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EcoFlow River 2: Two-minute review

The River 2 has been out for a couple of years now, but I think it's a great buy due to the solid spec and increasingly cheap price. The unit tested here has been with me since launch and I have taken it on dozens of adventures without it skipping a beat.

Are you after the latest model instead? Take a read of our EcoFlow River 3 review and see if the updated version is better suited to your needs.

The River 2 is the smallest in EcoFlow's ultraportable River 2 power station series and it has a 256Wh capacity. Note that I tested the Australian spec model, but aside from a different AC plug depending on the country it's sold in, the underlying capabilities are the same.

The River 2 is basically a big battery bank combined with a 230V/120V inverter, high power USB and 12V outputs, and a range of charging ports. The River 2 can handle 300W AC appliances, with a surge capacity up to 600W.

The River 2 series is designed to be very portable, and is great for any charging or power needs when out and about. Not just for recreation either – it’s well suited for professionals who need to run equipment in the field – especially since it can be combined with solar for charging anywhere. The River 2 can also be used like a UPS, to automatically keep your modem or other critical devices powered on through a blackout.

Importantly, the River 2 series uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, which allows for a large amount of full cycles. The River 2 is rated at 3,000 cycles (100% to 0%) before capacity drops to 80% of the original. That means you could recharge it almost every day and it would take 10 years to drop to 80% of original capacity. Even then, with 80% capacity being around 200Wh, that's still a heap of juice.

On the front, the River 2 has a single 230V/120V AC power socket, a 12V/8A car-style DC accessory socket, dual USB-A ports (5V/2.4A) and a 60W USB-C PD input/output that can charge a laptop, or charge the power station itself. When plugged into the wall, the River 2 charges at up to 360W. That's fast, and means it can go from dead flat to full in just an hour – an incredibly handy feature when you need to recharge in a hurry. It also has a DC input port on the back that can accept 11-30V, and charge the battery at 110W. This means the power station can be quickly charged in the car (or 24V in a truck), or with a solar panel or other DC power source.

The River 2 has a screen that shows remaining charge, time until flat at current usage, and input/output wattage. That’s all that most users will likely need, but you can also connect to the power station using a slick app from EcoFlow. This provides all sorts of deeper functionality, like setting maximum charge and discharge levels, setting specific charge rates, updating the firmware and more.

I have really enjoyed my time with River 2, but of course there are some minor niggles. At higher loads, the River 2 does need a fan to keep internal temperatures down. It’s not especially noisy and doesn’t run all the time, but is potentially a way for dust to build up (and require occasional cleaning) over time. Otherwise most of the things I wish for (like a 100W USB-C output) are options on the larger capacity models.

The River 2 did command a somewhat premium price at launch but has been getting much more affordable over time and has had some great discounts lately. All in all, it offers an excellent mix of features that is well worth it for those who need reliable portable power on the go.

Do you need something smaller, for charging a phone or laptop? Then check out the TechRadar guide to the best power banks.

The River 2 has a very capable 256Wh battery and is ready to power all your devices no matter where you are. (Image credit: Future)EcoFlow River 2 review: price and availability

• How much does it cost? Launch RRP of $239 / £269 / AU$649
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in most major markets including the US, UK and Australia

The River 2 has been out for a couple of years now and is easily available for much less than the launch RRP. The easiest place to find it is generally direct from EcoFlow, though it's also stocked on Amazon and at a large number of third-party retailers.

Generally speaking the River 2 is solid value, considering the focus on portability, unique features and long warranty. It also has fairly frequent sales that can bring it down to less than half price.

• Value score: 4 / 5

On the rear the River 2 has AC input for 360W charging, and a DC input for car or solar charging at 110W. (Image credit: Future)EcoFlow River 2: Design and features

• X-Boost for over-wattage appliances
• Very fast AC charging
• Solar input
• 5-year warranty

One of my favorite features on the River 2 series is a completely non-technical one – the huge grab handle. Even though the unit is only 3.5kg, the handle makes it very easy to carry long distances, but doesn't make it too bulky to fit in a bag. My least favorite thing is the fan, which can get mildly noisy under load, and is a potential place for dust or water to get inside the River 2.

