Gadgets - Organizer

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop review: high-tech cleaning is here

10:00 pm | December 26, 2024

View or buy at Narwal

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop two-minute review

Launched to great acclaim at Europe’s biggest tech show, IFA (where it snagged two awards), the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is a successor to the brand's Freo X Ultra. Significant upgrades include dual RGB cameras, LiDAR navigation, and an increase in suction power from 8,200 to 12,000Pa. In layman’s terms, it’s better at obstacle avoidance and adaptive cleaning, plus it sucks up more dirt!

In my tests, I found the Z Ultra excelled at both mopping and vacuuming on hard floors (of which I have many) but it was less cool on carpet. To be fair, I’ve tested some of the very best robot vacuums and am yet to find one that can handle dusty carpets as well as the best manual vacuums for carpet, which always have more power and better filters.

I loved all the smart automation, which meant I didn’t have to zone off carpets to stop them getting soggy or worry about what power level or speed to set. As a germophobe I also really appreciated how hygienic this robot is; cleaning and drying itself after every session.

Its mapping powers were also great, but I would have liked a quick option for spot cleans. Many robots allow you to mark a zone on the map where there’s a spill and send the robot straight there to clean. The only way I could work out to do this was in video mode, where you can manually navigate the vacuum. The issue here was the video was glitchy about connecting and often flatly refused – not ideal if you have spilt something that could stain and needs speedy attention.

I also had a few bin-related issues, and mopping was deadly s-l-o-w, but absolutely worth the wait. Ideal for large homes with mostly hard surfaces, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra suits tech-savvy homeowners who appreciate an integrated app and can get their head around fine-tuning settings. Technophobes and the impatient (and anyone on a budget) might prefer to steer clear.

Read on for my full Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop review.

Narwal Freo Z Ultra review: price & availability

List price: $1499.99 / AU$2,499
Launch date: October 2024
Availability: US / AU

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra launched in October 2024 and at time of writing is available to buy in the US and Australia, with a list price of $1,499.99 or AU$2,499. That places it firmly in the premium price bracket. There’s no getting away from it, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is a pricey robot vacuum sitting at the very top of the market in both Australia and North America. You can save a few dollars by waiting for seasonal sales (the Black Friday deals often include some big robovac price-drops).

There are two accessories pack options. Option 1 will set you back an extra $259.99, and costs of a whole raft of brushes, detergents, dust bags and mop pads. Option 2 gets you a few of the most-used accessories, for $100. You can also add a one-year extended warranty plan for $79. Buying the accessories individually will soon add up – a replacement detergent is $29.99 – so it’s worth doing the math before you decide which option to start with.

While the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is an investment appliance, it will save you a LOT of time and it’s by far the best mopping robot I’ve tested. I wouldn’t buy it purely for vacuuming, but as a combo, it might be worth the spends.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop specs

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop review: design

Stylish robot with mopping and vacuuming skills
Large mop heads and spinning brushes for getting close to edges
Decent capacity water reservoirs

Arriving in a huge box, I needed an extra pair of hands to unload the Z Ultra and was grateful for the hand grips in the base station when positioning the heavy unit next to a power point. It comes with a simple instruction card for first-time setup, as well as a more comprehensive user manual. I used the former to install the side brushes, insert the detergent and add clean water. My daughter got a lot of satisfaction from removing a gazillion instructional stickers from both the base station and vacuum unit.

Narwal Freo Z Ultra robot vacuum and mop on test in family home — Box size comparison with 11-year-old Bonnie! (Image credit: Future/Linda Clayton)

The design of the Freo Z Ultra, and base station, is very stylish indeed, which is just as well given that it’s hard to hide! Choose from Galaxy White or Space Gray. All the edges are softly curved and, with its two camera ‘eyes’ in the front, has the cute vibes of Pixar’s Wall-E, which is exactly how I like my robot vacuums. The various lids and covers pop off without breaking any fingernails, and everything is easy to access.

Underneath, this robot has two large microfibre style mops that Velcro on, as well as two rotating side brushes that are a good length for getting into corners. The main roller brush has a rubber flipper part as well as brushes to suit both hard floors and carpets, plus its anti-hair tangle design does actually work. As I have two daughters and two spaniels who seem to molt year-round, I was delighted to swerve the odious task of cutting swathes of hair from around a roller. (Effective anti-hair wrap brushrolls are a key feature amongst the best robot vacuums for pet hair.)

One unusual feature I’ve not seen anywhere else is a fluffy baseboard duster that attaches with Velcro on one side and is designed to gather dust from the tops of your skirting boards as it goes along the edges of the room

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra’s base station has two large containers for clean and dirty water. These are are easy to lift in and out, but you'll want to make sure the dirty water reservoir’s lid is properly clipped on, or you may have to clean up a mini flood.

There’s also a dust collection bag and compartment into which to slot the bottle of floor cleaning solution that’s supplied. The bot does work without the detergent module in place, which is handy given they cost nearly $30 a pop. There’s a cool little window strip in the base that shows the water being ionized. It’s not clear why the water needs to be ionized but if you like watching bubbling water, take a peek.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop review: performance

Amazing at obstacle avoiding and navigation
Great at mopping, poor on carpet
Self-cleaning is great, but self-emptying hit and miss

The first job any robot vacuum has to complete is a map of the house, which this little beauty did in 17 minutes – impressive given we have quite a few little rooms, and many obstacles. (Here's more on how to prepare your house for a robot vacuum, if you're unsure.)

The mapping was precise and accurate. I liked how the map shows where the rugs and carpets are; often you have to add your own, which requires some guesswork on precise positioning. I’ll discuss the App in more depth later, but it was easy to name each room and set up no-go zones and divide rooms. Another bonus of the Freo Z Ultra is the ability to choose from a wide menu that covers mop, vacuum, mop & vacuum, and mop then vacuum. Some models I’ve tested don’t allow you to just mop.

Once I’d got to grip with the controls, I loaded up the water tank and tasked the Freo Z Ultra to vacuum and mop my entire ground floor, which is mostly engineered wood, with some terracotta, porcelain, luxury vinyl and of course rugs and carpet. Pretty diverse then.

While it was possible to set my own cleaning parameters, the Freo Z Ultra has an AI mode that uses various sensors and cameras to automatically adapt to different floor types and dirt levels. This takes the brainwork out of setting up and ended up being my go-to mode throughout my three-week trial period.

The first thing I noticed was how good the Freo Z Ultra was at obstacle avoidance – no banging into furniture or corners and no dragging cables or dog toys around the floor with it. (TechRadar's article on how robot vacuums navigate walks through the typical approaches brands use.) I never once got a message to say the roller brush was stuck, which is the usual warning that a robot has eaten something it shouldn’t! It was also excellent at powering over thresholds and the annoying chair legs I have that robot vacuums usually get grounded on, and spin like mad until sending a stuck error message.

The second thing I noticed was how it doesn’t get terribly close to the edges in mopping mode. When vacuuming, I could see the little spidery side brushes pulling dog hair and dander in from the edge but in mop mode there was a clear inch or more of bone-dry flooring around the perimeter of the room and any floor-level furniture like our kitchen units and sideboard.

And on the subject of edges, I’m sorry but the little fluffy baseboard duster on the side of the robot is only going to work if you have super low baseboards. Like many heritage properties, the baseboards in our Victorian home are quite high so it doesn’t reach the tops, aka the only bits that need dusting.

The Freo Z Ultra doesn’t carry any water onboard, which is unusual. Instead, it loads its mops up with warm, soapy water at the base station before heading out to clean. I was concerned this would result in dry patches of flooring, but the dampness levels were perfect – not too wet (important on real timber flooring), nor too dry.

The only downside is it has to make repeat returns to load up with more water, which can elongate the cleaning time, especially in rooms that are furthest from the base. For example, it took 1hr 19mins to mop our utility and hallway, which is an area of just 40 sq m. To vacuum and mop the whole ground floor, 68.3sq m, the Freo Z Ultra took a tedious 2h 41mins. Imagine how long it would take if I asked it to vacuum and then mop, rather than do it consecutively. I didn’t want to find out! I’ve never tested a robot that spends longer than two hours on the job.

When the robot returns to base after mopping and vacuuming, it automatically empties the bin and cleans its mop heads and then dries them. The latter takes a couple of hours but it’s incredibly quiet, so you won’t notice it. I did have to set the bin emptying to every run on the app, otherwise it clogged up and couldn’t self-empty itself. Hardly surprising given how microscopic the onboard bin is. Even then, there were a few times the bin just wasn’t self-emptying, even though it said it was, which was frustrating.

There are a handful of extra features – perhaps the most interesting one being that in Video mode you can see through your robot’s 'eyes' and remote control it around your home. That means you can use it as a security bot, or to check up on pets and send it off to specific locations. This mode isn't authorized by default, you'll need to manually switch it on if you want to use it.

Cleaning tests

When it came to running our standard vacuuming tests – one using a fine mix of biscuit and flour, and another using oats to represent larger particles – the results were a mixed bag. The Freo Z Ultra did well on the hard floors, eventually anyway. It took at least three passes and full power mode to get everything up.

I used multiple ‘no-go’ zones on the map to create my 1m x 1m test area, but the robot still seemed to spend far longer cleaning around the area I had made my test spills than it did actually dealing with the mess. This led me to seriously question Narwal’s claims that it homes in on and targets dirt using its beady little cameras and sensors.

Image 1 of 6

testing the Narwal Freo Z Ultra for mopping and vacuuming skills — Flour on hard floors (Image credit: Future/Linda Clayton)

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

With oats on carpet, the results were middling. The robot pushed things around a fair bit and it took three runs before they were gone. The dog may have helped!

