I've known Vari for its standing desks for a while. Even more than that, I've checked out quite a bit from the company over the years.
Vari offers a wide range of gear, and so far my experience with all of it has been really good. The ComfortFlex is no different. One of the best office chairs I've tried, it offers a great option for those who use their office for long hours, and especially if they use their home office for more than just work.
For many, the home office space doubles as a hobby area, a gaming station, or something similar. This chair is perfect for those scenarios as it offers all-day comfort, a great leg rest for more lounging options, and a premium mesh build with excellent lumbar support and adjustability all around.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Pricing and Availability
The ComfortFlex office chair is offered directly on Vari's website for $549. These chairs ship directly from Vari and are wait-listed at the time of writing this article, though I do hope they come back in soon. Vari generously offers a 30-day return window on this chair, and there is a 5-year warranty as well.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Unboxing & first impressions
Unboxing this chair was, admittedly, nothing special. The packaging was robust and compact. The assembly took me about 15-minutes and while it was not complex, it is worth noting that the screws were labeled as letters in the kit, but by size in the manual. While this isn't a huge deal, it is a bit annoying.
The build process was actually made more time-consuming due to the massive amount of packaging materials, which is of course a pro, but a bit annoying when assembling.
From the first sit, I loved the mesh, the comfort of the seat and the legrest. Legrests I feel are hard to get right. Either they feel very gimmicky, they are ignored all together, or they are great. This one is great. Not too much but just right.
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Design & Build Quality
The Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair is the kind of chair that fits perfectly in a home office, a corporate office, or a co-working space. It's clean, simple, modern, yet comfortable enough to enjoy working in without wishing for a more comfortable option.
The base is made of aluminum and is sturdy, even with a good amount of weight on it. The mesh lumbar, backrest, and neck portion are all layered in a cool way that looks sleek yet professional.
My one negative I noticed early on is that the armrests feel a bit too firm for my liking, but that could be just me.
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: In use
I've had this chair in my queue and with my team for 110 days at the time of writing this review. It has been used primarily by me, at 6'2", 200lbs, and by another member of the team who is 5'9" and about 150 lbs. For both of us, this chair feels like it's a great fit. The lumbar spine is dynamic and responsive, providing support to both of us, even though we are of different heights. The legrest is great for leaning back while on the phone, reading, grinding away on a laptop, or even gaming.
The armrests are the one grip for both of us, though. They are adjustable in height and width, but they don't pivot inward, so for anyone who likes to pull those in tight, this chair may be a bit frustrating.
In the 100+ hours that we have spent in this chair, we have had no other major frustrations. It's a great chair; it's just as comfortable as it was on day one, and it's still working without any issues.
It's not until you have a chair with a leg rest that you truly appreciate just how great it is. Furthermore, it's not until you have a chair with a legrest in your own home office that you truly understand this. In the comfort of your own home office, you don't usually mind kicking back and taking that meeting reclined, or reading that contract or article while you have your feet up. Or, when you finish working for the day, use the legrest as a way to mentally flip from work to play. No matter how you prefer to do it, this chair is great for users who want some versatility.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Minimalist and professional
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Great for those wanting a simple chair for their home office
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Priced well for the product
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Final verdict
The Vari ComfortFlex is a great all around chair. It's great for work, it's great for play, it's great for reading, and it's great for pretty much anything you'd do in your home office. It's made wonderful due to the dynamic lumbar, the mesh breathability and the built in retractable footrest, but as long as you don't need to be able ot bring your armrests in, this chair could be perfect for you.
I've known Vari for its standing desks for a while. Even more than that, I've checked out quite a bit from the company over the years.
Vari offers a wide range of gear, and so far my experience with all of it has been really good. The ComfortFlex is no different. One of the best office chairs I've tried, it offers a great option for those who use their office for long hours, and especially if they use their home office for more than just work.
For many, the home office space doubles as a hobby area, a gaming station, or something similar. This chair is perfect for those scenarios as it offers all-day comfort, a great leg rest for more lounging options, and a premium mesh build with excellent lumbar support and adjustability all around.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Pricing and Availability
The ComfortFlex office chair is offered directly on Vari's website for $549. These chairs ship directly from Vari and are wait-listed at the time of writing this article, though I do hope they come back in soon. Vari generously offers a 30-day return window on this chair, and there is a 5-year warranty as well.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Unboxing & first impressions
Unboxing this chair was, admittedly, nothing special. The packaging was robust and compact. The assembly took me about 15-minutes and while it was not complex, it is worth noting that the screws were labeled as letters in the kit, but by size in the manual. While this isn't a huge deal, it is a bit annoying.
The build process was actually made more time-consuming due to the massive amount of packaging materials, which is of course a pro, but a bit annoying when assembling.
From the first sit, I loved the mesh, the comfort of the seat and the legrest. Legrests I feel are hard to get right. Either they feel very gimmicky, they are ignored all together, or they are great. This one is great. Not too much but just right.
