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Ultra

HP Just Cut Almost $2000 from Its EliteBook Laptop Packing Intel Core Ultra 7, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD

by admin October 6, 2025

HP typically keeps discounts modest on its official website to protect its brand positioning and margins. But sometimes, the company unleashes aggressive promotions through Amazon that catch everyone off guard. This Prime Big Deal Day is one of those rare moments, with deals that don’t happen under normal circumstances. The HP EliteBook 6 G1i business laptop, equipped with an Intel 12-core Ultra 7 255U processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe SSD, has dropped to $1,149 from $2,999. That’s a 62% reduction and it’s slashing nearly $1,850 off the price. This isn’t just a modest trim on an overinflated MSRP: This is a legitimate business-class machine with enterprise-grade specs hitting a price point that makes it competitive with mid-range consumer laptops.

See at Amazon

AI-Powered Performance That Matters Most

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor is Intel’s newest architecture purpose-built for AI workloads. This 12-core processor sports 14 threads and up to 5.2 GHz in Intel Turbo Boost Technology, supported by 12MB of L3 cache. Here, the distinguishing factor is the onboard NPU which performs the work of doing AI tasks locally without burdening the processor or sending data to the cloud. This onboard AI accelerator enables features such as Microsoft Copilot, which is able to summarize documents, rewrite text, make contextual recommendations and keep you organized without the lag and attendant privacy issues of cloud computing.

The 16-inch screen is WUXGA resolution at 1920×1200 so you get additional vertical screen real estate versus typical 1920×1080 panels. You notice more in height when editing documents or in coding when you need to see more content and less scrolling. The UWVA IPS panel provides broad viewing angles and precise color rendition and the anti-glare treatment minimizes eye strain from long use. At 400 nits, the screen is still readable in brightly lit offices or in the vicinity of windows. Low Blue Light inhibits harmful wavelengths that interfere with sleep cycle for late-night work sessions to put less strain on eyes and circadian rhythms.

32GB of DDR5 RAM allows you to keep dozens of web pages and virtual machines running at the same time without pause. DDR5 is faster in its data transmission and more effective in power compared to DDR4 and that means snappier response and more life from your battery. With the 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, you have more than sufficient capacity for your files and media and fast read speeds that make boot times and transitions of files virtually instantaneous.

Wi-Fi 6E goes beyond the 6GHz frequency, giving you faster speeds and less congestion compared to regular Wi-Fi 6. This is significant in busy office spaces where dozens of devices are all fighting for bandwidth. Bluetooth 5.3 gives good connections for wireless peripherals with better range and lower power usage. Port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that support 40Gbps data transfer, USB Power Delivery 3.0 for power, and DisplayPort 2.1 for connecting high-res external displays. You also get two USB Type-A ports at 5Gbps for older devices, HDMI 2.1 for simple display connections and an RJ-45 Ethernet port for direct network connections.

For $1,149, this is business-class build quality made affordable for more than corporate buying departments.

See at Amazon

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October 6, 2025 0 comments

Media image for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with a 'big savings' deal stamp

Gaming Gear

Looking for an Android upgrade? Save up to AU$813.90 on the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra and the Z Fold 7

by admin September 17, 2025

As the world buzzes with new phone announcements from a certain fruity phone maker, the exciting news for Android fans is that Samsung is launching an epic sale in response. While the budget-friendly Galaxy S25 FE is set to arrive later this month, Samsung’s making its powerhouse flagship Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra and the Galaxy Fold 7 phones considerably more affordable.

The South Korean tech giant is taking AU$500 off the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and AU$400 off the 256GB Galaxy S25, but the savings grow an extra 10% at checkout with the code LIVEGALAXY101. A free phone case is also included. As for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company is offering a simple 15% off – providing savings up to AU$532.35 depending on your model of choice.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to upgrade, this is a fantastic opportunity to score one of the best phones on the market for a seriously impressive price.

Samsung AU is a TechRadar preferred partner (What does this mean?)

This sale caters to every kind of buyer. It brings the Galaxy S25 down to the point where it becomes a serious alternative to the best cheap phones, while the S25 Ultra is now within reach for a new market of buyers. And, for those seeking true innovation, this first-time discount makes the versatile Galaxy Z Fold 7 – a device that handles work, play, entertainment and everything in between – much harder to resist.

Choosing between the three is simply a matter of function and budget. No matter which you opt for, though, you’ll get a stellar deal. These offers are only available until the September 24 (or September 28 for the Z Fold 7). Remember to use the code LIVEGALAXY101 to save an extra 10% on the S25 and S25 Ultra.

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September 17, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Hands-on with all the new Apple Watches: Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

by admin September 9, 2025

Following Apple’s “Awe dropping” event today, we’ve been able to try out all the new Apple Watch models announced today including the Series 11, the Ultra 3, and the refreshes SE 3.

The entry-level Apple Watch SE was last updated in 2022 with the second-generation model, but the new SE 3, which starts at $249 for a 40 millimeter model, has gained some features from older Apple Watch models released since the SE 2’s debut, as well as the new Ultra 3 and Series 11 announced today. It will support both faster 5G cellular speeds and now charge twice as fast, with battery life getting a boost to up to 18 hours. It will also feature Apple’s new more scratch resistant Ion-X glass, an always-on display for the first time, sleep apnea detection, and the ability to use its speaker for playing music and podcasts – not just phone calls.

In person, the SE 3 feels surprisingly similar to the Series 11. In fact, at first I thought the SE 3 I was trying on was the Series 11. The only thing that visually set them apart for me was the profile and the colors. That’s huge for the SE 3, given the $250 price point. I’ll have to see how they feel in testing, but it truly doesn’t feel like you’re giving up much.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is also getting the 5G cellular upgrade as well as the sleep score, notifications of potential high blood pressure, a battery life bump to up to 24 hours, and the stronger glass. Its design isn’t that much different than the Series 10 but will be available in slightly larger 42mm and 46mm sizes and, according to Apple, will be the thinnest Apple Watch yet.

The high-blood-pressure demos weren’t available just yet, but we did get to see demos of the satellite SOS feature. It looks neat, but a crowded hands-on space isn’t the best place to get a sense of how 5G or satellite SOS will play out. I did get a look at the new Sleep Score screens, which are just about what you would expect.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, which starts at $799, has a larger screen than the Ultra 2 but with smaller bezels so the actual size of the ultra-durable wearable remains the same. It’s also gaining 5G cellular capabilities with the addition of satellite connectivity, a boost to up to 42 hours of battery life, new health features including a sleep score and notifications when the signs of high blood pressure are detected, and the stronger Ion-X glass.

