The MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is easily one of the best gaming monitors I've ever used, although it's going to struggle against the best ultrawide monitors for just about all other tasks other than gaming and watching video content.
A clue as to why it's so good for the latter is in the name: OLED. The Samsung QD-OLED panel on this monitor is spectacular to look at, offering a snappy 0.03ms response time and 144Hz refresh at a 5120 x 1440p for ultrafast high-end gaming. The 1800R curve of the panel is also the perfect match for the 32:9 aspect ratio, so you don't lose detail in your peripheral vision.
What's more, at just $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,699, you're going to feel like you're getting a much more premium product for your money than its visuals might suggest.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 ultrawide, for example, offers slightly better specs, but comes with a price tag that's nearly 50% more, making the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED appear something of a bargain.
However, look under the hood, though, and you'll spot where some compromises have been made.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
For one, OLED panels are notorious for suffering burn-in, so if you didn't register and activate that copy of Windows you've been using, this monitor will have you found out, even if you eventually do give Microsoft the money it's due.
What's more, in order to prevent burn-in, you'll need to let the monitor run its OLED Care routine after about six hours or so. While you might be able to opt out when the monitor first notifies you that it's time to run the routine, you'll only be delaying the inevitable – and, when you least expect it, the monitor will go ahead and run the routine and you can't stop it (nor should you).
While this will extend the useful life of your monitor, this unpredictability will be a nightmare for, say, Final Fantasy XIV fans who are in the middle of a boss raid. That's because once the routine starts, the monitor effectively shuts off, and you have to wait anywhere from five to thirty minutes for the routine to complete.
Of course, this could also be a benefit, since it does force you to get up and maybe pet your cat or run to the store and get in some exercise; but it will be incredibly frustrating when it happens in the middle of something you'd rather not interrupt.
This isn't an MSI-exclusive problem, of course. All OLED monitors have to deal with such issues, but considering the investment here, it's best that you know what you're in for.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
In terms of features, you do get a good number of ports, with the USB-C capable of 90W power delivery. There's also a USB hub built-in with a KVM feature, which is handy – although the USB-A ports are limited to USB 2.0.
Note that you don't get any speakers with this monitor, so you'll have to settle for discrete PC speakers or a PC gaming headset, which might be a nuisance for those without either.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
With regards to the screen itself, the nature of the pixels in the Samsung QD-OLED panel the MSI MPG 491CQP uses also tend to make text and Windows UI elements a bit wonky around the edges. If you're planning to do a lot of non-gaming work on this monitor, then, your experience might not match the price you're paying.
However, let's be clear, this is a gaming monitor through and through – and it's here that the MSI MPG 491CQP really shines. Rated for 0.03ms pixel response and 144Hz max refresh, this monitor will look and feel incredibly fast compared to even the best LCD monitors, and because it's an OLED panel, you'll get fantastic HDR with pure black color and no perceptible screen glow to ruin a scene.
Its color gamut coverage is excellent, too, rated for 98% AdobeRGB, 99% DCI-P3, and 146% sRGB. So, whether you're working or gaming, you'll be on the receiving end of incredibly vibrant colors.
Of course, it's also important to recognize that a monitor such as this will require the best graphics card to really push frame rates high enough to take advantage of what the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED has to offer.
Anything less than the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super or AMD RX 7900 GRE won't be able to keep up with the texture sizes required for its native resolution, and even entry-level 4K graphics cards such as the RTX 4070 Ti Super or AMD RX 7900 XT won't be able to push frame rates into the hundreds without seriously scaling back the graphics quality. If you want to get the most out of this monitor at 5120 x 1440p, you'll need an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX to get there.
If you're covered on that front then the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED monitor is a fantastic buy for gamers, so long as you can handle the quirks of using an OLED display. If not, there are plenty of IPS and mini-LED displays out there that will work for you, but you'll be hard-pressed to find any that look this good.
MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: Price & Availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, with a retail price of $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,699, respectively.
This is substantially cheaper than the competing Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, which at $1,599.99 in the US is roughly 45% more expensive.
However, since both monitors have been on the market for several months now, it should be possible to find the models at lower cost – which makes a direct price comparison a bit of a moving target right now, especially during major sales events like Black Friday.
MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Should you buy the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED if...
The MSI MPG 491CQP looks stunning with sharp contrast, speedy performance, and vivid colors.
While this monitor isn't cheap, for what you get, it's a bargain that offers premium performance at a more affordable price.
Don't buy it if...
If you're used to playing PC games on your day off for several hours or more, be prepared to have the fun interrupted by the very necessary OLED Care feature.
This monitor is a great value for its class, but this is still a premium item.
MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED: also consider
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is the premier super-ultrawide OLED monitor, sporting a faster refresh and extra features, but for a more premium price.
I used the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED for a few months, playing games, working on photo and video content, as well as productivity work.
Since this is a gaming monitor first and foremost, I made sure to play a variety of games, from competitive shooters such as Call of Duty: Warzone as well as more laid-back titles such as Satisfactory. I have a very high-end PC, so I was able to consistently push the monitor's full resolution at 144fps to really challenge the display's performance.
I've been reviewing computer hardware for nearly five years now with TechRadar, including dozens of monitors, so I know what makes for a great gaming display and what will likely disappoint most gamers. I do my best to leverage that knowledge to deliver the best assessment of any products I review.
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is one of the new additions to Microsoft’s current-gen console family, ditching the disc drive entirely in order to offer the gaming console at a lower, potentially more compelling price point.
There’s certainly strong appeal to this; for folks who want Microsoft’s most powerful current-generation console without needing to pay the biggest bucks, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition is a compelling option as it comes in $50 / £50 cheaper than the flagship Xbox Series X. And if you’re not at all fussed about owning physical copies of the best Xbox Series X games, then this all-digital console will be the one to go for.
It’s also an excellent choice if you like the appeal of Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s digital games-on-demand subscription service that lets you download hundreds of games at a monthly (or annual) fee. The less-powerful Xbox Series S console is great for Game Pass, too, but with this Series X model, you’ll be getting full-fledged current-gen gaming experiences with no graphical compromises.
Moreover, it’s a slick bit of kit from an aesthetic standpoint. I actually prefer the Robot White color scheme of the Digital Edition over the Carbon Black of the disc-drive console (not to mention the rather gaudy Galaxy Black of the new 2TB model). Of course, the aesthetic difference has no bearing on overall performance. And on that note, you’re getting an identical experience compared to the disc-drive model - and just like it and the Xbox Series S, this new all-digital console is impressively quiet during play.
(Image credit: Future)
That being said, I think the Xbox Series X Digital Edition’s price tag still errs on the higher side, coming in at $449.99 / £429.99. While that does match the price of the PS5 Slim Digital Edition in the US, it’s £40 more expensive than Sony’s all-digital machine in the UK. On top of that, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition only comes with around 800GB of usable storage (roughly 200GB is claimed by the operating system) compared to the PS5 Slim’s approximate 850GB. That’s also more or less the same as what is usable in the Xbox Series X disc-drive console.
That isn’t anything new for this console generation’s 1TB machines; all of them have had to reserve space for the essential software needed for them to function. Without some extra storage capacity, however, the value proposition of the Xbox Series X Digital Edition isn’t massively fantastic when compared to the disc-drive model or even the 1TB Xbox Series S. Granted, the latter is a less powerful system, but it is a much cheaper digital option ($349.99 / £299.99) with the same amount of storage.
You will also likely want to avoid the Digital Edition if you don’t have particularly good download speeds via your internet service provider. The lack of a disc drive here means you aren’t able to rely on physical media, and thus won’t be able to install games offline so are fully dependent on a strong internet connection.
In summary, then, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition is great for folks after optimal graphical capabilities from the current crop of Xbox consoles at a reduced price - especially if you don’t mind the absence of a disc drive or want to fully embrace Xbox Game Pass. But if you feel you’d miss the option for physical games, it’s worth stumping up that extra $50 / £50 for the base console instead.
Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Price and availability
$449.99 / £429.99 / AU$699
That’s $50 / £50 cheaper than the disc-drive Xbox Series X
Meanwhile, the 1TB Xbox Series S costs $349.99 / £299.99
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition retails at $449.99 / £429.99. It’s available to buy from the official Xbox online store, as well as plenty of big box retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Argos, and Currys.
Despite the lack of a disc drive, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition still finds itself towards the higher end of the Series X|S price spectrum. As mentioned above, the standard Xbox Series X costs $499.99 / £479.99 after a price hike in 2023. For further comparison, the 1TB version of the Xbox Series S comes in at $349.99 / £299.99, making the Xbox Series X Digital Edition the priciest discless option within the Series X|S ecosystem.
You are at the very least getting the full brunt of the Series X’s graphical chops here, so those wanting a cheaper option for that will find value here. But, if your main drive for owning a current-generation Xbox is to play a lot of games at a significantly lower price point, then that 1TB Xbox Series S model may be the one to go for here.
(Image credit: Future)
Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Specs
Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Design and features
Robot White color scheme fits the Series X like a glove
No disc drive, but otherwise identical in terms of appearance and features
3 USB-A ports as well as HDMI, power, ethernet, and another for storage expansion
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition maintains the striking cuboid design of the original model. In fact, if you’ve ever laid eyes on an original Xbox Series X, this new one is essentially that without the disc drive and in a slick Robot White color scheme. I’m quite a fan of this aesthetic change; not only does it distinguish the model from its Carbon Black counterpart, it’s also more in line with other all-digital models like the Xbox Series S (especially with the Carbon Black Xbox Series S being phased out and not available for purchase in Australia). I think it also looks quite nice contrasting against my black TV stand.
Everything else about the console is identical to the 2020 model. The lack of a disc drive means the front of the unit is without any indentations, save for the Xbox logo power button and a solitary USB port which are both in the same place. It's also worth noting that Microsoft hasn't opted to add any USB-C ports here like Sony has with the PS5 Slim Digital Edition. That certainly would've made connecting certain third-party controllers or headsets via wireless dongle much easier. Otherwise, the built-in vertical stand is also present, resting at the bottom of the console, with ventilation here as well as at the top of the unit.
The back side of the console is also the same as its disc-drive brethren. Ports for power, HDMI, ethernet cable, and a slot for storage expansion like the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card or the WD Black C50 are here, as well as two more USB ports. There are also more ventilation holes back here, ensuring that the console runs cool and quiet throughout your play sessions.
