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In just a year, AI adoption has surged with McKinsey & Company reporting that 72% of organizations adopted AI into at least one business function – a striking increase from 55% in 2023. For years, the overarching misconception has been that automation and AI tools will replace human jobs, sparking fear among employees about their future careers.

However, companies are increasingly recognizing that a healthy, happy workforce is not only more productive but also more innovative and resilient. As a result, AI and automation are now playing an important role in creating a more balanced and fulfilling work life.

Removing employee's AI and automation concerns

The rapid advancement of AI and automation has fueled uncertainty, largely because employers struggle to present the technology as a tool to empower their workforce.

Instead of eliminating jobs, automation often leads to job evolution. Consider the transition from traditional manufacturing roles to advanced manufacturing positions that require more technical skills. Workers are not being replaced but their roles must change to adapt to new technology. New skills facilitate employees to engage in more rewarding positions that make better use of their talents. The demand for new positions in the field like data analysis, machine learning and maintenance of automated systems will replace the space left by mundane tasks and provide fulfilling work for employees.

With the ongoing changes to the work life, employees can’t be blamed for doubting their role. This is where employers need to do more than just provide tools – they need to offer the right training and create the space for employees to feel confident in navigating new technologies. By prioritizing employee wellbeing while adopting AI and automation, organizations will cultivate a culture of communication and trust.

Enhancing employee wellbeing

When employees feel comfortable with new technology, organizations can use automation to enable employees to focus on higher-priority work. Imagine being able to build a workplace where employees are freed from tedious tasks like data entry, making more time for creativity and more meaningful tasks. With the pressure of administrative tasks lifted and employees under a little less stress, decision-making becomes a thoughtful process.

Job satisfaction is also gained through the feeling of progress. When burdened with monotonous tasks, employee satisfaction will diminish if they feel limited in making meaningful progress. By allowing AI and automation to take over these tasks, employees will have time to perform more skilled work, leading to greater satisfaction. In turn, there will be more time for employees to learn new skills and take on complex and rewarding responsibilities.

In areas in which human intelligence is superior to AI, such as strategic planning, innovation and creative problem solving, employees will recognize their value. By creating an environment of continuous improvement via valuable work, employees will gain greater job satisfaction.

Three strategies for implementing AI and automation

Recognizing the impact AI and automation has on employees is the first step, but that’s not to say that implementing strategies to combat this is easy. Several strategies will help encourage the successful adoption of automation:

Engage employees early – ensuring employees are involved in the initial planning and implementation stages will make a significant difference in how AI and automation are perceived and accepted. By providing space for employees to offer input and feedback, organizations can address concerns and make adjustments that align with the workforce’s needs and expectations. This collaborative approach to embracing change and empowering employees by making them feel valued and heard.

Provide training and feedback – by prioritizing training and development programs, ensure employees are equipped with the necessary skills to operate new technologies and adapt to changing roles. Investing in employee development, further demonstrates an organization’s commitment to its team’s growth and future, in turn boosting morale and job satisfaction.

Foster a culture of collaboration – it is no secret that open communication builds a supportive and encouraging work environment. Automation can further support collaboration by streamlining communication channels. Project management software can automate task assignments and updates, ensuring everyone is informed and involved. By using automation to promote collaboration, organizations can enhance employee engagement and create a productive atmosphere.

When thoughtfully implemented, automation can significantly enhance employee well-being. Organizations can future-proof their operations, and cultivate a motivated and satisfied workforce, but this heavily relies on addressing employees’ misplaced fears around AI and automation. By embracing AI and automation with a focus on wellbeing, organizations will be ideally placed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

We've listed the best talent management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Microsoft completes its EU Data Boundary project
• EU cloud data will now be stored in the EU
• Meta previously received a fine from the EU for storing data in the US

Microsoft Cloud customers in the EU will now be able to store and process their data within the continent after the company finally completed a major project.

In an announcement, Microsoft said its new EU Data Boundary project will mean customers can now store professional services data from “technical support interactions” for core cloud services within EFTA and the EU.

Previously, Microsoft Cloud customers had their data sent to the US, which raised privacy concerns from the EU.

Greater control

The announcement is the completion of a “massive, multi-year” project, to fulfill Microsoft’s goals of providing a solution which processes and stores customer data.

It will include, "customer data and pseudonymized personal data for Microsoft core cloud services — including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and most Azure services — within the EU and EFTA regions.”

The project initially launched in January 2023, with the first phase focusing on core services. Phase 2 expanded the scope of the EU Data Boundary to include “pseudonymized personal data”, and now in this final phase, Microsoft Cloud sovereignty gives customers more control, transparency, and accountability through European Cloud principles.

Microsoft says it has invested over $20 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure to meet the growing demand and “expand local options”.

EU regulators have previously raised concerns over how Microsoft processes the data of cloud service users, and Microsoft is not the only target. Meta received a giant $1.3 billion fine, and was ordered to stop transferring EU data to the US.

The requirement to stop the storage of personal data of EU individuals would be a “massive undertaking to carry out, financially, technically and logistically," said Nigel Jones, co-founder of the Privacy Compliance Hub, so it’s no surprise this project from Microsoft took over two years to complete.

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• OpenAI has launched GPT-4.5, but only for ChatGPT Pro users right now. Plus users get it next week
• GPT-4.5 is supposedly smarter and more emotionally intuitive than earlier AI models but lack deep reasoning power
• OpenAI claims GPT-4.5 will provide better conversations and fewer hallucinations than ever

OpenAI has officially launched GPT-4.5, the most advanced version of its AI models, but it has no deep reasoning ability, because it's designed to be an all-purpose model. The latest model is available on ChatGPT, though for now, you'll need to be a Pro subscriber to access it.

The model is being rolled out as a “research preview,” which means it's imperfect, and OpenAI hopes users will help sort out any bugs or awkwardness. Even so, the company claims early testers report that GPT-4.5 feels more natural, intuitive, and emotionally intelligent. This is a welcome upgrade for those of us who have ever asked ChatGPT for information and felt like the response was just an outdated Wikipedia page.

GPT-4.5 is supposed to be even better at understanding context and recognizing social cues than its predecessors. The overall feeling is supposedly all but indistinguishable from chatting with a real person. It certainly seems to have impressed OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who called it "the first model that feels like talking to a thoughtful person" in a post on X. Altman added that GPT-4.5 will come to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers next week, but you'll need to pay $200 a month to play with it for now.

