Video editing tools are everywhere these days. You have cheap, not very powerful options bundled with your computing device, you can purchase expensive, very powerful apps with a steep learning curve, or you can opt for a more middle of the road option: software that is brimming with features, looks fun to use, and is affordable.
And it's in the latter camp that I'd place Movavi. It's unlikely to trouble the likes of Premiere Pro and Resolve any time soon, but it's superior to the likes of Apple iMovie or ClipChamp. And it might be one of the best video editing software for beginners around right now.
I took Movavi Video Suite 2025 for a spin to see how it handles the post-production process, and precisely where it fits into this crowded field.
Movavi Video Suite 2025: Pricing & plans
A choice of subscription or one-off fee for a perpetual license, with a massive discount at time of review
The Movavi Video Suite is available as both a subscription service or a perpetual licence, with wildly fluctuating prices throughout: you have the standard cost, and more often than not, you’ll have a special limited time discount, which, in our experience with other software and services, almost always gets reset and extended when their time runs out. But in case it doesn’t, we’ll list you all the prices we found on their website.
The monthly subscription is the only one that remains static at around $30. By contrast, the yearly subscription should cost you a little under $250, but was discounted to around $100 as of this writing.
If you fancy combining your rentals, you can grab the Video Suite and Movavi’s Photo Editor for a yearly subscription of $234 (currently discounted to $105).
Should you not be a fan of renting your software however, you have the option of purchasing the latter (i.e. the Video Suite and the Photo Editor) for $334 - or $150, if the discount holds.
All of the above come with a 30-day money back guarantee, and you also have the ability to download a 7-day free trial which works without you having to hand out your card details. This trial has limitations, as you’d expect, such as limiting the length of your outputs and watermarking them, for instance.
You can check out the full pricing details on Movavi's website by clicking here.
Score: 4/5
Movavi Video Suite 2025: Getting started
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
The software made it somewhat tricky for us to get to a language we understood, so we could start using it
Launching Movavi Video Editor for the first time, we were greeted with a difficult conundrum, one which never happened to us before, so it couldn’t have been our computer’s setting, and we felt it was worth us mentioning it, should it also happen to you: everything was in Japanese, which made any kind work impossible if you’re unfamiliar with that noble language.
Thankfully, feeding a screenshot of the settings window to Google Translate helped us see which menu led to our preferred language. It’s not a hard issue to resolve, but it would’ve been preferable had the software noticed which language our computer was using, and default to it during installation.
Score: 2.5/5
Movavi Video Suite 2025: Interface
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
Movavi’s video editor is well-organized and surprisingly simple to use, with all the tools you need easily accessible, including some very well-implemented and powerful features
Movavi Video Suite is essentially broken down into three separate tools: the Video Editor, the Video Converter, and the Screen Recorder. We’ll focus primarily on the former as that’s where anyone interested in filmmaking will be spending most of their time, and we suspect, if you’re reading this, that this means you.
And frankly, we were really impressed with it. It’s clean, simple, well organised, and gives you access to all the tools you need quickly and efficiently. The interface offers the media section, top left, the preview window, top right, and the timeline taking up almost half of the screen real estate at the bottom.
To the left you have a sidebar, giving you access to tools, effects, transitions, titles, even Movavi’s online store. Just above the Timeline are the editing tools you’ll use most often, and also includes other features, such as ‘auto subtitling’, which is almost too easy to use (and more competent and flexible than what some higher end software offer).
The whole interface is extremely friendly: drag footage from a hard drive straight onto the media section, then drag the clips you want onto the timeline to start building your edit. You can work with multiple layers of audio and video, apply transitions and various effects just by dragging them onto the clip you wish to affect. It’s all very simple. So much so in fact, that what could be moderately tricky to complex actions, are handled with ease.
We found the AI Tracker, for instance, to provide excellent results with the user barely doing anything to make it work, and the algorithms behind the ‘Background Remover’ were remarkably good, even when the background itself was quite complex (such as foliage).
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
Movavi’s Video Editor also has an online store which is accessible via the ‘Packs’ menu, on the left sidebar. As it’s a store, most items are Premium ones (they have a little dark pink crown, top right of their thumbnail), but a handful can be used for free. In any case, you’re allowed to download even the Premium ones and include them in your project. You’ll just need to deal with financial matters upon export.
Speaking of Exports, this video editor comes with numerous options. MP4 is chosen by default (which makes sense as it’s so ubiquitous), but you have numerous other options available to you, including DVD formats, and even the long obsolete SWF. In addition to generic formats, you also have presets for specific devices, such as iPhones, Xbox and more, and you can upload your project directly to social media with links to YouTube, Vimeo, and TikTok. It’s a well stocked series of options.
Score: 4.5/5
Movavi Video Suite 2025: Converter & Screen Capture
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
The Movavi Suite comes with two other apps, one to convert video and images to numerous different formats, and the other to record your screen (or take screenshots). Both are full featured, offering numerous options, and very easy to use
The Movavi Video Suite isn’t limited to their excellent Video Editor: it also comes with a Video Converter and a Screen Capture tool. Let’s quickly take a look at them.
The Video Converter’s interface is sparse, but then again, what do you need to convert image and video? An area to drag files onto, and a list of formats to choose from, and that’s exactly what Video Converter offers. It’s incredibly easy to use, whether you’re after software that does it all for you, in which case just select the preset you’re after and you’re done. But should you need to manipulate every available parameter, those are but a drop down menu away.
On top of this, Video Converter also offers you a surprising range of editing tools, from adjusting the audio, to making basic colour correction, applying effects, adding subtitles or a watermark, and cropping and trimming the footage. It’s unexpectedly full featured.
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
When it comes to Screen Recorder, you have the choice of taking a screenshot or a video. The software can instantly recognise open windows (it even selects the frontmost one by default), or allows you to set a specific area, or forego all of that and capture the entire screen.
It will also record the computer’s audio, an external microphone and your webcam, which it burns into the recording (you can’t choose to move it around after the recording or remove it altogether after the fact). Frustratingly, as is the case with every other screen capture tool, you have to grant it so many permissions for it to work properly, it can take a while.
Score: 4.5/5
Should I buy Movavi Video Suite 2025?
(Image credit: Movavi // Future)
Buy it if...
You’re looking for editing software that covers everything from editing, to formatting, and even has a powerful screen capture tool, with interfaces that are sleek and well designed, to make it as easy as possible for you to get your work done.
Don't buy it if...
You’re put off by the additional tools that come with the suite beyond the editing options, as you either already have similar products or don’t need them, or feel the features available are just too advanced for your needs.
Medium stands out as one of the most writer-friendly platforms in our comprehensive best blogging platforms roundup. Unlike traditional blogging tools, it functions more like a social network for long-form content, where your stories can reach millions without any marketing effort.
Our reviewers have tested 140+ of the best website builders and blogging tools giving us deep insight into what makes each platform unique. What sets Medium apart for us is its focus on content over customization. You won't find the design flexibility of Wix, our top pick for 2025. But the tradeoff’s not for nothing.
Instead, Medium prioritizes discovery and engagement through its algorithm-driven feed system. The platform currently serves over 100 million monthly visitors and pays writers more than $2 million monthly through its Partner Program.
What is Medium?
Medium is essentially a hybrid between a blogging platform and a social media network, designed specifically for long-form written content. Founded by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams in 2012, it removes the technical barriers of traditional blogging by handling all the hosting, design, and infrastructure for you. You simply create an account and start writing. No coding, no theme selection, no server management required.
Think of Medium as a digital magazine where anyone can contribute articles, called "stories" in Medium's terminology. Your content appears not just on your personal profile but also gets distributed through Medium's recommendation system to readers who might be interested in your topics. This built-in audience discovery is Medium's biggest advantage. Your first article could potentially reach thousands of readers without any promotional effort on your part.
Features
Publications on Medium function like digital magazines where multiple writers can contribute content around specific themes or topics. (Image credit: Medium)
Medium's feature set reflects its philosophy of simplicity over complexity, offering just enough tools to create engaging content without overwhelming writers with options.
The platform excels at content creation and discovery features but falls short on customization and branding capabilities that business users typically need. At $5 monthly for the basic membership, Medium offers reasonable value for writers focused purely on content creation, though it can't compete with full-featured platforms for businesses requiring extensive customization.
The platform's strength lies in its community-driven features like publications, follower systems, and engagement tools that help writers build audiences organically. However, you'll miss advanced features like custom domains, detailed analytics, or ecommerce integration that competitors offer. Medium's pricing becomes more justifiable when you consider the built-in audience and monetization potential through the Partner Program, though serious bloggers may eventually outgrow these limitations.
Content editor
Medium's editor stands out for its clean, distraction-free interface that focuses entirely on writing. The editor uses a simple plus-sign system to add multimedia elements like images, videos, and code blocks, while text formatting appears when you highlight content. This approach eliminates the complexity found in traditional CMS platforms, letting you focus purely on crafting your message.
Publications system
Publications function like digital magazines where multiple writers can contribute content around specific themes or topics. You can either create your own publication or submit stories to existing ones with established audiences. This system provides an excellent way to reach targeted readers beyond your personal followers, with some publications boasting thousands of dedicated subscribers.
Partner program monetization
The Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on reading time from paying subscribers, with earnings calculated through factors like engagement, follower bonuses, and story boosts. Writers can earn anywhere from a few dollars to thousands monthly, with top performers making substantial incomes. The program requires a $5 monthly membership and at least one published story to qualify.
Social features
Medium incorporates social networking elements like following other writers, clapping for stories (similar to likes), and highlighting specific text passages for comments. These features create a more interactive experience than traditional blogs, encouraging community building and reader engagement. The platform also offers audio narration for stories, expanding accessibility for different types of content consumption.
Ease of use
You create an account, choose topics to follow, and can immediately start writing or reading. (Image credit: Medium)
Medium prioritizes simplicity above all else, making it one of the most beginner-friendly publishing platforms available. The onboarding process takes just minutes. You create an account, choose topics to follow, and can immediately start writing or reading. The interface feels more like using a word processor than managing a complex website, with all technical aspects handled automatically in the background.
The writing experience centers around Medium's elegant editor, which reveals formatting options only when needed. New paragraphs show a plus sign for adding multimedia, while highlighting text reveals options for bold, italic, headers, and links. This progressive disclosure approach prevents interface clutter while keeping powerful features accessible when you need them.
Medium's approach to publishing reflects founder Evan Williams' vision of removing friction from content creation. Unlike traditional blogging platforms that require decisions about themes, plugins, and hosting, Medium handles everything automatically. You write, hit publish, and Medium's algorithm immediately begins showing your content to potentially interested readers based on their reading history and followed topics.
The platform does have some accessibility considerations worth noting. While the clean design works well for most users, the limited customization options mean you can't adjust fonts, colors, or layouts for specific accessibility needs. However, Medium's built-in audio narration feature helps serve users who prefer listening to reading.
Pricing
The $5 monthly membership unlocks unlimited reading of all stories, enables Partner Program participation for earning money, and includes audio narrations. (Image credit: Medium)
Plan
Starting rate (paid annually)
Renewal rate (paid annually)
Free
$0/month
$0/month
Medium Member
$5/month
$5/month
Friend of Medium
$12.50/month
$12.50/month
Medium's pricing structure is refreshingly straightforward compared to most blogging platforms. The free tier allows unlimited publishing and reading of non-member stories, but limits you to three member-only articles monthly. A freemium approach lets you test the platform thoroughly before committing to a paid plan.
The $5 monthly membership unlocks unlimited reading of all stories, enables Partner Program participation for earning money, and includes audio narrations. The $15 monthly "Friend of Medium" tier provides the same features but pays writers 4x more when you read their content, making it more of a supporter tier than a feature upgrade.
Unlike traditional blogging platforms, Medium has no transaction fees, hosting costs, or additional charge. The membership fee covers everything.
Customer support
Medium's customer support operates primarily through email and social media channels, with no live chat or phone support available for immediate assistance. (Image credit: Medium)
Medium's customer support operates primarily through email and social media channels, with no live chat or phone support available for immediate assistance. You can reach their support team by filling out a form at help.medium.com or contacting them directly at yourfriend@medium.com. For specific issues like complaints or feedback, they provide dedicated email addresses including trust@medium.com for platform concerns and legal@medium.com for legal matters.
The quality of customer support receives mixed reviews from users. According to customer satisfaction data on TrustPilot, Medium scores just 1.7 out of 5 stars for customer service, with most users reporting dissatisfaction with response times and issue resolution. Only 5% of customers who contacted support reported having their issues resolved on PissedConsumer, which is concerning for a platform serving millions of users. The average call time when reaching their phone line is just 1 minute, suggesting limited depth in support interactions.
Medium's support structure reflects their focus on self-service solutions rather than hands-on customer care. They maintain a comprehensive knowledge base for common questions and troubleshooting. However, this approach can frustrate users dealing with account issues, billing problems, or content disputes that require human intervention. The lack of real-time support options like live chat makes Medium less suitable for businesses requiring immediate technical assistance.
