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Defense Department Scrambles to Pretend It’s Called the War Department
Product Reviews

Defense Department Scrambles to Pretend It’s Called the War Department

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The Pentagon’s website and social media channels were overhauled Friday at President Donald Trump’s behest to reflect the United States Defense Department’s new “Department of War” persona, shifting from Defense.gov to War.gov—a symbolic rebranding that highlights the administration’s preference for projecting strength through the language of war rather than the idiom of defense.

Trump on Friday signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to once again be named the so-called Department of War, reviving a name retired after World War II to mark America’s turn to deterrence as the principle bulwark against nuclear annihilation.

At an Oval Office ceremony, Trump said the change was about attitude, declaring, “It’s really about winning.”

“We won the First World War, we won the Second World War, we won everything before that and in between,” Trump said during the order’s signing. “And then we decided to go woke and we changed the name to the Department of Defense.”

The order authorizes defense secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials to use titles such as “secretary of war” in official correspondence, though Trump also instructed Hegseth to recommend steps needed to make the change permanent.

“We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct,” Hegseth said during Friday’s signing ceremony. “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.”

Every prior name change—from the War Department created by Congress in 1789, to the National Military Establishment in 1947, to the Department of Defense in 1949—came through legislation. Allies in Congress quickly introduced a bill to back Friday’s change to the so-called Department of War, but the administration appears to be seeking a workaround anyway, as it has done in the past, whether by invoking sweeping emergency powers or withholding congressionally approved foreign aid. Currently, “Department of War” is a “secondary” title after the Department of Defense.

Within hours of Trump’s order, Pentagon officials rebranded the department’s social media platforms. The Department of Defense’s official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts quietly rolled out the “Department of War” name and seal, adopting labels at odds with its legal identity.

As of around 6 pm ET on Friday, the new Department of War page still lists all the department’s other social channels and its website as using the “Defense” name, as did its YouTube channel.

How far the rebranding might go is unclear, but any comprehensive effort would saddle taxpayers with costs in the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars, as every sign, logo, uniform, computer system, and piece of official paperwork tied to the Pentagon’s identity across the globe would need to be replaced.

A prior effort to recommend changes at military installations commemorating the Confederacy carried a projected cost of $39 million and covered only nine bases. The Defense Department’s real property portfolio spans hundreds of thousands of facilities, from major bases to small outposts worldwide.





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Product Reviews

Anthropic will pay a record-breaking $1.5 billion to settle copyright lawsuit with authors

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Anthropic will pay a record-breaking $1.5 billion to settle a class action lawsuit piracy lawsuit brought by authors. The settlement is the largest-ever payout for a copyright case in the United States.

The AI company behind the Claude chatbot reached a settlement in the case last week, but terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed at the time. Now, The New York Times reports that the 500,000 authors involved in the case will get $3,000 per work.

The settlement is “is the first of its kind in the AI era,” Justin A. Nelson, the lawyer representing the authors, said in a statement. “This landmark settlement far surpasses any other known copyright recovery. It will provide meaningful compensation for each class work and sets a precedent requiring AI companies to pay copyright owners. This settlement sends a powerful message to AI companies and creators alike that taking copyrighted works from these pirate websites is wrong.”

The case has been closely watched as top AI companies are increasingly facing legal scrutiny over their use of copyrighted works. In June, the judge in the case ruled that Anthropic’s use of copyrighted material for training its large language model was fair use, in a significant victory for the company. He did, however, rule that the authors and publishers could pursue piracy claims against the company since the books were downloaded illegally from sites like Library Genesis (also known as “LibGen”).

As part of the settlement, Anthropic has also agreed to delete everything that was downloaded illegally and “said that it did not use any pirated works to build A.I. technologies that were publicly released,” according to The New York Times. The company has not admitted wrongdoing.

“In June, the District Court issued a landmark ruling on AI development and copyright law, finding that Anthropic’s approach to training AI models constitutes fair use,” Anthropic’s Deputy General Counsel Aparna Sridhar said in a statement. “Today’s settlement, if approved, will resolve the plaintiffs’ remaining legacy claims. We remain committed to developing safe AI systems that help people and organizations extend their capabilities, advance scientific discovery, and solve complex problems.”



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I tested 30 smart locks, and these are the best
Product Reviews

I tested 30 smart locks, and these are the best

by admin


A smart lock is an easy solution to some common problems. Locked yourself out? Need to let a friend in to water the plants? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Hands are full, and it’s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more.

One of the best smart home upgrades you can make, a smart lock gives you remote control over access to your house from anywhere, plus easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your door. Smart locks also remember everything that happened, so they can tell you when your door was unlocked, and sometimes who did it.

For most people, control and convenience are big enough selling points. However, smart locks also work nicely with other smart home devices, including video doorbells and smart lighting. My favorite way to integrate locks in my home is with an evening smart home routine, which locks the doors, dims the lights, and sets my thermostat to sleep mode. We have four exterior doors, so it saves me from walking around the house at night checking everything is secure.

Having a connected lock on your door is as secure as a standard lock, and sometimes more. Most smart locks have the same security ratings as their non-smart counterparts (see FAQ for more details), and it’s harder to physically pick a lock without a keyway. Plus, any smart lock is more secure than leaving a spare key under a flowerpot.

I’ve been testing smart door locks for six years and have installed more than 30 for this guide alone. Here are my top picks for your front door. Whether you want the best of the best, don’t want to replace your existing lock, are on a budget, or want a smart lock that doesn’t look like a smart lock, there are great options for every need.

What I’m looking for

How I test smart locks

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I install each lock on one of four exterior doors and use it daily for at least a week. I evaluate the ease of installation and setup, including adding codes and registering biometrics such as fingerprints, faces, or palms. I connect the locks to various smart home platforms and test integrations through automations and routines.I assess all control methods offered — physical keys, codes, biometrics, Home Key, and auto-lock/unlock — checking for speed and reliability. I test remote features like app control, code sharing, and platform integrations.Design, aesthetics, and how the lock pairs with devices like video doorbells are also considered. I test accessories like external keypads and any unique features offered. For battery life, I estimate the duration based on performance during my testing window and conduct long-term testing on top picks.

Multiple ways to unlock

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A good smart lock should have at least three ways to unlock in case one method fails. My favorites are fingerprint and keypad since they don’t require you to carry anything with you, but other options include phone apps, auto-unlock via geofencing, voice control from your phone or watch, physical keys, NFC fobs, and Apple Home Key. Home Key is awesome, but you have to have an iPhone or Apple Watch — for now. Every smart lock in this list also has the option to auto-lock after a set time. This means you don’t have to remember to physically lock your door.

Remote control

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A key feature of a smart lock is the ability to control your lock when you’re away from home, either remotely using the app or by sending a code to someone so they can manually unlock it. My preferred option is remote control, as sometimes it’s just easier to unlock the door for someone and then lock it when they leave, even if you’re 2,000 miles away.

Reliable connectivity

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Smart locks broadly use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or Thread to allow you to control them from an app. My least favorite option is a Bluetooth lock that uses a dedicated bridge to connect to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is power-hungry and drains batteries fast, so some door locks use a bridge as an intermediary. This is fiddly and annoying (especially if someone unplugs it accidentally). I prefer locks with built-in Wi-Fi or those that can connect to a multi-purpose hub or bridge, such as an Apple Home Hub or an Echo smart speaker. Locks that connect over Thread are starting to become more popular; they require a Thread border router, but offer longer battery life and out-of-home control.

Long battery life

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Most Wi-Fi smart locks have a battery life of under six months, which is a pain. Those that use Bluetooth last longer, but need that extra hub or bridge for out-of-home control. Thread is a new connectivity option that promises longer battery life but also requires a second device (a Thread border router). (See the FAQ for more on this.)

Virtual keys

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The lock should have the option to assign “virtual keys” or unique codes to other household members, service people, or a neighbor looking in on your dog. These should be easily revoked or assigned only for specific times. The app should also have a log/alerts that let you know who accessed your door and when.

Broad smart home compatibility

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A good smart lock should be compatible with at least some of the major platforms, so you can schedule the lock, set up home automation routines, and use features like tapping your phone to your door to unlock it. New standards like Matter and Aliro are working to bring universal compatibility between smart locks, smartphones, and smart home platforms. (See the FAQ for more on this.)

$259

The Good

  • Excellent auto-unlock function
  • Choice of Wi-Fi or Matter-over-Thread
  • Great design
  • Discreet door sensor
  • Can be rekeyed

The Bad

  • Have to choose between Thread and Kwikset’s auto-unlock
  • No Home Key or biometric access
  • Touchscreen shows fingerprints
  • Prominent Kwikset branding

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Thread / Access options: Key, keycode, app, voice / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Six to 12 months / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI Grade AAA / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Matter (including Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings)

The Kwikset Halo Select ($279.99) is a good-looking, reliable smart lock with top-notch security ratings, broad smart home compatibility, and the best auto-unlock function I’ve tested to date.

I strongly believe a smart lock should look good on your door, and the Halo Select does exactly that, plus it can blend in with both traditional and contemporary door sets. (But I could do without the prominent Kwikset branding.)

The Halo blends in nicely with a contemporary Kwikset door handle set. It’s a shame about the prominent branding, though.

Of the four entry methods — a keyway (which is re-keyable), a touchscreen keypad, app/smart home control, and auto-unlock by location — I liked the last one the best. It worked so well that I didn’t mind that it lacks a fingerprint reader or Apple Home Key.

My experience with automatic unlocking on other locks (which uses a combination of Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi to determine your location) has been generally frustrating, but on the Halo Select, it’s been flawless. It unlocks just as I approach my porch, making coming home and opening the door a virtually hands-free experience.

