Having toiled away on critically-acclaimed titles in the Metroid series and reviving Konami’s Castlevania series, developer MercurySteam has taken the risk of co-financing their latest project. Blades of Fire is its chance to prove their development skills at crafting their own original idea, and there’s a lot to love about this game’s blend of dark fantasy and mythology.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PS5 Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: May 22, 2025
That being said, it’s hard not to feel the weight of legacy and industry trends, rather than instilling this world with bold new ideas, holding this game back from greatness.
Rather than focusing on the negatives, there’s much to appreciate in this new game, particularly the father-son-esque bond at the heart of this story. While the game builds up a story about an ancient race of giants known as Forgers, instilling the knowledge to craft weapons from steel into humanity, with this power being seized by the anointed Queen Nerea to curse those who oppose her and turn steel to stone, the plot is simple. Aran de Lira possesses one of the ancient hammers necessary to forge his own steel, and alongside Asdo, the son of his deceased friend, embarks on a quest to kill the queen.
(Image credit: MercurySteam)
Classic is queen
There’s an almost-quaint retro simplicity to which the world of Blades of Fire is introduced: Aran is a lonely figure with an unspoken past that fuels his desire for a solitary existence, yet he’s more than willing to go and save an old friend he hears in danger nearby. The child desires revenge for his father’s death and, thanks to his knowledge of the Forgers, goes on this adventure with Aran to take down the queen.
The contrast of scholarly child and mysterious scarred older man soon warms to you, and not solely due to the similarities between their bond and that of Kratos and Atreus in the recent God of War titles. Asdo is far from an annoying sidekick, balancing wisdom with genuinely funny quips that are enough to make you laugh without grating (and you can always send him away, if you do wish for him to be quiet). I felt a warmth for Aran and a desire to learn more of his past, especially the guarded secrets of his past relationship to the Queen before her descent to despotic control.
Having first expected a practical but minimal story, I was surprised to find myself attached and with a desire to learn more of the rich lore the devs instilled into this world.
There’s an unabashed videogame-y nature to this world and cast, imbued with a quirkiness reminiscent of mid-budget adventure games abundant in the Xbox 360 and PS3 era
This is balanced with an engaging combat system that, though its quirks and intricacies will take time to learn, thanks to an at-first clunky and uncomfortable control scheme, you soon come to appreciate. Victory requires players to learn enemy attack patterns and the best weapons to counter each of them.
All four face buttons are each mapped to their direction of attack: on a PlayStation controller, this means Triangle will strike from above, X from below, and Square and Circle from each side. Depending on an opponent’s armor, it’s required to consider where you strike in order to deal maximum damage, or at times, inflict any damage at all.
The need to be aware of not just when but where you strike is most important in boss fights. One early sub-boss, a troll, requires you to whittle down its health, then slice off a part of the enemy’s body in order to drain it further before it can regenerate. Whether fighting big bosses - one boss at the end of the Crimson Fort is particularly interesting in how it forces you to learn both attack patterns and strike direction to defeat it most effectively - or small-fry enemies, it rarely tires even after dozens of hours have passed.
It may take time to get used to the stamina system that is required to inflict stronger, quicker attacks, and your hands will strain getting used to the unusual grip of having both block and dodging mapped to the left bumper and trigger, but you soon adjust to the fascinating tension it instils to high-stakes conflict.
(Image credit: MercurySteam)
Nerves of steel
Embodying the blacksmith skills key to the game’s identity, you must collect materials around the world to forge new weapons. You have complete control over the type of steel you use, which determines weight, speed, strength, blocking, and more, and once you’ve refined this selection, you must then physically hammer the weapon into shape. The closer to the real shape, the more refined the weapon, and therefore the more you can repair it before it’s unusable.
It’s fun, at first. After a while, it becomes repetitive and time-consuming. If you craft a good enough weapon, you can automatically recraft it to this level without replaying the minigame, but if you wish to improve this stat or build a new weapon, you must spend upwards of five minutes forging, grinding the momentum to a shuddering halt.
It’s one of a few issues holding the game back, many tied to the long legacy leading into this game’s development and the weight of adjusting the game’s design to chase industry trends. Many senior developers on Blades of Fire worked on the mostly forgotten 2001 action title named Severance: Blade of Darkness, which, beyond visual similarities, is often regarded as a precursor to the Dark Souls genre in its careful use of stamina and deliberate action.
Best bit
While it takes some time to get used to it, getting to grips with this unusual control scheme and observing a difficult boss’ attack patterns to correctly slice, dodge, and weave your way to victory brings about a primal joy that wills you forward towards the next area on your adventure.
While this makes it perhaps unfair to compare a game refining these 2001 ideas to Dark Souls, it’s hard not to see their implementation, and many other mechanics not found in Severance but introduced to this game are clearly inspired by the industry’s wholesale embrace of the beloved FromSoftware title. Players have limited flasks of health potions that can only be restored by resting at anvils, this game’s thematically fitting equivalent to bonfires, and upon death, players must return to the location they were felled in order to rescue their weapon.
Even if we were to credit these ideas to Severance and not an attempt to create a Soulslike adventure, Blades of Fire’s level design and enemies feel best suited to a style of action opposite to the plodding action and unstoppable attack animations of both titles. In battles against undead hordes, you can at times be facing close to a dozen enemies at once, and even your fastest weapons are useless with the rate at which your attacks are interrupted.
As this game lacks the punishment of lost resources or the risk of losing your weapon forever if you die before reclaiming it, recovering your weapon feels more like a chore and an obligatory feature to adhere to the formula than a design suited to the pace of this adventure.
(Image credit: MercurySteam)
A search for souls
It contributed to an overwhelming feeling that the embrace of so many Souls-isms only served to hinder the natural flow of the game, rather than enhance it.
This is before we discuss the game’s cumbersome map, which, through its lack of dimension, can become nearly useless when navigating more complex, multi-level terrain for the next objective.
This is only compounded by the fact that there’s no clear indication in the environment on where to go next, and even the optional objective markers activated by navigating menus and automatically disabled upon clearing that specific objective, unless reactivated, are often useless in more complex multi-level areas. If you’re navigating a multi-floor fortress and miss an inconspicuous door you must unlock with a newly-obtained key, even a marker won’t stop you wandering in circles for 20 minutes or longer, lost and frustrated.
Yet despite my complaints, I felt just enough charm to find myself soldiering forward. There’s an unabashed gamey nature to this world and cast, imbued with a quirkiness reminiscent of mid-budget adventure games abundant in the Xbox 360 and PS3 era, like Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, but non-existent in this modern era of spiraling budgets.
(Image credit: MercurySteam)
For all I can complain about Soulslike inspirations that these days induce more groans than excitement, there’s a simplicity to this quest to go and kill the queen while offering just enough mechanical depth without bogging you down in an overwhelming number of unnecessary systems.
You craft weapons, you fight enemies, you move forward. Simple, but the sense of a human hand touching every asset rather than some overcautious executive or an overzealous focus group drew me even to its flaws.
Blades of Fire is charming, even if its soulslike eccentricities were more of a hindrance to the characters and adventure housed within. This blend of retro simplicity and modern flair won’t be the best game you play in 2025, but it’s likely going to be one of the more charming (and as such memorable), and isn’t that just as good?
Should you play Blades of Fire?
Play it if...
You miss your Xbox 360 or PS3 There’s an indescribable essence to this game that feels like a lost title from the PS3 and 360 generation, modernized with quality-of-life and graphics improvements, giving it a feel unlike many other modern games.
You enjoy customizing your weapons The gameplay is fun, but key to victory is picking the right choice from dozens of refinements of steel while even customizing the pommel and small of your weapons to your playstyle. Understanding the best way to craft a weapon takes patience.
Don't play it if...
