Way back in January, we wrote about how retro cameras were making an unexpected resurgence. Now we're nearing the end of the year, and that trend is showing no signs of slowing — and I've rounded up some of our favorite old-school styled cameras of 2026.

'Retro' is a broad term, and these cameras span a wide spectrum too. Leica and Ricoh's dedicated black-and-white cameras are serious snappers optimized for monochrome photography, while the OM System PEN and Fujifilm X-T30 III have retro designs that'll beginner photographers will love.

At the more frivolous end of the market we have Camp Snap's basic, screen-free point-and-shoot, and a fuss-free film camera from Kodak that managed to produce some charming, characterful shots in our tests. And no retro camera roundup would be complete without the viral Kodak Charmera — a dinky keychain snapper that our Cameras Editor hates to love.

Scroll down to learn more about all of these retro wonders, and hit the View Details button for more info and links to our reviews.

Retro snappers

The evenings are drawing in, the clocks will be going back soon (or, if you're in the UK, they have already), and while the lack of sunshine can feel gloomy, I say it's the perfect time to lean into the cosiness. Below, I've rounded up my favorite sleep and relaxation aids designed to help you wind down, chill out, and get some high-quality rest. Some of these are designed for use in the day, if you're feeling overwhelmed, and some will be helpful if you're struggling to drop off at night.

I spent two years as a Sleep Editor, and one of the key things I learned is that sleep is an incredibly personal thing, so what works for one person won't necessarily work for everyone. Take a look at the gadgets below and see what appeals to you — I've added a blurb for each one, explaining what it is and how it's designed to work (tap the View details button to see it).

Wind-down time

Want to become a hardy, all-season runner? The cold, dark, wet winter evenings sure don't feel like the most natural time to head out on a run, but the right kit can make a major difference.

There are two key elements here: comfort and safety. Specifically, you want gear that'll keep you warm and relatively dry in cold, damp weather, and that'll ensure you're visible to others and aware of your own location and surroundings if you're running in the dark.

(On the latter point — there are obviously many situations where it's not safe to run after dark. Make sure you're taking into account the specifics of your situation before deciding to head out. An indoor workout is sometimes just the only option, and that's fine!)

For warmth, layering is key. I'd also be wary of fully waterproof apparel — it often inhibits breathability, and being stuck with all that extra cold sweat next to your body is not going to help matters. However, there are some waterproof or water-resistant pieces that are designed specifically for running. Keep your extremities covered, and opt for touchscreen-compatible gloves to avoid frustration with your phone or fitness tracker.

If you must run with music, opt for bone conduction-style headphones that let you stay aware of your surroundings. And knowing where you're going will be doubly important, so it's worth investing in a good GPS running watch that'll keep you on track.

Cool runnings

TechRadar's Audio experts test dozens of pairs of headphones each year, and 2026 has been especially strong when it comes to new over-ears. I thought I'd pull together a roundup of our top-rated models — just in case readers were thinking of using next month's Black Friday sales to upgrade — and I was inundated with excellent options. Below, you'll find a collection of all the over-ear headphones that scored four stars or above in our tough review tests.

A five-star standout is the open-back, wired Heddphone D1, with its proprietary driver design that "blows away audiophile-grade options at three times the price". If you're looking for something better suited to, say, public transport or the office, there are plenty of wireless, ANC cans that knocked our socks off, too.

Two brands that upped their game in a big way for their second-gen over-ears were Nothing and Sonos. The Nothing Headphone (a) wowed us with their "gigantic" battery life and excellent on-ear controls, and the Sonos Ace Ultra impressed with a "fantastic" suite of features including detailed EQ options and Dolby Atmos for movies.

We also loved the AirPods Max 2, and they're a strong recommendation for anyone who has an iPhone and doesn't mind a case that looks like a bra. And for budget-hunters, the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro deliver "surprisingly good" sound and long battery life, and you won't believe how cheap they are.

Scroll down for a closer look at all of these headphones and more. Hit the More details button for a summary of the main pros and cons of each pair, as well as a link to the full review.

4.5 or 5 stars

4 stars

For caffeine addicts, a dedicated coffee machine is a worthy investment. But that's very much an at-home setup — what about when you're out and about? Sometimes, a great local coffee shop will satisfy your cravings, but that's no given. If you're serious about your caffeine hit, best to arm yourself with a sturdy, portable coffee maker that leaves nothing to chance.

There are a handful of brands that dominate in this market. One is AeroPress, which shot to popularity with its innovative design that aims to combine the best bits of French press, pour-over, and espresso brewing. The original model's compact, plastic build makes it pretty travel-friendly, but now there's also a smaller 'Go' version with an integrated travel cup and filter-paper holder.