The Select can also auto-lock based on your location, not just after a set amount of time as most locks offer. I also like the Halo Select’s LED lock indicator on the touchscreen, which tells you at a glance if the door is locked or unlocked.

The Halo Select has built-in Wi-Fi and a Thread radio, but you have to pick one.

If you set it up with Wi-Fi, you can use the Kwikset app and connect to Amazon Alexa and Google via the cloud. With Matter, you can connect to those platforms locally and also to Apple Home and others, but you won’t be able to use the Kwikset app after setup. so you lose the auto-unlock feature, among others.

Kwikset’s auto-unlock feature worked flawlessly in testing

Matter-over-Thread does promise better battery life (I’ll need to test it for longer to determine this) and the ability to easily share the lock with other ecosystems. I set it up in Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings via Matter with no issues and could control it with all three via routines, automations, and voice commands.

It’s a shame to have to choose between using Matter and some of this lock’s best features, but this is a problem across Matter, not specific to Kwikset. Kwikset’s solution allows you to use its advanced features today while still having the future-proofing potential of Matter for tomorrow.

Read my full review of the Kwikset Halo Select.

Best budget smart(ish) lock

$80

The Good

  • Inexpensive
  • Good fingerprint reader
  • Offline access codes
  • Long battery life

The Bad

  • No Wi-Fi
  • No smart home support
  • Large rear housing

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 / Access options: Fingerprint, keypad, app / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: One year / Security Grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: N/A

The Wyze Lock Bolt is a good choice if you want something inexpensive and useful and don’t care about smart home integration — or prefer a lock without it. It’s not sleek or stylish; it’s just a big hunk of black plastic (there’s also a satin nickel version). Out of the box, it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems, but it does have an easy-to-use backlit keypad and a lightning-fast fingerprint reader. It’ll auto-lock if you want, and it’s half the price of most smart locks in this list.

The Wyze lock has a huge rear housing but a nice slimline keypad, a fast fingerprint reader, and no Wi-Fi connection.

In addition to the fingerprint reader and keypad, the Wyze Lock Bolt can be controlled over Bluetooth, and its range is very good. I could lock the door from my bedroom at the other end of the house using the Wyze app. That’s important, as there’s no way to lock the door on a schedule (although you can enable auto-lock).

The Wyze doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems

The Bolt doesn’t integrate with smart home platforms, but if you don’t need to control your lock with your voice or plan to add it to any smart home routines, you won’t miss those features. It also delivers up to a year of battery life on four AAs — I tested it for three months and it only lost 15 percent.

But without Wi-Fi, I couldn’t check on it or control it when I was away from home, so turning on the auto-lock option is a must. If I wanted to let someone in while I was gone, I couldn’t unlock the door remotely, but I could generate an offline code in the Wyze app and share that. This uses similar technology to two-factor authentication codes and worked perfectly in my testing.

Since I tested the lock, Wyze has introduced an integration with its Wyze Video Doorbell Pro that lets you unlock the Bolt remotely when paired with the doorbell — but it doesn’t let you lock it remotely, which is odd. Of course, if you enable auto-lock, this is less of an issue.

$159

The Good

  • Lightning fast
  • Nice, compact design
  • Simple to install
  • Supports Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread
  • No account required
  • Broad smart home compatibility

The Bad

  • Subscription required for remote access (without Matter)
  • No Apple Home Key
  • Proprietary charging cable
  • No door sensor included

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter-over-Thread / Access options: Key, app, voice, fingerprint and keypad (sold separately) / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Non-removable, rechargeable / Battery life: Up to 12 months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings

The Nuki Smart Lock is the most advanced retrofit smart lock we’ve tested, and a worthy replacement for our previous pick, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It features a compact design and lightning-fast locking — even quicker than manually turning the lock — and it works over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter over Thread, the latter of which enables out-of-home control and notifications through any Matter-compatible smart home platform.

Whereas most smart locks feature a big, bulky design, the Nuki Smart Lock boasts a minimalist style with a premium look and feel. Installation is straightforward — simply remove the thumbturn from your existing deadbolt, replace it with a blackplate, and snap the Nuki into place. Once it’s installed, you can get up and running without signing up for an account, which is a rare feature for a smart lock.

The Nuki app gives you access to multiple settings and customization options. In addition to standard features like key sharing with family members and enabling auto-lock and auto-unlock, it supports schedules, an activity log, and a convenient Night Mode, which can lock the door at a set time, disable auto-unlock, and enable auto-lock.

If you don’t have a Matter hub and a Thread border router — like a HomePod — Nuki offers a subscription service called Nuki Premium ($5.90 per month). It adds features like remote access, lock activity notifications, and integration with rental platforms like Airbnb. Another possible upgrade is the optional keypad, which supports both PIN codes and fingerprints, making it easy for friends, family, and guests to gain access without needing to download an app. Although the fingerprint reader works well, there is no backlight, making nighttime use tricky without a porch light. The current keypad doesn’t support Apple Home Key, though Nuki is planning to release one later this year with ultra-wideband unlocking (UWB) and NFC support.

Nuki’s smart lock has a built-in battery that can last for months, and it only takes a few hours to fully recharge. While a non-removable battery raises concerns about longevity — smart locks generally use AA batteries — Nuki claims it should last 10 years. After that, the company says a replacement plan will be offered.

Read our review of the Nuki Smart Lock.

Best smart lock for renters

$96

The Good

  • Easy install
  • Option of fingerprint keypad
  • A year of battery life

The Bad

  • Requires Wi-Fi bridge
  • Keypad is big and ugly
  • No support for Matter

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (with plug-in module) / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad and fingerprint reader sold separately / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA alkaline batteries / Battery life: 12 months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

Starting at $130, the Yale Approach is a more affordable retrofit lock with no monthly subscription. It’s super easy to install, looks nice, and has a good list of features — auto-lock, auto-unlock, app and voice control. Add the Bluetooth keypad to get one-touch locking, key code, and fingerprint access.

The Approach replaces your thumb turn, so you can still use your current lock and key — making it a great option if you are renting and don’t want to annoy your landlord. It has a nice, slim profile and blends in better than the rear housing of most smart locks.

The lock comes in black or silver and took me less than five minutes to install. It uses four AA batteries and promises 12 months of battery life. This is because there is no built-in Wi-Fi; instead, it uses an included plug-in bridge.

The bridge adds out-of-home control and connection to smart home platforms, including Alexa and Google Home, but there’s no Apple Home support). This allows for voice control and adding it to smart home routines. Yale told me there’s an onboard Thread radio that will be activated to support Matter, but didn’t say when this would arrive.

The Yale Bluetooth keypad with fingerprint access is slim and packed with function, but it’s also very tall and clunky-looking.

The optional Bluetooth keypad lets you control the lock from the outside without using an app or key, and it worked promptly and reliably. There’s the option of a fingerprint version, and that was similarly a good experience — just touch and open. The keypad also allows you to lock the door when you leave by pressing the Yale logo button.

The keys are a bit sensitive; I frequently get double inputs when pressing. But I liked the LED indicator that notifies you with green if your code was accepted or red if there’s an issue. This made it easy to know if the input worked, as the lock is very quiet — it’s hard to hear it locking or unlocking.

My biggest disappointment is the look of the keypad. It’s big, wide, and black, with prominent white numbers that don’t disappear when not in use — it looks a bit like a toy keypad on your door.

Best fingerprint smart lock

$140

The Good

  • Fast fingerprint reader
  • Nice, compact design
  • Works with Apple Home
  • Compatible with Wi-Fi and Z-Wave

The Bad

  • Touchscreen isn’t intuitive
  • Auto-unlock can be slow / unreliable
  • No Matter support
  • Prominent Yale branding
  • Additional connectivity options cost extra

Connectivity: Bluetooth (can add Wi-Fi, Z-Wave) / Access options: Key, keypad, fingerprint reader, app, voice / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Six months to a year / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

The Yale Assure 2 line — previously my top pick — has something for everyone. There’s an option with or without a keyway, with a touchscreen keypad or a physical keypad, or with Apple Home Key, but my favorite model is the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with a built-in fingerprint reader. It costs $279.99, and the built-in fingerprint reader is fast and efficient. I tested the touchscreen version, but Yale recently released a keypad version. Unless you really value the clean look of the touchscreen (which is blank when off), go with the keypad — it’s much easier to use.

The Yale Assure 2 is a good-looking lock that works with every smart home platform with its swappable modules. Its slimline design (both front and back), wide smart home compatibility, easy-to-use app, and good selection of unlocking options — including fingerprint unlock — make it a great option for your front door.

The Yale Touch’s fingerprint reader is fast and easy to use.

The lock supports Bluetooth out of the box and works with the Yale Access app and Apple Home app (which adds remote unlocking if you have an Apple Home hub). Along with a keycode, fingerprint reader, or key, you can also choose to use auto-unlocking. Auto-unlock is a decent alternative to fingerprint unlock, but I found I often had to wait at the door for a second or two before it worked. Still, it’s faster than fumbling through a purse for keys when your hands are full.

Support for other platforms and remote unlocking comes through Yale’s ingenious swappable networking modules, which cost around $80 each. There’s a Wi-Fi module to add Alexa and Google Home integration and a Z-Wave module for compatibility with (some) SmartThings hubs, Ring Alarm, and other Z-Wave hubs. Yale promised support for Matter via a Matter-over-Thread module back in 2022, but this still hasn’t materialized. They have announced a different lock that uses Thread, but it doesn’t have a fingerprint reader. I plan to test this soon.