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Design & Build Quality
The Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair is the kind of chair that fits perfectly in a home office, a corporate office, or a co-working space. It's clean, simple, modern, yet comfortable enough to enjoy working in without wishing for a more comfortable option.
The base is made of aluminum and is sturdy, even with a good amount of weight on it. The mesh lumbar, backrest, and neck portion are all layered in a cool way that looks sleek yet professional.
My one negative I noticed early on is that the armrests feel a bit too firm for my liking, but that could be just me.
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: In use
I've had this chair in my queue and with my team for 110 days at the time of writing this review. It has been used primarily by me, at 6'2", 200lbs, and by another member of the team who is 5'9" and about 150 lbs. For both of us, this chair feels like it's a great fit. The lumbar spine is dynamic and responsive, providing support to both of us, even though we are of different heights. The legrest is great for leaning back while on the phone, reading, grinding away on a laptop, or even gaming.
The armrests are the one grip for both of us, though. They are adjustable in height and width, but they don't pivot inward, so for anyone who likes to pull those in tight, this chair may be a bit frustrating.
In the 100+ hours that we have spent in this chair, we have had no other major frustrations. It's a great chair; it's just as comfortable as it was on day one, and it's still working without any issues.
It's not until you have a chair with a leg rest that you truly appreciate just how great it is. Furthermore, it's not until you have a chair with a legrest in your own home office that you truly understand this. In the comfort of your own home office, you don't usually mind kicking back and taking that meeting reclined, or reading that contract or article while you have your feet up. Or, when you finish working for the day, use the legrest as a way to mentally flip from work to play. No matter how you prefer to do it, this chair is great for users who want some versatility.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Minimalist and professional
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Great for those wanting a simple chair for their home office
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Priced well for the product
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vari ComfortFlex Office Chair: Final verdict
The Vari ComfortFlex is a great all around chair. It's great for work, it's great for play, it's great for reading, and it's great for pretty much anything you'd do in your home office. It's made wonderful due to the dynamic lumbar, the mesh breathability and the built in retractable footrest, but as long as you don't need to be able ot bring your armrests in, this chair could be perfect for you.
Infinix recently unveiled the Hot 60i with the Helio G81 Ultimate chip at the helm, and now it has announced that it will soon launch the Hot 60 5G+ featuring a "One Tap AI Button."
The image shared by Infinix with us shows that the One Tap AI Button will be located on the right side of the Hot 60 5G+ below the volume rocker and power button. Infinix says it's a "smart and seamless shortcut that redefines user interaction" with the device and is designed for professionals, gamers, students, and regular users alike.
The One Tap AI Button supports single press, double press, and long...
Infinix recently unveiled the Hot 60i with the Helio G81 Ultimate chip at the helm, and now it has announced that it will soon launch the Hot 60 5G+ featuring a "One Tap AI Button."
The image shared by Infinix with us shows that the One Tap AI Button will be located on the right side of the Hot 60 5G+ below the volume rocker and power button. Infinix says it's a "smart and seamless shortcut that redefines user interaction" with the device and is designed for professionals, gamers, students, and regular users alike.
The One Tap AI Button supports single press, double press, and long...
Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition marks the fighting game’s availability on Nintendo Switch 2 - as a launch title for the console no less. Back in 2023, I scored Street Fighter 6five stars in my review, praising everything from its world class visuals to its intense one-on-one battles - backed up by the incredible Drive gauge system that allows for a high skill ceiling.
Review information
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: June 6, 2025 (originally released on June 2, 2023)
On Nintendo Switch 2, that high-quality experience has been replicated for the most part. Seemingly gone are the days of heavily compromised fighting game ports (looking at you, Mortal Kombat 1), as Capcom’s highly scalable RE Engine shows that even the best looking fighting games can still run and play great on a handheld machine.
Now, okay, you’re not quite getting the crystalline image quality of Street Fighter 6 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S or indeed PC. The Switch 2 version does look slightly worse, with noticeable graining and overall lower resolution - exacerbated when blown up on a 4K display. But honestly, it’s not a million miles away from those other versions, and the game is still perfectly readable and maintains a solid 60fps performance where it matters: in those intense online matches as well as most offline modes.
Perhaps obviously, it’s the single-player World Tour mode that suffers the most. Granted, it’s far from perfect on other systems, but you’ll really feel the compromises on Switch 2, with noticeable animation frame limiting on distant non-player characters (NPCs) and a hard 30fps lock during battles - far from ideal.
Still, everything else in the package is comparable. And with full crossplay support and a complete character roster at the time of writing, you can hop into one of the best fighting games on Nintendo Switch 2 and start ranking up just as well as you can on other consoles. Well, so long as you’re using a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller for Classic motion inputs, of course. But more on that later.
