Hohem iSteady M7: two-minute review

Adding yet another premium option to the burgeoning smartphone stabilizer market, the Hohem iSteady M7 is Hohem's latest top-of-the-range gimbal. It’s built to carry almost any smartphone – including heavier or larger models that other gimbals can’t effectively stabilize – and comes with a wide range of features to justify its high price and (compared to some) bulkier proportions.

Hohem supplies the iSteady M7 with a detachable mini tripod (which screws into the standard tripod mounting point at the base of the gimbal handle), a detachable AI tracking module/fill light, and two USB charging cables: one USB-C to USB-C and one USB-C to USB-A. There’s no AC adapter included, so you’ll have to connect this cable to something else to recharge the battery. All of the above fits snugly into a hard-shell zip-up carry case, which also has a net-covered space in the lid to store extras such as manuals or additional cables.

The stabilizer folds flat for storage, with three locks keeping the gimbal arm firmly in place. When it’s time for use, these locks have to be manually disengaged so that the arm can move freely, and the arm also needs some simple manual balancing once the phone has been mounted. For mounting, the phone is placed inside a firm spring-loaded grip, which can be rotated 90º to switch the phone between landscape (16:9) and portrait (9:16) orientation.

The grip and gimbal motor are powerful enough to accommodate smartphones up to 500g in weight, and 12.5mm in thickness. That impressed me, given that the last flagship gimbal I reviewed, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, can only manage phones up to 300g and 10mm. If you own one of the larger smartphone models (including folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6) or like to have a chunky case or lens accessory fitted to your handset, this extra capacity could make all the difference.

Hohem has designed and built the iSteady M7 very well. The gimbal felt comfortable in my hand, and I found all the major controls – from the front trigger to the customizable zoom/focus/tilt/pan wheel on the left – to be thoughtfully located and easy to access. There’s even a built-in extension rod, which allowed me to add an extra 20cm of distance to the gimbal arm and achieve some otherwise impossible shooting angles.

For my money, though, the best design touch (and one feature that no other stabilizer offers, to my knowledge) is the 1.4-inch touchscreen panel on the handle. Not only does this enable access to a range of settings via swipes and taps, which meant I didn’t need to use the Hohem Joy companion app to delve into some of the stabilizer’s deeper functions, but it also unclips from the handle to work as a remote control unit. This meant I was able to set the iSteady M7 up on a flat surface using its tripod, then use the remote to control gimbal movements and more from a distance of up to about 10m.

It doesn’t stop there. The iSteady M7, like the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, comes with a small removable module for AI-assisted subject tracking. This mounts securely onto the gimbal arm (facing either front- or backwards) and, via a tiny camera, enables tracking of human subjects no matter which camera app you’re using on your phone. Some stabilizers will only track when using the manufacturer’s app, but this module meant I could use the native iPhone app, Blackmagic Cam, TikTok, or any other app I preferred. The Hohem Joy app itself is fine, although thanks to some poorly translated text and odd design choices, I would rather use other apps with which I’m more familiar. There’s room for improvement there, then.

The module also sports a really useful LED fill light (which can be customized for brightness and color) but perhaps more impressive is the way it combines really well with the remote unit. Not only was I able to preview the tracking camera’s POV via the remote screen, but I could also double-tap on the screen to track other objects. It’s far beyond what you get with the Zhiyun gimbal’s AI tracking.

As for the 3-axis gimbal stabilization itself, I have absolutely no complaints. The usual modes – Pan Follow, Pan Tilt Follow, and POV – are supplemented by a full custom mode that allowed me to tailor movement speeds to my needs, and the ability of the gimbal to rotate through 360º on the pan axis gave me a lot of freedom to get creative with camera movement. The settings menu also features an ultra-wide-angle mode, which moves the gimbal arm out of the way of the camera during ultra-wide shots.