You aren’t a fan of Dark Souls or soulslikes While not a soulslike, many mechanics indicative of the famous series are present, and likely won’t gel with players seeking a more fast-paced action adventure.
Accessibility features
Accessibility features in Blades of Fire are limited. Camera shake and motion blur can be adjusted, alongside the size and color of subtitles but otherwise, the default text is small, and it lacks many commonplace accessibility features such as colorblind modes.
How I reviewed Blades of Fire
I played just over 30 hours of the game on a base PS5 model using a standard DualSense controller on standard difficulty, getting all the way through the game to the latter stages of the main story.
I utilized an ASUS VG27AQL1A gaming monitor, while for audio, a mix of Denon speakers and a wireless audio adapter, and AirPods Max were used.
If you’d have told a 33-year-old Tom Cruise at the 1996 premiere of Mission: Impossible that he’d be promoting — and not just promoting, living — the same film franchise 29 years and seven instalments later, he probably would’ve believed you right there and then.
There are plenty of seemingly impossible things about Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, but Cruise’s commitment to the character of Ethan Hunt is not one of them. Brian De Palma’s big-screen reboot of the 1966 Mission: Impossible TV series was the first to be produced by Cruise’s then-new production company C/W Productions, and the ageless star has since committed to going bigger and better with each subsequent instalment.
The Final Reckoning is, we presume, the last Mission: Impossible movie for some time (maybe ever!), and though it’s certainly no better than what’s come before – in truth, it probably places fifth or sixth in our ranking of the Mission: Impossible movies – it’s most definitely bigger than anything else you’ve seen (or will see) this year.
Back in the saddle
The series' eighth entry picks up where 2023’s Dead Reckoning left off, with Ethan and the rest of the IMF gang still trying to outfox the rogue artificial intelligence system known as 'the Entity'. It’s essentially the same Big Bad as before, except now the Entity is hell-bent on nuclear armageddon, and it’s also started to brainwash small pockets of the populace into supporting its apocalyptic cause (some people just have to be part of a club).
To ensure its own survival when the bombs start to fall, the Entity needs access to a secure digital bunker in South Africa, and it’s here that our heroes hope to trap ChatGPT-on-steroids using a combination of various hard-to-get-hold-of MacGuffins, including an elaborate USB stick buried in the belly of a sunken Russian submarine. So far, so Mission: Impossible.
There are many, many other facets to The Final Reckoning’s convoluted story, which is even more difficult to follow than the plot of the original Mission: Impossible, but the film is essentially a '90s disaster movie dressed up as a commentary on AI and misinformation.
That’s not necessarily unbecoming of the franchise – Ethan has always been dropped into a race against time to save the world – but, to its detriment, The Final Reckoning feels distinctly more grandiose than any other Mission movie before it, with more time devoted to politicking and fate-of-the-world decision-making than to ingenious gadgetry and covert spycraft.
Ethan spends precious little time with his IMF crew in The Final Reckoning (Image credit: Paramount)
Mission: Impossible is at its best when Ethan and his band of IMF misfits are infiltrating a famous landmark or pulling off an improbable escape, quipping at each other as they do so (the Burj Khalifa sequence in Ghost Protocol is an all-timer example of that formula in action). The Final Reckoning swaps this playful tone for doom and gloom in a bid to raise the emotional stakes, but the trade-off is a more serious, arguably un-Mission: Impossible-like experience overall.
This sentiment isn’t helped by an exposition-heavy first hour, which jumps between locations, characters, and plot threads like a YouTube recap of the Mission: Impossible series so far. Flashbacks are fine in moderation, but the sheer number of them deployed by director Christopher McQuarrie in the opening moments of The Final Reckoning is an indictment of the film’s unwieldy story.
Getting down to business
The underwater sequence is an instant Mission: Impossible classic (Image credit: Paramount)
Mercifully, things take a turn for the action-packed about halfway through, when Ethan jumps into the Bering Sea in search of that aforementioned Russian submarine. It’s here that we’re introduced to Captain Bledsoe, played with scene-stealing aplomb by Severance star Tramell Tillman, and the first of two outrageously gripping stunts gets underway.
If you’ve seen any of The Final Reckoning’s trailers or posters, you’ll know that the biplane sequence – shot at 8,000 feet in 140mph winds with no CGI – is being framed as the film’s centerpiece, and while it’s undeniably impressive, the earlier submarine sequence is arguably the bigger highlight. Here, McQuarrie and Cruise use a combination of digital effects and practical wizardry to simulate the inside of a missile-filled submarine at the bottom of the ocean, and the sense of scale and jeopardy the pair achieve is staggering.
Watching Cruise dodge nuclear warheads under life-threatening amounts of pressure will have you, too, feeling like you’re trapped on the ocean floor, especially if you experience this ordeal in the expanded aspect ratio afforded by IMAX.
Quite frankly, The Final Reckoning is saved by its two major set-pieces. They bring a much-needed injection of excitement to an otherwise drawn-out disaster story, and while the film as a whole could do with more action and less situation-room drama, these stunts will remind you why you paid the ticket price. Nobody is doing it like Tom Cruise, and this eighth and potentially final entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise – for all its many shortcomings – hammers home that truth and then some. Cue the theme music!
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning arrives in theaters and IMAX on May 21 (UK) and May 23 (internationally).
The Roborock Saros Z70 is the first robot vacuum on the market to feature a robotic arm, which means it can tidy away your clutter as well as clean your floors. That's the theory, anyway – my initial tests found the tech still has a little way to go, at least when it comes to autonomous pincering.
Most people I talk to about this robovac seem afraid that the OmniGrip will be over-zealous, and try to tidy away the cat. I had quite the opposite problem: I couldn't get it to automatically tidy away anything at all. The current list of objects it can handle is very short, and the "conditions" have to be perfect in order for it to be successful. However, there's potential: controlling the robotic arm remotely via the app works very well, and Roborock is busy improving the service, with more functions, bug fixes, and supported objects in the pipeline.
Elsewhere, the performance is up there with the very best robot vacuums on the market. Suction is excellent, the setup painless, and the dock takes care of the vast majority of maintenance tasks for you, including washing the mop pads with hot water. Speaking of which, I was especially impressed with the Saros Z70's mopping ability. It comes courtesy of two spinning mop pads, one of which kicks out to the side to clean right up to the edges of rooms, as well as under the perimeter of cabinets.
This bot uses Roborock's StarSight system for navigation, which means no raised puck, enabling the robot to venture under low-sitting furniture. I'm happy to report I didn't see any compromise in performance as a result of this new(ish) system – the Z70 navigated accurately and reliably throughout my review period.
That's all great, but the reason to buy this model will be for the robo-arm tech. (If you don't need that, you could go for one of the sister models launched at the same time – the Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R – and get the same excellent performance at a much lower price.) And while it shows plenty of potential, right now it's a little difficult to recommend the Z70 on that basis. That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Saros Z70 review.
(Image credit: Future)
Roborock Saros Z70 review: price & availability
List price: $2,599 / £1,799 / AU$3,999
Launched: Jan 2025 (on sale May 2025)
Available: AU, US
The Roborock Saros Z70 was announced at CES in January 2025, and went on sale in Australia and the US in May 2025. At list price it costs $2,599 / £1,799 / AU$3,999.
While it's common for flagship robot vacuums these days to cost over a grand in the US and UK, this is the most expensive robot vacuum we've tested to date. (It's worth noting that US tariff changes have had a negative impact on pricing; the Z70 is more expensive now than Roborock had planned.)
I'm not overly surprised by its high price. Roborock is introducing a completely new technology, alongside an additional mechanical component. Based on the prototype models we saw at CES in January, there may well be more arm-equipped robovacs hitting the market over the next year or two, but currently the Saros Z70 is your only option. In terms of quality and innovation, it's a standout robovac; but you're paying a premium for the newness of the tech.