(Image credit: Future)
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is also the same in terms of dimensions and, according to the official Xbox website, weighs the same 9.8lbs (around 4.5kg) as the disc-drive model. However, this digital console should be ever so slightly lighter than that due to the absence of the disc drive. In the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t have any bearing on the overall bulkiness or form factor of the console; while certainly smarter and more compact than the unwieldy PS5 silhouette, you still won’t want to move your Xbox around too much given its size and weight.
Boxed contents for the console are very straightforward. As well as the console, you get a Robot White Xbox Wireless Controller - which I feel looks much nicer than the fairly bog-standard Carbon Black. The contrast of the black thumbsticks, d-pad, and face buttons pops out really nicely here on the Robot White controller. Otherwise, you’ve got a power lead and HDMI cable for hooking the console up to your TV.
Unfortunately, there’s no inclusion of an Xbox Game Pass subscription, which I think would’ve been a welcome addition given the console’s all-digital nature, and with it largely being aimed at folks who’re looking to buy into the current Xbox generation at a lower price point.
Once you boot up the console and have it all set up, you’ll be greeted with the usual Windows 11-based Xbox dashboard. There are no changes here from other current-generation Xbox units which is to be expected.
(Image credit: Future)
Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Performance
Full fat Series X experience, including support for 4K and framerates up to 120fps on supported TVs
Impressively quiet performance while gaming
800GB of usable storage space doesn’t go very far
Thanks to teardown videos, we know that the Xbox Series X Digital Edition has slightly revised internal components, opting for a smaller motherboard, a different cooling system, and overall slightly lower wattage than the launch Series X. However, there are no notable shifts in performance here. The Digital Edition is not a PS5 Pro-style upgrade; you’re getting Xbox Series X performance albeit in all-digital form.
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition supports resolution up to 4K, though you will find that most games compromise on framerate in order to achieve this target. As a result, many of the best Xbox Series X games offer performance mode options, allowing you to opt for higher framerates at the cost of image quality. On that front, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition can target framerates of up to 120fps.
There are even some games that offer performance modes targeting this. But do keep in mind that you’ll need a compatible gaming TV in order to make use of this. Just like the launch model, the Digital Edition also boosts performance for the best Xbox One games by default, so you’ll be getting the very best out of those older games too.
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition also has support for high dynamic range (HDR) and variable refresh rate (VRR). The former leverages the tech of compatible TVs (typically OLED and QLED models) to provide a much richer and crisper color palette. Meanwhile, VRR is able to smooth over games with rocky performance at 40fps or higher, creating a more stable play experience overall.
As with the base model, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition is phenomenally quiet during gaming. You’ll only ever hear the fans whirring on a fresh boot. I tested everything from lightweight indie games like Hollow Knight and Vampire Survivors all the way up to more demanding AAA releases like Lies of Pand Forza Horizon 4. Unless you’re really listening out for it (even then you’d practically have to press your ear up against the console itself), you won’t hear a peep from your console during gameplay, downloads, or installs.
(Image credit: Future)
The one thing in terms of overall performance that could be a dealbreaker for you is the amount of usable storage space available on the console. As mentioned, you’re getting around 800GB of usable space. It’s absolutely a 1TB SSD in the console, but roughly a fifth of that space has to be taken up by its operating system and essential software.
The reality is that you’re not gaining any more storage space by going all-digital; on versions of the console with a disc drive, physical games still need to be installed in order to be played. And even though it’s a cheaper console relative, that’s not by much. I would of course recommend investing in one of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs, but the $50 / £50 price drop in comparison to the base Series X console does not offset the high cost of those internal storage cards from Seagate or WD Black.
You can of course opt for a cheaper external storage solution, but it’s worth noting that these will not be able to run Xbox Series X|S games or enhanced titles; you’ll strictly be limited to storing them here until you transfer them to the console’s main SSD.
If the Xbox Series X Digital Edition was slightly cheaper or offered a true 1TB after the essential installs, then I would feel much more comfortable recommending it. In summary, I feel that Microsoft could have done more especially with the console still costing well above $400 / £400.
On a better note, it’s worth noting that console setup is extremely simple and, if you have an existing Microsoft account, you can carry over your entire game library, save files (including cloud saves), subscriptions, and payment details if you’ve owned Xbox consoles prior. You don’t even need to have any previous consoles switched on simultaneously for this, and the whole process can be done via the Xbox app on your iOS or Android phone.
Should I buy the Xbox Series X Digital Edition?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You plan on getting Xbox Game Pass to play your games The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is clearly tailor-made for Xbox’s game subscription service. The cheaper price of the console does somewhat offset the cost of your first couple of months with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, making the console a great choice for playing hundreds of games at a relatively lower monthly or annual fee.
You simply want an Xbox Series X for less Not too fussed about the lack of a disc drive? The Xbox Series X Digital Edition, in this case, offers the best value for money by matching the original model on specs at $50 / £50 less.
You want full-fat Xbox Series X performance in digital form This all-digital option does not compromise on graphical capability unlike the Xbox Series S. If you truly have no use for a disc drive then this is the option to go for.
Don't buy it if...
You want the option for physical games Unlike the PS5 Slim Digital Edition, there’s no way to add a disc drive to your Xbox Series X Digital Edition after the fact. If you’d prefer to at least have the option to go physical, stick with the regular model.
You require plenty of storage for a large existing digital gaming library 800GB of usable storage is not a lot and is at odds with the focus on only being able to download games through Xbox Game Pass. You could invest in an internal storage card, but at that point, you’re paying close to the price of the 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox Series X which retails at $599.99 / £549.99. Cheaper USB external SSDs are another option, but these will only be able to store your games - not run them.
Your internet connection isn’t great If you find you have lackluster download speeds, I’d suggest purchasing or sticking with the original Xbox Series X instead, so that you can at least install games via a physical, offline option. With a digital-only console, you’ll need decent speeds in order to download games in a reasonable amount of time, which can be a struggle for those larger 100GB+ titles.
Also consider...
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition isn’t your only option when it comes to current-generation Xbox consoles. You may also want to consider the following options.
Xbox Series X The standard Xbox Series X model comes in a Carbon Black color scheme and matches the Digital Edition on specs. It’s $50 / £50 more expensive, but it does feature a built-in disc drive that would be better suited to players who prefer or rely on physical media.
Xbox Series S (1TB) The 1TB variant of the Xbox Series S is exceptional value for money, coming in at $100 / £130 less than its Xbox Series X digital counterpart. That is largely because it’s the less powerful console, but it does share 120fps support, as well as support for HDR and VRR. It’s also a much smaller and lighter unit which will fit better if your gaming setup doesn’t have much real estate.
For more information, check out our full Xbox Series S review (note that this is for the 512GB original model, but specs and performance are identical otherwise).
How I reviewed the Xbox Series X Digital Edition
I tested the Xbox Series X Digital Edition over a period of a week and a half, pairing it with the included Robot White Xbox Wireless Controller and my LG CX OLED TV, which let me make use of features like 4K/120fps support as well as HDR and variable refresh rate.
I tested a variety of games from my existing Xbox library, including AAA hits like Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, and Elden Ringalongside indie favorites like Hollow Knight and Vampire Survivors. I also played backwards compatible titles including Ridge Racer 6, Sonic Unleashed, and Crimson Skies.
Overall, I found performance to be in step with the original Xbox Series X when comparing the two models directly, with no noticeable downgrades or improvements. Rest assured that if you’re opting for the Digital Edition, you’ll be getting a true Xbox Series X experience at a lower price point.
I've had a couple of pre-briefings with Intel over the past couple of months about Intel Arrow Lake, so I can't say I'm surprised by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, but it doesn't mean enthusiasts are going to be any less disappointed with what we got in the end.
Both Core Ultra chips effectively match the performance of the chips they are replacing, and while I've been saying for a while now that we have to stop looking at performance as the only metric that matters, the efficiency gains offered by these chips are not substantial enough to really merit the investment if you're rocking a 13th-gen Intel chip or better.
The new chips do come with some architecture changes worthy of note, though, and they aren’t all useless for consumers. For starters, the chips come equipped with an NPU, the first Intel desktops to do so, and the new Intel Arc integrated GPU offers some improved graphics capabilities that will make a real difference for some AIO (all-in-one) PCs.
However, these are largely going to be unnecessary for just about any gamer or content creator out there since most desktops are going to have a discrete graphics card that will run AI circles around the NPU in these chips, and make the Intel Arc iGPU pretty much a non-factor in anything other than the most budget gaming PC from a couple of years ago.
For some folks, unfortunately, Intel Arrow Lake misses the target they wanted it to hit, and with strong competition from AMD’s Ryzen 9000-series, these aren't the best processors for gaming or content creation. But, Intel has to start somewhere as it shifts to a new platform, and it managed to produce a very different kind of chip over its predecessors without giving up too much on the performance front, which is no easy feat.
Ultimately, they're perfectly fine chips if you're buying them in a prebuilt PC or if you're coming in from 11th-gen Intel or older (or making the move from AMD), since you'll have to buy all-new kit anyway, so you might as well set yourself up for Nova Lake next year. But anyone with a Raptor Lake chip isn't going to see any real benefit from these, so they're better off waiting for Nova Lake in 2025 to make the jump.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K are available now in the US, UK, and Australia, priced at $589 / £548.99 / AU$1,099 and $309 / £289.99 / AU$589, respectively.
While the prices for these two chips stay the same or come in slightly lower than their predecessors, which is good, there are a bunch of added costs to upgrade to these chips... which is bad. First, they require an LGA 1851 chipset, so you’re going to have to buy a new motherboard in order to use them. They also don’t support DDR4 RAM, so you’re likely going to have to buy new DDR5 RAM as well.
The LGA 1851 socket does take the same CPU coolers as an LGA 1700 socket, though, so if you have a 12th-gen or better processor, at least your cooler will fit.
Against AMD’s latest, the Core Ultra 9 285K is better priced than AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 9950X, but more expensive than the Ryzen 9 9900X. The Core Ultra 5 245K is slightly more expensive than AMD’s competing Ryzen 5 9600X.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K are newly architected desktop processors, powered by the same Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores found in the Intel Meteor Lake chips released late last year for laptops.
Intel Arrow Lake is essentially Intel Meteor Lake for desktops, and so it also features the same Intel NPU 3 13 TOPS neural processor as Meteor Lake, and the same Intel Arc Alchemist integrated GPU with four Xe cores (including four ray tracing cores) as its laptop cousin.
