Tablets make the perfect first device for a kid. They're much better suited to static, supervised use than a smartphone, can shrug off damage that would leave a laptop in pieces, and can be used as easily for watching YouTube or playing Minecraft as they are for schoolwork or other more practical activities. So all you have to do is pick which one makes sense for you.

You could of course just pick up one of the best iPads. Apple's had the whole tablet thing sorted for years at this point, even on the standard model we recommend in this guide. But you should also check out the offerings below from Amazon and OnePlus - for their value and versatility respectively.

It's hard to know what your kid will need from a tablet as they get older, but these options will go the distance if you need them to. Check our main best tablets and best Android tablets guides if you need more recommendations, but here are the best kids tablets you can buy right now.

Best tablet for kids

It's hard to think of a tablet without immediately picturing an iPad. And fortunately, when shopping for a kid-friendly slate, the 11th-gen iPad is indeed the best option for most people.

Even though it is Apple's cheapest, most basic tablet model, the standard iPad has more than enough power, storage and battery performance to last your kid for years, even if they start to need a device for schoolwork as well as entertainment. Just grab one of Apple's own keyboard cases and Apple Pencil styluses (or one of the many third-party options) and bam, you basically have a laptop.

There are no Apple Intelligence AI features present due to this slate's older chipset, but that probably won't bother your child that much. It's also the most expensive option on this list, which may feel a risky option depending on how your child likes to treat their tech. But rest assured that for older, more careful kids, the iPad 11 would be a smart investment.

Read the full iPad 11 review

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Best budget tablet for kids

Although it's a couple of years old, the Fire HD 10 is still Amazon's latest and best option for an affordable tablet that will give you or a younger user all the basics.

As well as the price being appealing, the rugged plastic design hopefully means even the standard non-Kids edition will survive even the roughest treatment. Amazon's built-in kids apps provide a perfect child-ready entertainment suite, and if you want to use it yourself, you may find the strong integration with Alexa and your smart home gadgets rather handy too.

The main limitation is the Fire OS operating system; you get all the basic streaming apps you could want, but the gaming experience leaves a lot to be desired due to limited compatible titles and an old low-powered chipset. Plus there's a bunch of bloatware apps that you cannot remove if you decide you don't want them, not to mention the adverts you are subjected to unless you pay to remove them. If you can live with this though, you are unlikely to find a better value tablet for your family to use.

Read the full Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) review

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Best Android tablet for kids

The closest you can get to an iPad running Android is the OnePlus Pad Go 2. But OnePlus' tablet has more going for it than just its resemblance to an Apple product.

You won't be wanting for screen space with the Pad Go 2's big 12.1-inch, 2.8k resolution display. Streaming video and games look and run brilliantly, as does the Android-based OxygenOS operating system. OnePlus' Open Canvas system being a great productivity tool as well, letting you open multiple apps across its spacious display - ideal if this needs to be a tablet for studying too.

Our only complaints are the rather plain design, which may also be a little too big for small hands to use comfortably, and the charging speed remaining a slow 33W. But keep the OnePlus Pad Go 2 topped up regularly, and you'll likely have no trouble from the tablet's primary user.

Read the full OnePlus Pad Go 2 review

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How we test tablets

Our reviewers test the best tablets at home and in the office, and work with Future Labs to test them in our performance laboratory; specifically for tablets with US availability.

We use tablets in our daily lives every day, and will replace our work laptop computers with a tablet for regular use and testing. We travel with tablets and use them extensively for work and personal travel. We use tablets for fun, for games, for creating art, for getting work done, and for doing nothing at all.

The best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers have grown rather plentiful now that Nintendo’s current-generation console has been with us for about a year now. That also means the space can be quite daunting if you’re looking for a top-tier controller that’s a bit sturdier than the included Joy-Con 2.

Now, the brand’s official option, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, is brilliant and likely will be your first port of call when it comes to buying a dedicated controller for the handheld hybrid. However, as it’s on the pricier side (and has been the subject of price hikes in the US), it’s taking up our ‘best premium’ spot in this list. It’s still very much worthy of consideration, though, especially with its luxurious feel and class-leading battery life.

My personal choice for the best overall Nintendo Switch 2 controller is the 8BitDo Pro 3. Not only is it cheaper than Nintendo’s official offering, it’s packed with features, has excellent build quality, and solid battery life. So, whether you’re after an all-rounder like the Pro 3, something cheaper, or ideal for Nintendo Switch Online’s retro game libraries, read on to learn more about my top picks.

The best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers in 2026

Best overall Nintendo Switch 2 controller

Great build quality, superb features, and generous battery life, all at a very reasonable price? For my money, the 8BitDo Pro 3 is the best overall Nintendo Switch 2 controller available right now.

Don't be fooled by its retro, SNES-inspired looks; there are so many cool features packed into the Pro 3 it's enough to make your head spin. Drift-resisting TMR sticks, digital trigger locks, two sets of extra remappable buttons (two on the rear, and a pair of claw grip bumpers up top), and hot-swappable magnetic face buttons are just the icing on the cake.

Usually, a feature set as stacked as this would demand a triple-digit sum. And yet the 8BitDo Pro 3 is offering it all for less than $60 / £50. It's also home to one of the best d-pads I've ever used, with a rugged texture and tactile feel that makes it feel so nice under your thumb. Battery life is pretty great, too, offering around 20 hours on a single charge, and an included charging dock for when you need to top up.

If you have the budget necessary, and you can only buy one controller on this list, make it the 8BitDo Pro 3. It may be missing the absolutely stellar battery life and build quality of our best premium pick below, but it ultimately wins the war on the features front.

• Read more: 8BitDo Pro 3 review

Best budget Nintendo Switch 2 controller

The GameSir Nova Lite is a bit of an older controller, predating the Nintendo Switch 2 by around a year or so. However, the impression it left on me as a budget controller hasn't waned in the time since I reviewed it. This is a genuinely cheap controller that I'd recommend to just about anyone, even if your own budget is more generous.

I've lost count of the number of GameSir controllers I've reviewed over the years, including the excellent GameSir G7 Pro and GameSir Tarantula Pro. The Nova Lite remains one of my favorites, as it offers drift-resisting Hall effect sticks and surprisingly solid build quality for the price.

It also just sits so comfortably in the hands; GameSir clearly cares a lot about ergonomics, even on its cheaper kit like the Nova Lite. It also supports 2.4GHz wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth, which isn't something you see often among cheap controllers.

There are compromises, though. There's no gyro aiming here, and battery life is a pretty middling 10 or so hours. But if you haven't the budget for other controllers featured in this guide, I can confidently say you won't feel short-changed by the GameSir Nova Lite.

• Read more: GameSir Nova Lite review

Best premium Nintendo Switch 2 controller

In my original review, I named the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller "the best" for the platform. So what's changed? Well, for one, this was at launch, and before serious competitors like the 8BitDo Pro 3 emerged. It's also really pricey at retail, coming in at $89.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95. That US price is especially noteworthy, as the pad was subjected to a price hike in the region not long after launch (it was $84.99 before that).

That's a fair bit of dooming up front, I admit. The good news is that I still wholeheartedly recommend the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Build quality is second-to-none, bearing a smooth matte finish that feels great in hand. The thumbsticks share that overt feeling of smoothness, too, and despite not bearing any anti-drift tech like Hall effect or TMR, I've yet to experience any issues with them.

A new addition here is the pair of remappable buttons on the rear of the pad. You can assign these on a per-game basis by opening up the Switch 2's quick menu while in-game, making it a breeze to load in secondary inputs if you need or want them.

Finally, you're getting all the Nintendo niceties and conveniences here. That includes easy access to firmware updates, native wireless connectivity, gyro aiming, and an NFC reader for amiibo scanning. Battery life is also best-in-class, with around 40 hours or so per charge.

• Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review

Best Nintendo Switch 2 controller for retro games

The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service plays host to a variety of retro game console libraries, all streamable to your Switch 2 with no downloads. There's a market for retro-inspired controllers, then, and Nintendo's own Switch 2 GameCube Controller is perhaps chief among them.

Yet I've gone for the excellent BattlerGC Pro over Nintendo's official option. Why? The main point of contention is that the official GameCube controller requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to buy. And yes, you'll probably already be subscribed if you're shopping for a retro game-facing controller. But if not, that's an extra irksome hurdle you might not want to pay for.

Plus, I find the BattlerGC Pro to be just a bit more comfortable to use, and is more versatile than the warts-and-all GameCube controller in that it has working clickable thumbsticks, and an extra bumper button. As a result, the BattlerGC Pro is a much better all-rounder, mixing a retro design with more contemporary features. So you're getting a 'best of both worlds' experience here.

The official GameCube model does have the BattlerGC Pro beat on battery life, though. It offers around 25-30 hours of battery life, with the BattlerGC Pro putting in a paltry 10 hours at best. Both are solid options for retro gaming sessions, but the latter still just about wins out for me on versatility alone. That said, you can read more about the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller below in our 'also consider' section.

• Read more: BattlerGC Pro review

Best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers - FAQs

More Nintendo Switch 2 controllers to consider

Your phone is already in your hand. You're scrolling through reels, refreshing feeds, doing absolutely nothing productive with it. What if those same minutes turned into actual cash?

That's the promise of survey and poll apps. And some of them deliver on it, while most don't.

I've been using OnePulse for a while now. Three questions, under 60 seconds, up to $0.40 per pulse. It's fast and fun, but the $20 monthly cashout cap and the fact that pulses close within seconds made me wonder, “Are there better options out there?”

So I tested seven of the most popular survey and poll apps to find out. I looked at three things that actually matter. How much you earn per minute of your time, how easily you can get your money out, and how often you get disqualified before finishing a survey (because nothing kills motivation faster than spending 10 minutes on a survey only to get booted at the end). Here's what I found.

If you're on the other side and want to create surveys for your own projects or business, we’ve covered the best survey tools in a separate guide.

Best apps to earn money from surveys and polls: TL;DR

The best survey and poll app of 2026 in full:

Best pay per minute

Prolific connects you with actual researchers from universities like Harvard and King's College, as well as AI developers who need human feedback. The result? Studies that pay between $8 and $15 per hour, consistently.

What makes it different is the type of work. See, you're not just clicking through surveys with "Which cereal brand do you prefer" type of questions. Some tasks involve editing AI-generated text, judging chatbot responses, or annotating data. If you’re lucky enough, the AI training roles can pay up to $25 per hour, which is genuinely hard to find in this space.

The best part? There are almost zero disqualifications. Prolific matches you to studies before they hit your dashboard, so if a study shows up, you're already qualified. Compare that to Survey Junkie's low qualification rate, and you'll see why this matters. But then you won't find hundreds of studies waiting for you. A handful appear each day, and the good ones fill up in minutes. I learned that the hard way and ended up turning on browser notifications just to stand a chance at grabbing a decent Prolific study before it was gone.

Prolific is also strictly web-based, with no dedicated app. The lack of it does feel a bit limiting if you’re used to doing everything on your phone. And while the payouts are pretty straightforward, everything goes through PayPal.

Minimum cashout is around $6 (£5), and withdrawals are processed on Tuesdays and Fridays. After your first four payouts, you get to access the instant transfers feature, too.

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Best experience

If you want surveys and nothing else, Survey Junkie is the simplest option out there. It is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, with over 20 million members and backing from DISQO.

The interface is clean, and the transparency gives you a clear view of what you’re doing. Every survey shows a "points-per-minute" metric upfront, so you can quickly decide if it’s worth it. Most surveys pay around 3 to 5 cents per minute, though I’ve seen some hit 19 cents for shorter ones.

You can also try the "Surf to Earn" feature if you're comfortable sharing browsing data for passive points. But that's a personal privacy call.

While using Survey Junkie, there’s one small detail most people miss. There are these colored diamonds next to each survey telling you how likely you are to qualify. If you see green or aqua diamonds, you’re in luck. These surveys are more general and easier to get into, so you’re far less likely to get screened out halfway through. On the other hand, red and amber diamonds usually mean the survey is looking for a very specific type of participant. Unless you fit that exact profile, there’s a good chance you’ll get disqualified after answering a few questions.

On the downside, even if you play it smart, you’ll only qualify for roughly one in five surveys you attempt. Getting screened out is part of the experience. But to its credit, Survey Junkie does soften the blow a little. If you get screened out, you’ll usually receive a small consolation prize of around 3 points. It is modest, but better than leaving empty-handed.

For payouts, you can cash out via PayPal, often instantly, as well as through bank transfer or gift cards for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and others.

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Best for multi-tasking

Out of all the tools on this list, Swagbucks feels more like a rewards ecosystem than a simple survey platform. It lets you earn through surveys, shopping cashback, streaming, gaming offers, web search rewards, and even a browser extension that runs passively. For those who prefer stacking multiple small income streams, Swagbucks offers a versatile and flexible approach.

The system is straightforward; you earn points called SB, where 100 SB equals $1. These points can be redeemed for PayPal cash, gift cards, or prepaid cards. Gift cards start at around $3 (300 SB), while PayPal withdrawals typically require a higher threshold. In my experience, gift cards usually arrive within 24 to 48 hours, while PayPal takes about 3 to 5 business days.

While surveys are still the bread and butter, the disqualification rate can be frustrating. One tester was screened out of 75% of attempts, which lines up with what I’ve seen. When you do qualify, payouts typically range from $0.50 to $2 per survey. Across all earning methods, a one-hour test brought in about $4.83, which feels decent for this category.

I know how Swagbucks’ gaming section sounds exciting on paper, with some offers exceeding $600, but there’s a catch. These are typically “offer wall” deals where you’re rewarded for hitting certain milestones in a game, like reaching a level or completing in-app tasks. In reality, that often means weeks of grinding or putting money up front, so I wouldn’t really call it free money.

If you shop online regularly, you’re probably leaving money on the table without the SwagButton browser extension. It works quietly in the background, picking up cashback where it can. Add in the occasional discounted gift cards, where a $5 Amazon card might cost only 450 SB, and you start to see the extra value.

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Best OnePulse alternative

If you like OnePulse’s quick-poll format but want more ways to earn, Toluna feels like a natural step up. It’s available across 60+ countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and much of Europe and Asia, so it has a broader global reach than most platforms in this space.

Beyond standard surveys, Toluna includes short, opinion-based polls that feel more like social media prompts than formal questionnaires. I like how it leans towards building and nurturing a community. You can interact with other users, vote on trending topics, join discussions, and even create your own polls or content to see how others respond.

The points system takes some getting used to. Around 3,000 points equals $1. Most surveys pay between 2,000 and 6,000 points, which works out to roughly $0.67 to $2 per survey. A tester measured the average hourly rate at about $3.43, which is mid-range for this category.

The daily Toluna Wheel offers you one free spin per day and gives you anywhere from 40 to 200 points. It's a small, fun feature, but it adds up when you're consistent.

But keep in mind that if you don’t use your points within 12 months of earning them, they can expire. Even with regular use, older points can quietly drop off, so it’s usually better to cash out once in a while instead of waiting to redeem everything in one go. The minimum payout typically ranges from $5 to $10, and processing times vary by reward. In most cases, redemptions take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

On the plus side, PayPal, gift cards, and even charity donations are all supported. And if you prefer not to rely on the web version, Toluna also offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android.

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Best beginner friendly

Branded Surveys is one of the more beginner-friendly platforms on this list. The dashboard is clean, point values are easy to understand, and the minimum cashout has been lowered to $5 from $10. You also get a 100-point ($1) welcome bonus just for signing up, so you can start earning right away.

When it comes to payouts, you have a few solid options, including PayPal, direct bank transfer (US only), and gift cards for Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, and more. Silver and Gold tier members also get access to instant payout processing.

While trying out Branded Surveys, most surveys took between 5 and 20 minutes at most, which feels reasonable. The system itself is simple. Each point is worth $0.01, and the surveys typically pay between $0.50 and $5. There’s also a daily poll that takes less than a minute, but gives you 5 points. It’s not much, but it’s one of those small things that add up if you stay consistent.

I was curious about their Branded Elite loyalty program, so I decided to test it out, too. Complete at least 12 surveys per week, and you unlock tiered bonuses on your total earnings. Bronze gets you a 5% boost, Silver pushes it higher, and Gold members can earn up to 19% extra on top of everything they’ve made that week. Unlike leaderboard systems that only reward top earners, this one benefits anyone who shows up and uses Branded Surveys regularly.

That said, it’s limited to the US, UK, and Canada, so if you’re outside those three, this is one you can skip.

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Best for product reviews

I almost didn't include Pinecone Research. Two years ago, it would have topped this list. Today, it's a cautionary tale about what happens when a great platform changes too much.

Pinecone Research is owned by Nielsen, one of the biggest names in market research. It used to be invite-only, paid a guaranteed flat $3 per survey, rarely disqualified anyone, and offered PayPal payouts. That combination made it legendary in survey communities.

Here's what's changed: Pinecone Research is now open to everyone. The consistent $3 rate has dropped to $0.50 to $1 for many surveys. PayPal has been removed as a payout option. The minimum cashout was raised from $3 to $10.

And worst of all, users now report getting spammed with survey invites they don't qualify for, sometimes spending 40 minutes answering questions before getting screened out.

So why include it at all? Two reasons. First, you'll still see it recommended on every other survey list because most writers haven't updated their research. You deserve to know the current reality. Second, it still offers occasional product testing (you sometimes get actual products shipped to your door), and a $5 sign-up bonus for completing the welcome survey. If you treat it as a supplement, not a primary app, it can still add a few dollars.

Payout is now through gift cards, prepaid Visa cards, or bank transfer. But also know that the points expire after 12 months of inactivity.

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Most straightforward

Google Opinion Rewards is the lowest-effort survey app you'll ever use. Each survey is 1 to 3 questions, takes under 30 seconds, and pays between $0.10 and $1. You'll get about one survey per week, sometimes more if you keep location tracking on.

