First impressions account for a lot, and I think I was expecting far less from the Wiz Gradient Floor Lamp based on its freshly out-of-the-box appearance. As its shaft and base are composed entirely of relatively lightweight plastic, the build has a feel that almost borders on flimsy. Undisturbed, the lamp stands perfectly fine, but if you have a pet or a little one tearing through your living space, it’s not difficult to imagine them sending the lamp toppling. So, keep that in mind when deciding where to place it.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
While it may not feel premium, the lamp doesn’t feel so cheap that I’d worry about its lifespan. I reckon the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp could withstand years of clumsy folks knocking it over. So, unless you particularly value the feel and finish of metal, a plastic smart lamp gets the job done just fine. Actually, it does a lot better than just fine: the seven-segment RGB LCD creates a fabulous wave of color across the room that transforms the mood of the space surprisingly well.
In terms of brightness, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp lags behind equivalent products from its competitors. For reference, the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is 2,100 lumens, whereas the Philips Hue Gradient Signe sits at 2,500. Your initial instincts might tell you ‘bigger means brighter means better’, but that’s not strictly true. Given that this variety of floor lamp is meant to be placed in a corner and used as ambient light that washes across the walls, you’re not necessarily going to be looking for an output that’s particularly blinding.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
I respect that it’s actually quite difficult to conceptualize exactly how bright 1,000 lumens are, so I'll try to give you some point of reference: it’s enough to provide solid task lighting for an entire medium-sized room. Given that a WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is very unlikely to be granted the role of ‘big light’ and is instead mainly for localised mood lighting, I’d say 1,080 lumens is perfectly adequate. Maybe those other lamps are compensating for something.
Historically, I’ve not been a big fan of operating smart lights with their associated apps. Obviously, I’ll hop on to do day-one setup and to tweak settings, but by and large, I much prefer importing devices into the Home app or controlling them using my Alexa. But after using WiZ’s app, I was struck by how few ‘smart home app sins’ it actually committed. The UI is clean and easy to navigate, and there aren’t any obtrusive popups, unsubtle attempts to get you to buy more products, or superfluous social features.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
In fact, the sole problem I had with the app was when trying to pair my device for the first time. When you set up a device manually, it prompts you to define your device type. Apparently, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp falls under the category of a luminaire. Listen, I’m big enough to admit it: I had no idea that luminaire was just a synonym for light fixture. And so, when I saw that category on the app, I assumed it referred specifically to the WiZ Luminaire Mobile Portable Light – and I feel like the icon of a stout little table lamp just led me further astray. This might be a me-specific problem, and maybe I just should pick up a thesaurus more often, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if you also spend 10 very confused minutes trying to register your lamp as a LED strip.
Alongside the usual combination of static and dynamic light displays, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp also has a music sync feature. Well, it does with a little help. The device doesn’t have a microphone of its own, so it relies on you to open your app and use your phone’s mic instead. Crucially, that means that your music has to be coming from another audio source than your phone. Placing my phone beside a speaker to control my lamp felt a tad too much like a Rube Goldberg machine for my liking, and frankly, the whole process felt a bit silly.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
But if I’m being honest, I think music sync can afford to be silly. After all, it – at least in my experience – is a sort of novelty that you might pop on during a house party or to be particularly annoying to the people you live with.
WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: specifications
Designed for
Indoors
Connectivity
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), Bluetooth
Smart home compatibility
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Matter
Light color
RGBIC
Height
4.7 feet / 1.4 meters
Brightness
1,080 lumens
Color temperature
Color segments
7
WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: price and availability
Price: £79.99 / $92.26 (not available in Australia)
Where to buy: WiZ website (available in the UK only), Amazon
You can pick up the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp on Amazon US for about $90. Unfortunately for stateside folks, it seems like the gradient version isn’t available on the WiZ site at the moment (don’t get it confused with the dual-tone floor lamp!). In the UK, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is available to purchase directly from WiZ and on Amazon for £79.99.
If you’ve been in the market for smart lights for any amount of time, I’m sure you’ve come across products from Philips Hue. After all, the brand delivers a premium ecosystem that consistently tops best smart lights lists. However, forking out $50 for a single colored smart bulb really isn’t for everyone.
As a more budget-friendly alternative to Philips Hue, I’m well familiar with Nanoleaf and Govee products – they’ve taken up some serious real estate in my apartment up to this point – but they aren’t the only company developing cut-price options for folks who love smart lighting. In fact, WiZ (whose products are made by Signify, the same parent company as Philips Hue) sits one rung further below those competitors in terms of price, dropping the barrier of entry to having a beautifully illuminated, smart living space impressively low.
Should you buy the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp?
Buy it if
You need a smart light that’s kinder to your wallet
It’s a little too easy to rack up a hefty bill when putting together your smart light setup. Thankfully, WiZ products are a more economical choice that allows you to add more goodies to your basket while still staying on budget.
You want ambient lighting
The WiZ floor lamp delivers intense luminescence up close, but that’s not really its intended use. It does its best work when faced up against a wall or a corner, where it fills your living space with a cozy, diffused glow.
You’re looking for a large light source
WiZ also has a number of smart lights that can be mounted on your wall or planted on your table, but if you want something that’s going to make a real impact in your living space, bigger is better.
Don't buy it if
You’ve committed to another ecosystem(without Matter integration)
Mixing and matching products is thankfully easier than ever, thanks to the Matter standard. However, you might own devices that aren’t Matter-enabled. In that case unless you plan to upgrade your entire set-up – buying a new smart light outside of your chosen ecosystem is probably not worth the trouble.
You really value a premium finish
While the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is a pretty top-notch product for under $100, WiZ had to cut corners somewhere. Thankfully, that’s mostly resulted in superficial downgrades; but still, some folks really appreciate the look and feel of the finer things in life.
WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: also consider
While you’re shopping around, you’ll probably want to check out some alternatives. The Philips Hue Gradient Signe and Govee Floor Lamp Pro are sort of like the bougee cousins to the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: sporting very similar features and form factors, albeit at a more premium price.
WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp
Govee Floor Lamp Pro
Philips Hue Gradient Signe Floor Lamp
Price
$92.26 / £79.99
$199 / £219
$329 / £279
Designed for
Indoors
Indoors
Indoors
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Bluetooth, Zigbee
Smart home compatibility
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple HomeKit (Matter compatible if used with Hue Bridge, sold separately)
Height
1.4m / 4.7ft
1.7m / 5.5ft
1.4m / 4.7ft
Brightness
1,080 lumens
2,100 lumens
2,500 lumens
Color temperature
2,200K-6,500K
2,200K-6,500K
2,000K-6,500K
How I tested the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp
I trialled both automatic and manual setup methods
I operated the lights using voice commands, Apple’s Home app, and the Wiz app
I tested the device’s music sync and automation functions
For three weeks, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp sat pride-of-place in my home office, where it illuminated my walls with both dynamic and static light effects almost daily. My primary means of operating the lamp was through voice commands to my Amazon Alexa, but I also activated it using the WiZ app and Apple Home app.
In evaluating the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp, I made a direct effort to compare it to other floor lamps on the market, as well as to the broader array of experience I had with smart lights in general. For more details, see how we test, rate, and review at TechRadar.
The Opera web browser has included a simple free VPN for a very long time, but it only protects your browser traffic, has almost no features and is generally very slow.
Opera has now unveiled Opera VPN Pro, a true system-wide VPN which allows you to protect all your app traffic on up to six Android, Windows or Mac devices.
The service is accessed from the Opera browser rather than a standalone app, in much the same way as the free VPN: tap a button on the address bar and connect. But it's an entirely different service underneath.
You can now select countries (and sometimes cities), with 33 countries available. You're able to choose OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols, depending on the platform. And rather than route your traffic through Opera's overloaded free servers, Opera VPN Pro uses the same network as NordVPN, delivering much better speeds (more on that below).
There still aren't a lot of features (more on that below, too), and there's no iOS app yet, but the price is certainly right. Opera VPN Pro is $5.99 billed monthly, around half the price of some monthly plans. It drops to $2.99 a month on the six-month plan, and only $1.99 billed annually, a tiny $23.88 for a full year's protection.
Opera doesn't keep any logs on its users (Image credit: Opera)
Privacy
Most VPN providers make huge efforts to convince you of their bullet-proof privacy, and that you'll be entirely safe with their service. Opera is, well, a little more cautious. Here's the relevant part of its privacy policy:
"VPN Pro is provided by a third-party service provider... Data communicated through VPN Pro will be encrypted and routed through one of thousands of servers... However, we do not promise that the service is absolutely secure. Despite our best efforts and the best efforts of our provider, criminals or other bad actors may still be able to access your data."
Is that worrying, unusually honest, or both? We're not quite sure, but it's something to bear in mind: Opera VPN Pro doesn't offer any big privacy promises, and it's probably not the best choice for privacy-critical tasks.
Opera says VPN Pro is a no log service, explaining: "We do not collect or store records of web pages you visit or links you click on in the servers dedicated for this Service."
Sounds promising. And as Opera VPN Pro is based on NordVPN's much-audited servers and network, we'd be reasonably sure that there's nothing harmful going on here. But Opera hasn't put its own apps or infrastructure through any audits of their own, so right now there's no evidence to back this up. We're left to take the company's words on trust.
To get started using Opera VPN, you'll just need to download the latest version of its browser (Image credit: Opera)
Windows app
While Opera VPN Pro can now protect your entire Windows device, it's still accessed entirely from the Opera browser. You must download and install Opera, launch it whenever you need protection, and click a VPN icon in the address bar to control the app.
That's a relatively heavyweight solution (installing an entire browser requires far more resources than a simple standalone client), but once you've launched the app, it looks and feels much like any other VPN offering.
The location list is very barebones and basic (Image credit: Opera)
Opera VPN's dashboard is simple and free from clutter, which is just what we like to see. There's a connect button, and tapping the location option displays a list with all of your recent connection points at the top, as well as Opera VPN's server list. This is where you can pick and choose where you'd like to put your pin in the map.
There are no city-level locations, however, and no favorites system. This isn't a massive red flag, but it is a small quality of life feature that most top-rated VPNs include as standard, these days.
You get some settings to play with, but hardly any and it's very basic stuff (again) (Image credit: Opera)
The only other feature is a Settings icon. Tapping this displays a VPN Pro section in Opera's general Settings page. This is even more basic than the location list, with little more than a couple of account management options and a reconnect feature (which automatically restarts if the VPN fails).
The app doesn't make any mention of protocols. Our investigations revealed it used a standard Windows IKEv2 connection, slower than WireGuard, but properly configured for maximum security.
Opera VPN Pro doesn't have a kill switch, but does use a reconnect feature – although that's bugged, sadly (Image credit: Opera)
Kill switch
The Opera VPN Pro website has no mention of a kill switch, and our tests showed why: it doesn't seem to have one. When we forcibly closed our Windows VPN connection, Opera displayed a 'Disconnected' message and reconnected within seconds, but it didn't block our internet and our device traffic wasn't protected.
This reconnect feature is welcome, and reduces your data exposure. It's no substitute for a working kill switch, though, and our tests revealed it had an odd 'feature' (or bug) of its own.
Suppose you've finished with Opera VPN, closed the browser, and you're connected to something else via a different Windows network connection – maybe a secure login for a work system. We’ll call this service X.
We noticed that if we forcibly closed X’s connection, then Opera VPN Pro acted like this was a failure in its own service, popped up a warning and tried connecting to its own network. But X was trying to reconnect, too. Sometimes Opera connected first, sometimes X, and sometimes that connection failed after a few seconds, presumably because the two systems were fighting over who was in charge, and they’d both try reconnecting again.
This may not happen much in real life. If you’re not using a second connection, it may never happen at all. But just the fact that the app can make such a fundamental mistake is a concern, and we’re left wondering what other issues might be lurking somewhere in its code.
We use a number of different speed tests to determine the performance of each VPN we review (Image credit: Ookla)
Performance
We tested Opera VPN Pro's speeds with Windows systems in both UK and US locations, using multiple speed tests, over several sessions. That's a minimum of 120 individual checks, and it's often considerably more.
The results were relatively ordinary at 230-280Mbps. That's about what we expect for an IKEv2 connection (Atlas VPN also managed 230-240Mbps in recent testing, Hotspot Shield 220-260Mbps). However, WireGuard-equipped VPNs are typically two to three times as fast, and Surfshark and TorGuard reached 950Mbps+ in their last tests.
