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A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, February 15 (game #349).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #350) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Flour power

NYT Strands today (game #350) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• PEND
• GLUE
• CULT
• BRICK
• PEAT
• CHEER

NYT Strands today (game #350) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Gut friendly

NYT Strands today (game #350) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 6th row

Last side: right, 2nd row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #350) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #350, are…

• ALMOND
• CORN
• RICE
• BUCKWHEAT
• TAPIOCA
• CHICKPEA
• SPANGRAM: GLUTEN FREE

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 hints

An educational Strands for me as I didn’t know there were so many GLUTEN FREE flours – CHICKPEA I knew about, but the others were news to me, especially TAPIOCA, as I associate that with the world’s most disgusting pudding (fight me, tapioca fans).

Originally I thought that we were just looking for cakes, as the first three words I got were ALMOND, CORN and RICE, and it took me BUCKWHEAT before I realized otherwise.

Right, this has made me feel hungry and in need of a power up.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 15 February, game #349)

• SHARKS
• JETS
• DEVILS
• WILD
• AVALANCHE
• LIGHTNING
• SPANGRAM: HOCKEY TEAM

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

• X86-P6 Pocket is a palm-sized NAS with up to 32TB of storage
• It supports four SSD slots and up to 32GB of DDR5 memory
• There's also flexible storage options and network connectivity

In recent years, mini PCs have evolved into compact yet powerful computing solutions, with some models now small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

One such device is the X86-P6 Pocket, a network-attached storage (NAS) system measuring just 100 x 100 x 58.5mm. Despite that small footprint, it supports up to four M.2 2280 SSDs, allowing for a total storage capacity of 32TB.

Though this sounds great, performance is limited by the Intel Twin Lake processor, which has only nine PCIe 3.0 lanes, which means using all four SSD slots restricts speeds to PCIe 3.0 x1 per drive, whereas opting for a single SSD enables PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.

Processing power and memory options

The X86-P6 Pocket NAS is available with either an Intel N150 or a Core 3 N355 processor and supports up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 memory via a single SODIMM slot.

For connectivity, the system includes two 2.5 GbE LAN ports (Intel i226-V), two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports with 10 Gbps speeds, and two HDMI 2.0 outputs. It also features an M.2 B-Key slot that supports WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 modules, along with Bluetooth.

To manage heat, the NAS' compact design has an aluminum radiator and an active cooling system with a fan beneath the mainboard. The top cover also has screw holes, allowing for an additional fan install.

The barebones model with an Intel N150 processor is priced at around $200, while the Core 3 N355 version costs approximately $315. Users can choose a pre-configured model with storage and memory or opt to install on their own.

Via Liliputing

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• A report claims that Apple has stumbled with Siri’s big AI rollout
• The company is apparently facing ‘engineering problems’ and bugs
• Ironing all this out may mean the revamped Siri doesn’t make the seemingly intended cut for iOS 18.4

Apple is reportedly struggling with its much-awaited major revamp of Siri and may have to push back the upgrade until iOS 18.5 in May.

That's according to seasoned Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who claims "engineering problems and software bugs" may further delay the overhaul, which was set to give the assistant more far-reaching AI powers driven by Apple Intelligence.

If you cast your mind back to WWDC 2024, Apple revealed a huge AI upgrade for Siri, some of which came into play last year, but other more complex abilities are still in the works.

Citing "people with knowledge of the matter", Gurman reports that this functionality is proving more difficult to implement than expected and that some of these in-depth features are apparently not working consistently enough. That includes some of the more impressive powers demonstrated by Apple previously, such as having Siri scour across emails and text messages to find a relative’s flight and lunch reservation plans, to pick a specific example highlighted by Gurman.

More broadly, Gurman’s sources paint a picture of Apple’s engineers “racing” to finish these AI features. The original plan was supposedly to launch the upgraded Siri in iOS 18.4 – an update rumored for April 2025 (the beta should be imminent, in fact) – but now, that might be pushed back to May (in iOS 18.5 seemingly), or even later.

