This review first appeared in issue 345 of PC Pro.
TP-Link’s EAP655-Wall is designed to offer discrete Wi-Fi 6 services to a wide range of environments, such as meeting rooms, apartments and home offices. This affordable palm-sized package will also appeal to hotels looking to provide in-room network services as it has three gigabit ports in its base and can deliver PoE on the third one – ideal for adding extra room devices such as IP phones.
The EAP655-Wall offers plenty of features for the price. This AX3000 dual-band access point (AP) delivers speeds of up to 2,402Mbits/sec on its 5GHz radio and 574Mbits/sec on the 2.4GHz radio. It also supports the high-speed Wi-Fi 6 160MHz channels, although the AP’s main uplink port is only the gigabit variety so you won’t see their full potential.
Even so, the EAP655-Wall delivered good overall results in our real-world performance tests. We started with its 80MHz channels enabled. Closerange copies of a large file between a Dell Windows 11 Pro workstation equipped with a TP-Link Archer TXE75E Wi-Fi 6E PCI-E card and a server on our 10GbE LAN averaged 94MB/sec, dropping to 77MB/sec with the AP moved ten meters away and into an adjoining room.
With the AP’s 160MHz channels activated, the workstation reported a 2.4Gbits/sec wireless connection. Unsurprisingly, our file copies maxed out the AP’s gigabit port and only increased to 111MB/sec at close range and 91MB/sec at ten meters, although these speeds will easily be good enough for all but the most demanding of users.
The EAP655-Wall offers lots of features for the price(Image credit: Future)
The AP can be managed in standalone mode, but most businesses will prefer TP-Link’s Omada cloud service as they can manage all their APs from one central web portal. Previously, each site required a hardware or software controller installed locally, but TP-Link now also offers cloud-based controllers with yearly prices starting at £12 per device.
From our main Omada cloud portal account, we viewed all our hardware, software and cloud-based controllers, and selecting the latter took us to its dedicated management console. Before adding the AP to our site, we made sure we’d enabled the cloud-based controller management option from its local web console. We could then import the AP by entering its serial number, naming it and assigning a license. After adoption, access to its local console was disabled and it started broadcasting our site-managed SSIDs.
The site portal presents a detailed dashboard that can be customized with widgets; we added ones to show details such as AP traffic and client distributions, the most active APs, a Wi-Fi summary and 24-hour graphs of client associations and overall wireless traffic. The AP was connected to the lab’s TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 PoE+ multi-gigabit switch, and we added more widgets to show its active ports, PoE usage and the available power budget.
The AP can be remotely managed from TP-Link’s Omada platform(Image credit: Future)
Wireless features are extensive, with up to eight SSIDs per radio supported and options to apply mixed WPA2/WPA3 encryption. You can set global or per client and SSID upload and download rate limits, and use guest networks to block users from private networks. Captive portal features are equally good, with profiles used to apply a global password, local user, voucher, Radius or Facebook authentication and add logos, greeting messages and acceptable use policies.
The three gigabit pass-through ports are enabled by default, and PoE services on the third port can be activated by checking this option in the portal’s AP configuration page, although make sure the main LAN port is connected to a PoE+ source. During testing, they worked fine and after connecting a Yealink IP phone to the third port, it duly received power and internet access.
It would have been good to see a 2.5GbE port, but the EAP655-Wall remains a reasonably fast Wi-Fi 6 AP with a good range. It offers a wealth of wireless features for a modest price, cloud management is excellent and its three gigabit downlink ports with extra power delivery make it even more versatile.
This review first appeared in issue 345 of PC Pro.
Although one of Qnap’s home devices, the Qnap TS-262 is surprisingly well specified for a two-bay device. It has just the one Ethernet port, so no redundancy, but as it’s a 2.5GbE port rather than gigabit you avoid one potential bottleneck. Given that this standard is becoming more and more popular on consumer switches and routers, it’s nice to see this fast connection.
If you do need more speed, there’s a 10GbE port upgrade available via the PCI-E slot, which is accessible when the case is unscrewed. That’s the only time you’ll need a screwdriver, as everything else is accessible via screw-free entry.
For example, pop out both of the hard disk caddies and you’ll see that dual M.2 2280 NVMe PCI-E Gen3 slots are available. These use a simple clip to hold the SSDs in place, so are easy to deal with. Hard disks simply slide into the slot.
As with all Qnap NAS devices, the TS-262 runs its QTS operating system so is compatible with the full range of services that this provides, including the ability to create your own personal storage cloud. There’s an Intel Celeron N4505 processor and 4GB of RAM (non-upgradable), which should prove enough for even heavy use.
There are some extra features you don’t often find on rival NAS devices, including an HDMI 2.0 output. When paired with the compatible remote control, this NAS can be turned into a media streamer, playing video directly from its hard disk. If you have a large collection of films, this might be your best option, but a sleeker option is to install a media server and stream directly from the NAS.
Running over a standard gigabit Ethernet connection, the Qnap TS-262 fell behind the Synology DS723+, when we benchmarked using 22TB hard disks and dual 1TB NVMe drives. However, upgrade that connection to 2.5GbE and things get better, particularly with larger file sizes: running the ATTO benchmark with 2MB files, the TS-262 jumped from 100MB/sec read speeds to 210MB/sec.
There was little difference in the PCMark 10 Storage test, which uses different file transfers and is less dependent on connection speeds.
Synology’s systems are arguably easier to use, but if you want more straightforward file and media sharing, locally and via the cloud, then this NAS is excellent value and fast, particularly when its 2.5GbE port is used.
The Nikon Z5 II may be the ‘entry-level’ model in the brand’s most recent lineup of mirrorless bodies, but it’s by no means the stripped-down back-to-basics affair that its predecessor was. Nikon has conspicuously taken the body up a notch in terms of performance and features – and, for that matter, price.
It inherits the lion’s share of specs from the outstanding Nikon Zf, and subsequently it’s a fully-fledged hybrid shooter that excels in all but the most extreme of use cases. Notwithstanding its position in the Nikon range, don’t think of this as an entry-level camera – it’s anything but.
The Nikon Z5 II with the Nikkor 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit lens (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
At the heart of the Nikon Z5 II is the same Expeed 7 processor that's in the recent higher-end Z-series bodies. Subject detection? Check. Super-sticky 3D tracking? Check. In terms of autofocus, video, and meaningful quality of life changes, this camera blows away the original Z5 in every area.
If I had to nitpick, I would say that the almost 25% price increase over the Z5 is a glaring sore point for this camera. I do, however, think the massive jump in performance makes this camera worth every penny; you pay more, but you also get substantially more camera. If you've been eying up the Zf, but were put off by its hipster charms and questionable ergonomics, then the Z5 II is the clear choice here.
It's also, arguably, the top choice in the entry-level to mid-range full-frame mirrorless market right now. It's carefully placed just below the Z6 III in terms of burst rates and video specs, but compares favorably to the likes of the Canon EOS R8, Panasonic S5 II, and Sony Alpha A7 III. All have their merits, but the Nikon Z5 II offers a compelling blend of price and performance without any glaring compromises. In short, it beats its competitors on either price or specs – it really is well positioned.
The Z5 II forgoes the top LCD panel of the Z6 series (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
As a stills camera in particular, it's hard to fault the Z5 II. You get a tried-and-tested 24.5MP back-side-illuminated sensor that's capable of excellent results, and 12fps raw capture. I'd also argue that this is one of Nikon's best cameras for JPEG shooters yet, thanks to the inclusion of the handy Picture Control button and support for sharing custom JPEG recipes via Nikon Imaging Cloud.
The video specs are a little weaker considering that 4K 60fps video is cropped, but the Z5 II is still capable of full-width 4K video up to 30fps – that's significantly better than the previous model.
In the rare cases where you need 6K video capture or quicker readout speeds, the Z6 III is likely a worthwhile upgrade. Otherwise, however, the Z5 II is going to be an absolute winner for most users. Sure, it's not a resolution beast like the Z8, nor is it particularly quick like the Z6 III; but the Z5 II is a superb camera in its own right, and one that's going to have mass appeal, even outside the Z-Mount ecosystem.