Opera's VPN has always been about privacy and security more than accessing geoblocked content, so we didn't expect much from our unblocking tests. And sure enough, it gave us very mixed results in both the UK (unblocked BBC iPlayer, couldn’t even access ITV or Channel 4) and Australia (succeeded with 9Now, failed with 10 play).
But the service went on to surprise us everywhere else, unblocking Netflix in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus: a very capable record.
If you’re looking for even more, though, ExpressVPN, Hide.me, Ivacy, NordVPN, PureVPN and Surfshark all unblocked 100% of our sample sites in their last tests.
Opera's Help Center is distinctly underwhelming (Image credit: Opera)
Support
The Opera Pro VPN support site is just about as basic as we've seen, with a tiny number of extremely short articles containing almost no useful details at all.
We opened the article 'Can I use Opera VPN Pro on my Laptop/Desktop computer?' hoping to find step-by-step guides to setting up the service, for instance. ExpressVPN has seven in-depth tutorials on Windows alone, but Opera's article was 58 words long, and said little more than 'it's available for Windows 8 and MacOS 10.15 or later, just download Opera Browser to use it.'
Live chat is available, but only Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (CEST). You can leave a message and the support team will respond by email, but officially this could take up to 48 hours.
We posted a test question explaining that Opera VPN Pro connected for us, but then we weren't able to access the internet on any apps until the connection was closed. That's typically a DNS-type issue, but would the agent give us any kind of detailed response to help figure that out?
The good news is the reply arrived quicker than expected, in around 18 hours. The bad news is it included nothing but the most generic advice that anyone with more than five minutes VPN experience would figure out for themselves: uninstall and reinstall, or try it on another device.
Opera VPN Pro has too many shortcomings to recommend the service (Image credit: Opera)
Final verdict
Opera VPN Pro is a nice extension of the free Opera VPN service. It's capable of unblocking Netflix, thanks to a decent spread of servers, but dedicated streamers will be disappointed with its overall unblocking power. Opera VPN is somewhat basic when it comes to features, too, especially compared to our top-rated services. If you're looking for an all-rounder, you'll be happier elsewhere.
Founded in 2020, Casabrews hasn’t been around for very long, and so, it really hasn’t had its chance to shine among some of the best espresso machines. That said, it has cultivated some buzz on platforms like TikTok, thanks to the brand’s mix of affordability and aesthetics.
The Casabrews Ultra takes things one step further and provides additional options for refining your espresso. I appreciate the approach of Casabrews developing a low-cost semi-automatic espresso machine that’s a kind of gateway into making great coffee at home. However, the espresso it yielded quite literally left a bad taste in my mouth.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
It’s true that a bad workman blames their tools, but ultimately, when I found myself about five hours deep in searching through subreddits and forums for a solution to my awful coffee, I realised that I was likely at the point where any actual customer would’ve sought out a new machine.
All in all, the Casabrews Ultra sits in a bit of an odd no-man’s-land, given that it asks for far too much of a casual, beginner user but delivers far too little customization and control for a hardcore coffee hobbyist. With some upgrades and a good deal of experimentation, the Casabrews Ultra could be someone’s espresso machine of choice, but I encountered far too many insurmountable problems during my testing period to be able to recommend the machine wholeheartedly. After the unfortunate loss of my old espresso machine, I’ve been on the hunt for a worthy replacement. But I can’t say the Casabrews Ultra will be inducted into my daily coffee routine anytime soon.
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: price and availability
List price: $249.99 / £199.99
Available in the US and UK
Discounts available at the Casabrews website
Like the rest of Casabrews’ product lineup, the Casabrews Ultra is a pretty budget-friendly option. The machine will set you back less than $250, which is definitely on the low end of things for a semi-automatic espresso machine with a steam wand attachment.
You can purchase the Casabrews Ultra directly from the Casabrews website, often with a welcome discount to make it an even more affordable option. For example, at the moment, you can pick it up for $215. Third-party retailers like Walmart and Target are worth checking out for deals, too.
If you’re based in the UK, you can take advantage of the savings on Casabrews’ website too. In terms of third-party retailers, your main option is Amazon.
Value score: 4/5
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: specifications
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine
Type
Semi-automatic espresso machine
Drink options
2 (single and double espresso)
Pump pressure
20 bar
Water tank capacity
2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters
Steam wand
Yes, manual
Size (H x W x D)
12.99 x 12.2 10.31 inches / 330 x 310 x 262mm
Weight
13.55lbs / 6.15kg
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: design
Large, but attractive machine
Stiff steam wand articulation and portafilter
Useful floater in drip tray to indicate water level
When compared to other models from the brand, the Casabrew Ultra has a wider footprint, which is not great for tiny kitchens, but it certainly helps it look the part of a fancy espresso machine. Atop the machine is a little cup warming setup. Despite being a handy addition in theory, the cup warmer doesn’t actually transfer enough heat to achieve its one and only function. I found it much more effective to just use the machine’s hot water dispenser to prepare my cups.
The articulation on the steam wand is stiff, but it was nothing compared to the portafilter. I found it unusually difficult to twist it into place on the group head, even without any grounds in the basket. In fact, during my first few uses, I started to think that there may have been some debris on the shower screen or a warped O-ring gasket, causing the level of resistance I was getting.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
After doing some investigating and disproving this theory, I just kind of resigned myself to accepting that the whole thing was just threaded really bloody tight, and so, making my coffee in the morning would be an unwitting workout for the rest of my test period. All that said, as long as I planted my non-dominant hand on the machine for leverage and let out a little grunt (yes, I’m almost certain that makes me stronger), I could mostly overcome that problem.
Outside of these stiff components, I have very few complaints about the build quality of the machine. Included with the Casabrews Ultra are baskets for one-cup and two-cup espresso: two pressurized and two unpressurized. The light plastic tamp/scoop tool serves far better as a scooper than it does as a tamper, so thankfully, a sturdier tamper is included as well.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
Another feature I appreciate is the floater in the drip tray. This buoyant little nugget of red plastic provides a clear indicator of when to empty liquid in the tray. Admittedly, it’s pretty bad form not to give the machine a cleanout daily, but who hasn’t forgotten to empty their drip tray for a week and discovered what looks like the contents of a petri dish? Just me?
Design score: 3/5
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: performance
Recommended coffee dosage is much too high
Strange metallic taste (even when just used to heat water)
Steam wand works well once you're used to it
I was willing to accept that a $250 machine wouldn’t produce the kind of coffee worth swishing around your mouth and plotting on one of those coffee taster flavor wheels. What I wasn’t prepared for were quite so many shots that were ‘spit-it-in-the-sink’ bad.
My very first shot with the Casabrews Ultra was under-extracted, with minimal crema and a taste that wasn’t at all what I had come to expect from my chosen beans. Knowing that these tell-tale signs might mean that my water was travelling through the grounds too quickly, my first instinct was to up the dose of coffee loaded in the basket.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
The problem with that was – despite my leaning on the lower end of what the manual recommended for a double espresso – my basket was already basically overflowing. With each shot I had pulled so far, the puck touched right up against the shower screen and, in most cases, even stuck to it. Thankfully, the Casabrew Ultra allows for reprogramming shot volume and temperature, so I could play around with those variables in the hopes of achieving something drinkable (or even tasty, if I’m lucky).
Unfortunately, while the quality of my extraction improved, shot after shot, I was presented with a pretty foul battery-like taste that I couldn’t totally camouflage with milk or by diluting into an americano. Light roasts are notoriously difficult to dial in, so I started to think that maybe I was presenting the Casabrews Ultra with too steep a challenge.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
However, with payday too far off on the horizon, I couldn’t quite justify another bag of specialty coffee that I likely wouldn’t actually drink. As a compromise, I picked myself up a bag of Lavazza Rossa, a cheap but reliable medium roast that I used to chuck in my espresso machine as a teen prior to having adult money. It’s a sort of rich, chocolatey, everyman’s coffee that doesn't require too delicate a touch.
The Lavazza beans were pre-ground, which didn’t bode well for me achieving anything professional barista level, but at this point, I just wanted some coffee I could get through a full cup of without wincing. Besides, thanks to the pressurised basket, I could produce a shot with a nice faux crema even with beans that were technically a little stale.
The results were a familiar taste marred by an awful chemical, metallic note. I swapped in bottled water just in case the problem was Bath’s hard tap water, but it did very little to resolve the issue. Cleaning the shower screen, flushing, descaling – nothing seemed to do the job.
(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
At one point, I served my partner cooled water that had run through the Casabrews Ultra to gauge his reaction (yes, I did this without warning; I never said my test process was ethical.). Lo and behold, he wanted to know why it tasted so metallic. It’s funny you’d ask, James. I was wondering about that exact thing.
Finding myself over 220g of beans down and yearning for a good coffee, I have to admit I was feeling pretty bitter. Given the 75% five-star reviews on Amazon, I can only assume this was an issue specific to the unit I tested or that the majority of customers use enough sugar and milk to hide any strange aftertastes. Obviously, the espresso-making part of the Casabrews Ultra is the main event, but it’s not all doom and gloom; the steam wand performed a whole lot better.
(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
I first learned to make microfoam using a knob-operated steam wand, and honestly, I had no experience using one that was controlled via a button until I tested the Casabrews Ultra. Its steam wand has a couple of seconds of delay after you activate it, and given you aren’t in control of how quickly the steam output ramps up, it can be a real learning curve getting used to the rhythm of the machine. What’s more, the delay makes purging the steam wand just that bit more of a pain.
After some experimentation (and a refrigerated pitcher to make it harder to scald my milk), I managed to adapt my technique to create a microfoam I was reasonably happy with, which sported a silky mouthfeel and a pleasant sheen. A few visible bubbles lingered, but I’d say a lot of that was down to me being out of practice. Besides, there’s always the option to go full rip and make some dry foam when I’m in the mood for a cappuccino …I just needed to make sure I got my espresso elsewhere.
Performance score: 2/5
Should you buy the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
A low-cost machine with discounts available.
4/5
Design
A sturdy setup for the most part, but has some flaws.
3/5
Performance
For the most part, the Casabrews Ultra underperformed. Its espresso is a particular low point.
3/5
Buy it if
You’re big on milky coffees
Once you get the hang of it, the Casabrews Ultra’s steam wand is a solid performer that produces good microfoam.
You’re happy to give it a shot
Casabrew’s 30-day return window means that you’re not stuck using the Ultra if it just isn’t for you. View Deal
Don't buy it if
You want a machine from a legacy brand
Casabrews is something of a new kid on the block, and so there’s less information out there on troubleshooting, upgrades, or servicing.
You’d like a high-performing espresso machine
If you want a coffee that’ll get you out of bed in the morning, treat yourself to a machine that performs consistently and helps you get the most out of your beans.
You want a bean-to-cup machine
If you don’t fancy the hassle of seeking out a separate grinder, you’ll want to buy a machine that performs all those functions in one.
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: also consider
Not sure if the Casabrews Ultra is the right espresso machine for you? Here are two others to consider.
De'Longhi Linea Classic
Despite setting you back $50 less, the De’Longhi Linea Classic delivered far better results than the Casabrews Ultra. Its reviewer even said it might be the “one of the best espresso machines for new and experienced baristas”-- that’s some high praise.
The Delonghi Dedica Style is another great option for an espresso machine under $200. What’s more, if you want to save yourself the mess and trouble of puck prep, the Dedica Style also takes ESE pods.
My testing period for the Casabrews Ultra lasted three weeks, and during that time, I regularly made espresso and steamed milk to create drinks. Throughout this process, I alternated between using freshly-ground light roast beans from a local specialty coffee shop, and pre-ground medium roast commercial coffee. While operating the steam wand, I used chilled whole dairy milk, semi-skimmed dairy milk, or almond milk.
The main points of reference I had to compare the Casabrews Ultra to were the De'Longhi Scultura and the Breville Bambino.
Founded in 2020, Casabrews hasn’t been around for very long, and so, it really hasn’t had its chance to shine among some of the best espresso machines. That said, it has cultivated some buzz on platforms like TikTok, thanks to the brand’s mix of affordability and aesthetics.
The Casabrews Ultra takes things one step further and provides additional options for refining your espresso. I appreciate the approach of Casabrews developing a low-cost semi-automatic espresso machine that’s a kind of gateway into making great coffee at home. However, the espresso it yielded quite literally left a bad taste in my mouth.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
It’s true that a bad workman blames their tools, but ultimately, when I found myself about five hours deep in searching through subreddits and forums for a solution to my awful coffee, I realised that I was likely at the point where any actual customer would’ve sought out a new machine.
