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DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress Review: Support and Value
Gaming Gear

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress Review: Support and Value

by admin


With previous iterations of the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid, the brand consistently classified it as a medium-firm mattress. In my previous reviews, I usually ranked it as a 6.5 out of 10 in terms of firmness. The brand lists this latest model as just a straight “firm.” After sleeping on it for a week, I’d say it’s now about a 6.75 out of 10. It’s a hair firmer than it was in the past, but I’d put it as neck-and-neck firmness-wise with the Wolf Memory Foam Hybrid Premium Firm. What I would classify as a truly firm mattress is the general firm side of the Plank Firm mattress (which also has an extra-firm side to it, given the flippable design).

I slept on my side, back, and stomach without any problems or pressure relief issues to complain about. However, I don’t think there would be enough cushion here if you’re of a smaller stature and weigh under 120 pounds. Even the DreamCloud’s slight increase in firmness may not be well-suited for your hips and shoulders. But everyone else, listen up. The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid’s firmer surface is ideal for weight distribution, so your hips and shoulders should stay grooving on the same level. If one half of the body is sinking in more than the other half, or your hips and shoulders are both sinking in too far, your poor spine’s going to let you know at some point via back pain.

This firmer surface is right on target for keeping a surface bouncy (shoutout to my couples in search of the best mattress for sex), which keeps you from feeling stuck in place. If you’re like me, flipping among sleeping on my side, back, and stomach, depending on which of my dogs is tagging along, this is a big win.

Value Add

The bottom line: Regardless of one’s tax bracket, we all appreciate bang for our buck, and DreamCloud has always delivered in that regard. Whether you decide to get one for yourself or your guest room, I don’t think you can do wrong with this mattress. Especially given the fact it’s regularly on sale for well under $1,000 for a queen size, has an outrageously long sleep trial, and offers a lifetime warranty. I’ve never doubted DreamCloud’s commitment to quality beds, and I’ll continue to recommend them.



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Nikon ZR camera, no lens, under low key magenta lighting
Product Reviews

Nikon Zr review: cinema cameras just got a major new player

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Why you can trust TechRadar


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

Nikon ZR: two-minute review

The new Nikon ZR is the first in a new line of Nikon / RED cinema cameras, and instantly makes Nikon a major new player in this space, capable of going to toe-to-toe with Sony, Canon, Blackmagic and Panasonic.

Nikon only acquired RED Digital Cameras 18 months ago, and it’s made fast work of producing the surprisingly polished and capable ZR, adorned with Z Cinema Camera and Nikon / RED branding, and available for a tantalizing price that significantly undercuts rivals.

It packs a bunch of Nikon Z6 III tech, including the same 24MP partially stacked full-frame sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, subject-detection tracking autofocus and more, into an extremely compact, weather-sealed cinema camera body.

  • Nikon ZR at BHPhoto for $2,196.95

We get 6K 60fps video with internal RAW recording, with any one of nine industry-favorite RED color profiles baked in – that’s the Nikon / RED amalgamation truly bearing fruit – plus 4K 120fps and Full HD 240fps slow-motion recording.

Handily, shutter angle can be set automatically to 180 degrees, so there’s no need to mess around with manual exposure settings, plus the shutter angle can be set to any position between five and 360 degrees manually, should you wish.

The Nikon ZR with new ME-D10 shotgun mic attached – the mic supports the camera’s 32-bit float audio capture skills (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

We don’t get open gate video recording as in some rivals like the Canon EOS C50, but the ZR has another trick up its sleeve: hold the camera vertically, and its UI automatically rotates, with the vertical orientation embedded in the video files and automatically detected in Nikon’s editing software, delivering full-resolution vertical video.

The ZR is the first camera of its kind with internal 32-bit float audio capture, plus what Nikon says is the best-quality internal mics yet – a triple mic combo with Ozo audio and a choice of five directional pickup patterns, including binaural.

Alongside the ZR, Nikon has launched the ME-D10 directional mic (you can see it slotted into the camera’s hotshoe in the image above), which is compatible with the camera’s 32-bit float capabilities.

This is also the smallest cinema camera I’ve used, yet it still squeezes in a large, brightest-in-class 4-inch vari-angle touchscreen. Naturally, there’s no viewfinder.

Nikon has put both its own and RED’s branding on the ZR, together with Z Cinema Camera (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Given its tiny size, there are compromises. We don’t get some of the pro connectivity found in other pricier compact cinema cameras – for example there’s only a micro HDMI port, not a full-size one. However, if you still feel the need to use an external monitor even with the large 4-inch built-in display, all you’ll need is a micro-to-full-size HMDI adaptor to get connected.

Sadly, the ZR lacks mounting points for video accessories and, with no grip, you’ll definitely want to rig it up with a grip or a cage for a better hold. That means forking out for ZR-dedicated gear – Nikon outsources to leading accessory maker SmallRig.

However, at just $2,199.95 / £2,199.99 (Australia pricing is TBC), no other cinema camera comes close to the ZR for video features – and this aggressive pricing will soften the blow of any additional outlay on accessories.

I can see the Nikon ZR as a go-to b-cam for many pros, especially those already shooting with a RED camera, for whom the color profile matching will make for a seamless workflow. That said, this is a capable video camera in its own right too.

The Nikon ZR is an incredibly capable and polished compact cinema camera with world-first features, and an exciting first step into the filmmaking space for Nikon. Should video lenses soon follow (most Z lenses are designed primarily for photography), along with a higher-end cinema camera with pro connectivity to sit above the ZR, then Nikon will truly find its footing in this space.

The compact body is the smallest in this class of cinema camera, with a fairly simple control layout (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Nikon ZR: price and release date

  • Costs $2,199.95 / £2,199.99 (Australia pricing TBC)
  • There will be various accessory bundles, TBC
  • Sales start in October

The Nikon ZR costs $2,199.95 / £2,199.99 (Australia pricing is TBC, but that coverts to roughly AU$4,500). At that price it significantly undercuts rivals – such a feature set is typically found in cameras that cost around 50% more, and more often in cameras closer to twice the price.

That said, there are no video accessories included, and you’ll want to fork out for some in order to enjoy the ZR’s handling and feature set to its full potential. These will likely include a grip and / or cage, plus Nikon’s new ME-D10 directional mic, which is compatible with the camera’s 32-bit float audio format.

Nikon doesn’t make its own accessories such as grips or rigs, relying on third parties such as SmallRig to supply those. At the time of writing I don’t have pricing for dedicated ZR accessories.

The Nikon ZR is due to go on sale in October 2025.

Today’s best Nikon ZR deals

The ZR is compact cinema camera for run-and-gun filmmaking – an ideal b-cam (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Nikon ZR: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Video

6K up to 60fps, Raw internal

Photo

24MP full-frame

Lens mount

Nikon Z

Autofocus

Dual Pixel CMOS AF II

Screen

4-inch, 3.07m-dot, vari-angle

Viewfinder

N/A

Weight

19oz / 540g (body only)

Battery

EN-EL15 (same type as Nikon Z6 III / Z8)

Nikon ZR: Design

  • Smallest and lightest cinema camera of its kind; weather-resistant
  • Large 4-inch, 3.07m-dot touch LCD with brightest in-class display, no viewfinder
  • No mounting points for accessories
  • 3x internal mics, Ozo audio with five directional pickup patterns

As far as I know, the Nikon ZR is the smallest and lightest camera of its kind, weighing just 19oz / 540g (body-only). It’s also weather-resistant, which is a rarity in the cinema camera world.

There are pros and cons resulting from the tiny dimensions. Drawbacks include enthusiast-level connectivity, like micro HMDI rather than full-size (though you only need an adaptor to remedy this), and the absence of a grip or mounting points for accessories. A camera like the Canon EOS C50 feels more high-end, given its pro-level connectivity.

It feels best to keep things simple with the ZR, making the most of its compact body and powerful features by minimizing the number of accessories in play. A grip is the one accessory I would absolutely look into buying, while if you want to rig up the ZR you’ll need a cage, which will in turn allow you to attach accessories such as lights and mics – Nikon has partnered with SmallRig to create grips and cages for the ZR (pricing TBC).

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Despite its tiny body, the ZR packs a large 4-inch touch display. As such, I don’t really see the need for attaching a bulky external 5-inch monitor. It certainly helps that the ZR’s 3.07m-dot display is wonderful bright and vivid – the brightest in its class, says Nikon. Mind you, I’ve only used the ZR in a studio; a truer test will be the bright outdoors.

Other cinema cameras, like the Sony FX3 and Canon EOS C50, only have 3-inch displays, while the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K has a mega 5-inch unit. In the case of the Sony and Canon models, I’d absolutely want to add a monitor to my setup.

The camera’s top plate is pretty simple: there’s a photo / video switch (though sadly the UI remains the same whichever setting you’re in, rather than there being dedicated menus for photo and video), record button with rocker, plus three buttons for accessing items such as display settings.

The rear is dominated by the large touch display, which when folded away reveals the Nikon / RED branding. Beside it are a joystick for controls such as autofocus point selection, a menu button (a quick press brings up the main menu and a long press brings up the quick menu, which is a nice touch) and a playback button.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Battery life promises to be okay, given that the ZR uses the same EN-EL15 battery as the Nikon Z6 III and Nikon Z8. There are no vents or cooling fans, though, which would normally suggest that a camera of this type would be prone to overheating during long recording sessions.