Nikon Z5 II: price and release date
The Nikon Z5 II body-only costs $1,699 / £1,599 / AU$2,699
Zoom kit bundles starting at $1,999 / £1,899 / AU$3,249
Roughly 25% more expensive than first Z5
At $1,699 / £1,599 / AU$2,699 the Z5 II arrives with a significant price jump over the first-gen model. At launch it’s roughly 25% more expensive than the first iteration, and the price difference is even more glaring considering that the Z5 has hit as low as $999 in the US in recent months.
Judged in terms of specs, however, the Nikon Z5 II isan aggressively priced body. I’ll elaborate more later, but the Z5 II is simply in a different league to its predecessor when it comes to both performance and features, and in my book this quantum leap softens the blow of the price hike significantly.
You could easily compare it to the most recent offerings from Canon R8 or Panasonic S5 II, but I’d argue that the Nikon is the more fully featured camera for the price. The R8, for example, is cheaper at $1,499 / £1,629 / AU$2,489, but forgoes IBIS and a second card slot. The S5 II is more comparable in term of specs, but it’s pricier in the US and UK at $1,999 / £1,699, and the Z5 II inherits the outstandingly refined subject-detect autofocus of the higher-end Z-Mount bodies.
The Z5 II is also well placed to compete with older mid-range models like the Sony Alpha A7 III. Sony’s former hybrid king is still available for new for around $1,799 / £1,679 / AU$2,000, and features a compelling mix of excellent autofocus, extensive lens choices, and specs that still hold up for enthusiast users.
It’s a testament to the A7 III that even in 2025 it remains a competitive choice, but the Z5 II finally gives customers a better option than Sony's seven-year-old camera in this price bracket. Sony’s traditionally killer USPs of autofocus and lens choice are less deadly to rivals now – and the Z5 II also features meaningful quality of life upgrades like a fantastic EVF, flip screen, and excellent IBIS. The Z5 II is so well featured that it’s hard not to recommend it, despite the unfortunate price bump.
Price score: 4.5/5
Nikon Z5 II: specs
Nikon Z5 II: design and handling
Similar design to the Nikon Z6 III
Fully articulating display
Picture Control button for JPEGs
Despite the Z5 II’s internal similarities to the Zf, outwardly the two cameras couldn’t be any more different. Nikon has returned to its modern design language with the Z5 II, and like its predecessor it essentially shares the same body as the most recent higher-end Z6 model, aside from that camera’s top LCD panel.
The Z5 II’s design is typically Nikon. It’s function over form, although the brand has made subtle tweaks compared to its previous generation of cameras. For one, the body is slightly thicker, and Nikon has also made a few changes to the EVF housing, which now sweeps around to the generously sized Z mount on the front. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it change, but the camera looks more modern for it.
The button layout is essentially the same as on the previous model, but there are some changes. The playback button and sequential shooting menu have been switched, for example, and there’s now a handy ‘Picture Control’ button to quickly access JPEG settings. Either way, everything is in the right place, and if you’re already a Nikon shooter you’ll feel right at home. Notably the grip remains the same; chunky, with plenty of purchase for when you're using larger Z-mount lenses.
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The new Picture Control dial is situated next to the PASM dial (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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The Nikon Z5 II features mic, headphone, USB, and micro HDMI ports (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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The new fully articulating screen on the Z5 II (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
As on the Z6 III, the top and back plates are made of a sturdy magnesium alloy, and you also get the large and bright EVF that’s typical for Nikon cameras. The EVF is the same 3.69k dot OLED panel as on the previous model, although Nikon says it can now reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness.
Perhaps the most meaningful design change for the Z5 II is the inclusion of a fully articulating display. Previously, the Z5 only featured a tilting display, so it’s nice to see the inclusion of a flip screen that’s particularly useful for talking-head scenarios. There’s some debate around whether a tilting screen is still superior, but I much prefer the fully articulating option personally in terms of versatility. Not only do you get that selfie and talking-head option, but the flip-out screen is great for getting low-angle shots in portrait orientation, plus it isn't partially obstructed by the viewfinder for waist-level shooting like the previous screen.
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The Nikon Z5 II's EVF housing is chunkier than the previous model (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
Ports-wise, the Z5 II features micro a HDMI port, plus headphone and microphone jacks, and USB-C with charging support. Unlike some budget models from the competition, notably the Canon R8, the Z5 II also features two card slots. You get support for two UHS-II cards here rather than the CFExpress Type-B combination that’s common on Nikon’s higher-end bodies, but it's still a fantastic inclusion for an entry-level camera. It’s also a nod to the Z5 II’s intended enthusiast target market, since the supported cards here are much cheaper than the CFExpress cards.
I'm grasping at straws to find a valid criticism of the Z5 II's design, but there are a few minor quibbles. The PASM dial, for example, doesn't feature the usual locking mechanism you find on higher-end bodies. It's a minor thing, yes, but it's easy to knock the dial out of your mode of choice, and it seems like an easy thing to rectify. Otherwise, the Z5 II is almost perfect in terms of function for a modern body.
Design score: 4.5/5
Nikon Z5 II: features and performance
Inherits subject-detection autofocus from high-end bodies
Now shoots 4K 30fps footage uncropped
12fps burst for raw / 30fps JPEG with pre-capture
The previous Z5 was an entry-level camera through and through. It was capable of capturing lovely images, sure, but pedestrian autofocus performance and lesser specs meant it was best consigned to rather sedentary subjects.
The Z5 II, however, is a significant leap in terms of performance. With an almost identical specs sheet to the mid-range retro-bodied Nikon Zf, the Z5 II is in a completely different class to its predecessor.
There’s really no other way to express it: the Nikon Z5 II is just a superb camera for the vast majority of applications. The 24.5MP back-side-illuminated sensor in combination with the Expeed 7 imaging processor means the Z5 II is an extremely capable body regardless of the price tag.
Readout speeds, while not up to the level of the Z6 III with its stacked sensor, are dramatically better now. The Z5 II supports raw burst rates up to 12fps versus its predecessor’s pedestrian 5fps. If you’re happy to go with JPEGs, then you can crank that up to 30fps, with additional support for pre-capture.
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The 24.5MP back-side-illuminated sensor at the heart of the Nikon Z5 II (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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The Nikon Z5 II now supports custom user JPEG profiles (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
Video specs have also been improved significantly. The Z5 II now features full-width 4K footage at 30fps instead of the 1.7x crop of the Z5, and you also now get support for advanced formats like 12-bit N-RAW and 10-bit N-Log. Technically, the Z5 II can capture 4K at 60fps, but its 1.5x crop means it's still far behind the higher-end Z6 III when it comes to hybrid capabilities.
The two cameras do, however, share a lot of DNA, particularly when it comes to autofocus. The Z5 II inherits the various person, animal, and vehicle subject-detection capabilities from the higher-end Z Mount cameras, and is all the better for it.
Especially when compared to the older Z5 and Z6 models, the subject-detection autofocus is multitudes more effective here in all scenarios. On previous Z-mount bodies I was accustomed to having to manually steering the camera via tracking points or defined AF areas, but that’s not the case with the Z5 II.
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The Nikon Z5 II has received a subtle redesign (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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The Z5 II is a little thicker than the first (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
In testing, I found myself shooting with full-area continuous autofocus in the vast majority of scenarios, simply letting the camera do its thing. The Z5 II has no issues picking out people, birds, eyes, and moving subjects in crowded or otherwise demanding scenes. 3D tracking is also significantly stickier now, which is handy for the rare occasions when subject-detection fails.
In terms of price relative to performance, it’s extremely hard to fault the Z5 II here. Sure, it’s not the quickest camera from Nikon, or the prettiest, but it’s an extremely capable body that’s perfect for a wide range of users. The Z5 II really is a versatile camera that’s going to be a fantastic tool for the vast majority of enthusiast shooters.
