The CMF Watch 3 Pro is Nothing's latest budget smartwatch, and no, that's not a typo. Bizarrely, the naming scheme has changed slightly, and the successor to the CMF Watch Pro 2 is the CMF Watch 3 Pro.
Naming confusion aside, the latest CMF watch brings with it some upgrades. The screen is now 1.42 inches up from 1.32 inches, and it's also slightly brighter, with slimmer bezels. In addition, there's now dual-band GPS onboard for improved workout tracking, a slightly bigger battery and it pairs to the new Nothing X app.
It's not all good news, though. The larger size makes the screen easier to use, but it also means that it may be too large for some wrists, with only one size available. Nothing has also ditched the swappable bezels on this model, and unfortunately, it costs more, too.
Overall, it's a stylish smartwatch with great software, extremely long battery life and plenty of features. Despite the higher MSRP, it's still very affordable. This higher price brings with it tougher competition, and unless you're a huge fan of the CMF styling, this one could be a tough sell.
It certainly doesn't seem worth a buy if you already own the CMF Watch Pro 2, but if you're coming from the original CMF Watch, this is a substantial upgrade. It's not perfect, but I've thoroughly enjoyed using it.
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Specifications
Component
CMF Watch 3 Pro
Price
$99 / £99 / AU$179
Dimensions
54 x 47 x 15.2mm
Weight
47g including strap
Case/bezel
Aluminum alloy
Display
466 x 466px AMOLED
GPS
Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou
Battery life
Up to 13 days
Connection
Bluetooth 5.3
Water resistance
IP68
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
£99 in the UK
$99 in the US
AU$179 in Australia
The CMF Watch 3 Pro carries an MSRP of £99/$99, making it £30 more expensive than the Watch Pro 2, which launched at £/$69 last summer. That increase could be a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the value proposition was one of the key selling points of previous models.
That said, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is already discounted to £79 in the UK, and considering how new it is, you might expect that price gap to close even further in the coming months. Either way, it still remains very affordable for such a feature-packed watch.
Value score 4/5
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Design & display
(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
1.43-inch AMOLED display
Dark Grey, Light Grey and Orange options
Replaceable liquid silicon wrist strap
The CMF Watch 3 Pro features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display, a big increase over the last generation's 1.32-inch display. It also has slimmer bezels, and it's slightly brighter, rated at 670 nits up from 620 nits. This size increase is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes the display nicer to look at and easier to interact with. But it also makes the watch very large.
It's still super lightweight, weighing only 47 grams with the strap attached, but it's a chunky unit. I'm a pretty big guy, and I think it looks nice on my wrist, but I certainly wouldn't want to go any bigger. Those with dainty wrists need not apply.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 was a dramatic redesign compared to the original CMF Watch, but with the third iteration, the design feels very familiar. It still has a minimalistic circular design with a single rotating crown that can be pressed like a button on the right-hand side.
One thing that has changed, though, is that the bezel is no longer swappable, so it's crucial that you pick the style that you like best when you buy it. Like before, there are flatter, more angular bezel options, as well as a more curvy version. The Light Gray model I have in for testing has the textured curved bezel: the raised lip should help keep the screen free from scratches, and it looks quite fetching, too.
The body of the watch is made from aluminium, and I think the bezel is too, but it looks and feels a little plasticky, which detracts from an otherwise premium experience.
As for the display itself, it's pretty great. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, which looks smooth enough when you're swiping around the OS, and while most of the OS is black, white and orange, colours look very vibrant when they appear. It's not the brightest display around, but I never had trouble reading it, and given the budget price point, I think the performance is acceptable.
One thing I didn't like so much, though, was the brightness of the always-on display. I usually like to keep the always-on display active, as it means I don't need to raise my wrist to glance at the time. However, this one is so dim and hard to read that it doesn't really seem worth the battery drain.
Like its predecessor, the Watch 3 Pro has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means it's well protected against dust, and it can be fully submerged in freshwater, but Nothing doesn't recommend using it for swimming or in the ocean.
Design score: 4/5
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Features
(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
131 sport tracking modes
Nothing X app for Android and iOS
Essential News and Recording Transcription
The CMF Watch 3 Pro runs Nothing's proprietary software, just like previous models, and the way that it functions is largely unchanged. As with the older models, Nothing's unique design language is present throughout the OS, and if you're a fan, you're sure to love the library of monochromatic minimalist watch faces.
What has changed is the companion app. The CMF Watch 3 Pro pairs with the Nothing X app, rather than the old CMF Watch app. The experience feels more polished, and the app looks nicer, in my opinion, but functionally, it's not that different. I was pleased to see that there are more options for health monitoring now. Rather than just being able to toggle on or off all-day heart rate tracking, you can now choose how frequently the sensor reads your heart rate.
Nothing has continued to add additional exercise tracking modes to the watch, and there are now 131 different options to choose from. This includes extremely niche activities like parkour and parachuting, as well as some sports I've never even heard of, like sepak takraw (a volleyball-like game from Southeast Asia). No matter what you're into, there's a good chance it's here.
There's a new feature called Essential News, which is supposed to read you a daily summary of your preferred news topics using AI, but I just couldn't make it work. That's a shame, as it seems like a cool feature, but I tried on a couple of different phones, and it would always say "Playing", but nothing would happen.
Recording Transcription is another new feature, and thankfully, this one actually worked. Essentially, you can record a voice memo on your watch, and then you can transfer it to your phone, where it will be transcribed into text.
It seems very accurate, but I'm just not really sure what the purpose of it is. I guess if you have a brilliant idea while you're away from your phone, you could use this, but I think there are very few people who will find this feature useful.
Another slight tweak is the music controller now displays album artwork, which is a nice touch. Keep in mind that there's no onboard storage with this watch, though, so you'll need to be paired to your phone to take advantage.
Features score: 3/5
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
Up to 13 days of battery life
Heart rate, sleep, stress and blood oxygen monitoring
Built-in dual-band GPS
One of the biggest functional changes with the Watch 3 Pro is that it now has dual-band GPS rather than single-band. How much this matters to you will depend on where you train, but whether you're in the built-up city streets or deep in the woods, you should be able to enjoy more reliable GPS tracking.
In my experience, mostly tracking walks and bike rides, the GPS was rock-solid. In fact, it was so accurate that it knew which side of the street I was on when I zoomed in on the map. Otherwise, while the array of sensors may have had some hardware upgrades, they perform the same functions as previous CMF releases.
Based on my heart rate readings from my other watches, my average and maximum BPM seemed to be correct. That said, there were a few times when the reading seemed way off, usually when I was wearing the strap slightly loose for comfort. I think you need this cranked down for the best tracking results.
The real star of the show here is the battery life. Nothing says it'll last up to 13 days on a charge, or around 4.5 days with always-on display enabled. I enabled as many features as possible, and used the watch extensively to test all its features, and I still managed well over four days per charge, so these estimations seem very accurate.
I usually wear the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, so I'm used to exceptional battery life, but even still, the CMF Watch 3 Pro managed to impress with its longevity. If you hate charging your watch, this is an excellent choice.
Charging doesn't take too long either; it's around an hour and a half from flat to full. However, the magnetic charging puck could use a redesign thanks to an extremely flimsy connection, as the slightest of knocks can cause the watch to disconnect. It gets the job done, but it's among my least favourite charging cables.
Performance score: 3/5
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
It's more expensive than its predecessor, but it's still a very affordable smartwatch, with a more premium build than much of its competition.
4/5
Design
Stylish, minimalist design, solid build quality, and a spacious OLED panel. However, it may be too large for some.
4/5
Features
Loads of tracking modes, a decent app and some novel additions that may or may not work.
3/5
Performance
Incredible battery life, smooth performance, and fitness metrics that are good enough for casual users.
3/5
Total
It looks the part and it performs well, but with a significant price hike, it's up against some stiff competition.
4/5
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want a stylish watch that doesn't break the bank
The CMF Watch 3 Pro is very affordable, but it still looks very premium. That's true of both the software and the hardware. If you want to make a statement without spending a fortune, it's a good option.
You want long battery life
The battery life on this smartwatch is phenomenal. If you're a light user, it's certainly possible to go 13 days between charges, and if you're coming from a WearOS watch or Apple Watch, that's a serious luxury.
CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Also consider
Component
CMF Watch 3 Pro
Amazfit Active 2
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Price
$99 / £99 / AU$179
$99 / £99
£62.99 / $75 / AU$99.99
Dimensions
54 x 47 x 15.2mm
43.9 x 43.9x 9.9mm
43.27 x 32.49 x 10.8mm
Weight
47g including strap
29.5g
24.5g
Case/bezel
Aluminum alloy
Stainless steel bezel, polymer frame
Aluminum frame, high-strength fibre polymer
Display
466 x 466px AMOLED
1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen
1.74-inch AMOLED touchscreen
GPS
Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou
Yes
No
Battery life
Up to 13 days
Up to 10 days
Up to 21 days
Connection
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth 5.4
Water resistance
IP68
5ATM
5ATM
Amazfit Active 2
The Amazfit Active 2 has the exact same MSRP and yet comes with some seriously advanced features, including an on-board AI assistant, seriously advanced tracking modes and sleek, slim design.
While not as advanced as the CMF Watch 3 Pro, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a big, beautiful display and lots of fitness features at a significantly lower price.
Our reviewer wore the CMF Watch Pro as his primary smartwatch for over a week, while travelling, commuting and during regular workouts. It was paired with the Oppo Find X8 Ultra for the majority of the testing period, but was also tested with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to compare.
The tracking results were compared to historical results from the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, as well as the built-in step counter on the smartphone and the Strava app for GPS accuracy.
Xiaomi’s T-series phones serve up an almost-flagship class experience, while making considered concessions in order to hit a significantly lower price point than typical top-tier offerings.
This year’s Xiaomi 15T Pro is a little different, however, breaking convention by toting functionality that not even the premium Xiaomi 15 Ultra has to offer, while significantly undercutting similarly-sized flagship rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It's not just me saying so, Xiaomi execs made the unusual move of explicitly comparing the new phone to those rivals at the 15T Pro’s launch.
The design and software take some heavy-handed inspiration from Apple's Pro iPhones and iOS, but the 15T Pro is generally better for it. With a more elegant look and feel compared to last year's more utilitarian 14T Pro.
Software support that surpasses even the 15 Ultra helps up the value proposition, as does the assortment of launch offers Xiaomi serves the 15T Pro up with; from YouTube and Spotify Premium, to out-of-warranty repairs.
One of the largest and nicest screens we've even seen on a T-series phone sits front and center on the 15T Pro, held back only by a lower peak brightness compared to its predecessor, and the absence of a fully dynamic refresh rate that's found on full LTPO display-toting flagship rivals.
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is an excellent piece of silicon that enables top-tier everyday performance, high-fidelity gaming and decent AI capabilities too, but at least on paper, lags behind the new wave of flagship silicon now emerging from MediaTek and Qualcomm.
The Leica-backed camera experience is the best I've seen from the T-series to date, not least because of that capable new 5x periscopic telephoto camera. A rich camera user experience helps too, but collectively highlights the weaknesses in the ultra-wide in particular, which now feels like it's lagging behind the rest of the camera system.
A huge 5500mAh battery delivers great results in lab tests, but proved a little more pedestrian – in terms of longevity – in my real-world use. It nonetheless still renders the 15T Pro a capable all-day phone, and 90W fast charging gets you back up to full charge in well under 40 minutes.
All in all, this is an excellent (if a little unoriginal) next-gen entry in Xiaomi's T-series, and thanks to design, camera and software support improvements, really puts pricier rivals to shame.
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Price and Availability
Starts at £649 / €799
Announced and on sale from September 24
Not available in the US
Xiaomi’s September event in Munich served as the international launch for the Xiaomi 15T series (consisting of both the Xiaomi 15T and the Xiaomi 15T Pro). Unlike the base Xiaomi 15 series, which saw a staggered rollout that started in the company’s homeland of China, before arriving in markets elsewhere.
