OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: two-minute review
Having shot with the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 zoom, I'm now an even bigger fan of the Micro Four Thirds format for wildlife photography than I was previously. It's a fabulous lens in every regard, with superb build quality, excellent handling and top-drawer image quality.
Above all, its bright maximum f/2.8 aperture – which is a first for a 100-400mm equivalent lens – delivers super-fast shutter speeds and better light intake than cheaper alternatives, which levels up the kind of telephoto wildlife action it's possible to capture.
I tested the telephoto zoom with an OM System OM-1 II; together the IP53-rated weather-resistant pairing are impressively lightweight at just 59oz / 1,674g, and deliver incredible image stabilization and subject-detection autofocus performance, especially for birds – the lens's autofocus can continuously keep up with the camera's blazing 50fps burst shooting speeds.
I love how the lens balances with the camera, and I happily carried the pairing all day, rain or shine. Its internal zoom further protects against potential dust ingress over the long run, and I've no doubt it'll last for many years of heavy use.
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Detail is impressively sharp, even at f/2.8, which is the aperture I used the most. This setting also enables the use of the fast shutter speeds that are crucial for high-speed wildlife photography.
Bokeh at f/2.8 is smooth for the most part, though in some scenarios it appeared a little fussy. Close the aperture down and you lose the circular shaping, and get harder edges instead. Bokeh is fine overall, but this is probably the only real negative to mention regarding optical quality.
Close focusing impresses – just 0.78m at any focal length, for up to half-life-size macro capture.
I do have to get the small matter of the price out of the way at this point. At £3,000 (US and Australia pricing is TBC), the 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro is less than half the price of OM System's other pro 'white' lens, the 150-400mm F4.5, but almost three times the price of the 40-150mm F2.8.
In fact, it's pricier than similar full-frame lenses – Nikon's 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S comes to mind. However, considering the features on board, the build and optical quality, and that maximum f2.8 aperture, it's still decent value, even if many will be priced out.
I can't fault the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 as an overall package. It's a superb telephoto zoom, and one that I can only dream will one day live in my gear bag. If you're a serious wildlife shooter, OM System has produced one of the best camera and lens pairing you can find.
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro specs
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro specs
Type:
Telephoto zoom
Mount:
Micro Four Thirds
Sensor:
Micro Four Thirds
Focal length:
50-200mm (100-400mm effective)
Max aperture:
f/2.8
Minimum focus:
0.78m
Filter size:
77mm
Dimensions:
91.4 x 225.8mm
Weight:
38oz / 1,075g (without collar)
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: Design
0.78m close focusing for 0.5x (equivalent) magnification
I can't find any fault in the 50-200mm F2.8's design. It's IP53-rated, and is weather-resistant and freeze-proof to -10C; its internal zoom – a feature you'll generally only find in high-end optics – is further evidence of its rugged credentials, as it's one less place for potential dust ingress.
Check out the images below, which show how the lens barrel remains unchanged as you zoom through the focal range.
Considering its features – particularly that focal length and maximum aperture combo – it's lightweight too, at 38oz / 1,075g (without the removable collar). Paired with an OM System camera like the OM-1 II, the total weight is only 59oz / 1,674g, making for a comfortable all-day carry.
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All the external controls you'd want in a telephoto zoom are here: optical stabilization, manual / autofocus switch, custom buttons, and a focus range limiter.
Focus range can be limited to 0.78-3m, which is handy for macro photography (for which the lens has that impressive minimum close-focusing distance 0.78m), or to 3m to infinity, which is the option I'd pick when shooting telephoto wildlife. A third option is the full focus distance range, which could increase the risk of focus hunting.
The lens is supplied with a tripod collar, and I tend to keep this attached even when shooting handheld, as it provides another point of contact or place to hold when shooting.
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There's no built-in teleconverter, which is a feature you'll sometimes find in high-end telephoto lenses, including OM System's own monster 150-400mm F4.5. However, I'd happily use OM System's 1.4x teleconverter with this lens – I've used it before, and I wouldn't expect to see any significant drop off in image quality.
Adding the 1.4x teleconverter extends the maximum reach of the lens at the cost of 1EV of light, effectively turning this into a 560mm f/4 lens. That's still seriously impressive, and a better reach for bird photography, where subjects tend to be small and tricky to get close to.
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: Performance
100-400mm effective focal length with maximum f/2.8 aperture
Optical and camera stabilization combine for up to 7.5EV stabilization
Sharp detail and, for the best part, smooth bokeh
Supports 50fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus
The OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is an impressive performer in every respect. Its autofocus speed and precision are top drawer; when paired with the OM-1 II, it quickly latched onto subjects such as birds, and was able to support 50fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus.
The lens's optical stabilization can also combine with the OM-1 II's in-body image stabilization to deliver up to 7.5EV of stabilization.
In real terms, OM System says you can shoot handheld at the maximum focal length, which is 400mm (effective), using shutter speeds as slow as 1/3 sec, and still get sharp results.
Of course, if the action is moving then 1/3 sec won't be of much use, unless you want to intentionally blur your subject, but static objects will indeed appear sharp based on my testing.
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I used the continuous high burst shooting to increase my chances of freezing the action at the right moment in these two scenarios. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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For me, what's even better to have than the superb stabilization performance is the bright maximum f/2.8 aperture. This enables fast shutter speeds to freeze action, which is personally what I'm looking for a lens like this to do – for wildlife, you can do so much more with a f/2.8 telephoto than, say, an f/5.6 one.
The 100-400mm effective focal length range easily covers a range of scenarios – it's my go-to range for grassroots sports like soccer, and for large wildlife. To give you an idea of the difference between 100mm and 400mm, I've taken pictures of the same scene at those extremes, and you can see some examples in the gallery below.
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I also explored macro photography with the 50-200mm F2.8, and you can see some of those pictures below. The 0.25x maximum magnification (which is 0.5x full-frame effective) is half-life size and super-versatile – there's no such full-frame lens with such a feature set.
It was while using the lens to shoot macro, including a dew-covered backlit spider's web at first light, that I started paying particular attention to the bokeh – the quality of the out-of-focus orbs of light.
At f/2.8 it's smooth and rounded, but there are scenarios, such as the cobweb shots, where it becomes a little fussy rather than smooth – stopping the aperture down to f/7.1 to increase depth of field revealed polygonal-shaped bokeh. For less extreme scenarios, bokeh quality is pleasant, but I wouldn't buy this lens solely for that attribute.
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I took this photo at f/7.1 to increase depth of field, and you see that the bokeh has hard edges and polygonal shape, produced by the lens's nine aperture blades. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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Here I've opened up the aperture and bokeh is rounder, but detail in the spider is softer because of the shallow depth of field. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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Where this lens shines is in its wonderfully sharp detail, no matter the focal length or aperture (f/2.8 to f/11, at least). I've been really impressed by the quality of detail in my subjects, and I've been able to shoot images that simply wouldn't be possible with cheaper gear, or even with full-frame lenses with darker maximum apertures, like the Nikon 100-400mm.
If anything is holding this lens back, it's the limitations of the Micro Four Third's sensor format, which is half the size of full-frame. It's less clean in low light, and dynamic range is a little limited in high-contrast scenes, like the sunrise shot in the gallery below (scroll past those adorable guinea pigs).
The maximum f/2.8 aperture mostly makes up for any sensor format limitations, though, and in its own right the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is a top-quality telephoto zoom, with no real drawbacks.
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Should you buy the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro?
Buy it if...
You want a versatile wildlife and sports zoom
The 100-400mm focal length is ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
You want a lightweight pro telephoto zoom
Compared to full-frame alternatives, the 50-200mm F2.8 is a fraction of the weight and size. Its internal zoom is an added bonus.
You also shoot macro
Micro Four Thirds tends to deliver better close-focusing distances than full frame, and the 50-200mm is a case in point; 0.78m at any focal length delivers up to 0.5x magnification.
Don't buy it if...
You don't often zoom beyond 300mm
OM System's 40-150mm F2.8 (80-300mm equivalent) is less than half the price of the 50-200mm – if you don't usually zoom beyond 300mm, I'd save the cash and go for the older lens.
You're on a budget
Considering its quality and features, the 50-200mm F2.8 is decent value, but it still costs in the thousands.
You're unlikely to shoot fast-moving action or in low light
The f/2.8 aperture is a real selling point if you need fast shutter speeds when shooting action at the telephoto end, or for that extra latitude when shooting in low light. View Deal
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
How I tested the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro
Following an initial testing session with OM System, I used the 50-200mm extensively for an entire week
I paired it with the OM System OM-1 II
I took telephoto shots of wildlife, macro photos of spiders, and more
I first used the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro at an event hosted by OM System at a wildlife trust in the UK, where I had some hands-on experience photographing exotic birds. I subsequently used the camera over a week-long loan period, paired with the OM System OM-1 II camera.
During my own time with the lens I've taken it out for sunrise shoots of birdlife on a common, been captivated by the macro world of insects including backlit spider's webs, and snapped my family's pet guinea pigs at last light.
I've made sure that all lens corrections are switched off in-camera, shot in both raw and JPEG format, used every key focal length and various apertures, then assessed image quality using Adobe Camera Raw, which has OM System profiles.
The new Nikon ZR is the first in a new line of Nikon / RED cinema cameras, and instantly makes Nikon a major new player in this space, capable of going to toe-to-toe with Sony, Canon, Blackmagic and Panasonic.
Nikon only acquired RED Digital Cameras 18 months ago, and it's made fast work of producing the surprisingly polished and capable ZR, adorned with Z Cinema Camera and Nikon / RED branding, and available for a tantalizing price that significantly undercuts rivals.
It packs a bunch of Nikon Z6 III tech, including the same 24MP partially stacked full-frame sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, subject-detection tracking autofocus and more, into an extremely compact, weather-sealed cinema camera body.
We get 6K 60fps video with internal RAW recording, with any one of nine industry-favorite RED color profiles baked in – that's the Nikon / RED amalgamation truly bearing fruit – plus 4K 120fps and Full HD 240fps slow-motion recording.
Handily, shutter angle can be set automatically to 180 degrees, so there's no need to mess around with manual exposure settings, plus the shutter angle can be set to any position between five and 360 degrees manually, should you wish.
The Nikon ZR with new ME-D10 shotgun mic attached – the mic supports the camera's 32-bit float audio capture skills (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
We don't get open gate video recording as in some rivals like the Canon EOS C50, but the ZR has another trick up its sleeve: hold the camera vertically, and its UI automatically rotates, with the vertical orientation embedded in the video files and automatically detected in Nikon's editing software, delivering full-resolution vertical video.
The ZR is the first camera of its kind with internal 32-bit float audio capture, plus what Nikon says is the best-quality internal mics yet – a triple mic combo with Ozo audio and a choice of five directional pickup patterns, including binaural.
Alongside the ZR, Nikon has launched the ME-D10 directional mic (you can see it slotted into the camera's hotshoe in the image above), which is compatible with the camera's 32-bit float capabilities.
This is also the smallest cinema camera I’ve used, yet it still squeezes in a large, brightest-in-class 4-inch vari-angle touchscreen. Naturally, there's no viewfinder.
Nikon has put both its own and RED's branding on the ZR, together with Z Cinema Camera (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Given its tiny size, there are compromises. We don’t get some of the pro connectivity found in other pricier compact cinema cameras – for example there’s only a micro HDMI port, not a full-size one. However, if you still feel the need to use an external monitor even with the large 4-inch built-in display, all you'll need is a micro-to-full-size HMDI adaptor to get connected.
Sadly, the ZR lacks mounting points for video accessories and, with no grip, you’ll definitely want to rig it up with a grip or a cage for a better hold. That means forking out for ZR-dedicated gear – Nikon outsources to leading accessory maker SmallRig.
However, at just £2,199 (US and Australia pricing is TBC), no other cinema camera comes close to the ZR for video features – and this aggressive pricing will soften the blow of any additional outlay on accessories.
I can see the Nikon ZR as a go-to b-cam for many pros, especially those already shooting with a RED camera, for whom the color profile matching will make for a seamless workflow. That said, this is a capable video camera in its own right too.
The Nikon ZR is an incredibly capable and polished compact cinema camera with world-first features, and an exciting first step into the filmmaking space for Nikon. Should video lenses soon follow (most Z lenses are designed primarily for photography), along with a higher-end cinema camera with pro connectivity to sit above the ZR, then Nikon will truly find its footing in this space.
The compact body is the smallest in this class of cinema camera, with a fairly simple control layout (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Nikon ZR: price and release date
Costs £2,199.99 (US and Australia pricing TBC)
There will be various accessory bundles, TBC
Sales start in October
The Nikon ZR costs £2,199 (US and Australia pricing is TBC, but that coverts to roughly $2,980 or AU$4,500). At that price it significantly undercuts rivals – such a feature set is typically found in cameras that cost around 50% more, and more often in cameras closer to twice the price.
That said, there are no video accessories included, and you'll want to fork out for some in order to enjoy the ZR's handling and feature set to its full potential. These will likely include a grip and / or cage, plus Nikon's new ME-D10 directional mic, which is compatible with the camera's 32-bit float audio format.
Nikon doesn't make its own accessories such as grips or rigs, relying on third parties such as SmallRig to supply those. At the time of writing I don't have pricing for dedicated ZR accessories.
The Nikon ZR is due to go on sale in October 2025.
