My mind is racing. It often is. I'm thinking about what I'm doing, what I need to do, what I've just done, and what I said ten years ago in a conversation no-one else remembers - and it's all happening at once.

I don't know if that sounds familiar to you, too, but staying focused these days has meant I've had to really drill down on finding and using distraction-free tech to keep my brain on track.

At a time when it seems like every device I own is competing for my attention - bright lights, noisy notifications, the works - I'm all about switching off, shutting down, and getting into focus mode.

So, if you can relate to all that, I thought it'd be useful to map out the tech I use and how I use it on a daily basis to stay productive at work. And I’m always open to new ideas, too, so I’d love to hear what tools or even rituals you use to keep you on track at work. Drop a comment below.

The tablet: reMarkable 2

The reMarkable 2 is the device that made me realize how important it was to switch off - without disconnecting entirely. And I absolutely adore it, using it every day for making notes and sketching out ideas.

It’s an ultra-thin black-and-white e-ink handwriting tablet that capably mimics the experience of writing with pad and pencil, and it’s a beautiful experience. The reMarkable 2 converts even my scribbling scrawl into usable, word-processor-friendly text, and syncs to my phone and laptop through the app.

For my use, I have no real need for color screens, but the reMarkable Paper Pro is a good alternative if your profession requires it. On the other hand, for business travel or making notes away from my desk, I also use the truly portable reMarkable Paper Pro Move.

If you prefer using your tablet as an e-reader too, the Kindle Scribe is similar, is better for adding notes in eBooks, and is significantly cheaper. My wife swears by the 2024 model - it has a better writing experience than the 2025 edition, but you may prefer the larger screen on the newer one.

However, it’s a hard-pass from me because if you’re giving me access to a global library of books (plus Amazon’s intrusive advertising), I’m definitely not getting any work done that day.

The phone: Fairphone 6

I was first attracted to the Fairphone 6 for its sustainability and repairability features. I liked the idea of being able to swap out a dying battery like the old days, instead of tossing away an otherwise perfectly good phone.

But what swung it for me was the built-in switch that enables FairPhone Moments. This is distraction-free working at the flick of a button - although you can change that to a range of other functions like turning on the flashlight.

Slide it down and it’ll turn on Do Not Disturb and prevent you using all but the essential apps. These moments (and the apps you can use) are customizable, so you can craft ones for different times of the day or locations.

Now, the Android operating system already has a focus mode that I was using, but I appreciate the physicality of Fairphone’s slider. I have to make a very real, very conscious - and very guilty - decision to turn it off.

Anyway, I’ve triple-locked that distraction-free theme by also buying the Minimalist Phone app that's available on iOS and Android. It makes the phone’s UI as boring as possible (and I mean that in a good way), stripping away icons and colors and serving up just a list of your downloaded apps.

The audio: Majority MP3 Player & Anker Soundcore Q20i

Audio plays a huge role in creating a distraction-free zone. For me, there are two central tools here: the Majority Bluetooth MP3 player, which takes the role of the iPod Gen Z is now picking, and the Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones.

I like Majority’s range of audio gear, owning a CD player and DAB radio from them. They’re not overly fancy, not overly expensive, and the same goes for the MP3 player, which can sometimes be found listed under Majority's budget brand Oakcastle.

It’s well-priced, sounds good, does everything I need it to do - and absolutely nothing more. It’s nice not to have to grab my phone every few minutes to skip a song, before inevitably being distracted by Reddit. Everything on there is what I want to listen to, in the order I want to listen to them.

For headphones, I’ve been using the Soundcore Q20s for years now, and as far as bang for your buck goes, nothing beats them at this price. The noise-canceling works great, without being too isolating. And with the mic, I can connect them to the laptop when I’m pulled into a video call at work. My only advice: just don't pay full-price for them, they're almost always on sale at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

There are two more audio devices I rely on, too.

Firstly, I hooked up a pink noise generator in my home office. It’s here now, just shhhing away in the background, filling the room with ambient noises so that, even with my headphones off, the vibe remains chill.

Secondly, the SnoozeBand (other brands are available, but this was a Christmas gift so I can’t comment on anything else). This simple Bluetooth black-out mask isn’t just for sleeping (and never on the job, boss). I was delighted to find meditation sounds in the app, so on my downtime, I can relax on the couch and create a focus-friendly environment without mindlessly scrolling on my phone.

The stationery: Moleskine notebook & Clever Fox planner

I never understood the hype around Moleskine until I tried one. Now, I get it. And when I want to take myself away from technology entirely, these notebooks are what I rely on. I’ve also found the Leuchtturm 1917 line-up to be superb alternatives to the Moleskine (if you’re also a notebook aficionado, you’ll know what I mean).

Anyway, Moleskines are well-made and ideal for business use. But really, the secret sauce is the thickness of the paper. It’s a genuine joy to write on, and I pair it with the humble PaperMate InkJoy ballpoint pens, which are easily the smoothest biros I’ve ever used.

A new entry into my workflow is the Clever Fox Daily Planner. How did I ever live without it? Forget to-do list apps (that just leads to more phone use), this is how I plot out my working day and stay on track without being distracted. It covers 6 months, with plenty of space for to-do's, priorities, and setting an hourly schedule.

I’ve found the undated Daily and Weekly Planner works best for me, but this brand has a simply enormous selection to choose from from yearly planners to travel logs to budget books. I almost never recommend visiting a specific Amazon store, but they're on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, and Clever Fox has so much variety that it’s really the only way to find what’s going to suit your workspace and style.

The extras: Chairs & timers

As someone who tests and reviews office chairs for a living, I'm obviously going to say this is an essential - but it's often overlooked in favor of fancier (and occasionally all-too-temporary) solutions.

What I can't stand are those chairs that are too soft, too hard, dig into all the wrong places. I'm basically becoming Goldilocks at this point. But nothing pulls me out of my flow quicker than an uncomfortable office chair.

Personally, I like the Boulies EP200 - it's not obscenely expensive, it's comfortable and breathable, and ideal for all-day sitting, with a good number of fine-tune adjustments, too. I've used it every day for over a year and it's still going strong. But any of the models in my guide to the best office chairs will work here. The trick is finding the one that lets you forget where you are, rather than driving you to distraction.

I’ve found Pomodoros seriously useful for turning long working sessions into a series of short sprints. So, you get your head down for, say, twenty-five minutes, take a five minute break, repeat until you take one longer break. I find it really helpful for staying on track without working so long I lose focus.

In my experience, most pomodoro apps are basically the same so pick the one that fits with your workflow. There’s just one flaw with them all: you need to use your phone for them.

With that in mind, for times when that’s really, really not advisable, I’ve gone totally back to basics. I dug out an old wind-up timer and manually set zone-in and zone-out times that work for me.

Any 60-minute wind-up timer on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk will do. It’s a simple alternative, takes away the tech aspect, and the rhythmic tick-tick-tick-tick running in the background is a nice accompaniment when I need to stay productive.

Wireless charging has become a modern convenience. It’s easy, tidy and strangely satisfying when you feel that little magnetic pull, right? Just drop your phone on a pad and it starts charging. No fiddly cables, no worn ports, no cluttered nightstand. Some wireless chargers can even power multiple devices at once, and many are now built into furniture, cars and desks.

But although it’s convenient, it doesn’t always feel like the best option. It often takes your phone much longer to charge than just plugging it in and it can seem warmer while it’s sitting on the pad. That heat has sparked concern that wireless charging could wear out or even damage your phone’s battery over time.

We spoke to experts to find out whether your favorite bedside charging pad is really doing your battery any harm.

The myth: wireless charging 'stresses' your phone's battery

The supposed myth is that wireless charging damages your phone’s battery and the extra heat it produces makes your device degrade faster or lose capacity over time.

It’s an idea that feels easy to believe. When you charge wirelessly, your phone does often get noticeably warm, and that warmth makes the process seem harsher on the battery than a cable would be.

Add to that the fact that wireless charging can be slower and sometimes inconsistent, and it’s easy to assume something wasteful or damaging is happening when you put your phone on a charging pad.

There’s also a common belief that the electromagnetic field used to transfer power might somehow “stress” the battery or flood it with energy, as if the invisible current is somehow overloading your phone.

So could the warmth we feel during wireless charging actually be shortening battery life? Or is this just another misunderstood bit of charging folklore?

What experts say

“No, wireless charging does not ‘kill’ your phone’s battery,” says Associate Professor Ritesh Chugh, a socio-tech expert at Central Queensland University, Australia. “But it can make it run slightly warmer, which may have a small effect on long-term battery health if you’re doing it frequently.”

To understand why, it helps to know what’s happening behind the scenes. “Wireless charging works by transferring energy through electromagnetic induction,” Chugh explains. “Inside the charging pad is a coil of wire that creates an alternating magnetic field when electricity passes through it. Your phone has a similar coil inside its back. When you place the phone on the pad, the magnetic field induces an electric current in the phone’s coil, which is then converted into direct current (DC) to charge the battery.”

The key difference between wireless and wired charging is efficiency. “In wired charging, electricity flows directly through a physical connection, making it faster and more efficient,” Chugh says. “In wireless charging, the power must first be converted into a magnetic field, then back into electricity inside the phone.”

Kent Griffith, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of California, San Diego, says that while the process isn’t dangerous, we do need to remember it is less efficient.

“Wired charging is around 95% efficient, while wireless charging is typically 70-80% efficient – sometimes higher under ideal conditions,” he says. “Any time energy is lost, it’s lost as heat, and heat is what can speed up battery aging.”

However, both experts stress that modern phones and certified chargers are built to manage the heat safely.

“Wireless chargers follow standards such as Qi (pronounced “chee”), which regulate how much power can be transmitted and ensure safe alignment and communication between the charger and the device,” Chugh explains. “The phone and charger constantly ‘talk’ to each other, adjusting the current and voltage to maintain safe temperatures and avoid overcharging.”

So what's the best way to charge?

What's the ideal charging setup? “Occasional wireless charging is perfectly fine, and even daily use isn’t going to cause noticeable harm for most users,” Chugh says. “Just be aware of excess heat.”

He recommends keeping your setup cool and flat. “Avoid charging on soft or heat-retaining surfaces such as couches or beds. If your phone becomes noticeably hot, lift it off the pad for a few minutes to let it cool before resuming.”

Griffith explains that you need to think about the charger too. “Make sure the coils are properly aligned to ensure the best efficiency, and always use a wireless charger that’s compatible with your device,” he says.

Chugh adds that you need to make sure you have a Qi-certified charger. “They include important built-in safety features such as temperature monitoring, automatic shut-off, and foreign object detection.” You can find our recommendations for the top Qi2 options we've tested in our guide to the best wireless chargers.

So while wireless charging might make your phone warmer and is a little less efficient than wired charging, it isn't killing your battery. And though it could be aging it a touch faster, even experts say the real-world effect is minimal.

• Anker has released the Solix E10 home backup system
• The modular system comes with many different options and elements
• Its batteries can power up your home for up to 15 days at a stretch

Whether you want a reliable backup in case of a blackout or just want to reduce your reliance on the electrical grid, there are plenty of great power stations that are capable of running your home. Now, there’s another one in the form of the Anker Solix E10, a modular home battery system that can be as simple or as complex as you need.

Anker is selling the Solix E10 as a 'hybrid' system, and that means it combines batteries, solar power and a smart generator into various different combinations. For instance, you can start off simple with the base E10 pack, which comes with a power module and a battery with a 6kWh capacity. It’s rated for 7.6kW of output and will cost you $4,299 (around £3,200 / AU$6,400).

At the other end of the scale is the so-called Infinite Backup Kit comprising a power module, two E10 batteries, a power dock and a smart generator. That’ll give you up to 20kW of output and 24kWh of capacity between the batteries and the generator, and it can also handle surges of up to 66kW.

The power dock enables it to manage up to 12 different household circuits at once, including white goods, simple appliances, electronics and more. Given all that extra oomph, you can expect to pay $15,698 (£11,700 / AU$23,500) for the privilege.

A modular powerhouse

Since the E10 is a modular system, Anker says you can complement it with additional battery capacity as required. That goes all the way up to 90kWh, which is enough for 15 days of backup power, the company claims.

That modularity extends to the solar aspect too. There, you get 9kW per E10 unit and it all works with your existing solar power system, which should make things a little easier if you’re already set up with solar panels.

If there is an outage, the backup power system kicks into gear. The pricier E10 sets come with automatic switchover that activates in under 20 milliseconds, with no need to do anything yourself. The more affordable models can be switched over but require you to do that manually. Whatever you go for, every E10 module is waterproof and weatherproof, come rain or shine.

With all that, you’re left with a system that is capable of juicing up your entire home setup, keeping you connected even when the power goes down. There’s also the benefit that the solar aspect can help reduce your household bills and reliance on the electrical grid, giving you a little more peace of mind.

Of course, you’ll need to pay a princely sum for all of that. Home backup systems like this don’t come cheap, and $15,698 is an awful lot to stump up. But if you have the cash and want to gain bit more reliance against power unpredictability, Anker’s Solix E10 could be worth saving up for.

Going on the road for business? Have I got the mobile office loadout for you. Minimalist gear might be fashionable, but it's often just a sly code-word for 'underpowered'. When I need to stay productive, I don't want to struggle with a single USB-C port or rely on patchy hotel Wi-Fi just to save a few ounces.

So, I've selected the ten bits of kit that mean you'll never have to say 'I'll do that when I get back to the office.' It’s not the lightest bag in the world, but it’s the most capable.

My focus here is on efficiency. I'm looking for slim designs and gadgets that earn their place in the bag by being reliable, not just small. This is everything business professionals need to stay productive, whether you're working in a local café, on the train, or perched in a hotel lobby on the other side of the world.

The backpack

For carting around your whole office in a single bag, the Troubadour Apex has proved exceptionally good. Our Deputy Editor Mike loves his, and says, "it has handled everything I needed, from electronic devices to toiletries, food and even a change of shoes." Despite a deceptively slim and stylish design, it has a massive 25L capacity, is made from a durable, waterproof FortiWeave fabric, with cushioned shoulder straps for greater comfort.

Read our Troubadour Apex 3.0 hands-on

The laptop

I love my ThinkPad T14s, a slimmer version of Lenovo's T14 that's well-specced for office work. Now, if you want an ultra-lightweight EDC laptop, the MacBook Air is the go-to. But I prefer ThinkPads for business tasks - particularly because it means I don't need to pack a separate keyboard when working out of the house, since Lenovo's line-up still boasts the best keyboard and typing experiences on any laptop I've ever used. Toss in a webcam with a physical privacy shutter and a good port selection and you have a ready-made work station.

Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad T14s review

The mouse

If you've ever tried using a laptop trackpad for a full work-day, you know how wearing it can be, making a mouse essential. Really, there's only one option here worth investing in. The Logitech MX Anywhere 3S. I'm a big fan of Logitech gear - it's also proved reliable and affordable in equal measure. What sets the MX Anywhere apart from other computer mice is that it works on practically any surface - from hard-top desks to glass coffee tables. So, really, it doesn't matter where your current set-up is located, you can still get work done.

Read our full Logitech MX Anywhere 3S review

The digital notebook

The reMarkable 2 is easily my favorite tech device going - I'd be lost without mine. If the ThinkPad is the engine of my mobile office, this lightweight e-ink tablet is the brain. A distraction-free space where I can jot down or sketch out ideas, then use the handwriting recognition to turn my scribbles into useable text that can be pasted into Word or GDocs. A nice way to avoid packing into my backpack a hundred notebooks (about half the number of notebooks I actually own).

Read our full reMarkable 2 review

The audio gear

When it comes to video meetings, the Anker Soundcore P20i is my go-to pick. For the price, which is refreshingly low, not many wireless earbuds can match the audio quality of Anker's Soundcore range. They come with a USB-C charging case, have excellent bass - better than you might expect, in fact - and two built-in microphones for better clarity on calls in noisy environments (even if those calls really could've been an email).

The power back-up

I have a host of Anker power banks (and yes, other makes and models are available). But the surprisingly compact Anker Laptop Power Bank really caught my eye as a mobile office essential since it can output up to 100W. And that's more than enough to charge most laptops and MacBooks, as well as tablets and phones. What I especially like is that it includes two built-in cables. Who wants to carry around a single-use power brick anyway?

Read our full Anker Laptop Power Bank review

The storage

I've used hundreds of USB drives in my time, but I'm drawn to the Adata SD810 for two reasons: Capacity and durability. Storage capacity ranges from 500GB to 4TB, which is more than enough for both documents and larger media files, especially when paired with cloud storage. And it boasts a ruggedness rating of IP68 - so, no matter whether you're working indoors, outdoors, or on a particularly violent commute, this drive is protected against dust and water (or spilt coffee). Add in a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection for faster transfer speeds and you have a great all-rounder for professional use.

Read our full Adata SD810 review

The Wi-Fi connection

Unless you're running one of the best VPNs, you'll want to avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi, especially if you're accessing sensitive business data. And while you can use your phone's hot-spotting feature - I do that all the time - a 5G mobile router is the better pick for faster speeds. Netgear's Nighthawk range has scored high in my team's tests, but I also like the TP-Link M8550. It has great connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6E, and under review, this compact router proved to be perfect for professionals working in the field.

Read our full TP-Link M8550 review

The Bluetooth tracker

Bury the Tile Pro at the bottom of your bag and if anything happens to your gear while working away from home, you'll be able to track its location at the push of a button. The Tile Mate is the more affordable option, and the one I use most (and AirTags remain the popular pick for Apple users). However, the Pro is the one to choose if you're a professional, since it has a broader Bluetooth range than the Mate, and is IP67-rated for better durability.

Read our full Tile Pro review

The down-time

Alright, it can't always be about work, right? So, for professionals on the go, the Nintendo Switch 2 is effectively tailor-made for enjoying down-time while working on the go. I adore the backward compatibility with the original Switch games, meaning I have a massive library ready to go. And while larger and heavier than the Nintendo's first hybrid handheld, it's still ultra-portable. One day, I might even cut down my seemingly never-ending backlog of games.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 review

CES 2026 is one of the biggest events in the tech calendar, and this year it has been home to a wealth of announcements, including phones, TVs, projectors, laptops, and more.

But there were also loads of new accessories shown off, and below, we’ve highlighted five of the best accessories for smartphones that we first saw at CES 2026.

These cover everything from battery packs to chargers, controllers, and even an AI assistant. So read on – and perhaps you’ll find just the accessory you’ve been waiting for. And for stand-out devices, check out the 25 best gadgets we saw at CES 2026.

1. Loona Deskmate

The Loona Deskmate is one of the more interesting and unusual smartphone accessories that we saw at CES 2026, as this essentially turns your phone into an AI robot. Or at least, it does if you have an iPhone, as that’s all it’s compatible with.

If you do, then you can attach your phone to the Deskmate, which is essentially a MagSafe charging stand. But while your phone is attached, the Deskmate’s companion app will automatically run on it, turning your phone’s screen into an AI assistant, complete with a personality-filled face.

This assistant can set reminders, add things to your calendar, respond to voice commands, answer questions, provide suggestions, and integrate with the likes of Slack and email apps. The stand can also rotate and tilt, to make this feel more like a robot that’s watching and engaging with you.

The Loona Deskmate isn’t out yet, but a Kickstarter for it will be launching in March, and it will cost under $300 (roughly £225 / AU$450).

2. GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron

The GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron is a mouthful to say, but it could be a joy to use for any mobile gamers.

This collaboration between GameSir and Hyperkin is billed as "the world's first fully modular mobile gaming controller." So it can attach to your phone, and you can change the included buttons and their layouts, with options for things like dedicated GameCube, Nintendo 64, or fighting game controls. So whatever you want to play, there’s likely to be a module to suit.

And while this is largely for phones, its arm can even extend far enough to attach it to the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and iPads – or you can use Bluetooth to connect it to a PC.

Sadly, pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed, but we expect it will go on sale soon.

3. Anker Nano Charger

A charger might not sound very exciting, but it becomes slightly more so when it has a screen, as this one does.

The Anker Nano Charger’s display can show over 20 different interfaces, highlighting charge level, charging power, and what mode it’s using – with the option of standard charging or a TÜV‑Certified Care Mode that can reduce battery temperatures.

Display aside this is a compact 45W charger, with prongs that can be oriented in two different positions, so it can easily fit in most outlets.

It’s designed primarily for recent iPhones and iPad Pro models though, and it sounds like some of the display features won’t work if you plug something else into it.

If you like the sound of it, you’ll be able to buy this new Anker Nano Charger on January 20 for $39.99 – though currently it’s only confirmed for the US.

4. Belkin UltraCharge Pro Power Bank

Belkin used CES to unveil a number of new accessories, including an UltraCharge Pro Power Bank, which you can magnetically attach to your phone.

This 10,000mAh battery pack offers 25W of Qi2 wireless charging power or you can charge via USB-C at 30W. It has a tiny display to show the current capacity, and there’s a built-in kickstand. But arguably the real highlight is that it has a second magnetic ring on it, so you can still attach magnetic wallets or other magnetic accessories to your phone with this attached.

It’s TSA-approved, so you shouldn’t have any issues flying with it, and it’s launching in “select markets” in February for $99.99 (around £75 / AU$150).

5. Baseus PicoGo AC22 Ultra Mini Power Bank

If your priority in power banks is simply keeping them compact, then the Baseus PicoGo AC22 Ultra Mini Power Bank could be the device for you.

Despite having a hefty 10,000mAh capacity, this is only around the size of an AirPods case, so you can easily slip it in a pocket and not feel like you’re carrying a brick around with you.

It also has a built-in cable and a display, and it can deliver 45W of charging power, so this may be small but it sure sounds mighty. The Baseus PicoGo AC22 Ultra Mini Power Bank will be going on sale in February, for $59.99 (approximately £45 / AU$90).

TechRadar has been extensively covering this year's CES. Head over to our CES 2026 live news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

You can also ask us a question about the show in our CES 2026 live Q&A and we’ll do our best to answer it.

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

• The Anker Nano Charger has a built-in display
• Designed for iPhones, this can show charging power, battery percentage, and more
• Reactions to it seem quite mixed

If – somehow – you don’t already have enough screens in your life, there’s now one more type of product that can come with a display, as at CES 2026, Anker unveiled a new charger that includes a display.

Dubbed the Anker Nano Charger, this has a small screen on the side that can display one of over 20 interfaces, showing information like how much charging power is being used and what percentage of charge your device has reached.

There’s also a button on the charger to switch between standard charging and a TÜV‑Certified Care Mode that can reduce battery temperatures, and the display can show which mode you’re currently using.

This is a 45W charger and it’s designed primarily for iPhones and iPad Pros, with it able to identify recent models when it’s plugged into them – presumably some of the display features also require it to be plugged into a device it recognizes, so the screen might become less useful if you use this with other gadgets.

Screen aside this is a compact charger, and its prongs can be oriented in two different positions, so it should comfortably fit in almost any outlet.

It’s priced at $39.99 (roughly £30 / AU$60), which isn’t cheap but makes it competitive with Apple’s display-less 40W charger.

A divisive addition

But do you really need a display? Going by reactions on Reddit, opinions are mixed. One commenter wondered “Why do small chargers need screens? My laptop and iPhone already tells me if it charges fast or slow”, while another described it as “tech slop.”

On the other hand, one person said it “looks cool”, while another noted that they like to know how much power a specific charger is drawing when they’re on their boat, so they can better manage power consumption, which is a niche use case where this might be handy.

Still, whether useful or not, most people probably already have perfectly good chargers, so it really comes down to whether adding a screen makes it worth buying a whole new one. The answer to that is likely no for the majority of people, but then again, it’s a point of differentiation in a type of product that can struggle to stand out. So it makes some sense for Anker to offer this.