The gang's all here
(Image credit: Capcom)
So first off, what’s included in Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Switch 2? As mentioned, you’re getting the entire roster of fighters. That’s 18 from the launch version, in addition to the four DLC characters from Year 1 (Rashid, A.K.I., Ed, and Akuma) and four from Year 2 (M. Bison, Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Elena). You’re also getting four DLC stages and a decent amount of Drive Tickets to spend in the game’s shop. Sadly, additional character outfits aren’t included in this package - you’ll have to buy those separately.
Otherwise, this is a feature-complete version of Street Fighter 6. All three main content hubs are here, including the single-player World Tour mode. You’ll also find the Battle Hub for hanging out with player-created avatars and engaging in casual online matches, as well as Fighting Ground where you have access to the bulk of the game’s modes. That includes ranked and unranked online matches, Arcade mode, training, and combo trials for every character.
There are also a couple of modes exclusive to the Switch 2 version of Street Fighter 6, but these are unfortunately novelties that wore off after a couple of tries. Gyro Battle uses the Joy-Con 2’s motion controls for special move inputs, while Calorie Contest also applies those motion inputs to a gimmicky fitness-based mode. Both are inoffensive inclusions, but you likely won’t look at them twice unless you want to get your grandma into Street Fighter, or something.
The Joy (Con) of fighting
(Image credit: Capcom)
How I feel about Street Fighter 6 now hasn’t changed much over the last couple of years. It’s still one of the best fighting games available today, with plenty of content for both casual and hardcore players to sink their teeth into.
That being said, there may be some growing pains for those jumping over to the Switch 2 version, or playing the game for the first time on the new hardware. While the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a fine fit for Street Fighter 6’s Classic control scheme (which grants full access to characters’ moves and full motion inputs), the Joy-Con 2 certainly isn’t.
That’s because it’s almost impossible to reliably input directional special moves - especially the likes of the Dragon Punch motion and Zangief’s full-circle Spinning Pile Driver - on the Joy-Con 2’s button-styled d-pad.
However, if you prefer the Modern control scheme, which simplifies special moves to a single direction, you’ll have a much easier time if all you can play with is the Joy-Con 2. And it still helps that Modern is an incredibly well-designed control scheme that’s even preferred by no shortage of professional Street Fighter 6 players, so you absolutely can hop online and learn the game efficiently in this way.
Small world
(Image credit: Capcom)
As for World Tour, Street Fighter 6’s marquee single-player mode, it’s certainly something I’ve still got a soft spot for - but it’s definitely not at its best on Switch 2. In case you’re unaware, World Tour has your player-created avatar exploring 3D environments, getting into fights, and meeting legendary Street Fighter characters in order to level up and learn new moves - all in aid of winning tournaments and becoming the strongest fighter in the world. It’s not without its faults, with plenty of incredibly tanky enemies who love employing cheap tactics like lobbing wrenches from across the screen, but it is a fun diversion from the chaos of the online suites.
While it was never a top performer even on PS5, Xbox, and PC, World Tour on Switch 2 does suffer from some compromises. Draw distance is quite poor, and there’s plenty of choppy animation on distant NPCs. Overworld exploration targets 60fps and does get there frequently, but actual battles are strictly locked to 30fps, which simply feels horrible in a fighting game - even in a more casual-friendly environment.
I’d still say World Tour is worth a playthrough if you haven’t tried it before, as the experience here is far from unplayable. Just be prepared for a massive disconnect in performance between it and the rest of the package, which manages to be incredibly stable on Switch 2.
Should I play Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Switch 2?
Play it if...
You want a version of the game for portable play Despite a downgrade in overall image quality, playing Street Fighter 6 in handheld mode is a surprisingly stable experience and one that’s plenty fun whether you’re tucked in bed or out and about.
You want the entire roster at an affordable price Featuring most of the content released across the game’s first two years - sans old battle passes and character costumes - Years 1-2 Edition is a genuinely great deal.
Don't play it if...
You have access to Street Fighter 6 on other systems As impressive as Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 is, if you’re able to play the game on PS5, Xbox, or PC, I would still recommend those versions for their better image quality and performance in World Tour mode.
You don’t have the time to learn a fighting game Street Fighter 6 may be the most popular fighting game out there, but it’s certainly one of the more complex ones with its intricate Drive system, varied character movesets, and no shortage of fighting game-specific terminology.
Accessibility
Street Fighter 6’s accessibility suite is just as impressive on Switch 2 as it is on other consoles and PC. For one, the Modern control scheme is an excellent onboarding tool for players intimidated by the complicated Classic layout. Modern doesn’t give access to a character’s full move list, but it does greatly simplify special move inputs and provides easy combo routes, allowing you to hop online and see success almost right away.
In terms of other accessibility options, there are plenty. Audio options are particularly impressive, with the ability to enable a ‘distance to opponent’ sound to aid players with vision impairments. You can also enable unique sound effects for high, mid, and low attacks, as well as ones for remaining health and Super Art gauge levels.
Sadly, there are no colorblind settings to speak of, and on Switch 2, there are fewer graphical and visual options in general than on other systems.