The max clock speeds of the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245K are slightly lower on performance cores (though with a higher base frequency) and higher across the board on the efficiency cores over the Core i9-14900K and Core i5-14600K, respectively.
The maximum amount of RAM is unchanged at 192GB, though the Core Ultra chips do not support DDR4 RAM, but they can support faster DDR5 memory up to 6,400MT/s.
Other than that, the TDP of the two Core Ultra chips is essentially unchanged from the 14th-gen chips they’re replacing, but they do have a 5°C higher TjMax (Tjunction max, which is the maximum thermal junction temperature that a processor can hit before it lowers performance to prevent overheating), so the chips won’t start to throttle until they hit 105°C.
Well, we’ve finally come to the performance segment of the review, and I wish I had better news for you, but most of you will be disappointed.
Starting with synthetic performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K is a very mixed bag vis-a-vis the Core i9-14900K and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X.
In some tests like Geekbench 6.2, the Core Ultra 9 outperforms the 14900K in single-core performance by about 8%, only to lose out by about the same in Cinebench R23’s single-core benchmark. Meanwhile, in Cinebench R23’s multi-core performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K comes in about 12% faster than the 14900K and is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X.
The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile, is effectively even with the Core i5-14600K, but fares much better in PCMark 10’s Home CPU benchmark, showing a roughly 14.5% performance boost over the 14600K and a 5.6% better showing than the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.
In terms of average creative performance, the Core Ultra 9 285K does slightly better than the 14900K but slightly worse than the Ryzen 9 9950X — it’s substantially better than the Ryzen 9 9900X, on average, however.
The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile does slightly worse, on average, than the Core i5-14600K, but comes out nearly 23% better on average than the Ryzen 5 9600X.
The gaming performance of the Core Ultra chips was easily the biggest disappointment, however, and is where these two chips really falter against Raptor Lake Refresh.
The Core Ultra 9 285K came in about 14% slower in gaming performance than the Core i9-14900K (though about 7-8% better than the Ryzen 9 9950X and Ryzen 9 9900X).
The Core Ultra 5 245K, meanwhile, came in about 9% slower than the i5-14600K, and only about 4% faster than the Ryzen 5 9600X.
Needless to say, if you’re looking for the best processor for gaming, you’ll want to look at the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or wait to see what the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D does later this year.
When all the scores are tabulated and the final averages calculated, the Core Ultra 9 285K shows slightly better multi-core performance, slightly lower single-core performance, slightly better creative performance, and much worse gaming performance against its predecessor.
The Core Ultra 5 245K is generally slower for just about everything compared to the Core i5-14600K, though it does have much better productivity performance, so this will make a great chip for affordable AIO PCs without discrete graphics.
The real disappointment with Arrow Lake, though, lies with its energy efficiency... or lack thereof. Most people don’t even need the performance of the Intel Core i9-14900K or even the Intel Core i5-14600K, so I’d be fine with lower performance if it meant that there was much less power draw, but the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245K max out at 90.5% and 93.3% of the power of their predecessors, respectively.
That’s still much too high, and at that point, you might as well just stick with Raptor Lake Refresh and undervolt the CPU.
Ultimately, given the significantly higher cost of making the switch to these processors from the LGA 1700 chips, the performance and efficiency just don’t make these compelling purchases on their own.
If you’re shopping for the best prebuilt gaming PC though, though, I won’t be too worried about picking between one with a 14th-gen chip or these new Core Ultras. You’re not going to notice the difference.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Should you buy it?
Buy the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K if...
If you haven't made the leap to the latest Intel processors, you're going to have to buy all new stuff anyway, so you might as well go for these chips and future-proof your PC for Nova Lake next year.
While the efficiency gains on these two chips aren't huge, they are more efficient, which is definitely a good thing.View Deal
Don't buy them if...
Running these chips is going to require a new motherboard at least, and likely will require you to buy new RAM as well, making these chips a substantial investment.
While the performance of these chips is great in absolute terms, they aren't any better than their predecessors, though substantially worse for gaming.
How I tested the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
When I test processors, I put them through a rigorous process that takes into account synthetic benchmarks, creative workloads, gaming performance, and more to arrive at my scores.
I use industry standard tools like Geekbench, Cinebench, and PCMark, as well as creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Blender, and Handbrake.
For gaming, I use built-in benchmarks for CPU-intensive games like Total War: Warhammer III on low graphics settings at 1080p to better isolate a CPU's impact on the game's framerates.
Finally, I make sure to use the same system for common-socket processors, the fastest RAM and SSD, and the most powerful GPU and motherboards available to maintain consistency wherever possible to ensure that CPU scores are comparable.
With each new processor I review, I retest previous processors I've reviewed in order to get updated scores for each, after installing the latest system and BIOS updates.
I've tested and retested two generations of processors more times than I can count over the last couple of years, so I am intimately familiar with how these chips perform, and my deep computer science and journalism background allows me to put all of this testing data into its proper context for consumers so they can make the right choice when shopping for a new processor.
Like the heavily memed girl in the Old El Paso advert, high-end audio company Noble wants to say something with its new FoKus Apollo over-ear headphones: “why not both?”.
The new Noble FoKus Apollo are the first headphones to combine two different types of audio technology under the same band: dynamic and planar magnetic drivers, which should give audiophiles cause for interest. They’re also Noble’s first headphones too, marking a shift from its high-end wireless earbuds and wired in-ear monitors.
To boil down tech jargon, planar magnetic drivers are the current trend in personal audio; fragile, expensive and fantastic-sounding, they’ve recently begun cropping up in some of the best headphones, and in (or on) audiophiles’ ears.
Dynamic drivers are the stalwarts that the planar magnets have been replacing: these are reliable, hardy and relatively inexpensive, but are old news to audio fans who have been queuing up to get planar magnetic devices (as proven by the FoKus Apollo appearing as out of stock in plenty of stores I checked).
(Image credit: Future)
Opposites come together in the Noble FoKus Apollo, and from a sound perspective it shows – in a good way. These headphones sound fantastic, with a detailed sound stage, high quality audio and lovely balance that provides an enticing neutral sound. I enjoyed using the Apollo so much for their audio chops that I started wearing them for movies, TV shows, meetings, games and just about anything else that requires my ears.
Sound is clearly the focus of the FoKus (I had to do that once, okay?) with the feature set otherwise pretty limited. The noise cancellation is sufficient to take the edge off annoying noises but I could still hear the rumble of buses or thump of heavy rain on windows more than with some other products I’ve tested, so they won't be joinging our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones any time soon. And there’s no built-in microphone, although an attachable one comes in the Apollo’s box.
The box is pretty jam-packed actually, with Noble giving you a carry case and an assortment of cables, adaptors and extras. You can’t fault the company for offering value for your money.
The battery life of the FoKus Apollo is perhaps even more impressive than its audio chops, with 60 hours of ANC-on listening time or 80 hours of ANC-off playback doubling many other rivals on the market.
My personal low point during my testing of the Apollo was when someone commented how nerdy the headphones looked when worn – audiophiles might be used to this but they’re not a chic as other options on the market. However the low point for most people might be a bit earlier than that – at the checkout.
The Noble FoKus Apollo are extremely expensive headphones, outstripping plenty of rivals, and even with the value added by extra cables and tools in the box they’re impossible to justify for audiophiles on a budget.
If you think your purse or wallet can handle them, though, these are fantastic headphones that blow most of their rivals out of the water for sound quality alone.
Noble FoKus Apollo: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released in September 2024
Costs $649 / £589 / AU$999
The Noble FoKus Apollo are not a cheap pair of headphones by any means. You have to shell out $649 / £589 / AU$999 to pick up a pair, which makes these some decidedly premium cans.
It’s worth noting that the price includes extras like a carry case, 3.5mm cord, USB-C cable, several adaptors and a plug-in microphone, so Noble isn’t exactly ripping you off here.
Noble unveiled the FoKus Apollo in the back half of 2024; the headphones seem to be on sale in various regions around the world, either from Noble’s website or from third-party stores, though in some places they’re sold out.
Noble FoKus Apollo review: Specs
Noble FoKus Apollo: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Limited in-app feature set
Midweight ANC
Fantastic battery life
To use the Noble FoKus Apollo, you can download the Noble FoKus smartphone app – I say ‘can’ because I only downloaded it towards the end of my testing period, and it didn’t add anything to the experience. You can easily use the Apollo without it.
It does give me a handy shopping list of features to run through, though. First up there’s an equalizer, offering 10-band customization for people who know their way around an EQ tab, and six presets for those who don’t (which, to my ears, sounded very similar).
Next is ANC, which can be toggled between on, off or ambient mode. The Apollo’s noise cancellation is decent, but it’s far from industry-leading, so while it stripped away the majority of background sounds it did always leave a little background hum that other buds and headphones I’ve tested would remove. If background sound was a cheesecake, the Apollo would be skipping that crumbly biscuit base.
The app lets you toggle EQ, ANC, the tone switch for when you adjust settings on the headphones and… not a lot else. It’s a really barebones app, which doesn’t really justify its space on your phone since the EQ is the only feature which you can’t play with on the headphones themselves.
(Image credit: Future)
A lightweight feature set isn’t something to get too heartbroken about, as these are clearly headphones designed with an audio focus.
A ‘missing’ feature is the ability to take calls, as the FoKus Apollo don’t have a microphone built in (something I discovered the hard way: in a group meeting when I couldn’t figure out why people couldn’t hear me). A microphone comes in the box that you can connect to the headphone to mitigate this loss, but some might not like the fashion statement that this provides if worn in public.
Curiously, Noble’s product listing details seem to imply that there’s a microphone, but I conducted several tests in different apps (yes, with the microphone toggled) and the Apollo could only pick up audio if the external microphone was connected.
Thankfully the great battery life ensures that you can enjoy that audio for long periods of time: 80 hours, to be exact (though if you listen with ANC that drops to a still-impressive 60 hours). Given that 30 hours is considered the average lasting power by TechRadar’s staff, that’s a really fantastic figure.
Features score: 3.5/5
Noble FoKus Apollo review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Comfortable pads but heavy build
Loads of buttons and ports
Divisive looks
The Noble FoKus Apollo look more refined than your average headphones: the comfy padded band, the shiny metal pads with soft leather pads, and thin bands connecting it all make them look as much like an art piece as some headphones. They're also a bit bulkier than many other headphones on the market.