The Ultra 3 didn’t look all that different in person (though I appreciated the new minty Ocean strap). That said, I dug the new watchfaces in person. You can see a slight difference compared to the Ultra 2 in terms of display size, but it’s sight.

Apple isn’t charting an entirely new course with the design of its latest wearables, but there are still some notable upgrades and changes coming this year, and we’ve gone hands-on to let you know if they might be worth the upgrade.

Photography by Victoria Song

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September 9, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Geekom’s 14-inch GeekBook X14 Pro laptop weighs just 2.2 pounds and includes a Core Ultra 9 processor

by admin September 8, 2025

Geekom GeekBook X14 Pro laptop features Core Ultra 9 processor with Intel Arc 140T graphics
The 14-inch ultraportable weighs 999g thanks to its magnesium alloy chassis
Specs include 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe storage, USB4 ports, and 70Wh battery

Geekom has revealed a number of new products at IFA 2025, but while the Chinese manufacturer is best known for its mini PCs, French news site MiniMachines says it will also be using the event to also show off its ultrathin GeekBook X14 Pro business laptop.

The notebook measures 1.69cm x 31.17cm x 21.54cm and has a magnesium and aluminum alloy chassis, which helps keep the weight down to 999g (2.2 pounds).

The X14 Pro’s 14-inch OLED panel has a 2800 x 1880 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio and promises full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.

Choice of processors

Geekom will reportedly offer two versions, one with an Arrow Lake Core Ultra 5 225H and Intel Arc 130T graphics, and another with the Core Ultra 9 285H paired with an Arc 140T GPU.

It will come with up to 32GB of LPDDR5-7500 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe Gen4 x4 SSD.

The laptop is limited to a maximum TDP of 35 watts, with Geekom saying the cooling design aims to keep the system efficient and quiet under load.

The GeekBook X14 Pro also features a 2MP webcam with a privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader built into the power button, and stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra.

xTool F2 Ultra laser engraver review

by admin September 6, 2025

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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.

I’ve tested out a number of xTool laser cutters before, and I’ve always walked away impressed.

Whether it’s the feature-rich, easy-to-use xTool P2 or the precise xTool S1, I’ve always found the units to be innovative and accurate, ranking them among the best laser engravers and cutters around.

So, I was excited to get my hands on the xTool F2 Ultra. And after some comprehensive testing, let me tell you, this one is in a league of its own.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The xTool F2 Ultra follows on from the impressive F1 but boosts speed, power and design to offer one of the most powerful yet easy-to-use desktop laser engravers on the market. While the working area might be relatively small, the fact that it features a 60W MOPA fibre laser enabling you to engrave, emboss and cut various metals is a feature that’s rather unique. Then there’s the fact that this is coupled with a more standard 20W diode laser for non-metallic materials, such as wood, meaning that if you own a small business, it offers a powerful tool that will enable you to create and customise a wide range of products.

xTool F2 Ultra at Amazon for $5,499

While machines like this have been available in the past, they’ve often been ultra-complex and required additional software to handle the speed and power of the fibre laser. However, with integrated software and streamlined workflow, it is pretty much unmatched by any other system I’ve used. I’m pretty confident that even a complete beginner would be able to get up and running with the F2 Ultra.

From the outset, I was impressed not just by the user setup but also by how quick and easy it was to use the xTool software. You just need to select your design, place it over the material in the software, select the material type from the library, then select engrave, cut or emboss before hitting go and watching the design appear within seconds.

The price point of this machine really reflects the quality and speed of what is possible, with the Galvo system enabling speeds of up to 15,000 mm/s and the smart dual-camera setup helping you accurately position items in the machine. It’s impressive what you can do and create in very little time.

Many of the more complex manual setup procedures are removed, with the machine essentially taking over everything, such as focusing automatically. There’s just a small alignment procedure at the beginning of the setup process, but once that’s done, aside from dialling in material and positioning your designs, the machine takes care of everything else.

I’ve used quite a few dual-fibre and diode laser machines in the last year, and while I’m always impressed with what is achievable, there’s usually a bit of tuning and fiddling with calibration and configuring software like LightBurn to accurately mark or engrave. However, here the software aligns everything; you just push the green bar on the control panel, and the machine takes care of the rest.

With the F1, I was impressed by the speed, utility and flexibility of the machine, but the F2 Ultra is in another league, obviously reflected in the price point. Compared with any other system on the market, the F2 Ultra, especially when coupled with the conveyor belt, offers a huge amount of options and possibilities. For any small business dealing with laser engraving and embossing, there’s now only one machine, the F2 Ultra.

xTool F2 Ultra: Price & availability

The xTool F2 Ultra is available on xTool’s official site – it’s priced at $4999 in the US and £6029 in the UK.

I’m also seeing the unit retailing for $5499 on Amazon.com. However, it doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon.co.uk at the time of review.

xTool F2 Ultra: Design

Specs

Laser Technology: Dual-laser: 60W MOPA fibre + 20W blue diode
Work Area: 220 × 220 mm (expandable to 220 × 500 mm with conveyor)
Spot Size: 0.03 × 0.03 mm (fibre); 0.08 × 0.06 mm (diode)
Engraving Speed: Up to 15,000 mm/s
Positioning Accuracy: Up to 0.0001 mm
Camera System: Dual 48 MP with AI recognition
Dimensions: 730 × 320 × 265 mm
Weight: 20 kg
Supported Materials: Metals, wood, acrylic, leather, glass, ceramics, plastic
Safety: Fully enclosed with auto-shutdown and fire detection
Software: xTool Creative Space + LightBurn compatible

One of the standout features of the xTool products is just how well-designed they are. This is from a company that, a few years ago, was producing simple open-frame laser cutting machines with a distinct DIY feel. Those machines are far removed from the F2, which is highly refined and of exceptionally high quality, aimed at small to medium-sized businesses rather than the casual consumer or prosumer.

While the machine itself is relatively compact with a footprint that will sit perfectly on a desktop, it has a high-quality build that reflects not only its price point but also its suitability for years of use.

The machine is relatively simple, with a slide-up enclosure that encloses the working area. If you need to have it open for larger materials, that’s possible. There’s also the ability to add an air filter to extract fumes, and as you’d expect with a professional-level machine, there’s a kill switch and a decent touchscreen display to monitor the process and access many settings.

