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Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: One-minute review

The Herman Miller Aeron has had a refresh and is now being marketed as a gaming chair. Now made with ocean-bound plastic, it's essentially exactly the same as its office döppelganger, with slightly different pricing. Still, whether I'm pitting it against those on our best office chairs, or best gaming chairs list, it has to do something really special to get my attention at a whopping $1,805 / £1,371.

The Herman Miller Aeron places itself as a premium, office-style gaming chair with ergonomics placed firmly at the forefront, and really makes an effort to deliver the goods. While it's certainly one of the most comfortable gaming chairs going, and brings a highly adjustable edge to a battle for ergonomic perfection, I can't help but expect a little more for my money.

In the premium gaming chair landscape, there are two kinds to look out for – those with headrests and those without. The Aeron sits firmly in the no-headrest classification, meaning as comfortable, ergonomic and adjustable as it might be, there's no way to kick back and have a nap when it all gets too much. The lack of width adjustability on the armrests is a little disappointing, and it's almost offensive to omit a headrest for the price, especially when you can get ergonomic wonders like the highly adjustable Humanscale Freedom chair for less.

Let's be fair, with a Herman Miller chair you're paying for a known variable. A brand name that's synonymous with comfort, and one you can expense to whatever corporate tower you're currently filing papers in. The Aeron really does exemplify Herman Miller's attention to detail and mechanical prowess, and it does so with time-poor gamers with corporate design sensibilities in mind. I just wish there was somewhere to lay my head and lament all that money I just spent.

(Image credit: Future) Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Price and availability

• List price: $1,805 / £1,371
• Available at the Herman Miller online store
• Available in the UK and US

The Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair comes in two sizes. Unlike its office counterpart, it isn't as configurable and isn't made to order, but it is cheaper. The Herman Miller Office Aeron with chair tilt, adjustable lumbar support, and 3D armrests costs $1,995/£1,558, but you can opt for less adjustability to push that price down a little. The Aeron Gaming chair, however, doesn't confuse us with configuration options. It's a single price point of £1,371 / $1,805.

There's a Herman Miller premium added to whatever configuration you choose, though I appreciate the fact that both sizes come in at the same price. It's also a bit cheaper than the Herman Miller x Logitech Emobdy gaming chair too ($1,995 / £1,570).

Unfortunately, the Herman Miller Aeron is not available in Australia, but UK and US residents can get hold of it on the Herman Miller online store. There are also more height options in the US.

Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Specs Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Design and aesthetics

• Highly adjustable
• Kinda retro corporate design
• Not as configurable as office counterpart

The first thing I noticed getting the Herman Miller Aeron out of the box – fully built might I add – is its retro design. The frame's intense curvature makes it look like it was designed for one of those '60s minimalist mansions. The mesh back and seat mean it could easily blend into a corporate office, but I've never seen mechanisms quite this… liquidious. It's almost like the armrests are melting like a clock in a Dali painting. Still, it's an attractive chair if you're going for that corporate vibe.

There are no colour options, just jet black and that's your lot. There's no option to have bright colour configs like the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum, for example, but it's a lot more refined and unassuming.

As far as adjustable forward tilt and adjustability for something called PostureFit. It's essentially a fancy word for lumbar support, which has a nifty little roller handle that sits behind your back to push it in. While the mechanisms provide an immense amount of movement, it's missing a couple of things that other, cheaper chairs still manage to deliver. Namely, the lack of armrest width adjustability and an actual headrest.

(Image credit: Future) Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Comfort and Adjustability

• Premium feeling mechanisms
• Lacking armrest width adjustability
• Design forces ergonomics on you

There are a few things you want a gaming chair to do, other than be comfortable. You want the mechanisms to be intuitive and safe, you want it to fit against your desk, and you want it to be sturdy. The Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair does all this without any fuss. Sitting in it for a week straight, I can say I've had a blast using it. None of the mechanisms are clunky, and all are relatively intuitive. Their silicon handles give them a nice premium feel, too, and it means they don't slip through your hand while you're using them.

There's a lovely bounce when you sit down in the Aeron that's very satisfying. It's not like the clunk of sitting on your average office chair – there was thought that went into giving it butt suspension. The whole time I've been sitting in it, not once has it felt wobbly or unstable either. There's zero rattle on the arms, which are extremely well-padded and have a fantastic Y-axis rotation. They slide all the way back, too, so you can get right up against the desk. The arms do slide forward without locking which can be a problem for some chairs, but they're nowhere near as easy to trap your fingers with as the Herman Miller Vantum, for example. There's a slow, purposeful step to all the mechanisms that really exemplifies the impressive build quality.

The main problems I've encountered have been with the plastic surrounding the backrest and the bucket-style seat. Due to the lack of a headrest, I've found myself threading my fingers behind my head to make up for it. The issue is that I appear to be just the right height that my shoulder blades then dig into it. It might just be worth checking the exact back height versus where your shoulder blades rest before purchasing – thankfully the chair is the same price whether you choose small, medium, or large.

Similarly, any time I try to tuck my feed up under myself I'm thwarted by the plastic surround on the bucket seat that loops up and around my posterior. Essentially, its ergonomic prowess comes from forcing you to sit in a specific position to keep you from ruining your posture. Clever, though not the best for anyone who sits awkwardly like me.

(Image credit: Future) Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Assembly

The fact the Aeron comes with no assembly necessary is also a blessing, especially if you can't spare the assembly time. For your average gaming chair that could be anything from 30 minutes to an hour. And who has that to spare during a busy day of ergonomic gaming?

Having no assembly necessary bar opening the box and rolling the chair out is convenient but also inspires confidence too: there's no need for you to even attempt at getting bits misaligned or connected wrong, and the experts have done it for you already.

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair? Buy it if...

You stand for impeccable build quality
The Herman Miller Aeron is one of the most sturdy and well-built chairs we've tested. While it's missing arm width adjustment, the suspension, and other mechanisms are fantastic.

You haven't got time to assemble
The Aeron comes fully assembled, which means you don't have to spend the best part of an hour on the floor with an Allen key putting it together.