Some, or all, of these heavyweight AI powers for Siri might be held back, so we could potentially see a smattering of new abilities in iOS 18.4 – but it’s sounding very up in the air still, especially considering this is a relatively close timeframe now.

Gurman also theorizes that another option for Apple could be to include the new AI features for Siri in iOS 18.4, but switched off by default – presumably a ‘use at your own risk’ kind of scenario. Apple might then choose to fully enable them (by default) in the next release of iOS, when any final gremlins are ironed out, presumably.

One way or another, it sounds like Siri getting fully upgraded with all the AI features Apple promised is looking a shakier prospect in the nearer-term – assuming Gurman's sources are accurate, of course.

(Image credit: Future) Analysis: Apple device owners are running thin on patience

What are these AI powers, you might be wondering? To recap on the WWDC reveal, they include some major pieces of the puzzle to really power up Siri, including awareness of what’s on the screen of the device (to use this info in context, when interacting with the user), and deeper integration with apps to facilitate better control over this software.

A more personal experience and a whole bunch of new tricks should be possible, including the ability described by Gurman above pertaining to the relative’s reservation plans.

The problem is that some Apple fans are increasingly eager to actually try out some of the compelling features for Siri that were demonstrated by Apple the best part of a year ago now. Just in the past week, we've written about how the iOS 18.4 beta promises to include the Siri upgrade we've been waiting for and that iOS 18.4 could be the biggest iPhone upgrade ever.

So far, we’ve been treated to a smart new interface for the assistant, and those ChatGPT chops, but there’s nothing that heralds the arrival of the all-new, much more powerful AI that we were promised by Apple at its big developer conference last year.

The danger is that if iOS 18.4 turns up, and Siri is again left standing still on the AI front, people will start to lose patience here. And not only that, but a sluggish deployment of these AI features will reinforce the impression of Apple as lagging behind the rest of the tech industry in the artificial intelligence field.

To be fair to Apple, when it revealed Siri’s new AI functionality at WWDC last year, for the more complex features, the company didn’t promise anything in terms of delivery beyond a rollout over the course of 2025.

That tentativeness may itself have been a hint that Apple wasn’t confident in a delivery timeframe, and realized the complexity of actually implementing all this stuff so it works well.

As ever, this is just chatter from the rumor mill, so take it with some skepticism, although Gurman is certainly one of the more reliable journalists out there when it comes to insider info from Apple. We'll presumably find out soon, with a new iPhone tipped for release next week and possibly some iOS news around the same time.

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The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus builds on the success of the Delta 2, featuring the latest LiFePO4 battery technology for enhanced durability, safety, and performance. This portable power station is designed for users seeking a versatile power solution for various scenarios. While it excels as an all-around device, significant upgrades in design, an excellent array of ports, and an ideal size for portability make this model stand out.

Having spent considerable time working with the best portable power stations, the Delta 3 Plus is nearly perfect for most users' needs. Although it's not large enough to comfortably power an entire house—something EcoFlow does offer with larger models designed for whole-home backup systems—it's intended for easy transport, or dare I say, to be portable. It's perfect for camping, use at a cabin, providing power around a warehouse, enhancing a work truck's capabilities by adding outlets and power, working as your primary power solution for living or working out of a vehicle, and converting solar energy into usable power, among other applications.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Price and Availability

EcoFlow offers the Delta 3 Plus for $799 on their site, but it is currently on sale at the time of writing this for $649, making it an even better deal. While this price gets you a Delta 3 Plus, you could also pick up accessories to expand the capabilities of the power station, such as extra batteries, solar panels, a dual-fuel smart generator, alternator chargers, and more.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus came in a simple box with the essential cables to recharge via AC and DC. Unboxing was incredibly easy; I just pulled the power station and cables out of the box and was good to go. Right away, I remember smiling when I saw the size and port offering, knowing that this was the perfect size for most. Even the design is sleek, modern, and super simple -- in the best way. This power station can easily blend in and fit in most situations, and I have found plenty of scenarios to use this. Thanks to the port layout, the dual handles, and the shape of this unit, I have been able to fit the Delta 3 Plus into many workflows and scenarios without needing to change how I do things -- but more on that later.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Design and Build Quality Specs

Capacity: 1024Wh
Cycle Life: 4000 cycles to 80%
Outputs: 6 AC (1800W continuous, 3600W surge), 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 car port, and 2 DC5521 ports
Charging Options: AC (1500W), solar (500W), car (800W), or smart generator.

