The Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) is a premium charging station that can get a swathe of exhausted devices fighting fit in no time.
This station has six charging ports: four of which are USB-C; with the other two being USB-A. It’s worth noting that power output is, unsurprisingly, asymmetrical here. The four USB-C ports each have a maximum power output of 100W, meaning you could use two of these at full capacity simultaneously. The two USB-A ports, meanwhile, only have a maximum power output of 22.5W each, though it’s totally normal for these to be weaker than their more modern, Type-C sibling.
A total power output of 200W is available here, which isn’t bad at all. In fact, I tried charging six devices at once and found the station coped perfectly well with each. While doing this, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was able to get up to 100% from 0% in approximately one hour and 30 minutes – the expected timeframe.
But even if this station offers the exact speeds you’d want from one of the best Android phone chargers or best iPhone chargers, some may be hung up on one factor – the price. And sure, I’m not going to act like spending $84.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95 on a charger isn’t a significant investment. However, if we’re talking pure value, this is actually a very fair asking price. A lot of similar competitors will set you back significantly more. For instance, the UGreen Nexode 200W GaN Desktop Charger 6-Ports has a list price of $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$190).
It’s not only good value, though. This charging station is very much a high quality product – something you’d expect from Anker’s Prime range. The striped, textured silver outer casing looks and feels premium and the inclusion of a detachable power cord is also very welcome. On a more practical level, this station is well designed too. Safety is at the core here – there’s temperature control, current regulation and even high-voltage protection.
And now you might be wondering, reader, what’s the catch? Well, in truth there isn’t really much for me to criticize whatsoever. However, some may prefer to have some sort of display in order to track power output and you get no such thing from this station. For example, the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W has a built-in screen, allowing you to view real-time data on output, switch between power modes and more (I’ll follow-up on this in the ‘Also Consider’ section). The 250W variant also has companion app compatibility, but that's missing too.
Given the price of the Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN), though, I think the omission of a display is well worth it. And that’s the real draw here – you’re getting a no nonsense, speedy, high-quality charging station at a price that’s very reasonable. As a result, I’d totally recommend it to anyone looking to take their charging game to the next level.
Should I buy the Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)?
Buy it if…
You want lots of charging ports at a sensible price This charging station isn’t exactly cheap, but value-wise it’s fantastic. You get six speedy charging ports as well as strong build quality and design. A lot of similar chargers cost far more – for instance, the UGreen Nexode 200W GaN Desktop Charger 6-Ports is $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$190).
You need high wattage charging capabilities Each individual USB-C charging port here has a peak power output of 100W. That’s amazing if you have more power-hungry devices or a modern handset with top charging speeds (like the OnePlus 10 Pro, for instance). And with a total maximum power output of 200W, you’ll likely have more than enough to go around six devices, if necessary.
Don't buy it if…
You only need to charge one or two devices simultaneously If you only really need to charge your phone and say a tablet, I don’t think it’s worth shelling out all this money on a charging station. There are lots of excellent single and dual-port chargers out there that can do the job for closer to the $25 / £20 mark, so weigh up whether six ports is excessive for you or not before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
You’re looking for customizability Unfortunately, there’s no display or companion app available here. That really limits what you can do with this charging station, which is very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ offering from Anker. See the ‘Also Consider’ section for a suitable alternative if customizability matters a lot to you.
Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN): Also consider
Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W At its core, the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W pretty much does everything the 200W variant does, but with a ton of tasty additional features. The key difference is that this station has a screen, which enables you to activate port prioritization, switch between charging modes, view real-time charging data, or even mess around with secret features. Of course, you get 250W – a significant step up in power output – but maybe the best addition is companion app compatibility, which lets you control the charging station remotely over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The kicker? This thing is pretty expensive, with a list price of $169.99 / £169.99 (about AU$250). Are the extras worth around $100 / £100 more? That’s up to you... Read our full Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review.View Deal
The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 is a truly premium bean-to-cup espresso machine, which automates the entire coffee-making process, but also gives you a surprising amount of control over your drinks. Each of the many drink types can be customized with your preferred strength, body, temperature, and volume - preferences that you can then save to your personal profile so everyone in the household can have their coffee exactly the way they like it.
The KF8 comes with very few instructions, but once you power it on, you’ll realize that’s because it doesn’t need them. You will be guided through every step of preparing the FK8, loading beans, filling the tank, and brewing your coffee with clear instructions and illustrations on the bright, responsive 5in touchscreen.
Interestingly, the KF8 takes both whole coffee beans and grounds (so you can opt for ready-ground decaf in the evening, for example), but it’s worth noting that you can only add one scoop of ground coffee at a time. This is primarily a bean-to-cup machine, with an alternative only for occasional use.
The KitchenAid KF8 has a dedicated mode for steaming plant milk, unlike most other bean-to-cup machines I've tested, which are optimized only for dairy (Image credit: Future)
Coffee is consistently well extracted, with creamy golden crema, and the machine is much less noisy than you might expect while brewing - a fact that has earned it the Quiet Mark seal of approval. During my testing, most of the coffee-making process was no louder than the background murmur you might expect in a library.
The automatic milk frother works well too, and offers options for both dairy and plant-based milk. Surprisingly, almond milk foamed even better than dairy during my tests. Most bean-to-cup coffee makers only have one setting that’s optimized for dairy, so this was a pleasant surprise.
It’s certainly expensive (see below for details) but if you enjoy really good coffee and don’t want the hassle of preparing it yourself, it doesn’t get much easier than this.
KitchenAid KF8: price and availability
Bean-to-cup coffee machines are always pricey due to their complexity, and the KF8 is one no exception. It has a list price of $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599, and is available direct from KitchenAid worldwide, or from third-party retailers like Currys in the UK and Williams Sonoma in the US.
It’s roughly the same price as our current top-rated bean-to-cup coffee maker, the Breville Oracle Touch (known as the Sage Oracle Touch in the UK), which is also operated via a generously sized touchscreen, but is semi- rather than fully-automatic.
It’s a big investment, but the extra features like advanced customization of your drinks, the ability to use both beans and grounds, the option to purge all coffee from the system when you want to try something new, and the sheer ease of use help justify that price tag.
Value score: 4/5
KitchenAid KF8: specs
KitchenAid KF8: design
The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 is an attractive, modern-looking coffee maker, finished in brushed metal and black (shown here), white, green, or stainless steel to match your other appliances. It’s one of the taller and longer coffee machines I’ve tested, measuring 10.2 x 14.3 x 15.2in / 260 x 363 x 385mm (W x H x D), but its narrow front means it doesn’t actually take up too much space on the kitchen counter.
This is a premium machine, and it shows in touches like the accessible design of the water tank, which has an ergonomic carry handle that makes it easy to lift out, and is supplied with a screw-in water filter. The KF8 also comes with a water hardness testing strip so you can configure it accordingly, and KitchenAid recommends filling it with fresh (not distilled) water every day for the best results.
The large water tank is easy to remove thanks to its ergonomically designed handle, and comes with a screw-in filter (Image credit: Future)
Opening the largest door on the top of the machine reveals the bean hopper, plus a chute for inserting ground coffee (ideal if someone in your home prefers robusta to arabica, or you want to switch to decaf in the evening). There is also a button inside that allows you to remove the hopper for cleaning.
You’ll be offered the choice of using the hopper or the chute when you start up the machine, though it’s worth bearing in mind that you can only insert a single scoop of grounds at a time. There’s a measuring scoop supplied to make this easy, but this is primarily a bean-to-cup machine. If you want to use ready-ground espresso regularly, you could save some cash by opting for a semi-automatic coffee maker instead.
The machine’s dispenser moves smoothly up and down to accommodate different sized cups, and I was particularly impressed with the design of the milk system. Most fully automatic coffee makers use milk from a tube dangling in an open-topped container. The KF8’s milk container is covered at all times, which seems more hygienic, and is less likely to spill. It tucks neatly to the side without spoiling the coffee maker’s clean lines.
Load beans into the hopper, and ground coffee into the chute (at the top right) (Image credit: Future)
All drink choices are made using the bright 5in touchscreen, which is the biggest I’ve seen on any coffee maker I’ve tested to date, and feels pleasantly responsive in use.
A service door on the right-hand side of the machine allows you to access the brew unit for cleaning. The machine is supplied with two cleaning tablets, and more can be bought from Kitchenaid. To clean it, first rinse the brew unit with cold water and dry it as directed, then insert the cleaning tablet, place a large cup underneath the dispenser, and let the machine handle the rest. The process takes a long time, but you won’t need to repeat it regularly. It’s also possible to purge all coffee beans and grounds from the machine (ideal for when you want to use a different type of bean), and even evaporate everything from the water system after emptying the tank, which are both unusual but useful features.
The large, bright touchscreen makes it easy to fine-tune your perfect coffee (Image credit: Future)
On the subject of cleaning, when you first use your KF8, it’s worth knowing that the machine is tested with real coffee at Kitchenaid’s factory. It’s thoroughly cleaned before being shipped out (there were no traces of coffee in my review unit) but if you do happen to spot a stray grain or two, that’s why.
Design score: 5/5
KitchenAid KF8: performance
When I first unpacked the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8, I was surprised how few instructions were provided. The manual looked chunky, but the section for each language was surprisingly brief for such a feature-packed device. Upon powering it up, however, the reason soon became clear - the KF8 guides you through every step of setup, brewing coffee, and cleaning via clear instructions on its large touchscreen display.
There’s almost no need to refer to the paper manual at all. Each instruction is presented in plain language, with images where necessary. It really couldn’t be easier to use.
The milk dispenser is easy to attach, and unlike most fully automatic espresso machines, the KF8 keeps the container covered at all times. (Image credit: Future)
The power button is on the right-hand side of the machine, so make sure you don’t position it right against a wall. Once you’ve pressed it, the KF8 will guide you through the process of installing the water filter and filling the tank. You’ll then be prompted to put a container under the dispenser to rinse it through - a standard coffee mug is the perfect size. When that’s done, load up beans (and grounds if you like) and you’ll receive the exciting message that “you are ready to start your coffee experience”.
