Pixel density is something Apple pays far more attention to than most PC builders. Problem is, achieving Apple's signature "Retina" display experience with one of the brand's own monitors is very pricey. But you can now get the very same 27-inch 5K form factor from the Philips 27E3U7903 for not far off half the price.
Up front and centre, this monitor matches the Apple Studio Display's 5K resolution and 218DPI pixel density. It's similar to the Apple panel in other ways, too. There's a comparable feature set with excellent connectivity including Thunderbolt 4, plus an integrated webcam and microphone array.
This Philips even apes Apple with its boxy, metallic chassis aesthetic, and flat-wide base and stand. What's more it even outstrips the Apple display by some measures. Philips has used the latest IPS Black panel tech to offer 2,000:1 static contrast, notably higher than the 1,200:1 ratio of the Studio Display.
Add in VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, broad colour support and other features aimed at creative pros and you have a super strong on-paper package. The one catch is that while the Philips 27E3U7903 is much cheaper than the Apple Studio Display, there are some very good 4K monitors available at a significant discount among our pick of the best monitors for MacBook Pro. You're going to have to really want that 5K thing to justify this new Philips panel.
It's obvious from the get go that the Philips 27E3U7903 is aimed squarely at the Apple Studio Display. That extends well beyond the basic 27-inch 5K form factor. The boxy, metallic-looking chassis and flat, wide stand and base, and glass screen cover all scream "Studio Display." Even the way the fixed power cable sticks out of the rear is awfully Appley.
Where Philips can't quite match Apple is for perceived quality. The 27E3U7903 is mostly plastic where the Apple monitor uses actual metal. So, it doesn't feel nearly as expensive.
The Philip's particularly chunky bezel also separates it slightly from the marginally slimmer Studio Display. To be clear it doesn't feel cheap, either. But to at least some extent, you can see where the extra money goes on the Apple alternative.
Connectivity is both another strong point and another overlap with Apple. Philips has given this monitor Thunderbolt 4 with 96W of power delivery, plus Thunderbolt out for display daisy chaining, another three USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI and ethernet.
That's all tied together with full KVM switch functionality, picture-in-picture support and the aforementioned display daisy chaining. So, if you have multiple PCs, Mac, laptops, whatever, this display has you covered.
Next up, there's a webcam with AI-enhanced autoframing and a microphone array, which again is redolent of the Studio Display's Center Stage camera, plus stereo speakers.
For creators, there are features like a wide range of preset colour spaces including Apple's favoured Display P3 support, 99% coverage of the DCI P3 gamut, support for Calman Ready automatic calibration.
The Philips 27E3U7903 is also VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. That level of HDR certification requires some level of local dimming. Philips doesn't quote the number of zones. But as we'll see this monitor almost certainly is limited to a very small number of edge-lit zones, as opposed to full-array local dimming.
Philips 27E3U7903: Performance
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Crispy 5K visuals
Very punchy backlight
Limited HDR capability
For 5K neophites, the first question is whether the upgrade in terms of pixel density compared to a 4K 27-inch monitor is obvious. And the simple answer is no, it's not an immediately apparent and dramatic improvement in subjective, experiential terms.
No question, fonts and text are that little bit crisper and clearer. But 4K on a 27-inch panel is pretty good in that regard too. So, the benefits of 4K are a touch more subtle than that. One benefit, for instance, is that the 3,008 x 1,692 virtual resolution option in MacOS works particularly well.
For some creative workflows, it's also very handy to be able to display a full 3,840 by 2,160 pixel 4K video stream in a window with space to spare for toolbars and controls.
But these are relatively niche upsides. For most users, it's questionable whether the price premium versus numerous cheaper 4K monitors is worth it purely for 5K, and I say that as someone who really appreciates high pixel density in computing displays.
With that in mind, the Philips 27E3U7903 needs to justify itself in broader terms. For starters, it's certainly very punchy. The maximum brightness in SDR mode is well beyond what most users will ever want to dial up.
However, it's good to have some brightness in hand, especially if you want to use this display in a setting with lots of ambient light. You'll have no problem burning that off with the Philips 27E3U7903.
That said, in that context you'll also have to contend with a fair bit of reflectivity from the glassy screen cover. That's a very Apple feature and something you either like or dislike. But it certainly adds to a sense of heightened contrast.
On that note, this is an IPS Black panel with getting on for double the static contrast performance compared to most IPS monitors. From that spec alone, you might expect a dramatic improvement in black levels. The reality is much more marginal. This monitor still has more light bleed than a VA monitor, let alone an OLED panel with perfect per-pixel lighting.
That's relevant for HDR performance, a notable weak point for this display. It has VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification and basic local dimming. But while Philips doesn't quote the number of zones, it's very likely to be around 16 edge-lit zones.
You can toggle the level of local dimming in the OSD. But in all honesty, this type of local dimming is barely any different from a dynamic backlight. Ultimately, this is not a true HDR monitor, even if it is pretty bright.
As for broader accuracy and factory calibration, that's a slight weak point. It's most noticeable when using an Apple laptop where the sRGB preset is actually a better visual match for Apple laptop than the Apple-default Display P3 colour space. To be clear, this is not a poorly calibrated display. But given the lofty price tag, it could be a touch better.
Finally, the integrated webcam is superior to a typical laptop camera, but not truly comparable to the Center Stage camera in the Apple Studio Display.
Philips 27E3U7903: Final verdict
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If you're a tech enthusiast, the very notion of 5K computing is pretty exciting. 5K has to be better than 4K, right? Yes it is, but the difference on a 27-inch display isn't hugely dramatic.
There are advantages, such as slightly crisper fonts and the ability to view 4K content with screen real estate to spare for toolbars and other interface elements. But the benefits are relatively marginal. And I say that as something of a high-DPI aficionado.
With all that in mind, the Philips 27E3U7903 needs to be absolutely excellent in broad terms to justify its premium pricing and not just by virtue of delivering that Apple Studio Display-style 5K experience.
Well, it certainly is excellent in terms of connectivity thanks to a plethora of ports, plus KVM switch and daisy chaining support. Elsewhere, the Philips 27E3U7903 is certainly good, but arguably not exceptional.
The IPS Black panel is certainly nice, with vibrant colours and a very powerful backlight. But the subjective experience doesn't quite deliver on the expectations raised by the on-paper 2,000:1 contrast spec. Likewise, as with most, perhaps even all, HDR 600 monitors, the HDR experience is limited.
Slightly harder to forgive is the factory calibration. This is not a poorly calibrated display. But it's not as excellent as you might expect at this price point, albeit for the most demanding workflows, you'll be calibrating this monitor yourself, something for which it provides good support.
All of which means the Philips 27E3U7903 is ultimately a niche offering. If you're tempted by Apple's Studio Display but don't fancy the price, this is a very appealing and effective alternative. If you want the absolute best possible pixel density, then likewise. But for most users, there's better value to be had from a wide range of 27-inch 4K displays.
Whereas most of the best video doorbells are sleek, with the look and feel of a traditional doorbell, the same can’t be said of the Aqara G410. Like its predecessor, the G4, this is a decidedly chunky unit. The reason why soon becomes clear when you realise it’s powered by no less than six AA batteries (even the latest ‘long-life’ Blink device only has three and most have two).
While this might not be a massive issue when it comes to operation, it does make installation a little more challenging. Aqara provides a wedge mount for installing on a door architrave but the likelihood is you will have to install it on a flat surface because of its large size.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Furthermore, lack of waterproofing (IPX3 provides very modest protection against splashing) means you have to install in an enclosed or semi-enclosed (storm) porch rather than exposed to the elements – at least in the UK. Aqara provides screws and wall plugs for installation or alternatively there is a large and strong adhesive strip on the back of the device for placing directly onto a wall or front door.
Unusually, the indoor chime is also the hub of the Aqara system. It is here where you scan one QR code to sync the doorbell to the Aqara iOS/Android app and another to connect to various smart home platforms including Google Home. It is also here where you insert a MicroSD card (up to 512GB) to store video clips rather than paying Aqara from £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) a month to store all of your clips in the cloud. However, Aqara only provides a USB-C to USB-A cable so you will need a mains plug with a USB-A port to use.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Once set up, a 4:3 image appears in the app alongside a range of options to help you take control of your video doorbell. As well as the usual settings that allow you exclude or include parts of the image or adjust doorbell and/or chime volume, AI-based facial recognition is also included as standard. This allows you to add images of people who live in the house for the camera to store. It will then send you an alert if it spots that person leaving the house (and if it’s someone it doesn’t recognise it will say ‘lingerer detected’!)
Subscribers to the Aqara’s HomeGuardian service can also access additional functionality such as AI Video Search where you can enter keywords to search through videos more easily and AI Video Summary which will provide a one sentence summary of the video created – for example ‘courier in red T-shirt carrying parcel'.
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410: subscription options
Aqara HomeGuardian (1 device): £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) or £39.99 (about $55 / AU$80) per year
Aqara HomeGuardian (unlimited cameras): £7.99 (about $10 / AU$15) per month or £79.99 (about $110 / AU$160) per year
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410: price and availability
How much does it cost? Aqara G410 £129, $129
When is it available? Available from August 2025
Where is it available? UK/US
When the original Aqara G4 video doorbell was released back in 2023, it cost £119/$119 (although it is now available online for under £100 / $100). With the new model, Aqara has managed to maintain the same price point (give or take £10 / $10), at the same as making a shed-load of improvements. These include much better viewing angle, dual-band Wi-Fi capability and much improved video resolution (2K rather than 1080p) to name but a few.
Nevertheless, the new Aqara G410 is actually towards the upper end of the price range for a video doorbell with many devices now retailing for under £100/$100, albeit without local storage so you have to pay a monthly subscription fee to store video clips in the cloud. The advantage of the new Aqara model is that, while a monthly-subscription fee is available for advanced AI-detection features, you don’t have to pay it to store video clips. Instead, you can insert a MicroSD card in the smart home hub/chime and get pretty much all of the functions without having to pay extra.
So is the Aqara video doorbell worth the investment? Much depends on how you intend to use it. If you want to use it just as a standard video doorbell to talk to whoever comes to the front door then we’d say probably not. There are simply better, and definitely nicer looking, video doorbells out there. There’s no getting around the fact that the G410 looks cheap and plasticy, like something you would have bought from a Tandy store back in the day (if you are old enough to remember them!)
However, if you want to use it as part of a home automation system so, for example, the doorbell unlocks a compatible smart lock when it sees a face it recognises, then the Aqara G4 does represent much better value for money. For example, in this scenario it’s possible to imagine the Aqara doorbell taking centre stage – effectively becoming the brain of your smart home. Just don’t get it too wet as the limited IPX3 weather resistance means this ‘brain’ could stop working completely if you return from work in a downpour.
Value score: 3.5/5
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410: design
Easy installation
Chunky design
IPX3 weather resistance
Measuring 14.2 x 6.5 x 3cm (5.57 x 2.56 x 1.2 inches), there is no getting around the fact that the Aqara is big and ugly. Whereas most video doorbells on the market have the form factor of a chunky traditional doorbell, the Aqara has no such pretensions. Instead, it’s more like the shape of an old-fashioned door entry phone. At least it means it has a nice big, illuminated doorbell that visitors simply can’t miss.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
That it’s so big is largely down to how it is powered. Though it is possible to hard-wire the doorbell into your existing doorbell system, most people will probably use it as a stand-alone doorbell. This means installing no fewer than six AA batteries by unscrewing the panel in the back of the unit (standard AA batteries are provided).
That’s considerably more than most battery-powered video doorbells, which usually only require two or three AA batteries unless they’re powered by a rechargeable lithium Ion battery.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Installation is relatively straightforward. Aqara provides wall plugs and screws for mounting on the door or door frame. Alternatively, there’s a very strong adhesive strip for sticking both the doorbell and chime to a suitable surface. Also provided is a wedge-mount for installing at an angle though the likelihood is that this video doorbell is simply too wide to mount on most door architraves.