Image 1 of 3

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

On carpet, the fine mix removal was very disappointing. I gave up after three attempts and got my cordless vacuum out. Although this isn't great news, I'd argue that it's not often you'll experience this level of concentrated 'dust' and I was always happy with its carpet cleaning results in general.

Image 1 of 3

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

Next, I tried out the mop function by 'spilling' first Ribena juice and then ketchup, which I left to dry, on the porcelain tiles in our cloakroom (I didn’t want to risk stains on our timber floors). These results were much better, although the dried-on ketchup required two passes to complete the job. According to Narwal, this impressive mopping is achieved via dual rotating mop heads that press down with 1.2kg of force and spin at 180 RPM. Other robot mops I’ve used either just drag a static mop pad along, or have a vibrating mop, this spinning tech is the closest I’ve come to mimicking real mop work. And the results show it.

Apparently, this robot also analyses the waste water to decide if another cleaning run is required but I had to make that decision myself with the ketchup; the Freo Z Ultra thought it was done after one attempt.

Image 1 of 6

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

To check navigational skills, our final test involves placing a sock (in a similar shade to the flooring) a shoe and a charger cable on the floor. The Freo Z Ultra absolutely nailed this test, not touching any of the objects but getting close enough to clean sufficiently around them.

The Freo Z Ultra takes around 2.5 hours to charge, which is a bit speedier than normal, and has a run time of just over 2 hours 15mins (in vacuum and mop mode), which is about the standard for a high-end robot. It automatically returns to the base to charge if it runs low on juice during a cleaning cycle, which is also the norm. If I was asking it to do the whole house, it never managed on a single charge but I usually tackle the dirtiest rooms (kitchen and hallway) more frequently and that was easily done without the need to stop to recharge.

Noise-wise, I am quite noise intolerant and as I work from home, I don’t like having noisy robots rattling around the house while I am trying to focus. Happily, I found the Freo Z Ultra one of the quietest robots I’ve tested, especially in mopping mode, with my decibel meter App recording between 60-70dB max. This is way below the noise levels you would get from a regular vacuum, but if they still bother you, just schedule the robot to work while you’re out of the house.

Maintenance

I found the Freo Z Ultra easy to clean and maintain, the internal bin pops out for emptying, if it hasn’t emptied automatically into the base station, and the mop heads are automatically washed with hot water and dried after every use. This is important to prevent bacteria breeding in the mop heads and before being dragged all over your home. All this self-cleaning did mean it rattled through the clean water in the tank and I had to refill it before most cleaning runs, but that’s a small price to pay I’d argue.

Like all robot vacuums, it’s important to keep the sensors and charging contacts clean, which is an easy wipe-over task. The roller brush didn’t clog in the three-week test period, but if they had, they do clip out very easily. I also didn’t fill the dust bag in the base station but it just clips out and pops straight in the bin when full.

Narwal recommends cleaning the filter once a week, which involves clipping it out from under the top cover on the robot and tapping out the dust – simple. It should be replaced every three-six months.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop review: app

Very easy to work out without assistance
Lots of options to customize cleaning (or not)
Mildly glitchy connection

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra app is user-friendly and intuitive (I never needed to use the Help Center), making it easy to create custom cleaning schedules, adjust settings, and monitor cleaning progress in Real Life. Make sure you connect using a 2.5GHz wi-fi link, not 5GHz.

If you love an easy life (as I do), you can clean in Freo Mind mode, which leaves all the decisions about power levels, patterns and passes to the robot. If you’re a control freak, each cleaning program comes with various adjustment options, such as mopping humidity, coverage precision, detergent use etc.

You can choose which rooms to clean, but I also liked that I could set the cleaning sequence for a full home clean. For example, I set it to start in the kitchen, then hallway, then dining room (where my desk is), so that it gets those rooms I spend most time in done first (while I’m taking the kids to school). You can also split rooms, merge rooms and add no-go zones.

The app also provides cleaning history and notifications to ensure you stay informed of cleaning progress. I did experience quite a lot of delays between opening the app and the robot syncing, but we’re only talking seconds. And it often annoyed me that there was no Spot Clean option but that may well come with a software upgrade.

App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop?

Buy it if…

You’ve got lots of hard floors

You’ll probably need to give carpets a thorough clean with a more powerful vacuum once a week or so, but you can save your mop for emergency spills – this robot has got regular mopping covered.

You want to spy on your pets

In Video mode you can see through your robot’s 'eyes' and remote control it around your home to hunt out and check up on pets while you're out.

You’ve got a messy home

While it’s always worth picking up stray toys and shoes etc. before your robot cleans, sometimes you just don’t have time. Luckily this robot has amazing obstacle avoidance – I never had issues with it its roller brush getting blocked by shoelaces or charging cables.

Don't buy it if…

You’re on a water meter

Okay, so it’s not so thirsty your water bill will rocket but you will need to refill the large water tank (and empty the dirty one) a lot, depending on area. For me, it was every full ground floor clean. You can adjust the reduce water use in the app, but I didn’t find the results as good.

You’re impatient

Frequent returns to base to wash the mopheads and replenish with clean water takes its toll on timescales. This was by far the slowest robot I’ve tested. I tended to set it going when I knew I’d be out of the house for a couple of hours.

You’ve got loads of carpet and rugs

This is robot is too expensive to not take full advantage of the mop mode, and there are more powerful suckers out there for a lot less if you have mostly carpet.

How I tested the Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop

I tested the Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop for three weeks on the ground floor of my four-bed historic home. With the exception of thick-pile carpet, we have all manner of flooring types from porcelain and terracotta tiles to vinyl and engineered oak. I ran the robot in various rooms, in every cleaning mode, every day and tried cleaning in both automatic smart mode and fully customized. I also set schedules and conducted controlled tests where I had the robot vacuum flour, crushed biscuits and oats from hard floors and rugs, as well as mop wet and dried on spills from the porcelain tiled floor.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review: a stealthy wall charger with phenomenal portability

5:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review

The UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger is a pretty unique-looking wall plug. This super thin charger skips out on the cube-like structure favored by most of its competitors, making it ideal for use in tight spaces. Imagine you have a desk pressed close to your wall or bed for instance – this is the perfect, stealthy charger you need to juice up your devices, even if you’re short on space.

Of course, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger (quite the mouthful) has a maximum power output of… well 65W. And that will be enough for a lot of users, with USB-C Port 1 able to charge up to 65W when charging a single device or 45W with two or three plugged in at once.

When I tested charging performance, I wasn’t surprised to find that this thing got the job done, no questions asked. I charged the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE alongside the LG Tone Free T90S earbuds and FiiO M11S hi-res music player and the Samsung phone was brought back to full health from 0% in around 80 minutes – as fast as I’d expect from some of the best iPhone chargers and the best Android phone chargers.

Of course, if you want to charge three more power hungry devices, such as modern Chromebooks or Macbooks, simultaneously, this may be a little underpowered – especially as USB-C Port 2 only offers up to 20W of power in Two-Port Charging mode – but if you don’t need perfectly optimized power output, that won’t be too much of an issue.

I did find a couple of slight issues when charging, however. Firstly, this thing wasn’t the most secure when plugged in. After slotting in the UK plug adapter, I moved my USB-C cable around a bit and found the charger’s body shook a bit. This wasn’t really a big issue, but I’d prefer a more secure fit. On top of that, the model got fairly warm after 30 minutes of charging in Single Port charging mode. Again – that’s not the end of the world – and this is still a safe-to-use charger, but if you want top-tier performance with zero hiccups, you may not quite get what you want from this UGreen charger.

Having said that, this model still performs well in bringing your devices back to life. But that’s not where the good stuff ends. This plug is very nicely designed and you can really reap the benefits of its almost flat design. At just 0.6 inches (16mm) thick, it’s ideal for when you’re on-the-go and in a tight space. On top of that, this charger comes with interchangeable plugs for US, UK and EU ports – it doesn’t get much more travel-friendly than that. The only potential issue of this charger’s build is that it’s still fairly long – so if your sockets are close to a surface or the ground, it may not be the best fit – especially as the USB ports are on the bottom of the charger. But for most environments, it will slot in perfectly.

It also comes in an attractive silver color, as do the rest of the plugs in UGreen’s Pro line. One positive difference, though, is that the attached adapter looks a bit more discreet than it does on other models. Like its siblings, this model also uses GaN technology to ensure a compact, energy efficient build. The use of GaN, inclusion of three ports and fairly high power output mean you’ll have to pay a fair amount for this charger, of course. It has a list price of $55.99 / £45.99 (about AU$90), though I’ve already seen it available for less than $40 / £40 – that’s great value. Overall, there’s a lot to love about this ultra-slim charger and it’s my pick of the entire UGreen Nexode Pro line.

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3 Port charger stood on top of block — (Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review: Price & specs

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3 Port charger with detachable plug on block — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger?

Buy it if…

You want a travel charger
If you’re looking for a wall charger to take on your travels, this is a fantastic option. You get interchangeable plugs for US, UK and EU use all in the box, which is a huge plus. On top of that, it’s super compact, making it ideal for taking around in a small bag, or even your pocket.

You want to charge multiple devices simultaneously
If you need to get multiple devices back to life, you can with this tri-port charger, which has two USB-C and one USB-A ports. You can get up to 45W from USB-C Port 1, even with Port 2 and the USB-A slot in use too, so you’ll have enough power for most modern handsets, for instance.

Don't buy it if…

You’re looking for a powerhouse of a charger
With a maximum power output of 65W, this charger will likely have enough to charge one power-hungry device. But if you want to charge two or three more demanding devices at once, this might not be the best option for you. The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger is an excellent alternative if you need a bit more power.