There are 15 different drink options to choose from, most of which are customizable:
Cappuccino
Espresso
Caffe Latte
Espresso Lungo
Macchiato
Latte macchiato
Americano
Flat white
Coffee
Ristretto
Cortado
Frothed milk
Warmed milk
Hot water
Green tea
If you choose a coffee drink, you’ll be offered the chance to select body, volume, and strength. The machine will then brew and dispense your drink. Once it’s done, you’re given the option to save any adjustments to your favorites for easy access next time. Members of your household can make their own named profiles for their custom drinks, which is a nice feature.
Each member of your household can have their own profile for their custom drinks (Image credit: Future)
The ability to adjust the volume of each drink is welcome too, letting you use non-standard cups with ease. Some other bean-to-cup coffee makers require you to set the size of your cups through an awkward manual process, which isn’t easy to change again later.
I also appreciated the option to choose whether milk or coffee is dispensed first for lattes and cappuccinos. Bean-to-cup machines usually pour your espresso shot through the milk, which is the opposite way you’d do it yourself, and leaves a brown spot in the foam.
I tested the KF8 with fresh beans from my local coffee shop Mokoko, and the machine reliably produced lovely espresso with a thick, golden crema. It was definitely some of the best tasting coffee I’ve tried from a bean-to-cup machine.
Espresso was consistently well extracted, with rich, golden crema (Image credit: Future)
You can also choose between dairy and plant milk settings - most bean-to-cup machines (like the Smeg BCC13 I tested recently) are optimized for dairy, so this is a welcome addition. There are no options for different plant milks, but during my tests I got the best results with almond milk rather than oat or soy. In fact, almond milk produced even silkier foam than dairy, which was surprising - normally I find almond milk foam stiff. Whichiver milk I used, it was always heated to just the right temperature - pleasantly sweet but never scorched.
I got the best results with lattes and cappuccinos when I increased the volume of the drink, adding more milk. The default setting is quite short and didn’t produce enough foam for my liking, so it’s definitely worth taking some time to create a preset that works for you.
You can tailor your drinks to suit your preferences, including volume dispensed (Image credit: Future)
One of the key selling points of the KF8 and its smaller siblings is their Quiet Mark certification, and the KF8 is definitely quieter than most. While making a latte it very briefly reached 66dB while grinding the beans, but the average volume was just 44dB. That’s about the same noise level you might expect in a library. I was particularly surprised how quietly the KF8 was able to foam and steam milk, which is normally one of the noisiest parts of the coffee-making process.
Used coffee pucks are dispensed into an easily removable bin that you can access by gently lifting and pulling out the drip tray. The tray has a spout at the back that makes it very easy to empty and rinse. After that, you’ll be prompted to connect the milk hose to the drip tray so it can be rinsed through with hot water. It’s a neater solution than that of many fully automatic coffee machines, which require you to use a separate container of water for the same purpose. The dispenser itself will also be rinsed, so place a mug underneath when prompted to catch the used water. The whole process is fast and simple.
Used coffee pucks drop into an easy to clean container that you can pull out with the drip tray (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the KitchenAid KF8?
Buy it if
You aren't confident using a manual machine
The KitchenAid KF8 produces excellent results consistently, and is an excellent choice if you're passionate about coffee but don't feel happy pulling shots and foaming milk manually - or not everyone in you household is savvy with grinding, pulling and steaming.
You live with other coffee lovers
The ability to save your personalized drinks under your own profile is a real boon, and includes factors like body, strength, temperature, and volume (so you can tailor your coffee to your favorite cup).
You enjoy plant milk
Unlike most fully automatic coffee makers, the KF8 has modes for both dairy and non-dairy milk, and the non-dairy option works surprisingly well - particularly if you choose almond.
Don't buy it if
You prefer to use pre-ground coffee
The KF8 has a chute that allows you to load in ready ground coffee that you can use to brew a drink rather than fresh beans, but you can only add one scoop at a time, and this is definitely a bean-to-cup machine first and foremost. If you like to use pre-ground coffee, a coffee machine without a grinder is a more logical choice.
You want the barista experience
The KF8 handles all the work of dosing beans, choosing the right grind size, and pulling a shot of espresso for you. If you want the option of doing some of that yourself, look for a semi-automatic machine instead (our roundup of the best espresso machines) has some good options.
KitchenAid KF8: also consider
Not completely sold on the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8? Here are a couple of alternatives to consider.
Breville Oracle Touch
If you want more of the barista experience but would prefer some guidance, this premium semi-automatic coffee machine (known as the Sage Oracle Touch in the UK) will help you master the techniques needed to pull a perfect shot of espresso - provided your wallet can take the hit.
Can't choose between drip coffee and espresso? The Ninja Luxe Café can prepare both, and is very reasonably priced for a bean-to-cup machine, costing around a quarter the KitchenAid KF8's asking price.
I tested the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Expresso Machine KF8 over the course of several days, making each type of drink available through the menu, making customizations, and saving them to a personal profile for re-use later.
I used freshly roasted beans from a local coffee company in the KF8's hopper, plus pre-ground espresso in the chute. I tested the milk system using full-fat dairy milk, barista oat milk, soya milk, and almond milk - all fresh and cold from the fridge.
I refilled the water tank before each use, and ran the full battery of cleaning programs at the end of testing, including cleaning the milk system, purging coffee beans, cleaning the brew unit, and evaporating remaining water.
The Anker 323 Charger (33W) is a compact and competent wall charger that can get two devices back to full battery fitness simultaneously.
Unlike some of Anker’s similar chargers, this one has two different port types: one for USB-C; another for USB-A. That gives you some versatility, especially if, like me, you don’t have all too many USB-C to USB-C cables around the house, but plenty USB-A to USB-C ones. That’s also pretty neat given the plug only comes in at $18.79 / £15.99 / AU$49.99 – which is decent value.
Charging two devices works well, too. I tried juicing up my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 via the USB-C port alongside a DualSense Wireless Controller in the USB-A one and was satisfied with the result. My phone went from 0% to 100% in the expected timeframe (around one hour and 30 minutes) even with the USB-A port in use.
The main issue this charger may pose for you is that it’s not the most powerful. The USB-C port has a maximum power output of 20W – that’s pretty good, but it may not be enough to get super-fast charging on some of the best Samsung phones, for instance. Also, the USB-A port can only offer 12W of power, which isn’t all too strong – especially compared to some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. It’s common for type A ports to be weaker, sure, but 12W will likely feel quite underwhelming if you want to charge your phone in a pinch.
So, it may not be the most powerful, but how does the Anker 323 Charger (33W) fare design-wise? Well, it’s a mixed bag. Firstly, I don’t think this is the most attractive plug on the market. It follows a formula that a few of Anker’s chargers use in housing the charging element in a cube-like block and almost shoehorning the adapter and prongs on the end. As I mentioned in my Anker PowerPort III (20W) review, this isn’t my favorite look.
However, in terms of practicality, the design here is strong. Prongs are foldable, which is great if you want to take this thing for an in-pocket walk. Generally, it’s quite a small plug too making it a nice choice if you’re working with a tight space. On top of that, it uses Anker’s ActiveShield safety standard for preventing overheating.
Overall, then, this may not be the most powerful or pretty plug, but it gets a lot right in terms of practicality, versatility and value. So, if you need a combination of USB-A and USB-C but don’t have the cash to splash on, say, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports), this is an option worth considering.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker 323 Charger (33W) review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker 323 Charger (33W)?
Buy it if…
You still want to use your USB-A to USB-C/Lightning cable A lot of handsets in the last few years have come with USB-A to USB-C charging cables, for instance. If you still want to use yours rather than shelling out for another USB-C to USB-C alternative, this is a good option.
You want to charge multiple devices at once This wall charger is solid value-wise, particularly given that you get two charging ports. The versatility of having both USB-A and USB-C options is pleasing too, but be warned: the USB-A port has a pretty weak maximum power output of 12W.
Don't buy it if…
You want to charge at top speeds For anyone looking for peak-charging speeds for a new handset, this charger likely won’t cut it. The USB-C port here is the faster of the two, but only has a maximum output of 20W. Phones such as the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max can charge closer to 30W, so if you want to get juiced up in a flash, look elsewhere.
You want one of the best-looking plugs This isn’t the most chic wall charger on the market, in my view. The cube-like design, paired with latched-on prongs looks a little unusual compared to a neat cube, like the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W), for instance. The 323 Charger (33W) only comes in Black or White too, so if you want a touch of flair design-wise, you’ll likely be unimpressed.
Anker 323 Charger (33W): Also consider
UGreen USB-C 40W This is another dual-port charger, but it offers a touch more power at a still-solid price-point. OK, both ports are USB-C, so the higher maximum wattage is perhaps unsurprising, but nonetheless, if you’re hoping to revive multiple devices a little faster, this will be better for you. It also has a neater design in my opinion, with a more fluid look than the Anker alternative. You still get foldable prongs and a small build here, so you don’t have to sacrifice on practicality. Read our full UGreen USB-C 40W review. View Deal
Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review
The Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) is a highly integrated dock that provides a neat, more efficient way to manage all your devices.
First of all, this is much more than just a charger. This station includes two HDMI ports, enabling dual 4K displays, but that’s not all. There are multiple USB-C and USB-A ports that enable quick data transfer. Two of the USB-C ports support 10Gbps data transfer, although it’s worth noting that only one USB-A port can match this, with the other three restricted to 480Mbps. On top of this, you get a 3.5mm audio, ethernet, and upstream port – the latter can be used to connect the station to your laptop or PC.
This is a pretty comprehensive set of options – with the only obvious exception being an SD or MicroSD card reader. This is a pretty minor issue though, especially given you can buy an external reader to insert into one of the USB-C ports.
One of the highlights here is the trio of dedicated charging ports – ideal for juicing up all sorts of devices, including some of the best power banks or the best phones. Two of these are USB-C and have a maximum power output of 100W each, with an additional USB-A port offering a maximum output of 12W. When I tried plugging in my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, fast charging activated, enabling the device to go from 0% to 100% in under 1 hour and 30 minutes – the expected timeframe. By pressing the button on top of the station you can switch between an overview of output across all ports, or just view data concerning one port.