Wacaco makes a range of sturdy, hand-powered brewers that deliver an espresso with a rich crema. You release a front button and then press it in to extract the coffee — your squeezes turn into 18 bars (261 PSI) of stable pressure inside the capsule. Don't have the means to boil water up separately? The OutIn does the heating part for you. It's USB-C rechargeable and works with capsules or ground coffee. This one's also great if the manual part poses a problem for you: it starts brewing at the press of a button, with no pushing or squeezing required. (Dreame has a similar self-heating portable machine on the way, but it's not on sale yet.)

One final system it's worth drawing attention to is the Rok Presso. This looks a little bit like a two-armed corkscrew, although it's rather bigger in real life. You add ground coffee, press down on the arms, and rather than pulling up a cork, the mechanism below produces a shot of espresso. It's not the most portable option here, but as a power-free, streamlined alternative to a traditional machine it's intriguing.

Scroll down for a closer look at all of these, plus more options for on-the-go coffee that won't disappoint.

Compact coffee kits

Chocolates are all well and good, but these days there are plenty of Advent calendars that hide something a little exciting — or unexpected — behind their little cardboard doors. Fans of tiny little beauty products or miniature candles are well catered for, but what about the nerds, hmm?

I've had a good old hunt around for what I think are the best nerd-friendly Advent calendars you can buy. Lego's advent calendars are an established annual delight, but I discovered that Funko Pop also makes a wide range of calendars with dinky figurines to suit various fixations. There are calendars for stationery addicts, Japanophiles, and puzzle-breakers.

While snack preferences can transcend social groups, I couldn't ignore the appeal of 12 days of artisan cheese (and associated condiments), nor the lure of Red Bull's Advent calendar variety pack. The latter contains a standard can for each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas — although it's perhaps advisable to spread out the drinking a bit more than that.

Scroll down for 12 days of Advent calendars for every kind of nerd.

Countdown time

Kindles aren't just for reading — Amazon also makes a couple of Kindles that you can scribble notes on. The Kindle Scribe and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft both have a generous, glare-free e-ink screen you can use for reading or writing; they're billed as streamlined, minimalist productivity tools that help you stay focused.

We've been impressed with both e-readers — the Kindle Scribe holds a coveted spot in our best e-readers ranking. However, there are some compromises involved in choosing one of these models rather than a reading-only option. If you're not sure which one to buy, or whether a different Kindle altogether might fit your needs more closely, you're in the right place.

In this guide, I'll provide a handy overview of the Kindle Scribe and Scribe Colorsoft, including how the specs match up and any major downsides for each model, as well as how they compare to the wider Kindle lineup. I'll also round up the different iterations so you can see your options and what they cost. Let's get started...

Kindle Scribe — Overview

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon's black-and-white e-reader with writing support included. We're on our third generation, released in the US in late 2025 and in other territories in early 2026. We awarded it an impressive 4.5 stars in our Kindle Scribe (2025) review.

Probably because it had already had a relatively recent update, the Kindle Scribe wasn't included in the big refresh the rest of the range enjoyed in October 2026 (we now have a classic Kindle 2026, a Kindle Paperwhite 2026 and a Kindle Colorsoft 2026).

The Scribe is basically a Kindle, except that if you want to take notes, you can grab the stylus and scribble down your thoughts. That's probably simplifying it a bit too much — there are a number of writing features to explore, including an adjustable-size Quick Notes pad, various workspace templates, AI-powered handwriting conversion and summary creation tools, and the ability to add notes onto a book (with text wrapping around it) or in a margin column. The newest version also includes Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive connectivity.

The Kindle Scribe is not just a Kindle Paperwhite with writing functionality, though — it diverges in both design and specs from the reading-only models. For a start, it's much bigger. The screen is 11 inches diagonally, while reading Kindles have a 6-inch or 7-inch screen. It's also heavier, clocking in at around double the weight of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft models (with 7-inch screens). Like the cheapest base model, it isn't waterproof, so it's not good for reading or note-taking in the bath.

In reading mode, the battery life is among the longest on any Kindle, but switch to note-taking, and it drops considerably. Amazon estimates around 3 weeks of writing before you'll need to recharge — still a lot longer than your average tablet, mind you. You can choose from different storage capacities, but keep in mind that all the writing features eat up quite a bit of space.

In some territories, you can choose between a model with a frontlight and one without. If you want to read or write in any lighting conditions, you'll need to stump up for the frontlight version. Assuming you have, you'll be able to choose from a range of color temperatures (from blue-toned to yellow-toned) and there's a sensor that'll adjust brightness automatically depending on your surroundings.

Kindle Scribe Colorsoft — Overview

The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is essentially a Kindle Scribe, but with color display support. Most of what I've described in the previous section is also relevant here: there's an 11-inch screen (although the overall proportions are slightly different), no waterproofing, a range of storage capacities, and warm or cool backlighting options (you can't opt out of a backlight here).