All in all, the Casabrews Ultra sits in a bit of an odd no-man’s-land, given that it asks for far too much of a casual, beginner user but delivers far too little customization and control for a hardcore coffee hobbyist. With some upgrades and a good deal of experimentation, the Casabrews Ultra could be someone’s espresso machine of choice, but I encountered far too many insurmountable problems during my testing period to be able to recommend the machine wholeheartedly. After the unfortunate loss of my old espresso machine, I’ve been on the hunt for a worthy replacement. But I can’t say the Casabrews Ultra will be inducted into my daily coffee routine anytime soon.
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: price and availability
List price: $249.99 / £199.99
Available in the US and UK
Discounts available at the Casabrews website
Like the rest of Casabrews’ product lineup, the Casabrews Ultra is a pretty budget-friendly option. The machine will set you back less than $250, which is definitely on the low end of things for a semi-automatic espresso machine with a steam wand attachment.
You can purchase the Casabrews Ultra directly from the Casabrews website, often with a welcome discount to make it an even more affordable option. For example, at the moment, you can pick it up for $215. Third-party retailers like Walmart and Target are worth checking out for deals, too.
If you’re based in the UK, you can take advantage of the savings on Casabrews’ website too. In terms of third-party retailers, your main option is Amazon.
Value score: 4/5
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: specifications
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine
Type
Semi-automatic espresso machine
Drink options
2 (single and double espresso)
Pump pressure
20 bar
Water tank capacity
2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters
Steam wand
Yes, manual
Size (H x W x D)
12.99 x 12.2 10.31 inches / 330 x 310 x 262mm
Weight
13.55lbs / 6.15kg
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: design
Large, but attractive machine
Stiff steam wand articulation and portafilter
Useful floater in drip tray to indicate water level
When compared to other models from the brand, the Casabrew Ultra has a wider footprint, which is not great for tiny kitchens, but it certainly helps it look the part of a fancy espresso machine. Atop the machine is a little cup warming setup. Despite being a handy addition in theory, the cup warmer doesn’t actually transfer enough heat to achieve its one and only function. I found it much more effective to just use the machine’s hot water dispenser to prepare my cups.
The articulation on the steam wand is stiff, but it was nothing compared to the portafilter. I found it unusually difficult to twist it into place on the group head, even without any grounds in the basket. In fact, during my first few uses, I started to think that there may have been some debris on the shower screen or a warped O-ring gasket, causing the level of resistance I was getting.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
After doing some investigating and disproving this theory, I just kind of resigned myself to accepting that the whole thing was just threaded really bloody tight, and so, making my coffee in the morning would be an unwitting workout for the rest of my test period. All that said, as long as I planted my non-dominant hand on the machine for leverage and let out a little grunt (yes, I’m almost certain that makes me stronger), I could mostly overcome that problem.
Outside of these stiff components, I have very few complaints about the build quality of the machine. Included with the Casabrews Ultra are baskets for one-cup and two-cup espresso: two pressurized and two unpressurized. The light plastic tamp/scoop tool serves far better as a scooper than it does as a tamper, so thankfully, a sturdier tamper is included as well.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
Another feature I appreciate is the floater in the drip tray. This buoyant little nugget of red plastic provides a clear indicator of when to empty liquid in the tray. Admittedly, it’s pretty bad form not to give the machine a cleanout daily, but who hasn’t forgotten to empty their drip tray for a week and discovered what looks like the contents of a petri dish? Just me?
Design score: 3/5
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: performance
Recommended coffee dosage is much too high
Strange metallic taste (even when just used to heat water)
Steam wand works well once you're used to it
I was willing to accept that a $250 machine wouldn’t produce the kind of coffee worth swishing around your mouth and plotting on one of those coffee taster flavor wheels. What I wasn’t prepared for were quite so many shots that were ‘spit-it-in-the-sink’ bad.
My very first shot with the Casabrews Ultra was under-extracted, with minimal crema and a taste that wasn’t at all what I had come to expect from my chosen beans. Knowing that these tell-tale signs might mean that my water was travelling through the grounds too quickly, my first instinct was to up the dose of coffee loaded in the basket.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
The problem with that was – despite my leaning on the lower end of what the manual recommended for a double espresso – my basket was already basically overflowing. With each shot I had pulled so far, the puck touched right up against the shower screen and, in most cases, even stuck to it. Thankfully, the Casabrew Ultra allows for reprogramming shot volume and temperature, so I could play around with those variables in the hopes of achieving something drinkable (or even tasty, if I’m lucky).
Unfortunately, while the quality of my extraction improved, shot after shot, I was presented with a pretty foul battery-like taste that I couldn’t totally camouflage with milk or by diluting into an americano. Light roasts are notoriously difficult to dial in, so I started to think that maybe I was presenting the Casabrews Ultra with too steep a challenge.
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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
However, with payday too far off on the horizon, I couldn’t quite justify another bag of specialty coffee that I likely wouldn’t actually drink. As a compromise, I picked myself up a bag of Lavazza Rossa, a cheap but reliable medium roast that I used to chuck in my espresso machine as a teen prior to having adult money. It’s a sort of rich, chocolatey, everyman’s coffee that doesn't require too delicate a touch.
The Lavazza beans were pre-ground, which didn’t bode well for me achieving anything professional barista level, but at this point, I just wanted some coffee I could get through a full cup of without wincing. Besides, thanks to the pressurised basket, I could produce a shot with a nice faux crema even with beans that were technically a little stale.
The results were a familiar taste marred by an awful chemical, metallic note. I swapped in bottled water just in case the problem was Bath’s hard tap water, but it did very little to resolve the issue. Cleaning the shower screen, flushing, descaling – nothing seemed to do the job.
(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
At one point, I served my partner cooled water that had run through the Casabrews Ultra to gauge his reaction (yes, I did this without warning; I never said my test process was ethical.). Lo and behold, he wanted to know why it tasted so metallic. It’s funny you’d ask, James. I was wondering about that exact thing.
Finding myself over 220g of beans down and yearning for a good coffee, I have to admit I was feeling pretty bitter. Given the 75% five-star reviews on Amazon, I can only assume this was an issue specific to the unit I tested or that the majority of customers use enough sugar and milk to hide any strange aftertastes. Obviously, the espresso-making part of the Casabrews Ultra is the main event, but it’s not all doom and gloom; the steam wand performed a whole lot better.
(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)
I first learned to make microfoam using a knob-operated steam wand, and honestly, I had no experience using one that was controlled via a button until I tested the Casabrews Ultra. Its steam wand has a couple of seconds of delay after you activate it, and given you aren’t in control of how quickly the steam output ramps up, it can be a real learning curve getting used to the rhythm of the machine. What’s more, the delay makes purging the steam wand just that bit more of a pain.
After some experimentation (and a refrigerated pitcher to make it harder to scald my milk), I managed to adapt my technique to create a microfoam I was reasonably happy with, which sported a silky mouthfeel and a pleasant sheen. A few visible bubbles lingered, but I’d say a lot of that was down to me being out of practice. Besides, there’s always the option to go full rip and make some dry foam when I’m in the mood for a cappuccino …I just needed to make sure I got my espresso elsewhere.
Performance score: 2/5
Should you buy the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
A low-cost machine with discounts available.
4/5
Design
A sturdy setup for the most part, but has some flaws.
3/5
Performance
For the most part, the Casabrews Ultra underperformed. Its espresso is a particular low point.
3/5
Buy it if
You’re big on milky coffees
Once you get the hang of it, the Casabrews Ultra’s steam wand is a solid performer that produces good microfoam.
You’re happy to give it a shot
Casabrew’s 30-day return window means that you’re not stuck using the Ultra if it just isn’t for you. View Deal
Don't buy it if
You want a machine from a legacy brand
Casabrews is something of a new kid on the block, and so there’s less information out there on troubleshooting, upgrades, or servicing.
You’d like a high-performing espresso machine
If you want a coffee that’ll get you out of bed in the morning, treat yourself to a machine that performs consistently and helps you get the most out of your beans.
You want a bean-to-cup machine
If you don’t fancy the hassle of seeking out a separate grinder, you’ll want to buy a machine that performs all those functions in one.
Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: also consider
Not sure if the Casabrews Ultra is the right espresso machine for you? Here are two others to consider.
De'Longhi Linea Classic
Despite setting you back $50 less, the De’Longhi Linea Classic delivered far better results than the Casabrews Ultra. Its reviewer even said it might be the “one of the best espresso machines for new and experienced baristas”-- that’s some high praise.
The Delonghi Dedica Style is another great option for an espresso machine under $200. What’s more, if you want to save yourself the mess and trouble of puck prep, the Dedica Style also takes ESE pods.
My testing period for the Casabrews Ultra lasted three weeks, and during that time, I regularly made espresso and steamed milk to create drinks. Throughout this process, I alternated between using freshly-ground light roast beans from a local specialty coffee shop, and pre-ground medium roast commercial coffee. While operating the steam wand, I used chilled whole dairy milk, semi-skimmed dairy milk, or almond milk.
The main points of reference I had to compare the Casabrews Ultra to were the De'Longhi Scultura and the Breville Bambino.
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2 Release date: June 5, 2025
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of my favorite games of all time, so I fully expected the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to capture my heart too.
Unfortunately, I never clicked with Tears of the Kingdom when it launched in 2023, despite loving the concepts at play that gave players an endless sandbox to experiment with and an incredible physics engine.
Why, you might ask? Well, unlike when its predecessor, launched in 2017 on magical new hybrid hardware, Tears of the Kingdom not only chugged along at 30 frames per second (fps) with a lower resolution than the games I had become accustomed to playing on other consoles, but I also felt it lacked the feeling of new that made Breath of the Wild so magical.
Fast forward to 2025 and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition has completely revitalized my love for open-world games, and thanks to a huge performance boost, it’s now poised to sit on my Mount Rushmore of this decade’s video game releases. Read on to find out why it's one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, but let it be known: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is one of the best video games ever made.
A breath of fresh air
(Image credit: Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launched to rave reviews, cementing it as one of the best sequels of all time when it launched two years ago. There’s nothing else I can say about the game’s mechanics and story that haven’t already been said, so I want to specifically focus on the upgrades the Nintendo Switch 2 brings to Hyrule.
Back when I first played Tears of the Kingdom on the original Switch, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d played the game before. And despite running impressively on an underpowered handheld console, the experience was jarring, and it just never clicked for me.
As a massive fan of the series, I was incredibly disappointed; it almost felt like I had outgrown my childhood, and the magic had disappeared. Thankfully, I can confidently say today that’s not the case; I just needed a boost from 2025 hardware to make Tears of the Kingdom look and feel like it should’ve back in 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is a paid upgrade to the original, available for free for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers, a paid upgrade if you already own the game, or by buying the full Nintendo Switch 2 version.
The game itself has no new content, per se; instead, it brings buttery smooth 60fps, a beautifully sharp resolution, and HDR, which makes the colors absolutely pop. I can’t emphasize enough just how much this version of the game feels like a total facelift compared to the outdated original version.
(Image credit: Future)
My biggest gripes with the game when it originally came out were all related to the magic of Hyrule’s expansive world feeling limited due to performance bottlenecks, and now on Switch 2, it plays like the definitive version of this absolutely incredible game.
Think of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition like wearing glasses for the first time, it’s as if the blurriness is gone and you can finally experience what you’d dreamt of as a kid exploring Hyrule for the first time, whether that was playing Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess.
Throughout my 70-hour playthrough, I haven’t encountered one performance hiccup, and on many occasions, I’ve had to pause to just stare in awe at the beautiful contrasting colors of the sky - I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful sunset in any game, ever.
The definitive way to experience Hyrule
(Image credit: Nintendo)
If, like me, you couldn’t click with the original game, not to any fault of it own, but rather a fault of the hardware limitations it was confined to, then not only should you run out and buy this game, but it’s enough to justify a Nintendo Switch 2 console in itself.
While I haven’t played Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition, reading the review of that game on Switch 2 hardware tells a similar story to my experience with its successor. These Zelda games are just so good that an improvement to the experience by bringing them up to date for 2025’s standards makes them must-play, even if you experienced the land of Hyrule on Switch before.
Not only have I loved exploring Hyrule on my OLED TV in 1440p upscaled to 4K, but the performance upgrades here make the game a delight on Switch 2’s handheld mode. Running at 1080p with HDR enabled, it’s just the perfect experience to take your adventure on the go and not feel like you’re compromising.
Best bit
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Gliding through the world of Hyrule on Switch 2 feels like you're experiencing freedom for the first time. Now with a crisp resolution and steady framerate, exploration has never felt so good.