The ZR is compact cinema camera for run-and-gun filmmaking – an ideal b-cam (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Nikon ZR: specs
Video
6K up to 60fps, Raw internal
Photo
24MP full-frame
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Autofocus
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
Screen
4-inch, 3.07m-dot, vari-angle
Viewfinder
N/A
Weight
19oz / 540g (body only)
Battery
EN-EL15 (same type as Nikon Z6 III / Z8)
Nikon ZR: Design
Smallest and lightest cinema camera of its kind; weather-resistant
Large 4-inch, 3.07m-dot touch LCD with brightest in-class display, no viewfinder
No mounting points for accessories
3x internal mics, Ozo audio with five directional pickup patterns
As far as I know, the Nikon ZR is the smallest and lightest camera of its kind, weighing just 19oz / 540g (body-only). It's also weather-resistant, which is a rarity in the cinema camera world.
There are pros and cons resulting from the tiny dimensions. Drawbacks include enthusiast-level connectivity, like micro HMDI rather than full-size (though you only need an adaptor to remedy this), and the absence of a grip or mounting points for accessories. A camera like the Canon EOS C50 feels more high-end, given its pro-level connectivity.
It feels best to keep things simple with the ZR, making the most of its compact body and powerful features by minimizing the number of accessories in play. A grip is the one accessory I would absolutely look into buying, while if you want to rig up the ZR you'll need a cage, which will in turn allow you to attach accessories such as lights and mics – Nikon has partnered with SmallRig to create grips and cages for the ZR (pricing TBC).
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Despite its tiny body, the ZR packs a large 4-inch touch display. As such, I don't really see the need for attaching a bulky external 5-inch monitor. It certainly helps that the ZR's 3.07m-dot display is wonderful bright and vivid – the brightest in its class, says Nikon. Mind you, I've only used the ZR in a studio; a truer test will be the bright outdoors.
Other cinema cameras, like the Sony FX3 and Canon EOS C50, only have 3-inch displays, while the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K has a mega 5-inch unit. In the case of the Sony and Canon models, I'd absolutely want to add a monitor to my setup.
The camera's top plate is pretty simple: there's a photo / video switch (though sadly the UI remains the same whichever setting you're in, rather than there being dedicated menus for photo and video), record button with rocker, plus three buttons for accessing items such as display settings.
The rear is dominated by the large touch display, which when folded away reveals the Nikon / RED branding. Beside it are a joystick for controls such as autofocus point selection, a menu button (a quick press brings up the main menu and a long press brings up the quick menu, which is a nice touch) and a playback button.
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Battery life promises to be okay, given that the ZR uses the same EN-EL15 battery as the Nikon Z6 III and Nikon Z8. There are no vents or cooling fans, though, which would normally suggest that a camera of this type would be prone to overheating during long recording sessions.
I haven't recorded clips any longer than a few minutes, but I'll be sure to run the camera for longer during my in-depth testing. However, Nikon says the camera's magnesium alloy body is a natural heat sink, and promises that long record times are possible, and based on my experience with previous Nikon cameras I have no reason to doubt it.
There's exciting tech under the hood, too, namely a totally new Ozo audio setup, which comprises three mics. Together, these offer five directional pickup patterns, including front narrow (like a shotgun mic), front wide, rear and binaural 3D stereo.
Nikon says this Ozo system is the best internal mic setup of any camera, and it's supported by a world-first: in-camera 32-bit float audio capture. Nikon's new ME-D10 shotgun mic, released at the same time as the ZR, supports 32-bit float audio too.
Those are impressive audio features for any camera, let alone one at this price point, and I look forward to properly testing them out.
Nikon ZR: Performance
6K up to 60fps, 4K up to 120fps, Full HD up to 240fps
Internal RAW recording and RED color profiles (up to nine in-camera at any time)
Subject-detection autofocus and 5-axis image stabilization
24MP stills, partially stacked full-frame sensor
For the most part, the Nikon ZR has the same photo and video specs as the Z6 III (which we awarded five stars out of five in our in-depth review), which means a full-frame partially stacked 24MP sensor equipped with 5-axis image stabilization.
Add in decent subject-detection tracking autofocus and the ZR is a capable stills shooter, although while this is useful for on-set stills, the main focus of my testing is of course the ZR's video chops.
There's the partially stacked 24MP full-frame sensor and Nikon Z mount (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Like the Z6 III, the Nikon ZR shoots 6K up to 60fps, 4K up to 120fps and Full HD up to 240fps. There's the option for shooting internal RAW with a 12-bit color depth, or keeping things simple and baking in the look at capture with 10-bit recording.
Given the array of creative styles and color profiles on board, which includes space for up to nine RED color profiles at any one time, you might just feel happy to skip shooting RAW, with its large file sizes and grading demands, and use one of the many baked-in color profiles instead to save editing time and space on your hard drives.
I shot a variety of video clips during a half-day session with a drummer in action inside a studio, including 6K RAW, a few of the RED profiles baked in, and 240fps slow-motion – see my sample video, above.
In this setting, the ZR delivered some superb-looking video. I'll be expanding this first impressions review with more detail about its video and audio quality, once I've had an extended time with the ZR.
The ZR is a decent camera for photos too, with 24MP stills (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Nikon ZR: also consider
Canon EOS C50
Canon announced the EOS C50 just a day before the Nikon ZR. It costs around 50% more, but comes with a top grip. In many ways the two cameras' video features are similar, including video resolution, maximum frame rates, internal RAW recording and autofocus. However, the Canon camera feels slightly more high-end with pro connectivity, while in the ZR's favor are its compact size, larger touch display and, impressively, its sensor-based stabilization.
The Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K is pretty much the same price as the Nikon ZR, and in many respects has similar video features: a full-frame sensor with 6K video, 12-bit internal RAW recording and dual base ISO. It also packs a mammoth 5-inch display and has a solid choice of L-mount lenses. However, its slow-motion recording is more limited, while autofocus performance isn't a patch on Nikon's. It's also much bulkier and heavier.
The Sony FX3 is an industry-favorite compact 4K cinema camera with superb low-light skills, thanks to its 12MP full-frame sensor. Like the ZR, it's designed to be rugged, with accessories such as its (bundled) top handle. It has the pro connectivity you'd hope for, excellent battery life, and a wide range of video lenses. However, its video recording feels somewhat dated compared to the ZR's 6K internal RAW, and it's practically twice the price. View Deal
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
How I tested the Nikon ZR
I had just half a day with the ZR
I paired it with multiple Nikon Z lenses and tried out the new ME-D10 mic
No third-party accessories were available, so I used the camera handheld
I had the opportunity to shoot with the Nikon ZR for half a day ahead of its launch, using it for an indoor stage-lit shoot of a drummer in action.
Nikon supplied an array of Z-mount lenses for the shoot, of which I used a few primes and zooms. The new ME-D10 directional mic was also available on the day.
Nikon doesn't make its own rigs or cinema camera accessories, relying on third parties such as SmallRig instead. None of these accessories were available to me, so I shot with the ZR entirely handheld, without a grip or rig.
During my limited test time I made sure to shoot in 6K RAW, 240fps slow motion, and to try out various color profiles, focusing on the RED looks.
I have plenty of experience using rival cinema cameras such as the Sony FX3, so I'm well equipped to make an informed initial assessment of the ZR. That said, cinema cameras need to prove themselves as tools their users can rely on shoot after shoot, so check back soon for my in-depth verdict after I've spent more time with the camera.
Wayward is the title you need to keep your eyes on most of all when looking at the line-up of everything new on Netflix in September 2025. Brought to us by Feel Good creator and comic Mae Martin, they've even bagged Toni Collette for her most explosive horror role since Ari Aster's Hereditary in 2022.
But this is just scratching the surface of why Wayward is so good. The new Netflix series tells the story of the small town of Tall Pines, Vermont, which is home to a school of delinquent teens that get shipped off to study under the watchful eye of Evelyn Wade (Collette). Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) are two teens caught up in the school's mysteries, alongside cop Alex (Martin) and wife Laura (Sarah Gadon), who return to Laura's home town to settle down before the birth of their new baby.
Their two points of view converge over the course of the eight-episode run, giving us a multi-dimensional look at what it means to be a brainwashed youth incarcerated against your will. The town's decisions (and I won't spoil what these are) aim to rebuild Tall Pines from the ground up, but instead break down and fracture every part of its infrastructure. Not that this seems to matter, though as Evelyn's got her metaphorical hooks into almost everyone around her.
Between Alex, Abbie and Leila, it's up to them to get to the bottom of what's actually going on in Tall Pines. As a result, we're taken on a journey that resembles something between Twin Peaks and Stranger Things, and boy, is the outcome satisfying.
Of course Netflix's Wayward is brilliant, Mae Martin created it
Viewers should have known Wayward would be an instant addition to their watchlist the minute it was clear the series was coming from Mae Martin. Feel Good is still regarded as one of the greatest comedy-dramas to come out of the last decade, and not just by me. Even though veering into sci-fi supernatural territory isn't an expected direction for Martin, it almost doesn't matter.
Why? Good TV comes from getting the basics right: we're talking structure, characters, setting, as well as peaks and pits to hold the audiences attention. It's Martin's craft that's always elevated anything they've been a part of, even though their character Alex could be seen as another extension of their own personality. But we're rooting for Alex every step of the way, and that paves the way for some effortless LGBTQIA+ representation.
Instead of overtly stating that Martin's character is a trans man, the ensemble use he/him pronouns without hesitation, and when they fumble it feels authentic, rather than clumsily wedging inclusion in to tick a diversity box. It's incredibly refreshing and makes us buy into Alex's personal experiences on a much deeper level. If you're looking for someone more shouty about their sexuality, Leila is your girl, with her blossoming bisexuality proudly worn as only a naive teenager can.
Then there's Toni Collette. As one of the most talented actors that seems to be continuously unappreciated (especially by the Academy Awards), I hope viewers will tune in merely to see her shine (though I already know they will). She raises the game of everything and everyone around her when she signs onto the project, and there's no doubt that Wayward is what it is because of her. It's Evelyn's world and we're just living in it, making even the most skin-crawling of scenes enjoyable.
Stick with Wayward after episode 1 – I promise the payoff is worth it
We even get a Toni Collette musical number in Wayward. (Image credit: Netflix)
For the most part, Wayward is well structured, holds its intrigue and has enough mystery wrapped in suspense to sustain us for the rest of the year. I'm a biased fan of anything to do with sketchy communes, strange towns and schools for dysfunctional children, but its subject matter is incredibly compelling even for the uninitiated. I should have felt as though I'd seen this play out 1000 times over (and better), but I came away from Wayward with a fresh perspective.
That said, there are a few minor downsides. With such a strange ensemble cast of characters in Tall Pines, not all of them get their backstories explained outright, particularly those relating to Laura's past. Laura's own journey has an ironic symbiosis with Evelyn's and it would have been helpful to see more of how she actually functioned in her alma mater.
Looking back, episode 1 was the biggest stumbling block, and that's not helpful when it's the make-or-break point of a viewer deciding if they'll stick or split to something else in Netflix's expansive back catalog. It's worth point out that all events that occur in Wayward are happening in 2003 rather than being split across different points in time, with it initially unclear how Abbie and Leila's story will cross paths with Alex and Laura's. It gets there pretty quickly after in episode 2, but the first 40 minutes require a bit of patience and push-through.
But these are small prices to pay for an ultimately satisfying and well-rounded eight-parter. Touching on themes of identity, motherhood, loss, community and trust, anybody who loves unpicking the crux of a story will be fed well-timed mouthfuls at every turn. There's an interesting feeling of pride that comes with working out the subtext of something, and that's a uniquely enjoyable experience in Wayward. Tall Pines has a lot of its own lore, both directly through the phases of the school, and hidden in plain sight among its residents.
If you want my advice: invest your time, trust nobody, and hope to God that you don't get selected for The Leap.
The Sony LinkBuds Open are yet another contender in the trendy and ever-expanding world of open earbuds – but they still stand out from the crowd.
This model succeeds Sony’s first attempt at open earbuds, which launched three years ago now, and combines a slightly unorthodox design with a broad feature-set, tuneable audio, and modern controls. With a price of $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, though, there’s a lot of expectation on Sony’s latest open buds – so, can they hit all of the right notes?
Well, I’ll start by talking about my first impressions out of the box. As soon as I unboxed the Sony LinkBuds Open, I was struck by their unusual yet enticing looks. Unlike a lot of the best open earbuds, these adopt neither the clip-on nor the hooked designs that most of their competitors adopt. Instead, each bud has a ring-shaped driver, which lets ambient sound in easily. The batteries are housed in an orb-shaped casing, and wings are attached to these for a more secure in-ear fit.
I’m a fan of the ring-shaped in-ear components – these fit nicely and let in ambient noises without a hitch. Admittedly though, the spherical exterior looks a bit clunky, and although the wings ensure a pretty secure fit, they felt a little peculiar in my ear, which took comfort levels down a bit for me personally. Overall, these should still feel fine in-ear for a few hours, but there are comfier alternatives out there, like the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, for instance.
Something I loved was the charging case. The white color variant has a glossy, marble-like appearance and I appreciate the attention to detail here. It’s worth noting that you can also grab these buds in Black or Violet – the latter being a special edition produced in collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo.
Another thing that really impresses me about these buds is their feature-set, which is bursting at the seams with user-friendly goodness. There’s multi-point connectivity, 360 Reality Audio support, voice assistant integration, and services such as Spotify Tap – all accessible via Sony’s Sound Connect app.
But there’s more! There’s customizable, and surprisingly effective touch controls, DSEE upscaling for lower-quality music files (still looking at you, Spotify), and depth-filled EQ options. There’s Find Your Equalizer – a gamified way to uncover the best tuning for you – as well as presets and a five-band custom option. Combine that with Scene-based listening, head gesture controls, and a wearing condition check-up, and you’re looking at a highly talented pair of buds.