I tested the Wi-Fi module in the Assure 2 Touch, which worked well with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It allowed me to add the lock to Alexa Routines, lock and unlock it with my voice, and control it away from home. The downside is that control over Wi-Fi is considerably slower than over Bluetooth and drains the battery more quickly. Yale estimates up to a year on Bluetooth only, compared to six months over Wi-Fi; I got about four months.

Read my review of the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch.

Best smart lock that works with Apple Home Key

$259

The Good

  • Support for Apple Home and Home Key
  • Works over Thread
  • Easy-to-use keypad
  • Nice design options that may match your hardware

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Quite loud
  • No Matter support

Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Thread / Access options: Key, keypad, app, voice, Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Up to six months / Security Grade: ANSI Grade 1 / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Apple Home (Home Key), Amazon Alexa, Ring, and Google Home

Apple Home Key lets you use your iPhone or Apple Watch to tap to unlock your door in much the same way as you tap to pay. It uses an NFC chip in the lock, and is fast, efficient, and secure. There are no apps to open, no buttons to press, and no need to unlock your phone (although you can add that step as an extra security layer). However, it does require an Apple device; it won’t work on Android.

Home Key took a while to gain adoption, but there are now several options (and should soon be more as Apple has made it part of Matter). The Schlage Encode Plus is still the best option — if one of the most expensive — as it has a built-in keypad and works over Thread.

The Encode Plus works with Home Key, but its convenience is costly. Image: Dan Seifert / The Verge

The keypad is useful for giving access to people with whom you can’t share a Home Key (sharing is quite limited), and Thread makes for a rock-solid connection. While it won’t be updated to support Matter, the Thread radio adds better battery life and a more stable connection to Apple Home than Bluetooth. I have had numerous connectivity issues in HomeKit with Bluetooth-only locks.

To use Home Key, you need to have an Apple Home Hub, such as an Apple TV or HomePod. Adding the lock to the Home app automatically adds the Home Key card to your Wallet, as well as that of anyone else you have added to your Apple Home. That’s much easier than getting household members to download a whole new app for the door lock. I should know — I try regularly.

To allow someone not in your household to control the lock, you’ll have to give them a standard PIN, which you can do in the Apple Home app or the Schlage Encode app. If you like, you can set this lock up entirely in the Home app and never have to use the manufacturer’s app.

Read our review of the Schlage Encode Plus.

Best smart lock that doesn’t look like a smart lock

$247

The Good

  • No branding
  • Small and unobtrusive
  • Supports Home Key
  • Works over Thread
  • Broad smart home compatibility through Matter

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Keypad costs extra
  • Auto-unlock can be unreliable
  • Not ideal for older doors

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Thread, Wi-Fi with bridge / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad (sold separately), Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: One CR2 battery / Battery life: One year / Guest codes: Yes / Security Grade: ANSI/BHMA: Grade 1 / Works with: Matter, Apple Home, Ring

Want a smart lock that doesn’t look like a smart lock? Level packs all the technology inside the deadbolt — including the single CR2 battery that gets up to a year of battery life.

The Level Lock Plus works with Apple’s Home Key and recently started supporting Matter over Thread. You can also control it with a key, auto-unlock, touch-to-unlock, the app, and smart home integrations. If you don’t use an iPhone or have family members who don’t, you’ll want to get the Bluetooth keypad (from $79) to give you another option for access. The lock also comes with two NFC cards you can hand out.

The battery in the Level Lock lineup goes inside the deadbolt.

The Level Lock Plus replaces the whole lock, deadbolt and all, but still looks like a traditional door lock — both in front and behind the door. There is no branding at all — this is the only smart lock I’ve tested that isn’t a tiny advertisement on my front door. There’s also the option of the Level Bolt, which only replaces the deadbolt of your existing lock. This has all the same features, bar Home Key and touch-to-unlock, and it costs significantly less.

Level locks work over Bluetooth out of the box and can connect to an Apple Home hub for out-of-home control. If you don’t have a HomePod or Apple TV, get the Level Lock Plus with Wi-Fi, which comes with a Connect Wi-Fi bridge. Or you can connect it to Matter for smart home and out-of-home control. You’ll need a Matter controller, which can be a HomePod or Amazon Echo smart speaker, among other options (See FAQ).

The Level Lock Plus works with Apple Home Key.

The Level lock also has auto-unlocking and touch-to-unlock, though with some quirks: it’s one or the other, not both. And neither works unless you leave the geofence area and come back. So if you leave the house, lock the door, get in your car, remember you forgot something, and go back to your door, it won’t unlock automatically. This is why I prefer Home Key or a keypad for unlocking.

Based on my testing of the lock on three different doors, it is worth noting that the full replacement Level locks don’t work well with older doors. I would only consider installing this if your door lines up perfectly with the strike plate.

Level locks are very expensive; the Plus costs $329 ($349 for the Wi-Fi version). But it’s the way to go for an invisible smart lock that works well.

Read my review of the Level Lock Plus.

$180

The first single-borehole smart lock to work with Apple Home Key, the U300 can also be unlocked with a fingerprint, making it an easy, smart addition for shed, garage, or home office doors. It works over Thread and is Matter compatible, with up to a 10-month battery life.

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Connectivity: Thread / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad, NFC tag, Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: 10 months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Matter, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

The Aqara U300 is a lever-style smart lock; it replaces a knob or lever lock on a door with a single borehole rather than a door with a deadbolt lock with two holes. This type of lock is traditionally found on interior doors, pedestrian doors into garages, or side doors.

There are options for smart lever locks from Yale, Schlage, and Lockly, but the U300 is the only one with Home Key compatibility and a built-in fingerprint reader. It also works over Thread and supports Matter.

I installed it on my garage door, and it works like a charm. The fingerprint reader is right where you put your thumb to open the door, so I barely notice it unlocking as I walk in. It also has a keypad, and I can use my iPhone or Apple Watch for Home Key. It’s set to auto-lock by default, but you can enable passage mode directly on the lock if you don’t want it to stay locked all the time.

It paired to Matter easily — I set it up in Apple Home and could add a code and Home Key all without even opening the Aqara app. Because it uses Thread, there’s no need for an Aqara hub. Thread also enables up to 10 months of battery life, according to Aqara.

The keyhole is hidden under the fingerprint reader.

I love the idea of using smart locks on other doors in my home. I could see this working on a basement door, a home office, or any other room you like to keep people out of. However, I would like to see a way to permanently enable passage mode. Currently, you have to do it on the device, and it reverts to auto-lock after an undetermined period. This makes it somewhat useless for interior doors. It’s also very large and only comes in black or silver, so it likely wouldn’t blend in with your interior decor. A slimmer option, in more colorways, designed for inside use would be nice to see.

The U300 is expensive at $230, but it’s similar to other outdoor-rated options (it’s IPX4-rated). The addition of Thread — a protocol that works over a mesh network — makes it easier to extend connectivity further to places like a shed or garage.

Best smart lock that’s also a video doorbell

$400

The Good

  • Digital peephole is useful
  • Palm unlock is fast
  • No subscription fees for video
  • Lock supports Matter
  • Facial recognition with HomeBase

The Bad

  • Very expensive
  • Nighttime video is not great
  • No package detection
  • HomeBase required for most smart alerts

Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Eufy HomeBase / Access options: Key, palm unlock, keypad, app, voice / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AAA backup / Battery life: Five months / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI Grade 1 / Works with: Matter (including Apple Home), Amazon Alexa, and Google Home

Eufy’s new FamiLock S3 Max combines a smart lock and video doorbell in one device and features a digital peephole and a wave-to-unlock function. It also has a keyway and keypad and supports Matter-over-Wi-Fi, so it can work with all the major smart home platforms.

My favorite of all these features is the video screen on the inside part of the lock, which shows a live feed of who is on the other side of the door. If you have a peephole or a window in your door, this might not be much use — and you can opt to get the lock without the screen for $50 less. But as a quick way to confirm who is at your door before opening it, it’s super handy.

Palm unlock worked quickly and reliably, once we got the hang of it.

The lock has another fairly unique feature: palm vein recognition technology. This lets you wave your hand over it to unlock it, and is an alternative form of biometric access to the popular fingerprint reader.

Palm unlocking isn’t any faster or easier than using your fingerprint, though, and I found it harder to get used to. But once I got the hang of it, it worked reliably. Both my kids also picked it up quickly, and my husband, who has trouble with fingerprint locks in general, really liked it.

The main reason to buy this lock is for the video doorbell feature. The FamiLock’s 2K camera provides clear, crisp video during daylight hours and decent night vision, although my protruding door frame reflected the LEDs, causing the footage to blow out a bit.

The 180-degree diagonal field of view meant I could see top to bottom and all of one side (not the other side, though, due to the aforementioned door frame). But packages and people were clearly visible, which is most of what you want to see with a doorbell camera.

The rear of the lock is a screen that turns on when someone rings the doorbell. It can be manually activated by a button on the back.

There’s no fee for viewing recorded footage of visitors in the Eufy app, and videos are stored locally on the device. Live view and recording pulled up promptly in the app, and the doorbell can alert you when it sees a person. For more advanced smart alerts, including facial recognition, you need to connect it to a Eufy HomeBase.

Bear in mind, Matter integration only controls the lock, as cameras aren’t supported by the standard yet, so the benefits of using Matter are fairly limited. (If you’re looking for a biometric Matter lock, Eufy’s E30 is a good fingerprint lock that uses Matter-over-Thread.)