How I reviewed Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition
I played Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 for around 28 hours for this review. That included significant progress in World Tour mode, as well as several rounds of Arcade mode, combo trials, and online matches, both ranked and casual.
In docked mode, playing on an LG CX OLED TV, my controller of choice was the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. I also tested the game in handheld mode using the Joy-Con 2 controllers.
As a huge fighting game fan, I also reviewed the original Street Fighter 6 release on PS5. I’ve also provided reviews for Granblue Fantasy Versus: Risingand Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, so I feel confident in delivering a review of the Switch 2 port of Street Fighter 6 that’s fair and coming from a standpoint of whether or not it’s worth your time and money.
Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition marks the fighting game’s availability on Nintendo Switch 2 - as a launch title for the console no less. Back in 2023, I scored Street Fighter 6five stars in my review, praising everything from its world class visuals to its intense one-on-one battles - backed up by the incredible Drive gauge system that allows for a high skill ceiling.
Review information
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: June 6, 2025 (originally released on June 2, 2023)
On Nintendo Switch 2, that high-quality experience has been replicated for the most part. Seemingly gone are the days of heavily compromised fighting game ports (looking at you, Mortal Kombat 1), as Capcom’s highly scalable RE Engine shows that even the best looking fighting games can still run and play great on a handheld machine.
Now, okay, you’re not quite getting the crystalline image quality of Street Fighter 6 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S or indeed PC. The Switch 2 version does look slightly worse, with noticeable graining and overall lower resolution - exacerbated when blown up on a 4K display. But honestly, it’s not a million miles away from those other versions, and the game is still perfectly readable and maintains a solid 60fps performance where it matters: in those intense online matches as well as most offline modes.
Perhaps obviously, it’s the single-player World Tour mode that suffers the most. Granted, it’s far from perfect on other systems, but you’ll really feel the compromises on Switch 2, with noticeable animation frame limiting on distant non-player characters (NPCs) and a hard 30fps lock during battles - far from ideal.
Still, everything else in the package is comparable. And with full crossplay support and a complete character roster at the time of writing, you can hop into one of the best fighting games on Nintendo Switch 2 and start ranking up just as well as you can on other consoles. Well, so long as you’re using a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller for Classic motion inputs, of course. But more on that later.
The gang's all here
(Image credit: Capcom)
So first off, what’s included in Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Switch 2? As mentioned, you’re getting the entire roster of fighters. That’s 18 from the launch version, in addition to the four DLC characters from Year 1 (Rashid, A.K.I., Ed, and Akuma) and four from Year 2 (M. Bison, Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Elena). You’re also getting four DLC stages and a decent amount of Drive Tickets to spend in the game’s shop. Sadly, additional character outfits aren’t included in this package - you’ll have to buy those separately.
Otherwise, this is a feature-complete version of Street Fighter 6. All three main content hubs are here, including the single-player World Tour mode. You’ll also find the Battle Hub for hanging out with player-created avatars and engaging in casual online matches, as well as Fighting Ground where you have access to the bulk of the game’s modes. That includes ranked and unranked online matches, Arcade mode, training, and combo trials for every character.
There are also a couple of modes exclusive to the Switch 2 version of Street Fighter 6, but these are unfortunately novelties that wore off after a couple of tries. Gyro Battle uses the Joy-Con 2’s motion controls for special move inputs, while Calorie Contest also applies those motion inputs to a gimmicky fitness-based mode. Both are inoffensive inclusions, but you likely won’t look at them twice unless you want to get your grandma into Street Fighter, or something.
The Joy (Con) of fighting
(Image credit: Capcom)
How I feel about Street Fighter 6 now hasn’t changed much over the last couple of years. It’s still one of the best fighting games available today, with plenty of content for both casual and hardcore players to sink their teeth into.
That being said, there may be some growing pains for those jumping over to the Switch 2 version, or playing the game for the first time on the new hardware. While the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a fine fit for Street Fighter 6’s Classic control scheme (which grants full access to characters’ moves and full motion inputs), the Joy-Con 2 certainly isn’t.
That’s because it’s almost impossible to reliably input directional special moves - especially the likes of the Dragon Punch motion and Zangief’s full-circle Spinning Pile Driver - on the Joy-Con 2’s button-styled d-pad.
However, if you prefer the Modern control scheme, which simplifies special moves to a single direction, you’ll have a much easier time if all you can play with is the Joy-Con 2. And it still helps that Modern is an incredibly well-designed control scheme that’s even preferred by no shortage of professional Street Fighter 6 players, so you absolutely can hop online and learn the game efficiently in this way.
Small world
(Image credit: Capcom)
As for World Tour, Street Fighter 6’s marquee single-player mode, it’s certainly something I’ve still got a soft spot for - but it’s definitely not at its best on Switch 2. In case you’re unaware, World Tour has your player-created avatar exploring 3D environments, getting into fights, and meeting legendary Street Fighter characters in order to level up and learn new moves - all in aid of winning tournaments and becoming the strongest fighter in the world. It’s not without its faults, with plenty of incredibly tanky enemies who love employing cheap tactics like lobbing wrenches from across the screen, but it is a fun diversion from the chaos of the online suites.
