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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: a surprisingly punchy budget speaker

7:15 pm | September 26, 2024

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4: Two-minute review

We’ve long been fans of the Wonderboom series: compact, durable speakers designed to go with you anywhere and pump out sound quality far better than you’d expect for the size – and Ultimate Ears is a name that regularly features in our best Bluetooth speakers roundup. The Logitech brand clearly knows it’s onto a winner with this model, because the latest iteration – the aptly named Wonderboom 4 – doesn’t change too much.

Like the Wonderboom 2 and 3 before it, this is a well-built, backpack-friendly Bluetooth speaker that can survive a fair few adventures. Not only does it feel sturdy in the hand, but its IP67 rating equates to top-tier water- and dust-proofing. In case you wanted further confirmation, throw it in the drink and it also floats.

Sonically, the Wonderboom 4 is identical to the Wonderboom 3. Bass output has no business being so punchy for such a small speaker, while both clarity and separation are impressive at reasonable volumes. Only when you push up the decibels is there a noticeable loss of detail.

You also get all the listening features of previous versions, including stereo pairing, 360-degree sound output and Outdoor Boost for beefier alfresco audio. New for the Wonderboom 4 is a Podcast mode, which adjusts EQ settings to better suit the spoken word. Oh, and Ultimate Ears has finally made the switch to USB-C on the Wonderboom as well – hurrah!

If you don’t need USB-C connectivity or the added vocal clarity of the Podcast Mode, the now-discounted Wonderboom 3 offers better value. But for the price and size, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Bluetooth speaker that can beat the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Price and release date

Released June 26, 2024
Officially priced at $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 was released in June 2024, priced at $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149. That’s the same as the Wonderboom 3 cost at launch, putting it firmly in the affordable category. It’s worth noting that the Wonderboom 3 has since been discounted, making it an even cheaper option with identical audio hardware.

At that price, the Wonderboom 4 sits in a very a competitive category, with recent price reductions bringing both the JBL Flip 6 and Bose SoundLink Micro down to similar numbers. As you’ll read below, though, we think the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 has a lot to offer if you’re looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker to depend on when you travel.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker against a pink wall — (Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Specs

The back of an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker — (Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Features

14-hour battery life
USB-C charging port
No aux-in or microphone

One of the headline changes for the Wonderboom 4 is the switch from a microUSB charging port to USB-C. With the world well on its way to a one-cable future, this change was long overdue on the Wonderboom 3. So while it might seem a minor update, it’s also a welcome one that means you've got one less wire to worry about.

Otherwise, the Wonderboom 4’s feature set remains very much the same as its predecessor. As before, there’s no 3.5mm aux input, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want the option to hard-wire your audio source. There’s no built-in mic, either, so the Wonderboom 4 can’t function as a speakerphone.

Nor does it benefit from the app support of more premium Ultimate Ears speakers, such as the Hyperboom. While the option to connect to the Boom app would objectively add value, we think it’s no bad thing that the Wonderboom 4 is an ‘offline’ speaker; it keeps things simple and accessible, while the Outdoor Boost and new Podcast sound modes (see below) offer all the EQ adjustment that most people would expect at this price point.

Wireless pairing is by Bluetooth 5.2. This isn’t the latest standard and, as we’d expect for an affordable speaker, there’s no support for hi-res codecs. But it can host multiple connections simultaneously, in case you’re sharing DJ duties.

Where the Wonderboom 4 continues to excel is battery life. Rated at 14 hours from a full charge, we routinely achieved better than this during testing. On a single stint, this is a speaker that simply goes and goes. And it’s also the kind of speaker that you could charge at a weekend and use heavily throughout the week, without worrying that you’re about to see the red light come on.

Features score: 4/5

The port cover and underside of an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker — (Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Design

Available in four color options
IP67 waterproof and dust-proof
Six-button interface

Owners of the Wonderboom 3 won’t find anything physically different about the Wonderboom 4. It remains a compact, tidily designed Bluetooth speaker that’s put together very well. Weighing just 420g and measuring 104 x 95.3 x 95.3mm, it’s a neat little cylinder that’s perfect for tossing in a bag.

Four color schemes are yours to choose between: Active Black, Cobalt Blue, Hyper Pink and Joyous Bright. Preference is personal, but each of these color combos are characterful in their own way, complementing the Wonderboom 4’s fun-sized stature with a natty look. Each features those trademark Ultimate Ears volume buttons in a bold contrasting hue, with a matching fabric loop that can be used to carabiner the Wonderboom 4 to the outside of your backpack.

It’s all very familiar and all the better for it. From the fabric wrap to the rubberized bumpers top and bottom, the Wonderboom 4 feels like it’s built to go the distance. Despite its lightweight construction, it’s reassuringly solid in the hand. That’s borne out by an IP67 rating against water and dust, plus it’s drop-proof from 1.5m and floats for good measure. All of which adds up to a speaker that’s genuinely adventure-proof and made for the great outdoors.

Besides those unmissable volume buttons, you’ll find three controls on top of the Wonderboom 4 and one beneath. There is a slight learning curve here: the top buttons are unmarked for minimalism, but that does mean it takes a little time to remember their functions. One is for power, one for pairing and the central one is a multi-function number for controlling playback and connecting to other Wonderbooms in stereo.

Underneath is a button marked by a tree symbol, which is used to switch between standard, Podcast and Outdoor Boost sound modes.

Design score: 5/5

Control buttons on an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — (Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Sound quality

Punchy 360-degree sound output
Double Up stereo pairing
Outdoor Boost and Podcast EQ modes

To the ears, the Wonderboom 4 is identical to the Wonderboom 3. That’s because it uses the same pair of active drivers, together with two passive radiators, to pump out 360-degree sound. The result is a speaker that punches well above its weight when it comes to both low-end oomph and overall clarity.

Audiophiles will find things to pick at, but for its price and proportions, the Wonderboom 4 is right up there with the best in this bracket. Bass is bold, yet it doesn’t overwhelm the mids and trebles. There’s impressive separation here for a portable Bluetooth speaker, with a richness to the output that isn’t found in many speakers of a similar size. The soundstage is nicely balanced, too.

Crank the volume beyond reasonable levels and you will encounter distortion, with harsh treble creeping in. That said, we were impressed with how well the Wonderboom 4 handled complex tracks even at higher volumes. It’s perfectly capable of filling a small or medium room, and we found that positioning it in a corner or near a wall gives a fuller sound.

For more immersive listening, you have the option to Double Up with another Wonderboom 3 or 4. You can have both speakers play the same audio, or use them as left and right separates for proper two-channel audio. The result in our experience is no gimmick, revealing plenty of details that would be lost in single-speaker playback.

If you’re listening outdoors, the Outdoor Boost setting reduces the bass and amps up the treble. This produces audio that carries better outside, but it also comes with a clear loss in quality. It’s a useful setting for picnic playlists, but not one to use at home.

New for the Wonderboom 4 is a Podcast mode, which tweaks the EQ to suit spoken vocals. Listening in the kitchen, there was a difference in output versus the standard mode, with words carrying more clearly in a mix that focuses on upper midrange frequencies, giving a marginally more emotive quality to speech patterns. That said, you’d have to be a keen-eared podcast enthusiast to really pick up on this or value it as a dedicated feature.

Sound quality: 4/5

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Value

We’ve always rated Wonderboom speakers as excellent value and the fourth version is no exception. For the price, you’re getting a fun, compact speaker that’s built tough and capable of impressive sound quality. Add to that its solid battery life and the option to pair it in stereo, and we think it stacks up as one of the most complete Bluetooth speakers you can buy for the money.

You’ll need to look elsewhere for certain features, such as the app connectivity offered by the similarly priced JBL Flip 6. But that’s not a dealbreaker for the price, and for most people the Wonderboom 4 will do all that they need and more.

It’s worth mentioning that recent discounts mean the Wonderboom 3 is now available for less, making it better value outright. If you don’t need USB-C connectivity or a Podcast mode, it gives you an identical listening experience for a lower price, at least while stocks last. Otherwise, we think the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 represents fantastic value for a Bluetooth speaker in 2024.

Value score: 4.5/5

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker on a log — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Also consider

How I tested the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

Tested for a month, both indoors and in the back garden
Played a variety of music types
Listened via the Spotify app on iPhone

I used the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 as my go-to Bluetooth speaker for the best part of a month. That meant listening to it both at home and while travelling around the UK, sticking it in my backpack for a number of trips to see how it held up on the road.

The Wonderboom 4 went on a real musical journey with me, as I streamed a wide variety of genres via Spotify on my iPhone. That eclectic selection covered everything from mellow background music to Seventies classics, plus more than a few kitchen anthems.

It handled playlist and podcast duties indoors, and was also put to the test around the firepit, soundtracking most of my September evenings on the patio, whatever the weather.

Molekule Air Pro review: price & availability

List price: $1,014.99 / £799.99
Available in the US, only available via Amazon in the UK

Listed at $1,014.99 on the official Molekule website, and £799.99 on Amazon, the Air Pro is, without doubt, a premium-priced air purifier. During my time reviewing it, I did see it discounted on the Molekule website and Amazon US, with a sale price of $749.99 initially, further dropping down to $649.99 over the Labor Day sales – so it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals if you’re in the US.

I won’t lie, I winced the first time I became aware of the Molekule Air Pro's price. I felt sure it must be massively overpriced; but its FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, impressive detection and responsiveness, and informative companion app have changed my tune, albeit begrudgingly.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Molekule recommends that the filters are changed every six months, with replacements costing $174.99 / £159.99, so this cost will need to be factored in, too.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: specs

Molekule Air Pro review: design

Medical grade without the medical aesthetic
Satisfying opening mechanism
Touchscreen display

The aesthetics of the Molekule Air Pro are simple yet satisfying. The outer housing is made from substantial-feeling aluminum and medical-grade polycarbonate. A tan-colored faux leather handle is attached at the front and back of the purifier using large metal pins.

As is to be expected of a metal-cased appliance standing at 23 inches / 586mm tall and 11 inches / 278mm wide, the Air Pro weighs a fair bit at 23lbs / 10.4kg. It comes packaged in a large cardboard box with cardboard fitments – and, helpfully, the reusable pull-string bag has handles that make it easier to take out of the box.

The faux leather handle on the unit itself can happily take the Air Pro's weight, but it still isn’t the easiest to carry around. As a shorter-than-average woman with limited upper body strength, I was able to lift it and carry it up and down stairs, but I certainly didn’t look the most dignified doing it.

Image shows the Molekule Air Pro air purifier being lifted by its faux leather strap. — (Image credit: Future)

The top face of the Air Pro is encircled by slanted vent holes, with a black circular touch display at the center. There are five screens to swipe between. The first is color-coded according to the IAQ (indoor air quality) level: green for good; yellow for moderate; red for bad; and blue for very bad. On the second screen, the levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds), particle matter, carbon dioxide, and relative humidity in the air are detailed. Screen three has Auto Protect mode and five individual fan speeds. The filter condition can be found on the fourth screen and, finally, screen five offers various functions and settings including standby, languages, purifier details, and so on. While this method of operation is efficient, and at first the shiny finish looks nice, after some time you'll notice fingerprints on the screen and dust and debris on the Air Pro's shiny surface and inside the vent fins – which is particularly visible over the white.

