This generation of processors has been a mixed bag at best (and disappointing at worst), so it makes sense that Team Red would go all out to ensure the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivered something that exceeded expectations.
In that regard, the 9800X3D is a smashing success, delivering substantially better gaming performance than the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D that it replaces, though at a slightly higher $479 / £449.99 (about AU$700) price point. For gamers though, most will happily pay a bit more for a roughly 15% increase in gaming performance on average.
The chip isn't without faults, though. It isn't the absolute best processor for gaming in terms of framerates (that title belongs to the Intel Core i9-14900K over several games, averaged out), but where the last-gen Intel flagship simply threw raw wattage to get to the top, AMD's latest gaming processor uses substantially less power to come within 6% of the 14900K's overall gaming performance, a difference that is so close to being within the margin of variance and test setups that if I reran all my tests next week, the 9800X3D might beat it outright.
But, honestly, it doesn't need to do that. Intel's 14900K is overkill for anyone not running creative workloads like video editing, and the power cost is simply too high to justify getting an extra 6% overall gaming performance in synthetic tests. The Ryzen 9800X3D, meanwhile, will get you effectively identical actual performance and at a lower cost, both in MSRP terms, but also reduced power consumption and indirect savings like not needing to shell out for a 360mm AIO cooler to get the most out of the chip.
For that, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is indisputably the best processor for gaming you can buy right now, and it cements 3D V-Cache as the second most impressive innovation for gaming hardware after AI upscaling and it's something that Intel just doesn't have an answer for it.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much is it? Its MSRP is $479 / £449.99 (about AU$700)
When is it out? It went on sale November 7, 2024
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is available now in the US, UK, and Australia for $479 / £449.99 / AU$799, respectively.
This is a bump up from the price of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D it replaces, which launched at $449 / £439 / AU$779. I would have loved to see the price remain the same, of course, but the last-gen chip wasn't exactly a cheap processor to begin with, and both chips are very much targeted at an enthusiast market where the price bump here isn't exactly going to be a dealbreaker—so long as the performance increase justifies the bump in price.
In terms of Intel's competing offerings right now, on the performance side, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (and Intel Core i9-14900K, for that matter) is $110 / £100 / AU$300 more expensive to get the same kind of gaming performance. As for in-class silicon, the 9800X3D is about 15-20% more expensive than the competing Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, and is roughly 33% more expensive than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X.
Essentially, the 9800X3D is a specialist chip for gamers, and while it isn't a performance slouch, at this price it's really only for PC gamers who want the best overall gaming processor and don't much care about stellar performance elsewhere. For those who need more than just a gaming chip, other options from AMD and Intel will be a better fit for the price.
Value: 3.5 / 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Specs
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Features & chipset
(Image credit: AMD)
The fundamental specs of the 9800X3D aren't much different from the 7800X3D. They both sport the same 8-core/16-thread setup as the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, but like the 7800X3D, the 9800X3D has an additional 64MB L3 cache while the Ryzen 7 9700X only has 32MB L3 cache.
This 3D V-Cache in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been redesigned from the previous two generations of AMD X3D chips. This second-generation 3D V-Cache, as AMD calls it, fundamentally changes how the 3D V-Cache die interfaces with the main processing die, which addresses some of the main complaints of the previous two generations of X3D chips.
In the first iteration of 3D V-Cache, the extra cache die was stacked on top of the main processing cores, but with 2nd-generation V-Cache, the extra cache die is underneath the main die, leaving the main processing cores free to directly interface with the CPU cooler.
This is a big deal, since the processing cores are where all the heat is being generated, so having an extra layer of silicon between it and the CPU cooler had a lot of implications for what the chip could do. Thermals had to be carefully managed, so clock speeds had to be kept in check and there was no ability to overclock the chip.
By moving the 3D V-Cache die underneath the main processor core complex, the thermal restraints around clock speeds and voltage no longer apply, so the 9800X3D is the first 3D V-cache chip to feature full overclocking support, allowing precise voltage controls at the same voltage limits as the rest of the Ryzen 9000-series lineup.
Compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, then, the 9800X3D benefits from noticeably faster base clock and boost clock speeds out of the box, and overclockers can now tinker with their CPUs without too much concern that they'll brick the chip (though with overclocking, that is always possible and can void your warranty, so use caution).
Beyond that, the only major change from the previous generation is faster DDR5 memory support, from 5200MHz with the 7800X3D to 5600MHz with the 9800X3D, though both chips support AMD EXPO memory overclocking for even faster memory speeds.
Features: 4 / 5
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Performance
At the end of the day though, all that fancy new tech wouldn't amount to much if the chip's performance didn't deliver, and thankfully, it does - though not universally.
In the synthetic benchmarks, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D showed very strong single-core performance on par with the rest of the Ryzen 9000-series lineup. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, meanwhile, lags behind its Ryzen 7000 siblings noticeably, owing to the need to control thermals by limiting clock speeds. The Ryzen 9800X3D does not have this problem. Likewise, its multi-core performance is also unconstrained, running ahead of the Ryzen 7 9700X across the board.
On the creative front, this is generally not going to be a chip for creatives to concern themselves with - though there is one exception. If you're a photographer or graphic designer who does a lot of work in Adobe Photoshop or its alternatives, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's extra cache is going to be a serious benefit for your workflows, beating out even the Intel Core i9-14900K in PugetBench for Adobe Photoshop be a few hundred points.
Everyone else though, this chip is not going to do much for you.
On the gaming side, this is where the 9800X3D really shows off, though there's a bit of a caveat to that. In games where the main CPU bottleneck is game logic, such as Total War: Warhammer III or Civilization VI, the extra 3D V-Cache isn't necessarily going to help your game performance. In that instance, you're going to want something with the fastest clocks possible to plow through all those AI decision trees or physics calculations before a game frame is even drawn.
As such, Intel's last-gen (and even current-gen) chips have an advantage in some games like Returnal (where complex bullet and geometry physics are the main CPU workload) or Total War: Warhammer III (where a lot of individual actors need to have their logic calculated quickly) because these gaming workloads benefit from faster clock speeds.
Where 3D V-Cache really benefits gaming is when there's data being communicated from the CPU to the GPU, like texture files or model geometry, and that additional cache memory can retain these smaller-but-not-tiny files in the fastest possible memory that can hold it. This mitigates the latency introduced when drawing a new game frame when the CPU has to go back to RAM to fetch a file because it didn't already have it in its much closer cache memory.
Games like F1 2023 and Tiny Tina's Wonderland benefited mightily from the extra available cache. In the case of the former, the Ryzen 9800X3D just wallops the Intel Core i9-14900K, and in the case of the latter, runs a very close second to it.
Taken all together, the Intel Core has a slight advantage just given the mix of games I used to test these chips, but for most gamers, the odds are good that the thing you're going to be looking for is a processor that works with your graphics card the best most of the time, and in this case, that'll be the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Overall, then, with performance that comes in neck-and-neck with the best Intel processors in gaming workloads on average, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D would already be an incredible chip.
But I simply can't get over the fact that the 9800X3D can do this with just 53% of the power of the Core i9-14900K. Add to that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's impressive single- and multi-core performance, surprisingly great Photoshop performance, and gen-on-gen performance gains at very little power or monetary cost, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is easily one of the best AMD processors ever made.
Performance: 5 / 5
Should you buy the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D if...
On balance, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is as good a gaming processor as you'll ever need.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D can keep up with its peer class in general performance as well, not just gaming.
Don't buy it if...
If you're looking for more of a general-purpose processor, this chip isn't really for you.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D isn't cheap, and for those on a budget, there are good processors out there that will get the job done.View Deal
Also consider
The Intel Core i7-14700K is still my favorite processor for its incredible performance at an accessible price.
Having reviewed several portable power stations from varying brands across the years, the noted mainstays of the industry was mainly copy and paste with few tweaks and features. Nearly all of them were of a large boxlike design often with a status screen, varying power in and outputs and maybe an app. Portable was only the word used in that you could pick it up and cart it off elsewhere, but some of them were bulky and pushing north of 20kgs in weight.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 brings a whole new designed approach with portable the forefront of the product aimed at a niche of customers who may find this the very thing they are after. With a power bank shaped differently (narrower, flatter body shape) compared to the standard box. How does it compare to the best portable power stations?I put it to the test.
Bluetti Handsfree 2: Packaging
We received the Bluetti Handsfree 2 which is a Bluetti branded dark blue rucksack like bag, in it containing the power bank with 512Wh of power storage and a maximum combined output of 700W.
The box was a plain cardboard box which we have come to expect from Bluetti with only text on the outside detailing what’s within.
Pulling the bag out we found everything to be contained within the bag including the following:
The aforementioned bag
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 700W 512Wh power bank
AC charging cable
An XT60 to MC4 cable
Manual and Warranty Card
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Bluetti Handsfree 2: Fit and feel
Firstly, we will have a look at the power bank, measuring 382mm high by 300mm deep by 99mm wide you can tell is not box shape, think more like the “under monitor PC case” often seen in business office shape.
When talking of the power bank we will be discussing it in its upright position as the lettering clearly indicates that this is the right way up for the unit. At the base of the unit are two large rubber feet on the bottom to prevent sliding or tipping. The sides of body have the now recognisable Bluetti ridge effect on the sides we have seen I the previously reviewed AC240 and AC200L. One of the sides is clearly considered the down side if the unit was to be laid flat as there are 10 rubber feet.
At the front is the status screen, more on this later, below the screen are the only buttons, they are the on/off buttons for the unit itself, DC and AC. Below that are two USB-C, both capable of 100W outputs, below that are two USB-A with 15W output. Lastly at the front is the XT60 DC input for the unit supporting between 12 to 45Volts with a max 8.2amp or 350W input to charge the power bank.
At the rear is the AC output outputting 230V with a maximum 700W, the inverter capable of Pure Sine Wave output at 50 or 60Hz, in the centre is the AC input, thankfully a standard C13 connector and lastly the earthing screw point for the unit.
It was noted that our review unit was originally built for the EU market as it came with the Schuko Type F AC cable and AC outlet built into the unit meaning that for us to use and review it, we had to use an EU to UK plug travel adapter. Of note, this power bank does have UPS capability.
The status screen is the typical layout expected in Bluetti products, if you have used their other power banks before, you’ll be familiar with this one. In the centre is the total % remaining with a rough running time below depending on in/outputs. On the left is the input wattage for both AC and DC, on the right is the output wattage for AC or DC with indication as to which one is being used.
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Now on to the ruck sack itself. The bag is made from a very high-quality Polyester fabric/material with padding in several places with some useful built in features.
At the front is the Bluetti logo, at the top is a small zip pouch, below that is a pouch with a hook and loop fastened flap with 6 loops of fabric tape that resembles MOLLE loops but isn’t and at the bottom is a large zip up pouch which contains some internal pockets for ID badges, pens etc. Between the flaps are buckles so that items and things can be looped through them.
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Opening the first part of the bag reveals what I like to call “the personal compartment” of the bag, this has a more typical carryon luggage type of compartment, it has mesh compartments both zipped and not as well as the straps often found in such type of luggage. There is a zip the runs all the way around that allows you to expand the entirety of the compartment so that you may fill it with clothes, toiletries and personal effects.
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The next compartment I like to call the “equipment compartment”. This has a pouch for a laptop, I was able to easily fit a 13” and 15” laptop, both at the same time. This compartment has various padding dividers allowing you to customise the inside based on what devices you wish to carry such as cameras, drones etc.
(Image credit: Bluetti )
The last compartment and the one closest to your back is the power bank one, the space is a snug compartment for the power bank with hook and loop straps to hold it in and a top divider allowing you use the last 20% of the rear compartment for personal effects. The sides of this compartment have vented rubber like flaps which can be opened to allow access to the front and back of the power bank without having to remove it from the bag itself, inside this is also a nice little leather detail of Bluetti’s logo and a slogan. An odd note was that the covering flap said “only use with Handsfree 1” though this is the Handsfree 2?
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Finally, some other points of the outside of the bag are, at the top is a security 3-digit combination lock for the equipment section, at the bottom are two carrying straps which can be used to cinch items to the bag, I pictured a camping mat. Some smaller loops on the front of the bag for hooking carabiners or as they show in their publication, portable solar panels to charge the power bank. On either side are two straps which can be used to hold the side flaps up and open for access to the power bank. There are two mesh pockets to stash water bottles or small items and towards the top bungee cords for securing longer items and objects.
