Logitech’s Astro sub-brand has a sizeable lineage, offering competition-grade audio solutions for years now, and the A50 Gen 5 is able to easily maintain that status quo at a (slightly) lower price point than the Astro A50 X, one of the best wireless gaming headsets we tested last year.
Much of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is built on the same very impressive foundation. It’s packing graphene drivers, which not only sound great but also contribute very little in terms of weight, while the whole design feels well-built without ever feeling uncomfortable for longer periods of use.
Audio sounds excellent, with a broad soundstage that packs in plenty of bass without distortion and plenty of high-end without tinniness, and I found myself using it for listening to music almost as much as I did for gaming.
Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic are included, as well as the option to pipe in Bluetooth audio from an external source — ideal for anyone looking to crank up a podcast or playlist while grinding in their favorite game.
That flexibility is a common theme with the A50 Gen 5, too, since it can be connected to multiple platforms. While its pricier ‘X’ branded sibling can switch HDMI inputs with a button press, the A50 Gen 5 can do the same for audio.
The same mic from the A50 X is here, too, crystal clear in pressurized competitive moments (or as competitive as you can get within my own skill level) and easy to fold up if you’d prefer to just use the headset as a pair of very nice headphones.
Add to that a fantastic 24 hours of battery life, plus the convenience of being able to rest the headset on the docking station so it’s always ready to go and you’ve got a compelling package — and that’s before touching on Logitech’s G Hub software, which features custom equalizers and Blue voice adjustments.
It’s still not exactly affordable, but if you’re looking for a headset that can work across all platforms, it may be cheaper than buying a dedicated one for each.
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Price and availability
List price: $299.99 / £299.99
Cheaper than Astro A50 X by around £70/$80
Available worldwide
For $300 / £300, you get a solid package here. Aside from the fantastic headset, that base station really is nifty.
It's well constructed, offering a really handy way to keep your headset charged, while it’s hard to find fault with the build quality of the A50 Gen 5 headset itself.
It’s more premium than mid-range headsets that lean on plasticky shells, and similarly priced SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.
That rival arguably feels more headphone-like in its design, but offers similar versatility from multi-platform and dual-source output. If you want something that looks a little less like a gaming peripheral, that might be the way to go.
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Design and features
Lightweight headset with fold-down mic
Graphene drivers are lightweight but offer big sound
Fabric ear cups are comfortable and avoid sweat build-up
Sat next to the pricier A50 X, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the differences, although the red cables on the Gen 5s versus the black cables on the A50 X are a bit of a giveaway.
The A50 Gen 5 comes in black or white, with magnetic cushions that can be taken off and swapped if you feel they’re getting to the end of their life (although even after well over a year of the premium version, it’s not ever felt that way to me).
The mic is identical, too, folding down to mouth level, while the side panel on the other side contains all the inputs. There’s chat and audio mixing on the headset itself, as well as Bluetooth functionality for piping your music through.
It’s comfortable for long periods thanks to being lighter than the old Logitech Pro X headsets I’ve used in the past, while the ear cups never feel like they get too hot. In fact, I prefer them to the colder, more leather-like alternatives (although you can buy a leatherette conversion kit from Logitech).
Onto the docking station, then, and while there’s no HDMI connectivity on the back, there are four USB ports. One is reserved for power, so the math enthusiasts will recognize that there are three ports left.
The ports are labeled for PC, PS5, and Xbox, meaning Switch is absent, but you can plug it into any of them.
You may need to provide your own USB-C cables, though — Logitech only provides one for power and a single cable to connect up other consoles.
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Performance
24-hour battery life plus added convenience of docking station
24-bit PC audio, 16-bit on consoles but you’re unlikely to hear the difference
Connects via USB-C to docking station, but no HDMI ports
The Astro Gen 5, at least to my relatively trained ears as a musician, sounds the same as its premium sibling.
Footsteps from enemies in Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6 are crisp and easy to place, while the direction of gunfire is discernible even with short bursts.
Overwatch Hero callouts sound crisp, while more cinematic titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows feel particularly impressive, notably when rain is falling on rooftops.
It’s worth noting that there’s no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), but despite having a relatively large head, I felt the seal around my ears was tight enough where that never felt like a major concern. Your mileage may vary, though.
Perhaps most impressively, the A50 Gen 5s are fantastic for non-gaming audio, too. If you want to kick back with music, the balanced soundstage pairs with the comfortable headset to make everything feel nice and fresh.
I found listening to rock epics was a great experience, with piano and percussion dancing around each other nicely, while there’s plenty of bass when the situation calls for it, but without the distortion you may get from cheaper headsets.
You can play around with a mixer in the Logitech G app, too, while the aforementioned earcup controls are ideal for adjusting chat and game audio.
Still, audio output is only one-half of the coin, and while I have tended to keep mics folded up in favor of a desktop option with older setups, the mic here is crystal clear at all times.
The Logitech G app on PC can tap into the company’s Blue mic filtering to adjust to get you sounding sweet as a whistle, but even right out of the box, it feels as though you could be standing right next to a teammate as you work on strategies.
(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)
Should you buy the Astro A50 Gen 5?
Buy it if...
You’re a console and PC player Being able to switch between your console and PC audio at ease is a huge help for multiformat setups.
You want a clear mic Whether on Discord or console-based party chat, the mic on the Astro A50 Gen 5 is one of the best we’ve tested.
Don't buy it if...
You’re not looking for multiformat functionality The Astros are great, but there are comparable headsets with a focus on a single platform that will set you back a lot less.
Also consider...
Still not sold on the Astro A50 Gen 5? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.
Astro A50 X It’s hard not to compare the pricier variant of the Astros with this version. The main draw is those HDMI ports on the base station, which means you can switch between inputs with a button press. If you’re not looking for that functionality, though, you’ll lose very little with the A50 Gen 5s.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Less interested in the multiformat chops of the Astro Gen 5s? The BlackShark V2 Pro remains top of our list of the best wireless headset list thanks to fantastic audio, great battery life, and a premium build — but it’s only for PC.
Used on a gaming PC with an RTX 4070 Ti, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X
Party chat across multiple games used to test the mic, as well as Discord on PC
I spent my time using the Astro A50 Gen 5 across PC and console, switching between Call of Duty Warzone and Black Ops 6, indie multiplayer title The Headliners, and EA FC 25.
For testing the mic, I played some heated games of Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, and Destiny 2 to ensure comms were clear.
Logitech’s Astro sub-brand has a sizeable lineage, offering competition-grade audio solutions for years now, and the A50 Gen 5 is able to easily maintain that status quo at a (slightly) lower price point than the Astro A50 X, one of the best wireless gaming headsets we tested last year.
Much of the Astro A50 Gen 5 is built on the same very impressive foundation. It’s packing graphene drivers, which not only sound great but also contribute very little in terms of weight, while the whole design feels well-built without ever feeling uncomfortable for longer periods of use.
Audio sounds excellent, with a broad soundstage that packs in plenty of bass without distortion and plenty of high-end without tinniness, and I found myself using it for listening to music almost as much as I did for gaming.
Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic are included, as well as the option to pipe in Bluetooth audio from an external source — ideal for anyone looking to crank up a podcast or playlist while grinding in their favorite game.
That flexibility is a common theme with the A50 Gen 5, too, since it can be connected to multiple platforms. While its pricier ‘X’ branded sibling can switch HDMI inputs with a button press, the A50 Gen 5 can do the same for audio.
The same mic from the A50 X is here, too, crystal clear in pressurized competitive moments (or as competitive as you can get within my own skill level) and easy to fold up if you’d prefer to just use the headset as a pair of very nice headphones.
Add to that a fantastic 24 hours of battery life, plus the convenience of being able to rest the headset on the docking station so it’s always ready to go and you’ve got a compelling package — and that’s before touching on Logitech’s G Hub software, which features custom equalizers and Blue voice adjustments.
It’s still not exactly affordable, but if you’re looking for a headset that can work across all platforms, it may be cheaper than buying a dedicated one for each.
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Price and availability
List price: $299.99 / £299.99
Cheaper than Astro A50 X by around £70/$80
Available worldwide
For $300 / £300, you get a solid package here. Aside from the fantastic headset, that base station really is nifty.
It's well constructed, offering a really handy way to keep your headset charged, while it’s hard to find fault with the build quality of the A50 Gen 5 headset itself.
It’s more premium than mid-range headsets that lean on plasticky shells, and similarly priced SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.
That rival arguably feels more headphone-like in its design, but offers similar versatility from multi-platform and dual-source output. If you want something that looks a little less like a gaming peripheral, that might be the way to go.
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Design and features
Lightweight headset with fold-down mic
Graphene drivers are lightweight but offer big sound
Fabric ear cups are comfortable and avoid sweat build-up
Sat next to the pricier A50 X, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the differences, although the red cables on the Gen 5s versus the black cables on the A50 X are a bit of a giveaway.
The A50 Gen 5 comes in black or white, with magnetic cushions that can be taken off and swapped if you feel they’re getting to the end of their life (although even after well over a year of the premium version, it’s not ever felt that way to me).
The mic is identical, too, folding down to mouth level, while the side panel on the other side contains all the inputs. There’s chat and audio mixing on the headset itself, as well as Bluetooth functionality for piping your music through.
It’s comfortable for long periods thanks to being lighter than the old Logitech Pro X headsets I’ve used in the past, while the ear cups never feel like they get too hot. In fact, I prefer them to the colder, more leather-like alternatives (although you can buy a leatherette conversion kit from Logitech).
Onto the docking station, then, and while there’s no HDMI connectivity on the back, there are four USB ports. One is reserved for power, so the math enthusiasts will recognize that there are three ports left.
The ports are labeled for PC, PS5, and Xbox, meaning Switch is absent, but you can plug it into any of them.
You may need to provide your own USB-C cables, though — Logitech only provides one for power and a single cable to connect up other consoles.
(Image credit: Future)
Astro A50 Gen 5 review: Performance
24-hour battery life plus added convenience of docking station
24-bit PC audio, 16-bit on consoles but you’re unlikely to hear the difference
Connects via USB-C to docking station, but no HDMI ports
The Astro Gen 5, at least to my relatively trained ears as a musician, sounds the same as its premium sibling.
Footsteps from enemies in Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6 are crisp and easy to place, while the direction of gunfire is discernible even with short bursts.
Overwatch Hero callouts sound crisp, while more cinematic titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows feel particularly impressive, notably when rain is falling on rooftops.
It’s worth noting that there’s no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), but despite having a relatively large head, I felt the seal around my ears was tight enough where that never felt like a major concern. Your mileage may vary, though.
Perhaps most impressively, the A50 Gen 5s are fantastic for non-gaming audio, too. If you want to kick back with music, the balanced soundstage pairs with the comfortable headset to make everything feel nice and fresh.
