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IMSI Design FloorPlan Pro during our review
Product Reviews

IMSI Design FloorPlan Pro 2025 review

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Home design apps and tools are plentiful these days, and you’ll find loads f options for designing interior and exterior spaces online, on your desktop, and on mobile devices. IMSI Design FloorPlan Pro offers high end options for your desktop.

I was keen to see how this professional design tool compared to the best interior design software I’ve tested – especially considering the company behind it is also responsible for the excellent TurboCAD.

FloorPlan Pro; Pricing & plans

  • It’s not the cheapest 3D home design software out there, but it promises to offer a wealth of features, which you can try free for 15 days

As for this writing, although FloorPlan Pro is available for both Macs and PCs, the former hasn’t been updated in years, and we’ve been told a brand new version is just round the corner. As such, we’ll be focusing our attention on the Windows version.


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FloorPlan Pro is the high-end version of IMSI Design’s 3D home design family, the other two being “FloorPlan Deluxe”, and “FloorPlan Instant Architect”. As such it bears the highest price at just under US$280.

With it, you’ll get over 1,000 3D interior design furnishings and materials, over 4,000 plants for landscaping, foundation and HVAC planning tools, advanced dimensioning tools, the ability to import your own materials, backgrounds and plants, and much more.

This is a big software package and you may feel you need time to explore it and make sure it offers all the features you’re after. Thankfully, IMSI Design allow you to try their program free for 15 days.

FloorPlan Pro: Quick Start

The Quick Start section helps you design the overall structure of your buildings in minutes (Image credit: IMSI Design)

  • A great way to quickly and easily create the basic outline of the building you’re about to create

There’s little doubt that FloorPlan Pro is replete with powerful features, and is designed with someone who’s serious about 3D home design in mind. However, despite that, the software is also designed to be as approachable as possible, and this is made exceedingly clear from the outset, thanks to the Quick Start section, which greets you when you launch the software.

This enables you to create the bare bones of your building in next to no time: to the right is a sidebar containing various generic rooms, such as a Kitchen, a Bedroom, a Garage, and so forth. Drag them onto your blank canvas (pretty much the rest of the interface), resize them, place them next to others, and within seconds, you’ll have created the outline of your building.

Now, you can’t do much else with this section – you can’t even add windows or doors – that’s for later on – but it does let you get started at lightning speed. Once you’re happy with the results, click on ‘Continue’ to access the ‘proper’ interface.

FloorPlan Pro: Interface

The interface feels crowded, and a little dated, but everything you need is only a click away (Image credit: IMSI Design)

  • The interface feels crowded as there are buttons and icons on every edge of the screen, but everything is well organised and it won’t take you long to figure out where everything is and make good use of the available tools

FloorPlan Pro’s main interface is pretty busy, although well organised, despite the fact it looks antiquated and could do with a more modern lick of paint. You have alignment controls at the bottom, a series of cursors offering different functions to the left, and at the top, all the tools you need to design your home, organised by category, with ‘Floor’ being selected by default.

That section contains the tools you need to build walls, add windows and doors, insert stairs, railings, columns, and more. Other categories allow you to work on the foundations, add a roof, design the electrics and plumbing, work on the ventilation and air conditioning, add a deck, landscape the outside, etc. It’s incredibly full featured.

If you’re unsure what a tool does, just hover over it for a couple of seconds, and a detailed tooltip will appear telling you exactly what it does, and how to use it. Some even include a short animation to explain the concept more clearly.

By default, you’ll be working in a traditional 2D view, but you can also add a 3D view to the mix, which you can explore in parallel. You can use it to navigate through your design, select items and such, but you cannot manipulate your work from there.

When it comes to making alterations, the interface is very responsive: click on an object to select it, and drag it to move it around or resize it. We did notice however, that unlike other competing products, when you reposition a wall, adjoining walls aren’t resized and repositioned at the same time to accommodate that wall’s new position: you need to work on each in turn.

It’s cumbersome if you’ve grown used to the other way of working, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker, especially if you like more precise control over your project.

FloorPlan Pro: Tools

Hover over a tool for it to reveal what it does. Some even include a short animation to explain how they work (Image credit: IMSI Design)

  • There’s a lot of tools at your disposal, and once you’re used to the interface’s layout, you’ll start enjoying the creation process

As mentioned above, you can find the tools along the interface’s edges, and once you’ve gotten used to their location, accessing the right tool when you need it becomes second nature. In fact we found designing a project to be pretty easy considering the number of available options – not as easy as the “Quick Start” feature, mind, but still, it can become an immersive experience, as you focus on your design.

Working primarily in 2D to create your project might be viewed as a drawback, but there’s an inherent simplicity to the concept that we ended up enjoying the process, occasionally switching to 3D to see how it was all shaping up. The biggest drawback though is that you need a large screen, especially with the 3D view activated, as it can overlap with the rest of the interface and all too easily gets in the way, especially when you’re furnishing your building.

Altering the topography is done through the 3D view (Image credit: IMSI Design)

When it comes to furnishings and materials, everything is located in a drop down menu to the right. All items are organised by category which you can explore, or just use the search field to quickly find what you’re looking for, which you then click and drag onto your design.

We really liked the landscape feature, and can understand why FloorPlan Pro have so many available plants for you to populate your grounds with. The versatility is immense, even allowing you to create uneven ground, creating a much more realistic look for the surrounding area; you can even build a house, cut into a hill for instance, and turn the garden into a dense forest.

The 3D view truly comes into its own when altering the landscape, as this is where you get to change the topography with the various available tools.

Should I buy FloorPlan Pro?

Image 1 of 3

FloorDesign Pro has thousands of objects you can use to furnish your home(Image credit: IMSI Design )Use the 3D view primarily to explore your design(Image credit: IMSI Design )The landscaping is a big part of this software, allowing you to create complex exteriors(Image credit: IMSI Design )

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a professional-grade home design program, with a vast array of features and options, and don’t mind the somewhat dated interface.

Don’t buy it if…

You prefer creating, designing and altering your house in a 3D environment, or feel you need an interface that looks a little more modern.

For more design essentials we tested the best landscape design software and the best architecture software.



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Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine Review: Beginner’s Luck
Product Reviews

Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine Review: Beginner’s Luck

by admin


I really, really appreciate Ninja’s take on the Luxe’s milk steaming system. Some automatic espresso machines incorporate a container of milk that has to be brought back and forth from the refrigerator, like the ones from this list. The Luxe, however, keeps it classic with a pitcher that you simply add milk to and a wand that begins steaming at the press of a button, another reason why it’s great for those who want barista-quality coffee drinks without all the guesswork.

You can manually steam milk if you so choose, or you can steam milk to four programmed settings, and this includes a cold foam. There’s also a setting for a plant-based option, and the Luxe adjusts automatically to this. I had little to no issues with this milk frother and enjoyed the opportunity to practice some latte art, even if the pitcher’s spout isn’t ideal for it.

Quirks and Quality

The Luxe has a removable hopper and rapid heat-up time, which are fantastic. To the left of the machine is where much of your coffee’s assembly happens. Before you grind your coffee, you’ll place a funnel on the portafilter to keep it in place. Unfortunately, after a couple months of use, the funnel’s plastic corners are chipping.

When not in use, there’s a designated spot for the funnel on the left side of the machine alongside the pressure-click tamper. I really like this tamper, as tamping is something I often overthink (Am I creating enough pressure? Do I have an even surface?), and the Luxe’s is designed for you to apply the ideal amount of pressure.

The water reservoir doesn’t come with a filter, unfortunately. As for the drip tray, it’s easy to remove and clean. An orange notch pops up when the tray needs to be emptied. On average, I empty the drip tray every four to five drinks. A handful of times the machine has leaked, even with the drip tray being empty.

A shelf allows the Luxe to accommodate your 2-ounce espresso shots but can be removed to allow room for a travel mug as large as 18 ounces. One common gripe about the Luxe is that despite the portafilter having two spouts, there is not enough room to accommodate two espresso cups on the shelf or drip tray, which is strange. However, one of the biggest misses on this machine is that there’s no hot water spout, something I particularly enjoyed with a machine like the De’Longhi Magnifica Start.

My beef with many Ninja kitchen appliances is that sometimes they try to do too much, like the cooler with an added “frost vault.” The Ninja Luxe Cafe feels different, however, considering how intentional it was in competing with other new-age espresso machines. Pulling espresso is solid and, while occasionally inconsistent, delivers an overall smooth and robust shot. The drip coffee was good, not great, and the cold brew can be bitter since it uses the room-temperature water from the filter.

Like many Ninja products, the machine sits in a weird space. A coffee purist may choose a straightforward machine without all the assists of the Luxe, while a true beginner may not feel comfortable investing in the Luxe’s “all-in-one” style. Nevertheless, it’s an overall quality piece of equipment at a fair price that makes me view the Ninja brand with respect when it comes to its coffee game.



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F1 25
Product Reviews

F1 25 review: a worthy, but safe entry

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F1 25 is the latest instalment in the officially licensed EA Sports and Codemasters-developed racing series. And while there are certainly some welcome additions to this year’s game, it gives off the feeling of a more iterative upgrade than we’ve seen for the past few titles.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: May 30, 2025

I still very much enjoy these games as a Formula 1 head, and fans of the sport will find plenty to like about this year’s release. The return of the Braking Point campaign mode is a highlight, once again offering a surprisingly compelling story with a roster of charismatic characters.

Changes to the My Team career option are also very welcome. While it’s not quite the major overhaul I was hoping for (and falls short in some regards), it’s absolutely much less of an afterthought now and well worth playing alongside a single driver career.


