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With this one tweak, the Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3 wheel becomes the best in the budget market

3:00 am | October 24, 2025

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

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: One-minute review

Previously a headset specialist, Turtle Beach has expanded into the more distant shores of sim peripherals lately and has had some especially impressive first forays into flight sim gear. The original VelocityOne direct drive bundle didn’t stick the landing quite as well over in the sim racing space, but this revised KD3 version addresses a lot of user feedback, and the result is simply our favourite budget-end direct drive bundle.

Both the wheelbase and pedals are equally at home on a desktop setup or installed on a racing seat, which is a smart move at this price point since the split of users who race one way or the other is far more even than at a higher price. Although there’s some plastic present on both the base of the pedals and the framework of the wheel, this doesn’t detract from what’s a solid and detailed driving sensation.

Torque weenies will be quick to point out the low 3.2Nm output from Turtle Beach’s direct drive motor, but in reality, it doesn’t feel weak to drive. There’s enough muscle here to make a car feel weighty, and to articulate a rear-end slip well enough for you to react to it.

Turtle Beach Velocityone KD3 — (Image credit: Future)

Conversely, the wheel is the weak point of the whole bundle. The buttons are uninspiring and feel cheap to press, and while the magnetic shifters feel great, the visual design isn’t going to turn many heads.

But Turtle Beach has a plan: a rather excellent FR-X formula-style wheel unit, sold separately for $225 / £189. If you buy that wheel plus the base bundle, you’re still in competitive pricing territory with the Thrustmaster T598, Moza R3, and Nacon Revosim, and you’ll have arguably the best wheel out of the lot.

One question mark to consider before purchasing is that, since Turtle Beach is just getting started in the sim racing space, the product ecosystem is limited at present. There’s nothing to upgrade to higher up the pricing ladder, so if you wanted to swap in a better set of pedals one day, or affix that FR-X wheel to a motor with a higher torque output, you’re banking on Turtle Beach continuing to expand its range of gear. With that said, at this price, it’s well worth the gamble.

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: Price and availability

List price: $449.99 / £329.99 (around AU$690)
Cheaper than both the Nacon Revosim and Thrustmaster T598
Worth factoring in the $225 / £189 FR-X wheel upgrade

Truthfully, the price is what makes this bundle as exciting as it is. There’s been a lot of activity in and around the $500 / £500 direct drive bundle mark in 2025, but the build quality, sensation, and design of this one make it the best value of all. Turtle Beach has undercut Nacon’s Revosim, and the Thrustmaster T598 - two bundles that offer extraordinary value in their own right.

The tradeoffs to hit this pricing aren’t obvious or troublesome, either - a basic wheel with a mostly plastic construction, and a plastic pedal base. Most value-conscious sim racers can live with that in order to enjoy the considerable benefits.

The FR-X wheel is the jewel in Turtle Beach’s nascent ecosystem, and it’s a borderline-mandatory upgrade to this bundle, which unlocks mechanical switches, a great input layout, and a much more premium look and feel. It’s priced at $224.99 / £189.99, and you should add that amount to the price of this bundle unless $399.99 / £329.99 is the hard limit of your budget.

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: Specs

Weight	14.4lbs / 6.5kg
Peak torque	3.2Nm
Features	Magnetic shifters, adjustable angle, killswitch, rev display
Connection type	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Software	VelocityOne Tuner

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: Design and features

Solid, adjustable pedals
A lot of detail from just 3.2Nm
Well-designed for desktop use, suitable for sim rigs too

Turtle Beach has clearly been paying attention to the feedback it garnered when it brought the first VelocityOne bundle to the sim racing market. This newest iteration looks more sophisticated and takes more of its design cues from the world of motorsport than gaming, allowing it to sit flush against the likes of Fanatec and Moza’s grown-up, serious-looking wheel bundles.

I’m a particular fan of the compact, no-nonsense motor design. It’s surprisingly small and neat, with a killswitch at the top and some additional buttons on the right-hand side, which add inputs for the three central buttons on an Xbox Wireless Controller.

The wheel mounts to the motor via a sturdy quick-release design, which doesn’t require any screwdrivers. Just pull the quick-release mechanism back towards you, then pull the wheel off. It feels secure and tight when the wheel’s affixed, and allows you to swap between two different wheel models easily – more on that below.

The supplied wheel is the weakest element of the bundle, but by no means is it unfit for purpose. It’s simply that there’s a plasticky feel to the upper and lower portions of the wheel, north and south of the texturized grips, and a rather basic finish quality. There are 20 total inputs to assign, the majority being simple face buttons, but there are two scroll wheels, reachable with the thumb while driving, for mapping to functions like traction control or engine mappings.

Is it a thing of beauty? Not particularly. But it deserves credit for a sensible ergonomic button layout, and for its size. Not many wheels at this end of the price bracket are full-size, and when you’re driving in titles that really benefit from a round wheel like EA Sports WRC, it’s a real benefit to have that full-size maneuverability.

There’s a two-pedal base supplied with this bundle, and although the brake doesn’t feature a load cell design with different elastomers that can be swapped in and out manually, you can still adjust the tension by twisting the spring housing.

Turtle Beach FR-X wheel

Available for $224.99 / £189.99, Turtle Beach’s formula-style FR-X wheel expands the company’s nascent racing ecosystem and… well, it’s just fantastic.

Everything about it, from the full-scale size, rubberized grips, to the mechanical buttons and aluminum dials, feels incredibly premium. It’s such a step up from the rather basic round wheel that’s bundled with the KD3 that I’d personally just add on this wheel’s price to the bundle and consider it mandatory.

That still keeps it in the realm of the Thrustmaster T598 and the Nacon Revosim, but offers you the additional value of having two wheel shapes to swap between when you play, say, a track racing sim and a rally title.

If the point needed labouring any more, it’s worth mentioning that the construction quality and layout are certainly on par with Fanatec wheels that sell for double the price. Well done, Turtle Beach.

Typically, you find that budget-end direct drive bundles offer less stamping resistance, since it’s the more experienced and serious sim racers who want the all-out leg workout of a GT car’s brake pedal resistance, and so it proves here. For my personal driving style, I found I was able to dial in enough tension in order to apply plenty of braking and find the sweet spot just before locking up. That’s the most important aspect. If you want your sim racing setup to feel exactly like a GT car, you’ll need a stiffer brake. If you just care about lapping quickly and consistently, Turtle Beach’s design works very well.

The plastic base that houses the pedals is another concession to this bundle hitting an affordable price point, and when compared to Thrustmaster’s very sturdy, all-metal pedal base construction for the T598, it does look and feel cheaper and offers less customization. However, it stays put admirably well on a variety of floor surfaces, making it pretty ideal if you prefer to race at your desktop rather than in a sim rig.

In fact, while both the pedals and wheelbase can be easily mounted to a racing seat, it’s during desktop use where their practical and sensible design really shines through. Take the desktop mounting clamp, for example: this is often an aspect of affordable direct drive bundles that feels like an afterthought, but here, one simple but sturdy part slots into the underside of the motor and lets you screw it into place, with minimal chances of your legs knocking into it. Simple as that.

It’s definitely worth noting here that while the supplied wheel feels quite basic, for $224.99 / £189.99, the FR-X wheel is an absurdly well-put-together formula-style wheel with loads of luxurious touches, and it really elevates the whole experience. See our boxout for more details on it.

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: Performance

More torque than you’d expect
A sturdy and detailed driving experience
Comfortable layout

Sim racers love to talk… well, torque. The Nm output of a direct drive wheelbase is often cited as a crucial spec when someone’s weighing up their options, and on those terms, the 3.2Nm on offer from this model seems meager.

However, using torque output as a measure of how detailed or immersive a wheelbase can be is simply too reductive. The Thrustmaster T598, for example, has 5Nm on paper, but it’s capable of 100% torque overshoot and, in real terms, feels as powerful and resistant as any wheel I’ve tested.

It’s a similar story with this wheelbase. While it isn’t so powerful that I feared for my thumbs when I crashed, it’s got more than enough torque to articulate subtle weight transfer, traction loss, road rumble, and brake lockups. And yes, when you crash, it feels like you’re crashing.

If it lacks anywhere, it’s in how quickly it delivers those sensations. At times, particularly when racing lightweight vehicles like F1 25’s F1 cars or open wheelers in Automobilista 2, the front end feeling is slightly dull and imprecise. However, in road cars and GT vehicles that you’d find in Assetto Corsa Competizione or Assetto Corsa Evo, I noticed this far less.

In the end, that slightly dull delivery is another concession to price. Just like the stamping force on the brake, it takes you marginally out of the immersion of controlling a real vehicle, but has little to no impact on your lap times.

Elsewhere in performance terms, I love the spacing of the pedals, the size of the round wheel, and the articulation of the large aluminum magnetic shifters. That lets me compete in longer races without feeling fatigued, and having all the face buttons arranged within easy reach of my thumbs helps a lot, too.

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3?

Buy it if…

You drive with a desktop setup, but might move to a rig
Desktop mounts seem to be a stumbling block for many bundles, at the budget end or otherwise, but Turtle Beach’s smart design makes it easy to clamp the motor to a desk, while the pedals stay put on any floor. That said, it’s equally at home mounted to a Playseat.

You’re feeling thrifty
This really is some incredible value Turtle Beach has crammed into one box, and if you can live with some high-plastic construction to the wheel and pedal base, there are few other tradeoffs.

You race rally and road
Spend the extra $225 / £190 for the magnificent FR-X wheel, and you’ve got a mini-modular setup with both a round wheel and a formula-style option, depending on the driving style you need.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to buy into a big ecosystem
Turtle Beach is just getting started in this vertical, so as yet, the future upgrade options are limited when compared to Fanatec’s range, for example.

You’re a torque snob
Only 3.2Nm? Surely you can barely feel the road? In reality, there’s plenty of power here, but if Nm is what counts to you, there are similarly priced rivals with higher output.

You’re a Gran Turismo fan
Bad news, Autumn Ring Mini aficionados – this one’s PC and Xbox-compatible, so your PS5 racing activities will need separate hardware – consider the Thrustmaster T598 instead.

Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3: Also consider

If the Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3 doesn’t bring you out of your shell, try these similar alternatives.

	Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3	Thrustmaster T598	Nacon Revosim
Price	$449.99 / £329.99 (around AU$690)	$499.99 / £449.99 (around AU$899.99)	$799.99 / £699.99 (around AU$1435)
Weight	14.4lbs / 6.5kg	14.1lbs / 6.4kg	52.9lbs / 24kg
Peak torque	3.2Nm	5Nm	9Nm
Features	Magnetic shifters, adjustable angle, killswitch, rev display	Modular pedal base, detachable rim, 100% torque overshoot	Direct drive, customizable button covers, quick release wheel, two-pedal base, phone mount attachment
Connection type	USB-A	USB-A	USB-A
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X\|S	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	PC

Thrustmaster T598
Thrustmaster does things differently than the competition with this industry-disrupting, axial drive wheel. Sure, the motor is massive and a strange shape, but it delivers an incredibly nuanced and powerful drive. Those who complain that its 5Nm torque output isn’t enough clearly haven’t driven one with the feedback strength maxed - it’s more than enough to snap your thumbs off.

The big consideration here is compatibility - if you’re a PC-only sim racer, then both are great options, but the Turtle Beach is Xbox-only on console while the T598 is PlayStation-only.

For more information, read our full Thrustmaster T598 review

Nacon Revosim
Priced higher than the others, Nacon’s Revosim does its best to justify the extra outlay with bombproof build quality and tons of extras, including a smartphone mount and several load cell configuration options for the brake, bundled in the box. The feeling is robust and detailed, but like the Turtle Beach wheel, the ecosystem is as yet very small, so there’s not much long-term upgrade or expansion potential.

For more information, read our full Nacon Revosim review

How I tested the Turtle Beach Velocityone Race KD3

Tested in F1 24, F1 25, Rennsport, ACC, and AC Evo
One week of testing on a desktop
Both the bundled KD3 wheel and FR-X wheel tested

Force feedback implementation and input schemes can vary from one title to another, so my testing process when a new bundle shows up at the door always involves a variety of games. And, indeed, a variety of vehicle types within them.

For the past week, I’ve been hotlapping in F1 24 and F1 25, obsessing over tire temps in Rennsport, whittling down the odd hundredth from my PBs in Assetto Corsa Competizione, and trying to ignore the low frame rates in Assetto Corsa Evo. In all titles, the KD3 feels powerful and just agile enough to convey the key info about the platform. Button mappings and default axis values all feel sensible, too.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

I tested this new budget gaming laptop from MSI, and while the price is eye-catching, you’ll have to settle for sub-par performance

6:41 pm | October 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming Laptops | Tags: Battery Life, MSI, UK, US | Comments: Off

MSI Cyborg 15: Two-minute review

The MSI Cyborg 15 is a budget gaming laptop with a basic spec, but one that should still suffice for enjoyable 1080p gaming.

I was pleasantly surprised by the elegance of its design, at least when compared to others in this sector. It’s not too thick or too bulky across any of its dimensions, although its weight hampers portability somewhat.

While not the most premium, the materials are of sufficient quality. Personally, I found the translucent accents did enough to add some aesthetic interest, too. However, it isn’t as well-made as the best gaming laptop models, with the display enclosure being a particular concern on this front, given the amount of flex it has.

All the salient ports for gamers are present and correct on the Cyborg 15. There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, as well as Ethernet, HDMI, and headset jacks. The placement of these ports might prove impractical for some gamers, though, depending on their setup; all but two are placed on the right-hand side, while there is none on the back.

Rear three-quarter view of MSI Cyborg 15 open on desk on a pink background — (Image credit: Future)

As you might expect from the RTX 3050, my Cyborg 15 review unit couldn’t handle the AAA titles with high settings applied very well. Cyberpunk 2077 rendered at 30-40fps on average with the game’s Ray Tracing: Low preset selected, no matter what I did with the upscaling. Turning off Ray Tracing altogether didn’t result in any noticeable gains either.

Thankfully, the Cyborg 15 isn’t distractingly loud under load. It also remains admirably cool, with only the rear exceeding lukewarm temperatures – and even then, it’s still not too hot to touch.

The display is also very good, being sharp and vibrant enough for enjoying all kinds of content. It also staves off reflections quite well.