Importantly, the chime/smart home hub needs to be installed on the same Wi-Fi network as the doorbell, close enough so they can communicate with one another, but also in an area of the house where you are most likely to hear it from several rooms – such as a hallway. As noted earlier, the Aqara G410 will need to be enclosed in a semi-enclosed or enclosed porch to prevent it getting wet. It also shouldn’t be mounted too high in order to get the best view from the 4:3 shaped image. Aqara recommends a height of between 1.4 and 1.5m from the ground (around 4.5 to 5ft).
Design: 3/5
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410: performance
Good image quality
mmWave radar detection reduces false alerts
Complete smart home hub
There’s no doubt that when it comes to performance, the G410 represents a massive leap forward from its predecessor, the G4. Whereas the former unit offered 1080p resolution, the G410 boasts much sharper 2K (2048 x 1536 pixel) resolution. Aspect ratio too has been changed from a wide 16:9 to squarer 4:3 which is more suitable for capturing people coming to the door (although some of the latest doorbells now favour the square 1:1 aspect ratio for head-to-toe footage).
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On the downside, the video doorbell still lacks HDR support. However, we generally we found the dynamic range was more than sufficient for recognising visitors and monitoring deliveries during the day. More problematic was night vision which was not always that clear unless the PIR on my porch light was triggered. Alternatively, it is possible to program the Aqara to trigger a smart porch light if anyone approaches your door at night.
One really useful addition is mmWave Radar detection. We recently saw the technology used to great effect on a Baseus Security S2 outdoor security camera and the same’s true here. Indeed, the technology seems a big improvement over older PIR detectors which tend to be a little overly sensitive.
This feature drastically reduces the number of false alerts from passing cars and pedestrians walking past your house which can be a problem with some video doorbells.
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Other plus points include a very loud indoor chime (up to 95dB) – handy if you can’t always hear someone coming to the front door – and a reasonable speaker and microphone for talking to whoever is at the door. In fact it’s even possible to disguise your voice with various settings (anonymous, robot and clown). This may be useful, if say, you are a vulnerable woman and don’t want whoever is at the door to know you are home alone or simply for having fun with family and friends.
Finally, where this model really comes into its own of course is as the engine room of a home automation system. The G410 is now a fully-fledged smart home hub with a built in Matter Bridge and controller, a Zigbee Hub, a Thread border router and a dual-band Wi-Fi adaptor.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
However, it’s worth noting that while the camera is technically capable of 2K resolution, this is only available if the device is used exclusively within the Aqara app. For example, if it’s added to Apple HomeKit (or any other ecosystem), the resolution is downgraded to just 1600 x 1200 pixels. As a result, images via Apple Home Kit look less sharp.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Should you buy the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410?
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 score card
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
Reasonable value for money if you just want to store video clips on a MicroSD card. However, if you want full AI functionality you will need to pay a sub from £3.99 a month.
3.5/5
Design
Powered by six AA batteries, this chunky unit feels quite cheap and plasticky. It doesn’t offer full waterproofing either – a failing for a video doorbell.
3/5
Performance
A big improvement over its predecessor with dual-band WiFi, better resolution and radar detection. However, image quality is reduced when viewing via smart home platforms.
3.5/5
Overall
While the Aqara offers reasonable performance and flexibility especially for fans of home automation, ultimately it is let down by poor, cheap design and lack of waterproofing.
3.5/5
Buy it if
You want to use as part of a smart home setup
Compatible with all the major smart home platforms (including Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home), the Aqara is ideal for pairing with home automation products.
You want a loud doorbell chime
The Aqara comes with a very loud doorbell chime (95dB) making it ideal for those who can’t always hear if someone is at the door.
Don't buy it if
The doorbell is likely to get very wet
Designed for an enclosed or semi-enclosed porch, the Aqara is not suitable for all homes because it only has very modest IPX3 weather resistance.
You're looking for compact unit
Powered by six AA batteries, the Aqara is a very chunky unit indeed – considerably larger than most video doorbells that fit neatly on a door architrave.
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410: also consider
Aqara G410 Doorbell Camera Hub
Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module
Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus
Subscription price
From £3.99 a month
From £2.50 a month
From £3.50 a month
From £4.99 a month
Viewing angle
175° horizontal
150° horizontal
154° horizontal
150° horizontal
Network connection
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHZ)
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
Audio
Two-way audio
Two-way audio
Two-way audio
Two-way audio
Video
2K resolution
1440p Full HD resolution
1080p Full HD resolution
1536p Full HD resolution
Power
Mains or battery (6x AA batteries)
Battery (3x AA batteries)
Mains or rechargeable battery
Rechargeable battery
Hardware price
£129 (with chime/smart hub)
£59 (with Sync Module Core)
£129 (video doorbell), £29 (chime)
£129 (video doorbell), £139 (with basic chime)
If you're not sure whether the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 is right for you, here are some other options to consider:
Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2)
Powered by three lithium AA batteries, this latest video doorbell promises a long battery-life. Featuring a 1:1 shaped image, it’s ideal for capturing a head-to-toe image of people coming to the door.
Amazon-owned company Ring has firmly established itself as the ‘go to’ company for video doorbells. It offers several models including this wire-free model which also features a head-to-toe view.
A solidly built video doorbell, the Yale device offers good image and sound quality. However, streaming recorded content and speaking to people at the door can be a little slow.
The doorbell was set up in a storm porch to the side of the door
I regularly test video doorbells, much to the confusion of local postmen when I have several up at once and they don’t know which one to press! As an experiment, I decided to leave two up for a short while, a Blink Generation 2 video doorbell on the front of the door and the Aqara at the side of the storm porch.
Interestingly, I found that most couriers/postmen rang the Aqara drawn no doubt by the extremely large doorbell button in the centre. Ideally, I would have installed the doorbell in the centre of the door, but it’s extremely wide design made this impractical. For many, it’s lack of waterproofing will also prove a massive obstacle (it seems essential for any outdoor product, at least in the UK).
It’s a shame because there is much to like about this product, including its compatibility with all the major smart home platforms, accurate motion detection and local as well as cloud storage. But without waterproofing and an impractical design it is simply difficult to recommend the Aqara G410 to TechRadar readers.
The Humanscale Freedom is not your average chair. It's not just another ergonomic chair. It's designed by ergonomics pioneer Niels Diffrient to remove complexity. Diffrient removed levers, knobs, dials, switches, and other controllers and created a chair that adjusts to your body naturally, along with any movement you make.
I have tested many of the best office chairs and have yet to find one like this. It feels like a different class of luxury, like moving from a budget car to a luxury vehicle. The Humanscale Freedom is luxurious, iconic, ergonomically excellent, and wildly expensive.
Humanscale Freedom: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Humanscale Freedom Headrest that I have here can be customized to stay just under the $2,000 mark at $1,997.00, on sale now for $1,605.00. However, if customized to the max, this chair could cost nearly $6,000. My build included the standard task chair, the advanced duron arms with textile, graphite frame color, the Corvara Chrome-Free Leather in Onyx with Vanilla Stitching, a standard foam seat pan, the tall cylinder 5", standard hard casters, fireproofing, and the standard matching base. Due to the leather, this took a longer time to create, especially since it was custom all around, but once I got it delivered, I was floored. It's an art piece, it's exquisite. It's unlike anything else that I have or will ever have in the future. Depending on your material choice, this kind of chair could take beyond 8 weeks for delivery, but if you choose the right materials, you could get this down to two weeks.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Humanscale Freedom: Unboxing and First Impressions
Once I waited my eight weeks to get this chair, I was eager to use it. Thankfully, unboxing was unbelievably easy. I opened the box, added the chair to the base, cut a few ties holding the moving pieces together, and I was good to go.
Right off the bat, I knew this chair would stand out among all of the chairs that I have tested. This one is unlike anything else I have tried. It looks unique, functions uniquely, and is made with the most genuine and premium materials I have experienced. This chair feels like that classic car that someone has in their collection, or the luxury furniture that is meant for looking, not touching, and for sure not sitting on, except it's very much made to sit on, and then uniquely conforms to your body. This piece isn't just a chair, it's art you can experience.
Humanscale Freedom: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Height range: Fits 5'0"–6'4", 100–300 lbs Recline: Weight-sensitive, self-locking recline at 20° Arms: Moves with the back, no knob or button adjustment Headrest model: +5-inch adjustment Warranty: 15 years Weight: ~43–49lbs depending on model
At the end of the day, this can be described as an ergonomic chair. However, when you start to look at functionality, features, materials, and design language, you see that this chair was re-imagined from that basis on. This is an ergonomic chair, yes, but unlike almost all other ergonomic chairs, this one does not have dials and knobs and tension controls -- no, it moves with your body, as your body does. Its contoured cushions roll backward as you do, leaning with you, while supporting you. The armrests move with the backrest, staying in a helpful position even when reclined. Additionally, with my leather materials, I can be assured that not only is this piece made with luxury materials, but I'm also covered by a warranty, knowing that this chair will last for well over a decade and beyond.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Humanscale Freedom: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Visually, I love this chair. It's gorgeous. It's a statement piece I hope to always have in my home office from now on. Sitting in it, though, does take a moment to get used to. I've gotten so familiar with the functionality of so many chair companies that the lack of functionality is as shocking as a new Tesla owner getting into their vehicle for the first time. The change from a gas and brake pedal operating as it does in a standard vehicle, the familiarity with a key, or at minimum a key fob, and the need to shift, start the car, and more being stripped away in the push for minimalism and seamless usability is much reflected in the push from other chairs to the Humanscale Freedom. It's the Tesla of the ergonomic chair market. Instead of shifting into gear, adjusting the settings with knobs, or feeling like you need to press buttons to begin your experience with this chair, you can sit down without thinking, and the chair handles the adjusting. It's that easy.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Comfort-wise, it takes a minute to get used to, I won't deny that. But once you get used to it, I've really enjoyed the chair overall. I've had this chair in my rotation for a month now, and I still love it just as much. The weight-sensitive recline feels natural, the lumbar support is excellent, but my headrest feels a tad loose, which may be because I extend it to maximum due to my height. Much like in a Tesla, once you trust the design and intentionality of the vessel, the experience improves. And that is precisely what I have found to be the case with the Humanscale Freedom.
Humanscale Freedom: Final verdict
The Humanscale Freedom is not the chair for most people. I would rarely recommend this chair to the average Joe or to a mass purchaser. But, once you know that this level of customization, this quality level, this comfort level, and this ease of use exist, you'll wish you could have it. If you want to have the ease of not having to adjust every dial precisely to your needs or else the chair won't work right, if you want to be able to customize a chair, if you want to have premium materials and you are okay with the premium price, then this chair would be very hard to beat if you tried.
Should you buy a Humanscale Freedom?
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Value
Luxury pricing for a luxury item, but solid long term option if you want something that will last
3.5 / 5
Design
Iconic look that feels more like art than a chair
5 / 5
Hardware
Unique adjustments, and futuristic feel when making changes to how you sit
4.5 / 5
Performance
Excellent support once you learn how it works and get used to it
4 / 5
Overall
Ergonomically wonderful, while also doubling as a featured art piece. This piece is wonderful if your budget is equally accommodating.
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a beautiful, aesthetic, fabulous chair The Humanscale Freedom won't just blend in with other chairs, it's unique looking and feeling, made with quality materials
You want a chair that will last With a massive warranty and genuine leather, minimal moving parts and quality engineering, this chair is sure to last longer than cheap chairs with poor materials.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You like having controls to adjust While the adjustments are mostly still there, the controls, dials, knobs and switches to maneuver your chair around are not.
