Intro

The Creality K1 Max isn't just another 3D printer; Creality, like many of the established brands, has had to innovate at speed to compete with the emergence of the Bambu printers. Now, the K1 Max challenges the features of the P1 but with a refined design that makes it stand out. This machine can be brought and used out of the box; it's not the best 3D printer for enthusiasts who wants to get in under the bonnet of the machine and software, but more for those wanting a 3D printer to realise their designs and innovations. 

Standing out with its AI-driven capabilities, the K1 Max takes precision to a new level while boosting the print speed to compete with the newer printer manufacturers. The machine integrates LiDAR sensors that enable exceptional accuracy through the print process and help enhance the machine's ability to tackle complex geometric shapes and fine details, as the test highlights with the models we used to push the system's abilities. 

Network operation over an area network is a welcome and now essential addition, and the software Creality Print ensures seamless connectivity and use, enabling you to monitor and control prints remotely. 

On top of the innovative features is a stylish and neat design that sits above much of the competition, making this printer a far more viable option for many than the more common open-design models. 

Features

The Creality K1 Max stands out against other 3D printers I have looked at this year, such as the excellent Original PRUSA MK4 and Bambu Labs P1P, with a sleek, enclosed design that provides a controlled environment for printing various materials. For materials such as PLA, you need an open environment so the machine lid can quickly be removed and the door is opened. Interestingly, Creality has gone for a real premium feel to the entire machine; there's no perspex for the sides and top or stock extruded aluminium tubing; this is all glass and custom framework. The design is very much on another level. 

On the front of the machine is a large 4.3-inch colour touchscreen interface. This screen enables easy navigation and control over loading models directly from a USB and the printing process. Alongside the LCD is the direct WiFi operation using the Creality Print application available for most OS's; this works smoothly, although it doesn't enable you to delve in under the bonnet if you're that way inclined. 

An additional feature I've seen on most of the new Resin printers is the inclusion of an Air Purifier as part of the system, and it's great to see one feature on this filament machine. There's also the option to attach an extractor to the back, which will be useful when printing with materials such as ABS that release powerful fumes. 

At the heart of the printer is the large build volume of 300x300x300mm, which is standard for this size and price of the printer, and the dual-gear direct drive extruder services this. This enables consistent filament feed and increases the scope of materials you can use, including flexibility. The hotend has a 0.4mm nozzle, but you also have options for 0.6/0.8mm. This hotend enables a max temperature of 300℃ and the build platform 100℃, again boosting material compatibility. 

The innovations, such as the LiDAR sensor, are all tucked away, so while they're there, they're not obvious. 

Performance

The Creality K1 Max represents a major step forward in 3D printing, especially when it comes to print quality and reliability. It's immediately apparent that this printer is aimed at those who value precision and speed.

The K1 Max's AI-driven capabilities, including LiDAR sensors, helped achieve remarkable accuracy and detail in the test models through this review. With these features, we can tackle complex shapes and fine details that almost all FFF printers have struggled to print in the past without relying heavily on support and support materials. 

The printer produced outstanding results with all test models, so much so that I decided to test the printer and add a couple of prints that I usually reserve for Resin. With these prints, this printer has stood out as being the first through the test process to print with minimal support for some of the more complex character models. 

After completing the usual modes, I ran through the usual benchmark models with the following result. 

Creality K1 Max: Print quality

Dimensional accuracy - score of 5 

Target 25 = X: 24.88mm / 0.12mm Error | Y: 24.73mm / 0.27mm Error Target 20 = X: 19.87mm / 0.13mm Error | Y: 19.78mm / 0.22mm Error 

Target 15 = X: 14.92mm / 0.08mm Error | Y: 14.81mm / 0.19mm Error 

Target 10 = X: 9.98mm / 0.02mm Error | Y: 9.78mm / 0.22mm Error 

Target 5 = X: 4.84mm / 0.16mm Error | Y: 4.81mm / 0.19mm Error 

X Error Average = 0.1 

Y Error Average = 0.23

X&Y Error Average = 0.1 

Fine Flow Control - score of 2.5 

Fine Negative Features - score of 5 

Overhangs - score of 4 

Bridging - score of 5 

XY resonance - score of 2.5 

Z-axis alignment - score of 2.5 

Final score: 26.5 out of 30.

