GameSir is a controller brand that’s only gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Reliably offering forward-thinking controllers for Xbox and Switch consoles as well as PC and mobile, they’re (typically) competitively priced and offer more features and longevity than even first-party gamepads.
That trend continues with the GameSir G7 Pro, which has easily entered my top three on the GameSir tier list alongside the GameSir Tarantula Pro and GameSir Kaleid. Many of the features that make those other two pads so desirable are present and accounted for here: Hall effect sticks that prevent drift, as well as fantastic trigger lock and remappable button options.
On top of that, the G7 Pro leans into modularity. Similar to the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded or Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E., the G7 Pro has swappable d-pad and stick top modules (though the extra stick tops here are identical and act more like spares). You’ve also got the option to swap out the controller’s face and grip plates, though that’s strictly for cosmetic purposes.
Almost everything about the controller exudes quality; I’d use the G7 Pro over the official option any day. The only slight misstep here that prevents it from earning a perfect five stars, for me, is the face buttons. While using tactile micro switch tech like others in the GameSir lineup, these have a strange halfway bump that makes for a pretty lumpy press feel. It’s something you’ll likely get used to over time, but I definitely prefer the cleaner presses found on the GameSir Kaleid and competing pads like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir G7 Pro: Price and availability
List price: $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)
Available to buy now at GameSir’s website, as well as Amazon
Multiple colorways and special editions exist at various price points
The standard GameSir G7 Pro comes in at $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114), slightly pricier than most other GameSir models, though this is understandable when taking the additional modularity into account.
Many colorways and special editions are available for the G7 Pro, some based on games developed by teams in China, including Wuchang: Fallen Feathersand Zenless Zone Zero. The latter even includes a layered keychain and is the one I received for this review.
As mentioned, prices vary for these special editions, and you can also pick up compatible face plates and stick tops from the GameSir website if you so desire.
GameSir G7 Pro: specs
Price
$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)
Dimensions
6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm
Weight
9.6oz / 272g
Compatibility
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life
Around 12 hours
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir G7 Pro: design and features
Like many controllers in the ‘Designed for Xbox’ stable, the GameSir G7 Pro bears the approximate silhouette of the Xbox Wireless Controller. It’s a similar size and weight, but there are a number of improvements here that put the G7 Pro lightyears ahead of the official model.
From a pure look and feel perspective, I love this thing. The swappable faceplates add a good bit of personality and put forward a more cost-effective solution than Xbox’s own Design Lab, if you’re into the cosmetics of a controller, of course. The rubberized grips on the rear of the pad are sublime, too; among the sturdiest and most comfortable I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.
Staying on the rear of the controller for a second, you have a pair of remappable buttons that are strictly optional; you can flick a small switch on either side to fully lock the button, preventing you from pressing it if you’d prefer. You’ll also find the trigger lock toggles back here, as well as a switch for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity options.
The front of the pad is pretty standard stuff. You have an Xbox-like asymmetrical stick layout here, as well as the d-pad, face buttons, and Home and share buttons. A Multifunction button also exists here, as it does on other GameSir controllers.
This is immediately useful if you want to make quick and simple adjustments, such as headset and mic volume adjustment, and remappable button assignment. You can do all this in the GameSir Nexus app on Xbox and PC, too, but having on-device shortcuts in addition to that is a real boon.
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir G7 Pro: performance
Once again, GameSir has provided a near-luxurious play experience at a mid-range price with the G7 Pro. Hall effect sticks are pretty standard nowadays (and arguably expected), but they’re here and feel great nonetheless.
One thing that really impressed me about the G7 Pro is its trigger locks. Again, nothing new, but I almost always prefer the tighter press of a digital trigger if given the option. On the G7 Pro, they work flawlessly, and it offers one of the most tactile and responsive digital trigger options in the business.
Immediacy really is the keyword here. The micro switch-powered d-pad, as well as the claw grip bumpers and rear remappable buttons, all offer such clicky and immediate responsiveness that I can highly recommend this controller if you’re a competitive gamer.
The one misstep here has to be the face buttons, though, and it’s a real shame they don’t feel quite as nice as everything else on the G7 Pro. Here, as mentioned above, there’s an awkward half-press that makes the face buttons feel uncomfortably bumpy at first. I got used to it after some time with the controller, but the quality of them here is a noticeable step down from the brand’s other products.
On battery life, I managed roughly 12 hours on a single charge. That’s about average for wireless controllers at this price point, so no real complaints here. The inclusion of a charging dock is a really nice touch, and I found that it charges the controller fairly quickly, going from empty to full in about two hours.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the GameSir G7 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want a controller that’s all about responsiveness Immediacy really is the name of the game here. From the optional digital trigger locks to the d-pad and bumpers, everything about the G7 Pro is so tactile and clicky. It’s one of the most satisfying controller experiences I’ve had in quite a while.
You enjoy controller customization Swappable face plates are a nice touch with the G7 Pro. GameSir sells a range of designs separately, making it easy to find a style that suits your preferences.
Don't buy it if...
Those face buttons sound annoying to you Really the only downside of the G7 Pro is its face buttons. They just feel a little awkward and out of place compared to the immediacy and responsiveness of the rest of the pad’s modules. While far from unusable - and certainly not unresponsive - the relatively spongy feel is a letdown here.
Also consider...
If the GameSir G7 Pro isn’t quite what you’re after, here are a couple more recommendations that might fit your preferences a little better.
GameSir G7 Pro
8BitDo Ultimate 2
GameSir Tarantula Pro
Price
$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)
$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)
$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)
Dimensions
6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm
6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm
Weight
9.6oz / 272g
8.7oz / 246g
11.52oz / 325g
Compatibility
PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile
PC, Nintendo Switch
PC, Nintendo Switch
Connection type
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
PC, Android (Switch version sold separately)
PC, Switch, Switch 2, Android, iOS
Battery life
Around 12 hours
10-15 hours
Around 12 hours
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Arguably the best controller in 8BitDo’s repertoire, it offers drift-eliminating TMR thumbsticks, improved remappable buttons, eye-catching RGB ring lights, and a sublimely smooth play experience overall. I highly recommend this one if you’re in the market for an affordable yet feature-rich PC controller.
GameSir Tarantula Pro One of my favorite GameSir pads, the Tarantula Pro adopts a symmetrical stick layout like PlayStation’s DualSense Wireless Controller. You’re also getting high-quality TMR sticks here, and the build quality feels wonderfully premium despite the relatively affordable price.
Primarily tested on PC with both wireless and wired connections
Played a wide variety of single and multiplayer games
My GameSir G7 Pro testing largely took place on PC, using the controller in both wired and wireless capacities. As a fan of the best fighting games, I found the G7 Pro, its circular d-pad, and clicky remappable buttons, to be a wonderful fit for Street Fighter 6and Tekken 8.
I also got plenty of use out of its digital trigger option, allowing for quick and responsive access to alternate hotbars in Final Fantasy 14 Online.
Leverless controllers tailor-made for fighting games tend to be a sight more expensive than standard pads, and the Razer Kitsune certainly isn’t doing anything to change that. In fact, it’s one of the more expensive options available in the premium leverless bracket, coming in hotter than both the Corsair Novablade Pro and Victrix Pro KO.
It’ll put a serious dent in your bank account, so I definitely can’t recommend the Razer Kitsune to anyone wanting to dip a toe into leverless waters for the first time (the much cheaper 8BitDo Arcade Controller is ideal for that). Thankfully, those who do take the plunge will be rewarded with one of the most luxurious leverless controller experiences around.
What immediately stunned me about the Razer Kitsune was its weight - or lack thereof. It’s not much heavier than many of the best PS5 controllers, and manages this while presenting exceptional build quality and a remarkably razor-thin profile. Even compared to other impressively slim models like the Novablade Pro, the Kitsune would be the talk of the town at a Weight Watchers meeting.
The controller’s discreet nature makes it very portable-friendly, and thus ideal for taking to a buddy’s house for some casual 1v1s, or even to local tournaments if you’re the competitive type. That discreetness carries over to the Kitsune’s buttons, which are whisper-quiet and - as you’d hope - immediately responsive.
There are a couple of notable issues I have with the Kitsune. There’s no PS4 compatibility here, in terms of hardware, unlike the majority of its PlayStation-facing competitors. Instead, if you want to play older PS4 titles like Ultra Street Fighter 4 or Tekken 7, you’ll need a PS5 for that. You are getting PC compatibility here as well, at the very least.
I’m also not keen on the usage of Razer Chroma RGB lighting here. While not overly flashy or intrusive, it feels a bit tacked on and unnecessary, and probably drove up the price of the device all in all. And while I do wish there was a wireless connectivity option, I can see why Razer has kept the Kitsune strictly wired to allow for maximum responsiveness.
Overall, it’s a fine leverless controller if you’re willing to pay a premium for it. Its robust Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) cleaning options are also especially welcome, ensuring that you won’t flub directional inputs in the heat of the moment.
(Image credit: Future)
Razer Kitsune: Price and availability
List price: $299.99 / £299.99
More expensive than other mid-range to premium leverless options
Some designs are exclusive to Razer’s store, and cost even more
The Razer Kitsune is available to buy now for $299.99 / £299.99 in its standard black colorway. A Razer store exclusive ‘Esports Green’ variant is also purchasable for $10 / £10 more, and this is the one I received for testing and review purposes. Though honestly, I’d give this one a miss; it’s a pretty ugly shade of green.
That’s notably more expensive than many of its leverless competitors, including the Corsair Novablade Pro and Victrix Pro KO, both of which retail for $249.99 / £229.99. Even the Hit Box, one of the more popular and renowned options in the leverless space, can be had for much cheaper.
Razer Kitsune: Specs
Price
$299.99 / £299.99
Weight
1.8lbs / 0.82kg
Dimensions
11.7 x 8.3 x 0.8in x 296 x 210 x 19mm
Compatibility
PS5, PC
Connection type
Wired
Battery life
N/A
Software
Razer Chroma RGB
Razer Kitsune: Design and features
Super impressive lightweight design
Solid aluminum face plate
Customizable 12-button layout
Purely from a design and build standpoint, the Razer Kitsune might be the nicest leverless controller I’ve ever used. It’s astonishingly discreet, being less than 2cm thick and coming in under a kilogram in weight. It’s noticeably smaller than many of its competitors, too, while still offering plenty of space to rest your hands on during play.
This compact design also doesn’t come with compromise. Build quality is - as I’ve come to expect from Razer - immaculate. The Kitsune is built from high-quality materials, fitted with a sturdy aluminum plate and a textured rubber grip mat on the underside for non-slip gaming.
That quality extends to the controller’s buttons. The Razer Kitsune has a 12-button layout that’s pretty standard for leverless controllers. Though you’ll also find a DualSense-like touchpad, and shortcut buttons for L3, R3, as well as Home, Menu, and Share inputs.
Rounding out the top of the controller are two small switches. One lets you toggle the Kitsune’s SOCD cleaning options (more on that in the performance section below), and the other switches compatibility between PS5 and PC. Be sure to have this one switched into the right place depending on your platform of choice.
At the top-rear of the controller, you’ll find a USB cable lock, which again is fairly standard for wired leverless devices. It simply does what it says on the tin; locking your cable in place so it won’t end up being detached during play.
My only real gripe with the Kitsune’s design is its Chroma RGB lighting. It’s not that I hate a bit of extra flair on a controller; RGB is something that helps some of my favorite controllers like the GameSir Kaleid and 8BitDo Ultimate 2 stand out, but it just feels a little unnecessary here, especially for such a competitive-focused controller. I get that Razer loves juicing up its products with RGB lighting from time to time, but it seems tacked on this time.
(Image credit: Future)
Razer Kitsune: Performance
Immaculately responsive buttons
Button presses are whisper-quiet
Plenty of SOCD cleaning options
The Razer Kitsune’s buttons operate by way of low-profile linear optical switches. In short, that means you’re getting whisper-quiet, immediate, and accurate presses. There’s no loud clickiness here, and while there is a bit of tactility lost there, the controller nonetheless remains incredibly responsive and satisfying to play with.
I tested the Razer Kitsune across a wide variety of fighting games in both online and offline environments, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, and I found it to be an excellent fit for all these titles. There were no compatibility issues to speak of whatsoever across PS5 or PC.
One major feature I’m a real fan of with the Kitsune is its robust SOCD cleaning options. Short for ‘Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions’, SOCD cleaning helps prevent misinputs when opposite directions are pressed simultaneously; either by accident or on purpose.
