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Plug-in (or balcony) solar tech has been booming in Europe for a while now, but it seems as though the rest of the world is slowly catching on: these kits are now legal in the UK, while an increasing number of US states are approving them too.

The simplicity is the main appeal of these solar panels, which can be plugged straight into a standard outlet in your home, without any expensive roof mounting or time-consuming planning permission required. Any energy that you generate from free sunlight is used immediately for the appliances in your home, cutting down your electricity bill.

Now that the tech is legal in a growing number of places, we're seeing more and more certified kits and compatible batteries appear on sale. During our travels around the IFA 2026 tech expo in Berlin, the products below particularly caught our eye.

There's one big caveat here — in the UK and US, grid-tied plug-in batteries aren't currently a legal part of plug-in solar, so in those regions the products below will need professional installation (which slightly negates that 'plug-in' descriptor).

Still, there are hopes that plug-in batteries could soon be legalized in the UK and elsewhere, which means the bill-cutting products below could be a glimpse of our home energy future...

1. EcoFlow Stream 2 / Ocean 2

(Image credit: Future)

EcoFlow has been in the energy storage game for some time of course, and brings all of its expertise to bear on these two new products. Starting with the 3-5kWh Stream 2 home battery, we've got support for up to 5,000W of solar input and 3,000W of electricity output, so enough to power washing machines, dishwashers, and the like.

It's modular too, so you can stack these up like Lego bricks as your energy needs change, and the units offer four MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) inputs if you need to connect panels in different spots. There's also an AC version if you already have solar panels installed and just need somewhere to store the electricity.

As for the Ocean 2, this is a fitted home battery, replacing the PowerOcean line. It does up to 30 kWh with a single inverter, and can provide backup power if the grid goes down with an instant switchover so you'll never even notice. Both require professional installation, but you can take the Stream 2 with you when you move.

2. Anker Solix Solarbank Max

(Image credit: Future)

On to the Anker Solix Solarbank Max, and this impressive-looking home battery brings with it 7 kWh of storage capacity, which should be enough to keep an entire home going overnight (assuming it hits the average figure for usage).

Unlike the AC version that's already on the market, this can connect directly to your solar panels, and it can take on 10,000W of solar input across three MPPTs. You can also expand the capacity up to 42 kWh with extra batteries.

You do need to get an electrician to fit this to your home power network, just to avoid anything blowing up, but Anker reckons you'll have saved on up front costs and be getting pure profit within 2.5 years — though your mileage may vary.

3. Zendure SolarFlow 2400 Pro / 4000 Mix Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The Zendure SolarFlow 2400 Pro and 4000 Mix Pro aren't entirely new, but they were shown off at IFA, and we're including them here. Again the emphasis is on simple, easy to manage solar energy storage: the SolarFlow 2400 Pro can take on 4,800W of solar input across four MPPTs, and offers 2,400W bi-directional AC power (hence the name).

With the SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro, we've got capacity for 13,000W of solar input across two MPPTs, and you get (you've guessed it) up to 4,000W of bi-directional power, so it's a more heavy duty operator and larger unit.

Both these batteries can be connected to plug-in solar panels as well as retrofitted to panels that are already on your roof, though obviously the SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro can handle more of them.

4. DJI Power 2000 and solar bundle

(Image credit: Future)

We were very impressed with the DJI Power 2000 portable power station when it launched last year, and at IFA 2026 it told us that it's going to turn this into a fully fledged balcony solar system — complete with its own solar panels and a microinverter for connecting to a standard power network.

Details are a bit thin on the ground though, as we don't know how much it's going to cost or exactly how it's going to work. Apparently the bundled kit is going to be sold in Germany first, with no word yet on an international expansion.

What we do know is that DJI has the technical experience and nous to put together one of the most compelling plug-in solar packages out there — and one which you can pick up and take camping with you. We'll be keeping a close eye on this.

5. Bluetti Balco 260 / Balco 500

(Image credit: Future)

While the kits were unveiled shortly before IFA 2026, we've been able to get a good look at the Balco 260 and Balco 500 at the expo. They offer 2,400W (through four MPPTs) and 4,300W (through a single MPPT) of solar input, respectively.

As with the Zendure models, they're basically an entry level and more advanced version of the same pack: They can be hooked up to balcony solar or rooftop solar as needed, and connected to the mains electricity network in your home.

We were at the launch of these units back in May, and there was a big emphasis on simplicity throughout. The aim here is to reduce as many barriers to entry as possible, which is helped through the changes in regulations now happening in the US and UK.

For a budget business monitor in the Labor Day sales, the one that stands out to me is the Philips 24-inch 241V8LB, which is down to $75 (was 90) at Amazon.

To me, this is the perfect display for anyone working from home, who doesn't need ultra high-resolutions or massive screens that take up half the desk.

Don't let the price fool you. It's not entirely feature-free. Budget monitors in this range usually cap out at 60Hz or 75Hz, so the jump to an above-average 100Hz with Adaptive Sync is a genuine step up for everyday use, whether that's office work, browsing, or even light gaming.

24-inch Computer Monitor: was $89.99 now $74.99
23.8-inch Full HD (1920x1080) VA panel with a 100Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and Adaptive Sync. Virtually frameless on three sides, with HDMI and VGA inputs and a 4-year advance replacement warranty.View Deal

Why we recommend it

At under $75, most competing monitors settle for a 60Hz or 75Hz panel. The 241V8LB's 100Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync makes everyday scrolling and window movement noticeably smoother, and it's enough of a step up that it's worth seeking out even for buyers who aren't gaming.

The VA panel trades some of the wide-angle color consistency of an IPS display for deeper blacks and stronger contrast, which suits office and productivity use well. Philips also backs the 241V8LB with a 4-year advance replacement warranty, longer than the 1 to 3 years typical of budget monitors in this price bracket.

The nearly frameless design on three sides is a small but useful touch for anyone running two or more of these side by side, keeping the visual gap between screens to a minimum.

Price Context & Historical Value

A $15 drop from $89.99 to $74.99 is a modest discount in percentage terms, around 17 percent off. It isn't a dramatic markdown, but the 241V8LB is already positioned as a budget monitor, so this price puts it firmly among the cheaper 24-inch 100Hz options available right now.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Philips 241V8LB if... you want an affordable 24-inch monitor for everyday office or home use, you'd like a 100Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync instead of a standard 60Hz panel, or you're setting up a multi-monitor desk and want a nearly frameless design.

❌ Skip the Philips 241V8LB if... you need an IPS panel for wide-angle color accuracy, you want a resolution higher than 1080p, or you need USB-C or DisplayPort inputs rather than HDMI and VGA.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is a 1080p VA panel, not an IPS display, so colors will shift somewhat at extreme viewing angles compared to pricier alternatives. Connectivity is limited to a single HDMI 1.4 port and VGA, with no USB-C or DisplayPort, so it's worth checking that fits your setup before buying.

• See the full Labor Day sale at Amazon

I hold my hands up. I got this one wrong. In 2022, when Garmin announced the headline feature for the Garmin Fenix 7X was an LED flashlight, I might have had a bit of a chuckle to myself about it.

Since moving to multiple model sizes for its premium outdoor smartwatch, the largest ‘X’ models quickly came to represent the introduction of exciting, cutting-edge innovations that then start to filter down to the rest of the best Garmin watches. But I wasn;t convinced a multi-LED flashlight on the top of the watch case was something prospective Garmin watch owners should get excited about.

Garmin claimed it would be a “game-changer for sport, adventure and daily life”. In the early weeks of testing the 7X, that wasn’t my experience. I’d quite quickly written it off as rather gimmicky. The question I kept on asking myself was; ‘why would I choose it over reaching for the pretty good LED flashlight I have on my phone?’

It probably wasn’t until being out of that testing bubble of a month with the 7X and I started simply living with it, that my opinion began to change. I was using it more and more each week.