That's the whole pitch. There's no complex point system, profile surveys to grind through, or a disqualification gauntlet. Google sends you a notification, you tap through a few multiple-choice questions, and credits appear in your account. The surveys are mostly about places you've visited, purchases you've made, or quick opinion polls.

On Android, you earn Google Play credits (useful for apps, games, movies, subscriptions). On iOS, you get actual PayPal cash once you hit the $2 threshold. A lot of people don't realize the PayPal option exists on iPhone, which is worth knowing.

The obvious downside is that you're not going to earn much. A few dollars per month at best. And Google Play credits are locked to the Google ecosystem, so if you're an iPhone user, getting PayPal is actually the better deal.

Like Pinecone Research, the credit that you earn through Google Opinion Rewards are bound to expire one year from the date you've earned it. So it's better to use them when you can, maybe on a Black Friday sale on the Play Store, or when you want to renew your YouTube Premium subscription.

Pro tip: turn on location services. Surveys tied to places you’ve actually visited, like a store or restaurant, can pay around $0.50 compared to about $0.14 for generic ones. Same 20 seconds, nearly triple the payout.

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Further reading

The biggest mistakes are simple. People rely on just one app, let points expire, rush through surveys, skip profile setup, and believe unrealistic earnings claims. Fix these, and you’ll qualify for more surveys, avoid losing points, and make better use of your time.

Relying on just one app: Survey supply dries up fast on any single platform. Prolific might give you three studies today and nothing tomorrow. Survey Junkie might run out of matching surveys by lunchtime. It’s best to try a stack of 3 to 4 apps. It’ll be enough that you always have something available when you check your phone.

Ignoring points expiry: This one catches people off guard. Toluna expires your points 12 months after you earn them, even if you're still active. Google Opinion Rewards credits expire after one year. Pinecone kills your balance after 12 months of inactivity. Survey Junkie is more forgiving (points stay alive if you complete one survey every 12 months), but the lesson is the same: cash out at the minimum threshold. Don't let balances sit.

Rushing through surveys: It sounds counterintuitive, but going too fast costs you money. Platforms use attention checks (simple math problems, "select the non-living object," trick questions) to catch people who aren't reading. Fail these, and you get flagged. Get flagged enough, and you lose access to surveys or get your account suspended. Take an extra 30 seconds per survey.

Skipping profile setup: Incomplete profiles mean the platform can't match you to the right surveys. The result? More disqualifications, fewer invites, and lower earnings across the board. Survey Junkie's colored diamond system literally depends on your profile data to show you easier-to-qualify surveys. Complete every single profile questionnaire on day one. It's boring, but it pays off immediately.

Falling for unrealistic earnings claims: Any app promising $50 or more per hour is lying. The realistic range across all survey apps is $2 to $15 per hour, with Prolific at the top and most others landing between $2 and $5. Setting the right expectation up front saves you from frustration later.

Best best survey and poll apps FAQs

Building a full-stack application with one of the best vibe coding platforms can be as easy as describing what you are trying to build to a friend.

Simply explain what you are trying to create using natural language, and a few minutes later, you have a platform that, with a little editing, can eradicate 6-month backlogs and $50k MVP budgets.

Of course, vibe coding isn't perfect, but picking the right tool will help iron out many potential hiccups - whether that be security concerns or limited budgets.

Vercel v0 tops our list of the best vibe coding tools in 2026. This is thanks to its ability to combine designer-grade React components with a time-proven security layer - helping close the "prototype-to-production" gap.

10 best vibe coding tools of 2026

Best overall

Vercel v0 has evolved from a simple UI generator into a complete frontend development platform leading in the vibe coding space.

Launched by Vercel in late 2024, v0 is powered by custom AI models trained to generate high-quality React components. What sets it apart is its focus on code quality and security. The platform has blocked over 100,000 insecure deployments since launch, addressing one of vibe coding's biggest criticisms.

At a glance

The core workflow is beautifully simple. You describe what you want in natural language, and v0 generates a live preview alongside clean React code. But the real magic happens in Design Mode, introduced in mid-2025. This feature lets you refine spacing, colors, and layouts visually while v0 maintains the underlying code structure.

Performance has improved dramatically throughout 2025. The v0-1.0-md model, released in May through an OpenAI-compatible API, integrates with IDEs like Cursor for more manual refining. Response times are near-instant. The platform now handles complex multi-component applications that would have stumped earlier versions.

Features

We've seen developers use v0 to scaffold entire SaaS dashboards in hours. The platform's integration with Vercel's infrastructure is a major advantage. One-click deployment, automatic SSL certificates, and edge hosting mean you could go from prompt to production URL in minutes in some cases.

Recent additions include backend capabilities with Supabase and Neon database integration. This pushes v0 beyond pure frontend work, though it still leans heavily toward UI generation. But the security features distinguish v0 from more well-rounded competitors as a specialized platform.

Every code generation passes through security analysis that checks for common vulnerabilities. This includes exposed environment variables, insecure API calls, and improper authentication patterns. It’s made v0 popular with businesses that can't afford security incidents from AI-generated code.

Pricing and value for money

The pricing model is effort-based rather than subscription-only. You can use v0 for free with rate limits, or subscribe to Pro ($20/month) for unlimited generations and advanced features. Enterprise plans add custom security policies, dedicated support, and higher rate limits.

Where v0 falls short is backend complexity. While recent updates added server logic and database support, the platform still specializes primarily at generating frontend components and simple full-stack apps. Complex backend workflows, custom authentication systems, or intricate business logic often require moving to a full IDE.

The platform has strong momentum. Vercel raised $250 million in late 2025 specifically to invest in v0's development and the product surpassed 100 million user interactions. That investment shows in the regular feature releases, including improved error handling, better context awareness, and expanded framework support.

Verdict

We recommend v0 for teams that need production-quality frontend code fast. It's ideal for design-to-code workflows, rapid prototyping, and building polished UI components that slot into existing projects. The security focus and code quality make it suitable for professional development, not just quick demos.

For pure frontend work or design-heavy applications, v0 is hard to beat. You get the speed of AI generation with the polish of hand-crafted code.

Best for small businesses and entrepreneurs

Hostinger Horizons takes a very different approach to vibe coding than v0 by bundling everything you need into one integrated platform. This includes AI code generation, hosting, domains, and email.

Launched in March 2025, it's designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses who want to build web apps without juggling multiple services.

At a glance

Hostinger’s all-in-one approach eliminates the friction of connecting AI-generated code to hosting infrastructure. The development experience centers on a chat interface where you describe your app idea in any of 80+ supported languages. Horizons generates code in real-time, showing a live preview alongside the chat.

You can refine with additional prompts, upload sketches for visual reference, or even use voice commands. Once you're satisfied, deployment is literally one click—no configuring servers, setting up SSL certificates, or managing DNS records.

Features

What makes Horizons unique is how it removes post-development headaches.

Most vibe coding tools generate code and leave you to figure out deployment. Horizons handles hosting on Hostinger's infrastructure, provides free SSL, manages backups automatically, and even helps with domain registration.

For users without technical backgrounds, Horizons’ integrations can be transformative. We tested building a task management app and went from initial prompt to a publicly accessible URL in under 15 minutes. The platform recently added several features that bring it closer to competing with established tools.

Select-and-edit functionality lets you highlight specific elements in the preview and modify them directly, rather than writing new prompts. The new communication and coding agents, powered by Google's Gemini 3 model, deliver more accurate code and better understand ambiguous requests. Autofix success rates jumped from 50% to 80% with this update.

Horizons supports common integrations like payment processor Stripe, Supabase for databases, and various APIs through straightforward configuration. The built-in CMS handles content management without additional tools. For ecommerce applications, there's full integration with Hostinger's ecommerce engine, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping configuration.

The remixable templates feature, introduced late in 2025, creates an interesting ecosystem. Users can build web apps or websites, publish them as templates, and earn up to $150 per referral when others customize them. It's early days, but the marketplace system could accelerate the availability of starting points for common use cases.

Pricing and value for money

Pricing is competitive and transparent. Plans start at $9.99/month ($6.99 on offer) for the Explorer tier, which lets you build 1 website or app with 30 credits per month as well as full SEO and AI search optimization. Higher tiers add more AI credits, advanced features, and priority support.

There's a seven-day free trial with five messages. That's enough to test whether Horizons fits your needs without commitment.

Verdict

The main limitation is platform maturity. Horizons launched only last year, and while it's improved rapidly, the template library is smaller than that of established competitors. Complex applications with sophisticated logic or unusual requirements may push beyond what the platform handles elegantly. It's best suited for standard web apps, internal business tools, and straightforward SaaS products.

We particularly appreciate how Horizons makes vibe coding accessible to existing Hostinger customers. If you're already using Hostinger for hosting or using Hostinger's website builder, Horizons can remove the hassle of looking for a separate vibe coding environment entirely.

Hostinger Horizons is ideal for solopreneurs, startups, and small businesses that want a complete solution without technical complexity. It means less time configuring tools and more time building features.

Best for site and app scaling

Wix Harmony represents Wix's flagship answer to the vibe coding revolution, announced in January 2026 as a direct challenge to standalone platforms like Loveable and Bolt.

Rather than treating vibe coding and visual editing as separate experiences, Harmony merges them into what Wix calls "the first-of-its-kind hybrid" that lets you flow naturally between natural language prompts and pixel-perfect manual control.

At a glance

At the core of Harmony is Aria, Wix's proprietary AI agent specialized in building production-ready websites. Unlike typical vibe coding tools, where AI changes can sometimes break your code unexpectedly, Aria understands the full site context.

You can ask for anything from simple color palette updates to complete page redesigns or adding commerce functionality. Aria applies changes across your entire site without introducing bugs or breaking functionality.

You also benefit from the same reliable infrastructure that powers all other Wix websites, with a 99.99% uptime guarantee, SSL certificates, and professional security monitoring.

Features

Apart from the reliability of Wix hardware, built-in business capabilities include advanced commerce, scheduling, transactions, payment processing, accessibility monitoring, industry-leading SEO and GEO tools, and privacy-by-design infrastructure compliant with GDPR . Clearly, Wix wants to convey that Harmony sites aren't just MVPs but genuinely ready for production and scale.

Your workflow is designed with an emphasis on flexibility. Generate sections, pages, or custom components through conversational prompts, then switch instantly to drag-and-drop editing for precise refinement. Changes save automatically, but you maintain full control over every design decision. Aria can create native components with built-in logic and editable code, providing depth beyond surface-level generation.

However, this is still a brand-new product with limited real-world testing. The gradual rollout over the coming weeks means availability may vary based on where you're located. Early adopters will essentially be beta testing the platform, though our own tests generate satisfactory results.

Pricing and value for money

On the plus side, Harmony is included in all Wix website builder plans at no extra cost, even the free tier. There's no $20-50/month vibe coding subscription, at least for now. For existing Wix users, Harmony simply becomes an extension of their existing website and app building toolkit. For new users, you can start building immediately without any payments.

Verdict

We see Wix Harmony as ideal for existing Wix users wanting faster creation, businesses prioritizing reliability over cutting-edge features, and teams comfortable with Wix's ecosystem who want AI acceleration. The enterprise infrastructure and zero additional cost make it compelling for risk-averse organizations.

But for those already committed to standalone vibe coding platforms or needing bleeding-edge AI capabilities, the gradual rollout and newness may warrant a wait-and-see approach.

Best for enterprise

OutSystems represents the enterprise end of the vibe coding spectrum.

Rather than pure AI code generation, it combines low-code visual development with AI assistance through its Mentor feature. The company has been in the low-code space since well before vibe coding emerged, giving it mature infrastructure that large organizations trust.

At a glance

Over 2,000 customers, including Fortune 500 companies, use OutSystems for mission-critical applications. Mentor, OutSystems' answer to vibe coding, enables what the company calls "enterprise vibe coding." You describe application requirements in natural language, and Mentor generates application blueprints — including data models, user interfaces, screens, and business logic.

Unlike pure vibe coding tools, Mentor shows you the plan first. This lets you review and refine before generating actual code. Having a human in the loop prevents the runaway generation issues that can plague fully autonomous AI agents.

Features

OutSystems is very serious about governance and security. Every application goes through proper development lifecycle management with version control, testing environments, security scanning, and compliance checks. For regulated industries like banking, healthcare, and insurance, this is pretty much non-negotiable.

Agent Workbench, launched publicly in late 2025, extends OutSystems into agentic AI territory. It lets organizations build custom AI agents that automate workflows, integrate with core systems, and handle complex business processes. But the real difference from consumer vibe coding tools is the added enterprise context. Agents can securely access SAP, Dynamics, or proprietary APIs without the data exposure risks of generic LLMs. Data Fabric provides a virtual data layer that connects to organizational data securely.

Recent updates to Mentor include natural language processing improvements that allow more fluid, real-time dialogue instead of single-prompt interactions. The integration of Mentor directly into ODC Studio as an AI copilot brings assistance right where developers work. For teams modernizing legacy applications, Mentor can help accelerate migration from older platforms to modern tech stacks.

The learning curve is steeper than pure vibe coding platforms. OutSystems positions itself as a strategic platform requiring upfront investment in training and setup. Business users can't independently build complex applications the way they might with Hostinger Horizons or Loveable.

You need developer knowledge to make full use of the platform's capabilities, but the performance is solid for experienced teams. Development velocity increases significantly compared to traditional coding, though perhaps not as dramatically as with pure vibe coding for simple apps.

Pricing and value for money

OutSystems is best at building complex, production-grade applications with proper architecture, scalability, and maintainability from day one. While the pricing isn't publicly disclosed, OutSystems can generate a quote for you based on specific requirements and scale.

This is typical for enterprise platforms, but might frustrate smaller organizations with specialized needs that want to evaluate costs upfront. The company surpassed $580 million in annual revenue in 2025, indicating strong enterprise demand despite premium pricing.

Verdict

We recommend OutSystems for large enterprises with established developer teams who need the reliability and governance of low-code combined with AI acceleration. It's ideal for organizations in regulated industries, those modernizing legacy systems, or other companies with heavy compliance and security requirements.

For traditional vibe coding use cases like rapid prototyping, simple apps, or enabling non-developers, there are more accessible options. But for enterprise-grade development with AI assistance, OutSystems delivers proven infrastructure.

Best for rapid prototyping

Replit has gone from being a browser-based coding playground to a full-fledged vibe coding platform centered on its AI Agent.

Agent 3, launched in late 2025, represents a major leap in autonomy. It can work for up to 200 minutes independently, test itself, fix bugs, and even build other agents.

At a glance

Replit is a platform where AI doesn't just assist development but performs it. The platform became "Agent-first" throughout 2025, orienting its entire experience around conversational development. You tell Agent what you want to build, and it handles everything from writing code to deploying the application.

For users with no coding background (who now represent 75% of Replit's customer base, according to CEO Amjad Masad), this is a big accessibility leap. People from sales, HR, and operations teams use Replit to build tools their companies need without waiting months for engineering resources.

Features

Agent 3's improvements are substantial compared to earlier versions. It's said to be at least 10 times more autonomous, with the ability to create complete workflows and automate repetitive tasks. Design Mode, introduced in November 2025, generates interactive designs in under two minutes.

Fast Build mode produces high-fidelity applications in similar timeframes. The speed gains throughout 2025 delivered 2-3x improvements across multiple updates.

And, built-in services eliminate much of the complexity that typically slows development. Replit Auth handles user authentication with zero configuration. What used to require days of integration now works through a single Agent prompt. Database integration, domain purchasing, Stripe payments, and monitoring are all included and plug in cleanly without troublesome API key management.

This mirrors Hostinger Horizons' philosophy but with more developer-friendly tooling. The platform supports real-time multiplayer collaboration, letting teams work on the same project simultaneously. For distributed teams or educational settings, this makes Replit compelling.

You can clone and remix from over 33 million community projects, providing starting points for almost any type of application you might want to build.

Partnerships have also strengthened Replit's position significantly. For example, a recent deal with Microsoft brings Replit to Azure with deep cloud integration and eventual availability through the Azure Marketplace. Meanwhile, Google partnerships integrate Gemini models and Google Cloud services.

Security still remains something of a concern, however. Cybersecurity firm Tenzai recently found that Replit and other AI coding tools can ship apps with critical vulnerabilities. While Replit has improved its security scanning, generated code still requires careful review for production deployments.

Pricing and value for money

Pricing uses an effort-based model that aligns costs with usage. The Starter tier is free with limitations. Core ($20/month) includes AI credits for Agent usage. Teams ($35/user/month) adds collaboration features.

But the variable nature of effort-based pricing means bills can spike if Agent works longer than expected on complex tasks. This is a frustration we encountered during testing, when debugging consumed way more credits than initial development and design. The platform requires internet connectivity for AI processing, which limits offline work compared to local IDEs.

For developers wanting to work without network access or integrate with local development stacks, the cloud-only architecture creates friction. Some users also report that Agent occasionally generates code with errors or struggles with complex business logic, requiring manual intervention and debugging.

Verdict

Replit is best for founders rapidly prototyping ideas, educators teaching programming concepts, and teams that need quick internal tools without extensive setup. The autonomous capabilities of Agent 3 make it particularly valuable for users comfortable giving AI significant control. Companies like Duolingo and Zillow use Replit for application development, validating its enterprise viability.

For pure vibe coding where you want AI to handle as much as possible, Replit's Agent-first approach delivers impressive results. Just keep an eye on those usage costs.

Best for design driven start ups

Loveable has become Europe's fastest-growing startup.

Founded in 2023 by Anton Osika and Fabian Hedin, the Swedish company reached $100 million in recurring revenue within eight months of launch. It then doubled that to $200 million just four months later. The breakneck growth led to a $6.6 billion valuation in December 2025.