Verdict

The Creality K1 Max, while impressive in many aspects, isn’t without its quirks that deserve acknowledgement. First and foremost, the new filament feed process might be seen as a step back for some, particularly those new to 3D printing. The requirement to remove the PTFE tube and the fiddly securing ring can be less than intuitive. 

The limited access to the Klipper firmware might irk the more tech-savvy users, restricting their ability to tinker and personalise the machine to their preferences. Moreover, the single filament capability seems somewhat restrictive when considering the printer's other cutting-edge features, and the lack of a hinged lid might seem like an oversight in design for some.

However, these few negatives don’t overshadow the tremendous positives. The Creality K1 Max flaunts a premium build quality that's hard to find elsewhere. Using glass and custom framework elevates the machine's appearance and feel to a level that signifies quality and robustness.

Speed, though not yet fully unleashed, shows promise and complements this machine's incredible accuracy and print quality. The AI-driven capabilities, coupled with LiDAR sensors, set a new standard in precision, making it an ideal solution for detailed and complex designs.

The K1 Max is more than just a 3D printer; it's a versatile tool designed to meet education, enthusiasts, and professionals' diverse needs. From classrooms to design studios, its wide array of features and user-friendly design ensures that it can be a perfect fit for any level of 3D print aficionado.

The Creality K1 Max, with some refinement and updates, could become close to perfect. It offers innovation, speed, and quality that cater to all levels of interest and expertise. If you're looking for a 3D printer that combines technological advancement with real-world usability, this machine is worth serious consideration. Its tremendous potential eclipsed the few negatives, making the K1 Max a commendable choice in today's market.

• Best printers: Top choices for 2D printing at home, in the studio, and office

1993 was the year Jurassic Park first appeared on screens, as well as the inauguration of the current European Union. It was also the year that "Check Point Software Technologies Ltd." was founded in Israel.

In the past 30 years the company have released any number of software and hardware products focusing on cyber security. Of all the companies we've reviewed frankly they even rival Microsoft in the number of solutions offered.

The focus of this review is on Check Point's "Harmony Endpoint". The platform is designed for endpoint protection and its creators claim it offers this along with EDP (Endpoint Detection and Reponse) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) from a single console.

Has the Israeli-American IT Security giant done it again or should Check Point have just stayed home and watched Jurassic Park?

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Plans and Pricing

Harmony Endpoint is actually part of a range of 'Harmony' products offered by EndPoint. Its main page reveals that there are three main tiers: Basic, Advanced and Complete.

If you want specific pricing information though, you'll need to use CheckPoint's "Partner Locator" to provide specific information about your whereabouts. This was rather puzzling to us given that Check Point offer a free 30 day trial of the platform for up to 100 endpoints. Presumably it would be simpler to offer a payment option via the online console to extend the subscription after the trial ends.

Still, we persevered and entered our location info. This led us to 'Optiv' who supposedly offer Harmony products but on visiting their website no pricing was available. A little online delving revealed CheckPoint's pricing for Amazon Web Services, as well as other third party services. We encourage readers to sign up for the free trial and approach Check Point directly to confirm exact prices, as Amazon prices an annual subscription to Harmony Endpoint Basic as $1,050 for up to 50 seats. This works out at $21 per seat, which would make the platform very expensive compared to competitors.

This nebulous pricing model is disappointing, particularly as similar EDP platforms usually display subscription fees clearly on their website. 

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Features

Despite a vague subscription model, anyone who avails of the 'Basic' Harmony EndPoint plan will enjoy a range of security features including a host firewall and application control. 

Basic subscribers also benefit from antivirus. The platform uses machine learning to detect and prevent threats like ransomware and other types of exploits.

There's also a built-in function to block malicious sites as well as filter URLs specified by managers. We were particularly impressed to see that even the 'Basic' pricing tier includes a remote access VPN.

'Advanced' Subscribers to Harmony Endpoint benefit from all of the above, as well as "Content Disarm & Reconstruction (CDR) across email and web". In practice this seems to consist of a sandbox for testing suspicious files as well as the ability to sanitize files in 1.5 seconds. 

