The Dragon of Dojima has smashed his way onto the Nintendo Switch 2 once again – this time with a port of Yakuza Kiwami – a remake of the first game released in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s iconic series. This excellent action role-playing game (RPG) has landed on Nintendo’s latest console almost ten years after its initial release on PS3 and PS4, so does it hold up?
Review info
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC Release date: November 13, 2025 (Switch 2 version)
Well, before I answer that and get into the nitty-gritty, allow me to set the scene.
Yakuza Kiwami follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu – a yakuza who is expelled from the Tojo Clan after being accused of murdering his patriarch, Sohei Dojima. After spending ten years in prison, Kiryu is forced to find his feet in truly chaotic circumstances. His childhood friend, Yumi, has gone missing. His sworn brother Nishiki is spiralling after being appointed as a yakuza boss. And the Tojo Clan is frantically searching for 10 billion yen, which has seemingly been stolen. The story is compelling as ever, and kept me engaged from start to finish.
I’ve spent more than 15 hours playing through the main and side stories in Yakuza Kiwami for Nintendo Switch 2. And as someone who played – and thoroughly enjoyed – the PS4 version of this remake, my hopes were pretty high. Here’s how it stacked up against my expectations.
Making the Switch 2 a new console
(Image credit: Sega)
Good news, Yakuza fans, this is a very strong port of Kiwami. First of all, the game runs at an impressive 60fps, which is the same as the PS4 version. I was glad to see that the framerate rarely ever dropped with my Switch 2 docked or in handheld mode, keeping the action flowing when it mattered most.
There was the very occasional drop during heat actions, but this was minor and had no impact on gameplay whatsoever. The title also displays at 1080p, meaning you get very solid performance, all things considered. Of course, as a port of a decade-old game, the visuals aren’t the flashiest, but Kiwami certainly looks as good as you’d hope on Switch 2.
Other than one cutscene in Chapter 1, which appeared to be a little low-res, in-game movies also looked as good as they did on PS4. The murkiness of 2005 Kamurocho, the vibrancy of yakuza fashion, and the character animations all look as character-filled as I’d hoped.
Another good thing about the Switch 2 version is that load times have been kept nice and brief. So, whether you’re heading into a fast food joint or going to the Serena bar, transitions feel swift and seamless.
Best bit
(Image credit: Sega)
Majima just loves getting beaten up by Kiryu. Only to help the Dragon of Dojima ‘get stronger’, apparently. Anyway, I found him hiding under a giant cone and then used it to crush him in combat. The sheer creativity of this series never fails to wow me.
Yakuza Kiwami isn’t only nice to look at and smooth performing, but it’s also a joy to control on Switch 2. I mainly played through it with the Joy-Con 2 controllers, piecing combos together, switching into different battle styles, and general movement feels just like it should.
There are a few small options that also help to make this a great port. For instance, you can carry over data from the original Nintendo Switch version of the game, straight onto Switch 2 if you’re mid-way through your adventure, say. There are also more text languages available than in the PS4 version, for example, which is a nice touch. And obviously, being on Switch 2, you can also play on the go, which is a key reason to pick this edition over home console alternatives.
Overall, this is a great way to play Yakuza Kiwami – an awesome game in its own right. Speaking of, let’s talk a little more about the game itself, which has been a favorite of mine for a number of years.
KIRYU-CHAN!
(Image credit: Sega)
Yakuza Kiwami’s story covers some pretty heavy ground. Kiryu aims to help a vulnerable child find her mother; he has to survive in an increasingly hostile Kamurochō, and the internal politics of the Tojo Clan leave him in some extremely precarious situations. But the heaviness of Kiwami’s story is weighted against some truly bizarre – oftentimes hilarious – sub-stories and events.
Perhaps the most obvious example I can think of is just about every interaction with Goro Majima, who is nicknamed ‘The Mad Dog of Shimano’. This troublemaker has a sadomasochistic obsession with Kiryu and will fight you at every turn through a battle system called Majima Everywhere. He claims this is to revive the ‘true’ Dragon of Dojima – the full-strength Kiryu that existed before spending a decade imprisoned.
Usually, you’ll just have a scrap in the streets of Kamurochō, but some of your encounters are phenomenally bizarre. Majima will dress up as a police officer, hide in a comically oversized traffic cone, and even get into drag. All with the purpose of fighting you. There are so many hilarious moments, and these episodes will make it clear why Majima is such a fan favorite.
As you continue to battle it out and improve your Majima Everywhere rank, you’ll unlock skills for the Dragon combat style. This is a bit different, as you simply spend EXP to gain proficiency in the other styles: Brawler, Rush, and Beast. I’d argue that the pure volume of fights required to advance the Majima Everywhere plotline and gain all of the Dragon skills is too high, and can grow tiresome after a while. But still, there are a lot of brilliant moments sprinkled throughout this segment of the game.
My Judgement
(Image credit: Sega)
I mentioned EXP earlier, which you gain through beating street punks, defeating bosses, eating food…you name it. This can be spent on upgrading health, learning combat skills, and the like. The way your power scales as the game goes on feels fitting for a yakuza who’s been long out of the game, and adding new moves into the mix as you become more familiar with the combat system is a strong design choice.
And speaking of combat, it’s seriously addictive. The various battle styles are well-differentiated, piecing together combos feels satisfying, and building up your heat gauge to unleash powerful – and sometimes zany – finishing moves is seriously gratifying. You’re not getting the most complex or deep action mechanics ever, but that’s honestly not a flaw – the fact that the simplistic combat feels this rewarding is a feat in itself.
Before I come to my conclusion, I have to mention that the story is executed very well overall. There are plenty of twists and turns, plenty of emotion-filled moments, and a wonderful cast of characters. You’ll have the odd errand to run in the main story, and this can slightly disrupt the pace of the adventure, but aside from these occasional bumps in the road, Kiwami is a real blast to play through.
There are also some funny, action-packed, and plot-enriching sub-stories to explore. Most of these are non-essential, but you can get some amazing rewards if you take the time to see them through. You’ll hear a ton of groovy and heartfelt tracks throughout these substories, and just in Kamurochō generally, which I regularly come back to listen to.
All in all, Yakuza Kiwami is great on Nintendo Switch 2. This version runs smoothly and looks very good for the most part, although the game does, of course, show its older-gen roots. Load times are short, everything feels easy to control, and the game itself is strong in terms of its narrative, gameplay, and soundtrack. If you haven’t played Yakuza Kiwami yet, then it’s all too easy to recommend it on Nintendo Switch 2.
Should you play Yakuza Kiwami on Nintendo Switch 2?
(Image credit: Sega)
Play it if...
You want to enjoy Yakuza on the go This is a smooth-performing and good-looking version of Yakuza Kiwami, whether played in docked mode or handheld mode. Being able to take Kiryu’s journey on the go is a massive plus, and the Switch 2 version is a very solid one indeed.
You’re looking for a more digestible RPG Sure, if you were to take on all of the substories, you could probably spend more than 80 hours in Yakuza Kiwami. However, players taking on the main story and a small bit of side content can expect to see the adventure through in around 20-25 hours. If you want a shorter action RPG to blast through, Kiwami is a nice choice.
Don't play it if...
You’re new to the series It may seem counterintuitive, but the first game in the series isn’t the best to start with, in my view. For Switch 2 players, I’d recommend picking up Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut first. This is a prequel to Kiwami and takes you through the backstory of Kiryu and Majima, and even touches on how their paths intersect.
You’re expecting real next-gen magic This is a port of an almost decade-old remake, so if you’re expecting some flashy next-gen magic, you may be disappointed.
Accessibility features
There are quite a few options available in the settings menu, like camera control customization, subtitles in a range of languages, different difficulty and gore levels, and the choice to toggle display tips on or off. Unfortunately, there’s no colorblind mode, though, which would’ve been a nice touch.
How I reviewed Yakuza Kiwami on Nintendo Switch 2
(Image credit: Sega)
I spent more than 15 hours playing through the main story and a handful of side stories in Yakuza Kiwami on Nintendo Switch 2. I usually played in docked mode, with my Switch 2 console connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did play in handheld mode on occasion, where I usually listened to in-game audio with my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
I’ve played Yakuza Kiwami on the PS4 before, and spent in excess of 50 hours on the game. As a result, I had a strong understanding of what would make this a successful port. I’m also a big fan of the Yakuza series in general, with Yakuza 0 standing as my favorite game in the franchise.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: two-minute review
If you’re looking for a PS5 headset that boasts unrivaled customization options, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 is an endlessly versatile wireless gaming headset option. And while it is indeed a tweaked version of the multiplatform model, one that swaps out the control wheel on the right earcup for one that dials in sidetone, this headset can be used on a whole host of platforms to great effect.
After using the headset for 100 hours, I’ve found myself keeping it on for music listening and work calls throughout the day. It’s a Gen 2 version of an existing headset, with a larger battery that I’ve found to be good for just over 50 hours, and a few extras in terms of software compatibility. Having also used a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review, I can say with confidence that this is a big step up in terms of user experience and comfort.
All in all, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P offers everything I want from a PS5 headset, and I’ve been impressed by the custom audio profiles for games like Fortniteand Alan Wake 2. While the Arctis app is easy to use on mobile, some features, like creating custom EQ profiles, are locked to the desktop app. I’d love to see full functionality on the mobile app, as having to jump between devices to use the full suite of features is a little frustrating. Similarly, you have to use the desktop app to update firmware.
Audio quality for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is great across the board and has held up while I’ve been testing the headset with gaming, work calls, and music listening sessions.
There’s a handful of music EQ profiles to play around with, and they offer the usual Bright, Heavy, Bass Boost options you’ll find on most EQing programmes these days. I love the fact that Side Tone is controlled via a wheel on the right ear cup, as it allows me to dial it up for online, voice-chat heavy games, and then back down for when I’m playing a single player title.
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
Battery life was pretty much bang on the 54 hours claimed by the manufacturer (my estimate was 52 hours following a full charge), though I did find that the battery drained a little quicker when using both the Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz functions simultaneously. As such, I never actually ran out of battery (besides the testing for battery life), as a quick charge at the end of the day would boost the headset up enough to last comfortably more than the following day’s usage.
Retractable microphones are my preference in a gaming headset, and I’ve really appreciated being able to neatly slot away the microphone while I’m using the headset for music or single-player games. Other gaming headsets I’ve owned have had detachable microphones, and sooner or later, they get misplaced, rendering the device useless for certain kinds of games. The red light that indicates muting is a nice touch too, giving me a clear signal that, yes, I am indeed muted on a call once again.
I’ve unfortunately also had two instances requiring me to hard-reset the device. This seems to happen due to an endless cycling of the Bluetooth pairing when connecting and reconnecting between multiple devices. To reset the headset, you have to remove the foam from one of the earcups and then use a pin to poke down into a very tiny hole.
This isn’t ideal, and particularly frustrating when you don’t have the right tool on hand to initiate the fix. I’ve kept the headset’s firmware updated throughout this review, so for now, I’m unable to say whether this issue is something that’s prevalent and planned to be fixed.
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: price and availability
List price: $199 / £179.99 / AU$399
More expensive than the Gen 1 version at launch, which was $179.99 / £174.99 (about AU$310)
Competitive pricing with a great feature set that matches rivals
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P launched in October 2025. It’s positioned somewhere in the middle of the mid-range premium gaming headsets in terms of cost, and it’s in-line, though slightly more expensive than the Gen 1 version due to its refreshed and updated feature set.
At $199 / £179.99 / AU$399, the headset has a number of competitors like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3. It’s exactly the same price as the Stealth 700 Gen 3, and shares many of the same features, though the Turtle Beach has the SteelSeries beat on battery life by a considerable margin.
Then there’s the Razer Kraken V4, a cheaper alternative ($179 / £179 / AU$329) to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. You get a little less battery life and THX Spatial Audio, which really improves the audio experience. Unfortunately, this THX Spatial Audio is only available on PC, so if you’re a console gamer, you may find the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P’s suite of software features a lot more useful in your setup.
For the price, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P does offer great value for money in terms of build quality and features. It doesn’t have Active Noise Control (ANC), though you can’t find another headset that does in this price range. In fact, ANC is very uncommon in the gaming space as of yet, so for now at least, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P feels fully featured.
It’s also worth mentioning that, despite having launched in October of this year, there have already been deals and discounts for Black Friday that brought the headset down by $20 on average. Even if you can’t find a deal on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset, it’s still great value for money for what you’re getting.
(Image credit: Future)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: specs
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 3
Price
$199 / £179.99 / AU$399
Weight
11.5oz / 326g
Drivers
40mm carbon fiber with brass surround
Compatibility
PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile
Connection type
Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth
Battery life
54 hours
Features
Retractable boom noise-cancelling microphone, Simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth audio, AirWeave memory foam ear cup material, Fast Charge (6 hours in 15 minutes).
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: design and features
Comfortable and lightweight design that feels sleek and unobstructive
Simultaneous 2.4Ghz wireless and Bluetooth audio is a real winner
Three cleanly designed colorways
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P comes in three colors: Black, White, and Pink, though the design largely follows the same of other Arctis Nova headsets. Comparing it to my own SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, the 7P is noticeably improved in build quality. It’s slightly heavier, and the headband is a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition)-coated steel that’s much more sturdy. At a glance, however, this is the same design we’ve seen from other SteelSeries gaming headsets, just a little bit more premium-feeling.
In comparison to the weight of competitors like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (14.3oz / 408g) and the Kraken V4 (12.3oz / 397g), the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is noticeably lighter (11.3oz / 326g). I often find gaming headsets too bulky and heavy for extended use, though the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P has been superbly comfortable to wear all day. I was given the Black color variant for review, and it’s a big upgrade on the White model I’ve used for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (which discolored and yellowed a little after a few months of use).
Another thing I like about this headset is the retractable microphone. It slots neatly into the left earcup and can be pulled out and replaced smoothly. There’s even a small red LED on the tip of the microphone to indicate when the device is muted. Personally, I need a little bit of Side Tone in my gaming headsets, which usually plays back a bit of my speech audio into the headset while using the microphone. The 7P version here has an adjustable dial on the right earcup to adjust Side Tone, a nice feature that’s exclusive to the PlayStation-centric version I’ve been testing
(Image credit: Future)
There’s a mute button, a volume wheel, and two pairing buttons that activate Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, respectively. These all feel solid, though there’s nothing particularly interesting to report about them. Other headsets might use a click here and there on their volume wheels, but I can’t say I was left wanting with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P’s more straightforward offering.
This 7P variant is multiplatform across PC, mobile, Mac, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3, and Nintendo Switch, as are the 7 and 7X variants. The difference between the models is that in the 7, the right ear cup has a chatmix volume wheel (tailored for PC functionality), rather than the 7P and the 7X’s Side Tone wheel. The PS5 doesn’t use chatmix, so the Side Tone wheel is more useful if you’re primarily playing on PlayStation. If you want proper Xbox compatibility, the 7X is the headset that’ll connect to Xbox devices. The 7 and 7P will not.
Having separate buttons for each connection type works like a charm, and they even have slightly different sound effects upon activation. This streamlines a potentially finicky process that can often crop up with simultaneous connectivity devices like this.
(Image credit: Future)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: performance
Fantastic sound across gaming, music, and work calls
Arctis app’s custom game profiles truly make a difference
Comfortable and versatile enough to become a daily driver
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P excels in audio quality, mostly leaning on the Arctis app to offer a deep level of customization in how your in-game audio is mixed. I’ve played hundreds of hours of online games like Fortnite, Battlefield 6 and Arc Raidersusing the headset, and found in-game audio to rise to the occasion, regardless of what I’m playing. I often chose to use the headset without the companion app, instead relying on default settings to play a whole host of games. I found the audio to be well-balanced and with adequate levels of bass without needing to tweak things in-game.