Features and performance score: 4.5/5
Nikon Z5 II: image and video quality
24.5MP back-side-illuminated full-frame sensor
Now supports custom JPEG recipes
Internal 12-bit N-RAW and 10-bit N-Log video
The Z5 II’s sensor is a known quantity by now. It’s a sensor that’s been knocking around in Nikon cameras in some form or another since 2018. That’s by no means to its detriment, though, since this 24.5MP back-side-illuminated sensor is capable of providing incredible results across a wide range of subjects and scenarios. You could say it’s an old favorite, even.
I have a fair amount of experience with this particular sensor, having shot with the older Nikon Z6. So I was immediately at home with the Z5 II’s output, and I’m pleased to note that it’s more than capable of producing detailed images with pleasing color straight out of the camera. It’s hard to fault a sensor this good – there really aren’t any limitations aside from the relatively middling 24.5MP resolution limiting cropping potential in the most extreme circumstances.
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Images shot with the 24-50 and 24-200mm kit zoom lenses (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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All images straight out of camera JPEG using the auto profile (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
If you can live with ‘just’ 24MP, then you’ll find the Z5 II’s output excellent – JPEGs in particular are fantastic. The image stabilization is rated at an impressive 7.5 stops – this sensor was already known as a low-light beast, but the image stabilization really adds to the camera’s night photography credentials.
Looping back to the Z5 II’s excellent JPEG output, it’s worth mentioning just how Nikon has significantly upped its game with the Z5 II. The camera now supports the new Nikon Imaging Cloud, which unlocks a much smoother image upload workflow and the seamless sharing of image recipes a la Fujifilm.
Given that my processing app of choice (Adobe Lightroom) didn’t support my pre-production Z5 II’s raw output, I quickly found myself tinkering with numerous JPEG presets. Switching between presets is extremely easy thanks to the dedicated Picture Control button on the top of the camera, and the interface also enables you to tweak various settings like sharpness, contrast, and clarity.
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The Nikon Z5 II tracks subjects perfectly even in low-light scenarios (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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Shot with the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 prime lens (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
If I have a complaint, it’s that the various in-camera JPEG sliders are still rather basic, and the default profiles lack the polish of the likes of Fujifilm. The Nikon Z5 II, however, has a secret weapon in that it can store up to nine additional custom color profiles from the NX Studio app. This app fully supports color grading and other advanced options, so it’s perfect for really tailoring your JPEGs to match your raw workflow.
I imported a few presets onto my Z5 II, and was instantly able to get some superb results right out of the camera. The process is extremely smooth, and Nikon’s excellent in-camera retouch options easily allow you to test out your profiles on the various raw files already saved to your card.
Below are a few images showcasing what's possible with these in-camera presets.
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JPEG images shot using an Ektar film inspired recipe (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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More 'Ektar-esque' JPEG images (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
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One of Nikon's own profiles called 'charcoal' (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
These presets can also be used for in-camera color grading, although advanced videographers will likely want to make use of the camera’s new internal N-Raw and N-Log formats for maximum flexibility and dynamic range. Generally speaking, video output is excellent here – especially with the oversampled 4K footage at 30fps.
If the Z5 II has any weaknesses when it comes to video, they're generally down to the sensor's middling readout speeds. Aside from the 1.5x crop at 4k 60fps you also get some rolling shutter when panning quickly, as with most bodies without a stacked sensor. If you want a more fully-featured and modern video platform, it could be worth investing in the higher-end Nikon Z6 III.
While we’re here, it’s worth mentioning the number of excellent lenses that are ready to pair up with the Z5 II. While the Z-Mount supports plenty of high-end glass, even modest choices like the Nikkor 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit lens are capable of providing great results. My favorite lenses for the Nikon Z5 II in particular are the super-lightweight Nikkor 40mm f/2 and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8, both of which are great lower-cost lenses that pair perfectly with the Z5 II.
Most of the example images you can see here were shot with either those two lenses or the Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 zoom, which is another kit option for the Z5 II.
Image and video quality score: 4.5/5
Nikon Z5 II: testing scorecard
Should I buy the Nikon Z5 II?
Buy it if...
You want a great-value all-rounder The Nikon Z5 II is fantastic jack-of-all-trades camera for a competitive price. It's a great choice if you want something that nails both photo and video without breaking the bank.
You're looking to upgrade If you're already shooting with an older Z-mount body or even a Nikon DLSR then there's a strong argument for upgrading to the Z5 II. The autofocus in particular provides a massive jump in performance over the older bodies, even the higher-end Z6 II.
Don't buy it if...
You want a retro design The Nikon Z5 II is almost identical to the Nikon Zf when it comes to performance and specs, so the latter is the obvious choice if you prefer a more retro look.
You need advanced video features The Z6 III provides more headroom in terms of high-resolution video with its support for 6K/60p N-RAW.
You need resolution The Z5 II's 24.5MP sensor isn't a high-resolution beast like the higher-end cameras in Nikon's lineup. If you need massive cropping potential there's the older Nikon Z7 II, pricier flagships, or look elsewhere.
Nikon Z5 II: also consider
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
The Lumix S5 II is another competitively priced full-frame body that offers a viable alternative to the Nikon Z5 II if you're looking for something more video-centric. The S5 II is capable of open-gate 6K / 30p recording at 10-bit, which gives it the edge for resolution and cropping video. That said, the Z5 II is cheaper at full list price, and inherits the outstanding autofocus from the higher-end Nikon Z-Mount bodies.
On paper the Nikon Z5 II and Nikon Zf are extremely similar cameras in terms of performance. In form, however, the two couldn't be more different, with the Zf sporting a gorgeous retro design. If you'd prefer the same specs in a more classic, nostalgia-themed body, the Nikon Zf is the obvious choice. Expect to pay a little extra for the pleasure though.
Nikon loaned me the Z5 II and some lenses for two weeks
I tested it with the 24-50mm and 24-200mm kit zooms
I also used the Nikon 26mm and 40mm and Viltrox 85mm primes
I carried the camera daily, testing its video and photo capabilities
I shot over 1,000 images with the camera
I used the Nikon Z5 II as my everyday camera over a two-week period, which gave me the chance to shoot more than 1,000 images and videos. I was able to test the subject tracking, low-light performance, and image stabilization effectively thanks to using the camera in a diverse range of environments, both indoors and outdoors.
Nikon sent me the Nikkor 24-50mm and f/4-6.3 Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 zoom kit lenses to try, as well as the Nikkor 26mm f/2.8. I also made sure to use the camera with a third-party lens, in this case the Viltrox 85mm f1/.8.
In the two and a half years since the Star Wars TV series' first season ended, my excitement levels have only grown. That could've presented a problem if, like many a crashed starship in the famous galaxy far, far away it inhabits, the political spy thriller didn't stick the landing with its second and final installment.
Join me in breathing a sigh of relief, then, that it does. Andor season 2 is a near-masterpiece that, a couple of faults aside, cements the show's position as the best piece of Star Wars live-action media since the original movie trilogy.
Rebel leaders, standing by
Andor season 2 takes a different storytelling approach to its predecessor (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
Initially picking up events after its predecessor's finale, Andor season 2 takes a different storytelling approach to the Disney+ series' first outing.
Where season 1 followed its ensemble cast across a single year, this season's 12-episode run is divided into four trilogy-style events. Each three-episode block depicts a specific event within the four years leading into Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – the 2016 film that connects Andor to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
Andor season 2 is... the best piece of Star Wars live-action media since the original movie trilogy
Previously described as "very sexy" time jumps by showrunner Tony Gilroy, episodes 1 to 3 cover three days, four years before Rogue One happens. Then, chapters 4 to 6 depict a week-long event three years out from the aforementioned movie. Next, entries 7 to 9 tackle a 14-day period two years before the Gareth Edwards-directed flick. Finally, episodes 10 to 12 take place in the five days leading up to Rogue One.
With both seasons reportedly costing an eye-watering $645 million, it's clear Disney, which has tightened the purse strings during Bob Iger's second stint as CEO, wanted to wrap up this expensively-assembled program.
That's bad news for fans who loved Andor's first season and craved more of its thrilling, character-driven storytelling. It also presented a creative conundrum for Gilroy and company to overcome – how to cram four seasons' worth of character evolution and plot progression into a dozen episodes.