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The two shoulder straps are well padded with various adjustment straps above the shoulders and at around the waistline. On the left strap is a non removable GoPro mount just above the chest strap. Then there are the waist straps which have little pouches built into them, I also located the storm cover in the right waist strap pouch. On that note all external zips have a rubber like lining to them to improve water repellency as does the fabric of the bag itself.
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Bluetti Handsfree 2: In use
Using it is as simple as charging up the power bank in your method of choice, slip it into the bag and fill it up with what you need. The first thing that was noticed was the heft of the bag even when empty weighing in at a little over 10Kgs.
Once filled with equipment and clothes at the maximum expansion, it was noted how chunky the bag was protruding from my back, in the image the manual is A5 in size. It is so big and heavy I don’t think it can be classed as carry on luggage at all, battery capacity notwithstanding as most airlines have a maximum lithium battery capacity size of 160Wh.
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The bag has no internal rigid frame meaning that the body of the bag is made by the battery, not a bad thing as it lightens the weight. One person pointed out that a frame with wheels at the base and a pull handle like those seen on carry-on and larger suitcases would have been a nice touch as carrying it by back or hand would rapidly be tiring.
I handed this to a person who works in emergency services, where remote power was often needed or necessary for on site incidents to have a go at using. Using it for a week, he noted that the external zips on the battery compartment flaps snagged the mesh pockets on the side, which in turn tore the mesh netting leading to a hole (see photo).
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He noted that this was the only design flaw of the bag, he commented on how well built the bag was but that it wasn’t made for emergency services in mind as the compartments shape and size did not suit him. The weight was another factor as he was now carrying around a far bigger battery pack than before, also comments from colleagues about the sheer size of the bag.
So, who is this product made for? My guess, and that of Bluetti’s, is for the drone operator or photographer who needs to carry their equipment, needs an amount of portable power and maybe a change of clothes for an overnight shoot or job at a remote location which requires only walking to for that last mile or two from a larger base camp or vehicle. I cannot see this being used as an every day carry for daily use unless you want a work out.
There is the standard Bluetti App which faultlessly syncs to the battery giving you more control, status and options than the three buttons on the front. The app is well made showing you more detail on charge and discharge stats.
Bluetti Handsfree 2: Price
Currently this product isn’t available in the UK or EU markets, the US shows it retailing with a launch price of $399 but an RRP of $599 (£305 GBP and £460 GBP respectively). No tell of when there will be a UK or EU launch date for this product.
Oddly, you can buy the battery which comes with the bag or the bag itself for $199 USD (£152 GBP) but you can’t buy the battery alone, I would say that there is probably a market for those that want this battery size.
Bluetti Handsfree 2: Final verdict
Overall as a product, it is very well made, the battery power bank is large enough to handle most day to day charging of small electronic devices with ease without seeming to be underpowered when compared to smaller battery banks. If you need more output wattage then the bigger brethren of the Handsfree 2 would be needed such as the AC200L.
The ruck to carry it is very well made for a company who are not specialised in ruck sacks or equipment bags, its quite clear that Bluetti did their research and know that this product is aimed for the tech gear person who travels (but not by air) and needs portable power but not the heavy lifting of larger battery banks.
A great bag for drone operators as it has space for one or two drones, batteries and kit for them. Dare I say a certain country would love this product where they have plenty of field drone operators, the need for portable power in a small, agile product.
The Creative Zen Air SXFI are true wireless earbuds at a tempting price with plenty of advanced features, from active noise cancellation (ANC) to Creative’s proprietary ‘spatial holography’ mode, Super X-Fi. But are these earbuds set to enter our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide – and ultimately, are they really worth your consideration?
The Zen Air SXFI Earbuds certainly look the part, with a tasteful matte gray colorway and metallic detailing, alongside a charging case and supplementary cloth bag (unusual!) for carrying around your earbuds in style. An IPX5 rating means they can withstand jets of water too (though not full submersion), so they might be a good choice for walkers, runners and other exercise freaks on a limited budget.
And I was a fan of the sound quality, at least when Creative let the earbuds do their own thing. It’s when additional modes come into the picture that things get tricky – whether it’s the Super X-Fi audio mode distorting the sound, or Ambient Mode funneling scratchy recordings of the outside world into your ear.
You get an impressive suite of features for the $80 / £70 price tag, though some of them are better ignored – so honestly, it can be hard to figure out what the Creative Zen Air SXFI earbuds actually offer in terms of stone cold value over the competition. However, there’s something to be said for its IPX5 water resistance and a lot to be said for the 39-hour battery life. Elsewhere, it's good to see Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and important to note that these earbuds still get the key metrics right, despite some iffy implementation of their more premium features.
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Price and release date
$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$139.95
Launched in June 2024
The Creative Zen Air SXFI headphones retail for $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$139.95, having been released in June 2024. That’s roughly the same price as the older Creative Zen Air Pro model was at launch, though the latter is now heavily discounted to make way for the new version.
If you're looking for over-ears, it's worth giving a shout-out to the May 2024-release Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI at $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$69.95. Here, we actually loved Creative's proprietary spatial audio side-sauce – which, as you'll soon see, sadly isn't the case here.
Creative Zen Air SXFI headphones review: Specs
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Features
(Image credit: Future / Henry St Leger)
Adaptive ANC and Ambient Mode
SXFI app
Bluetooth 5.3
The Creative Zen Air SXFI headphones use Bluetooth 5.3. This basically means that you’re getting fast, energy efficient connections with a good range that are unlikely to drop out easily, and the ability to connect simultaneously with other devices. (I did struggle connecting the earbuds to any device at first, but the issue seems to have resolved itself before I needed to call in a new unit, and I haven’t had a problem since.)
These earbuds do feature touch controls, which is a great inclusion for the price. Essentially, holding down the left earbud decreases volume, whereas holding down the right increases it – there’s no slider here. Double tapping the right earbud pauses or restarts playback, whereas double tapping the left cycles through ANC, ANC Adaptive, ANC off, and Ambient Mode.
As a refresher, ANC – or active noise cancellation – works by using built-in microphones to record outside noise and cancel out those wavelengths. Adaptive is the same idea, but it’s able to respond more dynamically to fluctuations in outside noise.
The ANC implementation works fine. It's not going to wow you for creating a bubble of silence around you (there’s only a minor reduction to extraneous low-level noise such as an AC unit above me) but it does do a little to soften environmental noise. Ambient Mode is where I ran into trouble, as you have to double tap the earbud to deactivate it, and I repeatedly ended up banging the microphone while doing so, sending a wave of static into my ear. And I wouldn’t generally recommend using the mode anyway, given that during my tests I found the mics actually made outside noise sound worse than if you weren’t wearing the headphones at all.
There’s also Creative’s SXFI, or Super X-Fi spatial audio tech, which is intended to capture “the listening experience of a high-end multi-speaker system in a professional studio”, by virtually upscaling its stereo audio into something approaching three-dimensional sound. There’s a dedicated SXFI app you need to download, before building a personalized sound profile based on the size and shape of your ears, but it is available for both desktop and mobile. I'll mention this in more depth in the audio quality section though, since there's plenty to say.
Features score: 3.5 / 5
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Henry St Leger)
USB-C charging case
Lightweight with a cloth carry case
Battery life indicator
For headphones that only cost $80, the Zen Air SXFI look pretty sleek. Each earbud is a light matte gray, with a small Creative logo (a metallic triangle) and a shape similar to the AirPods Pro (bulbous body with a thin pipe hanging down over the earlobe).
The charging case has the same color scheme, with the four letters of SXFI embossed on the top, a USB-C charging port along the underside, and a multifunction button on the front. There’s also a four-point indicator that tells you how much battery life is left, or whether it’s in pairing mode, though it can be hard to make out the green LEDs in light environments.
The case has lightly curved edges, making it comfortable to hold or stick in a pocket, and it doesn’t pick up fingerprints, meaning it stays pretty even after a few weeks of testing. The inside of the case is where the affordability of these earbuds shows, with a cheap-looking metallic finish, though you won’t have to look at it often! Just note that the charging case’s curved edges means that it’s a little wobbly when sat upright, especially when the case’s top is open.
In a nice touch, you also get a small cloth bag to pack the charging case – preventing loose earbuds rattling around in your luggage – though with IPX5 water resistance you shouldn’t need to worry too much about the earbuds getting wet.
Design score: 4 / 5
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future / Henry St Leger)
Clear, warm audio
10mm drivers
SXFI doesn’t quite land
So, does Creative’s Super X-Fi tech actually work?
I’ve tested other SXFI models I was impressed by – specifically the Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI over-ear headphones, which have enough of a wide soundstage to manipulate the audio for a more spatial quality.
These Zen Air SXFI earbuds, however, don’t offer the same luxury – with compact 10mm drivers, and more restricted in-ear hardware – and while there’s a slight difference in the sound during music, it’s hard to quantify or call an improvement.
I actually enjoyed using SXFI more during podcasts, where the difference is more notable, subtly shifting the voices of talking heads so that the sound appears to fill more of the room around you in a natural way.
But regardless of Creative’s virtual trickery, I was pretty happy during my time with the Zen Air SXFI earbuds. They have a clear, crisp sound – at least, for the price – without the harsh notes or sibilance that can plague lower-cost audio hardware.
Sure, you’re not getting pinpoint detail, or the powerful bass of headphones with bigger, more impactful drivers, and these earbuds work best for pop vocals and mid-range frequencies, rather than thumping club tracks.
Listening to Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe!, the earbuds do a decent job of capturing the singer’s playful vocal inflections, with clear separation between the vocals, drums, and other instruments cutting across the soundstage. You lose a little of the fast transition between different notes – something Roan’s voice does so aptly – but it’s still a good time overall.
While the sound is a little soft around the edges, it does make the Zen Air SXFI earbuds very easy on the ears, and good for listening for longer sessions. With a frequency range of 20-20,000Hz, you’re getting the standard spectrum of sound recreation – and, unlike the Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones, we had no trouble using these earbuds for podcasts or streaming apps.
Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Value
(Image credit: Future / Henry St Leger)
Active noise cancellation
Sub-$100 price
Stylish design for the price
The Creative Zen Air SXFI headphones are absolutely good value, with a slick design, Bluetooth 5.3, and a number of advanced features that include ANC and Super X-Fi Audio – even if the implementation is a little basic.
The touch controls are generally workable, despite when switching out of Ambient Mode, and overall you’re getting a good feature set with some sensible corners cut. For the price tag, these are acceptable true wireless earbuds with the ambition to be something better.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Creative Zen Air SXFI?
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Creative Zen Air SXFI review: Also consider
How I tested the Creative Zen Air SXFI
Tested for 2 weeks
Used at home, on commutes, and in public cafes
Predominantly tested using Spotify service on OnePlus 8
I’ve worked as a gadget reporter for seven years now, including a substantial stint at TechRadar as its News & Features Editor. I’ve tested countless headphones and reported on audio tech in London, Las Vegas, Berlin and Shanghai.
My first over-ear headphones, back in 2009, were made by Creative, so I have a long history with the brand, and was excited to test out their products a full 15 years later.
I spent two weeks testing out the Creative Zen Air SXFI headphones in my home office, alongside outdoor walks, runs, and commutes over train and bus throughout the city. I primarily used my Android smartphone, a OnePlus 8, for testing, but switched to a MacBook Air for wired listening also.
The HyperX Quadcast 2 is an excellent pick for content creators who want a USB microphone. Just plug it into your PC and out of the box it will deliver great audio, with no tweaking of audio settings required.
Part of that ease of use comes from the HyperX app not offering lots of audio settings that you need to fiddle with. This won't be a dealbreaker for less demanding users considering the high-quality performance this mic delivers, but if you prefer having plenty of customization options you may want to look elsewhere.
Design-wise there’s not much to fault, with the mic coming equipped with useful tools like an in-built shock mount, a USB adapter so it can connect to your PC via USB or USB-C port, and useful RGB lighting which shows you which audio pattern is selected,. and if the mic is live or not.