GPT-4.5 is ready!good news: it is the first model that feels like talking to a thoughtful person to me. i have had several moments where i've sat back in my chair and been astonished at getting actually good advice from an AI.bad news: it is a giant, expensive model. we…February 27, 2025

Fewer hallucinations, more empathy

Notably, GPT-4.5 is not only supposedly smarter and more creative, but it should also produce fewer hallucinations. That last part is particularly important because hallucinations were often a sticking point for tentative ChatGPT users who didn't want to rely on a chatbot that might confidently make things up. Performance-wise, GPT-4.5 is supposed to be a big step up and really good with general knowledge. However, that doesn't mean it can handle coding and problem-solving as well as OpenAI's o1 and o3 models or rival options like DeepSeek’s R1.

Instead, GPT-4.5 specializes in empathy, with a high emotional quotient (EQ). AI still can’t feel things, but GPT-4.5 is supposed to be better at picking up on nuance. If you’re venting about a bad day, it won’t just reply, "I’m sorry you feel that way.” Instead, it’s designed to offer more thoughtful responses. Whether that makes it feel more like a conversation partner or just a particularly well-trained customer service bot remains to be seen. As for how to measure the EQ, OpenAI quite literally depended on "vibes."

"By vibes, really mean the model's EQ, how collaborative it feels and how warm its tone is," OpenAI engineer Rapha Gontijo Lopes explained in a livestream demonstration of GPT-4.5. "We measured this by selecting an opinionated set of prompts and screening our trainers for the ones that most align with our vibes."

If you’re a ChatGPT Pro user, you’ll be among the first to see whether GPT-4.5 truly has the vibes of a human and lives up to the hype. If you're not spending quite that much, you'll get a chance soon enough. Either way, with Amazon announcing a more chatty, AI-powered Alexa+ yesterday, the AI arms race just heated up again, and this time it's looking like the chatbots will be able to mimic how you feel more realistically than ever.

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GenAI is revolutionizing how developers create new apps and services. It’s making app development more efficient, providing developers with the tools to make it easier to spin up applications, tweak pre-built models, and create something functional in record time. However, this means applications can be developed without support from IT and may be bypassing the security and governance frameworks in place, making the battle against Shadow IT more difficult.

On the one hand GenAI is revolutionizing how business apps are built and utilized, accelerating time to market and potential profitability. On the other hand, organizations are faced with an increased attack surface created by programs that often bypass traditional IT oversight. In this new era, shadow IT isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a potential security crisis waiting to happen.

When Shadow IT Meets AI-Enhanced Cyberattacks

Eighty-three percent of leaders in a recent Kong report say AI investments are fueling new products and services. It’s easy to see why. Need to automate a workflow or create a chatbot? A few keystrokes, and it’s done. The barriers to building have all but disappeared, unleashing a wave of innovation that’s impossible to ignore.

But here’s the catch: this creative boom has a dark side. Some of these new tools rely on shadow APIs—untracked, unmanaged gateways operating in the wild west of IT infrastructure. And cybercriminals? They’re more than happy to exploit these blind spots, turning innovation into a security nightmare.

As AI evolves, so do the tools attackers use to exploit it. The rise of AI tools has only made it easier for bad actors to automate attacks, uncover hidden APIs, and launch targeted breaches. While developers build with GenAI, hackers use the same technology to scale their attacks.

Kong’s research paints a stark picture: 74% of IT leaders are deeply concerned about AI-enhanced attacks. But it’s not just bad actors misusing AI. Even well-intentioned usage can lead to data exposure. Take Samsung, for instance—when employees fed sensitive source code into ChatGPT, it became publicly accessible, creating a security and compliance nightmare.

The Trouble with Shadow IT and APIs

Governing shadow IT has always been tricky, but the rise of GenAI takes it to another level. With employees and teams creating applications faster than ever, keeping track of what’s being built, and how it connects to your systems, can feel like an impossible task. Shadow APIs, in particular, are a major blind spot. They’re often spun up without proper security measures, leaving them wide open to exploitation.

The compliance risks are just as serious. Regulatory frameworks and federal laws demand strict data protection and transparency. Shadow APIs can slip under the radar, exposing sensitive data without organizations even realizing it. This not only puts businesses at risk of breaches, but also hefty fines for non-compliance.

Millions of APIs exist out in the wild which makes them an attractive target to cybercriminals. Over half of the organizations surveyed experienced an API security incident last year, and 20% faced remediation costs exceeding $500,000. In fact, Gartner estimates that API breaches leak ten times more data than your average cyberattack.

For organizations trying to stay ahead, visibility is everything. Without tools to discover and govern shadow IT, businesses risk falling out of step with compliance requirements and leaving themselves vulnerable to attacks.

Quieting the Chaos: Why Infrastructure Matters

So, how do you manage the perfect storm of GenAI, APIs and Shadow IT without stifling innovation? It all starts with a solid infrastructure. Organizations need tools that shine a light on every API—whether it’s part of an official project or something a team developed on the side.

That’s where solutions like AI Gateways come into play. Think of an AI Gateway as the control tower for your API ecosystem. It’s a centralized hub that not only monitors and manages all your APIs but also keeps tabs on the traffic generated by AI-powered tools. With built-in AI smarts, these platforms can flag suspicious activity, uncover rogue APIs, and stop threats in their tracks.

Even better, AI Gateways help businesses scale without introducing unnecessary risk. They make it easy to integrate AI-driven apps securely, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of security.

Turning Risks into Opportunities

Generative AI isn’t going anywhere—it’s already reshaping how we work, create, and collaborate. But to harness its potential, businesses need to tackle the challenges head-on. Here’s how to strike the right balance:

1. Spot Shadow APIs: Use advanced network monitoring tools to identify hidden APIs and understand their impact on your ecosystem.

2. Build Smarter Policies: Develop AI-specific security measures, like auditing large language models (LLMs) and training employees to use AI responsibly.

3. Invest in Resilience: Adopt infrastructure solutions like AI gateways to manage API sprawl and boost security.

As our report points out, 84% of IT leaders believe AI and LLMs will make API security even more complex in the next few years. Getting ahead of these challenges now is critical to staying competitive—and secure.

The Bottom Line

GenAI is a game-changer, but it’s also rewriting the rules of Shadow IT. With every new app or API, comes a new potential vulnerability. The good news? By combining innovative AI tools with a strong governance strategy, businesses can transform these risks into opportunities.

