We've already crowned the best tech of the year as chosen by you in our TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 — but this is where we let our experts have their say.

Our writers and editors chose their favorite products in nearly 100 categories, ranging across all the kinds of products we review. In some cases, we agree with the readers; in lots of cases, we don't. So read on to see which gadgets we rate as being the most impressive of the last 12 months.

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Phone Brand of the Year

Phones Innovation of the Year

Best Value Phone

Best Mid-Range Phone

Best Folding Phone

Best Flip Phone

Best Camera Phone

Best Gaming Phone

Best AI Phone

Best Phone Accessory

Best Tablet

Best eReader

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Brand of the Year

Camera Innovation of the Year

Best Beginner Camera

Best Mid-range camera

Best Professional Camera

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

Best Camera Lens

Best Camera Accessory

Best Drone

Computing

Laptop of the Year

Computing Brand of the Year

Best Computing Innovation

Best Value Laptop

Best AI Laptop

Best Gaming Laptop

Best PC Gaming Handheld

Best Gaming Keyboard

Best Gaming Mouse

Best Gaming Monitor

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

Gaming Brand of the Year

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Best Console Accessory

Best Gaming Service

Best Gaming Controller

Best Gaming Headset

Best Gaming Chair

TV & home theater

TV of the Year

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Best Gaming TV

Best TV for Sound

Best OLED TV

Best Mini-LED TV

Best Value TV

Best Projector

Best Soundbar

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

Best for Movies

Best for Documentaries

Best for TV Shows

Best Free Streaming Service

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Audio Brand of the Year

Audio Innovation of the Year

Best Wireless Headphones

Best Wireless Earbuds

Best Open Earbuds

Best Value Headphones

Best Value Earbuds

Best Value Open Earbuds

Best Wired Headphones

Best Wired Earbuds

Best Bluetooth Speaker

Best Wireless Speaker

Best Portable Audio Player

Best Turntable

Best DAC

Best Stereo Speakers

Health & Fitness tech

Health & Fitness Device of the year

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Health & Fitness Innovation of the Year

Best Smartwatch

Best Running Watch

Best Fitness Tracker

Best Smart Ring

Best Electric Toothbrush

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Best Home Light Tech

Best Home Security Device

Best Robot Vacuum

Best Vacuum

Best Air Fryer

Best Coffee Machine

Best Value Coffee Machine

Best Fan

It's also been a really difficult year in tech, though, due to the component crisis and rising prices across nearly all products. In the middle of that tension, it only makes sense for us to find out which companies navigated the challenges best by asking the community of tech lovers out there — and so here are the first TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards.

The results are in, so below we've listed the TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 winners winners in every category, all 100% voted by you!

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Phone Brand of the Year

Phones Innovation of the Year

Best Value Phone

Best Mid-Range Phone

Best Folding Phone

Best Flip Phone

Best Camera Phone

Best Gaming Phone

Best AI Phone

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Camera Brand of the Year

Camera Innovation of the Year

Best Beginner Camera

Best Mid-range camera

Best Professional Camera

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

Best Camera Lens

Best camera accessory

Best drone

Computing

Computing Brand of the Year

Best Computing Innovation

Best Value Laptop

Best AI Laptop

Best Gaming Laptop

Best PC Gaming Handheld

Best Gaming Keyboard

Best Gaming Monitor

Best Gaming Mouse

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

Gaming Brand of the Year

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Best Console Accessory

Best Gaming Service

Best Gaming Controller

Best Gaming Headset

Best Gaming Chair

TV & home theater

TV of the year

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Best Gaming TV

Best TV for Sound

Best OLED TV

Best mini-LED TV

Best Value TV

Best Projector

Best Soundbar

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

Best Streaming Service for Movies

Best Streaming Service for Documentaries

Best Streaming Service for TV Series

Best Free Streaming Service of the Year

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Audio Brand of the Year

Audio Innovation of the Year

Best Wireless Headphones

Best Wireless Earbuds

Best Open Earbuds

Best Value Headphones

Best Value Earbuds

Best Value Open Earbuds

Best Wired Headphones

Best Wired Earbuds

Best Bluetooth Speaker

Best Wireless Speaker

Best Portable Audio Player

Best Turntable

Best DAC

Best Stereo Speakers

Health & Fitness tech

Health and Fitness Device of the Year

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Health and Fitness Innovation of the Year

Best Smartwatch

Best Running Watch

Best Fitness Tracker

Best Smart Ring

Best Electric Toothbrush

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Best Home Light Tech

Best Home Security Device

Best Robot Vacuum

Best Vacuum

Best Air Fryer

Best Coffee Machine

Best Value Coffee Machine

Best Fan

So when Sonos announced the Beam Ultra soundbar earlier this year, alongside a new feature that would allow its portable Play speakers to double as rear surrounds, my interest was well and truly piqued.

I've already made my feelings about the Play perfectly clear, having previously claimed it could be the only speaker you really need. Its ability to perform just as well around the home as it does on the move makes it an incredibly appealing proposition.

And now, thanks to the new Sonos27 operating system, that versatility extends to home theater. Rather than committing a pair of speakers to permanent surround duties, you can simply pick one up, take it into another room and use it independently, before returning it to its original position and having it automatically rejoin the system.

It's a simple idea, but one that has the potential to fundamentally change how people use their Sonos speakers. And having now put the Beam Ultra and a pair of Plays through their paces, I think it's one of the company's most compelling developments in years.

Play it for me, Sonos

A pair of Sonos Play speakers can be used as rear surrounds with several of the company's soundbars, including the Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2) and Beam Ultra. Given the larger size and greater output capabilities of the Arc models, I'd argue the relatively compact Plays might be a slight mismatch, but it's good to know you're not tied to one particular soundbar.

Pairing them with the smaller Beam makes more sense to me, and in my bedroom, the combination is discreet enough not to draw attention, yet powerful enough to deliver a genuinely expansive sound that's a huge improvement over my TV's built-in speakers.

Of course, the real appeal of this setup is that the Plays aren't permanently tied to surround duties. Pick one up, carry it into another room and it should automatically disconnect from the home theater system, becoming an independent speaker ready for music playback. Return it to its original position, and it should seamlessly slot back into place.

Making this possible is some clever technology working behind the scenes. An accelerometer inside each Play detects when it's been picked up and moved, while Sonos Positioning Technology uses near-ultrasonic signals, picked up by the soundbar's microphones, to determine whether the speakers are in the same room and where they're positioned. It can even work out which speaker should act as the left or right rear surround, without you having to assign them manually.

At least, that's the theory.

When I first put this to the test, things didn't quite go according to plan. I carried one of the Plays from my bedroom into the living room, only to find it was still reproducing audio from the home theater system. The connection also became intermittent, with the sound cutting in and out rather than the speaker switching to standalone mode.

I eventually resorted to tapping 'Stop Using Surrounds' in the Sonos app, which allowed me to use the Play independently. But when I returned it to the bedroom, it didn't automatically reconnect either, requiring another trip into the app to select 'Start Using Surrounds'.

Not wanting to be deterred, I tried again a short while later. This time, after moving the same Play into the living room and waiting a few seconds, I heard an audible tone confirming it had disconnected from the home theater setup. Both Plays, including the one still in the bedroom, then appeared as standalone speakers in my AirPlay settings.

Returning the speaker to its original position was just as straightforward. A breathing white light indicated it was determining its position relative to the soundbar, followed by the same audible tone confirming a successful connection. Just like that, it was back to performing rear-left surround duties, without me having to touch the app.

And that's when the appeal of Sonos' new approach really clicked. Instead of a pair of speakers permanently committed to home theater duties, I could now move them around my apartment as needed, without manually reconfiguring the system every time.

Small system, big sound

To give the system a proper workout and find out just how much the Play surrounds contributed, I had to turn to the Penguin car chase scene in The Batman.

I started with the Beam Ultra by itself and was, quite frankly, blown away by its performance. Considering the soundbar's compact dimensions, the sheer scale of the sound it produced was remarkable. The rumble of the Batmobile's engine had impressive weight, while the soundfield extended well beyond the physical confines of the bar. In fact, it effectively disappeared, with sound filling the room rather than appearing to come from a single speaker beneath the TV.

Perhaps more impressive was that I wasn't using a separate subwoofer. In my bedroom, at least, I didn't feel an immediate need for one, such was the weight and authority of the bass. Admittedly, a larger living room could tell a different story, and anyone craving particularly deep, room-shaking bass would likely benefit from adding a Sub Mini.

With the two Plays connected as surrounds, and both the surround and height audio settings left at their default level of 0, the performance became even more immersive. As Batman and Penguin sped along the highway, the sounds of passing lorries and cars extended behind my listening position, creating a more convincing sense of being in the middle of the action.

Curious to see how much further the system could go, I increased both the surround and height audio settings to +5. The presentation became even more enveloping, with rear-channel effects such as blaring car horns becoming easier to distinguish. And when Penguin's car went into a roll, the system did a convincing job of following the chaos unfolding on screen, making me feel as though I was right there in the passenger seat.

Arc you pleased to see me?

The Beam Ultra and Play combination had replaced an Arc and two Sonos Ones in my bedroom, so I was keen to see how the newer system compared with its predecessor. I reinstalled the older setup, starting with the Arc on its own.