Similarly, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P will perform great when streaming music, though it’s not really positioned as a music-first product, lacking noise cancelling and the clarity you’ll get from a dedicated set of more audio-focused headphones.
Generally, the headset features solid audio quality and performance in default settings, with very few issues with stuttering or streaming, whether connected to Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz signals. I had quite a few problems with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 in this respect, frequently finding that my audio would glitch or cut out entirely from time to time. Whatever’s been finetuned for the 7P model has ironed out these issues completely, and I’ve had a very smooth experience switching between Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz modes so far.
A huge plus point of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is its compatibility with the companion Arctis app, which adds flexibility and features. You can download the Arctis app on your phone, and from there you can tweak the Bluetooth audio, the 2.4Ghz audio, and microphone profiles on the fly. It’s a robust app that has custom profiles for games like Battlefield 6, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, and Fortnite.
(Image credit: Future)
In online competitive titles, enemy footsteps are bumped up in the EQ mix, and the difference is stark. Having spent around a hundred hours playing Arc Raiders on the headset with the “FPS Footsteps” custom profile enabled, I’ve been able to hear enemies sneaking up behind me, saving me from a potential ambush.
Unfortunately, custom EQ settings are locked to the desktop app, so if you want to make your own audio profiles, you’ll need to load up another device. I’d like to see this compatibility added to the mobile app, as having to open up my laptop and connect my headset to a separate platform really complicates what should be a simple process.
Microphone quality isn’t perfect out of the box, but after some tweaking in the Arctis app, it sounds great when playing online with other players. At this price point, the audio quality from the microphone is standard, but nothing to write home about, though I’ve had reports from my regular gaming group that the microphone sounds noticeably better than on my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5.
All in all, however, I have very few gripes with how the Steel Series Arctis Nova 7P performs day to day. The simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz connections have made the headset a staple for me, whether I’m gaming, working, or chatting to pals on Discord.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2?
Buy it if...
You want a comfortable and light gaming headset The Steel Series Arctis Nova 7P is the most comfortable gaming headset I’ve reviewed so far. It’s noticeably lighter than its direct competitors, while still having great build quality and a sturdy headband.
You want custom audio profiles for games like Fortnite Arctis offers custom audio profiles specifically tailored for a whole host of games. Some amplify enemy footsteps, while others bump up the high-end to do justice to soaring orchestral soundtracks.
You want to run two audio streams simultaneously The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P offers simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio streams. This means you can run your Discord chat over Bluetooth, and your game audio through 2.4Ghz. This is seamless and very easy to manage on the fly.
Don't buy it if...
You want to make your own EQ profiles easily Unfortunately, you’ll need to use a desktop app to create and manage EQs you’ve made yourself. This is frustrating, as the mobile app has every other piece of functionality covered. Still, this is a niche issue, and most won’t need to open their desktop even once.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: Also consider
Still not sold on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P? Here are two competitors that might better fit your needs.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gen 3
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3
Razer Kraken V4
Price
$199 / £179.99 / AU$399
$199.99 / £179.99 / AU$399.95
$179 / £179 / AU$329
Weight
11.5oz / 326g
14.3oz / 405g
12.3oz / 350g
Drivers
40mm carbon fiber with brass surround
60mm Eclipse™ Dual Drivers
Razer TriForce Titanium 40mm Drivers
Compatibility
PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile
PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Android, iOS
Connection type
Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth
Wired (USB-A), Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.2)
Wired (USB-A), Wireless (Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz USB dongle)
Battery life
54 hours
80 hours
Up to 50 hours
Features
Retractable boom noise-cancelling microphone, Simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth audio, AirWeave memory foam ear cup material, Fast Charge (6 hours in 15 minutes).
Flip-to-mute mic with AI noise reduction, CrossPlay Dual transmitters, remappable Mode button, and wheel
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Wireless The closest competitor to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3. It’s exactly the same price, but it does have more battery life. It’s also much heavier, however, and overall has a much more bulky design.
Razer Kraken V4 The Kraken V4 is a slightly cheaper alternative here. It has more bespoke technology applied to its microphone and audio drivers, with particular care taken to ensure the microphone quality punches well above its weight. The battery life is only slightly less than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P’s, and it similarly features a retractable design for its microphone.
Tested daily for a month, between gaming and work sessions
Used primarily on PS5 Pro, but also on my MacBook Air, and Google Pixel 7
Compared directly to the Steel Series Arctis Nova 5, which I’ve now used daily for over a year
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P has become my daily driver for the last month or so. I’ve been using it as my main gaming headset, playing Arc Raiders and Fortnite with pals online. I’ve also used the headset for work, joining meetings and presentations, and using the microphone to speak. I’ve regularly had both audio streams running simultaneously using the Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless functions, especially while gaming.
On my PS5 Pro, I’ve tested the custom audio profiles in the Arctis app. Audio for Fortnite, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Battlefield 6 all offered distinct differences when paired with their respective custom profiles. Primarily, I’ve played around 60 hours of Arc Raiders, a game where audio is particularly vital. The FPS Footsteps profile saved my life a bunch of times by lifting low-end audio and making enemy footsteps clear and pronounced.
On my MacBook Air, I used the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P to listen to music, and applied some of the dedicated music profiles from the Arctis app to test audio quality. During my testing, I was able to compare the headset to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 and noted the upgrades offered by the newer version. I also paired the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P to my Google Pixel 7 to test calls, Discord Mobile audio, and to access the Arctis app’s full suite of features.
Hybrid robot vacuum-and-mops have come a long way in the last few years, and the Eufy E25 Omni is the latest example of bots that are capable of tackling both tasks to a high standard. I tested one for two weeks to see how it compares to the rest of the best robot vacuums on the market, and I was generally very impressed.
The E25 Omni offered solid performance in my vacuuming tests and was especially efficient at clearing fine dust. However, despite the squared-off shape and dual side sweepers, the edge cleaning wasn't the best. The AI-based automatic adjustment failed to recognize my spillage and bump up mop settings to clear it, but with manual tweaking to Max mode, this bot delivered some of the best mopping I've seen.
Navigation was reliable, as was obstacle avoidance. However, the E25 Omni proved a little fussy when it came to the initial mapping stages – I had to clear my floors to achieve a complete map. Meanwhile, the app is intuitive to use and offers a range of ways to operate the robot, including scheduled cleans, zone cleaning and the ability to change the intensity of vacuuming or mopping.
At full price it's expensive, but regular deals take the price down and deliver better value for money. That's the short version; read on for my full Eufy E25 Omni review.
(Image credit: Future)
Eufy E25 Omni review: price & availability
List price: $1299.99 / £849 / AU$1799.95
Launched: May 2025
Availability: Worldwide
Officially, the E25 Omni is a premium robot vacuum, costing $1299.99 / £849 / AU$1799.95 at sticker price. However, you shouldn't read too much into that list price – the manufacturer offers regular, steep discounts and the Amazon price history shows it is rarely full price. With an average price of around US$750 it's still not cheap, but it does compare well with equivalent flagship hybrids like the Roborock Qrevo Curv or the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone.
In terms of value for money, the E25 is a very good robot vacuum and it does a lot to justify its high price point. However, it's worth considering the ongoing costs too. Replacement dust bags and floor cleaning solution are available from Eufy, with dust bags costing US$16.99 for 3 and the solution $20.99 a bottle. Third party dust bags are available for cheaper, although I can't confirm their compatibility.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Eufy E25 Omni specs
Max suction:
20,000 Pa
Robot size (L x W):
12.8 x 13.7in / 32.6 x 34.8cm
Robot height:
4.4in / 11.2cm
Dock dimensions (W x D x H):
14.6 x 19.1 x 17.3in / 37.2 x 48.4 x 43.9 cm
Mop type:
Roller
Max threshold clearance:
Not stated
Dust bin volume (onboard):
Not stated
Dust bin volume (base):
3L
Water tank volume:
2.5L (clean), 1.5L (dirty)
Base functions:
Self empty, refill water, clean and dry roller mop
Eufy E25 Omni review: design
Rounded square with two side sweepers, spit main roller and roller mop
Relatively compact dock takes care of a range of maintenance tasks
Dock has a useful transparent water tank
The Eufy E25 is a rounded square robot vacuum with a raised nodule housing the LiDAR for navigation. Flip it over and you'll find a roller that's equipped with bristles and rubbery fins, and is split in the middle to try and combat hair tangling, plus two spinning side sweepers. The main central suction are is really quite small in proportion to the size of the robot.
There's also a tube-shaped mop, which applies downward pressure to dislodge dirt. It's fed with clean water as it rolls around, while the dirty stuff is constantly siphoned off.
(Image credit: Future)
The all-black design is minimalistic – which, for a functional product is definitely preferable to trying to do something a bit more eccentric. It is able to fit under objects 4.4in / 11.18cm off the ground, and through gaps of 12.83in / 32.58cm wide.
The dock is pretty inoffensive looking, and compared with some hybrids vac-mop options, feels relatively small. It's all black, with a view to blending into its surroundings, which is definitely a plus in my view. In terms of functions, it'll take care of emptying the bot's onboard dustbin, washing its mop pads and drying them with hot air, draining the onboard dirty water tank and refilling it with clean water, and dispensing detergent.
(Image credit: Future)
The water tank is transparent, so you can visually see when it is starting to run low. This feature is surprisingly rare, but useful. There's also a white ring light, which will turn red if either water tank isn't correctly installed.
The fact that the robot sits on a ramp outside the body of the dock, rather than slotting inside, helps keep the dock size down. As with most robot vacuum docks, you're technically meant to leave a wide margin of clear space all around (1.6ft / 0.49m either side and 4.9ft / 1.49m in front), but experienced owners will know it's possible to get away with far less than this.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Eufy E25 Omni review: performance
Strong obstacle avoidance but initial mapping can be hit-and-miss
Tendency to return to dock mid-clean, extending overall task time
Solid vacuuming and excellent mopping on the highest settings
It was fairly straightforward to get the Eufy E25 Omni set up, although I found the mapping task less forgiving than some rival models. Specifically, it's worth ensuring all obstacles are out of the way before attempting mapping.
You can control the E25 through the Eufy companion app or a smart home system. Both methods are fairly straightforward, although I found starting a specific room clean could be a bit hit-and-miss when I tested it using Amazon's Alexa. It would sometimes work, even with rooms where I'd used custom names, but half the time it would just start a whole house clean – a major hazard in a household like mine when another room's floor may be littered with Lego.
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of navigation, I found coverage of the rooms was good, with E25 taking a systematic path that didn't leave any patches uncleaned. It also did a good job of detecting different floor surfaces, reliably lifting the mop when it reached carpet to ensure it didn't get it damp, and upping the suction intensity on deeper carpet.
When given a cleaning task the E25 returned to its dock periodically to empty the dust container, clean the mops and recharge the battery. This did extend cleaning times a bit, but for an area of around 700 sq ft with mixed floor material, it generally took an 1hr 30mins, or a little bit under, to complete the clean.
Vacuuming performance
I ran a series of dedicated tests to access the Eufy E25's vacuuming performance of both fine dust (a mix of flour and cookie crumbs) and chunkier particles (dry rice). On hard floors I found it vacuumed fine particles well, picking up all the material in my test in one pass.
It didn't do as well with larger debris, with the side brushes pushing a few grains of rice into areas where the robot had already cleaned. It did eventually manage to pick up almost everything, though. On mid-pile carpet the E25 performed perfectly, picking up both fine and chunky debris in a single zone clean, although on higher pile it did leave a few grains of rice.
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Like many robot vacuums, cleaning performance around the edges of rooms isn't great. (It's this that really keeps it from being a vacuum that could fully replace a manual – as well as it not being able to vacuum stairs.) In my tests, the E25 worked its way around walls and objects but didn't get close enough for a really thorough edge clean.
Even on the highest vacuuming intensity I round this robot relatively quiet, although the auto-empty function in the dock is louder as the dock sucks the dust from the small onboard bin.
Mopping performance
On first look the mopping performance wasn't great. It did well at clearing a fresh liquid spill, leaving no more water on the surface than regular mopping would, but it struggled with tougher dirt. To test this, I smeared a small amount of ketchup on a hard floor and left it to dry.
I then sent the bot out to mop, leaving it to use its own AI features to work out which mop setting to use. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to make a dent in the dried up ketchup at all. For a second pass, I toggled the settings manually to the highest mop mode, and during this run the robot did seem to identify the stain and focus on it. It took a few passes but eventually managed to remove it completely.
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While the Eufy E25 omni does lose some points for needing a manual tweak of the settings, this is still some of the best mopping performance I have seen from a robot vacuum-mop.
Object avoidance
I also ran tests to assess how accurate the Eufy E25's object avoidance was. Here it performed very well, not only spotting and avoiding the objects I'd laid out, but even identifying them on the map and correctly labelling them as a power cable, a shoe and clothing (in the case of the sock). It managed to repeat this flawlessly twice in testing. However, in everyday use it did on occasion drag a charging cable around a room, so I'd still recommend keeping these out of reach as much as possible before starting a clean.
(Image credit: Future)
Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance of the robot itself is low-effort. Like most robot vacuums, it will auto-empty dust from the small onboard bin into a larger bag within the dock. Emptying the dirty water tank is straightforward – it's easy to lift it out of the dock and unclip the top lid.
This robot's side sweeper brushes are angled to prevent hair tangling, and even after extended use I didn't have to remove any manually. If you do need to clean the main brushroll, the cage is easily removed and both halves of the roller can be popped out slightly to help you get at anything stuck inside.
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The only part of the setup that needed a bit of attention was the part of the dock where the mop is cleaned. I found debris could collect here, although it was cleared easily enough using a regular vacuum with a crevice tool, or a brush.
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Eufy E25 Omni review: app
Simple setup and easy to use, with an editable, 3D map
Can store multiple maps for different floors
Naming inconsistency can cause confusion
The Eufy Clean app is easy to use and offers clear instructions to pair to the device and start mapping. Once you've completed mapping you are given a 3D map you can rotate, tilt and edit to divide, merge and rename rooms. From this you can then start cleaning either individual rooms or square zones that are defined on the map.
Using these zones you can isolate specific parts of a room, such as around a dining table for a quick post-dinner clean. If these are cleans you are going to be doing often you can also use the 'Common' section to define these regular tasks to make them easy to start or schedule.
(Image credit: Screenshots from Eufy app)
When choosing an area you can define different features of the clean or leave it to the AI agent to select the best option for the room type and floor material. Options include cleaning intensity, water level, suction power and whether you want the robot to make 1 or 2 passes of the area.
As well as using the app to launch a clean, you can also schedule cleans, either as a one-off or a recurring event. Scheduled cleans can be set to whole home, specific rooms or scenarios. My only tiny gripe is that these 'scenarios' are the common tasks mentioned above, and it would be clearer if Eufy used a consistent name for the function in the app.
If you want to use the robot over multiple floors, you can also save multiple maps within the app. Just bear in mind you'll have to carry the robot up and down the stairs – potentially multiple times, because this robot likes to return to its dock to empty, clean its mop and top up its battery mid-clean.
The Eufy E25 Omni integrates with smart home systems and is compatible with the Matter standard so will work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple's Siri.
You can set 'Do not disturb' periods where the robot won't clean. If it's halfway through a clean when one of these kicks in, it will return to the dock, and resume once the designated quiet time has passed. If you are planning on having the base station in a bedroom it is worth considering that even during 'Do not disturb' hours the dock will continue to dry the mop, which is just about audible, although no more than a low-level hum.
App score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Eufy E25 Omni?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Premium, but regularly discounted. Decent value when on sale.
4 / 5
Design
No-nonsense robot vacuum with roller mop and two side sweepers. Relatively small dock for a hybrid cleaner.
