Forza Motorsport - Organizer

The new Thrustmaster T98 racing wheel took me back to my childhood, and I couldn’t wait to grow up

10:00 pm | September 19, 2025

Thrustmaster T98: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T98 is about as budget as a budget racing wheel and pedals can get, but that’s by design. This entry-level bundle includes everything a young racer needs to get started with a wheel, pedals, and mounting clamp, but does away with plenty of standard features in order to keep costs down.

Feeling more like a racing toy than a piece of sim racing gear, the T98 is made entirely of plastic but still carries an impressive overall build quality. The wheel itself has all the usual buttons and inputs, but the attached wheelbase offers no force feedback or even simple vibration. Instead, the T98’s wheel has a light, linear resistance from what Thrustmaster calls ‘bungee cord technology’ and will always spin back to centre when let go

The pedals are equally simple, just an accelerator and brake with a short travel distance and no real pushback. Remarkably, though, Thrustmaster has managed to include Hall effect sensors here, which almost feels out of place with the rest of the unit but is certainly a welcome addition.

I’ve hit the track in a few different games, and while racing with the Thrustmaster T98 is more fun than with the stock Xbox Wireless Controller, it’s a very superficial experience. The wheel feels floaty and disconnected from your digital car, making it surprisingly hard to achieve any real control, even with three sensitivity profiles to choose from.

It may be targeted at kids and the entry-level market, and I can see such an audience initially enjoying it, but I’d imagine most will quickly outgrow the T98 and soon be wanting a wheel that offers a little more.

The Thrustmaster T248R in use. — (Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster T98: Price and availability

List price: $109.99 / £89.99 / AU$199.99
Available direct from Thrustmaster
Great value for money for an entry level wheel

You’re not going to find many full racing bundles much cheaper than the Thrustmaster T98, and that’s worthy of applause in itself.

It’s a refreshing change to see a genuine, modern, entry-level option around that $100 mark. Perhaps more importantly, it’s nice to see brands starting to fill in options at both ends of the market. Beyond the similarly priced Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation, the numbers quickly increase until you reach the genre staple Logitech G923 racing wheel.

What’s particularly pleasing is that the T98 is a complete set; there are no asterisks or sold separately disclaimers here. There’s even a desk clamp included, too; one box really is all you need to go from nothing to racing.

This makes shopping easy for parents, just make sure you get the right version, as there are separate Xbox and PlayStation variants with just a single letter differentiating the model names - GTS for Xbox and GTB for PlayStation.

Thrustmaster T98: Specs

Dimensions	10 x 9.6 x 9.8in / 255 x 245 x 250 mm
Weight	2.9 lbs / 1.3kg
Rotation	240 degrees
Force Feedback	No
Platform Compatibility	Xbox/PC or PlayStation/PC
Box Contents	T98 Ferrari 296, clamping system, T2PM pedal set, instruction manual, and warranty information

Thrustmaster T98: Design and features

Complete set with wheel, pedals, and table clamp
Three on-board driving profiles
H.E.A.R.T. Hall effect sensors in pedals

At this price point, it’s really no surprise that every part of the Thrustmaster T98 bundle is entirely made of plastic. Usually, I’d be critical of this; it’s not exactly the most premium material, but this isn’t a premium bit of kit, so it’s understandable. As far as plastic goes, it’s not bad, though.

Pulling it out of the box, I was immediately struck by just how solid the wheel and wheelbase both feel. There’s no flex or creakiness to either of them; they feel reassuringly sturdy. Thrustmaster’s experience in the genre really shows here, even if this is the closest thing to a toy it’s ever made.

The Thrustmaster T98’s 10” wheel is inspired by the one you’ll find in the Ferrari 296 GTS, and it’s not a bad recreation. The overall shape is sporty, and it’s comfortable enough to hold. There’s a little grip texturing embossed into the plastic on either side, which is a welcome addition, and a few faux carbon fibre accents to break things up.

The standard range of controller buttons is neatly spread across the face of the wheel, with a pair of clicky paddle shifters behind. I could easily reach all of them without adjusting my grip on the wheel, and it’s something I not only appreciated but have regularly not been able to do with more expensive options.

Admittedly, I have reasonably large hands, but they all felt close enough that I imagine smaller users would be able to reach them just as easily.

The Thrustmaster T98’s wheelbase is simple but stylish enough. It’s a compact little unit that takes its design cues from more ‘grown-up’ options, albeit with considerably less going on inside. The included desk clamp took a little fiddling to correctly line up, but eventually held things firmly in place.

With no force feedback and no vibration or rumble motor, it’s left to essentially a rubber band to impose any sort of resistance. It’s not uncommon for wheels to forego force feedback. Logitech’s Heavy Equipment Bundle will set you back nearly three times as much and offers the same experience, but that doesn’t make me miss it any less.

The pedals are the most basic part of the Thrustmaster T98 bundle, though funnily enough feature the most advanced technology. Both the accelerator and brake feel similar underfoot without much travel distance and an equally small amount of resistance. These are definitely designed with junior racers in mind. If you’re pressing it, you might as well floor it; there’s no real in-between.

That makes the inclusion of Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T. Hall effect sensors in each pedal a little unusual. I’m not complaining, it’s great to see this kind of technology in a budget device, I’m just not sure anyone is going to see the benefit beyond some extra lifespan and no chance of stick - I mean, pedal - drift.

Speaking of which, there’s a good chance you’ll find the whole unit drifting across your floor because while there’s a generously sized heel plate with some texturing on top, the bottom of the pedal box is pretty slick.

There’s no spikey carpet gripper bar to keep things still, and while there are four tiny rubber pads, these didn’t achieve a lot when I tested on my laminate floor.

Thrustmaster T98: Performance

Impressive plug-and-play game compatibility
No force feedback or rumble
Bungee cord resistance has quirks and a learning curve

"It's not aimed at sim racers, it's aimed at kids, for first-time steering wheel users”. That’s what Thrustmaster product marketing manager Xavier Pieuchot told us when we got our first look at the T98 at Gamescom in August.

Well, I’m none of those things. I do quite a lot of sim racing, and my usual setup is worth north of $2,000. I know what the top end of the market is like, so I channeled my inner child when I played with the Thrustmaster T98.

Setup was a breeze, and actually an area the T98 performed better than a vast majority of considerably more expensive wheels I’ve tested in recent times.

I plugged in the single, pre-attached cable from the pedals to the wheelbase, and then the USB-C cable from the wheelbase to my Xbox Series X. That’s it. Done. Ready to race. The list of officially compatible games on the Thrustmaster website is surprisingly modest, but pretend-8-year-old Alex doesn’t read product listings, so my first stop was a game not on the list, Forza Motorsport.

Who needs compatibility lists anyway? The Thrustmaster T98 worked perfectly from the moment the game launched. Every button was pre-bound to what I’d have expected it to be, including the pedals, and without even considering an options menu, I was straight out on track and racing.

I can’t overstate how refreshing this was and how many times this hasn’t been the case with ‘premium’ options. It was the same story in almost any other game I tried; Forza Horizon 5, EA Sports WRC, Farming Simulator 25, and even older titles like Wreckfest, everything was fully button-mapped, and the wheel and pedals worked exactly how I’d hoped they would.

The Thrustmaster T98 in use. — (Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, the actual experience behind the wheel wasn’t quite as positive for either my experienced sim racing side or my childhood alter ego. I can overlook the lack of force feedback; that’s a nice-to-have feature, albeit a basic one, and I remind myself this is a $110 wheel after all. The problem is that while the Thrustmaster T98 was more of a giggle to play with than a controller, even the adult me found the learning curve and overall difficulty much harder than it should have been.

Thrustmaster calls the bungee resistance linear, though I experienced quite a wide physical deadzone before the cord grabbed. For hard corners and aggressive moves, this wasn’t a problem. The 240° max rotation can be a little limiting on some tracks, but I still had a good amount of fun. Across titles, though, it was the gentle, sweeping turns, small adjustments, and overtaking manoeuvres that proved surprisingly difficult.

I’d constantly need to turn the wheel further than I’d like to get the car to respond, and then quickly correct it back the other way when it inevitably went too far. More often than not, this caused me to lose control completely and end up against a wall, even down straights. It was a frustrating experience for me as a 33-year-old; I can’t imagine how much patience a 10-year-old might have before giving up and labelling it dumb and annoying.

There are three ‘driving support profiles’ built into the Thrustmaster T98 that adjust the sensitivity of the wheel. I did notice a clear difference between each setting, and it’s a nice idea to be able to dial down the sensitivity and, in theory, make things easier, though none of them managed to overcome the problem I mentioned before.

It’s also worth noting that these don’t change any physical characteristics of the wheel's behavior, just how your movements are translated into the game.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T98?

Buy it if…

You’re playing a lot of racing games with a controller
It’s light on realism and not without its quirks, but once I’d gotten used to it, I found racing with the Thrustmaster T98 more fun than if I was just sitting there motionless with a controller.

This is the absolute maximum you can spend
This is about the cheapest racing wheel you’ll find from a major brand, particularly one with the expertise of Thrustmaster. If you can hold off a little longer, there are more features to be gained by spending a bit more.

Don’t buy it if…

You’ve used a racing wheel before
If you’ve been to a friend's house and tried a wheel for the first time, even a lower-end option like the Logitech G923, the Thrustmaster T98 is not going to give you the same kind of experience, and you’ll be left disappointed.

You’re looking for a realistic experience
No force feedback, no rumble, and (semi) linear bungee cord resistance make no effort to deliver an immersive or realistic driving feel. This is an arcade toy rather than a simulator.

Also consider

Not sure if the Thrustmaster T98 is your best option? There are plenty of other sim racing wheels available, though not too many at quite such a low price point.

	Thrustmaster T98	Hori Racing Wheel Apex	Logitech G920
Price	$109.99 / £89.99	$119.99 / £99.99	$299.99 / £349.99
Dimensions	10 x 9.6 x 9.8in / 255 x 245 x 250 mm	11 x 10.8 x 11.3in / 280 x 275 x 286mm	10.6 x 10.2 x 10.9in / 270 x 260 x 278mm
Weight	2.9lbs / 1.3kg	3.09lbs / 1.4kg	4.96lbs / 2.25kg
Rotation	240 degrees	270 degrees	900 degrees
Force Feedback	No	No	Dual-motor

Hori Racing Wheel Apex
The Hori Racing Wheel Apex offers a similar overall package to the T98. It’s equally basic with no force feedback, though you do gain a companion app to fine-tune driving profiles.

For more information, check out our full Hori Racing Wheel Apex review.

Logitech G920
This has arguably been the entry-level racing wheel for years. The Logitech G920 is a considerable step up from the barebones T98, moving from toy racing wheel to sim racing wheel. It’ll set you back just over twice as much, but this is reflected in the experience with full force feedback and higher build quality.

For more information, check out our full Logitech G920 review.

The Thrustmaster T248R set up. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Thrustmaster T98

I used the T98 on my Xbox Series X for a few days
Tested across a range of titles
Approached as a complete beginner

I swapped out some of the best Xbox racing wheels and used the Thrustmaster T98 as my primary racing wheel on Xbox Series X for a week. At this time, I reset my expectations, approaching this as a complete novice and casting my mind back to how I’d have felt about this as a child.

I tried a range of different games, including options both on and absent from the official compatibility list.

I jumped into each title blind, avoiding any configuration or settings menus. I aimed for the most plug-and-play experience possible, seeing how the T98 felt in each game out of the box. The only change I made was testing the three on-board driving profiles in each game, often switching multiple times during a single lap to feel the impact this had.

