can also trigger a burst of strobe lighting by pressing the ‘M’ button.

Speaking of the ‘M’ button, its function can be altered in the Marshall app. But this isn’t the shiny new version of the app used by the Marshall Heston 120 soundbar: its the older variant. Unfortunately, the app feels a little underbaked. You can alter volume, listen to an Auracast broadcast, or adjust the standby timeout, but that’s about it.

I wish the app enabled EQ adjustment – something that you can access with physical controls. The app also omits control over the reverb and delay effects for karaoke and instrument use. It would also be good to have control over the new sound character feature – which enables you to tailor audio more towards a ‘dynamic’ or ‘loud’ style.

Back to the positives, though, and I have to say that the Bromley 750’s battery life is excellent. 40 hours of playtime for a speaker of this size? That’s phenomenal. A similar-sized rival like the JBL PartyBox 720 is capable of up to 15 hours, which is fairly standard – that really puts the Bromley’s massive playtime into perspective.

On top of that, the Bromley 750 has a replaceable battery, which means that even if your 40 hours of play run out, you can substitute another one in to extend the party. There’s no multi-speaker pairing, which some may miss, but otherwise there are a lot of features to enjoy on Marshall’s debut party speaker.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Bromley 750 review: sound quality

• Mighty 500W power output
• Meaty yet regimented bass performance
• Sound character control works great

The Marshall Bromley 750 isn’t necessarily the most powerful party speaker on the market, but believe me, it can get plenty loud enough for just about any setting.

I brought the speaker to the parking lot outside Future Labs and listened to some house tunes with my friends, and it was almost as if I threw my own mini-rave. In fact, one colleague inside the office noted that they could hear the Bromley while using ANC headphones – pretty impressive, right?

But it's one thing being powerful, and another sounding great. Luckily, the Bromley 750 does both.

When bumping Can’t Resist by Jamback, the high-pitched percussion cut through with intent, never sounding harsh, even at high volumes. Vocals in the mid range weren't obscured in the mix, either, even with the track’s deep bass pumping throughout. The rapid kick drum never sounded lethargic and low-frequency output was both textured and impactful. The speaker’s ability to reach down to 20Hz means that it can also handle sub bass with finesse.

Similarly, with Unknown Territory by Kolter, high-pitched percussive elements were expressive yet controlled, while the bass sounded seriously meaty – but also well-regimented. Spacey synths were also well separated, enabling a decently nuanced listen, even in the absence of higher-resolution audio codecs like LDAC or aptX.

The sound character control function works very well on the Bromley, and makes it a versatile speaker for more lowkey indoor occasions or busy outdoor gatherings. At the music testing room at Future Labs, I tuned into Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz – it's only right to listen to some Rock on a Marshall speaker, after all.

Here, I set the dial almost entirely towards ‘Dynamic’. With this setting, bass was balanced, not overbearing, giving vocals the space to sound clear and defined. Now, when I tried cranking up loudness to the three-quarter mark and beyond, bass was too smothering for the setting, resulting in a more compressed, one-dimensional quality.

But again, this isn’t the sort of situation where you’ll need to depart too far from dynamic listening. And even outdoors or in large indoor spaces, you'll likely be able to keep the dial somewhere between Loud and Dynamic, where audio still sounds fantastic. Even if you do set loudness to the max, you’ll still be treated to almighty bass, and get all the power you need for use in a huge, busy outdoor environment.

One more thing – the Bromley 750 has an impressive soundstage thanks to the use of Marshall’s 360-degree true stereophonic sound. This works well, and creates a wide, well-adjusted sound from almost any listening angle.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Bromley 750 review: design

• Classic Marshall look is a hit once again
• Beautiful lights and physical controls
• Very hefty, but handle makes it easy enough to transport

If you’ve read my Marshall Kilburn III review – or basically any piece about Marshall products – you’ll know that I typically love the way the audio specialist designs its products. And the story remains the same for the Bromley 750, which looks brilliant as well.

I adore the premium speaker grille and the way its shimmering lights beam behind it. I’m also partial to the faux-leather exterior, luxurious physical controls, and easily accessible connectivity ports.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the Bromley is one hefty lad. Yep, at 52.7lbs / 23.9kg, you may not think this thing is the easiest to lug around. But luckily, the Bromley is equipped with a suitcase-style handle and wheels, meaning you can roll it around to wherever you want to place it. Wheeling it rarely felt clunky, making it easy enough to transport.

On top of that, the Bromley has handles on either side if you need to lift it up some stairs, as I did.

Another aspect of design worth discussing is the Bromley 750’s IP54 rating. This means that it has some limited dust protection, as well as shielding against water splashes from any direction.

Now, is an IP54 rating anything special? Well, perhaps not. But still, for a speaker of this kind, it's certainly in-line with the competition. And it still goes a step further than many thanks to a drainage function, which dislodges any excess moisture in the case of a particularly rainy day, for instance.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Bromley 750 review: value

• Comes at quite the cost
• But does offer plenty of quality in return for investment
• Repairability can likely boost longevity too

The Marshall Bromley 750 is by no means cheap. It has a list price of $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,799, meaning that it will be a real investment – even compared to some rivals in this weight and size class.

For instance, the JBL PartyBox 720, which was released at around the same time, is not only more powerful than the Bromley 750, but cheaper too – $200 / £100 / AU$300 cheaper, to be exact.

In fairness, though, Marshall offers slightly better protection against the elements, much better battery life, and a more luxurious look than its rival from JBL. Is that worth the extra cash? Well, that will just depend on your needs and preferences.

Even if the Bromley is expensive, a couple of things make it well worth the investment. First of all, it's an absolute beauty. This thing is a statement piece – you won’t necessarily have to wheel it away to your garage for future use. It could conceivably fit into a living room set up for personal listening and for aesthetic purposes.

Secondly, the Bromley 750 is repairable, with Marshall offering authorized repair services as well as spare parts for its first party speaker. Pair that with the replaceable battery, and this model feels well protected against future wear and tear.

Of course, this is also an excellent-sounding, fairly feature-rich party speaker, so even if the price tag is high, you’ll get oodles of quality for the spend.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Marshall Bromley 750?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

I wish the app had more controls, but the lighting, connectivity options, and 40 hour battery life are excellent.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Powerful, regimented bass, effective sound character control, solid instrument separation.

4.5/5

Design

Mesmerizing lighting, luxurious exterior, splashproof with drainage system in place.

5/5

Value

Some more powerful rivals can cost less, but you get premium build and playtime in return.

4/5

Buy it if...

You’re a regular party host
If you’re someone that loves to throw a good party every now and then, the Bromley 750 could be a great investment. Awesome audio, buckets of power, and karaoke capabilities… what more could you ask for?

You love the Marshall look
If you’re a fan of the Marshall aesthetic, then you’ll almost certainly be rocking with the Bromley 750 as well. With an attractive faux leather exterior, high-quality grille, and gorgeous lighting, you’re in for a treat with this one.

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for the ultimate value pick
The Bromley 750 is an expensive beast, and a few similar-sized rivals are available for a little less too. Of course, you’re getting almost unbeatable battery life and fantastic build quality here, but you’ll have to assess whether that’s worth the additional spend over competitors.

You’re a little low on space
If you don’t have a healthy portion of space, the Bromley 750 may be overkill for you. At 25.7 inches / 652mm tall and 16.3 inches / 413mm wide, this thing will require some serious room – and with a weight of 52.7lbs / 23.9kg, it's pretty heavy too.

Marshall Bromley 750 review: also consider

Marshall Bromley 750

JBL PartyBox 720

LG xboom Stage 301

Price

$1,299 / £899 / AU$1,799

$1,099.95 / £799.99 / AU$1,495

$299.99 / £299.99 / AU$449

Weight

52.7lbs / 23.9kg

68.3lbs / 31kg

14.7lbs / 6.7kg

Dimensions

25.7 x 16.3 x 14 inches / 652 x 413 x 355mm

16.4 x 37.1 x 16 inches / 416 x 942 x 406mm

12.3 x 12.2 x 11.1 inches / 312 x 311 x 282mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, USB-C, RCA, 2x XLR/6.35mm combo jacks

Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm, 2x XLR jacks

Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm, 6.3mm (mic/guitar) USB (MP3 playback)

Battery life

40 hours

15 hours

12 hours

Speaker drivers

2x 10-inch 150W woofers, 2x 5.25-inch 50W mid-rangers, 2x 1-inch 7W tweeters, 2x 0.8-inch 14W tweeters

2x 9-inch woofers, 2x 1.25-inch dome tweeters

2x 2.5-inch midrange drivers; 1x 6.5-inch woofer

Waterproofing

IP54

IPx4

IPX4

JBL PartyBox 720
OK, we’ve not reviewed this one just yet (watch this space though), but it's one of the obvious rivals to the Bromley 750, so it's worth a comparison. The PartyBox 720 has much more in-your-face multicolored lighting, as opposed to the more ambient style of the Bromley 750 – some will like that, others may find it overbearing. As I mentioned earlier, this model is more powerful, yet still cheaper than the Bromley, though that comes at the cost of no dustproof rating and a significantly smaller (yet still solid) battery life.

LG xboom Stage 301
Here's something a little different (and significantly cheaper). The LG xboom Stage 301 is a wedge-style Bluetooth speaker that offers deep yet clean bass output, effective AI-assisted audio output, and immersive dual-bar lighting. It also supports karaoke and DJ modes. If you don't quite need all the power of the Bromley 750, this could be a strong smaller option for you. Read our full LG xboom Stage 301 review.

How I tested the Marshall Bromley 750

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across the course of one week
• Used indoors at Future Lab and outdoors in a parking lot
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Marshall Bromley 750 across the course of one week, spending most of my time with it at the music testing space at Future Labs, but I also spent a while with it in the parking lot as well.

During the testing period, I spent hours on end blasting tunes from a variety of genres, with bass-heavy bangers and legendary rock ballads as starring players. I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which is standard practice for me when trialing audio gear, but I also tuned into some songs from my personal library.

When listening to music, I typically used Tidal, but I also tried bumping some tunes from my library on Spotify in light of the recent lossless update. I listened at a variety of angles and volumes, exhausted all of the lighting options, and messed around with the Bromley’s karaoke and instrument capabilities.