Mon Mothma is as integral to Andor's story as the titular character (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)
Some teething problems in season 2's first act notwithstanding, it's a storytelling approach that, hesitant though I was over how well it'd work, I actually warmed to. Sure, season 2 is fast-paced at times (I'll get into this more later as part of my wider criticism of this season), but the beauty of its four-year cycle is its ability to show the ever-evolving nature of the show's key relationships at annual intervals.
Be it friendships, romances, uneasy alliances, or another type of interpersonal dynamic, season 2's multi-year plot approach – one largely devoid of filler material – highlights the rollercoaster ride that each one goes on.
Sure, character dynamics can change within TV show seasons whose events play out over weeks and months rather than years. It's a process that worked wonders for Andor's first season, but armed with its multi-year format, the series' sophomore outing not only demonstrates how its tentpole moments impact these relationships but also the in-flux nature of its core dynamics in all of their soul-stirring, melodramatic, and tear-jerking glory.
The beauty of this season's four-year cycle is how it showcases the ever-evolving nature of the show's key relationships
Predictably, a lot of the shifting dynamics revolve around Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). As the show's titular character, season 2 takes a purposeful approach to examining the ebb and flow of his personal associations.
Indeed, there's underlying tension, occasional levity, and soul-piercing drama to the bonds he shares with those he's closest to and works for, as well as clear affection and/or respect amid the oft-times messiness of these dynamics. Understandably, that includes ones he has real stakes in, with Bix (Adria Arjona), Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), Wilmon (Muhanned Bhair), and, as confirmed by an appearance in Andor season 2's first trailer, his eventual android bestie K-2SO.
Bix and Cassian's relationship dramatically shifts as season 2 plays out (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
That said, while the series bears his name, season 2 is as much, if not more so, an ensemble piece than its predecessor was. (By the way, it's worth watching the season 1 finale again, or streaming last season's 14-minute recap, to refamiliarize yourself with the sheer number of characters in the show. My head was spinning throughout season 2's opening salvo as I tried to remember who everyone was, what they were doing, and where they were!)
Fascinated though I was by Cassian's relationships with some of Andor season 2's cast, I found myself more hooked by the politically dicey dynamics involving Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly), who's arguably this season's stand-out. She's certainly the most interesting character in season 2's first act and, spoilers notwithstanding, episode 9 fully cements O'Reilly's place as one of the finest actors to grace the Star Wars universe.
The engrossingly uncomfortable dynamic between Galactic Empire officers Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) that slithers with reptilian delight, plus the compelling expansion of Luthen's fraught surrogate-style relationship with Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau), are equally worthy of praise. I never tired of seeing these particular dynamics play out and, given another season or three, I'm sure they would've been even more intoxicating to watch.
Heirs to the Empire
Denise Gough's Dedra Meero is captivatingly unlikeable once more in the show's second season (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
Season 2 successfully navigates its expansion of, and call backs to, the wider Star Wars galaxy, too.
There is, despite what Gilroy previously suggested, some character and plot-based winks to the camera, but they're not as egregious as references in other Star Wars projects.
In fact, whether it's the return of Rogue One's main villain Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), who steals scenes with his terrifying unpredictability, or subtle nods to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One itself, they're easily forgivable inclusions that actually enhanced my viewing experience.
Ben Mendelsohn reprises his role as Death Star overseer Orson Krennic in Andor's final season (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney Plus)
The addition of new worlds also expands on the grandeur of Lucasfilm's vast galaxy, which the Galactic Empire dominates during this time. The live-action debut of one planet is especially key as it allows for the exploration of an emotionally devastating event that should also clear up fan confusion over said incident's Star Wars canonicity.
I won't tease much else about it for those with little knowledge of wider Star Wars lore. Believe me when I say, though, that season 2 episode 8, which showcases this event in such soul-crushing fashion, might be the best – if that's the right word to use – chapter since the season 1 finale. If nothing else, it certainly rivals last season's 12th episode for sheer emotional impact, and I'm not afraid to admit that I shed a tear or two as its end credits rolled.
Season 2 episode 8... rivals last season's 12th episode for sheer emotional impact
If there was a problem with one of the best Disney+ shows' final season – and this might slightly contradict what I wrote earlier – it's the condensed and at times rushed feel of some of its four acts.
I appreciate it's been a costly endeavor for Disney. I also understand that showrunner Tony Gilroy had the unenviable task of compressing four seasons' worth of content into the show's last installment. So, the fact that he achieved this seemingly impossible task should be applauded.
The compelling character complexities of Kyle Soller's Syril Karn are on full show in season 2 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)
Still, the sheer number of narrative hoops that season 2 has to jump through, the quick-paced nature of some three-episode events, and the occasional sidelining of important supporting characters make this season feel a tad scattershot in its storytelling approach.
Act 1, for instance, feels largely untethered and tonally different from its fellow volumes. The severe cuts between scenes are often jarring, while the lack of narrative and character-based pay-off delivers an abrupt end to season 2's opening three-part chapter. It comes across as a standalone trilogy that feels out of place among its brethren.
It's not the only act marred by niggling issues. Act 4 is more closely connected to acts 2 and 3 than act 1 is, and plays the role of direct link to Rogue One. However, it's a little on the short side, and I'll admit I was expecting a bit more suspense or shock value in a three-parter where the Rebel Alliance finally learns about the Death Star.
Don't get me wrong, some moments are genuinely thrilling, dramatic, action-packed, and heart-wrenchingly sad, and I certainly wasn't unsatisfied with how season 2 ends. Indeed, its final scene will make you view Rogue One in a whole different light. I just think that, with a few extra minutes here and there, act 4 would've been even better than it was.
My verdict
Andor season 2 is a devastating and epic tour de force – one filled of potent political drama, weighty ethical dilemmas, and captivating character introspection – that rebels against the notion that Star Wars is a dead franchise walking.
In my view, nothing comes as close to matching the awe, shock value, and prestige nature of the original films – which turned Lucasfilm's iconic sci-fi universe into the powerhouse franchise it is today – as this epic and expertly crafted show.
Would it be even better as a three-season event (a Star Wars trilogy, you say?) comprising eight episodes apiece to fully explore its characters, their dynamics, the impact of their decisions, and help things feel less rushed? Yes, but this is the hand that Gilroy and company were dealt, and there's no debate that they've pulled off an almighty task in making one of 2025's new Star Wars shows as breathtakingly good as it is.
In my Andor season 1 review, I labeled it "a blood-pumping spy thriller that might be the best Star Wars shows yet". Now, I'd replace "might be" with "is". If Disney learns anything from Andor, it's that there's an entire galaxy's worth of more mature, creative, and original stories that deserve to be explored.
The question now is: will the House of Mouse be brave enough to pursue similar ideas? If it does and they're as good, if not better, than Andor, I'll be a Star Wars devotee for a long time yet.
Andor season 2 launches with a three-episode premiere on Tuesday, April 22 (US) and Wednesday, April 23 (UK and Australia). Three new episodes arrive each week until the show's finale in mid-May.
The Happy Plugs Clip are a pair of open ear headphones that really surprised me – but not in the way I'd hoped. These clip-on buds are bizarre in the sense that they don’t really nail anything in particular. They’re a jack of few trades and a master of absolutely none.
Usually I’d start by talking about sound quality, but I want to instead start with design – because these have a quirk I’ve not encountered before. After you open up the admittedly attractive charging case, you’re met with the two open earbuds which are… upside down? Yes, after picking these out of their charging vessel, I realized that the ‘L’ and ‘R’ symbols on the left and right bud were the wrong way up. That means that each time you go to put them on (or go to put them back), you need to mess around a fair bit to get them in your ear – not sure how that one got past the drawing board.
Anyway, the buds themselves look a little cheap – perhaps to be expected given their list price of $49 / £50. They’re also quite large compared to some other clip-style open earbuds I’ve tested, though they only weigh 5g each, which is lighter than even some of the best open ear headphones.