At 256Wh, the battery in the River 2 can be run flat very quickly (under an hour) if using the full 300W AC output. Lower power devices will run from hours to days, depending on the power use. Thanks to the huge 3,000 cycle life (to 80% capacity), you can fully discharge and recharge the River 2 multiple times in a day if need be, and rest assured the battery won’t wear out in a hurry. One thing to keep in mind is that the 256Wh capacity means the River 2 can’t be taken on a flight, as it's over the 160Wh limit most airlines use. For the full rundown of the rules, take a look at my guide on how to travel safely with a power bank.

It’s great to have a wide range of charging options on the River 2, but the clear standout is the very impressive 360W AC charge rate. I extensively tested the power station out and about, and being able to quickly grab some charge was very useful. While it takes just 1 hour to go from 0% to full, even just 5 minutes can bring back 10% charge. Charging in the car and using the solar mode is a fair bit slower (around 100W), but it was very handy when further afield, or camping. I also loved the USB-C charge option, as it made it easy to plug in overnight without using the bulky AC cable, and does not need to use the fan.

EcoFlow River 2 specs

Capacity: 256Wh
AC Output: 300W (Surge 600W) Pure Sine Wave 230V/120V
Solar / Car Charging: 11-30V, 8A, 110W max
Cycle Life: 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity
USB Charging: 1x 60W USB-C (input/output), 2x 12W USB-A
Other Outputs: 12V, 8A (100W)
Dimensions: 24.5 x 21.4 x 14.2 cm
Weight: 3.5kg
Warranty: 5 years

The 300W (600W surge) AC output is well-sized for most devices that might be used on the go, and the River 2 also has X-Boost, which allows certain high power devices (up to 600W) to be run at lower power without overloading the power station. The AC output can also be turned off completely via a button, or in the app, saving standby power. If the River 2 is plugged into the wall, and a device is plugged into the power station, then it automatically works as an Uninterruptible Power Supply. This is a handy extra feature, especially for when the River 2 is not being otherwise used. For example, it can be left plugged in to keep your modem running in the event of a blackout, or power critical things like a fish tank heater.

While the River 2 has a screen with key information, the more in-depth control is done via the app. It can connect via Wi-Fi and be managed even when away from home, or directly connected to (for example when camping) via Bluetooth. The EcoFlow app has options like being able to limit the maximum charge or discharge percentage of the power station, turn the outputs on and off, or set timeout periods. Importantly, the River 2 series is backed by an impressive 5-year warranty, which gives peace of mind that the power station will be with you for the long haul.

• Design and features: 4.5 / 5

While the River 2 can output 60W via USB-C, it can also charge itself, reducing the need to carry the bulkier AC cable. (Image credit: Future)EcoFlow River 2 review: Performance and testing

• 60W PD USB input/output
• UPS style functionality
• Solar and DC charging

The River 2 series rates very well for portability, and the 3.5kg heft is very easy to carry with the sturdy grab handle. The unit has large rubber feet, and the plastic shell is robust. The ports on the front are well laid out and not too crowded, so plugging and unplugging multiple things is easy. The display is easy to read even in bright sunlight, though I wish the buttons were more recessed, as I found they could be accidentally pressed if the River 2 is in a bag.

I connected the River 2 up to a load tester for the 12V DC and USB outputs, and the ports all happily gave their specified wattages and voltages. The AC output provides clean power without dropping the voltage at full load, and the X-Boost functionality worked as intended to avoid shutdown at higher loads.

The River 2 real-world usable capacity depends on how fast you discharge it, and through what output, but overall efficiency is excellent, and generally under 10% of the rated capacity is lost in conversions. One minor niggle – charging power banks has mixed results, with some charging, and others only being able to charge the River 2. A workaround is to use a USB-C charger in the 12V socket, but it would be great if the River 2 had a USB-C input only port on the rear.

The River 2 fan won’t kick in for USB-C use, but will spool up to high speed if fast charging via AC, or running something that uses a significant amount of the 300W available. The AC charge rate can be limited in the app, and at the minimum 100W, the fan is quiet, but still audible. One minor frustration is that the fan speed control is overly enthusiastic, and often cranks up to full speed for a few seconds before dropping back.

I managed a full charge from dead flat in 58 minutes on AC, and at peak rates could restore 10% charge in just 5 minutes. Charging from USB-C took a touch over 5 hours. Solar and car charging worked well – though the solar voltage and amperage inputs are somewhat awkward compared to what typical portable solar panels provide. Still, a 100W solar panel (or the EcoFlow 110W panel) can easily charge the power station up in as little as 4 hours. For those who want more solar input, check out the River 2 Pro and Max. The River 2 is rated for a UPS switching speed of under 30ms, and in my testing I didn’t have an issue even with finicky, lower power electronics. That said, it's not quite a true UPS, so not designed for very sensitive equipment.