Just like the its predecessor (and the new iPhone 17 series), storage starts at 256GB, paired to 12GB of RAM, for which you’ll pay £649 in the UK. That’s the same as its predecessor and great value considering what the phone serves up. What’s more, Xiaomi pairs it with longer software support than even the Xiaomi 15 Ultra; increasing its value in the long-term even further.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
At the phone’s launch, the company also brought Google out on stage to reveal a three-month free Google AI Pro offer and (at the time of writing), new Xiaomi 15T Pro owners also get a three-month trial of YouTube Premium, four months of Spotify Premium, a free screen replacement within the first six months after purchase and an out-of-warranty repair within 12 months, inclusive of labour costs.
While you’ll find the Xiaomi 15T series in most markets across Asia, Europe and the UK, Xiaomi doesn’t sell its phones Stateside, so US fans will have to look at importing, if you’re dead-set on getting your hands on either of these latest phones. Doing so means no warranty, none of the above offers and potential incompatibility with local mobile carriers, however, so keep that in mind.
Whilst Xiaomi listed a ton of carrier partners at the phone’s launch, in the UK it looks like you’ll need to pick the phone up off-contract; either direct from Xiaomi’s website or from retailers like Amazon UK (who at the time of writing already offer the phone with a 12% discount).
I wasn’t sold on the aesthetics of last year’s Xiaomi 14T Pro; it was more utilitarian than its predecessor, and lacked coherence and flow. The result was an uninspired design, that while sturdy, wasn’t all that nice to handle either.
With the 15T and 15T Pro, Xiaomi’s design team took things in a different direction, and the phones are all the better for it. The satin-finish flat-sided aluminum frame feels great in the hand, and despite sporting a larger display than last year’s Pro, this year’s entry doesn’t get any heavier (still 210 grams), also boasting a thinner waistline (7.96mm, down from 8.39mm).
Tolerances are tighter, the low-profile metal hardware controls on the phone’s right side still offer up a satisfying ‘click’ when pressed, and there’s a nice contrast with the reworked metal surround around the flush new rear triple camera system. Chamfered edges adopt a polished finish that falls on the right side of looking luxurious, rather than cheap.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Although not the most adventurous compared the wider smartphone space, the Mocha Gold of my review sample (pictured) is the most head-turning colorway of the three that the phone comes in (there are also black and Gray [silver] options too), lending itself nicely to the 15T series’ generally sophisticated appearance.
The finish also repels fingerprints exceptionally well, but if you are still worried about scuffs or marks, Xiaomi does also include a dark gray flexible TPU case in-box.
One of the reasons I think I like the look of the 15T Pro so much may have to do with familiarity. That new slightly rounded frame, flat back and the pleasingly thin (27% thinner than on the 14T Pro) uniform bezels surrounding the display all echo one of the most well-known phones of the last twelve months: the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
This isn't the only heavily iPhone-inspired aspect of the 15T Pro, but it's one of the most obvious (more on that later).
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(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
While the 15T Pro doesn't also share Apple's fleeting appreciation for titanium, Xiaomi has stated that the frame on its new phone is now even stronger (by about 17%, compared to the 14T Pro). The phone's IP68-certified protection has also improved, with support for submersion in up to three meters of water; twice the IP standard's minimum requirement.
The front is protected by Corning's mid-range Gorilla Glass 7i, which promises improved scratch resistance (it's also used to protect the camera on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and has held up extremely well after months of use, in my tests). The pre-fitted plastic screen protector, meanwhile, doesn't repel scratches all that well, even if it is still appreciated to have such added protection out-the-box.
I was totally fooled by the 15T Pro's back, which I assumed was lightly textured glass, but as confirmed by the company's Terrence Xiao at the phone's launch, it's actually fiberglass.
While not as premium on paper, Xiaomi's efforts at imitation, in reality, pay off. Not only is fiberglass going to be harder wearing than glass in the long run (boasting a tensile strength of 3000MPa), it helps keep weight down, and is likely one of the main cost-saving measures that allows the 15T Pro to hit its competitive price point.
Xiaomi states that the 15T Pro is also twice as drop-resistant as its predecessor.
Design score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Display
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
6.83-inch 12-bit AMOLED display
‘1.5K’ 2712 x 1220 resolution
Up to 144Hz dynamic refresh rate
The flat display on the 14T Pro was already capable, meaning the main benefit here is the larger size of the 15T Pro's panel (6.83-inches up from 6.67). Xiaomi has also adjusted the resolution to grant this year's larger iteration similar sharpness too (447ppi).
The more expansive viewing experience it serves up is made all the more immersive thanks to those dramatically thinner and even 1.5mm bezels. Something Xiaomi was able to achieve by using a LIPO ( low-injection pressure over-molding) process; just like Apple's Pro phones, as it happens.
The only real trade-off is this larger panel's lower brightness ceiling, with the phone promising a peak 3200-nit output, down from 4000nits on its predecessor.
Even so, in practice you can expect a great viewing experience; especially when soaking up HDR content. The 15T Pro's display offers all the benefits OLED tech is known for; deep blacks, vibrant but accurate colors, and respectable viewing angles, with minimal distortion, even when viewed off-angle.
Its abilities are bolstered by the likes of 12-bit color depth and Dolby Vision support, as well as 480Hz touch sampling, which paired with this year's larger-sized panel means it's a great screen for gaming, as well as watching media on.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
One small caveat comes with the phone's refresh rate. Just as I found with 14T Pro, while the screen is rated for super-smooth visuals at up to 144Hz, finding games or experiences that can actually hit that number eluded me. Even games like Minecraft – which supposedly supports uncapped frame rates within its own settings – topped out at 60Hz/60fps on the 15T Pro, while Call of Duty: Mobile allowed for (still impressive) 120Hz/120fps play.
The 15T Pro also doesn't use a fully-fledged LTPO panel, like you'd find on the new iPhone 17, and full-fat flagships, like Pro Pixels and the Galaxy S25 series. So although the refresh rate still adjusts dynamically, it does so in larger increments; like 30Hz, 60Hz and 120Hz. This still means power savings when possible, but when using the 15T Pro's Always-On display, for example, the panel rests at 30Hz, where an LTPO-toting phone can rest at just 1Hz, saving far more battery.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Xiaomi always spoils you, when it comes to display customization. There are three preset color profiles, plus a full custom option where you can tweak every color space attribute you can think of. Similarly to OnePlus' 'AquaTouch' screen tech, Xiaomi has Wet Touch, and there are even display options for AI-backed video upscaling, SDR to HDR conversion and motion smoothing (all of which you can turn on and off).
The 15T Pro also features an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, which while not as swish as the Xiaomi 15 series' ultrasonic sensors, worked quickly and consistently during review.
Display score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Software
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
HyperOS 2 atop Android 15 at launch
Deep personalization
5 years OS + 6 years of security updates
Sticking with the display for a second, one thing that Xiaomi continues to inexplicably bury is select native Android features. One of the first things I have to do on any Xiaomi phone is download a third-party Hidden Settings app, to grant easier access to frequently-used features, like Extra Dim. Why Xiaomi's software team has been hiding such functionality since the days of MIUI is beyond me; especially when the user experience is otherwise heaped in functionality.
On the flip side, one of the things I was worried about after reviewing HyperOS 1 on the Xiaomi 14T Pro, was the presence of ads littering the UI and first-party apps, but it looks like Xiaomi has thankfully reined them in for the experience on the 15T Pro. This phone may be cheaper than a conventional flagship, but for the price, users shouldn't be running into baked-in ads, and thankfully you won't.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
One other perk to bear in mind is that the Xiaomi 15T series will be the first of the company's phones to make the jump to HyperOS 3 (atop Android 16). It felt like an upgrade Xiaomi was hoping to have ready for the 15T line's debut, but they didn't quite make it (the company's has slated the update to arrive sometime in October 2025).
I tried pre-release devices running HyperOS 3 at the phone's launch and generally, it doesn't feel like a seismic upgrade, but there are some notable (if unoriginal) additions. HyperIsland behaves exactly like iOS' Dynamic Island – save for the added ability to expand island elements out into full floating-windowed apps – plus, there's a new Liquid Glass-like search bar that persists across your home screens.
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(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
In the here and now, however, the HyperOS 2 experience on the 15T Pro is otherwise generally good. It feels wonderfully snappy (and you even have the option to toggle on richer UI animations if you want), animations are smooth and playful, there are a wealth of ways to easily access multitasking, be it the Side Toolbox (shortcuts which you swipe in from the edge of the screen) or from Xiaomi's unique take on Android's app switcher.
While there aren't any ads to worry about, there are a few duplicate apps – as examples Xiaomi's App Mall and Mi Browser – which can't be uninstalled, plus a few pre-loaded third-party inclusions – like AliExpress and WPS Office – which thankfully can.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
HyperOS can also be a little convoluted at times. Game Centre grants access to free instant web games, but an app icon for Game Turbo (Xiaomi's gaming performance management overlay) will only appear if you dip into the Security(?) app of all places, and enable a home screen icon from there.
The Xiaomi 15T Pro's user experience does boast some of Xiaomi's latest HyperAI features; like the ability to generate animated wallpapers from your photos and one of the best gallery apps around, with regards to image editing. It also features additional AI imaging tools, that are generally useful and capable, although object and reflection removal need more work (Samsung currently offers the gold standard in object removal on mobile).
One of the best oddities about the Xiaomi 15T Pro's software experience is support, with the promise of five years of OS updates and six years of software support. On the operating system side, that's an additional year over the uber-flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Whilst odd, it further improves the 15T Pro's value, and spells good things for the international release of the Xiaomi 17 series.
Software score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Camera
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
50MP ƒ/1.62 Light Fusion 900 main sensor w/ OIS
First 5x periscopic telephoto on a T-series phone
12MP ultra-wide & 32MP front-facer
Generally speaking, you're going to love the look of the photos produced by the 15T Pro's camera setup. Xiaomi's ongoing partnership with Leica means Leica color science, which, paired with the tuning on Xiaomi's own custom Light Fusion 900 main sensor, doesn't fall foul of the over-brightened look the likes of Google's Pixels tend to produce.
Shadows are allowed to be shadows, but you can still expect detail and decent dynamic range. Colors appear rich (samples in this review use the default Leica Vibrant color profile, but you do have the option of the more muted Leica Authentic profile) too.
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1x macro (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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Leica Vibrant (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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Leica Authentic (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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0.8x selfie (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The big upgrade this year is the jump to a 5x periscopic telephoto sensor; a first for the T-series and welcome inclusion that proves its worth. It's better suited to capturing subjects further away and compressing a scene, as its 115mm equivalent focal range is a little too long for general portrait shooting, but it does well enough in such scenarios too, in a pinch.
With a maximum zoom for 100x, the phone resorts to generative AI to make up for lacking raw image data past 20x, but I wouldn't bother zooming beyond 60x if you want a convincing final shot. Any further and it's too obvious where the AI is filling in the gaps.
With regards to portrait capture, the 15T Pro is a great option, with great edge detection and subject separation. If we're splitting hairs, the most obvious giveaway of the phone's smaller main sensor compared to the 15 Ultra comes with the quality of the bokeh. You'd be forgiven for mistaking shots taken on the Ultra as coming from a conventional camera, whilst the 15T Pro's equivalent images still look like (very good) smartphone photos.
As the smallest sensor on the back of the 15T Pro , the 12MP ultra-wide is great in bright lighting but suffers the most when less light is available. Expect more punchy and contrast-heavy images across the board, but lower fidelity shots when the lights go down.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
As a tool for creators, the Xiaomi 15T Pro seems like an excellent option, not just at its price point but in general. HDR10+ video capture across all focal lengths, up to 4K 120fps or 8K 30fps recording, plus LOG capture, LUT import and viewfinder support (i.e. an applied LUT isn't burnt into the recorded video and needs to be applied after capture), and even a teleprompter mode too.
While I feel like I'm splitting hairs, beyond physical sensor sizes, there are only subtle improvements I can think of asking Xiaomi for the next-gen T-series camera experience.
Motion tracking focus at 4K 60 and up would be great, Leica filter support above 1080p video capture, richer audio capture (most recorded audio lacked bass, in my opinion), and bigger refinements to the ultra-wide and selfie sensors, which feel as though they're being left behind.
Camera score: 5 / 5
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Performance
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset
12% larger 3D IceLoop cooling system than 14T Pro
Xiaomi Offline Communication up to 1.9km
While Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips inhabit the majority of today's best Android phones, MediaTek's premiere Dimensity silicon does sometimes find its way inside certain combatants too.