Adding a video doorbell to a smart lock puts a lot of strain on the battery. While you can adjust several settings to help save power, Eufy says you’ll only get about five months of battery life from the lock’s giant 15,000mAh removable battery. Handily, four AAA backup batteries are tucked into the top to keep it functioning while you’re recharging the battery (which takes a while). I’ve been testing it for over a week, and the battery indicator hasn’t budged yet.

At $400, this is a very expensive lock, but it works well and provides dual functionality of a doorbell and door lock.

Read my review of the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max.

Best facial recognition smart lock

$349

The Good

  • Facial recognition is super fast
  • Home Key and a fingerprint reader
  • Compact design
  • Comes with two rechargeable batteries

The Bad

  • Keypad is hard to see, fiddly to use
  • Wired door sensor is ugly
  • No support for Matter

Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4gHz) / Access options: Fingerprint, facial recognition, app, voice, keypad, Home Key, key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: 10,000mAh rechargeable / Battery life: Eight months / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI Grade 1 / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home

I was very impressed with the Lockly Visage. The first facial recognition residential smart lock on the market, it also features a fingerprint reader, a keypad, a keyway, and Apple Home Key — that’s a lot of high-tech ways to unlock your door. And while it’s probably too much lock for most people, if you are a super smart home user or a major gadget nerd, you’ll love this lock.

The keypad is small and can be hard to see. This is also the area you tap for Home Key. The facial recognition sensors are at the top of the lock; there’s a keyway and a fingerprint reader below that.

I was skeptical about the facial unlocking at first, but it worked really well, opening a second or two before I put my hand on the handle. The only caveat is that I had to be approaching face-on, which in most cases I was, but the couple of times I approached from a slightly odd angle, it failed to unlock. In those cases, though, I had the option of using my fingerprint or Home Key.

There’s also a touchscreen keypad, which is mainly useful for handing out codes to guests and visitors whose faces and fingers you don’t want to scan into your lock. The keypad is probably my least favorite part of the lock; it’s very small, which is good for the overall look, but fiddly to access. It’s also hard to see in bright light. But with all the other ways to unlock, this isn’t a deal-breaker.

Note that the Visage doesn’t take video or still images; its infrared camera is only used for facial recognition, data for which is stored on the device. Lockly does have a video doorbell version for $429, though that doesn’t have facial recognition.

The wired plastic door sensor is a letdown, ugly and non-removable — it’s not a good look.

Surprisingly, despite all the tech packed into it, the lock is compact and stylish-looking and works with the redesigned Lockly Home app, which is now more straightforward and easier to use. The lock works over Wi-Fi and supports Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa, but there’s no support for Matter.

Lockly claims eight months of battery life with its included rechargeable 10,000mAh battery. Uniquely, it comes with two batteries, so you can swap one and keep the lock online while charging the other.

At $350, the Lockly Visage is very expensive, but considering the tech packed into this lock, plus the two batteries, it’s not outrageous. Its solid build, broad smart home compatibility, and multiple very cool ways to control it make this a great lock.

Other smart locks to consider

The Eufy E30 is a fingerprint and keypad lock that supports both Matter-over-Thread and Wi-Fi.

  • Eufy’s E30 smart lock works with both Matter-over-Thread and Wi-Fi. It has a fingerprint reader, key, and keypad, and you can use the fingerprint access through the Eufy app while connecting it to platforms like Apple Home through Matter. Unlike the Kwikset Halo Select, you can use Wi-Fi and Thread simultaneously, which is unusual. I’ve not tested it long enough to determine if you still benefit from Thread’s better battery life. It’s cheaper than the Halo, has a fingerprint reader instead of auto-unlock, and promises 8 months of battery life. It can also integrate with a Eufy doorbell to control it from a live view. It has a nice compact design, but the rear housing is huge to fit 8 AA batteries. The lock is loud in operation, and the fingerprint reader was finicky; it also has the lowest ANSI/BHMA rating.
  • U-tec’s Bolt Fingerprint Matter works over Thread and can be set up directly in your smart home platform of choice — no need to use U-tec’s U Home. But if you want to use its built-in fingerprint reader, you’ll need to download the app. And if you don’t use it, then it’s kind of a waste of space, so the whole “you only need one app” feature falls flat. I also don’t love the design of the Ultraloqs, while smaller on the exterior than most smart locks, they are squat and chunky looking, resembling a combination lock rather than door hardware. It also uses eight batteries, which is an absurd amount, and is very noisy.
  • If you’re an Amazon Alexa Ring household, the Schlage Encode Wifi lock is a good option; it integrates with the Ring app, so you can lock and unlock it while viewing a live feed from your Ring doorbell. Its design will also match a Schlage door set, which is important for some people. There’s no door-sensing or auto-unlock option, but you have three reliable ways to get in: a key, a PIN, and the app. It also lasts at least six months on one set of four AAs.

Ultraloq’s first Matter lock works over Thread and has a fingerprint reader plus keypad.

  • If you want Home Key but the Schlage is too expensive or not your style, the Aqara U50 is a good, inexpensive alternative that’s less than half the price of the Schlage. It doesn’t have as good a build quality, and the keypad is a bit finicky, but it works with Apple Home and Home Key out of the box. (You‘ll need an Aqara hub for any other smart home integrations, including Matter.) It also pairs with Aqara’s G4 video doorbell to unlock the door while viewing video from the live feed. (Aqara has a doorbell that’s also a hub coming soon).
  • The Aqara Smart Lock U100 is a Matter-compatible smart lock that also works with Apple HomeKit and Home Key. A full replacement deadlock that can be unlocked by key, keypad, NFC key fob, fingerprint, voice control, through an app, or with Apple Home Key. It’s a good lock, but its smart home integrations are complicated, and there are now better options.
  • The Yale Assure SL with Matter Module is a Matter-over-Thread deadbolt smart lock. It’s simple, with a clean design and a touchscreen keypad for entry. There’s no keyway, fingerprint reader, or Apple Home Key, but in terms of simplicity, reliability, and future-proofing, it’s a good option. It’s one of the few locks you can connect directly to your smart home platform of choice without needing to download the manufacturer’s app — the Assure SL doesn’t even work with Yale’s app.

The Yale Assure SL is a super simple smart lock that works with every platform through Matter.

  • The SwitchBot Lock Pro is an all-around upgrade to one of my previous favorite locks, the SwitchBot lock (which is now discontinued). It’s a great solution if you have an unusual lock, as it can work on almost any door; it has higher-quality materials than the original, but now requires you to replace the rear of your lock (as most retrofit locks do). It does support Matter through a bridge, but for $200, I would still opt for Nuki.
  • The Kwikset Halo Touch is a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi fingerprint lock with a traditional keyway. As there’s no keypad, it looks more like a standard lock with the bonus of easy access. This is more limiting when it comes to sharing access to your door, but it’s a good solution for anyone who wants a simple key-free way into their home and knows they won’t need to share lots of digital keys.
  • The Tapo DL100 is a $70 smart lock with built-in Wi-Fi, a keypad, and a physical key, plus access via the Tapo mobile app and smart home integrations. It’s cheaper than my budget pick, the Wyze Bolt, and includes Wi-Fi for remote access, but you don’t get a fingerprint reader. It works with Tapo’s excellent video doorbells.
  • The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision is a retrofit smart lock that works with a keypad that has facial recognition built in. The keypad also has a fingerprint reader and auto-unlock. The lock can work with almost any style of door lock, connects over Bluetooth, and works with Apple Home (through Matter), Amazon Alexa, and Google Home with a SwitchBot hub.
  • The Yale Smart Lock with Matter is a $170 smart lock that works over Thread and is a full-deadbolt replacement featuring a keypad and keyway for access. It’s designed to pair with Google’s Nest video doorbells.

Other smart locks I tested

  • The Aqara U200 is $269.99. That’s a lot for a retrofit lock — even with support for Thread, Matter, and Home Key. It has a keypad/fingerprint reader included; most retrofit locks charge extra for one. The keypad enables Apple Home Key, and this is the only retrofit lock that works with it. If that’s something you want, then this is the only option for now. Otherwise, you can get all the same functionality with the Yale Approach — plus auto-unlock — for $40 less.
  • U-tec’s Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint with Wi-Fi is the newest version of an earlier pick for best lock, the U-Bolt Pro with Wi-Fi. This version adds support for Apple Home (that’s the $199 one), but not Home Key, and a slight redesign — you no longer have to pop half the lock collar off to get to the keyhole, which is a good upgrade. It still has a fingerprint reader and auto-unlock.
  • The Lockly Vision Elite is a smart lock with a video doorbell. It’s very expensive, and it’s not a great video doorbell. Motion detection is spotty, and the camera lacks people or package detection. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but not Apple Home or Matter. Read our review.
  • The Eufy Smart Lock Touch is a very good lock in terms of function — it has an easy-to-use fingerprint reader, a nice big touchscreen keypad, the option of a key, and Wi-Fi built in. But it is just too big and techie-looking for most people’s front doors. I do like the removable 10,000mAh battery, which went eight months before needing to recharge (with a USB-A cable). But that’s also why this lock is so big.
  • The Eufy Video Smart Lock is similarly huge and very expensive; it requires a bridge to connect to Wi-Fi, and the Eufy FamiLock offers way more features for just $50 more.
  • The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock was our previous pick for the best retrofit smart lock. Its sleek, all-metal design doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. With built-in Wi-Fi, there’s no need for an additional bridge, and it easily integrates with an optional Yale keypad for keycode access. The lock also offers an auto-unlock feature, adding convenience when your keys aren’t handy. That said, during testing, we found the auto-unlock feature wasn’t failproof, so you may need to use your phone to get inside occasionally. Read our review.
  • The Level Lock Pro is the latest smart lock from Level. At $349, it features an upgraded processor, door sensing, a passive infrared sensor for presence detection, and Matter-over-Thread support in a package that looks like a regular deadbolt. Read our impressions.