For serious publishers or businesses considering Medium, the limited support infrastructure represents a significant drawback. You'll need to rely heavily on community forums and self-help resources when problems arise. This hands-off approach works fine for casual writers but becomes problematic when dealing with monetization issues, publication management, or account security concerns that demand prompt resolution.
Alternatives
Medium occupies a unique position in the blogging landscape as a social publishing platform rather than a traditional content management system. With over 99,522 companies using Medium globally as of 2025, it holds a modest market share compared to competitors like Tumblr (72.09%) and Google Blogger (5.33%). Medium's strength lies in its built-in audience of 100 million monthly readers and its focus on content discovery over customization.
The platform works best for individual writers, thought leaders, and content creators who prioritize reaching audiences over building branded websites. It's particularly valuable for freelance writers building portfolios, startup founders establishing thought leadership, and journalists sharing insights without technical overhead. Medium's Partner Program makes it attractive for writers seeking immediate monetization opportunities based on reader engagement rather than traditional advertising models.
Medium's main competitors serve different needs across the blogging spectrum. WordPress.org dominates for users wanting complete control and customization, while platforms like Ghost cater to professional publishers seeking speed and membership features. Substack competes directly in the newsletter space, and newer platforms like Bullet.so target Notion users wanting SEO control with custom domains. Newer solutions like Wix offer more design flexibility for brand-focused creators.
For businesses requiring custom branding, SEO control, or advanced features, Medium's limitations become apparent quickly. The platform's algorithm-dependent distribution and lack of custom domains make it unsuitable for companies building long-term digital assets. However, for writers prioritizing content creation over technical management, Medium remains one of the most accessible publishing platforms available, especially when combined with its built-in monetization and discovery features.
Medium: Summary
Medium succeeds as a streamlined publishing platform that removes technical barriers between writers and their audiences. Its clean editor, built-in readership, and Partner Program monetization create an appealing package for content creators focused purely on writing. The platform's social networking features and algorithmic distribution help new writers gain exposure that would take months or years to achieve on independent blogs.
However, Medium's limitations become significant for users requiring control, customization, or long-term brand building. The lack of custom domains, limited design options, and algorithm dependency make it unsuitable for businesses or serious bloggers planning sustainable content strategies. While Medium works excellently for individual writers and thought leaders, its constraints ultimately position it as a stepping stone rather than a permanent solution for most professional content creators.
Medium review: FAQs
Can I use my own domain with Medium?
Medium offers custom domain support only for publications, not individual writer profiles. This means you can connect a custom domain if you create a Medium publication, but your personal Medium profile will always use the medium.com/@username format. This limitation significantly impacts branding efforts for businesses and professional writers who want to build their own digital presence rather than relying on Medium's platform.
How much money can I make through Medium's Partner Program?
Earnings through Medium's Partner Program vary dramatically based on your content quality, audience engagement, and publishing frequency. Top writers can earn thousands of dollars monthly, while most participants make anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Your earnings depend on reading time from paying subscribers, with factors like follower bonuses and story boosts affecting your total compensation. You need a $5 monthly membership and at least one published story to qualify for the program.
Can I export my content from Medium if I decide to leave?
Medium allows you to export your stories, but the process has limitations. You can download your data through your account settings, which includes your published stories in HTML format. However, you'll lose the engagement metrics, comments, and social proof built up on the platform. The exported content also requires reformatting for use on other platforms, and you won't retain the SEO benefits or backlinks generated through Medium's domain authority.
Is Medium good for SEO?
Medium provides mixed SEO benefits due to its high domain authority but limited control over optimization. While your content benefits from Medium's strong search engine presence, you can't customize meta descriptions, URLs, or implement advanced SEO strategies. Medium automatically handles basic SEO elements like canonical tags and meta titles, but you're restricted to their format and structure. For serious SEO efforts, dedicated blogging platforms offer much better control and long-term visibility potential.
What's the difference between Medium's free and paid memberships?
Medium's free tier allows unlimited publishing and reading of non-member stories, but limits you to three member-only articles monthly. The $5 monthly membership unlocks unlimited reading of all stories, enables Partner Program participation for earning money, and includes audio narrations of articles. The $15 monthly "Friend of Medium" tier provides the same features but pays writers 4x more when you read their content, functioning more as a supporter tier than offering additional features for your own content creation.
Substack has been a genuine surprise among blogging platforms in 2025, aimed for writers who want to ditch the search and monetize their content directly. Unlike some conventional options featured in our best blogging platforms roundup, Substack focuses on newsletter subscriptions and social discovery over traditional SEO. This unique publishing experience has gained significant traction among independent creators, especially journalists and influencers.
Our reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ of the best website builders and blogging tools, giving us deep insight into what makes platforms succeed or fail. While Wix remains our top pick for overall blogging excellence in 2025, Substack carves out its own niche with a distinctly different philosophy. It prioritizes simple publishing workflows and direct reader relationships over complex features and design flexibility.
Substack's growth trajectory has been remarkable, with writers building substantial audiences and generating significant revenue through paid subscriptions. Its success stems from its focus on quality content and genuine reader engagement, creating an environment where thoughtful writing thrives over algorithm-chasing tactics.
What is Substack?
You can think of Substack as a hybrid between a blog and an email newsletter service, designed specifically for writers who want to build direct relationships with their readers.
At its core, Substack is a content publishing platform where you can share newsletters and monetize your writing. Unlike traditional blogging platforms that rely heavily on search engine traffic, Substack delivers your content directly to subscribers' inboxes while also maintaining a web presence for broader discovery.
This platform operates on a simple premise: writers create content, readers subscribe to receive it via email, and successful creators can charge for premium subscriptions. Substack handles all the technical aspects — payment processing, email delivery, subscriber management — so writers can focus purely on creating content. This unique model has attracted everyone from independent journalists to niche experts who want to build sustainable businesses around their expertise, without dealing with complex website management or marketing automation tools.
Features
Substack's community features help writers discover audiences and build relationships with peers. (Image credit: Substack)
Substack offers a focused feature set that prioritizes writing and reader engagement over extensive customization options. The platform provides essential tools for content creation, email distribution, basic analytics, and monetization, making it particularly well-suited for writers who want to start publishing immediately without technical barriers. While feature-rich compared to basic newsletter services, Substack deliberately keeps things simpler than full-featured content management systems, which may disappoint users looking for advanced functionality.
The pricing structure reflects this streamlined approach. Core features like writing, publishing, email distribution, notes, videos, podcasts, and analytics are completely free. You only pay when you start earning through paid subscriptions, with Substack taking a 10% platform fee plus payment processing costs. This model makes it accessible for beginners while scaling costs with success, though the lack of advanced email marketing features like segmentation and automation may limit monetization potential for experienced marketers.
Writing and publishing tools
Substack's editor focuses on clean and distraction-free writing with basic formatting options that keep content readable and professional. The platform supports multimedia content including images, videos, and embedded podcasts, allowing creators to build rich publications without technical complexity. Publishing is instantaneous. You write, hit publish, and your content goes live on your profile page and optionally hits subscriber inboxes.
Email newsletter system
Email functionality forms Substack's backbone, automatically formatting your posts for inbox delivery with professional templates. Subscribers receive posts directly in their email, creating more intimate reader relationships than traditional blog followers. The system handles subscriber management, delivery optimization, and basic segmentation between free and paid subscribers. But it lacks advanced email marketing features like automated sequences or detailed subscriber tagging.
Monetization features
Substack's subscription system allows writers to offer free content alongside premium paid tiers, with flexible pricing for monthly, annual, and founding member subscriptions. The platform handles all payment processing through Stripe integration, manages subscriber access to paid content, and provides revenue analytics. Writers can experiment with different pricing strategies and offer various subscription benefits, though the system lacks sophisticated pricing experiments or advanced subscriber lifecycle management.
Community and discovery tools
Substack Notes functions as the platform's social layer, allowing writers to share shorter thoughts and engage with other creators' content. The Recommendations feature enables cross-promotion between compatible publications, creating organic growth opportunities within the Substack ecosystem. These community features help writers discover audiences and build relationships with peers, though discoverability remains challenging for new creators without existing audiences.
Analytics and insights
Basic analytics cover essential metrics like open rates, click-through rates, subscriber growth, and revenue tracking. The dashboard provides clear insights into content performance and audience engagement, helping writers understand what resonates with their readers. However, the analytics remain relatively simple compared to advanced email marketing platforms, lacking detailed subscriber behavior tracking or sophisticated conversion analysis.
Ease of use
Your writing experience feels natural and distraction-free, but the simplicity comes with trade-offs that some users find limiting. (Image credit: Substack)
Substack excels in simplicity, offering perhaps the most straightforward onboarding experience among content platforms. New users can create an account and publish their first post within minutes, with no technical setup required. The minimal interface eliminates the overwhelming array of options that plague traditional blogging platforms, allowing writers to focus on content creation rather than configuration.
Your writing experience feels natural and distraction-free, with a simple editor that handles formatting automatically while maintaining professional appearance. Publishing requires just a single click, the platform handles email distribution, web posting, and subscriber notifications seamlessly. This extends to subscriber management, where basic analytics and payment tracking remain accessible without complex dashboards or confusing metrics.
However, simplicity comes with trade-offs that some users find limiting. Customization options are minimal. You can adjust colors, add a logo, and choose from basic layouts, but advanced design control simply doesn't exist. Writers who want unique branding or complex page layouts will find Substack restrictive compared to platforms like WordPress or Ghost.
The platform occasionally suffers from performance issues too, with some users reporting unresponsive pages during editing sessions. While these technical hiccups don't affect the core publishing experience, they can frustrate users trying to customize their publications or manage subscriber settings. Despite these limitations, most writers appreciate the focus on content over complexity, finding it liberating rather than restrictive.
Pricing
Substack operates on a unique revenue-sharing model with no traditional subscription tiers. (Image credit: Substack)
Plan
Starting rate (paid annually)
Renewal rate (paid annually)
Free
$0/month
$0/month
Pro
10% of subscription revenue + processing fees
10% of subscription revenue + processing fees
Substack operates on a unique revenue-sharing model with no traditional subscription tiers. The platform is completely free to use for publishing free content, regardless of subscriber count.
Writers only pay when they enable paid subscriptions, at which point Substack takes a 10% platform fee plus payment processing costs through Stripe (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, plus 0.5% for recurring billing). You also pay a one-time fee of $50 if you’d like to connect your own domain, which can be purchased separately from a domain registrar.
This aligns Substack's success with creator success. It only profits when writers earn money. For a typical $50 annual subscription, total fees would amount to approximately $7.10, leaving writers with around $42.90. While a percentage-based model can become expensive for high-earning creators compared to flat-rate alternatives, it eliminates upfront costs and makes the platform accessible to writers just starting their monetization journey.
Customer support
Only about 10% of callers manage to speak with an actual person, with the average resolution rate being just 1%. (Image credit: Substack)
Substack's customer support has become a significant pain point for many users, with the platform heavily relying on AI-powered chatbots in 2024-25. The company launched an automated support system in early 2024, claiming it resolves over 90% of user inquiries. However, user experiences tell a different story, with many reporting frustrating interactions and difficulty reaching human representatives.
The primary support channel is a chatbot that appears on Substack's support page, though users can still email support@substack.com. While Substack claims there's a "seamless handoff" to human support when needed, many users report getting stuck in automated loops without receiving actual human assistance. The platform does provide a phone number (415-592-7299), but customer satisfaction ratings are extremely low at just 1.4 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot.
Real user experiences reveal significant issues with the support system. People report being charged multiple times for subscriptions, unable to cancel payments, and receiving only automated responses despite repeated attempts to reach human support. AI sometimes fabricates email addresses or provides incorrect information, leaving users without resolution for weeks or months. Only about 10% of callers manage to speak with an actual person, with the average resolution rate being just 1%.
For urgent security issues, you can contact security@substackinc.com, which appears to receive more attention than general support requests. However, the overall support experience remains frustrating for most users, with many describing it as "nonexistent" and recommending alternative platforms partly due to these service limitations.
Alternatives
Substack occupies a unique position in the content publishing market as a hybrid newsletter-blog platform focused on direct reader monetization. While competitors like WordPress offer more customization and Ghost provides better technical control, Substack's strength lies in its social publishing features and built-in community elements. The platform combines traditional newsletter functionality with social media-style interactions through Notes, recommendations, and cross-promotion features that most competitors lack.
For writers seeking maximum customization and control, WordPress remains the strongest alternative, offering extensive themes, plugins, and the ability to sell various digital products beyond subscriptions. Ghost CMS appeals to technically-minded creators who want full ownership without revenue sharing, providing advanced analytics and automation features that Substack lacks. Beehiiv and ConvertKit serve writers focused purely on email marketing with sophisticated automation tools.
Substack works best for independent writers and journalists who prioritize simplicity over customization and want to build direct relationships with readers. It particularly suits creators who appreciate the social discovery aspects and don't need complex email marketing features. However, writers requiring advanced design control, detailed analytics, or diverse monetization options may find better fits elsewhere.