Don't buy it...

You're trying to save money
Even in its most basic configuration, the Aeron is going to rip your wallet a new one. For less you can get far more adjustable chairs, though you'll forgo the Aeron's superior quality.

You prefer to sit askew
The Aeron is highly ergonomic, and forces you to sit with both legs bolted to the floor. It's for people who are serious about ergonomics.

Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair: Also consider

If you're still not sure whether the Herman Miller Aeron is for you, there are a few other options to consider that are more customisable, and might save you money. As far as premium build quality goes, though, the Aeron is very hard to beat.

Also consider the Herman Miller X Logitech Embody
While the Herman Miller Embody has even less adjustability on the armrests, it at least comes with a lovely headrest and just as much configuration around the rest of the chair. It's a little more on the expensive side, however.

For more information, check out our full Herman Miller X Logitech Embody review.

Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair
A highly configurable office chair alternative, and currently the one sitting at the top of our best office chair list is the Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair. In plain, monochrome colouring, you can get this sturdy beast with a headrest for a lot less.

For more information, check out our full Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair review.

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair

• Tested over the course of a couple of weeks
• Rocking back and forth, playing with the levers
• Pushing it to its limits

Sitting in the chair several times a week for a couple of weeks, I got a good feel for the mechanics by switching them up a lot and trying to push them beyond their limits on purpose. I sat in a range of positions to see how well it coped with awkward sitters. Above, I made comparisons to cheaper chairs that almost match the level of adjustability and customisability of the Aeron and considered what you would need to sacrifice to get more out of an office chair for less money.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024

NPR's Scott Simon accompanied his daughters to the polls, as they voted in their first presidential election.

(Image credit: Vincent Ni)

We look at the various threats sent to polling places on election day this week, as well as the extent to which foreign actors tried to interfere with the presidential election.

• The M4 Mac mini has removable storage, it's been revealed
• It also uses two SSDs for each configuration
• The changes could enable custom upgrades for the Mac

In our Apple Mac mini (M4, 2024) review we described it as potentially the best Mac ever – and certainly the smallest to date – and as users start to pull apart the dinky computer, we're finding even more to like about it.

First up, from an iFixit post (via @MudkipOnYT) we now know the internal SSD storage is modular and can be removed, rather than being soldered to the motherboard. That means there's the potential for custom storage upgrades.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it's worth pointing out that the Mac Studio (M2 Ultra) has a similar storage setup, but custom upgrades are difficult to do: the computer uses Apple's own bespoke SSDs, you can't just slot in any off-the-shelf replacement.

We'll have to wait and see whether upgrades on the M4 Mac mini are as tricky, but Apple fans have already been able to identify the SSD in question and upgrade the Mac mini to 2TB of storage (you can actually get it with as much as 8TB straight from Apple).

Two for one

Partial teardown of M4 Mac Mini /w 16GB RAM & 256GB SSD. Interesting revealation: Wifi chip & antenna on the back of bottom air intake. SSD on a daughter board. And even the base 256GB version comes in two chips. No compromise in speed. Theoretically also end user upgradable. pic.twitter.com/vA2vQwkl7JNovember 8, 2024

While questions remain about just how viable it's going to be to start swapping SSDs in and out – potentially at a lower cost than buying the equivalent configuration from Apple – it's a promising step forward for Mac mini repairability and customization.

The other upgrade over the previous Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023), as spotted by @ohgkg (via MacRumors), is that even the lowest 256GB version makes use of two SSD modules – allowing for faster read and write speeds, compared with a single chip.

As a consequence, there shouldn't be any difference in SSD speeds between the 256GB storage configuration and any other, which is reassuring for those thinking about buying the cheapest M4 Mac mini option direct from Apple.

Again, it's a welcome change, one that we've also seen happen on the 13-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2023). The Apple M4 Mac mini is available to buy now from Apple, with pricing starting at $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the base model.

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Full spoilers follow for Arcane season 2 act 1 and League of Legends' (LoL) extensive lore.

Arcane season 2 has finally debuted on Netflix – and its first three episodes have left us with more questions than answers.

Unfortunately, season 2's next three episodes, which make up act 2, are – at the time of writing – won't be released for another week. Arcane's creative team, then, is making us wait a bit longer to find out what happens next, which means the eight biggest questions I have about Arcane season 2 won't be answered yet.

That won't stop me from offering my thoughts and theories on what's going to happen. Below, I've tried to answer the biggest questions presented by season 2 act 1, as well as revealing when act 2 will be available. Major spoilers follow for season 2's first three entries so, if you haven't watched them yet, read my Arcane season 2 review first and then stream them before reading on.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: when can I watch episode 4 on Netflix?

"Patience, my dear boy! More episodes are coming very soon" (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

Arcane season 2 episode 4 will launch on Netflix on Saturday, November 16.

It won't be the only new installment to air on that date, though. Episodes 5 and 6 will launch alongside it, so you'll have a new trio of chapters to consume soon.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what happens to Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn?

Caitlyn (left) and Sevika (right) duke it out while Vi and Jinx fight off-screen in act 1's final episode (Image credit: Netflix)

I think the question should be what doesn't happen, really.

After they finally track down Jinx in the depths of Zaun, Vi and Caitlyn think they've got the former's younger sister where they want her. However, the pair don't realize they've been lured into a trap. Indeed, after a tense back-and-forth between the estranged sisters, Caitlyn thinks she spots Jinx and, with Vi's "If you see an opening, take the shot" words still ringing in her ears, fires her Hextech rifle towards Jinx. Unfortunately for Caitlyn, she wasn't actually aiming at Jinx – it was her reflection in a circular mirror. Hey, I told you the duo affectionately dubbed 'CaitVi' by Arcane fans had walked into an ambush.

Anyway, tired of playing Jinx's game, Vi engages her sibling in what appears to be a fight to the death. Caitlyn, meanwhile, is blindsided by Sevika's unexpected appearance; Silco's former lieutenant now teaming up with Jinx to take on Vi and her Piltovan ally.