How does this 14-in-1 station fare design-wise, though? Well, I was a fan of its slim, tower-like look and textured metal outer-casing. However, there are some minor disappointments: the screen is quite small and has fewer built-in options than Anker’s 6-Port Desktop Charging Station and the power cable is attached, meaning it’s not perfectly compact when packing into a bag. The front of the station is made from plastic and admittedly looks a little cheap, but it’s not particularly grating to the eye. The configuration of the ports does make the design very practical though and I found my desk was neater with the station in use, a key benefit of the product.
Finally, it’s worth acknowledging that this station – although by no means inexpensive at $249.99 / £199.99 (about AU$360) – is pretty good value. Competitors like UGreen’s 13-in-1 Docking Station or Lenovo’s ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Workstation Dock are considerably more expensive. Overall, this is a competent, well-equipped, practical dock that will meet the needs of most professionals seeking out a more efficient and tidy way to manage their devices.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W)?
Buy it if…
You need a highly integrated dock Anker’s 14-in-1 docking station is much more than just a desktop charger. Of course, you do get both USB-A and USB-C ports dedicated to charging, but there are a ton of options to take advantage of. You can get 4K, 60Hz displays thanks to two HDMI ports, transfer data quickly with 10Gbps USB-C ports and much more.
You want to charge lots of devices at once If you have laptops, phones, tablets or other devices you’d like to charge simultaneously, this dock is a very decent option for you. It has two USB-C ports with maximum power output potential of 100W as well as a 12W USB-A port. The data transfer ports also charge your devices while in use, though they won’t get to work as quickly as the 100W USB-C ones.
Don't buy it if…
You only care about charging If your only aim is to charge lots of devices at once, this is the wrong product for you. Sure, you can charge lots of devices simultaneously, but Anker has a couple of 6-in-1 charging stations that are better-suited to this task.
You’re on a budget This 14-in-1 dock won’t exactly come cheap, carrying a list price of $249.99 / £199.99. And again, if you’re only really interested in charging, there are plenty of other cheaper solutions available. With that said, a lot of similar products, such as UGreen’s 13-in-1 docking station, are even more expensive than this – so you’re still getting decent value here.
Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W): Also consider
UGREEN Revodok Max 313 4K@60Hz 13-IN-1 Docking Station If you want a super-practical, well-rounded dock this is another great option. UGreen’s 13-in-1 dock has multiple charging ports, triple 4K@60Hz displays, but crucially, supports 40Gbps data transfer thanks to a Thunderbolt 4 port. The only issue is that this alternative is considerably more expensive, with a list price of $349.99 / £349.99 (about AU$510).View Deal
Parties in 2024 are about to get a bit bassier with the new Ultimate Ears Miniroll, a small-form Bluetooth speaker that wants to find its way onto our list of the best party speaker by virtue of the fact that it’s much smaller than all of its rivals.
A revival of the UE Roll from 2015 and UE Roll 2 from a year later, this is now Ultimate Ear’s smallest speaker by a country mile (and also a good few inches). It sits alongside the sonically superior, but much less totable, Wonderboom 4, as well as UE’s more pricy alternatives. Yes, that’s right, it’s not just small but it’s affordable too.
You only have to pay $79 / £69 / AU$99 for the UE Miniroll so it undercuts most of the competition, although a few other major audio brands also have lightweight party speakers like this for roughly the same (or less).
‘Miniroll’ is a funny name – the new UE speaker is bigger than the Roll and Roll 2, and probably doesn’t have any link to the sponge treat manufactured by former chocolate company (and now faux-chocolate company) Cadbury’s.
(Image credit: Future)
But while Cadbury’s has sadly gone downhill in the eyes of many, Ultimate Ears has only improved on the formula of its older speakers. The sound offers loads of bass, marking a notable improvement in audio capabilities over the previous two Rolls. The use of a USB-C port and a longer battery life also make this a more tempting option for people who may consider buying older tech.
Some of the best features of the Roll are here too. I found the carry strap incredibly handy, as I could attach the Miniroll to bags, pieces of furniture or even body parts (well, my wrist) to make it easy to carry around.
The speaker isn’t perfect though, as there’s no smartphone app to bring extra features or offer customization. There’s no equalizer either, something many rival party speakers offer, which will likely put off people who’d find the bass just a little 'too much'. I also wished there was a way to skip or rewind songs, as many other speakers offer, to stop me having to use my phone for these tasks.
Some may also find the max volume a little too low for ‘parties’, especially since bass doesn’t carry as well as treble, though I guess ‘intimate social gathering speaker’ doesn’t have the same ring as ‘party speaker’. I can see this being a great pick for hikers or picnickers who want some tunes, or group runners who blast music to get everyone through that pre-breakfast 5k, rather than for traditional house parties or gatherings.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released in September 2024
Costs $79 / £69 / AU$99
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll was unveiled and released in mid-September 2024, ready for an outdoor party speaker to be almost obsolete in the wintery northern hemisphere.
The price of the Ultimate Ears Miniroll is $79 / £69 / AU$99, so it’s the cheapest wireless speaker currently offered by UE, and is one of the more affordable options on the market. It also undercuts the two UE Roll models which went for $99 / £99 / AU$149. The Wonderboom is the closest sibling in price at $99 / £89 / AU$149.
In fact, if you’re looking for a party speaker as compact as the Miniroll, the market’s not burgeoning with good-quality options. Your best alternative is the even cheaper (but not quite as chic, and a little older now) Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (now available for $59 / £59 or around AU$85) followed by the JBL Clip 5, which sells for $79 / £59 / AU$89, so both are actually a bit cheaper in most regions.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Specs
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Can link up to other Minirolls
No equalizer or app
12 hour battery life
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll struggles most in the features department because… well, there barely are any.
Unlike with some other UE speakers, the Miniroll doesn’t have a smartphone app, so it doesn’t let you utilize features of some of its rivals. There’s no equaliser, for example, or even different EQ presets for you to toggle between. You can’t change audio codec, fiddle with Bluetooth options or use a ‘find my speaker’ function.
There’s no outdoor mode either, which in other UE devices (it's the 'tree button' on the underside of the Wonderboom 4) strips bass in favor of treble to make the speaker easier to hear over distance. Of all the missing features this is the one I would have liked to see most – as with any bassy speaker, quality (and audibility) quickly drops off if you walk away from the Miniroll.
(Image credit: Future)
One thing you can do is connect the Miniroll to its siblings, in order to sync up multiple speakers. However unlike many other UE devices (but like the Wonderboom), you can only pair it to others of its make – ie, other Minirolls. So while your Boom, Megaboom, Everboom, Epicboom and Hyperbooms might all be having their own little party, the Minirolls will have to form their own shindig. According to UE the Miniroll can pair to an unlimited number of other Minirolls though, as long as your budget is equally infinite.
The battery life stretches to 12 hours on a single charge, which is longer than most parties I get invited to. Its a lasting power which positions the Miniroll as a handy device for people going on hikes or camping, as does its design.
Charging is done via USB-C, with a little port just above the strap.
Features score: 3/5
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Small compact body
Incredibly handy carry strap
IP67 protected, survives up to 1.2m drop
The key selling point of the Ultimate Ears Miniroll is its design – it’s mini and feels lovely in your hand. A little pebble of a gadget, it weighs only slightly more than a smartphone at 279g, and measures 122 x 105 x 48 mm so it’s incredibly slender.
If you don’t trust measurements, trust me: it’s really easy to carry around whether it’s in the hand, strapped to a bag, inside said bag, or even slipped into a pocket (yes, it fits in my pockets, although that really muffles the audio).
Strapping it to a bag comes thanks to a rubbery strap, which is locked to the Miniroll at one end and is hooked and removable at the other. This gives you lots of versatility in how you attach the Miniroll to things, especially with a gap in the strap letting you hang it from objects. This was my preferred way of using the speaker, hanging it from doorknobs or cupboards – the multitude of ways to position the speaker is great for positioning it in rooms or attaching it to various rucksacks. Ultimate Ear's promotional material even shows someone attaching it to a dog.
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I could hang the Miniroll in my living room... (Image credit: Future)
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...or in my kitchen... (Image credit: Future)
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...or on my wine rack. (Image credit: Future)
One annoying element of the design comes into play here though, in combination with the speaker’s heavy bass (more on that later). Sometimes when on certain objects, the natural vibrations from the bass would cause the speaker to wobble, and it fell off boxes I put it on several times. Likewise when I hung it up, it’d sometimes shudder from the bass and start to sway – I can’t put it on my bedroom door because the bass makes it repeatedly knock into the wood panel. It’s an odd situation and I had to always think about where I placed the Miniroll.
On the top of the Miniroll are a volume up and volume down button, which should surprise no-one given that the buttons are a giant + and -. The edge of the speaker has the power button as well as the play/pause one, which can also be held to enable pairing with other Minirolls (more on that later). There’s no button to skip or restart tracks so you’ll have to rely on your phone for that.
If you’re worried about damage, the speaker is IP67 rated – that means it’s totally protected from dust particles and can be immersed in water for a depth of a meter for up to half an hour. It’s drop-proof but only up to 1.2 meters, which is something else to bear in mind when placing the speaker – my rucksack is higher than that off the floor and so are most of the tables I’d put it on.
As you can see from the pictures, I tested the pink Miniroll – Calming Pink, as UE calls it – and there’s also black (Gentle Black), blue (Majestic Blue) and white (Revive Gray).
Design score: 4/5
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
(No need to) turn up the bass
Volume not suitable for large parties
Lack of equalizer limits appeal
I’ve referred to the Ultimate Ears Miniroll as a ‘party speaker’, but I should qualify that ‘party’ part of the phrase – this isn’t for big gatherings in Beverly Hills mansions or beach parties with hundreds of people. Think ‘D&D party’ size – this isn’t the loudest speaker in the world and it will best suit medium- to small-sized groups.