Eight years ago, when I first experienced that feeling of continuing my adventure on my commute to work, in the park, or on vacation, it was the best gaming experience I had ever had in my life. Now, thanks to the Switch 2’s hardware, that experience is amplified to a whole new level, and all I want to do is finish writing this article so I can delve back into the land of Hyrule.
While some fans of the series will be disappointed at the lack of new content in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition, I think the game can already feel a little overwhelming with just how much it offers.
At no point in my playthrough did I wish for new experiences; I was just happy to relive one of the best games of all time, but better. And, truth be told, while there’s not really any new content, despite an option for a second save file (Thank you, Nintendo!) on the Switch 2 itself, do not underestimate just how good the Zelda Notes companion app is.
The cherry on top
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
Zelda Notes, an exclusive feature to the Switch 2 Edition of this game, can be found in the iOS or Android Nintendo Switch app. It’s almost an app within an app, bringing a whole new extra element to your adventure.
Not only can you navigate the map in real-time on your smartphone or tablet, but the app also unlocks dozens upon dozens of Voice Memories, which makes Hyrule feel even more alive. While I would’ve preferred Voice Memories, audio clips you can stumble upon in different locations in the world, to be included in the game, rather than in the app, the added lore has made me want to explore every nook and cranny to try and uncover the hidden details of the adventure.
The Zelda Notes app also gives you access to your full playthrough data, which is a lovely addition considering Nintendo still doesn’t give you detailed playing stats on the Switch 2 console, as well as the ability to share items and building concepts for Autobuild via QR codes.
One of my favorite additions to the game via Zelda Notes, however, is the Daily Bonus, which lets you spin a wheel every 24 hours to unlock a nutritious meal or other stat boost that might help you explore the deepest depths or highest skies of Hyrule. I found myself playing the game more regularly just to experience my Daily Bonus, and it was just the incentive I needed to keep venturing on with my journey.
Should you buy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?
Buy it if...
You’ve never played Tears of the Kingdom before, or are looking to replay it This version of the game is the definitive way to play one of the best video games of all time. If you've never played Tears of the Kingdom, couldn't vibe with the less-than-stellar performance when it launched, or love the game and want to delve back in, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is worth picking up.
You’re looking for a reason to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Yes, Mario Kart World is awesome, but after a while, it becomes your go-to party game rather than a reason to pick up your Nintendo Switch 2 after work. If you're looking for a reason to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2, this upgraded version of one of the best games of all time might be the perfect opportunity to do so. I don't say this lightly: Tears of the Kingdom in full 60fps is a system seller.
Don't buy it if...
You didn't enjoy the game the first time around While I've just written over a thousand words on why this version of Tears of the Kingdom makes me love the game despite not enjoying it the first time around, my reasons for not clicking with the game were never related to the gameplay itself. If you don't enjoy open-world adventure and didn't click with Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom in the past, this new version of the game won't change your mind.
Accessibility
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t have much going on with it, accessibility wise. While you still have access to gyro aiming and the ability to rebind your controls from the Switch 2 menu (which won’t translate to the correct button prompts in-game), there’s nothing much to write home about.
You can't increase the text size, turn off motion blur, or make any other adjustments to help with playing the game. There's also no difficulty setting, so if you find the nature of an open world with breakable weapons too difficult, tough luck.
How I reviewed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
I played over 70 hours of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch 2, venturing throughout the main story as well as completing a variety of side quests dotted around Hyrule.
I had previously played the game on Nintendo Switch 1, but was never able to complete it. Combined, I must have over 150 hours of gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom, and I've also played and completed every other mainline Zelda game.
I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition in a mixture of handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and on one of the best OLED TVs, the Samsung Q90D, using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2 Release date: June 5, 2025
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of my favorite games of all time, so I fully expected the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to capture my heart too.
Unfortunately, I never clicked with Tears of the Kingdom when it launched in 2023, despite loving the concepts at play that gave players an endless sandbox to experiment with and an incredible physics engine.
Why, you might ask? Well, unlike when its predecessor, launched in 2017 on magical new hybrid hardware, Tears of the Kingdom not only chugged along at 30 frames per second (fps) with a lower resolution than the games I had become accustomed to playing on other consoles, but I also felt it lacked the feeling of new that made Breath of the Wild so magical.
Fast forward to 2025 and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition has completely revitalized my love for open-world games, and thanks to a huge performance boost, it’s now poised to sit on my Mount Rushmore of this decade’s video game releases. Read on to find out why it's one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, but let it be known: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is one of the best video games ever made.
A breath of fresh air
(Image credit: Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launched to rave reviews, cementing it as one of the best sequels of all time when it launched two years ago. There’s nothing else I can say about the game’s mechanics and story that haven’t already been said, so I want to specifically focus on the upgrades the Nintendo Switch 2 brings to Hyrule.
Back when I first played Tears of the Kingdom on the original Switch, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d played the game before. And despite running impressively on an underpowered handheld console, the experience was jarring, and it just never clicked for me.
As a massive fan of the series, I was incredibly disappointed; it almost felt like I had outgrown my childhood, and the magic had disappeared. Thankfully, I can confidently say today that’s not the case; I just needed a boost from 2025 hardware to make Tears of the Kingdom look and feel like it should’ve back in 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is a paid upgrade to the original, available for free for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers, a paid upgrade if you already own the game, or by buying the full Nintendo Switch 2 version.
The game itself has no new content, per se; instead, it brings buttery smooth 60fps, a beautifully sharp resolution, and HDR, which makes the colors absolutely pop. I can’t emphasize enough just how much this version of the game feels like a total facelift compared to the outdated original version.
(Image credit: Future)
My biggest gripes with the game when it originally came out were all related to the magic of Hyrule’s expansive world feeling limited due to performance bottlenecks, and now on Switch 2, it plays like the definitive version of this absolutely incredible game.
Think of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition like wearing glasses for the first time, it’s as if the blurriness is gone and you can finally experience what you’d dreamt of as a kid exploring Hyrule for the first time, whether that was playing Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess.
Throughout my 70-hour playthrough, I haven’t encountered one performance hiccup, and on many occasions, I’ve had to pause to just stare in awe at the beautiful contrasting colors of the sky - I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful sunset in any game, ever.
The definitive way to experience Hyrule
(Image credit: Nintendo)
If, like me, you couldn’t click with the original game, not to any fault of it own, but rather a fault of the hardware limitations it was confined to, then not only should you run out and buy this game, but it’s enough to justify a Nintendo Switch 2 console in itself.
While I haven’t played Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition, reading the review of that game on Switch 2 hardware tells a similar story to my experience with its successor. These Zelda games are just so good that an improvement to the experience by bringing them up to date for 2025’s standards makes them must-play, even if you experienced the land of Hyrule on Switch before.
Not only have I loved exploring Hyrule on my OLED TV in 1440p upscaled to 4K, but the performance upgrades here make the game a delight on Switch 2’s handheld mode. Running at 1080p with HDR enabled, it’s just the perfect experience to take your adventure on the go and not feel like you’re compromising.
Best bit
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Gliding through the world of Hyrule on Switch 2 feels like you're experiencing freedom for the first time. Now with a crisp resolution and steady framerate, exploration has never felt so good.
Eight years ago, when I first experienced that feeling of continuing my adventure on my commute to work, in the park, or on vacation, it was the best gaming experience I had ever had in my life. Now, thanks to the Switch 2’s hardware, that experience is amplified to a whole new level, and all I want to do is finish writing this article so I can delve back into the land of Hyrule.
While some fans of the series will be disappointed at the lack of new content in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition, I think the game can already feel a little overwhelming with just how much it offers.
At no point in my playthrough did I wish for new experiences; I was just happy to relive one of the best games of all time, but better. And, truth be told, while there’s not really any new content, despite an option for a second save file (Thank you, Nintendo!) on the Switch 2 itself, do not underestimate just how good the Zelda Notes companion app is.
The cherry on top
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
Image 2 of 4
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Nintendo)
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(Image credit: Nintendo)
Zelda Notes, an exclusive feature to the Switch 2 Edition of this game, can be found in the iOS or Android Nintendo Switch app. It’s almost an app within an app, bringing a whole new extra element to your adventure.
Not only can you navigate the map in real-time on your smartphone or tablet, but the app also unlocks dozens upon dozens of Voice Memories, which makes Hyrule feel even more alive. While I would’ve preferred Voice Memories, audio clips you can stumble upon in different locations in the world, to be included in the game, rather than in the app, the added lore has made me want to explore every nook and cranny to try and uncover the hidden details of the adventure.
The Zelda Notes app also gives you access to your full playthrough data, which is a lovely addition considering Nintendo still doesn’t give you detailed playing stats on the Switch 2 console, as well as the ability to share items and building concepts for Autobuild via QR codes.
One of my favorite additions to the game via Zelda Notes, however, is the Daily Bonus, which lets you spin a wheel every 24 hours to unlock a nutritious meal or other stat boost that might help you explore the deepest depths or highest skies of Hyrule. I found myself playing the game more regularly just to experience my Daily Bonus, and it was just the incentive I needed to keep venturing on with my journey.
Should you buy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?
Buy it if...
You’ve never played Tears of the Kingdom before, or are looking to replay it This version of the game is the definitive way to play one of the best video games of all time. If you've never played Tears of the Kingdom, couldn't vibe with the less-than-stellar performance when it launched, or love the game and want to delve back in, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is worth picking up.
You’re looking for a reason to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Yes, Mario Kart World is awesome, but after a while, it becomes your go-to party game rather than a reason to pick up your Nintendo Switch 2 after work. If you're looking for a reason to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2, this upgraded version of one of the best games of all time might be the perfect opportunity to do so. I don't say this lightly: Tears of the Kingdom in full 60fps is a system seller.
Don't buy it if...
You didn't enjoy the game the first time around While I've just written over a thousand words on why this version of Tears of the Kingdom makes me love the game despite not enjoying it the first time around, my reasons for not clicking with the game were never related to the gameplay itself. If you don't enjoy open-world adventure and didn't click with Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom in the past, this new version of the game won't change your mind.
Accessibility
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t have much going on with it, accessibility wise. While you still have access to gyro aiming and the ability to rebind your controls from the Switch 2 menu (which won’t translate to the correct button prompts in-game), there’s nothing much to write home about.
You can't increase the text size, turn off motion blur, or make any other adjustments to help with playing the game. There's also no difficulty setting, so if you find the nature of an open world with breakable weapons too difficult, tough luck.
How I reviewed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
I played over 70 hours of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch 2, venturing throughout the main story as well as completing a variety of side quests dotted around Hyrule.
I had previously played the game on Nintendo Switch 1, but was never able to complete it. Combined, I must have over 150 hours of gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom, and I've also played and completed every other mainline Zelda game.
I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition in a mixture of handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and on one of the best OLED TVs, the Samsung Q90D, using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is the smallest device in the brand’s line of 2-in-1 Chromebooks, measuring just 12.2 inches. Despite this, it’s not the sleekest Chromebook around, with its sharp angles and juts spoiling the otherwise elegant design, which is aided by the quality of the materials used in its construction.
It’s quite thick and heavy for its size, so it’s perhaps not ideal for using as a tablet, despite its convertible nature. But thanks to that solid hinge for the lid, it can be propped upside down and used exclusively in touchscreen mode with ease.
It’s not just the hinge mechanism that’s well made – all aspects of the Spin 312 feel as solid and sturdy as any of the best Chromebooks, including the keys and trackpad, which feel premium to the touch as well.
Port selection is reasonable, too, although I would’ve liked to have seen more than just one USB-C port, and the lack of an SD card slot might be detrimental for some. Thankfully, there are two USB-A ports to improve connectivity options, and the HDMI port and audio jack are further additions I welcome.
The review unit I had came equipped with an Intel N100 processor and 4GB of RAM. Despite these underwhelming specs, the Chromebook Spin 312 performed admirably, handling many typical Chromebook workloads quite well. However, slowdowns can occur when pushed a little too far.
(Image credit: Future)
Such cases include gaming, where the Chromebook Spin 312 struggled to run even fairly modest mobile games on high settings during my testing. However, lowering these did improve matters to the point where games such as Asphalt Legends Unite were playable to an enjoyable extent.
More pleasing on the performance front is the display. The resolution looks especially sharp on the 12-inch screen, although colors aren’t rendered as vibrantly as they are on some rival Chromebooks. The bezels also encroach quite considerably on the allotted real estate for the screen, and the display can be quite reflective under certain conditions. In most cases, though, it makes for a pleasant viewing experience.
The touch inputs are also quite responsive, tracking well with swipes to make drawing and handwriting a realistic option, although it can be a little grabby at times. You’ll also need to provide your own stylus if you want to make the most of your creative time with the Chromebook Spin 312.