If that isn't loyalty, Isha, I don't know what is (Image credit: Netflix)

No fight in Arcane is straightforward, though. The duels become more complex due to Jayce-led events taking place elsewhere (more on these shortly) that curiously cause Vi, Caitlyn, and Jinx's Hextech-based weaponry to glitch out, malfunction, and – in the case of Jinx's Fishbones rocket launcher – explode.

In the resulting chaos, Caitlyn incapacitates Sevika and, eyeing another opening, fires at Jinx once more. This time, the Hextech-powered bullet shoots off the middle finger on Jinx's left hand and, as a shocked Jinx tries to come to terms with what just happened, Vi pins her down using her Hextech gauntlets and prepares to end her sister's life.

That would be the case, anyway, if a) Jinx's seemingly final words to Vi cause her older sister to freeze and b) Isha, the young girl Jinx is now protecting, bursts from the shadows, grabs Jinx's gun, dives on top of her hero, and holds Vi at gunpoint. Before Isha can pull the trigger, though, Caitlyn shoots the gun out of her hand. Despite Vi's pleas not to shoot a kid, Caitlyn fires two more times – the first bullet bouncing off Vi's gauntlets and the second being fired into the ground when Vi grabs Caitlyn's rifle to deflect it.

I guess this sets up Pit Fighter Vi's arc in season 2 act 2, then... (Image credit: Netflix)

Sensing an opportunity, a recovered Sevika presses a secret button to detonate a bomb, which blows out the back wall and sends a powerful air blast careering through the expansive location they're in. The resulting gust blows 'CaitVi' away and causes numerous powder-colored, wind-powered blasts to erupt from Piltover's street vents – a warning to the City of Progress' leaders that Zaun isn't to be trifled with.

Jinx has escaped – again – and it's an understatement to say Caitlyn isn't happy. Still grief-stricken over her mom's death at Jinx's hands and angry at Vi's paralysis when it came to killing her sister, Caitlyn physically and verbally lashes out at Vi in a heart-breaking scene that parallels that Vi-Powder scene from season 1 episode 3. Caitlyn leaves to return to Piltover, leaving a distraught Vi alone in Zaun's underground network of tunnels.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: where do Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger go?

That's no wild rune... (Image credit: Netflix)

The answer to this query is less clear. After chatting about wild runes (more on this in a bit), they travel to an underground Hexgate gemstone mesh failsafe to get to the *ahem* bottom of the problem that's affecting the tree at the heart of the Firelights' hideout.

Unfortunately, the group can't solve the conundrum. Just minutes after arriving at their destination, the Anomaly – a giant Hexcore-like object – appears before them. Jayce's curiosity gets the better of him and, as the Piltovan councilor-scientific genius touches the metallo-organic object, it appears to cause a rupture in the space between the material and spirit realms; two of many zones that exist in the LoL universe. It's Jayce's contact with the Anomaly that makes the weapons glitch out during Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn and Sevika's fight.

Stop, hammer glitch time! (Image credit: Netflix)

But I digress. A trippy, kaleidoscopic, Doctor Strange-esque scene plays out before a fearful and hasty Jayce tries to destroy the Anomaly with his Hextech hammer. As he strikes it, Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger are abruptly whisked away to an unknown location.

So, where are they? Some fans may think they've traveled to another dimension. Others might theorize they've been sent to the shimmer-addict district of Zaun, which is where Viktor, Jayce's former scientific partner, is now operating. Unfortunately for you, due to spoilers in act 2, which I've already seen, I can't confirm where they've been transported to in one of the best Netflix shows. Don't worry, though, more, if not everything, will be revealed in episodes 5 and 6.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what are wild runes?

Professor Jayce is on the wild rune case! (Image credit: Netflix)

There's more explaining for Arcane to do here. Essentially, though, wild runes are the naturally occurring runes Viktor hypothesized about when he and Jayce were conducting their Hextech research.

As Jayce tells Ekko in episode 3, titled 'Finally Got The Name Right', wild runes are "patterns that occur naturally where the border between Runeterra [the physical world that LoL is set in] and the Arcane is at its thinnest". They don't communicate in the traditional way other runes do, which gives them a natural or raw quality that's more impulsive or animalistic than Hextech runes. Wild runes, as Ekko suggests, are also akin to the Arcane's "fingerprints", which are left across Runeterran locations where the Arcane is more active.

I suspect we'll learn more about wild runes as season 2 progresses. For now, this is as good an explanation as we'll get.

Arcane season 2 act ending explained: what is Viktor's new mission?

Viktor's glorious evolution begins... (Image credit: Netflix)

To end Zaun's suffering and heal its populace. Doing so, however, means humanity has to evolve – and he's already shown how that'll happen by curing some shimmer addicts of their illness and disfigurements, which was teased in Arcane season 2's official trailer.

Every visionary gains their own following – and it seems Viktor has found his in these shimmer addicts (Image credit: Netflix)

Indeed, armed with his new Hexcore-based powers – remember, the Hexcore fused with Viktor in season 2 episode 1, when Jayce used it to save his friend's life – Arcane's iteration of Viktor is fully embracing his 'glorious evolution' ability from LoL; one he believes will help humanity realize its full potential. An idealistic and altruistic plan, sure, but one that may place him in a secondary antagonist role from this point on.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what is Ambessa's end goal?

Ambessa is really starting to sink her claws into Piltover's finest (Image credit: Netflix)

Of all of season 2's individuals – read my Arcane season 2 cast guide for a rundown of its pre-release character list – Ambessa is arguably the most fascinating. How so? Because it's so difficult to pin down what she wants to achieve this season.

I have two theories about her objectives. The first is simple: bring Piltover under Noxus' rule. Ever since Ambessa unexpectedly showed up in the City of Progress in season 1 episode 7, she's been a prominent figure within the corridors of power. Her importance to Piltover's cause has only grown in the wake of Jinx's attack on the nation's council, while her manipulation of key Piltovans, including Salo and Caitlyn, suggests she's puppeting them to help her gain full control of Zaun's more prosperous cousin. The fact that the Noxian warlord can also acquire Hextech while adding Piltover to her expansionist home nation's empire is an added bonus.