While it was never a top performer even on PS5, Xbox, and PC, World Tour on Switch 2 does suffer from some compromises. Draw distance is quite poor, and there’s plenty of choppy animation on distant NPCs. Overworld exploration targets 60fps and does get there frequently, but actual battles are strictly locked to 30fps, which simply feels horrible in a fighting game - even in a more casual-friendly environment.
I’d still say World Tour is worth a playthrough if you haven’t tried it before, as the experience here is far from unplayable. Just be prepared for a massive disconnect in performance between it and the rest of the package, which manages to be incredibly stable on Switch 2.
Should I play Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Switch 2?
Play it if...
You want a version of the game for portable play Despite a downgrade in overall image quality, playing Street Fighter 6 in handheld mode is a surprisingly stable experience and one that’s plenty fun whether you’re tucked in bed or out and about.
You want the entire roster at an affordable price Featuring most of the content released across the game’s first two years - sans old battle passes and character costumes - Years 1-2 Edition is a genuinely great deal.
Don't play it if...
You have access to Street Fighter 6 on other systems As impressive as Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 is, if you’re able to play the game on PS5, Xbox, or PC, I would still recommend those versions for their better image quality and performance in World Tour mode.
You don’t have the time to learn a fighting game Street Fighter 6 may be the most popular fighting game out there, but it’s certainly one of the more complex ones with its intricate Drive system, varied character movesets, and no shortage of fighting game-specific terminology.
Accessibility
Street Fighter 6’s accessibility suite is just as impressive on Switch 2 as it is on other consoles and PC. For one, the Modern control scheme is an excellent onboarding tool for players intimidated by the complicated Classic layout. Modern doesn’t give access to a character’s full move list, but it does greatly simplify special move inputs and provides easy combo routes, allowing you to hop online and see success almost right away.
In terms of other accessibility options, there are plenty. Audio options are particularly impressive, with the ability to enable a ‘distance to opponent’ sound to aid players with vision impairments. You can also enable unique sound effects for high, mid, and low attacks, as well as ones for remaining health and Super Art gauge levels.
Sadly, there are no colorblind settings to speak of, and on Switch 2, there are fewer graphical and visual options in general than on other systems.
How I reviewed Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition
I played Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 for around 28 hours for this review. That included significant progress in World Tour mode, as well as several rounds of Arcade mode, combo trials, and online matches, both ranked and casual.
In docked mode, playing on an LG CX OLED TV, my controller of choice was the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. I also tested the game in handheld mode using the Joy-Con 2 controllers.
As a huge fighting game fan, I also reviewed the original Street Fighter 6 release on PS5. I’ve also provided reviews for Granblue Fantasy Versus: Risingand Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, so I feel confident in delivering a review of the Switch 2 port of Street Fighter 6 that’s fair and coming from a standpoint of whether or not it’s worth your time and money.
The Theater Bar 6's packaging (Image credit: Future)
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 lives up to the ‘Theater’ part of its name. If you want to upgrade your TV’s audio but can’t quite go the full home theater route, the next best thing is a soundbar with a separate subwoofer for extended, theater-like bass. As great as the best soundbars are, not all come with, or even support, external subwoofers, and that low rumble a subwoofer delivers makes the biggest difference between hearing a movie and feeling it.
Dolby Atmos speakers for height effects take the theater experience to the next step, and the Sony Bravia Theater 6, along with having a powerful wireless subwoofer, has upward-firing speakers for immersive spatial audio.
While the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 has some shortcomings – there’s a delayed response when using Sony’s Bravia Connect control app, and the soundbar’s soundstage is a bit narrower than I would like – I still think it’s a strong contender for the best Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Price & release date
The Theater Bar 6's full set of accessories (Image credit: Future)
Released in April 2025
Price: $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 soundbar is widely available for $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899).
That price is far from budget, though the Theater Bar 6 does include a wireless subwoofer, not to mention a good feature set including some first-party integration with Sony Bravia TVs. The soundbar's upward-firing speakers, which let it deliver Dolby Atmos and DTS:X height effects without resorting to virtual processing, add to the cost as well.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Specs
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Bar: 37.5 x 2.63 x 4.38 inch / 950 x 64 x 110 mm, (Sub) 8.27 x 15.28 x 15.28 inch / 210 x 388 x 388 mm
Speaker channels
3.1.2
Connections:
1x HDMI (with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB, IR
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Sub included
Yes
Rear speakers included
No
Features
Bravia Sync, DSEE, app support
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Features
Ports include one HDMI with eARC/ARC and optical digital (Image credit: Future)
Can upmix stereo to spatial audio
Night mode is clear while limiting audio spikes
Voice mode is subtle enough not to distort audio
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6’s feature set is a bright spot. There's the aforementioned Bravia Sync (along with an enhanced dialogue mode that can be used with Bravia TVs) and it can upmix stereo audio to spatial audio. There’s Bluetooth connectivity, though no Wi-Fi streaming, and a bunch more features that you’ll find digging through the Sony Bravia Connect app.