I haven’t recorded clips any longer than a few minutes, but I’ll be sure to run the camera for longer during my in-depth testing. However, Nikon says the camera’s magnesium alloy body is a natural heat sink, and promises that long record times are possible, and based on my experience with previous Nikon cameras I have no reason to doubt it.

There’s exciting tech under the hood, too, namely a totally new Ozo audio setup, which comprises three mics. Together, these offer five directional pickup patterns, including front narrow (like a shotgun mic), front wide, rear and binaural 3D stereo.

Nikon says this Ozo system is the best internal mic setup of any camera, and it’s supported by a world-first: in-camera 32-bit float audio capture. Nikon’s new ME-D10 shotgun mic, released at the same time as the ZR, supports 32-bit float audio too.

Those are impressive audio features for any camera, let alone one at this price point, and I look forward to properly testing them out.

Nikon ZR: Performance

  • 6K up to 60fps, 4K up to 120fps, Full HD up to 240fps
  • Internal RAW recording and RED color profiles (up to nine in-camera at any time)
  • Subject-detection autofocus and 5-axis image stabilization
  • 24MP stills, partially stacked full-frame sensor

For the most part, the Nikon ZR has the same photo and video specs as the Z6 III (which we awarded five stars out of five in our in-depth review), which means a full-frame partially stacked 24MP sensor equipped with 5-axis image stabilization.

Add in decent subject-detection tracking autofocus and the ZR is a capable stills shooter, although while this is useful for on-set stills, the main focus of my testing is of course the ZR’s video chops.

There’s the partially stacked 24MP full-frame sensor and Nikon Z mount (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Like the Z6 III, the Nikon ZR shoots 6K up to 60fps, 4K up to 120fps and Full HD up to 240fps. There’s the option for shooting internal RAW with a 12-bit color depth, or keeping things simple and baking in the look at capture with 10-bit recording.

Given the array of creative styles and color profiles on board, which includes space for up to nine RED color profiles at any one time, you might just feel happy to skip shooting RAW, with its large file sizes and grading demands, and use one of the many baked-in color profiles instead to save editing time and space on your hard drives.

I shot a variety of video clips during a half-day session with a drummer in action inside a studio, including 6K RAW, a few of the RED profiles baked in, and 240fps slow-motion – see my sample video, above.

In this setting, the ZR delivered some superb-looking video. I’ll be expanding this first impressions review with more detail about its video and audio quality, once I’ve had an extended time with the ZR.

The ZR is a decent camera for photos too, with 24MP stills (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Nikon ZR: also consider

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

How I tested the Nikon ZR

  • I had just half a day with the ZR
  • I paired it with multiple Nikon Z lenses and tried out the new ME-D10 mic
  • No third-party accessories were available, so I used the camera handheld

I had the opportunity to shoot with the Nikon ZR for half a day ahead of its launch, using it for an indoor stage-lit shoot of a drummer in action.

Nikon supplied an array of Z-mount lenses for the shoot, of which I used a few primes and zooms. The new ME-D10 directional mic was also available on the day.

Nikon doesn’t make its own rigs or cinema camera accessories, relying on third parties such as SmallRig instead. None of these accessories were available to me, so I shot with the ZR entirely handheld, without a grip or rig.

During my limited test time I made sure to shoot in 6K RAW, 240fps slow motion, and to try out various color profiles, focusing on the RED looks.

I have plenty of experience using rival cinema cameras such as the Sony FX3, so I’m well equipped to make an informed initial assessment of the ZR. That said, cinema cameras need to prove themselves as tools their users can rely on shoot after shoot, so check back soon for my in-depth verdict after I’ve spent more time with the camera.

Nikon ZR: Price Comparison



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Creative Stage Pro on TV stand
Product Reviews

Creative Stage Pro review: an affordable soundbar that’s equally at home on a TV stand or desktop

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.

Creative Stage Pro 2.1: Two-minute review

If you’re looking for a very affordable soundbar with a subwoofer, the Creative Stage Pro 2.1 should be on your radar. There are cheaper options available, but most are just a standalone soundbar. And the ones that do come with a sub are most likely from a brand that even a product reviewer like me wouldn’t recognize when browsing the endless options on Amazon.

If most of the best soundbars prioritize performance, features, or price point, then the price point is most important here. The performance of the Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar is fine for a budget-friendly model and a definite improvement on the built-in audio of most flat-screen TVs. The feature set is also somewhat limited, though it does have a trick or two up its sleeve.

Overall, this soundbar is for someone who wants to upgrade their TV (or computer) audio without spending much money, since most soundbars with a subwoofer are going to cost more.

The Stage Pro’s alphanumeric LED display is a rare feature in a budget soundbar (Image credit: Future)

The Creative Stage Pro is not quite petite, but it’s relatively compact at just under 22 inches wide. Its front is rounded and slightly pointed up due to the way it sits on its two attached feet. There’s an LED display that reads out information like volume/settings and source – a feature I appreciate that is strangely missing from many soundbars, including pricey ones.

  • Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar (Black) at Amazon for $169.99

The button layout on the soundbar’s top is pretty straightforward, with a power, volume level, input, Bluetooth, and SuperWide (more on that feature in a bit) buttons. All the basics are there, though you have to use the remote to get more granular in the controls, mainly by adding independent adjustments for the bass and treble, along with the sound mode selector.

The port selection might not wow, but it’s actually fairly robust for such a compact soundbar, with an HDMI ARC input with CEC Control (which lets you use one remote to control both the TV and soundbar), as well as optical digital, AUX, and USB-C inputs. It’s also worth noting that there’s Bluetooth 5.3 wireless support for streaming music.

At just under five inches deep, the subwoofer is also fairly compact, even if it stands a bit tall at 16.5 inches. The sub’s power cord is permanently attached, so if something happens to it, you’ll have to replace the whole subwoofer.

All sound adjustments to the Stage Pro can be made from the included remote (Image credit: Future)

Before I discuss performance, it’s worth noting that there’s a lot of power on tap with the Creative Stage Pro 2.1, which has two 20W channels for the soundbar and 40 watts for the sub, with a peak of 160 watts. This guy will give you more than enough volume, and I actually listened to it at a fairly low volume level setting most of the time.

There’s plenty of low end, though the bass doesn’t quite get that deep. After spending time watching blockbusters like The Batman where everything is always blowing up, it was clear that this system doesn’t deliver a lot of sub-bass – not too surprising when the subwoofer driver is a relatively small 5.25 inches.

As far as the mids go, they’re a bit boosted, and I wish I could back off a bit with EQ settings (something one would find on more expensive soundbars) for a flatter response. Ultimately, I ended up preferring to turn up the treble and bass a little bit and turn down the volume. The high frequencies on cheaper speakers and soundbars typically sound either tinny or muted, but luckily, the Creative Stage Pro has a decent amount of treble detail.

Considering the Creative Stage Pro is relatively compact, the soundstage is pretty narrow. I didn’t hear much in the way of sound effects positioning, whether in the aforementioned The Batman or other media, including some audio test tracks on YouTube.

As is expected at its price point, the Creative Stage Pro’s feature set is pretty minimal. There’s no Wi-Fi streaming or voice assistant support, though there is Bluetooth for wireless streaming.

What the soundbar does have for features is its various sound presets and Creative’s SuperWide Technology. The five presets are the usual variety: Movies, Music, Vocals, and Gaming. I found them to be a bit too subtle to be all that noticeable, though when I selected the Off option, there was a bit of a volume drop.

Of the presets, I wish Vocal – a mode that usually helps with boosting dialogue – was more distinguished, but it’s too small a boost to really help. I also wish there were a Night preset similar to that found on other soundbars that would limit volume peaks and boost quiet parts so you can hear what’s going on while keeping the volume low.

Creative’s SuperWide feature is more interesting. It has three settings, Near, Far, and Off, with Near or Far engaging processing that expands the audio horizontally for a bit of a wraparound effect to create a greater sense of space.

SuperWide is also great for adjusting the sound for use with a computer or a TV, with the Near setting optimized for a desktop installation. When toggling through the two modes, I did get a sense of audio being closer or farther away, depending on the setting. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but a pretty cool one, and a good substitute for surround sound or spatial audio.

Creative Stage Pro 2.1 review: Price & release date

The Stage Pro’s top surface control buttons (Image credit: Future)

  • Price: $139.99 / £139.99 (around AU$220)
  • Date first available: July 2025

Creative has been on the budget audio train for a long time, so a price tag of £139.99 / $139.99 (AU$220) for a 2.1 soundbar system is about what one would expect from the company.

This system might have some limitations, as discussed in this review, but it is among the best cheap soundbars with a subwoofer. After all, when you get down to this price point, you’re either dealing with a very limited package, such as the even more affordable Majority Naga 60, a standalone soundbar that comes with its own performance issues. Alternatively, you’ll have to pay more for the just barely sub-$500 Sony HT-S2000. Of course, that 3.1-channel soundbar comes with Dolby Atmos and has better sound quality, but it’s almost four times the price despite being our top budget soundbar pick.

