The Philips Hue Play Light Bar (sold individually, or in packs or two or three) is a lozenge-shaped smart light that creates a similar effect to a Philips Ambilight TV, extending the colors from the edges of your screen and washing the area behind with matching light to make your movies, TV shows, and games more immersive. They're flexible, easy to use, and a lot of fun.
The general impact is similar, but the Philips Hue Play Light Bars have some key advantages over both Ambilight TVs and the best Ambilight alternatives such as Nanoleaf 4D. First, you're not limited to positioning them directly behind your TV, although you can do that if you wish. You can also place them above, below, or to the sides, and you can position them quite far away if you have enough space.
This means you have a lot more flexibility when designing your lighting system. You can even use them together with a Hue Play Gradient Light Strip if you want to create a really dramatic home cinema experience with synced lighting that floods the entire room.
Color reproduction with the Philips Hue Play Bars is excellent, even with subtle tones (Image credit: Future)
The Hue Play Bars connect wirelessly to a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, which means they don't suffer the same problems as lighting systems such as Nanolead 4D that use a camera to monitor and reproduce the colors on your screen. There's none of the lag you might get with a camera-based system, and they're not affected by reflections.
In fact, color reproduction is super impressive – as you can see in the image below, where the bar on the left has reproduced the exact shade on the tablecloth, and the one on the right has taken more of an average value factoring in the gray color of the presenter's sleeve.
They also reproduce natural shades and skin tones very well, and colors shift smoothly, which avoids creating a distraction.
Connecting to your TV via HDMI means there are none of the issues you can experience with kits that use a camera to monitor and replicate colors from the screen (Image credit: Future)
Each light has a plastic stand that allows you to position it vertically or horizontally using a hex screwdriver or Allen wrench. You can also mount them on the wall using adhesive pads; however, if you do this, you'll probably want to hide the cables using trunking or by running them through the wall. The lights connect to the Sync Box wirelessly, but they're not battery-powered.
The Light Bars are available in black and white, so you can choose whichever blends in best with your decor. My borrowed review units were black, but if I was buying them for my own home, white would be the better option.
The lights come with mounts that let you position them horizontally or vertically, but you can also attach them to the wall, the back of your TV, or just lie them down on a shelf or TV stand (Image credit: Future)
The main disadvantage of the Philips Hue Play Bars is that they require a Philips Hue Bridge to control them via the mobile app, plus a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box for synchronizing lighting with your TV, which adds to the price substantially if you don't already own them. The Bridge costs around $60 / £60 / AU$75 if bought alone, and Sync Boxes start at $250 / $230 / AU$500 for the 4K version. The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K released in 2024 costs even more.
Without these, you'll only be able to use the Play Bars as you would any ordinary lights via the Philips Hue Bluetooth app. This will let you turn them on and off, and change their color manually, but nothing else.
If you have the Bridge and Sync Box, setting up the bars in the Philips Hue app is a piece of cake. Just plug in the power supply (which supports up to three Play Bar lights), set the Hue app to search for them, and they will be identified automatically, ready to be added to your room.
When you're not using your TV, you can use the Play Bars like any other Hue lamp, setting their colors individually, or incorporating them into Scenes. When it's time to enjoy a movie or game, just tap the Sync button in the app.
The Light Bars come in black and white, so you can choose whichever fits best with your decor (white would have been a better match here) (Image credit: Future)
For those who already have a Hue setup, the Play Bars are a versatile and fun addition that can make your home cinema setup even more immersive. They're not the best entry point into the Hue system, since you'll only get the full experience with the Hue Bridge and Sync Box, but if you want to expand an existing system, they're a great option.
Philips Hue Play Light Bar: specs
Philips Hue Play Light Bar: price and availability
The Philips Hue Play Light Bar is available individually, or in packs of two or three. As with most Philips Hue products, you can also find them bundled with other lights and accessories, such as the Hue Bridge, which may be significantly cheaper than buying each component separately.
The Sync Box is the most expensive part of a Philips Hue Play setup. If you already have one (and a Play Gradient Light Strip) then the Light Bars are a pretty reasonably priced addition that will really give your home cinema a wow-factor.
You want a totally flexible lighting system
The beauty of the Light Bars (other than their excellent color accuracy) is that you can position them pretty much anywhere, allowing you to adapt your lighting setup to suit your home.
Don't buy it if
You don't have any Philips Hue products already
Unless you really love the idea of the Play Light Bars (which you might), this will be an expensive entry into the Hue ecosystem. The lights themselves might not break the bank, but the HDMI Sync Box is a serious investment, particularly if you want the 8K model.
Philips Hue Play Light Bar: also consider
Not sure about the Philips Hue Play Light Bar? Here are two other ambient lighting options that are worth considering.
Nanoleaf 4D
Nanoleaf 4D is one of the most affordable alternatives to Philips Ambilight, and at CES 2025 the company announced a new version of the system that doesn't require fitting awkward corner brackets to your TV.
Govee's budget-friendly lighting system does a good job in dark conditions, although its camera will pick up light from any source near your TV, not just the screen itself, so daytime viewing isn't as good.
I tested a pair of Philips Hue Play Light Bars, using them as part of a larger Hue lighting system including ceiling-fitted bulbs, an HDMI Sync Box, and Hue Bridge. I used them to sync content from my TV, and as standalone smart lights that I controlled via the Google Home app.
I used the lights with a wide variety of media, but to avoid copyright infringement, all the images in this review show videos from TechRadar's own YouTube channel.
The AndaSeat Luna keeps things simple with a limited feature set and low price, making it a tempting prospect from one of the rising stars in the gaming chair space.
While its appearance won’t amaze you, it looks smart enough to be suitable for work and play. Various colorways are available, but all remain reasonably understated with a monochromatic palette and just a few dashes of color on the accents. The PVC leatherette isn’t as soft or as breathable as some of the best gaming chair materials, but it’s comfortable all the same and feels quite durable.
Unboxing and assembling the AndaSeat Luna is easy enough. I managed to put it together quickly with the help of one other person, although it could be built solo if required, as it’s relatively light compared to other gaming chairs.
It’s comfortable to sit in, and the height adjustments on the large variant I tested are broad enough to accommodate many gamers. It also reclines to 160 degrees, typical of many chairs in this class.
However, it does lack some useful adjustments, such as a tilt function and built-in lumbar support, though I found the included lumbar cushion to be sufficient. It also misses out on 4D arms: they only move up and down, with very limited lateral adjustment that’s only possible depending on at which point you screw in the bolts. There’s no way to rotate the armrests, either.
The seat itself is a little firm, but I didn’t have an issue with it. It has a slight upward tilt, which runs counter to the ergonomic preference for a downwards incline, but personally, it’s a style I prefer.
One notable flaw in the design is that the back wheels tend to lift off the ground when you shuffle forward, particularly on floors with grip, which can be disconcerting.
Another area where the engineering lets the AndaSeat Luna down is the recline lever. I found it would get stuck without locking in its correct place, and when it did, it felt unnatural, as if parts of the mechanism were rubbing against each other.
However, this is a chair with a low price in the UK (it's currently not available in the US), so some design flaws and limited adjustments are to be expected. If you're specifically on the hunt for the most comfortable gaming chair, then you'd probably be better served by AndaSeat’s Kaiser range.
If you’re keen to stick to this price point, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a better pick, and for those who are willing to spend more, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is still our favorite gaming chair overall.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Price and availability
£179 (about $228 / AU$356)
Not available in the US
Low end of the price range
The AndaSeat Luna costs £179 (about $228 / AU$356) and is available now in the UK and certain parts of Europe and Asia, but not the US or Australia. It comes in various colorways, though most are black overall with colored accents. A fabric version is also available for the same price. A lumbar cushion and head pillow are included.
At this price, it’s cheaper than many of the main players in the space. The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 – our pick as the best gaming chair around – costs considerably more, with starting prices north of $500 and certain variants priced much higher. However, the Titan Evo is our number one choice for good reason: the incredible build quality, feature set, and comfort levels are superb. What’s more, the brand frequently offers savings via its website.