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On top of that, the new decal editor is a lovely addition, giving you even more freedom to customize your car liveries. All welcome features for a series that’s routinely found itself in our best racing games guide.

The game also benefits from current-generation exclusivity, as some tracks have been fully redone via LIDAR scanning. While it’s only a handful of circuits at this time, they undoubtedly appear much more detailed and lifelike than in last year’s game.

But even with these new additions, F1 25 can’t avoid being strikingly similar to the last few games in the series, most notably F1 24 of course. That is the nature of annual releases, sure, especially those in the EA Sports stable. But it leaves F1 25 feeling a little like it’s going through the motions once you’ve experienced the handful of new additions. I’m really hoping that, alongside the sport’s real-world regulation changes in 2026, Codemasters’ next entry can provide a more noteworthy shakeup to the long-running franchise.

A Butler’s life

(Image credit: EA)

I think it’s fair to say that F1 25 has plenty of content to enjoy for those who prefer to play solo. And if this is your first time with a Codemasters F1 game, I highly recommend checking out the new Braking Point campaign.

Braking Point follows the trials and tribulations of the fictional Konnersport racing team, which assumes the role of the eleventh outfit on the grid. This latest entry follows the team through the 2024 and 2025 seasons, as they rise from midfield giants to genuine title contenders.

The highlight of Braking Point is its story and cutscenes, which are brought to life by a roster of very talented actors. This third entry is also the most compelling yet, and I found myself consistently rooting for Konnersport as it’s repeatedly hammered by all manner of setbacks and controversies.

Braking Point also doubles as a pretty excellent tutorial. Each chapter focuses on a specific track and introduces concepts like mechanical failures, red flags, pit stops, and team orders in an accessible manner.

There’s some replay value to go around this time, too, as certain story beats will allow you to choose one of Konnersport’s two drivers – Aiden Jackson and Callie Mayer – for certain chapters. Such decisions will have an impact on your team’s reputation, performance, optional objectives and how the team is viewed in the news and on social media.

At around 5-6 hours, it’s a well-paced, compact story mode and does well to get new players up to speed with the game, all while providing a compelling narrative. For me, it’s the best thing about F1 25, and I hope Codemasters explores more story mode opportunities like Braking Point for future games.

Wheel knowledge

(Image credit: EA)

It’s also worth hopping into the My Team career mode this year, as F1 25 has provided it with a much-needed upgrade. It’s not quite the overhaul that you might’ve hoped for, but it does at least make the mode worth playing alongside the Driver Career mode, which had its upgrade in last year’s game.

A somewhat in-depth setup process will have you pick your team principal from a variety of preset avatars. There’s a greater selection of these in F1 25 (for both your principal and player-created drivers, which is great), even if you won’t see them much during the career mode itself.

You’ll then get to pick your starting budget, managerial style, and car development progress, each with three presets. From there, you’ll pick a title sponsor, your engine provider, and your two starting drivers.

Said drivers are where this My Team overhaul shows its first fumble. No matter your starting budget, you’ll only be able to choose two of six F2 drivers, which are seemingly picked at random. If you wanted Victor Martins or Franco Colapinto, but didn’t get them in your list, then you’ll need to back out and start a fresh save. You can’t even poach any F1 talent, instead having to initiate driver talks with them, which take place throughout your first season.

The actual managerial side of things does fare better. Research and development have now been split into two, meaning you actually have to build new upgrade parts after they’ve been researched. You’ll often find yourself having to choose which of your drivers receives these upgrades on their cars, too. Especially if, say, you only have the budget to build one part, or you choose to build two, and one of them gets delayed.

Best bit

(Image credit: Electronic Arts / Codemasters)

I’ve always been a fan of Codemasters’ Braking Point campaign series, and it’s back with a third outing in F1 25. It feels like the end of the trilogy here, and it once again impresses with excellent cutscenes, acting, and a compelling raising of the stakes. There’s even some replay value incentivized this time, as you’re able to choose which of Konnersport’s drivers you control at certain points in the campaign.

Much like Frontier’s excellent F1 Manager 24, you’ll also need to spend money on upgrades that benefit the wider team. These come in personnel, engineering, and financial upgrades and can greatly benefit you in the long run. I personally prioritized getting engineering up to speed, with perks that allowed me to research and develop multiple parts at once. This was crucial in my first year with a backmarking car that was in desperate need of performance upgrades at the tail end of this set of regulations.

The most compelling thing about My Team 2.0 is that the whole thing feels like a balancing act. Even something as simple as deciding which of your two drivers to control for a race weekend has some strategy to it. For example, if one of your drivers has been stuck at the back for a few weeks, it could have a seriously negative impact on their morale. So, taking manual control of them for a better chance at scoring points can do wonders for their mentality and future prospects.

I ended up liking My Team 2.0 even more than the Driver Career overhaul of last year. Especially so in F1 25, where Driver Career remains pretty much exactly the same – even with the same (frustratingly unskippable) introductory cutscene.

Thankfully, racing solo in general feels overall better in F1 25. That’s largely thanks to some AI improvements I’ve noticed in my time with the game. Computer-controlled drivers now seem to get much better launches off the starting grid, meaning you’re less likely to immediately overtake a whole bunch of them before turn one. They also defend their positions better at higher difficulty levels, and aren’t averse to risky overtakes when DRS is enabled down a straight.

Something on the scanners

(Image credit: EA)

F1 25 also benefits from the introduction of LIDAR scanning for a handful of circuits. This is a process that involves the team taking laser scans of some real-world tracks for a heightened level of detail and realism.

Five tracks have been given the LIDAR treatment in F1 25: Albert Park, Suzuka, Bahrain, Miami, and Imola. There is a noticeable bump in visual fidelity on these circuits. Grass, curbs, and road surfaces all appear much less flat. On top of that, there’s a ton more in terms of trackside detail.

There have been more visual improvements with the drivers, too, who now look more like their real-world counterparts than ever before. Smart upgrades like this ensure that the series is well-positioned to improve its graphics over the next few years, and I’m hoping Codemasters keeps the momentum going.

Now, this does mean there is an obvious discrepancy between LIDAR scanned tracks and those that are yet to receive it. Furthermore, I did spot some very distracting visual bugs on some circuits where objects would sporadically flicker in and out of existence. It’s not every track, but it made racing at Circuit of the Americas, Mexico City, and Zandvoort, among a couple of others, more painful than it needed to be.

Should I play F1 25?

(Image credit: EA)

Play it if…

Don’t play it if…

Accessibility

F1 25 once again has plenty of accessibility and assist options for players of all stripes.

As always, you can set the intensity of steering and brake assists, as well as traction control and whether you want elements like safety cars and pit stops to be automated or not. There are some handy subtitling options here, too, letting you adjust their size and background opacity. Multiple languages are also supported for team radio messages.

Racing wheel players aren’t being left out, either. F1 25’s control settings support many of the best racing wheels. That also includes PS5 racing wheels and PC racing wheels, with options to adjust overall steering sensitivity, force feedback integration and more.

How I reviewed F1 25

I clocked in 25 hours of F1 25 on PS5. That included several hours dedicated to the Braking Point campaign, seasons with My Team and Driver Career, and some time in the challenge-based F1 World mode, which remains largely unchanged in this year’s entry.

I primarily played with a DualSense controller on an LG CX OLED TV, occasionally hooking up my RIG 900 Max HS gaming headset to experience more immersive audio while driving.

First reviewed May 2025



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BeLight Software
Product Reviews

BeLight Software Live Home 3D review

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.

Do a little search online and you’ll find a plethora of 3D home design software. BeLight Software’s Live Home 3D aims to provide a solution no matter which platform you’re on: the company has apps for your Mac or Windows computer, iOS or Android phones and tablets, and even the Apple Vision Pro.

For the purposes of this review, we’ll be looking at the desktop versions to see how this popular tool measures up to the best interior design software we’ve tested.

Live Home 3D: Pricing & plans

  • A limited free version, a 30-day money back guarantee for the other tiers, with clear information about what’s included in each, and no need to hand over your payment details or email address to check the software out

Live Home 3D comes in three versions. One is free and two must be paid for. The free one has severe limitations: you can only design building with up to two stories, for instance, you can’t create custom materials, nor can you edit the terrain outside of your building; your renders and video walkthrough will be watermarked, and limited to 720p for videos, and 2048×1536 for stills.


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The Standard version removes many of these limitations: you can now work with an unlimited number of levels, and your renders are no longer watermarked, for instance. This will currently cost you $50 for a lifetime licence.

Pro is worth $100, also for a lifetime licence, and introduces the ability to work on the terrain, alter lighting, change camera settings, edit materials, and increase the resolution of both videos and images.

You’ll also find discounts for students, and members of non-profit organisations.

BeLight also offers a 30-day money back guarantee. One thing worth noting, Unlike Macs who have a dedicated free version, Windows users can download the Standard version for free, and have an in-app purchase to unlock features beyond those available in the free version.

Downloading the software is easy. You’re not asked for any payment information, and you’re not even required to hand over your email address. Can’t really get less obtrusive than that.

Live Home 3D: Interface

Live Home 3D’s interface is simple and well-designed, with icons at the top and sidebars on either side (Image credit: BeLight Software)

  • A single interface, with icons at the top and sidebars on each side, Live Home 3D also comes with a wealth of templates and canvases of different sizes should you prefer to start working from scratch

Live Home 3D sports a very simple and elegant interface. You have a row of tools at the top, a sidebar on the left, where you get to choose items and materials, as well as seeing a list of objects you’ve added to each floor, and an Inspector to the right, allowing you to access all of a selected object’s parameters.