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

Nanoleaf LED face mask: One minute review

Light therapy is all the rage, with claimed benefits to reduce fine lines, acne and even skin conditions like rosacea, and a new brand has entered the fray in famed smart lighting brand, Nanoleaf. The immersive lighting brand’s all-new LED light therapy face mask offers seven light therapy modes (red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, purple and white), offering deeper penetration with near-infrared light (NIR).

There are perhaps quite a few better-suited parties than a smart home brand to wrangle the complex world of beauty, and that might just show in the soft landing of Nanoleaf’s first-ever LED light therapy face mask. Don’t get me wrong; I liked the device, but some refinements to its offering could have nudged it into a slightly higher score.

For instance, it lacks the cool product identity of Shark’s CryoGlow LED face mask, but it also doesn’t quite match up in the specs department. I’ll go more into depth in the performance section of this review, but in short, Nanoleaf’s light technology is just shy of recommended peak performance wavelengths across the board, and features some colored light therapies that haven’t been extensively studied that I wouldn’t want to evaluate without some research to refer to.

(Image credit: Future)

That being said, being a tech-first company does come with certain benefits, and Nanoleaf has clearly given some thought to how we use our devices. Unlike the CryoGlow and several other hard-shelled LED face masks on the market, Nanoleaf opts for a flexible silicone mask with cutouts for the eyes, nose and mouth, making it comfortable to wear and more easily portable.

Plus, you can detach the remote (which doubles as the battery housing), which means you can easily stow the mask in a suitcase when traveling, and it won’t bend or bruise as a result of being squeezed into your hand luggage.

As for the results; they’re not dramatic, but neither are the results I’ve seen from higher-grade LED face masks. If you want a value-focused LED mask, Nanoleaf will deliver, with some added frills you might not want or need. It’s a solid travel-friendly backup to a pricier model, too, if you’re an avid light therapy fan; but if you want to maximize results, you’re best off stretching your budget for a more effective mask.

(Image credit: Future)Nanoleaf LED face mask review: Price and availability

• Announced and released in early 2025
• Costs $249 / £129 / AU$249
• Affordable among LED face masks

The Nanoleaf LED light therapy face mask has a list price of $249.99 / £129.99 AU$249, though it’s worth highlighting that it's often listed at $199.99 in the US (which was its pre-tariff pricing). It can be purchased directly from Nanoleaf as well as third-party retailers such as Amazon.

Out of the box, the Nanoleaf LED light therapy face mask comes with eye socket cushions, the rechargeable controller, the charging cable, and velcro straps.

Nanoleaf is offering a much more affordable mask than much of its competition by cutting some corners when it comes to specs. My recommendations for the product are to use it as an entry point into light therapy, or as a travel-friendly stand-in for a more expensive and fully featured mask; that said, its US price is a little steep.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Nanoleaf LED face mask review: Design

• Flexible silicon
• Detachable remote
• Face fit will vary

Made from medical-grade silicone, Nanoleaf’s LED light therapy face mask offers a flexible form factor that’s nice and lightweight at just 258g. In use, it’s fairly comfortable; I found the eye holes to be too narrow and the mouth cutout to be too low, but for some, this won’t be an issue. The face fit otherwise is relatively good, though it’s pretty far from my chin.

The mask comes with silicone eye-socket cushions, which make the mask slightly more wearable and help to block out as much light as possible to protect your eyes during use; though some still seeps around. Its adjustable velcro head straps are fairly effective for keeping the mask in place, although if you have particularly silky hair or a lack thereof, it can slide around a little too much for my liking.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

On the underside of the mask are its 108 four-wick LED bulbs (432 LEDs total), which work across the mask's various light therapy programs to deliver results.

As the controller houses a lithium-ion battery, much like those for many light therapy masks, it’s unsuitable to be stowed in hold luggage during flights. This is where Nanoleaf’s understanding of tech-related lifestyle requirements is a benefit – you can unplug the controller to carry it in your hand luggage and stow the mask itself in your hold bag, making this one of the best LED face masks for travel.

• Design score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Nanoleaf LED face mask review: How it works

Nanoleaf’s LED light therapy mask has seven preset light therapy routines that address different skincare goals. However, it’s worth highlighting that there are very specific color wavelengths that have been studied and identified as potentially beneficial in skincare, those being blue (415nm), red (633nm), and NIR (830nm). In Nanoleaf’s LED face masks, these three treatments all fall just outside of the recommended range for peak performance. That doesn’t mean they won’t work, but as a budget mask, you shouldn’t expect it to provide quite as good results as a pricier model with better LEDs.

The only other direct color included is green, and the rest are combinations of these primary LEDs. These settings, including green, lack clinical evidence for efficacy and studies into potential risks, so use at your discretion. The mask is FDA-cleared, however, meaning it has been approved as safe for use by US regulators, but not for its efficacy.

Nanoleaf claims the mask offers the following treatments and benefits, each paired with an 850nm wavelength NIR:

Lights, wavelengths and benefits

Red

640nm

Stimulates collagen production and improves circulation to promote skin repair and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Green

520nm

Soothes sensitive skin, minimizes redness, and boosts lymphatic flow to reduce swelling.

Blue

460nm

Evens skin tone by reducing pigmentation of scars and age spots.

Yellow

640nm + 525nm

Calms irritation and redness to promote a refreshed, brighter complexion.

Cyan

460nm + 525nm

Kills bacteria and reduces oil production to treat and prevent breakouts.

Purple

640nm + 460nm

Combines red and blue light benefits to promote overall skin healing and reduce general skin imperfections.

White

640nm + 525nm + 460nm

Stimulates cellular activity across multiple layers of the skin to allow deeper penetration of skincare products, maximizing their effectiveness.

Nanoleaf recommends using the mask for 5-10 minutes three to five times per week, depending on your skin’s needs, and says that with consistent use, “a noticeable improvement in skin texture and tone should be visible after 4 to 6 weeks.”

(Image credit: Future)Nanoleaf LED face mask review: Performance

• Various treatments for different skin needs
• Battery life sufficient
• Decent results, but needs consistency

I tried two full cycles of Nanoleaf’s face mask in my testing: the blue and red light treatments, so I had a more solid comparison point against Shark’s Cryoglow. Worth highlighting up front is that these results are never permanent; all light therapy masks require continued regular use to reap the benefits.

Its red light therapy for inflammation reduction seems promising, and if that’s your priority, this more affordable mask might just be the best way to treat fine lines and wrinkles. After a 4-week cycle with four treatments per week, I noticed some small improvements to fine lines and repair to skin damage.

Blue light, for me, didn’t seem to work nearly as well, and I’d say overall there are better masks that offer more immediate results for acne sufferers; for me, I think my skin benefits from having room to breathe during treatment, which this skin-tight model doesn’t afford. After four weeks of use, my acne didn’t show any discernable changes as it had with the Shark Cryoglow, but there are of course ample outside factors that color results here.

As I’m writing this review I’m trying out the Cyan mode, as oily, acne-prone skin remains my biggest skincare challenge, but it’s too early to say if I’m seeing any significant results; however once again I feel the mask’s closeness to my skin might just negate any benefits from the light therapy here, as I’m often more oily after a treatment than before.

Where the Nanoleaf loses the most points is in comfort. It’s made of malleable silicone, which does make it more travel-friendly, but it’s a lot less enjoyable to wear. It gets a little warm under there, and especially given that I did some of my testing through sticky UK summer heat, that has made for some unpleasant me-time. It’s a bit loose around the jaw, too, and the velcro straps do slip around some.

As you can see, the mask sits naturally about 1cm lower on my face than where it should (Image credit: Future)

The eye holes are also too small, meaning the light can leak out a fair amount, which isn’t the best thing for your eyes. Add to that the fact that, for my face at least, the holes don’t quite line up, particularly around my mouth, and this ill-fitting design can lead to further discomfort.

Battery life, at least, is more than sufficient; it lasts around three hours (enough for around 15 10-minute treatments) on a full charge, and recharges in just over an hour.

Despite some moderate results from treatment and mild discomfort, Nanoleaf’s mask is, at its price point, a solid performer and a great choice for those first-time light therapy users.

• Performance score: 4/5

Nanoleaf LED face mask review: scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A fairly affordable mask for its relatively good specs.

4.5/5

Design

Not the most comfortable, but travels well.

3.5/5

Performance

Noticeable results, but not peak effectiveness

4/5

Nanoleaf LED face mask: Should I buy it?Buy it if...

You’re looking for a travel-friendly mask

With its detachable battery and controller unit, Nanoleaf’s LED face mask is much easier to travel with than some alternatives.

You’re on a budget

Nanoleaf’s LED face mask is a great budget option, especially if you can find it on sale.

Don't buy it if...

You want peak power and performance

With some of the light therapies falling outside of recommended wavelengths, you’re not getting peak performance from this mask, though it’s by no means bad.

You want a relaxing spa companion

Sure, beauty is pain, but I’m not sure self-care needs to be uncomfortable, and this mask can run pretty hot, and may not fit your face comfortably.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested

I tried two full treatment cycles using Nanoleaf’s LED face mask with the scientifically backed Red and Blue light therapies in order to assess how well it performed over time.

Through my daily use, I was able to consider the comfort, design features and benefits for the device, but I also compared it against my experience with the Shark CryoGlow.

I’ve been testing beauty products for four years, informing myself on the latest trends and research in order to provide reliable, relatable recommendations based on my in-person experience.

First reviewed October 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus: One minute review

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus follows up on last year's Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 portable projector, but this time, Epson is leaning far more into the lifestyle aspect of the design with a more extensive fabric wrap, colorful LED underlighting, and a funky monopod stand.

Under the hood, the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus offers a sizable upgrade over the EF22 thanks to the 4K projection system, but otherwise still uses the same 3LCD tech and has the same 1,000 ISO lumens brightness spec.

It’s nice to see the 4K resolution since larger images really benefit from it. But picture quality with the Lifestudio Flex Plus otherwise isn’t terribly impressive, with weak contrast, minor ghosting and motion hiccups, and a brightness level that really requires a dark room.

As for the rest of the package, having only one HDMI port is a limiting factor and the built-in Sound by Bose speakers provide just average sound quality. And even though the stand allows for flexible aim, it doesn’t offer anything that other examples of the best projectors with built-in stands don’t.

While the $999 price tag puts the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus on the affordable side for a 4K projector, it still has to square off against the oft-discounted price of the brighter, more colorful JMGO N1S Pro 4K and the slightly brighter, slightly more expensive, but more versatile Hisense M2 Pro.

