I've tested more than 20 chargers here at TechRadar, including everything from small-sized power banks through to gigantic 500W towers, and while many have impressed me greatly with their strong performance and ingenious designs, some have been...less easy to recommend.

There are a lot of underwhelming models out there that won't give you fast charging, have a poor line-up of ports, or break much faster than you'd hope. And so, I want to make sure you can get yourself a charger that's speedy, reliable, well-made — and most importantly, great value for money.

Of all the chargers I've tested, there are 4 that I've come to rely on above all others. I've collected them all together and placed them into this list, so you can copy my charging loadout and wave goodbye to poor performance. Spoiler alert: these are all Anker and UGreen models, which will be of little surprise to many — these two brands are building chargers with an unbelievable power-to-scale ratio, impressive temperature-regulating tech, and flashy looks.

But anyway, you must be curious what models made the cut by now, so let's dive right into my top picks!

1. UGreen Uno Charger 100W

You saw the robot in that lead image, didn't you. And I bet it sparked your interest, right? Of course it did. And it should, because the UGreen Uno Charger 100W isn't just my favorite charger I've ever tested, it's also the one I've used the most.

In my five-star review, I raved about this charger's quirky robo-shaped design, its incredible performance, high power, and practical build. 100W is enough for me to charge my MacBook Air M4 or high-speed charge my Xiaomi 17 phone. It even shows quirky emotions while I charge, which makes something typically monotonous feel kinda fun.

Despite putting this model through the wringer for over a year and a half, it hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, any wear or tear, or given me any reason to want an upgrade. It's genuinely exceptional, and if you're going to buy one charger on this list, I'd suggest making it this one.

2. Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)

The Anker Prime Charger 200W has been a stalwart of my desk for quite some time now, and I think I'd struggle to keep my workspace organized without it.

This desktop charger really does have it all. It's got a mega 200W maximum power output, four USB-C and two USB-A ports, and tech that protects against overheating and other nasty malfunctions. It's easily mighty enough to recharge a power-starved laptop and phone simultaneously, and you can probably throw in a few small devices, like an Apple Watch or wireless earbuds for good measure, as well.

What I really love about this device, though, is that it keeps everything in order. I don't need to plug loads of chargers in to keep my (many) devices — I can just plug this into the mains, connect everything I need up, and get seamless and clutter-free results. Another thing to highlight is this device's premium look and durable build — mine still looks like new after almost two years. Not bad for a model you can sometimes find on sale for less than $60 / £55.

3. UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W

I recently got to review the UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W — yes, its name really is that long. And I found it works like an absolute charm.

In a way, this device is a lot more versatile than I first thought. On the face of it, you think: wireless charger with retractable cable to recharge the power bank, simple. But I've been using it a little differently. See, the charger is capable of recharging while juicing up other devices, which actually makes it a surprisingly effective multi-device charger when you're on the go.

If I'm on the move, I plug the power bank's retractable cable in, charge my wireless earbuds on the wireless pad, and use the charger's additional USB-C port to give my phone or Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones a bit of extra life. Of course, it works great as a basic wireless charger too, especially with its 25W Qi2 compatibility and handy display, but it really feels like the Swiss Army Knife of the charging world.

4. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W

If I'm out and about, then this Anker power bank is my go-to every time. It's a small yet mighty power bank that's ideal for juicing up your phone on flights or roadtrips, and thanks to its 45W power, it's perfectly capable of fast-charging a lot of modern handsets.

In my Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank review, I described the model as a "highly practical" and "well-designed" option, highlighting its durable and handy built-in charging cord, as well as its neat display and versatile ports. And I enjoyed using it so much that I even added it to my personal charging arsenal.

The 10,000mAh capacity means that this model isn't as well optimized for charging laptops or the most demanding devices, but if you just need something for your phone, wireless earbuds, or other small devices, then it's a top-tier option.

Bonus: UGreen 240W USB-C Cable

I've used the UGreen 240W USB-C Cable for almost every one of my phone and laptop charger reviews, and it's never let me down. I regularly pair it with my UGreen Uno Charger 100W to juice up my laptop or Xiaomi phone, and it's a top performer. And even after almost two years of use, I've not noticed any wear or reduction in charging speeds.

The cable is well over 6ft long, which is really useful for me when I want to charge my phone, but also scroll while at my desk...or in bed. It's made of a pleasingly flexible yet durable material, too, so you won't have to worry much about breakage.

Although I've not done a standalone review of the cable, it gets my full recommendation, and you can purchase it at Amazon US or over on Amazon UK if you live on my side of the pond.

Anker powers almost my entire home office setup, and has done for years. From Anker SoundCore headphones, speakers, earbuds to more charging stands, docks, and power banks than I truly need. With the Amazon sale ending tonight at midnight, I've hand-picked my top 12 Anker Prime Day deals.

• Shop Amazon's Prime Day deals

In my long experience using Anker products, the balance of price, performance, and reliability is second to none. They're my go-to recommendation for just about anyone.

On the final day of Prime Day, this is my pick of Anker gear that's worth getting - including my beloved noise-canceling headphones, a cool 2K webcam, and a heavyweight laptop power bank that completely recharges your device on the go. For more office upgrades, I've live-tracking all the best Prime Day home office deals.

My top 12 Anker Prime Day deals

More Anker Prime Day deals on Amazon

• Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse for Work: now $18.98 (was $29.99)
• Anker Prime Charging Station 200W 6-Port GaN Desktop Charger: now $55.99 (was $79.99)
• Anker Desktop Charger, 9-in-1 Power Strip with 300J Surge Protector: now $33.99 (was $39.99)
• Anker Power Strip with 300J Surge Protector: now $19.99 (was $25.99)
• Anker Nano 100W Charging Station: now $56.98 (was $79.99)
• Anker 6-Port Desktop Charger: now $32.29 (was $39.99)
• Anker MagSafe Charger Stand: now $37.79 (was $53.99)
• Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station: now $399.99 (was $499.99)

More Prime Day deals

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

The power bank that I use just about every day has hit an unbelievable low price for Amazon Prime Day, and it's one of the most tempting bargains I've come across so far.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Yes, you can grab the Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank for just $41.99 (was $59.99) at Amazon US or just £35.99 (was £49.99) at Amazon UK, representing a savings of around the 30% mark in both markets. This is an incredible deal on a charger that's saved my bacon a few more times than I'd care to admit.

