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Surfshark Review 2025: An Excellent VPN That Continues to Churn Out Innovative Features
Gaming Gear

Surfshark Review 2025: An Excellent VPN That Continues to Churn Out Innovative Features

by admin


Surfshark isn’t quite as budget-friendly as it once was, but even after a 33% renewal price increase earlier this year, this virtual private network still offers good value considering the range of features it includes and the multitude of improvements it rolled out over of 2025. Even though Surfshark’s price hike has made the service less of a bargain compared to PIA or Mullvad, it’s still cheaper than VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN that offer similar features and performance at substantially higher renewal prices.

I ran Surfshark through a gauntlet of tests across various platforms over several weeks in February 2025, along with some additional tests in August. My initial testing involved more than 200 individual speed tests, DNS leak tests, a rigorous evaluation of its streaming capabilities and an assessment of its overall value. My follow-up tests in August included additional DNS leak and streaming tests in addition to a close look through the latest audit and newly released features like split-tunneling on MacOS and FastTrack. As always, I also reviewed its corporate structure and pored through its privacy policies, with special consideration to data collection and no-logging claims. Throughout the process, I communicated with Surfshark representatives via email and videoconference.

Surfshark is still an excellent VPN that gets the job done for casual VPN users. It’s fast, has lots of servers, it’s great for streaming, is easy to use across platforms and it has some cool and unique features. Surfshark is a great choice for someone who wants unlimited simultaneous connections and a slick user interface that’s packed with useful features. I’m also encouraged by the company’s improving commitment to transparency. Here’s what you need to know about Surfshark and whether it’s the right choice for you.

Surfshark is an excellent budget-friendly VPN

James Martin/CNET

Speed: Consistently fast connections

Key takeaway: Surfshark has established itself over the years as a consistently speedy VPN that can easily handle just about any online activity, including data-heavy activities like streaming, gaming and torrenting. And I’m impressed with the new FastTrack feature’s performance and believe it can be a game changer for certain users.

  • 21% speed loss in 2025 tests
  • Number of servers: 3,200-plus
  • Number of countries: 100

Every VPN will slow your speeds somewhat, which is why we test to see how fast each VPN is relative to other providers. While other VPNs’ overall speed test results have fluctuated (at times dramatically) from year to year in our testing, Surfshark has maintained an even keel. Over the past four years of speed testing Surfshark, we’ve calculated a 19% speed loss once and a 17% speed loss three times. When I tested Surfshark’s speeds in 2025, I registered a marginally higher speed loss of 21%. 

That difference is negligible. In practical terms, it’s extraordinarily unlikely that you’d notice any difference in performance.

Either way, the point is that Surfshark is a fast VPN. As a comparison, Surfshark’s speed performance sits behind the 3% speed loss we calculated with NordVPN and the 18% with ExpressVPN.

I tested Surfshark’s speeds from my location in Ohio to Surfshark’s VPN servers in New York, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore and Australia. I found Surfshark’s speed performance to be generally consistent with my expectations across all protocols, platforms and server locations that I tested. The only anomaly I noticed over the course of my speed tests was with OpenVPN on MacOS, where speeds to New York were slower than any other server location I tested. Generally, the closer the VPN server is to your physical location, the faster your connection speeds through the VPN should be. Yet the closest server location I tested yielded the slowest speeds on MacOS when using the OpenVPN protocol.

On MacOS through OpenVPN, I registered an average speed of 269 Mbps on Surfshark’s New York servers. That’s slower than the 310 Mbps I registered on Surfshark’s France and Germany servers and the 291 Mbps I averaged through the UK. More surprisingly, speeds to New York were slower than the 276 Mbps and 282 Mbps that I averaged through servers in Australia and Singapore, respectively — locations that are halfway across the globe from where I sit. New York is a popular VPN server location with a potentially higher load than other locations, which could lead to slower speeds. However, Surfshark says it has 78 servers in New York, which should be able to handle the traffic. 

I didn’t experience this anomaly while testing Surfshark’s speeds through OpenVPN on Windows.

That said, speed performance was fastest on MacOS through WireGuard with an average speed across all locations coming in at 307 Mbps — a 17% speed loss from my approximately 370 Mbps internet connection. Otherwise, I registered a 20% speed loss on MacOS through OpenVPN, 23% on Windows through WireGuard and 25% on Windows through OpenVPN, showing that Surfshark’s VPN provides consistent speeds across platforms and protocols.

New FastTrack feature can give your connection speeds a boost on certain server locations

At the beginning of August, Surfshark released a brand-new feature called FastTrack, which the company says can boost your speeds up to 70%. FastTrack is similar to speed-boosting features from other VPNs like ExpressVPN’s Lightway Turbo and Proton VPN’s VPN Accelerator, but Surfshark’s solution leverages its Nexus network to optimize the route your traffic takes to the server location you connect to. (Surfshark’s Nexus network is also what powers the VPN’s IP Rotator and Dynamic MultiHop features). Currently, FastTrack is only available on Surfshark’s latest MacOS app and only through the Sydney, Seattle and Vancouver server locations. The feature will roll out to other locations and operating systems later on, but during a recent call, Surfshark’s representatives didn’t commit to a timeline.

When I downloaded Surfshark’s latest MacOS app, none of the FastTrack-enabled server locations had the FastTrack icon displayed next to them as documented in the blog post the company published on Aug. 7. I was confused at first, but it turns out the FastTrack icon only appears when routing your connection through multiple servers is the most optimized route to take. If connecting directly to the server is the optimal way to go, then the FastTrack icon doesn’t show up. So don’t panic if you don’t immediately see the FastTrack icons even if you have Surfshark’s latest MacOS app installed. Upon firing up the Surfshark app the next day, the FastTrack icons appeared for me.

Based on a quick set of informal tests to get a feel for FastTrack’s performance, the feature seemed to work well for me. Although my speeds didn’t increase by 70% when connecting through FastTrack servers as opposed to non-FastTrack connections, the speed difference I measured between the two was noteworthy. My speeds through FastTrack connections in Sydney were about 60Mbps (or 20%) faster on average than connecting through Sydney without FastTrack enabled.

You can see the triangular FastTrack icon displayed next to the server location in the app.

Screenshot by CNET

Speeds were considerably slower to Sydney without FastTrack enabled.

Screenshot by CNET

Similarly, but to a lesser degree, my FastTrack speeds to Vancouver were about 16Mbps faster on average than without FastTrack. Your specific results may vary depending on your network and location. Users with slower or less stable internet connections may experience a more pronounced bump in speeds when using FastTrack, which could be especially beneficial if your internet connection isn’t tops. Surfshark’s representatives told me that the 70% figure was based on weeks of internal testing in different locations prior to the launch of the feature.

Cost: Surfshark’s renewal price bump bites, but it comes with improvements to the service

Key takeaway: Surfshark is still an excellent VPN that is easy to use and works well for streaming. The jump in its renewal prices means it’s no longer the wildly budget-friendly option it once was, but performance improvements make up for that higher cost. If you’re on a strict budget, you can get Mullvad or PIA cheaper.

  • $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 a year) or $60 for the first 27 months (then $79 a year)
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days
  • Payment options: Credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Crypto
  • Apps: Available for MacOS, Windows, Linux (GUI), iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, routers
  • Works with: Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video and others

Surfshark’s 33% bump over the previous $60 annual renewal rate makes the VPN a less attractive option than it once was, making it no longer uncontested as CNET budget-friendly option. Still, that $79 annual renewal price is still significantly cheaper than rivals ExpressVPN’s ($100 or $117 a year) and NordVPN’s ($140 a year) renewal prices.

If you only need a VPN for a single month, I recommend going with Mullvad, which costs only 5 euro (about $6) a month and doesn’t renew automatically as other VPN services do. In short, don’t choose Surfshark’s monthly plan unless you go into the transaction with the intention of asking for a refund within the first 30 days.

As of publication, Surfshark’s base VPN plan costs $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 annually) or $54 for the first 27 months (then $79 annually). Surfshark’s Starter tier is its most basic subscription plan and includes the VPN and Alternative ID features. Other, more expensive subscription tiers are also available that include Starter features along with additional bundled privacy and security tools like antivirus, data leak alerts, private search and data removal services. However, my evaluation of Surfshark focuses primarily on Surfshark’s Starter tier.

Subscriptions and renewals are refreshingly clear

Buying a Surfshark subscription is a simple affair, which you can do with a credit or debit card, PayPal, Google Pay or various cryptocurrencies. I like how Surfshark has made information regarding its subscription renewals much clearer than it had in years past on its checkout page.

Surfshark includes this transparent disclaimer about its renewal terms on the checkout page — which is, unfortunately, not typical for the industry.