While excellent overall, the EcoFlow app doesn’t have as much detailed information as I’d like, like allowing tracking of solar collected (or other data logging), or viewing how many cycles the power station has done. I also feel it's a missed opportunity to add some automation options, like being able to schedule the outputs to turn on and off at certain times.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

The relatively low 3.5kg weight and the large grab handle on the River 2 makes it very easy to carry longer distances. (Image credit: Future)Should I buy the EcoFlow River 2?EcoFlow River 2 report card

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

The River 2 series has a fairly premium feature set, which results in a higher-end price tag. Compared to the limited competition, the River 2 excels in areas like battery cycle life, being compact and low weight, and the inclusion of USB-C charging.

4 / 5

Design & features

The River 2 includes a solid mix of features, without going overboard on options that will add mass without providing much extra utility. The key advantages are that it's lightweight, very portable, and flexible enough to be used every day for many years.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The River 2 performed above and beyond in all my tests, and was extremely reliable, yet rugged enough that it does not need to be treated too gently. All the outputs (and inputs) happily sustained their full wattages for the entire battery capacity, even in (simulated) hot and cold conditions.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You need an ultraportable solution
The large grab handle and low weight of the River 2 mean it's just begging to be taken out on adventures. Bring an electric throw rug when stargazing in winter, hold your own movie night in the park, take it camping and more.

You will use the River 2 a lot
With a standout 3,000 cycle battery longevity, the River 2 is perfect for heavy use, and is well suited for everything including home or day-to-day use, camping, or for professionals who need power in the field.

256Wh is enough capacity for your charging needs
If you need a larger battery capacity between recharges, then consider the heavier, but even more capable 512Wh River 2 Max, or 768Wh River 2 Pro. Or even the larger Delta Series, like the 2016Wh Delta Max.

Don't buy it if...

If you need to power high wattage appliances
300W of AC power (100W DC at 12V, 60W USB-C) is enough for most smaller appliances and gadgets, but not everything. Items like power tools, or appliances for cooking, all need a higher AC output, and more storage capacity.

Silence is important
The fan in the River 2 is fairly quiet most of the time, and only really ramps up to noisier levels under heavy load, or when rapidly charging. But even at its lowest setting, the fan is audible – especially on a quiet night.

You need a waterproof and dustproof power station
While the River 2 can handle normal outdoor use just fine, it’s not waterproof and needs some protection from the elements. The fan is also a dust entry point and the power station does not have covers on the ports.

Final verdict

Connected up to a portable solar panel, the River 2 can be fully recharged in as little as 4 hours. (Image credit: Future)

Overall the River 2 is a very competent little power station that is well suited to a variety of uses. It focuses on portability over maximizing features and spec – leaving that for the larger River 2 Max and Pro. The River 2 is powerful enough to be a worthy addition to your next camping trip, and combined with a solar panel, makes it possible to keep devices charged indefinitely. Other options like the UPS functionality mean the River 2 is also useful at home between adventures.

The 256Wh capacity is well suited to daily use, and the fast charge ability makes it very easy to top up any time. The ability to silently charge from USB-C is great for nighttime use, or just for avoiding needing too many cables. The long 5-year warranty and 3000 cycle battery longevity mean the River 2 can be pushed hard without worrying about a shortened lifespan. The EcoFlow app is quite slick, but a little lacking when it comes to deeper levels of control and data logging.

While the power station isn’t perfect, and larger Max and Pro models might suit some users better, the River 2 is a great option.

[First reviewed August 2025]

• Google’s NotebookLM now supports Video Overviews in dozens of languages
• The upgrade gives Video Overviews the same language options as the Audio Overviews
• NotebookLM creates its summaries from actual uploaded documents

Google’s NotebookLM first debuted its AI-powered research tool with Audio Overviews capable of making AI-produced 'podcasts' with digital hosts. The logical extension into Video Overviews followed, with a synthetic voice accompanied by a series of slides that include text and illustrations. However, that capability was only available in English until now.

NotebookLM Video Overviews are now available in more than 80 languages. For most people, that translates to translatable versions of video walkthroughs based on your uploaded notes and linked source materials. The AI professor is already there and is now a multilingual expert as they present your own content in everything from Tamil to Polish and beyond.