Should I buy the Creative Stage Pro 2.1?

Ports include HDMI ARC, optical digital and 3.5 analog audio inputs and a subwoofer output (Image credit: Future)Swipe to scroll horizontallyCreative Stage Pro 2.1

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Somewhat limited audio quality and features, but you’re still getting a lot for the price

4 / 5

Performance

The bass doesn’t get super deep, and the soundstage could be wider, but this soundbar will be an upgrade for most TVs

3.5 / 5

Design

A bit utilitarian looking, especially the sub, but it has an LED display and side-firing speakers

4 / 5

Value

Priced just right, especially when you consider it comes with a subwoofer

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Creative Stage Pro 2.1: Also consider

How I tested the Creative Stage Pro 2.1

The Stage Pro with its included accessories (Image credit: Future)

  • Used regularly for several weeks
  • Tested with all sorts of media
  • Tested the different modes

I used the Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar regularly for a few weeks, streaming all sorts of media from old and new movies to TV shows and music. I pressed every button on the remote to check out the different sound presets as well as the Superwide Technology modes.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

First reviewed September 2025

Read more about how we test

Creative Stage Pro 2.1 soundbar: Price Comparison



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NBA 2K26 review | Rock Paper Shotgun
Game Reviews

NBA 2K26 review | Rock Paper Shotgun

by admin


NBA 2K26 review

NBA 2K26 offers some on-court improvements over its predecessor, while its other new wrinkles are a bit hit and miss.

  • Developer: Visual Concepts
  • Publisher: 2K Games
  • Release: September 5th 2025
  • On: Windows
  • From: Steam
  • Price: $69.99/£59.99/€69.99
  • Reviewed on: Intel Core i7-12700F, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti, Windows 11

I regularly go against my best consumer instincts and check out the yearly iterations of sports games. It’s not something I’d likely be doing without some Steam press account magic letting me dodge the yearly cash sacrifice for a game that usually shares a huge chunk of DNA with its direct predecessor; a sense of deja vu is inevitable, unless you’ve been sensible enough to either let a few years pass or wait until you’ve spotted a new feature that piques your interest.

With NBA 2K26, there was one such addition in my mind. As someone who’s been keen to see 2K’s ball-to-basket series get rid of the invisible wall it’d put up between its simulations of men’s and women’s basketball for a good few years, the first-time addition of WNBA players to one of the marquee male-dominted modes caught my attention. Granted, it was MyTeam, the depressing pit in which you fork over either real money or fake money – acquired across hours of grinding – to buy trading cards that may or may not be dished out via something resembling a slot machine.

I wouldn’t be deterred from at least giving it a go, though. Given the nature of basketball, with its emphasis on height dictating different playstyles and requirement for close-knit teamwork, I figured mixing WNBA ballers in with NBA giants might make for a more unique contrast in experience than, say, playing with a mixed team in EA Sports FC.

In practice, I wasn’t disappointed. I opted for a starter pack that gave me the entire lineup of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, then built it out with some extra cards and short-term high overall loanees that leant more female than male, making sure I retained some lads to work into my lineup.

Over the course of some breakout and triple threat park matches, most of which have minimal margin for error despite their less formal trappings, I’ve found getting the right mix of baller genders to be satisfyingly difficult. Naturally, the average NBA squad has a height advantage in any matchup, which can make securing rebounds and scoring close to the basket a very tall order for an all-WNBA squad. So, you’ve got to lean into skill and speed, either by finding ways to quickly streak to the rim in transition (or after breaking a defender’s ankles), or relying on your shots from distance.

In terms of the former, I’ve had a lot of fun with Jordin Canada, whose relentless pace and great handles make her feel like a five foot six Allen Iverson. For threes, I’ve taken to relying on Kayla McBride, while the best all-round package I’ve found has been an 89-rated Kelsey Plum, who excels in both of those areas. In terms of a trios squad, teaming up Plum and McBride with the 85-rated Moses Malone (who you get in the tutorial) made for some fun wins, with the retro big man’s inside defensive presence and rebounding prowess helping balance out the areas that even taller WNBA players like Angel Reese tend to struggle in.

Image credit: 2K / Rock Paper Shotgun

Disappointingly, I’ve found that the teams I’ve gone up against – whether AI or player-controlled – tend to still be mainly blokes. With CPU-controlled opponents, I figure it might be down to a WNBA-heavy squad potentially being an easy win if someone’s decided to play with three forwards or centers, so that’s something devs Visual Concepts will need to address going forwards.

In terms of the on-court action, part of what made those games a blast are the tweaks 2K26 makes to the shooting, rebounding, and movement. I’ve got a more mixed view on the former, which is literally hit or miss. Getting a perfect release, which has been signified by the meter turning green for a good few years now, appears to be easier in a number of 2K26’s modes. Which is a good thing, because the chances of making the shot if you don’t release right on cue seem to have been drastically nerfed. The result is that you get to go on immensely satisfying runs when your shots are dropping, but being on the other side of that and trying to grind out points sometimes feels impossible. Get into a park match against someone who’s got their jumper timings down to a T and has players who aren’t easy to block? You might as well not try on defense.

Going up against the AI makes that less of a concern, and it’s in MyPlayer mode where the game really start to sing. I opted to play as a center, the tallest and slowest player on the court who generally spends most of their time getting physical near the basket. The lingering annoyance of your rookie player starting off as a useless lump that’s a bore to control is still there. They can only be upgraded using the virtual currency, which feels deliberately grindy, and can also be bought using real money because of course it can.

Image credit: 2K / Rock Paper Shotgun

Once I’d managed to get a decent baseline, though, I was flying through the air to catch rebounds, employing the new timing meter to ensure I lept at just the right moment. The jostling under the rim feels nice and weighty, and close-range scoring via layups and post moves now seems as effective if you’re keen to more than a pure slamdunk merchant. What Visual Concepts have dubbed their “MyPlayer Freelance Engine” has also vastly improved your AI teammates’ off-the-ball intelligence, making them much better at picking you out with passes at the right time – without you having to grind the offense to a halt every time via repeated calls for the ball.

This brings me to the narrative of this year’s MyPlayer mode, dubbed Out of Bounds. These are relatively simple, often cliche-heavy tales simply designed to put a bit of story meat on the bones of your created baller’s short journey from nobody to NBA hero. Out of Bounds certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard. With college basketball now back on the map in terms of standalone games thanks to its athletes finally being paid for the use of their names, images, and likenesses, 2K’s NBA game has had to dip back into the bin of royalty-free routes to stardom. As such, after playing a couple of high school games in remote Vermont, 2K26’s MyPlayer jets off to Los Angeles to take part in a club league that’s treated like university ball’s more casual cousin.

To be fair, a single four-game season there isn’t the be-all-and-end-all, with a trip to Europe on the cards as you aim to up your draft stock. Ooh, thought I, 2K have included teams from real-world European basketball leagues in the past, are those back? Sadly not. Instead, you’re suiting up for mirror universe Real Madrid and rubbing shoulders with yet more created players. There are at least nice establishing shots of cities like Malaga and Madrid to make things feel a tiny bit more real. 80% of your player’s dialogue is boasting or pouting, to the point where they feel genuinely unlikeable at certain points, though that’s to be expected. Oh, and the Madrid season’s storyline is mostly based around you earning the approval of a Slovenian teammate whose personality and mannerisms have been shamelessly ripped from GTA IV.

Image credit: 2K / Rock Paper Shotgun

Having had enough of shooting guard Roman Bellic, you may well bolt for 2K26’s array of management modes. Understandable – I’ve spent much of my time with previous NBA games’ equivalents, if only for a reprieve from constantly being advertised at. This time, though, I’ll save you some trouble: don’t bother. Whether it’s MyGM, MyWNBA, or the MyNBA Eras mode that’s essentially been my only excuse for playing more than 30 hours of these games over the past half decade, you’ll be disappointed in how little they’ve progressed.

There are a couple of minor changes. Some new GM scenarios to start from and more of a structure to yearly owner goals. A new expansion team in the form of the Golden State Valkyries. The option to make your Eras sim run slower, but purportedly smarter, or to speed things up and sacrifice some depth of computer thought. The first two are ok, but hardly worthy headliners.

The last one, meanwhile, genuinely seems to have changed almost nothing. Teams with an abundance of players at one position will still trade for, draft, and sign more players at that position without offloading one of their established crop to get better elsewhere. Offseasons still end with very good players left unsigned because computer teams haven’t managed to manage their cap room effectively, making them very easy to pick up on cheap one-year deals once the season kicks off.

That seems particularly problematic when it comes to WNBA sims, with a lot of star players being on short-term deals, meaning plenty of talent can be left on the table amid the bidding wars – then signed for pennies. Computer-made trade proposals do seem a tad more logical this time around, but I still saw instances of teams pulling questionable moves, like trading multiple future first-round picks for one mid-round pick during drafts.