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus has a sturdy plastic casing around the IP65-Rated battery. There are integrated cooling systems that ensure optimal performance even when I put a lot of strain on this power station. Additionally, the LED display helps provide clear metrics crucial for performance. This shows battery level, output levels, time left under the current load, etc. This information is also readily displayed on the app; you can connect to it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: In use

I've had quite a bit of fun testing this all around my office, in my Jeep, on the road, in the yard, and the workplace. First of all, it's worth noting that in addition to being a great power station, this is also a seamless UPS with a 10ms switchover time, meaning it can be relied on for even critical devices that cannot lose power or have any downtime. With this in mind, I tested it a few times and simulated my power outage. My router could stay powered on without any blips, the same as my modem, computer, monitor, lights, and anything else I had plugged into it.

I recently built a giant playhouse/swingset in my backyard with my father. We had to keep drill batteries charged to swap to new ones during this time. With the Delta 3 Plus, I could have power out at the job site without running a crazy long extension cord from my house.

Another area I have been using the Delta 3 Plus is as a UPS and power station for my home office. Thanks to that 10ms switchover time, I have been more than confident to trust this to run things such as my Wi-Fi router and modem, my main workstation, which has a monitor, my chargers to keep all my gear juiced up, my Plex Server, my Synology Bee Station that holds a backup of my client data, my Apple TV, and more. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus can power it easily, pulling whatever power it needs off the wall to transfer to my gear and keep my vital tech running. Additionally, if the power goes out, it can keep my gear running for the duration of the battery (which would vary in time based on what I have plugged in) while staying quiet and without dropping power to my essential devices.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Final verdict

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus strikes an excellent balance between power, portability, and advanced features. While limited accessory compatibility may deter some users, its rapid charging, robust construction, and quiet operation make it a top choice for diverse power needs. Whether you're an adventurer, a homeowner preparing for outages, or a professional requiring portable energy, this power station delivers dependable performance.

For more portable power, we tested out the best laptop power banks.

• HP’s $4299 EliteBook X G1a packs 128GB RAM, Ryzen AI 9, and Radeon 890M
• Offers AI-ready power, security features, and enough memory for massive models
• It's a Windows powerhouse for those who don't want a Mac

HP has quietly introduced a new $4299 laptop that comes with a whopping 128GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM.

The EliteBook X G1a (or, to give it its full name, the HP EliteBook X G1a 14 inch Notebook Next Gen AI PC Wolf Pro Security Edition) is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 processor featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum boost clock of 5.1 GHz.

It includes AMD Radeon 890M graphics and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC SSD. This makes it powerful enough for even the most intensive tasks, like running a 70B-120B parameter LLM locally.

(Image credit: HP) Solid choice for Windows users

The 14-inch laptop has a 2.8K OLED touchscreen with 100 percent sRGB color accuracy, IPS technology, BrightView, and a brightness rating of 400 nits. It also features HP Eye Ease for reduced blue light exposure. Audio is handled by Poly Studio, with quad stereo speakers that include discrete amplifiers, along with integrated dual-array microphones.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB-C at 40Gbps, one USB Type-C at 10Gbps, an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A port, and a headphone/microphone combo.

As you can guess from its name, it comes with HP Wolf Pro Security Edition (for three years), with security features such as HP Sure Platform, HP Tamper Lock, and a fingerprint sensor.

The system is powered by a 74.5Wh battery and comes with a 100W USB-C slim adapter. The chassis measures 12.29 x 8.45 x 0.36 inches at the front and 0.52 inches at the rear, with a starting weight of 3.3 pounds.

