If the CRM industry is a zoo, Salesforce is an 800-pound gorilla. It’s one of the best CRM software platforms on the market, powered by cutting-edge AI tools and hosted on the cloud. It also has separate modules for managing customer relationships across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and more, making it a great fit for almost any team in any business.

With over 150,000 customers worldwide, Salesforce CRM has been a driving force in the digital transformation of businesses for over two decades.

However, its dominance doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit for every organization. In this in-depth Salesforce review, I'll dive into the platform's core capabilities, ease of use, integrations, customer support, value for money, and company trajectory to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your business.

My hope is to present you with a well-rounded perspective of Salesforce’s core CRM offerings. At TechRadar Pro, we don't just aggregate data sheets; we live in the software we review. Our expert testers spent dozens of hours inside the Salesforce ecosystem - from setting up the initial Sales Cloud workspace to stress-testing the AI agents and building custom reports.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings or positive coverage, ensuring our verdict is based solely on hands-on performance, ease of use, and real-world business value.

While not every feature will be available on every module, Salesforce makes it very easy to build your own version by combining different aspects of its suite into a package called Customer 360. You can read our dedicated Salesforce Sales Cloud CRM review here.

Salesforce CRM core capabilities

At its core, Salesforce provides a robust set of CRM features to effectively manage customer relationships throughout the entire lifecycle. On the whole, I've found the core relationship management capabilities to be quite intuitive.

Contact management is straightforward, with the ability to capture detailed information like communication preferences, activity history, and custom fields relevant to my business. I can easily store and organize detailed information about individual contacts, including their role, communication preferences, and interaction history. Plus, the account hierarchy feature is particularly useful for managing complex B2B relationships with parent and child companies.

You can easily score leads based on criteria like demographics, behavior, and engagement. A visual kanban-style lead workspace allows you to drag-and-drop leads through different stages of the sales cycle, from new to qualified to converted. I appreciate the flexibility to customize lead stages and automate assignment rules based on unique sales processes.

I can track deals across every stage, from lead generation to closed-won or closed-lost. Salesforce’s opportunity record provides a complete view of the deal, including products, competition, quotes, and revenue projections. There’s also a collaboration forecasting feature, which allows sales managers to view and adjust team forecasts while providing executives with real-time visibility into the sales pipeline.

Speaking of visibility, Salesforce provides a wide range of standard reports out of the box, covering everything from sales performance to customer service metrics. I've been impressed with the report builder, which allows me to easily create custom reports using a drag-and-drop interface. The ability to schedule and share reports with key stakeholders will improve your team's efficiency and accountability.

Apart from this, Salesforce's mobile app is a useful addition for field sales reps. I can access and update critical customer information, track activities, and even close deals right from my smartphone or tablet. Push notifications keep me informed about important updates, like when a key opportunity stage changes. Salesforce’s mobile experience is intuitive, mirroring the desktop version, ensuring a seamless transition between various devices.

While it hasn't been too long since Salesforce introduced its AI module, Einstein, the pace of change in this field has been rapid. As such, for Salesforce's Spring '26 release cycle, its Einstein AI has been superseded by Agentforce, a new AI platform focused on autonomous AI agents that can execute tasks. Salesforce is now an agentic platform. AI agents no longer just suggest text; they can autonomously perform account research, qualify leads, and even handle Tier-1 and Tier-2 customer service inquiries within defined guardrails.

While it offers a wealth of features, I have encountered a few limitations with Salesforce, too. For example, the email templates can be basic compared to other marketing automation platforms. The forecasting tool, while powerful, does require some setup and training to leverage.

Speaking from a more general perspective, Salesforce CRM also features a bit of a learning curve and has a pricing structure that’s somewhat prohibitive for small businesses.

But overall, I've been impressed with the core capabilities of Salesforce CRM. The platform provides a comprehensive set of features to manage the entire customer lifecycle, from lead to loyalty. While there may be a learning curve for some advanced functionality, the benefits in terms of productivity, collaboration, and customer insights far outweigh any challenges.

How easy is Salesforce CRM to use?

Salesforce’s layout is clean and well-organized, with key features and data easily accessible from the navigation menu and dashboard. The use of consistent iconography and naming conventions makes getting around the platform easy and fast. However, given the sheer breadth of features on offer here, a certain learning curve is expected.

It also allows administrators to tailor the user interface to match their organization's specific needs and terminology. I've been able to create custom fields, page layouts, and workflows that align with unique sales processes. While the customization options are extensive, Salesforce provides a user-friendly setup menu and guided wizards to help admins make changes without needing to write code.

Trailhead, Salesforce’s learning platform, offers a wealth of onboarding and training resources to help new users get up to speed quickly. It takes a gamified approach to training, with bite-sized modules and hands-on challenges that cover everything from basic navigation to advanced features. I think that this is an engaging and effective way to onboard new team members, with the added benefit of allowing them to learn at their own pace.