Oh, and you can still phase through your staff in MyGM mode. | Image credit: 2K / Rock Paper Shotgun

All in all, it’s the usual fridge full of good and bad ingredients, making for a soup that tastes slightly different to last year’s – but not noticeably superior. As such, unless there’s a specific change you like the sound of, 2K26 is probably a year to skip. It’s best summed up by its version of The City – the explorable hub where MyPlayers wander around and join impromptu street games. Rather than 2K25’s ridiculously extravagant urban sprawl, complete with pirate ship area, mech workshop and Michael Jordan-themed coliseum, this time, almost everything is tightly packed into a nondescript shopping centre and park.

Am I going against my instincts by preferring when this basketball game had a huge pirate ship, which was likely at least partially responsible for 2K25 taking up about 50GB more hard drive space than the still-almost-100GB 2K26? Almost certainly, yes, but that’s what reviewing yearly sportsathons can do to a guy.



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A Razer Blade 14 (2025) on a desk with its lid facing the viewer
Product Reviews

Razer Blade 14 (2025) review: Still expensive, still amazing

by admin



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Razer Blade 14 (2025): Two-minute review

The new Razer Blade 14 (2025) really wants to be the ultimate portable gaming laptop, and after spending two weeks with it, I can say it mostly succeeds.

Packed into a lightweight 14-inch aluminum chassis, the Blade 14 houses the latest specs you can get for a 14-inch form factor, including AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and up to an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU.

Those updated specs come at a price though, as the model I tested cost $2,699.99 / £2,299.99 / AU$4,144.95 (equipped with an RTX 5070, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD). Entry-level models start around $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, while top-end configs climb as high as $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.

  • Razer Blade 14 (2025) (OLED) at Razer for $2,699.99

What impressed me most wasn’t just raw gaming power—it was how well this machine stayed cool and quiet under load.

Running Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1800p, I averaged around 50 FPS with DLSS and frame generation enabled, though to be honest, you’ll likely want to tone down the RT if you’re gaming at max resolution for best results, regardless of title. For most of the titles tested, you can comfortably get over 60 FPS at 1800p resolution without ray tracing, or about 60 FPS with ray tracing if you use DLSS upscaling.

Equally impressive is the OLED 2.8K 120Hz display. Colors popped, response times were lightning fast, and the DCI-P3 coverage made both games and creative work shine. Add in six surprisingly loud, clear speakers, and I found myself reaching for headphones less often.

The battery life on the Blade 14 isn’t great, lasting about five to six hours in my day-to-day work mix—emails, writing, streaming, light Photoshop—before I needed a charger. While this is pretty decent for a gaming laptop,it’s still not great for day-to-day productivity.

Design-wise, there’s not much to knock here other than the somewhat shallow keyboard and a chassis that picks up fingerprints pretty much instantly. Performance-wise, you’re almost certainly going to get a better value out of Razer’s various rivals, who often offer more raw power for less money. But as a total package, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) easily contends as the best gaming laptop released this year, even if it isn’t spotless.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

  • How much does it cost? Starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95
  • When is it available? It’s available now
  • Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Razer’s website and other retailers.

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) is available now, starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, coming in with an entry-level RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

My review unit, which comes with an RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, comes in at $2,699.99 / £2,399.99 / AU$4,144.95. The top-spec config bumps up the storage to 2TB and the memory up to 64GB for $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.

It’s available in the US, UK, and Australia directly from Razer’s website, as well as major regional retailers like Best Buy and Currys.

Understandably, the Blade 14 isn’t going to be making any best cheap gaming laptop lists anytime soon, given the laptop’s premium pedigree, but it’s still very expensive for what you’re getting. A laptop like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which starts off about $200 cheaper at $2,099.99 in the US (though it is tougher to find in the UK at the moment, and what models are available in Australia end up being more expensive). The US starting configuration for the Zephyrus G14 does get you a better RTX 5070 GPU compared to the Blade 14’s RTX 5060 starting GPU. You can also get up to an RTX 5080 on the Zephyrus G14, for some serious portable gaming power that simply isn’t available on the Blade 14.

You’re ultimately paying the Razer tax here if you opt for the Blade 14, but if you want a Razer Blade laptop, this is pretty much par for the course, and there’s no denying the laptop’s other premium qualities that it brings to the table. Just be prepared to pay the higher bill at the end.

Also, in the US and UK, you have the option to select the Mercury colorway rather than the classic Razer Black, though it is only available on the RTX 5070/1TB SSD/32GB RAM configuration.

Today’s best Razer Blade 14 (2025) deals

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Specs

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

  • Up to RTX 5070 GPU, 2TB SSD, and 64GB RAM
  • AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor
  • Not upgradeable and not a whole lot of configuration options

The starting configuration of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gives you the essentials for modern portable gaming: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. That’s more than enough for strong performance in esports and AAA titles at 1080p, high settings, and medium raytracing enabled when using upscaling, but storage will feel tight if you’re planning on installing a lot of big games.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRazer Blade 14 (2025) base configurationHeader Cell – Column 0

US

UK

Australia

Price

$2,299.99 at Razer

£1,999.99 at Razer

AU$3,599.95 at Razer

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5060

Nvidia RTX 5060

Nvidia RTX 5060

Memory

16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s

16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s

16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s

Storage

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

Display

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

Ports

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

Battery

72WHr

72WHr

72WHr

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

Weight

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

Dimensions

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

The top configuration quadruples the available memory and doubles the storage over the base spec while bumping the GPU up to an RTX 5070 GPU. That makes it a very solid mobile workstation for creatives in addition to being a fantastic 1440p gaming platform in an impressively thin 14-inch form factor.

The one knock I do have on the max spec is that other thin and light gaming laptops, like the Zephyrus G14, do manage to give you options for the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, so those who want even more power do have alternatives to the Blade 14.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRazer Blade 14 (2025) top configurationHeader Cell – Column 0

US

UK

Australia

Price

$2,999.99 at Razer

£2,699.99 at Razer

AU$4,899.95 at Razer

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5070

Nvidia RTX 5070

Nvidia RTX 5070

Memory

64GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

64GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

64GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

Storage

2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Display

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

Ports

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

Battery

72WHr

72WHr

72WHr

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

Weight

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

Dimensions

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

My review unit fell somewhere in between, with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Of the available configuration options, it offers what I think is the best balance between cost and performance.

With this setup, I never worried about performance bottlenecks in games or creative workloads, and the 1TB drive gave me enough space for my go-to Steam titles, currently Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, and a heavily modded Baulder’s Gate 3. But unless you’re loading up on small indie titles, you can expect to have to do some storage juggling for this configuration.

It’s also worth noting that this laptop is not easily upgradable, and the RAM here is soldered. There are also a limited number of configuration options to choose from, so it’s not a very customizable laptop, opting for the MacBook route rather than a more DIY approach.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRazer Blade 14 (2025) review configurationHeader Cell – Column 0

US

UK

Australia

Price

$2,699.99 at Razer

£2,399.99 at Razer

AU$4,299.95 at Razer

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5070

Nvidia RTX 5070

Nvidia RTX 5070

Memory

32GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

32GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

32GB LPDDR5x – 8400MT/s

Storage

1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Display

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

14-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED

Ports

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack

Battery

72WHr

72WHr

72WHr

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

1080p IR w/ Windows Hello

Weight

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg

Dimensions

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

  • Thinner and lighter than Blade 14 2024
  • OLED Display
  • Black finish is a fingerprint magnet

The Blade 14 (2025) doesn’t take any real risks with the design of the iconic laptop model, being more of a modest refinement of Razer’s aesthetic.

The biggest move here is the display, which is a gorgeous-looking OLED panel rather than the more standard IPS of the Razer Blade 14 (2024). It also comes in thinner and lighter than last year’s model, managing to shave off nearly half a pound of weight (about 0.2kg) and shrink its height by just over half an inch (nearly 2mm).

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The CNC-machined aluminum chassis feels solid in the hands, with zero flex in the lid or keyboard deck. It carries that understated “MacBook for gamers” vibe that a number of the best thin and light gaming laptops hope to hit but often fall short of reaching.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The matte black colorway on my review model looks sleek, but it attracts fingerprints almost instantly. I didn’t particularly care all that much, but if you do, expect to be wiping this laptop down almost constantly if you’re sticking with the Razer Black finish.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Port selection is generous for such a compact laptop: two USB4 (with PD, DP2.1, and data), a pair of USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output ports, and a microSD card reader, something creatives will appreciate.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The keyboard offers per-key RGB customization through Razer Synapse, so you have lots of options for customizing the lighting design to your liking. While twinkly, the shallow 1mm key travel left typing feeling somewhat flat compared to a competing MacBook Pro or Lenovo Legion laptop, though the keyboard does feel more comfortable than that of the Dell 14 Premium.

The touchpad, by contrast, is excellent—large, smooth, and every bit as responsive as you’d find on the best MacBook.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The six-speaker setup also deserves mention. I’ve been on a The Sword kick lately, and their entire catalog sounded fantastic, filling the room with surprising depth. Meanwhile, the chaos of Helldiver 2‘s recent updates never sounded better, making it one of the few gaming laptops where I felt I didn’t need to bother with an external speaker or headphones.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The 1080p IR webcam is great, but the lack of a physical privacy shutter isn’t, though you do get the enhanced security of Windows Hello.