One of the key challenges in AI computing, and large-scale data processing in general, is having enough memory to keep up with the increasing demands of complex models. Most consumer laptops max out at 64GB RAM, often pushing users toward workstations. HP’s portable powerhouse addresses this gap while looking good doing it.

With its 128GB of fast memory, a capable processor, and speedy storage, HP’s new laptop looks to be a solid rival for Apple’s highest-end 14-inch MacBook Pro. While I personally think Apple’s product just about wins the battle, the EliteBook X G1a will be a great choice for anyone who prefers Windows.

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Doctors prescribed "absolute rest" for Pope Francis, the Vatican said Saturday, a day after the 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital following a weeklong bout of bronchitis.

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The in-form Parisians travel north to face midtable Les Violets.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission moved to drop a suit on behalf of a worker allegedly fired for his sexual orientation and gender identity, arguing the case conflicts with President Trump's executive order.

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Mike White's hit series is back for another wild vacation.

The Book Of Clarence at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Jan. 5, 2024.'/>

The suit was initially filed in October, claiming that the woman was lured by a limousine driver outside the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards and assaulted by the two rappers at an after-party.

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Two improving sides meet at Selhurst Park.

Eureka Ergonomic is a company I had not heard of until about a year ago. I've gotten to know them better. I've had the opportunity to try out the Eureka Ark standing desk and the Eureka Serene ergonomic office chair. Both have been great and have given a great insight into Eureka Ergonomic as a company.

Both of those products have shown me that Eureka Ergonomic is a company that cares about making premium products that are just as beautiful pieces as they are functional. To put it another way, you wouldn't find Eureka creating the classic and infamous cube shelf system sold at every budget store. But they would make a gorgeous bookshelf system out of walnut. While their gear looks premium and high-quality, they also want to reach the cheaper product market. For example, this is a premium leather chair, but it's currently on sale for only $400. It's slightly different from a lot of the best office chairs I've reviewed - but that's arguably part of its charm.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Price and Availability

The Eureka Ergonomic Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair is sold for $700 on their website and is currently on sale for $400.

Eureka sells the Royal through its website (click here), Amazon, and select retailers. The Eureka Royal is available now and has four "interest-free installment" options via Shop Pay for those who need an option other than paying full price.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair came well-packaged with secure padding to prevent any damage to the chair. Eureka included any necessary tools for assembly (such as the hex key) within the box, helping to ensure that my assembly time was around 12 minutes without any hiccups or issues.

At first glance, after the assembly was complete, this chair looked a bit bougie, but then I remembered the price and realized it was very nice for the price. It looks great and is my first time sitting in the chair; it's comfortable all around.

Granted, the armrests are not what I am used to with ergonomic chairs, nor is there any lumbar support, but this one is wonderful for a padded side leather chair.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Design and Build Quality Specs

Material: Microfiber Leather
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Seat Height: 19.3" - 22.4"
Backrest Recline: 98° - 130°
Armrests: Fixed
Tilt Mechanism: None (limited rocking function)
Headrest: Adjustable
Warranty: 2 years (upholstery), 3 years (other parts)

Most ergonomic office chairs have a very similar look. They distinguish themselves with certain features, upgrades, fancier armrests or headrests, etc. The Eureka Ergonomic Royal, however, has a very different look. It stands out among all of my other ergonomic office chairs easily. Part of this distinguishability is because of the leather, part of it is because of the lack of a headrest, and part of it is because of the built-in and non-adjustable armrests that are solid and like a wall to the chair and not just an armrest on the arm... that the arm rest rests on...