The competitive landscape shows Substack maintaining its lead through community features rather than technical superiority. While platforms like MailerLite offer more comprehensive email tools and Gumroad provides broader monetization options, none match Substack's combination of publishing simplicity and social discovery. This positioning makes Substack ideal for content creators who want to focus on writing rather than platform management.
Substack review: Summary
Substack succeeds as a streamlined publishing platform that removes technical barriers between writers and their audiences. The platform's greatest strength lies in its simplicity. Writers can start publishing and monetizing immediately without dealing with complex setup, payment processing, or email delivery systems. The built-in social features like Notes and recommendations create genuine discovery opportunities that traditional blogging platforms lack, while the direct subscription model aligns creator and platform incentives effectively.
However, Substack's limitations become apparent for creators seeking growth beyond basic newsletter publishing. The minimal customization options, basic analytics, limited SEO capabilities, and problematic customer support create significant constraints for serious content businesses. Writers who need advanced email marketing features, detailed subscriber insights, or professional design control will quickly outgrow what Substack offers, making it hard to recommend as a long-term publishing solution for ambitious creators.
Substack: FAQs
Can I use my own domain with Substack?
Yes, Substack allows custom domains for your publication, giving you a more professional appearance and helping with branding. You can set up a custom domain through your Substack settings, though you'll need to purchase the domain separately and configure DNS settings. This feature helps maintain your brand identity and makes your publication look more established to potential subscribers.
How much does Substack cost for creators?
Substack is completely free to use for publishing free content with unlimited subscribers. You only pay when you enable paid subscriptions, at which point Substack takes a 10% platform fee plus payment processing costs (approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction through Stripe). This means for a typical $50 annual subscription, you'd pay around $7.10 in total fees, keeping roughly $42.90. There are no upfront costs or monthly subscription fees.
Can I export my subscriber list from Substack?
Yes, you own your subscriber list and can export it at any time through your Substack dashboard. This includes both free and paid subscriber information, ensuring you're not locked into the platform. The export feature gives you flexibility to move to other platforms if needed, though you'll need to handle the technical migration and payment processing setup elsewhere.
Does Substack help with content discovery?
Substack offers several discovery features including Notes (short-form social content), recommendations between publications, and curated lists that can boost visibility. However, discoverability remains challenging for new creators without existing audiences. The platform's algorithm-based discovery is limited compared to social media platforms, making it essential to bring your own audience or actively participate in the Substack community to gain traction.
What content formats does Substack support?
Substack supports various content formats including written posts, images, videos, podcasts, and embedded media. You can publish both long-form newsletter content and short-form Notes, create podcast series, and include multimedia elements in your posts. However, the platform lacks advanced formatting options and design flexibility compared to traditional blogging platforms, keeping the focus on clean, readable content rather than complex layouts.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Two-minute review
The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is an ideal PC for the kind of gamer interested in building a gaming desktop, but finds picking parts and the process of assembly overwhelming. The price does reflect that, as you could conceivably save a few bucks doing everything yourself.
That said, the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a well-built and organized machine that’s easy to get into for future upgrades, while offering the convenience that the best gaming PCs provide. And with the powerful internals, it can do just about whatever one could want.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
You’ll find that some of the best desktops with higher spec’ed CPUs and GPUs have more oomph, but that’s more important if you’re rendering video or 3D projects. For gaming, what this desktop has to offer is more than enough.
As long as you’re willing to cover the price tag, there’s little to fault here. My only nitpick is that there isn’t a clear way to expand internally as opposed to swapping and upgrading parts. This might be minor for many people, but for those who haven’t built a PC, this might be a sticking point.
After all, this kind of desktop is going to be more appealing to those who don’t want to go with the usual pre-built machines and their proprietary parts, but aren’t yet ready to build their own.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
How much does it cost? $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162) When is it available? Available now Where can you get it? Available in the US
The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition), along with the other models on offer, is only available in the US. And since this model only has one configuration, it has one price: $2,033 (about £1539 / AU$3,162). NZXT does have a controversial PC rental option called NZXT Flex that is essentially like leasing a gaming PC available to consumers, but that doesn’t seem to be available for this model.
The price tag of this model is not cheap, but it’s not surprising either. If you want to build your own, getting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 will set you back at least $549 / £549 / AU$1,109 if not more (especially if you live in the US with impending tariffs). That’s a quarter of the cost of this computer just in the GPU.
Consider that the RTX 5070 is not quite the upgrade over the previous generation’s 4070 Super one would expect, you can get most of the way there performance-wise with something like the Alienware Aurora R16, which ran for $1,749 / £1,349 / around AU$2,670 at launch and is still available at certain retailers at a discount. It is a little older, but it’s also a little more compact.
However, if you compare the NZXT model reviewed here to the current version of the Maingear MG-1 (our review is from last year so the components are older), which costs $2,049 for a similar model, specifically with a Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RGB DDR5 6000MT/s, and 1TB SSD, you can see that the NZXT Player PC is not overpriced. It does come with more RAM than the Maingear MG-1, though the MG-1 comes with more customization options, including a completely personalized front panel.
Value: 4 / 5
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Specs
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
The NZXT lineup is interesting insofar that there are a number of models in the company’s prebuilt lineup totaling twelve unique listings, but they all revolve around three models – the Player: One, Player: Two, and, of course, Player: Three – differentiated by the case.
Of course, they’re all slightly different with a range of CPUs, GPUs, and so forth. The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the H5 Flow case that the Player: One and Player: One Prime uses. This model reviewed here is the most powerful NZXT model with this case with a 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of RAM, not to mention 2TB SSD storage. There’s not really any customizations here, so you have to choose the model that fits your budget and performance needs.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) specs
Price:
$1,999.99
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
RAM:
32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5 5200MHz
Storage:
2TB NVMe M.2 SSD
Ports:
Front I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 1x Headset Audio Jack
Back I/O: 6x USB 3.2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Type-C, DisplayPort, Mic In / Line In / Line Out
Wireless:
Wi-Fi 7 / BlueTooth
On the bright side, there’s plenty of after-the-fact customization available with the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) since the parts are standardized, such as a Z890 motherboard. And getting inside the desktop is very simple, which I’ll get into in the next section.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Design
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Lots of venting
Tool-less tempered glass side panel
No clear expansion slots inside
The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) uses the black version of the company’s H5 Flow case (the case itself is also available in white), which is a compact mid-tower ATX form, measuring 18.31 x 8.86 x 16.93 inches (465 x 225 x 430 mm). The “Flow” in its name refers to all of the venting covering the front, top, back, and bottom of the case to keep things cool.
Most of the case is a very durable galvanized steel (SGCC), but the side panel is made of tempered glass so you can easily see what’s inside. And the internals are arranged very cleanly in a way that’s fairly aesthetically pleasing. Most of the wiring is hidden or fed into a compartment at the bottom that’s separated by a steel plate so that you can only see it through the venting near the bottom of the case.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
It’s worth noting that the top fans do have some backlighting but the NZXT Player PC does not come with RGB lighting despite the fact that this case is available with RGB. At least, the side panel is also a nice touch because it allows tool less entry, allowing for easy upgrades and swaps without having to grab a screwdriver.
As far as ports go, there’s quite the selection. There’s a USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack on top of the case next to the power button. And on the back, there’s an additional six USB-A along with two USB-C ports, three audio jacks, and, a bit more unusually, it has attachments for an included Wi-Fi Antenna that helps boost its Wi-Fi 7 support.
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
All in all, it’s a pretty impressive-looking PC. Being very nitpicky, it’s not apparent where any expansion slots are for upgrades. I didn’t see any additional places for an SSD either on the motherboard or anywhere else inside the case even though there’s plenty of space.
Design: 4.5 / 5
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition): Performance
(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Powerful internal components
Easily runs performance-heavy games
Stays fairly cool under duress
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) CPU benchmarks
Benchmark
Score
Geekbench 6.4 Single-core
3,081
Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core
18,984
Crossmark Overall
2,298
Crossmark Productivity
2,159
Crossmark Creativity
2,495
Crossmark Responsiveness
2,166
Unless there’s some poorly planned layout or issues with a case that cause overheating, you can usually tell how a gaming PC will perform almost completely based on the internal components.
Considering, then, that the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) has an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF with 20 cores and 20 threads as well as 25 TOPS, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, and 32GB of DDR5 5200Hz RAM, it’s no surprise that it’s able to run all the latest games at or near the highest settings.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) GPU benchmarks
Benchmarks
Score
3DMark Fire Strike
45,049
3DMark Time Spy
21,414
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra
14,727
3DMark Time Spy Extreme
10,943
3DMark Speed Way
5,855
3DMark Steel Nomad
4,967
3DMark Port Royal
14,139
I’ve had no issues not only playing games like South of Midnight, Monster Hunter Wilds, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 but running them at High or Ultra settings on an ultrawide 5K monitor with HDR on, which requires quite a bit of power in and of itself. I didn’t have any issues with screen tearing, stuttering, or any other performance-related issues. And all the games stayed at the 165Hz refresh rate the monitor supports.
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) gaming benchmarks
Game
Average FPS
Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p)
60
Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p)
70
Monster Hunter Wilds (Max, 1080p)
83
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Very high, 1080p)
201
Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)
182
It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve never had Cyberpunk 2077 boot up as quickly as it did on this PC. Speaking of that game, it’s still a very demanding title with all its updates for newer tech like DLSS 4.
Yet, running the game only pushed the system a little, and the overall affair stayed fairly cool, thanks to the various fans placed around inside the case.
Performance: 5 / 5
Should I buy the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The price tag is high, but it’s what one would expect for a computer sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU.
4 / 5
Design
Tool-less entry, lots of venting, and a durable, clean build are all part of the package. Too bad, expansion slots aren’t well marked and you can’t upgrade to RGB.
4.5 / 5
Performance
There’s little to fault when it comes to performance as the desktop can do it all gaming-wise.
4.5 / 5
Average rating
It’s a little pricey, but the convenience, durability, and performance are all worth it.
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a powerful gaming PC The NZXT Player PC reviewed here has enough power to handle any gaming situation. Whether you want something capable of supporting a 5K ultrawide monitor, high ray tracing, DLSS 4, and any other performance-heavy technologies, this PC can do it.
You want easy upgradability Sure, there’s only one configuration out of the gate. But, once you have the PC in hand, its tool-less entry and use of standardized parts make upgrading the CPU, GPU, RAM, or anything else pretty straightforward.
You want an attractive-looking PC With all the ventilation, tempered glass side panel, and clean, organized internal setup, this is an attractive, if straightforward-looking desktop.
Don't buy it if...
You want lots of options While you can certainly upgrade quite easily after the fact, you can’t do so or customize when purchasing. If that’s important to you out of the gate, then you should probably look elsewhere.
You’re on a budget As good as the NZXT Player PC is, it’s not cheap. There are other options, including within the company’s own product line, that are more affordable. You just have to be willing to go with less powerful components.
Also Consider
If our NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) review has you considering other options, here are two desktops to consider...
Alienware Aurora R16 The Alienware Aurora R16 is compact with great port selection, more than adequate ventilation, and, most importantly, excellent performance. It does have an aesthetic that can’t decide if it’s for professional settings or gamers, but that’s a small complaint. Though the R16 has been discontinued by Dell, it’s available through some online retailers and at a discount.
Maingear MG-1 The Maingear MG-1 is powerful if pricey, and comes with a lot of customization options – many more than NZXT including the ability to get a personalized front panel. Of course, depending on the upgrades, it can get very expensive, but, as they say, you get what you pay for.
How I tested the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)
Tested for a couple of weeks
Used it for heavy gaming
Spent some time looking at the build
I used the NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) for a couple of weeks, mainly using it for heavy gaming. I poked around inside the desktop to get an idea of the quality of the parts, as well as explored the software to see what tricks this desktop had up its sleeves.
The NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) is a gaming PC that’s ideal for the kind of person who wants all the benefits of building one’s own desktop, but doesn’t want to for the headaches that come with doing so. It has the kind of quality control and clean build that one doesn’t always see in prebuilts, while making it convenient to get inside and swap out parts.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
The DJI Osmo 360 is DJI’s long-awaited entry into the 360 camera game, and it lands with the kind of swagger and polish you’d expect from a brand that’s spent years perfecting its action-cam chops.
It’s a slick, pocketable camera that blends design cues from rivals like the Insta360 X5 and GoPro Max: it’s square-bodied, dual-lens, dark grey, and built to withstand a beating – sort of. Despite being IP68-rated and able to function in sub-zero temperatures, DJI itself discourages underwater use due to potential stitching issues, which is an odd caveat for something that’s otherwise billed as rugged. It also lacks the user-replaceable lenses that made the Insta360 X5 so appealing to adventure-minded types.
