When I first heard about the Nikon Z8 at a press briefing, I didn't experience the degree of excitement I'd expected for what will likely be one of the best cameras money can buy. Perhaps that was because the full-frame mirrorless camera could be summarized by Nikon in a few words: “It’s a baby Z9”. In short, this is a camera that I’ve used a lot before – and our camera of the year 2022 – but smaller (and cheaper). 

Despite my muted reaction, the Z8 immediately made more sense than the Z9, and I was confident that my feelings about the Z8 would change after I'd spent some time actually using it. Days later, I got the chance to do just that, getting hands-on with a full production sample at the Europe launch of the Z8, which took place during Photo London 2023.

I shot 45.7MP stills and 8K videos in multiple scenarios, from studio portraits to street dancers, and this hands-on review is based on my experience. So am I more excited about the Z8 having used it? Read on to find out.

Nikon Z8: release date and price

• $3,999 / £3,999 / AU$6,999 body-only
• Available from May 25

The Nikon Z8 was announced on May 10 2023, and will land on store shelves on May 25, priced at $3,999 / £3,999 / AU$6,999 body-only. There’s stiff competition at this price point, and we've pitted the Z8 against the Canon EOS R5 and the Sony A7R V to see which mirrorless camera comes out on top.

Arriving alongside the camera is a new optional accessory – the Power Battery Pack MB-N12, which operates as a vertical grip and holds two additional EN-EL15 batteries. We don't have a list price for the MB-N12 yet, but we can use the Nikon Z7 II’s MB-N11 battery pack as a rough guide, and that costs $359 / £359 / AU$649. 

Given that the Z8 is more than 25% cheaper than the Z9, you could pick it up instead of the Z9, along with the MB-N12 pack filled with EN-EL15 batteries, and also get a mid-range Z-mount prime lens like the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S, and you’ll still likely have a little change left over. 

Nikon Z8: design

• Mirrorless evolution of the Nikon D850 DSLR
• Weather-sealed 910g body
• Blackout-free viewfinder and versatile 4-axis touchscreen

Most of what’s new in the Z8 is in regards to its design. Features, performance, and image and video quality are virtually the same as from its bigger sibling, the Nikon Z9. 

The key difference between the two camera is size. DSLR users can think of the Z8 as the mirrorless evolution of the Nikon D850, and if we think in the same terms the Z9 is the modern-day Nikon D6.

Weighing 910g, the Z8 is 30% lighter than the Z9, which is a significant 1,340g, although still heavier than its rivals the Canon EOS R5 and Sony A7R V, plus the Nikon Z7 II. 

I’m used to the Z8 form factor, and I love how all of my hand sits within its grip; with smaller cameras like the A7R V, my little finger slides off the bottom. So while it’s lighter than the Z9, the Z8 is still a decent chunk of camera, and feels good with lenses of all shapes and sizes. 

Its smaller size compared to the Z9 impacts the user experience in a few ways, and battery life is one. The Z9 has much better battery life, where the Z8’s is positively mediocre at 340 shots, as I soon found out when rattling out hundreds of frames at the launch event. That said, there is the option to add the vertical grip with two additional EN-EL15 batteries to extend battery life, and the batteries in the grip can be hot-swapped for continuous power.

Charging on-the-go via USB-C is also possible – the Z8 actually has two USB-C ports, one for power and the other for connectivity, which can be used simultaneously. I can’t think of another camera that has two USB-C ports. 

Nikon says the weather-sealing on the Z8 is to the same standard as the D850's, and it sure is a rugged camera. It also has some of the flagship design features that I love, especially for working in low light, like a top LCD and illuminated buttons. 

The 3.69m-dot viewfinder might not match the resolution of the Sony A7R V's, but it's a large and bright display with zero blackout, and as such is a pleasure to use, even for high-speed continuous shooting. The 3.2-inch, 4-axis tilt-touchscreen works well for shooting at all angles in both portrait and landscape formats, although it's no good for selfie shooting as it doesn't flip out and rotate – but then again this isn't a vlogging camera. 