In addition to Trailhead, Salesforce offers extensive documentation, how-to guides, and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and best practices. The Salesforce Success Community is a particularly valuable resource, connecting users with experts and peers who can provide guidance and support.

It has to be said that ine of the biggest complaints about Salesforce has always been its complexity. In late 2025/early 2026, Salesforce addressed this with a redesigned UI. Its new AI-powered Sales Workspace interface consolidates lead research, prospecting, and meeting preparation into a single view, significantly reducing tab fatigue.

Based on my own experience, I think that most users can navigate the basic features and perform essential tasks with Salesforce within a few days of training. More advanced features and customizations may take a few weeks to master, but the platform's intuitive design and robust support resources make the learning process manageable.

Whilst this flexibility is a strength for enterprise customers, it can also be overwhelming for small businesses and probably isn’t the best CRM for startups that don’t have an extensive onboarding budget or lots of ramp-up time. Salesforce’s initial setup and configuration process is a great example of this, requiring a significant time investment and a certain level of technical knowledge to get everything configured optimally.

Despite the issues, however, I've found that the long-term benefits of Salesforce's scalability far outweigh the initial setup hurdles. Once the platform is tailored to your organization's specific needs and processes, it becomes an incredibly powerful and efficient tool for managing customer relationships.

Salesforce CRM integrations

Salesforce provides both pre-built integrations and an open API for custom data exchange. Beyond that, there’s comprehensive documentation, code samples, and developer resources to support integration development and usage.

With the AppExchange marketplace, Salesforce offers a vast library of pre-built integrations and applications from partner companies. These out-of-the-box solutions cover various business functions, such as marketing automation, customer support, accounting, and more.

With over 3,000 pre-built apps already available, businesses can easily find and deploy integrations that align with their specific requirements. Popular integrations include Mailchimp for email marketing, Zendesk for customer support, QuickBooks for accounting, and Jira for project management.

For businesses with unique integration needs, Salesforce provides a robust and well-documented API. The Salesforce REST API allows developers to access and manipulate data programmatically, enabling custom integrations with internal systems and external applications.

Salesforce’s API supports standard HTTP methods and exchanges data through JSON or XML responses, making it compatible with a wide range of programming languages and tools. It supports various protocols and data formats, such as REST, SOAP, and bulk data operations, giving developers flexibility in designing integrations.

Salesforce also provides robust data management capabilities to maintain data integrity during integrations. Features like data mapping, transformation, and cleansing ensure that data is properly formatted and synchronized between systems. Additionally, Salesforce's data governance tools help enforce data quality standards and compliance requirements, giving businesses confidence in the accuracy and security of their integrated data.

During my time with the CRM, Salesforce's integration capabilities appeared reliable and performant. Pre-built integrations from the AppExchange worked quite seamlessly. Plus, the API was stable and responsive, allowing for efficient data exchange and real-time updates. Data synchronization was consistent and timely for both pre-built integrations and custom ones.

However, it's important to note that the success of integrations largely depends on proper implementation and adherence to best practices. Salesforce’s Developer Community provides guidelines and recommendations for integration development, such as understanding limits, securing data, and implementing authentication methods. Custom integrations can be built using popular programming languages like Java, C#, and Python, making it accessible to a wide range of developers.

One major recent integration addition focuses on improving the quality of interoperability. For instance, in late 2025, Salesforce completed its acquisition of Informatica, making it a core part of the Data Cloud ecosystem. This means users can now perform "intelligent integration" where the CRM automatically flags data quality issues, deduplicates records, and ensures data governance across your entire tech stack before that data ever reaches your sales reps

Additionally, Salesforce's partner network includes a wide range of integration specialists and consultants who can assist businesses in designing and implementing complex integration solutions. Plus, the company releases regular updates and new features that expand its integration capabilities and improve overall performance.

Salesforce CRM customer support

Salesforce offers several different support channels, including both live and self-service options. Users can reach out for assistance via phone, live chat, and email, depending on their preference and the urgency of their issue. Based on user testimonials, support representatives appear to be knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely interested in providing a satisfactory resolution.

Live chat offers quick and convenient assistance for less complex queries. Representatives are more than happy to offer step-by-step guidance or direct you to relevant resources. For more involved queries, you can contact the support team via phone at +1-800-664-9073. Email support, while not as immediate as phone or chat, is a reliable enough option for less urgent matters, with representatives typically responding within a day or two.

In addition to live support, Salesforce offers a vast collection of self-help resources under the umbrella of Salesforce Help. It’s a comprehensive knowledge base that covers every aspect of the platform, from basic setup to advanced customization. The articles, videos, and documentation are all well-prepared, easy to follow, and frequently updated to reflect the latest features and best practices.

Part of the larger self-help infrastructure of Salesforce Help, there’s also Trailhead. It’s a guided and gamified learning module that offers an interactive way to quickly familiarize yourself with the platform’s most important features and functionality. You can use Trailhead to upgrade your Salesforce skills, earn badges for each milestone, and then promote your services and expertise through the associated community.