You have a budget If money is going to play a factor in your chair choice, this one probably won't make the cut, unless your "Budget" is very high, or if the chiar is the most important part to your renovation
The TCL QM9K is the final TV series the companylaunched in 2025, and it was clearly saving the best for last. As the company’s flagship mini-LED TV series, it arrives packed with the highest level of performance, along with the latest and greatest features, with some of those exclusive to the QM9K.
A key exclusive feature of the TCL QM9K at launch is Google TV with Gemini. This adds the Gemini AI chatbot to what is otherwise the same Google TV smart interface found on many of the best TVs. Gemini enables you to conduct not just content searches, but research on essentially any topic, from dinner recipes to ancient Roman civilization, using the TV’s built-in far-field mic.
The contextual, conversational Gemini lets you ask follow-up questions without losing the thread, and for those concerned about privacy, queries get deleted after 10 minutes. Other Gemini capabilities include image generation, and the screensavers you create can pop up on the screen automatically when you enter the room, thanks to the TV’s built-in presence sensor (another QM9K exclusive).
On the picture-quality front, the QM9K features a mini-LED panel with up to 6,500 local dimming zones, and TCL’s Halo Control System works to minimize incidences of backlight blooming – something it does remarkably well. The result is an exceptionally bright picture with powerful contrast, deep, uniform blacks, and detailed shadows.
Other features that enhance the QM9K’s picture are an AIPQ Pro processor, a wide viewing angle feature, and an anti-reflective screen. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats are both supported, and the TV features Filmmaker Mode and is IMAX Enhanced.
The QM9K’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen speaker system provides potent Dolby Atmos sound with clear dialogue and an impressive level of bass for a TV. And if you want even better sound, the QM9K is one of the first TVs to support Dolby FlexConnect, which can output wireless Atmos sound to the company’s Z100 speakers and Z100-SW subwoofer, as well as automatically configure the system for optimal performance.
TCL’s Zero Bezel design for the QM9K reduces the screen’s bezel width to 3.2mm for a striking, “all-picture” look. An adjustable height pedestal stand provides solid support and can clear space for a soundbar, and the TV's edges taper in at the sides to give it a slim profile.
A respectable number of gaming features are provided on the QM9K, including two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. A pop-up Game Bar menu lets you make quick adjustments, and a Game Accelerator 288 feature enables 288Hz gaming at 1080p resolution.
TCL QM9K review: Price and release date
The QM9K's high brightness and refined local dimming help to bring out fine details in images (Image credit: Future)
Release date: September 2025
65-inch: $2,999.99
75-inch: $3,499.99
85-inch: $3,999.99
98-inch: $5,999.99
The TCL QM9K is available in 65- to 98-inch screen sizes. As TCL’s flagship TV, it is priced higher than other series in the company’s mini-LED TV lineup, with the 75-inch model I tested priced at $3,499 at launch. To put the QM9K’s price in perspective, the step-down TCL QM8K mini-LED launched in May at $3,199 for the 75-inch size, and is now selling for around $2,000.
Similar to the QM8K, prices for the QM9K are already starting to drop, with the 75-inch model having been reduced to $2,499. Other flagship mini-LEDs in a 75-inch size that the QM9K is competing with include the Samsung QN90F (currently selling for $2,099) and Hisense U8QG (currently selling for $1,899).
TCL QM9K review: Specs
Screen type:
QLED with mini-LED
Refresh rate:
144Hz
HDR support:
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:
Dolby Atmos
Smart TV:
Google TV
HDMI ports:
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Built-in tuner:
ATSC 3.0
TCL QM9K review: Benchmark results
TCL QM9K review: Features
The QM9K has two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, plus two HDMI 2.0 ports (Image credit: Future)
Wide viewing angle and anti-reflective screen
Audio by Bang & Olufsen
Google TV with Gemini
The TCL QM9K features a high-contrast display panel with a wide viewing angle and an anti-reflective screen. A Halo Control System with a 23-bit controller and dynamic light algorithm is used to minimize blooming from the TV’s mini-LED backlight, which provides up to 6,500 local dimming zones, and the company’s AIPQ Pro processor is used for upscaling and noise reduction.
High dynamic range support includes both the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ formats. The QM9K is also IMAX Enhanced certified and features a Filmmaker Mode picture preset, a new addition to TCL TVs in 2025.
The QM9K’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in speaker system features Dolby Atmos support, and there's pass-through for DTS:X. Upfiring speakers for Atmos height effects are located on the TV’s top surface, and there are dual subwoofers on the back panel.
TCL’s Zero Border design for the QM9K provides a disappearingly thin bezel that allows for virtually the full screen area to be filled with the picture. A built-in sensor can be configured to turn the TV on when it detects your nearby presence, and it will then be switched to ambient mode, displaying artwork or photos. A built-in far-field mic lets you use voice commands to control the TV, and there’s also a built-in mic on the backlit remote control that lets you do the same.
The QM9K is the first Google TV with Gemini AI, which lets you carry out contextual, voice-based content search, among other things. Gemini can be used to control Google Assistant smart home devices, and the TV additionally works with Alexa and Apple HomeKit and jas AirPlay and Chromecast built-in support.
Gaming features include 4K 144Hz support on two of the TV’s four HDMI ports, FreeSync Pro, and Game Accelerator 288, which lets you game in 1080p resolution at a 288Hz refresh rate. There is also a Game Bar onscreen display that lets you make gaming-related adjustments without having to exit to a menu.
Features Score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Picture quality
The QM9K's high brightness and anti-glare screen make it a great option for bright room viewing (Image credit: Future)
Exceptional brightness and contrast
Rich color and excellent detail
Wide viewing angle
When I previously reviewed the TCL QM9K’s step-down sibling, the TCL QM8K, one of that TV’s high points was its exceptional brightness. In my testing, the QM9K proved to be even brighter than the QM8K, with a measured peak HDR brightness of 3,322 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 3,811 nits in Standard mode. Fullscreen HDR brightness was also impressive, with the QM9K hitting around 660 nits in both Filmmaker and Standard modes.
The QM9K’s HDR color gamut coverage was also very good, with the TV measuring 96.7% for UHDA-P3 and 79.7 for BT-2020. Color point accuracy was similarly good, with the Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen, with a result lower than 3 being undetectable by the human eye) averaging out to 1.8, and to 2.8 for grayscale accuracy.
The QM9K’s high brightness, combined with its extended, accurate color and refined local dimming translated into an exceptional picture. Watching the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on 4K Blu-ray, a scene where Spider-Man battles the Green Goblin had powerful contrast, and it caused the scene’s psychedelic color palette to pop more than I’m used to seeing on most TVs. The film’s animated textures were also displayed with a high level of detail, giving it a near 3D-like effect.
The QM9K’s impressive detail carried over to Ripley, which I streamed in 4K with Dolby Vision from Netflix. Watched in the TV’s Dolby Vision Dark picture mode, textures in clothing and objects were clearly visible, and it gave the picture a strong sense of depth. The show’s black and white images looked completely uniform, and subtle gray tones were easily revealed.
Test patterns on the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray confirmed that the QM9K’s CrystGlow WHVA Panel worked as well in maintaining uniform color and contrast over a wide viewing angle as the TCL QM8K did when I tested it. The disc’s local dimming torture tests also confirmed the effectiveness of TCL’s Halo Control System at minimizing backlight blooming in high contrast images.
With its Ultra Wide Angle feature, the QM9K's picture looks uniformly good over a range of seating positions (Image credit: Future)
The only area where the QM9K stumbled a bit was in its motion handling. Watching a scene from the James Bond film No Time to Die, where Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery, there was a fair amount of judder, although this could be eliminated by making adjustments to the Custom mode in the TV’s Motion menu without introducing too much “soap opera” effect.
There was also a very slight degree of vignetting at the edges of the screen, an effect likely related to its Zero Border design. This was mostly visible on test patterns, however, and I rarely spotted it on TV shows or movies.
The QM9K’s anti-reflection screen proved effective at reducing screen glare from overhead lights and maintaining picture contrast. I did see some reflections from lamps when placed in the path of the screen, but it was minimal and mostly an issue for dark images.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Sound quality
The QM9K's Audio by Bang & Olufsen speaker system features upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects and dual subwoofers on the TV's rear (shown) (Image credit: Future)
Audio by Bang & Olufsen with Beosonic interface
Dolby FlexConnect support
Potent sound with good directional effects
TCL doesn’t provide much in the way of audio specs for its TVs, but the QM9K does have an Audio by Bang & Olufsen Dolby Atmos speaker system with upfiring drivers and built-in subwoofers. There’s no DTS Virtual:X processing, but DTS:X pass-through is supported.
The QM9K is also compatible with Dolby FlexConnect, which lets you use the TV with the company’s Z100 wireless FlexConnect speakers and Z100-SW wireless subwoofer. FlexConnect automatically configures and calibrates the system from the TV, and it gives you the freedom to position the speakers anywhere you want in the room, not just in the standard home theater positions to the side of the screen, or behind you to the sides.
One notable feature related to the Audio by Bang & Olufsen on the QM9K is its Beosonic interface, which becomes available when you select the TV’s Custom sound preset.
The graphic interface features a cursor that allows you to move between Relaxed, Energetic, Bright, and Warm quadrants to adjust the sound to your liking. Using this, I was able to warm up the TV’s too-bright sound, though I ended up leaving the Movie preset in place for most of my testing.
Overall, I found the QM9K’s sound to be pretty potent, with clear dialogue and a good helping of bass. When I watched the chase scene through the town square in No Time to Die, the crashes and gunfire had good impact and directionality, and the sound of ringing church bells in the Dolby Atmos soundtrack had a notably strong height effect.
I imagine many viewers will be fine with using the QM9K’s built-in speakers, though I’d recommend adding one of the best soundbars or taking advantage of its FlexConnect feature to get sound quality that equals the picture.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Design
The TV's pedestal stand can be installed flush or at an elevated height (shown) to accommodate a soundbar (Image credit: Future)
ZeroBorder design
Height-adjustable pedestal stand
Full-size, backlit remote control
TCL’s ZeroBorder design minimizes the QM9K’s bezel to a vanishingly small 3.2mm, giving it a true “all-picture” look. The panel itself has a two-inch depth, although its sides taper inward in a manner that gives the TV a slimmer look when viewed from the side.
A pedestal stand comes with the QM9K in screen sizes up to 85 inches, while the 98-inch version features support feet. The stand is made of metal covered with a faux brushed metal plastic, and it has two height positions, with the higher option clearing space for a soundbar.
Connections on the QM9K include four HDMI ports (one with eARC), two USB type-A, Ethernet, and an optical digital audio output. There is also an ATSC 3.0 tuner input for connecting an antenna.
TCL’s full-size remote control features a backlit keypad. The layout is uncluttered, and includes three direct access buttons for apps (Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube) plus an input select button, and a Free TV button that takes you to the TV’s free and ad-supported streaming channels portal.
Design score: 4/5
TCL QM9K review: Smart TV and menus
Image 1 of 2
The QM9K's Google TV smart interface with the Gemini AI icon, (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
Google TV's Live TV grid guide (Image credit: Future)
Google TV with Gemini AI
Live program grid with broadcast channels
Quick menu for basic adjustments
The QM9K is notable for being the first Google TV with Gemini AI chatbot support. This feature lets you essentially carry on a conversation with the TV using either the set’s built-in far-field mic or the remote control’s mic.
Using Gemini, you can ask a question like, “Show me a list of Samurai movies from the 1960s to the present.” The contextual nature of Gemini search lets you then ask follow-up questions to drill down deeper, such as “Show me the ones with an 80% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score that are available on HBO Max or Netflix.”
Gemini has much more in its bag of tricks: You can ask about anything you want, from questions about astronomy or astrology to recipes to top attractions to see when visiting cities. It can create news briefs with video links and also generate images from prompts (“Fantasy twilight landscape with white deer”) to use as screensavers.
