The Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank offers multiple ways to keep your devices running, with a friendly face designed to inject some fun into the gloomy world of charging.
The cutesy robot design is fairly minimal, so much so that you’ll likely only notice it upon closer inspection; there’s no feet or handle as there is with other products in the Uno range.
It's relatively compact for a 10,000mAh power bank, although it's still quite thick and the screen bulges out slightly, as does the power button on the side; the Uno isn’t a perfectly planed rectangle like some of the best power banks, such as the Ugreen 10,000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank or the Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo).
The overall build quality is good, although it feels a little flimsy in places, with presses able to warp the plastic chassis, so this isn’t a power bank I would feel comfortable taking on more rugged excursions. The screen is nice and thick, though, and seems quite resistant to scratches (at least minor ones). However, the materials used are light, making the Uno easy to carry around with all day without issue.
The faces on the display aren’t just for show; they’re also indicators for the charging status. A smiling face indicates the Uno is currently charging your device, while two love hearts signal that charging is complete. There’s also a sad face to notify you when the bank’s battery is low.
It’s a shame, though, that the charging faces only display intermittently rather than continuously, meaning that sometimes you’ll have to press the power button to see what the status is. The battery percentage of the Uno also isn’t displayed unless the power button is pressed, which would’ve been another useful addition, and one that some Anker power banks feature, for instance.
The faces do change depending on how much battery is left in the Uno, but they’re too subtle to be easily read, and there’s only a few increments available: one for less than 20%, one for 21-79%, and another for 80-99%.
What is very useful, though, is the hardwired USB-C cable, which folds away neatly into its own recess on the back. It’s flat and appears quite durable, although it's quite short, so only useful if your device or charger is close by.
When it comes to charging performance, the Uno has a 30W power output and supports two-way fast charging (three-way charging is also possible, but without the added speed boost). During my tests, it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% in just over an hour via the USB-C port, depleting the bank’s battery from 100% to 77% in the process, so you should be able to get about four charges out of it. Charging the bank itself from 25% to full via the USB-C port took about 90 minutes, which is an impressive performance.
There’s also a trickle charging feature, designed to protect smaller devices, such as earphones and smartwatches, by providing a low-level, continuous current. It can be activated simply by holding the power button for three seconds.
As large capacity, multi-port power banks go, the Uno offers good value for money, especially considering its 30W power, which is on the higher-end of the spectrum for a compact power bank.
(Image credit: Future)
Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank?
Buy it if…
You want powerful charging With a 30W power output, the Uno can charge your devices quickly.
You want versatility The Uno’s three-way charging capability means you can charge multiple devices at once, and the hardwired USB-C cable adds even more convenience.
Don't buy it if…
You want detailed info Despite the fun faces, a more in-depth interface would’ve been useful, showing aspects such as the Uno’s battery percentage and estimated times, like some rivals include.
You want the toughest power bank The chassis won’t inspire much confidence if you’re taking it on wild adventures, but it should hold up for casual travel.
Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank review: also consider
Iniu B61 power bank The Iniu B61 power bank closely matches the Uno for price, although it can be found for a lot less. It has three ports like the Uno, albeit two of them are USB-A and there’s only one USB-C. Although it has the same 10,000mAh capacity, it has less total power (22.5W) and there’s no inbuilt cable. It’s also doesn’t feature trickle charging, but it's lighter and feels better built, so it could be the smarter choice depending on your requirements.View Deal
I love to run, but I don’t particularly like running fast (well, that’s my excuse anyway). Long, easy runs have become my perfect de-stressor, so when I found the Altra FWD Via, a chunky shoe with a wide toebox, light weight and thick, firm outsole for easy runs, I was very excited to try it.
I’ve run in a lot of the best running shoes in my capacity as one of TechRadar’s resident fitness guinea pigs. Squishy long-distance shoes, firm all-rounders, carbon-plated super-shoes… you name it. Altra is a brand that’s famous for wide toeboxes, and shoes with heels that are the same height as the toes. This design is known as ‘zero drop’. Most running shoes have a sole (or ‘outsole’ in the case of running shoes – see our guide to different parts of a running shoe explained for more) that’s thicker at the heel than at the toe, the difference being known as ‘heel-toe drop’ or even just ‘drop’, and listed in millimeters.
So when I was asked to try the Altra FWD Via, I was expecting this sort of minimalist shoe. However, the Via is part of Altra’s FWD range, which as the name implies, tilts the foot forward with a 4mm drop. The result is a shoe that looks and feels a lot more like your traditional running shoe. Some of Altra’s other design language has been retained, such as the wide foot-shaped toebox instead of the shoe tapering to a narrow point, but the end result is a sort of ‘Goldilocks’ shoe.
(Image credit: Future)
Sure enough, it was a lovely shoe to run in from the outset, handling its first low-intensity 10-mile run and shorter five-mile lunchtime circuits with aplomb. It feels very light to wear on the feet, and handles mid-pace, mid-distance running on concrete with no problems whatsoever. It’s fine on light gravel trails too, providing adequate grip, but I wouldn’t use it on mud and grass.
It does have a lack of snappy speed: the Altra EGO FLO foam outsole is very firm, and doesn’t provide much of the spring-loading you get with faster shoes that compress when you step down and catapult you into your next stride. Instead, there’s a rocker element in the midsole that better supports easy running rather than hard pavement-pounding.
This will put competitive runners off, while its lack of squishiness underfoot and its scant 4mm drop might not be enough for many long-distance runners who require more assistance in their stride.
It’s not a shoe for every runner, then. However, it is a shoe that fits very well with how I like to run – easy, low-effort and long distances, so I can get lost in an audiobook or podcast. If you’re like me, you’ll love it, and it’s the perfect shoe for low-intensity marathon training.
Altra FWD Via: Specifications
(Image credit: Future)
Altra FWD Via: Scorecard
Altra FWD Via: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You’re an easy runner
The Altra FWD Via isn’t built for spring-loaded speed.View Deal
You’re a long-distance runner
If you love putting in the miles on a weekend, this is a great shoe to try.View Deal
You like a low drop
If you’re not keen on high-heeled running shoes and want to try a more natural way to run, a low-drop is a great place to start.View Deal
Don't buy if if...
You’re after a super-shoe
If you’re looking for something to give you the edge in a competitive race, this isn’t it.View Deal
You don’t run long-distance
If you don’t usually go over the five-mile mark, there are better and cheaper shoes out there.View Deal
You’re looking for a cheap shoe
There are far more expensive shoes out there, but you can also pick up a perfectly serviceable pair of long-distance shoes for under $99 / £99 / AU$149 if you’re strapped for cash. View Deal
Also consider
Saucony Ride 17
The latest iteration of Saucony’s popular all-rounders.
I wore the Altra FWD Via for around 50 kilometers of running over a three-week period. I tested them during a mixture of 5km, 10km and 15km runs, paying attention to the comfort, weight and energy return. I also ran in a narrower shoe to calibrate and check how I felt during the experience.
Consumables included: black cartridge, 1,200 pages
Dimensions/Weight: 723 x 435 x 285 mm (WxDxH)/71.4lb/7.1kg
This little laser printer bears Brother’s Workhorse branding, which means it's designed for business use, but its compact size and convenient features will appeal to home workers too.