With a solid battery life of up to 12 hours with the gimbal largely static or eight hours with AI tracking enabled, you may want to pack a power bank for long weekend shoots, but I’m quite happy with the capacity. A USB-C socket on the gimbal arm even allows you to charge your phone’s battery while it’s mounted – just another example of the sort of thoughtful design touches that make the Hohem iSteady M7 arguably the best phone gimbal on the market right now.

Hohem iSteady M7 review: price and availability

The Hohem iSteady M7 is available now, and priced at around $299 / £269 / A$459. That puts it among the priciest of smartphone stabilizers out there, but given its spec level, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing – particularly if you own a heavier handset that cheaper stabilizers aren't able to accommodate.

Hohem iSteady M7: specs

Hohem iSteady M7 review: Also consider

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How I tested the Hohem iSteady M7

• One week of use
• Tested with an iPhone 13
• Used for B-roll and vlogs

I used the Hohem iSteady M7 in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both handheld and with it sat on the ground or a desktop using its tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and several camera apps, including the native iPhone camera app and Hohem Joy, and used the phone’s front and rear cameras to record b-roll and vlog videos.

First reviewed January 2025

Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank

The Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank has plenty of power and capacity – it's capable of charging larger devices like tablets and some laptops.

It certainly stands out in appearance, thanks to its thick size and vibrant colorways, although there is a black variant if you want something less ostentatious.

The Zolo feels as sturdy as some of the best power banks, yet it’s not as heavy as you might expect given its size. The plastic chassis feels smooth and the shiny panel on top is a nice touch. However, the translucent, ribbed border surrounding it is less so, and seems a little pointless; perhaps it offers extra grip when holding the bank, but I don’t think I’d miss it if it wasn’t there.

For a power bank of this size, it’s a shame it only has two ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), as there’s plenty of real estate for more. And while there is a small readout displaying the battery level – nicely disguised within that central panel – it seems like a missed opportunity to incorporate a bigger screen with more information to display, given all that space.

However, what is very useful is the 6-inch hardwired USB-C cable. This is made from a thick, braided cloth that feels durable, and Anker claims it will survive over 10,000 bends in its lifetime.

The slot that houses the jack end of this cable also feels very secure, yet it’s not hard to unplug the jack when needed. There also appears to be a good deal of internal strain relief on the hardwired end, so I feel reasonably confident it won’t come loose from its connection.

The cable provides 30W of charging power, meaning it can handle larger devices, such as some tablets, handheld gaming consoles, and laptops. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from half to full in just over an hour, with the Zolo’s battery depleting to 86%, meaning you should get quite a few charges out of it.

The USB-A port, on the other hand, provides a maximum of 22.5W of power. This charged my Pixel 7a from half to full in about an hour and a half and depleted the bank’s battery to 87%, so it’s another solid effort.

There’s also a trickle charging mode for this port, which lets you safely charge low-powered devices such as smartwatches and earbuds. You can activate this easily by pressing the power button on the side twice. Pressing the power button another two times deactivates the mode.

Another useful feature of the Anker Zolo is the Smart Charging Reminder, which means the battery readout flashes when it falls to 5%, alerting you to the need to charge it back up.

Charging the Anker Zolo itself took over four hours from 20% to full. This isn’t a particularly impressive performance, but given its capacity, it’s understandable. You can use the built-in cable or the USB-C port for charging the bank.

Considering its price, large capacity, high power output, and integrated cable, the Anker Zolo represents good value. However, I wish it had more ports to take advantage of its large size and more display information.

If you need more connectivity options, and even more power, the Juovi J2621 is a better alternative, thanks to its 45W output and four USB ports. What’s more, it’s cheaper than the Zolo. If features are a priority for you, then the Anker MagGo (10K) is a good choice, thanks to its detailed display and wireless charging capability. It’s more expensive than the Zolo, though.

Anker Zolo review: price & specs

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Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank review

The Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank offers multiple ways to keep your devices running, with a friendly face designed to inject some fun into the gloomy world of charging.

