For some, peak simulation is slipping their Wii remote into a plastic steering wheel; for others, it's outfitting their controllers, chair, and body with haptics to feel the action; and for the most avid enthusiasts, it involves creating a perfectly accurate setup to mimic the real controls of a train, plane, or automobile they’re virtually piloting.

That’s the camp Christopher Mitchell falls into. On his blog, he details the painstaking efforts he has gone to create his dream UK Class 80x passenger train simulator — which includes a real dashboard and components used by the vehicle he’s reconstructing, and custom-made parts that as closely as possible match what you’d expect to see in one of these UK trains’ cabins.

I’m not the biggest simulator nerd — it’s an area of gaming I’ve dabbled with but never been enraptured by — but after a colleague shared Mitchell’s blog with us where he details the over three-year-long journey he has been on to construct this simulator, I can’t help but be impressed by the dedication and beauty of his creation.

I mean, c’mon, look at this side-by-side comparison of a Class 80x cabin and what Mitchell has produced.

There’s a delightfully analog nature to this simulator which supplements its charm — juxtaposing the racing sims I’ll sometimes see in my feed with half a dozen giant monitors wrapping around the user’s head and pristine cockpits which make you feel every trick and turn your simulated flight takes.

Ready to build your own?

If you’ve ridden on an Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, or London North Eastern Railway service (plus a few other operators) in the last couple of years, it has likely been on a UK Class 80x passenger train.

Clearly Mitchell has a passion for this class — evidenced by his efforts to replicate them as accurately as possible — but some online despise their very existence, ranting about their narrow carriages, terrible suspension, and thin seats.

Once Mitchell has completed the dashboard, perhaps his next job should be to mount it and his chair on a platform that will mimic the Class 80X’s much-hated shaking.

If you’re keen to mimic Mitchell’s setup, you’ll, of course, need to also copy his dedication, as this isn’t a train simulator you can just buy. Though with his blog as your guide, you may find you can build your very own hyper-realistic UK Class 80x passenger train simulator in no time.

Razer Seiren V3 Pro two-minute review

When I look for a gaming microphone, my requirements are modest – I want my teammates to hear me clearly and my foes to know what I really think of them (just kidding, those obscene thoughts stay in my head). I’d wager that most gamers have similarly unpretentious needs.

Razer, however, thinks gamers could do with more – a lot more. And so it’s brought out the Serien V3 Pro, a microphone that’s stuffed to the gills with high-end features that take it way beyond your common-or-garden gaming mic.

But to be fair, it’s not just positioned for gamers. Razer pitches the Seiren V3 Pro as the perfect partner for “musicians, podcasters, and creators who demand more than entry-level gear,” and it’s outfitted its “studio-quality” device with a range of features that might tickle the fancy of users a little more discerning than your average CoD goon.

That includes 32-bit float. Razer has included this expanded capture range to rescue audio that’s been subject to a few too many what we might call “gamer moments.” It can handle more extreme volume spikes – the type that might be prompted by jump scares, frustrating moments and clutch kills – with the idea being that streamers won’t have to worry about clipping and distortion during their broadcasts.

Razer has supplemented this feature with a fistful of other premium addons, including dual 48kHz and 96kHz sample rates, a built-in shock mount and removable pop filter, and a 30mm dynamic capsule. There’s a digital signal processing (DSP) that enables features like an audio expander, compressor, AI noise removal, and more. Razer has also included an XLR connector in addition to USB-C, just in case you want to run your mic through a dedicated audio interface.

Again, it’s all geared towards pros and enthusiasts rather than your average video game enjoyer.

Audio performance is obviously the most important part of any microphone – you can have all the bells and whistles, but if you end up sounding muffled or distorted, they’re not much use to you.

Here, the Seiren V3 Pro impresses. My audio was crisp and clear right out of the box, with no adjustments necessary. Razer walks you through a brief set-up process in Synapse when you get started, and it’s worth doing so the mic can be tweaked to your surroundings. The AI noise suppression in Synapse did a great job cutting out the whirr of my desk fan, while the pop filter put a stop to most unwanted plosives throughout my recordings and voice calls.

The on-device controls worked well, especially the mute button. It’s large and touch-sensitive, so it’s very easy to press in a flash (just be careful you don’t accidentally activate it). Both the button and the mic’s RGB ring turn red when you’re muted, giving a clear visual cue. Only a small nub of the gain dial protrudes from the underside of the device’s body, though, which can make it tricky to find.

As far as visuals go, the Seiren V3 Pro blends understated looks with a few choice touches. Its matte black finish and angled stand are easy on the eye, while this wouldn’t be a Razer product without a smattering of RGB lighting – in this instance, it’s about halfway up. Above it is the removable pop filter cover that hides the mic’s grille and built-in shock absorber. There’s a large touch-sensitive mute button on the front and ports for USB-C and XLR on the bottom alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack and a gain dial.

The build quality feels rock solid, with plenty of reassuringly weighty metal to be found. There’s a hefty foot to keep the mic grounded on your desk, but you can opt to screw the mic onto a boom arm if you prefer. The absurdly long USB-C cable (3.15m at our count) ensures you can trail it far from your PC.

That’s the hardware, but what about Razer’s notoriously finicky software? 32-bit float is only available through Razer’s app, so love it or loathe it, you’ve got to use it to get the full experience.

Synapse is full of controls to tweak the mic to your needs. You can adjust EQ filters and frequencies, change the vocal bass and ramp up the vocal exciter, mess with the stream mixer levels for input and output, enable a noise gate, reverb and AI noise suppression, and even dial in the RGB lighting if required.

To the average gamer, this is all a bit excessive unnecessary, even daunting. But if you’re a podcaster or musician – or just someone who wants as much control over their audio as possible – there’s plenty here to play with.

And that sums up the Seiren V3 Pro as a whole, really. The mic’s high-level features and equally lofty price tag mean it’s simply off the radar for most gamers. But if you know you need it and are willing to pay, you’ll find there’s a lot on offer here.

Razer Seiren V3 Pro review: Price & release date

• Available to buy now
• Priced at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$429.95
• Optional “Main Character Bundle” including the Seiren V3 Pro and Razer’s Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headset

The Razer Seiren V3 Pro is available now from Razer’s website or from third-party retailers. It’s priced at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$429.95.

That makes it pretty expensive for a gaming microphone, so you should think carefully about whether you need all of its extra features before pulling the trigger. If you spend most of your time on video calls with family or yelling profanities at enemies in Call of Duty, you could probably make do with something more affordable.

Razer sells an optional “Main Character Bundle” that includes the Razer Seiren V3 Pro and the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headset. That’s sold for $429.98 / £429.98 / AU$759.90.

Razer Seiren V3 Pro review: Specs

Should I buy the Razer Seiren V3 Pro?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Razer Seiren V3 Pro

• I created test recordings and also analyzed the mic’s performance during games and on audio calls with friends
• The microphone was tested on both my PC and my Mac
• I also spent time testing out the microphone’s software features in the Razer Synapse app

I spent a week testing the microphone on both my PC and my Mac. I created various audio recordings, used it during gaming sessions and put it through its voice-calling paces with friends.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026

Multitasking while gaming is typical for many PC users, and certainly so for me. Being able to keep tabs on YouTube videos or, most importantly (in this case), stream to friends in Discord, breathes life into my game activities, especially when diving into an MMO or multiplayer shooter — or in better terms, a game where I don't have to pay full attention.

However, such multitasking comes at the cost of game performance, particularly on lower-end hardware (or specifically, PCs with 8GB of RAM). Discord, Google Chrome, Firefox, Spotify, you name it, can all significantly impact RAM and CPU usage, depending on how many tasks are running simultaneously.

Google Chrome is the worst offender, as simply running a single YouTube video in one tab can use up to 1GB of memory (sometimes even more than that), and almost 4GB for the application overall. Fortunately, I have a beefy system running with 32GB of DDR4 RAM, so I can count myself lucky, especially in a period where affordable memory is hard to come by.

With spare PC parts readily available, came the idea of a dual-PC setup, accompanied by a capture card and a secondary Corsair Xeneon Edge screen. This would allow me to completely shift all of my side activities, including game streaming on Discord, onto a separate system, leaving my main system's hardware solely focused on gaming.

I've built it, installed Bazzite (essentially a SteamOS clone), and it's easily the best decision I've made as a PC gamer in years. Here's how it's changed my PC experience.

The setup was arduous, but streaming is easier now

To get the setup started, you simply connect your main gaming PC's GPU (which is the source of what you'll be streaming) to the NZXT Signal 4K30 capture card's 'HDMI In' port via an HDMI cable. Then, connect the included USB Type-C cable into the 'Type-C' port on the capture card, and the USB-A end of the cable into the second streaming PC, and you're good to go.

The sole purpose of this capture card setup is to allow a separate PC to capture activity from another gaming PC, and this works with other systems like consoles. Ultimately, the goal is to offload the burden of your gaming PC using more resources to stream on the same system, and instead, allow the streaming PC to handle those tasks.

Capture cards are especially helpful for devices like the Nintendo Switch 2, where streaming to Twitch, YouTube, or Discord isn't possible natively, but in this case, the focus is simply on reducing the workload for the main gaming PC.

When streaming on Discord, you'll find your capture card as an option within the 'Devices' tab when attempting to share your screen. Besides a few hiccups here and there, the stream quality is great at either 1440p or 4K, with the former capable of 60fps.

I must stress that my particular setup case was a bit of a nightmare. Using an HDMI passthrough is the recommended route in a setup such as this, as it allows you to transmit video and audio to your main display for gaming, with zero latency, while providing the same for streaming on the capture card.

It's unclear whether the unit I used was faulty, but the Signal 4K30 would consistently force a 1080p 60fps output via HDMI passthrough on my LG UltraGear 45GS95QE ultrawide, without any higher resolutions available.

Without much luck using HDMI passthrough, the easiest alternatives included duplicating my main display via Windows' display settings, or using the OBS projector option (labelled 'Open Preview Projector'), and since the latter has very little to no impact on system resources, it was the easier way to go.

The biggest advantage of the OBS projector option is that there is no constraint on the resolution or refresh rate available, which is usually limited using HDMI passthrough on a capture card (which would be 4K 60fps with the NZXT card), so I had full access to my display's 240Hz refresh rate while gaming.

Multitasking is now a complete breeze, as I can watch other friends stream while doing so simultaneously, without the potential performance dips, especially when playing unoptimized games or those with demanding system requirements.

It's also my custom Steam Machine

Whenever I need a console-like gaming experience, this 2nd PC now acts as a separate custom Steam Machine, but one that's even more powerful than what Valve is poised to deliver.

With the AMD Ryzen 5 5600x 6-core processor and an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB GPU, it's a build that's powerful enough to provide great performance at 4K when upscaling.

The only Steam Machine-like feature that's missing is the small form factor chassis to house the components, but it's a very tough ask to find a PC case as small as the Steam Machine's that will fit a full-sized desktop GPU — and if you can, it's not going to be cheap.

What actually makes this a custom Steam Machine is Bazzite, which runs like an absolute dream on PCs with AMD hardware. While there's the handicap of certain games not being compatible on Linux due to anti-cheat complications, that's exactly what my main Windows 11 gaming PC is at the ready for.

Using tools like Decky Loader quite literally transforms the SteamOS gaming mode experience into that of a custom console, as several plugins can change the UI, boot videos, navigation sounds, and more. You could turn your interface into that of GameCube or a PS5 if you wanted, and that's what makes it so special.

Just to reiterate, none of this would have been possible if not for my lucky case scenario of having spare parts, as this build would easily cost at least $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,400, and the 16GB of RAM would likely eat up a significant chunk of the cost.

Building this system has completely revitalized my PC gaming experience, and it's hard to look back, especially once Valve further optimizes SteamOS for desktop PC users.

• Cherry's new Ultra-Wideband gaming keyboard was during Computex 2026
• The Cherry XTRFY K63W features a 'true 8,000 Hz polling rate' wired and wireless
• It launches in the US in August at $169.99, and in the EU at €179.99 in July

The hardware announcements for gamers are coming thick and fast straight out of Computex 2026, and one of the latest products is primed for PC mouse-and-keyboard (MnK) gamers.

In its press release, Cherry announced the 'first 8K Ultra-Wideband gaming keyboard', the XTRFY K63W Pro Compact, which it categorizes as a high-performance option for MnK gaming.

The keyboard comes with a 'true 8,000 Hz polling rate', meaning it transmits data to a computer up to eight times every millisecond, ensuring latency isn't a point of concern when gaming.

It also helps that the polling rate applies to both wired and wireless connections, with the latter being a strong Ultra-Wideband (UWB) dongle connection, and that's paired with a 6,000 mAh battery, which Cherry claims lasts for 1,100 hours of usage.

Fortunately, battery life is effectively irrelevant for non-portable scenarios, as the K63W Pro can be charged while in use.

On paper, this sounds like the ideal gaming keyboard for competitive players, especially those intent on finding the ideal option for wireless gaming sessions. As a primary controller gamer myself, it has piqued my interest, which may serve as one of the best companions for games that play better on MnK (i.e., Path of Exile 2).

Cherry's low-profile and compact keyboard design is a sight for sore eyes, as it has reduced the K63W's size and bulk, noted as a '70% compact layout' in favor of space for mouse movement.

I've also never been able to stick with wireless keyboards as my main option for both work and play, due to frustrating latency issues, especially with Bluetooth connectivity — and while many high-end options solve those latency issues, they're also expensive.

The Cherry K63W will be available at $169.99 in August, while launching in the EU for €179.99 (£179.99) in July. Frankly, it's still quite expensive compared to some of the more affordable high-quality options on the market, but for what it's worth in terms of specifications, it's a great option.

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K: two-minute review

The premium keyboard space is weird, man. I've been reviewing PC hardware long enough to know that you can usually get a pretty darn good product without spending top dollar, but that's arguably not always the case with keyboards. The bottom end of the market is awash with crappy membrane keys and cheap mechanical switches that fail at the drop of a hat, so I find myself frequently more likely to recommend more premium offerings like the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K.

Priced at $229.99 (around £170/AU$320), it's certainly aiming to be one of the best keyboards on the market, and it does a lot to justify that admittedly rather steep price of admission. Straight out of the box, this feels like a high-end keyboard: the chassis is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, weighing almost two kilograms in total, with doubleshot PBT keycaps.

For typing, it's a dream; the Keychron Silk POM Banana key switches have an immensely satisfying thwock to them, sitting somewhere between the quiet linear actuation of traditional red switches and the loud clickiness of tactile brown switches. The whole user experience feels great, with multiple connectivity modes and great battery life for wireless use.

I would hazard that, despite featuring the obligatory RGB key backlighting, this likely won't be the ideal option for gamers seeking the best gaming keyboard — at least, not with the Banana key switches in my review model. There is a linear red option available, which offers slightly greater key travel and significantly reduced actuation force, and high-intensity gamers will probably find that better.

While the Q1 Ultra 8K's namesake 8,000Hz polling rate is ostensibly aimed squarely at PC gamers, offering ultra-fast responsiveness and near-zero input lag, it's frankly a bit of a gimmick. All but the twitchiest pro gamers are unlikely to notice any real-world difference; in fact, I used the Q1 Ultra 8K for almost two days before realizing that the 8K polling mode was switched off by default, and I'd been playing Marathon with the regular 1,000Hz polling — and I didn't notice the slightest bit of input latency, so this is a somewhat milquetoast complaint on my part.

Overall, this is a very good keyboard that doesn't quite reach all-around perfection, but will still prove a worthy purchase for anyone who spends a lot of time typing at their PC. If you're looking for something compact but still satisfying to type on, the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K is a solid choice. If you want a compact keyboard to take on the go, though, look elsewhere — this one is far too heavy for that!

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Price & release date

• Costs $229.99 (around £170/AU$320)
• Available now in the US
• Sits at the upper end of the market price-wise

At the time of writing, it appears that the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K isn't available to shoppers in the UK and Australia — potential buyers in those regions will have to settle for the Q1 Max, which offers a similarly premium design but uses slightly cheaper key switches and lacks the 8K polling rate feature.

If you're in the US (or willing to import), you can pick up the Q1 Ultra 8K for $229.99 (around £170/AU$320) – a fairly steep price, though one that puts it in the same bracket as the similarly great SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3. Looking at the wider premium mechanical keyboard market, this pricing is reasonably competitive.

Inside the box, you get a set of alternate keycaps for switching between Windows and macOS compatibility, along with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, USB-A adapter, and a small set of tools for hot-swapping both the keycaps and key switches.

• Price score: 3.5/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Specs

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Design & features

• Robust machined aluminum chassis
• Comfortable concave PBT keycaps
• Great degree of customization

My review unit of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K uses the black colorway, and I really like it. Almost the entire unit has a matte black finish, with dark gray used for accenting for keys around the edge of the board and a bright cyan tone for the Esc and Enter keys.

Combined with the tall, blocky keycaps, simple lettering, and the highly satisfying physical volume knob in the top-right corner, it's all got a distinctly retrofuturist feel to it. The white colorway rocks a similar vibe with gray and red accent keys that would make it look right at home aboard the USCSS Nostromo.

Indeed, I was almost loath to turn on the RGB lighting, because it almost detracts from the clean, retro vibe this keyboard has going for it. Fortunately, those RGB LEDs are addressable on a per-key basis, and Keychron's free software gives you a wide degree of customization. Personally, I was a lot happier with the aesthetic of the Q1 Ultra 8K after setting the backlighting to a cool blue that matched the accent keys.

The all-metal construction means there's virtually no flex or sponginess in the chassis whatsoever, with every keypress feeling very solid. However, it also means that this keyboard weighs a whopping 1.73kg – quite literally more than many of the laptops I've reviewed for TechRadar, and far too heavy to be practical as an on-the-go keyboard despite its compact design.

The Silk POM Banana switches require quite a bit of actuation force, which takes a bit of adjusting to if you're coming from a non-tactile keyboard with either linear or membrane switches. They also have less travel distance, which might be an issue for some mech keyboard purists, but didn't bother me in the slightest once I got used to typing on it.

Both the keycaps and the key switches themselves are hot-swappable, and the box includes a puller tool, a hex key, and a mini screwdriver for making your own adjustments should you want to do so. It also comes with a set of alternate keycaps to swap it over to Windows compatibility mode (the default keyboard layout is for macOS), and there are two switches on the rear edge for switching OS and connectivity modes along with a standard USB-C charging port, a cable for which is included in the box.

Given the degree of available customization and the robust, high-quality design of the surrounding board, the Q1 Ultra 8K could be a solid choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who want to tweak their hardware. The larger keys also feature new screw-in PCB stabilizers, which help make the space bar in particular feel a lot less wobbly than it does on some mechanical keyboards, especially when hitting it at either end with your thumb. The double-gasket key switch design uses two separate silicone pads (as well as an acoustic pad on the bottom of the keyboard) to reach a deliberate and very satisfying typing sound that takes me right back to the early 2000s.

In terms of the aforementioned connectivity modes, you've got a few options. Wired will be the way to go for most gamers, as it ensures minimal input latency hand-in-hand with the 8K polling rate feature. This can be done directly via USB-C to USB-C using the included cable, but there's also a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box in case you don't have any free USB-C ports.

If you prefer a wireless connection, the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K supports both Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz connectivity, both of which I found to be highly effective in my tests. The 2.4GHz option is probably a little more reliable in terms of input latency, particularly in environments with heavy Bluetooth signal traffic (I was testing this keyboard in the privacy of my own very rural home, not a busy office!), but I didn't experience any noticeable problems with the Bluetooth mode.

The last unique design feature I'll touch on is hidden on the underside of the keyboard: a wide gold 'art plate' with a sort of astronomy-themed pattern engraved on it. What purpose does this serve? None, as far as I can tell, and you won't even be able to see it when actually using the keyboard. It looks fairly nice, I guess, but it feels slightly like a pointless addition.

Completely absent from the base of this keyboard, however, are any sort of adjustable feet. For a $200+ keyboard, that's simply unacceptable. It won't bother some users, but as someone who prefers a steeper keyboard incline to use with my padded wrist rest, it might actually be a dealbreaker for me if I were opening my own wallet – so for that, I must dock a point from Keychron.

• Design and features: 4/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Performance

• Satisfying typing with sharp actuation
• 8,000Hz polling rate is nice, but sort of unnecessary
• Looooong battery life

I'm always a little dubious when keyboard companies start making their own key switches instead of using the ever-dependable Cherry and Gateron brands, but the Keychron Silk POM switches in this keyboard are really very nice to use.

As I mentioned further up, I think the Banana yellow switches in my review model are a bit better suited to typing than gaming, though they're certainly not bad. I used the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K to play several games, including Warframe, Marathon, and Remnant II, and didn't have any significant issues with misinputs or keypresses not registering. The higher actuation force of the Banana switches compared to the mainstream linear red switches you'll find in many gaming keyboards did take a little bit of getting used to, but I still found it to be perfectly acceptable.

For typing, though? This keyboard is a dream. The concave keycap tops let your fingertips slide into the center of each key for confident inputs, even when touch-typing at speed, and the reduced travel and subtle bounce on the Banana switches compared to Keychron's own red and brown switches mean that you don't feel like you're hammering the keys — even if you're a somewhat forceful typist like me.

I know I've mentioned the acoustic experience of this board already in this review, but it really does bear repeating. This keyboard just sounds so damn good to type on. It's like an old 90s Packard-Bell keyboard and a snare drum had a baby. There's no audible click like you'll see with blue switches, though, so typing gently will actually result in a fairly quiet experience — good for office environments where you don't want the loudest keyboard in the building.

The 8K polling rate feature (which requires either a wired or 2.4GHz connection, as Bluetooth doesn't support it) is switched off by default, since some older PCs don't support it. It's set to 1,000Hz as standard, though turning it on in the Keychron Launcher software is very straightforward — you can also use the software to adjust the default keybindings and set up macros, if you're so inclined.

Still, I honestly didn't register much, if any, difference when I turned on the 8K polling. Even in twitchy competitive games like Marathon and Valorant, I didn't feel at any point that swapping over to the 8K polling mode made my inputs feel faster or more responsive.

I should be clear at this point that I am not a 'pro gamer' by any definition of the phrase. I was Diamond-ranked in Overwatch back in the day and have the (dubious) honor of being a Legend 2 veteran in Warframe, so I'd like to think I'm at least above average, but I accept that I'm not really the target audience for a feature like this. If you are a hardcore gamer and you're primarily playing very twitchy, reaction-based games like Valorant or Counter-Strike, then the 8K polling rate may prove beneficial, but the simple fact is that most players aren't going to suddenly find themselves playing better after turning it on.

My last note here will be on the battery life of the Q1 Ultra 8K in wireless mode, which is certainly up to spec. Keychron promises up to 660 hours of use on a single charge, and while I didn't leave the keyboard running for a full 28 days (!) to test that, I will say that it didn't need charging even once after my initial wired testing, and I used it in wireless mode with the RGB lighting on for a full week. As far as wireless keyboards go, the battery life on offer here is undeniably great.

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Also consider

How I tested the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K

• Replaced my usual keyboard for one week
• Used for daily work, personal projects, and gaming
• Close to a decade of experience testing PC hardware

As is my usual modus operandi for keyboard reviews, I swapped out my trusty Asus ROG Strix Scope RX in my home desktop setup for the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K for one week. During that period, I used it for my daily work at TechRadar, as well as personal writing projects and some gaming during my off hours.

I mostly played Marathon and Warframe during my testing period (in addition to a lot of typing), but for variety's sake, I also mixed in some Valorant, Remnant II, and Slay the Spire II – though the keyboard's use was largely relegated to hitting 'E' to end my turn in that last one. I naturally also installed and tested out the free Keychron Launcher software.

I've been a tech journalist for more than eight years, and during that time I've reviewed dozens of keyboards, mice, headsets... you name it, I've probably had my mitts on it at some point. I'm also a long-time PC gamer and self-confessed keyboard freak, meaning I have a keen eye for what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to PC peripherals.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: May 2026

• Sony CEO, Hideaki Nishino, shows commitment to using AI for PlayStation game development
• Nishino intends to use AI to improve game development and 'unleash the creativity of our studios'
• This comes amid the controversy behind AI's impact on the gaming market, and its use in Nvidia's DLSS 5

AI is causing significant issues within the PC and game console markets, with exceedingly high RAM prices and shortages — and now, there's another reason gamers should be worried about its presence in gaming.

As reported by VGC, Sony's CEO, Hideaki Nishino, recently highlighted a new plan that includes using AI on PlayStation to improve productivity in game development.

This comes amid controversy over AI not only driving prices up across the board due to increased memory demand, but also through Nvidia's DLSS 5 (planned for late 2026), which many have likened to a generative AI filter for games.

DLSS 5's introduction has already served as a worrying sign of what game development may eventually become, and it's not even here yet — and while it will be optional for players, many developers have already backed the tool and plan to utilize it once available.

That's exactly what makes Nishino's pledge to use AI concerning, as he stated: "At PlayStation, our goal is always to be the best place to play and the best to publish. We see AI as a powerful tool to help us in this mission."

The latter statement effectively mimics what was said about DLSS 5 by Nvidia itself and some game developers and publishers, suggesting that AI will only be used as a 'tool' and not a centerpiece of games, but it's not that simple.

Nisihino continued saying: "The vision, the design, and the emotional impact of our games will always come from the talent of our studios and performers. AI is meant to augment their abilities, not replace them," further insinuating AI will be strictly used for game development.

"We believe AI will unleash the creativity of our studios, power a more curated platform, and enhance the PlayStation experience for both players and creators."

On paper, PlayStation's commitment to keeping AI use strictly within game development without replacing human artists isn't necessarily bad (not a popular move either), but it's what it could eventually lead to that's very concerning.

With DLSS 5, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told gamers they were 'completely wrong' about DLSS 5 being generative AI in games, as it was 'content-controlled generative AI'. However, those were seen as buzzwords to stop gamers from seeing DLSS 5 for what it actually is, as it clearly changes character and environmental details, straying from the artist's design choices.

PlayStation doesn't have a DLSS 5 equivalent case (thankfully), but AI's very presence in game development for the company to begin with means there's a chance its use could spread even further, perhaps with gen AI assets showing up in games.

It's not much of a stretch to suggest the latter could happen when Activision is actively using AI in its Call of Duty games, which hasn't gone down well with players. The only hope that remains is that backlash from consumers keeps PlayStation and its first-party studios at bay, and if DLSS 5 is anything to go by, it's a decent start.

PC gaming is becoming increasingly demanding over time, with modern titles launching with more stringent and beefier system requirements than usual. If you're up to date on the state of the PC hardware market, you'll know that higher system requirements aren't great news for consumers at all.