The display screen automatically goes to sleep when it isn’t being used and takes a touch or two to awaken again. There isn’t a Dark mode on the Air Pro, or the option to turn off the blue light when the fan is operational. This is because it isn't possible to contain all of the UV-A light from the PECO technology, meaning that there's a subtle blue glow visible beneath the slanted vent holes.

Image shows the top panel being lifted out of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier revealing the filter inside the base section. — (Image credit: Future)

Access to the filter is simple: gently push down on the top of the air purifier and twist counter-clockwise. This top piece will slowly rise up, allowing you to remove it and reach the filter. To replace it again, I simply needed to align the red lines on the top section and the inside of the main purifier body, before gently pushing and twisting the top section in a clockwise direction to fix it in place again.

Overall, other than being somewhat cumbersome and a bit of a fingerprint and dust magnet, the Air Pro looks and feels premium, which is only fair given its high price.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: features

Good range of contaminants detected
FDA Class II medical device clearance
Lack of features in the app

The Molekule Air Pro offers a greater number of features than its smaller and lower-priced companion, the Air Mini+. Not only can the Air Pro detect particle matter, but it can also identify, record, and tackle more airborne nasties, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene. The levels of VOCs, PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 are detailed on the display on the top of the purifier and in the Molekule app.

The Molekule app allowed me to view the current air score, and switch between fan modes. These included Auto Protect, which has the option of running on Standard, or Quiet for night-time use, and manual speeds from one to five. It was pretty straightforward to keep an eye on air quality using the daily and weekly history, which is plotted onto a graph using colored lines to indicate the indoor air quality (IAQ) at that time. There are also colored rings below the graph that represent the different air scores, which note the number of minutes or hours the air quality was at that level over the time period.

Image shows the top display panel of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier, which is sitting on a mustard colored rug in a living room. — (Image credit: Future)

It’s only a shame that the app settings are quite basic. With much cheaper purifiers such as the AiDot Welov P200 Pro, it’s possible to adjust display brightness, enable screen lock, and set timers and schedules without the use of third-party smart tools such as Alexa. At this price point, I expected a greater number of features. I was happy to see that there were notification settings – until I discovered that this was only to notify when the filter is nearing the end of its life. It would have been helpful to have notifications about changes in air quality, which cheaper purifiers such as the Levoit 300S provide.

One big selling point of the Molekule Air Pro, and a bit of an explanation for the sky-high cost, is the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter. Photo Electro Chemical Oxidation (PECO) is Molekule’s patented technology that it states can destroy viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, VOCs, and more. This technology supposedly creates a powerful chemical reaction, which occurs when the filter is exposed to the built-in UV-A light located in the center of the Air Pro’s body, to destroy organic pollutants. This is teamed with a true HEPA filter, which is said to have a 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate, along with a layer of carbon to help reduce odors and toxic gases.

Image shows the filter being lifted out from the inside of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier. — (Image credit: Future)

The Molekule Air Pro has been granted FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, which means that it’s suitable for medical purposes since it can capture 95% of particulate matter and destroy contaminants by exposing them to UV radiation. It is caveated on the Molekule website that this is when the purifier is operated in Standard Auto mode, or on at least fan speed two when using manual settings.

The Air Pro has an impressive working range, capable of purifying spaces up to 1,000 sq ft / 93 sq meters. This is the biggest range we’ve seen in all of the air purifiers we’ve tested to date.

Features score: 4 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: performance

Cleared odors quickly
Some app glitches
Slow but steady air purification

Setting up the Molekule Air Pro was relatively straightforward, I simply needed to unwind the power cable and plug it in, following the instructions on the Molekule app to get it connected. It took a couple of attempts to connect the purifier to the app, and then further attempts to get the purifier connected to Wi-Fi since it kept getting stuck, leading me to have to restart the app multiple times. It got there eventually, though.

It’s curious that an air purifier at this price doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity as well as Wi-Fi. The AiDot Welov P200 Pro is over $800 cheaper than the Air Pro, and yet it arrives with Bluetooth for instances where a Wi-Fi connection isn’t possible, meaning that you don’t miss out on IAQ data when you’re within range of the purifier.

I used the Air Pro for a couple of weeks, both in the office and in my bedroom at home. Its readings aligned with our air quality monitor, and it reacted quickly to changes in the office environment and at home. It was clear to see the changes in air quality when there were more people in the office, or when we were eating our lunch. Variations were also picked up by the purifier at home, with the air quality dipping when I sprayed on some perfume, for example.

Image shows the base of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier, revealing the cable reel that is concealed underneath the unit. — (Image credit: Future)

Other than a few little niggles, the Molekule Air Pro performed well when I tested its reactions following air contamination from dry shampoo. I left the purifier on Standard Auto Protect mode to see how quickly it would detect the change in air quality, and how quickly it could clear the air. After I sprayed some dry shampoo around the Air Pro, it took a few seconds to detect the reduction in indoor air quality, causing the air score to change to Very Bad.

Unlike the Molekule Air Mini+, this change in IAQ was accurately recorded on the air quality graph in the Air Pro’s app, showing a clear spike in the level of particulate matter and VOCs within a minute. That said, it doesn’t show the reading of "very bad"; but this is likely because it was at this level for less than a minute.

A little side note: I liked how the app shows the “Top 3 offenders in your air”, which after the dry shampoo assault showed Chemicals (VOC), Microfine particles (PM1.0), and Fine particles (PM2.5).

Image shows the Molekule Air Pro air purifier sitting on a mustard colored rug in a living room. — (Image credit: Future)

The fan upped its speed gradually in response to the "very bad" air score, dropping to "bad" in less than a minute. At this point, the air quality graph in the app had a little wobble. Whenever I tried to view which contaminants were affecting the air score, the graph would revert to the "good" reading from earlier that hour, while still showing that the current air score was "bad" up above. This wasn’t the end of the world at the time, since I could view the detailed readings on the purifier itself; but this glitch wouldn’t be ideal if you were trying to view this detail away from home.

The fan didn’t speed up as high as I'd expected. Other air purifiers I’ve tested tended to go up to the max fan speed when a similar IAQ rating had been recorded. The fan speed of the Air Pro seemed to remain at a moderate level, so it took about 20 minutes for the IAQ to return a "moderate" reading; and a further half an hour for it to return to "good".

While other air purifiers I’ve tested have returned a reading of good IAQ within minutes, it’s worth remembering that while many of these cheaper models have the ability to filter VOCs, they can’t detect them, so their readings aren't as in-depth as given by the Molekule Air Pro.

Image shows fingers scrolling through information of the control panel of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier. — (Image credit: Future)

In terms of odor control, the Air Pro did a decent job of removing the strong fragrance of the dry shampoo within 15 minutes. In the first few days of testing, I agitated an old rug in our music testing room to see how the Air Pro would respond. Its was similar to when it encountered the dry shampoo, seemingly taking a low-and-slow approach to clearing the air. As part of this test, the purifier was left on Auto Protect for a few hours, which in my opinion left an odor similar to a freshly painted room, although my colleague said it just smelt of fresher air to him. It could be the filter that gives off this odor during its first few hours, or perhaps that’s actually what our unventilated little testing room smells like once the dusty air has been handled!

Unlike the Air Mini+, I was able to sleep with the Air Pro on Standard Auto Protect mode without issue. There were no surprise increases in fan speeds that interrupted my slumber, gaining it some bonus points from me. I did find a similarity to the Air Mini+ in that when it changed from manual speed three via Standard Auto Protect to Quiet Auto Protect, it took a couple of minutes for the fan speed to reduce to a low level, despite the air score being "good".

I used a decibel meter on my iPhone 12 Pro to measure the sound level of the lowest, middle, and top fan speeds. Fan speed one gave a reading of 38dB, which is equivalent to light rain; fan speed three was 51dB, which is roughly the same volume as the noise from a refrigerator running, and the highest setting, fan speed six, was 78dB, which is as loud as a coffee grinder.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the Molekule Air Pro?

Buy it if...

You want an FDA-recognized air purifier
The Air Pro has FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, offering some added reassurance that your air quality is genuinely being improved.

You want easy-to-decipher IAQ readings
Thanks to the color-coded line graph and associated timings displayed below, it’s really easy to view real-time changes to your air quality, as well as a clear timeline and summary of when the quality changed and the duration.

You want more than just particle detection
The problem with budget air purifiers is they're often limited to detecting particle matter. VOCs can have a big impact on air quality; the Air Pro can detect changes to VOC levels and react accordingly. This can be better for clearing odors that cheaper purifiers might miss.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
This probably goes without saying, but this air purifier is not cheap. While it does a good job and looks good for the money, it’s an awfully large investment.

You want something portable
The Air Pro would work well in an open-plan living space, but it won’t be so convenient if you intend to use it in different rooms, such as your living space during the day, and the kitchen when cooking, due to its size and weight.

You have unreliable Wi-Fi
For some strange reason, the Air Pro doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. While this isn’t the end of the world, it can prove frustrating if you’re encountering Wi-Fi issues, because there’s no way to record the air quality data as the purifier can no longer communicate with the app.

Molekule Air Pro review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier
A fraction of the price, this four-and-a-half-star-rated air purifier comes with a range of controls and features on its useful companion app. The Levoit Core 300S is perfect for smaller spaces, and it keeps you in the loop at home or away, thanks to the push notifications informing you of significant drops in air quality so you can choose to power it on or adjust the settings from wherever you may be.

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier
If the capabilities of the Molekule Air Pro go above and beyond what you need, and you’d rather not pay out twice a year for pricey filters, then the Shark NeverChange may be more up your alley. With a washable DebrisDefence filter on either side, the life of the HEPA filter can be extended by up to five years, plus a replacement filter is only $89.95 / £39.99.

How I tested the Molekule Air Pro

I used the Molekule Air Pro for two weeks
I tested it in multiple environments
I observed its reaction to aerosols

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

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

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

First reviewed: August 2024
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Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: tiny earphones that are drowned out by the competition

7:07 am |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: Samsung Galaxy Buds | Comments: Off

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: One-minute review

As a long-time user of Google’s incredible first generation Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, I was very excited to stuff the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds into my ears. Having received them at the same time as Samsung’s also brilliant Galaxy Buds 3 Pros has, however, muted my opinion of the smaller Google earphones.

Google has gone back to the drawing board for the aesthetic of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, with a much smaller design while retaining the egg-shaped case. This new design sits more firmly in the user’s ear with the same brilliant touch controls on the sides, though a new ‘twist-to-adjust stabilizer’, taking the form of a physical plastic fin, may lead to some discomfort in your ears (in fairness with this criticism, a colleague of mine also using the headphones said he didn’t mind).

Battery life is better than ever with the second generation, boasting up to eight hours with noise cancellation on or 12 with it off (30 and 48 hours respectively with case recharging factored in).