In the more budget-friendly realm, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is our pick as the best gaming chair for those who don’t want to part with ungodly sums. It’s only marginally more than the AndaSeat Luna, but it offers tremendous levels of comfort for the price, and the large weight and height accommodations are welcome too.
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Specs
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Design and aesthetics
Basic but smart looks
Durable, if cheap, materials
Some design flaws
The AndaSeat Luna adopts a very familiar bucket seat design, although it’s less hemmed in than some other gaming chairs. It’s unlikely to turn heads, but it looks smart enough to pass as an office chair, especially in the total black variant I tested.
Other colorways are available to liven up appearances but the selection is limited, with many adopting the same black base, with just a few colored accents around the sides of the seat and backrest.
On closer inspection, it’s clear to see where AndaSeat has saved money. The wheelbase, for instance, is plastic, and there’s no built-in lumbar support. A simple cushion is provided, but annoyingly, it falls forward every time you get up, so you have to prop it back up when you sit down again. Also, the head pillow is attached to the chair via a strap rather than magnetically, which is common on more premium gaming chairs and helps keep it more secure.
The PVC finish of the AndaSeat Luna isn’t the softest, and it’s far from the most breathable. However, it is quite thick and seems to be quite durable. The armrests have very little padding but are smooth to the touch and I found them comfortable enough to use. They slope downwards at the front, which helps to prevent aches and pains on the forearms, and they’re stable with very little wobble.
One of the more worrying design flaws of the AndaSeat Luna, though, is its tendency to tilt forward with its back wheels in the air when moving forward if your floor has any amount of grip to it. I suspect this is due to the top-heavy nature of the design since that plastic wheelbase is quite light.
The reclining lever is another point of complaint, as it can get stuck before it fully locks into position. This is most bothersome when reclining the backrest to its widest 160-degree angle, where the tension peaks. Clicking it into its locked position can also feel clunky – as if parts of the mechanism are rubbing against each other due to misalignment, which may cause wear over time.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Comfort and Adjustability
Firm but comfortable seat
Lumbar cushion included
Lacking adjustments
Sitting in the AndaSeat Luna is mostly a comfortable experience. The seat is a little on the firm side, especially towards the rear, but I generally prefer this style. It’s possible the seat cushion may soften over time.
It’s angled upwards very slightly – again a style I prefer – although ergonomists will tell you it’s better to have a declining seat angle to improve blood flow to the legs. Regardless, the angle certainly isn’t steep enough to feel as if you’re squatting in it.
You’ll find some of the typical gaming chair adjustments on the AndaSeat Luna, including height adjustments and a recline function, sending the backrest all the way to 160 degrees. However, it misses out on others, such as the aforementioned lack of built-in lumbar support. The provided lumbar cushion is on the firmer side, which may irk some users, but I found it to be perfectly adequate support. However, since it isn’t height adjustable, it might not fit other users quite so well.
There’s no tilt function on the AndaSeat Luna either, so there’s no ability to rock back and forth as more fidgety gamers might like to do. Most disappointing of all, though, are the arms, which only go up and down, lacking any rotation or inward adjustments at all.
The long, oval slots for fixing the arms to the seat base do allow for some lateral adjustments, but I found that even when positioned as close to the chair as possible, the armrests still weren’t close enough to my body, forcing me to spread my arms wider than I would’ve liked.
This is also bad for ergonomics. I found this splayed arm position naturally inclined me to hoist my shoulders upwards, which, as someone who suffers from mild neck and shoulder pain already, is far from ideal.
(Image credit: Future)
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Assembly
Putting the AndaSeat Luna together was straightforward and I didn’t encounter any difficulties. Every fixture and fitting is clearly labeled, and there’s little manual labor involved compared to building other gaming chairs.
The wheels click in easily enough, and the provided Allan keys were sufficient to get the job done quite quickly. The occasional bolt was a little stiff to screw in, but nothing that a bit of coaxing couldn’t fix. No part is overly heavy either, which makes the process even easier.
It was a two-person job, but I reckon it could be assembled by one person without much trouble. The only tricky part would be attaching the backrest to the seat base – the hardest part of assembling any gaming chair – as it requires holding the seat in the exact position to line up the bolt holes. But other than this, the rest of the build is simple.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the AndaSeat Luna gaming chair?
Buy it if...
You want something simple and easy Assembling the AndaSeat Luna was a cinch, and the sparse nature of the chair means it’s easy to use.
You’re on a budget For less than £200, the AndaSeat Luna is cheaper than many other gaming chairs, and yet the comfort levels are still reasonable.
Don't buy it...
You want plenty of adjustments There’s no tilt function or built-in lumbar support, and the armrests are particularly limited, with only vertical adjustments.
You want the best build quality The sticking recline lever and wheel lift-off when shuffling forward are hard design faults to ignore.
AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Also consider
If the AndaSeat Luna doesn't sound like it's the right fit for you, then these alternatives might suit instead
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 The doyen of the gaming chair world, and for good reason: it’s been the one to beat ever since its first incarnation, and the 2022 edition is still batting away the competition. The perfect blend of comfort, build quality, and adjustability has kept it firmly planted atop its perch. While the starting price is high, Secretlab often offers discounts on its website. Plus, the also excellent 2020 variant is available for less.
Corsair TC100 Relaxed Our pick as the best gaming chair for those on a budget, the TC100 Relaxed costs only slightly more than the AndaSeat Luna. It looks good and is comfortable to sit in. We did find corners were cut on the quality of various parts, but we think it’s better than other gaming chairs at this price point. Also, unlike the AndaSeat Luna, the armrests have lateral adjustments.
I tested the AndaSeat Luna for several days, during which time I used it for gaming and work. I unboxed and assembled the chair with the help of one other person.
During my time with it, I made sure to make every adjustment possible, from tweaking the arm height to reclining the backrest as far as it would go.
I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and during that time I have experienced and tested various office and gaming chairs, including renowned examples such as the Steelcase Leap, Secretlab Omega, and Secretlab Titan.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux is a mini power bank, designed to be easily transportable, thanks to its pill-like shape and additional carrying strap. Despite the small size, it has a large 10,000mAh capacity, as well as a 25W maximum output. There are two USB ports, one type C and one type A, giving you multiple charging options. There’s no wireless charging feature, though.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux’s USB-C port utilizes Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology. Meanwhile, the USB-A port is stuck with the first generation of this standard, which only allows up to 12W of charging power.
Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full power using the type-C port took just over an hour, which is a solid performance. The PowerCore 10000 Redux only lost one of its four LEDs on the battery level indicator, which meant it had between 50-75% left in the tank, so you should get about 3-4 charges from it.
USB-A charging, meanwhile, took about an hour and a half – lagging behind what some of the best power banks can offer – but all four LEDs remained lit upon completion, indicating a battery level of between 75%-100%. Charging the power bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux also has Anker’s Trickle Charging mode, which is designed for charging devices with a low power draw (measured in amps), such as earbuds. When activated – which simply requires pressing the main button twice – the PowerCore 10000 Redux will only provide a low charge to your device.
The supplied USB-C cable comes with a USB-A adapter – attached rather conveniently to one end of the cable itself – which is a thoughtful and welcome bonus, saving you the hassle of having to remember to pack multiple cables for all your devices.
Additionally, it comes with a useful carrying handle and pouch, both of which feel well-made and soft to the touch. The handle is easy to attach and remove, and the material resembles a soft, thick shoelace. An adjustable tab allows you to alter the size of the loop, which is another considerate touch.
It’s a shame that the PowerCore 10000 Redux misses out on wireless charging, but the small form factor is practical, although it’s better carried in your bag rather than your pocket given its thickness. The carrying strap does add to its portability, though, and combined with the large battery capacity, it makes for a great power bank to accompany you on your journeys.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux?
