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Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer review: a top-notch gadget with some frustrating drawbacks

5:00 pm | October 20, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: one-minute review

The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a solid choice of air fryer for those with larger households or who entertain on a regular basis. With its basket able to be used as one large (albeit slightly narrow) space, or split into two separate zones, this is a versatile appliance that will make mealtimes much easier. What's more, thanks to its handy app, you can control the device from your phone and set the two baskets to separate cooking times and temperatures. Thanks to Sync Cooking, you can even set two foods to finish at the same time, or with Match Cooking, set two baskets of separate foods to cook at the same settings.

We largely had great results across this air fryer's six cooking functions, but found a few disappointing outcomes with basics like vegetables. Considering this device's hefty price tag, we'd expect close to perfection every time.

Despite this, the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a convenient, solid family air fryer - as long as you have the room for it.

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer with drawer open to show baskets — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer: price and availability

Price: £289.99 (about $380 / AU$560)
Available in UK from Amazon
Unavailable in US and Australia at the time of writing

The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer has an eye-watering price tag of £289.99 (about $380 / AU$560), putting it at the higher end of air fryer prices. Amazon UK does appear to drop the price occasionally by around £40, however.

This air fryer seems to have limited availability right now. I've only been able to find it at Amazon UK, with even the Cosori website directing me to the third-party retailer. Whether that's because of limited availability or air fryer enthusiasts snapping up stock, I'm not sure, but I found no mention of it on Cosori's Australian and US sites.

Value score: 4/5

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer: specifications

Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: design

Easy-to-use interface
Sleek, matt black design
No windows
Large capacity, but bulky

The Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer is a mammoth of an air fryer, at 33.8 x 51.8 x 31.3cm. If you've got limited counter space, you may find its size (accounting for the 13cm space requirement at the back) quite imposing in your kitchen. If you choose to store it away when you're done, you're going to need a big cupboard.

The air fryer has a sleek, matte black design and an easy-to-use digital interface, where you can choose from one of six cooking functions and easily set the required temperature and time for its zones. The appliance's basket is very versatile: you can use it as one large, 10-liter basket (the Grandzone), or two separate 5-liter baskets (Dual Zones) - with a divider breaking up the sections - or just use one of the 5-liter baskets. These sections are able to be controlled separately using the air fryer's interface or via an app (which I explain more in the next section).

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer on kitchen counter — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

While the Dual Blaze TwinFry is easy to set up and use, I did have some gripes with its bulky design. For one, it makes it very frustrating to clean as, while the basket, crisper plates, divider, and included tongs are dishwasher safe, you need a pretty big dishwasher to fit that basket in.

If you opt to hand wash it instead, you need to contend with its size - which I found very tricky. In addition, this bulk can make it challenging to get certain foods out of the basket/s, especially if you have two separate foods being cooked. While the tongs allowed me to easily pick up wings from one side, I had more difficulty finding the angle and device that would remove the chips from the other - without accidentally scraping the non-stick basket coating.

Likewise, when I wanted to shake my roasties on one side, I accidentally shook my roasting beef joint on the other. This air fryer definitely would have benefited from two separate baskets that can connect as one instead - and a window.

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer control panel and display — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Design score: 3.5/5

Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10L Air Fryer: performance

Convent app compatibility
Great results for most foods…
…but some basics were a bit disappointing

The Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry 10-Litre Air Fryer is miles better than the manufacturer's disappointing TurboBlaze - which I reviewed around the same time. While it doesn't have the same number of functions, the results are (mostly) much better and it's much more convenient.

The Dual Blaze TwinFry can be paired with the VeSync app on your phone, which is easy to set up and allows you to control the time and temperature of the Grandzone and Dual Zones from your phone. While the app's list of recipes is limited, and I wish it would give a bit more guidance on cooking times, its Sync Cooking and Match Cooking features are brilliant. With Sync Cooking, you can put one type of food in one basket and a different one in the other basket, then using the app, set each basket's individual cooking times and temperatures.

Fries and wings cooked using Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

The air fryer then ensures the two baskets finish cooking at the same time, starting the one that takes longer first then automatically turning on the second when the first has its amount of cooking time left. It makes cooking a meal with different components much easier: just throw everything in, set the app, and track it from there. Match Cooking, on the other hand, lets you put different foods, with the same amount of cooking time and temperature, in each basket.

Sync Cooking cut down the time of testing considerably, letting me add chicken wings to one zone and fresh fries to the other, with both finishing at the same time. The wings were crispy and succulent and my chips were crispy on the outside, but fluffy inside - perfection, with little hassle.

Beef and vegetables cooked using Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Frozen fries, on the other hand, weren't as successful, with smaller chips dropping through the crisper plate and the ends burning a bit on those that survived. Similarly, with the Roast setting, I found my broccoli florets had burnt ends, but my carrots worked well, and the Dehydrate setting left my oranges still pretty juicy after four hours. I largely followed the instructions of the included Quick Start Guide booklet, but it's somewhat limited and I advise not always taking it at face value.

While my broccoli was a bit disappointing, the Dual Blaze TwinFry really proved its worth when making a roast. I was able to pop potatoes for roasting in one zone and my beef joint in the other, using Sync Cooking to ensure they finished around the same time. The beef came out to perfection, medium-rare inside but with a flavorsome crust on the outside, while my roasties were crispy on the outside but fluffy inside. Toast, too, was a breeze to make.

Beef cooked using Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer — (Image credit: Vic Hood)

And while the design is quite imposing, the air fryer isn't that loud when on, clocking in around 62 decibels on average. It did mean we had to raise our voices a bit to talk, but no more than most kitchen appliances. Those with small children, or are clumsy like me, will be pleased to hear the outside of the air fryer doesn't get too warm either, only around 25C - cool enough to touch without getting burned.

Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer?

Buy it if

You have a big household or enjoy hosting

The 10-liter capacity of this air fryer makes it a solid choice for those who need to cook bigger meals.

You regularly make meals with varying components

Sync and Match Cooking make it easy to cook different foods, without having to keep your own timer or anything going cold. View Deal

You don't need a bunch of bells and whistles

Other air fryers have a lot more functions, but the Dual Blaze TwinFry doesn't need them. It has fewer options, but does them well.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You've limited kitchen space

This big boy takes up a lot of room, so may be less suited to those with less counter space - or a small sink for washing up.View Deal

You're on a tight budget

This air fryer doesn't come cheap. If you're on a tight budget (or don't think you'll use it enough to justify the cost), then you can find other great options for less.View Deal

How I tested the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Air Fryer

I used the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L for several days, cooking a wide variety of foods including fresh and frozen fries, chicken wings, fresh vegetables, and cake. I tested all the air fryer's various modes (including dehydrate, which I used to dry orange slices) and used all of the mobile app's features. I cleaned the air fryer in line with the instructions provided in the manual. For more details, see how we test.