There was an immediately noticeable increase in sheer grunt, which wasn't entirely surprising given the Arc's larger dimensions and greater number of drivers. But the difference wasn't quite as dramatic as I'd expected, particularly considering how much smaller the Beam Ultra is.

It was also a reminder of how much easier Sonos has made the process of adding portable surrounds. With the Plays, I could simply select 'Use Surrounds' and, within seconds, they would connect and automatically establish their left and right positions. The Ones required a more involved setup process, including manually assigning each speaker to its respective channel.

Returning to the same scene from The Batman, this time with the Ones connected, revealed a more substantial difference between the two systems.

The Arc-based setup produced a bigger, more authoritative sound, particularly with the surround TV level increased to +5. Car engines had greater low-frequency weight, while the movement of vehicles along the highway was easier to follow as sounds travelled around the room.

Where the Beam Ultra fought back was in its reproduction of higher frequencies and dialogue. Voices sounded clearer and more distinct than they did through the Arc, while effects such as screeching tyres had greater bite and definition.

And while I maintain that the Beam Ultra doesn't necessarily need a subwoofer in a smaller room, the comparison demonstrated that the Arc has an advantage when it comes to outright bass weight.

Ultimately, both systems delivered thoroughly enjoyable and convincing surround sound experiences. The Arc-based setup had the edge in scale and low-frequency authority, but the Beam Ultra and Plays proved that a relatively compact system can still deliver a seriously cinematic performance.

A home theater system with a difference

At $1,297 / £1,297/ AU$2,097 for the Beam Ultra and two Plays, this certainly isn't the cheapest way to bring surround sound into your home. In fact, Sonos' own Beam Ultra and Era 100 surround package costs considerably less ($1,082 / £1,042 / AU$1,652), and as my comparison with the Arc and Ones demonstrated, a conventional setup can deliver a more substantial sound.

But I'd argue that focusing purely on the price of admission, or even outright surround performance, misses the point of what Sonos has achieved here.

Because when I'm not watching a movie or catching up on my favorite TV shows, I don't necessarily need two speakers sitting behind me doing nothing. With this setup, I can pick them up and take them wherever I please, whether that's into another room for some background music or outside for a gathering with friends.

And because the Plays offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, they're just as comfortable being part of a multiroom Sonos system as they are accompanying me away from home.

In effect, I'm getting two systems in one: an immersive home theater setup when I want it, and a pair of genuinely portable wireless speakers when I don't.

For me, that's where the real value lies. Sonos hasn't just made its home theater systems more flexible; it's made the speakers themselves more useful. And having experienced how seamlessly the two roles can work together, it's a feature I'd find difficult to give up.

According to the Japanese Sony retailer and blog Kuntoku, as reported by FlatpanelsHD, sales in Japan end as of today, 22nd October.

As we said in our Sony UBP-X700 review, it's a brilliant budget player (in our view, the top budget player among the best 4K Blu-ray players) — so if you've been thinking about getting one, it might be wise to move quickly. Although there has not been any official announcement, if Sony no longer sells its sole dedicated 4K player in Japan, that doesn't look good for other markets.

I've checked big-name retailers and Sony's US and UK websites, and all of them currently have stock.

Is the end of the optical disc in sight?

If the player is discontinued elsewhere and you still want a 4K Blu-ray device from Sony you can buy a PlayStation 5 or a PS5 Slim. But even the best PS5 deals involve spending roughly twice what you'd pay for the UBP-X700, and the PS5 doesn't support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, or Dolby Atmos and DTS decoding for movies.

The discontinuation doesn't bode well for the PS6 either. Sony hasn't said the optical disc is fully dead in its future consoles, but if you take this alongside Sony's controversial plans to stop selling game discs and the lack of an optical drive as standard in the PS5 Pro it doesn't suggest a bright Blu-ray future for the next-next-gen console. And if you think the PS5 is pricey, the PS6 is likely to be significantly more expensive.

We've been reporting on Blu-ray since its debut two decades ago, and with manufacturers' interest in the format waning there's no sign of another format to replace it. As we said in our investigation into the future of 4K Blu-ray: "A successor wouldn't just need a better disc, there’d have to be a need to even build that better disc in the first place. Only then would studios create the content, manufacturers would build the players, TV makers would support it and consumers would decide if it was worth upgrading. But right now none of the experts could identify a good enough reason."

I don't think Blu-ray discs are dead — in fact, they're seeing a resurgence — but the players seem to be looking a little sick these days. so if you're keen to stick with optical media it would be wise to pick up one of the best Blu-ray players while you still can, even despite the recent price hikes to Panasonic's players.

I suspect that we'll see the movie market move to something similar to what we've seen in audio: ok-quality streaming subs for the mass market and very hi-res buy-to-own downloads for cinephiles with deeper pockets.

During my visit, I got to speak to the team and hear their in-depth knowledge and expertise, and while we discuss plenty of movies and projects Silver Salt had worked on, the main movie I was there to discuss was the 1958 Hammer classic Dracula (known as Horror of Dracula in the US) starring Christopher Lee as the titular vampire, with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing.

Arguably Hammer’s most iconic movie and easily one of Silver Salt’s biggest projects, I saw a glimpse into the work being done to bring this classic flick to new life.

A painstaking restoration

For a more in-depth look at the initial stages before the restoration process (table inspection, cleaning and scanning) check out my previous article here. Once the digital files have been scanned in, these DPX files are handed over to the restoration artists, who must then go through the painstaking process of removing excess dirt, tidying up film grain (but not too much) and a general maintenance and tidy on each individual frame.

After being shown some of the work that goes into this restoration process on other titles (which you can again read about in my previous article) I speak with Paul Gowlett, the Project Lead for Hammer at Silver Salt Restoration. He’s overseeing Dracula and gives me a glimpse into the work that’s gone into revitalising this Hammer classic.

One particularly arduous process he shows me involves the movie’s opening sequence (a shot of the exterior of the castle, walking amongst some tombstones). During this shot, which lasts approximately 90 seconds, Gowlett points to the bottom of his monitor and points out a hair.

“It was part of the original presentation of the film, but was a production issue of the cleaning the camera gate, it is not intentional” he tells me. This brings me back to an earlier conversation I’d had with Anthony Badger, Head of Restoration at Silver Salt. He said “It can be a bit of an ethical dilemma on how much we intervene, but we need to consider if an extreme problem will take you out of the story.” Although the hair was part of the ‘original film’ it could serve as a distraction.

A shot of Christopher Lee as Dracula, with the original file on the left and the remaster on the right, the latter of which shows much more color and depth

Original raw file

Remastered

Gowlett informed me that each individual digital frame had to be checked for this hair. Each frame was removed digitally by using information from frames from later on in the shot, leading to the final image. The final result: a staggering 2000 frames. When I asked Gowlett how long it had taken him to remove this hair, he said several days. All for 90 seconds of footage. It was just a clear indication of how much work had gone into this project.

The other issue the team found with the original film (which was prevalent in the digital files) was a heavy amount of yellow staining. This yellow staining was only apparent when isolating the ‘blue channel of the image’ in the restoration process. Along with the hair and this staining, the team also made sure to ‘de-flicker’ the image to make the colours more stable throughout.

A stunning grade and updated soundtrack

Once the restoration work is complete, the files are handed over for grading. Dracula is being handled by Ray King, Head of Film at Silver Salt, while also being overseen by Mark Stanborough, Head of Restoration, Hammer Films, but during my visit, it’s Ray’s grading I’m seeing in action.

King has worked on most, if not all, of the Hammer titles handled by Silver Salt. He shows me how Peter Cushing’s skin tone has taken on a red tint after applying the HDR grade, saying how it’s the old stage makeup used during these sorts of productions being picked up during the grade. With some alterations, the result looks natural and lifelike, breathing new life into all characters in the clips I saw.

I’m also shown the opening title sequence again, only this time with the blood-red ‘Dracula’ text overlaid. To get this, King had to separate out the picture and the words into two separate layers, to get that blood-red color on the words themselves. He told me the color of the titles had faded, so he separated the layers and grades here to get the colors worthy of the words.

Color fade was an issue with the original raw files, but the HDR remastered grade revistlized these colors

Original raw file

Remastered

Color fade was also true of the original elements that had been scanned in. A lot of the beautiful, bold colors weren’t popping as much and after showing me the red, green and blue waveforms, which highlighted the colors' degradation, he then showed me the picture after the grade had been applied. The difference was staggering.

The ornate furnishings, particularly a set of lush, velvet red curtains, now dazzled thanks to HDR. Instances of blood popped on screen and even clothing had a more dynamic, modern-day look to them. Again though, it was the skin tones of the people on screen that really impressed me, as this seemed to give the movie an almost-modern look. “Once we’re done, some of these movies like they could have been filmed last week” King says, rightfully admiring the HDR grade before us.

Even darker scenes have been given a facelift. Black tones are richer, deeper and, when paired with candlelight or lamps, create strong contrast that would look superb on some of the best OLED TVs. The grade in every clip I’m shown is nothing short of masterful and having tested multiple Hammer titles as part of the Blu-ray Bounty, Dracula is set to be the best.

I discussed with Stanborough later on about the new 5.1 soundtrack, something that’s been included with those other Hammer titles I tested. Stanborough talked to me about the process.

To achieve the 5.1 surround, AI was used to split the dialogue and music tracks before being mixed in a studio. “60-70% of the film is in surround, which is quite nice” but he also stressed the importance of “trying not to go too far and staying sympathetic to the original theatrical experience”.