This appearance covers up some flexibility issues though. While the cups can rotate around 180 degrees along the X axis (as in, they can face you or face away from you when on your head), they don’t move around much on the Y axis (as in, they can’t point down or up much, a move which is useful for catering to different head shapes). You also can’t fold up the cans, beyond the band length with some retractable space.
Premium materials ensure that the Apollo feels comfortable to wear, if your head ensures you’re not affected by the flexibility problems, though long periods of listening may bring aches because of the weight of the cans.
Each of the cans bears an orchestra of ports and buttons, which you’ll take a while getting used to. The left can has a microphone mute slider, a USB-C charging port and a 3.5mm jack (for the microphone), while the right can has an ANC toggle, another 3.5mm port, a volume rocker and a power button.
(Image credit: Future)
I couldn’t find information about an IP rating for the Apollo, so I’d recommend caution when using them in potentially-harmful watery environments. Saying that, they survived a pretty heavy rainstorm around my neck.
Due to the thin areas of band and the delicate internals, I always considered the Apollo to be quite fragile during testing, and treated them accordingly – I can’t say for sure whether these things are more susceptible to damage than alternatives, but I made sure to keep them in their case when possible just to be sure!
The one and only color for the FoKus Apollo is gray, as you can see in the image, which has areas of silver and black as well.
One thing I’d be remiss not to flag is the look of the Apollo when on one’s head – they look, for lack of a better word, a bit dweeby (something which was pointed out to me multiple times, making the descriptor 'divisive' feel apt). On all but the biggest heads the cans look huge too, so if you care about your looks and social standing, it’s something to bear in mind.
Design score: 3/5
Noble FoKus Apollo review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
Expansive sound stage
Mostly well balanced
Performs wonderfully at high volumes
The Noble FoKus Apollo sound amazing. I know, I know, stop the presses: premium headphones that sound great. I’m sure you’re shocked.
As mentioned in the introduction, the Apollo combines a 14.5mm planar magnetic hybrid driver with a 40mm dynamic one, with the combination of both working in tandem to deliver beautifully balanced audio.
To me, the best part of the FoKus Apollo’s audio offering is the dramatic sound stage, spreading out instruments in a wide arch around you. Listening to songs, you could almost point to where each band member or quartet performer was around you, and the soundstage helps you pick out background instruments that you might not necessarily hear on cheaper headphones.
With such a fantastic sound stage, it’s almost a shame that Noble hasn’t included support for Dolby Atmos or other official surround-sound alternatives for movie and TV streaming, to help you enjoy videos as much as you can music.
(Image credit: Future)
Audio tuning is lovely and balanced in the Apollo. Treble is sparkling and sensibly handled while mids, often overlooked in headphones, keep their head above water in the mix with a pronounced sound. For the most part bass is just as strong but I did find it falling just a tad quiet in the mix on occasion; it’s not something that all listeners will mind but I’d imagine dedicated bass fans will feel it. It depended on the song too and some tweaking with the equalizer can mostly offset it.
Unlike many other sonically-impressive headphones and earbuds, I didn’t have any volume troubles with the FoKus Apollo. They can go louder than I cared to test and I didn’t hear any peaking or distorting when I was at the upper limit of my comfort.
Audio fans will enjoy the Apollo’s compatibility with a range of codecs that includes LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and SBC. Unlike with most other headphones, Noble’s app doesn’t let you change the settings for these various codecs though.
Wired audio purists will also enjoy the versatility that the Apollo offers: you can use it entirely as a pair of wired cans if you prefer. As mentioned before the box has a 3.5mm cable as well as adaptors for ¼-inch and 4.4mm jacks so you’re sorted for a range of devices.
Sound quality: 5/5
Noble FoKus Apollo review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Prohibitively expensive for many buyers
In-box peripherals and case add value
Do $649 / £589 / AU$999 headphones really present value for money? It’s hard to make the argument that they do because no matter how incredibly the sound quality is, you can still pick up great-sounding cans for a fifth of the price.
Noble does its best to tip the scales, to its credit. The inclusion of a hardy carry case and loads of useful extra cables and adaptors does ensure that you don’t need to spend a cent more on your audio purchase.
I can’t imagine headphones that sound this good costing less, but money-conscious buyers can easily save by settling on audio quality.
Value: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Noble FoKus Apollo?
Buy them if…
You use multiple audio players The range of supported codecs and in-box adaptors makes the Apollo wonderfully versatile for a range of audio devices and apps.
You need a long-lasting battery Turn ANC off and you get 80 hours of listening time - that's over 3 days straight! It's a perfect companion for long journeys..
Don’t buy them if…
You're on a budget In no universe are the FoKus Apollos budget headphones, so if you don't want to break the bank, look elsewhere.
Audio quality isn't your top feature Audio quality isn't always the most important aspect of headphones, and if you won't notice the bells and whistles of the Apollo, you don't need to pay for it..
Noble FoKus Apollo review: Also consider
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 review We gave 5 stars to these B&W cans in our review. They cost just a touch more than the Apollo, sound fantastic and have a similar build to the Noble – but they look more expensive.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones For less than the FoKus Apollo you can pick up these great-sounding headphones that have phenomenal ANC and a lightweight body. You'll make a small compromise on sound-quality, but if that's not your main priority they're a great alternative.
The Noble FoKus Apollo enjoyed a four-week testing period, enough to put them through their paces in some rigorous tests. I mainly used the headphones while connected to an Android phone over Bluetooth but I also tested them alongside an iPad and a Windows computer via Bluetooth and 3.5mm cables.
I tested the Apollo in a range of environments including my office, home, coffee shops, on buses and coaches, and also on walks around my neighborhood. As I mentioned before I mainly used them for audio streaming but used them on my iPad to stream basically the entire run of Shogun and a few movies.
I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for five and a half years now, including having tested countless headphones and earbuds.
This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:
US: Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker, Oven, and Air Fryer SFP701B UK: Ninja Combi 12-in-1 Multi-Cooker, Oven & Air Fryer SFP700UK
For this review, I tested the UK version. There are minor differences between different countries' models – see specs section for a comparison.
The Ninja Combi is a billed as an all-in-one multi-cooker that can be used like an oven, an air fryer, or even a stovetop (hob). In fact, it offers an intimidating range of modes beyond those, but the headline here is that it has a steam function, which can be used on its own or as part of any of three 'Combi' settings, which combine steaming (for moisture and tenderness) with another cooking mode. It's also designed to be able to cook complete meals – protein, carb, veggies – quickly, and all in one go.
It's sized like a tall microwave, with a sideways-opening door and two internal trays. Inside the cooking cavity, there are heating elements at the top and bottom, and a convection fan at the back to circulate the hot air.
In practice, figuring out sheer number of modes and which one to use for what can be intimidating. There are 12 different options on the UK version I tested, and even more if you're in the US. I suspect that once you've spent a bit of time using the Combi, it'll become clearer which mode suits what meal.
In my tests, the standalone modes all worked efficiently, with expected results. I was especially impressed with the air fryer mode, which got my veggie sausages hot all the way through and nicely browned in double-quick time. It took a little more trial and error to work out the more unusual Combi Meals mode, especially with regards to timings if you're straying away from the set menus in the provided meal booklet. The ability to add steam is unusual, but it does help keep things moist – although the Combi will emit a lot of steam in these modes, so you'll need to put it in a well-ventilated spot.
Aside from the complications that come with navigating all the modes, the Combi is very well designed and straightforward to use. The button controls require no explanation (the giant switch that you flip to shift from standard modes to ones with steam is unnecessary but kind of satisfying). The display offers up useful information, including letting you know when preheating is finished, and alerting you if you've forgotten to add the water tray for steam cooking. There are also some genuinely helpful touches, like how the inside light will come on in the final minute of cooking in some modes.
At $229.99 / £279.99, it's up there with the most expensive options in our best air fryer guide, but this does a lot more than just air fry. While it's not cheap, I actually think it's decent value for money (in the US at least), given the wide range of functions and high build quality. That's the short version; read on for my full Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker review.
The Ninja Combi launched in spring 2024, and is currently available in the US and the UK. You can buy direct from SharkNinja, or via various third party retailers.
At time of writing, in the US when you buy direct from Ninja the Combi comes bundled with accessories like a compatible baking pan, Dutch oven and cooking utensils. The list price is $229.99. In the UK, the list price is £279.99, with no accessories bundled in. That's noticeably more expensive than the US option.
Based on TechRadar's price bands, we'd consider anything over $250 / £200 to be a premium air fryer, but this is a slightly different prospect because it offers such a wide selection of functions on top of just air frying.
In the US I think it's really very good value for money, but it's less so in the UK. I'd probably recommend waiting for a discount if you're shopping in the UK – I've seen it drop to £249.99 in the process of writing this review, and I hope more discounts will be in the pipeline when this model gets a little older (the Black Friday sales can be an especially good time to shop for small appliances).
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Ninja Combi specs
Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker review: design
Cool, curvy shape, opens sideways via a chunky handle
Space for two internal trays
Large, intuitive button control panel, plus SmartSwitch
The Ninja Combi looks like kind of like a tiny, curvy oven with a control panel stuck to the front. The door opens sideways, and cooking trays slot into the cavity. You can fit two of these in at once. The cavity is, apparently, large enough to fit a 6lb chicken or a 10-inch pizza.
With the UK version I tested, there was a baking tray, crisper plate (with cutouts) and deep, ceramic-coated 'Combi Pan' included. It's not terribly clear what's included with the US version – the 'What you'll get list' just specifies a baking pan and Dutch oven with glass lid, but I'd expect there to be a crisper plate included too, because how are gonna air fry without one of those? These plates and pans are dishwasher-safe.
(Image credit: Future)
The control panel uses buttons rather than a touchscreen. There are separate up and down arrows for temperature, time and cooking function. There's also a general on switch, a start/stop button, and a lightbulb that enables you to illuminate the inside of the Combi when you want to check on progress. A small, illuminated LED display provides information.
Those are the less exciting controls. The cool bit is the SmartSwitch on the top right of the Combi. If it's pointing upwards, the appliance is in Combi Cooker mode, and if it's pointing sideways, it's in Air Fry / Hob mode. The position of the switch will determine which of the options on the main display panel are available for selection. As such, it's in no way necessary to the function of the cooker, but it is satisfyingly chunky and very flickable.