Well, that's where upscalers come into play, and fortunately, Nvidia's DLSS has evolved over many years to provide excellent image quality and performance results. It has progressively improved after each iteration, utilizing new technologies to achieve significant enhancements over predecessors.

Fortunately, I can report that the trend continues with DLSS 4.5 in my testing on the Lenovo LOQ 15i Gen 10 gaming laptop, so much so that it's becoming harder to distinguish the difference in image quality and clarity between each mode, from DLSS Performance to Quality.

While DLSS Quality is certainly going to give you the best image quality possible (excluding DLAA, which is essentially native), gamers can now utilize DLSS Performance or Balanced and achieve very similar image stability and clarity, but with better performance results.

This comes after multiple DLSS iterations (particularly DLSS 3.1), including Performance and Balanced modes that were drastically different from DLSS Quality. It was mostly down to whether gamers wanted to prioritize the best visual clarity and sacrifice performance, or vice versa.

Now, with DLSS 4.5, gamers don't have to worry about sacrificing either, and Doom: The Dark Ages is a prime example (as you can see above), with very few differences between DLSS 4.5 Quality and Performance modes. This is ideal, as it means visual clarity won't be bogged down by blurriness or ghosting, as it normally would on previous DLSS versions.

I found similar results testing both Final Fantasy 16 and Arc Raiders and all of their DLSS 4.5 upscaling modes, where Performance and Quality are shockingly close. It's all thanks to Nvidia's 2nd-gen transformer model for super resolution, building upon what DLSS 4 delivers – which I must add, is already fantastic.

Performance mode isn't one-to-one with 4.5's Quality mode, and that should be quite clear since both are upscaling from different internal resolutions, but the differences between the two are minor in several gameplay scenarios.

It's arguably most evident in the Final Fantasy 16 comparison above. If you examine it closely, you may notice that Clive's sword still features some jaggedness around the flames in Performance mode, but not in Quality mode. However, this wasn't perceivable to me while active in gameplay – and frankly, I doubt many will be looking at every pixel with a loupe during gameplay.

DLSS 4 to DLSS 4.5 upgrade is very impressive

We've looked at how DLSS 4.5's image quality, specifically with Quality and Performance, but another strong point here is the leap from DLSS 4 to DLSS 4.5 in image stability.

I didn't think there was a way for DLSS to get much better, going from the first transformer model, which was introduced as a major jump from DLSS 3.1's CNN model, but here we are.

At 1080p using DLSS 4 Balanced, visuals are great, and I've never really had any complaints about this version when using it in many other scenarios with beefier hardware, other than some noticeable ghosting.

At 1080p using DLSS 4.5 Balanced, I instantly noticed a much more refined and sharper image, and better yet, I could use Frame Generation with a less noticeable trail on objects in motion – but just bear in mind, RTX 5060 laptop GPUs are only using 8GB of VRAM, and I found several scenarios where enabling Frame Generation makes performance less stable, due to increase in VRAM usage.

As for performance, since the Legion LOQ gaming laptop is powered by Nvidia's RTX 5060, the frame rate loss (going from DLSS 4 to DLSS 4.5) isn't very noticeable. However, users who don't have an RTX 50 or RTX 40 series GPU will likely suffer a major performance loss, supposedly around 20% to 25% using DLSS 4.5, due to the lack of native FP8 support (part of Nvidia Tensor Cores) on RTX 30 and older GPUs.

Fortunately, the performance loss in most of my benchmarks of this RTX 5060 laptop was only around 5% to 7%, which is insignificant when you realize the benefits you gain in image quality.

While DLSS Ultra Performance on DLSS 4.5 is an improvement coming from the previous version, it's still held back by very noticeable blurriness and ghosting, but this should be expected as it's quite literally the most aggressive upscaling option.

It's all getting to a stage now where DLSS is so good, it's hard to recommend ever gaming at native resolutions again. While many games are well optimized enough to maintain high frame rates, DLSS 4.5's image stability, almost across the board, is fantastic, which is a huge benefit for low-end hardware that may not be able to handle a native resolution or higher graphics settings.

I just hope game developers don't rely on these advancements as a band-aid for poor optimization.

Brain-reading company Neurable is working with HyperX on new products aimed at using neuroscience to improve your gaming performance. The idea is to have gaming headsets with built-in EEG sensors that read your brainwaves as you play, and use the data to not only help you boost your accuracy and reaction times, but also avoid tilting and performance crashes.

TechRadar has experience with Neurable's tech: we tested the Master & Dynamic MW75 headphones, which use the same kind of technology to help you monitor your focus levels and your risk of burnout at work.

The collaboration was announced at CES 2026 and focuses on two areas: improving your headspace before you play in order to improve performance, and monitoring activity while playing to see if you're maintaining peak levels.

I got a chance to try a prototype of the technology and to speak to Dr. Ramses Alcaide, CEO and co-founder of Neurable, to hear more about what it can do and the plan for the future.

I was able to test the technology using a prototype developed with HyperX, but that's still far from the final gaming headset they have planned – for a start, it didn't have a mic boom. It was also pretty heavy, and I'm sure they'll work on a lighter one for long-term gaming sessions.

But the main thing is that the tech worked, and is instantly really interesting.

What's the big idea?

It's not news that your mental state can really affect your performance – whether that's gaming, work, or sports. But what's interesting about Neurable's tech is that if you try to do something about it, like meditating, you're not just guessing whether it's making a difference or not – the improvement is measurable.

"Especially in games like StarCraft or in shooting games like Counter-Strike, one of the biggest issues that exists is that you normally have to choose between reaction time or accuracy, right? You can move quickly, but it may mean that your shots are landing worse. And the same thing happens with RTSes – your APM can be very high, but the quality of your APM can, can drop dramatically. And so this is the first time where you can handle one of the biggest issues that gamers have, which is getting yourself mentally primed for the activity," explains Alcaide.

So the first part of what Neurable is offering is a 'Prime' programming, which is designed to get you in the zone. At the moment, it takes the form of a cloud of dots, like a nebula spinning in space. If you increase your level of focus, the cloud of dots compresses, reducing the space between them until they become just one central dot, and then shrink to nothing.

"The thing is that your brain is highly plastic, which means it's able to adapt very rapidly," says Alcaide. "As you start to focus and clear your mind, these dots get smaller and smaller, and then if you start to mind wander and drift and think about, you know, other things that are happening, it'll start to get bigger. And so the core goal here is to make it get smaller and smaller and smaller until essentially this turns into a dot and disappears and you're ready, through this simple form of biofeedback."

"But the most key part is it has to be tied directly to the user state, you can't just make the dot get smaller. It has to really be training the brain, biofeedbacking the brain in order to get to this state, and then it moves the user to a different mental performance level than where they were when they started."

"If something just happened to you, you know, you heard bad news, your cognitive load shoots up like crazy. It's so hard to focus and get back into that zone. And so essentially what the system does is it helps in train your brain so that it reduces your cognitive load while increasing your focus, so that you can essentially get into that locked-in state and reach your real potential more consistently," says Alcaide.

"And what we've seen is decreases in reaction time, increases in target hits – usually you have to pick one of the two, but we're seeing both go up as they're doing these sessions."

Neurable's stats claim that pro-level eSports players improved target-aiming accuracy by about 3% by using the 'Priming' process, while the average improvement across all players is around 1.5%. The improvement in reaction time is around 40 milliseconds on average, which I found especially interesting – that's a few frames.

Naturally, I went through the Prime process myself. First, I went through a target-shooting practice session on Aimlabs without any preparation and scored around 34,000.

Next, I went through the Prime exercise. Neurable's Dr Alicia Howell-Munson, a Research Scientist and lead on the gaming-focused technology, gave me some tips for entering a focus state when looking at the cloud of dots, such as focusing on a particular dot's movement as it spins.

I found that was a useful start, because they're not easy to follow as they all cross each other – but I can imagine that some people might actually find it better to look 'past' the cloud and focus by allowing the moving pattern to overwhelm their vision.

I found that as the cloud of dots shrank, I started to see patterns and structure in the dots that I hadn't interpreted before, and so I started focusing on those instead – not intentionally, just naturally. Already, it felt like I was finding a flow state.

After around 45 seconds, I'd shrunk the dots and was ready to do. The Neurable team told me that it often takes anywhere from two minutes to four minutes, and that a shorter time suggested I was already in a fairly focused mental state – perhaps not a surprise since I'd already done the target practice once.

I also did the Prime exercise a second time at the end of my demo session so we could get photos, and that not only took longer, but I actually regressed, with the cloud becoming larger again, when the camera entered my eyeline, so you can see the instant effect that distractions have.

After Priming, I retook the same Aimlabs test and scored around 37,000. My reaction time decreased by a very small amount (only around 5ms), but my accuracy jumped over 2%. Just from less than a minute of biofeedback meditation, of a kind.

What's going on?

"Essentially, we're tracking two key metrics," explains Alcaide. "One is cognitive load. So how much of their brain is currently at capacity, right? And then the second one is their focus, or how well you can maintain attention on a particular task."

"Now, they seem kind of similar, but they're very different. You can have a high focus and have a low cognitive load, which is the ultimate way of playing."

"We did some work actually with the Singapore Air Force, where we saw that expert pilots were the ones who had really high focus, they were able to maintain their attention, but it required a very low amount of mental cognitive load. Which means that when something happened, they had a lot of capacity still left in their brain to be able to react and to make adjustments, and to be able to think quickly.

"But if your brain is filled with a whole bunch of thoughts, not only is it hard for you to focus, but then adding more things to your brain while you're focusing creates overflow, which increases errors, essentially per minute in the case of these of these pilots, and also reduces your reaction time."

To measure these elements, Neurable uses an EEG to measure alpha, beta, and theta brain waves. "Beta and theta are usually tied to how fast your brain is processing. We use those through our proprietary pipeline that that boosts the signal to noise [ratio], which is what our company does. We use AI to boost the signal brain data, so that it comes at a level similar to a high-end brain-computer interface."

Alcaide is referring to the need for an elaborate helmet and even conductive gel to get good EEG readings in many cases, but Neurable is able to get accurate enough readings with just the pads of a pair of headphones (or using earbuds and even glasses, they told me).

The data the headset is reading isn't just useful for the Prime process, though. It can potentially be useful for eSports training purposes, and Neurable also showed me a concept of your brain's focus and capacity readings being visible during a Twitch stream, much like how some streamers show their heart rate today.

One of the simplest uses of this ongoing data reading could be to help you improve the quality of your practice.

"[The software] tells you to take a break when you're cognitively tired, not when you're physically tired. Your brain has no pain receptors, so when you feel physically tired, that's when you normally take a break. But if you take a break when your brain is tired, you can actually boost your productivity for one to three hours per day," says Alcaide.

"So just imagine something like that: you're playing, it tells you to go take a 10 minute walk. And now you're getting effectively one to three more hours of practice per day. And that's good practice, not crap practice, right?

"Or prevention of tilt, like there's just so many things that we haven't even tapped into yet."

There's a lot of potential in using the data the headset can connect to, so you can link your brain data to replays of your performance and see whether something changed before you made mistakes or what state you were in during your best period.

In a practice tool like Aimlabs, each score could have brain data connected, so you can look for patterns.

And game developers could even use your brain data to create emergent events – scaring you at the right moment, for example.

I asked whether any additional factors could improve the data's accuracy in the future. Alcaide notes that most other biometric data that can be tracked is actually also reflected in the brain, so Neurable's tech gets most of what it can use anyway.

However, there's one element he calls out as an area to add to the system: "Eye tracking is way faster than brain data, so we could probably use eye tracking to identify what [someone] focusing on, and then the brain can give us an accurate reading of how attention they paid. You know, were they just looking there or were they actually processing the information?"

Alcaide also notes that the tech could be used for better team play, not just individual play: "We're really just scratching the surface of like what's possible, right? Teamwork I think is going to be one of the biggest areas in eSports that we're going to start to see for this technology.

"There's been a lot of incredible research done, with something called 'team synchrony'. So, for example, you can put an EEG system like the ones that I have right now, and then you can see whether the team's brain waves are synced or unsynced, and what they found is that teams that display more synchrony across their brain waves usually perform better, especially at tasks where they're collaborating, they're working together to solve a problem."

Performance enhancement

I asked whether Neurable is worried about its tools being banned from competition if they're really effective, and they noted that they already have a pro poker player who uses their tech to focus their mind.

"There are multiple techniques that gamers use to clear their minds already. This is just a way where it removes the skill level required to be able to get into that type of mental training. It makes it easier. It's like, instead of telling somebody 'hey, just get it out of your head', you're teaching them how to meditate." says Alcaide.

"It's just giving a little bit of a of a opportunity for people to to get in the zone, before they go into things, and actually I was just earlier today talking with an NBA player that wants to use it for the same sort of thing. It's like listening to music before you go play, right? So I don't think that's, that's necessarily something that we're concerned about."

When will you be able to try this out yourself? Both the software and hardware are still under development, but the aim is to have something available in around a year – it's not impossible you'll see a product in 2026, but CES 2027 is maybe more likely.

I only had a brief demo, but I found the Prime process immediately impactful – I think I'd active want to go through the process before firing up a game, no because I'm desperate for the few points of extra accuracy, but because the process of clearing your mind – and knowing you've truly taken steps in clearing it, because you're not just following an animation, the animation is responding to your success – felt really beneficial in of itself.

TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2026 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

• Windows Latest discovered Discord and other Chromium and Electron-based applications with high RAM usage
• RAM usage spikes from 1GB to 4GB on Discord both in and out of voice chat
• It comes at a time where prices for RAM kits are exceedingly high

It's no secret at this point that the PC hardware market is in an unstable state, with prices for RAM kits skyrocketing like never before due to the current AI bubble – and that's why this Windows 11 issue is far more noticeable at this stage.

As reported by Windows Latest, Discord and other Windows 11 applications using the Electron framework are consuming significant amounts of RAM, with Discord notably spiking from 1GB up to 4GB. This is due to these apps using the Chromium browser instance and Node.js (a JavaScript runtime) for desktop app functionality, which appears to lead to memory leaks.

Being a frequent Discord user, I've noticed several instances where RAM usage exceeds 1GB, steadily increasing the longer it's open and active. While it's not unusual for applications to use a decent amount of system memory, it becomes problematic when gaming or utilizing other resource-heavy applications.

Just like Windows Latest, I tested this by joining a server and entering voice chat to stream; before the voice chat stream was active, Discord's RAM usage was at 780MB, and once I started streaming, it managed to shoot up to 1.4GB after a few minutes (screenshots below).

Now this makes sense, especially when streaming content at high resolutions like 1080p or 1440p. However, the most frustrating aspect is that even after ending the stream (and even leaving voice chat entirely), the 1.4GB of RAM usage didn't decrease, but instead fluctuated consistently between 1.2GB and 1.4GB, which was only resolved when completely restarting Discord.

This now adds further explanations on why game performance may be worse than usual when Discord is active in the background, with instant improvements seen when the application is completely shut down.

While users with 32GB or 64GB of RAM may not find this to be very problematic, it's still a portion of RAM that can impact functionality and speeds, and is undoubtedly a bigger concern for users who only have 8GB or 16GB of RAM – and with RAM kit prices exceeding the normal standard due to the AI boom, this is the worst time for applications to hog system memory.

Analysis: This is just another addition to the current RAM problems

It's one thing for Microsoft's Windows 11 to suffer from a handful of issues, with background processes actively impacting game performance for gamers, and bloatware leaving users frustrated with the operating system's lack of ease of use – but applications like Discord adding to the issue, alongside current memory demand, just makes matters worse.

While I'm personally waiting for Discord to add native support on SteamOS with a dedicated application for its game mode, it seems as though fixing this memory leak (which is what this seems to be) should be the priority.

RAM pricing issues are only going to get worse from here on it as long as this AI boom remains, and if solutions can't be introduced to Discord and other applications based on Chromium using more memory than necessary, it's going to leave more users frustrated.

• Sony unveils its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project Defiant
• The fight stick is launching in 2026 and is designed for PS5 and PC
• The controller can be used wirelessly via PlayStation Link technology for ultra-low latency gameplay, or wired using a USB-C connection

Sony has revealed its first-ever wireless fight stick, codenamed Project Defiant, and it's releasing in 2026.

Announced during PlayStation's June State of Play, Project Defiant is designed for a variety of fighting games and can be used wirelessly or wired for the PlayStation 5 and PC.

"This sleek new controller will give players more flexibility to play their favorite fighting games, whether that is wirelessly with the innovative PlayStation Link technology that provides ultra-low latency, or through a wired connection on PS5 or PC," said Edwin Foo, Vice President, Product Development, SIE, in a PlayStation blog post.

Project Defiant features a high-quality digital stick that’s custom-designed by Sony, toolless interchangeable restrictor gates (square, circle, and octagon) for the stick, buttons with mechanical switches, and a touch pad like the one found on the DualSense wireless controller.

The controller also boasts a sturdy, ergonomic design for long gaming sessions, features a storage compartment for restrictor gates for convenience, and a PS Link USB adapter.

Like the DualSense wireless controller, Project Defiant also supports the ability to wirelessly wake up the user's PS5 by pressing and holding the PS button on the top side of the device.

As previously mentioned, input timing has been refined thanks to Sony's PS Link wireless technology, but there's also an option for players to plug in to play by using a wired USB-C connection.

Sony has also confirmed that the fight stick will come packaged with a sling carry case, which includes a lever gap to keep the digital stick safe, allowing players to take the hardware on the go.

Since Project Defiant is just a codename, we'll likely learn the name of the fight stick closer to launch.

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AMD is helping to usher in the second generation of PC gaming handhelds in 2025 with the announcement of the AMD Ryzen Z2 series of processors, designed to provide more performance and better efficiency for PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go.

Coming in three different tiers, the AMD Ryzen Z2 processors will include the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, AMD Ryzen Z2, and AMD Ryzen Z2 Go. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme will feature eight cores and 16 threads, a 5.0GHz boost clock, 24MB cache, 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, and a 15W-35W power envelope.

The Ryzen Z2 will also feature eight cores and 16 threads, but with a slightly higher 5.1GHz boost clock, the same 24MB cache, but 12 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores rather than 16, and a slightly smaller 15W-30W power envelope.

The new Ryzen Z2 Go (which had no equivalent with the Ryzen Z1 series), will have four cores and eight threads, a 4.3GHz boost clock, and 10MB cache, but the same 12 GPU cores and 15W-30W power envelope as the Ryzen Z2.

As the chips won’t sell on their own, there’s no hard release date, as that’ll depend on the release dates for the individual handhelds, but handhelds featuring the new chips should be available starting in Q1 2025.

Adding fuel to an already red-hot PC gaming handheld market

Following the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022, the PC gaming handheld market has exploded over the past two years, with nearly every major gaming PC manufacturer producing their own PC gaming handheld.

With few exceptions, these have all run on the AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors, so it’s natural that about two years after the launch of the Asus ROG Ally, the second PC gaming handheld after the Steam Deck, the AMD Ryzen Z-series SoCs would get a refresh with some new architecture and design.

And while the Ryzen Z1 has essentially had the entire market to itself, Intel’s strong showing with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, the first handheld to feature an Intel Lunar Lake SoC, has definitely injected a good deal more competition into this space.

We haven’t been able to test the new chis yet, so we can’t say yet whether the new chips are worth an upgrade, but given the popularity of these handhelds, it’s good to see AMD not just commit itself to further Z-series development, but even expanding it into a lower ‘budget’ specced tier which will hopefully help bring the cost of future PC gaming handhelds down into a more affordable place.

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If the Nintendo Switch proved the concept of a portable hybrid console correct, many would say that Valve’s Steam Deck did the same for handheld PC gaming.

Coming in both LCD and OLED flavors, they share a 7-inch 60Hz screen, 4-core Zen 2 CPU, 8-core RDNA 2 graphics, 16GB LPDDR5 memory and between 256GB and 1TB SSD storage.

Backed by SteamOS, the portable allows users to play a the majority of games on Valve’s ultra-popular digital store, Steam, that goes back as far as 2004. Though we praised the Steam Deck for its versatility and performance in our Steam Deck review, we noted that it was held back a bit by SteamOS.

By not having Windows 11 pre-loaded, as later portable PC gaming handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally do, means that there is a limit to the type of games that can be played on the device. This means that popular games like Fortnite and Alan Wake II, among others, can’t be natively played on the Steam Deck.

The reason is that these games require the Epic Games Store in order to launch, and this isn't natively supported by the Steam Deck. Not all is lost, though, as there are ways to get the app running on the device.

Things You’ll Need

• Steam Deck
• MicroSD Card (optional)
• Windows 11 or 10 license (optional)

Installing through Windows: Step-by-step guide

There is a workaround to get Windows loaded on the Steam Deck, which will let you use the Epic Games Store directly. Here's what you'll need to do.

Installing through Proton: Step-by-step

Proton is an installable interpretation layer available through Steam that allows the SteamOS software to open Windows software, including the Epic Games Store. It’s a less intrusive way of getting the launcher to run on the device without having to fuss with a new Windows installation.

Societal changes, newer technology and an always-connected generation has led to an interesting shift in how individuals interact with games around the world.

According to recent data, many people would rather watch streamers play games than play the game themselves. Putting things into perspective, the biggest live-streaming platform, Twitch, has over 240 million unique visitors alongside 1.8 billion hours of video views during its biggest months.

Soon, a new generation of streamers became ultra-popular celebrities in their own right, many rivaling the biggest names in more mainstream media like film and music.

Whether its Twitch or YouTube or Facebook, video game streaming has come with some serious monetary benefits for creators. Small creators can earn between $50 - $1,500 monthly while mid-tier streamers can make $5,000–$30,000. Those at the upper crest like Ninja ($500,000+ per month) and xQc (over $300,000 per month) easily make six figures or more monthly.

Of course, many want to follow in their favorite streamer’s footsteps, play games for their friends to watch, or something or somewhere in between. To help those interested, we’re here to help you get started when it comes to hardware.

Gaming PC or video game console

What kind of streamers are you looking to be? That honestly depends on the individual and their particular taste.

On the more traditional end, most of today’s most popular streamers use the best gaming PCs for games including Fortnite, Call of Duty, League of Legends, World of Warcraft , and Counter-Strike 2, among others.

Meanwhile, console gamers will need something like a Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Xbox Series X|S or Sony PlayStation 5. Consoles are usually popular for anyone looking to watch first-party exclusives like God of War or Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Capture card

Console gamers who play on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have native support for Twitch built into the console. All they’re going to need is a solid webcam and possibly some sort of microphone.

The same isn’t true for Nintendo Switch which requires a capture card to a PC or laptop.

Meanwhile, serious PC gamers are going to need a capture card as a way to offset the resource load from streaming out video of more visually intensive or e-sports-leaning games.

Capture cards come in at various prices and specifications, so anyone looking for the right one can check out our list of the best capture cards of this year.

KVM-equipped monitor

The average streamer who plays on PC uses one for gaming and another for conducting the actual stream.

Controlling both PCs at once is done through KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) technology, which enables control of multiple PCs using a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

The best gaming monitors like the Gigabyte M27F and MSI MPG 271QR now feature built-in KVM functionality, making it easier for streamers to switch between devices without clutter.

Console gamers also benefit from KVM, using it to seamlessly switch between gaming and work or stream sessions.

Microphone

Separate from an actual gaming headset, which is used to hear the game and communicate with teammates, microphones are the best way to speak directly to viewers of your stream.

There are so many great mics for streaming out there that can work between various setups, across many different budgets.

That doesn’t even count the feature set and even design with some featuring cute RGB lighting as well.

Webcam or camera

Visitors aren’t going to watch a stream without seeing its star. That’s why a webcam at the very least is going to be absolutely necessary.

Just understand that what you spend is going to determine both capture resolution and streaming frame rate. Then there are other things like the type of lens that you'll need to consider as well.

Users who want to take their stream to a new level can get an actual video camera or high-end digital camera with video output and hook it up through a capture card as well.

Streaming PC or laptop

In addition to your actual gaming PC, you'll also need a PC or laptop to process the actual stream, as using the gaming PC by itself can be cumbersome and potentially affect the performance of the game you're playing.

It might be best to get one of our favorite mini PCs to process the captured video. The video capture PC doesn't have to be the most high-end, and even some of the best cheap laptops are more than enough to get the job done (though stay away from Chromebooks).

Lighting

Serious streamers will know that the best webcams and video cameras can be limited by certain lighting conditions.

This is why it’s important to have some sort of professional-ish light source to put you in the best, well, light.

Users can find an affordable ring light or mini light through online retailers like Amazon or go for something more expensive like the Logitech Litra Beam LX.

Green screen

A green screen (or sometimes a blue screen) is a great way to add some flair to a stream.

These colored screens are used to isolate a streamer from the background on video, which allows them to be placed in different backgrounds, or to remove the background of the room they are in entirely, while they are streaming. Some of our favorite green screens even come with lighting as well.

The FTC has ordered Razer to pay over $1.1 million in refunds to those who purchased the Razer Zephyr RGB mask which was supposedly "N95-grade". It wasn't. 

First reported by IGN, The Federal Trade Commission has said that the $1.1 million total must be returned to users due to its misrepresentation of the Razer Zephyr mask. The company claimed its face masks were N95-grade (which are commonly found in surgical applications) but no such official certification was ever passed, and the company changed the fine print on its website to reflect that back in 2022. 

FTC Director of Bureau of Consumer Protection Sam Levine said: "These businesses falsely claimed, in the midst of a global pandemic, that their face mask was the equivalent of an N95 certified respirator" and that Razer only "stopped the false advertising following negative press coverage and consumer outrage at the deceptive claims". Scathing words indeed. 

The Razer Zephyr was available for $100, which means that roughly 11,000 consumers are owed their money back for the purchase of the ill-fated COVID-era face mask. It was available in the US online and through its three physical stores as well as the country's native Singapore while supposedly selling out almost instantly. 

While the filters were not the grade promised, you did get a fair amount of them in the box. The starter pack included 30 filters which would last you around three days apiece, so you would be covered for 90 days before needing to invest in filter packs for $10 a pop, but by that point, the product was quietly pulled from stores. Any mention of the Razer Zephyr has been scrubbed on its website. 

When contacted by TechRadar for comment, Razer told us: "We disagree with the FTC’s allegations and did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. It was never our intention to mislead anyone, and we chose to settle this matter to avoid the distraction and disruption of litigation and continue our focus on creating great products for gamers. Razer cares deeply about our community and is always looking to deliver technology in new and relevant ways." 