Like Razer Blade 14s of the past though, the design of this laptop doesn’t lend itself to much upgradability, so if you’re hoping to spec-up in the future, you’ll need to plan for that at checkout before you buy and configure it for the long-haul.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

  • Phenomenal gaming performance
  • Outstanding creative performance
  • Not always an improvement over previous-gen models

Day to day, the Blade 14 felt like a solid desktop PC stuffed into a svelte, lightweight 14-inch frame, making it easy to carry around with me and get things done on the go.

Over the course of about three weeks (including one week of dedicated benchmark testing), I used it for writing, photo editing, and heavy multitasking and didn’t experience any real hiccups. Even with my downright abusive Chrome-tab-habits, adding Spotify streaming to the mix and some Photoshop and Lightroom exporting sent to the background, the Blade 14 (2025) stayed fluid and never stuttered.

In my CPU benchmarks, the new Blade 14 generally outclassed its predecessors, and while it doesn’t really compete with the performance of the Apple M4 chip for professional workloads, it does generally come in second against Apple’s best mobile workstation.

Naturally, the upgraded Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU in the new Blade 14 beats the last two Blade 14 models, both of which we reviewed with an RTX 4070 GPU. There aren’t a lot of tests where we can use for an apples-to-razers comparison of the GPU in the MacBook Pro 14 and Blade 14, unfortunately, but at least in the cross-platform 3DMark Steel Nomad, it’s not even a contest, as the Blade 14’s RTX 5070 GPU scores about 3.6x better in this synthetic GPU test.

In terms of creative performance, the Blade 14 2025 more than holds its own against its predecessors and its main rival amongst the best Windows laptops for creatives, the Dell 14 Premium, falling behind only the MacBook Pro 14 in my Crossmark Creativity testing, and even then, not by much.

When it came to gaming, though, the Blade 14 really impressed me. At its native 2880×1800 resolution, Games like F1 2024 and Helldivers 2 ran well into the high double and even triple digits on ultra settings with balanced DLSS (not counting Frame Generation), while games like Satisfactory (my personal go-to) stayed above 100 FPS constantly.

Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1080p pushed the GPU hard, averaging around 50 FPS, but enabling DLSS 4’s Transformer model made it silky smooth at 1080p and very playable at 1440p, hovering between 50-80 FPS depending on the DLSS setting used.

Since the base frame rates are north of 50 FPS when using DLSS, you can turn on Frame Generation as well to push that FPS higher to max out the display’s 120Hz refresh without having to worry about input latency, which wasn’t noticeable in my time gaming on the laptop when I used the feature.

The key standout for me though wasn’t just raw average framerates—it was stability on the low-end. Minimum frame rates on just about every game I tested with balanced upscaling were well north of 50 FPS unless I did something like trying to run Cyberpunk 2077 on its max settings with Ray Tracing Overdrive at native resolution.

This means that for pretty much any title, you’re going to get exceptionally smooth gameplay on the go, which is what a laptop like this is really all about.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Battery Life

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

  • How long does it last on a single charge? It lasted about five hours on my standard ‘performance’ test settings
  • Proprietary charger required to charge it quickly, but you can use USB4 for slower charging

The battery life on the Blade 14 2025 isn’t fantastic, but it’s pretty solid for a gaming laptop, especially with some power-saving tweaks.

In my normal test settings, with max resolution and frame rate with the laptop set to Windows 11 Performance mode, the Blade 14 2025 fell behind a lot of other competing 14-inch laptops on the market, as well as its two immediate predecessors, with an average battery life of just five hours and one minute in our Web Surfing test.

It manages to do a little bit better on the gaming battery test, though it still lags behind its immediate predecessors. One thing to consider though is that of all the 14-inch laptops I tested here, only the Dell 14 Premium has an OLED panel to match what the Blade 14 is sporting, while the earlier Blade 14s and the MacBook Pro aren’t bogged down by the OLED display’s higher power consumption.

It is worth noting though that slowing down the refresh rate to 60Hz rather than 120Hz and you turn off the RGB lighting on the keydeck, you can stretch this battery life out to over eight hours.

Also, the Blade 14 2025 comes with a proprietary charging brick and port for the fastest charging and best plugged-in performance while gaming, but the USB4 ports do allow for USB-C charging, just at a slower rate.

Should you buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025)?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)Swipe to scroll horizontallyRazer Blade 14 (2025) Scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

You are absolutely paying the Razer tax here, and you can get the same performance from other laptops for cheaper.

3.5 / 5

Specs

The specs are fairly solid for this laptop, but the lack of upgradability and high-end specs allow rivals to swoop in and offer more for enthusiast gamers.

4 / 5

Design

The Blade 14 2025 doesn’t disappoint with its design, slimming down over the previous year and keeping true to its iconic style.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Fantastic performance all around makes this one of the best gaming laptops for on-the-go PC gamers who don’t want to fuss with a PC gaming handheld.

5 / 5

Battery Life

The OLED panel on this laptop absolutely tanks its battery life, and anyone needing a work laptop for longevity are better off with a Snapdragon X Elite-powered system or a MacBook Pro 14.

3.5 / 5

Final Score

Overall, between iconic style and fantastic performance, the Blade 14 is a phenomenal slim and light gaming laptop, though it’d be great if it was just a bit cheaper considering its rivals can offer similar or better performance for less.

4.5 / 5

Buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025) if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Razer Blade 14 (2025)

  • I spent about three weeks with the Razer Blade 14 (2025)
  • I used it for everyday gaming, work, and creative tasks
  • I ran it through our standard suite of benchmark tests

I had the chance to test out the Razer Blade 14 2025 for about three weeks, which is about 50% longer than I usually have to devote to a single laptop review, so I really got to know this laptop.

I used it for day-to-day writing tasks (including drafting this review), as well as general productivity and creative work, including Adobe Photoshop for editing the photos shown above.

For gaming, I used it extensively as my primary gaming device, focusing on more demanding titles like Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, as well as more requirement-friendly titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong.

I’ve reviewed dozens of gaming laptops for TechRadar over the course of half a decade, ranging from the very best desktop replacements to the best budget gaming laptops, so I know what the market has to offer. I leverage that insight and expertise to help readers by offering the best advice I can on what gaming laptops offer the best value, and which are worth the splurge.

  • First reviewed September 2025

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Price Comparison



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Crusader Kings 3's Coronations DLC debuts to boos and jeers from the Steam review court, largely thanks to "broken" oath breaking
Game Updates

Crusader Kings 3’s Coronations DLC debuts to boos and jeers from the Steam review court, largely thanks to “broken” oath breaking

by admin


I bring ill tidings from the land of folks who’re usually busy stressing about their heirs, sire. Crusader Kings 3’s paid Coronations DLC has arrived alongside the Ascendant update, and I regret to inform you that the little expansion’s immediately been put in the stocks. The rotten tomatoes doth fly towards its bonce, and the resulting juice has turned its Steam reviews a mostly negative shade of crimson.

Coronations was always set to be a relatively minor stop in the Chapter 4 pipeline of DLC Paradox have been gradually rolling out to their regal strategy thing since March this year, especially compared to larger expansions like the beefier Khans of the Steppe and All Under Heaven add-ons, which bookend it on the release timeline. Basically, it makes ascending to the throne more of a big deal than it has been in the past, with a proper party and an oath you take to set a goal to accomplish during your rule. You can leaf through the full notes here.

Watch on YouTube

Given that Paradox were set to charge for those pretty minimal, if important, additions, at least one Reddit seer was predicting a week ago that Coronations might well end up struggling to impress the virtual regents of Steam. It’s currently sitting at a mostly negative verdict from 188 reviews on there, with complaints also having leaked into the top posts of the Redditosphere, so that random citizen’s crystal ball wasn’t playing up. To be fair, predicting a Paradox DLC might be controversial doesn’t exactly make you Nostradamus at this point.

A lot of the objections in these reviews are simply folks arguing that Paradox should have made this update a free one, either because they view it as not offering enough depth to justify the £4.29/$4.99/€4.99 price tag, or because coronation mechanics like these are significant enough they should be rolled into the base game. Much like with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s paid DLC clans, the publishers are being accused of nickel and diming players with their add-ons. On one hand, Paradox have clearly stated what you’ll be getting if you opt to buy the Coronations pack, so you can’t really accuse them of being deceptive. The argument’s whether this is greedy monetisation, and I’d say it certainly lands on the grubby or unneccesary end of the scale.

The less subjective aspect of the negative reception comes in the form of widespread complaints about those new oaths breaking in scenarios when they shouldn’t. I’ve not managed to ensure peace even though I’m not at war. I completed my oath years ago, but have subsequently been told I’ve broken it, and been served the substantial penalties to match. A number of players also reckon the timeframes given are too short, with 20 years to complete three legendary hunts being the main culprit.

That said, some of the examples I’ve read through feel like they can probably be attributed to the normal bad luck or quirkiness you might get when Crusader Kinging. Oh no, I’ve broken my oath of preparing a good heir because my son died and my grandson’s a bit crap. That’s a bit more c’est la medieval monarch vie to me.

This being Crusader Kings, there’s already a mod to disable the broken oath event if you wish. Coronations has also left a plenty of folks concerned about the game’s future. Specifically Paradox’s ability to deliver something good with the much-anticipated All Under Heaven DLC, which is set to expand the map into Asia, letting you lord over the likes of China and Japan. We’ll have to see if the publisher can wrest back the non-reviled DLC crown.



