The Cuktech 15 Ultra is a power bank with a large output designed for charging laptops and similar devices on the go. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a sizable unit. It’s admirably thin across its width, but it’s quite long and has a thick depth. This shape may suit some but disappoint others depending on the dimensions and packing arrangements of their luggage.
Its looks aren’t anything special, adopting a two-tone grey and black color scheme that’s not the most vibrant. The front panel for the screen looks smart with its gloss finish, though, while the back panel has a subtle texture that helps with grip slightly.
The build quality of the Cuktech 15 Ultra is quite good, with materials that feel reasonably premium and there’s no flex at all when pressing any side. However, the join as the chassis meets the display is quite prominent, owing to the inset nature of the display panel, so this isn’t as seamless a design as some of the best power banks out there.
The power button is integrated within the display panel, although again there’s a fairly prominent gap around the edges. Oddly, it’s emblazoned with two vertical lines, rather than the standard power symbol, but it’s at least clear to see. It operates very smoothly, providing plenty of feedback when clicked.
The standout feature of the Cuktech 15 Ultra, though, is the screen. It can display information such as total input and output readings, as well as real-time wattage, amperage and voltage. Battery level, estimated charging times, and temperature warnings are also given.
There are also a few settings that can be adjusted using this screen: you can choose whether the first USB-C port is input only, output only, or both; and you can set the screen to always stay on – two useful features I haven’t seen on other power banks.
However, despite the full-length front panel, the actual display only comprises a small area by comparison, meaning all readouts are crammed into a relatively small space, which does compromise readability somewhat.
The Cuktech 15 Ultra features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, delivering a total output of 165W, or a maximum of 140W from a single port. Three-way simultaneous charging is also possible, although the maximum outputs drop to 100W for one USB-C port, 45W for the other, and 15W for the USB-A port. Three ports might be plenty for some, but there are similarly sized – and even some smaller – power banks out there that manage to pack in four ports.
When it comes to performance, the Cuktech 15 Ultra managed to charge an HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which can charge at 45W, from empty to 98% in about two hours, which is an impressive performance – and it stayed cool throughout. However, it ran out of battery before it could charge the Chromebook to 100%, so it just falls short of providing even a single full charge for large devices.
Thankfully, charging the Cuktech 15 Ultra itself is quick, as it took me about an hour to top it up from 25% to full. This was via a single USB-C input, but you can use both ports at the same time for increased charging power.
Given its price, the Cuktech 15 Ultra competes with other large power banks, such as the Anker Laptop Power Bank, which is similarly priced. This bank, though, has a slightly larger capacity, and features two inbuilt USB-C for added convenience. However, its display doesn’t quite offer the same wealth of information as the Cuktech 15 Ultra. The two are closely matched, so if you went for the Cuktech 15 Ultra, you likely won’t be disappointed.
(Image credit: Future)
Cuktech 15 Ultra review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Cuktech 15 Ultra?
Buy it if…
You want to charge large devices The large 165W total output means you should be able to charge many modern laptops.
You want plenty of information The Cuktech 15 Ultra has some of the most comprehensive information I’ve seen from a power bank display, including readouts for wattage, amperage, and voltage, and various adjustable settings.
Don't buy it if…
You want the largest capacity The power output might be large, but the 20,000mAh capacity doesn’t quite match up, meaning you might not even get a single full charge of a laptop from it.
You want the smallest power bank The Cuktech 15 Ultra does an admirable job of condensing all that power into a thin form factor, but it’s still quite thick and long, and not all that light.
Cuktech 15 Ultra: also consider
Anker Laptop Power Bank If you need plenty of power and output, then the Anker Laptop Power Bank is a great choice. It has similar dimensions to the Cuktech 15 Ultra, but additionally features two inbuilt UCB-C cables: one retractable and one that doubles as a carry handle. It also comes with two extra ports, meaning it beats the Cuktech 15 Ultra by one when it comes to outputs and inputs. While it does have a display, it’s not as detailed as that on the Cuktech 15 Ultra. However, it’s close to the same price (or cheaper in certain regions), yet has the same power output and a slightly greater capacity (25,000mAh).
The Boulies Elite gaming chair sits in the mid-range bracket, with a welcome focus on adjustability and build quality. It adopts the familiar racing seat design, minus the seat side bolsters – an omission I welcome, since I always find these too restrictive, and means the wide seat can be made full use of.
The Boulies Elite looks smart in the black variant I had, and the PU leatherette feels durable and premium to the touch. There’s a small amount of suede on the sides of the seat, but less so than on many rivals.
The overall build quality is up there with some of the best gaming chairs, with the 4D arms being a particular highlight: they’re solid with virtually no wobble and the adjustments are smooth, although I found them a little too stiff to move up and down. The casters offer a surprising amount of grip on carpet too.
Overall, the comfort of the Boulies Elite is great. The head and lumbar pillows provide plenty of cushioning, but without them, I was surprised to find myself even more comfortable, as I sunk into the chair even more. The seat is a little firm, but still not as firm as those on others. I was also able to install the arms close to the sides, preventing my arms from stretching out too much, as I’ve experienced with other gaming chairs.
You’ll find many of the same adjustments typical of mid- and high-end gaming chairs, although there’s no inbuilt lumbar support here. The tilt mechanism is very smooth and silent, and the tension can be easily altered. The tilt lock is very useful too, while the 4D arms go almost anywhere you like.
The seat has a low minimum height, so those shorter in stature shouldn’t have much of a problem getting their feet firmly on the ground. However, its maximum isn’t that high compared to some of its rivals, although the Elite Max is designed for those who want more in this department.
On top of this, the backrest doesn’t recline to 180 degrees, as other chairs in this segment do. In fact, the recline is one of the weakest areas of the Boulies Elite. The notches in the mechanism are very prominent when moving back, and I often found the handle would get stuck before locking into position, requiring a firmer push of the handle than usual to lock into place.
Assembling the Boulies Elite was easy for the most part, although a couple of casters proved a little troublesome to snap into place. Keeping the gasket mounts in place while installing the tilt mechanism was the hardest part, whereas installing the backrest – which is usually the trickiest part of building a gaming chair – was easier than expected. I managed to construct it by myself with relative ease.
If you’re on the lookout for a mid-range gaming chair, the Boulies Elite is a solid pick. There are a few snags with some of the adjustments, but you’d typically have to pay a lot more for this level of adjustability, comfort, and quality (see the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022).
Should you want something even more budget-friendly, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is just about the best in this regard, although it lacks the same premium construction as the Boulies Elite.
(Image credit: Future)
Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Price and availability
$399 / £339 / AU$594
Available now
Cheaper than some rivals
The Boulies Elite costs $399 / £339 / AU$594 and is available now in three colorways for the PU variant (black, blue, and white), and two for the fabric model (ash grey and charcoal grey). There’s also an Elite Max for those with larger frames, which isn’t much more expensive.
It comes with a two-year warranty as standard, which can be extended to three with Boulies’ Warranty Plus, and also includes two years of peeling protection.
Gaming chairs of the Boulies Elite’s ilk usually command higher price tags. The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, for instance, starts from $549 / £469 / AU$799, despite having similar adjustments and functionality. Its prices can escalate quickly too, depending on the specific model you opt for.
If you’re after something that’s more accommodating for larger frames, then the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL is the most comfortable gaming chair for such users. And if you want to spend even less than the Boulies Elite but still get a great chair, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a great alternative.
Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Specs
Boulies Elite gaming chair: Design and aesthetics
Typical gaming chair design
No side bolsters
Premium feel
The Boulies Elite sticks to the tried and true gaming chair formula for the most part, with a racing-style backrest, complete with holes on either side just below head height, used to fasten the lumbar cushion strap. Its wide seat forgoes the side bolsters, though, following the segment’s more recent move towards completely flat bases, which I find more accommodating.
Hard wearing without looking utilitarian, the PU leatherette feels premium, even helping to inject an element of class. There’s a minimal amount of suede on the sides of the seat – less than you might see on other gaming chairs.
The arms are also well-built, and their plastic and metal construction again seems to be of the highest order. Their padding is firm, but I had no issues resting my forearms on them.
The metal wheel base is metal too and feels very sturdy, yet still comfortable enough to rest your feet on should you wish to. The casters offer plenty of grip on carpet, more so than those on other chairs I’ve used.
(Image credit: Future)
Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Comfort and Adjustability
Comfortable without cushions
Great arms
Poor recline
Overall, the comfort of the Boulies Elite is excellent. The seat is well-padded and seems a little softer than many others. Its lack of side bolsters is also welcome, as I personally find them too restrictive and inimical to different seating styles. The lumbar pillow is one of the thickest and most plush I’ve tried, while the head pillow is about on par with many of its rivals. Boulies does claim that you can get comfortable in the Elite without either, and I found this to hold true.
In fact, I was probably more comfortable, as sinking further into the chair allowed me to relax more. Of course, individual preferences will determine whether or not the pillows improve comfort, but it’s reassuring all the same to know they aren’t totally necessary.
The only real ergonomic drawback is the sharpness of the bottom edge of the seat, which feels a little uncomfortable if you tend to place your feet behind your knees, but this is merely a minor inconvenience.
The Boulies Elite has a similar level of adjustability as many premium gaming chairs. Its seat height can go down to 18.1 inches/46cm – which was low enough for me at 5ft 7 inches/170cm to get my feet flat on the floor without a footrest – and up to 20.5 inches/52cm, making it nearly identical to the range of the Secretlab Titan Evo in its regular size. If you’re over six feet, though, you’ll want the Elite Max, which can go up to 22 inches/56cm.
(Image credit: Future)
Its tilt function is smooth with no creaking or notchiness. There’s a clank once you tilt back into the neutral position, but it was mild enough to easily overlook. The ability to lock the tilt in any position is welcome and works well for the most part – I did find it occasionally got stuck in certain positions, but it was nothing that a firmer push of the lever wouldn’t remedy. However, the shortness of the handle for this lever can make it awkward to reach, especially when you’re already tilted back.
The arms can be installed quite close to the sides of the seat, more so than on some other gaming chairs, which I personally prefer as I like having my arms closer to my body for ergonomic reasons.
Their eight-way adjustability offers plenty of scope for getting a personalized setup, the various mechanisms feel tight yet smooth to operate, and there’s very little wobble to any part of them. One minor gripe I had, at least with my unit, was the stiffness of the height adjustments, although it’s possible they may loosen over time.
Boulies states that the Elite has a full-length backrest recline, but it doesn’t open to 180 degrees as some other gaming chairs do. The biggest problem with the recline function, though, is how notchy it is, proving difficult to push back to its maximum opening. I found it also had a tendency to get stuck at about 45 degrees, requiring some force to return upright. There’s a general lack of feel to the recline lever too, which means it can be hard to tell when it’s fully locked in place, again requiring a firm push.
Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Assembly
Building the Boulies Elite was a relatively easy process. A couple of casters proved difficult to insert initially, but I found that giving them a slight twist while pushing did the trick, although this isn’t mentioned in the instructions.
The hardest part was lining up the small gasket mounts for the tilt mechanism on top of the screw holes. These don’t fix in place, so they move out of position far too easily when placing the tilt mechanism. I was able to reach my fingers in and shuffle them back into alignment, but those with larger hands might need some kind of implement at hand to help.
The backrest, on the other hand, was surprisingly easy to install, given it’s usually the trickiest part of any gaming chair. I was able to assemble the entire chair by myself, so many others should be fine doing so too.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Boulies Elite gaming chair?
Buy it if...
You want good adjustments The Boulies Elite has tilt locking, 4D armrests, and a large recline angle, although it’s not quite the full 180 degrees of some other gaming chairs.
You want to sit low Personally, I don’t like using a footrest, so it’s important for me to have my feet flat on the ground, which is possible with seat height adjustments.
Don't buy it...
You want the smoothest recline The recline mechanism on the Boulies Elite is very 'notchy', and the lever is prone to sticking in place.
You’re large in stature While the seat is nice and wide, it might not rise high enough for taller people. For them, there’s the Elite Max.
Boulies Elite gaming chair: Also consider
If the Boulies Elite doesn't sound like a good fit for you (in every sense), these are some great alternatives.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 does everything well: it’s comfortable, well-made, and provides plenty of adjustments. Its starting price is higher than the Boulies Elite, though, with certain variants reaching astronomical heights. But it’s the best gaming chair around right now for a reason. Read our Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review.
Corsair TC100 Relaxed If you want to keep the costs down, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is one of the best cheap gaming chairs there is. Despite its relatively low cost, it still offers a decent amount of adjustability, although it lacks 4D armrests. We found it comfortable, with enough seat width to prevent feeling confined. Read our Corsair TC100 Relaxed review.
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Boulies Elite gaming chair
Extensive testing session
Made adjustments
Plentiful gaming and productivity experience
I tested the Boulies Elite for a day, during which time I made the full range of adjustments for the seat height, armrests, tilt, and recline.
I tried sitting in the Boulies Elite in all manner of ways to replicate how I would normally spend my time in a gaming chair. I sat at my desk while using a keyboard and mouse.
I have experience reviewing gaming chairs and have used a variety of both gaming and office chairs for many years, including popular models such as the Secretlab Titan and the Steelcase Leap. I spend many hours a day in chairs for both working and gaming.
You may have heard of Chinese tech company Xiaomi from its impressive camera phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, its impressive budget mobiles like the Poco X7 Proor its powerful tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 5. You may not have heard as much about its earbuds.
It's true that the tech giant's in-ear headphones have yet to feature in our best earbuds guide, but perhaps this is that time? The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the latest offering from the company, a rare ‘premium’ pair of earbuds alongside the unending line of budget buds it releases under its Redmi line. They’re the specced-up version of the Xiaomi Buds 5 from six months prior, as well as the new iteration of the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro.
Like most earbuds made by smartphone companies, you’re probably checking out this Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review because you’ve found a deal that combines one of the company’s latest smartphones (perhaps the Xiaomi 15 or Xiaomi 14T) with them for a low price. And frankly, that’s probably the only time you should consider them: the buds are acceptable but nothing special, with a price that’s particularly uncompetitive (unless you’ve found them in a bundle).
There’s certainly some impressive acoustic engineering on display here, with each earbud boasting two drivers and a tweeter, but unfortunately the driver array doesn’t deliver equally-impressive audio chops, with music lacking the necessary bass impact and energy to invigorate your tunes.
A trip down the specs list will show some head-turning features, like a high audio bandwidth or the ability to play music over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. The latter is exclusive to a more expensive model of the buds called the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, not this model, but both options require very specific Xiaomi phones that’ll rule out many buyers.
That may seem harsh, but the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro do solve many issues of their non-Pro siblings: they’re comfortable to wear, easy to tote around and don’t fall out of the ear at the slightest provocation. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has seen a particularly improvement, both in the ability to remove noise, and the customization over its various modes.
Ultimately, because this proposition costs more than some really impressive rivals, it’s hard to recommend picking the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro off the shelves (virtual or physical). But as a bundle bonus alongside another gadget, it could be the music companion you need – and that’s equally true if you can find them reduced in sales.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in February 2025
Costs £159.99 / AU$340 (roughly $210)
Over twice as expensive as non-Pro
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro were announced in February 2025, alongside the Xiaomi 15 series of smartphones as well as the Pad 7 and a few other gadgets.
If you recall, the Buds 5 sold for £69.99 (roughly $90, AU$140); the Buds 5 Pro have undergone a serious price hike. They go for £159.99 / AU$340 (roughly $210), so they’re over twice the price of their predecessors.
As Xiaomi only sells its Redmi earbuds in the US, the Buds 5 Pro aren’t on sale there. In Australia, I noticed their prices from Xiaomi’s own outlets ranging from $340 to $380, so the price is a little nebulous.
Later on in this review, I’ll touch more on the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, a more advanced model that I didn’t test. These cost roughly £20 / AU$40 (roughly $30) more than the standard model, depending on where you find them.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Specs
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Several ANC modes
8-hour battery life (with ANC off)
Xiaomi app has EQ and more
Xiaomi has bumped up its feature set with the Buds 5 Pro, offering a few improvements over the non-Pro model, and it does make the earbuds much more competitive.
First up is the battery life – the buds themselves will last for 8 hours of listening if ANC is turned off, and while Xiaomi doesn’t provide an ANC-on figure, I’d guess at about 6.5-7 hours based on my testing. The battery life of the case itself has only seen a modest improvement of one hour over the past model, but the resulting figure of 40 hours in total is nothing to sniff at.
Charging is done with USB-C or wirelessly via Qi, and for the former at least, it’s pretty snappy. Xiaomi estimates that you’ll get 4.5 hours of listening time on 10 minutes charge with a fast enough charger, and while mine isn’t up to Xiaomi’s specs, I was still pleasantly surprised with how little you needed to charge these things for them to be on 100%.
Another improvement is ANC, or Active Noise Cancellation – it’s still not industry-leading but these buds offer a marked improvement over the Buds 5 (I’m sure the silicon tips help, more on that later). You get the usual three modes: on, off and transparency, with the latter letting you choose between enhancing ambient sounds, voice or both. It’s a neat way to let you avoid the downsides of passthrough modes while still enjoying the benefits.
There’s an adaptive noise cancellation mode, which can be toggled between ‘light’ and ‘deep’ (I'll be honest, I cannot discern the difference here). This helps retain some juice when you’re listening, as it dials ANC up or down, depending on how noisy your surroundings are.
(Image credit: Future)
This can all be changed in the Xiaomi Earbuds app, which brings a few extra features. This includes turning on adaptive sound and volume, the ability to change what touch controls do, a spatial audio feature called Dimensional Audio, and a voice memo recording feature which you can enable via the app or via gestures.
An eight-band equalizer is hidden deep in the app’s menus, but I found myself using the six presets most of all. These include ‘decrease bass’, ‘enhance voice’ and the enigmatically-named ‘audiophile’, as well as two Harman Kardon-tuned versions called ‘Harman AudioEFX’ and ‘Harman Master’. The app doesn’t reveal what these mean, but Harman’s website reveals that the former is a tool which intelligently balances the dynamics of a song.
The Buds connect to your phone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth 5.4. There’s also a model which supports Wi-Fi connectivity to your phone, which I didn’t test. This pair, called the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi and one of the big audio breakthroughs we saw at MWC recently, cost a little more and only let you use that titular feature alongside the expensive Xiaomi 15 Ultra, however more phones are apparently going to gain support in the future. The benefit to this pair is that you can listen to 96kHz / 24bit audio using the 4.2Mbps bandwidth, so it’s one for hardcore audiophiles to keep an eye on.
Features score: 3.5/5
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Silver case is lightweight and small
Silicon eartips make buds stay in ears easily
Buttons on each bud stem
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro’s case is near-identical to the non-Pro model’s. It’s a slender silver clamshell with a USB-C port on its underside, that opens up to reveal the buds. It’s made of plastic and weighs 41.8g, so it’s pretty lightweight (though 5g heavier than the Buds 5’s).
A compliment I levelled on the previous buds stands true here: the design of the case makes it really easy to remove the buds quickly, as the stems aren’t buried in the case. I appreciate buds that reduce the time taken faffing with the case.
Now onto the earbuds: these show a big improvement over the Buds 5 (and remember, I have thoroughly tested both) in that they have silicon tips that keep the buds securely in your ears. The non-Pro model lacked this, and my biggest issue with them was that they just wouldn’t stick in my ear. The addition of tips removes this issue.
In fact I never had a problem with the Buds 5 Pro’s fit: they never felt wobbly or ill-fitting, and they’re nice and lightweight so it wasn’t a burden wearing them. They weigh 5.6g which is pretty svelte for earbuds.
The stems of each earbud house a button that you can trigger by squeezing the stem. You need to squeeze them quite hard though, and there’s not much in the way of response to show that your squeeze has registered as in the past buds (which gave a light ‘click’ to show the button had been pressed). It’s not the end of the world, but it’s a slight regression.
An improvement here is that the buds have an IP54 rating, offering limited protections against fine particles (like dust) as well as moisture (like sprays of water). IP certification is a nice reassurance that your chosen gadgets can withstand a dose of mother nature.
Design score: 4/5
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
11mm driver + planar + tweeter
High max volume
Impressive mids and decent trebles, but lacking in bass
Xiaomi has really stuffed the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro with tech: each bud has an 11mm dynamic driver alongside a planar driver and a ceramic tweeter.
While the midrange is much meatier than I’m used to in earbuds and the treble is clear and agile, the Achilles’ heel of the Buds 5 Pro is bass, which can range from ‘a little lacking’ to ‘conspicuously absent’ depending on the song.
Not everyone is a bass-head, and I count myself among that crowd, but even I felt that songs were lacking a little je ne sais quoi as a result. Using the equaliser can help a little bit, but the odd lack of a bass boost mode hurts (there’s treble enhancer, and bass reducer, not no bass enhancer or treble reducer?).
(Image credit: Future)
If you don’t care much for heavy grime or drum-and-bass music (or perhaps you listen to genres with so much intrinsic bass that no earbud can remove it and a tempered performance might actually help things), you’ll likely be fine with the Buds 5 Pro. But I can see this being a deal-breaker for some buyers.
Perhaps compensating for this issue is the Buds 5 Pro's eye-watering max volume. At some point in testing, I crank earbuds up to their max volume to see how high they can go. The Buds 5 Pro made me regret that I didn’t take the buds out of my ears before doing so!
A little feature I need to flag for a very slim market (hello, audiophiles who may still wear wireless earbuds) is that the Buds 5 Pro support a 2.1Mbps transmission rate of lossless audio, which would be great for high-res streaming… if it wasn’t for the fact that it only works if your mobile is one of a select number of recent top-end Xiaomi phones. So it’s not for everyone.
Sound quality: 3.5/5
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Struggle compared to some rivals
Pick them up bundled or discounted
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro would be decent buds, sitting at the high end of the budget market, if that’s what they cost. But they don’t – they’re a little pricier than I would have expected, and they also cost more than some really impressive competitors that I’ll list below.
It’s not a huge margin, but you can save £40 / AU$80 and pick up some great competitors pretty easily.
That’s why, as I said in the introduction, these are great in a deal or bundle. But it’s harder to recommend picking them up on their own.
Value: 3/5
Should I buy the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if…
You find them bundled If you can pick these up alongside a flagship Xiaomi phone, you'll be able to use their top-end features and will likely get them at a discount.
You need a reliable ear fit Unlike the Buds 5, these guys stick in your ear well, and won't fall out unless you take them out.
Don’t buy them if…
You're on a budget These aren't cheap earbuds, and you should only consider these if you have money to burn.
You're a bass head The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro won't offer you the booming bass of some other earbuds, so they won't impress bass-heads.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Also consider
Xiaomi Buds 5 The natural comparison, these buds are a lot cheaper. However they don't sound as good, have worse ANC and don't fit in the ears well.
Nothing Ear These buds from rival phone maker Nothing sound great, have loads of unique features and look distinctive. Best of all, they undercut the Xiaomis.
I used the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro for two weeks in order to write this review. They were mostly paired with my Android smartphone although I did use them on a Windows laptop too.
This testing involved trips to the gym, walks around my neighborhood, working at home, streaming TV shows and idling at home. It was mostly done on music but I did listen to some podcast too.
I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for over six years now, and in that time have tested plenty of wireless earbuds as well as a huge number of Xiaomi devices.
The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is an entry-level robot vacuum designed for those seeking cleaning convenience on a budget. While it doesn't offer the same advanced features as the best robot vacuums on the market, it's a very capable cleaner that delivers good value for money. I'd definitely count it among the best budget robovacs I've tested.
This hybrid robot vacuum and mop is well built, if a little on the large side, with a compact charge-only dock. Set-up is straightforward, and I was impressed by its mapping and navigation, which was quick and painless (which isn't always the case with budget bots).
In terms of cleaning power, the D9 Max Gen 2 performed well in suction tests, tackling fine debris or chunkier spillages without issue. I was less enamored with its mopping skills, however. The design of the mop pad isn't the best and I'm not sure it's worth the effort, delivering only the lightest wipe-down of my lino floors. Another potential downside is the unreliable object avoidance; if you often have clutter on your floors and don't want to have to tidy before every vacuuming run, this isn't the robovac for you.
The app is well designed and intuitive. While you won't get the kind of granular control or automation offered by pricier bots, it covers the main bases. The only exception is that I couldn't see a way to set up a cleaning schedule or time a cleaning run.
For the price, then – which is solidly in the budget bracket – I think the D9 Max Gen 2 is a good buy. Dreame makes some of our favorite premium robot vacuums (including the excellent Dreame L40 Ultra), so I'm not surprised to find that its budget offering is of a high quality. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a wallet-friendly, fuss-free robovac that navigates reliably well and helps you stay on top of your vacuuming. That's the short version; read on for my full Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 robot vacuum review.
Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: price & availability
List price: $299.99 / £219 / AU$699
Launched: Confirming
Available: US, UK, Australia
In the US, at time of writing, the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is available direct from Dreame US or via Amazon, and has a list price of $299.99. In the UK, it has a list price of £219, and is available to buy direct from Dreame UK, as well as a range of third-party retailers such as Amazon, B&Q and Currys. In Australia, the robovac costs AU$699 at full price, but can be found discounted to AU$399 on the Dreame AU site at the time of writing. Note that I spotted the vacuum being offered at big discounts in all territories while writing this review.
Even at list price, this bot is firmly in the budget price bracket – we count any robot vacuum under $500 / £400 as budget at TechRadar. For that price, it feels very well-built, and the features are in line with what I'd expect.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 specs
Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: design
Hybrid robovac and mop with compact, charge-only dock
Single rubber roller and one side brush
Fixed, D-shaped mop pad with small integrated water tank
The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is a hybrid robotic vacuum and mop. It's sports the standard, round design with a raised navigation puck, and is available in black or white. Size-wise, it's at the larger end of the spectrum, measuring 13.8in / 35cm in diameter, and it features two physical buttons: Power and Home. However, for most controls you'll want to use the companion app.
(Image credit: Future)
This model uses LiDAR for navigation, hence the raised puck. This is the fastest and most accurate robot vacuum navigation technology, and widely used – but not always a given in budget-friendly models (some use the more basic vSLAM; see how the two compare in our LiDAR vs vSLAM explainer). There's also a camera at the front of the bot.
This bot has a single rubber roller and one side brush (Image credit: Future)
Flip it over and you'll find a single rotating side brush, a rubbery roller, two chunky wheels, and a smaller, third mini-wheel for balance. In general, I prefer rubbery rollers such as the one here over bristled brushrolls, since the latter tend to become tangled with hair. Some bots will have dual rollers (the main examples being Roborock and iRobot Roomba models); but in general, this looks like a pretty standard setup.
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A wide, flat water tank is attached on the underside of the mop pad (Image credit: Future)
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... and the whole thing snaps onto the underside of the bot (Image credit: Future)
Slightly more unusual is the approach to the mop pad. Dreame has integrated a wide, very shallow water tank onto the underside of the D-shaped mop pad. Other robovacs will have a separate tank inside the bot itself, but that uses up valuable dust-storing space. Here, you're getting a slightly higher onboard dust cup capacity, but the bot won't hold much water.
The mop pad/water tank comes on and off using a combination of clips and magnets (not as complicated as it sounds!), so it doesn't need to be attached when you're just vacuuming.
This kind of fixed, D-shaped mop pad tends not to be as effective at scrubbing compared to the spinning, dual discs found on more advanced models. However, it's as I'd expect for a robot vacuum in this price bracket.
The mop pad also can't lift and lower to allow the bot to traverse over carpet without leaving damp patches, which is a feature also seen on pricier robot vacuums. In fact, more advanced Dreame bots can dock themselves and drop off their mop pads when they're not required – but again, you'd need to pay a fair bit more for that kind of functionality.
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A hinged lid opens to reveal the onboard dust bin and filter (Image credit: Future)
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Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 robot vacuum with top lid open to show where the dustbin fits inside (Image credit: Future)
A hinged lid on top of the bot can be opened to reveal the onboard dust cup with integrated filter. This is very slightly fiddly to remove from the inside of the bot. There's also a brush and hair-cutter tool, for easier maintenance.
(Image credit: Future)
The dock is of the basic, charge-only type, rather than the kind that houses a larger dustbin into which the bot's smaller bin will automatically empty. That has the benefit of being far more compact – good news, if you have a small home. However, it also means you'll need to take care of emptying the bin manually, which will be annoying if you're regularly dealing with large volumes of dust or pet hair, for instance.
You'll also need to manually refill the bot's water tank, as well as clean and dry the mop pads. For a dock that can do this for you, you'd be looking in a significantly higher price bracket.
Design score: 3.5 out of 5
Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: performance
Good navigation, but unreliable object avoidance
Vacuuming generally good, can struggle with larger debris
Mopping okay, but just for very light cleans
The app walked me through the initial setup, which included linking the bot to my home Wi-Fi and connecting it to the app – all nice and straightforward.
On setup, it prompted me to do a fast mapping run, where the bot just creates a map of your space but doesn't clean. This took under five mins, and involved the bot meandering into each room and vaguely looking around. After that was complete, it created a very rough map of the space, without trying to separate rooms.
The bot got a little stuck making its way around my fireplace (Image credit: Future)
I then set it off on its first cleaning run. I was pretty impressed. The bot covered everything with minimal fuss, only getting slightly muddled when trying to traverse the slanting edges of some rooms. It also became stuck when it was making its way around the border of my low hearth – although did manage to escape on its own eventually.
With the first cleaning run complete, the app split the map into what it thought were rooms (mostly correct), and I tweaked and named each room. It is possible to create multiple maps, but I didn't do this as I live on a single floor.
Navigation & obstacle avoidance
In general, the Dreame Max Gen 2 navigates very well. I could see it adjusting its path when it was about to reach an obstruction, although at times it did also seem to find its way by bumping into things.
However, it isn't as reliable when it comes to obstacle avoidance. I ran TechRadar's standard tests using a shoe, sock and cable on my floor, and the Dreame failed to spot any of them, eating the cable, doing its best to eat the sock, and pushing the shoe around until I picked it up and took it away to safety. This bot probably isn't the best choice if you have a lot of clutter on your floors.
The D9 Max Gen 2 sadly failed to avoid any of these obstacles (Image credit: Future)
Suction performance
The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 has four suction modes: Quiet, Standard, Strong and Turbo; and can be set to vacuum, mop, or both.
To assess cleaning power, I ran TechRadar's standard tests. I started by sprinkling tea and oats on separate patches of carpet. I bumped up the suction setting to Strong (it's Standard by default) and set the bot to vacuum that area.
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Tea on carpet before test (Image credit: Future)
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Remaining tea on carpet after a single pass (Image credit: Future)
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Remaining tea on carpet after a second pass (Image credit: Future)
It cleared most of the tea in one pass, and almost all of it in two. I then boosted suction up to Max, and remote-controlled the bot over the area to clear the final remnants.
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Oats on carpet before test (Image credit: Future)
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Remaining oats on carpet after a single pass (Image credit: Future)
I was impressed with how it handled the oat spillage, too. It cleared almost all of it first time and the rest on second pass, and it didn't ping them around, either.
However, in my general use of the vacuum on carpet, I had a few minor complaints. Occasionally, the bot would deposit larger debris – a tiny bit of leaf, for example – in another area of the room after initially seeming to have picked it up.
I also found it wasn't amazing at dealing with hair. I have long hair, and the bot would occasionally to roll it into clumps and leave it on the carpet rather than pick it up. However, there was hair in the bin when I came to empty it, and none wrapped around the brushroll, so it isn't a total fail on that front. (If you're looking for the best vacuum for pet hair, we have a separate guide that's worth consulting.)
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Tea on lino floor before suction test (Image credit: Future)
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During the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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After one pass (Image credit: Future)
I repeated my tea suction test on hard floor. On the first pass, the D9 Max Gen 2 seemed to just push the tea leaves around everywhere. On the second and third passes, though, it had gathered pretty much everything.
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Oats on lino before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)
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... during the test... (Image credit: Future)
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... and the ones that got away (Image credit: Future)
The oats were pinged around even more enthusiastically, however; but, again, almost all were sucked up eventually. Only a few escaped and that was because they'd bounced their way out of my set cleaning zone.
It's worth stating that robot vacuums are great for everyday maintenance cleans, but even the priciest models fall short of the results achieved with a decent manual vacuum. When I went to empty the Dreame's bin after use, it was packed full of dust and hair, so it certainly picked up plenty from my apartment; but following up with my Dyson Gen5detect saw even more dust collection.
Mopping performance
To mop, you need to clip on the full water tank with pre-dampened mop pad attached. I found filling the tank a little fiddly since it's so thin and the opening is small, and getting the wet mop pad back on proved a bit tricky, too. To Dreame's credit, the unit didn't leak at all while I was attaching it back onto the bot, as I had feared it might. There's no option to use this bot with a floor cleaner.
There are three water levels to choose from, and I selected the middle one for my mop tests. You can also choose from a couple of intensity settings: Daily mopping and Deep mopping (where the robot moves in "a dense Z-shaped pattern"). I opted for the latter, because the app warned there was a "risk of skidding" in this mode, which sounded exciting.
In fact, there was no skidding and I couldn't really see a difference in how it was moving compared to how it had previously navigated the rest of my apartment. However, it did an okay job of mopping, leaving a light, even sheen of water across the floor and clearing a wet spillage I'd introduced.
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Ketchup smear on floor before mopping (Image credit: Future)
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... and what was left after a couple of passes (Image credit: Future)
To see how it fared with trickier spillages, I smeared a tiny bit of ketchup on the floor. Unfortunately, it barely touched this at all, even after traversing the area three times. It seems that the vacuum isn't exerting enough pressure with its mop pad to clear anything other than surface dirt. That's not too surprising for a bot at this price point, but it's worth bearing in mind if mopping is a priority.
There's also some maintenance to be aware of. You'll need to remove and rinse the pad shortly after a mopping session (the app prompts you, which is helpful), as well as running it through the wash fairly regularly so it doesn't end up smelling. After my mopping session, there were bits of tea and oats on the pad along with the ketchup, even though I'd run the vacuuming tests separately, first. Next I drained the tank, although the placement of the inlet meant I couldn't empty it completely.
Since the D9 Max Gen 2 can't lift its mop pads, you'll ideally want to avoid situations where the wet mop is being dragged over a carpeted area. As such, this bot isn't ideal for apartments such as mine, where there's a big carpeted room meeting three rooms with lino.
In short, I'm not wholly convinced this machine is better off for having mopping capabilities, or that I'd end up using them often. If you really want hands-free mopping, I'd recommend investing more in a machine with spinning circular mop pads that are able to lift over carpet, and a dock that can clean them.
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: app
Nicely designed and easy to use
Main functions covered, except you can't set a cleaning schedule
Pricier options offer more granular control
The Dreame app is well-designed and intuitive. It doesn't offer tons of settings compared to more premium options, but most of the key ones are covered.
The map is clear, and you can follow the bot in real-time as it makes its way around the home. You can split and merge rooms, add "zones", and create no-go zones if there's something you know is going to cause problems.
(Image credit: Dreame / Future)
There's also an area where you can adjust your suction and water settings. If you switch on "customized cleaning", you can set personalized suction power and water for each area. It's also possible to adjust the order in which the bot cleans you rooms. While you can launch the bot remotely, you can't set a regular cleaning schedule for it to follow.
App score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2?
Buy it if...
You're on a budget While not the fanciest robovac around, you're getting a very decent bot for your money here. It's well-built, straightforward to use, and navigates reliably.
Your priority is vacuuming The vacuuming here is decent – the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 performed well in my suction tests, and I could see it was cleaning my floors well from the amount of dust that was collected in the bin.
You have a smaller home This model doesn't self-empty, which won't be an issue if you have a smaller home. It also means you won't have to make room for a massive dock.
Don't buy it if...
Your priority is mopping The mopping here is perfunctory, and you'll need to take care of all mop maintenance yourself.
You often have cluttered floors While navigation is reliable, this Dreame bot doesn't do a good job of spotting, or avoiding, clutter on the floor.
You have a larger home or pets You don't want to be emptying the small onboard bin every 30 minutes, so opt for a bot with a self-empty base – our favorite budget option in this category is the Roborock Q5 Pro+.
How I tested the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2
I used the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 as my main vacuum for a couple of weeks to get a feel for its general usability and performance. I also ran a series of suction tests to assess its cleaning power, asking it to pick up fine (tea) and chunky (oats) debris on hard floor as well as carpet. To test obstacle avoidance, I scattered common items you'd find around any home over my living room floor to see if it would bump into them or navigate around them. I also noted how effective it was at mopping, and whether it could cope with wet (water) and sticky (smeared ketchup) spillages.
During my review period, I assessed how easy it was to set up the D9 Max Gen 2, the accuracy of its navigation, and if it generally performed as I'd want it to. I compared my experience with other robot vacuums I've tested, both budget and premium models.
For this review, I tested the Q5 Pro+, which has a self-empty dock. There's also a cheaper Q5 Pro, which is the same bot but with a charge-only dock.
The Roborock Q5 Pro+ is an affordable robot vacuum that delivers strong vacuuming performance with one major trade-off – poor mopping. Despite having a slightly lower 5,500Pa of suction power, on test I found it excelled at picking up dirt and dust, especially on carpets – perhaps thanks to the dual rubber roller brushes borrowed from Roborock's higher-end models. It also handled the copious amounts of pet hair in my home extremely well. If you don't have loads of cash to splash and your priority is vacuuming, this could be the best robot vacuum for you.
This model uses LiDAR-based navigation, which allows for precise mapping and efficient cleaning paths. Its obstacle avoidance is a little basic, though, so it's one to avoid if you typically have lots of clutter on your floors. Other standout features include the extra large 2.5-liter bag in its compact but efficient dock, and an outstanding, intuitive app.
While the Q5 Pro+ performs admirably well at vacuuming floors of all types, its mopping system is simply comprised of a static mop pad with no mop-cleaning facilities of any sort. Hence, its mopping performance is very underwhelming when compared to much of the competition, including many of its own, admittedly more expensive, Roborock stablemates.
If you don't need mopping, however, this could be an excellent buy. It's slightly older now and discounts are easy to come by, taking the Q5 Pro into the budget price bracket and delivering strong value for money. It's not the latest and greatest model, but it delivers strong vacuuming performance, smart navigation and minimal dust-emptying maintenance. I'd include it amongst the best cheap robot vacuums around and the best robot vacuums for pet hairif you're on a budget.
That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Q5 Pro+ review.
(Image credit: Future)
Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: price & availability
List price: $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
Launch date: October 2023
Availability: US, UK, AU (out of stock)
The Q5 Pro line was first announced at IFA 2023, and launched in October 2023. As of writing, the Q5 Pro+ with auto dustbin is available on the US Roborock site at a list price of $699.99, but reduced to $359.99. On the UK Roborock website, it's £499.99 down to £349.99. In Australia, if you go direct to Roborock the Q5 Pro+ costs AU$999, reduced to AU$799 but out of stock at time of writing. The Q5 Pro+ can also be purchased via Amazon, although at time of writing it was out of stock in both the US and UK.
If you don't need the self-empty dock, you can opt for the Roborock Q5 Pro, which is the same model but just with a basic, charge-only dock. That costs $429.99 (reduced to $179.99) or £299 (down to £199.99). In Australia it's only available via third party retailers, but has a list price of AU$899.
At TechRadar, a robot vacuum under $500 / £400 is considered a budget model. At full price, the Pro+ model is mid-range, but it's currently widely discounted into the budget bracket. The Pro version is a budget model even at list price, and really very cheap if you can snag a discount. If vacuuming is your priority, then it's well worth considering.
If mopping is a priority, then it won't be such a good pick, though. In which case, perhaps opt for the earlier high-end Roborock S7 Max Ultra model – which features a fully functioning mop system with self cleaning ability, and can be picked up for around $799.99 / £500 (although at list price it's more expensive),
Shoppers in the UK should also check out the excellent Xiaomi X20+, which retails for a ridiculously low price of £299, and is the best cheap robovac I've tested.
A quick note on availability. Given the rate of new releases in the robot vacuum world, the Q5 Pro and Pro+ are now considered slightly older models. That, combined with widespread discounts and some lack of availability makes me think that maybe this line may be discontinued in the not-too-distant future.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Roborock Q5 Pro+ specs
Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: design
Excellent dual-roller vacuum system
Great dock with extra large dust bag
Disappointing mop pad
As much as I tend to gravitate towards Roborock as my brand of choice when it comes to robot vacuum cleaners, I'm also startled by the number of different models – 21 and counting – that the innovative Chinese manufacturer has launched in just the past year alone (at time of writing in March 2025). It's hard enough as reviewer of these little home helpers to differentiate between one model and the next, so I can only imagine the confusion it must cause for prospective buyers who don't know anything about all these models' respective suction power levels, navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, and their various mopping functions.
(Image credit: Future)
What I will say is that, though it's not necessarily the best in the Roborock range, if you're on a tight budget and wish to jump onto the Roborock bandwagon, the minimalistic Q5 Pro series is a good place to start. Available in two variants – the Pro+ I'm reviewing here with self-emptying dock and the standard Pro with no dock – the Roborock Q5 Pro+ is one of the lowest priced Roborock series currently on the market.
Robot design
Let's take a look at the robot itself. At 35 x 35.3 x 9.7cm it's about the same width as most robot vacs though, at a shade under 9.7cm, it's also one of the tallest, which means it won't be able to venture beneath some furnishings like its ultra-low stablemates, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. In the pantheon of robot vacs, this one's not a bad looker, though its ribbed top and black plastic does attract dust instantly. Like within seconds.
Like so many robot vacs these days, the Q5 Pro uses LDS (Laser Distance Sensor) LiDAR and this means that the Q5 Pro will quickly map a home – usually in a matter of minutes – and present its floor plan in great detail on the accompanying Roborock app. LiDAR-equipped robots are excellent at general navigation – even in total darkness – and will almost always find their way back to their docks the very first time you use them, unlike old-fashioned camera-only models that don't know where they are half the time (here's more on how robot vacuums navigate, if you're interested).
(Image credit: Future)
This model isn't fitted with a front-facing camera, so obstacle avoidance of any item under around four inches in height will suffer. Instead, it uses its LiDAR and a bump sensor to help it avoid larger obstacles and furniture. While there is a sensor on the front, it's only used for navigation back to the dock.
Like all robovacs, the Q5 pro also comes with four under-body cliff sensors to prevent it tumbling down a flight of stairs (you can also set a virtual barrier in the app for extra peace of mind). The top part of the unit is completed with three instant-access buttons for some manual control – dock, start/stop and spot clean.
(Image credit: Future)
This model is fitted with Roborock's very effective Duo Roller rubber rollers for efficient pickup of carpet and hard floor debris, along with the obligatory fixed spinning side brush for sweeping matter from corners of the room into the path of the suction funnel. And speaking of suction, this model is rated at 5,500Pa which is a lot lower than some Roborock flagship models which boast up to 22,000Pa.
However, as you'll see in my tests below, its lower suction power doesn't impinge on the bot's ability to vacuum as well as the very best, especially considering the lower price point. This model doesn't feature an ultrasonic carpet sensor, and while the blurb does say it has carpet boost by default, I haven't heard anything from the motor to suggest it does.
One especially useful asset here is the inclusion of a larger-than-average 770ml internal bin for the robot – most others are around 270ml – and that means it will happily tackle pet hair on a grand scale before it trundles back to the dock to have it all emptied automatically into the dock's also larger-than-average 2.5-litre dust bag. But more on that below.
(Image credit: Future)
If you have a big home and are interested in battery specs, you'll be pleased to know that the Q5 Pro comes with a 5200mAh battery – the same as fitted to some of Roborock's earlier flagship models. This battery boasts a running time of up to 180 minutes, which is more than enough juice for a large floor plan.
Finally we come to this model's Achilles Heel – the dreadful moping system. Now I'm generally no fan of any robot with a mopping system and I know I'm not the only one. But, hey, the powers that be have decided that that is what most people want so all manufacturers continue to make high-end robots with mopping systems when all some of us want is a highly efficient vacuum-only system with a whopping 5-litre dust bag instead of the space in the dock being consumed by two large water containers. But what do I know?
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
So, what's so bad about this model's mop? Well it's a simple 35cm static pad for a start and, worse, it isn't really pushed down hard enough against the floor by the weight of the robot, which means poor contact and coverage. Also, since there are no water tanks in the dock, you will have to fill a tiny 180ml water tank above the mopping pad and select two levels of moisture – a lot and a little. Incidentally, this mop does not raise automatically when traversing carpet so tread carefully if you have a lot of rugs en route to the hard floor. You can read all about the performance of this mop in the, er, Performance chapter below, but suffice to say I wasn't impressed.
Dock design
The Q5 Pro+'s dock is a great bonus since it features an extra large 2.5-liter dust bag where most other bots can only manage around two liters. And since there are no water tanks to accommodate, the dock itself is only around 45cm in height, a svelte 30cm in width and 44cm in depth, which means it won't take up very much floor space.
(Image credit: Future)
The ribbed design of the dock's front fascia is reminiscent of some of iRobot's newer offerings and it's no shabby looker, especially when compared to some of the tasteless designs I've recently seen. However, I'm not too enamoured of the cheap-feeling lid one has to lift to access the dock's dust bag. Also, setting the dock up isn't quite as straightforward as most models since you will need to assemble the dock by using the supplied Allen key (under the platform) to attach it to the bin housing.
Design score: 3.5 out of 5
Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: performance
Excellent vacuum performance
Strong navigation but rudimentary obstacle avoidance
Very poor mopping
Let's take a look at the Roborock Q5 Pro+'s performance. It's a bit of a mixed bag here, so I've broken this section up into navigation, vacuuming and mopping so it's clear where this bot's strengths and weaknesses are.
Navigation performance
All Roborocks navigate spaces extremely well and this model is no different. No it doesn't have the bells-and-whistles multi-point LiDAR navigation of the new Roborock Saros 10R, but it managed just fine in my open-plan home. Put another way, during my review period it never once got lost or found itself trapped under furniture. I'm not promising that'll never happen in the future – it's a robot after all – but it's a strong start.
Roborock uses something called Adaptive Route Algorithms for the Q5 Pro's navigation system and this means it will clean floors in a logical, linear way rather than randomly like most camera only-based models.
Crucially, this is another one of those modern bots that didn't seem to have any trouble traversing my rugs, even those of the loose, thin variety. And that's always a major bonus in my opinion.
(Image credit: Future)
This model can be described as merely adequate when it comes to obstacle avoidance, so it's best suited to homes that are generally free of small items like loose socks, Lego bricks and phone cables. If this describes your home, you would be better off spending a lot more on a higher-end model – or avoid a robot altogether.
The Q5 pro uses very basic touch-and-run avoidance. This means it may gently push some larger items out of the way while dodging others. There's no rhyme or reason to its thought processes when faced with obstacles but, according to my tests, it didn't seem to see any items less than around 4 inches in height. Consequently, it gamely ploughed over the small nylon dog bone that has similarly caught out many other robot vacs and pushed some smaller dog toys that other models have avoided.
Vacuum performance
Vacuum cleaning of both hard floor and carpet is where this model really shines. But then that doesn't surprise me because very few Roborocks fail to impress in this regard.
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Before the suction test on hard floor... (Image credit: Future)
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... and during (Image credit: Future)
Test one took place on my kitchen floor with a buffet of different ingredients – a handful of orzo pasta, a crushed Hob Nob, half a teaspoon of brown sugar, a large pinch of flour and a scattering of cornflakes (I would usually also include some oats, but I ate them). Anyway, I set the unit to Max (one below full power) and selected two passes.
The results were excellent; indeed, as good as many of Roborock's high-end bots. Yes, there was some serious snow ploughing of ingredients (my bad for adding so many) but everything was eventually sucked up with no traces of any remnants. Top marks.
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Before the suction test on carpet... (Image credit: Future)
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... and after (Image credit: Future)
I then replicated the test on a medium-pile carpet rug using the app's Zone option and set the vacuum power to Max+ (its highest setting) plus two passes for good measure. I expected poorer performance for this test but was pleasantly surprised to see it collect the vast majority of the debris in a single pass. It then came back on itself and collected the rest. And just for good measure, it then proceeded to run over the same section horizontally until absolutely nothing remained. I call that a success.
Aside from the above tests, I also had the Q5 Pro running over a five day period and noted how well it collected all the hair shed by my two dogs and three cats. The great thing about this model is that it has a much larger internal bin than the majority of other robot vacs. This is a big bonus when it comes to collecting pet hair – not because it can cram more in during an average cleaning session, but because of the extra space in the bin which prevents bundling and compression when automatically emptying at the dock.
Many robot vacs I've tested have occasionally had issues during self emptying, where large clumps of hair become trapped in the outlet of the robot's bin and around the intake to the dock's dust bag. These issues are easily fixed but are also an inconvenience. Hence, if I'm in the same room as the dock, I always listen for the tell-tale ‘woomph' sound as the hair is sucked into the dock. In fact, I've also become accustomed to the tone of the motor fan during emptying so I can usually tell if there's a blockage issue.
Mopping performance
In short, there is nothing Pro about this robot's mopping system. In fact, I'm not sure why Roborock even considered a mopping system like this in this day and age, because it is pretty woeful at mopping up anything other than the very top layer of dust and some very light soiling. Worse, the mop cannot lift itself off the floor when crossing carpets so you would need to remove all rugs while in transit.
To set up the mopping system you need to fill the small 180ml water tank – preferably with hot water – and slide the switch under the mop pad to your preferred choice of wetness (I chose the lower amount since I have engineered wooden floors). Now wait a few minutes while the water saturates the mop and set it off on its way. Since the app doesn't show an option for mopping, you basically set the robot to do a standard vacuum and the mop pad simply drags along the floor.
Mopping merely left damp stripes on my floor (Image credit: Future)
In my test, the pad left a lot more moisture on the floor than other mopping models I've tried and, because some of my floor's wooden planks are fractionally bowed, the water was deposited as a series of stripes. Yes, it kind of mopped the floor as evidenced by the dirtiness of the mop but, really, this is no substitute for some proper elbow grease. Worse, you have to remove the mop pad when finished and clean it under a hot tap. That's just too much work for me.
Personally, I wouldn't bother using this model as a wet mop. Instead I would advise leaving the dry pad attached when sending the bot out on a vacuum run. It'll simply drag behind, collecting any remnants of dust while giving your hard floor a polish of sorts.
Alternatively, if you don't think you need a mop, perhaps consider the non-mopping Q5 Max+, which is ultimately a better overall choice for the money. And if your robot simply must have a mop attached, consider something like the Roborock S7 Max Ultra which, while more expensive, is way better at wet mopping hard floors.
Dock performance
I've been very impressed with the performance of this dock. For a start, it's got a much larger dust bag than most other models (2.5-litres) and a reassuringly loud suction process that never failed to remove all contents from the robot's larger-than-average bin, even when filled with pet hair. I also love its unobtrusively small size, which makes it perfectly suited to location in a living room if space is an issue.
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The dock has a larger than usual bin (Image credit: Future)
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The onboard bin before auto-empty... (Image credit: Future)
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... and after (Image credit: Future)
It's not as fully-featured as you'd find on pricier models – as discussed, there are no water tanks, let alone mop pad cleaning – but as a dust-emptying dock it's excellent. Despite some cheapness in the quality of the lift-off dust bag lid, I give this dock close to top marks.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: app
Intuitive and easy to set up
Feature filled
Not all setting options available
The Roborock app is essential for maximizing the Q5 Pro+'s potential. Setup is straightforward and the interface is clean and very intuitive. It also comes with tons of options, though some may be missing for this particular model of robot vac.
(Image credit: Roborock)
In general, you're provided with a decent range of parameters, including real-time mapping, cleaning schedules, zone customization, routine settings and various custom options regarding how the robot and dock behave during any cleaning session. I particularly appreciated the ‘no-go zones' for keeping the vacuum away from delicate areas and the way you can view your home in 3D. I also love the way you can set its voice notifications to your specific language and, if living in the UK, even choose a British accent.
App score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Roborock Q5 Pro+?
Buy it if...
You want reliable, efficient vacuuming
Roborocks rarely fail to impress when it comes to sweeping floors, and this model is no exception. Despite not having the highest outright suction on the market, its cleaning power is right up there with far pricier, higher-specced models.
You're on a budget
This is one of the cheapest Roborock bots available, and discounts are easy to come by. If mopping isn't your priority, this could be a great-value buy.
You want a compact dock
The dock is small for a self-empty option, despite having generously sized dust containers. I have no complaints about its functionality, either.
Don't buy it if...
You need a mopping feature
Although this bot does mop, it's pretty useless at it.
Your home is a little cluttered
While mapping is good, the obstacle avoidance here is basic. If there are often toys or other clutter on your floor, and you don't want to have to tidy before every vacuum session, this is one to avoid.
You have low furniture
The Q5 Pro+ is on the taller side for a robot vacuum. If you have low-sitting furniture, it might not be able to fit underneath. Roborock's newest models (including the Qrevo Slim and Saros 10R) are designed specifically with this in mind. View Deal
How I tested the Roborock Q5 Pro+
I let the Roborock Q5 Pro+ loose on my open-plan flooring and observed its behavior over a five-day period. I then ran a series of intensive tests to see how well it vacuumed both hard floor and carpet, which it passed with flying colours. I also tried out its obstacle avoidance using a variety of items, including small and large dog toys. I then put its mop to the test, knowing full well that it would be a sub-par performer simply by looking at it. And I was right.
The Technet Laptop Cooling Pad is an inexpensive cooling solution for any heavy-duty tasks you throw at your laptop, whether you’re gaming or rendering 3D animation. It rocks two fans capable of up to 1800rpm and is compatible with laptops up to 17 inches.
As those fans would suggest, the Technet Laptop Cooling Pad offers genuinely impressive cooling. The baseline 3D Mark Stress Test I ran on our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 saw its temperature rise from 20.2°C to 52.1°C, an increase of 31.9°C. With the Tecknet running at its highest output, our gaming laptop hit a high of 41.8°C, a much more modest warming of 17.9°C. That’s one of the best results I’ve seen in my testing so far.
With this kind of cooling, you’d expect some pretty serious fan noise from the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad. However, in my experience it wasn't too disruptive – while the noise was noticeable, it didn’t distract from the tunes I was listening to.
And this was borne out by empirical testing – 10 minutes into the stress test, I measured the noise levels from three inches away and the combined noise of the cooling pad and laptop was quieter at 58dB than the 60dB benchmark of the laptop’s fans working alone. At my head height (21 inches away), this evened out a little, registering a little louder at 45dB combined compared to 42dB alone. Still, this rivals some of the best laptop cooling pads.
The Tecknet felt comfortable to use. The ergonomics were just right for me, with its angle allowing me to comfortably rest my wrists without any flexion or extension.
Speaking purely aesthetically, its looks are perhaps a little on the basic side – it’s essentially just made of textured matt plastic and a grille over the fans. You won’t see them most of the time, but when in use the fans are lit by a subtle blue light, which I think looks a bit more classy than some of the flamboyant RGB lighting its rivals opt for. One slight worry I do have, though, is the textured grips that hold your laptop in place. While my laptop didn’t slip around too much during testing, I have concerns about how well they’ll keep one in place during extra vigorous gaming sessions.
Ultimately, though, I can’t argue with the results. Despite being toward the cheaper end of the spectrum at $19.99 / £19.99, the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad offers seriously decent performance, even if it doesn't look quite as fancy as more stereotypically gaming-focused cooling solutions. All in all, it's definitely worth the spend if your biggest priority is shaving off those degrees for as little dough as possible.
(Image credit: Future)
Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: price and availability
Released August 18, 2015
MSRP of $29.99 / £24.99
The Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad first went on sale on August 18, 2015, and is still available now. It retails for an MSRP of $29.99 / £24.99, but there are plenty of deals out there. It’s currently on sale for $26.99 on Amazon US, while you can buy it direct from Tecknet in the UK for just £12.49, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for bargains.
There aren’t many different options available, with most retailers only offering it with blue lighting and detailing. However, Amazon US does currently offer it with red lighting and highlights, so if that’s more your bag, it’s worth snapping that option up.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad?
Buy it if…
You want impressive cooling Able to keep our testing laptop a full 14°C cooler even during a 3D stress test, this cooling pad is seriously frosty. It should go a long way to stop your laptop overheating, even during the most demanding gaming sessions.
You want reduced noise Thanks to those ultra-quiet fans, this cooling doesn’t come at the cost of loads of noise. In fact, the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad seems to be no louder than our testing laptop’s built-in fans.
Don’t buy it if…
You want souped-up gaming aesthetics If you want psychedelic RGB lighting and the sharp, angular geometry typical of most gaming equipment, you might be disappointed here. The Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad has understated blue lighting and is made of relatively basic materials, so it’s more for cooling than drooling over.
You want to ensure your laptop will stay put Unlike some cooling pads with physical rests for keeping your laptop in place, the Tecknet only offers some textured grips. These are not a guarantee your laptop won’t slip during vigorous gaming sessions.
Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: also consider
TopMate C12 Laptop Cooling Pad The TopMate C12 Laptop Cooling Pad looks stunning, with its vibrant RGB lighting and quality build, while the braces at its bottom end keep your laptop firmly in place. It didn’t quite manage to keep up with the Tecknet’s cooling in our test, allowing our laptop to warm up by 22.8°C, but it was just as quiet. If you’re willing to spend $29.99 / £29.77, this will definitely earn you some extra style points.
How I tested the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad
Tested it over several days
Used a thermal camera to measure temperature difference before and after test
Used a sound level meter to measure fan noise 10 minutes into test
I spent several days testing and using the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad. I ran it through several standardized benchmarks that we use for all laptop cooling pads. I checked the temperature of the hottest point of our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 testing laptop using a handheld thermal camera, ran a 15-minute 3DMark Stress Test with the cooling pad on its highest setting, then checked its temperature again.
To test the noise it generated, I used a sound level meter to check the noise generated 10 minutes into the test both with the laptop alone and with the laptop cooler running. I tested this from three inches to get an accurate reading of the noise generated, as well as from my head height to gain a reading of how loud it will sound in practice.
In terms of my experience, I’ve been a committed gamer and laptop user for over 30 years, and I’ve been covering tech and gadgets as a journalist for well over a decade.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review
The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad is a travel-friendly Qi2 MagSafe charger with charging modules for an iPhone and AirPods, and a certified Apple Watch fast-charging module. It has a retail price of $89.99 / £89.99 / AU$199.99 on the Anker website and can be purchased at Amazon too.
The material of the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad looks and feels high-quality, and the patented design is well-considered. I was particularly happy to see Anker has incorporated materials that could reduce their environmental impact by using 75% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic in the outer casing of the MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad.
It took mere moments to fold the MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad down small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, and the magnets were strong enough to withstand the depths of my bag but easy to pull apart when needed. It was not so easy to remove the iPhone from the charging pad, however, unless I had two free hands to pry them apart and stop the charging pad from hitting the table once separated.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Although I liked the novel UFO-meets-macaron aesthetic, I found the charger moved easily when laid flat to charge three devices, especially when placing or removing the iPhone and Apple Watch. The charging module for the latter made me the most uncomfortable, as I could hear the outer surface scraping on the table each time it moved. It got a little marked from the rough surface of the table I photographed it on – fortunately it wiped off easily and there didn’t appear to be any scratches, but I’d still advise caution. This can be avoided if an Apple Watch has an all-in-one band or a sturdy strap is left fastened, as the charger’s silicone strap enables the Apple Watch charging module to tilt upwards, allowing upright charging.
I’m not really a fan of flat wireless chargers – unless it’s a charging pad I can comfortably hold in my hand like the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad. However, I was pleased to discover the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad could be made into a stand by attaching the Apple Watch charging module to the back of the iPhone module. It’s not a perfect solution as the phone can only be landscape and there’s only one viewing angle, but as Anker’s point was to facilitate StandBy mode, it does the job.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
I’ve tested a fair amount of wireless chargers that seemed to take themselves too literally. This isn’t the end of the world if they charge efficiently with any cable and adapter, but some require the latter to be above a certain wattage. Fortunately, I won’t be adding the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad to that list, as it comes with a 40W adapter and a conveniently long 5 ft / 1.5 m USB-C to USB-C cable too.
The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad took a commendable hour and fifty-six minutes to fully charge an 3,095mAh iPhone 13 Pro, which is almost twenty minutes faster than the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe. The Apple Watch charging speed was good too, taking just an hour and three minutes to recharge my Apple Watch Series 9, only one minute shy of the fastest MagSafe charger I’ve tested to date, the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand.
In closing, I really quite like the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad. Certain aspects may not be entirely to my preference, but it’s well–made out of good-looking materials, and the patented design makes it conveniently easy to fold up and pack away. It’s pretty pricey, for sure, but for the good charging speeds, eco-conscious materials, compact size, and light weight, you’re getting value for money here. If you’d like to explore other MagSafe charger options, I’d recommend checking out our pick of the best wireless chargers.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review: Price & specs
Should I buy the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad?
Buy it if…
You want a small and convenient travel-friendly wireless charger This charger is easy to fold down to a satisfyingly small size, making it perfect to pack away quickly whether you’re off on your travels or taking it to the office to keep your phone juiced up as you work.
You want something minimal but efficient Despite its clever design, this Anker charger keeps things fairly simple with just three wireless modules linked together with silicone straps. Its ability to fold down into a stand to charge the iPhone alone is a great space-saver too, if that’s the device you’ll charge most often.
Don't buy it if…
You want a wireless charger you can use one-handed As there’s no weight to this Anker charger and no grippy base to keep it in place, it makes it very difficult to remove the iPhone from the charging pad. So if you’re someone like me who needs access to their phone regularly while working, it could prove irritating after a while.
You want a cheap 3-in-1 charging solution As much as I like this charger, there’s no hiding the fact it’s very expensive. The price is reasonable for those wanting a compact and high-quality travel charger with good charging speeds, but if your budget is half as much as this, there are other options out there.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review: Also consider
Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger For around half the price of this travel-friendly Anker charger, you could purchase this pocket-sized portable charger that folds down to around the size of a credit card and is only 0.5 inches / 13.4mm deep. It’s certainly not the fastest charger out there, but if cost and convenience are the priority over fast charging, this little 3-in-1 charger is worth a look. If you’re interested in learning more, have a read of my full review of the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger.
Since Visual Concepts’ WWE 2K wrestling game series hit current-gen platforms after a year off – skipping a 2K21 – it’s been a genuinely great series instead of a middle-of-the-road yearly sports release. From WWE 2K22 onwards, the games have been steadily improving with smart changes and new features, and WWE 2K25 is once again a great wrestling game that improves on what came before.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PS5 / PS5 Pro Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC Release date: March 14, 2025
The core wrestling feels like a great mixture of arcade and simulation styles, with counters, combos, and freeform carry moves giving each wrestler a deep moveset. This year’s entry brings back the Chain Wrestling mechanic that was last seen in WWE 2K20; this allows matches to kick off in a far more realistic way. Wrestlers will lock up in a grab and use a minigame to maneuver around their opponent to get the edge at the start of the match; it’s only available at the beginning of a bout and gives the early match a momentum more akin to what you see on TV, as opposed to just going all out right away.
It’s also the best-looking game yet, with wrestlers now being covered in welts and bruises as a match goes along, and those who wear body paint having it come apart over the course of the match. Meanwhile, the TV-style presentation is top-notch, with camera cuts akin to real WWE TV.
The big new addition this year is intergender wrestling, allowing men and women to compete against each other. This features heavily in this year’s My Rise storyline, but outside of that, I feel like it could be more. For example, title matches are available in the mode, but it’s only for designated ‘intergender’ titles, which mostly consist of 2K’s made-up titles and a handful of official WWE titles like the 24/7, cruiserweight, and hardcore titles, but without being able to have Chelsea Green win the WWE Championship, it feels a little half-baked.
(Image credit: 2K)
Bloodline rules
This year’s 2K Showcase focuses on ‘The Bloodline’ – the WWE canon name for the Anoaʻi/Maivia family of Samoan professional wrestlers, including the likes of The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, and Umaga. Where previous editions have followed single wrestlers, you take on the role of a majority of the family members this time around.
This mode is presented and narrated by Paul Heyman this year, who is already the greatest talker in WWE history, and his rundown of the events is fantastic and keeps you engaged throughout the long cutscenes.
Since not all Bloodline members are created equal, 2K25’s matches are split into three categories. The usual reliving prominent wins (like Yokozuna beating Hulk Hogan at King of the Ring 1993) returns. But for those members who don’t have any big wins or standout matches, there are rewritten and dream matches like Tamina winning the first women’s Money in the Bank or having The Wild Samoans take on The Dudley Boyz.
The last few years of 2K Showcase intercut real-life match footage during gameplay, leading to players sitting and watching matches without commentary instead of playing the game for long stretches. This year, 2K has mercifully ditched that and recreated match cutscenes in engine and added new commentary from the game’s announce team. This style makes Showcase way less of a slog this year and turns it into a standout mode.
The only real issue with the mode this year is the goals. When recreating matches, the game wants you to redo certain beats from the real match, which will unlock new items when done correctly (you can play the match normally too, but you’ll miss these unlocks). This year’s game introduces timed goals, which usually require you to do a certain move or an amount of damage. But if you don’t get it in time, it’s skipped, and you’ll need to replay the match entirely if you want another crack at it.
Some of these timers are ridiculously short, and in multi-person matches like Money in the Bank, another wrestler doing one grab to you is enough to guarantee you failing it. The dream match goals, on the other hand, are terribly bland, mostly being ‘do x amount of damage’ and then ‘now win.’
(Image credit: 2K)
Mutiny on the Bounty
This year's My Rise – an original story following your created wrestler – is a mixed bag. It’s far and away the best storyline found in any of these modes. It follows a faction of former NXT wrestlers attempting to take over WWE with their new NXT Mutiny brand, and your character leading the fight against them. It’s full of great twists and turns and kept me engaged the whole time. But, instead of the two gender-specific stories, this time you have to make a male and female-created character to go through the story.
Best bit
The Bloodline showcase features highlights of many members of the family. But the section dedicated to Umaga was not only the best match in this year’s mode but was also a genuinely lovely tribute to an incredible talent gone too soon.
The big deal this year is choices. There's stuff that will affect certain story beats, like where your wrestler came from (Indies, MMA) and their relationship with the other wrestler you make (used to date, best friends) that introduce different dialogue. And there are bigger choices, like which wrestlers you recruit to fight Mutiny. This means there’s a bigger focus on replayability too, which becomes a bit of a hindrance when there are unlockables involved. From what I can tell, you’ll probably need to play through the mode a good three or four times to get all of the extra characters and arenas available.
There only being one story isn’t the only cutback this year either. There are no more side missions, and the runtime feels shorter than in previous years. There are ‘Live Events’ that allow you to do generic fights, which also have unlocks attached to your star rating. Assuming you get five-star matches every time (which takes a while), it’s still 56 fights to unlock everything. I can’t help but feel like things were cut down in favor of another mode.
(Image credit: 2K)
Here comes the money
The Island is the brand-new mode exclusive to the current-gen versions of the game (not PC, though), and despite being the big thing for WWE 2K25, it’s easily the worst thing about it. The mode plays out like a bad MMO where you go talk to NPCs, play matches, and compete against others.
But the mission structure is so bland; one of the early questlines has you walking in and out of the same building to talk to two different sets of NPCs multiple times. Plus, the story is told via still images with text, with the occasional video of Roman Reigns. It would be a harmless, kind of bland mode, but then its character progression shows its true colors.
You create a new character for The Island, and this character’s stats are upgraded via VC – the game’s premium paid currency. Not only that but there are also exclusive cosmetic items for your characters that also cost VC. You can earn VC while playing matches, but it’s a pittance compared to the prices of gear, leading you to either grind like mad or pull out the credit card.
Every online match (which took ages to find and disconnected immediately most times) in the mode placed me against the sweatiest-looking created wrestlers with maxed-out stats, so the mode is also basically pay-to-win, although thankfully it’s not interesting enough that I care. I play these games for around 80+ hours every year, but I don’t see myself touching this mode after the review.
(Image credit: 2K)
Speaking of money, My Faction – 2K’s take on Ultimate Team – returns with all the same problems as before. Exclusive characters are locked behind ‘Persona’ cards, which are either a massive grind to get or require random drops from card packs. The new ‘World Tour’ within My Faction is the best thing added to the mode in years (allowing you to unlock some of those ‘Persona’ cards), but it also has walls that require you to have specific card types to continue through it.
My GM is another mode that has similar problems to before. I love GM Mode with all my heart, but the weird penalties in 2K’s version are off-putting. Characters all have roles and styles; some vibe well with others, and your matches are worse off if you don’t have the right pairings.
But this isn’t emblematic of what WWE is like in real life; CM Punk and Seth Rollins are in the midst of a blood feud right now on TV; both of them are good guys. This mode has the potential to be the best thing about WWE 2K, but the same old restrictions once again overwhelm any improvements.
WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game of the modern era. The Showcase and My Rise modes are the best they’ve been with some minor issues, and the core wrestling feels great with an ever-increasing number of match types keeping it fresh. But the money-hungry Island and My Faction modes – which can’t even be ignored due to their unlockable content – hold it back from its rightful place at the head of the table.
Should you play WWE 2K25?
Play it if...
You want a fantastic wrestling game WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game I’ve played since 2K took the series over. The core wrestling is fantastic and is only improved with the likes of chain wrestling. Some of the side modes aren’t amazing, but it has a ton of content for you to play through until next year’s entry releases. Plus, there are hundreds of wrestlers from WWE’s past through to the current day.
You acknowledge Roman Reigns as your Tribal Chief The 2K Showcase documentary mode is the best it has ever been this year. Looking back at the Bloodline’s past and future gives it a ton of variety, and Paul Heyman’s narration is incredibly engaging throughout. Plus, removing the real footage helps the pacing massively.
Don't play it if...
You’ll be annoyed at missing content Variants of characters are locked to ‘Persona’ cards found behind a grind or random card packs in My Faction mode, or through various My Rise replays. Unless you’re willing to put a massive amount of time in, you’re probably not unlocking everything.
Accessibility
Accessibility-wise there’s not much to write home about. The various mini-games for the likes of pins and submissions are customizable. There’s rapid button pressing for submissions, which can be switched for a slider minigame, while pins are a timed minigame that can be swapped for rapid pressing. There’s also an option for rapid press inputs to be replaced by holding buttons. However, these changes are not available in any online modes (including vs the CPU in My Faction).
During this time I played all of the Showcase mode (including both sides of the Wargames match), one playthrough of My Rise, a year of My GM, a few months in Universe, and about five hours of My Faction. I also played through the first few chapters of The Island, with a couple of PVP matches in the mode.
The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro toothbrush from Swiss company Curaden is a sonic brush that looks good, packs a fair bit of power and offers a comprehensive clean. Its octagonal shape and clinical whites and grays remind me of a satellite or space station, and the electric toothbrush itself is certainly a high-flier, and a contender for the title of “best electric toothbrush I’ve tried in 2025”, delivering a premium clean, albeit for a premium price.
The Curaprox is well-designed and functional. In the box you get the handset, a trio of brush heads equipped with soft Curen fibers, a plastic travel case, and a USB-A ‘nub’ type charging stand typical of many electric toothbrushes. Charging takes 10 hours, and the brush will last for 60 minutes on a full charge, which equates to around two weeks of use. As is the case with many toothbrushes, Curaden recommends that you don’t leave the Curaprox on charge constantly, and only charge it when the battery drops below 20%, as indicated by the LEDs running up the side of the handset.
Overall, it’s a pretty good package, although it would be nice at this price point if the case charged the brush too, so that you never have to worry about it on the go. I suppose that given its two-week battery life, the idea is that you should make sure the brush is fully charged before you go on your holidays.
(Image credit: Future)
The trio of brush heads comprise one for power cleaning, one for sensitive cleaning, and one for precision cleaning. The single brush head really allows you to get between teeth and gums, and I was very impressed: it’s bent backwards where the others have been bent forward, to account for the difference of use.
Curaprox says the Hydrosonic Pro has been designed for professional-level cleans at home (what electric toothbrush isn’t, according to the marketing people?) and the three brush heads coupled with the seven intensities mean you get a total of 21 bespoke cleaning modes. There’s also lots of helpful information in the manual, and it makes for quite interesting and educational reading when it comes to how to use the brush. I’d rather read the manual than have to follow the instructions in an app any day – I’ve got too many wellness apps on my phone as it is.
Replacement brush heads can be bought in packs of two of each kind from Curaprox, and, like the brush itself, they’re not cheap at $25.20 / £24.50 / AU$42.00 for a pack on Amazon.
That powerful motor can go from whisper quiet to annoyingly loud at the highest setting – over 65 decibels, according to the Decibel X app, which is louder than the 53 decibels I recorded for the similarly premium Philips Sonicare 7100. However, it is a good indication of how powerful the clean is, and during my testing I found myself using the single brush to clean across my gumline quite often – it’s a great design element that I’d like to see more manufacturers adopt.
The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro costs $199.99 in the US, £190 in the UK and AU$299 in Australia, with replacement brush heads available in packs of two of the same head, so if you want spares of the power clean, sensitive or the single clean, you’ll need to pay twice. Crafty.
As you’ve probably gathered, while there are more expensive toothbrushes on the market this is certainly a premium option, and an ongoing investment in your oral health. It’s a very well-designed system, you could certainly do a lot worse – I’m of the opinion AI guidance and app-based rewards are almost never used on more expensive toothbrushes, and therefore are usually unnecessary – but the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro represents the upper limit of what I think anyone should prepare to pay for an electric toothbrush.
Value score: 3.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Scorecard
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want power
The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro is perhaps the loudest, most powerful toothbrush I’ve tested.
You want precision
The single brush head is a really great idea, enabling you to clean between your teeth and at the gumline with more accuracy.
You have sensitive teeth
With a brush head specifically for sensitivity and Curen’s special softer fibers, those needing a gentle clean are catered for.
Don't buy if if...
You’re on a budget
If you’re just after a simple sonic clean that does the job, you could spend half the money and get a suitable brush.
You want a charging case
The Philips Sonicare 7100 comes with a charging case rather than a non-electronic plastic one
I used the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro for one week. I charged it using the plug-in base, used all seven modes and all three brush heads, and used a decibel meter app to calculate how loud the brush was compared to other brushes on the market.
I’ll be the first to admit games that heavily feature crafting as a key component are typically a huge turn-off for me, so I was initially wary of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land’s focus on it. Be it in survival games like Minecraft or Sons of the Forest, or even other RPGs like Final Fantasy 14 Online, I usually find it hard to engage with crafting systems; the tedium of it all quickly sets in, making me very eager to get back to gameplay that’s just a bit more exciting.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PC (Steam) Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Release date: March 21, 2025
This, surprisingly, has not been the case with developer Gust’s Atelier Yumia. From equipment and accessories to helpful items and placeable furniture, so much of this RPG’s (role-playing game) gameplay revolves around its alchemical crafting system.
But that became the exact reason why I grew to love the game. In Atelier Yumia, you’re not just crafting things for small, temporarily helpful gains. Each item you synthesize provides meaningful game and character progression. Whether that’s increasing the potency of a healing item by using higher-quality gatherables or creating a version of a weapon that lets you slot in extra traits, there are always multiple avenues of customization and outfitting your party members with tools that suit your playstyle.
Pair this with an incredibly slick and stylish battle system and an open world that greatly incentivizes exploration, and in Atelier Yumia, you have a game that can easily be considered one of the best RPGs of 2025. Barring some presentational issues and the occasional bit of obtuse map design, the game is simply a near-constant joy to play.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
The not-so-wicked witch
While not an exclusively dark narrative by any means, Atelier Yumia grounds things in a world where alchemy is greatly feared and shunned, having been responsible for a great many accidents throughout history.
Our titular protagonist, Yumia, is one such alchemist and, despite only wanting the best for the world and its people, is typically met with distrust. Even when she uses alchemy for the benefit of others.
Thus, Yumia sets out on a journey of truth and discovery with a party of trusted comrades. With the goal of discovering the secrets of the fallen land that once thrived beforehand, Yumia aims to prove that alchemy can be used for good and doesn’t have to be something that’s inherently destructive.
From start to finish, Atelier Yumia’s story is a pretty straightforward ride, but one that’s nonetheless enjoyable. Elements of maturity are present, especially when exploring Yumia’s past. But the game often keeps the tone light-hearted and there’s plenty of bubbly dialogue and humor to enjoy. Overall, it’s an easygoing, often cozy tale, but one that isn’t afraid to get serious as the situation demands.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
A walk in the park
What Atelier Yumia gets right for the majority of its runtime is pacing - something that’s usually pretty rare in the open-world space. The game’s story rarely drags its heels, allowing players to truly take things at their own pace.
That pace, between all the game’s systems and mechanics, is usually very brisk. That’s especially true of exploration in Atelier Yumia. While you might initially balk at the abundance of Ubisoft-style question marks dotting the map, in reality, these are almost all extremely quick diversions. Optional points of interest like this include small ruins to explore, monster breeding grounds or hubs for particular materials, caves containing treasures, and boxes you can quickly nab skill points from.
While there’s certainly much to do in each of Yumia’s four main regions, you’re able to explore it at a relatively quick pace. Darting between undiscovered points of interest on the way to the next story objective always felt natural, and never like I had to seriously go out of my way unless I expressly wanted to.
Best bit
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
Atelier Yumia’s take on the series’ alchemy system is arguably its best yet. While certainly very deep and boasting an amalgamation of its own mechanics, it’s nonetheless incredibly straightforward. Crafting high-quality items like weapons, accessories, restoratives and more is a moreish endeavor, especially as you continue to refine and make them more effective as you progress through the game.
That same snappiness applies to Atelier Yumia’s battle system. Like alchemy, there’s a lot to the battle system, but it’s all very easy to pick up and learn. The basics are that your party of three can engage enemies with combo attacks, set to each of the four face buttons. These combos can be used to put enemies in a weakened state, at which point you can use battle items and partner attacks to exploit elemental weaknesses for massive damage.
Battle items are also a much more integral part of the experience, and have been streamlined to a degree. They can become permanent additions to your combat loadout, only limited by a cooldown timer between uses. You’ll only need to replace them if you wish to craft better versions of them with more properties and more damage or healing potency.
As a result, while party members have their own weapons and base stats, how you can set them up is impressively flexible. For example, kitting Yumia out with elemental battle items can turn her into a robust mage, while the shield-bearing Viktor might hold a variety of stat-boosting items, essentially making him a stalwart support unit. It’s a bit Xenoblade-esque in that regard, giving you the tools necessary to build and equip characters in a way that works for you.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
I require your strongest potions
As I mentioned at the top, alchemy is the system that ties everything together in Atelier Yumia. While at your atelier - or within a designated building zone in the world - you’re free to perform synthesis to create anything from battle items to benches. You will of course need materials to craft these items, but you’ll find plentiful gathering spots throughout the world and you’ll naturally collect an abundance of ingredients by simply exploring.
All synthesis projects begin by selecting an Alchemy Core as your base item, of which there are various types - including one that provides an overall quality boost or another that lets you slot in traits for additional modifiers. You’ll then add materials to help expand the core’s resonance area. The larger this area, the more drifting mana will be captured within its influence. The more mana you collect, the greater the item’s quality, thus boosting its overall potency. Plus, using materials of a higher grade will extend the ceiling of any given item’s potential power.
What makes alchemy so great is that it really is up to you in regards to how you shape these items. Materials have their own unique properties, and using specific ones can provide secondary or tertiary bonuses. A hard-hitting battle item may provide other bonuses this way, such as healing or providing various buffs. Or, you can just go all-in on power, making items that hit as hard as possible.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
As you progress through the game, you’ll gradually unlock new recipes for synthesizing entirely new items. These ‘recall recipes’ can be created and upgraded at your atelier using different types of Memory Vials you can find in the world. Upgrading recipes can make them even more powerful, such as increasing their number of uses before going on cooldown, or increasing their base quality.
As I said, you’re not just limited to battle-oriented items. Synthesis can be done to create potions, armor, accessories, and more. And if you don’t want to get too lost in the weeds, handy quick synthesis options exist where the game will smartly assign materials automatically based on your preferences - whether that be the bare minimum, or going for as much quality as possible.
Synthesis doesn’t stop there, either. Workbenches will allow you to create housing items like benches, plants, or archways. These can then be freely placed as designated building spots throughout the world, letting you create your own bases or homesteads. There are so many options here, and it feels great being able to leave your own marks on the world to a greatly personal degree. Sure, it’s not quite Minecraft levels of freedom, but there’s plenty here that’ll allow you to get lost in hours of creativity.
A brave new frontier
In my Atelier Yumia playthrough, really the only thing that bugged me was the game’s overall visuals and presentation. They’re by no means bad, but I do feel like developer Gust often went a touch overboard when it comes to post-processing effects. Bloom during sunrise and sunset can be eye-searingly bright, washing out the world to an occasionally uncomfortable degree. Weather effects also aren’t particularly convincing, with an example being rainfall immediately coating the world in an overly wet and shiny look.
In better news, performance in Atelier Yumia is fantastic. On PC, I was able to maintain a rock-solid 60fps (frames per second), and load times are phenomenally fast - even when fast traveling from one end of the map to another. I found this to be crucial given the relatively fast-paced nature of the game, and I’m glad that Gust really took the time to optimize its world with this in mind.
Should you play Atelier Yumia?
Play it if...
You want an intricate and moreish crafting system Synthesizing items in Atelier Yumia is extremely enjoyable, and there are so many ways to create items for any playstyle and occasion.
You love a game that respects your time It may be a lengthy RPG, but Atelier Yumia doesn’t bog you down with an hours-long intro. Meanwhile, battle and exploration are both remarkably brisk, making for an experience that’s easy and fulfilling to play if you don’t have a ton of free time to spare.
Don't play it if...
You’re averse to poorly implemented post-processing Atelier Yumia’s biggest issue is its reliance on intrusive effects like overdone bloom and unconvincing weather effects. While not enough to be a deal breaker for me personally, such effects can be quite distracting during exploration.
Accessibility
There’s a decent amount of accessibility features found within Atelier Yumia’s options menu. Text size and background opacity can be adjusted, as well as have three colorblind settings (deuteranopia, tritanopia, and protanopia) applied to them.
Various battle options exist that can make hitting certain commands easier, too. These include an auto-guard function for incoming attacks and an ‘easy precision counter’ that swaps you to a random character after successfully guarding or evading at the right time.
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)
How I reviewed Atelier Yumia
My playthrough of Atelier Yumia lasted around 35 hours, taking me through the main quest line, a ton of optional map exploration, and a handful of side quests.
I spent much of that time getting absorbed by item synthesis, finding it to be the game’s crowning achievement and something I was willing to put much time into in order to craft high-quality battle items and gear. I played the game on PC via Steam with an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3060 Ti graphics card, an AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, and the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller.