Schreenshot by CNET

Far too many VPN companies still struggle with subscription renewal transparency, as if they’re afraid to concede that prices will increase upon renewal or as if it’s on the customer to make that assumption. But Surfshark’s approach serves as validation that being transparent about your renewal terms doesn’t have to be scary.     

Bundle options available from Surfshark

If you’re interested in exploring additional bundled options with Surfshark, here’s a a breakdown of what the company offers:

Plan StarterOneOne-plusPrice $15.45 per month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 per year) or $54 for the first 27 months (then $79 per year)$18 per month, $51 for the first 15 months (then $99 per year) or $67 for the first 27 months (then $99 per year)$20.65 per month, $91 for the first 15 months (then $119 per year) or $108 for the first 27 months (then $119 per year)VPN YesYesYesAlternative ID YesYesYesAntivirus NoYesYesData leak alerts NoYesYesPrivate search NoYesYesIncogni data removal NoNoYes

VPN providers are leaning heavily into bundled services. A solid suite of bundled privacy and security tools are available from Surfshark, including antivirus, which isn’t offered by most of Surfshark’s competition. However, Surfshark doesn’t offer a password manager at this time, which other top VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Proton do. Adding a password manager could help boost Surfshark’s appeal as a bundled privacy and security service provider.

Surfshark’s app is slick, intuitive and snappier than ever

Surfshark’s app interface is slick, nicely laid out and easy to use across all platforms. I like the subtle tweaks Surfshark made this year that make the app even more user-friendly. Specifically, it displays the settings you’ve enabled, including the protocol you’re using, the kill switch, Bypasser, CleanWeb and Rotating IP. Also displayed are your connection time, current VPN IP address and the server you’re connected to. It’s a lot of information, but it’s all helpful information to have at your fingertips and Surfshark pulls it off without being obtrusive or making the app interface seem cluttered. 

I also like how you can just tap or click right on the app interface to go directly to each of the displayed feature’s settings without having to navigate through the settings menu. It’s a small detail, but it makes the app a lot more intuitive and shows that Surfshark cares about the finer details of the user experience.   

Surfshark’s desktop app includes helpful settings info at a glance.

Screenshot by CNET

Other key features you’ll get with Surfshark’s VPN include a kill switch, Dynamic MultiHop, Bypasser (split-tunneling), rotating IP and an ad and tracker blocker. All features worked smoothly across platforms including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Apple TV and Fire TV. 

Surfshark is one of the only other VPNs besides PIA to offer split tunneling on iOS and MacOS, which is impressive considering that changes Apple made in 2020 caused issues with VPNs’ split tunneling functionality on Apple devices. Most other VPNs that include split tunneling haven’t offered the feature on Apple devices since, usually reserving it for Android and Windows users. Surfshark’s Bypasser feature allows you to route specific websites outside the tunnel on iOS, while on MacOS it allows you to bypass websites in addition to apps.  

I was happy to see marked improvements in overall app performance across platforms as well. In the past, Surfshark often took an inordinate amount of time and multiple attempts to establish a successful connection. However, in my latest round of testing, I encountered no such issues. Surfshark’s app connected in a flash every single time I went to connect to a server regardless of what platform I was using or what location I was connecting to. 

Great for streaming, minus a couple of minor issues

Streaming with Surfshark was also mostly a smooth experience during my latest tests. That’s no surprise because the VPN is well-equipped for streaming geographically restricted content with its fast speeds and large server network. I was able to stream content from various popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max and Amazon Prime Video through a number of different Surfshark server locations from across the globe — though not without a few bumps in the road. 

During my testing, Netflix loaded up immediately without issue. However, Hulu detected the VPN when I tried to stream content on my Amazon Fire TV Stick. Otherwise, streaming with Surfshark on Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and other platforms was excellent and in line with what I would expect from a top-tier VPN.

Surfshark is great for unblocking regional Netflix libraries.

Screenshot by CNET

Privacy and security: Unique privacy features and an increased commitment to transparency 

Key takeaway: Surfshark provides enough privacy for casual VPN users, but the Netherlands jurisdiction may scare off some privacy-critical users. That said, the addition of post-quantum encryption, EverLink and a renewed commitment to transparency should work for the vast majority of users’ privacy needs.

  • Jurisdiction: Netherlands
  • Encryption: AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20
  • RAM-only server infrastructure
  • No leaks detected
  • Protocols available: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2

Surfshark’s privacy and security is enough for casual users looking for general online privacy. But there are a few reasons why you may want to look elsewhere if your privacy needs are critical (for example if you’re in a country with strict internet censorship and surveillance or if you’re a journalist, attorney, physician, activist or whistleblower). 

One reason privacy-critical users may want to avoid Surfshark is due to its Netherlands jurisdiction. Although the Netherlands doesn’t impose any mandatory data retention laws, the country is part of the 14-Eyes data-sharing alliance, which means that if data were retained, it could be shared with other countries. 

Additionally, Surfshark is still playing catchup when it comes to transparency. I’m encouraged by the results of the independent audit report from Deloitte that Surfshark published in June, which found that “the configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations is properly prepared, in all material respect in accordance with Surfshark’s [no-logs policy].” But the latest audit report is the company’s first audit of any sort since 2022. And while the positive outcome of the audit is encouraging, the full report is not available to review by the general public, rather only to Surfshark users through their account dashboards. For maximum transparency, I’d like to see Surfshark make the full audit reports publicly available, like ExpressVPN does.

Jastremskas told me that Surfshark is committed to commissioning annual third-party audits going forward, which is reassuring. Not getting audited on a regular basis doesn’t necessarily mean that a VPN isn’t doing what it says it’s doing, but regular audits act as a crucial trust signal that privacy-critical users shouldn’t ignore.

Surfshark says in its Privacy Policy that the company doesn’t “collect any information about what you do online (your visited IP addresses, browsing history, session information, used bandwidth, connection time stamps, network traffic or any other similar information).” But a VPN’s no logs claims are impossible to verify with 100% certainty, so your only option is to take the VPN provider’s word for it. No-logs audits can help, but can only go so far.

That said, I like that Surfshark will be commissioning audits on a yearly basis and that the company has begun publishing a quarterly transparency report — which details the number of legal requests it receives each quarter and if the company was obligated to disclose any user data in relation to the received requests. The latest report states that none of the nearly 350,000 requests received between April and June 2025 resulted in Surfshark disclosing user data. 

Surfshark’s supplements basic privacy features with creative and forward-looking tools

Surfshark handles standard privacy protections well, including DNS leak protection, server infrastructure and killswitch functionality.

I ran thorough DNS leak tests on multiple servers using each available protocol across various devices, and I didn’t detect any leaks whatsoever. Surfshark uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 connections and ChaCha 20 for WireGuard connections. Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) is available when using the OpenVPN protocol and disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, which can be crucial if you’re using Surfshark in a region where VPNs are restricted or outlawed entirely. 

I also like the fact that Surfshark employs a 100% RAM-only server infrastructure, meaning that its server fleet runs on volatile memory and theoretically no data is saved to a hard disk, which can help give users extra peace of mind that their data is safe and cannot be disclosed to a third party.   

I also like the option on Windows to set the kill switch to soft or strict mode. The soft kill switch works like a traditional kill switch and cuts your internet connection if the VPN inadvertently disconnects, protecting your privacy and preventing IP leaks. The strict kill switch cuts your internet any time you disconnect from the VPN, even intentionally — which offers greater protection against any potential sensitive traffic going unencrypted. You also have the option to enable a strict kill switch on your Android device using the native Android kill switch, which won’t let you use the internet at all unless you’re connected to the VPN.

But the best VPNs go beyond these basics, with innovative features that give users options for more privacy, utility or both.

I’m continuously impressed with the Dynamic MultiHop feature, which goes a step further than the traditional double VPN: While most VPNs that offer double hop connections usually only offer a handful of preset connections, Surfshark allows you to choose any pair of servers you want from its fleet of server locations in 100 different countries. Keep in mind, though, that while a double VPN connection boosts your privacy, your speed will take even more of a hit due to your traffic being encrypted twice. 

With Surfshark’s MultiHop feature, you can create custom double-VPN connections out of any two server locations.

Screenshot by CNET

One of the most unique and helpful privacy features that Surfshark offers with its basic VPN plan is its Alternative ID tool. With Alternative ID, you can create a full alter-ego complete with full name, birthdate, physical address and email address that you can use online to fill out forms or sign up for email lists without having to provide your actual personal information. 

I had a lot of fun playing around with the tool and coming up with different personas. You can either come up with everything on your own manually or have Alternative ID automatically generate the information for you. Your alternative email address will automatically forward emails to your designated actual email address. You can create up to three alternative email addresses and give them different labels based on what you use them for. An alternative phone number is also available for an additional $3 a month. All in all, it’s a really cool suite of features that can help you protect your personal data when you need to provide information to access a website or online service.