Buy it if…
You want a simple power bank This is a no-fuss power bank: just plug and go. Trickle Charge is about the only extra feature.
You want something compact The shape of the PowerCore 10000 Redux means stowing it away in your bag is easy. The carrying strap also adds to its traveling convenience.
Don't buy it if…
You want something thin Although it’s not wide, the PowerCore 10000 Redux is thick, which means putting it in your pocket isn’t as practical as it is with flatter power banks.
You want wireless charging There’s no wireless charging capability on the PowerCore 10000 Redux, so you’ll always need to take the included cable – with its attached USB-C-to-A adapter – with you.
Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Also consider
Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) If you want something light and simple, then the Anker 621 is a great alternative. It only has one port (USB-C), but it does feature MagSafe wireless charging, great if you're an iPhone owner (it may also work on Androids with MagSafe compatible cases). The capacity is half that of the PowerCore, but it's thin enough to carry around in your pocket – with or without your phone attached.View Deal
The world of personal finance has lots of options when it comes to managing your money. Pocketsmith is a budgeting app that helps you do just that, but it’s also great for helping to plan for the future with a suite of features and functions that take the pain out of personal finance planning.
This is an app with a strong desktop focus with versions for MacOS, Windows and Linux too, but there’s also the option to use it via the app, which is available for iOS and Android. Another appealing aspect of Pocketsmith is that the folks behind it have made moving from another app, like the much-missed Mint, for example, very easy indeed.
Pocketsmith lets users move their accounts, transactions and associated categories across and into the Pocketsmith domain with very little effort. As you’d expect from any decent financial app, there’s also bank-level 2FA security plus the option for customising the software to suit your own personal needs.
Pocketsmith comes in desktop and app editions plus there's a UK specific edition outside of the US. (Image credit: Pocketsmith)
Pocketsmith: Pricing
There are currently three different options when it comes to using Pocketsmith, aside from a free version that is minimalist to say the least. Things kick off with the Foundation package, which costs $119.95 a year or $14.95 a month. This is followed by Flourish, which is $199.95 annually or $24.95 per month.
Top of the pile is the Fortune package, which costs a sizable $319.95 a year or, alternatively, $39.95 per month. Paying more means Pocketsmith becomes more potent and allows access to more connected banks. A UK edition is also available, with pricing to suit as shown in the image above.
Pocketsmith works well as a desktop package but there are app editions too. (Image credit: Pocketsmith)
Pocketsmith: Features
Pocketsmith comes fully featured, with a host of tools that not only help track expenses but let users keep tabs on their overall spending, plan for the future and also get on top of any outstanding debts. When it comes to monitoring accounts and related transactions there are a wealth of tools at your disposal. Pocketsmith makes it easy to connect to live bank feeds and this extends to in excess of 12,000 financial institutions around the globe.
This is enhanced by the fact that Pocketsmith can handle multiple currencies and can update its data dynamically based on the daily rates of any selected accounts. Even if this is complicated by multiple accounts and currencies, Pocketsmith allows users to categorise, label and annotate any spend, so that it’s easy to keep track on what’s going on with your personal finances.
Pocketsmith also has a powerful array of budget and planning tools. There’s the capacity for producing cash projections with a very generous limit of up to 60 years in the future on the top tier package. Similarly, the flexible way Pocketsmith lets users schedule upcoming bills and budgets makes light work of staying organised. The app rounds things out nicely with a decent set of reporting tools, which offers up cashflow statements and gives an insight on net worth.
The Pocketsmith app experience offers a very detailed insight into finances. (Image credit: Pocketsmith)
Pocketsmith: Performance
Pocketsmith works best in the desktop environment, where all that beefy data can be properly managed without the limitations of a small screen. However, the apps perform just as swiftly as the version used through a web browser, despite the fact that there’s quite a lot going on. Pocketsmith has many different features and functions, so the designers have done a great job at ensuring everything keeps ticking over, even if you’re working on predictions that go way into the future.
Pocketsmith: Ease of use
While there is a free version of Pocketsmith, this is a very simplistic edition of the software and is probably best avoided if your finances are more nuanced. Once the paid tiers are accessed there’s a lot more to understand, with a whole host of features and functions that require time and not a little patience to master. The interface, both on the desktop and mobile editions, is slick enough, but there is quite a lot going on. The base level edition makes a lot of sense, but it’s still not exactly bargain-basement.
Pocketsmith is relatively easy to use although it boasts a very detailed interface. (Image credit: Pocketsmith)
Pocketsmith: Support
There seems to be a decent community spirit present on the Pocketsmith website, with lots of fellow users keen to share their enjoyment of the personal finance organiser. Elsewhere, in terms of proper support, there’s a chunky Learn Center that has a huge array of different articles on how to use the core aspects of Pocketsmith.
These range from basics, such as getting started right on through to reporting and net worth topics. If all else fails, there’s also a Contact Us button in order to get direct support, which takes users initially to a chat-style dialog box where it’s possible to input questions and queries.
Pocketsmith: Final verdict
Pocketsmith isn’t really going to work for anyone who has a fairly simple personal finance setup that doesn’t require them to crunch lots of data. The free version is very basic, however, so the real value comes from one of the three paid-for packages. The downside with these is the expense involved, with the premium package only a realistic option for the well-heeled with super complex financial matters to unpick.
The Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a triple port wall plug that offers speedy charging for your phones, tablets, laptops and more.
Something that I loved about this charger, right off the bat, is that it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable included. That’s actually quite rare for a lot of these wall chargers but adds a lot of value points for an already cheap product – this charger is $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) but regularly available for less. For those of you who only have USB-A to USB-C/lightning cables, this will undoubtedly be a welcome inclusion, so if you want to get great bang for your buck, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a strong option.
But this plug isn’t only good in terms of value, it delivers very decent charging performance too. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and a DualSense Wireless Controller via USB-C, while also charging the Soundcore Space One Pro via USB-A. And despite using all three ports, the Samsung phone charged from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s in-line with the sort of speeds the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers offer.
It’s also worth noting that each USB-C port can provide up to 67W when single-port charging – this is 22.5W for the USB-A alternative. However, if you’re juicing up two or more devices, USB-C port 1 will deliver a higher power output than port 2 – specifically, port 1 delivers 42W, whereas port 2 and the USB-A slot provide 12W each if you’re triple-charging. If you’re trying to charge multiple power-hungry devices, this might not be enough firepower for you, though. It may, instead, be worth considering an option with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3-Ports).
So performance is solid here, but is it designed for greatness? Well, I’d say it has a simple and decently effective build. Unlike Anker’s Prime products, this isn’t a GaN charger, so it’s not going to be the most hi-tech, compact option, but for its price it’s still pretty well-sized. The charger’s prongs are foldable too, which is ideal if you want to slip it into your pocket without it annoyingly poking your leg. Looks-wise, it’s not a particularly interesting charger. The casing has a matte black finish and the Anker logo with the three charging ports on the top – each of which are well spaced-out. There are no color options, which could’ve been a nice touch, especially given the Black colorway is a little bland.
But overall, this is a very solid wall charger. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t have a flashy design and it doesn’t offer a sky-high maximum power output. But what you do get is reliable tri-port charging, a foldable design and a solid USB-C to USB-C cable all for a very reasonable price. So, if you’re looking for a cheap multi-device plug, this is a worthy pick.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker 335 Charger (67W) review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker 335 Charger (67W)?
Buy it if…
You need to charge multiple devices simultaneously Thanks to its three charging ports, you’ll easily be able to juice multiple devices up at once. There are two USB-C slots and one USB-A port, all of which can offer a total power output of 67W.
You’re looking for a solid low-priced plug If you don’t want to splash too much cash on a new wall charger, this is a strong option. For $35.99 / £36.99 you get a tri-port plug as well as a USB-C to USB-C cable – not bad value at all.