Speaking of community, Salesforce Trailblazer connects users from around the world to share knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions using a dedicated forum. A quick look at the platform shows you how active and helpful the community is, thanks to both internal experts and other users. Every day, the community forum highlights active members to reward them for their participation. This makes sure that users feel rewarded for helping others navigate the platform and troubleshoot their issues.

In terms of response times, Salesforce generally meets or exceeds industry standards. Customer satisfaction with Salesforce support is consistently high, as demonstrated by a 4.5-star rating on platforms like G2 and TrustRadius. While the learning curve for new users is steep, Salesforce’s generally reliable and helpful support system makes it much easier to adopt.

That said, there is always room for improvement. Some users have reported longer wait times during peak hours or when dealing with particularly complex issues. It also seems that the quality of help received is directly influenced by the support tier you’re on. Customers who purchase Premier+ Support or Mission Critical Support receive priority access to better agents. Meanwhile, standard users are mostly stuck using the self-service options.

Salesforce CRM security

Salesforce CRM's security credentials represent one of the platform’s strong points. The CRM uses a shared responsibility model, with Salesforce providing a secure infrastructure and the customer being responsible for configuring and managing the security of their data within the platform.

Among the features that Salesforce employs to guarantee customer security is encryption, both at rest and in transit. For instance, all data transmitted between a user's device and Salesforce servers is protected by industry-standard Transport Layer Security encryption. At the same time, all data stored on Salesforce servers is encrypted using a unique key for each organization. Salesforce uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption, considered a highly secure encryption method.

In addition, for businesses with particularly stringent security and compliance needs, Salesforce offers an additional paid add-on called Salesforce Shield. This allows for more comprehensive encryption of sensitive data within standard and custom fields, files, and attachments. It even offers the option for customers to "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) for enhanced control. By exclusively managing their digital assets, organizations gain an extra layer of protection.

Salesforce CRM pricing and plans

As one of the most expensive CRM solutions on the market, Salesforce demands a significant investment, but it also delivers a robust platform that can grow with your business. A per-user pricing model allows for flexibility as your team grows, but it can become costly for larger organizations.

Salesforce employs a tiered pricing model with four main editions: Essentials, Professional, Enterprise, and Unlimited. The Essentials plan starts at $25 per user per month while the Unlimited plan costs $300 per user, per month.

However, Salesforce offers a breadth of features even in lower-tier plans. Essentials, while basic, still includes features like account and contact management, opportunity tracking, and email integration. But, advanced capabilities like lead scoring and collaborative forecasting are only available from Professional, while workflow automation is restricted to Enterprise and Unlimited.

The company offers a 14-day free trial. After that, Salesforce offers annual billing for all plans except Essentials, which can be paid monthly. While opting for annual billing often comes with a discount, it requires a larger upfront investment and less flexibility for businesses with fluctuating needs.

Apart from the core plans, Salesforce also offers various add-ons that can enhance the CRM's functionality. While these can provide excellent value for businesses with specific needs, you should calculate costs thoroughly to make sure the investment justifies the ROI.

When comparing Salesforce to other CRM solutions, it's important to consider the total cost of ownership. While the initial price may be higher, Salesforce's extensive customization options, robust app ecosystem, and scalability can provide you with more long-term value. Its ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party applications can also lead to increased efficiency and productivity, potentially offsetting the higher cost.

But for smaller businesses or those with simpler CRM needs, Salesforce’s pricing may prove prohibitive. Unless you need all the advanced functionality, there are more affordable options on the market that offer similar core functionalities at a lower price point.

Saleforce trajectory

Salesforce has maintained its position as the dominant player in the CRM market, consistently innovating and expanding its offerings. As of 2023, it commanded 21.7% of the global CRM market share, easily outpacing its nearest competitors, Microsoft (5.9%), Oracle (4.4%), SAP (3.5%), and Adobe (3.4%).

In the current fiscal year, Salesforce reported a total revenue of $34.86 billion, 11% more than last year. Meanwhile, the company's subscription and support revenues, which form the core of its business model, grew by 12% to $32.54 billion. Its growth trajectory is supported by strategic acquisitions, such as Tableau and Slack, which have expanded its capabilities and reach.

Going beyond the financials, Salesforce's user community is one of the largest and most active in the software industry. Its ecosystem, including customers, partners, and developers, continues to grow rapidly. Right now, 150,000+ businesses utilize its services globally.

As a CRM, Salesforce was named a leader in various analyst reports, such as The Forrester Wave and IDC MarketScape, which evaluate solutions based on criteria like market impact, vision, and capability. The company's Pledge 1% initiative, which encourages companies to donate 1% of equity, product, and employee time to charitable causes, has garnered participation from over 15,000 companies worldwide.

Looking ahead, Salesforce's trajectory appears promising, with projections indicating continued growth in both market share and revenue. The company's focus on integrating AI-driven insights into its platform is expected to further enhance its offerings and maintain its competitive edge.