If the switch is up, you can select any of the Combi cooking modes; if the switch is sideways, you can select the regular cooking modes (Image credit: Future)
The exact modes offered by the Combi depends on your territory, but you can rest assured that both the US and UK versions have covered plenty of bases. Here's a run-down:
Extra US version modes: Toast, Pizza, and Sous Vide
If you use any of the 'Combi' modes, you need to add water to the deep Combi Cooker pan. This will create steam in the cooking chamber. If you use it in Steam, Rice/Pasta or Proof (Prove) modes, it'll keep the food moist and prevent it from drying out. On the Ninja website, it also states that this steaming function can also be used to safely and rapidly thaw frozen food – useful if your meal planning abilities, like mine, leave something to be desired. However, there's no dedicated Defrost mode.
If you use the Combi Multi-Cooker in any of the modes prefaced by 'Combi', the appliance will combine the steam function with another cooking mode, for results that are moist yet crispy. That's my understanding, anyway - it's surprisingly hard to make sense of.
The 'Air Fry' modes are more self-explanatory, although the name itself is baffling, because Ninja is just using it to mean 'modes that don't include steam'.
The Combi offers a wide range of cooking modes, accessed via the control panel (Image credit: Future)
My review model came with a recipe booklet that helped demystify things somewhat – if I hadn't have had that, I'd have been lost. This booklet is also downloadable online (via a QR code on a sticker on the Combi) along with videos and other information. Other appliances I've used add this kind of thing to an app, but I'm very happy not to have to download yet another thing to my phone to use the Combi.
The companion booklet is very useful, and there's also plenty of info available online (Image credit: SharkNinja)
On the UK model I tested, the temperature officially ranges from 120C to a generous 230C. It'll actually go lower for proving / proofing – it kicks in at an automatic 35C in that mode. You can set cooking durations up to a hour and 15 minutes, although if you're cooking above 200C, you can only cook for 30 minutes.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker review: performance
Combi modes require trial and error, but yield good results
Air fry mode is excellent, and other 'standard' modes all work well
Emits a lot of steam, and condensation tray can't be easily emptied
Let's start with a general look at how usable the Combi is. You can fit plenty of things inside, with the stacked trays making the most of the internal space. Ninja says it can cater a meal for eight, and while that seems a touch optimistic, I'd be confident cooking for four to six. It's not too noisy in use, although the bleeping did throw me off a bit. It'll sometimes emit what sounds to me like a 'you've done something wrong' bleep, but is actually an 'everything's fine' bleep.
The display is great for providing all the basic information you need. So when it's preheating, it'll say PRE, and when the cooking is all done, it'll say END. There's no guessing as to what's going on and no need to consult an app to check on progress. When you switch it off, it bids you BYE. It'll also tell you when it's time to add food, and if you try and launch a steam mode without the Combi Pan in its slot, it'll sense that and give you an error message.
You can switch the light on/off manually, can it'll come on automatically for the last minute of cooking (Image credit: Future)
I like the fact there's a light to see inside the cooking chamber, although its positioning means that if there are two trays in there, you'll only be able to see the top one. The light will switch on automatically when the door is open, and sometimes (I couldn't work out a pattern) for the last minute of cooking, too.
The control panel is self-explanatory and very easy to use. The most challenging bit of figuring out which setting you need. I also appreciate that you can reset the timer mid-cook, if you see that things are going to take longer than you'd initially predicted. The Combi will come up with suggested temperatures and times for each mode, and you can adjust up or down from there.
Condensation will build up when the Combi is preparing to use any of the 'Combi' cooking modes (Image credit: Future)
In steam cooking modes, the Combi takes a few minutes to get the steam going before it starts cooking. During this time, dashes appear on the display, and the Combi emits a very quiet grumbling. Initially it can seem like nothing is happening, but after a while condensation will start to appear on the inside of the glass door. Once it's nice and steamy, the actual cooking will kick in (noticeably noisier than heat-up, but not overly loud in general) and the timer will start.
It's worth flagging that in any of the modes that include steaming (and a few of the others, too) the Combi emits a lot of steam from a vent on the right of the machine - far more than I get with my regular air fryer. You will want to make sure it's positioned somewhere well-ventilated, or near an extractor fan. Ninja is clearly aware of this because it's addressed in the troubleshooting section of the guide booklet, where it makes it clear it's normal and expected.
(Image credit: Future)
The steam that doesn't escape condenses on the inside of the viewing window. Ninja has added a little channel where water can collect, so your worktop doesn't end up soaked. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to empty it. After every few uses, I'd have to dip a dry cloth in, let it soak up some liquid, carefully wring it out, then repeat until dry. Not ideal.
This channel quickly fills up with condensed water, and there's no way to easily empty it (Image credit: Future)
Combi cooking modes
One of the USPs here is the ability to 'combi' cook. There are three dedicated Combi modes, and it's not immediately clear what the difference is between them. These are the 'best for' suggestions for each, as per Ninja's accompanying recipe booklet:
Combi Meals: cooking proteins, grains / pasta and vegetables at the same time
I think the Meals option is when you're cooking different elements at the same time, the Crisp is for things you want to turn out crispy, and the Bake is for when you want things to turn out soft.
I started by testing the Combi Meals mode. Broadly, the process is: your carb (rice or pasta) goes in the Combi Pan with water, your protein goes on the Bake Tray, which slots in above. In the final 6-7 minutes of cooking, you can add any veggies you want to steam into the Combi Pan alongside the carb.
In the recipe booklet, there are suggestions like salmon with brown rice and steamed broccoli, or tomato pasta with meatballs. I decided to make brown rice, veggie meatballs, steamed courgette and leek, and roasted tomatoes.
Your rice or pasta goes in the bottom tray with water, while your protein goes on the top tray (Image credit: Future)
I was at a bit of a loss as to how long to cook it for or at what temperature. There is a guide in the recipe booklet, but I needed to adjust both the quantities and rice type (they specify 'easy cook'; I only had regular). The booklet suggests setting the cooking time based on the protein, that clearly wasn't going to work here.
In the end, the balls and tomatoes ended up cooking way quicker than the rice, and I had to take that tray out and extend the rice cooking time. I also had to add more water as the rice had dried out.
Vegetables to be steamed are added later in the cooking process (Image credit: Future)
All of this to say, figuring out combination meal timings is tricky, and I suspect will take some trial and error. It's more straightforward with something like the Ninja Double Stack air fryer, where you can set different temperatures and durations for each drawer, and leave the appliance to figure out when to switch each one on so they're done at the same time. But that's a regular air fryer, so you'd be sacrificing the steaming possibilities.
Timing mishaps aside, I was pretty impressed with the results of the Combi Meals setting. The veggie balls ended up evenly browned and crispy on the outside, and the tomatoes roasted up nicely. The rice and veggies were tender and slightly crispy on top. I guess if you want to avoid any crispiness, you want to just use the steam mode.
Other functions
During my review period, I also tested out the Combi's other functions, and I didn't have any issues with any of them. I used the bake function for a range of heating-up tasks, and it performed reliably well. I'd like to give a special shout-out to the dedicated Air Fry mode, too. With other multi-cookers I've tested, this function has been a let-down (leading me to suspect that 'air fry' has just been added to the list because it's a buzz-word in cooking right now, rather than it being something the appliance has been designed for). That was not the case with the Combi.
(Image credit: Future)
It took my veggie sausages from frozen to cooked at least as quickly as my dedicated air fryer – despite the fact that the cooking cavity here is larger. They were hot through and browned evenly on the outside. I'd have no qualms recommending this model to someone for whom air frying was a particular priority.
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker?
Buy it if...
You regularly make meat + veg + carb meals The Combi function is designed for you to be able to check off these three elements all in one appliance, rather than having to crack out, say, a hob, grill, and steamer.
You want to be able to steam food The point of difference here compared to an air fryer or big oven is that there's a dedicated steam function, which is great for vegetables.
You've had your eye on an air fryer but are short on space The Combi's air fryer mode is excellent, so if you've been lusting after one of those but don't have the space to justify a single-function appliance, it could be a great choice. The wide range of functions, including proof/prove, grill/broil, steam, and slow cook let you explore different cooking styles, without compromising on the essentials.
Don't buy it if...
Your kitchen lacks ventilation In any of the Combi cooking modes, the Combi emits quite a lot of steam. It really needs to go near a window, or at least an extractor fan.
You want minimal effort Cooking different food types at once does require a bit of figuring out. A dual-basket air fryer, which lets you cook foods at different temperatures and will sync up the timings for you, is less fiddly.
Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker review: also consider
Not sure if the Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker is right for you? Here are a couple of alternatives to consider.
Samsung Combi Smart Microwave oven This multi-cooker adds microwave functionality to the list, and boasts a sleek, minimalist look. There's smart control via a companion app, and the option to instruct it via voice assistant too. However, it's nowhere near as efficient at air frying as the Ninja Combi, and while the capacity is technically larger, you don't have shelves to maximize use of the space. It's also UK-only.
Ninja Double Stack It's a dedicated air fryer so you won't get the wide range of cooking style options, but the Double Stack is arguably better suited to cooking two things at once. You can set individual temperatures and cooking durations for each drawer, and use the sync function so the machine will work out timings so both are ready simultaneously.
I tried out the various different cooking mode options
I compared the results to my dedicated air fryer and oven
I used the Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker regularly for a week before writing up this review, testing it on everything from bread, to ready-made pie, to veggie sausages. I assessed the results in terms of texture, evenness of cooking, and browning (if relevant). I also compared the results and timings to what I'd expect using my usual method of cooking, be that a dedicated air fryer, oven, or stovetop.
To test the 'Combi' functions, I used the Combi to cook variations of the kinds of meals suggested in the companion booklet – i.e. those that feature a rice/pasta, vegetable, and protein component. I judged how well it cooked each of those individual elements, and if the steam function made a difference to the texture of the results.
I also considered how straightforward and intuitive the controls were, if there were any features I felt were confusing or missing, as well as maintenance aspects such as how easy it was to clean.
After an entire year as my fitness companion, PUSH Workout & Gym Tracker has become an indispensable part of my training regime. PUSH is the brainchild of fitness influencer and YouTuber Joe Delaney, and is designed to do one thing extremely well. It’s an app made to help you build muscle as quickly as possible, using AI-powered workout routines, strict exercise tracking, and measured progressive overload.