At the tail end of 2024, I was mightily impressed with the Dimensity 9400 powering the Oppo Find X8 Pro, and the 15T Pro uses a boosted '+' variant of this same chip. Xiaomi also isn't as stingy as, say, Google, with its RAM and storage; with 12GB of fast and power efficient LPDDR5X RAM (across all storage options), pared to equally capable UFS 4.1 storage – in 256GB, 512GB (as tested here) and 1TB capacities.
Xiaomi cites 12% better CPU performance, compared to the 14T Pro's previous-gen Dimensity chip (along with 41% better GPU performance and 20% better AI performance speeds), and in testing the 9400+'s Geekbench 6 multi-core score actually put it 15% ahead of the 14T Pro's Dimensity 9300+. It also slots in just behind the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, found inside this year's Oppo Find N5.
In real-world use, using the Xiaomi 15T Pro feels like a premium experience, with fast app load times, consistently smooth animation and competent proglonged gaming performance, even with demanding titles.
The Dimensity 9400+ doled out a solid 60fps in games like Zenless Zone Zero (which cap at 60fps); defaulting to a blend of 'medium' and 'high' graphical settings. Heat build-up was instantly noticeable with such titles, but nothing I became concerned about, not least because the brand's 3D IceLoop cooling system (a vapor chamber cooling solution) is 12% larger on this generation Pro T-series phone.
The Xiaomi 15T and Xiaomi 15T Pro are also the first of the company's phones to support Xiaomi Offline Communication, which allows for calls and texts with another compatible device at a range of up to (in the case of the 15T Pro) 1.9km, without cellular signal, so long as a SIM is inserted (or an eSIM registered).
While not quite as outlandish as the iPhone's satellite communication, this more localized take on cellular-free communication is a pretty cool addition, which should only improve with time as Xiaomi seeds more devices with support for the feature.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Battery
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
5500mAh battery
Up to 90W wired charging + 50W wireless charging
Rated for 1600 charge cycles
On paper, the Xiaomi 15T Pro's battery setup promises great things, with the largest capacity power pack ever seen in a T-series phone (5500mAh), backed by up to 90W wired Xiaomi HyperCharge tech. In practice, I found there was a little more nuance to the 15T Pro's longevity.
Using PCMark's Work 3.0 battery test (with the screen set to 200nits), the Xiaomi 15T Pro was one of the longest-lasting phones I've tested, with a score of 15 hours 24 minutes; clocking in just behind the 6000mAh-backed OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 13.
However, in real-world use battery life was far more pedestrian; clocking in between 5.5 and 6 hours of screen-on time per charge. In my experience, that equates to a confident day's heavy use, but not much more.
For comparison, despite only possessing a 9% larger battery, both OnePlus phones delivered 9.5 and 13 hours of screen-on time, respectively. This disparity likely comes from a mix of display, OS and processor inefficiency, compared to the OnePlus phones, but doesn't mark the 15T Pro as a weak performer by any stretch.
This remains a capable all-day phone and battery anxiety can also be kept at bay thanks to those fast recharge speeds.
Whether you get a power adapter in-box will depend on which market you're buying in, but in the UK and Europe, you'll have to source one separately to get the 15T Pro's maximum recharge speeds. You also have to enable 'Top Speed' mode in the battery sub-menu, where the phone will warn you about potential heat build-up when using the mode.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Out the box, with standard charging enabled, the phone's 5500mAh power pack reached only 21% charge in 30 minutes and didn't reach 100% until almost 2.5 hours. However, with Top Speed enabled, the phone hit an impressive 85% in 30 minutes and was fully charged in 37, right in line with Xiaomi's claims; so it pays to pick up the right power adapter, if you want to capitalize on this fast-charging prowess.
One small note is that, despite being faster than the majority of its more costly competition, the Xiaomi 15T Pro's 5500mAh battery does technically recharge slower than the 14T Pro's; with the previous-gen phone boasting quicker 120W wired charging.
As with the 14T Pro, the Xiaomi Surge Battery inside the 15T Pro is once again rated for 1600 charge cycles, which equates to more than four years of charging before the battery loses 80% of its original capacity. Respectable.
While there's no full-fat passthrough charging, the GameTurbo overlay does include a 'slow charge' option; designed to reduce strain on the battery during extended gaming sessions, without you worrying about losing too much juice.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro?
Xiaomi 15T Pro score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
An elegant – if unoriginal – improvement on its predecessor's more utilitarian aesthetics.
4 / 5
Display
One of Xiaomi's largest smartphone screens yet, and a great viewing experience, if only it had a true variable refresh rate.
4 / 5
Software
Longer software support and no baked-in ads are welcome upgrades, but feature-rich HyperOS is still a little convoluted and, again, unoriginal in places.
4 / 5
Camera
The best camera experience on a T-series phone yet, and a capable rival to some markedly pricier rivals. The ultra-wide is falling behind though.
5 / 5
Performance
A great high-end chip, delivers all-round performance, but it's no longer MediaTek's best.
4 / 5
Battery
A huge cell that impresses on paper proved a little more pedestrian in practice, but is still good for all-day use. 90W fast charging beats out pricier competition too, even if that's slower than its predecessor.
4 / 5
Value
There's a whole lot of phone on offer for the price, with sensible cut-backs (back material, no LTPO display), proving small sacrifices on what otherwise feels convincingly flagship-class.
5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a near-flagship camera experience
The 15T Pro's Leica-backed optics, new 5x telephoto and rich imaging feature set are superb; able to tango with much pricier camera phones.
If you want that iPhone look and feel on Android
Imitation and flattery etc. If you like the look and feel of Apple's smartphones but what the flexibility of Android, the 15T Pro's unoriginality here actually works in your favor.
You need dependable fast charging
Provided you're happy to pay extra for the fast charger (in some markets), the 15T Pro's 90W recharge speeds walk all over mainstream rivals.
Don’t buy it if...
You want the longest battery life
In spite of a huge battery, the Xiaomi 15T Pro's longevity was little more than 'adequate' in real-world use. It's not bad, but there are noteworthy alternatives that last longer.
You want a clean user experience
While credit goes to Xiaomi for squashing ads, beyond the aesthetic similarities with iOS, HyperOS behaves very differently. It's feature-packed but convoluted in places and obfuscates the odd native Android feature too.
You want the best performance
The Dimensity 9400+ is a superb piece of silicon and will last you a few years, but it's built on previous-gen tech and is already outpaced by the next wave of flagship mobile chips.
Xiaomi 15T Pro review: How I tested
Review test period: 2.5 weeks
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
I received the Xiaomi 15T Pro just ahead of travelling out to Munich for the phone's global launch, and used it every day since taking delivery of it.
It became my main camera, I used it for everything you'd expect from the phone in your pocket; spanning social media to gaming, web browsing and more.
I dipped into developer settings to assess certain aspects of the 15T Pro's performance more closely and used industry-standard benchmarks to quantify and verify the performance I experienced.
Having reviewed smartphones for 15 years, including numerous Xiaomi smartphones, as well as devices from the company's key competition, I felt equipped to review the 15T Pro; assessing its strengths and abilities against the market it's competing in.
The Hub version is the model I've reviewed here, and comes with an auto-empty dock. The standard version is almost identical, except there's no dock and the wand can be released to bend forwards.
The Roborock H60 Hub Ultra is a cordless stick vacuum that boasts a range of useful features, including an auto-empty dock that removes the need for messy dustbin wrangling. Roborock is best known for its robot vacuums, but the H60 range (of which the Hub Ultra sits right at the top) marks a serious expansion into manual vacuum cleaners. I've been using the H60 Hub Ultra for the past two weeks, to get a feel for how it performs and to figure out if it can compete with the rest of the best cordless vacuums on the market.
At first, I was thrown off by the design of the floorhead. The roller is mostly soft, and it didn't look like it would agitate carpet fibers sufficiently for a thorough clean. I needn't have worried, though: this vacuum sailed through my cleaning tests, on both hard floors and carpet. In addition, it avoided hair from becoming tangled around the brushroll throughout my review period, and boasts what is, perhaps, one of the brightest, most effective lasers I've come across in all my vacuum-testing experience.
The floorhead is also shallow enough to clean right into awkward spaces (it's one of very few vacuums to be able to shuffle right under my low sofa), and the telescopic wand means that its height can be adjusted to suit you. If you opt for the version of the H60 without the auto-empty dock, you'll be swapping out the telescopic wand for one that can bend forward to 90-degrees.
Speaking of the auto-empty dock, it works very well (perhaps not surprising when you consider this is the brand behind many of the best robot vacuums on the market) – and it's a big effort-saver, as well as being a strong choice for allergy-sufferers. Design-wise, it looks more stylish, too, than rival dock options, and the hidden storage for detail tools is an inspired design flourish.
So why haven't I awarded the Roborock an outright win? This is mostly down to battery life. In anything above the lowest mode, the battery drains a little too quickly. In medium mode – which most people will be using, most of the time – I managed 25 minutes of cleaning, which is too little time to cover a larger house in one go. The issue is exacerbated by the lack of an Auto mode. Many modern vacuums can auto-adjust suction power based on dirt levels and/or floor type, to provide a thorough clean without wasting battery. The H60 relies on you to change the mode manually.
That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock H60 Ultra review.
(Image credit: Future)
Roborock H60 Ultra review: price & availability
List price: $599.99 / AU$999
Available: US, AU, Europe (not UK)
The Roborock H60 Hub Ultra launched in September 2025, and is currently available in the US, Australia, and various countries across Europe (not including the UK).
In the US, it has a list price of $599.99 – but since I started reviewing, I haven't seen it sold at this price; it's been available for $499.99 at Roborock, Target and Amazon. In Australia it has a list price of AU$999, but at the time of writing was discounted to AU$499 at Roborock. That's equivalent to around £450-£490 at list price (Roborock does have a presence in the UK, so I'm hopeful these vacuums will make their way over at some point). The standard H60 Ultra – minus an auto-empty dock – is also on its way. I don't have pricing information for this model yet, but it will definitely be a bit cheaper.
At list prices, the H60 Hub Ultra sits in the premium price bracket. With discounts (which look like they might be common), it might just sit on the cusp between mid-range and premium. The vacuum feels high quality, and the auto-empty base amps up value for money. However, I'd expect an Auto power mode in that price bracket, and far superior battery life.
Looking at comparable models with an auto-empty base, there's the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Clean & Empty, with a list price of $499.99 / £549.99/ AU$999.99, but discounts are common. That model has multiple automation capabilities, and offers better value for money than the H60. There's also the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, which has a list price of $1,099.99 / £1,199.99 / AU$1,699.
Sitting at the top of the Dyson range right now is the V16 Piston Animal, with a list price of £749.99 / AU$1,349 (it currently isn't available in the US). It, too, lacks an auto-empty base – although apparently one is incoming soon.
Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
Roborock H60 Ultra specs
Weight (body only):
4lbs / 1.8kg
Weight (vacuum with wand and floorhead):
6.6lbs / 3kg
Bin size (onboard):
0.5L
Bin size (dock):
3L
Max runtime:
90 mins
Charge time:
3hrs 30 (3hrs 15 on test)
Vacuum dimensions (H x L x W):
45.1 x 9.8 x 11.5in / 114.6 x 25 x 29.3cm
Dock dimensions (H x L x W):
33.4 x 11.4 x 11.4in / 84.8 x 28.9 x 28.9cm
Filter:
HEPA
Max suction:
210AW
Roborock H60 Ultra review: design
Stick vacuum with button operation, telescopic wand and info screen
Auto-empty charge dock with hidden storage for two detail tools
Floorhead is mostly soft with rubber fins, and kitted out with a laser
The Roborock H60 Hub Ultra is a premium stick vacuum with an auto-empty dock. The vacuum itself looks much like any other stick cleaner, except perhaps it's a little more classy. It switches on and off with a button, and other information is conveyed via a large screen that covers most of the front of the vacuum.
There are three power modes, which you switch between using a second button. The system adopted to tell you which mode you're in isn't terribly clear: two "whoosh" symbols appear for the lowest-powered mode; three, for medium mode; and six show in max mode. I could have done with some color coding or even just a Low, Mid, Max for easier, at-a-glance decoding. Battery status is much clearer to decipher: the cleaner counts down from 100 as the battery runs down.