Erm, congratulations on another promotion, Caitlyn? (Image credit: Netflix)

My other theory is a bit more complicated. Based on what we've learned about Ambessa, her family, and her role in Noxian high society, it seems all isn't well for Ambessa back home. Indeed, her son is dead and the secret organization (more on them shortly) reportedly behind his demise has stripped Ambessa of what her daughter Mel's assistant Elora describes as "most of her holdings". Reading between the lines, that's got to be money and/or titles.

If Ambessa has effectively been kicked out of Noxus by the aforementioned enigmatic sect, she could be using Piltover – and Caitlyn, who Ambessa installs as Piltover's new commander-in-chief in episode 3's final scene – as a means to an end. That end being, acquiring Hextech and using Piltover's armed forces to stage a coup on Noxus' throne and eradicate those who've harmed her family and brought shame on her.

My guess? Elements of both theories are true, but the latter seems to have greater weight behind it, especially in light of the covert syndicate operating within Noxus and Piltover's shadows. Speaking of which...

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what are Amara and the Black Rose?

(Image credit: Netflix)

Where Amara is concerned, the short answer is she's a member of the Black Rose, aka the clandestine group that pulls Noxus' strings from the shadows.

According to LoL lore, the Black Rose is, without getting into the *ahem* weeds of Runeterra's history, an organization led by Noxian aristocracy who conceal their identities using masks. The group is so secretive that its members don't actually know who else is a part of it. Nevertheless, they covertly guide whoever sits on Noxus' throne – and seemingly have done so for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Nope, that's enough magic-based body horror for me, Arcane... (Image credit: Netflix)

Of course, this begs the question: will the Black Rose be revealed as Arcane's Big Bad? I certainly think so. I wouldn't be surprised if Amara – who isn't dead (in my view, anyway) after her episode 3 run-in with Ambessa – is actually revealed as the series' primary antagonist, albeit someone who's disguised themselves as Amara. It's a magical theory that Arcane fans have had about the show's real villain since its official trailer dropped, and there's nothing to suggest they won't be proven right.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: what is the monster that Singed is creating?

Allow me to introduce you to Warwick, non-League of Legends fanatics (Image credit: Netflix)

That'll be Warwick. Another LoL champion, albeit a monstrous one, Warwick's backstory hasn't been fully explored in the lore of Riot's multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game franchise. Indeed, the only things we know about this creature are he haunts Zaun's grey alleys, is the product of agonizing, alchemical experiments, and preys on criminals to terrorize Zaunites.

As a LoL prequel, though, Arcane appears to answer some big questions about Warwick's origins or, at the very least, retcons aspects of his history. Season 1 episode 8 revealed Singed, the malicious chemist and creator of shimmer who worked for Silco, had commandeered Vander's shimmer-infused corpse – remember, Vi and Powder's surrogate dad died in last season's third episode – and started experimenting on it.

Murk wolves are only native to the most remote corners of Runeterra's north-most continent (Image credit: Netflix)

In January, Arcane season 2's very first clip teased Warwick would make his debut in the hit Netflix series. Five months later, a gorgeous new season 2 poster all but confirmed the fan-favorite character's arrival – and that Singed was using Vander's remains to create Warwick.

Thanks to season 2 act 1, we know this is 100% true. The final scene in this season's premiere showed Singed tracking down two wolves (I actually think it was a two-headed Murk Wolf; creatures that live on Runeterra's northern continent of Valoran and who've been magically altered by runic energy) in a snow-filled location and using his poison to kill them. Episode 2 revealed he was using their body parts, alongside his poison and Vander's corpse, to create Warwick. Lastly, episode 3 contains the aforementioned clip, which shows Singed transfusing his own blood into Warwick before Singed brings his latest creation to life.

The stage is set, then, for Singed to let Warwick loose on Zaun, and I fully expect him to cross paths with Vi and Jinx at some point. Could a potential heart-breaking reunion between the pair and 'Vander' be the reason why Jinx voice actor Ella Purnell "cried" while recording her lines for season 2's final episode? Don't bet against it.

Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: who is Janna?

Hi, Janna! Or, as Jinx calls her, "some wispy wind woman" (Image credit: Netflix)

One of the least important season 2 act 1 questions, but nonetheless a fascinating one to answer.

Another of LoL's many champions, Janna – whose original Shurima-derived name is Jan'ahrem – is a mysterious, wind elemental-wielding spirit. According to the lore within Riot Games' hugely popular videogame franchise, she protects dispossessed Zaunites and, as a beacon of hope for the undercity's population, various murals of Janna can be glimpsed throughout season 2 act 1. The most notable ones are seen in episode 2, titled 'Watch It All Burn', as Viktor walks Zaun's streets, and in 'Finally Got The Name Right' before that entry's primary action sequence.

Given the references to Janna in act 1, can we expect to see her before Arcane ends with its second and final season? I don't think so, but, hey, I've been wrong before!

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It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and as if that didn’t make me feel old enough, the Firefox browser has just turned exactly 20 years old today. Yes, Firefox version 1.0 launched on November 9, 2004 – and I've been using it for almost as long as it's been alive, picking it up in the mid-noughties and loading it onto every computer I’ve used in the years since.

Over all that time, I’ve stuck with Firefox through thick and thin (and Chrome's increasing dominance). It’s clear to me that Firefox has always done a few things far better than rivals like Chrome and Safari – things that those web browsers are unlikely to ever match.

Right from when I started using Firefox, what drew me to it was its strong stance on privacy. It’s always been important to me that my data stays my own and is not sold to anyone else for profit. It’s not always possible to stop that happening, but with Firefox, it’s a whole lot easier.

That’s because Firefox blocks all sorts of trackers that can invade your privacy and follow you around the web. Cookies are isolated to stop them building a detailed picture of you, and Firefox limits access to data that can be used to create a digital “fingerprint” of your browsing habits by less conscientious websites and services.

That’s just scratching the surface of its privacy-protecting features, and I’m still glad to have them at my disposal whenever I use the web.

