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I tested the beginner-friendly Anycubic Kobra X – a 4-color 3D printer that’s surprisingly good

8:51 pm | March 20, 2026

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

The Kobra range of 3D printers has continued to impress over the years, and while the aesthetic design of their open-frame Cartesian machines has until now been very workshop-like, the reliability and quality of the prints have never failed to impress. So much so that there are still two old Kobra 2’s still running. They might not be the best machines compared to the latest releases, but after three years, they’re still running strong.

The Kobra X is a further progression forward in quality and design, which really started with the Kobra 3 Combo it’s just now the level of quality, along with the touch screen interface, speed and precision, all take another step forward. Anycubic are running to catch up like all others with the market leaders Bambu Lab, and to offer a solid alternative to the dominance of the Bambu Lab A1.

However, by taking on the A1, the Kobra X has had to refine the Anycubic 3D printers that have come before, and they’re not the only manufacturer that is playing catch-up with similarly cheap and excellent machines such as the Creality Hi, which again, for the price, is another outstanding cheap option. These printers are all very much now on a par; they don’t bring anything other than refinement to the older Cartesian style of FDM bed slinger printers.

What the Kobra X does is stamp Anycubic once again as a serious manufacturer in the 3D FDM arena, with a machine that improves the design quality and function. At this entry level, it’s essential that manufacturers get things right, as these are the machines that will endear users to their product lines. That’s why it seems for around the $300 / £300 mark, you’re getting a machine with literally all the features.

This does mean that any 3D printer at this level has to be simple to use, robust, reliable, aesthetically designed and when it comes to the prints, they need to be good, accurate and multicolored.

The market at this level is packed, and more importantly, the machines at this price point already have a solid and proven track record. Any of the best 3D printers I've tested for entry-level users need to compete needs to impress from the outset.

Getting started with the Kobra X instantly showed that the design and quality were on a par with the competition, and once a few updates and the calibration had run its course, the machine was up and running, the first few prints highlighting that the Kobra X was more than capable of standing its ground against the Creality and Bambu Lab machines.

Anycubic Kobra X: Price and Availability

The Anycubic Kobra X is currently only available directly from Anycubic US and Anycubic UK stores, priced at a discount $299 / £259 right now.

Combo versions are also available. If experience is anything to go by, expect this 3D printer to reach Amazon in the near future.

Anycubic Kobra X: Design

Anycubic Kobra X Review — (Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Anycubic has progressed the design of the Kobra machines significantly over the years, and comparing the old Kobra 2 against the latest X, you can see how the design and innovation of the latest model are worlds apart.

Yet, like those older machines, the Kobra X retains the older Cartesian style of design and sees the filament and print area open. While this means that for enthusiasts and those just starting out, you get to see the print being built, for those looking to use more advanced materials, the lack of an enclosure and controlled build area temperature limits the material choice.

Still, for beginners and hobbyists, that material restriction is probably a good thing, and after you’ve mastered the ways of PLA and PETG, you can then progress to the Kobra S1 .

As it is, while the frame may be open, it’s been properly product designed and looks, as well as the machines usability compared with past models has all taken a leap forward.

Again, the gantry feels good and solid, and Anycubic has once again worked on the quality of the Cable routing, so less of the workings are on show.

While the design is still open, the motors and power adapter, belts and wiring are all, for the most part, hidden away. The 3.5-inch touch screen is also intuitive and easy to navigate, with the ability to load prints via USB or through the Anycubic Slicer software wirelessly.

The physical size is also relatively compact, with the four filament spools being mounted on the horizontal top bar, enabling easy accessibility. If you want the filament in a dry box, then you can couple the printer with the Ace 2 Pro, in fact, up to four of these filament boxes to enable 19 color printing.

When it comes to the dimensions, it measures in at 455.4 x 445.3 x 461.3 mm with the filaments adding to the height. Weight-wise, this is a printer that is easy to move around if space is limited, and without the filaments, it weighs 12.7kg or 18 kg for the combo model. The Ace 2 Pro will add an additional 4.8 kg per unit.

While the weight can quickly build like its competitors at the base level, it’s still very manoeuvrable and easy to carry and store. The build area is also pretty decent at a perfect 260 × 260 × 260mm, meaning that there’s plenty of room for a good amount of projects.

One of the other big design features is the Ace Gen 2 print head with a new extruder, cutter and multifilament system that helps to cut down on the filament purge compared with other systems.

Design: 4.5/5

Anycubic Kobra X: Features

Specs

Print Technology: FDM
Build Area: 260 × 260 × 260 mm
Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.05 mm
Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.30 mm
Dimensions: Approx. 500 × 500 × 580 mm
Weight: Approx. 9.5 kg
Bed: Heated aluminium build plate (up to 110°C)
Print Surface: Textured PEI spring steel flex plate
Software: Anycubic Slicer (Cura-based) + Wi-Fi / App / Cloud support
Materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS
Print Speed: Up to 600 mm/s

At first look, the Kobra X follows the same lines of design as the other new bed slingers. Everything is a little neater and less DIY workshop, and it isn’t just the aesthetics; these new machines leap forward with the technology and features as well.

The first point to note is that for those on a budget, the machine, with discounts, can be purchased for around $299 / £259, and for that price you have the ability to print in 4 colors. That is discounted from the usual $399 / £359, but when discounted that makes it £100 less than the competition. That price point is just the start, with several different combo options that then see the price hit a peak of $1148 / £987 with four Ace 2 Pro boxes and the ability to print up to 19 colors.

Like the S1, there’s also the ability to quality swap out the nozzle for different diameters, with the machine arriving with a standard 0.4mm and options for diameters from 0.25 through to 0.8mm. What also stands out here is that many of the parts can easily be swapped out, most notably the Ace Gen 2 print head.

Compared with Anycubic's previous multicolor Cartesian printers, this new system is double the speed and saves more filament through filament purging. It can also print 4 colors out of the box with the option to print an additional 15, taking the total to 19 colors.

The machine also builds in AI detection, which enables perfect first-layer printing, and if any issues are detected, the machine will stop before any damage is caused.

Out of the box, thanks to the new print head, the machine can also print PLA and TPU (68D) simultaneously, enabling you to print far more complex models. This type of feature is more common in multi-tool head printers and not common in single-nozzle systems like this.

A feature that I’ve seen expanding across almost all manufacturers is the ability to monitor and control the printer remotely. Again, while this isn’t a unique feature, the fact that it’s included on a portion of this print point is exceptional.

Anycubic make a big point about the new Ace Gen 2 technology, which features a 52% reduction in the distance between the filament cutter and nozzle and an 81.25% reduction in filament change length, ultimately reducing the time between filament swaps and the amount of filament that needs to be purged.

The most interesting point about this head is that it features an adaptive extrusion force compensator, which adjusts the extrusion force based on the filament hardness so that PLA, PVA and softer TPU can all be extruded without manual adjustment between filament swaps. This means you can print with the following combinations: PLA + TPU, PLA + PVA or TPU + TPU.

One of the other features that stands out, despite its simplicity, is the fact that the spools for the four colors are mounted above the machine. This means that although you do need to have quite a bit of headroom, for smaller workshop areas where desk space might be limited, this four-color solution retains a small footprint.

Print speeds can reach a maximum of 600mm/s with the default being an impressive 300mm/s. As a speed test on the machine, the USB is loaded with a fast 3DBench model that prints in a little over 14 minutes, which by any standards is fast.

Once again, the machine features the latest version of Anycubics LeviQ 3.0 levelling system with 49-point auto-leveling, Flow Dynamic Calibration, and Vibration Compensation. The heat bed has also been redesigned to ensure an even spread of heat under the platform.

The AI detection has a few key new features that I was keen to test. The first, as always, is the spaghetti detection, but then the new object skipping is of real interest. The spaghetti detection will stop the printer if something goes wrong and spaghetti strands of filament start to appear.

Object Skipping is something new. This essentially skips a print that’s failed, so if you have a series of parts printing on the same bed and one fails, usually that means that all will fail. However, once the camera detects a failure, it skips it and continues the rest of the prints without returning to the failed one.

Features: 4.5/5

Anycubic Kobra X: Performance

The Kobra X is one of the most straightforward Bed Slingers I’ve assembled and took a little over five minutes to unbox and build. Once powered up and the calibration steps were run, which takes around 30 minutes, then the printer is set to go.

On the first run, I checked the first layer accuracy, and once finished, the sheet of plastic that had been extruded was of exceptional quality, peeling back to reveal an even and well distributed layer of filament. The next few test models were all from the supplied USB key, and as expected, these ran through without issue.

I then progressed to my own custom test models, all initially single filament. While Anycubic had supplied a 3DBenchy model on the USB, this was highly optimised to enable fast printing, so I loaded my stock version and was able to get a decent model in around 33 minutes with a clear surface and decent structure.

As I progressed through the test, pushing 4 kg of filament through for a variety of parts and projects, the printer remained consistent, and at all times, the four filament spools were left exposed to the elements rather than being protected in dry boxes. The printer was able to withstand the workshop temperatures, which could dip to around 10ºC at night.

Checking out the Autodesk / Kickstarter quality test proved that the printer, despite its price, is an exceptional value considering the quality that it is capable of printing. The highlight here is the dimensional accuracy, which I have seen with other Cartesian printers often appears to be more accurate than many Core XY printers.

Across the board, the quality tests were exceptionally good, and considering the price and the fact that it natively prints with four colors and can support up to 19, as well as having the ability to print with two materials, TPU and PLA, makes this printer an exceptional value for money.

Through the test, there were a couple of points that caused an issue. The first is that if your filaments don’t include the Anycubic RFID chip, then it isn’t always straightforward to update the printer as to what’s loaded in and a bit of fiddling was needed, essentially scanning an Anycubic reel and then popping on a third party. However, using the Anycubic FDilament with the RFID chips, loading and using a multitude of different material options was exceptionally simple.

Benchmark results

Dimensional accuracy - score of 4

Target 25 = X: 25.83mm / 0.17mm Error | Y: 25.01mm / 0.01mm Error
Target 20 = X: 19.86mm / 0.14mm Error | Y: 19.81mm / 0.19mm Error
Target 15 = X: 14.75mm / 0.25mm Error | Y: 14.87mm / 0.13mm Error
Target 10 = X: 9.79mm / 0.21mm Error | Y: 9.88mm / 0.12mm Error
Target 5 = X: 4.91mm / 0.09mm Error | Y: 4.87mm / 0.13mm Error

X Error Average = 0.172
Y Error Average = 0.116
X&Y Error Average = 0.144

Fine Flow Control - score of 2.5
Fine Negative Features - score of 5
Overhangs - score of 4
Bridging - score of 5
XY resonance - score of 2.5
Z-axis alignment - score of 2.5

Adding up the totals gives a final score of 25.5 out of 28.

One of my other major selling points from Anycubic about this new models is the speed and reduction of filament waste. While actual print speed is increased, the new iteration of the slicer software, AnycubicSlicerNext (Kobra X), doesn’t seem to reflect the speed change compared with the AnycubicSlicer (Kobra 3) software, often quoting the Kobra 3 and Kobra X having similar print times.

Going to multi-color printing, and this is where the machine comes into its own. Again, like print speeds, the software doesn’t seem to highlight the waste difference between this and the Kobra 3; however, after printing, while the filament piles are similar, the X does have a slight filament pile reduction compared to the Kobra 3.

Having run four 1 Kg spools through the system, I’ve been impressed by the dimensional accuracy, speed and surface quality. I would, however, highlight that the print platform should be cleaned regularly.

The platform's surface, while offering good adhesion, does need to be cleaned and seems slightly more prone than usual to finger grease, so just something to be aware of. As an open-framed 3D printer, while there are limitations on what you can print, the overall performance is exceptionally good.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Anycubic Kobra X: Final verdict

The Anycubic Kobra X is one of the latest highly refined multi-color printers that offers a huge amount of potential. The quality of the build and design is a huge step forward from what I’ve seen in the past from the open design printers, but then, with the likes of the BambuLab A1, which was launched back in 2023, no manufacturer can get away with producing a printer that looks like it’s been put together in a workshop.

The workflow has been smoothed out, and once calibrated, which is of course all handled by the printer, as long as you ensure you maintain the rails and keep things clean after every print, the reliability is superb.

There are a couple of points on the maintenance of this printer. The first is to make sure that the print surface is always given a wipe over with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) spray and a lint-free cloth.

The other point, which is especially relevant with this and other multi-filament printers, is to clear away the filament waste pile after, and even during, each print. Those tiny piles of filament can get stuck in various parts of the printer, so don’t let them pile up.

The filament waste issue is as ever apparent, but at present, with the design that’s pretty standard and at the price that is the price you pay.

Ultimately, for a printer that is so cheap, the potential and print quality of the Kobra X is superb, and at a competitive price point, it is at present the best value in a crowded field.

Should you buy the Anycubic Kobra X?


Value:	Incredible value for money for a multifilament printer with upgrade potential for even more filaments	5
Design:	Older Cartesian design, but refined, fast and reliable	4
Features:	AnyCubic has thrown every feature going at the Kobra X, camera, advanced auto levelling, and multfilament printing	4.5
Performance:	Fast performance for the design and decent print quality with easy multifilament printing	4
Total:	Outstanding value and one of the cheapest 3D printers at this quality on the market	4.5

Buy it if...

You need multifilament printing.

Able to print with four filament colors straight out of the box, the potential is impressive for a printer at this price, wit hth eability to add more filament boxes when needed.

You want a cheap 3D printer.

At present no other printer can compete when it comes to features and price.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t like filament waste.

Like so many printers of this type, filament waste is a problem when multifilament printing.

You print with advanced materials.

While the printer is exceptional in so many ways, the open design means that it’s not suitable for printing advanced materials such as nylon and ABS.

For more crafting essentials, I've also tested out the best laser engravers

I tested the Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro, and considering the price, it’s surprisingly rugged and feature-packed

6:01 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, RAM | Comments: Off

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: 30-second review

The Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro is a compact, rugged tablet designed for outdoor professionals and trades, and is available at an incredibly low price. What makes this impressive is not just the price but the bright yellow design detailing, screen, and build quality.

Considering the relatively low price, the quality of the build and materials is genuinely good, feeling solid and robust which is reinforced by the IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications. Visually, the design highlights the rugged credentials with the usual hardened rubberised corners synonymous with this tablet style.