First reviewed October 2024

JLab Go Pop ANC review: some of the best ultra-cheap noise cancelling earbuds on the market

6:46 pm | October 15, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: ANC, Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

JLab Go Pop ANC: one-minute review

The JLab Go Pop ANC have all the hallmarks of an instant budget favorite. These wireless earbuds pack in plenty of quality in the audio department, with particularly impressive bass and treble, strong active noise cancellation and a tiny, lightweight design.

By covering these core essentials, it's already hard to believe the JLab Go Pop ANC are only $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.99. However, JLab has gone beyond the basics by including companion app compatibility, which lets you fully customize touch controls – a great addition for the amount you expend.

Earbuds in this price range don’t often feature ANC and although you won’t get the near-silence that some of the best wireless earbuds might offer, overall quality here is good. It’s certainly enough to keep conversations muted and loud noises dulled when you’re out in public. Similarly, sound quality – although not mind-blowing due to a relatively narrow soundstage – is still up-to-standard, thanks to energetic bass and treble output.

With a great seven hours worth of battery per bud (with ANC on), high-comfort feel and IP55 waterproof rating, you’re getting more than your money’s worth from the JLab Go Pop 4, so don’t be surprised if they appear in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds sometime soon.

JLab Go Pop ANC inside charging case being held in someone's hand — (Image credit: Future)

JLab Go Pop ANC review: price and release date

$29.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.99
Launches on October 15 in the US
Expected to launch in Q1 2025 in the UK and Australia

The JLab Go Pop ANC are set to launch on October 15 in the US and although there’s no confirmed release date for the UK and Australia, it seems likely you'll see them on sale sometime in the first quarter of 2025. We’ll keep you updated with full availability info as it comes.

I tested the Black color variant, but if you want to jazz things up a bit, you’ll also be able to grab them in either Fuchsia or Teal. But arguably the main draw of these wireless earbuds is their ultra-low price. They’ll be just $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.99 at launch, so you’re going to be hard pressed to find better value ANC buds.

JLab Go Pop ANC review: specs

USB-C cable on JLab Go Pop ANC charging case folded in — (Image credit: Future)

JLab Go Pop ANC review: features

Solid ANC
Companion app compatibility
Customizable touch controls

The JLab Go Pop ANC surprised me in that they offer a fairly personalized user experience.

At the core of this is the JLab app, which offers a handful of tasty options. This includes customizable touch controls for each earbud, allowing you to choose between play/pause, volume controls, skip/previous track, voice assistant and EQ controls. I personally love touch controls, but if you find them irritating, fear not – you can deactivate them entirely in the JLab app.

I touched on EQ options there – and these are very good. There are three presets – JLab Signature (a fairly exciting sound with more of a bass/treble focus), Balanced, and Bass Boost. You can also alter EQ to your personal taste with a Custom option. In a similar vein, there are also Music and Movie modes to choose from, depending on the sort of media you’re consuming.

The main event, though, is ANC. You can adjust the strength of this with an in-app slider or simply switch between Noise Canceling and Be Aware mode – the latter of which lets in more ambient sound. And ANC quality itself is good overall. You’re not going to get the near-silence you'd expect from some of the best noise cancelling earbuds, though. What the Go Pop ANC can do is effectively dull external noise – I was unable to clearly make out conversations when in the office and playing music at medium-high volume. You can’t ask for much better at this price-point.

Finally, you’re getting good battery life out of these buds. They can survive for approximately 24 hours with a fully juiced charging case and you’ll get seven hours out of each earbud with ANC on. When testing this over the course of an entire work-day, I found the seven-hour timeframe to be accurate after listening at medium-high volume.

Features score: 4.5/5

JLab Go Pop ANC inside charging case, against a pink background — (Image credit: Future)

JLab Go Pop ANC review: sound quality

Sparkling treble; impressive bass
Mids not so prominent
Limited tinniness and distortion

For some super-cheap wireless earbuds, the JLab Go Pop ANC fare well in the audio-quality realm. It’s worth noting upfront, you’re not getting great audio here. The soundstage is pretty narrow and details won’t be fully realized. As you’d anticipate, there’s nothing fancy on offer like ‘lossless’ audio codecs, so if you’re an audiophile, it might be worth looking elsewhere (and perhaps spending a little more too).

But for buds like this, none of that matters all that much. For the most part, I used the default JLab Signature EQ setting and found that bass was surprisingly impactful and treble was sharp enough to add some flair to the overall listening experience.

When listening to I Want You by Moloko, instrumental separation was admittedly quite limited, with the complex mix a little constrained. However, the actual punch of the bass was still satisfying, synths had a cutting, prominent edge and there was little-to-no tinniness, even at high volumes.

I also tried tuning into Black Eye by Allie X. The track’s all-action intro was replicated well; the depth of the drum machine came through nicely and the dynamism of the bouncing bass line – which connects up to the lower-mid range – was responsive. I didn’t sense incredible agility or explosiveness when listening to this track, but for some budget wireless earbuds these replicated the intended energy accurately.

If you’re really into podcasts, these earbuds might not be ideal for you, though. Mids can be pushed a little bit towards the background, so vocal-heavy media doesn’t always sound perfectly clear. Of course, you can make EQ adjustments in the JBL app to partially offset this, but these earbuds are really at their best when leaning into their strengths in the lower and higher-end frequencies.

Audio is decent for calls, however. I made a phone call, Messenger video call and Google Meet video call and the quality was decently clear across the board. The only problem here is that higher-pitched sounds have a bit of a hiss, but this is a pretty common issue, even with a lot of the more expensive wireless earbuds out there.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

JLab Go Pop ANC outside of charging case on a stone surface — (Image credit: Future)

JLab Go Pop ANC review: design

Pleasingly lightweight
Super-small build
Admittedly a tad cheap-looking

Something that I instantly loved about the JLab Go Pop ANC was their ultra-lightweight, compact build. These factors combine to give them a truly minimalistic profile – both in terms of feel and aesthetic. I happily kept these buds in across multiple full work days without any irritation or discomfort.

Looks-wise, I have mixed feelings here. Given their price, I wasn’t expecting beautiful quality, but I still wasn’t won over by the plastic JLab logo etched on the outside of each bud. That is me nitpicking, though. Ultimately, these are a little cheap-looking across the board, from bud to charging case, but they aren’t off-putting by any means.