The "whoosh" symbols indicate the mode you're in, while the number tells you how much battery is left (Image credit: Future)
Rather unusually, the wand is telescopic, and can extend from around 17in / 43cm to around 25.6in / 65cm in length. This means it's adjustable to a length that's comfortable for your height. With the wand contracted, the total height with the floorhead flat on the ground is 36.6in / 93cm; fully extended, it's 44.9in / 114cm tall.
This adjustable height also allows for the dock to come in a bit shorter. The bin section needs to connect to the dock, which can mean that some auto-empty docks end up being rather statuesque. Here, the stick vacuum can collapse down to fit in at a lower level.
(Image credit: Future)
Speaking of the dock, Roborock has gone for a white, curved cuboid design with a dark base. It isn't especially exciting to look at, but neither will it stick out like a sore thumb in your kitchen or utility room. (In my mental ranking of attractive auto-empty bases, it sits below the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, but above the Shark PowerDetect Cordless.)
The vacuum charges via the dock, but its primary purpose is to house a generous 3L dust bag, into which the onboard bin will empty itself whenever the vacuum is docked. This dust bag is fully sealed and comes with HEPA filtration.
There are a couple of big benefits to an auto-empty dock. The first is that it means you can get away with a smaller bin on the vacuum itself, which can result in a lighter and more streamlined vacuum overall (Roborock has taken advantage in this regard, supplying a small onboard bin of just 0.5L).
The second benefit is that emptying the bin is much cleaner and needs to be done less frequently. Roborock says the large dust bag in the dock will only need replacing once every 100 days – although, of course, that will vary depending on how much dust you're busting. Nevertheless, this might be welcome news for allergy sufferers, and those who aren't really a fan of maintenance tasks.
Image 1 of 2
The H60 Ultra comes with one general-purpose floorhead (Image credit: Future)
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The roller is mostly soft, with some rubbery fins (Image credit: Future)
The design of the main floorhead is a little unusual. Most vacuums have a mostly plastic roller, fitted with bands of stiff bristles and perhaps also bands of soft brushes. Here, the whole thing is covered with a soft microfiber-style covering, with rubbery fins that wind around it. There's nothing especially rigid there – it reminds me of Dyson's Fluffy floorhead for hard floors. Before I began testing, I had my doubts over how well it would agitate carpet fibers to release any trapped dirt.
Elsewhere, this main floorhead is kitted out with a wide-angle laser to illuminate dirt that might otherwise be missed. Most brands' headlamps are white, but Roborock has gone for a Dyson-inspired lime green. There are also anti-tangle features to prevent long hair from becoming wrapped around the roller.
There's room in the dock to store accessories (Image credit: Future)
Like pretty much every stick vacuum on the market, the wand can be removed and a detail tool added to turn the unit into a handheld vacuum. Here you're supplied with a mini-motorized tool and a 2-in-1 crevice tool. One feature I especially like, and which I haven't seen before, is that there's a home in the dock for the two detail tools to nestle safely out of the way.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock H60 Ultra review: performance
Excellent suction on both hard floors and carpet
Laser is bright and useful, and the floorhead can fit under low furniture
Auto-empty is mess-free and saves effort
To kick things off, I used the H60 Hub Ultra to do a general clean of my flat. What was immediately noticeable is that the floorhead propels itself forwards when you switch it on – so much so that it can feel like the vacuum is running away with you a bit.
While this does take the effort out of moving forward, unfortunately it has the opposite effect when you're pulling the vacuum back towards you. Perhaps if you could figure out a route that snakes around your home, never requires you to pull the vacuum backwards, it would be ideal.
Aside from the pull-back problem, the H60 feels relatively comfortable to use. The mechanism for the extendable wand is smooth and easy to adjust, and it means you can raise or lower the vacuum to the perfect height for you.
The extendible wand means you can get the vacuum to the perfect height for you (Image credit: Future)
In use, the floorhead feels really different to other carpet floorheads I've tested, because it's so soft. In fact, I was so disconcerted that I checked back in the box a couple of times to make sure there wasn't a second floorhead in there that I'd missed.
On carpet, it felt like the roller might not be vigorous enough to pick up much dirt, but the dust and fluff building up in the dust cup told a different story (as did the suction tests, which I'll get to in a minute).
There was the occasional "sticky" bit of fluff on the carpet that stubbornly refused to be lifted, but in general the floorhead did a very solid job of cleaning my carpets. I even used it to clear up after a visit from an especially hairy dog, and it pulled an impressive amount of fur from my carpets. I didn't encounter any issues with the floorhead as a result of my own, armpit-length hair becoming wrapped around it, either – after two weeks of testing, the floorhead roller remains completely hair-free.
Using the H60 Hub Ultra on hard floor felt much more natural, and it did a great job of clearing dust and dirt. In addition, the laser illumination really comes into its own on hard floors: the light is bright and wide, and shows up fluff and hair very effectively. (It might even be slightly better than the light on my Dyson Gen5detect, the current reigning laser-illumination champ.)
The H60 has some of the very best laser illumination I've seen (Image credit: Future)
I guess I've been spoiled, but during general cleaning, the one thing I really missed was having an Auto mode. A number of vacuums these days can intelligently adjust suction depending on the floor type or dirt levels. I was vacuuming away, thinking "but how do I know it's working?".
If you're not a professional vacuum reviewer, and are used to using your eyes to assess vacuum performance, this may not be a problem. Perhaps the more relatable issue was that I had to keep a hand free to manually shift modes when moving from carpet to hard floor, to preserve battery life.
However, extra credit should go to Roborock for creating a vacuum that's great at cleaning under furniture. The floorhead's relatively shallow profile and compact docking mechanism mean it can lie almost completely flat, easily reaching right into the dusty depths beneath my sofa. (Note, if you opt for the version of the H60 that doesn't have the auto-empty dock, you'll get a wand that can be released to bend forward to 90-degrees, for even easier cleaning under furniture.)
The floorhead is excellent at getting right under furniture (Image credit: Future)
Like most stick vacuums, the H60 Ultra can be reconfigured for use as a handheld. The two tools provided will cover a wide variety of cleaning tasks, and the mini-motorized tool did a particularly good job of pulling pet hair from my sofa.
A slightly weird quirk is that if you swap tools without switching off the suction, the rollers won't rotate and the laser won't turn on. This can be fixed by switching the machine off and on again.
The telescopic wand actually makes getting the vacuum into the dock easier and more comfortable than I've experienced with other auto-empty machines I've used. Roborock says bin-emptying takes 10 seconds, and on test that proved accurate.
The auto-empty process was also relatively quiet, and in almost all instances, all the dust disappeared from the onboard bin in one go. The only time I had an issue with the auto-empty function was after I'd had a shedding dog visit – the hair-filled bin didn't empty at all the first time I docked the vacuum, but everything was sucked out on the second go.
Generally speaking, if you have space for one, I think an auto-empty dock is an excellent investment. They really take all the hassle and fuss out of a daily vacuum.
Suction tests
Moving on to the official suction tests. The H60 Hub Ultra performed far better than I expected considering the slightly weird floorhead.
I sprinkled loose, dry tea on the carpet to represent fine, gritty debris, then added a pile of oats and dry lentils to represent chunky debris. In medium mode, it scooped up pretty much everything in a single forward pass – if you look very closely, there are a few specks of tea remaining, but this is still an extremely strong result.
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Tea and oats / lentils on floor before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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The tea after a single pass in medium mode (look very closely and you can see a few specks remaining) (Image credit: Future)
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No remaining oats after a single pass in medium mode (Image credit: Future)
Here's a video clip of the tea test:
And a clip of the oats / lentils test:
I then repeated the same tests on a hard linoleum floor. Here, the results were equally strong: all mess was sucked up in a single forward pass. What's especially impressive is that none of the oats and lentils either pooled in front of the floorhead or were pinged around the room, as often happens in this test.
Finally, on to the edge test. The results here were a little weaker, but not awful. I sprinkled oats along the edge of my hearth in my carpeted lounge. Approaching from the side with the main floorhead attached, the majority of oats were sucked up – but a strip was left along the edge. Approaching front-on proved more successful.
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Oats before the edge test (Image credit: Future)
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... the results after a single pass, approaching from the side (Image credit: Future)
Overall, a really strong performance from the Roborock H60 Hub Ultra. The cleaning power proved excellent on both hard floors and carpet, and it was comfortable and easily maneuverable in use. My only minor complaints are the lack of an Auto mode, and the fact it's so intent on only moving forwards.
Performance score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock H60 Ultra review: battery life
8 mins 38 seconds in max, 25 minutes in medium
Roborock quotes 90 minutes for min mode
Recharge took 3 hours 15 mins
Roborock promises up to 90 minutes of cleaning per charge. This would be for the lowest-powered mode, and I will test and time this as soon as possible.
From the rapidly depleting battery indicator, I could immediately tell that runtimes in higher-powered modes would be significantly shorter. In the medium mode, it lasted 25 minutes – long enough to do a good amount of cleaning, but perhaps not enough for a whole large house. In maximum mode, the H60 lasted 8 minutes and 38 seconds, which again isn't terribly impressive.
The lack of an Auto suction mode is a down-side here. As well as saving you effort, Auto modes help eke out battery life, because the vacuum is only ever using the actual amount of suction power required for that particular cleaning task.
If you bleed the battery on the H60 Ultra to flat, it will take 30 minutes to start charging again. Roborock quotes a 3 hours and 30 minutes recharge time; I recorded slightly less than that at 3 hours and 15 minutess (including the extra 30 minutes where it just sat on its perch and did not charge). On the plus side, the charge dock makes keeping your vacuum juiced up straightforward.
Battery life score: 3 out of 5
Should you buy the Roborock H60 Ultra?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Premium, but there can be good discounts. Decent pricing for a high-quality vac with auto-empty, although I missed an Auto mode.
3.5 / 5
Design
Premium-feeling stick vacuum with telescopic wand and laser illumination. Effort-saving, auto-empty charge dock.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Excellent suction on both hard floors and carpet, with no hair wrap around brush roll. Floorhead can get right under furniture, and laser is nice and bright. Auto-empty works well.
4.5 / 5
Battery
Officially up to 90 minutes, but only 25 minutes in medium mode, and no battery-maximizing Auto mode.
3 / 5
Buy it if...
You suffer from allergies or hate bin-emptying
The auto-empty dock means once dirt and hair is sucked up, it's very difficult for it to escape back into the air. This also takes all the effort out of emptying the bin.
You have lots of hard floor
As the floorhead is very soft, you won't have to worry about it scratching delicate hard floors (it's also great on carpet, for the record). The dust-illuminating laser is also ultra-useful on hard flooring.
You're short
The telescopic wand means you can adjust the height of this stick vacuum to be comfortable for you. It doesn't go much longer than your average vacuum, but petite users will appreciate the ability to shrink down the wand to their height.
Don't buy it if...
You have a big house
The runtimes in higher power modes here aren't great, so if you have a big home you'll either need to commit to the lowest suction mode, or to pausing to recharge mid-clean.
You want an intelligent cleaner
Many premium vacuums these days can adjust suction and/or roller speed intelligently, based on floor type and dirt levels, for a low-effort, effective and battery-efficient clean. There's no Auto mode to speak of here.
How I tested the Roborock H60 Ultra
I used the Roborock H60 Hub for two weeks in my one-bedroom flat, which has a mix of carpet and linoleum floors.
I set up the charge station in my lounge and used the H60 vacuum regularly for a fortnight, to get a general feel for maneuverability, cleaning effectiveness in each mode, battery life, and any usability issues. I also took note of how well the Hub station's auto-empty feature worked and if it proved a genuine effort-saver.
To gain a more objective view of this vacuum's performance, I also ran a series of standard suction tests. For these, I sprinkled dry tea (to represent fine dust) and an oat / dry lentil mix (to represent chunky debris) on hard floors and carpet, and observed how efficiently the vacuum cleared it up. I also assessed how the H60 dealt with hair (my own, armpit-length human hair, and that of a visiting Cocker Spaniel ) and cleaning along the edges of rooms, and timed how long it took to run the battery flat in different modes, and to recharge it again.
The Narwal Flow is a high-end, self-emptying hybrid robotic vacuum with an especially unusual and impressive mopping system. I've been testing one out for the past fortnight, and the performance is such a mixed bag that coming to a definitive conclusion is tricky. On one hand, its mopping is among the best of any robovac I've tested. The mop pad is mounted on a wide roller, which extends outwards to reach into corners, and uses hot water to clean both your floor and itself. The system works remarkably well.