In many ways, the software looks deceptively simple. You can easily start designing a building in seconds, adding walls, doors, windows, and furniture with ease, but the number of values you can alter is huge, all located in the Inspector section, giving you full control over the look of your creation, should you wish to be meticulously precise.

When creating a new document, you’re given a few options in terms of scale: do you wish to build a single room, an apartment, or a house? Either would work to start with, but this just sets the basic size of the canvas you’ll be working on. You’ll also find a wealth of sample designs for you to explore and get inspired by, be they single rooms, houses, apartments or cottages. All these templates are free, save for the ‘Additional Houses’ which offer more ‘exotic’ designs (who lives in a pineapple house, I ask you), and are available via a separate purchase.

Live Home 3D: Tools

Moving walls is as easy as clicking and dragging, and all adjoining walls are automatically resized to accommodate the new position (Image credit: BeLight Software)

  • The tools are excellent and extremely easy to use, along with a wealth of parameters you’re free to use or ignore

We’ve explored many 3D home design packages, from simple free ones, to the best architecture software for professionals. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, but it really feels to us that Live Home 3D has combined the best of most of these.

Erecting walls is incredibly easy. Not only is it a simple click and drag to add one, you can also just click on a wall and then drag it to alter its position. Any adjoining wall will be altered as you do this, saving you a lot of time. Even better, if you add a new wall close enough to an existing one, Live Home 3D is clever enough to understand you want those two walls to join, and does this for you automatically.

Doors and windows snap to walls automatically as you drag them near one, and this also works with angled walls. It’s like you’ve got an intelligent assistant just waiting to help make your design work so effortless. Of course, just like walls, you can resize doors and windows by selecting them and dragging their edges inwards or outwards. More precise alterations can be done via the Inspector panel on the right.

Just above the Inspector are the view modes. By default you’ll be working on a top-down 2D view, but you can opt for a 3D view instead, or split your workspace into two to see both at the same time. We really liked that you can alter and manipulate your design in any view, although 2D is where you will be doing most of your work, as that’s where all options are available.

Live Home 3D: Objects

Live Home 3D has a ton of objects you can add to your projects, from doors to sofas, and everything in between (Image credit: BeLight Software)

  • Live Home 3D has hundreds of materials you can use to decorate your home and customize its furnishings

Live home 3D offers a wealth of objects you can add to your projects, all located in the left sidebar, and broken down by categories – although there’s also a handy search function, to make finding what you’re after so much easier.

When you’ve found what you’re looking for, just drag it onto your project. You have resize and rotate handles around the item, so you can position it exactly where you need it. You’ll find a ‘Glue by’ option in the Inspector, which is preset for each item (although you can change that should you wish).

This tells the software where to drop the object. A sofa, for instance, needs to be on the floor, whereas a ceiling light will automatically attach to the ceiling.

If you can’t find the object you’re looking for you have the ability of importing your own files, or get additional ones from the Trimble 3D Warehouse (you’ll have to create a free account there in order to do so).

Adding objects is one thing, but you need the ability to customize them as well, and Live Home 3D definitely has your back there. The left sidebar stores hundreds of different materials, also organised by category, which you can add to any object, wall, or floor, or anything that’s selectable, really. And you’re not limited to using these materials in ‘traditional’ ways. Want a sofa made of grass on a leather floor? Go for it.

Live Home 3D: Renders

You can create an unlimited number of renders, with a choice of two render engines (Image credit: BeLight Software)

  • Two render engines to create an unlimited number of images for you at various resolutions. Works well, as long as the ‘Radeon ProRender’ doesn’t crash on you like it did us

One thing we quite liked is, although your renders are watermarked for the Free version, and the size is limited to 2048×1536 for Free and Standard, you can create as many images as you please.

That watermark, it’s fair to mention, is massive and right in the middle of the image – there’s no getting away from the fact this was generated by the free version of Live Home 3D. You also have two render engines to choose from, ‘Radeon ProRender’ and ‘Cycles’.

However, the Radeon option crashed on us every time we tried using the former through our computer’s Radeon GPU. Bypassing the GPU and working solely with the CPU worked without a hitch. We found ‘Radeon ProRender’ took longer to render, but produced finer detail.

Should I buy Live Home 3D?

Image 1 of 2

Although you work in 2D by default, you can also switch to 3D and make alterations from there(Image credit: BeLight Software)Customize objects, walls, and everything else, by changing its material covering(Image credit: BeLight Software)

Buy it if…

You need a simple to use 3D home design software with a myriad of options at your fingertips, should you need them, and a wealth of customisable objects you can add to your projects.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re not into home design, don’t like having so many optional options, and would rather have an interface you can wrestle with.

For more pro-grade design tools, we reviewed the best landscape design software.



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Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent Review: An Ultralight Summer Shelter
Product Reviews

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent Review: An Ultralight Summer Shelter

by admin


Finding the right tent for a backpacking trip is always tricky. You have to balance packed size and weight against livability and how well it stands up to wind and rain. I’ve always erred on the side of a sturdy tent over any weight concerns, which is why I love the Hilleberg Akto, but I don’t always need the Akto.

There is a short season in my neck of the woods called summer, when storms are less likely, and the temps don’t drop much below the 60s. This is when I’ve been using the Lunar Solo, Six Moon Design’s flagship ultralight 1-person tent. After several late and early summer trips around the north woods of Wisconsin and Michigan, it’s proved itself a capable shelter. It weighs just two pounds, packs down quite small, and checks a whole lot of other boxes on my tent wishlist.

Plenty of Space

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

There is no one tent to rule them all and trying to find one is a mistake. You’re better off with two tents, knowing the limitations of each and using each when it’s the best for the job. Which is to say, I love the Akto, but I also think Six Moon Design’s Lunar Solo is excellent for summer trips when you prize traveling light over withstanding intense storms.

That’s not to say the Lunar Solo won’t keep you dry. It will. The silicone nylon, or silnylon, is plenty waterproof, though you’ll either need to seam seal it yourself with some Seam Grip, or have the Six Moon Designs do it for you before they ship it, which costs $35. My testing tent arrived seam sealed, but being old enough to remember when you had to seam seal just about every tent, I’ve done it enough times to say it’s not hard should you choose to DIY it.

The Lunar Solo is single wall, single pole tent intended to be pitched with a trekking pole. This makes for a very small and light tent, but also has two potential drawbacks: structural integrity and condensation. More on those in a moment. Once pitched, the Lunar Solo offers 26 square feet of living space, a peak height of 49 inches, and the vestibule offers 8.5 square feet of additional gear storage. Overall I found the Lunar Solo to be plenty spacious for one person with gear. The rear wall expands out slightly, giving you a place to stash frequently needed items without pushing them up against the tent wall.

The 20D silnylon and mesh walls feel as durable as anything you’ll find at this weight, unless you want to go with a Cuben Fiber/Dyneema tent, but to my mind the high price of Cuben puts it in a different category. The floor of the Lunar Solo is a more robust 40-denier (40D), and has a bathtub shape to help ensure water doesn’t get in. The rear of the Lunar Solo has a 6-inch mesh portion between the floor and the main wall that helps with ventilation.

Any single pole tent is going to struggle in wind, no matter how many guyline points it offers. I did find the Lunar Solo compressed a good deal when I pitched it in high winds on the exposed shores of Lake Superior. It was admittedly not a great campsite from a seeking shelter point of view, not one I would pick if I wasn’t testing the wind resistance of a tent. But it did convince me that the Lunar Solo needs either a trekking pole or a heavier tent pole than the ultralight pole Six Moon Design provided (I did a good portion of my testing while bikepacking so I didn’t have trekking poles).



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The AKG N5 on a stone wall
Product Reviews

AKG N5 review: impressive noise-cancelling earbuds, but make sure you get them at the right price

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AKG N5: One minute review

When I’m testing new earbuds, and considering if they deserve a shoutout for our list of the best earbuds, the first thing I do is look at the price to set expectations – but for this AKG N5 review, I found two.

There’s the official list price, which sets you up for these buds to be powerful premium players, but I was also tripping over discounted prices, with the N5 seeing some hefty discounts since launch. So while I’ll test these as top-end earbuds, I’d be remiss not to point out that you can buy them for less – and you should, as they present fantastic value for money with a reduction.

The AKG N5 are the latest pair of wireless earbuds from originally-Austrian audio company AKG (which is owned by Harman, which itself is owned by Samsung). AKG puts out wireless headphones only sparingly, with its website populated almost entirely with professional wired headsets and microphones.


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And it’s clear that some of that ‘professional’ DNA is present in the AKG N5 because there are loads of features which are helpful in such a setting: a USB-C dongle included in the case lets you easily (and temporarily) connect to any laptop, tablet or similar device, while call tone settings basically act like an EQ but for incoming voice calls. There are also loads of ANC settings for people who work in busy offices.

Suffice it to say I was impressed by the feature suite of the AKG N5, but not just as someone who himself tries to drown out the infuriatingly-loud team seated next to him – they’re all features that will be handy to regular buyers, not just office-locked ones.

Another strength of the AKG N5 is their audio chops, because the buds offer expressive and clear audio with plenty of detail and texture. A few more in-app modes (sorry to mention features again) let you carry out a sound test or tweak the sonic offering to your pleasure.

Some people may be put off by the AKG N5’s design. It’s true the case is pretty huge, the build quality feels iffy, and the earbud controls are hard to activate when you want to and easy to activate when you don’t. The battery life that won’t last a full day of work might also put some people off.