The QM9K features a built-in presence sensor, and it can be configured to activate your AI-generated screensavers, or even a rotating photo gallery drawn from a Google Photos account, automatically when you enter the room.
A Live TV portal in Google TV provides a grid guide of broadcasts pulled in by the QM9K’s ATSC 3.0 tuner, including NextGen channels, and these are displayed along with Google TV Freeplay and TCL free ad-supported TV channels. Google TV gives you multiple options to sort these, including by genre (Reality TV, News, etc.) or antenna-only.
Both AirPlay and Chromecast built-in are supported by the QM9K, which also works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
The QM9K's quick menu lets you easily adjust basic settings (Image credit: Future)
There are extensive settings in the QM9K’s menus to satisfy picture and sound tweakers. The Brightness section of the Picture menu provides multiple gamma settings and contrast adjustments. For sound, there are various audio presets, including a custom Audio by Bang & Olufsen Beosonic adjustment that lets you EQ the sound based on parameters like Bright, Relaxed, Energetic, and Warm.
Accessing these settings is done by pressing the gear icon on the remote control or by clicking the same icon in the Google TV home screen. Another option is to press the quick menu icon on the remote, which calls up a menu at the screen’s bottom with a range of picture and sound setup options.
Smart TV & menus score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Gaming
The QM9K's Game Bar menu (Image credit: Future)
Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support
FreeSync Premium Pro and Game Accelerator 288
12.9ms input lag is average
Gaming features on the QM9K include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. There is also a Game Accelerator 288 feature that lets you game at 288Hz in 108p resolution and a Game Bar onscreen overlay for making quick adjustments to gaming-related settings.
The QM9K’s bright, contrast-rich picture makes all manner of games look great. Performance is also responsive, with the TCL measuring at 12.9ms when tested with a Leo Bodnar 4K input lag meter.
Gaming score: 4/5
TCL QM9K review: Value
The QM9K's full-size, fully backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)
Priced higher than top mini-LED competition
Less extensive gaming features than competition
Google TV with Gemini enhances value
The TCL QM9K is a fantastic TV, but its raw value is taken down a notch by the fact that there is plenty of great mini-LED TV competition in 2025.
At the time of writing, TCL had already lowered the price of the 75-inch QM9K by $1,000 to $2,499. Even so, other 75-inch flagship mini-LED TVs such as the Samsung QN90F are now selling for $2,099. The QM9K has higher peak HDR brightness than the Samsung, and it also beats competitors such as the Hisense U8QG on that test. But the Samsung has superior gaming features and performance, and its great overall picture quality was one of the main reasons why it earned a five out of five stars overall rating in our Samsung QN90F review.
TCL’s own step-down mini-LED TV, the TCL QM8K, also provides very impressive picture quality, and it features the ZeroBorder screen, ultra wide viewing angle, and anti-reflection screen features found in the QM9K.
I’d have said that Google TV with Gemini, which is currently exclusive to the QM9K, was its ace-in-the-hole when it comes to value, but that feature is also coming to the QM8K at some point in 2025, and it should also be available as an upgrade for the Hisense U8QG. The QM9K is the only TV of the three with a built-in presence sensor, so that is one exclusive feature the QM9K can claim.
Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the TCL QM9K?
A Gemini-generated fantasy image, used as a screensaver (Image credit: Future)
TCL QM9K
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Google TV with Gemini, Dolby FlexConnect and comprehensive HDR support
4.5/5
Picture quality
Exceptional brightness and refined local dimming combined with a ultra wide viewing angle feature and anti-reflective screen make this a great all-around TV
4.5/5
Sound quality
Very good built-in sound from Audio by Bang & Olufsen Dolby Atmos speaker system
4.5/5
Design
ZeroBorder screen minimizes bezel for all picture look. Adjustable height pedestal stand can clear space for a soundbar
4/5
Smart TV and menus
Google TV is enhanced by Gemini AI, plus the quick menu provides easy access to basic settings
4.5/5
Gaming
4K 144Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro supported, but only on two HDMI ports
4/5
Value
A bit pricier than most of the current flagship mini-LED TV competition. Step-down QM8K model is a better overall value
4/5
Buy it if...
You want to watch in a bright room The QM9K’s high brightness and anti-reflective screen make it a good option for viewing in bright rooms. An ultra wide angle feature also makes it a good choice for viewing sports with groups.
You don’t want to use a soundbar The QM9K’s built-in Audio by Bang & Olufsen speakers deliver clear dialogue, good bass, and immersive Atmos effects. Many viewers likely won’t feel the need to add a soundbar.
You want a TV with sophisticated AI The QM9K’s Google TV interface features the Gemini AI chatbot, which takes content searching and other smart TV-related activities to the next level.
Don't buy it if…
You want to save some money The QM9K’s step-down sibling, the QM8K, also delivers a bright picture with refined local dimming and has many of the same picture quality and sound features. TCL says the QM8K will also be getting Gemini in a future update.
You’re nervous about AI Google says that any queries made to Google TV using the Gemini AI feature are erased after 10 minutes, but those with serious privacy concerns may want to tread lightly.
TCL QM9K: Also consider...
TCL QM9K
Samsung QN90F
TCL QM8K
Hisense U8QG
Price (65-inch)
$2,999
$2,499.99
$2,499.99
$2,199
Screen type
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate
144Hz
165Hz
144Hz
165Hz
HDR support
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV (with Gemini)
Tizen
Google TV
Google TV
HDMI ports
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
4x HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
3x HDMI 2.1
Samsung QN90F Samsung’s flagship mini-LED TV is priced even lower than the QM9K following a series of discounts. This TV has superior gaming features and an even more effective anti-reflection screen, though it lacks TCL’s Google TV Gemini feature.
TCL QM8K The QM8K is the step-down model in TCL’s mini-LED TV lineup, but it also has a bright picture with effective local dimming, plus an ultra wide viewing angle feature and an anti-reflective screen. The QM8K is also slated to get Gemini added to its Google TV interface in a future update.
Hisense U8QG The Hisense U8QG also has exceptional brightness and is slated to get the Gemini feature added to its Google TV interface in an update. Compared to the TCL QM9K, its picture quality isn’t as good at off-center seats, and its built-in speakers aren’t as good.
Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)
I spent about 15 viewing hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests
When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-the-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments.
I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.
Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources – you can read more about this process in our guide to how we test TVs at TechRadar.
For the TCL QM9K, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.
Huawei as a brand isn’t a strong one in the US, UK and Australia right now – particularly not in the phone stakes, considering the US ban on Huawei telecomms equipment is still in place. However, the company is making outstanding smartwatches and reports record global sales. Serving up high-quality fitness kit in a classic dress-watch package like this, at a relatively low price, I can see why. There’s an awful lot to like about the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro.
For one thing, it’s a fitness powerhouse. The battery life, which in the 46mm version is said to last for up to 21 days, lasted a full two weeks in my testing with multiple GPS-enabled workouts, and those workouts were full of comprehensive, actionable metrics. I wore the Huawei Watch GT6 Pro in the gym, and tested its GPS credentials during outdoor runs and walks.
In a stationary cycle fitness test, I compared the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro to both an industry-standard heart rate monitor (the Polar H10) and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Its heart rate graph matched the Polar’s without any statistically significant differences, and its average heart rate reading was only off by 1bpm, matching that of the Ultra. I was certainly satisfied with the accuracy from the TruSense heart rate monitoring system.
Heart rate is the foundation of on-wrist wellness – the lynchpin of health, wellness, sleep and stress tracking. I found Huawei’s TruSleep algorithm very representative of how I felt each morning, wearing it to bed each night over a four-day period. It’s so accurate, that after a rough night full of very vivid dreams, the watch even stated “REM sleep accounted for 32% of your overall sleep, which is a little high and may indicate excessive dreaming”. Spot on. I’ve been testing wearables for many years, and it’s rare I get caught off-guard with an immediate level of insight.
(Image credit: Future)
The Huawei Watch GT 6 offers battery life of 10 days or 14 days, depending on whether you choose the smaller or larger model, while the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro (which I tested) offers, can run for up to 21 days on a single charge. It’s a lot longer than the Ultra 3’s 42 hours, at any rate, and worthy of any of the best Garmin watches.
I also tested the watch's skin temperature tracking, blood oxygen detection, arrhythmia analysis, and even emotional wellbeing feature, which attempts to interpret your various metrics as indicators of your current mood. I found this a little woolly, but generally accurate: it certainly never mistook workouts as extreme stress, or told me I was having a panic attack during a Sunday morning rerun of Frasier.
The display, a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen, is bright and clear even in intense sunlight, reaching an Apple Watch Ultra 3-rivalling exact brightness of 3,000 nits, and is sensitive to ambient light, adjusting based on brightness. Its case and bezel is made of titanium, while the non-pro versions of the watches are comprised of stainless steel.
What’s stopping me from scoring it higher is not the quality of the device itself, nor the total value of the package; it’s Huawei’s awkward ecosystem. Most people are using a phone that runs Android or iOS operating systems, and thanks to the US ban, Huawei struggles to work seamlessly with either one. Huawei Health can be downloaded through AppGallery on your phone’s browser, but you can’t use Google or Apple’s Maps, Wallet, emails, or products from App stores on Huawei’s HarmonyOS. Instead, you only get basic notification and call functionalities.
You can get notifications from WhatsApp messages, but can’t install a WhatsApp app for the watch. Huawei’s own functionalities are limited, too. You have to download a separate Petal Maps app from your phone’s browser if you want to use its Maps functionality, and you can’t use the wallet functionality without a Huawei phone with proprietary software.
While Huawei Health can interface with Strava, Komoot and other third parties, being unable to use third-party apps on-watch to their fullest extent causes the watch to fall down a little as a communication extension or convenience tool. However, if you’re looking for a top-flight fitness tracker at a low price and you don’t mind skimping on apps such as WhatsApp or Spotify, the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro is easy to recommend.
Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
£329.99 in the UK (around $445 / AU$670)
The vanilla GT 6 starts at £229.99 in the UK (around $300 / AU$465) for the 41mm version
Same price for the 46mm version
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro is available for £329.99 in the UK (around $445 / AU$670). The Huawei Watch GT 6 starts at £229.99 in the UK (around $300 / AU$465) for the 41mm version and 46mm version alike.
It is currently unavailable in the US due to the communications ban, although some Huawei products are available in Australia.
Scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
A very well-priced fitness watch.
4/5
Design
Looks great, with wonderful build quality.
4/5
Features
Frustrating compatibility issues mar a great wellness experience.
2.5/5
Performance
Very accurate metrics and long battery life.
4/5
Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro: should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want a fitness tracker first
As a fitness tracker experience rather than a complete smartwatch, it’s hard to beat.
You like the look
The Huawei GT series look like dress watches, and are made of premium materials such as titanium and stainless steel.
You crave accuracy
During my tests, the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro was as accurate a smartwatch, in terms of metrics, as I’ve ever used.
Don't buy it if...
You need a smartwatch loaded with apps
You’re better off looking at a smartwatch to match your phone through Google, Samsung or Apple.
Also consider
Garmin Venu X1
The best Garmin smartwatch for most people, a system-agnostic gem.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Nanoleaf’s smart lights since the release of the first-generation Essentials Smart Bulb, it's the company’s ability to offer excellent products at an affordable price. And that's been carried over to the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, which was first revealed at CES in January 2025. It’s one of the cheaper smart floor lamps available at the time of writing and performs wonderfully well, which means you get good value for money here.
There’s nothing particularly standout about it – I suppose that might partly explain the lower price point – but it’s still packed full of features, including reacting to sound, screen mirroring and extensive customizable light scenes. There's even AI-enabled customizations here – just type a word and the app will spew out an appropriate light color palette.