The RGB lighting being only in red is a disappointment – if you want more variety in your lighting effects the upgraded HyperX Quadcast 2 S comes with full-color RGB options at an added cost.
Speaking of cost, at $149.99 / £124.99 the Quadcast 2 isn’t the priciest option out there, but it isn’t the cheapest either. You certainly get what you pay for, but while complete newcomers to content creation might appreciate this mic’s ease of use, its price positions it as more of a step-up option for those looking to make their first setup upgrade to one of the best microphones for streaming.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Price and availability
The HyperX Quadcast 2 is available in the US and UK for $149.99 / £124.99. The full-RGB HyperX Quadcast 2 S costs $199.99 / £169.99 – it comes with 32-bit / 192kHz audio compared to the base Quadcast 2’s 24-bit / 96kHz audio.
This means you get solid, high-quality audio out of either mic, though the HyperX Quadcast 2 S is worth upgrading to if you want the solid sound and visual boost it offers.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Specs
HyperX Quadcast 2: Features and Design
Simple audio features
Red RGB only
Different audio recording patterns
The HyperX Quadcast 2 offers four recording options – basically the standard set you’ll find on other mics: cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, or bidirectional. You can flick between them using the HyperX Ngenuity app, or by holding down the mic’s volume knob for two to three seconds. The top of the mic will glow with different patterns to tell you which mode you're in: the front quarter for cardioid, the full ring for omnidirectional, the side quarters for stereo, and the front and back quarters for bidirectional.
Beyond the polar pattern the app also lets you turn the high-pass filter on or off and adjust the gain (mic volume), and that’s it. Given that the HyperX QuadCast 2 does a pretty good job out of the box, this lack of in-app audio manipulation isn’t a big loss. However, those who prefer having more control over their sound will want to turn to third-party audio apps, or grab a different mic like a Blue Yeti and its Logitech G Hub app.
(Image credit: Future)
Design-wise there’s plenty to like, even if here too the HyperX Quadcast 2 is relatively simple.
It comes with an in-built shock mount to reduce vibrational noise, and the in-box mic stand puts it at a good height for recording but it easily connects to a mic arm if you have one (HyperX’s own arm or a third-party alternative). The USB-C cable comes with an adapter so you can plug the mic into your PC’s USB-C port or a Type-A port – which is handy if you have plenty of PC attachments and are running low on port options.
There’s also a little bit of foam-like material inside the black honeycomb pattern of the mic's frame, but it doesn’t provide much in the way of an in-built pop filter to your harsh plosive ‘b’ and ‘p’ sounds. You can outfit the microphone with an add-on like the official HyperX shield (or a third-party alternative) but there’s also a free and low-tech workaround. For a solo recording simply angle the microphone at a 45-30 degree angle and position it so that you’re talking slightly over the top of it. In the cardioid setting it’ll still pick you up fine, but it won’t capture those annoying pops.
My favorite feature is the light. Not because I'm some RGB obsessed gamer, but because of its utility. Using the app you can set the mic to different presets to make it pulse or have the mic light up as you talk, but my go-to is the ‘Solid’ option at about 25% brightness.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s a super-handy and obvious indicator as to whether or not the mic is hot – as the light is off when it’s muted and on when it’s not. It greatly minimizes the risk of embarrassing mishaps in a work meeting or your livestream chat because you thought you the microphone wasn’t recording when it was. To mute it simply tap the top of the mic, and tap it again to unmute.
My only gripe is that the base model is stuck with red for the lighting color. For full light controls across the RGB spectrum you’ll need the HyperX Quadcast 2 S.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Performance
Great sound out the box
Good background noise cancellation
Cardioid is the only option worth using
As a plug-and-play microphone for recording vocals, you won’t be disappointed by the Quadcast 2’s performance. Recordings are warm, and the cardioid mode boasts crystal-clear clarity; whether you’re hopping on a Discord call, taping a voiceover, or relying on the mic for your next gaming stream, you’ll sound great – and you won’t be disrupted by background noise.
What makes this performance especially awesome is the HyperX Quadcast 2 sounds this good out of the box. There are no fiddly audio settings that you have to spend time customizing, or add-ons you need to buy in order to get to a good baseline – you literally just plug the microphone into your PC and off you go.
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve been using this mic to record all of my at-home content for the TechRadar TikTok channel, and for participating in my regular Discord D&D sessions with friends, and it’s fantastic. The background noise cancellation is well-tuned – cutting out the distractions but not my voice – and my VO comes through really clear, even as I move around a little while gesticulating.
On settings other than cardioid, however, the mic is noticeably worse at cutting out background noise, so if you’re podcasting with multiple users you'll need to get every person their own microphone.
Should you buy the HyperX Quadcast 2?
Buy it if…
You need something simple The Hyper X Quadcast 2 just works, straight out of the box, and it sounds pretty darn good too. If you’re looking for a simple audio upgrade this is a mic to consider.
You need an all-rounder This microphone is great for podcasting, streaming, shorts, and even as a gaming mic on PC or on a PS5. Plus, you can unhook it from the shock mount to make it a more portable and handheld microphone option for IRL content creation.
You want great audio This mic delivers crystal-clear and great-sounding audio with zero hassle.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a tight budget The Quadcast 2 isn’t the cheapest microphone out there, which means it isn't the perfect starter microphone for a newbie content creator. That said, if you can afford to splash out on it, the ease of use and audio quality count in its favor.
You want full RGB control If you go for the base model you're stuck with red for the lighting color. For full control of the microphone’s lighting effects you’ll want to upgrade to the Hyper X Quadcast 2 S.
You need a non-USB mic While this microphone has an adapter for flipping between USB and USB-C, you’ll need different hardware if you’re after a non-USB mic like an XLR.
Also consider
Rode PodMic USB microphone This Rode mic is a little pricier but has a few advantages, such as an XLR connection option as well as USB.
SteelSeries Alias Another mic that's inspired by the world of gaming the Alias has its own striking aesthetic and offers similarly solid audio out of the box.
To test the HyperX Quadcast 2 I used it as my go-to mic for several weeks. I’ve used it for Discord calls, producing content, and in-game chat. I also performed some test recordings in Audacity and listened back to those.
During my time testing the microphone I also downloaded the HyperX Ngenuity app to explore the light and audio settings it offers.
A longstanding concept in hi-fi (and indeed many other product categories) is that of ‘trickle down.’ The idea is simple enough; technology and design ideas that first appear in the flagship products is gradually made available at more terrestrial levels as time goes on. It’s a very important dynamic because, while many people will move upward through a product range as time goes on, rather fewer of them will make it all the way to the top. Bringing flagship technology down to a level more people can access is very important – and many of the best stereo speakers we've tested have been able to do just that.
The Dali Rubikore range is a physical manifestation of the trickle down concept, indeed the ideal is so important to the their existence it is reflected in the name. The replacement for the long running and highly regarded Rubikon series of speakers and some of the advancements are derived from the Kore (stylised to 'KORE') technology that first saw use in the Kore floorstander which is yours for a brisk $110,000 / £85,000. The resulting speakers have their name revised to reflect this and are now the Rubikore range of which the Rubikore 2 is the only standmount model.
The Rubikore 2 pitches in at $4,000 or a little over £2,000; a key price point for standmount speakers and one which is contested by a very large number of companies. To stand out from the pack, the Dali will need to be very good indeed. The omens are good; The Kore technology is used to improve some already very capable drivers, the claimed measurements look excellent and the range has some up to date thinking in terms of multichannel as well as having some very attractive finishes. Does this on paper ability translate to real world greatness?
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Launched in May 2024
£2,200/$4,000/$4,200 AUD
The Rubikore range debuted in May 2024 with the wraps being taken off at the High End Show in Munich. The range comprises a pair of floortanding models, the standmount seen here, an LCR (a speaker engineered to be both a centre speaker and also operate as a stereo pair) and an on wall speaker. This range spans from £1,200 for the Rubikore On Wall to £6,000 for the Epikore 8. This is a fair amount of money but rather less than what Dali is asking for the Kore.
The Rubikore 2 is available in the UK for £2,200. It is $4,000 in the USA and $4,200 in Australia. This price does not include a stand and neither does Dali make a dedicated version for the Rubikore 2. In a large number of the stock images, you’ll see the Rubikore 2 sat on stout bits of furniture which will work up to a point but you should budget for a pair of stands to get the best from them. I used a hefty if cosmetically unspectacular Custom Design stands throughout for testing. One positive attribute is that all four finishes have the same price, with none commanding a price premium.
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Specs
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Kore Technology
Clarity Cone Midbass driver
Continuous flare bass port
Lightweight dome tweeter
As a passive speaker, the Dali is not as sophisticated as powered and active designs but, given it’s a relatively small speaker made out of fairly well established materials, there is a surprising amount going on inside them. Dali has used the enormous amount of data gained the development of the Kore speaker to improve the Rubikore models. Obviously, there are many parts of a $110,000 speaker that don’t make it down to this level, but a number of ideas do.
This is most apparent in the drivers. The Rubikore 2 uses a 6.5inch (155mm) mid bass driver that employs technology that Dali refers to as Clarity Cone. The cone itself is made from Dali's preferred wood fiber; something that have been doing for a very long time but here you can see a pattern on the cone itself. This increases the stiffness of the cone as a whole and improves the breakup behaviour. Behind the driver, Dali's Soft Magnetic Compound is used as it reduces eddy currents and other unwanted effects, lowering distortion overall.
This driver is helped by a rear firing bass port that employs a continuous flare along its length (that is to say it isn’t the same diameter along its length). This helps to keep the flow of air out of the port quieter as the diameter increases as the air accelerates allowing it to expand. This port helps the Rubikore 2 to reach down to 50Hz at a +/-3dB measurement – a usefully demanding way of measuring this.
This mid bass driver is partnered with a soft dome tweeter that is built around the principles of reducing mass; a very desirable attribute in a high frequency driver. Traditionally, tweeters used a substance called ferrofluid to cool them but this adds mass and increases the response time. The Rubikore 2’s 1.2 inch (29mm) dome does without this to reduce the mass. The Rubikore 2 is the only member of the Rubikore family to not partner the dome tweeter with a ribbon device although given that the quoted upper frequency roll off is 26kHz (or, quite a bit higher than human hearing actually goes), this is unlikely to be a huge issue.
The crossover for the two drivers hands over between them at 2.8kHz (relatively high by the standards of many rivals) and is quite unusual in 2024 terms because it supports biwring should you wish. Sensitivity is in keeping with most things at the price at 87dB/w but this is achieved at a slightly trickier 4 ohm impedance which means this isn’t a truly difficult speaker to drive but needs a little power to do its best work. The cabinet that houses everything is a relatively conventional type made of MDF sections; although something that is quite unusual is that both the front and rear panels have a gentle curve to them. The cabinets are extensively braced and substantial things though and the whole speaker feels usefully solid.
Features score: 4/5
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future)
Excellent bass
Tonally superb
Some limits to soundstage and quiet running
Consistently good fun
Placed on stands with absolutely no toe in applied (Dali is adamant that its speakers should point dead ahead), the Rubikore 2 doesn’t need vary long to start to impress. The first and most immediately noticeable aspect of the performance is the bass extension and the scale that goes with it. The Dali gives Ben Howard’s Every Kingdom a weight and authority that makes the performance utterly convincing. This album is not a bass monster but plucked bass notes and the sparse percussion it possesses are given a weight you feel as well as hear and the effect this has on the believability of the track is considerable.
Tonally, the Rubikore 2 is a class act. Across standard challenges like voices, violins, cellos and pianos, it has managed to sound consistently right. This is not a showy or attention grabbing speaker. It doesn’t go in for the sort of emphasis on parts of the frequency response that is superficially impressive but that becomes wearying after a while. Instead it presents a frequency response that feels even and consistent and allows the music to generate its own emphasis. The astonishing Emily King track Forgiveness on her Scenery album is presented with King being the absolute focus of your attention. Everything else that should there is there but it’s subsumed by what the recording regards as the important part and the Dali following those instructions perfectly.
