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Weekly deals: Galaxy S25 Edge discounted, M5-powered iPad Pro and MacBook Pro 14″ launch
11:02 pm | October 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

It has been a pretty quiet week in the US market as far as smartphones are concerned, but Apple did unveil the M5 chipset and launched three new products with it. But let’s start with phones and with no new launches, we turn to the usual suspects. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge has reportedly been canceled, to be replaced with the Galaxy S26+ - a phone that was once rumored to have been canceled itself. So, the Galaxy S25 Edge may remain Samsung’s thinnest phone for a while. It’s not as capable as its S25+ sibling, but at least it’s a lot cheaper. ...

The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox frustrates with distracting RGB lighting and trigger locks that aren’t fit for purpose
11:00 pm |

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

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: One-minute review

It brings me no pleasure to find that the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox is the most disappointing product I’ve tested in the brand’s catalog to date. PowerA is admittedly a brand I’ve had mixed feelings about in the past. Sometimes it provides real winners, like the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller, which I consider a solid alternative to the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Other times it doesn’t quite hit the mark, like we’ve seen recently with the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller and indeed the Fusion Pro for Xbox here.

First and foremost, the best Xbox controllers should provide a satisfying play experience with minimal frustrations, but this PowerA pad is loaded with them. From its awkward d-pad and abrasive textured grips, to obnoxious Lumectra RGB lighting and trigger locks that simply don’t work most of the time, this is a controller that tries and fails to punch above its weight class with an absurdly high price tag to match.

It’s not all bad. You at least get a carry case and charging dock included in the box. Battery life is reasonably strong, and a neat audio switch lets you adjust headset volume or mute your mic in an instant. I also love PowerA’s quick-twist thumbsticks here, which provide three adjustable height levels. Plus, they’re Hall effect, meaning they’ll be able to resist stick drift much longer than traditional analog sticks. Still, these high points don’t do enough to outweigh the myriad frustrations I have with this controller.

PowerA Fusion Pro

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Price and availability

  • List price: $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95
  • Comparable in price to the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
  • There are plenty of cheaper and better options available for Xbox and PC

I’d feel a bit more comfortable recommending the Fusion Pro for Xbox if it weren’t for that eye-watering price tag. At $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95, it’s bordering on the premium territory of Xbox pads like the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

If the Fusion Pro provided a stellar controller experience, the price would be an easier pill to swallow. The issue for PowerA is that there’s no shortage of superb Xbox and PC-compatible controllers like it that are available for less than half of its price, including the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, GameSir Kaleid, and even the official Xbox Wireless Controller.

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Specs

Price

$169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95

Weight

1.44lbs / 0.65kg

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.2 x 2.4in / 156 x 107 x 61mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 30 hours

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Design and features

The initial package out of the box is promising. The PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox comes with a carry case and bespoke charging dock, both incredibly useful accessories that I welcome with any gamepad. Both are solidly made, too. Especially the charging dock, which is well-built, unintrusive, and can sit in any gaming setup ready to charge your pad up via USB-C. The carry case, meanwhile, is sturdy and has a compartment for the USB-C cable.

The pad itself bears a striking resemblance to the official Xbox Wireless Controller, which certainly isn’t anomalous in the wider Xbox controller market. It does feel slightly weightier than Microsoft’s pad, owing to inclusions like trigger locks and a magnetic charging dock connector.

Carrying on with the good, the controller’s quick-twist thumbsticks are genuinely brilliant. Turning them clockwise raises the thumbstick shaft, while lowering it when turned counterclockwise. There are three height levels here, and I personally found the middle setting to be the most comfortable. They lock firmly in place after adjusting, too, so there’s no unnecessary fiddling.

Besides a handy headset audio adjustment switch, that’s about where my praise ends for the PowerA Fusion Pro. To that end, I simply could not get on with the abundance of RGB lighting here. By default, a bright rainbow effect coats the controller, revealing a preset tribal-esque silhouette. It’s a nice pattern, but I found it to be really distracting during play.

You can change the RGB pattern profile (or switch it off entirely) via a dedicated button on the rear of the controller. I opted to keep it switched off, as some of the other pulse-like patterns weren’t much better.

The overall feel of the controller leaves much to be desired, too. The textured grips feel just a little too rough on my hands, making for rather uncomfortable long play sessions. The d-pad is also fairly listless, feeling fine on one end while awkwardly spongy and hard to press on the other. Admittedly, this could be an issue with my unit specifically, but something to keep in mind if you’re planning on buying.

PowerA Fusion Pro

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox: Performance

Despite my criticism, I can at least say the PowerA Fusion Pro does get the job done as a controller. If you can ignore the awkward d-pad and abrasive textured grips, performance is perfectly reasonable across the board.

A major gripe here, though, is that the 3-step trigger locks just don’t work. When set to the midpoint, you have to squeeze the triggers really quite hard to register the press. And on the most acute setting, the triggers stop working entirely.

This was the case across multiple games I tested with the controller, including Halo Infinite, Fortnite, and Final Fantasy 14 Online. I like a shallow trigger in games like these, as it lets me fire weapons (or access hotbars in the latter’s case) a good deal quicker, but I was unable to do this on the Fusion Pro.

On a more positive note, the Fusion Pro’s battery life exceeded my expectations, coming in at around 25-30 hours when used wirelessly via a 2.4GHz connection. I tested the controller over the course of a week, across both Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, and found I didn’t have to charge the controller until my very last few sessions with it. Impressive stuff, and beats many other Xbox controllers - both cheaper and pricier than this one - on battery life overall.

PowerA Fusion Pro

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox?

Buy it if…

You really, really like RGB
I can’t lie, the RGB pattern itself on the PowerA Fusion Pro is really quite lovely, and I like the underlying tribal-like pattern. For me, it’s just a bit too distracting during gameplay, but might be worth checking out if you like color-filled controllers.

Don’t buy it if…

There are better, cheaper options available
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a quality Xbox or PC pad. Most GameSir and 8BitDo controllers, for example, come in well under $100 / £100 while still being replete with desirable features.

Also consider...