Another design aspect that could be better is the color options. Don’t get me wrong, the fact there are options at all is a nice touch – but both the purple/maroon Fuchsia and the Teal colors didn’t do it for me. They lack vibrancy, but don’t have a mild, classy look either, floating in an awkward middle ground. The classic Black will be perfectly fine for most, however.

Practically speaking though, these are very well designed. The charging case is tiny, perfect for carrying in your pocket. It also has a USB-C cable that's folded inside the base of the case, which is incredibly handy for charging on-the-go (although if you were hoping for a new USB-C to USB-C cable for general use, you'll be disappointed; this one's permanently attached to its product). The buds themselves are also IP55 rated, meaning they’re both sweat and splashproof – ideal for workouts or if, like me, you live in a rainy English city.

Design score: 4/5

USB-C cable on JLab Go Pop ANC charging case folded out — (Image credit: Future)

JLab Go Pop ANC review: value

Incredibly cheap wireless earbuds
Very impressive sound quality at this level
ANC at this price-point a rarity

OK, spoiler alert, these get full marks in the value department, but honestly, reader, I expect you saw that coming. ANC, app compatibility and solid audio quality all for less than $30 / £30 / AU$70 – that’s truly exceptional.

ANC especially is a massive win for wireless earbuds in this price range. It’s quite unusual to find this feature for so little – not to mention that the actual ANC quality is admirable. In the context of its cost, the sound quality is strong here too. Sure, it’s nothing mind-blowing and audiophiles will likely find a few faults – but their exciting sound signature is still very much enjoyable.

Value score: 5/5

Should I buy the JLab Go Pop ANC?

Buy them if...

You’re on a budget but want ANC
Active noise cancellation at $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.99? Go on then. There aren’t too many competitors offering ANC for this little and given the actual quality is good here too, these buds are an absolute steal.

You want some small, lightweight buds
These buds are absolutely tiny – even their case is as diminutive as it gets. On top of that they feel about as heavy as a feather, which combined with their high-comfort fit makes them ideal if you want to lock in for a long listening session.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
Right, so as much as the sound quality here is great for the price, it’s still not going to be enough to impress audiophiles. There are no fancy Bluetooth codecs here like LDAC and the soundstage is a tad narrow. As a result, audiophiles, you’ll almost certainly have to splash a bit more cash to get the rich sound quality you crave.

You’re a fashionista first, listener second
For all their perks, I can’t lie, these buds haven’t won me over looks-wise. The plastic JLab logo on the buds isn’t the easiest on the eye and the color options weren’t my thing either. If you want to look a bit more stylish, it may be worth looking at another strong budget option, like the (still) amazing Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW.

JLab Go Pop ANC: Also consider

EarFun Air Pro 3
The EarFun Air Pro 3 are probably the closest competitor to the JLab Go Pop ANC when it comes to pound-for-pound value. With solid ANC and sound quality, Bluetooth LE Audio support and a lightweight design they hit all of the right notes. Their stem-like look might not be for everyone, so weigh up whether that more out-of-the-box appearance is for you before picking them over these brilliant JLab buds. Read our full EarFun Air Pro 3 review.

Sony WF-C700N
Right, these are admittedly a fair step-up over the JLab Go Pop ANC price-wise. However, I’ve seen these go on sale for as little as $98 / £67 on Amazon UK and US respectively – that’s great value. I personally own these buds and you get impressive, customizable sound, plenty of fun features and perfect comfort levels. The ANC here is very competent too, so given that these are budget earbuds, you’re not sacrificing much at all on quality. Read our full Sony WF-C700N review.

JLab Go Pop ANC review: How I tested

Tested over the course of one week
Used in the office, at home and while on walks
Predominantly tested using Spotify on Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

I tested the JLab Go Pop ANC over an intense week-long period, keeping the buds in for the majority of my work days. I used them at the office, while at home and when on walks to grasp the competency of ANC in multiple environments.

Although I predominantly tested these wireless earbuds using Spotify on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, I did also try using them while using both Tidal and YouTube. When listening to music, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres but also tuned in to hours worth of bangers from my personal library.

Where appropriate, I compared these to my Sony WF-C700N earbuds on metrics such as comfort, audio quality, ANC capabilities and features.

JLab Go Pop ANC in-ear — (Image credit: Future)

First reviewed: October 2024
Read more about how we test

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: the bean-to-cup coffee machine that’ll have you bossing the barista basics in no time

6:00 pm | October 14, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo: two-minute review

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew is available to buy in the US, UK, and Australia. They have slightly different product names in each territory: in the US, the model code is EC9255M, and it’s called La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew. In the UK and Australia, the model code is EC9255.M, and the full product name is La Specialista Arte Evo Compact Manual Bean to Cup coffee machine with Cold Brew in the UK, and La Specialista Arte Evo Cold Brew in Australia.

Specialista Arte Evo is listed at $699.95 / £549.99 / AU$699 on the official De'Longhi website. You can also purchase it from third-party retailers, including Amazon in the US and the UK, which offer discounts on occasion.

For a quality manual bean-to-cup coffee machine with cold brew capabilities, this is pretty good value, and the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo should be considered alongside one of the best espresso machines.

A compact example of a manual bean-to-cup espresso machine, the Arte Evo has dimensions of 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 inches / 285 x 365 x 400mm, and is a pretty weighty 21.5 lbs / 9.3 kg. I did feel that it had the potential to move around despite this, so I always tended to have a steadying hand on the machine whenever I pushed the portafilter and tamper guide in to receive the ground coffee.

A close-up of the control buttons and the pressure gauge. — (Image credit: Future)

There is a helpful small storage compartment in the top of the machine, to the right of the hopper. The My Latte Art steam arm sits on the right of the coffee-making area and can be rotated out, so I could easily get the included metal milk jug under. Located on the back of the machine, the generous 56 fl oz / 1.7L water tank was easy to remove and replace.

One thing I missed with the Arte Evo, is that it doesn’t have changeable hoppers, so it can prove tricky if you like to switch between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. I can’t really complain about this considering the price though, as it’s mainly the more premium coffee machines that have this ability.

There are three temperature settings to choose from on this manual espresso machine, so it can be adjusted to suit whichever beverage is being made, and eight different bean-grinding settings to achieve the right intensity, and I found this useful for perfecting different coffee options.

The portafilter, single-walled filters, and cleaning brush are arranged on a stone-effect surface. — (Image credit: Future)

The Arte Evo comes with two single-walled coffee filters in a single and double dose. The filters were unusually difficult to get out of the portafilter once pushed in. I had to use a taper-ended butter knife to remove the filter each time, so this isn’t the end of the world, but care will need to be taken when attempting to remove them.

