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I tested Leica’s divisive M EV1 — it’s easier to the eye, but loses some of that rangefinder soul

3:33 pm | December 15, 2025

Leica M EV1: two-minute review

The Leica M EV1 concept is polarizing: strip out the optical rangefinder that Leica M cameras have been famed for for over 70 years, and replace it with an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

It's yet another example of Leica tweaking and evolving its tried and tested rangefinder series design, however, and another reason that the oldest active lens mount still in production today has many years of life still in it.

You'd think the whole experience of taking photos with the M EV1 would be wildly different – but in fact, for me, in many ways it isn't.

Technically speaking, the Leica M EV1 shares many similarities with the Leica M11 / M11-P and Leica Q3 / Q3 43) – all use Leica's 60MP full-frame sensor, which delivers the most detailed photos among full-frame cameras.

It's like a Leica Q3 / Q3 43 premium compact but with Leica's M mount, which felt pretty intuitive to me straight away, as I've used other Leica M series and Leica Q series cameras extensively.

Man holding the Leica M EV1 camera's viewfinder up to their eye, autumn leaf backdrop — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

I can see the appeal for many Leica fans already in camp M EV1 – it has useful elements of Leica's Q series (minus autofocus, tilt screen and video recording), combined with the versatility of the Leica M mount and a wide choice of lenses. For some, that's the best of both worlds.

On the plus side, the EVF offers focus peaking, which is an extremely useful visual aid for manual focusing; trust me, it will increase your percentage of sharp shots compared to being guided by Leica's optical rangefinder, at least when you're manually focusing in the moment, rather than sticking to a set focus distance as some street photographers do. You lose a little of that old school rangefinder magic, but the EVF is way more practical in my experience.

Build-wise, there's greater similarity with the M11 – not just the M mount and interchangeable lenses, but also the control layout and fixed rear screen, although I'd rather have more Q3 attributes in the design.

Rear of the Leica M EV1 camera, on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The EVF has a slightly different profile to the optical rangefinder in other Leica M cameras, but the 2.95-inch fixed screen is the same as the M11's (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

For me, the Q3’s tilt screen is super-useful – I generally find myself switching between the viewfinder and rear screen, and I enjoy waist-level shooting for street photography, for which a tilt screen is hugely useful.

That meant I used the 5.76m-dot viewfinder more often with the EV1, and thankfully it works a treat. Rangefinder-style cameras like the EV1 are fairly inconspicuous too, making them ideal for street photography.

There is of course the other camp, for whom the M EV1 is the worst of both worlds, for whom the M EV1 makes less sense as a package. Sure, it costs less than the M11, but it costs more than the Q3, which is much more camera, with its built-in lens, autofocus, tilt screen and video recording. It's a natural comparison when you take the optical rangefinder out of the equation.

Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The Leica M EV1 with Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens attached (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The M EV1 makes sense in some ways, especially if you already own multiple Leica lenses, but if you're starting out, or generally shoot with one or two lenses, it doesn't.

Nuts and bolts, the M EV1 makes less sense when I talk about it. However, I have to go with my gut, having used the camera extensively with the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens for a week. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Yes, it feels slightly less organic than the M11, but if you don't mind an EVF then the EV1 feels like the new Leica M camera to go for.

Leica M EV1 camera in user's hands, autumn leaf backdrop — The M EV1 is a compact and discreet rangefinder-style camera, making it ideal for reportage photography. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Leica M EV1: price and release date

Costs $8,995 / £6,840 / AU$13,990 for the body only
Additional leatherette hand grip costs $460 / £340
Available from October 23, 2025

Price-wise, the Leica M EV1 sits in between the Leica M11 and Leica Q3, which makes sense because an EVF is cheaper to manufacture than an optical rangefinder.

Ultimately, the EV1's list price makes the Q3 / Q3 43 feel like much better value, especially if you're not going to be swapping lenses a lot. The Q3 is much the same camera, for less, with additional features – and you get a built-in lens.

With the EV1, you're paying for the luxury of being able to swap lenses, and every Leica lens costs in the thousands.

Personally, if I had a spare $14,000 / £12,000 for Leica camera gear, I'd rather pick up both the Leica Q3 and Leica Q3 43 over the EV1 with a lens such as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux, which together cost the same as two Q3s.

The M EV1 is supplied with a black leather strap.

Price score: 3/5

Leica M EV1 camera in user's hands — There's no grip on the M EV1, but an additional leatherette hand grip is available separately (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Leica M EV1: specs

Video	N/A
Photo	60MP full-frame
Lens mount	Leica M
Autofocus	N/A – manual focus only
Screen	2.95-inch fixed touchscreen, 2.3m-dot
Viewfinder	5.76m-dot EVF
Weight	17oz / 484g (body, including battery)
Battery	244 shots (Leica BP-SCL7)

Leica M EV1: Design

Compact rangefinder design
5.76m-dot EVF instead of an optical rangefinder
Modest-size 2.95-inch fixed touchscreen

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Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop, no lens attached — Yes it's a Leica M... without the rangefinder! (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Rear screen of the Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The control layout is super minimal (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Top plate of the Leica M EV1 camera, which is resting on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — There's no ISO dial, which you'll find in the top left of Leica M11 cameras (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Underside of the Leica M EV1 camera, on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — There's USB-C charging for the 1,900mAh capacity battery (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Right side profile of the Leica M EV1 camera

The right side of the camera (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Left side profile of the Leica M EV1 camera

The left side of the camera – there are no connections whatsoever (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The obvious place to start when talking about the M EV1's design is its viewfinder, which is the same 5.76m-dot EVF found in the Leica Q3. It's also placed in the corner of the camera where the rangefinder traditionally sits, easily accessed with your right eye.

I was shooting with Leica's 35mm f/1.4 Summilux lens for this test, often wide open at f/1.4 where depth of field is really shallow, and getting sharp manual focus is historically a challenge with Leica M cameras. This changes somewhat with the M EV1.

Focus peaking is indeed supremely helpful for this manual focus-only camera, outlining the hard edges of your subject that's in focus – I had the camera set to red focus peaking, which in general is the color most easily seen. However, you shouldn't totally rely on the accuracy of focus peaking, especially with a shallow depth of field.

Focus magnification gives you a closer look, making it much easier to make fine adjustments and ensure sharp focusing where it matters, assuming you have time to use it. My ratio of in-focus shots has been much higher using the M EV1 than I would expect with a camera like the M11.

Leica M EV1 sample gallery: two people walking under an umbrella in London — Even with an EVF, a manual focus-only camera will keep you on your toes. Here my reactions weren't up to speed – a mirrorless camera with subject detection autofocus would have nailed this photo (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

As a rangefinder-style camera, the EV1 is really compact, plus the shutter action is dampened for minimal vibration and noise, making for discreet picture taking.

The 2.95-inch rear screen feels a little on the small side, and being fixed it's less useful that a moveable screen, say a tilt or vari-angle type. The quality and feel of the display is top-drawer, though – with 2.3m dots it's packed with detail, and touch response feels smooth.

With the screen being less useful than I would like – I prefer the Q3's tilt screen – I leaned more into using the viewfinder, which is a lovely experience, even if traditionalists will turn their nose up at such a digital display. Sure, you lose a little of the rangefinder magic, but the EV1 is a more practical not just for focusing but also composition.

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Closeup of the Leica M EV1 camera's viewfinder — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's rear buttons — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's control dial — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Like all high-end Leica M cameras, the EV1 is made in Germany and the body is fully metal – both aluminum and magnesium, with a leatherette finish. This is a classy bit of gear.

The style, profile and control layout of the EV1 are largely familiar – this feels like an M11, save for the omission of an ISO dial (which is a real shame) and of course that new type of viewfinder. I'm a fan of minimalist design, and thoroughly enjoyed shooting with the EV1.

Design score: 4/5

Leica M EV1: Performance

Manual focus only
Poor battery life
Content credentials included
4.5fps for up to 15 RAWs

Battery life, I must say, is pretty poor by today's standards, rated up to 244 shots. It's little wonder given that the camera uses Leica's BP-SCL7 battery with its modest 1,800mAh capacity.

Still, the M EV1 isn't the kind of high-speed photography and video-making heavyweight with which users would quickly drain a battery. The photography process here is slow and considered, and as such I typically got through a whole day without needing to charge the battery (which is done via the USB-C port on the underside of the camera).

Burst-shooting top speeds are a modest 4.5fps. The buffer memory is rated to 3GB, which means you can shoot 15 full-size raw files or 100 JPEGs at that top speed before the camera slows up, assuming you're using a high-speed UHS-II SD card. Put simply, this is no high-speed shooter.

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's battery door — I love the dual-lock design of the battery door, which is unlocked using the lever, and then fully released by pushing the battery back in a little. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's battery door, battery removed and placed next to the camera — Battery capacity is pretty low by today's standards (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Following the Leica M11-P, the EV1 is equipped with content credentials, which is the most widely adopted industry standard for authenticating the origin of digital images. It does so through a secure digital label, holding details such as names, dates, and any edits made to an image’s metadata.

GPS geotagging data can also be added to images via the Leica Fotos app, which is available on the Apple store and Google Play store for iPhone and Android devices. It's also possible to wirelessly transfer images to your device from the M EV1 through the app, as well as remotely control the camera.

I tested the EV1 before its official launch, which meant that it wasn't registered on the Leica Fotos app. However, I have plenty of experience with the app, such as with the screen-less M11-D, and it's one of the more reliable and pain-free app experiences from leading camera brands.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Leica M EV1: Image quality

Same 60MP sensor as the M11 and Q3, with digital crops
Manual focus only
No video recording

If you want a detail-rich full-frame camera there are none better than those that use this 60MP sensor, as Leica's current crop of M cameras do, along with the Sony A7R V.

Leica offers two digital crop modes: 1.3x and 1.8x, with a reduced 36MP and 18MP resolution respectively. With the 35mm lens I had for this review, those crops give a perspective equivalent to 45mm and 63mm lenses.

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: busy Oxford Circus underground station entrance — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: street scene in London reflected in a puddle — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: inside a Joe the Juice cafe — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: outside a London pub at dusk — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: two red phone boxes in London — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: wait sign illuminated in London street — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: man leaning against pedestrian crossing wait light — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: noodle restaurant window — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: Regent Street Cineman London at dusk — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The ISO sensitivity range starts at ISO 64 and tops out at ISO 50,000, so images taken in good light with the base ISO are particularly clean and crisp.

Leica uses the widely adopted DNG raw format, with a 14-bit output and a limited number of color profiles to choose from – I mainly stuck to standard profile, and made color edits to raw files afterwards.

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: close up of heather — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: mushrooms growing out of a fallen tree — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: portrait of main with autumn trees. in background — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: young girl gazing towards forest — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: M&M candy being passed around — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: large mushroom growing out of a dead tree — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: autumnal forest — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: girl giving grass to a horse — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: close up of a horses's mane — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: man partly in shade and light by window — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Sticking with the Leica M ethos, the EV1 doesn't shoot video at all. For video recording with a Leica, you'll need to look to the Leica Q series.

Would it have harmed Leica's reputation to add video recording to an M mount camera for the first time, in the same swoop as an EVF? No! I think the same video recording skills as a Q3 series camera could have been an excellent string to the M EV1's bow.

To conclude, assuming you nail focusing and are using one of Leica's high-quality M mount lenses, then photo quality is top drawer.

Image quality score: 4.5 / 5

Leica M EV1: testing scorecard

Leica M EV1
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Price	Less than an M11 bur pricier than the Q3, the M EV1's price was predictable	3.5/5
Design	All the premium hallmarks of Leica M, but with one new bold design change that makes sense for some	4/5
Performance	The EVF has a hit on battery life, while burst shooting speeds are slow	3.5/5
Image quality	There's no better full-frame sensor for outright image quality (backed up with Leica glass), but video recording is absent	4.5/5

Should I buy the Leica M EV1?

Buy it if...

You own Leica M mount lenses
No Leica lenses? The Q3 could be a better pick. But if you already own Leica lenses, the M EV1 could be the next step in your Leica journey.

It's time for a more practical Leica M
Perhaps your eyesight isn't what it once was, or you're simply wanting a Leica M that's easier to use – the EV1's EVF could make all the difference.

Don't buy it if...

