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Akaso 360: two-minute review

The Akaso 360 is the first 360-degree camera from Akaso, a company best known for its budget-friendly action cameras. And the Akaso 360 follows in that tradition, costing far less than competitors like the Insta360 X5 and GoPro Max.

Like those rivals, it’s a dual-sensor camera that shoots simultaneously on two ultra-wide lenses, automatically stitching together the images captured into a single 360-degree photo or video. These 360 images can be edited and reframed using the Akaso 360 mobile or desktop apps, before being exported for sharing or use elsewhere.

The camera can shoot stabilized 5.7K video at up to 30fps (allowing for a reframed video to be exported at up to 4K resolution), or in 4K at up to 60fps (supporting export of videos at up to 2.5K resolution), as well as still photos in JPEG and/or DNG RAW format at either 72MP or 18MP resolution.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

In addition to regular 360 videos and photos, the camera offers a few special capture modes including time lapse video (where intervals can be set from one to 60 seconds), loop recording video (supporting loop durations of up to 30 minutes), bracketed HDR photos and TimeFusion, a fun mode that allows you to shoot a still from one camera then the other, before merging the two into a single image. Using it, I was able to easily create a photo in which I appeared in two different locations at once.

I’d describe the Akaso 360’s image quality as adequate rather than excellent. During my tests, if I shot videos and photos in bright sunshine I got pretty sharp and color-rich results, but at anything less than that (even on a slightly cloudy day) the camera’s 1/2-inch sensors struggled to prevent noise from creeping into the images and degrading detail. Viewing the resulting videos on my phone screen, they looked pretty decent – but on my computer’s larger screen the noise was very noticeable.

The Insta360 X5 and Insta360 X4, two other 360 cameras I’ve tested fairly recently, far surpass what the Akaso 360 is capable of, image quality-wise – but they’re also far more expensive. For a camera in its price range, I think its performance is definitely acceptable, and its built-in quality-of-life features such as video stitching and selfie stick removal work very well.

The mobile and desktop editing apps are simple but intuitive to use, and once you’ve imported the videos from the camera to either a phone or computer, trimming and reframing them using either AI-assisted subject tracking or manually added keyframes is a fast and easy process. There are basic image adjustment settings here too, but for the purposes of the sample videos embedded here I left things untouched to give an accurate representation of what you can expect straight out of the camera.

Videos and photos are stored on a microSD card, with capacities up to 512GB supported; card speeds must be UHS-I V30, UHS-I Class 3 (US) or above. I’ll say from my own experience that the camera could benefit from a faster wireless connection. Some of the file sizes of these 360 videos are very large, and transferring them via standard Wi-Fi with a maximum speed of around 12MB per second can take a long time.

The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone, which works well enough indoors or in calm conditions. Like most unmuffled camera mics, it picks up wind noise outdoors very easily, so can’t really be relied on blustery days, or for fast action such as biking.

Speaking of the weather, one thing potential buyers would do well to note about the Akaso 360 is that, unlike the Insta360 X5 or GoPro Max, it isn’t rated as waterproof, dustproof or ruggedized. Akaso call it “splash-resistant”, and I used it during a light rain shower with no ill effects aside from some droplets on the lens appearing in shot; dunking it fully underwater certainly wouldn’t be advisable, however. There’s also no easy solution to fixing scratched or broken lenses, unlike the X5’s user-replaceable glass.

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The battery and a microSD card (not supplied) are both inserted here. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 4 of 6

You get at least two of these batteries with your Akaso 360 camera. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 5 of 6

The Akaso 360 comes with a soft storage pouch to keep it safe between uses. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 6 of 6

The Akaso 360 alongside the Insta360 X5, our current top-rated 360 camera. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

That being said, I found the Akaso 360’s general design, controls and handling to be fine, aside from one niggle: the touchscreen all-too stubbornly resisted my swipes and taps, which sometimes made for an annoying experience when trying to change video settings and the like. The physical buttons, screen size and clarity and the camera’s compact size and low weight are all impressive, and its candy bar shape (very much like a slightly smaller Insta360 X5) is perfectly pocketable.

Battery life is also acceptable, with my stress testing allowing for around 50 minutes of 5.7K 30fps video to be recorded using a fully charged battery – just a little shy of the 60 minutes claimed by Akaso. Reassuringly, while the camera got very warm during this test (it was a hot summer’s day and the ambient temperature in my home office was toasty), it never overheated to the point where it stopped recording and shut itself down to cool off.