Something else that is very welcome is that the when the quality of the material being played drops, the Dali still maintains a level of realism and overall quality that is extremely impressive. A blast through Greta van Fleet’s Anthem of a Peaceful Army delivers a healthy dose of the ‘I can’t believe it’s not Led Zeppelin’ sound without drawing too much attention to the limitations of the mastering as a whole. Instead the Rubikore does a fine job of making things sound usefully exciting and energetic, with a very pleasing level of get up and go to its overall performance.
So far so good, but there are some areas where the Rubikore 2 is less effortlessly composed. It had the misfortune of following Tannoy’s odd but immensely talented Autograph Mini through testing and while it convincingly beats the Tannoy in terms of bass extension, it simply doesn’t create the same almost three dimensional soundstage of the material being played. Some of this is a bit of a puzzle because viewed objectively, the Dali isn’t doing anything wrong. The handover between the mid bass and tweeter is seamless and there is no real perception of congestion to the sound, even when very complex material is being played. Nevertheless, the Dali tends to produce a sound that sits between the two speakers rather than extends beyond it.
There is also an element of the Dali's performance that might be a benefit or a negative depending on your listening situation. For what is a relatively compact device, the Rubikore 2 is capable of playing impressively loud and sounding effortless while it does so. Even rivals that boast a similar driver complement can struggle to match the way that the Dali handles the huge crescendo of Public Service Broadcasting’s Broadcasting House. Without sounding strained or pushing the limits of the cabinet, the Dali simply keeps hitting hard and sounding utterly composed while it does so. The caveat to this is that at lower levels, the Rubikore 2 sounds a bit on the safe side. If you don’t have the scope to open the taps every now and again, some of the abilities of the Dali will be less easy to enjoy.
When you do give them a bit of level though, the Dali is consistently good fun. This isn’t simply fun in the ‘play fast music and nod your head’ ideal but an ability to get to the crux of the emotional content of the material being played. It’s the difference between listening to My Baby’s Tribulations and thinking, ‘that’s a nice song’ and sitting there rapt at one of the most stunning vocal arrangements I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Four finish options
350 x 195 x 335 mm
9.5kg each
Dali is a Danish brand and while I’m not sure that some sort of official document exists to the effect that no Danish brand is allowed to make unattractive equipment, it does seem to be a rule they all work to. The Rubikore 2 is elegantly proportioned, with a pleasing ratio to the width and depth that is balanced by the size of the drivers contained within it. There are four finish options, including two wood veneers that have been chosen to complement both the proportions and the drivers very well. Even the white of the review samples; a finish I’m not traditionally enthused about, looks good against the contrast provided by various sections of the speakers.
This effect is enhanced by just how well made and finished the Dali is. These aren’t cheap speakers but even so, the care that has gone into how they have been assembled and finished is impressive. About the only thing I can really say against them is that, where the vast majority of rivals use magnetic tabs for the grilles, the Dali still uses lugs. They’ve cleverly used screw fittings to hide some of the holes but there is still a visible one above the tweeter which looks a little unsightly.
Design score: 4.5/5
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Value
As noted a few times so far, $4,000 is not the sort of figure that most of us lose down the back of the couch, but it’s hard to argue with the feel or quality of the Rubikore 2 for this money. This is a brilliantly made and finished speaker that is built in Europe and comes with a five year warranty. It does a fine job of avoiding the nagging feeling of buyer’s remorse when you unbox them which is no bad thing. They will require decent quality equipment to partner them but not to the extent where they won’t improve an existing system of slightly less expensive electronics, so long as there is sufficient power to drive them.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Dali Rubikore 2?
Buy them if...
Tonality matters
The Dali does a brilliant job of bringing voices and instruments to life. Even very talented rivals at this price can struggle to match their abilities in this regard.
You like a bit of bass
Without ever sounding boomy or lacking in control, the Dali Rubikore 2 has tremendous low end for a sensibly size speaker. Very few rivals can hit as hard while matching the dexterity of the Rubikore 2.
Aesthetics are important to you
This is a good looking speaker that comes in four well judged finishes, none of which command a price premium. There a very few spaces where at least one of these options won’t look good and work well.
Don't buy them if...
You listen quietly
At lower levels, the Rubikore 2 isn’t a bad speaker pair, but some of the attributes it shows at higher volumes are less apparent.
Soundstage is everything
The Dali never sounds congested or confused, but some rivals do a better job of extending their performance out beyond the speakers.
You have a very low powered amp
It would be a stretch to call the Dali truly insensitive but it will do its best work with a little bit of power and current behind it. If you have less than 40 watts on hand, this probably isn’t the best choice for you.
Dali Rubikore 2 review: Also consider
The curious but lovely Tannoy Autograph Mini is the same price as the Dali. The product under review here completely demolished it in terms of bass extension and scale, but the stereo image it can produce is something that the Dali cannot match. The Monitor Audio Studio 89 is slightly less money but comes laden with technology and striking looks as well as an ability to resolve fine detail that very little near the price gets anywhere near. Outside of speakers we have looked at, Bowers & Wilkins, Neat and PMC are all formidable contenders at this price point and will keep the Dali honest.
How I tested the Dali Rubikore 2
(Image credit: Future)
The Dalis were placed on a pair of Custom Design stands and run in a system built around a Naim Supernait 3 integrated amp; a slightly more expensive device than the Dali but able to deliver plenty of power and show what the Rubikore 2 was doing at any given time.
Source equipment took the form of an Eversolo DMP-A8 streamer. This formidable digital front end offers superb UPnP streaming but also has an HDMI ARC connection allowing an LG OLED to be connected and routed through the system to the Dali. I tend to use the Eversolo via the Roon software platform because I control most things through that and tend to prefer it.
I also made use of not one but two turntables under testing. The first is a resident Rega Planar 10 using the company’s newly released Nd7 moving magnet cartridge. The second was the newly released Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 for which the Dali acted as a test speaker. Both turntables used a Cyrus Classic Phono for the phono stage. Material used has been a variety of styles and genres via The test material has been FLAC, AIFF, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify as well as some vinyl.
Can you believe the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One has been around for years? The entry-level stick offers everything you need to get started in Microsoft Flight Simulator or something more exotic, with a throttle, a comfortable stick, and the option to attach each or keep them separate.
The entire unit is cheaper than many flight sticks you can pick up without an additional throttle, meaning you’re getting plenty of bulk for your buck, if not bang. The throttle is lacking in resistance, and the casing of both halves is made of a relatively cheap-feeling plastic. Thankfully that does make it lightweight, meaning it’s easy to haul between desk and sofa setups across PC and Xbox.
Still, 14 buttons and 5 axes are more than enough for you to earn your pilot wings, and more intermediate features like a tactile hat switch and a nice, springy trigger make it feel much more comprehensive than rivals at this price point.
PlayStation gamers will also need to look elsewhere, but the Hotas One will work on PC and current generation Xbox consoles and will go as far back as the Xbox One. If you’ve got one of those platforms, the plug-and-play nature makes it easy to get started, and the Xbox buttons replicated across the unit can make it easy to make the jump for traditionally console-bound flyers.
All of this makes it an attractive entry-level flight stick that lacks additional axes and controls but offers a more cockpit-adjacent split throttle and stick form factor that it’s easy to feel impressed by. It’s not getting any younger, but with Thrustmaster continuing to re-release it in fresh colorways (including a Microsoft Flight Simulator option), it’s clear the company is standing by it as a first taste of flight stick for beginners.
(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Price and availability
List price: $99.99 / £89.99
Available in black and Microsoft Flight Simulator options
Launched in October 2017
The T-Flight Hotas One has been around for a while (there was a PS3 version at one point, which should tell you how long it’s lasted), and this particular model has been getting PC and Xbox gamers in the air since 2017.
It’s getting harder to find the plain black version now, but the Microsoft Flight Simulator version is the same product with a white finish, suggesting the stick isn’t going anywhere. That new color option is a lot brighter and makes the stick look more modern.
Regardless, you’ll find either for under $100 with discounts, making it more than competitive with some throttle-less options like the Turtle Beach VelocityOne. It’s drastically cheaper than mid-range options like Logitech’s X56 Hotas RGB, too, and it remains a great starter option because of its price.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Specs
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Design and features
Ideal for desk usage
Plastic feels cheap
Can collect dust on the throttle base
The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One was the first official flight stick released for the Xbox One (a console that launched in 2013), so it’s had some longevity. Still, its design feels very much of its time - it’s relatively sleek in all black, with some silver accenting and a striped F2 button on the stick.
Still, it’s very plasticky, which can lead to it audibly creaking during use - thank goodness it’s not a real plane! On the one hand that’s likely kept the price down, but on the other, it feels far from premium in comparison to more expensive sticks like Thrustmaster’s own T.16000M FCS Flight Pack.
While buttons can be remapped in your game of choice within their individual settings since the stick is a ‘generic’ option, I’m pleased to see the Xbox buttons represented here. So many flight sticks cater to PC almost exclusively that it’s nice to see the face buttons here, in color, for easier recognition. There’s even the Xbox button to call up the Xbox menu on PC or console.
The rubber under the stick helps prevent dust from getting into the mechanism, but the same can’t be said of the throttle which has no shielding from dust or the elements underneath - if you’re using it regularly that won’t be a problem, but it’s definitely worth mentioning that it’s likely to collect dust.
The stick plugs in via USB-A, with a breakaway cable that’s ideal in case someone yanks the cable while you’re playing. It calls to mind the original Xbox’s cables, and you’ll be thankful for it if it stops your console or PC from toppling.
(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Performance
Plug and play on console and PC via USB-A
Splitting sections is easy, although cable management can get fiddly
Hat switch is a nice touch
Setting up the T.Flight Hotas One couldn’t be simpler - just plug it in via USB-A. While the industry is moving away from it, it lives on here, so bear in mind you may need a USB-C adapter depending on your port selection.
Once it’s plugged in, it just works, both on console and PC. I enjoyed Elite Dangerous on each, and was barrel-rolling and nosediving with reckless abandon within minutes either at my desk or on the couch. The stick is responsive, and the Z-axis rudder can be used via the rocker on the throttle which I found to offer more granular control when listing left or right.
One of my favorite parts is the hat switch, which comes in a four-way version here. This nifty input on the top of the flight stick can act as a D-Pad, letting you do things like open the landing gear in Elite Dangerous with a press. It’ll be hard to go back to mouse and keyboard or controller, that’s for sure, but naturally eight-way hat switches will double the available commands that are a thumb flick away.
It’s easy to take the stick and throttle apart, but the two are connected by a cable. Once you put them back together, you’ll likely want to run the wire underneath through a trench on the underside, and that can be fiddly in my experience.
(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)
The relatively low price of admission can also be felt in the throttle. It’s not bad, it’s just lacking any resistance which makes it feel less like a piece of aerospace equipment and more like a toy. It’s hard to escape the feeling that this is where corners were cut, and when pushing to hyperspace in a space sim like Elite Dangerous, it feels lacking in any meaningly pushback. It makes sense at this price point but it’s worth mentioning.
On the flip side, I will say the trigger on the stick feels nice and snappy, springing back into place in a way that feels nice and tactile while also ensuring you can line up those laser cannon blasts in something like Star Wars: Squadrons and have the trigger ready to fire again almost instantly.
I’m also pleased to report the T.Flight Hotas One is great for Microsoft Flight Simulator, which might be to be expected with its officially branded version. The split design means you can position a keyboard in the middle of the throttle and flight stick which then allows for a much broader array of commands than the T.Flight Hotas One is able to provide because of its lower button count.
As I mentioned earlier, though, the plastic construction can cause the stick to creak a little, and it’s lightweight enough that it’s not too difficult to accidentally shift it about the desk with relatively minor effort.
Should I buy the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One?
Buy it if...
You want to try a flight stick without spending too much money What’s on offer here is great value, with a detachable throttle setup that similarly priced rivals simply can’t match.
You’re planning to play across PC and console This helps save you from buying two sticks, so long as you’re on Xbox. PS5 players will need to look elsewhere. Still, its split sections make it ideal for couch and desk use.
Don't buy it if...
You want a stick geared more for experienced pilots There are better, more premium sticks for anyone looking for something more extensive.
Also consider...
Still not sold on the T.Flight Hotas One? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.