Don't buy it if…
You want top-level power output If you’re hoping to charge a lot of power-hungry devices at once, this may be a little underpowered for you. When you’re charging three devices at once, Port 1 can deliver a strong 42W, but Port 2 and the USB-A slot can only offer 12W each – that might not be enough if you want super-fast charging for your modern handset or tablet.
You’re looking for a charger with personality Design-wise, this isn’t a particularly exciting charger. It’s a little plain looking and there are no color options available – and despite having foldable prongs, this isn’t the most compact 67W charger around.
Anker 335 Charger (67W): Also consider
UGreen Uno Charger 100W Want a little more power, an extra charging slot and a more funky design? Then the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is the perfect pick. This wall plug has a charming robot-like design and even has a screen that displays different emotions depending on charging progress. It’s also great value, with a list price of $59.99 / £55.99 (about AU$80), though there’s no USB-C to USB-C cable included in the box. Read our full UGreen Uno Charger 100W review.View Deal
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is the brand’s new top-of-the-line wireless gaming keyboard, featuring hot-swappable mechanical switches and multiple connectivity options.
It cuts a rather formidable figure, with its angular, slab-like body conveying its gaming intentions. The RGB lighting also helps in this regard, and the bars around the bottom edges are a particularly nice touch, boasting just the right amount of opulence. Despite this, it isn’t as heavy or as unwieldy as you might think, and its compact layout makes it easy to get along with.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% also comes with a leatherette wrist rest that puts those on even the best gaming keyboards to shame, thanks to its ornate design and plush cushioning for maximum comfort. It might seem too thick at first, but you’ll likely adapt quickly as you sink into it.
A small OLED display is positioned in the top right corner of the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, controlled via a button on the side of the keyboard and a scroll wheel, which can be set to perform various functions, such as adjusting the volume and switching app windows to name a few (further functions are available via Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software). Other keyboard settings are available via this display, although the selection is quite limited. But overall, it’s easy to use and works quite well.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is compatible with Synapse 4. During my time with it, I did experience a few technical hitches, including erroneous battery readouts and failed firmware updates. However, these issues eventually went away with updates and restarts, and I had little trouble thereafter.
When working as it should, Synapse 4 offers some useful customizations, with a plentiful selection of binds and shortcuts for both the keys and the scroll wheel. Everything is well presented and easy to navigate.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% really shines, though, when it comes to the business of gaming. The Gen-3 Tactile mechanical switches are snappy yet damped just enough to make them satisfying to use. The compact layout and indented doubleshot PBT keycaps are secure and easy to press too. However, if you’re not happy with the stock setup, the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is hot-swappable, allowing you to choose your own switches and keycaps to suit your preferences.
Typing is also a pleasant experience on the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, and the plush wrist pad offers plenty of support. My only minor complaint is the rather shallow six degree angle provided by the feet, but this still didn’t compromise comfort levels for me.
Connectivity between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes is easy, although I didn’t notice much improvement when using the included HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which elevates the polling rate maximum to 4K. Handy keyboard shortcuts also allow you to switch effortlessly between three Bluetooth connected devices, which makes the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% very versatile if you have lots of systems to move between.
Battery life on the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is good, but nothing spectacular. I found it could last a couple of days of varied use, switching between the various wireless modes. Charging from empty to full takes over two hours in my estimation, which is an average performance.
There’s no denying that the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a very well-made and extremely worthy gaming keyboard. But whether it’s worth that sizable asking price is debatable, especially when you consider others, such as the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and Steelseries Apex Pro, offer stunning analog performance for less. However, for the mechanical purists, it’s certainly the cream of the crop.
(Image credit: Future)
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: price and availability
$299 / £299 / AU$499
Available now in Black
Top-end of the market
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% costs $299 / £299 / AU$499 and is available now in one color: black. In the box you get a USB-C-to-A cable, the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, a key cap puller, and three spare switches.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% sits atop Razer’s gaming keyboard lineup in terms of price. It’s more expensive than the excellent Huntsman V2 Analog, the best gaming keyboard right now in our view. Unlike the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, the analog capability means that you can set the actuation point just so. However, it isn’t hot-swappable like the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, so you’re stuck with the optical switches, and it’s wired only.
Other high-profile rivals in the premium sector are also cheaper. The Steelseries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, for instance, is a standout board that also features analog switches, and costs $269 / £259 (about AU$456).
Value: 2 / 5
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: design and features
Thick body
Supremely engineered
Synapse 4 compatible
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a fairly unremarkable looking gaming keyboard from the front, but a three-dimensional view reveals just what a monolithic slab this keyboard really is. The layout is compact, although the keys are still spaced well enough apart to make them easy to use, even if you’re as clumsy as me.
There’s some RGB lighting for the keys and strips running along the bottom edges, which does help to make its appearance more elaborate.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% comes with a wrist rest, which is much more plush and padded than many of those offered by its rivals. In fact, I thought it was too thick at first, as it raises your hands higher than usual. However, you do sink into it, and after a short while I acclimatized. The two-stage feet help to get a more comfortable position, although neither setting raises the board that high compared to other keyboard feet.
It’s also more stylish than many other rests too, thanks to its premium leatherette material with a subtle herringbone pattern. It connects to the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% magnetically with just the right amount of force, making it easy to remove yet strong enough to remain secure.
The doubleshot PBT keycaps are lightly textured and feel premium to the touch. The same goes for the stock Gen-3 Tactile mechanical switches, although since this is a hot-swappable keyboard, you can change them if they aren’t to your liking.
(Image credit: Future)
Nestled in the top right corner of the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a small OLED display. This can be used to show GIFs and make certain adjustments, which can be accessed by holding a button on the side of the board. There are only a few settings available, though, including those for the RGB effects and the polling rate (with a 4K maximum when using the included HyperPolling Wireless Dongle).
Tapping the side button cycles through up to six presets for the scroll wheel functionality; it can be used to adjust the volume, switch between apps, and zoom in and out, with inward clicks of the wheel having related functions too.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is compatible with Synapse 4. During my time with this software, I did experience a few glitches, such as the battery indicator giving false readings and the tab for the keyboard itself disappearing from the window. Also, firmware updates failed numerous times, but after a few updates and restarts, it worked more smoothly.
Synapse offers the usual customizations, including key rebinds, but the scope for these is large. You can map mouse buttons, as well as numerous Windows and media shortcuts (more than many other peripheral software offer) to the keys and even to the scroll wheel. There’s also the Hypershift feature, which allows you to add a second layer of binds by pressing the Hypershift button, designated to a key of your choosing.
Design & features: 4 / 5
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: performance
Fantastic stock switches
Great for gaming and typing
Average battery life
Gaming with the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a joyful experience. Razer’s Tactile mechanical switches are snappy with low travel and damped just enough to allow for light yet satisfying and controlled presses, typical of the best mechanical keyboards. The keys are mildly indented, again offering the right balance between security and ease of use.
When it comes to typing, that snappy yet damped feel is a real boon, providing plenty of feedback and bounce for flitting around the keys with ease. However, the aforementioned thickness of the wrist pad created a somewhat unfamiliar typing position for me, but again I quickly adapted and found it very comfortable thereafter.
The various connectivity modes all work pretty seamlessly too, although I can’t say I noticed much improvement when using the 4K polling rate offered by the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle. Switching between the 2.4GHz/ HyperPolling and Bluetooth modes is fairly quick, although I did find that there was a slight delay, and a key press was required to activate the board after switching to a new device.
There are also three Bluetooth profiles available, which are conveniently accessible via the fn key and number keys 1-3. Again, switching this way to control numerous devices works quickly and consistently.
The battery depleted after a couple of days of varied use, as I switched between the various wireless modes (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle). This isn’t a particularly impressive performance, and neither is the two-plus hour charging time from empty. However, neither figure is cause for complaint, either.
Performance: 4/ 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%?
Buy it if…
You want to connect to multiple devices Wireless and three Bluetooth profiles make it easy to switch the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% between numerous devices. Wired connectivity is also an option.