As with many other laser engravers and CNC machines, most interaction is done through complementary software. xTool provides its own ecosystem, which is one of the best on the market, streamlined and easy to use. Unlike some other fibre lasers, there’s no need to purchase expensive extra software or plug-ins. Once you’ve paid (admittedly a lot) for the F2 Ultra, it should work out of the box and be set up within about 10 to 15 minutes.

The design is also clever in that you can use it as a fully enclosed system with smart safety features like emergency stop, flame detection, and automatic shutdown when open, or bypass some of those for conveyor belt use with larger objects.

In terms of size and weight, it comes in at roughly 20 kg and measures 730 × 320 × 265 mm. This smallish footprint will sit comfortably on your desktop, though you do need to allow for the machine’s height and a small side control panel.

If you’re using the conveyor belt, you’ll need even more space. It’s an optional extra, but if you’re planning to use it, it’s well worth having a full workbench left free to easily operate the machine.

On initial setup, I used the USB connection to sync with my laptop. After initial calibration, I switched to the Wi-Fi connection, which I found strong and reliable, even on my underpowered workshop network.

The overall build is premium and extremely sturdy. The two internal cameras and full autofocus add to the ease of use and high-end feel. However, compared with something like the ComMarker B6, this is a far larger and heavier machine.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

xTool F2 Ultra: Features

The F2 Ultra is an interesting machine as it combines two laser types in one enclosed engraver. The first is a powerful 60W MOPA fibre laser used for engraving, embossing and cutting thinner metals, the second laser is a 20W diode laser used for cutting and engraving organic materials such as leather and wood.

Not long ago, it was unusual to find both lasers in one machine, but as we saw with the ACMER P3, combining the two is becoming more common. The big difference between the Atomstack P3 and the xTool F2 Ultra, aside from the price, is the build area. The ACMER P3 is designed for far larger objects, while the F2 Ultra features a far more powerful fibre laser and is designed for more intricate work. In terms of product design and finish, the F2 Ultra is in another league.

One of the biggest advantages of having a dual-laser system is that it enables automatic switching between laser types depending on the material. In the past, other machines with dual lasers required you to manually swap out the tool heads, fibre or diode. We’ve seen this before with older xTool and Creality machines.

The fibre laser not only cuts through thin metals but also enables colourful anodisation of aluminium and steel. The diode laser can cut through relatively thick organic materials, ideal for a 3mm base ply, and in some cases up to 20mm in thickness.

In terms of laser power, the MOPA fibre laser for metals comes in at 60W, which is extremely powerful for this type of machine. The 20W blue diode laser is mid-range but perfectly suited to the small platform and build area the F2 Ultra offers.

When it comes to engraving speed, the fibre laser uses Galvo scanning technology, enabling speeds up to 15,000 mm/s. This sounds fast, and when you see it in action, it is. You can engrave a MacBook Pro in a matter of seconds, although, while the temptation was there to do so in this review, I held off, at least for the moment.

The more I used the machine, the more impressed I became with its features. The dual 48MP cameras enable AI-powered alignment, making a real difference to positioning. The cameras feed into the xTool software, allowing for precise placement on the material. With a positioning accuracy of up to 0.0001 mm, even the finest materials are handled with extreme precision.

While the working area of the F2 Ultra is smaller than many large-scale engravers, it’s designed for small businesses looking to engrave and cut smaller items. The base size is 220 × 220 mm, which suits a wide variety of objects. If more space is needed, a conveyor accessory expands this to 220 × 500 mm.

One of the areas that excited me most was the precision; the fibre laser offers a spot size of 0.03 × 0.03 mm and the diode laser 0.08 × 0.06 mm, allowing for extremely fine detail.

Thanks to the dual-laser setup, there’s decent material compatibility, most notably stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, gold, and even silver. With very thin materials, it’s possible to cut as well as engrave metal, which is rare even among fibre laser engravers, but that additional power boosts that potential.

The machine also handles all the usual materials, acrylic, leather, rubber, ceramics, and glass (though some surfaces may require preparation). It’s designed for precision, not bulk processing, and while cheaper machines exist for large-scale cutting, the F2 Ultra excels in high-quality, fine-detail work.

Supporting that precision are smart features like smart focus, autofocus, and automatic Z-axis adjustment. Unlike other engravers, where you manually enter material thickness or use gauges, this machine does it all for you.

The fully enclosed enclosure offers Class 1 safety so that you can be sure to be protected from those high-power lasers, which, if you’re using this in a small workshop or shop, is well worth considering. Built-in sensors include flame detection, which triggered several times during testing when pushing the machine’s limits of power, and an emergency stop is also available.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

xTool also supplied a smoke filtration unit, which connects to the machine and keeps fumes to a minimum. This is an optional extra, but if you’re spending on the F2 Ultra, it’s well worth the investment.

Although the F2 Ultra is well above many machines I’ve tested in terms of quality, it still supports popular laser engraver accessories, including the rotary tool, conveyor feeder, and air-assist smoke purifier, all of which enhance cut quality and streamline workflow.

As for software, I really like xTool Creative Space. It’s fully featured, with helpful tools and instructions, and is very easy to use for laying out designs. If you’re a more advanced user, the machine is fully compatible with LightBurn, although you’ll need the Galvo plug-in. Once installed, all the cameras and configurations work through that as well.

xTool F2 Ultra: Performance

Starting out with the xTool F2 Ultra, this is one of the easiest machines I’ve come across to set up and use of its type. While the machine is relatively large, its actual footprint is quite compact, meaning it sits comfortably on your work surface without taking up too much space. It’s more vertical than wide or deep.

Once positioned, with the dongle and control panel plugged in, you can switch on the machine, and it runs through its initial checks, ready for calibration. I connected it to my MacBook Air via USB and used the Creative Space software to complete the alignment and calibration process. This involved placing a piece of material inside, clicking ‘next’, and allowing the software to mark two points, which were used to align everything automatically. Once complete, the machine was ready to go.

In the box with the review sample were a few test materials. Over a three-hour period, I cut, engraved, and embossed various items, from metals to wood and leather, and was impressed by how quick and easy the machine was to use. I liked that the fully enclosed nature meant I could just pull down the lid, hit start in the software, then press the green bar on the control panel and watch the engraving, cut, or emboss process begin.

In almost all cases, the output quality was excellent. Only the first few materials required some adjustment as I got a feel for the machine’s power. For example, my first attempt at engraving a 3mm base ply used too much power and burned the material to ash. On the second run, the result was far better. The standard 20W diode laser was very capable, and with the air assist and smoke filter extracting fumes, the quality and precision of the cut were impressive.