The key is finding the right balance: embrace the creativity GenAI enables, but don’t lose sight of the security and scalability needed to keep it all under control. After all, innovation is only as powerful as the foundation it’s built on.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Eufy E20: two-minute review

The Eufy E20 is an ingenious piece of design. It's a self-emptying robotic vacuum that also doubles as both a stick and handheld vacuum, so when it's finished cleaning the floors, you can take over and vacuum the stairs, a sofa, or your car interior. It has strong suction (up to 30,000 Pa in handheld mode) and is more capable than some other robots at climbing over raised door thresholds and wading through thick rugs.

The setup process is quick and simple, and the Eufy app is easy to use, with plenty of options for adjusting settings, creating cleaning schedules and even driving the robot manually, if you prefer. The docking station is relatively compact and the crevice tool neatly stores inside the robot itself when not in use. And, while you'll need to find somewhere to store the stick attachment, it does at least stand up on its own.

I've tested some of the best robot vacuums on the market, and the E20's robo element holds up pretty well in comparison, although it's not quite perfect. Its cleaning powers was good and I was mostly impressed by its navigation skills, although during my review period it sometimes behaved erratically and was occasionally let down by imperfect obstacle avoidance. It frequently head-butted the (open) kitchen door and pushed shoes instead of driving cleanly around them. I also had to remove tangled hair from the roller brush more frequently than with some other robotic vacuums.

The manual vacuum works surprisingly well, and while it lacks the robust build quality and extra features found on today's best cordless vacuums, it was still capable enough to replace my regular Dyson for the duration of my review. If you don't already own a stick vacuum, or yours needs replacing, the E20 is an effective all-in-one solution that delivers strong value for money.

That's the short version; read on for my full Eufy E20 review.

(Image credit: Future) Eufy E20 review: price & availability

• List price: $549.99 / £549
• Launched: February 2025
• Available: US / UK

The Eufy E20 was announced at CES 2025 – where it won the Best of Innovation in Home Appliances award – and went on sale earlier in February 2025. At list price, it costs $550 / £550 / AU$999, which makes it a mid-range robotic vacuum. At time of writing, Eufy's own website offered a $50 discount, so it looks like you'll be able to avoid paying full price if you're smart about when you buy.

However, the E20 isn't just a robot vacuum – it's also a cordless stick vacuum (which can be used as a handheld). This plausibly means customers could buy the E20 and do without any other form of vacuum for their entire home, since in stick and handheld mode it can handle the stairs, a sofa, your car interior and everywhere else unreachable by rival robots.

While this 3-in-1 design is unusual, it's not completely unique. Currently on the market is the Yeedi C12 Combo, which similarly bundles stick vac and robovac on the same docking station, although there the handheld doesn't sit inside the robot vacuum. That option is US-only, and costs $699.99 / (about £560 / AU$1,110).

There's also the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo, which has a handheld included (but no wand to turn it into a floor vac). Again, it's not available in the UK, but is significantly more expensive at $1,199.99 / AU$2,299 (about £950).

If we focus on Eufy's own range, and the robot vacuum-only options, the E20's price puts it roughly on par with the $650 Eufy Omni C20. However that self-emptying robot comes with a powered rotating mop, which the E20 lacks. Below both sits the $450 Eufy L60, which has the same self-emptying design but also lacks a mop.

Ultimately, the E20 is good value if you don't already own a handheld or stick vacuum, and if you're happy to mop the floors yourself. A good stick vacuum will typically cost £350 / $350 or more (although some are far pricier), so factoring that in, the Eufy E20 starts to make sense.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Eufy E20 specs Eufy E20 review: design

• Innovative 3-in-1 design can function as robovac, stick vac and handheld
• Robovac and handheld dock and empty into the same base
• No mopping capabilities

The Eufy E20's design is by far its most compelling attribute. This is a robotic vacuum that doubles as a handheld vacuum with both stick and brush attachments for cleaning floors, steps and sofas. Or, think of it as a handheld vacuum that can be docked into a robot, which then charges and empties its onboard dustbin via the included docking station.

It's a clever approach to the number one problem with robotic vacuums – that, no matter how intelligent and powerful they are, they cannot tackle the stairs, furniture or your car. With the E20, Eufy presents a machine that can handle just about everything, and means you don't need to purchase an additional handheld vacuum. All that's missing is a mop.

The motorized part of the robot looks much like other robotic vacuums, complete with wheels, roller brush and spinning side brush. But with the press of a big red button, the handheld element – which comprises the robot's suction system, dustbin and battery – detaches, ready to be used as a handheld. A stick attachment with powered roller brush for vacuuming the floor is included in the box, along with a crevice tool and a brush for vacuuming furniture. The stick doesn't come with a wall mount (as other handheld vacuums do), but can stand up on its own, making it easy to store without falling over, and the crevice tool handily tucks into a storage slot on the robot itself.

(Image credit: Future)

The robot measures 13.5 inches (34 cm) in diameter and is 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall. The base station is 10 inches (25.5cm) wide, 15.5 inches (39cm) tall and 6in (15cm) deep. When docked and charging, the total footprint of the robot and base station is 13.5in (34 cm) wide and 18in (46cm) deep.

The stick attachment for using the vacuum as a handheld is 34 inches (86cm) long. As ever with robotic vacuums, it is recommended that you leave plenty of space in front of, and to the side of, the docking station. This isn't entirely necessary, but bear in mind that if the dock is close to a wall the robot won't be able to reach that area of the floor.

(Image credit: Future)

The handheld section uses a bagless design and can be emptied manually. Or, you can place it back onto the robot and it'll then empty automatically into the charging dock, which uses a 3.5-liter dust bag that Eufy says needs replacing every 75 days. The robot empties itself when it sees fit, although you can have it empty on command with a press of a button.

(Image credit: Future)

Installing and setting up the Eufy E20 is easy. It connects to the Eufy app just like the company's other robotic vacuums, then drives around to create an editable map of your home. After that, you can task the robot with cleaning your entire property, or targeting one room or just a specific area of your choosing. There's also plenty of customization, with several suction strengths to pick from, but I'll come back to this in the performance section of the review.

Lastly, a strange quirk of the E20's design is how the robot's charge point is at the opposite side to the dust bin. This means the robot first parks at the docking station to empty its dust bin, then drives back out, turns around, and parks again, this time facing the opposite way so its charge point can connect to the dock.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Eufy E20 review: performance

• Robovac mostly performs well on suction and object avoidance
• ... although some navigation issues and erratic behavior
• Manual vacuum surprisingly capable too, if a bit loud

The setup process took just a few minutes, with the robot successfully navigating its way around my apartment on its first attempt. It created a fairly accurate map, which I was able to quickly edit – changing a couple of room boundaries and naming each room – from the app with just a few taps. I also created a no-go zone to prevent the robot from driving under the living room sofa, as the amount of stuff under there meant it was bound to get stuck. Finally, I used the app to mark the bedroom floor as a medium pile carpet, and to plot the location of a high pile rug in the living room.