Turtle Beach VelocityOne
The Turtle Beach VelocityOne is priced very closely to the T.Flight Hotas One but is just a stick with no additional throttle. Offering more buttons, the VelocityOne features an improved hat switch and a more premium feel but comes at the cost of a full-sized throttle. It does offer some satisfying resistance, however, and a nifty OLED display, and will also work on both PC and Xbox.
This Thrustmaster effort looks like it’s been ripped straight from a fighter jet. It’s incredibly premium-feeling, with a whole host of buttons and switches, but it does require a joystick, too - making it a pricey option. We’ll have a full review in the coming days, but if you’re looking for mechanical switches and a true-to-life throttle, you’ll struggle to find anything more realistic.
How I tested the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One
Tested over the course of two weeks
Used both in split and singular unit modes
Tested on multiple games across two platforms
I spent around 15 hours playing Elite Dangerous and Star Wars: Squadrons, both on PC and via an Xbox Series X.
I played each game for several hours, before switching platforms and switching back again to ensure consistent performance across games and platforms.
I also played Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC for a further five hours, splitting the Hotas One and using it as one unit to test its comfort in both configurations.
Note: The SinglePass Smooth X is not to be confused with the SinglePass X. The latter has wider, 1.5in / 38mm plates better best suited for thicker hair and has five temperature settings compared to the Smooth X’s nine. Due to these larger plates, the SinglePass X is less compact than the Smooth X, but still features the same SinglePass technology and CeraGloss plates.
The T3 SinglePass Smooth X may not be at the top of my best hair straighteners list, but when you factor in its design, functionality, tech and value for money, it's not far off. I love its Satin Blush color, and the sleek, pastel pink finish isn't just stylish but practical, as it resists fingerprints and smudges. The rose-gold accents on the hinge and logo add a touch of luxury, while the color of the ceramic plates blends well with the blush tone, giving it a cohesive, high-end feel.
The plates are 1in wide and 20% longer than standard straighteners, which allows for faster styling by covering more hair in each pass. This is a bonus for my long, thin hair and it took a little over two minutes to finish straightening my whole head. Made from T3's CeraGloss ceramic, these plates also help to smooth frizz and add shine and while they might not glide as effortlessly as other straighteners, like the GHD Chronos, (learn more in my GHD Chronos review) they still perform well, especially when curling. The StyleEdge design of these plates, which give them beveled edges, also makes sure curls and waves are created without leaving creases, which is welcomed.
Measuring 11.8in / 30cm long and weighing 14.7oz / 417g, the SinglePass Smooth X is compact, lightweight and well-balanced. I was initially concerned the added length might make it cumbersome, but it was easy to move around my head during styling. The PrecisionControl hinge keeps the plates gliding smoothly without the need for excessive pressure, too, which adds to the overall comfort.
The temperature controls are located near the base of the styler, with a row of nine LED indicators representing its nine heat settings – from 260F / 127C to 410F / 210C. This range gives flexibility for a host of hair types, with lower settings ideal for fine and fragile hair and higher settings best suited for thicker, coarser textures. The SinglePass technology and CeraSync heaters inside the styler then help distribute this heat evenly, reducing the need to go over the same section multiple times and helping to minimize heat damage. This also helps create more uniform curls that last.
During my tests, the SinglePass Smooth X lived up to its name, straightening my fine, naturally curly hair with minimal frizz. However, after straightening, I found my hair looked a little too sleek and flat, which is common for finer hair like mine but was a tad disappointing.
Overall, the T3 SinglePass Smooth X holds its own among the best hair straighteners, with its sleek design, ease of use, and strong performance for both straightening and curling. Minor drawbacks like the placement of the power button, which makes it easy to accidentally change the heat setting, plus the overly sleek results for my thinner hair weren't dealbreakers for me, but did lessen the appeal. However, if you prefer a straight, smooth, frizz-free finish or your hair is long and thick, then chances are you will love it.
Read on for my full T3 SinglePass X review...
T3 SinglePass Smooth X review: price & availability
List price: $149.99
Available: US only
Replaces the T3 Lucea 1" flat iron
The T3 SinglePass Smooth X replaces the Lucea 1in flat iron and costs $149.99. It's only available in the US, and is only sold in a single Satin Blush color.
Its price and technology positions the SinglePass Smooth X in the mid-range of T3's wider straightener lineup. It sits below the $249.99 Smooth ID styler, which has the added feature of real-time personalized heat settings, and the $189.99 Lucea 1.5in styling iron, which has wider plates.
It then costs more, and offers more, in terms of tech and performance than the travel-friendly SinglePass Compact Flat Iron, which retails for $89.99 and has a smaller, more portable design.
The closest model to the Smooth X is the T3 SinglePass Stylemax. It has the same plate size, same SinglePass, CeraGloss and StyleEdge technology and design, and costs the same. Yet it offers more customizable temperature options, and a Curl Mode, which optimizes the heat for curls and waves.
Outside of T3, similar rivals in terms of features and design include the $160 Moroccanoil Perfectly Polished Titanium flat iron, and the £109 mdlondon Strait which has similarly long, bevelled plates and multiple heat settings but is only sold in the UK and ROI.
In comparison to most of its siblings, and rivals, the Smooth X's price – which initially felt high – represents much better value than may first appear. Largely because of its built-in tech, and design as well as its performance. You get more features with the SinglePass Stylemax for the same price, but that model is less attractive, less sleek and doesn't have the longer plates, which are a bonus on the Smooth X.
You can buy the SinglePass Smooth X in the US directly from the T3 website, as well as third party retailers like Amazon US.
Value score: 4 out of 5
T3 SinglePass Smooth X specs
T3 SinglePass Smooth X review: design
1-inch wide, ceramic-coated plates
9 different heat settings
Longer-than-usual plates
T3 is renowned for making attractive and elegant stylers and the SinglePass Smooth X is no exception. It comes in a single, pastel pink-rose color, officially called Satin Blush, and has a soft, matte finish.
This not only looks and feels premium, but means it doesn't pick up fingerprints or show up grease like black stylers tend to do. Even the plates match the main blush color, and there are rose gold metal accents on the hinge, logo and controls.
(Image credit: Future)
The plates are noticeably longer – 20% longer than standard – than other straighteners I've used, including the GHD Platinum Plus, but are on par with plates on the mdlondon STRAIT. They're made from what the brand calls CeraGloss ceramic, which is ceramic material coated in a gloss-like finish.
This is the default for plates across the T3 straightener range and has been designed to smooth frizz and add shine without snagging or pulling the hair. In my experience, this works well and while it's not the smoothest flat iron I've tried (that prize goes to the GHD Chronos) it does a great job.
These plates also use a so-called StyleEdge design. This means their edges are beveled and smooth making them great for creating curls and waves without causing creases or kinks.
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of size, the plates are one inch wide and the overall dimensions of the straightener is 11.8 x 1.2 x 3.6 in / 30 x 3 x 9.1 cm in size. It weighs 14.7 oz / 417g. This makes it compact and light enough for easy handling and for packing in a suitcase or bag, without being too small to work on longer hair.
I found the straightener to be well-balanced. I was initially concerned that the added length would cause my wrist to ache or be slightly cumbersome while moving it around my head, but this wasn't the case. It isn’t too heavy, but it has enough weight to feel sturdy and comfortable.
The PrecisionControl hinge keeps the arm tension just right, allowing for a smooth, even glide without any stiffness or looseness. You don't have to squeeze too hard to get the best results, nor do the plates aggressively spring back into position. This all adds to the premium feel.
The Power button on the Smooth X doubles up as a temperature control and is found near the base of the styler near the 360-degree, 9ft / 2.7 meter swivel cord. Above this button is a slim row of nine LEDs, each one representing a different temperature setting as follows:
260F / 127C
280F / 138C
300F / 149C
320F / 160C
340F / 171C
360F / 182C
380F / 193C
400F / 204C
410F / 210C
The lower settings (1-4) are designed for fine or fragile hair, the medium settings (5-6) are better for normal or "medium-textured" hair, while the 7-9, high settings are ideal for thick or coarse hair. That said, T3 does suggest dropping the temperature down 1-2 settings if your hair color-treated.
(Image credit: Future)
When the straightener reaches your chosen temperature, the flashing lights turn solid to let you know it's ready to use. The Smooth X will then remember your chosen setting for the next time you use it. A small downside is that the position of the power button makes it easy to accidentally change temperature mid-style.
If you have thicker or longer hair, or your hair has been damaged from chemicals or over styling, you'll likely get much more use and benefit from having a wide temperature range. I've never been overly fussed about having a range of temperatures choices as my fine hair is pretty malleable. However, I welcomed the ability to drop or increase the heat as and when needed.
Features-wise, the Smooth X uses the same SinglePass technology found in all of the stylers in the SinglePass range. This technology uses a microchip that continuously monitors the temperature, preventing hot or cool spots. This means you can style your hair in a single pass, reducing the need to repeatedly glide over the same section. This not only saves time but helps reduce heat damage.
The CeraSync Heaters inside the styler then make sure the heat is distributed evenly across the plates for fast and consistent styling. These heaters work in tandem with the ceramic plates and SinglePass tech to keep an optimal and steady temperature. All of this combines to make the Smooth X a good-looking, easy-to-use and effective styler for a wide range of hair styles and types.
Design score: 5 out of 5
T3 SinglePass Smooth X review: performance
One pass is enough to smooth hair
Longer plates allow for faster styling
Excellent straightener for curling
The well-thought-out design and functionality of the SinglePass Smooth X really comes to life when you start using the flat iron for different styles and finishes. For me, with my long, thin and naturally curly hair, the extra-long ceramic plates are a particular strength. They not only glide smoothly through the hair, for both straightening and curling, but the added length and SinglePass technology means I can finish styles quickly and efficiently.
It took a little over two minutes to straighten my long hair, and I styled the majority of sections with a single pass on my preferred temperature setting of 340F / 171C, or setting 5. Technically, my hair is fine and color-treated so, based on T3's advice, I should be styling on setting 2 or 3. However, I found that while it still styled my hair well at this temperature, the style didn't hold anywhere near as well.
The consistent, even heat across the plates seemed to make a difference in speed, but also in minimizing frizz. This was particularly noticeable when curling my hair; other straighteners tend to create curls that are uneven, the Smooth X heated every part of hair and curl evenly ,meaning the shape was more uniform from top to bottom.
The beveled edges of the plates then allow for smooth curling without leaving creases in the hair, something I’ve struggled with when using other straighteners with more blocky plates. The shape, size and design of the Smooth X also makes creating waves a doddle, and the results during my tests were always polished and consistent.
(Image credit: Future)
Sadly I was underwhelmed with how my hair looked after being straightened. This is partly due to how thin my hair is, but also, ironically, because of how well the plates glide and flatten frizz. As my hair is naturally curly, I usually only use a flat iron to knock out this frizz. I don't like to create super sleek, straight styles as they tend to leave my thin hair looking limp, flat and greasy. This was the case with the Smooth X, unfortunately.
It almost straightened my hair into submission and there was very little movement. It is possible to bring movement to straight hair without having to sacrifice a smooth finish – as I experienced with the mdlondon Strait – but the Smooth X did not achieve this balance. That said, if you have thicker hair or love sleek looks, the Smooth X will likely work exactly as you expect, and want.
(Image credit: Future)
Plus, moving the tool around my head was always comfortable, no matter which style I created. The swivel cord gives plenty of room and movement, and the weight of the straightener is balanced enough that it didn’t feel too heavy, even after styling for a while. The heat-up time is fast too, reaching setting 5 in just 10 seconds and setting 9 in 15 seconds.
I found that the power button, though convenient for switching settings before styling, can easily be pressed during use, which can be a bit annoying mid-styling. Some online reviewers have also said that the hinge tension can loosen over time, which can make it harder to maintain even pressure across the plates. I didn’t experience this myself during my review, but it’s something to keep in mind for long-term use.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Should I buy the T3 SinglePass Smooth X?
Buy it if...
You have long or thick hair
The extra-long plates coupled with the wide range of temperatures available make the Smooth X a great choice for people with thick, long hair.
You like to curl your hair with straighteners
The Smooth X's biggest strength is the way it creates curls and waves. The long plates, streamlined shape and even heat make it quick and easy to curl your hair in minutes.