Unlike many rugged tablets I’ve looked at in the past, this design avoids the bulk and ugliness that often come with heavy-duty certification. The bright yellow accents and ribbed backplate give it a distinctive look, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen has a slightly matte finish that makes it easy on the eye and comfortable to read in a range of lighting conditions.

With an 8.68-inch screen and a lowish-profile bezel, it comfortably fits in one hand, and, coupled with a weight of 540g, it all feels well-balanced for a certified rugged device. The 860-nit display is also more than bright enough for outdoor use, and the adaptive brightness and Highlight Mode mean it adapts well to the changing light conditions, although these days this is a standard feature.

This is an entry-level model; still, the performance from the Unisoc T7250 CPU is, for the most part, solid. Google productivity apps run smoothly, with the interfaces for each application responsive, though the screen resolution, while clear, is a little limited.

Likewise, the same is true for some light creative work in apps like Photoshop Express and CapCut: as long as you don’t push the resolution of the images or the video editing, most adjustments and edits are perfectly viable.

As long as your expectations for the tablet are at the entry to mid-level, the performance is solid, although as you push the system, the limitations do start to show under heavier workloads such as serious image editing, video rendering, or gaming. Although it has to be said, all applications tested are usable, especially Lightroom, which actually runs exceptionally well, and this is a tablet designed for outdoor professionals rather than creatives and with that in mind, the performance feels well-balanced.

Battery life is good and impressive through the test. During the benchmarking, which lasted about 3 hours, the battery only dropped 10%. This initial 10% drop utilised the tablet's CPU and GPU to the max, and over the rest of the 10-day test, the tablet dropped to 12% charge, a result that actually supports Ulefone's longevity claims.

Another feature that will be especially relevant to trade is the uSmart expansion connector, dock charging, and eSIM support, all of which set a business-focused feature set that makes the RugKing Pad Pro a great choice for anyone working in the field, and a sure-fire inclusion in our guide to the best rugged tablets we've tested.

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $199 / £170
When is it out? Now
Where can you get it? Widely available

The Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro is available directly from Ulefone, as well as online retailers including Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

The standard price is $199.99 / £170 at the time of review. Optional accessories, including the desk charging dock, tablet hand strap with kickstand, and uSmart endoscope and microscope modules, are sold separately. The cost of the 4G SIM or eSIM will be an additional expense.

Value: 4 / 5

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: Design

Specifications

Rugged rating: IP68 / MIL-STD-810H certification
Battery: 7100mAh / 18W fast charging / 6W reverse charging
Screen: 8.68in / 1340 x 800 resolution / 90Hz refresh rate / Corning Gorilla Glass 3
CPU: Unisoc T7250 (12nm), Octa-core (2 x 1.8GHz + 6 x 1.6GHz)
Graphics: ARM Mali-G57 MP1
RAM: 8GB (+ up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion)
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2; expandable via microSD up to 2TB
Left Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, waterproof port covers
Right Ports: Volume buttons, custom programmable key, SIM tray (2x Nano-SIM + microSD)
Connectivity: 4G LTE dual SIM + built-in eSIM; Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou + QZSS; FM Radio
Audio: Dual speakers; 3.5mm headphone jack; headset-free FM Radio
Camera: 16MP rear (PDAF, HDR, LED flash, 1080p/30fps video); 8MP front
Size: 222 x 131.5 x 12.4mm; 540g
OS Installed: Android 16
Accessories: Desk Charging Dock (sold separately); Tablet Hand Strap with kickstand (sold separately); uSmart E01/E02 endoscope, C01 microscope (sold separately); Buds; Armor Mount Max

The RugKing Pad Pro is a great-looking rugged tablet with its yellow detailing and relatively slim profile. Unlike the more usual blocky, overtly industrial aesthetic that I’ve seen in the past when reviewing rugged tablets, Ulefone has taken a more refined approach: sharp lines, a protective frame, and a bright yellow ribbed back panel that gives it a rugged look without adding unnecessary bulk.

The yellow colour option, applied to the detail elements and the backplate, proved to be a practical choice, as I discovered through the test. That yellow colour makes it easy to spot at the back of a van and in low-light conditions, where high visibility matters. The yellow essentially contrasts well against most working environments and is one of the reasons some camera bag manufacturers also select this colour.

The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which has a slightly matte surface that I found made extended reading and document work more comfortable than a typical glossy display. Although this is an entry-level device with a low screen resolution, the display quality is one of the best I’ve seen, and the surface was absolutely spot on for me.

When it comes to handling, the 8.68-inch size sits well in one hand and is easy to hold, thanks to its 540g weight. While not light, it is still easy to carry for extended periods. One feature of the design highlighted by the manufacturer is the ribbed back, and while this does look grippy, in practice it offers little more traction than a smooth surface; it’s more aesthetic than functional, and a slightly rubberised texture would have improved real-world grip.

The waterproof port plugs are simple push-fit rubber bungs, which are standard for this category. They’re made from a hard rubber that should last the lifespan of the device, but as with all such designs, you need to ensure they’re fully seated before subjecting the device to being submerged in water.

The pogo pin dock connector holds the tablet firmly, and the charging dock, sold separately, is essential if you are looking for this for the workplace, especially if multiple units need to be managed.

Design: 3 / 5

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: Features

Fronting the tablet is an 8.68-inch IPS LCD display with a 1340 x 800 resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 860 nits. While the resolution and refresh rate are slightly lower than those of recent rugged tablets, the display still looks good.

A common feature worth highlighting is adaptive brightness, which adjusts the screen automatically to ambient conditions, and there's a dedicated Highlight Mode that pushes brightness even further in direct sunlight. Both features work well in practice, although it is mid-March, so slightly duller day to day than later in the year.

The RugKing Pad Pro supports up to two Nano-SIMs or an eSIM. The physical SIMs, along with the TF/MicroSD card, can be loaded into the slot on the side of the device. It’s worth noting that the eSIM and physical SIMs cannot be used at the same time, and if you do want to switch between them a restart is required.

eSIM activation follows a standard process via Settings > Network & Internet, with setup via QR code or activation code. 4G LTE connectivity is all you get, and there’s no 5G support. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and multi-constellation GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS) complete the wireless options.

In the past, I’ve been impressed by uSmart's expansion accessories, such as the EndoScope, and it’s great to see that ecosystem from the tough phones now on a larger tablet, as it really does enhance its usefulness. The connector for attaching accessories is on the side and supports Ulefone’s professional accessories, including the E01 and E02 endoscopes and the C01 microscope.

The connector uses a single securing screw for attachment, and the accessories really do provide a genuine professional tool set for trades who need to carry out inspection work. The ability to feed endoscope footage directly to the tablet’s 8.68-inch screen has obvious advantages over a mobile phone screen.

A rugged mobile device wouldn’t be without a programmable custom key, and this can be assigned to any function or app; during testing, it was mapped to the camera for instant access. Other slightly unique features include the Glove mode, activated through the Special Functions menu in Settings, which, when tested, worked well with fabric gloves and lighter work gloves, though heavier-duty gloves didn’t work; however, compared with standard touch screens, this mode does make a big difference to usability.

Another of the big rugged features is the 133LM Super Torch, which sits next to the camera. Here, with the slightly focused beam, it is reasonable and has a decent reach, although there is no brightness adjustment or beam focus control.

The RugKing Pad Pro is preloaded with Android 16 and a host of apps, if anything too many, one of the first things that I would do if owning this phone for business would be to strip the app side back to the essentials. One of those essentials would be the Ulefone’s Service Centre app, which provides support when you need it, along with the user manuals.

Features: 4 / 5

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: Performance

Benchmarks

Geekbench CPU Single: 441
Geekbench CPU Multi: 1501
Geekbench GPU: 721
PCMark Overall: N/A
3DMark Slingshot Overall: 1884
3DMark Slingshot Graphics: 1742
3DMark Slingshot Physics: 2633
3DMark Wild Life Overall: 160
3DMark Steel Nomad Light Overall: 67

The Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro is a relatively compact Android-based tablet, and as I started the performance test, a couple of points about the design immediately stood out. The first was that the size made it easy to handle, and even without the hand strap, which would have been handy, it was still easy to hold single-handed.

The textured back, which was supposed to give a little more grip, didn’t seem to do much; however, the build quality is solid, and with the usual rubberised corner protection, it all seemed durable enough.

Powering this small tablet is a Unisoc T7250 CPU, which delivers solid if not cutting-edge performance that’s fine for the market the RugKing Pad Pro is designed for. Checking out all the usual apps, including Google’s productivity apps, Docs, Sheets, Drive, and all loaded quickly and ran without issue.

However, I will say that the 1340 x 800 screen resolution only just provided enough working area for comfortable document editing. When used with those Google apps, the overall feel is well-balanced, the physical size, screen clarity and interface responsiveness work together well, and some of the more unique features were genuinely helpful.

The gloved-hand mode increases the screen's sensitivity, so even with non-touchscreen gloves, the screen still responds. I did find that for thicker gloves, the usual non-response was still present; still, it’s better than most.

Using Lightroom, Photoshop, and CapCut shows that despite the entry-level CPU and GPU, the tablet still has some potential, and the Geekbench results (Single: 441, Multi: 1501, GPU: 721) are far from ground-breaking but show good, solid performance across the board.

Where the tablet does start to struggle is with graphics-intensive tasks, and the 3DMark scores in Slingshot showed an overall score of 1884 and a Wild Life score of 160, all confirming that the Mali-G57 MP1 GPU is a competent mid-weight GPU. Flipping back to the real-world tests, sure enough, Photoshop Express, Lightroom mobile, and CapCut video editing were possible, and even NFS Asphalt ran surprisingly well.

GPS performance was generally reliable, though there was significant cloud cover during much of the test period, which made satellite connectivity a little sporadic. On clear days, the RugKing Pad Pro locked on quickly and matched the positioning accuracy of comparable rugged smartphones. 4G connectivity and speed, while not close to what I’m used to with 5G, performed well, and the signal strength in Salisbury, England, was excellent, though, heading to the outskirt towns around the New Forest, where we’re limited to 4G.

Over a 10-day period, the RugKing Pad Pro joined me for work and under normal mixed usage, mainly checking and answering emails, alongside the benchmarking test and using a variety of applications, browsing, Google Docs, and some media playback, the device finished with 12% battery.

One point of note is that the screen powers off by default after 30 seconds, which is incredibly short, so I extended the switch-off time, which has a dramatic effect on battery life.

As a final note, while the tablet does have a camera, the 16MP rear camera resolution and quality is best described as adequate, perfect for taking pictures for site documentation, reference shots, scanning, but it’s worth knowing that the brighter it is, the cleaner the images you capture will be, and this is relevant for both images and stills.

Performance: 4 / 5

Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro: Final verdict

The Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro is at the budget end of rugged tablets, yet, despite the price, it's a great option if you’re looking for a well-thought-out tablet that delivers decent performance for productivity apps and can withstand most environmental conditions.

The build quality and design are genuinely impressive for the price, and as long as the rubber lugs are pushed in securely, it will be water-tight as well as shockproof, making it ideal for trades. One aspect that sometimes lets these rugged smartphones down is the screen, and once again, the resolution is low; however, the brightness is good, and it's easy to see outdoors, even in bright conditions. The battery life over a 10-day test was also superb.

When it came to the more advanced performance, the Unisoc T7250, while a capable mid-range processor that handles productivity tasks well does start to hit its limitations under heavier creative workloads, however, that’s not really what this device is for and if you just want to enhance a few image or make short site videos then the camera and processing power will more than suffice.

I am a little surprised that a new release is still limited to 4G rather than 5G, but this will be due to price considerations, although it will limit the product's actual lifespan as 5G becomes more widely available. At present, I’m lucky to see E for my network connectivity. Despite it only offering 4G support, you can add an eSIM, which is incredibly easy to do, and the system seems well set up to do this; although you can’t run a standard SIM at the same time as the eSIM, it’s one or the other.

Some of the additional features are unique to this product line, such as the uSmart accessory ecosystem, which, as with previous releases, works incredibly well and, for trades, will be a great asset. Then, with the dock charging compatibility, it further lends itself to use in the workplace.

Should I buy a Ulefone RugKing Pad Pro?

Value	Great value for money for a solid workplace tablet that can withstand the elements	4
Design	The rugged design is slimmer and lighter than many other tablets of this style, making it far more portable	4
Features	A decent set of features, a bright screen, and the ability to connect USmart accessories	4
Performance	While rugged, the CPU and GPU limit the performance	3
Overall	Considering the entry-level price, the tablet has a good range of features and solid all-around performance	4

Buy it if...

You need a tough tablet.

If you need a tablet for work that’s tough, able to withstand the elements, and able to withstand being knocked about, then this is a great option.

Small and rugged

Unlike other rugged tablets, this can easily be held in one hand while still offering a decent 8.68-inch screen.

Don't buy it if...

You need fast networking.

While there is an eSIM available, the cellular network connection is limited to 4G only.

You use creative apps.

While Lightroom runs smoothly on the system and short edits are possible in CapCut as soon as you start pushing the adjustments, the device starts to show its limitations.

For more durable devices, we've tested and reviewed the best rugged laptops and best rugged phones

‘I’m Batman’: I tested the RayNeo Air 4 Pro Batman Justice Edition – the theme is unapologetically fun and the HDR10 and B&O audio experience is surprisingly good

5:10 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: HDR | Comments: Off

RayNeo Air 4 Pro: 30-second review

Specs

RayNeo Air 4 Pro review — (Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Display: 0.6-inch Tandem Micro-OLED per eye; 201-inch equivalent at 6 metres
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 per eye (2D); 3840 x 1080 combined (3D)
Brightness: 1,200 nits peak
Contrast: 200,000:1
Colour space: 98% DCI-P3; 145% sRGB
Colour accuracy: Delta E < 2
Refresh rate: 60Hz / 120Hz
HDR: HDR10 with HueView 2.0
Processor: Vision 4000
Audio: 4-speaker system, tuned by Bang & Olufsen; Whisper Mode and Surround Mode
Eye protection: TUV SUD Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free certified
Colour modes: Standard, Movie, Eye Protection
Connectivity: USB-C DisplayPort; compatible with iPhone 15/16, MacBook, iPad, Android, consoles
Prescription support: Magnetic lens frame; compatible with Lensology custom lenses
Weight: 76g
Dimensions: 176.5 x 154.3 x 47.4mm
Batman Justice Edition extras: Clip-on Batman Bat Shade; standard lens shade; collector's vault packaging
Optional accessory: RayNeo Pocket TV (sold separately)

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro Batman Justice Edition are the latest iteration of the company's display glasses and quite a leap forward compared with the RayNeo Air 3S Pro’s that I looked at, at the beginning of the year.

