Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: 30-second review
The Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer is an accomplished, premium air fryer which provides solid cooking performance in a space-saving design.
It finds itself in a currently small sub-market of air fryers, with only a handful of rivals also offering the dual-stack baskets on offer here. The leader, and our current best air fryer, is the similarly priced Ninja Double Stack XL.
Both of these models offer a large cooking capacity (across two baskets), without the wider footprint you get with the traditional, side-by-side baskets design.
(Image credit: Future)
The Philips beats the Ninja in a couple of key ways. First up, its baskets have windows and a light, allowing you to keep an eye on the food you’re cooking without having to open the basket to check.
Secondly, the controls on the Philips 4000 Series are easier to see, and more intuitive to use, taking the hassle out of working out functions, temperatures and cooking times.
What’s not quite as good though are the quick start instructions when you take the air fryer out of the box for the first time, and the full manual is only accessible via a smartphone app.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s also only available in one colorway; black and gold. It’s a bold choice and it does look smart — although it won’t be to everyone’s taste, nor will it sit as well in traditionally-styled kitchens.
Cooking performance is solid though, and it was able to handle the various meat, vegetables and sweet treats I threw at it.
For those looking for a stylish, statement air fryer that also delivers versatility and practicality, and are willing to pay a bit more for the privilege, I would recommend the Philips 4000 Series.
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: price and availability
£269.99 / AU$449 list price makes it one of the most expensive air fryers
But it’s regularly discounted by around £100 / AU$100
Available in the UK and Australia, but not in the US
With a list price of £269.99 / AU$449 (about $360), the Philips 4000 Series Dual Stack is one of the most expensive air fryers on the market, but do keep an eye out for discounts.
I've seen it reduced to £169.99 at Amazon UK, Currys and John Lewis in the past, and AU$349 at Amazon Australia, making this double drawer air fryer a far more tempting proposition for families looking for a large capacity cooker.
That’s the same list price as the excellent Ninja Double Stack XL which we gave five stars to, but considerably more expensive than the £149.99 Tower Vortx XL Dual Stack.
This model is available in Europe and Australia, but is not on sale in the US.
Value score: 4/5
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: specifications
Review Model
NA462/79
Number of baskets
2
Number of cooking programs
6
Cooking programs
Frozen potato based snacks, steak, fish, vegetables, chicken, reheat
Extra functions
Shake reminder
Smart control
No
Wattage
2750W
Capacity
10L
Temperature range
40-200 degrees C
Time range
1-60 minutes
Dimensions (H x W x D)
15.7 x 9 x 18.5 inches / 40 x 23 x 47cm
Dishwasher-safe
Yes
Weight
20lbs / 9.1kg
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: design
The Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket brings a premium black and gold aesthetic to challenge Ninja’s market-leading air fryer. It’s a striking look, and one that might divide opinion. It’ll look great in a modern kitchen that uses one of the two colors. With my white countertops and blue cabinets, it certainly stands out on the work surface. The glossy, reflective front of the fryer is also a bit of a dust- and fingerprint-magnet, and needs regular wiping to keep it looking fresh.
I was pleased to see both 5L baskets and their base plates were dishwasher safe, making cleaning up after cooking much easier (although the handles of the baskets do collect water). A damp cloth is all that’s needed for the exterior of the machine, and a soft brush to gently clean the heating element.
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Another nice touch, and something the Ninja doesn’t provide, is a cooking window on each basket, and an interior light, allowing you to keep an eye on the food inside. I much prefer air fryers with windows, as it helps me gauge when I need to shake or turn food.
It’s especially useful to see what’s going on without opening the baskets and pausing the cooking when you're first getting used to new air fryer, and starting to understand cooking times. It’s not an exact science and each air fryer is different, so the windows are a great visual aid.
There aren’t any accessories included in the box, unlike the Ninja Double Stack, which comes with a pair of stainless steel racks, doubling the usable space in its baskets.
You’ll want to be mindful of what food you’re cooking too, as both baskets have holes on their rear wall for air circulation. That means anything particularly wet could ooze out of the back and into the machine.
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What didn’t impress was the setup instructions, or lack thereof. You get an IKEA-style, printed pictorial guide in the box that covers the absolute bare minimum, but stops short of providing any explanations, details or cooking tips. Even IKEA instructions are better than these.
For the full details you are forced to download Philips’ free HomeID app, where you can register your air fryer and then access the full manual, along with cooking guides and recipes. The tips and tricks articles, along with the recipes are nicely presented and easy to follow.
It’s disappointing the same care hasn’t been given to the manual, which is just a PDF file requiring much scrolling and zooming on a phone to be able to read it. A printed copy would be far more useful, or even a digitized version with page-turning and a search feature.
(Image credit: Future)
A quirk of this particular air fryer design sees the air exhaust located on the left of the appliance, and you are warned not to position this side of the air fryer within six inches / 15cm of a wall to prevent overheating, or close to any food products. You’ll need to have a quick think about where you’ll be placing the Philips 4000 Series before committing to the purchase.
Thankfully, once plugged in the air fryer is easy to use. The touch-sensitive controls come to life with rear illumination on the large, glossy black section above the baskets. The layout and labelling are clear, making for an intuitive experience — unlike some air fryers I’ve used where the buttons aren’t always so self explanatory.
Design score: 4.5/5
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: performance
Sync and copy functions make using both baskets together easier
Six preset cooking programs, but temperature and time can easily be adjusted
The Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer does well to provide a premium cooking experience.
You get six preset modes — frozen potato-based snacks, steak, fish, vegetables, chicken, and reheat — which give you a set time and temperature. You can fine tune these, and you'll probably find yourself adjusting these the more you use the air fryer and get an understanding of how long, and at what temperature, different foods require.
Copy and sync are both handy functions. Copy allows you to match the temperature and time settings for one basket, to the other. This saves you having to go through the setup process a second time, and it’s a handy time-saver if you’re cooking an extra large portion of fries for the whole family.
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Sync is my personal favorite though, allowing me to set each basket to a different duration and temperature, but have them both finish at the same time. It’s easy to set up, and works very well.
There’s a shake reminder too, which has the machine beep during through cooking to have you slide out a basket and give the contents a toss to ensure even frying. For longer cook times, you’ll get multiple shake reminders. You can turn off this reminder though, which is useful when you’re using the air fryer for baking.
Another nice touch is the fact Philips says you don’t need to preheat the air fryer, meaning you can toss food into the baskets right away and get cooking.
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Using the frozen potato-based snacks program, I loaded a basket with 18oz / 500g and set it going, at 390 Fahrenheit / 200 Celsius for 26 minutes. I was prompted to shake the basket twice, with 13 and seven minutes remaining.
The fries cooked well enough, with a crispy exterior and fluffy middle, but they didn’t brown as much as I’d like. Adding a few more minutes to the cooking time will get you a darker color and crispier finish.
I also tried cooking fresh fries in the air fryer. The manual (accessible via the app) suggests chopping potatoes into fries and then soaking them in water for 10 minutes. Once I had gently patted the excess water from the fries I added a splash of oil and popped them into the basket.
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Results were similar to the frozen fries — they could have done with a few more minutes to gain color and extra crispiness, but they cooked well overall.
I was impressed with the baking prowess of the Philips 4000 Series as I used both baskets to cook chocolate muffins and a blueberry loaf simultaneously. Both bakes rose nicely, and produced a bouncy sponge.
Similarly to the fries, the muffins stayed quite light in color, as they missed the darkening you’d get in a conventional oven.
I put the dual-basket setup to the test once again when I cooked sausages and vegetables, which needed different cook durations. Thankfully, the time sync feature worked well here, with both baskets completing cooking at the same time, allowing me to focus on the mash and gravy.
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The sausages were evenly cooked, while the broccoli had a delightful crunch to it. I par-boiled the carrots for a few minutes before adding them to the basket with the broccoli, to allow them to cook at the same rate.
A quick word of warning, the top of the Philips 4000 Series gets the warmest while cooking, and I measured temperatures of over 140 Fahrenheit / 60 Celsius during operation. Make sure you don’t leave anything sitting on top of the air fryer, and for those of you who have low-hanging wall units in your kitchen, be mindful of having enough space between them and the top of this air fryer.
Performance score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer?
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer report card
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
It’s one of the most expensive on the market, but you get a premium air fryer with a space-saving design and slick looks.
4/5
Design
This is an air fryer that makes a statement and looks the part on the counter top. Plus, its stacked baskets means it takes up less valuable prep space.
4.5/5
Performance
Performance across cooking programs is solid, though you will need to experiment to get optimal results for some foods.
4.5/5
Buy it if
You want capacity, but don’t have much workspace
The clever stacked design of this Philips 4000 Series air fryer means it takes up less counter space than most of its rivals, leaving you more room for prep and plating.
You want a stylish air fryer
The Philips 4000 Series has a bold design. The black and gold finish might not be to everyone’s taste, but it makes a statement and looks good on the countertop..
You want to keep an eye on your food
I love the basket windows and lights here, as they let you keep track of how your food is getting on without interrupting the process by pulling out a basket.
Don’t buy it if
You want to cook large items
While the overall capacity of the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer is 10L, it’s split into two 5L baskets. That makes it great for cooking two different foods simultaneously, but you’re not fitting a whole chicken or a pizza into this air fryer.View Deal
You’re after an affordable air fryer
This is one of the most expensive air fryers on the market, and while it has the premium looks and clever stacked design, its cooking performance isn’t light years ahead of more affordable models.View Deal
You prefer paper manuals
The fact the bundled quick start guide is a poorly implemented IKEA knock-off doesn’t get things off to a great start, with a phone app required to access the full manual.View Deal
Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer: also consider
Ninja Double Stack XL
While the Ninja doesn’t have basket windows, its sleek matt design, additional Max Crisp feature, and bundled cooking racks to increase cooking surface in the baskets means it’s still the best stacked air fryer around.
If you like the idea of two baskets and have the counter space for a side-by-side design, this Russell Hobbs air fryer outperforms more expensive premium competitors with ease.
How I tested the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer
I used the Philips 4000 Series for two weeks at home in my kitchen
I cooked a wide variety of food with it, including fries, cakes, vegetables and meat
I tested the different cooking functions, and the cleaning process
I spent two weeks using the Philips 4000 Series at home to cook a variety of food. I tried out the preset programs, and also freestyle the settings from time to time.
I air fried meat, baked cakes, and roasted vegetables during my testing, and used a temperature probe to record how hot the exterior of the machine got during use. I evaluated how each food item cooked in the two baskets, and assessed how the finished results were to eat.
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: one-minute review
The Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine is an entry-level coffee maker with an unusual twist: in addition to a regular portafilter for ground coffee, it comes with a holder for Nespresso Original style coffee capsules. A handy option if you’re making the switch from pods to fresh beans, or sharing a kitchen with someone who prefers a different brewing method.
It’s very cheap too, with a list price of just £149.99 / AU$189.95 (about $200). For comparison, my two top-rated budget coffee makers, the De’Longhi Dedica Duo, and Philips Baristina, are $299.95 / £279.99 (about AU$600) and $449.99 / £299.99 / AU$599. respectively.
At that price it’s no surprise that the Everyday Espresso Machine is made almost entirely from plastic, but it still looks smart on your kitchen counter with its silver and matt black finish, and guests won’t guess how little you spent.
The budget price is reflected in the accessories though, which are quite bare-bones. In addition to the two portafilters, you get just two filter baskets, a lightweight scoop/tamper combo, and a pin tool for clearing the steam wand. There’s no milk pitcher, water filter, or water hardness testing strip included in the box.
The Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine accepts both ground coffee and capsules (Image credit: Future)
What really matters is performance, and I was pleased to find that the Everyday Espresso Machine could brew a decent shot with fresh coffee once I’d identified the best grind size, and extraction was consistent. However, I found I had to grind my coffee much coarser than I would usually to avoid under-extraction, and the puck of coffee grounds was always quite wet at the end, which suggests that although the pressure was lower than optimal.
Brewing with coffee capsules was easy, but again, it was a soggier experience than I’d like, and the used pod ended up sitting in a puddle in the portafilter after brewing.