"The Razer Zephyr was conceived to offer a different and innovative face-covering option for the community," the Razer spokesperson continued. "The FTC’s claims against Razer concerned limited portions of some of the statements relating to the Zephyr. More than two years ago, Razer proactively notified customers that the Zephyr was not an N95 mask, stopped sales, and refunded customers."

The mask was originally announced at CES 2021 as a proof of concept known as Project Hazel before it was made official to the world to purchase later that year. While it didn't feature an N95 respiration system, it did have RGB lighting and swappable filters. A Zephyr Pro, complete with voice modulation, was announced a year later but never materialized.

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Sony INZONE H9: One-minute review

Sony, without a doubt, has a reputation as an exceptional manufacturer of products. It’s a company that’s seriously made a name for itself, building one of the most successful console series we’ve seen in the last two decades.

Its DualSense controllers, PlayStation handhelds, and general hardware ecosystem over the years have been nothing short of outstanding, so, going into testing the $250 plus Inzone H9 wireless noise-canceling headset, a blend of both that PS5 design and ecosystem, combined with Sony’s legendary audio and noise-canceling prowess, I had high hopes that it was going to be an absolute killer piece of kit, easily making its way onto our best PC gaming headsets list and beyond.

After all, as I’ve mentioned, this is a company that already has an impressive audio subsection of its brand. Just grab some of those engineers, give them a design IP and a bit of budget, chuck a full-fledged microphone on the beating heart of a unit like the Sony WH1000XM5 or its predecessors and they’d be off to the races.

So, is that the case? Is the Sony Inzone H9 wireless noise-cancelling gaming headset, a pair of WH1000XM5s disguised as a PS5 headset? Well, no, not quite. They're expensive, stylish, and well-designed - but the audio performance doesn't really line up with the price tag.

Sony INZONE H9: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $300 / £269 / AU$450 - but now available cheaper
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available worldwide

So let’s talk price: what are we looking at here? Well, the Inzone H9 wireless clocks in at a fairly steep $300 in the US, £269 in the UK, and AU$450 for our friends down under. However, you can pick it up cheaper from most major retailers - the best bet for stateside shoppers is Amazon or Bestbuy, for the UK, Currys or Amazon are the best picks here too. Likewise, you’ll also find these floating around in Europe at Amazon.de, and Australia as well, although stock there is far more limited.

The Inzone H9 Wireless is a costly piece of kit, and slapping that kind of price tag on a headset of this caliber makes it fair game for comparison against a whole swathe of top-tier competition from the likes of Logitech, Razer, Corsair, and more.

In fact, its retail price in the US actually did sit at $300 until fairly recently, and even at its reduced price, that puts it in spitting distance of the excellent Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed headset, or even the likes of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. In other words, the competition is fierce. Both those sets of cans do miss out on one key feature, namely the ANC, but more on that later.

• Value: 2 / 5

Sony INZONE H9: Design

• Stylish aesthetic
• Very comfortable to wear
• Multiple on-headset controls

One quick look at the Inzone H9 Wireless and you’ll immediately fall under its spell. Particularly if you’re already heavily invested in the Sony PS5 ecosystem, and pick up a white version of this little beauty. It’s got an incredibly clean style to it, complete with that sandblasted white plastic we’ve come to expect, paired with a high contrast black shiny plastic mixed with matt touches, along with perhaps not-so-subtle Sony branding on the ear-cups.  

The microphone in particular looks exceptionally clean, with its swivel mechanism, and the overall ergonomic inclusions Sony has integrated into the Inzone H9 are nothing to be smirked at. The earcups are big circumaural affairs that easily coffer your entire ear, and it has a similar feel to a helicopter pilot’s cans. Perhaps not something you’d want to wear around town, but it does lend itself to a classy overall look, and some top-tier comfort.

Speaking of, the headband is much improved over the more affordable Inzone H5 wireless, and the earcups equally feature a softer faux leather finish (although it does feel a little “crisp” which is weird for a headset). The padding is a lot more plush than its cheaper siblings too. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it's memory foam (and that’s not something Sony has in its marketing materials either), but it’s comfortable for long-term use, and that’s what’s important here.

Aside from the physicality of the thing, the Inzone H9 features only two connection standards, Bluetooth 5.0 and your standard Wireless 2.4 GHz dongle affair. Unlike the Inzone H5, the H9 doesn’t feature an analog connection, although it does have USB-C connectivity.

There are a number of buttons integrated into the headset as well, including power, Bluetooth, game/chat volume adjustments, a volume wheel, and a noise-canceling button, allowing you to swap between different presets on the fly.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Sony INZONE H9: Performance

• Sound quality is only middling
• Mic doesn't perform well
• Good battery life

The one thing that will make or break a good gaming headset is the quality of its audio. It doesn’t matter what extra features it comes with, what noise-canceling it has, or what spatial audio AI sound control gimmickry is baked into its marketing language: if it can’t produce good audio, comparatively to the products in its price bracket, it’s going to get hammered.

So then. Sony’s Inzone H9 wireless noise cancelling headset. Audio? Not great. Nope, sadly, these are the exact same drivers found in the far cheaper Inzone H5 wireless gaming headset, the same 5 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, and to cap it off the same confused EQ tuning has been applied straight out of the gate. The bass, although potent, seems muted and muffled, there’s no punch to it, the mids seem to be lacking their top-end, and overall clarity re-inforced by the treble, like its H5 cousin, is just absent, which is a really sad thing to report given the high price of this headset.

I tested the Inzone H9 wireless for a few weeks, comparing it to several cheaper and more expensive headsets, and it just fails to make an impact in contrast to the likes of offerings from Audiotechnica, Corsair, and Razer. This is sad, because Sony is a company that already has such a prestigious audio pedigree behind it. Music is just okay; it’s an okay headset. In-game it’s enjoyable enough, sure, but again: you don’t just want “okay” when you’re spending this much cash on a gaming headset.

Then we get to the microphone. Now this is different compared to the likes of the Inzone H5 - by which I mean it’s somehow more muffled and less clear, and again, when you consider products like Corsair’s HS80 or HyperX’s Cloud Alpha, and how potent they are in that department, it’s just not a good feeling.

The noise-cancelling however is somewhat of a saving grace. It’s there, it’s powerful, and it’s good at cutting out hum and vibrations, fan noise from your PC, or the drone of a washer-dryer, although it’s not capable of cutting out all noise in the vicinity. If someone’s playing loud music in the next room, or shouting your name, you're still going to hear them. Similarly, there are very few ANC gaming headsets out there at this price point (after all, it’s a lot easier to control the ambient sound of your gaming environment than it is outside your home). That said, the real killer piece of tech is (somewhat ironically) the ambient sound mode. It’s generally quite a nice touch, and performs well, giving the Inzone H9 wireless an impressive open-backed feeling to it.

Connectivity is fine. 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C are enough in this day and age, and the USB dongle included has a switch allowing you to swap between PS5 and PC mode depending on what you’re plugging it into. I found that the battery life was solid; Sony advertises up to 32 hours of playback with ANC turned off, and while I don't think it lasts quite that long in practice, it certainly holds charge well enough to not need plugging every other day. There's quick charge via USB-C too, giving you an hour of game time after 10 minutes of charging.

Sony’s Inzone hub software suite is pretty slick too, and impressively easy to use - which is good, because you'll want to adjust the wonky factory EQ settings. You’ll still be handicapped by those audio drivers though, sadly.

The Sony Inzone H9 isn’t a bad headset, not at its heart. In isolation, it’s a decent experience. If you pick one of these up, you’ll have an alright time with it. But really, you’re going to be buying this headset if you want that “Sony” badge clout, and for your cans to match your PS5 DualSense controller, and in that regard, it’s highly difficult for me to recommend it. The audio just isn’t up to scratch compared to the competition (and Sony's own cheaper Inzone cans), and that’s a real problem.

• Performance: 2.5 / 5

Should I buy the Sony INZONE H9?

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Sony INZONE H9: Report card

• First reviewed April 2024

How we test

I spent four weeks testing the Inzone H9 wireless noise-canceling gaming headset, along with its H5 cousin, while comparing it to some competitor headsets at the same price point. I was testing mostly on PC but also used my PS5 to check the software and to see if there were any major changes to audio quality. I’ve used it playing Dark Souls III, Elden Ring, Total War: Warhammer III, and World of Warcraft -really taking advantage of a multitude of high-quality soundstages to get the most out of those audio drivers.

I also used the Inzone H9 wireless extensively while listening to music on Spotify Premium and while consuming endless content on YouTube Premium as well, listening and watching a vast array of different videos from multiple genres. For microphone testing, I cranked it up in Windows 11’s in-built sound recorder program for my own internal comparison tests and passively used it in Discord calls as well.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition: Two-minute review

The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition doesn’t come cheap, but it absolutely nails all the important features for a premium wireless gaming mouse. Its ambidextrous symmetrical form factor is streamlined and comfortable, making it ideal for longer play sessions or competitive settings. The responsive micro switches deliver clean, satisfying clicks that easily keep pace with even the fastest moments of first-person shooter titles like Counter-Strike 2 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

It’s a very versatile mouse too, with support for USB-C wired play in addition to wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and the proprietary 2.4 GHz Asus ROG Omni Receiver. Although the report rate of up to 1,000 Hz isn’t the highest on the market, it's more than enough for competitive use and I didn’t experience any noticeable latency using any of the three connection types during my testing.

Even so, the inclusion of a dongle extender in the package is a great added bonus, as it allows you to clip the ROG Omni Receiver directly to your mousepad to further reduce the chance of latency affecting your aim. This is especially important given the clear focus on esports, where many pros tend to veer towards wired gaming mice for their reliability. 

There are two color options to choose from: black and white. In addition to a ROG logo on the palm rest, both sport two baby blue side buttons that inject a little color to help give an otherwise utilitarian design some element of personality. The RGB scroll wheel, while nothing ground-breaking, adds a further element of customizability thanks to the option to illuminate it in a variety of basic colors and modes. It even alerts you when the battery is running low, which should help prevent you from ever being caught out by a depleted mouse in the middle of a match.

There’s some optional grip tape for the mouse buttons and sides too, though you’re unlikely to really need it given the grippy, premium-feeling plastic used across the mouse. The side also sports grooves (alongside a very subtle Aim Lab logo decal) which prevents the mouse from ever feeling slippery in the hands.

The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition certainly looks premium, but it also packs some seriously high-end specs under the hood. The first area where this mouse really raises the bar is its sensitivity, which is a staggeringly high 36,000 DPI. It goes without saying, but this will be more than enough to satisfy even the twitchiest competitive gamer and should comfortably make this model worth considering if sensitivity is your number one priority.

That’s not all it has to offer, though, as the ultra-light 1.90oz (54g) weight is very impressive too. This is lighter than even the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed, which comes in at 2.12oz (60g), and makes for a mouse that is not only very easy to transport but can glide smoothly across most surfaces with little friction or fatigue. There are still lighter mice around, like the wired 1.66oz (46g) Asus TUF M4 Air, but it's quite remarkable to see a wireless option this light.

There is also the matter of the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition’s namesake: its compatibility with Aimlabs. For those not in the know, Aimlabs is a freemium aim trainer program that is a popular choice for training among competitive FPS players. Aimlabs sees you undergo a series of short exercises, namely clicking on various targets in blank environments, in order to evaluate your overall performance. The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition is able to automatically find your ideal mouse settings based on these tests, even saving them to a special profile for easy access.

Although most esports competitors will likely already know their own preferred settings, this is still a brilliant addition that could prove genuinely game-changing for those not quite at that professional level. It is a shame, though, that the features offered by the compatible ROG Armory Crate software aren’t so strong. All the basics like the option to change your DPI, map buttons, or calibrate your mouse are at least here but the lack of premium additions like the ability to download profiles from the internet leave it lagging behind the offerings from leading esports brands like Zowie.

The only other real issue is the placement of the DPI button which is, unfortunately, on the bottom of the mouse. While this might not be an issue for some, I am someone who enjoys creating specific profiles for different games and alternating between them quite frequently so having more limited access to the switch is a little annoying.

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition: Price & Availability

•  How much does it cost? $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$189
•  When is it available? Available now 
•  Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia 

Coming in at $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$189, the ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition is very much a high-end product. Even so, it is less expensive than current esports favorites like the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed, which costs $159 / £149 / AU$299, and features better specs in most important areas including DPI and weight.

The real question here is whether it’s worth actually getting a wireless gaming mouse for esports in the first place. The wired Razer DeathAdder V3 features a higher report rate of 8000 Hz, a 2.08oz (59g) weight, and a very sensitive 30,000 DPI all for just $69.99 / £69.99 / around AU$99. Considering how many esports pros use wired mice, it might be worth weighing up just how much of a premium you’re willing to pay to cut out the cord. If you are shopping exclusively for wireless options, however, this is a very reasonable price for what you are getting.

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition: Specs

Should you buy the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if…

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition: Also consider

How I tested the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition

• Tested for over a month
• Used for both gaming and productivity
• Tested with leading esports titles

I spent over a month using the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition every day. This included standard productivity tasks, plenty of internet browsing, and of course playing lots of different games. I was careful to test the mouse with fast-paced esports FPS titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

That said, I also used the mouse for plenty of other games including Anno 1800, The Sims 4, and The Caligula Effect 2, where I found that it performed well in a range of genres. I predominantly used the mouse with its wireless receiver, but was sure to test the other connectivity modes too. I experimented with both the ROG Armory Crate software and Aimlabs to try out all of the available features.

As a hardware writer over at TechRadar's sister site TechRadar Gaming, I have plenty of experience going hands-on with all kinds of gaming peripherals every day. I’m also a pretty avid FPS player and have played lots of games using a variety of different mice over the years.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2024

Every year, when it comes to putting up the Christmas decorations for your home, you may be the one usually responsible for achieving this mighty task. When it comes to your PC, however, you may wonder how you can glow-up your PC and its fellow peripherals to match the holiday season as well. One way of achieving this is through modding your keyboard.

This method may sound scary at first, but it’s really not. For those unaware, it’s a process of swapping the keycaps, the base of the keyboard, or even the wire that connects the peripheral to the PC — all so the keyboard can match your style.

You can buy keyboards that give you this ability right off the bat — and some even require you to place the keycaps yourself. While you can buy a Keychron keyboard for $36.99 on Amazon that allows you to mod it to the hilt, we’ve got a few ideas to get you into the holiday spirit of modding your keyboard before Santa arrives.

Red and green keycaps

You could argue that red and green are synonymous with Christmas. The green holly, the red Santa suit — you’ll be seeing these colors well before you hear one note of a Christmas song.

This is why these red keycaps, and green keycaps from Amazon, are a great way to highlight the holidays. The best thing about modding a keyboard with fresh keycaps is that you can pick and choose which keys you want in certain colors. Fancy the function key row in nothing but red? How about the space bar in green and each shift key in red?

It can be done, yet it doesn’t stop there. You can also buy keycaps in different ‘cherry’ profiles. This means that both the feel and the sound when pressing down on a key, will be very different. These can come in red, blue, or brown, all in their different feels and sounds. So if you think you’ll benefit from these types as well, you should go the extra mile to see which profile suits you best.

RGB Lighting

A keyboard with Christmas RGB is the equivalent of putting up lights on the front of your home — it’s simply essential to spruce up your PC to celebrate the holidays. These days, plenty of keyboards offer this feature. Some have pre-programmed patterns that make a bunch of keycaps flash in every available light.

Yet there are some out there, such as ones from SteelSeries and Keychron, that allow you to program your own colors and how they appear. Some can light up as you press down on a keycap for instance, or pressing another will light up the rest of the keys in red or green.

Having the RGB programmed for the holidays is a perfect accompaniment to marking some Christmas cheer as you type away on that important email, or as you play through Baldurs Gate 3 for the fourth time.

Christmas cables

A straightforward change for your keyboard, but one that can make a big impression, especially if you can’t hide the wire.

Much like the RGB lighting, red and green are synonymous with Christmas, so it only makes sense to look for something that’s similar to a candy cane. This USB-C to USB-A cable from Amazon for $14.99, is an easy swap for that black wire that most likely came with your keyboard.

So if you prefer to leave the keycaps, and the RGB lighting on your keyboard as they are, having a Christmas cable is at least something to mark the holidays as you game on your keyboard.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB): Two-minute review

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB) is a great sounding headset. However, it brings up a familiar question when looking at gaming headsets – and that’s figuring out what’s important.

After all, some of the best gaming headsets offer all sorts of bells and whistles to take gaming audio to the next level, but don’t quite hit the mark when you’re just leaning back and listening to music. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset is undoubtedly one of the best wired gaming headsets out there right now, but it flips the script. You won’t find much in the way of features – there’s not even an app. Yet the sound quality alone makes up for that.

For me, that sound quality is more important than being able to EQ or use directional / spatial / insert-gimmick audio to process or change what you’re listening to. Since this is a headset version of the well-loved Audio-Technica ATH-M50x known for its outsized performance to price, it’s no surprise that the company went in this direction.

Before digging too deep into the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset, it’s important to point out that there are two iterations: the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-USB reviewed here and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-XLR. 

The only differences between the two are connectivity. The USB version has an attached cable that terminates into USB-A (it also comes with an adapter for USB-C ports), while the XLR version uses that type of connection that requires an audio interface to connect to your computer. Plus, it needs phantom power for the mic.

The boom mic here has a convenient flip-to-mute function, but is most noteworthy for using a capsule from a condenser mic as opposed to the dynamic ones most use.

The differences between these two types are beyond the scope of this review, but the quick version is that condenser mics usually sound better with a fuller frequency range while dynamic mics are better at just picking up the sound in front of them.

As far as the aesthetics of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset goes, it still keeps that belongs-in-the-studio all-black look. Though the company is marketing this headset to streamers and gamers, especially since the original version has been recommended as a headphones alternative to gaming headsets on every other forum, there’s no gamer-focused design choices other than the inclusion of that mic.

That said, Audio-Technica does include two different types of earpads, specifically fabric and leatherette, so you can adjust the comfort a bit. They do offer slightly different experiences as I find the leatherette to be a little hotter to wear. Whichever one you install, you probably won’t want to go back and forth too much as they’re a pain to install.

When it comes to ergonomics, there’s plenty on hand as the earcups can tilt and swivel 180 degrees. And, of course, the headband has plenty of extension on hand for different sized heads.

At the end of the day, the comfort on these headphones are decent but not amazing. Though the clamping force is not excessive, it is a little tight. The way the weight is distributed here ended up with most of the headset’s 330 grams bearing on my skull. That means that after long sessions, I did feel a little pressure where the headband sat.

Luckily, the sound quality makes up for any other issues. Not only did I use it for games such as Starfield, Far Cry 6, and Battlefield 2042, but I actually used them to do some mixing. That’s because the sound quality here is not only detailed with plenty of resolution but fairly evenly balanced. There’s a little more bass than the most neutral headphones out there, but it’s not overly pronounced. The mid-range is similarly full without being overbearing. And, the high-end retains all the clarity one could ask for, again without being overly bright.

There’s also plenty of headroom so audio never gets compressed due to the headphones. However, the soundstage is not a standout feature. Make no mistake, it’s good – just not especially wide. That said, the imaging (placement of sound elements within the soundstage) is very precise so I always know where something is, whether it’s a guitar or gunshots.

As far as the mic goes, it has a little bit of a double-edge sword. As it uses the same capsule as Audio-Technica’s 20 series microphones like the AT2020USB-XP, it has the benefits of a condenser mic as well as the drawbacks meaning that the speaker’s voice is clear and uncompressed sounding, which is almost never the case with most boom mics, but any environmental noise will also get picked up.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB): Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $229.00 / £199.99 / AU$469.00
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Gaming headsets come in all sorts of price ranges from ultra-budget to fairly pricey. While they don’t reach the level of audiophile headphones, asking for up to $400 for a gaming headset is enough to turn most people away.

Luckily, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet, while a bit spendy, is still within reach of most people. There are two versions that have been available since the beginning of 2023. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-USB is the more expensive of the two, going for $229 / £199.99 / AU$469.

The slightly cheaper Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-XLR, with a going price of $199.99 / £169.99 / AU$399, trades in a digital USB connection for XLR. If you’re a streamer using an interface to connect multiple sources, the XLR is probably the better way to go. Outside of the connectivity and the fact that the USB one needs a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter), the two headsets are completely identical.

Though wired headsets go for cheaper than wireless as many of the pricier options from SteelSeries, Razer, Audeze and the like tend to reach above $300 / £300, models like this from Audio-Technica are a slightly different breed than most wired ones. And, that’s because the wired connectivity is not a cost-cutting decision, but one to provide the best possible listening experience.

That means that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet will sound better than most wired gaming headsets. The models that will give this headset a run for its money are also mostly focused on the audio experience such as the Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 R, which is an excellent sounding headset that might have an even better soundstage than the Audio-Technica due to its open-back design. 

It’s also a bit cheaper at $199 (about £150, AU$280), though you need to factor in the fact that it doesn’t come with a mic so you’ll have to invest in a USB or clip-on mic. And, since it uses an analog 3.5mm connection instead of a USB one, it might not have quite the fidelity of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet. For instance, the mic picked up the fan from my bathroom almost ten feet away.

•  Price: 4.5 / 5

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB): Specs

Should you buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB)?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB): Also consider

How I tested the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB)

• Used regularly for a couple weeks
• Tested with all sorts of games and music
• Tested the mic

I used the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS Streamset (USB) regularly for a couple weeks. I used it with a number of games including Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, Control, and Rocket League. I also used it to watch some streaming video and listen to music.

I looked at other aspects beyond performance, of course, such as comfort and ease-of-use. I also tried both earpads that were included.

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

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2023

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT: Two-minute review

Press paws on your Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT purr-chase for now. I get why that may seem hard; this pair of gaming headset is adorable and completely irresistible. And it also has its share of appealing features outside of its feline design, many of which make it a great option for gaming while on the go.

However, it may not be for you if you’re more discerning about audio quality.

Don’t get me wrong here; I can get a bit snobby when it comes to audio quality myself, and despite its performance shortcomings, which I will get to later in this review, I also don’t mind this gaming headset. I probably wouldn’t call it one of the best PC gaming headsets I’ve tested, but it has its merits – the big one of which is convenience. And, I am an absolute sucker for all things pink and all things cat.

So I wouldn’t knock it just yet just because you’re used to great-sounding audio devices. Instead, read this review first before hitting buy.

Design-wise, of course, the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT is winning. Who among us doesn’t love cats, after all? (If you hate cats, you’re a monster, and I don’t want to be friends!) And that pink-and-gray colorway (or as Razer calls it, Quartz) is just the thing if you want to veer away from that black aesthetic that seems to dominate the gaming world. Adding to its appeal are customizable RGB lighting zones on the cat ears and the earcups.

This wireless gaming headset isn’t all looks either. The headset itself feels solid and made of quality materials, with a textured finish on the headband, yokes, and parts of the earcups that ensure minimal scratches as well as plush cushioning for the earpads and the underside of the headband for comfort.

Being a lower mid-range gaming headset, there are noticeable signs of corners being cut here. While the earcups themselves can be tilted up and down, the yokes don’t have any articulation, slightly affecting comfort. And the leatherette used is neither the softest nor the most breathable. The latter doesn’t bother me much, but the former can feel like an inconvenience in some instances – like when I need to free one ear by moving the earcup off to the side.

While great for gaming on your desktop PC, the Kraken Kitty V2 BT is really designed more for gaming and media consumption on the go – whether that’s on your laptop (you don’t have to use any of your precious ports), your portable gaming console like the Nintendo Switch, or your smartphone. It only has Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and a built-in, not boom, mic, is fairly lightweight especially considering it’s got two kitty ears attached to it, and comes with uncomplicated physical controls.

When I say uncomplicated, I mean it’s only got a multi-function button that acts as the power, Bluetooth pairing, media, and call buttons, and the volume dial. You just have to remember the presses and holds for every function. Luckily, it’s all very intuitive – single press for play/pause and accept/end call; double press to skip a track; triple press for the previous track; etc – that you’ll have it all memorized after a couple of uses.

I only wish Razer also added a way to customize the RGB lighting on-the-fly. It only allows you to do so by connecting it to your smartphone and to the Razer Audio mobile app, and personalizing it from there. The mobile app, by the way, also gives you access to a 10-band EQ, five different sound presets, and toggling Gaming Mode for low latency audio.

Really, the only reasons why you’d think it’s not for on-the-go use are the fact that it’s not foldable and the absence of a travel pouch. These omissions are a tad purr-plexing given that Razer has positioned this as more of a headset to be used everywhere than an actual gaming headset to be used at home.

Don’t expect high-quality audio on the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT. That isn’t to say that it sounds bad, because it doesn’t. And it’s got a bright sound profile that I think a lot of people would appreciate.

At the same time, the high end is not very crisp and the mids are not very prominent, resulting in audio that is not very rich and at times piercing to the ears. That’s whether I’m playing Hogwarts Legacy on my PC, playing Cooking Madness on my phone, or listening to my favorite tunes. The low end is also underwhelming, even when you switch to Razer’s Enhanced Bass sound profile.

The issue that bothers me most of all, however, is the clipping. When there are spikes in volume in the audio, even when the headset volume itself is not all the way up, I hear a popping sound. There’s definitely digital distortion happening that might be possibly related to the headset not having a lot of headroom.

The integrated beamforming mics are less-than purr-fect either. They have no issues with plosives or sibilance, and you will come through loud and audible. However, you’ll also sound a little distorted and not crisp. Plus, there’s no background noise rejection – friends could hear me typing, snapping my fingers, or playing music when I’m chatting with them.

At least, the battery life is decent. It’s not the longest I’ve seen, but you are getting up to 40 hours of playtime, especially if you turn off that bright RGB lighting.

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $99.99 / £99.99 (about AU$190)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

I wouldn’t call the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT a pricey gaming headset. One of the best wireless gaming headsets out there, especially in terms of design, it sits nicely in the mid-range market at $99.99 / £99.99 (about AU$190). However, I also expected it to have better audio performance at that price. 

If you want a more elevated listening experience, I’d go for the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) if you can spend a little more. It’s got lots of volume, an immersive sound, an amazing mic, and even better battery life. For only a bit more than the Kraken Kitty V2 BT, the Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless RGB will deliver a more elevated sound.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT

• I tested the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT for a week
• I used it with my PC, my iPhone, and my laptop
• I used it for gaming and for listening to music

Testing the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT for a full week, I used it as my main gaming headset when playing different titles on my desktop PC and on my smartphone. I also used it to listen to music on my laptop and again, on my phone, as well as make phone calls with friends. I also made sure to test its features, including its multi-function button and its battery life.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using gaming headsets for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2023

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed: Two-minute review

Though its name can be a mouthful, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed makes everything else easy-breezy for users. Logitech G took one of the best gaming mice ever and improved on it in many ways, from its weight and charging port to its sensor, while keeping the bits that already made it a crowd-favorite.