Throughout testing, I had the Thrustmaster T98 clamped to a coffee table with the pedals resting on the floor. Primarily, this was carpeted, though I also moved my setup into the hallway to test movement and feel on a hard, laminate floor.

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Two-minute review

Between various budget and more premium gaming monitor offerings within the 27-inch 1440p market, the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 could serve as a fine middle-ground.

Its $499 / UK £429 / AU $999 price point and capabilities are good enough to please anyone on both sides of the spectrum, while image quality looks fantastic thanks to the display's quantum dot technology.

When viewing content or gaming in SDR or HDR, the high 600 nits brightness makes colors pop, especially thanks to the 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. Once you add nice contrast and deep blacks into the mix, the GP2711 has so much going for it.

Gaming performance is more than enough to satisfy enthusiasts and aspiring e-sports gamers as well. Having a max 165Hz refresh rate alongside 1ms response time should be more than enough for intense sessions of Fortnite or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

For its variable refresh rate solution, the GP2711 is compatible with AMD FreeSync to prevent screen tearing. Then there are other features like an on-screen crosshair and other types of overlays.

Though it lacks a few contemporary features of the very best gaming monitors, the GP2711 offers some solid extras. Gamers and streamers will be happy to know that it has KVM capabilities, which allow users to use the same keyboard and mouse to control two different devices without the need for an extra monitor.

While having built-in speakers are always a plus, the ones in the GP2711 offer fairly disappointing audio quality but are good enough for looking at YouTube videos or social content in a quiet room from time to time.

Taken all together, then, the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 should be on any gamer's shortlist if they want to pick up one of the best 1440p monitors on the market right now.

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Price & availability

A Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 on a desk — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much is it? $499 / UK £429 / AU $999
When is it available? It is available now
Where can you buy it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia

The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 is currently available across the U.S., UK, and AU for $499 / UK £429 / AU $999, respectively. Outside of the usual online retailers like Amazon and Newegg, the gaming monitor can be purchased through various links on the Cooler Master website in various territories.

At its price, the GP2711 serves as the best bang-for-buck purchase for anyone on a budget looking for a 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor.

Value: 4.5 / 5

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Specs

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 specifications
Screen size		27-inch
Aspect ratio		16:9
Resolution		2560x1440
Brightness		600 nits (Typical)
Response time		4ms (GtG), 1ms (MPRT)
Viewing angle		178°/178°
Contrast ratio		3000:1 (Typ.), 3,000,000:1 (HDR)
Color support		DCI-P3 95%, Adobe RGB 93.5%, sRGB 99%, 130% Area Ratio
Inputs		2X HDMI 2.0 / 1X DisplayPort 1.4 / 1X USB-B/ 2X USB-A / 1X USB-C / 3.5mm headset jack
Weight		14lbs

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Design

Easy setup
Spins into portrait mode
Fairly plain looking

From putting it together to using it day-to-day, the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 blends ease of use with functionality. All users have to do is connect the base to the neck and both clip onto the back panel.

At 14lbs, it’s pretty easy to lug around as well. It's fairly adjustable with swivel, height, and pivot poseability. In addition, you can also spin the display 90 degrees to put it into portrait mode.

To power the GP2711, there’s a small brick adapter that doesn’t feel long enough, but it gets the job done in connecting to the power port on the back panel.

Other ports include two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, one upstream USB-B port, two USB-A ports, one USB-C, and a 3.5mm headset jack. This is a good enough port setup for multiplatform gamers with additional consoles or streamers due to KVM, which is accessible through the power button.

The small thumbstick on the back allows navigation of the in-display menu. Here, users can change various settings like color, HDR, volume control for the built-in speakers, features like adaptive sync, and more. Moving around in the menu feels good between the speedy software and the thumbstick.

The overall black design is fairly boring but works well enough. Don’t expect any fancy RGB lighting or the like. The actual display screen features thin right, left, and top bezels alongside the larger logo chin. The back is slightly bulky, but that’s due to a unique heatsink and thermal back cover that reduces the need for fans.

Design: 4 / 5

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Features

KVM capabilities
No genre-specific color presets
Built-in speakers aren't great

Don’t expect a ton of features on the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711, but there are some noteworthy extras.

The built-in speakers are nothing special, as they don’t get really loud and aren’t sonically nuanced for finer audio. The speakers have a hollow sound that’s good enough to watch an occasional YouTube video and the like in a quiet room, but even on a casual level, most PC gamers will have some type of gaming headset, so this isn't really a dealbreaker.

If your audio setup isn’t already connected to their desktop, the GP2711 has a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output.

KVM allows users to use a keyboard and mouse across two devices, and this is a huge deal for streamers. It works pretty well, and users can hit the thumbstick right for various ways to utilize the feature, including USB-B and USB-C.

The thumbstick also reveals various overlay modes you can use, including different crosshairs for better aiming when playing shooters, a frames-per-second monitor, and a timer for speedruns.

Don’t expect anything outside of that, though. There aren’t any genre-specific color settings or modes, so gamers who have particular color settings when playing League of Legends compared to Call of Duty: Warzone are going to manually make in-display adjustments for each game, which could be problematic.

Features: 4 / 5

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711: Performance

If the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 doesn’t knock everything out of the park, its highlight is both image quality and gaming performance.

When Cooler Master called this gaming monitor a “Play-Work-Movie Solution,” they weren’t playing. Off the rip, the 600 nits brightness goes a long way in providing remarkable image quality for both SDR and HDR. Colors are bold, crisp, and the contrast is just right.

Playing visually arresting games with great art design like Alan Wake II, The Legend of Kenzera: ZAU, and Children of the Sun, among others, look stunning, and these visuals do a lot to help immersion.

Most importantly, having a high brightness allows the GP2711 to look phenomenal regardless of lighting conditions in a room. As mentioned previously, the gaming monitor doesn’t have any genre-specific settings, which means color correction will have to be done before playing a particular game, but thankfully, the default settings are more than good enough for a wide range of genres.

Gamers who are also content creators will also like the GP2711's 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. This means color accuracy is pretty nice when using Adobe Suite software like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Meanwhile, watching video content on the GP2711 was a great experience with deep blacks and sharp contrast.

Gaming performance is impressive with its 165Hz refresh rate alongside response time that sits between 4ms (GtG) and 1ms (MPRT). The GP2711 is good enough of a display to play more competitive games like Fortnite or Marvel Rivals. Using a controller or keyboard and mouse for various games felt buttery smooth without any noticeable latency.

When it comes to games pushing image quality and performance, even games like Forza Motorsport handle both well. Having AMD FreeSync compatibility also does a fine job in preventing screen tearing, too. For its very accessible price point, the GP2711 means absolute business.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711?

Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 Scorecard
	Notes	Rating
Value	$499 is a good sweet spot for the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 while having just enough extras.	4.5/ 5
Design	Design is fairly boring but set-up is easy, has plenty of ports and navigating the in-display menu is nice.	4/ 5
Features	The GP2711 isn't as feature rich as many other monitors, but it has some great features that streamers will love.	4 / 5
Performance	Image quality in SDR and HDR is pretty respectable for its price. Meanwhile, performance works splendidly thanks to a 165Hz refresh rate.	4.5/ 5
Final score	The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 plays a good middle ground between price and functionality making it a serious recommendation.	4.25 / 5

Buy the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 if…

You need a great 1440p gaming monitor at a great price
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 is definitely something to keep on your shortlist if you're on a tighter budget.

You want KVM capability
Not all gaming monitors have KVM, but for those who need to work between devices quickly, it really is essential.

You want great image quality and performance
The GP2711 makes good use of mini-LED and high brightness for fantastic image quality. Add great response time and a 165Hz refresh rate, and this is great for those just getting into esports.

Don’t buy it if…

You want better built-in speakers
The speakers on the GP2711 aren't loud and aren't really good.

You need the extras that come with other monitors
Outside of KVM and some graphic overlays, this doesn't offer much in the way of added features.

Also Consider

Gigabyte GS32QC
If you're on a tighter budget and want solid 1440p gaming, the Gigabyte GS32QC is a great option for a much lower price.

Read the full Gigabyte GS32QC review

Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS
If you're looking for the best overall 1440p gaming monitor for a reasonable price, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS offers exactly what you need without many of the more expensive bells and whistles.

Read the full Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS review

How I tested the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711:

During the two weeks I used the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711, it was my day-to-day monitor for daily activities like browsing with Google Chrome and using Slack for communication purposes. I also used it for work purposes, editing documents with Google Docs, managing projects via Asana, and coordinating social media activities using tools like Hootsuite.

To assess the overall image quality, I played visually rich games like Alan Wake II, The Legend of Kenzera: ZAU, and Children of the Sun. To test performance and gaming enhancement features I relied mostly on titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

I’ve spent the past several years covering monitors alongside other PC components for Techradar, among many other publications, so I am very well equipped to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a gaming monitor like this.

First reviewed September 2025

I tested the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX and liked its comfortable shape, but there are some concerning issues affecting performance

4:00 pm | July 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport | Comments: Off

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX: One-minute review

The Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX is a racing wheel designed for Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, although it’s also compatible with the Xbox One. I was immediately taken with the design of the wheel itself. It has an ergonomic shape, and the soft-grip material on the sides are comfortable and provide security. The indents that allow your thumbs to rest on are also a nice touch.

Build quality is also quite good, with the paddles being a particular highlight, rivaling what the best racing wheels have to offer. The pedal set is less impressive, but it functions as intended and remains stable on carpet floors.

The Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX is pleasingly light, too, which helps with installation, something that's further aided by the amenable clamping system and easily accessible ports. It can also be attached to racing wheel stands, although no screws are provided for this.

There’s an Xbox app for adjusting its various force feedback and sensitivity settings, but these are more basic than those provided in the software of other racing wheels, such as Thrustmaster’s. While there's also a remapping feature, this is limited to just the paddles and the two central buttons on either side of the wheel.

In action, the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX failed to impress me all that much. The steering isn’t as smooth or as precise as I would’ve liked, which seemed to be more of a problem for certain games than others. In some games, it didn’t seem to track accurately, creating a sense of lag and disconnectedness from the cars I was driving.

The force feedback isn’t particularly nuanced, either, and the light throttle pedal lacks feedback. Another issue I experienced was that my thumbs would often become trapped between the rim and the paddles when making sharp turns – an ergonomic faux pas that really shouldn’t exist.

On the face of it, the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX looks like good value considering its low price. But the performance isn’t quite there, and there are a few even cheaper wheels that perform better, such as the Thrustmaster T128. This also has the advantage of working with multiple platforms, PC included.

Close-up of face buttons on Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX, pink wall in background — (Image credit: Future)

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Price and availability

$299.99 / £299.99 (around AU$460)
Reasonable price...
...but rivals are better value

The Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX costs $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460) and is available now for Xbox platforms only. There’s only one colorway and one wheel type.

This isn’t a bad price for a racing wheel, although there are a few that beat it. For instance, the Thrustmaster T128 is considerably cheaper, but performs much better in my opinion. Unlike the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX, the T128 is compatible with multiple platforms, too.

If you’re looking for one of the best Xbox racing wheels, the Logitech G923 sits at the top of the pile as far as we’re concerned. It's more expensive than the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX, but not by a huge margin, and offers a much better sim racing experience. It’s also compatible with PC, and a PlayStation variant is available as well.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Specs

Price	$299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460)
Weight	10.6lbs / 4.8kg
Features	Three-pedal set, profile switch button
Connection type	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One
Software	Hori FFB RWD Device Manager for Xbox

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Design and features

Ergonomic wheel shape
Good build quality
Easy to install

I was immediately taken with the wheel design of the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX. It has a comfortable thickness, and the thumb slots and soft grip material make it a pleasure to hold. The square bottom was also something I welcomed, making it easy to discern orientation at any given moment.