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review: Price & release date

The Lifestudio Flex Plus has built-in lighting that can change colors and lets it do double-duty as a mood lamp (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: September 2025
• MSRP: $999.99 / £1,149.99 / around AU$1,536

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus has just launched, and it lands with a retail price of $999.99. Given its newness, it’s unlikely to see any considerable discounts in the near term. This puts it in a tough spot as it has to face off against pricier rivals like the JMGO N1S Pro 4K, which has a retail price of $1,999 but has seen discounts as low as $1,099 since its launch.

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review: Specs

Screen sizes supported:

30-150 inches

Brightness (specified):

1.000 Lumens

HDR support:

HDR10, HLG

Display technology:

RGB LED, 3LCD

Smart TV:

Google TV

Connections:

1x HDMI (with eARC), 3.5mm audio out, USB-A, USB-C (supports 100/140W PD input)

Dimensions (H x W x D):

7.5 x 7.5 x 9.7 inches (190 x 190 x 246mm)

Weight:

8.8 pounds (4kg)

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review: Design & features

Ports include HDMI with eARC and USB-C for powering the projector with a portable battery pack (Image credit: Future)

• All-in-one system
• Integrated stand with a unique lamp feature
• Quick, automatic adjustments

Epson has attempted to make the Lifestudio Flex Plus a bit more than a simple piece of tech. While the main portion of the projector is a little box that’s pretty typical of lifestyle projectors, it sits on a unique pole stand that allows for flexible aim and raises it to showcase the bottom-mounted LED lamp.

With taps on the top of the projector, the lamp switches its lighting scheme, offering some fun and colorful light shows or settling into a basic white. It’s a kind of fun gimmick, though with ambient light being the enemy of dimmer projectors, it’s also an odd choice. Even more odd, there’s no controlling the LED lamp with the remote, so you’ll have to touch the projector if you want to turn it off while watching.

The projector has a stylish design with a fabric wrap on its lower half and a wood-grain top, leaning more into accent furniture than a typical piece of tech. Still, it looks a little awkward standing on its monopod leg.

The stand is functional with a sturdy base, easy rotation, and a 105-degree vertical tilt. This lets you aim the projector straight up to project on ceilings (though it requires moving a small plastic panel on the rear that doesn’t serve much purpose other than aesthetics). The stand can also tilt down slightly if you need to project from a high-up place.

While it’s nice to have an integrated stand, this one doesn’t prove as helpful as some of the others I’ve seen lately. The Hisense M2 Pro’s stand, for instance, provides similar vertical shifting but also allows the projector to flip upside-down, which is even more convenient for projecting from high places than having the ability to tilt down, as it can avoid keystone adjustment.

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus can make it easy to get up and running. It has automatic focus, keystone adjustment, and obstacle avoidance. This squares the image with the wall and crops it into the available space on your wall or screen. Cropping the image this way isn’t entirely ideal, as it sacrifices resolution and overall brightness in the process, but it’s quick and convenient if you move the projector around often.

Though the Lifestudio Flex Plus doesn’t have an internal battery, it does encourage portability with its small size and ability to run off a USB-C charger battery pack with 100-140W of USB PD output.

The projector features an eye-protection feature to avoid harming anyone’s eyes, pets included, if they walk in front of the projector’s path. While many projectors have similar features, on the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, they are quick to activate and conveniently pause video playback so you don’t miss a beat.

The Lifestudio Flex Plus integrates Google TV for easy streaming, and with Wi-Fi 6, it can get a consistent, high-speed connection. Google TV was generally responsive during my testing, though it had the occasional hitch when loading up video. The system includes its own stereo speakers as well for a complete all-in-one package.

If you don’t want to rely on the Lifestudio Flex Plus’s built-in streaming and speakers, the projector’s single HDMI port supports HDMI eARC to send out audio. There’s a 3.5mm audio port on the back as well, and a USB-A port to play back local media. If you plan to connect a game console to the projector, ALLM is supported, which automatically switches the projector to a low-latency Game picture mode.

The Lifestudio Flex Plus comes with a basic remote. It has the standard Google TV control wheel, which makes navigation pretty simple. Brightness and volume controls are on their own pill-shaped buttons that make them easier to locate. There are also a few app shortcut buttons and an input-selection shortcut, though that might as well just be a shortcut to HDMI. The remote doesn’t include any backlighting, which makes it harder to use in a dark home theater environment.

• Design & features score: 4/5

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review: Picture quality

• 4K resolution
• Limited brightness, color gamut, and contrast
• Some motion handling issues

Image 1 of 2

The projector's color balance is natural, but blacks can look elevated in dark movie scenes (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is a fine projector, but it doesn’t offer a remarkable home theater experience. With a brightness level that hits just 1,000 lumens, it’s simply not up to the task of delivering a dazzling picture, and it especially struggles with ambient light. To make the most of the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, you’ll need to turn out the lights and get blackout curtains or use it at night.

Even in the right conditions, picture quality with the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is still just average, though its 4K picture has impressive detail. Color looks fairly natural, though the projector’s color gamut isn’t as wide as with some triple-laser models I’ve tested in recent years. The plus side is that, with Epson’s 3LCD tech, there are none of the rainbow artifacts you’ll find with DLP projectors.

Blacks on the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus are rather elevated. When watching relatively dark movie scenes, it fails to reach very dark levels, even with active contrast enabled. This harms the overall experience as dark scenes simply lack richness, and letterboxing is all too visible.

The projector also suffers a bit from ghosting. This doesn’t rear its head much in brighter scenes, but it shows up in darker ones. Watching Warfare, it cropped up big time after the IED explosion during the team’s first evac attempt, with the soldiers moving through the explosion of dirt and sand, followed by ghosting trails that made the scene a blur.

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

Motion interpolation is enabled by default on the Lifestudio Flex Plus. This can be useful in some limited contexts, such as panning shots, but it makes for unnatural motion from people and inaccurate smoothing in animation. Though it’s generally better with the feature disabled, the projector can stutter from time to time during panning shots, even with just light motion.

The mixed projection experience is matched by the middling Sound by Bose speakers. They can put out enough volume to get by in a 150-square-foot room without distortion. But, they suffer from the typical TVwq speaker issue: if the volume gets loud enough to hear the dialogue, the action and music are too loud. Conversely, if the action and music are at the right volume, the dialogue becomes too quiet to hear clearly.

• Picture quality score: 3/5

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review: Value

Epson's remote control is serviceable but lacks backlighting (Image credit: Future)

• High price tag
• Price is still competitive for category
• Performance equivalent to competition

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus puts everything you need for a modest home theater into a single, $1,000 package. Its performance is generally good, and while that would have gone a long way a couple of years ago, the portable projector space has gotten incredibly competitive since then.

Rivals from JMGO, Xgimi, Hisense, and Dangbei provide a ton of new options, while older projectors have had discounts. Some of these offer similar features and higher brightness without costing much more, and that reality hurts the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus’s value.

• Value score: 3/5

Should I buy the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus?

The monopod stand provides upward and downward tilt motion (Image credit: Future)Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design and features

Fun design with a useful stand that makes it easy to aim at a wall or ceiling. It’s an all-in-one device as well, giving you speakers and a streaming platform. While it has its own DC power adapter, it can also run on USB-C power

4/5

Picture and sound quality

Natural-looking color and a 4K resolution. But the brightness and color gamut are underwhelming, an an elevated black level limits contrast. Sound quality too is just average

3/5

Value

While it’s nice to get an all-in-one package, the picture and sound quality isn’t impressive compared to some recent competitors that fall in the $1,000-$1500 price range

3/5

Buy it if...

You struggle with rainbow artifacts
If you look at projectors and see a frequent blend of rainbow colors, you’re experiencing a common issue with DLP projection technologies. Epson’s 3LCD tech avoids this issue entirely. View Deal

You like the style
The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus puts its best foot forward with a kind of fun and funky look. It’s part projector, part party lamp. View Deal

You want a projector that can run off USB-C power
While USB-C ports are becoming widespread, very few projectors have used it. The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is one of the few to let you power it from USB-C, giving you a convenient option for pairing it with a portable battery pack, even if most won’t be able to run it for very long.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have a dark viewing space
Limited brightness holds the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus back. If you want a good viewing experience, you’ll need a very dark space, and even then the contrast on this model is weak. View Deal

You want vivid colors
Color on this projector looks natural, but triple laser projectors have a big edge when it comes to color gamut coverage, which especially benefits 4K HDR content. You can find similar models with triple laser tech at competitive prices. View Deal

Your projector placement is strict
This projector’s automatic software adjustments are useful for frequent repositioning, but it doesn’t have optical zoom or lens shift, so you’ll sacrifice resolution and brightness if you can’t set the projector in the ideal spot and have to instead rely on its software correction. View Deal

Also considerComparison: projectors

Epson LifeStudio Flex Plus

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22

Anker Nebula Mars 3

JMGO N1S Pro 4K

Price:

$999

$999

$1,049

$1,099

Screen sizes supported:

90 to 130 inches

30 to 100 inches

30 to 200 inches

85 to 180 inches

Brightness (specified):

1,000 ISO lumens

1,000 ISO lumens

1,000 lumens

2,400 ANSI lumens

HDR support

HDR10, HLG

HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

3LCD, LED

3LCD, LED

LED DLP

RGB laser DLP

Smart TV:

Google TV

Google TV

Android TV

Google TV

Connections:

1x HDMI (with ARC), 1x 3.5mm

1x HDMI (with ARC), 1x 3.5mm

1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm

HDMI x2 (1 w/ eARC), USB-A (powered), 3.5mm

JMGO N1S Pro 4K

With its far brighter and more colorful picture, the JGMO N1S Pro 4K is a serious threat to the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus. It may have a list price double that of the Epson, but recent discounts bring it to a much more competitive $1,099.

Read our JMGO N1S Pro 4K reviewView Deal

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22

A predecessor to the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, the EF22 is still flexible, equally as bright, and has mostly similar picture quality. It may not offer 4K resolution, but as an older model, it should be easy to find at a discount.

Read our Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22View Deal

Anker Nebula Mars 3

If the USB-C capabilities of the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus catch your attention, then the Anker Nebula Mars 3 may be even further up your alley. Instead of convenient charging for on-the-go use, it has its own built-in battery. For home theater use, it falls a bit behind, though, with just 1080p resolution and a mono speaker.