The Brother Workhorse HL-L2865DW is a single-function black and white printer offering a fast print speed, cost-effective mono printing and a range of useful features. Like many of the best laser printers I've reviewed, this one can auto duplex and its inbuilt Wi-Fi is dual-band, but it’s also equipped with a useful front-loading multi-purpose tray for printing on envelopes. It also comes with the security needed for a shared office and eco-friendly features including settings that reduce energy and toner consumption.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Design and build
(Image credit: Brother)
The Brother HL-L2865DW is an unassuming grey box that’s small and light enough to share your desktop. It has ports for Ethernet and USB data cables as well as offering wireless connectivity with AirPrint compatibility. It’s a pity there’s no USB Host port at the front, but the front-facing manual feed slot is a very welcome feature as it saves so much time with those single print jobs such as printing on headed notepaper and envelopes.
It feels somewhat light and plasticky and the single-line display is quite hard to read, but at least these money-saving measures keep the overall cost competitive. As this is a mono printer, there’s plenty of room for the single high-yield black toner cartridge, which means your cost-per-page is also competitive.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Features & specifications
(Image credit: Brother)
For a print-only mono device, the Brother HL-L2865DW has quite a few features to shout about. The print speed is impressive, especially in duplex mode. The given figure is 16ppm (pages per minute) which I corroborated with my stopwatch. In simplex mode, its 34ppm, which is significantly faster than the 26ppm HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw.
The single-line LCD is small, but at least it does have a display. The inbuilt wi-fi is dual-band and there’s also an Ethernet port. The main paper tray takes an ample 250-sheets of Letter or A4-size paper and the single-sheet front input slot is essential for those one-off print jobs.
Brother has taken some steps to make this printer more sustainable with an Eco Mode to reduce power consumption, and a Toner Save Mode to reduce toner. It’s a shame that no recycled plastic or parts have been used in its construction, and the packaging includes polystyrene, so there’s room for improvement.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Setup and operation
(Image credit: Brother)
The setup manual is very brief because Brother is assuming you will download the excellent companion app, called Mobile Connect, and use that as your setup guide. It’s a case of plugging in, loading your paper and installing the toner cartridge, before letting the app on your smartphone get the printer connected to your local wi-fi network. It worked first time for me, and with AirPrint built in, I was able to print from my MacBook and iPhone straight away. It’s also fully compatible with Windows and Chrome OS. The Mobile Connect app is good for general operation too because you can use it to check the toner level, ordering a new cartridge, or update the printer’s firmware.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Performance
(Image credit: Brother)
I found the Brother HL-L2865DW printed quickly and surprisingly quietly throughout the tests. The quoted speed of 34ppm is accurate enough, while the quoted noise level of 49dB makes this one of the quieter laser printers on the market. It also printed reliably and well, so long as you don’t ask it to duplex thick paper. I found that it could print well on heavy 300gsm paper stock in simplex mode when using the single sheet input, which is designed for heavier paper, but automatically turning the page over always caused a jam. Removing a stuck page involves removing the cartridge to access it. The paper weight limit for auto duplex printing is a rather thin 105gsm.
The primary task of any black and white laser printer is to turn out pages of text and this it does with clarity and consistency. The characters don’t look quite as inky black as some rival laser printers I have tested, but that’s not to say they are pale. When I reduced the font size to just two points, I was still able to read the text (through a magnifying glass) quite easily.
The quoted resolution of 1,200 x 1,200 sounds better than the 600 x 600 you usually get with laser printers, but sadly that doesn’t equate to superior print quality. The black and white photos I printed looked less sharp than other laser printers at this price point can manage. More impressive was the way it applied the black toner very evenly, leaving no tramlines or blocking, which is good news if your documents include pie charts and areas of solid black. As mentioned, however, it’s not the darkest black toner available, so it has a tendency to appear grey.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Consumables
(Image credit: Brother)
Replacement toner cartridges for this printer are cost effective, especially the high-yield TN830XL (TN2510XL) cartridge, which gives you 3,000 pages for a cost of US$152 (£96). That’s a pretty low cost-per-page. The bundled cartridge yields 1,200 pages, which isn’t too bad for inbox toner either.
Brother HL-L2865DW: Maintenance
(Image credit: Brother)
Unlike inkjets, laser printers don’t suffer from blocked nozzles when left unused, so they require less maintenance on the whole. They do, however, rely on a drum that, in this case, needs replacing after 15,000 pages and a new DR830 (DR2510) unit from Brother costs US$136 (£106).
Brother HL-L2865DW: Final verdict
(Image credit: Brother)
The Brother HL-L2865DW highlights how efficient a black and white laser printer can be in a shared office or home office situation. If you can say with certainty that you don’t need to print in color, a mono laser like this is smaller, simpler, cheaper to buy and cheaper to run. With just one cartridge, there’s room for more toner, enough for 3,000 pages in this case, and more paper (250 sheets). And it performed its single job of turning out professional-looking pages of text very well throughout my testing. The print rate of 16ppm in duplex mode is pretty fast and at less than 50dB, it operates quietly too. The only test it failed was duplexing high quality, which caused a jam. The limit for duplexing is 106gsm stock. I would have appreciated a larger display, or a front USB Host port, but the front-loading multi-purpose input slot proved invaluable for one-off print jobs such as printing on envelopes and headed paper. Overall, this basic laser printer proved to be good value for money.
Want a printer for the home or home office? We reviewed the best home printers around.
Multiple monitors or one very big screen. That's ultimately what your choice comes down to if you want the very best in multitasking display support. And it's very much the single-screen option of the two that the new Philips 49B2U6903CH delivers on a very large scale.
This is a 49-inch ultrawide model that offers essentially the same screen area and resolution as a pair of 27-inch 1440p panels. To that basic productivity proposition Philips has added high specification connectivity features including Thunderbolt 4 and a KVM switch and basic HDR capabilities. You also get an integrated pop-up 5MP webcam with Windows Hello and AI tracking support.
If that all sounds appealing, the catch is the price. At over four figures, both in the US and the UK, it's much more expensive than a pair of equivalent 27-inch 1440p panels. So, the question of whether the convenience and seamlessness of a single-screen solution trumps the obvious superior value of going with two screens. Let's find out how Phillips' latest model compares to the best ultrawide monitors on the market.
Philips 49B2U6903CH: Design & features
(Image credit: Philips)
No nonsense aesthetics
Great productivity feature set
High-spec webcam
Specs
Panel size: 49-inch
Panel type: VA
Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440
Brightness: 450 nits SDR, 500 nits HDR
Contrast: 3,000:1
Pixel response: 4ms
Refresh rate: 100Hz
Colour coverage: 119% sRGB
HDR: DisplayHDR 400
Vesa: 100mm x 100mm
Inputs: DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2, USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 with 100 W power delivery x1
Other: USB hub, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C downstream, KVW switch, 5MP webcam with AI tracking and Windows Hello
The Philips 49B2U6903CH is unambiguously a productivity panel, that much is abundantly clear from the simple black aesthetic. RGB lighting and other gamer-centric flourishes definitely do not feature. Still, this is a mostly well-engineered display with a fantastic feature set.
The main negative from a design perspective is the stand. The stability of the panel itself on the stand isn't hugely reassuring, though that's not a huge issue in static use. What is more of a problem is the large size of the flat, solid stand base, which easts into desk space and isn't the most ergonomic solution to propping up a screen this big.
The other ergonomic issue you may or may not like is the location of the audio-out port and USB sockets on the side of the display. There's also USB connectivity on the rear, but if you run with an audio connection full time, it's a little unsightly sticking out of the side. Then again, it's easier to access when plugging in headphones.
Aside from the comprehensive connectivity including USB-C with a generous 100W of power delivery for single-cable laptop docking, Thunderbolt 4 support with daisy chaining, and full KVM functionality, one of the main attractions is the pop-up integrated 5MP webcam situated on the top bezel.