Better still is the keyboard on the Cyborg 15. It’s full-size, so it includes a number pad, yet the keys don’t feel cramped, which makes for easy typing. They also feel great to press, striking the ideal balance between clicky and dampening, while also offering a pleasing amount of travel.

However, the battery life of the Cyborg 15 is less impressive. It didn’t manage to break six hours when playing back a movie on a continuous loop, nor did it break an hour in PCMark’s gaming scenario battery test. Both of these results are at the lower end of the gaming laptop spectrum.

The competition is becoming evermore fierce at the budget end of this market, but the Cyborg 15 certainly sets out its stall with its eye-catchingly low price. You’ll have to settle for mediocre performance, but the Cyborg 15 is a solid pick for those looking to spend relatively little on a gaming laptop and still have a good time.

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Price & Availability

Close-up of webcam on the MSI Cyborg 15 on a pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Starting at $999 / £649 / AU$1799
Available now in the US, UK and Australia

The Cyborg 15 is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $999 / £649 / AU$1799. My review model, the Cyborg 15 A13U, comes equipped with an Intel i5-13420H, an RTX 3050, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. All these components can be upgraded with costlier configurations.

This is a decent budget price for a gaming laptop. However, if you’re willing to spend about £150 more you could get the base model of the Acer Nitro V 15, which features an RTX 4050 – a significant upgrade over the RTX 3050.

Another great budget pick is the MSI Katana 15, which again packs a 4050 into its base model. It’s similarly priced to the Nitro, but features an i7 CPU rather than the i5 in the base models of both the Nitro and the Cyborg 15. It’s a great performer, which is why we think it’s currently one of the best budget gaming laptop options around.

Value: 4.5 / 5

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Specs

MSI Cyborg 15 review configuration specs
Price		£649 / AU$1799 (about $870)
CPU		Intel Core i5-13420H (2.1GHz, 8 Cores)
GPU		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 6GB
RAM		8GB DDR5
Storage		512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Display		15.6" FHD (1920x1080), 144Hz, IPS-Level
Ports and Connectivity		2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
Battery		53.5Wh
Dimensions		14 x 9.8 x 0.9in (359 x 250 x 23mm)
Weight		4.37lbs / 1.98kg

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Design

Close-up of WASD keys on the MSI Cyborg 15, with blue backlighting on — (Image credit: Future)

Surprisingly slender
Quite heavy
Flimsy display enclosure

The Cyborg 15 might not push the boat out in terms of looks, but it’s surprisingly sleek for a gaming laptop, avoiding unsightly bulges and maintaining a relatively thin profile. This helps to make it more portable, although its substantial weight means you wouldn’t want to carry it around for long.

The chassis material feels smooth to the touch and has a subtle speckled finish. I also liked the transparent edges around the lid chassis, which adds interest and helps to lighten up the dourness tones of the body. However, MSI definitely missed a trick by failing to install LEDs behind these parts, as they would’ve been the perfect place for RGB effects to shine through.

On the whole, the Cyborg 15 feels well put together, with a relatively sturdy construction. The lid hinge is also pleasingly solid, offering a stable hold while being easy to operate. However, the lid itself has a considerable amount of flex, which is somewhat concerning.

The body materials aren’t the most premium, either, but they suffice. Thankfully, the keys feel more upmarket, thanks to their smooth, subtly textured finish. Their backlighting is also bright enough to make them clearly visible in dark environments.

Close-up of left-side ports on the MSI Cyborg 15 on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

There are a variety of useful shortcuts, including some unique options bound to the arrow keys. For instance, you can instantly adjust the fan speed with Fn+Up, and turn off the main display with Fn+Right. Meanwhile, Fn+Down brings up a static red crosshair in the middle of the screen, which is something I haven’t seen before and can only assume is there for some sort of calibration purpose.

Underneath you’ll find four feet in each corner, which are smaller and offer less ground clearance than those installed on many other gaming laptops. However, their small profile does at least help to maintain the overall sleekness of the Cyborg 15.

The port selection of the Cyborg 15 is reasonable, catering to most gamers’ needs. There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C, ideal for connecting peripherals. HDMI, RJ-45, and headset ports round out the rest.

Some may take issue with the distribution of these interfaces. Most are loaded on the right-hand side, save for one USB-A port and the headset jack, which are on the left. Meanwhile, no ports are to be found on the rear, not even the power connector. Of course, the practicality of this arrangement will depend on your setup, but personally I would’ve preferred a more even spread.

To tweak various settings, the Cyborg 15 comes preinstalled with the MSI Center app. From here you can install further modules, including one for adjusting fan speed and performance presets. The software proved reasonably stable during my time with it, and while the interface is a little buggy, it responds swiftly and is easy to navigate.

Design: 4 / 5

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Performance

Close-up of right-side ports on the MSI Cyborg 15 on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

Lackluster AAA performance
Good display
Excellent keyboard

MSI Cyborg 15 benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Single Core): 2,394; (Multi Core): 10,165
Cinebench R23 (Single Core): 1,692; (Multi Core): 10,471
Cinebench R24 (Single Core): 100 (Multi Core): 601
Crossmark Overall: 1,576
3DMark Fire Strike: 10,675; Steel Nomad: 924; Solar Bay: 21,226; Speed Way: 1,071; Port Royal: 2,685
BlackMagicDisk Read: 4,475MB/s; Write: 3,124MB/s
Civilization VII (1080p, Medium): 203fps; (Max Resolution, High): 77fps; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, High): 86fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Medium): 74fps; (Max Resolution, Highest): 63fps; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Highest): 82fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p, Medium): 57fps; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 26fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Medium): 48fps; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 34fps; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Ultra): 51fps
F1 2024 (1080p, Medium): 113fps; (Max Resolution, Max Quality, No RT): 40fps; (Balanced Upscaling, Max Resolution, Max Quality with RT): 29fps

The performance of the Cyborg 15 isn’t anything spectacular. Given my review unit was equipped with an RTX 3050, this wasn’t exactly surprising, but it really is starting to feel its age at this point.

It didn’t handle Cyberpunk 2077 particularly well with the Ray Tracing: Low preset applied, with fps figures oscillating between the late 30s and early 40s. This was with DLSS upscaling enabled, and its various modes, from Auto to Balanced to Performance, seemed to make little difference.

My sessions were also blighted by frequent slowdowns when encountering busy scenes. Even dropping down to the Ultra preset, which disables Ray Tracing, failed to yield significantly better results.

As with virtually any gaming laptop, fan noise is certainly noticeable on the Cyborg 15. However, it's not loud enough to be distracting, and the best PC gaming headsets should provide sufficient isolation.

What’s more, the fans seemed to be doing a fine job, as temperatures never rose to uncomfortable levels during my time with the Cyborg 15. The keyboard became nothing more than lukewarm, while the rear, despite bearing the brunt of the highest temperatures, still remained touchable.

Close-up of number pad with blue backlighting on the MSI Cyborg 15, on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

Another impressive aspect of the Cyborg 15 is its display. The 1080p resolution doesn’t feel stretched across its 15-inch real estate, rendering games and various interfaces sharply. Colors are vibrant, too, and reflections are kept at bay to a large extent.

The full-sized keyboard also feels great to use, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys, meaning it doesn’t feel cramped. This is all the more impressive given the fact that a number pad is included.

The keys are fit for gaming and typing equally, thanks to their tactile feel. They have more travel than you might expect from a gaming laptop keyboard, which yet remain light and easy to press. What’s more, they strike the perfect balance between being clicky and dampened, which makes them all the more satisfying to use. They even come close to rivaling the best gaming keyboard switches in this regard.

I also appreciated the wide Control key, as I usually struggle to hit this comfortably when gaming on other keyboards. It provided plenty of margin for error when trying to navigate towards it blindly with my little finger, which in turn made it much easier to hit consistently than I’m accustomed to, based on my experience with other keyboards.

The touchpad on the Cyborg 15 can get in the way when typing, though. It’s easy to accidentally click – let alone swipe – it with the palm of your thumb, thanks to how readily it actuates. Thankfully, it’s easily disabled with an Fn shortcut.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Battery Life

Close-up of touchpad on the MSI Cyborg 15 on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

Poor battery life
Reasonably quick to charge

The battery life of the Cyborg 15 is subpar. It lasted about five and a half hours during our movie playback test, which is easily beaten by many of its rivals. The Nitro V 15 Intel that I tested lasted about an hour longer.

It didn’t fare much better in the PCMark Gaming battery test, either. It didn’t manage an hour before giving up the ghost, again placing it towards the back of the pack. At least the Cyborg 15 is quick to recharge, taking just over two hours to get from empty to full.

Battery Life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the MSI Cyborg 15?

MSI Cyborg 15 Scorecard
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Not many offer such quality for so little, but you will have to sacrifice spec for the best deals.	4.5 / 5
Design	The Cyborg 15 is pleasingly sleek and well-made, although the flimsy display is somewhat concerning.	4 / 5
Performance	The Cyborg 15 struggles to keep pace with modern AAA titles at the highest settings, so you'll need to dial those back a bit. The keyboard and display are great, though.	3.5 / 5
Battery Life	Towards the lower end of the sector in this regard. At least it’s quick to charge.	3 / 5
Total	The low price of the MSI Cyborg 15 certainly makes it tantalizing, especially when you consider the quality of the display and keyboard. But those after peak AAA performance will be disappointed.	3.75 / 5

Buy the MSI Cyborg 15 if...

You want a great keyboard
Whether you’re gaming or typing, the keyboard on the Cyborg 15 is always a joy to use.

You want to save money
The Cyborg 15 is very well priced for a gaming laptop, and its design and quality belie its budget cost.

Don't buy it if...

You want top-tier performance
My review unit, with its Intel i5 and RTX 3050, couldn’t handle demanding titles at the highest settings.

You want the best battery life
Most gaming laptops are wanting in this area, but the Cyborg 15 is among the worst on this front.

MSI Cyborg 15 review: Also Consider

Acer Nitro V 15 Intel
The Nitro V 15 is another great budget machine that punches above its weight. The review unit I had featured a 5060, therefore it's significantly more powerful – and expensive – than the Cyborg 15. However, it still comes in under a thousand pounds, which represents good value in the gaming laptop world.

Read our full Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review.

How I tested the MSI Cyborg 15

Tested for several days
Played games and ran benchmarks
Plentiful gaming laptop experience

I tested the MSI Cyborg 15 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, typing, and general browsing.

I played AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, and ran our extensive series of benchmark tests, which covered all aspects of performance, from gaming and creative to AI and battery life.

I've reviewed plenty of gaming laptops in the past, ranging greatly in their spec, form factors, and pricing. I've also been PC gaming for over a decade, and have build my own machines in that time, so I'm well-positioned to know a great gaming laptop when I use one.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: October 2025

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro is a great premium PS5 controller, but it hasn’t blown me away like its Xbox counterpart did

6:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Final Fantasy, PC | Comments: Off

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: one-minute review

After roughly two weeks with the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, I can confidently say it’s one of the best PS5 controllers I’ve tested to date. While it’s arguable that the space doesn’t have all that many compelling third-party options - outside of the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded at least - Razer’s controller nonetheless sets a new standard for PS5 pads.

It accomplishes this partly through its inclusion of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) thumbsticks. That’s not as glamorous as it sounds - simply providing a highly drift resistant pair of sticks similar to Hall effect - but it’s an overdue inclusion among the best PS5 pads that significantly cheaper offerings on rival platforms have had for a number of years now. See the GameSir Tarantula Pro or 8BitDo Ultimate 2 for proof of that.

But that’s not the only reason to consider buying the Razer Raiju V3 Pro. Like with the Xbox-compatible Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, Razer’s own mouse click tech powers its remappable rear buttons, bumpers, and triggers, and they all feel so amazingly satisfying to press. As an esports-facing controller, rapid responsiveness for button presses is paramount, and the immediacy on offer here is simply excellent.

Aspects that I loved about the Wolverine V3 Pro are here on the Raiju. Razer has arguably the best trigger locks in the business, again leveraging that mouse clickiness for quick and satisfying results. The circular d-pad design remains one of my favorites, too, allowing for a heightened level of precision over traditional 4-way d-pads; truly a wonderful thing for the best fighting games, especially.

So far so good, then, and the inclusion of a carry case is a welcome one if you’re inclined to take your controller out with you to local tournaments or just to a buddy’s house. But I have to mark down the Raiju V3 Pro slightly in its overall build quality.

While still certainly on the higher end of PlayStation pads, it just doesn’t feel quite as premium as its Xbox counterpart. The face buttons, too - while still making use of tactile microswitches - don’t feel quite as satisfying or clicky as they do on the Wolverine V3 Pro. A shame, especially given that the Raiju is more expensive than the Wolverine in the US and the same price as it in the UK.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: price and availability

List price: $219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339)
Available now at Razer and select retailers
Similarly priced to the Wolverine V3 Pro

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro is available to buy now for $219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339). You can pick up the PS5-compatible controller from Razer’s own website, or stocking retailers in the US and UK. An Amazon listing is due to go live at a later date.

In terms of price, it falls in the same territory as other premium-adjacent PlayStation 5 controllers. For example, the DualSense Edge comes in at $199.99 / £199.99, while the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is available for $209.99 / £179.99.

But why are these controllers so expensive? Truthfully it usually comes down to two things. For one, they’re aimed at a specialist market - usually competitive gamers. Secondly, such gamepads typically come loaded with extra features like enhanced thumbsticks, trigger locks, remappable buttons, microswitches and more. There may or may not be a bit of a brand tax in the mix, too.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: Specs

Price	$219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339)
Weight	9.8oz / 279g
Dimensions	6.6 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 168 x 105 x 65mm
Compatibility	PS5, PC
Connection type	Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	Around 10 hours

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: design and features

While a counterpart to the Wolverine V3 Pro, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro actually looks a lot more similar to the Wolverine V2 Pro from a few years back. It has the same general silhouette, albeit with an entirely matte black finish rather than a clean white. It’s a very unassuming look, with even the PlayStation face button iconography sharing the same black as the pad itself.

Expect a similar layout to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller, or indeed the DualSense Edge. Symmetrical thumbsticks, a central Home dashboard button, along with a large center (and functioning) touchpad with Options and Share buttons on either side. The triggers and bumpers are a bit of a departure, though, feeling more similar to that of the Xbox Wireless Controller.