Your socket is close to the floor or a surface
If your power socket is a little close to the ground or a separated surface, you may find that this charger is a tad long. It’s ideal if you’re in a space where the charger is close to a bed or sofa, however.

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger: Also consider

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port charger
This charger is massively similar to the Ultra-Slim alternative from UGreen. It has the same maximum power output, list price and port configuration. The key difference here is form – this is a thicker, yet more cube-shaped charger, so it will be suited to different kinds of spaces to the Ultra-Slim variant. The ports face towards you, rather than being located under the charger too, which some may find preferable. Read our full UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port charger review.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review: A battery powerhouse

3:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: Garmin Fenix | Comments: Off

Garmin Enduro 3: One-minute review

The launch of the Garmin Enduro 3 was undeniably overshadowed by the company's decision to unveil the Garmin Fenix 8 alongside it. The new Fenix brought the AMOLED Epix and Fenix under one name but at a premium price.

The Enduro line puts battery first, all while offering most of the features from the Fenix series. The Enduro 2 did that more than the original Enduro and for the Enduro 3, the remit remains the same.

It promises over a month of battery life on a single charge, with new solar charging display technology to push things even further than a month. Garmin has included its new software, which brings changes to features like mapping and navigation with a new dynamic round-trip routing feature that will let you adjust your route on the fly. Those software changes make using the Enduro 3 feel more like using a smartwatch. It also adds in a new optical heart rate sensor, which brings temperature and ECG-style tracking into the mix as well as offering a boost in heart rate monitoring accuracy.

That’s all while giving you everything great we got on the Enduro 2, for less money than its predecessor and the new Fenix 8. It’s still a very expensive watch and is going to be too pricey for many. You get what you pay for here and if rich sports tracking, training analysis, the best mapping features, and huge battery life are things you want more than anything, that’s what the Enduro 3 will give you.

The Garmin Fenix 8 is deservedly one of the best Garmin watches. But, if you can live without an AMOLED screen and some additional voice-based smartwatch features, the Enduro 3 is great too and will go longer than the Fenix too.

Garmin Enduro 3: Specifications

Garmin Enduro 3: Price and availability

Garmin Enduro 3 on wrist — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Price for Enduro 3 is $899/£769/AU£1,549
Prices for 43mm Fenix 8 start at $999 / £949 / AU$1,699

The Garmin Enduro 3, unlike the Fenix 8, comes in just one size option and costs $899/£769/AU£1,549. In contrast, Garmin’s Fenix 8 series starts at $999 / £949 / AU$1,699, so is something of a step in price even if you opt for the cheapest model.

When the Garmin Enduro 2 launched it sat at $1,099/£929/AU 1,749, so that’s somewhat surprisingly a drop in price for the latest Enduro, which isn’t typically the case when a new model in a Garmin watch series arrives.

Put that up against other outdoor watches outside of Garmin’s own, it’s pricier than the Polar Grit X 2 Pro and the Suunto Vertical. You can also include smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra as cheaper alternatives to the Enduro 3 that, unlike the Enduro, pack in AMOLED displays.

Value score: 4/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Design

Garmin Enduro 3 case back — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Comes with a nylon strap
Less prominent Power Sapphire lens
Lacks Fenix 8 leak-proof buttons

The Enduro 3 sticks very closely to the design of the Enduro 2, including a slightly thicker 51mm, all-black polymer case, titanium bezel, and a very comfy black nylon strap. The differences lie with the same-sized, 1.4-inch, 280x280 resolution touchscreen. While you don’t get a colorful AMOLED one like the Fenix 8, you do get a display that’s a good size and does a much nicer job of masking its solar charging display abilities.

Garmin is using an improved version of its Power Sapphire lens, which once again has the ability to harvest sunlight to give you more in-between charges. Along with being able to perform that task in a more efficient manner, the red ring on the Enduro 2 to indicate those onboard solar powers is now gone, leaving a much clearer and overall nicer transflective display to look at. It is still a breeze to look at in much brighter outdoor light and marks an upgrade both aesthetically as well as in how effectively the Enduro can now harvest that solar power.

Outside of the changes in the display department, this is a watch that feels very Garmin. You’ve got a pretty standard array of physical buttons that aren’t the leak-proof kind included on the Fenix 8. It’s suitable for swimming up to 100 meters depth and uses Garmin’s go-to proprietary charging cable. If you liked the LED flashlight on the Enduro 2, there’s now a brighter one on the Enduro 3. The strap included is a quick-fit kind, which makes it easier to swap in an official or unofficial band. The nylon one included though makes this watch, which will still no doubt be a hulking one for some, a little more manageable and comfortable to wear 24/7.

Design score: 4/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Features

Garmin Enduro 3 solar charging — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

New user interface
Richer mapping and navigation features
Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor

The headline news on the Enduro 3 is that the software it’s running on is all new. You won’t get it on the Enduro 2, but you will find it on the Fenix 8 and future Garmin watches. That new software is really centered around bringing sports watch and smartwatch features closer together and making the Enduro 3’s mapping and navigation modes easier to do on the move. Those new mapping and navigation features are led by a new dynamic round-trip routing mode that will automatically adjust your route in real time for whatever reason you need to adapt your route.

The core sports you can pick from stick largely to the same ones as the Enduro 2 with a bigger emphasis on strength training and letting you follow plans to factor that work into your training schedule. These plans range from 4-6 weeks and aren’t just for people who choose weights over cardio. This is about helping runners, cyclists, and swimmers to incorporate more strength training to reap the benefits of it in those sports.

On the hardware front, Garmin has upgraded the Enduro’s optical heart rate sensor to its latest Gen 5 one, which features inside of the Fenix 7 Pro, Epix Pro, and the Fenix 8. Along with promising the best heart rate accuracy that Garmin has to offer, it also unlocks the ability to take ECG-style measurements and temperature readings from the wrist. Those might not necessarily be the biggest reasons you’d be looking at picking an Enduro 3, but for those wanting a better mix of general wellness and sports tracking, the Enduro 3 offers a little more on that front.

In terms of other software features, this is a watch that arms you with an LED flashlight, offers training insights like altitude and heat acclimation, and gives you daily morning reports to tell you if you’ve slept well and whether you’re in good shape to train. While it lacks the new voice features included on the Fenix 8, does still let you pay your way, download apps and customize watch faces, and download and store music from services like Spotify.

Features score: 4.5/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Performance

Garmin Enduro 3 hiking mode — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Impressive battery life once again
Slightly improved HR performance
Richer mapping support

The Enduro 3 mirrors a lot of what we got in the Enduro 2 and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That’s never more true of the Enduro 3’s standout quality, and that’s the battery life. Whether you’re using it like a smartwatch or using it with its best GPS accuracy mode, you won’t be reaching for a charger for weeks. I managed to get just shy of a month from it and that was while mainly using it with its most accurate GPS mode. I used it for outdoor runs, indoor workouts, pool, and open water swims, and the battery performance really impressed

You do get that added reserve of solar charging, which boosts battery performance considerably. 36 days of battery in smartwatch mode becomes 90 days. Getting to that number requires regular exposure to sunlight to top up those reserves. I could see from spending just a couple of hours in strong sunlight how that battery is noticeably topped up too.

The multi-band GPS support is as good as it is on other Garmin watches like the Fenix 8 and the Forerunner 965. If you’re looking for accurate GPS support in more challenging conditions, the Enduro 3 is fit for the job. Moving to Garmin’s latest Gen 5 Elevate optical heart rate monitor does see a small improvement in the reliability of heart rate tracking but as I do find with bigger Garmin watches, it struggles at high intensity such as when I used the Enduro 3 for harder running sessions.

While the first Enduro missed out on Garmin’s great mapping support, that changed for the Enduro 2 and the Enduro 3 gets the best Garmin has to offer on that front now. That includes adding new ways to toggle and change map views and also features Garmin’s new dynamic round-trip routing, which does take a few minutes to adjust routes before you can be on your way again.

Garmin’s efforts to make strength training feel more a part of the tracking experience is a valiant attempt. Especially when elements like rep counting aren’t impeccable on sports watches in general. Adding plans that are presented like Garmin’s running ones makes it easy to follow plans, which is going to be welcomed by those that typically neglect it.

Performance score: 5/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Scorecard

Garmin Enduro 3 mapping — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Garmin Enduro 3: Should I buy?

Garmin Enduro 3 review — (Image credit: Mike Sawh)

Buy it if...

You want a Fenix 8 but it’s too expensive

While the Enduro 3 costs a lot, it is cheaper than the latest Fenix and gives you its best features for less.

You spend a lot of time outside in the sunshine

Garmin’s improved solar charging display technology will make the difference as long as you’re exposing it to sufficient sunlight to top battery levels up.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want the best Garmin smartwatch sports watch mash-up

While you’re getting the best of Garmin’s sports tracking, you’re not getting everything Garmin has to offer in smartwatch features. You’ll need to grab a Fenix 8 for that.View Deal

You want the slimmest, best-looking Garmin watch

While the new solar charging tech improves the Enduro 3’s look, it’s still going to be a bit big and rugged for some wrists.View Deal

Also consider...

Garmin Fenix 8

It’s got the option of an AMOLED screen and more smartwatch features to make it more useful when you’re not tracking.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal

Garmin Instinct 2

While not as fully-fledged an outdoor watch, the Instinct 2 gives you a lot of the good Enduro 3 stuff for a lot less money.

Read our full Garmin Instinct 2 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Garmin Enduro 3 for over a month to completely drain the battery, tracking activities like running, swimming, and using mapping and navigation features. I made use of smartwatch features like notifications and music support and wore it alongside the Garmin Fenix 8 to compare GPS accuracy. I also used a heart rate monitor chest strap to gauge the performance of heart rate tracking for both steady-paced and high-intensity workouts.