However, if you don't need the arm then I'd give it a wide berth. There are plenty of premium robot vacuums on the market offering the same features. They'll just as good a job of cleaning your floors, they just won't be able to tidy away your socks. Arm-less alternatives include Z70's sister model, the Roborock Saros 10, which costs $1,599.99 / £1,499.99, or a model such as the Dreame L40 Ultra for $1,499.99 / £999.
New robot vacuums are being launched all the time, and the competitiveness of the market means you can generally avoid paying list price if you're willing to be patient. However, I'm not convinced deals will be quite so forthcoming with the Z70, just because the offering is currently so unique. That said, there is early bird pricing available at time of writing.
Pincer arm can extend to pick things up, or retract when not required
StarSight navigation means there's no raised LiDAR puck
Comprehensive dock takes care of most maintenance
Let's start with the obvious here: the Roborock Saros Z70 comes with a big mechanical arm known as the OmniGrip. On the end of it is a pincer that's designed to gently but securely grip and lift objects weighing up to 300g. To avoid unwanted pincering, OmniGrip features are switched off my default. You'll need to define exactly what you want the arm to do, or else it won't do anything at all.
The idea is that it can pick small objects such as socks and tissues off your floor, and either move them out of the way for more complete vacuuming, or tidy them to a location of your choosing. Alternatively, because Roborock has recognized most of us are basically big kids, you can remote control the arm via the companion app, just for fun and frolics.
There's also a camera mounted on the OmniGrip's arm, to supplement the one on the front of the robovac. This helps with locating objects for grabbing and also expands the bot's security capabilities by enabling you to switch to the arm camera to get a higher-level view of your home. When not in use, the arm folds neatly back into the main body of the bot, to be hidden beneath a hatch. You'd never even know it was there.
(Image credit: Future)
This bot uses Roborock's StarSight technology for navigation, which also appears on models such as the Saros 10R and Qrevo Slim. Essentially it means that the bot is no longer reliant on a raised LiDAR puck. So with the arm tucked into its hidey-hole, the top of this robovac is completely flush, making the whole unit just 7.98cm tall. That means it can clean under low furniture that's inaccessible to taller bots.
(Image credit: Future)
The rest of the robot looks rather like many of Roborock's other premium models. Flip over the unit and you'll find a single, all-rubber roller and a side brush, both designed to avoid becoming tangled with long hair. This is achieved in the latter simply by positioning the brushes at an angle to the central axis, rather than radiating directly outwards, so the hair can slip off easily (hopefully into the main suction path). In mopping mode, both can lift up into the body of the robot, so they don't end up full of gunk.
As mentioned, as a hybrid model the Saros Z70 also has mopping abilities. These are courtesy of two spinning mop-covered discs, one of which can kick out to clean right up close to your room's baseboards. The mop pads can also lift when traversing carpet, or be dropped off in the base, so there's no danger of damp rugs at all.
(Image credit: Future)
Over the past year or so, we've seen a focus on improving how robot vacuums tackle more raised room thresholds, and Roborock is included. Like most of the brand's newest models, the Saros Z70 has an "AdaptiLift Chassis" whereby the left, right and front wheels can all raise or lower independently, enabling the bot to traverse over thresholds up to 4cm in height.
(Image credit: Future)
On to the dock. The Saros Z70's dock contains two large water tanks – one for clean water, one for dirty water – plus a smaller tank into which you can add detergent. These sit at the top and are directly accessible, rather than being hidden behind a hatch. There's also dust bag, which is hidden away.
The base is designed to be able to take care of as much robot maintenance as possible. When the robot docks, it will automatically empty its small onboard dustbin, refill its water tanks with warm water, and dispense detergent (if you've added it). It can wash the mop pads with hot (176ºF/80ºC) water – intelligently determining how dirty they are and extending cleaning times if necessary – and dry them with warm (131ºF/55ºC) air. It will also clean itself with hot (176ºF/80ºC) water, and the base is detachable for when you want to give it deeper clean. Finally, it offers speedy charging in just 2hrs 30mins.
It's one of the better-looking docks on the market right now. I miss the mirrored front that features on sister model, the Roborock Saros 10, although this matte version does mean any mess or clutter isn't reflected back at you.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock Saros Z70 review: performance
Arm works well when manually controlled, but automation is unreliable
Vacuuming, mopping and navigation all excellent
Review model emits a rattling noise when cleaning
I started by performing the "Quick mapping" process, which was fast and painless, as I've come to expect from Roborock. The bot wandered into each room, looked around a bit, and I could see the map forming on the app as it went. Once complete, it assigned suggested rooms. It was broadly correct, but I was able to edit to split the main living space into a kitchen and living room, and re-label any spaces that weren't quite right.
Then I sent the bot off on a whole-flat vacuum and mop, using the default modes. It did a stellar job of navigating its way around. Roborock bots are generally great at this, but this is the first one I've reviewed that uses StarSight for navigation rather than traditional LiDAR. I'm happy to report I couldn't see any compromises in performance with this new system.
However, less positive was the irritating rattling sound the Saros Z70 made as it went about its business. You can hear it in the video clip below. I assume this is the result of the retracted arm or the lid; either way, it's not ideal, and not a problem I've experienced with any of the other arm-less robovacs I've tested.
OmniGrip arm
It's the USP here, so let's get on to OmniGrip arm – and whether or not it does what Roborock says it will. At time of review, the list of items suitable for pickup is short: socks, sandals (not shoes, in general), crumpled tissues and towels under 300g. Roborock plans to add more objects in due course, via firmware updates.
I started by remote-controlling the bot over to a cloth. With the cloth in its peripheral vision, it had no trouble taking over the final part itself, successfully navigating over to it and picking it up, at which point I could resume control and move it over to where I wanted it. There's potential for this to be helpful for those with mobility issues.
For the most part, however, you'd want this robot to take care of moving things autonomously. These functions can be toggled on in the "Robotic Arm options" section of the app (all are off by default), and you can ask it to move objects out of its cleaning path, so it doesn't have to skip that area, and/or to move specific items into areas designated by you. At the moment, the suggestion is that you use a (provided) cardboard Roborock "bin" for socks and crumpled paper, and then set a "shoe zone" for footwear.
The trouble is that conditions need to be perfect for the bot to actually clear anything away... so much so, that I've yet to have a successful run. First, the robot has to correctly identify objects it can move. I found this was fairly accurate in bright light, but when I tried it one evening in a less well-lit room, it identified two sandals and a sock all as "Carry out bags" and thus didn't try to pick them up at all.
Next, it needs to be able to pick up said objects. It failed to pincer a strappier sandal, and on successfully picking up another, it swung it into a doorstop, causing the strap to become twisted. I had to reset it manually (on the robot itself) following a repeated warning message.
Finally, it has to find its way to the designated areas. It seems a little unsure on this front at the moment. On one more successful run, it identified, returned to and successfully pincered some socks – only to spin around once and then put them back down 14 inches from their original position.
As I said earlier, Roborock is working on improving the arm function and I'm optimistic about the potential of this tech and the brand's ability to deliver on it. This is a new technology and Roborock is the first to bring it to market, so it isn't surprising that there are kinks to be ironed out. However, these issues make the Z70 difficult to recommend.
I'll be continuing to test this robovac and will update this review with a more complete picture of the arm's functionality once I've had more time with it.
Vacuuming
Moving on to more mundane (but still important) functions. How well does the Saros Z70 clean?
Given that the Saros Z70 boasts a massive 22,00Pa of suction power – matching the very highest you'll see anywhere – I had high hopes for this bot's cleaning ability. In general use, it seemed to do a very efficient job of vacuuming my apartment's medium-pile carpet, low-pile carpet and lino.