You prefer or need multiple heat settings
With nine temperature settings, you can easily adjust the heat on the Smooth X to suit your hair type and avoid damage.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a budget
While you get a lot of tech, and quality with the Smooth X, its $150 price tag may push it out of the reach of people on a budget.
You need a travel-friendly tool
While compact, the Smooth X's extra length means there are other, smaller stylers that may be better for travelling. It's also not dual-voltage, which can be limiting for international travel.
You have short or mid-length
The Smooth X's extra-long plates are welcome for long and thick hair but if you have a style that takes little effort, you may not need the longer plates.
How I tested the T3 SinglePass Smooth X
Tested a range of temperature settings
Created a range of straight and curly looks
For my T3 SinglePass Smooth X review I spent a month using it as my main hot styling tool. I created a series of different looks for different occasions including straight, curly and wavy styles and put a range of temperature settings to the test. I timed how long the styles took to complete and monitored the finish and condition of my hair.
There’s no denying that the SmegCombi Steam Oven is a sleek and beautiful piece of kitchen technology that cooks food well in a variety of ways. I tried out the bake, convection bake, air fry, and steamer functions as well as a number of the preset recipe functions. Every single item I made came out perfectly delicious, though I did need to keep an eye on my food and I took a couple of items out early to prevent overcooking.
However, there is one major issue I had with the Smeg Combi Steam Oven. I cannot figure out exactly who this countertop oven is for or what it might replace in one’s kitchen. I already own an oven and a toaster oven and the Combi can’t replace either of those. It’s too small to replace an oven, unless you live in space that doesn’t have room for a full-sized oven. I suppose it could replace a toaster oven, but it has a much larger footprint than the (similarly-sized on the inside) toaster oven I already own. And while I’m sure you can make toast in it, like in any kind of oven, there is no designated toast feature on the Combi.
Smeg Combi Steam Oven: price and availability
List price: $999.95 (about £770 / AU$1,500)
That’s right, the Smeg Combi Steam Oven is over $1,000 once you pay sales tax. It’s available at upscale kitchen stores like Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel.
The Smeg Combi Steam Oven is only available in the US at the time of writing, but it may become available internationally at a later date.
Value score: 3/5
Smeg Combi Steam Oven: specifications
SMEG Combi Steam Oven: design and features
Beautiful mid-century aesthetic
Two knobs to access a variety of functions
Bake, air fry, steam, and more
The Smeg Combi Steam oven is advertised as a 10 in 1 oven. Just don’t call it a toaster oven! It’s a countertop oven that cooks in a whole bunch of different ways. According to Smeg, the oven uses "Galileo Multicooking technology: innovative airflow patterns and professional algorithms for outstanding results in a compact design.” It offers traditional cooking functions like bake and convection bake along with steam and air fry functions to perform a variety of cooking tasks.
The Combi has 33 automatic chef recipes that take the guesswork out of cooking meat, fish, vegetables, bread, pizza, and desserts. Just choose your preset, pop in your food, and get ready for some deliciousness.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
The enamel mid-century design is sleek and gorgeous. You can choose from five different colors: black, white, red, cream, and light blue. It comes with the following cooking accessories: two grill racks, an enameled cooking tray, and a perforated cooking tray. The guides along the sides of the oven have two different positions so you can cook on the upper level, lower level, or both at once. The guides can also be removed so you can easily access the sides of the oven for easier cleaning. The window is large and the light inside is always on while cooking so you can keep a close eye on your food’s progress.
The top of the Combi opens up to reveal a water compartment, where you pour in water for the steam function. The interior of the lid has a cheat sheet with all of the chef presets listed as well as a QR code so you can access the owner’s manual, how-to videos, and other information. This water tank is why the Combi is so large - much larger than any toaster oven I’ve ever seen. However, the interior is virtually the same size as my large toaster oven, just two inches wider.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
There are two dials for controlling the SMEG Combi Steam Oven and a screen between them. There are three menus you can access via the left dial: Traditional Cooking Menu, Steam Cooking Menu, and Chef Menu. The Traditional Cooking Menu lets you choose broil, air fry, bake, convection bake, convection bottom bake, warm, and defrost.
Within the Steam Cooking Menu, you can choose convection (for pure steam cooking), convection bake (for bake plus steam), and convection broil (for broil plus steam).
When you enter the Chef Menu, you can choose from among 33 presets for a variety of meats, fish, vegetables, desserts, and breads. The use of the dials definitely takes some studying of the user manual and some practice. It’s not necessarily intuitive.
Design score: 4.5/5
Smeg Combi Steam Oven: performance
So how did the Combi perform? Overall, excellent. I cooked a bunch of meals in the Combi and there wasn’t a dud in the bunch.
There was definitely a weird smell the first couple of times I used it, even though I performed the one hour burn off (empty oven on highest setting) to get rid of any residues left from the manufacturing process. And it’s quite noisy, getting up to 65 dB(A) at times.
However, unlike every toaster oven I’ve used, it doesn’t get hot on the outside. Even when going full tilt, it only reached a very touchable 76 degrees on the outside. The fan stays on while the oven cools down after cooking is complete, presumably to help it cool down faster. It does take some time to cool down, and a progress bar on the screen lets you know how the cool down is progressing.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I made two different kinds of (sweet potato) french fries: from scratch and pre-made frozen. For the scratch variety, I cut up a sweet potato and coated the wedges in oil and seasonings.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
The frozen ones I just dumped out on the tray. I used the French Fry Chef Menu preset for both, which was actually a traditional baking mode rather than an air fry mode as you might expect. In both cases, the fries came out crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and totally delicious. I also baked a sweet potato whole using convection bake as I typically would and that also came out great.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I baked blueberry muffins using the Muffin preset from the Chef Menu, which includes steam. The muffins came out moist and delicious. I’d say the browning was a bit uneven; I took them out one minute early because I was afraid some of them might overcook. I probably didn’t need to do that, though.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I used the Roasted Vegetables preset many times, since I eat them just about every day. The most challenging vegetables I made in the Combi this way were brussels sprouts. I make them all the time; when I make them on the stovetop they tend to be slightly soggy but when I make them in the oven they tend to dry out (unless I use a ton of oil.) In the Combi, I used a minimal amount of oil, just a quick spritz all over. They came out crisp, tender, and amazing.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I also tried making vegetables in Air Fry mode, using a recipe I found online. I put broccoli, red peppers, and a frozen veggie burger patty in for 10 minutes at 390 degrees. Again, the veggies were delicious: crisp and tender. The burger was fully cooked, just right.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I had to make pizza in the Smeg Combi Steam Oven. There is a dedicated Pizza preset in the Chef Menu, but since Smeg is an Italian company, I know it was talking about homemade pizza. I wanted to make frozen pizza. In fact, I made two different ones over the course of my testing period.
In both cases, I followed the directions on the box. I did one in convection bake mode and ended up taking it out a couple of minutes early so it didn’t burn. I did the second one in regular bake mode, and actually had to add a couple of minutes to the bake time. In the end though, both pizzas came out perfect: lightly browned, fully cooked in the middle, not burnt anywhere.
(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)
I steamed frozen pierogies (potato dumplings) using the steam mode. The pierogies came out fully heated through, moist, and delicious.
I didn't make toast. Why? Because there is no dedicated toast function. Obviously you can Google how to make toast in any oven, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why Smeg didn’t include a toast setting in the Chef Menu.
Cleanup isn't exactly a breeze, because everything is hand wash only. The trays definitely take some elbow grease, but I was able to get them completely clean every time. The oven itself is another story. The instructions say to let the oven cool and then use a regular cleaner, nothing abrasive, to clean the Combi. I did exactly that, using Dawn Powerwash and a Scrub Daddy (gentle sponge).
When that wasn’t enough, I went out and bought some Dawn Professional Heavy Duty Degreaser. That didn’t do it either, despite plenty of elbow grease. I don’t want to damage it with an abrasive cleaner or steel wool, so it just isn’t as clean as I’d like.
Performance score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Smeg Combi Steam Oven?
Buy it if
You want a sleek and stylish countertop oven
The Smeg Combi Steam Oven is a beauty for sure. Since it comes in five different colors, at least one of them will look amazing in your kitchen.
You want a multi-functional mini oven
The Combi lets you air fry, bake, steam, and more with a flick of the dials.
You want an easy way to cook quick and delicious food
I’m all about getting a good meal on the table without a lot of fuss and the Combi definitely helped make that happen.
Don't buy it if
Money is a consideration.
At over a grand (with sales tax) this costs more than some full-sized ovens and far more than a toaster oven.
You want to replace one of your current appliances
The Combi takes up a lot of counter space and I don’t know what appliance this would replace. Maybe your toaster oven, but only if you have no need of a dedicated toast function.
You want easy cleanup
I’ve cleaned and cleaned the Combi but it remains stained at the bottom. An abrasive cleaner might do the trick, but Smeg warns against using abrasives.
Smeg Combi Steam Oven: also consider
If you're not sure about the Smeg Combi Steam Oven, here are some other options to consider...
Ninja Double Oven Air Fryer
Cook two different items two different ways at the same time in this two-compartment air fryer oven. While not cheap, it’s a lot cheaper than the Smeg Combi Steam Oven, and earned a place in our roundup of the best air fryers.
This ultra-flexible countertop oven bakes, steams, air fries, and more. While it’s not nearly as pretty as the SMEG Combi Steam Oven, it has a lot of the same functionality for a lot less money.
I tested air fry, bake, convection bake, and steam modes
I cleaned it after each use
I’ve tested quite a few kitchen appliances over the years, both for review purposes and in my private life as the primary cook in my family for several decades. I love a cool cooking gadget and anything that lets me get a nutritious meal on the table fast.
I tested the Smeg Combi Steam Oven for about two weeks. I cooked a variety of foods using a variety of cooking modes, as detailed in the Performance section above. I used a few different presets in the Chef Menu section, as well as the bake, convection bake, steam, and air fry modes. I cooked a variety of fresh vegetables, french fries (both fresh and frozen), muffins, pierogies, veggie burgers, and frozen pizzas. After each cooking session, I cleaned all the accessories and the oven itself to assess how easy it was to clean.
If you’ve been looking for a projector you can wow your friends with, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 might be the one. Despite looking like a monster-sized flashlight, the Nebula Mars 3 is a portable projector designed for use both on the go and at home. To that end, it has a built-in battery that lets it operate at full brightness for upwards of two hours, plus the Android TV smart TV platform for streaming and fairly beefy speakers, though they regrettably play in mono. It’s well constructed, and works effectively, letting you set it down and get up and running quickly.
Where the Anker Nebula Mars 3 really impresses is its brightness, which knocks it out of the park compared to most other battery powered examples of the best portable projectors. It’s not enough to challenge daylight, but it’ll sizzle at night. At just over $1,000, it has competition, and you can also find 4K models around that price, though few have the portability on offer here. You can also get better color from triple-laser options like the LG CineBeam Q or JMGO N1S Pro, albeit at a lower brightness for the LG and no on-the-go use for the JMGO.
If you’re planning to do most of your viewing at home, it’s probably worth getting a projector that skips the battery and puts more effort into picture quality. But if you want a robust all-in-one theater you can tote anywhere, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a commendable option.
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: price and release date
Release date: July 2023
Price: $1,099 (around £850 / AU$1,645)
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 launched in 2023 and is now readily available in the US for $1,099. It can occasionally be found for less, however, and was $50 off at the time of writing.
The Nebula Mars 3 features a sliding lens door and is IPX3 water resistant (Image credit: Future)
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: Specs
The Nebula Mars 3's rear-panel ports cover and flashlight feature (Image credit: Future)
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: design and features
Built for portability and durability
Convenient on-device controls
Built-in speakers and Android TV operating system
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 follows Anker’s Nebula series design language, bearing considerable resemblance to the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE projector. That said, there are considerable differences that make the Nebula Mars 3 stand out.
This model is built for more of a rough-and-tumble, on-the-go lifestyle. It features a hardened case that can withstand half-meter drops and has IPX3 water resistance. The front has a sliding lens cover and the rear includes a rubber cover over the ports. A sizable, hard handle stretches across the top of the projector, extending from the front to the back. While it includes a remote control, the handle also has built-in controls for volume and navigation of the projector’s onboard operating system. Neither of these control options is quite perfect though, as the remote is fairly limited in what you can access with a single press and the built-in buttons lack many of the typical controls for navigating the projector’s Android TV smart TV interface.