One thing I really liked, whether working with metal, wood, or leather, was the camera-assisted positioning. Through xTool Creative Space, you can capture a live image of the material on the work area and place your design directly on top. This allows for near-100% accurate placement.

If you’re unsure about positioning, you can also click the ‘frame’ button, which projects your design outline onto the material inside the machine. This projection is sharp and precise, allowing for fine adjustments before committing to a cut or engraving.

As with any laser engraver, I ran a series of test passes on different materials, especially metals and woods, to get a feel for the required power and speed settings for both diode and fibre lasers. Although the 20W diode laser is mid-range by today’s standards, its power and accuracy deliver clean, high-quality cuts through 3mm base ply.

Switching to the fibre laser highlighted just how capable this machine is. The 60W power output provided more engraving depth than I’ve seen in other fibre lasers I’ve tested, and the speed and accuracy are unmatched so far.

For the first few engravings, I used sample files included with the software, most of which completed in a few seconds. Even though I know these machines are fast, the speed of the xTool F2 Ultra still surprised me.

One of my early projects was engraving a set of dog tags for my dog and a few friends. Usually, this might take a few attempts to get right, but here, the accuracy and speed were such that each tag was engraved in under five seconds.

What’s more, by laying out a batch of tags on the surface and applying different text to each through the software, I was able to engrave up to 20 tags in one go and faster than anything I’ve used before.

The more I used the fibre laser, the more intuitive the software became. Unlike other fibre lasers that take time to learn and have complex configuration steps, with the F2 Ultra, I felt confident within an hour, engraving coins included in the material pack with intricate designs.

The small work area is ideal for this kind of precision engraving. But of course, this is a dual-laser machine, and I wanted to test the diode laser on more materials. I engraved the cover of a book, lowering the laser power to about 5% and increasing the speed. After a few test dots to fine-tune power levels, I ran the full design, which was completed in under a minute with excellent quality.

As I continued engraving tools, creating more coasters and keyrings, the one thing that stood out was the precision of the engravings. When using my own materials, I learned that careful attention to power and speed settings was essential. My first batch of coasters burned quickly, but a test pass and adjustment solved that.

The quality of the lines, especially with air assist and the filter removing fumes, was excellent. That said, the limited work area is noticeable. This machine is built for precision tasks, not large-scale projects. For that, something like the xTool P2 would be more appropriate.

All this use was good and standard, but the point of the F2 Ultra is that it’s far more, especially with the ability to emboss metal. How you do this isn’t exactly straightforward initially, as there’s a little delving into the menu; the same is the case when using the Rotary attachment. Essentially, in the XCS software, you click the Select Processing Mode, then scroll down past the “Roller – Use Rotory attachment”, “Use Converyor Large” to the “Emboss” option. Once selected, you can then start to lay out your chosen design.

The next step is to select the material, in this case, a brass coin blank supplied by xTool. This is selected from the material menu; here, you need to select “More Materials”, type in Brass and 1.57″ (40mm) Blank Commemorative Coins Brass” will appear. From here, you can select the material, select the F2 Ultra, then click “Add to XCS”. Then click back onto the material and select the “1.57” (40mm) Blank Commemorative Coins Brass.

Now the coin can be placed into the F2 Ultra, and by clicking “Refresh Background” then “Auto Measure”, the coin will appear on the screen, ready for you to position the design.

The design is the next stage of processing, as a straight image won’t get you the emboss effect, and a depth map needs to be created.

To do this, you click the “Ai” icon, select “Image Processing”, and select “Embossment”. You’re then given the option to upload your image, select the Emboss type, and then click “Generate” Once the processing is finished, you can drag and drop the coin design onto the workspace and over the preview of the coin. Once you’re happy, you can click process, and the embossing will start. For most projects, this process is considerably slower than general engraving and can take well over an hour; however, the end results are incredible, especially once polished and finished off.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

It’s worth noting that the depth map creation isn’t an exact science, and there’s no way to adjust the map, but after a while and with the 3D preview, you start to get an idea of what works and what doesn’t.

By the end of the test, I was genuinely impressed by the fibre laser, which is clearly the core of the F2 Ultra. The inclusion of a powerful diode laser fine-tuned for detailed work adds even more versatility, ideal for small businesses.

It’s clear this machine is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that rely on laser engraving, whether to create and customise products or for crafts requiring precision, such as jewellery work. It offers a level of detail and reliability that many other fibre and diode systems cannot match.

xTool F2 Ultra: Final verdict

The xTool F2 Ultra is one of the best fibre laser engravers on the market, with a premium build and a product-designed enclosure that makes it an ideal option for many small to medium-sized businesses. It’s perfect for small-scale production, customisation, and any business that needs to laser engrave a wide range of surfaces. What it is not is a large-scale laser engraver for oversized projects. This is focused on absolute precision.

The inclusion of two lasers and the dual cameras for AI alignment onto smaller objects helps ensure ultimate precision. If you need to do batch engraving, it speeds up the entire process, essentially handling much of the setup and configuration for you.

After using it for a month, this is by far the best fibre laser engraver I’ve tested. The major downside is the cost. The base machine is expensive, and once you add in the conveyor, rotary tool, and smoke filtration units, though combo packs are available from xTool, it still adds up to several thousand pounds, which is a considerable investment for a small business.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

However, this is a professional machine. It’s not just a starting point; it’s a system you can build your business around. Its precision and quality are high-end, and if you’re looking for a solid, reliable machine to support or expand your business, the F2 Ultra is an obvious choice.

What I also appreciate is how well xTool Creative Space is designed. It’s robust, intuitive, and simple to use. While you can use third-party options like LightBurn, which offers more advanced control, you will need the Galvo plug-in and some setup time to get everything calibrated properly.

For experienced users, this opens up even more potential; however, if you’re a small business looking for a fast and versatile laser engraver, the F2 Ultra stands out as the best option on the market. Paired with one of xTool’s straight diode machines, it gives you a powerful ecosystem capable of handling a huge variety of projects with ease and speed, making it a sound investment.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Value:

Premium machine for pro users with deep pockets

Design:

Durable, enclosed, and workbench-friendly layout

4.5

Features

Dual-laser + AI + Galvo = professional flexibility

Performance

Flawless output across materials and batch work

Total

Among the best all-in-one engravers available today

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

For more crafting tech, I’ve tested and reviewed all the best 3D printers.

xTool F2 Ultra: Price Comparison

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Bose overhauls the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with lossless audio and longer battery life

by admin September 5, 2025

Bose announced a refresh of its QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds over the summer and now it’s back with an overhaul of its flagship noise-canceling headphones. The company has employed the second-generation moniker once again on the new QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but this time the list of updates is a bit more substantial. Bose says it made tweaks to audio performance, active noise cancellation (ANC), battery life, power efficiency and more. Surprisingly, the company managed to make its upgrades without raising the price.