I found them to be fairly comfortable, though a tad loose-fitting, which made it a little challenging to find the perfect fit. On top of that, these things use touch controls, but they activate with a single touch, meaning I often accidentally paused music or adjusted volume by mistake when trying to get them to stay put. However, if your ear shape works with them, said touch controls do let you control a fair amount, including music playback, calls, power status and even your source device’s voice assistant.
And one final point on design – Happy Plugs call the Clip ‘sweat resistant’ but don’t specify their waterproof rating. I wouldn’t expect that it’s any higher than IPX4 with that description, which is a little disappointing when you consider that other budget models like the Huawei FreeArc, are IP57-rated.
But anyway, let’s get onto the main event: audio performance. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst areas for the Happy Plugs Clip. You’re going to get thin, unbalanced, sometimes harsh sound out of these, which is going to be a problem for almost anyone. For instance, when listening to Una canzone d’amore per te by Pino D’Angio, the 80s style percussion sounded tinny – unlistenable at high volumes – with the lead saxophone lacking separation from other instrumental elements.
How Much I Feel by Ambrosia also had an almost muffled tone throughout. The soundstage was cluttered and percussion through the treble frequencies again sounded grating. It’s safe to say I was excited to go back to my usual LG Tone Free T90S earbuds.
You won’t get good bass response out of the Happy Plugs Clip either – and I'm taking into account their open design, where bass clout is always a potential issue. When tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the deep drum machine was hugely understated, stripping the track of its impact, rhythmic bounce and groove. The only time I really got a serviceable listen out of these open earbuds was when listening at low volumes, when the harsh, muddied nature of its sound was considerably tempered. But who wants to listen to music so quietly in a set of open ear headphones?
(Image credit: Future)
So, it’s safe to say that these lack star quality in the sound department, but there’s always an opportunity for a solid feature-set to redeem things, at least slightly. However, that is something that the Happy Plugs Clip don’t possess either.
Firstly, there’s no companion app, so you won’t get dedicated EQ settings, adjustable noise cancelling, customizable touch controls or… anything really. There are a couple of features available to you, though. First of all, these highlight ambient sounds if you’re on the go. For instance, it was easier for me to hear a child screaming in a supermarket, which some open ear fans may be looking for. I wasn't exactly loving that experience, though.
Secondly, these have two inbuilt mics, intended to facilitate “clear calls”. That was something I didn’t experience, however. When making a video call and a standard phone call, I was told that my voice sounded pretty muffled and less clear than when using my phone’s built-in microphone. I also recorded a voice note and heard a whole lot of sibilance, which was pretty unpleasant.
Unfortunately, even the battery life of the Happy Plugs Clip is sub-par. On the front of the box, you’re told you get 20 hours from these. And in a sense, that’s true. If you count the additional battery life supplied by the charging case, you’ll be able to get a total of 20 hours from these. But really, you’re getting 4.5 hours per charge, which is – to be blunt – simply bad. When we reviewed the Honor Earbuds Open, we described their six hour battery life as “limited”, so, yeah… nothing to shout about.
An additional issue worth considering, is that like most open ear headphones, these are pretty prone to sound leakage. So, if you're out in public and have your tunes cranked up a little too loud, expect a few glares to come your way – although you likely won't do that, because of that troublesome treble.
All in all, the Happy Plugs Clip fail to make a splash in the ever-expanding ocean of open ear headphones. They struggle to deliver across the board, with unsatisfying sound quality, a weak feature-set, unimpressive design and restricted playtime. The only real draw of these is, of course, their price. The bulk of the open earbuds market does sit closer to that $100 / £100 mark, it's true – but it’s well worth spending that bit extra, and I hope you'll trust me on this.
Take a step up to the sub £100 Huawei FreeArc, for example, and you’re getting great audio, superior waterproofing and more features – more on those later. Otherwise, I highly recommend checking out some cheaper options in our guide to the best wireless earbuds – if you activate Ambient Sound mode on the ultra-cheap Sony WF-C510, for example, you’ll hear surrounding noise and still get superb audio.
Happy Plugs Clip review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Happy Plugs Clip review: price and availability
$49 / £50 (about AU$80)
Launched in January 2025
The Happy Plugs Clip launched in January 2025 alongside a handful of other products, including the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. They have a list price of $49 / £50 (about AU$80) which is comfortably in budget tech territory, but of course, you’re not getting great quality in return. It’s worth noting that these are available in either Black or White, but the color you pick should have no bearing on the price you pay.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Happy Plugs Clip?
Buy them if...
You want a more relaxed fit There aren’t many reasons to recommend the Happy Plugs Clip, but one thing going for them is their open design, which is ideal if you’re the active type. That’s because they let in a lot of ambient noise, so if you want to have the measure of your surroundings, they’re more effective than ANC-enabled wireless earbuds.
You’re looking for a lightweight option Each of the Happy Plugs Clip’s buds weigh only 5g – that’s pretty light compared to much of the competition. If you’re fed up with weighty wired earbuds or bulky over-ears, these might be a better fit.
Don't buy them if...
You care about audio quality Even if you’re not an audiophile, I think you’ll pick up on the sonic shortcomings of the Happy Plugs Clip. You get thin, muffled audio that’s grating at high volumes. And you don’t have to settle for that, even for this money. If you’re not so set on the open design, you can check out our guide to the best cheap wireless earbuds for some ace alternatives.
You want plenty of playtime The Happy Plugs Clip can only manage 4.5 hours of playtime per charge, which isn’t very good to be honest. You get 20 hours in total with the charging case, but if you’re a keen listener, you’re gonna be charging these quite often.
Happy Plugs Clip review: also consider
Anker Soundcore AeroClip The Anker Soundcore AeroClip are a great pair of open ear headphones that nail the clip-on look. They supply impressive sound quality, a comfortable fit and excellent companion app compatibility. Sure, there’s no ANC on offer and their IPX4 waterproof rating could be better, but they’re still well worth checking out. Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review.
Huawei FreeArc If you’re a UK customer, we strongly recommend taking a look at the Huawei FreeArc. They serve up great audio, wonderful waterproofing and a neat design. Again – no ANC here and battery life could be a touch improved, but for less than £100, they’re an absolute steal. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review.
Happy Plugs Clip review: How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for one week
Used in the office and while out and about
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the Happy Plugs Clip for one week and spent hours listening to music, watching videos and making phone calls. Most of the time, I used these in the office at Future Labs, but I also used them while out and about in busy areas.
When listening to music, I used the Tidal app on my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I also ensured that I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a range of genres and is optimized for judging sound quality across the frequencies. In addition, I played a ton of tunes from my personal library. Where appropriate, I compared these to the Soundcore AeroClip on aspects such as sound quality, battery life and design quirks.
The Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 is frankly a joy to use. Easy to assemble, use, and clean, this masticating slow-press juicer provides consistent, excellent results. If you want a juicer with a bunch of bells and whistles, you won't find it here. Instead, this appliance focuses on providing high-performance features, like its auto hopper, non-drip spout, and powerful auger, which reduces the need to pre-cut fruit and veg (though you may need to cut some) and allows for it to be largely automatic – with minimal mess.
You can add large chunks of food to this juicer, which makes prep easy, but the user manual advises removing seeds and peels from foods like oranges, lemons, and melons. After prepping, you simply add your food to the juicer, lock the lid, and turn the knob on the side, ensuring the pulp and juice cups are under their respective spouts. The juicer then uses its power auger to juice your items, pushing the solid fiber and pulp out the side, while its triple filter ensures the juice left is smooth. I found the auger left minimal residue in the feeding cup and it is incredibly satisfying watching the pulp ooze out the side.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
While you can leave the appliance to automatically juice your food, you may need to utilize the pusher accessory to push down some foods – I only needed to do this once, however – or use the knob's Reverse function if any food gets stuck. You also need to watch for when the juicing is completed, as the appliance doesn't automatically turn off when finished and is surprisingly quick due to its 250W motor. In most cases, my juicing was complete in one to two minutes, though tougher foods took up to six.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
The overall result every time was smooth juice with minimal pulp, enough to be healthy but not enough to make the juice unpleasant. That powerful auger utilized nearly every element of what it was fed, with the pulp spout churning out mostly solid remains that indicate it squeezed almost every ounce of juice from my foods. Clean-up was equally impressive, with the detachable parts easily hand-washed with only water.