It definitely offers better image quality than most built-in monitor cams. It also supports AI tracking, the idea being that the camera tracks and follows you, removing the need to always sit perfectly centrally. In practice, it's very hit and miss to the point of routinely cutting your head off and being almost unusable. It's probably a software tweak away from being great. As it is, the AI tracking element is best ignored.
Philips 49B2U6903CH: Performance
(Image credit: Philips)
Nicely calibrated VA panel
Epic desktop space
Mediocre pixel density
The basic format of the Philips 49B2U6903CH isn't exactly novel. But the physical reality of a 49-inch curved monitor with a 32:9 aspect ratio is still very impressive. This is an awful lot of monitor.
The benefit for multitasking is obvious enough. Once you've got used to easily being able to run as many as four full application windows, side-by-side, going back to a standard 27-inch 16:9 monitor feels like a real injustice, it's just so constraining.
As for image quality, the biggest downside of this Philips is the pixel density. If you're familiar with 27-inch or 32-inch 4K monitors, the quality of fonts and image detail is a clear step down. However, for now there are no 32:9 aspect, 49-inch ultrawide monitors available with higher pixel density. So, if you favour this form factor, well, this is as good as it gets in terms of DPI.
Still, Philips has calibrated this monitor well, as indicated by the included calibration report showing an average DeltaE of just 0.88. In practice, that means the SDR colours look accurate and well balanced.
This is also a very punchy display, with a rated brightness of 450 nits SDR and 500 nits HDR. That's plenty for burning off even very bright ambient light conditions. What's more, the panel's SDR-calibration in HDR mode is bang-on, too. That means you can run this monitor in HDR mode all the time and with no need to switch between modes depending on content type.
That said, you do have to be realistic about the HDR capabilities of a display like this. There's no local dimming, let alone the per-pixel lighting of an OLED screen. Long story short, this isn't really an HDR-capable display, despite the VESA HDR400 certification. Indeed, VESA HDR400 pretty much tells you there's no real HDR capability, more support for HDR content rendered with correct colours, which is better than nothing.
Elsewhere, Philips quotes this monitor as being capable of 100Hz. However, in our testing it offered 120Hz and ran smoothly, so the quoted 100Hz may be an error.
Whatever, 120Hz is plenty for desktop responsiveness and smoothness. To be frank, even for a spot of gaming it's more than enough given the high resolution and likely frame rates as a consequence. Not that this is a gaming monitor, but it will do that job on the side just fine.
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Philips 49B2U6903CH: Final verdict
(Image credit: Philips)
From a productivity perspective, this is a very fine display tool. The huge workspace and outstanding connectivity see to that, while the webcam adds a further productivity flourish even if the AI tracking doesn't really work.
The image quality is likewise all you could ask for from this type of display. It's punchy, it's accurate, it's well calibrated, it's plenty quick enough. Sure, the HDR support is limited. But the real downside for productivity is that mediocre pixel density. For whatever reason, none of the very small number of actual LCD panel makers are currently offering a high density panel in this form factor. You can't blame Philips for that.
What you could take Philips to task over is the price. For sure, a monitor this size with the features it offers is never going to be cheap. But it's more expensive than some OLED 49-inch gaming panels with the same form factor, which doesn't really make sense. All that said, even at this high price, this is still an appealing proposition and a decent long-term investment.
The Juovi J2621 is a 45W power bank with a large 20,000mAh capacity and four ports for versatile, long-lasting charging performance. It’s a hefty brick for sure, but thankfully it’s not as heavy as it looks. This means it would be easy enough to carry around in a back, but not slim enough for pocketing.
Overall, its design is fairly anonymous, although the two-tone colorway adds some interest. There’s no clutter to ruin its minimalist credentials, as there’s only one button for the power, but ultimately, the J2621 won’t win any awards for style.
The build quality isn’t on a par with some of the best power banks, as there’s some flex in the chassis when pressed, and the front and back panels have prominent joins that feel sharp in the hand.
However, one very smart-looking feature is the display. It’s imperceptible when inactive, since there’s no glass screen; instead, it shines through the chassis when on. This also means there’s no delicate glass to scratch or crack, which is reassuring.
The USB-C ports provide up to 45W of power. Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full took just over an hour, which amounts to an average performance. Thanks to its large 20,000mAh capacity, though, the J2621’s battery only depleted by 16%, which means you should be able to get about six charges out of it.
On the other hand, the USB-A ports only reach a maximum of 30W each. Charging a Pixel 7a via this method was inevitably slower, taking closer to two hours, with the J2621 depleting by 17%.
There’s also a trickle charging mode, designed for low-current devices such as earbuds and smartwatches. It can be activated easily by pressing the power button twice, with an indicator appearing on the display.
The J2621 itself took just over an hour to charge itself from 70% to full, which isn’t bad considering its large capacity.
Ultimately, if you need a large capacity and port selection, then the J2621 is a worthy choice. It undercuts some other power banks, including those from Anker, and although it’s not as well engineered as its rivals, or as portable, it still makes for a versatile power bank.
(Image credit: Future)
Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You have multiple devices With two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, the J2621 is great if you have lots of devices to charge at once.
You need the power and space With a 45W maximum output, the J2621 is capable of charging larger devices, such as handheld consoles and tablets. It also has enough juice to offer multiple charges.
Don't buy it if…
You want something ultra-portable Although it’s light, the J2621 is thick and long, so it’s not ideal if you want to slip it into your pocket.
You want the best build Although the screenless display is a nice touch, the rest of the chassis doesn’t feel like the toughest.
Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank: also consider
Iniu B61 10000mAh power bank If you want charging power and versatility in a portable package, the Iniu B61 is a great choice. It offers three charging ports and has a light, slender form that makes it easy to carry in your pocket. It also features a large display, although it’s a little overkill considering the dearth of information it presents. It’s also a shame there’s only one USB-C port. But while the J2621 is slightly cheaper, the B61 is still great value for money.
When it comes to selecting best budgeting apps and personal finance software, most of us are looking for something quick and easy to use. Time is money, so having something like Rocket Money close at hand makes total sense. As its creator’s state on the website, Rocket Money is an app that has been designed to help you save more and spend less. What’s more, there’s a free version although the real value comes from the Rocket Money Premium edition.
Either way, Rocket Money is a great tool that is available for both iOS and Android, along with a very good desktop incarnation for good measure, that is one of the best-looking creations out there. It’s easy to use and chock full of features with the bonus of credit reporting that adds additional value to an already impressive package. On top of that, there are everyday tools for tracking spend, monitoring expenses and also managing subscriptions.
Admittedly, some might find the paid-for incarnation of Rocket Money a little more than they wanted to lay out. However, there are enough features and functions that make Rocket Money feel like good value, although it faces competition from the likes of perennial favourite Quicken and also Simplifi.
Rocket Money comes in desktop and app editions. (Image credit: Rocket Money)
Rocket Money: Pricing
The good news is that Rocket Money is initially free to use, with a straightforward download and setup procedure that introduces you to its core features. However, in order to access the more useful Premium features, there’s a suggested monthly fee of $10 and you can actually choose whether or not to pay more or less between $3 and £$12, presumably depending on what you think of it. Whatever route is taken, the billing cycle is an annual one, which might not appeal if you prefer more of a pay-as-you-go approach to personal finance apps.
Rocket Money offers a range of financial tools within its slick interface. (Image credit: Rocket Money)
Rocket Money: Features
Once the Premium edition has been accessed, there are plenty of features that make Rocket Money feel like the outlay has been justified. First up, the app or desktop edition both offer a view of personal finances in simple but very vivid colour, with a comprehensive breakdown of personal finances being the main appeal. There are useful nudges to help with future spending and it’s also possible to setup alerts to ensure that spending never gets too wayward.