Usual suspects aside, the feature set is practically identical to the Wolverine V3 Pro. Two claw grip bumpers (essentially secondary bumpers lodged next to the triggers) are joined by four remappable rear buttons situated behind the pad’s grips. There’s also a pair of two-way trigger lock switches at the top rear, and between those, switches for swapping between wired and wireless play, and PC and PS5 connectivity.

The textured grips feel wonderful, and let you get a firm, comfortable grasp of the controller during play. The remappable buttons are positioned so that your fingers rest conveniently on them, too.

It’s a very solidly built controller, overall. But a nagging feeling I had during testing was that it just doesn’t feel quite as nice as the Wolverine V3 Pro. For that Xbox controller, I found its build quality to be one of the highlights, feeling suitably weighty and well-built.

The Raiju V3 Pro is noticeably lighter, which isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but materials used here just feel a touch less premium overall, from its chassis to its sticks and buttons. Plus, the fact the USB-C port juts outwardly is an awkward blemish on the controller’s looks. And it could also mean that cables beyond the one Razer has included might not fit.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: Performance

I at least can’t fault the Razer Raiju V3 Pro when it comes to gaming performance. Like its Xbox cousin, the Raiju provides a superb play experience especially in online multiplayer environments.

TMR sticks are a really welcome addition here. They achieve much the same as Hall effect by eliminating the risk of stick drift. However, they’re a lot closer to traditional analog sticks in feel, if that’s something you prefer. If you’re jumping over from a DualSense, you should feel right at home here, then, albeit the sticks on the Raiju are leagues ahead in durability.

Like the Wolverine V3 Pro, the Raiju is an exceptionally satisfying pad from a play perspective. The tactile immediacy of its buttons, d-pad, bumpers, and triggers (provided you’ve got those trigger locks enabled) just feels great in practice.

While I dabble in Fortnite and PUBG Battlegrounds, fighting games are my go-to competitive experience. And I’m as happy with the Raiju in this regard as I was with the Wolverine V3 Pro. The clicky, circular d-pad helps tremendously with rapid movement and motion-based inputs, whereas with traditional 4-way d-pads, it’s a lot easier to fumble commands or hit something you didn’t mean to. I’d genuinely love it if this circular design became the standard across most gamepads going forward; it just feels so nice in comparison.

In terms of battery life, it’s a similar story with the Raiju as it was with the Wolverine V3 Pro. I got around 10 hours out of the controller before it started to drop off and lose connection. Not brilliant, especially compared to the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded and Revolution 5 Pro, but certainly a step up from the DualSense Edge’s 5-6 hours on average.

Should I buy the Razer Raiju V3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a more fulsome premium PS5 controller experience
The DualSense Edge is nice with all its PlayStation-centric features, but it doesn’t offer TMR sticks, claw grip bumpers, or the same tactile feeling. The Raiju addresses all of this, making for a more complete competitive-ready controller overall.

You play a lot of online multiplayer
Whether it’s shooters, fighting games, or otherwise, this controller is tailor-made for competitive play, and absolutely succeeds in delivering a satisfying, expertly responsive experience.

Don't buy it if...

You want to enjoy the DualSense’s bespoke features
You won’t be getting PlayStation’s haptic feedback or adaptive triggers here while playing on PS5 or for compatible PC titles. If you really want those extra layers of immersion or tactility, you should stick with a DualSense or DualSense Edge.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: Also consider

If the Razer Raiju V3 Pro isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there are other premium controller options for PS5 you might want to consider instead.

	Razer Raiju V3 Pro	Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded	DualSense Edge
Price	$219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339)	$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)	$199.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95
Weight	9.8oz / 279g	9.3oz / 265g	11.4oz / 322g
Dimensions	6.6 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 168 x 105 x 65mm	6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm	6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 160 x 106 x 66mm
Compatibility	PS5, PC	PS5, PS4, PC (Xbox version sold separately)	PS5, PC
Connection type	Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (PS5 native), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	Around 10 hours	Around 20 hours	5-6 hours

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded
An excellent premium PS5 controller with a unique selling point; the ability to swap out dedicated stick and button modules to your liking. This lets you adopt either symmetrical or asymmetrical stick layouts, for example. An included fightpad module is also excellent for fighting games.

Read our full Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review

DualSense Edge
Not quite as impressive when compared to its immediate competition, but it does offer PlayStation’s unique haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. A pair of handy function buttons also let you swap button profiles on the fly, which is a nice touch.

Read our full DualSense Edge review

How I tested the Razer Raiju V3 Pro

Tested for two weeks
Played a range of PS5 and PC games
Compared directly to its Xbox counterpart, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

I tested the Razer Raiju V3 Pro for around two weeks for this review. In that time, I played a handful of games across PS5 and PC - both single player and online multiplayer-focused. These include Monster Hunter Wilds, Fortnite, Final Fantasy 14 Online, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and the recently-released Ninja Gaiden 4.

I compared my experience with the Raiju to that of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. I certainly prefer that Xbox counterpart thanks to its more premium-feeling build quality. But overall, both are top performers when it comes to gaming proper, and I could easily recommend both depending on your platform of choice.

First reviewed October 2025

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I tested the divisive new Leica M EV1 – forget the haters, it’s the most usable Leica M camera yet

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Gadgets Mirrorless Cameras | Comments: Off

Leica M EV1: two-minute review

The Leica M EV1 concept is polarizing: strip out the optical rangefinder that Leica M cameras have been famed for for over 70 years, and replace it with an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

You'd think the whole experience of taking photos with the M EV1 would be wildly different – but in fact, in many ways it isn't.

Technically speaking, the Leica M EV1 shares many similarities with the Leica M11 / M11-P and Leica Q3 / Q3 43) – all use Leica's 60MP full-frame sensor, which delivers the most detailed photos among full-frame cameras.

Like a Leica Q3 / Q3 43 premium compact but with Leica's M mount, the new EV1 felt pretty intuitive to me straight away, as I've used other Leica M series and Leica Q series cameras extensively.

I can see the appeal for many Leica fans already in camp M EV1 – it has useful elements of Leica's Q series (minus autofocus, tilt screen and video recording), combined with the versatility of the Leica M mount and a wide choice of lenses. The best of both worlds, then.

Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The Leica M EV1 with Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens attached (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

On the plus side, the EVF offers focus peaking, which is an extremely useful visual aid for manual focusing; trust me, it will increase your percentage of sharp shots compared to being guided by Leica's optical rangefinder, at least when you're manually focusing in the moment, rather than sticking to a set focus distance as some street photographers do.

Build-wise, there's greater similarity with the M11 – not just the M mount and interchangeable lenses, but also the control layout and fixed rear screen, although I'd rather have more Q3 attributes in the design.

For me, the Q3’s tilt screen is super-useful – I generally find myself switching between the viewfinder and rear screen, and I enjoy waist-level shooting for street photography, for which a tilt screen is hugely useful.

That meant I used the 5.76m-dot viewfinder more often with the EV1, and thankfully it works a treat. Rangefinder-style cameras like the EV1 are fairly inconspicuous too, making them ideal for street photography.

Rear of the Leica M EV1 camera, on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The EVF has a slightly different profile to the optical rangefinder in other Leica M cameras, but the 2.95-inch fixed screen is the same as the M11's (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

All that said, as a package the M EV1 makes less sense. Sure, it costs less than the M11, but it costs more than the Q3, which is much more camera, with its built-in lens, autofocus, tilt screen and video recording. It's a natural comparison when you take the optical rangefinder out of the equation.

The M EV1 makes sense in some ways, especially if you already own multiple Leica lenses, but if you're starting out, or generally shoot with one or two lenses, it doesn't.

Beyond such considerations, though, I have to go with my gut, having used the camera extensively with the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens for a week. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Yes, it feels slightly less organic than the M11, but if you don't mind an EVF then the EV1 feels like the new Leica M camera to go for.

Leica M EV1 camera in user's hands, autumn leaf backdrop — The M EV1 is a compact and discreet rangefinder-style camera, making it ideal for reportage photography. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Leica M EV1: price and release date

Costs $8,995 / £6,840 (Australia price TBC) for the body only
Additional leatherette hand grip costs $460 / £340
Available from October 23, 2025

Price-wise, the Leica M EV1 sits in between the Leica M11 and Leica Q3, which makes sense because an EVF is cheaper to manufacture than an optical rangefinder.

Ultimately, the EV1's list price makes the Q3 / Q3 43 feel like much better value, especially if you're not going to be swapping lenses a lot. The Q3 is much the same camera, for less, with additional features – and you get a built-in lens.

With the EV1, you're paying for the luxury of being able to swap lenses, and every Leica lens costs in the thousands.

Personally, if I had a spare $14,000 / £12,000 for Leica camera gear, I'd rather pick up both the Leica Q3 and Leica Q3 43 over the EV1 with a lens such as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux, which together cost the same as two Q3s.

Leica M EV1 camera in user's hands — There's no grip on the M EV1, but an additional leatherette hand grip is available separately (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Leica M EV1: specs

Video	N/A
Photo	60MP full-frame
Lens mount	Leica M
Autofocus	N/A – manual focus only
Screen	2.95-inch fixed touchscreen, 2.3m-dot
Viewfinder	5.76m-dot EVF
Weight	17oz / 484g (body, including battery)
Battery	244 shots (Leica BP-SCL7)

Leica M EV1: Design

Compact rangefinder design
5.76m-dot EVF instead of an optical rangefinder
Modest-size 2.95-inch fixed touchscreen

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Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop, no lens attached — Yes it's a Leica M... without the rangefinder! (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Rear screen of the Leica M EV1 camera on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — The control layout is super minimal (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Top plate of the Leica M EV1 camera, which is resting on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — There's no ISO dial, which you'll find in the top left of Leica M11 cameras (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Underside of the Leica M EV1 camera, on a wooden table with glass-panelled door backdrop — There's USB-C charging for the 1,900mAh capacity battery (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Right side profile of the Leica M EV1 camera

The right side of the camera (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Left side profile of the Leica M EV1 camera

The left side of the camera – there's no connections whatsoever (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The obvious place to start when talking about the M EV1's design is its viewfinder, which is the same 5.76m-dot EVF found in the Leica Q3. It's also placed in the corner of the camera where the rangefinder traditionally sits, easily accessed with your right eye.

I was shooting with Leica's 35mm f/1.4 Summilux lens for this test, often wide open at f/1.4 where depth of field is really shallow, and getting sharp manual focus is historically a challenge with Leica M cameras. This changes somewhat with the M EV1.

Focus peaking is indeed supremely helpful for this manual focus-only camera, outlining the hard edges of your subject that's in focus – I had the camera set to red focus peaking, which in general is the color most easily seen.

Focus magnification gives you a closer look too, making it much easier to make fine adjustments. My ratio of in-focus shots has been much higher using the M EV1 than I would expect with a camera like the M11.

Leica M EV1 sample gallery: two people walking under an umbrella in London — Even with an EVF, a manual focus-only camera will keep you on your toes. Here my reactions weren't up to speed – a mirrorless camera with subject detection autofocus would have nailed this photo (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

As a rangefinder-style camera, the EV1 is really compact, plus the shutter action is dampened for minimal vibration and noise, making for discreet picture taking.

The 2.95-inch rear screen feels a little on the small side, and being fixed it's less useful that a moveable screen, say a tilt or vari-angle type. The quality and feel of the display is top-drawer, though – with 2.3m dots it's packed with detail, and touch response feels smooth.

With the screen being less useful than I would like – I prefer the Q3's tilt screen – I leaned more into using the viewfinder, which is a lovely experience, even if traditionalists will turn their nose up at such a digital display.

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Man holding the Leica M EV1 camera's viewfinder up to their eye, autumn leaf backdrop — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Closeup of the Leica M EV1 camera's viewfinder — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's rear buttons — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's control dial — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Like all high-end Leica M cameras, the EV1 is made in Germany and the body is fully metal – both aluminum and magnesium, with a leatherette finish. This is a classy bit of gear.

The style, profile and control layout of the EV1 are largely familiar – this feels like an M11, save for the omission of an ISO dial (which is a real shame) and of course that new type of viewfinder. I'm a fan of minimalist design, and thoroughly enjoyed shooting with the EV1.

Leica M EV1: Performance

Same 60MP sensor as the M11 and Q3, with digital crops
Manual focus only
No video recording

If you want a detail-rich full-frame camera there are none better than those that use this 60MP sensor, as Leica's current crop of M cameras do, along with the Sony A7R V.

Leica offers two digital crop modes: 1.3x and 1.8x, with a reduced 36MP and 18MP resolution respectively. With the 35mm lens, those crops give a perspective equivalent to 45mm and 63mm lenses.

Burst-shooting top speeds are a modest 4.5fps. The buffer memory is rated to 3GB, which means you can shoot 15 full-size raw files or 100 JPEGs at that top speed before the camera slows up, assuming you're using a high-speed UHS-II SD card.

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: busy Oxford Circus underground station entrance — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: street scene in London reflected in a puddle — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: inside a Joe the Juice cafe — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: outside a London pub at dusk — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: two red phone boxes in London — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: wait sign illuminated in London street — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: man leaning against pedestrian crossing wait light — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: noodle restaurant window — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: Regent Street Cineman London at dusk — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The ISO sensitivity range starts at ISO 64 and tops out at ISO 50,000, so images taken in good light with the base ISO are particularly clean and crisp.

Leica uses the widely adopted DNG raw format, with a 14-bit output and a limited number of color profiles to choose from – I mainly stuck to standard profile, and made color edits to raw files afterwards.

Sticking with the Leica M ethos, the EV1 doesn't shoot video at all. For video recording with a Leica, you'll need to look to the Leica Q series.

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: close up of heather — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: mushrooms growing out of a fallen tree — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: portrait of main with autumn trees. in background — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: young girl gazing towards forest — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: M&M candy being passed around — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: large mushroom growing out of a dead tree — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: autumnal forest — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: girl giving grass to a horse — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: close up of a horses's mane — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Leica M EV1 sample gallery: man partly in shade and light by window — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Following the Leica M11-P, the EV1 is equipped with content credentials, which is the most widely adopted industry standard for authenticating the origin of digital images. It does so through a secure digital label, holding details such as names, dates, and any edits made to an image’s metadata.