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Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD
Product Reviews

Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD review: Bigger, badder, and better

by admin



Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware


Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In response to Phison’s early and near-total dominance of the high-end PCIe 5.0 SSD market, Samsung came, saw, and…well, tried to put up a good fight with its 9100 Pro. Samsung did a lot of the same things right that it had with the 990 Pro, which was itself a fitting successor to the popular 980 Pro, by producing a fast, efficient, and consistent drive. Only one thing was missing: a high-capacity 8TB SKU designed not only to answer the Black SN850X but to take back the initiative while using the newest flagship hardware.

Samsung is no pushover. Its high-quality flash has great random read latency, something everyone desires, and the company knows how to produce a drive that, at the very least, holds its own in every other metric. The 9100 Pro isn’t the fastest drive, but it is more efficient than any of the high-end SSDs that came before it, and it performed well enough to stay in the fight. It was perhaps a little late to the party, but it has been competitive, especially with Samsung’s aggressive pricing, and we’ve only recently reviewed drives that truly improve upon it.

  • Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD at Samsung for $999.99

Samsung 9100 Pro Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Product

1TB

2TB

4TB

8TB

Pricing (Bare)

Heatsink

$129.99

$139.99

$199.99

$219.99

$399.99

$419.99

$999.99

$1019.99

Form Factor

M.2 2280

M.2 2280

M.2 2280

M.2 2280

Interface / Protocol

PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0

PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0

PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0

PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0

Controller

Samsung Proprietary (Presto)

Samsung Proprietary (Presto)

Samsung Proprietary (Presto)

Samsung Proprietary (Presto)

DRAM

LPDDR4X

LPDDR4X

LPDDR4X

LPDDR4X

Flash Memory

236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8)

236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8)

236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8)

236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8)

Sequential Read

14,700 MB/s

14,700 MB/s

14,800 MB/s

14,800 MB/s

Sequential Write

13,300 MB/s

13,400 MB/s

13,400 MB/s

13,400 MB/s

Random Read

1,850K

1,850K

2,200K

2,200K

Random Write

2,600K

2,600K

2,600K

2,600K

Security

TCG Opal 2.0

TCG Opal 2.0

TCG Opal 2.0

TCG Opal 2.0

Dimensions Bare

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 2.38 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 2.38 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 2.38 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 22.15 (W) x 3.88 (H) mm

Dimensions w/HS

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 8.88 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 8.88 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 8.88 (H) mm

80.15 (L) x 25 (W) x 11.25 (H) mm

Endurance (TBW)

600TB

1,200TB

2,400TB

4,800TB

Part Number

MZ-VAP1T0

MZ-VAP2T0

MZ-VAP4T0

MZ-VAP8T0

Warranty

5-Year

5-Year

5-Year

5-Year

Today’s best Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD deals

Samsung always planned an 8TB SKU for the 9100 Pro, which is why we had the specifications already outlined in our original review. Performance at 8TB peaks at up to 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s for sequential reads and writes, with the ability to handle up to 2,200K / 2,600K random read and write IOPS. The warranty remains at five years with up to 600TB of writes per TB of capacity, and the drive still supports encryption. The only thing we didn’t know before was the price, and Samsung has now put the MSRP at $999.99 for the base drive with another $20 for the heatsink. This level of pricing requires some discussion of its own.

Our table has revised and current pricing for the smaller SKUs, which, unsurprisingly, show much lower prices than the MSRPs from our original review. In the introduction, we discussed how Samsung had to be more aggressive with pricing, given the 9100 Pro’s market position, and this is reflected in the relatively large price swings. While the MSRP on the 8TB SKU may seem high, it’s actually reasonable given the original pricing. Even with the new pricing, it’s only 25% higher per TB than the 2TB and 4TB SKUs, which isn’t a ridiculous premium when you consider there isn’t a competing high-end PCIe 5.0 drive at 8TB right now, and Samsung had to make a double-sided drive with dense flash packages just to make this work.

Does that justify the MSRP? The presence of the 8TB WD Black SN850X, which has been priced very effectively, makes this a harder sell. Yes, you have Gen 5 bandwidth with the 9100 Pro, but you could almost buy two SN850Xs at its price if you consider the lowest sale price we’ve seen for the latter. In our opinion, the 8TB 9100 Pro can command this level of MSRP given Samsung’s name and the fact that the competition is still pushing 8TB back on their roadmaps. We also think Samsung can and will discount this to some extent. So if you’re the type of person who wants the very best right now, you can probably manage the launch pricing. If not, some patience will likely pay off. Otherwise, we still recommend the SN850X, which is a no-brainer at 8TB as far as we’re concerned.

Samsung 9100 Pro Software and Accessories

Samsung continues to offer a download for its Magician software, an all-in-one SSD toolbox that remains the industry gold standard. WD’s Dashboard is also quite good, but not everyone cares about having an SSD toolbox. This type of application is handy for checking drive health and system information, S.M.A.R.T. readings, and more.

Diagnostics and benchmarking are often included, and a toolbox is essential for getting firmware updates or engaging/disengaging drive features. Finally, the best toolboxes – and Magician falls into this category – offer imaging and backup options for your storage. There are free alternatives for this, but this is one of those rare cases where we think the manufacturer’s software gets the job done.

Samsung 9100 Pro: A Closer Look

Image 1 of 2

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

The 8TB 9100 Pro is a double-sided drive with four NAND flash packages. Samsung is forced to go double-sided for this SKU, as the controller and LPDDR4X DRAM occupy considerable real estate. The 236-Layer V8 TLC flash being used is manufactured in dense, 1 TB dies. This means there are sixteen dies per 2TB package, which is an incredible amount of flash to stack. Technically, thirty-two die stacks are now possible, but the yields are poor, and such die density is in high demand for enterprise applications. Samsung has, for quite some time, only delivered single-sided drives, so this departure emphasizes just how strong its desire is to be the first to 8TB.

Sixteen die packages (16DP) have long been the realistic maximum in the consumer space, but it’s much more typical to see eight or octal die packages (8DP) even for high-capacity drives. This is because it is challenging to achieve high yields and maintain acceptable signal integrity with sixteen dies, especially at the higher bus and I/O rates required for the very fastest drives. Samsung uses custom F-Chips inside the flash packages for retiming and control, but we’ve seen external multiplexors used by Crucial in the 4TB T500 and 2TB P510 to help with signal integrity. Depending on the solution, different costs are added as a drawback to reach high capacities with newer, faster flash, so the price premium for this drive is warranted in at least this respect.

The drive being double-sided does mean that some devices will have trouble fitting it, but we don’t think this is necessarily a big deal. The 9100 Pro is a high-end PCIe 5.0 drive, which has limited application in a laptop and other mobile devices, most of which still rock PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. It will probably work fine in that reduced state, and besides, the 990 EVO Plus and its OEM counterpart already fill that role quite well.

We often say that double-sided drives can be trickier to effectively cool, but Samsung has understood the assignment: the 8TB 9100 Pro’s heatsink is designed for double-sided application, given its increased dimensions. We would recommend this high-capacity drive for desktop use, and the heatsink is an easy $20 addition. If you’re already dropping nearly $999 for the drive, a $20 upcharge is trivial.

Image 1 of 3

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

For more detailed and technical explanations of this controller and flash we recommend reading our original 9100 Pro and 4TB 990 Pro reviews, respectively. To provide a succinct analysis, Samsung’s Presto controller on paper overwhelms the early-adopter Phison E26, but faces stronger challenges from the newer Phison E28 and SMI SM2508. These newer controllers are more efficient and can achieve higher performance levels. That said, we remain a fan of Samsung’s complex but polished controller technology as it is highly consistent and mature. Problems that arose with the last generation of drives do remain in the minds of many, however, so perhaps some caution is warranted.

As for the flash, we remain positive about the 236-Layer V8 TLC from Samsung. It was a compromise of somewhat higher random read latency from the last generation in return for benefits in throughput and improved yields. It’s still high-quality flash that is, frankly, the way to go if you seek the highest endurance – overlooking the unfortunate issues with older flash and firmware on the 980 and 990 Pros. We think Samsung has learned from these setbacks and applied the lessons not only to the 9100 Pro but to the 8TB SKU in particular. The internal strategy appears to be to return to form in any way possible.

MORE: Best SSDs

MORE: Best External SSDs

MORE: Best SSD for the Steam Deck

Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD: Price Comparison



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Philips Norelco i9000 Shaver Review (2025): A Close Shave
Gaming Gear

Philips Norelco i9000 Shaver Review (2025): A Close Shave

by admin


You never really expect your shaver to have an opinion about you. And yet here I was, receiving a failing grade from Philips Norelco’s new i9000 Prestige Ultra shaver, released this spring.

According to a phone app paired to the device, I had apparently been using my shaver wrong. I’d pressed too daintily, whispering along my skin too lightly for an optimal shave. My stats were, in fact, downright abysmal. I had applied optimal pressure just 30 percent of the time. By extension, I had probably been using any number of shavers wrong for years, without knowing.

“Let’s try again!” the app admonished me, with hope in its robot heart.