Image: Schlage

  • The Schlage Sense Pro is the company’s first lock to support Matter and one of the first to use ultra-wideband technology (UWB) for hands-free unlocking. It has a keypad but no keyway and will work with the Aliro standard when it launches. This means it should support a version of Apple Home Key.
  • U-tec’s Ultraloq Bolt Mission is a $400 lock that will work with UWB for hands-free unlocking; it also has a keypad and a keyway, and the company says it will support Matter.
  • The Ultraloq Bolt NFC HomeKey ($249) is U-tec’s first Apple Home Key smart lock slated for release soon. There’s no fingerprint reader, but there is a keypad and a physical key. Built-in Wi-Fi adds support for Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
  • Kwikset is launching a few new smart locks later this year. The Halo Select Plus is an NFC-enabled version of Kwikset’s Halo Select, with features like a touchscreen keypad, Matter-over-Thread support, built-in Wi-Fi, and hands-free auto-unlock. Plus, it supports a new tap-to-unlock feature that uses a compatible phone or watch as your key. The company is also set to launch the Aura Reach later this year, a Matter-over-Thread version of its mid-range Aura line.

How secure are smart locks?

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Concerns about someone hacking your connected door lock are largely unfounded; it’s a lot easier to physically force a deadbolt lock or break a nearby window than it is to hack a smart lock. All residential door locks are rated for physical security by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) standard, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The deadbolt locks in this guide meet BHMA standards (retrofit locks aren’t rated, as it depends on the deadbolt they’re attached to). There are three levels: 1 is the highest, 3 is the lowest, and 2 is the norm for most residential locks. (You may also see letter grade ratings, a newer system introduced in 2021). Some “meet the standard” but aren’t accredited.

Is it hard to install a smart lock?

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Most deadbolt locks are simple to install, requiring about 30 minutes and a screwdriver. If you have an older door, you may have to make some modifications, but smart locks are designed to be adjusted to suit standard doors.

How long does the battery on a smart lock last?

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Smart locks that work over built-in Wi-Fi will last 3 to 6 months. Those that use Bluetooth and have an optional plug-in module to connect to Wi-Fi will go 8 to 12 months. Those that rely just on Thread should last up to a year (I haven’t been able to test one for long enough to know for sure). Remember, if you have a lock that can use Thread and Wi-Fi (like the Schlage Encode Plus), Wi-Fi will drain the batteries quicker than Thread — so avoid activating the Wi-Fi if you can.

What happens if my smart lock runs out of battery?

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Most smart locks without a keyhole have some form of exterior power option to allow you to charge it enough to access the door when you’ve ignored the continuous warnings the app and lock have sent you to tell you the battery is running low. Most use a USB-C port to connect to a portable power bank, but some, like Yale, use a 9-volt battery to provide enough power to bring them back to life.

What is auto-unlock on a smart lock?

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Auto unlock is a feature on several smart locks that uses a combination of GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to determine where your phone is in relation to your front door and automatically unlock it for you as you approach. Your smartphone’s GPS determines your location, and Bluetooth then talks to your lock when you’re close enough, telling it to unlock. The lock will switch to away mode when GPS tells it you’ve left a radius around your home, and to back or home mode when you return. You do need to keep the lock manufacturer app open on your phone for this to work (it can run in the background).

Should I get a Matter smart lock?

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Matter is a smart home standard designed to make connected devices more interoperable, reliable, secure, and easier to use. The benefit of a Matter smart lock now is future-proofing. Today, it doesn’t add much that most locks can’t already do (and, in some cases, less). But it means your lock should work with all the big smart home platforms in the future and will work with any Matter-compatible device now, such as smart plugs and smart lights, for home automation routines (for example, to shut off all your lights when you lock your door).A major benefit of a Matter lock is that you can share the lock across platforms without downloading additional apps, setting up accounts, or linking services through the cloud. This lets you use the same lock with Apple Home and Google Home, should you want, and you can control it with both voice assistants. The downside is that not all platforms support creating PIN codes for Matter smart locks with keypads (Google Home and Alexa don’t offer this yet). Additionally, Matter doesn’t support voice PIN codes, which platforms like Google Home use to authorize remotely unlocking door locks using smart speakers and smart displays.Matter locks with NFC that work directly with Matter (not through a bridge) can now support Apple Home Key through the Apple Home app (iPhone only).

What do I need to use a smart lock with Matter?

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If a lock uses Matter-over-Wi-Fi or connects through a bridge, you will need a Matter controller from the platform on which you want to use it — a HomePod or Apple TV for Apple Home, a Nest hub or smart speaker for Google Home.If the lock uses Matter-over-Thread, you will need a Matter controller and a Thread border router. These can be the same thing — a HomePod is both, and a Nest Hub Max is both. But the Thread border router doesn’t need to be platform-specific. So, if you have an Apple TV or an Eero Wi-Fi router that supports Thread and a smart speaker from Nest that’s a Matter controller — you could use a Thread lock over Matter in Google Home.

What is UWB hands-free unlocking?

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There’s a new standard coming to smart locks called Aliro. This is being developed by Apple, Samsung, and Google, along with major lock and chip manufacturers, to help smart locks integrate more seamlessly with smartphones. It is slated to have two main functions, UWB and NFC unlocking. UWB is a hands-free auto-unlock tech that uses a UWB radio in the lock and your phone to know when you’re approaching the door and automatically unlock it. NFC lets you tap your phone or watch to your lock to unlock it; it’s essentially Apple’s Home Key function, but not limited to iPhones, and Samsung and Google both plan to adopt it.

Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

Update, September 5th: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability. Brandon Russell contributed to this post.

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UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable on its side against pink background
Product Reviews

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review: an ultra-convenient all-in-one charging hub

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review

Want a convenient all-in-one charger for your phone, laptop, tablet, and more? Then the UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable might be exactly what you’re looking for! Yes, the model names are almost always this long.

This charging block comes with an integrated USB-C cable, meaning you don’t have to purchase one separately or worry about your charging wire falling out. It can be pulled out gradually to a range of lengths up to 2.3ft (0.69m), and snugly tucked away by gently pulling the cable and returning it to its magnetic cradle. On top of that, the integrated cable is nice and flexible, meaning it can flex to your environment without too much trouble.

And, if that wasn’t enough, there are two additional USB slots on the unit, enabling you to charge three devices simultaneously. One is a USB-C slot and must be used on its own to get the full 65W (the retractable cable is only capable of 60W in single-port mode), and the other is USB-A if you want to make use of an old wire.

All of this flexibility and versatility is great, but how about performance? Well, I charged my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – which has a 4,700mAh battery – using the retractable cable. I also juiced up my Sony WH-1000XM6 via the USB-C port and LG Tone Free T90S with the USB-A alternative. And even with all ports in use, my phone went from 1% to 100% in well under 80 minutes – which is very speedy indeed.

With that said, there are a couple of performance quirks that are worth pointing too. I already mentioned that the retractable cable can’t hit the max 65W power output, but it also omits support for Samsung Super Charge 2.0 45W. That is, however, admittedly only relevant to a small crop of Samsung devices at the moment.

In addition, multi-port power disruption may not suit all users. If you charge three devices simultaneously, you get 45W from the retractable cable, but just 7.5W out of the other two. I was also perplexed by the fact that when dual-charging with the USB-C and USB-A port only, you’re still capped at 7.5W per port, even without using the integrated wire.

But, regardless, if you just need to charge your phone and say, a pair of earbuds and headphones, the triple-port distribution should still be good enough overall.

Elsewhere, the charger is well built. It’s durable, compact given its 65W maximum power output, and has an attractive silvery finish. The UK model doesn’t have foldable prongs, which is a shame, but this isn’t the case over in the US.

The charger also harnesses GaN technology to offer a strong suite of protection against issues like overheating, short-circuiting, overvoltage, and more. I never felt this model get too hot during the testing process, and I didn’t experience any performance dips whatsoever.

So it’s safe to say that I’m a fan of this UGreen charger. I love the convenience of the built-in cable, it can charge my phone in a pinch, and it’s pleasingly compact for when I’m on the go. It’s also pretty cost efficient with a list price of $49.99 / £39.99 – though I’ve already seen it on sale for less than $35 / £28, so keep your eyes peeled for a sweet deal.

(Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review: price & specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$49.99 / £39.99

Total power output

65W

Number of ports

2 (excluding 1x inbuilt retractable USB-C cable)

Port type(s)

1x USB-C; 1x USB-A

Dimensions

2.1 x 2 x 2 inches / 53 x 50.9 x 50.4mm (without prongs)

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review: also consider

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable: Price Comparison



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A psycho in Borderlands 4 stands ready for battle.
Product Reviews

Borderlands 4 global release times mean some of you can play a day earlier than expected

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If you requested time off from work ahead of the new Borderlands launch next Friday, consider a last-minute addendum to the ask. Gearbox has revealed its plans to give Borderlands 4 the global release treatment, so some players will technically venture to Kairos a day early.

It’s a global release time for Steam and Epic Games Store users, so when Borderlands 4 launches on September 12 at 4 am NZST, it’s out for everyone. That’s September 11 at 9 am PT for folks on the other side of the world. There’s no slow rollout across time zones as everyone waits for the clock to strike midnight in their local time.