Noise cancellation has been improved with a redesigned seal and the transparency mode is just as effective as with the previous model. I’ve certainly noticed a difference between the new noise cancellation and Google’s old noise cancellation in the previous generation when walking beside a busy road, though ultimately I don't expect all sounds to be blocked out entirely. In fact, with the earbuds placed in some positions at different adjustments, you may notice an odd windy or whistling sound. Adjust your buds the best you can to mitigate this odd noise, but ultimately it makes quick ease-of-use a step more difficult.

Though perhaps the most unfortunate thing about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is that they’re priced far too confidently. At $229/£219/AU$379, the buds fall within range of the better Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, at $249/£219/AU$399. Were you shopping at these price points, I would usher you in the direction of Samsung’s new Pro earbuds.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Price and release date

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a table — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)

Unveiled on August 14
Priced at $229/£219/AU$379
Price increase over the Google Pixel Buds Pro ($199/£179/$AU299)

We can immediately applaud Google for the bold colorways it’s offering the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in, which are far more interesting than the finishes you'll find when shopping for either the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Apple AirPods.

The standard black (Hazel) and white (Porcelain) are here, but also a gorgeous candy pink called Peony is available, along with a brilliant mint green called Wintergreen.

While I won’t admonish anyone for shopping based on color (I have friends who tend to buy a lot of pink tech) I would encourage you to think of the better quality on offer with similarly priced headphones, and to maybe consider the original Pixel Buds Pro if you want a splash of color without spending too much.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Specs

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Features

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in their case — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)

Exceptional battery life
Strong noise cancellation and transparency modes
Twist-to-adjust stabilizers may feel awkward in-ear

The feature set on offer with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 puts it in direct competition with any other Pro earbuds on the market, but you may find some things are a bit off.

These earbuds are more good than bad, so let’s start with the good stuff. The battery life is not only brilliant, but it also bests the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros ever so slightly (8 hours versus 7 hours for the Samsung pair). The original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds had great battery life, so it’s great to see Google keep it up.

Noise cancellation has seen a noticeable improvement with the introduction of what Google calls ‘SilentSeal 2.0’. I tend to walk beside a lot of busy roads in Sydney quite often, and switching between the previous generation and current generation Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, I can certainly hear the difference when a bus rolls past. The Pro 2s are able to block out much more noise, not that the first-generation buds did a bad job. If the transparency mode received any upgrades, for which I can’t find any evidence, it’s not noticeable between the earbuds.

A major point of conflict I have for the earbuds is the in-ear comfort, and truth be told I can’t make heads or tails of it. Google has not just subtly redesigned how the earbuds sit in your ear, but has also introduced a new feature called ‘twist-to-adjust’. We’ll talk about this in greater depth in the design section below, but it’s essentially a plastic fin that sits neatly within your ear for greater support. Twist the earbud up and the bud will sit more strongly in your ear, making it ideal for physical exercise.

This is a great feature and I’ve certainly been using it regularly when going for walks (though it is more intended for cyclists and runners). One of my major problems with the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds was that they can fall out of your ear all too easily, so it’s nice to see an improvement made on this front.

Finally, the buds also come with Google Gemini support for hands-free use, activated with the simple saying of ‘hey Google’ (or have a free-flowing conversation with the assistant by saying ‘hey Google, let’s talk live’). It’s neat for if you want a quick action performed without using your hands, but it might make you look a bit strange on the train. I didn’t use this feature much as I’m still yet to find a use for a large language model AI assistant.

Features score: 4/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Design

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in-ear — (Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)

Much smaller design than original generation
Difficult to make comfortable in your ears
Egg-shaped case returns with Google Find My Device

The main drawcard of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is that they’re smaller than the first generation buds – and it’s quite a noticeable size down. Where in the past a much less careful grip could have firmly inserted, removed, or adjusted the buds in your ears, a deliberate pinch is now required to tweak the buds in and out. The great haptic buttons on the sides of the buds are the same, though obviously with the smaller form factor it may be more difficult for those with larger hands to make adjustments.

As you may have assumed, this smaller size is both a blessing and a boon. They look much more premium and unique, sure, but the smaller fit forces the user to make their interactions with the buds much more deliberate to make any adjustments. I for one prefer the size and shape of the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds.

The more egregious matter at hand with the design changes comes down to comfort. I just can’t get consistently comfortable with these earbuds. I feel like I’m constantly adjusting them, as I move from the office, to the train, to my home, to walking through the street. The twist-to-adjust stabilizer fins and the surrounding plastic add quite a bit of discomfort to the experience that didn’t exist with the previous generation or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, for which I’m constantly tweaking the earbuds in an attempt to counteract. This leads to complications with the sound quality, which I’ll touch on below.

Finally, the cute egg-shaped design for the charging case has returned with a subtle improvement – support for Google Find My Device. This includes an integrated speaker that plays a chime when you enter pairing mode or a persistent noise when you’re using the Find My Device app. It’s a great addition if you’re the type to constantly lose your earbuds.

Design score: 3/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Sound quality

Great sound, if a bit wooly and quiet
Decent equalizer customization
Complications with comfort can bleed into sound issues

I can’t fault the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earphones on sound all too much, though when constantly switching between these earbuds and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, you’ll quickly learn that there’s better sound depth with Samsung’s alternative, despite smaller audio drivers on paper.

That’s not to say the sound produced by the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is bad – it’s just flatter and more wooly. This can be mitigated significantly by using the Pixel Buds app to adjust the equalizer. There are quite a few presets to choose from and the ability to set and save your own custom levels.

The only real problem I had with sound stemmed from the trouble I had with the design. When constantly adjusting these buds, pulling them in and out of my ears and tweaking them around, the buds would start to produce an awkward whistling or windy noise.

This would be much more pronounced when outside and blocking out an abundance of noise with ANC on or absorbing said noise with transparency enabled. I could hear the seal coming unstuck with each step and the flow of wind past my ear being dulled.

With the smaller design, it’s obvious that you need to find the ‘Goldilocks’ zone in your ears for the buds to sit, lest you succumb to sound issues like me.

Sound quality score: 4/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Value

Much more expensive than the first-gen Pros
Difficult to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are priced to directly compete with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, and that’s a problem because the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros are better in every way. This is a problem that is becoming more pronounced across the Pixel product range as Google is starting to price its tech at more premium price points.

The sounds produced by the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a bit flatter and quieter, and the noise cancellation is a bit less impressive when compared to Samsung’s top-end option. With Samsung’s shift to a stem design, the buds also sit more confidently in the user’s ear, and because the buds are naturally larger, it’s easier for more clumsy fingers to make playback adjustments.

It’s not a night-and-day difference between these buds, but it is noticeable.

Value score: 2/5

Should I buy the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

From the moment I received the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds, I got to work reviewing them. I’ve been using the buds for about two weeks, switching between them and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros as I’ve gone along.

In my testing, I used Spotify as my music app, switching both pairs of earbuds between the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Google Pixel Pro Fold 9. Both pairs of earbuds were tested in the same environments, including walks beside busy roads, in-office use, home use, walks through the park and when sleeping.

Noise cancellation was used a lot with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. In terms of EQ, I mostly used the default option, though I did enable the heavy bass option now and again.

To justify the direct comparisons in this review, I found myself constantly listening to the same songs and albums back to back between the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

First reviewed in September 2024

Meta Quest 3S review: the world’s best affordable VR headset

8:19 pm | September 25, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Software Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality | Tags: Beat Saber, PSVR, VR | Comments: Off

Meta Quest 3S : Two-minute review

Looking at the Meta Quest 3S it’s easy to get the sense that it’s just the 128GB Samsung Galaxy S24 to the Meta Quest 3’s 512GB Samsung Galaxy S24; because it sort of is.

In many fundamental ways the two devices are identical. Their chipset and RAM are the same – a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, with 8GB – meaning there’s no Horizon OS game or app – in either VR or MR – that one headset can run that the other can't. Their controllers are the same, the mixed-reality passthrough is the same.

But in order to hit the cheaper $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 starting price of the Quest 3S, Meta has trimmed the specs and feature compared to the more expense model.

Storage is limited to either 128GB or 256GB instead of 512GB, and it has a bulkier frame than the Quest 3 (though it is one gram lighter than its counterpart). The Quest 3S’s most noticeable drawback, however, are the display and lens choices Meta has made.

At 1832 x 1920 per eye the screen is noticeably less crisp than the Meta Quest 3's, and the Fresnel lens design means images become slightly blurred towards the edges of the visible area. Those edges are more noticeable within your field of vision too, as the Quest 3S has a narrower field-of-view than the Quest 3, which makes virtual worlds feel a tad more restricted.

I’m also disappointed that the Quest 3S has brought back the IPD (inter pupillary distance) presets for adjusting the distance between the lenses for the clearest image, rather than maintaining the adjustable scroll wheel; this design choice again contributes to the image not being as crisp as you’d find on rival (admittedly pricier) VR headsets.

Meta Quest 3S controller being held up in front of the headset on a stand — (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

These downgrades aren’t the end of the world when you’re enjoying an interactive VR or MR experience, but for a more relaxed static Quest 3S use – like kicking back on your sofa to watch Netflix on an immersive screen – the drop in quality is hard to ignore, and a more noticeable screen-door effect – where lines appear across the display as if you're viewing the image through a screen door – can’t help but chip away at your immersion.

The Meta Quest 3S gets a lot right, and for people on a budget, or who aren’t ready to commit to the $499.99 / £469.99 / AU$1,049.99 Meta Quest 3 because they aren’t confident they’ll use VR enough, it’s a fine choice. But the Meta Quest 3S is more than just a storage downgrade, and for some people its picture quality deficiencies may be too much of a letdown – and for those people the Meta Quest 3 remains the best VR headset around.

Meta Quest 3S: Specs

Meta Quest 3S on a charging dock stand viewed from the side so you can see its power button — (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Meta Quest 3S: Price and Availability

Unveiled at Meta Connect 2024, the Meta Quest 3S is shipping globally from October 15, 2024. It's priced at $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 for the base 128GB model, or $399.99 / £379.99 / AU$669.99 if you splash out on the larger 256GB storage option. If you want more storage than that you’ll need to upgrade to the 512GB Meta Quest 3 for $499.99 / £469.99 / AU$1,049.99.

More storage is certainly useful, but if you ask me 128GB is fine for most users. VR games and apps are fairly small, so filling 128GB is harder than you’d think, and even if you do run out of storage you can always delete a game you haven’t played in a few months to make room – and if you want to play it again down the line you can reinstall it, and it’ll be ready to play fairly quickly as long as you have a decently speedy internet connection.

Meta Quest 3S: Design

514g, but bulkier than Quest 3
Same Quest 3 controllers
Fabric facial interface

While the Meta Quest 3S shares many similarities with the Meta Quest 3, its design is a blend of the 3 and the Meta Quest 2.

In the name of cost-cutting it sacrifices the Quest 3’s slim pancake lens system for the bulkier fresnel lens option, though despite only being 20% slimmer than the Quest 2 when the Quest 3 is 40% slimmer the Meta Quest 3S is 1g lighter than the Quest 3 at 514g.