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo was delightfully straightforward to use. The setup process was quick and simple, and thanks to the helpful tips in the quick guide it was easy to determine the perfect grind coarseness, dosage, and techniques to create tasty cups of coffee.

I’m a huge fan of this coffee machine, and I’d recommend it as the best in this price bracket, but if you think you might want some different features or you prefer a different aesthetic, you could always take a look at our selection of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines to see if anything catches your eye.

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: price and availability

List price: $699 / £549 / AU$699
Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The list price for the Specialista Arte Evo is $699.95 / £549.99 / AU$699 on the official De'Longhi website. It’s available from other third-party retailers too, including Amazon in the US and the UK, where the price is occasionally discounted.

This is pretty good value for a quality manual bean-to-cup coffee machine with cold brew capabilities, and while it may not have as many grind settings or auto-tamping as the reigning champion of our selection of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, the Sage Barista Express Impress, this compact De'Longhi espresso machine offers cold brew and is a whole lot cheaper.

Value score: 5/5

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: specs

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: design and features

Quick and easy setup
Dishwasher safe accessories
Smaller-than-average footprint for manual bean-to-cup machines

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo is fairly compact as far as manual bean-to-cup espresso makers go, with dimensions of 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 inches / 285 x 365 x 400mm. It’s understandably a bit weighty at 21.5 lbs / 9.3 kg, but this is fine as it’s a product that’s not intended to be moved around. One thing I will say, though, is that it didn’t feel quite heavy enough for me to push the portafilter and tamper guide in to receive the ground coffee without a hand on the machine to hold it in place.

One small niggle is that there isn’t the option to have changeable hoppers, which can prove to be a pain if you’ve left the beans in for too long, or if you like to switch between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, for example. It’s only really more premium coffee machines that offer this, so I can’t complain much considering the price of the Arte Evo. If you only use the amount of beans needed to avoid leaving them sitting for too long, or only use one kind of bean, you shouldn’t have any problems.

A close-up of the hopper and the conical burr grinder within it. — (Image credit: Future)

To the right of the hopper, there is a small storage compartment that could fit the filter baskets and small cleaning utensils. At first, I believed that the UK model didn’t come with a tamping mat, as it is not obviously listed on the De'Longhi UK website, but it turned out to be hidden underneath the base fitment in the accessories box. I found it really helpful when tamping my coffee, with a circular indentation for the tamper to sit in, and a shaped area for the portafilter. This also fit the tamper slot after it was removed before attaching the portafilter to the machine, so it was easy to keep things neat and tidy through each stage.

The Arte Evo also comes with a small cup support, to give those mini espresso glasses a little boost. The removable water tank is easy to remove and replace. It has a 56 fl oz / 1.7 capacity, which is plenty for a few cups of java, while also remaining light enough to be maneuvered easily.

A view of the back of the De'Longhi Specialista Arte Evo, which sits on a stone-effect surface in front of a pink backdrop. — (Image credit: Future)

The layout of the grinder, extractor, and My Latte Art steam arm is fairly standard, but the steam arm is in close proximity to where the extraction area and small cup support sit in a bid to save some space. The steam arm rotates outwards, so I could easily get the included metal milk jug under.

Inside the removable drip tray sits a red plastic water level indicator that rises through the cup grille as the tray fills up so it can be emptied before it gets too full. Speaking of the drip tray, it’s really easy to remove for emptying and cleaning. It breaks down into three parts: the cup grille, the cup grille support, and the drip tray itself.

There are three drink presets to choose from, Espresso, Americano (Long Black in the UK and Australia), and Cold Brew. The My Latte Art steam arm was easy to maneuver and I was able to use it to create smooth microfoam, as well as using it to heat and add body to the milk when mocha and cappuccino making.

A close-up view of the OK, temperature, and steam arm buttons, along with the dial to select drink types. — (Image credit: Future)

The Arte Evo has three temperature settings to choose from, so it can be adjusted to deliver the best results for whatever you’re making. It also has eight different bean-grinding settings to achieve the ideal intensity. I mostly used level five for americanos and espresso shots (which I of course used to make my beloved mochas), but I found that level six worked best for cold brews.

The My Latte Art steam arm was easy to maneuver, and thanks to the tips in the quick guide I easily created a smooth microfoam. I also used the steam arm to heat and add body to the milk for mocha making, which I did a lot of in my time with it, as it quickly became my favorite way to make coffee each day.

Design score: 4.5/5

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: performance

Simple to use
Hassle-free
Great results

Straight out of the box, the setup and coffee-making process was straightforward. The De'Longhi Quick Guide manual was easy to follow and made setting up this espresso machine a breeze. Plus, for those who are new to a manual bean-to-cup coffee machine, or you’re a visual learner, De'Longhi also has a useful how-to YouTube channel where you can see videos of their coffee machine setup processes.

After washing and drying the accessories and water tank, I put the drip tray back in place and filled the water tank before rinsing the included SoftBalls sachet under running water and dropping it into the tank. Each SoftBalls sachet lasts for three months and is designed to prevent limescale formation without affecting the quality of the coffee. After plugging the machine in and turning it on, I placed a glass bowl under the water spout before pressing okay to initiate a short rinse cycle. I then popped a filter basket into the portafilter before locking it into place, then hit okay again so that it rinsed through.

Some things to note here are that it’s tricky to get the filter baskets out of the portafilter: I had to use a taper-ended butter knife to prise them out, and in addition, it took a fair bit of elbow grease to get the portafilter to lock into place. Perhaps those stronger than me won’t have as much of an issue, but I found myself having to put my other hand on the machine to brace myself when inserting or removing the portafilter. The final part to be flushed through was the steam arm, which was just a case of placing it into the bowl and pushing the steam button on the machine.

The tamper guide, tamper, and nozzle cleaning needle are arranged on a stone-effect surface. — (Image credit: Future)

Once the machine was all set, I experimented with the grind and dose levels until I was happy with the result. This De'Longhi machine comes with a really helpful dosing and tamping guide that simply screws onto the top of the portafilter, so it’s easy to give it a few taps to help the coffee grounds settle before pushing them down with the satisfyingly weighted tamper.

The quick start guide had a helpful little Infusion Temperature Profiles box out, explaining that different beans and roasting colors require specific temperatures, informing me that Robusta coffee beans prefer a lower temperature, and Arabica beans like a higher temperature. As I was using Arabica beans, I used the maximum temperature option (level three) and selected my drink using the right-hand dial, which for my first attempt was an espresso.