This new iteration runs alongside the standard RayNeo Air 4 Pro but adds a little Batman branding to the package. The glasses arrive in a large collector's vault that will instantly appeal to any DC fan. The presentation of the special edition box is rather restrained rather than garish, with a large bat symbol on an otherwise all-black box. Inside are the glasses inside the usual protective case, just with the addition of the Batman symbol.

Like the box, the glasses themselves are equally discreet: there’s just a small Batman logo on the right arm alongside the Bang & Olufsen branding, otherwise in every other way they look almost identical to the standard Air 4 Pro. The real differentiator is tucked beneath a cardboard divider, which, once lifted away, reveals the clip-on Batman mask. This is a masquerade-style shade that snaps neatly onto the front of the glasses frame, helping to block out light and amusing anyone who may be watching you.

The mask itself is actually well designed and clips and unclips easily; it’s also incredibly light, so it adds little or no perceivable weight to your nose, and does something genuinely useful beyond the obvious fun. The glasses' lenses are slightly opaque, so that you can see a little of what is going on around you. Once the shade is in place, this essentially blocks ambient light far more effectively than the standard shade, making a more immersive experience in brighter environments. Sat still watching The Dark Knight through a MacBook Pro; the effect with the mask in place is impressive once your mind gets used to the little big screen effect.

Through the test, I ran the glasses on a MacBook Pro M1 Max, an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPad mini and the RayNeo Pocket TV device, and the setup was consistently straightforward. The glasses power on automatically when the USB-C cable connects, and the display mirrors immediately with no configuration required. The cable that connects the glasses to a host device runs from the back of the right arm, over your shoulder, to the device, and it becomes easy to ignore.

One of the headline features over previous models is HDR10. In practice, watching HDR content via Netflix and Apple TV on the MacBook, the improvement in shadow detail and mid-tone contrast is real, although subtle. The Vision 4000 chip's AI SDR-to-HDR upscaling adds to the visual crispness of most content. Neither transformation is dramatic. Together, however, they do boost the visual quality over earlier RayNeo glasses.

The Bang & Olufsen audio is a clear improvement, and through the test, I found that the standard mode delivered the best balanced, clear sound, and a decent volume that was definitely better than previous AR glasses. Whisper Mode is once again inaudible to anyone nearby, especially in crowded environments, making this a great solution for commuting, although probably not with the mask in place. Surround Mode is the only disappointment. The spatial effect is noticeable, but the volume drop makes it difficult to use unless you're in a quiet room.

One of the other features I was keen to try is the 2D-to-3D AI conversion. For personal video files shot on your phone, it is genuinely impressive, creating convincing depth that surprised me on the first render to show my dog walking in pretty effectively in 3D. For feature films and streaming content, things are a little more complicated. The AI processing doesn’t work on streamed content at all, and even with locally stored files, the processing seemed to hang on content that was too long. The RayNeo Pocket TV accessory, tested separately, enables standalone streaming via Google TV but similarly does not extend 3D processing to that content.

The RayNeo Air 4 Pros are a great set of display glasses which pack down to the size of a glasses case, enabling you to take them anywhere. If you’re travelling, then it’s a great way to take a decent large-format screen with you. The Batman Justice Edition shade is a bit of fun, so if you're a Batman fan, then these will be a great choice. For all others, the standard edition is, aside from the mask, identical.

RayNeo Air 4 Pro: Price & availability

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro is available directly from uk.rayneo.com. The standard edition is priced at $249 / £249 direct from the RayNeo website. On Amazon.com, they're priced at $299 and £379 at Amazon.co.uk.

The Batman Justice Edition carries a small additional premium - and at the time of review, I'm only seeing it available on the RayNeo website in the US.

The optional RayNeo Pocket TV, which enables standalone Google TV streaming without a connected device, is sold separately.

Score: 4/5

RayNeo Air 4 Pro: Design & build

The Air 4 Pro are instantly recognisable as a pair of display glasses with that slightly bulkier design compared with a standard pair of glasses. However, the size and bulk are slowly reducing, and these are noticeably slimmer than earlier generations and rivals I've tested.

The build quality of the frame is all well-constructed and has a premium feel despite the relatively low price. Some of the notable signs that these are not standard sunglasses include the thicker-than-standard arms that have space to fit the electronics, speakers, and control buttons. This means that while these are getting slimmer, they are still very noticeable as something different.

One of the main concerns with any set of display glasses is weight and, therefore, how comfortable they will be when worn for extended viewing sessions. At just 76g, the glasses are genuinely lightweight, and wearing them through a full viewing of The Dark Knight produced only the temporary nose pressure you'd expect from any glasses worn continuously.

The nose pad does offer some adjustment if limited by the ability to move the pads in and out to change the screen distance from your eyes, which is a useful calibration tool. The one consistent note from testing, as with the Air 3s Pro, is that to get the screen in the right position required pushing the glasses slightly down the nose from the natural wearing position. I

The glasses are not self-contained and require a host device to stream content, in the same way as a monitor. Here, a USB-C cable exits from the back of the right arm and trails down to your connected device, be that a laptop, mobile phone or Pocket TV. The positioning of the cable is well thought through, essentially over the shoulder rather than dropping straight down, and after an initial positioning, you genuinely forget about it.

There is something more to this edition of the glasses over the standard with the Batman shade that clips to the front of the frame. Once installed, the slightly opaque lenses are screened off to black, and the size of the mask helps to block out more ambient light than the standard shade. While the shade works and is light, it still adds some weight to the unit, and is probably best left at home when using these on your daily commute.

Design & build: 4/5

RayNeo Air 4 Pro: Features

The Air 4 Pro features two 0.6-inch Micro-OLED screens, one 1080p per eye with a max brightness of 1,200 nits, 200,000:1 contrast and 98% DCI-P3 colour. This is essentially the same as the Air 3S Pro that I looked at a couple of months ago.

What this latest release adds is an all-new Vision 400 processor that brings, amongst other enhancements, HDR10 support, better colour mapping and contrast. The other big feature here is the Audio by Bang and Olufsen.

The Vision 4000 chip's enhancements reach right across the feature set, especially with the new AI processing that works in the background to boost the quality of the visuals. AI SDR-to-HDR upscaling is applied in real-time, so it’s one of those features that makes a big difference, but you don’t actually notice it, as it’s so integrated with the workings of the glasses.

The AI 2D-to-3D conversion is another major feature that requires the companion app to use. This is good, but it does seem to be in its early development. For personal video files shot on an iPhone and stored locally, the processing is genuinely impressive, with the depth separation being convincing, and the effect adds genuine visual interest to the footage.

One discrepancy on the site's description of the glasses that is worth noting is that six colour modes are listed: Standard, Game, Movie, Eye Protection, Professional, and Vision Boost, but the review unit had only three: Standard, Movie, and Eye Protection. Game, Professional, and Vision Boost modes were not present in the firmware version tested, but may well be added later. Standard and Eye Protection proved the most useful for general viewing; Movie mode warmed the image far too much for my liking.

The Bang & Olufsen audio partnership is genuinely a great addition with the four-speaker system. Standard mode supplies clear, balanced sound with good depth and enough volume for most environments. Whisper Mode is once again impressive, and sitting in a café, the people I was with were unable to hear any noise from the glasses until they put their heads up close.

One of the audio features that I was looking forward to trying was the Surround Mode, which introduces spatial quality to the audio.

Through the test, I tried the glasses with several devices and for all, the Plug-and-play compatibility was good with the iPhone 15 Pro, MacBook Pro M1 Max, and iPad mini, simply plugging in and being recognised without issue.

Navigation of the on-screen display is handled via a double-click of the left arm menu button to enter settings, volume buttons to scroll, and a single click to select. Switching between 2D and 3D requires a triple press of the volume rocker, followed by the RayNeo XR app to manage content. The control system works, but it takes a while for it to become intuitive.

Features: 4.5/5

RayNeo Air 4 Pro: Performance

The simplest way to get started with the Air 4 Pros is to simply plug them directly into the USB-C port at the bottom of your phone, laptop or other device that enables display out. Once the glasses are plugged in, they instantly become a virtual 201-inch screen or at least the illusion of one.

Initially, it does just look like two small screens in front of your eyes, but due to the close proximity and resolution, your brain quickly enables the illusion of the scale of the screen to settle in. Once that brain adjustment happens, the effect of the screens is impressive and makes an ideal option for watching back media.

One hope for these display glasses was that I would be able to use them as a wearable screen for the computer; however, at 1080p, the screen resolution is limited. There’s also the fact that you need to keep your head still as the lenses are fixed to the glasses, so every head movement sees the screens move, which is initially a little disorientating. Unlike VR glasses, there’s no image stabilisation, so the more stationary your head, the better the effect.

The way that these glasses work is that what you’re looking at is actually a projection of the screens, rather than directly at the screens themselves. This means that the lens part of the glasses, while dark like sunglasses, is opaque so that you can see what’s going on around you. However, the density of the shades is high, so while in bright conditions you can see in front of you, in shaded rooms they may as well be blacked out, and all you really see are shadows crossing the display.

As with previous editions, there is a plastic shade that clips to the front, helping to block the light and boost the screen visuals. However, these being the Batman edition, as well as the standard shade, there's also the Batman option. This mask is larger than the standard version and helps to illuminate even more light. The effect is good and really does have a dramatic effect on just how immersive the experience is.

The visuals are good, but then so were the visuals of the Air 3S Pro, which share a similar resolution and specification screens. However, with the new Vision 4000 processor, the visual quality gets a boost with HDR10 content, which displays brighter and with greater dynamic range.

In practice, HDR10 content viewed via Netflix and Apple TV on the MacBook Pro showed better shadow and highlight detail than the standard display, and the videos were slightly stronger in contrast and brightness. While there is an improvement, it is subtle, so if you’re expecting a huge difference, then you’ll be disappointed.

HDR content on the MacBook Pro via Netflix and Apple TV is a great place to check the full effect, although again limited by the 1080p resolution, which is apparent. The Dark Knight was used to test the visuals, primarily due to it being a Batman film, but it was also partly shot on IMAX film with extremely deliberate lighting. The effect was notable, but you would only notice it if you were looking for it.

Flicking through the glasses options, there’s a good amount of choice, and those looking to use this with a gaming console will be pleased to see the 120Hz refresh rate option. At 60Hz, action sequences showed a small amount of motion judder, although this is slightly masked by the 1080p resolution. Switching to 120Hz did enable smoother motion, and for gaming, you’d probably want to switch to this option; for standard TV and film, 60Hz will more than suffice.

One of the notable features of these glasses is the 1,200 nit peak brightness, and when these are coupled with the dark opaque lenses, you can view the screens in almost any lighting conditions. There is the usual shade in the box, but then, this being the Batman edition, there’s also the Batman mask that can be clipped to the front. This is probably not something that you would want to wear in and around the office or in public, but in the comfort of your own home, it is a bit of fun.

While the main aim of the Batman shade is to support the partnership with the Batman brand, the larger size of the shade compared with the standard version does help to block out a little more light and further adds to the immersive experience. Other than the visuals of the Batman mask, there really is little other benefit, and unless you’re a Batman fan, then it’s probably best to opt for the slightly cheaper standard version.

One of the other features that had stood out was the 3D potential, especially with these being Batman-branded. To access the 3D features, you can either use the App to view your own content or stereoscopic content by double-clicking the left and right rocker levers on the arms. I was hoping that with the Dark Knight having been shot for IMAX, or at least some of the scenes, would somehow be 3D optimised through the AI feature. Testing this feature with the glasses connected to the App and video content from my phone viewed through the app, the effect is impressive; oddly, still images once processed are less impressive. Having tested some smaller files, I decided to see if this near-realtime 3D enhancement of video was also possible for feature films and streaming content.

Unfortunately, I quickly established that this may be pushing the 3D AI conversion a little too far, and streamed content cannot be processed regardless of the source, and even the RayNeo Pocket TV accessory, which brings standalone Google TV streaming to the glasses, doesn’t add any 3D processing.

Looking at the colour options, and again there’s a good choice, and the effects are quite stark, and through this test I actually found the standard mode was the best for film, TV and other content. Switching to the movie option turned everything a little too yellow.

Another of the big features for these glasses is the audio partnership with Bang & Olufsen, and this is genuinely a good boost to the audio quality. Watching several episodes of Monarch and The Dark Knight through the MacBook Pro, the sound quality through Standard mode was impressive, comfortably better than laptop speakers and on a par with a decent set of over-ear headphones. Whisper Mode's ability, which impressed me in the past, once again manages to contain audio within the immediate vicinity. However, the surround sound option that I was looking forward to testing just seemed to run too quietly, and the only place that I could take full advantage was in a quiet room, and even then, the volume just felt a touch too quiet.

In the final part of the test, I tried using the glasses as a secondary display for the MacBook, and I found that for reviewing product manuals and reference material, it was workable. While for reading, the resolution is ok, and the larger area was good, again, you do need to keep your head still. Throughout the review, while these screens are good and the price well balanced, you still can’t escape that the screens are quite small compared with the latest VR headsets, and the fact that there’s no horizon steady or stabilisation will take a bit of getting used to.

Alongside the Air 4 Pros, I also took a look at the RayNeo Pocket TV accessory, tested as part of this review, and this worked incredibly well once set up as a standalone streaming device connected to the glasses via USB-C, and enables you to connect without a phone or laptop, as long as there’s a wifi connection.

Performance: 4.5/5

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Batman Justice Edition: Final verdict

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro Batman Justice Edition display glasses are great fun if you’re a Batman fan and want something else for the collection. For everyone else, there’s the standard option of the Air 4 Pros, which are slightly cheaper.

If you strip away the fact that the shade is a Batman mask and you’re unlikely to wear it out in public, the effect when clipped to the front of the glasses, with the more extensive coverage over the shades, actually does block more light, so in a way, the mask is practical.