I can be pretty forgetful and often leave the house without fully charging my phone, which has landed me in more than my fair share of sticky situations. But since picking up the Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank, things have been different. With its 45W wattage, I can fast charge my device in a pinch, and its integrated cable means I've always got a way to charge my devices on the fly.

Want to hear more about this exquisite deal? Then scroll on down for the key details.

Today's best Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank deal in the US

Today's best Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank deal in the UK

In my Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank review, I described the model as a "highly practical" and "well-designed" option, highlighting its durable and handy built-in charging cord, as well as its neat display and versatile ports.

I also found it to be a good value-for-money option at launch; however, this deal makes it an absolute steal. I'd certainly buy it right now for even better value if I didn't already have one! The current Prime Day deals actually place this power bank at a near record-low price, so it really is a fantastic time to snap it up.

If you're often forgetting to charge your phone, or if you want a compact power bank to take on your summer travels, then I strongly suggest picking up the Anker Nano 10K 45W right now — but make sure to act fast and grab it while it's cheap!

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Finally! EcoFlow has dropped the Prime Day price on our top-rated portable power station. It's not often that I refresh a page watch the price change before my eyes. But that's what just happened with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, now $570 (was $899) at Amazon.

Seconds before then, it was sitting at a not unreasonable $700. One refresh later, and it's dropped even further in the Amazon sale. It's also discounted in the UK, where the Delta 3 Plus is now £549 (was £699).

The Delta 3 Plus is a 1024Wh power station that scored the full 5 stars in our review, where we praised it as offering "a balanced combination of power, portability, and versatility."

Top Prime Day portable power station deal

Also consider: More Prime Day portable power station deals

• US: Shop all the portable power stations at Amazon
• UK: See all portable power stations at Amazon.co.uk

We're in the midst of (a very hot) summer, and I'm sure many of you out there are raring to go on your travels this season. But if you're about to jet off on your vacation, then it's best to be as prepared as possible. And you know what you need to make your travels as seamless and enjoyable as possible? Some top-tier tech.

I'm a Senior Reviews Writer here at TechRadar, and have tested hundreds of gadgets over the years, from premium noise-cancelling headphones through to power banks and misting fans. So, I've got the lowdown on all the travel tech essentials you need to make this summer one to remember — for all the right reasons, of course.

I've included seven must-haves, with a small speaker, travel chargers, and even a compact clothes steamer on the list. Everything here has either been tested by me, or someone on the TechRadar team, so I'm confident that each item will serve you well on your adventures this summer and beyond. So, without further ado, let's dive right into my top picks!

1. Noise cancelling headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6

Ah, Sony WH-1000XM6, my beloved. These are, in my view — and the view of many at TechRadar — the best headphones you can buy right now.

The XM6 have it all. Class-leading active noise cancellation works great, even on flights with jet rumbles and screaming children. They sound incredible, with brilliant balance across the frequency range, as well as plenty of low-end punch and excitement to make energetic tunes sound their best. And they're foldable too, making them incredibly compact when you're on the move.

These come with a handy magnetic carry case, 30 hours of battery life, and excellent touch controls. Sony's Sound Connect app also makes it easy to tailor sound to your liking and make any subtle changes you need. They're simply the best, but I'll let you find that out for yourself.

2. Small speaker: JBL Go 5

The JBL Go 5 launched recently, and when I reviewed it, the speaker genuinely took my breath away.

It's exactly how to do an upgrade right, offering better sound, a more flashy design, and even better durability than its already impressive predecessor, the JBL Go 4. I love its edge lighting, its well-balanced sound with clean bass and rich mids, and also its broad feature set, which includes EQ options and multi-speaker pairing.

Despite improving on what its predecessor had to offer, the Go 5 is available at a very similar price, typically coming in at around the $55 / £40 mark, and if you need excellent sound, solid battery life, and high level (IP68) waterproofing on a budget, then it's the best small Bluetooth speaker to buy right now.

3. Power bank: Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W

I genuinely bring this Anker power bank with me everywhere. It's the definitive portable battery for travel for a few key reasons.

The first is its size. This model is absolutely tiny and can easily slip into a pocket or small bag, no problem. Second, it's incredibly practical. There's an integrated USB-C cable, making charging on the go totally seamless. And finally, it's a fantastic performer. That 45W max wattage means fast-charging is easily accessible on even some of the best phones.

A 10,000mAh capacity should also mean it can charge a pair of wireless headphones as well as your handset, so if you want an ultra-practical, lightweight power bank to bring on the go, the Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W is my number one recommendation.

4. Travel charger: Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C Cable

If you need a travel charger for your phone, tablets, and wireless earbuds, then look no further than the Anker Nano Charger 45W, which comes with a USB-C cable in the box — a nice touch!

I've used this one a lot myself, and it's great for travel. Why? Well, it's incredibly compact and packs in quite a bit of power, meaning you can make use of fast charging without lugging a massive brick around. If you're using a travel adapter, the model's low weight also means it won't awkwardly get weighed down or stick out, which is a huge plus.

This charger is well-built, foldable — helping it to slide into your pocket — and highly affordable. It really has it all, so if you're still using a slow charger, then take things up a notch with this awesome Anker alternative.