Those users who sign up for the 'Complete' package will benefit from all the perks of the 'Basic' and 'Advanced' tiers, as well as host and media encryption. The Harmony Endpoint page also lists 'port protection' as a perk of the 'Complete' tier but goes on to explain this is available for other tiers too. 

All subscription tiers include professional support, nine hours a day, five days a week.

Check Point also has an in-depth data sheet listing more of Harmony Endpoint's features. 

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Setup

In order to access the free trial Harmony Endpoint interested parties must fill in an online registration form with their company details. No credit card is required.

Once users confirm their email address, you can log in to the 'Infinity Portal', from where you can download trials of any number of Check Point products including Harmony Endpoint.

On selecting the platform we were pleased to see the 'getting started' section which provided helpful links like configuring policy mode and connecting/distributing your first agent. 

On choosing to install the agent, we were surprised to see a number of different ways this could be done. If the endpoint's running Windows or Linux you can choose to do an 'online install' as we did, to download a small program which in turn loads the main agent program. There's also a macOS client.

Although Harmony Endpoint itself can't manage Android/iOS devices, you can sign up for Harmony Mobile (formerly Sandblast Mobile) if your organization needs this. 

As the endpoint client was downloading and installing, we took a gander at the Harmony Endpoint Portal's policy modes, as per the 'getting started' section. By default this is set to 'detect only', which we presumed to mean the client software would raise alerts for threats but not take action. 

This is only recommended while onboarding, but as we were keen to make sure the platform proactively blocked threats, we changed the policy to 'Optimized'. By default any policy changes will apply to all endpoints in your organization.

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Interface

We've already touched on the helpful screen that first displays when logging in to the Harmony Endpoint portal. The left hand pane contains easy to understand icons, which are labeled.

The 'Overview' section is especially well laid out, its "Unified Dashboard" displaying workstations by operating system, as well as details of malicious file attacks and alerts. You can click in to any notification area to see for information, as we did for 'Alerts' to discover that the new endpoint (our test machine) hadn't yet been scanned for malware.

Special mention should definitely go to the 'Threat Hunting' section which makes excellent use of graphics to display a network overview of endpoints in your organizations, as well as the number of attacks. From here you can also apply filters to find specific events either by clicking on a graphic e.g. 'Total Attacks' or by using the search bar at the top of the screen. 

Although searching for threats is a commonplace feature of endpoint security platforms, Harmony Endpoint stands out given how simple the 'Threat Hunting' section is to navigate, given its layout and use of color. 

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Performance

When reviewing Endpoint Security platforms our first test is always to try to download a fake computer virus via Microsoft Edge in our test machine running Windows 11.

We visited the website hosting the virus (provided by the good people of EICAR), then tried to download the virus in compressed (ZIP) format. The Harmony client software immediately detected and blocked the file from downloading. This is impressive given that not all endpoint security platforms see ZIP files as a threat.

We next tried to copy over a real computer virus that we'd caught in the wild to the 'Downloads' folder to our test machine. Once again, Harmony didn't disappoint by immediately detecting and quarantining the virus.

Our next test was to log in to the Harmony Endpoint cloud portal to check if any alerts or reports had been triggered to alert managers to the threats on the endpoint. Sure enough on first log in to Harmony's "Security Dashboard" we saw each one of our test files along with their exact location and threat rating. 

Check Point Harmony Endpoint: Final Verdict

From a technical point of view Harmony Endpoint is faultless. Even its basic tier has everything you'd expect to see in an endpoint security platform, with the possible exception of support for mobile devices which is managed by a separate 'Harmony' product. We were particularly happy to see support for endpoints running the Linux operating system. 

There's a free trial of the platform which requires no payment information and in our tests we were able to deploy the endpoint installation software in minutes. Security is iron clad, blocking both suspicious URLs and quarantining potentially dangerous files immediately.

We were extremely impressed by the responsiveness of Harmony's cloud portal, which generated alerts as soon as threats were detected. As mentioned, the "Threat Hunting" section is a pleasure to use, being clearly color coded and easy to navigate.