The Akaso 360 mounted on a selfie stick and mini tripod. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Akaso 360 specsAkaso 360 specs

Type:

360 camera

Sensor:

1/2-inch x 2

Focal length:

7.6mm

Max aperture:

f/2.25

Dimensions:

46.9 x 109.8 x 30.8mm

Weight:

6.3oz / 180g

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Akaso 360: price and availability

• Launched worldwide on 7 July 2025
• Standard Combo costs $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99
• Creator Combo also available for $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99

Launched on 7 July 2025, the Akaso 360 is available to buy in two bundles: the Standard Combo and Creator Combo. It's available at Amazon US and Amazon UK, or directly from the Akaso store.

The Standard Combo (which I was sent for the purposes of this review) costs $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 and features the camera, a protective pouch, two batteries, one USB-C cable, one lens cleaning cloth and a quick-start guide. The Creator Combo costs $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99 and comes with all of the above plus a further two batteries, a battery charging case and a 120cm selfie stick.

This is a lot cheaper than the current competition. The GoPro Max costs from $349.99 / £349.99 / AU$599.95 while the Insta360 X5 costs from $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99. Even if you go back to last year’s Insta360 X4, it’s at least $349.99 / £425.99 / $632.99, so Akaso has a really compelling selling point compared to its main rivals.

Should I buy the Akaso 360?Buy it if...

You want the best affordable 360 camera
With Insta360 and GoPro’s current 360 cameras costing a lot more, the Akaso 360 represents a fantastic alternative for those on a tighter budget.

You want a simple 360 camera
The Akaso 360 does its main jobs well, stitching together videos seamlessly and removing selfie sticks from its footage. It’s not packed with advanced features but it’s a reliable performer.

Don't buy it if...

You need a rugged 360 camera
It’s not waterproof, dustproof or shockproof, so the Akaso 360 isn’t the best camera for documenting your wet and/or wild outdoors adventures.

You want the best 360 image quality
The Akaso 360’s footage is decent but falls down in low light. For truly excellent 360 video in all conditions, we’d recommend the Insta360 X5, which has large sensors and effective noise reduction processing.

Also consider Insta360 X3

While it’s no longer listed as a current model on Insta360’s website, this 2023-released 360 camera is still on sale in plenty of places – and for less than ever. While it lacks some of the advanced features of newer models, it’s capable of great-looking, simple-to-capture 360 videos, and unlike the Akaso 360 supports Active HDR to temper blown-out highlights and increase shadow detail.

Read our in-depth Insta360 X3 review

GoPro Max (2025)

We’re still waiting for a real GoPro Max 2, but this recently refreshed edition cuts GoPro’s original 360 camera’s price while making some modest updates to its hardware in the form of improved battery life and more mounting options. While GoPro has ceded ground to Insta360 at the higher end of the 360 market, this mid-range 360 camera still has plenty to offer.

How I tested the Insta360 X5

• Tested for several days, full production model running release firmware
• Camera mounted on invisible selfie stick
• Recorded videos on foot and bicycle

I was sent a sample of the Akaso 360 ahead of its release, giving me a week or so to test the camera (running the latest firmware I could download) ahead of its launch. I was able to capture videos and photos indoors at home, plus outside both on foot (for vlog-style content) and on my bike (for more action-type stuff). I edited footage using Akaso's own apps, using both the mobile app and the MacOS desktop app to put together the sample videos you see above.

• First reviewed July 2025

• Akaso 360 price starts at $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 – a record low for 360 cameras
• It was launched worldwide on July 7, 2025
• Prime Day deals for rival models crash the party

Insta360 may have cornered the 360 camera market in recent times, but it's under threat from a rumored DJI Osmo 360 and now a surprise entry to the market, the new Akaso 360.

Akaso is a proven alternative to leading action camera brands such as GoPro, Insta360 and DJI, with an impressive lineup of low-cost models. Now it has entered the 360 camera space with the Akaso 360, and it's super impressive for the money – check out our in-depth Akaso 360 review.

The all-new 360 camera shoots crisp 5.7K video with total 360 degree coverage through its twin lenses, complete with the software smarts we've come to expect from the best 360 cameras, such as seamless stitching and selfie stick removal.