Read our Anker Nebula Mars 3 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
• Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
• I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both with a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, both HDR and non-HDR.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

• First reviewed: October 2025
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

Once Upon photo book review

Once Upon is a photo book service designed around making photo book creation as accessible as possible. The idea is that having the Once Upon app on your phone will make it easier to build a photo book as things happen, rather than as an afterthought.

This “quicker and easier” approach means the photo book options on offer are fairly limited compared to other photo book services I’ve tested, as Once Upon only offers square books in two sizes: medium, which measures 20 x 20cm, or large, which is 27 x 27cm.

Both options are available in hardcover, with an additional softcover option for the medium size.

Prices start from $19 / £16 / AU$35 for a 20-page medium photo book with a softcover, rising to $25 / £21 / AU$45 for a hardcover.

Additional silk matte or semi-gloss pages can be added at a cost of $0.85 / 42p / AU$1.40. The larger photo book starts at $35 / £26 / AU$55, with extra pages costing $1.05 / 62p / AU$1.70 each, which is cheaper than many of the services in our best photo books guide.

In total, the cost for my large 28-page hardcover photo book with silk matte paper came to £30.96 (about $42 / AU$65), but I got it for £28.22 thanks to a 25% discount that was available at the time.

The shipping cost was perfectly reasonable, and it should be in the US and Australia too, as Once Upon also has manufacturing sites in those regions. There’s an estimated production and delivery timeline of five to seven days in the UK, potentially rising to 10 business days in the US and Australia.

There’s no option to expedite, but this is an acceptable turnaround and quicker than some photo book providers, which can take a couple of weeks depending on where the book’s manufactured.

In this photo book’s case, I placed the order on a Tuesday afternoon and received the finished article the following Monday, which is an impressive turnaround of four working days.

(Image credit: Future)

As the brand's ethos is centered around it, it made sense to use the Once Upon app on my iPhone to create this photo book, but I experimented with the browser-based app, too.

Both offer the same features; however, the app provided helpful tips in the form of pop-ups as I started building my photo book.

These included general hints about how to drag, drop, and swap photos, along with important tips like warning me to check that nothing important was positioned over the crease when I applied a photo across a spread.

I could tell from the outset that this photo book service is tailored toward those who want to keep things simple. There was a grand total of two layouts on offer for the front cover, which consisted of having the title at the top or the bottom.

It was fortunate I wanted the outer cover to be black, as Once Upon only offers black or white.

There was the option to crop and rotate the cover image, with portrait, landscape, and square presets with fixed ratios, but that was the closest I got to fine-tuning anything.

Needless to say, this isn’t the photo book service for you if you want to have any creative input.

(Image credit: Future)

When I tried to add our TechRadar twist to the front cover, I found there were only three editable elements: the cover image, title, and subtitle.

The features are so stripped back that I wasn’t even able to change up the font of the subtitle. I wasn’t exactly spoiled for choice when it came to the title font either, as there was a choice of just four styles to choose from.

While I can appreciate the allure of a simple design process, some flexibility is needed to ensure you can adjust the composition of your images.

The fixed ratios of the cropping tool and inability to tweak a photo’s position within its frame meant that our two-page spread of a rocky seascape was cut short, spoiling the shot.

One function I haven’t often seen from other photo book services is the ability to copy a page spread to other books I’m working on.

Rearranging the spreads was pretty easy, too, as I just needed to hold down the tab on the top right of the spread before dragging and dropping.

When adding photos, they’re automatically arranged by the date they were taken, rather than the date they were uploaded. This may not be a problem if you’re creating a memory book of all your holiday snaps, but if you’re collating photos taken on different dates, it could prove irritating.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike other photo book builders, like the one from Mixbook, for example, images cannot be uploaded to an album first, and I couldn’t even select a layout before adding photos to the spread.

I could upload my photos to the spread one at a time or in batches, and they’d be arranged into a layout for me.

They also appeared in an image list at the bottom of the page, but it proved to be redundant, as I wasn’t able to drag and drop them onto the page; I could only select each photo to see the same options I’d get by clicking on the photo itself a smidge further up the page.

When I did want to swap photos, I could do so simply by dragging and dropping them within the two-page spread, though I could see this leapfrog approach getting a little tedious if I needed to swap more than a couple. As was the case with the cover photo, only basic image adjustments were available.

I had to repeatedly click on the layout button for the photos to cycle through different preset arrangements, of which there were only around ten, though there were technically a few more if I hit the mirror button to change what appears on the left or right page.

(Image credit: Future)

While some may appreciate this simplicity, I really didn’t enjoy not being able to compare the different layouts easily.

The basic features and restrictive layouts definitely weren’t my cup of tea, but they do at least keep the process of creating a photo book simple and make the Once Upon app easy to master.

I was pleased with how simple and efficient it was to share my Once Upon photo book, as it’s always nice to have the option to build a photo book with others, especially after a big event or holiday.

After I’d shared the link or QR code, I could see a list of active co-creators once they’d created an account. I also had the option to remove co-creators if required, and there was a simple but useful security feature that deactivated the shared link and generated a new one, offering more control over who has access to the project.

The book builder easily handled two people working on the photo book simultaneously. It took around a second to show the changes made by my co-creator, and it didn’t falter when new pages or photos were being added simultaneously.

(Image credit: Future)

My first impression of the finished Once Upon photo book was positive. The book arrived in good condition, and the colors of the aurora on the cover photo really popped.

Directly comparing the outer cover of the Once Upon photo book against the others we’ve reviewed revealed that the black of the book's outer cover lacks depth, has a slight yellow hue to it, and is a tiny bit streaky upon closer inspection.

All this being said, the front cover looks nice enough overall, and is satisfactory considering it cost less than £30 and was printed in the UK.

(Image credit: Future)

I was fairly happy with the paper quality overall. The paper didn't feel overly thin, but in lighter areas, I could see some show-through from black text and darker images from the opposite side of the page.

On the plus side, the satin finish performed as advertised – I didn’t need to wear museum-grade gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints on the dark cover or the book's pages, which is a bigger advantage than you may think.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

The printed photos look satisfyingly crisp and bright, and are of a much higher standard than the printed results from the SnapFish photo book.

I was very pleased to see that there was minimal posterization, which was notable in quite a few of the photobooks we’ve received, particularly in shots showing subtle color gradients in the sky.

In fact, the print quality in this Once Upon book has been the most comparable to our photo book from top-of-the-class Blurb I’ve seen so far, which is high praise indeed.

The print quality in our Once Upon book (top) was pleasingly similar to the results from our favorite photo book from Blurb. (Image credit: Future)

But as eye-catching as the print quality was, other elements of the photo looked unnatural due to the automatic image improvements that had been applied.

In places, these caused our images to look overly enhanced, especially those featuring black clothing or dark backgrounds, which were overexposed to compensate.

The color accuracy of our shots was also affected by the auto enhancement, as the colors became a little too vivid, and may have been more so if I’d opted for semi-gloss, as the silk matte paper is advertised as delivering toned-down colors in comparison.

(Image credit: Future)

This isn’t glaringly obvious, but it was noticeable when I compared them directly against our other photo books and the original photographs.

These enhancements probably won’t cause any issues when applied to sunny holiday snaps or everyday photos, but it’s worth bearing this in mind if your photos feature a lot of dark elements.

Fortunately, this automatic image improvement is voluntary, and it’s easy to request that the shots in the photo book aren’t enhanced in pre-production by unticking a box at the editing stage.

The automatically enhanced prints from Once Upon book (top) didn't look true to life, but still looked great quality, even when compared to the Blurb photo book. (Image credit: Future)

In essence, Once Upon isn’t going to be the photo book service for you if you want to have any creative input.

It is, however, a great choice if you’re looking for a service that’ll make the decisions for you, as all you really need to do is pop your photos and captions in, and enjoy your low-cost photo book with fantastic print quality once it arrives.

Should I buy the Once Upon photo book?

Ease of use

As promised, it was really straightforward to create a basic photo book in the Once Upon app. The entire process is simple from start to finish, enabling you to create a photo-filled book from your smartphone.

5 / 5

Editing tools

To say the app was lacking in design tools would be a major understatement. Customization was severely limited, meaning you simply can't unleash your creativity with this photo book service.

2 / 5

Print quality

Automatic enhancements aside, the prints were clear and vibrant, with minimal posterization. Plus, the material finish proved delightfully resistant to fingerprints.

4.5 / 5

Value

While the Once Upon photo book service has its flaws, the quality of the prints is fantastic for the price, and superior to many of the more expensive photo book services we've tested so far.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want high-quality prints for less
While not perfect, the print quality was pretty darn impressive, and not far off the results from the more expensive photo book that’s currently the top choice in our buying guide.

You want your photo book fingerprint-free
Though marks may well build up over time, the finish on this photo book was noticeably more forgiving than the others I’ve tested, as the outer cover and pages didn’t collect fingerprints during my evaluation process.

You want a super simple design process
Creating a photo book on the Once Upon app is about as far from complex as you can get, as all you need to do is upload your photos and click a button to cycle through layout options.

Don't buy it if…

You want to get creative
While the basic design process may prove beneficial to some, it can feel incredibly restrictive if you want any control over composition and layout.

You want reliable automatic enhancements
It’ll probably work perfectly well for sunny holiday snaps, but the auto image enhancement didn’t play well with our darker photos, so there’s a risk of some photos looking overexposed.

You want high-quality paper
The print quality is great, but the show-through of darker elements from the other side of the page was disappointing. Plus, the images would look even sharper if the paper were of a higher spec.

Once Upon photo book review: also consider

Blurb
If you want better color accuracy, and you’ve got a bit more to spend, then it’s well worth considering a photo book from Blurb. The app-based designer offers precise and flexible design tools, and the prints were detailed and vibrant, while still looking true to life, making this a particularly good choice for creatives wanting to showcase their work. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our full Blurb review.

Printerpix
If you’re keen to avoid complex design processes, but want a little more creative freedom, then Printerpix is the service for you. There are 163 layouts and 18 themes to choose from, and adding elements and photos was as simple as dragging and dropping, so it’s easy to customize the design. The printed result was also pleasing, though we did notice some posterization with subtle color blends. For more information, read our full Printerpix review.