It does require some assembly, which I was a little apprehensive about initially, but a little help from a short YouTube video from Nanoleaf had the lamp ready to be switched on in less than 20 minutes.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
If you’re new to Nanoleaf, you’ll have an easy time of pairing it via the companion app – available for both iOS and Android – but I should mention that as someone who’s had multiple Nanoleaf products over the last few years, I ran into trouble as I hadn’t used many of them in a long time. I kept getting popup warnings that all my other Nanoleaf lights were offline, and that prevented me from connecting the floor lamp. Trying to pair each one back was a miserable experience, so I ended up deleting them – except for the Nanoleaf Essentials Light Strip that just refused to disappear (I still can’t figure out why) – which then made connecting the floor lamp via the QR code on the product (and its box) a lot easier.
When switched on for the first time, the Nanoleaf floor lamp defaults to a solid color light, but you can change that quickly enough in the app, where a plethora of user-created light combinations (or Scenes) are already available to preview and download. You can also create your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
It’s not the brightest floor lamp we’ve tested at TechRadar, topping out at 1,700 lumens. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient lamp sits at 2,500 lumens (but costs a heck of a lot more too), while the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is 2,100 lumens. So while it won’t necessarily light up a large room brightly, the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp manages to create a moody ambience, even if you decide that a solid white (cool) or yellow (warm) light is what you prefer.
As with any other smart floor lamp like it, the Nanoleaf is best used as a wall washer – the light facing the wall – that’s what creates the atmosphere in the room and, if you happen to set it to full brightness with a white (or whitish) light, it can be very harsh on the eyes when you look at it directly.
The transition from one color to another is fantastic and I am yet to find a hue that I don't like – whether you prefer vivid and vibrant lights or pastel shades, the Nanoleaf floor lamp handles them just as well as all the other smart lights from the brand. It’s really quite lovely and I can’t complain about anything when it comes to its day-to-day performance.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I’m amazed at how many features Nanoleaf has managed to pack into this lamp. It has 24 color zones with 72 LEDs spread along it (so you can really go crazy with the customizations); it works via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or can be controlled via a Matter smart home hub; and it inherits the Rhythm Mode from Nanoleaf’s light panels that make the lamp react to the beat of the music playing in the room. Screen mirroring is also possible if you already use the Nanoleaf 4D kit on your TV (you’ll need the Nanoleaf desktop app for PC screen mirroring).
While there's no lag when it comes to using the Rhythm Mode or screen mirroring, I will say that the light palette doesn't always shift with the exact beat. And if you happen to be talking loudly over the music, you'll definitely confuse the lamp which will react to the bigger sounds in the room.
There's no arguing that it's a versatile smart light that requires no pre-planning to install (like the Nanoleaf panels) and, once fully set up, is easy to use. What it misses out on is the speaker on the base that you’ll find in the Philips Hue Signe Gradient and the Govee Floor Lamp Pro, but that didn’t bother me at all.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
My biggest issue is with the Nanoleaf app. I’ve complained about it when testing the Essentials range and in my Nanoleaf Lines review, saying the app is not intuitive. Sadly that situation hasn't changed in the last a few years and it needs to be a little easier to use. Don't get me wrong, it's got everything you need for smart lights, but how the whole thing is set up could be a touch convoluted for some users.
Take the Routines tab, for example: I wanted to set up a weekday and a weekend routine where it switches on and off at set times. You can easily add a start time for a specific action, but there's no option to add the end time in the same routine. Instead, I found I needed to create a separate routine where the start time was essentially the end time with the action being the light being off. Schedules and routines shouldn't be this hard to do.
The Philips Hue app, on the other hand, is so easy to use, where the same functionality is allows you to add the start and end time within the same pane. Other smart home applications I've used also offer the same seamless scheduling, including TP-Link's Tapo app and Australian company Laser's ConnectSmart app.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The Nanoleaf app is necessary, though, particularly if you want to set up different Scenes (as the mixed-color lights are called) and customization is made easy via the AI Magic Scenes feature that allows you to type a word or short description to get a corresponding palette. You’ll also need it to integrate Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings or Apple HomeKit control. In fact, I much prefer using the Apple Home app on my iPhone 17 Pro, which also imports my favorite Scenes, while Siri automations makes it easy to control the floor lamp via voice commands.
If, like me, you’re frustrated with the app, there is a physical controller attached to the power cord and can be used to not just turn the lamp on or off, but also cycle through a few Scenes you’ve marked as your favorites. It also allows you to adjust brightness. That said, the controller is best used only after you’ve finished all your customizations on the app, or you may not like the color palettes that are set as default.
Despite my issues with the app, I can’t help but love the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, and I applaud how affordable it is.
List price: $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99 in the US, UK and Australia respectively
Available now directly from Nanoleaf or authorized retailers
Nanoleaf debuted the Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp at CES in January 2025, but it only became widely available in most major markets much later in the year. While the company announced it would retail for $99.99 in the US, that price has since gone up and it's now listed for $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99.
Despite the slightly higher price in the US, that’s still an affordable amount for most people looking for a smart lamp. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient floor lamp will set you back a whopping $362.99 / £279.99 / AU$499.95. The Govee Floor Lamp Pro costs $199.99 / £219.99 (it's unavailable in Australia), but can often be discounted to around $159 / £169, which is still higher than the full price of the Nanoleaf. Even the cheaper Govee Floor Lamp 2 costs more at $159.99 / £149.99 / AU$349.99.
Sure, the Nanoleaf misses out on the speaker base of some of the more premium smart lamps, but that’s about all, which makes it excellent bang for buck.
The Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp comes in a few individual bits in the box that you'll need to put together. As I mentioned, I was a little apprehensive about that – DIY is not my forte – but Nanoleaf has easy-to-follow instruction videos online that provide better clarity than the diagrams in the user manual.
The main components are the circular metal base, the three sections of the semicircular pole (or stem) and the light strip that fits into the assembled pole. You screw the connectors to the sections of the stem, which then gets screwed to the tiny protrusion on the base.
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The base houses a tiny connector, which is where you'll start pushing the bendy light strip into the pole. Nanoleaf suggests you fit the bottom, the top and middle, then push the rest of the strip in and not be afraid to tuck it into the base. It doesn't seem like the light strip will fit, but it surprisingly does.
Also in the box is the power cable that comes fitted with the controller. Once set up, the lamp stands 1.4 meters tall (4.59 feet), which I think is a nice height for a light like it.
I've lifted the lamp by the top of the stem and nothing has shaken loose, and neither does anything wobble despite being multiple pieces screwed together. It looks thin, but it seems quite sturdy to me. I do have to note that the base picks up dusty scuff marks easily, but those can be wiped off. I would, however, be a little concerned about scratches in the long run.
• Design score: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp
Attributes
Notes
Score
Value
It's feature packed and yet one of the cheaper smart lamps on the market, offering excellent bang for buck.
5/5
Design
There's nothing unique about its design, but it's sturdy for its slim build.
4.5/5
Performance
If you have no trouble with the app, then there's absolutely no issues when it comes to its colored lights, transitions or rhythmic beats.
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want an affordable smart floor lamp
It's hard to argue with the value for money you get with the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, with plenty of useful (or fun) features at quite an affordable price point.
You want a smart light that's nearly effortless to use
If you don't run into any trouble with the app, I think the Nanoleaf floor lamp is really simple to use. And it works very well, doing what it promises to do perfectly.
You want a versatile smart floor lamp
Not only does it offer colored lighting, there are specific Scenes that work with music and screen mirroring is also available, whether that's matching what happening on your TV or your PC. Please note that TV screen mirroring requires another Nanoleaf device to work.
Don't buy it if...
You want a statement piece
It's a demure light that's not the brightest in the business. If you smart lights that stand out, consider opting for one of Nanoleaf's amazing wall (or ceiling) light panels.
You want to light up a room
The Nanoleaf floor lamp will impart mood lighting only. If you want to light a room or a task lamp, you'll need to look elsewhere.
You want a seamless app experience
The Nanoleaf app works, and it has a lot going for it – it's just not as streamlined as other smart light apps.
Not sure if the Nanoleaf floor lamp is right for you? Below are a couple of alternatives that you could consider instead.
Govee Floor Lamp 2
Available in most major markets, the Govee Floor Lamp 2 comes with a handy remote control so you don't need to be near the lamp to use a physical controller (or the app if your phone is in another room). It's not the brightest of lamps though and costs a little more than the Nanoleaf at full price. Read our full Govee Floor Lamp 2 review for more details
Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp
If you want a floor lamp, but would still love changing light palettes, Philips Hue has a tabletop option, although it's a lot more expensive than the Nanoleaf. It's performance is par excellence, though, and the app experience is significantly smoother too. For the full details, read our in-depth Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp review
How I tested the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As soon as I opened the box that the lamp came in, I began the assembly process. The user manual has diagrams only to help with the setup, but you can find videos on Nanoleaf's website or its YouTube channel if you're having trouble.
Once powered on, I paired it via the Nanoleaf app and, despite the issues I described earlier, I was then able to choose some light scenes to get me started. That done, I integrated it into the Apple HomeKit app as another accessory.
I created one of my own light scenes, but didn't try another as it can be quite time consuming. Instead, I browsed a variety of user-created options and downloaded about 10 that I really liked.
I was unfortunately unable to try the lamp with my other Nanoleaf lights as I had trouble re-pairing them to the app (due to inactivity), so I tested different features on the lamp alone. I placed it in different spots in my living room, finally liking it beside a console table that houses my Sonos Ikea Symfonisk picture frame speaker, which was ideal to test out the Rhythm Mode.
I finally tried setting up routines on the Nanoleaf app, but ended up setting up schedules via HomeKit instead, which works fine for my needs.
If you’re looking to make the most of GameChat for online multiplayer, the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is a decent way to go about it. Its basic design may lack the charm of the Hori Piranha Plant Camera, but rest assured that the official Switch 2 Camera is a significantly better product, even if I wouldn’t classify it as one of the best webcams out there.
I’m a believer that contemporary webcams should be aiming for at least 720p picture quality, with 1080p being the ideal. The Switch 2 Camera clears Hori’s product on this front, boasting 1080p picture quality over the Piranha Plant’s disappointing 480p. As a result, your face will come through crisply on GameChat, as well as on PC for work meetings or chats with friends.
Price will definitely be a bit of a sticking point, though. At $54.99 / £49.99 / AU$, it costs less than the Hori Piranha Plant Camera in the US, but a good deal more than it does in the UK. You’re basically paying for the official branding here, really, especially as you can pick up 720p and 1080p webcams that perform just as well for much less.
(Image credit: Future)
While the Switch 2 Camera can be used when you’re playing in handheld mode, its rigid design (not to mention the lack of a clip or mount) makes it best suited for when your console is docked. The tall stem upon which the camera sits is likely the way it is for this reason, so it can still reasonably capture your face while you sit back on the couch.
It’s likely also designed to support its wide field of view, which is around 110 degrees. That’s a good deal more than most PC webcams, but it does make sense given Nintendo’s family-friendly approach. If you have a few folk sitting in the room while playing with GameChat, that wider viewing angle does a decent job of capturing everyone in the same frame.
You can also adjust the vertical angle of the camera itself by a total of around 30-40 degrees or so. That’s fairly acceptable when you take into account its otherwise unmoving design. And when you want to hide yourself, a privacy shutter is included via a circular dial around the camera. You can also manually turn off the camera feed in GameChat’s settings by hitting your controller’s ‘C’ button during play.
(Image credit: Future)
As for performance, the camera’s 1080p output is decent, if a little soft around the edges. While you’re using GameChat, the Switch 2 attempts to crop you out of the background and place you onto a blank one that takes on the color of your profile picture. That’s a nice touch, and also means you don’t have to fiddle around with blur settings.