If you do want an Anker Nano Charger, you’ll be able to purchase it in the US on January 20, and you can sign up now for a 25% early bird discount. Availability in other countries is yet to be confirmed.

• Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds launch for $179.99, initially US-only
• Adjustable ear hooks turn open-ears into in-ears with noise cancellation
• Sensors recalibrate the EQ in real-time

Choosing earbuds for a specific purpose can mean compromising: the best open earbuds can't do totally effective noise canceling because they don't sit in your ear canals, and the best noise-cancelling earbuds' transparency mode doesn't feel quite as real as the actual ambient sound you experience with open-ears.

Some people also find it a bit uncomfortable having earbuds in your ears for long periods. But a new pair of buds from Soundcore – Anker's audio and visual brand – may offer a no-compromise solution.

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds are open-ears, but they have a five-level adjustable-angle ear hook that enables you to reposition the nozzle of the earbuds and bring it closer to the entrance of your ear. That delivers passive noise cancellation from the newly snug fit, and it means the earbuds can then use active noise cancellation more effectively to get rid of unwanted ambient audio.

Soundcore AeroFit Pro 2: key features

When you adjust the positioning of the earbuds, twin sensors in each earbud detect the change and recalibrate the EQ to suit the mode you're using – and according to Anker, that means a consistent sonic experience. And they're good for gym and outdoor use thanks to IP55 water and sweat resistance.

Anker describes the in-ear option as "semi-in-ear", a shallow open-ear design that sits close to your ear without shoving the earbud deep into your ear canal. The earbuds have version 3.0 of Soundcore's Adaptive ANC, which samples at up to 380,000 times per second and makes up to 180 dynamic adjustments per minute as the sound around you changes.

There are six microphones in total, designed to capture what's happening from multiple directions, and four voice mics to keep your voice clear in calls.

These earbuds should sound pretty good with decent low-end thump: they have 11.8mm custom drivers, support spatial audio with head tracking, and high-resolution audio via LDAC.

There are multiple color options – matte black, gloss white, matte purple and gloss blue – but only the black model will be available on the US launch on 6 January; the white and purple will be available later in the month and the blue model will be available shortly afterwards.

All four models have a US list price of $179.99 (about £134 / AU$269). International pricing and availability will be announced later.

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

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

CES 2026 is about to start, and I'm going to be on the ground and in the fortunate position to go and see all the tech coming this year that I'm most excited about. I lead TechRadar's AV coverage, and I have no shame in admitting to being a total nerd about the latest OLED panel construction, speaker design innovations, and home theater upgrades.

A huge part of the fun of CES is finding things you had no idea existed, but obviously, I also see things I either expect to see or know I'll see. As I'm about to head into the show in the next few days, here's what's top of my list of things I'm looking forward to, and that I recommend you keep an eye out for more information about if you're an enthusiast like me.

TV tech

1. LG's next-gen OLED TV panel

LG hasn't announced its next-gen OLED TV yet, but we already have a good idea on what to expect from its flagship TV. For a start, a next-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 WOLED panel has been announced by LG Display (the part of the company that makes OLED panels), which is the successor to the tech in the magnificent LG G5 flagship.

But there's also been a leak about the LG G6, revealing higher brightness and lower reflectivity, meaning it'll have even more punch. I can't wait to see this TV and its new panel in action in person.

2. RGB TVs from everyone

RGB LED TVs are the next big thing – pretty much all the big companies will launch affordable versions of this new kind of screen tech this year, and I've run down what to expect in a full article here.

Compared to existing mini-LED TVs, the new tech promises even brighter TVs (or the same brightness with less energy use), more vivid colors, and potentially better contrast. With Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL all either confirmed or very likely to show these TVs off during CES, I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do.

4. Samsung's mysterious new ultra-high-end OLED

Samsung hasn't confirmed any OLED TV plans before CES, but a leak has revealed that we should expect several new Samsung OLED TV models this year – not just replacing last year's options, but actually new model numbers that seem to indicate upgrades we haven't seen before.

Top of my list to see from this leak is the Samsung S99H model. Previously, Samsung's flagship OLEDs have been 'S95', and based on Samsung's usual naming schemes, 'S99' would be even higher-end than that. What kind of tech would make something even more elite than the Samsung S95F, which we crowned as our TV of the Year 2025?

The only thing I would guess with any degree of safety is that it'll use the Zero Connect wireless video box, as seen on The Frame Pro and Samsung Q990F last year. I'm looking forward to seeing what else it might do.

5. Dolby Vision 2's next steps

Last year, Dolby Vision 2 was unveiled, promising to improve HDR further for budget TVs, making pictures even more accurate for high-end bright TVs, and fixing motion smoothing for good measure.

I got to see Dolby Vision 2 in action, and it looks genuinely impressive, but we had very little info about when and where we'd see it in our homes. I'm hoping we'll get more confirmation at CES about streaming platforms and TVs that will support it – we know Hisense will, and TCL very heavily implied that it will, so we may hear more about that. LG was much more cagey, but perhaps that'll be confirmed, too. Samsung is unlikely to change its stance on not supporting Dolby Vision.

Home theater sound

6. Samsung's Sonos Arc Ultra competitor

Ahead of CES, Samsung has announced its next two flagship soundbars. One is an all-in-one bar that's a square shot across the bow of the Sonos Arc Ultra, as an all-in-one that doesn't come with or need a separate subwoofer to deliver impactful sound.

It promises 7.1.2 channels of sound with Dolby Atmos support, meaning seven forward and angle 'surround' channels, two upfiring height channels, and bass provided by four dedicated woofers.

It can lie flat on a TV surface, or can be mounted to the wall in an upright configuration, and adjusts its sound automatically whichever way you have it. It's Samsung's first go at a high-end single-unit soundbar that I can recall, so I'm eager to hear what its audio engineers can do. We consistently rate its other soundbars among the best soundbars on the planet, after all.

7. LG's Dolby Atmos FlexConnect soundbar

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is one of the most interesting bits of home theater tech of the last few years, but it's had a very gentle start to life. The idea is that it enables you to be way more flexible with where you position speakers for your sound system – you pick the location, and the system will detect where they are, and recalibrate how sound is output to match them, creating immersive sound even if you don't have room for speaker position in the usual front left, front right, center, rear left and rear right positions.

LG is launching the first wireless soundbar with FlexConnect at CES this year, with compatibility built into its upcoming TVs, too, and this could be the breakthrough the technology needs.

8. Ultimea's 9.2.6-channel sound system

We know very little about this yet, but as a home theater fan with a small house, I'm very intrigued by it. Ultimea is best known for cheap soundbars, and it makes some impressive ones – but it's launching a new, very powerful and intriguing model at CES.

Ultimea has teased a 9.2.6-channel surround system that looks like a super-immersive beast. A soundbar combines with four satellite speakers – side and rear – and dual subwoofers for a system that's really elaborate, yet appears to be very compact and simple.

I'm really looking forward to trying this – if it's affordable (and history says it will be, compared to anything remotely close to its configuration). It could be the dream option for home theater enthusiasts with very limited space.

Audio tech

9. Samsung's Music Studio speakers

Samsung is launching two wireless speakers at CES 2026 that, much like its soundbar above, seem to take aim straight at Sonos. They're called 'Music Studio', come in two sizes, and have a cool minimalist look I wouldn't normally associate with Samsung.

The Music Studio 5 has basically the same speaker setup as the Sonos Era 100, and is a similar size; the Music Studio 7 has basically the same spatial audio-friendly speaker setup as the Sonos Era 300.

Will they sound as good as these speakers and be priced competitively? I'm really looking forward to finding out.

10. New bargain, repairable buds from JLab

We don't have any leaks about this, but JLab is always high on my list of companies to visit. The company makes some of the best cheap earbuds out there, and regularly surprises me at events with some new set of buds that feature impressive tech for half the price you'd guess, even knowing the company is a budget specialist.

One thing we do know is that JLab is hot on the future of earbuds being repairable – I suspect that CES 2026 will bring models with replaceable batteries at the very least.

11. Soundcore's next wild creations

Anker Soundcore can always be trusted to bring something really interesting to trade shows. At IFA 2025, it was a portable projector with removable and foldable surround sound, and at CES 2025, it had one of the first speakers to use AI to remove vocals from any song for easy karaoke from any streaming source.

I don't know what to expect from CES 2025, but I know there's going to be something I've never seen before.

12. Japanese hi-fi greats Onkyo and Technics

The hi-fi world has a variable relationship with CES – there are plenty of dedicated audio shows for companies to launch at, so these companies don't always go hard at CES.

Onkyo and Technics tend to be consistent exceptions. At CES 2025, Technics introduced the new best earbuds in the world in the form of the EAH-AZ100, while Onkyo unveiled some impressive wireless speakers along with a whole new 'Icon' line of hi-fi amplification separates.

I don't know what the companies have planned this time, and there haven't been any big early leaks, but I always recommend keeping an eye out for their announcements.

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

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

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable: review

The Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable (don’t worry, I’ll shorten it from here on out), is exactly what it sounds like. It's a small-sized portable charger with a built-in cable for on-the-go charging, and boasts a 10,000mAh capacity and 45W maximum power output.

The real draw of the Anker 10K 45W is its convenience. Firstly, that integrated charging wire is a massive plus. Simply pull it out, and it auto locks to the length that suits you best. To unwind, all you’ve got to do is pull and release – easy as you like. In addition, this model is pretty compact, meaning it can easily slot into a pocket or small bag.

Is its charging performance as efficient as its build? Well, it would be hard to answer that question with a one-word answer. First of all, there are some restrictions worth noting. A 45W maximum power output means that it can’t charge more demanding devices, like laptops, at peak levels – something that a lot of the best power banks are capable of. Its 10,000mAh capacity isn’t the largest either, though it will be plenty to charge most phones and a pair of wireless earbuds a couple of times.

Anyway, I tried charging my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – which has a 4,700mAh battery capacity – and fast charging was activated, enabling my device to go from 0-100% in around 80 minutes. That’s as fast as I’d expect, so no complaints there.

After a while, though, I wanted to recharge the portable charger, and performance could’ve been a bit better. After about 10 minutes, I realized it was only charging at 19W. This is because the model throttles charging input to keep temperature in check. Still, I got a full charge after approximately two hours, which is still fairly decent.

And let’s go back to that temperature control note. Sure, the charger can get a little warm, especially if you’re also making use of its additional USB-A and USB-C ports and edging towards maximum power use. But it never felt overly hot. You can also check the battery temperature and health of the model using its inbuilt display.

The display itself is behind a translucent exterior, and can also update you on the power output from the integrated cable and additional ports – pretty handy. It's not the brightest display I’ve ever used, but it’s certainly a nice-to-have.

Something I really like about this model is its well-designed cord, which you can adjust to fit onto a backpack or a belt loop, for instance. The exterior itself also has an attractive metallic, glossy finish, as well as a textured surface, which enhances grip. It can be yours in a range of colors too, specifically: Aurora White; Phantom Black, which is the variant I tested; or Sprout Green.

For the power and build quality on offer, I’d also say that this model is priced pretty well. It has a list price of $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.95. We’ve tested cheaper rivals – like the Samsung 25W 10,000mAh Wireless Battery Pack – but that model has a considerably lower wattage.

Combine that with the integrated table and the fact that this model is regularly on sale already, and I’d say the Anker 10K 45W is a strong value pick worth checking out. If you need to charge a laptop or power hungry phone like the the OnePlus 13, for example, something mightier will suit you better. Otherwise, I’m generally a fan of what Anker has to offer here.

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable review: price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable review: also consider

• Anker Prime Docking Station includes HDMI and DisplayPort support for triple external monitors
• Brings 140W upstream USB-C for device-to-host connections
• Delivers three 100W USB-C ports with varied transfer speeds

Anker has introduced the Prime Docking Station, a desktop accessory built to connect multiple devices and displays.

This device features a broad range of ports with a digital screen and control knob, elements not commonly found in docking stations.

The docking station is marketed as a “14-in-1” device, offering front-facing TF and SD card slots alongside a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Ports and layout

Also on the front, there are three USB-C ports rated at 100W that provide fast charging and data transfer, with two running at 10Gbps and one at 5Gbps.

Above these sits a compact 2.1 by 0.9-inch digital screen that can show charging information or serve as a clock.

A side-mounted knob allows users to cycle between the different display modes, making this feature more interactive than the average dock.

At the rear, the docking station connects to the host device through a 140W upstream USB-C port supporting 10Gbps.

Other inputs include a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and several USB-A ports with speeds of either 480Mbps or 5Gbps.

For external displays, one DisplayPort allows output at 8K and 60Hz, while two HDMI ports provide 8K at 30Hz.

These connections are supported through DisplayLink, which may help expand compatibility but could also affect performance in some cases.

This device comes with a dark grey metallic finish that aims to balance professional aesthetics with durability.

It measures 7.7 inches long, 3.6 inches wide, and 1.9 inches tall, roughly translating to 195 x 92 x 48 millimeters.

While compact compared to some workstation hubs, it is still larger than most travel-friendly options.

The inclusion of a small display and a physical knob set it apart visually, although it remains to be seen whether these elements provide real-world value beyond novelty appeal.

This device appeared at IFA 2025 and has been released in the U.S., China, and now Europe.

In Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, the accessory is available through Amazon at €349.99, but in the U.K., it is sold on Anker’s website for £299.99.

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Looking for a new pair of over-ear headphones? Well, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from, no matter your budget. Nowadays, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get your hands on some cans with effective active noise cancelling, fantastic battery life, and even good sound.

But it’s OK – I’m here to narrow things down for you. I’ve personally reviewed a lot of models, from the best cheap headphones, all the way through to the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy. Today, though, I want to focus on the former. I've collated a list of four affordable models, all of which myself and the TechRadar reviews team have tested extensively.

You’ll be able to find every pair of headphones listed here for less than $170 / £150 / AU$250 – that’s about $300 / £250 / AU$350 cheaper than our pick for the best headphones overall, the Sony WH-1000XM6! So, if I was going to buy some affordable cans, these are the options I’d consider.

1. 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

For some time now, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 have been our number one budget pick in our guide to the best over-ear headphones – and for good reason.

They really surprised me with their sound quality, which is far better than you’d expect from a cheaper model. Yes, these have a bass-forward sound signature – ideal for fans of dance, hip-hop and electronic music – but they still serve up clear, dynamic audio, even at higher volumes. The 1More app also lets you adapt EQ to a sound that suits your specific tastes.

On top of that, they’re pretty stylish. A neat matte black finish, curved on-ear look, and lightweight feel ensure that the Sonoflow Pro surpass what’s expected of them once again. Combine that with a jaw-dropping 100 hours of battery life (or 65 hours with ANC switched on), ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth streaming over LDAC, and a comfortable in-use feel, and there’s just so much to love.

Oh, and did I mention these are regularly available for less than $90 / £90 / AU$129.95. Talk about a no-brainer! Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review.

2. Sony WH-CH720N

I’ve owned these headphones for a couple of years now, and if you want that Sony sound on a budget, they’re your best bet.

These pack everything you need – solid ANC, an exhaustive feature-set, and detailed, well-tuned audio that punches above its weight. Sony even included its proprietary DSEE upscaling technology in these cans, which enables them to upscale lower quality music files. Including a respectable 35-hour-long battery life with ANC, a comfortable fit, and a range of color options, these headphones are easy to recommend.

If you’re in the UK, I’m seeing these go for less than £70 right now, which is simply astonishing. I've seen them for much less than AU$200 Down Under and, while they're coming up for just over $100 in the US at the moment, they've been closer to $80 – that’s phenomenal value for money.

Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review.

3. Anker Soundcore Space One Pro

Here’s a pair of headphones that I feel deserve a little more attention – the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro. These are the priciest cans on my list, but they can still be yours for less than $170 / £150 / AU$349. Honestly, I think they’re still amazing value for money.

One area that these headphones undoubtedly excel in, is comfort. They may well be the most pleasant-feeling headphones I’ve ever used, with a high amount of padding on the headband and earcups. Honestly, when I reviewed them last year, I could barely take them off.

But that’s not all – these also plate up very solid sound, with a gamified EQ option in the Soundcore app, which lets you find the best tuning for you. These offer a lot of depth, with incredibly hard-hitting bass, ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth streaming, and a fairly wide soundstage. With commendable ANC and a foldable design, these have just about everything you could want from an affordable pair of headphones.

Read our full Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review.

4. Earfun Wave Pro

In our Earfun Wave Pro review, we said that “it would be silly to ask more from budget wireless headphones”. Why? How about 80 hours of playtime, balanced audio, and a helpful companion app?

Yes, for headphones that regularly go for less than $60 / £50 / AU$100, these have an impressive resumé. We liked their on-ear feel, commendable build quality, and inclusion of a sturdy carry case. But, more importantly, we enjoyed their low-end and treble output – after a little bit of tinkering in the Earfun app, that is. These also fold up and have a 3.5mm slot for wired listening – pretty convenient.

If you want an ultra-cheap option, it doesn’t get much better than this, so why not check the Wave Pro out?

Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review.

So, do you own any of these headphones? If so, what do you make of them? Or maybe you're planning to buy a pair from this list, but have a few questions? I'm all ears, so make sure to get chatting in the comments!

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Power banks are the unsung heroes of modern travel and quietly keep our phones alive through airport purgatory, train delays or sketchy hotel outlets. But they’re also potentially quite dangerous if you treat them badly or buy the cheapest knockoff you can find online.

The airline industry knows this better than anyone (remember when Galaxy Note 7s kept catching fire?), and it’s no surprise that the rules keep getting tighter. It’s not just the skies – your power bank can cause havoc in a hot car or even at home if you ignore basic safety.

To help you holiday with some peace of mind and to cut through the boring technical jargon, I’ve put together this guide that breaks down exactly what you need to know for safe travels with your power bank – whether you’re flying to Shanghai, riding the Eurostar or taking the Greyhound to nowhere in particular.

Read on as I explain the rules, the science and the common-sense steps that will stop your portable battery from turning your holiday into a headline. I’ve also included a detailed FAQ that answers all the questions you didn’t know to ask.

Or, if you just want to upgrade before your next trip, check out our guide to the best power banks.

Power bank basics

Skip down to the airline rules and tips for safe travels if you already know your power bank terminology, or read on for a quick recap on power bank basics.

At its simplest, a power bank is a rechargeable battery, usually lithium-ion, inside a protective case with electronics that manage safe charging. The quality of those electronics and the materials used make the difference between a device that lasts for years and one that fails after a few trips. Power banks can range from tiny to huge and charge phones, laptops or even jump start a car.

Capacity is often advertised in milliamp-hours (mAh), but airlines and transport regulators use watt-hours (Wh) to measure capacity. The Wh rating is usually printed on the back of the power bank, but if not, the conversion is straightforward: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage.

Most modern power banks run at 3.7 volts, so a 10,000 mAh model works out to about 37 Wh. Don’t feel like doing the math? Try our Wh calculator below.

For travel, remember that 100 Wh (27,000 mAh) is the common limit before special airline approval is needed, and anything over 160 Wh (43,000 mAh) is generally not permitted.

The design and build quality are important, so avoid any mystery brands on Amazon, even if the totally not-fake reviews look good. You can’t go wrong with any of the options in our best power banks buyer's guide, or a model from brands like Anker, Iniu, CukTech, Ugreen and Baseus. Many even publish their own guides, such as this informative read from Anker.

We are also starting to see some manufacturers releasing power banks with LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. These use a more thermally stable battery chemistry, but are slightly bulkier than models that use other typical lithium-ion types.

That said, even the best brands can sometimes have issues, so make sure to look out for any power bank recalls.

If you have an old power bank where the casing is cracked, swollen, getting hot or runs flat very quickly, it’s best to replace it before traveling. Read more about what to do with an old power bank in our disposal guide below.

Power bank don’ts

• Avoid exposing your power bank to extreme heat or cold (like leaving it in a car), as this can shorten its lifespan or damage it.
• Don’t buy a dodgy or unknown brand power bank.
• Don’t use a power bank that’s cracked or starting to swell.
• Avoid using a power bank inside a bag as it can overheat.

How to travel safely with your power bank

Power banks are treated the same way by most airlines because the rules come from safety bodies like IATA (International Air Transport Association) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). The good news is that the important points are pretty straightforward.

These are the baseline rules, but for anything more complex, contact your airline well before you fly for any specific requirements they may have.

Special situations

What about different battery types, medical exemptions or other modes of travel? Don’t worry, I have you covered.

Other battery types

The same airline rules for capacity limits, approvals and carry-on requirements also apply to other rechargeable lithium batteries. This includes battery packs for cordless tools, camera gear, drones and, of course, high-capacity power banks between 101 and 160 Wh. If you are traveling with any of these larger batteries, you must contact your airline before the trip and get explicit approval in writing.

Mobility and medical devices

Batteries used in mobility aids like electric wheelchairs or scooters, or in certain medical devices, are handled under separate rules. They often have higher capacity allowances if the battery is essential for health or mobility, but you’ll still need to declare them in advance and follow the airline’s packing and handling instructions. If you fall under this category, contact your airline well ahead of your flight and confirm the requirements.

Different modes of transport

Trains, buses and ferries generally allow high-capacity power banks and other lithium batteries, but some operators have their own limits. International services may apply airline-style rules, so check before you travel. Even without formal restrictions, store batteries securely and follow the same basic safety practices you would for air travel.

A checklist for traveling with power banks safely

• Check the capacity: Look for the watt-hour rating (or calculate it) and confirm it’s within airline limits.
• Inspect for damage: Do not travel with a power bank that’s cracked, swollen, leaking or overheating.
• Get approval if needed: Contact your airline in advance for any power bank between 101 Wh and 160 Wh and carry written proof of approval.
• Verify airline rules: Check your airline’s policy in case there are extra requirements or restrictions for your flight.
• Pack it properly: Keep power banks in your carry-on in a place that’s protected yet easy to access.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some answers to the most common questions about traveling safely with power banks.

Power bank disposal

You can’t just throw batteries into the bin, and old or damaged power banks can cause fires in landfill and garbage trucks. Fortunately, getting rid of an old or damaged power bank isn’t as tricky as you’d think if you follow a few basic steps.

• Recycle through an e-waste or battery recycling program.
• Carefully check it for any signs of damage or malfunction.
• Tell recycling staff if it’s swollen, leaking or has overheated.

• Don’t put a power bank in household rubbish or standard curbside recycling.
• Do not charge or use a damaged or malfunctioning power bank.
• If a power bank starts to smoke or catches fire, call emergency services.

Power bank and battery recycling schemes

Airline power bank policies

The info below is current as of August 2025, but remember that airlines can update their rules at any time. So if in doubt, always confirm the details before you fly, as they may have changed since you booked.

I've included links to the battery policy for most major (and plenty of not-so-major) airlines, but it’s worth noting some make you dig through submenus to find the section on batteries.

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Wanbo has revealed its Vali 1 portable projector, which promises 900 ANSI lumens and costs just $319 / £269 / AU$499.

The Vali 1 is a 1080p smart portable projector that has Android TV 11 built-in for streaming and can display pictures up to 130 inches. It has two 6W speakers for audio and has a flexible stand that rotates up to 200°. It also supports auto keystone correction, auto focus and auto screen fit for setup.

On paper, the Vali 1 carries a lot of the features found in some of the other best portable projectors, so why does this one stand out in particular?

Well, other than its low price, it's the claimed 900 ANSI lumens. That is double the amount claimed by some of its most high-profile rivals.

The Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, currently number one on our best portable projectors list, only has 230 specified lumens and the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro only has 450 ISO lumens. Even the LG CineBeam Q, one of the best 4K projectors, claims 500 ANSI lumens.

If the Vali 1 could hit this number, it would be a truly remarkable feat, especially given its ultra-low price. The above projectors cost significantly more, so is there a catch?

Bold brightness claims

The 900 ANSI lumens claimed by Wanbo is certainly eye-catching and sounds almost too good to be true. Well, it turns out, it actually could be.