In my (very studious) tests, the Miniroll sounded decent at up to 5 meters distance, but when I got to 10m it was hard to hear parts of the song (partly from the volume, but partly from other sounds being more prominent). I found the Miniroll great for playing music in my bedroom, but unlike some other speakers I’ve tested, its sound didn’t carry through my entire (two-person) flat. If you’re going on a trip with this attached to your bag, you’d better keep your friends close if they want to hear music.
The UE Miniroll isn’t so quiet that it’s going to disappoint you, but you need to temper your expectations in keeping with its size – UE does have bigger speakers if you want to entertain a large number of listeners.
In terms of the audio itself, the Miniroll is a bassy little creature, and I was pretty surprised by just how much bass the thing eked out. I’ve already written about how it literally vibrates from what it’s putting out!
The bass is admittedly a little muddy, and the sheer nature of physics means it doesn’t carry that far (thanks, physics), but bass-heads near to the speaker will really pick up what it’s putting down.
As with any bass-heavy speaker, treble and mids suffer the consequences of this heavy lean, and both lack an extra ounce of detail – they also distort a little at higher volumes. However, balanced treble and audiophile-quality mids aren’t something it'd be truly fair to demand from party speakers at this price. It’s certainly not necessary for the Macarena.
Sound quality: 3.5/5
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Form factor makes it appealing for portable music
Some users might prefer other speakers
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll fits its niche really well: it’s cheaper and more portable than many other Bluetooth speakers, with a decent battery life, sufficient protection from life’s bumps and a really handy strap. With that in mind it’s hard to argue that the Miniroll isn’t good value – it’s much better for a certain type of user than other options in the market.
However, if you’re just looking for an affordable Bluetooth speaker for your house or garden, you can find options with better audio and a couple of extra features for a similar price. They just lose portability as a trade-off.
Value: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: Also consider
How I tested the Ultimate Ears Miniroll
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for two weeks
Tested at home and on some trips
I tested the Ultimate Ears Miniroll for over two weeks, during which time I used them alongside my Android smartphone.
Most of the testing was done at home but I also took it on a few day trips and picnics to see how well it works outdoors. Mostly I used the speaker for music streaming but I also tested it with spoken word podcasts a little bit as well.
I've been reviewing audio products at TechRadar for 5 years, including other Ultimate Ears products.
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo: two-minute review
The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew is available to buy in the US, UK, and Australia. They have slightly different product names in each territory: in the US, the model code is EC9255M, and it’s called La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew. In the UK and Australia, the model code is EC9255.M, and the full product name is La Specialista Arte Evo Compact Manual Bean to Cup coffee machine with Cold Brew in the UK, and La Specialista Arte Evo Cold Brew in Australia.
Specialista Arte Evo is listed at $699.95 / £549.99 / AU$699 on the official De'Longhi website. You can also purchase it from third-party retailers, including Amazon in the US and the UK, which offer discounts on occasion.
For a quality manual bean-to-cup coffee machine with cold brew capabilities, this is pretty good value, and the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo should be considered alongside one of the best espresso machines.
A compact example of a manual bean-to-cup espresso machine, the Arte Evo has dimensions of 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 inches / 285 x 365 x 400mm, and is a pretty weighty 21.5 lbs / 9.3 kg. I did feel that it had the potential to move around despite this, so I always tended to have a steadying hand on the machine whenever I pushed the portafilter and tamper guide in to receive the ground coffee.
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There is a helpful small storage compartment in the top of the machine, to the right of the hopper. The My Latte Art steam arm sits on the right of the coffee-making area and can be rotated out, so I could easily get the included metal milk jug under. Located on the back of the machine, the generous 56 fl oz / 1.7L water tank was easy to remove and replace.
One thing I missed with the Arte Evo, is that it doesn’t have changeable hoppers, so it can prove tricky if you like to switch between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. I can’t really complain about this considering the price though, as it’s mainly the more premium coffee machines that have this ability.
There are three temperature settings to choose from on this manual espresso machine, so it can be adjusted to suit whichever beverage is being made, and eight different bean-grinding settings to achieve the right intensity, and I found this useful for perfecting different coffee options.
(Image credit: Future)
The Arte Evo comes with two single-walled coffee filters in a single and double dose. The filters were unusually difficult to get out of the portafilter once pushed in. I had to use a taper-ended butter knife to remove the filter each time, so this isn’t the end of the world, but care will need to be taken when attempting to remove them.
The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo was delightfully straightforward to use. The setup process was quick and simple, and thanks to the helpful tips in the quick guide it was easy to determine the perfect grind coarseness, dosage, and techniques to create tasty cups of coffee.
I’m a huge fan of this coffee machine, and I’d recommend it as the best in this price bracket, but if you think you might want some different features or you prefer a different aesthetic, you could always take a look at our selection of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines to see if anything catches your eye.
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: price and availability
List price: $699 / £549 / AU$699
Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The list price for the Specialista Arte Evo is $699.95 / £549.99 / AU$699 on the official De'Longhi website. It’s available from other third-party retailers too, including Amazon in the US and the UK, where the price is occasionally discounted.
This is pretty good value for a quality manual bean-to-cup coffee machine with cold brew capabilities, and while it may not have as many grind settings or auto-tamping as the reigning champion of our selection of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, the Sage Barista Express Impress, this compact De'Longhi espresso machine offers cold brew and is a whole lot cheaper.
Value score: 5/5
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: specs
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: design and features
Quick and easy setup
Dishwasher safe accessories
Smaller-than-average footprint for manual bean-to-cup machines
The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo is fairly compact as far as manual bean-to-cup espresso makers go, with dimensions of 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 inches / 285 x 365 x 400mm. It’s understandably a bit weighty at 21.5 lbs / 9.3 kg, but this is fine as it’s a product that’s not intended to be moved around. One thing I will say, though, is that it didn’t feel quite heavy enough for me to push the portafilter and tamper guide in to receive the ground coffee without a hand on the machine to hold it in place.
One small niggle is that there isn’t the option to have changeable hoppers, which can prove to be a pain if you’ve left the beans in for too long, or if you like to switch between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, for example. It’s only really more premium coffee machines that offer this, so I can’t complain much considering the price of the Arte Evo. If you only use the amount of beans needed to avoid leaving them sitting for too long, or only use one kind of bean, you shouldn’t have any problems.
(Image credit: Future)
To the right of the hopper, there is a small storage compartment that could fit the filter baskets and small cleaning utensils. At first, I believed that the UK model didn’t come with a tamping mat, as it is not obviously listed on the De'Longhi UK website, but it turned out to be hidden underneath the base fitment in the accessories box. I found it really helpful when tamping my coffee, with a circular indentation for the tamper to sit in, and a shaped area for the portafilter. This also fit the tamper slot after it was removed before attaching the portafilter to the machine, so it was easy to keep things neat and tidy through each stage.
The Arte Evo also comes with a small cup support, to give those mini espresso glasses a little boost. The removable water tank is easy to remove and replace. It has a 56 fl oz / 1.7 capacity, which is plenty for a few cups of java, while also remaining light enough to be maneuvered easily.
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The layout of the grinder, extractor, and My Latte Art steam arm is fairly standard, but the steam arm is in close proximity to where the extraction area and small cup support sit in a bid to save some space. The steam arm rotates outwards, so I could easily get the included metal milk jug under.
Inside the removable drip tray sits a red plastic water level indicator that rises through the cup grille as the tray fills up so it can be emptied before it gets too full. Speaking of the drip tray, it’s really easy to remove for emptying and cleaning. It breaks down into three parts: the cup grille, the cup grille support, and the drip tray itself.
There are three drink presets to choose from, Espresso, Americano (Long Black in the UK and Australia), and Cold Brew. The My Latte Art steam arm was easy to maneuver and I was able to use it to create smooth microfoam, as well as using it to heat and add body to the milk when mocha and cappuccino making.
(Image credit: Future)
The Arte Evo has three temperature settings to choose from, so it can be adjusted to deliver the best results for whatever you’re making. It also has eight different bean-grinding settings to achieve the ideal intensity. I mostly used level five for americanos and espresso shots (which I of course used to make my beloved mochas), but I found that level six worked best for cold brews.
The My Latte Art steam arm was easy to maneuver, and thanks to the tips in the quick guide I easily created a smooth microfoam. I also used the steam arm to heat and add body to the milk for mocha making, which I did a lot of in my time with it, as it quickly became my favorite way to make coffee each day.
Design score: 4.5/5
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: performance
Simple to use
Hassle-free
Great results
Straight out of the box, the setup and coffee-making process was straightforward. The De'Longhi Quick Guide manual was easy to follow and made setting up this espresso machine a breeze. Plus, for those who are new to a manual bean-to-cup coffee machine, or you’re a visual learner, De'Longhi also has a useful how-to YouTube channel where you can see videos of their coffee machine setup processes.
After washing and drying the accessories and water tank, I put the drip tray back in place and filled the water tank before rinsing the included SoftBalls sachet under running water and dropping it into the tank. Each SoftBalls sachet lasts for three months and is designed to prevent limescale formation without affecting the quality of the coffee. After plugging the machine in and turning it on, I placed a glass bowl under the water spout before pressing okay to initiate a short rinse cycle. I then popped a filter basket into the portafilter before locking it into place, then hit okay again so that it rinsed through.
Some things to note here are that it’s tricky to get the filter baskets out of the portafilter: I had to use a taper-ended butter knife to prise them out, and in addition, it took a fair bit of elbow grease to get the portafilter to lock into place. Perhaps those stronger than me won’t have as much of an issue, but I found myself having to put my other hand on the machine to brace myself when inserting or removing the portafilter. The final part to be flushed through was the steam arm, which was just a case of placing it into the bowl and pushing the steam button on the machine.
(Image credit: Future)
Once the machine was all set, I experimented with the grind and dose levels until I was happy with the result. This De'Longhi machine comes with a really helpful dosing and tamping guide that simply screws onto the top of the portafilter, so it’s easy to give it a few taps to help the coffee grounds settle before pushing them down with the satisfyingly weighted tamper.