Being one of the most lightweight gaming mice isn’t its only accolade – although shedding 3g off its predecessor’s weight is nonetheless impressive. It’s a speedy and long-lasting one too, and focusing more on its performance and longevity also allows it a no-frills look that makes it easy to fit in any setup, whether or not you’re into flashy RGB.

As its name implies, this is a wireless gaming mouse that uses Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology for connectivity. That means that you won’t have to put up with cables snagging when gaming.

If the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed looks to you very similar to the original though, that’s because Logitech G has largely kept the same simple minimalist design. That’s alright, in my opinion. It may be the era of maximalism, but that’s not necessary here. It’s also kept the same USB receiver garage at the bottom to keep that USB receiver safe, with the same round magnetic door that conveniently snaps in place, as well as the same five buttons, the same smooth-to-touch matte shell, and the same supportive form that makes it ideal for both claw and palm grippers. 

That smooth finish may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as some gamers need a bit of texture for proper grippage – if only Logitech G had replicated the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed’s grippy finish. However, stuck-on grips are included in the box that aren’t too shabby as alternatives. And all five buttons are within easy reach, even for someone like me who’s got small hands, so you can rest assured that you’re gaming comfortably.

Just like the original, there’s no Powercore module (the wireless charging puck) included, even though you can still swap out the magnetic garage door for it for wireless charging. If you already have Logitech’s Powerplay wireless charging system, then you’re all set. If not, you’ll have to spend more for that convenience, which isn’t great considering this mouse is already expensive.

There are some design improvements thrown in, however. The most welcome of them is the USB-C charging port that replaced that antiquated and frankly annoying microUSB port. And again, its weight dropped from 63g of the original to merely 60g. Finally, apart from the black and white color options, there’s also a pink one for those trying to stray from neutral shades. 

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed delivers a faster and more precise performance over its predecessor. That’s all thanks to its 2,000Hz polling rate and a new HERO 2 sensor that offers up to 32,000 DPI (a jump from 1,000Hz polling rate and up to 25,600 DPI).

Admittedly, those numbers, which you can set and adjust via the Logitech G Hub, are more than what most regular gamers need, but they do mean that this gaming mouse can more than keep up during fast-paced games and battles when you’re being overwhelmed by enemies, making it future-proofed. While I’m far from a competitive gamer, it’s proven more than capable when I’m playing CS:GO and Doom Eternal.

I do have a couple of minor quibbles, however. Sadly, zero-additive PTFE mouse feet, while delivering impeccable maneuverability on some surfaces, don’t glide easily on others. I found that although they’re great on gaming mouse pads and mats, they feel fiddly on bare desks. On top of that, the lower arch of the mouse isn’t as supportive for palm grippers; wrist fatigue is real after a couple of hours.

However, the mouse makes up for it in longevity. With up to 95 hours of battery life on a single charge, you’re getting almost two weeks of gaming every day for eight hours per day. That tracks as I didn’t have to recharge once during my two-week testing period.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $159 / £149 / AU$299
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

All those improvements will cost you. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed is slightly more expensive than its predecessor at $159 / £149 / AU$299. That’s around the same price as the Razer Deathadder V3 Pro, which has a base polling rate of 1,000Hz (upgradable to 4,000Hz with the Razer Hyperpolling wireless dongle), up to 30,000 DPI, and up to 90 hours battery life.

That price tag is admittedly a little steep for a gaming mouse, but if you’re looking for a fast-performing wireless mouse that lasts a while, it’s a great investment. However, if you can’t afford it, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless offers 1,000Hz polling rate, up to 26,000 DPI, and an impressive 100-hour battery life for just $89.99 / £94.99 / AU$149.

• Value: 4 / 5

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed: Specs

Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed

• Tested the mouse for a couple of weeks
• Used it for playing PC games as well as for work

I spent two weeks testing the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed, dedicating a few hours each night for gaming so I could put this gaming mouse through its paces. In the daytime, I used it as my main mouse for work.

To test it, I played a few games with it, from a couple of fast-paced titles to more leisurely-paced games, getting a feel for its buttons, ergonomics, and performance. I made sure to utilize the G Hub software to customize settings and gave it a full charge before I began testing so I could accurately assess its battery life.

I’ve been testing and reviewing PC gaming peripherals for about 10 years now. Not only do I have plenty of experience with them, but I know what makes the best ones tick and can intuitively tell you which ones are not worth your time and money.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2023

Corsair Virtuoso Pro: Two-minute review

If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense to use a pair of open-back headphones when gaming as that tends to give the audio a bit more room to breathe, which should lend itself well to delivering that immersive soundstage and accurate sound imaging you want during gameplay. So, it’s kind of strange that not many gaming headset manufacturers are keen to jump on that bandwagon.

Luckily, Corsair is making up for lost time with its bold new Corsair Virtuoso Pro, an open-back addition (its very first) to its already excellent gaming headset line, many of which are among the best gaming headsets on the market.

Corsair isn’t, of course, a pioneer in the open-back gaming headsets scene – Epos, Audio-Technica, and even Philips all got there first. Still, this new arrival is a big deal, as none of the big gaming peripheral manufacturers have been intrepid enough to explore it. 

And what an impressive first entry it is, effortlessly rising to the ranks of the best wired gaming headsets out there and so much so it might convince Corsair’s rivals to make their own. It has me convinced.

Coming in black and white colorways, the Corsair Virtuoso Pro doesn’t stray very far from Corsair’s signature look. It has all the telltale signs – the elegant curves, the brand logo on the ear cups and yokes, and the luxurious but solid finish. It’s just as beautiful, in fact, as all of Corsair’s recent gaming headset releases, especially in white.

Understandably, as it is its very first attempt at an open-back gaming headset, there are design choices that could have been better. The headband foam is on the thinner side and not very plush, and the earpad fabric isn’t the softest. Plus, the headset itself, while fairly lightweight, isn’t the lightest out there at 338g, although that isn’t surprising as wired open-back gaming headsets do tend to be on the heavier side.

The one thing I don’t like about the design is the fact that the mic, which is detachable, is attached to the dual 3.5mm audio cable that also attaches to the right earcup for audio. It’s really not a lot different from a regular 3.5mm cable, but it just feels a lot more cumbersome in practice. Now that I think about it, it’s really the mic that’s the Virtuoso Pro’s weakest point, but more on that later.

Despite those minor shortcomings, there’s plenty to love about the gaming headset’s design. The earpads are plush, big, and made of breathable fabric, enveloping your ears while still keeping things airy – though that is also the nature of open-back headphones. The ear cup yokes offer a lot of swivel, allowing the ear cups to conform to just about any head shape. And, the overall build is as premium as Corsair’s other high-end offerings. So, expect a cool and comfortable gaming session when you’ve got these on.

The Virtuoso Pro is also extremely customizable. The speaker tags on the ear cups are replaceable and interchangeable – I’m assuming here that Corsair will roll out a line of accessories at some point. As are the earpads and the headband cushion, though the headband cushion takes a little bit of finagling to pry off.

As you may have concluded already, this is a wired 3.5mm gaming headset, which means that you will be tethered to your laptop or PC. But, you do get a nice set of cables in the box, a 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm audio cable with the mic boom, a 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm audio cable, and one y-adapter cable, which is necessary if you're connecting to your gaming PC.

If you’re not familiar with open-back headphones and gaming headsets, there are a few things to keep in mind. Open backs are generally more spacious and wider in soundstage as the sound is going everywhere, instead of being stuck inside the ear cups. They also tend to have brighter highs that deliver lots of details and clarity. And, for better or worse, that sound tends to bleed out, which means your office neighbors might hear heavy gunfire or whatever beats you’re listening to if you don’t keep that volume down.

And, that’s basically what you’ll get with the Corsair Virtuoso Pro. This headset delivers a lot of space, its soundstage even wider than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. I AB’ed the two during testing, and my beloved Arctis Nova Pro now feels very confined next to it. And its sound imaging is just as impressive. When playing Hogwarts Legacy, it was apparent that all the sound elements had clarity to them, and I could hear precisely where they were in the soundstage, resulting in a very immersive experience.

It helps that it has 50mm graphene drivers – similar to those in the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed – that also contributes to its very detailed audio quality. Speaking of detailed audio, the highs are incredible here, bright without being painful or fatiguing except in a handful of situations, and with lots of detail and clarity. The synths and highs in Taylor Swift’s Bejeweled were bright and sparkly, and the ukelele in Florence and the Machine’s Dog Days Are Over was bright and clear.

There’s plenty of bass as well. It’s not in your face like other gaming headsets, but it has good low-end response, especially considering that it’s an open-back headset. Both Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s All the Stars and Kavisky’s Nightcall had good bass and even decent rumble.

It’s not all perfect, performance-wise, however. The mids are a little pulled back, and since the high end is pushed forward, you’re getting harsher guitars, which means that the sound can be unpleasant with rock songs. Listening to The Strokes’ Reptilia hurt my ears and gave me a mild headache.

Then there’s the mic. Your voice will come through loud, clear, and audible here, which means that your teammates (or coworkers, if you choose to use this as your work headset as well) won’t have trouble understanding you. However, your voice will come through a little compressed and harsh-sounding. There will be some sibilance as well. To its credit, it is a very directional mic so that folks you’re chatting with won’t be able to hear any background noise – yes, that includes you tapping or button-mashing away at your keyboard.

Those flaws are minor at best, however. Overall, you’ll find the Corsair Virtuoso Pro a pretty impressive gaming headset – perhaps one of the best in the market right now. Not too shabby at all for a first entry in the open-back gaming headset game.

Corsair Virtuoso Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $199.99 / £169.99 / AU$239 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Corsair Virtuoso Pro is not a cheap purchase. At $199.99 / £169.99 / AU$239, it sits in the premium market, especially considering that it’s wired. In fact, you’ll find that it’s a bit more expensive than offerings from Epos and Audio-Technica. However, I can guarantee that it’s worth the splurge over the competition - if you have the money to spend.

That’s especially because it is cheaper than both the wired SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and the graphene-driver-fitted Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed, which sit at the top of the gaming headset pile in terms of performance and value.

If you are ready to explore the world of open-back gaming headsets, however, and you just don’t have that money to spare, I would look at some of Philips’ offerings. They are a lot cheaper, and they’re better-reviewed than what AT has on offer.

• Value: 4 / 5

Corsair Virtuoso Pro: Specs

Should you buy the Corsair Virtuoso Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Corsair Virtuoso Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Corsair Virtuoso Pro

• Spent a week testing it
• Used it for gaming, streaming, and music listening
• Tested it with a variety of games, songs, and movies

I tested the Corsair Virtuoso Pro for a week, using it as my main headset for gaming, media consumption, and work video calls. I made sure to test its open-back quirks, AB'ing it with my favorite closed-back gaming headset, and put its features through their paces, making note of its build quality and comfort in the process.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using gaming headsets for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2023

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed: Two-minute review

Imagine the Razer DeathAdder V3 in wireless form. That’s basically what Razer’s new gaming mouse offering, the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed, is. 

There are some differences, of course. It’s got an ever so slightly thinner body and a more pronounced hump for better palm support. It’s heavier. It tops at 4,000Hz polling rate (as opposed to 8,000Hz) and weirdly has a 60M-click rating as opposed to the DeathAdder V3’s 90M. And, as its name implies, it’s a wireless gaming mouse that utilizes Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless connectivity so you can do away with the cable. 

In fact, you’ve got no choice really as there’s no need for cables here, seeing as it’s AA battery-powered. That’s the biggest reason why this one sits at the same price point as the DeathAdder V3, despite being wireless (that typically gives manufacturers an excuse to jack up the price of a product).

At $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95, the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed is easily one of the most affordable brand-name gaming mice I’ve tested, especially in the wireless realm. But don’t take that to mean that you’re sacrificing a lot here. 

Yes, there’s the lack of rechargeability, which no doubt a lot of wireless peripherals fans will miss, but it’s a small sacrifice in exchange for all the premium features that you are getting.

It comes, for example, with Razer’s Focus Pro 30K Optical, a maximum speed of 750 IPS, and 8 programmable controls like the aforementioned wired mouse. It also inherited the DeathAdder V3 much-lauded smooth-touch finish – Razer’s own creation that allows the mouse to offer that luxurious, smooth-to-the-touch feeling while brilliantly delivering better grippage than all other gaming mice I’ve tested (and I’ve tested a lot).

It’s so similar to the DeathAdder line that I’ve started to wonder if Razer made a mistake when they were naming it. While it belongs in the brand’s Viper line, it actually looks nothing like the Razer Viper V2 Pro, its intended premium counterpart and one of the best gaming mice on the market. 

Veering away from the Viper’s gaming-esque aesthetic, the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed sports the more elegant design and cleaner look for the DeathAdder line. Looking more like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, its left and right buttons are nicely grooved toward the front for better ergonomics and grip, as well as, in my opinion, easier pressing. And again, it comes with the DeathAdder V3’s smooth-touch finish, which is quite a departure from the Viper V2 Pro’s textured one.

It’s got its own design improvements and changes as well. Its palm rest has a nice, rear-rested hump that supports both palm and claw grip styles as well as allows your palm to contour nicely and enjoy that necessary support, no matter how big your hand is or how long you’ve been playing. 

According to Razer, the company opted for flatter sides (as opposed to curved) to also help it fit different hand sizes and grip styles, but I just found the sides to be a little less supportive, especially where my pinkie usually rests. 

I prefer ultra-lightweight mice for gaming and productivity so while I understand that Razer had to go with AA batteries to keep the price down, I didn’t really enjoy gaming on this one as much. Especially so soon after testing the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Lightspeed (review to follow). A single AA battery to keep it powered bumps its weight from 59g to 82g and makes it noticeably rear-heavy and unbalanced.

Then again, this is a matter of personal preference. Not all gamers want or enjoy using a lightweight gaming mouse, and there are definitely others out there that are a lot heftier.

While we’re on that subject, inside the battery compartment is a USB garage in which you can keep your wireless receiver safe. Thank goodness – I already lost the original dongle for my Viper V2 Pro, and I have no idea where to properly store its replacement when I’m not using the mouse. As I write this, it’s sitting on my desk vulnerable to my insolent cats’ restless paws.

Like the Viper V2 Pro and the DeathAdder V3, it has six physical buttons, which are all strategically positioned so they’re within easy reach, no matter the size of your hand. However, for added versatility and an easier gaming experience if you’re not too lazy to customize and reprogram, it has a total of 8 programmable controls (the scroll wheel adds front and back scroll to the list).

If you have limited USB ports, you’ll be glad to know that it’s one of Razer’s several peripherals that’s compatible with the HyperSpeed Wireless multi-device support. That means that you can connect it and a supported Razer keyboard to your PC with just a single dongle. If you’re a competitive player and need that considerable bump in polling rate, it also supports up to 4,000Hz with Razer’s HyperPolling Wireless Dongle. That one will cost you extra, but Razer currently has it bundled with the mouse for a little less.

If I’m being honest, though, its native 1,000Hz polling rate is more than enough for most people. On its own, the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed is already a fast performer, seeing me through my CS:Go sessions as well as those Hogwarts Legacy trials without missing a beat. 

It helps that it also boasts that 30K optical sensor that apparently not only gives it a 99.8% accuracy and better power efficiency but also allows it a wider surface compatibility. I’ve tested it on a couple of different desk mats, a slightly textured office desk, a marble countertop, and other surfaces, and while its pads aren’t the best for the harder ones, that tracking stayed on point.

As I had received my unit days before launch, I really didn’t get a chance to properly drain that one AA battery, but Razer promises up to 280 hours of battery life. While that longevity is nice, the downside is that you’d have to stock up on AA batteries, which I’m not really a fan of as there are other things to consider like proper disposal. And again, having that one battery in there makes the mouse heavier and more unbalanced.

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Unlike the Razer Viper V2 Pro, which will set you back a whopping $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$259.95, the price of entry for the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed is much closer to the ground. In fact, at $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95, it’s the exact same price as the wired Razer DeathAdder V3, touting the same marquee features but with that cable-free flair so you don’t have to stay tethered to your desk.

However, if you prefer something more lightweight and more premium, the $149 / £149 / AU$279 Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro is certainly worth considering, if you don’t mind the fact that it doesn’t have that smooth-touch finish.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed

• Tested the mouse for a couple of days due to time constraint
• Used it for playing PC games and for work
• Put its marquee features through their paces during testing

Usually, we spend at least a week testing a peripheral, including a wireless gaming mouse like the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed. Unfortunately, because I received it at the last minute, I only had two days to properly test its functionality and features, which means that I didn’t really have enough time to drain its battery and see for myself if it does indeed last up to 280 hours at 1,000Hz polling rate.

That said, I was able to spend enough time with the mouse to test the rest, from its marquee features like the smooth-touch finish and more pronounced ergonomics to its actual performance, utilizing it as my main work and gaming laptop for two days.

I’ve been testing and reviewing PC gaming peripherals for about 10 years now. Not only do I have plenty of experience with them, but I know what makes the best ones tick and can intuitively tell you which ones are not worth your time and money.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2023

Razer BlackWidow V4 75%: Two-minute review

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% does what a lot of the best gaming keyboards do not by providing a little something for everyone. Anyone interested in getting into keyboard modding will have a blast messing with it, while gamers will love the tactile feel, versatility, and performance. Even if you’ll spend most of your time just typing up pages and pages of text, it offers a typing experience that’s up there with any of the best mechanical keyboards.

In short, the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is a little beast of a keyboard that might be a bit pricey, but for a good reason. Every element is well-thought to the point that the company even built in what is usually one of the first mods keyboard enthusiasts install (more on that later). Along with all that versatility and performance, the feel of every element from the keycaps to the magnetic wrist rest is on point. 

As you’ll see, there’s a lot to love and not a lot to hate with this keyboard. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the included switches, you can just replace them.

Before digging in deeper on how customizable this keyboard truly is, it’s worth taking a look at how well-designed this 75% keyboard is. The aluminum case, doubleshot ABS keycaps, and magnetic leatherette wrist rest all have a luxurious feel that you don’t find on more budget keyboards. 

Razer spent just as much time making sure the internals are as thought out. Instead of the usual aluminum top plate, Razer used a FR4 plastic one that’s gasket-mounted, along with the lubricated stabilizers, to improve the keyboard’s acoustics. Along the same line, the bottom PCB is covered in flame-retardant tape, a very thoughtful addition as most people’s first mods include taping up a keyboard’s PCB to absorb higher-frequency sounds. And, if that wasn’t enough, this all sits on two layers of sound-dampening foam.

Considering that all these design decisions are made with modders in mind, it’s crucial that users have the ability to heavily personalize the keyboard. Thankfully, Razer has seen to that. Using the included 2-in-1 puller, removing keycaps and switches is a cinch, though the switches do require a little careful elbow grease. And, since the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is capable of accepting both three- and five-pin switches, you can put in whatever you like. Lastly, on the modding front, you can access and replace internals after just removing six screws situated underneath.

However, let’s not forget this is a gaming keyboard as well and, as all things Razer, still looks it. And, that’s not a bad thing at all. RGB lighting shines bright here as the light emanates not only through the translucent characters on the keycaps, but from underneath as they float slightly above the case. RGB zones also line the size and back of the keyboard for a truly illuminating offering.

Criticizing the performance of the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% can be a bit tough insofar that if you’re not a fan of the switches, you can just change them. With a polling rate of 8,000Hz through a USB connection, it can go as fast as you. 

That said, it does come fitted with Razer’s third generation orange tactile switches, which are not my favorite. While their actuation force of 50g is not bad at all (the other Razer switches are 45g), its actuation point of 2.0mm is not that impressive compared to what I’ve seen elsewhere in the gaming keyboard world including other offerings from Razer. Of course, Razer’s yellow switches offer a more (competitive) gamer-friendly 1.2mm actuation point. However, that’s really a point of preference that’s easily switched out. After all, I usually prefer the feel of linear switches to tactile ones.

Still, typing on here is a dream even though these aren’t my preferred switches. The keycaps have a nice, textured feel with a concave shape that allows for comfortable and accurate pressing. And, all those internal accommodations really make a difference as keypresses are smooth and quiet while still providing the satisfying click of a mechanical keyboard.

Even though the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% didn’t come with my favorite type of switches, I had no problem gaming with them, easily making my way through games like Control, Far Cry 6, and Rocket League without so much as a missed press. In Rocket League specifically, I had to remap a few keys for mouse presses (my mouse had died mid-review) and was able to get quick results using just the keyboard in the game.

Speaking of, the Razer Synapse and Chroma Studio apps are pretty comprehensive and user-friendly. All the keys are fully-programmable (except the media keys) with a whole host of functions available from macros to launching programs and more. Razer’s Hypershift is available as well so you can create secondary functions for just about every key. And, of course, with Chroma, you can individualize all the keycap and RGB zones to your liking as well as set the RGB to more interactive settings such as ambient awareness and audio meter.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75%: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starting at $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$349.95 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

There’s no way around it: this premium entry from Razer has a price tag to match. The cost of entry for the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$349.95, and that’s if you get it in black. It will also be available in white later this fall for a little more, specifically $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95.

Getting a hot-swappable keyboard is not cheap, but there are alternatives that won’t set you back quite as much. Plenty of smaller, boutique brands offer attractive options such as the KiiBOOM Phantom 81 with its price of $159 / £128 / AU$233.18 are excellent to type on and allow for hot-swapping, though that particular model doesn’t come with a wrist rest or quite the same speedy gaming performance.

A more interesting comparison is the Cooler Master CK720. This keyboard, also from an established gaming brand, goes for a much cheaper $115.99 / £93.07 / AU$172.67 and is quite the little keeb in both looks and performance. However, it can be tricky to replace the top plate.

That said, this new entry into Razer’s BlackWidow product line justified its price with a lot of the little things added in such as the preemptive tape mod and gasket stabilizers. Plus, with its absurdly high polling rate, you can easily turn this into a keyboard for competitive gaming when using the right switches. Plus, you can use both 3-pin and 5-pin switches allowing you to install a wide range of options. If you want one of the other gen-3 proprietary switches from Razer to replace the orange ones it comes stock with, you’ll have to pay just $24.99 (about £20 / AU$39).

Be sure to check out all the latest Razer promo codes for ways to save on this keyboard and more peripherals from the popular gaming manufacturer.

• Price: 4 / 5 

Razer BlackWidow V4 75%: Specs

Should you buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer BlackWidow V4 75%: Also consider

How I tested the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%

• Used regularly for three days
• Tested with all sorts of games
• Tested all included features

I used the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Gaming Keyboard Gaming Headset regularly for three days. I used it with a number of games including Gotham Knights, Control, Far Cry 6, and Rocket League as well as did quite a bit of writing on it.

I looked at other aspects beyond performance, of course. I played with its programmable features, whether it’s remapping or adjusting RGB, and also looked at how easy it was to remove and replace parts of the keyboard.

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

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2023

Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL: Two-minute review

The Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL is another casualty of the mini tax, with Razer slapping an unbelievably massive price tag on it despite its compact form. To be fair, it isn’t the first low-profile TKL that feels like it’s committing highway robbery (Logitech G915 Lightspeed TKL sat at the same price point when it came out three years ago.) But you’d think by now that manufacturers could afford to make small tech without charging a premium.

I’ve said it before, however, and I’ll say it again: I’d pay that premium for a top-quality keyboard, and the Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL is undoubtedly that. It follows in the footsteps of the original Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing, which means it’s got the same low profile, the same short actuation, and the same impeccable wireless connection.

More importantly, it also lives up to the lofty standard that the original has set in terms of performance, but it’s also better due to it being much more compact (80mm smaller, to be exact) with the exclusion of the numpad. It certainly deserves a place in our best wireless keyboards and best keyboards list.

Bear in mind that the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL is a tenkeyless keyboard, which means that while it’s space-saving, you still won’t miss out on those dedicated arrow keys that are vital for productivity. 

Naturally, it’s lighter as well, knocking 32.5g off the full version, making it travel-friendly. 

Yes, I know, there are mini keyboards that are just as thin and even more compact, and one of them would be a much better choice if you need something to just toss in your backpack, but if you’re looking to play games during your travels or your working holiday, it’s the one to grab.

You’re also getting that low-profile floating keycap design that allows the gorgeous and highly-customizable RGB lighting to shine through, as well as some extra keys like the media button and multi-function roller. Pressing FN + End gives you some secondary key functions as well.

Instead of PBT keycaps, Razer opted for the cheaper and less durable ABS keycaps, but they should still last you for years, and I personally like that smoother finish. 

Just be prepared to commit to cleaning them regularly as they are more susceptible to oil buildup, especially if you’ve got particularly oily fingers. To make it more robust, the manufacturer did reinforce the keyboard with an aluminum top plate and its keycaps some Hyperguard coating to minimize fade and scratches.

There are several connectivity options available for versatility. Naturally, it has Razer’s 2.4Ghz HyperSpeed Wireless via the included wireless dongle, but it’s also got three Bluetooth 5.0 connections so you can connect four different sources at once and easily switch from one to the other. And you won’t have to worry about losing that dongle when traveling, as there is a garage underneath. 

If you prefer to stay tethered for the most reliable connection, however, you can connect it to your laptop or PC with the included USB-C cable. That means that you can also use it while charging.

You’ll need the Razer Synapse app for key remapping and to set your Hypershift (secondary) functions to any key as well as turn on "Game Mode,” which essentially disables certain keys or combination of keys, such as the Windows key or Alt + Tab, to prevent accidental presses when you’re playing a game. To finetune your RGB lighting and effects, however, you’ll need to also install Razer Chroma.

Apart from that, the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL requires no tweaking. It’s an absolute pleasure to use, despite the fact that its keys do feel slightly mushy. The keycaps are soft to the touch, and the optical switches are lightning fast, boasting an actuation of 1.2mm and requiring only 45g of force. That allows it to be very responsive, even with minimal pressure, which I also found helps keep finger and wrist fatigue at bay.

Testing this with Battlefield 2042 and Cyberpunk 2077, it allowed me to move quickly, call up special weapons practically at will, and do fast consecutive presses without missing a beat. It proved to be fast and dead accurate. In fact, there’s this one move in Kena: Bridge of Spirits that I couldn’t quite pull off on other gaming keyboards – when you have to block an enemy at the precise moment to stun them – that I managed to finally do on this one because of its speed. 

It was very satisfying, to say the least.

Lastly, there's the battery life, which Razer rates as 50 hours per charge. While I didn't religiously track my usage, it did last me a week of about 6-8 hours of use per day before needing to recharge. That's not too shabby, considering I had the RGB lighting turned up.

Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$349
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

As I mentioned earlier in this review, the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL costs just as much as the Logitech G915 Lightspeed TKL did when it came out three years ago. So, in a way and factoring in inflation, it's actually better value. However, it's still a pretty expensive piece of kit that not many would be willing to pay for a PC gaming accessory.

At $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$349, it's more than just a pricey proposition. It's actually a luxurious purchase, especially considering that there are more affordable options out there. Still, if you want fast performance and short, light actuation in a portable, thin and light chassis, it might just be worth the splurge.

If you simply can't afford to purchase it due to a tight budget, the aforementioned Logitech option is cheaper these days. Or you can get a wired option like the Corsair K70 RGB TKL that's more than $100 / £100 less.

• Value: 4 / 5

Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL

• Spent a couple of weeks testing the keyboard
• Used it for gaming and for work
• Tested it with games like Battlefield 2042, Cyberpunk 2077 and Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Testing the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL for about two weeks, I didn't just use it for gaming. Although I did use it to play games like Battlefield 2042, Cyberpunk 2077 and Kena: Bridge of Spirits in order to test its responsiveness and speed, I also spent a lot of time typing all my articles and doing admin work on it to really get a feel of its comfort and see how long its battery life will last.

I've been testing gaming keyboards and other PC gaming peripherals for about 10 years. As a keyboard enthusiast, I also own a collection of mechanical keyboards that I've amassed over the years.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2023

Razer Cobra Pro: Two-minute review

The Razer Cobra Pro mouse is my new daily driver.  No one is more surprised about the fact it could be a contender for best gaming mouse, I promise. Still, It’s a well deserved win for the Cobra Pro, which combines all of the high-end gaming tech of Razer’s other mice and wrapping it in a cleanly designed shell that, improbably, weighs just 77g.

It’s a mouse that does most things pretty well, but that sizzle is what Razer does best. Taking a simple chassis and putting lots of the best gadgetry into it isn’t a groundbreaking concept, but there’s an art to getting something that feels this polished, and it’s why the Cobra Pro could be a contender for this year’s best mouse.

Of course when you’re looking at the Cobra Pro’s design, the first thing you’ll notice is the underglow, which makes it look like something out of a Fast and Furious movie than a mouse. There are 11 different zones for Chroma support, and most of them provide the soft customisable glow that kicks out from under the mouse. Usually RGB lighting comes with a little bit of cringe, but it only took a tiny bit of tweaking in Razer’s Synapse software to get a soft purple glow that looks great. The Razer logo and a light beneath the scroll wheel also pump out bright colour, and it’s the only real bit of flair the mouse has. 

Otherwise, the mouse does a lot of things right, but it’s quiet about it: it’s a simple symmetrical design with a subdued look. The skates feel high quality, and I like the rubberised grip on the sides, but it doesn’t seem to be replaceable and is definitely the thing that will wear out first. If you’ve seen one of Razer’s Viper Mini, that’s basically what the Cobra Pro looks like. 

The weight, 77g, is less than the company’s Basilisk V3 Pro all-round mouse, which weighs in at 112g, but the weight distribution did feel a little unusual. I play a lot of first-person shooters, and while digging into Battlebit Remastered and Escape From Tarkov over the last few days it felt easy to adjust to the change from the Deathadder. However, the weight feels a little closer to the rear of the mouse. With huge hands this isn’t really a problem, but it could feel a little sluggish for those with smaller hands. 

There’s the usual suite of buttons: your left and right click, a scroll wheel, and two buttons on the side. DPI buttons below the scroll wheel let you adjust sensitivity on the fly. These buttons are a real highlight, using Gen-3 Razer Optical Switches that make them feel light and precise whether you’re messing with a spreadsheet or clicking on heads. 

A close second is the 30K optical setting, which is overkill for me (I usually run a mouse at 3200 DPI) but does make movement feel silky smooth. If you have the Mouse Dock Pro — which you can buy bundled in or separately — you can also get magnetic wireless charging and 4K Hyperpolling through the Cobra Pro’s 2.4ghz wireless. 

It’s one of the first mice I’ve seen in a while to offer the choice of Bluetooth, 2.4 Wireless (1K or 4K polling), or wired. I’ve opted largely for the 2.4 Wireless with 1K polling and haven’t noticed any latency or reliability issues. With the bundled-in cable, you’ll probably want a mouse bungee as the cable is quite stiff and I felt some pull. There’s also the option to save five different memory profiles, which I played with a bit but didn’t see much of a use for. 

As I’ve touched on above, the mouse is reliable and crisp. The buttons feel solid in use, and even sliding it around a desk it’s kept up with everything I’ve asked it to do, so far. 

You have a few different options for how you use the mouse. I felt some latency using it with Bluetooth, which was fine for productivity but isn’t really okay for high-pressure shootouts. The mouse with a cable is probably totally usable with the aforementioned bungee, but honestly I think I’ll just stick to wireless. 

The battery life is claimed to be 100 hours. I’ve been using the mouse constantly for around a week and have only had to charge it once, but I’ve also turned on a lot of low-battery settings to ensure I don’t get caught short mid-game. 

I’m using the mouse with a tempered glass mat, but even using it on a normal wooden desk it’s not missing a beat.

Razer Cobra Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $130 / £129.99 / AU$234.95 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Let’s be honest, the price on the Cobra Pro is going to be the sticking point for many. It looks like you’re paying just for the shiny RGBs, but the price is probably worth it, mostly, for the optical switches and the beefy sensor. 

It’s about the same price as the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro and honestly I’d feel happy recommending either to just about everyone. Right now though, you can also get the Logitech G502 X Plus for about the same price, with the G502 X offering similar specs but an 106g weight if you prefer something a little weightier.   

• Value: 4 / 5

Razer Cobra Pro: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Cobra Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Cobra Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Cobra Pro

• Tested it for a full week
• Used it for both work and gaming
• Tested it with several different PC games and work-related apps

I used the mouse solidly for a week for both work and gaming. This was around 100 hours of usage using it anywhere you might expect to use your mouse. 

I spent some time in Kovacs Aim Trainer using the mouse to compare it to my previous scores but also played shooters Battlebit Remastered, DayZ and Escape From Tarkov to test it out. I rounded this out with clicking through several spreadsheets and this website’s own CMS for a more mellow approach, but played some Victoria 3 too to round out the gameathon. 

I’ve been reviewing games for 13 years, and playing games mostly on PC for 15. I’m “a little extra” when it comes to mice, because it’s important to get any advantage you can get when you’re playing a shooter but also in your 30s. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Choosing between two gaming headsets as good as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed comes down to figuring out what’s most important to you. Whether that’s fit, sound signature, or features, there’s almost always a winner, even when the differences are slight. 

Considering these two measure up pretty well in many areas, picking one is not that straightforward as they’re both among the best gaming headsets available right now. In fact, they’re good enough to handle more than gaming audio and can cover the same territory, i.e. listening to music, that the best headphones do.

Since these are both a bit pricey, most people won’t be able to get both. So, to help you figure out which one is the best wireless gaming headset for you, we’ll compare the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed in a variety of aspects to see if one is objectively better and where one might work better for your needs. 

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Price 

Both the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed are pretty new, having been released in April and June of 2023, respectively. And, as relatively new models, they’re among the latest and greatest, at least in our opinion, gaming headsets available right now. 

While both models hit that mid to upper-mid-range price point, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is the cheaper of the two, coming in at $199.99 (about £199.99, AU$300). While the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed’s price tag of $249 / €269 (about AU$375) is not significantly higher, a $50 difference is enough for some people to choose the Razer over the Logitech.

That said, they both offer a decent value for their price. After all, you can spend $300+ on models like the Audeze Maxwell or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that, as excellent as they are, come with some pretty hefty price tags. 

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Features

When it comes to features, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed seem to itch different scratches. They’re both feature-rich with plenty of app support, but the highlighted features of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) are laser-focused on supporting competitive gamers while those of the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed try to create a more immersive experience.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), for instance, might support spatial audio (THX Spatial Audio, specifically), but that’s not really a priority with this headset. Instead, it comes with a number of FPS game-specific EQ profiles tuned with the help of pro gamers, along with more general EQ profiles, that can be accessed on-the-fly through a physical button on the headset itself. 

Additionally, Razer thoughtfully included an amazingly clear boom mic, which has a startlingly high 32kHz sampling rate and is good enough that you most likely won’t ever feel compelled to invest in the best USB mic. Plus, you can do plenty of processing through the Razer Synapse app to isolate or adjust your voice including a 10-band EQ.

The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed, on the other hand, is less Esports-focused. Its mic is not nearly as crisp sounding, though it does a fine job of minimizing ambient noise. And, there’s a ridiculous amount of adjustments available in the G Hub app, though a good chunk of the mic-related features are fun effects that are more whimsical than useful.

Instead, where the Logitech headset mostly shines is its malleable application of its DTS spatial audio. Not only can you set games to load a specific audio profile when launched, but some of them, such as Cyberpunk 2077, have their own tuned environmental profile aka spatial audio. Additionally, there’s a Super Stereo mode that does a fantastic job of adding in some of that immersion that spatial audio offers while still keeping a stereo image, a feature that works surprisingly well on music. 

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Performance

Both headsets compared here sound really good with wide soundstages and the kind of accurate imaging you need when gaming. However, they sound different enough that most will prefer one over the other, which is probably due to the fact that the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) sports 50mm titanium drivers while the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed 50mm has graphene ones.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is the brighter of the two with a detailed high-end that you want when playing FPS games. Its mid-range is nice and full so, even though it’s brighter, it’s not thin-sounding. The low-end is probably the weak spot as it’s a bit anemic on default settings. While you can EQ in more bass, a more balanced bottom end would have been appreciated.

The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed, on the hand, is a more relaxed-sounding headset. Interestingly, even though it’s on the warmer side, it still manages to retain all the detail in the high end. The mid-range is rich without coming across as muddy – always a concern with warmer sounding headphones. The low-end hits much harder than the Razer headset, but manages to sound big without overpowering the rest of the frequency range. If there’s one issue with the Logitech’s sound quality, it’s when enabling surround sound. It emphasizes the mid-range so much that it becomes overpowering, requiring some EQ adjustments when using spatial audio.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Design

Whichever feature set or sound signature you prefer, you’ll end up with a comfortable headset. Both options are decently but not impressively light with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) weighing in at 320g while the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed sits at 345g. Additionally, they come with just the right amount of clamping force to stay in place securely without the possibility of giving you a pressure-related headache.

In the looks department, both headsets strive for an elegant gamer design that is simple, attractive and will probably age better than many gaming headsets. The Razer keeps the classic look that Blackshark models have sported for a longtime, somewhat resembling the headphones pilots use. The Logitech also stays true to its Pro line of headsets, which feature rounded ear cups with a circular glossy shield that contrasts nicely with the matte finish of the rest of the headset. They’re both available in just black and white colorways (Razer does have a “Six Siege Special Edition” available at the time of writing).

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Battery life 

If there’s one area where there’s a clear and undisputed winner, it’s battery life. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) offers an astounding 70 hours of use on a single charge. That’s a vast improvement over the 2020 version of this headset that only offered 24. On top of that, if you somehow manage to fully drain the battery before charging it, a 15-minute fast charge will offer an additional six hours of use.

On the other hand, the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed offers a generally very good 50 hours of use on a single charge, which unfortunately looks underwhelming next to the Razer headset. Additionally, it doesn’t seem to offer any quick or fast charging capability. Of course, what the Logitech headset is capable of is more than enough for most gamers, especially if you don’t plan on using it outside of your gaming rig and can plug it in every now and then.

 Which gaming headset is right for you? 

Choosing between the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed comes down to whether you play more competitive games or more immersive titles. While you can use either headset for just about any type of gaming, the Razer headset comes with more features as well as a sound signature more suited to competitive games. The Logitech, with its emphasis on spatial audio, is a more all-around type gaming headset that lends itself more to open-world exploring.

Still, these are both very capable headsets and either will probably meet most gamers’ demands. But, your own gaming preferences will probably determine which one is right for you. 

Razer has launched a new collection of gaming accessories based on the popular title PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, as part of a new partnership with Korean gaming conglomerate KRAFTON Inc.

There isn’t anything new in the lineup. The company is simply taking some of its older products and giving them a fresh coat of black and yellow paint inspired by the in-game desert map Miramar. But Razer isn’t skimping players out as the brand has selected some of its best peripherals to make up the trio. 

You have the Razer Huntsman V2 keyboard whose tenkeyless version made it onto TechRadar’s list of the best gaming keyboards. Like the smaller model, the Huntsman V2 PUBG Edition comes with the company’s proprietary Optical Switches, utilizing infrared light to register key presses instead of metal-to-metal contact. These switches offer users a “true 8,000 HZ polling rate” to deliver a lightning-fast 0.2ms response time. That level of response could mean the difference between losing or earning the coveted Winner Winner Chicken Dinner victory screen.

Comfort and precision

Next are the Razer Barracuda X, a pair of headphones that we really like for its great sound quality as well as its long battery life. Razer claims it can last 20 hours on a single charge, although in our review, we were able to stretch the battery out “a few extra hours”. It may not be as high quality as something like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, one of the best gaming headsets right now. But at the very least, the Barracuda X supports spatial audio for extra immersion. These headphones can connect wirelessly to other gaming platforms so you can hop over to your PS5 seamlessly. 

You can pre-order the PUBG Editions of both the Huntsman V2 and Barracuda on Razer’s website for just a little more than their base models. The keyboard will run you $229.99/€289.99 while the headphones cost $129.99/169.99. Shipping date is set for July 17 unless you pay an extra $10 to get them sent out on July 13.

What you can buy right now is the third device in the collection: the Viper V2 Pro PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Edition. It’s a wireless gaming mouse known for its comfortable, lightweight design. The Razer Viper V2 Pro is a great pick for shooting games. PUBG matches can last a while after all, so you might as well be comfortable. Other notable features include optical switches like those on the Huntsman V2 for fast response times plus a battery life of up to 80 hours. You purchase the PUBG version of the Viper V2 Pro also on Razer's website for $169.99.

While we have you, be sure to check TechRadar’s list of the best budget gaming PCs for 2023 if you’re looking to get a new rig to play PUBG on without breaking the bank.

After over six months of waiting, pre-orders are officially open for Samsung’s new flagship gaming monitor: the Odyssey OLED G95SC.

For $2,200, you get a massive 49-inch, 1800R curved display with a resolution of 5,120 x 1440 pixels (or Dual Quad High Definition) and an aspect ratio of 32:9. Powering everything is the company’s own Neo Quantum Processor Pro SOC (system-on-a-chip) ensuring top level performance from a lightning fast response of 0.03ms to a refresh rate of 240 Hz. All this results in velvety smooth gameplay with little to no lag whatsoever. 

To top it all off, the Odyssey OLED G95 comes with multiple image-enhancing features from AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to DisplayHDR True Black 400 so players can enjoy vivid colors and deep black. 

Suffice it to say, this monitor is packing some serious power. 

Hands-on experience

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Odyssey OLED G95SC. Given our latest experience with the monitor, that hype could be well warranted.

Recently, TechRadar Computing Staff Writer Alisa James got her hands on the Odyssey OLED G95SC and sufficed it to say, she was impressed. She enjoyed how well the games ran thanks to the high refresh rate and “speedy 0.03ms response time.” All the high-tech hardware was able to create an experience “that felt more immersive than” she had felt "from any game in years.” The on-device speakers pumped out a "crystal clear sound". And of course, the curved monitor played a significant role in that immersion by giving an ultra-wide view of the in-game environment.

Because people are so used to flat screens, the curvature may worry some who worry about neck strain. However, according to Alisa, she “never felt eye or neck strain” during her time with the Odyssey OLED G95SC, although it did take some getting used to. On-screen proportions are different from a standard monitor. 

Availability

Pre-orders are currently open on Samsung's website, but only to those living in the United States. The shipping and launch date is set for June 26. $2,200 may be a tough pill to swallow so the company is offering some payment plans to make the purchase more manageable. If you indeed pre-order, Samsung will give you a $250 gift card to go with it. It’s unknown if and when the monitor will release to countries like the UK or Australia. If it does in the future, we expect to see a price tag of about £1,999 and AU$3,265

Up to this point, we’ve been specifically mentioning the G95SC. That’s because the company will be launching a second model later in 2023. The Odyssey OLED G93SC, as it’s known, will still have the signature 49-inch, 1800R display alongside most of the other features. It’ll, however, lack the Neo Quantum Processor Pro chipset as well as some software tools like the Gaming Hub. 

We reached out to Samsung for more information on the launch date of the G93 model (the announcement mentions sometime in Q3 2023) plus when people can expect an international rollout of the G95 model. This story will be updated at a later time.

For other more affordable options, make sure to check out our best ultrawide monitors guide.

Update 6-14-2023: We recently discovered the Odyssey OLED G95SC is also available for pre-order in the UK for £1,999. However, instead of a $250 gift card, Samsung will give users a free portable 2TB T7 SSD.

Apple gaming is as robust as it's ever been but is still lacking, with many Windows-based blockbusters and recent titles still not available on macOS. But thanks to new software, that could change for the better.

During WWDC 2023, Apple revealed plans for Windows PC game emulation with its new Game Porting Toolkit, which would allow anyone with the knowledge to use a DX11/DX12 Wine-like translation layer to bring Windows games to Mac systems, according to VideoCardZ. The company responsible for this software is called CodeWeavers, and its CrossOver app is one that allows Windows apps to be emulated on macOS through the Game Porting Toolkit in the first place.

It’s important to note that right now the software isn’t perfect, as even Wine translation still has plenty of bugs to fix or optimizations to make to keep it running smoothly, so it’s not reasonable to expect a flawless port right out of the box using the Game Porting Toolkit. Despite this, it seems that modders have already gotten titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV to run on both the M1 and M2 Mac systems using the new software toolset. 

Gamers have reported Cyberpunk 2077 running at below 15 fps on the M1 system with Ultra settings, and at about 40 fps with Ultra settings on M2 Max. Diablo IV and other titles like Hogwarts Legacy or GTA Vice City run quite well on M2 Max chips.

Diablo IV on M2 Max using macOS Sonoma and game porting toolkit from r/macgaming

Mac gaming continues to evolve

Apple announced other Mac gaming news during WWDC 2023 as well, with surprise guest Hideo Kojima revealing that he would not only be bringing Death Stranding Director’s Cut to Mac systems but his studio’s future titles as well. As you can imagine, this is huge news considering the level of prestige and recognition that he carries in the gaming industry.

As I previously discussed in depth, Kojima’s partnership with Apple could be what the tech giant needs to jumpstart Mac gaming again, getting more titles to play natively on macOS. And on the heels of this reveal is one in which Apple is making it possible for gamers to play any of the best PC games currently available only on Windows.

Though it doesn’t run perfectly and the framerate can sometimes wildly differ between games, the fact that titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV can run at all is incredible. Hopefully, this could inspire Apple to continue to establish partnerships with various studios, bringing even more recent titles to macOS. 

Having a robust lineup of games is key to garnering more interest in Mac gaming, which would help Apple increase its market share in the PC market.

Famed game developer and director Hideo Kojima made an appearance during Apple’s annual WWDC 2023 conference. And, more than that, he announced that Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be making its way to Apple Mac “later this year.” He also stated that any other future Kojima Productions' titles will be coming to the platform.

While this is exciting news in its own right, the possible implications of this reveal are even more so. I’ve written about the future of Mac gaming and, though it’s still something I believe in, it certainly needs a push. And Kojima's revelation could be just what Apple needs to get the ball rolling again.

The current state of Mac gaming

Right now, there’s a decent library of titles available to Mac devices including Crusader Kings 3, Stardew Valley, Hades, No Man’s Sky, Minecraft, EVE Online, and Disco Elysium. Not to mention the two games that Apple can’t seem to stop bragging about: Resident Evil Village. And we can see why, as its incredible performance showcases what Mac is truly capable of.

But here’s the problem: all those games I mentioned are older titles. And for any platform to stay relevant to gamers, your library must continue to evolve and grow. And sadly, we haven’t seen growth or evolution from Apple, which doesn’t bode well for its future.

The good news is that during Kojima’s speech at WWDC, he stated that he's been "a die-hard Apple fan since I bought my first Mac back in 1994” and that “we are entering a new era for gaming on the Mac.” It’s great news that he’s so optimistic about Mac gaming, because that energy and passion is exactly what Apple needs to jumpstart this initiative again.

How Kojima could change all that

Hideo Kojima is currently one of the most well-known developers and general gaming figures out there, with millions of fans across the globe who immediately recognize him and his most famous franchise, Metal Gear Solid. And once he went independent and created his own studio, Kojima Productions, those same fans supported its first title Death Stranding, which received critical acclaim.

If there’s a single person who could change the general perception of Mac gaming, it’s someone as distinguished as Kojima. His opinion is a trusted one and the statements he shared during the keynote are incredibly strong ones. 

He’s not one to mince his opinion or give false statements for clout either. His official Twitter account for his movie and game opinions alone shows that. If he’s truly passionate about a product or media, he openly conveys his enthusiasm, and if not, he’s as dry as a burnt piece of toast. So you know he means what he says about Apple gaming.

The future of Mac gaming

There’s plenty of potential in Mac gaming, from the actual performance of games that run on the platform and No Man’s Sky finally debuting on Mac just before WWDC, to highly revered figures like Hideo Kojima giving it his personal blessing as he pushes his own titles on it. 

Though performance alone isn’t enough. Apple’s bizarre track record of often failing to regularly display its incredible performance with new titles (Resident Evil is not enough Apple!) is proof. We also have yet to see if Apple will take advantage of the new gamers flocking to No Man’s Sky. 

But Kojima is most likely the most powerful force in promoting Mac gaming. And once enough eyes are on Mac gaming, Apple needs to take this publicity and capitalize on it. No more cycles of investment and then radio silence until the concept fades from public perception. 

Apple, don’t waste this opportunity that Kojima has given you!

Taipei weather is no joke, y’all. A few days in the city for Computex 2023, and I feel like I’ve already lost half my body weight, not from walking around all day every day but from all the sweat pouring out of every single pore on my body. It was a struggle, and you can imagine how tempting it was for me to plant myself at every spot where there’s a nice cool draft or where AC is blasting.

So when I decided to stop by the Cougar booth to check out what it’s got in its lineup this year, it seemed like great timing when I was offered a seat in the new Cougar NxSys Aero, a throne that, whaddya know, comes with a built-in fan to keep its occupant nice and breezy during intense moments… you know, like Computex.

The Cougar NxSys Aero, to all intents and purposes, is a gaming chair and not just designed for the humid Taipei weather. Whereas brands like Cooler Master are really committing to gaming chairs that do everything but fly – well, at least not yet anyway – especially with the new Motion1 haptic gaming chair that seems to be the talk of the town right now joining previous releases like Orb X and Synk X, Cougar is keeping to the basics.

And while it’s not a blow-you-away kind of product that attracts crowds at a convention, it’s certainly something that a lot of gamers do need.

Not a new concept

The idea of adding cooling or even heating to a chair is not exactly new. Cooler Master is also doing something similar, so is Mavix, and so is this random gaming chair on Amazon that blows air up your butt, which is very strange. 

But Cougar claims to be doing something different with the NxSys Aero in that it not only comes with an integrated 200mm fan, set inside the backrest to direct the air towards its occupant’s back, but the middle of that backrest is also made of elastomeric mesh with a ventilated back cover, so you’re not just getting that gentle breeze where you need it most, but you can also enjoy breathable hammock-like support.

Another aspect that sets it apart is the fan’s ARGB, which means that you can switch the lighting up to suit your mood or match your current aesthetic. I’m not quite sure, though, if Cougar is planning to roll out app support to make the lighting fully customizable. Currently, it only has an RGB lighting button on one side of the backrest that allows you to cycle through the seven different effects available. But a lot could happen between now and its release later this year.

As to when that is, Cougar hasn’t been specific.

Soft gentle cooling

I know that the idea of having a fan constantly blowing directly on your back from that close sounds a little alarming, but this isn’t like standing in front of a running fan with your back towards it. The truth is, I too was hesitant at first, but it really didn’t feel like there’s a fan in there. 

In fact, I hardly felt a breeze at all. I was getting more of a gentle and gradual cooling sensation, as if there was a cooling pad in there instead of a fan. And, I’m pretty sure Cougar designed it that way so it’s not a shock to your system, and you won’t feel the need to constantly fidget with the controls because you’re getting too much air on your back.

Even more impressive is that I was told by Cougar representatives that it can run up to 50 hours on a fully-charged 20,000mAh portable battery, which you stow in the battery compartment in the back. This is a brilliant design choice as it not only offers longevity, but you also don’t have to worry about tripping on a cable because you have to keep it plugged in or constantly charge it because the battery won’t last long – the Elemax console on my Mavix M9 won’t even last half a day! The only catch is that you have to buy that power bank separately as it’s not included in the package.

More affordable than you think

Luckily, the Cougar NxSys Aero won’t cost you a lot. Of course, I cannot tell you for certain that it is a worthwhile investment. During my short time with it at Computex, it was comfortable and effective. But only after I put it through its paces can I really know whether or not it delivers as promised.

Still, true to Cougar fashion, this chair is only $399, putting it in the same price range as some of the best gaming chairs on the market. So, even if you rarely turn that fan on, you’re really still getting your money’s worth.

Lenovo Legion Y32P-30: Two-minute review

Let’s get one thing out of the way – the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 is expensive. There’s really not much to complain about this monitor, unless you need a much higher refresh rate, a larger screen, or a more impressive HDR. This model makes for a great gaming monitor and is just as great for productivity. But, you have to pay quite a bit to get it.

Many, but not all, of the best 4K monitors are at least a couple hundred dollars/pounds cheaper. You don’t have to drop that kind of money to get one of the best gaming monitors. That said, getting a 32-inch 4K monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate right now is not a cheap proposition. For example, the Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144, which shares a lot of the same specs including decent but not great HDR as well as size, resolution, and refresh rate, almost hits that painful $1,000 / £1,000 mark.

So, if you can swallow the fact that you’ll be dropping quite a bit of hard-earned cash on a display like this, then you’re in for a visual treat. Just be aware that you’ll want to spend a little more for your audio, whether that’s investing in a headset or some external computer speakers, as the built-in speakers are mediocre at best.

Luckily, there’s much more happening with the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 gaming monitor than the fact that it comes with speakers. To start, it comes with a fairly compact base that doesn’t require a lot of desk space. And, though rudimentary, the stand has built-in cable management to keep a clean-looking desk.