Due to the color screen, the battery life has taken a further hit: you can expect around eight weeks of reading or two weeks of writing per charge.

This is the first-generation model, and it launched at the end of 2025. We awarded it four stars in our Kindle Scribe Colorsoft review, but there are some caveats to be aware of if you're thinking of buying one.

First, you can't use the writing and color capabilities in tandem — so you couldn't take notes on a graphic novel, for instance. Our resident e-reader expert believes that color e-ink just isn't quite there yet, which could be a deal-breaker if you're buying it specifically to enjoy graphic novels.

At this price (high), an iPad or Android tablet is a viable alternative and could deliver better value for money if you're seeking an all-round productivity tool with a colorful screen.

US: Kindle Scribe range

⬇️ Hop down to the UK Kindle Scribe range

UK: Kindle Scribe range

⬆️ Hop back to the US Kindle Scribe range

Kindle Scribe vs Scribe Colorsoft: specs

How does it compare to the rest of the lineup?

It might be that neither of the Scribe models will be a good fit for your needs. Here's how the two writing options compare to the rest of the Kindle lineup.

The Kindle Colorsoft is Amazon's cheapest color e-reader, and it just got a 2026 update. The new version is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Kindle Colorsoft (2024), and features an edge-to-edge 7-inch color display. It's pricier than the black-and-white Kindle Paperwhite, and the color display shortens battery life, but these compromises are worth it for fans of graphic novels and manga.

If you're wondering if a Kindle Colorsoft is the best e-reader for you, you're in the right place. In this article, I'll cover all the key info worth knowing, including what's changed compared to the 2024 version, how the regular and Signature editions differ, and the key pros and cons of this specific e-reader. I've also rounded up all available versions and their current pricing, so you can easily browse your options. Let's go...

Kindle Colorsoft — overview

The Kindle Colorsoft is essentially the same as the Paperwhite, except it can also display color. The display is 300 ppi for black and white and 150 ppi for color, the same as basically every other e-reader. It comes with a 7-inch display, waterproofing to IPX8, and the option of cool- or warm-toned backlighting.

As with the Paperwhite, you can choose between a regular or Signature version. The latter has double the storage (32GB) — it's worth prioritizing this if you want to read a lot of graphic novels, as the files will be significantly bigger than standard books. It also boasts a more premium aluminum back, automatic backlight adjustment and wireless charging. It is heavier than the regular version, though.

There's also a Kids version. This one is hooked up to a Parent Dashboard, from which the parent can do things like view reading progress, adjust age filters, set a device bedtime, and add books from their own account. The price includes a 12-month subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides unlimited access to a library of thousands of books for children aged 3-12.

2024 vs 2026 Kindle Colorsoft: what's new?

All the 2026 Colorsofts are thinner and lighter than their 2024 counterparts. The display has been tweaked to offer 'edge-to-edge color,' and the power button has been shifted to a more convenient spot on the upper right edge, where it's much less likely to be accidentally triggered. The adult versions now come in a new 'Fig' colorway, and the Kids model has new cover options. Here's how all the main specs compare.

Most of the 2024 Kindle Colorsoft range is still available, but if you were thinking of picking up the older model to save a bit of cash, I have bad news.

Not only are the 2024 models no cheaper than their 2026 equivalents, but Amazon has actually bumped up the older models' prices to match the new range's higher list price. Right now, there's no real reason to pick a 2024 model over a 2026 model.

US: Kindle Colorsoft range

2026 models

⬇️ Hop down to the UK Colorsoft options

2024 models

UK: Kindle Colorsoft range

2026 models

⬆️ Hop back to the US Colorsoft options

2024 models

Who should buy a Kindle Colorsoft?

Buy a Kindle Colorsoft if...

✅ You read a lot of graphic novels: For graphic novels or books with lots of images, you really need a color screen. The standard version will hold about 30-50 graphic novels (depending on size), while the Signature version will store 60-100, so it's probably worth stumping up for the latter.

✅ You want color highlights: You can color-code your highlighted text on Colorsoft Kindles, which is useful, for example, if you're studying and want to be able to link themes in your reading material.

Don't buy a Kindle Colorsoft if...

❌ You're just reading text-based books: The Colorsoft is basically the color version of a Paperwhite — aside from the color capabilities and resulting shorter battery life, the design and specs are the same. If you're just reading text-based books, you could save yourself a bit of cash and enjoy longer runtimes by opting for the black-and-white Paperwhite.

❌ You want to use your Kindle for note-taking: The Colorsoft doesn't have stylus support. If you want to be able to scribble down notes on your e-reader, you'll need to opt for one of the larger, pricier Scribe models. If you opt for the regular Kindle Scribe, you won't have a color screen, and if you opt for a Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, note that you won't be able to take notes on graphic novels.

Specs compared

Wondering how the Colorsoft compares to the wider Kindle range? Here are the key specs for the full lineup (newest models only)...