GPS geotagging data can also be added to images via the Leica Fotos app, which is available on the Apple store and Google Play store for iPhone and Android devices. It's also possible to wirelessly transfer images to your device from the M EV1 through the app, as well as remotely control the camera.

At the time of writing the EV1 isn't registered on the app as I've been using it prelaunch, but I have plenty of experience with the app, such as with the screen-less M11-D, and it's one of the more reliable and pain-free app experiences from leading camera brands.

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's battery door — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Close up of the Leica M EV1 camera's battery door, battery removed and placed next to the camera — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Battery life, I must say, is pretty poor by today's standards, rated up to 244 shots. It's little wonder given that the camera uses Leica's BP-SCL7 battery with its modest 1,800mAh capacity.

Still, the M EV1 isn't the kind of high-speed photography and video-making heavyweight with which users would quickly drain a battery. The photography process here is slow and considered, and as such I typically got through a whole day without needing to charge the battery (which is done via the USB-C port on the underside of the camera).

Leica M EV1: also consider

Leica Q3

If you're considering the M EV1, then you're probably already okay with using an EVF. And unless you already have a bunch of pricey Leica lenses, the Q3 and / or Q3 43 premium compacts feel like a wiser pick overall – you get the same 60MP sensor but also a built-in lens, the ability to switch to autofocus, a versatile tilt screen, and video recording. Oh, and both Q3 models cost much less.

See my Leica Q3 reviewView Deal

Leica M11

Design-wise there are two key differences between the M11 and M EV1; the viewfinder type – the M11 has an optical rangefinder, while the M EV1 has a 5.76m-dot electronic viewfinder – and the M11 features a handy ISO dial that's missing on the EV1. Besides that, the user experience and image quality are effectively the same. The EV1 costs less than the M11, though.

See our Leica M11 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Leica M EV1

Leica loaned me the M EV1 for a week ahead of its launch
I had one lens to test it with – the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph
I've used the M EV1 as an everyday camera, documenting the world around me

My experience with the Leica M EV1 was wonderfully simple. I had it close to hand for a whole week ahead of the global announcement, with the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens attached to it the whole time.

I'm a fan of this lens for reportage photography, and naturally found myself documenting the world around me, mostly making use of the EVF and focus peaking to manually focus.

Of course, there's a decent range of Leica M lenses to choose from, making the most of the M EV1's design advantages over the Leica Q3 premium compact with its fixed lens.

First reviewed: October 2025
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I tried the Fujifilm X-T30 III and tiny new kit lens, and the retro pairing are a great pick for beginner photographers

8:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Gadgets Mirrorless Cameras | Comments: Off

Fujifilm X-T30 III: two-minute review

Fujifilm has updated its beginner mirrorless camera for photographers with the new X-T30 III, which comes four years after the Fujifilm X-T30 II.

It launches alongside a tiny new XF 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS kit lens (that's a 20-50mm effective focal length) that's smaller and lighter than the 15-45mm, the previous kit lens packaged with Fujifilm’s low-cost cameras. The portable pair weigh just 17.7oz / 503g combined.

Going on appearances alone, very little has changed. There's now a film simulation dial in place of a shooting mode dial, much like on other recent Fujifilm cameras including the X-T50, with all 20 simulations available, and the ability to add film recipe shortcuts.

Fujifilm X-T30 III camera in three colors, on a glass table — The X-T30 III is available in three colors; silver, charcoal and black (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

Otherwise, the size, weight, profile and control layout are pretty much identical to the X-T30 II – this is a really small camera and lens combo that easily slips into a jacket pocket.

Headline features include the same 26MP sensor and current fifth-generation processor combo as used in the X-M5 and X-S20. This means the X-30 III sits below the pricer X-T50, which uses the latest 40MP stabilized sensor.

It has more in common with the slightly pricier X-S20, which with its in-body image stabilization, feels like a better pick. Otherwise, the specs are almost identical to those of the X-M5, which, with its viewfinder-less video-first design, costs less.

Fujifilm X-T30 III camera in photographer's hands — The notable change from the X-T30 II is that there's a film simulation dial rather than a shooting mode dial (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

Despite its photography-friendly design, which also factors a built-in flash, the X-T30 III does in fact have the same video features as the compact X-M5, including 6K video with 10-bit color depth, 4K 60fps video and a vertical 9:16 short movie mode for social.

Personally, I think Fujifilm’s X-series range is getting a little crowded now, and would have liked to have seen the X-T30 III priced around 10% lower to help it to truly stand out for beginners.

However, it's still a compelling retro package – $1,150 / £1,000 / AU$1,950 for an attractive portable camera and lens with sharp 26MP stills and impressive 6K video is pretty respectable.

Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table — The X-T30 III is a tidy package with the 13-33mm lens attached (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

Fujifilm X-T30 III: price and release date

Costs $999 / £829 / AU$1,679 body-only, or $1,149 / £999 / $1,949 with the 13-33mm lens
Available in silver, black and charcoal
Sales start on November 20, 2025

Designed for beginners, the X-T30 III is available from November 20 in silver, black and charcoal options, for a body-only price of $999 / £829 / AU$1,679, or with the new 13-33mm lens it costs $1,149 / £999 / $1,949.

The X-M5 remains the lowest-priced model in Fujifilm's range of X-mount cameras; the X-S20 is a fraction more, while the X-T50 is more again. Considering its features, I would prefer that the X-T30 III was around 10% cheaper in order for it to be more competitive.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: specs

Video	6K 30fps / 4K 60fps, 9:16 mode
Photo	26MP APS-C
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Autofocus	Intelligent hybrid phase / contrast
Cont shooting	8fps (mechanical), 20fps (electronic), 30fps (electronic with 1.25x crop)
Screen	3-inch, 1.62m-dot tilt touchscreen
Viewfinder	2.36m-dot
Weight	13.3oz / 378g (incl battery and card)
Battery	NP-W126S (same type as in most of Fujifilm's current cameras), 425 shots

Fujifilm X-T30 III: Design

Weights just 378g, same dimensions as the X-T30 II
Film simulation dial in place of a shooting mode dial
Built-in EVF, flash and tilt touchscreen

The X-T30 III is a tidy, compact retro package, especially with the new 13-33mm lens – the pair weigh less than most rival cameras without lens attached, and I easily slipped the combo into my jacket pocket when I wasn't using it. The camera is available in three colors and it certainly looks the part, especially in silver.

The pronounced thumb rest gives a decent grip, and I happily (and securely) held the camera with one hand in both horizontal and vertical formats.

There's a quick menu button conveniently placed on that thumb grip, but all too often I found myself pressing it unintentionally. It's not a big drama as you just have to exit the menu, but it's something to be aware of.

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Fujifilm X-T30 III camera with pop-up flash out, on a glass table — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Tilt screen of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera pulled out, on a glass table — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Close up of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera's viewfinder — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Top of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

The rear touchscreen is tilt only and not fully vari-angle, which means you won't be able to easily shoot selfies.

I'm personally fine with the tilt design, which is handy for waist-level viewing. Also, the positioning of the USB-C, micro HDMI and mic ports on the side would obstruct a flip around screen, when those ports are in use.

The 2.36m-dot EVF is clear enough for such a small camera – I regularly used it rather than the screen, and it will be particularly helpful on bright sunny days for photography.

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Side of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table, port doors open — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table, battery removed — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Underside of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Close up of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera's thumbgrip — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

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Rear of the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera on a glass table — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

We now have a film simulation dial in place of a shooting mode dial - that's consistent with the latest models including the X-T50.

I can see the reasoning - quick access to color profiles and film recipes is great if you like to regularly experiment with different looks.

Personally, I switch exposure mode more often than color profiles, so I'm a bigger fan of the shooting mode dial which is sacrificed for film simulations.

In my limited time with the camera, I actually couldn't figure out how to switch to aperture priority - my default exposure setting - and so resorted to the new auto mode instead which selects shutter speed and aperture based on the scene. The X-T30 III certainly feels designed for beginners.

There's a built-in flash, one of only three current beginner models with such a feature. The GN7-rated (ISO 200) flash is handy to have for sure, especially at parties. You only tend to get a built-in flash in beginner cameras which aren't weather sealed, like the X-T30 III, because they usually compromise weather sealing.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: Performance

New processor delivers 10% better battery life
New Instax mode for instant photography fans
Digital stabilization only

Packing Fujifilm's latest processor, the X-T30 III is a snappier camera than the X-T30 II. For example, 8fps (mechanical) and 20fps (electronic) burst shooting are sustained for 2x longer, for up to 173 JPEGs. That max speed can be upped to 30fps (electronic) with a 1.25x crop.

Fujifilm also says battery life is improved by 10% thanks to the new processor, for up to 425 shots.

Autofocus receives a boost, too, with Fujifilm's latest subject detection on board, which in addition to people can track animals, birds, cars, insects and more.

There's also a new Instax instant photography mode which can display mini, square and wide Instax formats for framing your shot, with direct wireless printing to Instax Link printers. I haven't used this mode yet, but it sounds like a great option for instant photography fans.

For me, the biggest sacrifice here versus a pricier model such as the X-T50, is in-body image stabilization. There's digital image stabilization only, which is certainly better than nothing, but does somewhat limit the possibilities for smooth handheld video footage. The same goes for creative slow-shutter-speed photography.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: image quality

26MP stills and film simulations
6k 30fps, 4k up to 60p, and 9:16 short video mode
10-bit color depth for video

I've only used the X-T30 III for two hours, but I know what its image quality potential is, having reviewed the X-S20 and X-M5, which both share the same sensor and processor.

Sure, pricier Fujifilm cameras such as the X-T50 and X-T5 boast Fujifilm's latest 40MP sensor for highly detailed photos, but the X-T30 III is no slouch, and still outshines other crop-sensor rivals for detail with its 26MP stills (and 14-bit 'RAF' format RAWs), such as the 20.9MP Nikon Z50 II, the 24MP Canon EOS R10 and the (older) 24MP Sony A6400.

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Fujifilm X-T30 III sample images – street scenes in London's China Town — (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

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Having Fujifilm’s film simulations at your fingertips is handy, including customizable film recipes, even if that makes shooting-mode changes much more of a hassle. I've shot using various profiles in the galleries above and below, including Velvia (vivid), Reala Ace, Acros (monochrome) and others.

Video quality is excellent, too – 6.2K video and 4:2:2 10-bit color depth is excellent at this price point, even if in-body image stabilization is missing.

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What I'm yet to discover, given my limited time with the kit, is just how good the new 13-33mm lens is, at least versus the previous 15-45mm kit lens. This detail matters because most people will buy the camera with the new kit lens, and I'll share my thoughts after spending more time with the camera and lens pairing.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: also consider

Nikon Z50 II

Available for exactly the same price as the X-T30 III, the Z50 II is a versatile mirrorless camera with Nikon's latest Expeed 7 processor for flagship performance, superb subject-recognition autofocus, and improved video features. Its excellent ergonomics and vari-angle touchscreen make it an easy camera to travel and shoot with, while color profiles can be uploaded from Nikon's app, much like Fujifilm film recipes. With lower-resolution 20.9MP stills and 4K video, the Z50 II can't quite match the X-T30 III for detail.

See my Nikon Z50 II reviewView Deal

Fujifilm X-M5

Smaller, lighter and cheaper, the X-M5 features the same sensor and processor as the X-T30 III – which likewise means 26MP stills, 6.2K video, 9:16 short movies and film simulations. The major difference is that the X-M5 lacks a viewfinder and has a vari-angle screen, making it the better pick for video.

See our Fujifilm X-M5 reviewView Deal

Man holding the Fujifilm X-T30 III camera up to his eye, on London street — (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

How I tested the Fujifilm X-T30 III

I had just two hours with the X-T30 III and 13-33mm lens
I took a walk through London's China Town
I mainly took photos, using the various film simulations

I've used the X-T30 III with 13-33mm lens for just a couple of hours, shooting street photos and a handful of videos around London's China Town.

I already know what the X-T30 III’s image quality potential is, having reviewed the X-S20 and X-M5, which both share the same sensor and processor. The lens, though, is less of a known quantity.

I've shot using various film simulations, completely handheld during an overcast day in London. As with most cameras pre-launch, I could only view JPEGs, because the raw files aren't readable before launch in software such as Adobe Camera Raw.

First reviewed: October 2025
Read more about how we test

Jurassic World Evolution 3 lets you design a custom park and fill it with macro beasts – but at the cost of bit too much micromanagement

1:00 am |

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

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, PC
Release date: October 21, 2025

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a beast of a management simulation game that allows you to manage your own prehistoric park. It’s by far the most creative entry in the series so far, offering you the ability to create your own buildings and scenery from scratch for the first time. The challenge mode, sandbox mode, and innovative campaign are crammed full of things to research and create, not to mention 70 different dinosaur species. But Jurassic World Evolution 3 also sometimes gets in its own way with systems that distract from, rather than deepen, your core objectives.

I should probably mention that I’m a bit of a park management games addict, particularly those developed by Frontier Games. Not only did I write our Planet Coaster 2 review, but I’ve poured a truly disgusting amount of time into some of their other games. My current play time on Planet Zoo totals 1,100 hours – or six and a half weeks solid – so even though I’m new to the Jurassic World Evolution franchise, I’ve invested probably more of my life in park sim games than is entirely good for me.

While Jurassic World Evolution 3 might not offer quite the same absurd open sandbox experience of its sister titles, it does offer far more satisfying and comprehensive management, bringing it far more in line with some of the best simulation games. I could always take or leave park management in the Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo games – which is why I often switched it off entirely. But in Jurassic World Evolution 3, management is much more in its genes.

At the heart of Evolution 3, there’s a really tight management loop. You hire scientists, send them on expeditions to harvest fossils, use them to extract the juicy dino DNA contained within, and then set them to work synthesizing any of the 70 species included in the game. You can then peruse the traits of the eggs this creates and decide which ones to hatch before incubating and releasing them into your chosen exhibit.

The Expedition screen in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Naturally, though, this is only half of the experience. Keen though the game is to stress that you’re running a sanctuary for all these saurians, they sure look a lot like zoos, and, as with any zoo, you have commercial considerations to take into account. You’ll create viewing galleries to allow your guests to spy on your cretaceous critters, tours to get them up close and personal, and amenities to ~~make a fast buck~~ keep them fed and watered.