The Kitsune has four SOCD cleaning modes available, which you can switch between by holding the Share and Home buttons and pressing a direction. Neutral mode, for example, makes it so that no inputs are registered when an SOCD input occurs. ‘Absolute Up Priority’ mode, meanwhile, ensures that only the up input is registered when pressing up and down simultaneously. You can then toggle the lock switch to keep your preferred mode in place, with no danger of swapping it around during play.
It’s a shame that the Razer Kitsune isn’t compatible with the PS4 console, despite being an officially licensed PlayStation product. As mentioned above, you’ll have to play your old PS4 games on PS5 if you want to play them with the Kitsune, which is a slight shame for those with access to the older hardware.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Razer Kitsune?
Buy it if…
You want luxurious build quality and money’s no object While it does cost a small fortune, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth with exceptional build quality and an impressively lightweight design.
You enjoy controller customization Razer sells Kitsune faceplates separately, and even provides a template you can download for the purpose of custom designs or commissions. On top of that, full button customization and SOCD cleaning options are very welcome.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re just starting out with leverless controllers While I love the Kitsune, it’s not the one I’d recommend to first-timers. There are worthwhile cheaper options available like the 8BitDo Arcade Controller for those curious about trying leverless controllers for the first time.
Also consider...
If the Razer Kitsune isn’t pushing the right buttons for you, definitely check out the following two alternatives.
Razer Kitsune
8BitDo Arcade Controller
Corsair Novablade Pro
Price
$299.99 / £299.99
$89.99 / £75.99
$249.99 / £229.99
Weight
1.8lbs / 0.82kg
2.42lbs / 1.1kg
3.9lbs / 1.8kg
Dimensions
11.7 x 8.3 x 0.8in x 296 x 210 x 19mm
11.9 x 7.9 x 0.9in / 301 x 201 x 22mm
12.6 x 9.1 x 1.2in / 320 x 231 x 30mm
Compatibility
PS5, PC
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC (Switch and Xbox models sold separately)
PS5, PS4, PC
Connection type
Wired (USB-C)
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life
N/A
Around 20 hours
Around 40 hours
8BitDo Arcade Controller In my view, it’s the ideal leverless controller for newcomers. Great design and build quality, robust button options, and a price tag that’s ideal for introducing curious gamers into the leverless fold.
Corsair Novablade Pro Another fairly premium option, the Corsair Novablade Pro impresses on many of the same fronts. Brilliant build quality, discreet buttons, and handy customizable color-coding to help you get used to its unique button layout. Another real winner.
Played a wide variety of fighting games across PS5 and PC
Compared with the 8BitDo Arcade Controller and Corsair Novablade Pro
I spent roughly one week testing the Razer Kitsune for this review. In that time, I racked up several hours of playtime both online and offline across multiple fighting games. These included Street Fighter 6, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Tekken 8, and compilations like Capcom Fighting Collection 2.
As a leverless controller, I endeavored to test it in multiple play environments. That included at my desk with the controller both on my lap and on my desk, as well as sitting down on a chair to play on PS5. In all scenarios, I found the Razer Kitsune’s light weight and small profile to make for an extremely comfortable play experience.
I did prefer the design and performance of the Razer Kitsune compared to other controllers I’ve tested, including the 8BitDo Arcade Controller and Corsair Novablade Pro. That largely comes down to design and build quality, as well as the quiet nature of the Kitsune’s buttons. That said, I would still wholeheartedly recommend those other leverless controllers if you’re after a quality fighting game experience, albeit for less cash.
The Kodak Snapic A1 is a 35mm analog film camera designed and manufactured by Hong Kong-based Reto Production – the same company behind other licensed Kodak analog models like the Ektar H35N and Charmera. Priced from just $99, it's one of the more affordable ways to dip your toes into the world of film photography, and it comes loaded with enough retro charm to justify that novelty appeal.
The design is immediately striking. Available in off-white or dark gray, the clean-lined plastic body has just enough Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo to feel authentically branded without going overboard. It's a look that calls to mind the retro-futuristic aesthetic of classic science fiction movies rather than a straightforward throwback, and in my book that's a good thing. It slipped into my jacket pockets with ease, and the included neck strap and protective pouch are welcome additions that more budget-focussed cameras often skip.
Feature-wise, you get a three-element glass lens at 25mm with a fixed f/9.5 aperture and 1/100s shutter speed. There are two manual focus settings, plus an auto flash with red-eye reduction, automatic film advance and rewind, and a double-exposure shooting mode. A small but practical OLED panel on top displays battery life, remaining exposures, and current settings. It's basic by design, but thoughtfully put together.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
In good outdoor light, I found that the Snapic A1 delivers characterful, grainy 35mm shots with that all-important analog look. Vignetting and some chromatic aberration are present, but these feel like features rather than flaws. Indoors, however, the flash struggles; it lacks the reach and power to properly illuminate subjects beyond a few feet, making indoor shots a more hit-or-miss experience, particularly with slower film.
The main practical gripes are minor but worth flagging. The Mode button sits awkwardly on the left edge of the top plate, and it's easy to accidentally trigger it depending on how you hold the camera. There's also no lens cap, which makes the pouch essential rather than optional. And while the price is genuinely affordable for the hardware, film and processing costs ramp up fast. A single 36-exposure roll and a set of digital prints can run close to $40 / £30, meaning the ongoing cost of ownership is considerably higher than buying the camera itself.
Taken as a whole, I think the Kodak Snapic A1 is a fun, well-designed entry point into analog photography – and one of the best new film cameras for the money. It won't satisfy anyone looking for creative control or technical precision, but for casual shooters who want a stylish, pocketable film camera that just works, it hits the mark at a price that's hard to argue with.
Kodak Snapic A1: price and availability
$99 / £99 / AU$179
Ongoing costs of 35mm film and processing
The Kodak Snapic A1 is available to buy now, and refreshingly cheap at just $99 / £99 / AU$179.
Also supplied in the box are two handy accessories: a soft microfiber drawstring pouch for keeping the camera protected when not in use, and a corded strap that's long enough to fit around the user's neck or shoulder. Kodak could have shipped this with just a tiny wrist strap, so I was impressed with the extras.
You will, however, need to supply your own batteries (2 x AAA), and there are the added costs of 35mm film, its development and potential printing to consider as well. This can quickly add up: buying a roll of 36-exposure Kodak ColorPlus film and getting some medium-quality digital prints costs me almost £30 in the UK (around $40 / AU$ 57). So, despite the affordability of the hardware, the Snapic A1 isn't a particularly cheap camera to own.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Kodak Snapic A1: specs
Format:
35mm
Lens:
25mm f/9.5
Focus:
0.5m to infinity (two-stage)
Flash:
Built in
Exposure:
Auto
Battery:
2x AAA
Viewfinder:
Optical, direct vision
Size:
118 x 62 x 35mm, 120g
Kodak Snapic A1: design
Small, stylish and built from sturdy plastic
Just 120g in weight and 118 x 62 x 35mm in size
Film is easy to load thanks to large rear door and auto wind
The top plate's OLED panel is a clever and very useful touch. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Kodak (or Reto, to be precise) has kept things pleasingly nostalgic with the styling. The camera body is ABS plastic but built to nice sturdy standards, and its clean lines and ivory white front (it's also available in a dark gray color finish), with a couple of flashes of classic Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo, bring to mind the retro-futuristic production design of something like 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's not just another 1950s or 60s-esque camera, and I really like that.
At under 120g and just 118 x 62 x 35mm in size, the camera is genuinely pocket-sized and I found it very easy to bring along to social events and out on hikes. There's no lens cap to protect the glass front element, which makes the included protective pouch all the more valuable.
While the Snapic A1 is fairly bare-bones in terms of features and functions, it does have some interesting design touches. By flicking a switch underneath the lens, for instance, I could toggle between close-up (0.5 to 1.5m) and far-off (1.5m to infinity) focus. And, up on top, there's an OLED panel that provides at-a-glance info on remaining exposures, battery life and the current flash and focus settings. It's monochrome and tiny, but easy to read and perfectly equipped for its job.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
My main gripe with the design is the placement of the Mode / M.E. button, which sits right on the left edge of the top plate, curving around to the left side of the camera. Often, when I was gripping the camera and about to take a shot, my left forefinger would hit this button and change the shooting mode. Depending on how you hold the camera, this may never become an issue for you, but it forced me to adjust the way I took photos, which I found a little annoying.
Getting film in and out of the camera is easy thanks to a large, easy to open rear door that provides plenty of room to work. There's a tiny plastic window on the door so that you can instantly see whether or not any film is inside. And, in a nice user-friendly touch, film winds on automatically between shots and will fully rewind once a roll is complete.
Kodak Snapic A1: performance
Strong, characterful 35mm photos
Flash isn't particularly powerful
Solid battery life
Most cheap 35mm cameras use plastic lens elements, but the Kodak Snapic A1 has a three-element glass lens. It has a wide-angle 25mm focal length and a rather narrow fixed aperture of f/9.5, along with a fixed shutter speed of 1/100s.
There's the two-stage manual focus I mentioned above, as well as a flash (which can be set to automatic, on or off, and has a red-eye reduction mode), but other than that there's no way to control your exposures. This is very much a point-and-shoot camera, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing – simplicity is welcome – it does mean you need to know its limits if you want to get the best out of it.
Future | Sam Kieldsen
I shot using Kodak ColorPlus 200 speed film, with which the camera performs well outdoors in the daytime. I managed to capture some striking snaps that I'm very happy with, and I love the grainy look of those images. Indoors, however, I found that the flash doesn't have the reach or power to illuminate subjects more than a few feet away. It may fare better with 800 or 1600 speed film, of course, but in my experience my most successful indoor shots were all close-up portraits, where the flash could do its job properly.
Are the Snapic A1's photos "high quality" by today's standards? Not really – if you pull out a 10-year-old smartphone it'll take sharper, cleaner images than these; there's noticeable vignetting around the edges, particularly in the corners, and some chromatic aberration too.
Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
But I don't think quality is ever really the point with a cheap 35mm camera – the look and feel of analog photos can't easily be replicated by digital filters and algorithmic tweaking, and you buy an old-fashioned camera like this for, ironically, the novelty of shooting on film. Yes, its photos aren't noise-free or razor-sharp edge-to-edge, but they have real texture and character.
If you do want to get a little more creative, the Snapic A1 can capture double exposures – just hold down the Mode button to select it, and the OLED panel will make it clear whether you're shooting the first or second exposure.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Battery life feels pretty solid to me. After shooting a 36-exposure roll of film on the camera, the battery indicator still showed as full, and according to Kodak users should be able to shoot around 10 rolls of 24-exposure film on a single pair of AAA alkaline batteries. Your mileage, of course, may vary depending on which batteries you're using and how frugal you are with the flash.
Should you buy the Kodak Snapic A1?
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Buy it if…
You want a break from digital photography There's nothing like analog photography – and the Snapic A1 is one of the cheaper, simpler ways to shoot on 35mm film.
You want a compact, stylish novelty Small, lightweight and stylish, this camera makes for a great talking point at parties, and it's beautifully simple to use.
Don’t buy it if…
You're not prepared for ongoing costs Yes, the camera itself is cheap – but film and processing is very expensive these days, particularly in comparison to digital photography.
You want to learn about analog photography The stripped back controls mean this is about as point-and-shoot as it gets. If you want to learn more, buy an old SLR or rangefinder.
Also consider
If you like your photography truly hands-on, consider the Lomography Konstruktor F (best film cameras), a plastic 35mm camera that you have to build yourself. It’s cheap to buy, though a little challenging to construct.
The Olympus Trip 35 (in our best film cameras round-up) is an all-time classic 35mm compact with auto exposure, zone focusing and a selenium metering cell around the lens that requires no batteries. A good used one won’t cost the earth and will give you great results.
How I tested the Kodak Snapic A1
Used over a few weeks in different lighting conditions, indoors and outside
Tested with Kodak ColorPlus 200 film
Film sent to Analogue Wonderland for processing and development
Testing a film camera is a much slower process than reviewing a digital camera, because you can't look at the photos right away. In fact, I reviewed the Kodak Snapic A1 (a sample of which was sent to me by a PR rep) over a period of well over a month, taking it with me to various parties, hikes and events and snapping a photo or two until my 36-exposure roll of Kodak ColorPlus 200 film was spent.
I made sure to use the camera in all kinds of conditions – indoors and outdoors, day and night, bright and overcast – testing out the flash and focus controls.