(Image credit: Future / Michael Sawh)

It probably wasn’t until being out of that testing bubble of a month with the 7X and I started simply living with it, that my opinion began to change. I was using it more and more each week.

It started to become the flashlight I used when trying to quietly hunt out charging cables at night moving around my flat without turning on the main light and getting a telling-off. I didn’t need to be a further nuisance and look for my phone because I already had an exceptionally bright light on my wrist. Then it became the source of light on darker sections of my nighttime running routes or helping me to navigate my way back home from the gym. When I was dabbling in some DIY, it was less awkward to use than a phone to line up fixings.

I began to appreciate that Garmin didn’t just slap on a flashlight because it could. It wanted to show how useful a wrist-based source of light could be. I now also had a flashlight I could set to strobe or match my running cadence to improve visibility. It could also switch from white to red light for a still bright, yet less intrusive way to illuminate what lay ahead and around me.

As Garmin moved to share the flashlight love to other watches in its range, it also continued to evolve its abilities to become smarter. Now when I went out for a run or walk after sunset, the watch would display a prompt to turn on the strobe mode to make sure I was thinking about staying seen as day turned into night. There’s a distress mode that when set up from the Garmin Connect app, can display emergency contact information on screen while flashing an SOS light pattern.

It’s no big surprise that rival watchmakers thought it was a great idea too. Suunto, Coros, Amazfit and Polar now all have torch-toting smartwatches.

(Image credit: Future / Michael Sawh)

Are there any downsides of having a flashlight on a smartwatch? Well, it does mean creating more space on the watch case for it. That’s likely why so far it’s mainly been included on larger more rugged watches like the Suunto Vertical 2, Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro and the Polar Street X, although Garmin has managed to plant it onto its slimmer Forerunner and Venu series watches.

Another consideration is battery life. Running a flashlight while also using GPS or any other onboard watch sensors will contribute to that battery drain, but unless you’re planning to keep it switched on continuously for hours, I’m not sure the type of battery life drop you’ll experience is going to be anything to be massively worried about.

How could it become even smarter? I think Garmin in particular has shown it can be more ingrained with your current environment or the time of day. Further integrating with safety features is an obvious one. Especially for anyone that goes on solo adventures. Could we get a UV mode or even be one strong enough to start a fire for that added outdoor appeal? As smartwatch makers focus on making brighter watch displays, should the same happen for the built-in flashlight?

When it feels like there’s more of a focus on breaking new health tracking ground or cramming our lives and screens with more metrics , it’s easy to forget about some of the simpler gadgets that makes a smartwatch a useful thing to own. I’d now put the LED flashlight in the bracket of things I hope to see on any new smartwatch. We’ve not seen one on an Apple Watch Ultra model yet, so maybe that’s to come. I’ve definitely seen the light and it’s in the form of a feature I thought had gimmick written all over it. How wrong I was.

All right everyone, back to the Toledo Truth Teller we go. It's been a year since we last saw the gang, and surprisingly, not too much has changed in The Paper season 2.

Editor-in-Chief Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) is still desperately searching for the stories that will take his team to the next level, while Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore) rarely thinks about anybody's reputation but her own. Nicole (Ramona Young) is still giving Kelly Kapoor vibes in a majorly inferior way, while Mare (Chelsea Frei)... well, she's just trying her best.

Okay, so maybe there are a few big changes, but you'll have to wait to find out what they are. So, when does The Paper season 2 land on Peacock?

What time can I watch The Paper season 2 on Peacock?

For US viewers, we're expecting The Paper season 2 to be available on September 9 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

Internationally, look out for the below times:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 5pm AEST
• New Zealand – 7pm NZST

In the UK, you can catch season 2 on both Sky TV and NOW. Episodes should be released around 8am BST.

When do new episodes of The Paper season 2 come out?

(Image credit: Peacock)

All 10 episodes of this season will be released at the same time. Unlike weekly drops on the likes of Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+, then, you won't need to wait around for new installment of The Paper season 2.

As for the series' future, there's currently no public word on whether a third season has been greenlit. Hopefully, we won't be made to wait much longer.

Democrats and Republicans have found common ground in this campaign season. Both parties have poured millions into ads attacking data centers as the public continues to protest the AI facilities.

(Image credit: Thomas Simonetti)

As political races heat up heading into the midterms, candidates from both parties are increasingly joining the fray to voice concerns over Flock surveillance cameras.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)

At TechRadar this weekend we've got one eye on the best Labor Day sales that you can pick up — with big discounts on offer on tech and so much more — and another eye on the week that just finished, which was as hectic as most weeks in technology tend to be.

We had a host of new products on show at the IFA 2026 tech event in Berlin, OpenAI dropping its best ChatGPT model yet and declaring the age of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), and Dyson bringing out its first toothbrush. Oh, and we also made time to review the Pixel 11 Pro and have an exclusive chat with Sonos CEO Tom Conrad.

You'll find all that and more in our ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) round-up below — our pick of the best tech headlines on our pages over the past week. Enjoy catching up!

7. The 'Lake America' saga hit Google and Apple

There's more Google Maps drama (Image credit: Google)

The Trump administration has decided that Lake Ontario on the US-Canada border should be called Lake America, after some 400 years or so (and a few trade spats with Canada). Google Maps and eventually Apple Maps went along with the change, stressing that it was just their policy to use government data — but MapQuest has been standing firm so far.

While Canadians still see 'Lake Ontario' on their maps, and international maps users see both names together, the acquiescence of the mapping companies hasn't gone down well with commenters online. "Beyond ridiculous" and "braindead" are just a couple of the comments left in a Reddit thread on the name change rolled out in Google Maps.

• Read the full story: 'Beyond ridiculous': if you're seeing Lake Ontario renamed as Lake America on Google Maps, here's why

6. IKEA revealed its first smart radiator thermostat

IKEA has introduced the Liljebagge (Image credit: IKEA)

IKEA has made a concerted effort to push out simple, affordable, reliable smart home gear in recent months, and the Liljebagge is the latest in the series to appear. It fastens to your radiator and can be used to control its temperature independently, either through a connected phone app or via the buttons placed on the actual thermostat itself.

With Matter and Thread support, this looks like another appealing gadget from IKEA, though we don't yet know about international availability and pricing. Hopefully this device goes on sale worldwide before too long — and we'd like to see IKEA continue to compete with the big names in tech when it comes to sensibly priced smart home kit.

• Read the full story: IKEA launches its first smart radiator thermostat, with Matter support and an impressively affordable price

5. We reviewed the Google Pixel 11 Pro

(Image credit: Future/Jason Cipriani)

TechRadar's Jason Cipriani has spent a week testing out the new Pixel 11 Pro from Google, and he's ready to share his thoughts: his in-depth review covers the core specs and pricing of the phone, and its design, display quality, performance, software, cameras, and battery life. You'll be hard pushed to find a more thorough review anywhere else on the web.

You'll have to click through to get the final verdict, but phrases like "enticing to potential iPhone converts" and "truly magical" (in regard to one specific AI feature) give you an idea of the way the review leans. It's now been a decade since Google switched the Nexus branding for the Pixel branding, and all of that experience is starting to really show.

• Read the full story: I spent a week with the Google Pixel 11 Pro, and I think Google has perfected the Pixel formula

4. Sonos exclusively talked to us about its new Ultra products

Sonos CEO Tom Conrad and a pair of Sonos headphones (Image credit: Sonos / Future)

Sonos CEO Tom Conrad is the man in charge of trying to turn the company's fortunes around after the software debacles of the last couple of years, and he was kind enough to give his time to TechRadar for an exclusive chat about new hardware and a new AI-infused 'operating system' that runs seamlessly across all the products in the Sonos portfolio.

There are new Ace Ultra headphones and a new Beam Ultra soundbar to talk about, and based on early impressions, it seems as though Sonos is getting back to what it does best — making high-end audio equipment that's as good as anything else you'll find on the premium market. Find out what Conrad has to say about his first year in charge below.