Right away, I was impressed by how the E20 clambered its way over a set of relatively high doorway thresholds without getting stuck. It even reversed then drove forward more quickly after failing on its first attempt. Some other Eufy robots, including the vastly more expensive Omni S1 Pro, have failed to reliably clear these thresholds. I asked Eufy about this but a spokesperson said there have been no changes to the robot's intelligence in this regard.

(Image credit: Future)

It also drove over a thick rug without getting stuck – also something pricier robots often fail to do – but got tangled up in some tassels at the end of the rug. This is understandable, and if you have such a rug you'll want to either mark it as a no-go zone in the app, or move it before each clean.

The robot mostly navigated very well, but on one occasion, after being untangled from the rug, it first said it "wasn't on the ground", when it was, then seemingly got lost despite saying it had correctly positioned itself. Another press of the home button fixed this, and after several minutes of exploration, it found its way back to the dock.

(Image credit: Future)

During daily use, I found the E20's navigation to be a little clumsy and inconsistent. Sometimes it would drive precisely along a wall, leaving the tiniest of gaps, while other times it would push shoes around instead of driving around them, and head-butt open doors. On one occasion, when tasked with vacuuming the bedroom, the robot arrived at the entrance to the room and cleaned for just a few moments, before declaring the task complete and returning to base. I tried again, but this time it failed to enter the room and instead drove off into the living room, before returning and successfully entering the bedroom.

Although I've highlighted a few unfortunate failings here, the E20 mostly performed well. I especially like how it drove more quickly at any raised thresholds it failed to clear at the first attempt, and how it cleaned in neat lines – and at a decent speed – when in a large, open space. Only in the more cluttered corners of my home, such as where doors can't be fully opened and access is restricted by relatively complex objects like a portable heater and an office chair, did the E20 struggle. In a larger home with more open space I can see if performing better.

(Image credit: Future)

Before I get to the specific cleaning challenges, I should talk about the E20's handheld function. This performs very well indeed, with the stick attachment easy to fit and remove, and the crevice tool handy for vacuuming furniture, a car interior, and other hard-to-reach areas. In handheld mode the E20 deploys its maximum 30,000 Pa of suction (compared to 8,000 Pa when used as a robot, as power is also needed for the motors and navigation system). It did a great job of cleaning hard floors, carpets, rugs and sofas, and entirely replaced my Dyson Cyclone V10 for the duration of the test.

There are four levels of suction power, selected by repeatedly pressing the power button and indicated by a light bar on the side of the vacuum. A long press of the same button turns the vacuum on and off.

(Image credit: Future)

Although the manual vacuum works well and has plenty of power, it is rather loud. I recorded a peak loudness of 92 dB at maximum suction (the same as the Dyson V10 at full power), but a more comfortable 82-85 dB at the Eufy's lower power settings.

Being able to use a robotic vacuum as a handheld is a bit of a game-changer, even if the robot isn't quite the smartest around. I can imagine scheduling the robot to clean every few days, then using the stick attachment for occasional top-ups – like tidying up crumbs after food prep – and picking the crevice tool for furniture.

All that's missing is a mop, but at this price point that omission is understandable. A static mopping pad could have been added, as with the SwitchBot K10+ Pro, but since that doesn't work too well, I prefer Eufy's approach of reducing complexity and going without.

Suction tests

Now for the specific tests, starting with how the E20 performs with fine dust, made from a mixture of flour and crushed digestives, on a hard floor. Since it's a small room, I set the robot to vacuum the entire floor once at its lowest power setting, called Quiet and with a loudness measured at 63 dB.

The results were impressive, with almost all evidence of the flour/crumb fix picked up on a single pass at the lowest suction level. I noticed how the E20 didn't flick debris all over the room with its spinning side brush, as other robotic vacuums are often guilty of. In this case, a second pass wasn't required.

Image 1 of 2

Crumb mix sprinkled on hard floor, ready for suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Results after cleaning in quiet mode (Image credit: Future)

I then repeated the test on carpet, and the results were less impressive. The E20 spilled some of its bin contents when clearing the doorway threshold (which sees it climb from exposed floorboards up to a carpet), then failed to lift all of the crumb mix on its first pass. I repeated the test using the next suction level, called Standard (measured at 65 dB), but the robot failed, stating: “Route unavailable. Unable to reach the target point.”

This error occurs when a custom cleaning zone includes an area beyond the confines of the map. Even if it just touches an object like your bed, for example, the task will fail, so you need to be extra careful when creating the custom zone.

Most of the crumb mix was picked up using Standard mode, but some still remained. A single pass on the next mode, called Turbo (66 dB), picked up all debris. After this, the robot emptied its dust bin (79 dB) and put itself on charge.

Image 1 of 3

Crumb mix sprinkled on carpet, ready for suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

Results in quiet suction mode (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

Results in standard mode (Image credit: Future)

I then repeated the tests, but this time replaced the crumb mix with oats to see how the E20 performed with larger debris. On hard floor the lowest suction level is powerful enough to pick up the oats, but the robot flicked debris around the room with its spinning side brush and left quite a bit of mess behind, as most robotic vacuums do in this test.

Next, I upped the suction strength to Standard and switched to two passes instead of one, and the E20 did a fantastic job. The room was left almost spotless, with practically no debris missed at all. Impressive.

Image 1 of 3

Oats sprinkled on hard floor, ready for suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

Results in quiet mode (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

Results after two passes in standard mode (Image credit: Future)

I repeated the oats test on carpet and found that two passes with Standard mode was the best option. The robot did a great job, picking up all debris save for just two stray oats.

Image 1 of 2

Oats sprinkled on carpet, ready for suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Results after two passes in standard mode (Image credit: Future)

Finally, obstacle avoidance. I used a sock, a shoe and a USB cable to test the E20's ability to spot objects and navigate around. It did a great job of avoiding both the shoe and sock, getting close (but not too close) to each, then continuing its cleaning routine.

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, it didn't care for the USB cable, and ate it almost immediately. This wrapped around the roller brush, stopping the robot and causing it to ask for help. No damage was caused, but it was clearly a failure.