Still, it’s worth flagging that some competitors offer features that have been omitted here. There’s no active noise cancellation – something you’ll spot on a model like the Edifier LolliClip or Honor Earbuds Open – though you probably want to hear your surroundings clearly if you’re buying open-style earbuds. There’s also no LDAC, Sony’s ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth audio codec, but again, the open design here does limit audio capabilities.
Finally, there aren’t any health monitoring options – think a heart rate or blood oxygen tracker (you'd need to look to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for that). But still, you have plenty to play with on the LinkBuds Open, and the companion app is super easy to use.
(Image credit: Future)
A quick note
When I started testing the Sony LinkBuds Open, I encountered some issues, such as a rattling noise in one bud and connectivity issues. Thankfully, we were swiftly presented with a fresh, fully functional unit, but for transparency's sake, I wanted to flag such quirks. These issues have not influenced my final scoring of the model.
By now, then, you must be wondering how the LinkBuds Open sound. Well, I have mixed feelings about this model. Firstly, it’s worth pre-empting this by emphasizing that an open design means a likely hit to audio fidelity, and typically weaker bass response than you’d expect from earbuds with a seal or over-ear headphones, for example.
Still, I was relatively impressed with the low-end performance of the LinkBuds Open. I tried listening to AAAAA by Kiefer with EQ set to ‘Off’ (flat), and found that the bass rippling through the track was meatier than what the impressive SoundCore AeroClip could offer with default tuning. Was it the cleanest low-end replication I’ve heard? Well no.
In Stepping Out (feat. $Ha Hef) by Jay Worthy and LNDN DRGS, the funky bassline clashed slightly with vocals, which didn’t have quite enough space to breathe. Meanwhile, the palpable sub-bass is pretty understated in The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – though that’s almost to be expected from a pair of open-ears given their technical limitations.
Elsewhere, highs sounded pretty prominent out of the box – but perhaps a little too prominent at times. On occasion, sounds in the treble-frequency edged towards the harsh side of things – though this can be remedied with EQ adjustment in the Sound Connect app.
It’s in tracks more focused around vocal performances, then, where the LinkBuds Open truly shine. For instance, when tuning into Déchire la Toile by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier, gliding keys and emotive vocals sounded clear and controlled, with a pleasing openness to the sound creating a decently immersive listen. Even at higher volumes, there was a solid level of detail on display, though my colleague did note significant sound leakage – not ideal if you’re in the office or on public transport.
All in all, you won’t get that perfectly balanced, beautifully layered audio – and you might want to tinker with that out-of-the-box sound profile. But for a pair of open earbuds, the LinkBuds Open are certainly solid in the audio department, with generally clear, weighty sound.
A few final notes on this open-ear option from Sony. Firstly, you get a pretty standard serving of playtime. You should get around 8 hours from the buds alone, plus an additional 14 with the charging case. During my testing, I found this to be about right – putting them about on-par with modes like the aforementioned Soundcore AeroClip.
And one more thing: there are optional fittings that you can purchase to customize the LinkBuds Open to your liking. These include multi-colored covers for both the buds themselves and the charging case, if you really wanna jazz things up. This level of customizability is admirable, but you’ll have to spend extra to access it.
In the end, then, can we say that the LinkBuds open hit all of the right notes? Not quite – but they still put on a good show. I’m not totally sold on their design and sonically, they’re not as strong as some wireless buds in the same price-range. But still, commendable mid-range performance, fairly meaty bass given the design and lots of EQ options kept me satisfied overall.
Unfortunately, there's one area where these buds fall down for me: their cost. They're very pricey for open ears, which already come with some compromises in terms of audio. So, even though they have a deep feature-set and secure in-ear fit, this model's not quite a slam dunk. If you've got a good amount of cash to splash on some open earbuds, these may well be worth checking out, but otherwise, I'd suggest taking a peek at my other recommendations in the ‘Also consider’ section.
Sony LinkBuds Open review: specs
Waterproof rating
“IPX4 equivalent”
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight
5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)
Frequency range
20Hz-20kHz
(Image credit: Future)
Sony LinkBuds Open review: price and release date
$199 / £149 / AU$249.95
Launched in October 2024
The Sony LinkBuds Open – or Sony LinkBuds Open WF-L910 as they’re sometimes listed – released at the end of 2024. They have a list price of $199 / £149 / AU$249, which is by no means cheap for a pair of open-ears, though nowhere near as steep as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which launched at $299 / £299 / AU$449.95.
On top of that, I’ve already spotted these on sale in some territories. For instance, they’ve dropped to under £130 / AU$250 on Amazon at the time of writing. You can pick the LinkBuds Open up in a variety of colors, including Black, White, or Violet. The latter is a collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo, and includes custom EQ options which were tuned by the artist and her producer.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Sony LinkBuds Open?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Wide suite of features and awesome in-app experience.
4.5/5
Sound quality
Generally solid for open ear sound, imperfect yet fairly meaty bass, clear mids.
3.5/5
Design
Not the most elegant looking, just OK comfort, but secure fit and appealing case.
3.5/5
Value
Despite good overall performance, these are expensive against similar quality rivals.
3/5
Buy them if...
You want access to excellent features As is usually the case with Sony products, the LinkBuds Open are brimming with features. Bluetooth audio upscaling, EQ options, multi-point, and Scene-based listening are all here. And there’s a whole lot more too – just download the Sound Connect app to discover what’s on offer.
You want a secure open ear fit Although I wasn't totally bowled over by their looks, I can’t deny that the LinkBuds offer a pleasingly secure fit. If you’re out on a run or at the gym, you won’t have to worry about them slipping out easily – and with their open design, you’ll be able to hear your surroundings easily too.
Don't buy them if...
You’re an audiophile If you want a beautifully detailed, elegantly balanced, and effortlessly separated sound, the Sony LinkBuds Open probably aren’t for you. A lot of that is a result of their open design – aspects like bass response and detail levels won’t compare to that of the best wireless earbuds.
You’re on a budget At $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, the Sony LinkBuds Open are hardly cheap. If you’re set on an open design, the Huawei FreeArc down below are our pick for the best budget option – more on those below.
Sony LinkBuds Open: also consider
Sony LinkBuds Open
Anker Soundcore AeroClip
Huawei FreeArc
Price
$199 / £149 / AU$249.95
$129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210)
£99.99 (about $130 / AU$210)
Waterproof rating
“IPX4 equivalent”
IPX4
IP57
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)
8 hours (earbuds); 24 hours (with charging case)
7 hours (earbuds); 23 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.2
Weight
5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)
6g (per bud); 42g (charging case)
8.9g (per bud); 67g (charging case)
Frequency range
20Hz-20kHz
20Hz-20kHz
20Hz-20kHz
Anker Soundcore AeroClip I’m a big fan of the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, and they remain some of the best open earbuds I’ve tested. Out of the box, they’re not as bass-heavy as the LinkBuds Open, but a quick EQ tweak can give you a sound closer to your preference. With solid battery life, a comfortable clip-on design, and reasonable asking price, there’s a lot to like here. Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review.
Huawei FreeArc For a more "traditional" open-ear build, the Huawei FreeArc are a top-tier choice – and they’re pretty cheap too. With surprisingly good sound quality, excellent protection against the elements, and a comfortable fit, they’re well-worth checking out. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review.
How I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across the course of multiple weeks
Used in the office and while out and about
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open over the course of multiple weeks while in the office, at home, and out on walks.
For the most part, I listened to music with the buds via Tidal, though I occasionally dipped into a few tracks on Spotify. During testing, I made sure to run through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library.
Where appropriate, I compared the LinkBuds Open against rival models, such as the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, which helped me to assess aspects like audio performance and comfort.
Fast 10ms response UPS with different modes of UPS
Bluetti has done it again releasing another one of their versatile portable power stations, this one aimed at being lighter, smaller and more agile than some of the older, bigger models from the past.
A more powerful inverter means that AC wattage has been pushed up allowing even more electronics to be run from the power station.
It's also available via selected online retailers.
Bluetti Elite 100: Packaging
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
The Elite 100 arrived in an outer plain cardboard box, inside was another plain cardboard box but with printing indicating that this was an Elite 100 power station, it even had a handle to help in lifting out one box from another.
Also provided by Bluetti was not only the AC charging cable but the appropriate MC4 to XT60 cable to allow you to hook up a solar panel to the Elite 100 to charge it. The package included a grounding screw as well.
Bluetti Elite 100: The power station
Once out of the box, the Elite 100 measures 320 × 215 × 250mm or 12.6 x 8.5 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H) and weighing in at 11.5kg (or 25.3lbs). Compared to some of the previous models we have test from Bluetti and other brands, pretty small and light.
The Elite 100 has one large handle on the top at the back so was designed to be carried by one person only but it is light enough.
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
At the front is the usual affair, all output sockets are at the front, as are the control buttons, screen and DC input socket.
At the front of this UK model are the following sockets/plugs:
2 x UK Type G sockets outputting 230V at 50Hz AC pure sine wave
2 x USB-C sockets, 1 x 140W max and 1 x 100W max
2 x USB-A sockets, each able to output 15W
1 x Car cigarette socket
2 x DC barrel outputs at 12v 8A max
1 x DC/PV input
And of course, the control buttons and screen
On the right-hand side of the Elite 100 (from left to right) is the earth/ground screw hole, AC input and 20A circuit breaker.
Bluetti Elite 100: Charging
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Switching on the Elite 100 the first time showed us a state of charge of 32%. We explored the charging methods that would be available to us, the simplest of which would be to charge it from the grid mains.
This is easily done by plugging the Elite 100 to the mains using the supplied AC cable which uses a common IEC C13/14 cable. On immediately detecting grid power the Elite 100 powered itself on and began charging at 1200W with a count down timer to inform us when it would be fully charged.
Other methods of charging include using solar panels, Bluetti have been kind enough to package in an MC4 to XT60 cable so that you could hook up a basic solar panel to the Elite 100. This is a nice touch as often power station manufactures sell this cable as an optional extra.
The XT60 is the only port, other than the AC input socket, to allow charging of the Elite 100. Through the XT60 you can charge the Elite 100 using the aforementioned solar panels or from a separately available alternator charger for charging from vehicles.
The XT60 can accept anywhere between 12 to 60V, up to 20A and 1000W of input.
Some would have preferred the DC input could have been placed on the side of the product for additional USB ports.
Bluetti Elite 100: Screen
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Status screen is your typical affair that shows all the useful information that you will need at glance such as state of charge, input and output wattage. Output voltage and AC Hz, USB as well as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections.
It the out and inputs only tell you a total of wattage, they are unable to break down what is PV or AC input or USB or AC outputs.
Bluetti Elite 100: AC and USB/DC
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Putting the Elite 100 through its paces, using it to power a variety of high draw household devices such as a rice cooker, hair dryer, air fryer. The Elite 100 was able to power all of them separately and remained relatively quiet throughout. It couldn’t power a mini-induction cook top as that drew a sustained 2000W. The Elite 100 can do up to a 2700W but only for a short period.
I noted that the Elite 100 only has two AC Sockets which may be a limiting factor for some, whilst it is only two sockets, there is nothing that says you can’t use multiplug sockets with them. But you must keep in mind the power draw in wattage.
Using the USB is about as regular as it gets, it was able to charge a variety of phones, power banks, a Lenovo ThinkPad, MacBook Air laptops all at the same time with ease. However with the advent that nearly everything is moving to USB-C, why the need for USB-A?
Also on the front are the DC outports, these are the car cigarette socket and two DC barrel sockets. Useful for small electronic devices assuming you have the right cables.
The Elite 100 has a combined output power of 1800W continuous power.
Bluetti Elite 100: UPS
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
We recently reviewed a larger, more powerful power station the DJI Power 2000 where we tested its UPS capabilities and under 10ms response time. The response time is the time the power station detects grid outage and switches over to battery. Most other power stations have a response time of 20 to 30ms.
So, we were intrigued that the Elite 100 boasted a fast 10ms response time as well and decided to put this to the test. UPS mode is automatically activated when the Elite 100 is plugged into mains, AC is on and power drawn.
We again tested this by plugging in a typical home office setup, into the Elite 100 via multiplugs. The setup drew around 200W, we let the set up drain the Elite 100 for about two hours.
We then switched the mains on to charge the Elite 100 back to 100% which activated the UPS mode automatically
Once at 100%, we flicked the mains switch again whilst keeping an eye on the setup which showed no signs of power loss. The set up carried on as if there were no power outage, the Elite 100 drew power from the batteries and the UPS mode switched off.
It is here we add that in the app we noted that unlike the DJI model, the Elite 100 had several UPS modes where the UPS can be timed to only work certain times of day, prioritize PV power, state of charge or just as a standard UPS on standby or offline mode where the UPS only kicks in when power is noted to have gone down.
Bluetti Elite 100: The app
Bluetti have been in the power station market for a long time and so have had time to improve and refine their app. Searching and downloading it from the Google Play Store, loading it up and logging on for the first time was easy enough.
The app is more than just a battery management app in that it allowed us to see the local weather and a few other useful features not battery related as well as manage your account with Bluetti.
The “add device” allowed to locate and add the Elite 100 quickly and it was then added to our list of power stations.
On clicking on the battery your entered to a screen showing battery percentage, also showing incoming energy from either AC or DC/PV and outgoings for AC and DC.
The settings area is where Bluetti excel when compared to other brands in that it allows you to tweak certain settings, even if only the once such as the aforementioned UPS modes.
Bluetti Elite 100: Final verdict
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 4 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Bluetti has been in the power station market for a long time bringing out newer models each year, refining and improving each time.