Perhaps what's most impressive, though, is the price point at which the Akaso 360 enters the market – it's so much cheaper than any other current model.

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(Image credit: Akaso)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Akaso)Lowering the bar for 360 camera prices, but is the Akaso 360 the best value?

The launch price for the Akaso 360 starts at just $199.99 / £199.99 / AUS329.99 for the Standard Combo, or $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.99 for the Creator Combo, which adds two additional batteries, a battery charging case and a 120cm selfie stick. It's available at Amazon US and Amazon UK, or directly from the Akaso store.

For price, no other 360 camera comes close – the Insta360 X5 is well over double, while the GoPro Max (2025) is around $150 / £150 / AU$200 more (and that's following a new price point from the original Max model from 2019, which was a similar price to the X5).

But just because the Akaso 360 is the cheapest model available, should you get it?

The comparison between the Akaso 360 and Insta360 X5 is hardly fair – the latter is the best 360 camera on the market, and it beats Akaso's model in almost every respect, including its 8K video and low light image quality.

The X5's twin lenses can be swapped out in case of damage too, with cheap replacement lenses available. In the long run, this feature alone could make it better value than any other 360 camera. After all, break a lens while recording with any other model, which is a likely eventuality for filming outdoor pursuits, and the whole camera needs a pricey repair or replacing. Not so with the X5.

For features and performance, however, I think the older Insta360 X3 is the closest Akaso 360 rival.

It doesn't help Akaso's cause that it unveiled its first 360 camera during Prime Day week, at a time when there are huge price cuts for the X3. You can get the Insta360 X3 for $249.99 at Amazon US (original price $449.99), or £259.99 at Amazon UK (original price £459.99) or at the Insta360 store for the same price, with other bundles available.

The X3 is still a little pricier, then, but I think it has the edge over the Akaso 360 in two ways. First, it's waterproof up to 33ft / 10m, while Akaso's model is not, and second, the X3 also shoots HDR video.

If your wallet stretches that little bit further, the X3 deal is superb value. Otherwise, the cameras are pretty similar, and if the two points above don't put you off Akaso's new model, then a full-price Akaso 360 is still excellent value. It's a super impressive 360 camera for the money.

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President Trump says he is hopeful to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal this week. In his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump could outline a plan for Gaza after 21 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

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Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 7, No. 287

The barrage of fireworks that exploded Tuesday caused a massive blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in Yolo County, which lies about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento.

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Erin Patterson hosted four of her estranged husband's relatives for lunch in July 2023. Three of them later died of death cap mushroom poisoning. Nearly two years later, a jury has found her guilty.

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Far more families are choosing to have fewer — or no — children. Many countries, including the U.S., now face a rapidly aging population that could begin to shrink.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 7.

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El Tri face off against Mauricio Pochettino's USMT in Houston.

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It's no surprise that fitness companies love the subscription model: it guarantees them income long after the initial purchase of a smartwatch or a fitness tracker.

Most of the big names in the business now give you the option of paying a monthly fee to unlock extra insights from your health data, and extra features for your apps and devices.

Comments made by Samsung's Head of Digital Health, Dr Hon Pak, have revealed that a health subscription is an idea Samsung is "exploring" as well, and it's perhaps something that will be announced alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 or the Galaxy Ring 2.

This would, of course, have knock-on effects for the best Samsung phones and all the other devices where you'll find the Samsung Health app.

While I feel like I'm right up to the limit as far as digital subscriptions go, there are a few specific ways that Samsung could tempt me to sign up for another service – but it has to make it worth my while.

1. Tools that actually improve health and fitness

The Galaxy Watch 7 is great – if you know what to do with it (Image credit: Samsung)

I'm keen to improve my health and fitness, but I don't really know where to start: from YouTube videos and how-to articles, to AI coaching and social media influencers, there's an overwhelming amount of advice out there. What I really need is a trusted source that will help me with everything from workout plans to nutrition advice.

If that's something Samsung Health can offer, I'd consider paying for it. Whether it's through the form of videos, personalized guides, or something else, I need some clarity around what I should be doing to lead a healthier life.

I'd want to see real progress as a result of my subscription though, whether it's being able to run faster for longer, or bouncing out of bed with extra energy – otherwise what am I paying for? At least if it's a month-to-month subscription, I'll have the option of cancelling it if nothing seems to be changing.