In addition to its user-friendly design for photography, the Z8 boasts filmmaking tools such as waveform, focus peaking, zebra, linear focus and a red display border when recording. Nikon is also more generous than most when it comes to improving the performance and functionality of its cameras post-launch through firmware updates. The Z9 has had two major firmware updates, and is a better camera in 2023 than it was at launch a year ago, and the Z8 picks up where the Z9 currently is, with the upgrades added to the Z9 included in the Z8 out of the box.

Nikon Z8: features and performance

• 20fps for up to 1,000 raw images
• Aircraft option added to subject-tracking AF
• Autofocus effective to -9EV

In terms of features and performance, the Z8 is almost a complete match for its bigger sibling. The cameras feature the same-generation EXPEED 7 processor and stacked 45.7MP full-frame sensor with in-body image stabilization, and both exclude the mechanical viewfinder altogether – a trailblazing design choice by Nikon last year. 

Continuous shooting at 20fps for up to 1,000 raw images comes with continuous auto exposure (AE) and subject-tracking autofocus (AF). Aircraft subject detection is new to the Z8 in addition to people, animals and vehicles, though I haven’t had the chance to try this new AF mode yet. 

The max continuous shooting rate is bumped to 30fps in JPEG only, and even 120fps if you can live with an 11MP output. 20fps was plenty fast enough for me to capture precise moments of dancers at the launch event, and overall the Z8’s performance will satisfy the most demanding pro wildlife and sports photographers.

Nikon was keen to point out that it’s “evolving from JPEG to HEIF format” – the former having long being the industry standard compressed image file format. For now, the Z8 includes both formats, in addition to raw. In video terms, the difference between HEIF and JPEG is like the difference between 10-bit video and 8-bit video – HEIF offers one billion more colors than JPEG, and suits those who want greater dynamic range in their pictures.

The Z8 is a true hybrid camera, too, offering 8K / 60p and 4K / 120p video with Nikon’s N-raw and ProRes raw internal recording as an option, with 12-bit color. Record time extends up to 90 minutes in 8K and over two hours in 4K with no overheating. I’ve not pushed the camera that hard yet, but record times are one area where the Z9 should have the advantage, given that its physically larger size and surface area make it better able to disperse heat. 

Nikon Z8: image and video quality

• 45.7MP stacked sensor
• 8K / 60p video up to 90 minutes recording
• In-body image stabilization

Like the Z9, the Z8 is an extremely capable hybrid camera, delivering superb photo and video quality. It doesn’t match the 61MP resolution of the Sony A7R V – a change that was hoped for by some – but its 45.7MP resolution is plenty enough for most, and positively impacts its performance for high-speed shooting – with fewer pixels, the Z8 is twice as quick as the A7R V, and that’s a trade I’d be willing to make as an all-rounder photographer.

During the launch event I was able to shoot studio portraits with the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens, and detail is pin-sharp, as you can see in the example below. I also grabbed some photos of dancers using the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 S and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 VR S lenses. 

I’m keen to use the HEIF format more extensively, and compare it to JPEG, in my full review of the Z8. In the meantime, you can learn more about the image and video quality that you can expect from the camera in my in-depth Z9 review.

Nikon Z8 early verdict

There may be little in the Nikon Z8 that we haven’t already seen in the Z9, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most capable cameras available today. In fact, it’s all the more impressive that Nikon has been able to squeeze almost all of the features and performance from its flagship Z9 into a significantly smaller body. Nikon’s track record with firmware updates is also reassuring, and I expect the Z8 to continue improving post-launch. 

Having used both cameras now – albeit briefly in the case of the Z8 – I’m already in the Z8 camp. Nikon does say there are photographers who will always want the larger form factor of a camera like the Z9, but the Z9 is positively gargantuan, and to me the Z8 makes the most sense for most serious photographers, especially as it can be bulked out with the vertical grip.

I'm looking forward to spending more time testing the Nikon Z8 more fully, and I'll share my findings in my upcoming full review. 