Another useful tool is the negotiator option, which can pick through your ongoing bills and scour the deals out there in order to find a way of shaving costs. Meanwhile, the Net Worth tool brings everything together and allows for much better planning when it comes to future finances. Similarly, there’s a credit scoring tool that can assist with seeing how you’ll fare in terms of securing loans and the like.
One of the novel features that lots of people don’t really think about is having the ability to find and cancel any unwanted subscriptions. This is a neat tool that can help curb spending, especially on things that might have slipped under the radar. Add on financial goal tools, budgeting assistants and some funky widgets within the interface and it’s a solid enough package.
The Rocket Money app experience offers an insight into finances on the go. (Image credit: Rocket Money)
Rocket Money: Performance
There’s plenty of appeal when it comes to the performance characteristics of Rocket Money. This is a lean and mean app, with a desktop edition to match, and it speeds along very nicely in either scenario. Naturally, as you’d expect from software that is dealing with personal finances, there’s also 256-bit encryption, which is standard fare for bank-level processes. That means connecting to bank accounts is simple, straightforward and, crucially, secure too.
Rocket Money: Ease of use
Rocket Money is certainly an easy thing to use, whether you head for the app option or prefer a desktop variant. There’s some of the usual signing up to be done first, as well as connecting to your financial accounts, but once this is done and plugged in, progress is wonderfully straightforward. A lot of this is down the layout of the interface, which is good on the eyes for app and desktop alike. The graphics are clear and concise while there’s a clever use of colour where it’s needed most, especially when it comes to breaking down spending habits.
Rocket Money is easy to use either via the desktop website or the excellent app. (Image credit: Rocket Money)
Rocket Money: Support
The ease of use mentioned above is a good thing as support is a little on the thin side. However, there is an email or chat facility if needed, but the great thing about Rocket Money is its simplicity. Spend some time checking out the demo or free version, which will give a good grounding in the basics, and it seems unlikely that you’ll come unstuck after advancing to the Premium edition.
Rocket Money: Final verdict
Rocket Money is a good option for anyone who needs to manage their personal finance situation more effectively. The free version is worth bypassing to get the full benefit of this app though, with either the mobile or desktop Premium editions really offering the best potential. Expect a sumptuous graphical interface, with lots of power tools that will enable you to stay on top of every aspect of your finances. Some of the reporting could be a tad better and ditto for the investment tracking potential, but Rocket Money is otherwise very solid indeed.
The Hisense HS214 could be the perfect soundbar for you if you've decided it's time for an upgrade on plain ole TV audio, but you’re working on a pretty tight budget. The Hisense HS214 is a popular budget option, typically priced at just $99 / £79 (about AU$160). It’s a 2.1 channel soundbar with a built-in sub that aims to offer powerful audio via a compact, all-in-one build. But does it deliver?
Well, before I answer that definitively, let’s take a look at sound quality. I’m happy to report that out of the box, the Hisense HS214 sounds pretty good. When watching I Think You Should Leave on Netflix, a scene with two characters conversing in a people-filled room had clear dialogue, which was decently separated from background murmurs.
Similarly, when watching Howl’s Moving Castle, the vocals of protagonist Sophie felt a bit more defined in the overall mix than with standalone TV audio. During one scene, whistling winds were also replicated accurately, without any tinniness or unintentional harshness – something I always listen out for in my hunt to find the best soundbars available in all price brackets.
(Image credit: Future)
One aspect of the HS214 that Hisense talks up is its bass output. That’s mainly because the Hisense HS214 has a built-in woofer, which is meant to offer “powerful bass”, according to the Chinese electronics giant. And in fairness, the soundbar mustered up a bit more of a boom than my TV could manage alone – although it wasn’t massively striking, that’s to be expected given its size.
I watched the horror movie Smile and during a heart-racing scene with screaming and object-smashing, the deep bass playing throughout was a touch underpowered, meaning the full weight of the scene was slightly restricted. Luckily, this can be remedied significantly, thanks to the bass boost/reduce option on the remote. This enables you to raise or decrease bass output by five levels. When cranking up low-end output, the spooky scene in Smile had more impactful bass, which created a darker atmosphere in the build up to the scene’s climax (I won’t spoil it, don’t worry).
So, even if you won’t get massive, imposing bass out of this mini soundbar, it has the potential to offer a considerable leg-up to some of the best small TVs. You may notice the soundbar struggling with deeper bass tones and sub-bass when listening to music, however. For instance, when I tuned in to the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy, the low-end boom from deep bass running throughout the track was a little bit feeble. More generally, music sounds solid with the HS214, though. It’s decently clear for the most part and doesn’t get awful tinny like some cheap soundbars.
(Image credit: Future)
I mentioned that bass boost/reduce option a moment ago, but you might be wondering what other features the Hisense HS214 has to offer. You get three different sound modes here: Movie; Music; and Night. However, those of you with a Hisense TV will also be able to access Sport and Night mode if you alter the EQ mode via the soundbar settings menu, rather than the soundbar’s remote. Each of these are well differentiated, with Movie adding a bit of emphasis in the low-end. I used this for the majority of testing.
Another feature is surround sound mode, which to clarify, has nothing to do with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X/Virtual:X. When I realised this was an option, I was looking forward to trying it, because even if the HS214’s overall audio quality was good, it didn’t offer much of a spatial impression. Unfortunately, though, surround mode isn’t worth activating. I tried using it when playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on PlayStation 5 and despite providing broader, more nuanced positioning, it wasn’t long before I switched it off. And that’s down to one big issue – it significantly hampers audio quality, which is tinny and a bit unpleasant.
This isn’t the end of the world, of course – the HS214 sounds totally fine without surround mode. And even if it doesn’t offer mesmerizing spatial audio, it does plate up a solid helping of power. It has a total power output of 108W and can get pretty loud, making it an ideal step-up for TVs with weaker audio, or sound that gets easily distorted at higher volumes. And placement isn’t too bad either. During gameplay, one character whizzed across the screen on a motorbike and I got a solid impression of his directionality. Of course, this is a small soundbar and you won’t get much width out of it – especially with Surround Mode off – but general audio placement is decent.
(Image credit: Future)
One more feature worth mentioning is the dimmer option, which can alter the brightness of the LED light display on the front of the soundbar. I kept it at max brightness, but I have to say, I wasn’t a massive fan of the LED display used here. Rather than displaying volume numbers, EQ modes and more, you just see a small light flash when you change settings or volume. This isn’t the most clear or intuitive and a lot of cheap soundbars, like the Majority Elias, for instance, use clearer displays with words and letters.
But look, I don’t want to be overly critical, especially as I personally like the design of the Hisense HS214 overall. It has an almost leather-like plastic casing on top of that soundbar which is attractive and adds a touch of class. It also has button controls for power, source and volume if you don’t have the soundbar's very neat-looking remote to hand.
(Image credit: Future)
On the reverse side, there are a number of ports that enable you to connect your soundbar to a TV in multiple ways. These include: HDMI (ARC); AUX; coaxial; digital optical; and USB-C. That means it should be good to go with any modern TV and gives you plenty of options if all of your HDMI slots are used up. I opted for the HDMI ARC connection type and found setting the soundbar up incredibly easy – just plug in the connector and a power cable and you’re good to go.