The Rotating IP feature is another useful tool. When enabled and connected to a server, the IP Rotator automatically changes your VPN IP address periodically every few minutes without disconnecting you from the server. This gives you an extra layer of privacy because it makes it that much more difficult for others to track you online.

New, innovative EverLink feature can self-heal a broken VPN connection

While not exactly the same as a kill switch, Surfshark’s brand-new EverLink feature can help ensure your VPN connection stays stable and prevent your traffic from being exposed unencrypted and your IP address from being leaked. While a kill switch automatically cuts your internet connection in the event that your VPN unexpectedly disconnects, Surfshark’s EverLink feature can automatically and seamlessly reconfigure the VPN tunnel without breaking the connection. Surfshark refers to EverLink as a “self-healing server infrastructure” and it’s an innovative one-of-a-kind feature not offered by other VPNs. EverLink is enabled automatically when using the WireGuard protocol. However, even with EverLink, I still recommend enabling your kill switch at all times when using Surfshark or any other VPN for added peace of mind.

Surfshark’s post-quantum protections help future-proof the service

I’m also happy that Surfshark rolled out its post-quantum protection for WireGuard this year. In addition to Surfshark, only a handful of other VPN providers — including ExpressVPN, Mullvad and NordVPN — offer post-quantum encryption. It’s an important step because post-quantum protections can help guard against potential future threats from quantum computers. 

Surfshark’s post-quantum layer is “an additional layer of security for our VPN protocols. For now, we are mainly working on WireGuard, but also exploring the possibilities to implement post-quantum layer for other protocols like OpenVPN,” Justas Pukys, Surfshark’s Senior Product Manager for VPN told me during an interview. 

Surfshark’s a bit more expensive than it used to be, but it’s starting to make a compelling case for its higher renewal prices

While I was critical of Surfshark’s increased renewal pricing earlier this year, given the lack of noteworthy improvements or many other major changes, the company was clearly hard at work in the background on significant developments that came to fruition over the course of the year. The addition of post-quantum encryption, a fresh no-logs audit, EverLink and FastTrack definitely count for a lot and help alleviate the renewal price sticker shock, and bump up Surfshark’s overall value compared to what it was earlier in the year. 

Additionally, the team hinted at a few more “non-traditional” parental control- and anti-phishing-related VPN features coming down the pike, which could add value in the future. Nevertheless, Surfshark is still cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN even with the price hike, and I still recommend it to casual users as a reasonably priced alternative.

Ultimately, Surfshark is still a top-notch VPN that goes above and beyond what many similarly priced or more expensive alternatives can do.



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Google Gmail review
Product Reviews

I tested Gmail and found it an excellent and reliable platform for business and personal use

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.

Gmail is the world’s most popular email platform, with a stunning user base of over 1.8 billion. In other words, over 20% of the world’s population uses Gmail in individual or business capacity.

Given that Gmail is free, easy to use, and is operated by Google, the company behind the world’s leading search engine, it’s no surprise that Gmail is very popular. However, does that translate into Gmail being the best email provider for you? What are its features, and how does it fare against competitors? This guide will answer these questions.

I’ve thoroughly reviewed Gmail to help you determine whether it’s the best email platform for your personal or business needs. Read on to learn about Gmail in detail, including its pricing, ease of use, security, and key features.

    Google Gmail subscription options:

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

Gmail: Plans and pricing

You can use the personal version of Gmail for free. However, like most things, it’s free up to a certain point. Users have up to 15 GB of free storage for pictures, videos, other documents, and other attachments in their email inbox. If you exceed 15 GB, you’ll either need to delete files to free up more space or pay for additional storage.

Extra Gmail storage requires a Google One subscription, with the lowest tier being $20 annually for 100 GB of storage. Ultimately, Gmail offers excellent storage capacity for free – most users don’t surpass 15 GB, except they’ve used Gmail for a long time or use email much more frequently than others.

Businesses can pay for an advanced version of Gmail via Google Workspace. The business tier increases the cloud storage allocated to each employee, and businesses can create emails attached to their custom domain. It’s the same Gmail interface, but with features designed for business use and a custom domain to give employees a more professional appearance.

Google Workspace plans start from $7 per user per month, which provides 30 GB of storage per account, double the free limit. The Standard plan costs $14 per user per month, providing 2 TB of storage per account. The Plus plan costs $22 per user per month and unlocks 5 TB of storage per account. These plans are reasonably priced, given the massive amount of storage space they provide.

Business plans are limited to 300 users, except for the Enterprise plan which has no limit (Image credit: Google)

Gmail: Features

Sending and receiving emails are the primary features you’ll expect from Gmail. You can compose emails and send them to your desired email addresses. The maximum number of recipients per email is 500 for free accounts and 2,000 for Google Workspace accounts. However, most users aren’t hitting this limit, so I see no issues here.

I like that Gmail lets you send scheduled emails. You don’t always have to send emails immediately after you type them. Instead, you can set the email to send at a specific time. This feature comes in handy in many endeavors, such as sending birthday wishes ahead of time and sending event reminders to colleagues.

In this era of artificial intelligence (AI), Gmail hasn’t been left behind. Google has invested significant resources in incorporating AI features that have made Gmail much more intuitive than before.

For instance, I enjoyed the Smart Reply feature, which crafts quick, automated responses to emails. The AI system reads your email and suggests quick responses, such as “Well noted, I’ll work on it,” “Here it is,” or “I’ve attached the document here,” among others. The suggested responses are based on the content of the email you’re replying to.

The Smart Reply feature may sound trivial, but it helped me a lot. It gets tiring having to retype mundane responses to personal and work emails – the feature saved me a lot of time here, which I spent creating detailed responses for the emails that needed them.

I also enjoyed the Smart Compose feature, which functions as an AI assistant when typing emails. It can read your mind… just kidding, it can’t. It analyzes the words you’ve already typed and suggests the next words and phrases. It’s right many times, but can be amusingly wrong. The good thing is that you can hit enter whenever it gets the right suggestion and ignore it if the suggestion isn’t right. Smart Compose saved me considerable time when typing emails.

Gmail boasts plenty of features to optimize the user experience (Image credit: Google)

Apart from intuitiveness, security is a key issue when choosing an email platform. Spam attacks have become more sophisticated due to AI tools that have made text generation a breeze. Hence, security is more important than ever, and Gmail delivers well in this criterion.

By default, Gmail has spam filters that analyze incoming emails and rate their likelihood of spam. If found to be spam, an email is automatically sent to the spam folder. From my experience, Gmail’s filters ensnare most spam messages, but some crafty ones occasionally make it through. When I encountered such an email, I immediately blocked the address and deleted their emails.

False positives can also occur. Some legitimate emails, such as password recovery attempts, might be sent to the spam folder, but you can always visit the spam folder and transfer such emails to your main inbox. If you mark an email in the spam folder as “Not Spam,” further emails from that address will land in your main inbox.

Another crucial security feature I liked is “Confidential Mode,” which allowed me to set expiration dates for emails. For instance, I sent an email containing sensitive information to a friend and set it to self-destruct a day after sending. I also set passcodes for specific emails, and the recipient needed this passcode to read the content– I gave them the passcode via SMS and other communication channels.

Likewise, with Confidential Mode, you can prevent recipients from copying, forwarding, or downloading the contents of your email. However, this feature doesn’t prevent users from taking screenshots of the photos and text – it just makes it difficult to transfer the content directly via email, so be careful about the information you send.

Gmail always prompts users to enable two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your email account. With this feature enabled, no one can access your account simply by having your Gmail credentials. Logging in also requires a unique one-time PIN sent to your phone number or other Google-linked devices. Without this PIN, no one can log in to your account on a new device.

I advise always enabling two-factor authentication for your Gmail account. This overlooked feature protects you from most malicious attacks. According to Microsoft, two-factor authentication is the antidote to 99.9% of security attacks.

Gmail offers advanced encryption to protect emails during transmission, ensuring they can only be read by the intended recipients. All emails and their attachments are automatically scanned for malware, and any suspicious ones are blocked. Note that the scanning isn’t perfect; some suspicious attachments may slip through, so avoid opening any attachment from an address you aren’t familiar with.

If you’re like me, who frequently sends and receives emails, your inbox can easily get cluttered, and sorting through vast numbers of emails can get tiring. Fortunately, Gmail lets you organize your inbox and make your emails easy to navigate. You can create labels, such as “Work,” “Family,” “Newsletters,” and “Shopping,” and add specific emails to each of them, or automatically label emails based on the sender’s address. Whenever you want to view a specific group of emails, you can simply click on the relevant label.