That aside, the Osmo 360 impresses from the get-go, not just for what it can do but also for how much it undercuts its main rival on price. Starting at £409.99 / AU$759, it’s significantly cheaper than Insta360’s equivalent bundles (the Osmo 360 is not available in the US at launch – see the 'Price and availability' section below for more info). And that’s before factoring in the Osmo 360’s generous 128GB of built-in storage.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Design-wise, there’s a lot to like: a crisp 2-inch touchscreen, an intuitive three-button layout, a removable battery, USB-C charging, and two mounting options (tripod thread and DJI’s own magnetic quick-release system). It feels solid in the hand, well-balanced and thoughtfully laid out.
The camera itself uses a pair of 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensors with large 2.4μm pixels, and DJI claims that the shape allows it to use the full sensor area, setting it apart from rivals which crop quite heavily from their rectangular sensors. Whether that’s marketing spin or technical fact, the results are undeniably sharp. Video tops out at 8K 50fps in 360 mode or 5K 60fps (or 4K 120fps) with a single lens, with 10-bit color and support for the flat D-Log M profile if you want to color-grade in post.
Footage looks punchy and vibrant straight out of the camera, if occasionally a little over-processed. The camera also captures 120MP stills and includes several specialty modes, including SuperNight, which enhances low-light performance in 360 mode, and Boost, which delivers wide-angle, high-frame-rate single-lens footage reminiscent of a classic action camera. Both are welcome additions, and SuperNight in particular is impressive for after-dark footage.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Audio is handled by four built-in microphones that do a competent job in fair conditions but struggle with wind. The real standout on this front is the Osmo 360's compatibility with DJI’s own wireless microphone systems: pair it with a DJI Mic 2 or DJI Mic Mini and you can record pristine 24-bit sound, control gain and noise cancellation directly on the camera, and get clean, clear voice capture in challenging environments. It’s a genuinely useful ecosystem advantage for DJI users.
Performance is strong across the board. The Osmo 360 pairs with the existing DJI Mimo mobile app for control, previews, firmware updates and quick editing. The app includes an AI-powered auto editor for creating quick shareable clips with barely any human input, though its functionality is currently limited to daylight action like cycling or skiing.
More comprehensive editing is available in the new DJI Studio desktop app, which brings keyframing, tracking, filters and export tools to macOS and Windows PCs. It’s streamlined, easy to pick up, and feels like a real competitor to Insta360’s more mature software suite.
Ultimately, while the Osmo 360 doesn’t manage to dethrone the Insta360 X5 on pure performance (it can’t match its battery life, underwater confidence or lens swappability) it comes very close, and at a very palatable price. For anyone already in the DJI ecosystem, or those getting into 360 video capture for the first time, it’s a very solid option.
DJI Osmo 360 specs
DJI Osmo 360 specs
Type:
360 camera
Sensor:
1.1-inch x 2
Max aperture:
f/1.9
Screen:
2-inch 314 x 556 touchscreen
Storage:
128GB internal plus microSD slot (1TB max.)
Dimensions:
2.4 x 1.4 x 3.2 inches / 61 x 36 x 81mm
Weight:
6.45oz / 183g
The Osmo 360 magnetically mounted on a selfie stick (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
DJI Osmo 360: Price and availability
Launched worldwide on July 31 2025 – except for the US
Standard Combo priced at $TBC / £409.99 / AU$759
Adventure Combo priced at $TBC / £549.99 / AU$989
The DJI Osmo 360 was announced on July 31 2025, and is available to order now from DJI’s own online store and various retailers.
At launch, it’s available in two different bundles. The Osmo 360 Standard Combo includes the Osmo 360 camera, a single Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus, a protective pouch, a rubber lens cap, a lens cleaning cloth and a USB-C to USB-C cable, and is priced at £409.99 / AU$759.
The Osmo 360 Adventure Combo, meanwhile, comes with all of the above plus the Osmo Action Multifunctional Battery Case 2, a quick-release adapter mount and a 1.2m selfie stick. It costs £539.99 / AU$989.
The DJI Osmo Adventure Combo includes a plethora of useful accessories (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
This is noteworthy pricing, because it’s a lot cheaper than the Insta360 X5, the camera it’s competing with. At launch the X5’s Standard bundle (which is just the camera and one battery) cost $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99 and the Essentials bundle (including a selfie stick, charging case, second battery, fast charging case, lens guards, carry case and lens cap) cost $659.99 / £609.99 / AU$1,109.99. That’s quite a gap, and it doesn’t take into account the microSD card you’ll need for the X5 either.
You’ll have noticed that I haven’t mentioned US pricing, and that’s because it’s still TBC, likely as a result of the continuing uncertainty surrounding tariffs. A DJI spokesperson told me that the camera “will not be available for sale immediately in the U.S. market through official DJI channels. We currently do not have an estimated timeline for when it will be available, but we will keep you posted when we do.”
Price score: 5/5
DJI Osmo 360: Design
IP68 build and ability to operate in -20C / -4F temperatures
Includes tripod and magnetic quick-release mounts
Not recommended for underwater shooting
The DJI Osmo 360 resembles a cross between its 360 camera rivals the GoPro Max and Insta360 X5. It has the squat, square shape of the former and the control layout and centrally located fisheye lenses of the latter. Like both, it’s constructed from robust dark-grey plastic, with its lenses bulging outwards on either side.
There’s a 2-inch 16:9 touchscreen on one side, plus three physical controls: a power button (which can be tapped to toggle between shooting modes), a shutter button, and a third button that flips between the two camera views on the screen. There are also two openable flaps on the device, one covering the USB-C port (used for charging and data transfer) and the other protecting the removable battery and microSD card slot.
The bottom of the camera features a standard 1/4-inch tripod mounting point, as well as clips and a magnet for DJI’s proprietary quick-release mounting system. I like that it comes with two mounting options.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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To keep it safe when not in use, the Osmo 360 comes with both a soft carry case and a protective rubber lens cap. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The Osmo 360 is IP68-rated, waterproof to a depth of 10m and able to operate in temperatures as low as -20C / -4F. However, DJI cautions that, due to its convex optics, underwater shooting may result in “image distortion and stitching errors” and thus doesn’t recommend it. It’s interesting that DJI doesn’t have confidence in its underwater capabilities, because the Insta360 X5 has the same convex lenses and its manufacturer encourages sub-aqua shooting, including a special picture profile and corrections specifically for that purpose.
On the durability front, DJI doesn’t offer the same user-replaceable lenses as the Insta360 X5, which is a real shame – the way in which 360 camera lens extend out of the camera body means they’re easy to scratch, and Insta360’s efforts in this area have been really impressive. On the plus side, Osmo 360 users can at least buy an optional lens protector kit, or take out a DJI Care Refresh protection plan which includes a limited number of free replacement cameras in the event of accidental damage, for either one or two years. It’s priced at £23 / AU$42 for one year, or £38 / AU$69 for two years.
Design score: 4/5
DJI Osmo 360: Performance and features
AI-edited videos via DJI Mimo app
Battery life of up to 100 minutes with 8K 30fps recording
Directly compatible with DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini
The Osmo 360 works with the existing DJI Mimo mobile app, which will pair your phone with the camera and allow you to remotely operate it, download and apply firmware updates, and browse your photos and videos. The app features a simple but effective video editor that makes creating slick reframed or panoramic clips using keyframes or AI-assisted subject tracking quick and easy.
The app has an AI-assisted auto editor that selects clips, framing angles, transitions and music to create a quick shareable ‘finished’ clip, much like the Insta360 app, but it’s not quite as impressive – at least not at the time of writing. For one thing, it’s currently suitable only for skiing, cycling and motorcycling videos filmed in the daytime, but I’d expect DJI to expand its capabilities and suitable subjects with future updates. I've embedded an example of what it can currently do below.
DJI has also, at the time of writing, just released DJI Studio, a free desktop app for macOS and Windows that allows for similar easy 360 video editing on your computer. After offloading the files, you can set keyframes, use AI-assisted tracking, add filters and music, and trim videos to your liking, before exporting them as a reframed standard video or a panoramic 360 video. I used it to put together a few clips on my MacBook, and found it straightforward and very easy to pick up.
The Osmo 360 uses the same 1950mAh Osmo Extreme Battery Plus that was launched with the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. Practicality-wise, that’s great news for people who own both cameras, but the Extreme Battery Plus is noticeably smaller than the 2400mAh capacity batteries that come with the Insta360 X5 and offer up to 185 minutes of use.
Battery life on the Osmo 360 is shorter as a result: I left the camera running at 8K 30fps and it recorded about 90 minutes of footage on a full battery. That’s not bad at all – it’s just not as good as the X5’s mammoth battery life – and Osmo Extreme Batteries support PD fast charging and are relatively cheap, too ($49 / £29 / AU$55), so stocking up on a few isn’t a huge investment.
The Osmo 360 is fully compatible with the DJI Mic Mini and Mic 2 (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
There are four built-in mics on the camera, and audio quality is impressive in good conditions; I found that voices and environmental sounds were captured clearly. As with most built-in camera mics, however, it does pick up wind noise very easily, which can disrupt the clarity.
The Osmo 360 is also compatible with OsmoAudio products, meaning it can directly connect to a DJI Mic 2 or DJI Mic Mini transmitter for higher-quality audio. I used it with my Mic Mini and was able to record 24-bit audio, adjust and preview gain levels on the 360’s screen, and turn noise cancelling on and off, and thanks to the windshield and noise cancelling I was able to record crisp, clear voice audio even while riding my bike on a breezy day.
Performance score: 4/5
DJI Osmo 360: Image quality
Dual 1/1.1-inch sensors
Captures 10-bit 8K video at up to 50fps and 120MP photos
Dedicated low-light and single-lens modes
DJI has kitted out the Osmo 360 with a pair of square 1/1.1-inch sensors, which it claims outperform rivals due to the large pixel size of 2.4μm – that's roughly twice the size of the pixels used by the Insta360 X5. The sensor’s square shape, DJI says, is a key factor, because none of the surface area is wasted; other 360 cameras, built around rectangular sensors, use only the central portions of them, but the Osmo 360 makes use of every bit, allowing it to have those larger pixels and deliver much better image quality. At least, that’s the idea.
The Osmo 360 supports 360-degree video capture up to 8K 50fps (and 5K 60fps or 4K 120fps), and single-lens capture at up to 5K 60fps as well as photos up to 120MB (or 30MB with HDR). It also supports 10-bit color, and gives users the option to shoot in a flat D-Log M profile for more scope in post-production color grading.
I found image quality to be generally excellent for a 360 camera. At the default settings and shooting in bright daylight, 360 videos are sharp with rich, bright colors.
There’s clearly some enhancement going on, resulting in some noticeable over-sharpening and overly intense colors at times (skies can veer too much towards turquoise at times, for instance), but the settings available give users plenty of scope to adjust results to their personal tastes.
The lenses deal relatively well with flare, automatic selfie-stick removal is effective, and the image stabilization and horizon leveling seem nigh-on faultless to me.
Overall, I’m highly impressed, but I would also say that, if I had recently bought an Insta360 X5, I don’t see anything here that would cause me to regret my purchase. Comparing clips side by side, there’s very little between the two cameras when it comes to standard 360 video, despite DJI’s claims about the Osmo 360’s pixel size and sensor design greatly boosting quality.
Perhaps the highlight of the Osmo 360’s specialist video modes is SuperNight. Available with 360 capture only, it's designed to offer high-sensitivity, high-quality low-light recording indoors or at night, although while I was hoping those huge sensor pixels would give the Osmo 360 an edge over the Insta360 X5 after dark, my test footage looked fairly similar.
In other words, it's good by 360 camera standards, but not the kind of pristine, low-noise video I'd be happy using in pro-level content creation – not without a little help in post-processing, anyway. Sudden motion in particular can cause some distracting blur around bright light sources.
There’s also Boost (single-lens only), an ultra-wide-angle mode with high dynamic range, good low-light quality, and up to 120fps frame rate that seems designed to ape a classic action camera. It's definitely a useful mode to have if you're biking or using the Osmo 360 as a dashcam.
Image quality score: 5/5
DJI Osmo 360: testing scorecard
DJI Osmo 360
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
Significantly cheaper than the Insta360 X5, for similar spec and features.
5/5
Design
Freezeproof and waterproof, but the lack of replaceable lenses is a pity.
4/5
Performance
Decent apps and battery life, and compatibility with OsmoAudio products.
4/5
Image quality
Challenges the Insta360 X5 on image quality, but doesn't outright beat it despite having a larger sensor.
5/5
Should I buy the DJI Osmo 360?
Buy it if...
You want premium 360 video at the cheapest price Despite offering similar specs, features and performance to the Insta360 X5 (not to mention built-in storage), the Osmo 360 is significantly more affordable at launch.
You're already invested in the DJI product ecosystem If you own a DJI Mic 2 or Mic Mini, you can hook it up to the Osmo 360 to instantly up its sound-capture quality a few notches.
Don't buy it if...
You just bought an Insta360 X5 DJI has delivered a strong rival to the excellent Insta360 X5 – but not an outright conqueror. If you already own the X5, there are few reasons to swap it for an Osmo 360.