Chrome’s privacy problem

(Image credit: Growtika / Unsplash)

Take a look at Google Chrome and the contrast is stark. Chrome doesn’t block trackers by default, nor does it offer fingerprint blocking. It monitors the websites you visit and uses this data to send you targeted ads. While you can block some of the topics it identifies, you can’t stop it finding other ad topics to share with websites. It’s going to sell your private data, whether you want it to or not.

While Google has considered implementing pro-privacy features, it’s often backtracked when it became apparent how much that could impact third-party advertisers and data brokers. Just look at the Privacy Sandbox, which Google has watered down significantly, or the way Google often uses so-called dark patterns to lure you into sharing as much of your data as possible.

Ultimately, we shouldn’t be surprised at Chrome’s behavior. Google runs the world’s largest advertising network and has a built-in incentive to violate your privacy (and limit what you can do to stop it). Google’s privacy efforts will always be half-hearted as long as implementing policies that keep your info safe hurt its bottom line. Money talks, after all.

Things are different for Firefox because it’s developed by Mozilla, a group that puts privacy at the forefront of its work. Firefox is open source, too, so you know exactly what you’re getting without having to worry about hidden nasties making it into your browsing experience. In other words, it’s the antithesis of Chrome.

Actions speak louder than words, and Mozilla doesn’t just talk the talk – it follows through on what it promises, even when its features might hurt its ability to make money from its users.

In contrast, it’s clear that this is absolutely not the case with Chrome, and nor will it ever be. I know which browser I’d rather trust.

Why don’t I just use Safari?

(Image credit: Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If privacy is a priority for me, why haven’t I switched to Apple’s Safari browser? There’s an argument for me doing so: like Mozilla, Apple is well-known for its pro-privacy stances. Safari is generally faster than Firefox, too, helping it offer the best of both Firefox and Chrome.

But there’s a problem: Safari is limited to Apple’s own devices. I use both Windows and macOS in my day-to-day life, so I need something that will function on every device I own. Safari can’t do that, and given how disappointing Safari for Windows was back when it existed, I doubt Apple is too fussed about expanding the browser beyond its own products.

In contrast, I can get Firefox on any of my devices and it will be set up just as I expect it to be, with all the extensions, bookmarks and tabs right where they should be. I can send a tab from Firefox on my Windows PC to Firefox on my Mac or on my iPhone and it’ll arrive instantly, letting me pick up where I left off whatever device I’m using.

It’s that combination of cross-platform compatibility and rock-solid privacy credentials that have me still using Firefox 20 years later.

Throw in a huge library of excellent extensions and I get everything I need from Mozilla’s browser – there’s no alternative that quite matches what it can do. With 20 years in the bag, I imagine I’ll still be using Firefox in another two decades’ time.

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• The goodbye that never was: Chrome to hold on to 3rd-party cookies, why?

Plus: Hot Topic confirms a customer data breach, Germany arrests a US citizen for allegedly passing military secrets to Chinese intelligence, and more.

Get ahead of the Black Friday sales with these Veterans Day mattress deals on all our editor-tested picks.

Data from a large survey of U.S. voters found that a significant subset of voters who supported abortion rights ballot measures also voted for Trump.

(Image credit: Matt York)

• Github repositories are being infected with malware
• Trusted repositories can bypass secure web gateways
• Github comments are also being used to hide malicious files

In a new phishing campaign detected by Cofense Intelligence, threat actors used a novel approach by leveraging trusted GitHub repositories to deliver malware. The campaign is aimed at exploiting the inherent trust many organizations place in GitHub as a developer platform.

Instead of creating malicious repositories, attackers chose to embed malware into legitimate ones affiliated with tax organizations such as UsTaxes, HMRC, and Inland Revenue.

This allowed them to bypass Secure Email Gateway (SEG) protections, posing a significant challenge to cybersecurity defenses. The attack also capitalized on the sense of urgency tied to filing taxes after the April deadline in the US.

Phishing tactic – abuse of trusted repositories

Emails associated with the campaign contained links to archives hosted on GitHub. Unlike traditional phishing attacks that rely on suspicious links or attachments, these emails appeared credible because the GitHub repositories used were legitimate and well-known, and can circumvent Secure Web Gateways.

The archive files linked in the emails were password protected, a tactic used to add an air of legitimacy. This protection also made it more difficult for malware scanners to detect and inspect the contents of the archive. Once opened, the password-protected files installed Remcos Remote Access Trojan (RAT) on the victim’s system, granting attackers remote control over the infected device.

A key component of this campaign was the use of GitHub comments to upload malicious files. GitHub comments are typically used by developers to communicate about a repository’s content, propose changes, or document issues. However, attackers exploited this feature by uploading malware-laden files within comments rather than the repository’s source code, allowing them to circumvent the usual security protocols and ensure that the malware remained hidden.

Even if the original comment containing the malware link was deleted, the malware itself remained accessible through the repository’s file directory. This method has been used before, most notably with the Redline Stealer malware, but this campaign represents a significant escalation in the use of GitHub comments as a malware distribution vector.

The campaign primarily targeted the financial and insurance industries, with both sectors being particularly vulnerable during tax season, as they handle a large volume of sensitive financial data.

The attackers appear to have been testing the waters with a smaller campaign, focusing on these two industries. Previous phishing campaigns using techniques like QR codes had broader targets, but the narrower focus of this attack suggests the threat actors were experimenting with the GitHub-based method before scaling up.

Phishing campaigns remain one of the most persistent and effective tactics used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

These attacks typically involve deceptive emails or messages that trick users into clicking malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or revealing personal details.

Over the years, phishing techniques have evolved, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals now leverage trusted platforms, disguise malicious intent behind legitimate-looking messages, and use advanced social engineering techniques.

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• Take a look at the best malware removal

I am obsessed with this streaming device, and it's the kind of gift you know someone will use again and again.