A close-up view of the dose level dial, dose selection button, and indicator lights. — (Image credit: Future)

Following the instructions and tips helped me to make a pretty perfect espresso shot in a few minutes. There wasn’t quite as much crema as I’d anticipated, but other than that it was great. When trying out the steam wand on some semi-skimmed milk, I once again found the quick start guide super helpful with its additional barista tips, recommending that fresh cold milk is used and that the metal milk jug is cold. The visuals provided a little guidance, explaining where the nozzle should be placed to get the milk to froth, and these pointers helped me make some lovely foam for a cappuccino on my first attempt.

The Thermoblock heating system and active temperature control feature seemingly worked well during the brewing process, as the extracted coffee tasted spot-on every time. All three presets delivered satisfying and great-tasting results. I used the Espresso preset most frequently, combining it with steamed milk and hot chocolate powder, as I am quite partial to a mocha.

A close-up of the steam arm that sits on the right-hand side of the front of the machine. — (Image credit: Future)

I’ll admit that cold brew coffee isn’t really my thing, so I roped in my very helpful editor to do a taste test for me. I ground a single dose of espresso, which the Arte Evo mixes with 3.7 fl oz /110ml of water; alternatively, I could have ground a double dose, which would then have been used to create a 6 fl oz / 180ml sized drink. In his opinion, the coffee tasted nice, wasn't overly bitter as you'd expect from a cold brew, but it was a little too diluted for his taste.

De'Longhi recommends a grind coarseness of between four and six for cold brew. Originally I aimed for the middle with level five, so I increased the coarseness to level six following the feedback from our team's resident cold brew fanatic. He confirmed that this tweak to the settings did indeed make it stronger and, although not perfect, it was more to his tastes.

Cleaning the machine was fairly straightforward. The drip tray and grill can be removed easily and are dishwasher safe. For thorough cleaning, it’s recommended to run a mixture of white vinegar and water through the water spout, portafilter, and steam arm.

Performance score: 5/5

The De'Longhi Specialista Arte Evo sits on a stone-effect surface in front of a pink backdrop. It has a small cork-topped bottle of milk to its left, and a metal milk jug to its right. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo?

Buy it if

You want to be your own barista
As the Specialista Arte Evo is easy to operate, and the quick start manual offers so many helpful tips, you’ll be brewing up all kinds of beverages for your family and friends in no time.

You don’t want to dedicate too much space
No manual bean-to-cup machine can be truly compact due to the nature of the espresso-making process. But De'Longhi has been mindful of how valuable countertop space is in our kitchens, which is reflected in the smaller-than-average footprint of this machine.

You want fancy coffee at home
With the La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine, you’ll have the freedom to make your own espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, cold brews, and more, right from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Don't buy it if

You don’t want to have to clean up after every cup
Whether you have your coffee black or white, there’s extra maintenance to consider when it comes to a manual bean-to-cup machine. The extracted ground coffee will need to be knocked out of the filter and rinsed, and any milk will need to be wiped off the steam arm straight away to stop it from solidifying (which it likes to do very quickly).

You want your coffee quick
The process of making a coffee with the Arte Evo isn’t particularly long when compared to similar machines, but compared to a standard instant coffee, it naturally takes longer due to the extra steps involved. It’s certainly worth the effort, though!

You don’t want to get into tweaking settings
Due to the different settings available, including dose adjustment, grinding levels, and water temperature, it may take time to perfect the settings to get the right brew for you.View Deal

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review: also consider

Ninja Luxe Café
For those who want to take some of the guesswork out of their budding barista journey, the Ninja Luxe Café is a great beginner machine thanks to its grind coarseness guidance, weight-based dosage system, and automatic milk frother. It also has a slightly larger water tank, a removable hopper, and a digital display. Our reviewer was mightily impressed when they tested it out, awarding it four and a half stars. Check out the full review of the Ninja Luxe Café for further details.

De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
Undoubtedly more expensive, but the perfect alternative if you don’t want to take a hands-on approach to coffee making. It’s packed full of features, including a removable ergonomic thermal milk carafe that can be kept in the fridge to keep the milk fresh and cold. Interestingly, this machine is compatible with the De'Longhi link app, allowing you to perform some of its functions remotely. This too was awarded four and a half stars, with little in the way of negatives. Read the full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review here.

How I tested the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

I tested the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo over a few weeks
I repeatedly made espresso and frothed milk four days a week
I tested its variety of settings and features

I used the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine roughly three times a day, four days a week for several weeks, for the most part making mochas, cappuccinos, lattes, long blacks, and the odd cup of tea.

I evaluated how easy it was to put together, and how easy the setup process was. I made use of all of the features, paying close attention to the process, testing how easy the machine was to use, and the quality of the drinks produced. I tested all of the different coffee types available, and used all of the included accessories to see how they performed.

Finally, I investigated how easy it was to remove the washable parts of the machine and see how easy they were to clean.

FlexiSpot G7: two-minute review

The FlexiSpot G7 is another attempt for the company to corner the standing desk market, with a premium monster of a gaming desk. It comes in with a host of features that you'd expect from a mid-range desk and even a couple that I'd associate with a more premium price. The question is, do those features actually justify a $700 price tag for this US-only desk?

The version I was sent was the 55 x 28-inch (139.7 x 71cm) desktop, with a FPS finish. Slightly textured, and with a glitter look, it not only feels great under my hands but it means I don't have to use a mousepad with it. It's also curved inward and chamfered at the edge, which along with the vast adjustability of the stand I was sent, puts this particular model pretty high on the ergonomics scale.

Included in the top-end price, I was sent the most expensive stand and keypad combo which is what really pushes this model into the region of $700. There are some cheaper options, though pairing it with the cheaper stand means foregoing the ridiculous weight capacity and Premier keypad, which I'll get into later. For now, we'll concentrate on this version explicitly, and so far I've been thoroughly impressed.

The FlexiSpot G7 gaming desk in black with a PC and monitor on top — (Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

From fantastic ergonomics to adjustable collision detection, and a ridiculous weight capacity that would seat the most monstrous of gaming rigs, there's really a lot to like about the G7. There are a couple of minor drawbacks, such as a slightly noisy motor and a minor wobble when extended to a standing position, the only real issue I have is the added price of the E7 Pro stand.

The biggest competition for the G7 right now is the FlexiSpot E7, an impressive desk from the same company that's currently sitting atop our best standing desk guide and actually makes use of the alternative (and far cheaper) E7 stand. The E7 desk you can get for around the same price as the G7, though there are often discounts to be found on the E7 today.