4 / 5
Performance
Good vacuuming and excellent mopping on the highest settings. Strong obstacle avoidance, but initial mapping is unforgiving.
4 / 5
App
Easy to use, with plenty of options. Some inconsistency in names.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
Your priority is mopping
Although it did take a manual tweak of settings to get there, this robovac's mopping is some of the best I've seen.
You want a robot that doesn't need intervention
Some robots need regular saving after getting trapped on obstacles but the Eufy mostly managed to keep itself out of trouble.
Don't buy it if...
You don't need mopping
If all your floors are carpet there's no point paying the premium for mopping functionality.
You're worried about damp carpets
Although the Eufy E25 Omni reliably detected carpet and avoided mopping, other bots have the ability to leave their mop pads in the dock when they're not required – that's not an option here.
You want efficient cleaning
The Eufy E25 Omni regularly returned to its dock to empty its bin or top up its charge mid-clean, which did extend how long it took to complete tasks.
How I tested the Eufy E25 Omni
I tested the E25 over two floors of my home with mixed surfaces for a period of a few months. I performed specific tests to assess how well it picked up fine particles and larger debris on hard floors, low pile and high pile carpet. I also tested mopping performance on hard floors, testing how well it dealt with a dried ketchup stain and a fresh spill.
The robot was put through two obstacle avoidance tests and I tested the custom tasks and scheduling functions, as well as how well it worked with smart home integrations by operating it through Alexa to start whole home and zone cleans.
What makes a great sequel? Across film, gaming, and indeed smartphones, the best follow-ups carry forward and amplify the good things while dialing down any pretension. In the phone world, this means zeroing in on the features and functions that give a phone its purpose.
That’s exactly what Oppo has done with the Find X9 Pro. It takes everything great about last year’s Oppo Find X8 Pro and dials it up to 11, while ditching the idea that this is anything other than an iPhone 17 Pro Max for Android lovers. It's both simpler and somehow more obscenely powerful than its predecessor, and I, for one, love it.
Now sporting a drastically simplified flat-edged design, flat display, and top-left-mounted square camera housing, the Find X9 Pro resembles an iPhone more than any other Oppo phone before it, but the Chinese tech giant is banking on the idea that if you’re willing to spend pro-flagship prices on an Android phone, that’s not too big a deal.
For all its cool designs over the years, the Find X series has always been defined by hardware power – and more recently, extremely powerful camera systems – so it’s quite something that the Find X9 Pro still managed to surprise me with its specs sheet. The phone is one of the first to ship with the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, alongside a healthy 16GB of RAM, and a ludicrously large 7,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W wired charging. It's almost excessively performant, but can get a bit hot in even moderate use.
But what about that camera system? The Oppo Find X9 Pro has a 50MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera, and – brace for impact – a 200MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom. That super-high-res sensor allows for a 50MP crop at 6x, which helps make up for the loss of the dedicated 50MP 6x camera from last year’s model, and a 12MP crop at 13.2x zoom. And that’s not even mentioning the detachable 10x zoom lens – you’ll have to read on for my thoughts on that.
In adequate lighting, the main camera defaults to 50MP shots rather than binning to 12MP as most phone cameras do, and a special mode allows for 200MP full-res shots with the telephoto camera. The capability here is immense, but unfortunately, Oppo’s post-processing is still a bit too aggressive, sometimes veering into AI-flavored reconstruction.
For the Star Wars fans out there, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is the Empire Strikes Back of smartphone successors – bigger, brasher, and close to objectively better than last year’s Oppo Find X8 Pro. Yes, polishing the experience has buffed out some of the quirky charm of last year’s model – I especially miss the vinyl-like rear panel, which has been replaced with glass – but the final product is so much greater than the sum of its parts that this simply ceases to matter.
This is a superb phone that would immediately rank amongst the best phones on the market, were it not for its tragically limited availability. As with previous Oppo phones, no US release is expected.
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Price and availability
The Oppo Find X9 Pro in the Oppo Aramid Fiber Case (sold separately) (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Not available in the US
Costs £1,099 / AU$2,299
One configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage
Despite launching “globally”, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is unavailable through official channels in the US. It is, however, available in the UK and Australia, where it competes with and slightly undercuts other large pro-grade flagship phones when it comes to price.
The Oppo Find X9 Pro costs £1,099 / AU$2,299 for its single configuration. For that, you get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
At face value, that price is about right for a large Pro-labelled camera phone, but as usual, Oppo is actually offering great value for money. Compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max – an obvious analogue to the Find X9 Pro, not to mention an influence – the Find X9 is £100 less with double the storage in the UK. In Australia, the Find X9 Pro comes in at AU$300 cheaper than the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 512GB of storage.
Let’s keep it real: the Oppo Find X9 Pro isn’t cheap, but it's a pretty good deal compared to its plus-sized, Pro-powered camera phone contemporaries. It’s a shame it’s not more widely available, which will probably keep it off our lists of the best camera phones, best AI phones, best Android phones, and more. I’d expect to see it top our list of the best Oppo phones soon, though.
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Specs
In this review, I’ll go through the Oppo Find X9 Pro’s features and capabilities in detail, but if you just want an overview of the phone’s key specs, check out the handy table below.
Dimensions:
161.3 x 76.5 x 8.3mm
Weight:
224g
Display:
6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution:
1272 x 2772 pixels
Refresh rate:
120Hz
Chipset:
MediaTek Dimensity 9500
Rear cameras:
50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide + 200MP telephoto (3x)
Front camera:
50MP
Storage:
512GB
RAM:
16GB
OS (at launch):
Android 16 with ColorOS 16
Battery:
7,500mAh
Charging:
80W wired, 50W wireless
Value score: 4 / 5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Design
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Comes in two colors – Silk White and Titanium Charcoal (named as such despite the phone containing no titanium)
Flat edges, flat display, flat rear panel
Square camera housing
With its flat edges, rounded corners, and almost square camera housing in the top-left corner, there are no prizes for guessing where Oppo got its inspiration for the Find X9 Pro's design. This is probably as close as a phone maker can legally get to the iPhone before Cupertino starts asking questions.
Specifically, the Find X9 Pro resembles last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its Snap Key and Quick Button are echoes of the Action Button and Camera Control and serve similar, if not identical, functions, and the curvature and overall ergonomics of the phone are reminiscent of last year’s Apple flagship (why the "Snap" key doesn't control the camera is lost on me).
As on OnePlus phones, the Snap Key replaces the ringer switch from last year’s model. While I was a fan of the convenience of the ringer switch, the modularity of the new button helps to make up for it. It's set to the new AI Mind Space feature by default, but I mostly had it set to control the flashlight.
The Find X9 Pro is beautifully made. My review unit came in the striking Silk While finish with a matte glass rear panel and satisfyingly bold aluminum rails. I’m a big fan of how subtle the branding is, too. The Oppo logo and Hasselblad icon on the camera housing only show up as light hits them, which gives the phone a sense of prestige.
As for the front panel, the 6.78-inch screen is surrounded on all sides by 1.15mm bezels that barely feel present during use. A punch-hole selfie camera sits at the top of the display. There’s also the standard power and volume buttons on the right side of the phone, and a USB-C port on the bottom edge by the main speakers. Unfortunately, I noticed some wobble in the buttons after just a few weeks of use, which isn’t the most encouraging thing to see.
At 8.3mm, the Find X9 Pro is barely thicker than last year’s Find X8 Pro, but feels a lot heftier due to its flattened sides. I think this makes the phone easier to take photos with, considering the location of the Quick Button, but I’ve got large hands – your mileage may vary. Overall, the Find X9 Pro is a good-looking phone, but doesn’t leave as much of an impression as the marbled design of the Find X8 Pro or the faux-leather body of the Find X6 Pro before that. It trades originality for subtlety, and I’m not sure that’s an equivalent exchange.
Design score: 3 / 5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Display
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
6.78-inch display
1272 x 2772 resolution
120Hz refresh rate with 3600 nits of peak brightness
The Oppo Find X9 Pro’s display is second only to its camera system in the list of its best features. This is a huge, bright, sharp, and immersive panel that makes photos, videos, and games look vivid while providing plenty of room for browsing, scrolling, and even multitasking.
The Find X9 Pro’s display feels truly immersive. At 6.78 inches, it’s almost as large as the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which have 6.9-inch panels, though to be honest, the Find X9 Pro is about as large as I’d want a phone to be. Its flat edges make the panel feel much more present and consistent than last year’s Find X8 Pro, but make using the phone a touch less comfortable, especially when dragging in gestures from the edges.
At a resolution of 1272 x 2772 pixels and a pixel density of 450ppi, the Find X9 Pro’s display is sharp and detailed, and its maximum typical brightness of 1800 nits is plenty bright for indoor or outdoor use (brightness peaks to 3600 nits for HDR media). It also gets down to a single nit at its minimum brightness – handy for use at night or in darker environments.
The display cycles at a static 120Hz, which works synergistically with ColorOS’ brilliant animation processing to offer a super-smooth UI experience. The display is unfailingly bright. Colors may be a touch less saturated than other flagship handsets, but not to a problematic degree. The settings app has a full section dedicated to color balance, too, so you can fine-tune the visuals to your liking.
The Find X9 Pro’s display is calibrated for balance out of the box, but the settings app is rich with color and brightness settings.
Display score: 5 / 5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Cameras
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
50MP main camera
200MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom
50MP ultra-wide camera
50MP selfie camera
The Oppo Find X9 Pro has one of the most powerful camera systems you’ll find on any phone. Its 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.28-inch sensor picks up an excellent amount of light and detail. Its 200MP telephoto camera, with 3x relative optical zoom, can take full-resolution photos and reach into double-digit zoom lengths with a solid amount of detail. Its 50MP ultra-wide camera is sensibly relegated to third place but still produces great pictures in good conditions, and its 50MP selfie camera is a real step up from the Find X8 Pro’s 32MP sensor.
Taking photos is comfortable and enjoyable with the Find X9 Pro. I’m a big fan of the Quick Button, Oppo’s answer to the iPhone’s Camera Control, which is easy to work with thanks to the phone’s general bulk and flat aluminum chassis. The camera app is clean and keeps all the important settings within immediate reach or under a single menu, while the large display makes for a great viewfinder. As for video, the Find X9 Pro can shoot at a maximum of 4K at 120fps, or 1080p at 240fps.
The Find X9 Pro will default to taking full-resolution photos with its 50MP main camera, as long as the phone judges there's enough light around. That leads to more detailed photos, but it also takes up more storage. Similar is the new 4K motion photo capability, which ups the resolution of the video clip taken with each image, but again takes up more space.
So far, so good, but there is unfortunately a catch – Oppo has filled its image processing pipeline with what appears to be some pretty aggressive AI, which is hard to anticipate and impossible to switch off. At all ranges, there's a chance your image may become a mess of swirls and smudges as the AI image signal processing tries to replicate what you saw through the viewfinder. This seems to happen whether the AI Telescope Zoom feature is turned on or off.
Shooting on the Find X9 Pro is a joy, but aggressive post-processing can make it hard to predict how the final image will look. (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
That means that photography on the Find X9 Pro is intermittently transcendent and frustrating. When it’s good, the Find X9 Pro captures brilliant photos that contend with those taken on the best camera phones – dynamic, rich in detail, and naturally vivid. But every now and then, you’ll scroll through the gallery and find something that looks like it came straight out of the early days of Dall-E mini. It’s not too common, but it is unpredictable, which is almost worse.
In terms of photo-focused accessories, the Oppo Find X9 Pro launches alongside the Oppo Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit, which requires the Aramid Fiber Photography Case. The kit centers on an attachable telephoto lens that extends the reach of the telephoto camera to 10x, resulting in genuinely breathtaking images. It’s a beautiful and confusing thing to capture this much detail with a phone camera system.
However, the teleconverter kit isn’t available in the UK or Australia, so it doesn’t impact the score here – you can read my Oppo Find X9 Pro camera impressions for more on that. Still, even without a huge attachable zoom lens, the Find X9 Pro’s camera system is brilliant – yet I can’t ignore how much its aggressive post-processing annoys me.
Oppo Find X9 Pro Camera Samples
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Camera score: 4 / 5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Software and AI
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Android 16 with ColorOS 16
Possibly the smoothest Android wrapper
AI Mind Space is well executed
The Oppo Find X9 Pro ships with ColorOS 16, built on Android 16, and like ColorOS 15, it’s a smooth and well-formatted Android wrapper that takes obvious influence from iOS. You’ll notice Liquid Glass-style transparency effects, rounded square app icons, and a near-identical control center to the one found on an iPhone. But the outsider Oppo Find X9 Pro isn’t trying to compete with the iPhone – it’s trying to provide an alternative for Android enthusiasts, and under that lens, the aesthetic choices make sense.
If it seems like I’m being lenient on Oppo for jacking Apple’s style, it’s because I can’t get over how well ColorOS 16 runs. ColorOS (and by extension OxygenOS, the OnePlus equivalent) is the most performant and smoothest-running Android wrapper I’ve ever used. Thanks to parallel processing, several UI animations can run at the same time, and I like the way app windows and other elements react to your inputs.
This is the other end of the scale from the stiffness of Samsung’s One UI, and while some may find ColorOS feels a bit loose, for me, it’s the perfect way to keep things feeling fast and reactive.
That’s not to say ColorOS is perfect; there are some quirks. The one that appears most often is the Snap Key triggering things on screen – it seems the software registers a long press as some kind of input – not a dealbreaker by any means, but a strange oversight for a premium phone. And the Find X9 Pro comes with the usual folders of suggested apps (read: advertisements) and a handful of preinstalled bloatware apps, which is completely unacceptable on a phone that costs £1,099.
Unfortunate bloatware aside, the big-ticket software item on the Find X9 Pro is AI Mind Space, a transplant of OnePlus’ AI Plus Mind feature that launched earlier this year. The concept is a good one – a dedicated space for your various notes, screenshots, and digital ephemera that uses AI to pick out the important stuff.
AI Mind Space is bound to the Snap Key by default, with a short press taking a screenshot and scanning for information, and a long press recording an audio message. AI Mind Space can also be paired with Google Gemini to merge your assorted memories with the phone’s onboard Google AI tools. Even as an AI skeptic, I like AI Mind Space – it’s an intelligent and well-presented home for the disparate notes, screenshots, and audio recordings I make on a daily basis. You can also add your own notes to each memory, which is useful for context that the straightforward AI screenreader can’t gather.
It’s also worth giving O+ Connect a mention, Oppo’s app for cross-platform file management and remote control, specifically with Mac computers. It’s no replacement for AirDrop, but it is nice to have the option of easier cross-platform collaboration if you need to send something to a Mac-wielding friend or, like me, run a hybrid Android/MacOS everyday carry.
Software and AI score: 4 / 5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Performance
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
MediaTek 9500 chipset
16GB of RAM
Performs admirably in a variety of tasks
The Oppo Find X9 Pro is one of the first phones in the world to launch with the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. Taiwan-based chipset manufacturer MediaTek has been a growing name in the mobile industry for a while, and the Dimensity 9500 delivers. The Find X9 Pro is fast and fluid in pretty much any scenario, and even with multiple apps open and on-screen I couldn’t find a way to slow it down.
For web browsing and social media, using the Find X9 Pro is like driving to the grocery store in a tank, but when things heat up, that extra power really comes in handy. Things do literally heat up, though, as I noticed the Find X9 Pro getting a bit toasty at times – understandable during long gaming sessions or when pushing the camera system, but a little puzzling when swiping through Instagram.
As for memory, the Find X9 Pro comes in a single configuration, with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and both feel plentiful. That large RAM budget gives the phone flexibility when it comes to multitasking and AI – I noticed that I rarely had to reload pages or apps. And 512GB of storage is, in my opinion, more than enough for any smartphone – though the camera’s high-resolution imaging modes will fill up that space pretty quickly.