But it’s easy to overlook these issues if, like I said, you’re able to find a good deal on these buds. And that shouldn’t be hard given I found it more of a chore to find their actual original price rather than the current one. The N5 are fine value at their official price – but discounted, they’re a steal.

AKG N5 review: Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component

Value

Water resistant

IP54

Battery life (quoted)

6 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

6g / Charging case: 48.4g

Driver

10mm

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Price and availability

  • Announced in September 2024
  • Priced at $299 / £249 / AU$309
  • Readily available for under $250 / £199 / AU$250

The AKG N5 were announced in September 2024, at IFA 2024, as the latest entry into the brand’s line-up of earbuds. At the time of writing they’re the company’s only competitor for the best wireless earbuds.

At launch, the AKG N5 cost $299.95 / £249 / AU$309, which makes them a premium audio offering. However it’s worth pointing out that I could easily find it sold online for a discount of $60 / £50 / AU$65, so you’ll easily save money if you shop around.

Lowered price or not, these are still premium earbuds and we’ll treat them as such. Included in the box you get the buds, case and dongle as well as a USB-C to USB connector and some bud tips of varying sizes.

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Features

  • Poor real-world battery life
  • Range of ANC options
  • Useful dongle connector

The AKG N5 connects to your phone via Bluetooth 5.3; initial pairing for me was quick and easy, and during testing there were barely any drop-outs or stutters.

You can also easily connect to new devices via a dongle included in the charging case; plug this into any device, and the N5 will stream audio from that.

The dongle is a USB-C one, though an adapter included in the box lets you plug it into standard USB ports. This is a really handy extra for people who own multiple devices and can’t pair to all of them, or who use unfamiliar devices on occasion. As someone who owns (and tests) too many gadgets, I found it incredibly handy.

9 times out of ten, this dongle worked well, however now and then I’d find the headphones would re-pair with my phone even if the dongle was connected to another device. One thing to note is that it did sap the battery of the device it was connected to: fine for gadgets plugged into an outlet, frustrating for my iPad.

Battery life is a weak spot for the buds. AKG predicts a 10-hour battery life… if you listen to music with ANC turned off, and that drops down to six hours with ANC on, or even lower if you’re talking or using the dongle.

However, in my testing I was lucky to get anywhere near six hours of listening time, and I’d usually have to charge after four and a half or five hours. That’s not just below what’s promised, it’s way below average.

(Image credit: Future)

The case itself contains four full charges for the buds, however long you make that.

So should you turn off ANC to preserve battery life? Well you can, but it’d be a shame, because the AKG N5 have fantastic noise cancellation – my usual ANC test is how well it drowns out the trains that commonly pass my house, and when testing the N5, I have no idea if it passed because I could never tell if trains had passed.

ANC is complicated here, though. There are three modes: standard, Ambient Aware and TalkThru (as well as off, obviously). TalkThru boosts nearby voices so you can hear people and Ambient Aware does a similar thing for background voices, with a slider letting you fiddle with the intensity of the effect.

In standard ANC mode you can toggle Adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings, and turning it off presents you with a slider to change the intensity yourself. There’s also Auto Compensation mode which tweaks with ANC depending on your ‘wearing and ear canal status’, whatever that means.

(Image credit: Future)

Suffice it to say that every time I was presented with the ANC part of the AKG Headphones app I was scratching my head at all the options presented to me – and that’s really the theme of this companion app which bombards you with options. This’ll be pleasing news to tech-heads, but horrifying for technophobes.

Let’s fire through some of the features and settings: SilentNow turns off music and ramps up ANC to help you focus or study; Smart Audio & Video adjusts sound stage based on whether you’re listening to music or watching a video; the equalizer has a load of presets or lets you customize your sound on a 10-band EQ; various call settings let you change how you or a caller sound on the phone; and Right/Left Sound Balance does what it says on the tin.

These are as well as all the standard app modes: gesture control customization, a find-my-buds feature, and a fit test.

The app also gives you the option to toggle Hi-Res Audio, but turning this on precludes you from several other features, including Spatial Sound and Personi-Fi. This latter is a lengthy audio test that presents you with a bespoke equalization fit for your music, and I don’t know any audiophiles who don’t appreciate this kind of feature.

If you’ve skimmed that list you may have noticed something I want to explicitly commend: there are loads of options with small or large accessibility use cases here, which is always great to see.

AKG N5 review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

  • 10mm drivers
  • Balanced sound profile
  • Textured audio in high-res mode

Whether you’re listening via Bluetooth or dongle, with Hi-Res Audio on or instead Personi-Fi enabled, there’s one thing that’s hard to deny: the AKG N5 sounds great.

The sound profile is lovely and balanced, with well-defined bass sitting comfortably alongside clear treble and distinct mids. I didn’t feel the need to touch the equalizer as I liked the default mix, and wasn’t losing any instruments to overbearing bass or treble.

It’s easy to hear the texture in each instrument with the N5: I could make out the ripples of reverb on vocal lines to the flick of a bass guitar string being strum, and the audio lines were all spread out enough to make them distinct and clear (although I have tested buds with a better soundstage).

If I have to say one bad thing about the buds, it’s that audio sounds precision-tuned but not very energetic – they helped me really appreciate great songs sonically, but didn’t always make me feel like rocking out to them.

  • Sound performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Design

  • Chunky and cheap charging case
  • Lightweight and comfortable buds
  • Annoying touch controls

Perhaps because it contains a dongle, the case of the AKG N5 is a little on the larger size, and I’ve seen some people online criticize its bulk. Honestly, it’s not that big, and doesn’t allay the space-saving advantages of earbuds like this over full-on headphones or open earbuds with a a wraparound design – plus they’re light at 48.4g.

But I did notice the thing in my pocket when I was walking – it’s on the larger end of the scale.

What’s arguably worse about the case is its build: the plastic feels cheap, groans under slight pressure and picks up fingerprints readily. However AKG has it certified at IP52, which protects it from limited fine particles and sprays of water at certain angles. I can’t remember the last time I saw a charging case with an IP rating, so it’s a welcome spec.

Now onto the earbuds: these are buds with stems, but with a bigger bud and shorter, flatter stem than on your generic AirPod doppelgänger. They have an IP54 rating so they’re a little better protected against water than the case.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is (Image credit: Future)

Due to the tips material being quite smooth, when I first started testing the N5, it constantly felt like they were on the verge of falling out of my ear. Two weeks on and that hasn’t happened yet, but I’ve still been too apprehensive to take them on a run, cycle or any kind of activity which might actually cause them to fall to the floor.

At least the buds are lightweight, so when I was sitting still, they were comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They weigh 6g each which is comparable to rivals.

Each bud has a touch-sensitive area over the ‘A’ of the AKG logo, which lets you control music playback; by default the left side toggles ANC and Ambient Aware, while the right one is for play and pause.

It took some time getting used to tapping the right spot when I was wearing the buds, and there’s a noticeable delay in the gesture being picked up – more than once I got caught in a loop playing or pausing a tune, thinking that my touch hadn’t been picked up, and constantly flicking between the two.

An even more annoying issue was that it’s very easy to accidentally press the button when you’re trying to readjust loose buds.

You can pick the AKG N5 up in white or black, and your choice affects both the buds and the case. As you can see from images, I tested the black pair.

AKG N5 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

While it’s not easy to make reasonable argument for $299 / £249 / AU$309 earbuds being good value propositions, it does bear repeating that these things have been seeing increasing discounts over their first year of existence.

The AKG N5 aren’t bad value for money by any means, with their top-notch audio and range of useful features justifying the price, but they’re far from bargains either (except in Australia, where they’re much cheaper than elsewhere).

That certainly isn’t the case if you can find them for below about $200 / £180 / AU$300, which would make them a really tempting alternative to earbuds that are usually priced in that area.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the AKG N5?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

Comment

Score

Features

There are so many features that it’s hard to get your head around them all. Battery life isn’t amazing though.

4/5

Sound

The N5 offered a lovely balanced sound that lets you hear the texture and sound stage of your music.

4/5

Value

By default they’re not especially competitively-priced, but discounts help.

3.5/5

Design

A few small design problems affect the user experience, but they’re still great to wear.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component

AKG N5

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Water resistant

IP54

IP57

IP54

Battery life

6 hours (earbuds), 32 hours (total)

7 hours (earbuds), 30 hours (total)

6 hours (buds); 30 hours (case)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

6g (buds)

5.4g (buds)

5.3g (buds)

Driver

10mm

10mm dynamic driver + planar tweeter

11mm

How I tested the AKG N5

(Image credit: Future)

My testing process before writing this AKG N5 review took two weeks. I tested them alongside their contemporary siblings, the AKG N9 Hybrid over-ear headphones, and I’ve tested a huge number of earbuds recently to compare them against.

I connected the AKG N5 to a range of devices including my smartphone (via Bluetooth), my desktop PC (via dongle) and my work laptop (again via dongle) with a roughly 50/50 split between Bluetooth and dongle listening.

I also split my Bluetooth listening time roughly equally between Hi-res Audio and Personi-Fi (and other feature) modes, bearing in mind that you can’t have both enabled at the same time.

My listening was done in a range of environments including at home, on public transport, in my office and on walks around my borough – and following TechRadar’s testing guidelines for earbuds.



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Bring Her Back review: A different kind of trauma from the Philippou brothers

by admin



With Bring Her Back, Aussie duo Danny and Michael Philippou show they’re far more than one-trick ponies. The harrowing tale of grief and its ensuing desolation is far more bleak than you may expect. It’s a film that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.