At a glance

Loveable is best known for its multi-modal input options. You can type natural language prompts, upload design mockups, import Figma designs, or even use voice commands. This accommodates different working styles and makes complex requirements easier to communicate than pure text prompts alone.

Loveable generates complete full-stack applications, including frontend, backend, database schema, authentication, and hosting configuration. The integration with Supabase for database management is particularly effortless. The setup that would normally require careful configuration happens automatically based on your application description.

Features

We tested building an event management app, and Loveable generated a working prototype with user registration, event creation, and RSVP functionality in under an hour. The platform's transparent workflow gives you actual ownership of code. Unlike some competitors that lock you into their platform, Loveable provides GitHub integration so you can export your code and continue development elsewhere.

Having an exit strategy is crucial for businesses concerned about vendor lock-in, because you get to refine the AI-generated code manually or hand it to IT for production hardening. Enterprise adoption has been surprisingly strong for such a young platform.

Companies like Zendesk report that teams using Loveable reduced the time from idea to working prototype from six weeks to three hours. The platform serves three main enterprise use cases. These include building core business systems entirely on Loveable, creating internal tools that stalled in development backlogs, and validating product ideas with functional prototypes rather than static mockups.

Real-time collaboration features let multiple team members work on the same project simultaneously. This makes Loveable valuable for distributed teams or situations where technical and non-technical stakeholders need to iterate together. Changes appear instantly, and the conversational development model means everyone can contribute regardless of coding knowledge.

The challenge with Loveable, like most vibe coding platforms, is again code quality and security. Generated code can be inefficient or contain security vulnerabilities depending on the complexity of requirements and how well you describe what you need. Critics argue that while non-developers can create software, they may lack the knowledge to maintain it long-term or recognize when generated code has subtle bugs.

Loveable's CEO Anton Osika has a vision where the platform becomes "the last piece of software" companies need. This would enable them to build custom tools on demand rather than purchasing expensive, less-customized products from major vendors. It's an ambitious goal, but it comes with a few major caveats. Whether this vision fully materializes depends on how well vibe coding matures beyond prototypes into reliable production systems.

Pricing and value for money

For now, pricing is straightforward with multiple tiers based on usage. Free plans let you test the platform with limited projects. Paid plans start at $25/month, scaling from individual developers to enterprise teams depending on project limits and feature access rather than opaque "effort-based" models. The company aims to hit $1 billion in annual revenue by late 2026.

The platform has also attracted impressive backing. CapitalG (Alphabet's VC arm), Nvidia's NVentures, Salesforce Ventures, and Databricks Ventures all participated in the December 2025 funding round. But the recent controversy around VAT compliance in the EU highlighted some growing pains that come with this technology.

Verdict

Loveable is a favorite among non-technical founders validating startup ideas, product teams needing rapid prototypes, and businesses building internal tools where perfect code matters less than speed to deployment. The multi-modal input and Figma integration make it especially appealing for design-focused teams and businesses.

Just ensure you have technical resources to review the generated code for security issues before deployment.

Best for backend functionality

Base 44 made headlines in 2025 when solo founder Maor Shlomo sold his six-month-old startup to Wix for $80 million cash. The platform achieved this valuation by hitting $1 million ARR in just three weeks and growing to 250,000 users. Its secret was a "batteries-included" approach that handles everything internally.

Unlike many competitors that rely heavily on third-party integrations, Base 44 manages databases, authentication, email, storage, and analytics natively within the platform. The chat-based interface lets you describe applications in plain language. Base 44's AI generates full-stack code while automatically configuring backend services.

This eliminates the complexity of connecting external APIs or managing separate authentication providers.

For non-technical users needing quick, functional prototypes without external service hassles, Base 44's all-in-one approach delivers impressive speed. However, the recent acquisition and security history suggest some thorough evaluation for production applications handling sensitive data.

Best for technical control

Dazl emerged from stealth in September 2025 with $10 million in seed funding and the pedigree of Wix co-founder Nadav Abrahami. The platform addresses a common frustration: AI tools generate impressive first drafts but struggle during refinement when context gets lost. Dazl solves this with what it calls "the next era of vibe coding."

You can switch fluidly between conversational prompting, visual editing panels, and direct code manipulation. The interface feels like a design tool but functions like an IDE underneath. You can chat with AI to evolve your app, then switch to visual panels for precise tweaks, or dive into code when you need granular control.

Dazl exposes the complete generated logic, structure, and behavior. No black boxes here. This helps product teams understand exactly what the AI built and why.

Founded by Abrahami and former TikTok executive Assaf Sagy, Dazl targets product managers, designers, and developers who want AI speed without sacrificing control. The team of 30 Wix veterans brings deep expertise in frontend frameworks and best practices. Early users praise the context awareness that prevents the frustration of AI "losing the thread" during iterative changes.

Pricing starts at $25/month for 1,000 credits, but integrations are limited, and some features, like git support, are still planned.

Dazl works best for teams wanting more control than pure vibe coding platforms offer, but who still value AI acceleration over writing everything manually.

Best for lightweight development

Bolt.new pioneered the vibe coding movement when it launched in October 2024. It gave non-developers the ability to build software for the first time. Built by the StackBlitz team using their WebContainers technology, Bolt runs Node.js and npm entirely in your browser.

Here, there are no local installations required. You simply describe what you want, and Bolt's AI (powered by Claude Sonnet) generates working full-stack applications with a live preview. Version 2, released in late 2025, addresses earlier limitations with enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Bolt now includes managed databases, built-in authentication, hosting, SEO optimization, payments via Stripe, and storage. All of this is intelligently configured for you. The platform reached $40 million in ARR within six months of its relaunch, demonstrating massive market demand for its development tools.

The workflow emphasizes speed. Type a prompt, watch Bolt scaffold your app with React/Tailwind/Node.js, then deploy to Netlify with one click. Integrations with Twilio, Notion, Supabase, and other services extend functionality.

The platform runs hackathons where developers build complete applications over weekends, showcasing its prototyping power. However, Bolt's AI-heavy approach creates challenges. Users report frustration when the AI makes unexpected changes or enters error loops that are difficult to escape.

Like Replit, the usage-based pricing model can also spike unpredictably during debugging sessions. Our testing found that simple projects (3-5 components) work well. But complexity beyond 15-20 components causes context degradation and requires more manual intervention.

Bolt suits developers wanting AI-assisted scaffolding and rapid deployment. It's also great for founders needing quick MVPs to test market fit. It's less appropriate for complex enterprise applications or projects requiring deep architectural control.

Best for cross-platform teams

Tempo targets a specific niche: React application development through a visual IDE that blends design-tool UX with code-first architecture. Co-founded by former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Perpetua, Tempo raised a $5 million seed round in October 2025. The goal was solving the disconnect between design mockups and functional code.

The platform's Figma Plugin is its big standout feature. Designers can create mockups in Figma, then sync them directly to Tempo where developers continue building business logic. This eliminates traditional design-to-development handoff friction.

The visual editor uses drag-and-drop for rapid component generation, while AI powered by Gemini suggests Tailwind classes and optimizations. Pre-built templates for Stripe payments, Clerk authentication, and Supabase databases accelerate common SaaS features. Tempo positions itself as a professional tool for cross-functional teams.

According to Tempo’s own claims, one early partner reported a 3x velocity increases and 50% reduction in frontend development costs. The platform integrates with VS Code and GitHub, and supports Expo for React Native mobile apps. Many users praise the balance between visual editing for speed and code access for precision.

However, reviews are polarized. While some celebrate the workflow improvements, others report significant gaps between promises and performance. The React-only focus limits broader application development.

At $30/month for the Pro version with 150 credits, Tempo ends up being more expensive than general-purpose vibe coding platforms. There’s also an Agent+ service that offers human-supervised AI agents that design and ship 1-3 features weekly.

Tempo makes sense for React-focused development shops, product teams shipping React web apps at scale, and agencies needing design-development collaboration. But it's overkill for simple websites or projects outside the React ecosystem.

Best for business creation

HeyBoss differentiates itself by focusing on "vibe money" instead of "vibe coding." The goal is helping business owners generate revenue rather than just generate code. Founded by former Facebook/Instagram PM Xiaoyin Qu, the platform combines website building with CRM, email marketing, SEO, payments, and hosting. All of this comes in an all-in-one subscription designed for SMBs.

ChatMode, introduced in late 2025, represents HeyBoss's answer to AI tools that misunderstand requirements. Instead of immediately generating code from vague prompts, ChatMode asks clarifying questions to understand exactly what you need before building. This reduces the frustrating iteration loops common in other platforms.

The system can generate websites, online stores, booking systems, portals, and internal tools from simple descriptions. The free plan (launched July 2025) provides 5 daily AI edits, 3 monthly projects, and access to the complete AI toolkit. This includes scrapers, voiceovers, video generators, and image editors.

HeyBoss is very accessible for testing ideas without financial commitment. The GEO system automatically generates SEO-optimized content for Google and AI search. It handles marketing tasks that technical vibe coding tools ignore.

However, the platform operates on an unpredictable credit system where different actions consume varying credits. Building costs range from $50-$200 for simple sites to $500-$800 for complex ecommerce stores. The usage-based pricing, while tied to actual work, can feel opaque compared to flat subscriptions.

HeyBoss also faces criticism from developers who want more code control. The platform prioritizes business functionality over technical flexibility.

HeyBoss targets SMB owners, solopreneurs, and service providers who want a complete business infrastructure without learning to code. If your goal is launching a revenue-generating online presence quickly rather than mastering development, the business-first approach may deliver better alignment than pure coding tools.

Best vibe coding tools of 2026: Compared

Vibe coding tool FAQs

Super Bowl LX kicks off this Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on February 8th when the Seattle Seahawks go up against the New England Patriots. It’s streaming on Peacock and Hulu, as well as TV providers that offer NBC. You won't want to miss out on this clash because of a sports blackout or a vacation outside the US – and that's where a VPN comes in handy.

The TechRadar team has spent hundreds of hours testing today's best VPNs. Our Super Bowl picks have the right combination of speed, unblocking power, and US servers to ensure that you can keep up with every kick and scrum in HD.

NordVPN is our #1 choice overall, thanks to reliable access to top streaming platforms, but Surfshark is a great alternative if you're working with a budget and want to stream across multiple devices.

Quick overview

Our top 5 recommendations

The best VPN overall

NordVPN takes the #1 spot in our Super Bowl ranking because it's the strongest VPN in key areas: streaming, speed, and a great roster of tools you can use even after the game has ended.

Our streaming tests found that NordVPN provides reliable access to pretty much every streaming service you can think of – including dedicated sports platforms and channels. This also covers the likes of Peacock, Fubo, and DAZN, which we were able to check out without needing to switch servers or deal with pesky pop-ups telling us to switch off our VPN.

In terms of speeds, NordVPN consistently ranks at the top of our in-house performance tests. We use a 10 Gbps line to put VPNs through their paces, and NordVPN's proprietary protocol, NordLynx, delivered the best results. Our local connection (UK to Dublin) clocked in at 1256 Mbps.

These speeds are enough to stream the Super Bowl in 4K resolution many times over. So, there's no need to worry about a low-quality picture spoiling a game-winning touchdown.

When we switched to a transatlantic connection, we saw results of 900 Mps. While that’s a significant drop-off compared to some of the other providers on our list, it’s still well above what you’ll need to stream sporting events live and in HD.

NordVPN also offers a wide choice of VPN server locations in the US. At our last count, NordVPN has 39 separate locations in North America including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This means there should be a server local to you if you're currently in the States, or one based in your hometown if you're overseas for work or vacation.

NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections per account, which is about what you’d expect from a premium VPN. Currently, you can buy the Basic plan at $12.99 per month, which gives you access to NordVPN's core roster of features. Upgrading to one of NordVPN’s more premium plans unlocks features like a Password Manager, ID Monitoring, and 1TB of cloud storage, but you’re unlikely to need these features if you’re just interested in streaming.

The best secure VPN

Proton VPN ticks off all the security credentials you'd expect from one of today's top VPNs – but it knows how to have fun, too. With speeds on par with the quickest providers out there, and great unblocking power, it's a top-notch Super Bowl option for anyone looking to enjoy the game and ramp up their privacy in the meantime.

We saw Proton VPN step things up in terms of speed, recently, which makes it a fantastic streaming VPN. Using the WireGuard protocol, and the VPN Accelerator tool, our UK-to-Dublin connection clocked in at 1,521 Mbps. Switching to the States, our results were equally as impressive, at 1,242 Mbps.

So, if picture-quality is your main concern, and you don't want big plays spoiled by buffering, Proton VPN is well worth checking out.

The same goes for expats and vacationers looking for access to US-based streaming services. Proton VPN works well with most platforms, including Peacock, Fubo, and Netflix, and we even managed to get it working with US YouTube – which Surfshark couldn't manage.

In terms of North American server coverage, Proton VPN falls behind NordVPN and Surfshark – but only by a whisper. 32 locations across the continent are still more than enough to work with.

Proton VPN is unusual in that it’s one of the only top-tier VPN providers that offers a genuinely free tier with no ads or bandwidth restrictions. However, there's a pretty significant catch - you can't manually select a server to connect to (and there are only 10 countries available). Ultimately, this makes Proton VPN Free a less-than-ideal choice for streaming, and why we'd recommend sticking with the premium version for the Super Bowl and other sports.

That said, Proton VPN’s base plan is actually pretty cheap at only $9.99 per month. This gets you all of the core VPN features, and access to servers in more than 120 countries. Buying yearly drops this price down to $3.99 per month, whereas the two-year plan costs $2.99 per month. Both plans renew at $83.88 for the year.

The best cheap VPN

Surfshark's budget-friendly price points are tempting all-year round – doubly so if you're already paying for a sports streaming subscription to catch this year's Super Bowl. From just $1.99 per month, you'll have access to one of the fastest VPNs we've tested.

During our internal testing, we clocked a high of 1,615 Mbps when connecting to a nearby Dublin server from the UK. It's an absolutely blistering result that's more than fast enough for smooth, HD streaming.

Those speeds dropped off to 355 Mbps when we connected to the States. It's more of a drop-off than we'd expect from Surfshark, given its past performance, but the results are still well within the range you need to enjoy clear playback.

It is also worth noting, however, that Surfshark posted the highest latency to the US in our tests by a wide margin at 171 ms. This won't cause too many issues while streaming, but it could cause minor hiccups (like latency and slowdown) if you have plans to game online or join a video call.

We also think that Surfshark could do better when it comes to streaming US-based content. We had no trouble tuning in to Peacock and US Netflix, but struggled to enjoy US YouTube, no matter how many times we switched servers – which could be a sticking point if you plan on watching highlights or player interviews after the dust has settled.

To get the most out of Surfshark, you'll want to pick up one of its long-term subscriptions. It's where the biggest and best savings are. A single year of Surfshark Basic costs $3.19 per month, but if you opt for the 2-year plan, that price drops to $1.99 (though remember, you'll need to pay for your plan upfront).

Surfshark also offers unlimited simultaneous connections at a budget-friendly price point, which makes it an excellent choice if you're streaming the Super Bowl across multiple devices. Most competitors limit you to around 10 devices, meaning a decently sized family would have to take out more than one VPN subscription. That’s not the case with Surfshark: one subscription covers all of your devices.

An speedy, mid-range pick for the Super Bowl

A recent revamp saw Norton VPN become a real contender in the VPN space – and it's an undeniably good pick for the Super Bowl, too, thanks to the double-whammy of awesome speeds and unblocking power.

Most people will be more familiar with Norton's antivirus software, but its new, overhauled VPN product is making waves, too. Fans wanting to follow every play of Super Bowl LX will be glad to hear that Norton VPN is an excellent choice for streaming. It works with most US-based streaming platforms we tested, including US Netflix, though we did fail to crack US YouTube.

This isn't a total surprise, given how new Norton VPN is to the market, but it's something to keep in mind for anyone who wants to tune into clips, analysis, or interviews after the game.

The news is better when it comes to speed. Using the WireGuard protocol, we saw results of our UK-to-Dublin connection come in at 909 Mbps. These roughly halved when we switched to a US server, and though 463 Mbps lags behind the likes of ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN significantly, we didn't experience any major issues when streaming (and this is still quick enough to keep up with multiple 4K streams - just in case somebody else in the household wants to watch the Winter Olympics, instead).

Currently, there are 25 US-based servers offered by Norton VPN, and they're spread out pretty evenly across the continent. This is good news for locals and expats alike, though we'd always recommend picking the server closest to you, geographically, for the best, most stable connection.

A 1-year Standard Norton VPN plan comes in at $3.33 per month, and we think the VPN deserves credit for being up front about how prices jump to $6.66 on renewal. Plenty of VPNs do this - but Norton VPN is one of the only services we've seen that are transparent about it. If it all seems a bit steep, a generous 60-day money-back guarantee is available, so you can try Norton VPN out over Super Bowl weekend, risk-free.

The best VPN for Windows

If you're more of a sports aficionado than VPN expert, ExpressVPN is a great place to start. Its apps are nice and easy to use, a recent upgrade introduced a whole host of new tools, and it has enough North American servers to make tuning in to your local broadcaster (or NBC) as simple as picking a location in your home state.

ExpressVPN's speeds are solid and well-suited to streaming live TV in HD. There are a few protocols to choose from, though. Alongside OpenVPN and WireGuard, ExpressVPN also has its own proprietary VPN protocol, Lightway, which comes in two flavors: the standard version and Lightway Turbo.

We'd recommend sticking to Lightway Turbo if performance is your main concern (though be aware it currently only works with Windows devices – Mac users are better off with Lightway or WireGuard).

Using Lightway Turbo to connect to Dublin, we recorded results of 1,479 Mbps, and these dipped slightly when connecting to the US to 1,374 Mbps. It's the best transatlantic result we've seen, from all our top-ranked VPNs, and bodes well for anyone overseas wanting to keep up with action from Levi’s Stadium.