The steam wand is the real problem, though. It feels flimsy, wobbling as you move it into position, and its lower section is too short, making it hard to submerge in your milk pitcher. Worst of all, it has an air intake hole that creates so much foam, I had to stop steaming my milk while it was still cold to prevent the jug overflowing. The large bubbles aren’t fine or stable enough for a latte, which is a shame when you’ve just brewed a perfectly good shot of espresso.
If you take your coffee black and want to shift between pods and grounds, this might be a good option for you. Otherwise though, I’d recommend saving up a little more cash and opting for the much more solidly-made De’Longhi Dedica Duo instead.
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: price and availability
Available in the UK and Australia for £149.99 / AU$189.95
Not currently sold in the US
One of the cheapest espresso machines I've tested
The Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine is available in the UK direct from Russell Hobbs for £149.99 (about $200). It’s known as the Russell Hobbs Heaton Espresso Machine in Australia, where it retails for AU$189.95. It’s not sold in the US at the time of writing.
It’s one of the most affordable coffee makers I’ve tested here at TechRadar, and even cheaper than my favorite budget espresso machine, the De’Longhi Dedica Duo, which has a list price of $299.95 / £279.99 (about AU$600).
Value score: 4/5
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: specifications
Name
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine
Type
Manual espresso machine (ground coffee and pods)
Weight
6lbs / 2.74kg
Water reservoir capacity
1.58 quarts / 1.5 liters
Milk frother
Manual steam wand
User profiles
None
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: design
Accepts ground coffee and Nespresso Original capsules
Steam wand is disappointing
Plastic components have a strong odor
The Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine is compact, and exceptionally lightweight. Upon weighing it, I found that the whole unit is just 6lbs / 2.74kg, including the plug and water tank, which could be a real advantage if you need a coffee maker you can tuck away in a cupboard between uses.
The Everyday Espresso Machine’s exterior is entirely plastic except for the drip tray and steam wand, but as you can see from the photos here, it doesn’t look cheap, and the silver-colored panels on the front give a convincing look of brushed steel.
The water tank has a robust handle for easy carrying, though it can only be used when the hinged lid is open (Image credit: Future)
It does, however, have a noticeable plastic odor when new. The instructions running the machine without any coffee to rinse it before making your first drink, but I'd actually suggest doing this a few times to wash away any taste (and flushing the steam wand thoroughly as well to avoid tainting your milk).
As with all coffee makers, you should wash the water tank, portafilters and baskets before use. These are safe to hand-wash with soapy water, and the tank has a reassuringly solid-feeling handle for easy carrying, which is a welcome touch.
The Everyday Espresso Machine comes with two portafilters: one for ground coffee and one for Nespresso Original style coffee capsules. The one for capsules has a conical insert, which holds the coffee pod and pierces the bottom when pressure is applied so water can penetrate.
The attachment for coffee capsules contains small spikes that pierce the pod when the machine applies pressure. (Image credit: Future)
There are just two filter baskets for ground coffee (single and double shot size). Both of these are pressurized, which makes sense for a beginner-level machine because they're more forgiving than single-walled baskets if your grind isn't perfect.
You get a double-ended tamper/coffee scoop, which is standard issue for a budget espresso machine. It doesn't feel very satisfying to hold, and it's not as easy to use as a more solid tamper with a smooth metal finish, but it gets the job done.
The Everyday Espresso Machine's steam wand pivots out from the left-hand side of the machine, and is controlled using a large, tactile dial. Unfortunately, during testing I found that the bottom part of the wand was too short, meaning it couldn’t reach far enough down into my milk pitcher.
There's a small collection of accessories, including a plastic tamper/scoop, and two pressurized filter baskets (Image credit: Future)
The wand also has a pinhole in the side, which is intended to create extra foam when you steam your milk. Unfortunately,during my tests I found it created lots of very large bubbles, and made it impossible to create smooth, pourable microfoam. In fact, it created so much foam, I had to stop steaming before my milk was hot to avoid it overflowing.
Design score: 3/5
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: performance
Consistent results when grinder is dialled in
Water pressure seems to be lower than usual
Doesn't heat or foam milk properly
The Everyday Espresso Machine is simple to use, with just two brew buttons, but unlike most espresso machines, these don’t correlate to a single or double shot. Instead, the first button brews a double shot, and the second a quad (intended to be divided between two cups). The drink volume is customizable, but it's something to be aware of.
The machine heats quickly, though the cup-warmer on top isn't very practical. Like the rest of the machine's chassis, it's made from insulating plastic, so it'll barely be warm even half an hour after the machine has come to temperatures.
I was pleased to find that, although some components feel flimsy, the Everyday Espresso Machine does feel more robust than the Casabrews 5418 Pro. The filter baskets fit into the portafilter handle properly without feeling loose, and the handle locks nicely into place.
My first few shots of espresso pulled very slowly, and I found that I had to grind my coffee much more coarsely than usual to get good results. The puck of ground coffee was still quite wet once I'd finished brewing, which suggests that the pressure was low, but once I'd found the best size, the results were consistent.
Once you've dialled in your grinder, you should be able to achieve consistently well extracted shotsFutureYou can tinker with the drink volume if the standard settings are too largeFuture
Brewing with a Nespresso capsule is straightforward; just place it in the conical holder provided, put the holder in the portafilter handle, and carry on as though you were using coffee grounds. The process is quick and easy, but messier than using a standard Nespresso machine. Usually brewing with pods is a neat process, but the Everyday Espresso Machine leaves water in the portafilter that tends to spill when you release the handle.
If you’re only really interested in brewing from capsules, I’d recommend picking a simple dedicated Nespresso machine instead. The Nespresso Vertuo Pop (for Nespresso Vertuo pods) or the Nespresso Pixie (for Nespresso Original capsules) are both affordable options.
Brewing with a coffee capsule is surprisingly messy, and I found the portafilter always ended up full of water after brewing. (Image credit: Future)
For me, though, the steam wand is the weakest point. As mentioned previously, this is an espresso machine with a dairy intolerance; it incorporates too much air into the milk, so you have to stop steaming before it’s sufficiently heated, and it’s too short to use comfortably. The heat-resistant silicone handle is a nice addition, but the whole wand wobbles when you move it.
The steam wand is barely long enough to use with a typical milk pitcherFutureThe wand has an air intake hole, which results in an excessive volume of large bubblesFuture
Whether I chose oat or dairy, the wand simply made lots of very large bubbles, which might look impressive if you've not used a coffee maker before, but are no practical use. This might be an entry-level machine, but new users need proper tools too, and this steam wand misses the mark.
Performance score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine?
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: score card
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
One of the cheapest espresso machines I've tested, and looks like it should cost a lot more, but some components are flimsy in use.
4 / 5
Design
The plastic chassis is light and easy to move, but has a strong aroma that takes a while to wear off. Steam wand isn't well designed.
3 / 5
Performance
Can brew a decent espresso, importantly, but generates less pressure than optimal, so an extra coarse grind is necessary. Milk foaming is poor.
3 / 5
Buy it if
You're on a tight fixed budget
This is a very cheap coffee maker, and if you absolutely can't spend any more, it's one of the better options, Russell Hobbs is a reputable brand with good after-sales service.
You want to brew both pods and grounds
There aren't many coffee makers that can do both, so if this is a key requirement, the Everyday Espresso Machine may be the one for you.
Don't buy it if
You enjoy milky drinks
The Everyday Espresso Machine can make a lot of big bubbles, but the results aren’t useful for coffee. You can’t make fine foam, or even heat the milk properly with its strange, stubby steam wand.
You have an extra $50 in your pocket
If you can afford to be a little flexible on price, you can get something much better for your kitchen.
Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine: also consider
If you're not sure whether the Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine is the right coffee maker for you, here are two other options for your shortlist. For more recommendations, take a look at my complete guides to the best espresso machines and best Nespresso machines.
De'Longhi Dedica Duo
I've mentioned this little espresso machine several times in this review, and it remains the standard by which all other budget coffee makers are judged. Its performance and build quality belie its bargain price, and you'll often find it available for a discount now that it's a few months old. Highly recommended if you only want to brew from ground coffee, not pods.
Prefer pods to beans? The Nespresso Pixie is an excellent, no-frills machine that accepts Original style capsules, and doesn't make a wet mess when brewing them. If you want to make lattes, this machine is available bundled with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother for a discounted price.
How I tested the Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine
I used the Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine in my kitchen for a week, comparing it with my usual Gaggia Classic coffee maker.
I used it with freshly roasted coffee beans, ground using a Sage Dose Control Pro coffee grinder, and I adjusted the grind size until a double shot of espresso dispensed in around 30 seconds. I used the steam wand with fresh fat dairy and oat milk.
If you have the budget and the space, the Wahoo KICKR Run is one of the most impressive indoor running experiences you can buy. The deck feels as good as, if not better than, many commercial gym treadmills, with a smooth belt, 15% incline, -3% decline and subtle side-to-side tilt that mimics running on real roads and trails.RunFree mode, which automatically adjusts the belt to your pace, is genuinely clever and brilliant for intervals (high-intensity bursts followed by periods of recovery pace) and fartlek training (varying the speed) once you have learned how to use it. And if things do get spicy the safety rails and responsive emergency clip give you confidence that you won’t be sent flying.On the downside, the console is too minimal: you only see pace and incline on the built-in display, so you are pushed into the Wahoo app if you want time and distance, and realistically into using a second screen if you also want to watch a film or TV series while you run.It is expensive and it doesn’t fold up, and the dependency on an external app will annoy some runners, but as a serious training tool that can replace a gym membership, it absolutely delivers.
Wahoo KICKR Run: Specifications
Component
Wahoo KICKR Run
Max speed
4:00 min/mile (around 15 mph / 24.1 km/h)
Incline range
3% to +15% motorised grade
Side-to-side tilt
±0.5° lateral tilt for simulated camber
Running surface
Approx 69 x 22 in / 175 x 56 cm
Dimensions (L x W x H
Approx 72 x 38 x 58 in (about 183 x 97 x 147 cm)
Weight
Around 410 lb / 186 kg
Motor
3.0 HP continuous motor
User weight limit
Around 250 lb / 113 kg (may vary by region / firmware)
Connectivity
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; integrates with Wahoo app, Zwift Run and other platforms
Controls
Paddles for quick speed and incline changes; physical safety key and stop button
Extras
Laptop / tablet shelf, two bottle holders, USB charging, transport wheels
Wahoo KICKR Run: Price and availability
$5,249.99 / £6,000
Premium price
Often on sale
Currently availableon sale in the US for $5,249.99 direct from Wahoo and major partners.In the UK the device can be purchased from specialist retailers at around £5,999.99. The treadmill is not currently available in Australia.Whichever region you are in, this is very much a premium treadmill. Even in the US market, reviews place it squarely in the high-end tier alongside Peloton and Technogym models, and often a touch above many mainstream home treadmills.It is not a casual purchase, but if you normally pay for a gym membership mainly to use a treadmill, it is credible as a long-term replacement.The KICKR Run itself does not require a subscription just to switch it on and run (unlike other equipment such as Echelon), but its smartest features are woven into Wahoo’s subscription ecosystem. Wahoo’s training subscription costs $17.99 a month / $179 a year in the US, and £14.99 a month / £149.99 a yearin the UK. This subscription gives access to Wahoo’s structured workouts, training plans, analytics and content across sports.
Value score: 4/5
Wahoo KICKR Run: Design
(Image credit: Wahoo)
Simulates road camber
Wide access
Minimal console
Although it is a substantial, non-folding treadmill, the KICKR Run is perfect for a garage or dedicated room and feels sensibly sized rather than monstrous.The running surface is long and wide enough for fast running, yet the overall frame is trimmed down compared with many gym behemoths, in part because of the lack of an integrated console screen. The deck feels responsive, solid and durable, as good as, or better, than, any gym treadmill.Full-length safety bars, a safety clip and a big stop button offer security, but the button is very stiff making it difficult to engage. Thankfully the safety clip is fast- acting.The console is deliberately minimal, with simple read-outs of the elevation and speed. Data such as duration and distance have to be viewed in the Wahoo app, which I found rather irritating. That means your phone becomes a data screen and you need a second device if you want to watch anything while you run.There are also three mystery buttons which, upon investigation, I discovered control the pages in the app – again, everything about the design is pushing the user towards a Wahoo subscription.Paddle controls adjust the incline and pace and are a welcome alternative to buttons. Press them lightly for small adjustments, or push further for larger jumps. This feels very intuitive once you have used it a couple of times. A generous shelf in front of you happily holds a laptop or tablet, so you can watch films or use Zwift while you run. There are two bottle holders and some extra storage for snacks or small items, plus USB charging to keep devices topped up.The deck can tilt gently side to side by around 0.5°, simulating road camber and adding a subtle feeling of running on real terrain rather than a perfectly flat slab.In testing it ran happily off a standard 15-amp circuit in a garage without tripping anything. Once in place it has wheels, so you can shuffle it forwards or sideways, but it is not the sort of treadmill you wheel in and out every day.Rather than leaving you to assemble it yourself, Wahoo’s partners do a proper delivery and setup. Beforehand you share measurements and a short video of the access route and the room so they can confirm it will fit, then they bring it in, build it, and check it is running correctly. That is a big part of why this feels closer to commercial kit than flat-pack gear.