How I tested the Once Upon photo book

• I created a photo book from scratch to recreate our TechRadar photo book
• I explored the Once Upon app, testing the different features and tools
• I ordered a photo book and assessed the quality of the finished product

I explored the Once Upon app on my iPhone and the web browser on my MacBook. I assessed how easy the creation process was, starting with a blank canvas and using the tools available to recreate our TechRadar photo book. Recreating an existing design is important so that we can assess how capable the different services are when faced with different requirements.

I ordered my completed photo book and evaluated the finished product against the collection of photo books we’ve already tested, paying close attention to quality, print finish, alignment, and making notes of any imperfections.

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

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Two-minute review

When the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and its less powerful, slightly more affordable ROG Xbox Ally) handhelds were announced earlier this year, it came as a bit of a surprise.

For years, there had been rumors that Microsoft was working on an Xbox-focused handheld games console. The success of Nintendo’s handheld/home console hybrid Switch (and its follow-up, the Switch 2), plus the emergence of PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck, made those rumors seem even more likely.

However, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was a surprise because, despite the name, this is not a handheld Xbox console. It’s, in fact, yet another PC gaming handheld with Xbox branding and a few choice upgrades. This is not a bespoke bit of hardware built from the ground up with a dedicated gaming operating system that finally brings the ease-of-use of games consoles to PC gaming handhelds. Instead, its hardware is very similar to the existing Asus ROG Ally X, a powerful gaming handheld I reviewed last year, but it still uses that awkward combination of Windows 11 (an operating system designed for traditional PCs and laptops) with a console-like interface placed over it to make launching games using the handheld's controls easier.

Where to buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds

(Image credit: Xbox/Microsoft/Asus)

If you're looking for the latest information and retailer links for where to buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, then our full guide has you covered.

In fact, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X actually makes it a bit more awkward as it adds two interface overlays on top of Windows 11 – Asus’ Armoury Crate software, like its Ally and Ally X predecessors, which can be used to launch games, as well as the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, which adds a console-like interface to Windows 11. All of these extra layers, while essential for making Windows 11 usable on a handheld device, mean that the slick experience of using a console is again missing from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, especially when you start needing to update different bits of software at different times.

(Image credit: Future)

Maybe even more surprising is that this collaboration comes at a time when the Xbox brand is arguably at its lowest ebb. Poor sales of the Xbox Series S/X consoles, no true exclusive games, a spate of studio closures and layoffs, and huge price increases to Xbox Game Pass have led to some fans and critics wondering just how much of a future Xbox has (despite Microsoft denying it was exiting the console business).

It almost seems like the Xbox brand could hinder the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X more than help it. Not just because of the negativity around the brand at the moment, but because, like other PC gaming handhelds, your enjoyment of this device will depend a lot on your expectations, and I worry that the Xbox connection could lead to people going in with the wrong expectations.

So, this isn’t a handheld console with games and software designed to maximise performance on a set hardware configuration, and sold at a loss to keep prices down and increase adoption.

Instead, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is very much a premium PC gaming handheld, with all the pros and cons that brings.

For existing fans of PC gaming handhelds, like myself, that means a huge amount of flexibility, especially if you’re comfortable with leaving the console-like interface and digging into Windows 11 for some good old-fashioned tweaking. So, you can install other game launchers, games from various sources, and as the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is running the full version of Windows 11, you can even install desktop applications such as Microsoft Office.

Hook it up to a USB-C dock, including Asus’ own ROG Bulwark Dock, and you’ll be able to attach any peripheral (including monitors and TVs) that works with Windows PCs, rather than having to rely on officially licensed (and therefore expensive) accessories. You can even uninstall Windows 11 and install a rival operating system, such as the Linux-based SteamOS. These are all things you’d never be able to do with the Switch 2, or (I’m fairly sure) any future official Xbox handheld console.

On the cons side of things, being a PC gaming handheld means dealing with an operating system that still isn’t fully designed to be used with a handheld device, and this can mean menus and dialogue boxes opening with text that’s too small to read on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s 7-inch screen, and some parts of the interface that are tricky to navigate via touch or controller. Usual PC annoyances, like various update requests and the occasional crash, are also present, and while PC gamers will no doubt roll their eyes and boot the game back up, console-only gamers probably won’t be as forgiving.

(Image credit: Future)

For example, while playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (which initially involved me going through the Xbox app to launch Steam in Big Picture Mode – another interface – to then launch the game), Windows 11’s command prompt window opened up and loads of text appeared on the screen, before disappearing. As someone used to PC gaming, I wasn’t too annoyed. Obviously, some app was updating in the background, but it did mean that I could no longer control the game until I had made Windows 11 focus back on the game’s window. During that time, I was killed by enemies (in-game, I should add).

For a PC gamer, this is a frustration, but nothing too out of the ordinary. For a console gamer used to how things work with Nintendo or Sony consoles, this could be a truly baffling ordeal that makes them not want to pick up the device again.

It also means that to get the best gaming performance from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, you’re going to have to do some tweaking to a game’s graphical settings. For seasoned PC gamers, this isn’t a problem – and for some, it’s even part of the fun. For people used to consoles, where games are made to a limited number of hardware specifications, developers can set these options so the game launches with the best combination of graphical settings and performance. If you buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X knowing that this is a handheld gaming PC, you might not be disappointed, but as I mentioned earlier, the use of the Xbox brand might mean people aren’t getting what they expected.

Graphically demanding open-world games like Cyberpunk 2077 proved to be too much for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, unless you seriously drop some of the graphical settings. However, games like Forza Horizon 5 run brilliantly without too many compromises made to graphics settings, and less graphically demanding (yet still great-looking) games such as Hades II and Hollow Knight really shine.

However, perhaps the biggest stumbling block for people expecting a handheld console, rather than a handheld gaming PC, is that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an incredibly high price tag - $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599. Even the more affordable ROG Xbox Ally still comes with a $599.99 / £499.99 / AU$999 price tag.

In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 starts at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95, while the Xbox Series X (a much more powerful device) launched at $499 / £449 / AU$749.

In the context of handheld gaming PCs (and PC gaming in general), however, the price isn’t quite as much of a shock (though that doesn’t make it any better value). The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, while the MSI Claw 8 AI+ costs $999, and neither of these aren’t quite as powerful as the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a gaming laptop or gaming PC for under $1,000 these days.

While it's probably the best premium handheld device on the market, because of the high price and the feeling that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X still fails to offer a truly console-like experience, this is a niche product in an increasingly competitive space, and the Xbox tie-in won’t be quite enough to make it stand out.

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starts at $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599
• When is it available? Goes on sale October 15, 2025
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X goes on sale on October 15, 2025, for $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599. This is an incredibly high price tag for a console, though it’s becoming increasingly common for handheld gaming PCs.

The Nintendo Switch 2, for example, starts at around half the price at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95. Even premium consoles like the PS5 Pro come in a lot cheaper at $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199.

While the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is more powerful than the Switch 2, offers portability that the PS5 Pro lacks, and features the versatility of a gaming PC (you’re not tied to a single storefront, can install full Windows 11 applications and even new operating systems) that consoles lack, it means for people expect console-like prices for a gaming device branded with the Xbox logo, the actual price will come as a shock.

To soften the blow somewhat, there’s also the lower-powered ROG Xbox Ally, which costs $599.99 / £499.99 / AU$999 and puts it closer to the Nintendo Switch.

In the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s favor, PC games are usually cheaper than console editions, and because you’re not tied to a single store, you can shop around for the best deals. Valve’s Steam, for example, often has huge sales, while the Epic Games Store gives away free games every week. Over the years, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X could end up costing you less than a Nintendo Switch.

(Image credit: Future)

Due to the Xbox branding, it’s no surprise that the Xbox app that acts as the main interface pushes Microsoft’s Xbox store, and makes a big deal of Game Pass, Microsoft’s game subscription service, which was once dubbed ‘the best deal in gaming.’

‘Once’ is the operative word here, as Microsoft’s recent price hikes of Game Pass couldn’t really have come at a worse time, as it no longer feels like the huge deal it once was. Game Pass for PC now costs $16.49 / £13.49 / AU$19.45 per month, and while there are cheaper Game Pass tiers that include PC games, it feels like this is a service that will continue to offer less value.

Meanwhile, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X seems a bit more competitively priced compared to PC gaming handhelds – though it’s still one of the most expensive you can buy. The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, while the much lower-powered Steam Deck OLED costs $549 / £479 / AU$899.

As with other gaming PC handhelds, if you’ve already got a substantial library on Steam or Epic Games Store, for example, you’ll be able to install and play them on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X without having to buy them again, which, again, could help lower the overall cost of the ROG Xbox Ally X over its lifespan. Xbox owners should also be able to play their games without having to rebuy them, and if you’re already subscribed to Game Pass, you can now use that subscription for both consoles and PC (even the cheapest ‘Essential’ tier).

• Value: 2 / 5

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X Specs

There are two versions available: the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X and the more affordable ROG Xbox Ally.

Asus ROG Ally X specs

Component

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

Asus ROG Xbox Ally

Display

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9

120Hz refresh rate

AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9

120Hz refresh rate

AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection

CPU

Octa-core AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor

Quad-core AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor

Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

RAM

24GB LPDDR5X-8000

16GB LPDDR5-6400

Storage

1TB M.2 SSD

512GB M.2 SSD

Port selection

1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

Weight

715g

670g

Dimensions

290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH)

290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm

Battery

80Wh

60Wh

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Design

• Similar design to Asus ROG Ally X
• Grips make a big difference to comfort
• microSD slot makes adding more capacity easy

Despite the branding, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is first and foremost clearly an ROG Ally device, and that means it share a lot of the design with the ROG Ally X. This includes the non-symmetrical analogue thumb sticks on either side of the screen (with LED rings around each one), left-hand D-pad, face buttons (X, Y, B and A, all in the same location, though not colored, unlike the ROG Ally X), front-facing speaker grilles, top USB-C ports, microSD port, volume controls and a power button that includes a fingerprint reader.

Triggers and bumpers are all in the same place, as are the Command Center, View, Library, and Menu buttons, so if you’re used to playing on a ROG Ally, you’ll find the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X very familiar. Asus’ ROG branding is still present on the body and on the bezel beneath the screen.