• Read the full story: Exclusive: Sonos CEO Tom Conrad explains why the new Sonos Ace Ultra headphones can achieve what fans wanted the first Ace to do, why its new Ultra soundbar is small, and the AI features of the company's new 'operating system'

3. We reviewed Dyson’s 'game-changing' toothbrush

Meet the Dyson CameraJet (Image credit: Future / Emily Peck)

Dyson just entered the smart toothbrush category, and it's not messing about: the Dyson CameraJet offers deep teeth cleaning, liquid flossing, and oral hygiene guidance in a complete package. There's even a camera on board this toothbrush, so you can get feedback on how well (or otherwise) you're managing to clear the grime from your mouth.

We've already given the Dyson CameraJet toothbrush the in-depth TechRadar review treatment, so we can tell you honestly whether it's worth your while picking up this (rather expensive) gadget and sticking it in your mouth — read on to find out why we described it as a "a unique and effective solution" for keeping your precious teeth in top shape.

• Read the full story: Dyson CameraJet review: This game-changing toothbrush offers liquid flossing, precision-brushing and a camera that doubles as a dental endoscope — I tried it for a week

2. We went to IFA 2026 and picked our favorite gadgets

(Image credit: DJI / Agibot / Anker )

There's always so much great tech to see at the IFA 2026 tech show that takes place every year in Berlin. To help cut through the thousands of brands and products being exhibited to the very best gadgets, we've put together a list of our favorite reveals. You'll find projectors, exoskeletons, e-readers, AI recorders, laptops, tablets, and more listed here.

While a lot of these listed products won't be available to buy for a month or three, they give us plenty to look forward to for the rest of the year, and act as indicators of where the technology industry is going next. In summary, everything is getting smarter, thinner, and lighter, and there's never been a better time to be a fan of cutting-edge technology.

• Read the full story: IFA 2026 'Best in Show' awards: our 25 favorite reveals at the Berlin tech expo, from somersaulting robots to modular solar batteries for renters

1. OpenAI launched GPT-6 Astra and said 'welcome to the AGI era'

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (Image credit: Shutterstock/photosince)

OpenAI has announced the new GPT-6 Astra model for ChatGPT, and it comes with a lot of hype attached. According to the company, this is a "significant step forward" for AI, which is now reaching an "extremely capable" stage that apparently can't be fully understood. At the same time, OpenAI's president Greg Brockman is saying "welcome to the AGI era".

AGI is a reference to Artificial General Intelligence, a point at which AI gets smarter than humans and can do just about everything better than we can — although there's plenty of debate around the definition. Our take? We perhaps need to be more cautious about developing these AI models if it means a high risk of them escaping our control.

• Read the full story: GPT-6 is here, but what if we just said 'no thanks' to Astra, a model so powerful that we may never fully understand it

Casualty fans... today's the day that the 40th anniversary special episodes finally arrive. Both will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. from September 5 — and believe me when I tell you that you're not ready for what's coming your way.

Without spoiling anything, let's recap what we know so far. Episodes are centered on a massive explosion near a bridge over a gorge (the real-life Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England if you know it), plunging the city of Holby, and the hospital, into immediate chaos.

In the back of an ambulance, Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) and clinical lead Flynn Byron (Olly Rix) are caught in a race against time. Meanwhile, Dylan Keogh (William Beck) must lead the emergency department through its darkest hour... including facing his own personal tragedy.

If HBO Max decided to set The Pitt in south-west England, this is what it would look like. I don't feel like we've seen mass casualties (pun not intended) on a scale like this before, even in the epic anniversary episodes of years gone by.

Speaking to its cast, they're just as excited about what's coming as I am. In fact, they've outright confirmed that fans are "in for a hell of a ride."

'There are so many twists and turns'

"Hopefully the fans will love it," Melanie Hill begins. "I think they will, because, obviously, the stakes are really high. The opening 30 seconds... you couldn't get much bigger than an apocalyptic explosion hitting the town.

"There are so many twists and turns in these double-header that it's going to be a big rise for everyone. We just hope a lot of people will watch. A few old cast members have a return, so it's got a bit of everything in it."

Obviously, not much can be said about just who these returning cameos will be from, as much as the internet is convinced that they've got it right. My advice? Every single second of both episodes need to be watched for you to catch the Casualty Easter eggs in them.

"There's a bit of nostalgia, but it's a Casualty episode that's been cranked up to 40," Neet Mohan adds. "It's hopefully a lot of fun for the audience and a hell of a ride."

"Like roller coasters, it really is like being jolted this way, then taking that way, and there are dips when, frankly, it's difficult to look," William Beck agrees. "And then there are very slow cranks. Like you're picked up by a tornado at the beginning, you go right through the eye of the thing and you think you're never going to be able to get out the other side. And if it leaves people shocked, then that's what we want. "

I've got a funny feeling that the BBC is going to achieve exactly that — and now I want every single future episode to be operating at this level of intense drama, please.

Insta360 X6

The X6 is currently the best 360 camera you can buy, offering excellent image quality day and night.

DJI Osmo 360 II

A great 360 all-rounder that fixes many of its predecessor's flaws, and gives GoPro and Insta360 a major headache.

Two of the biggest names in 360 cameras have just launched new flagships within weeks of each other, and it's clear that DJI's Osmo 360 II and Insta360's X6 are both aiming squarely at the same buyer.

I've reviewed both cameras individually, and on paper it looks like a tight contest. The Osmo 360 II arrives just a year after the original Osmo 360, fixing its biggest weaknesses while pushing image quality forward with the first native 8K/60fps 360 video on the market. Insta360 is no newcomer to this though: the X6 lands ten years after Insta360's first 360 model, and my review of a few weeks ago called it the best 360 camera on the market, with excellent image quality day and night.

If anything can knock the X6 off its perch, it's the Osmo 360 II. I've put both cameras through matched side-by-side testing — with the same settings and conditions — to find out which 5-star model is best in which area. Here's what I found.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)1. DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Price and value

• Osmo 360 II: Standard Combo £509 / AU$921; Adventure Combo £639 / AU$1,096 (not launching in the US)
• Insta360 X6: Standard bundle $699.99 / £619.99 / AU$1,049.99; Essentials Bundle $799.99 / £709 / AU$1,159.99
• The Osmo 360 II undercuts the X6's entry price by over £100

The Osmo 360 II's Standard Combo costs £509 / AU$921, and includes the camera, one battery, a silicone lens cover, a neoprene case and a USB-C cable. The pricier Adventure Combo adds two extra batteries (three in total), a triple-battery charging case and a 1.2m selfie stick for £639 / AU$1,096. It isn't launching in the US for now, with DJI's regulatory authorization still pending.

The Insta360 X6 starts at $699.99 / £619.99 / AU$1,049.99 for its Standard bundle, which gets you the camera, battery, USB-C cable, protective pouch and lens cloth. Step up to the $799.99 / £709 / AU$1,159.99 Essentials Bundle and you add a second battery, a 114cm invisible selfie stick, a lens cap, a fast-charge case and an extended warranty.

Compare the two Adventure/Essentials bundles directly and the value gap narrows a little, since both throw in similar extras. But even then, the Osmo 360 II remains cheaper at every tier – if, of course, you live in a country where you can actually buy it.

• Price and value winner: DJI Osmo 360 II (unless you're a US resident)

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)2. DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Video quality

• Both cameras claim 14.5 stops of dynamic range
• In daylight the Osmo 360 II shoots 8K at up to 60fps versus the X6's 50fps
• X6 comes with PureVideo for 8K/30fps low light shooting, while the Osmo 360 II offers SuperNight 2.0 with 8K/60fps shooting

I shot matched daytime and nighttime footage on both cameras using a dual-camera mount rigged up to my car, exporting everything at matched settings (10-bit, 100Mbps for daytime and 160Mbps for the nighttime comparison) to keep things as fair as possible.