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Two-minute review

It lowkey broke my heart when I had to return our on-loan review unit of the original Razer Nommo Pro. Those speakers were truly incredible, and while there have been amazing releases that followed, very few have surpassed them. They left such massive shoes to fill, in fact, that I was starting to think that Razer wasn’t going to follow up with a new model. 

Luckily, you can always count on Razer looking to outdo itself, and that’s exactly what it’s done with the Razer Nommo V2 Pro. I didn’t think it was possible, but this successor to Razer’s best PC speakers yet is even better than the OG – it’s better sounding, more powerful, and more immersive while taking up a bit less space on your desk. 

It’s even more formidable than the impressive Razer Leviathan V2 Pro, which packs a subwoofer already so powerful, my neighbors asked me one night to turn it down - when it was only at 15% volume. I don’t want to know what they think of me now that the Nommo V2 Pro has taken over.

Besides that room-shaking, downward-firing sub, you’re also getting two satellite speakers, just like the first model. But while that one championed cylindrical shapes, this new one has swapped out the old rounded subwoofer with a square one and trimmed the top cylinders that housed the tweeters off the satellites for good measure

I wouldn’t call the Nommo V2 Pro compact, but the whole system certainly takes up less space as a result of the design shift, which is nice. It also has fewer cables, especially since the control pod is no longer tethered, being fully wireless, which means less eyesore on your desk.

Speaking of the control pod, it’s fully customizable and supports other compatible Razer peripherals. If you’ve got a whole suite of Razer gaming peripherals on your gaming desk, you can use it to change settings like your mouse’s DPI, for instance, unifying control of your hardware setup under a single physical interface. Of course, it’s also reliable when performing its original intended function: controlling the Nommo V2 Pro. 

Though connecting the Nommo V2 Pro to your PC or laptop via USB is the way to go, there is Bluetooth connectivity too, so you can use it with your phone, tablet, or Nintendo Switch as well.

Another noteworthy upgrade here is the ambient RGB lighting. Instead of the thin strip that wrapped around each Nommo Pro satellite's stand, here you get a four-inch dome on the rear of the Nommo V2 Pro’s satellite's. This allows each speaker to bounce RGB lighting off the wall behind them, effectively bathing your gaming setup with ambient lighting. It’s a much more effective approach, especially since you can set the lighting to be reactive to sound or whatever’s happening on your screen.

This ambient display awareness mode would be cooler if it was more accurate or brighter. For some reason, although the RGB zones are vibrant enough, they tend to dim a little when set to this reactive effect. It’s also not the most accurate when it’s supposed to mimic what’s on your screen, which is why I prefer to just use the other lighting effects Razer has on hand in the Chroma and Synapse apps. You can also layer lighting effects, which is the ideal way to go for the most vibrant results.

Speaking of the Synapse app, it comes in very handy so do be sure to install it to maximize the Razer Nommo V2 Pro's features. There’s a 10-band EQ that lets you boost or cut each frequency to 12dB or choose from five presets (one being custom) if you are EQ-uninitiated.

It also has THX profiles on hand for some of the most popular games right now, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. By pre-selecting the THX Environmental Mode for those games, you’re telling the Nommo V2 Pro to automatically switch to that profile every time you start one of the games. It works like clockwork too – sometimes, you can actually hear it switch from whatever current sound profile you’re using to the THX mode during game loading.

However, in stereo mode with no EQ tweaking, the Nommo V2 Pro already sounds incredible. The highs are crisp and detailed while the mids are present, full, and not too rich so that it lends itself well to gaming. Thanks to that powerful downward-firing sub, you’re getting plenty of punchy bass and deep rumble. 

Without the THX Spatial Audio, the soundstage is also already reasonably wide – though this is somewhat determined by your speaker placement – and the sound imaging is very good, allowing you to clearly hear where every audio element in a game is and if it's moving.