Everything about the Find X9 Pro is just fast. The in-display fingerprint scanner is basically instant. Installing and opening apps is painless; I can hop into Call of Duty or Fortnite or Capcut and trust things will just work, which, to me, is the ideal phone experience. Accessing the camera is fast thanks to the Quick Button. And thus far, I haven't encountered any crashes or experience-breaking glitches. The phone does get hot intermittently, which I’m keeping an eye on, and if I can get really nitpicky, the speakers are a little too sibilant for my preference. Otherwise, the Find X9 Pro excels.
Performance score: 4/5
Oppo Find X9 Pro review: Battery
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
7,500mAh silicon-carbon battery – almost as large as an 11-inch iPad
80W wired charging
50W wireless charging
The Oppo Find X9 Pro has a 7,500mAh silicon-carbon battery. There are no adjectives I could use to accurately convey how huge that is, so let’s get into some comparisons.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max with e-SIM has a 5,088mAh battery. These are considered excellent battery capacities by phone standards.
The Oppo Find X8 Pro managed an impressive 5,910mAh, while the OnePlus 13, which we showered with praise for its fantastic battery life, has a 6,000mAh battery. That’s quite a bit larger than the average phone battery already, but the Oppo Find X9 Pro blows both of these flagships out of the water.
The Find X9 Pro’s battery is so large that it makes more sense to compare it to tablets. According to PhoneArena, the 2025 base-model iPad has a 7,698mAh battery, which is fractionally larger than the battery in the Oppo Find X9 Pro. Holding the two devices side by side makes this feel physically impossible, but Oppo has leveraged the energy density and capacity benefits of silicon-carbon technology to make it so. It’s a serious engineering win that other phone makers should look to for inspiration.
As you might expect, battery life is unfailingly excellent. I frequently got one and a half or even two full days of use from the Oppo Find X9 Pro, and support for 80W SuperVOOC charging (that’s proprietary Oppo charging tech, so not all high-wattage chargers will deliver it) meant top-ups were pretty swift too. I would often plug in the Find X9 Pro to charge, look away for what felt like no time at all, and come back to an additional 40% charge, and topping up from empty to full took no more than an hour.
Battery score: 5/5
Should you buy the Oppo Find X9 Pro?
Oppo Find X9 Pro score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Oppo Find X9 Pro isn't cheap, but it steadily undercuts its closest mainstream competition
4 / 5
Design
Without the quirky materials and curved frame of last year's model, the Find X9 Pro is left feeling a little unoriginal. Superb build quality, though.
3 / 5
Display
A terrific display made all the more immersive by new flat edges and a sharp resolution.
5 / 5
Software
Bloatware is inexcusable at this price point, and there are a few quirks to smooth out, but, damn, ColorOS 16 is just so smooth.
4 / 5
Camera
The Find X9 Pro comes equipped with an overpowered camera system that opens a world of photo possibilities. Aggressive post-processing adds annoying guesswork to shoots.
4 / 5
Performance
Oppo has done its thing and equipped the Find X9 Pro with a handful of very powerful internal components. No complaints other than a bit of occasional heat.
4 / 5
Battery
A 7,500mAh cell means the Find X9 Pro is in a league of its own when it comes to battery life. Charging is quick, considering the massive capacity.
5 / 5
Buy it if
You want a powerful camera phone
If you can bear with its occasionally aggressive post-processing, the Oppo Find X9 Pro's camera system is one of the most powerful on the market, and takes fabulous photos. View Deal
You want a huge battery
The Oppo Find X9 Pro's battery is so large it'll make you rethink the way you approach charging, and how much battery life is enough for a day's use. Ludicrously good. View Deal
Don't buy it if
You want something familiar
Oppo has created a powerful phone with a great software experience, but it'll be harder to find others using the same platform if that matters to you. View Deal
You don't need loads of power
Despite offering pretty good value for money, the Find X9 Pro is mighty expensive. If you're not a power user, there are cheaper and more suitable options, such as the OnePlus 13R listed below. View Deal
Also consider
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Oppo Find X9 Pro takes so much inspiration from the iPhone 16 Pro Max that anyone who isn’t a diehard Android fan should give the latter’s current-gen counterpart some consideration. Apple’s latest big flagship is the company’s best camera phone ever, and it produces excellent photos despite boasting lower-resolution sensors than the Find X9 Pro. You also get access to the App Store and easier networking with MacBooks and other Apple devices.
Want a beastly Android camera phone but need a more familiar interface and a more developed ecosystem than Oppo can offer? The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be for you. Its quad-camera setup is one of the best on the market, while the 6.8-inch display and built-in S Pen make it a great productivity tool.
The Oppo Find X9 Pro is a heavyweight, both in its build and its ability. If you’d rather have something a touch lighter in the hand and on the pockets, the OnePlus 13R is a great choice. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and a genuinely great camera system, the OnePlus 13R is a cheaper flagship with few compromises.
I used the Oppo Find X9 Pro over the course of a month, putting it through daily use and a number of specific performance and charging tests. I made and received calls, chatted over SMS, WhatsApp, and social media, took plenty of photos and videos, and played games like Fortnite and Call of Duty Mobile. I also tried out AI Mind Space.
Before completing this review, I adopted the Oppo Find X9 Pro as my daily driver, then combined my experience with the phone with my journalistic training and knowledge of the phone industry to provide an accurate assessment.
The Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive is just one example of the California-based brand's many items of home office furniture, and it's a striking beast indeed. Sitting (or should we say, standing) near the top of Eureka's desk food chain, it's the third-most expensive single-level standing desk—behind the Ark X and the monumental Zen Pro.
It's undeniably a statement piece, although despite its dominating stature, I feel like it would suit almost any formal environment. That said, compared to some rivals that appear in our rundown of the best standing desks, the Ark EL comes with a hefty price tag that may put off those looking to deck out the home office on a budget.
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Eureka Ergonomic Arl EL Executive: Specs
Height range
29.5-48 inches (75-122cm)
RRP (USD$)
$1,299
Max load
220lb (100kg)
Desktop size
60x26 inches (152x66cm)
Finish material
PU Paper Laminate
Built-in connectivity
1x wireless charging pad, 2x USB A, 1x USB C
The Ark EL's sticker price is $1,299—it's certainly not the cheapest standing desk around. However, Eureka Ergonomic runs one of those perpetual sales, so you're likely to be able to grab it for less than a $1,000 most of the time. It's currently available direct from Eureka Ergonomic by clicking here.
With a generous maximum height of 48 inches, the Ark EL will be able to accommodate all but the tallest of beanpoles. At a modest 5'10", I find 39 inches perfect for my standing sessions. Those up to 6'8" should be perfectly comfortable.
(Image credit: Future)
The 220lb capacity should be more than enough for all your home office needs—that's the equivalent of one prime Mike Tyson sat daintily on your Ark EL Executive. However, some rivals outdo it here. For example, our top choice of standing desk, the FlexiSpot E7, can take up to 355lb—one Iron Mike, plus a Floyd Mayweather thrown in for good luck.
Elsewhere, connectivity is good, but in 2025, I'd prefer a couple more USB C ports. That said, many standing desks omit these completely, so having a wireless charger and a few ports is a big green checkmark in my book.
(Image credit: Future)
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Shipping & unboxing
The Ark EL ships in two very large, very heavy boxes, one of which is more than six feet long—so I recommend making room beforehand, and avoiding the need to shift the boxes around too much once they've been set down. The largest contains the weighty desktop and drawers, while the smaller (in comparison only) box contains the leg mechanisms.
If you're handling the delivery yourself and need to move the boxes a considerable distance, I'd recommend opening them up and moving the desk piece by piece to its final destination. Thankfully, my burly housemate was on hand to share the load, so we moved each box whole to the home office for construction.
The packaging did a great job of protecting the desk, but there's a lot of polystyrene, and disposal can be troublesome. (Image credit: Future)
When I finally broke into the boxes, the quality of packaging was truly impressive. Both were a box within a box, and although the swathes of polystyrene won't win any awards from being green, they certainly protected the contents on their travels.
Bear in mind that no standing desk is an easy affair to haul. They're invariably far heavier than regular desks, and often come in multiple packages. Overall, the unboxing experience was excellent, and I wouldn't change a thing about how it the Ark EL was packed (except, perhaps, using some greener packing materials).
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Assembly
If you've been scarred by impenetrable flat-pack instructions before, don't fret—Eureka Ergonomic provides a very clear, step-by-step manual on how to assemble the Ark EL. Each piece is labeled within the booklet, but more usefully, all the fixings come packaged in a single large blister pack.
This both helps keep everything tidy when you're assembling the desk, and also leaves no confusion over which bolt is an "A" and which is a "B," despite their similarities.
You're provided with a couple of Allen keys as well as a double-ended screwdriver. However, I must confess I broke out my trusty DeWalt impact driver to save some time. If you do the same, it's critical not to over-tighten anything. Don't hammer away at the bolts—hand-tight is plenty.
(Image credit: Future)
Assembly took me a couple of hours. However, I've built a lot of flat-packed furniture in my time, so I'd recommend budgeting around four hours from opening to completion. I found it quite a sprawling build, too, so make sure you've got enough room to work.
In all honesty, I had very few, if any issues during the build. Probably the most challenging part was sliding the weighty legs over the lifting mechanisms while the desk was upside-down. However, even this wasn't too difficult, and I managed the whole build solo without any assistance.
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: First impressions
When I finally completed the desk, I stood back and marvelled at its stately presence. Its bold design and chunky legs give the Ark EL Executive a reassuring plantedness, and in no way does it appear flimsy.
Despite "only" being PU paper, the finish is convincing, and the pattern is unique all over. There are no noticeable "copy and paste" sections of grain that repeat and give away its artificialness.
(Image credit: Future)
However, when I first got up close and started using the during one of my work-from-home days, I noticed the whole finish had a sort of roughness to it—rougher than you'd expect any real wood to be finished.
To remedy this, I took a cleaning spray and a microfibre cloth, and really went to town scrubbing the surface of the desk. After a good few minutes, I was much happier with the texture—although I'd prefer not to have to break out the elbow grease to improve the finish of a $1,000+ desk myself.
That said, the finish wasn't damaged by my scrubbing, which I was worried might be the case.
Overall, it immediately improved the feel of my home office, and if you're looking for a statement desk, it's one to consider.
(Image credit: Future)
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Design & build quality
The Ark EL Executive desk only comes in "Natural Oak," which is a little disappointing. While it's a great finish, I can imagine many people might prefer a darker walnut-style color, or even plain white or black.
The size and shape of the desk provides ample legroom, and plenty of possibility to move side to side—perhaps between multiple displays and devices. The buttons are also very pleasant, with a gloss black finish and white text that illuminates when the desk is woken up.
I haven't noticed any wear on the buttons in my short time using the Ark EL, but over the years I'm sure they'd see a little scratching. Admittedly, though, they're much prettier than the matte black physical buttons found on lower-end standing desks.
Their positioning is sensible, but I have noticed my elbow activating them once in a while when I drift over to the right of the desk. Thankfully, the lock button does what it says on the tin—a 5-second long press locks and unlocks the controls to avoid any inadvertent movements.
The wireless charger and ports are nestled in the right-rear corner of the desk, and this is the perfect place for them. They're in reach, but far enough away that they won't interfere with your day-to-day.
(Image credit: Future)
Finally, having drawers is a massive bonus, because many standing desks omit these. Admittedly, they're quite small to accommodate all the electrics that sit behind them, but at 22 x 12 inches, the middle drawer is capacious enough for more home-office essentials.
Overall, the Ark EL feels supremely sturdy—as it should, considering its weight—and gives the impression it'll last for long time.
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: In use
Spending a day sat at the Ark EL working is a pleasant experience. In the couple of weeks I've been using it for, I've found it to accommodate all my trinkets and tech nicely. I'm very much prone to clutter, so having good square-footage is a must—and the Ark EL delivers.
I've moved the desk a couple of times due to moving into a new apartment, and it really is a beast. It needs at least two people to lift it fully assembled, and if you're heading up any stairs, I'd recommend part disassembly.
(Image credit: Future)
A slight concern I have is over how "sharp" the edges of the desk are. While there's a pleasing 45-degree angle around the bottom edge of the desktop, the upper edge is pretty much a right angle. When I first saw this, I worried that it'd dig into my forearms, but thankfully this hasn't proved to be the case so far. I'm sure it would take a ding quite prominently too, but I've been careful enough not have experienced that.
When using the desk as intended—raising and lowering every day for a variation in working position—I've found it works seamlessly. Rather than use the Up and Down buttons, I've found setting the H1 and H2 memory buttons to my preferred heights very useful. When changing the desk's height manually, I found myself forgetting my optimum setting, leading to inconsistent heights between sessions.
Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Final verdict
As the centerpiece to my new home office, the Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive is eye-catching and—most importantly—very functional. Although it's extremely heavy, once it's in place it's the perfect item to build the room around.
The addition of built-in drawers, a wireless charger, and integrated USB ports edges it above cheaper rivals in terms of day-to-day usefulness, and in general, it feels very well-built.
Of course, the price will put some people off, and there admittedly very good desks—some of which have better specs—available for less.
However, if you're looking for a statement piece for your work environment that's a pleasure to use day-in, day-out, the Ark EL Executive is an excellent choice.
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
There's no denying this is a gorgeous desk.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Material quality
The use of PU Paper Laminate instead of hardwood veneer (or even solid wood) introduces a few doubts in terms of how long the finish will last.
⭐⭐⭐
Assembly
Beyond the huge packaging and heavy components, assembly couldn't be easier. The instructions are very good.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
No confusing design choices make it incredibly easy to use.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Good maximum load and drawers are a nice addition. However, cupboards around the legs could increase practicality is aesthetics were sacrificed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Phone lines and live chat open 8-5 PST, Monday-Friday, which is good. However, short one-year motor warranty is disappoiting.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
The Ark EL Executive is an expensive desk, although there are few better looking alternatives for less.
⭐⭐⭐
For more workspace furniture, we've tested the best office chairs you can get right now.
Dell has been in the game for quite some time for the business professional, so when I got word of their newest 18-inch flagship, I knew I’d have to get my hands on it. Most of the high-powered laptops that get the flashy marketing are focused on video and photos.
But there is an entirely different type of power needed for coders, developers, engineers, QA teams, and those who have to be able to bounce in and out of all of this as a hands-on PM to make sure everything that needs to get done gets done. Not everyone lives in a wonderful world where they can have dedicated machines for everything they need to manage; some only get a single machine.
Still, there are others who prefer the single machine that can do it all method, myself included, as then anything I need to do at any given time is accessible with a few keystrokes.
That’s where the best mobile workstations like the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus come into play. One machine with remarkable power that can dive into whatever, whenever, wherever. It’s designed very clearly for business professionals working in the engineering and development space, but could be used by people with similar needs. Just know that this is not the laptop for everyone, but it is the perfect laptop for those that need sort of desktop performance in a portable frame.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
As with most computers, the pricing varies drastically between base or entry model laptops and higher configurations. The base model of the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus starts at around $3500, and jumps up to over triple that. It's available from Dell US and Dell UK.
My model specifically is priced at $9,245, boasting an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor, 128GB of RAM, a NVIDIA RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell with 24GB, 2TB of Storage, the 18-inch QHD+ 2560x1600 Display, and Wi-Fi 7, all with 96Whr battery life. It’s a tank.
If desired, you can upgrade even beyond what I have, with options to expand storage up to 16TB and 5G. I have pretty much every other feature in this setup, though.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions
No matter how you slice it, 18 inches in a laptop is not a small machine. With most portable laptops measuring around 13 inches and the standard “large laptop” at 16 inches, this machine feels massive even next to my fleet of other workstations I have in for review.