You love the Leica M soul
Yes the hands-on experience with the M EV1 feels largely familiar to other Leica M cameras, but there's no denying it loses a little of the old school soul.

You expect a comprehensively modern digital camera
An EVF makes the M EV1 the modern Leica rangefinder, but it still lacks autofocus, video recording and a handy moveable screen.

Leica M EV1: also consider

Leica Q3

If you're considering the M EV1, then you're probably already okay with using an EVF. And unless you already have a bunch of pricey Leica lenses, the Q3 and / or Q3 43 premium compacts feel like a wiser pick overall – you get the same 60MP sensor but also a built-in lens, the ability to switch to autofocus, a versatile tilt screen, and video recording. Oh, and both Q3 models cost much less.

See my Leica Q3 reviewView Deal

Leica M11

Design-wise there are two key differences between the M11 and M EV1; the viewfinder type – the M11 has an optical rangefinder, while the M EV1 has a 5.76m-dot electronic viewfinder – and the M11 features a handy ISO dial that's missing on the EV1. Besides that, the user experience and image quality are effectively the same. The EV1 costs less than the M11, though.

See our Leica M11 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Leica M EV1

Leica loaned me the M EV1 for a week ahead of its launch
I had one lens to test it with – the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph
I've used the M EV1 as an everyday camera, documenting the world around me

My experience with the Leica M EV1 was wonderfully simple. I had it close to hand for a whole week ahead of the global announcement, with the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens attached to it the whole time.

I'm a fan of this lens for reportage photography, and naturally found myself documenting the world around me, mostly making use of the EVF and focus peaking to manually focus.

Of course, there's a decent range of Leica M lenses to choose from, making the most of the M EV1's design advantages over the Leica Q3 premium compact with its fixed lens.

First reviewed: October 2025
Read more about how we test

Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025 review

2:12 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Many software packages and services let you design the perfect house, complete with plumbing, electrics, furniture, and more. Some even go further and expand their canvas to allow you to design the surrounding landscape.

Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025 does things differently, focussing primarily on the landscape itself, and its features and quite impressive. it's easily one of the best landscape design software tools around - as long as you own a Windows PC, the only platform it supports.

You can download Realtime Landscaping Pro from Idea Spectrum by clicking here.

Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025: Pricing and plans

Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025 during our review — Fine tune your design with numerous changeable parameters (Image credit: Idea Spectrum )

Far from the cheapest landscaping software out there, but at least you own it outright: no subscription deals, plus you can download a trial version to check it out

Idea Spectrum deserves praise for not treating their software as a service they can let out. Instead, you need to purchase Realtime Landscaping Pro outright - the old fashioned way - for $279. This is quite refreshing in this day and age. Yes, you have to pay more upfront, but that’s one less rental you have to deal with every month.

Additionally, you can upgrade from a previous version: Pro owners of versions 2011 to 2023 can do so for $129, whereas Plus owners from 2011 to 2025 have to pay $149 to get the latest version of Pro.

If you wish to try the software out for yourself, you can also download a free trial which limits some of the features, but will give you a good feel for what’s on offer.

Score: 3.5/5

Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025: Interface

A clean, easy to understand interface, with multiple views and handy wizards to speed up the design process

Realtime Landscaping Pro is designed for you to work in a 3D environment. Should you prefer to focus on a 2D space, Idea Spectrum also offers ‘Realtime Landscaping Photo’ as an alternative.

The interface is very standard: all your tools can be found on a sidebar to the left, with all the objects you can add being located at the top, broken down by category, such as Terrain, Water Features, Utilities, and Building (yes, you can add buildings to your design; you just can’t venture into them). The left side of the interface is your Inspector, showing all of a selected object’s changeable parameters.

Since you can’t explore the inside of the house, you’d be forgiven for thinking the options available for designing the outside might be limited. Although a lot is automated for you, you have a heck of a lot of customisation capabilities. From setting up the structure, to adding windows, guttering, lights, it’s pretty much all there. Plus you can change the types of material, their colour, the wall heights, the pitch of the roof, etc. Everything you need to make a building look great - from the outside. You also have the ability to add ‘window facades’ that make it seem like your house has an interior when looking through the windows.

There are three separate views at your disposal, all accessible via buttons, lower left of the interface: ‘Plan’ is a top-down view - selected by default; ’Perspective’, allows you to see elevation and work in a 3D environment, which we found helped us design better. The third view is called ‘Walkthrough’, and is really there for you to peruse your creation using your mouse and keyboard. As the project is rendered in high quality, there is no way to alter it in that view.

On the whole, the interface is clear, and easy to understand, giving you a large canvas in the centre of the interface to design your project. Should you feel at a loss, Idea Spectrum offers a series of online tutorials to help you familiarise yourself with what’s on offer.

In order to facilitate the design process further, Realtime Landscaping Pro comes with various wizards. One is used for creating houses, as mentioned above, but others are also available to quickly create landscapes, decks, ponds, accents and swimming pools. The concept is very simple: choose a template, place it onto your project and more often than not, you’re done. These templates are fully customisable of course, to help them blend in more perfectly with your landscape.

Score: 4/5

Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025: Planting

An unbelievable inventory of plants which you can customise, choose their size, and set their look. You also have control over the time of day, and season. Your customisation options are as impressive as the number of plants available

Software designed to recreate an outdoor environment should be well stocked when it comes to flora, and this is exactly what Realtime Landscaping Pro offers. You have at your disposal over 6,000 plants, subdivided by category such as Annuals, Succulent, Tropical, etc, to make it easier to find what you’re after. But with so many to choose from, you’ll be grateful for that handy search field as well!

But that’s not all: you get to choose plants ideal for the geographical location you’re designing in - or not - the choice is completely up to you, as you add trees and shrubs that can look great together, but might not survive in the real world. You also get to choose each plant’s age, which mostly just alters their height, as well as the season you’re working in. This is set for your overall design, but you can also supersede that choice for each plant individually if you’re looking for an unusual and striking look, such as having plants displaying their spring appearance, next to others in the fall. Essentially, you can be as realistic and accurate as you please, or as fanciful as you desire.

This level of control extends to the weather, time of day, season, and even the phase of the moon. All of this is available through the ‘Settings’ menu.

You’ll find that each category has a ‘Currently Used’ section, which allows you to reuse objects currently in your project, elsewhere. This only works on your current project though. Should you wish to use the same plants in multiple projects, that’s where the ‘Favourites’ section comes in, making it easy to locate items once, and use them again and again in future works.

Score: 5/5

Realtime Landscaping Pro 2025: Objects, people, and animation

You also have a large list of materials, objects and people to further refine your design, and bring your creation to life with a few fun animations

Plants are but the start of your designing journey. Realtime Landscaping Pro also contains a generous library of 3D objects, from lawn furniture, to cars, as well as a wealth of materials you can use for your walls, driveways, and more.

But what we particularly enjoyed was how you can bring your design to life through animation. Water can shimmer, and fountains flow, for instance. But people - and even animals - can be animated as well. Some can walk, others jog, and a few even swim. Set a path for them to follow and they’ll repeat their action on a loop. Even those sitting or lying around will have some kind of animation set for them, like a head tilt, or a hand movement. All of these help your creation come to life when exploring it in Walkthrough.

Speaking of Walkthrough, you’re able to create movies meandering through your project, although you don’t actually control the movement through your keyboard and mouse, but rather by setting a path for the camera to follow. You can even connect it to an Oculus Rift.

As it stands, this software is very versatile with a wealth of features. It’s simple enough for casual users to have fun with, yet versatile enough for professional use, creating your dream garden, virtually, complete with seasons, and fun animations.

Score: 4/5

Should I buy Realtime Landscaping Pro?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for a detailed landscaping tool with a wealth of features to help you design the project of your (or your clients’) dreams.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t fancy playing with so many features that you can get lost in the minutia, and you find the animations superfluous and creepy.

For more design tools, we've reviewed the best architecture software and the best interior design software.

Amadeus review: classical music is Bach and better than ever in Sky’s retelling of a tumultuous composer rivalry

3:01 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Entertainment Gadgets Streaming | Comments: Off

A few days before I started watching Amadeus, an influx of young people flooded my TikTok For You Page, playing various Bach pieces on different orchestral instruments while remixing each song with modern music. It was all thanks to a passing trend, but it did briefly make me wonder if classical musical was making a resurgence in digital pop culture.

If those same kids watch the new five-episode Sky TV series, I think they'd be astounded. Amadeus goes far beyond a musical education for the uninitiated, delving further into the supposed rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri than previous accounts, including Miloš Forman's 1984 film.

Summing this rivalry up in one word would be easy: unhinged. The pair go far beyond the stereotypical boundaries of 'frenemies,' leaving their desperate acts of reconciliation until it's too late. I would never have paired Will Sharpe (Mozart) and Paul Bettany (Salieri) up to portray this, but their chemistry is undeniable.

What's more difficult to explain are the complexities behind this rivalry. To me, the duo's battles put me in mind of a 1700s version of Peggy Mitchell and Pat Butcher, from UK soap opera Eastenders. I'm in danger of losing non-UK readers at this point, but theirs was a connection that spanned decades, ranging from heartfelt consolation to vindictive plotting and literal fist fights. You never knew where you stood with them, and that was a big part of what made them so watchable.

It's not the best analogy I've ever come up with, but the atmosphere of palpable tension punctuated with violent outbursts means you never fully catch your breath. But, while Amadeus is narratively sound, it's visually questionable.

Sky has saved its best show of 2025 until last with Amadeus

If you look at the YouTube comments on the above video, fans of the 1979 stage play by Peter Shaffer, which he adapted for the subsequent movie, aren't pleased that the same tale is about to be retold. However, while it sometimes feels like we can hardly move for TV and film adaptations that cover familiar ground while not bringing much that's new to the party, I don't think Amadeus can be tarnished with the same brush.

Even if both those earlier versions had been flawless (and the three-hour long film is far from structurally sound, in my opinion), another adaptation would be worthwhile if it added a fresh perspective. Luckily for us, that's exactly what Amadeus does.

Without giving too much away, in addition to the story itself the TV series features Shaffer's own journey to writing his play, with the final scene of episode 5 breaking the fourth wall in a way I'm not sure I've ever seen attempted in television. Sky's creative risk-taking has flown under the radar, and the rest of the series is just as ambitious.

Sharpe effortlessly captures Mozart's supposed fiery temperament, and it's the foundation for the rest of the story's chaos. No one episode can contain the multitudes of emotions on show, with either Mozart of Salieri (or sometimes both) crumbling, celebrating, or threatening to jump out of a window (that's our unintentionally hilarious opening, so keep your eye out).

Amadeus throws everything and the kitchen sink at its storytelling, and the charged atmosphere is almost a character in itself.

Some of our cast have 'iPhone face', and that's a problem

Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri in *Amadeus*. (Image credit: Sky)

As for the actual characters, both Sharpe and Bettany give the performance of their careers. I do wonder whether Bettany is going extra hard to distance himself from upcoming Marvel series VisionQuest, but perhaps that's just me being a franchise cynic.

Gabrielle Creevy (Constanze Mozart) also hits the right note (sorry) as the long-suffering go-between for the musical rivals, but there's something about the cast that bothers me. To me, the younger members (and by that, I mean under the age of about 40) look as though they have 'iPhone face'. What I mean by this is that, looking at them, you can escape the sense that they've seen an iPhone in their lifetime.

The makeup and costumes in Amadeus are beautiful, but they don't hide the fact that some of the cast just feel too modern. Even so, Sharpe particularly surprised me with his raucous, obscene and ridiculously arrogant take on Mozart.

The five-episode run does suffer from the classic issue of narrative lag between episodes 3 and 4, but when everything else has such a frenetic energy to it, this isn't hard to overlook. This of course includes the music, which Sharpe learned to play (rather than just flailing his hands about while the camera is carefully positioned to conceal that fact that he's not really playing).

As captivating as the scandal, drama and intricacies of Viennese society in the 18th century are, it all comes back to the music. It helps us to understand the world, Mozart and Salieri's struggles and ourselves in the process, and it's pushed me to make some conscious additions to my usual Spotify playlists. Their work is what both tortured composers ultimately wanted to be remembered for, and Amadeus certainly does them justice.

Stream Amadeus from December 21 in the UK using the below deals. Streaming platforms and release dates for other regions are yet to be confirmed.