All in all, the Hisense HS214 is a very solid budget soundbar. It’s wide of the mark on spatial audio and you may not be wowed in the bass department, but it’s an attractive, compact, easy-to-use soundbar that plates up clear dialogue and solid amounts of power. Given the price you pay, that does make it an attractive offering. If that’s all you need, I’d say this soundbar is worth considering, but for those seeking a stronger spatial impression, one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars will offer a more nuanced, expansive and premium-sounding experience.
(Image credit: Future)
Hisense HS214 review: Price and release date
$99 / £79 (about AU$160)
Launched in 2021
The Hisense HS214 is positioned as a budget, entry-level option for those looking to add a bit of power to their TV setup. It was released back in 2021 and has a list price of $99 / £79 (about AU$160). However, you may well be able to snap this soundbar up for even less. I’ve personally seen this soundbar available for less than £70 via Amazon UK, for instance, so keep an eye out for some sweet deals.
Hisense HS214 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hisense HS214?
Buy it if...
You’re working with a fairly tight budget If you’re looking for a solid, cheap soundbar, the Hisense HS214 is an option worth considering. For less than $100 / £80, you get decently powerful audio, clear dialogue and a bundle of connectivity options – not bad at all!
You’re a little low on space Something I really liked about this soundbar was its ultra-compact build. It was small enough to just fit under my TV stand and so if, like me, you’ve not got a ton of space to play with, this soundbar will fit the bill.
Don't buy it if...
You want truly cinematic sound Sure, the Hisense HS214 has a surround mode, but it’s just not very good. On top of that, it’s a small, standalone soundbar, so you’re not going to get the most immersive sonic experience.
You’re an audiophile And if you’re someone who’s picky about sound, this soundbar might not quite hit all the right notes for you. It’s by no means a poor-sounding soundbar, especially for its price, but if you’re hoping for top-tier music replication, deep, impactful bass and supremely crisp vocals, this may fall short.
Hisense HS214 review: Also consider
Panasonic SC-HTB100 This soundbar is UK only, but if it’s available to you it’s a great budget option. You don’t get any fancy tricks from the Panasonic SC-HTB100 – no Atmos or DTS:X and no hi-tech display either. But if you want clear dialogue, strong connectivity options and solid EQ options at a low price, you’ll be well-served here. Read our full Panasonic SC-HTB100 review.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar But here’s one that’s available in the US as well – the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar. This budget option supplies pretty impressive sound, as well as a simple setup process and ultra-compact build. Once again, there’s no Atmos and you’re unlikely to be blown away in the bass department, but this is still a very solid option. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.
Hisense HS214 review: How I tested
Tested for one week(s)
Used at home with the Hisense U7K TV
Predominantly used the HDMI ARC connectivity option
I put the Hisense HS214 to the test over a week-long period. I mainly used HDMI ARC when connecting the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – a model which had integrated support for the HS214 in its options menus.
While testing, I watched a number of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the Playstation 5 to judge the soundbar’s capabilities for gaming. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the Hisense HS214 using Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to assess the quality of the soundbar’s Music EQ configuration.
Wolf Man is the latest horror movie from Leigh Whannell, who’s known for horror hits including Insidious, Saw, and most recently, his adaptation of the Universal Monster movie The Invisible Man. Wolf Man was one of my most anticipated horror movies of 2025, and I'm pleased to say that Whannell has delivered once again, with a surprisingly heartfelt tale that takes us on a horrifying journey of grief and loss.
These themes are present throughout the whole movie, and it wastes no time in throwing us straight into the action after a family – parents Blake (Christopher Abbott) and Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) – are attacked by a creature during a full moon. The family end up barricading themselves into their isolated farmhouse hoping to protect themselves from the danger that lurks outside – but unknowingly, they’ve inadvertently locked dangerinside with them.
Blake’s body begins to deteriorate and transform into something monstrous, confronting the viewer with horror that is both physical and psychological. Much like The Substance, our favorite body horror of 2024, it doesn't shy away from the gory detail and physiological trauma of a human being metamorphosing into something utterly inhuman . Expect nails ripping off, a jaw being broken, and bones moving – and it sounds as dreadful as it looks, thanks to a sound design that leaves nothing to the imagination, and which really elevates the whole movie. And yet, as horrific as it is to witness, it's the psychological aspects of Blake's transformation that scared me the most. The loss of a person’s identity is a recurring theme across many body horrors; it’s perhaps captured best in the way that Jeff Goldblum’s scientist slowly loses his mind as he loses his humanity in The Fly, and in Wolf Man Whannell approaches a similarly traumatic metamorphosis through a very sympathetic lens.
Without giving too much away, Wolf Man uses some clever POV shifting so we get to experience Blake’s transformation through both human and wolf's eyes, with the latter making for some particularly distressing scenes. As he changes into a ferocious wild animal, Blake can no longer understand his terrified wife and daughter., everything is more heightened. Their inability to communicate cleverly mirrors Blake and Charlotte's already strained relationship.
(Image credit: Blumhouse)
The goal of a the original Universal Monster movies was to be scary, and the creature in the latest Wolf Man adaptation certainly is. There are some effective jump scares here, again thanks in part to the sound design, which are best experienced on a big screen, though some might argue that the movie is too reliant on the jump. I'm inclined to agree – and for me the psychological aspects of the story are just as frightening if not more so.
The creature design did seem to divide audiences when teasers for Wolf Man were first released, and while I do think it could have been a bit more, well, wolf-like in places, no horror movie has so far really managed to nail the werewolf, and any shortcomings in this department are easily made up for by Abbott’s performance as a man losing both his own humanity and the people he loves. I can easily forgive some slightly-off special effects when a story is as rich and thought-provoking as this, proving that sometimes raw, human emotion is the scariest thing of all. All three of the lead actors are fantastic, but 10-year-old Matilda Firth deserves a special shoutout for the way in which she skilfully navigates the terrifying, dark, jump-filled landscape of Wolf Man, displaying a confidence and maturity way beyond her years. Considering I'm approaching 30 and I watched a lot of this through my fingers, she's officially braver than me.
Wolf Man is quite a way to start 2025, and while January is not typically the season for horror, it's already set the bar high for scarier entries among the new movies we’re looking forward to this year. You’ll want to catch it in the theater for the best experience – but you might want to make sure there's not a full moon that night, as it could make for a nerve-jangling walk home.
The Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition is a belt-driven racing wheel designed for PlayStation and PC. Considering it’s a GT Edition, this isn’t the most auspicious looking racing wheel. Its rather plain design isn’t helped by the lack of color. However, the leatherette material adds a touch of class and appears to be hard-wearing.
The pedals also feel durable, and feature plenty of adjustments. However, the base can slide around on smooth flooring, so rugs and carpets are best.
Installing the wheel base on a table is somewhat of a hassle, owing to the stiff fastening screw (at least on the unit I had), requiring some lubrication to make it easier. It’s also quite heavy, which means you’ll have to hold it in place while fixing it to a table. The clamping mechanism is also quite clunky, since it’s prone to moving out of position while installing, and gets in the way of the handle on the fastening screw.
Once installed, you should watch out for the self-calibration procedure that takes place as soon as you power it on, as the wheel spins quickly and forcefully. Thankfully, this is the only form of setup when using the T300 RS GT Edition with a PS5 – as you would expect from an officially licensed PlayStation product.
Things were a little more difficult on PC, though. The software tool doesn’t feel the most modern, and it took a few restarts to run correctly and update the firmware successfully. However, it does offer the settings and tweaks you would expect of one of the best racing wheels, including numerous force feedback options.