For a more objective view of its cleaning powers, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests. I started by sprinkling oats and loose tea on my carpet, and setting it on a selective zone clean. There are four settings to choose from: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo and Max.
I ran one clean on Turbo, with the bot clearing almost all the oats and most of the tea, leaving only a sprinkling nestled in the carpet fibers. (The tea test is purposefully very challenging.) I then bumped up the robovac's setting to Max for a second clean, and it sucked up all but a single oat flake, and a few particles of tea. This is an excellent result.
Image 1 of 5
Oats and loose tea on the carpet before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 5
The remaining tea after a single pass in Turbo mode (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 5
The remaining oats after a single pass in Turbo mode (Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 5
Close-up of the tea left after a second pass in Max mode (Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 5
The whole are after a second pass in Max mode (Image credit: Future)
I repeated the test on a lino floor. Since clearing debris off a hard floor is far less challenging, this time I used Balanced mode. It cleared almost everything on the first pass, with the second required only to capture the remnants that had been flicked around on the initial run.
Image 1 of 2
Tea and oats on a lino floor before suction test (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
What was left after a single pass in Balanced mode (Image credit: Future)
Mopping
Next, I moved on to the mopping test. For this, I spread a tiny amount of ketchup on a lino floor and left it to dry a little. You can select Low, Medium or High waterflow levels, or for more control you can opt for a "Custom" mode, which lets you select a waterflow between 1 (Slight) and 30 (extreme). That level of control is excellent, opening this bot up as an option for cleaning delicate floors that can deal with only a tiny bit of water, for example.
I used "High" waterflow, and instructed the Z70 to clean the selected zone twice. It removed some of the ketchup on the first pass, and most of the remainder on the second pass. However, a light film of ketchup remained, and needed wiping away manually. I've yet to find a robot vacuum at any price that can deal with challenging or dried-on spillages.
Image 1 of 3
Ketchup smeared on lino before mopping test (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
Remainder of ketchup smeared on lino after one pass (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
Remainder of ketchup after two passes (Image credit: Future)
In general use, I found the Z70's mopping very effective. The pads saturated fully, and I could see they were cleaning the whole floor, without leaving any gaps. One of the mop pads would also regularly kick out to clean up close to the edges of rooms and under the edge of my fridge or cabinets. I found it far more effective than the static, D-shaped pads found on some robovacs.
I also appreciated the way the robot would automatically drop off its mop pads in the dock when embarking on a vacuum run. While the auto-lifting was reliable, I'm always just a little more comfortable when there are no damp mops in the vicinity of my carpet.
Dock functionality
The dock is designed to take care of most of the Z70's maintenance needs, and in my tests I haven't had any issues with its effectiveness, save for the fact some of the functions can be a little noisy.
I'm on the fence about whether washing the mops with hot water is something that's really required of the dock – I'd still give the pads a run through the washing machine periodically, regardless of whether or not this function is included. Self-cleaning takes around 3 mins 21 secs, although it's programmed to take longer if it senses the mop pads aren't clean at the end of that.
One benefit is that charging is remarkably speedy. I was recharging a Dyson manual vacuum at the same time, and found that the Saros Z70 juiced up far quicker than the Dyson.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Roborock Saros Z70 review: app
Easy to use OmniGrip arm via remote control through the app
Well-designed and usable app with lots of customization options
So many options it can be a little tricky to find them all
Most control of the robovac is like to take place via the Saros Z70's companion app. One welcome addition here is the ability to use it to remote-control the OmniGrip arm. You drive it like a remote control car, navigating by using the view from the bot that you can see on your screen. If you spot something you want it to move, you can maneuver it into the vicinity and ask the bot to pick it up. It will do this automatically, but it's also possible to precisely adjust the angles of both the arm and the pincer, if required.
In my tests, I found all this reliable and straightforward, although the incessant repetition of "Remote viewing active" will mean you won't want to play with it for too long. (I haven't yet been able to find a way to switch this off.)
You can also switch views between the camera on the front of the robot and the mounted on the arm, which offers a view from higher up. The idea is to make it more useful as a security bot while you're out of the house.
In general, Roborock has done a great job of integrating the OmniGrip options into the app, making it as easy as possible to get started using the arm. The settings are simple to find and to switch on and off; they're straightforward to understand, even if the automated performance is still a little patchy.
(Image credit: Roborock / Future)
Elsewhere, the app is well designed and intuitive. There are plenty of precise customization options – so many, in fact, that it can take a while to explore them all. If you don't want to mess around in Settings, there's a "SmartPlan" mode that automatically analyzes the environment and cleaning history and uses that information to apply the settings it thinks will work best. There's also a built-in voice assistant, which you activate by saying "Hello Rocky".
App score: 4.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Roborock Saros Z70?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Wildly expensive, but this isn't surprising given it's the only robovac with an arm right now. If you don't want the arm, you can get excellent bots for far less.
3.5 / 5
Design
Combines most of the advanced features from the best robot vacuums on the market and adds a retractible pincer arm for good measure.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Pincer works well when remote-controlled, but automation is unreliable at the moment. Vacuuming, mopping and navigation are excellent.
3.5 / 5
App
Well designed and intuitive, with arm functions front-and-center.
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You love a cutting-edge gadget This is the first robot vacuum on the market to feature a mechanical arm. At present, this tech doesn't feature on any other model of robot vacuum.
You have mobility issues The robotic arm has potential to be very useful for people with limited mobility. The remote-control options are straightforward and reliable.
You have a cluttered home While the arm is in need of some refining, and assuming that happens, this bot could prove very useful in cluttered homes. It has the potential to tidy as well as clean, provided your mess isn't too heavy.
Don't buy it if...
You don't need a robotic arm There's no reason to buy the Saros Z70 if you don't need the arm – Roborock (and other brands) make many other excellent arm-less bots that are significantly cheaper.
You want tried-and-tested tech The arm technology is fresh on the market, which means there are some kinks to be ironed out. For reliable performance, it might pay to wait for a later generation (or at least until Roborock has had a chance to push out some firmware updates).
Dreame L40 Ultra The L40 Ultra is far more affordable than the Z70, but is still an outstanding robot vacuum. There's no arm, but the cleaning powers are excellent and the dock will take care of almost all maintenance for you, too. The suction specs are lower than on the Z70, but ample for most people's needs.
Roborock Saros 10 The Saros 10 is the sister model to the Z70. It doesn't have a pincer arm and, as such, is cheaper (although still premium). This model uses traditional LiDAR navigation rather than the new StarSight system, but the navigation puck can pop up and down so it can still clean under low furniture.
I used the Roborock Saros Z70 over the course of two weeks as my main vacuum. During this time, I tested all the OmniGrip arm functions, as well as assessing the bot's general cleaning powers and usability. I ran TechRadar's standard vacuuming and mopping tests, using oats and loose tea, to see how its cleaning compares to other models. I also spent time digging into the app and exploring the options available. Through all this, I compared my experience with other robot vacuums I've reviewed, from other brands and at different price points.
The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank is a power bank with a large capacity and reasonable power output, capable of fast charging small and medium-sized devices. It cuts a rather inauspicious figure, although it’s sleek enough to stand out from the crowd – especially if you opt for one of the vibrant colorways. Meanwhile, its rounded edges improve ergonomics and portability.
The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank features a screen for the battery percentage readout and nothing more, which is a shame since its large size would be able to contain more information besides, so it seems like a missed opportunity in this regard. The battery readout is also relatively small, although the digits are at least clear and bright, which makes them easy to read when glancing over from an angle.
It also feels reassuringly solid in the hand, with hardly any flex to the panels. The matte soft-touch material also feels quite premium, while the compact form factor places it alongside the best power banks for portability, given its aforementioned large capacity.