The laptop, aside from its monstrous proportions, has a comfortable keyboard, a full-size numpad, a fingerprint reader, a robust port selection, and a full and helpful function row. The touchpad is responsive and easy to use, and the screen is sharp enough for all of the work I do.
The port layout is great as well. The Thunderbolt 5 ports are on the left, along with the RJ45, the HDMI, the Smart Card, and the SD Card slot. On the right, there is a Kensington Lock (not shocking with how valuable this laptop can be, not only in retail price but value of content being created and managed on the device), both USB-A’s, the other Thunderbolt Port and the Headphone Jack.
Personally, I really like how Dell doesn’t put any of their ports on the back of their machines, even their workstations. Making it easy to grab and go whenever needed.
The last thing I’ll mention is that it’s nice to see a physical camera shutter, which is always a mark of the best business laptops. In a world where I am getting increasingly paranoid, it’s nice to have a physical way to block that eye staring at me at all times.
All in all, the aesthetic is clean, professional, and business first. It’s a powerhouse but it looks like any other laptop at a quick glance. No RGB, no flashy or gaudy badging, no loud branding. Just a sleek machine that means business, and one you won’t be ashamed to bring to the board meeting.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The 18-inch display is the first thing that needs to be discussed with the Pro Max 18 Plus. It’s 18 inches for crying out loud. That’s not just a version number, that’s how big this thing is. It’s so big that it barely fits in my Nomatic Backpack. Meaning, that you’ll have to keep things like that in mind, most bags are designed to fit 16-inch laptops, not 18-inches.
However, with that added screen real estate, the odds of needing a portable monitor to bring with you probably drops, depending on what you do of course. Granted, you may still have a docking station at your main workstation with a monitor, but working on the go gets a lot easier with a screen like this always with you.
While this screen is good, even really good, it’s not great for photo editing or video editing. But, it’s not supposed to be. So, instead of Dell wasting engineering dollars and materials on making a nice screen for something this machine will most likely not be used for, they used those funds for making a more powerful, efficient, and power-hungry machine.
Perhaps that’s where they got the audacity to add not just one but two Thunderbolt 5 ports. And for that, I thank Dell. This display is more than enough for coding, project management, writing, database management, development, and related tasks. It’s spectacular for multitasking, and it’s snappy, really snappy.
The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is not a laptop you casually use. It’s not one you “toss” in your bag or gingerly bring with you around the house. You can, but just as people are complaining that the 12.9-inch iPad, one of the thinnest technological advances in our computing history, is too large, cumbersome, and not portable enough, there is no way this computer will be considered ultra-portable. Portable, yes. But ultra portable or pleasant to carry around all day? Absolutely not. This is the kind of machine you bring to a place, and park it.
In real-world use, running large repos on GitHub, pulling up records in DBeaver, running projects in VS Code, working in Notion, responding to Slack, having an embarrassing amount of Chrome Tabs, PM’ing in Jira, Asana, Basecamp, and Trello, and taking virtual meetings all in sequence have not even made the fans spin up.
This machine is a beast. An absolute powerhouse. It’s got enough headroom that I don’t even think or wait for things to load anymore.
In my day-to-day, I wear many hats at the same time. In a given hour, I am working alongside four companies at a high level. I could be in a virtual meeting for one company, managing their data, responding to messages from a second, and physically talking to a third. All while loading data or a project for a fourth.
The Dell Pro 18 Plus is the kind of machine that can not only take on a massive project but also several at a time if needed. Again, I wouldn’t pick this as my laptop to carry around one-handed while walking between in-person meetings, but having a machine this powerful that could be brought out if needed is still mind-boggling to me sometimes.
Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
If you are the kind of person who needs a machine that can handle whatever codebase you’re working in, and you want it to be semi-portable, this is your machine. If you want a laptop that can tackle whatever project you throw at it, no matter how many projects at a time, this is your laptop.
If you are a graphics person, a video editor, a photo editor, or a 3D modeler, this machine could do it, but there are probably better options. If you are a commuter, I can say right now this machine is perhaps not one you want to tote around more than necessary, for many reasons.
But if you want high-powered desktop-level power in a laptop, then step right up and swipe that card.
The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is a very capable mobile controller that comes with reliable and remappable inputs, a comfortable form factor, great software, and a very high price tag. It’s a top choice for those who want a console-style experience on the go thanks to its great analog triggers, full-size thumbsticks, and intuitive design, but doesn’t quite feel as sturdy as a dedicated standalone controller.
With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is reliable enough that it disappears into your hands once you get a game going, either from the home screen or the brilliant Razer Nexus app, which serves as a launcher as well as a home base for settings and calibration. It’s precise enough to give you a real edge in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Mobile, and also works well in platformers like Dadish 3D as well as 2D classics like Jetpack Joyride. It also supports a variety of remote play, streaming, and emulation solutions, so however you like to play the Kishi V3 Pro has you covered.
The Kishi V3 Pro costs as much as the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra did at launch – that is to say more than most mobile gaming controllers and nearly as much as a Nintendo Switch Lite. That said, the Kishi V3 Pro is a way to access a console-like gaming experience for less than a dedicated gaming handheld, so long as your phone is powerful enough to run your favorite titles.
Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Price & availabiltiy
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
Available from Razer and third-party retailers
More expensive than many mobile and standalone controllers
The Razer Kishi V3 is a rather expensive bit of kit. In fact, it’s more expensive than any of the options on our list of the best mobile controllers except the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra, which comes in at the same RRP. With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro offers more functionality than many of its rivals, with additional shoulder buttons and paddles on the grips.
The Kishi Ultra has been relegated to the ‘Classic Models’ section of Razer’s website, but can still be had at a discounted price in the UK and US as stock is cleared to make way for the new Kishi V3 Pro, and considering that the two controllers offer nearly the exact same functionality, it could be worth checking for deals on the older model before looking for the Kishi V3 Pro.
You should have no issues getting your hands on the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, as Razer is one of the most popular and widely distributed gaming brands - it just depends on how much money you’re willing to spend. As was the case for the Kishi Ultra, the Nintendo Switch Lite comes in at just $50 / £50 / AU$60 more than the Kishi V3 Pro, which offers a more dedicated handheld gaming platform with a large library of exclusive games.
However, I’d argue that the Kishi V3 Pro unlocks handheld-style gaming for the phone you probably already have, for a bit cheaper than a dedicated console. Through this lens, I think the Kishi V3 Pro offers decent value for money.
Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Specs
Price
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
Dimensions
110.8 mm X 244.8 mm X 64.3 mm
Weight
0.59lbs / 268g
Connection type
Wired (Type-C)
Compatibility
iPhone, iPad Mini, Android
Software
Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)
Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Design and features
Resembles the Razer Kishi Ultra
Extends up to eight inches
Can fit small tablets
The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is an extending mobile controller that closely resembles a Razer Kishi Ultra, just without the RGB light strips in the handles.
It’s composed of a regular controller that’s been split down the middle by a spring-loaded extending spine with a maximum length of eight inches. That means it can accommodate any phone, so long as it has a USB-C port to connect to the controller, as well as the iPad mini. The controller comes with three pairs of rubber cushions which you can mix and match between to suit your handset, or eschew entirely if your phone is too bulky.
The two controller halves use the asymmetrical design that Xbox and Nintendo Switch fans will be used to, but even as a PS5 player I found the Kishi V3 Pro very comfortable to hold and use. The grips are rounded but substantial, and while the whole thing is made of plastic the textured panels on the grips themselves are a welcome addition and add valuable traction to what is overall a compact control surface – with that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is large enough to need a bag if you’re taking it out and about.
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
The construction of the Kishi V3 Pro isn’t quite as robust as a standalone controller, though, and the controls themselves are a mixed bag in terms of feel.
I love the resistance in the adaptive shoulder triggers (an impressive feature on its own), but the adjacent bumpers have no travel at all – similarly, I love the dish-like design of the D-pad but not its clicky action. I was, however, impressed with the smoothness of the full-sized thumbsticks and encountered no sticking or drifting in my 10 or so hours with the Kishi V3 Pro. The sticks are reasonably tall and feel very precise during gameplay.
On that note, the best thing about the Kishi V3 Pro is just how much control it offers. As well as your standard layout, the Kishi V3 Pro sports assignable back and shoulder buttons, which can be mapped to mirror any other button on the controller via the free Razer Nexus app. These buttons are thoughtfully placed and genuinely useful, allowing you to, say, reload without having to stop aiming in Call of Duty: Mobile, or quickly open the map in Fortnite. I never experienced any issues in-game that I’d blame on the controller – it’s very reliable and responsive. There are also some bespoke controls in the small hom escreen, screenshot, and Razer Nexus buttons, all of which are welcome additions.
As mentioned, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro connects via USB-C, and sports a handy LED that lights up when a connection is made. As well as connecting your phone or tablet to the controller, this USB-C connection allows for pass-through charging via another USB-C port and audio via a dedicated 3.5mm jack – a rare sight on any phone accessory and holy grail for headset users. That USB-C port can also be used to connect the Kishi V3 Pro to a PC to use as a standalone wired controller.
And if you’re an Android user, you’ll get to experience Razer’s Sensa HD haptics. The Kishi V3 Pro offers an impressive amount of rumble, with more precision than I expected to feel from a mobile controller – but because the haptics respond to in-game audio, there is a bit of a delay between on-screen action and feeling the aftershock. This feature is unavailable on iOS, but since most of the best gaming phones are Android models anyway, I’m sure this feature will find many fans.
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Performance
Console quality gaming on the go
Fantastic Nexus software
Hit and miss virtual controller mode
As someone who has only gamed seriously on dedicated consoles up until this point, I was surprised by just how immersive using the Kishi V3 Pro felt.
The frame holds your phone in place sturdily and lets you focus on the important stuff – the games themselves. Like all the best controllers, the Kishi V3 Pro is so reliable that it disappears into your hands and makes you feel connected to the game – inputs are always accurate and responsive.
That unlocks a lot of potential for mobile games like Red Dead Redemption, which is playable on a touch screen, but offers a much better experience when you can aim accurately and take in the gorgeous visuals with an unobstructed view. Having spent a good amount of time riding through the deserts of New Austin in Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4, I was surprised at how similar the two experiences felt.
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
I spent plenty of time with the Kishi V3 Pro in the newly released Fortnite: Chapter 7, running and gunning in Zero Build Battle Royale. I was able to get a competitive edge thanks to the precision of the thumbsticks for moving and aiming, as well as the mappable multi-function buttons (I assigned the map and pickaxe to the shoulder bumpers and slide and weapon select to the back buttons).
Again, I was quite amazed at how close the experience felt to playing on an actual console, and was clocking up Victory Royales like it was nobody’s business. What’s more, I was able to play for hours at a time without so much as a sign of cramp – if you’re looking for a mobile controller that’s comfortable enough for marathon sessions, the Kishi V3 Pro is a great pick. I’d even suggest that it’s more comfortable than my original Nintendo Switch.
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
The Kishi V3 Pro, like other Razer mobile controllers, supports and is supported by the Razer Nexus app, a launcher and hub for your compatible mobile games. Nexus also lets you toggle XInput and audio haptics before jumping into your game of choice, set favorite games, and browse popular Kishi-compatible titles, with easy links to the Google Play Store or App Store.
The app also offers the inventive Virtual Controller mode, which allows you to overlay controls on unsupported titles, effectively allowing you to play games that don’t support the Kishi V3 Pro natively.
However, Virtual Controller didn't always respond well when I tested the mode on Brawl Stars, despite Razer Nexus highlighting the game as a great candidate, and I couldn't figure out how to get Alto's Adventure (also highlighted) to respond either. TechRadar's Gaming Editor Dashiell Wood had Virtual Controller up and running during testing for our Kishi Ultra review, so I know the potential is there, but I didn't find it too effective.
As someone who typically avoids tacked-on software, I’m happy to report that Nexus is anything but an afterthought – in fact, it’s a thoughtfully laid-out and feature rich companion that helps you get the most out of the Kishi V3 Pro.
I used its settings to remap the multi-function buttons and increase the polling rate of the thumbsticks, but there are also settings for things like the input range for the triggers or setting thumbstick deadzone size. It’s a great app that elevates the Kishi V3 Pro from a peripheral to an experience of its own.
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Should I buy the Razer Kishi V3 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want allthe controls With a full-size standard layout and four assignable bonus buttons, the Kishi V3 Pro is adaptable and responsive in all gameplay scenarios. View Deal
You want to play on a small tablet Unlike some controllers, the Kishi V3 Pro supports the iPad mini and smaller Android tablets, making it a great choice for these users. View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget The Kishi V3 Pro is mighty expensive, even considering its expansive feature set. If you’re looking to save, most every other mobile controller is cheaper. View Deal
You want something super-portable While you’ll have no problems fitting the Kishi V3 Pro in a backpack, it’s far from pocketable – its large size means travel will require more forethought than some care to give. View Deal
Also consider
Consider these alternatives if the Razer Kishi V3 Pro isn't quite the right mobile gaming controller for you.
Razer Kishi V3 Pro
Backbone One 2nd Gen
Asus ROG Tessen
Price
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99
$109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179
Dimensions
110.8 mm X 244.8 mm X 64.3 mm
6.93 in x 3.70 in x 1.34 in / 176mm x 93.98mm x 34.03mm
7.5 in x 3.6 in x 1.5 in / 191.5 mm x 92 mm x 40 mm
Weight
0.59lbs / 268g
0.30 lbs / 138 g
0.29 lbs / 136 g
Connection type
Wired (Type-C)
Wired (Type-C / Lightning)
Wired (Type-C)
Compatibility
iPhone, iPad Mini, Android
iPhone 15 Series, Android / iPhone 14 series, and earlier
Android
Software
Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)
Backbone App (iOS / Android)
Armoury Crate (Android)
Backbone One 2nd Gen For about $50 / £50 / AU$90 cheaper than the Kishi V3 Pro, the Backbone One offers a great mobile gaming experience for iOS users.
Asus ROG Tessen The Asus ROG Tessen is our pick for the best mobile controller for Call of Duty Mobile, and it’s a great choice for other shooters too. If you’re looking for a controller to go to battle with, it’s worth a look.
Though I wasn't counting closely, I estimate that I clocked in for approximately 8 hours of game time with the Razer Kishi V3 Pro across a variety of games.
I tested the controller with an iPhone 15 and Oppo Find X9 Pro to ensure it works well across both iOS and Android, as well as with the Xiaomi Pad Mini Android tablet. I played a variety of games, from demanding console ports like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption to staples like Call of Duty: Mobile and Jetpack Joyride. I also tried out platformer Dadish 3D and horror side-scroller Carrion, and tested the Virtual Controller mode with Brawl Stars.
I focused on first and third-person games to get a good sense of the thumbsticks’ performance, and played competitive online games to test how the controls held up in high-pressure scenarios. I also tested the 15W pass-through charging and headphone jack, and dove deep into the Razer Nexus app to activate features like the multi-function buttons and audio haptics.
The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is a feature-packed combination robot vacuum and mop, paired with a comprehensive base station. In theory, it should deliver an almost completely hands-off cleaning experience; everything you could want from one of the best robot vacuums. However, the performance was somewhat mixed during testing.
Narwal Robotics has been around since 2016, with a primary focus on developing innovative robot vacuums. The Freo Z10 Ultra is the latest flagship model of the Z-series lineup. It's an updated version of the Freo Z Ultra, which offered impressive mopping but struggled with carpets. The Z10 Ultra delivers higher suction power (18,000Pa) and adds edge-reaching technology to the mops. For a slightly more affordable option, there's the Freo Z10.