The T300RS GT Edition performs well in certain areas, but not so well in others. The steering is precise enough, and the pedals offer enough resistance without being too hard. There’s an optional conical stop you can install behind the brake pedal to lend a different sense of feedback, but I found this limited travel too much – which I found a tad too short to begin with.
The wheel can also feel very notchy, especially at the start of rotations; most noticeable when making the slow, gradual movements you might when playing more sedate driving sims. The paddles aren’t damped well enough either, feeling a little harsh in use.
While the button selection is good for PlayStation users, it’s a shame there are no rotary knobs for typical on-the-fly racing adjustments. And on PC, some buttons failed to work in my experience, although quite where the blame lies on this front isn’t exactly clear.
All of these are disappointments for a wheel of this price. The Thrustmaster T248, for instance, is considerably cheaper, yet we think it’s the best racing wheel overall thanks to its excellent performance-to-price ratio. You can of course spend a lot more on a racing wheel, such as the Thrustmaster T-GT II, but we think this is the best premium racing wheel around, as it rivals direct drive wheels – the zenith of racing wheel technology.
(Image credit: Future)
Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Price and availability
$449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725)
Available now in one color
Some rivals are cheaper
The T300RS GT Edition costs $449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725) and is available now in one colorway. It comes with a pedal set but not an external shifter, although one can be connected.
This makes it quite a lot more expensive than the Thrustmaster T248, our pick as the best racing wheel overall. This wheel offers similarly good pedals and we liked the force feedback with certain games, but again we had some issues with the steering feel.
If you want a more luxury belt-driven experience, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best in this category, and comes close to rivaling state-of-the-art direct drive wheels. We still found the rotation wasn’t as seamless as it could be, though, and it’s considerably more expensive than the T300RS GT Edition.
Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Specs
Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: Design and features
Plain looks
Violent self-calibration
Useful software
The T300RS GT Edition cuts a rather bland figure, with a monochromatic colorway and a lackluster wheel design that fails to inspire or excite. Considering this is the variant officially licensed by PlayStation and the Gran Turismo series, I was expecting something a little more special.
The pedals are similarly plain, although the metal heads do lend an element of sophistication. There’s also an optional conical stop, which can be screwed in behind the brake pedal to offer a different level of resistance.
The wheel has a satisfactory feel to it, being neither too thick nor too thin. The leatherette finish feels hard-wearing but offers little in the way of padding. There’s also some perforation to help with grip, and I had no issue handling it securely.
Thrustmaster doesn’t give a weight for the wheel base alone, but it’s reasonably heavy with a bias towards the front, which can make installation a little tricky. The pedal base, on the other hand, is much lighter, which can be a problem for those with low-friction flooring, as I did find it was prone to sliding unless I had a carpet or rug underneath.
Installation wasn’t the most seamless experience. The wheel attaches to the base relatively easily, requiring several turns of the Quick Release ring before tightening a small screw to secure it in place. However, attaching the base to a table is more awkward. The fastening screw in the unit I had didn’t thread smoothly, requiring some lubrication to get it working correctly.
(Image credit: Future)
You have to hold the wheel up while you attach it, as it will fall forwards otherwise. This means tightening the fastening screw one-handed, or using your chest to prop it up while you turn it with both hands, which is the method I preferred. The handle for turning the screw kept getting in the way of the attachment system used to clamp the base to the table, which is an annoying design flaw. What’s more, this attachment system is prone to rotating out of position whilst fastening – another irksome fault.
The pedals do have a pleasing number of adjustments, made easily using the included Allen key. You can adjust the height, angle, and spacing, although I would’ve liked a wider range for the latter, as I found my legs were always too close together, but this could be a personal gripe not shared by others.
The self-calibration for the wheel begins as soon as the T300RS GT Edition is powered on and plugged in, and it took me by surprise: it’s sudden and quite forceful, so make sure to keep your hands completely clear of the wheel.
In order to adjust various calibration and force feedback settings, the Thrustmaster Control Panel for Windows is required. This failed to install on first try for me, although a couple of restarts seemed to fix the issue. The same was true of a required firmware update, but this was successful in the end.
Once up and running, the Thrustmaster Control Panel offers many of the usual customization options you’d expect of a racing wheel. You can set the maximum rotation angle and make multiple force feedback adjustments, with static settings for the constant and periodic forces, as well as dynamic ones for the spring and damper effects. All these are easy to make thanks to the basic layout of the UI.
I had no problem connecting the T300RS GT Edition to a PS5, making it as easy to use as the best PS5 racing wheels out there. The button layout on the wheel is also similar to a controller, which makes navigation simple. It’s a shame, however, that there are no rotary dials, useful for adjusting common racing settings such as traction control and brake balance.
The T300RS GT Edition offers a mixed performance. The steering feels accurate and precise, although the paddles were too clicky for my liking, lacking the satisfying action better damped switches offer.
The pedals provide enough resistance to let you feel how your inputs translate in-game, yet light enough to make them easy to press without fatigue. The clutch pedal offers just the right amount of travel; while I would’ve preferred a bit more for the brake pedal, it still offers enough control. It’s also reassuringly weighted, although I found the optional conical stop added too much resistance, and further decreased the already-wanting travel.
However, my chief grip with the T300RS GT Edition is the notchy feel of the steering wheel. No matter what you do with the settings in the Control Panel, this is always present. I found it particularly noticeable when making small movements close to the center of the axis, which you are likely to do in slower-paced driving sims, as opposed to outright racing sims.
(Image credit: Future)
The other settings available in the Control Panel do make a difference to performance. There’s plenty of scope within the force feedback for most gamers to find the right setup. The maximum setting was far too strong for me, with the wheel being too hard to turn and flailing wildly when losing traction in-game. As a result, I preferred having the overall strength setting quite low, at about 15%.
The buttons on the wheel all perform well enough, but don’t match the premium feel of those on the best PC controllers. I did have an issue with the POV hat failing to work with some PC games, but this could’ve been a fault with the game rather than with the input itself.
Should I buy the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want good pedals The pedals of the T300RS GT Edition provide enough feel while being easy to actuate. The multiple adjustments are also useful, although I would’ve welcomed more range for the spacing.
You want multiple platform support The T300RS GT Edition works with three PlayStation consoles and PC, which means you can use it with plenty of high-end racing sims, from various Gran Turismo titles to Assetto Corsa.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best steering feel The T300RS GT Edition is rather notchy, especially at the start of its turns, so those who’ll be making slow, gentle movements might want to look elsewhere.
You want the best design The clamping system is quite awkward and not the best engineered solution. The pedal base also has a tendency to slide on smooth surfaces.
Also consider...
If the T300RS GT Edition doesn't sound right for you, then take a look at these excellent alternatives.
Thrustmaster T248 As the best racing wheel overall in our opinion, the T248 offers a perfect balance between price and performance. It’s considerably cheaper than the T300RS GT Edition, but we think it has great build quality and a useful feature set, all of which help to make it a great all-rounder for those embarking on their racing sim journey.
Thrustmaster T-GT II If you’re after another belt-driven wheel, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best there is in our view. It even gives direct drive wheels a run for their money, which are the gold standard for sim racers. We were impressed with its excellent force feedback and extra buttons, making it a practical wheel. You will have to pay considerably more than the T300RS GT Edition for it, though.
I tested the T300RS GT Edition for about a week, during which time I used it on PC and PS5. I installed it myself and made sure to adjust as many hardware and software settings as possible, such as pedal positioning and force feedback. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test the T300RS GT Edition with an external shifter.
I played Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 and Assetto Corsa on PC – two two-tier racing sims on their respective platforms. I also played American Truck Simulator to test the wheel for slower, more controlled steering and pedal movements.