You want that mechanical magic The tactile profile of the stock mechanical switches, combined with the premium keycaps, make for superb gaming and typing. Plus, if you don’t like them, you can swap them out.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget There’s no getting around it: this is one of Razer’s most expensive gaming keyboards, so you’ll have to part with some serious cash to get your hands on it.
You want plenty of adjustments Yes, you can swap out the switches for those better suited to your playstyle, but since this isn’t an analog board, you can’t fine-tune the actuation points or toggle rapid trigger.
Also consider
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog For less than the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, you could get the equally capable Huntsman V2 Analog. This board has analog switches as well, allowing for that fine actuation point tuning and rapid trigger activation. It also has a comfortable wrist rest, but it is wired only.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 If you’re after supreme gaming performance, it’s hard to overlook the Apex Pro. Its analog keys feature programmable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality, letting you tailor their responsiveness to your exact preferences. It too is very expensive, but it's still less than the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.
I tested the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for over a week, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.
I played games including Counter-Strike 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, FPS titles that test the responsiveness, accuracy and ergonomics of keyboards well. I made sure to use all the different connectivity methods, from wired and Bluetooth modes to the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle.
I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and have sampled many keyboards over that period. I have also reviewed numerous gaming keyboards of varying sizes, switch types, and price tags.
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is the brand’s new top-of-the-line wireless gaming keyboard, featuring hot-swappable mechanical switches and multiple connectivity options.
It cuts a rather formidable figure, with its angular, slab-like body conveying its gaming intentions. The RGB lighting also helps in this regard, and the bars around the bottom edges are a particularly nice touch, boasting just the right amount of opulence. Despite this, it isn’t as heavy or as unwieldy as you might think, and its compact layout makes it easy to get along with.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% also comes with a leatherette wrist rest that puts those on even the best gaming keyboards to shame, thanks to its ornate design and plush cushioning for maximum comfort. It might seem too thick at first, but you’ll likely adapt quickly as you sink into it.
A small OLED display is positioned in the top right corner of the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, controlled via a button on the side of the keyboard and a scroll wheel, which can be set to perform various functions, such as adjusting the volume and switching app windows to name a few (further functions are available via Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software). Other keyboard settings are available via this display, although the selection is quite limited. But overall, it’s easy to use and works quite well.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is compatible with Synapse 4. During my time with it, I did experience a few technical hitches, including erroneous battery readouts and failed firmware updates. However, these issues eventually went away with updates and restarts, and I had little trouble thereafter.
When working as it should, Synapse 4 offers some useful customizations, with a plentiful selection of binds and shortcuts for both the keys and the scroll wheel. Everything is well presented and easy to navigate.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% really shines, though, when it comes to the business of gaming. The Gen-3 Tactile mechanical switches are snappy yet damped just enough to make them satisfying to use. The compact layout and indented doubleshot PBT keycaps are secure and easy to press too. However, if you’re not happy with the stock setup, the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is hot-swappable, allowing you to choose your own switches and keycaps to suit your preferences.
Typing is also a pleasant experience on the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, and the plush wrist pad offers plenty of support. My only minor complaint is the rather shallow six degree angle provided by the feet, but this still didn’t compromise comfort levels for me.
Connectivity between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes is easy, although I didn’t notice much improvement when using the included HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which elevates the polling rate maximum to 4K. Handy keyboard shortcuts also allow you to switch effortlessly between three Bluetooth connected devices, which makes the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% very versatile if you have lots of systems to move between.
Battery life on the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is good, but nothing spectacular. I found it could last a couple of days of varied use, switching between the various wireless modes. Charging from empty to full takes over two hours in my estimation, which is an average performance.
There’s no denying that the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a very well-made and extremely worthy gaming keyboard. But whether it’s worth that sizable asking price is debatable, especially when you consider others, such as the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and Steelseries Apex Pro, offer stunning analog performance for less. However, for the mechanical purists, it’s certainly the cream of the crop.
(Image credit: Future)
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: price and availability
$299 / £299 / AU$499
Available now in Black
Top-end of the market
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% costs $299 / £299 / AU$499 and is available now in one color: black. In the box you get a USB-C-to-A cable, the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, a key cap puller, and three spare switches.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% sits atop Razer’s gaming keyboard lineup in terms of price. It’s more expensive than the excellent Huntsman V2 Analog, the best gaming keyboard right now in our view. Unlike the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, the analog capability means that you can set the actuation point just so. However, it isn’t hot-swappable like the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, so you’re stuck with the optical switches, and it’s wired only.
Other high-profile rivals in the premium sector are also cheaper. The Steelseries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, for instance, is a standout board that also features analog switches, and costs $269 / £259 (about AU$456).
Value: 2 / 5
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: design and features
Thick body
Supremely engineered
Synapse 4 compatible
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a fairly unremarkable looking gaming keyboard from the front, but a three-dimensional view reveals just what a monolithic slab this keyboard really is. The layout is compact, although the keys are still spaced well enough apart to make them easy to use, even if you’re as clumsy as me.
There’s some RGB lighting for the keys and strips running along the bottom edges, which does help to make its appearance more elaborate.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% comes with a wrist rest, which is much more plush and padded than many of those offered by its rivals. In fact, I thought it was too thick at first, as it raises your hands higher than usual. However, you do sink into it, and after a short while I acclimatized. The two-stage feet help to get a more comfortable position, although neither setting raises the board that high compared to other keyboard feet.
It’s also more stylish than many other rests too, thanks to its premium leatherette material with a subtle herringbone pattern. It connects to the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% magnetically with just the right amount of force, making it easy to remove yet strong enough to remain secure.
The doubleshot PBT keycaps are lightly textured and feel premium to the touch. The same goes for the stock Gen-3 Tactile mechanical switches, although since this is a hot-swappable keyboard, you can change them if they aren’t to your liking.
(Image credit: Future)
Nestled in the top right corner of the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a small OLED display. This can be used to show GIFs and make certain adjustments, which can be accessed by holding a button on the side of the board. There are only a few settings available, though, including those for the RGB effects and the polling rate (with a 4K maximum when using the included HyperPolling Wireless Dongle).
Tapping the side button cycles through up to six presets for the scroll wheel functionality; it can be used to adjust the volume, switch between apps, and zoom in and out, with inward clicks of the wheel having related functions too.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is compatible with Synapse 4. During my time with this software, I did experience a few glitches, such as the battery indicator giving false readings and the tab for the keyboard itself disappearing from the window. Also, firmware updates failed numerous times, but after a few updates and restarts, it worked more smoothly.
Synapse offers the usual customizations, including key rebinds, but the scope for these is large. You can map mouse buttons, as well as numerous Windows and media shortcuts (more than many other peripheral software offer) to the keys and even to the scroll wheel. There’s also the Hypershift feature, which allows you to add a second layer of binds by pressing the Hypershift button, designated to a key of your choosing.
Design & features: 4 / 5
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: performance
Fantastic stock switches
Great for gaming and typing
Average battery life
Gaming with the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a joyful experience. Razer’s Tactile mechanical switches are snappy with low travel and damped just enough to allow for light yet satisfying and controlled presses, typical of the best mechanical keyboards. The keys are mildly indented, again offering the right balance between security and ease of use.
When it comes to typing, that snappy yet damped feel is a real boon, providing plenty of feedback and bounce for flitting around the keys with ease. However, the aforementioned thickness of the wrist pad created a somewhat unfamiliar typing position for me, but again I quickly adapted and found it very comfortable thereafter.
The various connectivity modes all work pretty seamlessly too, although I can’t say I noticed much improvement when using the 4K polling rate offered by the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle. Switching between the 2.4GHz/ HyperPolling and Bluetooth modes is fairly quick, although I did find that there was a slight delay, and a key press was required to activate the board after switching to a new device.
There are also three Bluetooth profiles available, which are conveniently accessible via the fn key and number keys 1-3. Again, switching this way to control numerous devices works quickly and consistently.