Simple as this sounds, there’s way more layered on top of this. There’s dinosaur breeding to manage, research to conduct, and diseases to diagnose and treat. And unless you’re quick to tranquilize and return any carnivorous dinosaurs that break out to their pens, they’ll scarf down your guests – bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘paleo diet’.

But it wouldn’t be Jurassic World if you couldn’t conduct crazy experiments that cross a line man was not meant to cross. Before synthesizing species of dinosaurs, you can tinker around with their DNA, adding traits that modify their appetite and thirst, ups their resilience, improve their sociability, or even improve their combat potential. And if that’s too vanilla for you, you can also research awful genetic chimeras, including the Indominus Rex, Indoraptor, and Spinoceratops.

On the campaign tail

A herd of Parasaurolophus walking in front of a waterfall in Jurassic World Evolution 3 — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

In fact, there are so many mechanics at play, I was glad the Campaign was there to hold my hand. It’s the first time I’ve found the Campaign mode of a management sim game to genuinely be unmissable, rather than something I can just dip my toes in. And there’s certainly plenty to get your teeth into here.

After the events of the Jurassic World franchise, you’re leading the Dinosaur Integration Network (DIN), an organisation dedicated to helping dinosaurs coexist alongside humanity. Conveniently, keeping the public safe from vicious man-eaters and helping endangered dinosaurs breed looks a lot like running a certain Jurassic-themed park, so you won’t find much of a tonal shift here.

While the campaign is structured across a series of parks around the world, you’ll work across them concurrently – although you’ll be moved on to new locations as you complete story objectives, as your international reputation improves, further objectives are unlocked in maps you’ve already visited. This feels far more dynamic an incentive to return to former parks than just improving a star rating: I genuinely felt like I was running a global network of sanctuaries that each impact one another, rather than just visiting isolated maps that I was done with the second I moved on to the next one.

A Mamenchisaurus lit by the sun standing by some water in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

The voice acting is generally excellent. Jeff Goldblum is fantastic as always as Ian Malcolm, even if his lines largely are just arch variations on: ‘Welp, here we go again!’ And while I wouldn’t say the story throws that many curveballs, there are just enough elements like interfering corporate interests and human-supremacist saboteurs to add some bumps in the road.

Should you want a more focused test of your skills, Challenge mode provides a variety of scenarios for you to tackle. From containing vicious carnivores with limited fencing to pacifying grouchy giants without tweaking their genome, I found there was a decent variety of trials to help me flex my management muscles.

Jurassic Parks & Recreation

A Patagotitan eating leaves from a tree in Jurassic World Evolution 3 — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Best bit

A ranger taking a photo of a Patagotitan in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Zipping around in vehicles to vaccinate velociraptors, snap photos of protoceratops, or tranq raging tyrannosaurs never ceases to amuse me. Yes, you can automate this, but why would you let your artificial park employees have all the fun? Come on: let’s hop in this chopper and chase after some plodding sauropods.

Not everything in Jurassic World Evolution 3 is quite so high-stakes. There’s always the option to just kick back and enjoy the fun of creating your perfect park, whether in the campaign missions or in the dedicated sandbox mode. And this is where the game really shines: designing your dream habitats and getting up close and personal with the prehistoric beasts in them.

Part of the reason for this is that the creatures themselves are exquisite. Generally speaking, I found the graphics in Jurassic World Evolution 3 to be good, if unexceptional. On Ultra settings, the game ran at a smooth 60 fps on our Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, but from a bird's eye view, it was pretty, but didn’t necessarily blow me away in the way I expected.

However, once you get down to the level where you’re face-to-face with your dinosaurs, the 3D models are beautifully detailed and animated, while raytracing gives lighting effects and shadows a literal glow up. At one point, I watched some sauropods wading across the shallows in front of a guest’s canoe, and the way they were silhouetted against the sun was spectacular. I just wish my parks had quite the same pop when viewed from an overhead perspective.

Fortunately, there are plenty of excuses to immerse yourself in your parks. You view everything from your guests’ perspectives, whether that’s viewing their perspective from ride cameras or walking around in the in-game Google Street View. But, on top of this, you can take the wheel of every vehicle in your park to deliver meds to your dinosaurs or mend fences when the inevitable happens and there’s a breakout.

There’s also the opportunity to channel your inner architect and create your own scenery. Frontier’s games have always been creatively anarchic: you have complete freedom to design whatever you want to decorate your parks and zoos, but the tools at your disposal were frequently chaotic, often requiring all kinds of botches and hard work to make bespoke scenery that looked truly organic.

Up until now, Jurassic World Evolution has been the exception to this rule, limiting you to prefabricated buildings and scenery items.

A fountain featuring a DNA double helix statue surrounded by jets of water at the middle of a roundabout in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Well, not anymore. In Jurassic World Evolution 3, Frontier has added the ability to create your own amenities and decorations from scratch, adding an enormous toybox of scenery parts for you to play with. From rock formations and fossils to gantries and girders, it enabled me to build up my own blueprints piece by piece, including aquatic coral reefs and a slightly wonky fountain centerpiece.

But while Jurassic World Evolution 3 has been learning elements from other games in Frontier’s fold, it’s also been refining them.

Path-placing mechanics are far more intelligent – I was able to quickly lay out straight routes and curving arcs simply by placing my cursor where I wanted it to go, rather than messing around with path angles. The part-scaling that was introduced in Planet Coaster 2 has been expanded here, allowing me to tweak the size of almost any model to achieve much more variety in my scenery design. And plants are now fully animated, swaying in the breeze and bending double during storms, making them feel far more alive.

In my opinion, there’s even more Jurassic World Evolution 3 could learn from its sister titles, though. Enclosures still aren’t as flexible as in Planet Zoo – guests really only interact with dinosaurs from set-pieces rather than marvelling over them from every viewpoint, and creature path-finding isn’t as sophisticated, making multi-height habitats impossible. And there’s no way to create raised paths, which makes multistory buildings and bridges over enclosures impossible, so maps are by necessity much flatter than I’d like. I’m not quite as free as I’d like to create sprawling, hyperrealistic dino parks, and that’s a shame.

Micromanageasaurus

The needs screen of an Ankylosaurus in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Fundamentally, there’s a reason for this more restrictive gameplay. Unlike some of its sister titles, Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a management sim first and a creative sandbox second. And while this often works to its favour, there are points in the campaign where I started to find its mechanics became as gargantuan and unwieldy as the genetic revenants I was managing.

Regularly, while playing Jurassic World Evolution 3, I’d have to drop what I was doing because my prehistoric pets weren’t happy with the flora on offer in their exhibits. With a single species of dinosaur in an enclosure, this is trivial to satisfy – you quickly paint in different kinds of cover, water, fiber, nuts, and fruit until the sliders representing their preferences are satisfied.

But add multiple species to a single exhibit – something that is not only encouraged but mandatory in some scenarios – and requirements quickly conflict. For example, my Apatosaurs love tall leafy plants and pasture, while my Lokiceratops, Houdini, wouldn’t stop perennially trying to break out of her prison until I’d provided ground fiber and a wetland. And this is all exacerbated by the fact that juvenile dinosaurs have different requirements from adults, meaning exhibiting even just two species together means you’ll often have four radically opposed needs to meet.

Houdini, the Lokiceratops, eating grass backlit by the sun in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — This is Houdini, the Lokiceratops. Her endless breakouts make her my nemesis. (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Satisfying conflicting needs is a zero-sum game: painting in one removes another, and, as you seemingly can’t pin two different dinosaurs’ needs on screen at once, you’ll often come away happy that you’ve pleased one cretaceous critter only to discover the other is now sulking over the lack of swamps.

Even once you’ve reached an equilibrium, laying tours through exhibits will carve swathes through the undergrowth, meaning you need to repaint it all over again. Ultimately, I’d regularly find myself having to expand exhibit sizes after the fact, moving all my guest facilities in the process, just to ensure I could satisfy competing demands that were now impossible to meet within the existing space.

The Environment Brush settings in Jurassic World Evolution 3. — Balancing dinosaurs' needs can be painful – and not that rewarding. (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Now, I’ll readily acknowledge the game has mechanisms to ameliorate some of these issues. Once you have unlocked enough dinosaur species, you can select pairings that align better with their requirements. And tweaking Houdini’s genome could have allowed me to make her more relaxed about her environmental requirements. However, these are tools you’ll only research later in a map playthrough, and in the interim, you’re left with a bunch of busywork that commits the cardinal sin in a management game: it’s just not that fun.

This is a real shame because many other tasks in the game are a real blast, and I loved releasing new monsters into my exhibits or building unique scenery. But if I’m going to be pulled away from these enjoyable tasks to fight fires, the mechanics should support me in dousing them permanently, not reignite the same one the second my back is turned.

Should you play Jurassic World Evolution 3?

A herd of Corythosaurus among trees on Jurassic World Evolution 3. — (Image credit: Frontier Developments)

Play it if…

You want an innovatively designed campaign
I love the way Jurassic World Evolution 3’s main campaign plays out as a series of concurrent maps that have further objectives unlocked as your reputation grows. It gives a much better reason to revisit older maps and makes it feel like a true international network of parks.

You like having a lot on your plate
Whether you’re managing expeditions, building exhibits, breeding dinosaurs, or trying to research monstrous genetic chimeras, there’s an almost dizzying amount you can do in this game.

You’re a Jurassic Park super-fan
From Jeff Goldblum’s sardonic quips to the various movie-mimicking designs, there are a lot of elements here that will give you that nostalgic buzz. If you don’t mutter ‘clever girl’ the first time your velociraptor busts out of its enclosure, you have far more self-control than I do.

Don’t play it if…

Micromanagement makes you Tyrannosaurus vexed
Everything you do in this game takes time to complete, while dinosaur needs are difficult to balance and feel a bit thankless at times. If you’re not a fan of having to wait for timers to count down or repeatedly tweaking things to balance sliders, you might want to give it a miss.

You just want Planet Zoo, but dinosaurs
Fundamentally, Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a management game and doesn’t offer as smart creature simulation as a game like Planet Zoo. If you just want to build a wholesome zoo packed with cute dinosaur interactions, it may not be for you.

You want a limitless creative sandbox
The new building elements Frontier has added here have definitely added some much-needed creativity. But you still may not find it offers quite the same creative freedom as some of the developer’s other games, so bear that in mind.

Accessibility

Jurassic World Evolution 3 has a good range of accessibility options. You can tweak the colors of both the UI and management views for Deuteranopia, Protonopia, Tritanopia, and high contrast. You can also switch on highlight mode for dinosaurs, tweak the highlight color according to these same profiles, and set the highlight distance.

On top of this, you can tweak the size and opacity of subtitles, set different colors for different speakers, and increase the scale of the HUD. There are also options to disable certain effects, allowing you to switch off camera shaking and flashing effects.

How I reviewed Jurassic World Evolution 3

I played Jurassic World Evolution 3 over the course of two weeks. Not only did I play my way through the campaign, but I also experimented with building my own park from scratch in Sandbox mode and explored the challenges available.

I reviewed the PC version, but I also tried it out on multiple platforms, including our Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop and on my Steam Deck, to see how it fared on multiple devices. I also played it using a keyboard and mouse and using a PowerA Moga XP-Ultra multi-platform wireless controller to test out various control modes.

In terms of experience, not only have I been reviewing gaming hardware for around five years, but I've spent my whole life playing simulation games, dating right back to Theme Park on the PC. I've also played many of Frontier Developments' games to date, having played Planet Coaster and Planet Coaster 2 and clocked up a ridiculous 1,100 hours in Planet Zoo.

First reviewed: October 2025

The new Asus ROG NUC might actually be the best compact gaming PC I’ve ever seen – and it’s smaller than a PS5, too

7:56 pm | October 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Gaming Computers Gaming PCs | Tags: AI, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

Asus ROG NUC (2025): Two-minute review

I'll start this review off by simply saying this: the Asus ROG NUC absolutely belongs on our list of the best mini PCs, and perhaps indeed the best computers overall - expect to see it make an appearance on those pages in the near future.

Asus has been hard at work on the NUC series, which was originally conceived by Intel as a new breed of compact desktop PCs before being sold off to Asus in 2023; amidst Intel's multitude of troubles at the time, it was deemed a necessary move to streamline the company and focus on chipmaking rather than PC production. The NUCs were historically pretty good devices, but it's clear that Asus has taken them to an entirely new level.

The new-for-2025 ROG NUC is a wonder; an ultra-compact desktop system packed with some of the most powerful cutting-edge gaming components, including a 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 GPU (the one in my review unit is an RTX 5080), plus 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

The Asus ROG NUC photographed on a dark marbled worksurface with a painted sunset in the background. — (Image credit: Future)

The whole system is essentially constructed around that graphics card, which is technically a laptop GPU - one can only assume that a full-scale desktop 5080 would be too chunky, even though Nvidia worked hard to scale down the comically gigantic cards of the RTX 3000 and 4000 eras. As you might expect, performance is excellent; expect high framerates and smooth gameplay at 1440p and even 4K, though the sorry state of modern PC game optimization means you'll probably need to turn on DLSS in some titles at 4K.

Those powerful components mean the ROG NUC is also a competent workstation system, which could prove to be a boon for professional creatives who need a powerful PC but have limited desk real estate to work with (and don't want to jump ship to macOS with the admittedly excellent M4 Mac mini).

Of course, a spec sheet like that does mean that the Asus ROG NUC is far from cheap. I'll get into the details in the pricing section below, but my review unit will set you back $3,199 / £2,599 (around AU$4,925) - no small sum for anybody, and a lot more than Apple's signature mini computer will cost you. Of course, any pre-built RTX 5080 desktop from a reputable manufacturer is going to cost you at least somewhere in the range of $2,800 / £2,000 / AU$5,000, so it's not an entirely ludicrous proposition even if it does place the ROG NUC beyond the budgets of many PC gamers.

Despite this, I loved using the new Asus ROG NUC, and having tested NUC devices in the past, I can comfortably say that it's one of the best iterations on the formula yet. If you've got the money to spend and want something that delivers a lot of power in a small package, this device is the way to go.