These aren’t AI summaries scraped from the web or hallucinated based on a vague prompt. NotebookLM is grounded in the actual material you upload. Everything the AI says, in video or audio, is pulled directly from your documents, not from generic training data.

Of course, the video in this context isn't a cinematic masterpiece. The slides are not fully animated explainers. This isn’t TikTok for term papers; it’s more like PowerPoint for people who don’t want to make PowerPoints. The goal is clarity, not spectacle.

Global AI video

That's not the only global upgrade to NotebookLM, though. While Audio Overviews had been available in many languages recently, they were limited to brief highlights. Now, everyone gets the complete audio AI experience as an alternative to the video option.

For those who might want to read a white paper while driving or cooking, this is enormously practical. It won’t win a Grammy, but it might just help you understand a textbook or complex report. Professionals working internationally could use it to summarize a week’s worth of meeting transcripts as shareable videos or audio recaps from Catalan to Portuguese. No need to rely on a colleague’s English comprehension.

If you want to see how AI can digest and explain your collection of academic papers, blog posts, and YouTube videos, you can produce a narrated video by uploading your sources as usual, then clicking on the Video Overview button. Shortly, a video of approximately seven minutes will be ready for you to share, download, or use as you wish.

That’s not to say this solves everything. The AI can still struggle with nuance, for instance. But the reliability of the presentations is valuable on its own. Now, they just look good too.

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AI-generated music is becoming more widespread but not necessarily popular. And that's just the publicly acknowledged AI music. Now, artists are dealing with seeing their name and voice attached to music they never performed or approved of, even if they passed away decades ago.

The most recent high-profile incident occurred when English folk singer Emily Portman heard from a fan who liked her new release, except the album, Orca, though released under her name, was entirely fake. The whole thing had been pushed live on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and other major platforms without her knowledge or consent.

A post shared by Emily Portman (@emilyportman)

A photo posted by on

Portman took to social media to warn her fans about what was happening. The fact that the AI could mimic her artistic style well enough to trick some fans just added to the creep factor. It took weeks for Spotify to address the problem, and you can still see the album on Spotify even if the music is gone.

Portman joins a litany of acts, from pop artist Josh Kaufman to country artists Blaze Foley, who passed away in 1989, and Guy Clark, who died in 2016, in having her work mimicked by AI without her approval.

It seems we’ve moved past the novelty of AI remixes and deepfake duets into digital identity theft with a beat. The thieves are often good at being quiet in their releases, able to score whatever royalties might trickle in.

Further, even getting the music taken down might not be enough. A few days after the initial incident, Portman found another album had popped up on her streaming page. Except this time, it was just nonsense instrumentals, with no effort to sound like the musician.

AI's future sounds

Having scammers use AI to steal from actual artists is obviously a travesty. There are some blurry middle grounds, of course, like never-real musicians pretending to be humans. That's where AI-generated “band” Velvet Sundown stands.

The creators later admitted the origin of the AI band, but only after millions of plays from a Spotify profile showing slightly uncanny images of bandmates that didn’t exist. As the music was original and not directly ripped from other songs, it wasn’t a technical violation of any copyright laws. The band didn’t exist, but the royalties sure did.

I think AI has a place in music. I really like how it can help the average person, regardless of technical or musical skills, produce a song. And AI tools are making it easier than ever to generate music in the style of someone else. But, with streaming platforms facing 99,000 uploads a day, most of which are pushed through third-party distributors that rely on user-submitted metadata, it’s not hard to slip something fake into a real artist’s profile. Unless someone notices and complains, it just sits there, posing as the real thing.

Many fans are tricked, with some believing Orca was really Emily Portman’s new album. Others streamed Velvet Sundown, thinking they’d stumbled onto the next Fleetwood Mac. And while there's nothing wrong with liking an AI song per se, there's everything wrong with not knowing it is an AI song. Consent and context are missing, and that fundamentally changes the listening experience.

Now, some people argue this is just the new normal. And sure, AI can help struggling artists find new inspiration, fill in missing instrumentation, suggest chord progressions, and provide other aid. But that’s not what’s happening here. These are not tools being used by artists. These are thieves.

Worse still, this undermines the entire concept of artistic ownership. If you can make a fake Emily Portman album, any artist is at risk. The only thing keeping these scammers from doing the same to the likes of Taylor Swift right now is the threat of getting caught by high-profile legal teams. So instead, they aim lower. Lesser-known artists don’t have the same protections, which makes them easier targets. And more profitable, in the long run, because there’s less scrutiny.