The first thing you notice about PUSH is its sleek and well-built interface. Workout and fitness apps can often be a cacophony of bright colors, images, text, and numbers everywhere, but not so with PUSH. You can tell that real effort has gone into the user interface and the experience of using the app. The fonts, menus, and icons are all well-thought-out, spacious yet comprehensive. There are just a few colors set against the white background, a traffic-light system helps signal progress, PBs, and plateaus at just a glance.
When using PUSH for the first time, you’ll be asked to generate a workout plan. Plans are flexible, but range between three and six sessions a week. You also get to pick your preferred split (gym lingo for your sequence of training sessions), choosing between either "full-body" sessions or "push-pull-legs". The latter is more familiar to most gymgoers, but the former is the most optimal split, with muscles grouped together to minimize crossover fatigue.
You’ll also be asked about your sleep and stress levels, training experience, and muscles to focus, before finally the level of equipment available to you. You can even substitute certain exercises from your plan before you start, and over time the app will make recommendations if you generate new plans, so as increasing or decreasing your workout frequency. The plan generation software is really simple and easy to use, so you always feel like you get the right program for you.
Once you’ve got your program, it’s time to get started. You can view upcoming workouts and scroll between days to see what’s on the agenda, giving you a nice overview of how the week is panning out. You’ll probably be surprised to find a pretty diverse mix of exercises over the course of your week. You’ll often find yourself training legs, back, shoulders, chest, arms, core, and more on the same day or together in ways you might not expect, but it’s all part of the optimization process at the heart of PUSH. A bit unfamiliar at first, I’ve definitely felt the benefits of switching up my training routine and spreading the load more evenly across different muscle groups.
(Image credit: Future / PUSH )
Workouts are broken down into phases, so you’ll start with a strength phase of high-weight, low-reps, with three or more minutes of rest. Then you move on to stabilized compounds like lateral pulldowns, before ending with a pump phase of lower weight, higher reps, and reduced rest. For each exercise, you’ll get very clearly marked target weights and reps, and you simply tick the box by tapping on it with your thumb to mark off a set and start your rep timer. You can manually adjust the entries if you fall short of your target reps, or you lift more weight than listed in the app.
Over time, the AI will track your progress, and it'll eventually suggest a new weight or an increased number of reps. This will become clearer over time as you use the app, but it’s highly motivating and gives you an amazing sense of progress. If you stall, it’ll recommend a "plateau breaker" exercise, or you can attempt the exercise again. You can also switch out exercises on the fly during workouts, too.
The app presents progress over your last seven days, highlighting muscles that are likely growing or stalling, which can help you refocus your efforts as you exercise. Each exercise is accompanied by a helpful animated guide video, although beginners might find the lack of instructions a bit daunting.
There are a couple of quirks to using PUSH. I don’t love that there’s no volume control for the rest timer. It’s tied to the volume of your music (at least on iPhone), so the louder your music or podcast, the louder the beep at the end of your rest period. The AI also isn’t infallible; recently I plateaued at a 100kg bench press, and the AI suggested I try a plateau breaker of 1002.5 kg, instead of 102.5kg.
It feels unfair to mark the app down for only serving one purpose, however, prospective users should be aware that PUSH is only tailored towards building muscle mass in the gym. You won’t find any Pilates, mobility, cardio, or any other discipline here: this is purely strength-based. The only other possible drawback is the price: at $89.99 / £89.99 / AU$144.99 , the yearly subscription is a big commitment, and some people might find the monthly cost too much to stomach compared to the price of, say, Apple Fitness Plus or Fitbod.
Generally, however, the app has been a joy to use in the 12 months that I’ve been a customer and is well worth the financial investment. And there’s more to come, creator Delaney has teased changes coming to the app on his Instagram, so there’s never been a better time to get on board with what is undoubtedly one of the best fitness apps on the market.
Push: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
The Push app is available globally on Apple’s App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android. There’s a brief free trial available, after which you’ll pay $89.99/£89.99/$AU$144.99 a year or $15.49/£14.99/AU$23.49 a month to use it.
Push: Specifications
(Image credit: Future / PUSH)
Push: Scorecard
Push: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy if it...
You want to build muscle in the gym
This is one of the purest fitness apps on the market for building muscle mass.
You want a structured workout tracker with progressive overload
PUSH excels at tracking your workout progress and keeping you focused during sessions.
Don't buy it if...
You want a free or cheap workout app
PUSH is more expensive than other options on the market.
You want a fitness app for anything other than muscle-building
PUSH does not include any other type of exercise or nutrition guidance.
Also consider
Fitbod
A pocket personal trainer with huge range of exercises that caters to all skill levels.
Slightly cheaper, Apple Fitness Plus features a more diverse array of content with a focus on guided video classes, with disciplines including Pilates, Kickboxing, Yoga, and more.
How I tested
I’ve paid to use PUSH for one year, and have used it six times a week every week for the last 12 months. I’ve generated multiple fresh plans to follow, and have used its features over the course of an entire year by performing a daily workout with the help of the app. All of my testing was done on an iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Most keyboards tend to be fairly sedate affairs – even the most brightly lit RGB-infused board typically comes with plain black keys – and those that sport interesting designs are often constrained to the costly realms of enthusiast DIY builders. The Logitech POP Icon Keys breaks that trend. It boasts a range of beautiful designs that will turn heads and catch the eye; if you’re tired of uninspired keyboards limiting your choices, it’s definitely worth a look.
In terms of typing feel, there are no mechanical switches here, but you still get a speedy, comfortable experience. The slightly dished keys are easy to find by touch and they’re mostly quiet, although the space bar can be annoyingly loud and rattly.
There are a few other notable drawbacks. You can’t adjust the typing angle as the included stand is fixed in place, andit also has some issues with ghosting, where keys aren’t always registered when you’re pressing several at once.
If you don’t mind those issues, though, the POP Icon Keys is fairly priced at $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD) and, with its bold and bright looks, brings something a little different to the table.
Logitech POP Icon Keys: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $49.99 / £49.99 / $99.95 AUD
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Logitech POP Icon Keys costs $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD). That feels very reasonable considering its unique looks and handy features. The POP Icon Keys is available at the Logitech official website or from third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.
Logitech POP Icon Keys: Design
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
Let’s be honest: a keyboard can look as pretty as a picture, but the way it feels will trump appearance any day of the week. So, what’s it like to actually use the POP Icon Keys?
More often than not, it’s a positive experience. The low-profile keycaps are concave and slightly textured, which makes them easy to feel by touch. The keys don’t use mechanical switches, but they’re comfortable to use and slightly soft on the way down, albeit without any hint of sponginess.
This keyboard is designed for the workplace, and that means you get a quiet typing experience – for the most part. While the majority of its keys are quietly audible without being distracting, the space bar is noticeably loud and slightly rattly. In terms of sound, it’s the only egregious part of this keyboard, but it’s worth noting.
When it comes to appearances, Logitech has knocked it out of the park. My review unit came in the “off white and orange” colorway, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. The orange legends stand out pleasingly well against the white keycaps, with the action buttons (I’ll come back to those in the Performance section) contrasting well with the surrounding keys. It’s a well thought out color scheme that will look great on your desk. Logitech also offers a few other color options, all of which look attractive.
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
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(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
The downside of the design is that the key legends are simply printed onto the keycaps. This means that they will start to rub off over time, especially if you use the POP Icon Keys a lot. It probably won’t happen right away, but it’s something to consider. The printed legends also mean there’s no backlighting, which makes the board a little harder to use in a dark room.
Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the typing angle. Logitech has put a bar on the underside of the keyboard that acts as a stand, but there’s no way to raise or lower it. The default angle is fairly comfortable, but I’d have liked to have been able to raise it a bit higher.
Logitech has used a compact layout for the POP Icon Keys, with the arrow keys smushed under the Enter button instead of off to the side. Finding the Home and End keys in their new location takes a little getting used to (my regular keyboard has a tenkeyless layout), but it’s otherwise a good way to save space on your desk.
I know it’s not designed for gaming, but it’s worth pointing out that the POP Icon Keys isn’t great here. The Option/Start and Command/Alt keys are very close together -- in fact, the former is positioned where you might normally expect to find the latter -- so you can end up accidentally opening the Start menu during games. You should disable this key in software before you start gaming (unfortunately, you can’t do this in Options+ so you will need a different app).
Logitech POP Icon Keys: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
The Logi Options+ companion app gives you tons of control over setting up shortcuts and macros and then binding them to the keyboard’s buttons. You can assign shortcuts to the Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys (known as the “action keys”), as well as the brightness controls and F4 to F12 in the function row. These shortcuts can be used to control system settings or launch combinations of actions, and there are even app-specific controls that will do different things depending on which app you’re using. It’s all very well done and pretty powerful.
The POP Icon Keys can switch between three different devices, and doing so is fast and simple thanks to the dedicated buttons in the function row. It works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android. Helpfully, the keys are printed with legends for both Windows and macOS.
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(Image credit: Logitech)
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(Image credit: Logitech)
As for connectivity, you can hook the board up to your computer using Bluetooth. There’s no wired option or wired charging – it’s batteries only. Speaking of which, the POP Icon Keys uses two AAA batteries to keep it juiced up. These are included with the keyboard, and Logitech says you’ll get three years of life out of them.
After doing some testing, it became apparent that the keyboard has a few issues with ghosting. When holding down, say, four keys on one side of the keyboard, pressing buttons on the other side sometimes would not register. It’s probably fairly unlikely that you’ll be pressing any five keys at once, but ideally you want what’s called “n-key rollover,” which means you can press any number of keys at once and they’ll all register. Clearly that’s not the case here.
Should you buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys?
(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
Buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys if…
You want an eye-catching keyboard
Logitech has several attractive designs for the POP Icon Keys, and any one of them will look great on your desk.View Deal
You value long battery life
Instead of an internal rechargeable battery, the POP Icon Keys uses alkaline cells instead. That gives it extra-long battery life without needing to plug it in.View Deal
You like customizable buttons
Many of this device’s keys are customizable in the Logi Options+ app, giving you extra controls that can be tailored to your needs.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
Ergonomics are important to you
The POP Icon Keys’ typing angle cannot be adjusted and felt a little low to me. If you don’t like it, there’s not a lot you can do to change it.View Deal
You’re a gamer
Let’s be honest, this is not a gaming keyboard, and you won’t find any gaming-specific features here.View Deal
You want n-key rollover
In my testing, I noticed some keys wouldn’t register when several others were pressed at the same time. If that’s a problem for you, look for keyboards that feature n-key rollover.View Deal
Logitech POP Icon Keys: Also consider
Razer Huntsman Mini
The Razer Huntsman Mini is definitely a more gaming-oriented keyboard, with its excellent optical switches and extra features like Razer’s Snap Tap. It’s also our pick for the best mini keyboard. You can pick one up for $69.99 (£119.99 or $219.95 AUD) on Razer’s website.