I then sent the film to UK-based online film retailer and developer Analogue Wonderland for processing. They created digital scans for me to download – I opted not to pay extra for physical prints.
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 is an open-back headset with a bass-heavy sound designed to impart as much impact as possible when playing games.
For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has quite a muted appearance; even the RGB lighting is restrained. In fact, the most prominent feature is the sheer bulk of the drivers, which are hard to ignore and aren’t exactly flattering when cupped over your ears.
The entire headset is built to a high standard. The materials feel premium and sturdy, and the various buttons and controls operate with a reassuring solidity. All this means the Crusher PLYR 720 ranks among the best wireless gaming headset in terms of construction.
Wearing the Crusher PLYR 720 is largely a joy, despite that aforementioned bulk. Even when wearing glasses, I experienced little fatigue on my ears or head, even after long sessions.
This is partly due to the thick padding of the earcups, although their inner circumference is smaller than you might imagine from the outside, which may be a problem for those with larger lobes.
The headband is also supremely comfortable. It has a second layer that stretches across the top of your head, therefore eliminating the soreness that single-layer headbands can cause — even those with soft padding.
However, the fit isn’t all that secure. Whenever I leaned my head back, the entire headset almost fell off completely, only saved by the grip of the headband.
Both the desktop and mobile apps for the Crusher PLYR 720 are easy to use and full of useful tweaks, complete with handy graphs and visualizations to help you make them. In my time with them, they ran smoothly without any glitches or stability issues.
(Image credit: Future)
The overall sound quality of the Crusher PLYR 720 is excellent. When gaming, every detail is audible and impactful, even with the bass dialed back. However, it perhaps lacks the treble clarity of the best headphones around. This is somewhat forgivable when gaming, but less so when listening intently to music. I still found the Crusher PLYR 720 enjoyable for the latter purpose, though, and it’s a better gaming headset than many in this regard.
Given the name, it’s no surprise that Skullcandy’s Crusher feature is the sonic highlight. This allows you to crank the bass of the Crusher PLYR 720 to frankly absurd levels. How much you need to dial in depends greatly on the specific source, but at its best it adds an unparalleled amount of weight to low-end frequencies, from gunshots to kick drums.
The Crusher PLYR 720 also gets THX Spatial Audio support. The head-tracking feature works well enough, although it lacks precision and subtlety. The surround sound distance adjustments also fail to impart a sense of space all that accurately.
Along with these features, there’s also the obligatory EQ graph, with four presets and four custom slots for tuning your own. However, I didn’t find any tweaking useful, as the default flat mode was sufficient for every scenario.
The microphone offers plenty of clarity, too, rendering my voice without distortion. It’s a small shame the stalk can’t be manipulated to the same degree as gooseneck designs can be, but I found the positioning adequate nonetheless.
Connecting the Crusher PLYR 720 to various devices was quick and easy, whether it was via the 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth. Also, being able to connect to your smartphone and your gaming system simultaneously is a blessing, as this allows you to alter settings in the mobile app mid-play.
The battery life of the Crusher PLYR 720 is quite impressive. Skullcandy quotes a time of 48 hours, and I believe this figure. Over the course of several days, when used with a variety of platforms, all sonic features activated, and RGB lighting on, it still had juice left.
All of these quality features come at a price, though, as the Crusher PLYR 720 sits firmly at the premium end of the market. There are great wireless headsets for considerably less, such as the Razer BlackShark V3 and theBeyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless, but if you need untold amounts of bass in your life, the Crusher PLYR 720 scratches that itch like nothing else.
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 costs $269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99 and is available now. Two editions are available: Xbox and multi-platform. Both are the same price.
If you want to save some serious money, then the Razer BlackShark V3 might be for you. In our glowing review, we highlighted its comfortable, lightweight design that felt more premium than its mid-range price tag suggests, as well as its impressive noise isolation and versatile sonics. For these reasons, we think it ranks among the best PC gaming headsets around right now.
For those who prize audio quality first and foremost, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is a better option. We were impressed with its immersive sound stage, although we were less taken with its microphone. This headset is also a lot cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720.
(Image credit: Future)
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: specs
Price
$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99
Weight
0.78lbs / 354g
Compatibility
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)
(Image credit: Future)
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: design and features
Very comfortable
Excellent build quality
Plenty of audio-based features
For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has a reasonably muted style. The design is devoid of any gamer-aesthetic touches typical to many in this sector. The premium-looking and feeling matte black finish even lends an element of sophistication.
The RGB lighting is similarly subtle: there’s some illumination strained through small strips and a honeycomb mesh on the drivers, but the lion’s share is reserved for the inside of the earcups — which, of course, you won’t see when wearing the Crusher PLYR 720.
I should also highlight the build quality of the Crusher PLYR 720, as it’s excellent. Despite it being a relatively light unit, it feels sturdy and well-made. I particularly liked the 180-degree rotating drivers, which is convenient when you want to take a break and hang the headset around your neck.
What makes the headset stand out above all else, though, is the bulky drivers. They’re very wide, which makes the Crusher PLYR 720 less than ideal as a travel companion; not only because the drivers take up a lot of space, but also because they don’t look particularly fetching around your ears.
Despite this bulk, the actual inner circumference of the earcups is quite small. Personally, I didn’t find them too small for my ears, but it’s possible others might.
In fact, I found the Crusher PLYR 720 exceptionally comfortable all-round. There’s plenty of padding on the earcups, yet its fabric is more breathable than many. Also, as a glasses-wearer, I can confirm that the cups don’t present any issues when sat on top the arms of frames.
The headband is solid yet flexible, and feels reassuringly durable. You don’t get any padding here; instead, there’s a supplementary band, made from an elastic material to fit snugly on your head, running underneath the main one. I found this incredibly comfortable; I didn’t experience any aching or fatigue at all, even after long sessions, as I have with many other headsets.
The adjustments for the earcup height are also excellent. They have a sufficient range to accommodate various head sizes, and the operation of these adjustments is very smooth with no notching. Despite this, the cups remain at your chosen height setting with a surprising amount of stability, which impressed me.
However, the overall fit of the Crusher PLYR 720 isn’t particularly secure. The earcup padding provided little friction to the side of my head, so whenever I tilted my head back the entire headset moved with it; only the grip of the headband kept it from falling off completely. However, this wasn’t an issue during normal use, so it’s a trade-off I’m willing to accept for the supreme overall comfort of the headset.
(Image credit: Future)
The switches and other controls on the Crusher PLYR 720 operate with a satisfying solidity and smoothness. There are three main buttons, all of which are easy to reach, thanks to their convenient positioning and generous size. One is named Custom, which is misleading, since as far as I can work out, can only be used to toggle THX Spatial Audio Head Tracking on or off.
The joystick for adjusting volume and other parameters is easy to use for the most part, although there isn’t much feedback when you move it. At least it’s hard to trigger accidentally, by, say, leaning against the back of your chair — something I’ve experienced numerous times with conventional volume wheels.
It’s a slight shame, though, that the jumps between the volume increments are quite large, meaning it's hard to dial in a very precise volume with the joystick; for such purposes, you’d be better served by the volume settings of your connected device or inside Skullcandy’s software.
Thankfully, the Crusher wheel doesn’t suffer from accidental triggering or overlarge increments. It’s tactile and smooth to operate, while the small point that sticks out makes it easy to know where exactly you are in the setting.
There are three ports on the Crusher PLYR 720: a USB-C port for charging and playback, a 3.5mm audio jack, and the microphone input. All are located on the left-hand driver. The various cables fit securely in these ports, and what’s more, they’re nicely recessed for protection from accidental disconnections.
The microphone appears to be as well made as the rest of the headset. The soft rubber feels more upmarket than many others, but while it can bend around, it’s not a true gooseneck, so gamers who are particular about their mic placement might be a little disappointed by its lack of maneuverability.
(Image credit: Future)
Skull-HQ, the desktop app for the Crusher PLYR 720, is feature-packed and quite easy to use. It has a faux-retro interface that employs the terminal font, tapping into that mid-nineties hacker vibe. It ran smoothly during my time with it; I didn’t experience any slowdown or bugs.
The layout is clear, although I was a little disappointed by the lack of explanations for certain features. Some are only denoted by symbols, which aren’t always self-explanatory. A tutorial for the joystick controls would’ve been appreciated, too, rather than having to always refer to the manual.
There are plenty of tweaks that can be made to the Crusher PLYR 720 in the app. These range from rudimentary RGB customizations and basic adjustments volume, game mix, and the sidetone function.
Beyond these, there’s an parametric EQ with FPS, RPG, Music, and Default (flat) presets to choose from. There are also four custom slots, allowing you to save your own sculpted sound. This is achieved by dragging eight points on a graph, with a range of 32Hz to 16KHz, to cut or boost frequencies by 12BD.
Various adjustments for THX Spatial Audio are available, too, including the ability to set speaker distance. Strangely, however, there isn’t a toggle for the Head Tracking function, as there is in the Skullcandy mobile app (which has a better, cleaner interface than Skull-HQ, by the by).
Then there’s a section for the Crusher bass enhancement. Here, you can alter the cut-off points for the low and high frequencies on another EQ graph. This is rather overkill for such a setting, but nonetheless I always welcome a visual representation for sonic settings. It’s also accompanied by a humorous ditherpunk face depicting various expressions depending on the strength of the Crusher setting.
Skull-HQ even features a hearing test, designed to calibrate the Crusher PLYR 720 based on your individual hearing. What’s more, a knock-off version of Space Invaders is buried in the app, too.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: performance
Skull-shaking bass feature
Great overall for gaming and music
Clear mic
The general sound of the Crusher PLYR 720 is punchy and clear, with all frequencies represented well. Overall fidelity isn’t quite up there with the best wireless headphones, though, which is most apparent when listening to music. This is due to the slight lack of crispness and clarity at the high end.
It’s the bass response that the Crusher PLYR 720 is sold on, though — thanks to its Crusher feature. Whether this is something you like comes down to personal preference, but I have to say that when the mood struck, I loved cranking the wheel to maximum and letting the drivers shake (and they really do shake) to my favorite bass-heavy tracks or to gunfire, something I certainly noticed when playing Counter-Strike 2.
However, you’ll find yourself riding the Crusher level frequently, as the prominence of the bass enhancement can vary widely between sources; even those you thought had a relatively tame low-end suddenly become a booming mess, causing the drivers to audibly rattle — even before you’ve enabled the extra Crusher Bass Boost on top. In fact, I wouldn’t want maximum “Crushing” for an entire session, even for sources that can handle it without distorting.
The THX Spatial Audio is reasonably effective. With Head Tracking enabled, changes to the audio space react quickly to head movements, without being too disconcerting or disorientating.
However, you’ll have to move your head by large degrees to notice the effect. Also, it’s a shame that the sensitivity of the effect can’t be adjusted, as it lacks the precision and subtlety of some of the best THX headsets and headphones. Adjusting the virtual distance of the surround sound speakers noticeably changes the soundscape, but at the cost of reducing fidelity. What’s more, I found it largely ineffective at imparting a realistic sense of space.
The microphone for the Crusher PLYR 720 is clear and largely free of distortion. The Sidetone mode allows an appropriate level of ambient noise to spill through, so you can hear your own voice more clearly.
(Image credit: Future)
During my time with the Crusher PLYR 720, it proved easy to connect to the various devices I tested it with. The 2.4GHz USB dongle allows for instant plug-and-play, and merely requires the flip of a switch on the dongle itself to change compatibility modes from PC to Xbox.
In terms of connectivity to Microsoft’s console, then, the Crusher PLYR 720 up there with the best Xbox Series X headsets. It also connected to my Nintendo Switch just as easily, via the dongle and Bluetooth.
Oddly, even though I had the Xbox version of the Crusher PLYR 720, it still worked with my PlayStation 5 via the dongle. There’s conflicting information as to whether this is intended or not: the printed manual states that the Xbox variant only works with the PS5 when connected via the 3.5mm audio cable, while the product page on Skullcandy’s website states that wireless play is possible with Sony’s console. If the latter is correct, it then begs the question as to why there are two versions of the Crusher PLYR 720.
It connected seamlessly to my Android smartphone via Bluetooth, with no discernable drop in audio quality. Better yet, you can connect to your phone and console or PC at the same time; during my testing, I was impressed by the ease with which it established and maintained these simultaneous connections. The benefit of this is that you can adjust settings in the mobile app on the fly, taking effect while playing your game.