2. Features that actually save me money

Subscriptions have to be worth the cost (Image credit: Strava)

There are a handful of digital subscriptions that I happily pay money for, and what they all have in common is they help me do my job better and more efficiently. Subscriptions that save me time or mean I can work smarter are effectively paying for themselves, or even saving me money overall.

Take YouTube Premium, for example. YouTube can of course be used for free, but paying means I save a lot of time watching and clicking through ads, and means I don't have to pay for Spotify (because YouTube Music Premium is included).

So what would that look like for a health subscription? Perhaps one that has features comparable to paid-for running app, meditation app, and nutrition app subscriptions, and can consolidate them all.

To sweeten the deal even further, how about money off Samsung wearables? Surely a win-win for Samsung.

3. Data insights that are actually insightful

The Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

It's become cliche for health subscriptions to offer more advanced insights into your data: often, it's a vague promise that often doesn't really amount to much. Garmin Connect+, for example, promises something called "Active Intelligence" that apparently gives users "personalized insights and suggestions" (powered with the help of AI, of course).

I'd very much welcome genuinely insightful insights, though no one seems to have quite solved this problem yet. Fitness trackers amass a wealth of data each day, much of which never gets properly looked at, like reams of photos backed up to cloud storage.

Give me tips and advice that are actually useful please, Samsung. How much is each 5-a-side game boosting my fitness? Which days of the week do I need more motivation to exercise? Do I drink more water if I get to sleep earlier? Help make sense of the stats I'm accumulating, and I may well sign up.

What Samsung has to avoid: trapping users

We're yet to see a subscription as nightmarish as the ones in Black Mirror (Image credit: Netflix)

Something that makes me wary about signing up for yet another digital subscription is the fear that I'll be locked into yet another product and another ecosystem – unable to leave unless I want to throw away years of data and features I've come to rely on.

It's something you may have seen in the most recent series of Black Mirror: a couple trapped in a subscription that gradually adds more and more advertising (is that you, Netflix?) and removes more and more features. The experience becomes truly awful – but not subscribing is even worse.

Samsung Health already supports services such as Android's Health Connect, and data from any extras that a subscription offers shouldn't be locked away – but available to export and use elsewhere, and in other formats.

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• Singapore’s skyline becomes a glowing canvas celebrating both national history and brand identity
• Three world records mark this as one of the boldest projection shows ever attempted
• UOB’s digital storytelling fuses tradition, future, and corporate legacy through a six-minute visual narrative

A skyscraper in Singapore has become the canvas for a record-breaking projection mapping display which spans an astonishing 250 million pixels.

The UOB Plaza 1 building, standing 280 meters tall, is hosting a series of intricate projections marking two major milestones: Singapore’s 60th year of independence and the 90th anniversary of UOB Bank.

The show has set three Guinness World Records: for the largest light output in a projected image, the longest temporary architectural projection, and the highest projection on a building.

More than just a technical spectacle

At 5.85 million lumens, the light output is exceptional by any standard, dwarfing even the brightest and best business projector on the market.

Although the sheer scale and brightness are attention-grabbing, the projections also aim to tell a story.

“The projection showcase is our way of giving back – offering a record-breaking visual spectacle for the community, both for those who are based here and those visiting from overseas, to enjoy and to celebrate our shared journey,” said Janet Young, UOB's head of group channels, digitalisation, strategic communications and brand.

Among the projected content is Majulah Singapura, an artwork by local artist Sam Lo, highlighting the country’s multicultural roots and collective resilience.

The SG60 logo slowly transforms into the UOB90 logo, reflecting the intersection of national progress and corporate legacy.

Adapted from winning entries of the UOB Painting of the Year competition, Singapore’s longest-running art contest, the projection includes 30 works grouped into three categories: Timeless, Contemporary 1, and Contemporary 2.

These rotate across the week, with all artworks shown together on Friday and Saturday nights.

The reinterpretation of these pieces into animated visuals on a building façade suggests a modern alternative to traditional exhibitions.

It is, without question, a technical marvel, yet also a reminder that large-scale displays remain highly site-specific.

Their impact is immense but also fleeting, tied to infrastructure, planning, and corporate objectives as much as artistic intent.

The projection runs nightly until August 9, 2025.