The cutesy robot design is fairly minimal, so much so that you’ll likely only notice it upon closer inspection; there’s no feet or handle as there is with other products in the Uno range.

It's relatively compact for a 10,000mAh power bank, although it's still quite thick and the screen bulges out slightly, as does the power button on the side; the Uno isn’t a perfectly planed rectangle like some of the best power banks, such as the Ugreen 10,000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank or the Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo).

The overall build quality is good, although it feels a little flimsy in places, with presses able to warp the plastic chassis, so this isn’t a power bank I would feel comfortable taking on more rugged excursions. The screen is nice and thick, though, and seems quite resistant to scratches (at least minor ones). However, the materials used are light, making the Uno easy to carry around with all day without issue.

The faces on the display aren’t just for show; they’re also indicators for the charging status. A smiling face indicates the Uno is currently charging your device, while two love hearts signal that charging is complete. There’s also a sad face to notify you when the bank’s battery is low.

It’s a shame, though, that the charging faces only display intermittently rather than continuously, meaning that sometimes you’ll have to press the power button to see what the status is. The battery percentage of the Uno also isn’t displayed unless the power button is pressed, which would’ve been another useful addition, and one that some Anker power banks feature, for instance.

The faces do change depending on how much battery is left in the Uno, but they’re too subtle to be easily read, and there’s only a few increments available: one for less than 20%, one for 21-79%, and another for 80-99%.

What is very useful, though, is the hardwired USB-C cable, which folds away neatly into its own recess on the back. It’s flat and appears quite durable, although it's quite short, so only useful if your device or charger is close by.

When it comes to charging performance, the Uno has a 30W power output and supports two-way fast charging (three-way charging is also possible, but without the added speed boost). During my tests, it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% in just over an hour via the USB-C port, depleting the bank’s battery from 100% to 77% in the process, so you should be able to get about four charges out of it. Charging the bank itself from 25% to full via the USB-C port took about 90 minutes, which is an impressive performance.

There’s also a trickle charging feature, designed to protect smaller devices, such as earphones and smartwatches, by providing a low-level, continuous current. It can be activated simply by holding the power button for three seconds.

As large capacity, multi-port power banks go, the Uno offers good value for money, especially considering its 30W power, which is on the higher-end of the spectrum for a compact power bank.

Ugreen Uno 10,000mAh 30W power bank review: price & specs

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Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review

The Juovi J2621 is a 45W power bank with a large 20,000mAh capacity and four ports for versatile, long-lasting charging performance. It’s a hefty brick for sure, but thankfully it’s not as heavy as it looks. This means it would be easy enough to carry around in a back, but not slim enough for pocketing.

Overall, its design is fairly anonymous, although the two-tone colorway adds some interest. There’s no clutter to ruin its minimalist credentials, as there’s only one button for the power, but ultimately, the J2621 won’t win any awards for style.

The build quality isn’t on a par with some of the best power banks, as there’s some flex in the chassis when pressed, and the front and back panels have prominent joins that feel sharp in the hand.

However, one very smart-looking feature is the display. It’s imperceptible when inactive, since there’s no glass screen; instead, it shines through the chassis when on. This also means there’s no delicate glass to scratch or crack, which is reassuring.

The USB-C ports provide up to 45W of power. Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full took just over an hour, which amounts to an average performance. Thanks to its large 20,000mAh capacity, though, the J2621’s battery only depleted by 16%, which means you should be able to get about six charges out of it.

On the other hand, the USB-A ports only reach a maximum of 30W each. Charging a Pixel 7a via this method was inevitably slower, taking closer to two hours, with the J2621 depleting by 17%.

There’s also a trickle charging mode, designed for low-current devices such as earbuds and smartwatches. It can be activated easily by pressing the power button twice, with an indicator appearing on the display.

The J2621 itself took just over an hour to charge itself from 70% to full, which isn’t bad considering its large capacity.