I have been gaming for over 25 years, with racing sims being one of my favorite genres. I play numerous titles across various sub-categories such as F1, touring car racing, and rallying.
The Hisense 110UXN is the company’s flagship mini-LED TV and has a cinema-sized 110-inch screen. Hisense’s mini-LED TVs often sit among the best TVs, but the 110-inch is both amazing and frustrating.
A quick note – the model I tested is referred to as the Hisense 110UXN in the UK, and although it is essentially the same TV as the Hisense 110UX in the US, the latter's panel is said to have exceeded 10,000 nits brightness, whereas the UXN is capped at 10,000 nits. As a result, I will refer to it as the UXN, but it is the same TV as the 110UX in all but brightness.
Priced at $14,999 / £19,999 (roughly AU$24,300), the Hisense 110UXN, while cheap for a TV this size and with this level of technology, is still a premium-priced set that will outstretch most people’s budgets.
Picture quality on the 110-inch UXN is generally very good. It has dynamic, bold color, black levels matching the best OLED TVs, balanced contrast and lifelike detail. Brighter content looks amazing, but backlight blooming issues keep its picture from true greatness.
The 110-inch UXN’s sound is immersive, punchy and detailed. Pushed to higher volumes, it never distorts, demonstrating tight control. Dolby Atmos effects are limited in their presentation, however, often seeming lost in the mix, and bass sometimes feels limited. While most will be happy with the 110-inch UXN’s sound for everyday viewing, those looking for sound quality to match the picture may want to invest in one of the best soundbars.
The 110-inch UXN’s excellent gaming features including 4K 144Hz, VRR (with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, rank it up there with the best gaming TVs. Performance-wise, the UXN is responsive, smooth, and a joy to play on. Gaming on a screen this big is a fun experience! It does only feature two HDMI 2.1 ports – something those with multiple consoles should keep in mind.
The 110-inch UXN sits at the top end of the TV market and is priced at a premium. For a screen this big, you may want to instead consider one of the best 4K projectors, many of which can be found for substantially less while delivering an equally large picture.
Hisense 110UXN review: Price & release date
(Image credit: Future)
Release date: November 2024
110-inch price: $15,000 / £20,000 / around AU$24,300
The Hisense 110UXN is Hisense’s flagship mini-LED TV for 2024 (smaller sizes were released at the end of 2023). It sits above the rest of the company’s ULED range, including the Hisense U8N, Hisense U7N and Hisense U6N.
Released in November 2024 in the US and December 2024 in the UK, the 110-inch UXN is a premium-priced TV, with initial launch prices of $20,000 and £20,000 in the US and UK, respectively. The 110-inch UXN has since fallen to $15,000 in the US.
Hisense 110UX review: Specs
Hisense 110UXN review: Benchmark results
Hisense 100UXN review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Mini-LED panel with 40,000 local dimming zones
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support
Hi-View Engine X Processor
The Hisense 110-inch UXN uses a mini-LED panel with up to 40,000 local dimming zones. It features the company’s flagship Hi-View Engine X processor, which uses a 16-bit neural AI chipset to provide AI picture and sound options. Hisense claims the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits peak brightness (more on how I got on with that later), making it one of the brightest TVs available. It supports both the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ HDR formats, as well as IMAX Enhanced.
For sound, the 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2-channel speaker array, including both up-firing and side speakers, and supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats. It also has Hisense’s Hi-Concerto feature, which enables the TV’s built-in speakers to work with compatible Hisense soundbars and wireless speakers.
Gaming is well covered on the 110-inch UXN, with 4K 144Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro included), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all accounted for. It’s said to support 240Hz at 1080p HD resolution, but I was unable to test this. It does only come with two HDMI 2.1 ports, as is currently the case for all non-LG and Samsung TVs.
The 110-inch UXN is a formidable TV, weighing 85kg (187 pounds) but has a surprisingly slim design for a TV of this size and a premium metal-finished frame.
Hisense’s smart TV platform depends on your region. The US and Australia get Google TV. For the UK, HIsense uses its own VIDAA smart TV platform, which has ample settings to customize picture and sound and provides access to all major streaming apps such as Netflix and UK-based streaming ones such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It also supports Freely in the UK, which allows for live broadcast TV to be streamed over Wi-Fi.
Features score: 4.5 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Picture quality
The Hisense 110UXN has bold, bright and vivid colors that make pictures jump off the screen. (Image credit: Future)
Superb detail and contrast
Bold, bright images
Picture requires some setup
Hisense claims that the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits of peak brightness and while I wasn’t quite able to confirm this, I did measure 9,600 nits on a 5% white HDR window pattern in Standard Mode. Crucially, however, this was achieved using the AI Brightness Burst adjustment in Picture Settings, which intermittently increases brightness.
Measured on the 10% HDR white window pattern we use for testing, the 110-inch UXN clocked in at 3,050 nits and 2,665 nits in Standard and Filmmaker modes, respectively. Fullscreen brightness measured using a 100% HDR white window pattern hit 941 nits in Standard – one of the highest fullscreen brightness results I’ve ever measured – and 628 nits in Filmmaker Mode.
Moving onto viewing, an HD stream of Fight Club on Disney Plus showed decent contrast and shadow detail, but textures were soft – unsurprising given the size of the screen. Generally, picture quality for SDR pictures was acceptable, but the TV’s upscaling didn’t do much to enhance the picture quality.
Watching 4K HDR programs on streaming services and Blu-ray, I had to tweak the picture settings a fair amount to get a picture I was happy with. If you’re going to purchase this TV, be prepared to invest time into getting the picture right. I found that turning off settings such as Ultra Resolution helped. For my HDR viewing, I generally stuck to Filmmaker Mode and Dolby Vision Dark for Dolby Vision movies. Those looking for a brighter picture can opt for Dolby Vision IQ, but note that you can’t alter the motion smoothing which is set to on by default in that mode.
Colors on the 100-inch UXN are vibrant, bright and accurate. Watching a 4K Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus, the reds throughout the throne room fight scene had plenty of punch. Similarly, watching a 4K Blu-ray of La La Land, colors were dynamic and boosted by the TV’s high HDR brightness, which gave Mia’s yellow dress a vibrant glow against the dark backdrop in the ‘A Lovely Night’ scene.
The Hisense 110UXN delivers impressive contrast and detail, as shown here during a street shot in The Batman. (Image credit: Future)
Measuring the 110-inch UXN’s HDR color gamut coverage, it yielded 97.9% for UHDA-P3 and 84% for BT.2020, both of which are phenomenal results. It also achieved a 1.7 average (below 3 is good) for SDR color accuracy, another impressive result.
The 110-inch UXN’s black levels were deep and it displayed great shadow detail throughout testing. In the opening section of The Batman, details in clothing and objects were maintained in the dimly lit scenes. Contrast was also very good, with a solid balance between the darker backgrounds and lamp lights and torches.
The Batman is a challenging movie due to its low-light mastering (400 nits), and I could see backlight blooming around brighter objects and people during my viewing. Setting the local dimming to Medium or Low (High was the default) in picture settings helped to lessen the issue, though some blooming was still present throughout most content with darker scenes that I watched.
Picture detail was realistic and refined throughout my viewing. In Top Gun: Maverick, every facial mark and hair was visible in close-up shots in the cockpit. The same was true for the clothing in The Batman and La La Land, where fabric and textures looked authentic and accurate.
Motion was generally well handled by the 110-inch UXN. When watching sports including soccer and rugby, it displayed camera pans and fast-moving images with a good level of solidity, though it did benefit from the motion smoothing provided by the Standard preset. And when watching Top Gun: Maverick, the 110-inch UXN handled the chaotic flight sequences well with motion settings turned off.