You want a truly rugged 360 camera The Osmo 360 is IP68-rated and pretty tough, but it's not as adventure-ready as the Insta360 X5 and its easy-to-replace lenses. If you scratch a lens here, you'll need to replace the whole camera.
Also consider
Insta360 X5
The current top dog of the small 360 camera market, the X5’s rugged build, replaceable lenses, low-light performance, ease of use, and battery life keep it ahead of the Osmo 360 – just about. Its biggest asset is how simple it makes the process of creating great-looking 360 videos, but the Osmo 360 runs it very close.
At around half the price of the Osmo 360, budget action camera brand Akaso’s first 360 camera represents real value for money. While it’s short on fancy features, the 360’s automatic stitching and stabilization is impressive, and video quality is more than adequate when shooting outdoors in good lighting.
I mounted the camera on an invisible selfie stick and bike mount
I recorded videos day and night on foot and cycling
DJI sent me a review sample of the Osmo 360 Adventure Combo well ahead of its release date, giving me plenty of time to test the camera’s panoramic and single-lens modes in a variety of situations: day, night, indoors and outdoors, on foot and while riding my bike. I was able to test it with DJI’s own invisible selfie stick and Mic Mini, as well as edit videos using the DJI Mimo mobile app and new DJI Studio desktop app.
Torrenting clients give users access to a deluge of content. Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular free torrent clients is aptly named Deluge. It’s a free and open-source torrenting client that’s a favorite for many.
I decided to test Deluge to see whether it’s better than other clients I’ve used. My test centered on its features, performance, user-friendliness, and security, among other crucial factors. Read on to learn my opinion about choosing Deluge as a torrenting client.
Deluge: Versions
Extensive PC compatibility is one of the first things that stood out about Deluge. Its official downloads page listed apps for macOS, Windows, and various Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.
However, I was disappointed that Deluge lacked an Android app. Many free and open-source software tools have Android apps, which I cherish using to control downloads remotely on my PC. Given Apple's unfriendliness to torrenting apps, I didn’t expect an iOS app. No torrenting app I’ve reviewed is directly compatible with iOS.
Deluge: Features
Deluge might not be as popular as rival torrenting clients like Vuze, but it packs many features that give it a competitive edge. I liked that Deluge can be easily customized with plugins that provide extra functionalities. For instance, I used the Notifications plugin to get notified via email about completed downloads.
Like most torrent clients, Deluge lets you add a .torrent file and download the corresponding content. This file contains the metadata of the movie, audio, software package, or any other content you want to download. When added to Deluge, it extracts the metadata and downloads the required content.
Unlike some torrenting clients I’ve tested, Deluge doesn’t offer a built-in way to find .torrent files. Instead, you’ll get them yourself from external sources. Some torrenting clients have built-in search engines to make finding these torrents easier, but not Deluge.
If you don’t have the torrent file for the content you want to download, you can provide a magnet link or an info hash. Both contain the same metadata as a .torrent file, so Deluge can still extract the data and download the corresponding content.
Deluge is ad-free, a feature I appreciate after testing some torrenting clients. Some free clients had ads covering large parts of my screen, often for dodgy products. However, despite being free, Deluge doesn’t include ads for monetization. It’s an open-source tool maintained by a team of volunteer developers.
(Image credit: Future)
One major benefit of using Deluge as a torrenting client is its sophisticated encryption software. It uses techniques like Protocol Encryption and Message Stream Encryption to prevent unauthorized third parties from spying on your torrenting activities.
For further security, I turned on a VPN before downloading torrents via Deluge, and you should, too. A VPN routes your traffic through a secure remote server, preventing your ISP and other third-parties from monitoring your downloads. People often run into issues with their ISPs because of torrenting, so a VPN is crucial for protecting yourself.
I liked that Deluge provided both a graphical and command-line interface. The graphical interface is the easiest to use, with a minimalistic feel and neatly arranged elements. Yet, I sometimes enjoy feeling like a nerd and using the command-line interface to control my torrenting activities.
The command line lets users connect with Deluge remotely. Normally, I use Android apps for remote connections, but Deluge doesn’t have this feature. I got some solace because I could control my Deluge torrenting activities from another PC. For example, you can be at work and controlling torrenting activities on your home PC. This way, you avoid any issues concerning torrenting on your office network.
When you download any torrent on Deluge, you automatically become a seeder uploading the same torrent for other users. Torrenting is made possible by users acting as file seeders for each other. The more seeders available for a torrent, the faster the download speed.
The thought of constantly uploading files made me wary of my bandwidth consumption, but then I remembered that most torrenting clients let users limit file upload speeds to conserve bandwidth. Deluge makes this process easy, allowing users to limit their upload speeds and the number of simultaneous connections.
Deluge is a feature-rich torrenting client I enjoyed using. It doesn’t have every feature I wanted, but having its existing features for free is a boon.
(Image credit: Deluge)
Deluge: Interface and in-use
With my experience testing numerous torrenting clients, I can attest that Deluge has one of the best user interfaces. It’s not overtly modern, like some torrenting clients that feel overdesigned, and it’s also not too old school, like some torrenting clients that looked designed in the 1990s.
Deluge’s interface strikes the right balance between form and function. You can access it via a graphical interface, command line, or web interface. The web and graphical interfaces look very similar. The command line interface can get complicated, but it’s meant for technically adept users who prefer that mode. An average person can quickly become familiar with graphical or web interfaces.
Deluge: Security
Deluge has the standard encryption features of torrenting clients. It encrypts your activities to prevent unauthorized access, but relying on your torrenting client’s security is enough. I always turn on a VPN to provide an extra security layer when downloading torrents.
I ran Deluge through software scanning tools, and the results were clean. Deluge isn’t known to host malware and hasn’t had any history of negligent security practices. My only issue is that Deluge lacks a built-in anti-virus scanning tool for torrents. I had to rely on another tool to scan torrents for malware, unlike some torrenting clients with built-in scanners.
Deluge: Final verdict
I appreciate Deluge’s user-friendliness, feature richness, and the ability to add plugins for more functionalities. It’s a lightweight app that’s easy to use on any PC, and I’ll recommend it to anyone seeking a reliable torrenting client.
Sometimes when testing some of the best earbuds (and sets that don't make it into that group), it feels like products can easily be broken down into three categories: buds trying to rival AirPods, buds trying to rival the AirPods Pro, and buds which are clearly doing their own thing. The Denon AH-C840NCW can easily be filed into the middle category.
These are the siblings to the Denon AH-C500W, buds listed straight in the former category, but the set you're reading about here come with a key difference: these buds come with silicon ear tips, and noise cancellation to boot. That’s what gets them bumped from the first category to the second.
Denon is a high-end audio company based in Japan that has made a respectable name for itself with home audio, AV systems and speakers, and while it’s also no stranger to personal audio (like headphones and earbuds – see also the PerL Pro), this clearly also isn’t its bread-and-butter diet. Case in point: the AH-C840NCW are perfectly fine earbuds that certainly are a viable option given Apple’s expensive earbuds… but they don’t quite match all the other AirPods Pro alternatives on the market.
The Denon AH-C840NCW hark a lot closer to Apple’s options than most rivals, and that’s most obvious in the design department. There’s no denying that these are doppelgangers – Denongangers if you will – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Denon has aped the well-respected build and these lightweight buds are easy on the ear, even if the tips let the side down a bit.
In audio quality too, these buds are inoffensive. The audio mix is fairly neutral-sounding, skewing slightly towards bass but otherwise offering an easy-to-like (though hard to truly love) quality to songs.
So far, so AirPods Pro, and that isn’t necessarily a flaw – the buds undercut Apple’s premium buds by a meaty margin. But Denon isn’t the only company trying to offer prospective earbuds buyers a Pro option on a non-Pro budget, with so many alternatives at this price point that my word count forbids me from listing even a fraction of them.
It’s the feature set that lets the AH-C840NCW down. Despite some impressive active noise cancellation there’s an overall dearth of extra functionality, and a few stumbles within what’s actually there. This is the area that most often than not defines the best earbuds you can buy, and so I struggle to find a unique selling point for the Denon.
I generally enjoyed listening to the Denon AH-C840NCW during my testing, but that’s not the same as recommending them to buy with your own money. Their myriad rivals typically have a lot more to offer, so they’re only worth buying if you’re looking for buds that match the AirPods Pro exactly, instead of beating them in any way.
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Unveiled and released in April 2025
Costs £149 (roughly $200, AU$300)
The Denon AH-C840NCW were announced in released in April, alongside the AH-C500W which are similar but slightly cheaper and miss ANC.
You can buy the AH-C840NCW for £149 (around $200, AU$300) so they’re mid-ranged in price. I couldn’t find them on sale in Australia or the US, but Denon does offer earbuds in those countries (especially in the US, which saw the AH-C500W and AH-C830NCW) so a launch in those regions is possible.
Judging at least by the UK price, that’s about an 8% price hike on the last-gen model but a 50% higher price than the non-ANC siblings.
I have to point out that, writing three months after the buds’ release, it’s pretty easy to find them discounted. Not by a huge amount, but by 10%-15% depending on which color you want, which is still worth bearing in mind.
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Specs
Drivers
12mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
10 hours (buds) 35 hours (case)
Weight
5.1g (buds) 54g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Solid noise cancellation
7-hour battery life with ANC on
Relative lack of extra features
Unlike their siblings, the Denon AH-C840NCW offer ANC, which I think is what the ‘NC’ in the name refers to. I wasn’t expecting much – why would the company skip ANC on that other product if it had anything worthwhile up its sleeves – but was pleasantly surprised by what this model offered.
The AH-C840NCW’s noise cancellation is meaty, wiping out annoying background noises without a trace. The app also offers you a Transparency mode which seemed to work slightly differently from others: instead of scanning for important noises to filter in to your ears (such as voices and important, twig-snapping-in-the-woods treble sounds), I got the impression it was just a weaker ANC. I could be wrong about this, but things felt quieter in Denon’s Transparency mode than in equivalents I’ve tested.
Talking about the app, it’s simply called 'Headphones', but you can find it in the Play Store or App Store by searching Denon’s name. As well as changing ANC modes, it lets you customize the touch controls, monitor the buds’ connections (multi-point pairing allows for two concurrent pairs), turn on LE Audio, change the wear detect to only apply for one earbud and monitor battery levels.
Finally, there’s an equalizer, which is only a 5-band one and doesn’t offer presets. If you’re used to customizing your own earbuds' sound, you might find this one just a little restrictive.
Battery life hits 7 hours with ANC turned on or 10 hours with it off, figures which can go up to 24 or 35 respectively when you factor in the case. The battery life is ever so slightly above average and my own testing roughly matched Denon’s stats provided.
This might be one of the shortest ‘Features’ sections I’ve ever written in a review, because the Denon don’t offer much in the way of useful features beyond the basics. That’s a shame because it’s in the feature set that (headphone) boys become (headphone) men, and with rivals offering plenty of extra modes and functions, it affects the competitiveness of the AH-C840NCW.
Features score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Small pebble carry case
AirPods Pro lookalikes
Sensitive touch controls
By referring to the Denon AH-C840NCW as ‘AirPods Pro lookalikes’, I’ve probably conjured certain images of stem-toting earbuds with silicon tips and slight tilts. This description doesn’t necessarily denote AirPods – the world of wireless earbuds is much more varied than that, with buds of different shapes and sizes – but in this case it’s totally right. You’ve seen the pictures, you knew where this sentence was going.
The buds weigh 5.1g so they’re nice and light, and as that description suggests, they’re made up fo a stem that says ‘Denon’, a round body and a tip which protrudes at a slight angle. You can buy the buds in black or white (which also applies to the case) but the design is identical.
Hidden somewhere is a touch control, which you can customize in the app to change volume, play or pause music, and so on. I say ‘somewhere’ because I never quite figured out where to tap to trigger it – usually tapping the top of the stem worked but occasionally I’d accidentally press it while readjusting the buds in my ear, when my fingers were nowhere near the top.
On that topic, I did have to readjust the buds quite frequently in my ear; never when sitting around at home, but when running with the buds (ill advised; these aren’t running earbuds), when walking with them, or when working out at the gym (sit ups is the ultimate fit test!). I even tested different tip sizes in the box (there are four, not counting the ones on the buds by default) and this didn’t help – I’m going to point the finger at the material used in the tip, for not offering enough friction.
If you’re not going on walks and constantly having to readjust the earbuds, they’re pleasant to wear, with the light build ensuring you never get earache from long periods of listening. The buds also have an IPX4 rating which protects them from splashes of water, but not a serious drenching.
Equally lightweight and portable is the AH-C840NCW’s case, which is nice and small at 58 x 21.3 x 25.4mm and light at 54g. Something bijou like this is easy to slip into trouser pockets without it bulging out, or hide it on your desk when you’re charging it up via its USB-C port.
Design score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Sound quality
Single 12mm driver
Ever-so-slightly warm audio profile
Max volume is too low
(Image credit: Future)
Denon has fit the AH-C840NCW with a 12mm driver. That’s the same piece of kit that its sibling saw but with the eartips ensuring surrounding sound doesn’t leak in, the buds sound a lot better.