One major problem I had, though, had to do with the space between myself and the blank background. I have a blank wall behind me in my office space, and the surroundings were still noticeably fuzzy. I also had moments during a Mario Kart World play session where I appeared to phase in and out of existence on the screen, so it’s not a perfect implementation by any means. To be fair, your mileage may vary here depending on your background and lighting conditions.
Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is blissfully simple to set up. Being an officially licensed product, simply plugging it into the console via USB-C caused it to be registered immediately. That was the same case on PC, too, when using it as a webcam. There’s no fussing with drivers or installs. Just plug it in and you’re good to go. It also works with a USB-A adapter on both Switch 2 and PC, if you prefer that.
(Image credit: Future)
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: Price & Specs
Price
$54.99 / £49.99 / AU$69.95
Resolution
1080p at 30fps
Field of view
Around 110 degrees
Dimensions
6.3 x 2.5 x 1.5in x 160 x 64 x 38mm
Weight
0.3lbs / 136g
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch 2, PC, MacOS
Should you buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You primarily play in docked mode If docked mode on TV is your preferred playstyle with Switch 2, then the official camera is the way to go for GameChat multiplayer sessions. The wide field of view makes it easy to capture multiple people in the same frame, and is useful if you sit a ways back from your console.
You want decently high resolution Compared to Hori’s 480p, the 1080p resolution of the Switch 2 Camera is preferable, and certainly makes sense given its wide field of view. It’s not utterly crystal clear, but it does a fine job of capturing you at a range of distances.
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget The Switch 2 Camera’s price tag is a little steep for what is essentially a webcam on a stand. You can buy webcams with similar specs for a lot less, and they’ll almost certainly be compatible with Switch 2 via USB-A or USB-C connections.
You mostly play in handheld mode Unlike the Hori Piranha Plant Camera, the Switch 2 Camera isn’t quite as versatile, lacking any kind of clip or mount. That means handheld play, while doable, isn’t quite as well-suited here as it would be with Hori’s device.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: Also consider
Hori Piranha Plant Camera While it’s let down by specs like a paltry 480p image quality, the Hori Piranha Plant Camera isn’t a total write-off. For one, its L-shaped mount makes it decently suited for handheld play. And if you’re a Super Mario head, the design of it is certainly very cute.
Used for Switch 2 GameChat multiplayer and as an office webcam
Largely tested with Mario Kart World and chat apps like Discord
I’ve been using the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for a little over a month now, as both a Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat device and as a webcam for work and social gaming sessions over Discord. On Switch 2, I primarily played in docked mode while using the camera with an AOC Gaming 24G2SP 1080p gaming monitor.
While gaming, I tested the camera’s functionality with sessions of Mario Kart Worldwith my TechRadar Gaming colleague Dash Wood. While here, I also made sure to test out GameChat’s various settings, including screen size and in-game face capture options.
One of the downsides to shooting video and content creation is the sheer amount of kit you have to carry; even the most pared-back setups require a plethora of accessories. Beyond that, how many different microphones might you need to cover a range of situations? It's an issue that's effectively addressed by the Boya Magic, a 4-in-1 wireless mic that's designed to be a jack of all trades.
Lavalier (lapel), on-camera, handheld and desktop are all forms the Boya Magic mic can take. The mic is available in several kits, but if you opt for the most comprehensive and still competitively priced of the three you can connect the mics to smartphones, computers and cameras using USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm TRS, making it a significant upgrade over the Boya Mini and potentially one of the best wireless mics.
Since this is a multi-purpose mic, we could discuss its performance and characteristics at length, but we’ll delve into those later. Focusing on the lavalier mics, which are the transmitters in all configurations, and the backbone of the mic, these two tiny 7g units can be attached to clothing with clips or magnets, and produce impressive 24-bit sound quality. They’re incredibly easy-to-use with excellent noise cancellation to boot.
I have to admit that when I first received the Boya Magic, I was sceptical about its performance, but I've been impressed while testing the mic in all four configurations, attached to my smartphone, computer and my camera.
The Boya Magic lavalier mics are tiny (Image credit: James Abbott)
Boya Magic: price and release date
Available now
Three kits to choose from
Prices start at $93 / £89 / AU$159
The Boya Magic is available from the Boya website and Amazon. The USB-C kit costs $93 / £89 / AU$159, the USB-C & Lightning kit costs $140 / £119 / AU$209 and the USB-C, Lightning & 3.5mm TRS kit costs $151 / £129 / AU$229. All in all, it’s extremely good value for money, given the versatility of the mic.
One slightly frustrating aspect of the Boya Magic is that you have to purchase the Boya Mini Tripod separately, and this is required for tabletop and on-camera use of the mic. It’s not the end of the world, and it only costs $30 / £20 / AU$46 (currently reduced to $20 in the US), but it would be better if it were included in at least the kit option with the 3.5mm TRS.
The Boya Magic comes in a handy case (Image credit: James Abbott)
Boya Magic: specs
Dimensions
Magic TX 35 x 15.2 x 13mm, 3.5mm TRS RX 42.2 x 30 x 19.4mm, USB-C / Lightning RX 19.55 x 24 x 21mm, Charging Case 141.3 x 26.5 x 21mm
Handheld mic with the foam cover attached (Image credit: James Abbott)
Boya Magic: Design
Innovative design
Highly versatile
Compact and lightweight
This 4-in-1 mic system is built around a compact charging case that triples up as the on-camera, handheld and desktop mic, with a foam and dead-cat wind cover in the kits. This measures just 141.3 x 26.5 x 21mm and weighs 62.5g. The lavalier mics are stored and charged inside, behind a clear plastic door. When used in these modes, it’s the lavalier mic at the top of the case, in the first slot, that records sound through holes in the glass door and at the top of the charging case.
The lavalier mics are the backbone of the system, and in my opinion, the most impressive; and for content creators who are using lavalier mics as handheld mics, this system provides a much more comfortable and professional-looking solution.
The two lavalier mics are incredibly compact and lightweight at just 35 x 15.2 x 13mm and 7g. There’s a clip on the rear for attaching the mics to clothing, as well as a magnet plate on each clip to increase the options for attaching the mics to your clothes in more imaginative ways, although I fear that these may be easy to lose over time. The kits come with a couple of clip-on dead-cat wind covers for the mics.
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(Image credit: James Abbott)
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(Image credit: James Abbott)
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(Image credit: James Abbott)
The build quality of all of the components is great, and the small carry-bag accommodates everything safely and neatly. The overall design of the kit is innovative, while operation is incredibly simple, with just a single button on each mic and the charging case. This can be used to switch the mics on and off, and to switch the AI noise cancellation on and off.
The USB-C and Lightning receivers are small and lightweight, slot neatly into your phone’s port, and are powered by the phone. The 3.5mm TRS attaches to the camera hotshoe and offers six hours of battery life. It’s designed simply, with just a power button, a volume/gain button and a 3.5mm jack. There’s no Bluetooth connectivity as in some mics, beyond a Bluetooth connection to the receivers, so these receivers are essential.
Boya Magic: Performance
Incredibly easy to use
Excellent AI noise cancellation
24-bit audio
Setting up the mic, from unpacking the kit to first use is incredibly easy. This is one of the more intuitive wireless mics I’ve used, and you can use the BOYA Central app to adjust settings including AI noise cancellation, the EQ, AI noise cancellation, and the limiter, and to apply camera gain presets and firmware updates.
The mics are omnidirectional, so they will pick up sound from all directions. This causes no issues when recording in quiet environments, but when there’s background noise you often need to use the AI noise cancellation, which is available with two strength settings depending on the level of background noise.
AI noise cancellation is powered by deep neural networks (DNNs) trained on over 700,000 real-world noise samples and 20,000 hours of deep learning. Boya claims it can separate voices from noise in milliseconds, with up to -40 dB suppression. In use, the AI noise cancellation is undoubtedly impressive, and it doesn’t distort voices or make them sound robotic.
Sound quality is fantastic, with audio recorded in 48 kHz/24-bit with an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio, a 144 dB dynamic range, and a frequency response from 20Hz to 20kH. You can set sound levels manually, but there’s also a handy built-in smart limiter to protect your audio from peaking. In addition, a second safety track is recorded at a lower (-12 dB) volume to ensure nothing is lost.
The transmission range is up to 100m without obstacles, and 10m with obstacles. During testing the connection was solid, and I never experienced any issues with any of the four mic configurations. Battery life is up to six hours per mic, with 30 hours in total available with the charging case. This is average, and is plenty of battery power for most situations.
Should I buy the Boya Magic?
Buy it if…
You use different types of mics
If you carry several different types of mics in your kit bag, you can whittle everything down to a single versatile package.
You need tiny lavalier mics
In lavalier mic mode, the lavalier mics are compact and lightweight at just 35 x 15.2 x 13mm and 7g.
You value simplicity
The Boya Magic is incredibly easy and intuitive to use, making it an attractive option for everyone from beginners through to seasoned experts.
Don’t buy it if…
You only need an on-camera mic
If you only need an on-camera mic, it would be more cost-effective to buy a traditional cabled on-camera microphone.
You’d prefer connectivity without receivers
Some wireless mics can be connected to devices via Bluetooth, which may be more convenient for those who don’t want to have to use receivers.
You’d like the best
The Boya Magic is fantastic across the board, but you can get better-quality wireless mics if you have a larger budget.
Boya Magic: also consider
Boya Mini
The Boya Mini wireless mics are, as the name suggests, tiny, but they do come with some limitations: they can only be used with USB-C and Lightning compatible devices, and offer only 16-bit audio. On the plus side, they're enticingly inexpensive and have decent battery life, and sound quality is better than you'd expect for 16-bit.
These mics come with DJI ease of use and reliablity, not to mention 24-bit audio and and Bluetooth connectivity. This means you don't have to use a receiver for some devices, while a 3.5mm receiver allows for use with cameras.
I tested the Boya Magic over several weeks in all four configurations: lavalier, on-camera, handheld, and desktop mic. I also attached the mic to my smartphone, computer and camera so that I could assess performance across the board in real-world situations.
I was sent the complete kit, which includes the USB-C, Lightning and 3.5mm TRS receivers. I recorded audio in different environments to see how well the mics perform with and without AI noise cancellation. I also used the Boya Central app to access settings and assess the overall ease of use.
The Hisense 116UX is the brand’s flagship 4K TV, and it introduces RGB mini-LED technology to the world in a 116-inch screen size. Some elements of its picture rival the best TVs, and it has a wide array of features, but its appeal is limited by key shortcomings.
With a launch price of $29,999 / £24,999 / AU$39,999, the Hisense 116UX is an expensive TV that will exceed most budgets. And while it features exciting new RGB mini-LED tech, Hisense will also be introducing RGB mini-LED in 100- and 85-inch models in the future, and more buyers are likely to gravitate to those.
The 116UX’s bold, vibrant colors take mini-LED to the next level. Textures are crisp, and the high brightness gives pictures a strong level of punch. Contrast and black levels are mostly good, but backlight blooming and inconsistent backlight control lead to a clouding effect in some dark scenes that hamper what would otherwise be a remarkable picture. Even with the TV’s large size, viewing angles are limited, with pictures losing contrast when viewed from off-center seats .
A 6.2.2-channel sound system delivers mostly solid performance, with immersive effects, impressive accuracy and clear dialogue. Bass has good impact, but the 116UX’s soundstage isn’t as wide as I’d hoped for. A screen this size deserves one of the best soundbars to match, ideally a premium option like the Samsung HW-Q990F.
The 116UX is great for gaming, with 4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all supported across three HDMI 2.1 ports. While its 14.6ms input lag time is higher than the best gaming TVs, its overall gaming performance is good enough for an enjoyable experience on a big screen.
