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Usually, by the time I've gone through the first litre of resin, I'm tired of the mess that these resin 3D printers tend to create. So, while I was excited about the innovative new feature design of the Piocreat Halot-X1, I was also slightly reserved about this new machine.

As yet, there is only one resin 3D printer that I feel 100% confident about using all the time, and that is the Formlabs Form 4, but as that particular printer is well out of the price range of most people, there have to be other options available to supply ultra-high-resolution prints from this format.

The Halot-X1 has come a long way compared with many other resin 3D printers on the market, and it promised to provide some very fine detail prints, which I can totally confirm it does. In fact, I was impressed with the quality of the models it produced.

The initial set-up was incredibly easy, just remove the packaging, fill the tank with resin, and select the print impression. There's no levelling process or anything else. The one thing that struck me from the outset was the change in the build plate design, which was completely different from anything I'd seen before.

I was dubious about the design working when it started due to the complete lack of needing to set anything up. It just seemed too good to be true that there was no fiddling around with sheets of paper and other checks. Literally, it was a straightforward switch-on and press go.

However, after 30 minutes, I could see the print emerging, and it looked absolutely spot-on. As the process continued, the print formed beneath the build plate. I could see that the auto-levelling process had worked 100%. I've now had the machine for well over a month. I've not been running it continuously, but every few days, printing out objects and small characters just to see how far I could go with this particular printer. So far, it's been incredibly consistent.

There have been a few issues along the way, and inevitably, quite soon, I am going to have to change the nFEP film. But for now, with several litres through the machine, all seems to be working absolutely fine.

While for the most part the use is simple and easy, there have been a few hiccups, the auto resin feed system just doesn't seem to work, however much I fiddle with it, and there have been a few support structure fails. From experience with previous resin printers, I've found checking the tank after each model is always a good idea.

Then there's the age-old issue of the mess. After each print finishes, it needs to be transferred over to a wash, then cured, and along the way, gloves and goggles still need to be worn and disposed of. So while you might get that additional quality, it does come at the cost of time.

However, this resin 3D printer is definitely a step forward, and with that new build plate design, making it so much easier to extract the prints, it does help reduce a lot of the mess that's usually created. So, while it's by no means perfect, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Price & availability

The Piocreat Halot-X1 can be purchased directly through the Piocreat website, although you do need to ask for a quote on the price rather than make a direct purchase.

Otherwise, retailers such as 123-3D.co.uk retail the printer for £579, and in the US, companies such as 3DWithUs.com list the printer between $579 and $749. The availability of the printer will become more widespread soon, and you should be able to purchase it through many online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Piocreat Halot-X1 has descended from the Creality Halot series and features much of the same consistency and quality we saw on those machines. In fact, Creality have passed over their resin printers to this new company, Piocreat, which usually deals with more B2B machines, with the Halot-X1 being one of their first consumer-level options.

Compared with the old Halot machines, the X1 takes on a new style and design. It's has a smaller footprint and overall form factor. It's also more ergonomically designed, with a touchscreen on top, a visor-style shield protecting the resin area, and a tank that raises, rather than using the traditional mechanism of the print bed lowering into the tank.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The machine also comes with an automatic resin feed system in the combo version, which just adds to the level of professionalism. It's something we've seen on previous machines with various rates of success. Again, as with many 3D printers, there are multiple ways to transfer files over to the system, either through USB or Wi-Fi, and it's good to see this did seem solid with our review sample.

Compared to many other resin 3D printers, the footprint is relatively small, 344 x 331 mm with a height of 434 mm. You do then have to consider the visor when that's open, but to be honest, compared to many others, it's nice and small and definitely easier to use due to the design, compared with those that still utilise a lift-off cover.

The weight is also relatively light at 12.9 kg, lighter than most FFF printers. This essentially means it's very easy to stick in the corner of an office. However, because it's resin, you do really need to make sure that it's well vented, at the very least by a window, and ideally with its own enclosure and extractor to ensure that any toxic fumes don't enter your workspace.