I’m being honest here; the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox would be a hard sell at most price points. Consider these two excellent alternatives if you’re currently shopping for a new Xbox and/or PC gamepad.

PowerA Fusion Pro

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Price

$169.99 / £149.99 / AU$199.95

$199.99 / £179.99 (around AU$229)

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

Weight

1.44lbs / 0.65kg

0.72lbs / 0.33kg

0.54lbs / 0.25kg

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.2 x 2.4in / 156 x 107 x 61mm

6.5 x 4.5 x 2.2in / 164 x 115 x 56mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 30 hours

Around 10 hours

10-15 hours

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
A superb premium controller and one of the brand’s best-ever. This Xbox and PC controller’s unique selling point is its handy on-board LCD display, which lets you quickly customize aspects of your pad and gameplay sessions, including button mapping and headset volume. It’s a real winner for the price.

Read our full Nacon Revolution X Unlimited review

8BitDo Ultimate 2
For a more budget-friendly choice, I can’t recommend the excellent 8BitDo Ultimate 2 enough. Pleasant and subtle RGB ring lights, drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks, and sublime build quality make this one a real budget powerhouse.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review

PowerA Fusion Pro

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox

  • Tested for one week
  • Played several games across Xbox and PC
  • Compared to competitors from Razer, Nacon, 8BitDo, and more

I used the PowerA Fusion Pro for Xbox for a week in order to write this review. During that time, I played a wide range of titles on Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, including Fortnite, Silent Hill f, Tekken 8, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and much more besides.

Given this controller’s high price point, I compared it directly to similarly priced Xbox gamepad competitors like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and Nacon Revolution X Unlimited. These pads are slightly pricier, but offer more satisfying play with better build quality and high-end features (not to mention trigger locks that actually work).

Even then, I found a lot more to love with cheaper controllers, including the GameSir Kaleid and 8BitDo Ultimate 2. Both offer sublime features like Hall effect or TMR thumbsticks, clicky microswitch-powered buttons, and a tasteful amount of RGB that isn’t overly distracting to the eye.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

I’ve been testing Shark’s new combo fan and heater, and the cooling is superb but the warming underwhelms
10:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat: two-minute review

Product info

This model may have slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat TH202
UK: Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat TH200UK

For this review, I tested the US version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

I love to consolidate appliances where I can, which is why when I heard about the launch of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, I knew I had to try it. Earlier this year, I tested the TurboBlade, a unique tower fan outfitted with arms with vents that blast out cold air and can be adjusted in height, orientation and direction for 360-degree cooling coverage. The Cool + Heat uses the same basic design but adds a small heater between the two fan arms.

There's a massive selection of settings to explore in this combo heater and fan. There are 10 fan speeds and three special fan modes (Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze mode). As a heater, the Thermo IQ mode lets you adjust the temperature between 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and there's also a Focus mode for quick room heating, and a Comfort mode for all-day comforting warmth.

Whether cooling or heating, you can choose between 45, 90, and 180-degree oscillation. There's no companion app, but you can adjust most settings using the remote control. Notable exceptions are the arm and vent positions, which have to be shifted by hand, and shifting between hot and cold modes, which requires the flipping of a physical switch. (You can't use the fan and heater together.)

The TurboBlade is one of the best fans I've tested, delivering effective, directional cooling (head to my Shark TurboBlade fan review for my full take on the original model). However, the heating functions left me a little underwhelmed. I expected the heat to come from the arms themselves (arguably the product's USP), rather than a small, fixed central vent, the maximum temperature was cooler than I'd ideally want, and the warming wasn't any more effective than that delivered by my cheap space heater. In all likelihood, you'll have to use it for long periods of time on cold days to keep a room warm. Not to mention, the vents go in one direction, so you'll need to use the oscillation function to ensure the hot air is evenly dispersed.

At list price, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is a premium buy (and $100 more than the fan-only TurboBlade). It's quite pricey considering the product can't be controlled by an app and adjusting between the fan and heater isn't hands-free. If you're thinking of buying one, I'd keep an eye out for a deal.

Read on to see how the TurboBlade Cool + Heat performed during various tests.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat in reviewer's living room

(Image credit: Future)

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: price & availability

  • List price: $399.99 / £299.99
  • Launch date: September 2025
  • Availability: US / UK

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat launched in September 2025, just eight months after the original Shark TurboBlade was introduced to the market. In the US, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat comes in three colors – charcoal, white, and dove – and is priced at $399.99.

At time of writing the Cool + Heat has also appeared on the Shark UK website, but is showing as out of stock. The price listed is £299.99. Shark has a presence in Australia but I don't have details on when or if it'll also be available there. The original version of the TurboBlade, without heating, has a list price of $299.99 / £249.99.

Dual-purpose heater-fans are not a new idea – there are plenty on the market, with prices ranging between $40 and $750. The $399.99 price tag puts this fan on the higher end, although there are no other bladeless tower fans with similar designs, so if you love the windmill-style build, it may just be worth the premium price.

That said, I think this price would be easier to swallow if the fan was outfitted with app control, or at the least the capability to adjust the arms, vents, and switch between the fan and heater with the remote. Luckily, Shark isn't afraid of a sale, so hopefully you'll be able to avoid paying list price if you're savvy about when you buy.

You'll find Dyson's heater-fans in a similarly lofty price bracket. Options include the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 for $469.99, or the Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 (which throws in air purification too) and costs $659.99 / £549.99 / AU$899. (Head to TechRadar's Dyson fan guide for a breakdown of how the options compare.)

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat specs

Size (L x W x H):

13.8 x 11.8 x 45.9 in / 35.1 x 30 x 116.6cm

Cord length:

6ft / 1.8m

Weight:

19.8 lbs / 9kg

Fan speeds:

10

Oscillation:

45, 90, or 180 degrees

Fan modes:

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Heater modes:

Thermo IQ, Focus mode,Comfort mode 

Heater temperature range:

60-90F in Thermo IQ mode (equivalent to 15.6-32C)

Controls:

Touchscreen buttons, remote

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: design

  • Multidirectional fan arms and vents that can be adjusted extensively
  • Fixed, centrally located heater with vents that open and close
  • Bigger than you'd expect, and heavy

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat arrived in several pieces, but took less than five minutes to set up thanks to easy-to-understand instructions. The tower fan features a base and a bladeless fan that comprises two arms at the top of the telescopic pole. These arms can be adjusted horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and the vents on the arms can also pivot so that air blows up, down, or straight on.