Shark Cordless Pro: two-minute review Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark Cordless Pro Vacuum IZ562H (Amazon only)
UK: Shark Cordless Pro Vacuum IZ562H (Amazon only)
AU: Shark Cordless Pro With Clean Sense IQ IR300

For this review, I tested the US version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark Cordless Pro is one of this brand's most affordable cordless stick vacuums, and delivers excellent value for money. While not the most advanced Shark vacuum based on specs or features, it punches above its mid-range price tag with features such as automatic suction adjustment based on dirt levels. At full price it sits in the mid-range price bracket, but it's often heavily discounted in the US, taking it into the budget category.

Shark has an excellent track record when it comes to producing reliable, long-lasting products, and the Cordless Pro is no exception. If you want something fairly simple but effective and budget-friendly, I think this is one the best Shark vacuums you can buy, and perhaps even one of the best cordless vacuums overall.

Considering the Shark Cordless Pro is a budget-friendly cordless vacuum, it still packs in decent suction, cleaning up most debris on hard floors in just one to two passes while in its lowest Eco mode. The automatic suction adjustment worked as promised, and was genuinely useful because rather than only relying on my eyes, this so-called 'Clean Sense IQ technology' would let me know when a spot was clean and I could move on. It helped me tackle fine dust and hair that may not have been otherwise visible.

The Cordless Pro is an ideal vacuum for hard floors and lighter cleaning needs, and did a decent job on carpet too, although if you have lots of carpet you might want to invest in something a little more heavy-duty. During my tests, I found it could struggle with pulling concentrated debris on this type of flooring in my testing, even when in the highest Boost mode.

I found it relatively easy to maneuver with a good rotation range to get into nooks and crannies, but a flexible wand – included with most Shark vacuums – would've been helpful to reach under furniture. As with most cordless stick vacs, it can be converted into a handheld.

I should also give a special shout-out to the anti-hair wrap brushroll. Many brands make big claims about their tangle-busting features, but this actually delivered. It still looks as good as new after two weeks of testing. There are more useful design features too: when it's time to store the Shark Cordless Pro, it slots into a stable notch right on the wand, and the battery is removable for charging anywhere. Just don't expect to get a crazy long runtime out of this vacuum, as it taps out after a maximum of 40 minutes.

Sure, there are more powerful and feature-packed vacuums on the market if you're willing to shell out a bit more. But for your average, everyday cleaning needs, it's hard to beat the compact, solidly built Shark Cordless Pro. Read on for my full review.

(Image credit: Future) Shark Cordless Pro review: price & availability

• List price: $399.99 (regularly discounted) / £334 / AU$499.99
• Available: US, UK and Australia

The Shark Cordless Pro has a list price of $399.99. Originally, it was available to buy direct from Shark, but it now seems to only be available via third party retailers like Amazon. Shoppers in the UK can also purchase it via Amazon, but it's an imported model from the US.

In addition to the main vacuum components, the US version I tested comes with two attachments: a Duster Crevice Tool and a Pet Multi-Tool. Additional accessories like replacement Odor Neutralizer cartridges, attachment tools, and wands are available, ranging in price from about $10 to $40.

The Shark Cordless Pro can also be found in Australia, retailing for AU$499.99. Both territories feature similar configurations, though in Australia, the attachment accessories are slightly different, with a Crevice Tool and Dusting Brush on offer.

If purchasing in the US, it’s common to find the Shark Cordless Pro discounted and often steeply. A discount of $100 off is common, and on Amazon it has occasionally dropped as low as $250. That's one of the very cheapest Shark vacuums you can buy, and especially if you want a cordless model – the Shark Stratos Corded Stick vacuum is cheaper at $299.99, but you'll have to put up with being tethered to the wall.

At ticket price, the Shark Cordless Pro sits in the mid-range price bracket, but it regularly dips into the budget category. Given the solid build quality and excellent performance, I think it's good value even at full price. There are also features that I'm surprised to see at this price point – namely, automatic suction adjustment based on dirt levels. If you're willing to pay more, you'll unlock features like longer battery life and higher levels of suction, but the Cordless Pro is excellent value for what it delivers.

Seasonal sales are always a good time to shop for home appliances, and I suspect this model will feature amongst the best Black Friday deals this year. Given that this model is no longer available to buy direct from Shark in the US, I'm not convinced it's going to be sticking around much longer, so if you do spot a deal, snap it up.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Cordless Pro specs Shark Cordless Pro review: design

• Button-operated, with LEDs to indicate mode and battery level
• No flexible wand, as found on most Shark vacuums
• Notch to enable it to stand on its own when not in use

The Shark Cordless Pro doesn't revolutionize the design of cordless stick vacuums, keeping a look and size similar to most others with its floorhead, wand, and motor/dustbin – all of which come apart for use as a handheld vacuum. Weighing 8.25 pounds and measuring 11.42 x 10.43 x 51.18 inches, it's easy to handle. During testing, the only time it felt cumbersome was when attempting to clean a ceiling fan. A sleek light blue, white, and black finish helps differentiate the Shark Cordless Pro from the rest of the range, and the solid metal and plastic build held up perfectly over my few weeks of testing.

Setting up the Shark Cordless Pro was a breeze, taking me around 5 minutes; all that's required is to snap the stick vacuum components into each other. The most difficult aspect of the installation was popping in the Odor Neutralizer cartridge; it slots right into the floorhead and is meant to keep your vacuum smelling fresh.

Shark also recommends charging the battery to full before your first use. That battery is removable if you prefer to charge it detached from the vacuum. LED lights will pulse as it charges, indicating the current level of the battery, and shutting off when finished.

(Image credit: Future)

There's no wall mount option, but Shark has added a notch on the front of the wand where the main part of the vacuum can be clipped when not in use. It remains relatively secure in that spot and can even be wheeled around.

The floorhead, referred to as the PowerFins Plus floorhead (this guide to the Shark vacuum technologies is a helpful companion when navigating this brand's various jargon), is ready to work on both hard or carpeted floors and is full of useful features.

On the underside is one plush, microfiber roller that features flexible silicone fins to help pick up various debris sizes including fine dust, while preventing hair wrapping. Should anything get stuck in the roller, it's removable, although it does take a bit of effort to unlock it from the floorhead. Unfortunately, there's no option for the brush to lift or stop spinning on certain flooring.