Projector Central tested and reviewed the Wanbo Vali 1 and discovered that it hit 422 lumens, with an absolute peak of 529 lumens in the bottom sector. That 422 lumens is 52% under Wanbo's claimed brightness of 900 lumens, a significant discrepancy and one that could undermine the Vali 1's value.

It's worth noting that 422 lumens is a typical if not respectable number for a projector of this size and price, and is in line with its rivals mentioned above.

We haven't seen or tested the Vali 1 ourselves yet, so we can't give a verdict on it. Still, this brightness gap uncovered by Projector Central is something to bear in mind.

The Wanbo Vali 1 is available at Amazon in the UK for £269 and at Amazon in the US for $319.

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Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable review

The Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable is a model that feels almost too good to be true. For a very modest price you get a highly compact, foldable and hi-tech phone charger and a USB-C cable thrown in for good measure – at a very modest price. But the truth is, it really isn’t too good to be true. Anker has, simply put, delivered yet another great wall charger that’s ideal for on-the-go use.

It’s fair to say that ‘Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable’ is quite the title… so let’s just stick with Anker Nano 45W from here on out, if that’s OK with you? Ah, great – then let’s power on. The Anker Nano 45W is a single-port wall charger that has plenty of power for most handsets. Some models, like the OnePlus 13 phone, for instance, support 80W charging, but 45W will be plenty for most Samsung phones and iPhones.

Typically, when I’m reviewing the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers, I juice up my trusty Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – which has a 4,700mAh battery capacity – from 0% to 100%. And when testing the Anker Nano 45W, that was no different. I’m pleased to report that the charger got my phone back to full health in around 80 minutes – exactly what I’d hope to see from a charger with this level of power.

Of course, if you’re going to charge up a more power-hungry device like one of the best MacBooks, for example, that 45W isn’t gonna be enough for you, and I’d instead seek out a mightier model like the five-star UGreen Uno Charger 100W. Also, there’s only one port, so it will be a one-at-a-time situation if you’re also looking to juice up a pair of the best wireless earbuds or best headphones.

Regardless, as a single-port charger, you’re getting great performance from the Anker Nano 45W. But this model’s merits go well beyond performance alone.

This charger has fantastic build quality and an intelligent hi-tech design. There’s GaN technology, meaning Anker’s been able to fit a lot of power into a tiny shell – this is a smaller-than-pocket-sized charger that’s also super easy to slip into your pocket thanks to foldable prongs. You’re also getting Anker’s ActiveShield 3.0 tech for smart heat monitoring. The charger will occasionally feel warm, but never so much so that it’s of any concern.

On top of that, its glossy surface and textured outer casing is highly appealing, with the gray-black color hammering home that classy, premium feel. I do still wish that Anker added a few other color options though, as we saw with the great Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger 30W.

At $34.99 / £24.99 (about AU$50), this is already a great value-for-money option, just based off of its power-to-size ratio and luxury build. But things get even better. There’s a 6ft USB-C cable included in the box, which makes this charger an absolute steal. Yes, you could technically get a 45W charger for even less than this, but given the sheer quality on offer, this is a top-value option.

And really, that sums up the Anker Nano 45W. It’s great value for money, beautifully sized and powerful enough to charge most phones in a jiffy. Sure, you could get even more power, ports and such from rivals. But if one port is all you need, it really doesn’t get much better than this.

Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable review: price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable review: also consider

Update: I've been keeping a close eye on Anker's latest Kickstarter. The campaign has now closed and it's going to take something special to beat this one.

A total of 17,822 backers raised a massive $46,762,258 in pledges. That's not a typo - over $46.5 million has been pledged to see the world's first 3D texture UV printer see the light of day.

You can check out the campaign here and the main page here where you can subscribe for updates.

Original story below.

• Anker EufyMake E1 prints up to 5mm thick textures using UV-curable ink, not filament
• Over $45 million raised on Kickstarter makes the E1 the most funded project to date
• EufyMake E1 supports over 300 materials, including metal, leather, and curved surfaces

Anker’s latest foray into creative tools has unexpectedly taken Kickstarter by storm with its new device, the EufyMake E1, generating nearly $45 million in pledges with days still left in its campaign, making it the most funded Kickstarter project to date.

Developed under Anker’s Eufy sub-brand, the E1 is being marketed as the world’s first personal 3D-texture UV printer.

While excitement among backers is undeniable, the real question is whether this all-in-one 3D printer machine can live up to its extraordinary promise.

A different take on home 3D printing

Unlike a typical home 3D printer, the EufyMake E1 doesn’t work with filament to build objects - instead, it uses UV-curable ink and a process Anker calls Amass3D technology to layer ink into textured designs on flat or curved surfaces.

The textures can reach up to 5 mm thick and can be printed on over 300 materials, including glass, leather, metal, and wood.

It also supports cylindrical objects through rotary printing and direct-to-film output for making custom stickers.

From a technical standpoint, the E1 is packed with features, including laser levelers, an 8 MP camera with AI positioning, and the ColorMaestro system that delivers vivid and lasting full-color prints.

The company also promises a hands-off user experience, thanks to the JetClean self-cleaning system.

These extras could appeal to hobbyists and small businesses alike, especially those producing custom merchandise like ornaments, tumblers, or vinyl stickers.

Still, this isn’t just a clever crafting tool; it’s clearly being positioned as a major pitch to the DIY market.

With the EufyMake E1 aiming for the consumer space, questions arise about long-term durability, ink costs, and real-world precision, factors that often separate a gadget from a reliable tool.

Claims of low operating cost, such as, “a dollar’s worth of ink on a custom metal sign,” may sound compelling, but they’ll need to be tested outside of promotional videos.

Ink consumption is a significant consideration for 3D printers. While the EufyMake E1 campaign claims 600 ml yields around 1,000 small prints, there is no detailed ml-per-print data for 3D output.

Considering that an ink set reportedly costs about $299, this means an average user could spend around $0.50 per print, and possibly more depending on the application - and in the long run, it could prove too expensive for small business owners.

Users looking for the best printer for everyday use or even the best laser engraver for material customization may need to compare carefully before committing.

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Generally speaking, if there’s one way I don’t want to consume my music, it's via open earbuds. They often have a slightly odd feel in-use or look a tad awkward – but more importantly, sound isn’t as neatly directed into the ear canal as when you use a pair of in-ear buds.

Sure, I get that a key benefit of the open design is you can hear more from your surroundings. And no doubt that’s useful if you’re running through a traffic-heavy area, for example. But to be honest, I typically like to block out as much noise as possible.

And as someone who also likes to hear the finer details in my music, the open-ear style isn’t typically ideal there either. After all, I’ve tried a good number of open earbuds which have lacked low-end impact, clear mids or delicate treble to make my favorite songs sound as good as they can be.

But earlier this year, I reviewed a pair of the best open earbuds, and they managed to seriously impress me, despite my usual open-ear skepticism. Yes, I’m talking about the clip-on Anker Soundcore AeroClip, which are my favorite open earbuds I’ve tried so far. Wanna know why? Well, I’ll break it down *starts spinning all over the floor*. Just kidding… let’s check the AeroClip out.

Clarity among a sea of muddiness

The number one draw of the Soundcore AeroClip, for me, is their surprisingly clear audio output. Because open-ear models aren’t nestled into your ear canal or sealing your ears entirely – like the best over-ear headphones – they can often sound a little directionless and unrefined.

But not the AeroClip. After a bit of EQ adjustment in the Soundcore app, I was able to experience an airy, ear-filling quality on tracks such as Não Tem Nada Não by Marcos Valle. In addition, I was met with impactful bass and controlled percussion in Remind Me by Patrice Rushen. There was never any kind of distant quality or harshness to put up with – something I’ve been subjected to with models like the Happy Plugs Clip.

I should note – there are no fancy codecs, such as LDAC which is on the Edifier LolliClip. But for a pair of open-ears, the AeroClip still sound perfectly up-to-scratch, and far superior to many competitors weighed down by muddy, underdeveloped audio.

And a final note on sound quality – if you’re looking for some open earbuds with crisp calling, this is a pair well-worth checking out. Soundcore says that the AeroClip plate up “AI-boosted clear calls”, and although I’m not so sure how much of a role AI plays, I have to say that my speech is always nice and clear over the phone – something that I also felt when listening back to a voice recording.

Secure, yet comfy

Really, the surprisingly strong sound quality of the AeroClip is their key selling point. But I’ve got to say, I really think Soundcore nailed the feel and fit with these open earbuds.

I was able to keep the Soundcore AeroClip on for hours without my ears feeling fatigued or overly constrained. That wasn’t quite the case when trying out the solid, yet slightly less comfy Anker Soundcore C40i. The AeroClip are lightweight and never feel invasive in-use, even if the clip-on design may take a bit of getting used to for anyone new to it.

On top of that, the AeroClip have proved to be nice and secure even when I’m moving around a fair bit, meaning you won’t have to worry about them dropping off mid-workout. In the box, you even get some medium and large-sized ear grips, which will keep the buds closely fitted if you find they’re on the loose side of things. Personally, I didn’t need to use these, though.

An addition, not a replacement

Recently, my talented colleague Becky Scarrott wrote an article explaining why everyone needs 5 pairs of headphones. And what do you know… open earbuds made the cut. Yep, I’m not going to stand here and claim that the AeroClip have replaced the incredible Sony WH-1000XM6, LG Tone Free T90S or Sennheiser IE 200 in my rotation. Instead, they’re more like a worthy addition to what I was already working with.

If you want to add an open-ear option to your arsenal, but you’re not quite sold on the clippy style, then don’t worry, there are some awesome alternatives out there. One of our absolute favorites – which we’ve been recommending since they dropped – is the Huawei FreeArc. They’re IP57 dustproof and waterproof rated, meaning they can even survive being submerged under water for 30 minutes, and they sound absolutely fantastic for the price (£99 in the UK).

So, will you be adding the Anker Soundcore AeroClip or a rival open-ear model to your collection of headphones and earbuds? I’d be interested to hear from you, so let me know in the comments!

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Whether for aesthetic reasons or to cut down on screen time, having a TV in the bedroom isn’t for everyone. I didn’t factor a TV in when I designed my bedroom, as it wasn’t worth sacrificing the space when I’ve already got one in my living room, but after a while, I found I missed having the option to curl up in bed and binge-watch my comfort shows on Netflix.

Having not always had the luxury of separate living spaces, I’d put a lot of work into curating my bedroom into a calming and visually pleasing environment, so the idea of sticking a big black rectangle in the middle wasn’t going to do my zen any favors. Therefore, I knew I had to think of an alternative solution that could cure my content cravings without taking up valuable space.

The concept of using a portable projector to watch shows in bed wasn’t new to me, as I’d racked up plenty of hours watching movies on the Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE. Sadly, though, as impressive as that projector is, it proved impractical for bedroom use as it was a bit big and loud for the shelf above my headboard and, as I’m yet to find a tripod that can handle its weight, it just wasn’t the bedfellow I was looking for.

Thankfully, I found the perfect alternative in the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 1080p Mini Google TV Projector, which has a list price of $529.99 / £499.99 / AU$1,599, so it doesn’t cost any more than a decent budget TV. The Nebula Capsule 3 uses the same Google TV operating system that I found so effortless to use with the Cosmos 4K SE, but this time in a conveniently compact package.

Below, you’ll find the reasons why I believe the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 1080p Mini Google TV Projector makes for an amazing alternative – and one reason why opting for a projector over a TV may not be the brightest move.

Highlights

Perfect placement isn't paramount

Finding space for a TV set can be tricky, but choices are far from limited when it comes to finding a home for the Anker Nebula Capsule 3.

Its dinky diameter of just 3.1 inches / 78mm makes it conveniently compact and easy to fit on shelves or tabletops, and it has a super convenient tripod mount thread on the base, so it’s easy to find a place for it even if surface space is limited.

And for those times when it isn’t possible to get the angle of the projection spot-on, the Nebula Capsule 3 will automatically adapt its settings to ensure it projects a well-focused image within the space provided, adjusting the keystone positions and avoiding any obstacles along the way.

I can go big and go home

The beauty of a projector like the Nebula Capsule 3 is that I can change the screen size to suit what I’m watching, and I can do so in a matter of moments.

This means that it’s super easy for me to go from watching TV on a 49-inch projection on the wall at the side of my bed to a projection of around 80 inches on my free-standing projector screen, if I’m in the mood for some big-screen entertainment, simply by rotating the Capsule 3 90 degrees and waiting for the settings to auto adapt based on the new position.

Pleasantly portable projection

Whether you’re staying at a friend's or going camping, the compact dimensions and light weight of 1.9lb / 850g combined with a built-in rechargeable battery make the Capsule 3 satisfyingly easy to pack up and take away.

These features can prove useful even if you don’t plan to take it away from home, especially if your bedroom is anything like mine, with its awkwardly located power outlets. While the 15,000 mAh battery only allows for about two and a half hours of screen time, the USB-C charging cable does mean that one of the best power banks could be used to stretch this duration a bit further.

Low light

Night owls get the best view

Despite the space-saving and versatility on offer from the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 1080p Mini Google TV Projector, you’re going to be sacrificing deep blacks and the details in darker scenes if you opt for one over one of the best TVs.

This issue isn’t uncommon, even amongst some of the best projectors on the market, but it’s something to keep in mind if you want your shows to look picture-perfect when watching in the daytime without efficient blackout blinds.

With that being said, this hasn’t been a deal breaker for me personally, because as comfy as my bed is, it’s not my primary place for watching shows in the daytime. And during the times I’ve needed to curl up when it’s still light outside, I’ve learned that I can tolerate the picture looking a little washed out when the compromise is that I essentially have a pocket-sized 50-inch TV.

I’ve been playing the Nintendo Switch 2 almost non-stop since it was released just over a week ago. My enjoyment of Mario Kart World has mutated into something of an addiction; I can’t get enough of the new Knockout mode, collecting new costumes for my characters, and of course rail-grinding with my main man, Pianta.

But I’ve already found that my playtime when out and about is pretty limited. When playing Mario Kart World in handheld mode I’m only getting around three hours of play, sometimes less. And I’m sure a lot of you out there are finding that your races are getting cut a little short.

However, there’s no need to fear, for I have a solution. I’ve been testing chargers at TechRadar for well over a year now, and there are a bunch that work just great with the Nintendo Switch 2, and will open you up to hours and hours of additional play.

I’ve selected a couple of wall chargers and one power bank that can supply stellar performance at a more-than-reasonable price. I’ve tested each of them myself, and it's safe to say that they’ve met my high standards. So without further ado, let’s take a look at my top picks.

1. UGreen Uno 100W

Is the UGreen Uno 100W the greatest charger ever? You know, it might just be. It is, at the very least, my personal favorite, and it’s enjoyed pride of place in my power socket ever since I first reviewed it in January. This lil’ fella is shaped like a robot, and has a neat display which shows a range of emojis tied to your devices’ charging status.

But the Uno 100W is so much more than a fun robo-companion. It’s also something of a powerhouse, boasting, as the name suggests, 100W of power in a four-port configuration. Yep, you can charge your Switch 2 at max capacity while also juicing up other devices like a pair of the best wireless earbuds or best over-ear headphones.

At $59.99 / £55.99 (about AU$80), this is a seriously good-value option – the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) has a list price of $84.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120), and it doesn’t even have a display! If you’ve got a power supply near you, this is my number one choice.

Read our full UGreen Uno 100W review.

2. Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank

But let’s say you’re not situated near a power supply. Then perhaps a power bank, which you can juice up in advance, will be the best option for you. And my number one pick here is the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank, which I tested with the Nintendo Switch 2 myself only recently.

When leaving my character stationary in Mario Kart World I was able to get around three hours of playtime without any external battery support. But with this Anker power bank, I was able to draw out a total of almost 12 hours of playtime – that’s an additional nine hours from the charger alone!

I love that this power bank has a retractable cable, meaning you don’t need to buy a USB-C wire separately. On top of that it has a couple of extra ports so you can charge up your phone, for example, alongside that brand spanking new Switch 2.

It has a list price of $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$119.99, which is already low. But we’ve seen it go on sale pretty regularly for just over $50 / £35. That’s next-level value for money, and it’s been my go-to Nintendo Switch 2 accessory when out and about.

Read our full Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank review.

3. UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger

Okay, back to UGreen now with something of a wildcard option. As much as I love the Uno 100W, it’s perhaps going to be a little chunky if you’re charging in a tight space. So, if you’re short on room, I simply have to recommend the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger. Yep, I know, it’s a bit of a mouthful.

This isn’t quite as mighty as the two options above, but it will have enough power to charge your Switch 2 speedily in single-port charging mode. If you also charge one of the best phones or some of the best noise cancelling headphones things might slow down a bit, but this model still has a good amount of power to go around, and it's not too much of a trade-off considering the phenomenally low price of this model. It's typically available for $55.99 / £45.99 (about AU$90), but I often see it going for much less.

It has a remarkably slim, flat outer case, delivers impressive performance for its size, and has interchangeable plugs, meaning you can swap in a different adapter whether you’re in the US, UK, or Europe – perfect for travel. Of course, there are multiple ports and smart heat monitoring too, so you can bet on an excellent user experience with this super-skinny model.

Read our full UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 has landed and… well, I’m already addicted. Seriously, Knockout mode in Mario Kart World has me hooked – pipping my rivals to that final spot is the dopamine boost of dreams; you’ve gotta try it.

But unfortunately, a lot of players are finding that their races are getting cut short. Not by Koopa Troopa overtaking at the last minute – but by the Nintendo Switch 2’s battery depleting more quickly than we'd hope.

Nintendo claims that its flashy new console is capable of plating up between two and 6.5 hours of playtime from a full charge – in handheld mode, that is. And a lot of players are finding that certain titles, including Mario Kart, are pushing the Switch 2 to its absolute limits in terms of playtime. Of course, two hours is pretty disappointing, even when considering that the Nintendo Switch 2 has a much mightier processor than its predecessor.

But Nintendo fans, I bear great news. I’ve found a way to unlock so much more battery life from my Nintendo Switch 2. Specifically, I was able to quadruple – yes, quadruple – my playtime, with a little help from an affordable Anker battery pack with enough power output to keep the Switch 2 running even while playing.

Four times the charm

In order to give my Nintendo Switch 2 a much needed battery upgrade, I enlisted the help of a power bank that we’ve reviewed and rated highly. I went for the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank – simply because it’s got plenty of power, while still coming at a cost that’s easy to swallow.

It has an official price of $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$119.99, which is already great value. But at the time of writing, you can get it for just over $50 / £35. That’s a small price to pay for four times the Switch 2 fun!

To find out just how much additional playtime I could get, I plugged the power bank into my Nintendo Switch 2 and timed just how long it could last. For reference, I had the Switch 2 on at all times during my test, brightness set to default, media volume at 50% and Mario Kart World open – with a racer left stationary in Free Roam mode, because that was the best way to maintain consistency in the results (and also because I couldn't keep playing for 12 hours, I need to work and sleep).

And the results really blew me away.

With the power bank, my Nintendo Switch 2 got an additional eight hours and 48 minutes of battery life, on top of the three hours I measured with no power bank in play (using the same test conditions, of course).

Yep, that’s almost 12 hours of playtime total, using the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank. That’s enough for basically any train journey, flight, or sofa play session you’ll ever have.

And to be clear, I wasn't playing until it ran out, then charging from the power bank – I was playing and pulling power from the battery the whole time, so it was uninterrupted. It went so much longer than I expected – it just kept going even when it said it was on 1%…

And something I absolutely loved about this model from Anker is its use of a retractable cable. That means you don’t have to purchase an external USB-C to USB-C cable to charge your Nintendo Switch 2, or the power bank itself. There’s an additional USB-C and USB-A slot too, in case you want to charge one of the best phones, or a pair of the best headphones, say, for on-the-go gaming sessions.

This power bank also has a display, so you can track its remaining battery life (in my case, that meant watching that last 1% last forever). On top of that, this model is really well-built, so you won’t have to worry about damaging it on long haul journeys.

Ultimately, it’s a fantastic charging companion for the Nintendo Switch 2 and a pleasingly affordable option too. So, will you be getting a power bank for your Switch 2 adventures? Let me know in the comments!

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Anker Soundcore Liberty 5: two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 are a modestly priced pair of stem-equipped wireless earbuds, aiming to offer “detail-rich” sound and silencing ANC. With a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$169, these buds are hardly short on competition. But they do a decent amount to stand out in what is a congested market.

One of the ways they do that is by offering a broad, rich suite of features. Whether it’s a preference EQ test, low-latency gaming mode, customizable touch controls or environment-specific ANC, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Of course, the adaptive ANC is a standout feature here. It’s not groundbreaking and I’ve experienced better noise-nixing capabilities from wireless earbuds, but external sounds are dulled effectively overall and there are lots of customization options.

That said, to compete with the best earbuds on the market, you need to sound good – in fact, the audio needs to be very good. And thankfully, the Liberty 5 do sound pretty solid overall. You can uncover substantial sonic detail – especially with LDAC deployed – plus booming bass and even a fair amount of breadth and separation when using Dolby Audio. Out of the box, the Liberty 5 do lack a modicum of neutrality, showing a clear preference for bass and treble (read: 'excitement' or 'zeal' over a more natural, faithful and integrated balance across the frequencies). The detail in musical passages and layering of instruments are unlikely to impress audiophiles either. However, it's all relative and for the price you pay, these buds meet the mark.

Something that’s not so impressive, though, is the Liberty 5’s design. I’m just not digging the plasticky housing and stem design. Touch controls, which are accessed via the stems, are fiddly and inconsistent too. You do, however, get a pretty cool sliding case and IP55 dust and waterproofing.

Other aspects that could be better include call quality, which is not exactly bad but not quite as “crystal-clear” as advertised. I also experienced a notable amount of sound leakage – though that’s pretty common for earbuds at this level.

Still, there’s a lot to like about the Liberty 5. My testing suggested battery life may not be as long as quoted, but you still get a decent amount of playtime. There’s a fit check option to get the best seal, a range of additional ear tips in the box and multi-point connectivity too.

All in all, I’d argue that the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 make for a decent pair of wireless earbuds, though their design flaws in particular hold them back from greatness. If you want an even cheaper option, I’d go for the similarly stemmed Earfun Air 2 NC which impressed me in the audio and noise cancelling department.

At a similar price you could instead get the Nothing Ear (a) – more on those later. And finally, if you’re willing to step it up a little bit, I absolutely love the Dolby Atmos-enabled LG Tone Free T90S, which you can grab on-sale close to the $180 / £150 mark. If the Liberty 5 see a significant price-slash at any of the upcoming sales events, I’m sure they’d be worth adding to your online shopping cart. But right now, you can do better for the money.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: price and availability

• $129 / £99 / AU$169
• Launched in May 2025

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 launched in May 2025, just over two-and-a-half years after their predecessor, the Liberty 4. They have a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$169, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were on sale in the not too distant future. Notably, you can grab the Liberty 5 in four different color options: Black; White; Blue; or Apricot. The color you select should have no bearing on price.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: specs

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: features

• Customizable noise cancellation options…
• ...but actual ANC performance isn’t top-class
• Top-tier companion app

I want to start off with a big plus-point: I really love the Soundcore companion app – and as someone who has countless similar audio apps on my phone, it’s rare that I really love something priced at this level. Said app is laid out in a clean, user-friendly manner, with all of the crucial settings listed on a hub page and smaller nuggets up in a separate menu. I find some companion apps to be a bit slow or buggy – not this one.

So, let’s run through all of the key features you can find on the Soundcore app. There’s the classic inclusions like multi-point connectivity, a Find Device option if a pesky bud goes amiss, and customizable touch controls – something I’ll discuss more in the Design section.