More interestingly, the panel is pretty thin with similarly tiny “near edgeless” bezels. There’s also a decent amount of articulation available, particularly the ability to swivel 30 degrees in either direction, tilt down 5 and up 22 degrees, and adjust the height by a total of 5.3 inches.

For just a little bit of flair, the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 comes with some RGB lighting. Unlike what I’ve seen on other monitors, it’s more than decoration. Billed as “smart” RGB lighting, it will do things like pulse when a source is turned on or off and change color when switching inputs.

While that’s a nice feature and adds some nice ambiance during use, what I appreciate much more is the port selection. Next-gen console users will especially appreciate the two HDMI 2.1 ports that let you play your Playstation 5 in 4K at 120Hz as well as take advantage of HDR. Likewise, any Ultrabook user looking to also get some work done will love the fact that the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 comes with a USB-C port complete with up to 75W power delivery, more than enough to keep my 2020 MacBook Pro charged.

There are some features hardcore gamers may not care about but multi-source users like me will, specifically the inclusion of PiP / PBP and KVM via the included USB hub. PiP (Picture-in-Picture) and PBP (Picture-by-Picture) work as expected and are great if you need to see two sources at the same time.

However, the KVM is more important. You can plug a keyboard and mouse into the USB hub and use it with both your USB-C source and one other source. Unfortunately, since you have to connect the single USB upstream port to whichever other HDMI or DisplayPort source you want to use, you can only use KVM between two sources. And, one of them has to be connected via USB-C. So, if you plan on going between two sources, you’ll probably need a standalone KVM switch.

With or without the KVM, the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 is a pleasure to use. Its 31.5-inch IPS panel affords you plenty of screen real estate, particularly when running it at its native 4K resolution. Images are crisp, whether gaming, watching a movie, or just doing some work, thanks to its almost 140 PPI pixel density. In fact, it’s almost too much screen. Any bigger and I would need some curvature to see the whole thing.

Add in a speedy refresh rate of 144Hz and 0.2ms response time, and anything you’re doing is going to look very smooth. Not quite the level of those super-fast refresh rate monitors we’ve reviewed recently, but fast enough to where you won’t notice any ghosting or latency. Only the most competitive gamers might have an issue here. As I’ve noticed with high-refresh rate monitors like the Alienware AW2524H, beyond a certain point, you feel the difference more than you see it.

For me at least, this is more than fast enough. My gaming experience is just as immersive as displays with faster refresh rates, regardless of whether I’m running around the maintenance sector of Control or avoiding getting killed (again) by a tank in Battlefield 2042. 

Add to that the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30’s color coverage and accuracy as well as HDR and gaming sessions come alive with vibrancy. Specifically, this monitor covers 112% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 with a 10-bit color depth. It also comes pre-calibrated from the factory with a delta E<2.

As far as HDR goes, you’re getting Vesa Certified HDR400. This is leagues better than the monitors that purport HDR support or HDR10 as you don’t get that washed-out look when turning HDR on. But, it’s the most entry-level option of the Vesa Certified options, meaning that you’ll get some better contrast, especially in dark areas of the screen. However, turning it on is not going to blow you away.

Lastly, a quick note about the speakers. I would rather they not be included and have the price be $50 / £50 lower as they’re incredibly thin sounding and not really worth including. Now, they’re nice to have if you’re setting up and don’t have speakers on hand. But, get yourself a pair of speakers or a decent headset as soon as you recover from the hole the Lenovo Legion y32P-30 has left in your wallet.

Lenovo Legion Y32P-30: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $749.99 / £799.99 / about AU$1147.34
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

First off, readers in Oceania will have to wait or go for something else as the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 isn’t available there. For those in the US and UK, while this display is available to you, you will have to drop a cool $749.99 / £799.99 / about AU$1147.34 to get it. That’s not cheap.

Of course, what you get, it’s not a surprising price tag. For instance, the Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 will set you back an even higher $999 / about £900 / AU$1,450 for a similarly sized monitor with the same refresh rate, resolution, and ports with its only real advantage is a slightly better HDR.

If you can sacrifice either the higher refresh rate or resolution, you can save yourself a lot of money. For example, the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q might be a little long in the tooth these days, but it still comes with a sharp 4K resolution. You just have to live with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is still great for anyone not doing competitive gaming. And, it will cost you just $329 (about £250, AU$460) to get one.

Or, if you care more about the refresh rate, the AOC CU34G2X might be the way to go. For just $315 / around £280 / AU$500, you get a 144Hz refresh rate and a still sharp 1440p resolution.

• Price: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Y32P-30: Specs

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Lenovo Legion Y32P-30: Also consider

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30

• Tested over a week
• Tested with different and different kinds of games
• All included features were explored

To test the Lenovo Legion Y32P-30 Gaming Monitor, I spent a week with it, playing all sorts of games from fast-paced titles like Battlefield 2042 to more graphically intense single-player titles like Control and Far Cry 6.

While testing, I spent plenty of time checking for ghosting, screen-tearing, and latency while also toggling HDR to see what effect it had. I also checked out the various features included to see how they worked, particularly the KVM feature. For this review, I used two computers. One had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 while the other had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.

Having spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. And, I’ve spent even longer playing computer games so I have an understanding of what gamers look for to get the most out of their titles.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

HyperX Cloud III: Two-minute review

I am honestly loving this trend of gaming headset manufacturers competing against themselves rather than against each other. Brands like SteelSeries, Razer, Logitech, and now HyperX seem to be making it less about how they can beat the competition and more about how they can top their already impressive and well-beloved products.

SteelSeries literally overhauled its amazing Arctis line with the Arctis Nova, cementing its status as the best premium gaming headset brand. Razer made up for the great but flaw-riddled Razer BlackShark V2 Pro by fixing its issues and giving its ‘predecessor’ the same name, just to make it clear that our grievances didn’t go unnoticed. And Logitech took its best wireless gaming headset and made it even more superior by creating a whole new driver.

And now, we’ve got HyperX, tugging on our economizing heartstrings with an overhaul of the crowd-favorite HyperX Cloud II Wireless and even made it cheaper for good measure. With the release of the HyperX Cloud III, the Cloud is finally the best gaming headset it could be and really earning all that loyal fandom behind it.

If you don’t know already, the HyperX Cloud III’s predecessor had gathered quite a following due to its affordable price tag and good sound quality. So much so that if you look up what the best gaming headset is on Reddit, a number of people are likely to mention it alongside pricier options. 

My thing about that headset though is that I honestly didn’t get the hype. To me, it was a decent option at best, one that’s only good if you were on a tight budget. But then, you could also say that about a couple of offerings from Corsair and Turtle Beach. 

With the HyperX Cloud III, however, it’s clear that HyperX has upped its game since. It’s superior to its predecessor in every way with its better audio, more robust build quality, improved comfort, more connectivity options, a more modern look, and an elevated mic. 

I mention the mic last here specifically because it’s also the headset’s best feature. It’s one of the best mic on a gaming headset I’ve ever used, and the fact that it’s on a sub-$100/£100 one is even more astounding.

Editor’s Note: When I tested this headset, I did so alongside the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed and made an error, conflating the two headsets because I was comparing the mic quality on both. I’ve gone through the article and corrected accordingly.

First, let’s have a chat about the improved design. HyperX has updated the look so that the HyperX Cloud III keeps up with the trends. Not that I do not love the look of the last one – I did appreciate the stitched edges of the headband, but this design is sleeker, more elegant, and has beautiful curves, even on the yokes. It’s what the gaming headset would look like if it miraculously melded together with a pair of Sony headphones.

The headband boasts a slightly plushier foam and a softer-to-the-touch leatherette finish, and it’s extremely bendable as well, making it more pliable that adds to its comfort. Adding to that comfort are the thicker ear cups, which are also very plush. 

Thick memory foam in ear pads and headband certainly make for a very cushy experience. This is billed as “signature comfort” for good reason. The leatherette feels premium, even if it doesn’t feel like the most breathable material. If you tend to run hot, especially when gaming, you might want to give this a try first before committing.

HyperX says that the headset is more robust as well. And besides the 3.5mm and USB connectivity, you’re also getting USB-C, which makes it all the more versatile in terms of the platforms it’s compatible with. 

One of the best things about this gaming headset is that it’s incredibly lightweight, which really does add to your gaming experience. It might not be something you’ll notice in the beginning, but it’ll definitely help if you’re playing for hours at a time.

As with HyperX’s gaming peripherals, this has app support via the Ngenuity App, which is straightforward and easy to use, if not incredibly feature-rich. You can set volume, mic volume, mic monitoring, toggle surround sound, and use EQ, but that’s about it really. You do have access to multiple profiles and create more though. You can either choose a preset or create a new one yourself, and all of them are customizable via the 10-band EQ.

If you’re an EQ newbie, don’t worry about it. The HyperX Cloud III is a brighter-sounding headphone, but not painfully so. Besides, there’s a lot of people that prefer that. I personally do not mind it myself. It does have that “smile” frequency curve, which means it’s giving boosted lows and highs but less mids.

That means that the high end is crisp and detailed, and the low end has a lot of oomph – just what people look for in their gaming headset. In Kena: Bridge of Spirits, I could clearly hear all the twinkling sounds in the game, especially when I’m sending out a pulse while the low end gives the soundgrack gravitas.

Hip-hop music like Kedrick Lamar’s Humble also sounds pretty good on these headphones. However, the mids are somewhat recessed so rock music sounds anemic.

The soundstage is good but not anything special – about on par with most decent gaming headsets - but the sound imaging is more than adequate to clearly hear where everything is, including far-off enemies in games likes CS:GO. There is DTS:X Spatial Sound, but you can only turn it on and off without further adjustments. It makes everything a little wider and a little more immersive, but it is subtle compared to other surround sound tech.

Finally, let’s chat about that mic. The detachable microphone on this headset delivers improved clarity, and it sounds incredibly good – much better, in fact, than the mics on pricier headsets. It is clear and seems to reject background noise like keyboard presses though it does pick up voices from across the room. It’s somewhat susceptible to plosives but not too bad, and it does a great job minimizing sibilance.

HyperX Cloud III: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $99.99 (about £99.99, AU$150)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Another great thing that HyperX is doing for fans of its products is drop the price. Apparently, giving one of its most popular products a massive overhaul and making it better in every aspect isn't enough. It made it affordable as well, which I'm sure is much appreciated in this economy.

The HyperX Cloud III is just $99.99 (about £99.99, AU$150), making it $50 cheaper than its predecessor. If the other one couldn't count as a budget gaming headset before, this one certainly is.

• Value: 5 / 5

HyperX Cloud III: Specs

Should you buy the HyperX Cloud III?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

HyperX Cloud III: Also consider

How I tested the HyperX Cloud III

• Tested the headset for a week
• Used it for gaming, listening to music, and streaming shows
• Used it with games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

I used the HyperX Cloud III as my main headset for gaming, listening to music, and watching my favorite shows for about a week. I used it to play titles like CS: GO, Cyberpunk 2077 and Kena: Bridge of Spirits, paying close attention to not just its audio quality but its mic performance as well. 

As I always do, I also used to to jump on video calls with colleagues, listen to music, and streaming some of my favorite shows like Wednesday.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using gaming headsets for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

In celebration of Diablo 4’s launch on June 6, 2023, Blizzard, SteelSeries, and KontrolFreek have collaborated together to release a set of gaming accessories themed after the RPG title.

The Diablo 4 collection includes an Arctis Nova 7 gaming headset, an Aerox 5 gaming mouse XXL mousepad, and SteelSeries keycaps. Each of the accessories is styled to resemble items and equipment from Diablo 4, which is to say extremely cursed and awesome, with a fire and brimstone scheme and veins covering them. According to SteelSeries, there’s even an EQ preset for the Sonar audio software, though what that preset is hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Since these are licensed versions of already premium accessories, they cost even more, which might limit the market to truly devoted Diablo 4 fans. Of course, this is a limited edition set, so there’s probably not too much stock to sell through in the first place.

The full list of Diablo 4 accessories and pricing can be found below as reported by PCGamesN:

• Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Headset | Diablo IV Edition – $199.99
• Aerox 5 Wireless Gaming Mouse | Diablo IV Edition – $149.99
• QcK XXL Mousepad | Diablo IV Edition – $39.99
• SteelSeries Artisan Keycap | Diablo IV Edition – $69.99
• KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks | Diablo IV Edition – $19.99
• Collector’s Edition KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks | Diablo IV Edition – $29.99

Diablo 4 is a “special” game

Plenty of information about Diablo 4 has been revealed before its June 6 launch. The most hellish, which is fitting for the game, is one of the PC requirements if you want to play in 4K resolution. It necessitates that you have a massive 32GB of RAM in order to play at the highest possible resolution.

Another update involves the news that a special area in the open-world game, called Fields of Hatred, has player versus player (PvP). Even more shocking is that there’s also permadeath in that area, meaning that if you fight and lose, your character is permanently dead and can no longer be accessed or played.

Finally, it was revealed by the studio that it would be adding quarterly updates to its story content, along with a free and premium Battle Pass. Story content will be accompanied by new features and mechanics, though it won’t count as DLC or an expansion pass on its own.

No matter what, it seems that Diablo 4 will be a very special game that should resonate with fans, especially going by the popularity of the several beta tests that have already passed.

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Two-minute review

It lowkey broke my heart when I had to return our on-loan review unit of the original Razer Nommo Pro. Those speakers were truly incredible, and while there have been amazing releases that followed, very few have surpassed them. They left such massive shoes to fill, in fact, that I was starting to think that Razer wasn’t going to follow up with a new model. 

Luckily, you can always count on Razer looking to outdo itself, and that’s exactly what it’s done with the Razer Nommo V2 Pro. I didn’t think it was possible, but this successor to Razer’s best PC speakers yet is even better than the OG – it’s better sounding, more powerful, and more immersive while taking up a bit less space on your desk. 

It’s even more formidable than the impressive Razer Leviathan V2 Pro, which packs a subwoofer already so powerful, my neighbors asked me one night to turn it down - when it was only at 15% volume. I don’t want to know what they think of me now that the Nommo V2 Pro has taken over.

Besides that room-shaking, downward-firing sub, you’re also getting two satellite speakers, just like the first model. But while that one championed cylindrical shapes, this new one has swapped out the old rounded subwoofer with a square one and trimmed the top cylinders that housed the tweeters off the satellites for good measure

I wouldn’t call the Nommo V2 Pro compact, but the whole system certainly takes up less space as a result of the design shift, which is nice. It also has fewer cables, especially since the control pod is no longer tethered, being fully wireless, which means less eyesore on your desk.

Speaking of the control pod, it’s fully customizable and supports other compatible Razer peripherals. If you’ve got a whole suite of Razer gaming peripherals on your gaming desk, you can use it to change settings like your mouse’s DPI, for instance, unifying control of your hardware setup under a single physical interface. Of course, it’s also reliable when performing its original intended function: controlling the Nommo V2 Pro. 

Though connecting the Nommo V2 Pro to your PC or laptop via USB is the way to go, there is Bluetooth connectivity too, so you can use it with your phone, tablet, or Nintendo Switch as well.

Another noteworthy upgrade here is the ambient RGB lighting. Instead of the thin strip that wrapped around each Nommo Pro satellite's stand, here you get a four-inch dome on the rear of the Nommo V2 Pro’s satellite's. This allows each speaker to bounce RGB lighting off the wall behind them, effectively bathing your gaming setup with ambient lighting. It’s a much more effective approach, especially since you can set the lighting to be reactive to sound or whatever’s happening on your screen.

This ambient display awareness mode would be cooler if it was more accurate or brighter. For some reason, although the RGB zones are vibrant enough, they tend to dim a little when set to this reactive effect. It’s also not the most accurate when it’s supposed to mimic what’s on your screen, which is why I prefer to just use the other lighting effects Razer has on hand in the Chroma and Synapse apps. You can also layer lighting effects, which is the ideal way to go for the most vibrant results.

Speaking of the Synapse app, it comes in very handy so do be sure to install it to maximize the Razer Nommo V2 Pro's features. There’s a 10-band EQ that lets you boost or cut each frequency to 12dB or choose from five presets (one being custom) if you are EQ-uninitiated.

It also has THX profiles on hand for some of the most popular games right now, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. By pre-selecting the THX Environmental Mode for those games, you’re telling the Nommo V2 Pro to automatically switch to that profile every time you start one of the games. It works like clockwork too – sometimes, you can actually hear it switch from whatever current sound profile you’re using to the THX mode during game loading.

However, in stereo mode with no EQ tweaking, the Nommo V2 Pro already sounds incredible. The highs are crisp and detailed while the mids are present, full, and not too rich so that it lends itself well to gaming. Thanks to that powerful downward-firing sub, you’re getting plenty of punchy bass and deep rumble. 

Without the THX Spatial Audio, the soundstage is also already reasonably wide – though this is somewhat determined by your speaker placement – and the sound imaging is very good, allowing you to clearly hear where every audio element in a game is and if it's moving.

That said, switching to the THX Spatial Audio makes a massive difference. It’s well-implemented here, as it makes everything sound wider and more immersive without sounding like Razer just added some artificial reverb. 

There’s also plenty of volume on tap. And when I say plenty, I mean that if you set this to around 80%, you’re gonna want to sit a few feet away from your desk, lest you risk ear damage. I also highly suggest checking in with your roommates or neighbors if you’re planning on firing it up at night for a sesh – because trust me, you’re gonna want to.

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $449.99
• When is it available? Available June 2023
• Where can you get it? Confirmed in the US

Another thing the Razer Nommo V2 Pro has over its predecessor is a slightly more accessible price tag. I wouldn’t call it a budget buy, but it’s a tad more affordable than the original at $449.99 in the US. 

It’s also $150 cheaper than SteelSeries’ Arena 9, which will set you back a hefty $599 / €599 / AU$599 – although to be fair, that one is a 5.1 system, and if you compare the Nommo V2 Pro to its closest SteelSeries rival, the Arena 7, it’s actually pricier. It’s also more expensive than Razer’s PC soundbar system, the aforementioned Leviathan V2 Pro, which sits at  $399.99 / £399.99 (about AU$600).

Still, if you want high-quality audio, you almost always have to pay more, and the Razer Nommo V2 Pro certainly offers better audio quality than the Arena 7 and the Leviathan V2 Pro.

If you are ready to invest in the Razer Nommo V2 Pro – and I honestly think you should – it will be available in the US in June 2023. I’m sure it will also be available for UK and Australian customers around the same time, but I have yet to confirm that.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Nommo V2 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Nommo V2 Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Nommo V2 Pro

• Tested the Razer Nommo V2 Pro for several days
• Used it for gaming and streaming
• Tested the sound quality, volume, soundstage, and features

I used the Razer Nommo V2 Pro as my main PC speakers for a few days. Besides using it to play titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Rocket League, I also used it to watch movies and listen to tunes.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using audio devices for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Two-minute review

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED may be definitive proof that esports gamers had it right all along – that when it comes to gaming displays, it's not so much the size as it is the speed (and naturally, the picture quality) that wins the race.

This monitor might not look like much compared to the behemoths that we're being conditioned to want these days. In fact, coming from the 42-inch monitor I was testing prior, I didn't think this was going to satiate my viewing needs. Yet here I am, singing its praises. 

This isn't just a typical gaming display, however. Yes, it's fast, with its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms GtG response time. Yes, it's crisp and detailed, thanks to its sweet spot when it comes to pixel density (109 PPI, to be exact). And yes, it's got an excellent port selection and great color coverage - content creators will appreciate its 100% Adobe RGB and 98.5% DCI-P3 color gamut. But it's not exactly the first of its kind to offer such things.

What puts this display over the top, beating out many of the best gaming displays - and the best monitors in general, for that matter - on our list, are its glorious OLED panel, which makes those visuals all the richer and more vibrant, and its impressive HDR implementation that's among the best I've seen on a display. 

On a 27-inch monitor that's only 13.9lbs (6.3Kg), that's even more impressive, although Corsair still found other ways to make it a compelling choice. The green packaging the company used here is sure to please users who are concerned about their carbon footprint, while its two-pronged base will appeal to those lacking a lot of desktop real estate.

The panel itself is almost paper-thin, which is nice, but be warned, the stand and mount combination takes up quite a bit of space behind it. I quite like the design - it's a similar aesthetic to that Corsair uses on its other displays - but a thinner profile overall would have been nice too.

At least there's plenty of articulation on the mount, meaning that you can tilt the panel up to 7 degrees down and 15 degrees up, swivel left and right up to 30 degrees, pivot it 90 degrees for portrait mode, and adjust its height up to 100mm. If you're concerned about having the right ergonomics when gaming, this monitor should allow you the best position possible for you.

You also have all the ports you could possibly need. There's a USB-C port that will let you charge your laptop, two HDMI 2.1 ports for your current-gen consoles, and one DisplayPort. To give you more ports for your peripherals, Corsair even threw in a USB hub with four USB Type-A ports, and this hub works perfectly. To manage them all, there's also a spacious cable management slot built-in on the stand. It doesn't tuck them all away, out of sight, but it does bundle them all together so that your desk is not overrun by them.

Before I move on to performance, I do want to say that the anti-reflective coating on this panel is truly impressive. It's very effective at minimizing reflections so whether you're gaming or working, you're not distracted by them, ruining your experience. There's also a proximity sensor right underneath the OSD buttons, which is a nice touch and makes it so that you're not just randomly pressing on buttons, risking inadvertently changing a setting you didn't want changed.

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED may not give you that 4K resolution that everyone seems to want these days, but its 1440p resolution on a 27-inch display gives you a pixel density of 109PPI - the sweet spot for crisp picture quality, and just the ticket, especially when combined with its 240Hz refresh rate, for competitive gamers.

Cyberpunk 2077 and Rocket League both look stunning and just as immersive on this as they would on a larger panel, if not more due to the fast refresh rate. Both titles look sharp, smooth, and super clean on this, made better by its OLED tech that delivers even richer colors.

Of course, non-competitive games, shows, and movies look gorgeous on it too. Hogwarts Legacy, for instance, not only looks vibrant but feels very immersive as well since the 240Hz refresh rate meant that there was zero ghosting - even when I'm spinning the camera around quickly or I'm running around in-game.

They look even better with HDR on. The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED has one of the best HDR implementations I've seen on a gaming display, with many of the ones I've tested paling (quite literally) in comparison. 

Toggle that HDR on, and you're getting a lot more dynamic range of color in games and shows like Wednesday without ending up with incredibly washed-out visuals. The colors do tend to look less saturated, but not to the extent that it ruins the whole experience. You're still getting that rich experience while gaining back some of the lost details in darker scenes. And, honestly, the difference is night and day.

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $999 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,749 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Woof! That $999 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,749 price tag on the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED is a gut-puncher, especially if you see what this baby can do before you realize how much it’ll cost you. It’s an excellent display. It’s one of the best gaming monitors right now, and you’ll want to take it home. Unfortunately, that steep price tag means it’s not accessible to everyone.

Heck, even the AOC Agon Pro AG274QG is more affordable at $899 / £849. And if you are looking for something much cheaper, the older Samsung Odyssey G7 remains to be a compelling choice, and it’s often discounted at many online retailers. Both displays are 27 inches and have a 240Hz refresh rate like the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED. 

The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED does have a few advantages over these two rivals, including the fact that it's an OLED panel, and therefore delivers deeper, richer colors.

• Value: 3 / 5

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Specs

Should you buy the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED: Also consider

How I tested the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED

• Tested the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED for about a week
• Used it for gaming, work and entertainment
• Tested it with several games, streaming content, and my colorimeter

I used the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED as my PC gaming and work monitor for a few days, spending 8 to 10 hours a day on it. I also made sure to put its biggest features through their paces to make sure they work as they should.

Besides using it with games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Rocket League, I also used it to stream movies and shows. Of course, I also checked its color accuracy and coverage using my colorimeter.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using monitors for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

The divide between consoles and PC has been present for as long as the hardware has existed, however, the Asus ROG Ally has taken steps to bridge the gap by bringing a level of console convenience to what can be an intimidating gaming landscape. 

I’ve been a PC gamer for more than a decade, and have always found that for as good as gaming PCs are, there’s always something in the way that’s prevented widespread adoption. Generally speaking, this will be the price of a mid-range or high-end machine, with some of the top gaming PCs often costing thousands when well-kitted out. That’s why the rise of portable PCs as some of the best handheld games consoles really appeals to me. This has proved to be a barrier given the significantly cheaper costs of something like the Xbox Series X, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. 

The two top-end consoles from Microsoft and Sony will set you back $499 / £449 / AU$749 and $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95, respectively. These machines are capable of some seriously impressive visuals and performance in some of the latest games. One of the biggest strengths of the Asus ROG Ally is that it’s priced competitively to some of the best games consoles. It is set to retail for $699 / £699 /  AU$1,299, which, while pricier than any console right now, is still significantly cheaper than the cost of the best gaming PCs available. 

The form factor of the Asus ROG Ally is another major plus for the handheld PC gaming scene. At 608g / 1.3lbs, it’s a little bulkier than the Nintendo Switch OLED (420g / 0.9lbs), but still notably lighter than its main rival, the Steam Deck which weighs in at 669g / 1.4lbs. Heft aside, Asus’ handheld features a much sleeker chassis with familiar stick and button placements that console gamers should be immediately used to.  

Power in the palm of your hand 

What helps the Asus ROG Ally out when compared to its competition is power under the hood which makes for fewer sacrifices overall. This machine is rocking a 7-inch IPS 120Hz 1080p LCD screen and is powered by AMD’s latest Z1 Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 integrated graphics microarchitecture. This combination means that this handheld is capable of running titles natively in Full HD (1080p) without the need to scale the settings down too much.

It’s a lot more horsepower than the Nintendo Switch and delivers on the same promise: console games on the go. Throughout my testing with the Asus ROG Ally I was thrilled to see the likes of Lego 2K Drive, WWE 2K19, and Deathloop running flawlessly, and looking as sharp as they would on my mid-range gaming PC. I wasn’t just streaming them like I would be with the Logitech G Cloud or Nintendo’s cloud versions of certain games, either - it was all running natively. It was as easy as selecting Steam, downloading a game from the Big Picture menu, and then opening the game. However, there is a little busy work needed for things to go smoothly. 

Software is what has let the Asus ROG Ally down on the console convenience front as it runs on Windows 11 - for better or worse. On one hand, you’re getting the full and unfiltered potential of the operating system in your hands, but on the other, you’re having to deal with Windows 11. Broadly speaking, the Asus Armory Crate helps to centralize things but it’s not quite perfect yet. The reality of it is that it means you have to launch a game from Steam, close it, and then launch the game itself from the main menu before the X-inputs were fully registered. Annoying, but after that was done once per game it wasn’t a problem for me anymore, thankfully. 