Picture quality score: 4 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Sound quality
Side-mounted speakers on the 110UXN greatly help with spatial audio (Image credit: Future)
4.2.2-channel speaker array
Expansive, accurate sound
Bass sounds contained at times
The 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2 channel, 102W built-in speaker array and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS. Two up-firing speakers sit at the top of the frame, and there are two side-firing speakers and two subwoofers on the rear.
I found the best sound mode for most viewing was Theater. Watching The Batman, screeching tyres and swerving traffic were accurately placed on screen during the Penguin-Batmobile car chase. In La La Land, the jazzy score was tightly controlled and had an excellent balance between the brash trumpets, warm bass tones and beating drums.
I did find that Dolby Atmos effects, while present, weren't very pronounced. In The Batman, the rain throughout the movie was audible but the effect wasn’t as powerful as what I’ve heard on some of the best OLED TVs. Bass was decent throughout, but it didn’t have the power I was expecting from two built-in subwoofers.
Overall, most people won’t feel the need to attach a soundbar to the 110-inch UXN. But, if you’re looking for sound to match the picture, you may want to invest in one.
Sound quality score: 4 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Design
Despite its imposing size and weight, the Hisense 110UXN is surprisingly slim (Image credit: Future)
Trim design and profile despite size
Weighty
Basic feet for a premium TV
The 110-inch UXN weighs a whopping 85kg (187 lbs) and comes with two carry handles on the rear for transportation. This is a hefty TV that will require multiple people for installation.
Despite its size, the 110-inch UXN is slimmer than you’d expect, and its trim bezel means most of the 110-inch screen is used to display pictures. It uses two support feet, which is typical for a TV this size.
Hisense’s remote is USB-C rechargeable and takes cues from Samsung’s SolarCell TV remote with a solar panel on the rear in place of traditional batteries. While it is a bit bottom-heavy, the remote has a nice, burnished steel look and a premium feel.
Design score: 4 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Smart TV & menus
VIDAA (Hisense's smart TV platform in the UK) is responsive on the 110UXN and has plenty of settings to customize the picture (Image credit: Future)
Google TV in the US and Australia, VIDAA in the UK
A good number of settings for picture customization
Slightly laggy navigation
The 100-inch UXN’s smart TV platform varies depending on your region. In the US and Australia, you get Google TV and if you’re in the UK, you get Hisense’s own VIDAA. I tested this in the UK so will be discussing VIDAA, but If you want to know about Google TV, check out our Hisense U8N review.
VIDAA has access to all the best streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, and major UK streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4. It also supports Freely, a service that enables you to watch broadcast TV live over Wi-Fi without the need for any cable or satellite dish. There are a good number of picture settings, something I found necessary to apply.
VIDAA ran more smoothly than on budget sets I’ve tested such as the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N thanks to the 100-inch UXN’s stronger processor. VIDAA is not the most visually appealing smart TV platform, however, with menus that look a little bland and dated.
Smart TV & menus: 4 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Gaming
The Hisense 110UXN boasts an impressive list of gaming features and superb graphics (Image credit: Future)
16.1ms input lag time
Big-screen gaming is fun
A good number of gaming features
The 110-inch UXN only has two HDMI 2.1 ports but supports 4K 144Hz gaming, with VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all featured as well. There is no dedicated Game picture preset(other than Dolby Vision Game), with the TV’s Game Mode overlaying the existing picture presets. It also features a Game Menu where settings can be adjusted on-the-fly.
I found that Standard picture mode with Game Mode turned on suited gaming best. The 110-inch UXN’s input lag time measured 16.1ms at 4K 60Hz. (Gamers typically look for under 15ms.) However, I generally found the 110-inch UXN to be responsive and fun to play on. With Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, it handled chaotic gunfights and packed battle sections well. I did find when using the Game Mode menu that frame rates generally varied from 98Hz-120Hz, but this didn’t deter from my experience.
The 110-inch UXN displays graphics in a dynamic, bright and colorful manner. Playing a desert mission in Battlefield V, the vast waves of sand and bright blue skies all looked punchy and accurate.
Gaming score: 4.5 / 5
Hisense 110UXN review: Value
The Hisense 110UXN comes with Hisense's premium remote, which has a USB-C port and solar cell on the bottom rear, both for charging (Image credit: Future)
Very pricey
Significantly more expensive than ultra short throw projectors
Cheaper than large micro-LED and OLED TVs
At $15,000 / £20,000 (roughly AU$24,300), the 110-inch UXN is a super-premium mini-LED TV that will outstretch most people’s budgets. This is roughly the same price as one of the best projectors, the JVC DLA-NZ800, which retails for $14,999 / £14,999 (roughly AU$24,300). It’s also pricier than the best ultra short throw projectors such as the Samsung The Premiere 9, which costs $5,999 / £5,999 (roughly AU$9,750).
Although the 110-inch UXN is cheaper than 97-inch OLED models and larger micro-LED screens and offers uniquely high brightness levels and very good picture and sound quality, it still goes a step too far price-wise compared to other premium sets.
Value score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Hisense 110UXN?
The Hisense 110UXN comes at a premium price that most won't be able to afford (Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want cinema experience at home The 110UXN delivers a bold TV experience that's highlighted by its bright, colorful and detail-rich picture.
You want a giant-screen gaming TV The 110UXN combines a great list of gaming features, solid performance and stunning graphics to deliver a big-screen gaming experience that's downright fun.
Don't buy it if…
You're on a budget The 110UXN is unsurprisingly an expensive TV, outpricing premium 4K projectors, big screen OLEDs and other 98-inch-plus TVs by a substantial margin.
You don't want to spend time setting up the picture Out of the box, the 110UXN's picture needs tweaking. Expect to spend a lot of time in the settings getting it to look just right.
Also consider
Hisense U8N One of the step-down models from the UXN, the U8N is still delivers a bright, detailed and colorful picture with excellent gaming performance and comes in an 85-inch screen size. If you're looking for a cheaper, smaller alternative to the UXN, the U8N should be your first choice.
Samsung QN90D Though not as bright as the Hisense UXN or even the U8N, the Samsung QN90D delivers superb contrast and impressive motion handling and comes in a 98-inch screen size. It has more gaming features than the Hisense range as well. If you're a sports fan, the Samsung QN90D is one to consider.
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software
I tested the Hisense 110UXN in a light-controlled cinema room at the headquarters of AWE, a Hisense TV distributor. I spent the first portion of my time with the UXN doing casual viewing to establish the most accurate picture mode, which in this case was Filmmaker Mode.
For my critical viewing, I used several reference scenes from both SDR (broadcast TV and streaming) and HDR sources (4K Blu-ray and streaming). I tested the UXN's picture for color, contrast, black level, detail, HDR performance and motion. I also used these same sources to test the UXN's audio performance. To play 4K Blu-rays, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player.
I also tested the UXN's gaming performance and features using an Xbox Series X.
After this, I moved on to objective testing, which involved taking measurements with Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software, two colorimeters and a test pattern generator.
I used both SDR and HDR white window test patterns ranging from 1-100% in size to measure the UXN's brightness, focusing on 10% for peak brightness and 100% for full-screen brightness.
I then measured the UXN's color and grayscale accuracy, looking for an average measurement below 3. I also measured the UXN's HDR coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces to see how accurately the UXN can display colors with ultra-high definition (UHD) sources.
Finally, I measured the UXN's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester, with under 15ms representing an ideal result for gaming.