But one of the key areas I want to focus on is EQ adjustment. Soundcore has really knocked it out of the park here; there are just so many ways to tailor the Liberty 5’s sound to your tastes. Firstly, there’s all the usual suspects – think Bass Booster and Bass Reducer, as well as genre-specific choices such as Classical and Dance. There’s also a Dolby Audio option (not Atmos) with music, podcast, or movie sub-options. Mobile gamers are in luck too: there’s a low-latency Gaming Mode that enhances the sounds of footsteps and voices – though you won’t be able to use this alongside the ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codec, LDAC, which is a great inclusion.

And there’s more! You can even take a preference test, as seen on the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, which presents a series of sound ‘A’ and ‘B’ options, and forges a bespoke sound for you based on the selections you make. Honestly, I think Soundcore is doing this better than all of its rivals – I even like this more than the preference-based EQ function on the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Of course, the main event here is active noise cancellation, but despite the Liberty 5’s admirable report card so far, this is where things take a slight dip. Is ANC bad on the Liberty 5? No, that would be harsh. But is it the best around? Also no: it’s acceptable, but no better.

When walking near a busy road, I could still hear vehicles going by, even in the 60-70% volume range. Sure, sounds were significantly dulled, but there was a touch more extraneous noise filtering in than I would’ve liked. Similarly, while working away in the office, chatter in an adjacent room was easily phased out, but low-level discussions from my colleagues would creep in. If you don’t need silence or near-silence at all times, the Liberty 5 will do just fine. But if you’re looking for S-tier noise-crushing capabilities, you’re gonna have to look some more.

Interestingly, you can adapt noise cancelling between one – the weakest, and five – the strongest, if you want to take a more balanced approach to listening. There’s a transparency calibration too, as well as a wind noise reducer and ANC modes for traveling via plane or car. If you’d like, you can even use Fit Test, to ensure you’re getting the perfect seal for shutting out the world around you.

Finally, Soundcore says that the Liberty 5 can manage eight hours of playtime with ANC on – that is if you listen at moderate volume with basically every extra option switched off. That’s a pretty solid amount, though I did realize that the battery depleted by 20% after one hour of testing. That suggests you may not quite get that full eight hours after all. Still, the case packs plenty of charge, so unless you want to lock in for a super-long session, there should be enough battery life here.

• Features score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: sound quality

• Impressive bass output
• Lack a bit of balance out of the box
• …but there are extensive EQ options and Dolby Audio to fix it

For $129 / £99 / AU$169, it’s rare that you’ll find top-of-the-range sound quality. And the Liberty 5 aren’t going to plate up the kind of perfectly nuanced, beautifully separated sound that audiophiles are hunting down – if the Liberty 5 could do that for this money and without wires, we could all pack up and go home.

All the same, I’m pleased to report that they do sound good overall. When listening to It’s Possible by Piero Piccioni and Catherine Howe, vocals had a pleasing degree of detail, with tongue clicks on the palate and subtle breaths sounding three-dimensional and largely authentic. Audio was particularly revealing with the higher-resolution Bluetooth codec, LDAC, switched on, but even then, the vocals weren’t quite lifted out of the mix for the most expressive, layered listen.

Similarly, when tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the vocal performance was clear, but felt as if it could be more prominent in the mix. This track did reveal, however, that the Liberty 5 pack some serious low-end punch. The pumping drum machine – though perhaps not as agile as you’d hear on more premium buds like the Technics EAH-AZ100 – offered impressive depth. And again with Breather by Christ Stussy & S. A. M., the Liberty 5 had the talents to replicate the thumping bass at the heart of this track’s energetic, almost hypnotic bounce.

When listening to Breather, I did feel that percussion in the treble range could sound overemphasized, especially at higher volume levels. That may well cause some fatigue during longer listening sessions, so if you’d like to tone things down, it’s going to be worth taking a trip to the Soundcore app. After making use of the custom eight-band equalizer, I was able to largely quash this issue, which really is a testament to the highly tunable sound of the Liberty 5.

Yes, you really can make these earbuds sound your own. There’s a Dolby Audio option, if you want slightly wider, more immersive sound. For reference, you’re not getting Dolby Atmos – something you’ll find on models like the LG xboom Buds, as an example. How does this particular Dolby side-sauce sound? Well, it does what it says on the tin. Bass in particular sounds broader… more encapsulating. But you may find that a touch of detail is lost compared to listening with Dolby Audio off.

One more performance-related element I should discuss is mic quality. Soundcore proudly states that the Liberty 5 are capable of “crystal-clear” call quality, thanks to six mics, a wind-resistant algorithm and a helping hand from AI. But I wasn’t all too impressed in this department. My voice was decently clear, but my surroundings would often get in the way. Similarly on a voice note, I could certainly hear myself, but my voice wasn’t particularly forward and external noises crept in easily.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: design

• Stem design won’t be for everyone
• Neat sliding case
• The touch controls just aren’t it

I think it’s only fair that I put my cards on the table here and say that I’m not a mega-fan of the Soundcore Liberty 5’s design. Part of that comes down to personal preference – I like the smaller, more discreet look of stemless rivals like the Sony WF-C710N.

Still, I can put that aside to a degree. But I couldn’t help feeling that the Liberty 5 look like a more plasticky and less sleek pair of AirPods. I would argue that their slightly slanted look is a plus though, that does give them a sharper, more angular edge. And unlike AirPods, you can grab these in multiple color options: Black; White; Blue; or Apricot.

Looks aside, there is one major impracticality about the Liberty 5’s design: their touch controls. Soundcore’s gone for a kind of ‘pinch’ control scheme, which frankly, I found a little awkward. The buds wouldn’t feel very secure when I was pinching at the stems to skip or go to previous tracks. And the effectiveness of my attempts varied. Sometimes I had to make multiple attempts to pause or play a song – it’s just not a massively consistent way to control playback.

So, yes, not a lot of good stuff to say so far. But one thing I do like about the Liberty 5 is their charging case. Simply, slide it open and there you are. Your earbuds, right before you! I prefer this motion to the flip-top motion cases opt for and would like to see a few more manufacturers consider it.

The buds are also fairly comfortable in-ear, so it’s unlikely you’ll feel exhausted after mere minutes of use. You can find multiple sized eartips in the box too, helping you find the most secure fit possible. Despite getting a nice seal, though, a colleague did hear some sound leakage at around 65-70% volume. There’s an adaptive sound leakage compensation toggle in the Soundcore app’s advanced settings but, still, you’re not going to get the perfect isolation that the best over-ear headphones supply.

Waterproofing is also pretty solid. The Liberty 5 are IP55 dust and waterproof rated, which means that they can withstand low pressure water jets from multiple directions. That’s better than a lot of competitors, but you can do even better. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, for instance, are IP57-rated, so they can even survive being immersed under a meter of water for a while.

• Design score: 3/5

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: value

• Fairly moderate list price
• But still, you can do better for the money
• Outperformed by a number of rivals

The Soundcore Liberty 5 are playing in a pretty competitive field, coming in at $129 / £99 / AU$169. It’s a decently modest price tag, sure, but a lot of manufacturers are producing pretty great earbuds for even less.

Now, there are a lot of rivals I could name here. I own the Sony WF-C700N and they sound great while also offering a more low-profile look than the Liberty 5. We also rate the Nothing Ear (a) highly, but I’ll discuss those a little more below. But if you want the ultimate guide to the leading cheap models, then I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best budget earbuds.

Ultimately, $100 / £100 / AU$150 is still a significant spend. And I’m not convinced these are particularly standout – aside from their excellent companion app and decently broad feature-set. In terms of sonic prowess, ANC abilities and design, it’s a more mixed picture. If these are on sale, I wouldn’t count them out, of course. But at the moment, I’d rather grab a pair of buds from Sony or Nothing.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: also consider

How I tested the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5

• Tested for two weeks
• Used in the office and while out in public
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Soundcore Liberty 5 over a fortnight, listening to songs and watching videos for hours on end. I used them out at the office, while at home and when on walks to assess the fortitude of ANC across multiple environments.

Typically, I tested these buds using Tidal, but I also tried using them with both Spotify and YouTube. When listening to music, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres. Of course, I also tuned in to tons of tunes from my personal library.

Where appropriate, I compared these to the LG xboom Buds on metrics such as comfort, audio quality, ANC capabilities and features. And for reference, I’ve tested tons of audio products here at TechRadar. I’ve reviewed flagship over-ear headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6, wired earbuds like the Sennheiser IE 600 and, of course, other wireless earbuds like the LG Tone Free T90S.

• First reviewed: June 2025
• Read more about how we test

The rate of progress in the tech world has shown no signs of slowing down over the last seven days. Whether it's advances in the capabilities of AI video generators or a long-serving messaging app finally appearing on Apple's tablets, it's been quite a week.

As good as we try and make our journalism here on TechRadar, we know that not everyone has time to sit down and digest every story that we put up across the week – and so we present to you this In Case You Missed It recap so you can get yourself caught up.

We'll be back with another ICYMI for you at the same time next week, but for now let's dive into some of the stories that have been causing the biggest ripples in the tech pond over the last few days – there's a lot to get through, and a lot of topics to cover.

If you need more reading material, check out the best new movies and shows to stream this weekend.

8. Garmin’s Whoop-style ‘sleep band’ edged closer to reality

Garmin is already one of the biggest and most well-respected names in fitness wearables, and it seems a brand-new device is on the way: well-placed sources say they've seen signs of a screenless, sleep-tracking band that Garmin is planning to introduce soon.

It sounds a bit like a Whoop band, from the few details that have emerged so far, which would undoubtedly make it a more comfortable option for wearing in bed than a chunky smartwatch. As yet, however, we haven't heard anything official from Garmin.

• Read more: Garmin's long-rumored Whoop-style screenless 'sleep band' will reportedly break cover soon

7. A streaming login leak got us updating our Netflix passwords

If you're signed up for a Netflix account, be sure to reset your password at your earliest opportunity, as millions of login credentials have been leaked online. It's not just Netflix, either: accounts across Prime Video, Disney+, and other services are also affected.

The silver lining is that financial information related to these accounts seems to be safe, but there's no room for complacency, especially if you're using your streaming logins for other accounts as well.

It's best to assume you've been exposed and change your details.

• Read more: Time to change your Netflix password? Millions of login details have leaked, according to a cybersecurity report – and it's not just Netflix

6. Anker gave us earbuds that double as a phone battery pack

We're always keen to see tech that's a little bit different here at TechRadar, and that's the case with the Anker Soundcore P41i wireless earbuds. These little buds last up to 12 hours, which rises to a huge 192 hours if you include the charging case.

That's because the compact charging case doubles up as a general-purpose power bank that'll charge your phone too, if needed – it features a 3,000mAh capacity battery inside, so it may mean there's one less gadget or charging plug you need to carry around with you.

• Read more: Anker's new earbuds have a case that doubles as a phone battery pack – and, unsurprisingly, giant battery life for the buds

5. Sony handed indie filmmakers a new compact video camera

The Sony FX2 video camera was officially announced this week, bringing with it a tiltable EVF and a 33MP full-frame sensor. It's capable of filming in 4K at up to 60fps, and it's going to be available from July 2025, priced at $2,700 / £2,700 / AU$ 5,299 for the body only.

We still need to get our hands on the Sony FX2 and put it through some tests, but from what we can see, it looks ideal for anyone making movies on a small, low-budget scale. There are some limitations, though, including a lack of 32-bit float audio recording.

• Read more: Sony's new compact video camera is official – and it looks ideal for YouTubers and indie filmmakers

4. We tested Google’s mind-blowing AI video maker

AI video making has made a huge step forward with the arrival of the Veo 3 model from Google. Clips made by Veo 3 have been flooding onto the web and across social media, and it's now just about impossible to tell what's real and what's fake with these videos.

We've been able to run a few prompts through the Google Veo 3 engine, creating clips of dinosaurs painting and dramatic set pieces on the surface of Mars. It can take some work to get a result you'll be happy with, though, and we've also got some Veo 3 tips to share.

• Read more: I created these wild AI videos in Veo 3 and here's how you can do it too

3. Samsung launched the One UI 8 beta for early adopters

Samsung's next big update is One UI 8, based on Android 16, and you can test it out now if you have a Galaxy S25 phone and live in the US, the UK, Germany, or South Korea. Find out how you can sign up now, and the headline features you can expect from the update.

More upgrades and tweaks will no doubt be added as the beta progresses. Samsung also told us that One UI 8 will launch in full in the coming months, alongside some brand-new foldables, which we expect to be the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

• Read more: Samsung launches the One UI 8 beta for Galaxy S25 phones – here's how you can get it

2. The first Dolby Atmos FlexConnect speaker landed

The TCL Z100 has the distinction of being the first speaker to be announced that works with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. That's the audio tech that can create dynamic surround sound in a room, no matter how many speakers you've got or how they're arranged.

Up to four TCL Z100 speakers can be combined in a single configuration, and while we've yet to hear pricing and release date details on this unit, it's great to see the dynamic technology making its way into speakers, two years after it was announced.

• Read more: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is one of the coolest bits of tech I've seen in years, and it's finally coming in a speaker you can buy

1. WhatsApp finally got an iPad app

It's been a long time coming, but WhatsApp is finally available on the Apple iPad – so your chats can spread themselves out across a bigger screen. As well as sending and receiving messages, you'll be able to share your screen and video chat with up to 32 people at once.

You'll be able to sync conversations across from your other devices in just a few seconds, and WhatsApp promises there's more to come with WhatsApp on Apple's tablets. Is it too much to ask Meta to get around to making an iPad app for Instagram next?

• Read more: WhatsApp just finally launched its much anticipated iPad app

Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank: review

The Anker 20K 87W power bank has a large capacity and power output, as well as an inbuilt USB-C cable for ease of use. It’s a sleek-looking brick, although it’s quite big. Thankfully, it’s not too thick or too heavy, both of which help to make it more portable than it otherwise would be.

It features a small screen that displays the battery life as a percentage, which is bright and clear, making it easy to glance at. There’s also a relatively large power button next to it, which is very accessible owing to its size.

True to many of Anker’s products, it feels solidly constructed, equal in durability to the best power banks. This extends to the inbuilt USB-C cable, which Anker claims has 11lbs of pulling resistance, and is rated for over 10,000 bends and 5,000 twists during its lifetime.

It folds away neatly, sitting flush with the side panel, and it also feels secure in this housing, so I wasn’t concerned it would come loose or expose the jack to damage. What’s more, the cable is still easy to unsheathe when needed.

However, it isn’t that long, which, given the overall size of the bank itself, can make it a little awkward to use. It also has to be twisted around when connecting to devices in a way that feels unnatural, since the cable is flat rather than cylindrical.

In addition to this integrated cable, the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank also features a USB-C port, which is capable of input and output (as is the cable), and a USB-A port, which is output only.

The Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank provides 87W of power in total, with a maximum of 65W for single-port charging, which is more than enough to charge large devices, including many modern laptops. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, in about two hours, which is respectable.

In the process, it lost 30% of its battery life, which means you should be able to get at least three charges out of it, which is acceptable, although some other 20,000mAh banks I’ve tested previously appear to retain slightly more in the tank than this.

Still, the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank is reasonably priced considering its high power output, build quality, and integrated cable. However, it might not represent great value unless you intend on charging very power-hunger devices; even many modern laptops don’t need 65W to charge quickly. But, if you do, the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank is a very solid portable and convenient option.

Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank: price & specs

Should I buy the Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Anker 20,000mAh 87W Power Bank review: Also consider

Anker Soundcore C40i: review

Enter the Anker Soundcore C40i, another competitor in the ever-growing field of open ear headphones. Thanks to their lack of a seal, these clip-on headphones are ideal for those who want to be aware of their surroundings – such as runners or gym-goers. At the same time, the Anker Soundcore C40i still aim to deliver a strong sonic experience – something that a lot of open ear models have struggled to accomplish. So how do they fare?

Well, as you may expect, you’re not going to get stunning audio from the Anker Soundcore C40i. Like all open ear headphones, the loose design means that sound is less concentrated and there’s ambient noise to compete with from your surroundings. Yet these still perform decently in the audio department. Well, that is, after a bit of tinkering.

You see, out of the gate, I wasn’t sure if me and the Anker Soundcore C40i would be best pals. The default Soundcore Signature tuning is a little convoluted and bass packs a pretty feeble punch… well, more of a tap really. But I had no need to fear, because like many of the best open ear headphones, the C40i have custom EQ settings. I simply wandered over to the Soundcore app and refined audio by selecting 3D Surround Sound.

I was actually quite surprised that the 3D audio mode was a hit – I’ve seen no end of headphones fail on this, including rival clip-on buds like the Edifier LolliClip. Bass response is improved and you get a decently immersive listening experience – I stuck with 3D mode for much of my testing. There’s also a Bass, Volume Booster and an eight-band custom option for those who aren’t digging the 3D effects.

After getting all set up, I got straight into A Seagull & Clouds by Himiko Kikuchi, a beautiful funk-infused jazz track. The C40i performed very well for a pair of open ear headphones, with subtle percussive elements including tambourines coming through clearly, yet subtly enough to give the expressive trumpet, dancing keys and smooth bass plenty of limelight.

Moving over to Black Eye by Allie X and the pounding drum machine didn’t have the razor sharp speed that I’ve heard from more premium headphones, but its depth was replicated nicely, especially given the C40i’s open build. Higher pitched vocal segments sounded perfectly clear at medium volumes but could sound a little harsh at top levels.

Overall, I’d argue that the C40i sound above-average for a pair of open ear headphones. There’s no LDAC for ‘hi-res’ listening and you’re unlikely to be wowed by massive sub-bass, for example. But these do still offer up surprisingly good separation and impressively immersive overall sound, which is to be applauded.

There’s no noise cancelling here, as seen with some open ear headphones like the Honor Earbuds Open. And if you pair that with the C40i’s inherently leaky open design, you can expect listening sessions to be significantly interrupted if you’re in busy areas.

That could be a big win if you’re concerned about the risks of using ANC-enabled buds in traffic-heavy areas for your morning run. But if you’re instead looking to shut out the world around you, don’t worry – you can check out our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds instead!

In general, there really aren’t a ton of features to play around with on the Soundcore C40i. Again, you can adjust EQ in the super easy-to-use app, which also shows devices connected with multi-point and battery life remaining for each bud and the charging case. The only other major inclusion is customizable button controls. You can assign a different function to tapping once, twice, or three times on the buds’ buttons. Options include playback control, voice assistant activation and volume adjustment.

The decision to use traditional button controls was also one that I had no issue with whatsoever. Sure, it’s not the most modern approach, but it removes the frustration I’ve experienced when accidentally triggering touch commands on rivals like the Happy Plugs Clip. These buttons also let you take or reject calls, which brings me onto mic quality. I found the C40i performed nicely, with clear speech on both calls and a voice recording. Background static was very limited and I wasn’t subjected to harsh sibilance either – no complaints here!

Outside of their button controls, I didn’t quite fall in love with the C40i’s design, though. Firstly, they’re not particularly pretty, with the Midnight model I tested having an almost muddy shade to it. The case also feels a little chunky and positioning the sync button on the underside of the case is a little odd – not that I really needed it thanks to the C40i automatically pairing to my phone via Bluetooth 5.4.

I also didn’t find these open ear headphones to be particularly comfortable. They were a little tight for me, so I rarely found myself keeping them on for longer than a couple of hours at a time. That’s something that the slightly newer, more expensive model, the Anker Soundcore AeroClip corrected with a more flexible build.

A couple more things before I stop moaning – both the C40i’s waterproofing and battery life are markedly average, with a number of competitors outperforming them. They’re just IPX4-rated, meaning they can handle some water splashes and sweat, but might not be the best with water jets or submersion. That’s not the case for a model like the IP57-rated Huawei FreeArc, which have plenty of protection against the elements. And you’re getting a moderate eight hours of playtime from the buds and maximum 21 hours with the case – again, nothing special.

The C40i still plate up impressive audio in 3D sound mode and I’m a big fan of the Soundcore companion app, so their list price of $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$149.99 is hardly outrageous. But you can do better. Specifically, the newer Anker Soundcore AeroClip are a more rounded, comfortable pick and only cost a touch more. And if you’re on a tighter budget, you can grab an excellent budget alternative like the Huawei FreeArc, which I’ve spotted on sale for less than £80 fairly regularly – but more on these below.

Anker Soundcore C40i review: specs

Anker Soundcore C40i review: price and availability

• $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$149.99
• Launched in October 2024

The clip-styled Anker Soundcore C40i released in October 2024 alongside a more traditional open ear model, the Anker Soundcore Aerofit 2. You can grab this model in three colorways: Desert Bronze; Midnight (black); or my personal favorite, Champagne Mist, which is a see-through variant, similar to the Sony WF-C710.

The C40i launched with a list price of $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$149.99, which is in the budget-to-midrange category. It’s worth noting that this model is significantly pricier than its predecessor, the Anker Soundcore C30i, which are typically $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.99. On the other hand, you’ll have to shell out $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210) for the more recent (and superior) Anker Soundcore AeroClip.

Should you buy the Anker Soundcore C40i?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Anker Soundcore C40i review: also consider

Anker Soundcore C40i review: How I tested

• Tested during a one-week period
• Used in the office and while out in public
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Anker Soundcore C40i across the course of a week, predominantly when working at Future Labs, but also when out and about. I played around with their full set of features, tuned in for casual and critical listening and assessed their quality across all EQ presets.

When listening to music, I made use of Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. As always, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a variety of genres and is optimized for assessing sound quality across the frequencies. I also blasted a ton of tunes from my personal music library and compared audio capabilities against the Soundcore AeroClip on ear headphones.

• First reviewed: May 2025
• Read more about how we test

• Anker announces Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless earbuds
• They launched today: May 7, 2025
• They cost $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.99 but boast premium features

Anker has just launched a brand new pair of affordable wireless earbuds: the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5, and just like their predecessors they look like a cheap way to access premium features.

The Liberty 5 buds boast some useful features including active noise cancellation, an 12-hour battery life with active noise-cancellation (ANC), which can be extended up to 32 more hours with their charging case.

The new buds also offer improved bass performance thanks to dual bass-enhancing tubes that amplify the low frequencies resonance while increasing air flow, which according to Anker leads to more powerful, yet balanced, bass reproduction.

What’s more if you’re using an Android device you can access higher quality audio transmission via LDAC – so you should find your audio sounds more complete than it does on non-LDAC earbuds.

If you like the sound of these new earbuds they’re available to buy right now on Amazon.com, Soundcore.com, and from select retailers for $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.99.

This means the buds aren’t quite as affordable as other recent cheap wireless earbuds like Panasonic’s new RB-F10 over-ear headphones, but with a premium suite of features a higher price is to be expected.

We haven’t been able to test these earbuds yet, but previous Anker audio products scored well; we gave the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro three-and-a-half stars, and the older Anker Soundcore Liberty Air buds earned four stars – though both could have been better.

The more recent Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 buds (which we haven’t tested) appeared to score well with reviewers, though you may find you’ll want to wait and see how well the latest Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 buds fare before you buy them – or maybe wait for a discount to make their $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.99 asking price is even more affordable.

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• Anker's docking station's ultra-fast Thunderbolt 5 supports up to 120 Gbps for video and data transfer
• Includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, but only one video port works natively at once
• Two extra Thunderbolt ports let you connect 8K monitors

Anker has introduced a new laptop docking station that uses a primary Thunderbolt 5 connection to the host machine, along with two additional Thunderbolt ports for peripherals such as 8K monitors.

Thunderbolt 5 offers backward compatibility with earlier Thunderbolt and USB standards and supports up to 120Gbps bandwidth under optimal conditions, so a single cable handles data, power, and video, helping reduce desktop cable clutter.

MiniMachines reports the dock targets users who need extensive I/O flexibility, supporting high-resolution multi-monitor setups and a wide range of peripherals.