Having worn it I’d say this extra size does make it less comfortable than the Quest 3, as the Quest 3S’ weight is sitting further away from your face. That’s not to say you can’t happily use it to play VR games until the roughly three-hour battery runs dry – I've done just that – but I would have rather been using my Quest 3 for its slightly better comfort.

This headset also sees the return of the Quest 2’s trio of IPD presets. IPD adjustments enable you to adjust the distance between the lenses to match the distance between your pupils for the clearest-possible VR experience, and where the Quest 3 has a scroll wheel that enables you to adjust the IPD between 53mm and 75mm, the Meta Quest 3S only offers three fixed settings: 58mm, 63mm, and 68mm. This means that if your IPD doesn't exactly match one of those options the Quest 3S experience may be a little more blurry for you than for some other users.

Generally this isn't a deal-breaker, but I had hoped that we'd moved past this imperfect setup.

Meta Quest 3S hands on — (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Then there are the controllers, which are identical to those that ship with the Meta Quest 3. They have the standard VR handset button layout: a trigger on the back, a side grip button, two buttons and an analog stick on the front face, and then either the Pause or Home button on the left and right controllers respectively. The continued lack of a tracking ring is excellent for immersion (as your rings won’t accidentally bash into each other when you bring your hands too close together), and I found the controllers were accurate and responsive to my movements.

For glasses-wearers, the Meta Quest 3S brings back the Quest 2’s spacer – a plastic insert which makes the gap between the lenses and your face a little wider so that there's room for your spectacles.

That said it’s not all familiar. It does have a new button: an Action button, although this isn’t programmable (at least not at the time of writing). Right now it simply (read: handily) swaps your view between VR and passthrough.

One thing I wish Meta had improved is the facial interface. There’s nothing wrong with it per se – it’s practically the same as the fabric interface you get with the Meta Quest 3 or the Pico 4 Ultra – but I’m yet again going to moan that it isn’t silicone. A silicone interface – or a similarly easy to clean, non-sweat-absorbing material – is not only essential for working out in VR (I can tell you that from my month-long VR workout experiment), it’s a helpfully hygienic option for all VR users.

Fabric facial interfaces aren’t easy to clean, and because of this sharing your VR headset with someone else can feel a little gross. And even if you’re the only person who uses it, eventually you’ll feel like the headset needs a clean after it's been strapped to your face for a certain number of hours. Fabric facial interfaces need to no longer be the default, and their continued presence seems to be mostly down to the fact that Meta and its partners (like Razer) can get away with selling you pricey silicone facial interface add-ons.

Design score: 3.5/5

A look at the Meta Quest 3S lenses and facial interface — (Image credit: Future)

Meta Quest 3S: Performance

Handles VR games and apps with aplomb
Visuals aren't amazing
Obvious screen-door effect

With its (at the time of writing) top-of-the-line Snapdragon XR 2 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Meta Quest 3S is able to comfortably handle everything the Horizon OS platform can throw at it. It’s not as lightning-fast as a modern console like a PS5, sure, but games and apps load reasonably quickly, and once you’re all booted up the software runs smoothly – well, at least as smoothly as it would on the full-on Meta Quest 3.

I hopped into a range of titles including Just Dance VR, the Vendetta Forever demo, Beat Saber, Walkabout Mini Golf, and a demo of Batman: Arkham Shadow, as well as mixed-reality experiences like Starship Home. The Meta Quest 3S had no trouble with any of them – and I had an absolute blast.

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Batman in an alleyway — Arkham Shadow is an excellent Quest 3S game (Image credit: Meta)

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Exploring the sewers in Arkham Shadow — It has you exploring every nook and cranny of Gotham (Image credit: Meta)

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A person watching Netflix using a Meta Quest 3S, the display is floating in front of them — But you can use the headset for other VR activities too, like Netflix (Image credit: Meta)

The main downgrade with this headset is not how well experiences run, but how good (or in this case not good) they look. Thanks to the the lower-resolution displays and fresnel lens system. which as mentioned introduces slight blurring at the edges of the image. there’s a noticeable drop in visual sharpness when you swap between the Meta Quest 3 with its 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye dual-display setup and the Meta Quest 3S with its 1832 x 1920 per eye single-display setup.

The screen-door effect is much more obvious too. This effect occurs when your eyes are too close to a screen with too few pixels and you're able to see horizontal and vertical black lines on the image – making it seem like you’re viewing the image through a screen door. On the Quest 3S, and other headsets that suffer from this effect, it can be a little immersion-breaking, especially if you've used a higher-resolution headset which doesn’t have the same issue.

If you’re distracted by an interactive VR or MR experience the Meta Quest 3S’ visual shortfalls are somewhat forgivable, but for activities such as streaming Netflix or kicking back with Xbox Cloud Gaming, which have you staring at a large virtual screen, the Quest 3S display's failings are a lot more noticeable.

Performance score: 4/5

Meta Quest 3S: Software and features

Can play all VR and MR Quest 3 experiences
Runs Horizon OS
Action button is an odd feature right now

Thanks to having identical specs where it counts, the Meta Quest 3S’ software and features are practically identical to the Meta Quest 3's. Every Meta Quest 3 exclusive – including the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow – nd all of my favorite titles are not only playable on the Quest 3S, but run as well as they would on the Quest 3.

Horizon OS – Meta’s Quest operating system – is clean, intuitive, feature-packed, and regularly updated (about once a month) with new enhancements or tools to enjoy at no additional cost.

The Quest 3S supports the same full-color passthrough capabilities as the Quest 3 for mixed reality – allowing you to enjoy games and apps that blend real-world and virtual elements. However, the Meta Quest 3S does miss out on a depth sensor.

Though ‘miss out’ isn’t quite right, as when the Meta Quest 3S scanned my room while setting up a mixed-reality space I found it was almost as accurate as the Quest 3 at detecting walls and furniture. I did have to make some minor adjustments, but surprisingly no major alterations to the scan were necessary.

Meta Quest 3S hands on viewed from underneath to see its Volume and Action Buttons — (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The biggest feature change (predominantly because it’s the only one of note) comes in the shape of the Action button. Rather than needing to slap the side of the headset twice in quick succession to swap between mixed and virtual reality – though you still can use this option – you can instead tap the Action button on the headset. I’m not sure why the Meta Quest 3S needs two different ways to quickly transition a player between virtual reality and passthrough, but I suspect the Action button might be made programmable in the future to better justify its existence.

Software and features score: 5/5

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Should you buy a Meta Quest 3S?

Buy it if…

You want an affordable VR headset
At just $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99, and with solid specs, the Meta Quest 3S is the best affordable VR headset out there right now.

You want to play the best VR games
Running Horizon OS and giving you access to Meta’s library of exclusive titles, as well as being PCVR compatible (using a Link Cable or Air Link) means the Quest 3S can play all of the best VR games out there.

You want an entry-level option
If you're new to VR and aren't ready to commit to a higher-end model this affordable headset is a fantastic stepping stone into the world of XR tech.

Don’t buy it if…

You demand visual excellence
The Meta Quest 3S cuts costs compared to the full-on Quest 3 by using less-crisp displays and a blurrier fresnel lens system, which means its visuals aren’t as good as those of its sibling or some rivals.

You’re a VR power user
While 128GB is enough for a lot of people, the storage space will get eaten up if you have a large enough digital library. If you like to download everything, and hate deleting and installing software, then shell out on a Quest 3 with its 512GB of storage.

You want supreme comfort
The Meta Quest 3S is a little less comfortable than its sibling due to its bulkier frame. so you'll want to get that if you'd rather a comfier experience.

Also consider

Meta Quest 3
Its name has been dropped in this piece so frequently that I of course had to mention it here. If you’re after better visuals and more storage this is the VR headset for you.
Read our Meta Quest 3 review

Pico 4 Ultra
The Pico 4 Ultra isn’t as strong a VR contender as the Meta Quest 3, but its add-on motion trackers for foot tracking are a unique tool that could give this VR headset the edge for some users.
Read our Pico 4 Ultra review

PlayStation VR 2
Our sister site TRG called the PSVR 2 headset "an experience that’ll be well worth your hard-earned cash." If you have a PS5 already and want a VR headset this is one to check out, though the software library isn't quite as large as Meta's.
Check out TRG's PSVR 2 review

Xreal Air 2 glasses
It's not a VR headset, but these AR smart glasses are an alternative option for people looking to dip their toes into XR and who are more concerned with non-interactive entertainment uses, like streaming Netflix on a massive virtual screen.
Read our Xreal Air 2 review

How I tested the Meta Quest 3S

I’ve been using my Meta Quest 3 at least weekly since I received it this time last year, so a lot of what the Meta Quest 3S was offering in terms of specs and software was extremely familiar to me. Because the Quest 3 is also the 3S’ closest competitor I spent a lot of time comparing the two headsets in terms of their design, comfort and the quality of their visuals.

To do this I booted up my favorite VR games on both headsets. I dove into hours-long play sessions to judge how the Quest 3S stacked up against the Meta Quest 3, but also how it holds up on its own merits – this is a review, not our Meta Quest 3 vs Meta Quest 3S comparison, after all.

To get an authentic experience I tested the Quest 3S with the base strap, facial interface, no headphones, and no other additional accessories. It was judged as it came out of the box.

Garmin Lily 2: One-minute review

I’ve tested a lot of smartwatches, but this is the one I’ve had the most compliments on, with its slim design and bright color it got a lot of attention. I loved that I could wear it on a night out – as it doesn’t look chunky or too sporty. Easy to attach to my wrist, I barely noticed I was wearing it – but its watch face lets its design down – and we’d love to see some more color in the next version. The touchscreen was also a little tricky to get used to and sometimes didn’t react to our touch.

With 18 different workout profiles, you can record everything from running to cycling and several forms of dance. However, it lacked sports such as tennis and football, so we didn’t get accurate recordings of these. The GPS watch also shows basic stats such as heart rate and steps taken, while more comprehensive stats can be viewed in the app. The Lily 2 also has features such as timers, alerts, and Fall Detection.

Testing the watch over a month, I loved the running stats and the GPS ability, but the touchscreen wasn’t always easy to use, and I found it frustrating when it was either oversensitive to touch, or just didn’t react – an irritating factor when you are trying to record your fitness on the move. Sleep score and Body Battery via the app were great add-ons, but I’d love to see my detailed statistics on-watch in future versions.

Garmin Lily 2: Specifications

Garmin Lily 2: Price and availability

Starts at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$429
Released earlier this year
More expensive than the Fitbit Sense

The Garmin Lily 2 was released in January 2024 and is available now from the Garmin website, costing $299.99 / £249.99, with Australia prices TBC. Similarly priced to other Garmin watches, in the same category, it’s more expensive than the Fitbit Sense, which comes in at around £30 cheaper.

Value score: 4/5

Garmin Lily 2: Design

Super lightweight
Hidden display
Touchscreen

Surely this is one of the lightest Garmin watches ever? Weighing just 20.6g, our version, which has a circular aluminum face, also came with a light purple silicone strap. Five other colors are available, including two with a leather wristband and a further two with a fabric band. Designed to look like a lifestyle women’s watch I felt like I could keep it on all day –as it looked great with my whole wardrobe, not just my activewear.