Talk to Me set the horror genre alight in 2022. The debut feature from ‘Radelaide’ twins, YouTubers known as RackaRacka, left moviegoers stunned. Its vile body horror, supernatural themes, and overall sense of dread made it a viral success and box office smash hit all the same.

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Of course, a sequel was quickly greenlit, but rather than playing it safe with an immediate follow-up, the Philippou Bros. branched out. Bring Her Back is now their second project, and while it shares many of the same hallmarks with its sickening violence and otherworldly frights, it comes as a surprising pivot.

Where Talk to Me was an easy share, a film you could recommend to just about anyone, Bring Her Back isn’t. It’s a far more dire journey devoid of hope, one that leaves you with that indescribable dirty feeling you just can’t wash away. Yet despite its narrower focus, it’s another excellent bit of horror that proves the directing duo is here for the long haul and that everything they put out is well worth your attention.

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What is Bring Her Back about?

Filmed in the twins’ home state of Adelaide, Australia, Bring Her Back is effectively a close-up on grief and how it manifests in different ways for all of us.

Having recently lost her daughter, Laura, played by the indomitable Sally Hawkins, takes custody of two new children, Andy and Piper. Upon arriving at Laura’s house, however, Andy begins to notice a few cracks in the seams.

What really happened to Laura’s kid? Who is this other mute child hanging around the property? Why is there a white circle surrounding the house? And what’s with the crazy VHS tape collection?

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These are questions we’re left to ponder as the violence ensues and the terror takes center stage. Looking to complete a demonic ritual at any cost, Laura is hell-bent on getting her way.

Will the circle be unbroken?

At the heart of this film is a cycle of domestic abuse. It’s in presenting this theme that Bring Her Back is its most powerful, yet most uncomfortable. We see multiple instances of violence against children. Some younger, some older, but all children nonetheless. It’s hard to watch, and at times borders on excessive, but it’s in pushing to be better, to overcome their trauma, that we connect with the film’s characters.

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Older step-brother Andy, played by Billy Barratt, and his younger half-sibling Piper, portrayed by Sora Wong, are the standouts. Yes, the Oscar-nominated Sally Hawkins is bloody brilliant too, really, she’s in peak form here, but the rest of the young, relatively inexperienced cast rise to match her.

We feel their grief, we share their unsettled thoughts, and we’re deeply moved by their unique bond. When harm is brought to one of them, it’s hard not to think of the despair it brings to the other. And trust me, they’re placed in plenty of traumatic situations.

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The first half of the film, however, doesn’t leave out a bit of fun. For Aussies in particular, there’s a lot to love about the authenticity here. Not only do The Veronicas get a moment, but even true blue icon Nollsie tags in. Growing up hearing this music blaring over the school speakers when recess was ending made this film a real trip.

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DexertoBeing in Australia, our preview screening hosted a number of cast and crew members.

Much like Talk to Me, there’s also a degree of the supernatural on display throughout Bring Her Back, but it’s the way the directors leave certain threads up to interpretation that makes the experience all the more frightening.

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Not every part of Laura’s gruesome scheme is spelled out for the audience, and that’s why it lingers in our minds. Our curiosity gets the better of us. We can’t help but ponder how this all came to be.

Witnessing a horrific ritual unfold is only part of it though. Much of the tension stems from Oliver, a mute child with an insatiable appetite. Why the heck is this kid so hungry all the time? Oh… oh, that’s why.

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Piecing the clues together only makes matters more dire as the movie rolls on. There’s truly no silver lining, no subtle undertones of optimism. It’s a grim tale designed to make you unsettled, and boy does it accomplish that with flying colors.

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Unconstrained body horror

While it never quite matches the sheer spookiness of Talk to Me, it doesn’t feel as though Bring Her Back is trying to. Rather than jump scares, this outing is about building tension to reach an often disgusting crescendo.

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There’s a lot happening here, and not a lot of it pleasant. One particularly grotesque sequence reminds us why we learn from a young age how to use cutlery the right way. Vile sound design compounds an already stomach-turning visual to really get your heart racing in one of the more memorable scenes of body horror in quite some time.

A24Witnessing Oliver’s journey is a test of endurance more than anything.

Let’s just say, there was a fair bit of foot traffic in our preview screening after that moment, but that was far from the only instance. It’s an uncomfortable experience most of the way through, with a few disturbing highlights to keep you up at night.

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Bring Her Back review score: 4/5 – Great

When the credits rolled on Bring Her Back, my first thought was just how bold a pivot it was for the Philippou brothers. Of course, it shares plenty of the same DNA as their first outing on the big screen, but it’s an entirely different journey.

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With that said, while it certainly won’t be for everyone, it’s a fantastically made piece of cinema that, if you’re willing, will drag you straight down to hell with it.

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Sony WH-1000XM6 review: The best wireless headphones for almost everyone
Product Reviews

Sony WH-1000XM6 review: The best wireless headphones for almost everyone

by admin



Sony WH-1000XM6

MSRP $450.00

“Sony’s best ANC headphones so far are brilliant in almost every way.”

Pros

  • Fold-up, fold-flat hinges
  • Premium-feeling materials and finishes
  • Increased comfort, more secure fit
  • Top-notch sound quality
  • Excellent noise canceling/transparency
  • Great for calls even in noisy places

Cons

  • No USB audio
  • Awkward, Android-only Auracast
  • Limited spatial audio

“Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.“

In some ways, Sony didn’t need to update its flagship wireless headphones. Even as of May 14, 2025, one day before the official launch of the WH-1000XM6, you’d have been hard pressed to find a list of the best wireless headphones (including here at Digital Trends) that didn’t put Sony’s WH-1000XM5 in first place. This, despite the fact that the XM5 are now three years old, and virtually all of their competitors have been update during that time. That’s how good they still are.

But we all have a tendency to gravitate towards the newest, shiniest object, and besides, for all of its merits, the XM5 did have one or two areas that needed improvement. So here we are.

Let me cut right to the chase. The WH-1000XM6 are amazing. Stellar. The best. And if I’m being honest, you should just buy the WH-1000XM5 while they’re still available. Here’s why.

Design

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you’re looking for an excuse reason to buy the $450 WH-1000XM6, look no further than their updated design. Sony may claim otherwise, but this is where you’ll find the biggest difference between them and their predecessors.

I’ve always liked the look of the XM5, but now that I’ve laid my eyes on the XM6, I can’t unsee the areas where the XM5 feel a little cheap. For the XM6, Sony has found a plastic formulation that doesn’t look or feel like plastic at all. It’s more like synthetic stone, and it gives these cans an upscale vibe that the XM5 were aiming for, but never quite hit.

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The earcups are now seamless, solid shells, their matte surfaces interrupted only by the eight microphone openings. But even these are beautifully crafted, with flush-mounted metal grilles instead of gaping holes. The earcushions are now much easier to remove.

The hinges are also remarkable. When you look at the AirPods Max, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, or the WH-1000XM5, you realize that when you connect a headband to a set of earcups via a single point of contact (instead of the usual yoke approach), you tend to sacrifice the ability to fold up and fold flat, leaving a less compact shape.

Sony’s new hinges bring back that missing second axis of movement without resorting to the older, yoke-style architecture — which Bose opted for on its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

The other significant change is the headband. It’s now wider, better padded, and asymmetrical. The first two are all about enhanced comfort, but Sony hopes the asymmetrical shape will help folks figure out the headphones’ orientation a little faster. Sonos did the same thing on the Ace headphones, but in both cases, I find it easier to just look at the earcups (if the two control buttons are in my left hand, I know they’re the right way ‘round).

Oh, and let’s give Sony some serious props for giving the XM6’s travel case a quick-release magnetic closure. So much better than a zipper!

Sony WH-1000XM6 specs

Price
$450

Weight
8.96 ounces

Form factor
Closed-back, over-ear

Noise cancellation
Yes

Battery life
40 hours per charge (ANC off), 30 hours (ANC on)

Charging
USB-C

Voice assistant
Native smartphone access
Hands-free Google Assistant (Android only)

Multipoint
Yes

Spatial audio
Yes (with head tracking, Android only)

Hi-res audio
Yes (wired/wireless)

Fast pairing
Google Fast Pair

Bluetooth/codecs
BT 5.3 with AAC, SBC, LC3, LDAC

Auracast
Yes (Android only)

Comfort, controls, and connections

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The headband isn’t the only change for comfort’s sake; the earcushions are also more generously padded. Sony has upped the clamping force, too, and the result is a more secure fit that remains very comfortable, even for several hours in a row. I don’t really get the whole full-size over-ear headphones thing at the gym or while running, but I know there are many who do. If that’s your thing, the XM6 are a better choice than the XM5. Just remember, they have no official IP rating for water or sweat resistance.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that the XM6’s clever new hinge design relies partly on a spring-loaded mechanism, similar to the one Apple uses on the AirPods Max. This puts the pivot point where the hinge meets the earcup, as opposed to the XM5’s mechanism, which puts it at the midpoint of the earcup.

For me, it creates a small but perceptible gap between the bottom of the earcup and my head, unless I extend the headband sliders more than feels normal. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, it’s just something to be aware of.

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The XM6’s controls are almost identical to the XM5. The right earcup gives you physical buttons for ANC mode selection and power/pairing, while the left is touch sensitive for playback and volume gestures. The one difference is that you can now enable a microphone mute function via the ANC button while on a call.

It’s a very intuitive setup and works brilliantly. The only drawback is that XM6’s controls aren’t cold-weather friendly unless you have capacitive-compatible gloves.