Most notably, I want to mention the app’s Night Mode and Voice Mode features. The first does a wonderful job of flattening audio so you can hear it clearly, even though almost all dynamic range has been lost. That makes it perfect for watching when someone else in your home is asleep.
The Voice mode boosts the frequency range where the dialogue in movies and TV shows sits. And it does so without distorting the way the audio sounds, which is usually the case with voice or dialogue modes.
Using the app gives you access to a lot more functions for setting up and adjusting the soundbar. However, there seemed to be a delay with every press when I tested the Theater Bar 6. If I turned up the volume or adjusted the bass level, I had to do it slowly so that the app registered and transmitted each press to the soundbar. I don’t quite understand the lag, as the soundbar has Bluetooth 5.3, which is not that old a Bluetooth standard, and should be sufficient to register a control command quickly.
Features score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Performance
The Theater Bar 6's support feet are easy to install (Image credit: Future)
Good overall audio quality
Lots of power from subwoofer
Soundstage is a bit narrow
Now to the interesting part. The Theater Bar 6’s sound quality is very good. It’s full without sounding bloated, and the high-end is crisp and clear. Bass from the system’s subwoofer is massive – I had the subwoofer’s level set at 4 out of 10 and still got quite the punch from it. Most listeners will be more than happy with the Theater Bar 6’s sound.
That said, there is one area where the sound falls a little short. The soundstage is a bit narrower than I would like. I tested with action-packed movies, such as The Batman and Deadpool & Wolverine, and I didn’t sense a lot of movement with sound effects. That’s not to say it’s not there. It’s just not dramatic like one would expect from a sound system with the word “Theater” in it.
The Theater Bar 6’s limited soundstage didn’t quite take me out of the experience, but it is certainly a limitation. At least the subwoofer delivers a nice rumble that you can feel, and the Dolby Atmos speakers add some height to the audio. The effect is subtle, but everything just sounds a little taller.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Design
The Theater Bar 6's wireless subwoofer provides deep, solid bass (Image credit: Future)
Soundbar and subwoofer on the big side
Features upward-firing speakers
Limited port selection
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is essentially two pieces: the soundbar itself and a subwoofer. The soundbar is fairly wide, measuring 37 1/2 inches across, as well as 2 5/8 inches tall and 4 3/8 inches deep (950 x 64 x 110 mm). If you have anything smaller than a 50-inch TV, then this soundbar is too big for it.
It comes in matte black and has a few LED indicators that light up on the lower right side whenever anything is changed. I do prefer an actual LED display that gives more information, but this more minimal way of communicating changes to settings seems to be the norm for most mid-range and budget soundbars.
This is a 3.1.2 system with six total speakers, with five of them in the soundbar itself. The left, center, and right speakers are all, as is expected, front-facing, though I would have expected the left and right to maybe angle out a little. The wo upward-firing speakers align with the left and right ones. Those speakers are angled so that they’ll bounce sound off the ceiling to the listener’s ears.
The port selection is pretty slim here, though that’s not unusual in this price range. Besides power, there’s one HDMI and one optical port. Both ports support quite a few features. For example, the HDMI supports eARC, allowing you to listen to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, as well as HDMI CEC, which allows you to use your TV’s remote to control the volume on the soundbar. It also supports Bravia Sync, a feature that requires a Bravia TV.
If you plan on buying the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, make sure you have enough space for the wireless subwoofer, as it’s quite hefty, measuring 8.26 x 15.28 x 15.28 in (210 x 388 x 388 mm). It comes in the same matte black finish, has one plug for power, a forward-facing woofer, and a bass reflex port (the big hole in the front) to extend bass response.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Setup & usability
The Bravia Theater 6 comes with a basic remote control, but many more sound adjustments are available in the Bravia Connect app (Image credit: Future)
Simple setup
App is straightforward
Remote control is intuitive
The physical setup of the Theater Bar 6 is very easy, just requiring a screwdriver for attaching the rubber feet that raise the soundbar off the surface it’s sitting on by half an inch. Connecting it to a TV just requires either an HDMI or optical cable (Sony includes an HDMI cable).
Subwoofer setup is even easier. After connecting it to power, it automatically links to the soundbar wirelessly (though there are instructions on how to pair if there’s an issue).
Despite my annoyance with the app’s lagging, setting it up and pairing it with the soundbar is also straightforward. There are a number of screens to go through, but there’s nothing confusing, and you just follow the instructions or answer the questions on the screen.
As far as using the soundbar, you either interact with it via the remote or the app, as there are no physical buttons on the unit. The remote is straightforward in its operation, and the Voice mode and Night mode each have their own buttons.