When we put ExpressVPN's streaming capabilities to the test, we were just as pleased. ExpressVPN works well with US Netflix, Hulu, Fubo, and Peacock, and at no point did we have to switch servers to get around lag or playback issues.

Finding a US or North American server to join won't be a problem with ExpressVPN, either, seeing as there are 70 locations to choose from. This is practically double the amount offered by NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN – and ExpressVPN is one of only a handful of VPNs that has servers in all 50 states.

ExpressVPN’s pricing is now much more in line with its competitors after a pricing overhaul. The Basic plan sits at $12.99 a month, which is a little less expensive than Surfshark. For this price, you’ll get 10 simultaneous device connections and all of ExpressVPN’s core features, including a basic ad-blocker. Buying the yearly plan drops this price to $3.49 per month, whereas the two-year plan costs $2.44 per month and throws in four extra months for free.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

You can self-host n8n on any VPS server but the best VPS hosting provider for n8n depends on a few things.

Whether you're automating business processes or building complex integrations, n8n needs reliable infrastructure to run 24/7. The right VPS host gives you unlimited workflows, full data control, and the performance to handle high-volume automations. We've tested the top providers to help you find the perfect balance between power, ease of use, and value.

These providers are selected based on five key factors: First, Docker support and one-click n8n installation capabilities. Second, resource allocation — particularly RAM and CPU cores for handling concurrent workflow executions. Third, scalability options that let you grow without migrating servers. Fourth, uptime guarantees of 99.9% and reliable 24/7 support. Fifth, value for money, comparing introductory and renewal pricing across plans.

The best VPS hosting services for n8n

Best n8n hosting for beginners

Hostinger leads our list for n8n hosting thanks to its purpose-built VPS plans that start at just $4.99/month. The platform offers two specialized n8n templates during VPS setup — one standard installation and another pre-configured with queue mode for handling high-volume workflows. Its attention to n8n-specific needs sets it apart from generic VPS providers.

The KVM 2 plan at $7.49/month hits the sweet spot for most teams. You get 2 vCPU cores, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe storage, and 8TB monthly bandwidth. This configuration handles moderate to heavy automation workloads without slowdowns, and the NVMe drives deliver fast I/O for n8n's job queues and executions.

Setup takes minutes. The Docker environment comes pre-configured and Hostinger's Kodee AI assistant guides you through server management tasks in over 50 languages. You can create backups and restore your VPS directly from chat, making maintenance accessible even without deep Linux expertise.

Performance testing shows the infrastructure holds up under pressure. Response times stay around 13ms even during peak load and the AMD EPYC 7702P processors handle encryption and compression smoothly. Network speeds hover around 25-30Mbps, which works well for small to medium projects, though bandwidth-intensive applications might need higher-tier plans.

Best scalable n8n hosting

ScalaHosting delivers fully managed n8n hosting starting at $29.96/month for 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM, and 20GB NVMe storage, while self-managed options start from $14.96. Managed plans handle server maintenance, security updates, and optimization, letting you focus on building workflows rather than managing infrastructure. It costs more than DIY options but saves significant time for non-technical teams.

The SPanel control panel gives you cPanel-like functionality without licensing fees. You get file managers, database tools, SSH key control, PHP version switching, and DNS management all in one clean interface. For n8n users, this means straightforward server administration without command-line complexity.

SShield AI-powered security is a major differentiator. The system provides real-time threat detection, automatic IP banning, and firewall enforcement to protect your n8n orchestration and integrations. Combined with automated daily backups and DDoS protection, your workflows stay shielded from emerging vulnerabilities.

The cloud infrastructure supports vertical scaling. You can add CPU cores, RAM, or storage without any downtime if your automation needs grow unexpectedly. ScalaHosting also offers free website migration and pre-installed n8n options on request, easing out the initial setup process for teams coming over from other providers. Even on unmanaged VPS plans, ScalaHosting’s support team is known for going the extra mile compared to any other web host in the market.

Best enterprise-grade n8n hosting

Kamatera takes a different approach from the other services on this list with fully customizable cloud infrastructure starting at $4/month. Rather than pre-packaged plans, you select exact CPU types, RAM amounts, storage capacity, and data center locations to match your specific n8n requirements. This granular control appeals to technical teams who know exactly what they need.

The 30-day free trial includes $100 in credits, enough to deploy and thoroughly test a production-grade n8n server with 2 vCPU cores, 4GB RAM, and 50GB NVMe storage. You get root-level access, 1TB bandwidth, and the ability to experiment without credit card charges if you stay within trial limits.

Performance benchmarks show Kamatera's Intel Xeon Sapphire Rapids CPUs deliver excellent disk speeds and network performance. Transfer rates reach 530-540Mbps, with the infrastructure handling compression and encryption tasks impressively. This makes Kamatera ideal for demanding, security-focused n8n workloads that process sensitive data.

Real-time scaling without downtime gives you flexibility other providers can't match. When workflow volume spikes during peak automation periods, you can instantly adjust CPU, RAM, and storage through the dashboard. The 99.95% uptime guarantee and 24/7 live technical support ensure your automations stay running when business depends on them.

Best budget friendly

Hosting.com(rebranded from A2 Hosting) offers budget-friendly VPS solutions with LiteSpeed web servers that accelerate n8n's HTTP-based endpoints and integrations. The built-in caching delivers faster workflow response times compared to standard Apache or Nginx configurations. Plans start affordably, though exact pricing varies by configuration.

The one-click app installer supports Docker deployment, letting you set up n8n and start workflow automation in minutes. This removes common setup hurdles for teams who want quick deployment without extensive Linux experience. The interface handles basic server management tasks efficiently.

Hosting.com uses modern NVMe SSD storage across all plans, ensuring fast read/write speeds for n8n's database operations and execution logs. It provides solid uptime reliability and decent performance for small to medium automation projects. Security includes DDoS protection and malware scanning to keep your workflows safe.

The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test the service risk-free. While managed VPS plans exist at significantly higher prices, the unmanaged offerings provide better value for technically capable teams. Support responsiveness is adequate on managed plans, though not as comprehensive as premium providers like InMotion or ScalaHosting.

Best VPS hosting for n8n: compared

Alternatives

• DigitalOcean: Developer-friendly cloud platform with $200 in free credits, one-click n8n marketplace app, and excellent documentation for technical teams.
• Cloudways: Managed cloud hosting that simplifies deployment across DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode with one-click n8n installation.
• UltaHost: Fast NVMe-powered VPS starting at $4.80/month with DDR5 RAM, full root access, and 99.9% uptime guarantee for budget-conscious developers.
• Contabo: Aggressive pricing with high CPU, RAM, and storage allocations starting at $4.95/month, ideal for running multiple n8n workflows on tight budgets.
• Vultr: Flexible cloud compute instances with hourly billing starting at $2.50/month, global data centers, and straightforward server management for technical users.

VPS hosting for n8n FAQs

The best espresso machine can set you up for the day with a super-smooth hit of concentrated caffeine, without you even having to leave the house, and we've tested all the latest models from big brands like Breville, Gaggia, and De'Longhi to help you choose the right one for you.

There are all sorts of options out there if you're looking for the best coffee machine, but for many people an espresso maker is the only way to go. Whether you're looking for a fully manual coffee maker requiring maximum barista skills, or a more beginner-friendly bean-to-cup machine that grinds, brews, and steams at the press of a button, I've got the right one for you here.

When I test espresso machines, I check how quickly each one reaches temperature, the quality of the portafilter (or brew group for a bean to cup machine), the type of grinder and the number of settings, the quality of the steam wand, the volume of the machine in decibels, number of drink profiles, customization options, and much more. Most importantly, I look for consistency, so you can be confident that your coffee will always taste perfect.

Meet the expert

The best espresso machines

The best espresso machine overall

This espresso machine (sold under the brand name Sage in the UK) is a superb all-rounder, and a great option if you're looking for your first coffee maker, upgrading from coffee pods, or are just looking for something simple to use.

The Barista Touch Impress has a clever system that guides you through the process of making a perfectly-extracted espresso, suggesting a suitable grind size for your fresh coffee beans, measuring out a dose, and letting you tamp it down with a satisfying pull of the side-mounted lever. If the machine detects that there's not enough coffee in the filter basket, it will offer to grind some more, and if there's too much, it will suggest you remove a little with the trimming tool. Either way, the new setting will be saved for future brews.

Finally, the Barista Touch Impress will brew your coffee, measuring how fast it's extracted and letting you know if the pour was too slow or fast. You'll also be invited to taste it (even if the extraction time wasn't quite right) and the machine will tell you how to adjust the grind size for a better cup next time.

The automatic milk foaming system works well too, though in my tests it produced better results with plant-based milk than dairy. You can use the steam wand manually if you prefer though, which is a nice touch and gives you more control.

Overall, it's an excellent coffee maker, and a pleasure to use thanks to its cleverly designed interface. If you're on a tight budget then you should also take a look at the Ninja Luxe Café, which offers similar features, plus filter coffee, for a lower price. It's not as stylish though, and lacks the Breville's convenient touch-screen menu.

Read our full Breville Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction review

The best budget espresso machine

The De'Longhi Dedica Duo is the best budget espresso machine I've tested this year, and blows most other sub-$300 alternatives out of the water. De'Longhi has a reputation to maintain, and hasn't skimped on components or features. Despite its entry-level price, this little machine feels solidly made, and performs reliably. It heats quickly, its pump is capable of sustaining the pressure you need to get consistently well-extracted coffee, and its steam wand is excellent.

The Duo is an updated version of the De'Longhi Dedica Style, with a more modern look and useful tweaks like a wider drip tray that lets you fit two espresso cups underneath more easily (thank you, De'Longhi). The main change, however, is a new cold-extraction option, which takes longer than pulling a shot of hot espresso (a couple of minutes rather than 38 seconds), but produces a smooth-tasting drink that's a great foundation for iced drinks and cocktails.

I've been very impressed during my tests. My only quibble is that the machine tends to drip a little after the pump has stopped, but I definitely don't think that should be a deal-breaker.

Read our De'Longhi Dedica Duo review

The best manual espresso machine

The Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ is a new winner of our best manual espresso maker recommendation. It's expensive, which is why we don't recommend it for everybody, but it's very impressive.

An upgraded version of the original Diletta Bello, it includes extra features like a shot timer so you can check that your espresso isn't under- or over-extracted, a programmable pre-infusion mode, and an eco-mode for faster heating. This last point is particularly welcome, because the original machine took quite a long time to get up to temperature.

During testing, we found that the Diletta Bello+ turned espresso-making into a meditative experience, and with practice we were able to create consistently rich and smooth espresso. The steam wand is particularly well designed too, and able to create smooth microfoam from dairy and non-dairy milks (including oat milk, which is notoriously tricky).

The Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ is only available in the US at the time of writing. If you're somewhere else, we'd recommend instead the Sage the Barista Touch Impress, which is top in this guide.

Read our full Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ review

The best automatic espresso machine

The Smeg BCC13 is a compact bean-to-cup espresso machine that handles every part of the process for you, from measuring and grinding the beans to frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Just fill the water tank, add your beans to the hopper, and select your preferred drink using the set of buttons on top of the sleek chassis. You might need to refer to the manual the first few times, since each button can deliver two different drinks and the icons aren't immediately self-explanatory, but that's a pretty minor complaint.

Once that's done, the BCC13 will set about brewing tasty, well extracted coffee that's impressively consistent. The auto milk frother produces creamy, sweet microfoam when used with dairy milk, though (as Smeg itself warns you) it's not so great at handling plant-based alternatives.

The whole machine is finished to a very high standard, and is a cinch to keep fresh. There are no awkward nooks and crannies where grounds can get stuck, and the one-minute quick clean cycle keeps things hygienic between full cleanings.

In the US, availability is more limited than in Europe, but it can still be found through select retailers such as Williams Sonoma and specialist appliance stockists, as well as occasional listings on Amazon.

Read our full Smeg BCC13 review

The best small espresso machine

If you’re tight on space, then the Breville Bambino Plus offers similar features to the Gaggia Classic above but with a more compact footprint and a slightly more affordable price tag. On test, we found the Breville Bambino Plus – known as the Sage Bambino Plus in the UK – heated up in just three seconds. Milk frothing was nice and easy too, with a choice of three temperature and three milk textures, and the metal steam wand was a classy touch.

If you prefer you can instead texturize your milk manually, and however you do things the Bambino Plus will automatically purge the steam wand by pumping water through it once you're finished. This isn't a machine for complete beginners – you'll need to familiarize yourself with the art of choosing the right filter basket and ground coffee, as well as tamping the coffee down and trimming excess grounds – but once you learn its ways you'll find it to be an impressive and capable espresso maker.

Read our full Breville Bambino Plus review

The best espresso machine for beginners

Want to make the jump from a capsule coffee maker to a proper espresso machine? The stylish little Philips Baristina is my top recommendation. It's just as easy to use as a Nespresso machine, but means you can use freshly roasted coffee beans and don't have to worry about recycling pods when you're done.

At $449.99 / £299.99 / AU$599, it's remarkably affordable for a a bean-to-cup coffee maker, and cleverly designed. Whereas most bean-to-cup machines do all the grinding and brewing inside the case, the Baristina uses a portafilter handle like a manual coffee maker. Just push the handle into the machine, slide it to the right, and decide whether you want a regular espresso or lungo (which has twice as much hot water). There's also a button to boost the dosage of coffee if you want something stronger.

The Baristina will then grind the correct dosage of coffee into the filter basket, tamp it down, then side it to the left and extract it into your waiting espresso cup. It's incredibly easy to use, and once you're done, you can just pull out the handle, tap the used coffee into a food waste bin, and clean the basket. It's far, far less hassle to maintain than a typical automatic espresso machine.

The biggest downside is that you can't adjust the grind size, so you if your espresso tastes under- or over-extracted you'll have to switch to different coffee. It doesn't have a steam wand or automatic milk frothing system either, though you can buy it bundled with a standalone Philips milk frother.

Read our full Philips Baristina review

The best espresso machine for lattes

If you enjoy milky coffee drinks but can't quite get the hang of a manual steam wand (or don't have time in the morning), this is the ideal espresso machine for you. It's one of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines I've tested, and is particularly great when it comes to milk texturizing, producing silky, stable, sweet microfoam that rivals the work of a professional barista.

When it come to espresso, you're spoilt for choice. This is an espresso machine that encourages tinkering, with a huge color touchscreen that makes it easy to adjust virtually every variable, from dosage and grind size to water temperature and infusion time. If you're not quite sure where to begin, the machine can suggest optimum settings based on the type of beans you're using (a system called BeanIdent), which you can then tweak to suit your tastes and save as a favorite in your personal profile. The machine supports up to 10 of these, so your family and guests can store their own preferences.

Another of the EQ900 Plus's best features is its dual hopper, which lets you switch between two different beans on the fly; ideal if you want to switch to decaf in the evening or you and your partner have different preferences. There's also a handy smart cleaning system that stores two tablets (one for descaling and one for cleaning) just above the milk container for more straightforward maintenance.

The biggest drawback here is the price, and this is one of the most expensive espresso machines we've tested. However, if you don't mind foregoing the smart cleaning system, you can save a significant chunk of cash by opting for the standard Siemens EQ900, which has the same excellent auto milk frother. Take a look at both and decide which one fits your needs best.

Read our full Siemens EQ900 Plus review

The best espresso machine for flavored coffee

The Jura J10 is a versatile fully automatic espresso machine that makes it easy to recreate complicated coffee shop orders at home, including hot and cold brew, and drinks sweetened with syrup.

It's controlled via a large, bright full-color touchscreen, which lets you take your pick from an extensive collection of customizable presets, or create your own. Unusually, the J10 has two dispensers (one for espresso and hot water, and another for espresso and milk), and the J10's Coffee Eye system will detect where you've placed your cup and change the menu options accordingly. It's a smart touch, as is the ability to tap a button to see which drinks in the menu can be brewed cold, or with syrup.

The machine doesn't adjust the grind size automatically, which is a little surprising. Instead you'll be promoted to set it manually using a dial next to the hopper, on top of the machine. It's worth being aware that you don't get much time to do this, or tinker with other settings before the machine times out and continues to the next step of brewing or returns you to the main menu.

Aside from that, the Jura J10 is hard to fault. Espresso is consistently well extracted with rich, golden crema, milk is perfectly textured, and the Sweet Foam system is a smart way to add plenty of flavor to your drink without using multiple pumps of syrup.

Read our full Jura J10 review

The best espresso machine if money is no object

The Smeg Mini Pro is an extremely stylish compact espresso machine that gives you a choice - use the single or double shot buttons when you're in a hurry, or take your time and pull a shot manually using the extremely satisfying lever on the right-hand side. It's up to you, and during testing it produced consistently excellent espresso both ways.

The machine heats fast (it has separate heating blocks for coffee and steam), and we were surprised by how quiet its pump was in operation. However, for us the standout feature was the steam wand, which delivers a smooth, steady flow and doesn't lose pressure like some others we've tested over the years, so you can spend time stretching your milk exactly the way you want it. The steam is controlled using a large, tactile dial that's just as smooth and satisfying to use as the lever.

The Smeg Mini Pro Espresso Coffee Machine also looks stunning, with a 1960s-inspired design and solid-feeling build. This comes at a price though, and you're certainly paying a premium for the look and feel here. The Mini Pro costs almost as much as some commercial espresso machines but without features like flow control or pressure profiles, so you'll have to really fall in love with it to justify the cost.

Read our full Smeg Mini Pro Espresso Coffee Machine review

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How to choose an espresso machine

Espresso machines are some of the best coffee makers. They come in all shapes and sizes, including some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, and the best espresso makers help you achieve barista-quality results. They often include their own integrated bean grinder for your convenience but do bear in mind that extra equipment adds bulk and often increases the price as well. If you're looking for something fast, cheap and that doesn't need a lot of counter space you might prefer a single-serve or pod coffee machine.