5. Portable fan: Shark ChillPill

In the UK, it's absolutely scorching right now. It feels like I'm fighting for my life here with the combination of high humidity and near record-breaking temperature. And when you're on your summer travels, I'd wager that it will be similarly blazing in a number of countries. What you need, then, is a portable fan.

We're big... fans... of the Shark ChillPill here at TechRadar, and awarded it a 4.5 star review recently. It has good battery life, is filled with a range of cooling options, and even has a mister for when you need a healthy blast of cold.

The build and design quality is strong here too, and the straightforward controls make it a joy to use. Yes, it's a little expensive, but we've seen it pop up on sale from time to time, so if you want to stay chilled on the move, then I'd strongly suggest picking this lil' gadget up.

6. Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige

OK, so not everyone will need this, but if, like me, your facial hair seems to grow back in the blink of an eye, the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige will be a great addition to your travel tech arsenal.

With multiple speed settings to suit your desired sensitivity, wet and dry shaving versatility, interchangeable heads (including a beard trimmer), and spectacular handling, the S9000 Prestige is a true all-rounder.

This model also has solid battery life and I rarely need to juice it up. But it comes with a wireless charging pad for when you're running low on power. There's also a cleaning device thrown in the box, and a carry case for whenever you're on the move.

I've found that the S9000 Prestige is kind on my skin, which is pretty prone to razor burn, and its flexible foil shaver is great at getting into those hard to reach areas around the nose, for instance. It launched at a fairly high price, but you can regularly swipe it up on sale now, so why not give it a go?

7. Clothes steamer: various options

OK, in all honesty, I've not actually got a travel clothes steamer, but when some colleagues of mine heard that I was writing this piece, they were clear that it's a must have.

After all, how many times have you been on holiday or out on a business trip and realized that our garments look a little creased? For me, it's a few times too many. With a compact clothes steamer, you can wave goodbye to pesky creases and wrinkles in a flash.

So, I have a few recommendations from the team that I'm here to share with you. For our US readers, Managing Editor of News & Deals, Jacob Krol, suggests the Conair Handheld Garment Steamer. This affordable model boasts "turbo steam power," comes with a 3-in-1 attachment, and has a water tank that's good for 20 minutes of steaming. Not bad, eh?

Over the pond, our Managing Editor of Social & Engagement, Josephine Watson, had a couple of recommendations. The first, the Tefal Pure Pop Slim Handheld, is cheap, comes in a range of funky colors, and heats up in just 15 seconds for super speedy action. Josephine told me that her bridesmaid friend bought this model in order to save a wedding dress disaster — and luckily, it worked. Talk about coming in clutch.

Josephine also recommended the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2in1 Handheld, even claiming she would trade her firstborn for it. Pretty high praise. This model has a 150ml water tank, can heat up nice and swiftly, and claims to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria within 60 seconds.

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.

Forget spending hundreds on on top-end headphones for blocking out your co-workers in a noisy office. My beloved Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones are on sale for $40 (was $70) at Amazon.com.

In the UK, the Soundcore Q20i's are also down to £32 (was £50) at Amazon.co.uk for the Spring Deal Days sale.

The Q20is are the cans I live in everyday at work. I find the active noise-canceling is ideal for distraction-free focus, the built-in mic makes them perfect for video calls, and they neatly fold away for commuting and business travel. For that reason, these headphones have travelled the country and the world with me.

Now, if you're an audiophile, they may not be up there with the Sennheisers and Sony WH-1000XM6's of this world. But they're also nowhere near as expensive. And for the low price, I don't think anything can beat the audio quality and ANC here.

Today's top Anker headset deal

The Soundcore Q20i headphones come in four distinct shades: black, white, blue, and pink (since I chiefly use them for work, I went for professional black).

They're comfortable, foldable, relatively lightweight, with a good sound quality that doesn't skimp on the bass. So, there's none of that tinniness you usually get from budget cans.

The Bluetooth headphones feature a 40-hour playtime, while I find the active noise-cancelation is excellent (my wife hates trying to talk to me when I've got these on).

On the left ear-cup is the power button and a noise-cancelation on/off button - by switching it off, you can extend the playtime to 60 hours.

On the right ear-cup, you'll find a broad volume rocker, and I have no issues hitting the right button every time thanks to the simple layout and textured central Play button.

Beneath these is the charging port and a 3.5mm audio jack, letting you use these wired as the aux cable comes in the box, too.

There's also some sort of Anker app integration which you may find useful for tinkering with the audio but I can honestly say I have never used once. For me, they worked well enough right out of the box.

Effectively, if you want a pair of commuter-friendly headphones that let you block out the noise of the office and conduct online meetings, these are an easy personal recommendation from me.

More Anker Soundcore deals

• See all on-ear headphones at Amazon.com
• See all noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon.co.uk

The best Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes, but very few are as cheap as this Anker Soundcore 2 at Amazon for £24.98 (was £39.99). That's a record-low price — and so low that you might want to consider getting a pair of them.

More expensive alternatives deliver superior audio quality, but if you're happy with reasonable sound, a respectable 24-hour battery life, rugged build quality, and water resistance, then the Soundcore 2 is a super affordable option.

Today's best cheap speaker deal

In our Anker Soundcore 2 review, we said it would be difficult to find a better speaker for under £50. Well, now it's even better value at this super-low £24.98 price tag. It might not sound as good as what Bose and JBL have to offer, but we think it offers enough quality for most people — especially at this price.

We love its IPX7 rating and rugged body, which means it can handle a quick dip in either the swimming pool or the paddling pool. This is a speaker that you can put anywhere and not worry about it getting exposed to water.

As well as its rugged qualities, one of the speaker's biggest selling points is its outstanding 24-hour battery life, which means you won't need to recharge it very often at all. And when you do, it's easily charged via USB-C.

This might be the best deal around for a speaker of this kind, but that doesn't mean it's your only option. If you'd prefer something more premium and better sound quality, then have a browse of our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.

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...

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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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• Or maybe you want something a little more lightweight? Then head on over to our list of the best budget earbuds
• Another option worth considering is the newly launched Baseus Inspire XH1 headphones, which were developed in partnership with Bose

I've tested over 30 wireless chargers to date, and this satisfyingly slim 10,000mAh offering from Anker is still the fastest power bank I've tested so far. It's got a pretty high list price, but this fantastic deal means it's the perfect time to buy, now that you can get the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) at Amazon US for $59.84 (was $79.99).

There's a great discount on this side of the pond, too, as we can now get the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) at Amazon UK for £49.99 (was £69.99). This is the biggest discount I've seen on the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) so far, with this near-enough $20 / £20 discount taking it down to a record-low price.

And what's more, this deal applies to all of the colors in the range, meaning you can take advantage of this deal whether you've got your heart set on the black, white, pink, or green model. But don't dawdle, as some colors are selling out fast.

Today's best Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) deal US

Today's best Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) deal UK

I was really impressed when I reviewed the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim), to the point where I had no choice but to include it in my guide to the best wireless chargers.

I found the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) really comfortable to hold as I continued to use my phone as it charged, and I've been impressed by the robustness of the materials, finding that they don't show fingerprints and aren't easily scratched.

If you're on the hunt for a new iPhone, I highly recommend checking out our pick of the best iPhone deals. If you happen to be more of an Android fan, not to worry, as we've got you covered too, with our guide to the best Samsung phone deals.

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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So, your phone battery is running low. You need a full charge ahead of a day at work or school – potentially ahead of a road trip – or maybe even ahead of a night out on the town. But you look down and see that your phone is charging at a snail’s pace. It’s not looking good.

Now, you’ve got to set your phone to low power mode, have brightness at the bare minimum, and maybe even switch airplane mode on. If that sounds like something you’ve experienced, then I may well know why. Your phone charger and cable may not be enabling fast charging on your device, which is a necessity if you want to get back to 100% in no time.

‘Wait – isn’t a fast charger expensive?’ I hear you cry…well, it doesn’t have to be! You can get a model capable of 25W charging – often plenty for speedy battery replenishment – for less than $15 / £15! I’ve listed a few options below that I’ve personally tested and consider high quality.

But a quick note before we dive into things. Modern phones have variable charging capabilities, so make sure you pick an adapter that best serves your device. For instance, the iPhone 16 only needs a 20W adapter or higher to fast charge. But a model like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, for instance, supports charging up to 90W, meaning you’ll need a higher capacity adapter to access peak performance. Right then, let’s hop to those recommendations.

1. The best bargain buy: UGreen Nexode Mini 30W

The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W offers enough power to activate fast-charging on a large portion of modern handsets – just pair it with a USB-C cable and you’re all set. On top of that, it’s regularly on sale for just over $10 / £10, making it an absolute steal.

When I tested the Nexode Mini, it performed to a high standard, juicing my phone up in the expected timeframe, and its diminutive build proved useful in use during a train journey with limited space. It only has one USB-C port, but if you just need to charge your phone or a pair of the best wireless earbuds, say, that shouldn’t be a problem.

In addition to its highly compact, foldable design, the Nexode Mini has a beautifully finished exterior as well as built-in protection against overvoltage, overheating, short circuiting, and more. I also really like the fact that it can be purchased in either Blue or Silver Gray – a nice break from the typical black and white models.

Read our full UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review.

2. The multi-port mid-ranger: UGreen Uno Charger 100W

OK, I absolutely love this charger – yes, I know it’s just a charger – but to me it's so much more. This model comes in the form of a mini robot, which will act as the ultimate charging companion. It has 100W of power, which can be spread across up to four ports, or you can channel all 100W through USB-C port 1.

As you may expect, this model is a truly fantastic performer – it’s also highly versatile thanks to its inclusion of both USB-C ports and a USB-A slot. But the real highlight of the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is its display. This exhibits a range of emotions, from joyful, through surprised, to flushed – and some of these are even tied to your device’s charging status.

I use this model every single day to charge my phone, Dualsense controllers, and sometimes even my laptop. Given its high maximum power output, multiple ports, and fun display, it’s also very generously priced. Yep, the UGreen Uno Charger 100W has a list price of $59.99 / £55.99, but I’ve regularly spotted it on sale for a touch over $50 / £40! If you don’t quite need this much power, I’d also strongly recommend the similar UGreen Nexode RG 65W.

Read our full UGreen Uno Charger 100W review.

3. The premium powerhouse: Anker Charger 140W, 4 Port, PD 3.1

This one’s for anyone who needs a huge power dosage. The Anker Charger 140W, 4 Port, PD 3.1 (bit of a mouthful, I know) offers multi-port fast-charging, great performance, and even comes with a USB-C cable in the box.

Like the UGreen Uno Charger 100W, this rival has a display, which gives you all the info you need on charging performance and temperature levels. Its foldable design and premium exterior also make it feel worth its list price of $89.99 / £89.99 – though I spotted it going for around $20 / £20 less than that at the time of writing.

You can route the charger’s maximum 140W through a single port if you’d like, meaning this model can even revive a phone like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G – or even 2024’s Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 – at top speed.

Read our full Anker Charger 140W, 4 Port, PD 3.1 review.

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• Need something extremely powerful? I might have exactly what you’re looking for – check out my UGreen Nexode 500W 6-Port Charger review
• Looking for a wireless option instead? Check out our guide to the best wireless chargers
• And for anyone seeking a portable option for travels, head on over to our list of the best power banks

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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Prime Day is almost over?! Oh no! And apparently, a lot of people are flocking to buy this Bluetooth speaker for $19.99 (was $26.99) at Amazon US. But I'm not going to recommend that – instead I'm highlighting a deal from a more reliable brand, for a speaker that's been tried and tested by us here at TechRadar.

Yes, the Anker Soundcore 2 is just $27.97 (was $44.99) at Amazon US and only £26.99 (was £39.99) at Amazon UK.

• Shop the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I've tested tons of Bluetooth speakers, and many of those have come from Soundcore, Anker's audio brand. On a number of occasions, Soundcore has produced products that punch well above their weight, both sonically and feature-wise. So if you want a cheap Bluetooth speaker but don't want to skimp on quality, this model is the better buy for Prime Day!

I'll tell you more about the Anker Soundcore 2 down below, but if you want to find some non-Bluetooth speaker deals, make sure you check out our Amazon Prime Day live hub.

Amazon Prime Day deal: Anker Soundcore 2 (US)

Amazon Prime Day deal: Anker Soundcore 2 (UK)

In our Anker Soundcore 2 review, we praised the model for its fantastic 24 hour battery life and IPX7 waterproofing – both of which are superior to the specs of the $19.99 speaker.

We also said in our review that it's "hard to think of a better speaker for under $50 / £50", so now it's on sale for even less than $30 / £30, consider us wowed! Sure, you can't expect the best sound quality on the market at this price point, but honestly, we were still satisfied overall with this speaker's audio.

So yes, without question, I'd recommend that those in search of an ultra-cheap Bluetooth speaker scoop up the Anker Soundcore 2 this Prime Day. If you're still interested in the cheaper alternative, I've got some details on that offer below (which is US-only, as far as I can see).

Amazon Prime Day deal: $20 Bluetooth speaker

• Amazon Devices: 50% off Kindle & Echo
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: up to 50% off Oral-B & Philips
• Headphones: up to $120 of Beats, Apple & Sony
• Kitchen: up to 50% off Ninja, Breville & Instant
• Laptops: HP, Lenovo & Apple from $119
• Prime Student: six-month free trial for 18-24 year olds
• Tablets: iPad and Fire Tab from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $69.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Kindle & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Bose & Sony from £14.99
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £139
• Phones: up to 30% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: iPads & Fire Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £99.99
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: Huawei & Samsung from £39

Prime Day is drawing to a close now, but it's not too late to grab some great deals on fantastic tech. And if you're in the market for a new phone charger, then there really are so many awesome offers to discover. I've got the lowdown on all the best bargains available. And you won't find any unreliable, untested models here. Each charger listed has been extensively tried and reviewed in full, by me.

• Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

I've tested well over 30 chargers during my time at TechRadar, spanning everything from ultra-cheap models through to multi-port powerhouses. Whether you need a basic 30W wall charger or a high-performing 100W alternative, there's a deal for you this Prime Day. Interested? Then get scrolling!

Oh, and if you want to uncover more great offers, then head on down to our Amazon Prime Day live hub.

Amazon Prime Day phone charger deals in the US

Amazon Prime Day phone charger deals in the UK

Amazon's Prime Day sale in the US - quick links

• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Ring & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

Amazon's Prime Day sale in the UK - quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Echo & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Anker & Sony from £15.98
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £159.99
• Phones: up to 20% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: Lenovo & Samsung from £119
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £109
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: up to 25% off Huawei & Samsung

Prime Day is in full swing, and its running until July 11 this year. If you're on the hunt for a delicious deal on some noise cancelling headphones, boy do I have an offer for you! Yes, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are just $113 (was $199) at Amazon US and only £119 (was £149) at Amazon UK.

• Shop the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Even after I'd finished reviewing the Soundcore Space One Pro, I found myself continuing to use these cans extensively. Why? Because they offer surprisingly strong sound quality, great ANC, and an ultra-compact folding design. At well over 40% off in the US and at 20% off in the UK, there really is no better time to get your hands on these background noise-nixing headphones.

I'll talk more about the Anker Space One Pro down below, but if you want to uncover more great deals, make sure you check out our Amazon Prime Day live hub.

Amazon Prime Day deal: Anker Soundcore Space One Pro (US)

Amazon Prime Day deal: Anker Soundcore Space One Pro (UK)

In my Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review, I described them as "superb-sounding wireless headphones crammed with features". That's because they offer clear, customizable audio, support for 'hi-res' Bluetooth streaming with use of the LDAC codec, and a companion app filled with a range of functions.

That's right, you can download the Soundcore app for free, and it opens up a ton of fun features. There's EQ adjustment, Dolby Audio, customizable button controls, and so much more. My personal favorite option, though, is HearID. This assesses your personal tastes and hearing capabilities to suggest the perfect sound calibration – something that even some of the best headphones don’t offer.

Combine all of that with a generously padded design and 40 hour battery life (with ANC on), and its clear: this really is a fantastic price for such talented headphones. So, don't miss out on this awesome Prime Day deal, grab the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro today.

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: 50% off Kindle & Echo
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: up to 50% off Oral-B & Philips
• Headphones: up to $120 of Beats, Apple & Sony
• Kitchen: up to 50% off Ninja, Breville & Instant
• Laptops: HP, Lenovo & Apple from $119
• Prime Student: six-month free trial for 18-24 year olds
• Tablets: iPad and Fire Tab from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $69.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Kindle & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Bose & Sony from £14.99
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £139
• Phones: up to 30% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: iPads & Fire Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £99.99
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: Huawei & Samsung from £39

If you're looking for a mighty power bank to keep your large devices up and running on the go, one of my favorites for the job has just received a sizeable discount: the Anker Laptop Power Bank is now $94.49 (was $134.99) at Amazon in the Prime Day sale.

• Take a look at Amazon's full sale

The same model has a very similar discount over in the UK, where the Anker Laptop Power Bank is now £65.99 (was £89.99) at Amazon. In both territories, black and silver colorways are available, although the latter variant is slightly more expensive than the former in the UK.

If you're after more tech deals, we're keeping track of the best ones in our Amazon Prime Day live hub.

Amazon Prime Day deal: Anker Laptop Power Bank

In my Anker Laptop Power Bank review, I was impressed by its specs. But despite how much power it has, the unit is surprisingly compact, making it the ideal travel companion. It also comes with plenty of convenient features, so it's no wonder we rank it as one of the best power banks for laptop-charging purposes.

It has a large 27,000mAh capacity, and packs in 165W of power, which is more than enough for charging the best laptops and other big devices. During my tests, I managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G is about two hours, with the bank only depleting by half in the process.

There's a large screen on the front panel, which displays plenty of information, including wattage figures for each of the outputs and temperature. It's easy to use as well, with a single button for navigating the various menus.

My favorite aspect of the Anker Laptop Power Bank, though, is the inclusion of two integrated USB-C cables. One forms a loop when not in use, which creates a handy carrying handle, while the other retracts fully into the casing. Both appear to be made to high standards, so should prove durable long-term.

There's not denying that it's an expensive power bank, but considering its performance and feature set, not to mention its sturdy construction, the Anker Laptop Power Bank is worth the investment if you're on the move frequently. And with this sale, it's now even better value.

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: 50% off Kindle & Echo
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: up to 50% off Oral-B & Philips
• Headphones: up to $120 of Beats, Apple & Sony
• Kitchen: up to 50% off Ninja, Breville & Instant
• Laptops: HP, Lenovo & Apple from $119
• Prime Student: six-month free trial for 18-24 year olds
• Tablets: iPad and Fire Tab from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $69.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Kindle & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Bose & Sony from £14.99
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £139
• Phones: up to 30% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: iPads & Fire Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £99.99
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: Huawei & Samsung from £39

It's time to celebrate, because Amazon Prime Day is finally here! The mega sale is running from July 8 through to July 11 this year, so there's plenty of time to score some incredible deals. And if you're looking for a shiny new Bluetooth speaker, there's basically no better time to buy, with some phenomenal options on offer this Prime Day.

• Shop all the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals

I've tested tons of Bluetooth speakers here at TechRadar, and speaking from experience, not all of them are created equal. So, if you want to know which models are actually worth buying this Prime Day, I've got you covered.

I'll guide you through all of the biggest bargains down below, but if you want to discover top-tier offers on other product types, check out our Amazon Prime Day live hub.

Amazon Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals, US

Amazon Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals, UK

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the US - quick links

• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Ring & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the UK - quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Echo & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Anker & Sony from £15.98
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £159.99
• Phones: up to 20% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: Lenovo & Samsung from £119
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £109
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: up to 25% off Huawei & Samsung

Deals are popping up left, right, and center in the run-up to Prime Day, including this fantastic saving where you can get the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) at Amazon US for $62.99 (was $79.99).

The offer is just as good in the UK, too, as you can get the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) at Amazon UK for £55.99 (was £69.99).

• Take a look at today’s Amazon deals in the US
• Take a look at today’s Amazon deals in the UK

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is at the premium end of the power bank scale, with a list price to match, but this electrifying discount of $17 / £14 has reduced the price of one of the best wireless chargers to the cheapest we've seen to date, so now's the perfect time to purchase this portable power pack.

Early Prime Day deal: Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)

This MagSafe power bank comes in a range of colors, including black, white, pink, and green, all of which are included in the offer in the US, with all but the black model being discounted in the UK.

I was very impressed with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) when I reviewed it, thanks to its premium aesthetic, strong grip, and charging speed, after it recharged our iPhone 13 Pro in less than two hours.

Oh, and by the way, if you're contemplating taking advantage of the upcoming discounts to update your phone, we'll be keeping a close eye on the best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e deals.

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the US - quick links

• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Ring & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the UK - quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 56% off smart home gadgets
• Appliances: 60% off Ninja and Tefal
• Gaming: gaming headsets from £22.99
• Headphones: Sony, Apple Bose from £19.99
• Health: up to 63% off Philips and Oral-B
• Laptops: Lenovo, HP, and Acer from £159
• Phones: Google and Samsung from £129
• Smart home: Ring & Blink cameras from £15.99
• Toys: up to 60% off Lego and Barbie
• TVs: cheap TVs from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark and Dyson
• Wearables: up to 25% off Fitbit and Garmin

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

Just because you're looking for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for partying by the pool this Amazon Prime Day, doesn't mean you should have to fork out a small fortune. In fact, I'm here to fill you in on a bit of a bargain: you can currently pick up the Anker Soundcore 2 at Amazon US for $29.44 (was $44.99).

And there's no need to feel any FOMO if you're based in the UK – you can buy the Anker Soundcore 2 at Amazon UK for £26.99 (was £39.99).

• Check out all of Amazon's early Prime Day deals

Either way, that's an astoundingly good price for a Bluetooth speaker – it brings it down to the best ever price it's been in the UK. In the US, it's only been cheaper once, briefly dropping down to $21.59 during Amazon's Spring Deal Days in 2024.

That may mean we see a further reduction in the US as Amazon Prime Day gets fully underway next week on July 8, so if you want to stay up to date on the latest bargains, make sure you keep checking our main Amazon Prime Day hub.

Early Prime Day deal: Anker Soundcore 2

As we mentioned in our Anker Soundcore 2 review, it's 'hard to think of a better speaker for under $50/£50'. It has a rugged body, can handle accidental plunges in puddles or paddling pools and has a truly absurd 24-hour battery life. While its sound quality might not be right up there with some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, with up to 34.5% off, it really is hard to find fault with.

Want to know which Bluetooth speaker deals you should be looking out for next week? Then take a look at our roundup of the 4 headphones and Bluetooth speaker deals we'd like to see this Amazon Prime Day.

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the US - quick links

• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Ring & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

Amazon's early Prime Day sale in the UK - quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 56% off smart home gadgets
• Appliances: 60% off Ninja and Tefal
• Gaming: gaming headsets from £22.99
• Headphones: Sony, Apple Bose from £19.99
• Health: up to 63% off Philips and Oral-B
• Laptops: Lenovo, HP, and Acer from £159
• Phones: Google and Samsung from £129
• Smart home: Ring & Blink cameras from £15.99
• Toys: up to 60% off Lego and Barbie
• TVs: cheap TVs from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark and Dyson
• Wearables: up to 25% off Fitbit and Garmin

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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 will let you cap the battery charge level in order to increase its lifespan
• Disappointed by the Nintendo Switch 2's battery life? I quadrupled it with this cheap accessory

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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• Nintendo Switch 2 review-in-progress live
• Nintendo Switch 2’s launch titles are awesome, but this one free update means more to me than any new Mario Kart game

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?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

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

The Amazon Spring Sale is upon us and we've found a ton of amazing deals so far, but few can top this price cut on the headphones I use each and every day. The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are just $149.99 (was $199.99) at Amazon US and only £119.99 (was £149.99) at Amazon UK. Yep, these are so cheap I'm gonna grab a pair for my parents, my siblings...maybe even the cat (if she behaves).

• Shop Amazon's full Spring Sale

With this deal, UK customers can net a 20% saving, while those in the US get an even bigger 25% discount – a phenomenal deal on some great cans.

I've personally been using the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones since their launch. No, really, they're basically fused to my ears at this point. They're an awesome option if you want immersive, high-quality audio, and now they're cheaper than I've ever seen them.

Today's best Soundcore Space One Pro deals

When I wrote my Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review last year, I couldn't praise them enough. They harness the 'hi-res' LDAC codec for improved sound quality, offer up to 60 hours of playtime and deliver solid ANC. That's not even the best part though. In use, these cans feel like a warm hug. They're padded to the nines and have super soft earcups, meaning you'll never get tired of wearing them.

And just like most of the best headphones, there's a nice selection of features to mess around with. Some unique inclusions are Easy Chat, which lowers music volume and makes voices clearer when you're conversing and HearID, which is essentially a quiz that helps you find your ideal sound. And all of that for less than $150 / £120? Sign me up!

Amazon Big Spring Sale – quick links (US)

• Amazon Devices: 54% off Kindle, Echo & TVs
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Amazon Big Spring Sale - quick links (UK)

• Amazon Devices: Echo, Kindle & Fire TVs from £19.99
• Apple: iPad and AirPods from £129
• Appliances: 60% off Ninja and Shark
• Headphones: Sony, Beats & Bose from £38.99
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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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Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1: Also consider

Just over a year ago, I reviewed the Anker Solix F3800 Portable Power Station, which is great; the only issue was that it was huge and heavy. So, while technically portable, it was not pleasant to move around. Since then, I have doubled my usage of the F3800, got another one, and had an electrician install the Smart Home Power Panel from Anker, plus a sub-panel that Anker offers to create a fully backed-up home/studio.

The F3800 is now offered in a package with just that, two F3800s with a smart home panel, and you can add on the sub panel depending on your use case. This package is designed to meet the rising demand and plea for electrical backup and sustainable power in this digital world.

Not only is this a residential power backup solution, but it also acts as the inverter and does all the heavy lifting if I want to add solar panels and cut back on my grid usage. All around, the F3800 was impressive, and one of the best portable power stations I've reviewed. Where it lacked is mitigated when you add another and the home power panel and shove this in your storage area behind your office, granting peace of mind for your home in case of severe weather or power outage, plus the opportunity to throw solar panels on your roof to collect some extra power from none other than the sun.

Anker Solix F3800 Home Power System: Price and Availability

This package from Anker is typically priced just north of $9,000. However, they are currently discounted to $5,599 with the code WSTDQR0929. There are options for installment payments through several different providers through Anker's website if needed, which is lovely as these are offered exclusively via Anker's website and have limited-time promotions.

Anker Solix F3800 Home Power System: Unboxing & first impressions

Since I already had one F3800, I was familiar with what it would be like to receive another. Nothing was different; the only new part was getting the power panel and the sub-panel. The Smart Power Panel was smaller than I expected, but I'm not upset because it fits better than I thought on the wall I picked.

Right now, I only have two F3800s. However, in the future, I will probably expand my battery capacity by adding a BP3800, which is just a battery unit that one of the F3800s could utilize. I could add up to 12 (6 per F3800) BP3800 batteries, each at 3840Wh capacity, totaling a whopping 53.8kWh battery capacity stored for my home.

Another thing I will add is solar panels. This time around, I did not grab any. However, I will probably add these in the future, especially since all I need are the panels and the cable to get down to my basement since I already have the inverter and batteries installed.

The setup process was straightforward; I called an electrician. In all seriousness, though, the electrician also had a pretty straightforward setup. He located my breaker in my basement, tailed off of that to connect to the Smart Home panel, and then integrated a sub-panel as well, so if I do have to power my home via these batteries, I can designate where that power is even able to go, prioritizing the essentials, and not having to worry about if there is something in my home that was left on that is not essential that would be a waste of battery.

After installing these, I could plug the cables from the power panel down to the F3800s, tuck them away, and then set them up through the app. I added my home, connected the unit to Wi-Fi, and then it registered that the F3800s were connected. From that point, I could see what I was pulling off the grid and set how much capacity I wanted the batteries to fill to (I chose a standard of 90%, with the ability to trigger "storm guard" that will quickly fill the batteries to 100% when I get an alert that there is a storm coming and then go back to my standard after that storm has passed) and the ability to set up other safety and battery preservation settings.

Anker Solix F3800 Home Power System: Design & build quality

The overall design of this setup is quite sleek. I've seen some significant and cumbersome setups, and they always need to be placed outside because they have exhaust systems from gas generators.