Via Avinteractive

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MaxRanger4K Solar: One-minute review

The MaxRanger4K Solar is the ideal smart security camera for homes with large areas to monitor.

Thanks to the hub’s 250m range, and the solar panels that help extend the battery life of the cameras, it’s easy to set up and maintain a security camera view of your home space.

The MaxRanger4K's rugged IP66 design means it should withstand dust and rainstorms, plus it's built-in lights and sirens act as less subtle alerts to any would-be intruders that they’re being caught in 4K.

The less tech savvy will appreciate the simplicity of the app and camera installation process. All the instructions arrive in the box and were so easy to follow that I had my cameras up and recording in no time at all.

It has a camera, lights, speakers, and a sensor (Image credit: Future)

There are some drawbacks, however. While a single MaxRanger4K Solar camera costs $129.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95, add in the cost of the hub, and the cheapest starting price becomes $399.99 / £499.99 / AU$949.95 for a bundle of two cameras.

Nevertheless, on the plus side, there’s no premium subscription option that locks away essential features – only a few added benefits that I've happily managed without. In addition, I’ve found the included 64GB of local storage more than sufficient for most needs, so you won’t miss cloud storage.

Besides cost, something else to be aware of are the camera's sensitivity settings. If set to high and positioned to watch over a "high traffic" area, you might find the cameras run out of charge in a matter of weeks. Some trial and error will be required to find the balance of settings that cater to your security needs while allowing your cameras to chug along without frequent charging.

Overall, however, I’ve been mightily impressed by the MaxRanger4 camera system. It’s certainly been more reliable than my cheaper cameras.

MaxRanger4K Solar: Price and Availability

A MaxRanger4K Solar camera costs $129.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95. However, as mentioned, it requires a hub to come, which is only available with bundles of two, three, or four cameras.

Bundles will set you back $399.99 / £499.99 / AU$949.95 , £649.99 / AU$1,329.95, and $599.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,699.95 respectively. At the time of writing, Swann’s US web store doesn’t appear to offer the three-camera bundle.

These prices place the MaxRanger4K in the more premium tier of home security systems. However, savings arrive over time from the fact that you won't be paying out for a premium subscription.

The solar panel is very useful for keeping it charged (Image credit: Future)

There is a Swann Secure+ paid option for benefits that include an extended warranty, priority support, some cloud storage, and alerts to further differentiate between cars, people, pets, and package deliveries.

It sounds useful, however during my testing I didn't ever feel the need to subscribe, and remained a free user the entire time – something I can't say for some other home security tech I've tested. My Blink cameras, for example, can be used without paying for a subscripotion, but it's certainly a lot smoother to use the Blink cameras if you do pay.

• Value score: 4/5

MaxRanger4K Solar: Design & Performance

Each camera is outfitted with an array of tools to make it a home security champion.

The 4K image sensor, with its wide 105-degree viewing angle, not only allows you to record what’s happening in a large space, but also to go back and make out details should you need to. It records in color night vision, too, allowing you to view footage in greater detail should the need arise.

In addition, the True Detect sensor uses heat and motion to determine the difference between people, vehicles, and other disturbances. Looking through my own recordings, the camera did a very good job of automatically labelling each activation appropriately.

Plus there’s a microphone, too, so you can pick up audio to add further context to your clips. It isn't perfect, but it can pick up bits of conversations if folk are close to the cameras – a few of my clips have been orchestrated by birdsong, which made flicking through them a delight!

Here's my hub tucked away in my home (Image credit: Future)

If the MaxRanger4K Solar does detect something, you can rely on its built-in siren and speaker to scare off any would-be intruders by playing a loud noise or literally shouting at them through your phone. A pair of spotlights bring clarity to your late-night motion detections.

Having said that, I've actually turned these features off through the app (more on that in a moment), as they can prove an annoyance to neighbors.

Lastly, this camera is designed to function through rain and shine. With its IP66 water- and dust-proof rating, it should continue performing even through torrential rain, while its built-in solar panel will keep your MaxRanger4K Solar charged up.

The caveat to that perpetual solar power is obviously how frequently your camera activates, and how often the sun makes an appearance. I have one camera that records just my garden, and another that's pointed onto the street where I park my car. The garden camera triggers far less frequently and hence its battery has lasted quite well.

Meanwhile, the street-view camera triggers more frequently, catching every car that drives past. I had set it up in a darker month and initially hadn't tweaked the default detection settings; it ran out of charge after just a few weeks.