And there's the issue of how we as music fans are complicit. If we start valuing convenience and novelty over authenticity, we’ll get more AI sludge and fewer real albums. The danger isn’t just that AI can mimic artists. We also have to worry that people will stop noticing, or caring, when it does.

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Samsung’s massive, in both price and size, micro-RGB TV is barely two weeks old, but it’s making waves for those two factors as well as the promised visual quality. The 115-inch Micro RGB Samsung Vision AI Smart TV – yes, a long formal product name for sure – is out in Korea right now for 44.9 million KRW and will soon be up for order in the United States at $29,999 with more markets to follow.

I had the chance to check one out in person at Samsung’s new headquarters in New Jersey. While it wasn’t a formal testing session, it was clear from my first look that Samsung's micro-RGB tech here is creating immersion on a grand scale with picture quality to rival even the best OLED TVs.

I also had the chance to view it after seeing the similarly sized and priced, but notably different 115” Class Samsung QN90F Neo QLED 4K TV. And while that TV looks sharp and bright, the new micro-RGB TV's picture is much more controlled and realistic. Samsung even created a custom Micro RGB AI Engine to handle visuals in the $30,000 TV, specifically for the likes of upscaling and enhancing colors.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The tech here is reflected in the name of the product category – micro-RGB TV – and it’s the first consumer release from Samsung. It uses micro-scale LEDs for the TV's backlight, which is comprised of individual, quite tiny red, green, and blue modules. That’s the key difference here – like the best mini-LED TVs, it still uses the core principles of LCD technology, but swaps white or blue backlighting for red, green, and blue micro-scale LEDs that can be more accurately controlled. All, of course, in a quest to deliver the best picture quality.

So while this isn’t at the same level as Samsung's The Wall microLED tech, the 115-inch micro-RGB TV is a stunner, with the ability to produce vivid, rich, and crisp colors that don’t skew super bright and end up oversaturating or blowing out a particular visual. While Samsung only had test content running on the micro-RGB TV, it looked great from all angles, not just a direct head-on view. Even at extreme angles to the left or right in the lifestyle set-up space, the micro-RGB delivered a vivid view, with reds and blues especially popping.

Having also seen the 115-inch Neo QLED 4K TV, I can confidently say it outperformed it in terms of visuals, at those angles and even head-on. It simply looked a step above, offering more accurate, realistic interpretations of colors that could still pop and get bright without skewing them out of reality. It has more than four times the dimming zones compared to top mini-LED TVs, and significantly greater color accuracy.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Contrast points for more stark or ones that require black were a bit more minimal in the test footage. However, since it can turn off those individual LEDs, it didn’t offer lesser performance there.

Of course, Samsung’s 115-inch micro-RGB TV won’t be for everyone. $30,000 is a lot for a TV, especially a first-generation of sorts, and even though it’s still LCD-based, the excitement here is around the use of individual red, green, and blue micro-scale LED modules in the backlight. The pictures here don’t really do justice to the experience of viewing this, but I’m really excited about where micro-RGB is going. It does undercut Samsung’s own The Wall, which is true microLED and costs a ton more, so seeing that bits of that tech are starting to trickle down might make for more exciting developments in this space.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Alongside it being Samsung’s first micro-RGB TV, this 115-inch size also comes with the brand's VisionAI tech onboard for smarter features – like asking what something is while you’re watching content – but also handles the upscaling to ensure content looks great on this grand scale. You’ll also find Samsung’s Art Store here, and you do get access to a rotating allotment of photos and art to display, even if you don’t subscribe. Although I didn’t get to try any gaming or watch F1 races, the TV does support a 144Hz refresh rate.

If you get the chance to see this TV in person, I would take the opportunity to – it's certainly one of the best I've seen in quite some time.

For now, Samsung’s 115-inch micro-RGB TV is available in Korea at 44.9 million KRW and will soon be available in the United States for $29,999. You can sign up for more details on that launch here, and the company has confirmed it should roll out to more markets in the coming months. Just make sure you have the space for it.

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• Best Buy Marketplace sells DVD and Blu-Ray discs
• Online only via third party sellers
• Available in-app and online from today

We've been saying for ages that reports of the death of movie discs are premature, and it looks like Best Buy agrees with us: it's launching a new online marketplace that'll sell DVDs, Blu-Rays and UHD Steelbooks as part of a doubling of its online offering.