When it comes to the list of enhancements from the Air 3S Pro I looked at earlier in the year, while the screen resolutions remain much the same, the HDR10 display, Bang & Olufsen audio, and a 120Hz refresh rate do make these glasses and far better for media playback when you’re on the move.

The 3D conversion feature again offers great potential, and it works well on personal video footage, but at present, it cannot process streaming content, and even on compatible files, the effect varies depending on the content, but is genuinely impressive.

For DC fans, the Justice Edition is great fun. For everyone else, the standard Air 4 Pro offers identical performance, and at a slightly lower price.


Value	Standard Air 4 Pro at £249 are cheap for this display quality. The Batman Justice Edition Premium is great fun for dedicated fans	4
Design	Slim, well-built, and comfortable for extended viewing sessions. Batman shade looks great and works practically if you’re a fan.	4
Features	HDR10, B&O audio, 120Hz and AI processing are all decent upgrades. The 3D is limited to personal video files, but again shows potential.	4
Performance	HDR enhancement is visible, and the audio is excellent, although the surround sound option is a little low in volume.	4
Total	The Batman edition is great fun for fans and considering the price the standard edition is good value if you want a set of display glasses	4.5

Should you buy the RayNeo Air 4 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want a personal cinema for travel
lightweight, immersive, and genuinely good-looking, these are the best display glasses for media consumption available right now.

You're a DC fan
The Justice Edition packaging, Batman shade and collector's vault make this one of the more enjoyable unboxing experiences in tech, and the mask genuinely improves immersion.

Don't buy it if...

You're buying primarily for the 3D feature.
AI 3D works impressively on your own video files, but does not extend to streaming content or feature films, which is where most viewers will want it.

You want true augmented reality.
These are display glasses that simulate a large screen, not smart glasses with AR overlays or standalone computing. A connected device is always required.

For more picks, we've reviewed the best smart glasses.

I tested the TP-Link Omada EAP787 – an Enterprise-class Wi-Fi 7 ceiling access point for those with infrastructure ambitions

4:48 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone & Communications Pro | Tags: EU | Comments: Off

TP-Link Omada EAP787: 30-second review

Ceiling-mounted access points have been extremely popular since makers like TP-Link began designing them with PoE in mind.

Positioning the TP-Link Omada EAP787 in a range of these devices, it's either at the top or just below it, since the makers do have the EAP783, which is BE20000 rated.

Depending on the region this equipment is deployed, the EAP787 is either a BE12000 or BE15000 capable device with up to channels covering 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequencies. In the USA(BE15000), these bands offer 5765 Mbps on 6 GHz, 8648 Mbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, totalling 15101 Mbps.

In the EU and UK (BE12000), those numbers are 5765 Mbps on 6 GHz, 5765 Mbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, totalling 12218 Mbps. The hardware is identical; it’s just that in the USA, the FCC permits 320 MHz-wide channels on the 5 GHz band, whereas under European regulators (ETSI/Ofcom), the limit is 5 GHz to just 160 MHz wide.

The caveat to having this much bandwidth available is that the EAP787 must use a 10GbE backhaul to connect to the larger network, and potentially the Internet. And that requires a special switch that supports PoE++ 10GbE.

As with most TP-Links Omada hardware, the EAP787 is packed with Enterprise-class technologies that allow it to be remotely configured and controlled, and this AP also has a frequency monitoring technology that detects interference in real-time and enables the hardware to reconfigure automatically.

The only significant missing feature is APC on 6GHz, something that TP-Link has promised is coming soon via a firmware update.

Given its capabilities, the EAP787 seems implausibly cheap, but it's worth noting that buying these might require larger investments in network infrastructure to make the most of what they can do.

If you have a 10GbE PoE++ switch, then this is probably one of the best access points available. And when TP-Link releases the AFC firmware, it will get even better.

TP-Link Omada EAP787: price and availability

How much does it cost? $250/£230/€280
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Available from Amazon and other online retailers.

As with most TP-Link hardware, the EAP787 is available from major online resellers, including Amazon. In the USA, it costs $249.99 and in the UK it's £ 250.

However, I wouldn’t recommend buying it on Amazon unless you only need a single unit. Many resellers who specialize in network equipment offer excellent deals on bulk purchases and bundles that include a 12V power supply or a PoE injector.

The competition comes primarily from another TP-Link design, the EAP 873, as well as the Ubiquiti Unifi U7 Pro XGS and U7 Pro Max.

The EAP873 is effectively two EAP787s glued together, offering a massive BE22000 spec, but it lacks the dedicated TF scanning, AFC or Bluetooth. It also requires dual 10GbE LAN ports to provide sufficient uplink. The cost of this item is $499.99 on Amazon, which seems appropriate for the bandwidth on offer.

The Ubiquiti U7 Pro XGS costs $299.99 from Amazon, and that’s a BE15000 specification AP (in the USA), and also uses a single 10GbE PoE++ port for power and data.

The Ubiquiti U7-Pro-Max is very similar from a Wi-Fi perspective, having the same BE15000 capability, but bizarrely, the makers have given this model only a single 2.5GbE PoE+ Uplink. It’s only a little cheaper than the Ubiquiti U7 Pro XGS, so I’d avoid that option.

Based on the specifications and cost, the EAP787 seems something of a bargain, but it’s worth considering the extra infrastructure needed to make the best use of this hardware before making an impulse purchase.

Value score: 4/5

TP-Link Omada EAP787: Specs

Feature

Specification

Model

EAP787 v1 (BE15000 US / BE12000 EU)

Wi-Fi Standard

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (Wi-Fi 7)

Wi-Fi Bands

Tri-Band: 688 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 8648 Mbps (5GHz) + 5765 Mbps (6GHz)

Total Throughput

Up to 15,101 Mbps (US) / 12,195 Mbps (EU)

Streams

8 spatial streams (4x4 on 5GHz, 2x2 on 6GHz, 2x2 on 2.4GHz)

Modulation

4096-QAM (Wi-Fi 7), 1024-QAM, 256-QAM

Channel Width

Up to 320MHz (6GHz), 160/240MHz (5GHz)

Uplink Port

1x 10G/2.5G Ethernet (2.5G with PoE+, 10G with PoE++)

PoE Standard

802.3bt (PoE++) (51.7W max; also supports DC power)

Dedicated RF Scanning

2x2 radio; requires Omada controller v6.0+

AFC Support

Yes, via firmware update (planned April 2026)

MLO Support

Multi-Link Operation across 5GHz + 6GHz

Concurrent Clients

510+ (lab tested)

Coverage Area

Up to 2,050 ft² / 190 m²

Bluetooth

BLE 5.2

Management

Omada SDN (controller required for advanced features); standalone web UI

Mesh Support

Yes (Omada Mesh)

Seamless Roaming

Yes

TP-Link Omada EAP787: design

Large dish design
Ceiling and wall mounting
10GbE PoE++ implications

The EAP787 follows TP-Link's standard Omada ceiling-mount aesthetic of a large circular disc designed for flush ceiling or suspended tile installation. The push-and-rotate mount mechanism makes installation straightforward for IT teams.

Using it with 51.7W PoE++, that’s a significant power draw, and the unit is notably large, which may create challenges in space-constrained or aesthetics-sensitive environments.

It comes with a circular mounting plate with holes for four possible connection options. These include a basic ceiling/wall mount, a 3.5-inch US round junction box, a US gang outlet, and an EU gang outlet.

In a recess on the underside of the EAP787 is the 10GbE PoE++ port, and a 12V input if you wish to power it directly rather than use PoE. A plastic cover is provided for this area, but I’d only use it if you have Ethernet cables terminated with a 90-degree connector, since with it attached, there is no straight path to the port.

Four internal antennas handle the eight Wi-Fi streams, while a separate pair of internal antennas is used for the dedicated RF scanning radio. BLE 5.2 is also built in, enabling future IoT integration and remote out-of-band management possibilities via the Omada app.

There is a single 10G/2.5G combo Ethernet port, with the operating speed determined solely by the PoE class provided by the upstream switch. As an alternative, there is a 12V power input, but the PSU for this isn’t included in the box. And TP-Link also makes PoE++ injectors if you want to avoid a PoE++ switch but already have 10GbE networking.

Being generous, this is an elegant design that lets buyers enter at PoE+ and upgrade later. But it’s also worth noting that to get the most from this design requires a 10GbE PoE++ switch, and something like the TP-Link TL-SX3206HPP with four ports of 10GbE PoE++ is likely to cost you £500, substantially more than the EAP787.

For a larger deployment, the 24-port TP-Link SX3832MPP is likely to cost you £1,619.95, though this does have eight 10GbE SFP+ ports to handle the network backbone.

The relatively low price of this Access Point is a lure to get on board the Omada train, as to get all the best features and easiest control requires at least an Omada controller and probably an Omada switch.

Design score: 4/5

TP-Link Omada EAP787: In use

Omada control
AFC is not yet ready

For those unfamiliar with the Omada ecosystem, all TP-Link’s Omada-branded equipment follows the same pattern: it can be used in standalone web-interface mode or via an Omada controller. The controller can be either a hardware controller at additional cost, or a software one configured on a system that remains operationally 24/7.

For an IT professional with lots of TP-Link gear managed by Omada controllers, it makes for an easy life, as the system can be managed globally, including over different sites through a single web-based interface.

Luckily for this review, I already have an Omada controller and a number of Omada access points, so adding this one to the gang is merely a matter of plugging it in and then going to the Omada controller app to adopt it. Once joined to the system, the controller will monitor the EAP787, and automatically deploy the pre-defined SSIDs associated with the network.

That saves me some time, but if I were deploying a dozen of these or other Omada hardware across multiple locations, it could save a substantial amount of effort. It’s also incredibly useful for making sweeping changes and collecting data that might justify buying more (or less) equipment to better meet the demands placed on the network.

Some will argue that TP-Link are attempting to lock you into their hardware, and to a degree, that’s an accurate analysis, but most networking hardware makers do much the same thing, and hardware uniformity makes for greater predictability.

Like all the TP-Link Omada equipment I’ve recently tested, the EAP787 was immediately recognised by the Omada controller and began working alongside the others within minutes.

One special feature I’ve not seen previously, but on the EAP787 is dedicated RF scanning. This is an independent monitoring of the usable spectrum for interference without disrupting client traffic. To leverage this continuous adaptation, the Omada controller v6.0 or higher is required, but it is arguably the device's most compelling enterprise capability.

If there is a blot on this wonderfully cultured Omada landscape, it’s AFC on the EAP787.

AFC, or Automated Frequency Coordination, allows the 6GHz radio to transmit at higher power levels, substantially improving range. That’s important because 5765 Mbps of the available bandwidth is allocated to 6GHz, and if it’s only of use to those standing under the Access Point, then the BE12000 (or BE15000) rating is a little disingenuous.

At the time of writing this review, AFC doesn’t work on the EAP787, although it’s promised in a firmware update coming, allegedly, in April 2026. Until it ships, the 6GHz range will be constrained by standard power limits, as is the case with most current Wi-Fi 7 APs.

In Use: 4/5

TP-Link Omada EAP787: performance

AFC will improve 6GHz, eventually
EU performance reduction on 5GHz

Performance testing on this hardware is slightly coloured at this point, partly because, depending on what region you are in, there is a different bandwidth topology, and also because AFC isn’t yet ready for public consumption.

The EAP787 uses the same Qualcomm chipset family as its EAP783 brother, though its 5GHz radio is specified at an even higher rate of 8648 Mbps vs the EAP783's 5760 Mbps, suggesting the 5GHz radio has been significantly upgraded.

However, no single client can access that much bandwidth, and in Europe, the 5GHz band is limited to 5760 Mbps anyway.

What’s true wherever the EAP787 is deployed is that the 10GbE port can sustain over 9 Gbps, assuming the wirelessly connected clients are pulling or pushing that much data. As this AP can support more than 500 users simultaneously, that should be possible.

MLO performance, like other 2024-era Wi-Fi 7 APs, will fluctuate until AFC is live. As 6GHz range limitations constrain MLO effectiveness, as noted across the Omada lineup. The EAP787 could be the hardware to fix that issue when TP-Link finally releases the firmware necessary to activate AFC.

It’s worth noting that AFC isn’t yet available on Ubiquiti's alternative devices, so if that feature works as intended when it becomes available, it’s a significant advantage for the EAP787.

While it’s difficult to put hard numbers on its effectiveness, the dedicated RF scanning radio operates independently from the three data radios, meaning real-time interference monitoring does not tax Wi-Fi throughput. This is a notable advantage in high-density or congested RF environments such as convention centres, hospitals, and lecture halls.

In my testing with a suitably Wi-Fi 7 capable laptop, connection speeds of 1.2 Gbps are standard when near the AP, and even at range, 720 Mbps was sustained. The only caveat to that level of performance is that the first ten people will wonder what happened to their amazing connection when more people turn up.

Performance score: 4/5

TP-Link Omada EAP787: Final verdict

When the wireless network is expanded with devices like the EAP787, then it's likely that other parts will need upgrading to make use of what it delivers. As I mentioned earlier, making the best use of this gear requires infrastructure changes, but new switches and Omada controllers might just be the tip of a considerable iceberg.

Because the majority of Wi-Fi access won’t be for internal systems, but the greater internet, and having a wireless network with access points that can shift up to 15000Mbps, won’t work if you only have 1GbE broadband at the end of that 10GbE infrastructure.

If you choose to embrace the EAP787 or its EAP783 bigger brother, or any of the UniFi U7 Pro equipment, then budget for a wider broadband pipe at the same time.

This hardware is designed for large enterprises and high-density venues, such as convention centres, lecture halls, or hospitals, with 100+ simultaneous clients per AP, where dedicated RF scanning and high client capacity matter.

It fits better with 10GbE infrastructure, since connecting it by 2.5GbE effectively negates the point of this AP, leaving you paying a premium for 2.5G performance available more cheaply elsewhere.

The Omada ecosystems, with their seamless controller integration, no licensing fees, and consistent Omada management, make it a natural upgrade path from earlier EAP models.

I would avoid using the EAP787 in small offices or homes, where a simpler EAP773 or EAP783 suffices. Those environments without 10GbE switching, or where anyone who needs an AP can deploy standalone without a controller and access all features.