If espresso is definitely for you, the first decision is to choose whether you want an espresso machine that offers manual control over dispensing water or a device that takes on that work for you; the latter is probably better for those new to playing barista.

Next, consider if you want a machine that you can use with ground coffee, single-serve pods, or a mixture of the two. Coffee pods are less messy than using ground coffee. They can be handy if you occasionally want to make decaf coffee using the machine – but they don’t produce the thick, rich crema you get with freshly ground coffee.

If you regularly make espresso for two or more people, look for a coffee machine with a double spot on the tray that can fill two separate cups simultaneously. And if you like longer coffee drinks with milk, such as cappuccinos and lattes, choose an espresso machine with a built-in steam wand or factor in the cost of a standalone milk frother.

Finally, take note of the size of the espresso maker to see if you have sufficient room for it on your kitchen countertop – or, if you plan to store it away in a cupboard, consider its weight to see that you’ll be able to lift it easily.

If you're on a budget, take a look at our guide to the best cheap coffee maker deals, too.

How we tested these espresso machines

We take testing espresso machines seriously and put each device through its paces to see if it can live up to its promises. We assess the quality of espresso produced by each machine, analyzing the flavor of the final drink; we look for a rich, intense shot of coffee that doesn’t taste bitter or burnt, along with a thick, stable crema that reforms after the sugar has been sprinkled on it.

The temperature of the espresso is also measured, checking for consistency from one cup to another, and we assess the noise level of the machine. If it has a built-in steam wand, we evaluate its ability to texturize both dairy and plant-based milk, looking for tiny bubbles that create a rich, smooth texture. Again, we assess whether its noise level is acceptable.

We also evaluate how easy an espresso machine is to set up and use, whether it offers enough manual control for those who want to take on the barista role, plus how much space it will take up on your kitchen counter. Finally, we consider if the water tank is removable for easy refills and how the machine looks.

Espresso machine FAQs

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We hope most people are using one of the best electric toothbrushes in 2026, as there's a wealth of clinical studies out there pointing to the efficacy and performance of electric toothbrushes over manual brushing.

For example, the SGT Dental College and Research Institute found using an electric toothbrush "demonstrated clinical and statistical improvement in overall plaque scores," findings backed by this 2014 Cochrane study, and this one from the University of Washington, to name but a few.

So, we know electric toothbrushes are better for you, but which one should you buy? We test toothbrushes for at least a week, examining build quality, battery life and testing every mode. It's good to know that decent electric toothbrushes can start from as little as $50 / £40 / AU$70 and even at this low price point, offer huge improvements over a manual brush.

Naturally, Oral B and Philips are big players in the space and in our testing, have come top of the heap. However, there are also more niche alternatives, all worth your consideration. We've also tested lesser-known brands like Ordo, Supermouth, Suri, Curaprox and Laifen.

The quick list

If you don’t have time to read our full list of the best electric toothbrushes, you can read the round-up below for a shortcut to the top options for your needs and budget. If you find one that takes your fancy, use the links to jump to our full write-up.

The best electric toothbrush overall

The Philips Sonicare 7100 is an impressive electric toothbrush: it's designed very well, with metal in its handle, offering a satisfying weight and premium build quality, and long-lasting battery. It's missing AI brushing guidance, but do you really need it when your brush is this good?

It makes up for this by offering 12 intensities (four brushing "modes", each at three levels of power) easily controlled using the button. A built-in timer and pressure sensor offers gentle guidance, thrumming every 30 seconds and offering a light in the handle's base. It's essentially the 9900 Prestige without its smart features, but more attractively priced for all that, especially as it's now frequently found on sale. This makes the 7100 the best overall toothbrush you can get in terms of value for money, quality of build and brushing options.

It's a seriously stylish electric toothbrush, too, with a sleek, minimalist design and chic carry case to keep it charged on the go. Provided you don't want a companion app, it's a superb brush.

Read our full Philips Sonicare 7100 review

The best value electric toothbrush

The Ordo Sonic Lite is the cheapest brush on our guide, and a great way to pick up an electric toothbrush for not very much money. It's replacing the Colgate Hum in this list, as Ordo is a great manufacturer of no-fuss, no-frills brushes of high quality.

It's not a true smart brush like the above Oral-B, as it has no sensor to detect mouth position, but it will flash if you put too much pressure on your gums and has both regular and sensitive modes. For thirty dollars, or the equivalent? It's excellent.

The brush comes with two modes, regular and soft, and a built-in timer, but no dock or travel case. Instead, it charges via USB-C, but lasts for ages: our test unit hung on for around five weeks, even being used twice a day. It's sonic, not oscillating, which may put some people off, but the Ordo Sonic Lite is well-worth a buy if you're just after a cheap electric toothbrush.

Read our full Ordo Sonic Lite review

The best premium electric toothbrush

The Oral-B iO Series 10 takes our award for the best premium electric toothbrush, thanks to its valuable smart tech and real-time feedback that encourages you to improve your brushing technique. This is done with a neat chipset that calculates the position of the brush in your mouth, allowing it to read your technique and nudge you to thoroughly clean each "zone" of your mouth.

We found the brush to be very quiet (much more so than a typical oscillating brush) and felt smooth as you work your way around your mouth. The in-built pressure sensor not only warns you if you're pressing too hard but also if you're not applying enough pressure to get a good clean, helping you achieve an optimum result. The dock itself will connect to WiFi to display the time and date.

Once done, the Series 10's bright color display will rate your brushing, and show the battery life remaining on the brush. It's a quick way to get feedback on your technique, and surprisingly motivating, but for more in-depth guidance you can turn to the Oral-B app, which has heat maps of your mouth to show how thorough your clean was. This is updated in real time.

The downside of the Oral-B iO Series is that it's one of the most expensive electric toothbrushes around, though like the 7100, its price has dropped significantly in the months since its release and you can now pick it up more cheaply. Additional brush heads are also pricey.

Read our full Oral-B iO Series 10 review

The best eco-friendly electric toothbrush

The name makes it clear what the Suri 2.0 Sustainable Electric Toothbrush is all about and its eco-friendly credentials are considerable. Just like the previous iteration, the toothbrush heads and bristles are made from plant-based materials and it lasts a long time between charges, which matches its relatively sustainable claims. The frame is made of aluminum and designed to be fixed if it breaks, rather than discarded, reducing e-waste. The case is now a charger to further extend battery life, with a UV-C light to kill bacteria.

This powerful yet relatively affordable brush oscillates rather than vibrates. We were initially dubious it hadn't boosted the 33,000 movements-per-minute stat of its predecessor, but during testing, we found "it felt more deliberate in its delivery of that power, while remaining as sensitive and gentle as the experience [our reviewer] had with the first brush".

We also love the sticky back magnet to attach to your bathroom mirror or wall, so the metal toothbrush can sit up and out of the way, keeping your sides clear and clean.

Read our full Suri 2.0 Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush review

The best self-cleaning electric toothbrush

The Ultim8 smart brushing system by Supermouth is slick in looks, with some interesting innovations. UV cleaning isn't new, but incorporating it into a cool-looking smart hub that also charges the brush certainly is.

Like the Curaprox, the Ultim8 brush has some unique-looking figure-eight brush heads offering functionality beyond the standard sonic affair. Mimicking the shape of a molar, the SuperBristles design is supposed to offer a better clean, while the pressure sensor helps prevent over-brushing. The actual brush itself is a simple sonic affair, but there's a lot to like here and the units certainly look cool.

The biggest downside is the add-ons and proprietary nature of it all: if you get a Supermouth brush, you need Supermouth heads for the rest of the brush's life, and the Smart Hub and Smart Case both cost extra. However, it's all very high quality and worth the investment.

Read our full Ultim8 by Supermouth review

The best electric toothbrush for gum cleaning

The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro is the best toothbrush on our list for hitting those hard-to-reach spots, thanks to innovative brush heads: some of them curve inwards, promoting better cleaning behind the teeth, and a unique extra fine, single-tuft brush head for 'targeted cleaning of gums, niches, braces and implants' according to Curaprox.

Those brush heads certainly allow you to really get into the weeds of things, and during our testing we found the single brush head pretty revolutionary when it came to attacking the gumline. The other brushes were great for reaching the back of the molars, where cavities often form.

It's a simple sonic brush, it takes ages to charge and it's not cheap, but the unique brush heads and overall quality make this a good buy if you're after quality. Designed in conjunction with Swiss oral health specialists, the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro is an excellent choice if you're concerned about gum disease and plaque build-up.

Read our full Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro review

Electric toothbrush FAQs

How we test

We test each electric toothbrush by using it twice a day for at least one week, brushing for two minutes morning and night, then using a disclosing tablet at the end of weeks one and two. Disclosing tablets help to reveal how much plaque remains on our teeth after our final brushing session by coating your teeth with a harmless dye. If the toothbrush has a smartphone app, then we use that to guide our brushing.

If you want to buy a new Bluetooth speaker but you’re not sure which is right for you, I’m here to help. Whether you’re after a compact value-beating speaker for listening on the move or you’re shopping for a big, booming party speaker, I’ll help you cut through the noise with this guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.

I’ve personally tested each and every Bluetooth speaker recommended in this list, as well as many of their rivals, so I know which are most worth your time and money. To date, more than 30 speakers have gone through my thorough testing process and there are lots of different budgets and styles on offer. You’ll find options to suit everyone here, from quick, cheap buys through to a speaker that can power an actual concert.

In the guide below, you’ll find my number one pick, which is my top recommendation for most people, as well as other choices based on different budgets and preferences. I've included the official prices of the speakers alongside each entry, as well as a target price. That’s how much I think you should aim to pay for these speakers in the real world, where you can regularly find prices for much lower. Especially this month as the Amazon Prime Day sales approach; we're anticipating some world-beating deals on many of the speakers featured in this list. So why not read up on them now in preparation?

My #1 overall pick

3 reasons why this Bluetooth speaker beats the rest

✅ Unbelievable sound quality in a highly compact model: I was blown away by the Clip 7’s impactful yet regimented bass response, but also its clear midrange performance and expressive treble. For its size, the Flip 7 offers a beautifully balanced, cohesive, and dynamic listen that made me want to bump my tunes for hours on end.

✅ Top-tier durability and waterproofing: With an IP68 rating, the JBL Flip 7 isn’t just fully dustproof, but it’s also able to survive being dunked in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. It has a drop-proof design and is scratch-resistant, making it an extremely hardy speaker indeed.

✅ Unbeatable value for money: For its mid-range price, the JBL Flip 7 is incredibly talented. I was wowed by its sonic capabilities, especially in the bass department, but it also has a great set of features, admirable battery life, and a rugged design. I also love the JBL Charge 6 for similar reasons, but the Flip 7’s unbeatable value for money helps it take top spot.

Why you can trust my picks

For more than a year and a half, I've served as a resident Reviews Writer here at TechRadar, where I have a particular focus on audio tech. I’ve tested some of the best noise-cancelling headphones, best soundbars, and, of course, the best Bluetooth speakers on the market right now.

I built this guide from the ground up after testing a range of speakers against one another. I’m talking everything from small budget options up to premium, towering party speakers. The vast majority of the models that I’ve tested haven’t made the cut here – after all, I re-tested more than 30 in my quest to provide you with the definitive Bluetooth speaker guide!

Best Bluetooth speakers – my picks in-depth

Best budget Bluetooth speaker

The low-down

I won't beat around the bush; the JBL Go 5 is the best cheap Bluetooth speaker I've ever tested. Compared to its predecessor - the JBL Go 4 - the new model remains impressively affordable (even if it's 5 bucks north in the US) and boasts improvements to connectivity, battery life, and waterproofing.

While bass won't reach the considerable highs of a larger party speaker like the JBL Xtreme 5 (see below), the overall soundstage is mighty impressive for such a tiny device. Battery life still isn't exceptional, sure, but if you're after a cheap portable speaker with an attractive design, look no further than the JBL Go 5.

Scorecard

Best mid-range Bluetooth speaker

The low-down

When I tried out the Edifier ES20, I really wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it is. After all, it’s a very cheap model, often available for less than £50 in the UK (it’s typically a bit more in the US, hence its position in the $50-$100 category). On top of that, it’s ultra-compact and hardly the most powerful model on the market. But it still performs fantastically.

During a test against rivals in this price category, I was wowed by the ES20’s clean, balanced audio performance. The detail it showcased in the mid-range was something the spectacular JBL Clip 5 and Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speakers couldn’t quite match. It also has attractive lighting, great waterproofing, and a luxurious look that far surpassed my expectations in this price range.

Scorecard

Best premium Bluetooth speaker

The low-down

I had so many options to choose from in the $200 and up bracket, but the Bose SoundLink Max is the true all-rounder that deserves to be top dog. It offers a nuanced listen while also packing a real punch. It looks absolutely beautiful, but still has a rugged and drop-proof build. And it has a nice set of features to keep the user experience fresh and easy.

On top of that, you can find the SoundLink Max for a great deal less than its list price, especially when large sale events come around – Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, I’m looking at you. I adore this model’s agile, full-scale sound, eye-popping color options, and power bank capabilities – all of which make the SoundLink Max the full package for parties, home listening, or taking on the go.

Scorecard

Best party speaker

The low-down

The JBL Xtreme 5 has the power to turn any social gathering into a full-throttle party. By our metrics, it's far and away the best party speaker available right now, capable of delivering truly earth-shaking bass while delivering a waterproof rating that's able to withstand wear and tear both in and outdoors.

While this Bluetooth speaker is a touch on the bulky side, it is considerably cheaper than the previous sitter here; JBL's own Boombox 4. If you're planning a lot of gatherings out in the sun over the summer months, we can think of few greater companions than the JBL Xtreme 5.

Scorecard

Best Bluetooth speakerfor design

The low-down

If you want a Bluetooth speaker that looks unbelievably cool in addition to being an immensely versatile party speaker, look no further than the awesome Marshall Bromley 450... if you can afford it, of course. Bearing the look of an electric guitar amp - and with flashy lights to boot - the Bromley 450 is like a compact, space-friendly variant of the similarly great Marshall Bromley 750.

It's far from a style-over-substance product, though, as there's heaps of both. The Bromley 450 packs powerful, immersive audio and incredible 40+ hour battery life. And with plenty of connectivity options, it's beyond ideal for parties, karaoke and even jam sessions. It does take up a bit of real estate, even as the smaller model compared to the Bromley 750, but this is such an impressive product for what it sets out to achieve.

Scorecard

Best for battery life

The low-down

It’s actually unbelievable how long the Marshall Kilburn III can go for without needing a charge – 50 hours to be exact. For a model in its weight class, that’s an outrageous amount of playtime. This model can also be used to charge external devices like mobile phones and headphones, so you can share the power around with ease.

But this thing’s not only a leader in the battery life department – it’s also a top performer when it comes to audio. You’ll uncover phenomenally balanced, detailed, and impactful audio on the Kilburn III, and the Marshall app enables EQ tuning, so you can find your perfect sound.

Scorecard

Best smart Bluetooth speaker

The low-down

So you're looking to buy a Bluetooth speaker, but you're also slightly concerned about the drop in audio quality a Bluetooth connection can bring? In that case I can't recommend the new Sonos Play enough. Its Wi-Fi 6 capabilities mean you get to enjoy its rich, powerful audio with much less of a hit to overall sound quality.

And if you're already a Sonos head with some of the brand's products under your belt, multi-room technology is fully supported by the Sonos Play. That means devices including the Sonos Move 2 and a Sonos Era 100 can interact with the Sonos Play and form a home-wide sound system. Battery life is a huge improvement; at 24 hours, it'll last at least thrice as long as our previous sitter in this category — the Sonos Roam 2.

Scorecard

Best Bluetooth speaker for large spaces

The low-down

Can debuts get much better than that of the Marshall Bromley 750? I'm really not too sure! Marshall’s first ever gigantic party speaker is fantastic-sounding, gorgeous-looking, and long-lasting beast, and I'd recommend it for any larger-scale event – remember, this thing is large enough that requires wheels and a handle, like a suitcase.

I found that this model could dish out almighty, yet regimented bass, while still giving mid-range sounds like guitars and vocals plenty of room to play. Treble also comes through with clarity and precision, while Marshall’s 360-degree true stereophonic sound tech keeps audio well-defined from all angles. The gorgeous lights and amp-inspired design also help the Bromley to feel worth its fairly hefty price tag, and though its companion app could use some work, the speaker’s physical controls and connectivity options won me over.

Scorecard

More speakers I tested for this guide (A-Z)

How I tested Bluetooth speakers for this guide

I have personally tested every single Bluetooth speaker listed in this guide, including a number that didn't quite make the cut – those are listed above. In order to build this guide, I spent multiple weeks testing a whole lot of models, comparing a load of rivals on aspects like sound quality, features, and design. On top of this, I've been consistently reviewing Bluetooth speakers and other related audio gear for more than a year and a half here at TechRadar.

Anyway, what does the actual testing process look (and sound) like? Well, first of all, I make sure I'm using Tidal to listen to music, thanks to its support for quality up to 24-bit and 192kHz, so I'm started with the best possible source. In addition, I make sure to run through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a number of genres, like Classical, Electronic, Jazz, and Rock.

Of course, I want to have a bit of fun while doing this, so I always bump a few tracks from my personal music library too. I listen to a lot of house music and jazz funk fusion, but my playlists feature a range of tunes that help me to judge dynamics, tonal accuracy, and detail right across the frequency range.

I always test out audio gear in the music testing space we have here on TechRadar – a quiet, acoustically treated and controlled environment for judging the quality of audio gear. However, I do try to take speakers into other environments too, including my home, the office, outdoor spaces, and sometimes even the shower (if that IP rating is high enough, of course).