First reviewed: December 2024

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger review: a super-fast and compact charger that puts function over form

12:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger review

If you need high-speed, multi-device charging, the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger is sure to get the job done. This is a tri-port charger – with two using USB-C and the other USB-A. It boasts a very solid maximum total power output of 100W, so is up-to-the task if you have a modern laptop or handset with significant power demand.

In fact, 100W will likely give you enough juice to fast-charge your phone, even with all three slots in use. That’s because USB-C Port 1 has a solid maximum output of 65W when triple charging, while the other two are able to provide up to 15W each. You can also use Port 1 on its own to get up to 100W of power, ideal if you have a highly demanding device, like the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch.

And luckily, the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W offered strong charging performance when I put it to the test. I plugged the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE into USB-C Port 1, the Soundcore Space One Pro into USB-C Port 2 and the Motorola Moto G55 5G into the USB-A slot. While all three of these were charging, the Samsung phone was still able to go from 0%-100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – exactly what you’d hope to get from some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.

In addition, this is a fairly compact plug – it doesn’t stick out too far out of the socket, like the default Macbook chargers, for instance, making it a strong option if you’re in a tight space. That’s partially because this model harnesses GaN technology, which delivers superior energy efficiency within a more compact body compared to typical silicon chargers. Like the 65W variant, though, this plug’s prongs aren’t foldable. That’s an issue if you want to carry it in your pocket, as you may well find the prongs poke into your body – surely no one wants that. And I’d also argue that this isn’t the most beautiful charger on the market. The charger’s body is made up of a neat looking silver cuboid, but the adapter at the front is attached in a slightly clunky looking way. That’s because there are visible lines where it’s connected to the charger’s body, making for a slightly rigid design.

Despite that, this is still a good-quality, speedy charger that makes for a decent multi–charging option. Its list price of $74.99 / £59.99 (about AU$120) is by no means cheap – especially if you consider that the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is typically $59.99 / £55.99 (about AU$80) and has an additional port as well as a display. But overall, this is a competent charger with strong build quality and you’ll almost certainly be satisfied performance-wise.

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3 Port charger on top of block — (Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger review: Price & specs

Ports on the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3 Port charger — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger?

Buy it if…

You need a multi-device charger
This charger has three ports, two of which are USB-C and one is USB-A. That means you can use various cable types and get three devices back up to speed in no time. Even if you only want to focus on one device, you can get 100W charging via USB-C Port 1, so if speed is what you need, this is a strong option.

You want a step-up power-wise
A lot of phone chargers won’t be able to rival this plug’s maximum power output of 100W. If you want to charge a more power-hungry device, that means the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W is more than up to the task.

Don't buy it if…

You’re looking for a cheap option
If top-tier value is what you’re after, this probably shouldn’t be your first port of call. There are cheaper triple port chargers out there and even UGreen’s own Uno Charger 100W boasts the same amount of power but with an extra port and a smaller price tag.

You want ultimate portability
This thing is decently compact for a 100W charger, sure. But something that’s slightly frustrating is the exclusion of foldable prongs. A lot of competitors offer foldability, which is better if you want to pocket a charger without the fear of being poked into by pesky prongs.

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port Charger: Also consider

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)
Well well well…if it isn’t UGreen’s arch-nemesis, Anker. Just kidding, I’m sure they’re friends really. Probably. Anyway, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger is a high-calibre charger that also dons three ports. It has the same double USB-C and single USB-A configuration and maximum power output, but here’s the difference – this thing has foldable prongs. This one also uses GaN, intelligent temperature monitoring and has an excellent build quality so there’s a lot to love. Unfortunately, it’s a tad more expensive than this UGreen charger, so it may be worth picking it up in a sale. Read our full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review.

Eureka Arc standing desk review

10:44 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Standing desks have bloomed and become ever-so-popular over the last few years. There are so many companies making them, so many differ

The Eureka Ergonomic Arc Standing Desk is an impressive blend of standout design and practicality. It's very action-movie-secondary-character-desk-esque looking. However, it also has features that make this big, bold desk even better. It has soft, closed drawers, power in the desktop, adjustable height, drawers, and unique legs that make it look like any of the best office desks we've seen for executives.

Further, as remote work becomes increasingly popular, it will redefine modern professional life, raising the demand for versatile, ergonomic, and stylish office furniture. A standout in this evolving landscape, the Eureka Ergonomic 63" Executive Standing Desk delivers an ideal combination of functionality and sophistication. With its striking walnut veneer finish, smooth motorized height adjustment, and thoughtful features like soft-close drawers and a freestanding desktop riser, this desk elevates your work-from-home experience. In short, this desk blends practicality with style for professionals who want a standout desk that helps them stay productive.

How does it compare to the best standing desks I've reviewed? I put this intriguing workspace furniture to the test.

Eureka Arc: Price and Availability

The Eureka Arc is priced at $2,499.99, though it's currently discounted to $1,699.99 and is available through Eureka Ergonomic's website. Delivery takes about 6-8 days on average, though this timeline and shipping cost can change based on where the desk is delivered. It's also worth noting that my Arc got delivered to me on a pallet. It's not a huge deal, but it's worth preparing for, especially if you need a place to unpack the pallet to carry the desk and boxes to where they need to go.

Eureka Arc: Unboxing and First Impressions

As mentioned above, the Arc comes in two packages within a wooden crate that helps protect the packaging overall. I was shocked to see this as I have reviewed a lot of desks and fancy desks, and I had yet to see this level of care in packaging until this desk. All the parts were well protected within the box and the crate. Each piece has foam layers to help the fragments within each box not rub against one another and get damaged or damaged from any damage on the boxes.

Once unboxed, building the desk was pretty simple. Most pieces were pre-assembled, at least partially, so building took little time, and it could have been easier.

The desk itself has a very mid-century modern design. Think the far-flung futurism of Dune meets professional ergonomics. The legs are near trapezoid-shaped, and the desk is thick with built-in drawers, power, and a walnut veneer. All in all, this desk is hefty. It's solid and feels like it will last a lifetime. One fascinating look and the right call is that the trapezoidal legs stay on the ground when the desktop rises. I'm still determining what I expected, but seeing it the first couple of times is super interesting.

Eureka Arc: Design and Build Quality

Specs

Dimensions: 63” x 29”
Material: Walnut veneer and metal legs
Features: Soft-close drawers, USB charging ports, and cable management
Height Adjustment Range: Smooth motorized mechanism

The Eureka Ergonomic Arc Standing Deks has a walnut veneer finish and a design that makes it stand out among the plethora of desks I have reviewed. With their extra design, the desk legs provide further stability and an eye-catching design. The built-in drawers also feature soft close gliders, adding to the premium feel. One thing that I wish this desk had, that I recently experienced for the first time with the SecretLab Magnus Pro Standing desk, is power in the leg column so that then you can have even cleaner cable management, with no dangling cables to plug in power (and maybe even ethernet).

Eureka Arc: In use

My team and I have used this desk in our desk rotation for the last few months. In fact, one of my team members has claimed this as his favorite desk, thanks to the Dune-esque styling. So far, this desk has had very smooth height adjustments, allowing for quick transitions from standing to sitting and back up to standing, and even at my standing height (I'm 6'2" tall), I don't notice any wobble.

For the setup we have on this desk, we only have one monitor, though if you wanted to, you could easily add a couple of monitors, which is great for versatility and changing desk setups.

Another thing that we have grown to appreciate is the built-in power supply on top of the desk. You could use this to power things on your desk, such as the monitor. However, I prefer this for the "oh I need to charge this thing" or other one-offs or "non-permenant" items to help the desk appear generally tidy.

All around, this desk has been excellent. It's not for everyone. However, it is a wonderful desk for most people. It only comes down to style and whether you like bold design choices. If you do, this desk is an expensive and beautiful addition to any workspace that should last for years.

Eureka Arc: Final verdict

The Eureka Ergonomic 63" Executive Standing Desk offers a premium experience for professionals who value aesthetics and functionality. Its sturdy build, smooth motorized adjustments, and luxurious finish make it a standout option in the high-end desk market. While the price and minor design flaws might deter some, this desk delivers exceptional value for those willing to invest in quality.

For more workplace essentials, we reviewed the best office chairs.

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: One last workout

11:00 am | December 25, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Fitness Headphones Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: Jabra Elite | Comments: Off

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: One-minute review

The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 arrives as an updated version of the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which were released in September 2023. They were sporty truly wireless earbuds and we were big fans, stating they were “everything you’d want from a pair of fitness earbuds”.

For Gen 2, Jabra is still promising buds and a charging case that can withstand the rigours of a tough workout and stay put in the process. Now it’s increased the Elite 8 Active’s spatial sound powers, and promises improvements with how they’ll block out the world with ANC and HearThrough modes.

Outside of those upgrades, it’s largely the same experience as using the Elite 8 Active Gen 1. They offer a great, reliable fit without ear hooks and bright, customizable sound with good but not class-leading battery life.

These are set to be Jabra’s last set of Elite true wireless earbuds, as it’s decided to shutter its consumer headphone business. It’s a genuine shame because the Elite 8 Active Gen 2, while not a necessary upgrade for Gen 1 owners, is one of the best true wireless sports earbuds you can buy that also work great outside of workouts and are well worth the money in our opinion.

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: Price and availability

Priced at £229.99 / $229.99 / AU$329
Released: June 2024

The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 launched in June 2024 and went on sale for $229.99 / £229.99 / AU$329. That does mean they come in pricier than the Elite 8 Active Gen 1, which are currently available for $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.