Easy to attach to my wrist, made with quick-release bands, you can buy extra wristbands to mix and match with colors. With a 240 x 201px screen, like its predecessor, the watch face is designed and made using Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and set with aluminum, while the watch face has a touchscreen.

The hidden display took a little longer to get used to. I’m an Apple Watch user normally and love having the watch face and other stats to hand straight away. The hidden display meant I either had to move my wrist quite vigorously to ‘wake it up’ or press the button on the bottom center of the display, which like the touchscreen, was sometimes frustratingly hard to work.

The black and purple watch face has a crisscross wallpaper design, plus eight different designs to choose from, including traditional clock settings and digital displays: we chose one that showed both our heart rate and steps taken. With future versions of the Garmin Lily watch, we’d love to see more color in the watch face.

Design score: 4/5

Garmin Lily 2: Features

18 exercise settings
Sleep score and body battery
Fall detection

If you’re looking to track your daily exercise there are now 18 workout profiles you can track, including HIIT, running, and cycling. You can also add more or take some forms of exercise off if you don’t use them – which will save you scrolling. Garmin’s always been excellent for modularity, and the Lily 2 is no different. Good news if you’re a dancer too, as it will track many types of dances including hip-hop and Zumba. Unfortunately, there is no ability to add exercises such as tennis or even indoor cycling, meaning you probably won’t get accurate readings for those. Perhaps these will be added in a future update.

The main menu also gives you the option to set alarms and even timers for particular exercises. While under the settings tab, you can also set alerts, such as how many steps you’ve completed that day and reminders to stand up. If you don’t want these on, which I decided after a couple of alerts I didn’t, you can change your alert notification settings on the app.

To find the dashboard you simply swipe down, which gives you access to features including ‘do not disturb’, sleep mode, and even your music. I also love the feature, which wasn’t on the original Lily, which can detect an accident while you're out running or exercising. Simply add your emergency contact information into the app and it will alert them if you have a fall.

The watch can also track your sleep, giving you a sleep score each morning and a timeline of your sleep. This sleep score and your activity will then calculate your body battery – which both show up on the app every morning. The watch records all your data on the Garmin Connect app – I found this app quite hard to navigate, especially when I was originally looking for my exercise statistics.

Features score: 5/5

Garmin Lily 2: Performance

5-day battery
Detailed stats for running
Clunky touchscreen

I found the watch easy to set up and connect to your phone. For more detailed statistics, after your workout, you can link your watch to the Garmin Connect app. Easy to charge, via a magnet clip, which plugs into a USB port, it took me around an hour to fully charge it. The battery lasts five days, so unlike my Apple watch, I didn’t have to worry about a constantly drained battery – and sometimes it lasted even longer than five days.

I tested the watch over a month, wearing it for running, gym classes, and while I worked out on my Peloton. To start recording an exercise you simply select your activity from the list – the Lily 2 performed well when I wore it while running, although calories burned were slightly off (when compared against my Apple Watch) and unlike some watches, it didn’t detect intervals when I was running on a track. The breakdown of my performance on the app was helpful – giving me an overview, and stats such as pace, average speed, and max heart rate. The charts section also gave me an idea of my cadence and how long I stayed in heart rate zones.

I thought some of the exercise choices were a little redundant - for instance, the stair stepper and the rower could come under the umbrella of cardio, so I took these off. I would have liked to have replaced these exercises with sports such as tennis or squash, but this wasn’t an available option. I picked either ‘cardio’ or ‘other’ to track these activities, meaning my stats weren’t accurate. The cycling selection also didn’t include indoor cycling, which is unusual, especially as indoor cycling has become more popular.

The first time I tried the sleep tracking, I forgot to put the Lily 2 on SLEEP MODE: I didn’t make the same mistake twice. It did show in my sleep tracking, however, a big 2 am wide awake gap - which, although it meant I got a rude awakening, I could identify that Garmin’s sleep tracking proved to be accurate that night. Every cloud has a silver lining. I’ve used many devices for sleep tracking, including the Oura Ring Generation 3 and the Whoop 4.0 [links], and although it gave you a sleep score, it wasn’t detailed enough for me. I love analyzing my stats and have been known to become a little obsessed, so the Lily 2 didn’t go far enough for this. The addition of Garmin’s Body Battery feature is also clever, but again I’d love to see more detailed statistics in future versions of the Garmin Lily.

Performance score: 3.5/5

Garmin Lily 2: Scorecard

Garmin Lily 2: Should I buy?

Garmin Lily 2 full range of watches on white background — (Image credit: Garmin)

Buy it if...

You want a fashionable smartwatch

Lightweight and attractive this watch will not just match your activewear but your daytime wardrobe too.

You’re a runner or cyclist

I found it accurate for running and HIIT classes, but there weren’t many options for sports tracking.

You want a long battery life

The Lily 2 battery lasts for five days, sometimes a week, so you won’t have to worry about charging it frequently.

Don't buy it if...

You want detailed sleep analysis

This will give you some insight into your sleep, it’s just not that extensive.

You want a user-friendly touchscreen

I found the touchscreen over-sensitive at times, and at other points too sensitive, I felt like I couldn’t win.

You love to track your sports

Sorry tennis or football players, you can’t track these sports on the Lily 2.

Also consider...

Fitbit Sense

A smartwatch with a similar price point, it looks good on the wrist while also tracking your fitness stats.

Read our full review

Apple Watch Series 10

Whether it’s the latest Apple Watch 10 or its predecessor you’ll get spot-on tracking for sleep and fitness - while also getting all your notifications straight to your watch.

Read our full review

How I tested

I tested the watch over a month, tracking all my fitness, including daily walking, cardio classes at the gym, and long runs. I also tracked it while I slept and also compared it to my Apple Watch to see how it stood up to its competitors.

First reviewed: September 2024

Fortect Driver Updater review

5:05 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Fortect Driver Updater faces some tough competition in its quest to be one of the best driver updater tools on the market, but it more than holds its own against the likes of Ashampoo Driver Updater, AVG Driver Updater, and others due to its user-friendly interface and fast scanning speeds.

The software is manufactured by Fortect, a provider of protection, performance, and privacy solutions, of which its driver updater is just one. More broadly, Fortect provides a suite of tools, including malware removal, a registry cleaner, an antivirus tool, and more. All these tools come together under the umbrella of Fortect Protect, a PC optimizer and security solution.

As helpful as all these other tools are, this review will focus only on Fortect Driver Updater, a piece of software designed specifically to scan your device for outdated drivers and install new ones. Outdated or malfunctioning drivers can cause a number of issues, including slow running speeds, system instability, and security vulnerabilities. This review will take a look at how Fortect Driver Updater does at preventing these issues, as well as evaluating the software based on various criteria, including features, compatibility, customer support, ease of use, and more.

Fortect Driver Updater: Plans and pricing

The price for Fortect Driver Updater can’t really be compared against other pure-play driver updaters as Fortect’s solution does much more than simply keep an eye on the status of your drivers. A one-year subscription to Fortect for one PC costs $33.95 annually and comes with malware removal, virus protection, registry key optimization, and email support, in addition to its driver updater tool.

There’s also a Multi-Device plan for three PCs, costing $41.95 annually, as well as the Ultimate plan for five PCs, which is available for $58.95 a year. These plans, which can be applied to multiple devices, can be shared with your friends, family, and colleagues, so they all receive the benefits that it provides in terms of performance.

Although there is a free Fortect plan, it is extremely limited. While you can use it to scan your PC an unlimited number of times during the trial, this only lasts 24 hours. You can also repair any issues that are discovered but you have to be quick before that trial runs out.

Fortect Driver Updater scan — Fortect Driver Updater's scanning interface is extremely clear (Image credit: Fortect)

Features

The most important feature of Fortect Driver Updater is its driver scan. This allows you to quickly view all your current drivers as well as those that are in need of updating. After checking the scan results, if you decide that full-scale updates are not required, you can instead choose to update individual drivers. Alternatively, you can save time by updating multiple drivers with a single command and apply manual updates wherever drivers cannot be updated automatically.

In addition, Fortect Driver Updater lets users set their devices to restart automatically whenever driver updates are installed to ensure any changes are applied properly. They can also set up automatic restore points so users can roll back updates in the event of any issues. New driver installs can create performance issues, so creating restore points automatically means you can always go back to your previous drivers easily.

Fortect Driver Updater interface — Fortect Driver Updater does more than just refresh your drivers (Image credit: Fortect)

Interface and in use

When assessing ease of use, the first thing that needs to be examined is how straightforward it is to download and install Fortect Driver Updater. In our experience, this was a seamless process whereby you simply download the executable from the Fortect website. If you’ve opted for any of the vendor’s three premium plans, this will contain other solutions aside from the driver updater.

Looking at the driver updater specifically, the UI is bold and clear, making it extremely easy to use. In the middle of the page, you’ll see two options: “Scan” and “Updates Hub.” The former does exactly what you’d expect it to. It’s a simple click to let the platform check your device for outdated drivers. The Updates Hub, meanwhile, lets you manage any driver updates and view their statuses. On either side of these two options, you’ll see a short list of options, including links to other security and privacy tools, as well as driver updater settings.

Fortect's other solutions — (Image credit: Fortect)

Support

Email support is included with all Fortect’s paid plans and there’s also an extensive knowledge base. The latter is home to a number of useful articles on subjects ranging from how to set up your Fortect solution to the billing process. There are also general troubleshooting topics like license key issues and common maintenance challenges. Getting in touch with Fortect’s email support is through an online form, where you can select from various topics to hopefully speed up the process of finding the right individual or department to help you. Unfortunately, we could see an option for live chat or telephone support, which is somewhat disappointing when you compare Fortect to other driver updaters on the market.

The competition

Unlike many other driver updaters on the market, Fortect doesn’t offer a bespoke solution. Instead, its driver updater is packaged alongside its other security and optimization tools. This makes it challenging to compare it against the likes of Systweak Advanced Driver Updater or Driver Reviver. These tools are much more limited in scope - which you can view as a positive or negative.

Ultimately, when deciding between Fortect Driver Updater and its competitors, you’ll first have to decide whether you need a standalone driver updater or an entire suite of tools to fix broken registries, remove junk files, and restore your device following a viral attack.

Final verdict

Fortect Driver Updater is a very effective tool for ensuring the optimal performance of your PC. It works best alongside other programs, including its antivirus solution and other security tools. The fact that it can be used to scan mobile devices too is another advantage it holds over its rivals, most of which only work with Windows operating systems.

If you only need a driver updater, it might be better to look elsewhere as Fortect is not the cheapest. However, if you want an all-around more secure, faster PC, then Fortect is a great option with a clean UI and fast scanning speeds.

We've also highlighted the best driver update software

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra review: the best 8K 360-degree camera?

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: 360 Cameras Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: one-minute review

Kandao has been making 360-degree cameras for some time now, and the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra is by far the Chinese company's best 360-degree camera to date. It's an alternative and direct competitor to the highly rated Insta360 X4, and both are among the most interesting of the best action cameras currently available.