The Yunzii AL71 is another compact keyboard that’s wowed us. It lacks the POP Icon Keys’ programmable buttons, but in return you get a solid build, tons of customizability, and mechanical switches that make for a superb typing experience.
I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys by using it to type articles, play games and browse the internet. I tried it on both Windows and macOS and used its Logi Options+ app to create shortcuts and assign them to different keys.
The Tribit StormBox 2 is a cheap, hard-wearing Bluetooth speaker that's designed to deliver 360-degree sound for not much cash. The next-generation upgrade from 2018’s StormBox, it’s a pocket-sized portable speaker that sports unassuming looks and extreme levels of volume and battery life.
The Tribit StormBox 2 very much colors inside of the lines when it comes to design. It apes the near-cylindrical form factor of many of its rivals in the portable speaker space, even echoing the drop-resistant end caps and rubberized buttons that you’ll find on many speakers at the more affordable end of the market. Fortunately, this does make it rugged enough for use in the great outdoors; it will see off drops and dings, while its IPX7 water-resistance means it survived a minute-long dunking in the TechRadar testing tank without any ill effects.
Given its position at the cheaper end of the market, naturally it's missing some features that you’ll find on some of the best Bluetooth speakers. The StormBox 2 doesn’t offer Wi-Fi connectivity, nor less-lossy codecs such as LDAC or ALAC, which means you won't get audiophile-grade sound here.
Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised by the Tribit’s performance. Playing BlackEye by Allie X, the speaker did a great job of representing her vocals and those synthy stings, while that saw-toothed bassline delivers plenty of teeth. Given its frequency range only stretches as low as 70Hz though, it does lose a little presence in its low end – and, like many cheaper speakers, the treble can on occasion sound a little bit bright and overdriven.
On the plus side, like its less-rugged sibling, the Tribit XSound Plus 2, the StormBox 2 has some solid audio profiles that will let you polish the sound it produces and compensate for some of these weaknesses. XBass, in particular, gives everything much more oomph in the low end; I found myself increasingly just leaving it on as standard. And if you really want to get into the nitty gritty, the Tribit app offers a full nine-band EQ to allow you to tweak its sound to suit your favorite genres.
There are more features where that came from, too. One of the most noteworthy is its pairing options: you can link two StormBox 2s together, either to boost volume in party mode or to create a stereo pair, which offers decent separation and a convincing soundstage.
But perhaps the StormBox 2’s most impressive party trick is its battery life. Its stated 24-hour battery life makes the lasting power of Bluetooth speakers such as the JBL Flip 6 look ephemeral by comparison. And at lower volumes, at the 50% I regularly listened at, for example, I actually found it lasted far longer, stretching to as long as a preposterous 30 hours. This speaker has serious playing power.
Is it the best-sounding speaker on the market? Hardly. It displays some definite unevenness in the bass and treble, and the audio it produces isn’t the most detailed or expressive you’ll hear. But for its super-low price, it sounds far better than it has any right to – and the battery life alone makes it a solid investment. So, ultimately, if you’re looking to get change for $100 / £100 / AU$150, this will absolutely be your best option. If your budget can stretch further, there are far finer speakers available on our guide to the best bluetooth speakers.
(Image credit: Future)
Tribit StormBox 2 review: price & release date
Released on May 31, 2024
Retails for $67.99 / £60 / AU$129
The Tribit StormBox 2 is available now, having been released on May 31, 2024. It currently retails for the bargain price of $67.99 / £60 / AU$129 – which is cheap, even for a budget Bluetooth speaker. This is roughly comparable to the much smaller JBL Clip 5, which only has 7W of amplification compared to the StormBox 2’s 34W, so in theory you’re getting much more oomph for a very similar spend.
When it comes to purchase options, you’re limited: there aren’t any color variations on offer, so what you see here is what you get. Fortunately, what you get is very generous, considering the price you’ll pay.
Tribit StormBox 2 review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Tribit StormBox 2 review: features
Flexible sound profile and EQ options
No Wi-Fi or less lossy codecs
Insane 24+ hours battery life
The Tribit StormBox 2 possesses two 48mm full-range drivers that rock a combined power of 34W. While the 70HZ – 20KHz frequency range these drivers deliver isn’t exactly going to give you gut-punching sub bass, it’s still decent enough for such a compact unit. In addition, it's also capable of 360-degree sound – something you’ll be thankful for any time you’re listening to it in big groups.
Want even more room-filling sound? You’re in luck: you can chain several StormBox 2s together. Hit the TWS button on your connected StormBox 2 and then press the same button on a compatible Tribit speaker and they’ll form a stereo pair. Alternatively, for those more worried about achieving window-rattling volume, you can press the TWS button again and they’ll switch to a mono Party mode.
It's possible to augment the sound in other ways as well. Not only can its XBass button switch on the Tribit’s bass-boosting audio profile, but if you fire up the app, you can access four other sound modes: Audiobook, Classical, Rock and Jazz. However, those looking for granular control over their music will get the most use out of its nine-band EQ – this both lets you tweak the sound balance to your heart’s content and create your own custom profiles, something that quite a few more expensive models still lack.
Given the price, it will hardly be news that the StormBox 2 doesn’t pack the fancier features of premium Bluetooth speakers such as the Sonos Roam 2. While its connection utilizes Bluetooth 5.3, you’re out of luck for Wi-Fi connectivity or higher-res codecs such as LDAC or ALAC. And if you’re looking for the auto-tuning smarts that some high-end speakers offer, forget it: you’re never going to find it in a speaker this cheap.
Where the StormBox 2 does shine over almost any other speaker, however, is its battery life; it makes the Energizer Bunny look like a bone-idle clock-watcher. Tribit estimates the speaker will last you up to 24 hours of solid listening time. Wanting to put this to the test, I ran it for six hours at 50% volume, during which it lost less than 20% of its battery. At that rate, you could potentially eke out up to 30 hours use out of it, which is just ludicrous – even my most epic, 22-hour-long playlist wouldn’t come close to tuckering out this speaker.
Features score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Tribit StormBox 2 review: sound quality
Lush mids and rich bass – but only in XBass mode
Premium speakers offer more precision and clearer soundstage
Capable of eardrum-perforating volume
For its price, the Tribit StormBox 2 offers impressive sound. Firing up St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, I was instantly struck by how crisp and immediate the toms sounded. The richly timbred sax soars above everything, while beneath it you can still hear the piano line nice and clear, something not all speakers could have delivered so well. All in all, I have little to complain about when it comes to the middle of the mix.
As is often the case with budget Bluetooth speakers, though, the StormBox 2 does occasionally trip over itself at the high end. Sometimes, the bite of the guitars in Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way sounded a little over-keen to me, like the treble was a bit overdriven and the speaker wasn’t quite able to bring out enough of their bass tones to soften them.
This hypothesis was borne out when probing the lower frequencies the speaker could manage. Playing something with a bit of low-end heft, such as Nobody But You by George Fitzgerald, the StormBox does an admirable job of communicating the low-mids. However, when you compare it to the dynamic punch of bassier speakers such as the JBL Flip 6, everything feels a little looser in the lowest frequencies. It’s just a little too soft to have any impact, like being hit by a cotton-candy cannonball.
Fortunately, there is a way to take care of this. Flicking on XBass mode helped mitigate some of that wooliness. The kick just has a bit more punch, while the bassline resonates much more, giving the whole sound more glue, even while preserving delicate elements such as that piano line. Even though it’s lacking those under 70Hz sub tones, XBass really helps to give things more conviction and I found myself just leaving it on by default.
When putting its pairing options to the test, I was pleasantly surprised by how convincing a stereo field two linked StormBox 2’s created. Listening to my go-to stereo testing track, Manchild by Eels, there was no appreciable lag between each unit and the separation was precise. The samples were appropriately separated on each side of the mix, while the harmonizing of E’s vocals washed over me from either ear, creating a gorgeous layered effect. Not bad for $135.98 / £120 / AU$258, all in.
Despite this, comparing the whole sound to a five-star speaker such as the Sonos Roam 2, the difference between their two audio profiles was pretty clear to me. While the Tribit is undeniably punchier – at least with XBass mode on, anyway – the Sonos is far more discriminating, giving each element in the mix greater separation and breathing room. Naturally, you’d expect better poise from the Roam 2’s less lossy audio codecs, but it's worth considering the capability of a more premium speaker.
However, what the StormBox 2 lacks in finesse it more than makes up for in terms of sheer volume. For the vast majority of contexts, I found 50% volume was high enough to flood the room with confident, 360-degree sound. Cranking up the volume as high as 80% did finally start to show some ragged edges and limiting, but this was also past the level where the loudness had started to hurt my ears. In the vast majority of scenarios, this speaker is plenty loud enough without sacrificing too much in terms of quality.
Sound score: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Tribit StormBox 2 review: design
Not the most exciting design
Strap isn’t that usable
Rugged build and IPX7 waterproofing
When it comes to its looks, the Tribit StormBox 2 hardly reinvents the wheel. It’s the kind of cylindrical-ish unit with drivers either end that’s almost so familiar at this point to be a design cliche. It also features three rubberised buttons on its face – a circular play / pause and a giant volume plus and minus combo. There are no vibrant color options on offer here, either. To paraphrase the industrialist and automotive pioneer Henry Ford: "look, it comes in black – like it or lump it".
But not every speaker has to be an aesthetic revolution. And the StormBox 2 is pleasing enough: the fabric that wraps around its core feels hard-wearing yet pleasant to the touch. Thanks to its 2.72-inch (69mm) depth, it sits comfortably enough in your grip, while a weight of just 1.54lbs (699g) means it’s easy enough to carry around wherever you go. Its strap is a bit of a misstep, though: you can’t easily unclip it, making it hard to loop it through a belt loop or bag strap, so you’re purely reliant on your meathooks here.