In daylight, using each camera's default Standard color profile and preset Dewarp reframing, the X6's footage is the cleaner, sharper and less distorted of the two. But the Osmo 360 II holds onto noticeably more detail in bright skies, where the X6's footage blows out around the sun.

Applying DJI Studio's noise reduction on export closes some of the gap for the Osmo 360 II, even in daylight, though pushing the bitrate up to 160Mbps made no further difference. Even with noise reduction applied, I'd still call the X6's daytime footage the more visually appealing of the two overall.

After dark, it's a closer contest. The X6 still has a bit more punch to its low-light footage, though it casts a slightly greener, yellower tint by default that's easy enough to correct in post. Insta360's PureVideo mode caps out at 30fps, while the Osmo 360 II's SuperNight 2.0 goes up to 60fps — worth factoring in if you're shooting motion after dark, sports especially. Both cameras are reliable low-light performers, but I'd give the X6 the edge here too, just.

• Video quality winner: Insta360 X6

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)3. DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Waterproofing and durability

• X6 waterproof to 20m case-free, versus the Osmo 360 II's 10m
• Both cameras are IP68 rated against water and dust ingress
• Both now offer user-replaceable lenses

The X6 wins on raw waterproofing, being rated to a depth of 20m case-free, versus the Osmo 360 II's 10m. DJI has a dive case of its own on the way, extending the Osmo 360 II to 50m once it launches alongside the camera in a couple of weeks, while Insta360's own case takes the X6 to 60m. That at least means neither camera is left behind for serious underwater use, if you're willing to buy the accessory.

Durability tells a similar story of both manufacturers addressing old weaknesses. The Osmo 360 II's lenses now use a tougher optical coating and are user-replaceable via a cheap kit — a direct fix for one of the original Osmo 360's main flaws. The X6's lenses are also user-replaceable, continuing the system Insta360 introduced with the X5.

• Waterproofing and durability winner: Insta360 X6

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)4. DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Battery, storage and thermal management

• X6 has a bigger battery (2,600mAh vs 2,150mAh)
• Both cameras can overheat when recording at their most demanding settings
• The Osmo 360 II has more than double the built-in storage of the X6

The X6 has the bigger battery, and it makes a difference: DJI rates the Osmo 360 II for up to 100 minutes of 8K/30fps recording, while Insta360 claims 140 minutes for the X6 at the same settings, and having tested both I can say those figures are largely accurate.

I ran both cameras through an overheating test side by side in the same room, at a mild 22°C, each set to its own maximum 8K frame rate (60fps for the Osmo 360 II, 50fps for the X6), 10-bit Standard color with Adaptive Tone active. The Osmo 360 II shut itself down to cool off after around 34 minutes; the X6 lasted about 40. Not a dramatic gap, but a gap nonetheless.

Storage flips the script, though. Both cameras have a microSD slot, but the Osmo 360 II offers 105GB of additional built-in space while the X6 has 47GB — which is only sufficient for 30 minutes of 8K/50fps footage.

• Battery, storage and overheating winner: Insta360 X6 (but the Osmo 360 II's storage win is a consolation prize)

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)5. DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Apps and ecosystem

• Both cameras have mobile and desktop companion apps
• Insta360 Studio supports ProRes export; DJI Studio doesn't, yet
• Both ecosystems now support 24-bit audio with their respective mic systems

Neither camera has a clear edge here. The DJI Studio desktop offers excellent subject tracking and a really impressive 64x slow motion mode, and I'd rate it the better desktop experience of the two, but the DJI Mimo mobile app's AI-assisted auto-editing tools left me unimpressed. On mobile, Insta360's app has historically had the edge, though I've found it to be unstable and crash-prone on my ageing iPhone, so you'll need a newer model to get the best out of it.

There is one interesting software difference on the desktop side: Insta360 Studio supports ProRes export, which DJI's desktop app doesn't yet offer — a real consideration if you're using a 360 camera for professional work, or want to in the future.

Both companies also now offer wireless microphones (DJI's Mic series and Insta360's own equivalents) that connect directly for 24-bit audio, so neither has a key advantage there either, although DJI's Mic range is significantly larger.

• Design and display winner: Tie

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6: Early verdict

Four rounds go to the X6, one goes to the Osmo 360 II, and one is a tie — but I think the margins tell a more complex tale than the overall score here. The X6 wins on image quality, waterproofing and battery life, but never by a giant margin, and the Osmo 360 II wins back some ground on price, storage and dynamic range in bright conditions.

Whether that adds up to the Osmo 360 II being the better buy overall depends heavily on what you value most. If outright image quality matters above all else, the X6 remains the camera to beat. If you want DJI's frame-rate advantage, extra built-in storage, and to spend significantly less getting them, the Osmo 360 II makes a serious case for itself.

I want to spend more time with both cameras across a wider range of real-world conditions before calling an outright winner — so consider this early verdict just that: early. But, for now, I'd say the Insta360 X6 is still the king of 360 cameras.

Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte has posted bail after order issued for her arrest on charges she publicly threatened to arrange assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and two others.

(Image credit: Aaron Favila)

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: one-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

When the Fenix 8 finally dropped in 2024, it quickly earned a reputation as the best Garmin GPS watch money can buy, even if that meant parting with a lot of money. I gave it a thorough test on the 11-day trek to Everest Base Camp, and with Garmin’s full suite of training features, a bright AMOLED display, microphone and speaker, plus an LED torch, there was no doubt that it was a big step up from the hugely popular Fenix 7.

Last year, Garmin followed the Garmin Fenix 8 up with the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, which took the winning formula and added built-in LTE cellular and inReach satellite connectivity for phone-free messaging and SOS alerts. I tested it at the Love Trails running festival this summer, and genuinely started to doubt the rumours that a Fenix 9 could really be imminent. What more could there possibly be to add?

I went along to the Fenix 9 release in Chamonix to find out, and immediately afterwards I strapped the Fenix 9 Pro on and hit the trail. It hasn’t been off my wrist since, and between its refined design, faster processing, plus some very fun new navigation and tracking features, I can say it’s a clear improvement over the Fenix 8.

Built with a titanium case and bezel, the 9 Pro is lighter, more durable and resistant to the elements. Side-by-side with my 8 Pro, it looks nicer and more expensive thanks to a nanomoulding construction process that produces a more streamlined build without the need for screws. This also makes it significantly thinner, in all sizes, and with the arrival of a 43mm case option (which I’m testing), it’s more wearable day-to-day than its predecessor.

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

The 3,000-nit AMOLED display is brighter, sure (although not as bright as the 8 Pro’s MicroLED option), but it’s more the improved clarity that I find myself appreciating. The green light option that’s been added to the LED torch makes a fantastic difference to my night vision, whether I’m out late on the trail or trying to make a cup of tea in the middle of the night without disturbing my entire household.

Garmin is already the industry leader in maps, and the Fenix 9 Pro map loads faster and adds a new Perspective orientation, which I think is useful when navigating in urban areas, and it’s more useful to be able to see what side streets and road junctions are up ahead.

Rolled out with the Fenix 9 are improved Stamina readings, including new Stamina Zones, which I’ve started using to help me manage my effort and pace when I’m on the trail. Brand new is the Garmin Epic feature, which essentially lets you group workouts such as training blocks, long-distance treks or adventure holidays so you can see their cumulative effect. There are also updates to the Rucking activity mode, so it now reflects the additional energy demands of your pack weight.

Like the Fenix 8 Pro, this watch boasts LTE-M cellular technology, which means I can easily respond to messages and phone calls from my wrist so long as my phone is nearby. There are some improvements to LiveTrack and Location Tracking, which are useful for both urban explorers and long bouts in the wild.