A key part of the portable nature of the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is its ability to operate outdoors. To that end, the projector integrates a beefy battery geared up to run for anywhere from 2 hours at full blast to 5 hours in a dimmer Eco mode. To help you keep track of power, the handle has a ring of lights that display battery level. The projector can also double as a Bluetooth speaker or a flashlight. A three-speaker built-in audio system resides near the front. It can pump out a good deal of sound, though only in mono and the dynamics are fairly weak. Meanwhile, an LED light bar sits along the rear, stretching out above a large exhaust vent and below the port cover.
Since the Anker Nebula Mars 3 isn’t designed to have a permanent home, it has a small, adjustable stand underneath to help angle it up at projection surfaces wherever it’s ultimately set up. It also features a quick and effective system for automatically adjusting image focus, keystone, and framing.
The projector’s Android TV 11 smart TV system is a little dated, but still effective as a streaming platform. Like many other projectors, though, it doesn’t get the Play Store version of Netflix, instead relying on a sideloaded version that offers a generally sub-par experience. If you’re off the grid and don’t have internet, the projector has a USB-A port and supports local media playback.
To upgrade the audio experience, you can wire it up to external powered speakers using the AUX port or wirelessly pair it to a Bluetooth speaker.
Design and features score: 4/5
The Android TV platform is used by the Nebula Mars 3 for streaming (Image credit: Future)
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: picture quality
Good, but not exceptional picture
Decent color and detail
Enough battery power for a 2-hour-plus movie
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 features an LED DLP projection system rated for 1,000 lumens and 1080p resolution. That’s about what should be expected from a projector sitting at around $1,000.
Anker’s battery powered portable has a good-looking picture, but not an exceptional one. It isn’t the type of projector you’ll want if you’re viewing in a bright room, since its 1,000 lumens just aren’t enough to handle much ambient light. You might get by if you’re watching bright cartoons, but you really should be viewing with it in a dark space, and that extends to the outdoors as well. Controlling ambient lighting outdoors is even more difficult than indoors, and if you’re expecting a good viewing experience with lots of urban lighting present, you’ll be disappointed. That said, if you’re in a more rural area without much light pollution, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 should provide ample brightness after sunset.
The color you’ll get from the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is decent, but no match for triple-laser portable projectors like the LG CineBeam Q. It doesn’t feel utterly lacking or poorly managed, and a show like Ru Paul’s Drag Race still had plenty of visual spark when I viewed it. Colors have modest vibrance, but just don’t get the same level of pop I’ve seen from HDR-capable projectors reaching toward 100% coverage of the UHDA-P3 color space. The same is true of its resolution. At a projected image size of around 65 inches, the projector's 1080p image looks reasonably crisp, but go far above that and you will seeing more softness unless you sit further back. A larger image will also show an artifact of the projector’s DLP chip, which shows up as noticeable dithering (an effect like writhing small dots) when displaying dark colors over a large portion of the screen.
The projector has a motion smoothing setting buried slightly in the settings menu under the label MEMC that is set to on by default. While it can smooth out certain motions, it creates all sorts of distracting effects, especially in action sequences like those in Gladiator. It’s worth turning off, which results in more natural motion.
Many of the image trade-offs are a result of Anker needing to squeeze a battery in for the $1,099 price. And the battery makes it worth it. At full brightness, the Nebula Mars 3 was able to run for the entirety of a two-hour movie at 50% volume with a little over 20% charge to spare, which let it go for nearly 30 minutes longer. Annoyingly, if you’re nearing the end of your movie or show and the battery power starts to get low, your experience will be thoroughly interrupted by several low-battery warnings in a window that occupies a large portion of the display.
Picture quality score: 3/5
A remote control is included, and there are also controls located on the projector's handle (Image credit: Future)
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: value
Great for portable use
Brighter than other compact portables
Better options for picture quality, but not portability
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is an interesting package. It’s not a great home theater projector for the money, as there are far more appealing options available in the same ballpark. But it’s an overall decent projector and a powerful portable one. The Nebula Mars 3 is quick to set up, and can run for hours at a time. It’s a knockout next to something like the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, which has a portable setup with an optional battery pack but isn’t nearly as bright.
A competent projector you can bring anywhere and easily get up and running is something special, and the Anker Nebula Mars 3 nails the concept. It’s built to withstand surprises and has clever elements (like the lens cover and waterproofing) that let you easily grab it and go without worrying about a protective case.
Value score: 4/5
The carrying handle control buttons (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Anker Nebula Mars 3?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want an easy on-the-go projector: The key feature of the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is its ability to operate just about anywhere. Its handle is ready for travel and its battery lets it run for upwards of 2 hours at full brightness.
You’re rough with your gadgets: The Nebula Mars 3 isn’t indestructible, but it‘s a good deal more durable than other projectors. With hardware that can withstand 0.5-meter drops and rain, you can be a little more rough with this device.
You’re outdoorsy: The Nebula Mars 3 isn’t just a projector. It has a lamp that can come in handy at a campsite, and if you're not watching something, the built-in speaker can serve as a Bluetooth speaker. You can even use it as a power source for charging other electronics.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re never taking it outdoors: The Nebula Mars 3 is decent, but not exceptional when it comes to home theater viewing. You can easily get a cheaper projector with equivalent picture quality.
You want a really big, bright picture: The Nebula Mars 3’s 1080p resolution and 1,000 lumens brightness don’t really cut it for big-screen viewing unless you’re not picky about picture detail and have a dark viewing space.
You want great built-in sound: The Nebula Mars 3 has some hard limits when it comes to audio. Its built-in speakers are regrettably mono and there’s no optical digital or eARC ports to tap into higher-quality sound devices.
Also consider...
LG CineBeam Q The CineBeam Q is absolutely tiny next to the Anker Nebula Mars 3, and it’s nowhere near as bright, but benefits from a far more colorful projection system, 4K visuals, and a much better streaming platform. For viewing in the dark, it can work wonders.
Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen Samsung’s The Freestyle 2nd Gen is a smaller, somewhat cheaper alternative, though that depends on any discounts. It has greater portability size-wise, but requires an external battery pack. Next to the Anker Nebula Mars 3, it’s kind of a toy projector.
Xgimi Horizon Ultra The Xgimi Horizon Ultra is just about as compact, but isn’t portable. Instead, you get a much higher class of home theater projector. It’s stylish, bright, colorful, and just an altogether more competent machine for more static setups.
Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade
I tested the Anker Nebula Mars 3 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, both HDR and non-HDR.
My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.
I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the new flagship in Sonos’ soundbar line-up, and it takes everything that was good about the original Arc and cranks it up to the next level. Better Dolby Atmos effects, better bass, better speech clarity, better connectivity.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a huge step up for music quality over the original Sonos Arc, and while it’s less of a jump up from the original with movies, it’s still a clear and obvious improvement, and ranks among the best soundbars.
Is it worth upgrading from the original Sonos Arc? I think that’ll depend on how much of a cinephile you are; I really appreciated the improved sound balance and the clearer speech, and the obvious improvement to Dolby Atmos effects positioning, and found it hard to go back – but the original Sonos Arc is no slouch, and more casual viewers may find the difference to feel less essential.
The Sonos Arc Ultra keeps the original’s biggest flaw, which is not having any HDMI passthrough port in an era when HDMI ports are becoming a bit of a premium, and effectively all its key rivals offer this. The lack of DTS is also a shame, but won’t be a big problem for most people. I still thoroughly recommend the Sonos Arc Ultra, but it just may not be the best fit for your setup because of its HDMI limitation.
For those wondering about Sonos’ app, I had no problems setting it up, playing with different configurations, and changing settings.
I’m reviewing the Sonos Arc Ultra as a single soundbar here, though I have tested it with the Sub 4 and rear speakers, and I’ll talk about that experience too.
I think the Sonos Arc Ultra gives you the best cinematic experience you can get from a single-unit soundbar for under $1000 / £1000. However, in the UK, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D for around the same price during sales events, and if you’re happy having a four-box surround system, you’ll get a far more immersive experience. And Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 9 is a key competitor around the world – it's a single-box soundbar like the Arc Ultra, but it offers the missing HDMI port, and with 4K 120Hz support, no less. It officially costs a lot more than the Sonos Arc Ultra, but sales season discounts bring it down to around the same price. It’s even bigger than the Arc Ultra, though.
(Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Price & release date
Released on October 29, 2024
Priced at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799
The Sonos Arc Ultra is priced pretty well at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799, considering that other flagship one-box soundbars can be far higher, such as the $2,399 / £1,990 / AU$3,999 Devialet Dione, or the $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$1,795 of the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9.
Obviously, it's not cheap, and you can find the Samsung HW-Q800D for significantly less, but that's not a one-box soundbar, and building high-quality sound into a single unit that isn't huge (which the Devialet Dione especially is) is hard. For a premium soundbar, the Arc Ultra is competitive.
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Specs
The Sonos Arc Ultra features the first use of Sonos' Sound Motion driver tech. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Features
9.1.4 speaker channels, with Sound Motion bass driver
All Sonos' usual special skills, plus Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos support, but no DTS
Much like the original Sonos Arc, this is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with HDMI eARC connectivity, Sonos multi-room wireless support, and optional voice control from Alexa or Sonos’ own more limited voice assistant.
The biggest new feature is the Sound Motion driver, which delivers big bass performance from a small speaker, and a generally improved speaker setup that now promises 9.1.4 channels of sound, compared to 5.0.2 from the original Sonos Arc.
There’s also Bluetooth connectivity in the Arc Ultra, which is a first for a Sonos soundbar, but is now standard on the best Sonos speakers at last, including the recent Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300.
Naturally, the Sonos Arc Ultra works with Sonos’ Sub options (including the new Sub 4 as well as older models) and you can connect it to rear speakers for a real surround sound setup. The Arc Ultra is the first Sonos soundbar that doesn’t work with the Sonos Play:1 or Play:5 speakers – but it still works with Sonos One, Sonos Five, the Era models, or with two wired speakers connected to a Sonos Amp.
Sonos’ TruePlay room-tuning tech is here, and it’s finally available on Android in a new ‘quick’ version, which is also available on iOS. This new version will probably be preferable for a lot of people because it’s much easier. It uses the Arc Ultra’s own mic array to test your room using a series of pet-alarming tones, to adjust the system’s sound for better precision and Dolby Atmos surround effects. On iOS, it still asked me to hold my phone where I sit for a set of measurements there first, which is what the full TruePlay system does – but then I didn’t have to walk around the room waving my phone up and down.
The biggest flaw in the Sonos Arc is the lack of any HDMI passthrough ports. Most premium soundbars have more than one HDMI port – one to connect to your TV, and then at least one other that passes video through to your TV, so that you don’t lose the use of one of your HDMI ports for connecting consoles or other video boxes. This is doubly annoying in the majority of TV models available today, which only have two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K 120Hz support at most, and the HDMI eARC is usually one of those ports, so you’re losing one of the most important ports. (Many LG and Samsung TVs have four HDMI 2.1 ports, so this is less of a problem, and in 2025 far more TVs will have four HDMI 2.1 ports thanks to a new chip from MediaTek – but that doesn’t help TVs today.)
Even ignoring the type of ports, four video devices is not an uncommon amount for people to want to connect to a TV here in 2024, and yet if you have the Sonos Arc Ultra, you can only connect three.
It’s so frustrating, given that it was a complaint I had about the original Sonos Arc when that launched in 2020. I’ve spoken to Sonos about the topic, and the company’s stance has been that HDMI passthrough adds complexity and it wants its soundbars to be as simple as possible. But that only holds true if someone doesn’t then have to deal with the headache of what a good solution is if they want to connect more devices than they have ports free, once the Arc Ultra is connected. I think Sonos has simply off-loaded the complexity to users. With an HDMI passthrough port, I’d have been seriously looking at giving the Arc Ultra a five-star rating overall.
The other notable issue is a lack of DTS decoding. This is not a big problem if your TV or playback device will decode DTS-HD to LPCM, as many will. I had a great time playing DTS-HD Blu-rays while testing the Sonos Arc, and getting the big, powerful, high-quality sound I was expecting. The lack of DTS:X is the more annoying part for purists, especially with it now used on Disney Plus for some movies, but it really isn’t a dealbreaker for the vast majority of people.