When the movie returns to cinemas on 16th October (on a two week run until 1st November), viewers will experience the 5.1 soundtrack and HDR grade. The 4K disc lands on 23rd November, but whether you can get along to a cinema screening or are getting the 4K disc for your collection, after what I’ve seen and heard, fans will be in for a treat.

Dracula is in UK cinemas now, with the 4K UHD Limited Edition and Standard Editions arriving 23rd November. Check here for your nearest screenings.

A clever developer has come up with a way to deliver lossless Dolby TrueHD movie soundtracks, complete with Dolby Atmos effects, to home theater speakers from the third-gen Apple TV 4K.

The Apple TV only officially supports Dolby Digital Plus, which is the more compressed Dolby audio codec used by streaming services to reduce the amount of data used, while Dolby TrueHD is used on Blu-rays where bandwidth isn't a problem. So it makes sense for the Apple TV 4K to only use Dolby Digital Plus, since it's a streaming device — but that doesn't stop the enthusiasts from wanting the flexibility of playing files with TrueHD audio on their devices.

The system that Reddit user Agathorpt used to deliver Dolby TrueHD through the Apple TV 4K requires not actually delivering it in TrueHD at all, but converting it to other formats, converting the Dolby Atmos positional data into other formats too, then recombining them in a format that the Apple TV 4K can deliver, but in a higher quality.

How they got TrueHD Atmos on the Apple TV 4K

As mentioned above, the audio takes a bit of a journey here. The path is:

TrueHD Atmos → decoded audio + timed object metadata → fixed 9.1.6 speaker render → APAC → native tvOS playback.

APAC is Apple's Positional Audio Codec, and while it's not truly lossless (the source audio, TrueHD, is a lossless format but APAC is not) the consensus is that the results here are really impressive.

Basically, the system decodes the audio and the 3D Atmos positioning data separately, creates a new audio system where the Atmos effects are mapped to a 9.1.6-channel speaker configuration, then converts that to Apple's own proprietary spatial audio codec, which can then be played by the Apple TV 4K.

The goal was to replicate the audio functionality of a closed-source app called Native Player with an open-source alternative because "keeping the implementation closed… leaves everyone dependent on that vendor for fixes and future support," Agathorpt says. "Other players can't reuse or improve that code, and the community can't independently inspect how it handles the audio."

"The spatial audio has been working amazingly well for me," Agathorpt says. "It sounds excellent on my setup." Other redditors have tried the same software and are reporting great results too.

In order to copy what Agathorpt has created, you'd need several things: a Mac; Apple's Xcode development software; and your own Apple development account to sign an app: the full steps they went through are detailed here. The Apple TV 4K needs to be running tvOS 26 or later, and of course you'll also need movie files with 48kHz TrueHD Atmos audio.

There is hope from home theater enthusiasts that Agathorpt's project will be implemented in the Nuvio player for everyone and in other tvOS apps too, but for now you'll need to build it yourself. It doesn't seem too difficult to do, but if you're not the technical type you might want to wait for it to roll out as part of the app. It's been proposed for addition so hopefully that won't take too long.

Agathorpt is at pains to point out that they didn't write the software projects used in this process. It builds on the work of others, especially Superuser404notfound's work on the AetherEngine media engine and LibTrueHD object audio decoder.

One assumes that this will work with the new Apple TV 4K (2026) that Apple just announced too, though its price hike and lack of big new AV features means fans aren't particularly enamored.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

Xgimi has introduced a trio of triple-laser home projectors, each of which delivers 4K at up to 120Hz. The brand says they deliver up to seven times the native contrast and twice the refresh rate of their predecessors, delivering greater depth in darker scenes and delivering fast-moving content much more smoothly.

The three models are branded Horizon 30 Pro, Horizon 30 Max and Horizon 30 Ultra Max, and prices begin at a very reasonable $1,899 (about £1,439 / AU$2,724). All three are considerably brighter than many of the best 4K projectors you can buy today.

The specifications are particularly appealing if like me you spend as much time gaming as you do watching TV shows or movies. All three models have a game mode with promised latency of 1ms at 1080p 240Hz and 3ms at 4K 60Hz.

XGIMI Horizon 30 Series projectors: key specifications and pricing

All three models are 4K 120Hz Google TV projectors with variable refresh rate (including AMD FreeSync) and auto low latency mode.

They all come with dual 12W Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS:VirtualX. Their light source is an RGB triple laser with a dual intelligent iris system that automatically optimizes the light for each scene, and there's support for for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Each model gets an integrated stand that tilts and rotates for optimum positioning, and there are both optical zoom and lens shift for flexibility. The Lens Memory feature can save details of up to five different setups, enabling you to quickly switch from a setup ideal for TV shows to one ideal for ultra-wide gaming or movies.

Where the models differ is in their brightness and associated contrast. The most affordable of the three, the Horizon 30 Pro, puts out up to 4,800 ISO lumens with native contrast of 8,000:1.

The Horizon 30 Max emits 5,300 ISO lumens and has native contrast of 9,000:1.

And the range-topping Horizon 30 Ultra Max delivers 10,000 ISO lumens and has native contrast of 10,000:1.

The pre-order prices are:

• Horizon 30 Pro: $1,899 (about £1,439 / AU$2,724)
• Horizon 30 Max: $2,499 (about £1,894 / AU$3,585)
• Horizon 30 Ultra Max: $2,999 (about £2,272 / AU$4,302)

Those prices are valid from October 12 through October 31 2026 at xgimi.com. Open sales begin on November 1 and the prices go up on that date to $2,499, $2,999 and $3,499 respectively (about £1,894 / £2,272 / £2,651 and AU$3,585 / AU$4,302 / AU$5,020).

• Browse the full Best Buy Techtober sale

You can pick up a 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos surround sound system for $1,764.94 at Best Buy. This deal is made up of the Sony CS lineup of speakers, including floorstanding, centre, surround and Atmos height speakers, as well as a subwoofer, and the Sony STR-AN1000 7.2 channel AV Receiver, which support both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. I've listed all the individual components and respective deals below.

Considering some of the best soundbars will set you back nearly $2,000, this is a fantastic way to get a separate system for your home, and after kitting out our testing lab with a surround sound system after using a soundbar, I can attest to it being a serious upgrade.

If you don't already, you'll also need speaker cable, which you can check out at Best Buy here! There's plenty of options to suit different budgets, and the cost will depend on how much you need.

Sony 5.1.2 channel surround system: quick links

• Sony STR-AN1000 7.2ch AV receiver: was $1,199.99 now $948.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 3-way Floorstanders: was $299.99 now $173.99 at Best Buy
• Sony SACS9M2 Active Subwoofer: was $329.99 now $204.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 2-way Centre Speaker: was $249.99 now $124.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 3-way Bookshelf Speaker: was $279.99 now $153.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - Dolby Atmos up-firing height speakers: was $279.99 now $153.99 at Best Buy
• Speaker cable

Today's best Sony surround sound deal

The importance of upgraded sound

For some time now, we've been using a Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4 channel soundbar system as our reference audio setup, primarily for testing 4K Blu-rays as part of the Blu-ray Bounty and to compare to other soundbars.

Recently however, we changed to separates surround sound system, consiting of standalone speakers. This includes the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) 603 S3 floorstanders (for front channels) B&W 607 S3 bookshelves (for surrounds), a B&W HTM6 S3 centre speaker and a B&W ASW610 subwoofer. This is all powered by the Denon AVC-3900H AV 9.4 channel receiver.

Comparing the Denon and B&W system to the Samsung soundbar, it was clear just how much of an upgrade a full separates system was. Watching the Batmobile chase from The Batman, I heard new detail through both the 603 S3 front speakers and 607 S3 surrounds I'd never heard before, such as the rattling of leaves under the chassis of the Batmobile.

Atmos-based effects were realistic and added to the immersion, with the trajectory of a bullet spray or the swerving tires mapped with pinpoint precision to the right channel. Sound travelled from speaker to speaker during sweeping camera shots, creating a full 360-dome effect.

But really, it was the power of the Denon and B&W system that impressed. The subwoofer delivered serious heft that shook the room with every impact and explosion, while front channels delivered plenty of crunch during the chaotic and car-crash filled scene.

While the Samsung soundbar was very good, this setup made me realise just how big a difference a separates system can make, giving every element room to breathe. The Sony package above may not be as premium as our reference Denon and B&W system, but the principle is the same: separate speakers, more detail. And considering the Sony's soundbar-rivaling price, this is a fantastic deal. Now, let's see if I can fit it in my apartment...

More Prime Day deals in the US

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• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
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If you want bold colors, you can't go wrong with Speed Racer. Its cartoonish color palette generates some vibrant tones that explode on the right display (the kind you'd find on one of the best OLED TVs). The Sound of Music also boasts some vivid colors, which are equally lifelike and natural. This 4K breathes new life into the now-60-year-old movie.

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Surprisingly, Edward Scissorhands produces some seriously dynamic colors, shown in the gaudy exterior of the houses in the neighborhood, as well as the 1950s-esque costumes of the locals. Another visual feast is Tron: Legacy. On 4K, the slick graphics and neon-like colors highlight how good a 4K disc this is. And of course, there's the stellar Daft Punk soundtrack, presented in Dolby Atmos.