This is plenty of AP for a modest price, but making the most of it requires TP-Link to finish its work with AFC, and those who choose this equipment must accept that it could easily lead to significant additional investment.

Should I buy a TP-Link Omada EAP787?

TP-Link EAP787 Score Card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Aggressively priced for the specification of this device	4/5
Design	A simple dish with all the clever stuff inside	4/5
In Use	Works with Omada management, and AFC is promised	4/5
Performance	EU performance is restricted, but US bandwidth is epic	4/5
Overall	Better in the US than the EU, but be mindful of the switch you need with this	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want Wi-Fi 7
While there is better Wi-Fi 7 hardware available, most of it costs much more than this. However, you may find that those clients who are using Wi-Fi 5 or 6 equipment get less of an uplift than expected.

You want central management
TP-Link has created a highly organised management system for its Omada-branded equipment, and that includes this access point. For a small IT covering a large facility, the ability to monitor and adjust hardware remotely is a huge cost-saving.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have Wi-Fi 7 clients
Without the right hardware on the client end, there is little point in going with a Wi-Fi 7 access point. And, you might be able to get more bandwidth on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, by spending the same money on a Wi-Fi 6 or 6e access point.

You don’t use 10GbE
To make the best use of this equipment, it requires 10GbE and PoE++. Without those things, there is little point in deploying the EAP787.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best business routers

I tested the Jabra Evolve3 85 – a professional headset built for the office, priced for the boardroom, yet styled for the street

4:36 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: ANC, Microsoft Teams | Comments: Off

Jabra Evolve3 85: 30-second review

Professional headsets have always had an image problem. The moment you clip a boom arm to your ear, you look like someone who works in a call centre or is directing air traffic. Jabra has clearly decided that aesthetic just isn’t good enough.

With the Evolve3 85, the company has taken all the voice clarity technology it has spent years developing, stripped away the boom mic entirely, and wrapped everything in a design that would not look out of place in a Copenhagen coffee shop.

The headline technology is Jabra ClearVoice, a boomless microphone system powered by a deep neural network trained on over 60 million sentences. It uses multiple concealed microphones to separate speech from background noise without a visible arm, drawing on expertise from GN's hearing division.

Design-wise, the Evolve3 85 is up to 35 per cent slimmer than its Evolve2 predecessor, claims to be the lightest over-ear headset in its class, and folds into a travel case thin enough to mistake for empty. The over-ear fit gives better passive isolation than the on-ear Evolve3 75 sibling, making it ideal for both open offices and noisy commutes.

Looks aren’t everything, but the Evolve 3 85 can also claim battery life figures that are genuinely remarkable. Jabra quotes 25 hours of call time and 120 hours of music playback on a single charge, with a five-minute fast charge providing five hours of use. That effectively means that by the point your line manager has berated your timekeeping, the headphones are ready to get you through at least half the working day from flat.

And, wireless charging is also supported, via the flat exterior surface of the earcups, avoiding excessive wear on the USB-C port

The adaptive ANC deserves particular attention. Unlike most headsets, which pause noise cancellation the moment you start a call, the Evolve3 85 keeps it active throughout. Combined with the Bluetooth 5.4 connection, LC3 codec support, and dual-device pairing, the package's connectivity looks impressively comprehensive.

If all this sounds way too good to be realistic, the Evolve3 85 sits firmly at the premium end of the market at around $500. Compared with the outgoing Evolve2 85 and similar UC-certified alternatives, that’s price continuity.

The Evolve3 85 makes a compelling case on every front except price, but even at this cost, these deserve to be added to our best noise-cancelling headphone collection.

Jabra Evolve3 85: price and availability

How much does it cost? From $527/£496/€569
When is it out? Pre-order for April 2026
Where can you get it? Direct from Jabra and online retailers

The Jabra Evolve3 85 launched on 1 March 2026 at a recommended price of $649 in the United States, £495 in the UK, €569 in Europe (including VAT), and AU$979 in Australia.

Initially only available in black, a Warm Grey colour variant is due to follow in April 2026 in select markets. The Evolve3 75, the on-ear sibling, is available from the same date at the lower price of £349 / $463.

Checking the larger online retailers, the Evolve3 85 Microsoft Teams model is available for pre-order at only $475 on Amazon.com, for a model with only wired charging, and $527 for one with wireless charging.

Oddly, the wired All Platforms model is the same price as the Microsoft Teams model, but the wireless option is a disturbing $720. I suspect that the final price is a mistake, since in other regions the prices for the two standards are the same.

In the UK, this headset is on Amazon.co.uk, but can be bought directly from the official Jabra website. The Microsoft Teams wired charging model is £429, and the wireless model is £466.80; all prices include VAT, and the same pricing applies to the Unified Communication models.

These are enterprise-grade prices, and Jabra makes no apologies for that. The Evolve2 85, which the Evolve3 replaces, was similarly positioned, and buyers of business equipment will likely have IT budgets rather than personal wallets in mind. That said, Jabra has clearly made a conscious effort to position the Evolve3 as a crossover product, and at this price, it will face meaningful competition from premium consumer headphones that carry genuinely impressive audio credentials.

For organisations deploying at scale, Jabra offers free trials for companies of 500 or more employees who are replacing existing devices, and the Plus Management platform simplifies fleet deployment considerably.

Individual buyers are perhaps less well served by the pricing, particularly when similarly styled competitors undercut it by a meaningful margin. But these are meant to catch the corporate ear, pun fully intended.

Value score: 3/5

Jabra Evolve3 85: Specs

Model	Jabra Evolve3 85
Weight	220g
Form factor	Over-ear, closed-back
Microphone	Boomless (Jabra ClearVoice, multi-mic DNN)
ANC	Jabra Advanced ANC, adaptive (active during calls)
Battery life (calls)	Up to 25 hours
Battery life (music)	Up to 120 hours (ANC/Busylight off)
Fast charging	5 hours use from 5-minute charge; 10 hours from 10 minutes
Wireless charging	Yes (flat exterior surface supports Qi pads)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 codec, pre-paired USB adapter, Bluetooth Native
Dual connectivity	Yes
UC certification	Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet
Software	Jabra Plus mobile app (Android / iOS); desktop app later in 2026
Replaceable parts	Battery, ear cushions
Colours	Black (March 2026); Warm Grey (April 2026, select markets)
Sustainability	Recycled/bio-circular materials; TCO Gen 10 certified

Model

Jabra Evolve3 85

Weight

220g

Form factor

Over-ear, closed-back

Microphone

Boomless (Jabra ClearVoice, multi-mic DNN)

ANC

Jabra Advanced ANC, adaptive (active during calls)

Battery life (calls)

Up to 25 hours

Battery life (music)

Up to 120 hours (ANC/Busylight off)

Fast charging

5 hours use from 5-minute charge; 10 hours from 10 minutes

Wireless charging

Yes (flat exterior surface supports Qi pads)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 codec, pre-paired USB adapter, Bluetooth Native

Dual connectivity

Yes

UC certification

Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet

Software

Jabra Plus mobile app (Android / iOS); desktop app later in 2026

Replaceable parts

Battery, ear cushions

Colours

Black (March 2026); Warm Grey (April 2026, select markets)

Sustainability

Recycled/bio-circular materials; TCO Gen 10 certified

Jabra Evolve3 85: design

No boom arm
Robust construction
Excellent ergonomics

The first thing most people will notice about the Evolve3 85 is what it is missing. There is no boom arm, and no retractable mic stalk. Considering that one feature probably accounts for the demise of at least half the headsets I’ve seen, eliminating it is a win.

No visual shorthand that announces to the world you are working on a helpdesk. Instead, what you get is a clean, minimal over-ear headset with a matte finish, breathable cushions, and a profile that would sit comfortably alongside any premium consumer headphone.

Jabra describes the aesthetic as contemporary Danish design, which made me immediately think of Princess Leia’s hairstyle, but these aren’t like that at all.

This is a noticeably slimmer design than the Evolve2 it replaces, measuring up to 35 per cent thinner according to Jabra's own figures. The result is a headset that folds into a compact travel case that can slip into a work bag without occupying a dedicated compartment.

My only other concern about the carry case is that it doesn’t have an obvious place for the wireless charger, and the compressed paper/fabric material it's made of isn’t as robust as the Evolve3 85.

While some headsets use plastic throughout to keep weight and cost down, the amount of metal in these and the quality of the plastic materials used feel appropriately premium for the price point, and the overall construction suggests a product designed for long daily use rather than occasional handling.

Jabra has also included replaceable ear cushions and a replaceable battery, both of which are welcome additions from a longevity perspective and bring the product into compliance with current repair legislation.

Finding that kind of consideration in a business headset is encouraging; finding it in any headset at this price is much less common than it should be.

Another feature I appreciated is the 360-degree busylight that signals availability status from every angle, removing the need to actively communicate when you are on a call.

Small details such as this speak to a design team that has actually thought about how people use headsets at a desk, rather than simply engineering for the product brochure.

My review hardware was specifically designed for Microsoft Teams use, and has that logo on a button on the right side. In fact, most of the controls are on the right side, with the exception of the ANC control and the power button, which are on the left. In this respect, the Evolve3 85 is primarily designed for right-handed people.

Overall, these are a surprisingly elegant piece of audiowear that mixes personal and business use effortlessly.

Design score: 4.5/5

Jabra Evolve3 85: Hardware

Bluetooth 5.4
Microsoft Teams vs the World
ClearVoice

Bluetooth 5.4 with the LC3 codec forms the backbone of the wireless connection, and the package includes a pre-paired USB adapter for secure, low-latency connectivity with a PC. Bluetooth Native allows direct device connections without the adapter for users who prefer a simpler setup.

Dual connectivity is supported throughout, meaning the headset can maintain simultaneous connections to both a computer and a smartphone without requiring manual switching.

One-touch voice access is integrated for AI assistant interactions, and Jabra claims accuracy of over nine out of ten words in voice prompts. That is a specific and testable claim, and one that experienced business users will scrutinise closely. UC certification covers Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, which cover the main platforms used in the UK and European enterprises.

Controls are handled through physical buttons and a straightforward interface. The Jabra Plus mobile app provides equaliser controls, wind noise reduction settings, and firmware update management from a smartphone.

A desktop version of the app is scheduled for later in 2026, which is a notable gap at launch for users who work primarily at a desk. IT teams managing fleet deployments have access to Jabra Plus Management, which handles remote configuration and firmware pushes from a central dashboard.

The ClearVoice system is the most significant departure from previous generations, since those relied on a physical boom arm to capture voice close to the mouth. The Evolve3 replaces it entirely with a multi-microphone array driven by a deep neural network.

That network was trained on over 60 million sentences and draws on GN's background in hearing aid technology, which gives Jabra a genuine advantage over competitors building similar systems from scratch.

The practical implication is that callers should not notice the absence of a boom arm. Background noise, whether from an open-plan office, a busy cafe, or a commuter train, is intended to be filtered out by the processing rather than physically excluded by proximity microphone placement. Whether that processing holds up in the worst acoustic environments is the most important unresolved question about this product.

Jabra has also added wind noise reduction as a configurable setting in the app, suggesting the microphone system is intended for outdoor use as well as traditional office environments.

That is a meaningful expansion of the use case compared to most UC-certified headsets, and shows how the Evolve3 85 has a foot firmly in both the enterprise and home audio experience.

Hardware: 4/5

Jabra Evolve3 85: Performance

Effective ANC
Excellent charging options

Jabra has made a clear effort to ensure the Evolve3 85 performs as a music headphone as well as a call headset, and the specifications support that ambition. The LC3 codec provides high-fidelity wireless audio, the over-ear closed-back design offers meaningful passive isolation, and the 120-hour music battery life suggests Jabra expects people to use this for listening as well as talking.

Enhanced Spatial Sound is included to make long calls feel more natural and less tiring. The objective is to present voices as though they are positioned in front of you rather than directly inside your ears, which reduces the cognitive load of extended video meetings. It is a feature that sounds modest in description but makes a genuine difference across a full working day.

The equaliser available through the Jabra Plus app allows personal tuning of the sound profile, which is a welcome addition for anyone who wants to adjust the factory calibration to suit their taste or their music library. The desktop app, when it arrives, should make that process more convenient for office-based users.

The adaptive ANC on the Evolve3 85 adjusts in real time based on both the external environment and the fit of the headset. The second of those factors is more significant than it might appear. Most ANC systems apply a fixed cancellation profile regardless of how well the ear cushions seal against your head. Jabra's approach calibrates continuously, which means the performance should remain consistent even as the headset shifts slightly during a long session.

As an example of how well this works, in my small office, I have a Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer only a metre to my left, and with this headset on, it can be printing at full speed, and it's almost silent to me. Not to say that’s a noisy printer, but it’s much less distracting with the headphones on.

The distinction between this and most competitors is that the ANC does not pause during calls. Active noise cancellation on most business headsets disengages the moment a call begins as the microphone signal takes priority. Jabra has engineered around that compromise, and the result is a headset that should maintain a consistent listening environment whether you are in a meeting or working between calls. That matters considerably in open-plan environments where ambient noise levels can be unrelenting.

The headline battery figures are among the most impressive in the over-ear headset market. Twenty-five hours of call time is sufficient for multiple full working days, and 120 hours of music playback is a figure most consumer headphones cannot approach. Both are measured with ANC and the busy light disabled, so real-world figures will be somewhat lower, but even with both features active, the Evolve3 85 should comfortably outlast a working week on a single charge.

Fast charging delivers five hours of use from a five-minute charge, which addresses the specific anxiety of reaching for the headset before an important call and finding the battery low. Wireless charging is supported via the flat exterior of the earcups, which means placing the headset face down on a standard Qi pad while at a desk.

For those looking to reduce the cost of these, Jabra wants another $50 for the model that comes with the official charger, whereas a good quality Qi pad made by Anker is only around $20, and it works just as well.

That the battery is also user-replaceable is a genuinely useful feature for long-term ownership and one that separates the Evolve3 from the majority of similarly priced competitors. Having to bin a generally serviceable headset because the battery won’t hold sufficient charge is something that should never happen.

I’m not going to give you my view of its abilities for the reproduction of music, since I’m not an audiophile, and my ears were never professionally tuned. I’ll just say that with drivers of this scale, there isn’t the level of bass you might expect from larger cans, but the range it does offer is consistent.

Overall, these are great for a working environment and acceptable for more general use.