The buttons are of a reasonable quality, although they’re not as tactile or as damped as those you’ll find on the best Xbox controllers. Still, the thoughtful layout makes them easy to use, although the RB and LB placement – they’re in the middle of the circular button clusters on either side – felt a little unintuitive to me. Thankfully, these central buttons can be remapped.

There’s also a useful button for switching saved profiles configured in the Hori FFB RWD Device Manager Xbox app. The LED at the center of the wheel changes color depending on which of the eight profile slots you have selected.

The paddle shifters are equally well-designed, with a long but thin profile that makes them easy to get your fingers behind. Their metal material looks and feels premium as well.

Unfortunately, the pedal set looks and feels less so, with cheaper-seeming plastics and a lightness that doesn’t instill much confidence. However, I found they remained stable enough when lying on a carpet floor.

Pedal set for Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX, on desk with plant and pink wall in background — (Image credit: Future)

Installing the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX proved easy enough. The wheel base is quite light, which makes the process less laborious, while the clamp is easy to attach to a desk. A single screw is all that’s required, and it features a maneuverable lever that makes it easier to tighten. The whole process is significantly less onerous than that of certain Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tested.

Also, there are screw holes underneath the wheel base and the pedal set for fixing the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX to a racing wheel stand, although it’s a shame that the requisite M6 screws aren’t provided.

Since this is an Xbox wheel, it’s pretty much plug-and-play as far as setup is concerned, although the aforementioned Xbox app is required for firmware updates and making certain adjustments.

These adjustments aren’t as rich as those you’ll find in other racing wheel software. There’s one slider for the force feedback strength, and a couple for the deadzones and sensitivities pertaining to steering and each pedal. There are also some rebinding options for the wheel button – but only for the LB and RB buttons and the paddles.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Performance

Inconsistent response
Numb throttle pedal
Ergonomic issue with Paddles

I found the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX was inconsistent in its performance: depending on the game I played, steering inputs ranged in their responsiveness and accuracy.

When playing Assetto Corsa, it did quite well on both of these fronts, my inputs tracking well with the in-game movements. However, steering was still a little grainy, which is especially noticeable when making small steering corrections.

Performance was worse, however, when playing Forza Motorsport. Here, the tracking seemed off, producing a lagging effect. Things improved when adjusting certain in-game settings, such as the steering linearity and self-centering parameters, but I still couldn’t completely shake the sensation of feeling disconnected from the car.

Close-up of rear ports on Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX on desk with plant and pink wall in background — (Image credit: Future)

The force feedback also seemed worse in Forza Motorsport than in Assetto Corsa. In the former, it again felt like it wasn’t matching up with what was happening in-game. It also lacks much subtlety, jumping from no vibration to maximum intensity without much provocation – and again seeming at odds with the events taking place within the game itself.

Regardless of what game you play, there are a few notable constants. The paddles, despite being satisfyingly snappy and tactile, are too close behind the wheel. This meant that whenever I turned the wheel at angles close to and beyond 180 degrees, my thumbs would get stuck between the outer edge of the paddles and the inner edge of the wheel rim.

Also, I found the throttle a little too light, failing to provide as much feedback as I would’ve liked, although it wasn’t quite as numb as some other throttles I’ve tried. The brake pedal offers more feedback thanks to its increased resistance, but it's still relatively light.

Should I buy the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX?

Rear of Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX on desk with plant and pink wall in background — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want a good wheel design
I liked the ergonomic thumb slots and soft-grip material, as well as the square-off bottom, which helps to indicate the orientation of the wheel.

You want a racing wheel that’s easy to use
Installation is easy thanks to the lightweight construction and clamping system, while the companion app can set you up in no time.

Don't buy it if...

You’ll be making lots of sharp turns
When making large turns, my thumbs would often get jammed between the wheel and the paddles, which is obviously concerning.

You want compatibility with multiple platforms
The Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX only works on Xbox platforms, so if you’re on PlayStation or after one of the best PC racing wheels, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX if you want support for more platforms:

	Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX	Thrustmaster T128	Logitech G923
Price	$299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460)	$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)	$349.99 / £379.99 / AU$649.95
Weight	10.6lbs / 4.8kg	9lbs / 5kg	12lbs / 5.4kg
Features	Three-pedal set, profile switch button	Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs	Rotary dial, three-pedal base
Connection type	USB-A	USB-A	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Thrustmaster T128
The T128 is a wheel designed for the budget-conscious. It might have a less-than stellar design, but it all functions well, and the performance surprised me given how cheap it is. There aren’t many better racing wheels at this price. Read our full Thrustmaster T128 review.

Logitech G923
Another big name in the racing wheel market, the Logitech G923 is a superb all-rounder. Not only is it one of the best Xbox racing wheels, we also think it’s one of the best PS5 racing wheels, thanks to the model variant that’s compatible with Sony’s console. Read our full Logitech G923 review.

How I tested the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX

Tested for a few days
Played various racing sims
Racing wheel reviewing experience

I tested the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX for a few days on an Xbox Series X. I made sure to try out all of its features where possible and used its companion app to see what functions and adjustments it had to offer.

I played Forza Motorsport and Assetto Corsa, two racing games for Xbox offering different levels of simulation, and therefore together provide a comprehensive test for racing wheels.

I have been a fan of racing sims for decades, and have tested a number of racing wheels across a range of brands, styles, and price points.

First reviewed: July 2025
Read more about how we test

I tested the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX and liked its comfortable shape, but there are some concerning issues affecting performance

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport | Comments: Off

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX: One-minute review

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Price and availability

$299.99 / £299.99 (around AU$460)
Reasonable price...
...but rivals are better value

The Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX costs $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460) and is available now for Xbox platforms only. There’s only one colorway and one wheel type.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Specs

Price	$299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460)
Weight	10.6lbs / 4.8kg
Features	Three-pedal set, profile switch button
Connection type	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One
Software	Hori FFB RWD Device Manager for Xbox

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Design and features

Ergonomic wheel shape
Good build quality
Easy to install

The paddle shifters are equally well-designed, with a long but thin profile that makes them easy to get your fingers behind. Their metal material looks and feels premium as well.

Since this is an Xbox wheel, it’s pretty much plug-and-play as far as setup is concerned, although the aforementioned Xbox app is required for firmware updates and making certain adjustments.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: Performance

Inconsistent response
Numb throttle pedal
Ergonomic issue with Paddles

I found the Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX was inconsistent in its performance: depending on the game I played, steering inputs ranged in their responsiveness and accuracy.

Should I buy the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX?

Buy it if...

You want a good wheel design
I liked the ergonomic thumb slots and soft-grip material, as well as the square-off bottom, which helps to indicate the orientation of the wheel.

You want a racing wheel that’s easy to use
Installation is easy thanks to the lightweight construction and clamping system, while the companion app can set you up in no time.

Don't buy it if...

You’ll be making lots of sharp turns
When making large turns, my thumbs would often get jammed between the wheel and the paddles, which is obviously concerning.

Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX review: also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX if you want support for more platforms:

	Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX	Thrustmaster T128	Logitech G923
Price	$299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$460)	$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)	$349.99 / £379.99 / AU$649.95
Weight	10.6lbs / 4.8kg	9lbs / 5kg	12lbs / 5.4kg
Features	Three-pedal set, profile switch button	Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs	Rotary dial, three-pedal base
Connection type	USB-A	USB-A	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

How I tested the Hori Force Feedback Racing Wheel DLX

Tested for a few days
Played various racing sims
Racing wheel reviewing experience

I played Forza Motorsport and Assetto Corsa, two racing games for Xbox offering different levels of simulation, and therefore together provide a comprehensive test for racing wheels.

I have been a fan of racing sims for decades, and have tested a number of racing wheels across a range of brands, styles, and price points.

First reviewed: July 2025
Read more about how we test

I tested the Thrustmaster T128 and was surprised at just how well it performs for the price

3:00 pm | May 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport | Comments: Off

Thrustmaster T128: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T128 is a budget racing wheel designed for those after a beginner-friendly experience. Its looks are fairly underwhelming, with its outdated gamer stylings failing to make a great impression. The wheel itself is quite small and has a thin rim, which will suit some hands more than others.

In terms of premium design, the T128 falls short of what some rivals have to offer. While it’s certainly not flimsy, it’s hardly a premium feeling unit, with cost-saving materials employed all over.

It is at least quite light and small, which helps make installation and setup easier compared to some of the best racing wheels. I also found the clamping mechanism much better than those used on other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried.

However, installation is hampered somewhat by the awkward placement of the ports, which are inaccessible when the wheel base is clamped down. This means any time you want to remove or reconnect the various cables, you'll have to uninstall the wheel altogether, which is inconvenient.

What’s more, the T128 won’t install on certain dedicated stands, such as the GT Omega Apex I have, since there are no screw holes for fixing the wheel base directly to it.

Once installed, though, the T128 is quick to get going. For Xbox users, it’s a simple case of plug-and-play, although firmware updates do require a PC tool. There’s also a tool for making force feedback and other tweaks, with a generous selection of parameters considering the budget nature of the T128.

The T128 is even better in action. I was pleasantly surprised by just how responsive and connected it feels, making it joy to race with. The force feedback settings, as with other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried, are too strong on their highest settings for my liking, although here it’s perhaps a little weaker than usual.

The T2PM pedals are nice and light, which makes them easy to use, although the brake pedal lacks resistance, which can make it difficult to gauge how hard you’re pressing it. It’s still usable enough, though, and I didn’t have an issue with the relatively cramped layout of the pedals either.

All things considered, the T128 offers plenty of fun for the money, undercutting many other wheels and even outperforming some of Thrustmaster’s more expensive offerings. It might not have a standout design, but there aren’t too many wheels at this price that offer such a good time.

Close-up of buttons on Thrustmaster T128, on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster T128 review: Price and availability

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)
Available now
Cheaper than many rivals

The T128 costs $‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312) and is available now. A PlayStation compatible edition is also available. This makes the T128 one of the cheapest in Thrustmaster’s line-up, and one of the best Xbox racing wheels for those on a budget. I was more impressed with it than the T300RS, for instance, which is considerably more expensive yet underperforms by comparison, although its design is more premium.

If you’re looking for another great value racing wheel, the Logitech G920 is another very capable option. It’s still considerably more expensive than the T128, but the build quality is far superior, and the performance is excellent in all aspects.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Specs

Price	$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)
Weight	9lbs / 5kg
Peak torque	2Nm
Features	Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs
Connection type	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
Software	Thrustmaster Control Panel

Thrustmaster T128 review: Design and features

Cheap but functional
Light and easy to install
Software tool more advanced than it looks

The T128 doesn't make a great first impression. Its material feels cheap, and the styling is quite outdated, with a few touches that pander to the gaming crowd, harking back to a bygone era.

The wheel itself is small and the rim quite thin, which would make it ideal for younger players and those with smaller hands. As a whole, the unit is also very light, which makes it easy to install and move around, and yet it feels surprisingly sturdy at the same time.

It’s a similar story with the T2PM pedal set, which is also very light and small, meaning the layout might be a little too cramped for some. However, it managed to stay planted on the carpeted surface I used it on, and appears more durable than you might expect.