For hikers like myself, inReach satellite connectivity means I can reach emergency response from almost anywhere on the planet, and it does mean I can message friends and family when I’m offline; however, that’s only through the Garmin Messenger app. When I spoke to Garmin’s Global Lead Product Manager Jon Hosler in Chamonix, he admitted that the brand’s functionality here does lag a bit behind competitors like Apple, which have more control over the cellular ecosystem, but he also stressed that the Fenix remains a performance watch first and foremost.

In summary, the Fenix 9 Pro plants a flag firmly at the GPS watch summit as a top-of-the-line option. It’s brighter, faster, ludicrously well-featured, and, unsurprisingly, even pricier. All of that said, this shouldn’t be considered a realistic upgrade for Fenix 8 users, who are already sporting a fantastic timepiece. But compared to anything before the 8, it’s better by a country mile.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: specifications

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

Component

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro (model tested: 43mm with inReach)

Price

From $1,099.99 / £949.99 / AU$1,749

Dimension

43 x 43 x 13.3 mm

Weight

62 g (case only: 45 g)

Case/bezel

Titanium

Display

416 x 416 pixels, AMOLED (up to 3,000 nits)

GPS

GPS+Beidou+Glonass+Galileo+QZSS

Battery life

10 days (18 hours in activity mode, up to 50 hours in Max battery mode)

Connection

LTE, Satellite, Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi

Water resistant?

Yes, 10ATM

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

• Starts at £949.99 for smallest 43mm
• Prices for Fenix 9 start at £859.99
• Reaches up to £1,209.99

The Fenix 9 Pro starts at $1,099.99 / £949.99 / AU$1,749 for the 43mm case size without inReach connectivity. With inReach, pricing starts at $1,199.99 / £1,029.99 / AU$1,899. The Fenix 9 Pro Solar is the same price, while the regular Fenix 9, which has a fibre-reinforced polymer case instead of titanium, starts at $999.99 / £859.99 / AU$1,599, and that’s for both the 43mm and 47mm.

The largest and most expensive 51mm Fenix 9 Pro with inReach is priced at $1,399.99 / £1,209.99 / AU$2199, and for that you get yourself a considerable increase in battery life with up to 31 days in smartwatch mode / 56 hours in activity mode compared to 10 days / 18 hours in the 43mm watch.

If you’re looking at a model with satellite technology, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of an inReach subscription if you actually want to use it (which starts at £7.99 / $7.99 a month), and all in, it definitely prices a lot of people out.

But the high price shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone familiar with Garmin Fenix watches, and it’s hard to criticize it on being a high-performing piece of tech made with premium materials. There are plenty of other great options out there right now, including the Fenix 8, which you’re likely to find at a discount now that the Fenix 9 has been unleashed.

• Value score: 4/5

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: design

• Titanium case and bezel
• Slimmer design
• Brighter AMOLED display

I tend to feel a bit indifferent to changes in materials in my GPS watches, but I have to admit that the titanium case and bezel on the Fenix 9 Pro do make this look and feel like the expensive watch that it is. It’s sleeker and less rugged, down to both the materials and the nanomoulding process, which removes the need for screws.

It’s not totally fair to do a side-by-side comparison with the Fenix 8 Pro here because the latter isn’t available in 43mm, and that accounts for some of the 15g weight difference (equalling an almost 25% increase), but suffice to say that my Fenix 9 Pro is considerably lighter and thinner (to the tune of 16%, according to Garmin), and it has a less sporty aesthetic, which for me is a huge upgrade. If I’m being honest, this is the first Garmin watch I’ve tested that I’m happy wearing all of the time, though I might take it off to go to a wedding.

The AMOLED display is brighter than both my Fenix 8 and 8 Pro models, while the new, more subdued colour scheme is a bit more sophisticated, and it’s all a little sharper whether I’m looking at the stats of a run or using maps to navigate. I’m also amazed at how accurate the touchscreen keyboard is for typing out text messages, even on the smallest display available.

Other than that, everything will feel familiar to existing Fenix users, including the five-button setup, intuitive widget-based layout and responsive touchscreen (that is sometimes a little too responsive, pulling up the weather forecast when I’m in the shower). I’ve finally taken the time to add a bunch of widgets that I use frequently to my quick list, such as my endurance score and recovery estimates, last activity, moon phases and tides, so it’s ready to go before I even leave the house.

You’ll need the enormously comprehensive Garmin Connect app to view your metrics, and the slightly clunkier Garmin Messenger app if you want to use satellite technology for messaging, and if I were to pinpoint a weakness, I’d say it’s a shame that these two aren’t yet integrated into one app.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: features

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

• Updated build
• Better maps and LED torch
• New training and adventure tools

First up, maps have been updated, and according to Garmin, they render 40% faster than on the 8 Pro and pan 30% faster when you’re searching for something up ahead. There’s a new perspective view added to the map orientation, which you can enable to better see what’s up ahead.

Also new are Stamina Zones, which use heart rate, pace and speed, and Hosler explains that they can be more useful than Heart Rate Zones for managing your effort. I’ve added them to the data screens in different activity modes, so I can see what zone I’m in and how much of my potential stamina I’m using. It’s more obvious in interval training, where I can see my zones dip and rise, but even on long plods it’s an interesting way to see how much gas I might have left in the tank at a current pace.

After an activity, I can view the top contributors to my Endurance Score (hiking for me), and see estimates of how long I should be able to run at a given pace: apparently over seven hours at my easy pace and nearly 20 minutes at max effort, which I’m yet to put to the test.

Garmin’s commitment to upgrading Rucking mode in recent years signals that this is an activity in ascendancy, and it now calculates better estimates of your energy expenditure rather than just being a way to catalogue different activities. The Fenix 9 allows you to set a calorie goal rather than distance or time, and to edit your pack weight mid-activity, which Hosler explains gives ruckers more accurate readings when they’re hiking uphill with water or rocks that they ditch for the descent. I often hike with a heavy pack, and now my activity report shows the difference between my calories burned through activity and the additional calories from the weight of my pack. This is mildly interesting, and could in theory change my fuelling strategy on a long thru hike.

A very fun – if non-essential – feature rolled out with the Fenix 9 and 9 Pro is called Garmin Epic, which lets you group workouts. When I heard about it in the press conference, I worried it might be similar to the gratuitous Adventure Journal in the Coros Nomad, but after testing it out, I genuinely love it. I gave it a quick test in Chamonix by grouping together all five hikes and trail runs I went on so I could see my cumulative distance, time on the trails and related health stats. But it’s also retrospective, so I’ve been able to make an Epic for last year’s trek to Everest Base Camp and finally see that entire, unforgettable trip as one adventure, from the map of my entire 11-day route to my total elevation gain. I can share my Epic with friends and family, but I can see the demand for Garmin to develop this into a video that users can share on social media.

As for connectivity, I have an active inReach subscription, so I’m able to signal for help from anywhere, but fortunately haven’t had to do so yet. This feature does rely on the Garmin Messenger app, and most of my friends and family are not on there, so this is an area where the Fenix lags behind the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In our conversations, Hosler was clear that he doesn’t consider this watch a true replacement for a satellite device like my Garmin inReach Mini 2, but more of a nice-to-have backup. LiveTrack has improved and now you can send a tracking link directly from your phone, which has good implications for urban runners as well as hikers.

And last but not least, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention everyone’s favourite feature: the upgraded LED torch, which was being heralded by elite trail runners like Katie Schide, Tom Evans and Elsey Davis in Chamonix, who all said this was among their top Garmin features.

The Fenix 9 and 9 Pro have both added a green light option, which is better for night vision, though perhaps not quite as kind to your significant other when you’re looking for your running socks at 5 a.m. It may not be a substitute for a headtorch on a night run, but when your torch runs out of batteries, you’ll be glad you have your Garmin.

Add on to this all the features of the Fenix 8, and I can’t imagine what else you could possibly want from your watch.