(Image credit: Gearbox Software)

To save you any further timezone headaches, here’s when Borderlands 4 launches for everyone at the same time globally:


Related articles

  • September 11 at 9 am PT (San Francisco)
  • September 11 at 11 am PT (Chicago)
  • September 11 at 12 pm ET (New York)
  • September 11 at 5 pm BST (London)
  • September 11 at 6 pm CEST (Berlin)
  • September 12 at 12 am SGT (Singapore)
  • September 12 at 1 am JST (Tokyo)
  • September 12 at 2 am AEST (Sydney)
  • September 12 at 4 am NZST (Wellington)

Despite all the time I’ve spent monitoring PC releases, I’m disoriented by the idea every time. So to answer your question: No, it’s not just you that’s confused by the global/midnight differences. Some games roll out by local time, so you’re stuck watching friends from the future play while you longingly stare at Steam.

Keep in mind this doesn’t work the same across all platforms, so if you’re on PC and hoping to play with a console buddy, then you may need to wait. Borderlands 4 supports crossplay, but the PlayStation and Xbox stores don’t share the same update time in some regions.

Either way that’s a week’s wait for more vault hunting, at max. If you need something to do until then, I recommend jumping on the Borderlands 4 Shift code train early and getting your account sorted for a day-one freebie. It’s either that or go play the very small and unheard-of indie game, Silksong. I’m assuming a big ol’ publisher like 2k isn’t worried about Hornet, but I have to wonder how much of my own Steam friends list will make the swap next week.



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Fede Alvarez Won't Direct the 'Alien: Romulus' Sequel
Product Reviews

Fede Alvarez Won’t Direct the ‘Alien: Romulus’ Sequel

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After Alien: Romulus proved to be a success for 20th Century Studios, grossing $350 million globally, sequel plans were quickly announced, with its director, Fede Alvarez, thought to be returning.

Turns out that’s not entirely the case, as Too Fab reports that Alvarez will not be coming back to direct the Alien franchise follow-up feature after all. The filmmaker attended the red carpet for Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood and shared, “We just finished the script, actually, for a sequel for Romulus. But I’m gonna pass the torch on this one as director,” and added, “I’m going to produce it, with Ridley Scott, we’re gonna produce it together, and we’re right now trying to find a new filmmaker to come in.”

The script for the Alien: Romulus sequel at least has Alvarez re-teaming with co-writer Rodo Sayagues, who he has long collaborated with on past features, including their Don’t Breathe series and Evil Dead (2013). The Alien franchise is currently experiencing a resurgence in the zeitgeist between Alvarez and Noah Hawley’s current FX series, Alien: Earth.

It will be interesting to see what filmmakers step up to the plate to continue Ridley Scott’s original sci-fi universe. Our only request besides more stories is for Disney to just please bring back Alien Encounter at Walt Disney World so we can have our terrifying Alien meet and greet since you can argue now the Aliens are official Disney royalty, and they can feature prominently everywhere. Hey, the Alien: Earth immersive experience at SDCC was met with a lot of love. We stan the Disney Alien Queen and its offspring’s takeover of the Disney pop culture sphere.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.



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Top Spec Razer Blade Laptops Are Average 14 Percent Off Right Now
Product Reviews

Top Spec Razer Blade Laptops Are Average 14 Percent Off Right Now

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If you’re in the market for a new gaming laptop, Razer is running a variety of discounts on both the Razer Blade 16 and 18—the one to buy depends on the size of your budget and your desk. The price reduction varies but is right around 14 percent off for most models, with some versions excluded from the sale.

Photograph: Luke Larsen

Our reviewer Luke Larsen gave high marks to the 2025 revamp of the Razer Blade 16 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), largely thanks to its extremely thin footprint and excellent keyboard. Razer does a great job with little details, like the spacious glass touchpad that’s nice and responsive, the excellent fit and finish on the machined aluminum body, and the thin bezels that help the screen stand out. There’s a reason the Razer Blade 16 recently moved to the top of our favorite gaming laptop list.

The display varies depending on the version you choose. The 16-inch version that we reviewed has a 240-Hz OLED screen that we really liked. with excellent contrast and color saturation, with a fast response time that made a big difference at those sky-high frame rates. The larger Razer Blade has an IPS display instead of an OLED panel, but with a higher 3,840 x 2,400 resolution and the same 240-Hz refresh rate.

So what’s the catch? In my opinion, the laptops that are discounted are a little awkward. For the Razer Blade 16, only the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 versions are marked down, and both feature just 8 GB of VRAM. We haven’t had a chance to test out the mobile versions of these chips, but on the desktop end I found that little memory was a limiting factor for performance, especially at 1440p or higher. Mobile GPUs are always a compromise, but you won’t have the opportunity to upgrade, so it’s important to get this right on the first try. Of the two, I’d go with the RTX 5070 version, which also makes the bump to 32 GB of RAM for $400 overall.

Despite a higher price, I think the Razer Blade 18 sale is more appealing. While the RTX 5070 Ti model is marked down, I’d be very pleased if I had $4,000 or more to spend on a laptop with a mobile RTX 5090. You’ll save $700 on the basic configuration of that model, which includes a 2-TB SSD and 32 GB of memory. Even though the screen isn’t as nice, the performance should be top-tier, as long as you have a big enough backpack.



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Product Reviews

Unity developers can now tap into system screen reader tools on macOS and Windows

by admin


Unity is updating its game engine to support native screen readers in both macOS and Windows. The feature is available now in the Unity 6000.3.0a5 alpha, and should make the process of making games accessible for blind players cheaper for developers, Can I Play That? writes.

Screen readers narrate on-screen menus so blind and low-vision players can navigate a game or a piece of software without additional assistance. Typically, screen reading software is custom-built for each game, which can make them resource-intensive for developers to implement. “Building something like that from scratch has to be decided upon early in development so you have the time/resources allocated to make it properly,” Steve Saylor, an accessibility consultant and creator, shared on Bluesky. “Having it in-engine can mean the heavy lifting is done for you, and the cost of time/resources now is significantly lower.”

Unity previously offered APIs for both Android and iOS’ built-in screen readers in its Unity 6.0 release, but hadn’t yet added support for Windows Narrator or macOS VoiceOver. With this new alpha and its eventual release as Unity 6.3, developers creating games with Unity will have access to a native screen reader in all of the engine’s major platforms. Considering how popular Unity is as a game engine, that could vastly improve the accessibility of future games.



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I called the MSI Claw an embarrassment, so imagine my surprise: its successor is the best Windows handheld yet
Product Reviews

I called the MSI Claw an embarrassment, so imagine my surprise: its successor is the best Windows handheld yet

by admin


I wrote that no one should buy MSI and Intel’s original handheld gaming PC. I literally called it an embarrassment, and the company blacklisted me after that. MSI stopped pitching me news, and stopped answering my emails, even after the company began to write off its dud of a handheld.

So you can imagine my surprise to find: MSI and Intel have gone from worst to nearly first. In many games, it’s twice as fast as the original Claw. And with new drivers that bump its performance up to 30 percent higher since launch — I tested — the newer $1,000 MSI Claw 8 AI Plus might just be the best Windows handheld you can buy.

The Claw 8 has become a fixture in my life as I carve and puzzle through the hauntingly beautiful painted worlds of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince, respectively. I have a lot of other handheld review units floating around, but I rarely want to reach for a different one.

Let’s get this out of the way: it’s called the “AI Plus” because this “AI Engine” is supposed to automatically configure performance using Intel’s NPU. But it’s very dumb in practice and not a reason to buy.

Yes, it runs Windows, and if you’ve read any of my handheld reviews you’ll know how I feel about that. Windows 11 has become a bloated mess filled with annoying upsells and unwanted AI cruft, is annoying to navigate by controller alone, and often wakes up poorly from sleep. I can’t count the number of times I’ve sworn at Windows handhelds for popping awake in the middle of the night, or spontaneously deciding it was time to turn their remaining battery life into hot exhaust in the middle of my sealed backpack.

But the MSI Claw 8, with Intel’s Lunar Lake, isn’t as bad as the Windows norm. When you combine that with the newly improved performance, the longest battery life of any handheld in all but the most lightweight games, and an excellent 8-inch 120Hz VRR screen, it’s enough to knock the Asus ROG Ally X off its high perch — at least until the Xbox version arrives this October.

$999

The Good

  • Best battery life in a handheld
  • Excellent performance after updates
  • Great variable refresh rate screen
  • Fewer Windows annoyances than usual

The Bad

  • $1,000
  • Windows is bloated and can’t be trusted to sleep
  • Iffy rumble for games
  • AI tuning feature doesn’t work well

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is the biggest mainstream handheld, at nearly a foot long, 5 inches tall, and an inch thick, and it’s the only current-gen handheld with an Intel chip. Last year, both size and Intel pedigree were liabilities — but thankfully every handheld maker is paying more attention to ergonomics this year, and Intel’s Lunar Lake is a big improvement.

Scalloped grips and balanced weight distribution make the Claw comfortable for me to hold, it no longer looks like a ROG Ally knockoff, and while it isn’t light at 1.75 pounds (795g), that’s only a quarter-pound heavier than the Ally X. That’s despite the Claw having an extra inch of diagonal screen real estate and the same 80 watt-hour battery capacity as Asus.

The MSI Claw is wider, taller, and roughly as grippy as the Asus ROG Ally X…

And it’s bigger and grippier than the Lenovo Legion Go S, which also has an 8-inch screen.

I honestly found it tough to go back to playing Expedition 33 on the Asus ROG Ally X after using the Claw 8, partially because its 8-inch 120Hz 1920 x 1200 VRR IPS screen is more colorful and more spacious (with a far smaller bezel), and partially because the game ran smoother. (I beat the game, including the entire Endless Tower and four of the game’s toughest boss fights, on the Claw 8.)