The biggest changes for the QC Ultra Headphones come in the sound department. First, lossless audio is now available over wired USB-C connection. Bose says you can expect 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz playback and the setup doubles as a low-latency option for desktop or mobile gaming. When it comes to Immersive Audio — Bose’s take on spatial audio that doesn’t require specialized content — the company has added a new Cinema mode.

By “spatializing and balancing background sound with other audio effects,” Bose says it creates a “movie-like experience” thanks to a wider soundstage that’s placed in front of the listener. As a result, dialogue clarity is enhanced, which makes Cinema mode an option for podcasts and audiobooks in addition to movies and TV shows. For general listening, the company provides deeper bass at high volume, more natural sounding treble and consistent clarity even when the content is loud. It also reduced the sound created by the ANC tech so that it’s less apparent in quieter environments.

Speaking of ANC, Bose made the same update here that it did on the QC Ultra Earbuds. In Aware or transparency mode, the headphones better handle sudden changes in environmental noise (like sirens) with smoother changes to noise-canceling levels. On the QC Ultra Headphones, you can now disable ANC completely or manually adjust it to suit your needs.

Bose extended the battery life to 30 hours of ANC use or up to 45 hours with noise cancellation disabled. If you opt for that spatial Immersive Audio all the time, you can expect up to 24 hours of use now. If you run out of juice before you want to take a break, the QC Ultra Headphones can be charged during use via the USB-C port. To help you conserve battery power, the headphones will now enter a standby mode when you lay them flat or fold them into their case. And when the time comes to resume listening, improved wear detection automatically turns on the headphones when they’re placed on your head.

Lastly, you’ll notice that Bose opted for polished metal on the headband where the yokes used to have a flat finish. There are also two new colors: Driftwood Sand (tan) and Midnight Violet (purple).

The second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are available for preorder today from Bose in black, white, tan and violet color options. The price remains $449, same as the original version, and general availability is scheduled for October 2.

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September 5, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Don’t have a pile of cash? Don’t worry: you may soon be able to get an affordable car with Apple CarPlay Ultra

by admin September 2, 2025

Hyundai’s new Ioniq 3 will reportedly come with Apple CarPlay Ultra
It would be the next car after the Aston Martin DBX to get access to the software
This could mean more affordable access to Apple’s powered-up phone-to-infotainment interface

You may not need a $200,000 car from the likes of Aston Martin to access Apple’s CarPlay Ultra in the near future, as Hyundai looks set to bring the interface to its electric cars.

That’s according to Top Gear, which reported that the Ioniq 3, due to be revealed at the Munich Motor Show this month, will support CarPlay Ultra, allowing for deeper integration between a car’s infotainment system and a connected iPhone than the standard erosion of CarPlay offers.

Set to be positioned between Hyundai’s Inster and Kona EVs, the Ioniq 3 is poised to be a compact electric car that comes stuffed with connected tech. Top Gear notes that, like other carmakers, this is all part of Hyundai’s push to equip its cars with software designed to be upgraded throughout their lifetime and can be customized by both car brands and end users with apps, even those buying pre-owned cars.

Ultra infotainment

In the past, infotainment systems would often be outdated by the time a car rolled off the production line and would be hard to upgrade unless the brand offered firmware updates via dealers. Or the car owners opted for third-party aftermarket units.

CarPlay Ultra is notable in this case as it’s been designed to more tightly integrate with the underlying infotainment platform, letting car brands create custom themes in collaboration with Apple that are tailored to each vehicle rather than offering a one-size-fits-all interface.

Currently, CarPlay Ultra can be found in the new Aston Martin DBX, a performance luxury SUV with a hefty price tag. But more car brands, notably those with cheaper vehicles, are set to adopt CarPlay Ultra. And it looks like Hyundai could be one of the front-runners.

As for the Ioniq 3 itself, Top Gear reports it’ll be a front-wheel drive car with a WLTP range of 260 miles and 365 miles from a predicted choice of batteries coming in 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh capacities respectively. A 400-volt charging system is expected. And the car could do the 0-62mph sprint in less than eight seconds.

There’s no word on pricing, but the Kona starts at $24,550, so I’d expect the Ioniq 3 to be more expensive but coming in well below $40,000, given that the Ioniq 5 starts at $42,600; market prices vary a lot, so to keep things simple, I’ve focused on US prices here. Production for the Ioniq 3 is tipped for early next year.

Time will tell if other car makers adopt CarPlay Ultra this year, but don’t expect any big announcements from Apple’s side as it’s surely concentrating on the iPhone 17 launch, which we expect to see on September 9 at the next Apple event.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

The Insta360 GO Ultra camera held by a female photographer against a green wooded backdrop

Product Reviews

Insta360 GO Ultra review: the ultimate tiny hands-free 4K action cam?

by admin August 23, 2025

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Insta360 Go Ultra: two-minute review

Get drawn in by the fun magnetic system and tiny size, and be genuinely impressed by the quality of the 4K footage. That’s what happened when I tested the Insta360 Go Ultra, a product that takes the advancements made with Insta360’s Ace Pro 2 and GO 3S and turns them into another (really) compact, pocket-sized camera system for adventurous creators.

I’ve been into action cameras since the first GoPros came out (terrifyingly, almost 20 years ago). But until recently, I’ve always found their bulky housings less than ideal in adventure-type scenarios (running up a mountain peak, or learning to surf, for example). The whole point of the Go Ultra is to unlock more creative opportunities without sacrificing portability.

Insta360 might be best known for its innovative 360-degree cameras, but it’s a brand that’s becoming synonymous with challenging the norms of action cams, too. The Go Ultra is a frankly tiny, pocketable camera (at 1.9 oz / 53g), about the same size as an Apple Watch. It’s a natural successor to the Go 3S (released in 2024), but not a replacement. At the time of writing, Insta360 told me that both cameras will remain on sale.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Like its predecessor, the magic of the Go Ultra is its modular design that combines a standalone camera and an Action Pod, giving you unique ways to shoot, charge and play. On the surface, the camera simply looks like a square version of the Go Ultra 3S, and powerful magnets on its base mount to the Action Pod (where the screen and buttons are) or numerous accessories and attachments. I even mounted the camera to our car, but that’s a story for another day.