The GoPro Max 2 release has been delayed, but when it's finally released we expect this 360-degree camera to also offer up to 8K resolution to further expand the options available for fans of 360-degree shooting. But given this delay, and the fact that the QooCam 3 Ultra and Insta360 X4 are already available, it looks like GoPro could be in danger of missing the 8K boat.

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra LCD screen view — (Image credit: James Abbott)

The QooCam 3 Ultra can capture video in several modes and resolutions up to 8K 30fps for 360-degree video and up to 4K 60fps in Single Lens Mode. Video can be captured in a standard 8-bit Rec. 709 profile or in 10-bit Rec. 2020 (HLG), with LUT support available in QooCam Studio. There's also a Dynamic Range Boost for HDR shooting; this limits resolution when shooting photos, but it's claimed to increase dynamic range by two stops.

This is a versatile action camera that offers IP68 dust and waterproofing to a depth of 33ft / 10m, has 128GB of internal storage alongside a microSD card slot, and can be controlled wirelessly using the QooCam 3 app. It's not a cheap 360-degree camera though, coming in at a higher price than its closest rival, the Insta360 X4.

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: release date and price

Launched August 29 2024
Costs $599 / £579 / AU$1,033
Accessories available separately

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Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra with lens protectors on a table — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra battery charging case on a table — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra selfie stick on a table — (Image credit: James Abbott)

The Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra was released in August 2024 and is available now for $599 / £579 / AU$1,033. The camera is listed at USD$699 for Australian visitors to the Kandao website. This is considerably more expensive than the QooCam 3 and more expensive than the Insta360 X4 which cost $499.99 / £499.99 / AU$879.99 at launch.

At the time of writing, only the QooCam 3 Ultra base kit that includes the camera, battery, PD cable, lens cloth and soft case is the only option available, so accessories have to be purchased separately.

These include a battery charging case, spare batteries, selfie sticks, a car suction mount and detachable lens protectors. A selfie stick in the kit would be preferable because these are essential for 360-degree cameras.

Price score: 3/5

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: specs

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: design and handling

Larger and heavier than the competition
Waterproof to 33ft / 10m
1/4-inch screw thread

The QooCam 3 Ultra looks remarkably similar to the QooCam 3 but is both taller and heavier, at 11.85oz / 336g including a battery. This is undoubtedly still lightweight, but at 4.44oz / 126g heavier than the QooCam 3, that's quite a chunk of additional weight. It doesn’t affect handling or usability in most situations, but when attaching the camera to bike handlebar mounts, for instance, you have to be sure that your mount can adequately support the camera.

Build quality is excellent, and the camera certainly feels robust, with dust resistance and water resistance to 33ft / 10m – although as with all 360-degree cameras, the dual fisheye lenses on each side mean that you really wouldn’t want to drop it. Pop-on lens protectors are available separately, and stay attached well to protect from stray stones flying up and minor knocks.

The camera body is designed minimally with a power and mode button on the left, a shutter button below the 2.19-inch rectangular touchscreen, a customizable Q button, a button to change the camera view, and a 1/4-inch screw thread on the bottom. Most settings and functions are accessed by swiping from the top, bottom and sides of the screen, like most action cameras and 360-degree cameras, and this makes the QooCam Ultra 3 intuitive to use.

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Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra on a table — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra case on a table — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Using the camera without the phone app works well, but you can also attach it to the QooCam 3 app via WiFi 6 for wireless control. In terms of ports, there's a USB-C port under a waterproof door that can be used to charge the battery and transfer photos and videos on one side of the camera, while on the other is a door keeping the battery and microSD card slot, which can take cards up to 1TB, safe from water ingress. The latter is useful, but with 128GB of onboard storage, it's not always necessary to use a memory card.

In terms of battery life, forgetting anything that Kandao claims, I spent over an hour wandering around a city shooting 8K video, timelapse/hyperlapse videos and photos for well over an hour and hardly dented the battery – it only ran out days later after further shooting.

Of course, this wasn't continuous use, but in real-world terms, I wasn't disappointed. A second or even a third battery is still useful to ensure you can continue shooting when out for the day, and the battery charging case that's available separately makes charging easier, and provides storage for batteries when not in use.

Design score: 4/5

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: features and performance

Dual 1/1.7-inch Quad-Bayer sensors
96MP 360-degree photos
10-bit HLG video option

The key features of the QooCam 3 Ultra are pretty much tied into the hardware where the dual 1/1.7-inch Quad-Bayer sensors and the lenses with f/1.6 apertures and 9.36mm equivalent focal lengths take centre stage. 8K video is oversampled to improve image quality. Other features include 96MP 360-degree photos, 10-bit HLG, SuperSteady Stabilization, Spatial Audio, built-in GPS and Single Lens video capture.

Image Stabilization uses a 6-axis gyro and works well, but unless you walk with bent knees, the way that you have to with professional video gimbals, the bob of walking will be noticeable as can be seen in the example video. This was captured this way on purpose to discover whether improvements had been made on the QooCam 3, but both perform identically in this area.

The camera view on the camera LCD and in the app is also stabilized, unlike the QooCam 3 at launch, so you get much closer to what you’re going to get on-screen, which is an improvement. Although, with 360-degree cameras what you get predominantly comes down to reframing video in software.

QooCam Studio, which is Kandao's desktop editing software for photos and videos still lacks the slick and easy-to-use interface alongside some of the more exciting reframe options of Insta360 Studio. It's still fairly easy to use, and the QooCam 3 phone app still provides more functionality than the desktop version including the ability to use templates, although much work could be done to both to vastly improve them.

Sound quality from the four directional mics for spatial audio capture is pretty good, but don’t be fooled by the choppy sound you'll hear in the QooCam desktop app. Sound is massively improved, and is the way it should be, once videos have been exported. You can also attach external microphones via Bluetooth and USB-C; if sound is important, one of these will be essential to take advantage of the best sound quality possible and to reduce ambient noise.

Single Lens capture is another useful feature that allows you to capture video with one of the lenses rather than both – you can select the camera facing towards or away from you. This is ideal when you know that you simply want a single view and video can be captured in 4K up to 60fps or 3.4K at 100/120fps for slow motion footage.

You still need to run the footage through one of the apps where you can change the field of view – the view captured is square but is cropped to 16:9 with the Reframe Adjustment option. One point to note here is that you can’t actually reframe Single Lens videos because the viewpoint is fixed.

Features and performance score: 4/5

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: image and video quality

Up to 8K 30fps video
Up to 96MP photos
Slow motion capture

360-degree cameras sound almost unfathomable when you first think about them, but they're much less complicated than they sound and open up a wealth of creative possibilities. You can pan, zoom and change camera direction, allowing you to easily film yourself and the entire environment around you. Although an 8K resolution sounds excessive, this resolution covers 360 degrees and greatly improves image quality for 360-degree videos.

360-degree videos can be captured in 8K up to 30fps, 5.7K up to 60fps and 4K up to 120fps, so although 4K provides the ability to capture 360-degree slow motion, image quality is greatly diminished when compared to 8K. 8K file sizes are huge and even 5.7K are pretty hefty, so you do have to consider how much footage you intend to capture and think about whether or not the 128GB of on-board storage needs to be supplemented with a microSD card.

Reframed 360-degree video

Timelapse/hyperlapse

8K 360-degree videos and timelapse videos look great, although there can be a small amount of wobble where lens images are stitched so hopefully this can be improved. Overall image quality is great even with the Standard bitrate (100Mbps), but this can be improved by opting for High (150Mbps). Color profiles available include 8-bit Rec. 709 for in-camera processed footage or 10-bit Rec. 2020 (HLG).

The latter provides a much greater dynamic range with the ability to apply LUTs in QooCam Studio, with 11 LUTs preloaded and the ability to add your own. Unfortunately, there's no ability to dial down LUT strength, and there are no options available for making adjustments such as exposure, white balance, shadows or highlights to video.

When using the phone app you get a histogram to aid with exposure, but when shooting with just the camera in isolation, you only get an exposure warning where blue denotes shadow clipping and red highlight clipping. This is perfectly adequate and provides a quick and easy way to assess exposure.

Dynamic range isn’t great, so you have to watch your highlights, but Dynamic Range Boost for HDR shooting does increase dynamic range by two stops at the expense of photo resolution which is limited to 24MP. There is a noticeable difference between standard and Dynamic Range Boost images, and the processing of the latter is no heavier than the former. Video looks fine because you're forced into capturing in 10-bit Rec. 2020 (HLG) which is a flat profile and offers greater dynamic range.

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Photo of a river and bridge taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Street photo taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of traditional red phone boxes taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Tiny world photo taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of an old doorway and wall art taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of of a bike taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of sign on a wall taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of punts on the River Cam taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

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Photo of a Cambridge University college taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra — (Image credit: James Abbott)

The best photo quality comes from the DNG8 shooting feature where eight DNG files are captured and then merged in the RawPlus software for increased detail, lower noise and extended dynamic range. The downside is that it's a convoluted process where you have to merge the eight DNGs into a single DNG in RawPlus, export, edit in Lightroom, export a JPEG and then reframe the JPEG in QooCamStudio before exporting a final JPEG.

Standard photo quality is pretty good with brighter conditions providing the best results like most action cameras and drones with small sensors. But when working with DNGs, you have to edit in Lightroom, export a JPEG and then reframe the JPEG in QooCamStudio before exporting again. This process hasn’t been improved since the QooCam 3, and it could and should be much more streamlined.

ISO handling isn’t bad for a camera of this type with such small sensors, and coupled with the f/1.6 apertures it's well suited to low-light shooting when the situation arises. I tested the camera at night in a dark location at ISO 6400, which is the highest setting available, and the results are useable but it's certainly not a setting you'd want to rely on too often. ISO 1600 is much more useable, but shooting at the lowest possible ISO is always preferable.

Image and video quality score: 4.5/5

Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra: testing scorecard

Should I buy the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want to shoot 360-degree video
If you would like to shoot 360-degree video, the QooCam 3 Ultra will allow you to do this and the 8K maximum resolution produces great image quality.

You would like to be able to easily film yourself
360-degree cameras make it incredibly easy to film yourself using a single camera and without the need for a camera operator, which can simplify the process.

You'd like to be able to reframe photos and videos
The beauty of shooting 360-degree photos and videos is that you can reframe the viewpoint which provides a huge amount of creative freedom with a single camera.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The Insta360 X4 is less expensive and also offers up to 8K video capture alongside great features in the phone and desktop apps.

You'll only use Single Lens shooting
If you have no intention of capturing 360-degree photos and videos, whether to show in their entirety or reframed to a standard aspect ratio, this camera would be a waste of time for you.

You'd like a more compact 360 camera
The Insta360 X4 is both smaller and lighter than the QooCam 3 Ultra. For some this won’t be an issue, but smaller and lighter will be attractive for more action-oriented activities.