Ultimately, if you need a large capacity and port selection, then the J2621 is a worthy choice. It undercuts some other power banks, including those from Anker, and although it’s not as well engineered as its rivals, or as portable, it still makes for a versatile power bank.

Juovi J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review: price & specs

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Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) review

The Anker 621 Magnetic Battery is one of the simpler wireless power banks that Anker makes. It offers a 5,000mAh capacity and up to 12W of total power output. It also features a MagSafe charging pad for the iPhone 12 series and beyond, which offers up to 7.5W of charging power, as well as a USB-C port for wired charging.

The MagSafe area is slightly padded with a PU leatherette that feels durable. It showed no signs of wear during our tests, as some other soft-touch charging pads have.

The Anker 621 MagGo has a simple, clean look with soft edges. The two-tone pale blue color scheme also adds an element of vibrancy missing from many other of the best power banks, and other variants are available, including white, green, and purple. This makes the 621 a good match for the stylish designs of the best iPhones.

The only interface is a charging and battery life indicator, represented by small LED dots that are easy to comprehend. There are four dots indicating the battery life of the 621, and a singular dot that flashes to indicate charging activity.

One of the standout aspects of the Anker 621 is its form: it’s impressively thin and light, making it great to travel with and it’s much easier to use your iPhone while it's attached, compared to other, heavier MagSafe power banks.

However, the price you pay for this portability is the reduced capacity, as the Anker 621 is only rated at 5,000mAh. During our tests, it managed to charge an iPhone 13 Pro in about two hours, reducing the power bank’s battery indicator to two LED dots, indicating a battery level between 25%-50%.

When using the USB-C port for wired charging, the 621 charged a Pixel 7a from half to full in just over an hour, again losing between 50-75% of battery life in the process. Charging the bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is a reasonable speed for a bank of this size.

If you’re looking for a power bank that lets you easily use and charge your iPhone at the same time, then the 621 could be ideal, given how thin and light it is. The vibrant colorways also make it an accessory you’d be happy to flaunt alongside your device.

Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) review: Price & specs

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UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger review

If you want to bring multiple devices back to life at once, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Charger could be a good fit for you. This charger has three ports – two of which are USB-C and the other USB-A – and boasts a maximum total power output of 65W.

That 65W will likely be enough to access fast-charging on your handset, even with all three slots in use. That’s because the USB-C Port 1 has a solid maximum output of 45W when triple charging, with the other two able to provide up to 15W. If you’re hoping to get top charging speeds on three particularly power-hungry devices, though, this may not be quite enough power. Thankfully, there are stronger alternatives, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports), which boasts a higher total power output.

Actual charging performance is strong here, though. To test charging speed, I plugged the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE into USB-C Port 1, the Soundcore Space One Pro into USB-C Port 2 and the LG Tone Free T90S into the USB-A slot. Even with all three ports in use, the Samsung phone was able to go from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s what you’d expect from some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.

On top of that, this charger is pretty small in size – it doesn’t protrude too far out of a socket – ideal if you’re working with a tight space. That’s in part, thanks to the use of GaN technology, which offers improved energy efficiency and a more compact build than typical silicon chargers. One issue I did have design-wise, however, is that the plug’s prongs are not foldable. So, if you want to slip the charger into your pocket, you may feel the prongs poking into your side – that’s not ideal. In addition, the look of the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W is perhaps not the prettiest. The main body of the charger is an attractive silver cuboid, but the adapter on the front appears somewhat shoehorned on – resulting in a slightly awkward look.

Overall, though, this is still a solid quality, fast-charging plug. OK, its list price of $55.99 / £44.99 (about AU$85) is admittedly quite steep – especially given the very similar, but non-GaN Anker 335 Charger (67W) is just $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) and it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable. But again, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger will almost certainly please you performance-wise – just don’t expect class-leading value or design.

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger review: Price & specs

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Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review

The PowerCore 10000 Redux is a mini power bank, designed to be easily transportable, thanks to its pill-like shape and additional carrying strap. Despite the small size, it has a large 10,000mAh capacity, as well as a 25W maximum output. There are two USB ports, one type C and one type A, giving you multiple charging options. There’s no wireless charging feature, though.