For example, if you want to read your daily newsletters, you can click on the “Newsletters” label and see the new emails sent from the addresses you’ve previously marked.

Similarly, you can create custom filters to archive, forward, or even delete emails originating from specific addresses. Gmail’s labels and filters help you automate email sorting and reduce the time you spend navigating your messages.

Gmail seamlessly integrates with other Google tools you may be familiar with. For example, you can upload files to Google Drive and attach them to your email by clicking a few buttons. I found this feature handy when sending large files that would have taken a long time for the recipient to download– instead, the recipient could simply access the file online on Google Drive.

Google Meet isn’t the most popular videoconferencing app, but I liked its smooth integration with Gmail. I could start Google Meet calls directly from my Gmail interface and switch back to emails when done, while on the same browser tab.

Other notable integrations include Google Calendar, which allows you to create events from emails and set reminders, and Google Tasks, where you can convert emails directly into tasks on your to-do list.

Gmail: Interface and in use

Gmail’s interface is one of its main strengths. I think the user-friendliness is the main driving force behind Gmail’s popularity, although being affiliated with Google also helps a lot.

I’ve tested many email platforms, and Gmail stands out for its intuitiveness. Everything feels easy to navigate, even as a first-time user. It helps that first-time users don’t have cluttered inboxes that can make navigation more challenging. Yet, even with a packed inbox, I’ve discussed how filters and labels let you simplify navigation.

The features are neatly arranged on the left side of your dashboard, where you can quickly sort through them. You can switch between your main inbox and other folders smoothly. You can sort through spam, trash, sent, scheduled, and other email categories without a hitch. The Compose button is boldly displayed at the top-left corner, and the menu for composing and sending emails is easily understood at a glance.

Gmail’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for even amateur users (Image credit: Google)

You can access Gmail from your web browser or download the app on your desktop (Windows and macOS) or smartphone (iOS and Android). The app works exactly as the website, but has faster loading times and offline access.

Gmail: Support

I’ll rank Google’s support as decent. It’s not the most outstanding, but it isn’t bad either. Users have access to an extensive knowledge base that details all Gmail’s features and provides guidance on troubleshooting common issues.

If you encounter any problems, the knowledge base and official Help Center should be the first places to seek help. Likewise, if you’re a new user who wants to learn the ins and outs of Gmail, the Help Center should be the first place to consult.

Gmail is a free tool, so don’t expect much direct help as a personal user. Google has a support team, but they’re more focused on enterprise customers who pay for Google Workspace and other tools.

For paying Google Workspace subscribers, Google offers decent support. Response times vary according to your plan, but the support team doesn’t take long to reply to email complaints.

Gmail: The competition

Gmail is the most dominant email platform worldwide, but it has no shortage of competitors. Many free email platforms have tried to chip away at Gmail’s market share for a long time, with mixed results. The two rivals I’d like to highlight are Zoho Mail and Proton Mail.

Zoho Mail offers a free version for personal use, just like Gmail. However, this free plan provides just 5 GB of storage, unlike Gmail’s 15 GB. Zoho is more competitive on the business side, with plans that are more affordable than Gmail, although Gmail still offers more storage.

Businesses can subscribe to Zoho Mail for as low as $1 per month per user, while a Google Workspace subscription starts at $6 per month per user. Zoho Mail isn’t as user-friendly as Gmail. In fact, I got confused several times as a new user, but it’s a more affordable email solution for businesses with limited budgets.

Proton Mail is a secure email solution that offers end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, password-protected emails, and adherence to robust Swiss privacy laws, among other features. I wouldn’t say it’s more secure than Gmail, as Gmail offers many of the same features optionally. However, Proton Mail is more geared towards privacy and doesn’t have advertisements.

The drawback is that Proton Mail isn’t as intuitive as Gmail, and the free plan is much more limited, e.g., 6 GB storage compared to Gmail’s 15 GB storage. You’ll need a paid plan to enjoy most of Proton Mail’s features.

Gmail: Final verdict

Gmail is an email platform that I recommend any day and at any time, both for personal and business use. I can summarize the reason as “it just works.” Gmail provides the email features you’ll need, even on the free plan.

The paid plans are more expensive than other options, but the intuitiveness and seamless integration with other Google tools make it worthwhile if your business can afford it. Gmail is a solid choice that makes emailing an enjoyable experience.

We’ve also featured the best email clients.

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JBL Charge 6 review: a beefier Bluetooth speaker that's excellent value
Product Reviews

JBL Charge 6 review: a beefier Bluetooth speaker that’s excellent value

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.

JBL Charge 6: Two-minute review

The JBL Charge 6 portable wireless speaker isn’t as closely related to the outgoing JBL Charge 5 as it might first appear. Oh, in physical terms they’re closely related – but the Charge 6 adds some nice new specification upgrades, as well as a very useful carry handle, in an effort to maintain the Charge’s position as the pre-eminent mid-priced option among the best Bluetooth speakers.

So as well as 45 watts of power and an impressive frequency response of 54Hz – 20kHz, the JBL Charge 6 can be hard-wired via USB-C in order to deliver true hi-res audio. It will run for 24 hours from a single charge – longer if you don’t mind sacrificing some bass response – and can act as a charger for your smartphone.

Two JBL Charge 6 units can form a stereo pair, and it can connect to any Auracast-enabled speakers for as numerous a speaker system as you fancy. An IP68 rating and a predictably robust standard of build and finish means it is happy in pretty much any environment.

And in action, the Charge 6 is a deft and assertive listen with a whole lot of positives about the way it deals with your audio files. Over Bluetooth, it’s punchy and detailed in equal measure, with a nice tonal balance and fairly even frequency response. Up the ante with some hi-res stuff via USB-C and it gains additional dynamism, insight and rhythmic positivity.

Really, only lowering volume to ‘background’ levels can upset it – quite a lot of its direct and expansive nature goes astray when you try to listen quietly. This thing is made for fun.

So yes, ‘Charge 6’ turns out to be a little more than just ‘Charge 5 +1’, and it’s as good as speakers this size, at this price, get right now.

  • JBL Charge 6 (Black) at Amazon for $199.95

JBL Charge 6 review: Price and release date

  • Released in April 2025
  • Officially priced at $149 / £129 / AU$229.95

The JBL Charge 6 is on sale now, and in US you can find it for $159, in the the United Kingdom it sells for £169 (unless you decide you fancy the rather lively purple or red finishes, which for some reason are £5 less expensive), while in Australia it goes for AU$229.

That’s a similar price to the JBL Charge 5 at its launch, though the older model can now be found in the $120-$140 region regularly, or is £119 in the UK at the time of writing.

The Charge 6 is a good price for this kind of speaker – for example, it’s priced similarly to the Sonos Roam 2, which is much smaller and less powerful than this, but the JBL doesn’t have the multi-room Wi-Fi skills of the Sonos.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Charge 6 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Weight:

1.37kg

Dimensions:

229 (W) x 99 (H) x 94 (D) mm

Battery life (quoted):

Up to 24 hours (28 with boost mode)

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC and AAC codecs

Drivers:

53 x 93 mm mid/bass ‘racetrack’ driver, 20mm tweeter

Aux-in:

No (USB-C audio passthrough)

Charger port:

USB-C

Microphone:

No

Waterproof rating:

IP68

JBL Charge 6 review: Features

  • 45 watts of power
  • 54Hz – 20kHz frequency response
  • 24 hours of battery normally, can be boosted to 28 hours

When it comes to a wireless connection, the Charge 6 uses Bluetooth 5.4 (good) and is compatible with SBC and AAC codecs (less good, but normal).

Unlike a lot of nominal rivals, though, the JBL has a USB-C slot that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging its battery, meaning that if you connect it to an appropriate source, hi-res audio of up to 24bit/96kHz can be yours (very good indeed).

The battery itself will run for around 24 hours (as long as you’re not absolutely blasting the volume), and if you switch ‘playtime boost’ on, that number rises to 28 hours in exchange for a rather obvious curtailing of low-frequency presence.

This is basically as long as battery life gets for portable speakers – certainly for speakers that are actually easy to carry around.

The JBL will even act as a power bank, so you can connect your phone to the USB-C port to charge it if push comes to shove – but this will, of course, eat into the Charge 6’s own battery life. From ‘flat’ to ‘full’, by the way, takes a fairly leisurely three hours.

No matter how the audio information makes it onboard, it’s attended to by 45 watts of Class D power driving a 20mm tweeter and a racetrack mid/bass driver. It’s basically the same speaker setup as the JBL Flip 7, but with bigger speakers in all cases and more power – lovely.