One gripe I have with the pedal set, though, is its length. It’s too short, which meant I couldn't trail it behind my desk; instead, I had to let it dangle right beside me, which isn’t ideal.

Another drawback of the T128’s design is the poor port placement. When the wheel base is clamped to a desk, the ports are inaccessible, which means you have to attach the various cables prior to installation, making the process a little more awkward. It also means you have to unclamp the wheel any time you want to unplug or reconnect them.

Close-up of pedals on Thrustmaster T128, on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, the clamping system is easy to use, and much better than those of other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried. The screw has a plastic handle, which is easy to turn and lock into place, as well as being readily accessible.

There’s a pleasing selection of buttons on the T128 and they’re almost as tactile as what you’d find on the best Xbox controllers. You get a close to full Xbox layout with a few extra inputs thrown in, such as two handbrake buttons and an RSB and LSB buttons, which are compatible with certain games only.

The T128 also features paddle shifters, which are better than I was expecting. They curve slightly to help secure your fingers, and their positioning is ideal, if placed a little too far inwards, which can make them a stretch to reach at times.

Setting up the T128 is a simple process, especially for Xbox users, who only have to plug it into their console. However, as with other Thrustmaster wheels, be sure to keep well out of the way as soon as you power the T128 on, as it immediately fires up its self-calibration feature. Thankfully, this isn’t as violent as with other Thrustmaster wheels, but still worth noting all the same.

To update the firmware, you’ll need to download the PC tool for this purpose. There’s also a tweaking tool, known as the Thrustmaster Control Panel, which looks rather rudimentary and lacks refinement, but is deceptively capable.

It functions well and provides a pleasing amount of tweaks, including multiple parameters for the force feedback. Again, this is all very welcome on a budget racing wheel such as the T128.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Performance

Fun and accurate steering
Plenty of force feedback settings
Brake pedal's a little too light

The T128 acquits itself very well when racing. Steering is accurate and responsive, with plenty of feel and capable of offering smooth and rapid movements in equal measure.

As with other Thrustmaster wheels, the force feedback is very strong – too much so on its maximum setting, although perhaps still less than on other models. But once adjusted appropriately, the T128 provides surprisingly nuanced immersion, although there’s a buzzing sensation that’s a little overbearing at times.

The paddle shifters are solid and snappy, with just enough dampening to make them satisfying to flick. They also provide sufficient feedback, and I was surprised at just how capable they were on this budget wheel.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the T2PM pedal set. I found them quite fun and easy to use, owing to their light actuation. The cramped layout didn’t cause an issue for me either, despite having grievances with similarly tight designs on other pedal sets.

Back of Thrustmaster T128, on desk with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

However, the brake pedal is lacking in feedback somewhat, which can make it hard to judge how much pressure to exert. But overall, both the throttle and the brake provide enough control for modulated inputs.

The T128 also features a gear change indicator in the form of multicolored LEDs, known as the 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs, although I found this quite imprecise in practice. For instance, when playing Forza Motorsport, their progress wasn’t all that smooth, and seemed to reach their peak before the in-game indicator did. Still, it’s a welcome feature to have for a basic visual cue, especially if you like to play with a camera angle that omits the steering wheel from view.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T128?

Close-up of D-pad and handbrake button on Thrustmaster T128 — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want an entry-level racing wheel
Die-hard racers might not get enough from the T128, but for those dipping their toes in, this is a good place to start.

You want to save money
The T128 is on the cheaper end of the market, and its good value considering the performance and features on offer here.

Don't buy it if...

You want a premium design
The materials aren’t exactly luxurious, and the overall aesthetic just looks cheap.

You want better pedals
The pedals perform quite well for the most part, but the brake pedal is perhaps a little too light, and there’s no clutch pedal.

Thrustmaster T128 review: also consider

If you're on the hunt for other budget racing wheels, here are some alternatives to the Thrustmaster T128:

	Thrustmaster T128	Logitech G920	Thrustmaster T248
Price	$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)	$299.99 / £349.99 / AU$549.95	$399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99
Weight	9lbs / 5kg	12lbs / 5.4kg	6lbs / 2.7kg
Peak torque	2Nm	2.3Nm	3.5Nm
Features	Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs	Stainless steel paddle shifters, three-pedal base	Hybrid FF system, 2 dual-position encoders, three-pedal base
Connection type	USB-A	USB-A	USB-A
Compatibility	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Logitech G920
A close rival to the T128 in the budget realm is the Logitech G920. It’s not as cheap as the T128, but it has a much more premium design and performs very well in all areas. For these reasons, we think it’s one of the best entry-level racing wheels on the market right now.

Read our full Logitech G920 review

Thrustmaster T248
Another Thrustmaster special, we think the T248 is the best PS5 racing wheel for those looking for a mid-range experience. Similar to the T128, it’s an easy wheel to use, helped by its stability even when clamped to a desk. We also found its pedal set excellent, which, unlike the T128, includes a clutch pedal.

Read our full Thrustmaster T248 review.

How I tested the Thrustmaster T128

Tested for a day
Played racing sims
Experience reviewing racing wheels

I tested the T128 for a day, clamping it to a desk. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with certain racing stands, such as the GT Omega Apex that I have, as there’s no way to affix the wheel with screws or bolts.

It should also be noted that the wheel isn’t compatible with cloud gaming or other streamed games; it only works with games downloaded onto your console or drive.

I played Forza Motorsport on an Xbox Series S, which is a competent racing sim on the console that provides a sterling test for racing wheels. I set the in-game steering setting to simulation mode and turned all driving assists off.

I’ve been gaming for decades and racing sims are one of my favorite games to play. I have experienced a number of different racing wheels and reviewed various models as well, including others made by Thrustmaster.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read more about how we test

Dell’s S3225QC OLED monitor won my heart with its in-built sound system, but where did all the ports go?

6:51 am | May 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport, Google Docs, Google Sheets, OLED | Comments: Off

Dell S3225QC: two-minute review

The Dell S3225QC offers a unique value proposition. I want to say that it’s the best value 32-inch all-rounder if you want awesome 4K OLED picture quality and epic integrated sound, backed up by a serviceable 120Hz refresh rate and a satisfying contrasting figure of 1500000:1, but there are a handful of things holding back my praise.

Dell has positioned the S3225QC as an all-rounder, claiming that its mix of features is “perfect for play, school and work” when it was announced back at CES 2025 in January. At first principles I think this monitor is capable of shifting between these different use cases quite well – the 5 x 5W speakers that run across the bottom of the display output brilliant audio, the screen itself doesn’t blur text and is perfect for a mix of writing documents, viewing content and playing games, and the 32-inch size is definitely a boon for blowing up whatever task you're performing.

Backed up by a design that’s fairly inoffensive and doesn’t take up much space on a desk, the S3225QC may be the perfect multitasking display for your home or office. The addition of two USB-C ports on the back and an accessible USB-C port on the front is also very welcome, especially for quickly charging a phone or mouse, or for transferring data to your computer in a pinch. One port pops in and out of the monitor, allowing it to be tucked away when not used.

The USB-C port that pops out from the Dell S3225QC monitor — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Additionally, unlike some OLED monitors, the display doesn’t have annoying care programs – shortly after the monitor is turned off following a lengthy period of use, it’ll automatically shift into refreshing mode, which will take between six and eight minutes. Dell recommends refreshing the pixels every four hours, but I wasn't bugged once about doing this.

However there’s one big thing that’s holding Dell’s new OLED monitor back – its severe lack of ports.

I’m annoyed that the only inputs for displaying audio and video are HDMI and a Display Port-capable USB-C, and my particular use case, as somebody who bases everything they do in their home around a monitor, kind of underscores this as a weakness (so please excuse my incoming tangent). Most streaming services don’t show video in the highest resolution when functioning through a browser, and to watch Andor on Disney+ in all its glory, I wanted to connect my Google TV streamer to the S3225QC.

The Dell S3225QC's sensor close-up — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

But the Google TV Streamer, as you’d expect, uses HDMI to connect to a display – I couldn’t use the Display Port-capable USB-C connection, as the TV Streamer doesn’t output audio and video through its USB-C port, and so my only solution was to physically swap the HDMI cord between my PC and the Streamer.

It’s not the end of the world and indeed the monitor displayed 4K streaming content brilliantly, along with all the things I played, but it begs the question: why are there only two audio/video inputs in the first place? This will surely be an issue for folks in similar positions looking for a more encompassing all-rounder solution, and this lack of connections is anomalous among similarly priced screens.

For people that might have one primary computer connected via HDMI and, separately, a laptop via the DP-Alt USB-C, this is unlikely to be a problem – but still be ready to factor in purchasing a USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to Display Port cable to get over these hurdles depending on what you’re doing at your PC. A quick and easy solution may be an external HDMI splitter.

Dell S3225QC: price and availability

The Dell S3225QC monitor at an angle on a desk — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

How much does it cost? $799.99 / £879 / AU$1,299.10
When is it available? Available now (not currently listed on Dell US)
Where can you get it? Dell's website in the US, UK and Australia

For a monitor that comes with high-quality integrated audio, an OLED panel and a massive 32-inch size, the Dell S3225QC is priced quite competitively. There are very few monitors on the market that are offering this particular combination of features, which makes it difficult to compare, but the feature set is pretty impressive.

The price is slightly undermined by a couple of factors, the foremost being a lack of input ports, with only HDMI and a USB-C (DP-Alt) available. Another is the comparatively low refresh rate for an OLED panel, limited to 120Hz at a maximum 4K resolution. There is, however, a built-in USB hub, so keyboards, mice and other peripherals are able to connect directly to the PC via the monitor’s USB-C ports.

If you’re shopping for an alternative, I’d recommend the MSI MPG 271QRX (a 27-inch gaming OLED monitor with a higher refresh rate) or the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE (a non-OLED 32-inch monitor with similar specs, more ports and a lower price).

Value: 5/5

Dell S3225QC: specs

Screen size:	31.6-inch
Aspect ratio:	16:9
Resolution:	3,840 x 2,160 (120Hz)
Brightness:	250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR peak
Response time:	0.03ms (GTG)
Viewing angle:	178˚/178˚
Contrast ratio:	1,500,000:1
Color support:	1.07B
Inputs:	1X HDMI 2.1, 1X USB-C (5Gbps upstream, Display Port 1.4 alt mode, 90W power delivery), 2X USB-C 5Gbps downstream ports (data, 15W power delivery)
Weight:	10kg (22.05 lbs)

Dell S3225QC: design

The backside of the Dell S3225QC — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Inoffensive design with white colorway
Speakers across the entire bottom
Nice USB-C placement

The Dell S3225QC is designed to be an all-purpose monitor, and so it has a neutral design without anything too jarring. The monitor is only available in a white colorway with an anti-glare matte OLED panel, sitting atop five integrated speakers.

While this speaker system appears at first glance to have a webcam inbuilt, it’s actually a proximity sensor that detects the user’s distance from the screen and adjusts sound quality accordingly. More on that in the Features section.

The stand has a coarse texture to it and is completely white. It doesn’t take up much room, with the stand consisting of a long cylindrical pole and the monitor footing being a flat rectangle. The monitor doesn’t take up too much room on a desk and has a fair amount of height, tilt and swivel adjustment to it.

The Dell S3225QC monitor switched on — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

One of the USB-C ports physically moves in and out from underneath the monitor, allowing for quick access. It’s an interesting aspect of the monitor that seems a little overdesigned – while popping a component in and out is convenient, I’m confused as to why this needs to move at all.