Design score: 4/5
Wahoo KICKR Run: Features
(Image credit: Lily Canter)
RunFree mode
-3% decline and +15% incline
Paddle controls
The headline feature is the intuitive RunFree mode which uses sensors to gauge your speed. This lets you run at any pace without needing to adjust the belt speed manually.For easy and moderate running, RunFree feels very natural once you have learned to relax into it. It is particularly good for fartlek workouts and unstructured speed play, in which you simply surge when you feel like it and let the treadmill follow. At higher speeds it can feel a little wild. If you are not ready for the acceleration, you can suddenly feel like you are being pulled along faster than you intended. You quickly learn to keep a hand close to the rails or paddles when you are pushing towards your top pace. Alternatively you can set a pace limit to ensure you don’t go off the rails.The clever treadmill can also automatically adjust incline and decline, so when you are following a route or a structured session, the hills happen under your feet without manual input (as long as you have a paid Wahoo subscription).With +15% incline and -3% decline, you can do serious uphill repeats, long uphill hikes, and rare downhill practice – something many gyms do not offer.
Features score: 5/5
Wahoo KICKR Run: Performance
Smooth underfoot
Versatile tilt
Impressive speed range
In use, the KICKR Run is impressively smooth. The belt feels tight and well-aligned, with none of the looseness or lag that can make you stumble on cheaper machines. The motor keeps up easily with changes in pace, and even under harder efforts the deck feels rock-solid.With a top speed around 4:00/mile (about 15 mph), it has far more headroom than many home treadmills; realistically, most recreational runners will never touch the ceiling.Being able to run and hike at 10–15% for prolonged periods makes it a fantastic tool for hill strength, and the -3% decline and lateral tilt make downhill and cambered-road training possible without hunting for the perfect hill outside.Noise levels will depend on your environment, but in testing it felt in line with other serious treadmills rather than unusually loud or quiet; the limiting factor is more likely to be the sheer presence and weight of the machine than the sound.
Performance score: 5/5
Scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
Expensive but impressive quality
4/5
Design
Innovative but too app reliance
4/5
Features
Outstanding
5/5
Performance
Exceptional
5/5
Wahoo KICKR Run: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You have a serious budget and want a gym-quality treadmill at home
This is not a budget machine, but if you get what you pay for.
You want proper hill and downhill training
The combination of 15% incline, -3% decline and lateral tilt is rare and excellent for real world preparation.
RunFree suits your training style
If you like to run more by feel than by buttons, RunFree mode and smart grade control will be a genuine upgrade, not just a gimmick.
You already use, or are happy to use, the Wahoo ecosystem
If you have Wahoo sensors, trainers or bike kit, adding the KICKR Run plus a Wahoo subscription ties everything together neatly.
Don't buy it if...
You want a simple, all-in-one treadmill with everything on the built-in screen.
Here, time and distance live in the app, and the console is intentionally minimal.
You dislike relying on external apps and subscriptions
The best experience comes from leaning into the Wahoo app and, optionally, its paid subscription.
You need something compact or foldable
This is still a big, heavy unit; it may be more compact than a commercial gym machine, but you are not sliding it under a bed.
Your priority is a cheap way to move more
There are many under-desk and budget treadmills that will boost your step count for a fraction of the price.
Also consider
NordicTrack Commercial 2950
If you want something more content-led, the NordicTrack pairs a big HD screen with a generous incline and decline range and a deep library of iFit classes.
If space and budget are tighter, the Echelon Stride is a great beginner option. It is a more compact, auto-folding treadmill that works neatly with the Echelon Fit app, although you do sacrifice some power, cushioning and long-run comfort compared with larger premium machines.
At the very top end, the Technogym Run is the pick for those who want a gym-grade experience at home. Its slatted, track-like belt, powerful motor and slick content platform feel seriously premium, but it demands both a dedicated space and a very generous budget.
Once the treadmill was set up in my garage I used it for longer runs up to 10k, hill reps, easy downhill runs and interval sessions. I used the app to track my sessions and set up a laptop on the console to watch Netflix whilst I ran. The testing period was four weeks.
I've really enjoyed following Steve Carell's career over the years. Whether it's his iconic role as Michael Scott on The Office or his much more serious performance as Alan Strauss in Hulu's The Patient, I've been consistently impressed by what he does. In HBO Max's Rooster, Carell plays Greg Russo. He's the author of a series of books following a main character called, you guessed it, Rooster. Russo had gained a fandom through that character even though he's not as successful himself, with painful emotions coming to the surface as he returns to the same arts college, Ludlow, where his wife left him 25 years ago.History repeats itself at this, frankly, cursed college. Russo's daughter, Katie, works there, and she's having her own relationship drama. Her husband Archie has left her for a student, with whom he was having an affair, and everybody knows about it. Archie is played by Ted Lasso's Phil Dunster, who perfectly encapsulates Archie's self-serving attitude. Much like Dunster's outstanding performance as Jamie Tartt inTed Lasso, though, he's layered and will find a way to charm you despite all of that. Despite his many, many flaws, it's not impossible to see why Katie married him in the first place. On his first day, Greg meets college president Walter Mann, played by the always wonderful John C. McGinley. If you liked him in Scrubs, you'll certainly enjoy him here too, as he plays quite the eccentric character with some very strong opinions about the college and the people in it. Every scene involving him is brilliantly awkward, and the cast is a real selling point here.Given the strained relationship between Katie and Greg, it's hard for him to comfort his daughter, but he does his best anyway. She immediately tries to embarrass him when he gatecrashes her lecture, and is critical of the fact that he's there to check up on her, even though he insists he's just there to guest lecture.Greg makes his disdain for Archie very clear from episode one, positioning himself as a caring father despite the rampant self-deprecation and awkwardness we often see from him. Scenes between Greg and Archie are among my favorites, and they are played very well by Carell and Dunster.But there's more to Rooster than just this, and Greg ends up getting into all sorts of unwelcome situations during his time at Ludlow, which was meant to be a simple guest lecturing gig, after all. These include an unfortunate appearance on the news, run-ins with local law enforcement, and criticisms from students about some of the narrative choices in his novel, especially the over-reliance on sex appeal. Not all of the topical jokes worked for me, but humor is subjective, so perhaps you'll enjoy those more than I did. It definitely segues into slapstick when it doesn't really need to.
Charly Clive and Phil Dunster play a couple whose broken marriage is the talk of the campus. (Image credit: HBO Max)
Outside of the comedy, though, the series does do serious moments well. Katie is terrible at emotional vulnerability, using sarcasm as a shield, and Greg doesn't quite know how to navigate that. He just isn't as cool and collected as Rooster, despite his efforts to emulate him. Greg ends up having a tequila-induced heart-to-heart with Dylan Shepard, a bubbly faculty member played by Danielle Deadwyle, where we learn more about his failed marriage, so the series is character-driven from the get-go. They clearly have chemistry too, making me keen to see how it unfolds over the next nine episodes.Rooster has all the ingredients for a fun weekend watch. With quick episodes that are easy to watch, the Sunday time slot is ideal for this show. Episodes are released weekly, and you can easily slot this into your streaming schedule if you want something light that still gives you plenty to think about.I did find the way Rooster was filmed a little jarring, but honestly, it didn't take away from the great performances and the important themes explored. It's a fun addition to HBO Max's library, showcasing Carell at his best, where he effortlessly blends humor and seriousness.
Rooster is available on HBO Max in the US and Australia, and Sky Comedy in the UK.
Nowadays, smartphone changes can usually be measured in millimeters and gram fractions. The era of sweeping hardware redesigns is all but done. Most of the updates we see seem to be in material swaps and growing and shrinking camera array plateaus. That's not a bad thing, certainly not judging by the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra I hold in my hand.
It's eminently familiar but also stunningly powerful and aesthetically sublime – even without last year's titanium. It's not a perfect Android phone (some day, Samsung will adopt MagSafe or something like it), but easily one of the best I've ever used or tested. It's the full package. A relatively slim and light big-screen mobile communicator, and a powerful pocket computer that, with its hidden S Pen, can even excite creative types or compulsive note takers.
Samsung gets away with not changing much by still delivering on all the promises of a great flagship phone.
It has excellent cameras, easily the best of not just the S26 lineup, but all recent Galaxy phones (even the foldables). It has the fastest chip, even, thanks to a bit of customization from Qualcomm, outdoing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 you might find on other Android phones.
The new S26 Ultra is on the left, the last, slightly squarer S25 Ultra model on the right. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
The S26 Ultra hides a pair of truly remarkable features that are not evident at first glance but will surely be the most talked-about updates for some time to come. One is the Privacy Display, a true bit of display hardware innovation that has no equivalent on any other modern smartphone. Then there's the built-in gimbal. Strike that – it's not really a gimbal, just a wild bit of hardware and software engineering that lets you turn your camera up to 360 degrees while keeping the footage perfectly level.
It's a handset overstuffed with AI possibilities, adding this time Perplexity to Bixby (because why not?) and upping the creative and assistive capabilities of Galaxy AI. Google uses the S26 Ultra to give us a sneak preview of the agentic possibilities soon arriving on Pixels and all other supporting Android phones.
The list of AI abilities is long, overwhelming, and perhaps too much. It's not a weakness, per se, but I still don't know why one phone has so many. But then you also might wonder why the iPhone 17 Pro Max still has so few.
Samsung backs up the power and performance of this smartphone with way better heat and power management and excellent battery life.
And to top it all off, it's still $1,299 (£1,249 / AU$2,149). That's not affordable, but it is the same price as last year, which is more than can be said for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus.
There's not enough here to trade in your still wonderful Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it would be a big leap from, say, the S23 Ultra or anything earlier, and will undoubtedly end up atop our Best Android Phones buying guide.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Price and availability
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra, along with the S26 Plus and S26, on February 25, as part of its Unpacked event (it'll hold another one later this year for foldables). It ships on March 11, 2026.
While the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus saw price hikes, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still costs the same in the US as the Galaxy S25 Ultra did last year: $1,299.99 ( £1,279 / AU$2,199).
It's available in a choice of six colors wherever you buy: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, and the online exclusives: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold.
The phone ships in either 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations, and every variant comes with 12GB RAM (16GB of RAM if you buy the 1TB model). If you go for more storage space, you will pay somewhat more than you did last year. In the US, the 1TB model is now $1,799.99, roughly $140 more than last year (you do get the extra RAM, though).
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is still a little more expensive than the base iPhone 17 Pro Max ($1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149), and both do start with 256GB of storage and offer comparable features. However, the S26 Ultra does include the integrated S Pen and all of that on-board AI. For now, the S26 Ultra might be the better value.
Price: from $1,299 / £1,279 / AU$2,199
Storage
US price
UK price
AU price
256GB
$1,299.99
£1,279
AU$2,199
512GB
$1,499.99
£1,449
AU$2,199
1TB
$1,799.99
£1,699
AU$2,649
For the latest Galaxy S26 Ultra deals in your region, check out this Samsung Galaxy S26 deals page.