Asus ROG NUC (2025) review: Price & Availability

Starts from $2,599 / £2,129 (about AU$4,000)
Available now in the US and UK
Both RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 models available

Starting at $2,599 / £2,129 (about AU$4,000) for the base configuration, which sports an RTX 5070 Ti rather than the 5080 in my review unit, along with less storage and RAM as you can see in the spec table below, the new ROG NUC isn't exactly what I'd call affordable. Meanwhile, the 5080 model featured in this review - which is externally identical - will run you a hefty $3,199 / £2,599 (around $4,925).

Still, it's not absurdly priced for what it offers; considering the sheer lack of powerful compact PCs on the market, the best option for many potential users will be to build your own ITX system, and having spent plenty of time mucking about with compact PC cases in my years as a computer hardware journalist, I can say with certainty that it'll be a lot harder than simply buying a ROG NUC. Oh, and it most likely won't be as small, and will potentially end up being more expensive too!

So while the NUC is undeniably a pretty expensive piece of kit, I can't mark it down too much for that; if a powerful but ultra-compact PC for serious gaming or content creation work is what you want, this might be the single best option out there right now. Of course, a PS5 Pro will cost you a lot less... but it also doesn't fill the role of a fully capable desktop PC.

The Asus ROG NUC (2025) is already available to purchase direct from Asus and partner retailers in the US and UK, but it seems our Aussie friends will have to wait a little longer - though Asus did confirm that the new model will indeed be coming to Australia. Regional pricing for Australia is currently unconfirmed (the figures listed above are only conversions).

Value: 4 / 5

Asus ROG NUC (2025) review: Specs

Asus ROG NUC (2025) Intel Specs
	Asus ROG NUC (2025) Base Config	Asus ROG NUC (2025) Review Config
Price	$2,599 / £2,129 (about AU$4,000)	$3,199 / £2,599 (around AU$4,925)
CPU	Intel Core i5-13420H (8 cores, 2.10GHz)	Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (2.70GHz)
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Laptop GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Laptop GPU
RAM	16GB DDR5	32GB DDR5
Storage	1TB PCIe NVMe 4.0 M.2 SSD	2TB PCIe NVMe 4.0 M.2 SSD
Ports and Connectivity	6x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 4), 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5mm combi audio jack, Kensington Lock	6x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 4), 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5mm combi audio jack, Kensington Lock
Dimensions	11.1 x 7.4 x 2.2in / 28.2cm x 18.8cm x 5.7cm	11.1 x 7.4 x 2.2in / 28.2cm x 18.8cm x 5.7cm
Weight	6.79lbs / 3.12kg	6.79lbs / 3.12kg

Asus ROG NUC (2025) review: Design

Amazingly compact design
Surprisingly good amount of ports
Limited upgrade potential for a desktop PC

Making a compact PC chassis can take designers in a lot of different directions. Do you aim for a low, flat design like Apple's Mac mini, or build upwards with a small footprint like the fantastic Corsair One i500?

As you can no doubt tell from the pictures, Asus has gone for the latter approach, with a thin tower design that produces a footprint of less than eight-by-six inches (full dimensions in the spec sheet above). It can technically also be laid on its side with the stand removed - ideal for putting it in a TV stand as a console-style living room PC - but after disassembling it, I can say that I wouldn't particularly recommend that unless you're willing to prop it up on something to ensure that the exhaust fans have enough breathing room to vent properly.

Speaking of disassembly: I don't always dig around in the guts of pre-built systems, but this was one case where I felt obliged to. See, the NUC series (standing for 'Next Unit of Computing') was originally founded by Intel in 2013 with the goal of creating a small-form-factor barebones PC with customization and upgrade potential.

Asus has clearly moved away from this ethos somewhat, as the ROG NUC is not only a fully-fledged system, but also has relatively little upgradability.

Upgrade options here are effectively limited to the RAM and SSD, and you'll need to discard the old RAM if you want more, since there are only two DIMM slots and they're both already occupied. There is, however, a spare M.2 slot for fitting a second SSD, should you want to expand your storage.

Really, this level of upgradability might be a slight step down from the more classic barebones NUCs Intel used to make, but it's pretty par for the course as far as modern mini PCs go.

The case is also easy enough to open up for any upgrade work, which is nice to see; I've dealt with mini PC cases that seemed determined not to let me get at the goodies inside.

Thermal management is handled by multiple fans, with vents on both flat sides and the top. It's quite effective at keeping the whole unit cool (even at the peak of my benchmarking process, the ROG NUC didn't get particularly warm to the touch), although I would note that the fans can get rather loud when running resource-intensive games; if you're planning to play in 4K, I'd recommend a headset or one of the best computer speakers.

Overall, I like the design; it's a bit less visually busy than last year's model, while still managing to fit in a good range of physical ports for connecting your devices. In addition to two HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs for connecting multiple monitors, you also get two Thunderbolt USB-C ports, six USB-A ports, an RJ-45 Ethernet slot, and the good ol' 3.5mm headphone jack. As mini PCs go, this NUC has it all.

Design: 5 / 5

Asus ROG NUC (2025) review: Performance

Runs AAA games at high settings
Strong performance in creative and AI workloads
Fans do get rather noisy

Asus ROG NUC (2025) Benchmarks

Here's how the Asus ROG NUC (2025) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6 (Multi Core): 19,683; (Single Core): 2,977
Geekbench AI (Single Precision): 28,951; (Half Precision): 50,926; (Quantized): 22,406
Cinebench R23 (Multi Core): 34,413; (Single Core): 2,188
Cinebench R24 (Multi Core): 2,011; (Single Core): 132
Crossmark Overall: 2,338
3DMark Fire Strike: 39,680; Steel Nomad: 5,309; Solar Bay: 106,741; Speed Way: 5,809; Port Royal: 14,233
BlackMagicDisk Read: 4,333MB/s; Write: 4,928MB/s
25GB Copy Test: 1,493MB/s
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Medium): 225 FPS; (1080p, Highest): 219 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, 1080p, Highest): 224 FPS
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Medium): 319 FPS; (1080p, Ultra): 176 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Medium): 178 FPS; (1080p, Ultra): 148 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, 1080p, Ultra): 157 FPS
Metro: Exodus (1080p, Medium): 239 FPS; (1080p, Extreme, No RT): 102 FPS; (Balanced Upscaling, 1080p, Extreme RT): 137 FPS

As you'd hope from a system with an Nvidia RTX 5080 - even the trimmed-down laptop version inside the ROG NUC - the gaming performance on offer here is undeniably strong.

Our standard benchmarking process uses games tested at 1080p (primarily without any upscaling tools, like Nvidia's DLSS) to provide a realistic comparison point between systems. Needless to say, the ROG NUC absolutely blasted through these, offering stellar performance with triple-digit framerates in literally every test I ran.

Bump things up to 1440p and you'll get similarly great performance, especially if you do turn on DLSS (no need for frame-generation here, honestly). At 4K, I found most games could still clear that prized 60fps mark, with only Cyberpunk 2077 and Metro Exodus requiring DLSS to maintain a stable framerate when turning on maximum ray-traced graphics. It's worth bearing in mind that upscaling has more of an impact at higher resolutions; at 1080p, DLSS in Balanced mode only gained me an extra nine frames per second in Cyberpunk at the Ultra graphical preset, while at 4K that differential increased to a whopping 38.

I'd also like to address some of the concerns many gamers clearly have about DLSS (yes, I spend too much time on Reddit, I see those posts too). It literally works great. That's all I have to say; the tech is four generations in at this point, and it's been refined enough that I noticed no discernible difference in gameplay at 4K.

Frame-generation is a different story, of course - 4x Multi Frame Generation from Nvidia is frankly still wonky even if it does boost your FPS - but at this stage, we should all be using upscaling for playing games at any resolution above 1080p.

Outside of raw gaming performance, the ROG NUC performed admirably in synthetic tests across graphical, AI, and creative workloads.

The 3DMark graphic benchmark suite brought back results that were broadly what I anticipated: strong, but not quite on par with the 'true' desktop RTX 5080, so don't buy this if you're expecting a fully-fledged 5080 desktop experience squeezed into a compact chassis. At a fundamental level, this is more like a 5080 laptop in a desktop form factor.

Still, the results were good; the Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU also delivered solid numbers, with great performance in the Geekbench and Crossmark benchmarks, placing it comfortably on par with laptops equipped with the same processor. AI performance was also good, since the presence of a discrete GPU easily outweighs anything the Intel chip's built-in NPU brings to the table.

Lastly, the SSD that comes with the ROG NUC is fast. With read and write speeds in excess of 4GB/s, the only thing that'll constrain you in terms of file transfers is your internet connection. Games load up fast, and Windows 11 boots up faster.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Asus ROG NUC?

Asus ROG NUC (2025)Scorecard
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Although it's far from cheap, the pricing doesn't place it ludicrously higher than similarly-specced systems, and the compact chassis is quite unique.	4 / 5
Design	A fantastically compact design that somehow manages to cram in a ton of physical ports, the ROG NUC is one of the best-crafted mini PCs I've ever seen.	5 / 5
Performance	Great gaming performance at any resolution, along with strong performance in creative and AI workloads - just bear in mind that this isn't a full-fat desktop GPU.	4.5 / 5
Total	The ROG NUC is, simply put, one of the best compact gaming PCs I've ever seen. I do wish it wasn't quite so expensive, but Asus has really made something special here.	4.5 / 5

Buy the Asus ROG NUC (2025) if...

You want something powerful but compact
On a fundamental level, there are very few systems out there that can match the gaming capabilities of the ROG NUC while still offering such a tiny form factor.

You want to connect lots of peripherals
If you're a power-user (or just a bit gadget-crazed), the ROG NUC has enough ports to support a whole bunch of monitors, mice, keyboards, webcams, speakers, stream decks... you get the idea.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a tight budget
Yeah, this thing is pretty dang expensive. If you just want an RTX 5080 system and don't care about size, you'll be able to spend less for the same (or even better) performance.

You want a silent system
Although the ROG NUC's cooling is surprisingly effective at keeping the system at a suitable temperature, those fans can get pretty noisy when running demanding software like games.

Asus ROG NUC (2025) review: Also Consider

NZXT Player PC
One of the best desktop PCs we've reviewed this year, the 'Player PC' from NZXT might have an awful name, but it delivers strong gaming performance in a well-constructed case - plus, as a 5070 system, it'll cost you a bit less than the NUC too.

Read our full NZXT Player PC review

Mac mini (M4, 2024)
If you’re looking for more of a creative workstation than specifically a gaming PC, but were drawn to the ROG NUC's powerful specs and compact design, then the M4 Mac mini is the device for you. We called it 'the best Mac ever' in our review, and it lives up to that epithet with stellar productivity and creativity performance in a truly tiny chassis.

Read our full Mac mini (M4, 2024) review

How I tested the Asus ROG NUC (2025)

Tested for a week
Used for work and general web browsing
Replaced my usual desktop for gaming in the evenings

I tested the Asus ROG NUC for a week, including the weekend, during which time it took the place of my usual home office desktop system - a far chunkier PC. I used it daily for work and assorted other online activities; I'm currently rewatching The X Files, and I also used it to host a virtual TTRPG session.

I also spent plenty of time in my off hours using the ROG NUC for gaming, which is a regular hobby of mine. I mostly tested triple-A titles (in addition to our regular suite of game benchmarks), including Avowed and Remnant II, plus a cheeky bit of Stardew Valley, which was unsurprisingly not very taxing on the system.

I've been reviewing PC hardware for more than seven years and have been a PC gamer for more than twice that time, with so many laptop and desktop reviews under my belt at various publications that I sincerely can't even count them. This was my first time reviewing a NUC unit since Intel sold the brand off to Asus, and needless to say, I'm very pleased with the work Asus has done.

First reviewed: October 2025
Read more about how we test

Garmin Venu 4 review: Your do-it-all companion, from meetings to mountain biking

7:02 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: Apple Watch Series, Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The Garmin Venu 4 is a gem, and one that should satisfy moderate-to-serious exercise enthusiasts that want a great smartwatch with a generously sized battery and heavy focus on fitness. While it isn’t as rugged as the Forerunner, Instinct or Fenix range, this is a watch better-suited to people who want an unobtrusive, premium-looking watch for the office and a powerhouse for runs and rides, something between a Samsung Galaxy Watch and a regular Garmin.

The Venu 4 delivers on this promise, packing a suite of features from the best Garmin watches into its sleek-looking stainless steel body and bright screen. It’s missing a few features that you might expect to find on an Apple or Samsung smartwatch, such as LTE connectivity and full-color maps – and at this price tag, you might miss at least one of them.

The operating system, as slick as it is, also has a few cumbersome quirks: I’m so used to Google and Apple’s raise-to-speak voice assistants that to use the upper button and touchscreen to get to Garmin’s voice assistant functionality, which I use to set kitchen timers and the like, seems almost archaic and counter-intuitive.

However, these are small niggles: generally speaking, the watch performs admirably. While the lack of full-color directional maps is disappointing, the interface works just fine when following courses during runs, and the voice assistant is as responsive as Siri, if not as sophisticated as on-device AI such as Gemini. The battery, said to be up to 12 days of use in smartwatch mode, is an accurate measurement: I wore the watch for around 10 days before needing to charge it, with quite a bit of working out. The heart rate readings from Garmin’s Elevate V5 sensor are accurate enough for all but elite athletes, but I’ll touch on that more in the Performance section of the review.

New health tools such as Lifestyle Logging and Health Status are useful, especially the self-reporting Lifestyle Logging structure, which allows you to assign tags to your day (caffeine, alcohol, healthy meals, heavy meals and so on) to show the effects of different stimuli on your metrics.

Garmin’s usual suite of outstanding metrics are present and correct: as a regular runner, I find stride length, cadence and so on useful for tweaking my technique, and Garmin’s Race Calendar and Primary Race widgets are second to none. It’s a worthy buy for anyone who wants a Garmin, but doesn’t like the outdoorsy look so many of them share.

Garmin Venu 4: Price and availability

$549.99 in the US
£469.99 in the UK
AU$949 in Australia

The Garmin Venu 4 costs $549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949, and this is true for both the 41mm and 45mm sizes. You get the choice of Silver, Slate and Lunar Gold colors – I have the Slate option, and it looks great – and you can pay an additional $50 / £50 /AU$69 for other bands. I’m seriously considering splashing out on a brown leather band, which would really set off the look of the Slate.