In conjunction with the passive radiator at each end, JBL claims this arrangement is good for a frequency response of 54Hz up to 20kHz.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Charge 6 review: Sound quality

  • Big and punchy (but also deft and detailed) sound
  • Capable of significant volume
  • Loses interest at lower levels

You might think you know what you’re getting, sound-wise, when you look at the Charge 6. And in some ways, you’d be right – give it a stream of Outkast’s The Way You Move and the JBL delivers it with scale and considerable substance. Its sound is big and weighty, and there’s plenty of drive and momentum to ensure the rhythm is expressed with real positivity.

But the Charge 6 is no blunt instrument. It retrieves and reveals plenty of detail, is more than capable of handling the transient or minor events in the recording, and is just as adept at describing the harmonic variations as it is the broad dynamic strokes of ‘quiet’ and ‘loud’. Sure, it’s an energetic and quite forceful listen – but it pays just as much attention to the light and shade of a recording as it does the attack.

Its frequency response is fairly even; there’s a slight skew to the bottom end, sure, but it’s nothing fatal. And its tonal balance is equally well-judged, so there’s crisp presence at the top end to balance the punchy lower frequencies – and in the midrange, the JBL makes the character and technique of a vocalist pretty apparent.

Switch to a 24-bit/96kHz FLAC file of The Past is a Grotesque Animal by of Montreal, served to the Charge 6 via USB-C, and the entire presentation steps on. The soundstage opens up yet further, detail levels enjoy a big uptick, and the amount of space available to each element of the recording makes for greater overall scale.

Dynamic headroom increases, the unity of the frequency range is made more apparent, and the control of low-frequency activity makes for a rhythmically positive and articulate sound.

It’s worth noting that many of these uncomplicatedly enjoyable aspects of music-making are rather diminished should you decide to listen to the Charge 6 at volumes levels of ‘modest’ or below.

The JBL is not especially tolerant of being treated as a ‘background listening’ device, and a fair amount of its directness and assertiveness deserts it in the circumstance. No one puts Baby in the corner, so it seems…

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Charge 6 review: Design

  • IP68-rated for dust and waterproofing
  • Seven finishes, and useful carry handle
  • Reasonably compact at 229 x 99 x 94mm

In broad terms, it’s JBL Charge business as usual here. The speaker is almost cylindrical, with a flattened area on the bottom for it to rest on. Each end of the almost-cylinder features some sturdy rubberization to protect the passive radiator (and its rather alarming ‘!’ branding) at each end.

A few physical controls are arranged across the top, at the rear there’s a USB-C slot, and the entire thing is wrapped in hardwearing fabric.

Changes in design over the outgoing Charge 5 are very few – but they’re all significant. Those rubber end caps are now even more robust than before. The material that covers almost the entire speaker is now 100% recycled material. The controls are in two rows for even greater ease of operation.

The IP rating has risen from a very acceptable IP67 to IP68 – which indicates the Charge 6 is virtually impregnable. And there’s now a flexible, branded carry-handle that fits to the top of the speaker and means it’s more easily portable than before.

A choice of seven different finishes runs from a business-like black to a camo number JBL calls ‘squad’. No matter the color you choose, though, you’ll be in possession of a carefully designed and beautifully built portable speaker.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Charge 6 review: Usability and setup

  • JBL ‘Portable’ control app
  • A few physical controls
  • Auracast and stereo pairing

The two rows of physical controls on the Charge 6 cover volume up/down, play/pause, power on/off, Bluetooth pairing and Auracast pairing – as long as the other speakers in your prospective group are Auracast-enabled, there’s no practical limit to the number of speakers you can join together or the amount of space you can cover.

Each of the controls is reliable, and very positive in its action – and the ability to pair two Bluetooth devices at a time is very welcome too.

The company’s ‘Portable’ control app is a useful little number too. Here’s where you can form a stereo pair with another Charge 6, check out a number of EQ presets or establish some of your own, check on battery life, and turn on ‘playtime boost’.

It’s a clean and stable app that’s a cut above the sort of thing some rival portable speakers are accompanied by.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Charge 6 review: Value

If you want it for background listening, look elsewhere for your Bluetooth speaker, and spend less money while you’re at it – the five-star JBL Flip 7 would work nicely.

But if you decide to let it do its thing, the JBL Charge 6 has more than enough sonic talent to justify its asking price – and the fact that it’s so well made, so hardy and so very usefully specified only seals the deal.

Should I buy the JBL Charge 6?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyJBL Charge 6

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Can’t fault the battery life, USB-C connectivity, or Auracast option – higher-res wireless would be nice, though

4.5/5

Sound quality

Powerful, well-balanced and more detailed than you expect – especially in its USB-C mode

4.5/5

Design

Tougher than ever, made from more recycled material, and with a useful handle

5/5

Usability and setup

Very easy, with just the right amount of controls on the device, and a good app

5/5

Value

Reliable, long-lasting, great-sound – feels like a superb option for the price

5/5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

JBL Charge 6 review: Also consider

How I tested the JBL Charge 6

(Image credit: Future)

  • Tested for over a week
  • Tested in a variety of real-world locations
  • Connected wireless and wired, with a variety of file types

I connect the JBL Charge 6 via Bluetooth to an Apple iPhone 14 Pro, an Apple MacBook Pro and a FiiO JM21 digital audio player.

I also connected it to the laptop via USB-C, where the Colibri software on the machine allowed the Charge 6 to play authentically hi-res content.

I listened indoors and outdoors, at a variety of volume levels and to a variety of types of music. And I did all this for well over a working week (and sometimes at the weekend too).

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: September 2025

JBL Charge 6: Price Comparison



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Nutribullet SmartSense Blender
Product Reviews

The Nutribullet SmartSense is an excellent, powerful blender, though its ‘smart’ mode feels unnecessary

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.

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: one-minute review

Nutribullet is a brand most well known for its compact personal blenders which – while suited to blitzing up smoothies and protein shakes – aren’t exactly heavy duty pieces of culinary tech. But models like the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo aim to up the power and functionality without compromising too much on simplicity or affordability.

By combining a full-sized pitcher with Nutribullet’s familiar single-serve cups, and adding a smart auto-cycle that adapts blending power on the fly, it aims to cover the needs of both speedy smoothie lovers and home chefs.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

For the most part, it succeeds. Most everyday tasks are handled quickly and consistently. The SmartSense auto cycle is genuinely useful for hands-off blending and the 1,500W motor packs more punch than most people will ever need.

  • nutribullet smartsense blender (White) at Newegg for $213.98

But all that isn’t without its caveats. The SmartSense Blender Combo struggles with thick or dry blends and requires you to intervene a couple of times during the blending process to ensure all the ingredients are within reach of the blades. You’ll also find that very small batches of dips don’t quite reach high up enough to get blended.

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: price and availability

  • List price: $164.99 / £149.99 / AU$299.95
  • Available in the US, UK, and Australia
  • Reasonable price for a two-in-one blender combo

In the US, UK, and Australia, the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo is available to purchase on the Nutribullet site. and from third-party retailers like Amazon.

In terms of cost, the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo sits on the mid/high end of the Nutribullet range. Understandably, you’re paying more than you would for a dinky personal blender, but it won’t quite set back as much as a top-of-the-line food processor/blender combo.

Similar models from other brands include the Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio

Today’s best nutribullet smartsense blender deals

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$164.99 / £149.99 / AUS $299.95

Weight

9.81lbs / 4.45kg

Travel cup capacity

32oz / 900ml and 24oz / 700ml

Jug capacity

64oz / 1.8 liters

Blending speeds

5

Presets

Auto (SmartSense)

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: design

  • Five blending speeds and an auto mode
  • Pitcher with fixed blades and a vented lid
  • Travel cups with extractor blades

The Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo consists of a blender base which can either be attached to the included 64oz pitcher, 32oz travel cup, or 24oz handled travel cup. All three of these add-ons are made from BPA-free plastic, meaning you can enjoy the lightness and durability of the material without worrying about harmful chemicals leaching into your soups and smoothies.

The SmartSense Blender Combo box contents also included a tamper but during testing, I found that it offered very little in the way of practical help. A far more useful tool was a cheap silicone spatula I tend to use while baking. It had the flexibility necessary to scrap the edges of the blender jug, but didn’t tend to get ingredients stuck to it like tamper did.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Like the rest of the build, the attachments of the SmartSense Blender Combo are sturdy enough to inspire confidence. The only real concern I’d have is the possibility of stains or scratches developing after long-term use, but even this would just be a superficial complaint. Not to mention, a good thorough clean after every use helps to prevent this. Thankfully, attachments for the SmartSense are dishwasher-safe so this task is a little easier.