I found the touchpad disappointingly inaccurate by comparison, as it failed to track with what I was expecting from my movements, leading to a lagging and stuttering, which in turn made it imprecise.
Thankfully, I had a better time typing on the Chromebook Spin 312, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys and their satisfying dampening. Their lack of indentations and grip, however, can lead to slipping and mispresses on occasion.
Its battery life is impressive, lasting just over 11 hours in our test. This places it near the higher end of the Chromebook spectrum – the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performs significantly better on this front, although admittedly this is somewhat of an outlier.
The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the convertible Chromebook market. Some rivals are better performers, while others have a sleeker design. But, overall, if you won’t be demanding too much from it in terms of performance, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a good 2-in-1 Chromebook for those who prize portability and a sharp image.
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Price and availability
Starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
Various CPU, RAM, and storage options
Middle of the market
The Chromebook Spin 312 starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690). It can be configured with 64GB or 128GB of storage, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3 or Intel N100 CPU.
This places the Chromebook Spin 312 somewhere in the middle of the market considering its spec. It’s considerably cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which it bests in terms of performance, although its display isn’t quite as sharp or as vibrant, and lacks its premium design (although it isn’t too far behind in this regard).
However, the Chromebook Spin 312 is more expensive than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is one of the best budget Chromebooks in our view. This lacks the compactness of the Chromebook Spin 312 and the performance isn’t exactly impressive either, but it makes up for these deficiencies with its great build quality and enduring battery life.
Value: 3.5 / 5
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Specs
These are the specs of the particular Acer Chromebook Spin 312 I reviewed:
Price
Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
CPU
Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)
Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
4GB LPDDR5
Screen
12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen
Storage
64GB eMMC
Ports
2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Camera
1280 x 720
Weight
2.84lbs (1.29kg)
Dimensions
11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Bulky for the size
Solid lid hinge
Only one USB-C port and no SD card slot
The Chromebook Spin 312 takes a somewhat utilitarian approach to design, with its sharp angles, large vents and lid hinges appearing quite conspicuous. However, it's still a compact device, and has enough flat sides to help impart some sleekness.
This is further aided by the steely grey colorway and look of the chassis materials, which have a subtle shine to them. What’s more, the quality of these materials seems high, feeling solid and fairly premium to the touch. This extends to the lightly textured keycaps and silky smooth touchpad.
The hinge mechanism is also reassuringly solid. There’s no wobble at any angle, yet it’s smooth and easy to open and adjust. This stability also helps when tenting the Chromebook Spin 312 to use it in touchscreen mode.
However, it can’t compete with the best tablets for usability. Despite its small 12-inch size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a relatively thick and heavy slab, which can make it awkward to hold in the hand when folded back all the way.
The screen has a large bezel around it, which somewhat compromises the already limited real estate for the display. On a more positive note, it's made from Corning Gorilla Glass, so it should prove resistant to wear and tear when taking the Chromebook Spin 312 on your travels.
Port selection is reasonable for a Chromebook this small, although it’s a minor shame there’s only one USB-C port and SD card slot, as you’ll find two on many modern Chromebooks. Still, you do at least get two USB-A ports, and I also welcome the inclusion of a dedicated HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Design score: 4 / 5
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Capable of light work
Sharp but reflective display
Struggles with intensive tasks
Benchmarks
These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Spin 312:
TechRadar Battery Life Test: 11 hours and 12 minutes Jetstream2 Benchmark: 179.327 Kraken Benchmark: 1309.3ms Speedometer 3.0: 9.52 (±0.52)
The Chromebook Spin 312 offers capable enough performance for everyday tasks, meeting the demands typically placed upon Chromebooks. Apps load fast and light productivity and general browsing are handled well. Despite its somewhat limited 4GB of RAM, it’s even capable of some degree of multitasking, coping well with multiple browser tabs open, for instance.
However, it can come a little unstuck when those tabs are running more complex activities, or when multiple apps are in play. The Chromebook Spin 312 can also generate a fair amount of heat underneath, which is bothersome when on your lap.
Gaming performance isn’t particularly impressive, either. It can handle some mobile titles, but you’ll likely have to play with modest graphics settings. When I played Asphalt Legends Unite, for instance, high settings caused stutters and considerable slow downs, rendering the game almost unplayable. However, it ran much better on lower settings, if not quite as smooth or as fast as some rivals can manage – and certainly the Chromebook Spin 312 isn’t a match for the best gaming laptops in this regard.
When it comes to video playback, the Chromebook Spin 312 can handle streaming content in 4K, although it’s not always the smoothest experience. The WUXGA display at least provides a sharp image: the 1920 x 1200 resolution might sound a little low compared to other laptops and some Chromebooks on the market today, but due to its small screen size, it looks sharper than you might imagine.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s also quite bright when displaying lighter shades. However, while colors are rendered well enough, they don’t appear quite as vibrant as those on the displays equipped in the best laptops or best MacBooks, looking slightly washed-out by comparison.
The screen is also quite reflective, which, combined with its somewhat lackluster backlighting, makes darker scenes hard to view at times. However, the effect isn’t too troublesome, and compared to many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook Spin 312 is still great for viewing content.
The touchscreen capability is impressive, too. It responds well to all sorts of swipes and gestures, making for smooth doodles and handwriting, even if it's a little grabby at times. It’s also a shame no stylus is included to unleash the full potential of its functionality.
Unfortunately, the touchpad is less responsive, and I experienced issues with its tracking: many times it felt as if it was either dragging or jumping ahead, lacking the smoothness I was expecting. As a result, I struggled to use it accurately, which can really hamper productivity.
By contrast, typing with the Chromebook Spin 312 is a largely pleasant experience. The keys are satisfyingly damped and are spread surprisingly wide for a Chromebook this small. The keycaps also feel nice under the finger tips thanks to their texture, although they lack grip, which is made worse by the lack of indentation as well. This made the keyboard feel less secure in use, but overall I still found it amenable for typing quickly on.
Performance score: 3.5 / 5
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The battery life of the Chromebook Spin 312 is quite impressive. During our tests, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last over 11 hours. This makes it much better than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which could only manage six and a half hours. It also beats the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), one of the best Chromebooks around in our view, which managed over 10 hours.
However, it can’t outlive the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which, when we tested it, endured for a remarkable 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, this is rather exceptional in the Chromebook world, and the Chromebook Spin 312 can still lay claim to having one of the best battery lives in the market.
Battery life: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 312?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the market given its design and spec, being cheaper than some rivals but more expensive than others.
3.5 / 5
Design
It’s solidly made and small enough to make it portable, although it’s a little bulky for tablet-style use.
4 / 5
Performance
The Chromebook Spin 312 can handle basic tasking, while the display is pleasingly sharp, if not the most vibrant and a tad too reflective.
3.5 / 5
Battery life
It may not have the very best battery life of a Chromebook, but its 11-hour performance still places it in the upper echelons.
4.5 / 5
Total Score
If you’re looking for a Chromebook you can use with touch inputs and doesn’t take up much space, you shouldn’t be disappointed with the Chromebook Spin 312 – so long as you don’t demand too much from it.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want something compact The 12-inch size makes the Chromebook Spin 312 easy to travel with, and yet it doesn't feel compromised when typing or getting work done.
You want a 2-in-1 device The 360-degree rotating touchscreen makes the Chromebook Spin 312 versatile, although it’s perhaps not best suited for full-on tablet-style use.
Don't buy it if...
You want the fastest Chromebook Although it's surprisingly capable, those with more demanding workloads should seek more powerful models.
You want the sveltest device Despite its small size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is fairly bulky and weighty, which impairs its tablet-style credentials.
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Also consider
Acer Chromebook Spin 312
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
Price
Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
$429.99 / £419 / AU$707
$339 / £299 / AU$499
CPU
Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)
Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz (2 threads, 2.80GHz)
1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst)
Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM
4GB LPDDR5
4GB LPDDR4x
4GB DDR4
Screen
12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen
12.4-inch WQXGA LED Display (2560 x 1600), touchscreen
11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768 pixels
Storage
64GB eMMC
64GB eMMC
64GB eMMC
Ports
2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio
1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio
2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen1, microSD
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Wi-Fi 6, LTE (Option), Bluetooth v5.1
802.11AC (2 x 2) WiFi, Bluetooth® 4.2
Camera
1280 x 720
720p / 8MP
720p
Weight
2.84lbs (1.29kg)
2.82lbs (1.28kg)
2.64lbs (1.2kg)
Dimensions
11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)
11.3 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches (28.8 x 20.7 x 1.7cm)
0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm)
Here are some alternatives if the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't sound right for your needs:
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is about the same size as the Chromebook Spin 312, but it has a thinner and lighter construction, as well as a more upmarket design, which is one of the best in class. The display is even sharper and more vibrant, too. It’s a shame that its performance fails to live up to its looks, but if you only have very light workloads, it’ll make a pleasant companion. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook The IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook boasts great build quality and excellent battery life. However, it’s let down by unremarkable performance and uninspiring looks. Still, it’s powerful enough for light productivity and schoolwork, hence its inclusion on our best Chromebook guide. Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.
How I tested the Acer Chromebook Spin 312
Tested for two days
Used for work and for entertainment
Chromebook reviewing experience
I tested the Chromebook Spin 312 for a couple of days, during which time I used it working, gaming, and general browsing.
I used word processing and spreadsheet applications, streamed 4K content on YouTube, and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.
I have been using Chromebooks for a while, and have reviewed a number of them as well, ranging in price, form factor, and spec. I have also reviewed plenty of Windows laptops.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a large device with a reasonably strong spec, making it ideal for various productivity and entertainment needs. It might not look terribly auspicious, and the color is a little dour, but it's surprisingly thin for a Chromebook this size, which helps to make it more sleek.
It’s also a well-made machine, with materials that feel durable yet light. What’s more, the lid hinges allow for easy opening and offer stability at any angle all the way up to 170 degrees.
It also has one of the best Chromebook keyboards in terms of layout, with plenty of keys included, such as a number pad, without compromising spacing. This makes typing easy, and the snappy nature of the individual keys makes them satisfying, too.
The touchpad is equally capable, providing responsive inputs and plenty of accuracy, which, combined with its large size, makes for easy navigation. It also manages to keep out of the way while typing.
(Image credit: Future)
Port selection on the Chromebook Plus 516 is quite good, and I was pleased to see the inclusion of two USB-C ports. However, it’s a minor shame both are on the same side, which may limit your options when plugging into an outlet. Still, the two USB-A ports, HDMI port and audio jack are all welcome additions.
In terms of performance, the Chromebook Plus 516 handles most tasks well. It loads apps quickly and multitasks very well. Even mobile gaming on high settings is viable. It also takes Ultra HD content in its stride, streaming it without a hitch for the most part. Viewing such content is made all the more enjoyable thanks to that large, crisp, and vibrant display, which also does an admirable job of keeping reflections at bay.
Unfortunately, the battery life of the Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t particularly impressive relative to its rivals. During our movie playback test, it failed to break past eight hours, a threshold many modern Chromebooks can exceed.
With a starting price of £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830), the Chromebook Plus 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market. However, it's good value when you consider its performance, display, and productivity credentials.
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Price and availability
Starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)
Available from August in the UK
Mid-market pricing
The Chromebook Plus 516 starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830) and is available in the UK from August in one colorway. Multiple storage, CPU, RAM and graphics options are configurable. A backlit keyboard can also be specified, as can a touch screen.
It’s about the same price as the equally capable but slightly smaller Acer Chromebook Plus 514. Like that model, the 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market, but perhaps represents slightly better value owing to the larger screen size and extra keys.
However, if you still want great performance but at a lower price, the older Acer Chromebook Plus 515 remains a great pick, and its 15.6-inch measurement is still big enough to please those who prefer large displays; there’s a reason we think it’s one of the best student Chromebooks, after all.
If you’re after something cheaper still, we think the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best student laptop for those on a budget. Its performance is no match for the mightier Chromebook Plus 516, and it’s also much smaller, but it has the advantage of being a 2-in-1 device, thanks to its 360-degree rotation and touchscreen.
Value: 3.5 / 5
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Specs
These specs pertain to my review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516:
Price
£399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)
CPU
Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)
Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
8GB LPDDR5
Screen
16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10
Storage
128GB UFS
Ports
2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera
HD 1080p
Weight
3.75lbs (1.7kg)
Dimensions
14.1 x 10 x 0.8 inches (359 x 253 x 19mm)
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Smart and well made
Plenty of keys
Both USB-C ports on same side
The Chromebook Plus 516 adopts the fairly typical Acer aesthetic, with a sleek but understated appearance. There’s nothing particularly spectacular about its looks, but it’s at least free from too many fussy details.