(Image credit: Future)

Eufy says the E20 uses LiDAR and 'dual laser sensors” to scan its environment and avoid obstacles over 15mm in size. The USB cable is less than 15mm wide, but is of course much longer than that. Eufy also says the roller brush rotates in reverse after cleaning and uses a built-in comb to dislodge hair, but when retrieving the cable I also had to remove a clump of hair that had tangled itself around the roller after just a handful of cleans.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Eufy E20 review: app

• Simple setup and use
• Highly configurable
• Easy to schedule and adjust settings

Eufy's app is a good one. Setting up the E20 is quick and easy – just as it is with Eufy's other robotic vacuums – and the app is responsive, stable and intuitive. Part of the setup process includes telling the robot to create a map by exploring your home. You can then use the app to name rooms and make edits, such as creating no-go zones, labelling where carpets are, and moving any boundaries the E20 might have got wrong. I wish there was an option to label raised thresholds, so that the robot would know to drive more quickly, or at an angle, to clear them reliably.

You can tell the robot to cover an area once or twice during each clean, and there are four suction strengths. You can also tell the E20 to vacuum the entire map, clean a single room, or draw a specific zone for it to target.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Eufy)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Eufy)

Head into the comprehensive settings page and there are options for creating a daily or weekly schedule, adjusting how often it self-empties into the docking station, setting a child lock, and even taking manual control to drive the robot yourself. There's also a handy page showing the remaining life of replaceable components like the filter, brushes and dust bag.

• App score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Eufy E20? Buy it if...

You don't already own a manual vacuum

The key selling point here is how the E20 is a robot that can double as a handheld vacuum, plus there's a stick attachment too. If you already own a handheld or stick vacuum, then obviously the E20 isn't for you. But if you don't, or you want to buy a new one, this robot is a great idea.

You don't need a robo–mop

The E20 does not have any mopping functionality at all. So if you want to give your hard floors a wet clean, you'll have to do that manually. If you've got carpets then great, the robot does the majority of the work and the handheld function is there for stairs and furniture.

You're on a mid-range budget

I won't pretend that the E20 is a cheap product, but in many cases it actually costs less than purchasing a robotic vacuum and a handheld/stick vacuum individually.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best stick vacuum on the market

Although it works pretty well as a stick/handheld vacuum, the Eufy E20 lacks the quality feel and extra functionality of more premium options from the likes of Dyson and Shark. But then you're likely to use this feature less, since the robot does a lot of the work for you.

You want a robotic mop

Unlike a lot of robotic vacuums at this price point, the E20 does not have a mopping function. This could be something that Eufy adds to a future model, but for now you'll have to mop hard floors yourself.

You have thick carpet, or rugs with tassels

The E20 managed surprisingly well with carpet and rugs – better than some far pricier rivals – but it got tangled up in the tassels of a rug, and also ate a USB cable. You'll either need to move such rugs before each clean, mark them as no-go zones or consider a different type of vacuum. Granted, this is true of all robovacs.

How I tested the Eufy E20

I set up the Eufy 20 in my home and used it as my only vacuum cleaner for a month. It entirely replaced my own handheld vacuum and was used to clean every room. This included hard floors and carpets, and I also used the E20 in handheld mode to clean a sofa and my car interior. After living with the E20 for a month, I completed a series of specific tests to discover exactly how well it performs.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

• First reviewed January 2025

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BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor: Two-minute review

The BenQ GW2486TC is a great monitor for those that just need more screen real estate. It helps that there are some included features to make hours of use a bit more palatable, such as the ones focused on minimizing eye strain. After all, not everyone needs an ultra widescreen 8K monitor with HDR and a super fast refresh rate. Most of us just want more space while working. This monitor does that.

It also helps that it is very affordable for an external monitor. Sure, this is just a 24-inch model with quite a few limitations, like a 1080p resolution with a somewhat limited color coverage – you shouldn’t be using this for most types of color correction and editing. And there’s no KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switching on hand, either. But, it’s got great ergonomics to help you get the most comfortable view of your work.

So, if you’re okay with those compromises, meaning you’re not also a gamer or creative, and can skip out on the unfortunate lack of cable management, this might be one of the best business monitors for you.

BenQ GW2486TC: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? $189.99 / £149.99 / AU$289.00
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

The best monitors come in at all sorts of price points, and you usually have to pay a bit more than the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor. The going price of this monitor, $189.99 / £149.99 / AU$289, is about as reasonable as it gets.

While you can find some other great deals such as the 27-inch gaming-oriented Arzopa M1RC with its £239 / $269 MRSP out there, they’re few and far between. Of course, the Arzopa does have QHD (2560 x 1440p) resolution and a 180Hz refresh rate. But it’s missing speakers and the eye-care oriented features of the BenQ reviewed here.

If you need more features, you’re most likely going to have to spend a bit more. The 4K BenQ PD2705UA has about every feature one could imagine as well as the kind of color coverage and accuracy for editing work, unlike the GW2486TC. You can even split the screen between two different sources as well as use KVM. It’s also more than double the price at $549.99 / £549.99 / AU$739.

• Value: 5 / 5

BenQ GW2486TC: Specs BenQ GW2486TC: Design

• Fantastic ergonomics for personalized viewing angles
• Good port selection including USB-C with power delivery
• No cable management

The BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor might be cheap, but it is an attractive looking monitor. In all-white, it’s neither drab or boring. In fact, the worst thing about this 24-inch monitor is probably its display panel, which is a basic IPS 1080p one with a typical 178-degree viewing angle.

But when it comes to this monitor’s design, there’s plenty to like, particularly the ergonomics. Thanks to its tall stand, there’s 130mm of height adjustment. Once you have at eye level (or wherever you prefer to have the monitor seated), there’s a 45 degree swivel either left or right, a five degree downward tilt and a 20 degree upward one, not to mention a 90 degree pivot in either direction if you need the display in portrait for some reason (like coding).

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(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The only real issue I have with the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor’s design is the fact that there’s no real cable management. There is a hole at the top of the stand that, to me at least, looks like it’s to pick up the monitor that could be conceivably used for cable management. However, the ports all face downward so that is fairly inconvenient.

As far as ports go, there’s a decent array including one DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 1.4, USB-C with 65W power delivery (enough for an Ultrabook but not a gaming laptop), and two USB-A downstream ports for charging up accessories. However, those USB ports are not for KVM and don’t do any passthrough to the source computer. On the bright side, this monitor can be daisy chained with another for more screen real estate.