Value score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Specs
Here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's key specs:
Dimensions:
163.6 mm (height) x 78.1 mm (width) x 7.9 mm (depth)
Weight:
214g
Display:
6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
Resolution:
3120 x 1440 pixels
Refresh rate:
1-120Hz
Chipset:
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
RAM:
12GB / 16GB
Storage:
256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS:
Android 16
Main camera:
200MP; f/1.4; 0.6µm sensor
Ultrawide camera:
50MP; f/1.9; 0.7µm sensor
Telephoto camera 1
10MP; f/2.4; 0.7µm; 5x optical zoom
Telephoto camera 2
50MP; f/2.9; 0.7µm; 10x optical quality zoom
Selfie camera:
12MP; f/2.2; 1.17µm
Battery:
5,000mAh
Charging:
Super Fast Charging 3.0, Super Fast Wireless Charging
Thinner and looks a bit more like the S25 Edge (and like all the other Galaxy S26 phones)
No more titanium
Leading from the rear, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has had signifcant influence on the look of the entire Galaxy S26 lineup. Nowhere is this more evident, perhaps, than in the new Galaxy S26 Ultra.
At a glance, the 6.9-inch S26 Ultra looks a lot like the S25 Ultra, but if that new raised camera array looks familiar, it's because it's clearly based on the S25 Edge's two-camera platform. The platform makes sense when you realize the S26 Ultra is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor (7.9mm vs 8.2mm and 214g vs 218g).
The S26 Ultra has a slightly softer and more pleasing look, thanks to the four corners adopting a more curved profile. Samsung also swapped out a key material, trading titanium for Armor Aluminum. Honestly, it's not something most people will notice, and I wonder if it helped Samsung save a little money on production costs. The other benefit might be that aluminium, a softer material, makes it easier to apply a wider variety of richer colors. My Cobolt Violet review unit is lovely, but I would've liked to see a few wilder hue swings like deep green or, yes, orange.
As you would expect, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and the back by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. These materials should help protect it from scratches and cracks (if you drop it [Author's note: I did not purposely drop it]).
Beyond those updates and changes, nothing has changed. The power/sleep/Gemini button and long volume button are in essentially the exact same spots. There are a pair of microphone holes along the top edge. On the base are the SIM slot, speaker slot, and USB-C charge port.
Next to that trio is the S Pen. You press it to release the pen, which looks quite similar to the last S Pen but is in fact slightly thinner. I didn't find that it made any noticeable difference in usability.
The entire phone is still rated IP68, which means it can handle a rain shower (or worse) and dust.
Think about the design this way: If you liked the looks of the S25 Ultra, you'll probably like the S26 Ultra. Sure, the camera bump grew (without demonstrably updating the camera hardware), but it's generally an attractive, big-screen Android smartphone with fresh colors to attract those who found the titanium hues wanting.
Design score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Display
Size, resolution, and brightness unchanged
Still an excellent display
Privacy Display borders on breakthrough innovation
Samsung left its 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display mostly unchanged. it stil offers up to 3,120x1440 QHD+ resolution (though it defaults to 2,340x1080 FHD+ to save on battery life). It has the same brightness and ability to smoothly transition from 1Hz for a sleep screen to the buttery-smooth motion of 120hz. There's still a selfie camera cutout near the top of the display and a very thin channel between the frame and the screen for one of the loud and clear stereo speakers.
None of this is news.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
The marquee feature and one that is, in fact, unique among smartphones is the Privacy Display.
As the name implies, this feature adjusts the screen so that people standing on either side of you, behind you, or even in front of you cannot read what is on your display. There are a few remarkable things about this feature. First, it's a hardware innovation, accomplished by controlling two different kinds of pixels: narrow and wide. These pixels are set in an every other pixel pattern: wide, narrow, wide, narrow.
In standard mode, both pixels are on, providing a 180-degree view of your S26 Ultra screen.
In Privacy Display Mode, the wide pixels turn off, and then anyone off-axis only sees a grayed-out or nearly black screen unless their face is perpendicular to the S26 Ultra display.
Here's the other remarkable thing: Because this is at a pixel level, the Privacy Display can be set to only hide a portion of a screen: think notification popups, password, and PIN entry.
You can access Privacy Display through settings or the Quick panel. On there, it lets you turn it on for the whole screen or set conditions: "PIN, Pattern, password, Notification popups."
I turned on Privacy Display and could immediately see it at work. First, I noticed that my own screen view looked slightly desaturated (maybe from the loss of wide pixels), second, the default Privacy Display mode isn't that effective. I could still make out the dimmed content, even when viewing the screen from an angle.
To really see the magic, you have to turn on "Maximum privacy protection." Once I did that, my screen looked almost black from an off-angle, and the same was true when I set it for conditions, like only blacking out my notification popups.
The third and perhaps best Privacy display feature is that you can enable it on a per-app basis. Imagine you don't want anyone see what your TikTok or Instagram algorithm looks like. Just turn on Privacy Display for those apps, and whenever you use them, they'll only be visible to you. I set it up for my TikTok and Instagram, and it worked perfectly.
This is the kind of feature I expect competitors like Apple, OnePlus, Motorola, and others to copy in short order. Privacy Display will change the equation when deciding which S26 is right for you (none of the other have this) and could tip the scales in Samsung's favor when considering a platform switch.
Display score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: S Pen
Slightly smaller
Still a great always-ready creative, notation, and AI tool
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Direct comparisons of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with, say, Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max don't entirely make sense. Afterall, only one of them has shipped with an integrated S Pen since the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
As an amateur artist, I love having the S Pen always on hand, perfectly hidden inside a powerful Android 16 smartphone.
The latest S Pen looks a lot like the last one, but it is slightly thinner, and the back end is now curved to match the curve of its S26 Ultra housing.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
In use, this S Pen is just as useful as its predecessors. It's a great implement for note-taking, marking up images, creating rough sketches for AI image generation, and making art. It recognizes pressure and orientation. There's even a button on the side that, in the Sketchbook app, gives you instant access to an eraser.
The S26 Ultra is also aware of the S Pen, and if it's been outside the phone and not used for a while, the phone will ask you if you have your S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: cameras
Same camera array as the S25 Ultra
Apertures grew on the lenses you'll use most
Selfie camera got a big field of view upgrade
Generally excellent image capture capabilities
Noticeably less grain on night shots
Super Steady to the max
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Before we dive into the photographic performance of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, let's pause a moment to look at the virtually unchanged camera array and selfie camera:
Main camera: 200MP f1.4
5x telephoto: 50MP (also provides the 10x zoom through a sensor crop) f2.9
3x optical: 10MP f2.4
Ultra-wide: 50MP f1.9
Front-facing camera: 12MP f2.2
What's not evident there, though, are two significant changes on the 200MP Main camera and 10MP 5X optical zoom. Both cameras feature wider apertures (represented by lower f-stop numbers), which allows them to capture more light and makes them more effective in low-light situations.
In practice, this is an excellent set of lenses, and based on megapixels, they all beat the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 48MP lenses. However, even on the 200MP camera, you'll default to shooting at a binned 12MP (multiple pixels of information are applied to each final pixel). The iPhone 17 Pro Max defaults to shooting at 24MP.
I shot photos using all the cameras, often capturing the exact same image with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
All of these phones offer excellent cameras, and I found the image quality generally excellent. If anything, the S26 Ultra appears to have pulled even with the iPhone 17 Pro Max in most photo scenarios.
The S26 Ultra camera array on the left, the S25 Ultra cameras are on the right. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Samsung told me that their image processing now allows the phone to understand the native noise signature of each lens and adjust accordingly. What this means is my photo results are clearer and cleaner. Between that and the larger apertures, the low-light photography, especially nighttime photography ("Nightography"), shows a significant improvement. I noticed far less graininess in my star photography.
At one point, I shot a hyperlapse video that captures moving nighttime clouds and what might have been a pair of high-altitude jets. It's a lovely, low-grain seven-second video.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Color, truth, clarity, detail, and skin tones are the best I have ever seen for a Galaxy series phone, and they rival what I can get on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
We have the same 3X and 5X optical zoom options, as well as a 10MP zoom accomplished by doing a sensor crop on the 50MP telephoto. I like a good 5X zoom and appreciate the 10X option, even if it's not a true telephoto lens. What I steer clear of are the 30X and 100x space zoom options. They, too, can provide some eye-popping results, but I'm highly skeptical of the amount of AI applied to deliver these results. If you want photos that reflect reality, these AI-supported image creation modes are not for you.
The 12MP selfie camera. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
While Samsung didn't upgrade the front-facing selfie camera's megapixels or even add the ability to do landscape photos while holding the phone in portrait mode (called Center Stage), they did significantly increase the field of view to 85 degrees. When I took a selfie of myself, I was startled to see just how much of the surrounding scene the S26 Ultra can pull. I bet I'll fit a lot more people in my next Galaxy selfie.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
On the video front, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts some pro-level video capabilities, including the APV codec, and 8K at 30 fps video capture. Yes, you can shoot that high-resolution video and edit it on the phone (including applying things like the AI-powered Audio Eraser). However, I still can't edit 8K 30fps video on my go-to Android video editor, PowerDirector. But the feature that will easily impact most regular people is the Super Steady update that adds horizontal lock.
This is not just smoothing out tilts and turns. Using the S26 Ultra's gyroscope and accelerometer (and clearly some software and probably sensor cropping tricks), it is capable of holding the horizontal plane even as you turn the phone a full 360 degrees. I’m not kidding. I tried it. It works incredibly well and far exceeds the iPhone’s Action Mode.
Bixby has a better LLM for local queries and Perplexity for general knowledge
Google updates Gemini for the Ultra
Galaxy AI has more image manipulation and creation capabilities
Few phones illustrate our over-saturated era of generative AI more than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It has Bixby, Perplexity, Samsung Galaxy AI, and, of course, Google Gemini. Each has a role – some multiple roles – and there can be some overlap.
Samsung's long-term goal is for people to see this as an AI phone but not think very much about which AI got you where. Basically, the phone will get smarter over time, especially as its Agentic capabilities grow – and start to proactively do your bidding.
We're not there yet. In fact, the Agentic stuff, which lives with Gemini, is only with Uber for now (other third-party apps will follow). You're supposed to be able to ask Gemini to book you an Uber ride, and it will run off in the background, gather all the relevant bits, and have it set up in Uber so all you have to do is approve the ride.
I installed Uber on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and then asked Gemini to book me a ride to the airport. Gemini told me it could help, but it first asked for key information like my pickup address, pickup time, and the kind of ride I prefer.
While Gemini said it booked the ride. Nothing was booked. It also later told me it could not help with canceling the non-existent ride. (Image credit: Future)
Gemini told me it had booked the ride, but when I checked Uber, nothing was booked. I told Gemini to cancel the ride (in case I was confused), but Gemini couldn't do anything about the non-existent ride.
In general, though, my experience with Gemini (the default is Fast model mode) was good. I had many conversations with it and used it to identify things in my shelves, and with the live view, have it explain how to fix a leaky bathroom faucet. It's far from foolproof and has yet to learn how to pronounce my last name.
Gemini on the S26 Ultra is also a showcase for what's coming to other Android smartphones that can support the generative platform. For example, the phone supports Circle to Search's new Find the Look capabilities. These let you circle someone's whole outfit in an image, and Gemini will find all the clothing.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
I looked up an image of John Lennon from the 1970s, pressed down on the virtual home button, and launched Circle to Search. After circling Lennon, I asked Gemini to find the look (it identified his vintage white jacket), and then I asked Nano Banana to generate an image of me in the same look. I never got that to work, but Nano Banana did create a new image of John Lennon in the same look, with the rest of the Beatles standing nearby. I was a little surprised Gemini was willing to create imagery of a known figure. I also did the same operation with a photo of the actor Walter Goggins.
Samsung's own Galaxy AI is already a powerful and pervasive generative AI platform on the Galaxy S phone line; however, it now has some features.
I used it, for example, to make a simple cartoon sketch of my face and then transform it into a more polished comic, which I then used to generate stickers that I can now send to friends over Messages.
(Image credit: Future)
Galaxy AI's photo editing capabilities are very strong. I grabbed an apple, put it on a table, and took a photo. Then I asked Galaxy AI to take a slice out of the apple and put the slice next to the Apple. After a few seconds, it complied, and the results look real. When I had it take another AI shot at the photo, I noticed that the slice and the cutout on the apple didn't match up quite as neatly as they did on the first generated shot.
(Image credit: Future)
Next, I sketched a dinosaur eating the apple and asked Galaxy AI to convert it into art. The result was a tiny crocodile crawling behind the apple. Bascially my rough sketch was little more than inspiration.