I found listening to rock epics was a great experience, with piano and percussion dancing around each other nicely, while there’s plenty of bass when the situation calls for it, but without the distortion you may get from cheaper headsets.
You can play around with a mixer in the Logitech G app, too, while the aforementioned earcup controls are ideal for adjusting chat and game audio.
Still, audio output is only one-half of the coin, and while I have tended to keep mics folded up in favor of a desktop option with older setups, the mic here is crystal clear at all times.
The Logitech G app on PC can tap into the company’s Blue mic filtering to adjust to get you sounding sweet as a whistle, but even right out of the box, it feels as though you could be standing right next to a teammate as you work on strategies.
(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)
Should you buy the Astro A50 Gen 5?
Buy it if...
You’re a console and PC player Being able to switch between your console and PC audio at ease is a huge help for multiformat setups.
You want a clear mic Whether on Discord or console-based party chat, the mic on the Astro A50 Gen 5 is one of the best we’ve tested.
Don't buy it if...
You’re not looking for multiformat functionality The Astros are great, but there are comparable headsets with a focus on a single platform that will set you back a lot less.
Also consider...
Still not sold on the Astro A50 Gen 5? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.
Astro A50 X It’s hard not to compare the pricier variant of the Astros with this version. The main draw is those HDMI ports on the base station, which means you can switch between inputs with a button press. If you’re not looking for that functionality, though, you’ll lose very little with the A50 Gen 5s.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Less interested in the multiformat chops of the Astro Gen 5s? The BlackShark V2 Pro remains top of our list of the best wireless headset list thanks to fantastic audio, great battery life, and a premium build — but it’s only for PC.
Used on a gaming PC with an RTX 4070 Ti, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X
Party chat across multiple games used to test the mic, as well as Discord on PC
I spent my time using the Astro A50 Gen 5 across PC and console, switching between Call of Duty Warzone and Black Ops 6, indie multiplayer title The Headliners, and EA FC 25.
For testing the mic, I played some heated games of Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, and Destiny 2 to ensure comms were clear.
Hori HOTAS flight control system: one-minute review
(Image credit: Future)
If you want to take your flight sim experience to the next level, a HOTAS – hands-on throttle and stick – setup will make aviation a hundred times easier and more immersive than using a controller or mouse and keyboard.
Developed in partnership with War Thunder developers Gaijin, Hori’s HOTAS flight control system endeavors to provide exactly that solution. It’s marketed for combat flight sim pilots, but also just as useful for virtual commercial aviators who log their flight time in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and the like.
There’s a vast array of switches, buttons, hat switches, paddles, and dials here to play with and map to your preferred commands, so no one’s going to feel short-changed in functionality terms here. The included desk mounts for the throttle and flight stick are also very welcome additions, well-constructed and satisfyingly weighty, allowing a nice ergonomic angle once you’ve mounted the peripherals to the left and right of your seating position.
But there’s a really uneven feel to the actuation of all those inputs. Some feel great, others don’t come anywhere close to the $499 / £449 pricing. When there are such legendarily good alternatives out there for similar pricing like Thrustmaster’s Warthog HOTAS, that’s a real problem.
Ultimately the sensation of the flimsy plastics used at the contact points where your hands interact with them and the wobbliness of some inputs makes this Hori offering difficult to rationalize next to the Warthog HOTAS, or even Logitech G’s cheaper, more limited, but sturdier X56.
Hori HOTAS flight control system: Price and availability
$499 / £449
Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS now sells for less
Much more expensive than the Logitech G X56
The price is the Hori HOTAS’s major problem. It compares very unfavorably to Thrustmaster’s best-in-class Warthog HOTAS, nor does it blow cheaper models like Logitech G’s X56 out of the water. In all fairness, there are mounting brackets included in this model that aren’t in the others, and a huge number of inputs, but that doesn’t completely compensate for the flimsy construction feel.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider Turtle Beach’s $120 / £120 VelocityOne flight stick, which features two throttle inputson either side of the joystick itself.
Hori HOTAS flight control system: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Hori HOTAS flight control system: design and features
Looks convincingly pro at a glance
Sensible ergonomic layout
Let down by cheap materials
So, what does the virtual aviator want from their HOTAS? Two things. Firstly you’re looking for a control layout that makes flying a plane easier than it would be when using a pad or mouse and keyboard. That’s fundamental.
Flight sims are among the most mapping-heavy pieces of software in existence, and it’s always been a challenge to even memorize the inputs required to get a plane off the ground, talk to ATC, engage autopilot and navigation systems, and control your view, let alone map them to a comfortable and intuitive layout.
Sim racers have racing wheels that offer just about a 1:1 recreation of the inputs and displays they’d have on a real racing car, but for pilots that’s not feasible unless you drop many thousands on a room-sized rig.
Secondly, you want to feel immersed in the experience. You can control a plane’s throttle input using an analog stick on your Xbox controller, just like Flight Sim 2024 expects you to by default, and in truth, the difference in precision that this Hori’s twin throttle allows is unlikely to ever be the difference between crashing or staying aloft.
Instead, it’s about creating a sensory environment that feels like flying a plane. A matter of passion for the enthusiasts, and a crucial point for aspiring pilots supplementing their real air time with a flight sim.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s important to lay these two objectives out because Hori’s HOTAS is perfectly good at the first - making planes easier to fly by offering a sensible and numerous layout of inputs - but just can’t deliver what you’d expect for the price when it comes to immersion.
Let’s delve into those statements. You’ve got three modes on each peripheral, and a total of 61 different button functions. That’s… probably enough. In both War Thunder and Flight Sim 2024, I found I was able to map every input I’d conceivably need and have it within close reach.
In fact, the reality was that I’d mapped a bunch of inputs that I didn’t end up touching. There’s a surplus of functionality here, and it does indeed make flying planes much easier, in both a combat and commercial environment. We can put a giant tick in that box.
Immersion, though, is elusive when piloting with the Hori HOTAS. That’s because despite it looking the part from a distance, when you’re up close and interacting with the throttle and flight stick, it simply looks and feels closer to a toy than part of an aircraft. Certain inputs hold up their end of the bargain, specifically the metal toggle switches on the throttle’s base, the rudder paddles on the throttle and the one on the flight stick.
The two-stage trigger has a nice mechanical-feeling actuation to it too, which makes firing weapons very satisfying. Elsewhere though, the surfaces feel too light and flimsy to be believable and the buttons and hat switches have too much play to them. For over $400 / £400, it’s surprising and disappointing.
The throttle actuation also leaves a lot to be desired. I found that mine was prone to sticking at the 100% point, and along the plasticky track of its axis, there’s a juddering, notched feeling. It’s almost as though there’s a deliberate notch to help you find 50%, except there are two or three of these sticking points on my unit… and none of them are at 50%.
There’s a saving grace, though. The mounting brackets supplied with this HOTAS are top-notch and added a lot to the overall experience once I mounted the throttle and flightstick to them on my left and right. The clamps are adjustable, with four different heights on offer, and I must say once they were fitted to my ideal position and the green backlights of the inputs were gently glowing in my cockpit, the pricing started to make sense for a brief moment.
Then I put my hands on it and the moment went.
Hori HOTAS flight control system: performance
Hall effect sensors for precise joystick input
Useful backlit input controls
Useable default schemes in most sims
I enjoy the precise feeling of this Hori flight stick. There’s just enough resistance and centering spring strength for my tastes, particularly in War Thunder where inputs tend to be of a more severe nature since you don’t have passengers and the contents of their stomach to consider.
It’s a little trickier to achieve those tiny, delicate bank angles in a commercial flight setting due to the strength of that spring, but after a couple of hours of acclimation, I found myself flying a bit more smoothly. There are Hall effect sensors to keep track of exactly where the flight stick is on its axis, theoretically making for more precise input recognition. I’ll level with you - I haven’t busted into the game code to verify exactly what’s happening there or how, but I will say that the sensation feels immediate and smooth to track.
Fortunately, in a performance setting, the issues I have with the grainy throttle don’t translate to in-game problems with thruster operation, and the previously mentioned loose feeling on some buttons doesn’t actually affect them being registered as inputs when you press them. So when you’re up in the air, the underwhelming build quality isn’t a de facto disadvantage. Just a shame.
I’ve sung the praises of those mounting brackets previously in this review, but they really do hold each peripheral firmly in place and in an ergonomic position when you’re sitting in your cockpit. Anyone who’s used a HOTAS or joystick whose base is too light knows how irritating it can be for your inputs to translate as peripheral wobble instead of flight control, and happily, that just doesn’t happen here.
It’s a strong performer then, but that doesn’t go all the way towards negating the problems this HOTAS has competing against similarly priced but better-constructed rivals like the Thrustmaster Warthog.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hori HOTAS flight control system?
Buy it if...
You usually fly in combat flight sims It’s perfectly good at commercial flight, but you’ll get the most out of the control layout in dogfights. Plus there are bundled in-game bonuses for War Thunder.
You’re tired of mapping inputs to your keyboard There are enough buttons, dials, hat switches, and paddles to keep you from having to reach back towards your mouse and keyboard.
You don’t want to buy mounts separately The sturdy, adjustable metal mounts are a big bonus of this package and add a lot to the sensation of being inside a cockpit.
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget There are much cheaper options out there with comparable layouts and in some cases a better sensation, too.
You take flight on consoles too This model’s a PC-only offering, so you’ll need to find a different peripheral for PS5 or Xbox piloting otherwise it’s back to the pad.
You want a compact setup The HOTAS layout plus the mounts does take up space, so fairweather fliers might prefer a one-unit peripheral like Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne.
Hori HOTAS flight control system: Also consider
If the Hori HOTAS doesn’t make your heart soar, keep these cheaper alternatives on your radar.
Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One A time-honored budget option with far fewer inputs than the Hori HOTAS, but nonetheless a great overall package for the price.
Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick The throttle-on-joystick design is unusual and means dual-thruster operation can be tricky, but the great build quality, numerous inputs, and cool digital display on the joystick itself make this another stellar budget option.
War Thunder, Flight Simulator 2024, and Elite Dangerous all tested
Since War Thunder’s all over the box due to that Gaijin partnership, this dogfighting sim felt like a sensible place to start.
I also logged plenty of flight time in commercial jets and prop planes in Flight Sim 2024, and sauntered around the Milky Way in Frontier’s infinitely impressive Elite: Dangerous. Functionality was great out of the box in all three titles and required just a few re-binds in the latter two.
Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation: One-minute review
I’m glad that the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation exists. When it comes to the PlayStation 5, there just aren’t all that many budget PS5 racing wheel options available. But the Apex is one I can just about recommend for those not wanting to shell out on some of the best racing wheels including the pricey Logitech G923 or the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel.
The Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation costs significantly less than either of those products. And while I was generally happy with the performance it provides - not to mention the ease of setup - the concessions made to hit its low price point are immediately apparent.
Much like the Nintendo Switch-facing Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe (with which the Apex has many similarities including its chassis and overall performance), build quality leaves much to be desired. You’re getting an overtly plasticky build here, exacerbated by a pair of unsatisfyingly weightless pedals.
Force feedback is also off the table, which will likely be a deal breaker for players looking to purchase a racing wheel for that added level of immersion and feel. But if you can get over these cutbacks and are just looking for an inexpensive steering wheel for Gran Turismo 7, F1 24, and more, you’ll still find an acceptable racing experience with the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation.
(Image credit: Future)
Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation: Price and availability
The Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation is available to buy now at Hori’s website for $119.99 / £99.99. That’s just a touch higher than the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe ($109.99 / £89.99) and firmly places it in the budget category. Especially in the UK where it’s difficult to find a decent racing wheel under that £100 mark.
The key thing to note here is that while much more affordable than mid-range plug-and-play options like the Logitech G923 or the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition, you can expect features to be decidedly stripped back here. If you can afford pricier options like these, they are worth considering if you’d like features like force feedback and better overall build quality.
Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation: Specs
Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation: Design and features
Hori has used the Apex’s chassis before, chiefly with the Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe for Nintendo Switch. If you’ve seen that wheel, then you’ve essentially seen the Apex, too. The key difference here, naturally, is that the Apex is emblazoned with PlayStation’s logo and has a PlayStation-adjacent button layout.
Some button placements have shifted, too. On the Switch wheel, the ZL and ZR trigger buttons were found on the steering wheel itself. On the Apex, the left and right shoulder and trigger buttons are all lined up above the D-pad and face buttons respectively. There are also dedicated L3 and R3 buttons on the Apex, too.
(Image credit: Future)
The wheel itself is the best thing about the Apex in terms of design. The textured grips feel nice in the hands and ensure sturdy, non-slip play sessions. The flappy paddle gear switches behind these grips are significantly less refined, though, with a flimsy plastic build that feels like they could snap easily after long-term usage.
That same flimsiness also applies to the pedals, which are the same here as they were with the Mario Kart wheel. While they mostly get the job done, they (alongside the included clip-on footrest) have an overtly plastic and lightweight build, meaning they can easily slide around on harder surfaces.
The wheelbase, thankfully, is much sturdier and has a nice weight to it. You’ve also got two options here when it comes to securing the base in place; a clamp and a set of suction cups. You should avoid using the latter unless you lack a surface that you can easily clamp the wheel to. As with the Mario Kart wheel, I found the suction cups offered little to no purchase for the wheel on my desk. The included clamp, meanwhile, gets the job done just fine.
Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation: Performance
Despite my quibbles with some design and feature aspects, I can’t fault the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation much when it comes to overall performance. The experience you’re getting here is far from mindblowing, especially thanks to the lack of force feedback, but it’s still more than up to the task of providing a decent wheel feel for less, offering robust value for money
I tested the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation across PS5 and PC racing games, including Gran Turismo 7, EA Sports WRC, and F1 24. It’s clearly designed for PlayStation consoles first, as when loading into GT7, the wheel was ready to go with a preset control layout in place.
(Image credit: Future)
On PC, via XInput, some customization was required in F1 24 as the wheel wasn’t recognized in-game by default. In cases like this, you will need to set your own custom control layout. Thankfully there were no issues here, with buttons and steering all recognized as inputs without fuss.
I do miss the wider rotations available on mid-range racing wheels. The Hori Apex caps out just 270 degrees, which means it’s not best suited to serious simmers like iRacing, Assetto Corsa EVO, or indeed Euro Truck Simulator 2. But you should get by just fine in more casual friendly racers like GT7 and F1 24.
Should I buy the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You’re on a budget or buying for a younger player It’s as simple as that. If you can’t / won’t buy a more expensive mid-range to premium racing wheel - or you’re buying for a kid - the Hori Apex is good value for money.
You want an easy, plug-and-play experience Many pricier wheels - particularly direct drive models - usually require a more setup. By comparison, the Apex just requires you to hook it up to a console or PC via USB and you’re good to go. It’s really as easy as that.
Don't buy it if...
You want a more immersive experience A lack of force feedback is understandable given the Apex’s price, but it does mean that you lose a lot of that authentic racing feel here. A limited 270-degree turning angle also hurts in this regard.
Also consider...
If the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation isn’t quite doing it for you, have a look at these two PS5-compatible alternatives.
Thrustmaster T248 A bit of an old dog as far as racing wheels go, but one that’s nonetheless reliable and another solid budget pick. While pricier overall, the T248 does offer basic force feedback and a novel on-wheel display. 900 degrees of rotation is also fantastic for a wide variety of sim racers.
Logitech G923 Arguably the first name in PS5 racing wheels, the Logitech G923 rules the roost even years after its initial launch. With fantastic build quality and immersive force feedback, it’s the mid-range plug-and-play racing wheel we recommend first for PS5 players.
How I tested the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation
Tested for one week
Tested across PS5 and PC
Compared with the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe
I tested the Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation over the course of a week. During that time, I hooked the wheel up to both PS5 and PC to test a variety of racing games including Gran Turismo 7, F1 24, and EA Sports WRC. While a lack of force feedback and a limited rotation means it’s not the most ideal for sim racers, I did find the Apex to be a good fit for arcade racers like Tokyo Xtreme Racer.
The Corsair VOID Wireless V2 is, as you'd expect from the name, the second iteration of the VOID Wireless range. It's been over seven years since we reviewed the Corsair VOID Pro RGB Wireless, which is the V2's predecessor, and the original impressed us at the time. I'm happy to report the V2 improves upon pretty much every aspect, and retains the same price point as the first to boot.
This gaming headset aims to be the only audio device you'll need no matter which platform you play on: it's compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and iOS/Android (sorry, Xbox players).
Thanks to its dual wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, you can link two separate devices simultaneously and switch between them with the press of a button.
There's really very little to complain about with the VOID Wireless V2: the battery life is excellent, allegedly running at approximately 65-70 hours of continuous use, though that's so long I haven't had it run out despite using it for multiple days in a row without charging it.
It's lightweight at just over 300g, and as a result, very comfortable. The sound quality across every platform is fantastic too, especially PC and PS5 thanks to some special features… more on those below.
Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Price and availability
List price:$119.99 / £99.99 / AU$189
Cheaper than many premium gaming headsets
Offers superb value for money
While you can pick up a budget gaming headset for about half the price of the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, it's not going to turn many heads, nor is it likely to be built to last. And the same goes for the other end of the scale: there are plenty of headsets that will cost double, but will you get double the amount of performance from them? It's unlikely, which makes this one of the best value-for-money gaming headsets you'll find.
It's also more than capable of going toe-to-toe with them, and as the flashy new kid on the block thanks to its April 2025 launch, it's likely to be a headset in demand when gifting season rolls around later this year.
(Image credit: Future/Ford James)
Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future/Ford James)
Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Design and features
Easy to set up and connect
Clean, sleek design
Rotatable - but not detachable or retractable - mic
There's no instruction manual or booklet included with the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, but that's because it really doesn't need one. The box contains the headset, USB 3.0 dongle, and USB 3.0-to-USB-C charging cable, and that's it.
Charge the headset, connect the dongle to your device of choice if you're connecting through the 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, and turn on the headset, the two should automatically pair, and you're away.
A USB-C wireless receiver would be ideal too, as we gradually move away from USB 3.0, and it would also enable another connectivity option for devices like a Nintendo Switch or MacBook, but it'd be harsh to criticize it too much for that.
If you're using the VOID Wireless V2 on PC, you should install both the Dolby Access app and the Corsair iCUE software though. The former will detect your headset if it's set to be your primary audio output and allow you to enable Dolby Atmos' Spatial Audio feature, while the latter is essential for customization and getting the most out of your new cans.
You can change the function of the custom button on the headset, such as making it toggle the mute, or have it play/pause music. Meanwhile, on PS5, you can enable the Tempest 3D Audio via the console's sound settings as usual.
The design of the headset itself is sleek. My review unit is mostly white with light grey memory foam padding and a silver adjustable frame to ensure it sits tight on your head. Two skinny RGB lighting strips complete the look, facing the way you're looking. If you use the headset in a remote work meeting, however, be prepared for your colleagues to comment as if you look like you belong in a sci-fi TV series, as happened to me.
The only complaint here is that while the microphone is easy to use and fits in with the profile of the headset itself, it'd be a huge quality-of-life upgrade if it was detachable rather than just rotatable. You can swivel it up to sit vertically, but if it could be removed, the Bluetooth feature would make this suitable for listening to music on the go. As it stands, though, you don't really want to commute with a microphone attached to your headset.
(Image credit: Future/Ford James)
Corsair VOID Wireless V2 review: Performance
Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Terrific 3D audio on PC and PS5
Incredible battery life
Thanks to how light the headset is, combined with the memory foam cushions, I've worn it for hours at a time without feeling any discomfort. It saw me through a solid eight-hour Atomfall session on PS5 while sitting on my sofa, along with a similar length gaming Sunday playing a variety of games on PC.
On the former, it added to the already eerie, post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the British countryside by enhancing the groans of Ferals and the chatter of Outlaws in the area, along with the Tempest 3D Audio helping me pinpoint exactly where enemies were.
Of all the games I tested it with on PC, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is where the impressive audio was most noticeable. Listening for footsteps and gunshots is incredibly important in the first-person shooter game, and they were crystal clear with the VOID Wireless V2.
I also spoke with friends on Discord while using it on both platforms and had feedback that the voice quality was as good as it could be. It also has very good noise cancellation, which really helps with the immersion.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to talk a little more about the battery life. Coming in at around 70 hours, it blows a lot of its competition out of the water. I tried to use it for a number of sessions repeatedly without charging it, in order to get a rough ballpark for how long it lasts against that claimed 70-hour figure, but the light never changed from green to imply the battery was even starting to die.
(Image credit: Future/Ford James)
Should you buy the Corsair VOID Wireless V2?
Buy it if...
You’re after one of the latest gaming headsets that has it all Seriously, you're unlikely to find better than this on the market at this price point. It's one of the best examples of a complete product you'll find.
You find other headsets to be too heavy or uncomfortable This is so light and easy to wear for long periods, if it weren't for how good the noise cancellation is, you'd forget you're wearing it at times.
You want a headset compatible with multiple platforms It's simple to unplug the USB receiver from one device and plug it into another, without needing to reconnect it. Connecting via Bluetooth is also as simple as pressing the power button on the headset to open up the pairing. Find the headset in the list of Bluetooth devices nearby and voila!
Don't buy it if...
You need a headset for Xbox Unfortunately, the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 isn't compatible with Xbox consoles. However, Corsair does have other Xbox headset offerings, such as the HS65 Wireless.
You have a premium headset already Don't get me wrong, this is one of the best headsets I've ever used, but part of that comes due to its value. If you have a $200+ headset already that you're happy with, you don't need to abandon it for this one.
Also consider...
If, despite all this praise, you're still not sold on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, consider these two other wireless headsets instead, at slightly more expensive price points but similarly feature-laden.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro It's almost double the price, but the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is currently our best-recommended wireless gaming headset. It offers pretty much everything the Corsair VOID Wireless V2 does, but it's also compatible with Xbox consoles. The design of the headset may also be to your personal preference over the VOID.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless This offering comes at a much steeper cost, but it does have a few additional features to balance it out. It uses a wireless base station for connectivity, which works in a similar way to a USB dongle receiver but means it can be connected to two sources simultaneously, both wirelessly, as opposed to one through Bluetooth. This one also has a fully retractable mic, making it better suited for non-gaming purposes.
Used for nearly four weeks for all my gaming sessions
Tested with both PS5 and PC games
Also used it to listen to music while working, in meetings, and on Discord
Prior to getting my hands on the Corsair VOID Wireless V2, my audio device of choice on PC was the Philips Fidelio X3. That is an absolutely phenomenal pair of headphones, but it is not a gaming peripheral. It's made for music, doesn't feature much noise canceling, and doesn't come with a mic, so I also have a Blue Snowball desktop mic to hand. I'll likely continue to use the Fidelio X3 for all music purposes, but the VOID Wireless V2 has taken over every other aspect because of how well-rounded it is.
It's been used for a number of gaming sessions, both long and short, and thanks to the connectivity range, I can walk around my apartment while still talking to friends on Discord. I've played Atomfall and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS5, along with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds on my gaming PC.
The LG G5 is the company’s flagship TV for 2025, and it changes the game for OLED TV tech with a completely new panel design that delivers notably higher brightness than its LG G4 predecessor. I’ll get into the specifics of that in the Picture Quality section of this review, but what you need to know is that with its impressive, mini-LED TV-rivalling brightness, the G5 succeeds brilliantly in bringing the best OLED TVs out of the darkness as a viable option for daytime, bright room viewing.
LG’s G4 relied on a micro lens array (MLA) layer to boost brightness over what conventional OLED TVs were capable of, but the new LG G5 incorporates a new Primary RGB Tandem structure OLED display panel. This uses individual red, green, and blue layers to produce light, and the resulting brightness is not only leaps and bounds better than what the G4 achieved with MLA, but it also yields improvements in color reproduction.
You’d think that the G5’s revamped display panel would command a higher price, but the LG pricing is equivalent to its G4 predecessor. However, at $3,399 / £2,399 / AU$5,299 for the 65-inch model I tested, it’s still very much a premium TV.
Along with higher brightness and richer color, the LG G5 offers a range of features that make it a flexible option for viewing in a range of lighting conditions. These include a new, more effective anti-glare screen, and a Filmmaker Ambient Light Mode that uses the TV’s built-in light sensor to dynamically adjust brightness without sacrificing picture accuracy in the process.
LG’s Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 2 is responsible for a range of AI picture and sound enhancements on the G5. These include AI Picture and Sound modes, voice recognition, and personalized content recommendations.
LG’s webOS 25 smart TV interface has been tweaked with the ability to switch between customized home screen layouts that get triggered by the viewer’s voice, and there are now onscreen wizards to guide you through the process of setting up unique AI picture and sound presets to accompany your custom home screen.
LG’s flagship G-series OLEDs are designed for wall-mounting, and the G5 has an Always Ready mode that lets the TV be used as a frame for displaying photos and art (now including images generated by AI with the TV’s assistance). But it's also a highly capable gaming TV, with support for 4K 165Hz, Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium. The G5’s Quick Card gaming portal also provides over 500 titles plus Nvidia GeForce Now, Luna, and other apps, and Xbox Game Pass support should be added during the start of 2025.
While the LG G5 has turned out to be a best-in-class OLED TV option for 2025, many people will be equally pleased with its step-down LG C5 model, which is already looking to be one of 2025's best TVs. The C5 isn't as bright as the G5, but you’ll save quite a bit by going with LG’s mid-range OLED .
LG G5 review: Price and release date
The LG G5 is the brightest OLED TV we've yet reviewed (Image credit: Future)
Release date: April 2025
48-inch: £1,799
55-inch: $2,499 / £2,399 / AU$4,199
65-inch: $3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299
77-inch: $4,499 / £4,499 / AU$7,999
83-inch: $6,499 / £6,999 / AU$9,999
97-inch: $24,999
The LG G5 is widely available in 55- to 83-inch screen sizes. A 48-inch model is also available in the UK, and a 97-inch option in the US, though those models don’t use the same Primary RGB Tandem structure panel as the other sizes, and won't be as bright.
Prices for the G5 series are equivalent to last year’s LG G4 series, despite the inclusion of a new panel design, but are notably higher than the mid-range LG C5 series OLED TVs.
LG G5 review: Specs
LG G5 review: Benchmark results
LG G5 review: Features
The LG G5 has four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support (Image credit: Future)
Fourth-generation panel with Brightness Booster Ultimate
Filmmaker Ambient Light Mode debuts here
4K 165Hz gaming support on PC
A keyfeature of the LG G5 is a new fourth-generation OLED display panel with Primary RGB Tandem structure. In contrast to previous designs, which used two blue OLED layers plus a third layer with red, green, and yellow elements, the new panel uses individual red, green, and blue layers to produce light.
This “four-stack” structure benefits from increased brightness and enhanced color purity due to the panel’s use of separate OLED layers for the primary colors. Unlike the previous LG G4, the G5 doesn’t rely on a micro lens array (MLA) layer with microscopic lens elements to boost brightness.
LG refers to its new display panel tech as Brightness Booster Ultimate, and it’s accompanied by several other features to boost picture quality in a range of room lighting conditions. The first is an anti-reflective layer that LG says provides 30% higher glare resistance than last year’s G4.
Another is Filmmaker Ambient Light Mode, which uses the TV’s built-in light sensor to map gamma and PQ (the HDR equivalent of gamma) based on room lighting conditions. The G5 also has Perfect Black certification, which confirms that a TV can display less than 0.24 nits in conditions of up to 500 lux.
The G5’s Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 2 enables a range of AI-based picture and sound enhancements, including AI Picture and AI Sound modes. Picture and sound wizards guide you through setting up customized presets based on your response to a series of images and sound samples, and once completed, these can be automatically switched on for the specific users who created them based on voice recognition.
That also goes for the layout of the TV’s webOS 25 Home Screen – if you customize the app selection in your user profile, it'll switch to the layout you prefer when it detects your voice if you use the voice control system at all.
The G5 also gets a gaming boost over last year’s G4, with 4K 165Hz support for PC gaming along with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. LG’s Gaming Portal offers over 500 game titles, with support for both Xbox and Luna controllers and Xbox Game Pass (coming in the first half of 2025, according to LG).
Usability features include AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, along with hands-free voice control. The ThinQ screen in the webOS interface lets you configure devices to be controlled via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Matter and Apple HomeKit, and there’s also a new, streamlined Magic Remote and more advanced AI Chatbot feature that can diagnose picture and sound issues.
Features Score: 5/5
LG G5 review: Picture quality
The G5's picture looks bright and punchy even in well-lit rooms (Image credit: Future)
Exceptional brightness for an OLED
Anti-reflection layer in the screen
Some issues with certain streaming formats
The LG G5 holds the distinction of being the brightest OLED TV we’ve yet measured at TechRadar. Peak brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern in Filmmaker Mode measured 2,268 nits, and it was 1,850 nits in Standard picture mode. Those numbers are what we typically expect to see from higher-end examples of the best mini-LED TVs, and they best the Samsung S95D – our previous brightest OLED TV champion – by a sizeable margin.
The G5’s fullscreen HDR brightness measured 331 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 297 nits in Standard mode. That represents a boost over last year’s G4, which measured 257 in Filmmaker Mode, but it’s not the 40% fullscreen brightness boost that LG had previously cited for the G5. Measured in Vivid mode, the G5’s fullscreen brightness was 419 nits, a number closer to LG’s claim.
The G5’s color gamut coverage measured 99.6% for UHDA-P3 and 81.3% for BT.2020 in Filmmaker Mode. Those results are better than what we measured on the G4, and they match the Samsung S95D’s UHDA-P3 coverage.
The average Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for color accuracy was 1.2, which is excellent. (Any result under 3 is regarded as indistinguishable to the human eye.)
Given the LG G5’s high brightness, there was no need to dim the lights to make the picture look good – contrast, color saturation, and shadow detail all held up nicely even with my room’s overhead lighting on. That’s certainly not something you can say about all OLED TVs, which typically lag behind their mini-LED counterparts when it comes to brightness.
The new G5's new "four stack" OLED panel offers enhanced color performance over last year's G4 (Image credit: Future)
Even with the comparatively subtle Filmmaker Mode active, The Pitt (streamed via Max), a TV show that mostly takes place in a brightly lit hospital emergency room, looked staggeringly bright on the G5.
And darker shows such as Severance (on Apple TV+) could be watched in brighter room lighting conditions without losing black depth and shadow detail. That’s partially due to the TV’s anti-reflective layer, which manages to reduce screen glare without elevating black levels, but also its Filmmaker Mode Ambient Light setting, which uses the G5’s light sensor to adjust gamma (or PQ for programs with HDR) based on room lighting conditions.
Viewing the season 2 final episode of Severance, a scene where Mark S and Helly R chat furtively in the Lumon office showed off all the LG G5's best aspects. The background of the dark workspace was a deep, rich black, and the light from the data terminals bathed their faces with a striking blue and green glow. The refined shadow detail gave the picture a powerful sense of depth that, for me, really drove home the point of why you would spend top dollar for a premium OLED TV like the G5.
An LG G5 review from our colleagues at What Hi-Fi? cited an issue with streamed Dolby Vision movies and shows, resulting in posterization and blocky picture artifacts when watching dark scenes. My G5 review sample showed the same posterization on at least one movie, Alien: Romulus (streamed via Apple TV), though it wasn't an issue on other streamed dark Dolby Vision content I watched.
What Hi-Fi? later reported that an LG software update scheduled for a late April release fixes this Dolby Vision glitch, and after installing a pre-released version of that update, the posterization on Alien: Romulus disappeared, though it created other picture quality issues when streaming from the G5's Apple TV app, adding strange horizontal lines in some dark scenes.
Without these problems, the TV would score five stars for picture quality. These problems are very situational, which means I'm still happy giving the TV an overall score that marks it as best-in-class. Once we've fully tested the wide release version of LG's software update, we will update this review, and if these problems are removed as expected, I'll update this section.
The G5’s motion handling was impressive, with a reference clip from No Time to Die – in which James Bond traverses a rugged hillside cemetery as the camera pans along – showing only minimal judder and blur. This same scene can look downright wobbly on some TVs.
Enabling the TV's Cinematic Movement setting in the TruMotion menu effectively removed any residual motion artifacts without introducing a 'soap opera' effect.
Sports also looked great – the NCAA basketball championship aired during my time testing the G5 – with fast motion looking solid and the TV’s bright, contrast-rich picture bringing out the vivid colors of the players’ uniforms.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
LG G5 review: Sound quality
The G5's 1-inch-thin frame is designed for a flush-mount against a wall and the TV comes with wall-mounting hardware (Image credit: Future)
4.2-channel speaker system
Effective AI Sound Pro mode
Sound Wizard for creating custom sound preset
The LG G5’s built-in 4.2-channel speakers take things up a notch from the 2.2-channel array built into the LG C5. An AI Sound Pro mode provides a virtual 11.1.2-channel upmix that makes a clear difference in the spaciousness of soundtracks when watching movies, but it also thins out the bass.
While Dolby Atmos is supported on the G5, DTS formats, disappointingly, are not. This is a step backwards from the G4, which had DTS support – though this won't be a problem for people using an AV receivers, and some soundbar setups.
Similar to the TV’s Picture Wizard, a Sound Wizard guides you through the process of creating a customized sound preset. This is entirely optional, and this preset doesn’t work when the TV is connected to a soundbar.
A useful WOW Orchestra mode lets you combine the output of the TV’s speakers with the speakers of a compatible LG soundbar when used together, for a bigger overall soundstage.
The movies and TV shows I watched on the G5 all sounded good, with clear dialogue and good spatial positioning of effects, especially with the AI Sound Pro mode active. The sound could also go fairly loud without coming across as strained.
Even so, given how good the G5’s picture looks, it would be a shame not to pair it with one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars or dedicated home theater speakers.
Sound quality score: 4/5
LG G5 review: Design
An aluminum pedestal may be an extra cost option for the G5 (Image credit: Future)
Wall-mount hardware included
Optional pedestal stand
New, streamlined AI Magic Remote control
The G5 comes with wall-mounting hardware at all screen sizes, and a pedestal stand is available as an optional extra in the US. In the UK, you can choose if you want the stand or the mount in some sizes.
LG’s sturdy aluminum stand, which I used during my G5 review, allows for both an elevated height to accommodate a soundbar, or a lower height where the TV sits directly on the stand’s surface.
G5 TVs are designed to be wall-mounted, with the thin, 1-inch panel aligning perfectly flat against a wall like a picture frame when you use the dedicated mount.
The TV’s nearly non-existent bezel gives it an 'all-picture' look that adds to the art-like quality, and a connection panel located on the back with bottom and side-mounted ports, along with cable management hardware, lets you hook up sources without detracting from the neat look.
Connections on the G5 include four HDMI 2.1 inputs, an RF antenna input, three USB ports and an Ethernet port.
LG’s new AI Magic Remote for the G5 is more compact and streamlined than previous Magic Remotes, with a flat surface, a reduced button layout, and a smaller central scroll wheel. Unfortunately, not all regions get this new, mostly improved design, though it was included with my review sample in the US.
The UK still gets a design with channel buttons, though it does include new AI keys.
The new AI button provides quick Chatbot access, and there’s also a dedicated button to call up the TV’s ThinQ screen. I never really had a problem with the previous Magic Remote, but some users may prefer the more traditional design of this new version.
Design score: 4.5/5
LG G5 review: Smart TV and menus
LG's webOS 25 interface has been enhanced with multiple viewer profiles and picture settings that can be activated by voice (Image credit: Future)
webOS 25 smart interface
Always Ready feature with 'ambient mode' option
Quick Cards and Quick Menu for easy app and settings access
The G5 uses LG’s webOS 25 interface, which is one of the best smart TV systems going. Like other smart TV interfaces, the top third is dedicated to a promotional banner (in this case, one mostly directing you to the LG Channels free ad-supported TV portal), alas, but below that is a Quick Cards section that provides hubs for Sports, Games, Music, Home and more.
The Home Card hub provides information about connected wired and wireless sources, which can be accessed using the TV’s remote control. It also lets you connect to Google Home, Matter, and LG ThinQ smart devices, which can be controlled directly from the TV.
The order of apps in the home screen’s middle section can be edited according to which ones you use most, and there’s also a Live TV option that shows a grid of both broadcast TV channels pulled in by the best indoor antennas and ones available on the LG Channels portal.
An Always Ready feature that needs to be enabled in the General menu lets you display images (including from your personal photo library) when you’re not using the TV, including ones that can be generated using AI. When in Always Ready mode, the voice recognition and AirPlay/Chromecast remain active, so you don’t have to power it on to use those functions.
A very useful webOS feature is the Quick Menu, which appears as a transparent overlay on the screen’s left side that lets you select between picture and sound modes, among other settings. You can also access the TV’s AI Chatbot from here, which can be used to guide you through the G5’s many settings and features.
The TV’s AI Picture wizard can be useful for creating a preset that corresponds to your preferences, but I found that the one I dialed in was overly cool-looking for my preference, despite it theoretically following my preferences, and I stuck with Filmmaker Mode instead for most viewing.
While I generally found navigating the TV’s menus to be easy, and was satisfied with the wide range of options for adjusting picture and sound, I found it annoying that the new, redesigned Magic Remote control lacks an input button for switching sources.
It’s easy enough to do that by pressing the Home hub button on the remote and then navigating to a specific source, but input select is nonetheless a button that should be included on every TV remote.
Smart TV & menus score: 5/5
LG G5 review: Gaming
A Game Dashboard allows for easy gaming-related picture and sound adjustments (Image credit: Future)
Four HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync
9.2ms input lag (Boost mode)
LG TVs have fantastic gaming credentials, and the G5 continues in that tradition of the best gaming TVs. Its four HDMI ports support 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. Input lag measured in Game Optimizer mode with a Bodnar 4K input lag meter was 9.2ms in Boost mode, which is about as low as TVs get.
The G5’s Game Card Gamung Hub offers over 500 games and apps, including Nvidia GeForce Now and Luna. (Xbox Game Pass support is coming in the first half of 2025, according to LG.)
When in Game Optimizer mode, a Game Dashboard pop-menu provides quick access to a range of adjustments and presets, which can be selected without pausing the game you’re playing.
The brightness level of the G5 is great here, again, because it means its good for playing in the day time without severe mirrored reflections distracting from what you're trying to focus on.
Priced competitively with premium OLED competition
Step-down LG C5 OLED also excellent
Very good overall value
At $3,399/ £3,299 / AU$5,299 for the 65-inch model I tested, the LG G5 is priced higher than another 2025 premium OLED, the Samsung S95F, which has a similarly high brightness as the G5 plus a Glare-Free 2.0 screen that’s even more effective at eliminating reflections in bright rooms.
The G5 is also priced lower in the US than another 2025 premium OLED, the Sony Bravia 8 II, which will sell for $3,999 in a 65-inch screen size… however, in the UK, the Bravia 8 II is actually priced slightly lower than the 65-inch G5, just to mix things
If you don’t require super-high brightness and want to save some money, the LG C5 ($2,699 / £2,699 at 65 inches) is an excellent choice. The C5’s peak brightness is roughly half of what we measured on the G5, but it's full of features and its picture quality is still exceptional, especially when viewed in a light-controlled environment.
Given its fantastic all-around performance, great features, and more affordable cost compared to some of its high-end OLED competition, the G5 earns high ratings for value.
Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the LG G5?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want to watch in bright rooms The G5 OLED’s brightness rivals that of premium mini-LEDs. It also features an effective anti-glare screen and a Filmmaker Ambient Light Mode that compensates for brighter rooms without sacrificing picture accuracy.
You want a TV for wall-mounting With a slim, wall-hugging design, the G5 is specifically designed for wall-mounting and a specially designed bracket is provided.
You want a great TV for gaming With support for 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync, and an impressively low 9.1ms input lag, the G5 is about as good as gaming TVs get.
Don't buy it if…
You don’t want to use a soundbar The G5’s 4.2-channel speakers deliver more than adequate sound, but a TV this impressive should ideally be paired with a soundbar or external speakers for a complete experience.
You want HDR10+ support LG TVs support Dolby Vision, but not the HDR10+ high dynamic range format. That could be an issue if you have some 4K Blu-rays that include this format and not Dolby Vision.
You want to save money LG’s mid-range C5 series OLED TVs aren’t as bright as the G5 series, but they cost considerably less and also provide excellent picture quality and a great array of features.
LG G5 review: Also consider...
Samsung S95F We haven’t yet reviewed the Samsung S95F, butwehave seen it in action extensively and, like the G5, it combines an impressively bright OLED picture with effective anti-screen reflection tech. Initial US pricing for the S95F is also lower than for the G5.
LG C5 The C5 isn’t as bright as the G5, but it’s a great all-around TV that’s also feature-packed for the price, as we observed in our LG C5 review. This mid-range OLED is a good alternative if you don’t need its picture to stand out high ambient light viewing environments.
Sony Bravia 9 Sony’s flagship TV is about as premium as mini-LED gets, and we appreciated its bright yet refined picture and powerful sound in our Sony Bravia 9 review. Like the G5, it’s a pricey option, but a good choice if you prefer to not use a soundbar.
How I tested the LG G5
Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)
I spent about 20 hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests
When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments. I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software.
The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.
Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources.
For the LG G5, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.
The Mobapad N1 HD is a Nintendo Switch controller aimed towards more serious gamers, thanks to its versatile functionality and premium features.
It doesn’t look particularly spectacular, and it even lacks RGB lighting, a common feature on many third-party controllers. It does, however, look a little more distinct in its pink and purple colorway.
On close inspection, you can tell the N1 HD is built to a high standard, rivaling some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. The materials feel premium and the construction is solid, yet it’s also very light in the hand and comfortable to hold – although those with larger hands might find it a bit too small.
The buttons and sticks also feel great, offering a pleasing amount of dampening and smoothness for the most part. The N1 HD also comes with a USB cable for charging and wired play, although it’s quite short and isn’t braided, restricting its practicality.
The mobile app for the N1 HD includes various customization options, some of which are pretty detailed, such as custom curve profiles for the analog sticks. Certain adjustments can also be made using the settings and other buttons on the controller itself.
To game with, the N1 HD lives up to its promises. The Hall effect sticks are as smooth as you could want, and the buttons are satisfying and super responsive, especially the D-pad – no matter which of the two included hats you have attached. It’s a shame, however, that the triggers lack analog control when used with a PC or mobile.
Although I found it easy to connect to the Switch and PC, switching between them on the fly isn’t really viable, since repairing is required, although fortunately, this is an easy process. Connecting to Android is relatively simple too, although beware that you will need to connect to "Mobapad N1" rather than "Mobapad N1 HD" in the list of Bluetooth devices your phone finds.
The N1 HD is expensive, but so too are the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the 8BitDo Ultimate, two of the best Switch controllers out there. Like those pads, it’s a hugely capable controller and although it lacks analog triggers and seamless device switching, the N1 HD is worth your consideration all the same.
Mobapad N1 HD review: Price and availability
$74 (about £60 / AU$119)
Available now worldwide
Similarly priced to key rivals
The Mobapad N1 HD costs $74 (about £60 / AU$119) and is available now in three colorways: black, white, and pink with purple accents. Mobapad only lists USD prices on its website, but it does ship worldwide. It comes with two D-pad hats, a USB cable for charging and wired play, and a dongle for wireless PC connectivity.
If we judge it by its original price (we have seen it on sale at a considerable discount), it’s close to the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, although this controller lacks official support for other platforms, as well as extra buttons on the front and rear.
The N1 HD also costs about the same as the 8BitDo Ultimate, our pick as the best Nintendo Switch controller right now. This too has Hall effect sticks and multi-platform support, but unlike the N1 HD, the Ultimate comes with its own charging dock. However, it doesn’t have NFC support, so it can’t be used with Amiibo accessories.
Mobapad N1 HD review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
Mobapad N1 HD review: design and features
Solid yet lightweight build
Might be too small for some
Detailed mobile app
The N1 HD boasts a similar design to the best Xbox controllers: it even has the same distinctive D-pad design, although this is removable and can be swapped with a more traditional four-pronged unit included in the box. Due to these similarities, It looks rather unoriginal in its black and white colorways, but the pink and purple variant does help to set it apart somewhat.
However, the upside of this familiar form is the ergonomic benefit: it sits well in the hand, and the lightness makes it even more comfortable. It’s a little smaller than an Xbox Wireless Controller, though, which may be a problem for those with larger hands. And if you're a fan of the best PS5 controllers, then it might not be for you either. Despite its unsubstantial weight, it feels well constructed, with durable, premium-feeling plastics. The textured grips are a welcome touch too.
The USB-C port is easy to use thanks to its placement, although it isn’t recessed, which may be a cause for concern, but I didn’t find it prone to disconnecting while gaming. The included cable is a standard charging cable, without the braiding or length those included with many other controllers have, which does limit its practical usage.
The N1 HD has liquid silicone buttons, which Mobapad claims are more comfortable and more durable, while also improving consistency. Under the thumb, they certainly feel pleasant, but the dampening isn’t the best I’ve experienced, and the button caps aren’t the tightest, with some wobble to them. The shoulder buttons, however, feel better in both these aspects, but the triggers are a little too short for my liking.
The analog sticks are a highlight, with treaded edges to help improve grip, which they certainly do. I did find them to be a tad small, though, but those with smaller thumbs shouldn’t have a problem.
There are also two extra back buttons for customizable programming. While these are also quite small, they did suit my grip style, as my middle fingers naturally landed flush onto them.
Aside from the usual Switch buttons, you’ll also find a setting button, which can be used in conjunction with other inputs to perform various functions, from altering vibration intensity and toggling turbo modes to programming macros. These are complex for input-based functions; some controllers don’t even offer this level of customization in their software tools.
Speaking of which, the Mobapad mobile app offers even more tweaking potential, including the ability to remap buttons and set trigger modes on a per-button basis, with hold and loop options to choose from.
You can also change the dead zones and curve profiles of the analog sticks, with the latter adjusted via two points on a graph, freely draggable to create your own style, which is very involved. It’s a shame, however, that you can’t even view the battery level of the N1 HD in this app, which seems like a basic piece of information to omit.
Other features of the N1 HD include the ability to switch between Xinput, Dinput (for older games), Switch Pro input modes, and NFC support for Amiibo hardware. Currently, it’s not compatible with Mobapad’s PC software, but support is expected after March.
(Image credit: Future)
Mobapad N1 HD review: performance
Great buttons and sticks
No analog triggers
Device switching clunky
The N1 HD performs well. The face buttons are satisfying to use, with a good deal of accuracy and responsiveness. The D-pad has these qualities in even more abundance, with an even shorter actuation, making it great for rapid taps. It’s also easy to roll for quick consecutive inputs with either the circular or four-pronged hat installed. It is, however, very clicky, feeling more like a mouse button than a controller button, which may deter some gamers, but I found it satisfying to use.
Even more damped are the shoulder buttons, which have a softer feel but still provide a responsive input. However, since the N1 HD is a Switch controller first and foremost, the triggers lack analog capability, even when used with a PC. This is a shame when playing certain games, such as those involving driving or racing, since they lack the precise control these titles benefit from.
The analog sticks utilize Hall effect technology, which purportedly offers greater precision as well as preventing stick drift. I certainly found them precise and incredibly smooth to move in all directions, providing just the right amount of resistance to impart some useful feedback without being onerous. The N1 HD also supports motion controls, and again I found these accurate, tracking superbly.
In my experience, the rear M buttons were also easy to use, although they were less consistent in their responsiveness; their small size and short travel meant that they were hard to hit in the optimal place every time.
Connecting the N1 HD to your platform of choice is also very easy. During my test, it connected instantly to my Switch, as well as to my desktop when using the included USB dongle, making it just as amenable to the platform as some of the best PC controllers. However, hot-switching between wasn’t an option, as the N1 HD required re-pairing to each device, which is a shame for those who switch between the two regularly.
At first, I was unsuccessful in connecting the N1 HD to my Google Pixel 7a, although this was remedied when I realised that I needed to connect to "Mobapad N1" rather than "Mobapad N1 HD" in the list of found Bluetooth devices. Once paired, using the N1 HD with my phone was as easy and responsive as with other platforms.
I wasn’t able to test the battery life of the N1 HD to exhaustion, and considering the lack of battery information – none in the mobile app and only an LED indication on low battery – I couldn’t gauge how much I had left. I can say, though, that it lasted for several days of use without showing a low battery warning.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Mobapad N1 HD?
Buy it if...
You want an Xbox-style controller The Xbox design is a popular one for good reason: it offers just about the best ergonomics around, and the N1 HD is all the better for following its lead.
You want multi-platform support Although the N1 HD is primarily a Switch controller, it also works with PC and mobile devices, both wired and wirelessly.
Don't buy it if...
You have large hands Despite its high levels of comfort, the overall form of the N1 HD is quite small, as are the sticks, triggers, and rear M buttons.
You want analog triggers Despite being compatible with platforms other than the Switch, the N1 HD doesn’t have analog triggers, which won’t be ideal for certain games.
Also consider...
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller As one of the console’s official controllers, the Switch Pro Controller is unsurprisingly one of the best, offering more features and functionality than the stock Joy Con controllers. We found it comfortable to hold and were taken by its excellent D-pad. And although its original price is relatively high, it can often be found at a discount. Read our Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review.
8BitDo Ultimate The 8BitDo Ultimate is our number pick as the best Switch controller, thanks to its great price, performance, feature set, and comfort levels. It also comes with its own charging dock, which is very convenient. However, unlike the N1 HD, there’s no NFC for Amiibo support, but this is about the only drawback. Read our 8BitDo Ultimate review.
How I tested the Mobapad N1 HD
Tested for several days
Used on Switch and PC
Plentiful gaming experience
I tested the N1 HD for several days, during which time I used it on Switch and PC, both wired and wirelessly. I tried to use it on two Android phones but failed to connect with either.
I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which provides a thorough test for any controller, given the demands it places on all manner of inputs, from the face buttons to the analog sticks and motion controls. On PC, I played Art of Rally to test the triggers and sticks, and Tekken 8, which is great for testing button responsiveness. On my Android phone I played Alien: Isolation and Asphalt Legends Unite.
I have been gaming for over 25 years, and during that time I have experienced a large number of controllers across a myriad of platforms. I play on consoles, including the Switch, as well as PC, both of which I use controllers with.
Like any decent work of art, the new Creative Pebble Nova will mean different things to different people. TechRadar's audio editor Becky Scarrott said they looked like Magic 8-Balls, or lawn bowls with audio credentials – and she meant that as high praise. My partner thought they looked like an overly-elaborate microphone set up. I saw them more as delightful flotsam from an alien spacecraft, which had found its way to my desk.
However you look at it, the Pebble Nova speakers are a novel-looking new audio set-up fitting to strut their way onto our list of the best desktop speakers (and possibly even the best stereo speakers) on fashion chops alone.
The proposition doesn't need to rely on its good looks to get by, though. These speakers sound great, with defined bass, a high max volume and selection of enhancement features that make a marked difference to the norm for the money. They're elevated from your desk to create a much more immersive surround-sound effect and use coaxial drivers to refine the audio they deliver.
You'll find, though, that they cost a fair amount of aforementioned money. As the newest in Creative's line of affordable Pebble computer speakers, you'd think they might adhere to the affordable end of the market, but they're fairly premium in price. Not bank-breaking, but definitely enough to think twice about.
Maybe not twice actually, perhaps thrice. The Pebble Nova take a fair amount of set-up, with Creative channeling its inner Ikea with how much construction is needed. They also require a fair bit of space due to their design, so you'll need to make sure your desk is relatively large and uncluttered for them.
All that said, if you do decide you have the space, money and patience for them, the Creative Pebble Nova are a great set of computer speakers, regardless of what kind of audio you need them to play.
Creative Pebble Nova review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in December 2024
Mid-range at $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95
The Creative Pebble Nova were released in December 2024, as the latest entry in Creative’s Pebble line-up of desktop speakers. They are, by a significant margin, the most expensive.
You can pick up the Creative Pebble Nova for $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95 (although fair warning: they’re out of stock in several of the regions I checked). That ain’t cheap, especially when you consider that the next most expensive members of the Pebble family, the Pebble X, cost $89.99 / £84.99 / AU$169.95.
At that price, there’s no doubt that these are premium speakers. There are only a few entries on our list of the best computer speakers that cost more, although admittedly those cost a lot more, so if you want premium speakers but don’t want to hand over your life savings for them, these could be a good option.
As audiophiles will know, though, you can spend a lot more on high-spec speakers, up to ten times as much.
Creative Pebble Nova review: Specs
Creative Pebble Nova review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
USB, Bluetooth and AUX connections
Creative App brings ways to customize audio
Acoustic Engine brings some useful features
The Creative Pebble Nova offer three ways to connect to your chosen device. First up is with a 3.5mm jack, which will let you play music but won’t let you customize it via the Creative App (more on that later). Second is Bluetooth, with the Nova supporting Bluetooth 5.3 to various devices including phones, computers and games consoles. Thirdly is with USB, which is what I did for the majority of this review. In the box is a USB-C to USB-C cable but if, like me, your PC only has USB-A ports, you can buy cheap adaptors online.
If you connect via Bluetooth or USB, the Creative App (available on mobile and PC) is a no-brainer. It offers the ability to change the Nova’s LED lighting effects, an equalizer along with loads of presets, the ability to switch which of the speakers is the left and right one and the promisingly-titled Acoustic Engine.
Take my advice: when you first set up the Pebble Nova, go to the Acoustic Engine page and turn everything on. It includes features like audio upscaling, dialogue enhancement and virtual surround-sound, all of which have marked improvements on the way the speakers sound. I regret that I was already weeks into the testing process before I bothered to open this page!
Features score: 4.5/5
Creative Pebble Nova review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Bowling balls on stalks
Takes up lots of space
Time-consuming set-up process
How do you describe the design of the Creative Pebble Nova? Are they eyeballs on stalks? Alien command consoles? Magic 8-Balls? If you’re able, check out the review pictures because they’ll do better justice to the odd look of the Nova than my Creative Writing degree ever could. If you can’t see them, then… they’re basically giant spheres, held up from a circular base by a thin dowel.
It’s certainly a unique look taking the spherical-ish looks of other Pebble devices and literally elevating it. But it has a second advantage: the speakers themselves are higher than computer speakers generally are, which means ‘surround sound’ audio actually does surround you, as it’s at ear level (with the 45-degree point of the speakers also helping).
You can pick the Novas up in black, as you see in the images, and in a chic white-and-bronze model too.
I can see this design being a bit divisive but I didn’t mind it (I also spent lots of the review period with them hidden by my second screen). However there are two issues too.
(Image credit: Future)
Firstly, these take up a lot of space. Said space is at a premium when it comes to the desk upon which I use my desktop computer, and I found it quite hard to accommodate the Pebble Nova given the dimensions of both the speakers and my London apartment – it’s why the images accompanying this review are of my laptop, because my desk was too cluttered with the Creatives on it!
The second thing to note is that the Pebble Nova take quite a bit of setting up: not only do you need to go through all the usual cable rigamarole of desktop speakers, but you also have to attach the dowels to the stands and those to the speakers. This was admittedly easier than your average Ikea project, but it still took a little while to accomplish (I should note, you don’t have to elevate the speakers if you don’t want, and can attach them straight to a stand).
On the primary– ‘orb’? – you get several ports: the USB-C power delivery port, another USB-C port to connect to your computer, and the 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as the cable which runs to the other speaker. You also get a range of buttons for volume, power, connection and more.
The speakers have LED lights which you can program using the app, although they’re not huge or bright and I didn’t really notice them during everyday PC use.
Design score: 4/5
Creative Pebble Nova review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
1-inch driver + 3-inch woofer
Exuberant, clear bass and mids
Unnecessarily-high max volume
Each of the Creative Pebble Nova speakers packs both a 1-inch tweeter with a 3-inch woofer in a coaxial set-up.
I'm used to PC speakers being good for certain tasks and struggling with other ones (a set-up that's great for music might struggle for the range of sounds needed for gaming, or be poorly-tuned for YouTube videos, for example) but I was pleasantly surprised at how the Creative was a jack of all trades.
I say 'pleasantly surprised' because it wasn't necessarily expected. The presence of a woofer gives away that the Pebble Nova has a distinctly energetic sound profile, with plentiful bass. However these lower tones are well-defined and clear, instead of being overpowering and thumping like some bassy speakers can be.
This meant I could enjoy different kinds of music but then could listen to spoken-word audio without low voices having an unnatural rumble to them, an issue I've faced before.
(Image credit: Future)
Treble is a little less bright than it could be, but I quickly fixed this in the Creative App with some quick equalizer tweaking.
The Creative Pebble Nova is great for the kind of sound stage or surround-sound audio that really benefits immersive gaming. This is because the elevated height of the speaker poles, plus their being angled upwards at 45 degrees, means that audio is a lot closer to ear-level than your standard desktop speakers.
The result is a marked improvement in immersion: the tweeting of birds, the sound of wind in trees, the repeated taunting of a dangerous bandit I was unsuccessfully trying to run away from, all felt well-placed around me during gaming sessions. The effect was definitely more pronounced than on other desktop speakers I've tried, which sit lower than your ear level.
According to Creative, the Pebble Nova has a whopping 100W power output for high volumes. Since I have neighbors, I didn't test quite how loud it goes, but it definitely reached (and could easily exceed) my needs. Why you'd need incredibly-loud speakers for your desktop, presumably within half a meter of you, isn't quite clear, but it means that they can double as general party speakers if you prefer.
Sound quality: 4.5/5
Creative Pebble Nova review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Not a viable option for people on a tight budget
Other Pebbles may appeal to money-conscious buyers
While the overall Pebble line of Creative desktop speakers is known for offering great value for money, that's naturally less true of the Nova, as premium equipment always offers incremental returns for the price.
The Nova are good, but you're paying for it, as they're not cheap (at least, by Creative standards, although you can easily find countless pricier alternatives). They're not poor value for money, but they're not as much an obvious bargain as other Pebbles. That said, if I had the expendable income, I'd buy them – so take from that what you will.
Value: 4/5
Should I buy the Creative Pebble Nova?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if…
You like the look of them Fan of the way the Novas look? Then you should go for them, as you'll be hard-pressed to find anything quite as distinctive.
You're particular about your audio The Creative app's equalizer, and Acoustic Engine options, will let picky listeners fine-tune the way the speakers sound more so than some rivals.
Don’t buy them if…
You think they look silly If you prefer your desktop speakers to speak only through the drivers instead of the fashion statement, you best check out other options.
You've got limited space I have a medium-sized desk and I had to remove some decorations to fit the Pebble Nova, so if you're short on desk real estate, these might not fit.
Creative Pebble Nova review: Also consider
Creative Pebble Plus There are plenty of cheaper Creative Pebble desktop speakers on the market including the Plus, which we said will give you "more than your money’s worth".
Vigilant Audio SwitchOne Of the two options in our best desktop speakers round-up that have a similar price to the Pebbles, the Vigilants are the most recent. They have a pretty 'standard' design but sound great to listen to.
The testing process of the Creative Pebble Nova was over a month.
For most of that time, I tested the Nova alongside my Windows desktop PC, with the speakers on my desk. I also tested it paired via Bluetooth to my phone and, for a short while, connected to my Windows laptop (as pictured).
I used my PC as normal during the month which includes my day job, various other types of work, watching TV shows and YouTube videos, streaming lots of music and playing video games.
I have over six years' experience testing gadgets for TechRadar which includes other desktop speakers, audio products (including from Creative) and other types of tech.
This is going to be a quick one because there just isn’t much to say about the Acer Nitro NGR300. As a PC and mobile controller, it probably would’ve made a decent purchase had it been released close to a decade ago. Around that time, there was much less in the way of wireless controller options, and they didn’t nearly have the feature sets we take for granted today.
At face value, it isn’t a horrible controller. I quite like its aesthetic, and it performs perfectly well while gaming - feeling responsive whether you’re wired via USB-C or wireless via Bluetooth. A word of warning, though; Bluetooth is the only wireless option here, so you may need to source a Bluetooth adapter separately in the case your setup doesn't have it built in.
In 2025, however, there isn’t much of a reason to purchase the Acer Nitro NGR300. And perhaps the brand knows this, too, as it only seems to be available in the UK (at least at the time of writing). When it comes to the best PC controllers, there are so many options that cost the same or are cheaper than the Nitro - while simultaneously offering contemporary features like Hall effect sticks, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and more.
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Nitro NGR300: Price and availability
List price: £49.99
Limited to UK-only availability
There are cheaper options available with more features
Much like the Acer Predator controller, the Acer Nitro NGR300 only appears to be available in the UK. However, it’s £20 cheaper than the Predator, coming in at £49.99. If you’re purchasing from abroad, you’re looking at roughly $64.99 / AU$100. The trade-off here is that the Nitro lacks the 2.4GHz connectivity and Nintendo Switch compatibility of its counterpart.
That being said, it’s still very difficult to recommend the Nitro when competing models like the GameSir T4 Kaleid ($41.99 / £41.99) and the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller ($29.99 / £24.99) come in much cheaper. With these, you’re also getting more features. In the Kaleid’s case, you’ve got drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and tactile microswitch buttons. For the Ultimate C, while lacking Hall effect, it makes up for it with 2.4GHz connectivity and Nintendo Switch compatibility as well as PC and mobile.
Acer Nitro NGR300: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Nitro NGR300: Design and features
Simple, yet cool look
Cheap-feeling build quality
Turbo button function works as you’d expect
I do quite like the look of the Acer Nitro NGR300. While certainly an understated design, the subtly textured pattern bearing the ‘Nitro’ emblem is a really nice touch. Acer clearly knows how to do a lot with a little when it comes to overall looks, and it’s easily my favorite thing about this gamepad.
(Image credit: Future)
That’s about where the positives end when it comes to design and features, sadly. Overall build quality feels cheap and overly plasticky; a letdown even with that relatively budget-friendly price tag.
Sticks and face buttons both feel solid, in fairness, but I’m not at all a fan of the incredibly mushy D-pad that leads to some imprecise inputs. The bumpers and triggers are also relatively wide, with the latter also feeling quite listless when pressed.
The standout feature here is certainly the dedicated Turbo button. If you’ve used the feature on other controllers - which lets you assign a button to hold for continuous inputs - then it’s the same here. It’s certainly handy for old-school beat ‘em ups and action RPGs (role-playing games), but by no means is it the unique selling point it may have been all those years ago.
Acer Nitro NGR300: Performance
Performs adequately in both wired and wireless modes
It’s a Bluetooth controller, but it’s not compatible with Switch
Relies on AA batteries for wireless play
Once more, there’s not much to write home about in terms of performance with the Acer Nitro NGR300. As a standard controller experience, it is comparable to similarly basic pads like the Xbox Wireless Controller, albeit lacking the strong comfort factor of that model.
(Image credit: Future)
In my testing, which included PC and mobile games like Final Fantasy 14 Online, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Zenless Zone Zero, I found the Nitro to be perfectly suitable for a variety of genres. It was also impressively responsive when used wirelessly over Bluetooth connection on mobile. I’d still argue that the best mobile controllers are better suited to gaming on the go, but the Nitro is serviceable in this regard.
The big sticking point for me - besides the lack of 2.4GHz connectivity - is that the Nitro relies on AA batteries for power. While not entirely unheard of in the present day (it’s also the default option for the Xbox Wireless Controller), I much prefer having a built-in battery that can charge up via USB-C.
Acer claims you’ll get up to 25 hours of battery life (as it did with the Predator), but this will naturally vary depending on the brand. With the included Energizer batteries, I managed to get around 15-20 hours of play.
Should I buy the Acer Nitro NGR300?
Buy it if...
You have an abundance of AA batteries lying around On average, the Nitro’s battery life is actually quite decent, lasting longer than some models including the 8BitDo Ultimate C. If you regularly use AA batteries for various devices and have a lot of them, then the Acer Nitro is a decent pickup.
Don't buy it if...
You’d prefer a controller with more modern features The Acer Nitro lacks several features we take for granted today, such as Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, Switch / console compatibility, a built-in charging solution, or 2.4GHz connectivity.
Also consider...
Not sold on the Acer Nitro NGR300? There are at least a couple of better and more affordable alternatives out there, such as…
Horipad Turbo A solid alternative to the Acer Nitro that offers most of its features for less. You’re getting a Turbo button here and, while not wireless, has Nintendo Switch compatibility and comes in a range of fun designs.
GameSir Nova Lite Simply one of the best budget controllers on the market today. The Nova Lite offers a range of connection types as well as Hall effect thumbsticks, a beautiful design and Switch compatibility alongside mobile and PC.
Tested for 15-20 hours (the time it took for the AA batteries to run out of juice)
Tested across PC and mobile games
Compared to the GameSir Nova Lite and Horipad Turbo
I tested the Acer Nitro NGR300 controller over a period of about 15-20 hours in total, after which the included Energizer AA batteries ran out. I primarily played on PC, which is its primary platform, having been unable to connect the controller to my Nintendo Switch. That said, Acer does not list the Switch as a supported platform, but as a Bluetooth device, I figured it was worth a try.
I compared my time with the Acer Nitro to that of its companion controller, the Acer Predator, as well as the GameSir Nova Lite and Horipad Turbo - all three of which I ended up preferring over this model. That’s due to a range of factors, including better features, compatibility, and connectivity options being available in the competition.
The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel is an officially licensed, direct drive, 11Nm force feedback-enabled racing wheel that comes in variants compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. For this review, I've been testing the PlayStation model.
Designed for serious sim racing, it combines extreme analog fidelity with rock-solid build quality and easy-to-reach button placement compared to the previous model, the Logitech G923. In use, the experience is enhanced through mechanical feedback not just from your virtual wheels, but from your engine too, thanks to Logitech's Trueforce technology, absolutely transforming games like Gran Turismo 7 and EA Sports WRC.
The wheel is not compatible with every racing game, and while it does feature a G923 compatibility mode for slightly older games, it can still be a pain getting it to work properly with PC games like rFactor 2. What isn't a pain, however, is setting it up for console play, with supreme plug-and-play simplicity on PS5, boosted further by an excellent attachable desk clamp for those lacking a full sim rig.
With gorgeous build quality, noticeably quiet running, and thumb-risking force feedback strength, this is a recommended solution for a console sim racer, just as long as you've got pockets deep enough to at least get the Pro pedals with it.
(Image credit: Future)
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Price and availability
List price:$999.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,799.95
A PC-only version is available for $749.99 / £799 (around AU$1,630)
Logitech offers regional discounts when bundled with related products
The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel has been available since September 21, 2022, costing a shade under $1,000 / £1,000, and that's just for the wheel alone. You'll need to pair it with the Pro Racing Pedals for about $350 / £350, plus you might need a sequential shifter and/or handbrake too (plus a frame to mount it all to) if you're really serious about sim racing. However, while all direct drive wheels are expensive, Logitech's force feedback here is noticeably stronger and has greater fidelity than, for instance, MOZA's PC-only, entry-level DD offering, which offers 5Nm for the base model.
Logitech's baby is also cheaper than Fanatec's flagship DD wheelbase, the Podium Wheel. You could also argue nobody really needs 25Nm of torque like Fanatec offers; 5Nm is plenty for a good racing feel, and the Logitech Pro Racing Wheel offers more than double that, at 11Nm, as well as advanced features like a quick-release system for changing wheel rims and a small built-in screen for adjusting wheel settings on the fly. So while it doesn't have the physical grunt of the best on the market, it's more than enough for what you'll need and the build quality and realistic feedback are worthy of the price, even if it would be more of a no-brainer if it were some £200 / $200 cheaper.
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Specs
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Design and features
New 'thumb sweep' button orientation
Two dials plus left digital thumbstick
Modular design for desk clamp
The wheel rim itself is not dissimilar to the outgoing G923 it replaces, however the button placement has been optimized. X and Triangle are a little bit of a stretch with your thumb tips when the wheel is held in the racing style 9 o'clock / 3 o'clock position, but L2 and R2 are easily reachable.
The share and menu buttons don't require your hands to leave the wheel to reach them, though they are tucked down further. They also flank the two dials, which are placed 90 degrees to each other, so one is best used with your left hand's fingers, while the other is best used with your right thumb. Both dials click in as additional 'push' buttons you can map in-game.
A particular standout feature is the removable logo plate at the bottom of the wheelbase, which can be replaced with the included desk clamp. Not all high-end sim racing wheels come with a desk clamp, but with the addition of two protruding flat-edged sections of plastic, the wheelbase grips any desk remarkably well.
(Image credit: Future)
So well, in fact, you can easily dial up the force feedback without any risk of it coming away and flapping about, destroying your desk and/or computer. It's very solid and an absolute joy to use with pedals under the desk, backed up against the wall so they don't skid as you fight against the loadcell brake pedal to get your car stopped for a hairpin.
In terms of comfort, the stitching on the rim does feel rough against your thumbs, especially when you've spent hours rallying with the force feedback strength turned up. Expect red palms and calluses if you're planning to fight the car through stages for hours. That aside, the wheel is a good size, feels like a premium product, and those magnetic shifters look, feel, and sound great.
You may be interested in getting a different rim (the wheel part you hold) at some point in the future because the included rim is a little plain compared to Fanatec's McLaren GT3 wheel, or Thrustmaster's Ferrari SF1000, for example, the latter of which features a large, full-color display in its center.
This Logitech wheel doesn't even have any lights on the rim itself, let alone a screen for data. It's just a high-quality steering wheel with great control layout and feel. Logitech does have more rims coming to take advantage of that quick-release system, but nothing obviously electronics-heavy has been shown yet.
(Image credit: Future)
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Performance
Surprisingly quiet operation
Super smooth force feedback
Incredibly low latency
If you've used strong force feedback wheels in the past, you might be used to quite a lot of noise from the motor and the fans. However, neither phenomenon is exhibited here. There is a fan inside to keep the feedback motor cool, and naturally, that will be needed the longer you use it and the higher the strength is set. But it wasn't noticeable at any point of my playtest, and you're not blasted with weird-smelling air like you are with some other wheelbases, which is very welcome.
As for the force feedback itself, you don't get the 'cogging' feeling of a belt-driven system where the teeth connect unevenly with the belt; instead, you simply feel strong forces pulling against your hands. It's brilliantly done. Trundle down a straight and you'll feel the slight grain of the asphalt, drive down a muddy lane and you'll feel every bump. And hitting a high curb gives you a real kickback through your hands.
But perhaps the best use of the feedback tech is how it feels to rev your rally car on the startline of EA Sports WRC. You'll swear there's an engine under your palms. It's beautifully done.
(Image credit: Future)
But what also stands out is just how responsive it all is. Waggle the steering wheel and your on-screen hands match your movements incredibly quickly, looking like 1:1 movement in some situations, with just the merest hint of latency if you see-saw the wheel quickly while using a PC monitor.
It's among the best I've ever seen and feels ultra-responsive as a result. Logitech's Trueforce technology makes supported games feel remarkable just to feel the car in motion, even when you're not turning.
There really isn't much more the wheel could do to make you feel like you're in contact with a real road. It's superb. And if you find these environmental effects too bitty, there are smoothing options and most games even let you reduce or disable track effects. However you want your racing to feel, it can likely be done with this wheel.
Should I buy the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel?
Buy it if...
You play serious racing games but prefer to do it on console If you just want the absolute best-feeling console racing experience and balk at PC gaming's tendency towards tinkering, this is absolutely for you. It just works brilliantly.
You don't have a racing seat/frame so need to mount your wheel to a desk The included desk clamp and base design is so good, that it arguably feels as good as a bucket seat frame rig if you're in a comfortable office chair.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a budget This is seriously expensive stuff and don't forget you need to buy the pedals too. Cheaper wheels do offer force feedback effects that push against your hands as you bump into cars etc. so you don't need to spend as much as the price of a real-life second-hand car.
You want to buy just one wheel for all your consoles This wheel only comes in PlayStation/PC, Xbox/PC, or PC-only flavors. You can't just use a different rim for Xbox like you can with some other brands' PlayStation wheelbases, like Fanatec.
Also consider...
Not sure whether you should drop so much on a flagship wheel? Here’s how it compares to two cheaper, but still great alternatives.
Thrustmaster T598 This Thrustmaster wheel is compatible with PS5/PS4 and PC and is the current best entry point into direct drive sim racing on console. 5Nm is often said to be the sweet spot for force feedback strength, so while it isn't as strong as others on the market, the smooth, 'cogless' feel of this wheel provides a similar experience but at about half the price. It is comparatively plasticky, but if you want premium materials, you'll need to pay a premium price.
Logitech G923 This is a great alternative for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 gamers becauseit's so much cheaper - and even comes with decent pedals - yet still features Logitech's TrueForce technology. It isn't Direct Drive, however, and the comparatively paltry 2.3Nm of force isn't going to jump out of your hands through brute strength, but even so you will enjoy a precise and dynamic sim racing experience without breaking the bank.
How I tested the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for PlayStation
100% completed My First Gran Turismo and played several other racing sims on PS5
Moved over to PC to test rFactor 2, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project CARS 3 and more
Played with an at-desk clamp and monitor setup, and also a full racing seat frame with Viewsonic ultra-wide gaming monitor
I tested the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for a week across several racing sims on PS5 and PC, including EA Sports WRC, F1 23 and F1 24, Dirt Rally 2.0, Gran Turismo 7, My First Gran Turismo, and rFactor 2, among others. Completing My First Gran Turismo from scratch to 100% was an absolute blast since you can feel everything the car is doing.
I mounted the wheel to a racing seat and played using a ViewSonic VP3881A 38-inch IPS WQHD+ ultrawide monitor for wonderfully immersive PC racing. I also mounted it to a desk and played on a 32-inch 4K Samsung R550UQP monitor using a launch model PS5, as well as with a Dell Nvidia RTX 2070-enabled gaming laptop.
I also tried playing less serious games like Disney Speedstorm (which didn't recognize the wheel at all on PS5) and the amazing New Star GP, which you can drive to some extent, but can't do the pit stops since the left stick isn't analog. But the most fun of all was undoubtedly EA Sports WRC on PS5, which feels like it was made specifically for this wheel.