The battery depleted after a couple of days of varied use, as I switched between the various wireless modes (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle). This isn’t a particularly impressive performance, and neither is the two-plus hour charging time from empty. However, neither figure is cause for complaint, either.
Performance: 4/ 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%?
Buy it if…
You want to connect to multiple devices Wireless and three Bluetooth profiles make it easy to switch the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% between numerous devices. Wired connectivity is also an option.
You want that mechanical magic The tactile profile of the stock mechanical switches, combined with the premium keycaps, make for superb gaming and typing. Plus, if you don’t like them, you can swap them out.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget There’s no getting around it: this is one of Razer’s most expensive gaming keyboards, so you’ll have to part with some serious cash to get your hands on it.
You want plenty of adjustments Yes, you can swap out the switches for those better suited to your playstyle, but since this isn’t an analog board, you can’t fine-tune the actuation points or toggle rapid trigger.
Also consider
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog For less than the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, you could get the equally capable Huntsman V2 Analog. This board has analog switches as well, allowing for that fine actuation point tuning and rapid trigger activation. It also has a comfortable wrist rest, but it is wired only.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 If you’re after supreme gaming performance, it’s hard to overlook the Apex Pro. Its analog keys feature programmable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality, letting you tailor their responsiveness to your exact preferences. It too is very expensive, but it's still less than the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.
I tested the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for over a week, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.
I played games including Counter-Strike 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, FPS titles that test the responsiveness, accuracy and ergonomics of keyboards well. I made sure to use all the different connectivity methods, from wired and Bluetooth modes to the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle.
I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and have sampled many keyboards over that period. I have also reviewed numerous gaming keyboards of varying sizes, switch types, and price tags.
Have you ever wished your charger could express its deepest, most heartfelt emotions? Perhaps you wondered how it really feels while it juices up your devices? OK, maybe you haven’t. But even so, the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is sure to put a smile on your face with its charming expressions and super-fast charging, which make it a standout product in a competitive market.
Something that’s amazing about the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is that you get four charging ports, three of which are USB-C with the other being USB-A. This means that even if your phone, laptop, wireless headphones and tablet (just for example) need juicing up, you can get all of them back to life simultaneously. It’s worth mentioning, however, that the UGreen Uno Charger 100W doesn’t come with any charging cables, so you’ll need to acquire these separately.
So how does it fare charging-wise? Very well indeed. I attempted to charge the Samsung Galaxy A35 via a USB-C port while charging three other devices in the remaining slots. And luckily, it got back to full power in the expected timeframe of one hour and 30 minutes – that’s in-line with some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers. However, if you’re not using all of the ports, power output can scale to fit your device’s requirements. For instance, the top two USB-C ports can deliver up to 100W each (if only one is being used at a time), making this a great choice if you want to charge more demanding devices.
But I’ll be honest, reader, I know why you’re here…you want to hear about the Uno Charger’s emotive display. And it works very nicely. The charger is bursting with emotions – from joyful, through surprised, to flushed. And there are a few more too, for instance, the Uno Charger sometimes assumes an eating animation when in-use or displays a ‘cool’ emoji when a device is fully charged. Am I easily amused? Perhaps so, but given this is nothing but a charger, I appreciated the personality UGreen injected into this product.
Other design choices are strong too. The placement of USB ports on top of the robot is practical and it’s a decently compact charger overall given the amount of power it can supply. And although prongs aren’t foldable, you can insert them into something of a sheath – or should I say the robot’s lower half. That’s right: when you remove the charger from the lower half you’re actually taking away his legs and feet. A bit mean really.
So, I actually have very little in the way of complaints. I would argue that the display isn’t super-bright, so at more awkward angles it might be slightly harder to ascertain the robot’s emotion. It could be fun too, if there was a button to manually change emojis, or perhaps even see power usage between the different ports – but these are very nitpicky complaints/suggestions.
Finally, I know this may not be the cheapest charger on the market, but when it comes to value it performs nicely. For instance, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) has one less port, the same maximum power output, but lacks any kind of display – not to mention it has a considerably higher list price. So overall, you’re getting a stellar product with the UGreen Uno Charger 100W – great performance, versatile charging options, strong value, and a fun, original design. It really doesn’t get much better.
(Image credit: Future)
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the UGreen Uno Charger 100W?
Buy it if…
You want super-fast, multi-port charging The UGreen Uno Charger 100W boasts four charging ports, one of which is USB-A, the rest USB-C. On top of that, it has a very solid maximum power output of 100W, meaning you’ll be easily able to bring multiple devices back to life in no time.
You’d like a splash of personality It’s quite rare that a wall charger exudes any kind of personality and I love the originality from UGreen here. There’s a fun selection of emojis available here, including eating, smiling and blushing and I can’t lie, I got a lot of joy out of watching these play out.
Don't buy it if…
You only need to charge your phone If you only need to revitalize your handset after a long day of scrolling, there’s no need to spend this much money. There are a bunch of high-quality chargers out there for less than half the price of this robotic guy – one of my personal picks would be the excellent Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W). If you really want emojis though, it may still be worth splashing the cash on the Uno Charger 100W.
You’re on a very tight budget This charger has a list price of $59.99, and even if that’s solid value-wise, it’s still a fair amount to shell out for a charger. There are some decent, cheap multi-port options out there too, for example, the UGreen USB-C 40W.
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: also consider
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) In terms of basic functionality, this is very similar to the UGreen Uno Charger 100W. Anker’s alternative only has three ports and costs a bit more too, but it does have excellent build quality with sturdy outer casing. So, if you’re not a fan of the quirky robo-display, this could be a more appropriate choice for you. Read our full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review.View Deal
Have you ever wished your charger could express its deepest, most heartfelt emotions? Perhaps you wondered how it really feels while it juices up your devices? OK, maybe you haven’t. But even so, the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is sure to put a smile on your face with its charming expressions and super-fast charging, which make it a standout product in a competitive market.
Something that’s amazing about the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is that you get four charging ports, three of which are USB-C with the other being USB-A. This means that even if your phone, laptop, wireless headphones and tablet (just for example) need juicing up, you can get all of them back to life simultaneously. It’s worth mentioning, however, that the UGreen Uno Charger 100W doesn’t come with any charging cables, so you’ll need to acquire these separately.
So how does it fare charging-wise? Very well indeed. I attempted to charge the Samsung Galaxy A35 via a USB-C port while charging three other devices in the remaining slots. And luckily, it got back to full power in the expected timeframe of one hour and 30 minutes – that’s in-line with some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers. However, if you’re not using all of the ports, power output can scale to fit your device’s requirements. For instance, the top two USB-C ports can deliver up to 100W each (if only one is being used at a time), making this a great choice if you want to charge more demanding devices.
But I’ll be honest, reader, I know why you’re here…you want to hear about the Uno Charger’s emotive display. And it works very nicely. The charger is bursting with emotions – from joyful, through surprised, to flushed. And there are a few more too, for instance, the Uno Charger sometimes assumes an eating animation when in-use or displays a ‘cool’ emoji when a device is fully charged. Am I easily amused? Perhaps so, but given this is nothing but a charger, I appreciated the personality UGreen injected into this product.
Other design choices are strong too. The placement of USB ports on top of the robot is practical and it’s a decently compact charger overall given the amount of power it can supply. And although prongs aren’t foldable, you can insert them into something of a sheath – or should I say the robot’s lower half. That’s right: when you remove the charger from the lower half you’re actually taking away his legs and feet. A bit mean really.
So, I actually have very little in the way of complaints. I would argue that the display isn’t super-bright, so at more awkward angles it might be slightly harder to ascertain the robot’s emotion. It could be fun too, if there was a button to manually change emojis, or perhaps even see power usage between the different ports – but these are very nitpicky complaints/suggestions.