This small form factor battery is no different, it is ideal for those who want to get about and want a small, light-weight, portable yet powerful power station.
Some may find the capacity of the Elite 100 to be limiting, at only 1024Wh it can seem to drain quickly when high draw devices are used.
Also, some may find the lack of AC sockets cumbersome and as mentioned, it could have been better with solely USB-C sockets instead of the older USB-A.
Fast 10ms response UPS with different modes of UPS
Bluetti has done it again releasing another one of their versatile portable power stations, this one aimed at being lighter, smaller and more agile than some of the older, bigger models from the past.
A more powerful inverter means that AC wattage has been pushed up allowing even more electronics to be run from the power station.
It's also available via selected online retailers.
Bluetti Elite 100: Packaging
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
The Elite 100 arrived in an outer plain cardboard box, inside was another plain cardboard box but with printing indicating that this was an Elite 100 power station, it even had a handle to help in lifting out one box from another.
Also provided by Bluetti was not only the AC charging cable but the appropriate MC4 to XT60 cable to allow you to hook up a solar panel to the Elite 100 to charge it. The package included a grounding screw as well.
Bluetti Elite 100: The power station
Once out of the box, the Elite 100 measures 320 × 215 × 250mm or 12.6 x 8.5 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H) and weighing in at 11.5kg (or 25.3lbs). Compared to some of the previous models we have test from Bluetti and other brands, pretty small and light.
The Elite 100 has one large handle on the top at the back so was designed to be carried by one person only but it is light enough.
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
At the front is the usual affair, all output sockets are at the front, as are the control buttons, screen and DC input socket.
At the front of this UK model are the following sockets/plugs:
2 x UK Type G sockets outputting 230V at 50Hz AC pure sine wave
2 x USB-C sockets, 1 x 140W max and 1 x 100W max
2 x USB-A sockets, each able to output 15W
1 x Car cigarette socket
2 x DC barrel outputs at 12v 8A max
1 x DC/PV input
And of course, the control buttons and screen
On the right-hand side of the Elite 100 (from left to right) is the earth/ground screw hole, AC input and 20A circuit breaker.
Bluetti Elite 100: Charging
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Switching on the Elite 100 the first time showed us a state of charge of 32%. We explored the charging methods that would be available to us, the simplest of which would be to charge it from the grid mains.
This is easily done by plugging the Elite 100 to the mains using the supplied AC cable which uses a common IEC C13/14 cable. On immediately detecting grid power the Elite 100 powered itself on and began charging at 1200W with a count down timer to inform us when it would be fully charged.
Other methods of charging include using solar panels, Bluetti have been kind enough to package in an MC4 to XT60 cable so that you could hook up a basic solar panel to the Elite 100. This is a nice touch as often power station manufactures sell this cable as an optional extra.
The XT60 is the only port, other than the AC input socket, to allow charging of the Elite 100. Through the XT60 you can charge the Elite 100 using the aforementioned solar panels or from a separately available alternator charger for charging from vehicles.
The XT60 can accept anywhere between 12 to 60V, up to 20A and 1000W of input.
Some would have preferred the DC input could have been placed on the side of the product for additional USB ports.
Bluetti Elite 100: Screen
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Status screen is your typical affair that shows all the useful information that you will need at glance such as state of charge, input and output wattage. Output voltage and AC Hz, USB as well as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections.
It the out and inputs only tell you a total of wattage, they are unable to break down what is PV or AC input or USB or AC outputs.
Bluetti Elite 100: AC and USB/DC
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Putting the Elite 100 through its paces, using it to power a variety of high draw household devices such as a rice cooker, hair dryer, air fryer. The Elite 100 was able to power all of them separately and remained relatively quiet throughout. It couldn’t power a mini-induction cook top as that drew a sustained 2000W. The Elite 100 can do up to a 2700W but only for a short period.
I noted that the Elite 100 only has two AC Sockets which may be a limiting factor for some, whilst it is only two sockets, there is nothing that says you can’t use multiplug sockets with them. But you must keep in mind the power draw in wattage.
Using the USB is about as regular as it gets, it was able to charge a variety of phones, power banks, a Lenovo ThinkPad, MacBook Air laptops all at the same time with ease. However with the advent that nearly everything is moving to USB-C, why the need for USB-A?
Also on the front are the DC outports, these are the car cigarette socket and two DC barrel sockets. Useful for small electronic devices assuming you have the right cables.
The Elite 100 has a combined output power of 1800W continuous power.
Bluetti Elite 100: UPS
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
We recently reviewed a larger, more powerful power station the DJI Power 2000 where we tested its UPS capabilities and under 10ms response time. The response time is the time the power station detects grid outage and switches over to battery. Most other power stations have a response time of 20 to 30ms.
So, we were intrigued that the Elite 100 boasted a fast 10ms response time as well and decided to put this to the test. UPS mode is automatically activated when the Elite 100 is plugged into mains, AC is on and power drawn.
We again tested this by plugging in a typical home office setup, into the Elite 100 via multiplugs. The setup drew around 200W, we let the set up drain the Elite 100 for about two hours.
We then switched the mains on to charge the Elite 100 back to 100% which activated the UPS mode automatically
Once at 100%, we flicked the mains switch again whilst keeping an eye on the setup which showed no signs of power loss. The set up carried on as if there were no power outage, the Elite 100 drew power from the batteries and the UPS mode switched off.
It is here we add that in the app we noted that unlike the DJI model, the Elite 100 had several UPS modes where the UPS can be timed to only work certain times of day, prioritize PV power, state of charge or just as a standard UPS on standby or offline mode where the UPS only kicks in when power is noted to have gone down.
Bluetti Elite 100: The app
Bluetti have been in the power station market for a long time and so have had time to improve and refine their app. Searching and downloading it from the Google Play Store, loading it up and logging on for the first time was easy enough.
The app is more than just a battery management app in that it allowed us to see the local weather and a few other useful features not battery related as well as manage your account with Bluetti.
The “add device” allowed to locate and add the Elite 100 quickly and it was then added to our list of power stations.
On clicking on the battery your entered to a screen showing battery percentage, also showing incoming energy from either AC or DC/PV and outgoings for AC and DC.
The settings area is where Bluetti excel when compared to other brands in that it allows you to tweak certain settings, even if only the once such as the aforementioned UPS modes.
Bluetti Elite 100: Final verdict
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 2 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Image 4 of 4
(Image credit: Bluetti // Future)
Bluetti has been in the power station market for a long time bringing out newer models each year, refining and improving each time.
This small form factor battery is no different, it is ideal for those who want to get about and want a small, light-weight, portable yet powerful power station.
Some may find the capacity of the Elite 100 to be limiting, at only 1024Wh it can seem to drain quickly when high draw devices are used.
Also, some may find the lack of AC sockets cumbersome and as mentioned, it could have been better with solely USB-C sockets instead of the older USB-A.
Throughout its four years on the market Sony's FX3 has sat largely unchallenged in the compact cinema camera space, but that's changed with the arrival of the new Canon EOS C50.
For the money, you'll struggle to find a more complete cinema camera than the EOS C50. It boasts 7K open gate internal Raw video recording (and simultaneous proxy recording), dual base ISO for clean clips day or night, Super 35 and Super 16 crop modes, Canon Log color profiles with more than 15EV dynamic range, slow-motion recording, reliable autofocus… the list goes on, and I haven't even touched on the camera's photo capabilities or its video-first design.
For photographers, the 32MP full-frame sensor can shoot in RAW+JPEG with subject-tracking autofocus at burst speeds up to 40fps, with the option for pre-burst capture – not bad for a cinema camera. Handily, the EOS C50 features a dual menu system, making it quicker to navigate the menus than if photography and video were combined under a single menu.
The Canon EOS C50 with new RF 85mm F1.4L VCM lens attached, plus Canon's own top handle. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The EOS C50 sits closest to the Canon EOS R5C, a version of the EOS R5 with active cooling for unlimited 8K record times where the latter overheated, but which still had a photo-centric design; in fact it's perhaps a little too close for that camera's comfort, because I see the new model easily being the more compelling choice of the two.
After all, it's very much designed for video, packing four 1/4-inch mounting points for accessories, three record buttons, and coming bundled with a top handle which features XLR inputs for pro-level 4-channel 24-bit audio recording.
It's also Canon's smallest and lightest cinema camera, weighing just 23.6oz / 670g. That means it sits below the bulkier EOS C70, in terms of price too, yet in many ways exceeds the capabilities of that camera, as it does those of the Sony FX3, all in a smaller and lighter package.
With a generous grip, the EOS C50 is still easy to hold without the top handle (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
It also helps that Canon is busy releasing new hybrid lenses, meaning ones design for both photography and video users. In fact, it launched the RF 85mm F1.4L VCM on the same day as the EOS C50 (they're pictured together above) – it's the seventh in a range of VCM lenses with aperture ring, suppressed focus breathing and a quick and silent autofocus motor.
Canon is increasingly stepping into the low-budget video production space currently dominated by Sony, creating a complete system for run-and-gun filmmakers, and the EOS C50 is for me the most compelling camera in the range.
I'll be looking to get hold of the EOS C50 for a longer testing period to really see what it's made of. But, having used the FX3 for numerous video shoots down the years, I can already see the C50's potential – and it could well become the premium pick in our best video cameras guide.
What you get in the box: the EOS C50 and Canon's own top handle, plus an LP6P battery. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Canon EOS C50: price and release date
Costs £3,299.99 (US and Australia pricing TBC)
It comes with the (pictured) top handle
Goes on sale in November
The Canon EOS C50's list price is effectively the same as the EOS R5C's – which means it undercuts the rival Sony FX3 and sits below the larger EOS C70.
The hop handle accessory (see below) is included – that type of accessory would typically cost around $500 / £400 / AU$750 separately. It also comes with an LP6P battery, which is interchangeable with the LP6 type used by the EOS R5 series of cameras.
We don't have an exact launch date yet, but Canon says it will go on sale at some point during of November this year.
A compact cinema camera for run-and-gun filmmaking – an ideal b-cam. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Canon EOS C50: specs
Video
7K up to 60fps, Raw internal
Photo
32MP full-frame
Lens mount
Canon RF
Autofocus
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
Dimensions
142 x 88 x 95mm
Weight
23.6oz / 670g
Battery
LP6P
Canon EOS C50: Design
The smallest and lightest EOS cinema camera
Comes with a top handle, no viewfinder
14 assignable custom buttons
3-inch vari-angle touchscreen
In terms of size and weight, the EOS C50 is similar to the EOS R5C; it's just 10g lighter at 670g. Unlike the EOS R5C, however, the EOS C50 is a proper cinema camera – that means it loses out on a viewfinder, but gains a mod-friendly design.
There are four 1/4-inch mounting points to rig the camera up or attach accessories, including Canon's top handle, which is bundled with the camera.
The top handle is useful for run-and-gun filmmaking, and especially for shooting comfortably from low angles – and for such scenarios it certainly helps that the LCD touchscreen is fully articulating and can flip out from the body.
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Personally, I'd prefer the touchscreen to be a little larger. The modest 3-inch display will prompt many users to attach an external monitor for clear viewing instead, such as a 5-inch Atomos Ninja, and it feels a little counter-intuitive to bulk out such a compact design with accessories too much.
A 4-inch display, like you get with some Blackmagic cameras – and the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K has a 5-inch LCD – would avoid the need for an external monitor.
The EOS C50's body is adorned with 14 custom buttons, which combined can be assigned any one of 100 functions for quick access to regularly used settings.
You'll also notice a photo / video switch on the camera's top, and I'm a big fan of the dual menu system linked to this switch – you select photo for the photo-centered UI, or video for the video menu, which streamlines the process of making changes to settings.
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You'll also notice from the top view of the camera that the active cooling design of the EOS C50 is a little bulky – the vented section where the LCD sits protrudes from the camera's rear. It's hardly attractive, but it does enable extended video record times without the risk of overheating.
There's also pro-level connectivity for video, including timecode terminal and full-size HDMI, plus features such as XC support and IP protocol for livestreaming capabilities.
The EOS C50 is powered by an LP6P battery that's interchangeable with the LP6 units used by all EOS R5 cameras. At the time of writing, Canon hasn't provided me with expected shoot times from a fully charged battery.
Canon EOS C50: Performance
32MP stills at up to 40fps (using electronic shutter)
Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with subject-detection autofocus
4K (oversampled from 7K) up to 120fps, 2K up to 180fps
I'll touch on the EOS C50's photo features before digging into video-making skills; after all, this is a capable camera for photography, even if it is designed for video first.
The first thing to note is the new 32MP full-frame sensor, which is the regular CMOS kind, not the speedier stacked type we've seen in recent pro models, such as Canon's own EOS R5 Mark II.
Another thing about the sensor – it isn't stabilized, which impacts the photography and video experience. You'll need to be conservative with shutter speeds for sharp photos, while you'll want a gimbal for smooth handheld video footage.
It's possible to shoot 32MP stills in RAW, JPEG and HEIF format at up to 40fps with the electronic shutter, with the option for pre-burst shooting, meaning the camera can get going from a half-press of the shutter before fully pressing it down to take pictures.
Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus is on board, complete with subject-tracking autofocus for both photo and video. I rate Canon's autofocus as up there with the very best, and the same is true for the EOS C50.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
As for video, there are too many features to list here, but the highlights are 7K Raw (internal) video recording, with up to 15EV dynamic range using Canon's Log-2 color profile. It's possible to shoot up to 60fps in 7K, or 4K up to 120fps and 2K up to 180fps.