Photograph: Matthew Korfhage

The i9000 Prestige Ultra is, on the face of it, something I would not have expected. It is an AI-trained shaver, offering real-time feedback to guide each user to their ideal shave—both through an app and via a light-ring collar that glows orange, green, or purple depending on how well you’re doing. Just as a great book teaches you how to read it, this shaver apparently teaches you how to shave with it.

My editor was skeptical. ”No shaver even needs an app, let alone one with metrics and judgment,” she wrote when I described it.

Except, the funny thing is, I apparently needed the help. Within a few days, I hadn’t just received a hearty congratulations from my shaver for my “perfect” motion and pressure. I also had achieved some of the closest shaves I’ve ever gotten from an electric device.

I’m not even sure whether I want to be in a relationship with a human barber, let alone an AI shaver. But to paraphrase the immortal Rasheed Wallace, skin don’t lie. And mine was unbothered and smooth to the touch.

The Head Philips

Courtesy of Philips

The i9000 Prestige Ultra, as its lengthy name implies, is Philips Norelco’s current premium shaver. It offers the grip, heft, and balance of any well-made tool, and combines every bit of technology Philips can throw at it. It’s priced accordingly, north of $300.



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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro lens in photographer's hands
Product Reviews

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro review: an incredible wildlife and sports zoom

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.

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: two-minute review

Having shot with the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 zoom, I’m now an even bigger fan of the Micro Four Thirds format for wildlife photography than I was previously. It’s a fabulous lens in every regard, with superb build quality, excellent handling and top-drawer image quality.

Above all, its bright maximum f/2.8 aperture – which is a first for a 100-400mm equivalent lens – delivers super-fast shutter speeds and better light intake than cheaper alternatives, which levels up the kind of telephoto wildlife action it’s possible to capture.

I tested the telephoto zoom with an OM System OM-1 II; together the IP53-rated weather-resistant pairing are impressively lightweight at just 59oz / 1,674g, and deliver incredible image stabilization and subject-detection autofocus performance, especially for birds – the lens’s autofocus can continuously keep up with the camera’s blazing 50fps burst shooting speeds.

I love how the lens balances with the camera, and I happily carried the pairing all day, rain or shine. Its internal zoom further protects against potential dust ingress over the long run, and I’ve no doubt it’ll last for many years of heavy use.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Detail is impressively sharp, even at f/2.8, which is the aperture I used the most. This setting also enables the use of the fast shutter speeds that are crucial for high-speed wildlife photography.

Bokeh at f/2.8 is smooth for the most part, though in some scenarios it appeared a little fussy. Close the aperture down and you lose the circular shaping, and get harder edges instead. Bokeh is fine overall, but this is probably the only real negative to mention regarding optical quality.

Close focusing impresses – just 0.78m at any focal length, for up to half-life-size macro capture.

I do have to get the small matter of the price out of the way at this point. At £3,000 (US and Australia pricing is TBC), the 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro is less than half the price of OM System’s other pro ‘white’ lens, the 150-400mm F4.5, but almost three times the price of the 40-150mm F2.8.

In fact, it’s pricier than similar full-frame lenses – Nikon’s 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S comes to mind. However, considering the features on board, the build and optical quality, and that maximum f2.8 aperture, it’s still decent value, even if many will be priced out.

I can’t fault the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 as an overall package. It’s a superb telephoto zoom, and one that I can only dream will one day live in my gear bag. If you’re a serious wildlife shooter, OM System has produced one of the best camera and lens pairing you can find.

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro specs

Swipe to scroll horizontallyOM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro specs

Type:

Telephoto zoom

Mount:

Micro Four Thirds

Sensor:

Micro Four Thirds

Focal length:

50-200mm (100-400mm effective)

Max aperture:

f/2.8

Minimum focus:

0.78m

Filter size:

77mm

Dimensions:

91.4 x 225.8mm

Weight:

38oz / 1,075g (without collar)

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: Design

  • IP53-rated weather-resistant design, internal zoom
  • Relatively lightweight at 38oz / 1,075g
  • 0.78m close focusing for 0.5x (equivalent) magnification

I can’t find any fault in the 50-200mm F2.8’s design. It’s IP53-rated, and is weather-resistant and freeze-proof to -10C; its internal zoom – a feature you’ll generally only find in high-end optics – is further evidence of its rugged credentials, as it’s one less place for potential dust ingress.

Check out the images below, which show how the lens barrel remains unchanged as you zoom through the focal range.

Considering its features – particularly that focal length and maximum aperture combo – it’s lightweight too, at 38oz / 1,075g (without the removable collar). Paired with an OM System camera like the OM-1 II, the total weight is only 59oz / 1,674g, making for a comfortable all-day carry.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

All the external controls you’d want in a telephoto zoom are here: optical stabilization, manual / autofocus switch, custom buttons, and a focus range limiter.

Focus range can be limited to 0.78-3m, which is handy for macro photography (for which the lens has that impressive minimum close-focusing distance 0.78m), or to 3m to infinity, which is the option I’d pick when shooting telephoto wildlife. A third option is the full focus distance range, which could increase the risk of focus hunting.

The lens is supplied with a tripod collar, and I tend to keep this attached even when shooting handheld, as it provides another point of contact or place to hold when shooting.

Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

There’s no built-in teleconverter, which is a feature you’ll sometimes find in high-end telephoto lenses, including OM System’s own monster 150-400mm F4.5. However, I’d happily use OM System’s 1.4x teleconverter with this lens – I’ve used it before, and I wouldn’t expect to see any significant drop off in image quality.

Adding the 1.4x teleconverter extends the maximum reach of the lens at the cost of 1EV of light, effectively turning this into a 560mm f/4 lens. That’s still seriously impressive, and a better reach for bird photography, where subjects tend to be small and tricky to get close to.

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro: Performance

  • 100-400mm effective focal length with maximum f/2.8 aperture
  • Optical and camera stabilization combine for up to 7.5EV stabilization
  • Sharp detail and, for the best part, smooth bokeh
  • Supports 50fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus

The OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is an impressive performer in every respect. Its autofocus speed and precision are top drawer; when paired with the OM-1 II, it quickly latched onto subjects such as birds, and was able to support 50fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus.

The lens’s optical stabilization can also combine with the OM-1 II’s in-body image stabilization to deliver up to 7.5EV of stabilization.

In real terms, OM System says you can shoot handheld at the maximum focal length, which is 400mm (effective), using shutter speeds as slow as 1/3 sec, and still get sharp results.

Of course, if the action is moving then 1/3 sec won’t be of much use, unless you want to intentionally blur your subject, but static objects will indeed appear sharp based on my testing.

Image 1 of 10

I used the continuous high burst shooting to increase my chances of freezing the action at the right moment in these two scenarios. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

For me, what’s even better to have than the superb stabilization performance is the bright maximum f/2.8 aperture. This enables fast shutter speeds to freeze action, which is personally what I’m looking for a lens like this to do – for wildlife, you can do so much more with a f/2.8 telephoto than, say, an f/5.6 one.

The 100-400mm effective focal length range easily covers a range of scenarios – it’s my go-to range for grassroots sports like soccer, and for large wildlife. To give you an idea of the difference between 100mm and 400mm, I’ve taken pictures of the same scene at those extremes, and you can see some examples in the gallery below.

Image 1 of 6

400mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)400mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)100mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)400mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)100mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)400mm(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

I also explored macro photography with the 50-200mm F2.8, and you can see some of those pictures below. The 0.25x maximum magnification (which is 0.5x full-frame effective) is half-life size and super-versatile – there’s no such full-frame lens with such a feature set.

It was while using the lens to shoot macro, including a dew-covered backlit spider’s web at first light, that I started paying particular attention to the bokeh – the quality of the out-of-focus orbs of light.

At f/2.8 it’s smooth and rounded, but there are scenarios, such as the cobweb shots, where it becomes a little fussy rather than smooth – stopping the aperture down to f/7.1 to increase depth of field revealed polygonal-shaped bokeh. For less extreme scenarios, bokeh quality is pleasant, but I wouldn’t buy this lens solely for that attribute.

Image 1 of 10

I took this photo at f/7.1 to increase depth of field, and you see that the bokeh has hard edges and polygonal shape, produced by the lens’s nine aperture blades. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Here I’ve opened up the aperture and bokeh is rounder, but detail in the spider is softer because of the shallow depth of field. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Where this lens shines is in its wonderfully sharp detail, no matter the focal length or aperture (f/2.8 to f/11, at least). I’ve been really impressed by the quality of detail in my subjects, and I’ve been able to shoot images that simply wouldn’t be possible with cheaper gear, or even with full-frame lenses with darker maximum apertures, like the Nikon 100-400mm.

If anything is holding this lens back, it’s the limitations of the Micro Four Third’s sensor format, which is half the size of full-frame. It’s less clean in low light, and dynamic range is a little limited in high-contrast scenes, like the sunrise shot in the gallery below (scroll past those adorable guinea pigs).

The maximum f/2.8 aperture mostly makes up for any sensor format limitations, though, and in its own right the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is a top-quality telephoto zoom, with no real drawbacks.