A handheld that can do both  

The Asus ROG Ally is an excellent handheld console when used in its portable mode but that’s only one side of the story. Similar to the Steam Deck’s dock, you can pick up the ROG Gaming Charger Dock which actually shares more in common with how things work on the Nintendo Switch. This brick plugs straight into the wall and gives you power delivery through USB-C, as well as HDMI 2.0 and USB 2.0 ports. It’s a means to take what you’re playing on to one of the best gaming monitors, and the USB port is ideal for one of the best PC controllers too, for example. 

As the Asus ROG Ally runs games natively at 1080p they look great when played on a larger monitor and run surprisingly well. The decision to have a single USB port instead of two meant that a wired controller, like the Victrix BFG Pro, is really better for navigation than choosing between a mouse and a keyboard. It meant that all I had to do when going from handheld gaming to big-screen play was plug the device in via USB-C and things went large instantly and easily. For as much as there’s been an argument for a Nintendo Switch 2, this device really lives up to the notion of a powerhouse console without compromise. 

The utilization of Xbox Game Pass, supported on the Asus ROG Ally, is sure to be familiar to those who Microsoft’s ecosystem, and for some folks might mean this is the closest we’re realistically going to get to a portable Xbox console. This also further cements this machine being a stronger and more attractive proposition when considered a handheld games console that uses Windows 11 rather than a handheld PC in its own right. It’s made me believe that small form factor rigs can be every bit as capable as the tower and consoles sitting on my desk. 

• Asus wasn’t joking: the ROG Ally gaming handheld is real, and I’m pumped

LG OLED Flex: Two-minute review

It’s easy to overlook the LG OLED Flex when you’re searching for a new gaming monitor. Being one of the first of its kind – by that, I mean bendable gaming monitors – it’s very expensive, and most consumers can’t quite grasp its full potential just yet. There’s also the fact that some people just aren’t willing to be early adopters in general, seeing as many new tech come with more than their share of growing pains.

After spending quite a bit of time with this bendable display from LG, however, it’s truly hard for me to go back to non-bendable displays. One of the best monitors right now, it’s not just a breathtakingly impressive gaming display that comes with a whole lot of features. LG has also done a fantastic job of implementing its bending capabilities, you’d think we’re already living in the future. And, while it does put a massive dent on your credit card, it’s worth it if you can afford it, especially since it moonlights as a smart TV and a monitor for productivity.

There’s a lot to unpack here, in fact, that I honestly say that I wouldn’t be able to cover everything in this review. That said, I will do my best.

The one thing you’ll need to own the LG OLED Flex – apart from a king’s ransom, of course – is a big desk. This isn’t just a 42-inch display, after all. This is a 42-inch display that has a massive footprint thanks to its massive6 stand and that requires a bit of clearance in front for its up to 900R curvature. If you’re looking for a more svelte gaming monitor, this isn’t going to be it.

It is also very heavy so setup isn’t the easiest, especially next to the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240, another bendable gaming display that rolled out around the same time. At least its sizable stand already comes attached so there’s very little to do. However, taking the whole thing out of the box is a two-person job. Once it was out of the box, I did manage to haul it up on my desk on my own, but doing so was quite a workout. 

Despite being heavier and taking up more space than the Xeneon Flex, it does have its share of advantages over its rival. It offers better ergonomics because it’s much more adjustable – you can tilt the screen 10 degrees forward or 5 degrees backward and adjust the height up to 140mm, and it comes with four Fusion Lighting-enabled RGB strips in the back to give you customizable ambient lighting with Sound and Video Sync. Both just add to your immersion, especially when you’re gaming or watching movies.

The biggest difference between this and the Xeneon Flex, however, is the bending implementation. The Xeneon Flex is what you’d expect an early model of a fresh new tech to look – it’s fantastic as a gaming display but the bending process, which is done manually, is clunky and rudimentary. The LG OLED Flex is what you’d expect when that tech is already a year or two old, and manufacturers have refined it considerably – bending that panel from its flat position to a curved one is automated, and all you need to do is press a button (more specifically, the curvature button on the remote).

A few other mention-worthy design aspects here are the great selection of ports (there’s no USB-C, but the four HDMI 2.1 ports make up for it), voice command capability, multi-view mode, and an easily-accessible mouse, keyboard, headset, and microphone hub that will let you use the same peripherals whether you’re on PC mode or on TV mode. 

Speaking of TV mode, you can not only enjoy your favorite streaming apps directly on the display (without the help of your PC) but also watch live TV, and enjoy content via the LG channels on hand. Just make sure it’s connected to your network or hooked up to your cable connection.

There are many more extra frills here, but these are the ones that really add to its value and make it more than just any old gaming monitor.

Of course, it’s the LG OLED Flex’s auto-bending capability that really makes it a more elegant choice over Corsair’s offering, if you are looking to be an early adopter of this bendable tech. The curvature button on the remote gives you quick access to four curvature presets as well as all 20 levels for curvature (from flat to 100%) when you press the arrow down. Having spent time with the Xeneon Flex and being terrified every time I had to manually change its curvature, this is a nice and welcome change.

I also like the fact that it automatically flattens when you turn off the display and then automatically reverts to its last curvature setting when turned back on. Now, I don’t know anything about the effects of leaving your bendable display in a curved position for a long time, if there’s even any, but this thoughtful detail makes me appreciate just how well LG designed it. I just wish it would automatically turn on when I turn on my computer – or even immediately switch to the first active input. Sadly, you still have to turn the LG on manually, as well as press the input button to switch, every time you want to use your PC. If there’s a place in the OSD menu to change this, I couldn’t tell you as I haven’t found it.

This is a 42-inch 4K display so it does require a bit of muscle to power your games, especially if you're playing a title that needs a lot of graphical power and you want to run it on high or ultra. If you've got that PC, however, the visuals you get on this display is butter smooth, even when you're playing a fast-paced game or gaming competitively.

I played CS:GO, Battlefield 2042, and Rocket League on it and didn't experience any issues. The picture quality was incredibly sharp, detailed, and clean. Really, the only time I had an issue was when I was playing Hogwarts Legacy on high settings, but that's only because the gaming PC I was using just wasn't powerful enough to keep up.

Unsurprisingly, the colors are rich and gorgeous, and the dynamic range is good, if not the best. When watching dark scenes in shows and movies like Wednesday, All Quiet On The Western Front, and The Batman, it delivers enough detail in them so that you're viewing experience isn't ruined. At least LG has done a great job with keeping reflection at bay.

If you don't have powerful speakers, fret not. The front-facing 40W speakers are plenty loud to fill a large room. There's a lot of volume on tap here that even at just 20%, it already fills up a small-sized room. There's also good high end, which means that you're getting a lot of detail in your audio, making it great for gaming.

Being monitor speakers, however, they're aren't going to impress the most discerning listeners. The mids are not rich and the bass is thin, which means that any audio you're playing through them aren't going to hit very hard. The soundstage is ok, I guess, but it's not very wide. It doesn't help that the sound imaging is not really that accurate as well. If you're gaming competitively on this, consider investing in the best gaming headset as well.

LG OLED Flex: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $2,999 / £2,999.98 / AU$4,999 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Price-wise, the LG OLED Flex is not for the faint-hearted, as that $2,999 / £2,999.98 / AU$4,999 might cause you to swoon. With that money, you can get a really good TV and a separate gaming monitor or two gaming PCs. It does have a discount in the US at the time of writing, bringing the price down to $2,499.99, but that’s still a considerable sum for most gamers.

If you can afford it, however, trust me, you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck considering all its features. But if you’re looking for a more grounded purchase, the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 starts off at a more approachable $1,999.99 / £2,099.99 / AU$3,299.99. 

If that’s still way out of your budget, you should check out our best ultrawide displays and best curved monitors lists as we’ve got much more affordable options that are great alternatives. You’re just not getting that bendable feature.

You could also find ways to save on the monitor and more from the manufacturer with these latest LG promo codes.

• Value: 3 / 5

LG OLED Flex: Specs

Should you buy the LG OLED Flex?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

LG OLED Flex: Also consider

How I tested the LG OLED Flex

• Tested the LG OLED Flex for a little more than a month
• Used it for gaming, work and entertainment
• Tested it with several games, streaming content, and my colorimeter

Testing the LG OLED Flex for a month, I used it as my PC gaming and work monitor, spending 8 to 10 hours a day on it. I also made sure to put its biggest features through their paces to make sure they work as they should.

Besides using it with games like Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy, I also used it to stream shows like Ted Lasso and Modern Family. Of course, I also checked its color accuracy and coverage using my colorimeter.

I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using monitors for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Two-minute review

There’s a lot to say about the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM, and if you ignore its price tag, it’s almost entirely positive. Asus knows how to satisfy gamers, and this monitor does its job for everyone except for maybe those that prioritize getting the highest resolution possible.

This Asus ROG Swift display is not going to look quite as sharp as the best 4K monitors with its 1440p resolution. But, this is a 26.5-inch monitor that will presumably be sitting just a couple feet away from you where that won’t matter, especially for competitive gamers who prefer smaller screens. 

So, if you’re willing to splurge and have been saving up for one of the best gaming monitors for your setup, the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM is worth consideration. Its high price is most likely due to the inclusion of that OLED panel as well as all the custom heatsink Asus has crammed in to minimize potential burn-in. 

Surprisingly, this is a very sleek monitor. The panel itself is very thin and where the heatsink is attached is not that much thicker. Also adding to that slim figure are its almost non-existent bezels.

Asus also made sure that the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM can’t be mistaken for anything other than a gaming monitor. That’s most noticeable through the included backlighting, which is controlled through the OSD menu. There are two zones: an RGB one displaying the Asus logo on the rear cover with five different presets and a red LED projecting down at the desk from the base of the Asus’ stand. That unfortunately can only be dimmed or turned off.

Whether you care about RGB or not, the ports are a key consideration when looking at gaming monitors, especially if you like to have multiple sources connected. There’s a DisplayPort and two HDMI, as well as a USB hub though you only get two usable ports. And, while the lack of USB-C is typical for these types of monitors, it would have been appreciated here. After all, anyone dropping $1,000/£1,00 on a display is probably not going to want to buy another one just to use with their Ultrabook or Macbook when it’s time to get some work done.

That said, gamers have quite the number of features on hand to make the most of the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM. To start, it supports both AMD Free-Sync and G-Sync and will automatically show you one or the other depending on the graphics card of your computer. It also lets you change the screen size with just a few presses in the OSD menu or software. If you like playing CS:GO in a 1080p resolution at 25 inches, you can do so that easily.

There are also a number of screen modes to adjust the color temperature and brightness based on what kind of game you’re playing (or if you’re watching a movie) as well as a Shadow Boost option that will brighten shadows to help you see enemies in the dark. 

HDR is also available. However, if you turn on HDR, those various presets as well as the Shadow Boost are disengaged. Instead, there are a few HDR presets available to choose from such as HDR Game and HDR Cinema to name a few.

Unfortunately though, the HDR comes in the ever disappointing HDR10 standard. When toggling the HDR on and off for games like Far Cry 6 and Battlefield 2042, I had trouble seeing much of a difference. It was more noticeable with a game containing much more shadow such as Control, where the HDR did offer a more natural-looking environment and a little more dynamic contrast. However, it’s not the eye-popping experience that I experience when enabling HDR on a monitor with a Vesa-certified rating. Really, outside of that price tag, this is the biggest disappointment here.

Luckily, that’s the worst aspect of this monitor. Sure, it’s not 4K, but its 1440p OLED screen is nice and sharp for just about any game I played on it. And, with a color coverage of 135% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3, it represents colors very well.

What really keeps everything looking crisp is the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM’s 240Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms gray-to-gray response time. This thing is fast! Even without any V-sync enabled, I almost never experienced ghosting, screen tearing or lag. And, if I did, it was in something poorly optimized or an issue on the PC side. All the games mentioned above performed flawlessly and looked really good.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  $999.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Spending almost as much on a monitor as you would on a gaming PC might seem like the new norm, but it’s still hard to swallow. At $999.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999, Asus is asking a lot for this model. Sure, you’re getting that OLED panel. You’re also getting a 1440p at 240Hz combo in the specs department. And, that can be pricier than one might expect.

The Samsung Odyssey G7, for instance, is also 1440p at 240Hz and goes $676 / £499 /  AU$999. Of course, there’s no OLED panel, and it doesn’t have some of the features that the PG27AQDM has. Still, it’s not hard to find similar performance for $300 less. Other speedy 1440p monitors will also fit into this price-range.

If you want speed but can sacrifice on the resolution, you can spend much, much less. The Monoprice Dark Matter 27-inch gaming monitor, for instance, goes for $299 / about £220 / AU$420 and 1080p at 240Hz performance while also coming with a solid Vesa-Certified HDR400. 

• Value: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Specs

Should you buy the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: Also consider

How I tested the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM

• Tested over a week
• Tested with different and different kinds of games
• All included features were explored

To test the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM Gaming Monitor, I spent a week with it, playing all sorts of games from fast-paced titles like Battefield 2042 to more graphically intense single player titles like Control and Far Cry 6.

While testing, I spent plenty of time checking for ghosting, screen-tearing, and latency while also toggling HDR to see what effect it had. I also checked out the various features included to see how they worked. For this review, I used two computers. One had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 while the other had an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.

Having spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation. And, I’ve spent even longer playing computer games so I have an understanding of what gamers look for to get the most out of their titles.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

There have been many leaks and rumors surrounding the upcoming Asus ROG Ally PC gaming handheld ahead of its May 11 release date. And while speculations about the US pricing have been great news so far, the same cannot be said about its rumored European price.

According to Twitter leaker Roland Quandt, and reported by VideoCardz, the price for the high-end Asus ROG Ally that features an AMD Z1 Extreme CPU might be €799. Though the conversion from the leaked US price of $699 would mean a €632 price point, VAT increases that to an MSRP higher than the Steam Deck.

This is the same leaker who claimed that pricing for the ROG Ally would be $599 and $699 for the two models in the US. Of course, this is still all unconfirmed information, and the price point could turn out to be lower (or higher). So until Asus confirms everything, take this one with a huge pinch of salt. 

Not looking good for Europe 

As I’ve previously discussed in detail after finishing my Asus ROG Ally hands-on review, a too-high MSRP could spell disaster for the Asus ROG Ally right out of the gate. If it hopes to compete with the Steam Deck, which already has a year of traction in this emerging market of gaming PC portables, then it needs to have a competitive price point.

Though the Ally ROG has impeccable specs and can even make for a great laptop in a pinch, buyers have shown time and again that they will not pay what they perceive as too much for a game console or portable (hello early launch PS3 and 3DS). And while the rumored US price is quite promising, this alleged European price is absolutely terrible.

If that’s truly the cost of the higher-end model, then that needs to be adjusted for VAT, because it’s essentially punishing buyers for an extra charge on a system that’s already quite expensive. And when buyers feel like they’re being punished or taken advantage of, that’s going to have a significant impact on sales, especially since this is also hitting the shelves during a cost of living crisis that’s affecting multiple regions across the globe.

All we can do is wait and see once May 11 hits. If these rumors are true though, Asus could be throwing away a huge market with this move.

When it comes to gaming headsets you’re spoilt for choice. But if you want a headset that excels in every area from exceptional clarity to unparalleled noise cancelling, there’s only one headset you need to consider. The new Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is an incredible combination of innovation, precision engineering, and sheer gaming joy, and it’s been two full years in the making. The Stealth Pro may well be the best gaming headset ever made.

It starts with the sound

Inside the Stealth Pro you’ll find hand-selected 50mm Nanoclear drivers, which are bigger and stiffer than the drivers you’ll find in most rivals. That means a bigger, more accurate sound that delivers all the low-end thump you could ever want without losing the clarity you need to keep your competitive edge. And those drivers are hand-matched, ensuring that each driver complements its partner perfectly to ensure the ultimate in accuracy.

That’s not all. Turtle Beach’s custom audio tuning enhances the effect of positional audio and spatial audio, so whether you’re listening to Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos or PlayStation’s 3D Audio you’re getting the most powerful positional audio you’ve ever heard.

It destroys unwanted audio

With a whopping 25dB of noise cancellation, the Stealth Pro delivers the most versatile noise cancellation of any gaming headset so you can focus on what you want to hear and eliminate what you don’t. And since all your sound customizations, including noise cancellation levels, are saved to the headset and controlled via the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, your customised audio settings will work on all your gaming kit – not just your PC. That means you get the full audio experience without wires on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck, Switch, PC, Mac and even your mobile devices via Bluetooth.

While the noise cancellation gets rid of the audio you don’t want, Turtle Beach’s clever Superhuman Hearing technology prioritises the in-game sounds you do want to hear – such as your rival’s footsteps trying to sneak up on you, an enemy weapon reload just around the corner before an ambush, and even enemy gunfire in the distance. In the Stealth Pro, Turtle Beach has taken its Superhuman Hearing tech to a whole new level with a choice of three preset levels and adjustable intensity for a huge range of games. It’s the most advanced and versatile version of Superhuman Hearing yet.

It makes you sound spectacular

The Stealth Pro’s noise cancelling isn’t just for what you hear. It’s for what you say too. Two concealed microphones and a removable TruSpeak boom mic include Turtle Beach’s SMART (Sonic Measurement Audio Reduction Tuning) technology to actively monitor and screen out background noise, delivering your in-game chat with unprecedented clarity.

No DAC and no downtime

Unlike many other premium gaming headsets, high quality doesn’t mean lots of hardware hanging around. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro doesn't need you to stick an external DAC on your desk to benefit from its exceptional audio. And thanks to their two swappable 12-hour battery packs you never need to pause to let your headset recharge. Those batteries won’t keep you waiting either: just 15 minutes of charging gives you a full 3 hours of gaming heaven.

Lag-free listening when every millisecond counts

The Stealth Pro also offers Dual Connectivity via its 2.4GHz lag-free wireless connection and Bluetooth 5.1 connection, both of which can be used simultaneously. This enables you to take calls or listen to your own music or discord chat while gaming on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC or Mac. The Stealth Pro’s 2.4GHz connection also has an impressive 15m of wireless range. It also automatically optimises your audio and chat in real time to help you stay one step ahead of your competitors. It even reconnects instantly if you need to swap the battery or restart your PC, ensuring you don’t waste a second.

Complete control of absolutely everything

The Stealth Pro’s extensive customisation can be found in the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, which is available on PC and Mac and for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app enables you to assign useful audio features as secondary functions to the volume wheel – so you can adjust the mic monitoring, switch noise cancellation modes, boost the bass and more. The MODE button is also remappable so you can toggle EQ presets, the mic noise gate, and control your PC’s audio playback. A 10-band EQ is also available in the app, meaning you can get the Stealth Pro’s sound to your liking, depending on if you’re playing games, listening to music, or watching a movie. Like I mentioned before, all your settings are saved to your headset, and can be adjusted via the app, so they’re always ready as soon as you put your headset on.

Incredible specs you can wear with your specs

If like us you wear glasses when you’re gaming, you’ll appreciate the extra thought Turtle Beach has put into the Stealth Pro: in addition to its plush leatherette-wrapped memory foam cushions and premium materials that deliver maximum comfort for every gamer in even the longest gaming sessions, Turtle Beach’s patented ProSpecs ear cushions prevent uncomfortable pressure on your eyewear.

Incredible performance for every player

With an RRP of just £279.99 / $329.99 / €329.99 the Stealth Pro is competitively priced and outperforms many rivals that cost much more. That’s because they’ve been built specifically for gamers who want the best, with a level of performance and clarity that lesser models just can’t match. 

Click here to find out how the incredible Turtle Beach Stealth Pro gaming headset will help you leave your rivals in the dust. 

Flexible displays have officially entered the gaming monitor market with both the ultrawide Corsair Xeneon Flex and the auto-bending LG OLED Flex setting off what could be a very interesting competition – or at least set the tone for the future of the bendable gaming displays (ie whether or not they’ll eventually replace regular non-bendable ones as the monitor of choice for gamers).

So far, these two have proven that a bendable display is certainly a very useful form factor for those who take gaming seriously and often cross genres. The Corsair Xeneon Flex, the first bendable monitor I tested and reviewed, proved that some game genres and workloads are better on a curved screen while others are best viewed on a flat one, offering users the third versatile option of never having to pick between two display types. 

And while at the time of writing, I’m only halfway through my testing of the LG OLED Flex, it already offers a nice window into the future if that versatility is taken to the next level.

If you’re looking to be an early adopter of the bendable display form factor, there aren’t a lot of choices yet. However, these two are already compelling entries and are worthy of consideration – which are among the best gaming monitors on the market in 2023. The question is which of the two should you go for? While they are both bendable gaming displays, they couldn’t be more different in implementation, features and even specs.

So, let's compare the Corsair Xeneon Flex and the LG OLED Flex side by side to help you decide between the two.

Corsair Xeneon Flex vs LG OLED Flex: price

With new technology comes steep prices, and that’s the case with these two bendable monitors. Sadly, if you’re looking to be an early adopter, you’re going to have to make a sizable dent in that bank account. 

Perhaps due to its more manual operation and WQHD resolution, the Corsair Xeneon Flex is the cheaper of these two displays. It’ll set you back a hefty $1,999.99 / £2,099.99 / AU$3,299.99 still, which is an eye-watering amount for most gamers, but is still more affordable than LG's offering. 

The LG OLED Flex (LX3), after all, will have you bawling and leave your piggy bank in pieces at $2,999 / £2,999.98 (about AU$4,500), which is around how much a high-end  TV will cost these days. To be fair, it's also a smart TV, and it automates the bending process, making it more convenient to use.

Still, if you’re comparing these prices to some of the best ultrawide displays, which tend to be pricey themselves, these two feel like luxury purchases. Some of the priciest gaming ultrawides are the Acer Predator CG7 and Gigabyte Aorus FV43U, and those only cost $1,199.99 (£1,166.80, around AU$1,800) and $1,100 / £1,000 / AU$1,699 respectively.

Corsair Xeneon Flex vs LG OLED Flex: design

As I mentioned before, the only big thing these two displays have in common is that they’re both bendable. Outside of that, they’re more different than they are the same, which luckily should make choosing a lot easier.

The Corsair Xeneon Flex is a massive 45-inch ultrawide monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Despite its size, it’s actually surprisingly lighter than it looks at only 13.9 pounds (6.3kg), but it’s got enough hefty to it that the whole thing doesn’t move when you make adjustments. And by adjustments, I mean bending the panel itself, which you’ll have to do manually by grabbing the two handles on either side of the display and pushing or pulling.

It can go from flat to an immersive 800R, but for it to do that, you will have to do all the work. It also feels clunky, which can be a little unnerving in the beginning when you're bending it. 

Ergonomics also isn't a priority here, with its articulation limited to just a tilt range of 22 degrees, although I do appreciate the fact that the ports (two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB Type-C DP Alt-Mode) conveniently located right on the wide stand where they’re more easily accessible. Plus, this integrated stand also has two USB 3.2 and one 3.5mm audio up front for connecting peripherals.

Meanwhile, the LG OLED Flex, aka the (self-proclaimed) world's first bendable 42-inch OLED screen, is smaller and not as wide at 42 inches and with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Despite being smaller, it’s a lot heavier at 49.8 pounds (22.6kg). Not to worry; the setup might be a bit of a back-breaker, but you need not worry about it post-setup. That’s because it has auto bending, which means you can control its curvature via the included remote or the OSD menu. 

The panel can go from flat to 900R, and there are 20 levels of curvature you can easily choose by just pressing a button, making the process a lot more streamlined. 

The stand and mount, which come already attached to the panel, allows more articulation so you can adjust the height up to 140mm and tilt the screen 10 degrees forward or 5 degrees backward, which I really appreciate. The location of the ports – on either side of the stand – is a little bizarre, but it makes them accessible so I’m not complaining.

Corsair Xeneon Flex vs LG OLED Flex: features

The slightly cheaper Corsair Xeneon Flex is a little limited. Besides the USB hub on the front of its stand, it has FreeSync Premium and is G-Sync compatible. 

Meanwhile, the LG OLED Flex not only has adaptive sync, but it comes with a whole slew of other features as well. That includes a remote, a built-in gaming mic, 40W speakers with Dolby Atmos, and customizable RGB lighting in the back with video and sound sync. It’s also a smart TV and works with Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple Airplay2, and Homekit.

Corsair Xeneon Flex vs LG OLED Flex: specs

Having a 1440p panel allows the Corsair Xeneon Flex to be a little more affordable, and while you are only getting 83 pixels per inch (PPI), the visuals are still plenty sharp for gaming, streaming content, and productivity. 

And it does have some gaming advantages of the LG with its 0.03 GtG response time and 240Hz refresh rate. If you’re into esports or faster paced games, you’ll appreciate this. Since it is an OLED display, the colors are vibrant and the blacks are deep here. 

Plus, you’re getting 100% (sRGB) and 98.5% (DCI-P3) color gamut and DeltaE<1 color accuracy, which means that this is just as good for video editing as it is for gaming. Sadly though, while it reaches 1,000-nit peak brightness, its HDR10 isn’t anything to write home about.

Being a 4K display, on the other hand, the LG OLED Flex is understandably more expensive. That also means you’re getting a higher pixel density of 104.9 PPI. Its response time and refresh rate, however, slower than the Corsair’s at 0.1ms and 120Hz respectively. 

Obviously, those aren’t bad numbers either and more than good enough for gaming. LG isn’t very specific about color coverage so the only information being offered about its color coverage is that it’s got a “Wide Color Gamut” coverage. It is an OLED panel as well though so you’re getting deep blacks and rich colors.

Which bendable monitor is right for you?

Choosing between the Corsair Xeneon Flex and the LG OLED Flex shouldn’t be hard seeing as despite both being bendable gaming monitors, they’re different enough from each other. 

The more affordable Corsair Xeneon Flex focuses on gaming primarily, more specifically fast gaming so while it doesn’t have as many extra features as the LG option, it has all the tools you need for a smooth gaming experience, no matter the title. It also offers the right color gamut and color accuracy that make it a great video and photo editing tool while its ultrawide aspect ratio also serves productivity workloads well, especially those who often multitask.

The bending mechanism is a little clunky and all manual, which means you’ll have to adjust the curvature manually yourself, which can be a little inconvenient. But it is something you get used to and get better with practice.

The premium LG OLED Flex, on the other hand, is a gaming display and a smart TV in one. It’s not an ultrawide display, but it comes with a whole lot of features that will allow you to go from working to gaming to streaming with just the press of a button (thanks in large part to the included remote). It’s not the best for multitasking, especially when you’re working, because of that aspect ratio and screen size combo, but it’s also not impossible to do work on. It’s also loaded with gaming and smart features.