Regardless of its stand-out design, the Royal has a lovely touch to it. There's a big difference between the old-school, dated, and fake leather executive chairs that are (thankfully) going away slowly but surely and the high quality, or "premium faux leather," of today. Yes, they're both fake leather. However, the quality of the material itself is significantly better here. I don't feel my legs sticking to the chair, nor my arms. I don't feel cold when I sit on it for the first time, and I don't feel like it will make me sweat an absurd amount.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: In use

My team has had this chair in our rotation of chairs for a few months now. At this time, the chair still looks brand new, even though we have used it rigorously. After hours upon hours of use, the plush cushioning still feels very comfortable even for extended use. Additionally, the faux leather I talked about earlier still feels cool without being cold, reducing sweat build-up or sticking to bare skin. The armrests are comfortable, though I do wish I could move them around sometimes. But, then again, when I look at this chair I am not shocked that the armrests don't move, becuase they aren't supposed to. Further, the lumbar support is lacking, though I don't feel pain when I use this chair for long hours, but rather just not supported and relieved in my lower back.

This chair is great for those who are looking for this style chair. If you are looking for an office chair that doesn't look like it's a piece of technology in and of itself, like a lot of the modern office chairs do, then this chair is a fantastic option. If you like the vibe of the classic leather executive office chairs but you don't want the discomfort that came with those, then this chair is for you.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Final verdict

The Eureka Royal Executive Office Chair gives off a luxury chair kind of feel, making it a perfect addition to both home offices and high-end executive spaces. Crafted with attention to detail, this chair boasts a sleek design and robust construction that ensure durability and aesthetic appeal. However, potential buyers who prioritize ergonomic features may find its lack of lumbar support and limited adjustability somewhat of a problem. These missing pieces could cause discomfort during long hours of work, making it essential for those who value optimal ergonomic benefits to consider their needs carefully.

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• Scientists in Germany and France have built a smarter, greener memory tech for devices
• This new SOT-MRAM memory slashes energy use by 50% while boosting efficiency
• It ditches rare metals, making storage cheaper, faster, and more sustainable

A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Mainz, Germany, has collaborated with Antaios, a French company focused on magnetic memory, to develop an energy-efficient memory technology that could slash power consumption in data storage.

The advancement, based on Spin-Orbit-Torque (SOT) Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM), could potentially offer improved efficiency for a range of smart devices, from smartphones to supercomputers.

This breakthrough comes almost a year after Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and TSMC announced their own SOT-MRAM array chip, which was describe as like cache, system memory and storage rolled into one.

Orbital Hall Effect

SOT-MRAM is considered a promising alternative to static RAM due to its lower energy consumption and non-volatile nature. Unlike traditional memory, it uses electrical currents to switch magnetic states, allowing for reliable data storage. Reducing the high input current required for writing data while ensuring compatibility with industrial applications has remained a challenge, so the team at JGU developed a magnetic material incorporating ruthenium as the SOT channel, addressing these issues and improving performance.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, a former postdoctoral researcher at JGU’s Institute of Physics and the lead author of the new study said, "This prototype is unique and could revolutionize data storage and processing. It not only aligns with global goals to reduce energy consumption but also paves the way for faster and more efficient storage solutions."

The technology cuts energy consumption by over 50%, boosts efficiency by 30%, reduces input current by 20%, and ensures data retention for over ten years, the team claims.

The research relies on the Orbital Hall Effect, which allows for higher energy efficiency without depending on rare or expensive materials. Traditional SOT-MRAM relies on the Spin Hall Effect, which requires elements with strong spin-orbit coupling, such as platinum and tungsten.

"In contrast, our approach takes advantage of a novel fundamental phenomenon by using orbital currents derived from charge currents through the Orbital Hall Effect, eliminating the dependence on expensive and rare materials," Gupta said.

The study, titled “Harnessing orbital Hall effect in spin-orbit torque MRAM” was published in Nature Communications.

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Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: two-minute review

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are wireless gaming earbuds made for playing on the go thanks to their slender form and useful mobile-related features.

They certainly make a good first impression, with the elegant appearance of both the case and the earbuds themselves standing out. The AirPod-like stalks help on that front too, with the added benefit of making them easy to handle.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are also very well-made, on par with the best gaming earbuds around. The hinge of the case is strong, as is the magnetic pull to keep the buds inside. This can make getting them out a little difficult, but it’s a compromise I’m okay with.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be configured and customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. This has some useful features, including plenty of touch control assignments, but I didn’t find it to be the most stable app in my experience, with connectivity issues and failed firmware updates proving a real thorn in its side.