There are a couple of crop modes too: Super 35 (APS-C) up to 5K 60fps, or Super 16 at 2.5K up to 150fps, both in RAW.
The EOS C50 is the first Canon camera with open gate video – which means you're shooting with the full height and width of the 3:2 aspect sensor, rather than being limited to the traditional 16:9 video crop.
When shooting in RAW format, the cleanest image quality can be achieved with the dual base ISO settings: 800 or 6400, covering daylight and lowlight scenarios, through which you'll get that maximum dynamic range and best grading potential.
Overall, it's a really impressive feature set for a cinema camera at this price point.
Canon EOS C50: also consider
Sony FX3
A long-time industry favorite, the Sony FX3 is a 4K cinema camera with class-leading low-light video quality. Like the EOS C50, it can be rigged up with accessories and is supplied with a top handle for a comfortable hold and pro-level audio inputs. The FX3 has a 12MP full-frame sensor which limits it to 4K video resolution, but it excels at this level. The EOS C50 betters the FX3 for detail with 7K open gate video and internal RAW recording.
Canon EOS R5C
The EOS R5C was the follow-up to the 45MP hybrid EOS R5, produced specifically to address one issue: overheating while recording 8K video. It did this through a bulky active cooling design on the rear, and a similar approach is taken by the EOS C50. At the same price point, the EOS C50 is a proper cinema camera that can be rigged up, while the EOS R5C has its feet in both photo / video camps by including a viewfinder. If you're shooting video only, the EOS C50 is the better package.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
How I tested the Canon EOS C50
I only had two hours with the EOS C50
I paired it with multiple Canon lenses, including the 85mm F1.4L VCM
I shot video portraits and landscapes outdoors on a cloudy day
This hands-on review is purely my first impressions of the EOS C50, which I only got to use for a couple of hours. I got a feel for how the camera handles during this time, and a glimpse of how it performs in short bursts for video recording and photography.
I paired the EOS C50 with a couple of Canon VCM hybrid lenses, and used it handheld with and without the top handle, but not a cage.
I've shot a few clips at various resolutions, but not in enough scenarios to draw any definitive conclusions regarding image quality.
I'm able to bring plenty of experience to this short hands-on, having used the Sony FX3 for multiple shoots, and having also shot with the Canon EOS C70. Being so familiar with portable cinema cameras means I can quickly form opinions about the EOS C50. That said, these are tools that users need to rely on, and so you'll want to wait for our full long-term review that.
Despite having a few sparkly upgrades over its predecessors, I can’t help but feel as though the OnePlus Nord 5 is a bit of a downgrade from last year’s model overall.
This new entry to OnePlus’ mid-spec (and mid-price) line of Nord Android phones is largely what you’d expect if you’ve been following the company for the last few years. In its top-end handsets, like the OnePlus 13, OnePlus offers novel designs, fancy camera arrays, and scary price tags, but the Nords are more modest in feature set and cost, and like all good mid-rangers, they generally focus on two key areas to excel in.
Even more so than in the OnePlus Nord 4, it’s clear that the focus of the Nord 5 is on its performance and its display, which are, funnily enough, the same two departments that most other mid-range Android makers focus on too.
And, credit to OnePlus, the Nord 5 does have such great specs in these areas that it may convince people to buy the phone for its performance and its display credentials alone.
Take, for example, the screen: it now exceeds 6.8 inches diagonally, making the Nord 5 one of the few mid-range Android phones to do so, and that extra real estate will give gamers more space for their fingers – I don’t even need to mention the higher refresh rate to get people raring to play.
The use of a Snapdragon 800-series chipset – albeit a toned-down one – also gives gamers a lot more processing power than we’ve seen on a Nord handset before (and that's saying something!). Few mobiles at this price perform better under benchmark tests than this OnePlus.
I’m now on my sixth paragraph, and I’ve only talked about performance and display, and the reason is simple: while these two departments see notable increases, most other aspects of the phone show either no improvement or, in a surprising number of areas, spec downgrades from last year’s phone.
Some of these are minor changes. For example, the shift to a solid glass body instead of a two-tone metal one makes the handset look a lot more generic, but feel more premium, so some would argue about this being a downgrade at all.
Many more changes are inexplicable and result in a worse user experience, though. For example, the battery is slightly smaller and the charging is also slower, likely to include reverse wired charging, but it’s still an odd change. Plus, there’s less RAM available in the two models, the screen brightness has seen a decrease, there’s no UFS 4.0 for quick storage (admittedly a fairly niche feature), and the phone is also bigger and chunkier than before.
I’d be willing to bet that there’s a good reason, or at least a compromise, for every downgrade listed above. But that doesn’t change the fact that certain departments are worse off, and while the starting price of the Nord 4 is lower than that of the Nord 5, you’re actually paying more for the new model if you want to match the 12GB RAM capacity of last year's entry-level configuration (the Nord 5 starts at 8GB of RAM).
It’s disappointing to see this many downgrades, but at the end of the day, the OnePlus Nord 5 is still a strong mid-range Android phone. It’s just one that offers a dubious ‘upgrade’ over the Nord 4, and in fact may not be worth buying at all if you can find its predecessor available at a discount (which really isn’t too hard, judging by my three minutes of research…).
Plus, its clipped wings make it fall behind the flock a little way in the competitive mid-range Android market, when its similar-priced rivals have even more powerful chipsets and more processing power.
OnePlus Nord 5 review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in July 2025; US launch unlikely
£399 / AU$799 (roughly $600) for 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
The OnePlus Nord 5 was announced in early July 2025 – exclusively to TechRadar, I may add – and went on sale shortly afterwards. It wasn’t alone, with the OnePlus Buds 4, OnePlus Pad Lite, OnePlus Nord CE5, and OnePlus Watch sharing the spotlight.
You can pick up the phone for £399 / AU$799 (roughly $600, though don’t expect it to go on sale in the US as OnePlus offers a completely different line-up of Nord phones there). The default model has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, but you can also pick up a 12GB/512GB model for £499 / AU$899 (roughly $700).
On paper, this is a favorable comparison to the OnePlus Nord 4, but the Nord 5 does offer less RAM as standard. Last year’s phone had a 12GB/256GB model for £429 (around $550, AU$820 at the time) and a 16GB/512GB option for £529 (around $680 / AU$1,000). Technically, then, the Nord 5 is cheaper, but you’re getting less for that money – you'll actually pay more to get 12GB of RAM.
However much value you think this £399 / AU$799 starting price gets you, the OnePlus Nord 5 sits in the murky area between budget phone and mid-ranger, a no-man’s land that’s incredibly competitive for Android phone buyers.
OnePlus Nord 5 review: specs
Here's the spec sheet in full for the OnePlus Nord 5:
OnePlus Nord 5 specs
Dimensions:
163.4 x 77 x 8.1mm
Weight:
211g
Screen:
6.83-inch 20:9 FHD (1272 x 2800) 144Hz Swift AMOLED
Chipset:
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
RAM:
8GB / 12GB
Storage:
256GB / 512GB
OS:
Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Primary camera:
50MP, f/1.8
Ultra-wide camera:
8MP f/2.2 116-degree
Front camera:
50MP, f/2.0
Audio:
Stereo speakers
Battery:
5,200mAh
Charging:
80W wired
Colors:
Marble Sands, Phantom Grey, Dry Ice.
OnePlus Nord 5 review: design
(Image credit: Future)
Newly boring design
Glass adds premium feel
New mappable Plus Key is handy
The Nords have never exactly been lookers, and the OnePlus Nord 5 continues that tradition as one of the most boring-looking phones I’ve seen recently. I hope you plan to hide it in a case!
The phone is a big ‘chocolate-bar’ style box, coming in gray, white, or ice blue, depending on which variant you pick up. At 163.4 x 77 x 8.1mm, it’s a little on the big side, and at 211g, it’s slightly heavier than your average phone too.
Due to the phone’s size, the power button and volume rocker on its right edge are both quite hard to reach with your thumb, even with big hands like mine. Opposite them at the top of the handset’s left edge is the Plus Key, which you can customize in function; press and hold to open the camera, turn on Do Not Disturb, turn on the torch, and so on, with a fair range of options. It’s really useful, replacing OnePlus’ previous alert slider with a solid upgrade.
Rounding out our tour of the phone, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom edge as well as the SIM tray, which can allow for dual SIMs. No 3.5mm headphone jack here.
OnePlus has ditched the metal back of the Nord 5’s predecessor in favor of the premium-feeling but fragile glass, and I found the phone to readily pick up my fingerprints – though these were only visible from certain angles.
The glass of the screen is Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which is designed to be hardy and survive bumps. Talking about durability, the handset has an IP65 rating to ensure it’s fully protected against solid dust particles, as well as jets of water, but not submersion in liquid.
Design score: 3.5 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 review: display
(Image credit: Future)
6.83-inch, 1272 x 2800 resolution
New high refresh rate at 144Hz but lower max brightness
Aqua Touch feature returns
It’s in the display department where the OnePlus Nord 5 gets some of its biggest upgrades, and they all work together to make it a great device for entertainment.
Take, for instance, its sheer size. At 6.83 inches diagonally, it’s now one of the biggest panels on any Android phone right now, giving you lots of space to enjoy your game or TV show. The resolution, at 1272 x 2800, has remained the same from the Nord 4.
Another improvement is in the screen refresh rate, which now hits 144Hz. Admittedly, it’s rare that many people will make the most of this spec, as it’s only useful for a particularly narrow number of mobile games, but it’s an improvement nonetheless. It’s countered by a lower max brightness, though.
Elsewhere, you’re looking at what OnePlus calls Swift AMOLED, and while that first word seems mostly a marketing addition, you’re still getting a high-spec panel with a billion colors supported, 1800 nits max brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for protection.
While it’s less of a selling point in OnePlus’ marketing materials this year, the Nord 5 brings back one of its predecessor’s best features in Aqua Touch. This ensures that you can tap on the screen and get accurate results even when the display (or your finger) is wet.
Display score: 4 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 review: software
(Image credit: Future)
Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, and four annual updates
Unique features couple with attractive UI
Lots of bloatware but few bugs
The OnePlus Nord 5 comes running Android 15, but with the company’s OxygenOS 15 layered over the top. OnePlus has pledged 4 years of Android updates as well as an additional 2 years of security updates, so the Nord will last until 2029 for software boots and 2031 for overall protection.
As with all Android forks, this is largely a design change, but I feel OxygenOS harks quite closely to stock Android in layout while being quite different and distinct in aesthetic. It has bold and punchy colors but more restraint than some other Android-alikes.
OxygenOS remains one of the most popular of these Android forks, despite the love growing more muted in recent years, and features like Zen Space (which locks your phone for a set time while you work) and the preinstalled translation app help explain why.
Re-reading my Nord 4 review, I recalled how buggy I found the software last time around. I needed this reminder, because it wasn’t the case with the Nord 5: it worked flawlessly, never throwing an issue at me, and constantly being snappy and quick to navigate.
You can expect two things from a mid-range Android phone from a Chinese maker: bloatware and random AI features being thrown at you. And the Nord 5 certainly has the former, with loads of unwanted games, social media apps, and OnePlus’ own additions all cluttering up the home page.
However, OnePlus has seemingly learnt the lesson that the average consumer just isn’t as interested in dubiously-useful AI features as tech fans, because I didn’t find myself being bombarded with odd little features and gimmicks bearing those two foreboding vowels. Other than the replacement of Google Assistant with the infamously goofy Gemini, something which has affected all Android phones over the last few years, the Nord 5’s AI features are largely confined to the camera.
Software score: 4 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 review: cameras
(Image credit: Future)
50MP main and 8MP ultra-wide cameras, 50MP up front
Results are nothing to write home about
A few -post features are all handy
Curiously, OnePlus has been touting the camera department as one of the key areas of the OnePlus Nord 5. I’m not sure why, though, because it’s largely unchanged from the array on the previous-gen model, and so it’s just as unimpressive.
The handset packs a 50MP f/1.8 main and 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, both of which are fractionally wider-angle than last time around, but that seems to be the only change.
These cameras are totally fine; the reason many Android companies have clung to the same 50MP sensors for years now is that they’re totally fit for purpose without costing too much money. Pictures are bright enough to make sense and have a fair amount of detail.
But you’re not getting amazing dynamic range, or genius smart optimization, nor all the versatility that a zoom lens (or even a passable ultra-wide lens – 8MP, really?) offers. The phone also has a tendency to blow out brighter areas of a shot and lose a lot of detail in the darker ones.
(Image credit: Future)
The ultra-wide camera takes pictures that are noticeably more vibrant, as you'll see below, but they lack detail where it matters. The lens also facilitates a macro mode, but I found this quite hard to focus, especially with it turning on automatically at inconvenient times, and its use of the ultra-wide's sensor means that you get the resulting oversaturated image too. That said, I find the vast majority of macro modes far worse, so props to OnePlus for that.
As I mentioned before, the camera department is where the most AI features exist. There’s the eraser tool that most Androids have nowadays to remove unwanted background items, as well as a tool to reframe pictures (which basically means it just crops them). There's also a detail boost, which can help if you’ve zoomed in too far and have lost quality, an unblurrer for objects in motion, and a reflection eraser, which does what it says on the tin. These are all helpful to make little tweaks to a photo if there’s an error.
The Nord 5’s AI tools are the lion’s share of its features, with few actual shooting modes. Expect the basics: photo, video, Portrait, Pro, and a few extra low-light and video modes for certain situations. You can shoot video at up to 4K/60fps and down to 720p/240fps or 1080p/120fps for slow-motion.