When it comes to the design, it just looks completely different to the past HALOT machines, with a more modern design. There are a few big changes alongside the aesthetics when compared with previous generations, most notably the quick-release platform, which features a twist-release mechanism that can release any print in around three seconds. That time proved pretty much correct during testing.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Piocreat Halot-X1: FeaturesSpecs

Connectivity: USB + Wi-Fi support
Size: 344 × 331 × 434 mm approx
Accessories: Quick-release build plate, resin vat, tools, optionally AFU (auto resin feed unit)
Build Volume: 211.68 × 118.37 × 200 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01–0.2 mm
Print speed: Up to ~170 mm/h
Resolution: 16K Mono LCD: 15,120 × 6,230 px, pixel size ~14 × 19 µm
Motion system: Fixed build plate, moving optics/vat

Initially, the Halot-X1 looks like any other resin 3D printer, but there are some major changes in the technology and design. Starting off, however, with some of the more traditional features, the 16K mono LCD offers a 15,120 x 6,230 resolution with a pixel size of 14 x 19 µm. This should guarantee extremely fine prints, and that’s certainly what I saw during the test.

Print speed is also finely tuned with speeds up to 170 mm/h, which is relatively fast, by no means the fastest on the market, but considering the small footprint and balanced pricing, that’s not a bad rate at all. Likewise, the build volume is impressive for the size of the machine at 211.68 x 118.37 x 200 mm, large enough for most character and miniature printing, and also suitable for a good amount of prototype engineering prints. However, if you want to go larger than that, an FDM printer is a better idea.

On to some of the more major new features, including the auto-levelling. This works with a fixed build plate, so there’s no need for manual calibration, and throughout testing, this actually proved incredibly effective.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

There’s also a motion detection system so that the vat screen light moves instead of the build plate, this helps to reduce shaking and improve stability during the print.

The LCD and exposure system have also been overhauled with a 92-zone intelligent exposure system, which only enables the areas that need to be lit. This helps to improve the longevity of the LCD.

There’s also an optional Double AFU or auto-feed unit, and this enables resin monitoring, auto resin refill, preheating of the resin, RFID identification for the bottles, and generally less need to interact with any resin. While I had this kit for the review, the bottles of Creality resin that I had didn’t seem to be compatible, so this is something I’ll return to when I have compatible resin bottles to test.

The most notable new feature, as I mentioned in the build section, is the new quick-release build plate. At the same time, it might seem like a small change, as we saw with the Formlabs Form 4, a quick-release plate can make a huge difference to the ease of use of these machines.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The setup of the Halot-X1 was probably one of the quickest of any resin 3D printer that I’ve used. Essentially, all I needed to do was remove the packaging, make sure everything was in place, switch it on, pour the resin into the tank, and press go. There’s a single model pre-installed onto the system, and as I just pressed play, after no more than 10 minutes of set-up, the Halot-X1 got to work printing.

The initial print took a few hours to run through, and from the intricate network of support material, I could already see the quality of the print within. While there was quite a bit of support structure, it was all very fine and detailed.

Once the print had finished, I pulled the platform away from the printer, twisted the two handles on the side and the print dropped the short distance into the wash basket. It was then left to wash for around 30 minutes. On removing the print, the support structure was removed relatively easily, revealing an extremely detailed print below.

This is, of course, the highly optimised print that comes with the printer, so I did expect it to be exceptionally good, and thankfully, it was. Despite my choice of resin color, the detail and quality of the modelling really stood out. It is a bit of a shame that only one test model is included on the machine, I would’ve liked two or three, just to test out what the machine was capable of before trying my own options.

However, switching over to Halot Box and loading in my first few test prints, I transferred them to the machine via a USB stick, due to the fact that I was having some initial connection issues between the machine and my network. That issue seemed to be resolved later on through a firmware update.

As the first few prints emerged, I was once again struck by just how quick and easy this was. I think taking out the step where you have to use a spatula to extract your prints, which can often be a really messy process, just makes using the printer much easier. You still need gloves and eye protection, but it's far easier than with most other printers.

I’ll also say that I always use these printers in an extremely well-ventilated room. So while there might have been some fumes coming from the resin, there was a constant draught of air through the workshop to ensure that those fumes didn’t hang around. And actually, with a fully sealed environment, it did appear that the fumes inside this machine are well contained.