Insta360 Go Ultra at BHPhoto for $449.99

However, inside its dark gray exterior are some notable improvements. The sensor is 221% bigger for better low-light capture, and a new 5nm AI chip delivers benefits to video quality using algorithms. The Go Ultra can shoot 4K60fps video, where the Go 3S was limited to 4K 30fps. And I found the PureVideo mode – that uses said AI algorithms to cut down on noise in low light – delivered good results at sundown, where my previous action cams struggled. The maximum wide 156-degree POV is great for group shots and selfies, vlogs and immersive action alike, and the view can be tailored to avoid a warped perspective.

This is a content companion for people with an active lifestyle rather than professional athletes. I found myself shooting more with the camera overall, simply because in one snap, I could have hands-free recording.

Like the Go 3S, the standalone camera is more rugged than the Action Pod. You can use it in freezing conditions and depths of 33 feet (10 meters) underwater, while the pod is only splashproof, which is a shame. Other rugged points for the camera include a replacement lens cap (helpful if you scratch it during activities) and a push-up cover to keep the memory card slot inside dry.

I love the simplicity of the Go Ultra’s design. Like the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, the flip-up touchscreen on the action pod is an alternative to the front-and-back solution on GoPro, and I found it more intuitive for vlogging. Handling is a three-button operation, with intuitive swipes for key menus on the touchscreen, and the magnetic mounting system is always satisfying and feels secure.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Go Ultra’s battery life was a sore point for me, and not as impressive as all-in-one rivals. I got around an hour of 1080p video recording from the standalone camera, but more than double when combined with the Action Pod. USB-C charging takes you from 0 – 80% in around 12 minutes, though, making up for the fact that the battery doesn’t last as long as Insta360 suggests based on their lab tests.

There’s no built-in storage for content like the Go 3S has, but microSD cards up to 2TB are compatible, and it’s so quick and easy to get footage off the camera using the Insta360 app on a smartphone. I don’t think this is a problem (just an extra cost to bear in mind).

Image quality is better than the Go 3S, with photos capped at 50MP instead of 9MP. And you get HDR video mode, too, with the option to apply ‘Dolby Vision’ to shot footage to give it more contrast and color. The usual video modes like Timelapse and Slow Motion work as expected, while new Toddler Titan mode adds fresh, immersive POVs. There are several new features aimed at families, including AI Family Moments to pull content of loved ones into a virtual album.

The camera’s audio quality was surprisingly crisp in most scenarios, and voice-specific modes picked up my rambling very clearly, while a wind-reduction mode helped while running in a breeze. Although I haven’t tested them, Go Ultra is also compatible with several external microphones designed for high-quality sound, including Insta360’s Mic Air, and third-party Bluetooth mics like the DJI Mic Mini and AirPods Pro 2.

The Insta360 Go Ultra is hugely versatile, and I filmed in so many places, with so many perspectives, that wouldn’t have been safe or possible with my iPhone alone. If you’re a family wanting more creative holiday snaps, a creator feeling stuck with what you can shoot with a smartphone, or just someone with an active lifestyle, the Go Ultra feels like the ultimate lightweight and fun solution.

Insta360 Go Ultra: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontallyInsta360 Go Ultra specs

Sensor

1/1.28-inch

Max Resolution

50MP (8192×6144) photos
4K, 60fps

Weight

1.87oz / 53g (camera) 3.8oz / 109g (action pod)

Dimensions

1.8x 1.8 x 0.7 inches / 46 x 46 x18mm (camera)
2.8 x 1.9 x 1.3 inches / 70 x 49 x 33mm (Action Pod)

Gyroscope

6-axis

ISO Range

100–6400

Aperture

f/2.85

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C 2.0

Storage

microSD card, up to 2TB

Waterproofing

33ft (10m)

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Insta360 Go Ultra: Price and availability

Launched worldwide on August 21 2025
Standard bundle costs $449.99 / £369 / AU$759
Creator bundle costs $499.99 / £409 / AU$839

The Insta360 Go Ultra was announced on August 21 2025 (after being teased on August 18) and is available to order now from DJI’s online store and major retailers like Amazon.

It comes with two different bundle options. The Standard Combo includes the camera, quick-release cord, magnet pendant, magnetic clip and a USB-C charging cable. It costs $449.99 / £369 / AU$759.

The Creator Combo bags you all of the above, plus a Mini 2-in-1 Tripod 2.0, Quick Release Mount and Pivot Stand. It costs $499.99 / £409 / AU$839. Although a lens cap is provided, you’ll need to buy a separate pouch or case, as neither bundle includes one – and this feels a bit mean.

The pricing puts the Go Ultra at just a fraction more than the Іnѕtа360 X3 in the US and UK (when it’s not on offer), which is now three years old, but that does offer 5.7K 360-degree capture over the Go Ultra’s 4K. It’s roughly the same price as the Insta360 Go 3S, but you get double the frame rate with 60fps video capabilities.

I think the Go Ultra is fairly priced. The GoPro Hero 13 Black is a strong competitor at around $359.99/£305, particularly if you want a traditional action camera and don’t mind a bulkier design. There’s no built-in storage, so factor in the cost of buying a microSD card before you can start filming.

Today’s best Insta360 Go 3S and Insta360 Go Ultra deals

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Insta360 Go Ultra: Design

Standalone camera is waterproof, operates down to -20C / -4F
Strong magnetic base connects to Action Pod and range of handy mounts
The camera weighs 1.87oz / 53g and is similar in size to Apple Watch

The Insta360 Go Ultra resembles a square version of its former self, the Go 3S (its only real rival). Where its predecessor was pill-shaped and about the size of a thumb, the Go Ultra is square and more than half as deep as it is wide, sitting neatly between your forefinger and thumb for quick handheld shots. That’s only half of the product, though. Without the Action Pod, the Go Ultra is one of the lightest action cameras you can buy at 1.87oz / 53g (14g heavier than the Go 3S). Using the Action Pod turns the Go Ultra into more of a traditional GoPro-style action camera.

The main difference is that there’s one flip-up LCD touchscreen, rather than a screen at the front and back. As an owner of the GoPro Hero 12 Black, this flip-up screen was a revelation to me, and I found it so helpful when filming walking shots and talking to the camera, or to see how a shot was framed when shooting with the standalone camera remotely.