The one noteworthy camera upgrade here is in the front-facing camera, which has jumped all the way up to a 50MP resolution. This gives you plenty more pixels to play around with, should you want to crop or reframe a selfie, although by default, selfies are shot in a pixel-binned 12.5MP, and you need to select Hi-Res mode in the camera app to get full 50MP.
Camera score: 3 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 camera samples
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A picture of a gallery on a sunny day taken at 1x zoom. In real life the surrounding trees were a lot more varied in their 'green'-ness.
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A picture of a some flowers on a sunny day taken at 1x zoom. Note how the two parts have different focus.
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A photo of some headphones taken indoors. I took the pictures for my Denon AH-C500W review using the Nord, and while the images in that review are all tweaked using editing software, this one isn't.
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A cup of coffee taken at 1x zoom.
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Now let's move into some modes. First up, this is a lake taken at 1x zoom to compare to the next image...
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... which was taken on the ultra-wide camera. Note that it's brighter and more vibrant but lots of detail is lost, especially in the background trees.
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This is a standard selfie, taken to contrast to the next image...
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... which is taken on Portrait mode, which has a light-touch effect but adds some bokeh background blur.
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Finally, to macro. This is a piece of jammy toast taken on the main camera once again...
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(Image credit: Future)
... and here it is in macro mode: much brighter but lacking depth of field. Note that I didn't move the phone at all, and the changed framing is because it's using a different camera and lens.
OnePlus Nord 5: performance and audio
Big upgrade to Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset
Two models: 8GB/256GB or 12GB/512GB
Bluetooth 5.4 or USB-C port for audio, no jack
OnePlus touts the Nord 5’s performance as its key selling point, and you can see why by just looking at the specs: they all reach above what you’d expect from a phone at this price point.
The chipset is a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 from Qualcomm, which is effectively a slightly-downgraded version of last year’s top-end Android chipset. It’s admittedly not the very fastest chipset being used in budget phones, with a successor announced several months prior to the Nord’s release (and many affordable Androids opting instead for non-Snapdragon 800-series chips, which are again more powerful), but it’s still a real perk of the phone.
The phone is blazingly fast, returning one of the best multi-core scores I’ve ever seen from a Geekbench test. Over three tests, it averaged 5,147, and I’d say anything above 4,500 is a fantastic score. More impressively, the scores I got stayed consistent even when the phone was heating up, which is certainly not always true in this price range, and it points to the Nord handling long gaming sessions well.
This high score shows from gaming to photo editing, and even when you’re whizzing around the phone’s menus. A few mid-rangers have a more powerful chipset, but I don't see why you'd need more (or even this amount, really...)
As you read in the price section, there are two versions of the phone: one with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, and another that increases those capacities to 12GB/512GB. I tested the latter, which explains why the Nord felt so fast to use; I can’t speak to how the 8GB model runs, but it’s quite a price hike to get the higher-memory variant, so I don’t blame you for settling.
Audio-wise, OnePlus doesn’t rewrite any rules: there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, and the stereo speakers sound totally fit for purpose, but they won’t replace your Dolby Atmos speakers any time soon. You can also listen to music by pairing headphones to the Nord, which supports Bluetooth 5.4.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 review: battery life
Smaller 5,200mAh battery
Fast 80W charging
Reverse wired charging lets you power up other gadgets
(Image credit: Future)
For the last few years, mid-range phone batteries have been ballooning in size, and with that in mind, the OnePlus Nord’s 5,200mAh power pack feels relatively restrained. It’s still big, just not huge like I’d expected, and it’s actually smaller than the Nord 4’s.
Downgrade aside, the phone will last for a day of ordinary use with no sweat, and you can get comfortably into day two of use before needing to charge the device up. Alternatively, if you want to use your phone pretty intensely, I can still see it lasting a full day of use.
Battery life doesn't match the Nord 4, though, with the power pack's decrease exacerbated by the bigger screen, which needs more juice.
As a side note, the version of the phone on sale in certain regions like Australia and India has a 6,800mAh battery, which, as you mathematicians may be able to work out, is much bigger and will last for much longer. No such luck for everyone else, though.
Another battery downgrade comes in the charging department, which is down 20W to 80W in the Nord 5. That’s still very fast, and the lost speed is made up for by the presence of reverse wired charging. This lets you use a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge up other devices using the Nord.
Battery score: 3.5 / 5
OnePlus Nord 5 review: value
(Image credit: Future)
Thanks to its new low price, the OnePlus Nord 5 does represent value for money, though it’ll depend exactly on what you’re looking for.
Thanks to its high-spec display and processor, the Nord feels like a premium phone for certain tasks like gaming and watching movies, and so you can easily convince yourself you’re using a top-end mobile if these are your main uses for a phone.
Myriad downgrades over the previous-gen model do make the Nord 5 feel like slightly poorer value, though, so if I were considering this newer model, I’d definitely also check what kind of discounts the year-older Nord 4 was enjoying.
Value score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the OnePlus Nord 5?
OnePlus Nord 5 score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
You're roughly getting what you paid for in this decent-value device.
3.5 / 5
Design
A boring design, but the Plus Key is a useful addition.
3.5 / 5
Display
Big, bold and colorful, the huge panel is a boon for entertainment fans.
4 / 5
Software
OxygenOS remains great to use, with at least four years of upgrades promised to fans.
4 / 5
Camera
The cameras are nothing to write home about but they get the job done.
3 / 5
Performance
OnePlus keeps giving the Nord more power, even if there's less RAM. Super powerful!
4.5 / 5
Battery
Slight battery and charging downgrades probably won't affect many users.
3.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a gaming powerhouse Even with less RAM in its default option, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a powerful phone that gives budget gamers all they could ask for.
You want a big phone The Nord 5 offers a huge screen for streaming, gaming or just reading your emails. The handset itself is equally a big beast.
You want a UI you'll enjoy, not just use The OxygenOS fans can't all be wrong as the user interface is great to use and offers lots of unique features.
Don't buy it if...
You can find the Nord 4 discounted It's only a year older and has better specs in lots of areas; honestly, if it's discounted, pick up the older model.
You want to take loads of pictures The OnePlus Nord 5 is readily beat at this price point when it comes to camera capabilities. The snappers are fine, just not impressive.
OnePlus Nord 5 review: Also consider
There's one obvious OnePlus Nord 5 competitor that I apparently can't shut up about, but there are also a few other competitive mobiles on the market.
OnePlus Nord 4 The 2024 Nord is actually better than the new model in lots of ways, even if it's a touch older and does have some weaker areas.
Xiaomi Poco F7 The Poco F7 from Xiaomi has lots of similar specs to the OnePlus, but the rest are better. It's more powerful, has a bigger battery, charges quicker, and costs less. It does have a poorer user interface, mind.
Nothing Phone 3a Pro Nothing was made by an ex-OnePlus alum, but this mid-ranger actually sells in the US, so it's a good stateside alternative. It's slightly weaker, processing- and battery-wise, but its cameras are better by far.
To write this review, I tested the OnePlus Nord 5 for two weeks, but it got an extra half-week of play while I was writing this review.
I conducted a mix of experiential and 'lab'-style testing. Experiential means I used the phone like anyone else would: playing games, using social media, taking it on trips, and taking photos on the go. Lab tests were when I put it through benchmark tests and the like.
As you can tell by my software gripes, this testing process is rigorous, and it also involves some benchmark tests and tools so that we can compare phones against themselves in an objective way.
I've been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have used plenty of mobiles from OnePlus, as well as other devices in the price segment. This includes the Nord 4 from last year, and many of its 2025 rivals.
Hailing from parent company, Xiaomi, Dreame is fast becoming a popular sub-brand with an extensive product lineup. Ranging from wet-dry vacuums, air purifiers, robot vacuums (including a robot lawnmower), cordless stick vacuums and hair dryers, Dreame has it all, and across different budgets, too.
While its high-end robovacs are items to dream about (pun intended), as you can see in our Dreame X50 Ultra review, I’m in love with a much cheaper product that helps me clean up after my pets. The affordable Dreame U20 has become my lifesaver, combining Dyson-like tech with the signature Dreame style. It’s a versatile and lightweight cordless vacuum that delivers great performance for an exceptionally low cost, as it’s very frequently discounted.
Its color scheme belies its budget price point – available in a gorgeous gold and beige colourway, the Dreame U20 looks far more premium than its $249.99 / £250 / AU$399.99 price point suggests.
What I found even more impressive is its suction. For the price, its 120AW power isn’t bad at all, which isn’t too far off the Shark Cordless Detect Pro’s 123AW of suction, and yet it was more than enough to clean my pup’s fur off my sofa and carpets well. Needless to say, it handles hard floors very easily, making it a candidate for being one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners.
It comes with the standard attachments, including a multi-surface brush head with LED blue lights to illuminate dark areas, a mini motorized brush for cleaning upholstery, a crevice tool and a removable battery that's rated for up to 60 minutes.
Realistically, though, you'll get no more 37-40 minutes when using the two motorized attachments on the lowest suction, but that's fine for smaller homes – I can easily vacuum my living area, two bedrooms and two bathrooms within that time. However, if you mostly have carpets, I found it can take longer to get it clean as you may need to go back and forth a few times, thus consuming more battery. The only battery indicator on the U20 is a tiny light on the end cap, which is hard to see while in use, and it blinks when it’s running low. There’s also no quick charging here, and the vacuum can take up to 3.5 hours to fully recharge.
The only other downside to this otherwise great buy is that the dustbin capacity is only 0.5L, meaning you might need to empty it frequently if you have a large home with pets. If you don't need any more bells and whistles, the Dreame U20 is easy to recommend as a top-notch budget cordless vacuum cleaner.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Dreame U20 review: price & availability
List price: $249.99 / £250 / AU$399
Availability: Sold in the US, UK and Australia at third-party retailers
The Dreame U20 can be picked up in the US at Target for a list price of $249.99. It’s also available on Instacart, with supplies stocked at Costco and other smaller retailers. It is currently not available on Dreame's US store.
In the UK, the list price is £250, and you can pick it up from Amazon UK or Curry's, but again, the vacuum is currently unavailable at the brand's UK store.
For customers living in Australia, Amazon AU lists it for AU$399.99, but it's typically discounted to AU$199.99. Even in Australia, the U20 isn't available on the Dreame website.
The Dreame website lists 27 countries where its devices are available, including the U20. If you're having trouble finding the product, check their website to see if it's available where you live.
Even at full price, the Dreame U20 represents superb value for money, particularly if you can find it at a discounted price. Admittedly it's a very basic model, so if you want a touch more suction, Dreame has other mid-range models, with the Dreame R20 review scoring very well for balancing price and performance.
Value for money score: 5 out of 5
Dreame U20 review: specs
Type:
Cordless stick vacuum
Bagless:
Yes
Weight:
7.27 lbs / 3.3kg
Bin size:
0.5 liters / 500ml
Max runtime:
60 mins
Charge time:
3.5 hours
Tools:
Multi-surface brush head, motorized mini brush head, wide combination crevice tool and extension rod
Power:
120AW
Dreame U20 review: design
Compact cordless stick vacuum in a lovely color scheme
Five attachments, including LED multi-surface brush, mini motorized brush and combination tool
Can be used as a stick vacuum or a small handheld vacuum
I’m new to the world of vacuum testing, with just one other for sister site Tom’s Guide under my belt. Needless to say, the Dreame U20 has been quite the dream, especially when it came to design. For me, the gold and beige colorway was a winner, a stray away from the typical grey or black of other competitors. It lends the affordable vacuum a classy look.
Other than that, the Dreame U20 has a stock-standard design which allows it to become a handheld unit quickly for cleaning cars, sofas, mattresses and, hey, even dog beds. To pair with the handheld unit, there’s a motorized mini brush in the box that would be handy for said dog bed and the sofa. It could even be used on carpeted stairs.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
It has a trigger, like most Dyson models, but you don’t need to keep this pressed at all times to run the machine – you just need to click it on and off. There’s just one other control button on the motor’s end cap to change suction modes and that should be easy to reach for most users with the thumb when holding the U20.
The main floor-cleaning attachment is called the Multi-Surface Brush, which features LED blue lights that help illuminate the floor in front of the brush head but don’t highlight miniscule dust particles like Dyson’s Fluffy tool does. And that’s OK because it still helps you see in dark areas – for example, I was able to see scattered kitty litter in an unlit bathroom.
The other attachment in the box is a combination crevice tool, but a wall-mount kit also ships with the vacuum in case you want to stow it away in a convenient place without compromising floor space.
Weighing 3.3kg / 7.27lbs, the Dreame U20 isn't exactly lightweight (in comparison, the Shark Cordless Detect Pro weighs 2.7kg / 5.9lbs), but it's still very easy to push around. It measures 16cm x 30cm x 68cm with the extension rod attached.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The 120AW motor is capable of running at three different speed modes, indicated by three lights on the end cap of the motor. You can switch between the speed settings (low, medium and high) by tapping the button directly below the lights and switching it on by using the trigger. For most cleans, I found I tended to flick between medium and high, especially when cleaning carpets.
According to Dreame, the U20 motor has a multi-layer filtration system that captures up to 99.9% of fine dust and particles. Its HEPA filter also keeps debris out of the air and inside the bin while vacuuming, which is pretty standard for any cordless vacuum cleaner these days.