Alongside the printer, I also had the AFU unit, which should’ve enabled me to use the auto resin filling option. To be honest, the AFU unit looks great. However, once I plugged it in and tried to install a Creality resin bottle, I found that the height of the bottle wasn’t sufficient for the tube. Then, when I tried to adjust the tube, I found I couldn’t get a decent seal for the screw cap onto the resin bottle. Eventually, I realised this wasn’t the correct bottle to use with the system.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Trying out a few other options and bottles that correctly fit the cap, I still couldn’t get the system to feed properly. So in the end, I just left it aside, something I’ll take a look at again at a later date.

Ultimately, now with several litres of resin poured through the system, and lots of characters and small prototype objects printed, I’m impressed, firstly by the speed, and secondly by the pure accuracy of the prints. There’s a high quality to the finish, and the surface detail was really well produced. There were a few situations where the support structure was missing, it obviously started to print, but then got stuck at some point, only to partially reappear on a later overhang. But this was rare, and always easy to clear from the main print.

When it came to straight lines and the visibility of layers, the fine resolution really does make a difference, and the final print is as close to injection moulding as I’ve seen from any resin printer at this price. So if you’re looking for a resin 3D printer for modelling, small production runs, or printing miniatures, then, actually, for the price, this is the best option I’ve yet seen.

Piocreat Halot-X1: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

This is the first of the Piocreat Halot-X machines that I’ve seen, and it’s a really good start, although they do have a foundation with the Creality Halot machines, which I was extremely impressed with in the past. The new mechanism and design really do seem to work, and I like the fact that it has such a small form factor compared with the older machines.

But for me, the real winner here is that new build plate, just a simple twist action to release the 3D print makes a huge difference, not only in time but in the amount of mess and faff that can be involved with resin 3D printing.

Extracting the print from the build platform is one of my pet hates with these machines, and the fact that they’ve actually come up with a very good and simple solution makes a huge difference.

Then there’s the auto-levelling system, which also just seems to work. I’ve printed several litres of resin through the Halot-X1, and while on a couple of occasions the resin has run low and needed refilling, the success rate has been exceptionally good. I’ve only seen a few incidents where the support structure has failed, with the usual odd gaps in the print, but those have been rare. For the most part, I’ve had a near 100% success rate on the printing process.

There’s still the issue of having to clean and cure the print afterwards. If you just want a quick and easy solution, then don’t use resin, go directly to FFF. However, if you want the best possible detail from your prints, and as close to injection moulding as you can get, then this is a superb option. If you’re printing miniatures or jewellery designs, then the fine detail and accuracy make this a superb option.

Should You Buy the Piocreat Halot-X1?

Value:

High-quality resin printers don’t come cheap, but for the quality of detail and build, this is exceptionally well priced

4

Design:

This is the first generation of this innovative design, but it does appear to work, despite a few small quirks.

4.5

Features:

One of the great things about resin printers is their relative simplicity, and here the refinement of levelling and the build platform make a huge difference.

4

Performance:

The detail is as good as any, and the speed sits around the mid-range, giving a good, balanced approach to this new resin printer.

4.5

Total:

As one of the first Piocreat 3D printers I’ve looked at, I have to say it’s extremely impressive — especially considering the size and price.

4.5

Buy it if...

You want high‑detail prototyping

You regularly print miniatures, jewellery prototypes, dental models, or other parts where ultra‑fine resolution matters.

You're a regular user

If you need a reliable, compact resin 3D printer, the quick-release build plate just makes it easier to use.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

You want a cheaper resin printer and don’t need 16K resolution or the extra automation.

You hate a messy workflow

Resin printing always demands cleaning, ventilation, and materials handling. If you prefer plug‑and‑play with minimal fuss, an FDM machine might be better.

For more essential crafting tools, I tested the best 3D printers and best laser engravers

The Piocreat Halot-X1 is an MSLA resin 3D printer that offers 16K resolution and one of the first true level-three designs. The build area is pretty decent considering its relatively compact footprint, and with auto resin feeding and a quick-release build plate, this printer marks a pivotal point in resin 3D printing.

Dell 16 Plus: Two-minute review

Dell’s 16-inch laptop lineup has become a staple in the company’s catalog, known for striking a balance between portability and performance. Offering both 14- and 16-inch display options, these devices typically deliver reliable build quality with a design that feels solid yet travel-friendly. Most importantly, the line of laptops usually comes at an aggressively affordable price. The same goes for the latest Dell 16 Plus, one of the best Dell laptops you can buy today.