Sky 'Essential TV' package: from £15 per month at Sky
This is the cheapest Sky TV package available. It includes a Sky Stream device as well as access to 'Sky Atlantic', which airs Sky and HBO Originals through the Sky Stream streaming service, Netflix (its 'Standard with ads' tier), Discovery+ and over 100 free to air channels, such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4. This price is for a 24 month rolling contract but you can get it for £18 on a 31 day rolling contract too. Just note that the price will convert to £21 a month after the 24 months. View Deal

Sky 'Ultimate TV' package: from £22 per month at Sky
While it's a bit more expensive, you definitely get a lot more content for the extra £7 compared to the 'Essential TV' package. On top of 'Sky Atlantic', Netflix and Discovery+, Sky Stream and 90 free to air channels, this deal throws in 35 extra channels, such as 'Sky Comedy', 'Sky Crime', National Geographic and MTV. This monthly fee is for a 24 month rolling contract that will go up to £35 a month after the period, but you can also get it for £25 on a 31 day rolling contract. View Deal

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I tested Ring’s new outdoor camera in my garden and was blown away by the picture quality (and high price tag)

6:00 pm | December 14, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Home Security Smart Home | Comments: Off

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: two-minute review

Although probably best known for its video doorbells, Ring offers a range of both indoor and security cameras, including the 2K Ring Outdoor Cam Plus launched earlier this year. However, with the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro, the manufacturer has upped its game by going full 4K for the first time.

Available in black or white (we tested the white version), this new model can be used either outdoors or indoors, with a number of different mounting options to suit your individual set up. Screws and wall plugs are provided for mounting on a wall, fence or even a celling. Alternatively, you can use the built-in stand for placing indoors on a bookshelf or a unit.

Unfortunately, unlike other models in the range, the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro is mains-powered only. There are no battery or even solar charging options available for the unit which means it will need to be located close to a power supply (Ring supplies 6m/20ft power cable with the camera). And although there is POE (Power over Ethernet) version of the camera, this will set you back an additional £100 (£279 rather than £179) – rather a hefty premium in our opinion.

While the lack of battery/solar power options will certainly deter some buyers looking for a quick, wire-free fix, the use of mains power does enable more advanced high-bandwidth features that battery power simply can’t sustain. Chief among these is 24/7 4K recording, turning the camera from a conventional security unit triggered by motion alerts into a fully-fledged surveillance system. However, this will require a Premium Ring subscription currently costing a hefty £15.99 a month. Another Premium feature is Smart Video Search. Using AI, this allows you to type in a word or phrase such as ‘man wearing a red top’ into the search bar and it will automatically scour the captured footage looking for a man in a red top.

Without a monthly subscription, the camera’s functionality is a lot more basic, restricted mostly to viewing live video streams and basic motion alerts. It’s not possible to save or review past recordings. However, it does include Ring’s Smart Responses feature which will play the automated message ‘Hi, you are currently being recorded’ to intruders letting them know they are being filmed.

Other basic features not requiring a subscription include a loud 85dB Siren option (once pressed this will sound for thirty seconds) and two-way audio so you can speak to whoever is in view. It’s also possible to set motion alerts for certain times of the day (handy if you use the camera indoors and know other family members will be back in, say, the afternoon/evening ), as well as create different motion zones so – for example – the camera doesn’t pick up passers-by walking past the house or activity in the neighbour’s garden.

Finally, motion sensitivity can be adjusted to reduce the number of motion alerts you get, as security cameras can tend to be a little over sensitive picking up the slightest movement such as a branch swaying on a tree!

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: subscription options

Ring Home Basic (formerly Protect Basic)
Cost: $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.95 per month or $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$49.95 per year
Covers: one doorbell or camera.
Features: cloud storage (up to 180 days), person/package alerts, video previews.

Ring Home Standard (formerly Protect Plus)
Cost: $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$15 per month or $99.99 / £79.99 / AU$150 per year
Covers: All devices at one location
Features: All Basic features plus Extended Live View, Picture-in-Picture, Daily Event Summary and 10% off Ring products.

Ring Home Premium (new tier)
Cost: $19.99 / £15.99 per month or $200 / £159.99 per year (not currently available in Australia)
Covers: All devices at one location
Features: everything in Basic and Standard, plus 24/7 recording and unlimited video storage.

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: price and availability

How much does it cost? $199, £179, AU$329
When is it available? Since November 2025
Where is it available? UK / US / Australia

Given it’s a high-end security camera aimed at those who want the very best video quality on the market, I didn’t expect Ring Outdoor Cam Pro to be cheap. Nevertheless, its near-£200 price tag puts it at the very top of the range when it comes to price.

For example, you can now buy the Ring Stick Up Cam for under £50. And while the Stick Up Cam only offers 1080p video resolution (compared to 4K on the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro), it is – unlike its high-performance sister model - battery-powered. This gives you much more flexibility when it comes to installation, especially if you want to cite the camera a long distance away from mains power.

Nor is it just the price of the hardware you have to think about when investing in a security camera. There’s also the monthly subscription. Ring isn’t alone in charging a monthly subscription for its premium features, but with prices starting at £4.99 a month it is one of the more expensive. What’s more, if you want the most advanced features, such as 24/7 video recording and Smart Video Search, you will need to pay £15.99 a month – more than many people’s monthly mobile phone subscriptions.

Value score: 3/5

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: design

Solidly built camera
Various mounting options
IP65 weather-resistance

When it comes to design, the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro certainly doesn’t disappoint. Standing around 6 inches / 15cm tall, it’s a solid-enough design with a base that can be easily angled to match your needs. Various mounting options are provided for indoor and outdoor use and set up is straightforward enough thanks to an easy-to-use app and a QR code that you can scan with your phone’s camera.

Plenty of cable is provided although this is divided up with a slightly ugly power adapter (this can be screwed into the wall). On the one side of the power adaptor is the mains cable, on the other is a flatter USB-C cable that goes into the back of the camera.

Turn the camera around and there’s the 4K lens, offering a 140° horizontal and 85° vertical field of view, plus a small microphone and speaker at the bottom running along the bottom of the unit. Boasting an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of 65 – an improvement on earlier models - the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro offers protection from dust and low-pressure water jets, but isn’t suitable for submersion or high-pressure jets. It can also be used in temperatures as low as -5°F and as high as 120°F (-20°C to 50°C).

Design score: 4/5

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: performance

Retinal 4K resolution
10x digital zoom
Adaptive night vision

One of the first of the manufacturer’s cameras to incorporate Retinal 4K technology (3840 x 2160 pixels), the Ring Outdoor Camera Pro certainly stands out when it comes to performance. Indeed, we found that the higher pixel density, coupled with a 140° field of view and 10x digital zoom, meant it was possible to capture detail from footage filmed during the day that wasn’t previously possible.

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However, night vision was a little bit more of a mixed bag. Ring advertises ‘adaptive and colour night vision’, but the colour functionality requires quite a bit of ambient light to work. Generally, we found that while it was very high quality most of the footage we captured at night was black and white, unless movement triggered one of the nearby security lights.

One area where the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro does excel is ease of use. Like many of Ring’s products, set-up is straightforward and the product’s menus are straightforward to use. Alerts are sent directly to your phone in an instant, complete with details such as ‘person detected’ (providing you subscribe to a Ring plan). It is also linked with the Alexa skill so you can activate the camera with a voice command such as ‘Alexa, show me the garden camera’.

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Finally, it’s possible to reduce the number of false alerts that you get using the Ring’s innovative Bird’s Eye View feature. This works by combining 3D motion detection (with radar) with a satellite map of your property to track an intruder’s path with pinpoint accuracy! It’s also a good idea to reduce the motion sensitivity of the camera using the onscreen menu.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro:

Should you buy the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro?

Attribute	Notes	Score
Value	With a price tag close to £200, the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro is one of the pricier home security cameras on the market. And that’s before you add in the additional cost of the monthly subs.	3.5 / 5
Design	Available in black or white, the Ring camera is well designed with different mounting options both for indoor and outdoor use.	4 / 5
Performance	When it comes to performance, the 4K camera generally excels with 10x digital zoom providing particularly detailed close-ups.	4.5/5
Overall	The Outdoor Cam Pro represents a leap into high-resolution surveillance for Ring. However, the high levels of performance come at a fairly hefty price, especially when you factor in the subscription plan.	4/5

Buy it if

You want high quality video footage

The Ring Outdoor Cam Pro offers exceptional video quality thanks to 4K resolution and 10x digital zoom.

You already have Ring products

This camera fits neatly into the Ring ecosystem, enabling you to link to other Ring products including cameras, video doorbells and alarms.

Don't buy it if

You are on a limited budget

The Ring Outdoor Cam Pro is one of the more expensive models on the market and functionality is limited without spending at least £4.99 on a monthly subscription.

Mains power isn’t available where you want the camera

The high performance levels of this camera, including the option of 24/7 recording, mean that it must be connected to the mains.

Ring Outdoor Cam Pro: also consider

Attribute	Ring Outdoor Cam Pro	Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Battery)	Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera
Subscription price	From £4.99 a month	From £4.99 a month	None
Viewing angle	140° horizontal, 85° vertical	140° view horizontal, 80° vertical	360° view
Network connection	Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)	Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)	Wi-Fi/4G
Audio	Two-way audio	Two-way audio	Two-way audio
Video	4K video resolution	1080p Full HD resolution	4K video resolution
Power	Mains-powered	Battery	Battery
Hardware price	£179 (mains only)	£199 (battery model only)	£189 (with solar panel)

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (battery)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera from Amazon-owned Ring boasts two 3000°K spotlights. You can also buy a mains-powered version as well as a separate solar panel.

Read our full Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

An extremely innovative battery and solar-powered camera, the Eufy can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings, making it ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K Security Camera review

How I tested the Ring Outdoor Cam Pro:

I used the Ring every day for a week
I set it up myself both indoors and outdoors

To test this camera, I first connected it to the mains plug in my garden and placed it in various positions and in all weathers – including sunshine, rain and heavy wind! I also tested it both during daylight and at night (it was dark in London from about 4.30pm onwards). During this time, I didn’t have any performance issues, despite extremely inclement weather conditions (thanks Storm Bram).

I then moved indoors to complete the testing with the device in various locations including the kitchen and my home office. One of the great things I noticed during the testing period was just how flexible the Ring camera is. All of the fittings are provided for installing on a wall or ceiling. However, it can quite as easily be moved around for placing on a desk or a bookshelf – handy if you go away and just want to monitor a particular area for a short period of time.

The Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly is a super affordable coffee maker, but beware – there’s a catch that means it could cost you in the long run

8:00 pm | December 13, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, Europe, US | Comments: Off

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: one-minute review

The Tassimo Finesse Friendly from Bosch is a compact capsule-based coffee maker that's an affordable alternative to similar machines from Nespresso and Keurig. It works in much the same way as its rivals, accepting proprietary capsules, piercing them, and forcing hot water through to brew your drink.

Unlike some other small coffee makers, it can also brew milky drinks such as lattes if you use separate pods for the milk and the coffee, with impressive results. The downside is that these capsules (known as T-Pods) can be quite expensive, particularly for drinks with two components.

The Finesse Friendly is very simple to use and clean, with a blank disc stored in a slot at the bottom that enables a quick rinsing cycle between drinks. Its water tank is east to remove as well, though its small capacity (just 23.7oz / 700ml) means you'll be making frequent trips to the sink if you're making more than one or two drinks at a time.

Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker with top open — (Image credit: Future)

It's a well-built and likeable little coffee maker, but if you enjoy lattes regularly, you might want to consider learning to use a compact espresso machine with a manual steam wand instead. Although the initial cost will be higher, you could save money in the long run by using fresh milk for your regular brews rather than capsules. Take a look at my roundup of the best espresso machines for options at various price points.

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: specifications

Name	Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly
Type	Capsule coffee maker
Dimensions (W x H x D)	6.2 x 10.4 x 14.2 inches / 15.7 x 26.5 x 36cm
Weight	6.2lbs / 2.8kg
Water tank capacity	23.7oz / 700ml

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: price and availability

List price £89.99 (about $120 / AU$180), but often discounted
Widely available in Europe, but not in the US or Australia
T-Pod capsules can be quite expensive, depending on type

The Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly is one of the most affordable capsule coffee makers machines I’ve ever tested. It has a list price of £89.99 (about $120 / AU$180), but is frequently discounted to £49.99 (about $70 / AU$100). That’s even less than the entry-level Nespresso Vertuo Pop. You’ll find all today’s best prices below.