Surely an immobile USB-C port pointed downward would have achieved the same goal without the risk of getting stuck or broken? The rest of the ports are located around the back, while the monitor’s joystick and power button can be found to the bottom right of the screen’s backside.

Design: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: features

The buttons on the back of the Dell S3225QC monitor — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

In-built speakers across the bottom
Handy USB-C port on the front with upstream/downstream support
Only two audio/video input ports (HDMI/DP via USB-C)

The Dell S3225QC is aimed at being an all encompassing display, capable of switching between work and play without a problem. It has a gorgeous screen and a handful of useful USB-C ports across the back and front, though there's a crippling lack of audio/video ports.

The main feature propping up the all-rounder goal is the sound system running across the bottom of the display, which offers enhanced surround-sound audio made possible thanks to its spatial tracking camera. The end product is frankly the best audio I’ve ever heard from a monitor, though I did find that two red lights would often appear on the soundbar, indicating that my head couldn’t be seen by the tracking tech – meaning sound wasn't always able to be optimized for my position. As someone whose home entertainment setup is based around their computer desk, I love monitors with inbuilt audio, so this focus on high-end audio is a win for me.

There’s a USB-C port on the front and the two USB-C ports around the back, one of which doubles as a Display Port alternative for audio/video (AV) signals, meaning you can plug your monitor in with a USB-C port and use it as a second screen. Those regular USB-C ports can serve as sockets for your laptop and keyboard while still using the DP-capable USB-C port for AV. It’s a great alternative to a dedicated USB hub, and that DP-capable USB-C port can even double as a 90W charger, meaning you won’t need a separate power cable for most connected laptops (beastly gaming models excepted).

The Dell S3225QC's ports on the back — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

I liked how well laid-out the inbuilt operating system was, and how easy it was to quickly change settings using the joystick on the back. It’s so fast and responsive that I would often adjust things like audio directly through the monitor.

What burned me the most about the monitor was its lack of any additional HDMI or Display Port sockets. All that’s on offer is a HDMI port (4K@120Hz) and the aforementioned DP-capable USB-C port. Somebody that’s merely switching between a laptop and a desktop PC likely won’t have any issue with the ports that are in use, but for my purposes (I tend to have a Chromecast connected to my screen), the arrangement resulted in an awkward dance of unplugging and plugging in cables constantly. For a monitor billed on versatility and being able to fulfill so many needs, it’s absolutely baffling how limiting it is in its design.

Features: 4/5

Dell S3225QC: performance

The Dell S3225QC displaying Assassin's Creed Shadows — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Epic OLED, 4K panel @ 120Hz
Deep, rich spatial sound
Ideal for productivity, fine for games

It’s tempting to say that the Dell S3225QC makes compromises to service a broad appeal, but I personally don’t think the specs reflect that – the hardware set here is solid.

Dell has sourced its 4K OLED panel from Samsung, and with the Korean tech giant so good at making such screens, it’s a win on all fronts. Colors pop perfectly and as it's OLED, blacks are perfect as they aren’t lit by pixels. A contrast rate of 150,000:1 keeps picture quality accurate, though brightness is limited to a maximum of 250nits/1,000nits HDR peak (a fairly standard figure for an OLED, but low compared to high-end non-OLEDs).

I think the OLED panel is fairly inconsequential when you’re using the monitor for stuff like writing up documents, editing things together or simply when casually browsing the web – and you’ll be better off purchasing a much cheaper display if these are the only things you’re doing. There’s no haziness around typed characters to be seen, but these days you don’t have to go up-market for a clear monitor to do work on.

The Dell S3225QC monitor displaying a clip from Star Wars Andor — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s with stuff like gaming and streaming video that the S3225QC can really pull out the stops. The 120Hz refresh rate might seem a little low for PC gaming, but let me be clear – it’s perfectly fine, and unless you're an especially demanding (or competitive) gamer, 120Hz is more than enough for fast and fluid gameplay. I use a fairly high-performance gaming PC and though in many games I can far exceed a 120 fps framerate, I’ve never been left wanting more.

As we've previously mentioned, the audio system is fitted with a spatial camera that detects how close you are to the screen. With that detected, it then adjusts the sound profile to best suit the distance. In my experience it worked brilliantly, though the sensor certainly suffered when there wasn’t much light (and I tend to keep lights off in my office... I’m a bit of a caveman).

The S3225QC will still deliver rich sound without detecting your distance from the panel, however when the sensor isn’t capable of making that measurement, it displays two dark red lights beside the camera (appearing in the image below as purple). It’s a tad annoying when watching something cinematic in the dark, as the sensor is quite reliant on being in a well-lit environment, but ultimately when it doesn't completely work the results are harmless.

The sensors on the front of the Dell S3225QC — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Should I buy the Dell S3225QC monitor?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	A unique feature set at a fair enough cost makes the Dell S3225QC a screen to consider.	5 / 5
Design	An unassuming white colorway and a nice OLED panel positions the S3225QC well for specific settings.	4 / 5
Performance	There’s no holding the S3225QC back as an all-rounder monitor for work and play.	5 / 5
Features	The inclusion of high-quality speakers across the bottom is nice, but there is a severe lack of HDMI/DP ports.	4 / 5
Average rating	Although we’d like to see more inputs, the Dell S3225QC is likely to be a good fit for folks looking for a one-stop solution monitor.	4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re craving an OLED monitor that isn’t completely gaming-oriented

Dell’s new OLED screen is sure to be a hit among non-gamers looking for gorgeous picture quality, or gamers looking to skip aggressive aesthetics and craving speaker sound.

You want brilliant in-built sound

I’ve never had sound on a monitor impress me more than the S3225QC and it’ll be hard to beat its room-filling audio.

You want an all-encompassing solution

Audio/video inputs for USB-C (DP) and HDMI make the S3225QC uniquely suited for switching between a desktop and laptop setup.

Don't buy it if...

You crave more input freedom

Only offering two audio/video inputs makes the S3225QC a much less capable monitor, especially for one marketed as being all-purpose.

You want to save money

The Dell S3225QC is fairly priced but still doesn’t come cheap and you may be better off saving some money and going with a non-OLED alternative for less.

You want better gaming specs

You’ll find higher refresh rates and lower response times on similarly priced 4K OLED monitors intended for gamers.

Also consider

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF

Want a more gaming-oriented monitor? The Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF is priced similarly and is available as a 27-inch or 32-inch screen.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF review

Screen size:	27-inch
Aspect ratio:	16:9
Resolution:	3,840 x 2,160
Brightness:	250 cd/㎡ / 1,300 cd/㎡ HDR peak
Response time:	0.03ms (GTG)
Viewing angle:	178˚/178˚
Contrast ratio:	1,000,000:1
Color support:	Max 1B
Inputs:	2X HDMI, 1X Display Port, 2X USB-A, 1X USB-B Upstream, 1X 3.5 headphone jack
Weight:	6.89kg (15.2 Ibs)

MSI MPG 271QRX

Cheaper and fitted with a 2K OLED panel, the MSI MPG 271QRX is a worthwhile solution if you’re not craving such high-end specs.

Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX review

Screen size:	26.5-inch
Aspect ratio:	16:9
Resolution:	2560 x 1440p
Brightness:	250 cd/㎡ / 1,000 cd/㎡ HDR
Response time:	0.03ms (GtG)
Viewing angle:	178˚(R/L), 178˚(U/D)
Contrast ratio:	1500000:1
Color support:	1.07B
Inputs:	1x Display Port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (DP alt.) and 90W PD charging, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A 1, 1x USB 2.0 Type-B
Weight:	10.8kg (24 lbs)

Dell UltraSharp 32 4K Thunderbolt Hub

After the USB-C connectivity that the S3225QC offers, but don’t care for OLED or the high-end sound? Dell’s 32-inch Thunderbolt Hub monitor is much cheaper with many more ports on offer.

Read our full Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K Thunderbolt hub review

Screen size:	31.5-inch
Aspect ratio:	16:9
Resolution:	3,840 x 2,160
Brightness:	450 cd/㎡, 500 cd/㎡ HDR peak
Response time:	5ms (GTG)
Viewing angle:	178˚/178˚
Contrast ratio:	3,000:1
Color support:	1.07B
Inputs:	2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x Display Port 1.4 (in/out), 1x HDMI 2.1, 7 USB-A downstream, 3.5mm audio-out
Weight:	9.34kg (20.59 lbs)

How I tested the Dell S3225QC monitor

Tested over a couple of weeks
Productivity software used include Canva, Photoshop, Google Docs, ClipChamp and Google Sheets
Also used for a mix of streaming content and playing video games

During my time with the Dell S3225QC, I tried to use the monitor as a hub for everything I did. This included using it to get work done on my laptop by connecting a MacBook Air to the display via USB-C, but also connecting my gaming computer to it for video games and my Google TV Streamer for movies and TV shows.

Most of my time with my monitor was spent using it for entertainment, playing games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Counter-Strike 2, Wreckfest, Forza Motorsport, R.E.P.O, Marvel Rivals and Star Wars Outlaws, but I also took time to watch plenty of Disney+, Netflix and YouTube content on the display. I also used it for music streaming via Spotify.

Of course the monitor was also used for more casual things – doomscrolling on Bluesky, browsing websites on Chrome and messaging friends on Instagram and Messenger for example.

First review May 2025.

Alienware’s AW3425DWM 34-inch gaming monitor is so good, it’s converted me from an ultrawide sceptic to a true believer

3:25 am | April 12, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport | Comments: Off

Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch: Two-minute review

The Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch isn’t the first 2K 34-inch ultrawide monitor on the market, nor is it the cheapest, but in my opinion, it's one of the most mastered. Sporting a discreet design and a slew of features I’d consider essential, the AW3425DWM offers great darkness and coloring at a respectable price.

Stripping out RGB and only offering two USB-A ports for accessory connectivity (but lacking USB-C), and not including price-bouncing OLED panel tech, I’ve never been more impressed with an ultrawide monitor than with the AW3425DWM. I've experienced the more expensive AW3423DWF, Alienware's top-end ultrawide OLED monitor, and I fell in love with it for its picture quality and clarity, but the AW3425DWM is a much more impressive beast for its value prospect.

Its specs are ahead of many of its close competitors, particularly ones from LG and Samsung, which explains its slightly higher cost in this segment. This includes a greater maximum brightness and color gamut, along with the inclusion of the aforementioned accessory ports.

An ultrawide alienware monitor — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The monitor doubles as both a handy gaming display and a useful productivity tool. I’ve enjoyed playing games with support for the ultrawide layout, in particular the graphically intense Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Forza Motorsport, but its handling of darkness has also been very satisfying in these games and other titles without ultrawide support, such as viral sensation R.E.P.O.

The wide screen also gives ample room for having multiple windows open. During my testing, I regularly had a YouTube video playing on the left half of the screen and a game on the right, and I personally preferred this to having a dual-monitor setup.

All of this said, be ready for the odd application that lacks ultrawide support. I encountered plenty of games and programs that didn't take full advantage of this layout (usually black bars will fill the space, while the program takes on a 16:9 aspect ratio). This may not be a huge issue to all users, but it's best to be aware of this extra hurdle when owning an ultrawide.

Picture quality is also heavily dependent on your viewing position, so be confident that a curved ultrawide is what you really want before making a purchase. Although I loved the immersive nature of a curved monitor this big, I wish it was more forgiving when viewing from an angle, as I'd often put a show on while doing something else away from my desk in the room.

Finally – and this will likely be a non-issue for many users – but the display doesn’t come with in-built speakers. I like having in-built speakers for when I don’t want to wear my headphones (and I don’t want to buy separate speakers), but I understand other users will have their own preferences when it comes to audio and external sound systems.

In my opinion, the quality of display you get for the price you pay is considerable, and even though it may not be as feature-rich as more expensive models, the AW3425DWM stands out from the pack as a mid-range curved and ultrawide gaming monitor.

Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch review: pricing and availability

The Alienware A3425DWM monitor on an angle, sitting on a glass desk — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

How much does it cost? $369.99 / £369 / AU$749
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Dell and retailers in the US, UK and Australia

The Alienware AW2425DWM is an upper mid-range gaming monitor, which will set you back $369.99 / £369 / AU$749, and sports the niche curved and ultrawide layout. Offering a 2K resolution and a brightness of up to 400 nits, it’s slightly more premium than its main competitors.

Alienware has stripped out excessive USB ports and RGB lighting to bring costs down, but the beast remains closely in line with its higher-end curved and ultrawide siblings. It offers a flat base and an easy-to-navigate user interface, along with an IPS-VA panel. More expensive models tend to come with an OLED panel and 4K resolution, along with greater brightness and contrast.

When we’re looking at competitors, the closest is likely to be the Samsung Odyssey 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor, available for $399 / £329 / AU$599 (though often found much cheaper today).

Value score: 4.5/5

Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch: specs

Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch review: design

The Alienware A3425DWM monitor from the top — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Understated design
Discreet stand with small footprint
178º viewing angle

The Alienware AW3425DWM is fairly understated. Its stand and bezels are completely unassuming, without any RGB or detailing to speak of. The back of the display is pretty standard, apart from the classic extraterrestrial logo, and the only bit of styling on the front is the spelled out Alienware name.

There’s not a lot for me to criticize here – it’s not a monitor built to win design competitions, but in my opinion it's a fairly nice looking display. It has a handy passthrough hole in its stand for neatly organizing your cables, which I found particularly useful for my additional mouse and keyboard cables, and the ports are well laid out across the back of the monitor, with USB-A ports along the underside for easy access. It does, however, lack USB-C ports which, in 2025, I consider disappointing as more peripherals have adopted it as standard.

The design aspect that impressed me the most was its satisfyingly small footprint. Although it's quite a large display, it stands firmly on a single flat foot without much wobble if you bump the desk.

The display has full tilt, swivel and height adjustment with its stand, and the screen is VESA-mount compatible. As it's an ultrawide, you can't rotate the display fully vertical, and if you want to pull this off, you'll need to mount it seperate from the stand. The curvature of the screen has a 178º viewing angle, enveloping your vision well if you’re seated directly in front of it.

That means it'll be difficult to watch content on the monitor when viewing it from outside the optimal viewing space. I would often get up from my desk and do something away from it while looking over at a show or livestream on the display, and would find it difficult to view because of the curvature. This isn't a complaint, but an observation and a known limitation of curved screens.

For interacting with the onboard user interface, there’s a joystick nub directly under the middle of the display, handy for quick adjustments when switching from, say, gaming to productivity as I’d often do.

Design score: 5/5

Alienware AW3425DWM 34-inch review: features

An ultra-wide monitor displaying an image of a valley of fog — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Ultrawide 2K resolution
AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync certification
Two USB-A passthrough ports

I love the Alienware AW3425DWM because it’s so stripped back and accessible. It lacks the range-topping features of its more pricey OLED-toting sibling, the AW3423DWF, but a more budget-minded gamer would likely prefer the display for how cheap it is.

Although I'm an OLED panel lover, I don't mind the IPS VA panel fitted to this monitor. It handles darkness well and although an OLED would offer improved contrast, I found games where shadows are particularly important (such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows) maintained enough detail to still be able to see what was going on. Aiding the darkness is a 95% color gamut and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, resulting in a nice-looking picture that I found adequate.

I found the 2K resolution scaled for the wide panel (3440 x 1440, 21:9) sufficiently satisfying for making my games look big and expansive, and when I switched to competitive games like Marvel Rivals, I didn't feel like I needed a faster response time than the 1ms rate offered by the monitor. The same goes for the 180Hz refresh rate – I rarely played games that offered framerates up to this number, but it remains a good figure for a wide variety of users.

The monitor's quick settings allow you to switch up the display to your preference, such as scaling picture or HDR settings, which I often did when changing tasks. Additionally, running a USB-B to USB-A cord between the monitor and your PC will allow you to use the fitted USB-A ports for passthrough, a feature I really like for cutting down on cable clutter (though, again, no USB-C ports).

Being an ultrawide, there’s an additional utility in being able to treat it as if it’s two monitors without feeling claustrophobic. Any monitor can be used to display multiple windows, but an ultrawide has the benefit of being able to do so without making you feel too cramped, in my opinion. This was particularly useful when having two windows open (such as a browser or word processor on the left and a YouTube video on the right), but I found it also performed well when having four windows open at once.

Features score: 4.5/5

Alienware AW3425DWM review: performance

An ultrawide panel displaying Assassin's Creed Shadows — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Great darkness and color clarity
Maximum refresh rate of up to 180Hz
Brightness of up to 400 nits

The Alienware AW3425DWM is a well-performing gaming monitor that displays objects and coloring without fault. More impressive ultrawide monitors are widely available, but in my opinion, you’re unlikely to get better specs than what is on offer here in the 2K 34-inch ultrawide segment.

Only operating at up to 2K and offering fairly mid-range brightness and contrast have made the monitor cheaper, but consequently sparse on the performance front. That being said, I found this to be a perfectly fine monitor for casual and competitive gamers alike, and it's is in line for the mid-range segment.

The 180Hz maximum refresh rate isn’t the highest (higher-end Alienware panels can go up to 240Hz), nor the 1ms response rate the fastest (in an age where it’s as low as 0.1ms on some panels), but I think the savings on offer make it worth considering for many PC users.

That said, a maximum brightness of only 400 nits, though above many competitors in this segment, may be too low for some users. All of the games I tested looked great and text appeared fine without any haziness, but in use you may crave a brighter display.

Streaming content also looks great despite mid-range brightness, with the vibrancy of movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse presented well. Additionally, there’s an anti-glare coating across the glass, perfect for blocking out annoying light sources.

If you want your gaming monitor to serve up higher brightness and greater contrast, likely facilitated by an OLED panel, I highly recommend reading our hands-on with the Alienware AW3423DWF. I've personally tried that monitor myself and found it to be massively impressive, but the AW3425DWM is generally a better deal, especially if you don't really care about having a 4K resolution.

The only issue I had was when I took it out of the box: the monitor automatically kept adjusting brightness (dimming in my case) based on how the image appeared, but this was quickly resolved by tweaking picture settings to my liking.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Alienware AW3425DWM?

Buy it if...

You want a curved ultrawide monitor

This is one of the more impressive curved and ultrawide monitors in the mid-range segment, and would be a satisfying buy if greater width is something you desire.

You want a big screen without spending too much

34-inch displays are getting cheaper and cheaper, and while you can get an identically sized monitor from a competitor, Alienware’s option beats out its rivals on brightness and features.

Don't buy it if...

You crave the best of the best

This monitor doesn’t display the brightest image, nor does it offer 4K or an OLED panel.

You want a small panel

Ultrawide monitors are never small and this display will take up valuable space on your desk.

Also consider

Alienware AW3423DWF

More expensive and feature-packed, the AW3423DWF is the monitor to buy if you want a noticeable performance bump above what the AW3425DWM can offer. While we haven't fully tested it ourselves, our colleagues at GamesRadar+ give it a full five stars.

AOC CU34G2XP

This is the newest version of our favourite budget ultrawide display, the CU354G2X, it packs similar specs to the Alienware AW3425DWM at a much lower price and could be worth considering. We haven't had the opportunity to try it out for ourselves here at TechRadar, so I can't comment on its performance, but the price might just tip the scales for some users.

Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G55T G5 ultrawide

The Samsung Odyssey G55T can often be found much cheaper these days, making it a worthwhile second choice to the AW3425DWM. Again, I can't speak for its performance as we've not had the opportunity to review it on TechRadar, but savings are always tempting.

How I tested the Alienware AW3425DWM

Tested for three weeks
Primarily used for gaming
Also used for productivity as a single monitor

I tested the Alienware AW3425DWM over the course of two weeks, most of which was spent gaming, playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows primarily, but also R.E.P.O, Forza Motorsport, Nubby’s Number Factory, Marvel Rivals and Balatro.

I also spent a fair amount of time using the display for productivity purposes, such as typing out word documents and browsing the web, along with watching things on streaming services, primarily YouTube and Twitch. I constantly switched up the settings and used a DisplayPort connection.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: One-minute review

With Apple stepping away from larger 27-inch-screen all-in-one iMacs, HP seized the opportunity with the OmniStudio X 31.5—a sleek, powerhouse Windows PC that’s far more than just a pretty display. At its heart is a 32-inch 4K IPS screen (or 27-inch FHD option), but under the hood lies serious performance muscle: an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a 1TB SSD.

This makes the OmniStudio X more than capable of juggling everything from dozens of Chrome tabs to high-resolution creative workflows in Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Its setup is refreshingly straightforward, while the design is both thoughtful and practical.

Multiple ports are neatly placed along the rear panel and adjustable neck, and a cleverly integrated pop-up webcam delivers solid performance for video calls and meetings.

The overall aesthetic and functionality make it a perfect fit for offices, libraries, and creative studios alike.

One disappointing aspect of the design is the included keyboard and mouse combo. The keyboard style does a great job of matching the overall desktop but lacks a lift for better positioning beyond its flimsy feel. On the other hand, the mouse isn’t any better as it's simply not very comfortable; especially during long typing sessions.

Priced at $1,660, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers impressive value. From its high-end audiovisual features to its streamlined yet sophisticated design, this all-in-one desktop balances everyday productivity with creative performance—making it a compelling purchase. That doesn’t mean this all-in-one isn’t without some problems.

Even though the desktop has an Nvidia RTX 4050, it’s not enough for serious gaming experiences. In the modern AAA space, the 6GB of V-RAM just isn’t enough for most games going as low as 1080p.

You can forget about playing games in native 4K, though DLSS upscaling can help at least match the display’s resolution. Add a 60Hz refresh rate limit to the display itself and it’s only so much it can do in that department.

However, if you're looking more for casual gaming sessions between writing a review like this or editing social media content, you'll likely be satisfied with what the OmniStudio X 31.5 has to offer.

For professionals and creatives seeking a capable, visually striking desktop that handles demanding tasks with ease, this all-in-one makes a strong case.

While it falls short in areas like gaming and peripheral comfort, its overall performance and design still deliver a premium experience. It’s not built to be everything, but it nails what it sets out to do—serve as a stylish, high-powered productivity hub.

For those willing to overlook its minor setbacks, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers a solid, future-forward option in today’s all-in-one desktop market.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Price and availability

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC on a desk in between house plants with pop-out webcam revealed — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Where can you get it? Available now in the US, UK, and Australian territories
When can you get it? Available now
How much does it cost? $830 - $1,715 / £1,599.00 - £2,249.99 / AU$3,399 - AU$4,199

Available now in the United States, United Kingdom and Australian territories, the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can be purchased in various customization options through HP’s online store.

Potential buyers in the United States have the most options available with choices of a 27.5-inch 1080p or flagship 4K 31.5-inch screen. On the lowest $830 tier, users can get the FHD 27.5-inch display with the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with integrated Arc Graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM and 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

For more money, there are options for giving the display touch capabilities alongside a more powerful CPU, RAM and SSD storage.

Even more flexibility is offered on the 31.5-inch UHD model. Our review model with the specs mentioned above comes out at the price of $1,660. There are a few options to push the storage to 2TB SSD alongside Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth5.4 wireless card outside of the standard Realtek Wi-Fi 6E RTL8852CE (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless card for $1,715.

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 only comes in one screen size featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 with RAM, Storage and GPU options ranging between £1,599 and £2,249. Though more options will be available in the future, there is currently only one version right now in Australia for $3,399. That’ll get users the 31.5 UHD display, Intel Ultra 7, RTX 4050, 32 GB DDR5-5600 RAM and 1 TB SSD.

Value: 4 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Specs

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 currently comes in several configurations based around CPU, GPU, RAM and storage options.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Design

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC's pop-out webcam — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Set-up is a breeze
Ports are well-placed and the pop-up webcam is nice
Keyboard and mouse could use some work

Design-wise, there’s so much to love about the HP OmniStudio X 31.5. Starting with the relatively easy installation process. All users have to do is connect the base to the neck via a pre-installed screw and snap both parts into the back panel of the desktop via USB-C.

The Meteor Silver colorway blends an aluminum material for the base and neck with hard plastic on the actual all-in-one itself. For the display itself, thin bezels on the right, top and left of the display with a bigger one to showcase the HP logo provide enough screen real-estate.

The all-in-one isn’t just sleek looks but also offers serious functionality through port placement alone.

Image 1 of 2

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC port selection — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Image 2 of 2

The right side of the neck features a singular USB-C and two USB-A slots. On the rear panel is a singular USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out, ethernet and power ports besides a 3.5 headphone/mic combo jack. On the right side of that same panel is a power button and clickable thumbstick for in-display menu options.

Popping the top of the OmniStudio X 31.5 reveals a 5MP webcam which feels good to push back in once done with it. Posability is respectable with tilt and height adjustment as well.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC bundled keyboard and mouse setup on a blue mousepad — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

As mentioned previously, the sore spot of the design is the included mouse and keyboard. The mouse tries to be something for all sorts of hand sizes and shapes but ends up being uncomfortable for my medium-sized hand. After long-typing sessions, I definitely noticed a bit of hand cramping.

The keyboard works well enough but holding that back is the lack of a level raiser. Both keyboard and mouse unfortunately also require AAA batteries to work which is a shame considering its biggest competitor in the space features rechargeable batteries.

The OmniStudio X 31.5 nails the essentials of modern all-in-one design with a clean aesthetic, intuitive assembly and thoughtful hardware placement. For users prioritizing performance and style in a streamlined package, this all-in-one desktop makes a confident impression right out of the box.

Design: 4.5 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Performance

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC Intel Core Ultra 7 sticker — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

General tasks and creative software performance is top tier
Gaming performance is a bit wonky
Audio/visual and webcam capabilities are great

Over the course of a week with the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, I put the all-in-one through a mix of hybrid work tasks, creative projects, and light gaming. The bulk of my day job involved running Google Chrome with multiple tabs open—everything from Docs, Gmail, and Sheets to Asana, Hootsuite, and Wix—without a single hiccup in performance.

Even while managing those apps, I was able to jump into Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro to create high-resolution social media graphics and short-form video content, all without any lag or slowdown. That real-world performance aligns well with its PugetBench scores of 7102 for Premiere Pro and 6085 for Photoshop, making it a solid option for content creators who need reliability and speed.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Benchmarks

Here's how the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Write - 2455.8, Read - 2759.9
GeekBench: Single Core - 2133, Multi-Core - 12128
HandBreak: 1.8.2 - 4:50
PugetBench for Adobe CC: Premiere Pro - 7102 , Photoshop - 6085
3DMark: Fire Strike - 17292, Time Spy - 7582, Speed Way - 1827
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26
Borderlands 3: 1080p - 60.69fps , 3840x2160 - 16
Dirt 5: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26

One would think having the Intel Core Ultra 7 and Nvidia RTX 4050 would mean some low-to-mid-range gaming experiences. Because the mobile GPU is throttled to a total graphics power of 60 watts, it can barely handle most modern games even with the 6GB of VRAM.

This means many games released over the past five years are going to struggle on 4K settings without DLSS upscaling which doesn’t help much in this case. This is why it’s imperative for users who want to game stick to around 1080p resolution as many of our benchmarks would suggest.

For example, trying to play Ninja Gaiden Black II or Forza Motorsport at 4K even on lower settings turned the games into slide shows while other titles known for their visual prowess like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6 wouldn’t run at all. In fact some games like Black Myth: Wukong wouldn’t run at all on low settings at 1080p because of VRAM limitations.

It’s unfortunate because the 4K display truly stands out, especially for work tasks and streaming ultra-high-definition content. The IPS panel delivers vibrant, true-to-life colors, sharp text, and solid brightness levels that make everyday use a pleasure.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 all-in-one PC with display showcasing a white rabbit wearing yellow sunglasses — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For creatives, the color accuracy is especially impressive, with coverage of 100% sRGB, 93% P3, and 85% Adobe RGB—ideal for design and visual work. It’s a display that thoroughly caters to both productivity and creative precision. The dual 5W speakers featuring DTS:X Ultra provide some nice audio too. Though volume levels aren’t necessarily high and even lose audio quality at their highest setting, mid-levels sound pretty great.

Sometimes while testing, I had a meeting with my therapist and nutritionist through various video conferencing software like Zoom. During those times, video quality was excellent in mid-day lighting conditions and I was told by both individuals that they could hear me just fine.

Users can also utilize the webcam as a bio-metric security for log-in but response time may differ depending on lighting conditions as well.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 ?

Buy it if…

You need an all-in-one desktop with fine performance for general and creative tasks

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can handle multiple Google Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat while handling large files for creative software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop.

You want a superb visual/audio experience

A lovely 4K display that’s crispy yet vivid in colors and dual 5W speakers with DTS:X Ultra capabilities sound amazing.

You require a solid design that looks great and has plenty of ports

Putting the all-in-one together is pretty easy allowing set-up to happen in seconds. There are also plenty of ports behind the display and on the side as well. Using the pop-up webcam feels good as well.

Don’t buy it if…

You need better gaming performance in your all-in-one

More serious gamers are going to be a bit disappointed despite the included mobile Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. There are some AAA games that work well at low-to-mid settings where some are going to have issues on even the lowest graphical settings.

You want a better packed in keyboard and mouse

The keyboard is above average but lacks any lifts but the mouse isn’t the most comfortable for long sessions.

Also Consider

If our HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review has you considering other options, here are two all-in-one desktops to consider...

Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024)

If gaming isn’t a priority and you’re comfortable with a compact 24-inch display, the 2024 iMac delivers exceptional performance for everyday tasks and creative work.

Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024) review

The HP Envy 34

While the HP Envy 34 shares similar GPU limitations for gaming as the OmniStudio, it offers a larger 34-inch ultrawide display and slightly more power at its highest configuration, even with older components.

Read our full HP Envy 34 review

How I tested the HP OmniStudio X 31.5

Tested over the span of a week
Used for general computing tasks including Chrome and Zoom
Played a handful of games including Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport and Red Dead Redemption 2 among others

For the review of the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, we tested various features of the all-in-one desktop over the span of a week. For general computing tasks, Google Chrome served as the base to use services like Docs, YouTube, Asana, Hootsuite and Wix. Creative app capability was split between Adobe Suite software including Premiere Pro alongside Photoshop. Zoom conferencing software was also utilized to test the webcam and microphone combo.

In order to test the visuals of the UHD display, I watched several YouTube videos in 4K which also gave insight into the audio quality of the speakers. Meanwhile, to further test the speakers, I played various music on Tidal. Finally, we played various AAA games to test performance. Games included Cyberpunk 2077, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Grand Theft Auto V and more.

First reviewed March 2025

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8) review

4:46 am | December 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Desktop PCs Gadgets | Tags: Forza Motorsport, Google Chrome, Total War | Comments: Off

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : One-minute review

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, side panel off to expose the components inside — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Compared to it’s bigger 7i sibling, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a smaller budget pre-build that starts at $1,149. This gaming desktop is well suited for anyone looking for a rig that handles 1080p gaming without much noise and is big enough to upgrade later on.

The base configuration features an Intel Core i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD. Gamers who want to play newer AAA titles at mid-to-high settings in 1080p like Black Myth: Wukong or aspiring competitive gamers in need of high frame rates for games like Valorant should definitely keep this in mind. Everything from CPU to GPU alongside storage or RAM can be configured to more powerful components - for an extra cost of course - to suit your needs.

Outside of performance specs, the Legion Tower 5i has some extras that help it stand out amongst the fierce competition. Cooling is handled by several 150w fans alongside a VRM heatsink which keeps the desktop from overheating. Like the 7i, the rig stays quiet even during the most demanding tasks.

The front panel Lenovo logo and fans feature ARGB lighting which grants users control of each LED individually. This adds a bit of flair to the desktop but not as much as the i7 which featured lighting on the GPU and CPU. Finally, the Legion Tower 5i features Nahimic 3D audio for virtual surround sound.

Everything including performance, lighting and Nahimic are controlled through Lenovo’s Vantage application that comes packed in. For added measure, there’s also a keyboard and mouse included in the box.

The Legion 5i’s design does carry over certain problems of the bigger 7i. Though the mesh bezel at the front of the desktop allows proper airflow, maintenance is going to be a bit of a pain as there’s no dust filtration capabilities available.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of ports available sans a single USB-C which users may find issue with. In an age where USB-C is the current standard for many mobile devices, mouses, keyboards and headsets, this means users may need to stock up on adaptors or get a hub.

If those issues don’t matter more than the gaming experience, the Legion Tower 5i should be kept in consideration. It’s 1080p performance is respectable, well ventilated design that’s peaceful sounding and upgradability that potential buyers will appreciate.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Price and availability

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i logo

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much does it cost? Starts at $1,149/ £1,080 / AU $1,799
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is available now in U.S., UK, and Australia territories starting at $1,149 / £1,080 / AU $1,799. Potential buyers can purchase the pre-build gaming desktop through Lenovo’s online store or various other retailers depending on the territory.

In the U.S., there are five configurations available that range between the previously mentioned starting price and $2,399. That higher-priced tier will get you an Intel Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD in storage.

For those living in the UK, there’s only one buildable option that ranges between £1,080 and £2,187. At the lower end, users will get an Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD in storage. The higher £2,187 configuration grants an Intel i9, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD.

Four customizable configurations for Australia range between AU $1,799 and AU $5,359. At the lower end, potential buyers can get an Intel i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. An Intel i7, Nvidia RTX 4070 Super, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD alongside an extra 2TB HDD in storage is available at the highest configuration tier.

Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Specs

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Design

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming PC resting on a table — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Roomy enough for future upgrades
Has ARGB lighting
Dust maintenance will be a problem

The mesh front grill featuring the Legion logo with ARGB lighting sets a nice impression of something that could fit in an office space as well as a gaming set-up. The all-black colorway blends really well with the lighting as the mesh design also manages to lend a level of aggression.

As mentioned previously, only the fans and Legion logo are lit unlike the 7i which has CPU and GPU lighting too. Though the mesh on the front looks terrific, it does come at the cost of function in terms of maintenance. It might be a bit difficult to clean every nook and cranny as dust accumulates over time. Thankfully, the case is big enough for upgrades over time in the CPU, GPU and storage area as well.

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Lenovo Legion Tower 5i's top USB and audio ports — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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Back side of the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming pc, showcasing its ports and rear ventilation — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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Computer mouse that comes included with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming pc — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

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Keyboard that comes included with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

There are loads of ports available on the Legion Tower 5i, including 8 USB-A ports of various power delivery capabilities alongside standard audio and ethernet ports. Those are split between the top panel and the rear with two USB-A ports alongside singular jacks for headset and microphone. It’s a shame that there’s only one singular USB-C, which at this point and time is a bit strange. There are plenty of accessories like controllers, VR headsets, mouses, keyboards and headsets that use USB-C alongside most modern mobile devices.

For potential buyers who have devices that require USB-C, some adapters or hubs are going to be required. One thing for sure is that the included keyboard and mouse within the package isn’t going to make serious gamers happy as they lack the function of even the most budget gaming centered input devices. However, those who are new into PC gaming might find some usage at the start before moving on.

Design: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Performance

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i gaming PC's Intel Core i5 logo sticker

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

1080p performance is fantastic
Isn’t loud even when pushed

One of the first games I played on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i was Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2. Though the lower 8GB of VRAM on the RTX 4060 prevented the ability to play the game at max settings, it looked great at mid-to-low settings and provided consistent 60 frames per second at 1080p resolution. This was consistent with other games played with high visual fidelity on the gaming desktop.

Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings gave us 82 fps and dropped to the mid-60s when using mid ray tracing settings. Playing the ultra resource intensive Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 provided around 30 fps on mid to low settings too.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Benchmarks

Here's how the Lenovo Legion 5i performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Speed Way: 2578; Fire Strike: 21744; Time Spy: 10060

GeekBench 6: 2362 (single-core); 11791 (multi-core)

Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 85 fps; (1080p, Low): 226 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 82 fps; (1080p, Low): 127 fps

Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 97.43333333 fps; (1080p, Low):198.2666667 fps

Handbrake (1080p, Fast): 5:33

There are a few ways to get more performance out of the Legion 5i as well. The first is through Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology which uses artificial intelligence to bump up resolutions. This is a great way to get 1440p resolution without the worry of frame rate drops. The other way is through the Lenovo Vantage application which allows for some overclocking for CPU and GPU performance.

On the esports side of things, playing games at recommended settings at 1080p provided great results as well. For example, playing Valorant on those settings pushed us into the 200+ frame rate range. I saw similar results for other titles including Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. Games that are somewhat in the middle between visual fidelity and competitive performance like Forza Motorsport were able to run on recommended settings at 60 fps.

When it comes to general computing tasks, the Legion Tower 5i is speedy where it counts from using Google Chrome to music streaming services like Tidal. Creatives will be happy to know that Adobe Suite software like Photoshop and Premiere Pro works great for media that stays within the 1080p range. When it comes to Premiere Pro, trying to edit complex 4K video may lead to some issues in regards to sluggish prformance.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i front panel — (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Should I buy the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i?

Buy it if…

You need some solid 1080p performance

Native 1080p performance is pretty good on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i from esports titles like Valorant to big-budget AAA titles like Black Myth: Wukong.

You want a quiet gaming rig

Lenovo put a nice focus on cooling technology for a gaming desktop that doesn’t get loud when under pressure.

You require an affordable price point

$1,149 is great for budget gamers looking for 1080p performance and the ability to upgrade in the future.

Don’t buy it if…

You want better maintenance opportunities

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i case doesn’t have removable panes to prevent the build-up of dust, which will make maintenance in the future a pain.

You need more than one USB-C

USB-C is a standard at this point for many mobile devices and accessories. This means that users are probably going to have to invest in a hub or adaptor.

Also Consider

If our Lenovo Legion Tower 5i review has you considering other options, here are two gaming desktops to consider...

HP Victus 15L

The HP Victus 15L is a bit cheaper than the 8th-gen Lenovo Legion Tower 5i and provides comparable performance power.

Read our full HP Victus 15L review

Acer Predator Orion 3000

Beyond the compact form, this gaming desktop packs a punch at an affordable price.

Read our full Acer Predator Orion 3000 review

How I tested the Lenovo Legion 5i

Tested over a week and some change
Games played include Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2, Black Myth: Wukong and Forza Motorsport (2023)
General computing tasks including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite

I spent over a week using the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, putting it to the test across various tasks. During work hours, I managed everyday computing using Google Chrome, running multiple tabs for apps like Asana, Google Docs, and Hootsuite. For content creation, I leaned on Adobe Premiere and Photoshop to design graphics and produce short-form social media videos.

To evaluate its high frame rate capabilities, I played fast-paced games like Valorant and Fortnite. Pushing the system further, I tested graphically demanding titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Black Myth: Wukong. Additionally, I also ran Forza Motorsport (2023) and Starfield to assess how the Legion Tower 5i handles diverse gaming experiences and visual performance.

I’ve spent the past several years covering monitors alongside other PC components for TechRadar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as well.

First reviewed October 2024

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox review: great for Game Pass

4:00 pm | December 8, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Forza Motorsport, Xbox Game Pass | Comments: Off

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox: One-minute review

If you’re shopping for an Xbox external hard drive, then you can’t go wrong with this officially licensed model from Seagate. Although a little more expensive than non-Xbox branded options, it’s still one of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs right now, delivering a solid level of performance and plenty of space for many of the best Xbox Series X games.

The Seagate Game Drive for Xbox is significantly more affordable than the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card and comes in much larger capacities, including 4TB and 5TB, but it has some extra limitations due to its form factor. First and foremost, as an external hard drive it cannot be used to play Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S optimized games.

Its primary use case is to store large game installations between uses, cutting down on the need to constantly redownload files. This makes them particularly suitable for those with slow or limited internet connections. It’s a fantastic fit for Xbox Game Pass too, giving you the option to keep a considerable number of games on hand at a time.

It’s worth noting that older titles for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox will still run off the external hard drive - albeit with increased loading times compared to internal storage in most cases. If you have a large library of backwards compatible games that you don’t want clogging up your internal drive, this will be the perfect solution. This also means that those still sticking with an Xbox One can rest easy knowing that they will have no issues accessing their entire libraries.

As far as hard drives are concerned, the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox also looks superb overall. It’s constructed from a sleek black plastic, decorated with an Xbox logo and a small strip of green LED lighting. It fits perfectly next to a black Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S 1TB console, though owners of white variants like the launch Xbox Series S or recent Xbox Series X Digital Edition might prefer to go for a white alternative to better fit their systems instead.

The bright LED lighting on the front of the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox. — (Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox: Price and availability

2TB costs $89.99 / £79.99
4TB costs $134.99 / £116.99
5TB costs $149.99 / £132.99

The Seagate Game Drive for Xbox is available in 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB capacity options which come in at roughly $89.99 / £79.99, $134.99 / £116.99, and $149.99 / £132.99 respectively. The 4TB model is the best value model, as it frequently receives substantial discounts to around the $90 mark. If you’re able to find it on sale for this price, I would definitely recommend snapping it up.

While it is the cheapest, I would try to avoid the 2TB model as that more limited storage capacity is going to fill up quite quickly - especially if you intend to use it for a few large, modern games.

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox: Specs

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox: Design and features

Matches black consoles very well
Green LED lighting is bright and attractive
But looks out of place next to white consoles

As far as external hard drives go, the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox is a stylish choice. It is constructed from sleek black plastic, which is pleasant to the touch and looks perfect placed next to a black Xbox console. In addition to small embossed Xbox and Seagate logos, there is a bright green LED positioned on the front of the drive lending it some extra flair.

I don’t have any complaints about the design, but I will say that it really stands out next to a white console. Given this drive’s price compared to a generic external hard drive, it’s undeniable that you’re paying a little more for the look. This makes sense if you own an Xbox Series X (or the black Xbox Series S 1TB) and want a fully color-coordinated setup, but not when it’s going to look out of place.

There are, of course, other reasons to choose this hard drive like its strong performance but it’s just something that owners of Microsoft’s white machines should bear in mind. Seagate also makes a white Starfield Special Edition hard drive in 2TB and 5TB capacities, which could be a better choice in purely aesthetic terms.

Setup is easy right out of the box, as the drive comes packed with a Micro USB that can be slotted into a free USB port on the back of your console. It also comes bundled with a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate which is a fun little bonus.

A top down view of the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox. — (Image credit: Future)

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox: Performance

Faster than a game download
But slower than internal storage
Still a good fit for Xbox Game Pass

I tested the 5TB model of this external hard drive and found it to be perfectly sufficient as a game storage medium, though noticeably slower than both external SSD options and the console’s internal storage.

To give some real-world examples of what it can do, I moved a handful of games to and from the drive on my personal Xbox Series S 1TB. Moving to the drive, a 14.5GB installation of Dustborn was transferred in just 1 minute 54 seconds while a 16.8GB installation of Mirror’s Edge Catalyst was copied over in just 2 minutes 8 seconds.

Increasing the file size yielded roughly proportional results, with a 40.3GB copy of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 accomplished in 5 minutes and 14 seconds. The two largest games I tested, the 74.3GB Dead Island 2 and the 104GB Forza Motorsport were then transferred in 9 minutes 49 seconds and 14 minutes 19 seconds respectively.

Speeds were similar moving games back from the drive. A 48.1GB copy of Agents of Mayhem, for example, took 5 minutes 40 seconds while a smaller 5.2GB installation of Rumble Roses XX was fully playable from the internal storage in just 39 seconds.

Unless you have some kind of NASA-level connection, all of these times are going to be significantly faster than an internet download - which is exactly what you want from the external hard drive. This would be especially useful if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber who loves downloading new games to try, as you will be able to keep a vast library of included titles saved and on hand whenever you want to dip back into them.

The rear of the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox?

Buy it if...

You want a more affordable storage expansion
The Seagate Game Drive for Xbox comes at a significantly lower cost than a Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card, letting you increase the number of games you can save locally on the cheap.

You’re sick of waiting for game downloads
An external hard drive like the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox is a great alternative to uninstalling your games. If you find yourself running out of space often and are sick of waiting for big game downloads each time you want to return to an old favorite, this is for you.

Don't buy it if...

You want to play modern games natively
An unavoidable drawback for any external hard drive is the inability to play Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S optimized games natively. If that’s what you want from a storage device, you’ll have to look at an Expansion Card instead.

Also consider...

Consider these three alternatives if you’re not sold on the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox.

Toshiba Canvio Flex
This budget-friendly hard drive comes in a sleek silver color. You lose the Xbox branding, but it’s small, portable, and is available in a range of capacities up to 4TB. It’s also a fair amount cheaper.

For more information, check out our full Toshiba Canvio Flex review

WD Black P40 Game Drive
This external SSD from WD is smaller and lighter than the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox, with significantly better speeds. It is much more expensive, though, and is only available in capacities up to 2TB.

For more information, check out our full WD Black P40 Game Drive review

Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card
If you want to play Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games on your storage device, and can afford its lofty price tag, then the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card is for you.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card reviewView Deal

A close up of the Xbox branding on the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox

Used for over a month
Tested with an Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X
Performance compared to other storage devices

I tested the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox predominantly with my Xbox Series S 1TB console, but I also spent a few hours checking compatibility with an Xbox Series X. I tested the external hard drive for over a month, using it as my primary external storage device for all things Xbox.

During my testing of the drive, I compared the performance to that of other hard drives, including the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 and WD Black P10. I also checked how it would stack up against external SSD options, such as the WD Black P40 Game Drive, and the official Xbox Storage Expansion Card.