I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra over a couple of weeks, and when it comes to everyday vacuuming tasks, I was impressed. It did a solid job of clearing most particles – including dog fur, pine needles, and excessive amounts of crumbs – from both hard flooring and carpet in my home. However, edge vacuuming wasn't a strong suit (which was especially apparent under my kitchen cabinets) and it also struggled to clear larger spillages, even when using the highest suction level.
Mopping on the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra was up there with the best I've seen. There's no water tank on the robot itself; instead, the two triangular, microfiber mops are loaded with hot water and detergent at the base before being sent out to clean. Admittedly, this made the cleaning longer and required the water tank to be refilled more often, but the results were worth it.
Beyond consistently mopping up mud puddles left by my dog and small food spills, the mops successfully cleaned a large, dried ketchup spill when using the wettest mopping level. With the Freo Z10 Ultra's edge-reaching technology, the mops even extended right up against walls, getting into places other robots often miss. The dock's mop maintenance features also worked extremely well.
I was equally impressed with the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra's navigation and obstacle avoidance. Dual AI cameras and a LiDAR sensor enable it to avoid furniture, cables, shoes, and other clutter.
Unfortunately, the Freo Z10 Ultra is far from the most reliable bot to control. On many occasions, I would send the robot to complete a task, and it would either skip entire selected rooms or roll out of the base and return without doing anything at all. A "smart" AI cleaning mode, which should adjust cleaning settings based on dirt levels and floor type, only exacerbated the problems.
No matter which settings I used, I couldn't get the bot to auto-empty consistently. I suspect this issue is to do with a unique feature where both the onboard dustbin and the dust bag in the dock are dried to prevent bacterial growth. I'd argue this feature is unnecessary in the first place.
The Narwal Freo app isn't the most intuitive, either, due to the excessive number of settings and customizations. I've tested numerous robot vacuums, and still had to resort to Reddit on several occasions to figure out how to adjust certain settings, such as getting the robot to do basic things like vacuum carpets.
Clearly, not everything on the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is perfect, but when I got it to do what I wanted, the results were very solid. If you have the patience and experience, this robot vacuum is great for larger homes with average cleaning needs. Some flaws could even be overlooked if you're able to snag it on sale, which it often is.
Availability: Widely, including US, UK, and Australia
The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra launched in September 2025. It's available in the US, UK, and Australia, with a list price of $1,299.99, £1,299, or AU$2,499. While the initial price tag might seem eye-watering, I've never seen this robot vacuum available for full price, at least in the US. In fact, it's often $400 or more off. Unfortunately, I haven't seen these deals in the UK or Australia. Chances are good you'll find decent savings during seasonal sales like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day.
Even with a discount, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra sits on the premium end of the robot vacuum market. However, with features including dual AI cameras and mops equipped with edge-reaching technology, plus a base station that self-empties and hot water washes the mops, its price aligns with other higher-end robot vacuums. Based on the feature list it seems like solid value for your money, but unfortunately not all those special features behave as they should in practice.
Beyond the robot vacuum, base station, and a couple of replacement parts that come in the box, Narwal also offers the option to purchase the "Advance Kit". For an additional $259.99, you'll receive all the accessories needed to use this vacuum for years, including an extra main brush roller, side brushes, mopping pads, floor detergent, dust bags, and more. It's not cheap, but buying these items separately can add up quickly, too (just two mopping pads will set you back $20, while the kit comes with six). The UK and Australia offer similar accessory packs for £119.99 or AU$399.99, respectively.
Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra specs
Max suction:
18,000 Pa
Robot size:
14 x 13.8 in / 35.5 x 35 cm
Robot height:
4.3in / 11cm
Dock dimensions (W x D x H):
17 x 18.2 x 15.2in / 43.1 x 46.2 x 38.8cm
Mop type:
Dual spinning triangular discs
Max threshold clearance:
Not stated
Dust bin volume (onboard):
0.48L
Dust bin volume (base):
2.5L
Water tank volume:
4.5L (clean) / 4.1L (dirty)
Base functions:
Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads, dry dust bag
Runtime:
~2.5 hours (tested)
Recharge time:
~3 hours (tested)
Sensors:
Dual AI Cameras, LiDAR 4.0, and side sensor
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: design
Stylish but bulky base station with a wide range of features
Spinning mop pads deliver up to 8N of pressure and extend to reach edges
Anti-hair wrap technology on the main brush and side brushes
Like most robot vacuums with an auto-cleaning base station, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra arrived in a massive box that weighed over 44lbs (20kg); it's best to have an extra set of hands to help get it inside.
After lifting out all the box's contents, including the bulky base station, which had handles to make life easier, I found that there were absolutely no instructions aside from the plentiful stickers on the different components. I've set up my fair share of robot vacuums before, so it's second nature to me, but for those new to robot vacuums, it was a glaring omission. You can find instructions online, but it's still not ideal.
(Image credit: Future)
The lack of instructions aside, the setup was fairly straightforward. All I had to do was install the side brushes, add the included detergent for the mops, fill the clean water tank, and connect to Wi-Fi. Also, be sure to remove the cover on the front camera sensor of the robot vacuum. I missed this step, and as a result my floor map on the app wouldn't save. I eventually resorted to Reddit to figure out the problem. Again, physical instructions would've prevented this problem.
Robot design
Once I had everything together, I was impressed with how well this bot blended into my room. Most robovacs / docks come in white or black, but this model is a stylish gray. This was a nice change of pace and it happened to perfectly match the walls in the room.
The circular design is typical of most robot vacuums, while on top is your traditional LiDAR puck, which spins inside its casing to help with mapping. Unfortunately, that sensor makes the robot vacuum a little too tall to fit under lower furniture, something other robot vacuums have addressed – models like the Roborock Qrevo Slim and Dreame X50 Ultra have retractable pucks that tuck in when the bot enters low-height areas. Within Narwal's own range, the higher-end Narwal Flow has its LiDAR module mounted within the body of the robot rather than sitting on top.
Other sensors include dual 136-degree cameras with dual AI chips, located at the front of the robot. These cameras also take pictures of obstacles or can be used to scan your space, similar to a security camera. The bot also comes kitted out with a bright light that automatically activates for navigation and obstacle avoidance in darker spaces. There's a further sensor on the side for even more assistance in navigating spaces.
(Image credit: Future)
Flip the robovac over and you'll find the main roller, with rubber fins and short bristles suitable for both carpets and hard flooring. This also incorporates anti-hair wrap technology – given that I have a fluffy Keeshond constantly leaving clumps of hair around, this is a huge boon. The side brushes also feature detangling technology and have more movement than typical side brushes.
However, the most notable feature is the two triangular microfiber mops that velcro on. These mops spin at 180RPM, applying up to 8N of mopping pressure, and can also extend out to get into corners, edges, and hard-to-reach places.
Controls on the robot vacuum are minimal: on the top you'll find Start/stop and Return to dock buttons. Voice control can also be used to manage cleaning – Alexa, Siri, and Google Home are all supported. But like all robovacs, you'll probably be mainly controlling it using the Narwal app.
(Image credit: Future)
An easily liftable magnetic cover hides the onboard dustbin. This is an average size for robot vacuums and can easily be removed for manual emptying if required. Rather unusually, it features a special insert to separate wet and dry debris.
Also unusual is the fact that this robot vacuum doesn't have a water tank on board. Instead, the mops are loaded up with warm, soapy water at the base station, and a consistent amount of water is spread about the floor during the cleaning.
Base station design
Moving on to the base station. This is large, occupying a considerable amount of space, but I loved the space gray finish and soft, rounded edges. A special ionized water feature bubbles and illuminates a little bar when cleaning the mops, adding a nice space-age touch.
The Freo Z10 Ultra base station is packed with features. On top is a flip-to-open hinged lid featuring a tiny LCD that allows you to send the vacuum out without using your phone. It can turn the AI-powered "Freo Mind" mode on/off, recall, start/stop, and start mop washing/drying. However, I reviewed the Narwal Freo in 2023, and that older model's touchscreen was easier to use and allowed you to do far more. I was disappointed by the downgrade, but it's still a unique feature that I've only ever found on Narwal's robots.
(Image credit: Future)
Once you open that lid, the clean and dirty water tanks with handles are revealed and simple to take out for filling or emptying. Around front is an easy-to-remove magnetic cover that reveals the dust bag and detergent mopping solution (you can still use the mops without the detergent installed).
(Image credit: Future)
In the bottom compartment, where the robot vacuum resides and charges, is a mop washing station. AI detects the type of dirt on the mop and cleans it at different temperatures. After cleaning the mops, hot air drying helps prevent bacterial growth. Another unique feature is pre-drying, where the vacuum's dustbin content is dried before being emptied into the dust bag in the base station, preventing odors and bacterial growth. The dust bag in the dock can also be dried. It's a cool addition, but not a feature that I personally care about (or even think about) when it comes to my robot vacuums.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: performance
Sold vacuuming for everyday use, but struggles with large spills
Excellent mopping but uses a lot of water
Doesn't reliably follow instructions, and "smart" features make things worse
Similar to just about every robot vacuum I've tested, you must start by mapping your space. That means connecting to the Narwal Freo app and Wi-Fi. The app guided me through the connection process, and although it failed to connect on the first attempt, the robot was ready to proceed after the second try.
I sent it out to create a map of my space, and it took about 10 minutes. However, upon return, the map wouldn't save. It appeared to navigate my space with ease, avoiding furniture, obstacles, and even a step into the family room. I did the process over and over again. Eventually, resorting to a handful of problem-solving techniques, like restarting it, changing base station positions, and more.
Little did I know that a cover over the dual cameras with AI chips would prevent the map from saving. After finally coming to this realization (with some research help from Reddit), the robot vacuum went out for a final time; it took about 15 minutes, and the map was finally saved.
I was impressed by how accurate the map was. While it didn't divide all the rooms perfectly, almost every space in the lower floor of my home was included, noting some furniture, obstacles, and even floor types. It missed a small bathroom, but I believe that was due to a fluffy rug blocking its path. The family room was also not included, as a step down was required to access it. Luckily, you can save multiple maps, so in addition to the lower level, I created maps of the upper level of my home and the family room. To clean these spaces, I had to move the robot vacuum to a specified starting point since the base station was inaccessible.
I learned the hard way about an extremely frustrating setting regarding the maps: you must adjust settings to vacuum on carpeting and rugs. I failed to do this, and the robot would literally just go over the carpet or rugs during vacuuming tasks without vacuuming them. Even massive area rugs and the carpet that covers nearly the entirety of the upstairs would be ignored during vacuuming. I had to go through and individually change the settings on all the rugs and carpets on the app's map to actually get them vacuumed. This is not something I've experienced with any other robot vacuum.
The Narwal Freo app has a menu of different cleaning options: Mop, Vacuum, Mop & vacuum, or Mop then vacuum. With each of those cleaning options, it's possible to select a specific mode. "Freo Mind" intelligently adjusts the cleaning parameters based on the floor type and dirt levels, while "Customize" allows you to fine-tune suction levels, mopping water levels, coverage precision, and more myself. You can either select rooms or highlight zones for the robot to clean.
Navigation and obstacle avoidance
During my average, everyday cleanings, the Narwal Z10 Ultra easily navigated my space. The lower level of my house consists of hardwood, tile, and laminate flooring, along with numerous medium-pile rugs, as my dog is afraid to walk on hard flooring.
Even on rugs that were accidentally lifted, the robot managed to move around the obstacle and continue the task. Rescuing was only required a couple of times, which is impressive given the clutter in my home. The map on the app even noted the obstacles encountered during a cleaning, taking pictures of items in the way. I have shots of shoes, cables, and a few hilarious candids of my dog being a little too curious.
(Image credit: Future)
I also ran a special test for object avoidance. During these, the vacuum successfully went around a sock, but then managed to vacuum up a shoelace and a charging cable simultaneously, despite having already noted these obstacles on the map. I'm not sure what happened, and I was disappointed by the results.
This test was likely a fluke. I never had a problem during my regular cleaning tasks, during which the bot successfully avoided multiple shoes, cables, and a whole host of other items. The Freo Z10 Ultra also navigated around larger furniture and bigger obstacles like a champ.
In fact, my only real complaint about the obstacle avoidance was that it was sometimes a little too meticulous. Specifically, I had an issue with mopping around rugs. The robot consistently lifted its mops when going over a rug and never got any rugs wet, but it also left a large, unmopped margin around the perimeter of each rug. If two rugs were situated close together, it wouldn't mop the area between them at all.
Also, the robot struggled to detect when a rug had been removed. So even when I wanted it to mop an area where the rug used to be, it would still skip that spot and leave it uncleaned.
Mopping performance
Aside from being over-zealous about avoiding rugs, in general the mopping performance was surprisingly good, and especially effective when it came to tackling cleaning edges and corners. The lack of edge mopping was a notable issue on the Narwal Freo Z Ultra that TechRadar reviewed in 2024. However, the new extension feature managed to get into those harder-to-reach places, such as under kitchen cabinets.
Due to the lack of an on-robot water tank, the robot would frequently return to the base station for mop cleaning, adding to the total cleaning time. Luckily, the vacuum had an impressive battery runtime; it lasted nearly 2.5 hours before reaching 15% power and needing to return to the base station to recharge. That was plenty of time to vacuum & mop the bottom floor of my house. Recharging back to 100% only took about 3 hours, which is far faster than other robot vacuums I've tested.
The mops really had their work cut out for them, too. During my review period it was snowy where I live in western New York, and my dog was constantly traipsing mud and snowballs all around the house. The mops easily picked up the muddy spots and wet puddles left in her wake. It also had no trouble tackling everyday messes including coffee drips, dried yogurt, and other smaller food spills. When emptying the dirty water tank on the robot, I could see just how well the mops were doing their job.
(Image credit: Future)
I also put the mops through more intensive testing. I poured a big puddle of water on the tile in my corridor, and sent the robot out to 'Vacuum & mop' that exact zone using the Freo Mind mode. Unfortunately, the robot didn't detect the water and simply ran right through the puddle, failing to activate the mops and instead spreading the water all around.
Sending the robot out to just 'Mop' rather yielded much better results, as the water was spread evenly around the floor, allowing the puddle to dry faster than it would have done. However, this wouldn't be ideal if the spillage had been, say, milk rather than water.
For a second test of the mops, I spread ketchup on the kitchen laminate and allowed it to dry. Using the Freo Mind and 'Mop' settings, I sent the vacuum out to clean up. While Freo Mind mode is meant to detect messes, analyze dirty water at the base station, and adjust accordingly, it didn't seem to notice the ketchup, mopping up only a small amount before calling it quits and returning to the base station after just one pass.
I sent the robot out a second time, but this time I used 'Customize' mode rather than Freo Mind, and selected the highest mopping level – 'Wet mopping'. The result was significantly better. Almost all the ketchup was removed in the first pass-through, while the second pass got the rest of the ketchup off the floor.
Vacuuming performance
After I'd figured out how to get the bot to actually clean my rugs, the Freo Z10 Ultra's everyday vacuuming performance was generally great. It did a solid job of clearing most light debris, such as dog hair, crumbs, and pine needles, from both hard floors and medium-pile rugs. Not every speck of dirt was gone every time, but it definitely performed better than some other robot vacuums I've tested.
The main brush and side brushes feature anti-tangle technology, and it worked wonderfully. All the brushes had virtually zero hair wrap at the end of my testing period. That's a huge feat considering my dog and my own long hair.
(Image credit: Future)
It's not quite perfect, though. When traversing rugs on its way back to the base station, the Freo Z10 Ultra would occasionally spit out some of the debris it'd just cleaned.
I also found it wasn't amazing at vacuuming the edges of rooms, especially around the kitchen cabinets, where the robot was just a little too tall to fit under the overhang. Those spots were still littered with crumbs and debris even after multiple cleanings.