• Features score: 5/5

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: performance

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)

• Reliable sensors
• Lightning-fast maps
• Better night vision

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro has all the same sensors as its predecessor, and after testing the two out on the same run, I’m confident that the readings were all virtually identical (though Hosler did explain that GPS differences can be down to the two watches being on different wrists and pointing in different directions).

I prefer the smaller case size, but it does mean I’m sacrificing battery life. My battery lost 17% during my first two-hour hike, which was a little shocking, but going forward I’ve been using Max Battery mode for longer sessions, which uses energy-saving measures and means a little less accuracy from GPS.

In the last 10 days, I did four short hikes and runs in Chamonix, two spin sessions, a pool swim, a long trail run, a short treadmill workout and a base run. I ran the battery all the way down, had to charge it once, and now it’s at 61%. In regular use, where I’ll typically have it in activity mode for at least 30 minutes a day, I expect to have to charge it once a week, and for a multi-day trek, I’d expect to be charging it at least every other day. That said, if you compare the 51mm Fenix 9 Pro and 8 Pro side by side, the 9 Pro has a better battery life, so if you’re after endurance, size up.

The display is really easy to see in all light conditions, brilliant sunshine and torrential rain and is really responsive when I lift my wrist, although this naturally declines as the battery runs low.

I put maps to the test straight away in Chamonix, charting a course to a mountainside cafe on the Tour du Mont Blanc, and it all renders so quickly and smoothly I don’t even really have to stop and think about it. Though I didn’t find the perspective view that helpful on the trails, it was great for navigating through the busy streets of Chamonix, which often poses a challenge as my phone doesn’t work well there. On my first test, I tried going off-course to see if the maps would reroute me and it didn’t work, but I’ve since been able to chalk that up to Garmin rolling out the watch to the world at the very same time I was testing it, as when I got back to Scotland, I went out on a 12k trail run and found the rerouting to work perfectly.

he LTE connectivity means I can leave my phone in my backpack, and that is really quite refreshing. I did send my boyfriend a link to track me on my most recent trail run via Garmin Connect, and he was able to do so, if not with a fair amount of apathy. I’ve also sent some test messages to my few Garmin Messenger contacts; it’s easy to type directly on the watch, and the message sends in a flash.

I don’t love wearing a watch to bed, but thanks to the slimmer design, I’ve been able to test out the sleep tracking, and it’s really accurate. My subsequent training Readiness scores and Recovery predictions have been pretty in line in accordance with how I feel.

Also at night, the green light function on the torch has quickly rendered my beloved red light nearly obsolete, making it easier than ever to creep around the house without bumping into things and even read a book in bed without turning my lamp on.

• Performance score: 5/5

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: should I buy?

(Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke)Buy it if…

Your adventures take you into the wild

The Fenix 9 Pro has all the field tools for a backcountry adventure, and the technology to help get you out of there if things go wrong.

You’ve been running on a Fenix older than the 8 for years

Even the fabulous Fenix 7 pales in comparison to this one.

You’re a tech junkie with a big budget

All the best tech is on display here at an aspirational price.

Don’t buy it if…

You have the Fenix 8

The Fenix 8 is a cracking watch, and while we admit this is an upgrade, we can’t make a compelling case to switch

You’re saving up for a down payment on a house

This watch comes with some serious sticker shock

Also consider

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The best Apple Watch for adventuring, with dive computer functionalities and a titanium body.

Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 review

Coros Vertix 2

The best affordable Garmin Fenix alternative

Read our full Coros Vertix 2 review

How I tested

I’ve tested this watch from the French Alps to Scotland, over multiple hikes, trail runs and road runs, with a few indoor workouts on the bike, treadmill and in the pool thrown in. I’ve compared it with the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and the Suunto Vertical 2 for good measure, and spent hours talking to Garmin experts and poring over the data in the watch and on the Garmin Connect app.

• The Lissome R1 is a compact countertop dishwasher for small apartments
• Its water tank is filled manually, so it doesn't need to be plumbed in
• It has a surprisingly large capacity — designed for up to three meal sets

For the past decade I have been getting by without a dishwasher. My small apartment just doesn't have space for one — at least, not if I want to have, say, a sink. So when I saw Lissome's countertop dishwasher at IFA 2026, it was like my prayers had been answered at last.

The Lissome R1 is a compact dishwasher designed exactly for situations like mine: small households or apartments that don't have space for a full machine, or rented homes that you can't plumb something new into.

"Dishwasher ownership often assumes a cabinet opening, fixed plumbing and unused worktop space," says the brand. "R1 is designed around the homes where those assumptions do not hold, giving users a compact alternative without asking them to redesign the kitchen first."

(Image credit: Future)

It's a compact 280mm wide, 507mm deep, and stands 502mm tall. That means it should be able to squeeze into your kitchen without eating up all your counter space. More useful — for renters especially — is that it doesn't need to be plumbed in. Instead, the water tank is filled manually, giving you plenty of flexibility about where you put it . Plus, you can easily take it with you when you move homes.

Lissome is keen to emphasize that the R1 is designed to be a main dishwasher rather than an overflow machine. In fact, it's rather TARDIS-like, with the ability to hold up to 34 items — it's meant for up to three people's place settings.

It's not a plain white box, but instead has glass windows on three sides. Not only does it look good, but it also allows me to finally satisfy my long-held curiosity as to what actually happens inside a dishwasher. (How well the glass-forward design holds up after being exposed to many weeks' worth of cereal, sauce and coffee dribbles remains to be seen.)

Lissome says the inner workings are built around "the World's First Sweeping Jet Technology". Essentially, there are two rotating arms in the base, shooting out artfully coordinated jets of water that arc gracefully — picture the Bellagio Fountains — across the whole interior chamber.

(Image credit: Future)

There are six preset programs. These include Quick Wash, which combines 13 minutes of speed-washing with two minutes of steam-release and drying, and Smart Wash, which uses an AI-powered sensor that "detects water turbidity and grease levels, then adjusts the cleaning cycle and detergent dosage" to get your dishes sparkling without wasting water or cleaning fluid.

X’s continued need of “formerly Twitter” just won it a preliminary injunction.

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz: One-minute review

The Huntsman line has long been a distinguished marque in the gaming keyboard world, and now this new analog addition seeks to add Hall Effect technology to the formula.

It looks like a high-performing machine. The all-black colorway might be a little drab, but the floating keycaps and subtly brushed metal faceplate add touches of class. The bright RGB backlighting also helps to sell its gaming prowess.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, it’s built exceptionally well. That faceplate feels incredibly smooth and solid, while the keycaps are planted and have a great-feeling texture. At the same time, the V3 HE is also very light and compact — doubly impressive when you consider it includes quite a few navigation keys.

Razer’s Synapse software can be used to customize the inputs of the V3 HE. You’ll find plenty of analog adjustments here, and there’s even a handy visualizer to display key travel in real time, although this isn’t available for every analog setting. The software is easy to use and I didn’t experience any major issues during my time with it.

Once you’ve dialled in your preferred settings, gaming with the V3 HE is a joy. The keys are very tactile and provide plenty of feedback without feeling heavy. However, due to the height of the keycaps and the lack of wrist support, I found typing quite uncomfortable.

This is perhaps the major drawback of the V3 HE, along with its price, which is quite high for a keyboard lacking wireless connectivity. However, its gaming performance and build quality are to be admired, and might just make it worth the outlay.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Price and availability

• $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$229.95
• Preorders available now
• Expensive for a wired keyboard

The Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$229.95 and will be available later this year, but you can preorder it now. A mini 65% variant will also be available for $20 / £20 / AU$30 less.

It's undeniably expensive for a wired gaming keyboard. However, it’s still cheaper than some of its rivals, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL, another fantastic analog keyboard. This is easily one of the best analog keyboards I’ve tested. It also features an integrated OLED screen for a visually appealing way to access various settings and adjustments, and it can display certain in-game information as well.