The downside is that although it’s widely available in the UK and continental Europe, it’s not currently sold in the US or Australia.

Although the Finesse Friendly is cheap, Tassimo capsules (known as T-Pods) can be quite pricey particularly if you prefer drinks with milk, which require two pods each. They are widely available online and from supermarkets, and include varieties from brands including Cadbury’s, Costa, Kenco, Jacobs, and L’OR.

Coffee and milk capsules for Bosch Tassimo coffee makers — (Image credit: Future)

Prices vary widely depending on your chosen drink. For example, a pack of Costa Caramel Latte T-Pods, for example, contains enough capsules to make just eight drinks, and has a list price of £7.25 (about $10 / AU$15). Pods containing just coffee are much more affordable. At the time of writing, a bundle containing 80 Kenco Pure Colombian capsules is £21.38 (about $30 / AU$40).

Value score: 3.5/5

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: design

Compact and lightweight
Easy to clean and maintain
Water tank holds only 23.7oz / 700ml

The Tassimo Finesse Friendly is an exceptionally light and compact coffee maker, which is ideal for small kitchens and easy to tuck away in a cupboard when not in use. Its body is made using 60% recycled plastic, and is available in four colors: black, white, cream, and red. The black version I tested had a tendency to accumulate fingerprints, particularly on the matt-finish sides, but they were easily cleaned off with a damp cloth.

Its drip tray is removable for cleaning, and can be repositioned closer to the dispenser to accommodate espresso cups without splashing.

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Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker with drip tray raised ready to dispense espresso — (Image credit: Future)

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Woman pressing start button on Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

It has a single control button, which uses colors and blinks to indicate the machine’s current status. A red light means the machine needs attention, and usually signals that the water tank is running low.

The tank is attached to the back of the machine, and is easy to remove; just angle it slightly and pull upwards. It has a maximum capacity of just 700ml / 23.7oz, so you’ll need to refill it after making two full-size drinks.

Water tank removed from Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

Cleaning the Finesse Friendly is straightforward. Just remove the orange maintenance disc from the slot at the bottom of the machine, place it in the capsule holder with the barcode facing down, close the lid, and hit the brew button just as you would when preparing a drink.

The machine will rinse itself with a cupful of hot water, leaving it clean and ready to use next time. It’s also worth wiping the outside of the dispenser clean if you’ve made a drink with milk, as this has a tendency to splutter.

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Removing maintenance disc from slot on Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

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Cleaning disc inserted in Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker — (Image credit: Future)

The Finesse Friendly has no water filter, but is easy to de-scale when indicated by the red status light. Just fill the water tank to the line marked ‘calc’, add two descaling tablets (not provided with the machine but available online), insert the cleaning disc, place a cup under the dispenser and hold the start button for about five seconds.

Design score: 4/5

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: performance

The Tassimo Finesse Friendly is extremely simple to use. Just fill the water tank to the maximum line, pull the top of the machine upwards to open it, and place your drink capsule in the opening face-down. Push the lid closed and the light on the control button will light up orange, indicating that the Finesse Friendly is ready to start brewing.

After your drink has finished dispensing, wait until the light stops blinking orange before removing the used capsule.

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Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker dispensing steamed milk — (Image credit: Future)

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Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker with steam after dispensing milk — (Image credit: Future)

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Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly coffee maker dispensing coffee into caffe latte — (Image credit: Future)

I tested the Finesse Friendly with a couple of different capsules: Tassimo Cinnamon Roll Latte (which Bosch provided with the review machine), and Jacobs Latte Macchiato (which I bought myself). Each variety came with two boxes of pods: one containing the coffee, and the other filled with long-life milk.

Although a latte macchiato is usually my coffee of choice, the cinnamon roll pods were the clear winner. Although it was definitely sweet, the drink had a more mellow flavor than many other coffee pods I’ve tried. In fact, it was so good I ended up buying a second pack.

The tiny Finesse Friendly did a particularly good job of steaming milk, producing a long-lasting layer of creamy foam. During my tests the machine had a tendency to sputter a little, and emitted quite a lot of steam once it had finished dispensing, but this had dissipated by the time the orange light stopped blinking.

In the UK, you can recycle used T-Pod capsules through Podback (a scheme that also accepts used Nespresso, L'OR and Dolce Gusto pods). You'll receive a Podback bag when you receive an order of T-Pods, and you can order more through the Podback website.

You can drop off your Podback bags in most big supermarkets, or take loose capsules to a recycling center with a Podback bin. Find your nearest drop-off point.

Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly

Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly score card
Attribute	Notes	Score
Value	The machine itself is very affordable, but pods for milk-based drinks can be expensive.	3.5/5
Design	Compact and light, made using 60% recycled plastic, but water tank is very small.	4/5
Performance	Heats quickly, foams milk well, and dispenses consistently tasty coffee. Easy to clean and maintain.	5/5

Buy it if

You want a coffee maker that's easy to use

Brewing coffee doesn't get much easier than this. Just add water and a pod, wait a minute, and you'll have a perfectly brewed drink every time.

You want more than just coffee

The Finesse Friendly also makes excellent hot chocolate, and there are plenty of T-Pod capsules available from brands including Cadbury's.

Don't buy it if

You drink several lattes daily

T-Pods for milky drinks can be quite expensive. They're delicious, but you'll go through a pack of capsules very quickly unless you keep them as a special treat.

You want to make drinks for a crowd

The Tassimo Finesse Friendly's small water tank will need refilling after every couple of drinks unless you're brewing short drinks like espresso.

Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly: also consider

If the Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly isn't the right coffee maker for you, here are two alternatives to consider.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop

This is another compact pod-based coffee maker with an affordable price tag. The upgraded Pop+ has an extra large water tank, which will be useful if you want to brew drinks for a larger group, and even premium Vertuo pods work out a little cheaper than the most expensive T-Pods.

Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Pop review

Nespresso Pixie

This capsule coffee maker accepts Nespresso Original capsules. Nestlé no longer owns the patent to these, so they're widely available from a huge range of coffee producers, from big chains to small independent roasters.

Read our full Nespresso Pixie review

How I tested the Boch Tassimo Finesse Friendly

I used the Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly in my own kitchen for three weeks, making an average of two coffees per day. I used tap water, and used the maintenance disc with the rinse program the clean the machine between each drink.

I used Tassimo Cinnamon Roll Latte and Jacobs Latte Macchiato capsules, and used the milk capsule for each drink first before dispensing the coffee through the foam. I compared the results to those from my own Nespresso Vertuo Pop machine.

For more details, see how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.

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I’ve found a new favorite pair of sub-$100 cuff-style open earbuds, with some surprisingly premium features

1:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: AAC, Brazil, LDAC | Comments: Off

Soundpeats Clip1: Two minute review

The real measure of whether earbuds are good, is if I keep wearing them after the two-week testing period is over. And judging by how keen I was to keep on using the Soundpeats Clip1, enthused by the best bits of the buds, that they’re easily some of the best open earbuds I’ve tested recently.

The latest clip-style open earbuds from prolific audio maker Soundpeats, the Clip1 follow the manufacturers’ style in being budget alternatives to bigger names, in this case the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenDots One. As a budget brand, they’ve made some solid earbuds in the past, but the recent and impressive Soundpeats H3 made me curious to see what else was in the pipeline.

What ended up being next in the pipeline, has quickly become one of my favorite pairs of sub-$100 open earbuds, and definitely the best I’ve tested recently. The Clip1 tick all the boxes you hope for with open earbuds, and then go above and beyond in a few ways.

My favorite of these ways is that Soundpeats offers a listening test; these aren’t the first lower-cost earbuds to offer this once-premium feature, but I’ve never used such a test that’s so simple yet so effective in its results. I couldn’t stop listening to the finely-tuned personal audio mix it delivered me.

Of course the buds also nail the basics; they’re comfortable to wear, grip reliably in the ear when you’re working out and don’t weigh too much. The battery life is solid, the buds are hardy and, in a rare case for clip-ons, they look a bit more refined than the usual children’s-play-thing look.

There are a few rough edges here though. The case feels cheap and plasticky, the touch controls were way too sensitive and the max volume just wasn’t high enough to fit the bill for open-ears. But I enjoyed using the buds enough to overlook some of these concerns.

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Specifications

Component	Value
Water resistant	IPX5
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds), 32 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	5g / Charging case: 55.5g
Driver	12mm

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Price and availability

The Soundpeats Clip1 in their case. — (Image credit: Future)

Announced on November 12, 2025
Priced at $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$79.99
Generally cheaper than rivals

The Soundpeats Clip1 were announced on November 12, 2025, and put on sale immediately after.

They’ll set you back $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$79.99, so they’re fairly cheap as far as clip- or cuff-style earbuds go (especially in Australia). However they’re Soundpeats’ priciest clippers, costing more than the cheap PearlClip Pro and even cheaper PopClip.

In the grand scheme of open earbuds, they’re definitely towards the cheaper end of the spectrum though. If you look for even more affordable options, you’re only finding options from budget brands like Ugreen and Anker, and most top-spec rivals have price tags over the three-figure mark.

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Design

The closed Soundpeats Clip1 case. — (Image credit: Future)

Classy design of buds, but cheap-feeling case
Lightweight and comfortable
Poorly-working controls

Despite clip earbuds being nice and small, and therefore generally coming in svelte carry cases, Soundpeats bucks the trend by putting the Clip1 in a fairly large carry case. It’s a large, cheap-plasticky gray shell which weighs 55.5g, and I found it a little harder to open than I’d like, due to the indentation you’re meant to grip being a little shallow.

I’m not saying it’s hard to open, just that you need to consciously think when you’re getting the buds out, which is more brainwork than I generally use for a brainless task like opening a case. At least the buds are nice and easy to whip out, not buried in the case.

Onto the buds themselves: these are, of course, clip-style earbuds which consist of a spherical bud and a counterweight, joined together with a small arch. They weigh 5g and have an IPX5 rating, which means they’re protected from jets of water.

This is hard to state with anything resembling objectivity, but the Clip1 earpiece feels like it has an air of elegance about it; the dainty stem connecting the perfect sphere and little ellipsoid feels more refined than the chunky alternatives I’ve tested before.

Practically speaking, this translates to the feel of wearing the buds too. They were light enough that I barely felt like I was wearing anything, and stayed attached to my ear reliably – there were no drops during testing.

There are touch controls on each bud, but every time I had gestures enabled in the settings, my music would inexplicably pause or skip songs without me touching anything, and so I turned off the feature. I don’t know if I had a faulty unit or if the sensors are just so oversensitive that wind can set them off. At least a different kind of sensor works better: while the two Clip1 buds are identical, so there’s no left or right one, they can automatically detect which ear they’re in to adjust channels accordingly.

Design score: 4/5

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Features

The Soundpeats Clip1 buds on a table next to the case. — (Image credit: Future)

Fantastic listening test
Battery life is 8 hours, 32 hours with case
Fewer other features than some rivals

In any earbud, but especially ones designed for fitness use, battery life is important; the SoundPeats Clip1 aren’t a frontrunner in this department but they have a decent battery life and I can’t ask for any more.

The buds last for 8 hours of listening at a time, and the case has enough juice for 32 extra hours before that needs charging. Those respectively hit and exceed what I’ve come to expect for this kind of bud. You won’t see those figures if you use LDAC when listening, but the lack of noise cancellation means you won’t have the battery leeched from that.

Onto the PeatsAudio app on your smartphone. Booting this up, you’re faced with a wall of toggle sliders for things like Dolby Audio, in-ear detection, low-latency game mode, touch controls, LDAC and dynamic equalization.

If you don’t want your dynamics, er, dynamically calibrated, you can also use the in-app equalizer, which offers eight genre-based presets as well as a 10-band custom mode and also a listening test. This latter was a lot quicker and easier to use than equivalents I’ve had to slog through, simply requiring you to press a button if you can hear a sound while it cycles through frequencies and volumes.

I didn’t have high hopes due to the simplicity, but the results it returned (and custom EQ mode) were pretty similar to what I’ve received from similar tests, and greatly improved the music from the default mode… but those are, sadly, spoilers for the next section.