Setup & usability score: 5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Value
The Theater Bar 6 features two upfiring speakers for Atmos height effects (Image credit: Future)
Can find Dolby Atmos models with a subwoofer for cheaper
Priced about right for the quality
Stiff competition from companies like Samsung
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6’s price tag of $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899 is nowhere near budget. Consider the Hisense AX5125H with its current pricing of $299 / £349 (roughly AU$449). It’s a 5.1.2-channel system, so it not only comes with that subwoofer and upward-firing speakers but two rear speakers for surround sound capability. That said, it doesn’t have an app for any kind of EQ or audio fine-tuning. Even worse, the rear speakers can get overwhelmed and distort. That’s a good reminder that sometimes you do get what you pay for. It’s also worth mentioning that the Hisense originally went for $449 / £499 (roughly AU$599) when it was released in 2023.
A better comparison might be the Samsung HW-Q700C, a 3.1.2-channel soundbar system that goes for $549.99 / £599 / AU$899 that can be upgraded at a later date to surround sound, though getting those extra speakers will add $299 / £249 / AU$349 to the cost. It covers a lot of the same ground as the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, though the Samsung seems to suffer even more from app-related connectivity issues.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6?
Section
Notes
Score
Features
It can upmix stereo to spatial audio and has solid Night and Voice modes
4.5 / 5
Performance
The soundstage is a bit narrow, but the sound quality is very good, especially the low end, thanks to the powerful subwoofer
4.5 / 5
Design
On the bigger side, and there's no alphanumeric LED display for control feedback
4 / 5
Setup & usability
Everything about using the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is easy and intuitive
5 / 5
Value
A solid mid-range soundbar. You can find cheaper options with similar setups, but the quality may be less
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want good sound quality The audio quality is overall very good, especially the low end, and it’s only slightly held back by a narrow soundstage.
You want something easy The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is powerful and does a lot. Even so, it’s easy to set up, and using it is intuitive.
You want Dolby Atmos Not only does it sound good, but those upward-firing speakers add some dimensionality to audio. Plus, it can upmix stereo audio to take advantage of those extra speakers.
Don't buy it if...
You want surround sound Sony’s 3.1.2 channels provide immersive sound, but it’s still not the same as surround sound.
You want a wide stereo image It’s par for the course with soundbars, but the soundstage here is not particularly wide. If you want a wide stereo image, find a home theater system with actual speakers or a soundbar system with rear speakers.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 review: Also consider
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6
Samsung HW-Q700C
Hisense AX5125H
Sony HT-A7000
Price
$649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899
$549.99 / £599 / AU$899
$299 / £349 (roughly AU$449)
$999 / £1,299 / AU$1,699
Dimensions (w x h x d)
Soundbar: 37.5 x 2.63 x 4.38 in (950 x 64 x 110 mm); Subwoofer: 8.27 x 15.28 x 15.28 in (210 x 388 x 388 mm)
Soundbar: 46.5 x 18.5 x 10.7 in (1182 x 468 x 272 mm); Subwoofer: 8 x 13.8 x 11.8 in (205 x 353 x 302 mm)
Soundbar: 36.2 x 18.8 x 3.5 in (920 x 478 x 90mm); Subwoofer: 8.5 x 12.3 x 11.9 in (210.5 x 310 x 300mm); Satellites: 3.6 x 5.7 x 4.3 in (90.1 x 140.5 x 110mm)
51.8 x 3.1 x 5.6 in(1300 x 80 x 142 mm)
Speaker channels
3.1.2
3.1.2
5.1.2
7.1.2
Connections
1x HDMI (with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB, IR
1 x HDMI input, 1 x HDMI eARC support, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
1x HDMI Out (eARC), 1x HDMI in, optical, USB, 3.5mm AUX
2 HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Samsung HW-Q700C A 3.1.2-channel system, the Samsung HW-Q700C is a little cheaper and covers a lot of the same ground. It does have similar (but worse) app-connectivity issues, and, like the Sony, it has some features that are only unlocked when used with Samsung TVs.
The Hisense AX5125H comes fairly stripped down in the features department. However, it’s almost half the price while offering a subwoofer, upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, and rear speakers for surround sound. Unfortunately, audio can overwhelm those rear speakers.
Sony HT-A7000 Sony’s current flagship soundbar ships as a single-bar solution. It still provides 7.1.2 channels and 500W, though, making it one of the most cinematic-sounding single-bar solutions. You can add optional rear and subwoofer speakers too, and it has 4K 120Hz HDMI pass-through.
I used the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 for several weeks
Tested with TV, movies, games, and music
I used the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 regularly for several weeks. I watched movies, shows, games, and listened to music with it. I tested all the various features, especially the various audio modes.
After having tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, it’s clear that it’s an ideal soundbar for anyone who wants a somewhat premium, home theater-type experience without having to pay premium prices.