If you’re looking for a decidedly more budget-friendly analog keyboard, you can’t do much better than the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra. Not only is this much cheaper than the Huntsman, but it also performs very admirably and has multiple wireless connectivity modes to boot.

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Specs

Layout

TKL

Switch

Analog (Razer Hall Effect Magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

14.2 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches (361 x 139 x 40mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Design and features

• Great build quality
• Bright RGB lighting
• Copious customization options

In line with Razer’s other products, the V3 HE looks like a premium product. I especially liked the floating keycaps and the brushed metal faceplate, which add elements of sophistication. The all-black colorway is a little austere, but the bright and customizable RGB backlighting does well to liven things up, especially since those aforementioned floating keycaps increase the illumination.

Equal to its appearance is the build quality of the V3 HE. Despite the plastic material, the chassis is incredibly solid, while that faceplate feels lusciously smooth. The double-shot PBT keycaps have a gratifying texture to them as well, and are as planted and as stable as you could wish for.

Another nice touch is the recessed USB port. This encloses the jack completely, adding security and creating a neater look. The included cable should prove long enough to accommodate most setups, and what’s more it’s braided, which is more common on the best gaming mice. This improves flexibility, although it’s thicker and seems more durable than those on said mice.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite the strong build, the V3 HE is also very light, which pleasantly surprised me. It’s also quite compact, yet still features some useful keys for navigation. And there are plenty of Fn shortcuts dotted around, including those for tweaking certain aspects of the V3 HE, such as the RGB, actuation point (between 0.1mm and 4mm), and Rapid Trigger sensitivity. Thankfully, these shortcuts are also labelled.

For further customizations, you’ll need to download Razer’s Synapse peripheral software. Alongside those mentioned above, you can adjust the Rapid Trigger sensitivity of upstrokes and downstrokes independently, map up to four inputs to a single key, select up to four keys to have a secondary function on their release, and decide which key takes priority when two are pressed at the same time (with numerous options to choose from). There are also a few pre-made profiles catering to certain game types and scenarios, as well as a remapping suite with a large selection of assignments at your disposal, including gamepad buttons, sticks, and triggers.

I was glad to see the inclusion of a visualizer that shows the travel of your presses in real time by filling up a bar. This bar is also marked with your currently set actuation point in millimeters, so you can see when you’ve passed it. It’s a shame there’s no visualizer for the Rapid Trigger function, given this can be a little tricky to comprehend. For the most part, though, Synapse is clearly laid out and easy to use.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Performance

• Snappy and tactile
• Comfortable and secure when gaming
• Hard to type with

As with most Razer keyboards, the performance of the V3 HE is exemplary. The analog switches have plenty of tactility, being easy to press yet providing just enough resistance to allow for controlled presses; relative to other analog keyboards, I found it easy to hit certain actuation points. They also have a wonderfully springy response, which makes them feel snappy. But they’re quite clicky, too, with just enough dampening to prevent them feeling harsh.

The keycaps themselves are a boon when gaming, too. Their aforementioned texture not only feels great but should also help to prevent slips when things get sweaty. Prominent indentations improve finger security further, as well as helping you to avoid hitting the wrong key.

However, I found them less amenable to typing. Their sheer height means that even though the base of the V3 HE is reasonably thin, I still found myself having to angle my wrists upwards to an uncomfortable degree. I wish a wrist rest was included in the box like other Razer models, especially as Razer’s are some of the best in class thanks to their exceedingly plush padding.

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Cheaper than some other premium analog keyboards, but a lot more expensive than others, too.

3.5 / 5

Design and features

The Huntsman looks sleek and is built incredibly well. It’s a shame there’s no wrist rest, though.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The analog switches are tactile and very customizable, but the tall keycaps make typing a chore.

4 / 5

Overall

The Huntsman V3 HE is a fantastic gaming keyboard with analog switches that perform as well as you could wish for. It would seriously benefit from a wrist rest, and it’s expensive compared to some others in the space, but its performance and build are matched by very few.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want great analog performance
I haven’t experienced many analog switches better than these, and their copious adjustments should please every gamer out there.

You prize build quality
The sleek floating keycaps are attractive, while the super solid yet super light and compact design is a marvel.

Don't buy it if…

You’ll be typing alot
I found the keycaps too tall to type comfortably with for long periods.

You want the best value
The V3 HE is expensive, especially when you consider its wired-only connectivity and TKL layout.

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Also consider

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Another high-performing analog keyboard, the Apex Pro also has the build quality to match the Huntsman’s. It’s more expensive, but it does at least come with a wrist rest, although it’s not the best example. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra
If you’re looking to spend a lot less on an analog keyboard, look no further than the FUN60 Ultra. Not only is it surprisingly high performing, but it’s also seriously well made. And to cap it all off, it has multiple wireless connectivity modes. Read our full MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz

• Tested for a few days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Lots of gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Huntsman V3 HE for a few days, using it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I used it with two different Windows 11 PCs.

I played games such as Counter-Strike 2, which offers a stern test for peripherals given its emphasis on quick and precise inputs. I also played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which requires a broader use of the layout, so I could test how easy it was to use keys outside of those within the immediate vicinity of the WASD position.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used many different keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them with various switch types, form factors, and price points.

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

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz: One-minute review

The Huntsman line has long been a distinguished marque in the gaming keyboard world, and now this new analog addition seeks to add Hall Effect technology to the formula.

It looks like a high-performing machine. The all-black colorway might be a little drab, but the floating keycaps and subtly brushed metal faceplate add touches of class. The bright RGB backlighting also helps to sell its gaming prowess.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, it’s built exceptionally well. That faceplate feels incredibly smooth and solid, while the keycaps are planted and have a great-feeling texture. At the same time, the V3 HE is also very light and compact — doubly impressive when you consider it includes quite a few navigation keys.

Razer’s Synapse software can be used to customize the inputs of the V3 HE. You’ll find plenty of analog adjustments here, and there’s even a handy visualizer to display key travel in real time, although this isn’t available for every analog setting. The software is easy to use and I didn’t experience any major issues during my time with it.

Once you’ve dialled in your preferred settings, gaming with the V3 HE is a joy. The keys are very tactile and provide plenty of feedback without feeling heavy. However, due to the height of the keycaps and the lack of wrist support, I found typing quite uncomfortable.

This is perhaps the major drawback of the V3 HE, along with its price, which is quite high for a keyboard lacking wireless connectivity. However, its gaming performance and build quality are to be admired, and might just make it worth the outlay.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Price and availability

• $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$229.95
• Preorders available now
• Expensive for a wired keyboard

The Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$229.95 and will be available later this year, but you can preorder it now. A mini 65% variant will also be available for $20 / £20 / AU$30 less.

It's undeniably expensive for a wired gaming keyboard. However, it’s still cheaper than some of its rivals, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL, another fantastic analog keyboard. This is easily one of the best analog keyboards I’ve tested. It also features an integrated OLED screen for a visually appealing way to access various settings and adjustments, and it can display certain in-game information as well.

If you’re looking for a decidedly more budget-friendly analog keyboard, you can’t do much better than the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra. Not only is this much cheaper than the Huntsman, but it also performs very admirably and has multiple wireless connectivity modes to boot.

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Specs

Layout

TKL

Switch

Analog (Razer Hall Effect Magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

14.2 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches (361 x 139 x 40mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Design and features

• Great build quality
• Bright RGB lighting
• Copious customization options

In line with Razer’s other products, the V3 HE looks like a premium product. I especially liked the floating keycaps and the brushed metal faceplate, which add elements of sophistication. The all-black colorway is a little austere, but the bright and customizable RGB backlighting does well to liven things up, especially since those aforementioned floating keycaps increase the illumination.