The quick start guide had a helpful little Infusion Temperature Profiles box out, explaining that different beans and roasting colors require specific temperatures, informing me that Robusta coffee beans prefer a lower temperature, and Arabica beans like a higher temperature. As I was using Arabica beans, I used the maximum temperature option (level three) and selected my drink using the right-hand dial, which for my first attempt was an espresso.
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Following the instructions and tips helped me to make a pretty perfect espresso shot in a few minutes. There wasn’t quite as much crema as I’d anticipated, but other than that it was great. When trying out the steam wand on some semi-skimmed milk, I once again found the quick start guide super helpful with its additional barista tips, recommending that fresh cold milk is used and that the metal milk jug is cold. The visuals provided a little guidance, explaining where the nozzle should be placed to get the milk to froth, and these pointers helped me make some lovely foam for a cappuccino on my first attempt.
The Thermoblock heating system and active temperature control feature seemingly worked well during the brewing process, as the extracted coffee tasted spot-on every time. All three presets delivered satisfying and great-tasting results. I used the Espresso preset most frequently, combining it with steamed milk and hot chocolate powder, as I am quite partial to a mocha.
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I’ll admit that cold brew coffee isn’t really my thing, so I roped in my very helpful editor to do a taste test for me. I ground a single dose of espresso, which the Arte Evo mixes with 3.7 fl oz/110ml of water; alternatively, I could have ground a double dose, which would then have been used to create a 6 fl oz/ 180ml sized drink. In his opinion, the coffee tasted nice, wasn't overly bitter as you'd expect from a cold brew, but it was a little too diluted for his taste.
De'Longhi recommends a grind coarseness of between four and six for cold brew. Originally I aimed for the middle with level five, so I increased the coarseness to level six following the feedback from our team's resident cold brew fanatic. He confirmed that this tweak to the settings did indeed make it stronger and, although not perfect, it was more to his tastes.
Cleaning the machine was fairly straightforward. The drip tray and grill can be removed easily and are dishwasher safe. For thorough cleaning, it’s recommended to run a mixture of white vinegar and water through the water spout, portafilter, and steam arm.
Performance score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo?
Buy it if
You want to be your own barista As the Specialista Arte Evo is easy to operate, and the quick start manual offers so many helpful tips, you’ll be brewing up all kinds of beverages for your family and friends in no time.
You don’t want to dedicate too much space No manual bean-to-cup machine can be truly compact due to the nature of the espresso-making process. But De'Longhi has been mindful of how valuable countertop space is in our kitchens, which is reflected in the smaller-than-average footprint of this machine.
You want fancy coffee at home With the La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine, you’ll have the freedom to make your own espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, cold brews, and more, right from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Don't buy it if
You don’t want to have to clean up after every cup Whether you have your coffee black or white, there’s extra maintenance to consider when it comes to a manual bean-to-cup machine. The extracted ground coffee will need to be knocked out of the filter and rinsed, and any milk will need to be wiped off the steam arm straight away to stop it from solidifying (which it likes to do very quickly).
You want your coffee quick The process of making a coffee with the Arte Evo isn’t particularly long when compared to similar machines, but compared to a standard instant coffee, it naturally takes longer due to the extra steps involved. It’s certainly worth the effort, though!
You don’t want to get into tweaking settings Due to the different settings available, including dose adjustment, grinding levels, and water temperature, it may take time to perfect the settings to get the right brew for you.View Deal
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: also consider
Ninja Luxe Café For those who want to take some of the guesswork out of their budding barista journey, the Ninja Luxe Café is a great beginner machine thanks to its grind coarseness guidance, weight-based dosage system, and automatic milk frother. It also has a slightly larger water tank, a removable hopper, and a digital display. Our reviewer was mightily impressed when they tested it out, awarding it four and a half stars. Check out the full review of the Ninja Luxe Café for further details.
De'Longhi Dinamica Plus Undoubtedly more expensive, but the perfect alternative if you don’t want to take a hands-on approach to coffee making. It’s packed full of features, including a removable ergonomic thermal milk carafe that can be kept in the fridge to keep the milk fresh and cold. Interestingly, this machine is compatible with the De'Longhi link app, allowing you to perform some of its functions remotely. This too was awarded four and a half stars, with little in the way of negatives. Read the full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review here.
How I tested the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo
I tested the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo over a few weeks
I repeatedly made espresso and frothed milk four days a week
I tested its variety of settings and features
I used the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine roughly three times a day, four days a week for several weeks, for the most part making mochas, cappuccinos, lattes, long blacks, and the odd cup of tea.
I evaluated how easy it was to put together, and how easy the setup process was. I made use of all of the features, paying close attention to the process, testing how easy the machine was to use, and the quality of the drinks produced. I tested all of the different coffee types available, and used all of the included accessories to see how they performed.
Finally, I investigated how easy it was to remove the washable parts of the machine and see how easy they were to clean.
Fujifilm's new X-M5 is a dinky and stylish beginner mirrorless camera with a focus on video, delivering sharp 6K video recording in color-rich 10-bit. It also features 4K up to 60fps for cinematic half-speed effects, plus open gate video recording, which means the camera can take information from the full height and width of the 3:2 sensor, rather than being restricted to 16:9 or wider.
Open gate 6K video allows for a new 9:16 vertical video mode without you having to rotate the camera 90 degrees, with the new social media-focused mode cropping the central vertical portion of the frame at 1080p resolution, complete with handy preset recording times of 15, 30 or 60 seconds.
The X-M5 is also equipped with an improved wind filter and three internal directional mics, whereby you can employ any of those mics individually or together based on your video needs, with options for surround, front or back priority, or front and back priority. Alternatively, you can use an external mic for even better audio, connecting via the 3.5mm jack and securing it into the X-M5's hotshoe.
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There are some well-considered design touches: the mic port has been positioned on the rear above where the screen sits, while the other ports are on the right-hand side of the camera rather than the left, which means they don't interfere with the flip-out touchscreen when in use. As on the X-T50, you also get a film simulation dial for quickly switching between Fujifilm's legendary color profiles, with three slots for custom profiles.
Price-wise, and indeed for a large part features-wise, the X-M5 matches and therefore sits alongside the photography-focused X-T30 II, and below the X-S20, as an excellent-value starter mirrorless camera for those who shoot more videos than photos. Yet with its tiny form-factor – this is the smallest X-series camera in 2024's lineup – the X-M5 is also a decent walkaround camera, say for street photography, especially with Fujifilm's tiny XF 27mm f/2.8.
Given its low price, naturally there are compromises. The X-M5 does not feature in-body image stabilization, which you get in the pricier X-S20, and which is supremely helpful for smoothing out handheld videos. Instead it employs electronic stabilization which works pretty well, but it incurs a 1.32x to 1.44x crop of the image area, depending on your shooting mode.
That flip-out touchscreen is a lower 1.04m-dot resolution compared to those on other Fujifilm cameras, like the 1.84m-dot one on the X-S20, plus there's no viewfinder as on the X-T30 II, and so the X-M5 might not prove to be the easiest camera to use in bright light. Design-wise, the X-S20 is a better option for enthusiasts – it offers the best of the X-M5 and X-T30 II in one camera, and it has much better battery life, plus image stabilization, although it costs a fair bit more.
Overall, the dinky X-M5 is a highly capable little camera that's not for everyone, but for those starting out making videos it could be one of the most powerful tools available for the money, that's set to trouble our best vlogging cameras guide.
Fujifilm X-M5: price and release date
X-M5 body only: $799 / £799 / AU$1,449
X-M5 with 15-45mm lens: $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
On sale November 14
You can pick up the X-M5 with the 15-45mm kit lens for $899 / £899 / AU$1,649 when it goes on sale on November 14. If you don't need the lens, the X-M5 can be picked up body-only for a little less, at $799 / £799 / AU$1,449.
That price point matches the X-T30 II exactly, making the feature-rich X-M5 one of the cheapest mirrorless cameras available in 2024 with arguably the biggest video bang for buck.
Price score: 5/5
Fujifilm X-M5 specs
Fujifilm X-M5: design and handling
Tiny and lightweight
No viewfinder
Film simulation dial
Tipping the scales at just 12.52oz / 355g, the X-M5 is one of the lightest mirrorless cameras around, and it's properly dinky too. I actually found it a little too small at times, regularly knocking controls, unintentionally taking pictures and so on, but I can certainly see the appeal of its tiny proportions, especially as an everyday walkaround camera.
I was testing the X-M5 with the 15-45mm lens, which is available as a kit with the camera, and is a decent pairing physically. With the camera's modest-sized handgrip and such a tiny body, Fujifilm's larger lenses will feel like a bit of mismatch, and the sweet spot will be smaller zoom and prime lenses – I'd especially like to try the X-M5 with the XF 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens as an alternative to my Ricoh GR IIIx every day camera.
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The Fujifilm X-M5 is sporting the classic Fujifilm retro look with faux-leather finish, plus a top plate (available in black or silver – I had the all-black version) with shooting mode and Film Simulation dials. Like the X-T50, the most popular film simulations are present, plus three customizable slots for your other favorites or recipes. The dial cannot be changed to control something else.
The flip-out screen is unimpeded, unlike on so many other cameras. That's because Fujifilm has smartly positioned the ports on the opposite, right-hand side of the camera. There's also a new position for the mic input, just above where the screen rests. It's a logical placement near the hotshoe, which is where you can secure an external mic, meaning your cable doesn't need to get in the way of camera controls or the screen either.
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That 3-inch touchscreen is the lowest-spec screen in Fujifilm's range of cameras, with just a 1.04m-dot resolution compared to the 1.62m-dot and 1.84m-dot screens of the X-T30 II and X-S20 respectively. Still, you get a revised user interface with handy short cuts to shooting modes such as the new vertical video mode.
The X-M5 is powered by Fujifilm's NP-W126S battery, which is the same battery as found in the X-T30 II and other models like the X-T50 and X100VI. Here you get a 440-shot battery life, which is an improvement on some other models, thanks in part to Fujiflm's latest X-Processor 5 engine, although battery life is reduced to more like 330 shots if you're not in Eco mode, nor is it a patch on the X-S20 which goes for much longer.