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Just like the mops, I performed more intensive testing of the vacuum functionality. One test used a mix of ground-up biscuits and flour to represent dust and fine particles, and another used oats to represent larger debris. I spread the messes out in a one-meter area of the hard floor and on medium-pile carpet, setting each area as a 'zone' for the vacuum to clean using the app.
The vacuum struggled to pick up the biscuit and fine particle mess from the hard floor. At the lowest setting, 'Quiet', it picked up about half, and spread the rest of the mess around, causing it to end up well beyond my outlined cleaning area. Even with three passes using the highest setting ('Vortex'), the mess wasn't completely removed. That's not great – you don't need much suction to clean hard flooring.
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Luckily, the robot vacuum's performance with oats on hard flooring was much better – even in 'Quiet' mode, it picked up almost all the oats. I noticed that the side brushes weren't moving, which helped keep the mess contained. However, the smaller, dust-like oat particles weren't as easily cleaned up. Still, after deploying the most powerful suction level, nearly everything was cleared up.
These same tests yielded similar results on carpeted floor, except here the fine biscuit and flour mixture ended up ingrained into the rug. The side brushes also kicked the oats around more than they had on hard flooring, which was a surprise.
In the end, I had to grab my upright vacuum to clean up the mess on both types of floors. While these test results might not seem ideal, a robot vacuum would rarely be required to vacuum up such a concentrated level of debris. When it came to general vacuuming performance, I still found it to be above average for robot vacuums, particularly when cleaning rugs and carpeting.
Dock performance
When it comes to maintenance, upkeep is effortless. The base station washes and hot dries the mop to prevent bacteria and odor. Even after a couple of weeks of use, the mopping pads had no odor and looked almost as good as new. Just note that this base station appeared to guzzle water, and I regularly had to empty the dirty water tank and top up clean water.
(Image credit: Future)
Like many robovacs, the Freo Z10 Ultra has the ability to auto-empty its onboard bin into a larger bag in the dock (which should hold around 120 days' worth of dust). To start with, I used the "Smart empty" mode where the robot should figure out when it needs to empty itself.
However, in practice the bot didn't always empty when it needed to. In fact, even after toggling settings in the app so it would empty after every clean, it remained hit-or-miss whether the auto-empty would kick in.
This could be due to the – in my opinion, unnecessary – dustbin/bag drying and disinfecting happening in the base station. Bacterial growth has never even been a concern when using robot vacuums, and this disinfecting process took more than five hours to complete. At least when the self-emptying did happen, it worked efficiently, with all the contents of the onboard bin being removed.
(Image credit: Future)
Smart feature performance
Overall, I've found the Freo Z10 Ultra's 'smart' features to be more of a hindrance than a help. Beyond the not-so-smart auto-emptying, the Freo Mind mode would often lead to entire rooms or zones being skipped during cleaning, even when I specifically selected to have these spaces mopped and/or vacuumed. I also found that bigger messes didn't get the extra attention required, even though this mode is designed specifically for that situation.
Even without Freo Mind mode activated, the vacuum would sometimes fail to complete tasks. On multiple occasions, I sent the vacuum to clean a room, and it would only clean a small area before returning and claiming the "task completed". Sometimes, it would just roll out of the base station and immediately return. It was extremely frustrating to deal with.
(Image credit: Future)
Not all the added features were flops. I appreciated the video mode that lets you use those dual AI cameras like a security camera. The robot vacuum can be controlled similarly to a remote control car, traversing your space, and allowing you to spy on your home. It was great for checking in on my dog when I was out of the house.
Noise levels
As someone sensitive to noise, I found the sound levels on the robot vacuum to be tolerable, averaging 60dB when vacuuming and mopping. It's significantly quieter than an upright vacuum, sounding more like a wall unit air conditioner. However, the base station's emptying is much louder and always surprised me when it happened, reaching nearly 80 dB. Luckily, when drying/cleaning the mops and dustbin/bag, the base station was extremely quiet, blending with other house noises.
Performance score: 3 out of 5
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: app
Ample customization options can be overwhelming
Some basic features are hard to find, even for an experienced user
Saves multiple, easy-to-edit maps for multi-story homes
The Narwal Freo app has a lot to offer, but it isn't as intuitive as I would've liked. I found all the different functions, features, and customizations overwhelming – and I imagine even more so for robovac novices. Even after several years of testing robot vacuums, I still had to resort to Reddit to figure out how to change certain settings (like carpeting vacuuming) – some features are buried deep within the app and easy to miss.
As I noted, the combination of a LiDAR scanner and AI cameras on the vacuum created a decently accurate map of my space. Within the app, it's easy to merge rooms, split rooms, rename rooms, update floor material, set no-go zones, and more. Other furniture, rugs, and obstacles can be marked, but it's hard to get the position of these items 100% accurate – and not really necessary. A 3D map is available, but I've never found these maps useful. I also saved multiple maps for different levels of my home, a huge boon for those in multi-story houses.
(Image credit: Narwal / Future)
Adjustments to cleaning parameters, such as suction level, mopping humidity, coverage precision, and the number of passes, are all fairly straightforward. Theoretically, the Freo Mind mode should take care of making those decisions for you, but in testing, this mode didn't perform as expected, and I found manual selection was by far the best option.
It's possible to create cleaning schedules or provide shortcuts on the main homepage. I loved setting the cleaning sequence of rooms or specific zones to be cleaned – I could ask it to target the areas my dog likes to hang out in while we're out, and then focus on rooms like the study or dining room. During cleaning, the map on the app shows real-time updates of where the vacuum is in the cleaning process and notes obstacles in its path (with photos). It's even possible to receive phone notifications. Cleans are logged so you can check out the full cleaning history.
(Image credit: Future / Narwal)
If you're looking for smart home integration, Siri, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa are all supported. The app features a dedicated 'Third-Party Controls' section to set the robot vacuum to respond to voice commands. There are plenty of other settings too, including accessory management, base station adjustments, and a 'Family with pets' toggle for extra caution when navigating, and that's just scratching the surface.
App score: 3.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Premium-tier, and packed with features to justify the higher price tag – although they don't all work as intended. Often significantly discounted.
3.5 / 5
Design
Stylish yet bulky base station packed with features. Bot has extendable mopping pads, anti-hair wrap, and dual AI cameras. Strangely, no onboard water tank.
4 / 5
Performance
Solid vacuuming, great (if water-intensive) mopping, and strong obstacle avoidance. However, often fails to do as it has been told, and the "smart" features make things worse.
2.5 / 5
App
Overwhelming app filled with all the functions, settings, and customizations one could ever need or want. Allows for easy editing of multistory mapping.
3 / 5
Buy it if...
You have mostly hard floors
The mopping here is a cut above average, with especially good edge cleaning. Beware, though, it does use a lot of water.
Your house is cluttered
This robot vacuum reliably avoided my dog, cables, furniture, shoes, and decor that were littered throughout my home during testing.
You spot a great deal
The unreliable behavior might be a deal-breaker, but if you spot a big discount you could potentially get a strong featureset for your money.
Don't buy it if...
Your home is mostly carpet
A highlight feature of the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is its mopping abilities, and you're paying for the impressive 8N pressure, edge reach technology, and hot mop washing base station. If you don't have many hard floors that require mopping, you'll get much better value from a vacuum-only robot.
You're a first-time robovac owner
This robot vacuum has numerous settings and customizations, making it a bit overwhelming. Additionally, certain features don't always work as intended or are difficult to adjust within the app. These quirks will be extremely frustrating.
You're tight on space
If you live in a smaller apartment or house, this robot vacuum will likely be overkill for your cleaning needs. The base station is also bulky, occupying a significant amount of valuable wall space.
How I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra
I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 in my family home for just over two weeks during the holiday season. It's a two-story home with a sunken family room and almost fully carpeted upstairs. Most of the testing was conducted on the bottom floor, which consists of hardwood floors, vinyl, tile, and tons of medium-pile rugs. A fluffy Keeshond also resides here, leading to excess amounts of fur, debris, and snow in my home.
Beyond sending the robovac out to do everyday vacuuming and mopping tasks, I put it through more rigorous tests. For the vacuum, I spread oats and a flour/biscuit in a one-meter area on both hard flooring and carpet, observing the pickup at different suction levels. To test the mops, I spread a generous amount of ketchup on the floor, letting it dry before sending the robot out to clean. I also observed the mop's ability to pick up a bigger water spill. As for obstacle avoidance, I placed a small charging cable, a floor-matching sock, and a sneaker in a room to observe how well the vacuum navigated around them.
I also experimented with the Narwal Freo app, adjusting settings on both the robot and base station. A decibel meter app on my phone was used to measure noise levels.
Two years after its predecessor came to town, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 has landed, aiming to deliver tons of power, awesome Dolby Atmos, and immersive surround sound. With a price of $1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95, I had very high expectations for JBL’s new flagship model. Luckily, it more than delivered.
This model stands out from the rest thanks to its detachable, battery-powered rear speakers, which can also be attached to the main bar or act as standalone Bluetooth speakers. These have 10 hours of battery life each, and can even be charged while in use, making them ideal for just about any user.
But even when it comes to the basics, this model can go toe to toe with the very best soundbars around. Dolby Atmos performance is excellent all-round, with incredibly expansive, almost three-dimensional sound on offer. This model also supports the DTS:X format, streaming over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Auracast connectivity.
One key difference this model has over its predecessor is its incredible leap in power output. This 11.1.4 soundbar system has a maximum power output of almost 2,500W across its 29 drivers, which is almost ludicrously high. Will most users require this much might? No, but it’s there if you want to get really loud!
Beyond Atmos, you’re also going to experience crystal-clear dialogue, seismic bass, and precise treble, which makes for great listening experiences whether you’re watching movies or listening to music.
Pair that with an incredibly easy setup and a broad set of features – most of which are accessible via the JBL One app – and you’re looking at a near-perfect offering from JBL.
But the word ‘near’ is important here. There’s 4K passthrough – but only at 60Hz. That’s a shame for gamers who want to enjoy newer titles in 4K at 120fps. And even though I’m a fan of the detachable speakers, the system itself isn’t the most beautiful looking – it’s fairly standard stuff from a brand that usually likes to incorporate unique colorful elements into its designs.
Still, it’s fair to say that the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an excellent soundbar system overall. It's costly, but pretty well priced against rivals. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and its versatile build helps it stand out in a highly competitive market. As a result, it’s more than worthy of my recommendation.
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: price & release date
$1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95
Launched in September 2025
The JBL Bar 1300MK2 was launched in September 2025. It’s worth noting that in the US consumers get the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 instead, which has a slightly larger subwoofer. Typically, you’ll pay $1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95 for this bar’s services. That’s pretty similar to the launch price of the original JBL Bar 1300X.
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: specs
Dimensions
Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm
Speaker channels
11.1.4
Connections
1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
Yes / Yes
Sub included
Yes
Rear speakers included
Yes
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: features
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
11.1.4 configuration with detachable rear speakers
4K passthrough, but not at 120Hz
The JBL Bar 1300MK2 is equipped with just about everything you could want from one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars. Of course, there’s support for expansive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with up-firing speakers on board for an added sense of verticality.
On top of that, this 11.1.4 channel system makes use of MultiBeam 3.0 technology. This uses beamforming and digital processing to supply a “wide, cinema-like soundstage”, according to JBL – and I’d be inclined to agree. You get a beautifully expansive listen from JBL’s new flagship soundbar system, but I’ll speak more about that in the performance section.
Another key feature is the inclusion of AI Sound, which has featured on some Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Xtreme 4. This enables the large, dual-driver subwoofer – which can reach down to 33Hz – to deliver improved dynamics.
There are a number of settings you can play around with in the JBL One app too, which is an easy-to-use and well laid out piece of companion software. Something that instantly springs to mind is room calibration. This optimizes sound to your living space incredibly well, and even plays a sound demo after so you can experience the true three-dimensional sound of the Bar 1300MK2.
On top of that, there’s an AI-enabled dialogue enhancement setting, an ambient audio playback option, and various sound modes like Movie, Music, and Standard. There’s even a new Night mode, which only uses the two detachable wireless speakers to supply more mild audio with softer bass.
Speaking of those wireless speakers, you can even use them as standalone Bluetooth listening devices, and they can link up to other JBL models that have Auracast enabled. Of course, they won’t deliver the kind of performance you’d expect from the best Bluetooth speakers around, but the option is very nice indeed.
You get 10 hours of battery life from the wireless rear speakers, which is plenty for a day of movie watching or gaming. And whenever you’re taking a break, you can simply whack the detachable speakers back on the main bar to charge them. You can even keep them charging while in use via USB-C, so JBL really covered every base here.
Something I also appreciated about the Bar 1300MK2 was its solid array of connectivity options. These include: HDMI eARC; digital optical; Bluetooth 5.3 (though the rears use version 5.4); Wi-Fi; USB (playback on the US model only); Ethernet; and three – yes three HDMI inputs.
Here’s the thing though. Although there are three HDMI in slots, none of them offer 4K 120Hz passthrough or auto low latency mode (ALLM). That’s a little disappointing for gamers who want to enjoy titles in performance mode. Sure, you still get 4K passthrough from JBL’s new soundbar, but only at 60Hz I’m afraid.
Given that a lot of 4K TVs are restricted to only two HDMI 2.1 ports – one typically being eARC, which would be used for this soundbar – I think this ends up being a fairly important miss for gamers, especially when rivals like the Samsung HW-Q990F bring 4K 120HZ to the table.
Very strong Dolby Atmos and surround sound capabilities
To absolutely no surprise whatsoever, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is a phenomenal performer in the audio department. It harnesses the power of 29 – yes, 29 – drivers, across the main bar, detachable surround speakers, and sub. All of that combines to offer a maximum power output of almost 2,500W. That’s more than double the power of its predecessor. Is it excessive? Arguably yes, but I’d rather have too much rather than too little.
And that raw power was incredibly striking when I tested the 1300MK2 out, proving to be ideal for grandiose movie soundtracks and immersive Dolby Atmos experiences. When I tuned into The Boy and the Heron, a scene with frogs and fish roaring ‘JOIN US’ at the protagonist, is meant to have imposing rumbling bass throughout. And the 1300MK2 replicated this with outstanding vigor. The regimented, deep, and moving low-frequency output was room-enveloping and grasped every last inch of my attention.
Even in spite of this, the soundbar system retains balance. The bass didn’t overwhelm dialogue, which remained clear throughout. And when the heron snapped a wooden sword in half, the high-pitched snap came through with a wonderfully natural crack. The whistle of an arrow was also expressive and bright, and I was generally really impressed by the treble performance of this soundbar.
Let’s focus on Dolby Atmos for a second, which is excellent once more. In The Mask, the frantic and cartoonish movement of the titular character was tracked with impeccable accuracy, voices sounded as if they were flowing well beyond the confines of the speakers themselves, and the overall expansiveness of the presentation was top-notch.
Over in Top Gun: Maverick, I made sure to test out the scene with a jet flying up and over the head of Ed Harris – a must-watch reference scene for soundbar testing. The verticality of this move was pretty good – definitely more believable than a lot of premium rivals. Sure, I wasn’t blown away by the sense of the jet flying above me, but this bar is using upward-firing drivers as opposed to overhead speakers, which can provide an almost tangible sense of height.
Every other aspect of audio was as good as I’d hoped. Dialogue – both with or without PureVoice active had exceptional clarity. More sudden moments in tense movie scenes hit with serious impact, showcasing the soundbar’s great handling of dynamics. And the cohesiveness of the system was great too – the rears had the perfect sense of subtlety, while the sub didn’t overshadow the clean and concise sound emerging from the main bar.