One of the biggest changes to the design is the addition of the Xbox button to the left of the Command Center and View buttons. While the Command Center button opens up Asus’ Armoury Crate interface to launch games, the Xbox button opens up Windows 11’s Xbox Game Bar, which lets you change settings and launch games from there. A long press of the button brings up the Task View, which lets you swap between open apps and games using the controls, which is handy.

(Image credit: Future)

Other than that, the Xbox button does a very similar job to the Command Center button – it just opens a different overlay.

The biggest difference in design, however, is with the two grips on either side of the ROG Xbox Ally X (and the non-X version), rather than the curved 90 degree angled corners of the Ally X. These make the ROG Xbox Ally X look and feel more like a game controller, and while I’m pretty used to the more boxy design of the standard ROG Ally X (which is similar to most PC gaming handhelds, including the Steam Deck), the grips make a big difference to how comfortable the ROG Xbox Ally X is.

Playing Sonic Generations (thanks to its mashup of classic 2D platforming and modern 3D, it’s a great game for playing on these powerful handhelds, especially for those of us who always dreamed of a follow-up to the Sega Game Gear handheld) felt comfortable and intuitive on the ROG Xbox Ally X, with the responsive-feeling buttons in easy-to-reach locations. I also found that the grips helped with overall comfort when playing, as it meant the corners of the device weren’t resting in my palms, as with the Ally X. The grips also meant it didn’t feel like my palms were taking the brunt of the weight of the ROG Xbox Ally X – instead the weight felt much better distributed, reducing fatigue during long play sessions.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the 7-inch screen, it’s not the best you’re going to find on a handheld, but games look good.

The 1080p resolution hits the sweet spot between graphical fidelity without stressing out the hardware. Its 120Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) mean fast-paced games look and feel snappy and responsive, and during my time, I saw no sign of screen tearing in the games I played.

However, the IPS panel pales in comparison to the OLED panels found in the likes of the Steam Deck OLED. This means colors aren’t as vibrant, and contrast levels aren’t as striking. Viewing angles are also diminished, with the colors getting a bit more washed out when you’re not looking at the screen directly from the front. Of course, as this is a handheld device, that’s not much of an issue, as you’ll be holding and viewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X directly in front of yourself, but anyone hoping for a premium display to go alongside the other high-end components in the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, as well as its very high price, may be disappointed.

• Design: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Performance

• Better performance than ROG Ally X
• Best suited to less graphically-intensive games
• Xbox Fullscreen Experience doesn’t fix my main issues with Windows 11 on gaming handhelds

Benchmarks

Here is how the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Port Royal: 2,006; Fire Strike: 9,141; Time Spy: 4,033
GeekBench 6.5: 2,788 (single-core); 12,883 (multi-core)
F1 23 1080p (Ultra) 14fps
Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 8.49fps
Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:53:15 hours
PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 2:56 hours

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is noteworthy for being one of the first handhelds (along with the MSI Claw A8), which features AMD’s latest Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, which has been built from the ground up for handheld PCs (the Xbox Ally comes with the lower-powered AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor).

The Z2 Extreme aims to offer a tempting mix of high performance and high efficiency, so modern games should run well without the battery depleting too fast. The 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM is certainly very generous (it’s more than a lot of gaming laptops come with), which keeps Windows 11 and all the various different launchers and interfaces feeling reasonably spritely. It even means multiple games can be open at once, making it quick to switch between them, though this has big repercussions for the performance and battery life of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

(Image credit: Future)

The Z2 Extreme isn’t just a processor; it also has an integrated graphics processor. As far as integrated GPUs go, the Z2 Extreme is impressive, powered by AMD’s RDNA 3.5 technology, which again has been designed for gaming handhelds.

While this has exciting implications for the gaming performance of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and other handhelds powered by the Z2 Extreme chip), it’s also important to keep expectations in check. If you’re a PC gamer, you’ll know that an integrated GPU will not provide as much performance as a discrete (dedicated) graphics card, and while it’s obvious that Asus was never going to be able to fit a desktop-class GPU into a portable handheld, laptop GPUs have come a huge way in recent years, allowing the best gaming laptops to rival gaming PCs when it comes to game performance.

(Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The reason I bring this up is again to set expectations correctly. With its integrated graphics, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X simply can’t offer the same kind of gaming performance that a gaming laptop around the same price (don’t forget, this thing retails for around $1,000) can achieve when playing demanding triple-A games.

For example, I loaded up Cyberpunk 2077, and on the default graphics settings, the game felt sluggish and unresponsive. Changing the graphical settings to the ‘Steam Deck’ preset, which was added to the game to make it run on a much less powerful handheld, got better results, with the game hitting an average of 30fps, which is playable, though not exceptional.

When compared to the Acer Nitro V 15, a budget gaming laptop that’s far from the most powerful laptop, and costs around the same price, you’re looking at around 230fps, with higher quality graphics settings.

Of course, it’s undeniably impressive that a game like Cyberpunk 2077 can run at all on a device that you can hold in your hands, but it’s also clear that if you want pure gaming performance for your money, you’re better off getting a gaming laptop.

A lot of the premium price tag is because of the handheld factor, and while it’s certainly a more portable and convenient way of playing PC games than a gaming laptop, you’ll have to weigh up if that’s enough to sacrifice gaming performance. When the Steam Deck launched in 2022, this sacrifice was much easier to make, as the handheld cost $399 / £349 for the model with the least amount of storage space, while the high-end model cost $649 / £569. The lesser performance was far easier to swallow as there simply was no competition – not just because PC gaming handhelds were in their infancy, but because there were no gaming PCs or laptops at that price point.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has a much harder job of justifying its price – there are more handhelds to choose from, for a start, with Asus’ main rivals such as Acer, Lenovo, and MSI all having their own handhelds on the market, not to mention the recent Nintendo Switch 2.

The $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599 price tag also means that there are gaming laptops that are viable alternatives.

In our benchmark tests, running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p at Ultra settings, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X managed a very spotty 8.49fps. The older ROG Ally X managed 4.94fps in the same test. Now, you could say that’s a near doubling of performance, but when the results are still that low, that’s not saying much. F1 2023 showed similar results, with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X hitting 14fps at 1080p and the highest settings, while the Ally X scored 7fps.

While running these games at such high settings is done for stress testing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, in reality, you shouldn’t be trying to play these games with everything set to max, and with a bit of tweaking, these games can run much better, but at the cost of graphical quality. These benchmarks do show, however, that the Z2 Extreme chip offers a boost to performance over the Z1 Extreme in the ROG Ally X, at least. The performance difference isn’t enough, however, for ROG Ally X owners to feel like they need to upgrade.

The relatively disappointing AAA performance shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone keeping an eye on PC gaming handhelds, but for newcomers who see the Xbox branding, along with the very high price tag, might expect a level of game performance that will lead to disappointment.

Forza Horizon 5 was a much better experience, with the optimized settings of the game allowing for solid and fluid performance whilst also looking really good, and is a fine showcase for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X excels, as with other gaming handhelds, with less graphically demanding games, especially from indie developers. Hades 2, for example, looks, plays, and sounds (thanks to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s powerful speakers) utterly fantastic, as does Hollow Knight.

Games that focus on art direction rather than pushing the envelope when it comes to cutting-edge graphics, along with gameplay that suits the kind of pick up and play style that a lot of us use handhelds for, really do shine on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, and thanks to its support for a large range of stores, including Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.com, you have access to thousands of great indie games, some of which you might have otherwise not played.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is also a great device for revisiting older games, and no other gaming platform has the back catalogue of PC. As I mentioned earlier, playing Sonic Generations on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was a brilliant experience with fast, fluid action and graphics that still look great on a 7-inch screen.

As with many other PC gaming handhelds, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X runs on Windows 11, and as I said in my ROG Ally X review, Microsoft’s operating system just isn’t suitable for gaming handhelds.

(Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X attempts to fix that with the ‘Xbox full screen experience’ – an interface similar to the one found on Xbox consoles, and therefore much better suited to gamepad controllers (rather than a mouse and keyboard). Because the usual Windows 11 experience is so poor on gaming handhelds, this was the most exciting part of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X for me.

However, while it’s a move in the right direction, the Xbox full-screen experience doesn’t go far enough and ends up being a disappointment.

This is because, rather than a bespoke version of Windows 11 designed for handhelds, which many of us have been wanting, the Xbox full-screen experience still runs on the standard Windows 11 operating system, and the Xbox full-screen experience is simply a full-screen app that opens on startup. If you stay within the Xbox full-screen experience, using it to buy games and launch games you’ve bought from the Microsoft Store, the experience isn’t bad at all.

(Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

However, there are still times when Windows 11 makes its presence known, usually when there’s a new update or the operating system encounters a problem. You’re then left trying to work with an interface designed for larger screens, and a mouse and keyboard combo, by jabbing the touchscreen.

There are some nice features of the Xbox Full Screen Experience – I particularly liked the idea behind the Handheld Compatibility Program, which highlights games in the Xbox Store that are optimized for gaming handhelds, and by loading them up, their settings should be configured so you can get playing without having to tweak.

It’s similar to what Valve does with its SteamOS operating system, with Steam Deck Verified games, and it’s a great way to bring a console-like simplicity to running games. Meanwhile, ‘Windows Performance Fit’ is designed to give you an idea of how well a game will play on your device (in this case, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X) without having to look into specifications and minimum requirements (something us PC gamers are fine with).

(Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The reason why I say I like the idea behind these features, rather than liking the features themselves, is that while reviewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, most games I checked out in the Xbox Store didn’t have a rating for the Handheld Compatibility Program. This is something that will probably come later as the Xbox team works to validate games. To be fair, that’s the same thing that happened with Valve – it took quite a few months before enough games were given a Steam Deck Verified status for the feature to be useful.

Another issue is that this only seems to work with games on sale from the Xbox Store. Microsoft has, to its credit, allowed you to launch games that you’ve bought from rival stores, but it does feel like you’re not getting the full experience. None of the games from other stores appear to be part of the Handheld Compatibility Program, and icons are very basic; there’s no additional information about the games. For games bought from the Xbox Store, you get much nicer-looking icons, and the game pages that open when you launch the game are full of information.

Essentially, you feel like you’re being punished slightly for buying a game from anywhere other than the Xbox Store.

Buying from another store also means opening a new app, sometimes one that’s not designed for a handheld. Steam, at least, has its Big Picture Mode, but that means you have yet another, different interface running.