Still, unlike the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones (which also use touch-based gestures for some or all controls), Sony gives you an alternative: hands-free voice commands.  If you enable them in the Sound Connect app, you can say, “Hey, Headphones,” followed by “play song,” “pause song,” “raise the volume,” etc. Basically, everything you can do with a gesture or button, you can do with your voice, and it’s seamless. The one caveat is that you must choose between Sony’s voice commands or button-based access to your phone’s voice assistant (or hands-free Google Assistant on Android).

Sony’s Bluetooth connections are always rock solid, and the WH-1000XM6 are no exception. When using an Android phone, Google Fast Pair makes pairing very easy (plus it adds the XM6 to Find My).

Multipoint lets you keep the cans connected to two devices simultaneously, and the Sony Sound Connect app makes managing those devices a breeze.

Sound quality

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the biggest reasons Sony’s 1000X series has dominated lists of the best headphones over the years is their sound. These cans have always provided powerful, precise, full-frequency sound, with plenty of detail. The XM6 are no exception.

What these new cans bring to the table are subtle improvements in clarity, especially through the midrange — traditionally the hardest part of the frequency spectrum to achieve additional detail.

You can think of it as peeling back another layer of onion skin.

When Sony introduced the XM5, it shifted slightly away from the XM4’s bass-forward balance to a more neutral tuning. Curiously, even though the XM6 is a twin to the XM5 when it comes to sound signature, that added level of detail and nuance helps low-end bass feel tighter. It’s not more prominent — again, the balance is almost identical — but you can hear the improvement in separation from the lower mids.

Sony offers a variety of EQ presets and customization options in the Sound Connect app as well as its “Find My EQ” personalization test, but I ignored them all — the company’s factory tuning is that good.

All of this to say, if you like the XM5, I think you’ll like the XM6 even more when listening critically, particularly if you have an Android phone and take advantage of Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth codec.

And if you’ve never tried any of Sony’s flagship headphones, prepare yourself to be wowed. They’ve always been a top-notch choice, and the XM6 are the best so far.

The one thing I wish Sony had included is USB Audio. In this price range, it’s nearly ubiquitous — even Apple added it to the AirPods Max, and that company has a track record of being slow to adopt new tech. USB Audio would give the XM6 a truly lossless connection with support for hi-res audio up to whatever Sony’s built-in DAC can handle (likely 24-bit/96kHz or better). For such a great-sounding set of cans, this feels like a real oversight.

Spatial audio

Sony WH-1000XM5 (top, black) and WH-1000XM6 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

New for the XM6 is the ability to spatialize any stereo sound using the Sound Connect app’s listening mode settings. Sony calls it 360 Reality Audio Upmixing and has decided that it should be all about making video content more immersive. It even calls the spatial audio mode “Cinema.”

Despite the name, it works on any audio — not just movies or TV — and in typical Sony fashion, it’s masterfully executed. The soundstage opens up, getting wider, deeper, and even a little taller, and there’s a greater sense of spatial separation between audio elements like vocals and instruments. Most importantly, Sony’s processing mostly avoids the unpleasant level changes that lesser spatial systems often produce. In the worst versions, bass can become smeared, and vocals lose much of their presence. Sony’s Cinema keeps things focused. Stereo purists aren’t going to love it — there’s no avoiding the sensation that you’re listening to processed sound — but if you dig that more immersive sound, Sony’s version is a lot of fun.

Sadly, iPhone users will have to satisfy themselves with a “static” spatial presentation. The XM6’s head tracking is only enabled via Android 13 or higher. For music, I don’t think it matters. For Sony’s cinematic ambitions, however, head tracking is the key that unlocks the sensation of sitting in a home theater. It keeps the relative position of each virtual 5.1 speaker locked in space — turning your head makes it feel like you’ve turned away from the central source of dialogue right in front of you.

It’s not as effective as Apple’s version using the combo of an iPhone or Apple TV 4K with a set of AirPods Max or AirPods Pro, and it’s currently limited to just a few services like Netflix and YouTube.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Active noise cancelling (ANC) on the XM5 is already excellent. In fact, the only headphones that can beat them are Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. For the XM6, Sony went all out to change that ranking, giving the new cans more microphones (12 vs 8) and seven times faster ANC processing.

These changes give the XM6 an edge over their predecessors, and I’d even go so far as to say that in certain circumstances, where external noises tend to be highly variable, they do a slightly better job than the QuietComfort Ultra. But for pure, brute-force destruction of constant droning sounds like in an airplane cabin or on public transit, the QuietComfort Ultra still reign supreme.

However, if you’re very sensitive to ANC side effects (some people report an unpleasant, sucking sensation), you may be better off with the WH-1000XM6. Sony’s ANC system may not cancel quite as much noise as Bose’s, but it’s also gentler on your ears.

Sony WH-1000XM6 (left) and WH-1000XM5. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Transparency mode is also excellent, giving you a nearly perfect reproduction of the outside world. Are the WH-1000XM6 better than the AirPods Max and QuietComfort Ultra? No, but you may still prefer Sony’s version, which slightly boosts the higher frequencies associated with speech, instead of going for a completely natural passthrough.

I think what I like most about Sony’s ANC and transparency is how quickly you can shift between them — it’s nearly instant.

You can also turn on Sony’s Speak-to-Chat feature, which switches to transparency mode automatically when it detects you speaking. It’s very clever but your mileage may vary: I couldn’t find a setting that reliably detected my voice without being triggered by false positives like clearing my throat.

Call quality

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

At the risk of sounding repetitive, calling on the WH-1000XM6 is also a subtle improvement over the XM5, which were already pretty darn great. I’d say the biggest difference is that the XM6 preserve more of your voice’s natural sound. There’s better tonality and less sibilance on all of those ess-sounds.

The XM6’s ability to cancel background noise remains top-notch. Your callers will likely never know you’re walking past a construction site.

For the first time, Sony has added a mic muting option, which is very handy. Just keep in mind that your phone app probably won’t reflect these mode changes (the iPhone doesn’t), so you’ll have to remember which mode you’re in.

You can switch to transparency mode at any time to hear your own voice more clearly and Sony includes a specific voice boost option in the app to help with that if you need it.

The only wireless headphones that are better for calls are JBL’s Tour One M3.

Battery life

This might be the one area where Sony has made no improvements at all. Playtime with ANC on is rated at 30 hours and 40 when it’s off. One minute of charging buys you an extra hour of operation, but a full charge still takes about 3.5 hours.

Does it matter? I doubt it. When it comes to battery life, more is always better, but I think most folks can get through 99% of their lives on 40 hours or less.

The one big improvement is that you can now charge and use the XM6 simultaneously, something no previous 1000X series can do.

Extras

Sony WH-1000XM6 (left) and WH-1000XM5 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The XM6 are the first of their kind to support Auracast, which is great. Unfortunately, it requires manually shifting to LE Audio within the Sound Connect app, then switching to the Android Bluetooth menu to find and connect to a local Auracast broadcast, which is a pain in the butt. Also, iPhone users are out of luck.

This is disappointing to me. Much like Sony’s spatial audio feature, it feels like a half-measure. Moreover, we know that better is possible — JBL’s Tour One M3 suffers from none of these limitations.

Sony has given its Adaptive Sound Control feature (which turns ANC on/off based on activity) a boost with its new scenes feature. You select from different scenes like running or going to the gym, and then choose the time and place associated with these activities and what you’d like to listen to (on an iPhone, your choices are Apple Music, Spotify, or Endel). I appreciate that Sony wants to build some intelligence into the listening experience, but I don’t find these features especially useful.

Conclusion

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are a meaningful upgrade from the company’s WH-1000XM5, and take their place as the best overall wireless headphones I’ve ever tested. They’re not perfect — no USB audio, a bizarrely awkward Auracast setup, and spatial audio that can only be used to its fullest on Android, are drawbacks that must be considered, especially given that Sony has increased the price of its flagship cans to $450.

I acknowledge that none of these issues stopped me or anyone I know from enjoying the XM5, and in all of the other areas that matter (sound, ANC, design, and comfort), the XM6 are a stellar choice.

Bose is still better overall for noise canceling, but the XM6’s real competition comes from its own predecessor. Now that Sony has discounted the XM5, and will likely keep prices low until it runs out of stock, you’d be well advised to consider that model before buying.





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Thrustmaster T128 on desk with pink background
Product Reviews

Thrustmaster T128 review: a very capable wheel for the price, but don’t expect a premium design

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.

Thrustmaster T128: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T128 is a budget racing wheel designed for those after a beginner-friendly experience. Its looks are fairly underwhelming, with its outdated gamer stylings failing to make a great impression. The wheel itself is quite small and has a thin rim, which will suit some hands more than others.

In terms of premium design, the T128 falls short of what some rivals have to offer. While it’s certainly not flimsy, it’s hardly a premium feeling unit, with cost-saving materials employed all over.

It is at least quite light and small, which helps make installation and setup easier compared to some of the best racing wheels. I also found the clamping mechanism much better than those used on other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried.


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However, installation is hampered somewhat by the awkward placement of the ports, which are inaccessible when the wheel base is clamped down. This means any time you want to remove or reconnect the various cables, you’ll have to uninstall the wheel altogether, which is inconvenient.

What’s more, the T128 won’t install on certain dedicated stands, such as the GT Omega Apex I have, since there are no screw holes for fixing the wheel base directly to it.

Once installed, though, the T128 is quick to get going. For Xbox users, it’s a simple case of plug-and-play, although firmware updates do require a PC tool. There’s also a tool for making force feedback and other tweaks, with a generous selection of parameters considering the budget nature of the T128.