I’ve since recharged it, tuned down its sensitivity settings, and am finding it's lasting much longer – especially now, in the sunnier months.

You can charge the Swann camera with a USB-C cable too (Image credit: Future)

The final part of your MaxRanger4K Solar system is its hub. This box sits in your home and is the device with which your cameras communicate. It can connect to cameras up to 250m away from it.

It comes with 64GB of storage (which is expandable) for recordings, and it even has a built-in battery, so even if you lose power for a while, it can continue recording for up to five hours.

• Design score: 5/5
• Performance score: 4/5

MaxRanger4K Solar: Software

To manage your security camera system you use the Swann Security app on your phone – a one-stop shop from where you can adjust your MaxRanger4K Solar's settings, and any other Swann home security tech you rely on.

Working through the various tabs from left to right, the first three are fairly straightforward. Activities shows you the frequency of alerts throughout the day and over the past week; Playback is for your day-by-day collection of recorded clips; and Live View lets you see the current view from your cameras.,

Then there’s Modes. Here you can manually adjust your recording settings between Home, Night and Away options, which you can customize to suit how you want your camera system to function under different circumstances.

(Image credit: Future)

Having the ability to alter when the features such as the siren and lights came on based on the setting would have been welcome, but you can just change which cameras are active and their sensitivity. You can choose one setting at a time or set up schedules that automatically adjust the mode based on the time of day.

Finally, the Devices tab allows you to adjust your camera settings, detection zones (so a camera will only record if it detects something in specific parts of its view), alarm settings (whether the siren and lights turn on or not) and the time zone of the camera, so your recordings can be logged correctly.

You can also manage how your recordings are stored from the app. I’ve set up my camera to automatically delete recordings that are over 30 days old, but you can set a different interval – either one, three, seven, 14, or 90 days – or have it automatically overwrite older clips when your storage fills up.

Overall, the app is super intuitive, and setting everything up through it proved simple using the instructions in the box.

• Software score: 4/5

Should you buy the Swann MaxRanger4K Solar?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

You really do get what you pay for, and while the MaxRanger4K cameras are pricey, I’ve found they’re better quality and more reliable than cheaper alternatives.

4/5

Design

It’s hard to find fault with the design of these cameras. They boast a suite of protection features, a relatively sturdy design, and a solar panel that helps to extend their battery life.

5/5

Performance

Generally the MaxRanger4K does a good job of capturing fairly high-quality footage. However, it can run out of charge if you leave it at too high a sensitivity. If you live near a busy-ish street or somewhere where there is plenty of activity, you may need to play with the settings.

4/5

Software

The Swann Security app is clean and intuitive. I just wish the Modes options delivered more control over how I want the cameras to function at different times of the day.

4/5

Buy it if…

You need surveillance for a larger space
With a 250m range, the MaxRanger4K Solar is well suited for homes that have generous outdoor spaces that you want to keep an eye on.

You want a wireless solution you won’t need to replace all the time
If your home gets enough sunlight, your MaxRanger4K Solar cameras won't need to be charged frequently. With the right settings and frequency of alerts, you might never need to recharge the cameras.

You hate additional fees
Unlike some brands, Swann's premium subscription doesn't feel necessary – I've easily made do without paying anything extra.

Don’t buy it if…

You live somewhere that never sees the sun
Solar panels are awesome, but if you don’t get much sunlight at home then a wired security solution will likely be much more reliable.

Every view includes a busy street
If your camera can see a busy street then you'll likely get a lot of alerts – and it will run out of charge quickly, even if you get plenty of sun. Detection sensitivity and other settings can help reduce the strain, although this means you’ll capture fewer clips – which could impact security.

You want something cheap
Swann’s security system may come without extra fees, but it isn’t super-cheap up front. It's a great performer, but if you’re after an affordable option, this isn’t it.

Also consider

Blink Outdoor 4
If you're after a more entry-level outdoor security camera then this could be the best pick for you. It's not the most robust or crisp option on the market, however.

Read our full Blink Outdoor 4 review

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam
If you're after an indoor camera instead of an outdoor unit, this could be a solid option – although it does lock some tools behind a paywall.