Around the front of the floorhead, two LED lights help highlight dust and dirt in your path that might otherwise be missed. These are helpful, although nowhere near as bright or effective as the lasers you'll find on the (far pricier) Dyson Gen5detect or Dyson V15. On top of the floorhead is the Clean Sense IQ Clean Indicator LED – part of a highlight feature on the vacuum.

(Image credit: Future)

Clean Sense IQ uses sensors inside the nozzle of the handheld vacuum to automatically boost power in areas with higher levels of dirt and debris. While testing, I could hear and feel the increase in suction, but an indicator light strip on the floorhead will also illuminate to show when the vacuum detects a particularly dusty bit of floor. The highest amount of dirt causes the strip to be fully lit. When the space is clean, the light will recede.

This is a surprising inclusion at the relatively low price point, but pricier Shark vacuums take things a step further on the automation front. The Detect Pro and PowerDetect lines can both adjust suction based on when they move from hard floor to carpet, and around the edges of rooms, for example.

(Image credit: Future)

Cleanse Sense IQ is switched on via the Mode button on the handheld part of the vacuum. The only other button on the vacuum is the power on/off button, so it's all straightforward and easy to navigate.

Beyond Clean Sense IQ, there are two other power modes: Eco to save on battery life and Boost for an extra burst to pick up the messiest of messes. An LED screen on the handheld vacuum will indicate the power mode it's in as well as the battery level.

(Image credit: Future)

The handheld vacuum component also houses the bagless dustbin, which holds 0.72L of dirt. An anti-allergen seal is in place to keep fine dust and dander from releasing back into your space. When the dustbin is ready to be emptied, there's a no-touch release to drop everything in the garbage without getting your hands dirty. However, you may need to reach your hands in the dustbin to remove stuck hair or dust occasionally. More advanced Shark vacuums, such as the Shark Detect Pro, have an optional auto-empty dock, but that's not available here.

The wand that holds the floorhead and handheld vacuum together is solid. The two vacuum components feel secure when slotted into the wand and easily release from the catch when needed. A rigid wand is actually fairly unusual for this brand – many Shark models have so-called 'MultiFlex technology', where you can press a button and the wand will bend forward, enabling you to reach easily under low furniture. I'd have loved it if that had been included here. At least the floorhead offers a wide swivel range for easier access to tight spots.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyond being a stick vacuum, the Shark Cordless Pro is an effective handheld vacuum. The US version has a Duster Crevice Tool and a Pet Multi-Tool, making cleanup even easier. Those tools slot into the handheld vacuum or the wand, providing extra versatility. However, there's nowhere to store them when not in use.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark Cordless Pro review: performance

• Decent suction, great on hard floors
• Clean Sense IQ's automatic power adjustments work commendably
• Loud, and struggles to clean larger debris on carpets

The Shark Cordless Pro is an absolute breeze to use and performed admirably in most of my testing. Whether I had it in stick mode on my laminate hard floors with various low-pile rugs or cleaning my window sills and couch cushions as a handheld vacuum, it managed to pick up most of the debris in its path within one to two passes. Sure, it might not have the suction of a corded vacuum but it works great for lighter cleaning needs and is much easier to deal with. (Both the Shark Stratos Cordless and Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick vacuum pack more power, too, but you will need to stump up more money for those.)

In stick mode, performing regular cleaning tasks, I often left the vacuum in the Clean Sense IQ setting, which allows the vacuum to recognize bigger messes and automatically increase suction. When there were obvious, larger amounts of debris in the floorhead's 10-inch path, the vacuum would increase the suction power.

It was handy that in addition to visibly hearing that change, I could see it represented on the light bar at the top of the floorhead. I knew I was clear to move on from a spot when the light subsided. Sometimes, the vacuum would notice the dirt that wasn't visible to my eye, which was a huge boon, ensuring the cleanest home possible.

(Image credit: Future)

There are two other modes on the vacuum: Eco and Boost. Swapping to those modes involves pressing the mode button near the LED screen on the vacuum, and cycling until the desired mode is reached. Admittedly, I often pressed the power button, mistaking it for the other and vice versa. After becoming more familiar with the vacuum, this became less of a problem.

As for the other two modes, during daily tasks, I found Boost mode was unnecessary most of the time. It worked fine but is only needed for those large concentrated messes. Eco mode also easily cleans up dog hair and dust within one or two passes. Overall, I preferred the convenience of Clean Sense IQ mode automatically increasing the suction where needed, and I was happy to sacrifice battery life for the cause.

One feature I didn't think I'd love as much as I did was the two LED lights at the front of the vacuum. They did an excellent job highlighting fine hair and light dust that I couldn't initially see. It's amazing how much debris gets all over your space daily.

I'd also be remiss not to mention the self-cleaning brushroll. To my shock, no hair has gotten stuck around it yet. It looks almost completely new, with little to no wear after two weeks. If it needs to be removed for cleaning, a coin allows you to unlock and remove the brush. Just note that it does do a good job of sucking up power cords and rug edges, so be aware as you maneuver it around your space.

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of maneuvering, generally, the Shark Cordless Pro navigates with ease, even making sharp 90-degree turns to fit into corners (it's not quite as maneuverable as a Dyson). It feels almost effortless to use on hard flooring, only getting tripped up on certain rug edges and becoming a little more challenging to push on rugs and carpets. The floorhead is also relatively shallow, allowing it to squeeze under most furniture. Unfortunately, the wand isn't flexible like other Shark models, so it didn't reach completely under my couch or bed.

The bagless 0.72 qt dustbin holds a good amount of dirt. I only had to empty it every once in a while, depending on how often I was vacuuming. It's easy to take the vacuum off the wand and hold it over the garbage, pressing the release to open the bin door. Some hair can get wrapped around certain components, making it necessary to reach in and pull stuck-on gunk on occasion.