That said, switching to the THX Spatial Audio makes a massive difference. It’s well-implemented here, as it makes everything sound wider and more immersive without sounding like Razer just added some artificial reverb. 

There’s also plenty of volume on tap. And when I say plenty, I mean that if you set this to around 80%, you’re gonna want to sit a few feet away from your desk, lest you risk ear damage. I also highly suggest checking in with your roommates or neighbors if you’re planning on firing it up at night for a sesh – because trust me, you’re gonna want to.

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $449.99
• When is it available? Available June 2023
• Where can you get it? Confirmed in the US

Another thing the Razer Nommo V2 Pro has over its predecessor is a slightly more accessible price tag. I wouldn’t call it a budget buy, but it’s a tad more affordable than the original at $449.99 in the US. 

It’s also $150 cheaper than SteelSeries’ Arena 9, which will set you back a hefty $599 / €599 / AU$599 – although to be fair, that one is a 5.1 system, and if you compare the Nommo V2 Pro to its closest SteelSeries rival, the Arena 7, it’s actually pricier. It’s also more expensive than Razer’s PC soundbar system, the aforementioned Leviathan V2 Pro, which sits at  $399.99 / £399.99 (about AU$600).

Still, if you want high-quality audio, you almost always have to pay more, and the Razer Nommo V2 Pro certainly offers better audio quality than the Arena 7 and the Leviathan V2 Pro.

If you are ready to invest in the Razer Nommo V2 Pro – and I honestly think you should – it will be available in the US in June 2023. I’m sure it will also be available for UK and Australian customers around the same time, but I have yet to confirm that.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Nommo V2 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Nommo V2 Pro

• Tested the Razer Nommo V2 Pro for several days
• Used it for gaming and streaming
• Tested the sound quality, volume, soundstage, and features

I used the Razer Nommo V2 Pro as my main PC speakers for a few days. Besides using it to play titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Rocket League, I also used it to watch movies and listen to tunes.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using audio devices for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Two-minute review

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED may be definitive proof that esports gamers had it right all along – that when it comes to gaming displays, it's not so much the size as it is the speed (and naturally, the picture quality) that wins the race.

This monitor might not look like much compared to the behemoths that we're being conditioned to want these days. In fact, coming from the 42-inch monitor I was testing prior, I didn't think this was going to satiate my viewing needs. Yet here I am, singing its praises. 

This isn't just a typical gaming display, however. Yes, it's fast, with its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms GtG response time. Yes, it's crisp and detailed, thanks to its sweet spot when it comes to pixel density (109 PPI, to be exact). And yes, it's got an excellent port selection and great color coverage - content creators will appreciate its 100% Adobe RGB and 98.5% DCI-P3 color gamut. But it's not exactly the first of its kind to offer such things.

What puts this display over the top, beating out many of the best gaming displays - and the best monitors in general, for that matter - on our list, are its glorious OLED panel, which makes those visuals all the richer and more vibrant, and its impressive HDR implementation that's among the best I've seen on a display. 

On a 27-inch monitor that's only 13.9lbs (6.3Kg), that's even more impressive, although Corsair still found other ways to make it a compelling choice. The green packaging the company used here is sure to please users who are concerned about their carbon footprint, while its two-pronged base will appeal to those lacking a lot of desktop real estate.

The panel itself is almost paper-thin, which is nice, but be warned, the stand and mount combination takes up quite a bit of space behind it. I quite like the design - it's a similar aesthetic to that Corsair uses on its other displays - but a thinner profile overall would have been nice too.

At least there's plenty of articulation on the mount, meaning that you can tilt the panel up to 7 degrees down and 15 degrees up, swivel left and right up to 30 degrees, pivot it 90 degrees for portrait mode, and adjust its height up to 100mm. If you're concerned about having the right ergonomics when gaming, this monitor should allow you the best position possible for you.

All the ports I could need are not so easily accessible, sadly. They are accessible in that they sit out in the open on the rear of the unit rather than on the underside, so you don't have to twist your neck into weird positions to get to them. It's just that they sit right on the rear of the stand, which means they're all the way in the back, which is quite a reach. 