This TV’s high price is hard to ignore, and even though the 116UX features an RGB mini-LED panel and has a gargantuan screen size, you can build a truly great home theater system with some of the best 4K projectors at this price. The 116UX will deliver better value when its price drops, but right now, it’s a big ask.
Hisense 116UX review: Price & release date
(Image credit: Future)
Release date: September 2025
Price: $29,999 / £24,999 / AU$39,999
The Hisense 116UX, Hisense’s flagship 2025 TV, uses a new RGB mini-LED panel. It sits above the Hisense 110UX, U9Q, U8Q, U7Q and U6Q mini-LED TVs and is priced at $29,999 / £24,999 / AU$39,999.
Although the 116UX had only been available for a few weeks at the time I reviewed it, the price has dropped to $24,999 in the US. I expect the TV's price will drop even further over the coming months.
Hisense 116UX review: Specs
Screen type
RGB mini-LED
Refresh rate
Up to 165Hz (4K)
HDR support
Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support
Dolby Atmos
Smart TV
Google TV (US), VIDAA (UK& Aus)
HDMI ports
3 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner
ATSC 3.0
Hisense 116UX review: Benchmark results
Hisense 116UX review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
RGB mini-LED panel
Hi-View AI Engine X processor
Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and IMAX Enhanced support
The 116UX features Hisense’s RGB mini-LED panel, which uses RGB mini-LEDs to produce a wider, more refined color gamut. HDR support includes Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, as well as the HDR10 and HLG formats. It also supports IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker Mode.
Hisense’s flagship TV comes equipped with a 6.2.2-channel speaker system, totaling 110W in power. It supports Dolby Atmos, but not DTS. Alongside the usual sound presets - Standard, Movie, Sport - it also has AI sound, which adapts the sound and dialogue based on both the content showing onscreen and the viewing environment.
The 116UX’s gaming features include 4K 165Hz, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM support. All features are supported across the TV’s three HDMI 2.1 ports.
Hisense’s smart TV platform varies by region. Google TV is used in the US, while Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV platform features in the UK and Australia. I reviewed the UK version, so I used VIDAA, which has access to popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, and also UK apps such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. If you want a review of the Google TV smart TV platform, check out our Hisense U8Q review.
Features score: 4.5 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Picture quality
Color is where the Hisense 116UX really shines, thanks to its RGB mini-LED panel (Image credit: Disney / Future)
High brightness and brilliant color
Refined detail
Black uniformity issues
The 116UX’s peak HDR brightness hit 5,441 nits and fullscreen HDR brightness was 1,090 nits, with both measured in Filmmaker Mode. That peak brightness result is over twice what I measured on the Hisense 110UX, a TV that uses a standard mini-LED panel.
The 116UX’s measured HDR color gamut covered 99.3% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is an excellent result for a mini-LED TV. Its BT.2020 color gamut coverage was even more impressive at 92.64%, which is the highest amount we’ve measured on a TV to date.
I first started my testing with some SDR content, beginning with an HD stream of Fight Club on Disney+. I chose Filmmaker Mode but set brightness and local dimming to medium as the picture was too dim at the default settings. I was impressed by the 116UX’s effective upscaling of textures, which gave the picture a crisper look. Even at a 116-inch size, the image was clean. Lower resolution content on YouTube didn’t fare as well, with the image looking blocky on the large screen.
Color is where the 116UX shines – literally. Watching Elemental on Disney Plus in Dolby Vision IQ picture mode, reds and oranges were vibrant and punchy, with the 116UX’s brightness adding real pop in a scene where Ember makes a vase. In Wicked on 4K Blu-ray, pink flowers in a tree in the ‘Wizard & I’ scene had a bold look, as did the greens of the Emerald City.
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The 116UX sometimes handles dark scenes well (1) but struggles with others (2), even in the same movie, as shown here with Alien: Romulus (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: 20th Century Studios / Future )
As I’ve discovered with most Hisense TVs, motion handling requires a bit of setup. I watched a stream of a soccer game on Prime Video and found that most motion presets worked, but either Standard or Custom, with Blur set to 3 and Judder set to 5, produced the smoothest image. This was also true for movie viewing, as a scene from No Time To Die where a camera pans across a rocky hillside looked much smoother with the above settings.
Textures looked consistently crisp and realistic on the 116UX, with close-up shots of people’s faces showing fine details such as marks or hair. Clothing was also true-to-life and given a 3D look.
Watching black and white scenes from Oppenheimer on the 116UX, whites looked bright and there was a good range of gray tones. Blacks were slightly raised, but they still looked solid. The 116UX also delivered good shadow detail in darker scenes, such as objects against dark walls in a scene where Strauss and Oppenheimer are in an office after their first meeting.
Dark scenes ultimately were a mixed bag on the 116UX. Blacks appeared rich and deep in some instances, such as the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray’s demo footage, but they came across as more of a dark gray in movie scenes from The Batman and Alien: Romulus. While contrast was also strong in these movies, there was a clouding effect across the screen in dark sections of the image. Strangely, one exterior space shot in Alien: Romulus demonstrated good accuracy in the blacks, but another in a dark tunnel revealed the clouding effect at its worst.
The 116UX also demonstrated some backlight blooming around bright objects against dark backgrounds when viewed from off-center. Plus, the clouding issue became more apparent when viewing from more extreme angles.
I reached out to Hisense regarding dark scene viewing and the clouding effect and it said it was aware of and looking into it, but couldn't provide a fix at this time. If there are any updates, I'll be sure to add them to this review.
Picture quality score: 4 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Sound quality
The 116UX delivers decent built-in sound, but overall a screen like this deserves a soundbar to match (Image credit: Future)
6.2.2-channel speaker array
Clear, expansive, accurate sound
Only average soundstage
The 116UX comes with a built-in 6.2.2-channel, 110W Devialet sound system that supports Dolby Atmos, but not DTS. It has subwoofers built into the rear of the screen, with two speakers running down each side of its frame and height speakers positioned on the top of the TV.
Watching the Batmobile chase scene from The Batman, the 116UX accurately connected the sound to the action on screen. The overall sound was punchy with clear dialogue. The 116UX’s sound was also immersive at times, going beyond the borders of the screen and making Dolby Atmos effects, such as rain in The Batman, feel as if they’re overhead.
While the 116UX’s built-in sound system is good, at times it felt restrained. Bass in particular lacked fullness. And while there was some suggestion of surround effects, I expected a sound system like this to produce a wider soundstage.
Some people will be happy with the 116UX’s sound, but I feel it deserves a sound system to match its gargantuan, cinematic picture.
Sound quality score: 4 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Design
Image 1 of 2
The 116UX uses metal feet to support its heavy weight (Image credit: Future)
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But the 116UX is surprisingly thin despite is large size (Image credit: Future)
Sleek, modern design
Weighty and cumbersome
Basic support feet
At 116 inches, the 116UX requires a large space. Its big screen will be too cumbersome for most living rooms and, unlike retractable projector screens of a similar size, it will dominate a space.
Hisense has done its best to make the 116UX appear as sleek as possible while still housing a substantial built-in sound system. Its frame is trim, and it’s made of a premium-looking black metal. As a result, the 116UX is an incredibly weighty 239lbs (108kg), meaning you’ll need to carefully consider installation, although there are two carry handles on the rear. The TV is supported by two metal feet, which, although plain, are expected for a TV this size.
The 116UX comes with Hisense’s solar remote, which is reminiscent of Samsung’s SolarCell remote and can be charged using the rear solar panel or by USB-C. It has a nice design with a burnished steel finish and feels more premium than Hisense’s standard TV remotes.
Design score: 4 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Smart TV & menus
VIDAA (Hisense's smart TV platform in the UK) has plenty of picture settings and good app access (Image credit: Future)
Google TV (US), VIDAA (UK & Australia)
Good number of picture settings
Performance can lag at times
Like all Hisense TVs, the 116UX’s smart TV platform will be different based on your region. In the US, it uses Google TV, and in the UK and Australia, it uses Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV platform. I reviewed the 116UX in the UK, so I will be focusing on VIDAA. Check out our Hisense U8Q review to read about a Google TV Hisense model.
VIDAA has access to all major streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video, and all UK-based streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It also supports Freely, a service in which you can watch live TV over Wi-Fi with no need for an antenna or satellite connection.
There are a good number of picture settings on the 116UX. VIDAA’s overall look is plain and not as user-friendly as LG’s webOS, and the 116UX’s overall performance during navigation suffered from lag on occasion. VIDAA could do with a visual overhaul, as it does look dated in some of its menus.
Smart TV & menus: 4 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Gaming
The Hisense 116UX has great gaming features and impressive picture quality for gaming (Image credit: Future)
4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium
14.6ms input lag
Three HDMI 2.1 ports
The 116UX has impressive gaming features, such as 4K 165Hz, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, and these are all supported on three HDMI 2.1 ports. There is also a 288Hz game booster mode for PC gaming and a Game Board pop-up menu that displays useful information such as frame rate and VRR, as well as settings that can be adjusted, such as Dark Detail.
Gaming performance on the 116UX is generally smooth and responsive. Playing a demo of Dynasty Warriors: Origins on PlayStation 5, the action felt fast-paced and chaotic as expected at both 60Hz and 120Hz. I noticed during gameplay that the frame rate varied a lot in the 120Hz Performance mode, but I chalked this up to the game itself, due to its rendering of many enemies on screen.
The 116UX’s measured input lag is 14.6ms, which is higher than rivals like Samsung and TCL, but still under the 15ms threshold most gamers look for.
Gaming score: 4.5 / 5
Hisense 116UX review: Value
The Hisense 110UXN comes with Hisense's premium remote, which has both a USB-C port and a solar cell on the bottom rear for charging (Image credit: Future)
Expensive
Similarly priced to big-screen OLED TVs
Much pricier than the 110-inch 110UX
At $29,999 / £24,999 / AU$39,999, the Hisense 116UX is a pricey, premium TV. It may come with an exciting, new RGB mini-LED panel that produces superb brightness and color, but that’s still a lofty price, even for a TV this feature-packed.
At this price range, you can pick up some of the best projectors on the market, such as the JVC DLA-NZ800 ($15,999 / £15,999 / AU$24,999). It won’t have the 116UX’s brightness, but it will still produce an excellent picture. Plus, you can build an entire home theater system around it with the same budget.
The 116UX is also much pricier than the step-down 110UX ($14,999 / £18,999 / AU$24,999), and while it delivers better performance and picture quality, that's still a significant price gap.
Value score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Hisense 116UX?
The Hisense 110UXN comes at a premium price that most won't be able to afford (Image credit: Future)
Hisense 110UXN
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
RGB mini-LED panel with good amount of smart and gaming features
4.5/5
Picture quality
Superb color reproduction, brightness and realistic textures, but dark scene viewing can be an issue
4/5
Sound quality
Punchy, precise sound system with decent bass, but sound feels narrow at times
4/5
Design
Trim design considering size, and feels sturdy as well
4/5
Smart TV and menus
VIDAA has good number of picture settings and apps, but looks dated
4/5
Gaming
Great array of gaming features including 165Hz and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and 3 HDMI 2.1 ports
4.5/5
Value
An exciting step forward for mini-LED, but expensive price means it remains exclusive
3/5
Buy it if...
You want a cinema-sized screen The Hisense 116UX gives you the experience of a cinema at home, delivering high brightness and vibrant color.
You want a big screen for gaming The 116UX has a great range of gaming features and solid performance to match, but the novelty of gaming on such a large screen is where gamers will be most excited.
Don't buy it if…
You're on a budget The 116UX carries a very premium price tag and although prices will drop over the coming months, it's unlikely to become affordable for 99% of people.
You want a perfect picture The 116UX has screen uniformity issues and struggles with some dark scenes. It struggles even more when these scenes are viewed off-center.