Features score: 4/5

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Sound performance

The Soundpeats Clip1 in a man's ear. — (Image credit: Future)

Single 12mm driver
Supports Dolby Audio, LDAC, AAC, SBC, more
Bright audio that perhaps lacks bass

The Soundpeats Clip1 have 12mm drivers squirrelled into those spherical orbs. That fine (rather large) driver spec is enhanced with a wide range of codecs, more than you’d imagine for low-cost buds: they support Dolby Audio, Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, AAC and SBC.

That’s really good… but also possibly overkill on a set of open-ear buds. By virtue of the form factor, you’re getting an even 50/50 mix of music and your surrounding sound, so you’re hearing a crazy train alongside your Crazy Train, a babbling river at the same time as The River, and don’t even get me started on The Divine Comedy’s most popular song. Soundpeats touts the LDAC support as giving you CD-quality audio, and while that’s true, it’s a CD that’s playing from your neighbour’s flat, not yours.

That’s all to say that there’s a cap on how good open-ears can be before drastically diminishing returns, and the Clip1 aren’t in the select community which find a way to bypass the cap. That’s especially true when you bear in mind that their biggest issue is a max volume that’s just not high enough; I could barely hear my tunes while cycling through traffic.

When you get a chance to actually hear the SoundPeats, though, you’ll find that they sound pretty good – as long as you play around with the equalizer, as the default preset doesn’t do the sound justice. No matter how you shake it, the sound profile certainly tends towrds the bright side, with vocals shining through the audio mix, and as someone who prefers treble to bass for workout music, I was happy with that. Sung lines sound crisp and clear, with energy enough to motivate me through my run.

Songs have more audible detail than I’m used to from open-ears; in songs like She Had Me At Heads Carolina by Cole Swindell, you can easily hear the various guitars in the mix, and the panning in Declan McKenna’s Brazil giving the song a lovely dimension.

In all my equalizer fiddling, though, I struggled to bring out much bass. The mode called Bass Boost puts it on the map, and gives it a small amount of refinement, but it’s not exactly powerful or prominent. Yes, it's a regular issue with open-ear designs, but notable nonetheless.

Sound performance score: 4/5

Soundpeats Clip1 review: Value

Two Soundpeats Clip1 buds hanging from each other. — (Image credit: Future)

There are a few elements of the Soundpeats Clip1 that I’m really surprised to see. It’s uncommon to see LDAC in buds like these, let alone Dolby Atmos or a listening test that works really, really well.

I’m “surprised to see” them because these are competitively-priced buds, coming in cheaper than some of our favorite open earbuds and a lot cheaper than some of our top-rated clip headphones.

While they’re not the outright cheapest on the market, they still offer fantastic value for money compared to lots of the alternatives which you might be considering.

Value score: 4/5

Soundpeats Clip1 review: scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Value	They undercut their similar rivals yet offer great features.	4/5
Design	Reliably, comfortable and lightweight (though it's a shame about the case, letting the side down).	4/5
Features	The battery life is decent and the listening test is great, though I wouldn't mind seeing one or two more extras.	4/5
Sound	I liked the bright audio which lent itself to vocals well, although some might malign the limited bass.	4/5

Soundpeats Clip1: Should I buy?

A single Soundpeats Clip1 bud in a hand. — (Image credit: Future)

Buy them if...

You like personalized audio
Listening tests are becoming a trend, and if you want to try one of the easiest such tests, Clip1 these on..

You need something reliable for workouts
I really put the Clip1 through their paces and never had any issues with them falling out mid-workout.

You're on a budget
Most open earbuds have mid-range prices but the Clip1 are temptingly affordable.

Don't buy them if...

You're going to be in really noisy areas
With no noise cancellation and a low maximum volume, you won't be able to hear your tunes.

You need a small case
Some clip earbuds have svelte carry cases but if you want something that'll fit snug in your pocket, the Clip1 won't deliver.

Also consider

Component	Soundpeats Clip1	Edifier LolliClip	Anker Soundcore AeroClip
Water resistant	IPX5	IP56	IPX4
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)	9 hours (earbuds), 39 hours (total)	8 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	5g / Charging case: 55g	7g / Charging case: 46g	6g / Charging case: 42g
Driver	12mm	13mm	12mm

Edifier LolliClip

Edifier's Dali-esque Lolliclip open-ears have a higher price point than the Soundpeats but a longer battery life and better IP rating at IP56. The equalization isn't on par with the Clip1 though.

Read our full Edifier LolliClip review

Anker Soundcore AeroClip

These buds also cost a little more than the Soundpeats, and they're certainly doing something different design-wise. They sound good but only have IPX4 prorection, and the case holds a lighter battery load.

Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review

How I tested

The testing period for the Soundpeats Clip1 was two weeks, which is the standard amount of time we give earbuds to make sure they're up to snuff – after a thorough run-in.

I paired the Soundpeats with my Android phone for the duration of the testing, listening on Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, Netflix and several games. I tested at home, on walks around my neighborhood, at the gym and on cycles around the city, so they really got put through their paces.

I've tested countless open earbuds for TechRadar, including other clipping and Soundpeats models. And they're just the tip of the iceberg, as I've been reviewing gadgets for the website for going on seven years now.

LG StanByMe 2: Two-minute review

LG’s StanByMe TV has admittedly been something I’ve glossed over ever since the first-generation model was launched way back in 2021. A 27-inch TV on a rollable stand? “What’s the point?” I always wondered. While a 27-inch TV would’ve been considered ‘big’ in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, we now live in a time where a 48-inch TV is realistically the smallest size we’d put in our living room. And with recent releases from the likes of Samsung reaching up to 115 inches, is there really a place for a much, much smaller 27-inch screen in the home?

LG clearly didn’t share my reservations, as the Korean manufacturer announced a second-generation model at CES in January 2025 that didn’t just introduce a few iterative upgrades, but instead represented a complete overhaul.

The premise is the same – a TV you can move from room to room – but it now offers other notable features, including a QHD panel (an increase from the 1080p full HD of the previous generation) and new viewing modes that allow the user to watch while the screen is off its stand (its predecessor was fixed in place).

I’ll admit that I began this review as a sceptic, but after using the LG StanByMe 2 for a few weeks, I’ve done a complete 180 – this is a genuinely fun, cool, useful TV. It’s not going to replace your main screen for watching movies and TV shows, but that’s also not its purpose.

The StanByMe 2 is a TV that you can have in the kitchen to follow along with recipes, or if you have a small bedroom, you can position it over your bed for late-night binge watching. It’s touchscreen-enabled, so you can lay it flat on a table and have your kids play interactive games on it. You can take it away with you in the car to set up and watch content at a campsite or hotel as it can run on battery for a while. I even used it as a second display attached to my laptop.

The built-in battery promises up to four hours from a single charge (up from 3.5 hours in the previous model). I found this to be pretty accurate, although do note that even when the screen is turned off, it’s technically in a standby mode and will continue to use the battery. I left it turned off over a weekend with a full charge, but it had dropped to 34% on my return three days later. A physical power button can be found on the side of the TV, and a long press will power it down completely.

The idea of the StanByMe 2 may elude people at first, but once you have one in your life, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Picture quality is good, although it won’t rival the best TVs. Its built-in speaker system delivers a pleasing audio performance, and is on par with the performance you’d get from conventional TVs. In virtually all cases, we recommend adding one of the best soundbars to boost the sound. Fortunately, you can connect it to a soundbar thanks to an HDMI eARC port, but I reckon since most people will be using the screen in a fully portable mode – which is exactly how it should be used – a physical connection will prove cumbersome.

The StanByMe 2 also benefits from LG’s webOS operating system. At the time of writing, it uses webOS 24, but the company has confirmed the TV will receive the webOS 25 update, and it is guaranteed to receive software updates for five years, up to webOS 28 (LG generally launches a new version each year).

There’s nothing quite like the LG StanByMe 2 out there and that makes it tricky to score for an objective review like this. There are similar screens on the horizon from the likes of Samsung and its Movingstyle model, but that’s yet to see a wide release – we’ve not had a chance to review it yet here at TechRadar, and I’ve not personally seen it either.

As a lifestyle screen that offers a new way to consume content, the StanByMe 2 excels, but tech as unique as this demands a high price and that’s my biggest issue. As much as I would love to give it a full five stars, I have to dock points purely because of how much LG is asking for it – especially when you compare its cost to traditional TVs.

LG StanByMe 2 review: Price & availability

$1,299 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,199
Staggered global rollout: US – July 2025, UK – August 2025, Australia – September 2025

The LG StanByME 2 was announced at CES in January 2025 and was made available to buy in the US from July 2025, followed by a UK launch in August and eventually making its way to Australia in September 2025.

In the US, it’s priced at $1,299, which is higher than the RRP of the entry-level LG B5 OLED TV in 48-inch guise ($899.99) and just below the larger 55-inch variant ($1,499.99).

Meanwhile, in the UK, it’s £1,399.99, although at the time of writing this also includes an XT7S Bluetooth speaker that can attach to the TV stand and boost audio performance. For the same money, you can get a 55-inch LG C5 OLED – which we currently rate as the best TV overall.

In Australia, the StanByMe 2 has a list price of AU$2,199 – about as much as the far larger 75-inch TCL C7K will set you back Down Under. The TCL features a much more capable Mini-LED backlit panel, and as our TCL C7K review proves, it impressed us with a “dynamic, bright and surprisingly contrast rich picture”.

The StanByMe 2 can be on the receiving end of discounts, although these are usually reserved for the major sales events such as Black Friday. In fact, during the Black Friday sales in 2025, I spotted it for $999.99 / £1,199 / AU$1,699. These prices are much more palatable, although it’s still possible to find a more capable TV for similar money.

LG StanByMe 2 review: Specs

Screen type:	QHD IPS LCD panel
Refresh rate:	60Hz
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos
Smart TV	webOS 24 (customized version)
HDMI:	1x HDMI eARC
Battery life:	Up to 4 hours

LG StanByMe 2 review: Features

QHD IPS LCD panel with extensive HDR support
Touchscreen for greater interaction
Built-in battery with up to 4 hours battery life

As I’ve already mentioned, the LG StanByMe 2 is a compact 27-inch TV that uses an edge-lit IPS LCD panel with quad HD resolution (2,560 x 1,440p) and a refresh rate of 60Hz. So, not a ‘proper’ 4K screen, but it does have comprehensive HDR support in the form of Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats.

Unlike the TVs we’re all familiar with today, the StanByMe 2’s screen has a matte coating that slightly reduces image quality, but it helps minimize reflections and prevent fingerprints when you’re supporting it for rolling to a different room. The matte coating isn’t the same, or similar, as the anti-glare panel of the Samsung S95F, as that screen is actually able to absorb light and dissipate over the display’s surface. I would liken it more to a PC monitor.

Where the StanByMe 2 also differs from conventional TVs is that it’s touchscreen-enabled. Thanks to this functionality, you’re able to use your fingers to interact with it, whether it be loading up the built-in sketchpad application to doodle or jot down notes, or playing games that come pre-installed (more games are available via the LG app store). I can’t see many people using it to create shopping lists, say, but it can be hung on a wall-mounted hook (included) allowing you to easily see reminders for each day.

Doodle pad. on LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The touchscreen functionality also means you’re able to swipe between home screen menus and press on any app – YouTube, Netflix, et al – to open it, but that’s all. You can’t use this functionality when you’re within these streaming apps. You can’t press the screen to play or pause content, for example. When using streaming apps, you’ll need to use the remote control or the on-screen controls that appear in the bottom right corner when you touch the display.

Where the StanByMe 2 shines is what LG intended it for – a portable screen that can be used where a larger display would be handy. For example, I used it in the kitchen, where I loaded up a YouTube video telling me how to make the perfect mashed potato. I was able to position the StanByMe 2 over my kitchen island and follow along with ease. Watching the same video on a smartphone screen just wasn’t as effective, and I don’t own a tablet or a smart display. Of course, given the StanByMe 2’s price, it would be cheaper to opt for the smaller devices, but the convenience of having the larger display is something I appreciated.