The good news is that you have all the ports you could possibly need. There's a USB-C port that will let you charge your laptop, two HDMI 2.1 ports for your current-gen consoles, and one DisplayPort. To give you more ports for your peripherals, Corsair even threw in a USB hub with four USB Type-A ports, and this hub works perfectly. To manage them all, there's also a spacious cable management slot built-in on the stand. It doesn't tuck them all away, out of sight, but it does bundle them all together so that your desk is not overrun by them.

Before I move on to performance, I do want to say that the anti-reflective coating on this panel is truly impressive. It's very effective at minimizing reflections so whether you're gaming or working, you're not distracted by them, ruining your experience. There's also a proximity sensor right underneath the OSD buttons, which is a nice touch and makes it so that you're not just randomly pressing on buttons, risking inadvertently changing a setting you didn't want changed.

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED may not give you that 4K resolution that everyone seems to want these days, but its 1440p resolution on a 27-inch display gives you a pixel density of 109PPI - the sweet spot for crisp picture quality, and just the ticket, especially when combined with its 240Hz refresh rate, for competitive gamers.

Cyberpunk 2077 and Rocket League both look stunning and just as immersive on this as they would on a larger panel, if not more due to the fast refresh rate. Both titles look sharp, smooth, and super clean on this, made better by its OLED tech that delivers even richer colors.

Of course, non-competitive games, shows, and movies look gorgeous on it too. Hogwarts Legacy, for instance, not only looks vibrant but feels very immersive as well since the 240Hz refresh rate meant that there was zero ghosting - even when I'm spinning the camera around quickly or I'm running around in-game.

They look even better with HDR on. The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED has one of the best HDR implementations I've seen on a gaming display, with many of the ones I've tested paling (quite literally) in comparison. 

Toggle that HDR on, and you're getting a lot more dynamic range of color in games and shows like Wednesday without ending up with incredibly washed-out visuals. The colors do tend to look less saturated, but not to the extent that it ruins the whole experience. You're still getting that rich experience while gaining back some of the lost details in darker scenes. And, honestly, the difference is night and day.

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $999 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,749 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Woof! That $999 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,749 price tag on the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED is a gut-puncher, especially if you see what this baby can do before you realize how much it’ll cost you. It’s an excellent display. It’s one of the best gaming monitors right now, and you’ll want to take it home. Unfortunately, that steep price tag means it’s not accessible to everyone.

Heck, even the AOC Agon Pro AG274QG is more affordable at $899 / £849. And if you are looking for something much cheaper, the older Samsung Odyssey G7 remains to be a compelling choice, and it’s often discounted at many online retailers. Both displays are 27 inches and have a 240Hz refresh rate like the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED. 

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED does have a few advantages over these two rivals, including the fact that it's an OLED panel, and therefore delivers deeper, richer colors.

• Value: 3 / 5

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Specs

Should you buy the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Also consider

How I tested the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED

• Tested the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED for about a week
• Used it for gaming, work and entertainment
• Tested it with several games, streaming content, and my colorimeter

I used the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED as my PC gaming and work monitor for a few days, spending 8 to 10 hours a day on it. I also made sure to put its biggest features through their paces to make sure they work as they should.

Besides using it with games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Rocket League, I also used it to stream movies and shows. Of course, I also checked its color accuracy and coverage using my colorimeter.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using monitors for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Nodecraft is a rapidly growing company that has become a popular choice for gamers and developers alike. Offering hosting services for a wide range of games, including Minecraft, Rust, and Valheim, Nodecraft has quickly gained a reputation for providing reliable and user-friendly server hosting solutions. 

With a commitment to customer satisfaction and a focus on innovation, Nodecraft is setting itself apart as one of the best Minecraft server hosting providers in the gaming industry. We take a closer look at what makes Nodecraft unique and explore some of the features and benefits that have made it such a popular choice for gamers and developers around the world.