There are plenty of options if you're looking for discs that'll let your sound system flex its muscles. Superman (2025) utilizes Dolby Atmos' object-based sound and height channels during Superman's flight sequences, and as a result they sound superb. F1: The Movie generates plenty of low-end that'll test the limits of your subwoofer, along with any sound movement and directionality during race scenes.

For something completely different, The Wild Robot renders the sounds of nature with true-to-life clarity. Snapping twigs, wind and rain, calling animals: The Wild Robot's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is superb. Plus, it looks gorgeous with its hand-drawn / painted style of animation.

Finally, Tombstone and Minority Report use DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtracks, and prove that you don't necessarily need Dolby Atmos for high-quality sound. Tombstone's gunfights will show off the mapping of your surround speakers, while Minority Report will have you thinking you do have height channels.

Check out Amazon's 4K Blu-ray deals for the full range of discs on offer.

My 9 picks from Amazon's 4K Blu-ray sale

More kit for your setup

Need some other new gear? We've got our top picks of the best 4K Blu-ray players as well as some of today's best TV deals.

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4K Blu-ray is the best way to view movies at home and is my go-to source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars as TechRadar’s AV reviewer. Plus, I’m a collector myself, and always adding new titles to my already-packed shelves.

This month, I’ll be testing ten new titles from September 2026. And there’s some big news: we’ve upgraded our in-house sound system! After using the Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar system since the start, we’ve updated to a full separate Denon and Bowers & Wilkins home theater system, consisting of the Denon AVC-3900H AV receiver, a pair of B&W 603 S3 floorstanders for fronts, a pair of B&W 607 S3 bookshelves for surrounds, a B&W HTM6 S3 centre speaker and a B&W ASW610 subwoofer. This is a 5.1 system for now, but we’ll be adding in two side speakers soon to create a 7.1 system.

Elsewhere our setup remains the same. The TV is the LG G6, one of 2026’s best OLED TVs and the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, one of the best 4K Blu-ray players on the market. As usual, I’ll be testing each disc on its picture and audio quality and not the movies themselves.

Supergirl (Warner Bros.)

Supergirl follows the story of Kara Zor-El AKA Supergirl,(Milly Alcock) Superman’s cousin, as she is thrown into an unlikely alliance to hunt down Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), a space trafficker and outlaw, after he harms her dog Krypto.

Supergirl looks superb in 4K. Colors are both punchy, shown in the neon signs at the various bars or the laser from Supergirl’s eyes and the various weapons of criminals, and true-to-life, shown in the iconic colors of the blue, red and yellow in the Supergirl costume. Scenes in space showcase the disc’s rich black tones and strong contrast, with the balance between the black of space and the bright stars and Sun. Textures are crisp, with people looking realistic and environments and objects packed with detail.

The disc has a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is a real showcase for the object-based sound. As Supergirl flies around, the trajectory of sound accurately follows her movement on screen, with the sound mapped precisely from speaker to speaker. Spaceship engines and the boom of Supergirl taking off deliver meaty bass that’s well-controlled, and fight scenes generate plenty of hefty impact from front channels.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (Disney)

A spin-off movie from The Mandalorian TV show, Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu follows the two titular characters as they are tasked with the rescue of Rotta the Hutt, the only surviving heir to Jabba the Hutt.

Presented in Dolby Vision, The Mandalorian & Grogu looks excellent. It’s a slick presentation with lifelike textures and detail: characters take on a 3D-like depth that makes them appear true-to-life. There’s also plenty of high contrast scenes with rich black tones that look great on the G6 OLED. The balance between light and dark tones was superb too, with the gleam of the Mandalorian’s armor contrasting well with the dark surroundings.

Colors are also delivered with some nice pop, with the reds of lasers and blaster fire looking vibrant. On a wooded planet, the greens of the trees are lush and natural.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack here is brilliant. During the opening scene, as the Mandalorian infiltrates an Imperial warlord’s hideout, gunfire sounds hefty with plenty of impact. Explosions generated a weighty rumble that had our testing room rattling, but later fight scenes showed that the bass was tightly controlled.

Sound placement is superb too. As gunfire scatters from one end of a room to another, the trajectory is accurately mapped from the front to surround speakers with real precision.

Hamilton (Disney)

One of the most widely known musicals in recent theater, Hamilton follows the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the US. The musical is known for using different styles of music in its songs, primarily hip-hop. This home video version is a recording of the original 2015-2016 Broadway run.

The 4K disc supports a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that sounds excellent. Vocals are cleanly delivered and well balanced with other elements in the mix. Backing choirs and vocalists feed through the rear speakers, and individual instruments are precisely mapped to each channel. In ‘Alexander Hamilton’ (the opening number), there’s tight bass, punchy drums and excellent use of Dolby Atmos’ object-based profile, with every element combining to conjure up an immersive soundstage.

Other tracks such as You’ll Be Back demonstrate the Atmos soundtrack’s more delicate strings and pianos, while other tracks such as Guns and Ships again show the bass-driven hip-hop styling mixed with epic strings and rapped vocals. All of it sounds impressive, especially through our new home theater system.

The picture here is presented in Dolby Vision and looks great. Black tones created by the use of stage lighting are deep and rich, actors look true-to-life, there’s plenty of refined detail in costumes, and colors have a nice vibrancy to them throughout the entire production. The fast movement of the actors and cameras will also provide a test for your display. Shadow detail is brilliant throughout as well, with the spotlights and stage lights creating some impressive-looking shadows.

12 Angry Men (1957) (Criterion)

12 Angry Men (1957) follows a group of 12 jurors debating whether to convict or acquit a teen charged with murder. 11 jurors agree, but 1 juror’s caution forces the men to reconsider the evidence.

As with most Criterion releases of classic movies, this restoration breathes new life into the picture. Textures have been upscaled nicely, giving people in particular a fresh, 3D-like look and textures in the environment have been refined brilliantly in the deliberation room. The black and white picture also shows strong contrast, with a terrific range of gray tones. There’s a fair amount of grain retained here, but it suits the movie.

The supported soundtrack is only monaural, so there’s nothing here to really show off your home theater. But the soundtrack has been cleaned up, meaning dialogue is clear throughout and other effects such as the shuffling of chairs is clear too.

Obsession (Universal Pictures)

Obsession follows the story of Ian (Michael Johnston), who uses a ‘One Wish Willow’ to wish that his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), will fall in love with him. His desire is granted, but he soon discovers that this triggers a dark and dangerous series of events.

Presented in Dolby Vision, Obsession looks great in 4K. There’s a lot of deep dark tones throughout, with some strong contrast on display, created by the use of lighting. Textures are crisp, with characters appearing lifelike throughout the movie. There’s some stellar shadow detail here as well, with a lot of detail legible even in particularly dark scenes. Colors, while not especially varied, do look bold and vibrant when used, particularly reds, which look both punchy and natural.

There’s a Dolby Atmos soundtrack supported here, which is most effective with the movie's tense and foreboding score. Bass synths generate a lot of rumble from the subwoofer, and there’s a real sense of immersion as the other synths swirl across the speakers. Other effects also sound great, delivered with real precision and clarity. In one scene where Nikki smashes a bottle, the sound of splintering glass is realistic, and the following visceral moments sound gruesomely lifelike as well. Moments of violence are rendered with spine-chilling detail too.

Disclosure Day (Universal Pictures)

Disclosure Day follows the story of Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a meteorologist and Dr Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity specialist, who end up on the run from a government agent (Colin Firth) after discovering extraterrestrial life is real, and they attempt to reveal the information to the world.

This is a slick-looking 4K presentation, with lifelike textures and detail. Colors are punchy and realistic throughout the movie, whether it’s clothing, cars or environments, such as the green fields of the forest where Kellner hides out. High contrast scenes look excellent as well, with a great balance between light and dark tones. HDR highlights really pop on screen too, shown with rear headlights in cars and spotlights used later in the movie.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack featured here is fantastic. Gunshots have plenty of impact, explosions and car crashes generate a hefty bass response, and object-based sounds are expansive. As cars drive through a dusty, gravel path, the sound of the gravel under the tires is accurately mapped to rear channels, and seamlessly synchronizes with the on-screen action.

Batman: Knightfall Part 1 (Warner Bros)

Batman: Knightfall Part 1 is the first part in a planned trilogy of animated movies that adapts the ‘Knightfall’ storyline in Batman comics, that ran from 1993-94. The first part follows Batman as he confronts the escaped inmates of Arkham Asylum, who have been freed by Bane.

This is a clean, crisp animation presented in 4K, Dolby Vision. Colors are satisfyingly vivid and give the picture a real comic book look. Reds and oranges are especially eye-catching, shown again with blood and the fire of Azrael’s claws. The animation itself also appears intricate, with sharp textures that give the picture depth. Black tones are rich and look great on our LG G6 OLED.

The disc supports a DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack that sounds superb. In the opening scene, as Azrael ambushes members of the Kobra Cult, gunfire delivers good punchiness, Azrael’s movements are tracked accurately and as he stalks around the gang, the sound follows the action precisely. Punches have good heft and weight to them and the soundtrack makes every use of each channel, giving every sound room to breathe.

Little Odessa (Criterion)

Little Odessa tells the story of Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth), a hitman who accepts a contract in the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up, where upon his return, he reconnects with his estranged Soviet immigrant family.