The Sonos Arc Ultra works with the audio-swap feature of the Sonos Ace headphones, so you can watch anything that plays on your TV with great spatial audio on the headphones to avoid disturbing others in the house – our Sonos Ace review has more on how well that works, but it’s not affected by the Sonos Arc Ultra's performance, so I won’t go into it here.
Features score: 4 / 5
I tested the Arc Ultra on its own, and with Sonos' complete Dolby Atmos setup. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Performance
Excellent dynamic range
Very strong Dolby Atmos effect
Very clear speech and detail
In my opinion, the Sonos Arc Ultra is the best-sounding single-box soundbar you can get for under $1,000 / £1,000. It delivers fulsome balance and exciting sound with clear speech, and superb height and width. The Devialet Dione maybe does this all better as a single-unit soundbar, but at around twice the price and twice the size, it’s a harder sell in several ways.
Dolby Atmos surround effects don’t seem like they’re coming from behind you, inevitably, but they do feel like they reach you when there are movement effects in particular. Height channels have motion and precision, despite being part virtual – Sonos claims four channels of overhead sound, but there are only two drivers, with the width drivers combining with the height drivers for a sense of four channels, and it works well.
Sound is layered very impressively in Dolby Atmos, with a sense of 3D positioning across the whole space in front of you.
Everything is an improvement over the original Sonos Arc. It’s not quite night and day, but it’s a clear step up anyway. That especially goes for speech clarity and Dolby Atmos effects in movies, with everything feeling just more expansive and more in the room than from the older soundbar.
I tried Sonos’ new and upgraded speech enhancement tools for the Arc Ultra, and they’re very effective, but they affect the sound balance (as do all such tools), and I found that I really didn’t need them anyway on the Arc Ultra. It’s a bit unoriginal to say that the speech in Christopher Nolan movies is hard to hear, but I tested the old and new Arc with them, and there was a big jump in legibility on the Arc Ultra that meant they really weren’t hard to follow any more (generally).
Surprisingly, the new bass driver didn’t create that big an effect compared to the original Sonos Arc in movies that already ramp up the bass, but it does help to make the sound feel fuller in general. It makes the bass that the Arc Ultra can generate better connected through to the mid-range, so the overall balance in low-end-heavy scenes is stronger – and just excellent overall. There’s a good dispersal of the bass so that it doesn’t feel too directional, and the impact is really pleasing for such a relatively compact soundbar.
The Sound Motion bass speaker did really jump out during music though. This actually was a night and day difference from the original Arc, with a massive improvement across the whole frequency range. For music, the original Arc sounded unclear and subdued compared to the Arc Ultra at the same volume. Having said that, I would still put the Arc Ultra essentially on par for music quality with the Sonos Era 300, which is half the price. It’s easier to fill out that sound when you can be thick and tall, unlike a soundbar.
(Image credit: Future)
Running TruePlay tuning helps the Dolby Atmos and finer details to come through more clearly, so I absolutely recommend it. There wasn’t a clear difference between the quick version and the full version in my setup, so as I mentioned above, the quick version should be all that most people need to bother with.
To repeat myself from the start of this section, I think the Arc Ultra delivers the best-value cinematic experience from a single-box soundbar. It’s the best combination of a demure design, effective sound reproduction and 3D effects, and a reasonable price given what it can do. More expensive soundbars may do better, but the audio package here is excellent.
I’m reviewing it as a single unit for all the scores here, but I also tested it with a Sub 4 and Era 300 speakers in Sonos’ full-power ultimate system. I also tested it with a Sub 4 only, and then slotted it and the Sub 4 into my existing setup using my Sonos One rear speakers.
Make no mistake – despite the Sound Motion tech being very impressive for bass, the Sub 4 adds a whole new dimension of bass you can feel, in frequencies the soundbar alone simply can’t touch. You will literally get more from your movies with a big sub, though obviously for a premium of $799 / £799.
In the full elite surround mode, with Era 300 units behind as well, you can really feel the overall power of the system. Even with one sub (you can connect a second to more fully spread the bass around) you can feel the power of the low frequencies everywhere, with excellent fullness through to the mid-range, and a clear separation of higher frequencies from that mix. It’s a really well-connected whole system, and testing against the Samsung HW-Q990C, I say you get a more satisfying overall sound profile from the Sonos setup. However, not by that much, considering you’ll pay a lot more for the Sonos system – it kind of proves why Samsung’s top-end soundbars are five-star products among the best Dolby Atmos soundbars. Still, for those with the ear, I think the Sonos system’s sound is superior.
Even with my Sonos Ones as rear speakers, I felt like I was getting a different sound profile from the rears (post TruePlay) than with my Sonos Arc and Sub Mini that I usually have. They felt punchier and with a little more bass added to them, perhaps to match the broader sound profile the bar is capable of compared to the original Arc. I feel that swapping the Arc for the Arc Ultra in my setup would be an upgrade, albeit one that I would enjoy as someone who’s obsessive over sound and setups – perhaps someone more casual about home theater wouldn’t find it to be as good value.
Performance score: 5 / 5
The concave volume control matches other recent Sonos releases. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Design
Very well made and subtle
Some key buttons hidden at the back
Shorter but wider than original Arc
The Sonos Arc Ultra is 18% smaller by volume than the original Sonos Arc, according to Sonos, and this manifests in it being less tall (which is very welcome) and less deep (also welcome for those with chunky TV stands, though it’s still somewhat deep because it has a chunky bar across the back). However, it’s actually wider than the Sonos Arc. It’s still good for TVs of 55 inches and up, though, and the shorter height can make a real difference with some TVs.
It comes in black and white, and the overall look is very simple and classy. A hard, curved grille covers the entire thing, and it’s good at just disappearing into the room, which is what most people will want. The new design seems to pick up fingerprints worse than the old one, so be warned if you’re fastidious and have handsy kids.
The button for activating Bluetooth pairing mode is on the back, which is inconvenient for a soundbar, especially if it’s wall-mounted. You can pair from the Sonos app instead, but it would be better still if the Bluetooth button was on top, for maximum flexibility – especially since the button layout here was redesigned anyway, including moving volume over to the right, for whatever reason. In the middle, you still have buttons to play/pause, and skip tracks.
The switch to kill the voice control mics is also on the back, and is turned on by default, so the privacy conscious should remember to hit this before getting it situated. Also on the back is an Ethernet port, and then the power and HDMI ports are on the sides of the bit port cutaway on the rear – just like the original Arc.
The Arc Ultra is wall-mountable and works on the same mounts as the original Arc, which is nice for upgraders – though some of the mount may be visible, due to the change in size.
Design score: 4 / 5
The connections are all in that recessed area. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Setup & usability
Use Sonos app to get started
TruePlay is now easier, and very useful
Once connected to the TV, very little effort needed
If you have read or watched anything about recent Sonos releases, you will have seen strong opinions about the new Sonos app. We can’t post a video covering Sonos without a cascade of comments saying no one should ever buy Sonos again because of the state of the software. At launch, earlier in 2024, the app was missing a lot of features, and a lot of people had problems accessing or making changes to their systems.
At the time of writing this review, Sonos says that it has added 90% of the missing features back in, and is still committed to updates every two weeks to address bugs and performance while adding the remainder of the features.
I had no problems at all setting up the Arc Ultra at home through the app, making the settings adjustments I needed, and then adding/breaking multiple different surround setups while I tested different configurations of Sonos setups.
I did have trouble setting the surround system up in our office testing rooms, where the connection between the components would drop regularly – but this is pretty common on our office Wi-Fi outside of Sonos. I’ve had a problem getting Samsung’s soundbars to connect to register on the SmartThings app, and it can be difficult with smart home tech, so I don’t blame Sonos for this – but it’s only fair to note it if I’m going to dig into the experience. At home, on my normal mesh router setup, I had no problems at all.
The usability of Sonos’ soundbars continues to be a slightly mixed bag – I think if you designed an app for controlling a soundbar as its first priority, rather than playing music as its first priority, you probably wouldn’t bury settings like the Speech Enhancement that far down in the settings.
I’d love to see Sonos change how it approaches its Now Playing screen when you’re connected to HDMI, so it puts more emphasis on making settings available to you instead of a lack of artwork.
But setting it up was smooth, and most people won’t need to go back into the app, especially if you won’t connect other devices. As I mentioned, I found the speech clear enough without using the enhancement, and I didn’t think the EQ needed adjustment. TruePlay will be suggested as part of the setup too, and it worked with my remote (over HDMI-CEC, but infrared is also enabled by default) out of the box with no tinkering required.
Setup & usability score: 4 / 5
The Sonos Arc Ultra with the Sub 4. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Value
Premium, but competitive price
As good sound as you can get for the price
Surround-ready products available around the same price
The Sonos Arc Ultra isn’t cheap, but if you want powerful, expansive, clear Dolby Atmos sound from a single inoffensively-designed soundbar, you can’t do better for the price – as long as you’re not tight on HDMI ports.
You can get a full surround setup for a similar price to this, but the core Sonos Arc Ultra is designed for people who don’t want to deal with having four boxes including a hefty subwoofer. And I think it’s the best, most cinematic single box you can add to your TV for the price, making it very strong value.
But as I say, if you’re already filling your HDMI ports, that value is harmed, because the Arc Ultra may create a new problem for you. For the price, it should really offer you the solution.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Sonos Arc Ultra?
Buy it if...
You want the best sound from a single-unit soundbar At this price, and without extra satellite speakers, nothing beats what the Sonos Arc Ultra can do.
You want clearer speech and Dolby Atmos cinematic effects The Arc Ultra is a big step up over the Arc for dialogue, and boosts Dolby Atmos positioning skill at the same time.
You want Sonos' extra skills Part of a multi-room music system? Check. The ability to add other speakers in the future to improve the sound? Check. TruePlay room tuning? Sound check.
Don't buy it if...
You're short on HDMI ports No HDMI passthrough really could be a dealbreaker.
You want the best value sound and could have more than one box The Sonos Arc Ultra is very good value for a one-box system, but if you can live with more hardware, you can get bigger sound for the price.
You're a home theater purist about DTS Sonos' continued lack of DTS support will irk those those with physical media in DTS:X.
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Also consider
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 We didn't rave about this soundbar overall in our Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review, but it's cheaper than the Sonos Arc Ultra and offers 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough, so it might be the most practical option for some people – or its more expensive sibling, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 is the beefier-sounding option, but is pricier than the Sonos.
Sonos Beam 2 Want to go even more compact and have Sonos' options for expansion? The Beam 2 delivers surprisingly full sound for such a compact soundbar, and supports Dolby Atmos, but not with anything like the effectiveness of the Arc Ultra. But it's half the price, so swings and roundabouts – definitely read our Sonos Beam 2 review if you want to know more.
Samsung HW-Q990D Look, if you can find this full Dolby Atmos surround system for close to the Sonos Arc Ultra's price, know that it will give you a truly mind-blowing Dolby Atmos home theater experience – as long as you can live with four boxes instead of one. We gave it five stars in our Samsung HW-Q990D review.
How I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra
The Arc Ultra sitting on top of the original Arc. I didn't test it like that, obviously… (Image credit: Future)
Tested over a week
Tested at home, in my usual setup
Tested with Sonos surround configurations
For the crucial portion of this review, I used the Sonos Arc Ultra at home, in the same setup where I usually use the original Sonos Arc, so I had a good point of direct comparison. I directly compared the sound of the two bars to gauge the difference, but mostly I just used the Sonos Arc Ultra for my normal viewing, which included 4K Blu-rays and streaming. I listened in both lossless quality and compressed, as well as in Dolby Atmos, regular 5.1 surround sound, and in stereo.
As mentioned above, I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra on its own mainly, but also tried it with the Sub 4, and then with the Sub 4 and different Sonos rear speaker options.
I also tested a Sonos surround setup for a short time compared to the Samsung HW-Q990C in TechRadar's TV testing rooms. On our corporate Wi-Fi systems, I had connections problems that meant I couldn't do longer-term comparisons; at home, I use a Google Nest Home mesh Wi-Fi system and had no problems with the Sonos app or network connectivity.