What is Nodecraft?

Nodecraft is a Minecraft server hosting provider that allows you to easily create and manage game servers.  

Features 

One of the standout features of Nodecraft is its backup system. With this system, you can create an exact copy of your server's files, including player data, configurations, and maps. This allows you to test new configurations without risking your current setup. In addition, Nodecraft's backup system allows you to instantly load a previous backup if something goes wrong with your server. This can be a real lifesaver for gamers and developers who want to ensure that their game server is always running smoothly.

Nodecraft's real-time console is another standout feature. The console provides direct access to logs, admin commands, and other useful utilities. Kicking players, assigning admins, and monitoring performance can all be accomplished right in your browser. What sets Nodecraft's console apart is that it is directly streamed from the server to your browser within milliseconds. Behind the scenes, NodePanel scans this output for events such as player joins, server crashes, and other useful information to provide you with a real-time glance at what is going on in your server.

Security is a top priority for Nodecraft, and the company has created a system that allows you to generate a new login for each FTP session. This information is easily hidden from the overview for added security and privacy. This feature ensures that your files are as safe as possible while still allowing you to manage them efficiently.

Nodecraft's web-based file manager streams files from your server directly to your browser. You can edit, upload, and manage files without the need for downloading or using confusing software. This feature makes it easy for you to manage your files.

With NodePanel, all of your services exist with one singular login. Access everything under one account, directly at Nodecraft. No separate logins, no additional subdomains, and no hassle. This feature makes it easy for you to manage your accounts and services without having to remember multiple logins and passwords.

Nodecraft's servers are built with game server performance in mind. The company uses an Intel Xeon E-2174G or equivalent processor with a speed of 3.8+ GHz. Additionally, each server has 64GB ECC RAM for high-speed performance and stability. 

Nodecraft uses enterprise-grade solid-state drives (SSDs) to power all customer game servers, ensuring lightning-fast performance. Also, Nodecraft's DDoS protection and high-performance network are built to withstand attacks and ensure that your game server is always up and running. Nodecraft's entire infrastructure is built on top of a Linux ecosystem which ensures that your game server runs smoothly and efficiently.

Server management 

Server management is a crucial aspect of game server hosting, as it directly impacts the player experience. Nodecraft offers a wide range of server locations, spread across North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. This ensures that players can enjoy low-latency, high-performance gaming experiences, regardless of where they're located in the world. In North America, Nodecraft has server locations in Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, Florida, Canada, and Washington, D.C. 

This extensive coverage ensures that players on the continent can find a server location that's closest to them, thereby reducing latency with improved game performance. Moving to South America, Nodecraft has a server location in São Paulo, Brazil. This location offers gamers in the region access to a low-latency server that is optimized for high-performance gaming. In Europe, Nodecraft has server locations in Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Romania. This coverage ensures that players in the region can access servers that are closest to their location and as such, minimize latency and offer improved game performance.

Also, in the Asia-Pacific region, Nodecraft has server locations in Israel, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. With server locations spread across the region, players can expect low-latency gaming experiences. Having server locations in multiple regions is a critical feature for any game server hosting provider, as it ensures that players can enjoy optimal gaming experiences. 

Interface in-use 

The Nodecraft control panel provides a user-friendly interface for managing your game servers. The Interactive GUI has been designed to make it easy for anyone, regardless of their technical knowledge, to modify server settings with ease. The panel is intuitive and visually appealing, with a clean and simple layout that allows you to quickly navigate through the different sections. This interface can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it convenient for you to manage your servers on the go.

The Nodecraft Interactive GUI provides a wide range of options that allow you to customize your game server to your liking. For instance, you can use the interface to change the server's game settings, such as difficulty level, game mode, and more. You can also upload mods, maps, and plugins with ease through the built-in file manager. Additionally, the panel allows you to monitor server performance metrics like CPU and memory usage, so you can optimize your server for better performance.