Performance: 4/5

Jabra Evolve3 85: Final verdict

The Jabra Evolve3 85 ticks so many boxes, it's hard to know where to begin.

It’s stylish, the ANC works exceptionally well, it will last three working days on calls on a single charge, and it can grab enough power in a few minutes to make it to lunch.

The caveat to these beautifully engineered headphones is the cost, above all else.

Yes, the desktop app for these should have been ready at launch, but the phone app is here, and the desktop app is promised soon.

I just wish they were cheaper, since many budget-controlling managers are likely to exclude them purely based on cost. And doing so might prove to be a strategic mistake.

Should I buy a Jabra Evolve3 85?

Jabra Evolve3 85 Score Card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Expensive for call centre headphones	3/5
Design	A major upgrade from the Evolve2	4.5/5
Hardware	Always on ANC and ClearVoice	4/5
Performance	Effective ANC and plenty of charging options	4/5
Overall	Business headset that feels like much more	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You work in a noisy environment
The need for consistent noise cancellation during calls and between them is paramount in a call centre or similar environment. With these, it's easier to understand the caller and focus on their needs.

Your business likes efficiency
These are the perfect choice if your organisation needs UC-certified headsets that can be centrally managed and remotely updated. And if you value repairability, the replaceable battery and cushions make this a product designed to last.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You are working with a budget
For those buying personally rather than through a business, the price tag is genuinely prohibitive. However, you can make some cost savings on the charging technology, and being able to replace the battery and cushions might make them last longer in the end.

For more business audio solutions, we've reviewed the best headsets for working from home.

My testing of the Oukitel WP61 Plus revealed that while it’s not a daily driver, this rugged walkie-talkie phone could be perfect for operating off-grid

2:05 pm | March 17, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone & Communications Pro | Tags: CPU, GPU, RAM, SIM | Comments: Off

Oukitel WP61 Plus: 30-second review

Unveiled at IFA 2025 in Berlin, the Oukitel WP61 Plus is the brand's flagship all-in-one rugged smartphone, featuring a 20,000 mAh battery, an integrated 2W DMR walkie-talkie, and a high-powered camping flashlight.

But what is likely to confuse people is that the WP60 and WP62 have been available for some time, but Oukitel held the WP61 Plus back.

Built for outdoor professionals, search-and-rescue workers, or those who routinely find themselves in the great outdoors, the WP61 Plus is entering a highly competitive market.

There are four versions of the WP61 that all share the same SoC, memory, and storage model but differ in the special features included. There is a base model, the Plus model reviewed here, that has a 2W DMR walkie-talkie, the WP61 Ultra with thermal imaging, and the WP61 Ti with NTN Skylo Satellite communications.

All of them use the Dimensity 7025 processor, have 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and the same 108MP primary camera.

The large 6.8-inch FHD+ display runs at 120Hz, which is a welcome touch for a rugged device, and Android 16 puts it on the cutting edge for that platform

Where the WP61 Plus truly distinguishes itself, however, is in its extended utility features. The built-in DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) walkie-talkie operates at 2W and is designed to maintain group communications in areas where cellular coverage fails.

Oukitel quotes a range of 5.5km (3.4 miles) for DMR communications, but this will work without any cell service.

Combined with the camping light and the ability to act as a power bank for smaller devices, this phone is positioned less as a smartphone and more as a portable field communications and survival tool.

The only significant downside of this design is its physical scale; at over 650g, this isn’t a small or lightweight design, and with the walkie-talkie antenna attached, it becomes even more unwieldy.

The WP61 Plus might not break into our best rugged smartphone selection, but if you are looking for a general-purpose rugged phone for an adventure trek, then it could be an option.

Oukitel WP61 Plus Rugged Smartphone — (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Oukitel WP61 Plus: price and availability

How much does it cost? $370/£280/€323
When is it out? Available soon
Where can you get it? You can get it directly from Oukitel or via online retailers such as Amazon.

Direct from Oukitel, the asking price for the WP61 Plus is $369.99/£279.99/€322.68, which is a good deal if you accept the view that this is a discount from $499.99/£378.37/€436.06, a price at which this product has never been sold.

You read that correctly. At the time of writing, while Oukitel are promoting this product, it remains out of stock. Also, it’s not available via online retailers, but that’s probably right around the corner.

The Plus model is $50 more than the base model, but $60 less than the Ultra option. There is no price yet for the Satellite model.

There are lots of phones that use the same or similar SoCs, like the Blackview Oscal Tank 1, RugOne Xever 7 Pro, Doogee S200 and Oukitel WP300. All these are cheaper, but lack the DMR walkie-talkie technology.

Blackview has the Xplore 1 Walkie Talkie that sells for €383.95 direct from the makers, a good amount more than the WP61 Plus.

The Unihertz Atom XL is a much smaller phone with the same DMR technology, priced at $289.99 at the official Unihertz outlet. However, I’d avoid this phone because there are no US or Global models.

A better choice is the Armour 26 Ultra Walkie-Talkie, but its base price is $649.99, making it substantially more expensive.

For a DMR-capable phone, the WP61 Plus is reasonably priced, though it might seem a little expensive for the platform specification.

Value score: 4/5

Oukitel WP61 Plus: Specs

Item	Spec
CPU:	MediaTek Dimensity 7025 (6nm)
GPU:	IMG BXM-8-256
NPU:	MediaTek's APU 780
RAM:	12GB
Storage:	512GB
Screen:	6.8-inch FHD+ LCD
Resolution:	1080 x 2460 pixels 650nits
SIM:	2x Nano SIM + TF (one shared position)
Weight:	651.6 grams
Dimensions:	179.5 x 85 x 27.5 mm
Rugged Spec:	IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes), MIL-STD-810H Certification
Rear cameras:	108MP Camera + 8MP Night vision +2MP macro
Front camera:	32MP Sony IMX616
Networking:	5G bands, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2
Audio:	130 dB 5W speaker
OS:	Android 16
Battery:	20000 mAh (45W wired, 5W reverse charge)
Colours:	Black

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Dimensity 7025 (6nm)

GPU:

IMG BXM-8-256

NPU:

MediaTek's APU 780

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

Screen:

6.8-inch FHD+ LCD

Resolution:

1080 x 2460 pixels 650nits

SIM:

2x Nano SIM + TF (one shared position)

Weight:

651.6 grams

Dimensions:

179.5 x 85 x 27.5 mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes), MIL-STD-810H Certification

Rear cameras:

108MP Camera + 8MP Night vision +2MP macro

Front camera:

32MP Sony IMX616

Networking:

5G bands, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2

Audio:

130 dB 5W speaker

OS:

Android 16

Battery:

20000 mAh (45W wired, 5W reverse charge)

Colours:

Black

Oukitel WP61 Plus: design

Built for the field, not the pocket
DMR Antenna
Standard layout

The WP61 Plus makes no apologies for its bulk. At 179.5 x 85 x 27.5 mm, it is a substantial device, and one that is clearly engineered to accommodate its enormous 20,000mAh battery alongside the walkie-talkie antenna hardware and camping light module. The extra 27.5 mm of depth alone sets it apart as a very different prospect from a standard smartphone, and not one you can easily fit in a pocket.

What can make this design even more challenging to store is that in the box is a 92mm antenna for the DMR walkie-talkie that screws into the top right of the phone. You can choose not to attach that, but I presume that will impact the ability to communicate using that functionality.

The Oukitel WP series devices have traditionally used a combination of reinforced polycarbonate and aluminium alloy framing, and the WP61 doesn’t deviate from that, making it a device that can withstand heavy abuse.

The device supports a 'seat charger', a docking cradle that allows the phone to be mounted and charged in a fixed location, such as a vehicle dashboard or on a desk. This is a thoughtful addition for fleet operators or those who need their device always charged and ready. The dock isn’t included as standard, and its arrival date and price haven't been released yet.

In terms of the general aesthetics and layout, there isn’t anything especially surprising about the WP61 Plus. The button arrangement is the one most rugged phones use, with the power (doubling as a fingerprint reader) and volume buttons on the right, the custom button on the left, where the SIM tray is also placed.

The buttons are all metal, and the sides of the chassis are all machined aluminium, making this phone feel both comfortable to hold and seemingly indestructible.

Both the top and bottom edges feature a waterproof plug: one for the antenna on the top and another covering the USB port on the bottom. Both of these are held in place with screws, suggesting they could be replaced when they wear out if Oukitel makes replacements available.

To avoid wearing out the USB-C cover, the dock has four metal contact points on its bottom face, allowing it to be charged without inserting a cable.

The rear has three noticeable features: a camping light, a 5W speaker, and the camera cluster. The 1200-lumen camping light is obscured by a reference sticker that contains important information you don’t want to misplace by peeling it off and throwing it away, annoyingly.

According to Oukitel, the speaker is rated at 130 dB, which would undoubtedly damage your hearing if you held it against your ear while it was making noise. The top-centre placement of that speaker also pushes the three rear camera lenses to the phone's outer edge, which isn’t ideal.

While I’ve seen worse, the WP61 Plus seems to try to be many things at once and has slightly compromised some of its features in the process.

Design score: 3.5/5

Oukitel WP61 Plus: hardware

MediaTek Dimensity 7025
20000 mAh battery
Walkie-talkie

This is the third phone I’ve covered that uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7025, and I haven’t changed my opinion of it.

Instead of this being a new and exciting SoC, it’s a renaming of the older Dimensity 930, a chip from May 2022. If you research this silicon, you will find that the Dimensity 7025 was launched in 2024, but the underlying chip is at least two years older.

That explains why all the 70XX SoCs are made using a 6nm process, whereas all the 73XX and 74XX chips use the new and superior 4nm process.

Ironically, that’s not the biggest issue with this platform, since, as SoCs go, the Dimensity 7025 is an effective power-efficient system that delivers a good user experience for the most part.

A bigger problem is that the CPU is coupled with the IMG BXM-8-256 GPU, one of those PowerVR IMG designs that is poor by modern standards. It drives the Android 16 interface reasonably, but it's not a game-friendly GPU. Critically, it lacks some of the OpenGL and Vulkan functionality that interactive graphics apps often use.

For the WP61 Plus's intended use cases, it is a sensible and efficient choice, but more modern MediaTek designs, such as the Dimensity 7300 and 7400, offer far more potential.

In large, rugged phones, a 20000 mAh battery isn’t exceptional, but this device helps because it supports a 45W charger, which is included. That enables the phone to charge from zero to full capacity in about four hours, and get more than half of a charge in ninety minutes.

This is dramatically better than the WP60 offered with the same battery capacity, as that phone could only charge at 33W. Though, as I recall, the WP60 did reverse charge at 7W, where the WP61 Plus only puts out 5W.

You can get a similar platform and battery in a wide range of rugged phones, but the final feature I’ll talk about here is something that is in relatively few: a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) walkie-talkie.

The radio in the WP61 Plus transmits at 2W, which is a meaningful output for direct device-to-device communication. DMR is a professional-grade digital radio standard, typically used in construction, security, and emergency services, making this a genuine productivity tool rather than a novelty. And, the hardware here can also work with Analogue technologies, alongside DMR-capable handsets.

As I only have one WP61 Plus, I wasn’t able to test the assertion that communication of over 5.5km was possible, but the technology is capable of that, so I don’t doubt it could work at that range in theory. The beauty of this technology is that it doesn't rely on any other infrastructure to operate, though the practical range may be limited by terrain.

For those working together off the grid or at a building site, the range seems enough to be practical, even if it won’t work if you travel beyond the potential range, or put a mountain between those talking.

The custom button opens the DMR app to initiate a call, and you can select a channel to communicate over. While you can add custom channels, the app includes the standard DMR-approved channels for a range of countries, including Europe, the USA, Australia, and Taiwan. Iran, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Japan and China.

As a matter of interest, I researched the DMR frequencies for various countries, and discovered that for some, like India, for higher power transmitters like this one, using 5W and with better range, a WPC license is required. So if you are not in any of the countries I previously listed, it might be worth researching which DMR channels you can use and any other clearances required before purchasing.

Even with those potential caveats, the DMR part of this device is undoubtedly the best aspect, should you have more than one of these or other DMR handsets to hand.

Hardware score: 4/5

Oukitel WP61 Plus: cameras

108MP, 8MP night vision and 2MP Macro on the rear
32MP on the front
Four cameras in total

The Oukitel WP61 Plus has four cameras:

Rear camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 (S5KHM6), 8MP SK Hynix Hi-846 night vision IR sensor, 2MP BYD BF2257CS Macro
Front camera: 32MP Sony IMX616 Sensor

Oddly, this camera arrangement is remarkably similar to a range of phones I’ve recently reviewed, except that many of them use a GalaxyCore sensor for the 2MP macro function, whereas the WP61 Plus uses the BYD BF2257CS for the same job.

The combination of the 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 (S5KHM6) and the 8MP SK Hynix Hi-846 night-vision IR sensor was seen on the Oukitel WP60 Pro. But that phone didn’t use the Sony IMX616 front-facing sensor, and it used a GalaxyCore GC02M1 for the Macro.

The Sony IMX616 is better than the 32MP GalaxyCore GC32E1, but the 2MP Macro sensors don’t make a huge difference to the close-up shooting you can do.

The weakness of this layout is that the 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 (S5KHM6) is used to avoid the need for zoom optics by providing a high-resolution sensor that can be cropped or pixel-binned. It offers a range of zoom settings from 1.0x to 4.0x. But it’s still not as good as having actual zoom optics, as the zoom jumps between settings, and the results for some digital zoom factors are better than for others.

The SK Hynix Hi-846 night vision sensor delivers impressive results in complete darkness, although it captures only in monochrome. And the Macro sensor is exceptionally grainy and requires excessive amounts of light to produce passable results.

Probably the biggest disappointment of this camera is that the primary Samsung ISOCELL has a resolution of 108MP, and you can shoot at that full resolution, but incredibly, the best video resolution available is only 1440p. That this phone, with a 108MP sensor, can’t offer 4K video is embarrassing.

The hardware is rated for 8K at 24 frames per second (fps) and 4K at 120fps, so the video resolution is down to the choices Oukitel made about the SoC and the Android camera application.

This camera can take some excellent still images, but if I were to drag a phone this big and heavy about the wilderness, I would at least expect it to shoot 4K video.