On top of this, I'll make sure to test performance across different connectivity methods. Sometimes a speaker won't showcase its full potential unless its making use of a wired connection. Maybe it needs to be plugged into a power source to hit its maximum power output. I'll try whatever is necessary to hear the full potential of each unit I try. This includes making use of higher resolution codecs, like aptX Adaptive, which require a compatible source device or USB-C dongle.

If a Bluetooth speaker has a companion app, I'll also ensure that it's downloaded (I have so many my phone is running out of storage). Then, I'll exhaust every option, from EQ adjustment through to customizable lighting or battery preservation modes.

Keen to learn more about how we review audio gear and more at TechRadar? Make sure you head on over to our 'how we test' guide.

Q&A: my advice for buying

The latest updates to this Bluetooth speakers guide

June 9, 2026
Refreshed the introduction, and added the JBL Xtreme 5 to our 'best party speaker' category. Additionally, the JBL Go 5 is our new sitter in the 'best budget' speaker category.

April 7, 2026
Refreshed the introduction. Added the Sonos Play as our new 'best with Wi-Fi too' pick, replacing the Sonos Roam 2 which has been moved to the 'also tested' table alongside the Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2. A new product category has also been created: 'best for design'. Our product of choice debuting this category is the Marshall Bromley 450.

February 6, 2026
Refreshed the introduction. Added the JBL Boombox 4 as our 'best party speaker' pick. Moved the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 that was in that spot down to the 'also consider' section. Also added several other options to the 'also consider' section, including the Tribit PocketGo and Edifier ES60, based on our recent reviews.

January 8, 2026
Refreshed the introduction. Added several new picks to the 'more I've tested' section, based on recent reviews, including the Marshall Middleton II and Tribit PocketGo.

December 1, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Added the AO Mini Portable Wireless Speaker to our 'more I've tested' section, based on our recent review.

October 16, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Switched the Edifier ES20 into the no 2 spot as 'best budget', replacing the JBL Clip 5, which is now in our 'also consider' section. Switched the Marshall Bromley 750 into no 5 spot as 'best for parties'. Replaced the older JBL Charge 5 model in the 'best to charge a phone' spot with the newer JBL Charge 6.

September 12, 2025
Updated author details. Added the LG xboom Stage 301 as our 'Best for karaoke' at the number 12 spot. Added a few recently reviewed devices to our also consider section, including the Groov-e Wave Glow and Tribit Stormbox Mini Plus. Updated the 'how we test' section.

August 7, 2025
Switched out the Tribit Stormbox Flow for the Marshall Kilburn III as 'best for battery'. Added the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 to the 'More we've tested' section and tidied up this list to remove some older recommendations.

July 2, 2025
Checked all products against our latest reviews. Updated and rewrote the entry for the JBL Clip 5, our 'best budget' pick, to reflect a year of real-world use. Added several new options to our list of other speakers we've recently reviewed. Updated our FAQ section with new entries to help readers better understand the Bluetooth speaker world.

May 22, 2025
Replaced the UE Everboom with the Bang & Olufsen A1 3rd Gen, making it our 'Best small speaker for sound' choice. The UE Everboom moved into our 'Also consider' section, as it's still a very good sound-per-pound option.

The best portable projectors offer a great way to stream films, games, and deliver presentations from anywhere. We've comprehensively reviewed a range of models - from ultra-bright heavy hitters to pocket-sized devices and I've selected the best mini and handheld projectors capable of filling a range of screen sizes.

I've also included two of the best 4K projectors you can get right now - the budget-priced LG CineBeam Q and BenQ GP520. My newest addition to the line-up is the Anker Nebula X1, which proved to deliver a gorgeous and detailed 4K images when used in a home cinema set-up.

Best portable projectors of 2026 in full

Best portable projector overall

We were already big fans of the original Samsung the Freestyle mini projector, naming it our top choice. And it's stayed that way - until we tried out the second-generation model.

Samsung's The Freestyle 2nd Generation isn't a radical departure from the previous iteration - although it now includes a Gaming Hub, letting you connect a wireless controller and access cloud-basing gaming apps like Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now. It's all very easy to set-up, which is a big part of The Freestyle's appeal, and the subtle, compact design makes it ideal for transporting in a backpack.

In use, picture quality is good - blacks are deep and colors are accurate, with HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG support. The projector also features what Samsung dubs '360 Degree' sound. And in our tests, we were surprised to find it really did offer spacious audio, although the bass was admittedly limited.

However, we did spot a few drawbacks. In our multiple luminance tests, this wasn't the brightest portable projector in the world, and the contrast is low, too, for daytime use outdoors. We would've liked to see more than a single micro-HDMI port here, too (or at least include a HDMI adapter in the box). It may not be a budget model, either, but overall, this is an excellent, easy-to-use mini projector with a real emphasis on portability.

If you can't get the second-gen model, The Freestyle original is an excellent alternative.

Read our Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen review

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Best portable projector on a budget

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is one of those mini projectors that surprises you with how good it is. In our testing, we found it delivered bright images with good color and contrast (and, of course, it looks even better in darker rooms). However, we did need to toy with the limited picture settings to achieve this.

Once we set the projector up, we were pleasantly surprised with how well this model performed. Picture quality even in brighter rooms was very acceptable, although as it's only rated 450 lumens brightness, it's not well-suited to bright overhead lights or outdoor operations in daylight.

As a lower-end model, it's capped at 1080p, which might make it too low for bigger screens. We also noticed the unit can only be tilted to 130-degrees - we couldn't help but feel full 180-degrees would've improved overall performance. Nor did we like the built-in speaker, finding sounds to be serviceable at full volume, but very weak at lower settings. A Bluetooth speaker is recommended here.

Compared to its most obvious rival, the Freestyle 2, you'll see similar specs here for a lower price, but what really sells this one to us is the optional PowerBase tripod stand which elevates the mini projector while powering it at the same.

Read our full XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro portable projector review

Coming soon (maybe)

The new Xgimi Z6X 5th Gen portable projector has not been officially launched outside of China. We don't know how much it will be or even if it will be available in other markets. It does look kinda cool, so fingers crossed.

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Best 4K portable projector

The BenQ GP520 is an affordable 4K portable projector that boasts impressive brightness - the LED light source hits around 2,600 ANSI Lumens, and in our review, we called it “a go-anywhere all-in-one theater system.”

The design is boxy and compact, weighing in at 8.2lb / 3.7kg. There’s no built-in handle - although you can get a carry case (sold separately). Despite this, we found it easy enough and light enough to move around. There’s no gimbal stand, but you’ll also find tripod holds on three sides for positioning the projector.

Picture quality is very good. We found the 4K images were sharp and detailed with HDR10+ support, and there’s motion handling. Colors aren’t blisteringly vivid, though, and the blacks could be deeper. This isn’t one for gamers either, since it can’t switch to 1080p for a frame-rate boost. Having said that, under the right settings, it looks way better than it has any right to be for a low-cost 4K portable projector. We also felt the speakers were surprisingly good. Of course, you’ll get better performance with a sound system, but they’re absolutely acceptable without an external set-up - especially since the fans aren’t especially loud in use.

Overall, a solid 4K entry that’s hard to beat on price, especially given the higher than average brightness compared to similar models.

Read our full BenQ GP520 review

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Best 4K portable projector on a budget

Coming in at under $1000 / £1000, the LG CineBeam Q is a delightfully stylish and affordable portable projector boasting 4K resolution and support for a raft of streaming platforms.

The design is sleek, looking like a hi-fi speaker, with a swinging stand that also acts as a handle for extra portability. There’s no built-in battery - you’ll need to use the mains cable - but that just keeps the device lightweight.

In tests, we were pleasantly surprised with how good the 4K performance was. And unlike rival units, this one has HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range support. Elsewhere, the CineBeam Q features outstanding color performance. Darks were deep, bright images were vibrant, skin tones natural. However, there are some trade-offs at this price. Peak brightness is 500 ANSI lumens, and the contrast ratio sits at 500:1, which is average for portable DLP projectors. We also found it best paired with a speaker or soundbar, as the sound can be weak.

Overall, an excellent budget 4K portable projector with a stylish design. There are some trade-offs for the price, but it’s still cheaper than many rivals with similar specs.

Read our full LG CineBeam Q review

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Best mini projector

The Anker Nebula Capsule is our pick for best mini projector - a pocket-sized, handheld portable Bluetooth projector that’s powerful and pretty cheap. Better still, you can connect your iPhone or Android to the projector via a USB-C to HDMI cable for the full on-the-go viewing experience.

We reviewed the second edition Nebula Capsule, and absolutely loved the design. Shaped like a beer can, the Nebula Capsule is one super-portable unit, all in black, with speaker grilles pocketing the casing. In our own tests, we got up to 2.5 hours of video playback on a single charge.

Projecting up to a 100in screen, we found performance very watchable, although it struggles in broad daylight. The top-rated pocket projector hits up to 200 ANSI lumens, with 720p output. The third generation devices bump up these specs to 300 lumens and 1080p output, which is a big improvement. We’d still like to see a higher luminance for outdoors settings and camping though.

One of the best handheld projectors we’ve ever tested, especially for anyone looking for a mini projector for iPhone or Android.

Read our full Anker Nebula Capsule II review

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Best portable projector for gaming

When you’re looking at mini projectors for gaming, you’ll usually find many of the top models lack the right refresh rates, resolutions, and response times. While that’s fine for TV, movies, and certain games, it doesn’t offer the greatest experience.

And that’s why we really rate the BenQ X300G. This low-latency portable projector is tailored to gamers. It’s also reasonably affordable too, at least in the realms of projectors.

Accommodating screen sizes between 30-150in, the X300G boasts 2,000 lumens, HDR10 and HLG support, and even 84% DCI-P3 color space coverage. Picture quality in our tests was colorful and bright. However, we did find the LED and DLP mini projector was better suited to smaller rooms, and the built-in speakers are disappointedly average. With two HDMI ports and two USB slots, port selection is limited, too.

But what sets the BenQ X300G apart is the ability to switch between movies in 4K HDR at 24 or 60Hz, or dropping to 1080p at 240Hz for gaming. That gives it good all-round versatility.

Read our full BenQ X300G review

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Best portable projector for home theaters

The Anker Nebula X1 is an upgrade on the Cosmos Laser 4K - both are good for a home theater set-up, but the X1 is easily the better pick since it boasts a far brighter 3500 ANSI lumens and an increased maximum screen size of 200 inches.

In tests, picture quality remained sharp and bright, with the 14-element, all-glass lens giving us gorgeously detailed images. Even the built-in speakers were pretty nice - dialogue came through loud and clear. Alright, they'll never beat a full audio system, but for a portable projector, we had no complaints at all.

Measuring results, the X1 delivered HDR brightness on a 10% white window pattern at 188 nits in Movie Mode and ISF mode, with a native 1,656:1 contrast ratio. For film fans, you'll be pleased to know when using Movie Mode, colors appeared incredibly accurate.

However, it's not the best for gaming, since we found it required a lot of set-up to get it displaying correctly, and the input lag really hurt the experience. We also ran into issues with the eARC port, where the projector would only recognize our Blu-ray player as an audio source. Anker has told us it'll be updating this in a future update, so fingers crossed.

Overall, considering the Nebula X1's versatility, this remains a top choice for movie-lovers.

Read our Anker Nebula X1 review

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Best portable projector for presentations

When it comes to businesses that need a top-rated mini projector for presentations, the JMGO N1S Ultra 4K stands out for us. At around the $2000 / £2000 mark, it’s reasonably priced for a high-resolution unit, and we really like its compact and robust casing. Perfect for pulling out when you need to present, then neatly storing it away. It won’t take up too much room, but it will let everyone see the bigger picture.

Speaking of which, the N1S Ultra 4K supports screen sizes up to 150in, with a bright 3,000 ANSI lumens. Indoors performance was excellent, with images and sound coming through crisp and clear. A gimbal offers full 360-degree rotation and 135-degree tilt.

Our reviewer, a lecturer, used the unit on location in a lecture theatre, studio, and village hall - and found this is where the 4K mini projector really shines. Easy to set-up - just plug and play - with color adjustments for a range of walls and screens.

What it really lacks is port selection. You’ll only find two HDMI and a USB port, alongside a 3.5mm audio jack. For the price, we’d like a few more options here. If that’s not an issue for you, we found this mini projector is great for giving presentations or any type of talk.

Read our full JMGO N1S Ultra 4K projector review

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Best portable projector for outdoors

You can use plenty of portable projectors in the garden, but for a lot of models, you’ll need a reliable power source. And this usually means running cables from the house. That’s where a unit like the Anker Nebula Mars 3 shows its strengths. This compact projector features a built-in battery, letting you use it anywhere.

That’s not the only reason to like the Nebula Mars 3 for outdoors use, with the projector also sporting a camping lamp, Bluetooth speaker capabilities, and the ability to plug in small devices, so you can charge up your phone or tablet. A lens cap and waterproofing complete the set-up.

Specs are fair for a projector primarily designed for use outdoors. Here, you’ll find 1080p resolution that’s best for use on screens up to around 65 inches. The LED DLP projection system hits 1000 lumens, making it best-suited to dark environments (like a night-time movie screening in the yard). Colors are ok - we found they delivered modest vibrance, but naturally they lack the ‘pop’ of a triple-laser HDR-capable projector.

But it’s the built-in battery that really makes this a worthwhile unit. In that regard, it knocks the spots off a model like the Samsung The Freestyle, which also has a battery but lacks the brightness you’ll get here. During our own testing, we ramped the brightness up to full, with volume set to 50%, and the Nebula Mars 3 ran a two-hour movie with more than over 20% charge (around 30-minutes playtime) left in the tank.

Read our full Anker Nebula Mars 3 review

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Best portable projectors compared

Best portable projectors: FAQs

How to choose the best portable projector for you

It’s important to know what to look for when you're buying a portable projector.

By considering how you’re going to use it, you’ll get the right mix of features. We asked Luke Chen, senior business line manager at Viewsonic Europe, a display and projector specialist for his point of view (no pun intended).

First off, you need to think about the situations you’re going to be using your projector in and find one that fits your requirements. Taking your smart projector on-the-go? Consider how well the projector achieves a portable design. Does it come with a carry handle? Or can it fold into a travel-ready container? If your projector is going to sit on your coffee table, make sure it says it’s a “short throw.”

Think about durability, LED technology avoids dimming projector issues, allowing smart projectors to shine brightly for up to 30,000 hours. LED light sources run much cooler than bulb-based light sources (meaning less fan noise). “Lamp-Free” is what to look for. It means you no longer have to rely on bulbs, which need to be replaced over time. They’re eco-friendly, too. Lamp Free means no glass bulb is needed, which means no mercury.

Something else to consider is resolution. Smart projectors are much smaller than standard projectors, this makes resolution the first thing to go. For those who enjoy camping, and just want some form of entertainment next to the campfire, a lower resolution works. Mini projectors have the hardest time with resolution. But, not all smart projectors suffer from poor resolution. 4K Smart LED projectors are now on the market. If home entertainment is your preferred use, opt for 4K resolution. The highest-end smart projectors will call themselves “True 4K” projectors.

Next, up, apps. Your projector is only as smart as the apps running on it. So, it makes sense to have an app store enabled on your projector. Does the projector you’re looking at come with app store integration? To work with apps, enable voice commands, and stream movies (all at the same time) look for a smart projector with ample processors, memory, and storage.

Most smart projectors have to compromise on sound. This is the only way to fit all the components into such a small size. If you don’t already have a premium sound system integrated into your home theatre, opt for premium speakers. In short, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all projector.

How we test the best portable projectors

We've tested many different types of projectors over the years, including the best ultra-short throw projectors and the best business projectors - but when we were looking for the best portable projector, we needed to see a few key considerations.

The most obvious is portability. This means different things to different people. In the guide above, we've clarified that some designs are portable because you can move them from room to room, like the Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K. At the same time, others are pocket-sized, like the ASUS ZenBeam E1 Portable LED Projector. Both are, technically, 'portable' but to varying degrees, and we've made that clear in the guide.

Usability is critical with projectors. There's no point carrying one with you if setting up is a pain. So while testing these best portable projectors, we ensured that you could get up and running quickly, even if you've not had much experience with projectors.

Brightness and picture quality vary in our guide above, but all can project TV shows and movies at a decent rate. We were mainly looking for projectors that offered a decent amount of brightness and resolution for their size and value for money. We've clarified when you'll likely get a dimmer experience, but in a tiny and affordable package, which might be more of a priority for some people.

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Installing one of the best video doorbells can improve security and help you manage access to your home. These clever cameras are far more than just digital peepholes. They provide two-way communication, that allows you to communicate with guests, delivery drivers, and other callers from your phone or one of the best smart displays.

We've tested all of the models in this guide, mounting them beside our own front doors for daily use. When recommending the best video doorbell, we consider the camera quality, intelligent features, storage and installation as well as subscription costs to help you choose the best video doorbell for your needs.

The best video doorbells 2025

The best video doorbell overall

The Philips 7000 Series, which launched a few years ago, took our vote for the best video doorbell of 2024 thanks to its sharp picture quality, ease of use and value for money. In 2026 it's still that good and our top pick.

Unlike most video doorbells we've tested, it can be used wired or wirelessly, and comes with a charm that you can use anywhere in your home. We found it a piece of cake to install (just screw on the mount and install the mobile app via a QR code), and its video footage proved crisp and clear even in challenging lighting conditions. The picture quality is excellent during the day, and night vision works well too, helping you easily identify callers after dark.

The twin camera setup works well too, giving you a clear view of visitors, plus parcels left at your door. The only thing we found frustrating was the slight delay when using two-way audio to speak with callers, which made having an extended conversation somewhat difficult. For everyday use, though, this video doorbell is hard to beat.