I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
The iQOO 13 was launched in India in Legend and Nardo Grey colorways, which are now joined by a third color - Ace Green.
iQOO says the Ace Green colorway "draws inspiration from themes of composure, precision, and performance under pressure" and is "designed to reflect the mindset of high-performing individuals who lead by example."
The Ace Green iQOO 13 comes in 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB configurations, priced at INR54,999 ($645/€545) and INR59,999 ($700/€595), respectively. That's the same price as the Legend and Nardo Grey models. It will go on sale in India starting July 12 through...
The iQOO 13 was launched in India in Legend and Nardo Grey colorways, which are now joined by a third color - Ace Green.
iQOO says the Ace Green colorway "draws inspiration from themes of composure, precision, and performance under pressure" and is "designed to reflect the mindset of high-performing individuals who lead by example."
The Ace Green iQOO 13 comes in 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB configurations, priced at INR54,999 ($645/€545) and INR59,999 ($700/€595), respectively. That's the same price as the Legend and Nardo Grey models. It will go on sale in India starting July 12 through...
The CalDigit Element 5 is a beautifully designed docking station with the full power of Thunderbolt 5, which is barely even on the market yet. Still, CalDigit knows those who want the Thunderbolt 5 speeds are looking for a great solution to keep that speed everywhere.
When it comes to the wild speeds of Thunderbolt 5, it's one of the best docking stations around. However, outside of that, this dock is pretty standard, providing what you need without adding a dozen barely used ports.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
CalDigit Element 5: Pricing and Availability
The CalDigit Element 5 Thunderbolt Hub is available on its website, at major retailers like Amazon, and at many other retailers, shipping worldwide now. You can pick one up for $280, which is expensive; however, it's worth noting that this is brand-new technology with Thunderbolt 5, and the speeds you can transfer with this hub are truly impressive.
So, if you're interested in some of the best transfer speeds available, which you would notice in your workflow, this dock is a steal. If you don't notice the speeds, this dock is probably not for you.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
CalDigit Element 5: Unboxing & first impressions
CalDigit did it right with this Docking Station. It's simple, it's robust, it's minimal, and it's powerful. It has simple packaging, which is fitting as it's a relatively simple device. In the package is the Element 5 Hub itself, a Thunderbolt 5 Cable (of course), some rubber feet, and the power cable.
Something that I appreciate is that this dock is designed to be reversible. I've had several docks in the past that I've flipped around to get the ports to line up the way I want them to, specifically the computer in port. Still, then I'm left with the ports I don't want facing that way, too, and the dock is either upside down, spun around, or all around catawampus.
We can't have that - which is why it's super nice that the Element 5 is designed with this in mind. I can easily flip the side port to the computer to be on the left or the right, and I can still flip things around if I want the Thunderbolt ports to face me. Furthermore, if I wanted to, CalDigit suggests daisy-chaining multiple units together to get even more power (and ports) out of your setup.
The CalDigit Element 5 is elegant and minimalist, as I have said, but that doesn't mean that it's frail or prone to breaking. This unit feels hefty and robust, like it will last for a long time even when put to heavy use regularly. It helps tidy my desk with its simple design, yet it can also fit in my bag or on the road for a portable setup without any problems.
One thing worth noting is that I really appreciate how CalDigit includes rubber feet to help keep the aluminum from scratching my beautiful wood desk. However, that may not make everyone as excited as I am; in fact, I would hope that most are not as excited as I am about that.
CalDigit Element 5: In use
The CalDigit Element 5 has been wonderful to use for the last few months. I've had this in my arsenal of gear for the last 120 days, and so far, it has taken every beating I have thrown at it. I have transferred huge data loads with it, I have run multiple displays, I have used it with macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, iPadOS, Dex, and more. It's been a fantastic tool for me, even on my simplest of setups, allowing power when needed, and the ability to tuck away when it's not needed.
For my beefier MacBooks and Dell Precisions that I have been testing, I have been able to appreciate the full 90W power output to charge these beasts of laptops, and for less demanding laptops I have been able to appreciate that it won't drown my comptuer with extra power, but rather tapers off and olny gives the compute what it needs.
The Thunderbolt 5 speeds still blow my mind all around. I can boost mode up to 120Gb/s, I can run up to 6200 MB/s SSD Speeds, I can run up to dual 8K 60Hz monitors on the right computer, and I can run this all from a 180W power supply, while supplying 90W of that to a laptop. It's all a bit insane, especially for how compact this dock is.
Of course, if you're on certain Macs, you won't be able to take advantage of all the display possibilities, but that's old news now. Speaking of old news, if I ever needed to dust off an old disk drive, even my Apple SuperDrive, I can, with confidence, know that this dock will run it. Funny to me that this is still a selling point in 2025, but regardless, it's good to know.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Cool and sleek design
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality
Great for those anyone using Thunderbolt
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Priced well for the product
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CalDigit Element 5: Final verdict
If you are aware of the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 in your workflow, odds are you could benefit from this dock. For those who need max speed, where every second of transferring is valuable, and you want max power and display support, then this is your new best friend.