The AH-C840NCW have a gently warm sound profile that emphasizes bass just a little, but it's so slight that it won’t put off people who prefer a more neutral sound. Bass is scooping and well-defined, but treble is also is also crystal-clear and sharp.
I’d have liked to see a more pronounced, expansive and layered soundstage, as the buds seemed to lose instruments and harmonies that weren’t prominent, but they’re fairly detailed where it counts in vocals, drums and keys.
The maximum volume isn’t too high though. It’s fine for everyday listening when you’re at home or in an office, but if I wanted to hear music well over traffic, or get some extra oomph for an energetic song on a run, I found myself continually pressing my phone’s volume up button – and it didn't really help.
Sound quality: 4/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Decent value compared to AirPods...
...not so much compared to other rivals
Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, I’m willing to say that the Denon AH-C840NCW offer decent value for money. They undercut the big name buds without cutting down on the quality too much.
However, when you consider some of the other options on the market at this price, you realize you could still be getting a lot more for your money. Rivals within a similar $/£/AU$ range offer hardier designs, wider feature sets or better audio quality, and usually a combination of all three.
Value: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Denon AH-C840NCW?
(Image credit: Future)
Denon AH-C840NCW score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Above-average ANC and slightly above-average battery life compensate for a basic feature set.
3.5/5
Design
They're light but not wholly reliable in the ear.
3.5/5
Sound quality
Music sounds detailed and a tad warm but it's still not perfect, and lacks energy.
4/5
Value
They don't pull in front of rivals enough to offer a genuine value proposition.
3.5/5
Buy them if…
You want AirPods-similar design If you’ve seen the AirPods and want a similar-looking pair of earbuds, these certainly are options, as they’re some of the closest Doppelgangers we’ve seen so far.
You need decent noise cancellation While it’s not the tippy-top bubble-of-silence performance I’ve ever heard, the active noise cancellation offered by the AH-C840NCW is robust, removing all but the most persistent background sounds.
You need a slender carry case Some earbuds carry cases can sit in your pocket like a boulder. Denon wouldn’t be seen with anything like that, though, and the AH-C840NCW’s holder is lovely and slender.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You like customizing your audio While the Denon does have a 5-band equalizer, that’s not much control over your music for audiophiles. There aren’t any presets, and no option for toggling higher-resolution audio should you want to stream it.
You rely on transparency mode If you like toggling this and thus hearing what’s going on around you, I wouldn’t recommend the Denons. The transparency mode here sounded to me like weaker noise cancellation (yes, odd), and doesn’t let in much surrounding sound.
You’re sporty Some eartip-toting buds are reliable for gym workouts, cycling or running. Not the Denon, as I found they’d slip out of my ears even on walks.View Deal
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Also consider
Denon AH-C840NCW
OnePlus Buds 4
Skullcandy Method 360
Nothing Ear
Drivers
12mm
11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter
12mm
11mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
10 hours (buds) 35 hours (case)
11 hours (buds); 45 hours (case)
11 hours (earbuds), 29 hours (total)
5.2 hours (buds) 24 hours (case)
Weight
5.1g (buds) 54g (case)
4.73g (buds); 40g (case)
11g (buds) 77g (case)
4.62g (buds) 51.9g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP55
IPX4
IP54
OnePlus Buds 4
A very recent competitor, the OnePlus Buds 4 have the best noise cancellation I’ve tested in earbuds at this price point. They sell at the same price as the Denon and offer a much more bass-heavy sound profile.
Another bassy option is the Skullcandy Method 360. Ignore the ludicrous case size; these have solid in-ear design, a fun and funky sound profile and a long-lasting battery. Again, these go for roughly the same price as the Denon. Our review is incoming…
Nothing Ear
Finally – and yes, for the same price as the AH-C840NCW, although they’re a bit older and more prone to price cuts – we’ve got Nothing’s most recent top-end earbuds. These have a really impressive feature set and I loved the sound profile, but be warned for an awful battery life.
Tested at home, in the office, working out and on walks
My testing period for the AH-C840NCW earbuds was two weeks long, and it came straight after I wrote the Denon AH-C500W review, so I got to test the siblings back-to-back.
I paired the Denon with my Android smartphone for the whole testing period and tested apps like Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and certain games. Testing was done at home, around my neighborhood (on runs and on walks), on public transport, at my office and at the gym.
I've been reviewing audio products for TechRadar for years now, including products made by many of Denon's rivals and all three competitors mentioned above.
The Acer Predator Helios 18 AI is a top-tier gaming laptop with a phenomenal spec that’s sure to whet the appetites of even casual gamers. Despite what lurks inside, its exterior is remarkably restrained. At 18 inches, it's obviously very large, but the black finish and lack of branding keep its profile reasonably low. However, that large rear protrusion and ostentatious RGB lighting give away its intentions.
I think Acer has done well to keep the Predator Helios 18 AI as slender as possible. Of course, this is all relative given the size of laptop we’re dealing with here, but it’s impressively thin for the most part, although it thickens at the rear.
Build quality is also excellent, equaling the best gaming laptops in this regard. Premium materials are employed everywhere, and the hinge for the lid is smooth and easy to operate, while offering plenty of stability once set.
The keyboard is tactile and snappy, and the generous spacing of the keys makes it easy to type and game on the Predator Helios 18 AI. The number pad somewhat compromises the layout, though, with the space bar paying the highest price; it’s a little too short for my liking.
On the other hand, the large trackpad does a fine job of not interfering while using the keyboard, with accidental contact failing to register in my experience. It’s also very smooth and accurate, should you wish to use it over one of the best gaming mice.
Considering its mighty spec, the Predator Helios 18 AI performs as well as you might expect. Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Dark Ages ran with aplomb, each delivering fps figures in the hundreds with maximum graphics settings, including those for ray tracing.
(Image credit: Future)
You will have to endure constant fan noise when gaming, but thankfully this isn’t egregious when the default Balanced mode is selected in the Predator Sense app. The Predator Helios 18 AI also generates a fair amount of heat, which can spread to the sides and the keyboard after a while. Again, though, this isn’t bad enough to cause an issue.
The biggest price you’ll have to pay for all this performance is… well, the price. Starting at $3,000, the Predator Helios 18 AI is incredibly expensive. I struggle to think who’ll need such a large and powerful laptop, and be willing to pay this much for one.
Of course, the entire gaming laptop market is a premium one, but there are better value alternatives out there if you don’t need an 18-inch display and triple-digit frame rates, such as the excellent Razer Blade 16 (2025) or the MSI Katana 15 (2023), the latter of which we think is currently the best budget gaming laptop around.
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Price & Availability
Starts from $2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7,299
Hugely expensive
Better value alternatives
The Predator Helios 18 AI starts from $2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7,299 and is available now. It comes with spare WASD and arrow keys, as well as a thermal pad upgrade kit for the RAM.
You don’t need me to tell you what an eye-watering sum this is. It’s understandable considering the spec, and my review unit was even more outlandish, equipped with a 3840 x 2400 display and 192GB of RAM(!).
Prices are similar to the Razer Blade, which performs similarly too. If you want something that’s even better value, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) is, in our view, one of the best budget gaming laptops around, if you’re happy to game at 1080p.
Value: 2.5 / 5
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Specs
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Specs
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Base Config
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Review Config
Price
$2,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$7299
TBC
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores), 2.70 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores), 2.70 GHz
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 (24GB)
RAM
64GB DDR5
192GB DDR5
Storage
2TB PCIe NVMe SED SSD
2TB PCIe NVMe SED SSD
Display
18-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 16:10 ComfyView (Matte), 250Hz, IPS
18-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), 16:10 ComfyView (Matte), 250Hz, IPS
Ports and Connectivity
3 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x SD card, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.5mm audio in/out; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
3 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x SD card, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.5mm audio in/out; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Battery
99Wh
99Wh
Dimensions
401 x 308 x 29.6mm
401 x 308 x 29.6mm
Weight
3.5kg / 7.7lbs
3.5kg / 7.7lbs
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Large but surprisingly thin
Relatively understated
Excellent build quality
Given its large display size, the Predator Helios 18 AI is a reasonably understated gaming laptop. The rear bulge that extends beyond the lid hinge gives it some distinction, and the RGB lighting can light up the whole unit like a Christmas tree if you want it to (the bar that runs along the front edge and wraps around the side is especially striking). But switch this off and you’ll struggle to tell it apart from the best business laptops.
It’s quite bulky, although I think the Predator Helios 18 AI does an admirable job of keeping its dimensions contained considering the beastly components that lay within. The front end is reasonably thin, but thickens as it moves towards the back. This increased size does allow for larger vent openings, though, so it’s a worthy sacrifice to improve cooling performance.
The overall build quality is hard to fault. All the materials that are used look and feel premium and durable. The lid is also impressively smooth to operate yet remains sufficiently stable when set in position.
Underneath you’ll find three feet that run across the width of the Predator Helios 18 AI, and they provide plenty of grip on desktop surfaces. They also raise the chassis from the surface by a significant degree, again allowing for improved ventilation.
There are plenty of ports on the Predator Helios 18 AI. On the left, you’ll find an ethernet and a USB-A port, as well as an SD card slot and a 3.5mm audio in/ out jack. On the right are two more USB-A ports, which is a sensible location considering this is where you’ll likely be connecting external peripherals.
On the rear are two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a large power cable port. As you would imagine, the power supply is large, but unfortunately the cable running from the brick to the jack end is quite short. Owing to my setup, this meant I had to keep the brick on my desk rather than placing it on the floor, which was quite the inconvenience.
Design: 4/ 5
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Fantastic AAA performance
Vibrant and sharp display
Some fan noise and heat
Gaming with the Predator Helios 18 AI didn’t get off to a particularly auspicious start. When I ran Cyberpunk 2077 for the first time, the game’s benchmark function recorded a disappointing 42fps, with the maximum 3840 x 2400 resolution and Ray Tracing: Ultra preset selected.
Some tinkering with the graphics settings resulted in modest improvements to performance, but it wasn’t until after restarting the game a couple of times that things suddenly improved: I started getting about 100fps, even in busy in-game environments, without lowering the resolution or any other graphical settings.
Similar figures were achieved when I played Doom: The Dark Ages, although I did have to change the DLSS mode from Auto to Ultra Performance to get there. Thankfully, this made no discernible difference to the image quality.
And on that front, both games looked fantastic on the WQUXGA display. Colors were accurate and vibrant, if very slightly washed-out. This is a common issue on many IPS displays, but here the effect did little to detract from the awesomeness of the visuals.
The ultra-high 3840 x 2400 resolution in my review unit offered incredible levels of sharpness, while the high response times resulted in super-smooth gameplay. It’s also capable of very high brightness levels, which helps to keep pesky reflections at bay.
(Image credit: Future)
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Benchmarks
Here's how the Acer Predator Helios 18 AI performed in our series of benchmark tests:
Geekbench 6.2: Single - 2,803 Multi - 16,720 Cinebench R24: Single - 125 13.89x Multi - 1,728 3DMark: Fire Strike - 36,158 Time Spy - 17,341 Port Royal - 12,994 Night Raid - 60,951 PCMark10: 8,885 Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p Low - 469fps 1080p Ultra - 361fps 1080p Ray Tracing: Overdrive - 128fps Battery test: Movie playback - 3 hours and 2 minutes PCMark10 (Gaming) - 1 hour 27 minutes
Fan noise is constant when gaming on the Predator Helios 18 AI, but I didn’t find it distractingly loud. The volume increases considerably if you set the Predator Sense profile to Performance mode, though – then you’ll really need one of the best PC gaming headsets to drown out the noise.
The Predator Helios 18 AI does a good job of keeping temperatures down. Its underside doesn’t get too hot, although over time heat leaks out of both sides, which can be a little distracting for your mouse hand. After a couple of hours of gaming, I noticed the bottom of the keyboard became quite hot, too, especially around the space bar.
It wasn’t hot enough to make using the keyboard a problem, though. And what’s more, the keyboard on the Predator Helios 18 AI is great to game with. The keys are clicky but damped enough to make them tactile.
They’re a little on the small side (although they’re generously spaced apart), owing to the inclusion of the aforementioned number pad. This compromises the layout somewhat – especially the space bar, which isn’t as long as I would’ve liked, and therefore somewhat awkward to hit with my left thumb.
The trackpad on the Predator Helios 18 AI is large and very smooth, making it easy to use. Mercifully, it also appears unaffected by contact with the sides of your palms, meaning it won’t accidentally register movements while your hands lean over it to use the keyboard.
Performance: 5 / 5
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future)
Large 99Wh capacity
Underwhelming longevity
Quick to charge
The battery life of the Predator Helios 18 AI isn't particularly impressive. Despite its 99Wh capacity, it lasted just under 90 minutes PCMark10's battery test for gaming scenarios.
This makes it considerably worse than the Razer Blade 16 (2025), which managed about an hour more, but much better than the MSI Katana 15 (2023), which didn’t even last one hour.