I also positioned the TV over my dining table, where I sit when I work from home. Again, I found myself streaming YouTube videos to play in the background and would occasionally glance up at the screen. Without the TV, I would either have the same video playing on a separate tab on my computer. I also mirrored the screen of my MacBook Pro thanks to the StanByMe’s AirPlay support, allowing me to use it as a second display. These weren’t groundbreaking changes to my normal routine by any stretch, but I found having the StanByMe 2 on, er, standby, incredibly useful.

When it’s connected to the rollable stand, you can plug a mains power cable into its base to use the StanBy Me 2 like a regular TV, but if you remove the power cable, or remove the TV from its stand, the internal battery takes over and you’ll get no more than 4 hours of playtime on a single charge.

However, you’ll need to be mindful that this is only when it's in Eco power mode, which isn’t on by default. If you use the screen in a different mode, then battery life takes a major hit. I turned it on after (unknowingly) leaving it on standby for three days to find the battery had dropped from 100% to 34%. I then watched a 30-minute YouTube video, and the battery level dropped to 9%.

You can power down the TV completely by long pressing on the power button on the left side of the screen. Recharging the battery to full takes around 3 hours in standby mode and 3.5 hours when the TV is in use.

Features score: 4 / 5

LG StanByMe 2 review: Picture quality

Good color reproduction
Decent blacks considering backlight constraints
No Filmmaker Mode

LG’s QNED81 from 2023 impressed me with its color reproduction despite using an edge-lit system, and the StanByMe 2 – which also uses an edge-lit panel – shows similar strengths. Images are vibrant and punchy, and with brighter, more colorful content – such as A Minecraft Movie – the screen delivers a natural-looking image with convincing real-world textures. Fireball explosions appear as paler oranges or yellows, it must be said, rather than intense reds you’d get on a higher-contrast display, but overall it’s a pleasing presentation.

The StanByMe 2 also handled a 4K HDR demo reel from LG’s YouTube channel better than expected. Blacks looked reasonably convincing and central highlights remained clear and detailed. Compared side-by-side with LG’s flagship G5 OLED , there was a clear difference in quality. The G5 was vastly superior, but that’s to be expected given the vast difference in panel technologies.

Scene from The Batman on LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

In dimly lit environments, the StanByMe 2’s brightness performance was more than adequate. LG doesn’t quote a brightness figure and I wasn’t able to measure it myself, but with the panel brightness set appropriately – 100 in most cases – I had no issues seeing detail or maintaining color impact. For darker content, I found ‘isf Expert Dark’ to be the best-performing picture preset. The ‘isf Expert Bright’ over-exposed the image too much for my liking, and Cinema introduced too much of a yellow tinge.

That said, the StanByMe 2’s picture performance is ultimately held back by the limitations of the QHD panel, edge-light system and matte coating. The combination of these means it struggles to render contrast with absolute precision. Larger areas of the panel can light up when they ideally shouldn’t, because the edge-lit system projects light over a greater portion of the screen.

TVs with more advanced backlight systems – such as OLED TVs from LG, Samsung and Sony, or even Mini-LED TVs from more budget-focused brands such as TCL and Hisense – can be more precise with which areas of the image are lit and which aren’t, resulting in more cinematic-looking picture.

Scene from A Minecraft Movie on LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

In the case of the StanByMe 2, then, images can look flat in comparison, especially in HDR scenes that require competent backlighting systems to look their best.

Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro is an included feature on the StanByMe 2, which theoretically analyzes each frame to optimize brightness and contrast, but in practice its impact is modest. With the backlight effectively ‘on’ most of the time due to the panel type, this feature can only do so much.

These limitations are apparent with darker content. In The Batman’s Penguin car chase scene on HBO Max, black weren't inky, but more a very dark charcoal grey. To get the best image, I had to push the panel brightness to 100. The TV also lacks a Filmmaker Mode and the Dolby Vision Filmmaker modes that appear on LG’s higher-end QNED and OLED TV models.

Because of these inherent constraints, the StanByMe 2 is best viewed in dimmer environments and isn’t well suited to being your primary screen for movie watching.

Picture quality score: 3.5 / 5

LG StanByMe 2 review: Sound quality

Dolby Atmos support
AI Sound mode with virtual 9.1.2 up-mix
Fine for most tasks, but not intense movie watching

As with picture quality, the StanByMe 2’s audio performance isn’t anything extraordinary. But again, this isn’t a TV designed to be your main entertainment system. Instead, it’s designed to be a supplementary screen in your home.

The good news is that the built-in speakers can be reasonably loud and dialogue is clear. What it lacks is low-end presence – especially in movie scenes with explosions. The AI Sound Pro mode is the best option in my opinion, as it helps create a more expansive soundstage.

Rear of LG StanByMe 2 with folio cover attached — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

You do have options to improve the audio output, either by physically connecting to a soundbar or other external audio device via HDMI eARC, or wirelessly to a Bluetooth speaker or pair of active speakers. I do think a physical connection will be cumbersome for most users, particularly if the TV is connected to its stand. That said, you could always hang it on the included hook and have a cable trailing down to a soundbar on a unit beneath.

I had a pair of KEF Coda W speakers on hand and, once connected to the LG, the difference was dramatic. I also paired a Beats Pill and even that portable Bluetooth speaker delivered noticeably better sound than the TV’s built-in speakers.

What this experiment really highlighted for me was how the LG StanByMe 2 gives you options, both in terms of how you use it to consume content and how you can get sound out of it. You don’t get such versatility from traditional TVs and this really is where the StanByMe 2 genuinely stands out.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

LG StanByMe 2 review: Design

Multiple viewing modes
Good selection of connections
Useful design touches

Rear of LG StanByMe 2 attached to stand — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

As I’ve alluded to already in this review, the StanByMe 2 isn’t designed to replace a traditional TV. Its headline feature is its ability to be used in a variety of viewing positions. The main position – the one that’s likely to be used the most – sees it being attached to a rollable stand. The first-generation StanByMe was permanently attached to its stand, so it’s great that the new model can detach, expanding its usability.

The stand is relatively heavy at 10.9kg / 24 lbs and its wheels are silent when rolling around, but they’re definitely smoother on hard floors compared to carpet.

The stand has two sections: a fixed-height main pole and an adjustable arm that can raise the screen up and down a few inches. The base plays host to a power point, which is used to charge the TV’s built-in battery.

When you want to detach the TV from the stand to use in tabletop mode, you need to press a large central button on the rear panel of the TV and pull it forward. Because the TV itself is quite light at 4.3kg / 9.5lbs, it’s easy enough to hold onto the screen with one hand, and press the button with the other. And thanks to its lightweight build, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue carrying it around.

To use the StanByMe 2 in tabletop mode, you need to clip in a supplied kickstand on the rear of the screen, and slot the folio cover into two holes along the bottom edge. The folio cover then folds around to the back of the screen and slots into the kickstand.

The final viewing mode is hanging it up on a hook against a wall. The hook needs to be drilled into the wall, so it wasn’t something I could test for this review. I own my home, but with my review sample only being on loan, I didn’t want a hole left in my wall when it was returned. Once the hook is mounted, you can attach a strap to the StanByMe 2 to hang it. You can hang it in either portrait or landscape orientation, and besides watching TV, you could activate one of the many wallpapers or screensavers, which include weather and calendar information, a ‘now playing’ screen when playing music, or a digital photo album.

Connections of LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

LG’s listing information for the TV also shows a person hanging this strap over their shoulder with the TV in landscape mode – similar to a messenger bag. But who wants or needs to hang a 27-inch TV over their shoulder?

A remote control is supplied with the StanByMe 2, which I expected to be similar to the one used by LG’s other TVs, but there are a few design changes.

Perhaps the coolest function is the fact that the remote can magnetically attach to the top edge of the TV (when it’s in landscape mode) or to the folio cover when it’s in tabletop mode, so you don’t have to worry about losing it.

The biggest difference between this remote and the one you’d get with a regular LG TV is that it loses the Magic Remote functionality, i.e. you can’t use it to move a pointer around the screen as you can on an LG TV. If you have an LG Magic Remote at home, or you purchase one separately, then you can benefit from the pointer function as it’s compatible with the StanByMe 2.

There’s a small selection of connections on the StanByMe 2, including an HDMI eARC for connecting to a soundbar to boost audio output, or to a laptop or PC so the TV can moonlight as a second screen. There’s also a USB-C port on the side for connecting external devices and power banks, and another USB-C port on the top edge for connecting a webcam.

LG says the USB-C port can also charge the screen TV when it’s not connected to the stand, but I struggled to get this working, even when using my MacBook Pro’s power brick. The user manual states you need a charger capable of either 65W (20V/3.25A) or100W (20V/5A) output, a criteria my MacBook’s charger satisfies.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

LG StanByMe 2 review: Smart TV & menus

Customized version of webOS
Five years of upgrades promised
No on-screen adverts!

Quick settings menus LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The LG StanByMe 2 uses a customized version of the company’s well-received webOS operating system. If you were to look at the version used here side-by-side with a regular LG TV, you’ll easily spot the differences.

Two rows of apps dominate a large portion of the StanByMe 2’s screen, as opposed to a single line on the company’s regular TVs, with the familiar ‘cards’ for dedicated hubs – Home Office, Game, Music – just above. What’s pleasing to see in this instance is that there aren’t any on-screen ads or promotions in sight. The regular version of webOS will display on-screen adverts and even screensaver ads (unless you turn them off), so their complete absence is a welcome change.

From the home screen, if you move left – either by pressing the left button on the remote’s d-pad, or swiping – you’re met with a screen displaying calendar and weather information, quick access to various wallpapers and a sketch pad.

Remote control for LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The TV also supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay, so you can beam content from your phone or laptop directly to it. I used the Screen Mirror function to extend my MacBook’s display and use the LG as a second monitor. It was a seamless process and even moving browser windows over to the LG worked as smoothly as if I had a dedicated monitor physically connected to my laptop.

Setting adjustments are as slick as I’ve come to expect from LG, having used the company’s G-series OLED over the past three generations. Pressing the settings button on the remote brings up a Quick Menu that appears as a transparent overlay in the top left of the screen, which allows you to quickly change picture, sound and other settings.

Smart TV and menu score: 5 / 5

LG StanByMe 2 review: Value

Pricey compared to larger, more conventional TVs
Other rollable TVs exist, which can be found for less
Ultimately not fantastic overall value

With a price tag of $1,299 / £1399.99 / AU$2,199, the LG StanByMe 2 is undoubtedly expensive compared to traditional TVs, which can cost much less, come in bigger screen sizes and benefit from more capable displays.

Plus, a quick search online reveals similar rollable TVs in markets including the US, UK and Australia. We've not reviewed them here at TechRadar, so can't comment on their performance, but the fact remains the LG StanByMe 2 isn't the only one of its kind.

If you can find it at a discounted price, it’s a lot easier to recommend, because what the TV has going for its uniqueness. LG classes the StanByMe 2 as a ‘lifestyle TV’ and I couldn’t agree more. It’s not going to replace a main TV in your home, but is designed to be an addition that can make your daily routine more convenient.

There’s certainly a case to be made for its existence then, but you’ll need to seriously consider whether it’s worth the premium price tag.

Value score 2.5 / 5

HBO Max home page on LG StanByMe 2 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Should I buy the LG StanByMe 2?

LG StanByMe 2 score card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	It lives up to its lifestyle credentials with a variety of viewing modes, connections and interactivity options.	4/5
Picture quality	It’s not going to replace a conventional TV, but it does more than enough to meet the brief of being a lifestyle screen	3.5/5
Sound quality	Clear dialogue and expansive sound, with the option to improve it via various methods	4/5
Design	A range of viewing modes and some useful physical connection options make the StanByMe 2 one of the most versatile screens out there.	4/5
Smart TV and menus	LG’s webOS platform is always a joy to use and the customized version here continues that trend.	5/5
Value	A fun, cool TV that’s supremely versatile, but there’s no denying it’s expensive compared to traditional screens.	2.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a versatile TV

The StanByMe 2 can be used in a variety of viewing modes and is easy to move between rooms in your home.

You want a smaller TV

At 27 inches, the StanByMe 2 should be easy to accommodate in most spaces, plus it can be taken away with you in the car.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best possible picture quality

The limitations of the LCD panel mean the StanByMe 2 simply can’t deliver the absolute best picture quality.