Read our full Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell review

The best budget video doorbell

In our opinion, Arlo's first video doorbell is the best available on the market right now. If you already have other Arlo devices, it's a no-brainer; if not, it should still be top of the list of considerations.

Slim and stylish, it displays super-detailed footage. Thanks to the camera's 180-degree field of view and 1:1 aspect ratio, you can view the entire length of the person at your door, including any packages on the ground by their feet.

This is a mains-powered unit, so we'd recommend it's professionally installed, but Arlo does offer a battery-powered version called Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free.

It's one of a handful of doorbell cameras that integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. However, you'll need to subscribe to the Arlo Secure service to get the most out of the doorbell, including features such as going back and viewing who was at the door if you missed the call and giving callers the chance to leave a message for you.

Why not check out our Arlo coupon codes to save money on your purchase?

Read our full Arlo Video Doorbell review

The easiest video doorbell to use

UK-based company Doro makes tech with senior users in mind, but the Hemma doorbell is a great pick for anyone who wants a video doorbell that's affordable, well made, and easy to use.

The doorbell itself is easy to install and charge (which you'll need to do every 10 days), and our reviewer found the mobile app refreshingly straightforward, putting key features at your fingertips, including thoughtful security features. For example, if you don't recognize a visitor, you can redirect the call to a friend or neighbor, or sound a loud siren to attract attention. There was minimal lag when we used two-way audio to speak with visitors (no more than you'd expect on a Zoom call).

For us, the only drawback was that the motion sensor seemed to be a bit too sensitive, generating false alerts when neighbors passed by, but this is unlikely to be a problem if you live in a detached house, and you can always choose to deactivate it if not.

Read our full Doro Hemma review

The best video doorbell for package deliveries

With not one but two cameras, one of which faces the ground, this video doorbell is ideal for anyone that gets lots of deliveries. Not only does the second camera pick up any parcels that might be at the feet of anyone at your doorstep, but handy features, including pre-record messages that can be broadcast when anyone approaches said package, are good for deterring any would-be opportunist thieves.

Like the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless), which appears further down in this list, the Video Doorbell Dual is battery-powered, making it suitable for renters or DIY novices. Even better, it ships with a base station that offers 16GB of local storage for videos recorded by the doorbell, so no subscription is required to get the most out of it.

However, it's bulkier than many doorbells on this list, and the battery isn't swappable, so the doorbell will be out of action when it needs recharging. Also, while it integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, Apple fans will be dismayed to hear there's no HomeKit support. That said, this doorbell could prove invaluable if you get regular deliveries when you're not at home.

Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual review

The best battery-powered video doorbell

The new Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus brings some marked improvements to camera quality, as well as new intelligent features that make the upgrade well worthwhile. Its new head-to-toe view, in particular, makes a marked difference in everyday use.

The new model is packing a new camera with 1536p resolution, night vision with color, and a snazzy new head-to-toe view thanks to the increased vertical field of view (150 degrees by 150 degrees), and is a noticeable iterative improvement on the Ring Video Doorbell 4 for an ever-so-slightly higher price. Ring also says the Battery Video Doorbell Plus offers up to three times the battery life of previous models.

There are some downgrades among the upgrades, however. There's no pre-roll (which captures motion four seconds before a motion event is triggered), 5GHz connectivity, or motion alerts on compatible Amazon Echo devices. However, the head-to-toe view, improved overall motion detection and battery life go a long way to making the extra expense worth it.

Read our full Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus review

The best video doorbell with no subscription

The EZVIZ EP3x Pro is a great option if you want to hang onto videos for a long time without having to commit to a rolling subscription fee. That's because this doorbell has a remarkable 32GB internal storage, which lets you store up to six months of footage that you can scour through at a later date.

It's certainly not small (in fact it's one of the biggest video doorbells we've tested), but there's no arguing with its built quality. Video is super clear too, even at night, when the EP3x Pro emits a bright floodlight to illuminate nocturnal visitors.

All of this comes at a surprisingly affordable price - the doorbell retails for a mid-range price $149.99 / £129.99 (about AU$220), but can often be found at a discount if you know where to look. We've found today's best prices for you above.

Read our full EZVIZ EP3x Pro Doorbell review

The best video doorbell for Google Home

Even the best video doorbells usually only record at 2K resolution, but ones that can capture 4K footage from your doorstep are starting to become more common. This new model from Lorex is one of the best examples, and during our tests, we were particularly impressed by the way its wide viewing angles give you a super clear view of people, packages, and more.

It's also great if you're looking for a video doorbell that you can use with a smart speaker or one of the best smart displays, thanks to its compatibility with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Unlike some other models, this is a doorbell that can integrate seamlessly into your existing smart home setup.

It's certainly not the cheapest doorbell in this listing, but your super-sharp footage is stored on an internal SD card, so there's no need to pay a monthly subscription fee to see your videos.

We also found its battery life to be shorter than average (possibly due to the energy demands of its high-res camera), and at the time of writing it's only available to buy in the US.

Read our full Lorex 4K Battery Doorbell review

The best video doorbell with AI

The SwannBuddy4K video doorbell launched in early 2024, but received a major software update later in the year that added something unique: AI voice responses generated on the fly in response to what's happening on your doorstep - with a tone of voice chosen by you.

It's an interesting idea, but during our tests it was this doorbell's superb video quality and well-designed software that really impressed us - it's exceptional even without the new voice assistant. We found it refreshingly simple to install (though the metal mount may limit your options when it comes to positioning a little depending on your doorframe), and the mobile app makes customizing settings and defining detection zones a piece of cake.

We also appreciated the fact that the SwannBuddy4K offers internal storage via a MicroSD card, so there's no need to pay a monthly fee to access your video archives (though a subscription plan is available if you want cloud storage as well). This, combined with the relatively low initial cost and frequent discounts, makes the SwannBuddy4K particularly good value.

Read our full SwannBuddy4K review

We also tested

We've tested lots of video doorbells here at TechRadar. Here are some that didn't quite make our shortlist.

How we test video doorbells

All the video doorbells which you have seen in this guide have been reviewed in the homes of our contributors and editors to ensure we know how they handle real homes and real-world conditions. We take our testing as seriously as we would if we were spending our own hard-earned cash, because we don't want you to waste yours.

To compare the best video doorbells, we review the quality of the footage they capture both during the day and at night. We also judge the sound quality of the video, as well as how easy it is to have a conversation with someone on the doorstep.

We also assess the ease of installation and, if relevant, the battery life, along with how simple the app is to navigate and the benefits offered by any subscription services. Many such services offer secure storage for footage and more advanced features designed to identify what triggered a motion alert and reduce unwanted notifications about activity in the doorbell’s field of view.

FAQs

How to choose the best video doorbell

There are several key factors you need to consider before choosing the best video doorbell for you and your household.

Battery vs wired

Video doorbells are widely available in both battery and mains-powered options, meaning that your current preferences and setup could help you choose. For example, those who already have existing wiring for an old doorbell might find it easier to choose a hardwired option. At the same time, renters could be better suited to a battery-powered model.

If you do opt for a mains-powered doorbell and aren't completely confident about working on your home's wiring, ensure you opt for professional installation. Meanwhile, a battery-powered alternative requires far less DIY and can be a better alternative despite needing to be regularly charged.

Additional extras

However, you may need to purchase an additional chime to hear a sound inside your house when the doorbell is pressed or set up a compatible smart speaker or smart display to do this for you. The quality of the video doorbell records video in should also be considered - most record footage in Full HD. In contrast, others offer a higher resolution, which is ideal if you have a long driveway and want to clearly see small details in the field of view.

Aspect ratio

If you get a lot of deliveries, also consider a video doorbell that offers a 1:1 aspect ratio - so you’ll be able to see the full length of someone on your doorstep and if they have a package at their feet too.

Storage and subscriptions

Finally, consider how the video the camera captures is stored - does it require a subscription to save the video in the cloud so it can go back and be reviewed after it has happened? These will set you back a little extra each month, so remember to factor in this cost. Some video doorbells offer local storage, so you don’t have any ongoing costs associated with the camera, while others provide free cloud storage for a limited time after the video has been recorded.

• Check out the best Ring video doorbell deals and prices 

Investing in one of the best robot vacuums can revolutionize your cleaning routine. They're perfect for taking care of regular vacuuming (and increasingly, mopping too) with next-to-no effort from you, and you can set them to run when you're out of the house, for minimal disruption.

The market ranges from ultra-simple to extremely capable, with price tags to match, so it's important to pick the right one for your needs. I'm here to help with that. TechRadar's testers have been reviewing robot vacuums since 2015, and we've tested nearly 100 different models in total. I've used our in-depth reviews to compare different models and put together this ranking.

Right now, the best robot vacuum on the market is the Roborock Qrevo Curv (#1). On test, this robot vacuum delivered superb suction and excellent mopping, as well as being ultra-reliable and easy to use. If you're on a tighter budget, consider the simpler but still very capable Roborock Q7 M5 (#3). Alternatively, read on for a range of options for different needs and budgets. And if you want to supplement your robovac with a manual model for stairs and deep cleans, head to our guide to the best cordless vacuum cleaners.

Today's best robot vacuums – as tested by experts

The best robot vacuum for most people

The best robot vacuum for most people is the Roborock Qrevo Curv. This hybrid robot vacuum-and-mop offers outstanding vacuuming, and its 18,500Pa of power soared through all our suction tests, proving more than a match for our reviewer's pet hair-covered carpets.

Navigation is excellent, and the Qrevo Curv can also be relied upon to identify and avoid obstacles as required, meaning you can leave it to do its own thing without having to worry about it getting stuck or trying to suction up something it shouldn't. On test, we also found it was great at hoisting itself over tall thresholds.

The mopping is a cut above average, and the space-age looking curvy dock takes care of many maintenance tasks, including refilling the bot's onboard tank and washing and drying its mop pads. (You will need to supplement this with the occasional deeper clean, but that's unavoidable.)

An easy-to-use app offers you plenty of precise control, should you want it. Plus, you can use it for advanced functions such as a Pet Patrol mode, where you can ask the bot to find your furry friends while you're out, and even let you talk to them via the onboard mic and speaker.

That level of smarts means a high price tag, but because this bot has been succeeded by newer, even fancier models, deals are increasingly common these days. It's still a bit of an investment, but well worth it if you can afford it. If you're looking for a truly autonomous cleaning solution, the Roborock Qrevo Curv will deliver.

Read our full Roborock Qrevo Curv review

The best budget robot vacuum

If you don't have tons of cash to splash and are happy with something relatively simple, the Roborock Q7 M5 is the best budget robot vacuum I've tested. For a very affordable price (with further discounts cropping up regularly) it delivers capable cleaning – including the kind of suction specs I'd expect to see on a much pricier bot.

It performed well in our vacuuming tests, sucking up debris large and small, and tackling pet hair with enthusiasm. Its mapping and navigation are accurate, and it meticulously trundled over the entire floor space. However, it wasn't amazing at cleaning right up to the edges of rooms – fancier robovacs have extending side brushes for this, whereas the Q7 M5's is fixed.

The mop setup is fine, if a little on the wet side. We were pleasantly surprised with how effectively it cleared a dried ketchup smear in our tests. You can switch the mopping on and off without having to remove the whole mop pad (as is the case on some budget robovacs), but do note that the Q7 M5 can't lift its mop when traversing carpet.

Overall, the build quality felt very robust. We especially liked the generously sized dust cup and water tank, and the big, bouncy wheels that help it tackle uneven flooring and taller room thresholds. We tested the regular Q7 M5, which has a compact, charge-only dock that's ideal if you have a smaller home with no space for a bulky dock.

While 10,000Pa isn't especially impressive in the modern robot vacuum market, it's pretty good for a budget model. Even so, you might want to take a look at a more powerful model, such as the Roborock Saros 10, if your home has a lot of deep carpets to tackle. But if you're on a budget, the Q7 M5 is a top choice, which offers excellent value and impressive real-world performance.

Read our full Roborock Q7 M5 review

The best premium robot vacuum

If you're looking for a high-tech option (or you just want something that's excellent at cleaning and reach places other robots can't) the check out the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete. This bot has a range of cool features, including tiny legs that raise it up to propel it over tall thresholds, and a navigation puck that can retract until it's flush to the robot's top surface. That means it can reach rooms that might have been off-limits to other bots, and clean in low-height spaces like under the sofa.

A handful of other premium robot vacuums offer similar features, but this Dreame bot offers perhaps the most complete package on the market right now, and it's bolstered by excellent cleaning performance too. On test, it offered thorough vacuuming and superb mopping. Our tester was especially impressed with how well it cleaned the edges of rooms, on account of its extending side brush and mop pad are to thank for this. Considering that edge cleaning is one of the most common flaws we find when testing robot vacs such as the Roborock Q7 M5, that's a win.

The dock is the does-it-all type that does everything from emptying dust to refilling the water tanks, as well as cleaning the mop pads with hot water. There's even UV light treatment to keep everything extra-hygienic.

All that tech comes at a price, and this bot will be out of many people's budgets, though. It's also Dreame's flagship model, which means discounts are rare. If you're looking for a premium model that truly does it all, look no further.

Read our full Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review

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The best robot vacuum for pet hair

If you have shedding pets, especially combined with a decent amount of carpet, the Dreame L40 Ultra will be the best robot vacuum for you. This bot was put through its paces in a home filled with furry four-legged friends, and really rose to the challenge. In our tests, we found that it pulled huge volumes of hair from carpet, and handled hard floors extremely well, too. We had no issues with the hair clogging the self-empty mechanism, and a larger-than-usual dock dustbin means you won't need to replace the dust bags too frequently.

The mopping is also a cut above average. On test, we found the rotating pads very effective – great news if you're regularly dealing with muddy pawprints. The robot will leave its mop pads in its dock when they're not needed, or raise them when moving off hard floor to help you avoid damp carpets, too.

The does-it-all dock will take care of emptying the bot's dustbin, refilling its water tank, dispensing cleaning fluid, and cleaning and drying its mop pads. Operation couldn't be easier: our tester found the app easy to use, with useful customization options. Mapping is fast and accurate, and object avoidance is solid, too.

This isn't a cheap bot, but it regularly attracts hefty discounts now that Dreame has brought out fancier, newer models such as the Dreame X50 above. If you want to see how it compares to other pet-friendly options, head to our general roundup of the best robot vacuums for pet hair.

Read our full Dreame L40 Ultra review

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The best robot vacuum for carpet

The Roborock Saros 10 is the best robot vacuum for cleaning lots of carpet, thanks to incredible suction specs and a well-designed roller to gently agitate the fibers (without getting tangled with hair). It also offers strong mopping and has the ability to raise or drop off mop pads in the dock when they're not needed, so your carpets won't get damp.

It's one of two robot vacuums in this guide (alongside the Dreame at #6) to have a LiDAR puck that can retract to clean in limited-height spaces. That sounds like a minor thing, but if it's the difference between the bot being able to get into the dusty depths beneath your sofa, and just skirting around its perimeter, it's well worth it. It can also make its way over tall room thresholds, although not quite as tall as the ones the Dreame X50 can.

This bot sailed through our vacuuming tests and also had no trouble pulling large volumes of dog hair from carpeted floors. The mopping is also solid – an especially good choice if you have floors that are sensitive to moisture but still need an occasional damp clean, because it offers fine control over water levels. An extra mini side mop helps with cleaning right up to the edges of rooms. However, if you're looking for a deeper scrub, I'd seek out a bot with dual rotating mop pads such as the Roborock Qrevo Curv, rather than the fixed, D-shaped one found here.

As well as looking extremely stylish when compared to the wider market, the dock here is comprehensive and will take care of a lot of maintenance tasks for you. It can charge the bot in double-quick time, as well as emptying dust, dispensing detergent, washing the mops with hot water, and drying them with warm air.

Price-wise the Saros 10 is premium, but worth it for the quality, features and performance. As newer Roborocks have come out, we've started to see strong discounts at peak sale times.

Read our full Roborock Saros 10 review

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The best robot vacuum for hard floors

The Eureka J20 is the best robot vacuum for hard floors, thanks to a game-changing new 'RollRenew' mop style. With most robovacs, mopping is a bit of an afterthought, but that's not the case here. The mop pad is mounted onto a roller (think: tank track), and as it rotates around, the dirty liquid is siphoned off and clean water is sprayed on. That helps ensure a hygienic and effective mopping session – the mop won't simply spread messes around further as it tries to clean them.

On test, we found it did a fantastic job of clearing spillages. We were also impressed with the comprehensive docking station, which helps ease the burden of the maintenance tasks involved with mopping robot vacuums. It'll drain the dirty water tank, refill the clean one, and wash and dry the mop pads. Elsewhere, vacuuming is very good, especially on higher suction levels, and the mapping and obstacle avoidance is reliable too.

On the downside, the battery life is rather short on higher-powered modes (which will be required for most people's needs). That might not be an issue if you're cleaning on one floor, as the bot will just return to its dock to recharge as required, but it becomes more annoying if you're using it on multiple floors.

Price-wise, it's not cheap – although we couldn't fault the build quality or engineering, and these kinds of do-it-all docks do always come at a price. But if you have lots of hard floors and mopping is your priority, it's worth the investment.

Read our full Eureka J20 robot vacuum review

The best robot vacuum for obstacle avoidance

What sets the Narwal Flow 2 apart is its advanced AI cleaning system. The robot spots and focuses on dirtier areas, adapting its cleaning pattern mid-run. In our testing, it doubled back to re-mop an entryway after detecting extra grime, all without intervention, delivering the kind of hands-off performance premium buyers expect. Its obstacle avoidance was top-tier, and it even identifies obstacle types in the Narwal app.