In another instance, I asked Galaxy AI to add flowers to my orchid. It added flowers, but they were all carnations. I told Galaxy to make sure to add orchid flowers. It did, but put them next to the carnations.
(Image credit: Future)
Bixby is better at conversational queries, but it can still take some work to get Samsung's homegrown digital assistant to do what you want. I asked it to change the aspect ratio on my photos to 16:9, but had to repeat myself a few times to make it understand. Saying "sixteen colon nine" did the trick.
(Image credit: Future)
For questions that do not relate to the phone, Bixby now has Perplexity AI. If you ask, as I did, about the capital of Montana, Bixby won't hesitate but will tap directly into Perplexity in the cloud to get the answer. You'll notice that the result has a little Perplexity logo on it.
The truth is, I don't understand what Perplexity is doing here. Afterall, I can ask Gemini that same question and get the same (or even more tailored) result. Why did Bixby need general knowledge? Perhaps I'm underestimating how many people use Bixby.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a collection of "Now" features, including "Now Brief," which shows up as a home screen (and lock screen, if you choose) widget, Now Bar for adaptive reminders, and the new "Now Nudge," which can give you contextual reminders and information where and when you need it.
Now Brief is a fine widget with information about the weather, my schedule, and news, but I didn't find much use in the rest of the Now tools. I think I need to spend more time with the phone and let it learn a whole lot more about me before these tools become truly useful.
(Image credit: Future)
Last year, Samsung unveiled its powerful Audio Erase, which can remove distracting background audio from your videos. You can reduce voices, crowd sounds, and background noises, with customizable sliders for each control. It's effective, but if you turn the noise reduction all the way down, voices can end up sounding a bit robotic.
More intriguing is Audio Eraser's new third-party app capabilities, which you access via the Quick Panel. I tried it with TikTok and YouTube and could tell it sharpened and raised the dialogue a bit over background noises, but otherwise did not find it all that useful.
(Image credit: Future)
I like many of these AI tools, but I do think the system is a bit overloaded with options. I look forward to a time when there's a more consistent AI approach with zero redundancy. If one on-board AI can handle a task, there should not be another waiting in the wings to do the exact same thing.
Software AI score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Performance
A fast Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy chip
Snappy performance in every task
Every year, Samsung gets the fastest available Snapdragon for its flagship smartphone, and every year it convinces Qualcomm to customize the chip, squeezing out a few extra Ghz of speed just for its phones.
In truth, the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy is about more than just speed. It's customized to work better for the Galaxy S26 series across a range of tasks. Samsung claimed that it brings faster CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. This translates into better Geekbench benchmarks than the similarly named Snapdragon chips in last year's Galaxy S25 Ultra. Single-core and multi-core scores eclipse those on Apple's A19 Pro. GPU screens are harder to compare, though the iPhone 17 Pro Max silicon appears to be significantly ahead of those on the S26 Ultra.
Benchmark numbers tell you little about real-world performance. In everyday use, that last Ultra was fast, and this new S26 Ultra is fast. There's enough headroom that I doubt anyone will notice the difference. The NPU powers some pretty impressive local AI (like my cut Apple, and AI art generated from my primitive sketches).
I played PUBG and Asphalt 9 Legends on the phone and was impressed with how the games looked and the smooth and fast performance (Side note: I paired the S26 Ultra to the new Galaxy Buds4 Pro and loved the fit and surround-sound audio quality). Better yet, the S26 Ultra never got warm. I'll credit the new vapor chamber with the cooler performance.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra's CPU is backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. I can get 16GB of RAM if I pay for the pricey 1TB model.
Overall, this is a fast device ready to accomplish a range of tasks, including running some impressive local AI models.
Performance score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Battery
5,000 mAh
Fast wireless charging
No MagSafe
I'm honestly impressed by the Galaxy S26 Ultra's battery life. Even with brightness turned up, the screen refresh set to a max 120hz, and resolution turned up to QHD+, it carried well past 24 hours of operation. If I lower the brightness and work with FHD+ resolution (which still looks great), it can last two days on a charge.
The 3-nanometer Qualcomm Snapdragon chip is efficient, and the OneUI 8.5 platform knows how to squeeze the most life out of a single charge.
Recharging can be done with a 45W charger, reaching 75% in about 35 minutes. A 65W wired charge could reportedly do the same in 30 minutes. I had my phone fully charged in under an hour.
The phone supports fast wireless charging with up to a 25W charger. What's missing, though, is any kind of MagSafe-style support. There are no magnets in the back of the S26 Ultra, which is a bit of a surprise considering we got Pixel Snap on Google's Pixel 10 phones.
Samsung is only promising that all the cases it sells will come with built-in magnets.
Battery score: 4.5/5
Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra score card
Value
Keeping the same price while increasing capabilities, speed, and photo quality is always a good thing. It's a pricey flagship but I think the inclusion of the S Pen makes it a better value than most.
4.5/5
Design
If you liked the design of the last Ultra, you should appreciate this incremental update that slims the phone down, makes it lighter and just a little bit softer around the edges. The new colors are a bonus, too.
5/5
Display
It's a fantastic 6.9-inch AMOLED that makes every image pop. Plus it has that fast and buttery-smooth 120hz refresh rate. The marquee update, though is Privacy Display, a one-of-a-kind innovation that actually does what it promises
5/5
Cameras
While this is essentially the same set of cameras as with the S25 Ultra, Samsung has upgraded the aperture on a couple of key lenses, thereby effectively upgrading light-capturing capabilities and we have a selfie camera that can fit more friends and family in the frame. Photos taken with all the lenses are excellent and Super Steady with horizontal lock is shockingly effective.
5/5
Software and AI
Samsung has stuffed the Galaxy S26 Ultra full of AI possibilities to the extent that the options can be overwhelming. You can use the powerful Gemini, the photo and creativity-enhancing Galaxy AI, the phone system-knowledgeable Bixby, or its new partner Perplexity. Each lets you do many AI-infused wonderful things (though some things don't always work as anticipated). Some consolidation is in order. At least OneUI 8.5 feels more consistent and useful than ever. The Now Brief is a useful widget, but I remain unmoved by Now Nudge and Now Bar.
4.5/5
Performance
The S26 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy is more powerful and efficient than ever. It's hard to find a task it can't handle.
5/5
Battery
Fantastic battery life; days if you keep settings to a mid-range resolution.
5/5
Buy it if...
You want the best Android phone on the market There are cheaper Android phones, but few mix the power, performance, battery life, maximum AI options, and creative possibilities of the S26 Ultra. Honestly, it lives up to its name.
You own other Samsung products I've said this before, and I'll say it again: Samsung lacks the same kind of deeply connected ecosystem that Apple has across its products, but it's not non-existent, and for every Samsung product you own, the utility of a Galaxy S26 Ultra to connect and sometimes control it all increases.
You want multi-day battery life and no-compromises power The Galaxy S26 Ultra has not just Qualcomm's fastest mobile chip, it has one customized for the Galaxy line, which means even more power and bespoke performance.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a budget Even though the S26 Ultra is no more expensive than the S25 Ultra, it's still an expensive smartphone (though I encourage you to check out the many deals and trade-in options). There are cheaper and quite performant Android options like the new $499 Google Pixel 10a. Just know that you give up telephoto, an S Pen, and more than a few other flagship capabilities.
AI is not your thing One of the S26 Ultra's biggest selling points is comprehensive AI possibilities. It has four (seriously) AI engines, and while that offers a lot of generative possibilities, some people just want a classic smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Also consider
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pushes the iconic iPhone in bold new directions and colors. It's recognizable, but different in ways that make it eye-catching. The performance is stellar, and the cameras set a new high-water mark for smartphone photography. For people who demand more from their smartphone, there may be no better choice.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a bold reimagining of Samsung’s flagship foldable smartphone. If a 6.9-inch display isn't enough for you, and you want to stick with Samsung and get most of that AI goodness, this foldable is the obvious choice.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The Pixel 9 Pro XL is just a bigger Pixel 9 Pro, but that's good enough. It doesn't have exclusive camera features or extra RAM for a boost, it's just got a bigger display and a bigger battery. That means the Pixel 9 Pro is an even better pick this year, but it also means that you can choose your Pixel based on the size you like, not the features you need.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Mobile Platform for Galaxy
Google Tensor G5
How I tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Tested the phone for almost one week
Took photos across all the lenses
I used the extensive AI tools
I did work and play on it
I benchmarked using Geekbench to see the comparative increase in performance over the last Ultra and how it stacks up with the iPhone 17 Pro Max's A19 Pro
Despite a historic East Coast snowstorm, I somehow received the Galaxy S26 Ultra on the same day Samsung announced it at Unpacked in San Francisco. I unboxed and started testing it within minutes of receiving it.
Since then, I've used it constantly and have done my best to push the limits of its processor and entertainment, AI and creative capabilities.
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I connected the phone to Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro to listen to video, social media, and podcasts. I also connected the phone to a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to help it track my activities and, hopefully, enhance the Now Brief reports
It’s a competitive world out there for the best cheap headphones — OneOdio should know, it’s contributed a fair few options. And with its most recent pair of budget blowers, it’s offered yet another fantastic-value headset with just a few rough edges.
The OneOdio Focus A1 Pro are the cheapest pair of headphones we’ve tested yet from the budget brand, and that’s really saying something. They cost just $35 or equivalent, undercutting the 4.5-star-rated OneOdio Focus A6. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that’ll last you well, and really don’t want to spend much money, they’re a hit.
Last you they will, because they offer a battery life that reaches up to 70 hours, which is fantastic for the money. They’re also lightweight and easy to tote about, and these perks will likely be big draws to buyers on a budget.
My favorite element of the Focus A1 Pro is the audio quality: these headphones sound better than anything else I’ve tested under $50. That’s obviously a low bar, but the OneOdio easily clears it, with music sounding natural and bright with a decent sound stage.
When buying budget headphones, there’s always a big risk that you’re buying tat that’ll end up in landfill (or a box to take to your local recycling center) by the end of the month. I’m happy to report that the OneOdio certainly aren’t that… but they have a few issues too.
Lots of the weakest elements of the A1 Pro are things I’ve seen in other OneOdio headphones, such as the Focus A5 (which I only awarded three stars, in my review).
These new cans don’t have a tie-in smartphone app, and nor do they offer many of the features that an app would help open the door to. Most vitally, there’s no equalizer, which many consider an imperative feature for products such as this. The ANC performance is also weak, with the passive padding of the cups doing the lion’s share of the work in stopping surrounding sounds from distracting you. Now, we can easily argue that it would be churlish to expect these things for such a lowly fee, but it's my job to tell you what you'll be getting here if you click 'buy'.
I also found these cans a little uncomfortable to wear over longer periods of time, partly due to their rather tight clamping force, and partly because they sit somewhere between on-ears and over-ears. Your poor flappers are going to get a little crushed.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released on January 20, 2026
Sells for $34.99 / £43.99 (roughly AU$85
On sale in UK and US, not Australia
You can pick up the Focus A1 Pro for $34.99 / £43.99 (roughly AU$85, but unlike many other cans from the company, they don’t yet seem to be on sale in Australia).
You think that makes them some of the cheapest headphones worth considering? Wait until you hear the actual price; within two weeks of the release date of January 23, I’d already found them discounted. Only by a couple of dollars or pounds, but it's still something, and OneOdio promises continued price cuts through the year.
The headphones were announced on January 20, 2026, and released shortly afterwards.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Specs
Drivers
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
70 hours
Weight
200g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0
Frequency response
20Hz - 20kHz
Waterproofing
N/A
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
70-hour battery life
ANC is resoundingly light-touch
No app
In what might come as a shock to headphone buyers in the year 2026, the Focus A1 Pro don’t have a smartphone app. Of all the features this rules out, an equalizer is the biggest: if you don’t like OneOdio’s mix, you'll have to lump it.
You do still get multipoint pairing, as well as a low-latency mode for gaming which is enabled by double-pressing the ANC button. But this department more than any other shows why the headphones are so cheap.
Talking of ANC, it’s not very good, but coupled with the natural passive noise cancellation of the ear cups, it’ll remove the top layer of annoying noise. When I was on public transport, I could still hear every screech of noisy rails or honk of nearby vehicles, but it was a little less onerous than normal.