• Design: 4 / 5

BenQ GW2486TC: Features

• OSD Menu is easy to navigate
• A number of eye-care modes help with long sessions in front of the screen
• Plenty of additional modes for various work purposes

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The OSD menu is pretty straightforward to use on the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor. Instead of a single joystick for control, there are a number of buttons along the bottom right corner of the monitor. Whenever you press any of the buttons, the OSD menu pops up with an overlay on your screen showing icons for categories. Once you select a category, the OSD opens up deeper menu options while providing icons for what each button does. Overall, it’s very straightforward to navigate, whether you’re changing modes, messing with specific settings like color temperature or adjusting audio settings.

Where this monitor shines best is in its various modes, particularly the eye-care oriented ones, meant to minimize eye strain from sitting in front of a screen too long. Not only are there modes that limit the amount of blue light, as well as one to adjust for color weakness, but it has its brightness intelligence gen 2 tech, which automatically adjusts screen brightness according to ambient light for what’s most ideal. And, I found it to work fairly quickly. There are also modes for coding, ePaper, sRGB, and MBook that are helpful to have on hand, even if these aren’t necessarily all that unique.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

BenQ GW2486TC: Performance

• Screen is good, but nothing special, except for a faster refresh rate
• Audio quality is passable
• Comes with built-in mic with noise cancellation

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

When it comes to performance, it’s critical to take the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor for what it is – a budget-oriented office monitor. You’re not getting a wow factor here, nor should you. The IPS panel is a basic 1920 by 1080 resolution with a solid color coverage of 99% sRGB. Its 250 nits is good enough for office use, but can be a bit dark when using it for certain types of media. While I did use this for some gaming and had no issues with it, this is certainly not where it excels, especially with a 1300:1 contrast. It’s fine for that purpose, helped along by a 100Hz refresh rate (despite having a 5ms response time).

The audio quality on monitors is usually nothing special. The BenQ GW2486TC is no exception. The two 2-watt drivers offer enough volume for anyone sitting at their desk who doesn't want to purchase or fiddle with external speakers, though they’re worth it in my humble opinion. There’s not much in terms of low-end from the downward-facing speakers – no surprise there – and, overall, are fairly boxy sounding. The best thing one can say about the audio is that it’s there and it’s not terrible. For an office monitor, that’s generally good enough.

It’s worth noting that there’s also a built-in microphone with adjustable noise cancellation for use with zoom calls.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor?  Buy it if… 

You want a productivity monitor on a budget

If you have limited funds but you want a monitor for productivity, the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor is an ideal one thanks to the eye-care features, USB-C port, and flexible ergonomics.

You need great ergonomics

This monitor can go into a portrait orientation in either direction, has a broad height adjustment range, and can swivel and tilt enough so that it can properly face you no matter your setup.

You need USB-C

Even now, not all monitors come with a USB-C port. If you need one to connect your MacBook Air, for example, you can not only do that, but you can charge it in the process.

 Don’t buy it if… 

You need cable management or KVM

This is a budget monitor so there are some things missing that one would find on pricier models, such as cable management or KVM. If you’re a neat freak or want to connect more than one computer, you should invest in a monitor with one, or preferably both, features.

You want a higher resolution

The panel on this monitor is fairly basic so you’re limited to 1080p. If you want a sharper resolution for any reason, it’s worth spending the extra cash for it.

Also Consider

Arzopa M1RC

The Arzopa M1RC might be missing some of the productivity-oriented features and appointments of the BenQ, but you get a sharper QHD resolution and an even faster 180Hz refresh rate for not much more money.

Read our full Arzopa M1RC review

BenQ PD2705UA

If you want a little more out of a productivity-oriented monitor, consider the BenQ PD2705UA. It’s more than double the price but has a much sharper image, KVM, and side-by-side picture as well as picture-in-picture for those with two computers, not to mention HDR and cable management.

Read our full BenQ PD2705UA review

How I tested the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor

I used the BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor regularly for a month. I tested it with various games and media, used it for work, and tested out its various eye-care modes. I spent some time listening to the speakers. And played around with the ergonomics.

The BenQ GW2486TC Eye-Care Monitor has shown itself to be a capable monitor for productivity, particularly for those on a budget who don’t need things like KVM and don’t care about cable management.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

• First reviewed January 2025

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Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam: One-minute review

There are plenty of dual-drawer air fryers on the market these days, but not too many come with a steam function. And that’s where the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam comes in – as the name suggests, you can use the steam to not just cook meals, but it can even be used to clean the air fryer.

Cooking with steam means you can make dumplings or steamed vegetables easily, but the Philips 5000 Series XXL also has an air fryer+steam combo mode that I found to be quite handy. This not only cooks meat to perfection, retaining moisture, but also allows for crispy skin and crackling, albeit will need a few extra minutes air frying the perfect results.

In fact, pretty much everything I cooked in the Philips Series 5000 XXL turned out to be really good, although I’d recommend not bothering with the presets. They’re handy as a guide, but unless you have the exact amount of food that preset was meant for, it’s not going to cook your meal to perfection. Given its dual drawers, you can sync cook times, no matter what you have in either of them, but you can’t replicate the settings across both drawers because of their difference in size.

However, having the power of steam means you’ll need to deal with a few caveats. For starters, it’s available only for the larger drawer, so you will need to plan out what food item goes into which drawer before you start cooking. That also means steam cleaning is only available for the larger drawer and it requires you to manually scrub the basket and drawer anyway. So it’s not quite the magical solution I was expecting it to be. Well, at least both drawers, and the basket and tray, are dishwasher safe.

Given how well it cooks, though, it would be easy to recommend, particularly if you want steam cooking. You will, however, need to shell out a decent amount of cash for the privilege.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam review: price & availability

• Announced November 2024
• Launch price of £249.99 / AU$499, but available for cheaper now
• Not available in the US at the time of writing

Philips came out with two dual-basket air fryers at around the same time in late 2024 – the 3000 Series and the 5000 Series. Both also have single-drawer options, but it’s only the 5000 Series Dual Basket model that has the steam functionality.

At launch, it came with a list price of £249.99 / AU$499 in the UK and Australia, but can now be had for £179.99 / AU$349. It’s currently not listed for purchase in the US.

This review is based on the Australian model with SKU NA551/00. The model available in the UK is NA555/09 with a brushed-steel finish.

I think the discounted price is quite competitive and could be excellent value for some users, especially those who’ll really make good use of the steam functionality to cook (the steam-clean mode is superfluous). That’s not to say it’s cheap, but it isn’t too much more in some markets compared to other dual-drawer models.