If you're looking for a no-nonsense slow juicer that provides consistently high results, the Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 is a worthy investment.
Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036: price and availability
Price: $299.99 / £199.99
Available in the UK and US, but not Australia
Regular discounts available
The Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 is a premium cold press juicer. Available in the US and UK at $300 / £199.99, respectively, this appliance is pricer than several others on our best juicers list. So, if this is a bit out of your price range, the Amzchef Slow Juicer ZM1501 is a more affordable alternative. However, we regularly see discounts (up to $100) on this product, so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled during sales periods.
While the Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 is pricey, it's worth the investment if you regularly juice, as it offers a high-quality masticating juicer that's easy to use and maintain.
Value score: 4.5/5
Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036: specifications
Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036: design
Stylish modern design
Surprisingly tall, needs unobstructed counter space
Powerful auger and auto hopper
Triple filter for smooth juice
Anti-drip spout
The Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 has a stylish, minimalistic modern design and comes in black or silver. Assembly is straightforward thanks to the handy user manual. You attach the juicing bowl to the power base, followed by the auger, and then the feeding cup, which locks into the bowl with ease. You then add the juice cup under the juice spout on the front and the pulp cup under the pulp spout on the left-hand side. The feeding cup lid has a safety clock, which you can click open and close fairly easily. The juicer won't function if the lock isn't clicked in, as this indicates the top is open, a welcome safety inclusion that should prevent any kitchen disasters.
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
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(Image credit: Vic Hood)
What I like most about this juicer is how seemingly simple its design is and how easy it is to operate. On the right-hand side is just one knob with three options: on, off, and reverse. There's no smart control here, simply turn it on to juice and off when it's done. You need to manually turn it off when the juicing is finished, so an automatic option would be helpful, but this method does give you more control over its operation.
Turning the appliance on is when you see how impressive the design is. The automatic hopper pulls food into the powerful squeezing auger, churning it to extract the juice before using the triple filter to separate the pulp from the juice, satisfyingly spewing the pulp out of its respective spout and holding the remaining juice. The no-drip juice spout means the juice stays put until you've turned the appliance off and you're ready to open it. The juice spews out pretty fast, so I advise opening it slowly to avoid splashback.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Cleaning, likewise, is easy. The user manual advises handwashing with (it seems) just water and a cleaning brush is provided for tougher residue. Largely, I only needed the brush for the filter and chutes, with remains in the detachable parts easily washing away under the tap.
It's worth noting, however, that this juicer stands pretty tall when assembled, at 17.2in. Plus, you need to account for opening the lid. So, I had difficulty opening it due to my upper kitchen cabinets and needed to move it to a counter space that wasn't vertically obstructed. This may not be ideal if you have a smaller kitchen.
Design score: 5/5
Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036: performance
Smooth juice with minimal pulp
Discarded pulp is largely solid
Only takes a few minutes to juice
Consistently good results
The Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036 performs to a high standard and I found it near flawless during my testing. I first tested a green juice, consisting of broccoli florets, ginger, celery, an apple, pear, and parsley. While the apple and pear needed de-seeding as advised in the user manual, and the celery cut into smaller chunks to fit the chute, minimal prep was required and all the ingredients easily fit in the feeding cup.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Within about two minutes of turning the appliance on, 197g of fairly solid pulp had been extracted and I was left with around 375ml of clear juice with minimal foam. Only some small remnants of parsley snuck into the juice, but these weren't overly noticeable or unpleasant. Very little was left in the juicing bowl that wasn't pulped or juiced. I was impressed that – while fairly loud at a max volume of 85.5 decibels – this juicer wasn't
I was particularly impressed with how the appliance juiced 200g of unpeeled carrots. The result, again, was 100ml of crystal clear juice with no foam, which only took one minute. This one minute is fairly loud, with a max decibel reading of 85.5, but wasn't as ear-splitting as some juicers can be.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Orange juice, using five large oranges, took a slightly longer six minutes, however. Mainly because I tested whether adding each ingredient one by one results, as Amzchef says in its juicer tips, in a higher yield. I didn't see a noticeable difference, so it's really up to you whether you'd rather juice more efficiently or quickly.
I added the oranges (unadvisedly) with their peels on but cut into wedges. This resulted in a lot of pulp (411g) and roughly 375ml of delicious orange juice, which had some nutritious pulp in it but not enough for it to be an issue.
(Image credit: Vic Hood)
Much like with my carrots, my 100g kale test resulted in wonderfully pure kale juice, with just a little foam. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how disgusting kale juice is and this juicer couldn't fix that.
Performance score: 5/5
Should you buy the Amzchef Slow Juicer SJ-036?
Buy it if
You want to spend less time on food prep
While some foods need to be cut up for size or their seeds removed, this juicer can handle whole foods with ease, minimizing the need for pre-cutting and prep.
You want a non-nonsense juicer
This appliance may not have the bells and whistles of other juicers, but it does what it's meant to do to a high standard.
You want an easy to maintain and operate juicer
This slow juicer is a breeze to assembly, use, and clean. So, if you want an appliance that's easy to use out of the box, look no further.
Don't buy it if
You've less kitchen space
This is a surprisingly tall juicer and I had trouble opening it when it was placed on a counter under kitchen cabinets. The most optimal space for this is a counter that's unobstructed vertically, so if you're lacking that you may have some difficulty finding a place to use it conveniently.
You're on a budget
This is a premium product, but it also comes with a premium price tag. While regular discounts are available, you can get great slow juicers for less than this. So, if the $300 / £199.99 price tag is out of your budget, there are plenty more options available that provide solid performance.
This chair is good. No seriously, it might not look like much, but for the price it's exceptional. You're looking at $200-250 for the regular or XL variant, and for that, the Novis absolutely nails what a good gaming chair should be.
What makes this one of the best gaming chairs around then? Simply put, it's stupidly comfortable to sit in. The padding in the seat base and the bolsters is absolutely next level. It's covered in a faux leather-like PVC material, but overall comfort is top-tier.
The backrest has lumbar support built into it; it's non-adjustable but it's enough to keep you comfortable through long gaming sessions or during the work day, and the overall feel and style are up there. It's not too gamer-y, nor is it too corporate. It treads a fine line between the two, with the only issue being the potentially a little too intense branding.
It's not perfect, of course; AndaSeat has had to cut back on a number of features and build elements to bring the price down. The armrests, particularly on the XL model I tested, are a little too small, and you don't get any included lumbar or headrest pillows (they're optional extras instead), plus the overall frame has been slimmed down a bit to shave off some material cost, but for what you're paying, that's more than acceptable.
The Novis hits the mark, not because it has some fancy gimmicks or outlandish design, but because it nails the basics and does so with an incredible price point attached to it. It's that simple. This is unabashedly one of the most comfortable gaming chairs I've ever tested, and that's saying a lot.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Novis: Price and Availability
List Price: $250 (around £210)
Only available direct from AndaSeat.com
PVC leatherette and Cloth versions
If you're looking to actually grab one of the world's most affordable gaming chairs right now, I've got some bad news. Unfortunately, it's seemingly only available via AndaSeat directly, and right now the release is limited to the US.
I have no doubt it's coming to other regions at a later date (Europe, likely once various health and safety legislation has been met), but for the time being it's a web store exclusive.
That's likely been done again to shave a bit of cost off the overall price tag. I'd suspect the margins for AndaSeat are so low on these things that having to fork out extra cash to Amazon for the privilege of listing it might be a step too far.
But the thing is, though, it's that pricing that really cements the brilliance of this thing. There are effectively four models on offer. You've got the L-size for folk between 155-190 cm and up to 90 kg, and the XL size (featured in this test) for 165-210 cm up to 120 kg.
Within that, there's a choice of either a premium PVC leather option or alternatively, you can opt for a linen fabric instead that comes in a sleek "Ash Gray" finish, looking equally stellar. The standard L size comes in at $200 regardless of material, and the XL is $250.