The Flow's vacuuming abilities are also strong, and it performed very well in TechRadar's standardized tests. It's not only very powerful (up to 22,000 Pa of suction), but cleverly adjusts the speed of its rotating side brushes to prevent dry debris from being flung across hard floors. It also performed very well at in my obstacle avoidance tests. There don't seem to have been any negative results of installing the LiDAR module in the back of the bot instead of in a raised puck on top. The benefit is that the overall profile is relatively shallow, which means the bot can clean beneath low furniture.
On the other hand, the Flow occasionally let itself down. During one cleaning task, it spilled a large amount of debris from its dust bin onto the floor, despite being set to automatically empty itself into the base station. The robot then drove over the mess, lifting itself off the ground enough to trigger its cliff sensors, and requiring help. Another time, it repeatedly failed to enter a room and, despite not vacuuming a single square centimeter, returned to its charger and declared the task a success.
The app is also so packed with adjustable settings that it'll likely feel intimidating to robovac rookies – an issue compounded by numerous examples of poor translation. I have no doubt these issues can be addressed by software updates, and I was ultimately still very impressed by the Flow's cleaning performance. The fundamentals are sound, it just needs a little finesse to reach perfection.
That's the short version – read on for my full Narwal Flow review, including an in-depth look at the design, performance and value for money, plus how it compares to the rest of the best robot vacuums on the market.
(Image credit: Future)
Narwal Flow review: price & availability
List price: $1,499.99
Launched: August 2025
Available: US
The Flow launched in August 2025, and a month later its price fell from $1,499.99 to $1,299.99. That's for what Narwal calls the basic dock, which contains a dust bag and tanks for clean and dirty water. A smaller dock that plumbs into your water supply for a full hands-off experience costs $1,599.99, but was discounted by $200 during the pre-order phase.
Currently, the Narwal Flow is only available in the US. The brand hasn't announced plans to bring the Flow to the UK just yet. However, it's available in some European countries, including Germany, for €1,299 with the standard dock and €1,499 for the smaller, plumbed-in dock. Those prices were cut for a limited time at launch to €899 and €1,099 respectively. The Flow is not currently available in Australia.
Even at the new, lower list price, the Narwal Flow is firmly in the premium price bracket for robot vacuums. It sits above other high-end robovacs, like the $1,099 Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, but below the lofty $1,599.99 recommended retail price of the Roborock Qrevo Curv. However, discounts are common in the robot vacuum market, so in many cases you'll be able to take list price with a pinch of salt.
If you're comfortable with the idea of a four-figure vacuum – something we've all had to get used to as their features and performance continue to grow – then the Flow feels like good value. This is especially true when you start digging through the spec sheet and the many, many pages of features and settings accessible in the app. Things like the use of hot water with the mopping system – to clean the floor, not just the pad itself – and an extending, track-based mop help the Flow stand apart. I'll come back to these features in more detail later.
Like other robotic vacuums, the Flow will require replacement parts over time. Examples include dust bags and detergent for the mopping water, and the spinning side brushes can also be replaced if they wear out or break. Narwal sells a kit of parts that includes two mops, two filters, a replacement roller brush, three dust bags, two bottles of detergent, two pairs of side brushes and other accessories. But it's rather expensive, at $259.99.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Flow specs
Max suction:
22,000Pa
Robot diameter:
13.8in / 35.1cm
Robot height:
3.7in / 9.5cm
Dock dimensions (W x D x H):
16.9 x 15.6 x 18.2in / 43 x 40 x 46.1cm
Dust bin volume (base):
2.5L
Water tank volume:
Requested
Base type:
Charge, auto-empty, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads with hot air, refill clean water, self-clean
Max threshold clearance:
1.6in / 4cm
Mop type:
Roller track with hot water mopping
Mop pad lifting:
0.5in / 1.2cm
Max runtime:
190 mins
Narwal Flow review: design
Hybrid robot vacuum with LiDAR integrated to give a shallower profile
Track-style roller mop that can extend, with hot water mopping
Comprehensive dock with hot water mop cleaning and self-clean cycle
The Narwal Flow is a robotic vacuum cleaner and mop with a self-emptying charge station that also cleans and drys the integrated mop. As well as emptying the robot's onboard dust bin, the charge station empties the robot's dirty water tank and refills it with clean water. For an even more hands-off approach, there's an option that has a dock that can be plumbed in (I didn't test this version).
(Image credit: Future)
The standard base station is comprehensive. It'll take care of basic things like charging the bot and emptying the dust, but also tasks like refilling the onboard water tank, washing the mop pads with hot water and drying them with hot air. It'll even clean itself, rinsing the dirty water tank and pipes with hot water. It's a shame, then, that there's no automatic detergent dispenser; instead you just add cleaning solution to the clean water tank.
I like how the robot is housed almost entirely inside the charge station, instead of protruding out the front when parked. This makes for a neater appearance, and means the system takes up less floor space than some rivals.
As with other robovacs, the Flow asks for plenty of free floor space around the base station, though. Officially, you should keep 18 in / 45cm free to each side and in front of the dock. This isn't critical though, so you can put the dock in a corner of the room (or next to a kitchen cupboard, as I have) and the robot will still drive in and out just fine.
(Image credit: Future)
The underside of the robot houses a rotating, anti-tangle brush, a pair of spinning side brushes, two wheels that promise to lift the robot over thresholds up to 1.57 in / 4cm tall, and a reusable mopping pad.
Unlike some other robotic vacuums, the Flow's spinning LiDAR unit is housed within the body instead of mounted on top, which reduces its height to 3.74 in / 9.5 cm, which is on the shallower side for a robot vacuum and means it's able to drive beneath low furniture.
When in use, the mop pushes down onto the floor with a force of 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg to help it scrub at dirt and dried-on stains, while grime is scraped off, and the pad is fed with clean water. The mop uses water warmed to 113F / 45C while in use, then lifts by 0.47in / 1.2cm to keep clear of carpet and rugs.
(Image credit: Future)
Unlike some other robotic vacuums, the rotating side brushes of the Narwal Flow do not pivot outwards to reach further into corners. Instead, there's a clever mechanical solution: one brush on each sweeper has a hinge halfway up. When the bot approaches the edge of a room, the sweeper changes direction of rotation, causing the hinge to open up and extend the reach of the brush.
The mop does extend outwards, getting it closer to walls but not quite within touching distance.
Setup
Setting up the Narwal Flow is relatively quick and easy. The spinning brushes clip into place, then it's just a case of picking a good spot for the charging station, filling the water tank, letting the robot charge its battery, and using the Narwal app to connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network. After that, you're prompted to send the Flow out on a mapping mission, where it quickly drives around, without cleaning, and uses its vision system to map your property.
The Flow performed this quickly and did a decent job of splitting the floor plan into rooms. It even correctly labeled the kitchen and living room, spotted how the latter is carpeted, and placed icons to represent a dining table, chairs and sofa. I had to adjust some of the wall locations, then split the hallway and downstairs toilet into two rooms, but this process is all quite intuitive.
(Image credit: Future)
The Flow also spotted a couple of obstacles – a cable and some shoes – and marked them with relevant icons on the floor map. Narwal says the Flow can recognize 200 different types of objects this way – and yes, that includes pet mess. This system was inconsistent, as it later mistook a stainless steel kitchen bin for a mirror and labelled a single table leg as 'other' despite previously adding the same table and chairs to its map of the kitchen. Up to four maps can be saved, which is handy if you live in a multi-storey house instead of an apartment.
Lastly, the Flow offers smart home integration and support for voice commands via Siri, Alexa and Google Home. However, there's a bit of clunky Chinese-to-English translation going on here, which can make some settings nonsensical. That aside, I like being able to ask Alexa to 'clean the kitchen', for example, or set up a Siri Shortcut to control the Flow.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Narwal Flow review: performance
Strong vacuuming and excellent mopping when you get the settings right
Occasional navigation failures
Impressively thorough self-cleaning from the dock
Narwal suggests the Flow is best left to think for itself. This is because, while there's lots of granular customization of cleaning schedules and mopping strategies to sink your teeth into, Narwal's artificial intelligence, called Freo Mind, can be summoned to do the thinking for you.
The AI adjusts the cleaning strategy based on the room and how much dirt there is. It'll adjust the suction power, mopping water usage, cleaning frequency and other variables on the fly, and work especially hard on tougher stains.
(Image credit: Future)
This is most obvious when tasked with mopping dried-on stains, which the robot will scrub at repeatedly, sometimes with multiple trips back to the docking station to clean the mop and grab more warm water, before the job is done.
The Flow's intelligence and navigation skills are mostly good, driving very close to walls but rarely crashing into them, and cleaning in neat, straight lines.
But it isn't perfect. On one occasion the Flow pushed a chair about 12in / 30.5cm across the kitchen floor, then seemingly got stuck, unsure of where to go or how to get back to its charger. I was also disappointed to see how the Flow once dropped a large amount of debris onto the carpet after cleaning, and another onto its own dock when returning to base. The robot can be set to empty its bin either after every clean, or intelligently based on how full it is, but in neither scenario should the bin be overflowing. Those minor hiccups aside, during general use I found the Flow to clean very well indeed.
Vacuuming tests
Now for the specific cleaning tests. I started by challenging the Narwal with a mixture of crushed digestive biscuit and flour on a wooden floor. I set the robot to its lowest suction setting and asked it to vacuum the area just once, and with what the app refers to as 'standard coverage precision', instead of the more meticulous option.
I started on the lowest of four suction settings (this is called 'Quiet, and lives up to its name, reaching just 58 dB.) Most of the debris was collected after a single pass. But, while the Flow managed not to flick dirt around the room, as some other robovacs are guilty of, larger pieces of food were missed, and there's no doubt I could have done a better job with a handheld vacuum or a dustpan and brush. The bot then returned to its dock and disinfected the internal bin. I measured this process at 42 dB; noticeable in a quiet room, but only slightly louder than a refrigerator.
I repeated the test at the next suction level, called Normal. This picked up more debris, but still left some behind – and I also noticed how the robot left two sizable trails of crumbs at the entrance to its charging dock. I then selected the highest setting, called Super Powerful, but before starting the app suggested I try 'Vortex suction power', which was previously hidden but, the app said, was suitable for the current area I was cleaning. Vortex suction is much louder, at 76 dB, but did an excellent job, picking up almost all of the crumb mix and leaving behind only a few faint trails.
As a final test, I scattered some more of the crumb mix and this time selected the Narwal Flow's Freo Mind setting, which promises to intelligently adjust depending on the environment and dirt level.
The robot drove in a more meticulous way, but left quite a few patches of crumb in its wake, plus some trails of debris spread around by its tank tracks. Honestly, I was expecting a little better here. As is almost always the case with robovacs, the best approach is to have it vacuum the entire room twice, rather than focus on a single area from which it is likely to flick dirt. This approach produced the best results.
(Image credit: Future)
Next, I repeated this test in a carpeted lounge. Strangely, the robot repeatedly failed to even leave the kitchen, yet twice proudly told me it had completed the task (and stated how it had cleaned 0.0 square meters in the app).
After the third failure, I asked it to vacuum the entire lounge instead of a custom zone. This also failed, and – after deleting the map and creating a new one – I discovered the Flow had designated the lounge carpet as an area to 'Cross' instead of 'Clean'. This is intended for rugs, creating the option to avoid them, but in this case it meant the robot refused to enter the room. A notification explaining this would have been helpful.
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Crumb mix on a carpeted floor before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
... and the results of the crumb test (Image credit: Future)
Issue resolved, and even the lowest suction mode did a fantastic job of vacuuming the carpet, with only very small patches of the crumb mix left behind. It was an impressive performance, and I liked how, even in 'standard' coverage precision, the Flow methodically drove twice across the selected zone. I repeated the task using Normal suction with two vacuuming cycles, and the carpet was cleaned perfectly.
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Oats on a carpet ahead of suction test (Image credit: Future)
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All the oats cleared away after the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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Oats on a wooden floor before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 4
... and the results (Image credit: Future)
For my next test, I used oats to see how the Flow performed with larger debris. On a hard floor it passed with flying colors, even with the lowest suction level. Crucial here is how the Flow's rotating side brushes vary their speed depending on the task, so instead of flicking the oats around – as many other robovacs do – the Flow slowed down and picked up almost everything.