Starting at $799 / £1,454.23 / $1,598, the 16 Plus features the latest Intel Lunar Lake chips, up to 32GB RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage.

Other features include a full QWERTY keyboard and number pad, a 16-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an FHD webcam with privacy slider, and more. Of course, internal components can be pushed a little higher for additional cost.

For those who are always on the move and need a truly portable device, the Dell 16 Plus delivers with a relatively lightweight build at around four pounds. When closed, it measures under an inch thick, making it easy to slip into most backpacks without adding bulk.

This makes it one of the best student laptops for those who need more screen real estate, or someone who needs a laptop to do occasional web browsing, word processing, number crunching, and some light media needs on the creative or consumption front. The low price comes at the cost of missing features like an SD card reader slot or even a touchscreen display.

Anyone looking to watch the occasional YouTube or Netflix video or listen to music while plugging away, the 16 Plus is a bit of a mixed bag. When it comes to the display, as mentioned earlier, the 120Hz refresh rate display is beautiful to look at despite lacking HDR.

The 2.5K (2560 x 1600) resolution does a fine job in making text and images clear and legible. Meanwhile, eye strain is reduced thanks to ComfortView Plus and TUVRheinland certification. When it comes to audio quality, it might be best to use external speakers or headphones, especially if in a loud room.

Though the lower and mid volume levels allow for some nice sonic nuance, that falls apart at higher volume levels. It doesn’t help that overall bass is on the weaker side of things as well.

Adding to the portability is a solid battery that Dell promises will work up to 20 hours. However, our tests didn’t show that much battery life, the results were still good enough for most people.

Overall, the Dell 16 Plus stands out as a solid mid-range option for users who value portability, respectable performance, and a budget-conscious price point, even rivaling those of the best laptops on the market. While it may fall short for power users or gamers, its sleek build, reliable battery life, and sharp display make it a worthy companion for everyday productivity and media tasks.

Dell 16 Plus: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much does it cost? Starting at $799 / £1,455 / $1,598

When is it available? Available now

Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia from Dell.com and other retailers

Available now, the Dell 16 Plus can be purchased from Dell’s online store alongside other retailers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. There are also a variety of options at different price points as well.

Starting in the U.S., the 16 Plus can be purchased between $799 and as high as $1,299 with the same GPU and display spread across them. Our review unit sat at the lowest cost while the mid-priced configuration rounded out at around $949.99. That’ll net potential buyers an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, 32GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. At the highest pricepoint comes an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage packed in.

Interested buyers living in the UK have a slew of customization options that’ll range between £1,454.23 and £2,143.61. The lowest-end model comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, integrated Intel Arc, 16GB and 512GB SSD storage. Interestingly enough, the lowest price point lacks a backlit keyboard and fingerprint scanner. The highest priced configuration comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265U, Integrated Intel Graphics, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Also, this tier also allows for a touchscreen as well.

Finally, Australian citizens have a few options, including an AU$1,598 configuration with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. The highest option at AU$2,197 has an Intel Core Ultra9 288V, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. Both of those configurations have the same Integrated Intel Arc Graphics GPU and 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display.

Compared to other ultra-thin laptops, including the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition and MacBook Air, the Dell 16 Plus is the most affordable option at its base level while offering similar performance.

If you want the macOS experience and don’t mind losing about an inch of display real estate, the MacBook Air might be a better option. On the flip side, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition performs nearly the same.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Dell 16 Plus: Specs

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The Dell 16 Plus is available in several configurations and options.

Dell 16 Plus (Review)

Dell 16 Plus (Mid Configuration)

Dell 16 Plus (Highest Configuration)

Price:

$799.99

$949.99

$1,299.98

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 8 cores

Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, 8 cores

GPU:

Intel Arc 140V (8GB)

Intel Arc 140V (8GB)

Intel Arc 140V (8GB)

RAM:

16GB LPDDR5X

32GB LPDDR5X

32GB LPDDR5X

Screen:

16-inch 2560x1600

16-inch 2560x1600

16-inch 2560x1600

Storage:

1TB

1TB

2TB

Ports:

1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port

1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery

1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery

1 HDMI 2.1 port

1 Universal Audio jack

1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port

1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery

1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery

1 HDMI 2.1 port

1 Universal Audio jack

1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port

1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery

1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery

1 HDMI 2.1 port

1 Universal Audio jack

Wireless:

Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card

Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card

Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card

Camera:

1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones

1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones

1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones

Weight:

3.96 pounds

3.96 pounds

3.96 pounds

Dimensions:

Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)

Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)

Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)

Dell 16 Plus: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Fairly boring design helped by nice portability
• Full numberpad alongside keyboard
• An SD card slot would have been nice to have

The Dell 16 Plus features a chassis made with sustainable materials like recycled and low-emissions aluminum, recycled steel and ocean-bound plastics. For the envornmentally-conscious individual, they’ll be happy to know that the laptop has EPEAT Gold with Climate+ and ENERGY STAR certification.

Though the colorway may look a bit boring with the silver chassis with a gray keyboard, it goes a long way toward being more functional than sleek. The Dell 16 Plus weighs around four pounds, and when closed is about an inch thick. The top display half has a Dell logo, and the bottom does feature a rubber strip which raises the laptop at a slight angle for comfort.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

On the sides is where users will see various ports. A singular USB-A and headphone jack on the right while the left side has duel USB-C ports and HDMI port. The left side also has a small LED light to give battery status when charging as well. Unfortunately, there isn’t an SD card slot which means users are going to need an adapter for more creative tasks.

Once open, users are going to notice the 16-inch display which has a standard FHD webcam with a manual privacy slider at the top. The bottom portion of the display is connected to two hinges that fold back to 180 degrees. Regardless of what angle the laptop is in, it’s pretty sturdy.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad, offers a satisfying typing experience with well-balanced tactile feedback and minimal noise.

Integrated into the top-right corner of the number pad is a fingerprint scanner that also serves as the power button, working reliably in everyday use. The trackpad is impressively smooth and responsive, making navigation feel seamless—though the physical click could be more refined.

• Design: 4 / 5

Dell 16 Plus: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• General performance, like web browsing and co-pilot AI, is fast and smooth
• There are several performance settings in the Dell Optimizer app
• Not good for heavy creative workloads or AAA gaming

Dell 16 Plus benchmarks

Here's how the Dell 16 Plus performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

GeekBench 6 (single-core): 2,718; (multi-core): 10,914
3DMark Night Raid: 32,114; Time Spy: 4,065; Steel Nomad: 624
Crossmark Overall: 1,691; Productivity: 1,641; Responsiveness: 1,276; Creativity: 1,916
Civilization VII (1600p, High): 19 fps; (1080p, High): 36 fps
Web Surfing Battery Informant: 13 hours 3 minutes

During my time with the Dell 16 Plus, I was impressed by its ability to handle demanding multitasking without noticeable slowdowns, even with 20 to 30 Google Chrome tabs open.

Whether I was drafting this review in Google Docs or managing projects in Asana, everything ran smoothly. The laptop also performed well when launching apps like Tidal, Microsoft Mahjong, and even Adobe Photoshop.

In terms of creative workloads, Photoshop handled high-resolution images comfortably, though performance dipped when working with numerous complex layers.

Similarly, Premiere Pro worked well for 1080p editing, but more demanding 4K projects introduced occasional lag and slowdown. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a fairly powerful mobile CPU that works well with the 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage.

As with many Intel Arc GPUs, the Dell 16 Plus faces some limitations in gaming compatibility, especially with older titles and newer AAA releases.

Given the 2.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, don’t expect demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to run smoothly on the integrated GPU, which offers around 8GB of VRAM.

However, CPU-driven games like Sid Meier’s Civilization VII fared better, averaging around 59 FPS on medium settings at 1080p and approximately 37 FPS at native 2.5K resolution.

Naturally, performance dropped further when pushed to high settings at either resolution.

It’s a shame as the display looks fantastic with crips characters and text that are easily readable and that ultra smooth 120Hz refresh rate that looks outstanding in motion.

Image quality is great as well, despite lacking HDR as colors look bold, contrast is nice alongside brightness. Users who want to watch the occasional YouTube video and Netflix movie have something they can champion between work-focused tasks. Helps that the display is compatible with Dolby Vision as well.

Through the Dell Optimizer app, there are four settings for thermal management, including one optimized through AI.