Despite its large size, it’s pleasingly thin and not quite as heavy as you’d expect it to be. It’s no match for smaller Chromebooks in terms of portability, but all sides are quite flat and smooth, which helps when sliding it into your bag.
The build quality is on par with the best Chromebooks. Certain materials look more premium than others, but all feel solid and durable. The keycaps are perhaps the least impressive visually, but they’re tightly fitted.
The hinge mechanism is similarly well-engineered. The lid is easy to open and move into any position, and its maximum recline angle of 170 degrees makes it versatile for various setups. What’s more, it remains stable in any position; there’s next to no wobble, which is all the more impressive given its thinness and lightness.
The keyboard features numerous shortcut keys on the F row, all of which are quite useful. Highlights include one for taking screenshots, one for dictation, and one for opening a menu containing various accessibility functions.
Being a Chromebook Plus, you also get a Quick Insert key, used for accessing files, opening recent documents or creating new ones, inserting links, using AI tools, and other productivity-based functions.
The keyboard even includes a navigation cluster and number pad, both of which I welcome. More impressively, these don’t compromise the layout spacing, thanks to the width of the device itself. The touchpad also manages to not get in the way while typing, despite its relatively large size.
I was pleased to see the Chromebook Plus 516 features two USB-C ports, although unfortunately they’re both the same side, which somewhat limits versatility when plugging into an outlet. Still, it’s nice to have more than one, and the further ports – two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset jack – are all welcome additions. There’s no SD card slot, though, which might be a problem for some users.
Design score: 4 / 5
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Fast and capable multitasker
Can handle light gaming
Sharp display
Benchmarks
These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Plus 516:
TechRadar Battery Life Test: 7 hours and 35 minutes Jetstream2 Benchmark: 295.772 Kraken Benchmark: 398.5ms Speedometer 3.0: 18.8 (±1.0)
The Chromebook Plus 516 is quite a capable performer. Creating and editing documents and spreadsheets is no problem for it, while switching between apps and multiple tabs is taken in its stride.
Gaming performance is also admirable. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings without issue, running smoothly with little stutter. This was especially impressive given that the game recommended I play on lower settings based on the specs, but you’ll still want one of the best gaming laptops if you plan on playing more intensive games.
It can stream ultra HD content with relative ease as well. During my testing, I encountered little in the way of buffering or stuttering, making for seamless viewing in the main.
(Image credit: Future)
The experience is made even better thanks to the surprisingly vibrant display, which also avoids the washed-out appearance that afflicts some Chromebooks. Reflections do reveal themselves somewhat in darker scenes and unfavorable lighting conditions, but generally they’re kept at bay quite well.
Moreover, the 1920 x 1200 resolution is suitably sharp for its large size, which makes the UI very clear, while the thin bezels ensure that the most is made of the allotted real estate.
Typing on the Chromebook Plus 516 is also a pleasure. Despite the inauspicious looking keys, they perform well, with their light actuation and just enough dampening to make them tactile. Despite the inclusion of a number pad and other extra keys, I didn’t find the layout cramped, which made for an accurate and comfortable typing experience.
The trackpad is brilliantly smooth and very precise, tracking perfectly with my finger movements and gestures. As with the keys, it only requires a light touch, which makes it easy to use.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The Chromebook Plus 516 doesn't have a terribly impressive battery life, posting a below-average score during our test. We ran a movie on a continuous loop, and it gave up the ghost after seven hours and 35 minutes.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 we tested fared better, managing to last almost an hour longer. The much smaller Chromebook Spin 312 also eclipsed it, running all the way past 11 hours before total depletion.
However, the Chromebook Plus 516 still did better than the older Chromebook Plus 515, which only managed five hours. However, if you’re after a device that can really go all day, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is perhaps your best choice, as this lasted over 16 hours in our movie playback test.
Battery life: 2.5 / 5
Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The Chromebook Plus 516 has a price you might expect for a Chromebook Plus, although its size and keyboard impart extra value.
3.5 / 5
Design
The Chromebook Plus 516 is pleasingly thin for such a large device, and the build quality is respectable. The keyboard is great for productivity, too.
4 / 5
Performance
The Chromebook Plus 516 can handle all sorts of tasks, including light gaming, while the sharp and vibrant display is great for viewing Ultra HD content.
4.5 / 5
Battery life
The Chromebook Plus 516 is far from the best in class when it comes to battery life, with many others capable of outliving it.
2.5 / 5
Total Score
The Chromebook Plus 516 is a great performer with a vibrant display and a useful keyboard. If you’re after a large Chromebook for work and play, it fits the bill quite well – so long as you don’t plan on using it unplugged all day long.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a large display At 16 inches, the Chromebook Plus 516 is one of the larger Chromebooks on the market, and the resolution is sharp enough to match.
You want fast performance The Chromebook Plus 516 can handle most productivity tasks and even light gaming, thanks to its relatively strong spec.
Don't buy it if...
You want a convertible device The Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t a 2-in-1 device, so it can’t be used like the best tablets.
You want the best battery life Seven and a half hours is all you’ll get with continuous movie playback, which ranks in the lower half of the Chromebook league.
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Also consider
Acer Chromebook Plus 516
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
Price
Starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)
$399 / £399 (about AU$560)
$399.99 / £399.99 (around AU$633)
CPU
Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)
Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)
1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst)
Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM
8GB LPDDR5
8GB LPDDR5
4GB DDR4
Screen
16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10
14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10
11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768
Storage
128GB UFS
128GB UFS
64GB eMMC
Ports
2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio
2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio
2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A, microSD
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2
Camera
HD 1080p
HD 1080p
720p
Weight
3.75lbs (1.7kg)
3.15lbs (1.43kg)
2.64lbs (1.2kg)
Dimensions
14.1 x 10 x 0.8 inches (359 x 253 x 19mm)
12.9 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches (32.7 x 22.5 x 2cm)
0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm)
Here are some alternatives to the Chromebook Plus 516:
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 An almost-equally large Chromebook Plus, the 514 boasts a similar performance and spec, although I would say the 516 has a slightly better display quality. The 514 also lacks the extra keys of the 516, which might deter those interested in extracting the maximum productivity from their machine. Read our Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook If you want something smaller, cheaper, and more versatile, look no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. It’s convertible, so you can use it like a tablet, and it has an excellent battery life to boot. However, it’s not the quickest performer, but it's still sufficient, which is why it makes the best student laptop for those on a budget in our view. Read our Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.
How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 516
Tested for two days
Used for a variety of tasks
Abundant Chromebook reviewing experience
I tested the Chromebook Plus 516 for a few days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks, including productivity, gaming, and browsing.
I edited spreadsheets and documents, used multiple tabs when browsing in Chrome, and streamed 4K content. I also played Asphalt Legends Unite, and connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.
I have used various Chromebooks and other laptop devices for decades, and have reviewed a number of them too (including other Acer models), varying in their price points, form factors, and performance.
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a solid, stylish upgrade to what’s long been Garmin’s best running watch. It’s no revelation by any means, but it is a welcome refinement and for the right person, that might be enough.
In short, this is the Forerunner that finally looks the part. It swaps out the safe, functional aesthetic of older models for something bolder and a bit more expressive. Between the colorful two-tone straps and sleek aluminium bezel, the 570 is easily the most fashion-forward Forerunner to date. If you’re not into raspberry and turquoise combos and prefer to play it safe, a plain ol’ black option still exists.
The real highlight, though, is the new AMOLED display. It’s bigger, brighter and sharper than what came before, and makes the whole interface feel slicker and more modern. It’s the kind of screen you’d happily gaze at all day, whether checking your stats, skimming a notification, or seeing what’s playing on Spotify.
Performance-wise, this is still a Garmin device through and through. It tracks over 90 sports, handles GPS and heart rate with accuracy, and delivers all the in-depth training insights you could possibly need. The new Elevate v5 heart rate sensor performs particularly well, even during interval workouts, and feeding into metrics like Training Readiness.
There’s also a subtle push into smartwatch territory. You can now take calls from your wrist, trigger your phone’s voice assistant, and hear alarms or music through the built-in mic and speaker, all of which you couldn’t do on previous Forerunners. These are handy additions for day-to-day use.
The downsides? They’re not huge, but they’re worth noting. Battery life is down slightly from previous models thanks to that power-hungry AMOLED display, and while Garmin’s added polish, it hasn’t added any major new features. There’s no ECG, no offline maps, and nothing particularly game-changing on the software front. And now, Garmin Connect’s richer insights – like advanced sleep and adaptive training plans – are hidden behind a monthly subscription, which stings a bit after paying nearly $549.99 / £460 / AUD$999 for the watch itself.
All in all, the Forerunner 570 is top-notch. It’s not groundbreaking by any means, and it won’t be for everyone – especially if you already own a recent Garmin – but it’s a confident step forward for the series. After almost a month of daily wear, I consider it a strong choice for runners and multi-sport users who want a more stylish training companion that still does the basics exceptionally well.
Garmin Forerunner 570: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Availability: Buy now worldwide in two sizes (42mm and 47mm)
Price: From £459.99 / $549.99 / AU$999
Colors: Multiple colorways
The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched in May 2025 and is available directly from Garmin as well as most major retailers in two case sizes – 42mm and 47mm.
This time 'round, Garmin has injected some seriously snazzy colors, which have never been seen before in the series and are certainly more loud and playful. While my test model is the straight-up black for those who want to keep things minimal, there are some fruitier-named options to choose from, such as a Raspberry Aluminum with a Translucent Bone/Mango band, Amp Yellow Aluminum with a Translucent Whitestone/Turquoise combo, or Indigo Aluminum with Translucent Imperial Purple/Indigo Band.
They’re pretty out-there, and I can imagine they’ll divide opinion among potential customers, but from what Garmin has said, that’s the point.
At $549.99 / £459.99 / AUD$999, it’s firmly into upper mid-range territory. That’s £30 more than the Forerunner 265 cost at launch, and significantly more than competing watches like the Suunto Race S ($349 / £325 / AU$599) or Coros Pace Pro (£349.99 / $450 / AU$690), which offer features like offline maps and longer battery life at lower prices.
There’s also an added consideration now with Garmin Connect’s recently introduced subscription model. Previously free features such as advanced sleep tracking, adaptive training plans and full HRV trend analysis are now part of Garmin Connect Plus; a paid tier costing from £6.99 / $6.99 per month.
While you can still sync workouts, view metrics and access your training history on the free tier, the move has drawn plenty of criticism from long-time users, particularly those paying premium prices for hardware like the Forerunner 570. For many, that monthly fee will be worth it for the richer data and personalized feedback, but it’s still a frustrating shift, especially for new buyers who expect those features to be included as standard after forking out for a very expensive watch!
Value score: 3 / 5
Garmin Forerunner 570: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Premium-feeling aluminum bezel
Colourful strap options make it more appealing
AMOLED screen is bright, vibrant and sharp
It’s fair to say Garmin’s never been one to push the boundaries when it comes to design, but the Forerunner 570 finally dares to break tradition, at least to some extent. In my opinion, this is the most stylish Forerunner to date, thanks to its vibrant color options and new aluminum bezel that upgrades what has traditionally been Garmin’s focus on functionality over form.
Quite ironic, then, that my review device was the smaller 42mm model in the bog-standard black variety, which looks just like any other Garmin watch. Still, the display is the star of the show here anyway.
The Forerunner 570’s 1.2in AMOLED panel is a stunner. Its resolution of 390 x 390 pixels is super crisp, colorful and bright enough to read, even in strong sunlight, and especially when displaying data screens or notification previews.
Despite the big display, the Forerunner 570 stays comfortable for all-day wear. It weighs just 50g (47mm) or 42g (42mm), and the silicone straps feel soft and comfortable on the wrist. Some models also feature slightly translucent straps, a subtle design touch that helps elevate the overall sporty aesthetic.
The traditional five-button Forerunner layout returns, alongside touchscreen controls. The buttons aren’t quite as tactile as those on Garmin’s chunkier Fenix line, but they’re still reliable and work well during sweaty sessions. There’s now also a speaker and mic on board, discreetly integrated into the sides of the case – but more on that later.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Garmin Forerunner 570: Features
(Image credit: Future)
No major new software tricks
Grouped glance folders improve on-watch UX
Speaker and mic add a lifestyle smartwatch vibe
The Forerunner 570 brings very little that’s new in terms of features and that might disappoint some. Most of its tools and widgets already exist elsewhere in Garmin’s ecosystem, especially on the older Forerunner 265 and 965 devices. But what it does, it does very well.