If you're thinking, "Hang on, didn't Best Buy stop selling disc-based movies in early 2024?", you're right: they did. Citing the changing way we enjoy entertainment, Best Buy announced in late 2023 that it'd stop selling DVDs and Blu-rays in its stores and online after the holiday season, though it continued to sell the best 4K Blu-ray players afterward.

So what's going on? As FlatpanelsHD reports, this isn't a reversal: you're not going to see the DVD or Blu-Ray aisles return to your local store. The new marketplace is online and features third-party sellers, and those sellers will be the ones offering DVDs, Blu-rays and Steelbooks.

Oppenheimer's 4K Blu-Ray sold out in its first week at many major retailers. (Image credit: Universal Pictures)Why the death of the disc isn't inevitable

Caring about movies on Blu-ray isn't just nostalgia. Some movies simply aren't available to stream, and the ones that are don't stream in the same quality as you'll get from the best Blu-Ray editions. That's because streaming uses compressed media formats, and that inevitably involves loss, something particularly apparent with movie soundtracks.

There's also the ongoing worry with streaming that what's available today won't be available tomorrow as licensing deals expire or bean-counters decide to cut back the catalog. And of course, different movies are on different streamers, and with prices of streaming services ever rising – Apple TV+ upped its prices just last week – cutting back on your streaming subscriptions means losing access to a lot of movies and shows.

I'm not being naive: the days of disc-based media being the world's favorite home entertainment option are over. But for serious movie fans – and people with serious home cinema setups – it's still a superior experience. Just ask Christopher Nolan.

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President Trump lashed out on social media late Sunday against ABC and NBC, putting the nation's top broadcast regulator once more at the center of his culture wars.

(Image credit: John McDonnell)

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• Compact colorful laptop concept designed by Microsoft employee offers fresh ideas for portability
• Experimental a_77 laptop shows how compact layouts and playful design can work together
• Microsoft designer’s laptop concept isn't real, but we wish someone would make it

In his spare time, Braz de Pina, Principal Product Designer at Microsoft, comes up with some amazing hardware concepts that we wish were real, and shares these on his website, and Behance and Instagram pages.

Although he came up with the a_77 compact laptop concept over a year ago, I’ve only just stumbled across it and wanted to share the device with anyone else who might have missed it.

The a_77 started life as a simple 3D model of a small keyboard. De Pina then added a screen and ports, eventually shaping the model into a fully realized laptop.

(Image credit: Braz de Pina)Copilot key

The process gave the device an unusual form that looks very different from traditional designs.

The keyboard itself is the defining element. It features a 65% layout with function keys along the top, an oversized escape key, and a bright orange power button.

A Copilot key sits beside the spacebar (even though this isn’t an official Microsoft product, he works there, so a Copilot key was always going to be part of the design), while a ThinkPad-style nub below the Enter key offers cursor control.

Speakers sit along the bottom edge, making the most of the compact frame.

The screen, which de Pina says is touch-enabled, doesn’t stick to standard aspect ratios such as 16:9. Instead, it resembles an enlarged smartphone display, giving the device an unconventional but still practical format.

This choice, paired with the small footprint, makes the laptop feel both portable and approachable.

The a_77’s appearance is where it breaks most from current design trends.

Instead of metallic finishes, it uses plastic in bold colors including yellow, blue, and white.

Fan vents line the sides and back, and four USB-C ports are split evenly across both edges.

Its compact size makes it easy to imagine carrying in a jacket pocket, and USB-C charging would do away with the need for a bulky external charger.

Even though it is only a concept, the a_77 shows how laptops can be reimagined to carry personality as well as function, something that I’d personally love to see a lot more of.

Via Yanko Design

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AutoFull M6 Ultra: Two-minute review

Alright, I'm going to be totally honest: I wasn't expecting the AutoFull M6 Ultra gaming chair to be very good. I've seen gaming chairs with fancy massage and cooling functions before, and I was never very impressed with them (in fact, I had a good laugh about one of them during Amazon Prime Day 2022).

On paper, it sounds a bit ridiculous: a premium gaming chair absolutely loaded with features, from '6D' armrests to built-in fans and even a heating element that helps keep your posterior the perfect temperature. In practice, though, it delivers on all the advertised promises - almost all of them, anyway.