The bending process on this is incredible. You’ve got 20 different curvature levels that you can choose with just the press of a remote button or on the OSD menu. In other words, the process is automated, making it incredibly convenient.

Which of these two is right for you? That depends on your needs, priorities, and budget, but if you want a gaming monitor that you can also create content on, go with the Corsair Xeneon Flex. If you want a full-featured display that’s focused on post-work entertainment, the LG OLED Flex may be worth the splurge.

We’ve just seen a further leak on the pricing of the Asus ROG Ally, this time for the lesser spec model of the Steam Deck rival – and it seems that lower-tier handheld will be pitched at $599.99 in the US.

As flagged by The Verge (via VideoCardz), that’s the contention of Twitter-based leaker SnoopyTech, who believes that’ll be the MSRP of the ROG Ally with the vanilla AMD Z1 CPU and 256GB of storage (courtesy of an M.2 SSD).

SnoopyTech was the source of the original price leak, and the claim that the higher-end ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme processor (and 512GB storage) will cost $699.99.

The Verge notes that it has corroborated the latest leak with Roland Quandt, who (again) showed the tech site materials that backed up the assertion of a $599.99 price point. Seemingly, both these leakers are working from the same source.

Despite these leaks supporting each other, we still need to add a good dollop of skepticism here. And even if this is genuinely what Asus is thinking price-wise at the moment, there’s a chance that the planned price could change between now and launch. In theory, the launch date is June 13, by the way.

Analysis: Does a $100 price gap make any sense?

What’s the difference between these models given the purported $100 price gap? Well, the top-end ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme processor has 8-cores (16-threads) compared to 6-cores (12-threads) with the standard AMD Z1, and for the integrated RDNA 3 graphics, the Z1 Extreme has 12-cores whereas the Z1 offers 4-cores.

That’s a fairly startling gap on the GPU front, with triple the amount of cores for the Z1 Extreme. And according to AMD’s own marketing bumph for the Z1 chips, the Extreme boasts 8.6 Teraflops of graphics performance – which leaves the Steam Deck in the dust, and indeed the entry-level Z1, the latter of which gives you 2.8 Teraflops (the Steam Deck is 1.6 Teraflops).

Now, raw Teraflops isn’t nearly the full story of course, and AMD also provided some gaming benchmarks which illustrate just that. The long and short of it is that in some games, the Z1 is fairly close to the Z1 Extreme, but in other more demanding titles, a pretty big gulf opens up. (As AMD notes, the GPU isn’t the limiting factor in some cases, rather, it’s the memory bandwidth).

Even so, if this is the correct pricing, it seems to us that buyers would be foolish not to fork out an extra $100 to get this faster CPU – considerably speedier in some cases – with double the storage on-baord to boot.

Having heard the price of the Z1 Extreme-toting ROG Ally is set to be $699.99, we were hoping for more like $499.99 for the Z1 model. The prices being set so close together doesn’t really make sense to us given the relative hardware specs here.

There are some reasons why Asus might be angling pricing like this, though. As The Verge observes, we don’t know if the company might be planning another lower-end handheld – like Valve does with a baseline Steam Deck that cuts corners with a small eMMC drive rather than a proper SSD. If that’s the case, then Asus may need to leave room in the pricing spectrum to drop that model in.

Alternatively, maybe Asus is fully expecting the top-tier model to sell out, and believes it can still shift the base Z1 ROG Ally at $599.99 – which is doubtless true. Because, let’s remember, at $599.99 with that spec, this device still looks great value compared to the Steam Deck.

Valve’s portable gaming machine is $530 for the 256GB model, but with a CPU engine that’s distinctly less peppy, and the disadvantage of incompatibility with some Windows games – ones that don’t play nice with Proton, like games with anti-cheat systems for example. The Ally runs Windows 11, of course, so will have no such compatibility stumbling blocks. (It’s also worth noting that VideoCardz believes that Asus plans to offer the Ally with three months of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate thrown in for free, too).

A further possibility occurs that the $699.99 price is wrong, and it’ll be higher – as our first thought was that it does seem too good to be true. We were shocked when it was revealed, frankly, so maybe it’ll turn out to be $799.99 in the end. Obviously we hope not, but as we’ve said already, even if the leaks are technically correct right now, Asus could make last-minute pricing adjustments.

Whatever the case, we shall see whether Asus has a Steam Deck killer on its hands soon enough, but aside from exact pricing, we’ll also need to know more about battery life, and how the Z1’s ramped-up performance might affect the longevity of the ROG Ally when out and about gaming.

Ayaneo isn’t new to the handheld market, but its latest product is looking to make major waves and hopefully overtake two key competitors in the process.

The Verge reports that the company recently announced its upcoming Ayaneo 2S portable system will be housing the same AMD Ryzen 7000 U-series chip, which is already in use for the Asus ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme CPU. This not only puts it directly up against said ROG Ally but in competition with Valve’s Steam Deck as well.

Considering that the Asus ROG Ally is already stacked in terms of specs and performance, this is a huge deal. Especially if the Ayaneo 2S gets its pricing right, something that could hinder the ROG Alley if the latest price leak turns out to be false. 

And it seems that the company has taken criticisms to heart in terms of its Ayaneo 2 according to Engadget, as the new 7000 series processor features "substantial performance gains in the low TDP 8-15W gold range" compared to the current model’s 6800, as well as slightly reduced temperatures. That last one is important, as one of our criticisms of the ROG Ally was its noticeable overheating.

And even though there are plenty of other Ayaneos out in the wild, including the second version that was released in 2021 and the Ayaneo Air Plus, the company won’t be abandoning those models. According to The Verge, it will “offer a free speaker upgrade for every Ayaneo Air and a free cooling module for every Ayaneo 2 and Ayaneo Geek,” which will lower its temperature by up to 12 degrees Celsius.

This could be a huge game changer for the handheld market 

The Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally aren’t the only two handhelds that need to watch out either. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be facing some steep competition in a market that the current Nintendo Switch has been single-handedly dominating.

It seemed like Nintendo had everything in control, with Sony no longer interested in the portable gaming system market after its PlayStation Vita was thoroughly trounced by the Nintendo 3DS. But with the Steam Deck making some significant waves this generation, and the Asus ROG Ally looking to turn those waves into a tsunami along with the Ayaneo 2S, we could be looking at a serious shakeup.

If these systems end up landing in a big way, it could force Nintendo to go all out on the Switch 2’s hardware, as well as motivate Valve to make some much-needed improvements to its Steam Deck 2 (and get the company more serious about it in general). 

More competition is always better, and I look forward to the best-case scenario that turns these three powerhouses into something that really pushes Nintendo and Valve and their hardware to their limits. Then, we the consumers will all win.

Multiple leaks have apparently confirmed the pricing of Asus’s upcoming handheld gaming console, the ROG Ally – or at least, one version of it. And it looks like good news for those of us who've been looking forward to its arrival.

According to a leaked Best Buy store screenshot from @wickedkhumz, a tweet from known hardware leaker @_snoopytech_, and another separate claim made by ‘retail intelligence’ leaker Roland Quandt, the price of the ROG Ally will be $699.99 – and that’s specifically for the high-end model, which packs an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

While we don’t know what cheaper models of the Ally will look like yet (it’s currently looking like we’ll get at least one other version, presumably with the standard Ryzen Z1 chip and 256GB of storage), this is some seriously competitive pricing.

Looking at the Steam Deck, the Ally’s main competitor in the handheld PC gaming space, the high-end model (with comparable storage but a less powerful AMD processor) costs $649 in the US. That extra fifty dollars nets you a whole lot more gaming performance, if AMD’s pre-launch statistics about the Z1 and Z1 Extreme APUs prove to be accurate.

Naturally, since this is a leak, caution is advised. But with multiple sources corroborating the same price tag, I feel pretty confident that’s the list price we’re going to see when the Ally launches – and the leaked Best Buy screenshot suggests that it could be with us pretty soon, since it lists a release date of June 13.

A revolution for the handheld gaming space?

The cheapest Steam Deck (which only has a measly 64GB of slower eMMC storage) will cost you $349, so it’s fair to say that handheld PC gaming consoles still aren’t exactly accessible. The cheaper handheld console you can buy right now is actually the Nintendo Switch Lite, which costs $199.99 / £199.99 – but that’s a console running six-year-old hardware, and you’re limited to Nintendo’s catalog of games.

If Asus can provide a sub-$500 price for the Z1 model of the ROG Ally, I’ll be intrigued; sure, it’ll still be expensive, but the performance jump from the Steam Deck should be impressive – and that opens up the field for more great handhelds in the near future.

Nintendo, Valve, and smaller companies like AyaNeo will need to step up their game if they want to compete with Asus’s new handheld – which is good news for AMD, since it makes the APUs that power all of these devices.

The Z1 chips could be exactly the kick in the pants the handheld gaming industry needs to get back on its feet: ever since the improvement of phones as viable gaming platforms, the space has become rather desolate. With Asus putting up some seriously good pricing and a high-quality console – judging by our hands-on review – we can probably expect other manufacturers to strike back later this year.

So, Steam Deck 2? Nintendo Switch 2? AyaNeo 3? All quite likely. Hell, perhaps we’ll even see Sony decide to throw its hat back into the ring with a new PlayStation Portable. Please, Sony. I’ll give you my firstborn child for one of those.

On April Fools' Day, Asus announced that it would be entering the gaming handheld market with the Asus ROG Ally – going head to head with the likes of Valve's Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, as well as the less renowned (but no less impressive) AyaNeo 2.

While there are a lot of details about the ROG Ally that have yet to be disclosed by Asus, our own Allisa James has been lucky enough to get some hands-on time with the new handheld – enough time to produce an early Asus ROG Ally review which you can check out right now.

However, pricing and release date (as well as exact performance stats) have not been officially released by Asus, so there's a lot up in the air right now – we won't be calling our judgment on the ROG Ally until we've received our own review unit and taken the time to test it out properly. That being said, some leaks have given us an idea of the 'when' and the 'how much', and you can read about them further down. 

Still, we've collated everything we know so far right here, for your browsing perusal. We'll dig into the technical details further down, but for now let's just say that if you're considering picking up a gaming handheld like the Steam Deck, you really might want to hold off until the Ally arrives...

Asus ROG Ally: Cut to the chase

• What is it? Asus's new handheld gaming console
• When will it be available? Sometime in 2023, with a release date reveal on May 11
• What will it cost? Below $1,000, although multiple models with different prices will be available

Asus ROG Ally: Release date

Although there's no official release date for the Asus ROG Ally yet, we will be learning more about the handheld in a livestreamed panel discussion from Asus on May 11, and we're expecting to hear a release date during that event. 

It looks like preorders might be going live that day, and a solitary leak of a Best Buy screenshot has suggested that the actual launch date could be June 13 - though of course, this should be taken with a pinch of salt. At the very least, we should have a concrete release date in a matter of days.

Asus ROG Ally: Price

Asus hasn't officially disclosed the pricing of the ROG Ally gaming handheld just yet – that's also expected to be revealed in the livestream event on May 11. However, one Asus exec has confirmed that the pricing will definitely be "below $1,000".

As per a series of recent leaks, we now know (or at least, suspect) what the price of the highest-spec model will be: $699.99 in the US, so presumably around £699.99 / AU$1,050. That model uses the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

As you'll see in the Specs section below, there will be multiple models of the ROG Ally, but we don't know exactly what those will look like yet, nor how many there will be.

It's safe to assume that we'll see at least two versions, using the two different AMD processors we know will be available in the Ally. Since the high-end Steam Deck is priced at $649 while the lowest-spec version is $349, we hope that Asus's cheapest model of the Ally will be around the $400 mark.

Asus ROG Ally: Specs

Although the other sections of this breakdown might be a bit light on details right now, we do know a lot about the specs that the Asus ROG Ally will boast. Let's start with the heart of this handheld: the processor.

AMD recently revealed its new Z-series of APUs, split into the Z1 and Z1 Extreme. These systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) will use AMD's Zen 4 CPU architecture and RDNA 3 integrated graphics, with the Z1 featuring a 6-core/12-thread CPU and 4-core iGPU while the Z1 Extreme uses an 8-core/16-thread CPU and 12-core iGPU.

That 8-core difference in the RDNA 3 on-board graphics means we could see a fairly significant performance gulf between the two chips, although the difference in total cache memory is very small (22MB to 24MB). As the figures below show, AMD believes that both chips will be able to crack 60fps in the majority of games at 1080p Low settings using Radeon Super Resolution 2 upscaling technology.

Beyond the processor, we know that the ROG Ally will feature up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM (the same you'd find in a thin-and-light machine among the best gaming laptops) along with up to 512GB of high-speed PCIe 4.0 storage – no sluggish eMMC drives here, like the one you'll find in the cheapest model of the Steam Deck.

The display also heavily outclasses the Steam Deck. It's a 1080p panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 7ms response time, and it boasts 500 nits of maximum brightness compared to the Deck's 400. Sound is handled by a pair of front-firing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

The Ally will weigh 608g – that's heavier than the Nintendo Switch, but a bit lighter than the Steam Deck. And of course, the sleek design features RGB lighting around the analog sticks and lots of perforations for cooling – although we've seen that it can get pretty toasty while you're gaming.

Lastly, the Ally is fully compatible with existing ROG peripherals, so you can easily sync it up with your Asus headset or gamepad while it's docked. It can also be connected to the Asus XG Mobile external GPU to boost it up with an RTX 4090's worth of graphical power – though why you'd actually need to do that is anyone's guess.

The bottom line here is that the Asus ROG Ally is probably going to demolish every other gaming handheld on the market right now when it comes to performance – at least, until Nintendo and Valve get their hands on those shiny new AMD chips.

As we approach the May 11 launch of the Asus ROG Ally, the laptop manufacturer’s foray into PC handheld gaming, the media coverage and buzz around it is starting to intensify. And for good reason. Since the Steam Deck’s own launch last year, we’ve seen a market for portable gaming systems that can handle the best PC games grow out of thin air. And the ROG Ally is poised to take things even further, with a design and performance that could expand the market even further.

However, it’s not a perfect machine. There are setbacks that could either end up being minor stepping stones or could end up completely botching the ROG Ally’s launch and momentum. And considering that Asus put considerable effort and funding into this handheld, over five years according to a spokesperson, all that coming to nothing would be a shame considering this machine’s potential.

The good...

There are plenty of good things to say about the Asus ROG Ally even this early in the game. For one, the design is an excellent blend of looks and practicality. The white color immediately stands out, moving away from the gamer aesthetic in general and specifically away from the all-black of the Steam Deck. Then there’s the honeycomb design that makes the handheld pop, as well as the RGB lighting on both analog sticks. But the white color and holes in the chassis keep the system cool and sweat-free against your hands, handy for long gaming sessions. The RGB responses to various in-game commands, which adds a level of interactivity,

The entire system is also super lightweight, thanks to a combination of the holes in the chassis as well as the thin components that make up the insides. This works especially well for long sessions, including for holding certain positions that would most likely not cause fatigue an hour later. It has a familiar button layout, with the analog sticks and six trigger buttons particularly comfortable and easy to use.

What’s even more impressive is what’s under the hood; the CPU and GPU. The former is a Zen 4-powered AMD Ryzen Z1 chip while the latter is the XG mobile. Both work incredibly hard to deliver an incredible experience: a mix of smooth framerate, beautiful high-resolution graphics, ray tracing, and DirectX 11 and 12 support. I’m still floored by what Asus was able to accomplish with this portable and am truly excited to see how much further this tech can be pushed in the near future.

The bad...

While testing out the Asus ROG Ally, I and other colleagues did notice a significant issue. Though the system in general remained pretty cool, there was a lot of heat being generated through the top vents. Normally this could be something ignored due to the components’ power after a lengthy gaming session. But the overheating would occur merely several minutes after running the machine.

It’s most likely a byproduct of having such powerful specs in such a thin and light handheld. Or it could be that, unlike the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally’s vent is too close to areas that your hands will need to reach across for various buttons. A BIOS update could help mitigate this problem if Asus chooses to release one after launch. But overheating in general, especially when it’s severe enough, can cause absolute mayhem on components and shorten their lifespan. Hopefully, we’ll see a fix for it either by launch, or soon after.

...And the ugly

The elephant in the room is something that Asus has been actively avoiding revealing until the ROG Ally’s May launch, which is the availability and especially the pricing. We can assume the launch will most likely be a global one, or at least one for the US and UK as those are the two regions with press events. A global launch would be a strong statement of intent against the Steam Deck, which had to slowly roll out units across the globe months after the initial release.

But while launch regions can be worked out, the pricing is something that could absolutely make or break the ROG Ally. The Steam Deck had three models at different prices: a $399 version, a $529 model, and a $649 model. We’ve received confirmation from Asus that there will be two models, so it’s safe to assume that there won’t be a cheaper version considering the specs that went into it. But if this handheld hopes to compete with the Steam Deck, it needs to have a competitive price. 

And the statement that the ROG Ally will be under $1,000 is worrying. Gamers have proven in the past that no matter how powerful a system is, if the price is too much it will have a very limited audience willing or able to pay. And considering the cost of living crisis we’re currently in, one that’s already negatively affected PC and laptop sales, it’s safe to say that Asus’ pretty gaming toy will suffer if it costs too much.

Final thoughts

From what I’ve seen and played with during the recent media preview event, the Asus ROG Ally is an extremely impressive piece of technology. Not only does it have an excellent design, but the tailor-made components truly maximize its performance potential right out of the gate. It’s a well-crafted handheld that shows how much time, effort, and budget Asus poured into it, instead of it being some throwaway Steam Deck competitor.

But for all its positives, it has two major negatives that could impact sales momentum or even destroy its launch. If Asus has all the right answers then I will wholly admit to overreacting.

 But, as of right now, there’s just too much information being held back until launch day, and we’re less than a month away from that date. Asus, please don’t mess this up. The Asus ROG Ally and everyone who worked hard on it for over five years deserve better.

Spend a little time with Asus's new Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming device and you soon realize that, despite being announced on April Fool's Day, it's no laughing matter. For the uninitiated, it's a PC gaming handheld system that aims to avoid sacrificing performance or portability. 

Asus has been serious about dipping its toes into the portable market, and with this latest endeavor, it's clearly ready to dive in headfirst.

There are obvious comparisons between the ROG Ally and Valve's own Steam Deck, and while the former is clearly competing with the latter, Asus asserts that this portable was five years in the making. And after taking it for a brief spin, I found it to be an impressive machine that clearly has a lot of development behind it.

It'll be interesting to see how the Asus ROG Ally matches up against the Steam Deck and maybe even the Nintendo Switch, the dominant force in the handheld market. But considering the Switch has gone unchallenged for nearly an entire generation, it’s refreshing to see this much powerful competition.

Asus ROG Ally: Price and availability

Asus has been tight-lipped about the pricing and availability of its Asus ROG Ally. We know that it’ll be launching on May 11, 2023 and that, according to UK representatives, it’ll be priced under $1,000 (around £804 / AU$1,496) with two available models.

Otherwise, it's unclear how it’ll compare to its direct competition, the Steam Deck, in terms of price. The latter has three models: a $399 version, a $529 model, and a $649 model. Considering what’s under the hood for the ROG Ally, we can safely assume that there won’t be a $399 version. As for availability, we know it’ll most likely see release in the US and UK but have no details on other regions.

Asus ROG Ally: Design

The most noticeable aspect of the Asus ROG Ally is its distinctive white color and honeycomb design. The RGB lighting on each of the analog sticks also adds a beautiful touch to an already gorgeous chassis. 

It becomes apparent, when you pick up the ROG Ally, that the honeycomb design serves a more practical purpose of making the system lighter, which rings true with its impressive 608g weight. It’s a little narrower, lengthwise than the Steam Deck, and thinner overall. And yet it manages to look the part of a handheld, unlike the toy look of the Valve-made portable.

The lightweight is sure to be a huge benefit, as it’s easier to hold it for long periods of time. Its white chassis is sure to reduce the amount of heat being trapped in your hands, and that might reduce sweating for those lengthy gaming sessions. 

The analog sticks have a nice grip and seem to be of good quality. I also love the placement of the six triggers; four on the shoulders of the handheld and two on the back. They feel surprisingly natural to rest your fingers on and press, even the back ones.

The display is also quite impressive, a full HD with a 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, and 500 nits brightness that allows you to play it in any lighting condition. The audio quality is excellent as well, with surprisingly clear sound that reflects both the music and sound design of any game that you play.

The ventilation system was built with the prediction in mind that the handheld must adjust to the system being moved around at all times instead of being stationary like your PC or laptop. And it does do its job of keeping the system running smoothly during intense gameplay sessions. However, I did notice that it runs very hot at the top of the portable, where your fingers are likely to be. 

Asus ROG Ally: Performance

The ROG Ally has Windows 11 built in, which may sound risky considering all the various issues with the OS, but it ends up giving players more options and flexibility in how they use the device. 

Not only is having immediate access to this OS perfect for allowing full compatibility with Xbox Games Pass, Steam, EA App, and Epic Games Store’s libraries, but it also means that you can easily turn this portable into a mini desktop replacement by connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, without having to mess around with Linux, which you need to do with the Steam Deck.

It also runs Armoury Crate CE, which is the software that lets you control performance settings, customize key mapping, and more. The software itself tends to be a bit divisive among gamers but for this system, it works just fine.

Under the hood is far more interesting, as the thinner than the Steam Deck chassis contains both a full CPU and GPU. The CPU is a Zen 4-powered AMD Ryzen Z1 chip, which was developed by the chip maker specifically for the ROG Ally in order to better optimize for a mobile device. 

It also features AMD’s graphical RDNA3 technology which is even more impressive. The GPU is the XG mobile, normally a super compact yet powerful external GPU for PCs but it has been repurposed into an internal one for the handheld.

While trying out Ghostrunner, I was given the option of either playing with DirectX 11 or the more experimental (it states as such in the menu) DirectX 12. I chose DirectX 12 and the gameplay was extremely smooth with no noticeable slowdown, and the graphics were stunning. However, after I died in the game and reloaded, there was a massive slowdown until I reset and activated DirectX 11, which offered a far more stable experience.

Asus ROG Ally: Early verdict

From what I saw and played around with, I’m extremely and surprisingly impressed. Asus has put a considerable amount of effort into the development of the ROG Ally. If there’s one thing you take away from this hands-on preview, it’s that this is no throwaway plastic hunk of junk meant to be a cursory attempt at Steam Deck competition. 

This is a serious entry that’s poised to change the perception of what portable gaming systems can do.

However, my biggest concern is the pricing. As stacked as it is spec-wise, if the price is too high then it will fail to attract a proper audience. It can double as a desktop placement but most will still see this as primarily a gaming machine and most buyers are only willing to pay so much before it’s perceived as too expensive. Hopefully, Asus won’t disappoint in that regard, or it may find itself with a very costly dud on its hands.

Every gamer understands the sheer awesomeness that is RGB lighting - no gaming space is complete without it. And now with the capabilities of some accessories to sync with whatever’s on the screen to provide a fully immersive experience, there’s more reason than ever to complete your RGB setup.

Corsair is no stranger to making high-quality gaming rigs, peripherals, and accessories gamers have relied on for years, including some of their own RGB ambient lights. They appreciate that they aren’t the only game in town, but still want gamers to have a fully immersive RGB experience, so they’ve introduced a whole new way to sync your lights and create the perfect ambient setup.

iCue Murals offers players an easy, fun, and interactive way to control their lights and even create their own unique dynamic real-time lighting effects. iCue Murals works across every compatible RGB capable device, including keyboards, mice, and PC components, as well as smart lights - essentially giving gamers complete control over their entire RGB experience. Players can choose from several default options or upload their own image or video to get a perfectly personalized environment. 

The drag-and-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to change up and customize the effects to create the ideal RGB experience. Within Murals, players can simply drag any of their RGB compatible lights, components, or accessories over the specific part of the image that gives them the look they’re going for, making it incredibly easy to control their RGB lighting. 

Murals continues to build off of the already deeply customizable RGB system Corsair has built by adding additional functionality and support for third party products. Thanks to companies like Nanoleaf, Philips Hue, and others, gamers can take the RGB lighting they love so much in their keyboards and peripherals, and outfit their entire gaming space with them. And these lights have only gotten smarter and more capable over the years, to where now they can actually sync with some games to change the ambient lighting in the room based on what’s happening in the game environment. 

Murals brings all these devices together into one simple interface, so every gamer can experience the fun and immersiveness offered with RGB lights. For gamers who want even more control, Corsair’s Lighting Layers and Lighting Link open up even more advanced options.

Download the latest version of iCue now to unlock the ultimate immersive gaming experience. 

A comfortable, ergonomic mouse is vital for hardcore and professional gamers, and can be just as important to workers and creatives who spend hours using one. Now, a company called Formify has taken a well-fitting form factor to the next level with 3D-printed mice that are customized to fit each individual’s hand.

You would first send a picture of your hand, palm up and fingers slightly splayed, to the company, which the company then analyzes using an AI to record your hand’s shape, size, finger width and length, and more. The mouse is shaped and created based on that same hand data and uses HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) technology to construct the mouse. It basically uses thin layers of resin powder that are treated and then heated to layer them. Users can also choose between five different grip textures that are added during the process.

Not only are these mice ergonomic, but come with some impressive specs too. The mice are equipped with Kailh GM 8.0 micro switches, 26,000 DPI optical sensor with a tracking speed of 650 inches per second, and a charge that lasts for two weeks at a time. Suffice to say, this mouse just might be as premium as the best gaming mouse from industry heavyweights like Razer, SteelSeries, and Logitech.

Formify has taken its project to Kickstarter in order to crowdfund its mice-making dream, in which the company seeks to raise about $30,000 in just over 32 days. So far it’s made almost $9,000 at the time of this writing. The lowest price backers can pay for the mouse is $142, but the price can go as high as $179 when it ships in December 2023.

The perfect target audience

If this Kickstarter proves successful and the project moves to completion, this could be an incredibly useful resource for those with disabilities. Microsoft has already launched its own 3D-printed customizable adaptive controllers, and Sony announced its own PS5 version of the same in January 2023. There’s definitely a market for it, and Formify’s version could end up being a boon for those who have special needs regarding a comfortable mouse.

There’s another market that these controllers could target, one that’s sizable but often gets the short end of the stick when it comes to ergonomic gaming or productivity mice: left-handed people.

Left-handed users could finally enjoy benefits similar to the best mice on the market that are all too often made with only right-handed people in mind, and it wouldn’t cost much more than many of those, while completely conforming to their grip style and hand shape and size. This is definitely one Kickstarter I’d love to see succeed.