Asus’ own Armoury Crate SE interface, found in the regular ROG Ally handhelds, is also present and correct, and for some tasks, you need to use that. It can all get a bit confusing, and it is a far cry from the unified experience that consoles offer. Valve, with its custom SteamOS operating system, comes closest to this, but you’re limited to Steam games unless you start tweaking.

Because I’ve been playing on my ROG Ally X for quite a while, I’ve come to appreciate Armoury Crate SE. It’s not the best-looking interface, but it works with a controller and lets you run games from various sources, which means the Xbox Fullscreen Experience feels a bit superfluous, adding yet another interface on top of others.

It’s understandable that the Xbox interface pushes you to buy through the Xbox store, but be prepared to also get other Microsoft services forced onto you. Unsurprisingly, Game Pass is highlighted throughout the interface, and there’s a dedicated menu item for it. There’s also a Cloud gaming part of the interface, but this is exclusively for Xbox Cloud Gaming – which is a part of Game Pass. Adverts for games on the Xbox Store also appear on the home screen, and there’s a dedicated Xbox Store section of the interface as well.

This is all fine in principle – Valve does similar with SteamOS – and if you are already part of Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem and signed up to the likes of Game Pass, then this interface will likely work really well.

But if you’ve got a big Steam library, are subscribed to a rival cloud gaming platform like GeForce Now, and have no interest in Game Pass, then you’ll again feel like you’re not getting the whole benefit of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience. You can run all of those, but you’d be better off using the Armoury Crate SE interface, which sort of undermines some of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s selling points.

Overall, the performance of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X when gaming is good but doesn’t blow away the competition (especially with demanding games), and outside of gaming, the problems with Windows 11 persist. The new Xbox Full Screen Experience is welcome (and is coming to other handhelds in the future), but it’s yet another overlay, rather than a brand-new operating system, and its usefulness will depend on how invested in the Xbox ecosystem you are.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Battery life

• Improved power efficiency
• Lasts just under three hours of intensive gaming

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip inside the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has been designed to offer a balance between performance and energy efficiency, which means performance when using the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X on battery is better than the Z1 Extreme of the Ally X.

As with the Ally X, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X features different ‘Operating Modes’ which change the amount of power the handheld uses depending on certain situations. For the most part, it uses the ‘Turbo’ setting, which runs the Z2 Extreme at 25W, giving more performance but at the cost of battery life (it automatically switches to this mode when plugged in, as obviously then battery life isn’t an issue). There’s also ‘Performance’ mode and ‘Windows’ mode, which both run at 17W, and ‘Silent’ mode, which offers the longest battery life, but at the cost of performance.

You can switch between these modes by pressing the Command Center button to bring up the Armory Crate interface and selecting the mode you want. This is a pretty easy process, but it does highlight the issue I have with the addition of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience – while you can use that interface for various tasks, you can’t use it to switch power modes, you need to use Armoury Crate, so rather than getting a unified and cohesive interface, you end up having a more disjointed experience as you switch between the various interfaces.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an 80Wh battery (the ROG Xbox Ally has a smaller 60Wh battery), and along with Armory Crate’s power profiles, the Xbox full-screen experience has been designed to pause certain processes and tasks, making Windows 11 use less power when you’re playing games.

All of this work to make the battery of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X last as long as possible is great to see, as short battery lives are a common complaint with PC gaming handhelds, and to keep these devices as portable as possible, manufacturers are limited by how big a battery they can include, so maximising power efficiency is key.

In our battery benchmarks, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X lasted just short of eight hours when browsing the web. This sounds pretty impressive, but this isn’t a device you’re going to be doing much web surfing on. In our gaming battery benchmarks, the battery depleted a lot faster, lasting just under three hours, which is about what we expect from a PC gaming handheld. With some tweaking, and depending on what game you play and how demanding they are, you may be able to eke out longer battery times.

If you play games via cloud streaming services like Xbox Cloud or GeForce Now, the battery life should be closer to the web browsing times.

However, it’s clear that while Asus, AMD, and Microsoft’s efforts to maximise efficiency are commendable, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X doesn’t buck the trend of handheld devices that can’t go too long when playing games on battery.

• Battery Life: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X?Asus ROG Xbox Ally X scorecard

Value

This is an incredibly expensive gaming device, with a price tag that's hard to justify.

2 / 5

Design

A premium design, plenty of ports and the addition of grips means it's a good looking (and feeling) device.

4 / 5

Performance

AAA open-world games struggle, but with some tweaking you can get good results, and indie games run fantastically.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Battery life is around what you'd expect from a PC gaming handheld.

3 / 5

Total

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a capable gaming handheld, but it doesn't quite offer the console-like experience many of us were hoping for.

4 / 5

Buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X if...

You’re already in the Xbox ecosystem
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X really excels if you already have a games library bought through the Microsoft or Xbox stores, and if you’re signed up to Game Pass.

You want a powerful gaming handheld
The Z2 Extreme is an impressive chip, which makes the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X one of the most powerful gaming handhelds on the market – and it’s certainly more powerful than the Nintendo Switch 2.

You want a secondary device to play your games when traveling
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s performance might disappoint people who use it as their primary gaming device, but as a portable alternative that gives you access to your game library while you’re travelling, it’s a great (if expensive) choice.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is incredibly expensive, making it hard to justify for most people. The less-powerful Asus ROG Xbox Ally is a more affordable option that, while still expensive, might be a better choice.

You want pure performance
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is powerful by handheld standards, but it can’t compete with gaming laptops. If you want the best performance for your money, then this isn’t the device for you.

You want a console-like experience
The new Xbox Fullscreen Experience is certainly a step in the right direction, especially if you stick with buying games from the Xbox Store, but Windows 11 remains an inelegant operating system for handhelds.

Also consider

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

Asus ROG Ally X

Lenovo Legion Go

Price

$999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599

$799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599

$699.99 / £700 / AU$1,299

Display

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium

7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120Hz, 500 nits

8.8-inch QHD+, 144Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 color gamut

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

RAM

24GB LPDDR5X-8000

24GB LPDDR5X-7500

16GB LPDDR5X (7500Mhz)

Storage

1TB M.2 SSD

1TB M.2 2280 SSD

Up to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD

Port selection

1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

2x USB Type-C ports, 1x combo jack, 1x SD card reader slot

2x USB Type-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot

Weight

715g

678g

854g

Dimensions

90.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH)

280.2 x 114 x 36.9mm (WxDxH)

298.83 x 131 x 40.7mm (WxDxH)

Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go comes with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. and a larger, higher-resolution, and faster 8.8-inch screen, and costs quite a bit less. It doesn't offer the same amount of RAM or SSD storage space, however.

Read our full Lenovo Legion Go review

Asus ROG Ally X
The original ROG Ally X remains on sale, and is cheaper than the Xbox model. It features the older AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, which still offers good performance for indie games, and the Z2 Extreme doesn't offer a big enough upgrade to make this model feel outdated.

Read our full Asus ROG Ally X review

How I tested the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

• Tested for around a week
• Pushed it as hard as possible, gaming-wise
• Explored various settings

I played various games on the ROG Xbox Ally X every day before writing this review. The games ranged from lightweight indies like Hades 2 to more visually-intensive games like Forza Horizon 5, Sonic Generations, and AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077.

I also ran various benchmark tests to stress the hardware, including game benchmarks with the highest graphical settings and upscaling tech disabled. When gaming, I tweaked the graphics settings and enabled upscaling to get the best possible performance – this often meant dropping the graphics to their lowest settings.

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

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed October 2025

OneOdio Focus A6: two-minute review

Let me cut right to the chase: the OneOdio Focus A6 are the best budget headphones I’ve ever used. Loud, bassy, attractively designed and sporting sturdy software support, they offer everything you could reasonably ask for from a pair of sub-$100 cans. And then some.

Just how much have OneOdio’s affordable (but definitely not cheap-feeling) over-ears impressed me over the course of a month's testing? I have such a high opinion of them, I’ve actively chosen to use these cans in my free time over my Apple AirPods Max. And for context, Crew Cupertino’s high-end headphones normally retail for over five times what OneOdio is currently asking for the Focus A6s – and yes, both models can do USB-C wired Lossless audio.

There’s so much to like here and, well… hear. I can honestly say the Focus A6s are comfortably the best headphones I’ve ever reviewed that clock in at well under $100 / $100. Incredibly well-balanced at both high and low ends, they can electrify your ears during searingly accurate vocal performances while also rumbling your lobes when you crave the deepest bass lines.

When it comes to software, OneOdio has gone above and beyond with these headphones. A simple-to-use yet pleasingly sophisticated companion app outshines the offerings of some far pricier cans, making the Focus A6s an ideal choice for music buffs or even gamers thanks to its software’s various tweakable features.

Though noise cancelling on the Focus is strong, but not quite class-leading, the A6s still do an admirable job of dampening down distracting outside sounds mid-hectic commute. Throw in AI-bolstered mic features that help strengthen vocal performance during calls while also quietening your surroundings, and you’re looking at a set of budget over-ears that overdeliver at their price point. And that’s before your factor in their support for Bluetooth 6.0.

Considering they cost less than 60 bucks, the Focus A6s really are astounding. There’s no other set of cans I’ve enjoyed reviewing more in 2025. With that said, there are other options at this price point that are seriously worth considering. Be it the near peerless 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 or the Sony WH-CH520. When it comes to the best cheap headphones, options are plentiful.

I currently have more pairs of headphones in my apartment than I do shoes and I don’t say it lightly when I declare the OneOdio Focus A6s are now my favorite. Yes, that does include the aforementioned Apples. I’m legitimately amazed the Chinese firm has delivered such an impeccable set of cans at a barely believable price for the quality on offer here.

Read on, and I’ll tell you exactly why the Focus A6s aren’t just the most pleasantly surprising set of headphones I’ve perhaps ever tested, but are also some of the best cans available right now. Holy smokes do I love these headphones.

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)OneOdio Focus A6 review: Price and release date

• Release date: July, 2025
• Price: $55 / £55 / AU$112 (approx.)

The OneOdio Focus A6 have been on global release since July 7, 2025. Available in both Midnight Black and Ivory Blush, these cans retail for an extremely reasonable $55 / £55 / around AU$112 on Amazon and many other major sites.