(Image credit: Future)

For starters, it's genuinely very comfortable and feels like a premium product. The cushioning is nice and plush on the seat, back, and headrest, and the PU leather finish is pleasantly cool to the touch. Both the base of the seat and the lumbar support section are perforated to make them more breathable, too.

I'd potentially go so far as to call this one of the best gaming chairs out there right now - but more due to the overall high quality and comfort, rather than the extra fancy features. That being said, the cooling and heating functions genuinely do work - more on that later in this review.

In fact, I'd have to admit that some of my issues with the AutoFull M6 Ultra are more to do with me than the chair itself. I'm 6'3", and I can't help but feel like this chair simply wasn't designed for someone of my stature. But if you're six feet tall or less, this could be the perfect chair for you - especially if you live somewhere with a warm climate.

AutoFull M6 Ultra: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

With a $799.99 / £799.99 (around AU$1,225) price tag, the M6 Ultra is far from affordable. Even relatively premium offerings from respected gaming chair brands like SecretLab and NobleChairs are cheaper.

That being said, it's worth noting that this is the highest-end model sold by AutoFull. If you're willing to sacrifice the massage and cooling/heating functions, there's also the M6 Elite, which retails for $599.99 / £599.99 (around AU$920) and retains the same high build quality without the extra bells and whistles.

Plus, at the time of writing, the M6 Ultra is on sale at AutoFull's website (seemingly in every territory), bringing the price down to a far more reasonable $569.99 / £569.99 (around AU$875). In that range, it's going up against chairs like Razer's Iskur V2 and the SecretLab Titan Evo, and for my money, it performs reasonably well against those rivals.

AutoFull M6 Ultra: Specs

Max weight of user

396lb / 180kg

Max height of user

Not specified

Recline angle

90-160° Backrest recline

Warranty

3-year

Lumbar support?

Yes (Adjustable)

Material

PU leather, fabric headrest

AutoFull M6 Ultra: Design and features

(Image credit: Future)

To describe this gaming chair as feature-rich is almost an understatement; I'm frankly surprised it doesn't also cook my dinner and do my taxes. In terms of its core construction, it's nothing groundbreaking; we've got a five-armed ergonomic base with smooth rolling casters, a fully reclining backrest, and a racing seat design with sturdy but not uncomfortable bolsters on either side.

The armrests feature '6D' movement, which sadly doesn't mean that they're capable of accessing a forbidden sixth dimension of spacetime, but rather that they can move in six specific directions.

This makes the armrest position highly customizable, which is great, though I would've liked to see a little more resistance on the 360-degree rotation; it's a bit too easy to push them out of position when getting up or sitting down, but this is an admittedly very minor quibble on my part.

(Image credit: Future)

The recline function works well, with a sturdy feel to the backrest and the option to go back almost to a fully horizontal position. Combined with the extendable flip-up legrest, it's certainly one of the most comfortable gaming chairs - you could reasonably take a comfortable nap in the M6 Ultra if you were so inclined, or reclined (sorry).

The headrest is very plush, but - somewhat unusually for a premium gaming chair - isn't removable. Instead, it's mounted on an adjustable bracket, and the sides can be 'folded' inwards too for a cradling effect. It's good enough, but I can't help but feel like a magnetic headrest would've been a better choice here. The lumbar support is also fully adjustable (and very comfy), but can't be removed without damaging the chair.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, onto the good stuff: does this chair really keep your bum cool? Surprisingly, yes, it does. Two fans in the breathable seat center can be set to three different power levels, and they definitely do keep the temperature down. I reviewed the M6 Ultra at the peak of a nasty heatwave here in the UK, and while I wasn't exactly blown away (no pun intended) by the cooling, it did make a noticeable difference after an extended period in the chair.

The heating function works quite well, too. Given the current temperatures at the time of writing, I was reluctant to use it for very long, but it certainly does get nice and toasty. It's easy to imagine how pleasant that could be in the middle of winter.

The same can't really be said for the 'massage' functionality, unfortunately. This is basically just a vibration motor concealed in the lumbar cushion, which can be set to pulse at three different speeds. I was hoping for a more active massage experience (like those bulky chairs you see at malls and airports) and ultimately found it more annoying than relaxing.

All of these features are controlled by three buttons on the seat.

AutoFull M6 Ultra: PerformanceImage 1 of 5

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So, how does the AutoFull M6 Ultra actually perform in practice? Well, for me, not great. At 6'3", I'm simply a bit too tall for this gaming chair; the headrest was the main offender, as setting it to the maximum height was still a little too low for me to sit comfortably. The NobleChairs Hero TX that I use as my regular desk chair stands about two inches taller by comparison.