I wouldn't necessarily pay the difference for the G7 with the top-end and frankly unnecessary E7 Pro stand – unless I had a supremely heavy setup – but I would potentially stretch another $50 dollars for the fantastic ergonomics and gorgeous finish of the G7 desktop. If I had a wireless charging phone, however, the Flexispot E7 with wireless charging is still likely to win out. However, if you wanted to cheat the system, you can just configure the often discounted E7 with the E7 frame and the G7 Gaming Series desktop to get the exact same desk for less.

FlexiSpot G7: Price and availability

List price of $704.98
Only available in the US
Price difference between stands is silly

At time of writing, the FlexiSpot G7 is only available in the US, where the smaller version with the most premium legs will set you back just over $700. That's without any cable management included since the optional cable tray doesn't fit the 55-inch (139 cm) desktop unless you drill it yourself. This version is only really necessary if you've got an overly heavy setup since the major difference – other than the price – is the weight capacity.

This version of the G7 goes up against some of the top standing desks around. Even when paired with the E5-A stand, it's not going to come in as our favorite budget standing desk when the FlexiSpot E5 exists. And while it's not as impressive (nor as expensive) as something like the Beflo Tenon Premium, it sits pretty much right in the middle at that pricing sweet spot for gaming desks. I would have liked to see compatibility with all the FlexiSpot greebles for the price, though.

If your PC setup doesn't weigh in at more than 355 lbs (161 kg), I'd recommend saving a few bucks by pairing the fantastic G7 desktop with the standard E7 frame and Premium keypad instead, as there's just not enough impressive features to warrant the extra cost of the E7 Pro.

FlexiSpot G7: Specs

The FlexiSpot G7 specifications when using the three different compatible stands:

The underside and wiring of the FlexiSpot G7 gaming desk — (Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

FlexiSpot G7: Assembly

Super simple 50 min setup
Easy-to-understand instructions
Lots of non-recyclable packaging

Out of the box, I was impressed with the weight of the FlexiSpot G7. It came in two separate packages, which makes sense for a fully configurable mix-and-match desk. Thankfully I had two helpers to move it upstairs, and would recommend getting another person to help you move it for the sake of your spine.

I was able to get the desk and legs out of the box and set up in less than 50 minutes with two people unpacking and screwing. Granted I'm well versed in desk assembly and my helper is a Physicist, but it was mostly thanks to FlexiSpot's superbly laid out instructions and simple fixture solutions.

A setup time like that makes it a great option for the time-poor, though that doesn't include the time spent clearing up all the non-recyclable plastic packaging, which we had to put in the trash. The G7 was packed safely, with easy-to-remove packaging, but I do wish companies would start using more sustainable packing materials. Just a thought.

Getting it up once the legs were on was not so bad, since I was able to position it so I could just flip it into place, though I wish the instructions told me to attach the keypad after turning it over as I had to lift one edge so it didn't snap off. It's also worth mentioning that I managed to put it together in a spare bedroom in a UK terraced house, which is a pretty small space. So although the G7 might come across as monstrous it's not so bad as long as you don't have too many breakables in the vicinity.

A close up of the desktop surface of the FlexiSpot G7 gaming desk — (Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

FlexiSpot G7: Design and features

Curved front with chamfered edge
Cable cutout at the back
Gorgeous finish on the tabletop

The surface of the FlexiSpot G7 desktop is a bit strange to the touch, but not bad, just not smooth like your standard desktop. It's textured, which isn't generally something people look for in a desk but bear with me. It's got a good sparkle to the finish and, while that won't be for everyone, there's something really satisfying to me about catching the G7 glittering out the corner of my eye as I move around it. Importantly, the textured finish doesn't seem to worsen my aim when I use it without a mousepad, although I've not noticed any improved precision or quicker reflexes in games, as the site suggests I might. There's no need to use a mousepad, but I appreciate most people will be using it with one. I would still recommend it if you're flinging your mouse around a lot as the textured surface – while beautiful – has the potential to graze soft hands.

Size-wise, you have the option of a slightly deeper desktop of 55 x 28 inches (139.7 x 71.1cm), or the wider but more shallow 60 x 27 inches (152.4 x 68.5cm) for an extra $30. I went for the smaller one and still managed to fit a standard setup PC on it, complete with a 1080p monitor, tower, standing mic, and two small speakers. There's even space left over for another monitor tacked on with a bracket if I fancied it. And with all the cables neatly tucked through a recess in the back of the desktop, and deftly run through the magnetic cable manager included it looks super neat.

The problem I encountered was that, while you can purchase the proper cable management tray to go underneath, there are no holes to accommodate it. You'd have to drill your own holes for the privilege, which is sad as the magnetic cable 'tray' has trouble with masses of heavy cables.

With a front edge that's curved inward, you get a pretty immersive feel sitting in front of the G7. More desks should be this shape, honestly, because I feel like I'm sitting at the desk as opposed to just in front of it. And with a chamfered edge on the front as opposed to a sharp edge like a lot of standing desks are still using today, I can happily rest my wrists on it without them jabbing into me.

A close up of the buttons of the FlexiSpot G7 gaming desk — (Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

FlexiSpot G7: Performance

Collision detection is welcome
Noisy mechanism
Wobbles when tall

The E7 Pro stand I got is made for a monster setup of a 440 lb (199.5 kg) max weight. That's far more weight capacity than your average gamer will ever need. The only real difference aesthetically from the cheaper ones is that the legs are pushed back with tapered brackets and feet. Other than that, you can only choose the Premier keypad to go with it.

That said, the Premier keypad is nicely rounded and has both adjustable collision prevention and four memory functions for height. It took mere seconds to get everything programmed, and you can even adjust the sensitivity of the collision detection, in case you have more easily breakable stuff to worry about, such as children. The Premier keypad, like the Premium before it, also has a USB-A port on the side, which is pretty darn handy.

It's worth noting that it can be a little unstable on the carpet when tall, even after settling into it for a good couple of weeks. Granted it's a pretty thick carpet, but there's a noticeable wobble when extended to a standing position, making team meetings a bit shaky. The motor, while smooth, is also a little noisy. Not the kind of thing you could operate silently while a loved one was asleep nearby.

Should you buy the FlexiSpot G7?

Buy it if...

Your setup is super heavy
This model specifically I can only recommend for people with really heavy equipment (up to 440 lbs / 199.5 kg). For your average gamer, there's otherwise not enough difference in the stands and keypads to warrant the extra cost unless you're packing some monster hardware.

You don't like mouse pads and wrist rests
The surface of the G7 desk means you don't need a mousepad and the chamfered edge is much nicer than your average desk with a sharp edge.

Don't buy it if...

You need lots of cable management
Sadly the smaller desktop of the G7 is incompatible with the FlexiSpot cable tray, so you'll either have to drill your own holes or make do with the magnetic one which isn't exactly robust.