On carpet I saw similarly impressive results, with just a single pass on the lowest suction enough to leave the floor totally spotless.
Mopping tests
Next, the mop test. For this I tested the Flow with some spilt water, then a few drops of ketchup smeared across a wooden floor and left to dry. For every mopping task, the bot first cleans its mop with hot water inside the base station, then sets off. The Flow did a great job of wiping away the spilt water, without pushing it around and creating more mess, but the rotating side brushes are dragged through the liquid (and, later, the ketchup too), so could start to smell over time.
The Flow's Freo AI function didn't scrub at the ketchup as much as I'd hoped, and instead returned to base after one pass without properly cleaning the area.
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Water and ketchup on a hard floor, ready for the mopping test (Image credit: Future)
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.. after one pass (Image credit: Future)
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... and after two passes (Image credit: Future)
I tried again – this time with the mopping set to 'meticulous' and with increased water usage to help loosen and remove the ketchup stain – and the floor was left spotless. Worth noting is how the Flow comes with a bottle of detergent, but this is added manually to the base station water tank, instead of being administered automatically, via a separate tank, as is the case with some premium robovacs.
Especially impressive is how the mop uses hot water to clean the floor, then is itself washed with more hot water and dried inside the base station after every task. Remarkably, even after a few weeks' use and the ketchup test, the mopping pad still looked like new.
Obstacle avoidance tests
Finally, obstacle avoidance. I tasked the Flow with vacuuming my lounge and placed a shoe, a sock and a USB charge cable in its way. The robot did an excellent job of avoiding every object, while still vacuuming very closely to each of them.
(Image credit: Future)
I was particularly impressed by how it dodged the charge cable, since most robovacs fail at this test. The app showed an icon of a cable on the map, but strangely didn't identify the sock and shoe.
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Flow review: app
Some poor Chinese-to-English translations
A ton of settings to explore – in fact, an overwhelming number
Drains phone battery quickly when left open
The Narwal app is a complex beast, packed with adjustable features and settings. It's designed nicely though, and most of the menu system is logical enough, although some questionable translation into English will have you scratching your head.
Ideally, you'd leave the Freo Mind AI to work everything out for you. But I found the Flow vacuumed best when configured to perform two cycles with strong suction and the coverage precision set to meticulous. Mopping worked best when set to two cycles, with normal water usage and, again, the meticulous coverage mode.
Beyond that, there are pages and pages of settings to read through and tinker with. There's even a setting to increase suction power to compensate for living at high altitude, a graph to show the 'health index' of the dust bag over time, and three options for how intensely the mop is dried. A 'simple mode' that strips out most features would be welcome.
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(Image credit: Narwal / Future)
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(Image credit: Narwal / Future)
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(Image credit: Narwal / Future)
More helpfully, you can create and save up to four maps, so using the Flow across multiple floors is possible, and there's a page showing you when each consumable accessory will need replacing.
One of the app's best features is how shortcuts can be created for common cleaning tasks. I made one called After Meal, which is configured to vacuum the entire kitchen with normal suction and two passes. These shortcuts live on the home page of the app, and begin with a single tap.
It's a good app, but there's too much going on for the average user. I'd urge most buyers to take manual control of the various cleaning functions, see what works best in your home, then set up a handful of shortcuts to fit your use case. I prefer this approach to relying on the Freo AI and trusting the robot to always do the right thing. Lastly, I noticed the Narwal app runs quite hot and quickly depleted my iPhone battery when left open.
App score: 3.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Narwal Flow?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Expensive, but justified at least in part by an extensive feature list and generally very strong performance.
4/5
Design
Hybrid robot vacuum and mop with integrated LiDAR and extending, track-style roller mop. Comprehensive dock.
4.5/5
Performance
Vacuuming is strong, mopping excellent, and the dock's cleaning functions are impressively thorough. Let down by occasional bugs and navigation issues.
3.5/5
App
Nicely designed, but overflowing with far too many features and settings and some poor translation into English. A resource hog that makes your phone run hot.
3.5/5
Buy it if...
You need a great mop
For homes with predominantly hard floors, the Flow is a great robot – the mopping is amongst the best I've tried, and it's remarkably good at keeping itself clean, dry and odor-free. Get the plumbed-in dock for a fully hands-off experience.
You rely on obstacle avoidance
The Flow is very good at avoiding obstacles, then plots their location on the floorplan and even takes photos of whatever it encounters. It didn't once ingest a stray sock or charge cable during my testing.
You want minimal maintenance
The Flow empties its dust bin, but also disinfects itself after vacuuming, then washes its mop with hot water and dries it too. After several weeks of use, and producing two tanks' worth of filthy used water, the mop still looked like new.
Don't buy it if...
Your priority isn't mopping
Much of the cost here is related to the advanced mopping and mop maintenance features. If you don't have a ton of hard floor or intensive mopping needs, this probably isn't the robot vacuum for you.
You want simplicity
With pages of settings to adjust, function names that don't always make sense, and some poor translation, the Narwal app can be overwhelming. One-tap shortcuts can be created, and work well once you've spent some time configuring them, but the app could be more user-friendly.
You're on a budget
Naturally, a four-figure robovac won't appeal to consumers who want to spend less. Thankfully, there are plenty of more affordable options from brands like SwitchBot, Roborock, Tapo and Eufy, although not all can mop as well as the Narwal Flow (or at all).
How I tested the Narwal Flow
I set up the Narwal Flow and used it as my own vacuum cleaner and mop for a couple of weeks, before conducting a series of specific tests. During the initial period, the Flow was tasked with vacuuming and mopping the entire ground floor of my home. I experimented with the Flow's ability to create additional maps, and used it to clean my first floor bedrooms and bathrooms too. The specific vacuuming, mopping, navigation and obstacle avoidance tests are outlined in the Performance section above.
Air purifiers designed for large rooms tend to be big and bulky – but the Levoit EverestAir Air Purifier is an exception to that rule. It's a slim machine that can fit into tight spaces, and fit flush against a wall, but which packs enough power to use in extra-large spaces.
Inside, you'll find a 3-stage filtration system that includes a washable pre-filter, and a H13 True HEPA filter and an activated charcoal filter combo. I have an open plan home with no walls separating the living room and kitchen, and the EverestAir did an excellent job of purifying the space quickly and effectively, including clearing my neighbor's cigarette smoke. In fact, this is one of the most effective air purifiers I've ever reviewed – and I've tested over 50 of the best air purifiers on the market.
The mode I used most often was Auto, where a laser dust sensor scans for airborne particles and increases or decreases the fan speed as necessary. There's also a Sleep mode and a Turbo mode.
The control panel includes plenty of options, but they're clearly presented and the information is easy to navigate and digest. The air quality score, along with color-coded rings, provide you with an at-a-glance overview. At the touch of a button, you can also cycle through readings for specific particulate matter, such as PM 1.0 (fine dust and microtoxins), PM 2.5 (dust, smoke, and pet dander) and PM 10 (pollen, ash, and airborne allergens). There's no remote control, but you can control the EverestAir from a distance using the companion app, which includes options to turn the device on or off, switch modes, create a schedule and more.
Normally, the airflow on an air purifier is in a fixed position. However, the Levoit EverestAir has adjustable vent angles, which is ideal for directing the clean air to suit the position of the purifier. Cleverly, when the air purifier is not in use, the vents close completely to keep dust out.
That's the short version – read on for my full Levoit EverestAir review.
(Image credit: Future)
Levoit EverestAir review: price & availability
List price: $499
Available: US
The Levoit EverestAir has a list price of $499.99 and is available to purchase direct from Levoit US via Amazon. While Levoit does have a presence in the UK and Australia, at time of writing this model wasn't available in either territory.
The Levoit EverestAir replacement filter is rather expensive ($99). However, it only needs to be replaced every 12-15 months with normal use… so you could think of it like a $50 filter that needs to be replaced every 6 months, if that helps.
In the air purifier market, the Levoit EverestAir is considered a mid-range purchase. It's more expensive than the Levoit Core 300S, which is TechRadar's top budget air purifier choice. On the other hand, it's significantly less pricey than the likes of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP04. For me, the features, functions, and build quality certainly justify the price, and it delivers strong value for the money.
Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5
Levoit EverestAir specs
CADR:
354 CFM / 601 m³/h
Size:
18.9 x 8.5 x 23.2in / 48 x 21.6 x 58.9cm
Control:
Buttons, app, voice
Filters:
Pre-filter, H13 HEPA, activated carbon
Modes:
Low, medium, high, Auto, Sleep, Turbo
Contaminants detected:
PM1, PM2.5, PM10
Model code:
LAP-EL551S-AUS
Levoit EverestAir review: design
Sleek, compact design with easy filter access and wheels for moving
Vents can be angled to suit the position of the purifier
Can be controlled via touchscreen buttons, a companion app, or voice
Air purifiers can be bulky, but the Levoit EverestAir Air Purifier has a sleek design that's less than 9 inches / 22.9cm wide. When I'm working at my desk, it's usually positioned in the tight space between my desk and sofa.
The EverestAir has a white front, stainless steel back, and black top, and the design is unique enough that visitors to my home often point to the machine and ask what it is. (For context, I also have a TruSens air purifier that looks like a speaker, and a Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin speaker that looks like a football, so you can understand how it's easy for guests to get confused.)
(Image credit: Future)
As well as looking stylish, it's very functional. Levoit has added wheels underneath, which make it easy to roll the whole thing around (it weighs 20.7lbs / 9.4kg, so it's not really heavy, but I wouldn't want to pick it up). Some purifiers have to be turned upside down to access and remove the filter. However, with this air purifier, I merely need to gently pull the panel door and it comes off immediately.
I also appreciate the fact the vents are adjustable, enabling me to customize my airflow. By touching the Angle icon, I can choose to set the vent angle to 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees or 90 degrees. So if I put the air purifier under my kitchen island, I can angle the vent so the clean air flows out and away from the island rather than blowing upwards into the bottom of the countertop.
(Image credit: Future)
On the top of the purifier you'll find a touchscreen control panel. With white text and icons on a black background, the display panel is clear and easy to read, and the contrast is sharp enough that the items are visible in bright light as well as no light. On the left hand side of the panel, you'll find options to toggle between three special modes (Sleep, Auto and Turbo), as well as buttons to access 'Air info' and filter info. To the right of the control panel are the controls for speed, vent angle, and the timer function, as well as the on/off button.
Of course, you don't have to use the touchscreen panel for control if you don't want to. You can also adjust settings using the companion app, where you'll find options to turn the purifier on or off remotely, change the mode, create a schedule, explore air quality, or check on remaining filter life. There's also support for voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Levoit EverestAir review: performance
User-friendly display with useful information
Cleans air quickly and effectively, even in large spaces
Auto mode works well to detect pollutants
One unique feature of the Levoit EverestAir is that it provides a clean air score as a percentage. The air purifier works this number out based on the concentration of particles and changes in detected particles during the purification process. Keep in mind that the clean air percentage is based solely on particles, not odors or gases. Typically, in my home, the score is between 98% and 99%.
By default, the Air Info button displays the clean air score as a large percentage, in the center of the control panel, and surrounded by rings that are color-coded to indicate air quality. The ring is blue when the air quality is very good, green when it's good, orange when the air quality is moderate, and red when the air is bad.
Press the Air Info button again and it'll show you PM (particulate matter) information. One press shows PM 1.0 (fine dust, micro-toxins), a second press shows PM 2.5 (dust, smoke, pet dander), and a third press shows PM 10 air info (pollen, airborne allergens).
(Image credit: Future)
When the air purifier is in Auto mode, it will automatically detect a change in the air's quality and boost or lower the airflow in response. There have been plenty of occasions where I've noticed a change in fan speed, looked down to see what was happening, and noticed that the air quality indicator rings had turned orange. That usually means my neighbor is smoking, and the air purifier is working hard to clean my air.
The Levoit EverestAir does an excellent job of removing pollutants from the air. That's due, in part, to the combination of filters. The washable pre-filter captures dust, lint, hair, and pet fur. I love to see pre-filters on an air purifier, because they help to extend the lifespan of the filter.