A heater sits between the arms of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat. The arms can only emit cool air, and the heater – hot air. Above the heater is a vent slider and a switch. The switch must be turned to the blue dot to use the fan, and the red dot to use the heater. If it's turned toward the red dot, you must also use the vent slider to open the heater's vents.

Close up of heater vent on Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

(Image credit: Future)

Although the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat comes with a remote control, not everything can be controlled by remote. You can set the oscillation to 45, 90, or 180 degrees with the remote, or adjust the angle of the base to your preference. You can also use the remote to set a timer, change the fan speeds, or swap between various heater or fan modes. However, if you want to go from heating to cooling (or vice versa) you'll need to flip the switch manually, you can't adjust the arms and vents of the fan using the remote either.

The remote control is compact and has a digital screen that shows the different modes in use, fan speeds, and oscillation degrees. When not in use, the remote can be stored on the magnetic top part of the fan where instructions are printed. There is also a digital touchscreen on the base that lets you turn the appliance on/off, adjust the display panel brightness, the heater temperature, fan speeds, and oscillation settings. Unfortunately, if you want to utilize one of the six special modes, you'll have to use the remote.

Close up of touchscreen on Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of modes, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is equipped with three fan modes (Sleep, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze), and fan speeds between 1-10. The heater has three heat functions: ThermoIQ, which lets you set the desired temperature, as well as Comfort and Focus. Focus is a boost mode for the heater, Comfort delivers soothing warmth over multiple hours.

The SharkTurbo Blade Cool + Heat is bigger than you might expect– check the dimensions before buying – and at 19.8 lbs / 9kg it's not the easiest to move between rooms. If you are shifting it about, make sure the top and base are locked in place or the two will break apart when you move the product from room to room (I learned this the hard way).

  • Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review: performance

  • Fan airflow reaches up to 30 ft / 9m away on highest fan speed
  • Heater less hot and less powerful than I'd hoped
  • Cooling is still excellent, with lots of adjustment options

Earlier this year I tested the Shark TurboBlade, and I was a big fan of the unique bladeless fan design and the way you could adjust the vents in different directions. When I heard the brand had taken the same fan and added a heater, I had to test it.

There are differences between the Shark TurboBlade and the TurboBlade Cool + Heat beyond the fact that it has an additional heater. For one, the Cool + Heat has a digital touchscreen on the base that lets you adjust four things: power, brightness of the display panel, oscillation settings, fan speeds, and Thermo IQ temperature.

I opted to use the remote so I didn't have to keep walking back and forth to the fan. The remote fits on the magnetic strip on the top of the back of the fan, and it's the only way to activate the special modes. If I could have my way, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat would come with app integration too, or at least a remote with the capability to adjust the vents and arms of the fan. I found it frustrating that I had to walk over to the fan and manually shift things about if I wanted to change the angle of air.

Tester controlling the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat with remote

(Image credit: Future)

Let's talk about the fan before we dive into the heating function. The arms can be adjusted horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Combine that with the fact that the vents can be adjusted up, down, or straight on and, you can achieve 360-degree fan coverage of a room. I found this feature extremely useful in my kitchen, where it grows especially warm when I'm cooking on the stove or with the oven.

You can also set the oscillation at 45, 90, or 180 degrees, or simply adjust the angle and have it blow in one spot in the room. There are no sensors to prevent the fan from hitting walls or furniture, so you'll want to keep it clear of other objects.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat in reviewer's living room

(Image credit: Future)

In 'BreezeBoost' mode, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat's airflow can be felt as far as 30 feet / 9 meters away, but is much more noticeable at 20 feet / 6 meters. I didn't really need to adjust the fan speed higher than a 5 most of the time. Even a 3 fan setting was sufficient to keep me cool, though I appreciate having the option to increase the airflow right up to 10, or use the BreezeBoost mode on really hot days.

Sleep Mode provided some in-room circulation that I enjoyed at night. Best yet, it wasn't any louder than my ceiling fan. The Natural Breeze Mode mimics natural winds by randomizing the airflow. It is a lovely feature to use indoors when I'm not particularly hot but appreciate a 'breeze' every few seconds or so.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat in reviewer's living room

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the heater, I have mixed opinions. I assumed that the brand would make hot air come out of the arms, but that's not the case. Instead, the designers placed a small rectangular heater in between the arms. If I wanted to use the heater, I had to physically go up to the TurboBlade, flick the switch to heater mode and open the vents.

For the most part, I used the Thermo IQ heater setting, which essentially lets you adjust the hot air between 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit (equivalent to 15.6-32 degrees Celcius – although I assume that'll be rounded up or down when this model comes to the UK). I also utilized the other two modes – Comfort and Focus. I can see buyers using the Comfort mode if they plan to spend a few hours in a room and just want some additional warmth. Focus is better equipped to warm up a room quickly.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat next to its box in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The heater airflow isn't that strong. In fact, it didn't matter which mode I used, I could only feel hot air from a maximum of 10 feet / 3 meters away. The airflow from the fan is significantly stronger.

Plus, if you want to feel the full force of the heater, you have to be situated to the left of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, because that's where the vents are angled. For that reason, it's necessary to use the oscillation feature when using the heater.

The heater has a maximum temperature of 90F, which is somewhat average on the wider market. I recently tested the Dreame AirPursue PM20 and it has a maximum heater temperature of 104F. I know that some space heaters have a 90F temperature maximum, but for the price, I expected the temperature to be a little higher.

Close up of heater switch on Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

(Image credit: Future)

I tested how quickly the temperature rose in a room with the doors shut. In Thermo IQ mode, with the target set to the 90F maximum temperature, the room temperature rose from 77 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. I ran the same test in the Focus mode and found that the room went from 76 to 84F within 10 minutes. In both cases, it would have taken much longer for the room to heat if I had left the doors open.