Charging the Predator Helios 18 AI back up to full is a surprisingly quick process, though – and given the size of the power brick, you would hope it would be.
Battery Life: 3.5 / 5
Should I buy the Predator Helios 18 AI?
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Predator Helios 18 AI is incredibly expensive, and only worth it if you need the absolute best gaming performance in laptop form.
2.5 / 5
Design
The Predator Helios 18 AI is very large, but is admirably thin considering what’s inside. It’s brilliantly made, too, and the RGB lighting is tastefully vibrant.
4 / 5
Performance
My review unit had an RTX 5090 and an Intel Core Ultra 9, so naturally its performance is out of this world. The display is excellent, too.
5 / 5
Battery Life
The Predator Helios 18 AI can't last an especially long time, but at least it's capable of replenishing quickly.
3.5 / 5
Total
There’s no denying this is a ferocious gaming machine; you can’t really ask for more from a gaming laptop. But the astronomical price puts it beyond the reach of many gamers, and there are many better value propositions out there.
3.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want the best portable performance With Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs available, the Predator Helios 18 AI can achieve astonishing fps figures, while the CPU and configurable RAM are equally capable components.
You want a large display At 18 inches, the screen is more than big enough for laptop gaming, and renders AAA titles in all their glory.
Don't buy it if...
You want to save money You’ll need plenty of cash to buy even the base model, and there are better value options out there.
You want a truly portable device You’ll want something much smaller and lighter than the Acer Predator Helios 18 AI if you’re constantly on the go.
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI review: Also Consider
Razer Blade 16 (2025) We were already big fans of the Razer Blade 14 from 2024, but the Blade 16 (2025) surpasses it in many ways. Like the Predator Helios 18 AI, it too can be equipped with an RTX 5090, and is built to a similarly high standard. It’s a shame there’s no 4K option this time round, though, and it’s still about as expensive as the Predator Helios 18 AI. Read our full Razer Blade 16 (2025) review.
MSI Katana 15 (2023) Our current pick as the best gaming laptop for those on a budget, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) gets the balance right between price and performance, impressing us with its 1080p gaming. The trackpad and battery life might be weak points, but these are areas in gaming laptops where we’re willing to forgive shortcomings. As your first foray into the sector, it’s a great place to start. Read our full MSI Katana 15 (2023) review.
How I tested the Predator Helios 18 AI
Tested for a few days
Played AAA games
Extensive PC gaming experience
I tested the Predator Helios 18 AI for a few days, during which time I played games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Dark Ages, both AAA titles that provide stern tests for rigs owing to their demanding, cutting-edge graphics.
I also ran TechRadar’s series of benchmarking tests, including a battery test where I played a movie on a continuous loop until the Predator Helios 18 AI shut down.
I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have experienced a number of systems and components. I have also reviewed laptops previously, as well as copious amounts of gaming hardware.
If you enjoy diverse content like me, torrenting is an easy way to access it. It involves exchanging files via the BitTorrent protocol and can be done via torrent clients. I’ve embarked on a mission to test many torrenting clients to help users choose the best ones. Today, I’m focusing on qBittorrent, a prominent app in the torrenting community.
qBittorrent is a free and open source torrent client, and compatible with the most popular desktop operating systems. I tested it extensively to provide an honest opinion. Read on to learn about its features, user-friendliness, security, and other vital factors.
qBittorrent: Versions
qBittorrent is compatible with the three most popular PC operating systems; Windows, macOS, and Linux. I use a macOS PC and easily downloaded qBittorrent from the official website. You can also do this for the Windows and Linux versions.
However, I noticed that qBittorrent does not have an Android app. I like torrenting clients with Android apps that let me control my PC’s torrenting activities from a smartphone.
I didn’t expect iOS compatibility, as Apple famously doesn’t allow torrenting apps to appear in its App Store.
(Image credit: Future)
qBittorrent: Features
qBittorrent has the typical features of a torrenting app. To download content, I needed to get the .torrent file from an external source. This file contains the metadata of the relevant content to be downloaded, and qBittorrent reads the information to kickstart the download.
If you don’t have the .torrent file, you can provide the magnet link for the relevant content. A magnet link is a hyperlink containing the same metadata as the .torrent file. I pasted multiple links into qBittorrent, and it downloaded the required content without hassle.
I also downloaded content via RSS feeds. This feature lets users subscribe to a specific RSS feed and automatically download new torrents added to the feed. For example, if you subscribe to an RSS feed of your favorite series, you can automatically download all new episodes.
I like that qBittorrent allows plugins that provide extra functionality. My favorite is the search plugin that lets you find torrent files within the app. Instead of spending time discovering and downloading these .torrent files on external websites, I did that directly on qBittorrent, enabling much faster downloads.
There’s no single search plugin for qBittorrent. Instead, the app is compatible with numerous unofficial plugins built for torrenting clients. Installing a search plugin was a noticeably simple process.
(Image credit: Future)
Torrenting works when users exchange files via the BitTorrent communications protocol. When you download specific content on qBittorrent, you automatically become a seeder uploading that content for other users to download. This process of simultaneous downloads and uploads enables users to freely access content via qBittorrent and other torrenting clients.
Whenever I use a torrenting client, I always seek to limit my upload speeds to conserve bandwidth. qBittorrent makes this easy. You can limit the upload speed to any level you’re comfortable with, ensuring you upload files for other users without consuming excessive bandwidth.
I appreciated that qBittorrent gave me significant control over my torrenting activities. For instance, I could queue torrents and prioritize specific downloads over others. I could also select specific files within a torrent instead of downloading the whole package. For example, this feature comes in handy if you have a software package missing a few crucial files. You can download just the missing parts instead of re-downloading the software package and wasting bandwidth.
This torrenting client supports IP filtering for security purposes. Users can upload blocklists and prevent any IP on that list from sharing files with their PC. This feature protects you from interacting with malicious actors sharing malware via torrenting clients.
Before downloading torrents, I always turn on a VPN for further security. A VPN routes your traffic through a secure remote server, preventing your ISP and other third-parties from monitoring your torrenting activities. I advise everyone to always use a VPN when torrenting.
My main complaint is that qBittorrent does not have an Android app that allows me to remotely control my torrenting activities. However, I was pleased that its remote control feature is available via a web interface.
The remote web interface is very similar to qBittorrent’s regular interface. You can use it to control your torrenting activities from another PC or smartphone, e.g., starting and pausing downloads on your home PC while at work. However, setting it up was complex, unlike Android apps where it’s usually straightforward.
qBittorrent: Interface and in-use
qBittorrent has a minimalistic interface that I enjoyed using. It’s not overtly modern yet not outdated. Features are arranged neatly on the left, configurations are accessible at the top, and the main dashboard lies on the right. Each feature incorporates a relevant icon that defines their functions. This uncluttered arrangement makes it easy to find any feature and tweak your desired configurations.
qBittorrent: Security
As mentioned, qBittorrent allowed me to block specific IP addresses from interacting with my device. This security feature is crucial because torrents are a common vector for introducing malware into unsuspecting devices.
qBittorrent has no ads and no history of negligent security practices. It’s a free tool maintained by volunteer developers, so there’s little incentive to sneak in adware for commercial purposes, which a handful of torrenting clients are guilty of.
Despite its standard encryption and other security features, I reiterate my advice to always turn on a VPN before using qBittorrent.
qBittorrent: Final verdict
qBittorrent is a free, user-friendly torrenting client I genuinely enjoy using. It’s not as feature-rich as some clients I’ve tested, but it performs its functions well. It’s an ideal torrenting tool for anyone seeking easy access to digital content.
Like the very best in the latest tranche of self-guided robot lawn mowers, the Anthbot Genie requires no perimeter wires and no professionals to install it. Simply take it out of its box, set up its charging station and RTK receiver in a suitable spot and set it off on its way.
There are three versions to choose from, with different battery capacities making them suited to different lawn size. The Genie 600 is designed for lawns up to 0.22 acres / 900m², the Genie 1000 is for up to 0.49 acres / 2000m² and the Genie 3000 is for up to 0.89 acres / 3600m². For this review, I tested the 3000.
Although the Genie's 7.9 inch / 20cm cutting width isn't the widest on the market – that accolade goes to the five-star Mammotion LUBA 2 – what it lacks in size it makes up for in accuracy. Thanks to RTK-GPS and its AI-empowered 3D four-camera recognition technology, the Genie cuts in straight lines and navigates neatly around edges without the typical zig-zag chaos of older robot mowers. It's a sterling obstacle avoider, too.
However, its success may depend on the RTK receiver having a good line of sight to a range of satellites in the sky, and to that end it's a bit of a shame that a wall-mounting kit (to place the receiver above the tree-line) is an added extra rather than being included as standard. That said, positioning mine in the lawn next to the charge station – the only setup possible with the included equipment – worked just fine to me, even with a fair amount of tree coverage.
Like the vast majority of robot mowers, the Genie doesn't have a grass collector. Instead, its five-blade cutting disk snips off millimeters at a time, leaving the nitrogen-rich cuttings to fertilize the lawn. Its motorized cutting deck is easily adjustable in the app and lets you fine-tune your grass from a crisp trim to a lush, longer look.
If you're in the market for an easy-to-use robot that's reliable and easy to operate, you've found it. Read on for my full Anthbot Genie robot lawn mower review.
(Image credit: Future)
Anthbot Genie review: price & availability
List price: $999 to $1,359 / £999 to £1,699
Launch date: Spring 2025
Available: US and UK
The Anthbot Genie went on sale in Spring 2025, following a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. They're available to buy direct from Anthbot and Amazon in the US and the UK, and at list price they cost $999 / £999 for the Genie 600, $1,199 / £1,299 for the Genie 1000 and $1,599 / £1,699 for the Genie 3000.
Given that wire-free yard robotics is a relatively new thing, right now you can expect to pay big money for the privilege of never having to mow the lawn again. However, prices have already started to tumble and this will likely continue as more competition enters the market. In fact, at time of writing, all sizes of the Genie were heavily discounted in both the US and the UK. In the pantheon of robot lawn mowers, the Anthbot Genie's price structure can be considered quite reasonable given the huge amount of sci-fi tech involved.
3D Vision (4 Cameras) + All-round Physical Obstacle Avoidance
Maximum zones:
20 - 30
Anthbot Genie review: design
3 variants with different batteries for different lawn sizes
Navigates using RTK GPS and AI powered cameras
Wall mounting kit for RTK station is sold separately
Funny how the world of technology works. It takes just one company to create a new type of innovative product and within a year everyone's at it. Just look at robot vacuum cleaners. Once there was iRobot, then the likes of Roborock followed suit and, before we knew it, we were being bombarded with hundreds of robot vacs from companies we'd never heard of. Well the same thing is happening in the world of robot lawn mowers.
Although robot mowers have been out since the 1990s, I've never had the desire to review one because they've all required getting down on hands and knees and fixing, or burying, a ridiculously long boundary cable around the entire perimeter of the lawn and every outdoor ornament and piece of furniture. But that's all changed with the recent advent of RTK GPS-, camera-, and LiDAR-guided lawnbots that not only navigate a lawn – and any obstacles – with gobsmacking precision but cut grass in beautifully straight lines that make any lawn look immaculately snazzy.
(Image credit: Future)
Anthbot is one of those young upstarts and I've got to say that its design team has done its homework and designed one of the very best lawnbots I've so far tested – and a great looker to boot. In fact, it's getting rather difficult to write these reviews because every robotic lawn mower I receive to test seems to be a bit better than the last, and there are only so many stars one can give as commendation.
The Anthbot Genie is the latest addition to the fast-evolving world of smart robotic lawn mowers, and it brings some serious tech to the yard. This model is available in three battery capacities, which equate to the amount of lawn space they can realistically handle without having to return to recharge too often.
(Image credit: Future)
If you have a small urban-sized lawn, opt for the Genie 600 which has a reach of 0.22 acres / 900m² . If your lawn's a lot larger or you want the robot to cut an entire space without heading back to base for a recharge (remember, fewer recharge cycles equals a longer battery life) then opt for either the Genie 1000 which is suitable for lawns up to 0.49 acres / 2,000m² or the Genie 3000 which is capable of trimming a whopping 0.89 acres / 3,600m². All three variants are exactly the same size and have the same features, except the 3000 model can cut up to 30 different lawn zones while the other two can manage 20.
Unlike traditional robot mowers that rely on cumbersome boundary wires, the Genie uses advanced RTK-GPS combined with an AI-empowered navigation system comprising four cameras (including one on each side) that are said to provide '300-degree human-like vision and 360-degree collision sensing'. I believe it having seen it in operation.
(Image credit: Future)
RTK-GPS uses an RTK receiver to correct satellite signals, making them accurate to within a few centimeters. The system requires the bot and the receiver to have direct line of sight to a large proportion of the sky. The idea is that if the GPS signal is weak or lost due to overhead obstructions, the lawn bot will switch over to camera-based navigation.