For example, the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400 (has the model number of DZ401 in the US) costs $229 / £229.99 / AU$299.99 and the Instant Vortex Plus Versazone can set you back $199.95 / £199.99 / AU$399 at full price.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam review: specifications Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam review: design

• 800ml removable water reservoir on top of appliance
• Non-stick coating makes it easy to clean
• Clear touchscreen display, but requires small learning curve to master

If you’re already familiar with dual-basket air fryers, the Philips 5000 Series XXL Steam is not going to look too different, except for one very distinct feature – there’s a small rectangular plastic reservoir on the top to hold up to 800ml of water. It’s translucent, so you can see the level as it gets used up, and it has a cloud icon to indicate what could only be billowing steam. If you don’t notice the water level going down, there’s no need to worry as a warning light will appear on the touchscreen display.

The tank can be removed and washed, and it’s best not to leave any water in there when the appliance is not in use to avoid scale build-up. The good news is that the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Steam has a descaling cycling built in, but better safe than sorry.

Like many dual-basket air fryers, the two drawers are different sizes – a larger 6L basket and a smaller 3L one. Philips says the larger drawer can fit a whole chicken in it, but you will need to make sure it’s not too large a chicken, and although the total 9L capacity sounds like a lot, it may not be enough for a family of four. And it’s only the bigger drawer that has steam functionality.

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The water reservoir has a cloud icon on its lid to indicate billowing steam (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

Both drawers, the large basket and the small tray are non-stick and dishwasher safe (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

The water reservoir fits into its own little niche (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Having two drawers means the whole appliance has a large footprint, but it’s not overly large compared to other similar air fryers on the market. It is, however, slightly taller because of the water reservoir on the top.

The touchscreen display is very clear when it comes on, even if you have bright overhead lights shining down on the reflective surface. The top line of icons are the presets, below which you can choose the time and temperature for each drawer. There’s even the option to sync cooking times if you want. If you’re already familiar with air fryers, you won’t have much trouble finding your way around the functions on the display, although the steam cooking, air fry+steam combo, steam-clean mode and descaling option will be new to most people.

Unfortunately Philips doesn’t provide a proper user manual in the box – it has some diagrams, but they’re not easy to wrap your head around. A detailed manual is available on the HomeID app, which can be accessed via the QR code in the box or on the machine itself, but it’s not easy to find – after some digging, I found a link to the PDF buried in a Quick Guide article for the Series 5000 Dual Basket Steam air fryer.

The rear of the appliance is quite plain, but Philips provides cable management in the form of a clip-on brace. Above this are the two vents that, when you use steam, will puff rhythmically.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

All of Philips’ air fryers have one thing in common – the raised pattern at the bottom of the drawers. This is to help the company’s proprietary RapidAir technology circulate hot air within each basket more efficiently. This pattern also means you can’t cook directly in the drawer, as some other brands allow you to do. Both the drawers on the Series 5000 Dual Basket XXL Steam are non-stick, but no mention has been made on what the material actually is. That said, the large basket, the two drawers and the small tray are dishwasher safe.

One thing to keep in mind with the large basket: it might appear square, but it’s not. So if the basket isn’t fitting, just turn it around and slide it in. The basket has small silicone-covered feet that are prone to pressure, which can happen if you’re handwashing it. This causes the feet to move out of position and not let the basket fit back into the drawer – if this happens, you can gently reposition them.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam review: performance

• Very useful time-sync functionality and shake reminders
• Plenty of presets, but they are guides only
• Not a smart (connected) air fryer

It might take you a while to get used to using steam in an air fryer, but once you do, it’s hard to not keep going back to it – I, for one, couldn’t stop experimenting with it. I used most of the functions on this air fryer and disappointments were rare – it really does cook nearly everything very well. From tender steaks to steamed dumplings, I can hardly fault it.

That said, nothing I made was using the presets. I found very quickly that unless you plan to cook the exact amount of fries, meat or vegetables the presets were designed for, you will not get the right results. The presets on the Philips 5000 Series are guides only, but you can always adjust cook time and temperature for better results.

During my testing I found that manual input of cook time and temperature was the best and, of course, you can always pull a basket out to check on what’s happening to see if any adjustments are needed. Opening a drawer will pause the air dryer – both drawers, in fact – and it automatically restarts when you push the basket back in. Time and temperature adjustments can be made while the appliance is running.

One thing to keep in mind with the Philips 5000 Series XXL Steam is that there is no preheat function here. This isn’t unique to this machine, with others like the Russell Hobbs Satisfry Dual Basket air fryer (available only in the UK) also missing out on it. A preheat would have been nice for things like cooking steaks, but I got good results even without it, albeit after a couple of attempts to get the right temperature and time settings for the perfect cook (medium for me, thanks).

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Cheese and garlic crumpets before cooking... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..and the final, slightly overdone results (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

One of the first cooking modes I tried in the 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Steam was air fry+steam. This feature works by pumping steam and hot air alternately, so you will hear the sound change rhythmically. The chicken drumsticks that I experimented with were tender and moist, but the skin didn't get crispy. I popped them back in for five minutes more at 200ºC for just air frying, giving me wonderfully juicy chicken legs with crispy skin. The other dish I used the air fry+steam function was pork belly and, again, the meat was lovely, but I did have to use the air-fry mode to crisp up the skin. I’d imagine you could even use it to make some cakes if you want a fudgy interior, but I didn’t have any recipes (or ingredients) on hand to experiment with when it comes to baking during my testing of this air fryer.

I found the steam-only function rather useful though. Not only is it good to steam vegetables for a side, you can even make dumplings in this air fryer. The only issue here is the pre-planning. Given you have only one drawer (the larger one) with steaming abilities, you need to figure out beforehand what you should cook in it. For example, if you have a large piece of meat that you want to cook (time-synced) alongside vegetables, you’ll likely need to forgo steamed veg as the meat won’t fit in the smaller drawer. In which case, you will need to use the 6L basket twice, which isn’t ideal. However, if you’re making steamed fish with some roasted vegetables on the side, you can do them both together by putting the latter in the 3L drawer.

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Halloumi cooked in the air fryer (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

Chicken drumsticks cooked using the air fry+steam mode, then crisped for 5 minutes by air frying only (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

Stuffed portobello mushrooms cooked in the Philips air fryer (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I found that the 800ml maximum water capacity in the reservoir will last you no more than an hour’s worth of cooking time, so you may need to refill it if you have anything that needs longer cooking. This Philips air fryer also has a maximum temperature of 200ºC, which isn’t as high as some other air fryers are capable of, but I found it still produces lovely crackling anyway.

Time synchronization works well and I appreciate that there is a shake reminder too. I love me some crispy, deep-fried bitter gourd (a childhood favorite) and I didn’t even need to lay the slices down in a single layer. The shake reminders were great when I just plopped handfuls in each basket to air fry and, at the end of 27 minutes, I had a Tupperware box full of my fave snack.