These are definitely true wireless sports earbuds that sit at the top end in terms of pricing. They’re slightly more expensive than the Beats Fit Pro, but do remain cheaper than the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Sennheiser Momentum Sport, which unlike the Elite 8 Active, uses ear hooks to keep them secure during your sweatier sessions with them.

Value score: 4/5

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: Specifications

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: Design

Same reliable fit as Gen 1
Charging case now slightly heavier
Added USB-C to 3.5mm cable

Essentially, the design and the way the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 sits and operates in your ears hasn’t changed from Gen 1. You can pick it up in black, coral, navy blue and olive (pictured) colors, with its liquid silicone rubber coating which has a pleasingly soft touch to it.

Like Gen 1, it’s using Jabra’s ShakeGrip fit to keep them inside of your ears without the need for wingtips or ear hooks. Again much like its predecessor, the fit is great: they really do really stay put without aids. There’s not many earbuds that achieve this kind of secure fit when your exercise time gets more intense without adopting some sort of earhook design, but these really do the job of remaining secure. They’re comfortable too, I’ve used them for over an hour-long workouts and they’ve not caused any sort of irritation.

While there’s nothing here to add extra security to its fit, Jabra does still include large, medium and small silicone eartips to improve sound isolation and help you make sure you enjoy the best ANC performance, with the ideal fit inside of your ears.

Jabra builds physical controls once again into the exterior of the buds, which can be customised in Jabra’s Sound+ companion smartphone app. These controls allow you to handle calls, adjust volume, skip back and forward through tracks and are some of the best controls I’ve used on fitness-focused earbuds, especially when you’re on the move. The controls are more reliable to press than to swipe or tap on touch controls, which seems to be the route a lot of other earbuds opt for. Jabra’s approach works great here, and I found the volume control support particularly well integrated into the buds.

In terms of its defence against moisture, it’s the same as Gen 1 with Jabra sticking to an IP68 water resistant rating. This gives it one of the strongest levels of protection against moisture you’ll find on a set of earbuds: we dropped the first gen into a glass of water, no trouble. The case also carries an IP54 rating, which isn't as strong a defence against water, but does mean as a package the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers good protection against sweat, rain and a splash of water or two.

The charging case has slightly jumped in weight, likely to account for its added smarter powers, with a physical button in front to pair with your devices and a single LED light above to indicate pairing and charging status. At the base is a USB-C port to charge the buds or you can use the accompanying USB-C/3.5mm cable to enable the new spatial sound mode when connected with other devices like a monitor or TV..

Design score: 5/5

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: Features

New LE Audio smart case
Improved ANC and Heathrough modes
Bluetooth 5.3

The headline news here lies with the case, which Jabra is calling the world’s first LE Audio smart case. That case allows you to enjoy spatial sound from devices such as TVs and screens built into gym equipment, by using a physical USB-C to 3.5mm cable jack to plug the case into that device, and stream audio from the case. Then when you stick the buds in your ears and have spatial sound enabled in the app, you can enjoy that surround-sound listening experience. It’s a revolution to no longer need cabled headphones for gym equipment.

On the listening front, Jabra says it’s improved the effectiveness of the ANC and HearThrough modes on Gen 2 to be twice as effective at cancelling out sound. There’s Bluetooth 5.3 to offer reliable connectivity, support for multipoint sharing and a welcome Bluetooth range of up to 10 meters.

Inside of the companion smartphone app, you’ve got scope to tinker with that sound and enable a Spotify Tap mode for quick access to the music streaming service. There’s fast pairing for Android devices and you can summon your smartphone’s assistant, whether that’s Siri or Google Assistant, straight from the buds.

In terms of audio codecs supported, it’s the same AAC and SBC ones offered on Gen 1, which might be a source of bad news for serious audiophiles, though I’d expect that’s not going to be an issue for those grabbing these predominantly for workouts.

Features score: 4/5

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: Performance

Same enjoyable, workout-friendly sound
ANC mode good but not best in class
Spatial sound case mode could have its uses

The remit of the Gen 2 Elite 8 Active is the same as Gen 1, to offer a sound that’s a great fit for workouts. There’s the option of active noise cancellation, but like its predecessor it’s not Jabra’s best available advanced ANC support. There’s also a HearThrough mode, which can be tweaked in the app to control the balance of your sound and exterior sounds, to give you more or less awareness of your surroundings. You can also choose to have neither of these modes in play as well.

When you head into the companion Sound+ app, you’ll be met with an equaliser, six EQ presets and the scope to build custom ones. There’s also a Dolby Spatial Sound mode, which is designed for when you’re exercising in front of a screen. So, maybe watching the TV on a screen built into a treadmill as opposed to listening to music. This Spatial Sound mode is also now extended to the case. It feels like quite a niche feature to add in here and actually more of a useful feature when you’re not in the gym with them. They’re a nifty solution for when you’re flying and don’t want to use those free wired headphones.

These are buds tha sonically sound solid when you’re working out and when you’re just working at your desk. To me, the sound profile doesn’t sound all that different from the first generation Elite 8 Active. It’s a sound quality I’d describe as bright, powerful with plenty of bass warmth. They don’t give you the best they have to offer in sound straight out of the box, but once you’ve tinkered with things in the app, you can get something that helps that treble sparkle and achieve overall a more balanced sound whether you opt for bass-heavy songs or prefer things far more relaxed.

It’s a similar story for call quality, where there’s six microphones in place to deliver calls to your ears. The call quality overall here is very good for a truly wireless earbud. Calls offer good volume and the clarity overall makes them ideal to break your workout for an important call.

Jabra claims that the ANC support on the Gen 2 can cancel out twice as much noise as Gen 1, but does stick to the same adaptive hybrid ANC support, so that ANC adjusts based on your environment. It’s particularly designed to help battle more blustery, windy conditions such as the sort of intrusion you get running or cycling.

I’d say that the ANC performance has been good overall. I’m not wholly convinced it’s twice as good as Gen 1, but I’d put its performance below the top-performing ANC-packing truly wireless earbuds. Inside and outside, they muffle the sounds around you in an effective way as opposed to entirely drowning them out. I found that running near busy roads did an effective job of drowning the sounds in my environment. While they don’t entirely block out wind, they do a good job of muting it. It was a similar story using them in a gym and dampening the sound of the gym speaker system.

It’s a similar story with Jabra’s HearThrough mode: I can’t say I noticed a discernible difference between Gen 1 and Gen 2, but it remains one of the best examples of a mode that wants to achieve a better balance between interior and exterior sounds.

In terms of connectivity, I’ve had some good and a little bad here, which wasn’t really the case with Gen 1. In general, connecting to a range of devices including an iPhone, Android phone, Android tablet, MacBook Air, a connected rower and an Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Forerunner 965 has been fine. With the iPhone, I’ve experienced the buds disconnecting and reconnecting during some listening time. It could have something to do with running a beta version of iOS on my iPhone, but this isn’t something I’ve experienced on the previous version. Thankfully, it’s only happened a couple of times, but it’s not ideal.

For battery life, it's more of the same here with Gen 2. Jabra promises the same battery numbers with and without ANC in use. It’s up to 8 hours of music streaming with ANC in use or 14 hours with ANC turned off. When you factor in a fully charged case, you’re getting anywhere from 32-56 hours depending on that ANC use.

My experience suggests certain EQ modes in use also offer quicker drain on battery, as does listening volume. For over an hour of use with the ANC enabled and the bass boost EQ mode, the battery dropped by around 30%. For a similar workout without ANC, it was half that. So I wouldn't say those promised numbers entirely correspond with my experience of using them.

Fortunately, Jabra does still include its useful fast charge mode, which gives you an hour of listening time from a 5-minute charge. You've also got the convenience of wireless charging if you happen to have QI-certified setup.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review: Scorecard

Jabra Elite 8 Active: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want the most comfortable earbuds for workouts

The fit is great, the sound is too and as a package, these are some of the best fitness-focused buds you can put in your ears.View Deal

You want a sound upgrade

While it won’t be for everyone, the new smart case gives you scope to improve the experience of watching shows and films from devices that don’t easily let you pair over Bluetooth.View Deal

You want earbuds with good controls

Jabra’s approach controls to the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 make them one of the best to tinker with playback, volume or take calls when you’re in the heat of a workout.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You already have Gen 1

If you love the sound, fit and performance of the Elite 8 Active Gen 1, then there aren’t huge reasons to make that upgrade.View Deal

You only have a small budget

These buds don’t come cheap and while you get what you pay for, you could pick up cheaper buds with less extras and still have workout-worthy sound.View Deal

Also consider

JLab Go Air Sport

The best really cheap workout earbuds.

Read our full reviewView Deal

Sony WF-1000XM4

The best workout headphones for noise canceling.

Read our full reviewView Deal

How I tested

I used the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for two weeks, using them for a range of workouts including indoor and outdoor runs, gym workouts like indoor rowing, cycling and strength training. I also used them for travelling on trains and buses and using them for work.

In terms of pairing to devices, I paired with an iPhone, Android phone, Android tablet, MacBook Pro streaming from services and apps including Spotify and YouTube. I also tested with the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Apple Watch Ultra to test the connectivity support for smartwatches and sports watches. I also paired them with a connected rower and treadmill.

I have over a decade of experience testing and writing about consumer technology and that includes a big focus on sports headphones. I’ve tested sports headphones and truly wireless earbuds across a range of prices from budget to premium, so have a good idea of the good and bad in this category and what makes a great pair of headphones for exercise.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 mobile workstation review

10:41 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, GPU, RAM | Comments: Off

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is Lenovo's take on an all-around perfect portable workstation machine. The Gen 7, of course, replaces the Gen 6 and now boasts up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and an NVIDIA RTX 4070. However, it can also be built with integrated graphics and an Intel Core Ultra 5 with a light 16GB of RAM.