Something we appreciated about the original JBL Bar 1300 was its strong musicality. And I’m glad to report the MK2 also hits the target in this regard. Dolby Atmos music, like Dream of Arrakis by Hans Zimmer is spacious and engrossing, with ambient electronic elements and backing vocals escaping the confines of the bar itself. The heartbeat-like deep bass was dark and low-reaching too, resulting in a hypnotic listen.
Even stereo music sounds very good on the Bar 1300MK2. With Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai, spacey synths were given plenty of room to breathe, smooth percussion was expertly weighted, and bass was intent-filled once more. Vocals sounded a little recessed in my view, but that was nothing a little bit of EQ tweaking couldn’t fix.
Overall, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an exemplary performer in the audio department, and its raw power is truly something to behold.
Performance score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: design
Convenient detachable surround speakers
Strong build quality
Overall look not spectacular, but sub is sleek
The most captivating aspect of the JBL Bar 1300MK2’s design is undoubtedly its detachable surround speakers, which are battery powered and can assume a number of roles. They can be used as part of the main bar, serve as rear channels, or just play music as standalone Bluetooth speakers.
That versatility is wonderful, and really helps this model stand out. JBL also includes slide-on end-caps for the main bar if you’ve detached the surround speakers, ensuring it looks sleek at all times.
As you’d expect, the Bar 1300MK2’s build quality is high. This is a durable, well-finished model and there’s a neat LED display that will indicate volume or input change as well as when Atmos content is being played.
In terms of looks, I’d argue that this bar is pretty much on-par with most of the competition. It’s a wide model that’s best suited to a TV sized 65-inches or more, and comes in plain black. Personally, I prefer the aesthetic of the Marshall Heston 120 and KEF XIO – models that have gone the extra mile to stand-out from the crowd with intricate details and multiple colorways.
Still, if you prefer a more understated approach, the Bar 1300MK2 will suit you just fine.
JBL describes the included sub as “compact” and even “small” on its website, but I’d say that’s a bit of a reach. Sure, it’s a very powerful unit, packing a huge 1,200W of power on its own, and you could certainly argue that it’s well-sized with that in mind. But small it is not. Having said that, it is a good-looking piece of kit, with a beautifully rounded exterior making it easier on the eye than some of the blockier models out there.
Something I really liked to see was the inclusion of L- and U-shaped brackets, as well as screws. That means that anyone hoping to wall mount the soundbar and rear speakers has the necessary tools to do so. Some rivals charge a fair amount for that privilege, so kudos to JBL!
Design score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: setup & usability
Plug and play setup
Responsive physical and digital remote
Easy-to-use companion app with user-friendly features
Setting up the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is as easy as you’d expect. Simply hook the main bar and sub up to a power source, link the soundbar to an HDMI or digital optical cable, and you’re off. There’s no complex pairing required after this either, everything is already synced up.
There’s an included remote that you can use to adjust channel levels, bass power, volume and the like. Alternatively, you can use the digital remote on the JBL One app to control the soundbar. Both of these methods are responsive, and I never experienced pesky input delays when issuing commands.
The user-friendly app also takes you through network connection, calibration, and has a digital manual that can be referenced if needed.
More generally, this model packs in a bunch of integrated music apps for Wi-Fi streaming, an inbuilt mic for voice assistant functionality, and effective physical controls on the main bar and surround speakers. Pair that with an easy-to-read LED display and easy to detach surround speakers, and you’re getting top-tier setup and usability.
Setup & usability score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: value
List price is undoubtedly on the premium end
But you still get plenty of bang for your buck
Well priced against rivals
Let’s not beat around the bush here. The JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an expensive piece of kit, with a list price of $1,699.95 (for the 1300XMK2, which has a slightly larger sub) / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95. In fairness, though, that’s about the same as the original Bar 1300, which launched more than two years ago now.
Also, when you consider the raw power and caliber of performance offered by the Bar 1300MK2, it competes pretty well against rival soundbar systems. The Samsung HW-Q990F, for example, is regularly selling for $1,599 / £1,499 / AU$1,599, and although it offers 4K 120Hz passthrough, it does lack the battery-powered detachable speakers and has a smaller array of speakers.
I’ve also started to see the 1300MK2 go on sale in some territories, with its price standing at AU$1,599.95 on JBL’s Australian store at the time of writing, for example. JBL is also selling the model for less in the US, and so you can expect to see sales pop up here and there in coming months and years.
Combine all of that with the bar’s impeccable performance and versatile design, and it actually ends up being a great value-for-money option, even in spite of its typically high asking price.
Value score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the JBL Bar 1300MK2?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Broad feature set with plenty of sound optimization options, 4K passthrough but not at 120Hz.
Convenient detachable speakers, sleek sub, great build quality although fairly plain looking.
4.5/5
Setup & usability
Simple plug and play setup, highly responsive.
5/5
Value
Despite high cost, you get plenty of quality, well priced against rivals.
4.5/5
Buy it if…
You want awesome Dolby Atmos performance There aren’t many soundbar systems out there with better Dolby Atmos performance than the JBL Bar 1300MK2. Its speakers all combine to deliver three-dimensional audio with very decent verticality.
You’re looking for some serious power If you’ve got a very large room that needs filling with top-class cinematic sound, then this model is an awesome choice. It offers almost 2,500W of power in total from 29 drivers, delivering almighty all-round sound.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re short on space The main bar itself is pretty wide here, and you’ll need a good amount of room for the dual-driver sub and rear speakers too. If you’re short on space, there are some nice slim one-box options, though, like the Marshall Heston 60 and Sonos Beam Gen 2.
You’re a gamer With no 4K 120Hz support, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is a slightly harder sell to gamers. If you’ve only got a couple of HDMI 2.1 ports on your 4K TV, having an extra one on your soundbar is always very handy. Sadly, the ports on this soundbar only support 4K passthrough at 60Hz.
JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: also consider
JBL Bar 1300MK2
Samsung HW-Q990F
LG S95AR
Price
$1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95
$1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099
$1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AU$2,610)
Dimensions
Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm
Soundbar: 48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches / 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm; surround speakers: 5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x 140.4mm
Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches / 1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm; subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches / 200 x 406 x 404mm; surround speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 inches / 160 x 223.5 x 142mm
Speaker channels
11.1.4
11.1.4
9.1.5
Connections
1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)
1x HDMI eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 in, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3
1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, USB
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
Yes / Yes
Yes / Yes
Yes / Yes
Sub included
Yes
Yes
Yes
Rear speakers included
Yes
Yes
Yes
Samsung HW-Q990F This five-star soundbar system is an incredible option, boasting awesome Dolby Atmos, phenomenal dialogue clarity, and tightly controlled bass. It’s incredibly easy to set up, has a boatload of features available via the SmartThings app, and has HDMI passthrough with 4K 120Hz support. It’s also regularly on sale for a good chunk less than its initial launch price. Read our full Samsung HW-Q990F review.
LG S95AR We really liked the LG S95AR, heaping praise on the model for its impressively immersive sound, its incredibly easy setup, and its dense feature-set. Again, there’s 4K 120Hz passthrough on this rival, but only one HDMI input port. Read our full LG S95AR review.
How I tested the JBL Bar 1300MK2
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across the space of a week
Used at our TV testing space at Future Labs
Played 4K UHD Blu-Rays and streamed music over Wi-Fi
When testing out the JBL Bar 1300MK2, I had it hooked up to the LG C5 OLED TV via HDMI eARC. I made sure to use the detachable speakers attached to the soundbar, but usually kept them separated as rear channels. I also made sure to try them as individual Bluetooth speakers.
During my testing time, I watched and listened to a variety of content. This included a number of movies on both Netflix Premium and on 4K UHD Blu-Ray via the Panasonic DP-UB820. I also connected up my phone to the Bar 1300MK2 and listened to music via Tidal Connect, in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.
I also made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Standard; and Night. Of course, I also made sure to try out the various other settings in the JBL One app too, including the voice enhancement, ambient sound, and calibration options.
On a more general level, I've tested dozens of soundbars here at TechRadar, and have tried out everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to premium alternatives like the Marshall Heston 120. My extensive experience with the Bar 1300MK2’s rivals mean that I know exactly what it takes for a soundbar to stand out, in what is ultimately a highly competitive market.
No, it’s not a Garmin. The Coros Nomad may look ever so slightly like the Instinct 3, but in many ways it’s more exciting, since it boils that excellent smartwatch down to a less feature-packed but still compelling alternative that’s considerably cheaper.
It’s strictly in fitness tracker territory, with features like NFC payments not making the cut, but it does have the advantage of offering locally stored maps. Add to that more than three weeks of battery life on a single charge, a handy action button, and a really nice, lightweight design, and there’s an awful lot to like about this upstart.
Memory in Pixel displays aren’t for everyone as they’re duller than most smartwatches’ AMOLED screens, but they do conserve battery as a result. If you’re happy with one here, you’re getting excellent value for money and fantastic battery life.
Coros Nomad: Price and availability
(Image credit: Coros)
Starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640
Considerably cheaper than rivals
Available in three color options
The big pull for the Coros Nomad is how favorable it compares to the Garmin Instinct 3 price-wise. It starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640, compared to the Garmin model’s $449 / £389 / AU$829, and it comes in Dark Grey, Green, and Brown finishes – I tested the green version.
Value score: 5/5
Garmin Venu 4: Specifications
Component
Coros Nomad
Price
$349 / £319
Dimensions
47.8 x 47.8 x 16.4mm
Weight
49g with band
Case/bezel
Polymer Case
Display
1.3 inch Memory-in-Pixel display (260x260 resolution)
GPS
Dual frequency GPS
Battery life
22 days of standard use, 34 hours in GPS mode
Connection
Bluetooth
Water resistant
50M
Coros Nomad: Design
(Image credit: Coros)
Durable, but fairly lightweight
Action button
Given that this is billed as a rugged smartwatch, there’s a good chance the first thing you notice when picking up the Coros Nomad is that it’s not all that heavy at all.
The Polymer case feels strong (although you won’t catch me hurling my review unit at a concrete floor), but it’s also nice and light. That’s particularly helpful given that this is a device you can wear for up to three weeks without taking it off for a charge, and the strap is comfortable, too (albeit I’m not a big fan of the pin-based method of attaching them).
The case envelops the display, and provides plenty of clearance to keep it from being dinged if you were to drop the watch or swing your arm into something, although Coros says it’s a mineral glass display that should be tough to crack anyway.
Controls-wise, there are two buttons for interacting with the UI, as well as an action button that can be programmed to perform different functions such as the backlight, adding a voice pin along a route, or switch between activity data and map view. Charging is handled via a small proprietary port on the back.
Design score: 4.5/5
Coros Nomad: Features
(Image credit: Coros)
Offline maps
No smartwatch features
Where Garmin’s Instinct 3 doesn’t offer map functionality, the Coros Nomad does, making it an attractive choice for trail runners who may not know a route very well. This works with Coros’ companion app, allowing you to store routes and save them to quickly check conditions before you head out the door.
There’s dual-band GPS for tracking, too, and it proved exceptionally accurate in my testing, whether I was out for a wander in the countryside or standing amidst London’s largest buildings.
It’s really built for the great outdoors, as the name suggests. As well as all the usual maps and GPX routing functionality, you can drop voice pins using the onboard mic during walks and runs, which will replay thoughts that occur to you at specific points during routes, such as descriptions of landmarks. You can add photos in the app too, creating an adventure journal.
Fishing modes, which don’t normally get a lot of love, get a digital anchor, putting a pin in a spot so you can see if you’re drifting during the activity. Niche, but eminently useful to the right person. Health-wise, you get an ECG sensor, SpO2 monitor, and Safety Alerts allowing you to send your location to emergency contacts. However, this is more like Garmin’s LiveTrack than SOS messaging, as it’s done on your phone rather than satellite, and thus requires phone signal. Still, a nice-to-have.
The only real downside is that some smartwatch features are lacking. To be clear, Coros is marketing the Nomad as a fitness watch, but I’d have liked NFC payments and maybe some music options here for the days when I want to leave my phone at home.
Features score: 4.5/5
Coros Nomad: Performance
(Image credit: Coros)
MiP display
Up to 22 days of battery
Heart rate accuracy is up there with the best
The Coros Nomad’s performance is pretty fantastic across the board. A single charge can last you a whopping 22 days, while you’ll get around 50 hours if you’re using GPS mode for more intensive location tracking, or 34 hours for dual band. I found this was accurate during testing.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go fishing with the watch during my testing period, but I did use its headline feature: maps.
This is something many similarly-priced rivals don’t offer, and it’s great to have offline maps downloaded if you’re unsure of where you are and you’ve left your phone at home. It’s nice and easy to get them downloaded via the companion app, and the maps themselves are easy to read with color-coding for route types.
You can zoom in and out with the crown, too, making it easier to get context for your current route.
Another nifty feature, I’ve not seen anything like Voice Pin on a watch before. The idea is relatively simple, letting you leave an audio note on a run or hike tailored to a location. In theory, this could mean you could create curated audio cues for a route you’re sharing with a friend, or provide additional notes on how to get home.
Heart rate tracking matches up to the current gold standard in my experience – the Apple Watch Ultra series. Despite the Coros Nomad costing less than half the price, it pretty much matched Apple’s most rugged watch beat-for-beat. We’ve independently tested the Ultra against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor, finding it very accurate, so to have Coros match this is very encouraging.
Performance score: 5/5
Coros Nomad: Scorecard
Attribute
Comments
Score
Value
Undercuts a Garmin while offering additional features.
5
Design
Easy to use, comfortable, and rugged.
5
Features
Plenty of health monitor features, but lacking in terms of NFC payments.
4.5
Performance
Offline maps and voice pins are great.
5
Coros Nomad: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want a Garmin, but don’t want to pay Garmin money
The Coros Nomad certainly pushes Garmin’s Instinct lineup into a corner, offering many of the same features for much less than the Garmin Instinct 3.
You want to wear it for weeks without charging
More than three weeks of battery is great, even without any Garmin-esque Solar charging.
Don't buy it if...
You’re a gym person
The Coros Nomad is wasted during indoor workouts, operating best outdoors.
You’re looking for a watch to take off-grid
There’s no satellite SOS messaging unlike the Google Pixel Watch 4, Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
You want a communication-based smartwatch
Don’t expect much in the way of smartwatch features – there’s no NFC for payments, notifications are basic, and no option to run third-party apps.
Also consider
(Image credit: Future)
Component
Coros Nomad
Garmin Instinct 3 (45mm) AMOLED
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Price
$349 / £319
$449 / £389 / AU$829
$799 / £749 / AU$1,399
Dimensions
47.8 x 47.8 x 16.4mm
45 x 45 x 14.9mm
49 x 44 x 12 (mm)
Weight
49g with band
53g
62g
Case/bezel
Polymer Case
Fiber-reinforced polymer / aluminum
Titanium
Display
1.3 inch Memory-in-Pixel display (260x260 resolution)
AMOLED, 390 x 390px
Liquid retina LTPO3 OLED
GPS
Dual frequency GPS
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SatIQ
L3 dual-band GPS
Battery life
22 days of standard use, 34 hours in GPS mode
Up to 18 days (smartwatch), up to 32 hours (GPS)
42 hours smartwatch mode
Connection
Bluetooth
Bluetooth, ANT+
Bluetooth, LTE
Water resistant
50M
10ATM
WR100
Garmin Instinct 3
The closest thing to a Coros Nomad, except within Garmin's excellent ecosystem.
I wore the Coros Nomad in daily life, during sleep and workouts. I went rucking with the Coros Nomad a handful of times, comparing its GPS and biometric information to both the recently-reviewed Suunto Race 2, the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 11. I also visited some cities to test its GPS system amid larger crowds and buildings during workouts.