The key difference between the X-M5 and Fujifilm's other entry-level camera, the X-T30 II, is that the latter has a viewfinder, which can be very helpful for composing photos in bright light. I mainly used the X-M5 in cloudy weather during which detail on the screen was clearly visible. During a bright sunrise, it was a little more challenging to view the screen clearly, but at least it can angled away from glare and reflections.
During that same sunrise shoot I was also taking photos with a thrice-the-price full-frame mirrorless camera. The contrast between how these cameras felt in the hand was clear, with the latter feeling much more premium. Still, for beginners the X-M5 is going to feel the part.
Design score: 4/5
Fujifilm X-M5: features and performance
60-minute video record time
Three internal directional mics
Less effective digital image stabilization only
8fps / 30fps for up to 173 JPEGs
The X-M5 packs a lot of power for such a small camera, but there are also compromises. For example, like the X-S20 it can shoot up to 8fps continuous burst sequences (using the mechanical shutter) or 30fps (with the electronic shutter), but the pricier model is able to squeeze out more frames.
Both cameras use the same processor, so I can only assume that the limited performance of the X-M5 – a still respectable 173 JPEGs or 25 raws in continuous high mode – is due to the fact that it records onto UHS-I SD memory cards, while the X-S20 is compatible with the faster UHS-II SD-type memory card. The X-M5 is no slouch by any means, but it's a shame that it isn't compatible with the latest SD cards.
Offloading those files onto a smartphone should be a breeze. You don't even need to mess around with unreliable Bluetooth connections and slow transfer speeds – the X-M5 offers high-speed file transfer to a smartphone via USB connection, with Fujifilm's XApp. There's also frame.io camera to cloud storage and sharing available for subscribers. These are super handy features for connected content creators.
Fujifilm has equipped the X-M5's autofocus system with its latest subject-detection algorithms, including animal eye AF and touch tracking autofocus for video. In fact, it's better than Fujifilm X-S20 right now, although we were told that the X-S20 will be improved with this latest algorithm via a firmware update.
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For me, a major downside to the X-M5 is that it lacks in-body image stabilization. To be clear, I wouldn't expect such a feature in a beginner camera given that you won't find it at this price point anywhere else. It just feels like a video-focused camera can really benefit from it, and if I was getting serious about video I'd turn my attention to the X-S20 instead.
The X-M5 utilizes digital image stabilization (DIS) instead, should you need it, and you sure will for handheld videos. The X-S20 also features DIS, which incurs a 1.1x crop of the image area; however, that crop is much more severe in the X-M5 – at least 1.32x and up to 1.44x depending on the video modes and frame rates.
If you want steady video, say for handheld vlogs, your frame will be cropped. That means you need a seriously wide-angle lens to fit yourself in the shot, otherwise vlogging won't really be possible with DIS employed. Alternatively, you can buy a gimbal to stabilize footage and keep DIS switched off. However, adding a gimbal pushes the price up, perhaps to the point where you might as well have bought the X-S20 in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, the X-M5's digital stabilization performs pretty well, but you need to be aware of the limitations that come with using it. A saving grace is that Fujifilm has a superb range of lenses, including ultra-wide angle options which will give you the extra space in your shot when vlogging with DIS active.
Audio recording quality is impressive. The X-M5 features three directional mics (there are two on the X-S20 and X-T30 II) that can be isolated or used together – so for example you can have the mics picking up just your voice vlogging, or audio from in front of and behind the camera for the camera-person and subject conversing, or complete surround sound that captures the ambient sound too.
Fujifilm says the X-M5 has an improved wind filter – though I can't vouch for how this has been improved from my testing – plus 'steady state' noise reduction. There's a mic input too, should you need even better audio recording. I attached a receiver into the mic input and did some vlogging with the wireless mic attached to my clothing, and the whole experience was flawlessly smooth.
Despite some of its flaws regarding features and performance, the X-M5 gets it right where it matters the most for video.
Features and performance: 4.5/5
Fujifilm X-M5: image and video quality
26MP stills and 6K/30p video
10-bit color depth and wide range of bitrates for various qualities / file sizes
New vertical video mode for social media
The X-M5 use the same tried and tested 26MP X-trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 5 engine as the Fujifilm X-S20, which shares the same 6K video resolution and frame rates. Both cameras are capable of recording superb-quality videos, plus decent photos.
There are two key differences between the X-S20 and X-M5. The X-S20 features in-body image stabilization for smoother handheld video clips, plus a higher maximum 360Mbps bitrate to the X-M5's 200Mbps, meaning its best-quality video is less compressed. The X-S20 also imposes just a 1.1x crop when using its digital image stabilizer, while the X-M5's crop is more severe at 1.32x and higher.
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The lack of in-body image stabilization will probably have the most noteworthy adverse impact on video quality, especially for those who shoot handheld vlogs. Digital image stabilization (DIS), which works with the lens' optical stabilization, is less effective, and using it incurs that severe 1.32x crop, so you'll need to use a particularly wide lens with the camera for vlogging, or splash out on a gimbal. Still DIS does a reasonable job smoothing out footage for gentle walking and talking scenarios.
Fujifilm has introduced additional 8Mbps and 25Mbps low bitrates for those who want to work with super-small video files sizes and don't mind the additional compression that affects outright quality. These low bitrates are not proxies recorded alongside higher bitrate videos – you choose the bitrate you want and that's that. Low bitrates are handy if you need to work fast on location, and don't have the time or capacity to work with large file sizes. If your videos are only going to be viewed on phones, these low bitrates are an acceptable option.
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Otherwise, there's not a lot to choose between the two cameras, which reflects well on the X-M5 because it's so much cheaper, at just 56% the cost of the X-S20. The X-S20 has loads more going for it regarding its build and handling, but the X-M5 offers excellent bang for buck in terms of video quality.
Image and video quality: 4.5/5
Fujifilm X-M5: testing scorecard
Should I buy the Fujifilm X-M5?
Buy it if...
You want the best value 6K camera Open gate 6K video in 10-bit with attractive color profiles? That's some serious video grunt for $800 / £800.
You’d like a tiny every day camera for photos Paired with a pancake lens like the XF 27mm f/2.8 and you have a tiny snapper ideal for documenting every day life and street photography.
You want a simple, low-cost second camera Although it's designed for beginners, I can see the X-M5 being popular with hobbyist photographers who already own another Fujifilm camera but are looking for a simple second camera for the every day.
Don't buy it if...
Your focus is on run-and-gun filmmaking Being limited to digital stabilization means the X-M5's footage will look shaky if your movements are particularly erratic.
You have big hands If you have large hands you might unwittingly find yourself nudging the X-M5's controls – they are tightly packed together.
You're primarily a photographer As a primary camera, the X-M5 sure is designed for video. If you take a lot of photos, a camera with a viewfinder like the X-T30 II might be the sensible alternative.
Fujifilm X-M5: also consider
Fujifilm X-S20
A step up from the X-M5 for more serious creators, the X-S20 has better battery life, a viewfinder, a larger body with comfy grip, compatibility with quicker UHS-II SD cards, plus in-body image stabilization. However, the cameras share the same sensor and processor, both shooting 10-bit 6K video and 26MP still, meaning pretty much the same image quality potential (besides the positive impact of image stabilization), and the X-S20 costs a lot more. If you're a photographer first and not wanting to spend extra over the X-M5, then the X-T30 II is a decent alternative.
There's not a lot to choose between the Fujifilm X-M5 and Sony ZV-E10 II. Both are super-compact vlogging cameras with vari-angle touchscreen, built-in multi-directional mics and a 26MP APS-C sensor with 10-bit video recording, although the ZV-E10 II caps out at 4K / 60p whereas the X-M5 can shoot video in 6K. Sony's ZV-E10 II has better battery life and a comfier grip, plus Sony's renowned autofocus skills. However it costs around 20%, while the X-M5 has its own tricks such as its open gate sensor and vertical video. Both cameras enjoy a huge choice of lenses, while neither has in-body image stabilization. In many ways, these are two evenly matched cameras, which is credit to Fujifilm whose camera is costs less.
A week-long loan period of the camera with the 15-45mm lens
Full-production model with final firmware
Paired with wireless mic gear
Vlogging and photography in a range of scenarios
Following an in-depth briefing with Fujifilm and a central London shooting session ahead of the X-M5's launch, I was loaned a full-production version of the camera, with final firmware, for a one-week period, together with the XF 15-45mm kit lens.
I've used the camera for vlogging, testing its internal mics but also pairing it with an wireless mic kit, plus taken plenty of photos in various scenarios, including a sunrise hike.
When you need to convert between video file formats, you require software that is fast, efficient, accurate and robust. And there are plenty of options out there, such as XMedia Recode.
We’ve tested the best free video converters, but how does XMedia Recode in the field? We took the software for a test run to find out.
XMedia Recode: Pricing & plans
You can’t argue with free, so we won’t. Instead, we’ll lament the fact this software is Windows only
Good news, especially if you’re on a tight budget: XMedia Recode is free. You won’t be charged to use it, nor will you be charged on a regular basis to rent it. It’s free to download, and free to use.
The bad news is that it’s Windows only, preventing conversion possibilities for those who prefer a different type of operating system (if you’re looking for similar software that’s more multi-platform-friendly, take a look at Handbrake).
XMedia Recode can convert to so many video formats (Image credit: XMedia )
XMedia Recode is essentially a one-trick pony: it’s designed to convert video files to other formats. This may sound quite limiting, but there are so many formats out there, it’s great that some software has been created to tackle this task
XMedia Recode supports hardware acceleration using various Nvidia and AMD cards, and is capable of handling a myriad of different file formats, including unprotected DVDs and Blu-rays. It can take chapter markers directly from a DVD or Blu-ray, or allows you to import chapter files, just like it can import subtitle tracks. You’re able to edit the ID3 tag as well as adding album covers, and to finish off, it’s designed for batch processing.
That’s quite an arsenal, so let’s head over to the XMedia Recode page to download the latest version. Make sure you ignore the overwhelming number of ads on the page that entice you to download whatever it is they’re selling - those are not what you’re looking for. Instead, mouse over the ‘Download’ menu at the top of the page, to choose the version that best suits your PC.