But before all that, I had to tangle with Windows 11 — and was surprised how little detangling was needed.

The first time I fired up the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, I couldn’t believe how fast Windows setup had become. Instead of the typical 45 minutes of annoying upsells and mandatory updates, I was able to get to the Windows desktop just seven minutes after I pressed the power button.

MSI’s “Quick Settings” are now part of the Xbox Game Bar in Windows.

That’s still slower than setting up a SteamOS handheld, but fast enough I thought there must be some mistake! (Did this really get past Microsoft certification?) Another curiosity: When I hit the button that pulls up the Claw’s quick settings menu to adjust brightness, volume, and my processor’s TDP (giving it more wattage/gas), it launched a new widget in the Xbox Game Bar with those handy controls instead of a dedicated MSI process! Did somebody accidentally slip me a preview of Microsoft’s “best of Xbox and Windows together” that’ll ship on the Xbox Ally later this year?

But I won’t lie and say the Windows experience was flawless after that. MSI’s Game Bar widget turned out to be incredibly sluggish and unreliable out of the box. It got better after I changed the Windows power mode from “Balanced” to “Best Performance,” but it still isn’t nearly as fast as Asus’ Armory Crate, which has gotten extremely responsive since the Ally first launched, or as reliable as SteamOS, which doesn’t require a separate utility at all.

Here’s how much MSI has improved:

Game and power mode

MSI Claw 8 AI Plus (Aug ’25)

MSI Claw 8 AI Plus (Jun ’25)

Claw 8 3-mo improvement

Claw battery drain (August)

Claw battery drain (June)

Claw 7 (Meteor Lake, Jun ’24)

Claw 8 Lunar Lake vs. Claw 7 Meteor Lake

AC Valhalla, 15-watt TDP664934.69%20.5W (~3.9h)23W (~3.5h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP785932.20%25.5W (~3.1h)29W (~2.8h)33136.36%25-watt TDP846921.74%32W (~2.5h)36W (~2.2h)5358.49%30-watt TDP85797.59%38W (~2.1h)39.5W (~2h)5457.41%Plugged in86833.61%N/AN/A5459.26%Cyberpunk 2077, 15-watt TDP51486.25%20W (~4h)20.5W (~3.9h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP60575.26%25W (~3.2h)26W (~3.1h)3287.50%25-watt TDP71659.23%31.5W (~2.5h)31.5W (~2.5h)4944.90%30-watt TDP76725.56%37.5W (~2.1h)37W (~2.2h)4185.37%Plugged in7779-2.53%N/AN/A4957.14%DX: Mankind Divided, 15-watt TDP796619.70%22.5W (~3.6h)21.5W (~3.6h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP938114.81%29.5W (~2.7h)27W (~3h)45106.67%25-watt TDP1059115.38%31W (~2.6h)32W (~2.5h)49114.29%30-watt TDP11410014.00%37W (~2.2h)37W (~2.2h)48137.50%Plugged in11910711.21%N/AN/A58105.17%Returnal, 15-watt TDP403033.33%20W (~4h)22W (~3.6h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP483633.33%26.5W (~3h)27W (~3h)2965.52%25-watt TDP524126.83%36W (~2.2h)32W (~2.5h)3836.84%30-watt TDP544325.58%42.5W (~1.9h)37.5W (~2.1h)3938.46%Plugged in564427.27%N/AN/A3751.35%Shadow of the Tomb Raider, 15-watt TDP55517.84%21W (~3.8h)23W (~3.5h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP666010.00%27W (~3h)30W (~2.6h)32106.25%25-watt TDP73687.35%35W (~2.3h)35.5W (~2.2h)3892.11%30-watt TDP81749.46%42W (~1.9h)41W (~2h)39107.69%Plugged in81758.00%N/AN/A4292.86%HZD Remastered, 15-watt TDP31310.00%21.5W (~3.6h)24.5W (~3.3h)N/AN/A20-watt TDP37370.00%28W (~2.9h)30W (~2.6h)Did not testN/A25-watt TDP42412.44%34.5W (~2.3h)36W (~2.2h)Did not testN/A30-watt TDP44424.76%40W (~2h)39W (~2.1h)Did not testN/APlugged in46452.22%N/AN/ADid not testN/A

Average frame rates at 720p and low settings, save Cyberpunk at “Steam Deck” setting.

And no, I can never, ever trust the Claw 8’s power button to keep it asleep. I always have to explicitly put the system into hibernation mode instead, which is thankfully the first option in that Game Bar widget. (Microsoft really needs to get out of its own way and let manufacturers set the power button to hibernate instead of Modern Standby.)

It’s also a little frustrating to go back to a world where I have to manually download the latest Intel graphics drivers because they never showed up in MSI Center’s updates tab. But once I installed those new graphics drivers and learned to avoid the power button, I was rewarded with some of the highest performance and the best battery life I’ve seen from a handheld yet. It’s just better at the whole turbo mode thing, with higher frame rates and higher TDP options than the Ally X with Windows, and it’s more power-efficient than the SteamOS Lenovo Legion Go S, even if Lenovo’s Steam handheld got higher frame rates in half my benchmarks.

Claw 8 vs. Ally X vs. Legion Go S vs. Steam Deck performance

Game and power mode

Claw 8 fps

ROG Ally X (Windows, Z1E) fps

Legion Go S (SteamOS, Z1E) fps

Steam Deck OLED fps

Claw 8 vs. Ally X

Claw 8 vs. Legion Go S

Claw 8 vs. Deck

AC Valhalla, 15-watt TDP6652665726.92%0.00%15.79%20-watt TDP787184N/A9.86%-7.14%N/A25-watt TDP848092N/A5.00%-8.70%N/A30-watt TDP858996N/A-4.49%-11.46%N/APlugged in86899257-3.37%-6.52%50.88%Cyberpunk 2077, 15-watt TDP5141575024.39%-10.53%2.00%20-watt TDP605973N/A1.69%-17.81%N/A25-watt TDP716579N/A9.23%-10.13%N/A30-watt TDP767182N/A7.04%-7.32%N/APlugged in777186508.45%-10.47%54.00%DX: Mankind Divided, 15-watt TDP7959746133.90%6.76%29.51%20-watt TDP938492N/A10.71%1.09%N/A25-watt TDP1059199N/A15.38%6.06%N/A30-watt TDP11493100N/A22.58%14.00%N/APlugged in119931026127.96%16.67%95.08%Returnal, 15-watt TDP4031242529.03%66.67%60.00%20-watt TDP484030N/A20.00%60.00%N/A25-watt TDP524332N/A20.93%62.50%N/A30-watt TDP544633N/A17.39%63.64%N/APlugged in5646342521.74%64.71%124.00%Shadow of the Tomb Raider, 15-watt TDP555262575.77%-11.29%-3.51%20-watt TDP666583N/A1.54%-20.48%N/A25-watt TDP737089N/A4.29%-17.98%N/A30-watt TDP817693N/A6.58%-12.90%N/APlugged in817696576.58%-15.63%42.11%HZD Remastered, 15-watt TDP3128373310.71%-16.22%-6.06%20-watt TDP373047N/A23.33%-21.28%N/A25-watt TDP422850N/A50.00%-16.00%N/A30-watt TDP443452N/A29.41%-15.38%N/APlugged in4634553335.29%-16.36%39.39%

Average frame rates at 720p and low settings, save Cyberpunk at “Steam Deck” setting.

We’re not talking about a step change in performance here: this pricy $1,000 handheld still doesn’t have near the frame rate of a similarly priced gaming laptop. It’s just enough extra power to make games feel smooth on this handheld that were borderline choppy on its peers, like Expedition 33 (even then, these handhelds need AI upscaling to get there).

But I didn’t have to sacrifice battery life to get that extra power. I often even push the Claw 8’s chip to 30 watts, a power mode that the Asus ROG Ally X doesn’t offer unless plugged in, for an extra frame rate advantage — while getting roughly the same battery life as the Ally X gets at its 25W unplugged maximum.

MSI Claw 8 vs. Asus ROG Ally X ports and width. The Claw still has handy raised dots on each port to find them by feel.

And though the Steam Deck has long reigned as the efficiency champ, I found the Claw 8 can even beat the Steam Deck on both performance and power use when set to the same 15-watt TDP, often draining its battery 2 or even 3 watts slower. When you combine that with its big 80-watt-hour pack, it handily beat competitors in my Dirt Rally drain test, lasting nearly 19 minutes longer than the Asus ROG Ally X with Bazzite, 28 minutes longer than the Steam Deck OLED, and 80 minutes longer than the Legion Go S with SteamOS and AMD’s Z1 Extreme chip.

Below, you can see how battery life might compare at each performance tier. For example: the Claw 8 and Legion Go S with SteamOS both offer the same 66 frames per second when you offer their chips 15 watts of electricity, but you’ll probably get 3.9 hours of battery from the Claw versus 2.3 hours from the Legion. That’s because MSI’s Intel chip is drawing less power from a larger battery.