(Image credit: Future)
I personally took to keeping the ANC off, though, and it was for battery reasons. With ANC off, you get 70 hours of listening time, which is solid stamina. For context, if you listened for about three hours and 20 minutes every day, you’d only have to charge every three weeks.
That figure drops substantially with ANC on; OneOdio’s figures alternate between quotes of 40 or 50 hours, and the truth is likely somewhere in between. I’d rather have the longer listening time than the scant improvements this particular ANC solution brings.
I was surprised to read that the OneOdio has Bluetooth 6.0; it’s rare among headphones I’ve tested recently in having this enhanced standard. Not once in testing did I have any connection issues.
Features score: 3.5/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Sustainable build
Comfortable to wear
Incredibly handy joystick controls
The Focus A1 Pro are, by and large, your standard headphones: big, black band with an ear cup at each end, that give you music. No-one was expecting OneOdio to reinvent the wheel for $35.
They weigh 200g, and while they have a few little design flourishes that differentiate them from your average budget cans (some curves and patterns in the appearance, for example), they do feel cheap. The build is plastic-heavy and some of the moving parts can wobble or creak a little bit.
You don’t get a carry case with the Focus, and I was a little scared to transport them in my bag, as they feel a tad fragile. They also have no IP rating. That said, during my testing month, they sustained no damage whatsoever.
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve so far refrained from classing these as over-ears or on-ears, as they sit haphazardly in the middle of both. Forget Goldilocks’ messaging, though, because it’s not ‘just right’ either. They sit a little weirdly on the head, for me.
The pads, while soft, crush your ears a little over time; this was noticeable when listening for longer sessions, as my ears would get a bit achey. The rather tight grip of the cans doesn’t help here either. I also never quite figured out exactly how to wear them, due to this over/on dilemma.
On the right cup, there are some touch controls (volume up and down, power, ANC; the basics) as well as the USB-C port. These don’t stick out too much, so finding them by touch can be tricky. It took a little while for pressing these to become easy and natural. There’s no 3.5mm jack for wired audio; these are wireless or nada.
Design score: 3.5/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Sound quality
40mm driver
Crisp, natural audio
Max volume could be higher
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve been positive about the Focus A1 Pro and that’s not going to stop now, but let’s get one thing straight: these are budget cans, and when I say they’re ‘good’, I mean ‘for the price'.
OneOdio has kitted out the headphones with 40mm dynamic drivers using PET diaphragms; so far, so budget.
Unlike many other budget headphones, the brand hasn’t fallen into the ‘more bass is more gooder’ trap — there’s a fairly natural-sounding V shape with distinct trebles in vocals, and bass that’s as rounded as you can hope for at this price point. I was surprised when songs like Starlight by Slash and Miles Kennedy offered layered instrumentation and palpable timbre, as it’s not something I’d expect for the cost.
(Image credit: Future)
Naturally, the mids can fall through the cracks, so you can’t expect the whole band to show up. And when you get songs with lots going on, instruments blur together; Clarity by Vance Joy doesn’t quite live up to its title.
I’ve been constantly mentioning the price in this scene, and it’s to cover my back. Audiophiles won’t like these cans, as the mixing is messier than it would be on pricier options. But if you compare these to other offerings at the price, they’re nothing short of wonderful.
I would’ve liked to see the Focus A1 Pro manage a higher max volume, though. At full blast, the audio could mostly compete with a busy-ish road I was walking down, but Nigel Tufnel would malign the lack of any 11 to turn your music up to for that harder hit. Even when at home, anything below 50% volume was hard to hear.
Sound quality: 4/5
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Great sound for price
Some rivals may beat in certain departments
The OneOdio Focus A1 Pro are fantastic for the price. They sound far better than you’d expect from budget cans, and I’ve tested rivals for twice the price which don’t hold a candle.
That’s not even touching on the solid battery life, the hardy connection or the useful-for-gamers latency mode.
If you look hard enough, you can probably find rival cans with better ANC, a comfier fit or an equalizer, and I’d like the OneOdio even more if it offered these. But for the price, it’s hard to knock the Focus for its absences.
Value: 4.5/5
Should I buy the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro?
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
There’s no app and ANC isn’t great, though the battery life and connection are solid.
3.5/5
Design
For cheap earbuds, they look better than most, but have a few rough edges (literally).
3.5/5
Sound quality
These cans sound great for the price, with clearer audio and neater sound spacing than you’d expect.
4/5
Value
If you’re on a budget, these can’t be beaten
4/5
Buy them if…
You're on a tight budget These headphones have been designed for people who don't want to pay for premium, or even mid-range, options.
Battery life is an important factor The 70-hour battery life is going to be handy for all kinds of use cases.View Deal
You need lightweight headphones Don't like a big helmet on your head? These are lighter than some alternatives I've tested.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You need something durable The OneOdio feels a little fragile, and I don't imagine they'll stand up to some rough-and-tumble use.
You need heavy-duty noise cancellation The ANC on these guys isn't fantastic, though it's better than nothing.
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro review: Also consider
OneOdio Focus A1 Pro
Soundpeats Cove Pro
OneOdio Focus A6
Drivers
40mm
40mm
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life (ANC on)
70 hours
95 hours
75 hours
Weight
200g
251g
240g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth 6.0
Waterproofing
NA
IPX4
NA
OneOdio Focus A6 These high-rated budget cans cost a touch more than the A1 Pro, but app access is the headline improvement. Read our full OneOdio Focus A6 review
Soundpeats Cove Pro These slightly pricier alternatives have a solid build and impressive feature set, though they don't sound as good. (Our review on the Cove Pro is currently in the pipeline; when we publish it, you'll be the first to know!)
How I tested the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro
Tested for 1 month
Tested at home, on walks, on public transport and the gym
(Image credit: Future)
I used the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro for the best part of a month before writing this review, so they got a lot of use.
For most of the test period, the headphones were paired with my Android smartphone, though I also used them alongside an Android tablets at several points.
Testing was done streaming music, watching TV shows and playing games. I tested the headphones in various interior settings, while out and about, and during gym sessions.
I've been tested audio gadgets for TechRadar for years, including several previous OneOdio headphones and earbuds.
The headline act here is an updated operating system. It’s the first epaper tablet to run an Android 15-based software and Boox has promised that the device will receive three years of support, much more than previous iterations.
The second thing that’s new here is the pen. It ships with the Boox Pen 3, which is unlike anything I’ve seen from the Chinese ereader maker. It continues to have the felt tip-like writing experience, but unique is the storage space for three replacement nibs on the top, covered by its own cap. Sadly this top cover is loose and pops off easily.
Lastly, the Note Air5 C features a set of pogo pins on its rear that allows it to attach seamlessly to the optional keyboard folio from Boox, and there’s a pair of buttons on the magnetic side for page turns or volume adjustment.
That’s all that’s new here — nothing really groundbreaking except the software upgrade. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as the Note Air5 C, like its predecessors, is solidly built and performs well. It just doesn't feel very different from other Boox devices and, if I was asked to recommend a 10-inch e-notebook, I'd probably pick the lighter (albeit grayscale) Boox Go 10.3 or the reMarkable Paper Pro for its color display (although you won't get Android's versatility).
There are a few other small issues that I think is important to note: while the screen light is great at its brightest, it's comparatively darker at low and mid levels. The magnet to secure the pen to the side of the tablet is also not very strong — the only position where it secures well covers the bottom page-turn button, but even that isn’t great.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 CPU used here helps the device perform well, but I found some lag when using the on-screen keyboard. There's a much more significant lag when using the optional keyboard folio, which makes touch typing annoying. You might also experience some ghosting, particularly if the document you're perusing is image-heavy.
While my complaints aren't serious, I think they diminish the Note Air5 C’s overall value and make it harder to recommend over its own Go 10.3 sibling, or the reMarkable Paper Pro if color is important.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Note Air5 C review: Price & availability
Released October 2025
Available now for $529.99 / €529.99 / AU$919
US and European price includes folio and box of 5 replacement nibs; Australian price is for device and stylus only
If you’re in the US or in the UK, (or anywhere in Europe for that matter), the Boox Note Air5 C is well priced, especially when purchasing directly from the Boox Store where it’s bundled with a folio case and a box of five replacement pen tips. And given there are three spare nibs on the top of the new stylus itself, that’s a lot of spare tips for the price.
In Australia, however, it’s a very expensive prospect as you only get the tablet and the Boox Pen 3 — no extras are included.
In contrast, the reMarkable Paper Pro, which is also a 10-inch color e-notebook, starts at $579 / £559 / AU$929 with a basic Marker and no additional extras. However, it uses a better color display (a customized version of the E Ink Gallery 3 technology that no other ereader maker is currently using), so the saturation is much better. On the flip side, the Android-running Note Air5 C gives you more freedom on the apps you can use and is the more versatile device.
Then again, if you can forgo the color display, a monochrome epaper tablet would be a lot cheaper. For example, you can get the Boox Go 10.3 for around $410 / €420 / AU$699 (US and European price includes the folio and extra nibs), and it’s a fantastic e-notebook that’s lighter than the Note Air series. Even the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) would be a cheaper buy and I love its bright, monochrome display.
• Value score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Note Air5 C review: Specs
Display type:
E Ink Kaleido 3
Screen size:
10.3 inches
Resolution:
300ppi (2560 x 1920 pixels) in b/w; 150pp (1240 x 930) in color
Processor:
2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
Frontlight:
Yes (warm and cold)
Storage:
64GB (expandable)
Battery:
3,700mAh
Speaker:
Dual (stereo)
Water protection:
None
Software:
Android 15
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.1 USB-C
File support:
20 document, 4 image, 2 audio
Dimensions:
225 x 192 x 5.8 mm (8.9 x 7.6 x 0.23 inches)
Weight:
440g / 15.5oz (without case and pen)
Onyx Boox Note Air5 C review: Design & display
Solid build, but heavy to hold for long durations
Newly designed pen with spare nibs on the top
Customizable page-turn buttons
Excellent 10.3 E Ink Kaleido 3 display, but colors can appear muted
Physically, the Note Air5 C is identical to the previous two generations, with a couple of minor differences. As I’ve already said, that’s not a bad thing, as the overall design is still nice and the device is solidly built. So solid, in fact, that the Note Air series is on the heavier side when it comes to 10-inch epaper tablets.
For context, the Boox Go 10.3 weighs 375g and the ViWoods AiPaper tips the scales at 370, but neither of them have frontlights. In contrast, the Note Air 4C weighs 420g and the 5C comes in at 440g. It’s not the heaviest e-notebook — the reMarkable Paper Pro is 525g — but it’s not the most comfortable to use in one hand for long periods of time.
Despite being on the heavier side, I like the Note Air series’ metallic chassis and glass screen. While that makes the tablet cold to the touch (especially in winter months), it also makes it a hardy device. That said, there’s no waterproofing here.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
There are only two design differences between the Note Air5 C and the previous 4C and 3C generations. One is a set of pogo pins on the rear to connect to the optional keyboard folio, and the other is a pair of small buttons on the magnetized edge of the device for page turning or volume adjustments.
I’ve been waiting for a large-screen ereader with page-turn buttons but this placement means the device can’t be used single-handed — you will need one hand to hold the device via the larger bezel and use the other hand to press one of the buttons on the opposite side. In my time with the Note Air5 C, I never once found the need to use the buttons, but the long-press functionality can be set to various functions that can prove handy for some users.
However, if you have the supplied stylus — called the Boox Pen 3 — secured to the side of the tablet, it covers the lower button. Place the stylus lower and the magnetism just isn’t strong enough for a secure hold.
I have to take some time to describe this new pen too. It has an interesting design where, instead of an eraser on the top, three replacement nibs can be stored vertically. They’re covered by a cap with a side clip — much like an actual pen — but sadly the cap is loose and pops out easily. You also need to replace it carefully, and correctly, to avoid damaging the nibs. As thoughtful as the design is, I think the cap would have benefitted from being clipped into place rather than sliding on and off. Despite the addition of the spare nibs on the top of the stylus, the pen is well balanced, lightweight and lovely to write with on the Note Air5 C.