It should be noted that my house is very old so I have little insulation and 10-foot ceilings. The room might grow warmer faster if your ceilings are lower and your house is more modern.

As someone whose home gets exceptionally cold in the winter, the heater element could be helpful but I'm not sure if it would be more effective than the small space heater I currently have. I also wish you could use the fan and the heater at the same time – using the lower fan speeds to circulate hot air around a room would have been invaluable.

Like the TurboBlade, the TurboBlade Cool + Heat has a timer that can be set on 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours. I rarely used this feature, but it's a nice option to have. I also like being able to mute the chime on the appliance, and how little maintenance there is beyond dusting the defense panel occasionally. If I could make some slight adjustments to the design, it'd be to add wheels to the bottom of the base. At almost 20 lbs / 9kg, it's not easy to move the fan and heater between rooms. Wheels could alleviate this and make it more accessible to those who may not have the strength to move it as easily.

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

A premium-priced fan and heater with lots of modes and settings. I'd expect app control at this price, and there are cheaper, as-effective heater-fan options about. Perhaps wait for a deal.

3.5 / 5

Design

A tower fan with two adjustable arms and a heater centered between them. Rather heavy and bulky. Remote control can adjust most (but not all) settings.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Cools the room quickly thanks to the multidirectional vents and arms, but heater is less impressive. Specialty modes are fun and useful.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a combo fan and heater

Rather than crowd your space with a fan and a heater, you could invest in one product – the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat – which can do both things.

You want an ultra-adjustable fan

In fan mode, the arms and vents of the fan can be angled to blow cool air vertically, diagonally, and horizontally, or even in two directions at the same time. There aren't too many adjustment options for the heater, but you can still make use of the three oscillation settings.

You enjoy a fan and heater with multiple modes

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat has six special modes – three for the fan and three for the heater. Adjust the fan speeds and the heater temperature settings to your preference, and you can take advantage of Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze mode for the fan, as well as Thermo IQ, Comfort, and Focus mode for the heater.

Don't buy it if...

You want a really strong heater

While the heater is a nice addition, it's not as effective as I would've liked. The max temperature isn't that hot, and warm air doesn't blow out as forcefully as the cool air from the fan. You'll need to use the oscillation function to ensure the hot air is evenly dispersed, too.

You want complete hands-free control

If you want to switch between the fan and the heater on the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, you'll have to do it by hand on the appliance itself. Not to mention, the arms and vents can't be adjusted with the remote.

You want maximum value for money

If you forgo the unique adjustable armed design, there are plenty of other products on the market that heat and cool equally as well at a more affordable price. While the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat has some cool special features, it lacks some things I'd expect at this price – app control, for one. Perhaps it's best to wait until this product is on sale.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat vs TurboBlade

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat (reviewed)

Shark TurboBlade

Size (L x W x H):

13.8 x 11.8 x 45.9 in / 35.1 x 30 x 116.6cm

11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8 in / 29.9 x 80.2 x 113.9cm

Cord length:

6ft / 1.8m

6ft / 1.8m

Weight:

19.8 lbs / 9kg

15 lbs / 8.8kg

Fan speeds:

10

10

Oscillation:

45, 90, or 180 degrees

45, 90, or 180 degrees

Fan modes:

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Heater modes:

Thermo IQ, Focus mode,Comfort mode 

N/A

Heater temperature range:

60-90F in Thermo IQ mode (equivalent to 15.6-32C)

N/A

Controls:

Touchscreen, remote

Buttons, remote

Shark TurboBlade

The original TurboBlade doesn't have any heat functions – it's purely for cooling. There's also no touchscreen on the base, nor a display on the remote control. Otherwise, the two are very similar, with the same fan options and settings.

Read my full Shark TurboBlade review

How I tested the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat

I tested the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat for over a week in my house in Texas in September. It was still pretty warm outside, so while I used the fan most of the time to aid in cooling down my home, I made sure to test the heating element to provide a full breakdown of how it works and how quickly it warms a room. I tested all the special modes, and compared the performance to other similar appliances I've used.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed October 2025
OnePlus unveils OxygenOS 16 with more AI
6:31 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

OnePlus today announced the next major release of its software, OxygenOS 16. Based on Android 16, this latest release focuses on AI features, improved fluidity, broader connectivity, and more customizability. OxygenOS 16 carries over many of the OnePlus AI features included with OxygenOS 15 with some improvements, as well as some brand new ones. Mind Space has been updated with Google Gemini integration, so you can now have Gemini search for content within Mind Space or use it to, say, create itineraries. Mind Space also gets voice note functionality, as well as the ability to create...

Frankenstein is the Mary Shelley adaptation of my dreams – and it’s now my new favorite del Toro movie
4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Entertainment Gadgets Streaming | Comments: Off

The stubborn part of me was convinced I would always consider Pan's Labyrinth to be the finest Guillermo del Toro movie. Then the new Netflix movie Frankenstein was unleashed, and it changed everything.

When someone as great as del Toro can outdo himself, it makes me even more hopeful for his future as a filmmaker. Once again, he made me cry with a sympathetic, tense, and utterly beautiful movie, the kind of offering that makes me remember why I fell in love with film in the first place.

Yes, it really is that good. Literature lovers among us may be concerned that it doesn't retell Shelley's story to the letter, but you needn't be, as del Toro's version offers a different perspective and does it very well.

Indeed, he even spoke about this in an Empire interview where he said, "The best moments in my mind of Frankenstein, of the novel, are yet to be filmed". So he set out to tell said best moments, resulting in this beautiful movie.

I really do mean it when I say beautiful, both in terms of its story and how it looks visually. I'm used to del Toro's movies being well-crafted, and he was right to partner with cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who he worked with on the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water.

Alexandre Desplat has composed many of my favorite scores, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and again, The Shape of Water, so there's some familiar names here, and this makes for a beautiful collaboration. A movie like this shines when there's a great score alongside it, and trust me, you'll get that here.