With regular updates, an active user community, and strategic partnerships through Salesforce AppExchange and Partner Innovation Awards, Salesforce continues to operate as the undisputed leader of the CRM space - despite competition from giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Adobe.

Salesforce CRM review: Summary

After a comprehensive evaluation of Salesforce CRM, I have found that the platform excels in several key areas, offering a robust set of core capabilities and extensive integration options. It’s a great choice in particular for medium-to-large enterprises, with a pricing structure and learning curve that may not be the best CRM for small businesses.

Salesforce CRM FAQ

I'm no stranger to Vari and their range of office furniture. So, I was excited to get my hands on their L-shape electric corner desk. 

Often featured in our round of the best standing desks, I've also found the Vari range impressively well-built, easy to assemble, and have held up excellently over time. Vari is one of the better and easier brands to recommend thanks to its value for the cost.

The L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk is no different. It has a great lifting capacity, a simple setup process, and quality materials. It looks great, and it works even smoother. What more could you possibly want in an L-shaped standing Desk?

Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk: Unboxing & first impressions

The Vari L-shaped Electric Standing Desk arrived in three large boxes. All three boxes were beautifully packaged, keeping all the pieces inside, and especially the desktop pieces themselves, secure and safe. These boxes contained the two desktop pieces, the legs, the frame, and the hardware to assemble the desk.

From the first moment my hands touched this desk, I knew it was solid and well-constructed. Vari offers a multitude of colorways. For this desk, and for my team member who was going to be primarily using this desk (he wanted all the space he could get!), we chose the black desktop with black legs. The wood looks gorgeous, and I have had other Vari desks with wood desktops, like the previously mentioned Electric Standing Desk with Comfort Edge. However, the black felt like a tremendously simple fit for this use case.

Lastly, the desk's components feel solid, well-constructed, and able to withstand wear and tear. It does not have a ton of wobble, nor does it feel like I need to baby this desk. I can use it, and I can use it somewhat hard, and I know it will be okay.

The setup was straightforward with this desk. I specifically see a lot of desks that require a good amount of assembly and perhaps pre-drilled holes for desktops but still take a lot of effort and time to assemble. Even though this desk is quite large, it took us less time than the average desk assembly since Vari makes assembly so easy. Everything is lined up with precision, and even the desk holes, rather than being pre-drilled, are pre-threaded, allowing the use of bolts rather than screws, speeding up the process, and certainty, even further.

One downside is that this desk is cumbersome. Once it's set up, its weight is not an issue, but it's essential to be aware of this while setting it up. Although it's easy to bolt the pieces together, moving the assembled desk is challenging. It's advisable to have a partner help with lifting.

Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk: Design and Build Quality

The Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk is a part of Vari's Comfort Edge line, which features a contoured edge, providing comfortable rest points for your forearms and wrists. This is particularly beneficial during long work sessions if you lean against the desk or prefer not to have a sharp angle for your forearms to rest on when working. Check out what I thought of the traditional model in the Vari Electric Standing Desk with ComfortEdge review. 

The Comfort Edge is a significant advantage for this workstation because it will be heavily used by one of my team members, who works extensively with CAD, building plans, and construction. He will constantly move around the desk, drawing, working, and reviewing plans rather than sitting in one spot. This feature allows him to find a comfortable position and adjust the desk height easily, preventing strain on his forearms. He regularly switches between sitting and standing to maximize his productivity. 

The control panel for this desk and its ability to automatically move to pre-positioned heights have been beneficial for our way of working. Instead of manually adjusting the desk to the proper height by holding a button or lever, we can press the desired height button, which will automatically change every time. We primarily use three central heights for this desk. First is a sitting height, second is a standing height for working at a laptop, and third is a slightly lower standing height for drawing over plans. There is room for a fourth height; we have yet to find a specific need for it, so we're saving that for a rainy day.

Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk: In use

The L-shaped electric standing desk with Comfort Soft has a very smooth electric lift mechanism that is both smooth and quiet while also being plenty fast for our use case. Transitions between our three central heights are seamless. 

It is so seamless that my team member says he constantly switches between modes, mostly just because he can, so why not do what works best now? It's reached the point where he doesn't know if he could ever return to even the best office desks if they're stationary or even just standard-sized.

The overall workspace is incredibly spacious, which allows plenty of room to spread out materials and prevents them from falling on each other or getting crammed up. The desk can easily accommodate a building plan that's 24x36", which is huge for my team's needs. This desk is fantastic for multitasking with two distinct spaces, yet it's all part of one desk. •

As mentioned, this desk is solid and durable. It can support up to 200 pounds, and the 1¼” thick desktop and L-shaped design ensure stability even at max height.

Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk: Final verdict

The Vari L-Shaped Electric Standing Desk is an excellent choice for professionals needing a large, sturdy, and functional workspace. Its combination of durability, ease of use, and ample space makes it a top-tier option, despite its premium price. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or anyone who needs a versatile and robust desk, this model won’t disappoint. It is comfortable to use for extended periods thanks to the edge, has room to spare thanks to the size, and is highly durable thanks to the shape.