The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank comes with some handy additional features: there’s a flashlight, which is easily toggled by double-tapping the power button, and an integrated USB-C cable that doubles as a carrying loop.
The latter feels quite durable, despite its thin size. However, the jack is prone to wobbling around while housed in its slot, which had me a little concerned that it might come loose, but it seemed to hold securely during my time with it.
This integrated cable can be used as an output or an input, as can the additional USB-C port. The USB-A port, however, is output only. The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank has a maximum output of 22.5W, which is enough for fast-charging smartphones and other small devices, while three-way simultaneous charging is also possible.
When it comes to single charging, the INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in just over 90 minutes, which is a credible performance. In the process, the battery dipped by 27%, meaning you should be able to get 3-4 charges out of it.
The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank is a fair price considering its high capacity and additional features. It’s also very portable, which is a real boon for travelers. However, the equally capable Anker Zolo is about the same price, and also features an inbuilt cable – although it doesn’t have an integrated flashlight or a digital display.
It perhaps has the slight edge in terms of build quality, though, and offers slightly more power at 30W. But all things considered, the INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank is perhaps the more rounded choice in this sector.
(Image credit: Future)
INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank review: price & specs
Price
$36.99 / £32.99 / AU$58.99
Capacity
20,000mAh
Total wattage
22.5W
Number of ports
3
USB-C
2 (1 x inbuilt cable)
USB-A
1
Wireless charging
No
Weight
11.5oz / 326g
Power-to-weight
61mAh/g
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You want a small form factor The INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank is impressively small considering its 20,000mAh capacity, and should slide into most pockets with ease.
You want handy features The built-in flashlight and USB-C cable are certainly useful – the latter even doubles as a carrying handle for added convenience.
Don't buy it if…
You want detailed information The integrated screen only displays the battery life, which seems like a missed opportunity given its real estate.
You have large devices The 22.5W power output won’t be enough if you plan on charging laptops and other large devices.
INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank review: Also consider
Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W The Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W is close to the INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank in many ways, with a similar price and the same capacity and port selection; it even has an inbuilt USB-C cable.It’s slightly more powerful, though, but misses out on a flashlight, which is a shame. It’s not quite as slender as the INIU P51L-E1 Power Bank either, which might be a dealbreaker for ultra-light travelers.Read our Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W review.
All around, the monitor world has continued to flourish. People want better displays to work on, create on, game on, and consume on, and the prices continue to rise. So, it's worth noting when I find a budget monitor that I don't hate. Not everyone, in fact, very few, needs the biggest and best display.
Even with what I do, I barely need a high-resolution display. I could get most of what I do done on a 1080p screen if needed, or if the budget required it. There are quite a few drawbacks for choosing this kind of display, like screen quality in both picture and frame, the speakers sound like someone whispering into a soup can, but at the same time, if it gets the job done, and saves me a ton of money, why wouldn't I consider it?
And with that in mind, it's not hard to recommend the Acer Vero B247Y as one of the best business monitors for anyone looking for a budget display.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: Unboxing & first impressions
I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect much when I started unboxing the simple cardboard box that held the Acer B247Y monitor.
But once I opened it up, I noticed it had a DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, a power cable, a stand, and some nice documentation. I could put it all together before I realized what I was doing, and I was using it after mere moments of unboxing.
The monitor is incredibly light, so light that it doesn't make sense. Once I got this display on my desk, I pretty quickly threw it on a VESA mount monitor arm to get it positioned right where I wanted it, then I got to work using the display.
While it may feel like the exact monitor (probably not), my mom grew up on a corner desk littered with receipts connected via VGA to a tower pc that weighed more than I did, but it's not half bad when you consider the price.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Display: 23.8" IPS Resolution: 1920x1080 RefreshRate: 120Hz (HDMI + DP) Brightness: 250 nits Inputs: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, Audio In/Out, Headphone jack Speakers: 2x 2W (bless them for trying) Adjustments: Height, tilt, swivel, pivot Weight: 12.06 lbs with stand
The display build quality is mediocre despite the realization that this monitor can be found for under $100. It's super lightweight, which is great for moving it around, but it does not feel premium.
In fact, it feels like if I sneeze or cough too aggressively, it might fall down, which is why I added it to my monitor arm. The black plastic frame looks cheap, but it hides the cheap factor quite nicely since it's matted black.
The port layout is simple and easy to use. No frills, no add-ons, just video in. Sometimes, that's all you want, and with this guy, that's all you get.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: In use
Jokes aside, this monitor is good enough to get some business work done. I of course wouldn't use it for graphic design or much creative work, if any, but for Slack, documents, email, browsing the internet, Excel sheets, and so on, this display gets the job done for cheap. Especially if this monitor is not frequently used, sits in a high-traffic office area where it could get damaged, or if you are simply just working on basic tasks and don't require 4K at all.
Plus, since it's so cheap, you can spend that money on accessories, a better computer, or just simply save it for something else.
Moving on, I wouldn't recommend using this display for playing any audio of any kind. It's actually comical to me that they even tried adding speakers to this, coming in with a whopping two 2W speakers. I tried taking a video call through this and the speaking voices were terrible, music is worse, and I didn't dare try any sort of mixing audio levels for a video or project through this.
If you're looking for a simple monitor to get business work done that won't break the bank, then this is a monitor you should consider. It's a good budget option. But, if you're going to expect it to be great for gaming, consuming high-resolution content, color grading, or anything like that, I would look elsewhere.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Cheap and simple
⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Right for a budget
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Very cheap
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Acer Vero B247Y: Final verdict
If you find yourself looking for "any monitor" within a budget, you should check out the B247Y as your budget solution.
It's great for budget setups, secondary setups, your old tower pc that just needs a display, a server display, replacing the monitor you just broke and don't want to pay for a replacement for, or for displays you are worried are going to quickly break for one reason or another.
Bump up the resolution with our round-up of the best 5K and 8K monitors for professional use.
All around, the monitor world has continued to flourish. People want better displays to work on, create on, game on, and consume on, and the prices continue to rise. So, it's worth noting when I find a budget monitor that I don't hate. Not everyone, in fact, very few, needs the biggest and best display.
Even with what I do, I barely need a high-resolution display. I could get most of what I do done on a 1080p screen if needed, or if the budget required it. There are quite a few drawbacks for choosing this kind of display, like screen quality in both picture and frame, the speakers sound like someone whispering into a soup can, but at the same time, if it gets the job done, and saves me a ton of money, why wouldn't I consider it?
And with that in mind, it's not hard to recommend the Acer Vero B247Y as one of the best business monitors for anyone looking for a budget display.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: Unboxing & first impressions
I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect much when I started unboxing the simple cardboard box that held the Acer B247Y monitor.
But once I opened it up, I noticed it had a DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, a power cable, a stand, and some nice documentation. I could put it all together before I realized what I was doing, and I was using it after mere moments of unboxing.
The monitor is incredibly light, so light that it doesn't make sense. Once I got this display on my desk, I pretty quickly threw it on a VESA mount monitor arm to get it positioned right where I wanted it, then I got to work using the display.
While it may feel like the exact monitor (probably not), my mom grew up on a corner desk littered with receipts connected via VGA to a tower pc that weighed more than I did, but it's not half bad when you consider the price.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Display: 23.8" IPS Resolution: 1920x1080 RefreshRate: 120Hz (HDMI + DP) Brightness: 250 nits Inputs: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, Audio In/Out, Headphone jack Speakers: 2x 2W (bless them for trying) Adjustments: Height, tilt, swivel, pivot Weight: 12.06 lbs with stand
The display build quality is mediocre despite the realization that this monitor can be found for under $100. It's super lightweight, which is great for moving it around, but it does not feel premium.