Much like Dell's Precision line-up, the ThinkPad P series is designed for professionals needing a computer that can handle computationally demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, coding, data analysis, and things of that nature. Like many of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops I've reviewed, while casual users can use it, this price point focuses on professional users who rely on their machines to be workhorses and get work done.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: Price and Availability

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 starts at the base level for under $2,000 with an Intel Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and integrated graphics. This can be upgraded to a machine that costs over $5,000 when equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9, NVIDIA RTX 4070 Graphics, 64GB of RAM, and 4TB SSD. What's great about this is that yes. At the same time, this is not an entry-level computer. Thanks to the customization options available for processor, memory, storage, and graphics, it can be kitted to fit just about any professional need. That said, check out our Lenovo coupon codes to see if you can save on the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: Unboxing and First Impressions

Out of the box, it's clear this is not designed to be a super-lightweight-ultra-portable-thinnest-device-ever kind of machine. It's beefy. But not in a way that resembles the laptops of a decade ago. As we've seen from many of the best mobile workstations, it's sleek where it can be but houses a lot under the hood -- or keyboard. Depending on the GPU configuration, the P1 Gen 7 has a 135W or 170W charger, the appropriate manuals, and any accessories purchased at Lenovo. The minimalist matte-black design exudes sleek professionalism. However, one thing to note is that it is prone to smudges.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: Design and Build Quality

Specs

CPU: Up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
GPU: Up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070
Display: Up to 4K OLED
RAM: Up to 64GB LPDDR5X
Storage: Up to 8TB SSD with built-in RAID options

Overall, the laptop is 17mm thick and 4.3lb. That's not huge in the world of laptops, though it is larger than some of the laptops I am working with. The P1 Gen 7 is made of a combination of Magnesium and Aluminum and has a durability rating of MIL-STD 810H. It can withstand your daily wear and tear and the burdens of being an everyday workhorse.

Completing the all-too-famous ThinkPad design, the TrackPoint is prominently in the center of the keyboard, and the overall design language matches what is frequently found with ThinkPad.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: In use

I have used this computer extensively in my workflow for the past few months. Overall, it is an impressive machine. It is remarkably powerful, easily handles multitasking and demanding performance programs, and has a sleek and attractive design. What more could you ask for in a computer? It even has a better port offering than the ever-popular Dell Powerhouses and better port offerings than MacBooks. I have only heard the fans kick on during heavily intensive or many heavy tasks stacked together. Outside of that, I have not heard the fan kick on for my day-to-day professional work even once.

Some more features that make this computer great would be the Wi-Fi 7 antennae, great port offering, a solid trackpad, a comfortable keyboard, and a decent battery.

I've enjoyed using this computer for everything in my day to day. The keyboard is comfortable enough for long email sessions or writing articles (like this one). The trackpad is responsive enough that I don't need to bring a mouse in my backpack when I am away from my desk for the day. The ports are fantastic. I can leave my dongles at home since this laptop has everything I could need on a given notice built into the computer. Another thing that makes this computer great is that it is super portable. Yes, it's powerful and practical, but it's also surprisingly easy to carry around from place to place in my studio, office, coffee shop, bag, house, and so on. It's simple, and it doesn't get in the way. It's great for my professional workflow.

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is an impressive example of what mobile workstations can be. Though premium priced, its versatility, build quality, and performance justify its cost for professionals seeking the best tools to do their work reliably.

For more workplace hardware, we've reviewed the best business laptops

Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer review

8:00 pm | December 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer two-minute review

The $99/£80/€79 Dreame Gleam hair dryer offers a decent blend of thoughtful design, user-friendliness, and performance – especially for such a relatively cheap dryer. It’s lightweight and compact, making it comfortable to hold and easy to use. Its slim design also makes it a good travel companion, as it fits neatly into bags without taking up too much space. All of this make it a strong contender amongst the best hair dryers on the market.

Aesthetically, the Gleam has a cylindrical design, curved edges, and a soft matte finish. The main temperature and mode controls are found on the back of the handle and while this placement isn’t great for making adjustments mid-style, it's intuitive enough once you get the hang of it. By contrast, the power and speed slider, conveniently and comfortably placed within reach of your thumb, is great for quick changes between the Low and High speed settings.

In addition to these speeds, the Gleam has four heat modes – Cool, 57C Constant, Hot, and a Hot/Cold Cycle. Its 65m/s airflow delivers fast, efficient drying, even on the lower heat settings and the built-in ion technology, which releases 200 million negative ions, breaks down water molecules quickly, helping to reduce frizz and leave hair smooth and shiny.

One of my favorite features is the Cool mode, which provides a true blast of cold air. It’s fantastic for setting styles, reducing frizz, and adding extra shine. My waves and curls held their shape noticeably longer after a quick blast of cool air. By comparison, while the 57C Constant mode is great for offering gentle heat for damaged hair, I found it to be my least favorite mode. It adds a substantial amount to the drying time without drastically improving the quality and finish of your hair.

Dreame Gleam hair dryer on reviewer's dressing table — (Image credit: Future)

The best results, in terms of speed vs finish was with the Hot/Cold Cycle on High speed. Using this mode, I was able to dry my long, thin hair in under five minutes, and the result was soft, glossy, and full of life. This shine and smooth finish was even better when paired with the magnetic concentrator nozzle. This nozzle is excellent for directing the airflow precisely where you need it, making it ideal for smoothing out sections of hair. It's quite narrow, which doesn't lend itself well to drying all of your hair with the nozzle, but if you're willing to put in the extra time, it's worth it. Sadly, the Gleam doesn’t include a diffuser and this is a shame for people with naturally curly hair.

In terms of noise, the Gleam operates quietly, with a sound level that’s comfortable for most situations. It’s easy to carry on a conversation while using it, even at higher speeds, making it less disruptive than other dryers I’ve tried. In my tests, the noise levels averaged 70dB and never exceeded 80dB, even on the High speed setting. This is quite a bit louder than Dreame's advertised 59dB, but is a minor gripe.

And speaking of gripes, the fan is positioned at the base of the handle, where it meets the 5.9ft (1.8m) cord. This design makes the barrel more compact and prevents hair from getting caught in the fan blades but I constantly kept blocking it with my hand and this soon become tedious.

Dreame Glory Hair Dryer review: price & availability

List price: $99/£80/€79
Available: US/UK/EU

The $99 / £80 / €79 Gleam hairdryer is Dreame's entry-level model, coming in at around half the price of its €159 Dreame Pocket, and €139 / A$299 Dreame Glory.

It's available in the US and Europe from the Dreame website, as well as Amazon, in a pastel pink color. You can also buy it from Amazon UK in grey. Across all regions, the dryer ships with a concentrator nozzle although it doesn't have a dedicated diffuser. You can use the diffuser that ships with the Dreame Glory, as it connects in the same way, but who realistically is going to own both dryers in order to make this swap?

The price and power of the Gleam puts the dryer in the lower mid-range bracket, putting it on par with the likes of the $95 BaBylissPRO, and $90 Hot Tools Pro Artist Tourmaline dryer. The BaByliss Pro ships with a similar concentrator nozzle to the Gleam, yet the Hot Tools dryer is sold with two nozzles and a diffuser for a similar price.

The lack of color options and accessories make it difficult to recommend the Dreame Gleam when other, cheaper dryers offer more value and choice. That said, its power and features coupled with its focus on hair health help elevate its appeal and at least justify its price.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer specs

Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer review: design

Compact design
4 heat modes and 2 airflow speeds
Concentrator attachment

If it wasn't for the pink color and soft-matte finish, it would be easy to mistake the Dreame Gleam for the Dreame Glory. The dryer’s body is cylindrical, with the same rounded edges. The two dryers are almost identical in size, shape and weight. Even down to the position of the fan at the base of the handle, and the matching power/speed and temperature controls on the side.

On the rear of the Gleam dryer, where the fan is usually found, is a flat, smooth panel. Beneath this panel, on the handle, is a sliding power switch that lets you toggle between the two speed settings – Low and High. This switch is perfectly located in just the right spot so that your thumb can easily reach it without having to re-adjust your grip mid-style and this is a small but welcome feature. Below this switch is a circular button surrounded by an LED ring which lets you switch between the Gleam's four temperature modes:

Cold
57°C Constant
Hot
Hot/Cold Cycle

As you'd expect, the Cold mode blows cold air, and the Hot mode blows hot air. The Hot/Cold Cycle Mode cycles between hot and cold air as you style your hair and the 57C Constant mode offers a consistent temperature designed to prevent heat damage.

I first used the Hot/Cold cycle feature on the BaByliss Air Wand and more recently on the Dreame Pocket and Dreame Glory. I initially thought I wouldn't this mode that much because it increases the styling time slightly, however it is now my go-to because it makes a noticeable difference to the finish and feel of my hair.

To switch between these modes, you press the circular button found on the rear of the handle and its LED ring will change color, depending on the mode selected. Cold mode is represented by a blue LED ring; Hot mode has a red ring; Hot/Cold cycle's LED ring alternates between red and blue; and the ring on the 57C Constant mode is yellow. It's impossible to see these colors mid-style, due to the position of the button on the rear of the handle and this makes it difficult to select different modes without looking. The more you use the dryer, the more you get used to what the different modes sound and feel like but it's not massively intuitive.

At just 11.6oz / 330g, the Dreame Gleam is incredibly easy to lift and move around your head, and its dimensions – 3 × 3.2 inches (7.6 × 8.2 cm) for the barrel and a 10-inch (25.5 cm) handle – make it a compact and well balanced styler. The longer handle, which I initially thought might make the dryer top-heavy, is balanced and provides a confident grip while styling.