Behind the pre-filter is the H13 True HEPA main filter, and it is designed to trap such pollutants as fine dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander. Lastly, the high-efficiency activator carbon filter is what makes the air smell so clean. The carbon absorbs smoke, fumes, and odors, ranging from secondhand smoke to smells from food and pets.
(Image credit: Future)
The average air purifier has a CADR (clean air delivery rate) in the 200 range. However, the Levoit EverestAir has a much higher CADR: 354 CFM (cubic feet per minute). In my bedroom, the air purifier can clean/change the air around 5 times per hour when it's on the highest setting and my bedroom door is closed. In the living room, which is open to the kitchen and the steps leading downstairs, it cleans the air around twice an hour.
The Levoit EverestAir does an excellent job of clearing odors. This is due, in part, to the activated carbon filter, which is specifically designed to absorb odors. One pleasant surprise I discovered as I was testing: most air purifiers have to be set on high to clean the air and remove odors. However, even on a medium setting, the Levoit EverestAir effectively cleans the air.
For the purposes of this review, I recorded how long it took for the purfier to clear the smell of second-hand smoke in various spots in my home. It completely removed smoke from my bedroom in roughly 10 to 12 minutes, and took 20-30 minutes to clear the smell from my large, open-plan living space.
(Image credit: Future)
Don't let anyone fool you. Air purifiers on high tend to be noisy. On Turbo, this one gets quite loud as well – although not as loud as many others that I've tested. The noise level ranges from 24db on the lowest setting to 56dB on the Turbo setting.
If you're looking for a setting that creates minimal disturbance, you'll want to activate Sleep mode. This turns off the display and uses a fan speed that is lower than the Low speed. It's great for people who like to keep the air purifier running all night, but are easily bothered by lights and noise. However, I tended to use a higher setting overnight.
(Image credit: Levoit / Future)
As a general rule, I'm quite happy to manually operate the control panel on the top of the machine. However, for testing purposes, I also downloaded the app to my smartphone and controlled the air purifier by this method. The app was easy to set up and integrated seamlessly, providing the same level of control as the touch controls.
Regarding maintenance, every two to four weeks, I've wiped the exterior with a dry cloth, and vacuumed the pre-filter. On other occasions, I've also rinsed the pre-filter in the sink, and washed it with a damp cloth and liquid detergent. Every three months I use the vacuum cleaner attachment to clean the dust sensor on the side of the air purifier.
The process for changing the filter is really easy and entails removing the front cover, removing the old filter, cleaning any dust or hair with a vacuum hose, and inserting the new filter.
Performance score: 5 out of 5
Should you buy the Levoit EverestAir?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
It's not a budget pick but considering the features, it's well worth the money.
4.5 / 5
Design
Slim and compact considering how powerful it is. Adjustable vents, and manual, app, and voice control options.
4.5 / 5
Performance
User-friendly with controls that are easy to read and understand. It also cleans the air quickly and efficiently, and app integration is seamless.
5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a purifier you can tuck out of the way
The Levoit EverestAir Air Purifier has a slim design that doesn't take up much space, and it can fit into tight spaces and still work effectively. Also, since the vents are adjustable, you can angle them so the clean air is directed out into the room.
You want a purifier for a larger space
The Levoit EverestAir has a higher-than-average CADR (clean air delivery rate) to quickly remove pollutants from the air, and the pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated charcoal filter combine to trap particles of various sizes.
You want something you can control from afar
The EverestAir can be controlled remotely, via the companion app, and it's also possible to set a schedule. If you're in the same room, there's support for voice control.
Don't buy it if...
You have small kids
Admittedly, many air purifiers may not be ideal to use around curious toddlers and small kids.My primary concern with the Levoit EverestAir is the adjustable vents,since their tiny fingers may get caught in the vents if they accidentally tap the adjustment button.
You're on a budget
While there are plenty of air purifiers that cost more than the Levoit EverestAir, there are also cheaper and simpler options that might be absolutely fine if you're on a budget or only need something for a relatively small space.
You want something simple
The Levoit EverestAir is very user-friendly, but there are nine different items on the display panel. Not everyone wants that level of insight or control – and there are plenty of simpler options if that includes you.
How I tested the Levoit EverestAir purifier
I've been using the Levoit EverestAir in my home for the past two years and 5 months. My house was built in 2016 and includes an open living room/kitchen and two bedrooms, and a HVAC system. During this time, I've used the EverestAir in the living room/kitchen to clear cooking smells and second-hand smoke from my neighbor. I’ve also used it – to great success – in my bedroom.
For this review, I made note of how quickly it responded to and cleared pollutants. I also explored all the various special modes and control options, including digging into the companion app. I compared my findings to other air purifiers I've tested – I've reviewed over 50 different models in my years as a consumer tech journalist – to get a feel for how it compares to the wider market and if it offers good value for the money.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Nanoleaf’s smart lights since the release of the first-generation Essentials Smart Bulb, it's the company’s ability to offer excellent products at an affordable price. And that's been carried over to the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, which was first revealed at CES in January 2025. It’s one of the cheaper smart floor lamps available at the time of writing and performs wonderfully well, which means you get good value for money here.
There’s nothing particularly standout about it – I suppose that might partly explain the lower price point – but it’s still packed full of features, including reacting to sound, screen mirroring and extensive customizable light scenes. There's even AI-enabled customizations here – just type a word and the app will spew out an appropriate light color palette.
It does require some assembly, which I was a little apprehensive about initially, but a little help from a short YouTube video from Nanoleaf had the lamp ready to be switched on in less than 20 minutes.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
If you’re new to Nanoleaf, you’ll have an easy time of pairing it via the companion app – available for both iOS and Android – but I should mention that as someone who’s had multiple Nanoleaf products over the last few years, I ran into trouble as I hadn’t used many of them in a long time. I kept getting popup warnings that all my other Nanoleaf lights were offline, and that prevented me from connecting the floor lamp. Trying to pair each one back was a miserable experience, so I ended up deleting them – except for the Nanoleaf Essentials Light Strip that just refused to disappear (I still can’t figure out why) – which then made connecting the floor lamp via the QR code on the product (and its box) a lot easier.
When switched on for the first time, the Nanoleaf floor lamp defaults to a solid color light, but you can change that quickly enough in the app, where a plethora of user-created light combinations (or Scenes) are already available to preview and download. You can also create your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
It’s not the brightest floor lamp we’ve tested at TechRadar, topping out at 1,700 lumens. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient lamp sits at 2,500 lumens (but costs a heck of a lot more too), while the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is 2,100 lumens. So while it won’t necessarily light up a large room brightly, the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp manages to create a moody ambience, even if you decide that a solid white (cool) or yellow (warm) light is what you prefer.
As with any other smart floor lamp like it, the Nanoleaf is best used as a wall washer – the light facing the wall – that’s what creates the atmosphere in the room and, if you happen to set it to full brightness with a white (or whitish) light, it can be very harsh on the eyes when you look at it directly.
The transition from one color to another is fantastic and I am yet to find a hue that I don't like – whether you prefer vivid and vibrant lights or pastel shades, the Nanoleaf floor lamp handles them just as well as all the other smart lights from the brand. It’s really quite lovely and I can’t complain about anything when it comes to its day-to-day performance.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
I’m amazed at how many features Nanoleaf has managed to pack into this lamp. It has 24 color zones with 72 LEDs spread along it (so you can really go crazy with the customizations); it works via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or can be controlled via a Matter smart home hub; and it inherits the Rhythm Mode from Nanoleaf’s light panels that make the lamp react to the beat of the music playing in the room. Screen mirroring is also possible if you already use the Nanoleaf 4D kit on your TV (you’ll need the Nanoleaf desktop app for PC screen mirroring).
While there's no lag when it comes to using the Rhythm Mode or screen mirroring, I will say that the light palette doesn't always shift with the exact beat. And if you happen to be talking loudly over the music, you'll definitely confuse the lamp which will react to the bigger sounds in the room.
There's no arguing that it's a versatile smart light that requires no pre-planning to install (like the Nanoleaf panels) and, once fully set up, is easy to use. What it misses out on is the speaker on the base that you’ll find in the Philips Hue Signe Gradient and the Govee Floor Lamp Pro, but that didn’t bother me at all.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
My biggest issue is with the Nanoleaf app. I’ve complained about it when testing the Essentials range and in my Nanoleaf Lines review, saying the app is not intuitive. Sadly that situation hasn't changed in the last a few years and it needs to be a little easier to use. Don't get me wrong, it's got everything you need for smart lights, but how the whole thing is set up could be a touch convoluted for some users.
Take the Routines tab, for example: I wanted to set up a weekday and a weekend routine where it switches on and off at set times. You can easily add a start time for a specific action, but there's no option to add the end time in the same routine. Instead, I found I needed to create a separate routine where the start time was essentially the end time with the action being the light being off. Schedules and routines shouldn't be this hard to do.
The Philips Hue app, on the other hand, is so easy to use, where the same functionality is allows you to add the start and end time within the same pane. Other smart home applications I've used also offer the same seamless scheduling, including TP-Link's Tapo app and Australian company Laser's ConnectSmart app.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The Nanoleaf app is necessary, though, particularly if you want to set up different Scenes (as the mixed-color lights are called) and customization is made easy via the AI Magic Scenes feature that allows you to type a word or short description to get a corresponding palette. You’ll also need it to integrate Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings or Apple HomeKit control. In fact, I much prefer using the Apple Home app on my iPhone 17 Pro, which also imports my favorite Scenes, while Siri automations makes it easy to control the floor lamp via voice commands.
If, like me, you’re frustrated with the app, there is a physical controller attached to the power cord and can be used to not just turn the lamp on or off, but also cycle through a few Scenes you’ve marked as your favorites. It also allows you to adjust brightness. That said, the controller is best used only after you’ve finished all your customizations on the app, or you may not like the color palettes that are set as default.
Despite my issues with the app, I can’t help but love the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, and I applaud how affordable it is.
List price: $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99 in the US, UK and Australia respectively
Available now directly from Nanoleaf or authorized retailers
Nanoleaf debuted the Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp at CES in January 2025, but it only became widely available in most major markets much later in the year. While the company announced it would retail for $99.99 in the US, that price has since gone up and it's now listed for $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99.
Despite the slightly higher price in the US, that’s still an affordable amount for most people looking for a smart lamp. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient floor lamp will set you back a whopping $362.99 / £279.99 / AU$499.95. The Govee Floor Lamp Pro costs $199.99 / £219.99 (it's unavailable in Australia), but can often be discounted to around $159 / £169, which is still higher than the full price of the Nanoleaf. Even the cheaper Govee Floor Lamp 2 costs more at $159.99 / £149.99 / AU$349.99.
Sure, the Nanoleaf misses out on the speaker base of some of the more premium smart lamps, but that’s about all, which makes it excellent bang for buck.
The Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp comes in a few individual bits in the box that you'll need to put together. As I mentioned, I was a little apprehensive about that – DIY is not my forte – but Nanoleaf has easy-to-follow instruction videos online that provide better clarity than the diagrams in the user manual.
The main components are the circular metal base, the three sections of the semicircular pole (or stem) and the light strip that fits into the assembled pole. You screw the connectors to the sections of the stem, which then gets screwed to the tiny protrusion on the base.
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The base houses a tiny connector, which is where you'll start pushing the bendy light strip into the pole. Nanoleaf suggests you fit the bottom, the top and middle, then push the rest of the strip in and not be afraid to tuck it into the base. It doesn't seem like the light strip will fit, but it surprisingly does.
Also in the box is the power cable that comes fitted with the controller. Once set up, the lamp stands 1.4 meters tall (4.59 feet), which I think is a nice height for a light like it.
I've lifted the lamp by the top of the stem and nothing has shaken loose, and neither does anything wobble despite being multiple pieces screwed together. It looks thin, but it seems quite sturdy to me. I do have to note that the base picks up dusty scuff marks easily, but those can be wiped off. I would, however, be a little concerned about scratches in the long run.
• Design score: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp
Attributes
Notes
Score
Value
It's feature packed and yet one of the cheaper smart lamps on the market, offering excellent bang for buck.
5/5
Design
There's nothing unique about its design, but it's sturdy for its slim build.
4.5/5
Performance
If you have no trouble with the app, then there's absolutely no issues when it comes to its colored lights, transitions or rhythmic beats.