Another nice addition to the whole affair is bizarrely something that AndaSeat's excluded from the overall package. In this case, that's the lumbar support and headrest pillow. You can actually buy these as optional extras, either as a package together for $59 or individually at $39 each.
To be honest, I would like to see those prices reduced somewhat (they're high for what they are); however, it's quite nice that they're optional extras and that additional manufacturing cost has been removed from the initial outlay.
AndaSeat Novis: Specs
Andaseat Novis: Design and Aesthetics
No drama
Sleek PVC Leather
Basic armrests
With that pricing in mind, you probably wouldn't expect too much from it. $250 for a gaming chair and a lot of cash these days, certainly with the likes of Noblechair's Legend and Secretlab's Titan Evo kicking around in the big leagues.
Yet the Novis actually delivers quite the package. In its PVC leather form, it's clean, slick, and simple. There's no drama outside of a few embroidered logos. It's a bucket seat design out of the gate, with some fairly simple clean stitching and comfortable bolsters running along the slides.
Unlike with the Kaiser line, there are no dramatic colorways to choose from, just black for the leather and grey for the cloth, and that's about it.
It's comfortable enough, and if you put this in a room with 30 other gaming chairs, you'd be hard-pressed to place it at that $200 mark, which honestly is high praise. It's only when you start to look under the hood that you begin to notice some of the features that have been cut back to really nail that budget entry cost.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Novis: Comfort and adjustability
Armrests need work
Adjustment is incredibly limited
Wildly comfortable, even compared to the Kaiser
Flip this thing over during the construction, and you'll spot immediately that there's just one lever. You don't have that lock-out lever for the tilt mechanism.
Instead, it's constantly unlocked. That said, it's very rigid, and although you can technically tilt back on it, it requires some serious force to shuffle it back by that 15 degrees.
Then there's the armrests (always a bit of a sticking point for AndaSeat). I will say these are more functional than the 5D armrests found on the Pro line with the Kaiser 3 series and the Kaiser 4, but that comes with some major caveats.
Unfortunately, you can only adjust them up and down. There's no rotation, no pivot, and no sliding forwards and backwards. That wouldn't be that big of an issue if it wasn't for the fact that they're remarkably small, measuring just 9.8" (25cm) long and 3.1" (8cm) wide. Even for a smaller human like myself at 5'8.5" (174cm) and 165lbs (75kg) actually resting my arms on them during use is a bit awkward at times. They're not awful though, and they do work relatively well. Perhaps better suited to the smaller "L" sizing.
Then there's the seat itself, and it is wildly comfortable; there's no denying it. AndaSeat's cold-cure foam is out of this world. Squishy, supportive—it's just luscious. The added 2.5" (5cm) raised bolsters on either edge and the subtle angling on those and the backrest bolsters just add to the overall luxurious feel and allow it to compete, certainly on a comfort level with those far costlier flagships out there.
One minor complaint: the PVC leather, although durable, does lack some breathability compared to alternatives out there. In part due to its synthetic nature. It could use some perforations or some form of patterning to relieve some of that glossy, sweaty feel.
I've been testing a lot of graphics cards and systems lately, my office has hit 95F (35C) on a few occasions, and it's made the Novis particularly sticky during those moments. Less than ideal. Still, it's an all-round epic chair, and for the cost, it's hard to beat.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Novis: Assembly
Quick and seamless
Very standard process
Minimal components, minimal fuss
So, easy to build? Yeah. If you've built a few gaming chairs over the last decade or so, you'll get along with this just fine. Unlike with the AndaSeat X-Air there's no complex hydraulic cambling to do or anything along those lines.
You chuck the castor wheels into the base, the piston into that, attach your armrests and seat base mount to the underside of the seat, pop that on the piston, then attach the backrest to that, and wrap-up with the side bolt covers.
AndaSeat reckons you're better off installing the backrest to the seat base first before mounting it on top of the gas piston, but honestly, I found it easier to do it the way listed above, as it reduces the overall weight and doesn't take any longer.
You'll notice there's no frills around it, though. Unlike some other options, there's no subtle chrome badging you need to plug in, or flappy paddles, or anything along those lines really. The only minor annoyance is attaching the armrests, but again, it's so cheap and affordable and takes such little time to attach them that it's really not worth complaining about.
Unlike with the Kaiser 3 Pro XL, it didn't have any trouble with the bolts or securing anything into position either on this sample, just happy sailing, and in less than 20 minutes I had a gaming chair up and built.
(Image credit: Future)
Should You Buy The AndaSeat Novis?
Buy it if...
You want to save a lot of cash This is by far the best budget gaming chair I've ever seen. It nails what every gaming chair should; it's comfortable, easy to construct, supports you well, and is durable as all heck.
You're not interested in fancy gimmicks 5D armrests you'll tinker with once then ignore forever? Nah, not here. Tried and true methods make this a simple chair to use and cut down the price too.
Don't buy it if...
You're on the heavier side XL in all but name, unlike with the Kaiser 3 XL, the XL version of the Novis lacks some of the top-tier support capability it had, and only supports folk up to 125 KG in weight 275 lbs.
You want more colorful picks Black or grey, that's it; that's your lot here, and if you want pillows, that's extra too.
Also consider...
Not interested in an astoundingly good budget gaming chair? Fancy something with a bit more punch? Check these awesome options out instead.
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Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 It's the king for a reason, and yes, although it might be significantly more than the Novis, the Titan Evo 2022 delivers some exceptional quality for that price, with insanely high-quality materials and a ton of mod-cons that make it a surefire pick for anyone on the hunt for the ultimate gaming chair for their office.
I spent two weeks with the Novis XL getting to grips with it. Particularly challenging being slightly shorter than the recommended numbers. I also got friends and colleagues to sit in it too, to judge just how good it was, and then collated that information into my own review as well.
I've also had a ton of experience with the entirety of AndaSeat's range at this point, which has given me particularly good insight into how it operates and which features and models it has at its disposal.
It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the number of apps AI isn’t namechecked in these days, but arguably no fitness app pushes the technology harder than Zing.
The app launched in 2021 and has found success putting a face and a name on your robo-trainer, pushing users further each time while using algorithmic data to calculate the best workouts and rest periods.
While that’s not out of the ordinary, the app even features chatbot-like conversations you can have with your trainer, making it feel as though you’re talking to a human.
The AI’s positivity is a little too much at times (please don’t make me do more squats…), but it adds a personal layer to a field that’s dominated by very good but very sterile alternatives.
Zing Coach: Price and availability
(Image credit: Zing / Future)
Free trial for 1 week
Subscription service costs £19.99/$19.99/AUS price per month
Zing is free to try for a week, but it’ll cost you around £20/$20 for a month thereafter. Thankfully, the annual plan is drastically cheaper, which comes in at £59.99/$59.99/AUS.
That actually makes it cheaper than Fitbit Premium (when paid annually).
Zing Coach: Design and UX
(Image credit: Zing / Future)
A lot of elements
AI is one tap away
Personalization Level is handy
While most fitness apps have an easy-to-read dashboard with some key metrics, Zing’s huge array of features could make it more cluttered than its rivals.
Instead, the whole thing ends up feeling pretty intuitive, with a series of tabs along the bottom of the screen. Workout takes you to your next session, while Analytics shows your progress, muscle recovery, and a handy ‘Personalization Level’ to help you know when the app has got the hang of how you work out.
Then there’s a ‘Circles’ feature for competing or training with friends, and a section for your unique plan’s progress. In the middle of it all, the ‘Zing’ logo gives you access to the AI chatbot with a single tap.
That chatbot can handle pretty much anything you throw at it, like “what’s the difference between deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts?” or “what’s an easy meal plan to follow?” Not needing to jump between menus to ask those kinds of questions means you can get back to your day, or get an answer right when you need it mid-session.
Zing Coach: Features
(Image credit: Zing / Future)
AI workout plans with chatbot-like advice on hand
Body scan adds extra personalization
In many ways, Zing is a lot of tools in one. It offers AI-built personal workout routines where you can specify your fitness levels, equipment, and goals, but it can also help generate a meal plan, hydration targets, and much more.