Glance folders are now enabled by default, giving you smarter access to related stats like Body Battery, HRV, sleep and training readiness, which helps reduce the scroll-fatigue that often plagues Garmin watches. You can create your own, too, which is a handy upgrade.
Somewhat annoyingly, there’s no ECG support, despite the bundled Elevate v5 sensor being physically capable of it (just like the cheaper Venu 3). It feels like an arbitrarily paywalled feature. There’s still no offline mapping - Garmin saves those features for the higher-end 965 and 970 models. I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty tough to swallow considering the watch’s price. Gulp.
You do get some modest smart features, though. With the built-in mic and speaker, you can now take calls from your wrist (as long as your phone is nearby), use voice assistants, and even hear alarms or music directly from the watch. Music playback supports local MP3s as well as streaming service syncing from Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.
Notifications, calendar previews and music controls are here too, alongside access to Garmin’s ConnectIQ store, though it remains limited compared to the watchOS or Wear OS ecosystems.
Features score: 3.5 / 5
Garmin Forerunner 570: Performance
Tracking and training tools remain best-in-class
HR and GPS are reliably accurate
Battery life is slightly shorter than its predecessor
If there’s one thing Garmin fans care about, it’s performance and, thankfully, the Forerunner 570 doesn’t disappoint. For starters, it tracks just about every sport you can think of, with over 90 activity modes available. Newer additions include gravel biking, squash (the lack of which I always grumbled about), rucking and obstacle course racing, alongside your staple sports like running, cycling and pool swims. As always, these are easy to find, easy to activate and offer you an overview of stats when you’ve finished tracking them.
The Elevate v5 optical heart rate sensor proved impressively accurate throughout my testing. During workouts like easy runs and long indoor rides, readings seemed consistent.
Where it really stood out, though, was in high-intensity efforts. Wrist-based sensors typically struggle with sudden changes in effort, with heart rate often lagging behind. But the Forerunner 570 seemed to keep up well with rapid shifts in heart rate and recovering smoothly in between spikes. This might be down to improved sensor layout and refined algorithms in the Elevate v5, helping it react faster and with more consistency.
Dual-band GPS with SatIQ mode means you get impressively accurate tracking as well, even in tough urban areas with high rises or wooded environments in more rural settings. It held up well in twisty city runs as well as out in the countryside, delivering routes that aligned near-perfectly with those on the ground. You can pair external sensors too, including cycling power meters.
As always with Garmin, training insights remain reliable. You get VO2 max estimates, race predictions, lactate threshold estimates, and newish metrics like Training Load Ratio, which balances your acute and chronic effort, and environmental acclimation (heat and altitude readiness). You can also access Garmin Coach triathlon training plans, create multi-sport custom workouts, and get Morning and Evening Reports that summarise your readiness, recovery and planned sessions. These aren’t entirely new, but their presentation is slicker than ever on the Forerunner 570.
As a result of that gorgeously bright and vibrant display, however, battery life has taken a bit of a hit. With the AMOLED screen always on, I managed just short of four days of regular use, including daily workouts, notifications and sleep tracking. That’s definitely less than the Forerunner 265, which, in our review, lasted about ten days without a charge with intermediate use. However, this does depend completely on how you use it. Daily long-distance runs with GPS versus a few gym workouts per week are going to give you completely different results.
Nevertheless, in GPS-only mode, the Forerunner 570 manages around 18 hours, which will drop to about 14 if using all-systems GNSS plus music. While that’s not so bad, it’s not best-in-class either, especially considering rivals like Coros and Suunto deliver more.
You can squeeze more juice out of the watch by disabling always-on mode or speaker use if you’re desperate, but this is going to impact your experience. If battery life is the priority for you, you might be best off with a watch from Garmin’s Fenix series.
Performance score:4 / 5
Garmin Forerunner 570: Scorecard
(Image credit: Future)
Category
Comment
Score
Value
A little on the high end of the scale for value
3/5
Design
Lightweight, comfortable and new colourways.
4.5/5
Features
Good, but more comprehensive options available.
3.5/5
Performance
Excels as a training tool; tracking best in class
4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Garmin Forerunner 570: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want a stylish Garmin
The colorful designs and aluminum bezel give this the flair older models lacked.View Deal
You need great training tools
From accurate HR and GPS to detailed recovery metrics, it’s rock solid for fitness.View Deal
You like smartwatch extras
Taking calls, playing music, and voice assistant access are welcome additions.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You already own a Forerunner 265
There’s not enough new here to justify the upgrade.View Deal
You want offline maps or ECG
Those features are still locked behind Garmin’s pricier models. View Deal
You’re chasing battery life
The AMOLED screen might be a pull in terms of style, but it hits longevity hard.View Deal
Also consider
Garmin Forerunner 265 (£299)
Still a top performer with most of the same tracking features, and now much cheaper. A smarter buy for many.
How I tested I wore the Garmin Forerunner 570 almost daily for three weeks, using it to track a mix of outdoor runs, indoor cycling, strength training and racket sports. I compared GPS tracks and heart rate data against other premium watches, and I also tested its smart features, including music playback, notifications and voice assistant integration. I used the Garmin companion app, Garmin Connect, to review performance and training insights.
The Sony Bravia 8 II is the company’s flagship OLED TV for 2025. Whereas its Sony Bravia 8 predecessor used a mid-range W-OLED display panel, the Bravia 8 II uses a QD-OLED panel, the same type found in the Samsung S95F.
Adding QD-OLED to the Sony Bravia 8 II mix has resulted in a TV with a notably brighter picture than the Bravia 8. It also improved color gamut coverage, with colors looking consistently rich, yet accurate on the Bravia 8 II. The TV’s effective anti-reflective screen lets it carry over those picture quality benefits for bright-room viewing, though the Bravia 8 II’s detailed, refined picture is best appreciated when you dim the lights.
On most of the best TVs, the Bravia 8 II’s slim design might indicate potentially anemic audio –you need to put decent-sized speakers somewhere to get good sound, and slim TV frames don't accommodate that. But Sony provides an ingenious workaround with its Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature, which positions actuators behind the TV’s QD-OLED panel that turn the entire screen into a speaker. As a result, the Bravia 8 II provides relatively full and robust sound for a TV, and its Acoustic Center Sync feature also lets you use it as a dedicated center channel with a compatible Sony soundbar or speaker system.
Google TV is used as the Bravia 8 II’s smart TV platform, and it's an easy-to-navigate system. A built-in mic lets you control the TV using Google Voice Command, and you can also control it using a mic button on the remote or with Alexa speakers if you’re part of the Alexa ecosystem.
PlayStation 5 users unsurprisingly enjoy gaming benefits on the Bravia 8 II, which automatically switches to a preset Game mode and engages auto HDR tone mapping when a connected PS5 console is turned on. The TV also supports 4K 120Hz input, but with only two HDMI 2.1 ports, gamers looking to also connect both an Xbox Series X console plus one of the best soundbars will be disappointed.
The Bravia 8 II is undoubtedly one of the best OLED TVs to be released in 2025, but it has stiff competition from flagship OLEDs such as the Samsung S95F and LG G5, both of which are brighter and more feature-packed. All three sets are currently priced around the same, making the Bravia 8 II a bit of a tough value call, but its charms are many, and its great overall picture and sound quality let it effectively compete with other flagship TVs.
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Price and release date
Google TV's screensaver mode lets you choose images and artworks to display when the TV is in standby mode (Image credit: Future)
Release date: April 2025
55-inch: $2,999 / £2,499 / AU$3,999
65-inch: $3,499 / £2,999 / AU$4,999
Unlike its Bravia 8 OLED TV predecessor, which was available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch screen sizes, the Bravia 8 II is limited to 55- and 65-inch models (though the older Sony A95L TV is being kept around in a 77-inch model only, in case you want a larger option).
Since its April unveiling, prices for both sizes have dropped in the US and Australia, with the 55-inch now priced at $3,299 / AU$2,999 and the 65-inch at $2,999 / AU$3,999.
The Bravia 8 II’s reduced price more closely aligns it with other flagship OLED TVs such as the Samsung S95F ($3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295 at launch) and LG G5 ($3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299 at launch). Both those models have also seen early discounts in the US, with the S95F dropping as low as $3,099 and the G5 to $3,199.
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Specs
Screen type:
QD-OLED
Refresh rate:
120Hz
HDR support:
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Smart TV:
Google TV
HDMI ports:
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Built-in tuner:
ATSC 3.0 (US)
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Benchmark results
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Features
The Bravia 8 II has four HDMI 2.1 ports, including two inputs with 4K 120Hz support (Image credit: Future)
QD-OLED display panel with strong anti-reflection layer
Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound
Perfect for PlayStation 5 gaming tech, but limited other features
The Sony Bravia 8 II features a QD-OLED display panel – an upgrade over the standard W-OLED panel used by its Bravia 8 predecessor. It also uses Sony’s XR Processor, which provides AI-based scene recognition to enhance pictures, along with a bunch of picture processing features that come under the XR umbrella, such as Contrast Booster, Clear Image, and OLED Motion. The Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats are supported, but not HDR10+.
A glossy screen with an anti-reflective coating helps to reduce screen glare from indoor light sources on the Bravia 8 II. There’s no Filmmaker Mode, but a range of custom presets, including IMAX Enhanced, Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode, are available to optimize pictures for movies, TV shows, and sports.
Sony TVs regularly rank among the best TVs for sound, and the Bravia 8 II provides a range of features that help distinguish it from other TVs when it comes to audio performance. The main one is Acoustic Surface Audio+, which positions actuators behind the TV that turn the entire screen area into a speaker.
There’s also Acoustic Center Sync, a feature that accepts an audio input from a compatible Sony soundbar or speakers so the TV's built-in audio system can be used as a center-channel speaker.
Sony’s 3D Surround Upscaling does exactly what its name implies by boosting two-channel and 5.1-channel soundtracks to an immersive audio presentation, while Voice Zoom 3 uses AI to recognize voices in soundtracks and give them an extra volume boost. Both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats are supported by the Bravia 8 II.
Sony TVs use the Google TV smart TV platform, and the Bravia 8 II has a built-in mic that lets you use Google Assistant for voice commands. A mic button on the TV’s remote control can also be used for voice commands, which has the benefit of not having to leave the TV’s microphone perpetually on (there’s a mic on-off switch on the TV’s input panel).
You can wirelessly stream content to the Bravia 8 II using Google Cast and AirPlay. And if you’re part of the Alexa universe, with Alexa speakers in your home, you can also control the TV using Alexa voice commands.
The Bravia 8 II’s gaming features include support for 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate, auto low-latency mode, and Dolby Vision gaming. It also has a new Gaming Menu 2 for making gaming-related adjustments, and is “Perfect for PlayStation 5,” with an auto HDR tone mapping and auto genre mode features kicking in when a PS5 console is connected.
Unlike the best gaming TVs, which typically provide four HDMI 2.1 inputs, the Bravia 8 II’s HDMI 2.1 input count is limited to two ports out of its four HDMI ports in total.
Features Score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Picture quality
The Bravia 8 II has above-average brightness for an OLED TV. Its picture holds up well in brighter room lighting conditions, but looks best with lights dimmed (Image credit: Future)
Good brightness for an OLED TV
Inky, detailed shadows and black tones
Rich, yet natural color
When we tested the Sony Bravia 8 in 2024, it yielded only average HDR brightness levels, topping out at 817 nits peak and 182 nits fullscreen brightness in the Standard picture mode.
The new model’s QD-OLED panel pushes peak HDR brightness levels substantially higher, with the Bravia 8 II measuring 1,439 and 1,067 nits in Cinema and Standard modes, respectively. Fullscreen brightness, on the other hand, is only slightly higher, with the Bravia 8 II measuring 183 nits in Cinema mode and 250 nits in Standard mode.
The Bravia 8 II’s brightness results, while an impressive leap over last year’s model, still fall short compared to other 2025 flagship OLED TVs we’ve tested, such as the LG G5 and Samsung S95F, both of which reach well into the 2,000 nits of peak brightness range, and over 350 nits of fullscreen brightness.
That’s not to say that the Bravia 8 II isn’t sufficiently bright; its picture just doesn’t stand up equally well in bright room lighting conditions as those two TVs.
I measured the Bravia 8 II’s coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces in Cinema mode at 99.9% and 87.5%, respectively. Those are both excellent results and are similar to what we measured on the Samsung S95F.