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want an affordable smart floor lamp
It's hard to argue with the value for money you get with the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, with plenty of useful (or fun) features at quite an affordable price point.
You want a smart light that's nearly effortless to use
If you don't run into any trouble with the app, I think the Nanoleaf floor lamp is really simple to use. And it works very well, doing what it promises to do perfectly.
You want a versatile smart floor lamp
Not only does it offer colored lighting, there are specific Scenes that work with music and screen mirroring is also available, whether that's matching what happening on your TV or your PC. Please note that TV screen mirroring requires another Nanoleaf device to work.
Don't buy it if...
You want a statement piece
It's a demure light that's not the brightest in the business. If you smart lights that stand out, consider opting for one of Nanoleaf's amazing wall (or ceiling) light panels.
You want to light up a room
The Nanoleaf floor lamp will impart mood lighting only. If you want to light a room or a task lamp, you'll need to look elsewhere.
You want a seamless app experience
The Nanoleaf app works, and it has a lot going for it – it's just not as streamlined as other smart light apps.
Not sure if the Nanoleaf floor lamp is right for you? Below are a couple of alternatives that you could consider instead.
Govee Floor Lamp 2
Available in most major markets, the Govee Floor Lamp 2 comes with a handy remote control so you don't need to be near the lamp to use a physical controller (or the app if your phone is in another room). It's not the brightest of lamps though and costs a little more than the Nanoleaf at full price. Read our full Govee Floor Lamp 2 review for more details
Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp
If you want a floor lamp, but would still love changing light palettes, Philips Hue has a tabletop option, although it's a lot more expensive than the Nanoleaf. It's performance is par excellence, though, and the app experience is significantly smoother too. For the full details, read our in-depth Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp review
How I tested the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
As soon as I opened the box that the lamp came in, I began the assembly process. The user manual has diagrams only to help with the setup, but you can find videos on Nanoleaf's website or its YouTube channel if you're having trouble.
Once powered on, I paired it via the Nanoleaf app and, despite the issues I described earlier, I was then able to choose some light scenes to get me started. That done, I integrated it into the Apple HomeKit app as another accessory.
I created one of my own light scenes, but didn't try another as it can be quite time consuming. Instead, I browsed a variety of user-created options and downloaded about 10 that I really liked.
I was unfortunately unable to try the lamp with my other Nanoleaf lights as I had trouble re-pairing them to the app (due to inactivity), so I tested different features on the lamp alone. I placed it in different spots in my living room, finally liking it beside a console table that houses my Sonos Ikea Symfonisk picture frame speaker, which was ideal to test out the Rhythm Mode.
I finally tried setting up routines on the Nanoleaf app, but ended up setting up schedules via HomeKit instead, which works fine for my needs.
Samsung has released a new report stating that the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 continue to enjoy strong demand in the US, maintaining momentum months after release.
Samsung’s newest Galaxy Z foldables are said to be outperforming all earlier generations in sales. The Galaxy Z Flip7 is reportedly converting more users from competing smartphone brands than any of its predecessors.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is generating strong interest among existing Galaxy users, especially those from the Galaxy S Ultra series. Samsung reports that nearly 30% of Z Fold7 buyers are upgrading...
Samsung has released a new report stating that the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 continue to enjoy strong demand in the US, maintaining momentum months after release.
Samsung’s newest Galaxy Z foldables are said to be outperforming all earlier generations in sales. The Galaxy Z Flip7 is reportedly converting more users from competing smartphone brands than any of its predecessors.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is generating strong interest among existing Galaxy users, especially those from the Galaxy S Ultra series. Samsung reports that nearly 30% of Z Fold7 buyers are upgrading...
If rumors hold true, Apple could unveil a foldable iPhone, aka iPhone Fold, next year. The foldable is expected to use a flexible OLED panel made by Samsung Display.
Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display, has now reportedly confirmed mass production of OLED panels for foldable phones, set to be supplied to a North American client. Although Cheong didn’t disclose the company’s name, it is widely believed to be Apple.
Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold is said to offer a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch folding screen on the inside. The foldable is rumored to feature a side-mounted...
Some of the best gaming laptops are those that are portable enough for you to take on the go with you, whether it's because you’re a commuter or just because you want to use your laptop in various places - and love to game.
With more options hitting the market over the past year thanks to the release of Nvidia’s 50 series graphics cards, we've been eagerly awaiting MSI's new edition of its Stealth series, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+.
The good news is that the new MSI Stealth A16 AI+ is once again a formidable gaming laptop, deftly balancing powerful performance with a sleek design, making it a candidate for our best thin and lightweight gaming laptops buying guide.
While its battery life leaves something to be desired and it can run hot under pressure, its vibrant OLED screen, robust build, and exceptional gaming capabilities make it a compelling choice for those looking for a portable powerhouse.
It's a strong contender in the competitive gaming laptop market, offering a premium experience for both work and play, but it comes at a (high) price: $2,899 / £2,199. While this is the average price for laptops featuring these specifications, that doesn’t take away from the dent it leaves in your wallet.
(Image credit: Future)
MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Price and availability
How much does it cost? $2,899 / £2,199
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? US, UK, and some European regions
You can pick up the Stealth A16 AI+ for $2,899 / £2,199 which is an average price for laptops which feature the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. You can customize the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ to come with the more powerful RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs, but this will increase the price by quite a bit - however, even then, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ remains reasonably priced compared to the competition.
Currently, you can purchase the Stealth A16 AI+ in the US, UK, and select European countries.
While there’s currently no confirmation as to when the device will be coming to other markets, MSI does typically release its products in other regions later down the line.
Value: 3 / 5
MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Specs
The Stealth A16 AI+ impresses with its potent specs: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB LPDDR5X memory, and a 2TB SSD, making it a future-proof powerhouse for demanding tasks and gaming.
The Stealth A16 AI+ features a sleek and understated design, perfect for both professional environments and gaming setups. Its chassis feels robust yet surprisingly lightweight, making it an excellent companion for those who need to work or play on the go.
The narrow bezels around the display add to its modern aesthetic and maximize screen real estate, drawing you deeper into your content.
MSI has been generous with port selection, ensuring you're well-connected without the constant need for adapters.
You'll find a versatile array of ports, including multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, an HDMI output for external displays, and an Ethernet port for reliable wired internet.
(Image credit: Future)
This comprehensive connectivity is a significant advantage, especially for gamers who need a load of peripherals or frequently switch between setups. However, if you’re hoping to run a streaming setup from this laptop you may need a USB adaptor so you can hook up a webcam and microphone too (though the included webcam and mic array do a fine job if you're not planning on doing professional-level streaming).
The OLED screen itself is a highlight, offering vibrant colors and sharp detail that enhance everything from those AAA story games to high-definition movies. Its ample size provides an immersive viewing experience, whether you're deep into a creative project or enjoying a casual browsing session. The more I use OLED screens, the more I wish they would become the industry standard.
(Image credit: Future)
Despite its large screen, the overall size and weight of the Stealth A16 AI+ remain impressively manageable for a gaming laptop at less than 2cm thick. It’s also relatively lightweight when compared to alternative gaming laptops on the market at 2.1kg - for example, the MSI Raider A18 HX comes in at 3.6kg.
Design score: 5 / 5
MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Performance
Excellent gaming performance
Good at multitasking
Can get hot
Benchmarks
These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the MSI Stealth A16 AI+:
3DMark: Night Raid: 38,762; Fire Strike: 30,723; Time Spy: 13,384 GeekBench 6: 2,930 (single-core); 15,398 (multi-core) CrossMark: Overall: 1,897 Productivity: 1,982 Creativity: 1,765 Responsiveness: 1,729 Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 176fps ; (1080p, Low): 380fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 105fps ; (1080p, Low): 176fps Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 206fps ; (1080p, Low): 287fps PCMark 10 Battery Life: 4 hours 57 mins TechRadar movie test: 4 hours 45 mins
During our testing, this laptop consistently delivered exceptional performance across a variety of demanding applications and, crucially, in the latest AAA gaming titles.
Whether it was playing Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings or engaging in fast-paced combat in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, the Stealth A16 AI+ maintained impressively high frame rates, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience.
This was with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti inside, so if you buy a model with the more powerful RTX 5080 or 5090 GPUs, then you're going to get even better gaming performance.
(Image credit: Future)
I was able to render breathtaking visuals without a hitch. Even with ray tracing enabled, the laptop held its own, providing a stunning level of graphical fidelity that truly elevates the gaming experience.
Beyond gaming, the processor handled intensive multitasking and content creation with ease, making it a truly versatile machine for power users.
One thing to note is that the laptop did get quite hot and loud when running games at ultra, opening a lot of intensive programmes at once, or when benchmarking. While it wasn’t too hot to use the keyboard - an issue I’m seeming to face more and more in the world of gaming laptops, it was certainly worth noting.
(Image credit: Future)
The speakers on the laptop are decent - they certainly get the job done - but you won’t be able to take advantage of directional audio within games.
Performance score: 4 / 5
MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Battery life
Not brilliant battery life
Very short when gaming
While MSI promised up to 13 hours of video playback, I found that the Stealth A16 AI+ just didn’t deliver anywhere near this.
During my time testing the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, I noticed that the battery life was closer to around six hours when using the laptop for general browsing or watching videos, which came down to about an hour when playing intensive games.
In our battery life benchmark, we got just shy of five hours in both the PCMark 10 edition and our own TechRadar movie test.
Battery life: 2 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the MSI Stealth A16 AI+?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The value of the laptop is pretty average when compared to alternatives on the market with the same specs.
3 / 5
Design
This laptop has an immaculate design featuring a decent array of ports and remaining light when compared to alternatives.
5 / 5
Performance
You get exceptional performance from this laptop but it does get quite hot and loud.
4 / 5
Battery life
The battery is significantly below the promised lifespan which is very disappointing.
2 / 5
Total Score
This is a well-priced thin and light laptop with some excellent components that means it offers fantastic gaming performance. However, it can get quite hot, and battery life isn't the best.
3.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You need a sleek gaming device You want a gaming laptop that's also highly portable and can be used for work on the go.
Screen quality is important to you If you want a vibrant OLED screen for an immersive visual experience, then this could be the laptop for you.
You want a powerful device This is a powerful machine that can handle demanding AAA gaming titles and intensive multitasking with high frame rates.
Don't buy it if...
You want to go all day without charging If you want a long battery life for extended use away from a power source then this isn’t the laptop for you.
You are on a tight budget While this laptop is priced fairly compared to alternatives, this doesn’t mean it won’t put a dent in your wallet.
You are sensitive to laptop heat and fan noise This laptop gets very hot and loud when you’re using intensive software or playing demanding games.
MSI Stealth A16 AI+ review: Also consider
MSI Stealth A16 AI+
Asus Zenbook A14
Apple Macbook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)
Price:
$2,899 / £2,199
$1,399.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$2,899
$2,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,999
CPU:
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
Snapdragon X X1 26 100 Processor with Qualcomm Hexagon NPU up to 45TOPS
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:
HD Webcam
FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View
Weight:
4.6 lbs (2.1kg)
2.16 lbs (0.98kg)
4.7 lbs (2.2kg)
Dimensions:
355.8 x 259.7 x 19.95 mm
31.07 x 21.39 x 1.34 ~ 1.59 cm (12.23 x 8.42 x 0.53in ~ 0.63in)
14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches (356 x 248 x 17mm)
If you're in the market for a new laptop, here are some alternatives to the MSI Stealth A16 AI+...
Asus Zenbook A14 For those seeking a premium, ultra-lightweight, and highly portable laptop, the Asus Zenbook A14 is an excellent choice. It offers a powerful processor and a stunning OLED display, all within a design optimized for superior portability.
Apple Macbook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) For intensive tasks such as 3D animation or demanding video rendering, the Apple MacBook Pro, with its M4 Pro processor, offers superior performance. Read our Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) review.
How I tested the MSI Stealth A16 AI+
Tested for two weeks
Used in a variety of scenarios
Ran benchmarks and played games
For two weeks, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ served as my primary laptop for both work and leisure.
I thoroughly integrated it into my daily routine, using it for typical workdays, evenings spent gaming and watching movies, and even general browsing. To assess its portability and performance outside my usual setup, I also brought it to various remote work locations.
Beyond everyday use, I conducted comprehensive benchmark tests using software like 3D Mark and in-game tools to evaluate its performance.