Score: 4.5/5
XMedia Recode: Interface
You can choose a file stored on your computer, or an unprotected DVD or Blu-ray disc (Image credit: XMedia )
This is definitely XMedia Recode’s weakest point: the interface is sparse, not immediately clear, and doesn’t have the aesthetic you'd expect from modern apps. Still, it does what it does well, so is it really that important that it’s not much to look at?
If you get something that’s open source or free, chances are the interface won’t be high on the list of priorities, and the best thing we could say about XMedia Recode is that it’s functional but not that much to look at.
You’ll find a handful of icons at the top of the software’s window designed to initiate the most common functions, such as opening a disk, a converted disk now available as a file on your hard drive) or any other kind of compatible video files. You can also add what you want to the batch processor, start the encoding process, check for updates and access the community for help, among others.
Beneath that would be a menu giving you access to various parameters, broken down by specific categories, such as format, video, audio, filters, tags, and so on.
Everything is very utilitarian. It does the job, but even finding your way around at first can be a tad tricky. For instance there is no ‘Start’ button. It didn’t take long to realise we needed to add our file to the queue and then click on the Encode button to get the process started, which tells us this software is designed more for those who wish to convert many files in one go, than those more casual users who just need the odd one done now and then. Still, once you know the intricacies of the software and understand how it likes to do things, it becomes a simple matter to use it to its full potential.
Score: 3.5/5
XMedia Recode: Tools
You can customize all available parameters and save them as unique settings (Image credit: XMedia )
The number of parameters you can change is impressive, letting you customize settings without having to learn the intricacies of file format management and customization
XMedia Recode’s main purpose is to convert video files between formats, and it certainly does not disappoint. The list of available formats that you can access via the ‘Format’ drop down menu, located in the ‘Format’ tab, is impressively long. There are dozens there which are bound to meet your requirements. Heck, there were some on that list we hadn’t even heard of, and others we hadn’t seen in a very long time.
In order to check the process we tried it on some footage taken from an old camcorder, as well as a personal DVD (XMedia Recode cannot read protected discs, which are the overwhelming majority of commercial media, so you’ll either have to find a way to strip those discs of their protection, or just restrict your conversion process to discs you burnt yourself). XMedia Recode will happily read off of a disc or of the relevant folder, saved to a hard drive. Either way, the process is the same, if a little tricky to get started (we’re back to issues with the overly spartan and utilitarian interface).
The ability to add subtitles and chapter markers is most useful (or rip them if they are already present in the video file you’re converting), but we’re not too sure about the usefulness of being able to apply filters to the output. Still, it’s there if you want it, although we suspect not many will.
Once you get used to working with XMedia Recode you’ll find you can whizz through the formatting process. We found the results, even using the default settings, to be fast, and of great quality. In addition, a huge advantage is the ability to save custom settings, enabling you to set the exact format, bit rate, size, frame rate, etc. for each and every file you put it through. To quote a scruffy looking nerf herder we know, “she may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts”.
Score: 4/5
Should I buy?
We found the encoding to be fast and extremely accurate (Image credit: XMedia )
Buy it if...
You want a program that's free, fast, and can convert to and from loads of formats.
Don't buy it if...
You need a modern, intuitively designed interface to navigate your preferred software.
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review
The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is a premium multi-port charger that will get your devices juiced up in no time. With three ports – two of which are USB-C and one is USB-A – it’s the ideal solution if you’re someone that needs to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Let's say you’re out and about and need to charge your phone, laptop, and wireless earbuds. This charger would easily get your devices back to full charge quickly, thanks to a maximum total power output of 100W. That’s definitely going to be more than enough power for the vast majority of people. It’s worth noting, though, that individually, the single USB-A port only has a maximum output of 22.5W, compared to the 100W of the USB-C ports – so bear that in mind when charging more power-hungry devices.
Thanks to its high power output, you’ll be able to fast charge devices, or even super-fast charge them, if they’re compatible with this. For instance, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is capable of super-fast charging, went from 0% to 100% in less than one hour and 30 minutes – even with two PS5 controllers charging alongside it. That’s the sort of speeds you'd expect from the best Android phone chargers or best iPhone chargers.
Given how much power this charger offers, it’s decently compact. Don’t get me wrong, it's not super tiny and lightweight, but compared to competitors that offer around 100W of power, this is nicely sized. The charger has foldable prongs too, which is ideal if you want to carry it in your pocket.
Overall, this is a well-designed plug. It has a sleek, silver exterior that is decently nice to look at, although there are no other color options available. It's well designed on a technical level too, with Anker’s ActiveShield 2.0 safety tech able to monitor temperature and adjust power output, creating a more secure charging experience.
Let’s tackle the elephant in the room though, which is price. This charger is $84.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120) – that’s by no means inexpensive. Not only that, but there are a decent amount of similar products out there at a considerably lower price. For instance, the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger is only $64.98 / £59.99 – more on this later. Overall though, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is still a great multi-port charger and is certain to offer excellent performance and practicality, even when you’re on-the-go.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)?
Buy it if…
You need to charge multiple devices simultaneously This charger has three ports and offers a maximum power output of 100W. That’s going to be more than enough to get devices such as smartphones, wireless earbuds or headphones and a tablet juiced up quickly, all at once.
You’re in the market for something more premium You get plenty of capacity here, but that’s not all. This is a well-built, sleek, compact charger with higher build quality than most cheap alternatives. This does mean, of course, you have to pay a fairly steep price.
Don't buy it if…
You only need a phone charger If you’re only really going to charge your phone or can stomach the concept of juicing up one device at a time, this isn’t the best choice for you. That’s because there are so many great single-port options on the market. For instance, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is a fantastic, stylish single-port charger that will only cost a fraction of this plug’s price.
You’re looking for a cheap option If you’re in the market for a cheap multi-port charger, this isn’t it. This plug is part of Anker’s Prime range and there are plenty of cheaper high-wattage, multi-port alternatives available on Amazon (and beyond).
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Also consider
UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger Ok, so you want a decently powerful multi-port charger, but this option from Anker is just a bit out of your budget. Enter the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger. This isn’t quite as compact as Anker’s alternative and only one of the USB-C ports can get up to 100W maximum output, but these are going to be minor issues for the majority of people. At $64.98 / £59.99 (about AU$90), you’re getting a good quality plug for substantially less.View Deal
To call the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch a food processor would be doing quite an injustice to. Yes, it is a food processor, but unlike most of its peers, it comes with a full size blender attachment, as well as personal blender cup and a citrus press. This multi-functional kitchen gadget can even replace your digital weighing scale.
It’s ideal for anyone moving into their first home and looking to set up their kitchen, since it offers so many small appliances in one package. And since Kenwood is a long established kitchen appliance brand, you can rest assured it knows what it’s doing.
The OneTouch sits within Kenwood’s MultiPro range of food processors, and is one of the most multi-functional in the range. Yet it’s still pretty affordable given all that it is capable of. Its biggest competitor in terms of functionality is probably the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ, but the Kenwood can do more.
On test, I tried all the accessories and it performed well across the board. There were a couple of little design quirks that I noticed along the way, but no major deal-breaker level flaws. You can read my detailed performance review below to see how it compares with the best food processors and best blenders on the market.
In both countries it’s available directly from Kenwood, as well as via Amazon (though at the time of writing it's out of stock at Amazon in both countries). It can also be found at select kitchen appliance retailers, such as Lakeland in the UK.
At the time of writing in the UK the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch was discounted by both Kenwood and Lakeland, so it is worth hunting around for discounts or checking the price during the big seasonal sales like Black Friday.
Thanks to all the various functions and accessories, this multi-purpose food processor can replace several appliances, and from that perspective it offers very good value for money.
Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5
The Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch comes with a huge array of accessories and attachments, making it much more than just a food processor (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch: design
Control panel has a cluttered appearance
Design is better suited to right handed users
Express serve lid is a useful addition
The Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch isn’t a standout appliance for stunning good looks; it’s built more for practicality and function. For example, I'm not a fan of the color images on the control panel that represent the preset modes. They give the appliance a cluttered, busy appearance even when switched off.
Despite my thoughts on the aesthetic, the controls are very simple to get to grips with. There are just three speeds to choose from and a pulse button. The six preset functions are divided into dough, puree, and mix for the food processor and ice crush, blend, and clean for the blender.
The color icons on the control panel give the appliance a busy look, even when it's switched off (Image credit: Helen McCue)
There’s no start/stop button - instead you start it by selecting a preset or speed. When you need to stop it, you then have to press the same button again, which doesn’t always come naturally. I got used to it, but it’s a bit of a quirk that took a few goes to get my head around.
Cleverly, the base of the food processor doubles as a digital weighing scale. There’s a button to switch between lb and kg as well as a zero button. Weight is displayed on a small screen, which doubles as the timer when it’s in use as a food processor.
A plastic plate attachment sits on the base to allow you to use it as a scale independent of the food processor accessories. Or, you can weigh directly into the food processor bowl or blender jug.
The base of the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch serves as a digital scale. You can weigh ingredients on a plastic plate, or directly into the food processor bowl or blender jug (Image credit: Helen McCue)
The machine comes with the main basic food processor attachments that I’d expect, including the knife blade, dough tool, whisk, a 4mm slicing and shredding disc as well as a 2mm slicing and shredding disc.
One stand-out addition is the express serve lid attachment, which is used in conjunction with the slicing and grating discs. It works as a chute to propel the sliced and grated food into a container of your choosing, which means you’re not limited by the size of the main food processor bowl. It’s a great innovation, especially for those who want to slice or grate in bulk.
The Serve Lid attachment propels grated or chopped food into a container of your choice (Image credit: Helen McCue)
What makes this food processor truly multi-functional is that it also comes with a full size blender attachment and a personal blender attachment. There’s even a citrus press accessory that attaches to the food processor bowl..
Every large attachment has to be twisted into position on the base. For the food processor bowl and the blender, the lid also has to be twisted and locked in place otherwise they won’t work. This is a necessary safety feature.