Multiple connectivity options

The dock includes a range of connectivity options: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and SDXC card readers.

It also features HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 outputs, although only one can be used at a time for native video output unless additional monitors are connected via Thunderbolt or USB protocols.

The external power supply is rated at 180 watts, with up to 140 watts delivered to a connected laptop - ideal for powering devices while handling demanding workloads, all without a separate charger.

A subtle LED ring on the top edge provides status feedback. The dock is housed in a sandblasted aluminum chassis, though passive cooling alone isn’t sufficient - so a compact internal fan is included.

While fan-based cooling is common in mini PCs, prolonged use could lead to issues like fan misalignment or increased noise.

The dock also does not appear to be user-serviceable, which could be a drawback for users concerned with maintenance or long-term durability.

Priced at €419 (about $474), it’s not the most budget-friendly option, but it may appeal to users seeking a premium, all-in-one docking solution for high-end displays and performance-focused peripherals.

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Finding a good outdoor projector for summer parties can be challenging. Bright sunlight can really hamper picture quality when viewing outdoors during the day, and while some projectors can handle the outdoors in the evening, the picture can still look a little washed out as it’s never truly pitch black outside.

What can help with this? Super-high brightness, of course. So, when Anker announced its new 3,500 ANSI lumens Nebula X1 portable 4K projector, which it touts as an ‘outdoor projector’, it caught my interest. Not only because Anker has produced some of the best portable projectors, but because its predecessor, the Anker Nebula Mars 3, is a solid outdoor projector, though comparatively dim with its 1,000 lumens rated brightness.

Another thing that caught my attention was the Nebula X1’s bespoke, wireless speakers (part of its optional accessory kit), which promise a more immersive audio experience than what we’re used to getting from the best projectors. With summer approaching here in the UK, I was glad to get a chance to see the Nebula X1 in person.

A bold, bright image

I caught a demo of the Nebula X1 in a screening room in London’s Soho Hotel. While the demo itself was short, it was clear that the projector’s 3,500 ANSI lumens made a difference in the demo video, primarily showing forests, natural landscapes and animals.

The greens of the trees and forest looked punchy and vivid, and the contrast was surprisingly powerful, giving the trees greater perceived depth. The balance of light and dark between a leopard’s yellow fur and black spots created the same sense of depth. The picture was crisp with the right level of sharpness, making textures look mostly natural.

Although we didn’t get to see the Nebula X1 outside or with Dolby Vision HDR content (which the Nebula X1 supports), it was still clear that the projector would do a decent job in brighter viewing conditions.

Wireless speakers add more

While the Nebula X1 can be used with the best soundbars, the company developed wireless speakers to pair with it. The speakers, each of which contains a 40W amp plus up and side-firing drivers powered by 2 x 20W, create a 4.1.2-channel surround sound system with the X1 itself serving as a subwoofer. This was demoed at the event with a Dolby Atmos video.

The sound was immediately surprising. I was sitting a few rows up and back from the projector and speakers, and even then, surround effects such as a chirping bird in a jungle and heavy rainfall seemed to come from behind and above me. There was a solid sense of bass in the soundtrack’s rumbling thunder as well. Finally, the system sounded clear regardless of what was played through it, adding another layer to the Nebula X1 experience.

The speakers themselves are small and extremely portable, which made the sound they produced during the demo all the more surprising. These could be a game-changer for those looking to up the quality level of their outdoor movie nights.

The party projector to beat, but at a cost

A pair of wireless microphones is included in the X1’s accessory bundle, one of which was used to give the presentation I attended. Their real purpose, however, is for karaoke, adding to the projector’s summer party vibe.

Of course, the X1 is not just all about outdoors and summer parties (which come later in the year for our Australian readers). From what I briefly saw and from what I’ve come to expect from Anker’s projectors, it will still make a great addition to a home theater setup.

Cost is something to consider here, however. The Nebula X1 is by no means cheap for a portable projector, launching at $2,999 / £2,199 (roughly AU$4,695) for the projector itself and $999 / £499 (roughly AU$1,564) for the accessory bundle, meaning you’ll be paying $3,998 / £2,698 (roughly AU$6,260) in total for the full package. (There is a package offer for $3,298 in the US until June 20th, one month after the X1’s May 20th launch date.)

That makes the X1 a pricey ‘portable’ projector, one that’s in line with the Hisense PX3 Pro ultra-short-throw (UST) projector, and even a top-end OLED TV in a 65-inch screen size. But the X1’s optional speakers, and features such as Dolby Vision HDR support, almost put it in its own category.

While we haven’t fully reviewed the X1, based on my first impressions, it could be an excellent all-around projector for outdoor parties and indoor movie nights. We’ll have to see how it fares when we get one in and put it through our usual tests.

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• Anker reveals the Nebula X1 4K projector
• Features include 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR support and 3,500 ANSI lumens
• The X1 is touted as an 'outdoor projector'

Anker has revealed the latest 4K projector in its Nebula range, the X1.

Anker, makers of some of the best projectors, such as the Anker Nebula Mars 3, says the X1 is its highest-performing projector yet. The X1 follows in the footsteps of Anker's Cosmos range, which has delivered some of the best portable projectors, including the Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K.

The 4K-resolution X1 uses an RGB triple laser light engine and is said to deliver 3,500 ANSI lumens. It's capable of displaying images up to 300 inches in size and its NebulaMaster technology is set to offer a 5000:1 native contrast ratio and 56,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Anker says it's the "perfect backyard projector for daytime and night-time use".

The X1 has four side-firing internal speakers powered by a total of 40W, and a separate pair of wireless speakers is an available option. These speakers have 8 hours of battery life and are USB-C rechargeable.

As an added audio feature, the X1's built-in speakers can be switched to subwoofer mode when combined with the wireless speakers, creating a 4.1.2-channel audio system.

From a design perspective, the X1 can tilt up to 25 degrees, allowing for easy placement on a wall, table or floor. It also features AI Spatial Adaptation, which uses real-time auto focus, auto keystone, auto optical zoom and auto screen fit. There's a built-in micro gimbal for added adaptability, and it comes with a carry handle for easy portability.

The X1 will also support Wi-Fi streaming with Google TV built-in for access to the best streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus.

Another new feature is its liquid cooling system, which Anker says will limit fan noise to 26dB (at a distance of 1m).

The Anker Nebula X1 will be available from May 21, starting at $2,199.99 / £2,199.99 (roughly AU$4,595 directly converted). An accessory bundle, with the two wireless speakers, a carry case and two wireless microphones designed with karaoke in mind, is available for $999.99 / £499.99 ($667 / AU$1,042 directly converted). Both will be on sale at Amazon and Nebula in the US and Nebula in the UK.

The ultimate summer projector?

The headline of Anker's release of the X1 is that it is perfect for the outdoors day or night, its 3,500 ANSI lumens brightness putting it in the same category as the likes of the Samsung Premier 9 and Epson QB100, both of which we classed as 'super-bright'.

Although the X1 sounds like it will be super-bright, even the brightest and best 4K projectors can still struggle with outdoor daytime viewing, as the lumens required to project a decent image in brighter viewing conditions can be a real challenge.

However, 3,500 ANSI lumens is indeed very bright, and with the added benefit of Dolby Vision HDR, the X1 could produce images bright enough for outdoor viewing.

Admittedly, it's not a cheap projector, but compared with other portable projectors with similar specs, such as the JMGO N1S Ultra 4K, it's competitively priced for what it offers.

With the display specs listed and the option for an audio upgrade, plus two wireless microphones for anyone who fancies a bit of karaoke after their movie night, the Nebula X1 really could be the ultimate portable and outdoor projector cinema package. I'll be keen to get my hands on it and see how it fares.

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Anker Soundcore AeroClip: review

If you’re the athletic type or maybe just a regular gym goer, the Anker Soundcore AeroClip could be the perfect set of open earbuds for you. These clip-on buds have the basics down: solid sound, a secure and comfortable fit plus nifty companion app functionality. And although they’re not perfect, their more-than-fair price of $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210) makes them an option well worth considering.

Generally, my problem with open-ear headphones and open earbuds is that they don’t offer a proper seal and let in a lot of ambient sound. That means you’ll hear all sorts, from squawking gulls to wailing children. As you can imagine, that can make it difficult to indulge in a high-quality listening experience. But after putting my anti-open-ear bias to one side, I discovered that the Anker Soundcore AeroClip pleasantly surprised me in a number of ways – especially in terms of their audio performance.

From the off, I was met with clean, impressively immersive audio and an airy, ear-filling quality brought out the best in Não Tem Nada Não by Marcos Valle. Similarly, when tuning into Remind Me by Patrice Rushen, I was delighted to hear clear, distortion-free vocals, layered with smooth, tonally accurate bass and controlled percussion. Even at higher volumes, vocals didn’t sound muddied in the overall mix and higher pitched percussion didn’t get tinny either. That sort of performance is exactly what I’d expect from a pair of the best open ear headphones.

Sure, there are no fancy audio codecs, like LDAC, for a more detailed sonic experience, but the AeroClip were still pretty well-rounded, considering some similarly priced rivals struggle to even manage clean, balanced sound.

When listening to wyd? by wev, I encountered a couple of sonic shortcomings, though. First up, the track’s deep bass was a little much for the AeroClip to handle at times. I could almost hear the drivers overextending themselves to manage the tune’s low-end, something you’re not going to experience when using a pair of the best earbuds, for instance. Secondly, I felt that the excitable treble was a little understated, meaning the record’s energy was sapped out slightly.

There wasn’t much I could do about that first point, but help was at hand for my treble trouble. I took to the Soundcore app and created my own custom EQ – one which put a bit more emphasis on high-end frequencies, while also bumping bass and slightly lowering mids. That gave the AeroClip a far more colorful, charismatic sound profile than the balanced, yet sometimes slightly unexciting Soundcore Signature tuning.

On top of custom EQ options, you can also pick from a small selection of presets: Bass, Treble, or Volume Booster (all pretty self-explanatory), or Classical (big dips in the mids, large bumps to bass, sub-bass and treble) and Podcast (essentially the opposite of that). With the right tuning, you’re going to get energetic, yet crisp highs, clean mids and relatively rich bass – just don’t expect these to reach into the depths of sub bass with too much skill.

However, one characteristic of the Soundcore AeroClip that will either make or break your listening experience is their open design. As I mentioned earlier, their lack of a proper seal means that a lot of noise from your surroundings will creep through. Now, if you’re someone that loves a good run and you want to keep an ear out for traffic or people around you, that could be ideal.

But personally, I prefer to focus on my tunes and the lack of external noise nixing really did prevent that at times. Chatter in public, wind and even typing in my office were all very much audible – there’s no ANC or anything to counter that either, something the Edifier LolliClip open ears supply. These Soundcore headphones are also prone to leaking sound to those around you, especially above 50% volume.

There might not be any ANC, but what features do these open ear headphones offer? Well, if you head into the very slick Soundcore app, you can mess around with the aforementioned EQ options, toggle multi-point or customize touch controls. And the touch controls were really responsive in my experience. You can double tap to pause or triple tap to skip – the absence of a single tap option means you’re unlikely to make accidental, unwanted adjustments too.

What’s here works very nicely, but I would have liked to see a more fleshed out feature-set, in honesty – even just the addition of auto-pausing media when you remove the buds from your ears. Another aspect that could be better is battery life. You get a respectable eight hours of playtime per charge, which I found to be accurate during my testing. But with the charging case, you only get a maximum of 24 hours – not that much compared to the 40 hours from the Honor Earbuds Open, for instance.

Before I put an end to my moaning, I want to point out a couple of slight design shortcomings. Firstly, these are only IPX4 waterproof rating, meaning there’s no guarantee on dustproofing and you’re only getting resistance against sweat and water droplets. A lot of rivals outdo the AeroClip here – the splendid Huawei FreeArc, for example, are IP57 rated, meaning they can survive submersion under a meter of water for 30 minutes.

Secondly, I’d argue that these aren’t the prettiest buds around. I quite like the look of the batteries and buds, but the clips do appear slightly cheap-looking. On the other hand, these are still highly comfortable and secure on-ear, so you’ll never have to worry about them flinging off mid-workout.

Having said all this, I want to end on a real positive note: mic quality. These open ears claim to deliver AI-enabled clear calls. And I found them to be plenty clear – though I’m not so sure how much of that is thanks to AI. During a phone call, I was told that my voice sounded “crisp”, even at lower volumes – something that I also felt when listening back to a voice recording.

So all in all, are the Soundcore AeroClip worth a $129.99 / £129.99 outlay? I’m not 100% sure. If you’re only after an open design, I’d say yes – you get great sound for this headphone type, as well as impressive calling capabilities. But if you want noise cancelling and a more premium design, I’d suggest pursuing a pair of the best wireless earbuds instead, for awesome audio and ANC.

Soundcore AeroClip review: specs

Anker Soundcore AeroClip review: price and availability

• $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210)
• Launched in March 2025

The Anker Soundcore AeroClip released in March 2025, marking the manufacturer’s latest foray into the world of open ear headphones. They launched with a list price of $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210) and are available in three colorways: Midnight (black); Rosy Brown (pink and brown) ; and the variant I tested, Champagne Mist (white and gold).

These are very similar in price to the Nothing Ear (open), which launched at the tail-end of 2024. And they’ll set you back far less than a premium option like the wonderful Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which carry a sizeable list price of $299 / £299 / AU$449.95…woah!

Should you buy the Anker Soundcore AeroClip?

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Anker Soundcore AeroClip review: also consider

Anker Soundcore AeroClip review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office and while out and about
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I put the Anker Soundcore AeroClip to the test over a one week period. I predominantly listened in the office, but also made use of them at home and when out and about. I tinkered with each and every feature, engaged in both casual and critical listening and compared them with the Edifier LolliClip for on-ear comfort.

When listening to music, I tapped into Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. And as per usual, I flicked through the whole TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a wide range of genres and is optimized for judging sound quality across the frequencies. In addition, I played a bunch of tunes from my personal library.

• First reviewed: April 2025
• Read more about how we test

Anker 335 Charger 67W vs Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W: price & specs

Anker 335 Charger 67W vs Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W: performance

As you may expect there isn’t really a lot of difference between these two chargers in terms of performance levels. They have the same maximum power output – 67W and each have three separate ports for charging up your devices simultaneously.

Even when making use of all three ports, both chargers were able to charge my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE’s 4,700mAh capacity battery to 100% from 0% in less than 80 minutes. That’s exactly the speeds I’d hope to get from the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.

Neither will be able to charge the most power hungry devices at their full potential, especially in tri-port mode – you’ll be better served by a high capacity alternative like the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger if you’re after a top performer. But there may well be enough to go round your phone, a pair of the best wireless earbuds and best headphones, for instance.

But even if both perform at a good level, there are some key differences worth noting. Firstly, you get up to 25W from Port 1 and 20W from the remaining slots with the Belkin charger. Meanwhile, Anker takes a more unorthodox approach by allowing up to 42W to flow to Port 1 and just 12W to the remaining slots. Of course, if you want a bit more power for a modern handset like the Samsung Galaxy 25 Ultra and you’re OK with sacrificing some juice in the secondary and tertiary ports, Anker’s strategy may be preferable, but if your devices have similar demands, Belkin may be better for you.

Another key differentiator here is the inclusion of a USB-A port on the Anker 335 Charger 67W, which isn’t quite as efficient as the exclusively USB-C configuration used for its Belkin rival. The USB-A port is only capable of 22.5W charging in single-port mode, although you can access the full 67W from either of the USB-C slots. Meanwhile, you can access 67W single-port charging from all of the Belkin model’s slots – but that lack of USB-A compatibility may be a blow if you’re running low on USB-C to USB-C cables.

This category is a close one, but if I had to pick a winner, I’d actually edge the Anker 335 Charger 67W. I think the extra juice Port 1 provides in tri-port mode is worth the power sacrifice you make in the remaining ports. In addition, the versatility of a USB-A port being included is nothing to sniff at. Again, the more even power flow from the Belkin BoostCharge may suit others better, but I’m leaning towards Anker on this one.

Anker 335 Charger 67W vs Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W: design

Perhaps the most striking difference between these Anker and Belkin chargers is their appearance. The Anker 335 is, in my view, still quite chunky, even if it’s not as huge as, say, an official Apple MacBook charger. It comes in Black and stretches out some distance, meaning it's not particularly convenient for use in tight spaces.

Meanwhile, the Belkin BoostCharge is the polar opposite. This white model is considerably smaller and far better suited for wall sockets that are close to a bed frame or desk, for instance. That’s accentuated by the way that its ports are positioned under the charger, rather than on its outward-facing side.

But before we write Anker off in this category, I have to give the charger its flowers. It has foldable prongs, even in the UK, which makes it comfortable to pocket and ultra-compact when you want to throw it in your bag. The same can’t be said of the Belkin BoostCharge, which skips on foldable prongs in the UK. Sure, it’s still super small, but that’s a feature I always like to see from modern chargers.

On top of that, I’d suggest the Anker 335 charger is a little more interesting to look at. It has a nice finish on the charger’s outer shell and a glossy look on the side containing its ports. The Belkin BoostCharge appears to be a little more plasticky, although it's still fairly clean looking and will seem more discrete in your wall socket.

And overall, I’d argue the Belkin BoostCharge does have a superior design. It’s more diminutive and I love the down-hanging USB-C ports for when I’m in a tight squeeze. Sure, the lack of foldable prongs on the UK model is a shame, but the Anker model’s chunkiness is a little uneasy on the eye, and means it sticks out a little much – not the most convenient if you’re on the go.

Anker 335 Charger 67W vs Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W: value

But when it comes to value I’m left with quite the conundrum. I think the Belkin BoostCharge has a more practical design and in particular, I’m impressed by its ultra-compact size. But the Anker charger does have a relatively unique approach to power distribution, which is especially useful if you want to charge a single power-hungry device – such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro – alongside two less demanding ones.

So, let’s turn our attention instead to the key ingredient – pricing. I’ll start off by acknowledging that yes, both of these models can often be found on sale via Amazon in the US and UK – that makes both of these options strong in the value category as far as I’m concerned. That’s because neither of these wall chargers are particularly expensive in the first place.

The Anker 335 charger comes in at $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55), while the Belkin BoostCharge is typically priced at $44.99 / £39.99 / AU$89.95. But the Anker model’s advantage is only furthered by the fact that it comes with a USB-C cable in the box. That’s something you’ll have to pay extra for if you go with the Belkin BoostCharge.

On top of that, the technology that each charger harnesses is pretty similar. The 335 model uses Anker’s proprietary PowerIQ 3.0 standard to monitor power for an optimal, efficient charge. It also takes advantage of ActiveShield to keep track of temperature levels. Meanwhile, the Belkin alternative goes with PPS, which adjusts power automatically to fit the needs of connected devices. The BoostCharge also has a six-point safety system, designed to prevent overheating and short circuiting.

Both of these models offer good bang for your buck, but if I had to tip one to win in the value category, it would be the Anker 335 Charger 67W. Adding a USB-C cable into the mix is the real difference maker – not to mention it typically carries a slightly lower price tag.

Anker 335 Charger 67W vs Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W: verdict

And so, we have cometh to the conclusion of this legendary battle. In the end, it’s pretty tight for me. Yes, the Anker charger won two of the three categories – it’s awesome value for money and offers astute performance. But the Belkin’s more even power spread could suit you more – not to mention its more discreet build is a big plus for on-the-go use.

Despite that, there can only be one winner and I’m going with the Anker 335 Charger 67W. It comes with a USB-C cable, supplies a USB-A port for those who want it and uses foldable prongs in both its UK and US variant – that’s pretty impressive for a model that costs less than $40 / £40. Shoutout to Belkin, though, the BoostCharge 3-Port charger is a great alternative and its ability to slot into tighter spaces shouldn’t be overlooked.

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Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 review

The Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 – that’s a bit of a mouthful isn’t it. But don’t be fooled, this charger isn’t compensating for anything with its epic name. With four ports, an admirable maximum power output of 140W and even its own display, this charger is undoubtedly a top performer. But is it worth its high asking price of $89.99 / £89.99?

Well, if we’re talking about performance, the answer is yes. You can get up to 65W and 45W from USB-C port 1 and 2 respectively when quad-charging, with a maximum of 140W overall. You can even get that full 140W routed to either of these ports when charging one device at a time – not bad at all!

And when I tested out the charger to verify its prowess myself, I was delighted with the results. Even while utilizing all four ports, I was able to get the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE from 0% - 100% in less than 80 minutes. That’s the kind of speed I’d expect from some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers.

If you want to see just how fast your devices are charging, this model has a neat display located on top of the charger. When you first plug it in, you’ll be greeted with a robot-looking face – one that’s not quite emotive as that of the UGreen Uno Charger 100W, mind you. Anyway, after the initial startup, you can sift between three different displays: power consumption per port; temperature monitoring; and total power use (in watts).

I tended to stick to the first menu in order to check the changing power use in each individual port, although the temperature monitoring screen was handy too. This display provides a rating depending on how hot the charger gets or can let you know if it's in High Performance / Cooling Mode – always good to know!

Something else that I liked was the positioning of the ports. They’re located on the underside of the charger, meaning your cables will dangle down if you’re using a wall socket. This is ideal in my view, because if you’re using a socket close to a desk or couch, for instance, the cables won’t be pressed against a surface. That makes the charger ideal for use in tight spaces. Combine that with its foldable prongs and compact size and you’re onto a real winner for portability and seamless usability.

But that’s not all – this is also a very nice-looking charger. The display is nice and bright and the outer casing has a premium-looking finish. Not only that, but there are two classy color options – Dark Gray or Silver. Well, that is if you’re in the US – I do wish the Silver option was there for us UK folk.

But that’s a pretty minor qualm I have – what’s the real catch to this charger? Well, if I had to pick something out, it would probably be the price. At $89.99 / £89.99 (about AU$140), this model is by no means cheap. But this charger does come with its own USB-C to USB-C cable and given its inclusion of a display, I’d still argue it’s great value. That’s especially true when you consider that the UGreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-Port charger – a clear rival to this Anker alternative – costs $119.99 / £99.99 and is display-less. So, it’s fair to say this entry from Anker gets almost everything right and it’s well worth grabbing – if you have the cash.

Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1?

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Don't buy it if…

Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1: Also consider

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review

The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 is a power bank designed for charging smartphones and other smaller devices multiple times, thanks to its 20,000mAh capacity.

As you might expect from a fairly simple power bank, the PowerCore Essential 20000 isn’t particularly striking in terms of its appearance. However, it does sport a nice texture on the front panel, and the overall build feels solid and premium – as is the case with many of Anker’s power banks.

While it’s quite thin and narrow, it’s also long and reasonably heavy, which compromises its portability somewhat compared to some of the best power banks. However, this is still a relatively easy power bank to travel with, and it reduces the dimensions that matter most.

The PowerCore Essential 20000 features a single power button, which feels as premium as the rest of the bank. It has four LED dots around the bottom to indicate the battery level. However, these are very dim, which makes them hard to see at certain angles and in certain lights, which is less than ideal if you want to quickly glance over to check the status.

There are four ports on the PowerCore Essential 20000, two of which are USB-A for charging your devices, with a power output of 15W each. You can also charge two devices at the same time, and there’s a trickle charging mode designed for safely replenishing small devices with low power draws, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds. This can be activated by pressing the power button twice. However, when on, the fourth LED will remain green no matter what the battery level is, which is a shame.

I managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% in 90 minutes, which is a reasonable performance. It depleted the PowerCore Essential 20000 by a single bar, which means you should get a couple of full phone charges out of it. Replenishing the PowerCore Essential 20000 from two bars to full took about six hours, which is less impressive.

Ultimately, the PowerCore Essential 20000 doesn’t represent the best value when you consider its lackluster port selection, power, and features. It’s capacity does make it more practical than it otherwise would be, but there are better-priced alternatives out there.