The Flow 2 combines powerful suction with exceptional mopping, boasting 30,000 Pa suction power – more than our top pick, the Roborock Qrevo Curv. The dock system is a highlight in its own right. With a 120-day dust bag capacity, it minimizes the need for manual emptying, so you can set it up and forget about it for months

In our tests, the Flow 2 picked up 98% of coffee grounds from carpet. And when it comes to mopping, the roller mop applies 12N of downward pressure and, like our top pick for hard floors, supplies its roller attachment with a constant flow of clean water instead of spinning dirty pads around your floors.

The downsides: in a 1,600-square-foot home, a full cleaning run took three hours, and while the battery was sufficient, it could require a top-up for even larger spaces. While its suction is not to be faulted, we did note that it lacked some of the edge cleaning prowess of alternatives like the Dreame X50 Ultra.

Read our full Narwal Flow 2 review

The best all-in-one robot vacuum

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo is the best all-in-one robot vacuum solution. While its suction is a little low at 11,000Pa – matching the cheaper picks in this guide – the specs stood up in real-world testing. Our tester also found it could tackle the edges of rooms remarkably well, and its mopping is excellent too.

Most people with robot vacuums need to supplement them with a manual vacuum – even if your robovac is great at corners and edges, it still won't be able to tackle stairs or upholstery. Ecovacs has taken the effort out of that by bundling a mini handheld vacuum in with the T30S Combo (and if you get the Complete version, there's a full stick vacuum thrown in!) for supplementary cleaning. At 3L, the onboard dustbin capacity is larger than usual, meaning it you'll need to replace the bags less often.

As you'd expect at this price, this robot vacuum not short on features, including its own voice assistant. It can launched via the tap of a foot (although on test this didn't always work reliably), the base station will wash and dry the mop pads, the dust cups of the robovac and the handheld vac will auto-empty when docked, and the mapping is outstanding.

The companion app works extremely well – our tester was especially impressed that it automatically partitioned the rooms into their own spaces. In terms of performance, we had almost no issues with this robot vacuum at all – if it's in your budget, it's worth the investment.

Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo review

Specs comparison

Tested by

All the robot vacuums in this ranking have been rigorously tested, either by one of the TechRadar Homes team or an experienced reviewer. Meet some of the expert reviewers who tested the robovacs that feature in this guide.

Alternatives to consider

If none of the robot vacuums above take your fancy, here are some other models worth considering. These robovacs all scored highly on test, but just didn't quite make our main guide.

Frequently asked questions

How to choose the best robot vacuum for you

New robot vacuums are being released at an alarming rate, and it can be difficult to tell one from another. Below is my quick guide to how to choose the right model for you – if you want more information, you'll find it in my in-depth robot vacuum buying advice article.

Suction power

Up until a few years ago, the highest suction level you'd see on a robot vacuum would be around 10,000Pa. However, today's top-specced bots can generate upwards of 18,000Pa — in some cases, as high as 30,000, which is capable of pulling up deep-rooted pet hair from the plushest of carpets.

In the mid-range price bracket today, expect 6,000-9,000Pa of suction. Lower than 6,000Pa is what I'd expect in a budget-friendly model.

Vac or mop-vac?

Many of today's best robot vacuums are also able to mop floors. This can be useful if you have a mix of hard floors and carpet, but be aware that robovac mopping tends not to clean as well as good old manual mopping. Dual, rotating circular disc mop pads tend to deliver a more effective clean than semicircular mop pads, in my experience, and the new breed of roller mop is a step up again.

Dock type

The cheapest robovacs will only have a dock for charging. Pricier models incorporate self-emptying of the onboard dustbin, and draining/refilling of the onboard water tanks. The very fanciest models offer automatic mop pad cleaning, and detergent dispensing for the mopping fluid. Onboard dustbins tend to be small, so if you're dealing with lots of dust or hair then I'd recommend prioritizing a self-empty dock. However, be aware that the more functions you add, the bigger the dock will be – the ones with water tanks can be pretty massive.

Cleaning features

Beyond suction power, there are lots of design aspects that will affect how well your robovac cleans, including edge cleaning features, pet-friendly features, and features geared towards tackling hair.

Historically, robovacs aren't great at cleaning up to the edges of rooms, but today's best robot vacuums add spinning side brushes designed to flick debris into the robot's suction path. Combo models might also have mops that can kick out from the side of the vacuum to get closer to the sides of rooms.

Pet owners might want to look for a model that is able to recognize their pet and either avoid it (if it's spooked by the addition of a sentient appliance to the household) or seek it out to check up on it while you're out of the house. If your pet isn't reliably house trained, beware: even bots with advanced object recognition can struggle with objects under, say, 2 inches in height. I'd never trust any robovac to avoid pet poop, even those with promises that specifically focus on pet mess.

If you have long hair, or live with someone who does, you might want to consider a robot vacuum with features geared towards ensuring it doesn't end up tangled all around the brushrolls. Some brands will address this by tapering their brushrolls or breaking them in the middle, with the aim of quickly directing hair towards the bin inlet. Dreame even has an alternative brushroll attachment that has little blades to chop up hair so it can be more easily managed.

How we tested these robot vacuums

A new robot vacuum can be a significant investment, so to ensure you end up with the right one for you, each model here has been tested either by myself or one of my regular, experienced freelance reviewers.

We test out models from a wide range of brands, including the likes of iRobot Roomba, Dreame, Shark and Roborock, as well as Eufy, Ecovacs, Narwal and Proscenic. We cover options for different budgets, rather than only testing the latest-and-greatest models (which, after all, will be overkill for many shoppers).

Our reviews are underpinned by specific, standardized tests. Here's a rundown of our review process.

Suction tests
We test fine dirt pickup by sprinkling a mix of flour and cookie crumbs on the floor, and large debris pickup using oats. We look at whether there's any remnants left after a single pass from the robot vacuum, and if it catches them on a second run. We repeat these tests for both hard floor and carpet.

Mopping tests
If the robot vacuum has a mop function, we see how it copes with fresh liquid spillages as well as dried-on, sticky messes. To test this, we smear a tiny bit of ketchup on the floor and leave it to dry, and also spill a bit of soy sauce, then task the robot with a spot clean. We'll also look at how the robot tackles the issue of switching between vacuuming and mopping – will it reliably detect floor type, and pick up its mop pad when moving from hard floor onto carpet, for example?

Mapping tests
When we first get the robot set up, we'll see how long it takes to create a map of the home, and how accurate that map is. For subsequent runs, we'll keep an eye on how the robot navigates the space; if takes a logical route through the house, if it repeats already-clean areas, and so on.

Navigation tests
To assess object avoidance, we lay out a charge cable, a sock that's a similar color to the floor, and some fake pet poop, to see if it can reliably spot and avoid them. On the navigation front, we'll also test the robot vacuum's edge cleaning abilities – does it get right up to the edges of rooms, or leave a margin that needs manual cleaning.

General use tests
As well as these standardized tests, my reviewers integrate these robovacs into their daily cleaning setup, to get a feel for how effective and user-friendly they are in general. This includes assessing noise levels (when cleaning and also when self-emptying), how long they last on a single charge, and how regularly they have to return to the dock to self-empty or charge.

We'll dig into the app and gauge how well-designed, usable and intuitive it is, and how much control it offers. We'll also test any specific performance claims made by the manufacturer, as well as checking out any special features like built-in voice assistants and camera surveillance.

After at least two weeks of testing, we consolidate our findings and use them to judge who (if anyone) we'd recommend the robot vacuum to. We also compare the features and build quality to the price, to assess if the robot vacuum is good value for money.

Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.

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TechRadar robot vacuum coverage

Buying guides:

• Best robot vacuum for pet hair
• Best cheap robot vacuum
• Best vacuum cleaner
• Best cordless vacuum
• Best Dyson vacuum
• Best wet and dry vacuum
• Best Shark vacuum

Top reviews:

• Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review
• Roborock Saros 10 review
• Ecovacs Deebot T30S review
• Eufy X10 Pro Omni review
• Roborock Saros 10R review
• Xiaomi X20+ review
• Dreame L40 Ultra review
• Roborock Saros Z70 review
• SwitchBot K11+ review

Explainers:

• How to choose a robot vacuum: what to look for
• Can a robot vacuum effectively mop your floors, too?
• How to properly take care of your robot vacuum cleaner
• 6 settings you should be changing on your robovac (but probably aren't)
• How to prep your home for a robot vacuum
• How to buy a robot vacuum: top tips

First-hand experience:

• 7 things I wish I'd known before getting my first robot vacuum
• I've been testing new robovacs for a year – this is my one key tip that could save you money when you buy
• I just watched a robot vacuum pick up a brush and sweep in a corner, and this might be the future of cleaning
• My haunted Roomba S9+ kept me up all night and iRobot says there’s no way to fix it
• Are cheap robot vacuums worth it? I've tested bots at all price points, and here's my take

We've tested all of the best drones over the last decade. Once niche and expensive, drones have come a long way, and now anyone can get off the ground and shoot impressive aerial footage.

We've recommended nine of our favorite drones for different use cases, as well as an also consider section for the other superb models that our team has piloted that didn't make the cut. We also keep our ear to the ground for rumored new models, so it could be worth checking out the 'upcoming drones' list below before landing on your ideal drone.

Each drone in this guide has earned its place for particular reasons, whether that's down to the flying experience, ease of use, reliability, the features on board, or the camera quality. The tester has written up an in-depth review that shares their experiences and pinpoints why they recommended it.

Today's best drones

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best drones in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

Best drone overall

DJI Mini 5 Pro sample images

DJI continues to raise the bar for mini drones with the Mini 5 Pro – which is a meaty upgrade of the Mini 4 Pro and the best sub-250g available*, for an unbeatable price. It builds on the Mini 4 Pro's class-leading qualities: a larger 1-inch sensor for better low-light image quality, omnidirectional object sensing now with LiDAR front sensing, improved Return to Home and ActiveTrack 360 skills, and 10% better flight speeds and wind resistance. Battery life is a fraction better, plus there's now 42GB of built-in storage (up from 2GB before).

Put those upgrades together, with a versatile camera that can switch between vertical and horizontal at the push of a button and has a 225-degree roll rotation with dynamic MasterShots move, and the Mini 5 Pro will get you unbeatable 4K video up to 120fps, for a drone this small and light. In fact, the Mini 5 Pro is so good that it makes me question how much the significantly weightier (and pricier) Air 3S is worth it. It is worth keeping in mind, however, that the DJI Lito X1 is another inexpensive alternative.

You get a neat folding design, auto start-up when the propellers are unfolded, and the super easy Return to Home feature, together with a host of flight moves and D-Log M color profile for advanced color grading. Put simply, I rate the Mini 5 Pro as the best drone for most people.

*DJI registered the drone's takeoff weight at a regulation-friendly 249.9g, albeit with a ±4g stipulation. It's officially a sub-250g drone in the EU and UK (classed C0 / UK1), but the FAA in the US is taking a hard line if a Mini 5 Pro in question does in fact weigh, say, 253g. The drone isn't available in the US at launch, either.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 5 Pro review

Top alternatives...

• DJI Mini 4 Pro – so long as it remains available, the Mini 4 Pro is definitely sub-250g (unlike the Mini 5 Pro), and it costs the same. You will miss out on several upgrades, though.
• DJI Air 3S – if you have the certification to fly in the next weight category, the chunkier Air 3S will give you better flight times and stability, plus a second telephoto camera.

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Best budget drone without obstacle avoidance

DJI Mini 4K sample images

First-time buyers can't go wrong with the Mini 4K – it is the best budget drone you can buy at under $300 / £300. It is a carbon copy of the DJI Mini 2 SE, only it comes with higher resolution 4K video than the Mini 2 SE's 2.7K video. The Mini 4K also shoots 2.7K up to 60fps, and video bitrates are higher, so its videos are less compressed, plus you get a 2x digital zoom. Otherwise, the drones are identical: a regulator-friendly 246g take-off weight, 3-axis gimbal, and stable flight performance considering the tiny size.

If money is no object, the Mini 4 Pro is the best beginner drone you can buy. It has omnidirectional object avoidance and advanced Follow Me subject tracking, plus a larger sensor and slightly better image quality overall. If you're typically gung-ho, you might get into a few scrapes flying the Mini 4K given the lack of obstacle avoidance or need to be extra cautious to avoid objects, especially when flying over bodies of water. However, the Mini 4K is admirably robust and a third of the price of the Mini 4 Pro while being equally capable in many ways. Its battery life is excellent, despite not fulfilling the 31-minute measured times, it can go longer than rivals, plus DJI's Quickshots flight moves get you dynamic video sequences around your chosen subject.

All in all, we found the Mini 4K to be an excellent beginner drone, perhaps the best, and a decent second drone for advanced pilots.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 4K review

Top alternatives...

• Potensic Atom 2 – the Atom 2 is a similar price, yet it comes with more flight features than the Mini 4K, making it one of the best sub-250g drones available.
• DJI Flip – an innovative folding design with propeller guards and advanced subject tracking skills makes the Flip a beginner selfie drone with a difference, but it's slightly pricier than the Mini 4K.

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Best drone camera

DJI Mavic 4 Pro sample images

The Mavic 4 Pro upgrades the Mavic 3 Pro with a refined triple camera unit and a redesigned gimbal, which provides the most versatile range of motion we've experienced yet: 160 degrees of tilt, 90-degree rotation for vertical shooting, plus a 360-degree range of movement on the roll axis – what DJI calls an 'Infinity Gimbal'. The fact that the Mavic 3 Pro won best camera product of the year in the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023, and the Mavic 4 Pro is even better, says it all.

The Mavic Pro line is the only consumer drone to feature three cameras, ideal for aerial photography and filmmakers who need the most versatile drone on the market. The Mavic 4 Pro's main camera is pretty much the same one used by the Mavic 3 Classic, but with an improved 25MP Micro Four Thirds sensor for the best image quality of the three cameras, together with an adjustable aperture, pro-tier video formats and frame rates.

If you need the extra reach from the main 28mm focal length of this camera, both 3x and 7x telephoto cameras produce excellent images too. Put simply, the Mavic 4 Pro is the best camera drone we've tested to date. It is also incredibly easy to fly even in windy conditions and accessible to all users, thanks to its excellent safety features and intuitive controls, which now include LiDAR object sensing, as debuted in the Air 3S, plus improved 51-minute battery life. The result is a heavier drone, in the restrictive C2 European drone category, and a pricier drone that makes it overkill for beginners, even if it's a more portable and less expensive option for pros than the Inspire 3. At launch, the Mavic 4 Pro isn't available in the US, which means the Mavic 3 Pro remains the best camera drone for US pilots.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 4 Pro review

Top alternatives...

• DJI Inspire 3 – a true professional drone and a whole other category to the Mavic 4 Pro, the Inspire 3 is a cinematic beast with a price tag to boot.
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro – if the Mavic 4 Pro isn't available where you live, the Mavic 3 Pro is the next best thing, with the same triple camera system.

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Best all-round drone for enthusiast aerial photographers

DJI Air 3S sample images

Clearly sitting between the Mini series and Mavic Pro series of DJI drones is the Air series, and the latest model is the Air 3S. Novices will find a sub-250g model like the Mini 3 more manageable than the Air 3S, but you can enjoy much better wind resistance with the larger model, plus a generous 45-minute flight time. We also think beginners will get to grips quickly with the Air 3S's easy interface and safety features such as obstacle avoidance.

As a drone with a 724 g take-off weight, the Air 3S is placed in Europe’s C1 category, and that comes with flight restrictions, meaning you need to keep a greater distance from people and animals and events to be safe and legal. However, you can still get close to the action thanks to the Air 3S's 3x telephoto lens with 70mm (approx) focal length. Like the Air 3, the Air 3S is a dual-camera drone, and the main camera is improved, with a much larger 1-inch sensor (compared to the 1/1.3-inch sensor of the Air 3). That means better image quality in challenging light, especially at nighttime. You also get obstacle sensing with LiDAR, which performs better at night, plus more built-in memory to store your 4K videos and (up to 50MP) photos.

The Air 3S is a minor update of the Air 3 and not worth the upgrade if you already own the older model, but those new to the Air series should go for the older model, as our Air 3S vs Air 3 article suggests. Ultimately, the Air 3S is an iterative update of the already class-leading Air 3, without a price hike.

• Read our in-depth DJI Air 3S review

Top alternatives...

With Autel Robotics recently discontinuing its consumer series of drones – most notably the Autel Evo Lite+ – there really is little competition for the Air 3S, besides DJI's own Mini 5 Pro – a much smaller drone with arguably even better camera skills thanks to its 225-degree roll rotation.

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The best selfie drone

HoverAir X1 Pro sample images

HoverAir invented a new kind of drone that has resonated with content creators in particular – a selfie drone. Its latest model, the X1 Pro, is like a supercharged selfie stick that takes off and lands from the palm of your hand, complete with supremely clever automated subject tracking that keeps you in the center of the action.

The tiny X1 Pro comes into its own for getting you aerial footage of your adventures, be it tracking you on a bike ride or chilling at the beach. You don't need any experience – seriously, you can be airborne in seconds, while propeller guards make it a safe drone to fly in proximity.

The X1 Pro upgrades the HoverAir X1 with a sturdier flight experience, higher wind resistance, a much better battery life, plus higher resolution 4K video. Naturally, it's heavier, but still super lightweight at 191.5g, which means it's restriction-free and ideal for beginners.

DJI has since launched its own selfie drone, the DJI Neo, which could be the better pick if you can live without the X1 Pro's robustness and 4K video specs, plus it offers more flight control options and it costs less. However, the X1 Pro's image quality and automated flight fun make it our top pick for aerial selfies.

Read our in-depth HoverAir X1 Pro review

Top alternatives...

• DJI Neo 2 – If you don't need the ultra-compact folding size, the Neo 2 provides superb selfie skills and follow-me flight at a great price.
• HoverAir X1 Pro Max – the pricier 'Max' version of the X1 Pro delivers next-level 8K 60fps video.

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Best cheap drone for novices