Finally, I know this may not be the cheapest charger on the market, but when it comes to value it performs nicely. For instance, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) has one less port, the same maximum power output, but lacks any kind of display – not to mention it has a considerably higher list price. So overall, you’re getting a stellar product with the UGreen Uno Charger 100W – great performance, versatile charging options, strong value, and a fun, original design. It really doesn’t get much better.
(Image credit: Future)
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the UGreen Uno Charger 100W?
Buy it if…
You want super-fast, multi-port charging The UGreen Uno Charger 100W boasts four charging ports, one of which is USB-A, the rest USB-C. On top of that, it has a very solid maximum power output of 100W, meaning you’ll be easily able to bring multiple devices back to life in no time.
You’d like a splash of personality It’s quite rare that a wall charger exudes any kind of personality and I love the originality from UGreen here. There’s a fun selection of emojis available here, including eating, smiling and blushing and I can’t lie, I got a lot of joy out of watching these play out.
Don't buy it if…
You only need to charge your phone If you only need to revitalize your handset after a long day of scrolling, there’s no need to spend this much money. There are a bunch of high-quality chargers out there for less than half the price of this robotic guy – one of my personal picks would be the excellent Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W). If you really want emojis though, it may still be worth splashing the cash on the Uno Charger 100W.
You’re on a very tight budget This charger has a list price of $59.99, and even if that’s solid value-wise, it’s still a fair amount to shell out for a charger. There are some decent, cheap multi-port options out there too, for example, the UGreen USB-C 40W.
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: also consider
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) In terms of basic functionality, this is very similar to the UGreen Uno Charger 100W. Anker’s alternative only has three ports and costs a bit more too, but it does have excellent build quality with sturdy outer casing. So, if you’re not a fan of the quirky robo-display, this could be a more appropriate choice for you. Read our full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review.View Deal
Honor's Magic 6 Pro made a splash last year, debuting at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) expo in February with a massive battery, a unique camera system, and some novel software features. Now, the brand is back with its flagship offering for 2025, and it's hoping to one-up itself in every department.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has adopted a more boxy design for 2025, as is the trend, and it now has flat side rails and subtle symmetrical ‘micro curves’ at the edge of its display. The camera bump is less outlandish, too, and the ‘squircle’ bezel has been toned down to make less of a statement. Overall, I think it's an improvement.
The camera hardware is mostly the same, but the telephoto has a few more megapixels and can now get you even closer to distant subjects. These cameras can take fantastic photos, but the image processing is a little inconsistent, and I got more blurry images than usual. Hopefully, this will be tweaked in future firmware updates. The Studio Harcourt portrait mode, developed in collaboration with the legendary Paris photography studio, never failed to impress, at least.
(Image credit: Future)
The battery on this model is even larger than the one in the Magic 6 Pro, and this is easily one of the longest-lasting flagship phones I’ve tested. You can get two days on a full charge without trying particularly hard, and when it's time to charge you can get topped up in a flash, with the Magic 7 Pro supporting up to 100W charging with a cable and 80W with the right wireless charger.
Performance is exceptional. You get the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, plus a suite of software enhancements and an NPU (neural processing unit) co-processor to keep games running smoothly. Honor's Magic OS 9 adds some useful features like Magic Portal, as well as relatively new AI features that have already become familiar favorites, like Circle to Search and Google Gemini.
Overall, this is a superb phone, with a great balance of specs and features that make it a pleasure to use. The software won't be to everyone's taste, and the camera could use some tweaking, but otherwise, this is easily one of the finest flagship phones available today.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Costs £1,099.99
Available in the UK and Europe, but not the US or Australia
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is available to order now in most regions. As usual, though, the list excludes the US and Australia, so our stateside readers will need to import if they want to get in on the action.
The Magic 7 Pro costs £1,099 in the UK, the exact same price as its predecessor. This means it's more expensive than the Oppo Find X8 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro, but a little cheaper than the Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. That said, the latter phone can currently be purchased for the same price, as it’s been on the market for a while.
Given such premium pricing, Honor will need to impress on all fronts if it’s to remain competitive, and thanks to a pretty stacked spec sheet it could well justify that lofty sum. Plus, Honor always has bundle offers on its devices, so nabbing a few freebies could make the price more palatable.
Value score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Specs
Here's a look at the Honor Magic 7 Pro's key specs:
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Design
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Velvety-feeling matte glass back
Breeze Blue, Black, and Lunar Shadow Grey options
IP68/IP69 dust- and water-resistant
The Honor Magic 7 Pro follows the recent design trend that we've seen with devices like the Vivo X200 Pro and Oppo Find X8 Pro. It ditches the lateral curves of its predecessor in favor of a boxier design. The side rails are completely flat, with beveled edges, while the front and back are mostly flat, with symmetrical ‘micro curves’ on all sides.
The result is a phone that feels a little thicker than Magic 6 Pro, but at the same time it feels premium and confidence-inspiring. It's a similar size to its predecessor, just less curvy, and if you've used any other recent Android flagship, you'll feel right at home.
The global version is available in three colorways: Breeze Blue, Black and Lunar Shadow Grey. There are no vegan leather variants this time around, with all options featuring a velvety-feeling matte glass rear. The Lunar Shadow Grey option is the most striking in my opinion, with a marble-like texture running across the back panel that becomes more visible as the light catches it.
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There's still a large circular and centrally-placed camera island, and it's still surrounded by a ‘squircle’-shaped bezel. However, this time the bezel is decidedly more circular, and it looks a little less outlandish than the Magic 6 Pro did.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is rated IP68/IP69 for dust and water resistance, which means that as well as being able to handle submersion in freshwater, it can also withstand jets of hot water up to 176F / 80C. I'm not sure when that would ever come in useful, but hey, if you want to scroll Instagram in the shower, your phone should survive it.
Design score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Display
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6.8-inch quad-curved 120Hz OLED display
4320Hz PWM dimming
5000 nits peak brightness
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has a 6.8-inch display with a dynamic refresh rate that can shift from 1Hz to 120Hz as needed. It's a mostly flat panel, and the curves only start around the bezels of the display. The result is a screen that resembles an over-filled glass of water.
I’ve never been a huge fan of curved screens – they can invite accidental touches, and cause odd reflections and color shifts at the edges. There's no denying that they feel nice under your fingertips when using gesture controls, though. These new ‘micro curve’ displays offer the best of both worlds, as you get the smooth feel of a curved display without the usual drawbacks. I'm a convert.
The display is covered with Honor's NanoCrystal Shield glass, and after spending months with the Honor Magic 6 RSR (that’s the Porsche Design version of the Magic 6 Pro) last year, I'm confident in saying it's one of the most scratch-resistant coatings in the business. It's also supposedly 10 times more drop-resistant than traditional glass screens, and while I haven't tested that, it's good to know, especially as there's no case included in the box.
A new addition to this model is a layer of circular polarization, which makes the screen slightly less reflective and is easier on the eyes. In theory, according to Honor, it can reduce eye fatigue by up to 16%.
When it comes to brightness, the Honor Magic 7 Pro has lumens to spare. It can peak at a whopping 5000 nits in certain conditions, which means HDR content looks exceptional, and you'll never have trouble seeing it.
As usual, the brand has put plenty of effort into eye-care features. The PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming rate is one of the highest I've ever seen, topping out at 4320Hz. You'll never have to worry about flicker on this panel, and if that's not enough you can activate eye comfort and low-blue-light modes to keep your peepers feeling fresh.
There's a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, and a pill-shaped camera cutout housing a 3D face unlock camera. Apparently, this is the first phone to come with both, and it's very convenient. I especially like being able to log into banking apps using my face, and for me that's worth the slightly larger camera cutout.
Display score: 5 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Cameras
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50MP main (f/1.4-2.0)
200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.6)
50MP ultra-wide (f/2.0)
Most of the cameras on the Magic 7 Pro share their specifications with its predecessors’. The main camera still has a 50MP 1/1.3-inch sensor, and a mechanically adjustable aperture that shifts between f/1.4 and f/2. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras seem to be unchanged, too. Both have a 50MP resolution and a f/2 lens.