This is another great 4K restoration from Criterion. Textures have been upscaled well and cleaned up, giving the movie a more modern look. Night scenes are perfect for showing off the disc’s strong contrast, with rich shadow detail, deep dark tones and a good balance with brighter tones, such as streetlights and snow. Colors look natural throughout, and even scenes with snow benefit from the new Dolby Vision HDR grade that adds more brightness to the white tones.

The disc supports a DTS-HD 2.0 surround MA soundtrack. While this won't be a tought test for your home theater system, the general ambience of the Brooklyn streets adds some good atmosphere to the viewing experience, with car horns, nearby pedestrians and the subway all adding some life. Speech is also clear throughout.

Barbarian (20th Century Studios)

Barbarian follows the story of Tess (Georgina Campbell), a woman who books an AirBnB and discovers that it’s been double-booked by a man named Keith (Bill Skarsgård). After Tess decides to stay anyway, she soon discovers dark secrets within the house.

This is another great-looking 4K Blu-ray. Where your display will be really tested is with the movie’s many dark scenes. On our LG G6, black tones were inky and rich, and contrast was strong as the light from torches as well as dimly lit lamps juxtaposed dark surroundings. Shadow detail is also excellent, and textures have an authentic look, particularly with people. While the spectrum of colors on offer is relatively slim, they appear vibrant and natural in equal measure when used.

A DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack is featured here. From the opening scenes, the use of surround adds to the immersion, with the pounding rain still giving a sense of height, despite the absence of actual height channels. The movie’s tense, mysterious score is punchy, with the bass synths generating some good low-end tones that whip up a chilling atmosphere. Other more subtle effects such as the scratching of rocks and shallow breathing are detailed enough to really set your nerves on edge.

The Abominable Snowman (1957) (Hammer)

The Abominable Snowman follows Dr John Rollason (Peter Cushing), a British scientist who joins an expedition led by American Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker) to find the legendary Yeti in the Himalayas.

As I’ve found with the last few Hammer releases I’ve tested, The Abominable Snowman looks very good in 4K. The restoration looks excellent, with textures upscaled to give the movie a much fresher look. This is shown most of all in people’s skin, which is given a 3D-like level of detail. The black-and-white picture looks great too, with deep blacks, punchy whites and a good range of gray tones. Shadow detail is fantastic too, with a great use of shadows to create strong-contrast scenes. Grain has been cleaned up a lot and though there is some left, this is a clean-looking presentation.

There are two soundtrack options here: mono and 5.1 surround. While the mono is no doubt more accurate to the original movie (due to the timeframe), the 5.1 does add an extra layer. Sound effects such as shuffling feet through snow and the howling winds are given more space, while speech is mapped to center channels for a clearer sound. Scenes where avalanches crash produce surprisingly strong bass as well, with some solid rumble emanating from our subwoofer.

We’ve seen it with the post-Covid resurgence of vinyl records, and more recently, CDs have been slowly but surely coming back. It’s not just music where physical media can offer a better experience though – the same can be said of movies. Naturally, we here at TechRadar value the best-possible picture and sound when watching films, so we’d consider a 4K Blu-ray player an essential part of any true movie buff’s setup.

If you’re keen on going physical and don’t yet own a player (or need an upgrade), the five-star Panasonic UB820 has had just over AU$223 shaved off its price at PB Tech, making it a very easy recommendation.

While it is possible to spend less on a 4K Blu-ray player, doing so often can potentially involve some compromises, such as missing out on what many could consider essential features — support for all the major HDR formats, for example.

That’s not the case with the Panasonic DP-UB820. In our review of the 4K Blu-ray player, we said it “offers fantastic 4K image reproduction with vivid colours, deep black levels and stunning contrast, particularly when it comes to Dolby Vision”, and even its 4K upscaling is effective.

It’s a similar story for audio, which we said is “superb, with Dolby Atmos effects coming through clear and adding that extra layer of immersion to any movie”.

So while its price may seem like quite the investment, if you’re a serious film lover you’ll be well rewarded with a cinema-like experience from the comfort of your home.

I did notice this player is also discounted in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, where it’s dropped to AU$745. It’s the same price at The Good Guys, too.

However, it’s PB Tech that has the best price by some margin at AU$699.86.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that the DP-UB820 is significantly more expensive than Panasonic’s next model down, even at its discounted price — especially as some users may have little use for features such as analogue audio outputs for older receivers and slightly more advanced upscaling.

If the high-end model is still a bit too rich for you, the Panasonic DP-UB450 is the mid-range option, and is available at its (more affordable) regular price of AU$499 at Amazon, while the entry-level DP-UB150, which lacks a dedicated HDMI output for audio, is available for AU$337 at Appliances Online or Appliance Central.

The UB150 supports basic HDR10 and HLG, but lacks Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and misses out on Wi-Fi connectivity. The UB450 adds Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, along with Dolby Atmos audio. It also misses out on Wi-Fi connectivity.

Of course, with any 4K Blu-ray player, you’ll need to consider the cost of building your physical disc collection. The upside is you’ll get better quality compared to streaming via a video-on-demand service, and that you’ll actually own your movies and shows — something which sounds increasingly appealing on the back of the news that Sony recently remotely deleted over 500 ‘purchased’ movies from their owners’ digital libraries.

We're always on the lookout for the best Blu-ray players here at TechRadar, especially those that deliver as much bang for buck as possible – and it looks like we might have a new contender with the new Laser BLU-BD4K-384.

As per the listing we've come across (via Reddit), the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player is only available in Laser's home country of Australia for now, so we're hoping the manufacturer decides to put this on sale more widely.

Getting a new 4K Blu-ray player model is exciting enough on its own, but the Laser BLU-BD4K-384 plays regular Blu-rays and DVDs from any region too, so whatever the format of your discs and wherever they're from, this will play them.

The price is competitive too: AU$499.95 at the time of writing, which works out at about $350 / £265 with a straight currency conversion. There's support here for HDR10, Dolby Vision, high-resolution audio, and USB media playback.

'Great news'

It's worth mentioning a few compromises that have been made here too. The Laser BLU-BD4K-384 doesn't support HDR10+, sticks with a single HDMI port, and relies on Ethernet for internet rather than Wi-Fi.

"Bring imported releases, favourite box sets and your existing movie library together in one setup," reads the official blurb. "PAL, NTSC and Auto television modes help match playback to compatible displays."

Based on the Reddit reactions, we're not the only fans of this new model, which apparently goes on sale in November 2026. The launch is described as "extremely welcome" and "great news", which reflects the overall sentiment.

If you need something else to tempt you in, there's a three-year warranty included. If you're living in Australia you can get your pre-orders in now — but the rest of us will have to look on enviously for the time being.

Christopher Nolan is ruling the box office right now with the release of his epic fantasy The Odyssey (2026), but the movie that introduced him to the world over 25 years ago is finally getting a 4K Blu-ray release.

Nolan’s sophomore feature Memento (2000) is being restored in 4K by independent Australian distributor and restoration specialist Umbrella, and will be available in Dolby Vision HDR in Collector and Standard editions. A release date hasn’t been announced, and it’s unclear whether the restoration will be sourced from the original film negative, but we know it’s ‘coming soon’.

To say that Memento put Christopher Nolan on the map is an understatement. The crime thriller, which stars Guy Pearce as a man with amnesia on a mission to find the person responsible for his wife’s murder, earned Oscar nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay, losing to Julian Fellowes for Gosford Park (2001).

When released, it will be the 12th Nolan feature to receive a 4K Blu-ray restoration, with The Odyssey 4K edition set for a November 17 release. That leaves his directorial debut, Following (1998), the only feature film without a 4K version, and one can only hope this will follow in the footsteps of his other movies.

That said, there’s a slight twist with Memento’s restoration, as it marks the first time one of his movies has received director-approved Dolby Vision HDR for a physical release. According to Umbrella, the company teamed up with Nolan to bring this added flair to the new 4K release and shared the following post to X:

While this is a first for Christopher Nolan and his physical releases, you can catch Dolby Vision HDR versions of his movies across the best streaming services, and through digital purchasing platforms such as Prime Video.

Why this is the case for digital versions and not physical formats is unknown, but it’s likely that it all comes down to control. Nolan seems to exercise a lot of control over the choice of formats used in the Blu-ray releases, but perhaps doesn't have as much control — or perhaps doesn't mind as much — when it comes to streaming. Platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, or other services also often have automated pipelines to support Dolby Vision, which may play a part.

As mentioned, Umbrella has yet to announce an official release date for the 4K Memento Blu-ray, so, annoyingly, we’re being forced to wait patiently. However, the distributor has released first-look images of the restoration, and it’s clear that a lot of work has gone into refining the feature’s neo-noir landscapes. Fingers crossed the viewing experience will blow previous 4K restorations out of the water.

While many remember the classic 1966 Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, the character’s first appearance on-screen was in 1943, in a 15-part serial also titled Batman. Since then, we’ve seen numerous animated shows and big-budget movies starring DC’s comic book hero.

I thought I’d pick out some of my favorite 4K Blu-rays (and even some standard Blu-rays) of the caped crusader to help you celebrate the day, including one disc I regularly use as a benchmark for testing the best TVs and best soundbars.

The Batman (2022)

One of the latest big-screen adaptations, The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the title role, follows Bruce Wayne’s early years as the Dark Knight, as he deals with a serial killer named The Riddler (Paul Dano), while also navigating corruption in Gotham and a deepening mystery involving Bruce’s own family.