I’ve already seen the A6s go for lower than the official MSRP in semi-regular sales here in the UK, so don’t be surprised if these excellent over-ears drop to even more bank balance-friendly prices when Black Friday season swiftly swoops around.

Aggressively priced isn't the half of it...

OneOdio Focus A6 review: Specs

Weight:

240g

Drivers:

40mm

Battery life:

75 hours; 40 hours (ANC on)

Active noise cancellation:

Yes

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 6.0; USB-C wired Lossless support

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)OneOdio Focus A6 review: Features

• Above average ANC
• Intuitive to use, robust app
• AI-enhanced call features

If the OneOdio Focus A6s were to cost $255 rather than $55, I’d still consider their feature set to be strong. But at the latter, ultra-attractive price? Damn, these over-ears are tough to top in the budget category.

First and foremost, they’re future-proofed up the wazoo. These are some of the earliest Bluetooth 6.0 headphones to hit the market, and though I didn’t have any such devices on hand to test them with, I massively appreciate OneOdio including such a forward-looking feature in such cheap cans.

Next up, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). Here, the A6s once again prove they’re no slouch. While I have heard superior ambient sound-slaying features in the best noise-cancelling headphones, OneOdio has nevertheless delivered a set of over-ears that can subdue most of the distracting outside sounds most daily commutes bring about.

The firm claims that with ANC enabled, there’s a 98% increase in noise reduction. In real-world terms, on several noisy train journeys, that number seems generous in the extreme when comparing ANC On with Transparency modes. Still, enabling noise cancelling definitely does make a difference, even if it’s not quite a game-changing one.

As someone who loves the out-of-box audio the Focus serve up, I still appreciate the fact there’s an optional and extensive OneOdio app. Once installed, said software allows you to access additional Wind Noise Reduction and Wind-resistant Transparency modes. Even better? You can also enable three preset EQ modes, plus a further three custom ones, with little fuss.

Tweaking bass and treble sliders is very definitely my bag and I’m particularly fond of the A6s’ generous suit of custom EQ settings. The features don’t stop there, though. Thanks to this cleanly designed app, you can also enable a handy Find My Headphones mode, dual device connection settings and a Gaming Mode which reduces audio latency to just 0.065s.

The A6s’ AI-powered microphones also make these cans a top choice if you regularly make and take calls. Although I didn’t test them under the most glamorous conditions – most of my time with the Focus’ mic involved phoning the bank about my home insurance – I found that audio was always clear. Considering my apartment doesn’t always support the best data signal, the fact the people I was calling never had an issue hearing me didn’t go underappreciated.

With one foot in the future, and the other very firmly imprinted on all the audio features you expect in 2025, OneOdio has done a great job at offering users an option-rich set of headphones. The breezy yet broad-reaching companion software is very much the sumptuous cherry atop a delicious sonic sundae.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)OneOdio Focus A6 review: Sound quality

• Loud, bass-filled, detailed sound
• Confident audio clarity at high, mid and low ends
• Superb for songs, shows and movies

Ah, the biggie. The OneOdio Focus A6s utterly smash it here. From a pure performance standpoint, these are the boomiest, best-rounded over-ears I’ve listened to since my beloved Apple AirPods Max. There’s not much to fault on the A6s' sound quality.

To prefix the songs I tested on the Focus A6s, I battled against every fiber of my 40-year-soul and tried to embrace the kidz… with surprisingly ear-arousing results. Somewhat indebted to No Scrubs by TLC, Tinashe's No Broke Boys is a bass-bringing banger. Despite rocking a chorus with machine-gun-rapid lyrics that could shake tectonic plates, the A6s’ mightily impressive bass never overly distracts from the words being sung.

Sombr’s fellow chart-conquering mega hit 12 to 12 also thrills on OneOdio’s headphones. The retro-facing synth-pop star’s latest once again brings the bass big style, despite the astonishingly chinned musician’s larynx sounding like it could soar through clouds. It’s a spellbinding and complementary mix of frequencies that really shows off the A6s’ range. Yes, I’ll admit: I ‘might’ have a thing for the low end.

Seeing as my knees have yet to disintegrate, and I’m desperately trying to stay relevant, arguably the song of 2025 Golden by KPop Demon Hunters sounds utterly fabulous on the A6s. Somehow dovetailing between soul-stirring treble highs and a bassline that’s deeper than the Mines of Moria, it’s as strong an advert for the Focus’ incredibly assured all-round audio as I can think of.

Speaking of which… wow. I could not resist listening to my most beloved piece of movie music ever on the A6s. With the first teaser for The Rings of Power season 3 recently revealed, I simply had to relive my favourite movie musical moment from the 2001 epic that started it all. The great Howard Shore’s The Breaking of the Fellowship is one of the silver screen scoring's most uplifting orchestral pieces I’ve ever heard. Its swelling strings sound as sweeping as all of Middle-earth on OneOdio’s first-class headphones.

If you want a solid, sweaty workout worthy of the A6s’ all-round variety, and are interested in watching one of the best streaming shows of 2025, please consider Alien: Earth. I had a chest-bursting chuckle catching up with the sci-fi prequel’s first six episodes on the Focus.

In episode 2 Mr. October, the skittering high-frequency clawing of a Xeno’s ghastly feet, followed by the good ol’ squelchy mids of a barely alive victim, proceed with a straight-up WWE style move from H.R. Giger’s iconic beastie (that brings a glass-breaking frog splash) – all this is just electrifying audio. Looking to watch some of the best Disney Plus shows on your tablet? Definitely consider the Focus A6 based on Earth’s ear-delighting dread.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)OneOdio Focus A6 review: Design

• Comfort is never an issue
• Build quality exceeds the price tag big time
• A winning retro look

The Focus A6s look classy without ever trying too hard to grab your attention. These are grown-up headphones for users who want minimalist cans that still rock some unique flair. They aren’t overly showy, but once you get used to their particular aesthetic, I’m sure you'll appreciate them.

Probably the most eye-catching aspect of the Focus are their “CNS-machined CD pattern, nano-sandblasted, anodized aluminum finish” earcups. Apologies if I’ve just made you want to regurgitate your most recent meal with some PR guff. In real world speak, some lovely materials combine to create cups that bring to mind the look of classic vinyl.

This bold build quality combines with classy flickers of gold on the Midnight Black model I’ve been testing. I had to look hard for the fine detail that has gone into the design of the Focus, which is to be applauded.

They're also very comfortable, which is important for headphones that boast such strong battery life. While I appreciate the stylish metallic top of the Focus A6, my lobes are bigger fans of some supremely comfy earcups.

Over dozens of hours of listening, the fit of the Focus never once bothered my ears. Not only do the cups provide constant comfort, the fact they also snappily rotate 90 degrees with minimal effort is another big box ticked.

The power on/off, volume up/down and ANC buttons are also easy to navigate on OneOdio’s latest cans. I almost never had difficulty discerning between the different controls after a brief period of getting acclimatized to their location.

My only slight criticism? On a few occasions, I found the on-cup controls to be a little too sensitive. Something I discovered when accidentally turning off these cans while leaning back a little too quickly on the reclining chair in my living room.

Overall, though, the A6s are confidently designed headphones that show a pleasing eye for detail if you really peer at their earcups.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)OneOdio Focus A6 review: Value

• Quality cans delivered with almost no cut corners
• Sound better than over-ears that cost triple their price

The Focus A6 are nothing short of tremendous value for money. Packed full of features, well built, boasting both super-strong audio and top-tier battery life, the OneOdio Focus A6 are a stunning price at just $55 / £55. Heck, I’ve even seen them go for a tenner less in my native Blighty since their release just a few short months ago.

Let me make this as clear as I can: I’m struggling to think of a better value set of high-quality budget over-ear headphones I’ve ever had the pleasure to use… and I’ve been buying cans for a quarter of a century. Yes, I’m roughly as old as the Great Pyramids of Giza.

• Value score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)Should I buy the OneOdio Focus A6?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Stacked at the price point; excellent, easy-to-use app for EQ setting tweakage.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Big, full bass; few are the cheap headphones that are this satisfying.

4.5 / 5

Design

Subtly gorgeous earcups and oh so comfortable.

4.5 / 5

Value

The new word in value, OneOdio does an incredible job for less than $60.

5 / 5

Buy them if…

You want great value, and even better audio
It’s borderline unbelievable how good the Focus A6s sound for such a cheap price tag. Regardless of whether money is tight or not, you’re going to struggle to find a set of headphones in 2025 that deliver better audio than these awesomely rounded cans.

Strong software is key
OneOdio’s companion app is utterly on point. Simple to use, yet fairly broad in the amount of tweakable options it provides, even some of the best headphones out there (regardless of cost) rarely provide such all-encompassing software.

Don't buy them if…

You don’t want to tweak settings
Straight out of the box, these headphones’ audio performance underwhelms. To get the most out of them, tinkering with Earfun’s app settings is essential.

OneOdio Focus A6 review: Also consider

OneOdio Focus A6

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

Sony WH-CH520

Drivers:

40mm composite

40mm dynamic

30mm

Active noise cancellation:

Yes

Yes

No

Battery life:

75 hours ANC off; 40 hours ANC on

100 hours; 65 hours ANC on

50 hours

Weight:

240g

246g

137g

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C wired passthrough

Bluetooth 5.4; 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.2; USB-C

Waterproofing:

N/A

N/A

N/A

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
The current conquerors of the budget market remain the best cheap cans you can buy today thanks to their highly customizable, satisfying sound. ANC, build quality and battery life that also seriously impress for such affordable headphones.
See our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

Sony WH-CH520
These well balanced cans from the iconic Japanese giant are some of the best cheap headphones you can buy, even a couple of years after their release. Strong battery life and an awesome app bolster their credentials.
See our full Sony WH-CH520 review

How I tested OneOdio Focus A6

• Tested for over a month
• Used at home, outdoors and on public transport

I tested the OneOdio Focus A6 over roughly five to six weeks. Over that period I primarily paired these over-ears with my iPhone 14 Pro and Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024). To get a handle on how good these cans’ ANC is, I used the Focus A6 on outdoor walks in bustling city areas and on several busy train journeys.

As for content, I listened to a whole bunch of my favourite tunes, several movies, a couple of the best Apple TV+ shows, and a number of my regular go-to podcasts to judge the quality and versatility the A6s' audio is capable of delivering.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: October 2025