The PowerCore 10000 Redux’s USB-C port utilizes Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology. Meanwhile, the USB-A port is stuck with the first generation of this standard, which only allows up to 12W of charging power.

Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full power using the type-C port took just over an hour, which is a solid performance. The PowerCore 10000 Redux only lost one of its four LEDs on the battery level indicator, which meant it had between 50-75% left in the tank, so you should get about 3-4 charges from it.

USB-A charging, meanwhile, took about an hour and a half – lagging behind what some of the best power banks can offer – but all four LEDs remained lit upon completion, indicating a battery level of between 75%-100%. Charging the power bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The PowerCore 10000 Redux also has Anker’s Trickle Charging mode, which is designed for charging devices with a low power draw (measured in amps), such as earbuds. When activated – which simply requires pressing the main button twice – the PowerCore 10000 Redux will only provide a low charge to your device.

The supplied USB-C cable comes with a USB-A adapter – attached rather conveniently to one end of the cable itself – which is a thoughtful and welcome bonus, saving you the hassle of having to remember to pack multiple cables for all your devices.

Additionally, it comes with a useful carrying handle and pouch, both of which feel well-made and soft to the touch. The handle is easy to attach and remove, and the material resembles a soft, thick shoelace. An adjustable tab allows you to alter the size of the loop, which is another considerate touch.

It’s a shame that the PowerCore 10000 Redux misses out on wireless charging, but the small form factor is practical, although it’s better carried in your bag rather than your pocket given its thickness. The carrying strap does add to its portability, though, and combined with the large battery capacity, it makes for a great power bank to accompany you on your journeys.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Price & specs

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Anker 335 Charger (67W) review

The Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a triple port wall plug that offers speedy charging for your phones, tablets, laptops and more.

Something that I loved about this charger, right off the bat, is that it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable included. That’s actually quite rare for a lot of these wall chargers but adds a lot of value points for an already cheap product – this charger is $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) but regularly available for less. For those of you who only have USB-A to USB-C/lightning cables, this will undoubtedly be a welcome inclusion, so if you want to get great bang for your buck, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a strong option.

But this plug isn’t only good in terms of value, it delivers very decent charging performance too. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and a DualSense Wireless Controller via USB-C, while also charging the Soundcore Space One Pro via USB-A. And despite using all three ports, the Samsung phone charged from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s in-line with the sort of speeds the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers offer.

It’s also worth noting that each USB-C port can provide up to 67W when single-port charging – this is 22.5W for the USB-A alternative. However, if you’re juicing up two or more devices, USB-C port 1 will deliver a higher power output than port 2 – specifically, port 1 delivers 42W, whereas port 2 and the USB-A slot provide 12W each if you’re triple-charging. If you’re trying to charge multiple power-hungry devices, this might not be enough firepower for you, though. It may, instead, be worth considering an option with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3-Ports).

So performance is solid here, but is it designed for greatness? Well, I’d say it has a simple and decently effective build. Unlike Anker’s Prime products, this isn’t a GaN charger, so it’s not going to be the most hi-tech, compact option, but for its price it’s still pretty well-sized. The charger’s prongs are foldable too, which is ideal if you want to slip it into your pocket without it annoyingly poking your leg. Looks-wise, it’s not a particularly interesting charger. The casing has a matte black finish and the Anker logo with the three charging ports on the top – each of which are well spaced-out. There are no color options, which could’ve been a nice touch, especially given the Black colorway is a little bland.

But overall, this is a very solid wall charger. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t have a flashy design and it doesn’t offer a sky-high maximum power output. But what you do get is reliable tri-port charging, a foldable design and a solid USB-C to USB-C cable all for a very reasonable price. So, if you’re looking for a cheap multi-device plug, this is a worthy pick.

Anker 335 Charger (67W) review: Price & specs

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