The Tribit is also suitably rugged. Thanks to its sturdy build and rigid end-caps, it should survive knocks and falls without anything more than cosmetic damage. On top of this, its IPX7 rating protects it from a plunge in up to 1m for up to 30 minutes. To test this out, I sprayed some water over it and allowed it to dry before powering it up again. I also gave it a thorough baptizing in TechRadar’s testing tank, first letting it merrily bob along on the surface before fully submerging it for a minute. I’m pleased to say that it bounced back from both of these dousings with zero damage, coming out of it sounding as responsive as ever, which puts it up there with many of the best waterproof speakers.
Design score: 3 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Tribit StormBox 2 review: value
Cheaper than any similar sounding rivals
Not a match for more premium speakers
When doing a side-by-side comparison, the Tribit StormBox 2 obviously isn’t going to beat more expensive speakers such as the Roam 2 or even the JBL Flip 6. You can’t expect the kind of precision and quality that pricier components and less lossy codecs can deliver.
However, what the StormBox 2 does for its price is seriously impressive. With its speakers, Tribit is helping to redefine what you can expect from the bargain end of the market. If the biggest thing you care about is getting as much value as you can squeeze out $67.99 / £60 / AU$129, this is the speaker you should choose. If you’re wanting thumping bass or audiophile-grade sound, you’ll have to spend a bit more to get it.
Value score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Tribit StormBox 2?
Buy it if…
You want the best sound you can get for the least cash Few speakers at this price offer audio that's actually worth the investment. But the Tribit offers confident, loud and sufficiently detailed sound that's deeply impressive for such a low price.
You want highly customizable sound With five preset sound profiles and a nine-band EQ that allows you to create your own custom profiles, the StormBox 2 is a great option for anyone who's constantly looking to tinker with the balance of their music.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…
You want audiophile-pleasing audio In light of its cheap price and the lack of codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD on offer, this speaker doesn’t offer top-tier resolution. Anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality should be looking to invest in a higher-end speaker.View Deal
You’re after a speaker that makes a statement The StormBox 2 offers neither a hugely distinctive dynamic sound signature nor eye-catching, vibrant design. If you want a Bluetooth speaker that draws comment, this may not be the one for you.View Deal
Tribit StormBox 2 review: also consider
Sonos Roam 2 Costing $179 / £179 / AU$299, the Sonos Roam 2 is more than double the price of the Tribit StormBox 2. But in return for that price, it offers a whole lot. Connectivity comes with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi, and it can integrate with Sonos’s multiroom speaker system for seamless playback, while offering crisp and detailed audio. It also offers IP67 ingress protection, meaning it can see off grit and submersion in water, making it great for listening poolside or trips to the beach. Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review.View Deal
JBL Flip 6 At the more affordable end of the market, the JBL Flip 6 has a good 50% price increase over the StormBox 2, at $109 / £99 / AU$169. But in return, you get more dynamic, bubbling bass and more adventurous looks, with the speaker coming in a range of colorways from salmon pink to camo. And, again, its IP67 ingress protection makes it a hardier companion for use in the great outdoors, seeing off dust and soakings with ease. Read our full JBL Flip 6 review.View Deal
Tribit StormBox 2 review: how I tested
Tested the device over two weeks using multiple sources
Compared it the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6
Used specific benchmarking tests to assess battery and waterproofing
I tested the Tribit StormBox 2 over the course of two weeks. I listened to the TechRadar testing playlist and tracks in a variety of different genres to make sure I’d built up an accurate picture of its sonic profile. In addition, I used multiple sources, including Spotify and Apple Music. I compared it side by side with other class-leading Bluetooth speakers, including the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6.
To test its battery, I ran the speaker for six hours at 50% volume to see how much it declined, before dividing this by the amount the battery had decreased to get its overall playing time. To test the waterproofing, I sprayed the speaker with water, dried it out and tested its functionality again, as well as fully submerging the speaker in 12 inches (30cm) of water and doing the same.
I have over 10 years of experience reviewing and writing about tech products and have tested many Bluetooth speakers, as well as other audio equipment, during that time. I’ve also spent many years producing audio and music, which has given me a lot of first-hand experience at assessing the performance of audio products.
This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.
GoTo Resolve has a laser-sharp focus on remote support access security, and it now augments this with endpoint protection services. These include antivirus and patch management, while the Resolve “GoPilot” streamlines support sessions with AI-powered assistance.
This cloud-hosted service is available in four plans, with the Remote Access edition providing unattended support and starting at £18 for unlimited users and 25 devices. The Remote Support plan enables attended access for on-demand support and is priced per agent.
The Standard plan we review combines unattended and attended access, adds remote execution services and enables endpoint protection, GoPilot and custom script alerts. The Premium edition adds Windows and application update management.
Client support is good and Resolve provides plenty of remote support tools(Image credit: Future)
The basic plans interact with existing anti-malware solutions such as Windows Defender and provide status and threat updates. The endpoint protection add-on has a yearly cost of £17 per device and uses the BitDefender engine for enhanced threat detection and self-healing scripts to clean up detected malware.
To access unattended systems technicians create a personal signature key of at least eight characters and, for added security, GoTo doesn’t store them in the cloud. You can set Resolve to ask for this every time a technician accesses a sensitive task such as deploying the unattended agent, but if this becomes tedious you can set it to request it once a day or week.
Resolve’s unattended access differs from others as it loads a background service linked to the technician’s key. During deployment from the technician portal, you can download the Windows and macOS file or share a web link that is also used to retrieve the Android app.
Once authorized by the technician, each one appears in the portal’s Devices view and for our Windows 10/11 hosts, it confirmed the Firewall and Defender services were operational. The portal’s dashboard provides status charts for endpoint protection along with tables of the top alerts and an overview of all support tickets.
Selecting a device provides details of the CPU, memory, and OS and BIOS versions. The performance monitor tab displays real-time graphs of CPU, memory, network interface and disk utilization. A menu puts all support tools at the technician’s fingertips, with options to run unattended remote control, terminal sessions, a file manager, Registry editor and more.
A dashboard shows the endpoint protection status(Image credit: Future)
Unattended remote control presents the device’s screen in a central window, and you can have active sessions to multiple devices and swap between them on the sidebar. Each interface provides a ribbon menu for chat, file transfer, note taking, screen sharing or blanking and rebooting.
Starting an on-demand session generates a unique nine-digit access code along with options to copy the web link and send the invitation via email. End users are presented with personal details of the technician for authenticity and asked to download the Resolve runtime app, after which the session starts and the technician is presented with the same screen and toolbar as for unattended access.
AI comes into play when you use GoPilot as it can assist diagnosis with lists of suggestions based on your queries, help with session notes and provide guidance when creating remote execution scripts using PowerShell and JavaScript. Enable Helpline on your Resolve customer portal and GoPilot can walk users through troubleshooting steps without involving a technician.
GoTo Resolve Standard takes remote support to the next level, combining tough access security measures with endpoint protection services. Add-ons such as camera sharing plus Android and iOS mobile support cost extra, but it provides a wealth of valuable support tools and Resolve’s slick AI-based services can help accelerate problem resolution.
This review first appeared in issue 361 of PC Pro.
You know that AI is everywhere when it sneaks its way into a rugged laptop. With the S510, Getac is jumping ahead of rivals such as Dell and Panasonic by not only offering Intel’s Core Ultra chips but complementing them with optional GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.
This five-year-old chip still packs acceleration beyond integrated graphics, but not much beyond: the S510’s 3,394 in 3DMark Time Spy is on a par with laptops using Intel’s Arc graphics. However, any apps that take advantage of Nvidia’s CUDA platform will be significantly faster.
The NPU built into the Core Ultra 7 165U vPro is modest, to the point where Intel doesn’t even specify its standalone TOPS rating, merely “up to 34 TOPS” for the processor as a whole. It’s hard to see this as a key selling point for this laptop, but there will be occasions where it will reduce the load on the CPU.
More importantly, Intel’s recent chip ensures this is one of the fastest rugged laptops around, with its 8,533 in Geekbench 6 multicore a fraction faster than the 8,227 returned by the Panasonic Toughbook 55 MK3. That’s despite the 55 MK3 having a Core i7-1370P with six P-cores, compared to two in the Ultra 7 155U. The Toughbook struck back in Cinebench R23, though, with a 10,319 result compared to 6,456.
The recent Intel chip makes the S510 one of the fastest rugged laptops around(Image credit: Future)
The S510’s literal big advantage over the Toughbook is its 15.6in display, compared to 14in for its rival, although they share the same 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. It covers a modest 55% of the sRGB gamut, but colors still look respectable and its whites are strong. It’s also readable in all light conditions. Pumped up to its 1,093cd/m2 maximum, and with a matte finish, I found it easy to read under bright sunlight.
An IP53 rating means the S510 can work in rainy conditions, but don’t take the it on a Saharan holiday.
That’s despite a bumper-packed chassis and ports protected by thick covers. You can see the full list of ports that came with my review sample in the specifications listing, but more importantly it’s customizable via modular units. If you need extra storage rather than a second battery, a removable drive is yet another option.
By including two 75Wh units, however, the S510 lasted for 15 hours under light use and almost 20 hours when playing back video. Those results aren’t as remarkable as they used to be thanks to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but these batteries can be hot-swapped.
(Image credit: Future)
As is the norm for rugged laptops, Getac builds a carry handle into the design for easy portability, and it’s also light at 2.4kg. It’s bulky, though, stretching 39mm from top to bottom, while Getac’s keyboard designers could make more use of the 375mm width. Still, this is a keyboard built for resilience rather than touch typing, and the touchpad is a good size at 107 x 60mm. Physical mouse buttons sit below, which makes sense for gloved hands.
A built-in handle makes the S510 easy to transport(Image credit: Future)
Two programmable buttons above the keyboard can be configured using the G-Manager app. This also gives you control over power profiles and lets you tune the touchscreen for gloves or rainy conditions.
The resilient keyboard and rugged finish are well suited to tough environments(Image credit: Future)
The S510 is pretty up to date when it comes to Wi-Fi standards, with 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on offer, while the 1080p webcam is capable. There’s a slide-over privacy cover, too. Add an aggressive pair of speakers, built for volume in extreme environments rather than quality, and Getac ticks all the most important boxes.
If you don’t need the GeForce graphics then you can save a considerable amount of money, with prices starting at £1,885 exc VAT for a Core Ultra 5 125U, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. So long as an IP53 rating meets your needs, this is a top-quality and fast rugged laptop for demanding outdoor workers.