As wireless gaming earbuds go, the audio quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is quite good. Sound is admirably rendered across the frequency spectrum, although the highs lack the pristine clarity found in high-end consumer-grade earphones. It’s also a shame that the ANC isn’t all that powerful either. However, the THX profile does help to create a greater sense of space with its surround sound effect, while the bass enhancement bolsters the low end without introducing too much distortion. The microphone quality is also good, if not the best in class.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t great, lasting a couple of days according to my tests. Charging the case takes just over two hours, which again isn’t anything to boast about. However, the case charges the earbuds themselves quite quickly, meaning you won’t have to wait long to top them up.

With its competent sound and highly engineered design, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are a solid pair of wireless gaming earbuds. But while the sound is good, it’s not enough to make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed stand with the very best gaming earbuds on this front. At this price, you would also expect greater comfort levels, better software, and fewer glitches. Better value earbuds are out there, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds and the Sony Inzone Buds.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: price and availability

• $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95
• Available now in black and white
• More expensive than the best gaming earbuds

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds cost $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95 and are available now in two colorways: black and white. They come with Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless USB dongle, as well as a charging cable and three different sizes of silicone tips.

At this price, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are some of the most expensive gaming earbuds around. They’re even the same price as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming headset. With its over-ear design, it’s hardly as portable as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but we found it to have great battery life, high levels of comfort, and superb sound.

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, the best gaming earbuds right now in our view, are less expensive than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, yet they have terrific build quality and sound. We also found the companion app to be flexible and full of useful features.

Then there are the Sony Inzone Buds, which are about the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but offer superb sound and noise cancellation. Naturally, they're compatible with the best gaming console around right now – the PS5 – but they also work great with PC and mobile devices.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: design and features

• Great build quality
• Comfort slightly compromised
• Razer Audio app issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed ooze style. The matt black finish of the case is silky smooth and the engineering of the lid is impressive, opening with ease and closing with a satisfying click. The hinge is also weighted just right, with enough force to keep it securely shut.

In contrast to the case, the earbuds themselves are shiny. They feel equally as well-made, though, and ape the familiar design of Apple’s AirPods, with their long stalks protruding downwards from the drivers. In use, these stalks make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed easy to put in and take out, while the drivers curve inwards, which also helps to secure them in your ear.

However, it can be quite awkward to remove the earbuds from the case, as the lack of divots on either the earbuds themselves or within the case makes it difficult to get a hold of them. And thanks to the strong magnetic slots, turning the case upside down won’t cause the earbuds to drop out with ease. This is a small price to pay for the added security, though.

(Image credit: Future)

Three sets of silicone tips with varying sizes are included to ensure you’ll get the fit right for you. However, regardless of which tip size I tried, I did experience minor aching after extended sessions, as the plastic body of the drivers exerted too much pressure on the inside of my ear canal. For shorter sessions, though, they were perfectly acceptable.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. However, I had multiple issues with the headset failing to connect to the app on my Android device (a Google Pixel 7a). It also failed on numerous occasions to install a firmware update.

Once connected, though, you’ll find Razer Audio offers a range of useful tweaks, including various equalizer presets. The default is THX mode, which isn’t explained in the app, but this is Razer’s spatial audio engine. There’s also a custom profile that lets you boost or reduce multiple points across the entire frequency band as you see fit – a feature lacking in many other companion apps. However, it’s a shame that for PC users the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds don’t integrate with Synapse, Razer’s main peripheral software.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: Performance

• Decent sound
• Weak ANC
• Some connectivity issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds perform admirably for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds. The bass response is strong and there is enough clarity across all frequencies, although overall fidelity isn’t the best, with mild distortion occasionally rearing its ugly head.

The default THX EQ profile suffices for most scenarios, offering a balanced sound. THX is designed to impart a greater sense of positional accuracy, and I did find this to be the case, as audio pans subtly yet effectively to sonically map to your in-game environment.