Even with this multiplatform use, the battery of the Crusher PLYR 720 endured admirably well. Skullcandy claims it can last 48 hours, but with all the bells and whistles enabled, you can see lifespan deplete at a considerable rate in the software readouts. Still, it managed to last several long sessions over a few days, which, in addition to connecting to various devices, also involved activating all its various sound features and keeping the RGB lighting on.
Should I buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless?
Buy it if…
You’re a bass head Cranked all the way up, the Crusher function is truly monstrous, adding real impact to music and sound effects.
You want all-day comfort I’m not sure I’ve tried a more comfortable headset than this. After very long periods, there were no aches on my head or ears.
Don’t buy it if…
You want isolation This is an open-back headset, so you won’t be getting much isolation from the outside world.
You’ll be listening to lots of music Although the fidelity is more than adequate when gaming, audiophiles might be disappointed with the lack of top-end clarity when listening to their favorite tunes.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: also consider
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720
Razer BlackShark V3
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless
Price
$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350
£159 (around $210)
Weight
0.78lbs / 354g
0.6lbs / 270g
0.7lbs / 336g
Compatibility
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck
THX Spatial Audio,detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm mic
Five-band EQ, 10 sound presets, Sidetone mode, custom button settings, plug-in mic with noise reduction
Battery life
48 hours
70 hours
50 hours
Software
Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)
Arctis Companion App
Beyerdynamic app
Razer BlackShark V3 The Razer BlackShark V3 is an excellent all-round headset, and it costs much less than the Crusher PLYR 720. We were impressed by its comfort, battery life, and superb audio quality. All this helps to make it one of the best gaming headsets currently available.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless has a strong focus on sonics — unsurprising from a brand famed for catering to music professionals. Again, it’s much cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720, although it lacks the features and build quality.
Used for various scenarios and with multiple platforms
Experience reviewing gaming headsets
I tested the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 for several days. Not only did I use it for gaming, but I also listened to music and watched videos with it on.
I tested it with a Windows PC, an Xbox Series S, a PlayStation 5, and a Nintendo Switch, connecting to each of these devices with the USB dongle. I also tested Bluetooth connectivity with the latter console, as well as with my Android phone. I used both the desktop Skull-HQ app and the Skullcandy mobile app to try out all the various features.
I’ve been gaming for decades, using a variety of headsets, headphones, and speakers for the activity. I’ve also reviewed a number of headsets professionally, all the way from budget wired offerings to premium multiplatform wireless options.
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 is an open-back headset with a bass-heavy sound designed to impart as much impact as possible when playing games.
For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has quite a muted appearance; even the RGB lighting is restrained. In fact, the most prominent feature is the sheer bulk of the drivers, which are hard to ignore and aren’t exactly flattering when cupped over your ears.
The entire headset is built to a high standard. The materials feel premium and sturdy, and the various buttons and controls operate with a reassuring solidity. All this means the Crusher PLYR 720 ranks among the best wireless gaming headset in terms of construction.
Wearing the Crusher PLYR 720 is largely a joy, despite that aforementioned bulk. Even when wearing glasses, I experienced little fatigue on my ears or head, even after long sessions.
This is partly due to the thick padding of the earcups, although their inner circumference is smaller than you might imagine from the outside, which may be a problem for those with larger lobes.
The headband is also supremely comfortable. It has a second layer that stretches across the top of your head, therefore eliminating the soreness that single-layer headbands can cause — even those with soft padding.
However, the fit isn’t all that secure. Whenever I leaned my head back, the entire headset almost fell off completely, only saved by the grip of the headband.
Both the desktop and mobile apps for the Crusher PLYR 720 are easy to use and full of useful tweaks, complete with handy graphs and visualizations to help you make them. In my time with them, they ran smoothly without any glitches or stability issues.
(Image credit: Future)
The overall sound quality of the Crusher PLYR 720 is excellent. When gaming, every detail is audible and impactful, even with the bass dialed back. However, it perhaps lacks the treble clarity of the best headphones around. This is somewhat forgivable when gaming, but less so when listening intently to music. I still found the Crusher PLYR 720 enjoyable for the latter purpose, though, and it’s a better gaming headset than many in this regard.
Given the name, it’s no surprise that Skullcandy’s Crusher feature is the sonic highlight. This allows you to crank the bass of the Crusher PLYR 720 to frankly absurd levels. How much you need to dial in depends greatly on the specific source, but at its best it adds an unparalleled amount of weight to low-end frequencies, from gunshots to kick drums.
The Crusher PLYR 720 also gets THX Spatial Audio support. The head-tracking feature works well enough, although it lacks precision and subtlety. The surround sound distance adjustments also fail to impart a sense of space all that accurately.
Along with these features, there’s also the obligatory EQ graph, with four presets and four custom slots for tuning your own. However, I didn’t find any tweaking useful, as the default flat mode was sufficient for every scenario.
The microphone offers plenty of clarity, too, rendering my voice without distortion. It’s a small shame the stalk can’t be manipulated to the same degree as gooseneck designs can be, but I found the positioning adequate nonetheless.
Connecting the Crusher PLYR 720 to various devices was quick and easy, whether it was via the 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth. Also, being able to connect to your smartphone and your gaming system simultaneously is a blessing, as this allows you to alter settings in the mobile app mid-play.
The battery life of the Crusher PLYR 720 is quite impressive. Skullcandy quotes a time of 48 hours, and I believe this figure. Over the course of several days, when used with a variety of platforms, all sonic features activated, and RGB lighting on, it still had juice left.
All of these quality features come at a price, though, as the Crusher PLYR 720 sits firmly at the premium end of the market. There are great wireless headsets for considerably less, such as the Razer BlackShark V3 and theBeyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless, but if you need untold amounts of bass in your life, the Crusher PLYR 720 scratches that itch like nothing else.
The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 costs $269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99 and is available now. Two editions are available: Xbox and multi-platform. Both are the same price.
If you want to save some serious money, then the Razer BlackShark V3 might be for you. In our glowing review, we highlighted its comfortable, lightweight design that felt more premium than its mid-range price tag suggests, as well as its impressive noise isolation and versatile sonics. For these reasons, we think it ranks among the best PC gaming headsets around right now.
For those who prize audio quality first and foremost, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is a better option. We were impressed with its immersive sound stage, although we were less taken with its microphone. This headset is also a lot cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720.
(Image credit: Future)
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: specs
Price
$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99
Weight
0.78lbs / 354g
Compatibility
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)
(Image credit: Future)
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: design and features
Very comfortable
Excellent build quality
Plenty of audio-based features
For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has a reasonably muted style. The design is devoid of any gamer-aesthetic touches typical to many in this sector. The premium-looking and feeling matte black finish even lends an element of sophistication.
The RGB lighting is similarly subtle: there’s some illumination strained through small strips and a honeycomb mesh on the drivers, but the lion’s share is reserved for the inside of the earcups — which, of course, you won’t see when wearing the Crusher PLYR 720.
I should also highlight the build quality of the Crusher PLYR 720, as it’s excellent. Despite it being a relatively light unit, it feels sturdy and well-made. I particularly liked the 180-degree rotating drivers, which is convenient when you want to take a break and hang the headset around your neck.
What makes the headset stand out above all else, though, is the bulky drivers. They’re very wide, which makes the Crusher PLYR 720 less than ideal as a travel companion; not only because the drivers take up a lot of space, but also because they don’t look particularly fetching around your ears.
Despite this bulk, the actual inner circumference of the earcups is quite small. Personally, I didn’t find them too small for my ears, but it’s possible others might.
In fact, I found the Crusher PLYR 720 exceptionally comfortable all-round. There’s plenty of padding on the earcups, yet its fabric is more breathable than many. Also, as a glasses-wearer, I can confirm that the cups don’t present any issues when sat on top the arms of frames.
The headband is solid yet flexible, and feels reassuringly durable. You don’t get any padding here; instead, there’s a supplementary band, made from an elastic material to fit snugly on your head, running underneath the main one. I found this incredibly comfortable; I didn’t experience any aching or fatigue at all, even after long sessions, as I have with many other headsets.
The adjustments for the earcup height are also excellent. They have a sufficient range to accommodate various head sizes, and the operation of these adjustments is very smooth with no notching. Despite this, the cups remain at your chosen height setting with a surprising amount of stability, which impressed me.
However, the overall fit of the Crusher PLYR 720 isn’t particularly secure. The earcup padding provided little friction to the side of my head, so whenever I tilted my head back the entire headset moved with it; only the grip of the headband kept it from falling off completely. However, this wasn’t an issue during normal use, so it’s a trade-off I’m willing to accept for the supreme overall comfort of the headset.
(Image credit: Future)
The switches and other controls on the Crusher PLYR 720 operate with a satisfying solidity and smoothness. There are three main buttons, all of which are easy to reach, thanks to their convenient positioning and generous size. One is named Custom, which is misleading, since as far as I can work out, can only be used to toggle THX Spatial Audio Head Tracking on or off.
The joystick for adjusting volume and other parameters is easy to use for the most part, although there isn’t much feedback when you move it. At least it’s hard to trigger accidentally, by, say, leaning against the back of your chair — something I’ve experienced numerous times with conventional volume wheels.
It’s a slight shame, though, that the jumps between the volume increments are quite large, meaning it's hard to dial in a very precise volume with the joystick; for such purposes, you’d be better served by the volume settings of your connected device or inside Skullcandy’s software.
Thankfully, the Crusher wheel doesn’t suffer from accidental triggering or overlarge increments. It’s tactile and smooth to operate, while the small point that sticks out makes it easy to know where exactly you are in the setting.
There are three ports on the Crusher PLYR 720: a USB-C port for charging and playback, a 3.5mm audio jack, and the microphone input. All are located on the left-hand driver. The various cables fit securely in these ports, and what’s more, they’re nicely recessed for protection from accidental disconnections.
The microphone appears to be as well made as the rest of the headset. The soft rubber feels more upmarket than many others, but while it can bend around, it’s not a true gooseneck, so gamers who are particular about their mic placement might be a little disappointed by its lack of maneuverability.
(Image credit: Future)
Skull-HQ, the desktop app for the Crusher PLYR 720, is feature-packed and quite easy to use. It has a faux-retro interface that employs the terminal font, tapping into that mid-nineties hacker vibe. It ran smoothly during my time with it; I didn’t experience any slowdown or bugs.
The layout is clear, although I was a little disappointed by the lack of explanations for certain features. Some are only denoted by symbols, which aren’t always self-explanatory. A tutorial for the joystick controls would’ve been appreciated, too, rather than having to always refer to the manual.
There are plenty of tweaks that can be made to the Crusher PLYR 720 in the app. These range from rudimentary RGB customizations and basic adjustments volume, game mix, and the sidetone function.
Beyond these, there’s an parametric EQ with FPS, RPG, Music, and Default (flat) presets to choose from. There are also four custom slots, allowing you to save your own sculpted sound. This is achieved by dragging eight points on a graph, with a range of 32Hz to 16KHz, to cut or boost frequencies by 12BD.
Various adjustments for THX Spatial Audio are available, too, including the ability to set speaker distance. Strangely, however, there isn’t a toggle for the Head Tracking function, as there is in the Skullcandy mobile app (which has a better, cleaner interface than Skull-HQ, by the by).
Then there’s a section for the Crusher bass enhancement. Here, you can alter the cut-off points for the low and high frequencies on another EQ graph. This is rather overkill for such a setting, but nonetheless I always welcome a visual representation for sonic settings. It’s also accompanied by a humorous ditherpunk face depicting various expressions depending on the strength of the Crusher setting.
Skull-HQ even features a hearing test, designed to calibrate the Crusher PLYR 720 based on your individual hearing. What’s more, a knock-off version of Space Invaders is buried in the app, too.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: performance
Skull-shaking bass feature
Great overall for gaming and music
Clear mic
The general sound of the Crusher PLYR 720 is punchy and clear, with all frequencies represented well. Overall fidelity isn’t quite up there with the best wireless headphones, though, which is most apparent when listening to music. This is due to the slight lack of crispness and clarity at the high end.
It’s the bass response that the Crusher PLYR 720 is sold on, though — thanks to its Crusher feature. Whether this is something you like comes down to personal preference, but I have to say that when the mood struck, I loved cranking the wheel to maximum and letting the drivers shake (and they really do shake) to my favorite bass-heavy tracks or to gunfire, something I certainly noticed when playing Counter-Strike 2.
However, you’ll find yourself riding the Crusher level frequently, as the prominence of the bass enhancement can vary widely between sources; even those you thought had a relatively tame low-end suddenly become a booming mess, causing the drivers to audibly rattle — even before you’ve enabled the extra Crusher Bass Boost on top. In fact, I wouldn’t want maximum “Crushing” for an entire session, even for sources that can handle it without distorting.