That's not the only similarity Frankenstein shares with The Shape of Water, either, as both made me cry a lot. I do tend to cry at many movies, admittedly, but no one tugs at my heartstrings quite like this guy. I will always be obsessed with del Toro's sympathetic lens and how he crafts his characters.

Jacob Elordi's The Creature is as captivating to watch as it is heartbreaking. We see the world through his eyes, a technique I always love, which was done wonderfully in Leigh Whannell's Wolf Man, too. Forcing us to see things from a seemingly impossible perspective, a place we will never be, is jarring and makes for an excellent narrative device.

It's not all doom and gloom, though, as his signature brand of wonder does shine brightly at times. Amid the horrors, there's hope and innocence, something that brings me back to his movies over and over. We get to see as much light as we do darkness, taking us on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. While it is a bleak story, of course, it's balanced with this overarching feeling of empathy that stays with you long after you leave the theater.

Frankenstein is best seen on the biggest screen possible

Victor Frankenstein is played equally as brilliantly by Oscar Isaac, embodying the spirit of a man who is ostracized but refuses to give up, a complicated man who has long been the subject of many literary debates. He's a traumatized, obsessed man, rich in complexities. This comes across brilliantly in Isaac's performance.

The entire ensemble is excellent, with huge names like Mia Goth (she really is a star, like her iconic horror character Pearl professes), Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Christoph Waltz rounding out the cast. Nobody is wasted here; I was impressed by every role.

This is only elevated by beautiful costumes and set design, which have transportive powers at the best of times, but I couldn't believe that 2 hours and 30 minutes had passed. It really does fly by, and I can't wait to watch it all over again.

I urge people to go and see Frankenstein as soon as possible. Its arrival on Netflix does mean more people will get to see it, but it's best experienced in theaters if you can. It's a cinematic feast for the eyes and should be seen on the biggest, loudest screen possible.

When it does arrive on Netflix, I highly recommend checking out del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, too, to further satisfy your grisly cravings. What better way to celebrate Halloween than that?

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Apple iPhone 17 and Air cases: the best offers in the UK
1:12 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

If you are looking to buy one of the new iPhones (or you already got one), you can’t have missed reports that the two Pro models are prone to scratching – apparently, it has something to do with how their aluminum chassis was anodized. And while the vanilla iPhone 17 is harder to scratch, it’s not immune either. The iPhone Air turned out to be pretty tough (it’s the only new model to use titanium), you still may want to protect your investment. That means picking out a case for your new iPhone – we picked out some of the highest rated options and listed them below. Note that most of these...

Apple iPhone 17 and Air cases: the best offers in the UK
1:12 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

If you are looking to buy one of the new iPhones (or you already got one), you can’t have missed reports that the two Pro models are prone to scratching – apparently, it has something to do with how their aluminum chassis was anodized. And while the vanilla iPhone 17 is harder to scratch, it’s not immune either. The iPhone Air turned out to be pretty tough (it’s the only new model to use titanium), you still may want to protect your investment. That means picking out a case for your new iPhone – we picked out some of the highest rated options and listed them below. Note that most of these...

I love this headphone amp/DAC’s confident sound, but it’s far from the only game in town
12:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers DACs Gadgets Hi-Fi | Comments: Off

FiiO QX13: Two-minute review

Another day inevitably brings another FiiO product – and today’s FiiO product is the QX13 USB headphone amp/DAC. It’s an established product type, sure, but anyone with even a passing interest in the company knows FiiO seldom does things by halves.

So $219 / £199 / AU$349 buys a small, beautifully made device built from either carbon fiber or aluminum, and fronted by some heftily toughened glass. On the inside there’s the usual FiiO over-engineering, from the ESS SAbre DAC arrangement to the Texas Instruments amplification, and on the outside there are a couple of audio outputs, and a small and extremely informative full-colour display (ideal for those who can read all the way down to the bottom line in the opticians without any help). FiiO even provides a protective leather case that attaches magnetically to your iOS or Android device in the interests of both tidiness and swankiness.

Connect via USB-C to a smartphone, games machine, laptop or anything else that could do with an audio leg-up, and the improvements are both obvious and wide-ranging. In almost every respect, but especially where soundstaging, detail retrieval and dynamic impetus are concerned, the QX13 is a significant step on in quality.

If it wasn’t for the device’s tendency to hit treble sounds with quite such vigor, it would be approaching ‘ideal’ and be part of the best portable DACs around.

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC in its magnetic protective casing on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Price and release date

  • Release date: July 2025
  • Price: $219 / £199 / AU$349

The FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC is on sale now, and in the United States it sells for $219. In the United Kingdom it's around $219, while in Australia it goes for something like AU$349.

This puts it towards the top of the ‘USB headphone amp/DAC dongle’ market but, as we shall see, FiiO has done its best to make that price seem fair enough…

FiiO QX13 review: Features

  • ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO DAC
  • Texas Instruments op-amps
  • Powerful ‘desktop’ mode

You’ve got to hand it to FiiO – it hasn’t let the requirement for the QX13 to be as compact as possible prevent it absolutely piling on the specification.

At the heart of the product is an ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO digital-to-analog conversion chipset. Capable of dealing with resolutions up to a giddy 32bit/768kHz and DSD512, it features eight channels arranged in parallel and a couple of low-noise ES9312 regulators dealing with output matching on each audio channel. Amplification is provided by half a dozen Texas Instruments op-amps arranged to reduce crosstalk and minimize interference.

Thanks to this optimized layout and also to the efficiency of its heat dissipation, the QX13 can deliver comparable power to full-size headphone amplifiers when it's in ‘desktop’ mode. Meanwhile, its high-precision power regulator can adjust the headphone amplification where gain and output power is concerned, in real time.

Part of the efficiency of the heat dissipation is thanks to the carefully shielded digital and analog boards. This also, of course, allows for more precise signal processing at every stage. Once it’s decoded from digital to analog, the signal passes through several stages of expansion and enhancement in an effort to deliver as complete an account of the information as possible.