For more workspace furniture, we've reviewed the best office chairs. 

Netac US9: 30-second review

The market for ultrafast, high-capacity USB SSD sticks is expanding, and the Netac US9 USB 3.2 Gen 2 flash drive is a prime example of what looks to be an exceptional device. With its high-quality full metal build and dual connectors (USB Type-A and Type-C), it offers wide compatibility with a range of computers and mobile devices. The drive is plug-and-play, preformatted in ExFat for compatibility with Mac, PC, Android, and iOS devices.

The design is stylish and functional, with the USB SSD being instantly recognised by all tested devices. The build quality initially seems excellent, thanks to the full metal construction that provides what seems to be a robust and high-quality feel. However, on closer inspection you'll notice that the covers that flip over the connectors although a major feature is a weak point. The cover over the USB Type-A connector is held in place by a small magnet, which generally stays secure until intentionally flipped upwards. On the other hand, the cover over the USB Type-C connector flaps around as the small magnet that's supposed to hold it in place is far to weak.

Despite this minor design flaw, the SSD's performance is undisputed. Like any of the best portable SSDs (and with this device, we really mean portable), it boasts fast transfer speeds, making it an excellent solution for anyone looking to boost their mobile or computing storage. The overall build quality is durable, although the loose USB Type-C cover is a weak point and could potentially expose the connector to damage. Nonetheless, the Netac US9 is a decent enough choice for reliable and fast storage expansion.

Netac US9: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? €129
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in Europe

The Netac USB 3.2 Gen 2 flash drive is currently available on Amazon Europe for around €129.

• Value: 4/5

Netac US9: Benchmark

In benchmark tests, the Netac US9 USB 3.2 Gen 2 1TB put in a decent performance, reaching read speeds up to 1050.09MB/s and write speeds up to 1029.87MB/s, these exceeded those stated by Netac. 

Netac US9: Specs

Netac US9: Build and Handling

When you first take the Netac US9 out of the packaging, you can feel its weight and quality. It's fully made out of metal, giving it a strong and robust feel. The design of this compact SSD has been developed for maximum compatibility, featuring a USB Type-C on one end and a USB Type-A on the other, both supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 for speeds up to 10 Gbps (1000 MB/s). It is available in various capacities, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB—the sample reviewed here is the 1TB version.

The flash drive is ready to use out of the box. It is preformatted in the ExFat format, ensuring compatibility with Mac and PC systems, as well as most Android and iOS smartphones and devices. Simply plug it in, and you can access the drive's capacity through your device's file manager. Not bad in the realms of the best external hard drives and best external hard drive for Mac. Bu not without flaws. 

Unlike some other drives, there is no software included, so setting up the file format and software you use on the drive is entirely up to you. There are also no software or hardware security options, so you'll need to use your operating system's native software protection if you wish to secure the drive.

The design is neat, with both connectors protected by strong metal covers that flip down, ensuring protection during transport. The USB Type-A connector's protective lid is held in place by a small magnet, while the USB Type-C cover rests inside the connector. This allows easy access to the connectors by simply flipping up the lids and plugging the drive into your device.

Overall, the build quality is good, with a full metal construction and sturdy caps that will protect the connectors when the drive is carried in a backpack or pocket, although as highlighted there is an issue with the USB Type-C protective cover staying in place.

• Design: 3/5

Netac US9: Features

As with many compact devices, the Netac US9 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive is packed with features designed to make it stand out. For data transfer, this small SSD utilises USB 3.2 Gen 2, enabling read speeds up to 1000 MB/s and write speeds up to 950 MB/s. It features both Type-A and Type-C connectors, ensuring wide compatibility with computers, mobile phones, TVs, and other devices.

While no encryption software is included, the drive supports file encryption via hardware. This means if you use hardware or software encryption for your drives, this SSD will be fully compatible, offering added security for your data.

One of the standout design features is the interface protection design. The two flip-down covers protect the USB Type-A and Type-C ports. These covers are held in place by small magnets, providing secure closure and protecting the drive while it's in a bag or pocket. These flip-down covers are made of the same high-quality metal as the rest of the drive, ensuring durability and robust protection. Again there is a design flaw with the USB Type-C cover that we'll talk about in the performance section. 

• Features: 4/5

Netac US9: Performance

The performance of the Netac US9 USB 3.2 Gen 2 flash drive is impressive and versatile. Benchmarking against various applications revealed it to be an extremely fast SSD, often reaching the manufacturer's quoted speeds in our benchmarking tests. Viewing media files directly from the drive or editing within Photoshop or Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 is seamless, allowing for real-time editing. The metal casing effectively dissipates heat, preventing thermal throttling during short-term intensive tasks.

Using the drive for long, sustained periods under heavy load isn't recommended, but for short-term tasks, it excels. The drive is instantly recognised by devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, enabling quick transfers of photos, videos, and other files, freeing up valuable space. This portability and ease of use make it a great option for use with mobile devices.