We're about to enter the final stretch of 2026, and with the Black Friday sales and the festive season looming on the horizon, it felt like as good a time as any to take stock of the headphones we've tested this year, and what has impressed us most. Because we've tested just so many great headphones so far this year, in this article I've narrowed things down to just the earbuds. Below, you can see all the pairs that impressed us enough to score four stars or higher in our tough tests.

Sennheiser has produced standouts at both ends of the price spectrum. For those feeling flush, the Momentum True Wireless 5 offer "superb" sound quality with a side order of sustainability, thanks to user-replaceable batteries in both the earbuds themselves and the charge case. Anyone on a tighter budget should take a look at the Sennheiser CX 80U — these wired earbuds deliver stellar sound (our tester noted "clean and agile bass, clear mids, and vivid highs") alongside solid noise isolation, for a price tag that'll give you change from $40 / £30.

Another big winner was the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Our reviewed noted: "they sound incredible, the noise cancellation really works, they look classy yet understated, and knock it out the park with the array of features offered in the app". There are a few little caveats, though: the battery life could be better, and you need a Samsung phone to really get the best from them.

We've also tested plenty of impressive open-ear buds this year. We found the Shokz OpenDots 2 ultra-comfortable and long-lasting, but a little prone to being knocked out of the ear. The affordable Baseus Bowie MC2 also delivered on the comfort front, and are a very solid choice if you're on a tighter budget.

Scroll down to take a look at the earbuds we've been most impressed with this year so far — hit the View details button to see each model's overall score, a rundown of the main pros and cons we noted in testing, and a link to read the full review. Note: you'll only be able to see product cards for the earbuds available in your region.

Earbud excellence

Retro tech is having a real moment right now. As modern gadgets get ever flashier and more powerful, it seems the zeitgeist is pulling the other way, with a wave of clunky, analogue, nostalgic tech. Since the start of the year, we've spotted retro gadgets popping up in every corner of the tech world. I've rounded up some of my favorites below — hit the View details button to learn more about each one.

Some of these gadgets offer modern functionality behind an old-school casing. The viral Casio F-B100W is a clunky digital watch that can track your step count. The Sudo is an in-development, iPod-alike music player — complete with audio jack and click wheel for maximum satisfaction — but it will let you access music streaming services.

For others, the simplicity is entirely the point. The Pinwheel Home phone is a wall phone that can only call approved contacts, enabling tweens to chat to their friends without the specter of social media lingering in the air. And while the Nokia 300 Charge is 'modern' in that it's not attached to a wall with a curly cable, the flashiest thing about it might be its flashlight (4x brighter than you'll find on a Nokia 105, don't you know).

You'll actually own the music you play on the Miko portable cassette player, and although there's no accounting for audio quality, at least you know you won't encounter any AI slop-bops. Meanwhile, if you've got a phone that's crammed with snaps you never look at, perhaps reverting to film with a Kodak Snapic A1 will be enough to get you engaging with your photos again.

Old skool cool

The witching hour is almost upon us - and as a fan of all things spooky, creepy, and terrifying, I've rounded up my favorite Halloween home office desk decor.

I never need an excuse to get into the spirit of the season. So, you'll find a broad selection here from the cozy to the gothic, with nods to some of my favorite horror movies along the way. My number one pick though? It's definitely the mouse mat styled like The Shining's Overlook Hotel carpet. All work and no play...

My top Halloween home office desk accessories

Lego's 2026 Advent Calendars are here, and there are six new sets to explore. The Lego City calendar is the traditional option, centered around Santa's workshop, with elves, toys, Mr and Mrs Claus, and snowman figurines. The box transforms into a scene onto which the completed models can sit — a perfect addition to your Holiday decorations.

Marvel and Star Wars fans are catered for, too, with calendars that include fan-favorite characters with a festive twist. There's Doctor Doom angrily enjoying his candy cane, Spider-Man on skis, and Mandalorian, Moff Gideon and Grogu all sporting Holiday sweaters.

Finally, there are a couple more child-focused options; a festive-themed Lego Friends calendar, and a Disney calendar that turns into a board game. The latter includes princesses and their sidekicks kitted out in their holiday best (Cinderella's Gus has antlers), plus buildable scenes like a gingerbread castle and train set.

If you head to Amazon there are also a number of previous years' calendars still available to purchase — including some classics like the Harry Potter sets. Because they're just numbered 1-25 they'll work just as well this year as the year they launched in.

Lego's Advent calendars have proven themselves reliably popular year-in, year-out, and some of the 2026 sets are already showing as sold out in some places. So although it might feel a bit premature to be planning for the holidays in mid-October, now is actually quite a smart time to buy. Scroll down for a roundup of your Lego Advent calendar options available to buy now...

US Lego Advent calendars

Hop straight to the UK calendars