The THX Spatial Audio is reasonably effective. With Head Tracking enabled, changes to the audio space react quickly to head movements, without being too disconcerting or disorientating.
However, you’ll have to move your head by large degrees to notice the effect. Also, it’s a shame that the sensitivity of the effect can’t be adjusted, as it lacks the precision and subtlety of some of the best THX headsets and headphones. Adjusting the virtual distance of the surround sound speakers noticeably changes the soundscape, but at the cost of reducing fidelity. What’s more, I found it largely ineffective at imparting a realistic sense of space.
The microphone for the Crusher PLYR 720 is clear and largely free of distortion. The Sidetone mode allows an appropriate level of ambient noise to spill through, so you can hear your own voice more clearly.
(Image credit: Future)
During my time with the Crusher PLYR 720, it proved easy to connect to the various devices I tested it with. The 2.4GHz USB dongle allows for instant plug-and-play, and merely requires the flip of a switch on the dongle itself to change compatibility modes from PC to Xbox.
In terms of connectivity to Microsoft’s console, then, the Crusher PLYR 720 up there with the best Xbox Series X headsets. It also connected to my Nintendo Switch just as easily, via the dongle and Bluetooth.
Oddly, even though I had the Xbox version of the Crusher PLYR 720, it still worked with my PlayStation 5 via the dongle. There’s conflicting information as to whether this is intended or not: the printed manual states that the Xbox variant only works with the PS5 when connected via the 3.5mm audio cable, while the product page on Skullcandy’s website states that wireless play is possible with Sony’s console. If the latter is correct, it then begs the question as to why there are two versions of the Crusher PLYR 720.
It connected seamlessly to my Android smartphone via Bluetooth, with no discernable drop in audio quality. Better yet, you can connect to your phone and console or PC at the same time; during my testing, I was impressed by the ease with which it established and maintained these simultaneous connections. The benefit of this is that you can adjust settings in the mobile app on the fly, taking effect while playing your game.
Even with this multiplatform use, the battery of the Crusher PLYR 720 endured admirably well. Skullcandy claims it can last 48 hours, but with all the bells and whistles enabled, you can see lifespan deplete at a considerable rate in the software readouts. Still, it managed to last several long sessions over a few days, which, in addition to connecting to various devices, also involved activating all its various sound features and keeping the RGB lighting on.
Should I buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless?
Buy it if…
You’re a bass head Cranked all the way up, the Crusher function is truly monstrous, adding real impact to music and sound effects.
You want all-day comfort I’m not sure I’ve tried a more comfortable headset than this. After very long periods, there were no aches on my head or ears.
Don’t buy it if…
You want isolation This is an open-back headset, so you won’t be getting much isolation from the outside world.
You’ll be listening to lots of music Although the fidelity is more than adequate when gaming, audiophiles might be disappointed with the lack of top-end clarity when listening to their favorite tunes.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: also consider
Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720
Razer BlackShark V3
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless
Price
$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350
£159 (around $210)
Weight
0.78lbs / 354g
0.6lbs / 270g
0.7lbs / 336g
Compatibility
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck
THX Spatial Audio,detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm mic
Five-band EQ, 10 sound presets, Sidetone mode, custom button settings, plug-in mic with noise reduction
Battery life
48 hours
70 hours
50 hours
Software
Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)
Arctis Companion App
Beyerdynamic app
Razer BlackShark V3 The Razer BlackShark V3 is an excellent all-round headset, and it costs much less than the Crusher PLYR 720. We were impressed by its comfort, battery life, and superb audio quality. All this helps to make it one of the best gaming headsets currently available.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless has a strong focus on sonics — unsurprising from a brand famed for catering to music professionals. Again, it’s much cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720, although it lacks the features and build quality.
Used for various scenarios and with multiple platforms
Experience reviewing gaming headsets
I tested the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 for several days. Not only did I use it for gaming, but I also listened to music and watched videos with it on.
I tested it with a Windows PC, an Xbox Series S, a PlayStation 5, and a Nintendo Switch, connecting to each of these devices with the USB dongle. I also tested Bluetooth connectivity with the latter console, as well as with my Android phone. I used both the desktop Skull-HQ app and the Skullcandy mobile app to try out all the various features.
I’ve been gaming for decades, using a variety of headsets, headphones, and speakers for the activity. I’ve also reviewed a number of headsets professionally, all the way from budget wired offerings to premium multiplatform wireless options.
Agorapulse is a software package that lets you take better control of your social media management tasks. It can be used by medium-sized businesses and upwards, along with agencies that focus solely on social media activity.
It’s engineered to work seamlessly with popular social media tools, including the likes of X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. As of 2026, TikTok, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, Reddit, and Google Business profiles are also supported.
The great thing with Agorapulse is that it can amalgamate numerous social media management tasks and bring them all under one roof. That means it can be used to create and post content, make better contact with end users, and also keep tabs on how well content posts are performing.
Especially with the new AI features that have been rolled out across all plans, it's a compelling yet reasonably-priced option for managing your social media marketing workflow.
Agorapulse offers a 30-day free trial (no credit card required) so you can explore its full feature set before committing to anything. There's also a permanent free plan for individuals, though it's limited to three social profiles and a modest post-scheduling cap, making it more of a tasting menu than a long-term option.
If you're ready to go beyond the basics, Agorapulse's paid tiers are now structured around four plans: Standard, Professional, Advanced, and Custom. Pricing is per user per month though, which is worth keeping in mind if you have a larger team.
The Standard plan starts at $79/user/month (billed annually) with unlimited post scheduling, a unified inbox, basic reporting, and the full suite of AI writing tools. It's a solid entry point for solo social media managers or small teams getting started.
Professional ($119/user/month annually) adds approval workflows, ad comment moderation, Instagram product tagging, and a link-in-bio tool. It's the sweet spot for growing teams that need tighter collaboration controls. Stepping up to Advanced ($149/user/month annually) brings bulk scheduling, shared content calendars, advanced ROI and ads reporting, and competitor benchmarking.
At the top end, the Custom plan is designed for large teams and enterprises. It includes unlimited social profiles, AI-powered reply suggestions, SSO, custom roles, multi-step approval workflows, and priority support with a dedicated Customer Success Manager. That said, you'll need to contact the Agorapulse sales team for a tailored quote if you want to be on the Custom plan.
(Image credit: Agorapulse)
AI features
Agorapulse has made AI a core part of the platform rather than an afterthought, with most new features available across all paid plans. Its primary AI Writing Assistant helps you generate captions and post copy directly inside the publishing composer. Then the Organization Context AI lets you set your brand's tone and direction so every piece of AI-generated content stays on-brand.
The platform also introduced AI-generated alt text in 2025, covering Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Threads. It works in 38 languages, which is a nice touch for internationally active teams. Separately, AI summaries are built into the reporting section, giving you a plain-language digest of your key performance data.
On the engagement side, Best Time to Publish uses AI to surface smart scheduling recommendations based on when your audience is most active. The Custom plan goes a step further with AI reply suggestions, which draw on your past conversations to propose contextually relevant responses in the inbox.
Most recently in January 2026, Agorapulse launched a ChatGPT and Claude integration via a self-hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This lets you create and manage social content, track engagement, and organise your calendar directly from within ChatGPT or Claude. It's one of the more forward-thinking integrations in the social media management space right now and available to all plan users.
Basic features
The same goes for engagement tools, with the ability to manage Google My Business reviews, provision for an advanced social inbox, social CRM tools, comment monitoring and an automated inbox assistant all forming part of the potent feature set. Agorapulse also bristles with plenty of reporting tools, particularly on the higher-end packages with lots of functionality that assist you with working out your return on investment (ROI).
One of the surefire appealing aspects of Agorapulse is that it can be used on several different levels, depending on need. The software can also be boosted, with all paid plans being fully scalable with user count based pricing.
Core features
Meanwhile, the core feature set within Agorapulse centers around publishing, engagement and reporting. As you’d expect, the Free edition is thinner around the edges, with only 10 scheduled posts allowed at any time. This is compared to the unlimited capacity of the Standard or Professional editions. There’s plenty of publishing power too, with the likes of content labelling, and a unified calendar adding more muscle to the package.
If you commit to the Advanced edition, you’ll see the features and functionality explode with an unlimited asset library and bulk scheduling, along with the ability to assign and approve posts. Calendar sharing is more substantial here too.
(Image credit: Agorapulse)
Premium features
It’s really worth considering some of the premium add-ons that you can get in order to increase the potential of Agorapulse. You can choose from the likes of Power Reports, shared calendars, and Competitive Benchmarking, all of which add extra weight to the software. If you’ve gone for the Custom edition, this can be tailored even more to suit individual needs.
(Image credit: Agorapulse)
Interface and in use
Mounting successful social media campaigns can mean juggling lots of plates at the same time in order to get the job done effectively. Luckily, Agorapulse has developed an interface that is perfectly suite to time-poor executives, who need to dip in and out again, sometimes on the go. Indeed, the app side of things offers another helping hand with this, allowing you to co-ordinate campaigns no matter if you’re working in the office, remotely or on the move.
Support
For many business making their first foray into the world of social media management it’s the levels of support that often make the difference in signing up, or not. Agorapulse offers plenty of help on that front. There’s a dedicated support portal, which shares a similar setup to many others in this field, complete with searchable help topics and tutorials.
Lookout too for a raft of additional customer support options including email, live chat, and video depending on your plan. The options become more extensive as you move to the more expensive packages, but help is never far away no matter which of the editions you adopt. The enterprise-focused Custom edition really tops it off though, with one-to-one training as well as a dedicated account manager.
(Image credit: Agorapulse)
Competition
The social media management marketplace is a hotbed of activity, with plenty of options aimed at helping businesses get more from their campaigns. As an alternative to Agorapulse, you can take your pick from hugely popular options that include SocialPilot, Buffer, eClincher, Sendible, Statusbrew, Loomly and Hootsuite, all of which are very decent competitors worthy of consideration.
Verdict
Agorapulse will meet the social media management needs of any type of business, but it’s best suited to larger concerns and agencies, which can fully exploit its potential.
The reporting capabilities in particular make Agorapulse a potent provider of data. If you’re running concerted social media campaigns, this software will be able to give you lots of information to justify your return on investment.
When combined with the bevy of new AI features that are accessible to free and paid users alike, its offer is hard to beat. Still, the per user pricing is something to be wary of if you have a large team but your social channels aren't mature enough to justify the added costs.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: one-minute review
Fancy a Rematch? That’s right, Turtle Beach is back with the Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, which comes equipped with an all-new design, trusty C button, and a few other technical touch-ups.
There’s a lot to love about the Rematch, whether that be its drift-resistant TMR (tunnel magnoresistance) thumbsticks, its eye-catching semi-translucent design – which even features Super Mario himself, or its customizable GL and GR buttons. It’s also a pretty comfortable controller to use, with responsive triggers and face buttons, and incredibly seamless pairing.
I was also delighted with the controller’s generous 40-hour battery life, which competes with top controllers in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. Despite that, though, the Rematch certainly isn’t without its flaws.
One of the most glaring drawbacks is the controller’s omission of rumble technology. This can be crucial for certain in-game segments, and is generally a vital instrument to immerse players more deeply in their gaming experiences. I was also sad to see NFC tech left out, which lets you scan Amiibo in titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyondor Kirby Air Riders.
When you combine those things with the Rematch’s lack of a 3.5mm port and its inability to wake your Nintendo Switch 2 console from sleep, I think it’s fair to say it's missing a few crucial features. And yes, although this model costs a fair bit less than the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's not exactly cheap. At more than $60 / £50 / AU$90, I’d hope for more expansive functionality.
All of that’s not to say that I disliked the Rematch – far from it. It’s a solid model overall that feels comfortable and effective in use, and the TMR tech is something that Nintendo’s official Switch 2 pro controller doesn’t have. And even with some missing features, it does support motion controls, which worked well in my experience.
Ultimately, I’d probably recommend waiting for a sale for this model. It’s a trustworthy, appealing controller that gets a lot of the fundamentals right, and it will almost certainly serve you well. At full price, though, I just feel that it’s a bit too thin on features.