Blending with the travel cups is done with a separate extractor blade but in the case of the pitcher attachment, the blade is sealed into the base. This means that, when you’re hand-washing your blender (which those of us without dishwashers are cursed to do) it’s a little difficult to clean. Without being able to pop the blade out and wipe it down, it’s best to blitz some warm water and soap in the pitcher to loosen some of the debris that tends to get stuck underneath. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it definitely adds an awkward extra step to maintaining the machine.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

One great thing about the pitcher’s design is that its lid has a vent which allows you to add ingredients mid-blend and – crucially – allows for steam to escape when making hot recipes. I’ll admit that throughout my years in the kitchen, I’ve occasionally taken my chances blending hot sauces and soups against manufacturers’ instructions. To try to reduce steam production and the chances of the lid blowing off from the pressure, I’d let everything cool down a bit before pouring it in. But even with these attempts to mitigate risk, the likelihood of getting scalded (or at the very least making a mess of your kitchen) means that blending hot food in an unvented blender is a terrible idea. A tiny gap in the lid makes a big difference when it comes to making this blender an even more versatile piece of kitchen kit.

Controls on the motor base are exceedingly simple to navigate. There’s an on/off button, which – alongside powering the machine on and off – also prompts the appearance of rather cute “hello” and “goodbye” messages on the base’s LED screen. The plus and minus buttons are used to adjust between the 5 power settings, but you can skip all that by using the Auto button that activates the load-sensing setting and estimates the right blending speed and time for you.

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: performance

  • Makes stellar smoothies with virtually no nasty bits
  • Crushes ice (with some assistance from you)
  • Dry blends were a disappointment

Coming in at 1500W, the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo should have more than enough power to handle most jobs. Testing started with a smoothie recipe from the Nutribullet site consisting of blueberries, milk, banana, and kale.

Fibrous green veg really puts blenders through their paces, so it’s a great way to reveal just how well it performs. Frozen kale tends to produce fewer gritty chunks than its non-frozen counterpart, but it turns out it’s oddly difficult to find pre-frozen kale in the UK, so I just proceeded with the fresh version instead.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Thankfully, the power of the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender managed to blitz away any unpleasant texture to produce a smooth, thick end result. Despite my expectations, the kale didn’t pose any problem for the SmartSense.

In fact, the only inconsistencies that were left after blending were the tiny seeds from the blueberries. Personally, this isn’t the kind of textural inconsistency that gives me the ick but even if it was, it seems a tad unfair to expect a blender under $200 to have the seed-pulverizing powers of something like a Vitamix A3500.

The SmartSense Blender Combo also makes light work of crushing ice cubes, on the condition you scrape the ice from the sides midway through. The blades certainly don’t have any difficulty slicing through rock solid chunks of ice (and in fact, the machine doesn’t even go past 95db while doing it) but the structure of the pitcher means that the ice tends to pool around the edges before it’s done being crushed. The good news is after a little intervention, you should be able to rustle up your own daiquiris or frappuccinos at home no problem.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Despite delivering a pretty stellar performance in the realm of drinkable delights, the next hurdles for the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender really exposed the machine’s weak points. One of the fatal flaws of the SmartSense Blender Combo is the placement of the pitcher’s fixed blades. They sit just a little too high and don’t cover enough surface area across the pitcher’s bottom so it’s frustratingly easy for ingredients to escape the blender’s vortex.

During the hummus-making phase of testing, I found that the machine consistently created a tasty, well-incorporated dip. However, achieving that result required me to intervene two or three times to redistribute the ingredients and make sure none of my chickpea mixture avoided blending.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

This blade placement problem majorly impacted my ability to make mayonnaise with the blender too. Due to the sheer size of the pitcher, I found I had to double a normal batch in order to have my yolk/vinegar/mustard emulsion even touch the blades at all.

Even then, I couldn’t maintain a consistent enough vortex to create a satisfying result. If you’re truly set on making mayonnaise with the SmartSense Blender Combo, the best way to do it is to mix up your emulsion by hand and then put it back into the blender for the step where you gradually incorporate oil.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

One other very notable development during my tests is just how redundant the Auto function felt. While the SmartSense name definitely provides a fancy selling point, I found that I actually didn’t appreciate the automation of the blending process. It’s not like the SmartSense Auto blending ever got things too far wrong but rather I preferred to keep my eye on what I was working on and adjust the power as needed.

I can definitely see the appeal of this for folks who find their attention pulled by kids or pets while in the kitchen, but the removal of control actually made things less convenient in my experience, so I mostly opted for the manual options.

Should you buy the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo?

Buy it if

Don’t buy it if

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo: also consider

If you’re on the look-out for options that are similar to the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo, here’s some alternatives worth considering:

How I tested the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo

Alongside using it for some of my usual kitchen tasks, I put the Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo through its paces with TechRadar’s usual test recipes. During my tests, I alternated between using the Auto and manual speed controls to determine the best approach for each recipe. I used a decibel tracker to determine how loud the blender is during use. After each blend, I cleaned the blender attachments and accessories by hand.

nutribullet smartsense blender: Price Comparison



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‘Scanners’ Is More Than Just a Very Excellent Exploding Head
Gaming Gear

‘Scanners’ Is More Than Just a Very Excellent Exploding Head

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When movie fans think of Scanners, the immediate association is its spectacular exploding-head scene. In fact, when anyone thinks of spectacular exploding head scenes… Scanners is always on top of the pile, right next to Dawn of the Dead and Maniac.

But while the work of special effects legend Dick Smith deserves much applause (in addition to Scanners, his credits include The Exorcist and Death Becomes Her), there is more to David Cronenberg’s 1981 thriller than one gloriously gory splatter. Even characters who keep their heads suffer horrible pain, and as the tension rises in the story, a sense of chaotic unease permeates the movie’s world, racing toward a final act that offers some catharsis but little closure.

Scanners marked Cronenberg’s first big shift toward wider recognition, and his fame further expanded with his subsequent 1980s releases: Videodrome, The Dead Zone, The Fly, and Dead Ringers. The head scene comes fairly early in act one; it’s an important moment that establishes not just how far Scanners is willing to go, but also what the people possessing the titular psychic powers are capable of.

The movie sets up opposing forces in Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack), who knows he’s not normal but initially doesn’t understand why, and Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside), who’s all too eager to weaponize his abilities.

While Scanners builds to an epic mental battle between these two characters (it’s not quite as gasp-inducing as the head explosion, but it’s packed full of Cronenberg’s trademark body horror), we learn more about how the phenomenon of “scanning” came to be.

© Manson International

In contrast to Stephen King’s Carrie and The Institute, where the kids are just born gifted, Scanners goes the Firestarter route, later picked up by the King-influenced Stranger Things. Scanners aren’t a product of nature; they’re created, thanks to an experimental drug called “ephemerol” that has a curious effect on unborn children. It can also temporarily subdue telepathy. When Vale first tries it, his mind is suddenly, blissfully free of exhausting mental cross-chatter.

Scanners is further different from other stories of this type in that it focuses on adult psychics, not kids like Stranger Things’ Eleven or the teens of The Fury. It’s also free of any sort of government menace; instead, its villains emerge from a private military company as well as a shady drug lab and include a deeply unethical doctor, Dr. Ruth (played by The Prisoner’s Patrick McGoohan) and a turncoat security chief, Keller (Lawrence Dane).

Scanners’ main baddie, however, is Revok; he’s the one who makes that head explode, after all, and he provides far more fascinating conflict than the institutions eager to exploit him. His goal is simple: world domination, and he has a real “join me or die” feeling about that.

Vale and other more benevolent Scanners—including Kim, played by Jennifer O’Neill, star of The Psychic; we also meet a sculptor whose highly symbolic work includes a giant head you can climb inside—do their best to stop him. But the viewer is left wondering what positive applications mind control powers might actually have.

There’s certainly a wish-fulfillment element; even if he doesn’t mean it, Vale’s remote takedown of a random woman who views him with disdain is equal parts alarming and satisfying.

We also see that Scanners have the ability to hack into computers with their minds (1981 versions of computers, anyway; a pay phone is involved). Still, the jumpy, paranoid mood Cronenberg leans into throughout emphasizes that there are no winners when a human brain oversteps its capabilities.

“We were the dream, and he’s the nightmare,” Kim says with sadness after Revok gets the upper hand. But of Vale, the guy with the best chance at beating Revok, she says, “You’re barely human,” only slightly kinder than Dr. Ruth calling him “a piece of human junk” and a “freak of nature.”

The movie ends on a note of supreme unease. Revok is neutralized, but there’s a threat looming in the future. We learn in act three that Revok put in motion a plan to create an army of mutants by using ephemerol on pregnant women—and that his “soldiers” are soon to be born. We know they are operational; at one point, Kim realizes she’s being scanned by a fetus.