A major feature is the ability to switch between USB Type-C and USB Type-A connectors, allowing easy connectivity between portable devices and desktop PCs. Transferring files between devices, including Macs, is straightforward thanks to the drive's compatible formatting.

Although the drive doesn't include built-in security software, you can utilise tools like Disk Utility on Mac to reformat and secure the drive with passwords. This requires some technical know-how but provides flexibility for added securit

The full metal build gives the drive a premium feel, but there is a significant drawback: the USB Type-C cover. Unlike the secure magnetised cover on the USB Type-A end, the USB Type-C cover is loosely held by a weak magnet, making it prone to opening which could leave the connector exposed to potential damage when stored in a bag or pocket.

Overall, while the Netac US9 performs exceptionally well and offers excellent capacity and speed, the ineffective USB Type-C cover is a notable flaw.

• Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Netac US9?

When first looking at this compact flash drive, the build quality and design are very appealing, offering a high-quality feel. It meets the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specifications, transferring files quickly and effectively. The metal casing disperses heat well, allowing for sustained use and light video editing. Its durability, speed, and large capacity are significant benefits for expanding storage on computers or mobile devices. However, the major issue is the ineffectual USB Type-C cover, which doesn't stay secure. To get around this you could consider using a small case to prevent the cover from flapping about, but really while the speed and capacity is excellent this design flaw is an issue.

• ^ Back to top

For more storage options, we've tested the best USB flash drives

Flexispot is at it again with the Flexispot Q8, a big bold, and beautiful standing desk with integrated charging and a beautiful bamboo tabletop that will make any office space feel sophisticated and chic. 

With its four customizable preset heights, integrated wireless phone charging and handy drawer, it’s a fantastic choice for a desk with a little more than variable height. But with the company's other models topping our round-up of the best standing desks, how does the Flexispot Q8 Comhar Pro compare? 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Specs

While Flexispot’s Q8 standing desk might not be built from deluxe materials, its bamboo tabletop and flared three-stage dual-motor steel legs make for a durable desk that can handle up to a 100kg load. It’s fairly robust with marginal wobbling, offering a height range of 60cm-124cm and a wonderful 140 x 70cm (W x D) surface. 

It retails for $700 / £600 - but at the time of review, the desk is is discounted to $500 / £360 on both the Flexispot US and Flexispot UK websites. 

It's a semi-frequent discount that puts the desk at an excellent value proposition compared to its typical slightly expensive price. There are several accessories available on Flexispot, however it’s worth noting none of these are fitted add-ons.

The legs move at a rate of 38 mm/sec, and are wonderfully quiet in motion; Flexispot advertises the Q8 as making a maximum of 50dB in use, but on test it rarely surpassed 45dB. It also offers anti-collision technology and four personalizable presets, as well as contactless phone charging and both a USB-C and USB-A port. 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Shipping and unboxing

The Flexispot Q8 arrives in two boxes; one for the legs and one for the tabletop and accessories, which arrived on different days. Delivery takes 2-6 working days as standard.

Barring an inexplicable light wood block included with the tabletop, both boxes were well packaged, encased in plastic bagging and using foam inserts to keep all the components safe and secure. 

Both boxes are, however, very heavy, with the tabletop weighing 28.5kg and requiring two people to move.  

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Assembly

While the Flexispot Q8 is simple enough to install, you’ll certainly need two people handy to upturn this hefty workspace. It took two of us just over an hour to assemble, though it’s worth highlighting that the time frame was added to by an unfortunate instance with a screw which I’ll detail shortly. 

As well as the tabletop and legs, the desk comes with a screwdriver, Allen key and the appropriate fittings. The instruction manual is, broadly speaking, clear, although Flexispot appears to have redesigned the original brackets for holding up the under-desk cable tray which led to some mild confusion. The cable tray we received had one large bracket rather than two hooks, which the base of the tray slotted into; not the most secure or strong fixture, but a functional one nonetheless. 

After unboxing the legs, you simply need to affix them to the underside of the desk and then attach the feet. This is where I had my only real issue with the desk; the screws and fittings are a little cheaply made, meaning it was very easy to miss the groove and install the screws at an angle. Luckily, this only happened with one screw, and with some careful realignment we were able to salvage it; but given it’s a large desk carrying heavy weights, this was a little annoying.

It was also a tad unclear how you were supposed to slot in the cable tidy across the main beam of the desk where the leg motors are wired to the power supply, but otherwise, the instructions were easy to follow. Once everything was in place on the tabletop’s underside, simply turn the desk - which, as I say, is a two-person job for most people - and plug it in. 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: First impressions

Simple and chic, the Flexispot Q8 earned nothing but praise as soon as it was in situ. Especially in the darker colorway I opted for, it’s very suave and sophisticated in looks, and I really appreciate all of the finishing touches with cable management that help the desk feel well organized and tidy.