No doubt it contributes to the Action Pod’s lack of waterproofing, though. The IPX8-rated camera can be fully submerged underwater, but the Pod is only resistant to splashes, limiting where you can take it. On this, I was always careful to dry the camera before popping it back into the Pod.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

As far as durability goes, the camera is also freeze-proof down to -4F (-20C), so it’s ripe for snowsports. And a screw-on lens protector added peace of mind for me against lens scratches, given that a replacement is around $20 / £20. I’ve known so many action cameras in the past to fog up when filming underwater or changing temperatures quickly, but the lens guard has an anti-fog coating that avoided this particular pain point well.

I found the operation of the camera simple, which is a great thing because it lets you focus on the fun part of creating. The Action Pod has just three buttons: red up top for recording, a power button and a Q button to quickly switch modes on the right. There’s a raised button to release the standalone camera from its magnetic mount on the left (above a USB-C charging point), and I never found myself pressing this accidentally.

You really have to tug the standalone camera to release it from the Pod’s magnets, which avoids unwanted drops. Underneath the Action Pod, there are two holes to fit the Go Ultra’s specific Quick Release Mount (sold separately, but very solid), for a secure fit to accessories like the brand’s Pet Harness. Attaching the camera to a pet harness was decidedly old school, with an action mount and screw system. But this kept it firmly in place, even after a lot of doggo rolling.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Navigating the camera’s menus is easy, too. When you first turn on the Go Ultra, you get a walkthrough of what gestures bring up which settings. It took me a few hours to remember which did which (old dogs), but it soon became second nature. A right swipe brings up playback for footage, and a right swipe lets you dial in more settings and switch between Auto and Manual Mode.

The touchscreen is bright, colorful and responsive, which makes changing settings – even with wet or cold fingers – straightforward. You can buy the Insta360 Go Ultra in either Midnight Black (model tested here) or Arctic White, but either way, the construction is from a rigid, matte plastic that seems scratch-resistant, and like it could take a few knocks and drops. It’s sensible action camera fodder.

Insta360 Go Ultra: Performance and features

Quick AI-edited videos via the Insta360 app
Standalone camera charges 80% in 12 mins
Compatible with microSD cards up to 2TB

The Go Ultra is designed to work alongside the free Insta360 app, which pairs to the camera via its own WiFi network for remote operation. From here, you can also download, preview and edit videos on your smartphone. Other than installing some new firmware (released just before the camera), I was paired and ready to shoot from the app in under 10 minutes.

The standalone camera and Action Pod pair via Bluetooth when they’re apart. I found the connection seamless, with no lag when changing settings or in the real-time view on the screen. Range can be an issue, though, both from the camera to the phone and from the camera to the pod. More than about five meters away, or underwater, the connection would dip out, and the camera would stop recording. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it might limit more complex setups, especially if you’re shooting somewhere wet.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Go Ultra has a 6-axis gyroscope to measure the camera’s movement and rotation, and through an algorithm, makes the video more stable and gives you a more even horizon. Image stabilization isn’t bad, but I found fast-moving objects needed a bit of extra help. When trail running, I got my best results by activating the Jitter Blur Reduction mode, plus Tilt Fix, which corrects uneven mounting by up to 10 degrees. It took me a while to discover both of these, and my first clips with the camera clipped to a hat (including this swimming clip below) were fairly wonky. Once activated, though, the results evened out nicely, and even clips of my dog lolloping at full speed looked stable.

The camera has a built-in microphone, and four modes for picking up sound – Stereo, Voice Enhancement, strong and weak wind reduction. I found the audio quality really impressive while walking in good conditions. My voice was picked up clearly when talking to the camera, and even in a busy city, the camera was able to isolate the sounds nearby rather than heavy traffic noises. If you use the camera in water, the audio will drop out, and the camera will need to dry enough before the clarity returns.

Like most action camera mics, there’s an issue with wind noise disrupting the clarity (especially when running in breezy conditions), but the wind reduction setting did noticeably reduce this. It’s a big advantage for serious creators to be able to boost the sound quality with an external mic like the Insta360 Mic Air, DJI Mic 2 and AirPods 4. Although without testing, it’s hard to comment on the performance this would bring specifically.

I found all the camera’s shooting modes and presets easy to get good footage with, partly because the camera does such a good job of explaining what each one does, without the advice feeling intrusive on the screen. It was also easy to control the camera with voice commands, “turn the camera off”, “mark that” and hand gestures like making a peace sign to trigger a photo. I found that the standalone camera gets very hot after filming. Even after low-resolution clips, I felt it burning a hole in my shorts pocket, but this didn’t cause any interruption in recording, so I don’t think it’s a major issue.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Once my clips were captured, I was ready to start editing my videos. Much like GoPro and DJI’s accompanying editing apps, Insta360’s version also features AI-assisted editing tools to pick out clip highlights. There are tonnes of presets to choose from – with funky names like Vibe City and Tunes and Travel – which do a fair job of creating quick, shareable clips by adding transitions and music.

There are helpful default export settings for platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, although you can customize export parameters. I enjoy editing manually, but the Insta360 app is so intuitive that I can see even total beginners getting creative right away. Some of these end up being a bit cheesy, but you can tailor the music and effects to suit your tastes. I’ve included an example of an AI-edited video below, with clips of my dog wearing the pet harness on walkies.

The Go Ultra’s biggest downfall – and something we struggled with while testing the GO 3S – is battery life. The standalone camera has a 500mAh capacity, and the action pod 1,450mAh capacity – noticeably smaller than the 2,400mAh capacity on the Insta360 X5, but an improvement on the GO 3S’ 310mAh and its 38-minute life. Also, unlike action cams with replaceable batteries, when you run out of juice, that means content creating is on hold until you can find a way to recharge.

Insta360 says you can get 70 minutes of footage out of the standalone camera. Adding the Action Pod gives you 200 minutes. But that’s with Endurance Mode on, the LCD and Wi-Fi off, and for 1080 24fps video – conditions I don’t think most normal shooters are going to replicate. When I tried shooting a video in 1080 30fps from full power, without all the caveats on the specs sheet, I got around 150 minutes with the pod and 45 minutes without. I don’t think that’s dreadful for a camera this small, and it’s worth noting that a 10-minute charge took me from about 0-75% so I was ready to shoot again. But it’s something to consider if you’re away from power for long periods, or looking to shoot continuous cycles, runs and hikes for longer.