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: price & specs

Should I buy the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000?

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Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: also consider

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a Bluetooth speaker that does exactly what it says on the tin. It blasts onto the scene with booming bass output, high volume levels and blaring LED lights – this thing is by no means subtle! And at $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99 it’s by no means cheap, either – so let’s find out if the Boom 2 Plus is worth the cash.

It only seems right to start with the main attraction: bass. With BassUp 2.0 activated you’re going to get deep pumping low-end output, ideal for genres such as EDM or hip-hop, and for occasions such as house parties. Without it, you may find that bass is a touch underwhelming, so it’s worth toggling it on for when you really want to ramp up any low-frequency audio. Still, I didn’t find the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus could offer quite as ground-shaking bass as the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.

All-round sound quality is up-to-scratch, too. I found mids and highs to be clear and free of tinniness – a big relief. On top of that, there’s a nine-band EQ so you can get a more neutral sound if that’s what you’re after. The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus isn’t going to supply the phenomenal attention to detail that some of the best Bluetooth speakers can offer, but it does include the AAC codec this time around, so it's a little better for Apple users in particular.

This speaker comes with a nice set of features, all of which can be accessed via the free-to-download Soundcore app. You can pick from preset or custom EQ calibrations, toggle BassUp, and alter light settings. The LED lights attached to the side of the speaker can sync up to audio output for a more immersive listening experience, and watching them rumble as the speaker pumps bass is highly satisfying.

The lights were one of many features already included in the original Anker Soundcore Boom 2. Now, don’t get me wrong, the standard-sized model is a decent budget option, but the Boom 2 Plus is an upgrade in almost every way. You get more power – as much as 140W for hitting high volumes – a more curved, quality-looking design, and a strap for carrying the speaker over long distances.

But the Boom 2 Plus isn’t without its drawbacks. Of course, its far more expensive – yet still only has the IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it still lacks a dustproof score. On top of that, the Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2, with just 20 hours on offer. Now, that’s not too bad, but considering rivals like the Earfun UBoom X can muster 30 hours, you may be left wanting more.

But overall, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still an adept party speaker. You’re getting plenty of bass and plenty of ways to personalize both its sound and appearance. If you can grab it at a cut-price, I’d argue it's an option well-worth considering, but unfortunately there’s some really stiff competition in this price range. And if you’re able to stretch your budget a little bit further, I’d recommend going for the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 instead, which ultimately packs more of a punch and better protection against the elements.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Price and release date

• $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99
• Launched in May 2024

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is significantly pricier than the standard Boom 2 model, coming in with a list price of $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99. That’s compared to the usual Boom 2’s launch price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$219.99. I’ve spotted it on sale for around $200 / £170, though, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain.

This 2024-issued model is available in a number of color options – all of which cost the same. The colorways available to you are: Adventure Green; Explorer Green; and the variant I tested, Phantom Black.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Specs

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Features

• Nine-band custom EQ
• Customizable LED lights
• 20-hour battery life is decent, but nothing special

In terms of features, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is almost identical to its standard-sized sibling. Button controls enable you to toggle on the low-end-boosting BassUp option, sift through light show settings and pair to a second speaker via PartyCast 2.0. And once again, there’s a USB-C port which enables the Boom 2 Plus to become a power bank.

If you download the Soundcore app, however, you get access to even more features. The standout is EQ adjustment, which grants access to a nine band equalizer and a small selection of presets: Soundcore Signature, Voice, Treble Boost and Balanced (as well as BassUp). I would maybe have liked to see a few genre-specific options, but there’s still plenty of customizability here.

The app also lets you personalize the Boom 2 Plus’ lights remotely. There are six effects available: Flash, Flame, Lightning, Scan, Cyclone and Bounce. On top of that, you can play around with a color wheel to get an even more tailored look to the speaker’s LEDs. The lights are on passive radiators which rumble violently during bass-heavy tracks, and this was enjoyable to watch, especially in dark rooms. They sync up to sound output, which makes for an immersive audiovisual experience, but if that’s not to your taste, you can switch them off entirely.

One benefit of going lightless is that you’ll save some battery life. And that might be useful, because the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2. That’s a little disappointing and given rivals such as the Earfun UBoom X can serve up an impressive 30 hours, its fair to say this speaker’s battery life is a bit unimpressive. 20 hours is by no means bad, but it’s worth noting that BassUp – like the lights – will contribute to faster drainage.

One thing you do get over the standard edition, however, is an aux-in port, which enables wired listening – pretty neat. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on Bluetooth 5.3, which is plenty good enough, and there’s also Google Fast Pair for a speedy setup.

• Features score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Sound quality

• Booming bass with BassUp 2.0 on
• But won’t offer massively sophisticated all-round audio
• Impressive volume levels thanks to max 140W power output

Just by hearing this speaker's name, you probably know exactly what you’re going to get here. And if you guessed big, booming bass – congrats, you were right. Well, that is if you have BassUp 2.0 turned on – without this bass isn’t actually that impactful for a speaker of this size. But don’t get me wrong, having BassUp 2.0 on will definitely mean the low-end soaks up most of the limelight. For a party speaker, though, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When tuning in to Favorita by kryptogram, I was impressed by the speaker’s bass output with impactful, deep drum kicks instantly grabbing my attention. Similarly when listening to a house track, Dasha - Tour Maubourg Remix by Fusion Affair, the speaker showcased solid low-frequency response, with dominant, pumping bass. When I threw on Diva Bonita by bbno$, the track’s imposing sub-bass came through with authority, something that you’ll miss out on from a lot of cheaper models.

When I put the Boom 2 Plus next to the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, however, I did find the latter offered considerably weightier power in the low end – even with its XBass feature turned off. Of course, that model is a little more expensive, but if you want ultimate bass performance, I’d recommend it over this Soundcore speaker.

Regardless, the Boom 2 Plus can get very loud. That’s in part thanks to its high maximum power output of 140W – 100W of which comes from the two 50W woofers, with the remainder stemming from the speaker’s dual 20W tweeters. Pair that with the Boom 2 Plus’ competence in the bass department and you’re looking at a speaker that’s primed for parties or outdoor events, where you want to power through excess noise.

If you want a speaker capable of delivering a highly nuanced listen, though, this isn’t a top option. Sure, you get AAC this time (meaning any tracks played in AAC on a compatible device will be played without conversion or other inteference – most notably for Apple Music users on Apple devices) rather than SBC (the standard Bluetooth codec) alone, and there’s a nine-band equalizer that can help you tune a more balanced sound – but I still found there was a lack of detail, particularly in the mid and treble frequency range.

When listening to I Want You by Molko, I wasn’t struck by a true-to-life cymbal crash or particularly natural-sounding, breathy vocals. The speaker also wasn’t highly capable of managing this track’s densely layered mix, so you may want to turn to a model like the Edifier D32 if you’re looking for stronger instrument separation.

Of course, that’s not something this model has to excel in. Ultimately, this is designed to be a party speaker that leans into its low-frequency talents and it does that well. Also, even if they’re lacking a bit of detail, mid-range and treble frequency sounds rarely sound tinny or harsh, even at higher volumes. I also found that I could get a fairly balanced sound profile out of this speaker after turning BassUp off in Soundcore Signature and slightly tweaking EQ.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Design

• More curved, premium looking design this time out
• Still only IPX7 rated
• Eye-catching LED lights

In terms of looks, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a huge upgrade on its standard-sized sibling. It’s less stubby and blocky looking, now donning a wider, more curved look. On top of that, the metallic speaker grille has a more premium feel and appearance, creating a far cleaner aesthetic overall.

Of course, much has remained the same – the LED lights on the side of the speaker are still bold and vibrant – they can also sync up to bass output for a more immersive listening experience. And the button controls on top of the speaker are again well-proportioned, clear and responsive.

But with this speaker’s added length comes added bulk – meaning Anker has had to make a change here. That’s right: this model comes with a strap included, which can be attached to hooks on the handle. This is pretty basic; there’s no shoulder pad or anything, but it’s still a nice addition if you’re going to carry the Boom 2 Plus over longer distances. This is also welcome as the Boom 2 Plus is more than twice as weighty as the standard model, coming in at 8.4lbs / 3.8kg – though this is still fairly lightweight overall.

Something that, perhaps disappointingly, has remained much the same, though, is this speaker’s ingress rating. Like the standard Boom 2, this is IPX7 rated. Now, the positive here is that the speaker can be submerged in up to a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes – something we’d expect from all of the best waterproof speakers. It's floatable too if you want to take it into the pool with you, for instance.

The bad? This thing skips on a dustproof rating again, meaning it might not be the best beachside companion. If you want a more rough and ready model, look for the IP67 rating, which a ton of competitors have, including the fantastic Bose SoundLink Max.

But enough moaning. I did like the small rubber tab on the reverse side of the Boom 2 Plus. Simply flick this up or down and you get access to the USB-C charging port – which can be used to charge the speaker or external devices – as well as the aux-in if you want wired listening.

I was also a fan of the multiple color options available. You can grab the Boom 2 Plus in Phantom Black, Explorer Blue or Adventure Green – all of these look neat and are discreet enough to bring out the best of light features in dark rooms.

• Design score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Value

• Considerably more expensive than standard model
• But does offer improved audio and design
• Unfortunately rivals offer better bang for your buck

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has a list price that’s almost double that of the standard model. So, with added price, you’re going to expect a massive improvement. Do you get that? In many ways, yes. I would argue that this model is far better looking and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has bassier, cleaner audio. If you want an all-out party speaker, it’s no contest – the Boom 2 Plus is far superior.

At the same time, you get a smaller battery life and there are some lingering issues such as the lack of a dustproof rating. Perhaps a larger problem for the Boom 2 Plus, though, is that it’s sitting in an awkward spot price-wise. If you go cheaper, you can grab the Earfun UBoom X, which also packs plenty of bass, as well as highly customizable audio. And if you can push your budget just a little more you can get the mighty Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which is a top-tier party speaker in my book – it can also double up as a karaoke machine if you’re into that kinda thing!

In its own right, though, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still a solid Bluetooth speaker and plenty good enough to keep the party moving. If you can get it for less than $200 / closer to the £150 mark, it’s a model well worth considering. Nonetheless, there is some stiff competition, which can’t be ignored.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus?

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Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Also consider

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: How I tested

• Tested over the course of one week
• Mainly used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly listened to tracks via Tidal

I listened to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for hours at our music testing facility at Future Labs. I blasted a bunch of tracks from my own music library alongside tunes from the TechRadar testing playlist, which we use to assess audio performance across a variety of genres. I connected to the Stormbox Blast 2 with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and mainly listened to songs via Tidal.

Further to this, I played a podcast episode on Spotify and watched video content on YouTube in order to assess vocal clarity across different platforms. When appropriate, I used the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 to compare elements like sound, design and ease of use.

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read more about how we test

Anker Laptop Power Bank review

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is designed to charge large devices on the go, thanks to its high 165W output, large 25,000mAh capacity, and convenient extra features. For such a heavy-duty battery, the Anker Laptop Power Bank does a good job of remaining slender, although it’s as weighty as you might expect it to be. It’s also quite thick, so certainly better stored in your bag than in your pocket.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is very well built, with every material and panel feeling solid. The screen has hardly any flex either, so I would be confident in it withstanding normal wear and tear.

This display provides various readouts, including those for temperature and wattages for each of the four outputs, which is more than some of the best power banks offer. It’s a shame, however, that it only covers a small area – smaller than the physical size of the screen would lead you to believe, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.

As a result, some figures can appear quite small. This can lead to misreadings when, for instance, charging the bank itself; since it gives the battery percentage to two decimal places, 10% can look like 100% when you glance at it from afar.

It features one USB-C and one USB-A port, both located on the side. This might seem like a strange placement, but the Anker Laptop Power Bank has an ace up its sleeve – two, in fact.

This is because it comes with two inbuilt cables. One loops round into its own clip, creating a makeshift carrying handle (which Anker condones; it can withstand over 20,000 bends), while the other is retractable, with the jack end connecting magnetically to the base to keep it tucked away. This keeps cable clutter to a minimum, as well as saving you the trouble of bringing your own.

Both cables feel very durable and thick, as do the strain reliefs at the base of the jacks themselves. However, they’re flat and rectangular rather than round, which means that they tend to twist themselves when you go to use them, but I only found this to be a minor inconvenience.

The charging performance of the Anker Laptop Power Bank is good. All three USB-C outputs can deliver up to 100W, and Anker claims an M3 MacBook Pro or an iPhone 16 can charge to 50% in about half an hour each. While charging, the display also usefully tracks the output wattage in real time.

I managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G in about two hours, which is an admirable performance. More impressively, though, the battery only dipped to about 50% – which means you might just be able to get two full charges out of it – and replenishing its battery from 0% to 100% took just 90 minutes.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank can also charge four devices simultaneously, with the power output dipping to a maximum of 130W. There’s also a trickle charging mode for devices that only need low currents, such as smartwatches and earbuds.

For $99 / £89, the Anker Laptop Power Bank represents good value, considering its power, versatility, and convenience. If you’re a power user who travels with large devices, you likely won’t be disappointed with the Anker Laptop Power Bank as your companion.

Anker Laptop Power Bank review: price & specs

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Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank

The Anker Zolo 20,000mAh 30W power bank has plenty of power and capacity – it's capable of charging larger devices like tablets and some laptops.

It certainly stands out in appearance, thanks to its thick size and vibrant colorways, although there is a black variant if you want something less ostentatious.

The Zolo feels as sturdy as some of the best power banks, yet it’s not as heavy as you might expect given its size. The plastic chassis feels smooth and the shiny panel on top is a nice touch. However, the translucent, ribbed border surrounding it is less so, and seems a little pointless; perhaps it offers extra grip when holding the bank, but I don’t think I’d miss it if it wasn’t there.

For a power bank of this size, it’s a shame it only has two ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), as there’s plenty of real estate for more. And while there is a small readout displaying the battery level – nicely disguised within that central panel – it seems like a missed opportunity to incorporate a bigger screen with more information to display, given all that space.

However, what is very useful is the 6-inch hardwired USB-C cable. This is made from a thick, braided cloth that feels durable, and Anker claims it will survive over 10,000 bends in its lifetime.

The slot that houses the jack end of this cable also feels very secure, yet it’s not hard to unplug the jack when needed. There also appears to be a good deal of internal strain relief on the hardwired end, so I feel reasonably confident it won’t come loose from its connection.

The cable provides 30W of charging power, meaning it can handle larger devices, such as some tablets, handheld gaming consoles, and laptops. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from half to full in just over an hour, with the Zolo’s battery depleting to 86%, meaning you should get quite a few charges out of it.

The USB-A port, on the other hand, provides a maximum of 22.5W of power. This charged my Pixel 7a from half to full in about an hour and a half and depleted the bank’s battery to 87%, so it’s another solid effort.

There’s also a trickle charging mode for this port, which lets you safely charge low-powered devices such as smartwatches and earbuds. You can activate this easily by pressing the power button on the side twice. Pressing the power button another two times deactivates the mode.

Another useful feature of the Anker Zolo is the Smart Charging Reminder, which means the battery readout flashes when it falls to 5%, alerting you to the need to charge it back up.

Charging the Anker Zolo itself took over four hours from 20% to full. This isn’t a particularly impressive performance, but given its capacity, it’s understandable. You can use the built-in cable or the USB-C port for charging the bank.

Considering its price, large capacity, high power output, and integrated cable, the Anker Zolo represents good value. However, I wish it had more ports to take advantage of its large size and more display information.

If you need more connectivity options, and even more power, the Juovi J2621 is a better alternative, thanks to its 45W output and four USB ports. What’s more, it’s cheaper than the Zolo. If features are a priority for you, then the Anker MagGo (10K) is a good choice, thanks to its detailed display and wireless charging capability. It’s more expensive than the Zolo, though.

Anker Zolo review: price & specs

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Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) vs UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: price & specs

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) vs UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: performance

In terms of charging performance there’s almost nothing that sets the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) and UGreen Nexode Mini 30W. Like many of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers, both are compatible with features like Samsung’s Super-Fast Charging, which enables you to bring a handset back to life in no time at all. And both have the same maximum power output – 30W, meaning you’re unlikely to notice any discrepancies between the two in terms of how quickly they’ll get your device juiced up.

You’ll need to ensure you have a USB-C to USB-C (or Lightning/whatever you require) that’s powerful enough to take advantage of that 30W maximum power output, though. Neither charger comes with a cable included, meaning this has to be purchased separately, but both Anker and UGreen have plenty of options on this front.

And again, that 30W should be enough to charge your phone at top speeds, or at least near that. For instance, you’ll be able to charge your Apple iPhone 16 up to 50% in around 30 minutes with either charger. During my own testing, I found the Anker Nano and UGreen Nexode Mini were able to get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 up to full battery in around 80 minutes – not bad at all!

Some handsets, such as the One Plus 13 are capable of charging at much higher wattages than these chargers can offer, however. This phone in particular can charge up to 80W, so make sure 30W will be enough to revive your phone as fast as possible before snapping one of these up.

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) vs UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: Design

Design is the key area in which these two chargers differentiate themselves, but let’s kick off by talking about the aspects that both of these share. Each has foldable prongs, which is excellent for sliding the plugs into your pocket.

On top of that, both have a single USB-C port at the bottom of their body. Finally, each uses GaN technology, which helps manufacturers to offer higher charging speeds in a more compact body. Speaking of size, both of these are very similar, coming in a very compact outer casing. This means they’ll easily slot into tighter spaces and are super easy to slip into a small bag, for instance.

But anyway, one key difference is the material of each charger’s outer casing. The Anker Nano has a more plasticky look, which may look a little cheap to some. However, it has a glossy finish on the top and textured edges, which make it look very easy on the eye in my view.

Meanwhile, the UGreen Nexode Mini opts for a more metallic-looking shell, which feels a bit more rugged and durable than the Anker alternative. Again, it’s an attractive looking charger, but has a more smooth feel and appearance than its Anker rival.

Despite feeling a bit more durable, the Anker charger does have more color options and these are a bit more appealing in my view. The Anker Nano is available in Shell White, Black Stone and Ice Lake Blue. Meanwhile, the UGreen charger comes in a classy Silver Grey (more of a dark gray color) and Blue (which has a white tint to it).

Really, both of these are well-built and have smart tech built-in for protection against overheating, for instance. So, a lot of which you prefer will come down to whether you’re a fan of the striped look of the Anker Nano or the smooth appearance of the UGreen Nexode Mini. Personally, I would lean towards the added security of the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W, though I very much admire the added personality of the Anker Nano’s colorways.

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) vs UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: value

If you want the cheapest phone charger on the market, neither of these are going to fit the bill. There are plenty of ultra-cheap options available from the likes of IKEA, but these will often have a less efficient USB-A port or lower build quality.

That’s not to say that these chargers are expensive, though, not at all. The Anker Nano has a list price of $18.99 / £19.99 (about AU$30), whereas the UGreen Nexode Mini will set you back just $16.99 / £17.99 (about AU$25). Luckily, you can get both of these on sale fairly regularly.

Are both of these worth it? I would certainly argue so. In each, you get a super-compact, speedy and attractive-looking plug with secure charging.

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) vs UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: verdict

Right, so there’s really not all too much that separates these two chargers. Each offers a solid 30W maximum power output, GaN technology and foldable prongs. Equally, neither come with a USB-C cable included, making them pretty challenging to separate on value.

Ultimately, it’s going to come down to one thing only. Whether you prefer the color options available for the Anker Nano charger or the added durability of the UGreen Nexode Mini. Ultimately, I think the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W marginally edges it. Why? Well, it’s ever so slightly cheaper and has a more premium-feeling build. Whichever you select, though, you can rest assured that you’re getting a great compact phone charger.

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Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) review

The Anker 621 Magnetic Battery is one of the simpler wireless power banks that Anker makes. It offers a 5,000mAh capacity and up to 12W of total power output. It also features a MagSafe charging pad for the iPhone 12 series and beyond, which offers up to 7.5W of charging power, as well as a USB-C port for wired charging.

The MagSafe area is slightly padded with a PU leatherette that feels durable. It showed no signs of wear during our tests, as some other soft-touch charging pads have.

The Anker 621 MagGo has a simple, clean look with soft edges. The two-tone pale blue color scheme also adds an element of vibrancy missing from many other of the best power banks, and other variants are available, including white, green, and purple. This makes the 621 a good match for the stylish designs of the best iPhones.

The only interface is a charging and battery life indicator, represented by small LED dots that are easy to comprehend. There are four dots indicating the battery life of the 621, and a singular dot that flashes to indicate charging activity.

One of the standout aspects of the Anker 621 is its form: it’s impressively thin and light, making it great to travel with and it’s much easier to use your iPhone while it's attached, compared to other, heavier MagSafe power banks.

However, the price you pay for this portability is the reduced capacity, as the Anker 621 is only rated at 5,000mAh. During our tests, it managed to charge an iPhone 13 Pro in about two hours, reducing the power bank’s battery indicator to two LED dots, indicating a battery level between 25%-50%.

When using the USB-C port for wired charging, the 621 charged a Pixel 7a from half to full in just over an hour, again losing between 50-75% of battery life in the process. Charging the bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is a reasonable speed for a bank of this size.

If you’re looking for a power bank that lets you easily use and charge your iPhone at the same time, then the 621 could be ideal, given how thin and light it is. The vibrant colorways also make it an accessory you’d be happy to flaunt alongside your device.

Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) review: Price & specs

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Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Price and release date

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is a low-priced option if you’re looking for a larger Bluetooth speaker. It launched in March 2024 with an already low list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$219.99, but I’ve already spotted it going for much less. On Amazon, I’ve seen the Soundcore Boom 2 available for less than $90 / £80 / AU$170 – that’s very strong value.

Meanwhile, the Earfun UBoom X released a little later, specifically in October 2024. It initially had an asking price of $189.99 / £189.99 (around AU$280), but again, it shouldn't cost you so much if you’re savvy with sales. I’ve seen the UBoom X for as little as $159.99 / £112.49 (around AU$250). So, even on sale it will likely set you back a bit further than the Boom 2, but it is a touch larger and has a better battery life that competes with the best Bluetooth speakers – but we’ll get onto all of that shortly.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Specs

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Features

Both the Soundcore Boom 2 and Earfun UBoom X possess all of the key features you’d hope to see in a modern party speaker… and arguably more. Each of these speakers boast all of the classic inclusions – think companion app, EQ adjustment and multi-speaker pairing. And each have options to really crank up low-end power too. The Boom 2 offers a BassUp option that unlocks its maximum power output of 80W, whereas the UBoom X has sound modes that unleash almighty bass output, such as BOOM xxX and Ground 0.

But that's not all, both of these Bluetooth speakers also have great battery life. The Boom 2 delivers up to 24 hours of play, which should be more than enough to keep the tunes blasting for the entire duration of a house party or beach trip. However, it is beaten out here by the Earfun UBoom X, which offers 30 hours – exceptional for a speaker in this price range. Some features may compromise battery life, though, such as having BassUp on with the Boom 2 or continuously having lights on with either speaker.

Light Show – the name of the Boom 2’s LED feature – is front and centre of its design. You get flashing multicolored LEDs on either side of the speaker which can be customized to your liking using the Soundcore app. Visual options include Energy, Fireworks, Flame, Flash, Lightning, Rainbow, and Wave – all of which can sync up to bass output for a more immersive listening experience. The UBoom X also has customizable lights, but these are a bit more modest than the Boom 2’s flashy LEDs, so bear that in mind if you want a more bold, colorful speaker.