The only criticism we can level against Harmony Endpoint is the vague pricing model, whereby interested parties must contact one of Check Point's partners to sign up. This is at odds with all the other endpoint security platforms we've reviewed in the past who clearly display pricing tiers on their page. 

It's also the reason we've awarded Harmony Endpoint 4 out of 5 stars, as naturally if users are considering this solution for endpoint security they need to know the exact cost to their organization. Provided you are able to obtain a detailed quote however, we strongly recommended this platform for endpoint protection.

We've listed the best MDM solutions.

One-minute review

Cosori is a brand that's best known for its range of air fryers, several of which have featured in our best air fryer roundup . If you're considering a countertop multi-cooker like one of the best Instant Pots, it’s not the first brand that springs to mind; and add to that the fact that this particular appliance is called a 'rice cooker', and it's unlikely to top the shortlist of most people looking for a multi-cooker.

However, the Cosori Rice Cooker offers a decent range of cooking modes that make it more than just a rice cooker. With slow-cook, saute, steam, and other options, it’s a versatile countertop cooker, although unlike models from the likes of Instant Pot and Ninja, it doesn’t feature a pressure-cooking function.

It’s streamlined and compact, and arguably looks nicer than most multi-cookers around, although the 5-quart/ 5-liter capacity limits it to smaller 2-4 person households. It’s an affordably priced and easy-to-use countertop cooker, and with dishwasher-friendly parts, it’s easy to clean too.

On test it produced some tasty food, although many of the cooking times were long. Conversely, in slow-cook mode, it was a bit too quick. So it’s not perfect; but I think you’ll quickly get used to its quirks, and adjust your expectations and your recipes accordingly.

Cosori Rice Cooker review: price and availability

•  List price:  $99.99/ £119.99

The Cosori Rice Cooker is available from Amazon in the US and UK, or direct from Cosori in the US. At $99.99 / £119.99 it’s already affordable, but we have seen it discounted on Amazon to $89.99 in the US and £99.99 in the UK, so it's worth keeping an eye on the price on Amazon to bag yourself a discount.

• Value score: 5/5

Cosori Rice Cooker review: specifications

Cosori Rice Cooker review: design and features

• Compact footprint
• Straightforward touch-sensitive LED display
• Dishwasher safe accessories

I’ve reviewed plenty of multi-cookers, and it’s safe to say they’re generally not the most stylish kitchen appliances, but I was impressed with the streamlined appearance of this Cosori rice cooker. The control panel dims to black when the device isn't switched on, giving an uncluttered and sleek appearance. As it doesn’t have the ability to pressure-cook it has a neat flat lid, and I like how compact it is on the counter.

The lid flips up at the touch of a button on the top of the cooker. The non-stick inner pot sits inside, and there’s also a steam basket. The inner pot has markings for guidance on the water level for steaming as well as for rice portions.

The other accessories include a couple of spoons and a measuring cup. Within the lid there’s an inner lid that easily detaches for cleaning, and all the accessories can be popped in the dishwasher.

The touchscreen is easy to get to grips with, and offers plenty of cooking options. For white and brown rice, there are three choices: long grain, short grain or quick. There are also three grains options: quinoa, porridge or mixed. 

The manual offers guidance on rice or grain-to-water ratios, and estimated cook times. However, unlike the rest of the cooking functions, the rice and grain preset cook times can't be altered. Instead, the brand claims the appliance automatically adjusts settings during cooking for perfect results.

The cooking functions include slow cook, steam, sauté, soup, jam/sauce and cake. Within these functions the cooking time can be adjusted, but the temperature cannot, so it doesn’t offer the same degree of control as some other multi-cookers. 

Additionally, there’s a keep-warm function that can keep the contents warm for up to 24 hours. There’s also a delay timer that can delay cooking for 24 hours. The included recipe booklet gives you some pointers and recipes to help you get started, along with helpful cooking charts for rice and grains.

There’s no setting up to do as such. As with most appliances, the manual advises giving all the parts a wash before using, and other than that it’s simply a case of familiarizing yourself with the control panel. 