I was impressed on my initial testing how the motors are so quiet and soft-sounding, unlike the loud and more invasive whirring standing desks I’ve used previously. The digital display is bright and clear, and the buttons easy to operate. Both the USB-A and USB-C ports work well, and the integrated wireless phone charging also works perfectly. 

I was a little disappointed to see that there were no portholes given the desk’s size, which did make the wiring a little messy. Especially given the cable management tray isn’t particularly large nor robust, this feels like a missed opportunity. 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Design

As I’ve highlighted numerous times, I love the aesthetic appeal of the Flexispot Q8. Its bamboo surface is finished wonderfully, with curved edges to help prevent nicks and scuffing, and the steel legs are slick and robust. Despite suffering an unfortunate drop during construction and denting ever so slightly, the steel legs didn’t chip or discolor, which is great for clumsier users like myself. 

It’s a shame there are only two colorways; my darker option and the lighter bamboo with white steel legs. Both are fairly neutral and will fit in most environments, but it’s always nice to see broader options. The bamboo tabletop feels solid, supported by a steel frame that features the integrated drawer, which is plenty spacious (66.6 x 31 x 5cm (L x W x D)) albeit very simplistic. 

The cable management shelf included with the desk isn’t the most robust; you slot the base in to a bracket screwed into the desk, and neither the bracket nor the base feel particularly strong, so I’d recommend against shelving a fully loaded extension lead there. 

On the right-hand side of the desk you’ll find the integrated wireless phone charger, denoted by a signal symbol, and just below this on the front of the desk is the digital display, height controls, four preset buttons and USB-C and USB-A charging ports.

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Performance and app

Overall, the Flexispot Q8 performed wonderfully on test, with a few small quirks worth highlighting. Its height adjusts smoothly, swiftly and without making a racket, registering at just 45dB in an ambient environment. Pressing and holding one of the four preset buttons will save the current height as a preset, and with four to choose from it’s great for hot-desking or multi-user home offices. It does drift slightly (by about 1cm) after you take your finger off the button to change the height manually, presumably to reduce any abrupt movements that might disturb the contents of your tabletop, which takes a little getting used to.

While it feels very robust, it’s worth noting that it wobbles ever so slightly on my carpeted floors, but not so much so to cause anxiety in operation. In particular, it wobbles if you sharply close or open the drawer, so I’d advise careful consideration when storing heavier items in here.

Other than one occasion where I somehow triggered an error message while changing heights (in which instance, the instructions advise you leave the desk for a very specific 18 minutes. I powered the desk off and on again as it was still non-responsive, and had no further issues) the desk broadly operated as expected. I placed two heavy speakers, a synthesizer, a laptop and the usual peripherals on my desk and it didn’t seem to be under any added strain. 

Its anti-collision feature works well, pausing any motion when an obstacle is detected above or below the desk, and the phone charger and all ports continued to work as expected throughout my testing. 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Accessories

While Flexispot doesn’t offer any accessories that can be integrated into the desk, there are a number of add-ons available on Flexispot, from office chairs to monitor arms and other peripherals. 

For more office furniture accessories, we reviewed the best standing desk mats. 

Flexispot Q8 standing desk: Final verdict

The Flexispot Q8 is a great all-rounder that’s got a lot to offer and not much to complain about; barring the slightly cheaper build materials (which, in fairness, allow for that often affordable sale price) it’s a very accomplished standing desk.

I love that it offers so many added benefits and features, and the overall premium look and feel of the desk belies its lower price point. However, its long-term durability might come into question given these build materials, so it would be prudent to take good care of the Q8 to make it last. 

The Q8 is a fantastic desk with some genuinely useful features, and while its build quality does leave something to be desired, overall it’s a great device with a beautiful design and solid performance. 

For more workspace extras, we reviewed the best office chairs.

Koplus Tonique: 30-second review

It’s hard to make a mesh chair look original. In as much, the Tonique office chair from Koplus isn’t rewriting any books on design, but underneath the hood is a commendable, comfortable office chair with a relatively friendly price tag and some great features. 

From its breathable materials and comfortable cushioning to its excellent recline and versatile adjustment options, Tonique has a lot to offer. Its minimalist yet chic form will pair well with many office environments, and judging by our fairly rough testing process, this chair is built to last and ranks among some of the best office chairs.

In particular, I loved its automatic balancing mechanism, which offers a level of flexibility and comfort for even the most fidgety of office workers; a category I firmly sit among. It’s incredibly comfortable to use for long periods, though it’s not perfect; its weight can be a little problematic when on loose carpeted floors, and the adjustable lumbar support left me wanting. In as much, it’s a fantastic pick if you want a flexible and dynamic chair that will suit most environments, but if your biggest priority is lumbar or neck support, you’d be better off elsewhere. 

Koplus Tonique: Price & availability

• Price: £539.94

Netherlands-based Koplus has been creating office furnishings since 2009, offering a range of chairs; including the Tonique office chair. At £539.94, it’s relatively affordable compared to more expensive seats like the Steelcase Harman, but perhaps a little overpriced given it comes up short a little in the design department. 