Image 1 of 10

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Should you buy the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

How I tested the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro

  • Following an initial testing session with OM System, I used the 50-200mm extensively for an entire week
  • I paired it with the OM System OM-1 II
  • I took telephoto shots of wildlife, macro photos of spiders, and more

I first used the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro at an event hosted by OM System at a wildlife trust in the UK, where I had some hands-on experience photographing exotic birds. I subsequently used the camera over a week-long loan period, paired with the OM System OM-1 II camera.

During my own time with the lens I’ve taken it out for sunrise shoots of birdlife on a common, been captivated by the macro world of insects including backlit spider’s webs, and snapped my family’s pet guinea pigs at last light.

I’ve made sure that all lens corrections are switched off in-camera, shot in both raw and JPEG format, used every key focal length and various apertures, then assessed image quality using Adobe Camera Raw, which has OM System profiles.

  • First reviewed September 2025



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Sony LinkBuds Open buds next to charging case
Product Reviews

Sony LinkBuds Open review: plenty of bass and awesome features, but at quite some cost

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.

Sony LinkBuds Open: two-minute review

The Sony LinkBuds Open are yet another contender in the trendy and ever-expanding world of open earbuds – but they still stand out from the crowd.

This model succeeds Sony’s first attempt at open earbuds, which launched three years ago now, and combines a slightly unorthodox design with a broad feature-set, tuneable audio, and modern controls. With a price of $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, though, there’s a lot of expectation on Sony’s latest open buds – so, can they hit all of the right notes?

Well, I’ll start by talking about my first impressions out of the box. As soon as I unboxed the Sony LinkBuds Open, I was struck by their unusual yet enticing looks. Unlike a lot of the best open earbuds, these adopt neither the clip-on nor the hooked designs that most of their competitors adopt. Instead, each bud has a ring-shaped driver, which lets ambient sound in easily. The batteries are housed in an orb-shaped casing, and wings are attached to these for a more secure in-ear fit.

I’m a fan of the ring-shaped in-ear components – these fit nicely and let in ambient noises without a hitch. Admittedly though, the spherical exterior looks a bit clunky, and although the wings ensure a pretty secure fit, they felt a little peculiar in my ear, which took comfort levels down a bit for me personally. Overall, these should still feel fine in-ear for a few hours, but there are comfier alternatives out there, like the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, for instance.

Something I loved was the charging case. The white color variant has a glossy, marble-like appearance and I appreciate the attention to detail here. It’s worth noting that you can also grab these buds in Black or Violet – the latter being a special edition produced in collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo.

Another thing that really impresses me about these buds is their feature-set, which is bursting at the seams with user-friendly goodness. There’s multi-point connectivity, 360 Reality Audio support, voice assistant integration, and services such as Spotify Tap – all accessible via Sony’s Sound Connect app.

But there’s more! There’s customizable, and surprisingly effective touch controls, DSEE upscaling for lower-quality music files (still looking at you, Spotify), and depth-filled EQ options. There’s Find Your Equalizer – a gamified way to uncover the best tuning for you – as well as presets and a five-band custom option. Combine that with Scene-based listening, head gesture controls, and a wearing condition check-up, and you’re looking at a highly talented pair of buds.

Still, it’s worth flagging that some competitors offer features that have been omitted here. There’s no active noise cancellation – something you’ll spot on a model like the Edifier LolliClip or Honor Earbuds Open – though you probably want to hear your surroundings clearly if you’re buying open-style earbuds. There’s also no LDAC, Sony’s ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth audio codec, but again, the open design here does limit audio capabilities.

Finally, there aren’t any health monitoring options – think a heart rate or blood oxygen tracker (you’d need to look to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for that). But still, you have plenty to play with on the LinkBuds Open, and the companion app is super easy to use.

(Image credit: Future)

  • Sony LinkBuds Open (White) at Amazon for $119.99

A quick note

When I started testing the Sony LinkBuds Open, I encountered some issues, such as a rattling noise in one bud and connectivity issues. Thankfully, we were swiftly presented with a fresh, fully functional unit, but for transparency’s sake, I wanted to flag such quirks. These issues have not influenced my final scoring of the model.

By now, then, you must be wondering how the LinkBuds Open sound. Well, I have mixed feelings about this model. Firstly, it’s worth pre-empting this by emphasizing that an open design means a likely hit to audio fidelity, and typically weaker bass response than you’d expect from earbuds with a seal or over-ear headphones, for example.

Still, I was relatively impressed with the low-end performance of the LinkBuds Open. I tried listening to AAAAA by Kiefer with EQ set to ‘Off’ (flat), and found that the bass rippling through the track was meatier than what the impressive SoundCore AeroClip could offer with default tuning. Was it the cleanest low-end replication I’ve heard? Well no.

In Stepping Out (feat. $Ha Hef) by Jay Worthy and LNDN DRGS, the funky bassline clashed slightly with vocals, which didn’t have quite enough space to breathe. Meanwhile, the palpable sub-bass is pretty understated in The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – though that’s almost to be expected from a pair of open-ears given their technical limitations.

Elsewhere, highs sounded pretty prominent out of the box – but perhaps a little too prominent at times. On occasion, sounds in the treble-frequency edged towards the harsh side of things – though this can be remedied with EQ adjustment in the Sound Connect app.

It’s in tracks more focused around vocal performances, then, where the LinkBuds Open truly shine. For instance, when tuning into Déchire la Toile by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier, gliding keys and emotive vocals sounded clear and controlled, with a pleasing openness to the sound creating a decently immersive listen. Even at higher volumes, there was a solid level of detail on display, though my colleague did note significant sound leakage – not ideal if you’re in the office or on public transport.

All in all, you won’t get that perfectly balanced, beautifully layered audio – and you might want to tinker with that out-of-the-box sound profile. But for a pair of open earbuds, the LinkBuds Open are certainly solid in the audio department, with generally clear, weighty sound.

A few final notes on this open-ear option from Sony. Firstly, you get a pretty standard serving of playtime. You should get around 8 hours from the buds alone, plus an additional 14 with the charging case. During my testing, I found this to be about right – putting them about on-par with modes like the aforementioned Soundcore AeroClip.

And one more thing: there are optional fittings that you can purchase to customize the LinkBuds Open to your liking. These include multi-colored covers for both the buds themselves and the charging case, if you really wanna jazz things up. This level of customizability is admirable, but you’ll have to spend extra to access it.

In the end, then, can we say that the LinkBuds open hit all of the right notes? Not quite – but they still put on a good show. I’m not totally sold on their design and sonically, they’re not as strong as some wireless buds in the same price-range. But still, commendable mid-range performance, fairly meaty bass given the design and lots of EQ options kept me satisfied overall.

Unfortunately, there’s one area where these buds fall down for me: their cost. They’re very pricey for open ears, which already come with some compromises in terms of audio. So, even though they have a deep feature-set and secure in-ear fit, this model’s not quite a slam dunk. If you’ve got a good amount of cash to splash on some open earbuds, these may well be worth checking out, but otherwise, I’d suggest taking a peek at my other recommendations in the ‘Also consider’ section.

Sony LinkBuds Open review: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Waterproof rating

“IPX4 equivalent”

Battery life

8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

(Image credit: Future)

Sony LinkBuds Open review: price and release date

  • $199 / £149 / AU$249.95
  • Launched in October 2024

The Sony LinkBuds Open – or Sony LinkBuds Open WF-L910 as they’re sometimes listed – released at the end of 2024. They have a list price of $199 / £149 / AU$249, which is by no means cheap for a pair of open-ears, though nowhere near as steep as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which launched at $299 / £299 / AU$449.95.

On top of that, I’ve already spotted these on sale in some territories. For instance, they’ve dropped to under £130 / AU$250 on Amazon at the time of writing. You can pick the LinkBuds Open up in a variety of colors, including Black, White, or Violet. The latter is a collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo, and includes custom EQ options which were tuned by the artist and her producer.

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Sony LinkBuds Open?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Wide suite of features and awesome in-app experience.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Generally solid for open ear sound, imperfect yet fairly meaty bass, clear mids.

3.5/5

Design

Not the most elegant looking, just OK comfort, but secure fit and appealing case.

3.5/5

Value

Despite good overall performance, these are expensive against similar quality rivals.

3/5

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Sony LinkBuds Open: also consider

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Sony LinkBuds Open

Anker Soundcore AeroClip

Huawei FreeArc

Price

$199 / £149 / AU$249.95

$129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210)

£99.99 (about $130 / AU$210)

Waterproof rating

“IPX4 equivalent”

IPX4

IP57

Battery life

8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)

8 hours (earbuds); 24 hours (with charging case)

7 hours (earbuds); 23 hours (with charging case)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.2

Weight

5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)

6g (per bud); 42g (charging case)

8.9g (per bud); 67g (charging case)

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

How I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open

(Image credit: Future)

  • Tested across the course of multiple weeks
  • Used in the office and while out and about
  • Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open over the course of multiple weeks while in the office, at home, and out on walks.

For the most part, I listened to music with the buds via Tidal, though I occasionally dipped into a few tracks on Spotify. During testing, I made sure to run through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library.

Where appropriate, I compared the LinkBuds Open against rival models, such as the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, which helped me to assess aspects like audio performance and comfort.

  • First reviewed: September 2025
  • Read more about how we test

Sony LinkBuds Open: Price Comparison



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