There’s more, of course – there’s always more when FiiO is involved. The use of XMOS crystal oscillators allows the QX13 to be compatible with the 10-band lossless PEQ that’s available via the web or the Android FiiO control app. UAC 1.0 mode means the QX13 is compatible with PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and other gaming devices. It’s compatible with the company’s compact ‘ESTICK’ power bank.

But by now you get the picture – FiiO seemingly has a limitless supply of kitchen sinks it’s prepared to throw at every device it manufactures.

Features score: 5 / 5

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Sound quality

  • Positive, detailed sound
  • Spacious and organized presentation
  • Rather over-confident high-frequency reproduction

Unsurprisingly, the FiiO QX13 passes the first test (‘does it improve on the unassisted sound of the average laptop or smartphone?’) in quite some style. It’s an altogether fuller, more convincing and more enjoyable listen than you can achieve simply by plugging your headphones into the output socket of a device like this.

It’s a remarkably open and organized listen. The soundstage it creates during a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is expansive, carefully controlled and equally carefully laid out. Each element of recording relates naturalistically to each other, but each has a discrete pocket of space in which to operate; the sound is at once focused, unified and spacious. The spaces between each element are given the necessary prominence, and the QX13 keeps these silences very dark indeed.

Frequency response is fairly even. From the bottom end to the very top, the FiiO gives every area more-or-less equal emphasis – it’s slightly tilted towards the higher frequencies, but not fatally so. And at every point, it identifies, retains and reveals an impressive amount of detail. If there is minor, fleeting information regarding tone or texture in a recording, the QX13 has no problem placing it in convincing context.

It’s similarly adept when it comes to the dynamics of harmonic variation in a voice or an instrument, too, and where the broad dynamic shifts in intensity during a 16bit/48kHz FLAC file of Beak’s Carob Honey are concerned, the QX13 fairly steams through them. The amount of dynamic headroom it has available is significant.

The bottom of the frequency range is tightly controlled, and the attack and decay of individual notes and/or hits is so closely observed that rhythmic expression is confident and direct. The midrange communicates in the same positive, eloquent way; there’s really no mistaking a vocalist's attitude when they’re described by the FiiO.

From the lowest frequencies to the highest, there’s a common tonality to the QX13’s presentation that creates a strong impression of singularity and of ‘performance’. At the top of the frequency range, though, the FiiO overplays its hand just a little. It attacks high-frequency information with absolute zeal, and it doesn’t take much (even a mild lack of sympathy where source machine, content or partnering headphones are concerned will do it) for treble sounds to become slightly hard and overly assertive.

This is what I mean by ‘slightly titled towards the higher frequencies’, and it’s this trait that means the QX13 doesn’t pass the second test (“does it represent value for money when judged against its peers?”) with anything like the same breeziness as it does the first. That this FiiO has a fistful of sonic talents is not up for question, but whether it’s the best-sounding device of its type and price must remain a live question.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Display of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC, showing speed playback options, on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Design

  • Carbon-fiber or aluminum construction
  • Magnetic leather case for ultimate iPhone convenience
  • 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD)

You’ve two choices where the finish of your QX13 is concerned: carbon-fiber or aluminum.

The former consists of 21 layers of material that adds up, according to FiiO, to a device that’s six times stronger than steel. This version of the QX13 weighs in at just 33.7g, whereas the aluminum alternative is a whole 39.2g, but it does feature a laser-engraved rear panel that, suggests FiiO, makes for an ‘elegant yet advanced’ appearance. Mind you, you won’t be seeing much of either material if you slip the QX13 into its protective leather case. FiiO has, in one of those ‘so simple it’s brilliant’ moments of inspiration, made the case magnetic - so it will cling to your iPhone in the manner of a MagSafe. If you’re an Android user, there’s a magnetic ring provided in the packaging to perform the same function.

The little 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD) device is beautifully made, no matter the material you prefer, and the standard of finish is very good, too. FiiO is to be congratulated on its use of third-generation Corning high-strength glass for the majority of the front panel – its scratch-resistance is second to none.

Design score: 5 / 5

Cover for the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Usability & setup

  • 50.5mm IPS screen
  • Hybrid 3.5mm output
  • 60- and 120-step volume adjustment scales

As far as setting up the QX13 goes, things couldn’t really be more straightforward. It features two USB-C sockets, one of which is for charging the battery and the other for data transfer – both can be connected simultaneously, and FiiO provides a short length of braided USB-C / USB-C cable to help.

There’s a switch to engage or disengage ‘desktop’ mode, and at the top of the device there are 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm output sockets. The smaller one can be specified as an SPDIF if you want to connect your QX13 to a larger system digitally, so it’s just a question of making the necessary connections and away you go.

Or, at least, away you go provided you have the required dexterity to get the FiiO set up to your satisfaction. The screen is bright and clear, most certainly - but it tries to include too much information in one go (file type, file size, volume level, mode confirmation, UAC type, EQ setting, you name it). The set-up menus themselves are typically FiiO in their thoroughness but the size of the font that’s been used is necessarily small, and the few physical buttons available to navigate them are small too.

Ideally you’ll have eyes like a hawk and fingers like cocktail sticks. Otherwise there could be a fair bit of back-and-forth to get what you want, and some squinting to ensure you’ve got it once the device is functioning.

Usability & setup score: 3.5 / 5

3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced ports of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Value

You can’t judge the value for money of a product like this on the basis of the amount of stuff your money buys – a portable USB DAC/headphone amp needs to be small and light. No, you judge it on the way it’s made, the way it’s finished, the way it’s specified and, most importantly, the way it makes your USB-C device and headphones sound.

And in all these respects, it’s very decent value for money indeed, but the quirks of its audio character mean it’s not quite the no-brainer FiiO was undoubtedly hoping for.

Value score: 4 / 5

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Should you buy FiiO QX13?

Buy it if...

Your USB-C-equipped device could do with some audio assistance
The QX13 improves on the native sound of smartphones and laptops to quite a degree.

You have some good wired headphones
And if you have some good wired headphones on a cable that terminates in a balanced 4.4mm connection, even better.

You admire some thorough (and small-scale) engineering
How does FiiO squeeze it all in? It’s a question as old as electricity itself…

Don't buy it if...