You're on a budget
There are plenty of cheaper gaming desks out there with just as many features. This is not a cheap desk when paired with the E7 Pro stand.

Also consider

There's much to like about the FlexiSpot G7, though there are a couple of major alternatives I would recommend. Especially for those on a budget, or anyone looking for a more robust cable management solution.

Also consider the FlexiSpot E7
The FlexiSpot E7 is a great alternative as it uses one of the cheaper-but-still-good stand alternatives, and can still be configured with the gaming desktop.

For more information, check out our full FlexiSpot E7 review.

Also consider the Secretlab Magnus Pro
The Secretlab Magnus Pro is a great alternative because of its versatility and integrated cable management solution. It's perfect for gamers if you can warrant spending a little extra cash.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Magnus Pro review.

A close up of the surface of the FlexiSpot G7 gaming desk — (Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

How I tested the FlexiSpot G7

Put it together while timing myself
Worked at the desk several hours a day for a few weeks
Programmed the buttons, and checked the collision detection

I put the desk together myself, taking care to time the endeavor. I spent a few weeks working at the desk, first making time to familiarise myself with the controls. After programming it, and checking out the collision detection by whacking the bottom while it was in motion, I would spend some time each day working in different positions and listening to the motor intently as it moved.

Molekule Air Mini+ review: price & availability

List price: $359.99
Only available in the US at present

At $359.99, the Molekule Air Mini+ isn’t cheap. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this must mean it’s packed with features, but Molekule has kept things seemingly simple with this model. Perhaps too simple, in my opinion, as cheaper alternatives can give more detailed readings.

What this purifier does have in comparison to these lower-priced alternatives, however, is patented PECO technology. This allegedly breaks down organic matter at a molecular level. While I can neither confirm nor deny that this is accurate, this, along with the use of medical-grade polycarbonate, would go some way to explain why the price point is as high as it is.

But I found myself asking: is this quality filter being used to its full potential if the Air Mini+ can't detect VOCs in order to respond appropriately in the first place?

The Air Mini+ is available to purchase directly from the Molekule website and on Amazon, but only in the US at present.

Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review specs

Molekule Air Mini+ review: design

Simple aesthetic
Redundant handle
One-button control

Air purifiers can vary aesthetically: some look utilitarian while others make a statement, and the Molekule Air Mini+ sits somewhere in the middle. It has some fancy little design elements but, overall, I’ve gotta say, it’s kinda giving bathroom trash can vibes. That being said, it is at least a fairly compact size, standing at 12 inches tall, with a diameter of just over 8 inches. It’s surprisingly heavy for its size, weighing 7.3 lb, which is 4.8 ounces heavier than the much larger Shark NeverChange air purifier.

The white medical grade polycarbonate outer has a textured matte finish, with the word Molekule inlaid in shiny silver. On the right-hand side, a somewhat redundant tan-colored vegan leather handle is fixed in place by a large silver metal pin. It wasn’t easy or practical to carry it around using this, so it appears to be more of a design choice to keep it in line with the design concept of its larger sibling, the Molekule Air Pro.

Picture shows the side of the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier, mainly focussing on the tan faux-leather handle held in place by a large metal pin at the top. — (Image credit: Future)

There’s an inset gray band toward the bottom of the unit where the base meets the top section, and slanted gray slats at the top of the purifier circling the gray touch panel in the center. The control panel is subtle as no lights are on show until you touch the center to awaken the purifier. This center button is used to turn the power on and off, cycle through Auto Protect and manual fan modes, and reset the Air Mini+. In the middle of this button is the indicator light for the air quality in the room, it shows green for good, yellow for moderate, red for bad, and blue for very bad.

Picture shows a the top of the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier, with a finger nearly pressing the illuminated auto protect button. — (Image credit: Future)

A series of white dots indicate the fan level, so one dot for the lowest fan speed, and five for the highest. It also shows an interlinked symbol when it’s in Auto Protect mode. There’s a Wi-Fi symbol that flashes up upon startup or if there are connectivity issues and a filter symbol that communicates the filter’s health.

In terms of packaging, the Air Mini+ comes in a shipping-style corrugated cardboard box, with consideration going into the cardboard fitments, eliminating the need for single-use materials like polystyrene. For extra protection, the purifier comes in a good-quality reusable drawstring bag.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review: features

Aesthetically pleasing app
Lacking detailed air quality data
Impressive (but expensive) filter

The Air Mini+ is compatible with the Molekule app, which has an attractive and easy-to-use interface with a cool-toned color palette and animations. Despite the app being simple to use, setting up the Wi-Fi connection was a bit of a headache, but I’ll regale my woes further in the performance section.

Once everything was connected, the Purifier tab on the app told me what the current IAQ was, from good to very bad. From this tab, I could also change between Auto Protect mode, or manually select a fan speed from one to five. There's also a percentage rating to show the PECO-Filter condition: when pressed, it provides further information on the filter capabilities and details on how to change it. In the More tab, you can connect to Alexa, add more air purifiers to the app, and enable or disable notifications.

Picture shows the base and cable spool of a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier. — (Image credit: Future)

The Indoor Air tab shows a timed graph spanning 24 hours or one week. Unlike this purifier’s larger (and much more expensive) sibling the Molekule Air Pro, there is very limited information provided by the Air Mini+. You simply see a graph that notes the IAQ using the same color-coded system as shown on the purifier itself, and the length of time the air quality was at that level. There's no details on whether the IAQ was affected by dust particles, pollen, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and so on. Perhaps this is enough information for some users, but when air purifiers that cost at least $100 less can provide more detail, it’s quite disappointing that the readings are so basic from the Air Mini+.

Picture shows the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier with its top removed, revealing the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter sitting within the base. — (Image credit: Future)

The Molekule Air Mini+ has received FDA clearance and is classed as a device intended for medical purposes. It’s stated that it can capture 95% of particulate matter and destroy bacteria and viruses by exposing them to ultraviolet radiation – though only when in manual mode on fan speed three or above.

The Air Mini+ comes with a PECO-HEPA Tri-Power Filter, which Molekule states can destroy bacteria, mold and allergens, and reduce odors and toxic gasses, with a 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate. Molekule recommends changing the filter every six months, which doesn’t sound excessive, but it’s important to note that a replacement filter costs $99.99, or $79.99 if you subscribe to bi-annual deliveries.

Features score: 3 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review: performance

Buggy Wi-Fi connectivity
IAQ tracking not accurate
Does not clear odors automatically

Having tried out many lower-cost purifiers and the Air Mini+’s highly talented sibling, I expected great things from this little purifier. The results from everyday use didn’t blow me away, unfortunately.