Luckily, I have a 5'9" fiancé who I was able to persuade (read: bribe with snacks) into using the chair for a few days, and he reported that it was actually fantastically comfortable if you're not excessively tall. Even after a five-hour Stardew Valley binge, it was comfy and sweat-free thanks to the cooling function. Consider this a warning, then: if you're my height or taller, this might not be the chair for you.

In terms of other body types, the M6 Ultra is wide enough to accommodate most plus-sized users, and it works well for cross-legged sitting as well. The lumbar support is genuinely great (something I'm always on the lookout for in desk chairs), and it's very easy to find a natural elbow position thanks to the multi-directional armrests. It's also Lucy-approved, an extremely important certification for any chair, as you can see in the picture below.

Don't worry, she was perfectly happy to sit in the chair; she just looks perpetually concerned. (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the question of longevity, it's always difficult to gauge exactly how well a chair will last based on a few weeks reviewing it, but I have to say that I feel confident about the staying power of the M6 Ultra. The stitching looks and feels high-quality, and the chair as a whole is very robust, with mostly metal and leather in its construction; the only plastic I could see here was the external covers for the seat hinges and the lumbar adjustment dial.

One last thing I have to bring up: don't expect to be rolling around in this thing unless you've also got a USB power bank to connect to it. The USB cable that powers the extra features is simply too short to practically connect it to a PC or wall outlet unless you remain perfectly still, so the best solution is to plug it into a portable charger and store that in the handy pocket on the back of the chair.

AutoFull M6 Ultra: Should you buy it?Buy it if...

You want a feature-rich gaming chair
The AutoFull M6 Ultra is positively overloaded with features, from the fully adjustable lumbar support to the cooling fans. If you want a chair that can do it all, this is the one to pick.

You want to be super comfortable
With breathable PU leather, plush cushioning, a built-in legrest, and near-horizontal recline, the M6 Ultra might be one of the most comfortable gaming chairs on the market - just so long as you're not too tall for it.

Don't buy it if...

You're taller than six feet
If you're on the tall side, this probably won't be the right chair for you - due primarily to the headrest, which can be adjusted up and down but not fully removed (or at least, not without permanently breaking it).

You’re on a budget
If you want a new gaming chair but don't want to spend a lot, you'll be better served elsewhere - this is an undeniably pricey throne.

Also consider...

AutoFull M6 Ultra

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 XL

Razer Iskur XL

Max weight of user

396lb / 180kg

395lb / 180kg

395lb / 180kg

Max height of user

Not specified

6'9" / 205cm

6’10" / 208cm

Recline angle

90-160° Backrest recline

85-165° Backrest recline

139° Backrest recline

Warranty

2-year

5-year

3-year

Lumbar support?

Yes (adjustable)

Yes (adjustable)

Yes (adjustable)

Material

PU Leather, fabric headrest

Neo Hybrid Leatherette / Softweave Fabric / NAPA Leather

PVC leather

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 XL
The Titan Evo range from Secretlab is one of the best in the business and its 2022 range is excellent. It offers a similar package to the Kaiser 3 XL but will give you a better finish and build quality that many folks value and don't mind paying extra for.

Here's our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

Razer Iskur XL
The XL variant of the Razer Iskur will cater for the bigger player just as much as the Kaiser 3 XL but it will offer perhaps a more 'fulsome' lumbar system - an entire panel of the chair's back can be moved into the perfect position.

Here's our full Razer Iskur review

How we tested the AutoFull M6 Ultra

I spent more than a week testing out the AutoFull M6 Ultra gaming chair, swapping out my usual desk chair, the NobleChairs Hero TX, to use it daily at home, both for work (since I work from home) and a fair bit of gaming.

I'm 6'3" and weigh about 95kg (209lbs), so I'm on the large side - which is why I had both my 5'9" partner and 5'11" friend spend some time in the chair too, to get a properly rounded idea of how comfortable it is for different people.

We all tested out various positions for the headrest, armrests, and lumbar cushion, as well as seeing how comfortable the footrest and additional features were. I carefully documented their feedback and also took the time to read some product reviews on AutoFull's own website, to make sure there were no glaring issues with the M6 Ultra that I'd somehow missed in my own testing (and there weren't, so my pride remains intact).

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: August 2025