There is only one attachment for the Dreame Gleam – a smoothing concentrator nozzle that snaps onto the barrel using a satisfying magnetic mechanism. This mechanism is strong enough to keep the attachments in place during styling, but gives you the freedom to twist and turn the nozzle to different angles to reach different parts of your head and hair. The nozzle doesn't get too hot during styling either, which adds to this ease-of-use.

Being positioned at the base of the handle, where it meets the 5.9ft / 1.8m cord, means its easy to block the fan with your hand. This is preferable to the fan being on the rear of the dryer and sucking your hair in, as is the case with some other dryers, but I don't love this positioning. The air outlet at the front of the Dreame Gleam is then wide enough to provide the powerful 70 m/s airflow.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer review: performance

1600-watt motor
High-speed motor operates at 110,000RPM
76dB average noise

From my first use of the Dreame Gleam, I noticed how quickly it dried my hair, even on the lower speed and temperature settings. It handled my long, fine hair in minutes without the usual frizz or tangles and I love that you don't have to rely on intense heat to do the job. Instead, its high-speed airflow and 200 million negative ions help to break down water droplets faster, leaving my hair smooth and shiny in a short period of time.

The quickest results came from using the Hot mode, in which my hair went from wet to dry in four and a half minutes on High speed. The Hot/Cold Cycle on high speed added an extra minute to this, but my hair was noticeably softer and had more movement. This combination of warm and cool air also seemed to lock in the sleek finish for much longer. The slowest results came from using the Constant 57C setting. It took more than six minutes to dry my hair on this mode and there wasn't a huge improvement in the feel or look of my hair either. This will be a great addition for very fragile or damaged hair, but may feel a bit redundant for anyone else.

The Cool mode is a standout feature, though. Unlike some dryers where the cool setting just feels like slightly less warm air, the Gleam delivers a genuine blast of cold air almost immediately. After curling my hair, I used the Cool mode to lock in the waves and not only did the curls hold their shape for hours longer, they were noticeably more shiny. This mode is also great for smoothing flyaways or finishing a blowout with a polished look.

The concentrator nozzle deserves a mention too. It’s great for targeting specific sections, like when I want to smooth the hair around my face. It's not the largest of nozzles so if you use it to style the whole of your head, you'll probably need to add another three or four minutes to the overall styling time. Adjusting or removing it is easy though. It's a shame that the Gleam doesn't offer a diffuser. It is possible to add the Glory's diffuser onto the barrel of the Gleam due to their identical size, but not everyone will have access to both stylers (and nor should they have to.)

Another thing I appreciated about the Gleam is how quiet it is. I could still chat with my family while drying my hair and even on High speed, the dryer never exceeded 80dB. This makes it marginally quieter than the Dreame Glory. It should be noted that Dreame claims the Gleam operates around 59dB but even on the slowest, lowest setting, my app registered an average of 70dB.

It's not a perfect dryer but for the price and the power, it's a worthwhile choice.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer?

Buy it if…

You want a powerful, affordable, lightweight dryer

The Dreame Gleam delivers high-speed airflow in a compact, 330g body.

You need quick drying with minimal damage

The Gleam's range of temperature controls protects hair while providing rapid, frizz-free drying.

You value sleek, modern design

The Gleam’s matte finish and magnetic attachments add style and convenience – especially at this relatively low price point.

Don’t buy it if….

You need a diffuser for curly hair

The Gleam only includes a concentrator nozzle, limiting options for people with natural curls.

You dislike rear fan placement

The fan at the base of the Dreame Gleam's handle can be accidentally covered during use.

You want a wider range of colors

The Dreame Gleam comes with limited color options which may not suit everyone's aesthetic.

How I tested the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer

I used the Dreame Gleam as my daily hair dryer over the course of four weeks at home. I used it most mornings as a replacement for my go-to hair dryer – the Revlon One Step – to dry and style my long, thin hair.

To test the dryer, I experimented with the full range of speed and temperature combinations, and attachment. I paid close attention to the dryer’s features, how fast and effectively each of the modes worked, and how easy it was to use. I measured the decibel levels of the dryer on Low and High speeds throughout the testing period to achieve an average noise score.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

NitroPack review

5:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

NitroPack is a comprehensive site optimization plugin that has made a name for itself in web performance since 2012. It’s well-known for significantly improving website loading times, which enhances user experience and boosts search engine rankings. While it's especially popular among WordPress users, NitroPack also works with platforms like WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and OpenCart.

The tool offers a range of features, such as advanced caching, CSS and JavaScript optimization, and automatic image compression. These features work together to improve site performance and enhance Core Web Vitals scores with little manual effort. For digital marketers and e-commerce businesses, NitroPack is an attractive choice for staying competitive in website speed.

However, there are some drawbacks. Users have reported issues with customer support, and the pricing may be high for smaller businesses. Despite these challenges, NitroPack remains a strong option for those willing to invest in better web performance. In this review, we’ll look at NitroPack’s features, setup process, customer support, and pricing to provide a clear overview of what it offers.

NitroPack: Pricing

NitroPack has a pricing structure that caters to a variety of users, with different tiers to suit different needs. It starts with a free trial for users to explore basic features and goes up to paid plans designed for businesses.

The Free Plan provides limited optimizations, making it ideal for small personal websites or those curious about the service. It includes basic caching and optimization but doesn't offer advanced features like CDN integration or priority support.

The Essential Plan, at $19/month, targets small businesses. It offers more advanced features such as image optimization and basic CDN, giving a noticeable performance boost for moderately trafficked sites.

For larger organizations, the Growth Plan is available at $69/month. It includes an expanded CDN, extra optimization tools, and premium support options, making it suitable for websites with significant traffic that need strong performance enhancements.

At the top of the line is the Enterprise Plan, which is customizable with pricing based on specific requirements. This plan includes all features, dedicated support, and enhanced security measures, making it perfect for high-traffic sites that demand maximum reliability and performance.

While NitroPack's pricing is on the higher side, the performance improvements it offers are substantial. For businesses focused on site speed and SEO, the investment can lead to better engagement and conversion rates, making it worthwhile.

NitroPack: Features

NitroPack delivers a powerful set of features designed to boost site performance. With tools for caching and image optimization, everything works together to create a smooth user experience.

Caching

At the core of NitroPack's capabilities is its advanced caching system. By saving static versions of your web pages, it lessens server load and speeds up delivery to users. Features like cache warmup preload pages based on expected traffic, ensuring visitors always enjoy a fast-loading site. This technology is essential for keeping up performance, especially during busy times or promotions.

CSS Optimization

NitroPack is great at managing CSS, particularly with its critical CSS feature. This tool identifies the necessary CSS to quickly display the visible part of the webpage while deferring non-essential CSS for later. This improves loading times and user experience. The automated process removes the need for manual CSS adjustments, making life easier for website admins.

JavaScript Optimization

NitroPack also excels in JavaScript optimization. By deferring scripts and managing their execution, it prevents slowdowns that can affect loading times. NitroPack's unique resource loader ensures that JavaScript files load in the best order, improving both perceived and actual site speed.

Image Optimization

Images can significantly impact a webpage's loading time, which is why NitroPack's image optimization toolkit is so valuable. The platform automatically compresses and resizes images, converting them to modern formats like WebP for faster loading. Its adaptive sizing feature optimizes images based on the user's device, ensuring visuals remain sharp without slowing down the site.

CDN Integration

NitroPack comes with a strong Content Delivery Network (CDN) that has over 70 global endpoints, ensuring your content loads quickly no matter where your audience is. When combined with Gzip/Brotli compression, this integration greatly enhances site load times, making it a vital part of NitroPack's offering.

NitroPack: Setup

Setting up NitroPack is refreshingly straightforward, living up to its promise of being user-friendly. Even for first-time users, the process is seamless, with a guided setup that gets your site optimized in minutes.

Upon installation, NitroPack connects to your site through a simple plugin activation. The interface is clean and intuitive, with a dashboard that provides easy access to all features. Users are greeted with preset optimization modes, allowing both novices and experts to adjust settings according to their needs. The tool's default configuration is robust enough for immediate performance improvements, while more technically inclined users can fine-tune settings to align with specific goals.

For those new to site optimization, NitroPack offers a wealth of resources, including comprehensive guides and tutorials. These resources are invaluable, providing step-by-step instructions and tips on maximizing the platform's potential. Furthermore, the community forums are active, offering additional support and allowing users to share insights and solutions.

NitroPack blog — (Image credit: NitroPack)

While the initial setup is quick, users should allow some time for the optimization processes to run through the site, especially on larger sites. This thorough approach ensures that every page is optimized for peak performance. Overall, NitroPack's setup process is designed to eliminate complexity, empowering users to achieve rapid improvements without a steep learning curve.

NitroPack: Customer support

NitroPack support — (Image credit: NitroPack)

NitroPack's customer support receives mixed reviews. The quality of help varies and seems to depend on the pricing tier chosen. Higher-tier plans usually provide more responsive and personalized support, which is crucial for businesses that rely on web performance.

Support options include email, live chat, and a detailed knowledge base. Email support is generally quick, but there are times when responses are delayed, which can be frustrating for users with urgent issues. Live chat offers faster resolutions when available, but it's mainly accessible to those on higher pricing plans.

The knowledge base is extensive, featuring articles, tutorials, and FAQs on a wide range of topics. It serves as a useful self-service resource for users to troubleshoot common problems and learn about NitroPack's features. However, for more complex issues, users may still need direct support.

Some users have pointed out limitations, especially with technical questions or during busy times. Overall, the support system at NitroPack could use improvement, particularly given the importance of dependable help for web performance tools.