Anyone who reads my work on TechRadar will know that this is one of my go-to discs for AV testing. Its low brightness and numerous high-contrast scenes make it an excellent test for any display, while the superb shadow detail and crisp textures provide plenty to scrutinise. The interesting camera work also gives the film a murky, gloomy look that perfectly captures the seedy underbelly of Gotham.

If you have a Dolby Vision-capable TV, you’ll be rewarded with some truly breathtaking images that really show off what your screen can do. The best OLED TVs are particularly impressive with this disc, making it a no-brainer for my TV testing.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is immersive and packed with detail. My reference scene is the Batmobile/Penguin chase sequence, which shows off just about every element of a home theater surround sound system or soundbar. From the roaring bass of the Batmobile’s engine to the precisely mapped sound of swerving traffic and hail of bullets, The Batman is essential for anyone looking to hear their sound system shine.

Batman Forever (1995)

Directed by Joel Schumacher, Batman Forever took a more colorful approach than Tim Burton’s previous movies, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns. Starring Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne/Batman, he must deal with the joint threat of Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and The Riddler (Jim Carrey).

This is the first Batman movie I remember watching growing up. While the film itself remains divisive among Batman fans, that shouldn’t detract from what is a fantastic 4K Blu-ray release. Its bold, neon colors really pop on-screen, especially in Dolby Vision, with the Riddler's vibrant greens, the neon light tubes used throughout Gotham and the movie's vivid reds all bursting with colour.

There’s excellent use of shadow here, too, with the often melodramatic shots of characters standing forlornly over lamps creating a dynamic image. On an OLED, such as the LG G6 I used for testing, blacks are rich and inky throughout, while the 4K upscale delivers crisp textures, particularly with skin tones.

Batman Forever's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is just as impressive. The sound of the batarang cutting through the air is precisely mapped to rear channels, creating a wonderfully immersive effect on a surround-sound system. Explosions have plenty of heft, bullets pack a satisfying punch, and Two-Face’s helicopter at the start of the movie is a great showcase for Atmos.

The Dark Knight (2008)

The second entry in Christoper Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight, sees Batman (Christian Bale) go head-to-head with the Joker (played brilliantly by the late Heath Ledger), a criminal mastermind who seeks to plunge Gothan into chaos and push Batman to his very limits.

The 4K Blu-ray of The Dark Knight looks fantastic throughout, but it’s the IMAX scenes where it shines. The opening bank robbery is packed with intricate detail, from the Joker’s creased suit, the robbers' mask, to the densely packed streets of Gotham city. Later, as Batman stands amid smouldering wreckage in another IMAX-shot sequence, the rich black levels and superb shadow detail look sublime on OLED.

There are some seriously impressive high-contrast scenes, too. During the prison escort, as cars move into the tunnels, the contrast between the dark surroundings and the trucks and overhead lights create a fantastic picture.

The DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack is phenomenal. In the opening scene, the score is perfectly balanced, with the scratching strings mapped to the left rear and the ticking clock mapped to the right, all while the front channels handle the main action. Subwoofers will get a nice workout, thanks to the monstrous explosions, thumping bullets, and punchy Tumbler engine. There’s some excellent detail, too, when Batman rides his bike for instance. As the camera’s perspective changes, the trajectory of the sound is mapped to the correct channel with real precision.

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

The Lego Batman Movie follows Batman (Will Arnett), Robin (Michael Cera) and Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) as they try to foil the Joker’s (Zach Galifianakis) plans to take over Gotham city. This was a spin-off of the highly successful The Lego Movie, where Arnett’s Batman was first introduced.

Again, this movie looks superb in 4K. Color reproduction is fantastic, with bright, bold and lively colors throughout. The greens of the Joker’s hair and Riddler’s costume really pop, as do all the other colors, too. On the LG G6, reds were rich and deep, bringing excellent texture to images. Speaking of textures, the crisp animation looks slick, with the 4K detail really capturing the Lego look.

There are plenty of high-contrast scenes here, too, with bold HDR highlights standing out against deep shadows — such as the contrast between Batman’s eyes and his cowl. Shadow detail is excellent, retaining plenty of texture and defintion in even the darkest areas.

The disc includes both Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks. Atmos delivers weighty but controlled bass, with the Batwing’s engines and the impact of explosions providing plenty of low-end punch. Directionality is excellent, too, especially during scenes with a lot of movement. The sound follows movement precisely, and it’s all mapped around the surround sound. The DTS-HD 5.1 track isn’t quite as powerful, but it has a pleasing warmth and plenty of detail.

Bonus: Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

Debuting in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series is arguably one of the most famous adaptations of Batman’s adventures on-screen, with an all-star cast including Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker.

This is a rare Blu-ray recommendation from me, but for Batman Day, it would be impossible to leave the series out. Textures have been upscaled nicely and the beautiful animation and art style really benefits from the HD makeover. Colors are bright, vibrant and accurate across every episode, while the lack of HDR is hardly a drawback given how good the series looks.

Audio comes courtesy of a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix, so while it won't put your surround-sound system through its paces, it's crips and clear, with clean dialogue, punchy effects and surprisingly good directionality. The iconic score is beautifully rendered — which, if you’re like me, will scratch that nostalgia itch nicely.

Legendary speaker maker Wharfedale has created four new boom boxes in the form of the new Nova subwoofers. Ranging in size from an apartment-friendly 8-inches to an enormous 15 inches, all four models feature newly developed drivers, passive radiators and refined cabinet architecture.

These aren't thuggish bass monsters; they're designed for the more discerning listener who wants to hear as well as feel the low end. Wharfedale says that "rather than chasing chest-thumping, window-rattling exaggeration, the Nova Series is built around balance, texture and precision."

There are four subwoofers in the range: the Nova 8, the Nova 10, the Nova 12 and the Nova 15. The Nova 8 is designed for smaller setups and stereo installations, with the Nova 10 upping the power for medium-sized rooms. The Nova 12 is for more immersive home theater setups, and the flagship Nova 15 is made for larger spaces and the most demanding setups.

Wharfedale Nova 8, 10, 12 and 15: key features and pricing

All four models feature Wharfedale's newly engineered long-throw driver, which is made from rigid but lightweight speaker cones that have been treated with a proprietary coating to make them stiffer and better at self-damping without also increasing their mass.

Those cones are teamed with a heavy duty die-cast chassis, an oversized high-roll surround, and a high-excursion motor system to deliver high output while maintaining stability. A large diameter voice coil and aluminum shorting ring minimize distortion and improve transient response, according to Wharfedale.

The second key feature here is the Auxiliary Bass Radiator, which is downward firing with a dual suspension design. It's made to work alongside the new driver by extending low-frequency output without the need for a conventional reflex port.

Wharfedale says that enables it to avoid issues such as unwanted resonance, turbulence, chuffing and compression, and each Nova is optimized according to its cabinet volume, driver size, amplifier configuration and intended operating range. The goal, Wharfedale says, is the speed of a sealed enclosure with the scale of a larger reflex design.

Depending on which model you choose, you get between 200W and 360W of built-in Class D amplification with up to 80V peak output and "substantial" dynamic headroom.

The amplifier, driver, cabinet loading and DSP have been designed as an integrated system rather than separately in order to maximize power and precision. And there is an adjustable crossover, phase alignment and level calibration to fine-tune the sound to suit your space.

One of the interesting features here is the way the DSP adjusts the dynamic EQ. When you're listening at lower volumes it focuses on perceived weight and range, but at higher levels it manages the driver's excursion to keep the audio clean without overdriving, enabling the Nova to punch above its size.

All four models will be available in late September 2026 and the prices are:

• Nova 8: £799 (about $1,068 / AU$1,499)
• Nova 10: £899 (about $1,202 / AU$1,686)
• Nova 12: £1,099 (about $1,469 / AU$2,061)
• Nova 15: £1,299 (about $1,737 / AU$2,437)

The Nyrius Phoenix Home is a true 4K wireless streamer that takes an HDMI source such as your games console, Apple TV 4K or Blu-ray player (or any combination through an AV receiver) and sends it to your TV, projector or desktop monitor.

It's designed to be simple, so there's one HDMI input on the transmitter and one HDMI output on the receiver — and it promises a 500-foot range in plain air, or 75 feet through walls and floors.

This means it could be used as part of a home theater setup, beaming video from your source to your projector or TV across the room without cables, or it could be used as an alternative to running and HDMI cable through your walls so you can send video to other parts of the house.

This isn't the first such streamer by any means, but it's very aggressively priced for a 4K wireless HDMI adapter and delivers an impressive specification for its relatively low price.

Nyrius Phoenix Home: key features and specifications

With the Phoenix Home's 500-foot line-of-sight range, I'm thinking it could be good for movies or sporting events with friends outdoors with a projector or outdoor TV.

Transmitting up to 75 feet through walls and floors means you can use it to stream from a computer in one room to a TV in another, provided the computer has an HDMI output or an HDMI adapter: the Phoenix Home only supports HDMI input.

The Phoenix Home also features USB-C that you can use to remotely control a computer by connecting it to the transmitter and using a keyboard and mouse with the receiver. There's also an IR extender for remote controllers.

The Phoenix Home transmits up to 4K resolution at up to 60fps, and it supports DTS, Dolby Atmos and 7.1-channel surround.