In fact, it feels like if I sneeze or cough too aggressively, it might fall down, which is why I added it to my monitor arm. The black plastic frame looks cheap, but it hides the cheap factor quite nicely since it's matted black.
The port layout is simple and easy to use. No frills, no add-ons, just video in. Sometimes, that's all you want, and with this guy, that's all you get.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Acer Vero B247Y: In use
Jokes aside, this monitor is good enough to get some business work done. I of course wouldn't use it for graphic design or much creative work, if any, but for Slack, documents, email, browsing the internet, Excel sheets, and so on, this display gets the job done for cheap. Especially if this monitor is not frequently used, sits in a high-traffic office area where it could get damaged, or if you are simply just working on basic tasks and don't require 4K at all.
Plus, since it's so cheap, you can spend that money on accessories, a better computer, or just simply save it for something else.
Moving on, I wouldn't recommend using this display for playing any audio of any kind. It's actually comical to me that they even tried adding speakers to this, coming in with a whopping two 2W speakers. I tried taking a video call through this and the speaking voices were terrible, music is worse, and I didn't dare try any sort of mixing audio levels for a video or project through this.
If you're looking for a simple monitor to get business work done that won't break the bank, then this is a monitor you should consider. It's a good budget option. But, if you're going to expect it to be great for gaming, consuming high-resolution content, color grading, or anything like that, I would look elsewhere.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Cheap and simple
⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Right for a budget
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Very cheap
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Acer Vero B247Y: Final verdict
If you find yourself looking for "any monitor" within a budget, you should check out the B247Y as your budget solution.
It's great for budget setups, secondary setups, your old tower pc that just needs a display, a server display, replacing the monitor you just broke and don't want to pay for a replacement for, or for displays you are worried are going to quickly break for one reason or another.
Bump up the resolution with our round-up of the best 5K and 8K monitors for professional use.
Dell is one of those companies you immediately think of when trying to develop solid business monitor makers. Dell has been in the game for so long that it feels like they have been around since the beginning. Dell recently renamed their line-ups with a new tiered structure, looping in Pro, to help give users a better idea of what kind of monitor it is.
My first monitor I have been able to check out from Dell since this name change is today's review, the Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus. In short, it's one of the best business monitors, with great ports, color, and pixel density, all with a target for the business professional needing a high-resolution display with versatile options for various workspace setups.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus: Pricing and Availability
The Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus is available for purchase at $519.99 on Dell's website and from many major retailers.
Interestingly, I spoke with Dell about where most customers typically buy their monitors and laptops, and I learned that only a small percentage of Dell monitors are sold directly through Dell's website. The majority of sales occur through other retailers - and luckily, this monitor is widely available from stores and online retailers.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus: Unboxing & first impressions
Unboxing the monitor was as I expected it to be. Though the nomenclature has changed, the monitor is the same as I've seen from Dell before in terms of style and aesthetic. The only changes are the specifics regarding resolution, ports, and size.
Within the box there is the monitor, the power cable, a DisplayPort Cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and displaying your laptop, computer, or tablet, a USB-C to USB-A cable that could connect the ports on the monitor to a computer you have connected via HDMI or DP, and also the proper documentation, along with the stand too, of course.
The monitor itself is packaged securely with a sheet of foam covering the screen and a thin foam bag to wrap the monitor in as well, all to ensure that the monitor makes it to you safely.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Right off the bat, this monitor looks sleek, professional, and of high quality. It has super-thin bezels, and the standard Dell stand has simple up and down, pivot, and rotation options. Additionally, ports are always easily accessible, making setups with Dell monitors super straightforward and easy to use and work with.
The Dell P2725QE is a beautiful display in nearly, if not all, regards. It's minimalist with thin borders, a crisp picture, and great color profiles. For most people, this is one of those monitors that works well. There are a few people who would not significantly benefit from this monitor.
Part of this is due to its high quality and solid build, part of it is just because of the design and how seamlessly this could fit into any environment. It has VESA mounting points to allow it to fit on a third-party mount easily, and if you don't want to add a stand, the one that this monitor comes with allows for rotation, height, pivot, and twisting.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus: In use
I've had this monitor on one of my team's desks for a few weeks now, and it has gotten a lot of use in that time. This has easily transitioned into a display we love to use and enjoy. It's built in USB-C port and PD charging is excellent for laptops, making it a one-cable solution, and even expanding as a hub so you can plug in other devices, external drives, and so on without taking another port (especially helpful if you have a MacBook with only two ports to start with.
Beyond that, and only an input swap away, I love how easy this is to use with a desktop through HDMI or DisplayPort. I can hook up a handful of devices and run them through one powerful display, not compromising on any use case, but maximizing your device use and productivity.
Another thing that I realized right away was the anti-glare screen. It's not perfect, and if there is direct light it will be annoying, but due to the finish of the monitor you can have sunlight or a lamp or an overhead light shining on the computer and not have it slow you down, effect you, or even bother you like you would feel with a standard monitor with a glossy, glass front.
We've used this monitor for just about everything in our testing, and it has held up fantastically. We have used it for light gaming, some photo editing, some browsing, and a lot of heavy productivity work. It's not only a great monitor for during business hours work, but it's also great for those who would love a chance to use their big purchase of a quality monitor for gaming and after-hours adventures as well.
For most people, this monitor is fantastic. Those with a niche probably don't grab this monitor, and there is better for what you may need for your role, but for the rest of us, this monitor is great.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Simple and minimalist
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Right for most people
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Fairly expensive
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus: Final verdict
The Dell Pro 27 P2725QE Plus is a serious choice for professionals who want a high-resolution monitor that provides better image quality and includes an abundance of connectivity and ergonomic features designed to enhance user comfort.
Although it is in a higher price range, the great mix of 4K resolution, USB-C with Power Delivery capability, and highly adaptable stand makes it well worth the investment for users who place a premium on productivity in their workflow.
The Dell 14 Plus is one of the first rebranded Dell laptops to go on sale this year, and despite some growing pains it’s an auspicious start thanks to its solid performance, great portability and style, and an accessible price point.
The new 14 Plus is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298, and features both Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors. This makes it one of the best laptops for budget-conscious Windows users on the market right now without making too many compromises on style, portability, or features.
What you won’t get with the 14 Plus, however, is a professional workstation or one of the best gaming laptops, as the integrated graphics and processor options don’t have the kind of horsepower to churn through complex workloads like video editing or intense gaming at high settings.
But for those in the market for a new laptop for general productivity or school work, everyday computing tasks, video calls, or video streaming, and which offers good responsiveness, battery life, and portability, the Dell 14 Plus delivers pretty much exactly what you need to get the job done – and it even looks pretty good while doing it.
It’s not perfect (I’ll get to its faults soon enough), but for the price and the performance on offer the 14 Plus is easily one of the best Windows laptops going, and should be at the top of the list for students, remote workers, and just about anyone else who needs a solid notebook PC without breaking the bank.
Dell 14 Plus: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starts at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Dell’s website and other retailers.
The Dell 14 Plus is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $799.99 / £999 / AU$1,298 for its base configuration, the specs of which vary depending on your region, and maxes out at $1,479.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,498.20.
Compared to something like the Acer Swift 14 AI or the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4), the Dell 14 Plus almost always comes in cheaper when similarly specced, and in a couple of instances you get better specs with the 14 Plus for a lower price than competing devices like the Asus Zenbook A14, making it an attractive option for value shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice too much in the way of performance.
Value: 5 / 5
Dell 14 Plus: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Configurations vary considerably between the US, UK, and Australia
Options for both Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors
No discrete graphics options
The starting configurations for the Dell 14 Plus vary slightly depending on your region, with the US and Australia sharing the same specs – AMD Ryzen AI 340 CPU with Radeon 849M graphics, 16GB LPDDR5X memory, and a 14-inch FHD+, 300-nit, non-touch display – while the starting setup in the UK uses an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V with second-gen Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of slightly faster LPDDR5X-8533 memory, and a 14-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600p) 300-nit, non-touch IPS display. All starting configs come with 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack
Battery (WHr):
64 WHr
64 WHr
64 WHr
Wireless:
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
Camera:
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
Weight:
3.35 lb (1.52 kg)
3.42 lbs (1.55kg)
3.35 lbs (1.52kg)
Dimensions:
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
The max spec for the Dell 14 Plus in the US and UK is identical: an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V with Intel Arc graphics, 32GB LPDDR5X memory, 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, and a 14-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600p) display with 90Hz refresh and 300 nits max brightness. In Australia, the max spec comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with Radeon 840M graphics, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD storage, and a 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200p) display with a max brightness of 300 nits.
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack
Battery (WHr):
64 WHr
64 WHr
64 WHr
Wireless:
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
Camera:
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
Weight:
3.42 lbs (1.55kg)
3.42 lbs (1.55kg)
3.35 lb (1.52 kg)
Dimensions:
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
The configuration I tested for this review is only available in the US, but the UK has a very similar spec, just with a 512GB SSD rather than the 1TB in my review unit, while Australia doesn't yet have Intel-based coinfigurations for the 14 Plus at all.
Dell 14 Plus Review Unit Specs
Price:
$1,179.99 / £999 / (about AU$1,830, but Intel systems not yet available in Australia)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack
Battery (WHr):
64 WHr
Wireless:
WiFi 7, BT 5.4
Camera:
1080p@30fps
Weight:
3.42 lbs (1.55kg)
Dimensions:
12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)
Generally, there aren’t a whole lot of configuration options available for the Dell 14 Plus right now, but the specs you do get – even with the base configurations – are all solid enough for general computing and productivity work, and some models can even manage some modest PC gaming and creative work.
Specs: 4 / 5
Dell 14 Plus: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Thin and light form factor
Trackpad can be tricky at times
Display isn’t stellar, especially in daylight
The Dell 14 Plus takes a number of design influences from earlier Inspiron laptops and merges them somewhat with the former Dell XPS laptop series, and the end result is a fairly attractive ultrabook for the price.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
It doesn’t have the same kind of premium materials that more expensive laptops use, but the 14 Plus doesn’t necessarily feel like a cheap laptop either. Where its design does disappoint me, though, is its keyboard, trackpad, and display.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The keys on the keyboard aren’t bad, but they’re not really great either, and can sometimes feel stiffer than they should. This problem is compounded by the trackpad that isn’t the smoothest, and I’ve found my fingers catching at times from even the light friction of swiping across its surface.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The more ‘premium’ 2.5K display on my review unit works fine in an office environment or when sitting on the couch at home, but its 300 nits peak brightness means that it's hard to use if you’re outside, so if you like to work at an outdoor cafe, or sitting in the grass of a college quad, the display is going to be difficult to see clearly in daylight.
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 2 of 4
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Image 4 of 4
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
You get a decent selection of ports for a laptop this thin and a physical privacy shutter for the webcam, which I love to see. The webcam is 1080p @ 30 fps, which is good enough for most needs, as you can see from my selfie taken with the webcam.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The down-firing speakers aren’t very good, especially if the laptop is sitting on fabric like bedding. They work, though, and conference calls and general audio is fine in most cases. For music and movies, however, I recommend using headphones or one of the best Bluetooth speakers.
Design: 3.5 / 5
Dell 14 Plus: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Very good productivity and general computing performance
Hardware isn’t suited for intensive workloads like heavy gaming or video editing
Lags well behind similarly specced MacBook Air models
The Dell 14 Plus is targeted toward office workers, students, and others who need a responsive everyday device for web browsing, video streaming, and the like. In that regard, this laptop does exactly what it should, and does it well.
That’s not to say it's the best, though, as you can see when comparing its benchmark results against something like the MacBook Air 13 (M4), which comfortably outperforms the 14 Plus at pretty much every task.
But the 14 Plus consistently comes in second or third place against several other competing laptops on the market, including the Acer Swift 14 AI, Asus Zenbook A14, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, while also coming in at a lower price point, making it my top pick for the best student laptop of 2025 so far.
Overall, only the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch with M4 offers better value for your money than the 14 Plus, which is something I really wasn’t expecting when I started working with the 14 Plus earlier this month, but it's a very welcome surprise.
Performance: 4 / 5
Dell 14 Plus: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How long does it last on a single charge? 13 hours, 24 minutes
How long to full charge it to 100%? 2 hours, 30 minutes with the included 65W adapter (1 hour, 4 minutes to charge it to 50%)
If there’s one area in my testing where the Dell 14 Plus came in dead last, it’s battery life, but it’s not as bad as it might sound. While some laptops like the Zenbook A14 can run for just over 18 hours in our Web Surfing Battery Test, the Dell 14 Plus’s nearly 13 and a half hours isn’t terrible, especially given how we were praising laptops like the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 from 2022 for making it longer than eight hours on a single charge.
As for charging time, the 64WHr battery takes a little over an hour to get from fully depleted to 50% using the included 65W USB-C power adapter, but with its Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports capable of higher power delivery, a higher-wattage adapter will speed things up.
Battery Life: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Dell 14 Plus?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Dell 14 Plus Scorecard
Category
Notes
Rating
Value
The Dell 14 Plus offers possibly the best value of any Windows laptop at this price.
5 / 5
Specs
The available specs are generally excellent, especially for the price
4 / 5
Design
Aesthetically, the 14 Plus looks more premium than it is, but its keyboard, trackpad, speakers, and display could be better.
3.5 / 5
Performance
General computing and productivity performance are very good, but it falters under medium-intensity workloads, much less heavy-duty ones like gaming.
4 / 5
Battery Life
Not the longest-lasting battery life on the market, but still capable of many hours of use before you need to recharge.
4 / 5
Final Score
The Dell 14 Plus is a solid general-use and productivity notebook that’s great for work or school, but it makes some compromises to keep its price affordable. The trade-off is generally worth it, in the end.
4.1 / 5
Buy the Dell 14 Plus if...
You want solid productivity and general computing performance For everyday use, school work, and productivity, the Dell 14 Plus is very good, especially for its price.
You want a laptop that doesn’t look too cheap Aesthetically, the 14 Plus is a pretty great-looking device for the price, though if you look closely, you can spot its shortcomings.
Don't buy it if...
You need a high-performance laptop If you’re looking to game or do resource-intensive work like video editing, this laptop won’t get the job done.
You want a really good-looking laptop While the 14 Plus doesn’t look bad, it can't hold a candle to the most recent MacBook Air or Surface Laptop models.
Also consider
If my Dell 14 Plus review has you looking at other options, here are three other laptops you should consider instead...
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) The most recent Apple MacBook Air 13-inch offers much better performance, battery life, and aesthetics than the Dell 14 Plus, though you’ll pay more for it.
Acer Swift 14 AI For roughly the same price as the 14 Plus, the Acer Swift 14 AI with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip offers similar performance as the Dell 14 Plus with better battery life, but still has Windows app compatibility struggles.
Asus Zenbook A14 While its performance lags behind the Dell 14 Plus, the battery life on this thing is unreal, making it a great pick for those who need a laptop that can go the distance.
I used it mostly for general computing and work tasks
I used our standard laptop benchmark suite for testing, along with other productivity and creative apps
I used the Dell 14 Plus for about two weeks both as an everyday laptop and as a dedicated work device. This involved a lot of writing, general productivity work (like Google Sheets), and some light creative work like photo editing in Adobe Photoshop.
I also put it through our standard benchmark testing suite, which includes industry-standard tools like Geekbench 6, 3DMark, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider's built-in gaming benchmark.
I’ve been testing laptops for TechRadar for more than five years, with dozens of reviews under my belt, so I know what a laptop should be capable of at this price point. As a media professional and former student, I’m also the target audience for this kind of laptop, so I’m well positioned to assess the quality of this device.
I've had a special place in my heart for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon series for a while now. I have personally reviewed Gen 11, Gen 12, and now Gen 13.
The Gen 12 was a nice upgrade from the Gen 11, and that trend continues with the Gen 13. So much so, that if I ever needed to move my primary machine away from Mac (stuck in Mac Ecosystem for many reasons for my primary machine), I would strongly consider this laptop as a business every-day machine.
It's got everything that a busy business professional could want or need. It has great ports, power, a good battery, excellent performance, and is lightweight and easy to carry. What more could you want from one of the best business laptops around?
I keep specifically saying that a business professional laptop is needed for a reason- that's what it is. With that being said, I will review this laptop. It's not meant to be a creative powerhouse, it's not meant for the developers who need maxed-out machines to process large warehouses and scripts, and it's not meant for the casual browser who might check their email and Google a few things.
This computer is intended for the business professional whose day-to-day work depends on their needs. Still, one thing is for sure: they need something reliable, able to jump in and out of work, portable enough to go from place to place, has a great port selection for what may come and whatever they may need, and the ease of use that comes with a ThinkPad. It might be one of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops around - and it's definitely my favorite yet.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition: Unboxing & first impressions
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 came in compact and secure packaging, much like all Lenovo devices I have reviewed. It came with a 65W USB-C charger, the proper documentation, and nothing else. It's pretty straightforward.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
After my first look at this machine, I noticed that it reminds me of the other Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptops I tested. They are all clearly in the same family. Beyond the comparison, it looks very sleek and professional, it's lightweight, portable, and built from clearly high-quality materials that I don't have to worry about breaking every day I take it out of the house.
Display: 14" 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 120Hz Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics 140V Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 (soldered) Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Battery: 57Wh Weight: 2.2 lbs (0.99 kg)
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is built from, as the name implies, carbon fiber and magnesium alloy, making a durable yet lightweight chassis while still allowing for a professional and premium feel as well.
The keyboard has the touchpoint in the middle as Lenovo Laptops do, and on top of that, it has a great backlit keyboard with excellent tactile feedback on every press, making it comfortable to use all day long. The ThinkPad's touchpad has integrated buttons on the top of the square, making it super easy to click, click and drag, right click, and so on from the touchpad or the touchpoint.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition: In use
I could go on and on about using this machine for the last 137 days. During this time, I have had the X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura in a rotation with my other workhorse machines, and even so, this one has stood out among the rest. It's been a favorite to grab quick for a day working out and about, using when working from home, or taking on a short trip due to it's compact size yet blazing performance.
So far, it has handled multitasking and productivity for business tasks with ease. I have thrown my plethora of Chrome tabs with project management tools and large documents at it without a problem. I've run basic prompts through Postman, done some light photo editing, a lot of writing, emails, and some fun benchmarks, and so far this machine has not skipped a beat.
One thing that makes this machine special with that Aura edition is the inclusion of security parameters like how it will blur the screen, suggest a VPN, and prompt me if someone is looking over my shoulder while I am working out at a coffee shop or in a co-working space.
I love the 14-inch platform for laptops. I have had 12-inch laptops, 13-inch laptops, 15-inch laptops, 11 iPads, and so on, but the 14-inch is my absolute favorite. It's just the right size, the sweet spot even, between easy to carry and still having plenty of room on the screen for all your tasks, project management, virtual meetings, writing, and so on.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Simple, compact, beautiful
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Right for most people
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Understandably higher price
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition: Final verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is a powerful option for professional individuals in need of a laptop that is not just lightweight but also durable and loaded with all manner of features. This computer is a fantastic component helping me do what I do.
Some people love all-in-one computers; some hate them. I've been in offices where every station has an iMac, in environments where everyone has a desktop with a monitor, in workspaces where everyone has a laptop, and in hot desk offices.
I always prefer to have what I need in my bag or a hot desk scenario, but for that workspace that makes sense, like a front desk, an admin's desk, or a simple in-room computer, for whatever reason, the best all-in-one computers make a lot of sense.
The goal is to have something that is simply all in one; there is no need for extra docks, monitors, adapters, or bulk. Just one display with a machine built into the casing is always there and ready to go. Simple.
That's where the ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 thrives. It's a simple machine. However, that can also be its downfall if misused.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5: Price and Availability
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 is available on the Lenovo main site for $959.40. It's also widely available from online retailers, so you should have no trouble getting your hands on one.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5: Unboxing & first impressions
The Lenovo computers are always well packaged, ensuring no damage in transit or delivery. This model specifically had some odd instructions for assembly, though we were able to put the few pieces together to get this machine booted up and running as it should.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
At first glance, this machine stood out as more modern-looking, with a professional leaning toward it. It's designed for an office space as a front desk unit or at a desk in a cubicle. The display, the center of an AIO unit, offers good color accuracy and brightness, though nothing ground-breaking with its FHD resolution.
The ThinkCentre M90a also comes with a bundled mouse and keyboard, though I'd suggest not using it, grabbing a decent Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and freeing up those ports.
In my initial feel test, setup, and first impression of this machine, it seems capable of what it's designed for. With ports to spare, this machine could be a true all-in-one, not needing extra docks or hubs to get the basics done as many computers need.
ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Processor: Up to 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14700 Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5 Storage: Up to 4TB PCIe SSD Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 Display: 23.8" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Ports: Multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet Camera: 5MP with privacy shutter Audio: Dual 3W speakers with Dolby Atmos OperatingSystem: Windows 11 Pro
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 has the build quality you'd expect if you have any experience with Lenovo products. It's built well, feels like it will last, and is relatively compact.
That compact design saves overall desk space because you don't need a monitor, a desktop, or a dock; all you have on the desk is the base to the AIO if even that. If you want to, you can VESA mount this machine and get it off the desk entirely.
If you choose to use the stand, it has adjustable tilt and height with some integrated cable management as well, helping to keep that tidy workspace even more.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5: In use
This machine is designed for basic admin and basic office work. In that sense, it handled those tasks efficiently and easily. I started trying to push it under the heavy load of my day, but I felt a bit slow. However, for the vast majority of users who could benefit from a Lenovo AIO machine, you'll be just fine with the ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 capabilities.
I've been on a single monitor kick recently. I went through my phase of wanting as many monitors as possible, and many of my reviews around here will showcase some images from those days. However, recently, I have become a big fan of simplicity. I realized while using this machine that it doesn't get much simpler. It's just a machine that you can leave wherever you are. You have one power cable running into it, and you know it will always be there, ready to work when you are.
If you want to expand your screen real estate, there is an HDMI and a DisplayPort out, allowing you to plug into an external monitor and have even more room to work with. This would be great for a TV if you need to prep and present things in a conference room but don't want to mount a headless mini desktop behind the TV or if you have a desk running a menu board or display screen. Or, of course, it's also great if you just want to see what you are working on even better than before.
All around, this machine is solid for what it is; it's a simple productivity machine for business tasks that don't require a heavy computational load. For that, this computer is good, but this one feels a tad lacking in the world of high-performing, high-powered machines.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Simple, compact
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Right for the right person
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Mid range price
⭐⭐⭐⭐
ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5: Final verdict
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 is an all-in-one desktop PC that blends nicely into professional settings.
It is an excellent model for use by someone with everyday computing demands since it makes for a streamlined and clean environment and gives users solid and steady performance one can rely on.
For people or professionals, though, who either need improved performance for their graphics or have specific requirements, this may not be the machine for you, and that's okay.