Your eyesight isn’t all it might be
Some of the information displayed on the screen is beyond ‘tiny’.

Your fingers are of similar size to those of King Charles III
The physical controls require deft, rather than sausagey, digits.

You’re especially sensitive to high-frequency sound
The FiiO attacks the top of the frequency range in quite determined fashion.

FiiO QX13 review: Also consider

Helm Audio Bolt
It’s not as thoroughly specified as the FiiO QX13, but the Helm Audio Bolt is not to be underestimated where audio quality is concerned. If you can live without a display and a magnetic holster, this is a very compelling alternative.
Read our in-depth Helm Audio Bolt review to learn more

Magnetic case of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

How I tested the FiiO QX 13

  • Various headphones
  • Various audio file types and sizes
  • Various sources of music

I mostly used the FiiO QX13 with my Apple MacBook Pro, but I also tried it out with a Google Pixel 8 smartphone and a FiiO M15S. Two of these three products benefited no end from the QX13’s d-to-a conversion and headphone amplification.

I listened to plenty of music of various genres, various file sizes and types, and I listened for well in excess of a working week.

First reviewed October 2025

I love this headphone amp/DAC’s confident sound, but it’s far from the only game in town
12:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers DACs Gadgets Hi-Fi | Comments: Off

FiiO QX13: Two-minute review

Another day inevitably brings another FiiO product – and today’s FiiO product is the QX13 USB headphone amp/DAC. It’s an established product type, sure, but anyone with even a passing interest in the company knows FiiO seldom does things by halves.

So $219 / £199 / AU$349 buys a small, beautifully made device built from either carbon fiber or aluminum, and fronted by some heftily toughened glass. On the inside there’s the usual FiiO over-engineering, from the ESS SAbre DAC arrangement to the Texas Instruments amplification, and on the outside there are a couple of audio outputs, and a small and extremely informative full-colour display (ideal for those who can read all the way down to the bottom line in the opticians without any help). FiiO even provides a protective leather case that attaches magnetically to your iOS or Android device in the interests of both tidiness and swankiness.

Connect via USB-C to a smartphone, games machine, laptop or anything else that could do with an audio leg-up, and the improvements are both obvious and wide-ranging. In almost every respect, but especially where soundstaging, detail retrieval and dynamic impetus are concerned, the QX13 is a significant step on in quality.

If it wasn’t for the device’s tendency to hit treble sounds with quite such vigor, it would be approaching ‘ideal’ and be part of the best portable DACs around.

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC in its magnetic protective casing on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Price and release date

  • Release date: July 2025
  • Price: $219 / £199 / AU$349

The FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC is on sale now, and in the United States it sells for $219. In the United Kingdom it's around $219, while in Australia it goes for something like AU$349.

This puts it towards the top of the ‘USB headphone amp/DAC dongle’ market but, as we shall see, FiiO has done its best to make that price seem fair enough…

FiiO QX13 review: Features

  • ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO DAC
  • Texas Instruments op-amps
  • Powerful ‘desktop’ mode

You’ve got to hand it to FiiO – it hasn’t let the requirement for the QX13 to be as compact as possible prevent it absolutely piling on the specification.

At the heart of the product is an ESS Sabre ES9027SPRO digital-to-analog conversion chipset. Capable of dealing with resolutions up to a giddy 32bit/768kHz and DSD512, it features eight channels arranged in parallel and a couple of low-noise ES9312 regulators dealing with output matching on each audio channel. Amplification is provided by half a dozen Texas Instruments op-amps arranged to reduce crosstalk and minimize interference.

Thanks to this optimized layout and also to the efficiency of its heat dissipation, the QX13 can deliver comparable power to full-size headphone amplifiers when it's in ‘desktop’ mode. Meanwhile, its high-precision power regulator can adjust the headphone amplification where gain and output power is concerned, in real time.

Part of the efficiency of the heat dissipation is thanks to the carefully shielded digital and analog boards. This also, of course, allows for more precise signal processing at every stage. Once it’s decoded from digital to analog, the signal passes through several stages of expansion and enhancement in an effort to deliver as complete an account of the information as possible.

There’s more, of course – there’s always more when FiiO is involved. The use of XMOS crystal oscillators allows the QX13 to be compatible with the 10-band lossless PEQ that’s available via the web or the Android FiiO control app. UAC 1.0 mode means the QX13 is compatible with PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and other gaming devices. It’s compatible with the company’s compact ‘ESTICK’ power bank.

But by now you get the picture – FiiO seemingly has a limitless supply of kitchen sinks it’s prepared to throw at every device it manufactures.

Features score: 5 / 5

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Sound quality

  • Positive, detailed sound
  • Spacious and organized presentation
  • Rather over-confident high-frequency reproduction

Unsurprisingly, the FiiO QX13 passes the first test (‘does it improve on the unassisted sound of the average laptop or smartphone?’) in quite some style. It’s an altogether fuller, more convincing and more enjoyable listen than you can achieve simply by plugging your headphones into the output socket of a device like this.

It’s a remarkably open and organized listen. The soundstage it creates during a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is expansive, carefully controlled and equally carefully laid out. Each element of recording relates naturalistically to each other, but each has a discrete pocket of space in which to operate; the sound is at once focused, unified and spacious. The spaces between each element are given the necessary prominence, and the QX13 keeps these silences very dark indeed.

Frequency response is fairly even. From the bottom end to the very top, the FiiO gives every area more-or-less equal emphasis – it’s slightly tilted towards the higher frequencies, but not fatally so. And at every point, it identifies, retains and reveals an impressive amount of detail. If there is minor, fleeting information regarding tone or texture in a recording, the QX13 has no problem placing it in convincing context.

It’s similarly adept when it comes to the dynamics of harmonic variation in a voice or an instrument, too, and where the broad dynamic shifts in intensity during a 16bit/48kHz FLAC file of Beak’s Carob Honey are concerned, the QX13 fairly steams through them. The amount of dynamic headroom it has available is significant.