During heavy Google Chrome usage, we noticed the bottom half of the laptop wasn’t too warm, and the fan noise wasn’t loud. The rest of the settings include cool, quiet, and ultra performance.

As I mentioned earlier, the 16 Plus is an adequate mid-tiered laptop that’ll work great for people who just need something to browse the web and do lighter, more general tasks, just expect too much from it.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Dell 16 Plus: Battery life

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Average battery life is around 13 hours

During our week and some days span with the Dell 16 Plus, rigorous daily use meant that I was able to get a real feel for how battery life would work on the laptop.

Though Dell promises up to 20 hours, we were able to squeeze 13 hours on one charge. A lot of that has to go with the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V alongside Dell’s Optimizer, which does a great job of balancing performance and power usage.

For sure, the 16 Plus will be more than enough for bi-coastal travelers and could technically make a flight from Los Angeles to London with a few hours to spare.

While working on the laptop during a full day, I only needed to charge it once through one of the USB-C ports on the left side. To charge from around 0 percent to around 50, it took around 40 minutes with a little under two hours to fully charge. When it comes to battery life, the 16 Plus holds its own among the best available at the moment.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Dell 16 Plus?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Notes

Rating

Value

The $799 starting price works wonders for anyone looking for a quality Windows laptop that’s seriously portable.

4.5 / 5

Design

A boring looking laptop, the Dell 16 Plus, is thin, lightweight and also offers a number pad to its keyboard. Just understand this doesn’t have an SD Card slot and only one USB-A.

4 / 5

Performance

Performance is pretty standard when it comes to general computing tasks. Apps like Google Chrome and Tidal open quickly. Just understand its heavier creative tasks and higher tier gaming performance. A shame considering the display can run 120Hz.

4 / 5

Battery

Battery life is really great on the laptop thanks to a great CPU and accompanying software from Dell. Even charging to full doesn’t take too long.

4 / 5

Final rating

4 / 5

Buy the Dell 16 Plus if...

You need an affordable general tasks laptop
The Dell 16 Plus performs well for anyone who wants to do activities from multi-tab Google Chrome browsing to light photo editing for a sub-$800 price tag.

You want a lightweight design with a full keyboard
The laptop design is around four pounds and less than an inch tall when closed. A full keyboard with ten-key numpad makes this one of the best in its class.

You’d like a nice display
The 16-inch, 120Hz display looks great when trying to lightly edit photos, handle general computing tasks, and some light gaming for titles with low-level visual fidelity.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a better webcam
The Full-HD webcam isn’t the best in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios, and there aren't many software features, though the manual privacy slider is a nice touch.

You’d like something a bit more powerful
Users who want to do more heavy lifting in the gaming department to make better use of that 2.5K display running at 120Hz may be a bit disappointed.

You need better speakers
The speakers lack some serious bass and sound fairly hollow. Unless you want to get some external speakers or headphones, you'll be disappointed.

Also Consider

If my Dell 16 Plus review has you considering other options, here are two other laptops to consider...

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition
A slightly more expensive option is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, which outclasses the Dell 16 Plus's audio/visual capabilities while offering a touchscreen. Of course, that’s if users can get past some design issues.

Read the full Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition review

Apple Macbook Air 15-inch (M4)
Creatives looking for a lightweight and affordable laptop may find the MacBook Air 15-inch a great option, so long as you're OK with losing an inch in display real estate and lack of Wi-Fi 7.

Read the full Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review

How I tested the Dell 16 Plus

• Tested for around a week and a half
• I used productivity and creative apps like Google Chrome, Tida, and Adobe Suite
• Played lighter-weight games through Xbox Gamepass

I spent about a week testing the Dell 16 Plus, using it daily to get a solid sense of its performance and everyday functionality.

I used TechRadar's standard suite of benchmarks, including 3DMark, CrossMark, and built-in gaming benchmarks for games like Civilization VII.

Most of my work was done through Google Chrome, which gave me easy access to tools like Google Docs, Gmail, Asana, and Slack.

To evaluate the audio and display quality, I streamed music through Tidal and watched several YouTube videos, both of which helped showcase the system's speaker and vibrant screen.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed November 2025

The Dell 16 Plus provides a solid mid-tier laptop experience through and through.

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(Image credit: Brynn Anderson)

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