Finally, both of these models can act as a power bank for your phone or any device that needs a bit of extra juice. The Boom 2 has a USB-A port which can be used for external device charging, whereas the UBoom X opts for a more modern USB-C alternative. And so as you can see, there’s a whole host of similarities here feature-wise. There’s not a ton to set these 2 apart, but you do get voice assistant compatibility with the UBoom X, thanks to a built-in mic – combine that with its superior battery life and it has a slight edge for me.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Sound quality

There’s a fair bit in common between the Boom 2 and UBoom X when it comes to sound. Both are at their best when leaning into their bass-oriented sound signature, which is perfectly tailored for a party atmosphere or noisy outdoor environments.

With the Boom 2, you get meaty bass output, even without its BassUp feature enabled. If you’re seeking out hard-hitting bass on a budget, that’s exactly what you’re getting here, with this speaker commanding a significant amount of boom given its light weight and not-so gargantuan size. It’s not the most adept at seamlessly moving through the range of low-end frequencies, though, so you won’t always get the ‘bounce’ you’d want from deep, pumping basslines. Sub-bass can be a little lacking too, so fans of EDM or rap, for instance, may crave a little more depth – but overall bass response is still solid.

Meanwhile, the UBoom X plates up a real bass banquet, with ground-shaking low-end output. It can reach deeper than the Boom 2 and hit higher volumes to boot – but it’s worth recognizing again that it’s larger and a touch more expensive. You can really go all in on bass here with the BOOM xxX and Ground 0 presets, but there are more balanced options too. And that’s something I personally liked about this speaker; it’s got a very customizable sound, with a huge collection of EQ presets – and a fully custom option – at your disposal.

Outside of bass, neither of these speakers are going to wow you with super talented all-round audio. I found that neither supplied particularly detailed or superbly separated sound and it’s worth noting that there aren’t any fancy codecs like LDAC or aptX available here.

Due to the bass-heavy nature of both speakers, you may also find that other sounds – particularly those in the lower-mid range – may get a little overpowered. I was rarely impressed by crisp treble across both speakers, but audio wasn’t necessarily too grating or harsh on my ears at medium volumes. At top volumes, though, expect considerably compressed sound from both models.

The real difference maker, for me, is that the UBoom X has highly customizable audio that can at least dampen some of its sonic shortcomings quickly and easily. You also get a bit more low-end horsepower, making it ideal for outdoor functions.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Design

Both of these Bluetooth speakers go for a boombox-like design, meaning they’re fairly chunky looking and cuboid-shaped. Each has an attached handle, making them easy to whisk away to the beach (or just your living room), but the UBoom X also comes with a strap for carrying it over longer distances. Notably, though, the Boom 2 is way, way lighter – it’s just 3.66 lbs / 1.67kg – almost three times less heavy than Earfun’s alternative. That makes it way easier to carry around in my view, even if it lacks a strap.

And while we’re on practicalities, each of these have waterproofing that will keep them safe from the elements. The UBoom X is IP67-rated, meaning it is protected against dust and can survive being submerged under a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This feature is an absolute must-have among the best waterproof speakers on the market. Unfortunately, the Boom 2 skips out on protection against dust, but its IPX7 rating means it’s equally as waterproof as the UBoom X. Both models are floatable, too, meaning you can take them for a swim with you and adjust volume and other settings, if you’d like.

Let’s move away from practicalities, though. In terms of pure aesthetics, neither are the most elegant or premium-looking. But having stewed on it, I prefer the Light Show on the Boom 2. It’s more vibrant, decently customizable and boosts immersion when synced to bass output. The UBoom X, however, has a slightly muted look to its lights, which are positioned behind the front speaker grille. Again, these are customizable, but they just don’t have the same vibrancy or eye-catching effect.

Really, this is as subjective as it comes in terms of which speaker is better. Sure, the UBoom X has its strap and dustproof rating, but the Boom 2 hits back with a lightweight build and ultra-vibrant Light Show. A tight contest indeed.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Value

One area that the Soundcore Boom 2 and Earfun UBoom X do great in is value. These were already both well-priced speakers at launch, but when they’re on-sale, they’re top-class budget options.

So, the elephant in the room here is that the Earfun UBoom X is a bit more expensive. But do you actually get extra value from that additional spend? I would argue that yes, you do. With this model, you get deeper bass, louder, more impactful audio and an IP67 rating. It is, of course, larger, too, which adds some power, but does mean you’ll have to lug around a few more pounds of speaker.

Is that it then? Case closed? Not exactly. At the end of the day, the Boom 2 is still cheaper than the UBoom X, yet still holds its own. You get impressive bass output, a nifty companion app, engaging LED lights and pretty much all of the UBoom X’s features, minus a voice assistant.

So, if low-price is your priority above all, fear not: you’re not getting a huge step down with the Boom 2, just don’t expect quite as much bass or volume.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: Verdict

OK, so things looked quite tight towards the end there. And that speaks volumes about the Soundcore Boom 2’s excellent value and fun design. But when all is said and done, I’d have to give the edge to the Earfun UBoom X.

The UBoom X was one of 2024’s standout budget party speakers, in my opinion, and it's still very much a current and excellent option as we march confidently into 2025. It has the additional volume to cut through excess noise in outdoor environments as well as an IP67 rating to ensure it’s safe and sound while in them. It’s considerably larger and has voice assistant compatibility too, which, for me, makes it worth the extra, say $60 / £40 you’ll have to pay for it compared to the Boom 2.

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Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review

The PowerCore 10000 Redux is a mini power bank, designed to be easily transportable, thanks to its pill-like shape and additional carrying strap. Despite the small size, it has a large 10,000mAh capacity, as well as a 25W maximum output. There are two USB ports, one type C and one type A, giving you multiple charging options. There’s no wireless charging feature, though.

The PowerCore 10000 Redux’s USB-C port utilizes Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology. Meanwhile, the USB-A port is stuck with the first generation of this standard, which only allows up to 12W of charging power.

Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full power using the type-C port took just over an hour, which is a solid performance. The PowerCore 10000 Redux only lost one of its four LEDs on the battery level indicator, which meant it had between 50-75% left in the tank, so you should get about 3-4 charges from it.

USB-A charging, meanwhile, took about an hour and a half – lagging behind what some of the best power banks can offer – but all four LEDs remained lit upon completion, indicating a battery level of between 75%-100%. Charging the power bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The PowerCore 10000 Redux also has Anker’s Trickle Charging mode, which is designed for charging devices with a low power draw (measured in amps), such as earbuds. When activated – which simply requires pressing the main button twice – the PowerCore 10000 Redux will only provide a low charge to your device.

The supplied USB-C cable comes with a USB-A adapter – attached rather conveniently to one end of the cable itself – which is a thoughtful and welcome bonus, saving you the hassle of having to remember to pack multiple cables for all your devices.

Additionally, it comes with a useful carrying handle and pouch, both of which feel well-made and soft to the touch. The handle is easy to attach and remove, and the material resembles a soft, thick shoelace. An adjustable tab allows you to alter the size of the loop, which is another considerate touch.

It’s a shame that the PowerCore 10000 Redux misses out on wireless charging, but the small form factor is practical, although it’s better carried in your bag rather than your pocket given its thickness. The carrying strap does add to its portability, though, and combined with the large battery capacity, it makes for a great power bank to accompany you on your journeys.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Price & specs

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Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Also consider

Anker 335 Charger (67W) review

The Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a triple port wall plug that offers speedy charging for your phones, tablets, laptops and more.

Something that I loved about this charger, right off the bat, is that it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable included. That’s actually quite rare for a lot of these wall chargers but adds a lot of value points for an already cheap product – this charger is $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) but regularly available for less. For those of you who only have USB-A to USB-C/lightning cables, this will undoubtedly be a welcome inclusion, so if you want to get great bang for your buck, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a strong option.

But this plug isn’t only good in terms of value, it delivers very decent charging performance too. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and a DualSense Wireless Controller via USB-C, while also charging the Soundcore Space One Pro via USB-A. And despite using all three ports, the Samsung phone charged from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s in-line with the sort of speeds the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers offer.

It’s also worth noting that each USB-C port can provide up to 67W when single-port charging – this is 22.5W for the USB-A alternative. However, if you’re juicing up two or more devices, USB-C port 1 will deliver a higher power output than port 2 – specifically, port 1 delivers 42W, whereas port 2 and the USB-A slot provide 12W each if you’re triple-charging. If you’re trying to charge multiple power-hungry devices, this might not be enough firepower for you, though. It may, instead, be worth considering an option with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3-Ports).

So performance is solid here, but is it designed for greatness? Well, I’d say it has a simple and decently effective build. Unlike Anker’s Prime products, this isn’t a GaN charger, so it’s not going to be the most hi-tech, compact option, but for its price it’s still pretty well-sized. The charger’s prongs are foldable too, which is ideal if you want to slip it into your pocket without it annoyingly poking your leg. Looks-wise, it’s not a particularly interesting charger. The casing has a matte black finish and the Anker logo with the three charging ports on the top – each of which are well spaced-out. There are no color options, which could’ve been a nice touch, especially given the Black colorway is a little bland.

But overall, this is a very solid wall charger. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t have a flashy design and it doesn’t offer a sky-high maximum power output. But what you do get is reliable tri-port charging, a foldable design and a solid USB-C to USB-C cable all for a very reasonable price. So, if you’re looking for a cheap multi-device plug, this is a worthy pick.

Anker 335 Charger (67W) review: Price & specs

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Anker Nebula Mars 3: two-minute review

If you’ve been looking for a projector you can wow your friends with, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 might be the one. Despite looking like a monster-sized flashlight, the Nebula Mars 3 is a portable projector designed for use both on the go and at home. To that end, it has a built-in battery that lets it operate at full brightness for upwards of two hours, plus the Android TV smart TV platform for streaming and fairly beefy speakers, though they regrettably play in mono. It’s well constructed, and works effectively, letting you set it down and get up and running quickly.

Where the Anker Nebula Mars 3 really impresses is its brightness, which knocks it out of the park compared to most other battery powered examples of the best portable projectors. It’s not enough to challenge daylight, but it’ll sizzle at night. At just over $1,000, it has competition, and you can also find 4K models around that price, though few have the portability on offer here. You can also get better color from triple-laser options like the LG CineBeam Q or JMGO N1S Pro, albeit at a lower brightness for the LG and no on-the-go use for the JMGO.

If you’re planning to do most of your viewing at home, it’s probably worth getting a projector that skips the battery and puts more effort into picture quality. But if you want a robust all-in-one theater you can tote anywhere, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a commendable option.

Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: price and release date

• Release date: July 2023
• Price: $1,099 (around £850 / AU$1,645)

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 launched in 2023 and is now readily available in the US for $1,099. It can occasionally be found for less, however, and was $50 off at the time of writing.

Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: Specs

Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: design and features

• Built for portability and durability
• Convenient on-device controls
• Built-in speakers and Android TV operating system

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 follows Anker’s Nebula series design language, bearing considerable resemblance to the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE projector. That said, there are considerable differences that make the Nebula Mars 3 stand out.

This model is built for more of a rough-and-tumble, on-the-go lifestyle. It features a hardened case that can withstand half-meter drops and has IPX3 water resistance. The front has a sliding lens cover and the rear includes a rubber cover over the ports. A sizable, hard handle stretches across the top of the projector, extending from the front to the back. While it includes a remote control, the handle also has built-in controls for volume and navigation of the projector’s onboard operating system. Neither of these control options is quite perfect though, as the remote is fairly limited in what you can access with a single press and the built-in buttons lack many of the typical controls for navigating the projector’s Android TV smart TV interface.

A key part of the portable nature of the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is its ability to operate outdoors. To that end, the projector integrates a beefy battery geared up to run for anywhere from 2 hours at full blast to 5 hours in a dimmer Eco mode. To help you keep track of power, the handle has a ring of lights that display battery level. The projector can also double as a Bluetooth speaker or a flashlight. A three-speaker built-in audio system resides near the front. It can pump out a good deal of sound, though only in mono and the dynamics are fairly weak. Meanwhile, an LED light bar sits along the rear, stretching out above a large exhaust vent and below the port cover.

Since the Anker Nebula Mars 3 isn’t designed to have a permanent home, it has a small, adjustable stand underneath to help angle it up at projection surfaces wherever it’s ultimately set up. It also features a quick and effective system for automatically adjusting image focus, keystone, and framing.

The projector’s Android TV 11 smart TV system is a little dated, but still effective as a streaming platform. Like many other projectors, though, it doesn’t get the Play Store version of Netflix, instead relying on a sideloaded version that offers a generally sub-par experience. If you’re off the grid and don’t have internet, the projector has a USB-A port and supports local media playback.

To upgrade the audio experience, you can wire it up to external powered speakers using the AUX port or wirelessly pair it to a Bluetooth speaker.

• Design and features score: 4/5

Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: picture quality

• Good, but not exceptional picture
• Decent color and detail
• Enough battery power for a 2-hour-plus movie

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 features an LED DLP projection system rated for 1,000 lumens and 1080p resolution. That’s about what should be expected from a projector sitting at around $1,000.

Anker’s battery powered portable has a good-looking picture, but not an exceptional one. It isn’t the type of projector you’ll want if you’re viewing in a bright room, since its 1,000 lumens just aren’t enough to handle much ambient light. You might get by if you’re watching bright cartoons, but you really should be viewing with it in a dark space, and that extends to the outdoors as well. Controlling ambient lighting outdoors is even more difficult than indoors, and if you’re expecting a good viewing experience with lots of urban lighting present, you’ll be disappointed. That said, if you’re in a more rural area without much light pollution, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 should provide ample brightness after sunset.

The color you’ll get from the Anker Nebula Mars 3 is decent, but no match for triple-laser portable projectors like the LG CineBeam Q. It doesn’t feel utterly lacking or poorly managed, and a show like Ru Paul’s Drag Race still had plenty of visual spark when I viewed it. Colors have modest vibrance, but just don’t get the same level of pop I’ve seen from HDR-capable projectors reaching toward 100% coverage of the UHDA-P3 color space. The same is true of its resolution. At a projected image size of around 65 inches, the projector's 1080p image looks reasonably crisp, but go far above that and you will seeing more softness unless you sit further back. A larger image will also show an artifact of the projector’s DLP chip, which shows up as noticeable dithering (an effect like writhing small dots) when displaying dark colors over a large portion of the screen.

The projector has a motion smoothing setting buried slightly in the settings menu under the label MEMC that is set to on by default. While it can smooth out certain motions, it creates all sorts of distracting effects, especially in action sequences like those in Gladiator. It’s worth turning off, which results in more natural motion.

Many of the image trade-offs are a result of Anker needing to squeeze a battery in for the $1,099 price. And the battery makes it worth it. At full brightness, the Nebula Mars 3 was able to run for the entirety of a two-hour movie at 50% volume with a little over 20% charge to spare, which let it go for nearly 30 minutes longer. Annoyingly, if you’re nearing the end of your movie or show and the battery power starts to get low, your experience will be thoroughly interrupted by several low-battery warnings in a window that occupies a large portion of the display.

• Picture quality score: 3/5

Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: value

• Great for portable use
• Brighter than other compact portables
• Better options for picture quality, but not portability

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is an interesting package. It’s not a great home theater projector for the money, as there are far more appealing options available in the same ballpark. But it’s an overall decent projector and a powerful portable one. The Nebula Mars 3 is quick to set up, and can run for hours at a time. It’s a knockout next to something like the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, which has a portable setup with an optional battery pack but isn’t nearly as bright.

A competent projector you can bring anywhere and easily get up and running is something special, and the Anker Nebula Mars 3 nails the concept. It’s built to withstand surprises and has clever elements (like the lens cover and waterproofing) that let you easily grab it and go without worrying about a protective case.

• Value score: 4/5

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How I tested the Anker Nebula Mars 3

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

I tested the Anker Nebula Mars 3 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, both HDR and non-HDR.

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

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

First reviewed: November, 2024

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) review

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) has a 10,000mAh capacity and provides 27W of wired charging power and 15W of wireless charging power. Crucially, it supports Apple’s MagSafe standard, gluing to iPhone models from the 12 series onwards while charging.

The adherence is very strong, and you can mount your device vertically or horizontally. The wireless zone is unpadded, which may concern some people, but no blemishes or scratches occurred to either the phone or the power bank during our tests.

Another nice touch is the foldable stand, which is smooth and well-built, and allows you to keep your iPhone upright while charging. If you mount your iPhone in landscape, it also makes for a good content-viewing platform, which isn't always the case for even the best power banks.

The MagGo Power Bank features Anker’s Wireless PowerIQ technology, which employs the Qi2 standard, upgraded to achieve a claimed higher efficiency when charging the best iPhones. In our tests, it charged an iPhone 13 Pro from 50% to 100% in about two hours, which means it'll fully juice your iPhone in roughly four hours. It depleted the bank’s battery to 73% in the process, which should mean you’ll get three to four charges out of it.

The MagGo Power Bank also has a USB-C port for wired charging. It took just over an hour to fully replenish a Google Pixel 7a from 50%, and again reduced the MagGo to a 73% battery level. Charging the bank itself takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, according to our tests, which isn’t bad considering its 10,000mAh capacity.

The smart display is a useful addition, showing the power bank’s battery level and remaining running time (or, when charging the bank itself, how long it will take to reach 100%). However, this estimation isn’t the most accurate, as it’s prone to oscillating wildly to establish a time, so it’s not a figure you can fully rely on.

Appearance wise, the MagGo Power Bank looks smart and understated. The construction is sturdy, while the materials feel premium – two aspects that stand it in good stead for its longevity.

While the MagGo Power Bank may be on the thick and heavy side, it should still make a good travel companion thanks to its reliable charging abilities and convenient smart readout. Just don’t expect to carry it around in your pocket with your iPhone attached – for that, you might be better served by the Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo).

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) review: price & specs

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Anker has quickly become a company that I trust a lot of my gear with. Currently, Anker cleans my house, protects my home with security cameras, and powers my house -- quite literally. I have a handful of Anker Power Stations and many of the best portable power stations from Bluetti, EcoFlow, Jackery, and others. What's remarkable is that Anker has two prominent positions in my home that I rely on daily. 

First up, Anker runs my whole home backup thanks to the Anker Solix Home Power Panel and Automatic Transfer Switch, along with a pair of F3800s. In the event of a power outage, I can run my entire home -- including my regular lights and outlets, fridge, laundry, dishwasher, Wi-Fi and more -- off of battery backup. Pretty cool! Additionally, I have a few other backups for heavy-use zones, such as my primary workstation. This is where the Solix C1000 comes into play - but more on that later.

Anker Solix C1000: Price and Availability

The Anker Solic C1000 usually costs around $1000; however, when writing this, I saw a deal for $579 on Anker's website. Occasionally, deals work for the power stations if you want to wait and snag a significant discount.

Anker Solix C1000: Unboxing and First Impressions

Unboxing the Solix C1000 was exciting because I was shocked at how small the entire unit was. Overall, I am impressed with how clean and compact this unit is for the power delivery it can give.

I could snag an extended battery for my C1000, so I grabbed the C1000 and attached the external battery with a single cable, adding another 1056Wh to my workstation in the backup, bringing the total to 2112Wh.

Anker includes all the cables for the power station, including the AC charging cable I use for this particular setup.

The pairing process with the Anker App was super easy as well. Plus, a huge bonus is that I can connect to this power station over Wi-Fi and control it from anywhere in the world or via Bluetooth if there is no Wi-Fi.

Anker Solix C1000: Design and Build Quality

The Anker Solix C1000 offers excellent ports on the front of the power station, just under where there is an integrated light bar. Under the screen lives the USB ports, two USB-A and two USB-C, one of which can reach 100w output. Additionally, there are six AC outlets on the front that I can plug gear into. The last thing worth mentioning in this section is the built-in handles. Yes, power stations can be heavy, but this one has two carry handles built into the frame of the top outside edges of the C1000 Portable Power Station.

Anker Solix C1000: In use

As mentioned above, my Anker Solix C1000 is the power station and UPS I have entrusted to run my primary workstation in my home office. And, unlike some home offices, mine is far from simple and minimal, thus drawing considerable amounts of power. Right now, my main desk supports a hot-swappable monitor (currently, my BenQ MA320U), two Thunderbolt Docks (both from Satechi), Multiple Satechi USB-C power supplies (one on either side of my desk), Three or four AC Plug power Strips mounted under my desk, My MacBook Pro, My iPad Pro, a handful of desktops I am in testing with, a handful of laptops I am testing as well, a BenQ Monitor light bar, a Govee light strip, A Govee Glide Hexa Pro on my wall, a lamp, a Google Home Hub, an Apple HomePod Original, a TP-Link Deco Wi-Fi Point, a network switch, a Mac Mini running a media server, a Synology BeeStation, a space heater, an Apple TV and ways to MagSafe Charge my iPhone 16 Pro, wireless charge my AirPods, and my Apple Watch. All of this gear (mostly) is sitting on a FlexiSpot E7 Pro Standing Desk.

It's a lot. But what's even crazier is that 95% of all of that gear is running through my desk, which, as a standing desk, I didn't want to bog down with cables hanging, so there is only one cable hanging down, which gets plugged directly into my C1000. I've tested a power outage many times, and so far, the C1000 can handle that super desk's worth of gear without even breaking a sweat.

Before this portable power station found its home inside my office at the foot of my desk powering my workstation, I was able to take this thing outside to run a pressure washer, recharge some drill batteries, power my living room lamps during an outage before I had my whole home backed up, and much more.

Anker Solix C1000: Final verdict

All around, the Anker Solix C1000 has been a lovely little Portable Power Station that I can't imagine not having in my workflow at this point. It's powerful, has a great port offering, is super easy to use in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-only environments, is expandable, and so much more. If you're looking for a portable power station, check out the Solix C1000 as a baseline at a minimum of what you should be looking for.

Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) review

The Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) is a premium charging station that can get a swathe of exhausted devices fighting fit in no time.

This station has six charging ports: four of which are USB-C; with the other two being USB-A. It’s worth noting that power output is, unsurprisingly, asymmetrical here. The four USB-C ports each have a maximum power output of 100W, meaning you could use two of these at full capacity simultaneously. The two USB-A ports, meanwhile, only have a maximum power output of 22.5W each, though it’s totally normal for these to be weaker than their more modern, Type-C sibling.

A total power output of 200W is available here, which isn’t bad at all. In fact, I tried charging six devices at once and found the station coped perfectly well with each. While doing this, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was able to get up to 100% from 0% in approximately one hour and 30 minutes – the expected timeframe.

But even if this station offers the exact speeds you’d want from one of the best Android phone chargers or best iPhone chargers, some may be hung up on one factor – the price. And sure, I’m not going to act like spending $84.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95 on a charger isn’t a significant investment. However, if we’re talking pure value, this is actually a very fair asking price. A lot of similar competitors will set you back significantly more. For instance, the UGreen Nexode 200W GaN Desktop Charger 6-Ports has a list price of $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$190).

It’s not only good value, though. This charging station is very much a high quality product – something you’d expect from Anker’s Prime range. The striped, textured silver outer casing looks and feels premium and the inclusion of a detachable power cord is also very welcome. On a more practical level, this station is well designed too. Safety is at the core here – there’s temperature control, current regulation and even high-voltage protection.

And now you might be wondering, reader, what’s the catch? Well, in truth there isn’t really much for me to criticize whatsoever. However, some may prefer to have some sort of display in order to track power output and you get no such thing from this station. For example, the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W has a built-in screen, allowing you to view real-time data on output, switch between power modes and more (I’ll follow-up on this in the ‘Also Consider’ section). The 250W variant also has companion app compatibility, but that's missing too.

Given the price of the Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN), though, I think the omission of a display is well worth it. And that’s the real draw here – you’re getting a no nonsense, speedy, high-quality charging station at a price that’s very reasonable. As a result, I’d totally recommend it to anyone looking to take their charging game to the next level.

Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) review: Price & specs

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Anker 323 Charger (33W) review

The Anker 323 Charger (33W) is a compact and competent wall charger that can get two devices back to full battery fitness simultaneously.