Value-wise, this is around the price of a more expensive Apple or Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and I’d say that’s about right for where this sits in the market; what it lacks in smart communication credentials, it makes up for in battery life and fitness features. There’s no getting around this is a price rise over the older Venu 3, but the premium metal body and additional features make it worth the tradeoff.

Value score: 4/5

Garmin Venu 4: Specifications

Component	Garmin Venu 4 (41mm)	Garmin Venu 4 (45mm)
Price	$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949	$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949
Dimensions	41 x 41 x 12 mm	45 x 45 x 12 mm
Weight	46g with band	56g with band
Case/bezel	Stainless steel/Polymer	Stainless steel/Polymer
Display	390 x 390px 1.2-in AMOLED display	454 x 454px 1.4-in AMOLED display
GPS	GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ	GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ
Battery life	Up to 10 days	Up to 12 days
Connection	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Water resistant	Yes, 5ATM	Yes, 5ATM

Garmin Venu 4: Design

Stainless steel body upgrade
Redesigned UI
Brighter screen – but bezels are thick

If you’ve got this far in our review, you’ll know I like the look of the Garmin Venu 4. Whereas the stainless steel element of the 3 was confined to the bezel, with the case itself made of plastic, Garmin has expanded its use of steel to include the case as well, and it looks all the better for it. The dark metal of my Slate model is understated and classy, and I can’t wait to pair it with a leather strap. The screen is bright, but the bezels could be slightly thinner for my taste. Still, it’s hard to complain about the looks of this watch.

As opposed to its more outdoor-oriented watches such as the Fenix, Forerunner and Instinct series, the Garmin Venu 4 has two buttons instead of five. Its snappy and responsive touchscreen does most of the heavy-lifting when it comes to navigating, although you can configure the buttons to operate on long and short presses. A long press on my “back” button ignites the LED torch (a great addition on all the best Garmin watches now), while a long press on my upper “start” button summons the Controls tab, through which I can activate the Voice Assistant, Find my Phone, DND and other functionalities quickly. It’s a nice system.

The redesigned UI isn’t quite as smooth and seamless as watchOS or Wear OS, but it isn’t far off. Garmin used to look downright basic in comparison (which I think had a charm all by itself to be honest, and part of me misses it), but it looks great and works well in practice when you’re swiping through widgets or teeing up a workout. Garmin users who choose to upgrade will find the new setup intuitive to use, as will first-timers.

Design score: 5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Features

New Health Status and Lifestyle Logging
Usual suite of excellent fitness tracking features
Speaker, microphone and LED torch

Tons of great features abound here. The new Health Status feature looks at five key metrics during sleep: heart rate, HRV, respiration, pulse ox and skin temperature. It details whether all of your metrics are in their normal range, and if one or more is out of whack, something is afoot.

Often, this can be combined with the Lifestyle Logging feature to self-diagnose potential issues. Lifestyle Logging allows you to tag your day with the amount of caffeinated drinks, meditation, alcohol, healthy meals, heavy meals, cold showers, or other custom tags you might care to add. If your skin temperature is outside your healthy range and you logged some alcoholic drinks at a party the day before, or your HRV is off after a day of too much caffeine, you’ll know what to change to bring yourself back in line. Still, it will be a cold day in hell before Garmin makes me give up my morning coffee.

The usual suite of wellness and fitness features are present, with the Venu 4 – like the rest of the best Garmin watches – excelling at running and cycling, in particular. Training plans from Garmin Coach, local courses generated in the Garmin Connect app and upcoming races can be loaded onto your watch to turn it into a training powerhouse. Advanced metrics such as power for cyclists, and ground contact time or vertical oscillation for runners really empower the watch to be particularly helpful for connoisseurs. I also use it to time my rest periods in the gym between sets – a useful feature in the Strength workout profile to keep my mind on my workout. I’m missing full-color maps here, but the basic follow-along directional arrow for longer courses will be good enough for most.

Smarts-wise, the Controls tab features the Find my Phone and Voice Assistant functionalities, which are serviceable and useful but pretty basic. There are no on-device AI smarts here, but I can set a timer easily enough. The LED torch is eminently useful in three tiers of powerful white light and a less aggressive red option for night runs. A speaker and microphone allow you to take calls on-wrist, which is useful in a pinch. However, without the option to connect the watch to your network without a phone via LTE, it’s a convenience rather than a necessity.

Features score: 4.5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Performance

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Venu 4 on the same wrist outdoors — (Image credit: Future)

Elevate V5 sensor is accurate compared to industry-standard heart rate monitor
Battery life performs as described
The watch was comfortable and useful throughout the testing process

I compared the Garmin Venu 4’s Elevate V5 heart rate sensor to a chest strap – the Polar H10, described as the most accurate heart rate monitor available to most people, and used by professional and amateur athletes alike – during a couple of workouts.

During my tests, after a brief bit of initial variation, the Garmin Venu 4 tightened up and matched the Polar H10’s readings very closely. After a 30-minute run, the Polar H10’s average beats-per-minute for my heart rate registered as 156bpm. The Garmin Venu 4 registered 151bpm.

For training purposes, that’s certainly close enough for most – it isn’t really a serious statistical outlier – although I suppose it could be closer. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, which I also wore during this run, registered 155bpm. Still, 5bpm out across the entirety of the workout isn’t anything to worry about, and a good enough estimation to indicate the Elevate V5’s accuracy.

Battery life performs as described, too: the watch lasted a full 10 days with multiple workouts before needing a top-up. The Venu 4 was comfortable to use and better to sleep in than a lumpy Fenix – I hardly took it off all week.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Scorecard

Attribute	Comments	Score
Value	About right for its place in the lineup, but not a huge bargain	4
Design	Looks great and is intuitive to use. Top marks	5
Features	I would have loved LTE and full-color maps, but they’re my only quibbles	4.5
Performance	Accurate, long-lasting and looks great on wrist in the office. Enough smarts for most.	4.5

Garmin Venu 4: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for an all-rounder

This smartwatch can be worn looking smart to social occasions, dressed up with a change of strap, and out on the trail.View Deal

You want battery life

Forty-two hours for the Apple Watch Ultra 3? Try 10 days with the Venu 4. View Deal

You’re a keen outdoor exerciser

While this will work fine for the gym, it’s a bit of a waste for gym-bunnies: it really shines on runs, hikes and rides. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re a rugged adventurer

Those who spend their lives in the wild might prefer an Instinct or Fenix instead. View Deal

You want the smartest watch

If you’re looking for LTE connectivity, an AI voice assistant and seamless phone connectivity, you might be better off with a Wear OS or Apple Watch. View Deal

Also consider

Component	Garmin Venu 4 (41mm)	Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm)	Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm)
Price	$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949	From $399 / £369 / AU$679	From $349.99 / £319 / AU$649
Dimensions	41 x 41 x 12 mm	42mm x 36mm x 9.7mm	42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm
Weight	46g with band	30.3g (42mm)	30g
Case/bezel	Stainless steel/Polymer	Aluminum with a metal back or Titanium (100% recycled)	Armor Aluminum
Display	390 x 390px 1.2-in AMOLED display	Always-on Retina LTPO3 display Wide-angle OLED at 374 by 446 (42mm)	1.3-in super AMOLED
GPS	GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ	L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou	GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Battery life	Up to 10 days	24 hours, 38 hours in Low Power Mode	Up to 30 hours
Connection	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, second-generation ultra-wideband chip, and 5G (Optional)	Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3
Water resistant	Yes, 5ATM	WR50 and IP7X	Yes, 5ATM

Apple Watch Series 11

The best all-around smartwatch for iPhone users, and a solid Venu 4 alternative.

Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review

Samsung Galaxy Watch8

A terrific smartwatch and the best for Samsung users. Great run tracking, although again, battery life suffers compared to the Venu 4.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch8 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Garmin Venu 4 for two weeks, drained the battery down while completing gym, running and hiking workouts. I used features such as Lifestyle Logging, tested the Voice Assistant, ECG functionality, ran at night with the torch enabled, and conducted an accuracy test against the Polar H10 heart rate monitor and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Netgear Orbi 373: affordable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system for larger homes

3:07 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Computing Components Gadgets Servers & Network Devices | Tags: Netgear Orbi | Comments: Off

Netgear Orbi 373: One-minute review

Netgear’s new management continues its quest to provide more affordable options for home users who want to upgrade their Wi-Fi. The company has recently launched a number of affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, and it’s now bringing that approach to its Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems too.

Like many of the more affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems that we’ve seen recently, the Orbi 370 series keeps its price down by providing basic dual-band Wi-Fi 7 that uses just the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and omits the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

However, Wi-Fi doesn’t just focus on speed alone, and is also designed to be more reliable when connecting to lots of devices within your home all at the same time.

This means that a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 system such as the Orbi 370 series can still provide a useful upgrade for owners of older routers and mesh systems - especially for people who live in larger homes that need a far-reaching Wi-Fi network that can cover their entire home.

Netgear Orbi 373 with one router and two satellites on a wooden table — (Image credit: Future)

This also ensures that the Orbi 370 remains fully compatible with older computers and other devices that use the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. However, owners of shiny new PCs or mobile devices that do have Wi-Fi 7 might prefer to opt for a more expensive router or mesh system that provides full support for the high-speed 6.0GHz band.

Netgear Orbi 373: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Most mesh Wi-Fi systems consist of two or more routers that are identical in terms of both design and features.

However, Netgear’s Orbi range takes a different approach, with each system consisting of a primary router along with one or more ‘satellite’ units. The Orbi 370 series can be bought as a two-pack mesh system (Orbi 372) that consists of the main router and one satellite for $249.99/£209.99/AU$249.99.

For this review, we tested the three-pack option (Orbi 373) that includes one router and two satellites, priced at $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99. Netgear states that this should cover an area of up to 6,000 sq.ft – although that figure may vary due to differences in regional regulations, so check Netgear’s local web site in your own country before buying.

There’s also a four-pack available in the US and Australia, which adds a third satellite for $449.99/AU$449.99. However, that option doesn’t seem to be available for the quaint little hovels in the tiny island state of Great Britain.

Value: 4 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Specs

Wi-Fi:	Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz)
Speed:	US/AU - 5Gbps, UK – 3.6Gbps
Connectivity:	1x 2.5Gb WAN, 1x 2.5Gb LAN; Satellite - 1x 2.5Gb LAN
Processor:	Quad-core CPU, 1.25GHz
Memory	1GB
Storage:	512MB
Dimensions:	204 x 75 x 120mm, 0.35kg

Netgear Orbi 373: Design

Slimline, compact design
Router provides 2.5Gb ports for broadband and wired connections
Satellites only have one Ethernet port

The Orbi 373 follows the upright mini-tower design that Netgear introduced last year, with each slimline unit standing just 204mm high, 75mm wide and 120mm deep.

They’re small enough to sit easily on any convenient table or shelf, although the white plastic casing feels a little flimsy, so it’s probably a good idea for parents to keep them out of reach of eager young hands.

There are some other compromises required to keep the price down too. The main satellite just has two Ethernet ports – one each for your broadband connection (WAN), and for providing a wired connection (LAN) for a PC or other devices.

The satellite units are even more basic, with just a single Ethernet port to provide a wired connection. Thankfully, though, the ports on both router and satellites all support 2.5Gb speeds so you can still use the Orbi 370 series with high-speed broadband services. However, if you do need additional Ethernet ports – perhaps for an office network – then you might prefer to look for an alternative that provides additional ports.

Design: 3 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Features

Easy to set up and use
Parental controls require a subscription
Provides Guest and IoT networks

One feature that helps to justify the price of Netgear products is that they’re very easy to use, and setting up the Orbi 373 proved to be a piece of cake (albeit a piece of cake that moves at a rather leisurely pace).

All you have to do is scan the QR code that’s printed on the main router and then download the Orbi app. This guides you through the set-up process automatically, connecting you to the new network created by the main router, and then linking the satellites to the router in order to complete your new mesh network.

It takes a little while – the Orbi app warns that it can take up to 20 minutes to connect the satellites to the main router – but the process is completely automatic. And, to keep things simple, the app merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands into a single network. The only thing that you need to think about is whether you want to use the default log-in details for the Orbi network, or assign a new name and password that you can choose yourself.

The app isn’t exactly overflowing with additional features though, because – even with its lower pricing – Netgear always wants to sell you some additional subscriptions.

You can view a network map that lists all the devices connected to the network, and block any device that you don’t trust (or if you just want to get the kids to put their phones down at dinner time).

You can also create a guest network for visitors, and an IoT network (Internet Of Things) for any smart devices in your home. However, additional security features and parental controls will require a subscription to Netgear’s Armor security or Smart Parental Controls services.

You do get a 30-day trial for both services when you buy the Orbi, but after that you’ll need to pay for a subscription. The Smart Parental Controls subscription costs $7.99 per month (around £6/AU$12) or $69.99 per year (around £50/AU$110). The Armor security service offers a discount for the first year, costing $33.33 per year (around £25/AU$50), rising to $99.99 (around £75/AU$150) after one year.

Features: 3 / 5

Netgear Orbi 373: Performance

Dual-band Wi-Fi 7
5Gbps Wi-Fi speed (3.6Gbps in UK)
2.5Gb Ethernet ports

There’s one minor oddity here, as Netgear states that the Orbi 370 series provides a Wi-Fi speed of 5Gbps in the US and Australia, but only 3.6Gbps in the UK.

That’s the first time we’ve come across a regional difference like that but, in any event, 3.6Gbps should still be more than adequate to handle most domestic broadband services.

Netgear Orbi 373: Benchmarks

Ookla Speed Test (download/upload)
Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150/150Mbps
Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150/150Mbps

20GB Steam download
Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

The Orbi 373 that we tested certainly gave my office Wi-Fi a welcome boost. It runs at 150Mbps, but my aging router can only manage a top speed of 120Mbps even for devices that are in the same room.

I also have an office towards the back of the building that my old office router can’t reach at all, leaving me with an annoying Wi-Fi deadspot that means I have to use powerline adaptors to provide a wired connection instead.

The Orbi 373 immediately kicked my office Wi-Fi up a gear, hitting the maximum 150Mbps for devices in the same room for both the Ookla Speed Test and file downloads on Steam.

To reach the back office, I placed one of the satellites inside that office and the second satellite in a hallway, roughly halfway between the main router and the other satellite.