(Image credit: Future)
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release date
List price of $64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
Which is $20 / £20 / AU$20 less than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller
Launched in October 2025
The Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 was released in October 2025, a few months after Nintendo’s latest system came to market. This Nintendo-licensed controller will typically set you back $64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99 – that’s about $20 / £20 / AU$20 less than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller. You can purchase it with the Mario design – pictured throughout this review – or in a more basic Charcoal Black colorway.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specs
Price
$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
Weight
0.8lbs / 0.4kg
Dimensions
6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Connection type
Wireless
Battery life
40 hours
(Image credit: Future)
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and features
Beautiful semi-translucent design
Remappable GL/GR buttons plus C button
No NFC support, no 3.5mm port
Looks-wise, I’m a big fan of the Rematch controller for Switch 2. It has a semi-translucent design and is adorned with the Super Mario logo, as well as the Italian plumber himself. It's beautiful, fun, and a bit more charismatic than the swathe of plain black controllers that dominate the market. Red details really cement the fact that this is a Mario-themed, Nintendo-licensed model too, which is a nice touch.
As nice as it looks, though, I would argue that the controller feels a touch cheaper than its price tag may suggest. It's got quite a plasticky build, and some components, like the D-pad for instance, just lack that premium finish you’ll get from Nintendo’s official Pro Controller.
That’s fairly understandable, given that the Pro Controller is $20 / £20 / AU$20 more expensive, but that cheaper build isn’t the only sacrifice you’ll make if you do indeed opt for the Rematch instead.
For instance, this model doesn’t have NFC technology built in, which means that you can’t make use of Amiibos in games like Donkey Kong Bananzaor Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I understand that this won’t upset most players as much as me, but as an avid amiibo collector, this felt like a significant miss. Pair that with the lack of a 3.5mm port for a wired headset, and the omission of rumble (which I’ll discuss more down below), and you’re not getting the most feature-rich model on the market.
However, the Rematch controller does still have some commendable aspects, like its GL and GR buttons – these can be mapped to different controls for different games, and can come in handy for item management in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance.
The C button in the center of the controller is also a big help if you want quick access to GameChat capabilities, something that you won’t find on a lot of third-party models.
(Image credit: Future)
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performance
TMR thumbsticks feel pretty good
A whole lotta battery life
Lack of rumble and can’t wake the console
The Rematch is an ergonomic, well-sized model with a pleasing weight to it, and it’s a very solid controller performance-wise.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of picking this controller over Nintendo’s official rival is that you’re getting TMR thumbsticks. This ensures strong responsiveness and precision, while also making stick drift less likely. More generally, the textured thumbsticks feel pretty good, and I experienced no issues with them across hours and hours of play.
In fact, most of the buttons feel pretty pleasing to use, whether that be the main face buttons, plus and minus controls, or the triggers. I especially appreciated the form of the ZL and ZR buttons, which slope upwards and are satisfying to press. The aforementioned GL/GR buttons are a welcome addition to boot.
My only real complaint when it comes to the buttons is some of the placements. For some reason, the home and plus buttons, as well as the minus and screenshot buttons, have been swapped around. To begin with, I found myself continually pressing the home button instead of the plus one, just out of sheer muscle memory. When playing with friends, I found that they would do the same, so this change felt more bothersome than anything.
Back to the good stuff, though, and I’m pleased to report that this controller delivers plenty of playtime. Turtle Beach says you get 40 hours from the Rematch, and from my time playing, I’d report that as accurate. That’s the same amount of time you’d expect to get out of the official Switch 2 controller, and competitive against other third-party controller manufacturers.
This model also supports motion controls, which I found to be surprisingly accurate. During my playthrough of Super Mario Galaxy, it was nice ‘n’ easy to grab star bits and navigate through menus – I still find the Joy-Con 2 controllers to be superior for motion-controlled games, however.
Having said that, Turtle Beach did leave a few functions out that could’ve put this controller's performance on par with the best of the best. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which is crucial for certain in-game mechanics and delivering a more immersive experience overall. You also cannot wake the console with the home button – something I love about my go-to controller, the Mobapad N1 HD.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2?
Buy it if...
You’re looking for more advanced thumbstick tech The Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 packs in TMR thumbsticks – one of its best assets for sure. This means that your controller will be less prone to drift than a controller using more traditional tech, like the official Switch 2 Pro Controller.
You want standout looks I really like the semi-translucent design of this controller, and having Super Mario himself at the front and center feels like a nice touch. As I stated earlier, the market is filled with one-note, plain black models, so it’s nice to find something with a bit of pizzazz.
Don't buy it if...
You want the most feature-rich controller Despite its nifty thumbsticks and swell design, the Rematch omits some fairly major features. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which can be crucial for immersing players in their gaming experiences. There’s also no NFC tech for amiibo, and you can’t wake the console from sleep mode, which is a shame.
You’re looking for something with a premium feel As much as I like this controller’s look, I wouldn’t say it's the most sturdily or luxuriously built model. The Rematch has quite a plasticky feel, and for the price you pay, you may expect something a little more premium.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: also consider
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
8BitDo Ultimate 2
Price
$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95
$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90
Weight
0.8lbs / 360g
0.5lbs / 235g
0.5lbs / 246g
Dimensions
6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm
5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
Connection type
Wireless
Wireless
Wireless
Battery life
40 hours
40 hours
15 hours
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Although it doesn’t have TMR or Hall effect, we still love the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Its luxurious build quality, excellent battery life, smooth thumbsticks, and ergonomic comfort just keep us coming back for more. Its inclusion of NFC and rumble tech gives it a bit of a leg up over this Turtle Beach model, although it will cost you a little more.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is filled to the brim with high-tech features, be that TMR sticks, Hall effect triggers, or remappable L4/R4 bumpers. OK, its battery life really isn’t that great, especially if you’re using the flashy RGB lights, but there’s still a lot to love about this model.
How I tested the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across multiple weeks
Compared against other wireless controllers
Played a range of Nintendo Switch 2, original Switch, and retro titles
I spent weeks testing the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I played various games, exhausted its many features, and compared it against a handful of rivals.
In order to assess the controller’s capabilities in full, I played classic titles via Nintendo Switch Online, such as Chibi-Robo!, as well as games with motion controls like Super Mario Galaxy, and Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. Most of the time, I used the controller while my Nintendo Switch 2 was docked, and connected up to my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.
The Ratio Four is a drip-coffee machine focused on smaller batches. That means it fulfils a valuable niche in the market, making it perfect for anyone likely to want just a few cups of coffee at a time.
Instead of leaving your brew to stew for hours over a heating element, you can quickly whip up a small batch of coffee on demand, so there's less waste than with some traditional drip machines. While it may not be optimal for offices or big families, it’s great for couples or coffee fans who are flying solo.
The smaller capacity has an extra benefit: its footprint takes up far less space on your counter than many of the best coffee makers. Instead, it cuts a sleek figure on your counter, with its clamp-shaped form and smoky-colored glass carafe looking at home in any kitchen. The only exception here is the water tank. While I understand the design helps keep its size down, I’m not the biggest fan of the way it’s hooked up to the machine via an umbilical cord pipe: I much prefer the built-in tanks of the more premium Ratio Six and Ratio Eight.
Using the Ratio Four couldn’t be easier. Once I’d filled the water tank, all I had to do was slip a compatible filter into the basket, grind my beans to medium-coarse, and pour them in. Pressing the single button on the front first runs a bloom cycle to pre-wet and stir up the grounds – a step many traditional drip machines skip – and then the Ratio Four gets to work running water through your grounds to fill the carafe with sweet Costa Rican crude.
So how did my coffee turn out? Once I found the best grind for the Ratio Four, it made very solid coffee – it wasn’t too bitter, and there was at least a hint of some of those volatile flavors that make speciality coffees so fantastic. But I wouldn’t say it packed the rich bouquet I associate with wonderfully extracted coffee. I’ve definitely experienced pour-over and pressure-extracted coffees that expressed more character out of similar beans.
That doesn’t mean the Ratio Four isn’t worth buying, though. Pour-over coffee requires developing the knack for it, while many of the best espresso machines require you to spend more money and a lot of time cleaning. When you just need a couple of cups of tasty coffee in mere minutes, the Ratio Four is definitely worth your time.
(Image credit: Future)
Ratio Four review: price and availability
Launched November 2024
Retails for $279
Launched in November 2024, the Ratio Four is available now. It retails for a list price of $279 (around £205) – unfortunately, unlike its larger stablemates, the Ratio Six and Ratio Eight, it’s not currently available in the UK. So those based on that side of the pond might have to content themselves with drip machines like the Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal or Ninja DualBrew Pro instead.
While the black version featured here isn’t currently available on Amazon, the white colorway is, and it looks just as classy. For that price, you get pretty much everything you need included – such as the carafe and filter basket – with the exception of compatible Ratio or Melitta filters. I’d recommend you grab some at the same time if you’re going to purchase the Ratio Four.
(Image credit: Future)
Ratio Four review: specs
Type
Automatic drip machine
Dimensions (W x H x D)
10.6 x 7.5 x 11.5 inches / 26.9 x 19.1 x 29.2cm
Weight
24.18lbs / 10.97kg
Water reservoir capacity
20.3 ounces / 0.6l
(Image credit: Future)
Ratio Four review: design
Sleek, attractive styling
Perfect for just one or two cups
Water tank looks less elegant
For some reason, not every brand seems to have gotten the memo about coffee maker design. Some manufacturers seem to think that just because an appliance is bulky, it has to be squat and utilitarian. Fortunately, Ratio is way ahead of the crowd here: all of its drip coffee machines are gorgeous, and the Four is no exception.
Despite measuring 10.6 x 7.5 x 11.5 inches / 26.9 x 19.1 x 29.2cm, this coffee maker looks pretty sleek to my eye. Both its matt black finish and bracket-shaped form meant it cut a bold silhouette in my kitchen and stood out among all the chrome and squat boxes of my other appliances.
As the smallest product in Ratio’s range, the Four’s water tank only holds 20.3oz / 0.6l, which is approximately enough for two full mugs. There aren’t many drip machines that cater to this size, making this a great choice for individuals or couples. However, that does mean that if you need to brew enough for a family brunch or your coworkers’ coffee order, you’ll probably want to size up.
(Image credit: Future)
The water tank is the one area where this machine loses some style points. The discrete reservoir and hose hookup looks a little goofy to me, like it's connected to the device with an umbilical cord. Personally, I prefer the built-in tanks of the more premium options.
By their very nature, drip coffee machines are far simpler affairs than espresso machines, so you don’t get a lot in terms of accessories here, but it includes everything you need. The packaged carafe is nicely made, and its darkened, heat-proof glass gives it a smoky, sophisticated look. And it comes with a filter basket, although you can swap in your Hario V60, Kalita Wave, or Origami basket if you prefer.
Beyond this, you’re on your own. So, to get the right coarseness of grind – pre-ground is unlikely to give you either the freshness or precision you’ll need here – you’ll want a coffee grinder too. It’s also worth getting some compatible, flat-bottom filter papers. Ratio sells its own, but the Ratio Four is also compatible with Melitta filters if those are more convenient for you.
Design score: 4.5/5
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Ratio Four review: performance
Quick to use and clean
Easier than pour-over to get consistent results
Flavor is good, but not top tier
If you’re looking at automatic drip-coffee machines, your biggest priorities are likely to be speed and convenience. I’m happy to say that the Ratio Four offers both of these things in spades.
Larger drip-coffee machines can take 5 to 10 minutes to brew, but thanks to the Ratio Four’s smaller batch sizes, it often takes far less time. While the first brew I did took 1 minute 52 to bloom and 5 minutes 16 for the total pour, once the boiler had warmed up, this time shrank considerably. My final brew took 1 minute 29 to bloom and 4 minutes 28 for total pour time, so pretty much bang on what I’d expect.
So, how easy is it to use? All told, I felt the process was pretty straightforward. Once you’ve ground your beans, just insert a compatible filter, fill it up, and top up the tank – then you’re good to go. Press its single button, and it’ll automatically bloom and brew your coffee. Compared to the more finicky process I’ve come to expect from my pour-over or espresso machine, using the Ratio Four is a breeze.
And it achieves decent results… as long as you’re willing to experiment with dialing in the right grind. While you’ll be broadly fine with a medium-coarse grind – somewhere between sand and sea salt in texture – I found brewing a few test batches allowed me to really zero in on the right grind for the machine and filters I was using.
(Image credit: Future)
Case in point, for my first batch, I set TechRadar’s Mazzer Philos testing grinder to 100 (on a scale of 0 - 140). While the initial bloom of the grounds seemed to go well, the resultant pour looked a little weak to my eye – something I confirmed when I tasted it. Honestly, it was insipid, tasting indistinguishable from a stewed French press. Back to the grindstone then.