Read our full Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review

How I tested the MaxRanger4K Solar security camera

To understand how effective the MaxRanger4K Solar camera system is, I had it installed on my home for a couple of months – to get a sense of both its recording abilities and if its sun-powered battery held up.

I tested each of the different security settings, although, to avoid annoying the neighbors, I didn’t keep settings such as the alarm or light on regularly. I also made sure to check back over captured footage, but you’ll notice I haven’t included any of the outside world in this review – primarily because I don’t want to dox myself, as I live within sight of a few notable features of my town.

While the box includes everything you need to affix the Swann cameras into place, I rent my home so I had to purchase a couple of fixtures that allow me to set up the cameras to drain pipes, so as not cause any damage. These worked effectively enough – I haven’t had either camera fall during testing.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2025

• Benchmarks show AMD’s new EPYC 4005 series outperforming older eight-channel EPYC 7601 memory systems with just two DIMMs
• Performance-per-Watt improvements put AMD’s 4005 chip in a new league of server efficiency
• Grado proves newer design beats older bulk - less memory, lower power, yet more performance

In an eight-year leap, AMD’s new EPYC 4585PX processor from the EPYC 4005 “Grado” series has shown performance improvements that nearly triple the output of AMD’s original flagship server chip, the EPYC 7601.

Interestingly, the EPYC 4585PX processor is not part of the high-end EPYC 9005 family but rather a lower-cost, power-efficient alternative.

According to Phoronix, over 200 benchmarks were run on Ubuntu 25.04 across varied workloads, server tasks, HPC, scripting, media encoding, and compilation.

Benchmarks highlight a dramatic efficiency jump

On average, the EPYC 4585PX delivered 2.69 times the performance of the original 7601, despite fewer memory channels and a more compact setup.

When adjusted for power, the improvement looks even more striking: on a performance-per-Watt basis, the newer chip is 2.85x more efficient, thanks to more refined architecture and improved design efficiency.

These results are likely to interest enthusiasts of the best server hardware, and they raise questions about how far older enterprise systems have fallen behind.

It also puts AMD’s lower-cost chips in contention with more expensive processors typically used by top-tier web hosting providers.

Not everything is a clean win, however. While the wall power usage of the full system was significantly improved - 225W for the newer platform compared to 238W for the older Naples server - the CPU-level measurements were less decisive.

Average CPU consumption was 153W for the EPYC 4585PX and 141W for the older 7601, with peak values of 204W and 195W, respectively.

These figures suggest that while the system as a whole has become more efficient, the processor alone hasn’t cut energy use as dramatically.

For those seeking green infrastructure, especially small business operators or SOHO setups, the lower idle draw may be more relevant than full-load comparisons.

Running on a modern Supermicro platform with just two DDR5 DIMMs, the EPYC 4585PX system still managed to beat the eight-channel memory performance of the EPYC 7601 in most workloads.

That suggests memory bandwidth isn’t the only performance determinant anymore.

With support for newer chipsets and more efficient memory, the “Grado” system appears to offer real headroom for entry-level infrastructure deployments, especially for NAS builds where power efficiency and thermal limits matter.

The data shows AMD’s low-cost EPYC 4005 chips may now outperform former flagships without breaking the bank or the power budget.

The upcoming comparison with EPYC 9005 chips promises even greater gains, although the takeaway for now is that you no longer need a premium part to get premium performance.

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I've seen quite a few desks come through my office space from Vari. I've had the opportunity to see pretty much every one of their desks now, ranging from the smallest to this behemoth, the 80x80-inch L-shaped beast.

While the size is not for everyone, what is incredibly handy is the smooth motors, the 200lb load capacity, and the ComfortEdge front corner of the desk, making it so when you rest your wrists or forearms, or anything else on the desk, you won't feel the pressure or discomfort of the corner of a desk.

If you're looking for one of the best standing desks in this form, and one that still feels luxurious, this might just be the desk for you. As you can see in the pictures, we have been able to fit two massive ultrawide monitors on this desk without, plus more accessories.

That says a great deal about the overall size, lifting capacity, and functionality of this desk. Perhaps you're the kind of person who has a work and a gaming setup, maybe you're the kind of person with a physical side and a digital side, or maybe an art side, or a clean meeting side, or a file size. Whatever type of person you may be, this desk can hold it.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Pricing and Availability

The Vari 80x80-inch L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk can be purchased from Vari's official website for $1,499. They ship for free in the US, with a lifetime warranty included.