I should add that RTK-GPS, which is accurate to just a few centimetres, isn't suitable for every home layout because the package requires having an aerial spiked into the lawn within a foot of the charging station and with a clear line of sight to as many satellites as possible. My own lawn is surrounded by very tall trees and the RTK stations of every lawnbot I've so far tested have all been positioned to the side of two 80-foot beech trees.
In theory my yard should be the worst case scenario but, against all odds, I'm receiving signals from between 12 and 25 satellites at any given time – and with just 50 per cent or so of visible sky. So don't write off this model or any other without taking a good look at the sky around your home.
(Image credit: Future)
If your land space looks unsuitable, Anthbot sells a wall-mounting kit that enables you to attach the RTK receiver to a structure up high (so there's wider direct line of sight to satellites in the sky), and plug it into a separate power source to the charge station. Some other lawnbots, include wall-mounting kit with the initial bundle, but here it's an additional purchase.
When it comes to obstacle avoidance, this model features three levels of sensitivity (low, medium and high) and it's worth playing around with the settings to find the best solution for your lawn. I've been very impressed with the Genie's obstacle avoidance and you can read more about it in the Performance chapter below.
(Image credit: Future)
Right, let's get down to the stats. The Genie's 7.9 inch / 20cm cutting width may sound modest, but it's more than capable of maintaining a consistently neat finish on the lawn sizes it was designed for. Like all robot mowers, the Genie uses a spinning horizontal disc with razor blades attached to the outer edge. Some models like the Eufy E15 have just three blades, but this one has five.
The Genie's motorized cutting height is fully adjustable between 1.2-2.8 inches in 0.2in increments (30-70mm in 5mm increments), allowing you to switch between a close-cropped summer lawn or a longer, lusher look in the cooler months. However, you won't see the 0.2in / 5mm increments on the app unless you tap on the dividing lines between each main measurement. Please fix this Anthbot.
Like 99 per cent of robot mowers, the Genie is a mulching model, so it finely chops grass into tiny nitrogen-rich clippings that naturally fertilize your lawn. That means no messy grass collectors and no piles of cuttings to dispose of. If the mower is set to perform two to three cuts a week, it will simply snip off a few days' worth growth and therefore not litter the lawn in cuttings.
All robot mowers are whisper-quiet when working; so quiet that you can hardly hear them from just a few meters away. This model's drive motor is a fraction louder than other lawnbots I've tested (around 58dB), but it's hardly audible when you're more than 8 meters away.
I sadly wasn't able to test the Genie's multi-zone function since I only have one lawn, but from what I've seen online, it behaves in the same way as other robot mowers and involves steering the robot like an RC car using the Bluetooth connection from one zone to another. As long as the path between the two zones is free of clutter – and especially gates and steps – the Genie will follow the same path every time it's out on a cutting spree. Impressively, this mower provides the option to create between 20 and 30 zones depending on the variant you've chosen.
(Image credit: Future)
If there are permanent obstacles within the lawn (beds, for example), you can create no-go zones so the mower doesn't try to cut them. As a step up from some competitor models, you can create these in-app with a few taps, just as you would with a robot vacuum cleaner. I should add that the Genie's navigation system will cover the vast majority of obstacle avoidance but it's good to have the no-go option for those who wish to make doubly sure that the robot will always avoid pitfalls like drop offs and ponds.
Like all robot mowers and vacs, the Genie can be easily programmed to run a regular schedule so the grass is always kept in tip-top condition. However, the Anthbot Genie app also features a Smart Lawn Care function, which automatically selects the best mowing strategy based on growth of the grass. I wasn't able to try out this function properly because my test period coincided with an ongoing drought that has prevented most UK grass from growing.
I did select the option but found it very confusing because it leapt straight into a schedule and the whole point of the function is that it chooses when to mow. If it's like Worx's Landroid Vision system, it should require input of grass type and then check local weather to create an automatic schedule.
Perhaps this feature will be improved going forward but for now I would suggest ignoring it and stick to your own schedules. Incidentally, like every other bot on the market, a rain sensor on top of the body automatically pauses mowing during wet weather and you can change the delayed mowing time from between one hour and eight hours.
(Image credit: Future)
Most mowers are capable of climbing inclines of 30% to 40% but this rear-wheel-drive model goes 5% more, meaning it's suitable for a slightly wider variety of landscapes. The two large and chubby front caster wheels help in this regard, but it's the oversized and heavy treaded rear wheels that provide all the traction. Nevertheless, there will be some lawns that are still too steep for this mower to handle. If that's your lawn, consider the all-wheel-drive Mammotion LUBA 2 or LUBA Mini which both boast amazing 80% incline ability.
Like most modern wireless robot mowers, the Genie is initially bound to one's WiFi and Anthbot account so any light-fingered thieves will basically have a brick on their hands. To further enhance security, a four-digit code is also required and if the robot is moved beyond its preset boundary, an alarm sounds on the robot and the user receives an emergency alert. Top marks in this respect.
According to the US and UK websites, Anthbot already has an after sales repair service in place in many territories – including the UK and US – with a 10 day turnaround in most cases. In fact, I've been very impressed by Anthbot's activity on Facebook in seeking feedback from current users regarding any improvements the company can make going forward.
Setup
The Genie arrived in a large box containing the mowing unit, a charging base, ample electrical cabling for an outdoor mains output and the RTK GPS antennae. I selected a space next to my Mammotion LUBA 2 and placed the antennae beside the charging station. This area is right beneath two 80-foot beech behemoths, a large horse chestnut and a small damson tree but, against all odds, every RTK system I've used has worked.
This one worked too, though it took a few minutes for the RTK receiver to log on to the prerequisite number of satellites. I'm actually amazed that these RTK-based lawnbots work at all on my lawn given the amount of trees surrounding it, and that just goes to show that there are a lot more satellites up there than you might think.
(Image credit: Future)
After turning it on and hearing the musical fanfare, you'll be asked to select the default pin code (0000). Even though the machine is also bonded to the owner's Wi-Fi and email address, this code is an extra line of defence against theft of the machine and should be changed to a personal code using the keypad on the unit or, better still, via the app. Just make sure to make a note of your own pin code because the product is a brick without it, and the only way to fix it is by contacting the manufacturer with proof of purchase.
All robots need to map the space they'll be working in; in this model's case, the Genie uses its RTK GPS and multi-camera system. Anthbot provides two methods for mapping a lawn: auto or manual. In auto the robot analyses the lawn's borders automatically, while manual involves driving the bot around the perimeter like an RC car.
I initially chose auto and the Genie mapped the lawn quickly without any messing about. It simply went to the nearest edge and mapped the entire lawn in about five minutes. That's a record! However, I've since discovered an excellent feature in the app that lets you manually expand the map by driving the robot even closer to the perimeter. Nice one Anthbot.
(Image credit: Future)
At this juncture I wish to give a shout out to the tailored Rain Cover for the Genie because it not only keeps the robot dry (even though its IPX6 waterproof) but, perhaps more importantly, it blocks out hot summer sun which could feasibly mess around with the bot's battery and electronics. The Anthbot garage is an impressive piece of kit in its own right since the main body is cast from solid steel and is so robust that I sense it would stand up to a tornado, let alone a gale.
Once the Anthbot Genie is all set up and ready to roll, it's simply a case of going into the app and setting a two- or three-day schedule, your preferred cutting height and obstacle sensitivity, and whether you want the robot to mow in vertical or horizontal stripes. And that's it. You can now retreat, safe in the knowledge that your lawn will always look neat and tidy, even when you're away on holiday.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Anthbot Genie review: performance
Impressive cutting performance
Superb navigation system
On-par obstacle avoidance
Every perimeter wire-free robot mower I've reviewed to date has performed surprisingly well, at least given the relative newness of this particular field of robotics. The Genie's 7.9 inch / 20cm cutting width may seem compact compared to the 15.7 inch / 40cm Mammotion NUBA 2, but I've been impressed by the precision of its cut – its five-blade disc spins at around 3,000rpm, slicing through grass stems like a pair of sharp scissors, leaving only the tiniest of mulched clippings in its wake. If programmed to perform regular cutting sessions during the main season, the nitrogen-rich clippings will soon disappear back into the lawn where they'll act as natural fertilizer.
Whether you set it to 1.2in / 30mm for a UK-style summer trim or 2.8in / 70mm for a longer cut that's more suited to US grass varieties, the Genie should maintain a consistent finish across varied lawn surfaces. The Genie's simple, replaceable blade system certainly handled my lawn's thick early summer growth with ease, leaving no clumps or uneven patches. However, it sadly hasn't seen much use during the past two weeks because the UK has been experiencing a series of heatwaves and all lawns in the southern region have shut down to some extent.
(Image credit: Future)
I've been especially impressed by the Genie's navigation system, which has never faulted in four weeks of using it. My base station is set to one side of my 170 square metre lawn with a gap of around 15 meters / 49ft to the side border and when the Genie leaves its station, it starts mowing in a straight vertical line from that point, missing the 1.5 metres of lawn width to its left and continuing to cut the largest section of lawn to its right.
It then moves to the left side of its first path to complete the rest of the lawn before moving to the edges, which it cuts remarkably well. I should add that its border cutting improved tenfold since I engaged the new 'edge-cutting' option and manually expanded the map by driving the robot closer to the border.
(Image credit: Future)
Granted, the Genie employs an unusual cutting pattern when compared to other lawnbots I've tested but, hey, it has always finished the task in about an hour so I have nothing to grumble about in this regard. All I know is that it creates lovely stripes in its wake. Yes, I still prefer the much wider tract of the Mammotion LUBA 2 but I'm getting more and more used to the narrower stripes that the majority of current bots create.
I've also been impressed by the Genie's better-than-average obstacle avoidance. I tested it using a variety of objects – from dog toys and tennis balls to a chewed-up plastic plant pot – and it avoided all of them with deft precision (the two extra side-mounted cameras most definitely helped in this area). In fact I was so impressed I decided to bring out the ping-pong ball that no robot mower has so far avoided. Unfortunately, this was too small an item even for the Genie, which makes me think that manufacturers adjust their respective robots to ignore the smallest of objects on purpose lest they mistake scattered leaves for obstacles and avoid them entirely.
(Image credit: Future)
I should add that my test lawn is perfect for any robot since it's rectangular shaped and with no inclines and no major obstacles in the way. Nevertheless, I have watched a few videos by other users with more challenging terrain and they've also been impressed with the Genie's performance.
One thing I have noticed is that the Genie 3000 I was sent to review has been able to cut my entire lawn and the edges with 72 per cent of battery remaining. Yes, this model is overkill for my lawn size but it just goes to show how energy-efficient the model's battery and motors are. If you can afford it, perhaps opt for a larger model than you need so you can cut down on battery charging cycles and have the available juice to cut extra lawn zones in the future.
Performance score: 5 out of 5
Anthbot Genie review: app
Easy to use
Receives quite regular updates
Some room for improvement
The Anthbot app is mostly excellent. This easy-to-use app allows the user to set cutting heights and angle of cut, create up to 30 mowing zones, programme different schedules for each and define no-go areas with a swipe of the finger. The app also includes real-time monitoring so you can check the mower's location, battery level and progress at any time, even if you're away from home.
(Image credit: Anthbot)
My test model recently received a comprehensive update with additions to cut horizontally, edit the lawn's boundary and choose from three levels of obstacle avoidance. However, I would love to see Anthbot improve its cutting angle feature so that it behaves more like Eufy's E15 model, which provides an animated map with an adjustable arrow that swivels the entire map of the lawn on its axis so you can easily view the direction in which the robot will cut.
Given that Anthbot's reps are very responsive and eager to address current users' suggestions, you can be sure there'll be more tantalising updates along the way.
App score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Anthbot Genie lawnbot?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
In the arena of smart lawnbots, the Genie is very competitively priced. Deals are already easy to come by.
4/5
Design
Navigates using RTK GPS and 4 cameras on front and sides. Available in 3 battery capacities for different-sized lawns.
4.5/5
Performance
Exceptional performance with neat mowing, very accurate navigation and commendable obstacle avoidance.
5/5
App
Despite a few required tweaks, the Anthbot app is easy to use and pretty comprehensive.
4/5
Buy it if...
You want an easy time
This model is a breeze to use, with no major foibles to report.
You want lawn stripes
The Genie cuts in uniform parallel stripes.
You value reliable obstacle avoidance
With three levels of avoidance, this bot is a top dodger.
Don't buy it if...
Your lawn looks like the foothills of the Himalayas
With a 45% maximum gradient, this bot isn't suitable for very steep inclines.
You have lots of overhead obstacles
The Genie uses an RTK GPS navigation system, which relies on a decently clear view of the sky to allow it to talk to the satellites.
How I tested the Anthbot Genie
TechRadar employs a strict routine when testing equipment. Firstly I live with the robot for a week or two, letting it do its thing while observing its behavior. Then I get down to enacting some real-world scenarios like obstacle avoidance and introducing it to various types of borders to see how well it behaves. Robots can be very unpredictable so these tests can take a few hours to complete with lots of written observations. Once I'm satisfied that there aren't any major concerns, I'll start writing the review while very carefully considering the amount of stars each area of the product deserves.