This is where I went down a bit of a rabbit hole. I brewed about eight more batches, dialing the grind down 60 microns at a time, producing more flavorful brews each time. I did eventually hit a sweet spot of richness and acidity, but this came at a finer grind than I expected and didn’t quite produce the flavor-forward caffeine hit I was looking for. Don’t get me wrong: it makes a tasty cup of joe, but I honestly feel like pour-over or an espresso machine would have extracted more of those mouth-watering, floral flavor notes I was hoping for.
But barring a little grind calibration, I have to hand it to the Ratio Four for being incredibly easy to use. And it’s similarly easy to clean. All I had to do was bang the used filter and grounds into the trash, wash out the filter basket, carafe, and water tank, wipe down the shower, and it was ready to go again. Compared to espresso machines, with their milk-encrusted steam wands and silt-clogged portafilters, it’s much easier to get the Ratio Four looking spotless.
All in all, the Ratio Four makes good coffee while being simple to operate. It ekes a little bit more flavor out of your grind than a standard drip coffee, and it’s cheaper and easier to use than the best espresso machines – it just can’t reach the same heights of flavor.
Performance score: 3.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Ratio Four?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
Few coffee machines at this price will make a better brew. But many pour-over setups are a fair bit cheaper and more expensive espresso machines will likely give you better results.
4/5
Design
Stylish and sleek, although the separate water tank looks a little silly. A perfect size if you just want two cups of coffee, but less useful for families or workplaces.
4.5/5
Performance
Incredibly easy to use and clean. After you’ve properly calibrated your grind, it can produce tasty coffee – but if flavor is your biggest priority, you may find other setups more rewarding.
3.5/5
Buy it if…
You want pour-over style coffee without the hassle With its bloom cycle and the way its shower agitates the grind, the Ratio Four gets you much closer to pour-over quality without you needing to spend time honing your technique.
You’re tired of boxy kitchen appliances As with all of Ratio’s coffee machines, this cuts a gorgeous silhouette. The umbilically connected water tank aside, this stylish machine will look seriously classy on your counter.
Don't buy it if…
You want the best possible tasting coffee While the Ratio Four provides a tasty brew, I don’t think it can quite hit the heights of an exquisitely executed espresso or perfect pour-over. So if you want truly exceptional coffee, I think it’s worth the extra expense or practice.
You want coffee for your whole house or office The Ratio Four’s whole niche is that it provides small-batch drip coffee. That’s fantastic for individuals or couples, but, naturally, if you want to serve more people, a bigger drip machine will suit you better.
Ratio Four review: also consider
Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal Breville’s machine is everything a drip-coffee machine should be. It’s simple to use, has a well-designed interface, and produces great-tasting coffee. It has a few tricks up its sleeve as well: it’s able to keep your java warm for hours without stewing it and also produce authentic cold brew with far less mess. Read our full Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal review.
Ninja DualBrew Pro This chimera of a device combines two easy-brew coffee-making methods in one handy gadget. Not only can it create a batch of drip coffee anywhere from 4oz to 55oz, but its included K-cup adapter means you can also use pods to fire out a quick espresso instead. It can’t quite rival a dedicated espresso machine, but it sure makes up for that in convenience. Read our full Ninja DualBrew Pro review.
How I tested the Ratio Four
Tested it over a week
Made around 8 - 10 batches of coffee
Have several decades of experience making coffee
I tested the Ratio Four over the course of a week. As it’s exclusive to the US and I’m testing in the UK, I used a voltage transformer to step down our 240V mains power to 120V. I exclusively used fresh-roasted beans ground right before brewing to ensure as much of the delicate flavor profile was preserved as possible.
When it came to testing, I brewed 8 - 10 batches of coffee at a range of grinds from coarse to medium, covering a much wider range of grinds than would usually be used for drip coffee. I followed the exact grounds-to-water ratio suggested by the manufacturer. I created multiple batches one after another, then made sure to compare the results to see how variations in the grind affected the finished results.
In terms of my experience, I’ve been making and drinking coffee on a daily basis for over two decades. My go-to brew methods are espresso using my Breville Bambino and cold-brew extracted at room temperature over 18 hours and then filtered through a fine mesh. However, I’ve used an enormous array of coffee-making devices over the years, from the Aeropress to a stove-top moka pot.
It’s a competitive world out there for the best cheap headphones — OneOdio should know, it’s contributed a fair few options. And with its most recent pair of budget blowers, it’s offered yet another fantastic-value headset with just a few rough edges.
The OneOdio Focus A1 Pro are the cheapest pair of headphones we’ve tested yet from the budget brand, and that’s really saying something. They cost just $35 or equivalent, undercutting the 4.5-star-rated OneOdio Focus A6. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that’ll last you well, and really don’t want to spend much money, they’re a hit.
Last you they will, because they offer a battery life that reaches up to 70 hours, which is fantastic for the money. They’re also lightweight and easy to tote about, and these perks will likely be big draws to buyers on a budget.
My favorite element of the Focus A1 Pro is the audio quality: these headphones sound better than anything else I’ve tested under $50. That’s obviously a low bar, but the OneOdio easily clears it, with music sounding natural and bright with a decent sound stage.
When buying budget headphones, there’s always a big risk that you’re buying tat that’ll end up in landfill (or a box to take to your local recycling center) by the end of the month. I’m happy to report that the OneOdio certainly aren’t that… but they have a few issues too.
Lots of the weakest elements of the A1 Pro are things I’ve seen in other OneOdio headphones, such as the Focus A5 (which I only awarded three stars, in my review).
These new cans don’t have a tie-in smartphone app, and nor do they offer many of the features that an app would help open the door to. Most vitally, there’s no equalizer, which many consider an imperative feature for products such as this. The ANC performance is also weak, with the passive padding of the cups doing the lion’s share of the work in stopping surrounding sounds from distracting you. Now, we can easily argue that it would be churlish to expect these things for such a lowly fee, but it's my job to tell you what you'll be getting here if you click 'buy'.
I also found these cans a little uncomfortable to wear over longer periods of time, partly due to their rather tight clamping force, and partly because they sit somewhere between on-ears and over-ears. Your poor flappers are going to get a little crushed.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released on January 20, 2026
Sells for $34.99 / £43.99 (roughly AU$85
On sale in UK and US, not Australia
You can pick up the Focus A1 Pro for $34.99 / £43.99 (roughly AU$85, but unlike many other cans from the company, they don’t yet seem to be on sale in Australia).
You think that makes them some of the cheapest headphones worth considering? Wait until you hear the actual price; within two weeks of the release date of January 23, I’d already found them discounted. Only by a couple of dollars or pounds, but it's still something, and OneOdio promises continued price cuts through the year.
The headphones were announced on January 20, 2026, and released shortly afterwards.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Specs
Drivers
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
70 hours
Weight
200g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0
Frequency response
20Hz - 20kHz
Waterproofing
N/A
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
70-hour battery life
ANC is resoundingly light-touch
No app
In what might come as a shock to headphone buyers in the year 2026, the Focus A1 Pro don’t have a smartphone app. Of all the features this rules out, an equalizer is the biggest: if you don’t like OneOdio’s mix, you'll have to lump it.
You do still get multipoint pairing, as well as a low-latency mode for gaming which is enabled by double-pressing the ANC button. But this department more than any other shows why the headphones are so cheap.
Talking of ANC, it’s not very good, but coupled with the natural passive noise cancellation of the ear cups, it’ll remove the top layer of annoying noise. When I was on public transport, I could still hear every screech of noisy rails or honk of nearby vehicles, but it was a little less onerous than normal.
(Image credit: Future)
I personally took to keeping the ANC off, though, and it was for battery reasons. With ANC off, you get 70 hours of listening time, which is solid stamina. For context, if you listened for about three hours and 20 minutes every day, you’d only have to charge every three weeks.
That figure drops substantially with ANC on; OneOdio’s figures alternate between quotes of 40 or 50 hours, and the truth is likely somewhere in between. I’d rather have the longer listening time than the scant improvements this particular ANC solution brings.
I was surprised to read that the OneOdio has Bluetooth 6.0; it’s rare among headphones I’ve tested recently in having this enhanced standard. Not once in testing did I have any connection issues.
Features score: 3.5/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Sustainable build
Comfortable to wear
Incredibly handy joystick controls
The Focus A1 Pro are, by and large, your standard headphones: big, black band with an ear cup at each end, that give you music. No-one was expecting OneOdio to reinvent the wheel for $35.
They weigh 200g, and while they have a few little design flourishes that differentiate them from your average budget cans (some curves and patterns in the appearance, for example), they do feel cheap. The build is plastic-heavy and some of the moving parts can wobble or creak a little bit.
You don’t get a carry case with the Focus, and I was a little scared to transport them in my bag, as they feel a tad fragile. They also have no IP rating. That said, during my testing month, they sustained no damage whatsoever.
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve so far refrained from classing these as over-ears or on-ears, as they sit haphazardly in the middle of both. Forget Goldilocks’ messaging, though, because it’s not ‘just right’ either. They sit a little weirdly on the head, for me.
The pads, while soft, crush your ears a little over time; this was noticeable when listening for longer sessions, as my ears would get a bit achey. The rather tight grip of the cans doesn’t help here either. I also never quite figured out exactly how to wear them, due to this over/on dilemma.
On the right cup, there are some touch controls (volume up and down, power, ANC; the basics) as well as the USB-C port. These don’t stick out too much, so finding them by touch can be tricky. It took a little while for pressing these to become easy and natural. There’s no 3.5mm jack for wired audio; these are wireless or nada.
Design score: 3.5/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Sound quality
40mm driver
Crisp, natural audio
Max volume could be higher
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve been positive about the Focus A1 Pro and that’s not going to stop now, but let’s get one thing straight: these are budget cans, and when I say they’re ‘good’, I mean ‘for the price'.
OneOdio has kitted out the headphones with 40mm dynamic drivers using PET diaphragms; so far, so budget.
Unlike many other budget headphones, the brand hasn’t fallen into the ‘more bass is more gooder’ trap — there’s a fairly natural-sounding V shape with distinct trebles in vocals, and bass that’s as rounded as you can hope for at this price point. I was surprised when songs like Starlight by Slash and Miles Kennedy offered layered instrumentation and palpable timbre, as it’s not something I’d expect for the cost.
(Image credit: Future)
Naturally, the mids can fall through the cracks, so you can’t expect the whole band to show up. And when you get songs with lots going on, instruments blur together; Clarity by Vance Joy doesn’t quite live up to its title.
I’ve been constantly mentioning the price in this scene, and it’s to cover my back. Audiophiles won’t like these cans, as the mixing is messier than it would be on pricier options. But if you compare these to other offerings at the price, they’re nothing short of wonderful.
I would’ve liked to see the Focus A1 Pro manage a higher max volume, though. At full blast, the audio could mostly compete with a busy-ish road I was walking down, but Nigel Tufnel would malign the lack of any 11 to turn your music up to for that harder hit. Even when at home, anything below 50% volume was hard to hear.
Sound quality: 4/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Great sound for price
Some rivals may beat in certain departments
The OneOdio Focus A1 Pro are fantastic for the price. They sound far better than you’d expect from budget cans, and I’ve tested rivals for twice the price which don’t hold a candle.
That’s not even touching on the solid battery life, the hardy connection or the useful-for-gamers latency mode.
If you look hard enough, you can probably find rival cans with better ANC, a comfier fit or an equalizer, and I’d like the OneOdio even more if it offered these. But for the price, it’s hard to knock the Focus for its absences.
Value: 4.5/5
Should I buy the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro?
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
There’s no app and ANC isn’t great, though the battery life and connection are solid.
3.5/5
Design
For cheap earbuds, they look better than most, but have a few rough edges (literally).
3.5/5
Sound quality
These cans sound great for the price, with clearer audio and neater sound spacing than you’d expect.
4/5
Value
If you’re on a budget, these can’t be beaten
4/5
Buy them if…
You're on a tight budget These headphones have been designed for people who don't want to pay for premium, or even mid-range, options.
Battery life is an important factor The 70-hour battery life is going to be handy for all kinds of use cases.View Deal
You need lightweight headphones Don't like a big helmet on your head? These are lighter than some alternatives I've tested.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You need something durable The OneOdio feels a little fragile, and I don't imagine they'll stand up to some rough-and-tumble use.