Equal to its appearance is the build quality of the V3 HE. Despite the plastic material, the chassis is incredibly solid, while that faceplate feels lusciously smooth. The double-shot PBT keycaps have a gratifying texture to them as well, and are as planted and as stable as you could wish for.

Another nice touch is the recessed USB port. This encloses the jack completely, adding security and creating a neater look. The included cable should prove long enough to accommodate most setups, and what’s more it’s braided, which is more common on the best gaming mice. This improves flexibility, although it’s thicker and seems more durable than those on said mice.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite the strong build, the V3 HE is also very light, which pleasantly surprised me. It’s also quite compact, yet still features some useful keys for navigation. And there are plenty of Fn shortcuts dotted around, including those for tweaking certain aspects of the V3 HE, such as the RGB, actuation point (between 0.1mm and 4mm), and Rapid Trigger sensitivity. Thankfully, these shortcuts are also labelled.

For further customizations, you’ll need to download Razer’s Synapse peripheral software. Alongside those mentioned above, you can adjust the Rapid Trigger sensitivity of upstrokes and downstrokes independently, map up to four inputs to a single key, select up to four keys to have a secondary function on their release, and decide which key takes priority when two are pressed at the same time (with numerous options to choose from). There are also a few pre-made profiles catering to certain game types and scenarios, as well as a remapping suite with a large selection of assignments at your disposal, including gamepad buttons, sticks, and triggers.

I was glad to see the inclusion of a visualizer that shows the travel of your presses in real time by filling up a bar. This bar is also marked with your currently set actuation point in millimeters, so you can see when you’ve passed it. It’s a shame there’s no visualizer for the Rapid Trigger function, given this can be a little tricky to comprehend. For the most part, though, Synapse is clearly laid out and easy to use.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Performance

• Snappy and tactile
• Comfortable and secure when gaming
• Hard to type with

As with most Razer keyboards, the performance of the V3 HE is exemplary. The analog switches have plenty of tactility, being easy to press yet providing just enough resistance to allow for controlled presses; relative to other analog keyboards, I found it easy to hit certain actuation points. They also have a wonderfully springy response, which makes them feel snappy. But they’re quite clicky, too, with just enough dampening to prevent them feeling harsh.

The keycaps themselves are a boon when gaming, too. Their aforementioned texture not only feels great but should also help to prevent slips when things get sweaty. Prominent indentations improve finger security further, as well as helping you to avoid hitting the wrong key.

However, I found them less amenable to typing. Their sheer height means that even though the base of the V3 HE is reasonably thin, I still found myself having to angle my wrists upwards to an uncomfortable degree. I wish a wrist rest was included in the box like other Razer models, especially as Razer’s are some of the best in class thanks to their exceedingly plush padding.

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Cheaper than some other premium analog keyboards, but a lot more expensive than others, too.

3.5 / 5

Design and features

The Huntsman looks sleek and is built incredibly well. It’s a shame there’s no wrist rest, though.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The analog switches are tactile and very customizable, but the tall keycaps make typing a chore.

4 / 5

Overall

The Huntsman V3 HE is a fantastic gaming keyboard with analog switches that perform as well as you could wish for. It would seriously benefit from a wrist rest, and it’s expensive compared to some others in the space, but its performance and build are matched by very few.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want great analog performance
I haven’t experienced many analog switches better than these, and their copious adjustments should please every gamer out there.

You prize build quality
The sleek floating keycaps are attractive, while the super solid yet super light and compact design is a marvel.

Don't buy it if…

You’ll be typing alot
I found the keycaps too tall to type comfortably with for long periods.

You want the best value
The V3 HE is expensive, especially when you consider its wired-only connectivity and TKL layout.

Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Also consider

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Another high-performing analog keyboard, the Apex Pro also has the build quality to match the Huntsman’s. It’s more expensive, but it does at least come with a wrist rest, although it’s not the best example. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra
If you’re looking to spend a lot less on an analog keyboard, look no further than the FUN60 Ultra. Not only is it surprisingly high performing, but it’s also seriously well made. And to cap it all off, it has multiple wireless connectivity modes. Read our full MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless 8KHz

• Tested for a few days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Lots of gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Huntsman V3 HE for a few days, using it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I used it with two different Windows 11 PCs.

I played games such as Counter-Strike 2, which offers a stern test for peripherals given its emphasis on quick and precise inputs. I also played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which requires a broader use of the layout, so I could test how easy it was to use keys outside of those within the immediate vicinity of the WASD position.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used many different keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them with various switch types, form factors, and price points.

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

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We've tested plenty in the Anker Solix line of portable power stations, and they've continually impressed us. And as part of the Labor Day sales, the Anker Solix S2000 has dropped to $650 (was $1199) at Amazon.

The 2,010Wh power station is smaller and lighter than other units in its capacity class, aimed squarely at everyday home backup. It's capable of keeping a fridge, router, or medical device like a CPAP machine running through an outage rather than powering a whole house.

Solix S2000: was $1199 now $649.99
2010Wh | 1500W

This 2,010Wh portable power station features 1,500W continuous output with 3,000W peak. We especially like the compact 35.7lb design that's smaller and lighter than typical 2kWh power stations. Rated for 10,000 charge cycles and built for quiet, UPS-style home backup.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Most 2kWh power stations in this category are large enough that finding a permanent spot for one becomes part of the decision. Anker built the S2000 to be around 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the typical unit at this capacity, at 35.7lbs, which makes it easier to tuck into a closet, under a desk, or beside a fridge without it dominating the room.

The battery itself is the bigger story. Anker rates the S2000's LiFePO4 cells for 10,000 charge cycles, roughly two to three times the 3,000 to 4,000 cycle rating common on rival units in this class, with a stated 15-year lifespan. For a device meant to sit ready for years between outages, that longevity matters more than most spec sheets suggest.

Idle power draw is another area where the S2000 stands out. Anker's OptiSave feature keeps standby consumption down to around 6W with outputs enabled, which means less of the stored capacity is wasted just keeping the unit ready. Combined with a 10-millisecond UPS switchover, it's built to keep a fridge or router running through a power cut without a noticeable interruption.

At 1,500W continuous output across five AC outlets, it covers the large majority of everyday household devices, and Anker's SurgePad feature can support compatible appliances needing up to 2,600W in short bursts.

For more top-performers we've tested, see our guide to the best portable power stations.

Also consider

Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2: was $599 now $499.98
1024Wh | 2000W

A complete portable power setup in one purchase. The C1000X Gen 2 packs 1024Wh capacity with a 2000W continuous output (3000W peak with SurgePad). And it charges from flat to full in 49 minutes via wall outlet — the fastest recharge in its class, certified by Guinness World Records. View Deal

Explorer 1000 V2: was $559 now $499
1070Wh | 1500W

We recommend this one for camping this summer - it's practically built for the job. In our review, it also earned top marks, making it one of the best of its class. View Deal

Price Context & Historical Value

A $550 drop from the $1,199.99 MSRP is a steep discount on paper, around 46 percent off, though it's worth knowing the S2000 has rarely sold at full price since launch. It's generally traded between $600 and $700 over the summer, with a low of around $600 during a Prime Day promotion. At $649.99, this is a solid, near-best price rather than a one-off record low, so it's a good time to buy without being a once-ever deal.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Anker Solix S2000 if... you want dependable home backup power in a compact, lightweight 2kWh unit, you need UPS-style protection for a fridge or a medical device like a CPAP machine, or you value a long-lasting LiFePO4 battery over raw output.

❌ Skip the Anker Solix S2000 if... you need to run high-draw appliances like a microwave or window AC unit, you want a system that's expandable with add-on battery packs, or you would rather wait for more independent hands-on testing before buying.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The 1,500W continuous output also trails some higher-wattage rivals in this capacity class, and the S2000 isn't expandable with additional battery packs the way some competing systems are, so it's worth checking your intended appliance loads before buying if you're planning on anything beyond basic home backup.

• Shop the full Labor Day sale at Amazon

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