• Design score: 4/5

Cosori Rice Cooker review: performance

• Slow cooker is quick to thicken and cook
• Rice programs are quite long
• Lid can be opened during cooking

The first thing I cooked in the Cosori Rice Cooker was brown basmati rice. I consulted the rice-to-water ratio tables in the manual, and concluded that for my two cups of rice I needed to add 2.75 cups of water. I selected the long-grain brown rice preset, and the timer showed 75 minutes, which was a surprise. 

I cook brown rice a lot, and I know it’s slow to cook, but I could cook this on my stove in around 25 minutes, so 75 minutes seemed excessive. At this point I’d expected to be able to adjust the timer, but that’s not possible. 

After 60 minutes I opened the lid to check the rice, and it was cooked through, so I canceled the rest of the cook time. The rice was slightly stickier than I’d have liked, but it was nicely cooked with no clumping or drying out, so I was happy with the result.

Next I tried steaming broccoli. I cut the broccoli into florets and popped it in the steam basket, and filled the main pot with water up to the marker for steaming. I was completely in the dark when it came to the timings, so I set the timer for five minutes and hoped for the best.

It started on a preheat stage which took 9.5 minutes, and then it started counting down the five minutes on the timer. After this time had elapsed the broccoli wasn't completely cooked, so I put it back on for a further five minutes. So all-in it took almost 20 minutes to cook the broccoli, but the texture was great, and unlike when cooking on the stove you can leave the cooker unattended and get on with other things.

I made a slow-cooked beef chili, which also enabled me to try out the sauté function to sauté the ground beef, as well as the onion and celery. The sauté function worked well; when I first poured the oil in, it pooled around the edges due to the base of the pot being slightly convex. But as soon as you add the ingredients and start stirring them, it’s not really a problem.

It would have been nice to be able to adjust the cooking temperature when sautéing. Nevertheless , it was effective, and being able to do this part in the cooking pot saves on any additional dishwashing, so no complaints here.

I added all the chili ingredients and set it to slow cook for eight hours. In my experience, other multi-cookers usually have a very tight seal, which means that very little steam escapes, and hence the sauce doesn’t thicken much.

However, I noticed that steam was continually pouring out of the vent in the top of the lid. So I kept an eye on it, and opened it up occasionally to check it was okay. I ended up stopping it after 5.5 hours, because I didn’t want the chili to get any thicker. 

This was fine for my beef chili, but if you’re cooking something that particularly needs a very slow cook to tenderize it, you might need to add additional liquid part-way through, which isn’t very convenient if you were planning on leaving a dish to cook while you’re out.

Lastly, I tried out the cake function by following a recipe for chocolate cake that’s in the manual. After mixing up the cake batter, I tipped it into the greased pot and set the timer for 70 minutes. At the end of the cooking time the cake wasn’t cooked through, so I added a further 10 minutes. This by far exceeds the time a cake takes to bake in an oven, although no doubt the amount of energy used to cook it in this appliance is much lower.

The cooked cake had a shiny top with a few bubbly craters, while inside the texture was moist, and while it wasn’t dense like a brownie, neither was it light and fluffy; it was somewhere in between. It worked best warm with a scoop of ice cream.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should I buy the Cosori Rice Cooker?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

Also consider...

If you’re not sure about the Cosori Rice Cooker, here are a couple of other options to consider...

How I tested the Cosori Rice Cooker

• I cooked in it four times
• I used five different cooking functions
• I noted how easy it was to clean

I’ve reviewed several of the multi-cookers that are currently in our list of best Instant Pots. So for easy comparison I made the same foods: a slow-cooked beef chili, steamed broccoli and brown rice. But since the Cosori doesn’t have a pressure cook function, I swapped out the usual pressure cooked Thai curry for a cake.

During these tests I was evaluating how straightforward the cooker is to use, and how easy it was to adjust the settings. I also cleaned it by hand, as well as in my dishwasher, to see how easy it is to clean. I also noted any other quirks or frustrations along the way.

I’ve been reviewing kitchen and home appliances for over 15 years. I've learned how to thoroughly test and evaluate products during my time at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and now as a freelancer I work across a variety of publications and have tried out most of the big brand multi-cookers.

Read more about how we test.

[First reviewed August 2023]