Oukitel WP61 Plus Camera samples

Oukitel WP61 Plus camera examples — Mark Pickavance

Camera score: 3/5

Oukitel WP61 Plus: performance

Older 6nm SoC
GPU issues with OpenGL 3.1 and Vulkan 1.3
Great battery life

Phone		Oukitel WP61 Plus	Blackview Oscal Tank 1
SoC		MediaTek Dimensity 7025	MediaTek Dimensity 7050
GPU		IMG BXM-8-256	Mali‑G68 MC4
NPU		MediaTek's APU 780	MediaTek NPU 550
Memory		12GB/512GB	12GB/256GB
Weight		656g	640g
Battery		20000	20000
Geekbench	Single	959	920
	Multi	2362	2466
	OpenCL	failed	2471
	Vulkan	failed	3036
PCMark	3.0 Score	13080	11684
	Battery	40h 9m Est.	33h 57m Est.
Charge 30	%	28	13
Passmark	Score	6620	6861
	CPU	5284	5285
3DMark	Slingshot OGL	3741	5293
	Slingshot Ex. OGL	3738	4150
	Slingshot Ex. Vulkan	2614	3940
	Wildlife	Failed	2232
	Nomad Lite	Failed	266

Phone

Oukitel WP61 Plus

Blackview Oscal Tank 1

SoC

MediaTek Dimensity 7025

MediaTek Dimensity 7050

GPU

IMG BXM-8-256

Mali‑G68 MC4

NPU

MediaTek's APU 780

MediaTek NPU 550

Memory

12GB/512GB

12GB/256GB

Weight

656g

640g

Battery

20000

Geekbench

Single

959

920

Multi

2362

2466

OpenCL

failed

2471

Vulkan

failed

3036

PCMark

3.0 Score

13080

11684

Battery

40h 9m Est.

33h 57m Est.

Charge 30

Passmark

Score

6620

6861

CPU

5284

5285

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

3741

5293

Slingshot Ex. OGL

3738

4150

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

2614

3940

Wildlife

Failed

2232

Nomad Lite

Failed

266

Rather than putting the WP61 Plus against another phone with the same SoC, I thought it might be appropriate to compare it with a marginally better chip, so I chose the Blackview Oscal Tank 1. It uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7050, slightly better than the 7025.

Both of these phones have the same battery capacity and RAM, which makes them closer to each other than many other rugged phones. size

What these results show is that the Dimensity 7025 is modestly slower than the 7050 used in the Tank 1, until you test it with a graphics benchmark. The IMG BXM-8-256 GPU can’t run the OpenGL and Vulkan APIs used by GeekBench and is required for 3DMark Wildlife and Nomad Lite.

But the upside of poor GPU performance is that the battery lasts much longer, with the WP61 Plus running for more than 40 hours. However, that result is a predicted endpoint because, like the Oscal Tank 1, the WP61 Plus crashed PCMark before exhausting the battery. Not sure if this is an issue with the benchmark or how both these phone makers are managing their batteries.

The overall performance of the WP61 Plus is fine for most uses, but it's not a phone that gamers or anyone who uses VR will embrace. However, with curation, the battery could easily last six days or more, which could be useful off-grid.

Performance score: 4/5

Oukitel WP61 Plus: Final verdict

The Oukitel WP61 Plus is a device that sets out to do something genuinely different in a crowded market. Rather than competing solely on processing power or camera resolution, it bundles a professional-grade walkie-talkie, an enormous battery, and a camping light into a package that could plausibly replace multiple pieces of equipment for an outdoor professional or expedition team.

The Dimensity 7025 is not the most exciting chipset, and the physical dimensions mean this is not a device you will comfortably carry in a trouser pocket. But if your priorities are extended endurance, off-grid communications, and resilience in harsh environments, the WP61 Plus presents a compelling case at the asking price.

How useful DMR technology is to you will depend on whether you already use it or intend to buy multiple phones for walkie-talkie use. If it’s not something you'll use immediately, you could save yourself $50 by buying the base model, since it has everything else I’ve mentioned here.

Should I buy a Oukitel WP61 Plus?

Oukitel WP61 Plus Score Card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Reasonable cost for a well-made device	4/5
Design	Substantial but purpose-built for outdoor use	3.5/5
Hardware	Unique walkie-talkie, 20,000mAh battery and mid-range SoC	4/5
Camera	Good for still images, but the lack of 4K video is poor	3/5
Performance	Great battery life, but sub-par GPU performance	4/5
Overall	Good price, excellent battery life and DMR	4/5

Buy it if...

You need off-grid communications
The built-in DMR walkie-talkie provides professional-grade radio communications without requiring a separate device, making it ideal for outdoor teams, construction sites, and expeditions.

You need extended battery life
Few smartphones can match a 20,000mAh battery for sheer staying power. If you're spending days or weeks away from mains power, the WP61 Plus could be your best option.

Don't buy it if...

You need a daily driver
The large frame is not practical for everyday pocket carry. If you need a rugged phone for general daily use rather than field deployment, a more compact option would serve better.

You need a top-tier SoC
The Dimensity 7025 is a mid-range chip. Competitors such as the Blackview Xplore 2 Satellite offer the more powerful Dimensity 8300 if raw performance is a priority.View Deal

Also Consider

Ulefone Armour Mini 20 Pro
A practical, 5G rugged design with an inbuilt camping light, night vision camera, but with less battery than the Oukitel WP61 Plus. This makes the phone easily pocketable and usable like a normal phone.

Read our full Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review

Blackview Xplore 2 Satellite
Offers satellite communications via Skylo, the more powerful Dimensity 8300 SoC, and a 20,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging. Lacks the DMR walkie-talkie but adds genuine satellite connectivity.

Read our full Blackview Xplore 2 Satellite review View Deal

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

D-Link D501 review: This 5G travel router made me wish for better local 5G connectivity, because without it, this is an expensive LTE dongle

8:27 pm | March 13, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: LTE, USA | Comments: Off

D-Link D501: 30-second review

Connectivity for travellers is never consistent and can be a real challenge if you need to move large amounts of data to and from your remote system.

For those who operate in major global cities and across much of Europe, the answer has been to use 5G mobile networks, which provide broadband-level performance for suitably capable phones and laptops.

The D-Link 501 is a USB device designed to attach to a laptop or tablet that doesn’t have a 5G modem installed, which can easily add that technology without even a driver.

Simply insert a suitable mobile SIM card into the D501, connect it via the provided USB cable, and you can access 4x4 MIMO 5G comms.

The caveat is that this is a Sub-6 GHz connection only, with no mmWave support, unlike what is common in the USA. Therefore, it doesn’t have the highest 5G connection speeds, but those it can achieve are still better than 4G.

Another snag is that it isn’t especially cheap, at around six times what you might pay for a similar device that connects to 4G services.

And, the final elephant in this room is that adding a 5G modem to a modern business laptop generally costs less than this device. A typical overhead for a Dell laptop to get an unbuilt 5G modem is $200, though they only offer this feature on models like the Dell Pro Max and Dell Precision 3590. The D-Link D501 can be added to any machine with a USB-C port, including tablets and other devices, so it could be shared between devices or even people.

As I’ll talk about later in this review, there is an aspect to this device and any 5G dongle or hotspot, and that’s the variability of the service it uses. For those who aren’t near a good 5G environment, there is little point in spending this much on a mobile network modem. Conversely, if you work somewhere with good 5G coverage, it could offer a significant improvement over 4G LTE.

It’s hard to assess whether this is one of the best 5G modems, since so few devices are available.

D-Link D501 5G NR USB Adapter — (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

D-Link D501: price and availability

How much does it cost? £236/€323
When is it out? Available now in Europe
Where can you get it? Via D-Link resellers

From what I understand, and this might change, the D501 is available across Europe, including the UK, Norway and Germany. The cost in the UK is £241 via Amazon.co.uk, and it’s €323 in Germany.

It isn’t sold outside these regions, and certainly not in the USA.

Even if someone imported one to America, there's a significant technical obstacle. The D501's 5G bands are n1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/71/75/76/77/78 D-Link. Cross-referencing with US carrier deployments, this is where things get telling: the key US mid-band frequencies are n77 (used by AT&T and Verizon) and n41 (T-Mobile).

Whilst n41, n71, and n77/78 are on the spec sheet, notable US-specific bands such as n2, n12, n25, n30, n66, and n70, all widely used by US carriers for both 5G and LTE, are entirely absent. This means even an imported unit would have very patchy support on US networks.

Alternatives include the Netgear M6, which offers Wi-Fi sharing, but it’s currently £549.99 on Amazon.co.uk and $433 at Amazon.com.

Another Wi-Fi sharing choice is made ironically by D-Link, the DWR-978, a 5G NR AC2600 Wi-Fi mobile hotspot. That only quotes a speed of 1.6Gbps, but it's cheaper at £144.99.

TP-Link makes the Archer NX210, an AX1800 spec 5G Router that costs around £190.

These examples make the D501 seem on the pricey side, but if you look at 4G LTE modems that do a similar job, those cost between £25 and £40.

And, I’m not talking about unknown brands. A classic example is the D-Link DWM-222W 4G LTE AX300 Wi-Fi 6 USB Adapter, capable of up to 150 Mbps downloads, which sells for only £40.80.

You should conclude that the portability of the D501 comes at a premium over less elegant devices, or those that only support 4G LTE.

Value score: 3/5

D-Link D501: Specs

Feature	Specification
Model	D-Link D501
Connection Type	5G NR / 4G LTE / DC-HSPA+ / HSPA / WCDMA
Max Download Speed	Up to 3.4 Gbps (theoretical, 5G NR Sub-6)
MIMO	4x4
5G Bands (Sub-6)	n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n71/n75/n76/n77/n78
4G LTE Bands	B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B32/B38/B40/B41/B42/B43/B71
3G Bands	B1/B5/B8
mmWave Support	No. Sub-6 GHz only
USB Interface	USB 3.1 Type-C
SIM Card	Nano SIM (4FF)
Antenna	Foldable external
Wi-Fi Hotspot	No
LED Status	Blue (5G) / Green (4G LTE) / Red (no service or error)
OS Compatibility	Windows / macOS / Linux (plug-and-play, no drivers)
Dimensions	95 × 41 × 22.5 mm
Power	USB-powered via USB-C

Feature

Specification

Model

D-Link D501

Connection Type

5G NR / 4G LTE / DC-HSPA+ / HSPA / WCDMA

Max Download Speed

Up to 3.4 Gbps (theoretical, 5G NR Sub-6)

MIMO

4x4

5G Bands (Sub-6)

n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n71/n75/n76/n77/n78

4G LTE Bands

B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B32/B38/B40/B41/B42/B43/B71

3G Bands

B1/B5/B8

mmWave Support

No. Sub-6 GHz only

USB Interface

USB 3.1 Type-C

SIM Card

Nano SIM (4FF)

Antenna

Foldable external

Wi-Fi Hotspot

LED Status

Blue (5G) / Green (4G LTE) / Red (no service or error)

OS Compatibility

Windows / macOS / Linux (plug-and-play, no drivers)

Dimensions

95 × 41 × 22.5 mm

Power

USB-powered via USB-C

D-Link D501: design

Simple but elegant
Highly portable
USB-C

The D501 is built around one clear design objective: to easily disappear into a bag. At 95 x 41 x 22.5 mm, it is genuinely pocket-sized, and the foldable antenna tucks flat when not in use. It comes with a 20cm USB-C cable, which avoids the issue of a directly inserted USB device that destroys the port it's connected to if something unfortunate occurs.

The single-LED status indicator keeps things simple: blue for 5G, green for 4G/LTE, red for no service or error. There is no screen, no buttons and no physical controls.

Everything routes through a browser interface for any configuration beyond basic SIM insertion. Build quality is consistent with D-Link's Taiwan manufacturing standard and is solid enough for the price. It draws power entirely from the host USB-C port, so there is no charging or other preparation to manage.

The beauty of this design is that it's entirely driverless, allowing it to operate across the widest possible range of systems. It might have been a nice touch if D-Link had included a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but these are pennies for you to add to the package.

While you are buying that extra, you might also want to find a small carry pouch to keep the D501, USB-C cable, adapter and the Quick Start paperwork. Although the paperwork is so short in content, you could probably leave that at home.

Based purely on how simple and elegant this device is, I’ve scored it highly for Design, because how easy it is to deploy and use makes it much more likely to be adopted.

Design score: 4.5/5

D-Link D501: In use

No drivers
Web interface
Performance expectations

Those who designed the D501 did so, realising that the majority of people deploying this equipment aren’t likely to be IT professionals. The non-technical user is likely to appreciate that there is no driver to install, and if the SIM is already installed, it's merely a matter of plugging the D501 to get it working.

There is a web interface for those with more technical knowledge to manually configure the device, but for most deployments, this shouldn’t be necessary.

For most users, a basic overview of how to recognise a laptop connected by Wi-Fi (or wired LAN) over one using the mobile network is all that’s required.

I’m based in the UK, so that colors my view of this device and how it works with the typical services that are available to UK customers.

That said, the D501 covers a wide range of Sub-6 GHz 5G and 4G LTE bands, making it broadly compatible with UK and European carrier infrastructure. The key 5G bands used by major UK carriers are all present:

These include Primary 5G on n78 for EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three, and also B20 and B3 LTE on most networks.

The inclusion of n71 (600 MHz) in the hardware is notable for US market users on T-Mobile, and n28 (700 MHz) extends rural 5G reach in markets where lower-band 5G is deployed. The absence of mmWave (FR2) bands is the only meaningful gap, limiting the device to sub-6 GHz 5G.

The lack of mmWave could be a deal-breaker for some, but what it does offer is sufficient for the vast majority of real-world use cases, as mmWave coverage remains geographically sparse.

Connection stability is the D501's most important untested variable. The theoretical specification is strong as 4x4 MIMO provides both throughput headroom and resilience against signal variation compared to simpler 2x2 designs. The USB 3.1 interface eliminates the connection bottleneck present in older USB 2.0 dongles.

I’ve seen some customers report intermittent disconnections with certain carriers, but I didn’t experience that at all with O2 (GiffGaff) in the UK.

Why this might be happening, I’m unsure. But it certainly seems to be carrier-related, and it might require a firmware update from D-Link to resolve this issue. I checked, and a later firmware was available than the one that came on the D501, so I installed that.