The bottom of the frequency range is tightly controlled, and the attack and decay of individual notes and/or hits is so closely observed that rhythmic expression is confident and direct. The midrange communicates in the same positive, eloquent way; there’s really no mistaking a vocalist's attitude when they’re described by the FiiO.

From the lowest frequencies to the highest, there’s a common tonality to the QX13’s presentation that creates a strong impression of singularity and of ‘performance’. At the top of the frequency range, though, the FiiO overplays its hand just a little. It attacks high-frequency information with absolute zeal, and it doesn’t take much (even a mild lack of sympathy where source machine, content or partnering headphones are concerned will do it) for treble sounds to become slightly hard and overly assertive.

This is what I mean by ‘slightly titled towards the higher frequencies’, and it’s this trait that means the QX13 doesn’t pass the second test (“does it represent value for money when judged against its peers?”) with anything like the same breeziness as it does the first. That this FiiO has a fistful of sonic talents is not up for question, but whether it’s the best-sounding device of its type and price must remain a live question.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Display of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC, showing speed playback options, on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Design

  • Carbon-fiber or aluminum construction
  • Magnetic leather case for ultimate iPhone convenience
  • 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD)

You’ve two choices where the finish of your QX13 is concerned: carbon-fiber or aluminum.

The former consists of 21 layers of material that adds up, according to FiiO, to a device that’s six times stronger than steel. This version of the QX13 weighs in at just 33.7g, whereas the aluminum alternative is a whole 39.2g, but it does feature a laser-engraved rear panel that, suggests FiiO, makes for an ‘elegant yet advanced’ appearance. Mind you, you won’t be seeing much of either material if you slip the QX13 into its protective leather case. FiiO has, in one of those ‘so simple it’s brilliant’ moments of inspiration, made the case magnetic - so it will cling to your iPhone in the manner of a MagSafe. If you’re an Android user, there’s a magnetic ring provided in the packaging to perform the same function.

The little 64 x 31 x 13mm (HxWxD) device is beautifully made, no matter the material you prefer, and the standard of finish is very good, too. FiiO is to be congratulated on its use of third-generation Corning high-strength glass for the majority of the front panel – its scratch-resistance is second to none.

Design score: 5 / 5

Cover for the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Usability & setup

  • 50.5mm IPS screen
  • Hybrid 3.5mm output
  • 60- and 120-step volume adjustment scales

As far as setting up the QX13 goes, things couldn’t really be more straightforward. It features two USB-C sockets, one of which is for charging the battery and the other for data transfer – both can be connected simultaneously, and FiiO provides a short length of braided USB-C / USB-C cable to help.

There’s a switch to engage or disengage ‘desktop’ mode, and at the top of the device there are 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm output sockets. The smaller one can be specified as an SPDIF if you want to connect your QX13 to a larger system digitally, so it’s just a question of making the necessary connections and away you go.

Or, at least, away you go provided you have the required dexterity to get the FiiO set up to your satisfaction. The screen is bright and clear, most certainly - but it tries to include too much information in one go (file type, file size, volume level, mode confirmation, UAC type, EQ setting, you name it). The set-up menus themselves are typically FiiO in their thoroughness but the size of the font that’s been used is necessarily small, and the few physical buttons available to navigate them are small too.

Ideally you’ll have eyes like a hawk and fingers like cocktail sticks. Otherwise there could be a fair bit of back-and-forth to get what you want, and some squinting to ensure you’ve got it once the device is functioning.

Usability & setup score: 3.5 / 5

3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced ports of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

FiiO QX13 review: Value

You can’t judge the value for money of a product like this on the basis of the amount of stuff your money buys – a portable USB DAC/headphone amp needs to be small and light. No, you judge it on the way it’s made, the way it’s finished, the way it’s specified and, most importantly, the way it makes your USB-C device and headphones sound.

And in all these respects, it’s very decent value for money indeed, but the quirks of its audio character mean it’s not quite the no-brainer FiiO was undoubtedly hoping for.

Value score: 4 / 5

FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Should you buy FiiO QX13?

Buy it if...

Your USB-C-equipped device could do with some audio assistance
The QX13 improves on the native sound of smartphones and laptops to quite a degree.

You have some good wired headphones
And if you have some good wired headphones on a cable that terminates in a balanced 4.4mm connection, even better.

You admire some thorough (and small-scale) engineering
How does FiiO squeeze it all in? It’s a question as old as electricity itself…

Don't buy it if...

Your eyesight isn’t all it might be
Some of the information displayed on the screen is beyond ‘tiny’.

Your fingers are of similar size to those of King Charles III
The physical controls require deft, rather than sausagey, digits.

You’re especially sensitive to high-frequency sound
The FiiO attacks the top of the frequency range in quite determined fashion.

FiiO QX13 review: Also consider

Helm Audio Bolt
It’s not as thoroughly specified as the FiiO QX13, but the Helm Audio Bolt is not to be underestimated where audio quality is concerned. If you can live without a display and a magnetic holster, this is a very compelling alternative.
Read our in-depth Helm Audio Bolt review to learn more

Magnetic case of the FiiO QX13 headphone amp/DAC on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

How I tested the FiiO QX 13

  • Various headphones
  • Various audio file types and sizes
  • Various sources of music

I mostly used the FiiO QX13 with my Apple MacBook Pro, but I also tried it out with a Google Pixel 8 smartphone and a FiiO M15S. Two of these three products benefited no end from the QX13’s d-to-a conversion and headphone amplification.

I listened to plenty of music of various genres, various file sizes and types, and I listened for well in excess of a working week.

First reviewed October 2025

Oppo Find X9s to be a compact smartphone with a huge battery
10:39 am |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Oppo launched the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro yesterday, and today we already have a fresh rumor out of China regarding the upcoming Find X9s. The Find X8s, its predecessor, came out in April, so we should expect a similar timeframe for the X9s' arrival on the market as well. The Find X9s is said to be a compact flagship, and the X8s boasts a 6.32" screen so maybe the X9s will have a similar size. Oppo Find X9 Despite its petite dimensions, the Find X9s will still pack a 7,000 mAh battery, which would be a significant jump up from its predecessor's 5,700 mAh cell. The Find X8s was...

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