Also consider
Hisense 116UX
Hisense 110UXN
Samsung QN90F (65-inch)
Hisense U8QG (65-inch)
Price
$24,999 / £24,999 / AU$34,999
$14,999 / £19,999 / around AU$24,300
$2,499.99 / £2,499 / AU$3,499
$2,199 / £2,199 / AU$2,999
Screen type
RGB Mini-LED
Mini-LED
Mini-LED
Mini-LED
Refresh rate
120Hz (up to 165Hz)
120Hz (up to 144Hz)
120Hz (up to 144Hz)
120Hz (up to 144HZ)
HDR support
Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10/HLG/HDR10+
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV (US), VIDAA (UK/Aus)
Google TV (US/Aus), VIDAA (UK)
Tizen
Google TV (US/Aus), VIDAA (UK)
HDMI ports
3 x HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
4 x HDMI 2.1
3 x HDMI 2.1
Hisense 110UXN The Hisense 110UXN is the step-down model from the 116UX and while its standard mini-LED panel doesn't deliver as vibrant a picture as the 116UX, it does have similar features and is significantly cheaper, while still delivering a big screen experience.
Samsung QN90F Though it lacks the Hisense's RGB mini-LED panel and doesn't hit the same brightness levels as the 116UX, the Samsung QN90F delivers outstanding picture quality and has one of the most complete feature sets on the market, including an effective anti-reflection screen. Plus, it's a lot cheaper.
Hisense U8QG The Hisense U8QG is one of Hisense's flagship TVs at a more affordable price. While it again doesn't deliver the same picture quality as the 116UX, it is excellent value for money and does deliver strong performance and a brilliant set of features for a good price. It's also frequently on sale.
I tested the Hisense 116UX in a light-controlled demo room at Hisense Europe HQ in Leeds, England.
I first established which picture modes I would use for my testing with some casual viewing. For my critical viewing, I used several reference scenes from both SDR (broadcast TV and streaming) and HDR sources (4K Blu-ray and streaming). I tested the 116UX's picture for brightness, color, shadow detail and contrast, screen uniformity, upscaling and motion. I also used these same sources to test the UX116's audio performance. To play 4K Blu-rays, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player.
I also tested gaming performance and features using a PlayStation 5.
Measurements for the Hisense 116UX were taken by my colleague Matthew Murray, Head of Testing at Future, at a separate event in the US.
These tests included peak (10% window) and fullscreen (100%) SDR and HDR brightness, measured on a white window test pattern.
HDR color gamut was also measured, examining the DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces. Color and grayscal accuracy were measured using Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern signal and what's shown on screen).
Finally, the TV's input lag was measured using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester.
The best note-taking apps help you remember crucial information. It’s often done with physical notebooks, but digital note-taking apps provide an easier way. You already carry a smartphone, so using the same device to take notes makes things convenient. Google Keep is one of the most popular note-taking apps used on smartphones globally.
Initially launched in 2013, Google Keep has amassed tens of millions of users within a short period. Because it’s free to use, Google Keep has become a go-to option for people seeking a simple app to store and manage notes.
But, is Google Keep an ideal note-taking tool for you? What are its unique features, and how does it differ from competitors? I’ve extensively reviewed the app to answer these questions for you. Read on to learn about Google Keep’s features, pros, and cons compared to rival note-taking tools.
(Image credit: Google)
Google Keep: Plans and pricing
As I mentioned earlier, Google Keep is a tool you can use at no cost. Google offers it for free, along with various other tools, to keep users attached to its software ecosystem. Anyone with a Google account can enjoy Keep’s features.
However, there’s a catch. Google offers a premium tier for companies that desire collaborative functionalities and access to enhanced features on Google software tools. If your company subscribes to this premium plan, called Workspace, the features of Google Keep don’t change. However, your company can enjoy seamless collaboration on Google Keep and many other Google tools.
Google Workspace has three pricing tiers: Starter, Standard, and Plus. The Starter plan costs $7 per user per month, the Standard plan costs $14 per user per month, and the Plus plan costs $22 per user per month. There’s also an Enterprise Plus plan for large companies that can negotiate custom sales deals with Google’s team.
The Starter plan unlocks 30 GB of storage per account, the Standard plan unlocks 2 TB of storage, and the Plus plan allocates 5 TB to each account. Google Keep’s functionalities remain the same regardless of your plan, but these plans have significant differences in other areas.
(Image credit: Google)
Google Keep: Features
Google Keep’s core feature is letting users keep and retrieve notes when needed. It lets you create and organize notes, from shopping lists to personal reminders, phone numbers, and workplace ideas. You can then label these notes for easy retrieval later. For example, you can have separate labels named “work” and “personal” and simply click on any label to find the relevant notes when needed.
To create a note, you have various options: a plain note, a list, a note with a drawing, or a note with an image. A plain note can be any text you choose to write. There’s no limit on the number of characters you can store in the plain note.
After writing your plain note, you can add a reminder to it, which will be saved in the Google Reminders app, and you’ll receive an email or push notification reminder at the appropriate time. Google Keep has seamless integrations with other Google tools, making it convenient if you already use one Google app or another.
If a plain note isn’t satisfactory, you can add images or drawings for context. Images can be uploaded directly from your PC or smartphone, but videos aren’t permitted. All uploaded images count towards your allocated storage, which ranges from 15 GB on the free plan to between 30 GB and 5 TB on Workspace plans.
Similarly, you can add drawings to your notes, a feature that is useful when trying to sketch ideas. Forgive me for not being the best artist, but my example below illustrates how adding drawings is done on Google Keep.
(Image credit: Google)
Notably, you can convert your drawing into an image and download it to your device. Drawings help you add significant context to the notes you’ve jotted.
I like that Google Keep provides ample text formatting features. It allows users to break down notes into headings and subheadings, making them easy to read later. You can bold, italicize, and underline specific words or phrases within your notes. The formatting options aren’t as plentiful as what you’ll find on a word processor, expectedly, but they provide the basics that help users create detailed notes.
Another feature I enjoyed is Google Keep’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which lets users extract text from uploaded images. The example below illustrates a picture I uploaded and its extracted text.
You can observe that Google Keep extracted the text from the image with a high degree of accuracy. I only needed to adjust the text a little to get a coherent note. The OCR feature isn’t perfect, but it works well most of the time. It’s a valuable feature in many situations, such as a lecture with informative slides displayed on a projector. In this case, you can simply snap a slide and extract the text instead of typing the same thing manually.
Still on the idea of extracting external information into your notes, Google Keep has a browser extension available exclusively on Google Chrome. With this extension, you can download web pages directly as notes to view later. Suppose you encounter a web page that piques your interest, but you’re too busy to read it at the moment. You can simply download it as a note and open it later. My only complaint is that this feature is compatible with Chrome but not with other browsers.
(Image credit: Google)
Another interesting feature is the ability to record voice notes and transcribe them into text. You can add an audio memo to a note, and Google's sophisticated voice recognition system will translate it to text and also keep the audio recording for future playbacks. In my case, the transcription feature wasn’t perfect, as I had to edit some words and phrases, but it transcribed most words correctly. Note that this feature only works on the mobile app.
I talked about using labels to organize your notes. However, that’s not the only way. You can change the background color of each note to differentiate it from the rest. For example, all personal notes can have one background color, and those related to work can sport another color.
Likewise, you can pin specific notes at the top of your dashboard. These pinned notes, which are of utmost importance, will always be displayed above the other notes you’ve created.
I mentioned reminders earlier, but there’s more to it. You can not only set time-based reminders, but you can also set reminders based on locations. That is, Google will issue a reminder about a note as soon as you arrive at a specific location. For example, you can set Google to remind you about school notes as soon as you arrive at school. You can receive work reminders as soon as you arrive at the office. These reminders are helpful in many day-to-day situations.
Seamless collaboration is one of Google Keep’s main benefits compared to rival note-taking tools. You can easily share your notes with friends, family, and colleagues, and they can view or edit the notes.
To share a note with someone, you can add their email address, and they’ll receive a notification about the note you’ve shared with them. Collaborators can view or edit your notes, and any changes are reflected in real-time.
For example, if you share a checklist, the collaborator can tick off items on the checklist, and it’ll immediately reflect in your Google Keep dashboard. A good thing about Google Keep is that there’s no limit to the number of collaborators you can invite.
Most Google tools allow you to set specific permissions for collaborators (read-only or editing access), but Google Keep bucks the trend. Anyone you invite automatically gets full access, including the ability to edit your notes. I didn’t like this lack of permission management.
Another thing I didn’t like relates to the text formatting options, which I mentioned earlier. Google Keep’s formatting features are basic, unlike the advanced formatting options I’ve encountered on several competing note-taking tools. However, it’s understandable because those tools require paid subscriptions, while Google Keep’s core features are entirely free.
Despite some drawbacks, Google Keep remains an excellent note-taking tool given the features available for free. It’s ideal if you need an intuitive app to keep simple notes. However, it’s not the best option if you need to manage large volumes of notes.
(Image credit: Google)
Google Keep: Interface and in use
Google Keep is as simple to use as it gets. Its features aren’t much, so they are neatly arranged along the dashboard. The dashboard prominently displays the box to create a new note, and after opening this box, formatting options are clearly displayed at the bottom. The main menu lies in the top-left corner and is easy to navigate.
Even as a first-time user, you wouldn’t have problems understanding Google Keep’s interface at a glance. It’s coherent and intuitive, which I’ve observed as the norm with Google tools.
I liked that Google Keep has a built-in option to switch between light and dark theme modes, both on the web version and mobile apps (iOS and Android). I also liked the ability to switch between list and grid views of my notes. Generally, Google Keep has an excellent interface that I enjoyed interacting with.
Google Keep: Support
Google Keep users have access to ample support resources. Given it’s a free tool, there’s no direct support from Google’s team, except you’re a Google Workspace subscriber. However, you can always consult the official Google Keep Help Center, which includes detailed user guides and solutions to common troubleshooting scenarios.
Every Google Keep feature is covered in the Help Center, so you’ll likely find the solution to the problems you encounter on Google Keep. Along with the Help Center, there’s also an online community where you can seek solutions from other Google Keep users.
If your company is subscribed to Google Workspace, you can get direct help from Google’s support team via email, live chat, or telephone. However, Google Keep is simple enough that direct help is needed on rare occasions, or if at all.
Google Keep: The competition
Note-taking is a thriving software niche with many players. Google Keep is one of the players, albeit a dominant one. Two major competitors I’d like to highlight are Notion and Evernote.
Notion is more than a note-taking app. It’s a versatile tool that lets you manage broad projects, storing everything from knowledge bases to wikis and technical documents. Notion is extensively customizable and has a wider library of third-party integrations than Google Keep.
Google Keep is the go-to tool for managing simple notes, but Notion is the go-to tool for managing complex notes and text documents. Notion has extensive collaboration features with more permission control than Google Keep. The drawback is that Notion’s extensive features present a steep learning curve for the everyday user. It’s not as user-friendly as Google Keep, so expect more time to get used to it.
Evernote has several note-keeping features that Google Keep lacks, such as the ability to add videos to notes, rich text formatting, and whiteboards where multiple users can work on the same note simultaneously. It provides more advanced ways to organize notes, making it ideal for managing large note volumes.
The downside is that Evernote requires a subscription to access most of its features, while Google Keep is completely free. Evernote’s free tier is heavily limited compared to Google Keep.
Google Keep: Final verdict
Google Keep is an excellent choice if you need a simple app to keep your day-to-day notes. It’s free to use, intuitive, and lets you share notes with others.
Google Keep doesn’t have the most advanced features, such as rich text formatting, inserting videos within notes, and using folders and subfolders to organize notes. However, that’s intentional. Google created it as a free tool for everyday use, not for the most complex note-keeping scenarios. The app fulfills its purpose of simplifying digital note-taking perfectly.