QooCam 3 Ultra: also consider

Insta360 X4

The Insta360 X4 is a smaller, lighter and less expensive 360-degree camera made by the market leader. It features 8K video, slow-motion video, a 4K single lens mode, excellent build quality, image stabilization and fun video modes.

Read our in-depth Insta360 X4 review

How I tested the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra

All features and functions tested
Phone and desktop apps used for editing
Image quality reviewed

The QooCam 3 Ultra was tested over several weeks shooting photos and videos in different conditions and locations to test all of the features and functions, alongside handling. With 360-degree cameras, shooting is only half the battle, so the second part of testing was running everything through the QooCam 3 smartphone app and the QooCam studio desktop app to put editing through its paces.

Approaching 360-degree image capture is extremely similar to, yet wildly different to capturing standard photos and videos. So, with this in mind, I was drawing on 30 years of photographic experience and 16 years of working as a photography journalist. Having used these types of cameras before I was aware of what to expect and what to look out for, but with any new product there's inevitably something new to discover.

First reviewed September 2024

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review: a charming throwback adventure

3:01 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Release date: September 26, 2024

Despite borrowing plenty of elements from both titles, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom definitely falls closer to the recent The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake than The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This is a traditional Zelda experience through and through, with plenty of puzzles to complete, intricate dungeons to master, and a more linear fantasy story to discover.

That might be a turn-off to some, but will undoubtedly be a huge draw for others. I can’t deny that there’s something incredibly refreshing about the return to the 2D format. As brilliant and innovative as it is, the shift to a more freeform open-world has definitely sacrificed some of the more careful, considered design of older games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Nearly every aspect of Echoes of Wisdom feels finely crafted, with the introduction of some clever new mechanics successfully differentiating it from what we’ve seen before. I think that it will be remembered as one of the best Zelda games, perhaps even one of the best Nintendo Switch games, because of this, but it’s not a title that is without its flaws.

Girl power

Zelda moves around in a pot in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Echoes of Wisdom marks the first time that the series’ titular princess takes the starring role. Link has vanished, swallowed up by one of the countless purple rifts enveloping the kingdom of Hyrule and spewing out legions of shadowy monsters. The king has been replaced by a sinister clone that sentences his daughter, Princess Zelda, to death, confining her to the castle’s dungeon until her execution. It’s here that you meet Tri, a mysterious fairy who becomes your companion throughout the game.

Tri grants Zelda a suite of magical abilities in order to facilitate her escape and eventual defeat of the malevolent force behind the rifts. This begins with the power to create echoes, copies of certain objects that can be placed at will. From tables, giant crates, and beds that can be stacked to form bridges to floating blocks of water and bouncy trampolines, there are countless echoes to discover and experiment with. Any that you find are added to a growing library and can be brought out at any time, adding a fantastic collectible element.

You quickly learn Bond, which allows you to bind yourself to objects and carry them while you move. You can even activate Reverse Bond, which causes you to follow the movement of your bound object. While this whole system is not as expansive as the building of Tears of the Kingdom, these powers are leveraged in a plethora of interesting ways once you escape into the world of Hyrule and begin your quest in earnest. Puzzles frequently require the intelligent use of echoes and Bond. A large rock, for an abstract example, might be positioned on the opposite side of a grate. You can’t reach it normally, but you can use Bond to move it around.

Zelda uses water blocks to traverse in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

If the rock needs to be placed in a high position, perhaps on top of an out-of-reach pressure plate, you can simply create a stack of echoes to climb as a makeshift ladder in order to drag it up. It’s all delightfully intuitive and, importantly, remains so as the complexity ramps up. Many puzzles also have multiple solutions and I found that the vast majority of the time, if I expected a certain strategy to work, it would.

This openness can be a bit of a double-edged sword at times, though. Many dungeons contain platforming challenges that, although tricky, are very enjoyable to finally crack. Unfortunately, almost all of these can be bypassed by simply stacking up long chains of beds in order to bridge across them. This is in itself a lot of fun and rewards experimentation in a way, but does feel like a bit of a waste of the otherwise superb level design.

Free roam

Zelda chats to a Deku Scrub in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Best bit

Zelda swims around in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

One side quest sees you tracking down a lost horse that you can then ride around the map at high speeds. It’s a delightful diversion and comfortably the best optional encounters that I’ve found in the game so far.

Although it follows a very linear story that is broken up into clear digestible chunks, Echoes of Wisdom does feature something of an open world. You’re free to wander around any accessible area as you please, though large portions of the map are blocked off until you reach about the halfway point in the story. There’s not a huge amount to do in this version of Hyrule, but there is just enough to make a little exploration worthwhile.

Hidden chests are littered throughout the world, filled with rupees and the occasional smoothie ingredient. These can be eaten raw as a quick health top-up or combined into powerful drinks with a variety of special effects such as elemental resistance at a handful of smoothie vendors. There are a decent number of unique combinations to find and the whole system is pleasantly reminiscent of the creative cooking introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You can even make your own rather ineffective ‘Dubious Smoothie’ by adding in a splash of monster guts, a detail that I found quite amusing.

Zelda crafts a tough smoothie. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

There are a good number of side quests too, most of which have you collect and summon a specific echo at the behest of an NPC. They’re quick to complete and don’t offer much in the way of useful rewards, but do result in some quite amusing and memorable interactions that help the world feel that much more alive.

On top of those found in dungeons, Hyrule is also packed with enemy creatures to fight. Combat is one of the most significant areas where Echoes of Wisdom departs from previous entries, as Zelda does not possess any conventional combat abilities at first. She can toss heavy rocks to deal damage in a pinch, or create echoes of previously defeated foes to fight on her behalf. This is a blast at first but unfortunately wears out its welcome quickly.

Even with a button to direct your minions toward a specific enemy, they’re just too slow and unresponsive. I often found myself skipping running past entire fights, purely because I didn’t want the hassle of managing an army of unreliable slimes. Thankfully, you unlock more combat abilities as you progress, including a magical sword that lets you transform into a swordfighter form.

In this form, Zelda dons Link’s trademark attire and effectively gains all of his abilities. You can slash with a sword, get shots off with a bow, and eventually toss explosive bombs. Your strength in this form can be upgraded too, with special collectibles hidden at the end of dungeons or in the most hard-to-reach corners of the map.

Miniature mayhem

Zelda traverses the world with a companion. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

The whole of Echoes of Wisdom is rendered in an adorable, miniaturized visual style that makes everything from the characters to individual trees and buildings look like it was plucked from a cute diorama. It’s very similar to the look of Link’s Awakening and, sadly, means that Echoes of Wisdom suffers from many of the same performance problems.

Frame rates are a little higher overall, especially within dungeons, but are still prone to significant drops. This is understandable in particularly intense moments, especially when you’re dealing with lots of enemies and summoned creatures on the same screen, but is pretty inexcusable when it happens at random points in the world.

The particularly awful performance of one snowy area late in the game is almost unbearable in both handheld and docked mode, which is a massive shame and does spoil an otherwise attractive part of the world. Hopefully, there will be patches to address at least some of these problems down the line.

Otherwise, there’s an awful lot to like in Echoes of Wisdom. It’s cute, charming, and, despite relying on an older formula, it is packed with a handful of novel ideas that make it well worth your while.

Accessibility

There are no dedicated accessibility settings on The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The game allows you to choose between a normal and Hero difficulty setting, with the latter designed for more experienced players, but that’s it. This is very disappointing, especially given the reliance on holding button inputs to use abilities. A few basic options to alter the control scheme to remove longer inputs would go a long way to make the game more accessible.

Should I play The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom?

Zelda solves a puzzle in a dungeon. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Play it if…

You want a traditional Zelda adventure
If the more open structure of Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild weren’t for you, then the more linear progression of Echoes of Wisdom might be right up your alley.

You want to play as the princess
As one of the only entries in the series where you can play as Princess Zelda, Echoes of Wisdom should be on your radar if you’ve always wished that you could play as the princess.

Don’t play it if…

Performance is your top priority
As good as it looks, Echoes of WIsdom has its fair share of performance issues. This is a game to avoid if you particularly care about a stable frame rate, at least until any potential patches arrive.

How I reviewed The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

I played over 15 hours of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on Nintendo Switch OLED. During that time I completed the main story and played in a combination of both handheld and docked mode. In docked mode, I played on a 1080p monitor and used a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. In handheld mode, I played using the standard Pastel Pink Joy-Con controllers and used a pair of Final VR500 earbuds.

Throughout my time with the game, I was careful to compare my experience with other adventure titles and plenty of past entries in The Legend of Zelda series including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, plus plenty of time in the original The Legend of Zelda.

First reviewed August 2024.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: reaching customization Nirvana

2:54 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Ahead of RazerCon 2024, I was able to try out several upcoming products from the manufacturer. While all of them were quite impressive, I'm most excited about its brand new gaming keyboard model, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.

I was able to briefly test out the standard keyboard model, hear from popular tech industry professionals about their own experiences with modding it, and try out those modded versions for myself. Judging from what I have seen so far, this will easily be one of the best gaming keyboards and the best keyboards in general.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Price & availability

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95 and has excellent availability as it's available in the US, UK, and Australia as well as several other regions.

It's pretty expensive compared to its competition, even one as high quality as this one. This is clearly a hobbyist's keyboard since the average user would balk at paying such a high entry price. In return, however, you get a fully moddable and hot-swappable keyboard with some of the latest tech built into it.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Design

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broken down gaming keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

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gaming keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

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side view of gaming keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

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closeup of LED screen — (Image credit: Future)

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customized gaming keyboards — (Image credit: Future)

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The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a sleek, heavy-set keyboard made of aluminum alloy. It sports Razer's trademark black color and extensive RGB lighting. The 75% size is a new addition to the lineup and was, according to the manufacturer, in high demand from its user base.

One of the most striking features of the V4 Pro 75% is its OLED display on the top right corner paired with the command dial to its side. The screen and command dial allow for quick setting configuration without needing to access the Razer Synapse software and for creating or downloading animations. It's a nifty feature that can be quite useful.

The other main draw to this keyboard is its high level of customizability due to the ease of disassembly (it only requires you to remove eight screws on the underside) and the several layers that it's composed of. These layers include the keycaps and switches, the aluminum alloy top case, a gasket-mounted white FR4 plate, plate foam, tape-enhanced PCB with hot-swap sockets, and bottom foam.

I was able to personally see the results of that, with several tech YouTubers displaying their creations during my time with the keyboard. When I asked about the customization, it was confirmed to me that due to how easily and quickly the keyboard can be taken apart and thanks to all the layers that make it up, it's much simpler to do so but has a real depth to it that allows for some truly unique works. Some of the keyboards, as pictured in the gallery above, are completely unrecognizable from the original model.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Performance

I only had a limited amount of time to play around with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, but my short stint with it has certainly piqued my interest. Like the Alienware line of gaming keyboards, the V4 Pro 75% uses Razer's in-house switches. From what I felt, the accusation point balances that trademark resistance mechanical switches are known for, while also not requiring too much force to push down keys.