And, as I wandered along the corridor to the back office with my laptop still downloading files from Steam, I was pleased to find that the Orbi held steady at 150Mbps the whole time.

Netgear’s fondness for selling add-on subscriptions remains irksome, but at least you can ignore that if you want to. Some people might also prefer a router or mesh system that provides additional Ethernet ports.

But, if you simply want a reliable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover larger homes or offices, then the Orbi 370 series fits the bill at a competitive price.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 373?

Value	Its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 means that the Orbi 373 is very much an entry-level option, but it’s competitively priced and should be fast enough for most domestic broadband services.	4 / 5
Design	The lightweight plastic casing could be a little sturdier, and it doesn’t offer too much in the way of wired connectivity either. However, 2.5Gb Ethernet ports still provide good performance for high-speed broadband services.	3.5 / 5
Features	The Orbi’s well-designed app is certainly easy to ease. However, its modest price is matched by a fairly modest selection of features, and Netgear really wants you to pay a subscription fee for parental controls.	3 / 5
Performance	Lack of support for the 6.0GHz band means that the Orbi 373 is no speed demon (especially for UK users). Even so, it should still be a good upgrade for people that are using an older router with Wi-Fi 5 or 6.	3.5 / 5
Final Score	Gamers or power users who want maximum performance should look elsewhere. However, the Orbi 373 is an affordable upgrade for people who need more reliable Wi-Fi for larger homes.	4 / 5

Buy it if...

You have lots of bedrooms
There are faster routers available, but the Orbi 370 series is a good option for larger homes that need far-reaching Wi-Fi coverage.

You’re on a budget
Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems are still fairly expensive, so the Orbi 370 series provides a worthwhile upgrade without breaking the bank.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a gamer
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 is very much an entry-level option, so gamers who need lighting response times should look at a faster tri-band option.

You want parental controls
The Orbi 370 series is affordable, but it skimps on extra features and tries to sell you subscriptions for parental controls and other features.

Netgear Orbi 373: Also consider


	Netgear Orbi 373	Netgear Nighthawk RS100	Acer Predator Connect T7
Price:	$349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99	$129.99/£129.99/AU$259	$329.99/£236.22/AU$699
Wi-Fi:	Dual-band Wi-Fi 7	Dual-band Wi-Fi 7	Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
Speed:	5 Gbps (UK – 3.6 Gbps)	3.6 Gbps	11 Gbps
Connectivity:	Router – 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN); Satellites - 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN)	1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)	1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-C (2.0)
Processor:	Quad-core, 1.5GHz	Quad-core, 2GHz	Quad-core, 1.5GHz
Memory:	1GB	1GB	1GB
Storage:	512MB	512MB	512MB
Dimensions:	204 x 75 x 120mm	184 x 66 x 122mm	212 x 109 x 109mm

Netgear Nighthawk RS100
Smaller homes with one or two bedrooms can probably get by with a single, conventional router. The RS100 is one of Netgear’s most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, with a top speed of 3.6Gbps and price of just $129.99/£129.99/ AU$259.

Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RS100 review

Acer Predator Connect T7
If it’s speed you’re after then Acer’s T7 is a high-end gaming router that provides tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a top speed of 11Gbps. It can be used as part of a mesh system in larger homes too.

Read our full Acer Predator Connect T7 review

How I tested the Netgear Orbi 373

Tested it for 3-4 days
Used it as my main office router
Used the Ookla Speed Test app and tested game download speeds

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

I tested them, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the absolute best active noise cancelling cans for the money

1:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones | Tags: ANC | Comments: Off

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): two-minute review

The original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones from 2023 are still a competitive product, so for this second generation Bose has wisely left a lot unchanged. Even more wisely, the changes it has made turn out to be judicious and useful, and serve to make the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) even more competitive than the model they replace – a shoo-in for our best noise-cancelling headphones guide and honestly, they're some of the comfiest and best over-ear headphones in general.

Battery life, at 30 hours with ANC switched on, is improved. The ability to switch ANC off, in order to eke out as much as 45 hours of action from a single charge, is worthwhile too. Adding a ‘cinema’ mode to the ‘Immersive’ audio offering is a smart move. And being able to hard-wire the headphones to a source of music in order to enjoy truly hi-res audio quality can’t be sniffed at either.

These improvements just enhance what is class-leading noise cancellation, a sky-high comfort quotient, excellent portability thanks to the degree of articulation in the frame, and vigorous, entertaining sound quality.

In truth, similarly priced alternatives from other brands will give you a slightly fuller sonic picture. But these alternatives are heavier, not quite as comfortable over the long haul – and in ultimate terms they can’t lay a glove on the immaculate noise-cancellation these headphones offer.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on a plain background. — (Image credit: Future)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Price and release date

Released on September 10, 2025
Price: $449 / £449 / AU$699

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) launched in September 2025 and in the United Kingdom they’re priced at £449. In the United States they cost $449, and in Australia they go for AU$699.

In the UK this is the same money at which the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones launched back in 2023, while in the US and Australia it’s nudged upwards a little. In any event, though, this price indicates the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are up against some capable and credible opposition…

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Specs

Weight:	250g
Drivers:	TBC
Battery life:	30 hours
Control:	App; voice; physical
Bluetooth:	5.4

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Features

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility
‘Immersive’ audio
30 hours of battery life (ANC on)

There are some aspects of specification that Bose has never been all that keen on divulging, and it seems never will be. So as to the drivers fitted to the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), their size and material and frequency response, well, your guess is as good as mine. Quite why this run-of-the-mill information should be considered so sensitive is anyone’s guess, but here we are…

Still, there are things about which Bose is happily forthcoming. So we know these headphones use Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, and are compatible with the aptX Adaptive codec as well as the less glamorous SBC and AAC alternatives. And in a notable upgrade for the model they replace, the QC Ultra II can be hard-wired to a source of music using their USB-C slot – connected this way, they can deal with audio content up to 24bit/48kHz resolution.

The company’s ‘Immersive’ take on the whole spatial audio thing is on board, too – the system can be switched off altogether, or set to either ‘still’ or ‘motion’, and this new model also features a ‘cinema’ mode that seeks to offer a more – hey! – cinematic presentation for that content that might benefit from it.

Active noise-cancellation, the area in which Bose has historically been the front-runner, is back in its ‘ActiveSense’ guise – the headphones can automatically adjust ANC levels to respond to environmental changes. There’s a slider in the control app to adjust the intensity of the ANC and also to dictate the amount of external sounds you hear while in ‘Aware’ mode – and unlike the original model, the ANC in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) can be turned off altogether.

Battery life is improved for this new model, too. You can now expect 45 hours between charges with ANC off, 30 hours or so if you switch it on, and around 23 hours if you’re enjoying ‘Immersive’ audio at the same time. The thick end of three hours of playback can be liberated from a 15-minute connection to mains power.

There are a total of 10 mics in and around the ear cups, and no matter what you’re using them for – ANC, telephony, voice-assistant interaction – they prove sharp and rapid in their response.

Features score: 5 / 5

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Sound quality

Energetic and engaging sound quality
Not, perhaps, the last word in fine-detail retrieval
Absolutely superb ANC

I’ll start with the least surprising thing about these headphones: they're fitted with the best active noise-cancellation you can buy at anything like this kind of money. In fact, they have better ANC than plenty of wireless over-ear headphones costing two or three times this amount. Somehow Bose has worked out how to banish external sounds almost entirely from the experience of wearing a pair of QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). And it’s done so without altering the sonic character of the headphones in the slightest, and without introducing any sensation of noise-floor disruption or that weird ear-sucky-vacuum thing that less accomplished companies deal in. It’s remarkable, really.

That eerie silence outside leaves you free to enjoy sound quality that’s upfront, entertaining and thoroughly vigorous. There’s a very agreeable up-and-at-’em attitude to the way the Bose go about delivering a 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC file of Never Stop by Echo & The Bunnymen – momentum levels never dip, there’s confidence in the way the rhythm is expressed, and the broad dynamic shifts in volume and intensity are dispatched with something approaching relish.

The overall frequency response, from the very bottom of the range to the very top, is nicely even. The bottom end hits hard and digs deep, but is controlled enough to stop bass sounds dragging at the sound, while at the opposite end there’s just about substance to treble sounds to keep the bite and shine in check. In between, the midrange communicates in a forward and direct manner, and voices feel the benefit of this positivity no end.

The soundstage the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) create is large and quite convincingly defined, and even in a fairly hectic mix like this one the Bose can create enough space for each element of the recording to express itself fully. The headphones tie everything together pretty well, too, so even though there’s plenty of separation to the sound the recording is still presented as a singular event rather than a collection of individual occurrences.

A switch to Nina Simone’s version of Isn’t It a Pity? establishes that the Bose can do ‘stripped back’ and ‘slow burning’ just as readily as they can sink their teeth into the uptempo stuff. The balance and poise they exhibit here is the mark of an accomplished product – but the relatively spare recording also exposes the fact that the QC Ultra II are not, in ultimate terms, the most detailed headphones around.

They’re not a blunt instrument by any means, you understand, and they have some insight into harmonic variation and transient details. But the more minor, more fleeting episodes in this recording are rather glossed over. As a shortcoming it’s hardly the end of the world – and, in fact, it’s a testament to just how good the ANC is here that the listeners can enjoy enough isolation to be able to identify this little deficiency in the first place.

Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Design

Choice of five finishes
250g
Folding design

What’s most immediately striking about the design of the Bose QC Ultra II – and, to be fair, striking for quite a long while afterwards too – is how light and comfortable they are. At just 250g they’re usefully lighter than pretty much every price-comparable rival, and the combination of carefully judged padding in the headband and earpads, along with well-judged clamping force, means they’re a comfortable proposition even after you’ve been wearing them for hours. The pleather that covers the earpads and inner part of the headband stays cool for a good long while, too.

There’s plenty of articulation in the frame of the headphones, so they fold in on themselves to the point that the semi-hard travel case Bose supplies is helpfully smaller than the majority of alternatives. Despite the amount of movement available in the frame, though, the headphones don’t feel flimsy or vague in their construction.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) are available in five finishes. My review sample is in a rather insipid medicine color that Bose optimistically describes as ‘white smoke’ – the alternatives (‘black’, ‘midnight violet’, ‘driftwood sand’ and ‘desert gold’) are all more agreeable. For several of these colourways, including mine, the brightwork at the yokes and headband adjustment mechanism are much brighter than previously.

Design score: 5 / 5

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Usability and setup

Physical and touch controls
Control app for iOS and Android
‘Immersive’ audio calibration

When it comes to set-up, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are no more tricksy than any other wireless headphones. Power them up, put them in ‘pairing’ mode and your source device will locate them in no time. And it’s no more difficult to pair to two devices at a time as it is one.

There is a combination of physical and touch controls on the right earcup. The physical stuff consists of a button taking care of power on/off and Bluetooth pairing, and a second slightly larger button that can deal with play/pause, skip forwards/backwards and cycling through your ANC options. The ‘touch’ part consists of a slider that controls volume – a ‘touch and hold’ can act as a ‘shortcut’ to either hearing the battery level, cycling through ‘Immersive’ audio options, summoning a voice assistant, or waking Spotify. You can decide which of these shortcuts you’d like in the control app.

The app itself is useful as far as it goes, though it’s far from the most visually exciting example of the type around – it’s just that when compared to the alternatives from the likes of, say, Bowers & Wilkins, it doesn’t go all that far. Volume control, EQ adjustment, ANC and ‘Immersive’ audio settings, as well as that ‘shortcut’ nomination, are all catered for, and here’s where you can check on software updates and what-have-you too. For all its stability and ease of navigation, though, it lacks the ability to integrate music streaming services or access to internet radio that many price-comparable rivals provide.

Usability and setup score: 4 / 5

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Screenshots from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)'s app. — (Image credit: Future)

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Value

Some rivals are better-value
Top sound quality, ANC and comfort

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are constructed or finished, and the quality of the materials is unarguable too.

Somehow, though, the perceived value is not as high as it is with some rival models – perhaps that’s to do with the color of my sample, perhaps it’s the slightly hard- and thin-feeling plastics that make up the bulk of the earcups.

What can’t be argued with, though, is the experience – and in every respect, from sound quality and active nose-cancellation to extended comfort and portability, these headphones are right up there.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?

Section	Notes	Score
Features	Lots of features like spatial audio and support for various codecs.	5 / 5
Sound quality	Energetic and engaging sound with top ANC.	4.5 / 5
Design	Light and comfortable, available in five finishes.	5 / 5
Usability and setup	A range of controls with the app bringing a few extras.	4 / 5
Value	A few rough finishes but otherwise, top value.	4 / 5

Buy them if…

You’re in this for the long haul
Between the battery life and the comfort quotient, the Bose are excellent travel companions.

Your long haul is noisy
One day, Bose will fail to produce class-leading active noise-cancellation – but today is not that day.

You enjoy energetic and entertaining sound
They’re not the absolutely final word in outright fidelity, but these headphones know how to have a good time.

Don't buy them if…

You want everyone to see where your money has gone
A similar spend with alternative brands will buy you a little more tactility and perceived value

You want all the control app whistles and bells
What the Bose app does, it does properly – but alternative apps from other brands go further in their functionality.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Also consider

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
If it’s perceived value as well as great sound you’re after, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 make a whole lot of sense – even if, just like everyone else, they have to bow to the noise-cancellation Bose deals in.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review

Sony WH-1000XM6
If you’re after something that does really well in every single department without ever quite being the best at any one thing, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are consummate all-rounders.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Apple AirPods Max
The stalwart point of comparison, Apple's top-tier over-ear headphones cost a tiny bit more and get you cans that are part of the AirPods ecosystem... if that's what you want.
Read the full Apple AirPods Max review

How I tested Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Wireless connections to an iPhone 14 Pro, FiiO M15S digital audio player and MacBook Pro
A variety of music, a variety of file types and sizes
Connections wirelessly but also via USB-C cable

I connected the QC Ultra II wirelessly to an Apple MacBook Pro, an iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S digital audio player, in order to get as wide an experience of codecs and audio content as possible.

I also connected the headphones to the laptop using USB-C in order to get a little flavour of their high-resolution credentials. Lots of styles of music came through them, of lots of different file-types and -sizes… and I did plenty of listening outdoors as well as at home, too.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: October 2025

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