As with all vacuums, the filters require semi-regular cleaning (and must also be replaced periodically). Shark provides clear instructions for this: they just need to be rinsed with water. The Clean Sense IQ sensor inside the vacuum will also need to be wiped down occasionally, and an FO error code will flash on the display panel when the sensor is fully blocked.

For some reason, Shark continues to include the pointless (in my opinion) Odor Neutralizer, which releases a clean scent as you vacuum. The smell lasts all of two minutes, so I'd never waste my money replacing it. (Ed's note: other testers have been extremely enthusiastic about this feature, so your mileage may vary!)

Beyond daily vacuuming tasks, I put the Shark Cordless Pro through more vigorous testing to see how it handled fine dust using flour and larger debris with oats on both hard floors and carpet. Even on the lowest setting, Eco, the vacuum easily picked up the flour with just one pass. There was super light sprinkling left, that I had to touch to feel. A second pass picked up everything that was left. Using Clean Sense IQ and Boost mode, the flour was fully cleaned up after one pass. I had similar results on the rug.

(Image credit: Future)

As for the oats test, I was pleasantly surprised that most oats were cleaned in just one pass in Eco mode on the hard floor. However, on carpeting, it was a completely different story. It took multiple passes (around five or six) on Clean Sense IQ and Boost to pick up all of the oats. The vacuum even managed to throw some oats around. That's slightly disappointing, but not all that unusual – typically, I find corded vacuums are the way to go in heavily carpeted homes.

(Image credit: Future)

During testing, I also used a decibel meter to measure noise levels. In Eco mode, the Shark Cordless Pro averaged about 75 dB. It's definitely not quiet and on par with average vacuum cleaner noise levels (i.e. loud enough to disturb others in your space when it's in use). In Boost mode it got even louder, hitting around 80dB. The noise is tolerable but not pleasant. Luckily, I was usually not in this mode for long. The Clean Sense IQ setting tended to shuffle between 75dB and 80dB; usually staying towards the quieter side of the range.

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, this stick vacuum also converts to a handheld, and the attachments it comes with depend on the territory. I'm in the US, so I received the Duster Crevice Tool and Pet Multi-Tool. Both feature brush tops that can be removed. The Duster Crevice Tool gets into tighter spaces like between books on my bookshelf and the window sills, though it didn't always pick up all the dust or dirt.

During testing, I just so happened to start fostering a puppy with fine fur, and the Pet Multi-Tool was a godsend. It got the hair off my couch, duvet, and more with relative ease, though I found the tool tended to perform better without the brush attached. The only problem with the handheld vacuum is it gets a bit heavy at times, especially with the wand attached and reaching for higher spots like ceiling fan blades.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark Cordless Pro review: battery life

• Runs up to 40 minutes in Eco mode
• Takes about three hours to recharge
• Battery is removable

The Shark Cordless Pro's battery is located right on the back handle of the device. It can juice up while still attached to the vacuum or snap off to charge – a handy feature if you store the vacuum in an area away from an outlet, and also useful if you want to buy a second battery to hot-swap in.

(Image credit: Future)

On one charge, I found the battery lasted around 35 minutes in Eco mode using the floorhead with the rotating brush. A little more juice can be eked out of the vacuum as a handheld, putting it right at Shark's claim of 40 minutes. Clean Sense IQ and Boost mode will drain the battery quicker. On test, I got about 25 minutes of vacuuming time with Clean Sense IQ, but that time varies depending on how much dirt is detected in a space. Boost mode lasted just under 15 minutes, which isn't surprising given the strong suction power.

That battery performance is average for cordless vacuums. Most will find that's sufficient time to clean up your space. I had no problem hitting almost every inch of the floor in my sizable two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment when in Eco and Clean Sense IQ modes, and there was even enough juice for a quick handheld vacuum of the window sills and furniture. However, if you have a larger home, there are models that offer up to an hour of cleaning on one charge – or occasionally a little more. Those vacuums will cost you more, though.

Shark makes it simple to tell when the battery is running low, as the vacuum's LED screen has three bars to indicate the level of charge, and when the final bar begins blinking, your time is running out – I usually had four more minutes of vacuuming time once that started.

A slightly longer battery life would be nice, as it'd be great not to worry about charging the battery after almost every use. Recharging takes a while, at about three hours. You'll know it's done when the charging light on the actual battery goes out.

• Battery life score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the Shark Cordless Pro? Buy it if...

You're on a budget

This is one of the cheapest Shark cordless vacuums, and often discounted too. Given the features and build quality, it's excellent value for money.

You want to be sure your floors are clean

This vacuum is able to automatically adjust based on how dirty the floor is, with indicator lights showing when there's no dust left. Dust-illuminating LED headlights also help ensure you don't miss any spots.

You want something simple but effective

This is a straightforward design, and on test I found the process of emptying, and charging the Shark Cordless Pro is as easy as can be. It's even set up for storage without wall mounting.

Don't buy it if...

You need a vacuum that reaches under low furniture

Although the floorhead on this vacuum is relatively shallow, the wand doesn't flex like other stick vacuums, making it hard to reach under deeper sofas, chairs, and beds.

Your home is heavily carpeted

The Shark Cordless Pro performs best on harder surfaces. It does a solid job of picking up finer dirt and dust on carpets and rugs but takes several passes to clean up larger debris.

You have a very large home

At the maximum, this vacuum offers around 40 minutes of cleaning time in Eco mode. That time drops significantly when using Boost mode. It's far from the worst battery life in a stick vacuum, but pricier models will deliver longer cleaning times.View Deal

How I tested the Shark Cordless Pro

I used the Shark Cordless Pro for over two weeks in my two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with hard floors and low-pile rugs. Beyond average, daily cleaning tasks like vacuuming messes in the kitchen in stick mode or using the handheld attachments to get my foster dog's hair off furniture, I did further testing. These tests involved scattering oats and flour on hard and carpeted flooring in a concentrated area, observing how well it picked up debris of varying sizes in each of the vacuum's three modes. I ran the battery fully down in each of the three vacuum modes as well to see how long it could be expected to last.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed October 2024

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