The bass enhancement profile is also useful in elevating the low end without becoming muddy or overblown. However, I found that the enhanced clarity profile reduced the bass too much, and did little to actually improve fidelity as far as I could tell.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds also have ANC, although I didn’t find this blocked out external sounds all that well, even on the highest setting. There’s also an ambient mode to allow outside noises to come through, which is more effective, letting you hear yourself and other noises in the room clearly.

The microphone on the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is also good, offering sufficient vocal clarity, but it’s not equal to the mics equipped on the best wireless gaming headsets. However, for a set of earbuds, it provides reasonable quality.

Razer Audio can also be used to customize the touch controls, with a generous number of actions available to configure, including a two-second hold, double tap, double tap and hold, and triple tap and hold. These can be assigned to a myriad of playback and call controls, as well as other functions such as ANC toggling. What’s more, each bud can have different assignments for the same action, providing even more flexibility.

(Image credit: Future)

The various touch gestures are reasonably responsive and consistent, although the single press does require a firm hold rather than a mere tap, which makes it less convenient to use in a hurry. Also, the double tap and hold action took a while to perform its assigned functions during my tests.

The various wireless connectivity modes work well for the most part. Using the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle on PC and console is easy, as it’s simply a case of plug and play, requiring no further setup. When using the dongle, I found there was an improvement in sound quality, with enhanced clarity and better low-end response, as well as a decrease in lag compared to Bluetooth.

However, one downside of using the HyperSpeed Wireless method is that you can’t use Razer Audio when connected, as it only works via Bluetooth. This is a major inconvenience for those who like to tweak their settings frequently or on the fly.

Setting up Bluetooth was smooth for the most part, however, there were occasions when the earbuds failed to connect to my Android phone. I also experienced a bizarre issue where the volume reduced considerably when switching back to my mobile from a PC that was connected via the HyperSpeed dongle.

This issue was resolved easily by restarting the Bluetooth connection to my phone, and, hopefully, it’s a glitch that can easily be solved via a firmware update. I had no such problems when connecting to a Nintendo Switch, though, so it’s possible the fault lies with my mobile device.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t impressive, as they just about lasted a couple of days, during which time I switched between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes. Charging the case took over two hours, which is an average performance. The case itself, though, does charge the earbuds themselves quite quickly, and it managed to recharge the earbuds from half to full in about half an hour.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed? Buy it if...

You want numerous features
The ANC might not be anything to boast about, but the various EQ profiles and the customization options for the touch controls are welcome.

You want great build quality
In line with many of Razer’s products, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are built to a very high standard, with both the case and the buds themselves feeling premium and durable.

Don't buy it if...

You want the absolute best sound
Despite doing an admirable job, the sound quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed just can’t compete with larger headsets or earphones designed specifically for audio playback.

You want the best companion app / software
The Razer Audio app is useful when it works, but I found it wasn’t the most stable in my experience, and the fact it doesn’t work when connected via the HyperSpeed dongle is irksome.

Also consider...

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
As the best gaming earbuds around, you can’t really do much better than the Arctis GameBuds. With stellar sound and top-end features such as ANC and IP55 water resistance, they’re hard to beat. And to top it all off, they’re cheaper than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Sony Inzone Buds
As one of the best PS5 headsets, the Sony Inzone Buds have excellent noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life. We did find some issues with Bluetooth connectivity and the bass response wasn’t the best, but they’re still a compelling package nonetheless. They’re also the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full Sony Inzone Buds review

How I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed

• Tested for over a week
• Used on numerous devices
• Extensive gaming experience

I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed for over a week, during which time I used them when playing games, listening to music, and watching video content.

I tried them with an Android phone – more specifically a Google Pixel 7a – as well as a PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. I used both Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle to connect to these devices.

I have been gaming for about 25 years, and have experienced numerous headsets and earbuds during that time. I have also reviewed various gaming headsets and general headphones.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed December 2024.