One of the other most noticeable qualities of the switches during my test run was how clear and sharp the sound was. This is due to several factors, including the PCB with tape that helps absorb higher frequencies while boosting mid and low frequencies, the plate foam that helps remove unwanted resonance, and the bottom case foam that helps reduce hollowness. Clearly much thought and care had been put into this design, and it shows in every aspect.

According to Razer, this keyboard's battery life can last up to 2100 hours in power-saving mode, which is a staggeringly high number considering it accounts for the RGB lighting and OLED mini-screen.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Early verdict

The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% looks to be one of the best gaming keyboards that Razer has ever produced. Not only is the construction of the keyboard itself made of a high-quality metal chassis, but it comes with an OLED screen that bypasses the software for simple specs configuration. Further, the customization options balance depth with accessibility in a way few gaming keyboards achieve.

What has me truly excited is seeing just how far you can push said customization. Seeing what capable tech pros could accomplish in a short period blew my expectations out of the water. It makes me giddy to get my hands on one myself and really see what I can do with it.

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Asus ROG Delta II headset review: spatial audio shines in a headset catered to PS5 and PC gamers

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Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: Dead Space, PC | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Delta II: two-minute review

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset with ear cushions stacked atop each other — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

The ROG Delta II wireless headset is the latest in the Asus Republic of Gamers line of audio peripherals for gaming. The set maximizes comfort without diminishing audio quality in a lightweight, over-ear headset that’s clearly made for all aspects of gaming. While gaming peripherals from companies like ROG or Razer can feel gimmicky for streamers or, at the very least, don’t stand up to higher-end, general-purpose counterparts, the Delta II is surprisingly versatile and even excels beyond something like the costlier Audeze Maxwell. With so many different headsets on the market, ROG had to find a way to separate the Delta II from the crowd, and despite its general simplicity, it succeeded in most ways.

The biggest surprise is the comfort level. The lightweight design, forgiving band, and plush mesh or PU leather ear cushions minimize the occurrence of headaches. Even with a looser band, the earcup creates a seal that cuts down on external noise despite no active noise cancelation.

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's ear cushions — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

While on the higher end of the price spectrum when compared to other Delta models, the Delta II’s $229 / £219 / AUS$368 price tag stings less when you start noticing audio cues that may have been otherwise drowned out through TV speakers or a lower quality headset. The plug-and-play compatibility with the PS5 (via USB-C dongle) and Xbox Series X/S (via 3.5mm cord) are vitally convenient and provide the best gaming experience, whereas use via PC (Bluetooth or USB-C) can be tweaked and customized using the Armoury Crate software.

Asus ROG Delta II: Price and availability

When is it available? Available now
How much does it cost? $229 / £219 / AUS$368
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and AUS

The ROG Delta II officially launched on September 12, 2024, at a price point of $229 / £219 / AUS$368. Though fairly high, especially for a gaming headset, the Delta II justifies the cost with a build that makes the Delta S and its 50mm Asus essence drivers obsolete. Titanium is where it’s at for a fuller audio experience that elevates game audio design to ensure even the most subtle cues aren’t missed.

There’s a market for the ROG Delta II; it just may not be the casual player who picks up a controller every few weeks. Someone willing to drop $229 on a wireless headset when there are options for more than half the price will better appreciate the enhanced audio provided by the 50mm titanium drivers. Though the headset does work quite nicely for PC, it almost feels like a console-specific accessory, especially since connecting any headset to an Xbox or PS5 isn’t as simple as establishing a Bluetooth connection, and compatibility isn’t guaranteed.

What really justifies the price is how well the headset handles the PS5’s spatial audio to suck players in. With that being said, that’s only good for PS5 players, leaving Xbox gamers to once again deal with the antiquated 3.5mm audio plug. That’s when it gets difficult to recommend a $200-plus headset because while the drivers work wonders, I can’t help but wonder if the much cheaper, 3.5mm-compatible Delta Core could get the job done for very casual players.

Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Specs

Asus ROG Delta II: Features

DualFlow Audio for simultaneous device use
Tri-Mode connectivity with ROG SpeedNova
Few features lend to a user-friendly experience

ROG didn’t go too heavy on features for the Delta II, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows the headset’s base audio quality to shine without forcing you to navigate a sea of button presses and app integrations. The Delta II caters to a plug-and-play crowd, especially for consoles. It also supports the notion that this headset isn’t meant for audiophiles, and even casual players can get the most out of the titanium drivers without fuss.

Then again, an older competitor like Razer’s Kaira Pro (2022), which retails for only $30 less (for the PS5 model), is brimming with different audio-enhancing features. Along with haptic feedback, the Kaira Pro includes a toggle that swaps between improved bass, amplified audio, and a gaming profile for a more diverse user experience. You may be wondering why you’d spend more for what seems like less, but the Delta II’s success is that it hones in on a well-rounded build to render all of those enhancements unnecessary.

Of course, you can still control your sound design on a PC. The Delta II connects with ROG’s Armoury Crate software to optimize sound with toggles for an equalizer, reverb, and virtual surround sound along with slides for bass boost and compression. You can also choose between preset profiles for movies, music, gaming, and communicating, which change the necessary settings to adjust sound for each application.

One of the Delta II’s more interesting features is DualFlow Audio. Using both the 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth, it feeds audio from two devices simultaneously. That may sound like chaos, but it’s a great way to game on a PS5 and still be able to use Discord (or TeamSpeak, if you're still using it) or chat with viewers on the PC without a mixer or additional equipment. The input audio skipped infrequently, but the rare hiccup is worth dealing with for something so simple and useful.

None of this matters all that much if the headset is dead within hours of charging. Thankfully, ROG found a way to prolong the life of the Delta II to up to over 110 hours (using 2.4GHz wireless without RGB lighting). I tried to run the battery dry, but it’s quite resilient and looks like it does live up to at least a sizable portion of that 110 hours. ROG also boasts a quick charge, where you can squeeze 11 hours of use time after only 15 minutes on the included USB-C charger.

Features: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Delta II: Sound quality

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's microphone extended — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Full-bodied audio that struggles with deeper bass
Binaural audio is immersive and crystal clear
Detachable microphone could use some work

After running a simple online bass test, I realized there were a few hiccups in the Delta II’s sound quality. While that should be a negative mark, it really indicated that the headset was specifically designed for gaming, especially since the worst offense was vibrating drivers at a low frequency I wouldn’t expect to hear in a video game. Some music with deeper bass may cause the drivers to vibrate, but the Delta II isn’t really made for music. Sure, you can connect to your iPhone and blast your favorite tunes, but ROG cares more about making sure you feel like you’re in the middle of Liberty City. Across most of the games I tested the Delta II with, I discovered the immersion I was missing by using TV speakers.

My favorite experience with the Delta II was Returnal. Having heard the game through the TV and the Audeze Maxwell, I was not prepared for how different it would sound with the titanium drivers. It engulfs you in the alien world in a way video games should, with every bit of audio, big or small, sounding like they were in the room with me. Even Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sounded better, to the point where I could hear the faint flapping of Spidey’s wings while gliding.

On PC, I toyed with Armoury Crate’s settings but pretty much always returned it to the preset gaming mode. It provided the fullest audio of the lot, making games like Dead Space 2 infinitely more horrifying.

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset's detachable microphone and pop filter — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Playing on PC also highlighted Delta II’s weakest feature: its microphone. Though clear (and made clearer with Armoury Crate’s noise reduction setting) it had a tendency to stutter. It did seem to run fine on the PS5, though, and teammates could hear me clearly each round of Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Sound quality: 4.5 / 5

ASUS ROG Delta II: Design

Asus ROG Delta II gaming headset against a white background — (Image credit: Future / Mark LoProto)

Interchangeable plush ear cushions
Flexible but durable headband
Flimsy microphone design

There’s little to complain about with the Delta II’s design. Both ear cushions are very cozy and create a good seal to minimize external noise without pressing too hard against my head. The fabric and PU leather cushions were equally as soft, though I did sweat slightly with the latter.

Adding to the overall comfort is the headband. I’m used to headsets that squeeze and feel tight around my head, but the Delta II’s band doesn't share that aggression. It does feel a little cheap, with very minimal padding at the top of the head, but it was comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time without discomfort.

ROG kept things very simple with its button layout. The left earcup features controls for the volume and 2.4GHz dongle. Opposite that are the controls for Bluetooth connectivity and volume. Function buttons on both sides can control music based on how many times they’re pressed, making for a very user-friendly design.

Design: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Delta II?

Buy them if...

You own a PS5 and love immersion

A lower-quality, cheaper headset or TV speakers don’t do the PS5’s spatial audio any justice. ROG’s Delta II, on the other hand, thrusts you into the action with titanium drivers and a stable wireless connection that’s smooth and crystal clear.

Headsets tend to be uncomfortable for you

Both included ear cushions and the band design come together for a surprisingly comfortable wear. Though the band is nothing to write home about, it’s not tight and won’t squeeze even larger heads. The Delta II’s comfort also doesn’t hinder its ability to keep outside noises from polluting the audio, as the plush cushions create a strong, albeit cozy, seal.

Don't buy them if...

You only game on an Xbox

This is mostly Microsoft’s fault, as it’s difficult to justify spending so much for a 3.5mm connection that tethers you to the control and, shockingly, doesn’t provide the same audio quality as the Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connection. On Xbox, you can’t take advantage of DualFlow audio.

Audio isn’t all that important to you

There’s no point in spending so much money if you’re not “Wow’d” by immersive, clear audio. You could easily spend less than $100 if all you care about is a simple wireless headset that gets the job done. Even a lower-cost ROG wireless headset could satisfy your needs for a wallet-friendly, feature-light audio experience.

Also Consider

Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed

50mm graphene drivers steer Logitech’s Pro X 2 Lightspeed in a good direction in this lightweight headset. Connectivity options, a sizable frequency range, surround sound, and good battery life lend to a positive user experience, particularly for competitive gamers.

Read our full Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless

Comfort and a long battery life ensure prolonged gaming sessions with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless. Ample customization and neutral sound quality help justify a higher price tag, which still comes in a little cheaper than the ROG Delta II.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless review

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

A premium headset with audio amplified by 50mm drivers, active noise cancelation, and multiple connectivity options, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is both versatile and capable of delivering crystal-clear audio.

Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review

How I tested the Asus ROG Delta II

Tested for two weeks
Used for games on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S
Used in an open-walled home office with varying degrees of noise

I put ROG’s lightweight headset through a rigorous process. More so than visuals, I value sound design in video games, so I focused on games with fantastic audio across the primary platforms. This included Returnal (PS5), Dead Space 2 (PC), and Alan Wake 2 (Xbox Series S). By using different platforms, I could test audio quality across the USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, the 3.5mm cable, and the Bluetooth connection. Using each game’s base audio settings, I swapped between the Delta II, my Audaze Maxwell, and the speakers built into my Samsung TV to pinpoint basic audio quality and how well individual audio cues and background noise came through across each device. I also performed an audio/microphone test via Phasmophobia (PC), Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (PC), and Killer Klown’s from Outer Space: The Game (PS5) to test the clarity of the microphone and how well the headset mixed in-game audio and other players. Finally, I ran the headset through a bass test designed to gauge the quality of the drivers.

First tested in September 2024

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