There are a few color combinations available for this size desk, though it's not as customizable as some companies. Nevertheless, once you pick a colorway you like, it's as easy as clicking buy, and you're good to go.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Unboxing & first impressions

As expected, this desk is massive, so it's pretty heavy all around. The desk came in three heavy boxes that made me question my strength all around. If possible, I'd suggest begging your delivery person to help you carry this as close to the place you'll be putting the desk.

The assembly took a whopping 48 minutes by myself. There were a few places that I wished I could have had some help, so keep that in mind if you are planning on building one of these yourself.

Once I got everything built, I flipped the desk over and quickly realized just how massive it was. I mean, I knew it was going to be huge, but seeing it in person in a space is a whole different animal. I pushed the desk into the corner where it was going to live, and I stepped back to admire it. The desk is beautiful. I love the look of the slate grey legs and the walnut wood, especially in this room where the desk is going to live hopefully forever (since it's so heavy, I hope to never have to move it).

I've tested other Vari ComfortEdge desks before, in fact I've even reviewed this desk's little brother, the smaller L-Shaped Vari Electric Standing Desk. But, with the massive size change, this deserves its own review. This desk is in a league of its own. And that league is maximalist to the core.

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Height range: 25″–50.5″
Footprint: 80″ × 80″, 27.5″ deep wings
Weight capacity: 200 lb; desk weighs 257.5 lb
Motors: Triple, ultra‑quiet
Warranty: Lifetime on frame/top; UL 962 certified

This desk is clearly beautifully built in every way. The desk lowers and rises smoothly, the desktop itself is a beautiful hybrid between soft and durable, and the ComfortEdge is really hard to get away from if you spend any time switching between workspaces. The L-Shape gives a smooth transition piece so that it feels like a natural transition from one desk piece to another.

One thing to note about this setup is that it is not at all minimalist. If you are looking for a minimal or simple workspace, and you want a desk to fit that, this is not the desk for you. You'll be overwhelmed, or the space will quickly clutter, or something along those lines as this is a massive surface area.

However, if you are maximalist with your setup, if you have multiple setups, or if you have multiple zones to your workspace, this desk might just be your dream come true.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: In use

As you can see in the pictures, my team and I went all out in this desk setup. We pushed this desk as far as we reasonably could, and it shot back an answer of "is that all you've got?" when we ran out of gear to add. We have a dual setup featured on here, one 34-inch ultrawide monitor and one 49-inch ultrawide monitor from the Lenovo ThinkVision line-up. We used the corner space to tuck away a custom PC build, a Playstation, some cables, a plant and some power.

On the left half, we have the 34-inch ultrawide, a desk shelf, speakers on either side of the setup, and we still have comfortable spacing. On the right, we have the 49-inch monitor, and some bleed over from the Custom PC and we still have enough space.
Even with this amount of gear on the desk, the legs do not hesitate when I press the button to change the height. The desk motors jump to life and adjust right where I need them to. Additionally, if the desk bumps into something during height adjustment, it will automatically stop, ensuring that it will not continue crushing whatever is in its path.

Day-to-day use has been great with this desk. We've had it set up for just over 100 days at this point. During that time, we have tweaked some cable management, adjusted certain gear on the desk, and swapped out some accessories; however, one thing has remained the same: we absolutely love the ComfortEdge. This feature is often overlooked but ensures that we don't experience fatigue from resting our arms on the desk.

While the large workspace has many advantages, it also comes with a few drawbacks associated with its size. Any time that we have tried to adjust cable management, we get hit with the daunting realization that this desk is so large that moving it away from the wall is probably not worth it. So, if you want to be able to move your desk around easily, I'd suggest putting it on heavy casters.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Maximalist and powerful

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use once set up

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Not practical for most, only those with ample space

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Priced well for the product

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Vari 80x80 L-shaped electric standing desk: Final verdict

At this size, if you want a manageable desk size, have a smaller workspace, or want a minimalist setup, this desk is probably not the right fit for you.

But for anyone who needs a massive workspace to fit all of your setup, especially if it is a big setup to start with, this is the desk for you. It's ideal for those with the room for fit it in, with plenty of space to spread out your work.

I found it to be a spacious and sturdy L-shaped desk, easily letting me make relevant height adjustments at the press of a button, and the movement is buttery smooth in operation.