LG StanByMe 2 review: Also consider

LG B5 (48-inch)

I've already mentioned the LG B5 in this review for several reasons. Most notably, it offers a dramatic leap in picture quality thanks to its OLED panel, and in 48-inch guise, it's often more affordable than the StanByMe 2.

Read our full LG B5 reviewView Deal

Sony A90K (42-inch)

It's quite tricky to find a 'small' screen TV these days, but the Sony A90K continues to be sold in a 42-inch size. It was released in 2022, yet the Japanese brand hasn't felt the need to update it. We've not given it the full in-depth review treatment, but some hands-on time revealed it to be a talented performer. We just wish it wasn't so expensive!View Deal

How I tested the LG StanByMe 2

Used at home and tried most viewing modes
Watched a range of content from various streaming services
Let it run on battery power to test stamina

I tested the LG StanByMe 2 over a period of about 3 weeks at home. I used most of its viewing modes, including attaching it to its stand and using the folio cover. I wasn't able to test its hanging mode, as I wasn't prepared to drill a hole into my wall.

I watched a variety of dark and bright content from a number of streaming services, including The Batman and A Minecraft Movie on HBO Max. I also tested its ability to connect to external audio devices via Bluetooth to improve sound output.

First reviewed: December 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Goodbye June review: New Netflix movie is a near flawless directorial debut for Kate Winslet — but you’ll cry your eyes out

8:00 pm | December 11, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Netflix Streaming | Comments: Off

Is Goodbye June a Christmas movie, or a movie that simply has Christmas in it? I'm not sure – but what I do know is that you won't stream a more tragically beautiful film this festive season.

It's quite a choice to drop a film that follows a dying woman's last days on Christmas Eve, but I can see why Netflix made the decision. If anything, the timing drives home the importance of hugging your loved ones that bit tighter, and never missing the chance to tell someone you love them.

In a nutshell, mom and grandmother June's (Helen Mirren) cancer has spread, sending her to hospital for what she and her family know will be the last few days of her life. Doting son Connor (Johnny Flynn) and his sisters, highly-strung Julia (Kate Winslet, who also makes her directorial debut), internally angry Molly (Andrea Riseborough) and flighty expat Helen (Toni Colette) spend as much time as they can by their mothers' bedside.

Along with June's ailing husband Bernie (Timothy Spall), the quartet's job is to give June the best send-off possible, despite a myriad of issues and long-held grudges making emotions run even higher than you’d expect in such a scenario.

Reading those last two paragraphs may well have put you in mind of your own family, whether it’s particular people or a similar situation – and that's one of the great strengths of Goodbye June. Our cast might be A-list, but here they're grounded, and their relatability helps to deliver what at times feels more like a fly-on-the-wall documentary than a drama.

The movie is something of a family affair off-screen as well as on, and some more cynical critics might be tempted to brand it as a ‘nepo baby’ creation (Winslet stars and directs and her son Joe Anders writes the script). I actually think their family ties are a huge advantage here... and thank God Winslet is now trying her (very successful) hand at directing.

Watching Goodbye June is like looking into my own past – and you might feel that way too

One of the biggest compliments you can give an actor is that they fully inhabit a role they take on. We’re not watching Helen Mirren play a dying grandmother here, we’re watching June dying.

When I look at June, I see my own grandmother, who died two years ago in similar circumstances, surrounded by her family. Every detail takes me back there, from her haircut and cardigan down to the pearl necklace and the gold ring she can no longer wear.

In a way, I'm projecting here, as I didn't get to be there for my grandmother's final moments – the peace June and her family ultimately find is something I hope my own family did too. But there's something universally relatable in June's situation.

"Masterclass Mirren" (as I'm now calling her) delivers a performance up there with The Queen – so it was a shock to learn from Winslet's press tour that she'd initially refused the role, explaining she never plays characters with dementia or cancer. I'm so glad she broke her own rule for Winslet, and I really think they've created something incredibly special.

There's a scene in Goodbye June where June is left alone in hospital to sleep, and she turns to the window and finally allows herself to shed a few tears after putting on a brave face for everyone else. Mirren conveys vulnerability and traumatic catharsis utterly convincingly, in a scene that will resonate with any woman who has ever lain awake crying in the small hours because life has gotten too much (which is probably all of us).

It's the little details – the family bickering, the gentle ribbing, the chaos of bringing up children, and the occasionally overwhelming reality of simply existing – that make Goodbye June feel so well-rounded, even if I can never watch it over Christmas again.

Whoever thought of Toni Colette for this movie needs a raise

The cast of Goodbye June — This lot could be a real-life family. (Image credit: Netflix)

What might surprise you given the movie’s synopsis is how tenderly funny Goodbye June is. Even in the darkest of moments, there’s laughter, most often courtesy of Spall and Riseborough.

The film’s casting is inspired across the board. Mirren is an obvious score, and Spall isn't far behind her. If Winslet and Riseborough did a 23 and Me ancestry test and found out they were related, I wouldn't be surprised – Julia and Molly are the most convincingly fractious of siblings, and you’ll absolutely believe that their grudges really are decades old.

For me though, it's Colette as Helen who is the most inspired inclusion. She has the least amount of screentime, and casting an Aussie as Winslet's sister can't have been a subconscious choice (no matter how good Colette is at accents). When her character is revealed as a chakra-aligned free spirit who has emigrated to Florida to expand her practice, it all makes perfect sense.

Helen is the ideal counterweight to her sisters, and provides some measure of solace to lonesome brother Connor. And, by way of a B-plot involving her, Goodbye June also examines late-in-life pregnancy, effortlessly threading back into the idea of June's memory living on.

Anders' script is thoroughly convincing and sharply observed, which is particularly impressive given his relative youthfulness. You can take your pick from any of Goodbye June’s cast and identify exactly which one you'd be, thanks to his expertly drawn character portraits. That said, there’s perhaps a little bit of all of them in us – we feel represented in Julia's overwhelming sense of responsibility, Helen's growing and all-consuming sense of fear, Connor's alienation, or Molly's frustration with the world around her.

Visually, there's definitely a Netflix-specific feel to the movie that's becoming increasingly noticeable across the platform's content. In the context of a Christmas movie, I think it works, akin to a really sad version of The Holiday. But Winslet's vision as a director lifts the movie above the everyday; as much as I hated being told that actors make the best writers and directors while doing my master's degree (I'm not an actor, and I’m sure non-actors in the industry are tired of hearing it too), she makes a convincing case for the notion.

At this point it probably goes without saying that you need to steel yourself to watch Goodbye June, but you’ll be richly rewarded in return.

To witness people enduring great pain, even if those people are fictional characters, asks us to reflect on what truly matters in life, and it can be a deeply affecting – and yes, consoling – experience.

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Boulies OP180 office chair review: Surprisingly comfortable and built for the workplace

7:55 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Boulies OP180: 30-second review

The Boulies OP180 is, like all the OP-designated line, designed for workspaces. It’s perfectly comfortable for home office use, and its compact design without headrest means it won’t dominate the room. But, to my eye, it looks, feels, and performs like a chair for actual offices. One look at it and you can picture a series of OP180’s parked in cubicles or nested around a table in a conference room.

The backrest is of classic mesh that feels very breathable when used for long hours. And the plush cushioned seat surprised me. Alright, it’s not especially breathable, but the thick foam is incredibly comfortable and supportive. I used it for eight-hour work days for weeks, and it feels like the happy medium between the firmness of the Boulies EP200’s mesh seat and the ultra-soft foam seat of the Boulies OP300. If you’ve struggled with finding the right balance, I’d recommend checking out the OP180.

There’s good adjustability here - seat height and depth, backrest height, lockable recline, and tilt are all present and correct. The chair also features 3D armrests.

And that’s where I discovered one of my only real problems with this chair. Yes, they move smoothly backwards, forwards, up and down, and side to side. But there’s no horizontal locking system, unlike with my favorite of the Boulies range, the EP200. Now, this didn’t prove an issue when sitting down for work, but lean on the armrest to rise from the chair and it will slide out of place.

It’s also lacking full lumbar support, instead opting for a contoured S-shaped backrest. Thanks to the tension of the mesh backrest, I can’t say I missed the lumbar support - I felt supported at all times, and for the OP line, it’s perhaps expected. But, I appreciate some users will want that extra lower back support.

Those issues aside, I should mention the price - it’s selling for $290 / £240. It’s one of the best office chairs for the workplace, although I'd prefer a longer warranty length than the two years offered by Boulies. For home offices, I’d still recommend a Boulies chair like the high-back EP200, which still offers superb value for money and a firmer, more breathable experience.

Boulies OP180: Price & availability

The Boulies OP180 is widely available, selling for $290 at Boulies.com and £240 at Boulies.co.uk. However, at the time of review, it’s discounted down to $240 / £170.

That UK price is also reflected over at Amazon.co.uk. I’d suggest that cost is about right for an office chair chiefly designed to be bought in bulk for HQ.

Boulies OP180: Specs

Price (RRP)	$290 / £240
Seat height	17.3 - 20.1in / 44 - 51cm
Seat depth	17.9 - 19.7in / 45.5 - 50cm
Seat width	19.5in / 49.5cm
Backrest height	22.0 - 24.8in / 56 - 63cm
Recommended user height	5’1” - 6’3”
Max weight load	352lb / 160kg
Material	Mesh and foam
Warranty	2 years

Boulies OP180: Design

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The Boulies OP180 in a home office during our review — (Image credit: Boulies // Future)

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The OP180 is a classically designed, compact office chair. Only available in black, it’ll fit right into any professional workspace without looking out of place.

To the rear, there’s a Y-frame support for the backrest. And I like the armrest design, thrusting forward like an Enterprise starship. Sure, that’s hardly a game-changer styling, but it does give the OP180 a more modern feel.

In truth, there’s not much to like or dislike about the design of this chair. It looks exactly as you’d expect - and that’s precisely the point of an office chair like the Boulies OP180. It’s not trying to be the Branch Verve or the Herman Miller Embody, with striking silhouettes and bold color choices. It’s a traditional office chair for professionals.

Boulies OP180: Assembly

Boulies claims it’ll take you five minutes to build the OP180. I wouldn’t say it’s quite that quick - it took me a little under ten minutes after misaligning the screws for the armrest first time around (pro-tip: place the three in loosely first, then tighten each).

Everything you need is in the box, including the hex key, which is the only tool needed to piece it all together. Instructions are clear, with each step illustrated with an easy-to-understand image and accompanying text.

Inside the manual, it also clearly lays out what each under-seat lever does and how to use them to adjust the fit once seated.

Overall, I found assembly to be ridiculously easy. It’s probably the fastest I’ve ever built a chair, and if you’re constructing a lot of these for an office space then yes, you probably could get it down to about five minutes. Six screws later, and after slotting in the spokes of the seat base, the casters, and the backrest, I was done.

Boulies OP180: Comfort & adjustability

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I wasn’t expecting the OP180 to be as comfortable as it is. That lack of true lumbar support, the high but technically mid-back design made me fear that it would be a literal pain when used for long hours.

I don’t mind admitting I was wrong.

First, I found the plush cushioned seat to be exceptionally accommodating. It’s neither too firm, nor too soft, providing just the right amount of support and softness. For anyone who’s struggled to find a chair with the right balance, this one is absolutely worth exploring.

I’m not typically a fan of foam cushioning on office chairs, as they tend to retain too much heat compared to mesh seats. And while it’s not completely breathable, I didn’t find it got uncomfortably hot when sitting down for those eight-hour days.

While adjustable lumbar support would’ve been nice, it didn’t disrupt the experience when used all-day for work. The contoured, high-tension mesh backrest provided firm lower back support during prolonged use.

Adjustability controls are exceptional. Using the under-seat levers, you can alter the seat height and seat depth, and a quick pull (or push) on the backrest will adjust its height. That gives it real versatility for the workplace, where a range of users might be using these chairs.

Alongside this is the ability to tilt and recline the chair - and yes, unlike some office chairs, both can be firmly locked into place. I appreciated this, but if you prefer a model that keeps the recliner unlocked at all times, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

The chair also features 3D armrests, which can move horizontally, vertically, and swivel in and out with a satisfying click of each turn. Beneath each armrest, you’ll find a trigger - squeeze that and you’re able to raise or lower them to the right height.