I should also mention that the most secure way to stow the stylus is to use a folio cover, but the one I was sent for this review didn’t have a loop. Instead, it had a removable flap that I found very annoying to use. Even the keyboard folio designed for the Note Air5 C has the same flap and it’s just as annoying there as it comes off easily or shifts position with the merest of touches.
Going back to the tablet itself: there’s a USB-C port, a microSD card tray and dual speakers on the edge opposite to the page/volume buttons, while the top edge houses a power/sleep button that’s flush with the body. The power button is also a fingerprint scanner and I didn’t find its placement very intuitive — I kept expecting the button to be on the corner, but it’s placed slightly away and I kept having to feel for it.
As expected, one bezel is thicker than the other three, with the top corner of the bigger bezel featuring the Boox branding. Small orange strips on three of the edges add some trim to the device, and the same orange surrounds the USB-C port.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
This chassis encloses a 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 screen with LEDs under the glass panel for a frontlight. The light can be adjusted for both brightness and temperature, although keep in mind that warmer (yellow) light will affect the colors displayed on the screen. While this won’t affect those of us who mostly read and write in black and white, fans of comics, manga and graphic novels — or anyone using the color inks to mark up documents — may find colder light the better option.
At its brightest, the frontlight is excellent, but dip it a little bit and the difference is quite dramatic, with the screen appearing darker than expected, but this is a common feature among Boox's color epaper devices like the Go Color 7 (Gen II).
The display, with a monochrome resolution of 300ppi and color resolution of 150ppi is standard, is good. Text is sharp and clear for reading, while colors are good… in the context of being an E Ink display, not compared to an LCD screen. That said, they are relatively muted compared to the reMarkable Paper Pro, which uses the E Ink Gallery 3 screen technology that no other epaper device has yet adopted.
• Design & display score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Note Air5 C review: Software & user experience
First 10-inch epaper tablet to adopt Android 15
Boox promises three years of software support
Good native apps, but complex user interface
Where the Note Air 4C runs on Android 13, Boox has adopted Android 15 for the 5C. Running a later version of Android means the newer epaper tablet will get better software support — and Boox has promised three years of security updates — and there’s better app compatibility too.
It’s important to note, however, that my review of the 5C’s software is based on the firmware it was running at the time of writing (v4.1.2) and the experience could change slightly depending on what future firmware versions add. The current software fixed a major issue the tablet suffered from at launch (and one I experienced as soon as I started using it) — being unable to write comfortably along the four sides of the screen in the native Notes app.
Android OS & apps
The custom version of Android 15 running on the Note 5C doesn’t feel very different from the software on older Boox devices as the company has its own user interface overlaid on the operating system. Boox has done a lot of work over the years to simplify its interface, making it cleaner and easier to use, but there’s still plenty to wrap your head around.
That said, I love the look of the default home screen on Boox’s larger tablets, which has a box for your books, another for notes, below which are the apps — both native and those downloaded from the Google Play Store — and, finally, a few icons to access the native library app, a bookstore (with titles that are available in the public domain), the folders within the device’s storage section, and all settings.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Unlike older Boox devices, the Google Play Store is preinstalled and all you need to do is sign in to download any app. While you won’t be using video streaming services, you can download audio platforms — the built-in speakers are fine, but I’d highly recommend pairing Bluetooth speakers or headphones instead. You can also download some mobile games — I played a bit of Two Dots and it wasn’t too bad — but I suspect most users opting for a device like the 5C would want reading and productivity apps.
You can install Gmail, for example, to access your emails or install KoReader or Moon Reader instead of using the native NeoReader app. Personally, I use the Kindle and Kobo apps to access my existing purchases and get new content, but I also like Instapaper (for reading web articles offline) and Libby (to borrow library books), but the choice is yours.
However, I’ve found the native apps to be more than enough for most users. Not only will you get a full-featured library and notes applications, but there’s also a browser, music player, calendar and a gallery. There are a couple of applications to help you transfer files — although you can use Google Drive and/or Dropbox for easy cloud transfers. Wired transfers are possible on Windows PCs and, as a Mac user, I stuck with the OTG support on the USB-C port that allowed me to plug in a portable SSD.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Control Center and you’ll find plenty more options there, including buttons for taking screenshots and splitscreen view. This is also where the volume and light control sliders are, but Boox introduced buttons for some preset light options in 2025 and, honestly, I don’t like either the Bright or the Soft settings. I choose custom and make adjustments as I need them — something I did in my Boox Go 7 review as well.
There’s a long list of settings to get through as well, but what’s irksome about the Boox interface are the smaller hidden menus that you need, especially in the native reading app. Unless you’ve already used a Boox device previously, you’ll likely miss them, or you’ll stumble upon them when you’re looking for something specific to change. Ironically, this is a massive improvement over the previous versions of the UI but, if you’re a first time Boox user, be prepared to be patient while learning your way around.
• Software score: 4 / 5
Reading experience
While I had issues with how text rendered on the 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 screen in my Boox Go Color 7 (Gen II) review, thankfully none of that affects the Note Air5 C. Reading, whether you’re using the native NeoReader application or you’ve downloaded a third-party app, is a pleasurable experience. Text is sharp and there’s a wide variety of font sizes to choose from.
What I like about the open Android ecosystem of Boox tablets is the ability to sideload any font I like — I’m partial to Amazon’s Bookerly — and use that in the native library app for any sideloaded DRM-free content.
As an avid reader who has used the Boox Go 10.3 as well, I’m pleased to say that the text contrast on the 5C is better, which adds clarity and makes for a better reading experience over the monochrome sibling. Plus, the frontlight on the 5C makes a difference — if you want more contrast, you have to set it to high brightness with no warmth. Adjusting the light temperature can have an effect on the clarity via the contrast, but at no point did it make the text look fuzzy or unreadable. It’s a marked improvement over the Go 10.3 which uses the E Ink Carta 1200 display technology.
Colors, while not as saturated as on the reMarkable Paper Pro due to the difference in screen tech being used, are not bad and I found book covers looking good. However, my favourite graphic novel series, The Sandman, looked washed out compared to when I was reading it on my Kobo Libra Colour or even the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II. I’m not much of a comic or graphic novel reader, so the muted colors didn’t really bother me as I’m very used to looking at the frames in black and white on a monochrome ereader.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
If you need to make notes on ebooks in the native reading app, you can either scribble or type, and there are menu options within the app to help you do so. These get saved automatically in the document you’ve annotated and you should see them when you open it again. You can use colored ink to write, but all typed text will be grayscale. Highlights can be in a variety colors too.
Overall, the Note Air5 C makes for a lovely ereader, but its weight can make it uncomfortable for using beyond, say 30 to 40 minutes, and if you leave the folio on, that’s added bulk to take into consideration. Whether you’re reading in bed or sitting up, this is definitely a two-handed device.
• Reading score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Writing & typing experience
The Note Air5 C offers one of the best writing experiences I’ve had. The Pen 3 is designed to offer a felt-tip experience, which is smooth, and there’s just enough friction to make it feel like you’re writing on paper. You can even hear an almost-audible scratch on the screen that you’d hear when scribbling with pen and paper.
However, if you’ve used an epaper writing tablet without a frontlight before — like the Boox Go 10.3, ViWoods AiPaper or the reMarkable 2 — and decide to move to one with a light, you might find the gap between the pen and its stroke a little disconcerting. This gap is due to the LEDs occupying the space between the top glass and the actual E Ink layer below — but you get used to it very quickly, so this isn’t a complaint, merely an observation.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I found no lag between pen movement and the mark appearing on the screen, although there were occasions when the device didn’t register a pen stroke — a page refresh usually fixed this issue, although I did restart the device a couple of times when a simple refresh didn't work.
Despite that, the overall writing experience is excellent. Typing, on the other hand, not so much.
Whether you’re using the on-screen keyboard or you’ve opted to purchase the optional keyboard folio, there is a lag. The former is the faster option with only the slightest lag, but using the physical keyboard is slow and makes touch typing difficult. I tested the Note Air5 C with a Logitech wireless Bluetooth keyboard and found the lag is slightly less compared to Boox’s own keyboard folio. This allows for a better touch-typing experience in my opinion.
In fact, my experience typing on the 5C was so slow that I stopped using physical keyboards and stuck with the on-screen one when necessary (like inputting a password).
• Writing & typing score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Onyx Boox Note Air5 C review: Performance
Smooth and fast performance overall
Some ghosting, but mostly when viewing image-heavy documents
Disappointing battery life, but standard for an Android device
Boox doesn’t reveal what specific processor it uses in its devices. To determine that, I downloaded the CPU X app — a free download from the Google Play Store — and this told me there’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chip inside doing the heavy lifting.
This chip is also in use in the smaller Boox Go 7 ereader and works well there, and is an upgrade over the Snapdragon 680 in the original Boox Go 10.3. So, does it make the 5C the better device? To answer that, I began by first benchmarking the CPU, something I’ve done for previous Android-based epaper tablets because it’s easy to install the Geekbench 6 app on them.
The single-core score for the Note Air5 C recorded was 576, while multi-core was 1424. In comparison, the Boox Go 10.3 scored 403 and 1261 respectively, while the ViWoods AiPaper produced a result of 299 and 1114 from its MediaTek MT8183 CPU.
To be honest, these numbers don’t really mean much for devices like ereaders and e-notebooks — it’s how well the operating system has been implemented that will make or break the performance. For instance, despite a lower score, I found the ViWoods AiPaper to be the better device compared to the Boox Go 10.3 in real-world use because of how well the Android 13-based OS had been implemented.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
On the Note Air5 C, the Snapdragon 690 chip doesn’t really make much of a difference in overall performance when compared to the Go 10.3, although it’s a lot better compared to the Note Air 3, which was the previous device in this series that I have experience with.
Other than the typing lag I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve had no other significant issues with the 5C: apps open quickly and none crashed during my testing, page turns are quick and any adjustments — like brightness or volume — happened instantly. Ghosting can still be a problem for some users though, and I found it to be particularly noticeable when reading image-heavy documents and books.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The only reason I would opt for a non-Android e-notebook like the Kindle Scribe or the Kobo Elipsa 2E would be for the battery life. As I expected, the 3,700mAh battery doesn’t last very long as Android is a power-hungry OS.
You might find yourself charging the device every 3 to 4 days, depending on how much you use it and what some of your settings are. During my testing, I found that an hour of reading at mid-brightness and some warmth to yellow the screen dropped battery life by 2%. An hour of notetaking will drop it quicker — in my case, about 8% at the same light settings with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off.
Bump the frontlight to full brightness (and no warmth) and those battery drops for the same amount of use increases to a 5% and 10% respectively. If you have Wi-Fi turned on at all times, expect a touch more battery use, but it’s not a significant drop. If you happen to use some apps, like the browser or the music player, the battery will drain faster.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Long story short, prolific use will get you 2-3 days on a single charge, which can be extended to about 5 or 6 days if you use the device for maybe 30 minutes every day.
Topping up the battery is also a bit of a time investment — it took 2 hours and 3 minutes for my review unit to go from 16% to full, and that’s when plugged directly into a GAN wall charger using a high-quality USB-C to C cable. In my experience, this charging rate is slower than the 4,100mAh capacity battery in the ViWoods AiPaper, but about the same rate as the Boox Go 10.3 (which also uses a 3,700mAh battery).
• Performance score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Onyx Boox Note Air5 C?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
It’s well priced, but expensive compared to grayscale e-notebooks.
4 / 5
Design & display
Solidly built with a good display, but there’s not a lot that’s actually ‘new’ about it physically.
4 / 5
Software & apps
The first Android e-notebook to run on an Android 15-based OS, it will get a few years of updates. The UI, however, still remains relatively complicated.
4 / 5
Writing & typing
Using the new stylus on this device is a wonderful and smooth experience, but there’s a lag when typing, whether via a physical keyboard or the on-screen one.
4 / 5
Reading
Clear text with very good contrast, but some colors appear muted, especially when compared to the similarly priced reMarkable Paper Pro.
4 / 5
Performance
Good general performance, but nothing that stands out from the competition.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want to upgrade from a much older Boox Note series tablet
If you're using an older Note series tablet, the 5C is a worthy upgrade, with software and performance enhancements that make a huge difference to usability.
You want a color e-notebook that offers an open ecosystem
There still aren't too many 10-inch epaper tablets with a color display — if that's an important consideration, the 5C is cheaper than the reMarkable Paper Pro and there are perks to using an Android device.