It also ties nicely into other services, notably Apple HealthKit, which means it can read data that other apps have left there. That means that, even if you’re not using one of Zing’s own workouts and you’re tracking a run on Strava instead, it’ll credit you the activity towards your streak.
There’s an additional Body Scan purchase that can help you calculate your lean mass, body fat, and more. The app can then use this data to calculate your optimal fitness plan.
This feels a little like magic, using your phone’s camera to analyse the data from you standing in a certain position, or leaning on photos you’ve taken earlier.
It’s a snapshot that then feeds into the data Zing helps you work with, giving it more data points to help it hit your goals.
Unlike many of its rivals, Zing can actually watch you work out to help you adjust your form, too, as well as fitness and flexibility tests.
Zing: Performance
(Image credit: Zing / Future)
Links into your existing workouts
AI coaching is more personable than rivals
Zing Coach leans heavily on its AI tools, and while that may evoke a groan from those of us who have seen those letters thrown into everything, here it actually makes sense.
Each time you build a workout, the app kicks into gear with a full-screen animation showing what you should be doing, while always keeping that chatbot handy in the bottom corner if you have any questions.
Every animation feels so carefully designed that it honestly feels a little like it’s been built by the UI gurus at Apple. It’s clean, easy to tweak, and full of information.
It can even integrate with your calendar to set a new workout routine, adding an appointment schedule on the days you choose.
Perhaps my favorite feature, however, is the workout ‘Boosts’. When you finish an exercise in any other app, be that from tracking a walk to lifting weights, Zing will give a notification that it can help you eke out a little bit more from your session with a quick 15-minute workout.
The way it then dovetails into apps like Strava, Strong, Fitbod, and more makes it feel like a genuinely impressive all-encompassing app rather than one you train with and then forget about until you get to the gym next time.
Zing Coach: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Zing / Future)
Buy it if...
You’re looking for a holistic view of your health
Zing surprised us with its deep toolset that includes just about anything you need, along with a cheerful AI companion.View Deal
You're curious about an AI trainer
AI is all the rage, but Zing actually leverages it in a way that helps you understand why you’re doing each exercise, rather than having it just be a box to check.View Deal
You want fantastic tools on a budget
The annual membership is the way to go, and it’s easily worth what it costs — which is less than some of its rivals.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You want something simple
As good as Zing is, you might not need all of its features. Just running? Strava’s free plan remains fantastic, for example, as does the built-in functionality on Apple Watch or Fitbit.View Deal
This review first appeared in issue 345 of PC Pro.
The WAX220 is the latest member of Netgear’s Business Essentials range of Wi-Fi 6 access points (APs) and aims to fill the gap between consumer and enterprise use. Targeting small businesses and home offices that require only a single AP, the WAX220 has a speedy AX4200 rating made up of 600Mbits/sec on the 2.4GHz radio and 3,600Mbits/sec on its 5GHz radio.
Performance is a priority as the WAX220 supports the high-speed Wi-Fi 6 160MHz channels and adds the Wi-Fi 6 Release 2 uplink MU-MIMO feature for faster client upload speeds. Its 2.5GbE LAN port supports a PoE+ power source; you’re expected to provide this as Netgear doesn’t include a 12V DC power adapter, which costs an extra £13.
Build quality is good, with the WAX220 endowed with a finned metal back plate that acts as a heatsink. The kit includes a mounting plate and metal bracket so you can fit it to a wall, a normal ceiling or a suspended ceiling T-bar.
Designed for standalone use, the WAX220 only offers local web browser admin access and doesn’t support Netgear’s Insight cloud management, wireless meshing or captive portals. On the positive side, Netgear claims you can unpack the AP and be up and running in ten minutes.
Netgear’s standalone WAX200 is well built and offers good performance(Image credit: Future)
This is easily achievable. We connected the AP to the lab’s Zyxel XS1930-12HP 10GbE multi-gigabit PoE++ switch and followed the browser’s quick start wizard. In a single screen, you set a new admin password, add your first wireless network, provide an encryption key and wait two minutes while it reboots.
The WAX220 delivered good results in our Wi-Fi 6 real-world performance tests using a Dell Windows 11 Pro workstation with a TP-Link Archer TXE75E Wi-Fi 6/6E PCI-E adapter. Starting with the AP’s 80MHz channels enabled, large file copies between the workstation and a Windows server on our 10GbE LAN averaged 116MB/sec at close range, dropping to 88MB/sec with the AP ten meters away in an adjoining room.
With the 160MHz channels enabled, our test client showed a connection speed of 2.4Gbits/sec. Speed improved nicely with our close range copies averaging 180MB/sec and holding steady at 157MB/sec with the AP moved to the next room.
The AP’s web console isn’t as pretty as the standalone version offered by Netgear’s high-end Insight APs but it does provide easy access to all features. The separate management wireless network improves security and it can be set to close down after it’s been idle for 15 minutes, though the AP must be rebooted to enable it again.
The WAX220 presents a simple web administration console(Image credit: Future)
From the console’s management page you can modify the 2.4GHz and 5GHz channel modes and create up to four wireless SSIDs. For each SSID, you can choose personal WPA2, WPA2/WPA3 or WPA3 encryption and enable the guest network option so connected clients get internet access but can’t see other devices on the same network.
If you want to present a safe open public network, the WAX220 supports opportunistic wireless encryption (OWE), which secures endpoint traffic from eavesdropping without the need for an authentication password. We checked this out on our Windows 11 wireless client where it spotted our guest network had enhanced open security and connected using OWE without any problems.
A simple dashboard shows the AP’s status, a connection table reveals all active clients and you can pull up graphs of CPU usage plus inbound and outbound SSID and LAN traffic over the previous three minutes. There isn’t much else to see, although the AP can scan each radio for external wireless networks and list them.
For a basic standalone Wi-Fi 6 AP, the WAX220 isn’t great value; TP-Link’s faster EAP670 has an AX5400 rating, supports standalone and cloud management modes and can be had for under £150. On the plus side, the WAX220 can be swiftly deployed, delivers good performance, and OWE support makes it easy to provision secure public networks.
This review first appeared in issue 346 of PC Pro.
Poly, now part of HP Inc, is rightly associated with headsets and meeting room systems. With the latest addition to its Voyager range, however, it’s broken free of its reputation to create a pair of wireless in-ear earbuds that users can pair simultaneously with their laptop and phone. You need a USB adapter for the former, Bluetooth for the latter.
The target audience is clear: anyone who attends meetings on the go. However, Poly evidently hopes to tempt businesses to buy them as well as individuals, as IT teams can manage the buds through its Poly Lens software.
The base model is the Voyager Free 60 for £230 inc VAT, but that doesn’t include Teams certification or a USB adapter. Adding both changes the name to the Voyager Free 60 UC and £50 to the price. That comes with a simple case, but the model I tested was the Voyager Free 60+ UC, with a touchscreen case. This gives an at-a-glance view of how much the buds and case are charged, but turns into a mini control system when you’re on a call. You can even mute calls by tapping the speaker icon, but a minor lag meant I kept on pressing it twice by mistake.
You can use the touchscreen case to mute calls(Image credit: Future)
Extra-long stems on the earbuds can also be used to mute or accept a call, or pause/play music, but the real purpose of that extra space is to house three microphones. This also helps with microphone noise cancellation, blocking out both extraneous noise and wind. There’s active noise cancellation on offer, too, but don’t get excited as it’s no match for the equivalent from Sony’s headphones.
Music sound quality also lags behind the best earphones – and there are no controls in the accompanying app to adjust the balance to your liking – but I don’t wish to be overly critical.
The earbuds are fine for listening to music while working, with a decent amount of detail. It’s just that I always got the sense that audio was tuned for voice rather than pumping tracks.
Still, that makes sense for a pair of professional earbuds, and with good battery life – eight hours with ANC on, plus an extra 16 hours from the case – they fulfil that brief extremely well. Are they worth the high asking price? For most people, probably not. But if you’re in meetings all day and need to jump between phone and laptop, they might just answer your call.