For its price point, the 0.5L bin is quite standard, but it'll likely fill up fast if you have, say, a two-bedroom or larger home with pets, meaning you'll need to make more trips to empty it. The bin has a handy sticker on the front (which I did refer back to many times) that indicates how to insert or remove it to empty, and its as simple as pushing the button on the base and twisting the canister clockwise. After detaching, all you have to do is unscrew the filter from the container to remove the debris – finer dust or crumbs fall out easily, but you may need to get your fingers inside to remove clumps of hair from the bin.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The detachable battery pack could be handy for some users as you can clip it into the wall-mount attachment and begin charging it while you’re emptying the vacuum for example. However, if you’re a renter who can't drill holes into your wall – like me – you can leave the battery attached to the U20 and keep the vacuum propped up against a wall or in a cupboard for topping up.
It lacks an LCD screen to show suction modes or time remaining before the next charge. Instead, the battery life is displayed by a small vertical light on the pack itself, which flashes when it needs charging. It's unfortunate that it faces forward, so it’s not visible to the user, and neither is it a very noticeable light – and this is my biggest complaint with the Dreame U20 as there were a few instances where the machine shut down mid-clean during my testing.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The U20’s multi-surface brush head is quite similar to many floor-cleaning attachments from other brands, but it features blue LED lights on the front that illuminate two small triangular sections of the floor immediately in front of the brush head. While it looks similar to Dyson’s green dust-illuminating light on the Fluffy Optic, this blue light doesn’t highlight invisible dust on the floor, but I found it’s bright and vivid enough to help walk around in a dark room without bumping into things. Case in point: it perfectly showed scattered kitty litter in an unlit bathroom that was, at the time, pitch dark.
The brush also has V-shaped bristles with comb-like teeth – in my experience, this not only prevents tangles effectively, but can pick up human hair and pet fur from low-pile carpets just as well.
This brush head is quite flexible, rotating 90º around chair legs and furniture. It’s also not as large as you’d find on other (more expensive) vacuum cleaners and I found it can get into corners, which is particularly helpful in my pet hair-filled home.
My favorite attachment, however, is the motorized mini brush, which clips in just under the bin for handheld use. It’s just right for sucking up fur from my couch and cushions – it’s both maneuvrable and anti-tangle.
If it wasn’t for the missing display to check battery life, I’d say that Dreame would deserve top marks for the U20’s design.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Dreame U20 review: performance
Excellent maneuverability
Impressive performance on hard floors and low-pile carpets
Lower suction than competitors but still tackles pet hair well
I've spent a few months with the Dreame U20 (as of publishing this review) and I still can’t get over how impressive its maneuverability is. The 90º rotating main brush head makes it very easy to clean around chair legs and furniture and I had no trouble handling the 3.3kg / 7.2lbs vacuum. That said, if you are using the extension tube to clean ceiling corners, the U20 could begin to feel heavy for some users quickly.
The controls are well placed, which are as simple as pushing the end cap button to select the speed and hitting the trigger underneath. And as I’ve mentioned previously, there’s no need to keep the latter depressed continuously for power like a Dyson.
Speaking of power: sure, we could ask for higher suction than its 120AW, but given its price point, it’s hard to argue with what it has. If you do need better performance, you could consider the Dreame R20 (if it’s available where you live), but I found the U20 does an admirable job nonetheless. It can struggle on some carpets as you will need to go over a particular spot multiple times to get a deeper clean, and I've found myself needing to push with full shoulder force on occasion.
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Throughout my testing, the Dreame U20 impressed in more ways than one. I performed TechRadar’s standard tests for vacuum cleaners, sprinkling a smattering of oats and tea from a bag on both my hardwood and carpeted floors. As an extra measure, I also made sure the floors had extra pet debris – i.e. kitty litter and fur – which were my two motivations for purchasing the U20 in the first place.
During the hardwood mess test, the U20 performed remarkably well on the lowest speed setting in picking up most of the oats. I needed to boost the speed to the second (or medium) setting to do another pass to pick up every last speck of oats, though, but that left the hard floor entirely clean.
As for the tea, the U20 did a better job, sucking it all up in one go on the low setting, so it handles lighter and smaller dirt better than larger debris. It was the same for pet hair on hardwood – all strands got sucked up in one pass on the low setting. The vacuum struggled a touch with kitty litter, leaving a few specks behind on hard floors in a single pass, but it was cleaned up in the second go.
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I wasn’t expecting as impressive a performance on carpets, but the U20 did better than I had anticipated on a low-pile carpet in my tests, quickly removing the oats and tea dust from a bag in one pass on the low suction setting. It will, however, struggle with medium and high-pile carpets, particularly if the dust and debris is deep-seated, although loose dirt will come away if you give the area a few gos with the U20.
In terms of pet hair on carpet, the U20 did indeed struggle at the lowest setting, leaving more than a few strands behind after the first pass. The U20 performed the best with pet hair on the same low-pile carpet at maximum suction, and didn't require several passes to get the job done. The kitty litter yielded a similar result to the hardwood floor test, but I needed to boost suction again to pick up every last piece.
While it can tackle low-pile carpets with ease, pet hair embedded in medium- or high-pile carpets will remain even after several passes – you can expect about 80% off the fur to be sucked up from these kinds of flooring.
As a pet mum, it was important to me to own a vacuum cleaner with a tangle-free brush, as I’ve often painstakingly cleaned out wads of hair from cleaning attachments of older machines. I was thrilled to find that the U20's V-shaped bristles were especially impressive at leaving no evidence of entanglements. That's made ongoing maintenance of the vacuum easier.
This sentiment also rang true for the mini motor brush when cleaning my couch and cushions. It does, however, require several passes when using the handheld motor and mini brush to clean up pet hair due to its smaller footprint, but it still worked a treat.
The U20 collects a nice volume of hair in its 0.5L bin, and I have particularly enjoyed how easy it is to empty the bin with a twist of the base. If you are a pet owner with a shedding furry friend, then I would recommend the U20 for a quick, daily tidy-up, but you might want to consider other pet-focused vacuum cleaners, like the Shark Stratos Pet Pro (IZ400), as they usually have a larger-capacity bin and boast more suction power.
Despite its relatively lower suction and smaller bin, the U20 performs very well, given its budget price – it's very easy to recommend for quick clean-ups.
Performance score: 4.5 out of 5
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Dreame U20 review: battery life
Average battery life for an affordable cordless vacuum
3.5-hour charging time
Expect shorter runtimes if the floor is dirty
According to Dreame, the U20 has a battery life of up to 60 minutes on a full charge, and takes around 3.5 hours to top up from practically empty. Take that number with a pinch of salt, as it indicates runtime when using non-motorized tools, which in this case is the combination crevice attachment only.
With a motorized head like the main floor cleaner and the mini brush, I found that it lasts a maximum of 37 minutes on its lowest setting – and there’s no dynamic suction here to drain the battery faster. At TechRadar, we've tested over a hundred vacuum cleaners over the last decade, and we've found that the average battery life for a budget cordless vacuum is around 40 minutes, which puts the U20 on par with others, including the Dyson V8 .
Higher the suction, the faster the battery will drain, of course and, in testing, I got about 17 minutes of runtime on a full charge when set to maximum. That’s not bad, considering some premium models like the Dyson V15 Detect can give you lesser runtime on Boost mode (about 8 minutes on a dirty mid-pile carpet), although it automatically adjusts suction power to suit the amount of dirt it detects.
So while the U20 has average battery runtime, I’d recommend it for smaller homes or something for the shed, perhaps.
Battery life score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Dreame U20?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Often on sale, the U20 is an excellent budget option with great performance.
5/5
Design
The color combination makes it look premium, and its attachments are useful. It would have been good if there was a better way to gauge battery life.
4/5
Performance
Great for everyday, quick cleaning, even of pet hair, on hard floors and low-pile carpets, but it may struggle on particularly dirty mid- and high-pile carpets.
4.5/5
Battery
Rated for up to 60 minutes, but expect about 35 minutes in real-world use on low power.
4/5
Buy it if...
You need something to quickly clean up after your pet
The U20 handled masses of pet hair quite well, thanks to its V-shaped multi-surface brush head.
You want something easy to maneuver
It might be heavier than the likes of the Shark Cordless Detect Pro (which weighs around 2.7kg / 5.9lbs), but its swivelling main brush head makes it very easy to move around, particularly on hard floors.
Don't buy it if...
You live in a large home
With average battery life for its price point, the U20 is better suited for smaller areas or homes that don't require extensive vacuuming.
You want the latest vacuuming tech
The U20 doesn't house the most advanced features, it even misses out on an LED screen to display battery life. If you don’t want something this basic, you’ll need to look elsewhere and spend more money.
Dreame U20: alternatives to consider
Product:
Dreame U20 (reviewed)
Shark Cordless Detect Pro
Dyson V8
Weight:
7.27lbs / 3.3kg
6lbs / 2.7kg
3.48lbs / 1.58kg
Bin volume:
0.5L
0.4L
0.54L
Max runtime:
60 mins
40 mins
40 mins
Accessories:
Multi-surface brush head, motorized mini brush head, wide combination crevice tool and extension rod
Duster, crevice tool, optional auto-empty dock (costs extra)
2 x floorheads, Hair screw tool, Combination tool, Crevice tool
Shark Cordless Detect Pro
The Shark Cordless Detect Pro costs a lot more than the U20, but it has better suction and, you can opt for the additional auto-emptying dock, which is handy as the onboard bin canister here is very small. However, it's often discounted and, until it was displaced by the Shark PowerDetect, it used to be our pick of the best cordless vacuum for most people.
Despite receiving a newer upgrade in September 2025, the older Dyson V8 is still a strong choice, especially since this too can be had for a good discount. It boast good performance and suction, with up to 40 minutes of runtime on its standard setting. It's extremely lightweight at 1.58kg / 3.48lbs, but it lacks some of the useful features of newer Dyson models, and it might not always represent the best value for everyone.
TechRadar adopts a strict testing regime for all its products so potential buyers know exactly what they're getting. To comply with the testing, I used the machine for a few months before putting it through some rigorous carpet and hard-floor tests using common pantry items, such as tea and raw oats. I also took into account the device's ergonomics, design and overall experience to determine my final verdict.
The V16 Piston Animal is Dyson's new flagship stick vacuum, and it boasts a number of upgrades over its predecessors. Based on specs, this is the best Dyson vacuum you can buy. I've been busy testing it for three weeks to see how it matches up to the rest of the best cordless vacuums around, and it's a tale of two halves.
Let's start with the good bits. The dust compactor works extremely well and is a logical, solidly useful addition. It gives you more cleaning time without having to empty the bin, and when you do come to that part, the same mechanism expels the contents easily, with no need for fingers to get involved.
Dyson has redesigned the attachment mechanism so that you can connect and release attachments on the end of the wand without having to bend down. This seems like an effort-saver, and should also help those with mobility issues, although it does mean this vacuum isn't compatible with older attachments.
Generally speaking, the cleaning power is excellent, and the Auto mode has been improved so it now offers intelligent adjustment of not only suction power but also brushroll speed, based on floor type and dirt levels.
However, despite various technical improvements, the V16 unfortunately performed worse in our suction tests than both the Gen5detect and V15 Detect – the two previous flagship models. Specifically, it failed to pick up fine particles as efficiently, and it had a tendency to push large debris around rather than sucking it up.
That poorer performance, I think, is down to the floorhead, which has been given a big old redesign, and which is the source of my other big complaint with the V16. While the conical rollers do work well to prevent hair tangles, Dyson has also tapered the front of the floorhead so it comes to a slight point. That's a pain when you're trying to clean along the straight edge of a room, and especially so in situations when you can't approach from the side.
A couple of final notes before I crack on with the finer details of my tests. This is officially the first app-connected Dyson cordless, but at time of writing there weren't any in-app settings to explore. There's also a Submarine version available, with an extra mopping floorhead included (not reviewed here).
That's the short version; read on for my in-depth Dyson V16 Piston Animal review.
The V16 Piston Animal was unveiled at the start of September, and is on sale now in territories including the UK and Australia. It will be available in the US, but not until sometime in 2026.
The regular version has a list price of £749.99 / AU$1,349 (the US list price will be released closer to the launch date). A Submarine version is also available, with an extra mopping floorhead, at a list price of £899.99 / AU$1,599.
For comparison, this model's predecessor, the Gen5detect, costs £769.99 / AU$1,549. The model below that, the V15 Detect, is £649.99 / AU$1,449.
Those prices position the V16 firmly in the premium price bracket, and make it one of the most expensive vacuums on the market. It's interesting to note that it's actually slightly cheaper than the Gen5detect in the UK (although that older model will attract more discounts). Perhaps Dyson feels it has reached the limit of what people will realistically pay for a vacuum cleaner, no matter how many advancements it crams in.
In its favor, I will say the V16 looks and feels premium. It has been meticulously designed and is packed with features – including some you can't find anywhere else on the market.
That said, it's a lot to spend on a vacuum, and for many people it won't be worth it. Personally, I'd keep an eye out for a discount on a V15 or Gen5detect.
Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
Dyson V16 Piston Animal specs
Weight (total):
7.5 lbs / 3.4kg
Weight (body only):
4.9 lbs / 2.2kg
Bin size:
1.3L
Max runtime:
70 mins
Charge time:
3hrs 30
Dimensions (H x L x W):
10.2 x 51.1 x 9.8 inches / 25.9 x 129.8 x 25cm
Filter:
99.9% to 0.1 microns
Max suction:
315 AW
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: design
Redesigned anti-tangle floorhead with conical rollers
Manual compression lever on bin
Automatic power and roller speed adjustment based on floor type
The V16 Piston is a premium cordless stick vacuum with a number of useful features, many of which are new to the Dyson lineup.
Key amongst the new additions – and the reason for the 'Piston' in the name – is a compression lever on the dust cup. This can be pushed down to squish dust and hair and increase dustbin capacity, and is also designed to wipe fine debris off the inside of the cup, and to be helpful in efficient emptying.