I cooked halloumi in the air fryer, as well mushrooms, steak and frozen foods. No matter what I threw at it, the results were to my liking, although I will emphasize that the presets won’t necessarily be too useful for first-time users.

Dumplings steamed in the large basket alongside prawn and chorizo skewers (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

As good as the cooking is, I was disappointed by the steam-cleaning function. As wonderful as it sounds on paper, it’s not quite what Philips makes it out to be – you will need to manually wash the basket and drawer to remove all traces of grease and burnt food after a 15-minute steam cycle, then pop it back in for a 2-minute hot-air drying session. Moreover, only the 6L basket has the advantage of steam to loosen caked-in grease. Thankfully both drawers and baskets are dishwasher safe.

Given it uses water, there is a descale mode available, but I haven’t had the appliance long enough to try it and, even after three months, have not seen any deposits in the water reservoir.

So while I would love to score this air fryer higher just for its cooking performance, I have to dock marks for the caveats surrounding the steam functionality.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Should I buy the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam? Buy it if...

You’d love to cook with steam in an air fryer

While most air fryers let you do more than just air fry (like bake, roast, grill and more), the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket takes it one step further and offers the steam function too. Importantly, it allows you to combine air frying and steaming, which is good for tender meat.

You want excellent results, no matter what you cook
This is a high-performing air fryer, even if you don’t always use the steam function. If you are comfortable experimenting, you’ll hit the right notes each time you cook in it.

You want to cook mains and sides together

While not unique to this Philips air fryer, the ability to make a main dish and a side simultaneously is time-saving. And you can have them both ready at the same time. This even works well if you have something steaming in the main drawer and something else in the smaller basket.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a first-time air fryer user

Not only is the user manual difficult to access, the cooking presets on this air fryer are just a guide and won’t work unless you have the exact same amount of the precise food it was made for. This cooking appliance will need some experimentation.

You can’t justify a premium air fryer

Despite being available at a competitive price, there are cheaper air fryers available. If you don’t need the steam function, you’ll be able to save by opting for a single-drawer air fryer. This also means you won’t need the extra space to store a two-drawer air fryer.

You have a large family

While the total 9L capacity sounds good on paper, the larger 6L drawer won’t fit a large chicken. In my opinion, this air fryer is suited to a 2-3 person household.

Also consider

Ninja DoubleStack

Offering two drawers but not taking up as much space, Ninja’s DoubleStack is one of a kind. In our tests, it produced some excellently cooked results, although you won’t have the power of steam here.
Read our in-depth Ninja DoubleStack review

Tefal Easy Fry Grill and Steam XXL 3-in-2 Air Fryer

Not widely available, and we haven’t tested this model yet, but it’s one of the few air fryers to offer steam cooking too. It’s a single-drawer model, so won’t take up as much room on your countertop as the Philips, but it is priced higher.

How I tested the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam

• Used for five weeks to cook a variety of meals
• Cooked mushrooms, steak, cheese, chicken, fish and much more
• Tested most cooking functions and presets

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

For a period of five weeks, I cooked nearly all my dinners in the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer XXL Steam, as well as some lunches and a few snacks during the weekends. This gave me plenty of time to test several of the presets (I didn’t try the bread one though) and experiment with most of the cooking modes.

I’m not much of a baker at the best of times, but I did try to make some banana muffins in the air fryer, which didn’t quite turn out as I expected them to, but that had to do with my recipe rather than any fault of the appliance.

However, I also cooked various meats in the two drawers to test the roast, air fryer and air-fry+steam combo functions. These included a scotch fillet, chicken thighs and legs, a pork belly and beef sausages – the latter in the smaller basket.

The vegetables I cooked – both air fried and steamed – included broccolini, potatoes, cauliflower florets, carrots and snow peas. I also cooked some halloumi and portobello mushrooms.

In addition to cooking, I also tested the steam-clean mode a few times. I hand-washed the baskets and drawers most of the time but, when space allowed, I even put them in my dishwasher. The only function I couldn’t test during my review period was the descaling as there were no visible marks to tell me if the feature was working optimally or not.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed February 2025]

• StudyFetch's new Tutor Me is an interactive AI that can converse with students as it teaches
• Tutor Me builds its lessons from textbooks, notes, and assignments uploaded by the student
• The AI personalizes lectures and quizzes to the students and can track their progress

AI can impart a lot of knowledge but isn't usually a very good teacher. Sometimes, it's more like glorified search engines than a study partner. Educational tech developer StudyFetch has a new tool that might change that opinion. Tutor Me is an AI platform focused specifically on teaching students. The idea is something like a ChatGPT that is specially trained to perform as a teacher on specific subjects without needing to constantly tailor your prompts for that purpose.

The biggest difference from just asking ChatGPT to teach you something is that Tutor Me is built to work with a student’s actual course materials, so its explanations, quizzes, and lesson plans are always based on what they’re actually studying. You can upload lesson texts, assigned readings, notes from online lessons, or even photos of whiteboards that Tutor Me will analyze to develop a unique study guide and curriculum.

Tutor Me acts like an online conference with a teacher. The AI responds in real-time, just like a human tutor would. But unlike a human tutor, it never runs out of patience or time. You can ask it to test your knowledge by requesting a quiz, ask it to speed up or slow down its explanations and speaking speed, and even bring up a topic by referencing a textbook page number. If you find flashcards dry and detached, StudyFetch's AI might be ideal for helping you stay interested in any given subject. Plus, it can track your progress and help you keep up on your lessons and assignments.

Learn AI

Considering more than a quarter of teens already use ChatGPT to help with homework, something like Tutor Me probably has a lot of potential interest. OpenAI isn't the only alternative as an educational AI provider, though.

Google Gemini has its own Learn About feature, and Khan Academy’s Khanmigo has an AI-driven tutor for students looking to supplement class time. Educational institutes are taking notes as well. Arizona State University (ASU) is working with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT, and London’s David Game College is running an AI-taught class as part of its new Sabrewing program.

Still, the direct integration with course materials will likely aid Tutor Me in standing out. It solves the complaint about AI being too general and offering answers that don’t quite match what you want to learn about. Pulling from actual lesson plans and assignments reduces Tutor Me's chances of going off-topic a lot.

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• ChatGPT is the homework helper for more than a quarter of teens – and the trend is accelerating
• AI educators are coming to this school – and it's part of a trend
• Google Learn About is the patient teacher with a bag full of tricks we all wanted as kids

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