The T128 is even better in action. I was pleasantly surprised by just how responsive and connected it feels, making it joy to race with. The force feedback settings, as with other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried, are too strong on their highest settings for my liking, although here it’s perhaps a little weaker than usual.

The T2PM pedals are nice and light, which makes them easy to use, although the brake pedal lacks resistance, which can make it difficult to gauge how hard you’re pressing it. It’s still usable enough, though, and I didn’t have an issue with the relatively cramped layout of the pedals either.

All things considered, the T128 offers plenty of fun for the money, undercutting many other wheels and even outperforming some of Thrustmaster’s more expensive offerings. It might not have a standout design, but there aren’t too many wheels at this price that offer such a good time.

(Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster T128 review: Price and availability

  • $‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)
  • Available now
  • Cheaper than many rivals

The T128 costs $‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312) and is available now. A PlayStation compatible edition is also available. This makes the T128 one of the cheapest in Thrustmaster’s line-up, and one of the best Xbox racing wheels for those on a budget. I was more impressed with it than the T300RS, for instance, which is considerably more expensive yet underperforms by comparison, although its design is more premium.

If you’re looking for another great value racing wheel, the Logitech G920 is another very capable option. It’s still considerably more expensive than the T128, but the build quality is far superior, and the performance is excellent in all aspects.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

Peak torque

2Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Connection type

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Software

Thrustmaster Control Panel

Thrustmaster T128 review: Design and features

  • Cheap but functional
  • Light and easy to install
  • Software tool more advanced than it looks

The T128 doesn’t make a great first impression. Its material feels cheap, and the styling is quite outdated, with a few touches that pander to the gaming crowd, harking back to a bygone era.

The wheel itself is small and the rim quite thin, which would make it ideal for younger players and those with smaller hands. As a whole, the unit is also very light, which makes it easy to install and move around, and yet it feels surprisingly sturdy at the same time.

It’s a similar story with the T2PM pedal set, which is also very light and small, meaning the layout might be a little too cramped for some. However, it managed to stay planted on the carpeted surface I used it on, and appears more durable than you might expect.

One gripe I have with the pedal set, though, is its length. It’s too short, which meant I couldn’t trail it behind my desk; instead, I had to let it dangle right beside me, which isn’t ideal.

Another drawback of the T128’s design is the poor port placement. When the wheel base is clamped to a desk, the ports are inaccessible, which means you have to attach the various cables prior to installation, making the process a little more awkward. It also means you have to unclamp the wheel any time you want to unplug or reconnect them.

(Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, the clamping system is easy to use, and much better than those of other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried. The screw has a plastic handle, which is easy to turn and lock into place, as well as being readily accessible.

There’s a pleasing selection of buttons on the T128 and they’re almost as tactile as what you’d find on the best Xbox controllers. You get a close to full Xbox layout with a few extra inputs thrown in, such as two handbrake buttons and an RSB and LSB buttons, which are compatible with certain games only.

The T128 also features paddle shifters, which are better than I was expecting. They curve slightly to help secure your fingers, and their positioning is ideal, if placed a little too far inwards, which can make them a stretch to reach at times.

Setting up the T128 is a simple process, especially for Xbox users, who only have to plug it into their console. However, as with other Thrustmaster wheels, be sure to keep well out of the way as soon as you power the T128 on, as it immediately fires up its self-calibration feature. Thankfully, this isn’t as violent as with other Thrustmaster wheels, but still worth noting all the same.

To update the firmware, you’ll need to download the PC tool for this purpose. There’s also a tweaking tool, known as the Thrustmaster Control Panel, which looks rather rudimentary and lacks refinement, but is deceptively capable.

It functions well and provides a pleasing amount of tweaks, including multiple parameters for the force feedback. Again, this is all very welcome on a budget racing wheel such as the T128.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Performance

  • Fun and accurate steering
  • Plenty of force feedback settings
  • Brake pedal’s a little too light

The T128 acquits itself very well when racing. Steering is accurate and responsive, with plenty of feel and capable of offering smooth and rapid movements in equal measure.

As with other Thrustmaster wheels, the force feedback is very strong – too much so on its maximum setting, although perhaps still less than on other models. But once adjusted appropriately, the T128 provides surprisingly nuanced immersion, although there’s a buzzing sensation that’s a little overbearing at times.

The paddle shifters are solid and snappy, with just enough dampening to make them satisfying to flick. They also provide sufficient feedback, and I was surprised at just how capable they were on this budget wheel.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the T2PM pedal set. I found them quite fun and easy to use, owing to their light actuation. The cramped layout didn’t cause an issue for me either, despite having grievances with similarly tight designs on other pedal sets.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the brake pedal is lacking in feedback somewhat, which can make it hard to judge how much pressure to exert. But overall, both the throttle and the brake provide enough control for modulated inputs.

The T128 also features a gear change indicator in the form of multicolored LEDs, known as the 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs, although I found this quite imprecise in practice. For instance, when playing Forza Motorsport, their progress wasn’t all that smooth, and seemed to reach their peak before the in-game indicator did. Still, it’s a welcome feature to have for a basic visual cue, especially if you like to play with a camera angle that omits the steering wheel from view.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T128?

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Thrustmaster T128 review: also consider

If you’re on the hunt for other budget racing wheels, here are some alternatives to the Thrustmaster T128:

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Thrustmaster T128

Logitech G920

Thrustmaster T248

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)

$299.99 / £349.99 / AU$549.95

$399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

12lbs / 5.4kg

6lbs / 2.7kg

Peak torque

2Nm

2.3Nm

3.5Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Stainless steel paddle shifters, three-pedal base

Hybrid FF system, 2 dual-position encoders, three-pedal base

Connection type

USB-A

USB-A

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

How I tested the Thrustmaster T128

  • Tested for a day
  • Played racing sims
  • Experience reviewing racing wheels

I tested the T128 for a day, clamping it to a desk. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with certain racing stands, such as the GT Omega Apex that I have, as there’s no way to affix the wheel with screws or bolts.

It should also be noted that the wheel isn’t compatible with cloud gaming or other streamed games; it only works with games downloaded onto your console or drive.

I played Forza Motorsport on an Xbox Series S, which is a competent racing sim on the console that provides a sterling test for racing wheels. I set the in-game steering setting to simulation mode and turned all driving assists off.

I’ve been gaming for decades and racing sims are one of my favorite games to play. I have experienced a number of different racing wheels and reviewed various models as well, including others made by Thrustmaster.



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Hollyland Lark M2S wireless mic kit
Product Reviews

Hollyland Lark M2S review: a lightweight and tiny wireless mic kit for content creators

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.

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: two-minute review

Understatement isn’t a common characteristic among content creators, but it’s a winning feature for this wireless mic kit. With two tiny receivers weighing just 7g apiece, the Hollyland Lark M2S is designed to fly under the radar. Hooked over your collar, only a small part of each pick-up is visible. The result is an audio solution that doesn’t distract your audience.

It’s also a versatile one. Available in several variations, the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo kit on test here includes two transmitters, a USB-C mobile receiver and a cold-shoe unit that connects to cameras via USB-C or 3.5mm. There’s also a Lightning cable in the box for connecting to legacy Apple devices. That makes it a pretty complete kit, whatever you choose to shoot with.

Each transmitter is held in place by a rubberized clip, with grips at the tips for extra security. Many of the best wireless mics used magnetic backs to give you more flexibility when positioning. In practise, most users will want the mic on their lapel anyway – and even with the hook on show, the M2S is as subtle as they come.


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Despite their discreet size, the omnidirectional pick-ups do a better job than any built-in mic, whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or one of the best video cameras. How the 24-bit audio signal is processed depends on the pre-amp inside your recording device, but voice clips are generally clear and rich enough for the casual listener.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

  • Hollyland LARK M2S at Amazon for $39

Blustery conditions can be an issue. The bundled windshields do a good job of buffering against buffeting, though attaching them raises the profile of the mics. You also have the option of enabling noise reduction. This tends to flatten and crisp up the sound slightly, but it’s an effective solution where background noise would otherwise be too intrusive.

Noise cancellation can be activated by pressing the single button found on each transmitter, the button on the USB-C receiver or the dial on the camera receiver. The latter is also used to adjust the output volume, while a long-press switches between mono and stereo recording. That makes the interface sound more complicated than it is. There is a slight learning curve, but once you’ve got your head around the meaning of each indicator light, it’s intuitive enough.

Battery life is far from featherweight, with each transmitter rated for up to nine hours on a single charge. Returning them to the charging case yields a further 18, giving the whole package some serious longevity. Together with its neat proportions, that makes it an attractive solution for creators who need to shoot on the go – even though the case itself feels quite plasticky and the components are prone to rattling inside.

Other wireless mics feel more premium, while the DJI Mic Mini uses a neater single receiver. But if you want a compact and cost-effective way to upgrade your audio quality, the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo kit offers solid value.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Today’s best Hollyland LARK M2S deals

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: price and release date

  • $149 / £140 / AU$269 for the Combo kit
  • Includes 2x mics, 2x receivers, Lightning cable and charging case
  • Several kit versions available for different devices

Launched in January 2025 as a follow-up to the Lark M2, the Hollyland Lark M2S wireless mic is available to buy now in one of several bundle variations. On test here is the Combo kit ($149 / £140 / AU$269), which includes the following:

  • Transmitters x2
  • Receiver (camera)
  • Receiver (USB-C)
  • Charging case
  • Windshields x2
  • 3.5mm cable
  • USB-C to Lightning cable
  • USB-A to USB-C cable

The Combo kit is designed to give content creators the flexibility to work with both smartphones and cameras. The Lightning cable allows you to connect the camera receiver to older Apple devices. The Combo kit offers good value for what’s included, but other options will be better suited to specific creator requirements.