The red lever on the dust cup compresses dirt and helps with emptying (Image credit: Future)
A second addition is the red cuff at the top of the vacuum's wand. This can be pushed down to release the floorhead without the need for you to bend down.
The docking section of the floorhead, meanwhile, sits upright at an angle, so you can also snap it onto the wand from a standing position.
This model features a completely redesigned floorhead (Image credit: Future)
Speaking of the floorhead: this looks very different to anything I've seen before. Rather than being tube-shaped, the rollers here are conical.
The idea is that the tapering shape shifts long hair down to the narrow end, where it can be sucked up, rather than leaving it to tangle. As usual, there's a slider on the front to enable you to adjust air intake as required.
This floorhead – known as the All Floors Cones Sense, if you can remember all that – is designed for both hard floors and carpet, and is kitted out with a laser to illuminate dirt that might otherwise be missed.
A screen provides information (Image credit: Future)
There's a small screen on the machine itself to deliver information, including which mode you're in and how long you have left on the battery.
More impressively, it'll also provide you with real-time reports on the size and number of particles you're sucking up, as you clean. Yes, really. This works with the V16's 'Auto' mode, where the vacuum will automatically adjust suction and (newly) brushroll speed based on the kind of floor it's on and how dirty it is.
The main body of the vacuum is on the heavier side for a cordless vacuum, but Dyson has added a padded section above the hand grip for comfort.
The finish on this model is also matte rather than shiny, which makes it less likely to rub when you're using it for long periods and your hands are slightly clammy. It switches on with a button rather than a trigger, and the battery is removable and swappable.
This is apparently the first Dyson vacuum to be properly 'connected'. The companion app should provide cleaning summaries and offer advanced setting options, although during my test period (after the official launch) neither were available. I assume they'll filter in during later software updates.
(Image credit: Future)
Detail tools will vary slightly depending on which model you opt for, but there are a couple of notable upgrades.
The Hair screw tool now has a rubberized band across the front to help loosen hair that's 'stuck' to upholstery fabric. Hidden inside the wand, meanwhile, are two stubby Crevice tools – one at the top, attached to the main part of the vacuum, and the other at the bottom of the wand, revealed if you remove the floorhead.
Because of the redesigned docking mechanism, none of the tools are compatible with other Dyson stick vacuums.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: performance
Dust compaction is great, and lever makes emptying super-easy
Suction excellent, but not notably different to previous models
Angled floorhead is a pain for vacuuming the edges of rooms
Let's start with suction performance. In general use, it felt like this vacuum packed plenty of oomph. I tested it out in a four-floor house with hard floor, plenty of carpets, and a black Spaniel, and it had no trouble sucking up impressive volumes of dust, dirt and hair. In Auto mode, I could hear the power and brushroll ramping up and down as I moved into different areas and onto different floor types.
I found the on-screen dust reports as mesmerizing as ever – they've been redesigned here so they work on a traffic light system (green for clean, yellow for okay, orange for acceptable, red for 'oh my goodness your home is disgusting') which is more useful at a glance than the previous color system, which was seemingly just based on what looked cool.
The real-time dust reports now use a traffic light color coding system that's more useful at a glance (Image credit: Future)
Officially, the V16 has the most suction of any Dyson stick vacuum, due to improvements under the hood. During day-to-day use, I didn't notice a difference in cleaning power compared to the V15, which is what I usually use in this house. That vacuum is two models down from the V16 – despite what the number might suggest, the Gen5detect sits in the middle.
Unfortunately, when I did some side-by side cleaning tests comparing the V16 to its two predecessors, the newest vacuum actually performed the worst. I'll get into this more in the Suction tests section below.
Moving on to comfort. The V16 feels a little weighty in the hand, but the padded section above the grip helps boost comfort, and the fact it has a matte finish also means it's less likely to rub if your hands get a little clammy in longer use.
My 5ftAustralian colleague found it was too tall for her to comfortably use – at 5ft 8in I had no issues, but perhaps worth noting if you're on the shorter side.
The padded handhold makes the V16 more comfortable to hold for long periods (Image credit: Future)
I'm in two minds about the button operation. For longer cleaning sessions, it's nice not to have to continually compress the trigger, but for quick cleanups, it's a bit cumbersome to have to keep a hand free to turn the machine on and off (you can't reach the button with your gripping hand).
I also preferred the bigger buttons found on older models. Dyson seems on a mission to make the buttons on all of its appliances teeny tiny, and there's no benefit to the user.
The angled floorhead makes cleaning edges tricky (Image credit: Future)
I'm also not sold on the new floorhead. The front long edge of the floorhead comes to a slight point rather than being straight – and this means that you can't approach the edges of rooms front-on.
Instead, you have to go in from the side, and that quickly becomes very annoying, because it makes cleaning in spots where you can't approach from the side (for example, under the desk pictured above) very difficult.
Otherwise, it pivots well but feels a little harder to push than previous Dysons (and other vacuums I've tested).
(Image credit: Future)
The quick-release works well and is an effort-saver, but the joints in general feel stiffer than on other Dyson stick vacuums I've used. It's also a shame that existing attachments won't work with the V16.
More of a success is the dust compactor. This is a solid win; the mechanism works a treat, and means you can fit in more cleaning without having to make so many trips to the trash.
It also makes it far easier to empty than most cordless vacuums I've used – including previous Dyson models. Press down the lever and everything in the bin is ejected, with no need to go in with your fingers afterwards.
Suction tests
For a more objective overview of the V16's suction capabilities, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests. First, I sprinkled a teabag's worth of dry tea and a handful of oats on a carpeted floor. The idea here is to see how well the vacuum copes with fine and chunky debris.
After a single forward and backward pass in Auto mode (I could hear the suction increasing over the spillage) most of the oats were gone – although some pinged about a bit – and there was a fine strip of tea left where the center of the floorhead had passed. This is a good result – the tea test is purposefully very challenging. After a few more passes in Auto mode, everything was cleared.
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The tea and oats before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)
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... and after one forward and backward pass in Auto mode (Image credit: Future)
I then repeated the same test on a hard, tiled floor, with surprisingly poor results. Although the tea was whisked away in a single forwards pass, quite a few of the oats were pushed into a pile in front of the floorhead, or behind it when I tried to pull it back over them.
I then lifted the floorhead to position it on top of the spillage, and oats sprayed everywhere. The V16 coped well with picking up single oats after this mini-explosion, but any more than that proved a struggle.
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Oats on and tea on the hard floor before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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The V16 cleared the tea but pushed some of the oats into a pile... (Image credit: Future)
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... and then spat them over the floor when I lifted the floorhead (Image credit: Future)
Next, I did some side-by-side testing with the previous two models – and here the V16 fared worse still.
Below, from left to right on screen, are the V16, the Gen5detect, and the V15 Detect. On the floor are piles of oats and then loose tea. In the test, you can watch as I vacuum the oats and first pile of tea with each vacuum in Auto mode,then the second pile of tea in Boost mode.
The V16 is the last vacuum to clean each pile, and it leaves a strip of tea in both Auto and Boost modes, and scatters the oats a little. In contrast, both the V15 and Gen5detect clear all the piles with a single pass.
Edges
I also tested how well the V16 cleaned along the edges of rooms. As I've already stated, the shape of the front of the floorhead makes this trickier than it usually would be.
For this test, I put a pile of tea and oats along the edge of a room, and approached from the side. The V16 did a solid job of capturing the spillage, even the bits right next to the edge. The crevices seemed to help with the pooling issue, by providing a break in suction.
(Image credit: Future)
Hair
The V16 is specifically designed to be great at dealing with long hair – up to 25 inches / 63.5cm long, actually. That's part of the reason behind the 'Animal' in the name... although I don't know many pets with hair that long, unless someone out there is keeping a horse in the house.
I tested it out on my own hair, which is around armpit length, and also the (much shorter) hair of my Cocker Spaniel – and the good news is that I didn't end up with any hair tangled around the conical rollers. But here's the thing: I never had issues with hair tangling around the rollers on Dyson's old-style floorheads, either.
I've regularly used both a Gen5detect and V15, and both are perfectly good at avoiding hair wrap, at least with hair of my length. Perhaps those with truly Rapunzel-like locks will benefit from the supercharged detangling on offer with the V16.
I was also supplied with longer, synthetic hair to try out on the V16 in the Dyson labs in Malmesbury. Here, I found it worked very well when the hair was laid out neatly in front of the machine, but when faced with a clump of hair it tended to get stuck – either in the space behind the cones, or in the 'corner' of the suction tube.
App
The V16 Piston Animal is the first of Dyson's vacuums to be truly app-connected; older models can be connected to the MyDyson app, but only as a hub for How-to videos and explainers.
You should be able to use the app to change settings on the V16 (including toggling the laser on and off, and changing how Auto mode behaves), and view a cleaning summary.
Unfortunately at time of writing I didn't have any adjustment options available in my app, and my cleaning wasn't being recorded. I assume software updates down the line will add the promised app functionality.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: battery life
Up to 70 minutes of cleaning in Eco mode; ~17 mins in Boost
3 hours 30 mins to recharge
Removable and swappable battery
In the lowest mode (Eco) the V16 can last a quoted 1 hour and 10 minutes before needing to recharge. That's the same as the previous model (the Gen5detect) and up there with the longest runtimes on the market. There's also a Boost mode, which is just for the toughest of cleaning tasks. In my tests, the V16 lasted 16 minutes and 49 seconds in Boost.
Of course, most people aren't going to be using Eco mode or Boost mode on the regular. They'll be using Auto mode. This is probably the best feature, from a battery life point of view, because it means the machine is only using just enough power to clean effectively, based on the needs of the situation.
Recharge takes a quoted 3 hours and 30 minutes, which is a whole hour less then the two models below it in the Dyson lineup.
Finally, the V16 has a removable, swappable battery. That means you can, if you want, buy a backup battery to hot-swap for longer cleaning sessions. It's also good news for overall longevity, because on cordless vacuums it's often the battery that starts to fail first.
Battery life score: 5 out of 5
Should you buy the Dyson V16 Piston Animal?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Ultra-premium, with high build quality and truly innovative features.
3.5 / 5
Design
Advanced stick vacuum with lots of unique features such as dust compression, quick-release tools and an anti-tangle floorhead.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Strong suction and the compression is very useful, but the floorhead is poorly designed for edges, and the V16 performed worse than older Dysons in my suction tests.
3.5 / 5
Battery
Up to an 70 minutes per charge, with strong runtimes in Boost mode too, the V16 is up there with the best in terms of battery.
5 / 5
Buy it if...
You have a big home with lots of dust
The advanced automation capabilities, dust compaction and easy-release attachments come into their own when tackling big cleaning tasks.
You have trouble with hair tangling
With its conical rollers, the V16 really brings out the big guns when it comes to preventing hair tangling. If you've found other vacuums' anti-tangle functions can't handle your home's hair, this might be the model for you.
You want a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop
The V16 has an optional Submarine floorhead that you can add on to tackle hard floor mopping (this costs extra). It's one of only two vacuums in the Dyson lineup to have this option – the other is the V15s Detect Submarine.
Don't buy it if...
You want the edges of rooms ultra-clean
The new-style floorhead comes to a slight point at the front, which means to clean flush to the edges of rooms you'll need to reorientate yourself and approach from the side. The V16 is not compatible with older Dyson floorheads.
You're on a budget
The V16 is very expensive, and there are plenty of cheaper models that'll do just a good as cleaning job, day to day, for most people. Features such as the dust compaction are great – but you'll need to decide if they justify the extra cash. (If I was spending my own money, I'd probably go for a V15 Detect.)
There's a V15 or Gen5detect available
These two older Dyson cordless vacuums proved more effective at clearing both fine and chunky debris in my tests, so if you can find one for less than the price of the V16, I'd recommend either over this model.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: alternatives to consider
Model:
Dyson V16 Piston Animal
Dyson Gen5detect
Shark PowerDetect Cordless
Weight:
7.5 lbs / 3.4kg
7.7 lbs / 3.5kg
8lbs / 3.7kg
Bin size:
1.3L
0.77L
0.7L
Max runtime:
70 mins
70 mins
70 mins
Charge time:
3hrs 30
4hrs 30
4 hours
Filter:
99.9% to 0.1 microns
Whole-machine HEPA filtration
Felt + Washable Foam Filters plus HEPA Filter
Max suction:
315 AW
280AW
Not stated
Dyson Gen5detect
The Gen5detect is the model down from the V16 Piston in the lineup. It has the older (better) floorhead, but lacks the dust compactor and the Auto mode adjusts suction but not roller speed. It's an outstanding cleaner, packs tons of power and is easy to maneuver.
This is currently the best Shark vacuum based on specs. It's significantly cheaper than the Dyson (and feels notably less premium) but still boasts some cool automation features – including the ability to boost suction on the relevant side of the floorhead when approaching the edges of rooms.
I tested the Dyson V16 Piston Animal in a four-floored house with lots of carpet, plus tiled and engineered wood floors. It's home to one long-haired and one short-haired human inhabitant and a Cocker Spaniel.
I ran a series of standard suction tests to see how it could handle fine (dry tea) and chunky (oats) debris on hard floors and carpet. I also ran the same tests alongside two older Dyson stick vacuums to see how the three compared. I also assessed how the V16 dealt with hair and cleaning along the edges of rooms, and timed how long it took to run the battery flat and recharge it again.
Aside from the controlled tests, I also used the V16 regularly for a fortnight, to get a general feel for how easy it was to wield, how effectively it cleaned and if there were any niggling issues. I downloaded and explored the app, and tested the different functions available there.