Unlike some of Anker’s similar chargers, this one has two different port types: one for USB-C; another for USB-A. That gives you some versatility, especially if, like me, you don’t have all too many USB-C to USB-C cables around the house, but plenty USB-A to USB-C ones. That’s also pretty neat given the plug only comes in at $18.79 / £15.99 / AU$49.99 – which is decent value.

Charging two devices works well, too. I tried juicing up my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 via the USB-C port alongside a DualSense Wireless Controller in the USB-A one and was satisfied with the result. My phone went from 0% to 100% in the expected timeframe (around one hour and 30 minutes) even with the USB-A port in use.

The main issue this charger may pose for you is that it’s not the most powerful. When dual charging, the USB-C port has a maximum power output of 20W – which is solid, though may not be enough to get super-fast charging on some of the best Samsung phones, for instance. Meanwhile, you'll get just 12W of power from the USB-A slot in dual-charging mode, which isn’t all too strong – especially compared to some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. It’s common for type A ports to be weaker, sure, but 12W will likely seem underwhelming if you need to revive your phone's battery in a pinch.

Having said that, this charger is capable of supplying 33W of power in single-port mode, which will be plenty for a lot of modern handsets. Of course, there are some exceptions, though. Models including the OnePlus 13 offer incredible 80W wired charging, so if you own that it will be worth turning your attention to a mightier plug like the UGreen Uno Charger 100W.

But that's enough on performance – how does the Anker 323 Charger (33W) fare design-wise? Well, it’s a mixed bag. Firstly, I don’t think this is the most attractive plug on the market. It follows a formula that a few of Anker’s chargers use in housing the charging element in a cube-like block and almost shoehorning the adapter and prongs on the end. As I mentioned in my Anker PowerPort III (20W) review, this isn’t my favorite look.

However, in terms of practicality, the design here is strong. Prongs are foldable, which is great if you want to take this thing for an in-pocket walk. Generally, it’s quite a small plug too making it a nice choice if you’re working with a tight space. On top of that, it uses Anker’s ActiveShield safety standard for preventing overheating.

Overall, then, this may not be the most powerful or pretty plug, but it gets a lot right in terms of practicality, versatility and value. So, if you need a combination of USB-A and USB-C but don’t have the cash to splash on, say, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports), this is an option worth considering.

Anker 323 Charger (33W) review: Price & specs

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Anker 323 Charger (33W): Also consider

Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review

The Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) is a highly integrated dock that provides a neat, more efficient way to manage all your devices.

First of all, this is much more than just a charger. This station includes two HDMI ports, enabling dual 4K displays, but that’s not all. There are multiple USB-C and USB-A ports that enable quick data transfer. Two of the USB-C ports support 10Gbps data transfer, although it’s worth noting that only one USB-A port can match this, with the other three restricted to 480Mbps. On top of this, you get a 3.5mm audio, ethernet, and upstream port – the latter can be used to connect the station to your laptop or PC.

This is a pretty comprehensive set of options – with the only obvious exception being an SD or MicroSD card reader. This is a pretty minor issue though, especially given you can buy an external reader to insert into one of the USB-C ports.

One of the highlights here is the trio of dedicated charging ports – ideal for juicing up all sorts of devices, including some of the best power banks or the best phones. Two of these are USB-C and have a maximum power output of 100W each, with an additional USB-A port offering a maximum output of 12W. When I tried plugging in my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, fast charging activated, enabling the device to go from 0% to 100% in under 1 hour and 30 minutes – the expected timeframe. By pressing the button on top of the station you can switch between an overview of output across all ports, or just view data concerning one port.

How does this 14-in-1 station fare design-wise, though? Well, I was a fan of its slim, tower-like look and textured metal outer-casing. However, there are some minor disappointments: the screen is quite small and has fewer built-in options than Anker’s 6-Port Desktop Charging Station and the power cable is attached, meaning it’s not perfectly compact when packing into a bag. The front of the station is made from plastic and admittedly looks a little cheap, but it’s not particularly grating to the eye. The configuration of the ports does make the design very practical though and I found my desk was neater with the station in use, a key benefit of the product.

Finally, it’s worth acknowledging that this station – although by no means inexpensive at $249.99 / £199.99 (about AU$360) – is pretty good value. Competitors like UGreen’s 13-in-1 Docking Station or Lenovo’s ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Workstation Dock are considerably more expensive. Overall, this is a competent, well-equipped, practical dock that will meet the needs of most professionals seeking out a more efficient and tidy way to manage their devices.

Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W)?

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Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W): Also consider

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review

The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is a premium multi-port charger that will get your devices juiced up in no time. With three ports – two of which are USB-C and one is USB-A – it’s the ideal solution if you’re someone that needs to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Let's say you’re out and about and need to charge your phone, laptop, and wireless earbuds. This charger would easily get your devices back to full charge quickly, thanks to a maximum total power output of 100W. That’s definitely going to be more than enough power for the vast majority of people. It’s worth noting, though, that individually, the single USB-A port only has a maximum output of 22.5W, compared to the 100W of the USB-C ports – so bear that in mind when charging more power-hungry devices.

Thanks to its high power output, you’ll be able to fast charge devices, or even super-fast charge them, if they’re compatible with this. For instance, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is capable of super-fast charging, went from 0% to 100% in less than one hour and 30 minutes – even with two PS5 controllers charging alongside it. That’s the sort of speeds you'd expect from the best Android phone chargers or best iPhone chargers.

Given how much power this charger offers, it’s decently compact. Don’t get me wrong, it's not super tiny and lightweight, but compared to competitors that offer around 100W of power, this is nicely sized. The charger has foldable prongs too, which is ideal if you want to carry it in your pocket.

Overall, this is a well-designed plug. It has a sleek, silver exterior that is decently nice to look at, although there are no other color options available. It's well designed on a technical level too, with Anker’s ActiveShield 2.0 safety tech able to monitor temperature and adjust power output, creating a more secure charging experience.

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room though, which is price. This charger is $84.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120) – that’s by no means inexpensive. Not only that, but there are a decent amount of similar products out there at a considerably lower price. For instance, the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger is only $64.98 / £59.99 – more on this later. Overall though, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is still a great multi-port charger and is certain to offer excellent performance and practicality, even when you’re on-the-go.

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)?

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Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Also consider

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) review

The Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is an elegant, compact charging plug, ideal for getting your devices back to 100% in a pinch.

Something that makes the charger stand out is its neat design. It has striped, textured edges as well as a glossy top, making it easy on the eye. Not only that, but there are three color options, including Shell White, Black Stone and Ice Lake Blue – much more interesting than the plain white or black options I’ve become accustomed to, even when reviewing some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers.

This charger isn’t just a looker though; it’s super-practical. It's very compact, making it ideal for slipping into a small bag or pocket. And if you do carry this charger in your pocket, you can live without the worry of it stabbing into your leg, thanks to its foldable prongs.

But what matters more than anything is charging speeds. So, how does the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger fare? As you’d expect, very well. I started charging my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 when it was at 0% and managed to get back to 100% in just 80 minutes. This charger’s total output power of 30W means it’s powerful enough to activate super-fast charging on phones that support this – including the Z Flip 4.

As is the case with most of these charging plugs, there’s no cable included here. As this plug has a USB-C port only, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-C/Lightning (or appropriate alternative) in your possession. That’s worth bearing in mind if you only have USB-A to USB-C / Lightning cables and you’re looking for an ultra-cheap charging solution.

With that said, this is still a well-priced charger, coming in at $18.99 / £19.99 (about AU$30). There are a few cheaper alternatives out there from the likes of IKEA, but build-quality-wise, these won’t compare.

So, if you’re on the lookout for a small, stylish, speedy charger, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger is a truly great option that’s well worth purchasing.

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W)?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W): Also consider

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review

When I say charging station how do you feel? Are you filled with great excitement and enthusiasm? If not, the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W, will almost certainly change that.

This charging station has six charging ports – four USB-C and two USB-A. You can monitor the electricity output levels for each port via the station’s onboard screen to ensure each device is getting the appropriate levels of power.

However, let’s say you’re charging six devices, but you want to ensure your phone gets back to 100% quickly. Fear not – with the Port Priority option, you can ensure your phone charges without delay. That’s not to say this station can’t handle six devices at once, of course. With a maximum output of 250W, you’ll likely have more than enough power to go around your phones, laptops, tablets and more.

I used the default charging configuration during testing, AI Power Mode. This uses artificial intelligence to optimize power allocation across the station. However, there are also three other modes – Port Priority, Dual-Laptop and Low Current mode. Most will find that the default is perfectly capable of performing their charging chores.

What I really like about this station is how many neat features it offers, making it easily one of the best Android chargers and best iPhone chargers. If you download the Anker app, you can connect to the charging station via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can add a clock screensaver to the station, with a number of different designs to choose from. The Anker app also lets you view real-time data on power output, schedule power on/off, and adjust the station's screen brightness.

One odd but welcome nugget is Secret Features, which includes a collection of fun animations for the station’s screen if you complete hidden tasks (such as switching Port Priority on and off 10 times).

So what’s the catch? Well, this station has a list price of $169.99 / £169.99, a lot to invest in what is, at the end of the day, just a multi-port charger. However, if you want a feature-rich, speedy station that’s perfect for your work desk, it’s not going to get much better than this. Ultimately, Anker has delivered a top-quality product here, but it's going to be a lot more than most people need.

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W?

Buy it if…

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Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W: Also consider

Anker makes some of the best power banks we've tested, but it seems to have increasing issues with manufacturing defects – with another recall hitting three more of its backup batteries for smartphones.

Back in June, Anker announced that it was recalling its popular 321 Power Bank, alongside the Soundcore A3102 speaker and A3302 speakerphone, due to potential fire hazards from lithium-ion batteries. And now, as spotted by Android Police, the company has made a similar recall announcement for three other battery packs.

Those models are the Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Anker Power Bank and Anker MagGo Power Bank. Anker says that while "only a small number of batteries may be affected by this issue" (a batch of products manufactured between January 3 and September 17), it's "reaching out to all customers to begin a Recall program".

The reason is because all three "may pose a fire risk due to a manufacturing defect" that causes overheating. If you're not sure if you own one of those models, you double-check on the battery's base for the model numbers A1642, A1647 or A1652. If you're unfortunate enough to own one, Anker has revealed the steps you should take. 

Firstly, you should stop using it and store it "in a safe location" and definitely not throw the power bank away in the trash or recycling. You can also fill out Anker's recall form to start the process towards getting a replacement. 

Anker's recall announcement also contains some region-specific advice on how you can safely dispose of your faulty power bank, depending on where you live. 

Feeling the heat

If you own a different Anker power bank from the models above, this news might still be a cause for concern – but Anker says there's nothing to worry about for owners of other models.

For those three affected models (A1642, A1647, A1652), Anker says "the issues originated from our previous supplier" and that "we have changed suppliers and are now conducting a thorough review of our quality assurance processes to prevent future occurrences."

For owners of other batteries, Anker says you "can continue to use your device with confidence". Another recall so soon after the company's previous one in June is still alarming, though fortunately none of the models in our guide to the best power banks has been affected. 

While we're happy to continue recommending those models for now, but if this news has given you cause for concern it could be worth considering options from alternative brands like Baseus, Satechi or Belkin.

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Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are the most expensive headphones Anker has ever released. Sure, they're still a lot cheaper than the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5, but it does pile on a bit of pressure for these headphones to deliver, especially considering top-rated headphones like the Sennheiser Accentum Plus come in at nearly the same price. Happily, though, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a great-sounding pair of wireless headphones that kept me listening for hours on end, day in, day out.

Thanks to LDAC codec compatibility, you’re getting hi-res audio, which helps the Soundcore Space One Pro to deliver rich, well-weighted all-round sound. If you appreciate some depth, these will likely pique your interest, thanks to the impressively weighty bass and sub-bass on offer. More generally, audio is to a high standard – it's not always as sharp as it could be or as clean-sounding as some top-of-the-range headphones, but it'll satisfy the vast majority of listeners.

Thanks to the Soundcore app, you can also find the perfect sound for you. There are classic EQ settings, which include a huge array of presets and a custom option too. But what’s really exciting is the HearID setting which assesses your personal tastes and hearing capabilities to suggest the perfect calibration – something that even some of the best headphones don’t offer. Not only that, but there’s a Dolby Audio mode available for those looking for a more expansive soundstage when watching movies or TV shows on the go.

More broadly, you’re getting a strong feature-set here. There’s Easy Chat for having conversations without needing to pause your tunes, multi-point connectivity and adjustable active noise cancellation settings. Speaking of ANC, you’re getting cancellation that’s a cut above some of the best cheap headphones. Some high-pitched sounds will still creep through, even when listening at higher volumes, but overall, you’re not going to get too distracted by the outside world when using the Space One Pro.

You’ll also be able to listen pretty much unbroken thanks to two key factors: battery life and comfort. Firstly, you’re getting plenty of playtime with the Space One Pro, which can go for 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off – although beware, with hi-res audio switched on, this number will be significantly cut. In terms of comfort, it really doesn’t get much better. Wearing the Space One Pro is never grating, even after listening for multiple hours consecutively – a fantastic plus given a lot of over-ear headphones fall at this hurdle.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. One of the Space One Pro’s biggest flaws for me is their looks. Although when folded they’re ultra-compact, in use they appear chunky and a little bit disappointing quality-wise – especially the button controls. This might not be a deal breaker for many, but Soundcore has increased its asking price for these headphones. Don’t get me wrong, these are good quality cans, but with this amount of cash, there are some outstanding alternatives from the likes of Sony and Sennheiser available to you – are the Space One Pro better than these? I’m not too sure.

Still, they sound great and you’ll happily keep playing your favorite tracks for hours on end. The main issue is the strength of the competition. For example, in our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review, we gave these similarly priced headphones 4.5 stars, thanks to their impeccable sound quality – although their fit isn’t suited to every head. Some people may find the Soundcore more comfortable, and prefer them for that reason, but most people will probably want to go for the better sound quality.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Price & release date

• $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300)
• Launched on September 5 2024 in UK/US
• Launching in Australia in October 2024

With the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, the brand has ventured into slightly more premium territory. These cans will set you back $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300) – that puts them in the same ballpark as the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, which retail for $‌179.95 / £169.99 / AU$299, and the Sony ULT Wear, which go for $199.99 / £149 / AU$348.

It’s a significant price jump on the classic Soundcore Space One, which were just $99 / £99 at launch. Of course, the newer model is more compact, has more mics and higher-quality audio, but that’s still a big jump considering the Space One still has ANC, a very similar battery life and hi-res audio capabilities.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Specs

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Features

• Solid active noise cancellation
• Hi-res audio capability
• Feature-rich companion app

Something I love about the Space One Pro is that they boast a pretty expansive feature-set. You get the classic options you’d expect from modern wireless headphones, including multi-point connectivity and EQ settings, but there’s a good amount more to uncover.

One of my favorite features was Easy Chat, which lowers the music volume playing and makes voices clearer. This was incredibly useful in an office setting, especially when I had to respond to questions or chat with colleagues briefly, making for a seamless transition from listening to talking. You can easily adjust the time it takes for music to fade back in after using Easy Chat in the Soundcore app, with 5, 10 and 15 second wait times available, although I found the default 5 was ideal. Sensitivity here was just right too; for instance, the sound of typing wouldn’t set off Easy Chat, making for a near-flawless user experience. You will have to resist singing along to the music, though…

Another neat little feature is Safe Volume. When I listen to music, I like to listen at loud volumes – maybe a bit too loud sometimes. However, the Soundcore app has a decibel reading meter that displays whether your volume level is normal, acceptable (ie, a bit on the loud side but probably okay), or too high. This is useful for keeping yourself in check, and you can set a high volume limit too, if you want to be on the cautious side, or to keep kids' hearing safe if you give the headphones to them.

As I mentioned, there are classic EQ settings here, including a bunch of neat presets for various genres and the option to make a totally custom sound. However, one of the coolest settings available is HearID Sound, which assesses your hearing capabilities at various frequencies and asks you to pick your preferred sound through a small handful of multi-choice questions to find your perfect sound. This worked fantastically well and gave me some added depth in the bass department, a little bit of additional height in the treble, with a dip in the mid-range – a calibration that suited my taste very nicely.

One more feature that enables you to customize sound is Dolby Audio. This is useful if you want a more immersive, expansive sound from your headphones, but is likely better suited towards people watching videos. I found that this did add a bit of width to the soundstage, but I rarely used it when listening to tunes. When you are blasting your favorite songs, though, you can activate the LDAC audio codec (compatible with most Android phones), which delivers richer, more detailed hi-res audio – something I kept turned on throughout most of the testing process.

Another part of the Space One Pro that’s decently customizable is ANC. You can toggle on Wind Noise Reduction when out and about and switch between full, normal, and transparent levels of noise cancellation. But how is the ANC itself? Pretty good actually.

In a café, I could still hear a conversation on my table with music at half volume, but at a more realistic listening level of 65-70%, I could barely hear any words at all. When listening to more mellow classical music, however, sounds like plates being placed down crept through sometimes, even at high volumes.

At around 60% with Wind Noise Reduction on, traffic was barely audible, although some higher pitched noises did seep through from time to time. Similarly, when using a hairdryer, the screech-like noise it emitted was still audible when listening to a bass-heavy track.

With the lower-frequency tones of a microwave, I heard almost nothing at 50-55% volume, although this didn’t surprise me a lot as the Space One Pro seemed to be very competent at blocking out lower-frequency sounds, as is common with the best noise cancelling headphones.

I compared this to the more budget 1More Sonoflow and Sony WH-CH720N in the same environments, and the Space One Pro were a clear upgrade over them both.

To top everything off, the Space One Pro have a very respectable battery life of 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off. This is, of course, reduced if you’re using hi-res audio. When testing battery life with ANC on, I found the 40-hour claim to be accurate.

Sure, there are some headphones out there, such as the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, that can go for up to 60 hours with ANC on, but they’re about $80 / £80 more expensive. And this battery life is 10 hours longer with ANC on (and 20 hours with ANC off) than the considerably pricier Sony WH-1000XM5. So, all in all, it's fair to say the Space One Pro are a top choice if longevity matters a lot to you.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Sound quality

• Full-sounding hi-res audio
• Satisfying bass
• Audio isn’t perfectly sharp

Overall, we were pretty positive about the original Anker Soundcore Space One’s audio, particularly because of its ability to offer strong bass, clear vocals and LDAC support. Thankfully, all of this holds true for the Pro model, which more generally delivers great audio quality.

Let’s start with bass: if like me you’re someone that appreciates lots of depth, these are gonna hit the spot. Sub-bass in Backseat Freestyle by Kendrick Lamar was perfectly weighted, never feeling overly dominant in the mix – a lot of cheaper headphones struggle to handle this level of depth, but not the Space One Pro. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the dynamism of the bass connecting up to the mid-range was impressive too, although the kick of the drum machine was slightly lethargic.

Mid-range sounds come through clearly and with solid levels of detail. When comparing these to the cheaper Sony WH-CH720N, the Space One Pro achieved a fuller sound, helping to expose a few more sonic intricacies. This is, of course, helped further if you activate the LDAC codec for hi-res audio.

Like the ‘non-Pro’ edition, these produce a pleasingly wide soundstage experience, which is ideal for atmospheric tracks like Rains again by Solji. This track sounded a little bit constrained with the CH720N, but when using the Space One Pro, the intro’s rain sound effects were natural and quieter vocal segments were more controlled. The soft vocals maintained their intended levels of delicacy too and highs often sounded sweet when using these headphones. From time to time, vocals could be a little harsh at top volumes, something I discovered when listening to the opening of SICKO MODE by Travis Scott, but this wasn’t too common.

All in all, I found the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro to be very good in the audio department. They’re not going to deliver the incredible accuracy, intricate detail and flawlessly clean audio that super-premium competitors can offer, but for some headphones below the $200 / £150 / AU$300 mark they perform well. Bass is the star of the show here, but there’s excellent customizability if you’re more of an avid podcast fan looking for an emphasis on clear vocals, for example.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Design

• Ultra-compact foldable design
• May be a little chunky looking for some
• Super comfortable fit

When I first unboxed the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, I got more of an earmuff than headphone vibe. Initially, I was struck by how chunky they were – even the headband is pretty thick and padded. Don’t get me wrong: the Space One Pro aren’t horrible looking, but I don’t think there’s gonna be a rush to hang them in the Louvre.

Even in terms of build quality, I wasn’t massively impressed. That’s mainly because the buttons and silver detail on the headphones look and feel a bit cheap. I did, however, quite like the Cream White color that these cans came in, though a Jet Black alternative is also available.

It’s not all about the looks, of course, and thankfully these headphones are incredibly comfortable. Every day I’ve tested the Space One Pro, I’ve used them for at least five hours and have not once felt a smidge of discomfort, so if coziness is the number one thing for you, these are absolutely perfect.

Another smart aspect of these headphones is their compact nature. Thanks to what Anker calls a FlexiCurve Structure, these can halve in size when fully folded, perfect if you’re a bit limited for space in your backpack or tote bag.

A case is available for them (added free for initial order, but that may not be the case if you buy in the future) that's also waterproof, unlike the headphones themselves, which don’t have a dust or waterproof rating.

Something these do lack is touch controls – which may be pleasing to some, but I would’ve personally appreciated them. Instead, you’re stuck with plain old button controls and unfortunately they’re a bit lacking. I already mentioned they’re not the prettiest, but I also found the volume controls to be quite unresponsive and I had to hold down the power button for quite a while to switch the headphones on or off. You can customize which button controls do a little bit in the Soundcore app, but options are pretty limited.

Overall, I don’t love the Space One Pro’s button controls and I’m not an enthusiast when it comes to their looks either. However, what I can’t deny is that they’re massively comfortable and super-compact, making them totally user-friendly. Fashionistas – you’re probably best served elsewhere I’m afraid, but otherwise I’d urge you not to rule these out on looks alone.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Value

• Anker’s most expensive headphones ever
• Stack up to similarly-priced competitors on features and sound
• Still a tad too costly at launch

I’ll be real, reader, I’m conflicted here. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro; they’re a great-sounding, ultra-comfortable pair of wireless headphones that have kept me listening for hours on end. But there’s a massive amount of competition in this price range from some of the most well-respected tech companies in the game.

For example, the aforementioned Sennheiser Accentum Plus offer confident, punchy sound, a longer battery life and a more attractive design for a similar price. And the Sony ULT Wear are also super comfortable and offer the LDAC codec – although in our Sony ULT Wear review we had a mixed response to its bass-boosting ULT button. Good options abound at this price point, making any one choice harder to justify.

And there are often bargains available on more premium options: for instance, the legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 are regularly available at a similar price to these these headphones, and they are going to offer almost everything you get here, but with even better audio and a classic design. However, it is worth noting that this only applies to when the Sonys have their price cut, and the Space One Pro will inevitably also see strong discounts, probably as soon as Black Friday, shortly after launch.

What I’m more confident in stating, though, is that these outperform the stronger budget wireless headphones, such as the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow, both of which we’ve spoken about highly on numerous occasions. These have considerably better ANC, audio quality and features. So, although I wouldn’t expect these to be listed at a way lower price, I think these will be extremely attractive on sale, when they’re closer to the $150 / £120 mark.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro?

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Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Also consider

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office, in a café and while on walks
• Predominantly tested using Tidal on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

I tested the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro over the course of a week. During this time, I took to a number of environments including a café, built-up roads, the office and my apartment. I typically connected the headphones to Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the LDAC codec active in order to access the best quality audio. I also tested the headphones with the FiiO M11S hi-res music player, my Windows laptop, and an iPhone 13 Pro. When listening to music, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a number of genres, before expanding to a wider music selection. When appropriate, I also compared the Soundcore Space One Pro directly to the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow.

First reviewed: September 2024
Read more about how we test