You want a versatile epaper tablet
One of the perks I mentioned above is the ability to download apps from the Google Play Store to make the most of your e-notebook. And that can make such a device very versatile indeed.
Don't buy it if...
You want more saturated colors displayed on the screen
While book covers look fine, I found some others appearing washed out on the 5C. Moreover, the ink and highlight colors are a lot better on the reMarkable Paper Pro, if you want more saturation.
Battery life is important
Android epaper tablets don't offer good battery life. If that's a major criteria, you should opt for a Kindle or Kobo writing tablet instead.
You don't need a plethora of features
There's a lot you can do with the Note Air 5C, or other Android e-notebooks, but this could be overkill for many users. If you want a more streamlined UI and don't need third-party apps, you could save money by opting for smaller e-notebooks like the Kobo Libra Colour, or larger grayscale ones like the Kindle Scribe.
Also consider
If you're unsure whether the Boox Note Air5 C is right for you, there are other options to consider. However, keep in mind that any such device with a color display will be expensive, while monochrome options can save you some cash.
reMarkable Paper Pro
If it's a color display on a 10-inch e-notebook that's got your attention, then there's none better than the reMarkable Paper Pro. It's the only epaper tablet using the E Ink Gallery 3 screen tech and it offers a simple, streamlined interface that has absolutely no distractions. Read our in-depth reMarkable Paper Pro review for the full details
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)
Given the Colorsoft version of the Kindle Scribe still isn't widely available, I think the second-gen Scribe is still a worthy option with a grayscale screen. The ambient light sensor makes a huge difference to usability (I love it!) and it's arguably the nicest screen I've written on. Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review to learn more
ViWoods AiPaper
It's a frightfully expensive Android e-notebook, but I much prefer its interface to Boox. It's also the thinnest large-screen epaper tablet I've tested. It works wonderfully well and has more native apps than Boox as well. If money's no object, I couldn't recommend this highly enough, albeit no color screen here. Read my in-depth ViWoods AiPaper review to find out more
How I tested the Onyx Boox Note Air5 C
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I've been testing and writing about ereaders and epaper tablets for nearly a decade now, and have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to E Ink devices. That puts me in an excellent position to compare and just new devices coming into the market, just like the Boox Note Air5 C.
As with any new epaper device, I first go through all the settings options to ensure I have the tablet set up the way I like it, as it becomes my person device for a few weeks. Having done that, I connected the 5C to Wi-Fi and logged into the Play Store.
Plugging my 2TB Samsung T7 Shield portable SSD into the USB-C port, I was able to access a bunch of ebooks I keep as test files for my ereader reviews, plus a few PDFs. While this was the primary way of transferring files during my testing, I also signed into Google Drive to download some old notes I had saved from an older Boox device. I also used BooxDrop, which has some EPUBs stored in the cloud, that I could transfer to the 5C. These were the methods I tested for file and font (Bookerly specifically) transfer.
I spent about an hour each day over four weeks reading, but I spent a lot more time taking notes, including for this review — the Note Air5 C essentially became my e-notebook for work and for personal use. I tried annotating PDFs and some DRM-free ebooks as a test, but I also used the on-screen keyboard, the Boox keyboard folio made specifically for the 5C and a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard as part of my review process.
I kept tabs on battery use in 1-hour blocks, but I also changed settings to see how it affected battery usage. And, finally, I timed how long it took to charge when I allowed it to drop below 20%.
Having spent the past two years glued to the ThunderX3 Core gaming chair, I can say with confidence that the technology packed into the backrest is not, in fact, a gimmick. Looking at this racer-style gaming chair with its wiggly backrest protruding out, you might think it's undergone some kind of malfunction. But sit down and prepare to be amazed, because the ThunderX3 Core goes above and beyond for the price point, and it does so with impeccable style.
I've always steered away from gaming chairs with a separate lumbar cushion like that of the Corsair TC100 Relaxed; their rigidity does little for me as someone who moves around a lot, and I always feel like there's too much of a gap in the middle of my back. With the majority of racer-style gaming chairs opting for this solution, or some form of adjustable lumbar like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL's practical but not-so-elegant, built-in side dial, I had thought my only other option was to spend over $1,000 on an office-style gaming chair that would adapt and reform itself to my body in motion. Then I spotted the ThunderX3 Core.
This ergonomic gaming chair features Lumbar 360° technology that sees almost the entire backrest deftly responding to your body as you bend and lean in the sitting position. I've felt consistently supported from the lower back right up to the upper back since the moment I started using it, helping me avoid the usual back pain that arises from all those awkward sitting positions I've been warned off.
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
The gently-bucketed seat can be tilted forward and locked at a slight angle, and the backrest can tilt and lock in several positions up to around 45 degrees. That does mean you don't get the full recline, but all that adjustability adds up, not to mention the four-dimensional armrests that even some mega premium chairs I've tested have omitted. Granted, the ThunderX3 Core doesn't come with an adjustable headrest like more premium ergonomic designs do, but it does include a gorgeous memory foam headrest with winged sides, as well as a footrest with two zippable sections and a non-slip texture on the bottom. All this while oozing premium design, without the premium price tag.
The major drawback for me has always been the armrests, which have always been a little rattly, but more so after a few years of learning. They've also always felt a little far forward for my liking, and don't move back as you recline, so the gap tends to see me leaning forward to reach them with my little arms. Over the years, the back of the armrest has been dented by my elbows while the rest hasn't, but it's still comfy as anything. I can't feel the plastic under the padding even after two years of everyday use.
Even the best gaming chairs will start to rattle a little after a time, and while it does get picked up by my mic every now and then, these little gripes haven't compromised the overall adjustability and comfort of a well-aged chair. If you're looking for refined aesthetics that combine steady comfort with dynamic and highly-adjustable ergonomics, I can wholeheartedly recommend the ThunderX3 Core. Not least thanks to the money saved compared to premium ergonomic chairs like the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management.
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: price and availability
List price: $399.99 / £249.95 / around $595
Footrest cushion is extra in the US, but totally unavailable in the US
Affordable end of the spectrum and good value for money
Available in the US and the UK from Amazon and other big retailers, the ThunderX3 Core is easy to get a hold of and well worth the price of admission. It only comes with the footrest cushion in the UK, sadly, meaning US citizens will need to pay extra for the privilege, but with the money saved, you could buy two or three of these babies for the price of other premium gaming chairs like the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody.
For the price, it's rare to spy a chair design with no corners cut. That's exactly what we like to see in a gaming chair: zero compromise and exceptional comfort, two things the ThunderX3 Core has in droves, and all at an exceptionally affordable price point. Plus, a three-year warranty is always much appreciated.
ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: specs
Thunder X3 Core
Price
$399 / £339 / around AU$595
Maximum user weight
331lbs / 150kg
Min seat height
18in / 46cm
Seat width
21.7in / 55cm
Recline angle
125 degrees
Warranty
3 years
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: design and aesthetics
Lovely refined colorways
Extra storage in the back
Racer wing shape is a bit much
With several options when it comes to aesthetics and materials, the ThunderX3 Core doesn't pigeonhole gamers looking to live ergonomically enjoyers of the standard gamer aesthetic. While the Core Racer option caters to that with its high-contrast, almost neon blue strips along the back, the Loft and Modern options lean more toward refined colourways. Their ashy greys, muted red and navy give mature gamers the option to go subtle, or even opt for a suede-trimmed weave fabric chair if Pleather isn't your thing. I appreciate not having to peel myself off a Pleather seat in the summer heat, too.
I will say that cleaning a light grey fabric chair has been a minor challenge, but it's worth it for the gorgeous snowy look and plush feeling. Besides, over the years, it hasn't started to bobble, tear, or discolour.
The overall shape is a little over the top, with wings protruding unnecessarily far from either side of the head, but that's the only thing that gives it away as a racer. With the addition of a multifunction footrest, you're getting an extra boost where ergonomics are concerned, either for propping your feet up or leaning your arms on while gaming with a controller. Plus, the little pocket in the back is great for storing anything from a small laptop to a folder, or even a secret love note if that's how you roll.
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: comfort and adjustability
Auto-adapting comfort
Cushioned to perfection
Armrests could be nicer
The Thunder X3 Core nails overall comfort, with oodles of latex foam padding that doesn't immediately deflate. Like our long-term favorite, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, the fantastic combination of dynamic ergonomics and versatile adjustability is great for getting awkward sitters like me through long days at my desk without feeling stiff before the week is out.
Since the armrests are a little too far forward for my frame, they have dented slightly due to constant pressure on the back. Still, those with a larger build will be best pleased. The wide, only-mildly-bucketed seat is yet another indicator that this chair caters to larger gamers. It also means I can sit with my legs crossed like an ergonomic heathen, because what's the point of joint hypermobility if you can't exercise it?
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: assembly
Super short assembly time
Simple instructions
Heavy to get it where you need it
It took me under 20 minutes to get this whole chair up and running, though that's discounting the time it took me to lug it up the stairs and get it unpacked. Considering the amount of greebles, I was amazed I hardly needed the instructions aside from figuring out a practical order of events.
Out of the box, the arms are already screwed in place, and with no mechanisms left bare for me to mangle myself in there was no need to have my partner supervise the process either. Sure, it doesn't come fully assembled like the Herman Miller Vantum, but sixteen minutes of time for years of comfort is well worth the effort.
(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)
Should I buy the ThunderX3 Core gaming chair?
Buy it if...
You want dynamic back support If you shift around in your chair a lot and need constant back support as you move, the Thunder X3 Core has you covered from lumbar to upper back.
You're looking to save a buck The Thunder X3 Core is one chair that nails that price-to-performance ratio. I've tested chairs with far fewer features and worse comfort being sold at double or triple the price.
Don't buy it if...
You're rocking a smaller skeleton Smaller gamers might struggle to reach the far-forward armrests. They don't move back enough for children, for example. But larger, heavier frames will have zero trouble fitting into it.
You prefer static ergonomics If you know what you want and don't tend to shift around much (or prefer not to), then other, more rigid ergonomic designs might be more your speed.
Also consider...
If the ThunderX3 Core isn't quite for you, then consider these two fine alternatives that we think really highly of.
ThunderX3 Core
Secretlab Titan Evo XL
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management
Price
$399 / £339 / around AU$595
$599 / £514 / AU$869
$879 / around £655 / around AU$1,315
Maximum user weight
331lbs / 150kg
393lb / 180kg
275lb / 125kg
Min seat height
18in / 46cm
18in / 46cm
15.81in / 40.1cm
Seat width
21.7in / 55cm
22.8in / 58cm (inc. sides)
19.5in / 49.5cm
Recline angle
125 degrees
165 degrees
40 degrees
Warranty
3 years
5 years
15 years
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Still our favorite gaming chair, the XL version of the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is only a little more expensive than the ThunderX3 Core, and comes with a slightly better warranty. Sure, there's no dynamic lumbar, but it ticks all the build quality boxes and offers a much higher weight capacity.
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management has a lot to offer in terms of ergonomics without breaking the bank. While it's not as adaptable in real-time and takes far longer to set up, it's a much more customizable option. It's also super breathable and comes with an incredible 15-year warranty.
Used the chair nearly every day for almost two years
Tested all the mechanisms
Compared long-term wear with out-of-the-box condition
I've been using the ThunderX3 Core almost every day for the past 2 years, and having put it together and dragged its bulk up and down the stairs several times, I've had enough hands-on experience with it to give an informed opinion.
I check the ease of use where mechanisms are concerned, the overall comfort then versus now, and have noted the general wear that's happened over the years.
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Anyway, if your Razr or Razr Ultra (2025) is from T-Mobile or Verizon, you should be notified about the update very soon, if you haven't been already. The new build number for Verizon is W1UC36H.96-35-1 for the Razr and W1VL36H.59-55-5 for the...
Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold launched in the US in late January and sold out in minutes, due to incredibly low stock levels. We recently heard that the company would restock the device in the US before the end of this month, and today Samsung has confirmed this.
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The Galaxy Z TriFold will once again be in stock in the US this Friday, on February 20, at 10 AM Eastern / 7 AM Pacific. The company has sent out email notifications about the restocking to those who signed up for more information on the company's website.
Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't given...