Unfortunately, it’s a little hard to find consistent pricing or availability for Koplus’ modern mesh chair. You can buy Tonique directly from Koplus, which affords a variety of customization options, but you’ll have to request a quote to find out how much those choices will set you back. These include three different base models (Task, cantilever and drafting), four-seat fabric and back mesh color options (black, green, blue, orange) and two back frame color options (black and white). 

A variety of trusted third-party sites like Yo-Yo desk also stock Tonique, but other less-known sites also seem to offer it at a lower price; I’d advise shopping with caution, then. Third-party retailers exclusively stock the seat in all-black with an aluminium base or with a white frame and black nylon base.

• Value: 4.5/5

Koplus Tonique: Design

• Classic, simple task chair design
• Flexible frame, but heavy
• Requires quick assembly

Understated, but not yet underwhelming, Tonique opts for a simple yet effective aesthetic that will blend in well to most office environments. It’s no show-stopper, but it’s far from unattractive with its squared-off, curved back and well-spaced arms. You’ll need to build the Tonique yourself, but it’s a very quick and easy process that took me just 17 minutes; simply snap the wheels into the base, affix the gas canister and seat and you’re good to go. 

The back is made from TPEE Mesh, making it breathable and well-suited for long days at your desk thanks to the support offered by its weaved mesh pattern, and the adjustable plastic lumbar support. This support is not as luxurious as higher caliber office chairs, and is a little stiff to move, but allows for a few inches of adjustment; this means it’s best suited for small- to average-height users rather than taller people. 

My favorite aspect of Tonique’s design is by far its recline, which comfortably allows up to 126 degrees of freedom to lean. Thanks to the auto-balancing mechanism and the chair's overall robustness, this recline feels comfortable and secure, which is fantastic for people who like some freedom of movement while working. You’re also afforded a lot of flexibility thanks to the build materials, meaning it won’t bend out of shape. 

Each of the plastic armrests is adjustable on two axes; back and forth and up and down, offering a decent range of customizability and comfort. Given that the arms are fairly widely spaced, it would have been preferable to have side-to-side adjustability, too. The main seat offers firm yet well-cushioned and comfortable support and is breathable enough to keep fairly cool even during periods of extended use; something I made liberal use of, as my desk becomes a gaming station as soon as my work day ends. Beneath the seat are the recline lock, gas lift, and seat depth paddles, as well as the aluminum metal base and plastic wheels. 

At 17kg, the model I tested is hefty on its own, and especially with someone in situ can be hard to move across carpet. Our office space has fairly loose, low-pile carpet, which the chair repeatedly bunched up during use; not entirely Tonique’s fault, but it's worth noting if you’ve got a carpeted office.

• Design: 4/5 

Koplus Tonique: Comfort

• Comfortable for most users
• Very breathable
• Lumbar support could be improved

As a mid-range upgrade to my very affordable office chair, Koplus’ Tonique office chair was an absolute treat. From its swooping recline to its ability to keep me cool under pressure, it’s been fantastic for not only the comfort it provides but also the freedom to move.

I mentioned above that I’m a fidget, and that becomes particularly relevant when it comes to reviewing the comfort of this chair. Thanks to its impressively flexible frame, forgiving recline and auto-adjustment features, I was able to rock, lean and wiggle my way through the working day without once worrying about the integrity of my chair. It’s a real marvel, though slightly nerve-wracking when you’re an onlooker, how effortlessly and naturally this chair reclines.

The chair automatically adjusts itself to the weight of its user, meaning there’s no need to adjust the tension (although an Allen key is provided to allow for this, should it be needed), and the recline lock, gas lift (offering a maximum variation of 130mm) and seat depth controls handle the rest.

Having used Tonique for several days straight, I’d say its lumbar support is adequate, but leaves some room for improvement. The plastic bar can be adjusted by a few inches, but doesn’t offer the real structured support or comfort found in more premium chairs. However, it does the job well enough. 

Much like the breathable 3D mesh back, the integrated cushion seat is both comfortable and cool, making it excellent for full days sat at your desk. I’d say it could do with being ever so slightly firmer, however, that’s down to personal preference; it’s very thick and well-padded, ultimately. Both the back and the seat are fantastic at allowing airflow, meaning I rarely overheated at my desk.

The armrests could also do with offering a little more comfort by my standards. It’s fairly commonplace to see office chairs with plastic arms, so I won’t mark down Tonique for that, but I wish Koplus had offered a little more customization options, such as side-to-side or tilting axes, as thinner-framed users might find the arms are a bit of a reach, given they’re set fairly widely apart.

All-in-all, there are a few trade-offs you make with Koplus’ Tonique chair; sure, the recline is excellent, and the materials for the back and chair will be to many users’ liking, but its lack of lumbar support makes it unsuitable for users with a bad back, and its few missing features make it ill-suited for smaller-framed or shorter users.

• Comfort: 4/5

Should I buy the Koplus Tonique?

For more workspace accessories and office furniture, we reviewed the best standing desks.