Upon initial setup at home, I couldn’t connect the Air Mini+ to my iPhone 12 Pro. I found that I needed to manually go into my Wi-Fi settings to find the Molekule Wi-Fi the purifier was trying to connect to. This action wasn’t prompted or made clear; on the app, a button just appeared asking to connect to the Molekule network, which would then throw up an error saying that it was unable to join. Once I’d discovered that I needed to join this network manually, my phone connected to the purifier.

Sadly, this wasn’t the end of the frustration. When it came to connecting the Air Mini+ to my Wi-Fi router, I was left with the spinning wheel of doom until I had to give up. I tried resetting the purifier, reinstalling the app, and restarting the Wi-Fi, but to no avail. I ended up admitting defeat late in the evening, which meant that even though the Air Mini+ was running overnight, it was not collecting any data. The only indication of the air quality was the colored indicator light on the top of the unit, which turns off until you touch it, so it wasn't easily visible from my bed. It’s unusual not to have Bluetooth backup available. I found this alternative connectivity option helpful when the lower-priced Welov P200 Pro wouldn’t connect to Wi-Fi, as at least it could still record data and be controllable as long as the device was in range.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right. — (Image credit: Future)

I decided to test the syncing process with our OnePlus Pad Go, to see if this was an iOS, app, or firmware issue. Upon installing the Molekule app, it became clear that it wasn’t optimized for Android tablets, or certainly not in this instance anyway. The Auto Protect and Manual button on the Purifier tab went beyond the edges of the screen, and the chart in the Indoor Air tab didn't display properly, in either screen orientation. I couldn't use the OnePlus Pad Go to connect the Air Mini+ to the Molekule app again, as the page was too large for the screen, so it wasn't possible to go through the connection process.

When I tried to connect it to the Wi-Fi in the office the next morning, it was the same fun and games, until eventually, the app said that there was an issue connecting to the network and to try to reconnect. When I pressed the button to continue, it successfully connected to Wi-Fi and I was able to name my purifier on the app. I had the same issue when setting up the Molekule Air Pro, but it surrendered much quicker than the Air Mini+.

The biggest issue with the Wi-Fi not connecting was that, despite the price, the Air Mini+ doesn’t use Bluetooth, so if you can’t connect over Wi-Fi, the IAQ isn’t tracked and you can’t adjust settings hands-free.

One element that's been a cause of irritation for myself and my colleagues is that when switching between manual mode and Auto Protect, the fan speed builds up to its highest (and loudest) setting, even when the air quality is good. This isn’t great at the best of times, but if you’ve forgotten to set it onto auto when your baby is napping, or you’re in a quiet shared office, say, it’s very inconvenient. It was particularly off-putting when going to bed late at night, as it became more apparent to me that it took the fan some time to reduce to its final speed when I put it onto auto, even though it had only been on manual for a moment and the IAQ was good, meaning that the fan noise is loud for longer than it needs to be.

Image shows screenshots of the Molekule app showing bad and very bad air quality readings, but the graph is still showing good coloring. — (Image credit: Molekule)

When using it in the TechRadar reviews office, the readings did not correspond with the Molekule Air Pro I had running simultaneously. The Air Pro detected a substantial drop in air quality on two occasions, which was when there was a lot of activity in the office. The reason that the two Molekule purifiers didn’t correspond with one another is simple – the Air Pro can detect an increase in VOC, but the Mini+ lacks this ability. While this can’t be held against the Mini+ due to the massive price difference between the two, before settling on a purifier you should consider the contaminants you want to be detected so that your purifier can react and clear the air fast.

I sprayed dry shampoo toward the Air Mini+ and it detected it quickly. The fan sped up gradually as a result, changing the IAQ from bad back to good within two minutes. The fan speed slowed gradually, even though the fragrance remained strong in the air. I manually set the purifier to full fan speed to clear the fragrance from the dry shampoo, it took the Air Mini+ about 30 minutes to clear the air. This is more than double the time it took the AiDot Welov P200 Pro, which left the air smelling fresher after just 10 minutes of running on full power.

One issue that became apparent is that the app does not always correspond with the reading on the purifier itself. When performing the dry shampoo test in the TR office it relayed the change in air quality after some time, but when I retested at home, it didn't register that the Air Mini+ was detecting bad air quality at all, relaying a fairly flatline reading of “good” over the whole day. While this isn’t the end of the world, as the purifier itself still reacted, it’s not ideal if you want to keep track of the air quality remotely or in the morning after a night's sleep, as the data does not feel reliable.

Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Molekule Air Mini+?

Buy it if...

You don’t want a visible display
The light-up control panel turns off promptly following inactivity, so you’re left with what simply looks like the top panel of the air purifier.

You prefer a minimalist, Scandi design
With a simplistic color palette of white and gray and a tan-colored faux leather handle, the Air Mini+ could easily fit into many homes.

You want a simple-to-use app
Attractive and user-friendly, you can use the app to easily control the Air Mini+, review the filter life, connect to Alexa, and change notification settings.

Don't buy it if...

You want to keep noise to a minimum
Curiously, the Air Mini+ insists on increasing the fan speed to its maximum when Auto Protect mode is switched on, so if you want to change to this setting quietly, you’re out of luck.

You’re on a budget
There’s no doubt about it, this air purifier isn’t cheap. I could forgive this if it had more features or performed particularly well, but it didn’t impress any more than purifiers I’ve tested that cost $100 less.

You’d like to see what’s contaminating your air
The readings provided on the Molekule app from the Air Mini+ are disappointingly basic. Where other air purifiers can tell you the different particle types, VOCs, CO2, humidity, and so on, the Air Mini+ simply shows you whether the overall air quality was rated between good or very bad throughout the day or week.

Molekule Air Mini+ review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier
Less than half the price but very highly rated, we loved the Levoit Core 300S when we reviewed it, scoring it four and a half stars out of five. The readings aren’t the most detailed, only showing the PM2.5 level, but we were impressed with the performance for the cost.

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier
If the sky-high cost of the Air Mini+ replacement filters is putting you off, then the long-lasting filter capabilities of the Shark NeverChange might suit you better. Two washable DebrisDefence filters add another layer of protection, meaning that the HEPA filter could last for years.

How I tested the Molekule Air Mini+

I used the Molekule Air Mini+ for one week
I tested it in multiple environments
I observed its reaction to aerosols

I tested the Molekule Air Mini+ in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled the strong fragrance left by the latter.

I left it running in my bedroom overnight to determine whether it disturbed my sleep. I tested the sound levels using a sound level meter on my phone and assessed the controls and how easy it was to change the filter.

First reviewed: August 2024
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