You need heavy-duty noise cancellation The ANC on these guys isn't fantastic, though it's better than nothing.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Also consider
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro
Soundpeats Cove Pro
OneOdio Focus A6
Drivers
40mm
40mm
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life (ANC on)
70 hours
95 hours
75 hours
Weight
200g
251g
240g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth 6.0
Waterproofing
NA
IPX4
NA
OneOdio Focus A6 These high-rated budget cans cost a touch more than the A1 Pro, but app access is the headline improvement. Read our full OneOdio Focus A6 review
Soundpeats Cove Pro These slightly pricier alternatives have a solid build and impressive feature set, though they don't sound as good. (Our review on the Cove Pro is currently in the pipeline; when we publish it, you'll be the first to know!)
How I tested the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro
Tested for 1 month
Tested at home, on walks, on public transport and the gym
(Image credit: Future)
I used the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro for the best part of a month before writing this review, so they got a lot of use.
For most of the test period, the headphones were paired with my Android smartphone, though I also used them alongside an Android tablets at several points.
Testing was done streaming music, watching TV shows and playing games. I tested the headphones in various interior settings, while out and about, and during gym sessions.
I've been tested audio gadgets for TechRadar for years, including several previous OneOdio headphones and earbuds.
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless: one-minute review
The Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a controller compatible with both Xbox Series X|S and PC. It’s an unabashedly premium product at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, for that price, it’s wonderfully responsive, beautifully designed and comes with a good array of accessories.
First off, the Raikiri II feels beautifully well built. It feels solid and substantial, yet it’s ergonomically designed. Elements like the rear buttons are perfectly placed under your fingertips to make them easy to access without shifting your grasp, while its textured grips meant it never once slipped in my hands. Its RGB lighting is also tastefully done, just subtle enough to not detract from its sleek appearance and coming with plenty of customizable options.
Both the thumbsticks and shoulder triggers are staggeringly accurate, thanks to Asus’s decision to use TMR sensors in each of them. Not only do I relish not having to worry about the dreaded stick drift anymore but I found them astoundingly precise, giving me spot-on control over everything from acceleration in racing games to aiming in FPSes. The fact that the shoulder triggers can be toggled to using micro-switches is just the icing on the cake – smashing parries out against the Paintress in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has never felt so satisfying to me.
This awesome sensitivity and precision is further supported by the Raikiri II’s blisteringly fast connectivity, which rivals that of many of the best Xbox controllers. Not only does it offer an absurdly rapid 1,000Hz polling rate but its 2.4GHz wireless connection and USB-C connectivity each trim input latencies down to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms. Naturally, it also offers Bluetooth connectivity but, honestly, I found the former options so fast that I’d opt for those every time.
Thanks to Asus’s Gear Link software, you can also customize a lot of the Raikiri II’s functionality. On top of basic options like button remapping, you can also set discreet response curves and deadzones for each thumbstick, as well as start and end points for each of the shoulder triggers. There’s also the option to tweak how intense the controller’s rumble settings are and map the pad’s four rear buttons to various functions.
While you can save all of these settings to one of five profiles, this does come with a pretty serious caveat. When playing on Xbox, you can only switch between them using the Gear Link software, meaning hooking it up to your laptop or desktop each time. To me, this feels like a pretty major oversight – can you really class this Raikiri II’s Xbox edition, if a key part of the functionality is inaccessible to Xbox gamers?
This one misstep aside though, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a seriously impressive controller. While I think PC gamers will get even more out of it than those on Xbox, it’s still a fantastically responsive pad on either platform, offering some features I’ve not seen on many other products, like those TMR triggers. Yes, it’s relatively pricey at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, if you’re looking for a trailblazing premium controller, it’s a great option.
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: price and availability
Launched December 10, 2025
Retails for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349
Offers a lot of accessories for that price
Having launched on December 10, 2025, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is available now. You can pick it up for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349, putting it firmly up the premium end of the Xbox controller market.
In return for that spend, though, you get a whole heap of functionality, plus a range of connectivity options: Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle or wired USB-C connectivity. On top of this, it also comes with a carry case, USB-C cable, charging dock and replacement thumbsticks, so it’s a very decent package for the price.
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: specs
Price
$189.99 / £199 / AU$349
Compatibility
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Connection type
Wireless (2.4GHz dongle), Wired (USB Type-C), Bluetooth
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: design and features
Long-lasting TMR sticks
Excellent dual-mode triggers
Attractive, ergonomic design
Over the years, I’ve built up quite the grisly mausoleum of dead controllers, both Xbox and otherwise. Eventually, the dreaded stick drift has claimed every single one. So it’s a relief to know that won’t happen with the ROG Raikiri II’s drift-resistant thumbsticks.
Asus has opted for TMR sticks here, which it says are not only more accurate but consume less power than Hall-effect alternatives. While it’s difficult to assess what kind of longevity you’ll get out of them, from the second I held the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless in my hands, the thumbsticks felt incredibly responsive and enabled me to make surgically precise movements in a variety of games.
But perhaps even more than the Raikiri II’s thumbsticks, I really fell for its dual-mode shoulder triggers. When set to their micro-switch triggers, I found they were lightning fast to activate, making them perfect for hammering the trigger in FPS games. Meanwhile, their full-range TMR sensor mode is a real rarity on console controllers – we’ve certainly not tested many with that functionality here at TechRadar Gaming – and it gave me really wonderfully precise control for games like Forza Horizon 5.
At first, I found the clicky feedback of the micro-switch face buttons took a little getting used to, as I’m more familiar with the spongy softness of the Xbox Wireless Controller buttons. But once I’d adapted to their novel feel, I was fully converted – they activate seriously quickly and offer such an immediate response that you know almost instantly when you’ve hit your target.
Its extra rear shortcut buttons are perfectly placed, sitting right under where your middle and ring fingers naturally grab the pad. And they’re wonderfully versatile. Not only are they great if you want to set up extra macros in game but being able to set a couple as shortcuts for the shoulder buttons saved me ever having to switch my grip during sessions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which reduced my response times in game significantly.
When it comes to looks, the controller styles itself after the recent Xbox ROG Ally X, riffing off design elements like its subtle decal. It also mimics its textured grips, which I definitely found made it easier to keep hold of the pad without them ever feeling rough. In fact, its matt plastic build always feels pleasantly tactile to the touch, while the whole device feels just substantial enough to avoid flimsy or hollow.
And while I know that for some people RGB lighting on a controller is an unnecessary gimmick, I have to admit that I’m completely suckered in by the ROG Raikiri II’s lighting. Partly this is because it’s relatively subtle and restrained, limiting itself to a strip down either side and the central ROG button, and it’s fully customizable, allowing you to decide quite how much you want to lean into full-blown esports styling.
Finally, the ROG Raikiri II has an impressive range of connectivity options. On top of Bluetooth, it also has 2.4GHz wireless connectivity via a dongle and a USB-C wired connection. These latter two are particularly impressive, offering an 1,000Hz polling rate and trimming input latencies to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms respectively, meaning you should easily get the drop on most of your enemies in game.
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: performance
Blisteringly fast response times
Brilliantly customisable
Custom profiles can’t be changed on Xbox
With its 1,000Hz polling rate in PC mode, it’s safe to say I was expecting the Raikiri II to respond to inputs rapidly. And it did not disappoint. Even when playing fast-paced FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I couldn’t detect the least hint of lag over its low-latency 2.4GHz RF connectivity or USB-C cable.
But it’s not only its connectivity that make for lightning fast gaming – those dual-mode shoulder triggers are a literal game-changer. When I first tried them out while playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the difference compared to my previous budget controller was immediately appreciable. Especially when using them in their micro-switch trigger mode, I suddenly found myself going from fumbling three-quarters of parries to nailing them 80% of the time. Those triggers respond fast and I certainly found it had a palpable impact on my game play.
And with Asus’s Gear Link software you can tweak things even further to get the kind of performance you need for each game you’re playing and save them to one of five customized profiles. You can access this tool by hooking up the Raikiri II to your PC and accessing it in your browser.
This method does come with an unfortunate wrinkle, however. As it's browser-based, there’s no way to access it on the fly from your Xbox and the controller doesn’t offer any way to switch between profiles as you play. That means you can only ever access one tuning at a time on your console before you need to return to a PC to switch things up – which is a weird choice to make for a controller that literally has ‘Xbox’ in the name.
Honestly, that’s a bit of a shame as, otherwise, the Gear Linksoftware offers really granular control over the responsiveness of your controller. For example, I was able to set one of my profiles with very quick response and shallow range for its triggers, making it really easy to fan the hammer when trying to gun down opponents on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Conversely, for Forza Horizon 5, I set the right trigger to activate over its full range, giving me really precise control over the throttle so I could better manage my speed during cornering.
And that’s just the beginning. You can also set independent custom curves for each of the TMR thumbsticks, enabling you to tweak how fast they respond the further they’re moved, as well as set the size of their deadzones. While playing Doom, I set the left stick to have a rapid curve and kept the right one set as linear – as a result, I was able to close the gap between Doom Guy and all those demons far quicker, without having the camera whip round too violently.
The Gear Link software also unlocks a bunch of other customization options. You can change the intensity of the controller’s vibration haptics, which I imagine is very useful for people who have sensory processing problems or find it difficult to grip on to a controller that’s vibrating too fiercely.
It also unlocks some aesthetic tweaks for that RGB lighting. You have the option to set each zone up separately, whether you want it in solid color, breathing, reacting to button presses or color cycling. My personal go-to though? It definitely has to be battery mode, which allows you to set the lighting to specific colors for different battery levels – I can now get a precise sense of how much juice my pad has left at just a glance, which is a lifesaver.
Overall, I found the performance of the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless to be seriously impressive. Don’t get me wrong: there are some odd choices along the way, especially the lack of a hotswap button for saved profiles on the Xbox. But if you’re not flipping through different genres at the drop of a hat or you’re playing on PC, it's an incredibly responsive controller with a great level of customizability.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless?
Buy it if…
You want lightning fast response times With 1,000Hz polling on PC and clicky micro-switch buttons, the Raikiri II will cut your reaction time in games down to an absolute minimum.
You want a high-level of customizability With Asus’s Gear Link software, you can tweak a wide array of settings on the Raikiri II, whether that’s thumbstick curves, trigger activation ranges, vibration intensity or key mappings.
Don’t buy it if…
You have a massive Xbox games library Despite the name, I honestly don’t count Xbox gaming as one of the Raikiri II’s strong suits, thanks to the lack of hotswitching between profiles. If you want to jump between different Xbox control schemes at the click of a button, you’ll be disappointed.
You want a cheap controller If you’re hoping for a budget pick, this ain’t it. While it offers high-end features, they come at a premium price of $189.99 / £199 / AU$349, so if you want to save some cash, you might want to look elsewhere.
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: also consider
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
PowerA Fusion Pro 3
Price
$189.99 / £199 / AU$349
$199.99 / £199.99
$79.99 / £79.99
Compatibility
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type
Wireless (2.4GHz dongle), Wired (USB Type-C), Bluetooth
Mappable back buttons, three-way trigger locks, impulse triggers, dual rumble motors, volume dial, one-touch mic mute
Software
Asus Gear Link (PC)
Razer Controller App (Xbox and PC)
PowerA Gamer HQ App (Xbox and PC)
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Not only does the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro offer a similarly premium build, it also offers the same dual-function triggers, drift-resistant thumbsticks and mappable rear buttons as the Raikiri II. On top of that, its floating D-pad provides super smooth action and it comes in cheaper than Asus’s controller. Literally, the only downside is its more unadventurous looks.
PowerA Fusion Pro 3 Want a slightly more affordable controller than either of these pro-level pads? Then the wired Fusion Pro 3 is worth checking out. Despite rocking trigger locks, mappable buttons and swappable thumbsticks, it comes in at just $79.99, which is a bit of a bargain. The drawback? It’s no longer available for those in the UK.
How I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless
Tested it over two weeks
Used it on both Xbox and PC
Created multiple custom profiles
I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless over a period of several weeks. I tried it out on both the Xbox Series X and on PC and tried it out on a wide range of genres, from RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and racing games like Forza Horizon 5.
Not only did I try the Raikiri II using all three connection methods – 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired – but I used the Asus's Gear Link software to tweak all of its available settings. That included creating multiple profiles with varying trigger ranges, thumbstick curves and button assignments.
In terms of my testing experience, not only am I TechRadar's reviews editor, with experience of reviewing a wide array of gadgets, but I've been gaming for 35 years. That's across a wide range of platforms, including PC, consoles and gaming handhelds, meaning I've got loads of experience in gaming across a wide range of genres.