My only wish here is that they also acted as a lock to prevent the armrests sliding backwards and forwards. It didn’t alter my seated experience. However, more than once the armrests slipped when too much weight was applied. It feels like an oversight that could be easily remedied in future iterations.

Boulies OP180: Final verdict

The OP180 neatly fits into Boulies’ Office Professional line of chairs. It’s not a showy chair. It’s a classically styled and functional model that’s very well-suited to offices, or even the home office if you prefer a low-profile chair over executive high-back models.

The backrest is breathable, comfortable, and more supportive than you might imagine considering it doesn’t have any true lumbar support. But the foam cushioned seat was the biggest surprise for me - it feels like it’s been engineered to perfectly balance out both the firmness of your standard mesh seats and the soft, almost saggy cushioned seats of other chairs I’ve used.

You have some great control over comfort due to the excellent adjustability controls. Because of this, it’s an ideal pick if multiple people will be using the chair, which, as a fully fledged office chair, is the OP180’s ultimate goal. My only real issue is the lack of lockable armrests - they have a tendency to slide forward when too much force is applied.

Overall, though, I found it a comfortable and supportive choice at a price that’ll suit office managers buying in bulk.

Should I buy theBoulies OP180 office chair?

Buy it if…

✅ You’re kitting out a workplace
With high adjustability, good comfort, and a reasonable price, it is - as intended - a solid pick for offices where more than one person may be using it.

✅ You want a compact office chair
As a mid-back model, the OP180 features a low-profile design that won’t dominate the office or home office.

Don’t buy it if…

❌ You like armrests that lock into place
My main problem with the OP180 is that the 3D armrests have a tendency to slip back and forth when you rise from the chair.

❌ You suffer lower back pain
With no true lumbar support, this isn’t the office chair of choice for those who need additional support for the lower back.

For more workspace essentials, we tested the best standing desks for the home and office.

I’m a professional photographer and the Manfrotto One is the greatest tripod I’ve ever used

3:00 pm | December 10, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Camera Accessories Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Manfrotto One hybrid tripod: two-minute review

As soon as you pull the Manfrotto One out of its box, you can tell this is a tripod unlike any other. I’ve used many professional tripods over the years, such as the 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 and Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1, but this feels less like a support for your camera gear and more like the center point of an entire system. An extension of the photo kit itself.

If you plan to use the Manfrotto One to its maximum advantage, then you’re likely a serious content creator, working professionally and on demanding assignments. And for such people, everything about the legs is geared towards ultimate stability.

The weight alone will reveal it isn’t made with an entry-level mirrorless camera in mind, rather professional camera bodies and motion-centric gear, amongst the best full-frame cameras and best cameras for video in 2025. I used a range of models with the tripod, from an older pro-level mirrorless setup, via a Leica Rangefinder system, to a medium-format camera. In each case, the legs felt perfectly balanced.

The extra mass of the center column pulls the center of gravity back to the mid axis of the legs, so that even when using a bulky f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens, the setup never felt like it might topple forward, something I always have to be conscious of when using other Manfrotto aluminium and Gitzo carbon fiber travel tripods.

The Manfrotto One hybrid tripod outside — The Manfrotto ONE feels ideally balanced when using both heavy and lightweight camera systems. When using the former, it can easily support the weight, while it won't be easily blown over with the latter (Image credit: Future/ Peter Fenech)

Build quality is of the highest grade. There’s a solidity that is almost intimidating, and I wouldn’t advise leaving the Manfrotto One unsecured on the back seat of your car, for fear of the consequences should you firmly apply the brakes. Both aluminum and carbon fiber variants are available, although I only had time with the former.

During my tests the tripod was exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, from the dampness of a peat bog to the harsh salinity of the Tyne and Wear coastline. I was able to quickly and easily wipe the feet and legs clean with no sign of unexpected water or debris ingress. The same ruggedness applies to every knurled screw, flap, and locking mechanism.

Close up details of the Manfrotto ONE hybrid tripod outside — The aluminium version of the tripod was used during this review. The legs were easy to keep clean and felt hard-wearing during use in wet and salty conditions (Image credit: Future/ Peter Fenech)

The Manfrotto 500X Fluid tripod head in an outdoor setting — The 501PL sliding plate. As is visible in the image, if the plate is attached to a smaller camera in the recommended direction, it can be tricky to operate the lens controls (Image credit: Future/ Peter Fenech)

Unless you regularly inflict your tripods to 30m vertical drops, with the proper maintenance I can see the Manfrotto One outliving many of its owners.

Earlier, I mentioned the weight and while this does provide stability, it might prove challenging if you have to carry the tripod far, especially if you have the optionally bundled 500X Fluid Head attached. This alone weighs 1.22 kg, so it isn’t a system for the average holiday shoot. In fact, it may even be a challenge to transport it on-location along with a full system of camera bodies and lenses, if you work alone. I often do and found it necessary to set up for my shoot in two stages; firstly, I put up the legs and attached the head and handle, then I returned to the car to retrieve my camera.

However, if this sounds like a major deal-breaker, it’s important to remember that Manfrotto has designed this product to cater for both photographers and videographers, removing the need to carry two separate tripods for each function. This effectively streamlines the modern content creator’s gear bag and brilliantly plugs a gap in the market.

To that end, the Manfrotto One has a few exotic handling features. Starting with the Fast Leg Technology, the traditional clip or twist locks for leg extension are replaced with a single vertically flipping lever lock per leg. With one action, all three leg sections are unlocked so you can simply lift the head to the desired height and close the levers to fix the legs in place. This makes it exceptionally quick to raise and lower the head, in those moments where individually unlocking each section would cost you successful shots.

The downside is that you need to be able to support the weight of the tripod until you safely close each clip. Ideally, I’d recommend setting up the legs before attaching the head, which is made easy with the next clever innovation.

The XCHANGE quick-release system allows the 500X Fluid Head to be mounted directly onto the XCHANGE base of the center column, a bayonet-like fitting comprising multiple spring-loaded attachment points. To remove the head all the user has to do is rotate the locking ring anti-clockwise. This works almost instantaneously and is by far the most rapid head exchange system I’ve seen in a tripod. You’ll need an XCHANGE-ready head, of which there are not too many examples currently available, or you can adapt another using an XCHANGE base and plate adaptor setup.

The Q90 and modular column system is not new to the Manfrotto range – I was a fan of the design on my now ancient 190XPROB – but it’s great to see it put to use in a professional tripod of this level. By pressing the base of the center column the user can rotate it by 90 degrees, quickly positioning the camera for flat-lay shots, vertical-orientation panoramas, and dynamic video transitions.

Since the movement is rotational, you’ll still have to watch out for parallax error between panorama frames (where the relative distance between the subject and background changes between segments, introducing stitching challenges), but it’s helpful when speed is of paramount importance. Videographers, meanwhile, will enjoy spinning the camera around a fixed point to introduce movement to their footage. The best option for regular pano creators is to buy an L-bracket to minimize parallax further, or to use a shift lens.

The levelling column is a huge feature for the video-shooting audience. It’s mounted on a ball fixture, so that by flipping up a clamp that’s handily engraved with ‘LVL’, the whole assembly can be pivoted until the head is perfectly aligned with the horizon. On other, larger and heavier video tripods, the levelling process is often a multi-step one which is inevitably slower.

As a frequent landscape and macro photographer, probably my favourite feature is the split center column design, the lower section of which can be removed, again with a single action. This enables easy and rapid ground-level work, without having to laboriously screw off the bottom of the column and reattach it when you suddenly need to use the tripod at its maximum height.

Manfrotto One hybrid tripod: key specs

Maximum height:	181cm / 71.3 inches
Closed height:	81cm / 31.9 inches
Minimum height (low mode):	30.8cm / 12.1 inches
Materials:	Aluminium/ carbon fiber
Max payload:	33.1 lb / 15 kg (15.4 lbs / 7 kg in Q90 mode)
Leg sections:	Three
Head compatibility:	Manfrotto XCHANGE
Attachment points:	1x accessory thread, 1x weight hook
Weight:	4.77kg / 10.52lb (aluminium), 4.37kg / 9.63lb (carbon fiber)

Manfrotto One hybrid tripod price and availability

The Manfrotto One was released in June 2025 and is often bundled with the 500X Fluid Head, although it can be purchased as a legs-only option. The aluminium legs cost $499.99 / £375 / AU$900, while the 500X Fluid Head kit costs $679.99 / £519 / AU$ 1,200.

The Carbon Fiber model is also available in the above kits and costs $719.99 / £539 / AU$1,250 for the legs only, and $879.99 / £669 / AU$1,500 with the 500X head.

This represents a good price to buy the 500X Fluid Head, which costs approximately $219.99 / £164 / AU$389.95 alone. Meanwhile, the Manfrotto XCHANGE accessory can be purchased by itself for around $54.99 / £39 / AU$80, and the XCHANGE plate for $21.99 / £29 (AU$ price TBC), allowing other heads to be used with the Manfrotto One legs and vice versa.

Manfrotto One hybrid tripod: Also consider

Peak Design Pro Tripod

Peak Design's travel tripods have gained almost legendary status, and the Pro Tripod range employs the best elements of that series. A great build quality is combined with a portable, lightweight design across three variants. Furthermore, a unique non-tubular leg cross-section allows convenient storage when not in use, making the tripod easy to carry. It's a fairly expensive option, but it is significantly less heavy than both the carbon fiber and aluminium versions on the Manfrotto ONE.

Read our Peak Design Pro Tripod

Sachtler Ace M Mk II

If you shoot video almost exclusively, you may benefit more from a completely motion-content dedicated tripod. This one from Sachtler is currently the best video tripod available, for its balance of price, features, and ease of use. It's extremely stable and well-constructed, with a workable maximum payload of 4kg – ideal for mirrorless and compact video camera users.

My Sachtler Ace M Mk II review is currently in progress

Should I buy the Manfrotto One hybrid tripod?

Buy it if...

You shoot a variety of photo and video work
As suggested by the name, the Manfrotto One is designed specifically for creators who shoot both types of content. Where, before, you might have had to carry multiple tripods, now you can streamline your gear to a single camera support option.

You value speed of operation
The XTEND leg system and Q90 center column function make changing tripod configurations as rapid as possible. Manfrotto has introduced some seriously clever features here, so if you regularly worry about missing shots because your tripod wasn't set up optimally, the Manfrotto One is for you.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a beginner
For the casual shooter or novice creative, there may be too many features here for you to get to grips with. This is a professional tool meant for high-end assignments, and the many controls and functions take some getting used to.

You only occasionally shoot video
...and you're on a tight budget. It's worth the investment if you combine still and motion media, but otherwise you're not going to get the most from the legs if you mainly shoot photos. It's not cheap and it's quite heavy, so there are more easily manageable options.

How I tested the Manfrotto One hybrid tripod

I spent around a month with the aluminum version of the Manfrotto One
I tested its operational speed and efficiency, ease of use, build quality and stability
I tried the XTEND system and 500X head, and mounted various mirrorless cameras and lenses to it, including a bulky f/2.8 zoom

I spent around a month with the Manfrotto ONE, so I had a good amount of time to use it on a variety of shoots, in a mix of conditions. A local heathland is a regular haunt of mine, and this commonly leaves my tripod feet caked in peat-heavy mud. It's also exposed to the elements. The tripod certainly got wet on a few occasions. However, moisture and dirt were readily wiped off, and the feet showed no sign of excessive scratching after use.

The aluminium version I was using did get cold to the touch (a frequent challenge in winter operations), but the Manfrotto One's hard-wearing plastic components made carrying it more comfortable than directly touching the metal.

Shooting in woodland is always tricky for levelling a tripod head, but the XTEND system and ball-mounted center column made controlling the center of gravity straightforward. Using a range of camera systems, at no point was I concerned that it might topple when set up on a hillside.

Meanwhile, after a coastal shoot, I didn't find the legs prone to seizing, which can happen after exposure to salty air. The 500X head, along with the Q90 rotatable column, made switching to portrait orientation for panoramic photography quick and maintained the balance of the system well.

I shot a variety of exposure durations while waves washed over the feet to see how many vibrations were transferred to the head-mounted camera, and the Manfotto One performed well. At both closed and maximum leg heights, there was no more loss of critical image sharpness than one might expect, although I'd quite like to compare the aluminium and carbon fiber versions for this.

First reviewed December 2025