NitroPack: Final verdict

NitroPack is a powerful tool for anyone looking to boost their website's speed and performance. Its wide range of features and user-friendly design make it appealing for digital marketers, e-commerce businesses, and WordPress site owners.

The platform effectively improves site speed, which benefits both SEO and user experience. However, potential users should keep in mind the costs involved and determine if it fits within their budget and performance goals.

For those who prefer a hands-off approach to website optimization, NitroPack provides an effective solution. While it might not be ideal for smaller sites with limited budgets, businesses that depend on strong web performance and have the means to invest will likely find NitroPack to be a valuable asset.

We've rounded up the best Wordpress plugins of 2024.

Marvel Rivals review: more than an Overwatch clone

2:09 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Review info

Platforms reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: 6 December, 2024

Marvel Rivals has successfully landed, following a launch that’d make any live service game jealous. Positioning itself among the crowded free-to-play market, Marvel Rivals is a shockingly complete package, with a whopping 33 Heroes to choose from at launch. Narrowly avoiding the danger of spreading itself too thin, developer NetEase Games has somehow managed to offer up a mostly-balanced, quality experience that’s much more than a simple Overwatch clone.

To get this out of the way, I don’t play Overwatch. I’d wager that over the years, I’ve probably put five hours total into it, and most of that was in Overwatch 2. For me, the second people start telling me roles I should fill, tactics that I must focus on in an online game, my eyes glaze over. With limited time to sink into a live service game every night, I frankly couldn’t care less about what meta I need to be running in order to emerge victorious against an opposing team. Before loading up Marvel Rivals then, I was already fairly sure that it wouldn’t grab me completely.

The first night of play did nothing to dispel this feeling, with Marvel Rivals’ particular visual style being extremely difficult to read at times. But during night two, something clicked, and it’s largely down to the game’s wide range of playable Heroes. Split into three classes: Vanguard, Specialist, and Duelist, each of the 33 Heroes is entirely distinct from one another.

Any frustrations I was having with a particular Hero could quickly be remedied by trying someone else. New characters and play styles didn’t always click, but after a while, I had at least five go-tos that were all an absolute blast to play as.

From page to play

Promotional art of Peni Park from Marvel Rivals. — (Image credit: NetEase Games)

Visually, Marvel Rivals looks extremely high-budget and meticulously stylish. Somewhere between an anime and a comic book come to life, the game’s design language does a great job at distinguishing between each Hero in the roster. Broadly, everything from Most Valuable Player animations to pre-match loading screens pop with a confident flair. In motion, things are less successful, though characters do look great once the action kicks off.

The problem, for me at least, is how busy the screen can get once you have 10 characters, each with their own abilities and color schemes clashing together all at once. You do get used to it, but for a while I genuinely struggled to know exactly who I was being attacked by. Kill markers aren’t quite as punchy as they need to be, and the way abilities are labeled on screen can be difficult to parse during the heat of battle.

Best bit

Iron Fist gameplay in Marvel Rivals. — (Image credit: NetEase Games)

Playing as Iron Fist is fun, but does make you feel like a real scumbag. With his triple jump and wall run, it’s easy to sneak behind enemy lines and pick off unsuspecting opponents. Incoming damage? Not to worry, simply hit the parry and absorb it, before unleashing a flurry of fists and kicks that absolutely melt an enemy’s health bar.

Likely, this is just a natural consequence of having the game play out largely in third-person, and in trying to do every single character justice, while balancing how all of the disparate elements come together. On PS5 Pro, performance has been flawless, and the high degree of visual sharpness certainly does help keep things clearer and more readable, at least.

There aren’t too many maps in rotation at present in Marvel Rivals’ main modes, though each does have enough character of their own to stand out and make matches feel distinct from one another. Destructible objects are littered throughout maps, with towering stone columns crumbling after being hit by a stray Iron-Man rocket, and walkways falling away under the weight of an incoming Venom air-slam attack.

These objects do regenerate over the course of a match, but their placements make them interesting tactical propositions, with plenty of possibilities to remove cover from your enemy team.

Hero shooter

Scarlet Spider in Marvel Rivals. — (Image credit: NetEase Games)

Marvel Rivals starts off on much more advantageous footing than other games of its ilk thanks to the familiarity of its roster. Even the most casual gamer out there has some knowledge of Heroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America, with some more out-there choices like Jeff the Land Shark being welcome surprises littered throughout the bunch.

It helps that, for the most part, each Hero plays exactly how you’d expect them to, though there are some neat subversions like Adam Warlock playing a healer focused on instant revivals of team members being the exception. Of the 33 Heroes I’ve now tried out, only a few have been complete non-starters, as I’ve been able to find the fun in the others almost instantly, even if their playstyles may not quite be my cup of tea.

Some Heroes specialize in managing character-specific gauges and effects, while others are much more straightforward, like The Punisher, whose move set revolves around a more standard third-person shooter design.

To spice things up, and I think, set its Heroes apart from being just clones of Overwatch characters, Marvel Rivals does feature a neat team-up system. Heroes like Rocket can ride on others like Groot, buffing shields and damage output. Other team ups are less direct, like how Adam Warlock will give Star-Lord and Mantis the option to revive themselves after dying via a rebirth mechanic.

So far, not all Heroes can team up with others, and not every Hero benefits from having others on the field. Venom is an example of this, though to compensate he does earn a massive max health boost thanks to an ongoing Seasonal Bonus. At their best, team-ups can sway the tide of battle. At their worst, they’re still fun passive effects to consider when picking a character.

So far, this has encouraged me to try out Heroes that I wouldn’t have done otherwise, and I’m interested to see how future Heroes will shake up Team Up abilities in the future. This isn’t to say that team-ups distract completely from the very obvious fact that characters like Black Widow are straight copies of Overwatch Heroes like Widowmaker, but it goes a long way to give Marvel Rivals a bit more of a USP.

Pick me

Promotional art of the environments in Marvel Rivals. — (Image credit: NetEase Games)

So why pick up Marvel Rivals, instead of a much more established series like Overwatch? Well, put simply, Marvel Rivals is newer, more engaging when in action, and takes itself much less seriously than its peers. Though some of the more niche corners of online gaming have already been crying out for balancing, nerfs to characters like Hela, and the addition of role queue, it’s hard to drown out what I believe to be the attitude of the main audience.

Many characters in Marvel Rivals could be considered overpowered, sometimes you join a team with no healers and get your butt handed to you, but ultimately, it simply doesn’t kill the fun. As the game continues to grow, I have no doubt that competitive modes will become more important, but for now, Marvel Rivals is a great thing to just pick up and play. Whether you choose a ‘broken’ character like Iron Fist, or someone less meta-focused like Wolverine, it’s possible to pull off some truly thrilling plays.

There’s an argument to be made that Marvel Rivals didn’t need to launch with so many Heroes, that 20 would have resulted in a better balanced product, but it’s difficult to say that the scrappy but exhilarating state of gameplay at the moment isn’t right where things should be. There are absolutely some issues with match balancing however, with some maps feeling unfairly weighted depending on which side your team starts at.

Similarly, some maps have choke points right from the first spawn point, leading to the feeling of throwing yourself into a meat grinder from the very moment a match begins. None of these issues are deal breakers, and this is Season 0 after all, so hopefully the first proper balancing patch will help smooth over some of the rougher edges present in the launch version.

Clearly, Marvel Rivals is striking the right chord with players, given the ever-growing player counts and social media dominance it is enjoying post-launch. For me, there’s plenty of room for Marvel Rivals to grow, hopefully with the addition of more modes, maps and Heroes, but for a free-to-play title launching during such a difficult time for live service games, it sure has come out of the gate swinging.

Should I play Marvel Rivals?

Venom gameplay in Marvel Rivals. — (Image credit: NetEase Games)

Play it if…

You want a new multiplayer game that’s easy to pick up
With a huge suite of Heroes to choose from Marvel Rivals offers players a variety of different play-styles to choose from. Unfortunately, the in-game tutorials aren’t quite good enough, but a star rating value is assigned to each character, helping you decide on which ones are aimed towards beginners, and which ones might have more complex designs.

You love Marvel
Even the most die-hard Marvel fans will be delighted to find deep-cut Heroes like Jeff the Land Shark included in Marvel Rivals. Both in and outside of matches, there’s a tonne of Easter Eggs from the comics, and an overarching seasonal story line to enjoy. My favorite part of this? Undoubtedly the brief character interactions that occur just before a match starts.

Don’t play it if…

You’re expecting a straight Overwatch clone
Marvel Rivals borrows a lot from Overwatch, but it feels like a very different game in action. There’s a lot more variety in the roster of Heroes, with some characters like Iron Fist offering a truly unique way to play. The stakes are a lot lower here too, meaning you can jump in and play how you want to, without the fear of having to run specific roles while juggling team compositions.

Accessibility

Marvel Rivals has a fairly standard suite of accessibility options, though they are limited when compared to other online shooters.

There’s a color blind mode, as well as the option to assign custom colors to elements like allies, shield HP bars, and other parts of the in-game UI.

In terms of controls, there’s very few accessibility options, besides button mapping, and the ability to assign specific control schemes to selected Heroes.

How I reviewed Marvel Rivals

I played Marvel Rivals for 25 hours on the PS5 Pro.

During that time I spent at least three matches with every Hero, but focused on maining Captain America, Iron Fist, Mantis, Venom and Punisher. In terms of modes, there aren’t many, so I tried them all. I purchased Season 0’s Battle Pass, and have worked through it while completing Daily, Weekly and Seasonal challenges.

I played the game using a 4K LG TV. I used a standard DualSense Wireless Controller, with the Razer Blackshark V2 headphones connected via the controller port.

First reviewed December 2024.

« Previous Page — Next Page »