The reasonably sized power panel can be mounted to the wall with two simple brackets. Lastly, the sub-panel can be mounted on identical cross beams to the power panel, making installation easy.

Anker Solix F3800 Home Power System: In use

So far, having my entire home backed up with battery power has been fantastic. It's freeing to know that, with my three kids and my wife, we can ensure that our house and what we need for the children are okay in a power outage. Any sound machines, heaters, fans, night lights, monitors for their rooms, security alarms, and so forth are all backed up in an emergency, storm that knocks out power, or grid outages.

Previously, in the "prepare for the worst" mindset that I have and my unique situation where I have a multitude of power stations on hand at any given time, I would have power stations set up around the house at key areas ready for a power outage as a UPS, or I knew that if I ever needed to, I could run down to my office and drag one of the big ones up to plug in the fridge, a heater, or whatever else I needed in the moment. Now, however, I don't have to do any of that. Granted, I still have the Solix C1000 running my main desk in my office, but that's simply because I chose not to include the finished part of the basement in my sub-panel so I could focus the battery on more important things that I don't already have a solution for such as the heat, stage one of my AC, fridges, kids rooms, primary bedroom, and the microwave. I also chose to have my living room backed up, knowing that my central unit for my mesh router system (review coming soon) and the modem is there.

Because of the draw of my stage one AC unit for my house, I opted for two F3800s to get the 12kW, as opposed to the 6kW that I could get with just one F3800.

Another great feature is that I can output at 120V or 240V, depending on the demand of the equipment. This means that if I wanted to, I could run my electric dryer, charge my not-so-real-but-maybe-in-the-future Tesla, or even run another stage on my HVAC.

All of this "preparing for the worst" is great, but what might be the coolest part of this setup is something that I haven't even mentioned yet. It's the fact that I could throw some solar panels on my roof or even in my yard if I wanted to, and I could harvest the sun to not only refill my batteries but help run my house in a power outage or even offset my grid usage. I could set this up to where, in peak hours (if I lived in an area with peak hours for electrical), I could pull from solar and battery power and then recharge in the lower hours, utilizing solar when I can and then pulling from the grid last, saving money on electricity. All of this could be set automatically, meaning that without even thinking about it or changing anything I am doing, I could save real money on electricity with this Anker SOLIX Smart Home Power Kit.

Anker Solix F3800 Home Power System: Final verdict

The Anker Solix F3800 Smart Home Power Kit offers a near-perfect blend of performance, scalability, and sustainability. While its steep upfront cost may give potential buyers pause, its ability to be both a backup solution and a solar powerhouse, saving you money on electricity every day, makes this an incredible two-birds-one-stone solution.

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

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Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: also consider

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank with a slimmer-than-average profile. One of Anker’s most expensive MagSafe power banks at the time of writing, it’s available at a list price of $79.99 / £69.99 / $139.95 on the Anker website, and can also be purchased at Amazon.

When inspecting the build quality of the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim), it looked and felt sturdy. It has a metal frame around the edge and a liquid silicone covering over the charging area, which proved a little more grippy than other Anker MagSafe power banks I’ve tested. I always love to see a brand incorporate eco-conscious practices into its manufacturing, and Anker has done just that by using 75% recycled materials in the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim).

Using this power bank was a simple case of snapping the phone into place before pressing the small button on the lower right-hand side of the charger once to activate charging. I found the grip to be strong, so I didn’t have any concerns that the phone would fall off at any point.

The curved edges and the finish of the metal frame and matte back panel made it comfortable to hold. I was impressed with the material finish, as it didn’t show fingerprints or get scratched from regular use or after sliding around on my desk. The only scratch it sustained was during photography when it had an altercation with the corner of the small cement block it was sitting on, but it can’t be blamed for that.

I can say with confidence that the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is the slimmest power bank I’ve tested, but not quite slim or light enough to be a game changer for me. It’s worth noting that I have smaller-than-average hands, however, so those with average or larger hands may find that the slimmer design does make a noticeable difference. The power bank felt warm as it charged an iPhone 13 Pro; Anker states that they regulate the charging surface to stay below 104 degrees Fahrenheit / 40 degrees Celsius, and it didn’t get uncomfortably warm (quite the opposite in fact, as I was testing it on a winter day in the UK), so this wasn’t a concern.

At 200g, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) felt a little on the heavy side, despite being just 0.58 inches / 14.7mm deep. But when compared to other 10K power banks such as the Ugreen Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15W, which weighs 230g, and the 260g Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank, I may have been expecting too much considering they’ve managed to pack a 10K capacity battery into such a small package. One thing I miss compared to other power banks I’ve tested is an integrated stand. That’s just my personal preference, however, and as its slim profile is the key feature, it wouldn’t have made sense for Anker to bulk it up just to fit in a stand.

I was very impressed with how quickly the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) recharged an iPhone 13 Pro, taking just one hour and fifty minutes to do so. This result makes it the fastest MagSafe power bank I’ve tested, and the second fastest out of the large number of MagSafe chargers I’ve tested, at just twelve minutes slower than the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand. When it comes to charging the power bank itself, Anker states that it can recharge fully in up to two and a half hours when using a 30W adapter. When the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is fully charged, it’s stated to have the ability to recharge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.8 times.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). The fast charging speeds, 10K battery capacity, and slimmer profile make it a great choice when traveling. The lack of a stand is a shame, but we can’t have it all, and given the choice I’d rather have the speedy charging. Personally, I found it to be a little on the heavy side, so if you prefer something lightweight I’d recommend looking at a lower-capacity 5,000mAh charger like the Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank.

If the price tag on the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a little steep, or you’d like more features for your money, then there are plenty of other chargers at a range of price points to explore in our best power bank and best wireless charger guides.

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Price & specs

Should I buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Also consider