Before adding the food processor bowl a long spindle attachment called the drive shaft, has to be placed on the base first. However, the drive shaft doesn’t click or lock in place, in fact, it feels quite loose, so it’s easy to think something is missing when you first assemble it. What’s more, I found that every time I removed the food processor bowl, I knocked the drive shaft and sent it clattering across the counter, which gets a bit annoying.
Another downside is that the main food processor bowl and the blender jug have to be configured on the base with the handle sitting to the right. So they’re not well placed for left-handed users.
The footprint of the base is 22.2 x 27.7cm / 8.7 x 10.9 inches (w x d) and the height depends on the accessory added. The tallest is when the blender jug is attached, which makes it 42.9cm / 16.9 inches high
Design score: 4 out of 5
Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch: performance
Very fast grating and slicing
Uncomplicated to use
Built in scales save time and mess
Food processor
The Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch's lid was incredibly tough to remove for the first few uses but loosened and became far easier the more I used it.
The first thing I did was to use the pulse button to chop an onion. I peeled and quartered the onion, then put it in with the main blade attached, and it took just five pulses to finely chop the onion. To make sure nothing was missed, I removed the lid before the final pulse and scraped off any chunks that were stuck to the side of the bowl. That did the trick to ensure the pieces were all evenly sized.
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It took just five pulses to finely chop a quartered onion (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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It took just five pulses to finely chop a quartered onion (Image credit: Helen McCue)
To make up a cake batter I used the main blade again in conjunction with the ‘mix’ preset which successfully combined all of the ingredients into a smooth cake batter in just 45 seconds. The best part was that prior to mixing I was able to weigh the ingredients directly into the food processor, which reduced the number of dishes to clean up.
Chopping nuts was next on the agenda. I threw in a handful of mixed nuts and pulsed it to avoid over-chopping them. It took 18 pulses, so I think it would have been quicker to just put it on the high speed setting. The nuts were chopped nevertheless.
There was a mixture of ground powdery nuts and some chunky pieces, so it didn’t chop them to a consistent texture. However, some of the other Kenwood MultiPro food processors come with a milling attachment. If you frequently chop hard foods like nuts, then it might be worth looking at those other models.
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The texture of chopped nuts was somewhat inconsistent, with some fine powder and some chunks (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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The texture of chopped nuts was somewhat inconsistent, with some fine powder and some chunks (Image credit: Helen McCue)
The last test I did with the main chopping blade was to chop diced beef chunks into a ground beef texture. This task was a breeze for the food processor and the job was done in just 20 seconds on the high speed setting.
It took just five seconds to grate two carrots using the large disc. There were a couple of chunks left un-grated, and having weighed the carrot before grating as well as the chunks that didn’t get shredded, I worked out that the waste was around 8% (and I don’t really consider it waste since I was still able to use these chunks in another recipe).
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It took just five seconds to grate two carrots using the large disc (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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It took just five seconds to grate two carrots using the large disc (Image credit: Helen McCue)
When grating cheese, I used the large grate disc again, and also the express serve attachment. I wanted to see if any cheese would get lodged or clumped in the express serve mechanism.
A 300g/ 10oz block of cheddar took under 15 seconds to grate and none of it got stuck in the express serve attachment. There were a few chunks of cheese that remained un-grated, amounting to about 8% of the total. But given how fast it is, I’m happy to save those chunks in the fridge for something else.
Grating cheese left a few un-grated pieces, but I was happy to keep these in the fridge for another recipe (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Grating chocolate can be a messy business and I’m happy to let a machine take care of the job. I used the small disc to grate a 180g / 6oz bar of dark chocolate. It took 40 seconds to push all the chocolate through and I had to press really firmly on the chocolate with the pusher.
Some chocolate did melt to the disc in the process and the chunks that didn’t get grated amounted to 19%, which is quite a lot. However, it’s much faster and easier than doing it by hand and I won’t let those ungrated chunks go to waste.
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The Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch sliced six carrots in 10 seconds (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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The Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch sliced six carrots in 10 seconds (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Next up was slicing, and it sliced six carrots in an impressive 10 seconds on the highest speed. There wasn’t any waste, though some did end up going through at a bit of an angle, so the slices were somewhat elongated. Overall though, it was a great result.
To slice half a cucumber I set it up with the disc that creates thin slices. It took about eight seconds on the high speed setting to slice the cucumber. The slices were perfectly even and there was no waste.
To test the dough tool, I added the ingredients for a bread dough and selected the ‘dough’ preset. It’s only a 30 second preset but it mixed the ingredients and combined them into a dough within the time.
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The dough preset only takes 30 seconds, but produces a well combined result (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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The dough preset only takes 30 seconds, but produces a well combined result (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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The dough preset only takes 30 seconds, but produces a well combined result (Image credit: Helen McCue)
I was impressed that the suction cups on the base kept the food processor firmly rooted to the counter, even after the ingredients had turned into a big ball of dough that would have some other food processors walking across the counter.
I used the whisk attachment to whip 300ml / 0.6 pints of cream. To avoid over whipping the cream, I selected the medium speed setting. It took two and a half minutes and while the cream was beautifully thick and light, I’d probably try out the high speed setting next time as it took a little longer than I expected.
Whipping cream on the medium setting took two and a half minutes - I might use the high speed setting next time (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Personal blender
I made a smoothie consisting of frozen mixed berries, milk, protein powder, half a banana, and a tablespoon of mixed seeds. The Instructions say not to use more than 60g frozen ingredients, so I made use of the integrated scales to weigh my berries before adding to the cup.
To blitz up the smoothie, I selected the ‘blend’ preset, which took 57 seconds. The finished smoothie was a little gritty thanks to the seeds that I had added as well as the seeds in the berries. However, there were no whole seeds and it had a pleasant, slightly aerated texture that was otherwise smooth and well mixed.
After blending, the blade attachment came off the cup in two sections, which wasn’t what I was expecting, but it didn’t actually matter. It made it easier to rinse clean under the tap.
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A smoothie made using the personal blender attachment was a little gritty due to the seeds I added, but well mixed and lightly aerated (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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A smoothie made using the personal blender attachment was a little gritty due to the seeds I added, but well mixed and lightly aerated (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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A smoothie made using the personal blender attachment was a little gritty due to the seeds I added, but well mixed and lightly aerated (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Blender
To crush ice, I added eight ice cubes and selected the ‘ice crush’ preset. It blended the ice for 28 seconds. At the end of the program, the ice was evenly crushed to a snowy consistency.
I cooked up the chopped onion, grated and sliced carrot from the above tests, into a tasty soup. Then once it had cooled I added it to the blender to blitz into a smooth soup.
I blended the soup on the ‘blend’ setting which takes 57 seconds. This was enough to completely liquidize everything into a perfectly smooth and creamy soup.
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It was easy to blend ingredients into a smooth soup, though a small hole in the lid of the blender means liquid can spit out (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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It was easy to blend ingredients into a smooth soup, though a small hole in the lid of the blender means liquid can spit out (Image credit: Helen McCue)
The one issue I had with the blender was that there’s a small hole in the lid. And at the start of blending the soup, liquid was spitting out of the hole. In the end I held a paper towel over it and the spitting stopped after the first 10-15 seconds when the soup began to thicken.
Next I half filled it with water and added some dishwashing liquid, then used the 33 second ‘clean’ preset to remove most of the soup residues. It worked a treat and I just had to rinse it and give it a quick wipe to get it fully cleaned.
Citrus press
The citrus press attachment slots on top of the main food processor bowl, in place of the lid. I switched it on to the low speed setting to make orange juice. Even on the low speed setting it felt fast and certainly made short work of the oranges. Four oranges (eight halves) took me around 90 seconds to juice.
The top section catches all the seeds and some of the pulp, leaving the rest of the juice to make its way into the bowl below. It’s a fast and effective attachment for people who want to juice citrus fruits, though the juice is pretty pulpy so if you want it super smooth, you’ll have to pour it through a sieve before drinking.
In general I didn’t find the food processor to be too loud, which is probably in part to do with how fast it processed everything. The blender and personal blender were pretty loud though and both hit a high of 105dB on my noise meter. This noise level is equivalent to outdoor power tools like a chainsaw or leaf blower. Though thankfully it was for less than a minute, so much more bearable.
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It took about 90 seconds to juice four oranges with the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch's citrus juicer (Image credit: Helen McCue)
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The juice contains quite a lot of pulp, so you'll need to strain it if you like a smoother texture (Image credit: Helen McCue)
Should you buy the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch?
Buy it if
You want to grate and slice in bulk
With the express serve attachment, you can slice or grate directly into your own bowl(s), meaning there really is no limit to the amount you can get done without stopping.
You want a multi-tasking all-rounder
At this point it goes without saying that this appliance can take the place of several other appliances. It's the perfect all-rounder to buy if you’re just setting up home and don’t yet own any appliances.
You want digital scales built in
Not only is it a game changer being able to weigh ingredients directly into the food processor bowl or the blender jug, but having the option to use it as a digital scale in its own right is an excellent add-on.
Don't buy it if
You already own a blender or personal blender
If you already own some of the appliances that are included in this bundle, then it simply doesn’t make sense to double up. You’d be better off looking for a model with fewer accessories.
You’re short on storage space
While the number of accessories is what makes this a great value multi-tasking kitchen machine, don’t overlook the fact that there’s a lot to store. If you have a compact kitchen, it’s worth considering whether you have sufficient storage space.
How I tested the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch
I had the Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch set up on my kitchen counter for a week while I did my best to try out every accessory and attachment at least once. In doing so, I also made use of the integrated weighing scales and tried most of the preset programmes on the control panel.
Further to testing its ability to deal with chopping, slicing, grating, whisking and blending, I was also noting how easy it was to use. This included how easily all the parts slot together as well as whether it’s tricky to clean.
I noted down any annoying features that I encountered and paid attention to whether it struggled or wobbled during use. I used a noise meter to establish how loud it is in use as well as taking into consideration the sheer volume of stuff there is to store. Learn more about how we test.