Color point accuracy in the same mode averaged a 2.6 Delta-E value (which is the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen, with a result lower than 3.0 being undetectable by the human eye). In contrast, Cinema mode grayscale accuracy was 5.4 – a less impressive result.
(Image credit: Future)
Viewed in dimmed lighting conditions, a 4K Dolby Vision stream of the movie Civil War looked impressively punchy, with the bright highlights from spotlights and bonfires in a nighttime encampment scene contrasting well with the black night sky. Shadow detail was also strong, and the multiple adjustments in the TV’s picture Brightness submenu could be used to fine-tune black levels to bring out even more detail.
I had the same impression when I watched another movie, Alien: Romulus, in 4K Dolby Vision. Blacks in the ship’s shadowy chambers looked inky and deep, and the colored lights of the control panels popped with a high level of brightness.
These and other reference movies I watched with my room's overhead lights turned on lost some of their contrast punch, but black levels remained mostly consistent. The TV’s anti-reflection screen also did a good job of eliminating glare, though lamps positioned across from the TV were reflected in a mirror-like manner.
The Bravia 8 II does an excellent job upscaling older movies and TV shows. Streaming an episode of the detective show Columbo from the 1980s, the picture looked impressively solid and clean, and I could even make out textures in the mullet haircuts of guests in a wedding scene.
Colors in both older and more recent movies looked consistently natural, and the Sony was able to show accurate skin tones while also vividly rendering brightly colored objects, such as a magenta flower bush and a yellow children’s toy, in a scene from Civil War.
Motion handling is very good on the Bravia 8 II. Watching a reference scene from the film No Time to Die, where James Bond walks across a hillside cemetery, there was only a slight degree of judder and blur visible, and it could be easily lessened by setting the TV’s Motionflow Smoothness settings to Film (2) and Camera (2).
Picture quality score: 5 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Sound quality
Actuators positioned behind the Bravia 8 II's OLED display panel effectively turn the TV's screen into a speaker (Image credit: Future)
Acoustic Surface Audio+ turns the screen into a speaker
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Acoustic Center Sync lets you connect TV with external speakers
Acoustic Surface Audio+ on the Bravia 8 II uses actuators positioned behind the TV’s screen that transform the entire screen into a speaker. This design provides a sense of dialogue emanating directly from the characters on-screen, and it also lets sound effects track accurately with the action.
Both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound formats are supported by the Bravia 8 II, along with IMAX Enhanced. The latter means you can stream the library of movies with DTS:X soundtracks contained in both the Sony Pictures Core and Disney+ apps, and experience them with IMAX Enhanced post-processing, which is intended to deliver the same extended dynamic range you hear in IMAX cinemas.
Dialogue in movies like Civil War sounded clear and well-defined on the Bravia 8 II, and the Voice Zoom 3 feature helped to elevate voices in battle scenes with lots of background noise. The TV’s Acoustic Center Sync feature, meanwhile, let me use it as a center channel speaker by connecting a cable from the TV to Sony’s Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers, while the Bravia Connect app made it easy to calibrate the center channel level for a smooth blend with the rest of the system.
Once I had that set up, the TV worked very effectively as a center channel speaker, with voices sounding natural and full-bodied. Listened to on its own without the Bravia Theater Quad setup, the TV’s built-in speakers delivered reasonably full sound with movies, with a good sense of ambience, but bass was limited – something to be expected from a TV with such a slim profile.
Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Design
The Bravia 8 II's two-way support feet can either be set flush or at a 3-inch height level (as shown) to clear space for a soundbar (Image credit: Future)
Slim One Slate design
Two-way aluminum support feet
Full-sized, backlit remote control
Sony’s Slim One Slate design for the Bravia 8 II gives the TV a bezel-free 'all-picture' look, and its textured back panel makes things look good even from the back and sides. Sturdy aluminum support feet at the TV’s outer edges can be set for either a flush installation with the screen positioned directly on a stand or an elevated one, with three inches of space cleared for a soundbar.
Connections are located in a side-mounted panel and include four HDMI ports with two HDMI 2.1 inputs providing 4K 120Hz support, a mini-jack speaker input for the Acoustic Center Sync feature, USB-A and Ethernet ports, and an antenna input for the TV’s ATSC 3.0 broadcast tuner (US-only). Sony gives you detachable panels to conceal the input and power cord sections post-installation, which will reduce cable clutter and maintain the TV’s 360-degree good looks.
Sony’s medium-sized remote control sits comfortably in the hand and includes a full enough array of control buttons that you won’t have to visit the TV’s onscreen menus to do something as simple as switch inputs. Direct access buttons are provided for key apps like Netflix and Prime Video, and also for more obscure ones such as the Crunchyroll Anime service.
Oddly, the Bravia 8 II’s remote isn’t the same Eco Remote version provided with last year’s Bravia 8 and Sony Bravia 9 TVs, one that uses a USB-C port for charging. It is made from 79.7% recycled plastic, however.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Smart TV and menus
Image 1 of 3
The Bravia 8 II's main For You homescreen (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
The Live TV tab presents a grid guide with live Google Freeplay and broadcast TV channels (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
A broadcast TV-specific grid guide presents both ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 TV channels (Image credit: Future)
Google TV
Live program grid integrates FAST and broadcast channels
Quick Settings menu provides easy access to adjustments
Sony TVs use the Google TV smart TV platform, one with a homescreen dominated by a big rotating banner up top with ads for shows. Some of those ads, along with the row of ‘Top picks for you’ content suggestions directly below, are based on your viewing and web browsing activity, which is something you give Google access to when you sign in with a Google account.
Google TV offers a complete array of streaming apps, and these are arrayed in a row at the bottom of the homescreen in an order that can be customized. Tabs at the top of the homescreen let you access Live TV and Sony screens, among other options, with the Sony screen providing access to Sony Pictures Core movie streaming selections as well as instructional videos on how to operate the TV.
The Live TV screen is worth commenting upon because it nicely integrates Google Freeplay free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels with broadcast TV ones pulled in by the TV’s ATSC 3.0 tuner. Both FAST and broadcast channels can be browsed in a time-based program grid, with program information provided for each channel.
As with other Google TVs, accessing picture, sound, and system settings on the Bravia 8 II involves pressing the gear icon on the remote, or the same thing on the top right corner of the Google TV homescreen. Sony provides an extensive range of adjustments for dialing in the Bravia 8 II’s picture, although getting to these involves wading deep through menus.
An easier option for making adjustments is to press the wrench icon button on the remote, which calls up the TV’s Quick Settings menu at the bottom of the screen. From here you can scroll through options like picture settings, picture modes, brightness, and various audio adjustments, and you can also edit the menu to add or remove options.
Smart TV & menus score: 4 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Gaming
The Bravia 8 II's Game Bar 3 menu overlay (Image credit: Future)
Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support
Perfect for PlayStation 5 features
Comparatively high 16.3ms input lag
The Bravia 8 II offers a fair number of gaming features, the most notable being 'Perfect for PlayStation 5' features, which include an Auto HDR Tone Mapping mode when input from a PS5 gaming console is detected to match the dynamic range of the generated images to exactly what the screen is capable of showing.
An Auto Genre Picture Mode feature will also automatically turn on the TV’s Game picture mode for the PS5, and Sony’s Game Menu 2 lets you make onscreen gaming-related picture and other adjustments.
Other gaming features supported by the Bravia 8 II include Dolby Vision gaming, variable refresh rate, and auto low-latency mode. Two of the TV’s four HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K 120 Hz input for gaming consoles, though nowadays it's becoming more common to see three or more HDMI 2.1 inputs on TVs.
Using a Leo Bodnar 4K meter, I measured input lag in Game Mode on the Bravia 8 II at 16.3ms, a notably higher level than on other TVs we’ve recently tested, some of which measure below 10ms on the same test.
Gaming score: 4 / 5
Sony Bravia 8 II review: Value
The Bravia 8 II's medium-sized remote control lacks the USB-C charging capability of the Sony Eco Remote provided with 2024 Sony TVs (Image credit: Future)
Priced roughly the same as top OLED competition
Lower overall brightness than top OLED competition
Less extensive gaming features than competition
At its $2.999 reduced price in the US, the Bravia 8 II currently costs less than the 2025 flagship OLED TVs from LG and Samsung. But does that make it a great OLED TV value?
The Bravia 8 II has fantastic overall picture quality, with high brightness for an OLED TV. Its picture lacks the mini-LED-rivalling brightness levels of the Samsung S95F and LG G5, however, and it looks best in dimmed lighting conditions, where the TV’s exceptional contrast, rich color, and fine detail can be fully appreciated.
Sony’s top OLED also has impressive sound quality for such a slim and stylish TV, and it provides several features that let it easily integrate with compatible Sony soundbars and wireless speakers for even better sound performance.
The Bravia 8 II’s Gaming features, while good, aren’t as extensive as what you’ll find on top TVs from Samsung and LG, though there are particular benefits for PlayStation 5 console owners.
Looked at in terms of value, the Bravia 8 II is specifically a best bet for movie fans who don’t mind dimming the lights a bit, though its picture is also bright enough to hold up in well-lit rooms. It doesn’t exactly beat this year’s flagship OLED TV competition, but with price reductions having already kicked in, at least it's competitively priced.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Sony Bravia 8 II?
The Bravia 8 II's built-in audio system can be set up to serve as a center channel speaker when paired with Sony's Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers (shown) or soundbars (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia 8 II
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Innovative Sony-centric audio features and special capabilities for PS5 owners make this an appealing TV for Sony fans
4.5 / 5
Picture quality
Impressive brightness, color and contrast plus a detailed, accurate picture make this set especially easy on the eyes
5 / 5
Sound quality
Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature delivers relatively full, spacious sound from a slim TV
4.5 / 5
Design
A slim, elegant design with cable management and two-way adjustable feet that can clear space for a soundbar
4.5 / 5
Smart TV and menus
Google TV is a solid smart TV system and Sony's Quick Settings menu provides easy access to picture and sound adjustments
4 / 5
Gaming
Good features for PS5 owners, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports and comparatively high input lag in Game mode
4 / 5
Value
Pricey, but its impressive picture and sound quality help it to stand up to the premium OLED competition
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a great TV for movies The Bravia 8 II has great overall picture quality, and its picture processing makes everything, even old TV shows and YouTube videos look good, but it really shines with 4K movies on streaming and Blu-ray disc.
You want to use it with a Sony soundbar or wireless speakers The Bravia 8 II has audio features that let it be used as a center speaker in a Sony surround sound system with compatible Sony soundbars and wireless speakers.
You mainly watch in bright rooms While the Bravia 8 II has high brightness for an OLED TV, it doesn’t hit the same mini-LED brightness levels as its flagship competition, a quality that makes those TVs a good option for bright room viewing.
Don't buy it if…
You want the best TV for gaming The Bravia 8 II has a solid set of gaming features, but there are only two HDMI 2.1 ports, and it lacks the same cloud-based gaming options found on LG and Samsung TVs.
You mainly watch in a bright room While the Bravia 8 II has high brightness for an OLED TV, it doesn’t hit the same mini-LED brightness levels as its flagship competition that makes them a good option for bright room viewing.View Deal
You want to save money The Bravia 8 II is a premium OLED TV that sells for a premium price. Cheaper mini-LED TV options are widely available that offer very good picture quality at a much lower price.
Sony Bravia 8 II: Also consider...
Sony Bravia 8 II
LG G5
Samsung S95F
Sony Bravia 8
List price (65-inch)
$3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295
$3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299
$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299
$2,799 / £2,699 / AU$4,495
Screen type
QD-OLED
OLED
QD-OLED
OLED
Refresh rate
120Hz
165Hz
165Hz
120Hz
HDR support
Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
DolbyVision/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV
webOS
Tizen
Google TV
HDMI ports
4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)
4x HDMI 2.1
4 x HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
LG G5 The LG G5’s innovative ‘four-stack’ OLED panel delivers exceptional brightness levels for an OLED TV. It also has a superior set of gaming features compared to the Bravia 8 II, along with a more advanced smart TV platform.
Samsung S95F Samsung’s flagship OLED TV is another OLED that delivers mini-LED-rivalling brightness levels, and its Glare Free 2.0 screen effectively eliminates reflections when viewing in bright rooms. Like the LG G5, it also has a superior set of gaming features and a more advanced smart TV platform.
Sony Bravia 8 The Bravia 8 is still available, and it provides many of the same audio and gaming features as the Bravia 8 II. Its picture has notably lower peak brightness than the Bravia 8 II, but if you’re okay with dimming the lights, you’ll get a great OLED picture at a much reduced price.
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 them for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with the 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 Sony Bravia 8 II, 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.