Battery life vs. performance

Game and power mode

Claw 8 fps

Claw battery drain

ROG Ally X (Windows, Z1E) fps

Ally X battery drain

Legion Go S (SteamOS, Z1E) fps

Legion Go S battery drain

Steam Deck OLED fps

Deck battery drain

AC Valhalla, 15-watt TDP6620.5W (~3.9h)5224W (~3.3h)6624W (~2.3h)5723.5W (~2.1h)20-watt TDP7825.5W (~3.1h)7130W (~2.6h)8430.5W (~1.8h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP8432W (~2.5h)8036W (~2.2h)9236W (~1.5h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP8538W (~2.1h)89N/A9643.5W (~1.3h)N/AN/ACyberpunk 2077, 15-watt TDP5120W (~4h)4122W (~3.6h)5725W (~2.2h)5023.5W (~2.1h)20-watt TDP6025W (~3.2h)5929W (~2.7h)7332W (~1.7h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP7131.5W (~2.5h)6535W (~2.2h)7938W (~1.4h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP7637.5W (~2.1h)71N/A8244.5W (~1.2h)N/AN/ADX: Mankind Divided, 15-watt TDP7922.5W (~3.6h)5922W (~3.6h)7425.5W (~2.2h)6122W (~2.2h)20-watt TDP9329.5W (~2.7h)8430W (~2.6h)9232W (~1.7h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP10531W (~2.6h)9136W (~2.2h)9938.5W (~1.4h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP11437W (~2.2h)93N/A10045W (~1.2h)N/AN/AReturnal, 15-watt TDP4020W (~4h)3123W (~3.5h)2425.5W (~2.2h)2523W (~2.1h)20-watt TDP4826.5W (~3h)4030W (~2.6h)3032W (~1.7h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP5236W (~2.2h)4336W (~2.2h)3238.5W (~1.4h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP5442.5W (~1.9h)46N/A3345.5W (~1.2h)N/AN/AShadow of the Tomb Raider, 15-watt TDP5521W (~3.8h)5223W (~3.5h)6225W (~2.2h)5723.5W (~2.1h)20-watt TDP6627W (~3h)6530W (~2.6h)8331.5W (~1.7h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP7335W (~2.3h)7036W (~2.2h)8937.5W (~1.5h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP8142W (~1.9h)76N/A9343.5W (~1.3h)N/AN/AHZD Remastered, 15-watt TDP3121.5W (~3.6h)2823W (~3.5h)3725W (~2.2h)3323W (~2.1h)20-watt TDP3728W (~2.9h)3030W (~2.6h)4732W (~1.7h)N/AN/A25-watt TDP4234.5W (~2.3h)2836W (~2.2h)5037.5W (~1.5h)N/AN/A30-watt TDP4440W (~2h)34N/A5244W (~1.3h)N/AN/A

Average frame rates at 720p and low settings, save Cyberpunk at “Steam Deck” setting.

All this said, you still can’t ease off the gas quite like with AMD chips, at least not out of the box. Officially, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is a 17W–37W chip, and while MSI lets you set the chip’s TDP as low as 8 watts, I still saw the Claw empty my battery at a rate of at least 11W in Balatro, the magic poker game I use as my best-case-scenario test. That means at minimum screen brightness, with wireless off, I’m getting around seven hours max — whereas the Steam Deck OLED can get nine hours and the Asus ROG Ally X can manage 10 in such lightweight games.

I have some quibbles with the Claw’s hardware. Though the speakers are above average, the rumble is annoying and weak. Hall effect joysticks and dedicated gyro modes are nice, but aiming felt sloppy out of the box, like MSI didn’t bother tuning either to a console controller standard, and I still haven’t quite nailed it with tweaks in either individual game settings or MSI Center. It’s also not the fastest handheld to charge or download games, despite its two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 7, though not slow either.

But the real hurdles for the Claw 8 are that $1,000 price — and that MSI might only have one more whole month atop the Windows heap. Microsoft and Asus’ Xbox Ally is coming October 16th, with a revamped OS, and it could reshape the whole handheld market.

Handheld power, explained

You might have noticed I write about two different kind of wattage measurements (W) in my handheld reviews: 1) the TDP of each handheld’s chip, which basically translates to how much power you’re letting it use, and 2) the handheld’s total battery drain.

That’s because of a sea change in how portable gaming works. Unlike traditional laptops, today’s handhelds let you configure their processor’s TDP at a moment’s notice, even while you’re in the middle of a game, to give you more oomph. But when you do that — or when a manufacturer sets a higher default TDP so their handheld seems faster out of the box — it’ll drain your battery faster.

How much faster? You can find the answers in my charts, along with estimates of how quickly your battery will go from 100 percent to zero if you choose that TDP in a given game. And make no mistake, some games won’t run well on a handheld unless you choose a high TDP.

But the battery drain wattage is not the same as TDP, because it doesn’t account for all the rest of the handheld’s systems, including its storage and screen, that each game might push differently. Frame rate per watt drained is what to look for if you care about battery.

Photography by Sean Hollister / The Verge

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Product Reviews

Site123 website builder review | TechRadar

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Site123 ranks on our list of the best free website builders and for good reason. The platform is as easy as – well, 123 – making it ideal for those that want to get online quickly such as small businesses or affiliate marketers that want to start driving traffic right away.

However, those looking for more advanced tools may find the platform a little limiting. In this review, we get hands on with Site123, helping you gather all the insight and information you need to decide whether it is the best website builder for you.

As you start exploring, you’re asked to define the main function of your site… (Image credit: Site123)

Click on the service’s welcome page’s ‘Start here’ to grab yourself 250MB of storage, 250MB of bandwidth a month and your first design decision: what type of website do you want to create? You have to choose from one of sixteen options, from Business, to Online Store, Blog, Music, and Creativity, amongst others.

Many options are available to customise the various sections (Image credit: Site123)

    Site123 subscription options:

  • 1 month plan – $0 per month ($0 total cost)

Interface

Once your site is created, you’ll be graced with a large preview of the template Site123 has designed for you. As you’d expect, it’s fully customisable, and you can even delete those pages and start afresh.

Click on some placeholder text to change it. The selection box has a couple of white squares which are used to resize your text, Some basic formatting tools appear above, while more detailed options are presented to the left of the screen. You could for instance select to animate your selection, browse through a list of various styles, or choose from one of hundreds of available fonts.

That part is easy. Others can be frustrating. Click on the ‘gear’ icon for instance. This reveals the various Background Settings of your selected page. You’ll be graced with 25 tiny preview thumbnails of the same image altered in some minor way. It’s impossible to see clearly what each of them offers, and it’s really best to click on them in turn, to see what they look like as they’re implemented in the main preview section of the interface.

Add as many pages as you like…. (Image credit: Site123)

Building pages

Expanding your site is a simple matter of clicking on the Pages menu and choosing to add additional ones. You’ll find a long list of categories, with various templates within each. These include Music, Testimonials, Articles, Events and Blog. Click on the style you’re interested in, and it’ll be automatically added at the bottom of your site.

One thing to bear in mind though: pages aren’t technically pages; they’re more like sections, each added under the other. This means your site is actually one giant scrolling page, and the more sections you add to it, the longer it becomes.

You’re also not limited to a single type of the above pages: you could have multiple blogs, galleries and e-commerce pages within the same website should you so choose. As long as you give them different names, it won’t get too confusing in the navigation menu.

And reorder them with ease (Image credit: Site123)

That menu, locked at the top of the page, just takes you straight to these various sections, but you can also scroll up or down to get to where you want to go. Reordering sections is a simple matter of dragging their handle from the sidebar and repositioning them elsewhere.

However the more you populate your site, the more confusing it can get, especially as you add more posts to your blogs or additional photos in your galleries. Although the customisation invites complexity and numerous sections, we wouldn’t recommend you go too crazy, and limit your design to just a handful of them.

Site123 features

Looking at the blog options, the design will feel familiar to anyone who’s used a word processor. Click on the blog section’s ‘Edit’ button to see all posts already created. You’ll see that a few are already there – examples to show you how the blog looks like and works. Click on them to edit them, or just get rid and start anew. You can add images and videos, include tags and a featured image. It’s all pretty easy and straightforward, enabling you to get started in no time at all.

The ecommerce features are easy to use, customize and make your own (Image credit: Site123)

What stands out the most about Site123 is its ecommerce abilities. While there’s plenty of web builders out there with the ability to create your own store (like Jimdo, Fasthosts, and SimpleSite), not many web hosts have ecommerce options that are so flexible and easy to customise. 

You can add new items, create new categories, highlight the fact some products are new or for sale, etc. The free version of the service only allows your customers to pay by bank transfer, cash on delivery, check, money order, in person, or by phone. The more vital features for an online business, like PayPal, AmazonPay, or Stripe, amongst others, can only be accessed if you upgrade to the ‘Premium’ plan.

Site 123 gives you a free ‘temporary subdomain’ to publish your site to, but it’s as far from memorable as you can get – just a series of random letter and numbers, followed by ‘.site123.me’. If you want a more catchy URL, or if you already have one and would like to link your site to it, you have to pay for the privilege.

Plans and pricing

Site123 pricing and plans

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Plan

Price

Free

$0/month

Premium

$12.80/month

Site123 has two main web hosting plans on their website. They also offer a 14 day money-back guarantee, so you can easily test Site123 to see if it’s right for you. Here’s a quick overview of both of them:  

As its name implies, ’Free’ comes with no charge. This option grants you 250MB of storage, 250MB of bandwidth, and one subdomain. Best if all, there’s no credit card required to sign up for it. This plan works best for those just starting on their online journey. 

‘Premium’ is $12.80 per month. It includes your own domain name (for the first year), 10GB of storage space, 5GB of bandwidth, grants you more advanced ecommerce capabilities, and removes ‘Site123’ branding. This plan is great for small business, entrepreneurs, and freelancers who want more storage space and enjoy having their own domain. 

Site123 review: Final verdict

Overall, Site123 is easy to use. Although somewhat limited, your customisation options are clear and easy to implement. The main preview of your website as you create it and experiment works great, but the layout options don’t favour a complex site with too many sections. If your needs are simple, and want something that looks good with little effort, Site123 is worth checking out. 



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