The telephoto, however, has changed more significantly. The Magic 6 Pro had a 180MP 2.5x optical zoom telephoto snapper, while the Magic 7 Pro upgrades that to a 200MP unit with a 3x lens. It's one of the largest telephoto sensors on the market at 1/1.4-inch, and it's also one of the fastest telephoto cameras, with an f/2.6 aperture.
These days I find myself using the telephoto camera on my smartphone as often, if not more, than the main camera, so I'm pleased to see telephoto specs that come close to matching those of the primary snapper.
I'm still not fully convinced that we need so many megapixels, though. The idea is that you can digitally zoom further with less of a drop in quality, as the high pixel count makes up the difference. In reality, though, it doesn't seem to work so well.
I said the same thing about the Honor Magic 6 Pro, and while this model is an improvement (due to the longer optical focal length) zooming past 10x or so delivers middling and inconsistent results.
Honor's solution to this is something called AI SuperZoom, and it kicks in beyond 30x zoom to clean up your images. At times the results can be quite impressive, but the downsides are plain to see. Images tend to have that watercolor-like effect to them, and sometimes details that don't exist in reality are added in.
I've recently been shooting with the Oppo Find X8 Pro, which has an almost identical feature, but it seems to work a little better than Honor's attempt. In fairness, Honor says this feature is in its infancy, and it will mature and improve over time. It's also worth noting that it requires an internet connection to function, while Oppo's equivalent is processed on-device.
Another new feature in the camera department is the addition of the Studio Harcourt portrait styles that we first saw on the Honor 200 Pro. If you like taking portraits, this is a serious upgrade. The color tuning and blur effects are just as stunning here, and they're only enhanced further by the higher-fidelity optics. The only downside is that, as on the 200 Pro, the feature is restricted to the main and telephoto cameras, so you can't use these effects on your selfies.
All in all, this is a very capable camera system, and it can deliver outstanding shots in all lighting conditions. When it hits, it's among the best camera systems on the market, but it's not the most consistent.
Maybe it's just the pre-release software on the phone I’ve been testing, but I got a lot more blurry shots than I'm used to, and the image processing often pushed the sharpening too far, while blues and greens became over-exaggerated, even when using the Natural picture style.
These problems are all fixable, and I hope we see them addressed in future firmware updates. As it stands, the hardware is impeccable, but the inconsistent processing sometimes leaves you guessing as to how your photos will turn out.
Cameras score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Camera samples
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Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Performance and software
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Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB storage
Magic OS 9, based on Android 15
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is powered by Qualcomm's most powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so you would expect impressive performance. There's only one configuration available on the global market, which comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which should be more than enough to satisfy most users.
Honor has taken things a step further with this phone by utilizing the power of its onboard NPU to further improve performance. The phone has something called an AI Predictive Scheduling Engine, and exactly what that does is a little above my comprehension level, but I think it's a bit like DLSS on a gaming PC.
All you need to know is that, with the aid of some new features in the game overlay, you can achieve better image fidelity and higher framerates without adding additional load to the GPU. This means that you can game at higher settings, with less battery drain and lower temperatures.
In practice, it seems to work exactly as advertised. I played Genshin Impact at maximum settings for a couple of hours, and the phone had no trouble maintaining a solid 60fps. It remained shockingly cool under the pressure – cooler to the touch than even the gaming-specific ROG Phone 9 Pro, in fact.
The gaming experience is also enhanced by a very capable set of speakers. They might be the most bassy speakers ever to grace a smartphone, thanks to an integrated subwoofer and ultra-large sound cavity design, and they really add some oomph to in-game sound effects.
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The Magic 7 Pro runs Magic OS 9, a highly customized version of Android 15, and it's a bit divisive. Personally, I've become quite fond of Magic OS, but it's a very different experience from stock Android. The notifications shade and quick settings menu are split, like they are on iOS, and navigating the system can be a little challenging if you're coming from a phone that offers a more traditional Android experience, like a Google Pixel.
Aside from the layout changes, Honor has heaped on plenty of extra functionality. My personal favorite is Magic Portal, which allows you to select text or an image on your screen and drag it into another app for quick sharing or searching. This feature is now even easier to access, as you can circle things with your knuckle to quickly select them.
You also get plenty of AI-powered features, of course. There's nothing too novel here, but it's all pretty useful. There's an AI translator, the ability to format and transcribe notes with AI, and an array of AI-powered image-editing tools. At some point soon the phone will also use AI to automatically protect you from deepfake video chats – I can't say I've ever received one, but the extra peace of mind is always nice.
Also new this year is the inclusion of Circle to Search and Google Gemini as the default voice assistant. It's getting to the point where most Android phones come with these features, but they’re still worth mentioning because they're great, and I very much miss them when they're not there.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Software score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Battery
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5,850mAh silicon-carbon battery
100W wired charging
80W wireless charging
There's a lot to love about the Honor Magic 7 Pro, but for me, the best thing might be the battery life. I tested this phone after spending lots of time with the Vivo X200 Pro, which has a mammoth 6,000mAh battery, so I wasn't expecting to be amazed by this slightly smaller 5,850mAh unit – but I was.
Honor has clearly optimized its software very well, and I was able to manage two days on a full charge without even trying. And I managed that more than once, and that's with lots of screen time, navigating maps, shooting lots of photos, and streaming content. It’s just brilliant.
We’ve seen some Chinese manufacturers dial back their charging speeds for this generation, but not Honor. Here you get an impressive 100W wired charging rate, and a staggering 80W with Honor's Wireless SuperCharger.
Unfortunately, there's no charger in the box, but I happened to have the right kit to charge at max speed, and it makes living with this phone extremely convenient. If you have the requisite charger, a wired charge from flat to full takes less than 35 minutes, while a wireless charge can be achieved in less than 45 minutes.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Honor Magic 7 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want flagship power and long battery life With most phones, you have to decide between long battery life and raw power, but not with the Magic 7 Pro. It's supremely powerful and can still last two days between charges.
You love taking portrait shots The Studio Harcourt portrait mode is among the most impressive that I've tried. I loved it when it first debuted with the Honor 200 Pro, and it's just as good here.
You love a nice display The Honor Magic 7 Pro has easily one of the nicest screens in the business. It's bright, vibrant, extremely scratch-resistant, and has more eye-care features than most.
Don't buy it if...
You love generative AI Honor has been steadily adding more AI features to its operating system, but they're a little basic compared to some of the competition.
You're looking for the classic Android experience Magic OS makes so many tweaks and adjustments to Android 15 that it almost feels like a completely different operating system. I quite like it, but fans of stock Android might have a hard time adjusting.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Also consider
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is an excellent all-rounder with a brilliant camera, but the competition is fierce. If you're not sure this is the handset for you, it's worth checking out these competitors.
Oppo Find X8 Pro
The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a similarly feature-stacked Android flagship with a heavy focus on cameras. It offers an extra telephoto lens, a dedicated camera button and has better consistency with its photos. It has an even bigger battery, but in my experience, the Honor still lasts longer.
Android flagships may have Apple beat when it comes to camera specifications, but for video shooting, the iPhone 16 Pro Max reigns supreme. It has amazing stabilization, ProRes recording, and can shoot 4K slow motion at 120fps. The new Camera Control button is fun to play around with, too.
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, GFXBench, native Android stats, Honor 100W charger, and wireless SuperCharge stand
I put my SIM card into the Honor Magic 7 Pro and lived with it as my main phone for around two weeks before reaching any conclusions. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.
I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, and PUBG Mobile to my experience with other Android flagships like the Oppo Find X8 Pro, Vivo X200 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I also ran multiple benchmarks on the handset using 3DMark, GFXbench, and Geekbench.
I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage and charging times were measured using an official Honor 100W wall adapter and cable. I also tested the wireless charging capabilities with Honor’s Wireless 100W SuperCharge stand.