If you prefer to modify server settings manually, Nodecraft also offers access to all of the server's game files. This means you can use an FTP client to connect to your server and edit configuration files directly. Advanced users who prefer to use command line tools like SSH can do so as well. Nodecraft provides a wide range of tools to cater to different user preferences and technical abilities. Overall, the Nodecraft control panel is user-friendly for managing game servers, however, it may be overwhelming for beginners.  

Pricing 

Nodecraft offers four different pricing plans to fit a variety of needs and budgets. The first plan is the Nano plan, which starts at $9.98 per month. This plan includes 5 save and swap servers, 2GB of RAM, 10GB of SSD storage, 20GB of cloud backups, unlimited player slots, automation and tasks, one-click installer, free subdomain and dedicated IP, and DDoS Guard protection. The Keelo plan is the second pricing option, starting at $19.98 per month. This plan offers 10 save and swap servers, 4GB of RAM, 20GB of SSD storage, 40GB of cloud backups, and all the other features included in the Nano plan.

The third pricing plan is the Megs plan, which starts at $29.98 per month. This plan offers 15 save and swap servers, 6GB of RAM, 30GB of SSD storage, 60GB of cloud backups, and all the other features included in the Nano and Keelo plans. The Omega plan starts at $39.98 per month and offers 20 save and swap servers, 8GB of RAM, 40GB of SSD storage, 80GB of cloud backups, and all the other features included in the megs plans. All of these plans come with the option to add additional resources for an additional fee, including more RAM, SSD storage, and cloud backups. Nodecraft also offers a 7-day money-back guarantee, so if you're not satisfied with the service within the first week, you can cancel and receive a full refund.

Customer support

Nodecraft offers a variety of support options to assist its customers with issues or questions they may have. One of the easiest and most convenient options is their live chat feature, which is available on their website 24/7. While testing this out, I was connected with a support representative and receive real-time assistance with a question I had about setup. If you prefer to speak with someone directly, Nodecraft offers phone support during its support hours of 12:30 AM - 09:00 AM. For less urgent matters, customers can also send an email to support@nodecraft.com. Nodecraft's support team aims to respond to all emails within 24 hours, although response times may vary depending on the volume of inquiries.

In addition to these support options, Nodecraft also offers an extensive knowledge base that contains helpful articles and guides on a variety of topics, such as server setup, game configuration, and troubleshooting common issues. You can browse the knowledge base to find answers to your questions or learn more about the features and capabilities of Nodecraft's platform.

Alternatives to Nodecraft 

Shockbyte offers affordable Minecraft server hosting with instant setup, a user-friendly control panel, and 24/7 customer support. It has servers in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Shockbyte offers plans starting at $15/month for a server with 1GB of RAM.

Apex Hosting is a Minecraft server hosting provider that offers a wide range of plans to fit different needs and budgets. Apex has servers located in North America, Europe, and Asia and offers features such as DDoS protection, and automatic backups.

GameServers is a Minecraft server hosting company that provides reliable and affordable game server hosting for a variety of games, including popular titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, and Garry's Mod. GameServers offer a range of plans with various features and benefits to suit different needs and budgets.

GTXGaming offers Minecraft server hosting services for a range of popular games, such as Garry's Mod, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Conan Exiles. It has servers located in multiple regions for low-latency gameplay, and its control panel allows for easy server customization and management. It also offers 24/7 customer support.

BisectHosting is a popular Minecraft server hosting provider that offers affordable and reliable hosting for a variety of games, including Minecraft, Ark: Survival Evolved, and Rust. BisectHosting offers a user-friendly control panel and 24/7 customer support. Pricing starts at $7.99/month for a server with 1GB of RAM.

Is Nodecraft right for you? 

Nodecraft may be right for you if you prioritize DDoS protection, low latency, 99.9% uptime, and data centers around the world. Its excellent support through calls, emails, and live chat, as well as a free trial and money-back guarantee, can also be appealing. However, if you prefer a user-friendly control panel, note that Nodecraft's built-in control panel may be difficult to understand at first.

• Some of the best web hosting services offer Minecraft server hosting