The cheapest Hollyland Lark M2S option is the barebones USB-C kit ($119 / £110 / AU$219). This includes two transmitters and a USB-C receiver for use with a smartphone. With no option to connect to a camera, it’s the best choice for mobile-only recording.

The next step up is the Mini Combo ($139 / £130 / AU$249), which is the same as the Combo kit, except it doesn’t include a Lightning adapter cable. It’s the best choice if you want the flexibility to connect to a camera and USB-C smartphone.

Top of the pile is the Ultimate Combo ($159 / £150 / AU$289). In addition to the USB-C and camera receivers, this adds a dedicated Lightning receiver to the mix. Given that the Combo kit includes a Lightning cable, there are few people for who this will be a necessity. Unless you absolutely need a physical Lightning receiver, this version is best seen as a legacy option.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions

24 × 9mm (transmitter), 40 × 16.7 × 9mm (mobile receiver), 40.5 × 25.5 × 13mm (camera receiver), 86 × 39 × 60.5mm (case)

Weight

7g (transmitter), 6g (mobile receiver), 12g (camera receiver), 110g (case)

Range

300m

Connectivity

USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm

Battery

9 hours, plus 18 hours from the charging case

Audio

24-bit

On-board recording

No

Noise cancelling

Yes

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: Design

  • Lightweight transmitters with built-in rubber clips
  • USB-C receiver with two indicator lights
  • Camera receiver with indicator lights and control dial

Dinky is the order of the day with the Lark M2S. From the tiny transmitters (7g each) to the compact camera receiver (12g), everything in the bundle is ultra-light. The components weigh less than almost every other kit in our list of the best wireless mics, including the DJI Mic Mini and the Rode Wireless Micro.

Despite being housed in plastic, the transmitters and receivers feel well-built and sturdy enough for long-term use. The little orange buttons on each device give satisfying feedback, as does the click-scroll of the control dial on the cold-shoe adapter. It’s only the charging case that lets the side down: the hinge for the lid creaks and moves, while the parts rattle around while charging inside.

Still, for a low-weight, low-cost kit, the Lark M2S feels like it’s been assembled with thought. Effort has certainly gone into the design of the transmitters. Most wireless mic kits have rectangular units held in place by a magnetic back. This gives you versatility when mounting, but means the pick-up is quite visible in video footage.

Hollyland has taken a different approach with the Lark M2S. The transmitters are attached by a U-shaped hook with a titanium arm inside. This clips over a collar, with rubber ridges on either side for extra grip. It’s a foolproof solution: it has enough flexibility to fit over different fabrics, with sufficient resistance to hold firm. No magnets means one less piece to lose – and most users will place the mic on a hem anyway.

The added benefit is that the larger side of the transmitter unit is hidden beneath your clothing. Only part of the arm and the smaller puck sits on the outside. The result is a very subtle setup. With mini dimensions and no branding, the mic could easily go unnoticed in interview footage. It’s a lot less distracting than larger alternatives.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

That design does mean the button and indicator light on the transmitter are hard to access when you’re wearing it, particularly as the little LED is obscured beneath the hook arm. Helpfully, there are corresponding lights on the receiver units which indicate the mode and connection status.

The user experience differs slightly depending on which receiver you’re using, but the setup is the definition of plug-and-play. Recording on mobile couldn’t be simpler: remove the transmitters and mobile receiver from the case, insert the USB-C unit into your smartphone and the two LEDs will turn solid to show that everything is connected. The single orange button on the receiver toggles noise cancelling on (green light) or off (blue light). You’re good to go.

Connecting to a camera is no more complicated. Take the cold-shoe receiver and transmitters out of the case and they’ll pair automatically. Then simply hook it up to your camera via 3.5mm or USB-C (or both at the same time) and you’ll get an audio signal. You can also use the bundled USB-C to Lightning cable to connect the camera receiver to an older Apple device.

The camera receiver’s interface is a touch more complicated than the mobile one. You get the same LEDs for connection and noise cancelling status, plus an orange button for power. Then there’s an arc of three additional lights to indicate the output volume, which can be adjusted by turning the dial. Pressing the dial changes the noise reduction setting, while a long-press switches between mono and stereo.

There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to the meaning of each LED, but it’s intuitive enough to get your head around after a few minutes. What you don’t get is any kind of display for real-time audio monitoring. That’s a luxury reserved for premium mics that cost and weigh more. It’s also one that’s absent from the DJI Mic Mini and Rode Wireless Micro.

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: Performance

  • Omnidirectional audio with optional noise cancelling
  • 9 hours battery life (transmitter), 18 hours battery life (case)
  • Up to 300m range

Rating audio quality is a tricky thing, because it depends on your expectations. If you’re a professional sound engineer, you’ll find things to fault with what the Hollyland Lark M2S produces. But if you’re comparing it to the built-in mic on your smartphone or camera, the M2S is leagues ahead.

The additional caveat here is that results are influenced by the device you’re using and its built-in pre-amp. Send the same signal from the Lark M2S to an iPhone and a DSLR camera, as I did, and you’ll notice differences which result from how each device processes the audio.

The Hollyland Lark M2S has strong foundations. It records 24-bit audio at 48khz, which sets it up well for capturing detail. You can also set the output level to high, giving your device more to work with. Serious users will balk at the lack of 32-bit float recording or on-board storage, but that reflects the target market of the M2S. There’s enough detail and depth here to satisfy content creators and anyone who wants to improve the quality of their voiceovers.

The omnidirectional pick-ups do a decent job of isolating speech against background hubbub. As with many wireless mics, though, wind noise is an issue. The bundled fluffy windshields help to tackle this, but also make the mics more visible.

Your other option is to enable Environmental Noise Cancellation. This is highly effective at limiting the impact of blustery conditions on your recordings. It also works well at reducing traffic noise to a barely audible level. The trade-off is that noise cancelling tends to make vocals sound slightly flatter and more processed – although not as significantly as some wireless mics.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

You can adjust the level of noise cancelling through the LarkSound app, with high and low options. Usefully, the app can also be used to monitor the audio level from each mic in real time, giving you a visual indication of whether the gain setting needs to be changed to avoid clipping. This can be controlled in the app, as can the channel mode, which allows you to switch from mono to stereo recording when using the camera receiver.

Transmission range is rated at 300m. Unless you’re working at telephoto distances, there are few occasions when you’d need to be that far from your recording device. Still, with a clear line of sight from transmitter to receiver, I didn’t encounter any signal drop-out at a distance of about 100 paces. That changed as soon as something came between the two. In reality, most users will work at close range, where clear transmission won’t be an issue.

Longevity is also assured. Despite the miniature dimensions of the Lark M2S, battery life comes in at a competitive nine hours. The case can also recharge the components twice over, giving you a total recording time of close to 30 hours before you’ll need to use a wall charger. The case itself needs around 90 minutes to go from flat to full.

It’s unlikely that most users will encounter a shoot where they have to record for 9 hours straight, but it’s reassuring to know that the Lark M2S can live through a lot of takes before it needs returning to the case. Using it as many content creators would – on the move, taking out the components to record clips on location, then storing them back in the case – the M2S simply ran and ran. For such a compact kit, the battery life is seriously impressive. This is a wireless mic that’s easy to live with.

Should I buy the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Hollyland Lark M2S

Rode Wireless Micro

DJI Mic Mini

Dimensions

Transmitter: 24 × 9mm (transmitter)Mobile receiver: 40 × 16.7 × 9mmCamera receiver: 40.5 × 25.5 × 13mm

Transmitter: 40 x 27 x 17mmReceiver: 44 x 24 x 9mm

26.55 x 26.06 x 15.96mm

Weight

7g (transmitter), 6g (mobile receiver), 12g (camera receiver), 110g (case)

12g (transmitter, without magnet), 102g for the whole kit

10g (transmitter, without magnet)

Transmission range

300m

100m

400m

Connectivity

USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm

USB-C or Lightning

USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm

Battery

9 hours, plus 18 hours from the charging case

7 hours, plus two additional charges from the fully charged case for a total of 21 hours

11.5 hours (transmitter), 10.5 hours (receiver), up to 48 hours with fully charged case

Audio

24-bit

24-bit

24-bit

Noise cancelling

Yes

No

Yes

Bluetooth

No

No

Yes

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

How I tested the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo

  • Tested extensively over several weeks
  • Paired with both the camera and USB-C receivers
  • Recorded audio in a range of indoor and outdoor settings

Given that the Hollyland Lark M2S is a wireless mic kit that’s designed to let content creators capture quality audio on the go, that’s how I approached this review. I packed the kit in my backpack every time I headed out of the house, then recorded voiceover content wherever the day took me.

That meant I captured audio clips in a whole range of settings and scenarios, from noisy cafes to windy walks along busy roads. I tested the transmitters at all three volume levels, with and without the windshields installed, and with noise reduction enabled and disabled. This gave me a catalog of recordings with which to make comparisons on clarity and quality.

Because the Lark M2S Combo is pitched as a full kit for creators, I tested it with both the USB-C mobile receiver and the cold-shoe camera adapter. With the latter, I wired up to a Nikon D7100 using a 3.5mm cable, as well as using the bundled Lightning cable to connect an iPhone 12.

During my time with the Lark M2S, I tried to use it as someone might do in the real world. That meant clipping the transmitters to different items of clothing. I also purposefully interacted with interface before consulting the instructions in detail, to get a realistic idea of how accessible the system is for beginners.

Hollyland LARK M2S: Price Comparison



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