Insta360 Go Ultra: Image quality

New 1/1.28-inch sensor with AI chip
Captures 4K video up to 50fps and 50MP photos
Low-light video mode with PureView

Insta360 has given the Go Ultra a bigger 1/1.28-inch sensor than the Go 3S, the idea being that this is capable of capturing more detail in low light. The Go Ultra also supports video capture up to 4K 60fps and 1080 240fps for slow-motion, plus new HDR that can be applied to clips and stills. Unsurprisingly (because this is a super user-friendly camera), there’s no option to shoot in a flat profile for more color grading scope during post-production. But that’s no problem, as I think most users will stick to editing in the Insta360 app anyway. Beyond the specs, what do the results look like in real life?

Going into testing the Go Ultra, I think my expectations were too low for a camera of this size. I found video quality to be brilliant in all 10 modes, but footage was sharpest and most vibrant in abundant sunshine. In the camera’s Standard color preset (there are 8 in total, including Vibrant and Urban) videos were still colorful and had decent detail in the shadow and highlight areas, although the contrast ratio wasn’t good enough to expose a very bright sky like a sunset, and a dark foreground, in one shot.

It’s easy to switch the Go Ultra to Manual exposure mode, where you can take control of the shutter speed, ISO (100–6400) and white balance yourself. I found this most helpful for stationary shots, but wouldn’t recommend it to beginners. In short – and unlike my mirrorelss camera – Auto mode saw me through all shooting scenarios, and I rarely felt the urge to take over. The joy of this camera is in its simple opration.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The camera adapts quickly to rapid changes in light, such as coming out of a shady forest into an open field. And I found that useful when I was running in the countryside, moving quickly, where i didn’t want the picture to be shrouded in darkness for a few seconds. Being summer, I did a lot of shooting in direct and dappled sun, and found that lens flare was handled well, too.

Big talking points of the Go Ultra’s video capabilities are the new additions of Active HDR and PureVideo. Like SuperNight on the DJI Osmo 360, it’s designed to enhance the quality and sensitivity of low-light shooting. It’s somewhat limited to automatic settings and 4K 30fps, but you can shift the exposure up and down in increments. Walking around a city at night, I was able to pick up plenty of detail in the buildings, street lights and the sky, although I think there’s some aggressive denoising AI going on inside the camera, as the footage did look a bit muddy at times.

Photos from the camera have a seemingly high megapixel count (the maximum resolution is 50MP or 37MP with a 16:9 aspect ratio), which is a big bump up from the Go 3S’ 12MP in 4:3 (9MP in 16:9). In practice, I’d say that’s more than adequate for slotting into videos, or uploading to social platforms, but I wouldn’t want to make big prints from them. At the camera’s widest field of view, you get a 14.27mm equivalent in 35mm terms – expansive enough to get groups in the frame, or to shoot yourself while walking. If you’re not a fan of the warped action camera look, a Linear POV does a great job at giving you a more natural wide-angle, good for vloggers.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Overall, I’m impressed by the quality of Go Ultra’s footage. It’s in line with an action cam that’s this portable, and the addition of HDR to video as well as photos (with Dolby Vision for an extra boost) delivers polished videos you can safely deliver to friends, family and your social channels.

If I were a professional creator, I wouldn’t rely on this camera to cover all my video needs. But it excels at what it’s designed for – being small, getting places other cams can’t, and remaining user-friendly for beginners. The battery life is lacking for extended shooting durations, and night footage is still overcooked with PureVideo mode. But Go Ultra’s video is good in most areas, and does appear to be an improvement over the 3S in low light (I haven’t tested them side by side, so can’t say for sure). With its kid and pet-friendly design, I think Insta360 has found the right balance for casual creators with an active lifestyle.

Insta360 Go Ultra: testing scorecard

Swipe to scroll horizontallyInsta360 Go Ultra

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Similar cost to the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and Insta360 Go 3S, but the quality of the package is worth it.

4.5/5

Design

A nearly seamless experience with the Action Pod, plus waterproofing and a protective lens on the standalone camera.

4.5/5

Performance & features

Gets hot, and the battery drains quickly. The Insta360 app makes light work of image transfers and AI edits and there are plenty of tricks and modes.

4/5

Image quality

HDR is a great addition, but it’s still not a class-leader in low light. You sacrifice some quality for portability.

4/5

Should I buy the Insta360 Go Ultra?

Buy it if…

You want to balance performance with portability
Video quality is high, but not the best of all action cameras out there. But the Go Ultra can also go places other action cameras can’t, at least without tonnes of extra mounts.

You don’t mind shorter battery life
I spent time shooting shorter clips on the Go Ultra, and recharging it little and often. If you plan to capture all-day events or sustained activities like rides or hikes, the battery life might be a limiting factor.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the smallest action camera
The Insta360 Go Ultra is small, but not quite as tiny as the Go 3S. At almost 15g less, the Go 3S might unlock even more possibilities.

You want a fully waterproof solution
The Action Pod is only splashproof, a fact that made me uncomfortable while shooting. If you shoot a lot of wet content, I’d go for a fully waterproofed model.

Also consider

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is co-engineered with Leica and gives pros something more advanced. A dedicated Leica color profile, bigger sensor with better low-light performance and image quality, and up to 8K resolution make it better for advanced videography and content creation. You still get a vlogger-friendly screen.

Read our full Insta360 Ace Pro 2 review

Cheaper than the Go Ultra, the DJI Osmo Action 5 offers excellent features. It doesn’t have the advantage of a tiny standalone camera, but the all-in-one design provides better battery life, waterproofing (to 20 meters), and 47GB of internal storage. The maximum frame rate maxes out higher, too, at 4K/120p.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review

How I tested the Insta360 Go Ultra

I tested a full production model for three weeks
I mounted the camera on my hat, handlebars, and even my dog
I recorded videos during the day, sunset and after dark

Insta360 sent me a review sample of the Go Ultra Standard Bundle about three weeks before the official release date. This gave me enough time to test all the camera’s modes and mounting options, including those with and without the Action Pod, as well as with the magnetic clip on my hat and the magnetic pendant on hikes in the countryside.

Insta360 also supplied a large version of their pet harness, and I attached the camera to my dog out on walkies to see what footage looked like from the POV of a bouncy Flatcoated Retriever.

I used the Go Ultra wild swimming in a local river to test the waterproofing, tried it running, and even attached it to our car as we drove along a country lane. I shot in bright sunshine, at sunset and night – essentially, in all the lighting conditions I could think of for creators. I edited content straight from the camera to the Insta360 mobile app on my iPhone 15 Pro, as well as manually taking footage from the built-in SD card and editing it on my iMac.

First reviewed August 2025

Insta360 Go Ultra: Price Comparison

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August 23, 2025 0 comments