I think there are multiple applications for this kind of device at home as well as in business or educational spaces: it's a good solution for renters who can't start drilling cable runs everywhere, and for rooms that weren't made with AV systems in mind.

A few TV companies have been thinking about rooms where you want to mount the TV above the fireplace or another feature and have your AV receiver, consoles or other home theater gear somewhere else. If you saw Samsung's Wireless One Connect Box or LG's Zero Connect and wished you too could have a wire-free TV, you don't need to splash your cash on one of this year's best TVs to cut the cables: this will provide a similar option for $199.

Our one worry would be what the latency is like for gaming, which we'd have to test to be sure about. But if you're looking to cut the cables for making it easy to move movies around the home, this looks like a very affordable and effective way to do it, and is available now.

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Blu-ray fans should be feeling blessed this month: with new players decidedly thin on the ground, September has brought us news of not one but two 4K Blu-ray players — though neither is really aimed at the average movie enthusiast.

The new Panasonic DMR-4X1010 is a flagship 4K player with a bunch of other neat tricks up its sleeve, and while it's likely to stay as a Japan-only release, we're still happy to see new players being made.

A 434,500 yen, which works out at about $2,800 / £2,080 / AU$3,930, it's a fair bit cheaper than this month's other new Blu-ray player, the Magnetar Ultima: that costs a cool $12,000 (about £8,895 / AU$16,687).

Panasonic DMR-4X1010: key features

The Panasonic DMR-4X1010 not plays 4K Blu-rays, regular Blu-rays and DVDs, it also features 4K broadcast tuners and includes a giant 10TB hard drive for recording shows and movies. There's also the option of cloud recording of up to 10TB via Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, so you can access recordings on your phone or store Blu-ray disc images in the cloud.

It even records to BD-R/RE discs of up to 100GB, if you prefer. Recording from live broadcast isn't that popular worldwide, but evidently it's popular enough in Japan to make this the ultimate 'own your copies' machine.

The player uses an AVC encoder for high-definition recording, and Panasonic says the encoder can compress 24Mbps signals to around 1.6Mbps to maximize recording space… though, again, it does come with 10 terabytes.

The DMR-4X1010 also works with Panasonic's AI Viera system, which can automatically adjust the picture quality to fit the scene — so bright and vivid if you're watching sports, and richer contrast if you're watching a noir movie. AI can also adjust the audio to make it more immersive.

The new player launches through authorized dealers on October 22, 2026, and exclusively to the Japanese market.

There have been worries about the future of 4K Blu-ray, and whether the companies are still interested in producing them — the current models have been around for a long time, and Panasonic just increased the price of its options.

But the release of this model and the Magnetar show that companies aren't blind to the desire for new options — I just hope we might get something more affordable and mainstream than these at some point.

4K Blu-ray is a big part of what I do at TechRadar, not only because I test the latest releases each month, but because it’s my staple source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars, thanks to its superior picture and audio quality to 4K streaming.

In last month’s August 2026 most anticipated 4K list, I picked Project Hail Mary, Troy, West Side Story (1961) and Mars Attacks! as the discs I was most looking forward to trying out. Check out the August 2026 Blu-ray Bounty for my full thoughts!

This month, I’ve picked four more discs that I hope could be a great fit for your 4K Blu-ray collection, and I hope to test as part of Blu-ray Bounty — plus a fifth disc that’s one of the most curious 4K releases in recent months. As I’m based in the UK, the following discs are set for release in September in the UK.

Supergirl (Warner Bros)

Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock as the titular hero, tells the story of Kara Zor-El (Superman’s cousin) who finds herself teaming up with an unlikely ally to take revenge against an alien evil, while trying to save her dog Krypto. The movie also stars Jason Momoa.

Visually, Supergirl has a lot of potential on 4K Blu-ray. There are plenty of vast environments throughout space that could look excellent on the right screen. There are bold colors throughout (not just the blue and red of Supergirl’s outfit) and a number of scenes in space, which could show off a TV’s contrast. Superman (2025) was a visual feast on 4K, so let's see if Supergirl can follow suit.

With Dolby Atmos supported, there’s plenty of opportunity for this disc to be another immersive showcase for your surround sound system. There’s more than a few crunching fight sequences and big set pieces to produce some room-rattling bass, and the Dolby Atmos soundtrack should make excellent use of height channels as Supergirl whips around in the air.

Release dates

• US — September 8
• UK — 7th September

Hamilton (Disney)

One of the biggest stage musical shows in recent years, Hamilton tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, with songs throughout drawing from a variety of genres, but most notably hip-hop. This filmed version of the stage play features the Broadway principal cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hamilton.

The 4K disc supports a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is sure to do justice to the grandiose production and scale of Hamilton. Atmos mixes of music can be divisive among audio purists, but this is one area where I think it could really shine. The play’s hip-hop stylings are sure to generate some punchy bass, and the array of voices will be a nice test for a home theater’s center speaker.

Visually, there is support for Dolby Vision, so when paired with a supported display, the details and textures of the characters' period costumes should really wow on screen. As this is a stage play, there’s going to be some play with lighting and shadows that should provide some contrast-y scenes that will look great on screen, something I’d found when watching the movie version of West Side Story (1961) last month.

Release date

• US — June 26, 2026
• UK — 21st September, 2026

12 Angry Men (1957) (The Criterion Collection)

One of Hollywood’s most iconic dramas, 12 Angry Men follows the story of a 12-man jury who must deliberate on a case where an 18 year-old-boy is accused of stabbing his father. While 11 of the men agree, one man holds out, forcing the other jurors to take a wider look at the case and evidence.

I’m a sucker for Criterion’s 4K releases, especially when it comes to older titles. I’ve seen the magic that a good 4K restoration has done for movies like Double Indemnity and 3:10 To Yuma, and this is yet another iconic movie that I have high hopes for. Dolby Vision is supported here, meaning the black and white pictures should benefit from strong contrast, and a good 4K restoration should give textures a refreshed and refined look.

The 4K disc only supports a monaural soundtrack so I’m not expecting anything to show off a home theater system here. Still, Criterion has a knack for producing 4K Blu-rays with impressively detailed mono soundtracks that sound a lot more detailed than you’d expect.

Release date

• US — September 8
• UK — 14th September

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (Disney)

A continuation of The Mandalorian TV series, Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu follows Din Djarin/The Mandalorian (voiced by Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, who are tasked with saving Rotta The Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), in exchange for some much-needed information.

The Mandalorian is an excellent-looking TV show with plenty of detail and brilliant cinematography, so I’m expecting much of the same when this movie hits 4K. With the colorful universe of Star Wars and the often moody, contrast-y scenes in The Mandalorian, all presented in Dolby Vision, I’m expecting a real visual feast here that will really shine on the right screens, such as those found on the best OLED TVs.

Star Wars movies are often superb for sound, with plenty of action-packed, detailed scenes to really test every aspect of a home theater. The Mandalorian & Grogu will utilize Atmos through spaceflight sequences, as well as showcasing surround effects with the bustling environments that crop up throughout the movie. More action-oriented scenes will test the subwoofer, too.

Release date

• US — August 25, 2026
• UK — September 28, 2026

28 Days Later (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Hailed as a revitalization of the 'zombie' genre, 28 Days Later follows Jim (Cillian Murphy), a bike courier who awakes from a coma to find that a contagious virus that causes hyper-aggression has been released, reducing the world and society to a post-apocalyptic state. The film also stars Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston and Brendan Gleeson.

Now, what makes 28 Days Later such a fascinating release is the fact that a large majority of the movie was shot on 480p digital cameras, meaning the original source isn’t the best for a 4K restoration. Only one major scene was shot on 35mm film (an ideal source for 4K restoration), so I’m very curious to see how this movie looks in 4K.

While I doubt it will feature in the Blu-ray Bounty, I’m still keen to get testing this 4K release. Even more fascinating is that Dolby Vision HDR is supported, which will do wonders for the movie's dark, contrast-heavy look... if the restoration is any good, that is.

Audio-wise, there is a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Given how frantic and chaotic the movie is, there should be a few pulse-pounding scenes that will add to the immersive atmosphere of the movie. The object-based sound from Atmos will be the key for delivering the right detail here and again, while I’m not expecting miracles, this is one area where the 4K Blu-ray could excel.

Release date

• US — September 1, 2026
• UK — 31st August, 2026

4K release highlights: September 2026

Below is a list of highlight 4K releases coming in September 2026. Both US and UK releases are featured, alongside their release dates. Release dates vary by region, with some titles either coming out earlier in the year or yet to be announced. 4K Blu-ray is region-free, however, so you should be safe to order from anywhere.

September 1

• 28 Days Later (US)

September 7 / 8

• Supergirl
• 12 Angry Men (US - UK: September 14)
• Batman: Knightfall Part 1
• Barbarian (UK)
• Obsession (UK)
• Little Odessa (UK)

September 14/15

• Masters of the Universe (1987) (US)
• Tequila Sunrise
• Charlie Wilson’s War (US)

September 21/22

• Toy Story 5 (US)
• Interview With A Vampire (US)
• Hamilton (UK)
• The Long Kiss Goodnight (UK)
• Misery (UK)
• Tremors 2 (UK)

September 28/29

• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Dead Poet’s Society (US)
• Go (1999) (US)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (US)
• Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (UK)
• The Killing Fields (UK)
• Disclosure Day (UK)
• Better Tomorrow Trilogy

The Valerion VisionMaster Max is an interesting amalgamation. While it sits in the footprint that has become popular with many home theater projectors aimed at the masses, it brings high-end capabilities found in far fewer models. This makes it a powerhouse in the space with flexible optics, making it easy to get a pristine 4K picture in the position and at the size you want.