I’m not a huge fan of web interfaces that don’t check for you, and this one had the tools to install new firmware but no way to find out whether the current version had been superseded. I’ve seen this lots with modems and routers, and I don’t care for it.

The firmware did improve my throughput, so it was worth installing.

In terms of data transfer performance, my 5G service isn’t great, although it did connect, which is more than my phone typically achieves with the same SIM.

It’s also worth noting that doing this inside a building doesn’t help, and for those in a hotel, it might be helpful to get a USB extension and place the dongle outside, either near a window or, ideally, on a balcony.

Needless to say, using 5G, I got nowhere near the quoted performance levels, but I can’t blame that on D-Link. As an experiment, I tried switching to 4G LTE, but it didn’t show any improvement and was, in fact, slower than NR5G-NSA, which the D501 automatically connected to.

Going outside did make a massive difference, although I was still only achieving around 30Mbps up and down. Inside, the results were at best around 40% of that level.

As frustrating as this all was, the connection was at least solid and usable.

Do I think this hardware could achieve 3.4Gbps? No, not even if it was right next to the mast, because you wouldn’t have exclusive access to the frequencies, even then. I’m sure it could get 500 Mbps in ideal conditions, but 300 Mbps would be a reasonable expectation if you live or work near a mobile mast that supports 5G. For the MIMO aspect of this device to function properly, you can’t be on the edge of a 5G area, as I am.

To put this into perspective, the O2 network I use offers an average UK-wide 5G speed of only 80.1 Mbps, and the maximum you can expect is around 320 Mbps. If I were with Vodafone, then I might see 545Mbps, and allegedly on Three, that could be over 900Mbps, but that’s as good as it gets in the UK. So forget 3.4Gbps, it’s not happening with this technology in the UK.

The takeaway here is not that the D501 is a good or bad 5G modem. It's that, unlike a wired network, the performance isn’t predictable, other than it will invariably be less than the theoretical limits promoted by the makers.

In Use: 4/5

D-Link D501: Final verdict

The discussion here is less about the D501 and more about what alternatives exist if you don’t use this device. The obvious one is to buy a cheap 5G phone and connect it to the laptop via a USB-C cable or Wi-Fi sharing. If phones had USB 3.1 specification USB-C ports, then this would be the best choice, but almost all of them use only USB 2.0 on the charging/data port.

Using Wi-Fi would work, but again, most phones are limited to dual-channel at best connections, and that’s not remotely the throughput that 5G can offer.

There are some 5G hotspots that will work, including the D-Link F530 and Netgear M6, but these cost more than the D501, and because they share the same Wi-Fi 6 channel, there is extra latency and potential wireless interference.

There are plenty of 4G hotspots and dongles, and they are much, much cheaper. However, the majority are only capable of 150 Mbps, which is dramatically less than the D501's theoretical 3.4 Gbps. It comes down to whether you just need a connection or want the headline-level connectivity that 5G promises.

It’s also worth noting that if you get a D501 and a good connection, you might eat through an entire month of data allowance in just a few minutes if you’re not careful.

Therefore, the device's cost might be a minor expense in this exercise compared to the 5G SIM contract you will need to make best use of it. Also, research which carriers offer the best 5G performance, since some are distinctly better than others.

Those things accepted, this hardware provides a seamless connection to the 5G network for anyone with a modern laptop, and the cost of that, for many businesses supporting a mobile sales team, might be one they are willing to eat.

But don’t expect miracles, because some geographic locations just aren’t 5G-friendly.

Should I buy a D-Link D501?

D-Link D501 Score Card
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	Not cheap when compared to a 4G dongle	3/5
Design	Remarkably compact, easy to use and carry	4.5/5
In Use	Plug and play, if 5G will play	4/5
Overall	Excellent 5G travel router with a few caveats	4/5

Buy it if...

You need 5G connections on the road
For a laptop without the capability to take a SIM and network over 5G, the D501 is the next best thing, and as you can adjust the position of the antenna, it might be even better.

Don't buy it if...

You want to share the connection
The D501 hardware doesn’t support Wi-Fi sharing, although you could configure this via the laptop. There are other 5G routers available with an inbuilt Wi-Fi access point that are better suited to sharing a 5G connection.

You are travelling to the USA
While you can use this device in the USA to connect to some carriers, it wasn’t built for that region and lacks some channels and mmWave support. Avoid trying to make this device work globally.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best business routers

EnGenius ECW520 budget Wi-Fi 7 access point review

2:44 pm | March 11, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, MSRP, PC, RAM | Comments: Off

With a throughput of over 11 Gbps, the EnGenius ECW520 wireless access point delivers excellent Wi-Fi 7 performance in a small footprint.

Specifications

Model: EnGenius ECW520

CPU: 1.5GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm ARM CPU

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 256MB flash

Radios: One 6GHz, one 5GHz and one 2.4GHz

Wireless throughput: Theoretical 11Gbps

Ports: 2.5Gb Ethernet with PoE

Weight: 600g

Dimensions: 15.8 cm x 15.8 cm x 3.9 cm

Power Consumption: 25W maximum consumption

MSRP: $189

It connects to the network via a 2.5Gb PoE port and seamlessly extends the range thanks to its mesh capability. A power consumption of just 25W under worst-case conditions means the case barely heats up when normally used.

The out-of-the-box cloud support makes deploying the ECW520 a breeze. The unit provides several operating modes: AP, mesh, or AP with mesh, and packs three full-duplex radios.

The 6 dBi antennas and 23 dBm RF amplifiers result in an operating range of over 10 meters at 500 Mbps throughput. The ease of installation and use, along with its decent wireless performance, make the ECW520 ideal for small offices or work-from-home setups.

EnGenius ECW520 2 — (Image credit: Future)

EnGenius ECW520: Price and Availability

The access point sells for $189 and includes a mounting wall adapter. The larger ECW526 AP with similar radio performance sports 10Gb ports and costs $299. The ECW536 top-tier AP with 4x4x4 radios supports more simultaneous connections and costs $589.

Engenius access points can only be managed through their cloud services, which start at $50 per device, while the basic free access lacks API support.

EnGenius ECW520 3 — (Image credit: Future)

EnGenius ECW520: Design

The Engenius ECW520 ships in a tiny box, something surprising for a Wi-Fi 7 access point. This gives a sense of the unit's size: the white plastic case measures 15.8 cm x 15.8 cm x 3.9 cm and weighs 600 g. The metal back panel serves as a heatsink and hosts the module’s ports. Two mounting holes secure the unit vertically to a wall using screws. The unit can also clip onto a plastic base, enabling a faster and easier installation than with just screws.

A single multicolor LED on the front panel provides visual cues about the access point's status. When working normally, the LED emits a blue light. For any other case, the LED blinks either green or blue. The metal back panel features a 12V power socket and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port. A small recessed button is also present and requires a paper clip or pen to reset the AP.

The ECW520 hardware is powered by a Qualcomm CPU and radio chipset. The 1.5GHz quad-core ARM processor has 1GB of DDR4 RAM and 256 MB of flash memory. Three radio modules provide duplex data links at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, for an aggregate throughput of 11 Gb/s using the 802.11be standard. The device integrates 23 dBm radio amplifiers and 6 dBi high-gain internal antennas to boost the RF signal.

EnGenius ECW520 4 — (Image credit: Future)

EnGenius ECW520: In Use

Setting up the ECW520 requires installing the Engenius Cloud app and signing up on the Engenius website. The procedure is complete after scanning a QR code on the back of the access point, which then creates a new device in the mobile app. The AP gets upgraded at this point if a new firmware is available.

The EnGenius cloud service is essential for remote access to the AP. Users can deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot multiple sites from a single interface, either in a browser or, with reduced functionality, from the Cloud To-Go mobile app. Among its most useful features is the Visualized Topology, which provides an overall health report for the network and all connected appliances.

The ECW520 draws power either from the PoE port or a 12V center-positive socket. The access point's power consumption is around 25W with active Wi-Fi connections and radio amplifiers set to maximum gain. At a range of one meter, the ECW520 performs well, achieving a throughput of 2 gigabits per second on the 6 GHz band. Throughput halves at 5 meters, reaching 600 Mbps at 10 meters.

Extending the ECW520's range is achieved with a second unit. The additional AP can either use an existing Ethernet connection or work in a mesh configuration, with only a power adapter connected to it. A mesh works by sharing bandwidth with other ECW520s via a backhaul channel, thereby reducing throughput but providing extra range.

EnGenius ECW520: Competition

The ECW520 packs three duplex radios with high-gain antennas and amplifiers. The simple design targets 2.5Gb PoE infrastructures with cloud management in mind.

The Zyxel NWA130BE has similar features to the ECW520, but it is twice as large. Moreover, its 4 dBi antennas are 2 dBi lower than those in the ECW520, reducing data rates at greater distances from the access point.

EnGenius ECW520: Final Verdict

The ECW520 is a budget-conscious solution that instantly connects to the cloud and delivers over 11 Gbps of throughput over three radio bands.

Thanks to high-gain antennas, these radios provide adequate range for a small home office, with transfer rates of 500 Mbps or more at 10 meters.

The unit is small and discrete, and comes with one wall-mounting panel as an accessory. Since it supports PoE, only one Ethernet connection is required for installation.

Buy if . . . you already have Engenius products and want to get Wi-Fi 7 speed.

Don’t buy . . . if you want to get the most throughput out of your 10Gb wired installation.

We've listed the best WIFI adapters for PC..

Quo review: A modern, AI-powered business phone platform for small businesses

12:56 pm | March 10, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone & Communications Pro | Comments: Off

Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is a cloud-based business phone system designed for teams that want a modern, app-centric alternative to traditional VoIP or PBX setups. It blends calling, texting, shared numbers, and AI-powered automation in a single workspace that feels more like a messaging app than a legacy phone console.This company targets small and midsize businesses, startups, and distributed teams that need professional phone numbers, shared inboxes, and collaboration tools without investing in desk phones or complex hardware. The service runs on desktop and mobile apps, keeping personal and business communication separate while giving teams a unified view of calls and messages.A key differentiator is the Sona AI voice agent, which can answer calls 24/7, capture details, generate transcripts, and suggest follow-up actions, effectively acting as a virtual receptionist and note-taker. When combined with integrations with tools like HubSpot and Salesforce, Quo aims to streamline how teams handle leads, support tickets, and client communication.

Quo: Plans and pricing

Quo pricing screenshot — (Image credit: Quo)

Quo uses per-user, per-month pricing, with tiers that unlock additional AI capabilities, advanced analytics, and more robust integrations as you go up the ladder. This structure keeps it approachable for very small teams that just need core calling and texting, while still scaling for growing companies that want deeper reporting or CRM sync.Higher-tier plans typically include features like advanced call tagging, more powerful Sona AI automation, and expanded integration options with CRMs and other business tools. Transparent pricing and no required hardware purchases help keep the total cost of ownership predictable, especially compared with legacy on-premises phone systems that require separate maintenance and equipment.

Quo: Features

Screenshot of Quo AI features — (Image credit: Quo)

Quo is built to be deployed quickly, often without IT involvement, which will appeal to small businesses and non-technical founders. Getting started typically involves creating an account, choosing or porting phone numbers, installing the desktop and mobile apps, and inviting team members to join.Number porting, configuring shared inboxes, and setting up basic call routing rules can usually be completed from the admin dashboard, with guided steps and documentation to reduce friction. Many customers highlight straightforward onboarding and the ability to get a working phone system live in a short amount of time, especially compared with traditional providers.

Quo: Ease of use

Screenshot showing Quo connect — (Image credit: Quo)

Most users describe Quo’s interface as clean and modern, with a layout that resembles familiar messaging apps, lowering the learning curve. The shared conversation view helps new team members quickly understand context, and the separation between personal and business communication on mobile devices supports healthier work–life boundaries.Features like conversation assignment, internal comments, and automated call summaries cut down on back-and-forth and reduce the need for external note-taking tools. For teams, having calls and texts in one shared thread for each customer makes collaboration more intuitive than bouncing between email, chat, and a separate phone app.

Quo: Security and privacy

Quo emphasizes secure communication and payment handling, particularly for organizations in regulated industries like healthcare. Once a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement is in place, Quo can be configured to support compliant communication workflows, with safeguards that align with HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules.For billing and payments, Quo relies on Stripe as a PCI Service Provider Level 1–certified processor, meaning credit card data is never stored on Quo’s servers and is transmitted using strong encryption. The platform layers on protections like multi-factor authentication for sensitive account changes, regular security audits, and privacy policies that stress minimal data collection, purpose limitation, and user control over personal data.

Quo: Support

Customers often praise Quo’s support team for being responsive, professional, and helpful during onboarding and troubleshooting. Small business users, in particular, note that setup questions and technical issues tend to be addressed promptly, which is important when the phone system is mission-critical.Quo offers a support site and resource center with documentation on configuration, security, and compliance, though some users have reported issues with the in-dashboard AI assistant not functioning correctly in highly locked-down browser environments. This suggests that while core support quality is strong, the AI help experience may vary depending on security settings and browser constraints.

Quo: The competition

Quo competes with a crowded field of cloud-based communication platforms, including RingCentral, Nextiva, and GoTo Connect, as well as more lightweight app-based services. Many of these rivals offer robust call routing, analytics, and integrations, but may lean more heavily on traditional PBX paradigms or require more complex configuration.Where Quo stands out is its focus on an app-first, messaging-like experience and its AI-driven Sona agent, which aims to capture and categorize every call without manual intervention. However, some power users and larger enterprises may still prefer competitors with more mature contact-center features or deeper native analytics if those advanced capabilities matter more than a streamlined interface.

Quo: Final verdict

Quo is a compelling choice for small and midsize teams that value simplicity, collaboration, and AI assistance as much as traditional phone features. Its shared inbox model, Sona AI agent, and CRM integrations make it especially attractive for sales, support, and real estate teams that live and die by fast, context-rich customer communication.There are some trade-offs: users with locked-down environments may encounter quirks with the AI support assistant, and organizations needing advanced contact center tooling may find more specialized options elsewhere. But for most growing businesses that want an easy-to-manage phone system that feels like a modern messaging app—and that also captures and organizes every interaction—Quo earns a strong recommendation.

Quo review: A modern, AI-powered business phone platform for small businesses

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