“We’ve won,” is Vale’s declaration of victory, but it’s a temporary triumph. The anxiety is only heightened by the fact that Vale has transposed his mind into Revok’s body: a new ability unlocked that feels like a sign of the uncontrollable chaos to come. Scanners who don’t know what they are live in agony, as Vale once did, while Scanners who are aware of what they can do are poised to be just as diabolical as Revok. Who’s to say what path all those newborn Scanners will take?

While you ponder all the ways Scanners ends on simultaneous notes of weird uplift and certain doom, nobody will mind if you go back and watch the head scene a few more times. Ironside’s contorted facial expressions as he’s willing a skull to combust are also worthy of a few rewinds.

Scanners is now streaming on HBO Max; it also arrives on Shudder October 1.

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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Parents: the new PlayStation Family App is out, and there are excellent opportunities for inter-family trolling
Game Updates

Parents: the new PlayStation Family App is out, and there are excellent opportunities for inter-family trolling

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Sony has released a new PlayStation Family App on iOS and Android, giving you more – and more immediate – control over a number of aspects of your child’s gaming.

What catches my eye is the ability to manage how much time a child is spending on their PlayStation machine, and to do it dynamically. This means your child has a time balance per day to play, which you can up or down whenever you wish, and you can see how much they have used in real-time. They can even pitch you for more playtime via the app, so you don’t even need to talk to them! You need only approve or decline.

Watch on YouTube

Also useful: real-time notifications that show what they’re playing, spending controls, customisable content filtering, and managing access to social features. And graphs, which are always useful, I think.

“We’re excited to bring an easy way for parents to manage their children’s gaming directly from their mobile devices,” said Sony on the PlayStation Blog. “This is just the beginning with our new mobile app – we’ll plan to continue adding enhancements to the PlayStation Family app to evolve the experience over time.”

This is an ‘In brief’ story. This is part of our vision to bring you all the big news as part of a daily live report.

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A large Dragon Roach in Helldivers 2 looms in front of a soldier trying to shoot it down.
Product Reviews

As bugs and bad performance spoil an otherwise excellent Helldivers 2 update, Arrowhead CEO says its ‘technical debt is crippling’

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A major Helldivers 2 update is here, but somebody invited the wrong kind of bugs to the party. The Into the Unjust update takes the fight to Terminid strongholds, plunging Super Earth’s finest into cave systems guarded by acid-spitting bug dragons.

That’s all well and good, but a new wave of bugs (the software kind) is threatening to ruin the good times. Folks are reporting huge, inexplicable framerate drops before and during missions, others are crashing all over the place, and those new cave expeditions have introduced some annoying quirks, like a tendency to respawn on top of the level, where the only option is to fall to your death.

Helldivers 2’s technical state is bad enough that Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani spent hours yesterday responding to complaints in the Helldivers Discord, taking responsibility for the instability and explaining how Helldivers 2 has built up “technical debt” over time.


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“Performance is something we’ve talked about a TON today. It’s not good enough. A fix for some of the most immediate things is being prepped,” Jorjani responded to one fan.

“The technical debt is crippling,” he responded to another. “With the Xbox release behind us, we’ll be able to take a much better stab at it. Like a double stab. With a bigger knife.”

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Discord)(Image credit: Discord)(Image credit: Discord)

In games, tech debt is typically associated with technical problems increasing as a game grows more complex. That’s what Helldivers 2 is going through in a big way, according to Jorjani.

Compared to other games with regular update schedules, Helldivers 2 changes a lot: An average Apex Legends update may add a new character and map element, but Helldivers 2 receives new enemy types, weapons, maps, and missions every few months. It’s enough that a studio of any size would struggle to keep it squeaky clean, and Arrowhead isn’t particularly big.

That said, Arrowhead isn’t making excuses. In a handful of responses, Jorjani reinforced that he considers the current state of the game unacceptable:

“We’ve been lax in setting standards for what’s fine.”

“This is us trying to get our shit in order: make fun content and keep tech afloat. [We’re] not quite there.”

When asked if Helldivers 2 is due for an “Operation Health” update that focuses solely on performance over content, Jorjani said he’d like to avoid that if possible.

“The way we want to operate is that every update is also a health update. But we didn’t hit the mark with this one.”

“We’d prefer not to have to do a performance-only update, but if that’s something that is needed, we’ll do it. But no one update will tackle all tech debt.”

For what it’s worth, I ran a few missions last night with minimal issues (no crashes or major framerate drops), so it’s not exactly unplayable at the moment, but other bugs that predate yesterday’s update have been grinding our gears, like one that causes audio to get horribly staticky and loud until the mission’s over.

Fingers crossed that the planned hotfix will squash the most pressing problems. Jorjani didn’t give a timeframe for such an update, but given the speed of past hotfixes, I’d be surprised if it didn’t arrive by the end of the week.

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Alienware AW2725D
Product Reviews

Alienware AW2725D QD-OLED QHD 280 Hz gaming monitor review: Rich color, high performance and excellent value

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You’ve decided to splurge on one of the best OLED gaming monitors, and you’ve decided that a 27-inch flat panel is just right for your desktop. The question now is, “How much OLED do I need?” It’s possible to spend $800 or more if you go for 4K resolution and a 240 Hz refresh rate. But is that overkill? Can you get the same gaming experience from QHD and 280 Hz?

I’ll attempt to answer that as I review Alienware’s new AW2725D. It’s a 27-inch QHD 2560×1440 resolution Quantum Dot OLED with 280 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR400, and wide gamut color. And it’s $550 at this writing, so let’s take a look.

Alienware AW2725D Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Panel Type / Backlight

Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diode (QD-OLED)

Screen Size / Aspect Ratio

27 inches / 16:9

Max Resolution and Refresh Rate

2560×1440 @ 280 Hz

Row 3 – Cell 0

FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible

Native Color Depth and Gamut

10-bit/ DCI-P3

Row 5 – Cell 0

HDR10, HDR400 True Black

Response Time (GTG)

0.03ms

Brightness (mfr)

250 nits SDR

Row 8 – Cell 0

1,000 nits HDR (3% window)

Contrast

Unmeasurable

Speakers

None

Video Inputs

1x DisplayPort 1.4 w/DSC

Row 12 – Cell 0

2x HDMI 2.1

Audio

None

USB

1x up, 1x down, 1x Type C

Power Consumption

58.8w, brightness @ 200 nits

Panel Dimensions

WxHxD w/base

24 x 16-20.6 x 8.1 inches

(610 x 406-523 x 206mm)

Panel Thickness

2.7 inches (68mm)

Bezel Width

Top: 0.23 inch(6mm)

Row 19 – Cell 0

Sides: 0.43 inch (11mm)

Row 20 – Cell 0

Bottom: 0.59 inch (15mm)

Weight

14 pounds (6.36kg)

Warranty

3 years

Today’s best Alienware AW2725D QD-OLED QHD 280 Hz deals

One thing all OLEDs share, at least the ones I’ve reviewed, is a super quick panel response. The universally quoted figure is 0.03 milliseconds, and it is not an exaggeration. This is why OLED doesn’t need overdrive and why it’s smoother at a given refresh rate than a comparable LCD. The threshold where motion resolution equals static resolution is around 144 Hz. And since you can’t go beyond perfect, is there a reason for OLEDs to be quicker than 240 Hz?

As you ponder that question, check out the Alienware AW2725D. It breaks into a lower pricing zone at $5,50 and for that sum, you get 280 Hz, QHD 2560×1440 resolution, Quantum Dot technology, HDR400, a wide color gamut, LED lighting, USB ports, a full rack of play aids, and Alienware’s usual premium build quality.

The QD layer means extra color gamut coverage. I measured over 111% of DCI-P3, making it one of the most colorful monitors I’ve yet tested. Accuracy is OK out of the box and excellent after a simple calibration. You also get Creator mode, which lets you pick between DCI-P3 Cinema and sRGB. The picture is very satisfying with or without adjustment.

The panel’s lifespan is assured by a heat-dissipating graphite film behind the OLED layer, along with generous ventilation in the back. It’s passive, meaning there are no fans. In the OSD, you’ll find a panel refresh routine and a health indicator that lets you know when to run it. Alienware backs the AW2725D with a three-year warranty.

Gaming features include AlienVision, which is fast becoming my favorite aiming point system with its flexible and capable editor that includes many shapes and colors and even a night vision mode. Also included are timers, a frame counter and display alignment marks. The LED show extends to Alienware’s famous head icon in back and a large power button. Both can be set to any color and be made to coordinate with on-screen action. Two USB ports underneath the panel’s bottom edge make plugging in peripherals a snap. The only things missing are a headphone jack and internal speakers.

The AW2725D delivers a lot of performance and image quality for $550. It is the best way to avoid dropping $1,100 on a big, fancy, and potentially slower 4K OLED gaming monitor.

Assembly and Accessories

Alienware’s molded pulp packaging has proven itself to be more than capable of protecting computer monitors from the rigors of shipment. I have yet to receive a damaged sample, despite some having gone through multiple trips on the FedEx truck. The AW2725D’s three component parts assemble without tools into the cool new design I’ve seen from Alienware with an upright that appears to float above the base. It’s very solid in practice. The cable bundle includes HDMI, DisplayPort, USB and IEC for the internal power supply.

Product 360

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(Image credit: Dell)(Image credit: Dell)(Image credit: Dell)

The AW2725D’s bezel is reasonably narrow at 6mm wide on top, 11mm to the sides and 14mm at the bottom, where you’ll find an Alienware moniker and a large backlit power button. Its color and behavior are controlled in the OSD. Additional lighting is in the back where the Alienware Head is prominently displayed. It too can light up in any color and both LEDs can follow on-screen action using the Aurora control app.

The stand looks delicate thanks to the upright’s floating look and the base’s small size. But it is quite heavy and the three parts mate solidly to form a monolithic package. Ergonomics include 5/21 degrees tilt, 20 degrees swivel, 90-degree portrait mode and a 4.6-inch height adjustment. Movements are firm and sure with no wobble or play. The AW2725D isn’t expensive, but it is premium in every way.

The input panel is kept compact in the center, underneath the stand attachment point. You get two HDMI 2.1 and a single DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC). A USB-B upstream port forms a hub that includes Type C and A ports on the panel’s bottom edge. They’re easy to access from the front, so you can plug in peripherals, like headphones for instance, as there is no traditional 3.5mm jack. There are no internal speakers either.

OSD Features

Pressing the AW2725D’s center joystick, the only control, opens the quick menu and status bar seen in the first photo below. An up-click opens the full OSD, which will be familiar to any user of Dell or Alienware monitors.

Image 1 of 12

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The top status bar shows signal information and panel health info. At the bottom is a quick menu with five programmable icons that provide access to often-used functions. The full OSD starts appropriately with Game and its 12 picture modes. Standard is the default with solid gamma out of the box, but I found it a tad green in tone. After the game-specific modes, you’ll find Creator with gamut and gamma selections. Its DCI-P3 option refers to the cinema standard with a 2.6 gamma and D63 white point. sRGB is close to spec and is appropriate for colorists and photographers needing that reference.

To find the best image, I went for Custom Color and its two-point white balance sliders. A few tweaks took grayscale and color to pro-level accuracy. The rest of the Game menu includes game aids like timers and a frame rate counter. And there’s AlienVision, which is a super cool aiming point editor. It includes multiple shapes and colors plus night vision and even a dynamic reticle that changes color to stay in contrast with the background.

The lighting options have fixed colors for the power LED and Alienware Head. Or you can sync them with your PC using the Aurora control app. HDR options are found in the Display menu where you get six additional modes. Desktop is the default, and it is good, but HDR Peak 1000 is the most dynamic with variable brightness and accurate color tracking. It provides a vivid, colorful presentation that is unmatched by anything except another QD-OLED monitor.

The PIP/PBP mode includes five different screen split ratios plus options for the PIP window position. This feature lets you view two video sources at once. In Personalize, you can set the functions of the joystick directionals and the five icons in the quick menu.

In Others, you can run the pixel refresh routine manually whenever you wish. When the panel health indicator turns red, it runs automatically. Finally, you can view nine screens of factory calibration info that is unique to each AW2725D sample.

Alienware AW2725D Calibration Settings

The AW2725D comes out of the box in Standard mode, and I found that it was a bit green in tone. It has spot-on gamma and color, but bright white shades are slightly off. The best choice is Custom Color where you’ll find RGB gain and bias sliders plus hue and saturation controls for all six colors. With a few changes to gain, I achieved a visually perfect grayscale. Gamma is spot on in any case, but there’s only one choice, 2.2. If you want a darker or lighter presentation, you’re out of luck. My SDR settings are below. Note that there is no variable brightness option in SDR.

HDR signals enable six additional picture modes, of which HDR Peak 1000 is the best. It employs variable brightness for peaks around 460 nits, slightly higher than the class average. Custom Color HDR offers a contrast slider that lets you dial down the overall brightness, plus color hue and saturation controls.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Picture Mode

Custom Color

Brightness 200 nits

85

Brightness 120 nits

50

Brightness 100 nits

40

Brightness 80 nits

30

Brightness 50 nits

16 (min. 19 nits)

Contrast 75

2.2

Color Temp User

Gain – Red 97, Green 96, Blue 100

Row 8 – Cell 0

Bias – Red 50, Green 50, Blue 50

Gaming and Hands-on

As I played a few hours of Doom Eternal’s horde mode, I kept thinking of the word “translation.” The AW2725D, like nearly all OLEDs faster than 200 Hz, translates your thoughts into action with no delay and no blur. About the only other monitor class on this level is an Ultra HD OLED at 240 Hz. So taken on a price/performance basis, the AW2725D clearly wins.

With a decent mouse and keyboard, a monitor like this lets your skills shine, as in, it’s never in the way. There is no delay, and the picture is always sharp as a tack, whether still or moving. Aiming and shooting is consistently precise. The AW2725D’s video processing is without flaw.

The image is stunning in every respect. The extra punch from Quantum Dot color is clear when comparing the AW2725D to a non-QD screen. Though it’s just a 10-15% difference in volume, you can plainly see the extra red and green in gameplay and in the Windows desktop. Photos look brighter and more vibrant. And those perfect black levels don’t hurt. The AW2725D delivers performance on par with all the QD-OLEDs I’ve reviewed and has just a tad more color than most of them.

From a convenience standpoint, the AW2725D’s extra USB ports on the bottom are handy. They are easy to find and are the perfect place to plug in a pair of headphones. Though I wished for a 3.5mm jack to run my trusty Sennheisers, there are plenty of capable USB cans out there. Some may mourn the loss of internal speakers, but considering the sound quality coming from most of them, it isn’t a big sacrifice.

The AW2725D is a great everyday screen for work and play. Its color is a real asset when working on graphics in Photoshop or watching video. I’m a fan of mini home theaters and a screen like this creates a personal experience in a small space for not a lot of money. Add in good desktop speakers or headphones and you can enjoy the latest blockbuster from Marvel Studios while sitting in your favorite gaming chair.

Takeaway: The AW2725D is a great all-around display and a superlative gaming monitor. It has the same premium video processing as any high-end monitor with low input lag and perfect motion resolution. Do you need a higher refresh rate? I’m going to say no. 280 Hz QHD is super responsive and the picture here gives nothing away to higher-res screens thanks to its highly saturated color. For the price, this OLED is going to be hard to top.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test PC Monitors

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DT 72 IE in a hand, showcasing the small driver housings
Product Reviews

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: excellent analytical sound for vocals and guitars, if not for bass heads

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Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE: Two-minute review

Here’s a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that’s what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.

The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, “for guitarists and singers”. These IEMs boast a “subtly tuned bass” so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one’s own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal’s obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.

What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set “for mixing and critical listening”. DT 71 IE is “for drummers and bassists” with a sound signature that Beyerdynamic says “enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones”. DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there’s a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).

I think it’s fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.

(Image credit: Future)

  • Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE at Sweetwater Sound for $579.99

Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I’d say so. It’s been a while, granted, but I’ve performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y’know…

The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I’d been making something other than a lowly performer’s wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.

But let’s put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I’ll always go for, if they’re offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.

You’ll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.

What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn’t set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.

And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.

It’s as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It’s exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I’d had them when performing every day. If I’d had the DT 72 IE, I might’ve realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach “for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer” on that cruise ship gig…

Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener’s perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it’s still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.

Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they’re not neutral – that’s the whole point.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date

  • Released on January 23, 2025
  • Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)

It’s important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you’re reading about.

The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE’s asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Drivers

Dynamic (closed)

Weight

3g per earpiece (without ear tip)

Frequency range

5Hz – 40kHz

Waterproof rating

None

Other features

No in-line mic, plenty of accessories

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less

5/5

Sound quality

If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that’s hardly fair

4.5/5

Design

Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself

4.5/5

Value

To call them ‘mid-range’ feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least

4/5

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider

This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we’re not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you’ll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure’s 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.

Are they as good? No, that wouldn’t be fair given the dearth in price – and that’s the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested

  • Tested across two weeks
  • Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
  • Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)

I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.

I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they’ve given to music.

And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: August 2025

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE: Price Comparison



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