With its RGB laser light source, the VisionMaster Max offers bright and stunningly colorful visuals. But more impressive than that is its ability to deliver them alongside a deep black floor — something a lot of projectors struggle with. Of the compact projectors I’ve tested, the VisionMaster has come closer than any to rivaling the Sony Bravia Projector 7’s black levels, which were virtually perfect in a dark home theater.

This sets the VisionMaster Max up nicely for success. Combining its display prowess with a solid streaming platform in Google TV and plenty of connections for additional home theater gear make it all that much stronger, helping it stand alongside many of the best projectors.

What holds it back is the same thing that hinders many high-end theater devices: its price. At $4,999 / £4,349 / AU$5,999, it’s a lofty option next to rivals like the Hisense C2 Ultra and Xgimi Horizon 20 Max, both of which undercut it by thousands. Its black level may be hard to touch, but these other models are otherwise very competitive.

With the VisionMaster Max at full price, I’d direct most people to Xgimi. But if there’s ever a sizable discount on it and some bonus bundled items (like the Thunderbeat 4.1.2 wireless sound system), it could be worth your while, especially if you like a deep, dark cinema environment.

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Price and release date

• Release date: October 2025
• Price: $4,999 / £4,349 / AU$5,999 

The Valerion VisionMaster Max first got teased well before its arrival at IFA 2024 and became part of a crowdfunding campaign shortly after. It was over a year after the announcement before it actually landed.

Now that it’s here, it comes with a $4,999 / £4,349 / AU$5,999 price tag. That puts it into competition with basically every projector we’ve tested. In the time between announcement and launch, the projector space has heated up considerably, and there are some new models on the horizon that could also make its high-end specs look a little more commonplace.

Though the price is on the high side, at the time of writing, Valerion is offering the VisionMaster Max with some extra accessories included that add considerably to the value. These include projector screens, a Thunderbeat 4.1.2 wireless sound system, and an external lens that can increase the projector’s throw distance. We’ve also spotted a slightly discounted price from some third-party retailers.

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Specs

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Design & features

• Wide range of optical adjustments alongside effective automatic adjustments
• Full-featured system with broad support for different formats
• Stylish design

All of Valerion’s projectors share a near identical DNA, so it’s unsurprising to see that the VisionMaster Max has only subtle differences compared to the VisionMaster Pro 2 I tested earlier this year.

The VisionMaster Max is a compact projector measuring only a little over 10 inches in its biggest dimension. It packs all of its hardware into an elegant box with a glossy front and metallic ribs that wrap around the top and sides of the projector. It even has a cover to hide all the ports in the back when not in use for that extra touch of elegance.

The rear includes a good selection of ports with two high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and an HDMI 2.0 port that can handle eARC audio transmission. A 3.5mm jack and S/PDIF port can also handle audio output, giving you plenty of options. There are also two USB-A ports (one with USB 3.0 speeds) for powering accessories or connecting local media. A Gigabit ethernet port rounds out the selection here, offering fast networking speeds, though the Wi-Fi 6E can also provide plenty of bandwidth for streaming wirelessly.

The front of the VisionMaster Max is where we see the most difference. It has a large, unobstructed glass cover for its projection lenses. This ties into the extra optical adjustments it allows. The lens supports both motorized zoom, letting it shift from a 0.9:1 to a 1.5:1 throw ratio, and offers a +/- 105% vertical lens shift, helping ensure a perfectly fitted image from more location. The projector even has a system for attaching an external lens that lets it shift out as far as a 2.0:1 throw ratio.

The base of the projector includes three legs for adjusting its angle and tilt, though it also has mounting screw points to let you set it up with ceiling mounts or tripods. Valerion has a metal gimbal stand that works as well, giving it similar flexibility to projectors like the Hisense C2 Ultra or JMGO N1S Ultimate.

You get a fully integrated system with the VisionMaster Max. It includes Google TV and a 24W stereo sound system. The Google TV platform is also run on a quicker processor than most projectors offer, making it far more responsive to use.

Beyond the basics, the VisionMaster Max proves fairly feature-rich. It supports automatic image adjustments to make setup quick. The automatic adjustments can handle optical zoom, keystone, focus, and screen fit, and it proved quite adept in my testing, even when the original projection was all over the place (though manual, optical adjustments can still help ensure you're getting the best picture quality by avoiding digital cropping).

The projector supports high-quality formats and can display HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content, and it can pass through DTS:X and Dolby Atmos audio. It supports 24 and 48 fps content as well as a variety of 3D formats. It also is geared up for gaming with low-latency 4K/60Hz support as well as 1080p/120Hz and 1080p/240Hz modes for even faster response.

One downside of Valerion’s design for the VisionMaster Max is that it packs far brighter projection into the same footprint as its dimmer siblings. That means it has to work harder at cooling. At full brightness, its fans are constantly running. While they’re not obnoxiously loud or shrill, especially in a large room, they’re still adding a bit of noise.

The VisionMaster Max’s remote is a good one, but could have done more to make more of its features quickly accessible. It provides basic Google TV navigation as well as a quick toggle for autofocus and input selection. At the bottom of the remote, it has four pairs of buttons that include four streaming app shortcuts, volume controls, a mute button, and a menu button.

Unfortunately, these aren’t arranged in a way where you can simply feel out the button you want to press in the dark. Though the remote does light up some of its controls for visibility in the dark, it only illuminates a few of the basic navigation ones, not the full legend.

• Design & features score: 4.5/5

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Picture quality & performance

• Stunning color alongside serious brightness and impressive black levels
• Sharp 4K picture and faster 1080p option

With a $4,999 / £4,349 / AU$5,999 price tag and plenty of new projectors hitting the market with brightness to rival it, the VisionMaster Max had a high bar to clear. Fortunately, it is absolutely brilliant. It provides its 4K projection with solid edge-to-edge clarity.

I’ve seen RGB-laser projection systems one after another, and they always impress with their extremely wide color gamut. The VisionMaster Max brings that capability alongside high enough brightness levels to use in all sorts of settings.

For casual viewing, I often found the VisionMaster Max’s 3,500 ISO Lumens (a specification which bore out in testing) plenty for all sorts of content without needing to close the blinds or even turn off my living room lights. More often, I found I would dim the projector or adjust its iris to lower the brightness when viewing in a dark room.

The VisionMaster Max pairs those high highs with low lows. A lot of projectors struggle to keep their black levels deep, but this one excels. Its black levels are among the deepest I’ve seen, with only Sony’s $9,999 / £6,999 / AU$13,999 Bravia Projector 7 having been deeper in my recent testing.

While faint light is visible during very dark scenes, brighter scenes see the black pixels of letter boxes fade away entirely. Like the Bravia Projector 7, the black levels are deep enough that you’ll want to consider light absorbing materials elsewhere in your viewing space to avoid light reflecting back onto the projected image and sullying the darkness.

All this combines to make for a wonderful picture. The bright sands of Arrakis dazzle in Dune while all of the detail in the shadows remains. And the colorful world of Pandora in Avatar never looks more splendid than when it’s beaming out of a RGB laser projection system.

Admittedly, the VisionMaster Max can produce over-saturated images in some of its color profiles, and it will suffer from the soap opera effect on occasion. But both of these issues are easily tamped down with Filmmaker Mode or custom picture settings.

The DLP rainbow effect is present on the VisionMaster Max, but about as subtle as I’ve seen from any DLP projector. And that’s before enabling the projector’s special anti-rainbow effect setting, which helps at the cost of a little extra whining noise from the projector.

Going beyond cinema, the VisionMaster Max also happily knocks it out of the park for gaming. Its gaming profile is responsive at 4K/60, but the projector can also swap over to 1080p/240Hz, where it proves stunningly responsive. I blasted my way around levels in Hollow Knight with excellent fluidity that helped me keep pace with the combat.

Naturally, the speakers aren’t quite a match for the projection. But in a small room, they offer punchy audio that’s plenty loud enough to drown out the fan noise. They don’t sound too boxed in, and when it’s called for, they can really boom. Still, they’re better paired with an external audio system, and if you happen to pair it with a Hisense audio system like the HT-Saturn, it can support additional features as if it were a Hisense projector itself.

• Picture quality & performance score: 4.5/5

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Value

When it was first announced, the VisionMaster Max had seemed like it would be an unmatched entrant into the market with only extremely high-end projectors ready to rival it on image quality without managing to offer the more friendly and compact design it offered. Models like the Hisense C2 Ultra and JMGO N1S Ultimate could compete somewhat on features, but don’t quite keep up with the VisionMaster Max’s image quality and more flexible optics.

But the market has just shifted with the introduction of the Xgimi Horizon 20 lineup — a far more formidable alternative that’s way cheaper, competitively bright, and featuring a newer DLP chip that can offer VRR for gaming. It also offers advanced optics offering flexible projection.

Still, the fact that Valerion’s projector is arriving so late to the party without some of the new features hurts its value a bit next to the new models landing now at much lower prices.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Valerion VisionMaster Max?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Valerion VisionMaster Max review: Also consider

How I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Max

• Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
• Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
• I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Max at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

• First reviewed: September 2026
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee