The gaming monitor market is filled with high-quality displays that offer enough features to provide the most immersive gaming experience. OLED monitors are right at the forefront of monitors in achieving the latter, with exceptional deep black levels thanks to their high contrast ratio.

It's not all just about the panel type, though. The display resolution, refresh rate, response times, and brightness levels all play a significant part in allowing monitors to blossom, and all of those aspects also determine pricing (outside of potential market condition changes).

That's exactly where the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B comes into play. It's a 5K2K ultrawide OLED monitor, which means its display resolution is 5120x2160, with even sharper image quality than a 4K display. It's easily one of the best gaming monitors in 2026, and is the kind of monitor that would define an 'ultimate endgame' gaming experience in terms of visuals.

Despite the obvious and eventual GPU upgrade I'll have to make when using a 5K monitor, it hasn't stopped me from keeping my eyes peeled for it, particularly whenever it receives a significant price drop.

Fortunately, it's Prime Day, which means you can find it for $1,429.69 (was $1,999.99) on Amazon in the US, and for £1,472.49 (was £1,649) in the UK. However, the competition on the horizon is enough to make you consider waiting a little while before jumping all in on the UltraGear display.

Having used the LG UltraGear 45GS95QE OLED ultrawide — which is very similar to the GX9, with the only difference being its 3440x1440 resolution — I can say that the step up in resolution would make LG's 5K2K display worth every cent, despite its high price.

With the new Alienware AW3926QW 5K2K OLED ultrawide slated for launch by the end of June, LG's top-of-the-line monitor might have its money's worth. Thanks to the AW3926QW's 39-inch display size, there's a higher pixel density at 5K2K, meaning image quality will be much sharper than what the LG GX9 has to offer.

It is an RGB stripe tandem OLED panel, which reduces text fringing and provides significantly higher and more consistent brightness compared to other OLED monitors.

Most importantly, the big takeaway is that the AW3926QW's price is rumored to be at $1,100 (around £824 / AU$1,572). That's a very generous and affordable price tag, since other monitors with the same specifications are far more expensive.

The great thing is that more details on pricing should be coming very soon, so there's a good reason to weigh the options between the two monstrous displays.

Gigabyte MO32U24: Two-Minute Review

Gigabyte’s gaming monitors have been hit and miss lately, but I had high hopes for the 32-inch, 4K, 240Hz MO32U24, which uses a 4th-generation QD-OLED panel and has a new, HDR-boosting feature called HyperNits.

Is this the one?

Like Gigabyte’s other non-Aorus-branded gaming monitors, the MO32U24 has a sober design that eschews RGB and geometric flourishes for a basic-looking stem and stand. That’s no bad thing, as many buyers will want a monitor that suits gaming, multimedia and work.

It’s easy to assemble (one clip and a thumbscrew), there’s a generous amount of adjustment in every direction and the small-footprint stand will suit competitive gamers who sit right up close to the screen.

QD-OLED screens banished spidery text a generation ago and this fourth-gen version is no different. Even fine fonts look sharp and the UHD resolution means you can comfortably work with four windows or large spreadsheets all day without straining your eyes.

The screen also uses Gigabyte’s ObsidianShield coating, which ‘boosts true-black performance’ and improves scratch resistance. It has a semi-gloss finish and does an impressive job of reducing reflections.

However, I was particularly interested to see how the HyperNits brightness enhancement affected the 1,000-nit HDR performance. Gigabyte says it “intelligently enhances overall brightness… while preserving highlight details.” In reality, it makes the MO32U24’s excellent HDR a bit better.

While some details still get lost in large, bright areas, an impressive amount of detail simultaneously remains visible in highlights and shadows: bright lights (fire, lightning, candles, windows and torches) shine piercingly out of true-black backgrounds without blowing out.

This noticeably improves multimedia immersion (especially in open-world games). I also liked that I could leave it activated when working without going blind.

Meanwhile, colors are bright and saturated and transitions are smooth and noise-free. The 240Hz refresh rate and the rapid 0.03ms pixel response banish blurriness around rapidly moving objects and only god-tier pro-FPS players might complain. G-Sync prevents image tearing.

Gigabyte’s OSD is intuitive, responsive and all the usual presets and gaming features are easily accessed via a joystick button. Gigabyte’s Game Assist features include an on-screen timer and refresh rate display, on-screen crosshairs, a sniper-zoom box, green-screen night vision and flash dimming. Some are useful, but others feel gimmicky.

Potentially of more interest to FPS players is the customizable Tactical Switch button, which drops the display area to 24 or 27 inches, sets the resolution to 1440p, Full HD or HD and/or changes the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 5:4.

Beyond that, there are considerable automated OLED care options that don’t get in your way, a full set of ports (including a two-port USB hub) and two 5-watt speakers, which provide useful audio for day-to-day multimedia use (but have very little bass).

In more recent years, Asus has dominated in this space, but no longer. It has a few quirks, but the Gigabyte MO32U24 has the chops where it matters.

Gigabyte MO32U24: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $1,000 / £800 / AU$1,499
• When is it available? The Gigabyte MO32U24 is out now
• Where can you get it? It’s available in the US, UK, Australia and other regions

The Gigabyte MO32U24 is available now in most regions. It’s a premium model, so it’s not cheap. Furthermore, the global price spread is quite wide and it sits in a crowded segment where prices for rivals and previous-gen models are changing frequently (and significantly) in sales.

This means the value proposition is hard to pin down. Nonetheless, you do get a lot of gaming monitor for your money and it’s currently one of the very best on the market.

• Value: 4 / 5

Gigabyte MO32U24: Specs

Gigabyte MO32U24: Design

• Utilitarian design with small base footprint
• Responsive and intuitive OSD controls
• Generous amount of tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustment

Some gaming monitors have over-designed, spiky stands that take up more space than is necessary on your desk in order to make a statement — often with RGB lighting to hammer home the point.

The Gigabyte MO32U24 is more sober (unlike siblings from its Aorus sub-brand) in that its no-nonsense stem, base and bezel are relatively plain-Jane in their appearance, but are arguably better for it.

The stem easily clips onto the screen and the small-footprint base attaches to it via a single thumbscrew. You’re left with a solid stand that doesn’t wobble unless you shake the whole desk.

The whole monitor doesn’t look flashy, which will suit those who want to use it for office work in an office environment. However, esports players can still sit right up close to it with their keyboards.

I’m not quite sure what happened to the Gigabyte Control Center app. It used to be very good at adjusting all your monitor settings from the Windows desktop.

The latest version is barely functional, so you need to access settings using the joystick button at the base. Mercifully, it's intuitive and responsive and you can set up multiple (one- or two-click) shortcuts to your most commonly used features.

To its left is the off switch. To the right is the ‘Tactical Switch’ which can instantly change the display size, resolution and aspect ratio to suit esports players or activate one of the monitor’s other Game Assist features.

Those Game Assist features include multiple styles of on-screen crosshair that can be moved around the screen. These are particularly useful for games like Hardcore CoD (even though it feels like it’s close to cheating).

There’s an Eagle Eye zoom ‘sniper’ box which can magnify an area of the screen (it’s adjustable but sits in the middle by default). I’d say this really was cheating if I found it usable in any way whatsoever, but my testing found it to be little more than annoying.

There’s also Night Vision mode which changes the whole display to ‘night vision green’ for people who want to pretend they’re in real-life special forces, or something.

Flash dimming is provided to stop virtual flash-bangs combining with the high, peak brightness and burning your retinas. Not everything is available when HDR is selected, though.

You can also use Game Assist to simply show a Timer, Counter or Refresh Rate (and move this information around the screen).

The Resolution Settings can drop the screen to 27 or 24 inches to suit FPS players who sit right up close. The available resolutions range from 1440p to 1024 x 768, with aspect ratios ranging from 16:9 through 5:4 to 4:3.

Other gaming adjustments include numerous image presets that are all adjustable. There's also AI Black Equalizer, which flattens contrast to stop enemies hiding in shadows and highlights. There are also VRR and Anti-Flicker modes to smooth out motion for console players. The monitor also supports G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro to prevent image tearing.

Other features include Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture, which can make use of all four inputs (2x HDMI, DP and USB-C) plus KVM settings that let you use the same peripherals on multiple connected devices.

Also included is an extensive collection of OLED Care options that are mostly automatic and unobtrusive. You can easily check on the screen’s status, manually activate pixel cleaning cycles and select settings that automatically dim logos and static images.

Ultimately, there’s nothing notable missing and even the most demanding tinkerers should be able to easily find display settings to suit their needs.

• Design: 5 / 5

Gigabyte MO32U24: Performance

• Outstanding HDR performance
• Fine text and low-reflection coating make it great for work
• Bright, vibrant colors and contrast boost game immersion
• Fast refresh rate and pixel response time suit FPS players

The Gigabyte MO32U24 has so many settings that every type of user should be able to quickly find a combination (by choosing a single preset or manually adjusting multiple settings) that suits their needs, whether they’re gaming or working.

Office workers will warm to sharply rendered fine fonts, a low-reflection, semi-gloss coating and a resolution that affords comfortable work with four windows at once.

When it comes to multimedia, the semi-gloss screen reduces reflections without dulling the impact of the panel’s bright colors, true blacks and outstanding contrast like a matte screen would.

Its HDR performance, which is augmented with Gigabyte’s ObsidianShield coating and HyperNits brightness enhancement, is outstanding as it can simultaneously display details in very bright and very dark scenes at once. While some details can get lost in particularly large, bright areas, it's rarely a problem.

Top tip — I recommend using the Windows HDR Calibration tool (in the Microsoft Store) to set it up, but I also recommend not following its instructions entirely — don’t make the black and white boxes disappear into each other — you’ll get a much better image if you leave the two reference images visible.

The 240Hz refresh rate and fast QD-OLED pixel response time ensure that rapidly moving objects are rendered nearly pin-sharp. I’ve seen even better performance on even faster screens, but those rarely offer the all-around graphical attributes that are also available on the MO32U24.

I never expect much from built-in monitor speakers and the two 5-watt speakers didn’t challenge this view. It’s handy to have them for casual social-media video watching but don’t expect great musical fidelity or punchy bass.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Gigabyte MO32U24?

Buy the Gigabyte MO32U24 if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Are you after something else? Check out our guide to the best monitors.

BenQ MA270S: Two-Minute Review

With Microsoft seemingly intent on turning Windows into malware, Macs are increasingly appealing. But while the Apple tax is increasingly diminishing in the consumer laptop space, it’s rife when it comes to compatible monitors.

PC-focused alternatives have different colors, pixel densities and features that rarely play well with Macs, meaning users frequently fight losing battles matching what they see on their MacBook screen with a third-party monitor. But BenQ has taken note.

There are several models in BenQ’s new specialist Mac range. Most have 4K resolutions, are 27 or 32 inches in size, have 60Hz refresh rates and offer glossy or matte finishes.

There are two outliers: the 120Hz MA320UG and this, the glossy, 5K-resolution MA270S.

Setup is simple, with the clip-on stem affixing to the base with a single thumbscrew. There’s a generous amount of adjustment (including 150mm (5.9in) height and 90° bi-directional pivot) which, unlike Apple, BenQ doesn’t charge extra for.

There’s also an unApple-like plethora of ports including two HDMI, two Thunderbolt 4 and four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (two USB-C and two USB-A), with up to 96 watts of USB-C power delivery — so one cable can connect and charge a laptop.

The USB-A ports also offer 7.5W charging. They also facilitate KVM functionality to connect multiple devices. Apple’s monitors don’t.

Once connected, BenQ’s factory-calibrated screen instantly resembled the display of the MacBook sitting next to it. Like Apple’s own monitors, the MA270S has a native 5K resolution of 5120 x 2880, giving it a much higher pixel density (218 PPI) than 27-inch, 1440p PC equivalents (~109 PPI).

By default, macOS scales the interface to look like 2560 x 1440, which keeps text crisp without making everything tiny.

The IPS screen is very impressive with near-OLED levels of color saturation and LED-backlight-derived (almost completely) true blacks. Multimedia looks good at default settings (vibrant colors, respectable contrast and minimal noise in gradients), but turning on HDR significantly improves everything: more details simultaneously show up in shadows and highlights and all transitions become smooth.

The brightest highlights can blow out (with no easy fix), though, and note that the glossy coating can turn into a black mirror when displaying dark content.

A common curse of Retina displays is their sluggish speeds and the MA270S is no different. The slow, 5ms response time marries with a 60Hz refresh rate (it actually goes up to a Spinal Tap-esque 70Hz) to smear fast-moving objects across the screen, so forget about eye-friendly, fast-and-frantic gaming.

There’s no integrated webcam, but the two 3-watt speakers (surprisingly for a monitor) have well-rounded fidelity and sound good, despite not getting loud.

Despite having a joystick button, most advanced image settings are controlled by BenQ’s impressive DisplayPilot 2 app. The customizable options can easily swap between color modes and toggle settings like Low Blue Light.

Its FocuSync settings match Mac Focus adjustments and enable you to change core monitor settings using Mac settings. You can also auto-sync different color modes with different applications.

BenQ MA270S: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $900 / £1,000 / AU$1,699
• When is it available? It’s out now
• Where can you get it? It’s available in the US, UK, Australia and other regions

While it’s not a cheap monitor, the BenQ MA270S is significantly cheaper than Apple’s own Studio displays and, therefore, serves as a much-needed, more affordable, third-party alternative in a monopoly market.

• Value: 4 / 5

BenQ MA270S: Specs

BenQ MA270S: Design

• Simple, adjustable, three-part stand
• Impressive number of ports
• No built-in webcam

Apple users have always been an aesthetically appreciative bunch, and so they’ll warm to the color scheme of the BenQ MA270S, which apes that of a standard silver MacBook.

The stand is simple to assemble and offers a generous amount of movement in every direction. It's remarkable that Apple charges more for a feature like this — it’s standard on many PC displays.

The multiple ports (which offer different degrees of charging power) mean multiple devices can be simultaneously connected. Furthermore, a single keyboard and mouse can be shared across them using KVM functionality — unholy magic in the eyes of some Apple users.

The joystick button at the base of the screen only provides access to brightness, volume and input selections. To access more comprehensive settings, you’ll need the BenQ DisplayPilot 2 app and the OSD handily provides a QR code to locate it on BenQ’s own website (it’s not in the App Store).

It provides access to basic brightness settings, eye comfort and HDR, but also FocuSync settings on your Mac.

Another feature is the rubberized pad on the base of the stand. It provides slightly superior softness and friction compared to the plastic stand, so you may be more tempted to rest your phone on it.

The only element that some users might miss is a built-in webcam. Apple’s own monitors have them, but purchasers of the BenQ MA270S will have to buy a separate unit or use the one in their MacBook.

• Design: 4 / 5

BenQ MA270S: Performance

• Bright, sharp, Retina display
• Glossy finish that can become reflective
• Slow response time and refresh rate

The best thing you can say about the BenQ MA270S is that it just works. Just connecting it to your MacBook provides you with a matching image of your MacBook’s screen without having to fiddle with countless settings.

The screen displays very sharp text, colors are very bright and vibrant, and contrast is generally impressive. However, bright areas and highlights can blow out rather easily when HDR is engaged.

The big drawback is that the 70Hz refresh rate is nowhere near enough to stop the sluggish 5ms pixel response time from smearing most moving objects across the screen. As such, it’s not good for gaming.

Unusually for a monitor, the two 3-watt speakers offer well-rounded fidelity with a modicum of bass. They don’t get particularly loud, though.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the BenQ MA270S?

Buy the BenQ MA270S if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

Want more options? Check out our guide to the best monitors for MacBook Pro.

• BOE has started mass production at its huge new factory in China
• It's cranking out OLED panels for use in monitors, laptops and other devices
• These OLEDs will be more affordable, and provide competition to drive down pricing with the dominant players, LG and Samsung

In a move that's set to usher in more affordable OLED monitors and laptops, BOE has officially flicked the switch to crank the production lines into action for its Generation 8.6 panels.

The Elec reports that mass production of Generation 8.6 OLEDs began this week at BOE over in China, with the manufacturer holding an event in Chengdu to celebrate the milestone.

This was attended by some notably major laptop and monitor players, including Asus, Lenovo and MSI. As you might guess, big names from the smartphone world were present too, with Honor, Nothing, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and ZTE among them.

Chen Yanshun, chairman of BOE, said: "We will meet the growing demand for premium displays from customers in China and overseas and become a trusted partner through advanced technologies and high-quality products."

The factory is capable of producing 32,000 substrates per month, were are large slabs of glass that are cut into multiple individual OLED panels.

Wondering what the first product off the assembly line was? The Elec informs us that it was a 14-inch OLED for Lenovo notebooks with a 2.8K resolution (as shown above).

Analysis: competition for LG and Samsung

What's the big deal about BOE's new Generation 8.6 panels? This tech allows for the production of much larger substrates than before, and that means a lot more OLED screens can be cut out of that big sheet, with less overall waste (the extraneous bits around the edges). Therefore, production is more economical, and the cost of the OLED panel is decreased, with that saving passed on to the manufacturer and consumer in turn.

The end result is cheaper OLED monitors, and notebooks (or tablets and other devices) with OLED screens, for us all going forward. Especially as this competition from BOE, which is taking a major move forward in the OLED space, will eventually force LG Display and Samsung to be more competitive with their pricing.

Those two companies are the dominant players in OLED displays, so it's good to see them being challenged in this way. And not just by BOE, but also TCL CSOT and inkjet-printed OLEDs – although that tech is still some way off (with mass production not expected to kick off until late in 2027).

BOE's new panels aren't just about cost savings, either, as the facility is producing a tandem OLED (with two layers) boasting a longer lifespan than a single-layer panel, to the tune of three to four times longer, and better power efficiency. (It consumes 20% to 30% less power, which is obviously crucial for laptops and battery life in particular).

Home entertainment brand TCL was out in force at Summer Game Fest 2026, with a big booth dedicated to its new line of gaming monitors right in the middle of the Play Days show floor.

Its flagship model, the TCL C2A Pro, was the big attraction and is intended to deliver "the ultimate AAA gameplay experience" no matter what you like to play.

Those that love immersing themselves in cinematic experiences like The Last of Us Part 1 or Red Dead Redemption 2 will appreciate its vibrant QD-Mini LED colors and high 2,000 nits peak brightness. It's DisplayHDR 1400 certified, denoting a high level of brightness paired with excellent contrast, too.

The crisp 4K resolution of its 27-inch panel offers a strong level of detail while the 160Hz refresh rate keeps the action butter-smooth (provided you have the hardware chops to support it, of course).

Smooth and stylish

I took the monitor for a spin and found it particularly impressive, noting its fluid motion and excellent picture clarity. That said, as a huge Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 player (with more than 370 hours clocked in-game since launch), the TCL C2A Pro has one secret weapon that makes it especially appealing — its 'Game Accelerator' dual mode.

This bumps the resolution down to 1080p and cranks the refresh rate up to 320Hz, which is perfect if you want to maximize responsiveness and your frame rate to give you the edge in such a fast-paced game. It's almost no surprise that the brand is the official partner of Call of Duty.

TCL has also nailed the monitor's aesthetics. The almost sci-fi, white panelled look is tastefully elevated by colorful RGB lighting for an overall design that's distinctly geared towards gamers without seeming overly garish. It means the monitor would also look right at home in a PS5 setup. Out of the box, it comes with a multi-function stand that's geared towards a variety of adjustments and seating positions.

With the TCL C2A Pro retailing at $799, it faces some stiff competition from cheaper alternatives with similar dual-mode features such as the Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG. Still, no competitors have TCL's proprietary QD-Mini LED tech, which the monitor shares with the brand's high-end TVs, and few can come close to offering the premium build here.

It arrives alongside the slightly cheaper TCL C2A gaming monitor. Retailing at $699, that $100 saving loses you some peak brightness (with the monitor capable of 1,200 nits rather than 2,000) and fewer local dimming zones.

There's also the budget-friendly $499 TCL P3A. It's 27 inches still, but at a more modest 1440p resolution and a 260Hz refresh rate.

Corsair Makr Pro 75 one-minute review

It's difficult to ignore just how big of an impact the custom keyboard community has had on mainstreaming gaming options in the last decade or so.

Jump back in time three, four, or even five years, and the very idea of the Makr Pro 75 would've been inconceivable, certainly in Corsair's product arsenal. Eight layers of sound-dampening, gasket plates, magnetic hot-swappable hall effect switches, the spec sheet is rich and detailed, and would make 21-year-old me, with his first-ever mechanical Cherry MX Red, weep if he saw it 14 years ago.

Just take a look at the switches, they're linear magnetic hall effect, MGX Hyperdrive models (a mouthful, I know). Aside from being hot-swappable, they're pre-lubed, dual-rail designs with a shine-through PBT keycap that actuate at a fully custom-calibrated actuation point of your choosing. If you want to bottom the thing all the way out, you can; if you want it to actuate the instant your finger barely touches the top, it'll do that too.

The build is just on another level, and it shows. What's less enticing, however, is the price. At £220 UK or $250 US at time of writing, it's a serious chunk of cash to lay out, and although the quality is there, there's a good argument to be had as to just whether that's worth it compared to competitor solutions at nearly half the cost.

If you're after a small form factor, 75% keyboard that's more than capable of handling gaming and typing, one of the best gaming keyboards money can buy, while delivering a class that straddles the line between a custom build and an off-the-shelf model, without the faff of getting out the soldering iron, the Makr Pro 75 is well worth considering.

Corsair Makr Pro 75 review: Price & release date

• Almost DIY price, but, y'know, it's built
• Available in the UK, US, and Australia
• Hard to find a prebuilt solution quite like this

Now here's the kicker: Corsair's Makr series is a bit of a three-headed hydra in terms of product stack. It's all built around that custom aftermarket DIY keyboard ethos. You've got the standard Makr 75, where you can customise exactly what parts you want, and Corsair will ship you the bundle to construct yourself. You can have that same bespoke model, but pre-assembled, or grab this more "off-the-shelf"-esque Makr Pro instead.

The latter has colourways, switch-types, backplates, and LCD/Wireless modules, and keycaps, to add at your leisure along the way. The Makr Pro, however, is a single model and a single model only. There's no alternative colours, no keycap variations (bar regional layouts), and well, that's it. That does come with some wins, though, firstly it's the only board that supports hot-swappable magnetic switches (and comes with those MGX options by default), and secondly, it's quite a bit cheaper.

The equivalent Makr line built to spec using minimal components will set you back $265 on Corsair's website, versus the Pro's $250.

Corsair Makr Pro 75 review: Specs

Corsair Makr Pro 75 review: Design

• Outstanding build quality and exceptional sound deadening
• No full-size variant
• Rotary dial looks awesome, and a welcome addition

This is, without a doubt, the heaviest board I've ever had in for review. It weighs a staggering 1.282 KG (or 2.83 lbs), and honestly, it feels like you could club someone to death with it, it's that ridiculous. It's got a fully built custom aluminum housing, and inside of that live eight layers of sound dampening.

Let me take a breath because the list is long. You've got… silicon rubber padding, pad foam PET backing, PU pad foam, socket foam, PET film, IXPE switch foam, transparent PET backing, and PU plate foam, all situated around that hall effect compatible PCB, which is further secured in place, with both a gasket mount solution for the switches, and stabilisation with an FR4 switch plate for even more rigidity. Like, seriously, guys… It's just not good enough. I expect 14 layers on the next one (that's a joke).

I mention that hall effect PCB because it's an important detail here. Although you can swap out the keys, it's only compatible with magnetic switches that can take advantage of the hall effect sensors.

If you've got a slew of old Gateron switches that you just love, you're going to have to grab the Makr 75 instead of this slightly cheaper model (frustrating I know). Albeit that is a niche in a niche.

There's some other customisation options you can add in here, too, if you're looking to bump the price higher. You can get a wireless module to ditch the cables (effectively strapping a 50-hour battery life to the thing with no RGB enabled, although it is worth noting that's a fraction of the time you get compared to the standard mechanical switch variant at 172 hours). And, you can chuck out the lovely rotary dial for a teeny tiny LCD display, for some reason.

One thing I will say. After spending some time with the latest Corsair Galleon 100 SD, the build here is just outstanding by comparison (which is bizarre given it comes from the same company, and the Galleon costs significantly more).

The only downside? No, full-size variant. And I know I know, the ergonomics are better, and proper gamers only use 75% boards. But I'm an old man now, I game just as much as I mash in my credit card details to buy yet another air fryer.

Corsair Makr Pro 75 review: Performance

• Key switches are gorgeous, Hall effect are stunning for typists and gamers alike
• The argument about dampening feels subjective
• iCUE vs Web Hub is a confusing mess

Can we talk about iCUE quickly, because it seriously frustrates me? Now, this is less of an issue with the Makr Pro directly as it's compatible with both iCUE and Corsair's new Web Hub, thing, but, right now, we're in this weird world where we have not one, but three different programs to manage your Corsair umbrella hardware, with a transition over to Web Hub for the newer products.

What's Web Hub? Glad you asked. Effectively, a lightweight replacement for iCUE, built out of a webpage connecting directly to your Corsair hardware, and fully installable as a PWA app on your desktop.

What's the problem then? Not everything supports it, that Galleon 100 SD I mentioned earlier fails to show on iCUE entirely and is only picked up on Web Hub (and the Elgato Stream Deck app…). That's particularly annoying because if you're running Firefox, Web Hub simply won't work.

As I say, thankfully, the Makr Pro 75 is compatible with both, but if this is a sign of things to come, well, I'm a lot less enthusiastic about it. Particularly as we've only had a promise that legacy component support is coming later down the line, but as and when that happens? Who knows.

Software drama aside, overall typing is just a joy. My heavy-handed (read: hench) fingers absolutely love these keycaps and the surprisingly tactile feedback that each gives on full depression is just stunning. It's smooth, clean, and rapid. Actuation is beautifully clean, and the fact that you can adjust them to your absolute preference (again, so my heavy sausage fingers don't accidentally actuate while resting) is a real treat.

An added bonus on that front is FlashTap SOCD Handling, which effectively allows you to decide how your strafe keys behave on accidental keypress. Pressing D, but your finger slips on A, you can have it still move left with A, continue pressing D, or cancel both key presses simultaneously to stop you moving. It's a neat addition, particularly given how sensitive you can make the actuation point.

There has been some criticism around the industry that the sound dampening might be too aggressive, but honestly, I just don't see it. It may well be that your mileage varies depending on how you type. If you're a heavy keypress lubber like I am, you'll be more than at home on this thing.

There's one minor caveat I have on this thing, though, and that's the cost. It ain't cheap, chief. Asus's ROG Strix Scope II RX, for example, currently slides in at nearly half the price of this thing on Amazon, and you get similar performance from it. Pre-lubed optical red linear switches, sound dampening, a (singular) comprehensive software suite, and dare I say a numpad? Is it at the same level as the Makr Pro? No… But it's damn close.

Should I buy the Corsair Makr Pro 75?

Corsair Makr Pro 75 Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Corsair Makr Pro 75

• Two weeks as my daily driver
• Tested across all types of content (gaming, novel-writing, day-to-day work)
• Used across multiple PCs
• Over a decade of testing PC hardware and 14 years of being keyboard-obsessed

Me and the Makr Pro 75 spent a lovely two weeks together straight. I swapped it out as my daily driver, and used it across both my own digital agency and freelance journalism as well, and leaned on it heavily for everything from hammering out chapters in a novel I'm writing, to long sessions in Total War: Warhammer 3, World of Warcraft as a healer, and dabbling in Cyberpunk 2077 too.

I wanted to ensure it was used across a mix of different applications and games, and thoroughly tested across all genres as well. The keyboard market is no longer targeted solely at young adults and kids, but also to those of us with full-time jobs as well, so ensuring it was capable of a bit of everything was tantamount to this review. I wanted to make certain that it was capable of handling a 2,000-word after-market PC build feature, as it was in a quick three-hour raid sesh.

Alongside the hands-on time, I also dug into the wider keyboard market as well, researching competing boards at and around the Makr Pro 75's price to place its build, switches, and value in proper context. I've spent over a decade testing PC hardware and peripherals, so I've got plenty of experience to draw on, both for how a board this expensive should feel and whether the asking price genuinely adds up.

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

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz: One-minute review

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz is one of the brand’s new flagship gaming keyboards. It features analog switches with huge customization potential, designed to meet the exacting requirements of esport professionals.

It has a simple and basic form, although there are few touches that add a little flair. The shiny, brushed top plate and high floating keycaps are sleek, while the bright but subtle RGB lighting adds some much needed color.

It’s also light and compact, but very solid at the same time. The materials feel premium, with the Doubleshot PBT keycaps being the highlight. Some might not like their prominent graining, but to me they’re among the best gaming keyboard caps around in terms of texture.

Razer’s Synapse software has a smorgasbord of options to play around with. There are plenty of rebinding options and performance-related settings, including in-depth Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, and controller emulation features, to name a few. The app is clear and easy to use, although I did experience a few minor issues with settings failing to take hold at certain points, although these are ultimately fixable.

The optical switches in the Huntsman V3 lack the dampening or clickiness of other boards, and can feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing, which is also made difficult by the sheer height of the keycaps themselves. Overall, though, they’re still pleasant to use, and the smooth and easy travel of the keys makes them effective when gaming.

The analog performance is also smooth and precise. However, there’s a lack of feel and feedback at the top of each key’s travel. Press further down, though, and you’re met with more resistance, which provides more control when attempting to hit certain actuation points, or when emulating controller sticks and triggers.

With its sub-$200 price point, the Huntsman V3 represents good value considering all that it offers. There are very strong contenders in the analog gaming keyboard space, but the Huntsman V3 acquits itself just well enough to justify its place among them.

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Price and availability

• $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95
• Available now in one color
• Decent price for an analog board

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95 and is available now in black only. The keycaps are removable, but the switches aren’t.

This is a decent price for an analog keyboard, especially one with as many software tweaks as the Huntsman V3 features. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, for instance, has a considerably higher list price, although we have seen it with significant discounts lately, bringing it closer in line with the Huntsman V3. The Apex Pro is a truly phenomenal board, with a superior build and performance to that of the Huntsman V3. It doesn’t have as many analog tweaks, though.

For a more budget option, there’s the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Like the Huntsman V3, this also has plenty of analog adjustments and features, including controller emulation. However, I found its analog performance inferior, lacking the same levels of precision and control as the Huntsman V3.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Specs

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Design and features

• Light and compact board
• Tall floating keycaps
• Wealth of settings in Synapse

The Huntsman V3 has a basic appearance, although a few touches set it apart. The aluminum faceplate has a shiny finish with a brushed effect, which is subtle but may still prove divisive. The prominent floating keycaps lend it a healthy dose of sleek minimalism.

The RGB lighting is reasonably subtle, only shining through the keycap characters, although a small amount does leak between the gaps. It’s quite bright, and there are numerous options for customizing patterns.

It’s quite a light and compact board, but it feels surprisingly solid at the same time. There’s very little flex and all materials feel premium. This includes the Doubleshot PBT keycaps; their prominent graining is satisfying to touch and also helps with traction. Again, though, this mightn’t be to every gamer’s taste, given that many keycaps are super smooth.

While the board itself is quite thin, it actually feels a lot thicker, thanks to the height at which the keycaps float above it, as well as the tallness of the keycaps themselves.

However, the tilt angle provided by the feet does help to make it more comfortable to reach the keys. There are two sets of feet which offer meaningful differences in angle.

You’ll find the USB-C port on the back left of the unit. It’s deeply recessed, which makes it a little more difficult to connect and disconnect, but this small inconvenience is a fair trade-off for the security it provides.

To customize the Huntsman V3, you’ll need to download Razer’s Synapse software. This has an impressive gamut of adjustments. There are plenty of remapping options, including a wealth of Windows and media controls you can assign to keys. You can also assign up to four inputs to a single key, each triggering depending on how far down you press.

Like many modern gaming keyboards, there’s a Snap Tap function, letting you assign priority to a single key when two are pressed simultaneously. There are various options here, with different types of priority to choose from. There’s also a Snap Flex feature, which allows you to bind a second input to a key that triggers when you release it. This can be assigned on up to four different keys.

Then there are the analog settings, which again are very extensive. Aside from being able to adjust the actuation point for each key between 0.1mm and 4mm, there’s also a Rapid Trigger function with independent upstroke and downstroke sliders, each with ranges between 0.1mm and 1mm. You can even enable Continuous Rapid Trigger.

There’s a controller emulation mode, too, allowing you to assign gamepad inputs to your keys. This includes trigger and stick inputs, where you can also adjust their curve profile to set their response and sensitivity to your liking.

Controller inputs are easy to assign, in part thanks to the ability to assign multiple common mappings with a single click. For instance, there’s an option to assign the left stick to the WASD keys. A simple but useful visualizer attends the controller section, showing trigger and stick behaviours in real time with your presses.

Aside from being able to create your own profiles, Synapse features some useful preset profiles, including those designed for certain games. For example, the Racing profile binds gamepad triggers and joysticks to the WASD keys. These profiles can be selected via Fn shortcuts, and there are hotkeys for other performance-related functions, too.

Synapse is clearly laid out and features helpful explanations and tutorials. It’s fast and smooth, although I did experience a few minor bugs. For instance, the keyboard passthrough feature for controller emulation, which allows keys not bound to controller inputs to work as normal, failed to work on occasion. However, a simple replug of the USB cable seemed to remedy the issue.

• Design and features score: 4 / 5

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Performance

• Precise analog response
• Slight harsh and numb keys
• Not great for typing

The keys in the Huntsman V3 are more clicky than thocky, although they feel less sharp than the clickiest switches out there. Their sound is both lower in pitch and quieter than many mechanical models, too.

They don’t have much dampening, which can make the board feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing — and the act isn’t made any easier by the thick keycaps, their elevated height, and the absence of a dip in the middle row. This combination makes gliding around the keys tricky, and it also causes some discomfort, owing to the angle at which you have to bend your wrists to reach them.

Thankfully, I was more comfortable when gaming in the WASD position. The keys are comfortably spaced, while the space bar and other peripheral keys are easy to reach.

The standout aspect of the Huntsman V3’s performance, though, is its analog response. It’s very precise and sensitive, reacting very well to different levels of pressure, which in turn gives you a broad range of control.

However, this precision is somewhat undermined by the lack of feel in the keys themselves. They don’t provide as much feedback as I would've liked, which can make it a little tricky to dial in the exact amount of pressure to hit certain actuation points or make smooth adjustments when emulating triggers and sticks.

What's more, there’s a small but noticeable amount of wobble to the keys, which means presses don’t feel particularly secure. Thankfully, though, most of the analog issues I’ve outlined only pertain to the top of presses; once you press further down, more resistance is generated from the springs, which allows for much smoother and more granular control.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz

• Tested for several days
• Used many features
• Extensive gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general use.

I played games such as Subnautica 2, which makes use of the typical first-person keys, from WASD and the number keys to the space bar and control and shift keys. I also played games that allowed me to make use of the Huntsman V3’s controller emulation, such as Assetto Corsa, by using W and S to emulate triggers and A and D in place of the left stick.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a number of keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, including other Razer models.

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

Corsair Galleon 100 SD one minute review

I still don't quite know what to make of Corsair's Galleon 100 SD gaming keyboard. On the one hand, the ethos of this thing, the switches, the design, the implementation are generally very well thought out, and it's solidly built too.

Sound-dampening is decent, the linear MLX switches are delightful to type on, and the Stream Deck integration on the right-hand panel gives the whole thing a lot more versatility than you first might think.

Whereas before your Stream Deck buttons sat beside your monitor, the Galleon 100 SD brings them within reach, taking up that numpad position instead. That makes it a more natural flow while you're gaming and streaming at the same time.

That's a long-winded way of saying you can actually use all of the Stream Deck's vast utility in-game, finally, without stretching halfway across your desk to do it. Not only can you have all of those macros and keybinds added into the numpad directly, with visual indicators as to what they actually do, but the display element gives you key system stats while you do it.

The bigger issue lies in the absolute bonanza of software you need to get this thing running. The Galleon, by default, requires two separate programs to fully function. Corsair's Web Hub, a PWA interface (or website effectively) that replaces the desktop iCUE app, allowing you to change your lighting, keybinds, polling rate, all with a lightweight web page rather than a full-blown software suite. And then the standalone desktop Stream Deck app, which you need to configure, well, the Stream Deck.

The worst part about that is that the Galleon's not backwards compatible with iCUE directly, and similarly, a lot of the "legacy" Corsair hardware hasn't made its way to the Web Hub either yet (there's a promise it's coming, but nothing confirmed). So, if you're running RGB lighting with some older fans, or a different mouse that isn't supported by Web Hub, you're effectively running iCUE, Web Hub, and the Stream Deck app to keep all of your Corsair products in line, and that just feels messy.

Then there's the price. It isn't cheap, by any measure. Yes, you are technically getting a full Stream Deck in here as well, so there's that to bear in mind, but it's near enough $100 more than the likes of Corsair's Makr Pro line (a markedly better keyboard if your sole aim is gaming).

It's a good board, and if you're not phased by the ludicrous software setup and the price tag, you'll get along with it just fine. Arguably for many, that expanded Stream Deck utility might make it one of the best gaming keyboards you could buy. But you really need to be able to justify what you gain from the Stream Deck itself. If you hesitate even for a moment on that thought, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Price & availability

• Priced astonishingly high for a standard mechanical keyboard
• Available globally today
• Only worth it if the Stream Deck is for you

Perhaps the biggest talking point of the Galleon 100 SD is that price tag. $350 and £310 (around AU$500) for a keyboard of this magnitude is a tough pill to swallow, particularly because at its bare bones, the keyboard itself doesn't really outclass boards a third of the cost.

Like yes, the MLX switches are lush to type on, pre-lubed, and there's plenty of sound dampening going on here, but those aren't exactly Corsair exclusives, and you can find a number of full-size boards from other manufacturers that feature exactly that, for a lot less.

Now, yes, of course, you do get that Stream Deck baked into the side here, sacrificing a full numpad for it (although technically that is a function that's available with a quick profile swap), but if you've already got a Stream Deck in any form, it's quite hard to justify the extra cost.

• Value: 3/5

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Specs

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Design

• Lush aluminum frame, dense and filled with sound-dampening
• Stream Deck replacing the numpad is wildly cool
• Twin dials is highly divisive, and the lighting is average

From a pure design perspective, there's a lot here that generally leans positive. The aluminum body is clean, solid, and it feels durable. There's little, if any, flex in the shell, and the sound dampening is doing its work nicely.

There's no errant pings or metallic rattlings going on here at all. Certainly not compared to the 2022 generation of K70 keyboards, that's a fact. And without a doubt, Corsair's keyboard design and build quality has come a long way in the last few years; that's very easy to see. Still, it's not quite as solid as the Makr line, nor does it feel as heavy.

Styling on the whole is a bit of a mixed bag. The aluminum outer shell mimics most of Corsair's product line right now with soft bevelled edges and this relatively satin-esque finish.

The top LED bar is a bit gauche. You've got this quite bizarre, triangular three-point pattern running along the length of it as a plastic strip with the Corsair logo embedded in the middle, which, if I'm honest, looks quite cheap. It would've been far better suited just to have a singular Corsair logo, and that's it. In fact, that's something that the Makr line does well.

I'm not entirely sold on the twin dial setup either. There's just something about it that looks a bit diabolical, and I can't quite place it. This is a bit of a hangover from the Stream Deck Plus, and I get the utility here being able to configure two dials to two different operations (particularly useful for video scrubbing, or creative work), but visually it's a bit eugh.

There's also a few other bells and whistles here, too. Namely, for some reason (despite there being a fully dedicated Stream Deck with 12 buttons, media controls, and twin dials over to the right) a fully embedded set of function keys here too. I mean, sure, why not? It's not like you're losing anything by having them.

Keycaps are clean, too. The font face is professional and sensible, more subdued than some of the more custom units out there, and the PBT touch is comfortable enough to type on, that's for sure. Corsair's also included two USB Type-C passthroughs on this thing as well.

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Performance

• MLX Pulse switches are smooth and satisfying, if over-damped.
• Stream Deck's finally usable in-game properly
• The three-app software stack drags the whole experience down

So the good news is, typing and gaming on the Galleon 100 is a real treat. It's smooth to use on those linear MLX switches feel buttery under touch. It's not quite as pleasant an experience for me as on the Makr Pro, or Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX, but it's still top quality. If you like a linear switch, and you're not quite as heavy-handed as I am, bottoming out every key strike, you'll love this thing.

The Stream Deck, too, is immensely satisfying to use. Once you've got it set up and it's swapping into profiles on game load, with your keybinds and macros set, it's a real treat. I've already mentioned, but having the keys within reach like that makes it far more useful than leaning across your desk to whack a macro real fast. Star Citizen in particular, and well, any simulator, rife with keybinds, benefits a ton.

I will say, the feel of those switches, though, sucks. Certainly, when you have the direct comparison of a mechanical switch right next to them. That's particularly jarring if you just need to use a numpad quickly to enter a pin, or your phone number. It's mentally very jarring. Almost like you're going back in time for a second, using a membrane board.

Then there's the software stack. Oh boy. You effectively need two programs to run this board efficiently. The Stream Deck app, to configure your deck profiles and each key, along with the display. That's local, sits on your desktop. Then, the Web Hub to configure the Corsair side of the keyboard. That's web-based (although you can install it on desktop via the "Save and Share -> Install page as an app" feature).

Web Hub is effectively a lighter-weight replacement for iCUE. You access it via URL. Configure your settings once, and it disappears into the ether. The problem with it is that it's not entirely backwards compatible with the rest of Corsair's legacy hardware. So, older products still need to be configured and set up via iCUE on your desktop. What's worse is that the Galleon isn't compatible with iCUE, so if you are embedded in the Corsair ecosystem, you're then left in a position where you have effectively three apps to control your products.

There's a more pressing issue, too, in that Web Hub isn't supported by all browsers currently. In short, it uses two browser APIs to access the keyboard directly via USB: WebHID, and WebUSB. Firefox doesn't natively support those APIs as it (rightly) views it as a harmful fingerprint/security attack vector that exposes your USB hardware unnecessarily to web pages. So it's not even a case of "Mozilla will catch up eventually", the company has taken a philosophical stance against the implementation of it, and it doesn't have anyone working on it.

Similarly, Brave, although Chromium-based, will only allow device configuration through Web Hub with permission enabled, and doesn't allow you to update the firmware at all. If you want to do any of that, you're effectively forced to install Chrome, Edge, or Opera.

It's a tricky one to justify. Particularly as iCUE itself was already stripped down in the last few years anyway. Currently, it only installs modules based on what you actually need and what products you have plugged in, rather than the entire back catalog.

Theoretically, yes, you could install a second browser specifically just for Web Hub. Then install that as a PWA app, but this just feels so hard to justify from a user experience perspective. It'd be far better just to add compatibility into iCUE directly, and it's hard to see why Corsair didn't.

Should I buy the Corsair Galleon 100 SD?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Corsair Galleon 100 SD

• Tested over three weeks as my daily driver
• Used for gaming, professional writing, and creative work
• Full Stream Deck integration tested
• Compared to competitors and my back catalogue, with 11 years of experience in the tech field

I lived with the Galleon 100 SD for about three weeks, running it as my main board. I tested it across all manner of different tasks, from creative agency work to freelance journalism and, of course, gaming sessions in Total War: Warhammer 3 and World of Warcraft as well.

During my time with it, it was the Stream Deck that I focused on most; after all, keyboards are very similar, and Corsair's got a name for making good ones, but implementing a Stream Deck into the side of it and swapping out the numpad? Had to be put through its paces.

I benchmarked it against a selection of modern-day keyboards I have in-house, and compared it to the wider market at the time of testing, including the Makr Pro 75, which I'd just finished up reviewing as well. I've spent over a decade testing PC hardware and peripherals, so I've got plenty of knowledge to draw on when it comes to mechanical keebs and the plucky old Stream Deck, too.

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

HyperX Origins 2 1800: One-minute review

The HyperX Origins 2 1800 is a full-size gaming keyboard with mechanical switches and plenty of hardware customizations available.

It adopts a fairly typical gaming keyboard aesthetic, although the translucent body does at least offer something a little different. This also allows the RGB lighting to shine through a little more than usual. And shine it does — this is probably the brightest RGB I’ve ever seen in a keyboard, and it helps the board to stand out among its peers.

Build quality is above average, with materials feeling smooth. However, unlike the best gaming keyboard constructions around, the body is made of plastic rather than aluminum. There’s also a fair amount of flex to it.

On the other hand, it’s very light as a result, despite its thickness. It’s also easy to replace the body if you want to personalize your Origins 2, thanks to the easy-access screws underneath.

A board this thick often poses an ergonomic problem, but given the generous tilt angle of the Origins 2, I found it comfortable to use, even with the feet stowed and the lack of wrist support. The dip in the middle row allowed for natural finger positioning, too.

There is software available for the Origins 2, although it’s disappointingly basic. It does have a generous selection of remapping options, but there are no advanced or pro-level tweaks available here.

Elite gamers will be more impressed with the performance of the Origins 2, though. The stock Linear switches are very snappy and responsive, with just enough dampening and travel to impart satisfying feedback.

The stock keycaps are also comfortable, with their prominent indents providing a secure WASD position. The space bar is also pleasing to hit, thanks to its slightly rounded top, and the aforementioned tilt of the entire board prevents you from hitting its edge. However, the sheer height of the keycaps can make typing difficult.

There’s no denying that the Origins 2 commands a premium price tag, but it is a premium gaming keyboard. The mechanical switches and hardware customizations are top-tier, and it still costs less than some of its rivals. The software is disappointing and typing is difficult with those stock keycaps, but for those who want a pure mechanical experience, the Origins 2 is hard to beat at this price.

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Price and availability

• $139.99 / £119.99 (about AU$200)
• Available now in one colorway
• Reasonable price for a mechanical keyboard

The HyperX Origins 2 1800 costs $139.99 / £119.99 (about AU$200) and is available now in black only. The keycaps, switches, and body can all be swapped out.

This is certainly an expensive board, especially one that’s wired. However, given the high-performing mechanical switches, build quality, and hot swapping capabilities, it’s not exactly surprising.

What’s more, other high-end boards are similarly expensive, if not more so. The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro, for instance, has a slightly higher list price, although we have seen it on offer for considerably less than this. When I tested the wireless variant of this board, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, I found it to be among the best mechanical keyboards in terms of feel, performance, and build quality.

For a more budget mechanical option, you could try the Gamakay TK75 V2. This is considerably cheaper than the Origins 2, yet it still offers great key feel and respectable build quality.

• Value score: 4 / 5

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Specs

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Design and features

• Hardware personalization options
• Thick but lightweight
• Premium feel as plastic constructions go

Aesthetically, the Origins 2 is hard to distinguish from many gaming keyboards. HyperX may call the color black but in reality it’s more of a dark grey, which departs somewhat from the sector’s obsidian dominance, albeit not by much.

Its translucent nature, though, is more original. What’s more, it allows the RGB backlighting to shine through. This lighting is brighter than many other instances I’ve seen, and really helps to liven up appearances. The keycap characters are fully transparent too, meaning these illuminate as well, which isn’t always a given on RGB keyboards.

The Origins 2 feels like a premium board. The base material, despite being plastic rather than metal, is of a high standard and the two panels are solidly put together. The unit is quite easy to flex by hand, but not to a concerning degree. This plastic also means the Origins 2 isn’t as heavy as it looks, given how thick it is. It’s also relatively easy to change the housing, requiring just a small crosshead screwdriver (not included) to disassemble and swap with another.

Its thickness isn’t much of a problem from an ergonomic perspective. There’s no wrist support included, but the forward tilt of the board makes for a comfortable hand position. The dip in the middle row, typical of many keyboards, also helps in this regard. There are folding feet that angle the board towards the user even more, but the difference isn’t as great as other examples.

The USB-C cable that comes with the Origins 2 is braided and quite light. This makes it easy to maneuver, although it’s not quite as light as those that come with the best gaming mice. Thankfully, drag isn’t exactly an issue when it comes to keyboards. Also, the cable seems a little stiffer and hardwearing than mice ones.

The latest version of HyperX’s Ngenuity software is required to customize the Origins 2. However, I couldn’t get this to work on my main gaming PC for some reason, with the app refusing to open once installed. Fortunately, I was able to install it on another Windows 11 machine.

However, the dearth of features available for the Origins 2 is disappointing. You can only adjust the RGB lighting, record macros, and rebind keys. There are plenty of options for the latter, with numerous system and media functions mappable, but there are no performance-related tweaks. Granted, a mechanical keyboard is never going to match the versatility of analog models on this front, but even more basic features, such as an SOCD function, are missing here, which might disappoint elite gamers.

• Design and features score: 3.5 / 5

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Performance

• Brilliant clicky mechanical switches
• Comfortable for WASD position
• Stock keycaps not great for typing

With its stock red Linear switches installed, the Origins 2 is a very clicky board. It produces a gratifying sound, although it’s a little louder than others. The keys are light but at the same time offer plenty of feedback, thanks to their minimal but effective dampening and generous travel distance. They rebound quickly, making them wonderfully snappy, and their actuation point is quite forgiving, which meant I didn’t suffer any mispresses.

Despite the thickness of the board, I found it comfortable to use in the WASD position, thanks to that slanted angle and central dip. Whether I had the feet up or down, I didn’t find myself wanting for wrist support, although I usually prefer a rest for long sessions.

I also found the space bar comfortable to hit, which is often a problem key for me. Its soft curve meant I rarely hit its edge. As for the other keycaps, their prominent indentations offered secure presses.

These aspects also make the Origins 2 comfortable when typing, but a bigger impediment here is the sheer height of the stock keycaps. I usually prefer low profiles as I find I can glide over them more easily. But here, I often caught their edges as I moved from key to key, which slowed me down and resulted in more errors.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HyperX Origins 2 1800?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Also consider

How I tested the HyperX Origins 2 1800

I tested the Origins 2 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I tested it on two PCs. As mentioned above, I was unable to get the Ngenuity software working on my main PC, but did on another, despite both running Windows 11 with x64 CPUs.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used numerous keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, across a range of price points, feature sets, and switch types.

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

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2: Two-minute review

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 doesn’t try to do everything. Instead, it focuses primarily on one: speed.

At 68g, it’s built to be as light and responsive as possible, targeting players who want quick reactions and minimal resistance. That approach works: it’s fast, accurate, and easy to control, particularly in competitive games where small movements make a difference.

But that focus comes with trade-offs. The honeycomb shell won’t suit everyone, and the feature set is deliberately minimal. If you’re looking for extras, you’ll likely find more elsewhere. Likewise, the smaller ambidextrous shape won’t be the best fit for all hand sizes, and the Aerox 3’s mechanical switches won’t satisfy everyone, particularly when some mid-range rivals offer optical or hybrid switches.

Nevertheless, the Gen 2 does bring some meaningful quality-of-life improvements over its predecessor. It features an up-rated 26K TrueMove sensor and boasts a 4000Hz wireless polling rate without the need for a dongle upgrade. Both represent clear upgrades in terms of gaming performance, shifting the emphasis towards fast-paced and competitive gameplay.

Battery life is similarly impressive, offering up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz, or up to 200 hours on Bluetooth. That said, this assumes 1000Hz with RGB off for both, so if you’re planning on gaming at the top end with all the bells and whistles at your disposal, expect there to be some drop-off in longevity here.

Another notable differentiator is the GG software’s 3D Aim Trainer and sensitivity converter, which can be tweaked and personalised to train your flicks, tracking, and target switching across multiple gaming environments, helping you to find the right settings before stepping into a live match.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Design

The Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 light weight is immediately noticeable. In boxing terms, this guy is a minimumweight, clocking in at just 68g (the same as the Gen 1 model). It’s easy to move quickly and with minimal effort, it’s perfect for fast-paced gameplay.

Its low weight comes from the honeycomb chassis, which removes material to keep things light. It works well, but the perforated design may divide opinion: some will appreciate the lighter feel and added airflow, while others may find it less comfortable during longer sessions. The design feels almost skeletal, and while I didn’t find it uncomfortable per se, I remained aware of those perforations throughout testing.

Aside from its scrawny appearance then, the Aerox 3’s build quality is solid, with minimal flex during normal use. It’s zippy and responsive, with the welcome retention of the Gen 1’s IP54-rated AquaBarrier protection to help guard against dust and (coffee) splashes – which isn’t always a given in this mid-range category.

The shape is ambidextrous and broadly accessible, although it’s best suited to claw or fingertip grips. For me, an average-sized, middle-aged ape, it felt a little small. I tend to prefer a steeper curve at the back end of a mouse; the Aerox 3’s relatively flat profile doesn’t quite accommodate a comfortable grip, with too much palm left over with nowhere to sit.

Buttons are well placed, with five programmable inputs covering the basics, and the scroll wheel offers a consistent, controlled action.

The Aerox 3 Gen 2 features three-zone RGB lighting that provides a cool, neon underglow, and it can be customized via the GG app to suit your personal preferences and to complement your gaming setup. RGB lighting is subtle rather than showy, adding a bit of visual flair without becoming a distraction, switching itself off during mouse movement to conserve battery life.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Performance

Pull the Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 out of the box, and the first thing you’ll notice is how little there is of it. At 68g, it almost doesn’t register in your hand, and that weightlessness translates directly into how it performs. This is a mouse that gets out of its own way.

The TrueMove 26K sensor is the engine under the hood, and it’s a willing one. Tracking was consistent across every surface I tested it on, including my SteelSeries Limited Edition QCK cloth gaming mousepad, my partner’s Corsair MM700 RGB Extended gaming mousepad, and bare-desk testing, with no drift or jitter across a range of DPI settings. The addition of adjustable lift-off distance over the Gen 1 is a small but welcome refinement, and was certainly noticeable with the amount of junk I have on my desk.

DPI flexibility is one of the Aerox 3 Gen 2’s quiet strengths. Spending time with Cyberpunk 2077, I found myself toggling between settings depending on the situation. I opted for high DPI (around 15,000+) when surrounded by enemies (which happens far too often), then dropped to between 500 and 800 DPI for precision aiming. The onboard DPI button makes switching on-the-fly straightforward, and I found myself efficiently eliminating such foes as John Wick on a rampage.

However, where the Aerox 3 Gen 2 really earns its stripes is in competitive gaming. Testing it in Apex Legends, the 4000Hz polling rate — which needs to be enabled in the GG app — delivered noticeably smoother cursor movement, low input lag, and killshots I’d have otherwise missed. At this price point, 4000Hz wireless polling without the need for a dongle upgrade is a big achievement and genuinely made a difference to my gameplay.

Running the mouse through mousetester.io at 3250 DPI with polling set to 4000Hz, I recorded a real-world polling rate of 3106Hz, which is a strong result and well within the expected range for a mouse of this specification. Pushing the DPI higher caused that figure to dip slightly — which is consistent with how high-polling-rate sensors behave under increased processing load, rather than any inherent limitation of the hardware. In practice, most competitive players will be running DPI settings where the Aerox 3 Gen 2 performs at its best anyway.

The mechanical switches deserve a mention, too. Rated for 80 million actuations, they’re crisp, light, and tactile. They might look plasticky, but they don’t feel cheap, which further affirms the price range. The PTFE feet glide smoothly across my mousepad, and the overall movement experience is effortless.

At $99.99 / £99.99, you’re not getting the last word in gaming mouse performance; the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro’s 45K DPI sensor and 8000Hz polling rate still sit in a different league. But that’s not what the Aerox 3 Gen 2 is trying to be. What it delivers at this price is a fast, consistent, genuinely competitive wireless experience, and it does so very well.

The Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 supports both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. The inclusion of both at this price is worth noting, particularly as some of the Aerox 3’s rivals have opted to drop Bluetooth entirely in pursuit of raw performance (e.g., the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and Logitech’s G Pro X2 Superstrike).

For gaming, 2.4GHz is the clear choice, offering lower latency and a more stable connection. Bluetooth is better suited to everyday tasks, multi-device setups, or commuting. What’s more, commuters can leave the dongle at home and still pair this mouse without it, boosting its portability factor.

Battery life is a genuine strength. SteelSeries rates the Aerox 3 Gen 2 at up to 200 hours on Bluetooth and up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz, both assuming 1000Hz polling with RGB off. Push that polling rate up to 4000Hz, however, and that figure is likely to drop sharply, to around 30 hours or so. That will still give you enough juice for the bulk of a working week, but it’s a notable trade-off if you’re planning on leaving that cable behind permanently.

One practical point: there’s no onboard storage for the USB dongle inside the mouse itself (no surprise there, given its aerated design). However, SteelSeries has included a desk-based extension cable for situations where signal strength may be an issue, which is a handy addition if your tower sits on the floor.

Charging is handled via USB-C with fast-charging support, which helps keep downtime to a minimum when you do eventually need to plug in.

Customization is handled through the SteelSeries GG app, which strikes a good balance between accessibility and depth.

You’ll find all the basics catered for here: you can adjust DPI across multiple levels; remap your buttons; fine-tune RGB lighting; and save profiles for different setups. Plus, its onboard memory means your key settings travel with the mouse rather than being tethered to a single machine, which is a godsend for anybody switching between computers.

One important practical note: the headline-grabbing 4000Hz polling rate isn’t enabled by default, and you’ll need to head to the GG app to unlock it. This is simple enough to enable, but worth knowing before you assume you’re getting that peak performance right off the bat.

Where the GG software genuinely stands out, however, is the 3D Aim Trainer and Sensitivity Finder. This is best described as a 10-minute mini-game that analyses your playstyle and recommends an optimal DPI setting for your chosen FPS. It even lets you apply that sensitivity across different games, so if you split your time between titles, you can maintain a consistent feel from one to the next. Considering the Aerox 3’s price point, this is a thoughtful and genuinely useful addition that goes beyond what most rival software suites offer.

The interface itself is clean and easy to navigate, and I didn’t encounter any bugs or technical issues during my time with it.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Price & availability

• $99.99 / £99.99
• Available now in Shadow, Magenta Haze, and Ghost colorways

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 typically retails for around £99.99 / $99.99, although it’s frequently available at a discount, making it an even more attractive proposition at this mid-range price point.

It comes in three colorways: Shadow (black), Magenta Haze (pink), and a semi-translucent Ghost finish, the latter of which leans into the current trend for see-through tech aesthetics and looks particularly striking with RGB lighting active. I was provided with the Ghost variant for this review, and I can absolutely vouch for the cool factor that it lends to my gaming setup.

At this price, the Aerox 3 sits comfortably alongside rivals such as the Endgame Gear OP1w 4K and Be Quiet! Dark Perk Ergo, while undercutting more premium competition such as the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike by a considerable margin. For the performance on offer, it represents solid value for money.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Specs

Should I buy the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2?

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 scorecard

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2

• Tested across multiple gaming sessions and general desktop use
• Gaming tested in Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends
• Polling rate verified using mousetester.io

I used the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 across a mix of gaming, notably Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends, and everyday tasks, focusing on responsiveness, comfort, and battery life. Testing included fast-paced shooters and general desktop use to assess responsiveness, comfort, and battery life across real-world conditions. I also ran the mouse through mousetester.io to verify real-world polling rate performance.

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

• Logitech unveils a brand new folding mouse
• The Mobil Fold is small and durable
• It promises more than a month of battery life

I’ve had all manner of computer mice over the years, but by far my favorite is a travel mouse. They come in so many different shapes, sizes, and configurations. I fondly remember a promotional USB travel mouse, perhaps no bigger than my thumb, that featured a spring-loaded retractable cable. When that died after multiple road trips, I switched to a Microsoft Surface Arc Bluetooth travel mouse. It was darn near perfect. In travel mode, it was flat, and when you wanted to use it, you bent it to a perfect, palm-hugging curve. That one died after years of business travel.

So you can imagine my excitement when Logitech showed me its new Mobi Fold ($79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95). As the name suggests, it is a truly foldable Bluetooth travel mouse.

The company claims that while roughly 76% of us own mice, only 26% take them on the road. The palm-sized Mobi Fold is small enough to slip into almost any pocket and join you in your wanderlust.

When folded, the Logitech Mobile Fold resembles in size and shape a screenless Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. It unfolds to a roughly 60-degree curve that neatly fits under your palm. It has a pair of silent clickers — all the better to not annoy your fellow passengers — and between them is a wide touch-sensitive button that you can use to scroll through on-screen content quickly or a line at a time.

The body is covered in a soft rubber material that feels good against your skin, and Logitech claims that Mobi Fold is durable and ready to accompany you on the road for up to 15 years.

In the near-term, battery life is rated for 33 days on a charge, but if you’re in a pinch, a minute of charge can net you 22 hours of operation. You also don’t have to worry about the battery running down when the mouse is folded up in your backpack or pocket. It automatically powers on when unfolded and shuts off when folded up.

If you regularly switch between, say, a desktop, laptop, and tablet, you’ll be pleased with the Mobi Fold’s quick-switch capabilities for up to three devices. There's also the Logitech Plus companion app that you can use to customize buttons to open certain apps, take screenshots, copy and paste, and perform other operations.

I got a chance to try the mouse with a few different systems and apps. It doesn’t need a special surface or mouse pad to work, and I found it comfortable and responsive. I folded and unfolded it repeatedly and noticed that the fold feels firm, not flimsy. There’s enough tension that you won’t worry about the two halves flopping about.

Yes, I even accidentally dropped the ultra-portable mouse, and it survived without issue.

Mobi Fold comes in four colors: Graphite, Off-white, Lilac, and Sand, and should start shipping this week.

Wobkey Zen 65: review

The Wobkey Zen 65 is the third keyboard in the company's lineup, and the first to tackle the super compact 65% form factor. Available in two variants, the Lite ($125.99) and the Ultra ($149.99), it shares a CNC aluminum case across both models but differentiates on plate material, switch choice, and battery capacity.

The Wobkey Zen 65 Ultra model I’ve been testing here ships with Kailh Luna switches, an FR4 plate, and a 6,000mAh battery split across two cells, while the Lite has HMX Violet switches, a polycarbonate plate, and a single 3,000mAh cell instead.

Build quality on the Wobkey Zen 65 itself is superb, in keeping with some of the best keyboards, and it’s helped further by a premium unboxing experience with a couple of nice included extras. It arrives nestled in its own hard shell carrying case with a soft flannel storage bag, too. It’s a little thing, but it’s a nice touch and would do a great job of protecting the keyboard in a backpack if you move between setups.

The CNC aluminum case on the White Gold colorway in front of me is understated and elegant, though I’d say it’s closer to cream than white. The double-shot PBT keycaps feature subtle pastel blue and pink coloring and the whole thing would look right at home in an all-white desk setup. The legends on each key are bold and legible, though the lack of shine-through means you’ll need to ramp up the RGB backlighting brightness to have any real impact unless the room is dark.

Wobkey has fully committed to a minimalist aesthetic on the Zen 65 and bar the USB-C port on the back, there are almost no visible interruptions to its clean, flowing lines. That leaves it looking great.

Unfortunately, though, it’s also at the expense of practicality because the power switch ends up tucked away under the Caps Lock key. I don’t just mean slightly obscured either: I mean you’ll need to completely remove the keycap in order to switch the board on or off. It’s a bizarre choice in both theory and practice, though admittedly I can’t remember the last time I actually turned a wireless keyboard off.

Much more clever is the hidden cubbyhole for the 2.4GHz dongle under the magnetic logo plate on the bottom. Could we not have tucked the power button in there too, Wobkey?

Weighing in at more than 3 lbs / 1.36 kg, this is a seriously dense keyboard for a 65% layout and I almost couldn’t believe how heavy it was for such a compact size. That heft keeps the board planted firmly on your desk during extended typing or gaming sessions, while also making the Zen 65 feel like a premium bit of kit.

The 240g internal brass weight is partly responsible, though it’s not just there for ballast. It sits between the PCB and battery compartment to absorb keystroke vibrations and it shifts the sound profile lower and deeper than the aluminum case alone would produce. The result is a smooth, satisfying thock that’s a pleasure to listen to. It’s not the quietest of boards but each clack is rounded off in a way that means it blends into the hum of an office rather than jumping out and grabbing attention.

The Kailh Luna switches are linear and smooth, and the stabilizers across the spacebar, backspace, and shift keys are rock solid with zero rattle. They actuate at 0.07 inches / 1.8mm with just 1.6 oz / 45g of force, which is on the shorter end for these kinds of switches, and combined with the light spring weight can make the board feel a little twitchy. I had a noticeable number of accidental key presses during testing, particularly when in full typing flow. It’s not a major problem — there’s just not much margin for error if you clip a nearby key on your way to the one you wanted.

You’ll also need to adjust to the Zen 65’s fixed typing angle, which is set at seven degrees. The front edge isn’t overly high so I didn’t particularly struggle, but I’ll always campaign for some level of angle adjustment on any board.

The FR4 plate in the Ultra variant also contributes to a noticeably firm bottom-out. The total switch travel is on the short side too at 0.12 oz / 3.5mm, so there's less cushion before hitting the floor. Combined with the brass weight and foam dampening layers, the result is a controlled, defined stock keystroke rather than a plush one.

For gaming, those characteristics flip in the Zen 65's favor. The shorter actuation and light spring weight translate to faster inputs with less finger fatigue, and the firm bottom-out provides a clear feedback point that's easier to build muscle memory around. There’s a toggleable N-key rollover mode too that ensures every simultaneous keypress registers cleanly during complex combos.

I say stock keystroke because while I enjoyed the out-of-the-box experience, there is plenty of room for fiddling with the Wobkey Zen 65. The ball-catch quick release pops the top case off in seconds with no tools and Wobkey includes parts to switch between four mounting configurations at various levels of rigidity. It's an impressive level of tunability for a pre-built board at any price, let alone this one, and the toolless case design means experimenting between them takes seconds rather than requiring a full teardown. If you’re new to taking apart your keyboard and dialing things in, this is a great choice.

Software customization is handled with the third-party VIA web app. It’s the same clunky setup experience you’ll find with other boards taking this approach and you’ll need to upload a JSON configuration file to unlock the full feature set. Once you’ve done this though, the feature set is rich with plenty of options to play with.

Tri-mode connectivity covers wired USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0, with support for up to three paired Bluetooth devices across both Windows and macOS (though annoyingly there are no Mac-specific alternate keycaps in the box). Switching between modes is handled through keyboard shortcuts, as are a number of other keyboard admin functions — Wobkey deserves credit for including a quick reference card in the box that clearly explains what does what. My favorite touch is checking the battery, where pressing the right key combination lights up the number row to show remaining charge. Neat.

One firmware oddity I encountered is the Caps Lock indicator LED, which illuminates the left half of the key in white, but doesn't turn off promptly when Caps Lock is disengaged. On multiple occasions during testing, the light remained on for anywhere up to 10 seconds after the function had already been disabled. I’m not going to lose sleep over it, but it’s a quirk I’d like to see corrected with a firmware update.

Wobkey Zen 65 review: price and release date

• Available now
• The Wobkey Zen 65 Ultra retails from $149.99 / £149.89 / AU$263.47
• The Wobkey Zen 65 Lite retails from $125.99 / £124.99 / AU$225.74

The Zen 65 originally launched via Kickstarter in June 2025 and is now available through various channels including the Wobkey store, though prices do seem to vary quite dramatically between outlets so it’s worth shopping around.

Wobkey Zen 65 review: Specs

Should I buy the Wobkey Zen 65?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Wobkey Zen 65 review: Also consider

How I tested the Wobkey Zen 65

• The Zen 65 Ultra was my daily driver across work and gaming, including typing up this review
• Tested all three connection modes (USB-C, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth) and multi-device switching
• Evaluated stock switch feel, stabilizer quality, and acoustic performance without modifications

My testing focused on the out-of-box experience using the default plate gasket mount configuration with stock Kailh Luna switches and keycaps. I used the Wobkey Zen 65 for extended writing sessions and gaming across both wired and wireless modes, and played around with configuration settings both with the VIA app and using onboard commands.

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

• The most exciting gaming monitor announcement at Computex 2026 is the MSI MPG OLED 322URDX36, which is the "world's first" 4K monitor clocked at 360Hz. It's a triple-mode display, giving you 540Hz in 1440p and 680Hz in 1080p, too.
• ASRock is making its claim towards the premium end of the gaming monitor market, particularly with the TCo27QXB OLED, which offers 4K at 240Hz as well as 1080p at 480Hz.
• Not to be outdone, Alienware's AW3926QW brings 5K OLED to the 21:9 ultrawide form factor with the AW3926QW, which is more than fast enough at 165Hz.

Computex 2026 is coming to a close, and the world's largest computing show hasn't been shy about revealing what's next for high-end, high refresh rate gaming monitors to come. The biggest takeaway from what we've seen has been that the compromises between resolution and refresh rate appear to be a thing of the past. It's not only about 4K anymore, but also 5K, too.

That isn't to say that other resolutions aren't being catered to. 1440p in high refresh configurations continues to impress, which is particularly important if you want a viable esports panel or the smoothest utilization of FSR 4 / DLSS 4.5. These are the best monitors of Computex 2026 that we've seen and why.

MSI debuts the "world's first" 4K 360Hz display with triple-mode functionality

If you've got one of the best graphics cards, then you'll want to be running your games in 4K (2160p). We've seen displays allowing for 240Hz in this resolution in the past, but now MSI has unveiled a huge 32-inch display that further pushes things. The MPG OLED 322URDX36 is a stunning monitor, backed by its new triple mode functionality, a 5th-generation QD-OLED display.

If you're someone who takes esports games seriously, then you'll be aware that frames win games. Whether that's scoring an Ace in Valorant or making every millisecond count in Counter Strike 2, pros will tell you that a higher refresh rate can make the difference between winning and losing. It achieves a staggering 680Hz in 1080p. You can also switch between 4K at 360Hz and 520Hz at 1440p as well.

The black levels sound particularly impressive from the MPG OLED 322URDX36, as this upcoming 32-inch 4K monitor features VESA Display HDR 600 True Black, the second-darkest tier behind 1,000, and far beyond what's usually seen from 4K gaming monitors. In other words, it's remarkably fast, seems to offer exceptional color reproduction, and will let you hit those high framerates in 4K, provided you've got a capable GPU, such as the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080.

ASRock's dual-mode monitors give you the best of both worlds

ASRock is typically known for its budget and mid-range monitors, but that's a narrative that could be changing. Enter the Taichi lineup, particularly the Taichi TC027USB and the TCo27QXB OLED. The former is a 27-inch Tandem OLED display, with a native 4K 240Hz resolution, and dual mode functionality to perform at 480Hz in 1080p.

That means you get the ability to play esports games in high fidelity, but also get to switch to dazzling visuals for story-heavy or single-player releases without compromise. The TCo27QXB OLED is similar. It's a 27-inch panel that's natively clocked at 540Hz when running in 1440p.

Gigabyte unveils the "world's first" multi-mode 5K gaming monitor

Gigabyte Aorus is synonymous with pricier hardware that offers best-in-class performance, and the company's full Aorus Elite lineup this time around looks to have everything you would want from a gaming monitor in 2026.

What if you don't want to choose between just two display modes? That's the biggest strength of the "world's first" 5K multi-mode monitor, the freshly revealed FM275K16P. It's a 27-inch mini-LED display with support for three display modes: 5K at 165Hz, 4K at 220Hz, and 1440p at 330Hz, with a low response time of just 1ms GtG, a peak brightness of 1,250 nits, and a total of 2,304 local dimming zones. You'll be able to quickly adjust to the resolution and refresh rate that best accommodates what you're playing.

Two of the models in particular also impress, chiefly the FO32U24GP and FO32U24G. The first display here gives you the full 4K at 240Hz experience with a dual-mode functionality for 1080p at 480Hz. It's coupled with a 99.5% DCI-P3 gamut and a staggering peak brightness of 1,500 nits. The only main difference with the FO32U24G is that it does not have UHBR20 support.

Alienware's latest flagship is a huge 39-inch 5K OLED behemoth

We don't typically think of Dell's Alienware brand when it comes to its gaming monitors, and that seems to be something the company wants to change if the AW3926QW is anything to go by. Simply put, it's a staggering 39-inch 21:9 display with a 5K resolution and OLED panel tech, which is billed as a "world's first", too.

In what's being described as "RGB stripe Tandem OLED", the Alienware AW3926QW features VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 support, with a 1,500 curve, and multi-mode displays as well. The 5K ultrawide resolution (5,120 x 2,880) is clocked at 165Hz, which should be more than fast enough for even the best graphics cards under load. However, you can also switch out to 1080p at 330Hz for anything with more of an esports leaning, as well, which isn't typically seen in a 21:9 display of this type.

• Check out our Computex 2026 hub for all the latest news out of Taipei.

• Computex 2026 has seen an influx of manufacturers now establishing an 8,000Hz polling rate and TMR (Hall Effect) magnetic switches as the new standard.
• Wireless capabilities are ever-evolving, such as can be observed with the Cherry XTRFY K63W, which promises a fully lossless 2.4GHz experience in 8K without the latency concerns.
• Gigabyte and Corsair are continuing to innovate in different ways, the former with build quality and quality of life upgrades, whereas the latter makes things as compact as possible.

Computex 2026 is in full swing, and already we're seeing a wealth of new and exciting peripherals from some of our favorite manufacturers that look to be pushing the boundaries of what's possible on PC.

From the latest keyboards to the fastest gaming mice, and beyond, we're going over a few of the most exciting announcements and what they mean for the industry in 2026.

Cherry introduces a "world's first" ultra-wideband keyboard

I've recently become a believer in everything that the new union between these two storied companies can do, and the Cherry XTRFY K63W looks to be truly next-level as well.

Billed as the world's first "ultra-wideband" wireless gaming keyboard, this upcoming deck promises to deliver the full-fat 8,000Hz polling rate completely lossless, thanks to new short-range wireless technology inside. It will retail in Europe for €179.99 in July, with its US launch coming a month later, in August, for $169.99.

The Cherry XTRFY brand has made waves within the gaming and esports community as of late, with its two recent offerings being among the best gaming keyboards that money can buy. As someone who's extensively used the K5 Pro TMR Compact and the MX 8.2 TMR TKL over the last few months, I can tell you that there's a lot to be excited for here.

Wireless connectivity aside, what stands out to me with this upcoming deck is the 6,000 mAh battery life and its 70% low-profile ergonomics. We're now seeing a trend of more keyboard manufacturers preferring lower actuation with a considered shallower feel. This is compounded by the Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 switches, and if they're anything like the TMR-powered MK Crystal Magnetic switches, then we'll be in for a good time.

Gigabyte's new Infinity gaming keyboard and mouse

While Gigabyte has made peripherals in the past, the company (primarily known for its laptops and motherboards) is firmly staking a claim to the high-end gaming mouse and keyboard market. "Take Control" is the ethos of its new Infinity lineup, announced at Computex 2026: the Aorus M10 Infinity mice and K10 Infinity keyboard, available in stock in black or a glacier white "Ice" colorway.

The upcoming Gigabyte Aorus K10 Infinity gaming keyboard features "tactical magnetic switches" with support for trigger-point actuation as low as 0.1mm increments, and an 8,000Hz polling rate as standard. The USP for this board, aside from its leading specs, is the implementation of a 3.1-inch OLED touchscreen, which gives you instant access to profiles, actuation settings, your sound mixer, RGB lighting, and what's been described as a "Combat Power" feature, giving you advanced diagnostics as you play.

The Gigabyte Aorus M10 gaming mouse is of a similar level of quality. 8,000Hz polling rate, with optical switches, and a magnesium alloy base for enhanced durability, and a premium feel. If it's anything like the excellent Corsair Sabre V2 MG, then Gigabyte could be onto something. Gaming mice live and die based on their way, their smoothness, and battery life. We don't know the exact sensor inside, but everything I've heard sounds promising so far.

Asus ROG 20th anniversary peripherals get the gold treatment

While not quite a new mouse or keyboard, Asus has given two of its newer flagship models a substantial facelift for the company's 20th anniversary.

Specifically, the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 gaming keyboard and the ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 are here to add a splash of gilded bling to your gaming setup. They don't come cheap; the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 is $599.99, and the ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 ships at $259.99 in limited quantities.

Starting with the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20, it's a special edition model of the company's popular 75% sized deck, with a new aluminium chassis, a carbon-fiber positioning plate, a full color OLED display, and 24K gold elements. A new plush wrist rest is also included, adorned with the logo, which never shipped in the box with the stock offering.

The ROG Harpe II is one of my favorite recently released gaming mice, and this version is especially striking. "Co-developed with esports professionals", this iteration has an upgraded 65K ROIG Aimpoint Pro sensor, new Gorilla Glass feet, refined optical micro switches, and the same 24K gold-plated accents (including the scroll wheel and the two side buttons), which replace the stock RGB.

Corsair's compact new Clipper Pro Mini 60 and Nightsword v2 Wireless SD

If you're after a compact esports gaming keyboard to take to your next LAN, then you'll want to keep an eye out for the new Clipper Pro Mini 60. This new Hall Effect 60% gaming deck features the company's MGX HyperDrive magnetic switches, featuring Rapid Triger, Tap Lock, and Smart Tap, with an 8,000Hz polling rate via Corsair Axon, and IP57-rated water and dust resistance.

Portable, capable, and with a surprisingly small footprint on your desk, the Clipper Pro Mini 60 looks to go about as small as you can get for a fully-featured gaming keyboard without sacrificing on the specs. You've no doubt noticed a trend that everything coming out nowadays is 8K as standard and features TMR (Hall Effect) tech, the future is pushing responsiveness and longevity, and now we're getting that in the smallest form factor possible here.

Streamers who have become accustomed to the Stream Deck will want to consider the new Corsair Nightsword v2 Wireless SD. True to its namesake, it has a dedicated button that boots up and unlocks the Stream Deck app, and you'll have a suite of new shortcuts for Stream Deck features straight from the mouse; this could mean emoting, checking chat, swapping voice channels, adjusting mic levels, and more.

As a gaming mouse itself, the Corsair Nightsword v2 Wireless SD seems solid. It has the Marksman S optical sensor and up to a 33,000 DPI, with a proposed 47 hours of playback when utilizing its full 8,000Hz polling rate. Be aware, though, that the extra Stream Deck button does add a little weight; it comes in at an unsubtle 89g / 0.19lbs, so it may not be the thing to be scoring aces in CS2 or VALORANT without some practice.

• Check out our Computex 2026 hub for all the latest news out of Taipei.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Asus has revealed a new 24.5-inch OLED at Computex 2026
• This gaming monitor offers a 540Hz refresh rate
• It blends the best of high refresh rate TN displays with the vibrancy and accurate colors of OLED

Asus has revealed a few new gaming monitors over at Computex 2026, but the model that's turning heads is a high-end OLED offering for competitive gamers, which is billed as a "defining moment for esports displays".

Asus announced the ROG Strix OLED XG259QWPG Ace, which is a 24.5-inch monitor with a 1080p resolution and a very fast 540Hz refresh rate. Other specs that make this screen great for fast-paced competitive gamers include a 0.02ms response time and G-Sync support.

It's a tandem OLED panel, meaning the screen is built with two layers. As Asus notes, that gives it a 15% higher brightness level compared to a conventional OLED, not to mention a longer lifespan (some 60% longer according to the monitor maker).

Asus boasts: "As the very first OLED monitor to join our flagship Ace lineup, it brings together cutting‑edge panel technology and purpose‑built esports tuning to meet the exacting demands of professional gamers."

The company added: "We worked hand in hand with global tournament organizers like PGL and Blast to collect feedback from esports pros across the world. Their suggestions helped us develop this next-generation OLED esports monitor, and we can't wait to get this absolute weapon into the hands of gamers everywhere."

We don't yet have a release date or a price, but hopefully Asus will furnish us with those details soon enough.

Analysis: a no-compromise esports screen

Why does this monitor have some gamers so excited? Because it offers 540Hz at what many consider to be the perfect, more compact size for competitive gaming, all in an OLED display with a resolution of 1080p.

It's ticking a lot of boxes because it's great for super-smooth performance with shooters (or other competitive games), and yet it offers all the vibrancy of OLED, and far superior viewing angles compared to high refresh rate TN panels. Indeed, you get 10-bit color and 99.5% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut with this Asus monitor, and VESA DisplayHDR 600 True Black.

So, the upshot is a gaming monitor with very accurate and punchy colors, blending the strengths of OLED with an extremely fast refresh rate.

There's a note of disappointment from some that it isn't 1440p — or that the XG259QWPG doesn't offer a dual mode choice of 1080p or 1440p — but really, pro gamers aren't going to want to up that resolution beyond Full HD (because it's then much more difficult to get blisteringly high frame rates).

• Check out our Computex 2026 hub for all the latest news out of Taipei.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Two-minute review

I should probably preface this review by saying that I've long been a fan of Logitech's mice, having used a G502 Lightspeed Wireless as my daily driver for more than five years. In fact, I love it so much that when mine finally gave up the ghost back in 2024, I literally just bought another identical model.

If you're familiar with my work, you might suspect a slight degree of bias in this review – and I'm sure that the coveted five-star rating above won't assuage those suspicions.

But honestly? I wasn't expecting much from the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike. The design is pretty simple, just a near-symmetrical chassis with two thumb buttons and a basic scroll wheel, plus a mildly futuristic aesthetic that you'll either find appealing or obnoxious. I've seen a hundred mice like this before, I thought upon unboxing it for the first time.

That was before I knew about HITS. The 'haptic inductive trigger system' is the main selling point of the Pro X2 Superstrike, and it's really something special: user-tunable actuation for the two main mouse buttons, with rapid trigger reset points to minimize latency. In other words, you can personally tweak the tactility of these clickers to exactly how you want them to feel, and it's frankly awesome. It's reminiscent of the satisfying feedback of hall effect buttons, and the mechanics behind it are similar as well, but I'll get into that later on in this review.

HITS aside (but really, these buttons absolutely rock), the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is just a staggeringly competent piece of hardware design. The rounded, symmetrical shape is very comfortable in the hand, and the total package weight of just 61g combined with smooth-gliding UHMWPE feet makes it feel great to use even on lower sensitivities. But with a 44,000 DPI sensor and 8K polling rate mode, it's well-equipped for fans of twitchy online shooters.

I'm just gonna say it: this is straight up one of the best gaming mice money can buy right now. Speaking of money...

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

Yeah, this hurts a little. Clocking in at $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299.95, there's no avoiding the fact that a lot of PC gamers will be priced out of enjoying the perfect clicks of the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike.

It's similarly priced to the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is a comparable premium esports-focused mouse with a simple, lightweight design – though it uses optical switches instead, which are durable and responsive but a lot noisier.

However – and it's not often that I say this – I do actually think this is a product that manages to fully justify its price tag. The Superstrike is something entirely new, but even aside from that, it's simply an excellent product in almost every way.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Design

• Simple but comfortable design
• Robust build quality
• No left-handed version

I suspect that the ultra-modern design of the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike will be a turn-off for some potential buyers, but I like it. No rainbow RGB here, just a lone LED indicating your DPI preset. Stamping the product name all over the device makes it feel like something out of a utilitarian corporate dystopia – a vibe I'm fine with for my hardware aesthetic, though I'd rather steer clear from a societal standpoint.

Aesthetics aside, the chassis design isn't anything particularly earth-shattering, but you don't mess with a proven winner. The shape is essentially the same as Logitech G's previous Pro X Superlight 2, a symmetrical design with a gentle curve across it that fits comfortably in the palm. I've got pretty big hands, so I asked my (smaller-handed) partner to give it a try, and he reported that it felt very comfortable to use as well. I might say that the shape is somewhat better suited to claw- and fingertip-style grips, but as a palm-grip user, I found it comfortable even during extended gaming sessions.

Despite weighing barely more than 60 grams, the Pro X2 Superstrike doesn't feel flimsy in the slightest. The whole thing feels well-constructed, with a physical power switch and magnetic cover on the underside that conceals a slot to store the USB dongle. The feet are UHMWPE, tough and low-friction, and a small cutout at the front of the mouse houses the USB-C port for charging or wired use.

The main buttons have a weighty, tactile feel to them, while the scroll wheel offers firm rotation and a quiet but robust click. The side buttons are a bit softer, but still have a decent level of physical feedback and are well-spaced – I often like to map actions to these thumb buttons in shooters, and I didn't experience any misclicks. The mouse is very slightly front-heavy, presumably due to the HITS switch assembly underneath the two main buttons, and while I didn't have any issues with this, users who regularly lift their mouse clear of the mat may find that it requires a bit of getting used to.

The sensor is the Logitech G HERO 2 sensor, found in a wide range of the brand's premium gaming mice. It supports up to 44,000 DPI with up to 88G acceleration registration, and I can attest from using other mice with the same sensor that it's very reliable. For those seeking the absolute best low-latency performance, the box includes an adapter for you to connect the dongle to the power cable and place it directly on your desk, but it worked fine just plugged into the back of my PC, too.

The matte plastic shell does a good job of repelling fingerprint smudges (even from my sweaty hands during a heatwave that hit the UK while I was reviewing the Pro X2 Superstrike), and the casing is generally sturdy. It feels like a product that was built to last. Honestly, my only criticism here is the lack of a left-handed model; I'm a southpaw myself, and while I've adapted to using a mouse with my right hand, the same can't be said of every left-hander out there.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Performance

• HITS switches are truly phenomenal
• Fast and smooth movement is great for shooters
• Logitech G Hub software works well

Alright, let me talk about these switches properly for a moment. The way HITS works is essentially the same principle as hall effect keyboard switches, using metal plates and copper coils carrying an electromagnetic current with an analog sensor that precisely measures the click input.

Now, this means that you get incredibly fast input response, on par with the optical switches that are becoming more popular in gaming mice, but the real takeaway here is the adjustable actuation. Because you're not pressing a physical switch but rather moving a bit of metal up and down, you can use Logitech's G Hub software to manually adjust the actuation point. If you want hair-trigger actuation, it's yours. Prefer only firm, deep clicks to register? It can do that too, and everything in between.

The HITS design also allows you to adjust the trigger reset points (put simply, how soon the button can register another input when you start to lift your finger after clicking), and with no physical switch involved, the Pro X2 Superstrike allows for ultra-rapid-fire inputs. If you're using a semi-automatic gun, the only limit on fire rate is whatever the game itself imposes.

Without an actual switch to click underneath these buttons, there's no tactile feedback. In fact, when I first received the Pro X2 Superstrike and clicked the buttons before turning it on, I was immediately worried that it would feel horrible to use. That's where the 'haptic' part of 'haptic inductive trigger system' comes in: when you click, the button releases a tiny vibration that mimics the click input of a traditional mouse. It sounds silly, but it genuinely works - and like the actuation and trigger resets, you can adjust this too, or even turn it off if you're so inclined. But I wouldn't – it's really quite good once you get used to it.

The best part? They're ridiculously quiet. If you're noise-sensitive or you're a late-night gamer like me, a near-silent mouse is a genuine boon. In fact, Logitech, if you're reading this: please make a G502 with HITS (and then send it directly to my home address). I adore the Superstrike, but I do miss my thumb rest for everyday work.

Alright, enough about the HITS. Overall, the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike feels excellent for gaming, gliding smoothly across my mouse mat and delivering precise, latency-free inputs thanks to the Logitech Lightspeed dongle.

The G Hub software gives you plenty of sliders to slide, letting you adjust the usual settings like sensitivity and polling rate, as well as create profiles for individual games depending on your preferences. The 8K polling mode is something of a gimmick that likely won't make much of a difference to all but the sweatiest esports lovers, but it's there if you want it (though it's oddly not available in wired mode; you have to use the included dongle).

I stuck with the defaults for most of the games I tested, but I did make custom profiles for Valorant and Marathon to make the most of the super-reactive HERO 2 sensor. You can also map button input combos as macros, which was particularly useful for adjusting the DPI manually, as there's no dedicated DPI button here.

Did it make me better at shooting? No, my aim is still aggressively mid, but I certainly felt better playing with the Pro X2 Superstrike. After tweaking the HITS actuation to accept feather-touch inputs with an equally low reset point and strong haptic feedback, plinking hostile players at range with a precision rifle in Marathon felt gratifying.

The battery life is also solid, with Logitech claiming 90 hours of use on a single charge. I found this held up; I charged the mouse to full after unboxing it, and it was still kicking after a week of work and gaming.

Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike?

Buy the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike if…

Don’t buy it if…

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike

I traded out my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless for the Pro X2 Superstrike for a total of eight days while putting together this review, and guess what... I'm still using it. Not for everyday work (I value a thumb rest too much for that), but it's currently perched on the corner of my desk for whenever I load up Marathon or Warframe.

During my eight-day testing period, I used the Superstrike for both my regular day-to-day work for TechRadar (which, in mouse-specific terms, mostly involves a lot of clicking on links and highlighting text) and for everything I use my PC for during my off hours. This is mostly gaming, with a bit of mucking about in Discord and Scrivener for personal projects. Aside from the games I've already mentioned in this review, I also tested the Pro X2 Superstrike in Overwatch, Apex Legends, and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (yes, I know I'm late to that particular party – I'll get around to Borderlands 4 eventually).

First reviewed May 2026

Keychron K3 HE: One-minute review

The Keychron K3 HE is an analog keyboard with a minimalist form that belies its wealth of features.

The first thing I noticed was just how compact it is. Even for a board with a 75% layout, it’s small across all dimensions. It’s also quite light, which makes it a good portable option.

More impressive is the fact that build quality doesn’t appear to have been sacrificed. It feels solid and premium, rivaling the best gaming keyboard constructions. I also liked the wooden edge trim, which lends it a certain style that sets it apart from most in this sector, dominated as it is by plastics and metals.

However, despite being quite thin, my wrists still had to bend upwards to a slightly uncomfortable degree. The K3 HE is certainly worth pairing with a wrist rest, and it’s a shame one isn’t included. The two-stage feet don’t provide enough of a tilt to mitigate this, either.

The K3 HE also lacks the dipped middle row typical of many keyboards. What’s more, the keycaps are slanted forward, which, while I found comfortable, others might not.

On top of this, the keys also feel a little heavier than I'm used to, but they’re still quick and responsive. They provide plenty of feedback and sufficient dampening.

Since the K3 HE has analog switches, there are plenty of adjustments you can make to their feel and response in Keychron’s web app. This app is based on the open-source QMK firmware. Aside from adjusting the actuation point, you can also enable Rapid Trigger, assign multiple inputs to a single key, and even adjust the curve profile, to alter sensitivity as the key travels past certain points. There’s also an option to emulate controller inputs, but I couldn’t get this mode to work in practice.

The software is clearly laid out, but there’s no standalone app, and you can only use it when the K3 HE is connected via the USB cable. What’s more, updating the firmware is needlessly complicated, and there are a few usability issues that may prove frustrating when tinkering frequently.

However, the K3 HE represents good value when you consider all that it offers. Not many can compete with its quality and feature set at this price point. If you don't mind the unique key shape and can live with slightly inefficient software, the K3 HE is a good pick for those after plenty of analog functionality without spending the earth.

Keychron K3 HE review: Price & availability

• $119.99 (about £90 / AU$170)
• Available now in black and white
• Good price for an analog keyboard

The Keychron K3 HE costs $119.99 (about £90 / AU$170) and is available now in two colorways: black and white.

This is a good price for an analog keyboard, and a hot-swappable one at that. It’s slightly less expensive than the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Like the K3 HE, this board features various customization options, including controller emulation — which actually worked when I tested this model. However, it doesn’t feel quite as premium, and it’s not so great for typing.

For a more luxury analog experience, the Steelseries Apex Pro can’t be beat. This is probably the best analog keyboard I’ve ever used. The key feel is glorious, allowing for superb control, and the whole unit is built like a tank. It’s seriously expensive, though.

Keychron K3 HE review: Specs

Keychron K3 HE review: Design and features

• Light and compact
• Well-made
• Web app usability issues

The Keychron K3 HE cuts a minimal figure. It’s pleasingly light and compact, which makes it easy to move around or take with you on your travels.

It looks smart, too, and although I wasn’t sure about the wooden sides at first, they grew on me quickly. They also offer a nice counterpoint to the inorganic slabs adopted by many gaming keyboards. The RGB backlighting adds some vibrancy, but it doesn’t shine through the keycap characters, which is a shame as this would’ve made them easier to see in dark environments.

Build quality is also admirable. The plastic chassis feels smooth and solid, while the two-stage feet fold out with ease and offer a surprising amount of stability, preventing me from accidentally moving the board around, as I’ve experienced with others.

Despite the compact layout, you still get arrow and navigation keys, which I’m always pleased to see for productivity’s sake. There are also some basic but useful FN shortcuts on the F row, including one for screenshotting and several for media playback. These are all clearly labelled.

The K3 HE doesn’t feature a dipped middle row common on many keyboards, but the unique forward slant of the keycaps compensates for this somewhat. Along with their low profile, It makes it easier to hit them flush. However, I can imagine some won’t like this unique design.

Even taking into account the compact nature of the K3 HE, it still sits quite high off the ground, while the feet, despite having two-stages, fail to create much tilt. These aspects mean your wrists have to bend further than you might think to reach the keys. Using a wrist rest helped to alleviate my discomfort, but you’ll have to provide your own, since the K3 HE doesn’t come with one.

I appreciated the location of the switches for toggling connectivity modes and operating systems, too. They’re on the left side of the unit, rather than at the back as is typical, which makes them easier to reach.

However, the USB-C port is also on this side, which may prove a little inconvenient for certain setups. At least the included USB cable has an L-shaped jack, which means it doesn’t protrude as much as a standard one.

To customize the inputs of the K3 HE, you’ll need to use Keychron’s web app in a browser (there’s no standalone app you can download). You also need to be in wired mode. You can only use the web app in wireless mode to update the firmware of the 2.4GHz dongle.

However, updating the firmware is a convoluted process. You first need to download the Toolbox Driver, and then follow the process in the web app, although it’s not entirely clear when the update is complete. During this whole process, I encountered an error, with a dialog box instructing me to upload a required JSON file. It gave me no hint as to what file specifically was needed or where to acquire it, but somehow I got around the issue and the firmware successfully updated.

To update the firmware of the keyboard itself, you have to hold the escape key and disconnect the cable before reconnecting it. I then had to disconnect and reconnect the cable after this finished in order for it to be recognized again by the web app.

Keychron K3 HE review: Performance

• Key resistance provides control
• Plenty of analog tweaks available
• Some connectivity issues

The Keychron K3 HE is a competent keyboard, whether you’re gaming or typing. The keys are a mixture of thocky and clicky, although they’re slightly biased towards the latter. Dampening is reasonable, but they don’t feel very well lubed. Presses can certainly be heard, but they’re far from the noisiest out there.

What stands out most of all, though, is their resistance. They’re heavier than you might expect, but since you can adjust their actuation point, they’re still capable of responding instantly. This resistance can be beneficial, too, as it can make typing more forgiving. The generous spacing between the keys can also help to prevent erroneous presses.

Despite their resistance, I didn’t find them a chore to use. They rebound quickly, making them snappier than they otherwise would. When playing games such as Counter-Strike 2, I didn’t find the WASD keys onerous to hold for long periods at a time.

The weight also provides greater control when pressing keys part way, which you’ll need to do if you want to make full use of the K3 HE’s analog functionality. Speaking of which, there is a smorgasbord of options in this area.

In addition to setting the actuation point (which has a range of 0.2 to 2.8mm), you can also enable Rapid Trigger. This is a common feature on many analog keyboards, but with the K3 HE, you can adjust both the trigger and the reset distances, rather than just the latter.

You can toggle a progress bar to show the travel of key presses in real time, which is something I’m always pleased to see in analog keyboard software. However, Keychron’s goes one step further by accompanying this with a readout in millimeters. This is even more helpful, and not something I’ve seen before in such visualizers.

It’s a shame, however, that this visualizer doesn’t show the effects of your Rapid Trigger settings, which is the area most deserving of visual representation, given its not-so-obvious operation. It’s also annoying that you have to turn the visualizer back on every time you make adjustments to the actuation point or Rapid Trigger, or whenever you navigate back from a different section of the software. What’s more, the visualizer is only available when adjusting one key at a time, but not multiple.

Other analog functions on the K3 HE include the ability to assign up to four inputs to a single key, which trigger based on how far down you press said key. You can also adjust the curve profile by selecting one of two presets or creating your own. This is done by dragging four points on a graph to adjust sensitivity over the course of a key’s travel. This kind of adjustment is more common on the best PC controllers, but rarely seen on analog keyboards.

Speaking of which, there’s also a gamepad emulation feature in the web app, which includes the ability to mimic the analog control of joysticks and triggers. However, I couldn’t get this to work on the games I tried. This isn’t an issue with the games themselves, since I’ve got similar features to work on other analog keyboards.

In addition to analog-based customizations, the web app also has a SOCD function with a generous number of settings, and there are plenty of key mapping options. Naturally, there’s also a macro recording facility.

The K3 HE connected well via its different methods, and I didn’t experience any lag or dropouts while using the board. Hot-switching between devices was quick and easy for the most part, although there were times when it failed to re-establish a connection, particularly when switching from wired to wireless mode.

Battery life isn’t particularly great, either. After only a couple of days of using a mixture of connectivity methods, it died. Also, I couldn’t see a battery life indicator anywhere for the K3 HE, either on the board itself or in the web app, which seems like a gross oversight.

Should I buy the Keychron K3 HE?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Keychron K3 HE review: Also consider

How I tested the Keychron K3 HE

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and working
• Experienced keyboard reviewer

I tested the Keychron K3 HE for several days. I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I used all of its connectivity modes.

I used its web app to make as many adjustments and enable as many of its analog features as I could. I played games such as Counter-Strike 2 to test its gaming prowess.

I’ve reviewed plenty of keyboards in my time, from everyday workhorses to gaming powerhouses, with varying price points, form factors, and switch types.

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

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Two-minute review

Razer is a good brand for PC gaming hardware, but I have noticed a tendency over the years to make its generational hardware upgrades... iterative might be the kind way to put it, but if I were feeling uncharitable, I might call them rudimentary – improving something, but sometimes not to a sufficient degree that an entirely new product release feels worthwhile.

I feared this might be the case with the Razer Viper V4 Pro. That wouldn't have been a disaster by any means; we gave the previous Viper V3 Pro a four-star score when we reviewed it back in 2024, which is perfectly respectable. But when I saw the V4 Pro for the first time, my first thought was that it didn't look any different from the V3 Pro whatsoever, and my heart sank.

Once I got my hands on the new model, though, I was pleased to be proven wrong. Despite looking virtually identical to the previous model, the Viper V4 Pro has undergone extensive improvements where it counts – on the inside.

For starters, Razer has managed to shave off another five grams from the already-low package weight, bringing this mouse down to a staggeringly lightweight 49g. The battery life has been almost doubled, and the buttons (and scroll wheel) have been updated with new optical switches, which provide better durability without compromising on tactile feedback.

The sensor has been upgraded, too, with the Viper V4 Pro packing Razer's third-generation Focus Pro 50K optical sensor. 50,000 DPI is far more than 99% of people will ever need, but it helps cement this as a peripheral for serious, hardcore competitive gamers. The 8K polling rate (returning from the V3 Pro) also aligns with this; the average gamer won't need it, but for pros, it's a must-have.

Really, it's genuinely difficult for me to find anything I don't like about this mouse. It's comfortable in the hand and feels supremely responsive even in high-stakes virtual shootouts. The lack of a left-handed version is a shame (although I imagine many of my fellow southpaws have adapted to life in a right-handed world and use their mouse on the right out of habit), and it's admittedly pretty expensive, but these feel like minor issues – bugs on the windshield of an extremely nice car. From my time with it, I'm very confident in saying that the Razer Viper V4 Pro deserves a place among the best gaming mice on the market.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

Anyone familiar with Razer's hardware will be aware of the 'gamer tax' on the brand's products, but even taking Razer's often-steep pricing, this is one very expensive mouse.

At $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95, it's very slightly cheaper than the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is fundamentally very similar to the Viper V4 Pro beyond its right-handed grip shape.

Don't get me wrong: this is an extremely high-quality mouse, but there's no getting around the fact that it'll simply be out of reach for many PC gamers at this price point. It's arguably also quite feature-light for such an expensive mouse; some potential buyers might feel shortchanged here, especially if they're looking for a mouse with more customization options.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Design

• Incredibly lightweight design
• Sturdy, tactile optical switches
• No version for left-handed users

Compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I use daily for work and gaming, the Razer Viper V4 Pro feels like I'm holding nothing at all (nothing at all...)

Seriously, I almost can't believe the Viper V4 Pro even weighs the 49g listed on the spec sheet; this thing is phenomenally lightweight, to the point where I actually busted out the kitchen scales to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Sure enough, it weighed exactly the listed 49g.

It's also just a generally very comfortable mouse to use. The exterior casing is almost entirely symmetrical and lacks a thumbrest, which would generally mean that it's best suited for claw and fingertip mouse grippers, but as someone who tends to shift between claw and palm grip styles, I can attest that the latter feels comfortable with the Viper V4 Pro as well. As I noted further up in this review, despite the mostly symmetrical design, the Viper only comes in one right-handed model, so lefties are out of luck.

The buttons and scroll wheel have a pleasing amount of tactile feedback, updated to shiny new optical switches underneath the matte plastic buttons. They feel robust, with the main two mouse buttons rated for 100 million clicks, though I would note that they have a fairly loud 'click' to them – something to bear in mind if you prefer a quieter mouse.

The underside of the mouse features only the sensor, a DPI/power button, and two wide PTFE feet that offer a good amount of smoothness on a variety of surfaces (more on that down in the performance section). I'm personally not a huge fan of DPI buttons being inaccessible during use, but it's unlikely to bother the majority of users.

Overall, it's a pleasingly straightforward design; considering that the Razer name is sometimes considered synonymous with bright RGB lighting, I like how stripped-back and purpose-built the Viper V4 Pro feels.

In fact, the only LEDs to be found here are a single white power indicator above the scroll wheel, and three RGB LEDs on the wireless dongle – which rather helpfully display the mouse's connection status, battery life, and polling rate mode via color-coding.

This dongle was recently redesigned from a rather blocky shape to a far more aesthetically pleasing mini dome with the Razer logo emblazoned on the top, and it connects to your PC via an included USB-C to USB-A cable. This cable can also be used to charge the mouse itself or connect it for fully wired play, but there's no Bluetooth support here, so laptop gamers with limited ports should bear that in mind.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Performance

• Snappy, satisfying performance in shooters
• Razer Synapse is better than ever
• 8K polling rate is probably unnecessary for most PC gamers

Simply put, this is one hell of a gaming mouse for first-person shooters. I used the Viper V4 Pro to play Valorant, Marathon, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike 2 – and while I'm not sure if it actually made me better at clicking heads, I certainly felt like it was a better fit for fast-paced, twitchy shooting than my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless.

Razer was kind enough to send me some mouse mats to test the Viper V4 Pro on, and I found that it offered a good amount of glide on practically any surface. From the moderate friction of the Razer Gigantus V2 Pro (featured in the photography for this review) to the silky-smooth tempered glass Atlas Pro mat, the Viper felt swift and easy to use regardless of surface. In fact (sorry Razer), I'd even say that you barely need a fancy mouse mat for this mouse; it worked perfectly even just on the bare wooden surface of my desk.

The Razer Synapse app has come a long way – no longer the annoying bloatware I used to heckle in every Razer product review, but now a sleeker and more effective (and, importantly, less intrusive) piece of tweaking software. Even better, it's now available as a web app, letting you tweak settings in your browser without needing to download the main app itself.

There isn't a vast amount of customization options here, which is unsurprising given the minimalist nature of the Viper V4 Pro, but the options you do get come with a great amount of granularity. Most importantly, the mouse sensitivity can be adjusted right down to 1-DPI increments to get you the exact right amount, and you can also adjust the sensor's tracking angle to ensure that the mouse input from fast horizontal movements stays level, which I actually did find helped with landing repeated shots on strafing targets. As you'd expect from a premium gaming mouse, you can also set up macros, but you'll need to download the full-fat version of Synapse for that.

One feature that didn't actually help at all was the 8,000Hz polling rate mode. This feature is becoming increasingly common as a selling point for both mice and keyboards, but I remain dubious; in my recent review of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K gaming keyboard, I called it a gimmick – and I stand by that assessment.

See, an 8K polling rate helps minimize input latency from your peripherals (the standard is usually 1K, which the Viper V4 Pro is set to by default unless you turn on the 8K mode in Razer Synapse), which is undeniably a good thing, but 1K polling is frankly already good enough for the vast majority of users in the vast majority of use cases. The average gamer likely won't even notice the difference – I feel like there was a very slight, almost imperceptible increase in reactivity, but not enough to actually make me hit my shots more consistently.

Still, I won't knock the Viper V4 Pro down a point for this, because it's something every gaming mouse manufacturer is also doing, and because this is a mouse marketed towards esports gamers. I'm sure the Valorant and League of Legends masters Razer quotes on its website actually can tell the difference in a high-stakes tournament match, I'm just too much of a filthy casual to really reap the benefits. It also doesn't make me any better at Slay the Spire 2. Seriously, the Waterfall Giant can sod off.

One nifty feature that I did appreciate was an adaptive polling mode, which can be toggled on with Synapse (though it's not yet available in the web app version). This switches on the 8K polling rate for gaming, but automatically returns to 1K mode for other activities on your PC, which helps preserve the battery life of the mouse. And on that topic: the battery life is great. Razer advertises up to 180 hours, almost double the 95-hour battery of the last-gen Viper V3 Pro, and I can confirm that I didn't need to charge the mouse even once during the week I spent testing it.

Should you buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro?

Buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro if…

Don’t buy it if…

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Viper V4 Pro

As is standard for my mouse reviews, I swapped out my ever-reliable Logitech G502 Lightspeed for the Razer Viper V4 Pro for one week, using it for both my day-to-day tasks and gaming during my off hours.

I downloaded the Razer Synapse app and spent a while tweaking the mouse settings to my liking, then dived straight into my current addiction (Marathon, which truly does not deserve the hate it's been getting online). I also played a selection of other games, mostly online shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, plus a spot of solo RPG gaming in the rather excellent Esoteric Ebb.

First reviewed May 2026

Anker’s eufyMake spin-off has been sitting on a lot of maker wishlists since its record-smashing Kickstarter last year, and the E1 just got its first proper price drop.

From 6 May through 31 May, the desktop 3D-texture UV printer is available at early access pricing, with the up to £350 off if you go for the full kit.

The Basic Bundle, which gets you the E1 itself plus an Ink and Cleaning Cartridge Kit, is £2,069 during the early access window and £2,249 from 1 June onwards.

The Deluxe Bundle, which adds a UV DTF Laminating Machine and a Rotary Printing Attachment, is £2,599 now and £2,949 after the sale ends.

You can also get £80 off eufyMake Care and free shipping protection on every purchase, plus a second Ink and Cleaning Cartridge Kit thrown in if you go Deluxe.

Both bundles include the printer and a cartridge kit, but the Deluxe adds the laminator and rotary attachment, and during early access, you also get a bonus cartridge kit on top.

This is big because UV printers used to be industrial kits used by sign shops and printers. The E1 makes it so that it's now something you can put on a desk!

Using the eufyMake E1 allows you to print directly onto wood, glass, leather, acrylic, ceramic, and around 300 other materials. It cures ink under integrated LED in seconds, builds 3D textures up to 5mm tall, creating an awesome tactile raised image.

Plus, if you get the deluxe, you get the rotary printing attachment, which handles cylindrical objects, so any tumbler, bottle, or mug can be printed on with ease. Meanwhile, the UV DTF Laminating Machine pairs with the E1 to produce custom stickers and transfers on demand.

If you’re a hobbyist who wants to personalise everything but the kitchen sink, then the Basic Bundle will keep you busy. But if you’re running a side hustle, like an Etsy store or bigger, the Deluxe bundle is where it's at.

Your eufyMake E1 UV Printer is officially in stock and shipping within 72 hours, ready to bring vibrant full-color, 3D-texture printing directly to your desktop. Fully protected to keep your maker business running smoothly, your investment includes a comprehensive 12-month warranty covering all repairs, replacements, and shipping, backed by expert support guaranteed to respond within 24 to 48 hours. Getting started on your next creative breakthrough has never been easier or more accessible, with flexible payment options starting as low as £749 a month for 3 months through PayPal.

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: One-minute review

Exactly two years ago, MSI rolled out its debut 4K OLED gaming monitor. Now here we are with the new MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24, one of the first gaming monitors to get Samsung's newly upgraded 4K QD-OLED panel tech.

Superficially, of course, this 32-inch 4K gaming monitor is a dead ringer for its direct predecessors from MSI, most obviously the MSI MPG 321URX. It sports exactly the same chassis design, for instance, and a mostly similar feature set. But that new QD-OLED panel makes this a rather different proposition.

The resolution and refresh rate actually remain the same. So, that's 3,840 by 2,160 pixels and 240Hz maximum refresh, the latter being plenty for a 4K display. You're not going to be able to drive it beyond that speed in most games. The response times are carried over, too, which is just fine given we're talking about a lightning-quick rating of 0.03ms.

So, what exactly is different? The first hint that you've got Samsung's latest five-layer Tandem QD-OLED tech is in the full-screen brightness rating. That's up from 250 nits for previous 32-inch 4K QD-OLEDs to 300 nits. And while the peak HDR brightness remains pegged at 1,000 nits, the VESA DisplayHDR certification has been bumped up from True Black 400 to True Black 500, indicating more HDR punch.

All of that is enabled by a new third-gen emissive OLED material which Samsung also says is twice as durable as before. That's important because it means this new QD-OLED should be even more resistant to burn-in, a potential if unlikely problem that's also covered by the three-year warranty.

Another feature of the new panel is a revised surface material that reduces the purple tint in bright ambient light that all QD-OLEDs have thus far exhibited. MSI calls it Dark Armor Film and while it doesn't entirely eradicate the issue, black levels and perceived contrast are definitely improved.

However, there is one new-gen QD-OLED feature missing from this revised 32-inch 4K panel. The true RGB-stripe subpixel structure, as seen in another MSI monitor we reviewed recently, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36, isn't included here. On paper, RGB-stripe is desirable for precision rendering, especially fonts. In practice, this 32-inch 4K monitor has sufficient pixel density to make that a pretty moot point. It's very crisp and precise.

Whatever, the overall result of the upgrades is, if anything, more impressive than the incremental spec improvements imply. This is a gorgeous, vibrant monitor. Importantly, it's much richer and subjectively punchier than similar monitors based on LG's competing WOLED panel tech.

Full-screen SDR brightness is likewise now strong enough for almost all realistic use cases. But the real showbiz stuff is HDR gaming. The combination of 4K pixel density with the speed, contrast, lighting precision and outright pop of Samsung's latest QD-OLED tech, all heightened by the glossy screen coating, is downright fabulous.

Long story short, this new 4K QD-OLED panel really is approaching something akin to the perfect 2D display technology. There are still a few detail weaknesses. But overall, this 4K MSI beauty absolutely wallops any similar LCD display. It's not even close.

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,799
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

At $1,099, the new MSI MPG 322UR X24 is a touch more expensive than MSI's first 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor at launch two years ago. But you do get a much improved panel.

It's also a fair bit cheaper than the likes of the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Gen3, which uses exactly the same Samsung-sourced new-gen QD-OLED panel, but goes for about $1,299.

Of course, this is still a pretty expensive display. That's the reality with OLED technology right now. You have to pay a hefty premium versus LCD-based monitors of the same size and resolution. However, it's worth noting that there's a good chance that MSI will launch a slightly de-featured but cheaper-still variant of this monitor in the near future.

• Value: 3 / 5

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Specs

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Design

• Familiar looks
• Good connectivity
• Reassuring warranty cover

In terms of styling, little has changed with the new MSI MPG 322UR X24. It looks just like the MSI MPG 321URX did back at launch two years ago.

It's not the most striking monitor design. But it's pretty well built and slick enough thanks to slim bezels and a low-key, all-black design ethic. You also get a good range of adjustment, including tilt, height, swivel, rotate and pivot, albeit the latter doesn't go all the way round into portrait mode.

As for connectivity, that includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 sockets, DisplayPort 2.1, a USB-C interface with 98 watts of power delivery and a two-port USB-A hub. The USB-C connectivity means you can share this monitor between, say, a gaming desktop and a work laptop with particular ease and minimal cable clutter.

Burn-in, of course, remains somewhat of a worry with OLED display technology, even if several third party long-term tests have shown that it's not a major problem with Samsung's QD-OLED tech. So, it's good to see that MSI has included several burn-in compensating features such as pixel shifting. You also get burn-in cover as part of MSI's three-year warranty. At minimum, you needn't have any concerns during the warranty period.

Finally, fans of glossy screen coatings will be pleased to learn that the MSI MPG 322UR X24 comes so equipped. It certainly heightens the visual impact of QD-OLED panel technology, even if that comes at the cost of increased reflectivity. In short, glossy screen coatings are a preference thing, they have pros and cons.

• Design: 4 / 5

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Performance

• Fantastic new QD-OLED panel
• Stupendous HDR experience
• Full-screen brightness now "good enough"

Samsung's first effort at a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel for PC gaming monitors was pretty stellar but had a few arguable issues, including somewhat limited full-screen brightness and a purple tint that was visible in bright ambient light.

The MSI MPG 322UR X24 upgrades that experience with a new generation of QD-OLED technology that directly addresses those shortcomings. And it really is closing in on QD-OLED perfection.

First up, there's the overall vibrancy and punch. The full-screen SDR experience is now surely good enough for the vast majority of use cases and preferences. It's worth noting that the full-screen experience is, if anything, subjectively better than the official 300 nit rating implies.

That's because, unlike LG's competing WOLED tech which relies on additional white subpixels to achieve its peak brightness rating, Samsung QD-OLED panels are pure RGB tech. Long story short, QD-OLED panels have better colour brightness and this MSI monitor has some serious SDR zing as a consequence.

Of course, where it really delivers is with HDR content and games. It really is hard to overstate how much better this monitor is than any LCD-based panel, even one with full-array local dimming, when it comes to the HDR experience. This new QD-OLED panel takes the usual advantage of OLED panel tech, which is perfect per-pixel lighting, and adds even more punch and sizzle. It's spectacular.

For this monitor, MSI has also implemented its EOTF boost mode technology. It's designed to combine the best aspects of both the VESA HDR 400 calibrated mode with the HDR Peak 1000 nits mode and give the highest brightness and image detail for both darker and brighter HDR gaming scenes. In short, it does just that and means you can use EOTF boost mode for all HDR content and be confident you're getting a good experience.

Of course, along with all that goodness specific to the latest QD-OLED tech, you're also getting the razor-sharp image detail and pixel density of 4K on a 32-inch panel. It's an incredible combination, and the overall result is genuinely spectacular.

So, is it perfect? Not quite. The new panel film does indeed reduce the purple tint of QD-OLED technology in bright light. But it doesn't entirely remove it. Apart from that, well, you really are into nit-picking territory. The panel's color temperature remains just a touch warm. And the concerns I mentioned around burn-in will remain in the context of really long term use. But this monitor truly is the art of QD-OLED panel tech very nearly perfected.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24?

Buy the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 if...

Don't buy it if...

• Originally reviewed in May 2026

Gigabyte MO27U2: Two-Minute Review

We’ve seen many glitzy gaming monitors over the past few years, so it’s almost refreshing to see a premium model that eschews all the in-your-face RGB lighting and pointy bits for a more sober option that better suits a mixed work-and-play environment.

But is the Gigabyte MO27U2 actually worth buying?

It’s a tandem QD-OLED screen with a multi-layer OLED structure that boosts brightness and efficiency, while Gigabyte’s OLED Care features help reduce burn-in risk. Its latest-gen sub-pixel technology fends off the spidery text that blighted predecessors, and this, plus the high resolution, high-pixel-density, reflection-reducing, glossy coating, means it’s also very good for work: multiple windows can be comfortably used at once and large spreadsheets can be more easily viewed.

When it came to multimedia, the QD-OLED’s penchant for color vibrancy and contrast quickly came to the fore, but there were some issues.

Despite a huge number of image-tinkering options in the on-screen display (OSD) menu, finding a perfect balance of HDR contrast and image clarity proved trying. No matter what I did, highlights would blow out noticeably in bright areas while patchy image aberrations often blighted content. I haven’t seen image-processing issues like that for a while.

Switching color spaces and preset modes often felt like installing a too-small carpet: shifting in one direction might smooth out some color issues but introduce horrendous blocky artifacts to gradients. It’s not altogether terrible, but I expect better from a premium gaming monitor.

The 240Hz refresh rate keeps rapidly moving objects practically blur-free, with G-Sync helping prevent image tearing.

Motion clarity is supposedly enhanced by Gigabyte’s ‘Ultra Clear’ technology, but the setting was grayed out no matter what settings I adjusted. Indeed, fighting with settings became a regular annoyance: while some changes provided instantaneous results, others would see the monitor essentially reset and potentially require a full Windows reconfiguration. A firmware upgrade made no difference.

The new Gigabyte Control Center app also felt like a broken mess. It struggled to identify the monitor, offered fewer options than the OSD and didn’t automatically sync with them. While you might not change settings regularly, you won’t want to tinker with this too much.

Beyond the 4K QD-OLED screen, the MO27U2 hangs its hat on its gaming enhancements. The OLED variable refresh rate (VRR) anti-flicker feature will appeal to console gamers keen to reduce flicker when variable refresh rates are in play. The ‘Tactical Switch’ button quickly drops the display size down to a 24-inch mode and switches the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 5:4 to suit particularly persnickety competitive first-person shooter (FPS) players.

There’s an all-green-screen night-vision feature, an Eagle Eye sniper-zoom window plus the usual on-screen crosshairs and contrast-busting Black Equalizer features to stop enemies from jumping out of shadows. Some feel gimmicky, but they’ll appeal to niche audiences.

Another core feature is Gigabyte’s multifaceted anti-burn-in technology, backed by a three-year warranty, which potentially provides additional peace of mind.

Ultimately, though, the MO27U2 is priced as a premium gaming monitor but misses the mark in just too many areas. There are better options for similar money.

Gigabyte MO27U2: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $650 / £539 / AU$1,499
• When is it available? It’s out now in most regions
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia and elsewhere

Gigabyte’s MO27U2 is available at significantly different price points all over the world, yet it’s expensive everywhere.

It’s worth comparing it with other premium UHD, 240Hz QD-OLED monitors in your region as it’s likely you’ll find a better deal, especially in Australia where the price is significantly higher, for some reason.

• Value: 3 / 5

Gigabyte MO27U2: Specs

Gigabyte MO27U2: Design

• Sober, work-friendly design
• Good connectivity
• Excellent gaming features

The Gigabyte MO27U2 has a thin yet robust glass screen that’s supported by a (refreshingly small) sturdy base. It’s simple to assemble owing to the stem clipping onto the back of the screen and screwing onto the base with a single thumbscrew.

The stem affords plenty of adjustment: there’s -5° to +21° of tilt, -15° to +15° of swivel, 90° of counterclockwise pivot and a generous 130mm (5.1in) of height adjustment. Its small footprint means competitive gamers can get right up close to it.

All of the important ports are covered. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, one USB-C port (that supports DisplayPort, 18W power delivery and USB hub connectivity) plus one USB-B upstream port and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack and (usefully) two 5W speakers. Some may lament offering only 18W of power delivery in the modern market, but that’s nitpicking. DisplayPort 2.1 is also an omission that few in the real world will miss.

You can access the settings by a joystick button (and two programmable buttons) at the bottom of the screen. It’s mostly responsive and intuitive, but some adjustments can reset the screen and even require setting up in Windows all over again.

I'm not sure what’s happened to the Gigabyte Control Center app, which is now barely functional. On the occasions that it did detect the display, it only provided access to a handful of settings and then wouldn’t always sync them with the screen.

A Game Assist menu provides access to ‘Game Info’ such as an on-screen timer, refresh rate display and multiple on-screen crosshairs. The Tactical Switch setting allows configuration of the shortcut button (next to the joystick button). You can also use it to automatically switch the display from a 16:9 ratio to 4:3 or 5:4. Resolution can be switched to a 24-inch mode with 4:3 and 5:4 options, something that makes a difference when playing competitive shooters.

Other features include an Eagle Eye sniper zoom box in the middle of the screen. I find this unusably annoying, but if you’re a camping sniper-type player, it might be beneficial to your ‘gameplay.’ There’s also ‘green-screen-style’ night vision (which I couldn’t get on with) plus (a welcome) flash dimming setting.

Other gaming features include AI Black Equalizer, which flattens contrast to reveal enemies hiding in shadows.

If you’ve got a console, then VRR mode can help prevent tearing in supported 120Hz games. Separately, Ultra Clear inserts black frames at 120Hz to reduce motion blur. It’s very effective and something that pro-gaming esports screens often make use of.

Other features are the usual monitor fare. There are plenty of image adjustment options and presets, so you can (at least attempt to) set up the monitor just so.

Finally, there’s a suite of OLED Care options including Pixel Clean, Static Control, Pixel Shift, Sub-Logo Dim, Corner Dim and much more. It also regularly performs an automatic maintenance cycle, but you can delay it if you’re in the middle of something important (unlike some rivals).

All in all, there are few features missing from the Gigabyte MO27U2, but it gets marked down for the terrible partner app and slow adjustment of some settings.

• Design: 4 / 5

Gigabyte MO27U2: Performance

• Impressive QD-OLED panel
• Mediocre HDR handling
• Fast 240Hz gaming performance

The tandem QD-OLED panel is generally very impressive. It gets bright (1,000-nit peak HDR brightness), with rich and vibrant colors, very good contrast and very nearly true blacks. The issue of spidery text (that we’ve seen with previous-generation panels) has been banished, and this, plus the UHD resolution and a physics-defying, low-reflection glossy screen means it’s excellent for work as well as multimedia consumption.

However, being a premium monitor means my expectations are higher. HDR performance is an issue: while details are visible in dark areas and bright lights pierce through them in localized areas of the screen, highlights get lost in bright areas too easily.

Transitions and gradients are mostly very smooth, but most adjustments will transform them into a stepped, blocky, artifact-riddled mess. This will be a minor point for many gamers, but there are better performers for similar money (not least from Gigabyte) available, so it’s marked down accordingly.

Still, the 240Hz refresh rate marries with a fast, 0.03ms pixel response time to banish blur to a degree where only the most demanding competitive FPS players might grumble. Nvidia G-Sync compatibility ensures image tearing isn’t an issue.

The twin 5W speakers might not offer the best fidelity, but they get loud and punchy and are very useful for watching casual videos from time to time, so I appreciate their inclusion.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Gigabyte MO27U2?

Buy the Gigabyte MO27U2 if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

Want more options? Check out our guide to the best gaming monitors.

• LG has revealed a new 24.5-inch monitor in the UltraGear 25G590B
• It has a 1,000Hz refresh rate and motion blur reduction tech
• LG notes that it's designed for shooters 'where accurate aiming and near-instantaneous visual confirmation are key to victory'

LG has revealed a new display which it's billing as the 'world's first native 1,000Hz' gaming monitor.

VideoCardz spotted the press release LG issued announcing the UltraGear 25G590B, which is a 24.5-inch monitor with a Full HD (1080p) resolution and the first panel to hit the magic 1,000Hz refresh rate.

But is hitting that threshold really 'magic'? Well, it's a technically impressive achievement, but I'll discuss the reality of what this means in a moment.

First up, let's consider the rest of the specs of the UltraGear 25G590B, although not that many details have been shared so far.

What we do know is that this monitor has an IPS panel and a "low-reflection film" to reduce glare on the screen. LG has also incorporated 'Motion Blur Reduction Pro' tech that "makes fast-moving objects sharper and easier to track".

In other words, this helps you aim better in shooters – the likes of Apex Legends, Overwatch or Valorant – and this is a monitor that's "engineered specifically for first-person shooter games".

LG further notes: "This display provides ultra-fast visual updates, preserving the readability of in-game menus and interfaces while maintaining the crispness of both moving and stationary onscreen objects. The 25G590B is especially well suited to FPS games, where accurate aiming and near-instantaneous visual confirmation are key to victory."

The LG UltraGear 25G590B also has a couple of AI features (well, of course it does). The main use of AI here is to tweak the picture settings according to the game genre being played, but there's also an AI sound ability for a better spatial audio experience and clearer in-game comms, we're told, if you have a compatible headset.

LG's 25G590B gaming monitor is set to go on sale in the second half of 2026. We don't yet have a price.

Analysis: too refreshing?

Is this a monitor you'd want to buy? Well, not really – unless you're an aspiring esports professional who plays shooters, which is the target audience, as noted. Or unless you have a lot of money to throw around...

That refresh rate should certainly provide a very smooth and fluid gameplay experience, of course, and as LG notes, it's a 'native' 1,000Hz monitor that runs at that refresh rate in Full HD – as opposed to dual-mode gaming monitors that can drop to 720p resolution to achieve faster refresh rates. (And you don't really want to be pro-gaming with the loss of clarity involved in that particular fudge).

More broadly, though, how fast do refresh rates need to be? While 1,000Hz native is certainly a technical achievement, as observed, what does it mean in practice? The truth is that the vast majority of gamers won't be able to meaningfully tell the difference between 1,000Hz and, say, 360Hz.

The other point to bear in mind with a 1,000Hz monitor is that to get the full benefit of 1,000 frames per second, you need a GPU that can run the game in question at that level – which is no mean feat, even at 1080p resolution. Remember, this means being consistently at (and effectively over) 1,000 frames per second, too, which is rather different to being able to hit that frame rate occasionally.

In short, you'll need a monster graphics card, and the prices of those beefy GPUs are through the roof right now (thanks to the RAM crisis). Besides, for some games, a consistent 1,000 fps may not even be possible with a fully decked out top-end rig (although it is true that competitive shooters are designed for high frame rates).

All that said, even if there are arguments about exactly how much smoothness the human eye can detect – even for the sharper-eyed gaming pros out there – there are folks who claim that a massively high refresh rate can still be 'felt' in the gaming experience. And LG argues that its motion blur reduction tech "helps players follow rapid lateral movement with less effort [and] identify targets more clearly". This could be useful, or a gimmick – time will tell. (And speaking of gimmickry, I very much doubt that gaming pros will want AI 'intelligently' adjusting their picture settings).

The LG UltraGear 25G590B will be a pricey gaming peripheral, but it'll certainly be interesting to see how it's received by critics when the panel emerges later this year.

Epomaker P65 review

In the world of mechanical keyboards, it can often look like brands are all trying to one up each other simply for the sake of it. It’s as if they feel they must be the most feature-packed, the most outlandishly designed, or have the highest spec numbers.

Epomaker has gone the other way with its premium P series, and the Epomaker P65 arrives as the most compact entry in a lineup, which also includes the P75 (75%) and P87 (TKL). All three share the same core DNA: CNC aluminum construction, gasket mounting, five-layer sound dampening, and VIA/QMK programmability. The P65 I’ve been testing takes that formula and squeezes it into a 65% layout with 66 keys and a rotary knob.

The first thing that hits you with the Epomaker P65 is its weight. At 1.3kg, this is a dense, planted keyboard that both looks and sounds like one solid hunk of metal, because it essentially is. Both the top frame and the bottom chassis are CNC-machined aluminum with a lovely anodized finish. That’s an unusually premium build for a $119 keyboard, as most boards in this bracket use an aluminum top plate over a plastic base.

My Khaki review unit has a retro, old-school aesthetic that’s reminiscent of stock keyboards from school computer labs, just significantly more upmarket. It’s a look that won’t appeal to everyone, and there’s a plain black option available too if that’s the case, but I found it refreshingly understated in a market full of aggressive RGB-littered designs.

Speaking of which, the P65 does include south-facing per-key lighting, but it’s quite muted when viewed from a normal typing position. I’m not particularly disappointed by that because it feels slightly at odds with the vintage vibe of the Khaki colorway, though you can always turn it off and I imagine it looks a little more at home in the black trim.

The double-shot PBT keycaps are well-made, with a subtle texture that feels good under the fingers. The font is simple and clear, though I did notice some strangely inconsistent stroke weights on keys like Backspace and Enter. Some letters appear thinner than others in a way that looks less like a stylistic choice and more like a rendering issue or printing problem.

Where the Epomaker P65 really shines is sound. My unit uses Epomaker’s own Zebra linear switches, or you could opt for the heavier Wisteria option instead. Combined with the aluminum case and five-layer dampening stack, the result is one of the most satisfying sound profiles I’ve tested in a while.

It’s deliciously smooth and creamy. Every keystroke has a clean, rounded character that scratches a very specific part of my brain. A warning though: it’s loud. This is not a keyboard for a shared office or an open-plan workspace. I can’t blame it wanting to be heard when it sounds this good, but there’s no missing it.

Typing performance is strong. I hit 129 words per minute at 97% accuracy in testing, which is comfortably above my average of 116/96. This result surprised me since the board didn’t feel quite that fast or clean during use, though I did notice I settled in with it much easier than other mechanical keyboards. The Zebra switches actuate at just 40g, making them light and snappy with a softness from that gasket-mount design.

However, the fixed six-degree typing angle is less ideal. I don’t actually mind the angle myself, but there are no adjustable feet at all and I would have liked the option to go a little flatter and steeper to see the difference. There’s also quite a tall, sheer front edge that isn’t ideal for extended typing sessions. For gaming and general messing about it’s not an issue, but for all-day productivity usage, I’d recommend adding a wrist rest.

Connectivity covers the three usual bases: three-device Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless via an included USB-A dongle (that has a neat magnetic cubby on the back), and wired USB-C. The Bluetooth connection was solid and reliable in my testing, though I had to dig into the manual to find the function key shortcuts for pairing and switching between device slots. There’s nothing printed on the keycaps to indicate which keys handle Bluetooth functions, which is a minor inconvenience during initial setup.

It’s also worth noting that while this keyboard is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, there’s no toggle switch to jump between modes and no alternate keycaps included to swap between platforms. I don’t necessarily need entirely different caps, but having the relevant symbols printed on there would have been nice to see.

The 4,000mAh battery delivers decent life without being a standout, offering roughly 16 hours with RGB on and up to 260 hours without. For gaming, the 1,000Hz polling rate over both 2.4GHz and wired is perfectly adequate and I never felt like my inputs were lagging behind. The P65 doesn’t pretend to be a competitive gaming weapon, and it lacks the adjustable actuation and rapid trigger features of Hall Effect boards, but as a general all-rounder it handles itself well.

If you’d like to mix things up, the P65’s hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, which is welcome given that limited stock selection of just two linear options. Swapping switches is straightforward with the included tool, but the tiny metal pins demand care and attention to get them lined up. It’s more nerve-wracking than boards where you can just slap a switch on without much ceremony. It’s not difficult and they do largely line themselves up; it’s just fiddly.

The weakest link is software. The Epomaker P65 uses VIA for customization, which is powerful once it’s running, but getting there is more effort than it should be. Both the web app and the downloadable version required manually uploading a JSON file from Epomaker’s product page to identify the keyboard, and even that took a couple of attempts before it stuck. Once recognized, all the expected functionality is here: key remapping, macros, lighting control, and a fun keyboard testing mode that plays sounds as you hit each key. But the overall experience feels more like you’re accessing a developer tool than a customer-facing app. Other brands in this price range are delivering smoother software onboarding, and Epomaker needs to close that gap.

Epomaker P65 review: Price & release date

• $119.99 / £89, often seen on sale
• Available via retailers but strangely absent from Epomaker’s website

At $119.99 / £89, the Epomaker P65 sits in a competitive price bracket and undercuts most of its aluminum-bodied rivals while maintaining build quality. Despite being a relatively new release, it’s not difficult to find it on sale with one retailer or another, which makes the value proposition even harder to argue with.

Epomaker P65 review: Specs

Should I buy the Epomaker P65?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Epomaker P65 review: Also consider

How I tested the Epomaker P65

• Tested over a week as my daily driver for writing, browsing, and gaming
• Used across a Windows PC and MacBook Air via all three connectivity modes
• Typing speed tested using 10fastfingers, gaming tested across casual and competitive titles

I used the Epomaker P65 as my primary keyboard for a week, switching between a Windows desktop (wired and 2.4GHz) and a MacBook Air (Bluetooth). Daily use included writing (including this review!), general browsing, Discord chats, and gaming across a mix of casual and competitive titles. I tested typing speed and accuracy using 10fastfingers, played with settings in both the installed and web version of VIA, swapped switches using the included tool, and assessed battery life with RGB enabled during normal use.

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

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: One-minute review

OLED display tech has some killer advantages over traditional LCD panels. But it also has some weaknesses. Enter the new MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36. It's a 34-inch ultrawide model that debuts Samsung's very latest 5th Gen QD-OLED technology. Is this the OLED monitor gamers have been waiting for?

The basic proposition here is actually quite familiar. We're talking 34 inches, 21:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 3,440 by 1,440. That doesn't make for terribly impressive pixel density. But then this is a display that's unambiguously aimed at gamers.

The argument for this form factor is that there's decent image detail for games while not generating a massively debilitating load for your graphics card. That's important if you're going to make the most of the 360Hz refresh rate.

Speaking of which, that's the first obvious upgrade over previous 34-inch QD-OLED panels, which topped out at 240Hz. Next up is brightness. This panel is rated at 300 nits full screen and 1,300 nits peak HDR, up from 250 nits and 1,000 nits respectively. The HDR certification has also been bumped from True Black 400 to True Black 500.

Another important improvement involves ambient light. Up to now, all QD-OLED panels reflect a purple tint in strong ambient light, which compromises outright black levels and contrast. This new 5th Gen QD-OLED panel reduces, but doesn't quite eradicate the problem.

Finally, there's sub-pixel structure. This is the first QD-OLED panel generation to offer true vertical RGB-strip subpixels. To cut a long story short, that helps with detail rendering precision, including text and fonts, albeit that even with RGB-strip subpixels, this isn't a true high-DPI display and the font rendering is never going to be that crisp. But it does now match an LCD of the same size and resolution.

All told, the new panel tech is seriously sweet. It's that bit punchier on the desktop in SDR mode and, if anything, feels stronger than the 300 nit rating. But it's in games where this ultrawide QD-OLED really sings.

The combination of 0.03ms response and 360Hz refresh makes for incredibly rapid and responsive gaming. The motion clarity is pretty awesome. 21:9 monitors aren't the classic choice for esports, but this thing certainly has the speed for very competitive titles.

But the best bit is HDR gaming. MSI includes its EOTF boost mode for optimal HDR visuals and the result is stunning. This is the first OLED gaming monitor that looks almost as good in bright, sunlit game scenes as it does in darker scenes punctuated by sizzling details like lazers or neon lights.

In short, no LCD monitor, even one with full array local dimming, even comes close to the precision of the per-pixel lighting offered by this type of display. Once you've gone OLED, you won't want to go back, especially this OLED.

For the record, the feature set on offer here is strong, too, with comprehensive connectivity including USB-C with 98W of power delivery, a fully adjustable stand and a three-year warranty that includes burn-in cover.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $899 / £999 / AU$1,899
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

At around $899, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is retailing for around $150 more that its direct predecessor based on 3rd Gen Samsung QD-OLED tech. In the context of OLED gaming monitors, which are generally pretty expensive, that's probably a decent deal in return for the upgrades on offer.

Of course, an LCD-based panel of the same size, resolution and refresh rate can be had for half the money or less, but then that's OLED for you. It's the pricey option among the best monitors. One caveat to all this is that the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is proving popular and is often sold out of sites like Amazon and Newegg.

• Value: 3 / 5

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Specs

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Design

• Well built
• Good connectivity
• Three-year warranty

If the QD-OLED panel in the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is fancy and new, the design of the chassis and stand is largely familiar. And that's broadly no bad thing.

It's solidly built and the stand offers a full range of adjustment , including height, tilt and rotate. There's pivot, too, but only 20 degrees each way. In other words, you can't pivot this panel into portrait mode. But then it is a 21:9 aspect ultrawide gaming monitor.

As for connectivity, we're talking DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C with 98W of power delivery and a two-port USB-A hub. In other words, pretty much all your connectivity bases are well covered. Just note that if you aren't interested in the USB-C connectivity, MSI may well release a cheaper version of this display in future with that feature either stripped out or with the power delivery reduced.

MSI also includes a three-year warranty with burn-in cover. The issue of OLED burn-in is likely to run and run. We are now several years into the the availability of QD-OLED gaming monitors and they are broadly proving pretty robust, albeit they will exhibit some light burn-in with heavy use.

Along with the three-year warranty and plenty of burn-in compensating features like pixel shifting, it's worth noting that Samsung claims that this latest 5th Gen QD-OLED panel is twice as durable as the previous generation. That bodes well for long-term resistance to burn-in.

Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 has a glossy rather than matte screen coating, which is great for contrast and visual punch, but does come at a cost in terms of added reflectivity.

• Design: 4 / 5

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36: Performance

• Improved brightness
• Sizzling HDR visual
• Incredible speed

Out of the box the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is immediately brighter and punchier than its predecessor, albeit the difference isn't immedaitely dramatic. That said, the overall vibe is, if anything, more impressive than the 300 nit full-screen brightness rating implies.

Part of that is thanks to the fact the QD-OLED panels use pure RGB subpixel technology. Monitors using LG's competing WOLED tech rely on an additional white subpixel to achieve their brightness ratings.

That can be problematic because most real-world content as opposed to test patterns are a mix of colors rather than pure white. For color brightness, the white subpixel either won't boost brightness at all, or can blow colors out. Consequently, QD-OLED has better true color brightness.

Anywho, for almost all use cases, this new generation of QD-OLED panel tech has sufficient SDR full-screen brightness. But for HDR content, it positively sizzles. It's at its very best rendering a game scene that's a mix of very bright and very dark elements, all rendered at the same time with incredible precision and contrast.

Think an inky black background punctuated by a bright strip light, a control panel full of fizzing LEDs, or sparks, gunfire and lazers. On this monitor, that kind of thing looks stupendous.

MSI has also once again included its EOTF boost mode functionality. It basically combines the best aspects of the VESA HDR 500 mode with the Peak 1300 nits mode, enabling the highest brightness for both darker and brighter gaming scenes. In practice, you can use EOTF boost mode for pretty much all HDR content and get the best possible experience, instead of having to switch modes to suit the scene lighting. That's a real benefit.

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 admittedly isn't quite so impressive in brighter outdoor game scenes. But full-screen brightness is much improved on previous generations of OLED in that respect and pretty close to being a solved problem.

Along with all the HDR goodness is the usual speediness of OLED. This new pane ups the refresh rate to 360. Combined with the ridiculously quick 0.03ms pixel response, the result is pretty outrageous response and clarity. This is a very fast display.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36?

Buy the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 if...

Don't buy it if...

• Originally reviewed in May 2026

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K: two-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Price & release date

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

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

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

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

• Price score: 3.5/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Specs

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Design & features

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Design and features: 4/5

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K review: Also consider

How I tested the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K

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

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

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

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

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

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review

The MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K is a gaming mouse with a pro level spec and some useful features. Despite this, it also has a pretty competitive price.

There's nothing spectacular or gamerish about the way it looks, maintaining as it does a relatively understated aesthetic. There’s only a small logo that allows some subtle RGB lighting to pass through.

In the hand, I found the Versa 300 more bulbous than I’m accustomed to, with a more prominent hump in the middle. However, I adjusted quickly to the shape and found it comfortable thereafter. In fact, it actually fitted my palm as well as the best gaming mouse shapes.

This fit also helps to impart a secure feeling, making me confident in performing lift-offs. This is further aided by the concave side walls and their diamond grip pattern. It’s a shame, though, that this grip area isn’t made from a soft touch material like silicone or rubber; it merely adopts the same smooth plastic as the rest of the unit. Regardless, I still found it provided sufficient grip and feedback.

The Versa 300 is quite a light mouse, weighing just 66g, which makes it easy to maneuver. However, there are certainly lighter mice around, and what’s more the weight doesn’t feel evenly distributed. Most of its mass seems to be concentrated near the rear, which can cause the whole unit to tilt backwards when lifting off. At least the Versa 300 feels solid and durable, which is always a positive. The body material feels smooth and upmarket, too, belying its budget price tag.

In action, the Versa 300 is quite impressive. The first aspect I noticed was just how smoothly it glided. This surprised me, given the PTFE skates are quite small compared to those on more premium gaming mice.

The included USB cable is braided and quite long, which makes it amenable to a wide variety of setups. It’s also quite light, although it still adds a small but noticeable element of drag to movements. The connection to the USB-C port is as solid as I could’ve wished for, so I wasn’t concerned about accidentally yanking it out.

The Omron mechanical switches feel satisfying enough, but they’re a little heavier and travel a little further than those on more elite gaming mice. This makes them feel less snappy. I still found them just about light enough for competitive play, but more serious head clickers might find them too sluggish for their needs.

The scroll wheel is somewhat unusual, due to its prominent, spiky finish. Far from being uncomfortable, though, I found this texture pleasing and it provided good feedback.

The middle click is also very satisfying, feeling more like a true button press than many others, thanks to its long travel and definitive thud when actuated. It’s probably one of the best middle clicks I’ve experienced.

However, the notching of the wheel is a little too light for my tastes, making it somewhat harder to judge single flicks compared to others. There’s no free scroll or tilt scroll feature, either, which some premium gaming mice get.

MSI Center, the brand’s peripheral software, is simple to use and laid out clearly. There is a reasonable amount of adjustments here, including five customizable levels for the DPI selector, ranging from 100 to 26,000, as well as rebinding options.

These are quite limited, though. You can only swap inputs around, assign media playback controls, and trigger macros (a fairly basic macro recording facility is included). It’s a shame you can’t customize the RGB lighting from here; for that, you’ll need to download another app, Portal X, which just creates more inefficiency.

You can enable more advanced features, such as Motion Sync and Angle Snapping, as well as alter the debounce time between 0ms and 30ms (in increments of 1ms). You can also adjust the lift-off distance, but this only has two settings: low and high.

Battery life is also excellent. After using the mouse consistently for several days, in both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes, it only dropped around 10-15%. I didn’t experience any connectivity issues, either, with the two wireless modes maintaining a stable, lag-free signal.

Other gaming mice may have a greater selection of advanced performance based features, but it’s hard to complain about their absence in the Versa 300, given its competitive pricing. There aren’t many in this sector that offer a top-draw spec for so little, making it a compelling pick for those on a budget.

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review: Price & availability

• $99.99 / £59.99 (about AU$140)
• Available now
• Well-priced for its spec

The MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K costs $99.99 / £59.99 (about AU$140) and is available now in black only. It comes with a braided USB cable but no grip tape or spare skates.

Considering its spec, the Versa 300 is well-priced. There aren’t many gaming mice at this price point offering dual wireless connectivity modes, an 8K polling rate, and advanced tweaks.

It’s significantly cheaper than the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, which is one of our current favorites in the sector. But the Razer has more advanced software, granting you access to more adjustments and functions. We also loved its snappy mouse clicks, an area where the Versa 300 falls short.

However, if you’re after a truly budget gaming mouse, it’s hard to beat the Cooler Master MM311. We found it performed much better than it had any right to. It may lack multiple connectivity modes and a rechargeable battery, but you can’t really get better performance for less.

Should I buy the MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review: Also consider

How I tested the MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K

• Tested for several days
• Used for a variety of games and tasks
• Extensive gaming mouse experience

I tested the Versa 300 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general productivity. I used all of its connectivity methods with two different Windows PCs.

I played a variety of games, from fast-paced shooters such as Counter-Strike 2, where speed and precision matter most, to games requiring a more considered and versatile and more encompassing mouse functionality, such as Subnautica 2.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have experienced many gaming mice in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, from budget offerings to pro-level and feature-packed premium models.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: May 2026

Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless review

The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless is a premium low-profile gaming keyboard built for those who want one board for gaming and productivity shortcuts, with enough flexibility to handle use across multiple setups. It uses a 99% layout, so you still get a numpad and function row, but the overall footprint is smaller than a regular full-size board.

Add fast polling over both wired and 2.4GHz wireless, OPX low-profile optical switches, per-key RGB, an LCD screen and six Stream Deck-friendly keys, and it’s clear the Vanguard isn’t aimed at users who just want a simple wireless keyboard.

The high price feels purposeful, but it does mean the board won't appeal to everyone. At $260 / £240 / AU$429, it sits well above plenty of great options in our best keyboards guide. The value proposition makes most sense if you’ll actually use the Stream Deck keys, Virtual Stream Deck, Web Hub profiles, LCD and rotary dial, and love RGB, but it’s still a lot to spend if you really just need a slim keyboard for games or productivity.

The physical design and build quality are two of the areas where the Vanguard Air 99 really stands out. The aluminum-topped frame gives the keyboard a more premium feel than many low-profile boards, while the black or white finish keeps the look clean enough for a work desk.

At 26.27mm (~1-inch) high, it’s very slim for a keyboard with a full numpad, and the 99% layout is a sensible middle ground if you need number keys but still want more mouse room than a standard full-size board would leave.

That said, the tighter layout does take some getting used to. A 99% board keeps almost everything, but it compresses the nav cluster and pushes the six Stream Deck keys to the left edge. The layout works well overall, but the Vanguard Air 99 isn’t quite as immediately familiar to type on as the near-full-size spec suggests, and it took me a while to adjust.

The aspect that took longest was avoiding occasional accidental presses of the Stream Deck keys, so you’ll have to bear with it if you’re coming from a conventional full-size keyboard.

The OPX low-profile optical switches make for a very enjoyable typing experience. They have a short 1.5mm actuation point and 2.5mm total travel, so key presses feel quick without bottoming out too fast.

The switches are linear, pre-lubed and not hot-swappable, which lets Corsair set up the feel but does limit future tinkering.

The combination of the gasket mount and internal sound dampening gives the Vanguard Air 99 a more polished feel than many low-profile keyboards. I find that some (admittedly, much cheaper) designs can sound thin or plasticky, but the Vanguard Air 99 Wireless uses its gasket mount and five internal sound-absorbing layers to make each key press feel solid, smooth and very quiet.

The PBT keycaps, which use a tougher, more wear-resistant plastic, also help the premium impression, and the double-shot molding means the legends are made from a separate layer of plastic rather than printed on top. Be aware that some regional layouts may use ABS keycaps, which are made from a smoother, more common plastic that can develop shine more quickly, so buyers should check the exact version.

The appeal to gamers is pretty straightforward. The Vanguard Air 99 Wireless supports 8,000Hz polling over USB and Slipstream v2 2.4GHz wireless, plus FlashTap SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) handling for resolving overlapping directional inputs. For most users, 8K polling is more about headroom than making a clear difference in games, but it’s good to see wireless performance has no compromises.

Switch customization is one area where the Vanguard Air 99 lacks flexibility. Many expensive gaming boards now offer magnetic or analog switches with adjustable actuation and rapid trigger-style features. The Vanguard Air 99’s optical switches are fast and consistent, but actuation isn’t adjustable.

Competitive players chasing that exact level of tuning may be better served by one of the best gaming keyboards with analog switches.

Customization control is split across Corsair Web Hub, the Stream Deck app and iCUE support. I like the Web Hub approach because it lets you adjust key assignments, macros, lighting, polling and profiles in a browser without installing anything. This is especially handy if you want to use the keyboard across multiple machines.

For example, you might have iCUE installed on your gaming rig, but not bother with it if connecting to a work laptop. The Web Hub also makes it easier to configure the keyboard on a machine where you are restricted from installing unapproved apps.

The software side still feels like a work in progress, though. That’s important because the Stream Deck keys, LCD, RGB lighting, rotary dial and onboard profiles are a large part of what buyers are paying for.

While the Stream Deck app is great, the keyboard management software feels like it’s playing catch-up to the hardware. For example, iCUE support wasn’t initially available for the Vanguard Air 99, and it’s easy to hit limitations in both the Web Hub and iCUE at times.

RGB control is a good example. You can select from a range of RGB customizations, with different layers for making certain keys stand out, but there’s no proper per-key color and effect control that lets you truly make it your own. You also can’t build your own effects — something even my cheap RGB Christmas lights allow.

The selectable effects only have three speed options, and the slowest setting was still too fast for my taste. For a keyboard at this price, the lighting control is a lot less granular than I had hoped for.

The six Stream Deck keys are the aspect that had me most excited about the Vanguard Air 99, even though they are just normal keys without an embedded LCD. If you already use Elgato Stream Deck, mapping shortcuts for your favorite apps or repeated productivity actions is very useful.

The limitation is that these keys are still physical buttons with static legends (though you can change the keycaps), not full Stream Deck display keys, so the setup works best for a small number of repeat actions rather than constantly changing layouts.

The included keycap sets are a useful touch too. Corsair includes one set of six Stream Deck icon keycaps and one set of six Mac keycaps, and there’s a Windows / Mac switch key to go with them. The caps were easy enough to swap by hand on my sample, but there’s no keycap puller in the box, which feels like an odd omission when replacement caps are included.

The package also includes the Slipstream Wireless v2 adapter, a female USB-C to female USB-A adapter and a USB-C to USB-A cable. The 2.4GHz receiver magnetically slots into the keyboard next to the buttons and is easy to access, while the little adapter is used with a USB-C cable to help make positioning the receiver more convenient if your desktop is tucked away or the rear USB ports are crowded.

The included USB cable is soft and has a braided fabric shell, but I’d still have preferred a standard USB-C to USB-C cable with a USB-A adapter, which would give more flexibility for port selection.

The 1.9-inch LCD is best considered as a small status and personalization display rather than a major productivity feature. It’s a 1.9-inch IPS full-color display with a 320 x 170 resolution, 350 cd/m² brightness and 30 FPS image support, so the hardware itself is pretty good. It gives the Vanguard Air 99 some extra visual character, it can show images and GIFs, and it’s useful for quick feedback on remaining battery and modes. It can also be configured to show system data like temperature sensor readouts.

Uploading images or animations is an easy way to customize the look, but note that it has to be done over wired USB, and while the adjustment tool lets you center a picture, the fixed zoom steps are fairly large and make fine-tuning harder than it should be. The screen feels like software upgrades could make it more useful in the future.

The battery life is respectable, but I wouldn’t call it exceptional. Corsair quotes up to 55 hours with keyboard lighting off and the LCD at 20% brightness or 29 hours with both keyboard lighting and the LCD at 20%. I tended to like it brighter, so I only managed about 20 hours, which means this is a keyboard you’ll likely keep plugged in most of the time if you use the RGB and screen heavily. Still, being able to go full wireless is very much appreciated.

Overall, the Vanguard Air 99 looks like a good fit for certain buyers. The keyboard is slim, well built and well suited to fast gaming, but also has enough productivity features to feel more flexible than a typical gaming keyboard.

That software maturity is the main thing that complicates my recommendation. The Vanguard Air 99’s price feels more reasonable when you look at the hardware: the low-profile build, Stream Deck keys, LCD, rotary dial, wireless 8K polling and compact numpad layout all support a specific premium desk setup. But because the software isn’t as polished, buyers may be left waiting to get full value from the keyboard.

Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless review: price & release date

• Available for $260 / £240 / AU$429
• Released March 17, 2026
• Available in black and white

The Vanguard Air 99 competes with low-profile wireless models like the Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL and Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro, plus analog gaming boards such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3.

Corsair’s advantage is the blend of low-profile design, numpad and Stream Deck-adjacent controls. It isn’t a value-first keyboard, but it is easier to understand as a deliberate premium board for people who want low-profile typing, gaming wireless and desk-control features in one setup.

Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless review: specs

Should I buy the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless review: also consider

How I tested the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless

• Used as my primary keyboard for two weeks
• Tested wired USB, 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth
• Swapped keycaps and tested software controls

I tested the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless by using it as my main keyboard for two weeks across work, productivity tasks and gaming. I used it on both an Apple MacBook Air and a Windows laptop, switching between wired USB, 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth modes, and I typed this review and other work on it during that period.

I also swapped the included keycaps, checked the magnetic receiver storage, used the Windows / Mac switch and adjusted lighting and profiles in Corsair Web Hub and iCUE. I set up the Stream Deck keys through the Stream Deck app, used the LCD and rotary dial in daily use, and kept the lighting and screen bright enough to compare my real-world battery life with Corsair’s quoted figures.

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

• IJP OLED could be 30% to 35% cheaper than current OLED production
• Challenges remain, especially power consumption and blue OLED lifespan
• Expect to see the tech in premium laptops first, but TVs are on the cards

A new report says that the long-awaiting arrival of inkjet-printed OLED will slash the price of OLED production, making the tech much more cost-effective and the resulting displays much more affordable.

That's good news in the relatively short term for laptops (such as a near-future OLED MacBook Pro), and for smaller displays in devices such as phones and in-car consoles. And in the longer term it's good news for TV buyers too.

The dominant production technology in OLED production is FMM, which is short for Fine Metal Mask. According to display analysts Omdia, FMM costs are getting lower — but inkjet printing will be even cheaper, with a price difference of between 30 to 35% compared to FMM production. Given that OLED is an expensive tech to produce, that could make a big difference.

And price isn't the only benefit. Inkjet printing offers some significant advantages over FMM. However, it's important to note that those lower costs are a prediction for the future, not a measurement of how much IJP OLED costs to produce at the moment.

This is still a very new screen tech, and that means it's still expensive to manufacture because the yields — meaning the amount of panels produced that are good enough to sell — still need to be improved.

We've been told by TCL, the biggest player in the IJP OLED game right now, that it'll be several years before it's affordable in mass-market TVs — but in laptop and even monitor-sized panels, the tech is rolling out.

What's so exciting about inkjet-printed displays?

For manufacturers, the lower cost of inkjet printed displays isn't the only benefit. It's set to be much more efficient once it's working at full quality — Omdia says that for 16.3-inch OLED laptop displays, manufacturers can produce 10% more panels from a single substrate compared to FMM processes — and the machines cost less to buy.

That's the good news. But there are still some challenges for inkjet-printed OLEDs to overcome. One of the key challenges has been the lifespan of blue OLEDs made using the IJP process: according to TCL CSOT, in 2020 the lifespan of its blue pixels was just 40 hours. Power consumption was also a significant issue.

However, by late 2025 TCL CSOT had improved the longevity of its blues by ten times to 400 hours, and it had reduced power consumption by one-third — the technology has continued to develop since then.

This is a very fast-moving sector, and there's big money being spent on developing it: TCL CSOT alone has invested $4 billion in its T8 plant, which will be located in Guangzhou in China. It's intended to produce 22,500 substrates per month.

Those panels will be destined for monitors, notebooks and tablets, but TVs are on the roadmap too: as we reported last year, TCL has been showing off TVs with panels up to 65 inches in size. Mass production of the first panels from the plant is likely to commence in late 2027.

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

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review

The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K is a 75% mechanical keyboard that delivers a surprisingly broad feature set given its price. Available at a price tag of just $115 — it's currently only available in the US — it's crammed full of features like 8,000Hz polling over both wired and 2.4GHz wireless connections, hot-swappable Silk POM switches, a dampened gasket mount construction, and a battery life measured in weeks.

I’ll start with what’s included in the box, because Keychron has thrown in a rather generous selection of bits and bobs. The standard gear is here, like a keycap removal tool, USB Type-A to Type-C adapter and an extension adapter for the wireless receiver. You’ll also find striking red replacement keycaps for the Esc and Enter keys, along with alternate caps to swap between OS-specific buttons like Command and the Windows key.

Build quality is a mixture of impressive and a little questionable, depending on where you’re looking. The PBT keycaps are a highlight with a premium feel and reassuring thickness. There’s very little wobble to speak of and even the biggest keys are well supported by pre-installed screw-in stabilizers.

It’s the outer frame that doesn’t hold up as well under pressure. There’s noticeable movement in the plastic shell, both along the front below the space bar and under any level of twist or strain when picking it up from the sides. I noticed this more when moving it around and fiddling with the keyboard itself rather than gaming or typing on it, but it’s not a great look compared to the best keyboards.

The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K only comes in one color — black with two shades of grey keycaps — and it carries quite an industrial vibe as a result. It’s a 75% layout, with 82 keys including a volume dial, and you’re given the choice of Keychron Silk POM Red, Brown, or Banana switches. I’ve been testing the latter, which sit towards the heavier end of the tactile range with a 57g actuation force. They’re fully hot-swappable too, so you can always switch things up later... if you’ll let me get away with that painful pun.

Hanging out under the keys is one of the niftier RGB lighting implementations I’ve seen in some time, as long as you’re willing to invest the effort in setting it up. You can go deep with dialing in exactly the look you want, with more than 20 effects in both per-key mode or what Keychron calls Mix RGB mode. The latter allows you to define two different zones, each with their own effects. I spent a good half an hour playing with different effects, even as someone who isn’t usually a massive RGB kinda guy.

The only downside is the keycaps are solid with no shine-through lettering, so while there is plenty of punch to the intensity and saturation of the effects, they are a little blocked.

Deeper under the hood, the V1 Ultra 8K runs on ZMK open-source firmware, which is a shift away from the QMK that powered Keychron's previous wireless boards. Realistically, it's not a change I imagine most people will actually notice day to day, but it's the reason Keychron can claim a frankly absurd 660 hours of battery life. I’d like to tell you I had the spare 27 days of continual use to test whether Keychron’s claim is valid, but in my testing I barely noticed the battery percentage drop and it was quick to charge up again when plugged in, so I’ll take the company's word for it. Connectivity covers all the bases with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3 with support for up to three paired devices, and wired USB-C.

The headline spec is the 8,000Hz polling rate, which works across both wired and 2.4GHz modes. If we’re all being really honest with ourselves though, nobody outside of the absolute top end of esports champions is likely to notice the difference between 8K and 1K. You’re not suddenly going to get better at Fortnite, I promise. It’s impressive that such a high polling rate is an option on a keyboard of this price, but you’re probably better off running a lower spec anyway and saving any potential extra strain on your CPU.

You can tweak that polling rate, and the rest of the V1 Ultra 8K settings in the Keychron Launcher web app. I’m a big fan of this approach over a downloadable app and I found it to be loaded with options, snappy, and easy to navigate. You are limited to Chrome, Edge, or Opera, and you’ll need to be using the USB-C cable to make changes, but any settings you do tweak are saved to the keyboard itself so will carry across devices and connection modes.

So, what’s the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K like to use day to day? For most tasks, pretty great. Those Banana switches have an early tactile bump and fire off about halfway through their 3.4mm total travel distance. In practice, that makes them feel super responsive and capable of handling a lighter touch than their 57g force suggests on paper. While gaming I never felt like my actions were lagging behind and N-key rollover means simultaneous inputs all register together with no missed keystrokes.

The gasket mount and polycarbonate plate give the V1 Ultra 8K a more cushioned feel, and the multiple layers of foam inside keep each press sounding deep and rounded. It’s a nice, grown-up sounding keyboard.

All those internal layers add up to make this quite a tall keyboard, however, both in terms of its frame thickness and the height of the keycaps themselves. I’m more sensitive to this than others as I daily drive a low-profile keyboard, but the V1 Ultra 8K felt even taller than most I’ve tested. I’d have appreciated a wrist support to counter that cliff of a front edge, and even without the feet extended I felt as though my hands were needing to lean back in normal use. Keychron will sell you a silicone or resin wrist rest, and I’d say it’s well worth considering.

Typing was a bit of a mixed bag. For chatting in Discord, general browsing or productivity, it’s entirely pleasant. For more dedicated writing sessions, I found the sculpted keycaps bundled with that lofty overall height a little harder to adapt to. Each has a noticeable dip that’s useful for keeping your fingers locked in on WASD, but that starts to get in the way when your fingers are flying around typing out a review. It’s workable: I still maintained 113wpm, which is about my normal pace, but accuracy dropped to 92% instead of the 96% I usually hit.

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: price & release date

• Available for $114.99
• Released in January 2026
• Not currently available in the UK

At $115, the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K sits in a compelling spot. It’s one of the cheaper wireless mechanical keyboards to offer 8K polling and undercuts major players quite convincingly. There’s a lot on offer for the price here, though it does skimp a little on build quality to meet that budget.

It was released in the US on January 2026. Unfortunately, though, it's not available in the UK as yet, so gamers and keyboard connoisseurs there will find themselves waiting a while to get their fingers on it.

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: specs

Should I buy the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review: also consider

How I tested the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K

• Used as my primary keyboard for a week
• Connected both wired and wirelessly, on Mac and Windows
• This review was typed entirely on it

I tested the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K by making it my daily driver keyboard across all work, productivity, and gaming for a week. I used it on both an Apple MacBook Air and a Windows desktop PC, jumping between wired and wireless connectivity modes.

I swapped out a few keycaps using the included tool, uninstalled and reinstalled one of the switches just because I could, and played around with the full suite of settings in the Keychron Launcher web app.

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

Logitech G512 X two-minute review

The Logitech G512 X reminds me of what Citroën tried to do with the C3 Pluriel — a car so busy trying to be everything that it ended up being not quite enough of anything. This is a keyboard that seeks to blur the lines between gaming and enthusiast-grade, which is a tricky line to walk — and one that the G512 X doesn't quite manage.

On one hand, it's trying to be one of the best keyboards money can buy, with capable tactile switches, gasket mounting and strong acoustics, and on the other, it's positioning itself as a top-end TMR gaming deck with potent HE switches with rapid trigger, dual actuation and all the rest of it. For $199.99/£199.99, this feels like a two-for-one deal I can get behind, but only in some respects.

In practice, the G512 X impresses with strong mechanical credentials and fast analog switches that can be swapped in an instant with the bundled pullers to provide the precision and power more competitive gamers will appreciate. I also like the clean software and the pleasant and rather striking black and purple chassis (it can also come in white and mint).

However, there are several limits to its powers that, to me, stop it from being a top contender for one of the best gaming keyboards out there. For instance, the chassis here is predominantly plastic and can flex at the corners, meaning the Keychron K2 HE Concrete Edition is a much stronger bet for build quality, while the fact that the analog hot-swappable powers only extend to 39 of the keyboard's switch sockets just feels like an oversight. The likes of the Cherry Xtrfy MX 8.2 Pro TMR Wireless and Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE have already addressed this more convincingly with full hot-swap support.

Likewise, the high price tag is hard to ignore, even if you're getting some genuine cleverness here. The likes of the Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact and Corsair K70 Pro TKL offer as much, or more, gaming grunt for a lower price, and the aforementioned Keychron adds wireless connectivity for an identical price. Nonetheless, it's still more affordable than the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3.

Logitech G512 X review: Price & release date

• Costs: $199.99 / £199.99
• Available May 2 2026
• Towards the top end of the market

The Logitech G512 X is available in two sizes, and therefore two prices, with the 96% option I have here the dearest at $199.99/£199.99. If you wanted the smaller 75% option, you'll be paying $179.99/£169.99. The keyboard is currently available for pre-order, with shipping from May 2 2026.

The price puts it towards the top end of the market for similar Hall effect gaming keyboards, and it's similar in a lot of respects to the Corsair K70 Pro TKL. The Cherry Xtrfy K5 Pro TMR Compact is also a potent wired choice, and is a fair bit cheaper than Logitech's offering, although it lacks some of the versatility of the G512 X.

Other more pro-oriented products that this keyboard is designed to compete with, such as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3, cost a bit more, though, arguably due to having extra software trickery or wireless connectivity options.

In the box, Logitech provides the keyboard itself, a USB-C to USB-A cable for wired connectivity, switch and keycap pullers that double as feet and documentation. There is also a wristrest available, although that is a separate purchase.

• Price score: 3.5/5

Logitech G512 X review: Specs

Logitech G512 X review: Design & features

• Stylish black and purple chassis
• Build quality leaves a lot to be desired
• Reasonably intuitive layout

Logitech has opted for a different look to a lot of its other past gaming keyboard efforts with the G512 X, adding a welcome splash of color, such as the purple-accented Esc and arrow keys, alongside the dual dials in the right corner and the color that's sandwiched in between the black of the frame down the sides and around the back. Both sizes of the Logitech G512 X can also come in white with mint accents, and you can swap out the colored keycaps for ones that match the rest of the body for a more uniform look.

There's a certain style here that I'm quite a fan of, alongside the diffused lighting aesthetic across the front.

For a $200 keyboard, the fact that the frame feels like it's mostly plastic isn't a great first impression, especially as rivals incorporate a lot of metal for sturdiness, or even go as far as to make the case out of a material such as resin, or concrete, in the case of Keychron's latest entry.

This has the effect of making the chassis flex under heavy pressure both in the middle and at the corners, giving the G512 X a much cheaper feel that I'm not a fan of, not least from a brand that should (and can) do better. Despite this, there is a decent amount of heft to the frame, with it tipping the scales at 2.2lbs/1kg, which means some thought has gone into it. Just not enough in my book.

The fit and finish elsewhere is quite reasonable, with pleasant PBT keycaps under the finger that have a nice grip for comfortable typing. PBT is a more durable plastic than the swathes of ABS I'm used to seeing on more mainstream keyboards, and is also much less resistant to the horrible keycap shine that plagues ABS-capped boards after a fair amount of use.

Logitech offers the G512 X in two layout varieties, with either a 75% or a 96% configuration available. The former offers the benefit of a TKL layout (also known as Tenkeyless, which means the keyboard doesn't have a numpad) in a slightly squished-up fashion, with an F-row, arrow keys and a single column nav cluster alongside the usual alphanumeric keys.

The 96% layout is the one I have, and it supplements this with a number pad. The placement of keys against other keyboards of this form factor I've tried is different, owing to the two dials in the top right. By default, the dials control backlight level (left) and media volume (right), although they can be remapped in Logitech's G Hub software. Usually, the navigation keys are moved above the number pad, but they're now part of a function layer, with only the Print Screen key above the number pad. Otherwise, this is a method of packing in most of the functionality of a full-size keyboard into a slightly space-saving chassis.

The interface around the back is where things get a little interesting, as you'll find standard features such as a USB-C port for wired connectivity, plus two buttons – one for scanning the keyboard to check for any analog switches installed (this is then reported into software for customization purposes), while the other enables Game Mode. In the middle, there is a cubby hole for the nine Gateron KS-20 analog switches that can be swapped into the keyboard and a shelf for five silicon rings that can be placed around a switch to help denote where a secondary actuation point is (if they're set in the software).

I like the clever use of storage space on the rear of the G512 X, and I think it's a smart feature that other keyboard makers could take notice of. The silicon rings do tend to fall out of the back of the keyboard, though, if you move it around.

On the underside, you'll find some small feet that raise the keyboard up by default to a more comfortable angle, although the included keycap and switch pullers also double as feet for an even taller angle. Getting these into place in between the existing feet is quite finicky, and they don't feel the most secure.

On the topic of software, G Hub handles configuration duties for everything from RGB lighting control to key remapping and dealing with rapid trigger and actuation point options. For rapid trigger and such, you can program inputs on a scale from 0.1mm all the way down to 4mm, giving a lot of configuration. There are also options here to set two actuations per key and deal with SOCD tech, which I'll get into later.

The RGB lighting here is rather bright, and there is a good deal of customization offered in the software to change colors, patterns and the like. My only criticism is that in a lot of cases, the backlighting doesn't extend to the edges of some of the legends.

• Design and features: 3.5/5

Logitech G512 X review: Performance

• Tactile mechanical switches by default…
• …which can be swapped to HE switches for more speed and precision
• Solely wired connectivity, although with 8000Hz polling rate

It's on the front of what's inside the G512 X where things get quite intriguing, as this is one of only a handful of keyboards out there that'll accept both more standard mechanical switches and magnetic or analog switches in one go. The only others that spring to mind are the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE and the Cherry Xtrfy MX 8.2 Pro TMR Wireless, although in this respect, I'd argue both of them have a leg up on Logitech.

That's because this 'board only accepts its analog TMR switches on 39 of the hot-swappable sockets, mostly on the left side of the keyboard, as that's where most of the switches pressed for gaming exist – the arrow keys are the only notable exception, according to Logitech. I understand why they've done this, but surely it would've made more sense to offer that precision and power across the entire alphanumeric set, rather than just over half of it.

This keyboard ships first and foremost as a more traditional mechanical choice, with it available either with indeterminate Linear or Tactile switches; my sample shipped with the latter. I feel it is quite important to note that some of the documentation I was provided with for this keyboard calls these switches 'MX Mechanical Switches' when I can find no evidence that these are proper Cherry MX switches. There isn't any branding on them to suggest so, for instance, and the housing doesn't look like the MX Browns I'm so used to, leading me to believe these are some form of clones.

To be fair to Logitech, the clones it has fitted provide a positive actuation with a healthy bump halfway down the travel alongside a smooth travel and a surprisingly light 38g weighting.

Acoustics here are strong, with no case rattle or ping from the stabilisers or internal mechanism, while the G512 X also has internal gaskets to provide a slightly more responsive, 'bouncier' feel under finger. There is a fair amount of key wobble, though.

Hot-swap support for the standard mechanical switches is the usual MX-style three or five-pin switches, and it works the way you'd expect, with no soldering or funny business required. Just note that the bundled switch and keycap pullers Logitech has provided aren't great at doing their job, so you'll want to find a combo puller or separate ones from elsewhere. It took me several attempts before I even got a grip on either the keycap or the switch.

When it comes to the analog switches, Logitech has opted to use Gateron KS-20 Hall effect switches for the nine included on the rear of the keyboard, which I've seen fitted to HE keyboards in the past from the likes of Wooting and even Sony. These feel as I expected, with a smooth keypress afforded by having no physical mechanism inside and all the benefits of speed and precision over what comes by default inside the G512 X.

The key thing here is that these are powered by TMR sensing sockets, rather than the more ubiquitous Hall effect, which is something we're seeing become more common with gaming keyboards in 2026. Without getting too much into the weeds, TMR stands for Tunnel Magneto-Resistance, and is a technology we've mostly seen applied to game controllers rather than keyboards. It's essentially designed to offer a greater degree of precision and general responsiveness over the litany of Hall effect products we see in controllers and keyboards.

It's also meant to be more power-efficient, although as this is a purely wired keyboard, it isn't that important compared to wireless TMR keyboards from other folks.

As much as this is a keyboard you can use for general day-to-day stuff with its full mechanical set, it's more at home when you use the keycap and switch pullers and swap out the mechanical switches for analog ones, which is very easy. For my testing, I elected to swap the WASD keys, Shift and the 1, 2, and 3 number keys for speed in Counter-Strike 2 for movement, crouching and weapon selection.

With those switches swapped out, you can go into Logitech's G Hub and scan the keyboard, which will recognise the new switches as being analog, and you can then configure things such as rapid trigger, dual actuation and more. I didn't set the actuation and reset as high as 0.1mm, as I've often felt that's too sensitive, and instead set it to a more reasonable 0.5mm.

This decision essentially turns these switches into hair triggers. It means inputs required very little effort, which becomes very handy in quick-draw scenarios where you need to bring a weapon out or throw a grenade as quickly as possible.

Using G-Hub also opens up more advanced features, such as dual actuation, where you can go through a switch's travel with two inputs mapped. This is where the little o-rings that Logitech provides come in, as they're specifically designed to notify you when that second input should be recognised.

There are limits to the G512 X's powers, though, as its switches don't support more progressive and controller-like analogue inputs, as you'll get on rivals from the likes of Wooting and Keychron at this price. This is handy if you wanted to play racing titles such as Forza Horizon 5 with your keyboard.

Logitech provides its own flavour of SOCD tech, known as 'key priority', which is controllable in G Hub, and can be mapped to seemingly any pair of switches. It allows you to activate one key while holding down the other for especially quick actions. In this instance, it works based on the most recent one pressed; for instance, if mapped to the A and D keys (the typical default in a lot of rival choices), it can allow for unnaturally quick side-to-side movement for a tactic known as 'jiggle strafing' in Counter-Strike 2.

It's very clever, although not something you'll probably use too much in online games, given Valve wields the ban hammer for anyone who uses it in online Counter-Strike 2 games.

Connectivity with the G512 X is strictly wired, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless choices available. Over this wired connection, you also get an 8000Hz polling rate for more frequent reporting of inputs than 'standard' gaming keyboards, which can lead to a more responsive feel. This isn't necessarily something that mere mortals can feel, although for the pros, where every millisecond counts, it's a useful addition.

• Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Logitech G512 X?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G512 X

• Tested for around a week
• Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
• A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist

I tested the G512 X for around a week, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.

I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Forza Horizon 5, to best gauge its TMR switches. I also made sure to use Logitech's G Hub software to test every facet of the keyboard.

I've been a tech journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.

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• First reviewed: April 2026

Valve Steam Controller (2026) one-minute review

Valve’s back in the hardware game, but no, this is not the much-hoped-for Steam Deck 2, but instead a new version of the Steam Controller that’s been refreshed and refined for modern gamers.

The original Steam Controller, was a unique gamepad when it launched back in 2015, but while it was an ambitious departure from standard dual-stick controllers (instead having a single thumb stick, and two large touchpads), it never really shook off the novelty factor (the novelty being that Valve, primarily a games and software company, was now making hardware), and its unique design seemed to put off a lot of people. Low sales resulted in Valve pulling the plug in 2019.

That wasn’t the end of Valve’s hardware ambitions, however, and since then it’s had some big hits, including the Valve Index VR headset and the brilliant Steam Deck, which essentially kicked off a new category of devices: the handheld gaming PC.

So, when Valve announced a new and improved Steam Controller, alongside a revamped Steam Machine console-like device (the original was another worthy failure) and VR headset, my hype was high, as I hoped that Valve’s more recent hardware successes would positively influence the new Steam Controller. Now that the gamepad is in my hands, I’m pleased to say that’s exactly what’s happened.

The most noticeable difference between the Valve Steam Controller (2026) and its predecessor is that the design is more conventional, with it now coming with two analog thumbsticks, which are located below the face buttons. This makes it much easier to get to grips with if you’re used to other gamepads (especially the PlayStation 5’s DualSense, as, like the Valve Steam Controller (2026), the thumbsticks are horizontally aligned, unlike the Xbox controller.

Valve hasn’t completely dropped its innovative ambitions, however, with the Valve Steam Controller (2026) still coming with two touchpads, though smaller, square, and located beneath the thumbsticks. If you’ve used the Steam Deck, then the look and feel of these touchpads will seem familiar, though on the new Steam Controller, they are angled inwards slightly, which does make them more comfortable to use with your thumbs.

The Valve Steam Controller (2026) comes with four additional buttons on the back, and these can all be easily configured via the Steam software. Connecting the controller to a PC is easy, with the Steam Controller Puck – a plug-and-play dongle with a pre-paired low-latency connection.

Place the Valve Steam Controller (2026) on top of the Puck (which connects via magnets), and the Steam Controller will charge, as well as pair with the PC (and you can use more than one Steam Controller with the same Puck).

You can also unplug the Puck and use the cable to directly connect the Steam Controller to the PC via USB-C, and you can also use Bluetooth, though for anyone who has used Bluetooth on a Windows 11 PC to connect a controller, you’ll understand that that’s probably a method you’ll want to avoid at all costs.

Valve Steam Controller (2026) review: Price & release date

• How much is it? $99 / £85
• When is it out? Goes on sale May 4, 2026

The Valve Steam Controller (2026) goes on sale on May 4, 2026, for $99 / £85 / AU$149, and you won’t be able to buy it from a bricks and mortar store – as with other Valve products, you’ll need to buy it through Steam, Valve’s online storefront. The good news is that if you’re a PC gamer, you’ll already likely have Steam installed for buying and playing games.

Despite this, the Valve Steam Controller (2026) can be used with games you’ve purchased outside of Steam, and while Valve recommends you add the non-Steam games to Steam for the best experience, I found it worked fine when playing games from the rival Epic Games Store without adding them to Steam first, though the Steam Controller acted more like a generic gamepad.

Price-wise, the Valve Steam Controller (2026) is one of the more expensive gamepads out there. It’s almost twice the price of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, which is currently our top pick as the best PC controller, and the Sony DualSense Wireless Controller, which I currently use on my gaming PC, both of which cost around $60 / £50 / AU$90.

However, it’s a fair bit cheaper than many other gamepads aimed at pro gamers, such as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, which sells for $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$349.95, and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which costs $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95.

So, this is a mid-range price for the Valve Steam Controller (2026), and while it is pricey, it does feel about right, as it offers more features than budget gamepads, but not the extreme customization that more expensive gamepads offer. One thing to note is that I didn’t have a chance to try the Valve Steam Controller (2026) with a console. Valve claims it’s not compatible, though you might be able to get basic functionality if you connect via Bluetooth. However, if you’re looking for a gamepad that you can use on both a PC and a console, then you’d be better off looking elsewhere.

• Price: 3.5/5

Valve Steam Controller (2026) review: Specs

Valve Steam Controller (2026) review: Design and features

• Much more conventional design than original
• Two TMR thumbsticks
• Gyroscope and touchpads also included

Valve has overhauled the design of its new Steam Controller, and to be brutally honest, that’s a very good thing. While I admired Valve trying to do something different with the original Steam Controller, it wasn’t a design I was particularly keen on. It had two large trackpads where thumbsticks usually are placed, which were supposed to make playing games in genres such as RTS (Real Time Strategy), which work best with a mouse and keyboard, easier on a gamepad.

This desire to appeal to PC gamers at the expense of a more conventional console-like gamepad ended up pleasing practically no one, and the original Steam Controller was discontinued a few years later.

The Valve Steam Controller (2026), on the other hand, has a much more conventional design, and while it doesn’t feel like a bold reinvention of the gamepad, there are still some unique features and innovations to be found.

Unlike the original, the Valve Steam Controller (2026) features two thumbsticks, horizontally aligned and placed beneath the D-Pad and face buttons. The placement of these thumbsticks feels comfortable and natural, and anyone used to gamepads with aligned thumbsticks, such as the DualSense, should be able to get to grips with the Valve Steam Controller (2026) pretty easily.

The new thumbsticks are no slouches, either, thanks to tunnelling magneto-resistance (TMR) technology, which is the tech of choice for most premium gamepads. This uses small magnets to measure even the smallest of movements, which improves precision, and excels in genres such as shooters and racing games, where even the smallest of movements need to be accurately recorded and reflected in-game.

Because the TMR thumbsticks of the Valve Steam Controller (2026) don’t depend on physical contact within the gamepad, unlike traditional thumbsticks, there’s less risk of damage or performance degradation over time, and it should mean the Valve Steam Controller (2026) isn’t at risk of the dreaded stick drift issues that have plagued many a gamepad.

The inclusion of the D-Pad is also noteworthy. Despite being found on pretty much every gamepad ever made, the original Steam Controller did not include one (the idea was that the left-hand touchpad would work). This was another design decision that made the original model unpopular, so the return of a physical D-Pad is very welcome.

The Valve Steam Controller (2026) doesn’t completely ditch the innovations, however, as it still comes with two touch pads. This time, however, they are smaller and square, and placed at the bottom of the controller’s face. The touchpads are visually similar to the ones found on the Steam Deck, though they are angled to make using them with your thumbs more comfortable.

The touchpads offer haptic feedback, which makes using them feel responsive and natural, with subtle vibrations that let you know when they are touched.

The rest of the face of the Valve Steam Controller (2026) is home to four face buttons (in ABXY layout, which the original Steam Controller, Steam Deck, and Xbox controllers all use. There’s also a Steam Button in the middle, identifiable by the Steam logo. Pressing this turns the controller on, and pressing it again launches Steam in Big Picture Mode, which is a full-screen interface that makes finding and booting up games via a gamepad much easier (and looks good if you’ve got your PC hooked up to a TV, as I do).

On the left, there’s also a Back button, while on the left a Menu/Start button. Between the two touchpads is a Quick Settings button as well. You also get the regular bumpers and triggers on each side of the top of the Valve Steam Controller (2026), and on the back, there are four additional buttons (two on each of the grips) that can be assigned to in-game functions. The placement of these buttons makes it easy to reach them while holding the Valve Steam Controller (2026) – maybe a bit too easy, as I tapped them a few times by mistake while playing some games (especially during hectic moments).

The back is also home to a magnetic port that lets you quickly connect the Valve Steam Controller (2026) to the Puck, which connects to a PC and is used to both charge the controller and act as a low-latency wireless dongle. It’s small and unobtrusive, and it’s a nice way of incorporating charging and connecting the controller, and with the lengthy included USB cable, you can position it to ensure a reliable wireless connection.

The Valve Steam Controller (2026) also has gyroscopes, so physically moving the controller around can control the onscreen action. While it’s a bit of a niche feature, there are plenty of games, especially from Sony, which, like Valve, see the value in including gyroscopes in their game controllers. I’m currently playing through The Last of Us Part 2 on PC (taking my time as I am a massive wimp), and swapped out the DualSense for the Valve Steam Controller (2026), and was still able to use immersive gestures such as shaking the controller when my flashlight’s battery begins to die. On that note, the touchpads of the Valve Steam Controller (2026) are an excellent alternative to the DualSense’s touchpad, which means the Valve Steam Controller (2026) is an excellent controller for people, like me, who play a lot of PlayStation games on PC (which makes the rumors that Sony is cutting back on porting its games to PC particularly disappointing).

One thing that’s missing, however, is an audio jack on the controller. Rival controllers often include one, allowing you to plug wired headphones and hear game audio without having to trail a long cable to your PC or console. I, like many PC gamers, have a wireless headset for when I want to keep the noise down when gaming, so this isn’t a massive issue for me, but it might be disappointing for some, especially due to the price.

Overall, the design of the Valve Steam Controller (2026) is a big improvement over the original, with a more conventional feel that’s widely used for a reason: it’s comfortable. That doesn’t mean it’s completely without innovative flourishes, with the dual touch pads and additional buttons on the back. However, it does lack the customization of more expensive professional gamepads.

It feels light and comfortable to hold, and it seems Valve has taken a lot of what it learnt from the original controller, as well as the Steam Deck (which can feel big and bulky in-hand), and applied it to the Steam Controller (2026).

• Design: 4/5

Valve Steam Controller (2026) review: Performance

As you’d expect from a product made by Valve, the Steam Controller (2026) works brilliantly when playing games on Steam. The company had clearly been prepping for the launch of the Valve Steam Controller (2026) for a while, as most major games I played already had controller profiles set up for it. This means that most games can be played with the Valve Steam Controller (2026) and make use of its additional features, such as the gyroscope, out of the box without needing to tweak any settings.

It also means that on-screen prompts will display the correct button – this is particularly important for QTE (Quick Time Events), where you need to hit the right button at the right time. When playing The Last Of Us Part 2, for example, the button prompts that were for my PlayStation controller were replaced with the corresponding buttons on the Valve Steam Controller (2026), such as replacing the triangle symbol with Y for interacting with objects.

These profiles are also highly customizable, so you can tweak the plentiful buttons, trackpads, and gyroscopic controls to your liking, and you can share these profiles with other users. For games that don’t have a Valve Steam Controller (2026) controller, I am sure that will soon change once it’s in more people's hands, and many games have a Steam Deck profile, which maps very well onto the Valve Steam Controller (2026).

Playing Portal 2, which is a Valve game, has excellent integration with the new Steam Controller (2026); the controller felt fast and responsive. Turning on gyroscopic controls allowed me to control the camera by tilting the controller, and the default settings were very accurate, to the point where I needed to turn it down a notch, as it was picking up the slightest movement or tremor of my hands. This was easy to do thanks to Valve’s robust customization options for the Steam Controller. The haptic rumble within the controller lets you know when the gyroscope is being used, and you can toggle it on and off with a press of the touchpad or button, or holding down a button – all of which can be easily customized.

While I’m more interested in gyroscopic controls for immersive interactions (such as the aforementioned shaking the controller to fix a flickering flashlight in The Last of Us Part 2), it’s a great feature to have and works well. For people who mainly use a mouse and keyboard to control games, the Valve Steam Controller (2026) offers a way to play games on a gamepad with a level of precision that you often only get when using a mouse to control aiming.

The touchpads can also be used to mimic mouse/touchpad controls, and their placement on the Valve Steam Controller (2026) is easy and comfortable to use. I’d never play a first-person shooter (FPS) game using a keyboard and laptop touchpad, but the touchpads on the Valve Steam Controller (2026) are within easy reach of my thumbs, so I can choose to use either the thumbstick or touchpad, depending on the game. With the original Steam Controller, you didn’t have this choice.

The touchpads also feel responsive, and the haptic feedback on each pad gives you a clear idea of what you’re controlling and the actions you’re performing. One thing I like is that when either touchpad is not needed in a game, the touchpad locks in place, so you know it can’t be used (and also means if you brush or touch it while gaming, it won’t mess up your game).

The touchpads, as with the gyroscopic controls, are designed to allow you to play games in genres that don’t usually work well with gamepads, and while I would probably still use a mouse and keyboard for playing RTS (real-time strategy) games, I found the Valve Steam Controller (2026) and its touchpads worked well with management sims like Planet Coaster 2. The touchpads also work well when on the Windows 11 desktop, with the left-hand touchpad controlling scrolling up and down, while the right-hand touchpad moves the mouse cursor.

For anyone who has tried playing PC games on a non-traditional setup, such as from the couch and playing on a TV, you’ll know that even with console-like interfaces such as Steam Big Picture Mode, Windows 11 has an annoying habit of throwing up a dialogue box or menu that can’t be selected with a standard gamepad, meaning you have to switch to a mouse and keyboard, just to get rid of the pop-up. With the Valve Steam Controller (2026), you don’t need to do that.

The TMR thumbsticks feel great, and with the Puck keeping wireless latency down, the Valve Steam Controller (2026) offers a brilliant gaming experience that’s responsive and accurate, even if you’re using it as a generic gamepad without the additional features. For PC gamers looking to enjoy a more console-like experience, it’s a fantastic peripheral that bridges the gaps between keyboard and mouse and a gamepad. Using it for games like Crimson Desert worked brilliantly, with the touchpads giving me a mouse-like control when aiming, along with no perceptible lag when getting into frantic fights. While the rumble never blew me away as it does with compatible games and the DualSense (which needs to connect to a PC via a cable for the full experience), it still worked well and added another level of immersion.

Valve also promises a battery life of over 35 hours, and during my time playing with the Valve Steam Controller (2026) with a whole manner of games and using the gyroscopic controls, touchpads, and with rumble turned on, I didn’t experience the gamepad running out of battery. To be fair, the magnetic charging Puck is so convenient that I ended up placing the controller on it after most play sessions, which helped keep the battery topped up.

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should I buy Valve Steam Controller (2026)?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Valve Steam Controller (2026)

• Played several games over multiple gaming sessions
• Tested over the course of several days
• Games include The Last of Us 2, Crimson Desert, Planet Coaster 2

During my time testing the Valve Steam Controller (2026), I played numerous games from different genres to get an idea of how the gamepad performs, including games that I would usually only use a mouse and keyboard for.

While most of the games I tested were on Steam, I also tested out Hitman: World of Assassination on Epic Games Store to see how it would work with non-Steam games. I’ve been reviewing PC gaming peripherals for almost two decades, and have been an avid gamer for over 30 years on both consoles and PCs.

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

When you're at work in the office, you may not pay much attention to the laser printer in the corner unless it’s broken. But peel back the plastic panels of a conventional laser printer and you’ll actually find sophisticated, interesting technology with its roots in the 1960s.

It’s understandable if it’s all a bit confusing, too, because the ubiquity of laser printers has masked just how much is going on inside these clever machines.

If you’re at all curious about the inner workings of the laser printer, though, don’t worry – just read on, because we’ve got you covered!

The history of the laser printer

Laser printers were first developed in the late 1960s. An engineer at Xerox, Gary Starkweather, created a prototype in 1969 by modifying a photocopier with a laser beam.

His big idea was simple: use the laser to “draw” an image of what needed to be copied directly onto the copier drum, and print that on the output paper.

Throughout the 1970s, Starkweather and colleagues added control systems and character generators to their early models, and the first commercial laser printer was released by IBM in 1976, and designed for data centers.

By the early 1980s, the first laser printers for office use began to appear and, by the middle of that decade, printers from HP, Brother and others followed IBM into the market, with machines like the HP LaserJet changing the game with huge advances to design and affordability.

As time has passed, technology has improved dramatically, and now laser printers are a staple in many offices.

Who uses laser printers?

Laser printers are known for their fast print speeds, high-quality text printing, and lower cost per page. Combine that with their relative lack of moving parts and their durability, and it’s easy to see why they’re popular in offices.

They’re especially useful for high-volume and high-quality document printing in businesses, universities and public sector organizations with huge print loads, and where text quality is crucial – think legal documents, reports, business letters and official paperwork.

That’s not the only area where laser printers have found success, though. Because they can print monochrome documents quickly and because they’re straightforward and reliable, they’re useful in warehouses where shipping labels need to be produced at pace, and in medical environments where you need guaranteed paperwork fast.

Specialist laser printers are often used for printing adhesive labels, barcode tabs or shipping documents, and other models can be augmented with secure print release abilities for confidential documents.

And thanks to advances in color laser printing technology, other laser printers have the quality to produce glossy marketing materials at speed – previously a task where slower and more expensive inkjet printers dominated.

Looking into the lasers

No matter how a laser printer is used, though, many of the fundamentals about its operation remain the same.

One of the most surprising things about laser printers? They don’t use ink. Instead, they use toner – a fine, dry powder made of pigments and plastics that comes in cylindrical cartridges that are placed inside the machine.

Because it’s not conventional ink, it binds to paper very quickly and easily, so it doesn’t smudge or bleed, which is a common issue with some conventional inks.

To get that toner onto your paper, the process starts with a simple command – pressing “print” on your PC, laptop or mobile device.

When that happens, your device sends the file for printing to the onboard processor on the printer. The processor converts that data into information that the printer can understand, like PCL (Printer Command Language) or PostScript.

This PCL or PostScript file is then converted to a Bitmap image – essentially a series of dots – that the printer will use as its design.

Depending on your printer, the data is sent to the device using either a wired or wireless network, or sometimes a USB connection. In an office setting, you may need to verify your identity to confirm that the information has been sent successfully.

Charging up

When the printer has the file, it’s time to charge up with static electricity. At the heart of a laser printer is the photoreceptor drum, which is a cylinder that’s coated with materials that react to light by losing their electrical charge.

To charge the drum in the first place, a primary corona wire or a charging roller applies a uniform, positive electrical charge across its entire surface. It’s this consistency that's vital for initiating the process.

This is usually the longest part of the process, because it’s important to wait for the corona wire to reach the required temperature. If you wait for a printer to “warm up” before it starts producing design, this is what’s happening.

Load up the laser

When the drum is sufficiently and consistently charged, the printer warms up the most exciting component – the laser.

And while it’s easy to be blasé about laser printers given how they’re omnipresent and often affordable office companions, the level of precision required here cannot be overstated – any distortion means a poor print, and most laser printers can produce thousands of printed dots per inch if required.

When it’s ready to go, the laser works with a movable mirror and a selection of lenses to direct its beam at the drum. It turns on and off rapidly while it moves, removing positive electric charge from specific areas of the drum.

This moving, flashing laser process creates an invisible, negative electrostatic image on the drum in the shape of the design required.

Once the design is rendered on the drum with negative electric charges, it is ready to be transferred to paper.

And while it’s true that most printers give drums a positive charge before the laser gets to work, there are some models that use a negative charge on the drum with neutralization delivered by the laser.

In both instances, though, the concept remains the same – attractive and repellent electrical charges are used to create the design.

Time to tone

In most laser printers, alongside the central drum, you’ll find the toner cartridge and a hopper. While the laser is busy creating the invisible electrostatic image on the main drum, the toner cartridge and hopper release positively-charged toner particles.

Because they’re positively charged, they’re attracted to any areas of negative charge on the drum.

And, as we’ve established, those areas of negative charge actually represent the design that needs to be printed. That means the positive toner is attached to the negative design. Because the toner and the non-printing areas of the drum are both charged positively, those parts of the drum remain untouched.

Prepping the paper

Up until now, the laser printer has concentrated on getting the design onto the drum in the form of positively charged toner.

But now it’s time for the paper to get involved.

A transfer belt rolls paper through the printer, which gives it a positive electrical charge in the process. As the positively charged paper passes the drum, there’s a natural attraction between the positive paper and the negative areas of design on the drum.

The rollers and belts press the drum and paper together. Remember that, at this point, the design is negatively charged and the paper is positively charged – so the two are drawn together, with the toner in the middle.

At this point, a hot roller called the fuser unit melts the toner onto the paper, which leaves the design on the page.

There’s some serious heat going on, too, because some fuser units and rollers apply around 200°C or 392°C of temperature to get the toner melted successfully onto the paper. And because everything is moving so fast, the paper doesn’t have a chance to burn despite the high temperatures involved in laser printing.

As we’ve mentioned before, changes in the charges applied across the various components may result in slight variations in the charges at this stage of the process. Despite that, the underlying concepts remain the same.

Doing it all again

That’s the process for printing one sheet – and while it’s quite involved, it takes fractions of a second.

But there’s a bit more work necessary to print the hundreds of pages routinely required in laser print jobs.

Once a page has been printed, a cleaning blade or an electrically charged eraser removes any leftover toner from the drum and a discharge lamp erases any charges and images from the drum. Once this is completed, the printer is ready to start the process again.

The process is a little more complex if you’re printing in color, too. Color laser printers have four toner cartridges in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black – that’s the CMYK code that is often used in the print and design industries.

Some laser printers use a single-pass method where all four colors are applied in one single pass over the paper, with multiple drums and lasers working at the same time. Other printers send the paper over one drum several times, with a different color deployed on each pass.

And if you’ve got a laser printer with duplexing – a feature that allows printing on both sides of the page – internal rollers are used to flip the paper over once the first pass of printing has been completed.

Print perfection

Laser printing is a complex process, then, involving rollers, electrical charges, toners, wires and the lasers themselves – even if it often happens so quickly that it’s easy to forget what’s going on inside.

This technology is a marvel, though, even if it’s just churning out reports, documents, or letters.

So next time you send a job to the laser printer in the office, maybe stop and think about what is going on inside the grey box in the corner of the room, because you might be surprised.

For our top printers, see our guides to the best home printers and best laser printers.

We may be living in a world of remote and hybrid work, but there’s no doubt that paper documents and printing still have their place, especially in smaller businesses.

Whether you’re printing marketing materials to take on sales trips, churning out postage labels or producing secure documents in the medical or legal fields, sometimes it’s just better to have things on paper.

And if you’re responsible for buying technology in a small business, it’s important to get maximum value for money.

Tighter budgets and an increased emphasis on Return on Investment mean that you need to ensure you’re buying the right product from the start, especially when a faulty or unsuitable piece of technology can bring your entire operation to a halt.

And without a full-time IT team in place, it needs to integrate into your existing technology and be easy to use.

It’s also worth making sure that any technology purchase is future-proofed, so it can remain effective in your business for years to come.

If you’re in the market for a new printer for your small business, though, it can be tricky to know what to buy and which features you need – so read on, discover what you need to consider, and you’ll be able to make your next purchase with confidence.

For more top-performing devices, we've tested the best small business printers and best home printers.

1. All-in-one functionality

Most small businesses face familiar challenges: small budgets, and not enough space. And if you identify with those issues in your organization, then it’ll be worth investigating all-in-one devices that have print, copy and scan functionality.

You’ll be able to handle all three of those crucial office tasks from a single device, which can save space, time and money when compared to investing in two or three separate units. And that’s all the more true when you consider just how compact many all-in-one devices can be, too.

By investing in an all-in-one device, you can consolidate and streamline workflows – because you and your staff won’t have to spend loads of time switching between different units and software packages to get the job done.

You could even save on energy bills because you’ll only be running one device, rather than two or three.

While it may seem odd to seek out an all-in-one device that still includes fax capabilities in 2025, this retro functionality remains desired in the legal, healthcare, and government industries, where fax remains a trusted method of secure communication. If you’d rather not rely on a phone line, internet fax services are available.

Additionally, ensure that your new printer offers robust support options, easy firmware updates, and a comprehensive warranty – all of these additions can help prevent costly downtime should an issue arise with the device.

2. Wireless and mobile access

Your small business needs technology that supports mobility and flexibility, especially when so many businesses and employees support hybrid and remote working.

When it comes to a printer for your small business, wireless connectivity is a must-have feature.

And while we’ve already mentioned that having an all-in-one device that handles printing, copying, and scanning is important, wireless connectivity is equally essential if you’re getting a traditional printer, too.

Wireless and mobile functionality means that you and your colleagues can print from your laptops, PCs, smartphones and tablets without cables – a vital feature when you’re working from different locations or just in a cramped office.

Depending on the printer and the devices that you use in your organization, you may need to use technology like Wi-Fi Direct or Apple AirPrint – all of which are easy enough to use. Companies like HP also have their own protocols, APIs and apps to handle this functionality.

On the technical side, all-in-one print, copy and scan devices still tend to use the familiar 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi standards, so if you’ve got a relatively modern network at the office – and your staff have the same at home – then you shouldn’t encounter any issues when it comes to wireless connectivity.

Many models also support integration with cloud storage services, like Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive, which makes it easier to manage print, scan and copy workflows throughout your organization. Similarly, make sure that your new printer integrates with any document systems you may use, like Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Google Workspace.

Many printer manufacturers also produce their own apps, making it just as simple to manage files throughout the print, scan, and copy process.

When you’re working remotely, in a hybrid business or with colleagues spread throughout a region, visiting customers on sales calls, having mobile and wireless access is a game-changer.

As well as supporting a more agile workforce, having wireless and mobile-enabled technology minimizes the need for shared PCs or print servers, which can reduce costs for your business. You’ll also reduce cable clutter in the office, which may well be a consideration if you’re already working in a cramped space.

3. Automatic duplexing and document feeding

If you want to streamline workflows and administration in your small business, then it’s quite simple – your next all-in-one device or printer needs to have Automatic Document Feeding and duplex ability.

A device with built-in Automatic Document Feeding, or ADF, will be able to accept multiple pages at the same time, so you can feed a bundle of documents or paper into the printer at once and not have to worry about feeding things manually, one page at a time.

Combine this batch scanning ability with a device that has automatic duplexing and you’ll go some way to reducing administrative headaches and downtime in your organization.

Automatic duplexing is the ability of a printer or all-in-one device to print, scan or copy documents on both sides of the paper.

For printing and copying, that means you can improve your environmental impact because you’re using less paper. You’ll also be able to produce more compact, professional-looking documents, and reduce material costs by using less paper.

For scanning, duplex functionality means faster results, because you don’t have to manually turn documents over to capture the information on the other side.

Duplex-capable printers and all-in-one devices offer this functionality thanks to additional rollers and sensors located internally. The best models offer duplex printing and copying with no delay to print speeds.

And while duplex-capable devices and ADF printers may cost more initially, they deliver longer-term ROI gains because they save on material costs, reduce ink usage, and help your organization produce more sustainable documents.

It’s just another way to make your small business printing as efficient, eco-conscious, and lean as possible.

4. Respectable running costs

Go beyond ADFs and duplexing and it’s important to consider cost in other areas, too – both in terms of your initial print investment and ongoing operational costs.

When considering a new printer or all-in-one device for your office, weigh both the initial outlay and the running costs of the device.

After all, you may pick out a printer or all-in-one that has every feature you need at a low price, but it’s going to be a false economy if it’s got huge running costs. And when you want to use your new device for years, those ongoing expenses are going to add up.

When considering a new printer, it’s important to consider the overall Cost Per Page, or CPP. To calculate this, you’ll have to combine the cost of your ink cartridge with the cost of your paper – and divide that by how many sheets you get out of each cartridge.

It’s also worth including your energy expenses and any other maintenance costs in this calculation.

Once you’ve gathered data about your CPP, you’ll be in a better position to judge if a printer will prove expensive to run, or if you’ll actually save money by investing in a model with a more expensive up-front price alongside reduced running costs.

Thankfully, there are ways to reduce your ongoing print expenses. Many printers are available with high-yield ink cartridges, which improve efficiency, making them ideal for frequent printing. Many go further with refillable ink tanks, eco-friendly operating modes or cartridge recycling schemes.

If you’ll be printing at high volumes and want lower running costs, also consider a laser printer – you may lose out on colors and fidelity, but you’ll gain in print speed and value. But if you do need to produce photographs or high-quality color prints, stick with an inkjet and take plenty of care over the cost calculations.

5. Robust security

The frequency and cost of cyberattacks on businesses are rising, and attackers often target smaller businesses because they sometimes have weaker security protocols.

And when an attack can result in thousands of dollars’ worth of lost time, compliance issues and reputational damage, it can prove catastrophic to a smaller enterprise.

Thanks to wireless connectivity printers have never been more accessible to attackers, and because they’re often used to print sensitive information, they’re very attractive as a potential attack vector, too.

If you want to keep your printing, scanning and copying secure, your small businesses needs to invest in a model that supports strong security protocols.

From a networking perspective, it’s worth exploring printers that support SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit – and models with secure boot processes and firewall controls. These features ensure that communication between your devices and printer remains secure.

It’s also possible to find printers with automatic updates and firmware integrity checks if you want to be even safer.

Admin-level controls in printer networks allow small businesses to set user permissions, monitor usage and control specific functions.

Also consider only allowing people to print if they authenticate with a PIN number or badge to reduce the likelihood of sensitive information being printed and left in the office or in a public place.

If you want your small business to be a success, then secure printing is a necessity – and that’s even more true if you need to adhere to industrial regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS or GDPR.

Summary: Perfect your printing

It’s easy to dismiss a printer as a device that sits in the corner of your office and does a relatively simple job, but by doing that, you’ll be missing a trick in your small business.

If you make sure your next device has appropriate security controls, then you can keep data safe – and if you seek out a model with the best levels of wireless access, document feeding and duplexing then you can streamline your operations and provide more functionality to your colleagues.

And if you weigh up its running costs, too, then you can do all of that while saving your organization some money.

Don’t discount a printer, or an all-in-one, if you want to deliver streamlined, secure operations in your organization – because in a wireless world, paper still has a place.

The HP DeskJet 2855e is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer designed for light home use. It provides printing, scanning, and copying functions. The printer stands out because of its simple setup process, which users praise when they use the HP Smart app together with wireless connectivity features.

Now, this is a budget inkjet - it's currently $50 at Amazon.com and in the UK, the virtually identical DeskJet 2820e is £40 at Amazon.co.uk.

We went hands-on with the DeskJet 2855e to get a feel for how it all comes together. And we've also looked at what others are saying about it.

The 2855e printer receives continuous praise from online reviewers for its document printing quality, and some users report good photo results when using appropriate paper. The printer's compact design makes it an ideal choice for people who need to save space.

The 2855e printer has several negative aspects that users need to consider. Reviews frequently report problems with printer connectivity because they experience unstable Wi-Fi connections, mainly when their network operates only on the 5.0 GHz band (the printer needs 2.4 GHz connectivity).

The primary source of disagreement stems from HP's ink policy, which forces users to purchase HP-branded cartridges and subscribe to HP Instant Ink for potential savings. This policy creates frustration because of high costs outside the program and the need for internet connectivity for HP+ features. The printer is criticized for its slow startup, printing speeds, and the initial setup cartridges’ minimal page yield.

Regardless, users who need a basic printer for occasional tasks will find the HP DeskJet 2855e an appropriate choice because it offers cost-effectiveness and ease of use.

For our top-performing picks, see our guide to the best home printers we've tested.

HP DeskJet 2855e: Specs

The HP DeskJet 2855e is an all-purpose inkjet printer that works well for homes, students, and small businesses. It is a multifunctional device that enables color printing, copying, and scanning to meet different document requirements.

The DeskJet 2855e reaches a maximum ISO printing speed of 7.5 pages per minute (ppm) for black text while reaching 5.5 ppm for color prints. The printer operates effectively between 50 and 100 pages of monthly print use and reaches a maximum duty cycle of 1,000 pages. The printer operates effectively for both light and medium printing needs.

The printer delivers excellent print quality through its 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi for black text and 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for color prints, resulting in clear and sharp documents. The printer produces detailed and colorful outputs through its 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color printing capability and 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi black text printing ability.

The printer includes a 60-sheet input tray that supports printing different media sizes starting from 3 x 5 inches (postcards) and extending to 8.5 x 14 inches (legal paper). Users can print various documents on different paper types through this printer, including plain paper, photo paper, brochures, and envelopes. A 25-sheet output tray helps users manage their printed documents efficiently.

The printer enables wireless printing through built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and direct connections through its Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The printer allows network users to print documents from various connected devices. The HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Chrome OS, and Mopria certification enable users to print directly from smartphones and tablets.

The DeskJet 2855e features a scanner that scans at 1200 dpi optical resolution to deliver detailed results for documents and photos. The copier enables nine copies with a 300 x 300 dpi resolution for black and color copies.

The printer measures 16.7 inches (W) x 11.97 inches (D) x 6.06 inches (H) and weighs 7.55 pounds to fit easily in different spaces with its compact dimensions. HP integrates at least 60% post-consumer recycled plastic into its construction to demonstrate its environmental responsibility.

HP DeskJet 2855e: Feedback

What other sites think

In addition to reviewing the product, we analyzed HP DeskJet 2855e reviews from other online publications to get a more precise and concise idea of what others think of the low-cost inkjet printer.

RTINGS.com says the HP DeskJet 2855e isn't a good choice for families due to its low page yield, leading to frequent and costly ink cartridge replacements. While its document print quality is passable, it struggles with photos, producing flat and unnatural images due to a narrow color range and poor accuracy. Although it includes a scanner, the scan quality is poor, it lacks fine detail, and there is no automatic feeder for multi-page documents. On the positive side, it offers good connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, USB, AirPrint, and Mopria, making it easily accessible to multiple users.

Over at PCVerge, the HP DeskJet 2855e is noted for being a compact, affordable printer suitable for light family use, boasting good connectivity options like Wi-Fi, USB, AirPrint, and Mopria. However, its limitations include the absence of an automatic document feeder, merely acceptable print quality, and higher long-term operating expenses due to ink consumption. While not the fastest, its photo printing speed is reasonable for its price. It features a high-resolution flatbed scanner with good color depth, though its hinges don't accommodate scanning thick items. Ultimately, the HP DeskJet 2855e is deemed a good value for fundamental home printing, particularly for infrequent users open to alternative ink solutions or an HP ink subscription.

Perhaps the most insightful review comes from a Reddit poster. Their “Love Letter to Mediocrity” covers all the essential bases. The author expresses pleasant surprise that the printer functions without significant issues, highlighting its easy setup, wireless printing, and all-in-one capabilities (print, scan, copy). However, the review notes its downsides, including high ink consumption, slow print speeds, and mediocre print quality. The reviewer concludes that the printer is best suited for users with basic printing needs and low expectations, rather than those seeking high-quality or fast performance.

What users have to say

The HP DeskJet 2855e achieves positive average star ratings on major online retail and manufacturer platforms. Still, negative reviews strongly outnumber positive ones, which leads to an extreme split in user satisfaction.

The printer earns a 4.2 out of 5-star rating at Walmart.com based on 652 ratings from 412 reviewers. The review distribution reveals that most users provide 5-star ratings at 65% while 16% give 4-star ratings.

The 1-star reviews account for 10% of the reviews, indicating that many users remain unhappy with the product. The overall recommendation rate from Walmart.com reviewers regarding the product amounts to 83%.

HP.com shows the DeskJet 2855e receiving 4.3 out of 5 stars from 433 user reviews on its official store website. The platform displays a mixed sentiment, with numerous negative reviews that describe multiple problems. 4. The polarized feedback pattern matches what other platforms show.

Best Buy lacks explicit ratings information in the document, but their summaries demonstrate that customers praise the DeskJet 2855e's user-friendly nature, and lack sufficient negative feedback. 6 The product starts with an overwhelmingly positive first impression, especially regarding its early usage.

The 4-star rating on RC Willey, based on 214 customer reviews, matches the general positive trend while showing that some customers remain dissatisfied.

HP DeskJet 2855e: Pros

The HP DeskJet 2855e receives positive reviews for its main features, which appeal to users who require an entry-level home printer.

Users praise the DeskJet 2855e for its "ease of use" and simple setup process after completing software installation and initial connection steps. Many users who experienced a straightforward setup process share positive opinions about this printer. The HP Smart application is a key tool that helps users set up their printer and provides easy mobile printing capabilities without a computer connection.

Multiple users describe the DeskJet 2855e as delivering "good print quality" and producing "clear and true to color" images with "great print copies" that meet everyday needs for documents, school work, and occasional photo printing. The expert review by PCVarge agrees with these observations since it notes that the printer delivers “good image quality” and “reasonable” photo printing speeds at an affordable price.

Users consistently praise the printer for its compact design and lightweight construction. The printer receives praise for its "convenient and space-saving" design and "portable" feature, which makes it suitable for home desks in small living spaces. PCVarge notes that the printer measures 6.7 x 11.97 x 6.06 inches and weighs 7.55 pounds, emphasizing its small size among desktop printers.

The printer's affordable initial cost is the main selling point for customers who consider it a "great price" and an "affordable" choice for basic home printing needs. The printer receives positive reviews from customers and experts because it offers a "good budget choice" that suits basic requirements while delivering print, scan, and copy functionalities.

Users highly value wireless printing capabilities across different devices and effortless HP Smart mobile application integration for its user-friendly features. The printer allows users to print documents without needing to plug in their computers every time.

According to HP, the printer features the “most reliable Wi-Fi,” which automatically detects and solves network problems, but some users report opposite experiences.

The positive reception of the HP DeskJet 2855e regarding its compact design, affordable price point, and user-friendly operation post-initial setup confirms its suitability for users requiring basic, straightforward printing capabilities. Due to this feedback, the product stands in the “basic home printing” market segment. The product meets the needs of a particular group of users who have low expectations. HP’s design choices involve choosing basic accessibility and a compact size instead of providing full functionality and premium materials.

The printer delivers its highest value to users with basic needs who successfully overcome typical setup challenges. The strategic market approach adopted by HP focuses on the entry-level market segment by prioritizing initial purchase affordability and ease of use. The user feedback confirms the product's successful targeting of its specific market segment because these customers find that the printer meets its essential promises.

HP DeskJet 2855e: Cons

The HP DeskJet 2855e suffers from multiple critical problems, negatively affecting customer satisfaction.

Multiple users, including those with technical expertise, found the printer setup experience highly challenging. They needed at least 20 minutes and sometimes two days to establish printer functionality. Users experience a "clunky nightmare" and "convoluted" setup process because the instructions depend on mobile app guidance while eliminating disc support, which results in users getting trapped in infinite loops.

The numerous reports about challenging initial setup processes by users with technical experience demonstrate how many buyers encounter a substantial obstacle that prevents them from completing the setup process. The initial unpleasant experience with the printer can make users lose enthusiasm for its beneficial features.

Installing the printer starts with a negative experience that damages customer satisfaction immediately after purchase, making them more likely to return products and view the following problems with increased hostility.

The first negative impression strongly influences customer reviews because it leads to the observed bimodal distribution across different platforms. A customer's inability to print a return label demonstrates their frustration and the practical difficulties that emerge when a setup fails. The setup process becomes a critical, high-stakes moment for HP because it focuses on app-based setup but lacks robust offline setup options and precise network configuration troubleshooting. Enhancing the initial user experience would lead to better overall customer opinions, even if additional drawbacks exist.

This issue sparks intense disagreement among customers who feel intensely dissatisfied with it. Users strongly dislike that the printer requires HP-branded ink cartridges and an active Instant Ink subscription for maintenance.

Users strongly condemn HP for what they call the "ink scam" and denounce the "ink rule" because of the "chip,” which forces users to use HP’s proprietary ink. Users explicitly mention they will never purchase HP products again because of this policy.

Expert reviews show that standard cartridges have a "very low page yield,” which results in “high long-term operational cost (without subscription)”- $0.08 per black print and $.12 per color print—so users must replace cartridges often before subscribing to the model.

Users view HP's proprietary ink policy and subscription promotion as more than financial issues because they create fundamental trust breakdowns and damage brand loyalty among numerous customers. Users experience deeper problems than price concerns because they see this practice as unfair towards consumers and feel trapped by the manufacturer's actions.

The printer's affordable initial price is a double-edged sword because it comes with expensive maintenance costs and limited ink availability. This exemplifies a "razor-and-blades" business model. Customers become angry when they experience "overpriced,” “forced,” or "designed to fail without subscription" ink cartridges in this business model. The potential existence of class-action lawsuits indicates how seriously customers view this ethical violation.

HP's subscription-based model generates recurring revenue but endangers customer loyalty and brand integrity, mainly because it feels deceptive to specific users. The business strategy employed by HP stands in direct opposition to customer autonomy, which is the leading cause of negative review sentiment.

The printer experiences recurring paper jam problems, while users frequently experience printing failures. Several users considered switching to their previous printers because of the recurring jamming issues. A reviewer pointed out that the printer construction feels inexpensive because it uses "cheap plastics." The low initial cost of the printer might relate to lower material standards.

The device, marketed as an “all-in-one” device, consistently demonstrates a significant problem with its scanning functionality. Customers experience two major scanning issues because the scanner refuses to function and fails to detect documents. Users encountered difficulties when scanning into a computer that forced them to run "HP scanner doctor" multiple times until they restarted their computer. This led to the belief that HP uses this method as an "ink scam" ploy. According to expert reviews, the scanning performance is not good because the image processing removes essential details from the scans and the flatbed scanner's lid hinges do not extend to accommodate thick items.

The absence of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a significant limitation, meaning multi-page documents must be scanned one sheet at a time, manually.

The persistent issues with scanning functionality make the product's "all-in-one" claim less valuable according to user reports. The consistent problems with scanning functionality directly harm the "multifunctionality" value proposition because it affects the fundamental operation of the device.

The "cheap piece of junk" sentiment emerges when users feel they purchased only a printer and copier instead of an "all-in-one" device. The scanning module seems to suffer from quality control issues, software integration problems, or the manufacturer deliberately chose basic scanning features that fail to match typical user expectations for "all-in-one" devices. The significant difference between marketing claims and user experience results in customer dissatisfaction.

Users and experts agree that automatic duplex (double-sided) printing should be included in a printer, but the product lacks this feature. Users need to turn pages manually for double-sided printing. The absence of the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) significantly hinders efficiency when users scan or copy multiple pages. The control panel has a tiny non-tiltable LCD screen that users find hard to see from their seated position.

Finally, many users express dissatisfaction because they receive starter cartridges and XL ink cartridges with low page yields. Users who plan to print many pages should expect the starter cartridges to deplete quickly. Another noted that the "cartridges that came with it don't last long if you plan to print many pages.” Expert reviews confirm this problem by assessing "very low page yield,” which explains why the print cost remains high without an Instant Ink subscription, leading to frequent cartridge replacements.

It might be sitting in the corner of the office, printing and copying hundreds of documents for your business - but there's a lot more to laser printers than you might expect.

Now, we love testing and reviewing printers of all types at TechRadar Pro - "Where would we be without them?" we ask ourselves. And laser printers are especially interesting (seriously!). From deploying technologies that emerged from the 60s, components that operate at skin-searing temperatures and ink that isn’t actually ink, there’s a surprising amount going on inside these unassuming machines.

Don’t believe us? Just read on and discover ten incredible facts about laser printers – and you might look twice at your office device next time you need to print a report.

1. Laser printers were invented in 1969

It’s no surprise that laser printers have lots of history – after all, they’ve had time to become small, affordable and ubiquitous – but did you know that laser printers have actually been around since the 1960s?

The first laser printer prototype was developed by an engineer called Gary Starkweather, who worked in the product development department at Xerox.

Xerox dominated the photocopier market at the time, but he had the idea to use a laser beam to transplant a new design to the copier’s drum, and the laser printer was born. He moved to the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in 1971, continued working on prototypes, and by 1976 the first commercial devices were being used in data centers.

2. There's more history than you might think

By 1982, laser printers were being produced commercially for home and office use, and Apple were rumored to be involved – because Steve Jobs spotted the Canon LBP-CX while buying floppy discs for the upcoming Apple Macintosh computer.

Another print pioneer, John Warnock, founded Adobe and was persuaded to license some of his technology to Apple for a new Apple-branded printer.

Consequently, the Apple LaserWriter printer was announced in 1985. Its support for the PostScript and AppleTalk technology, created by Adobe and Warnock, helped drive down costs for the new Apple printer – and ensured that it worked well with those new Apple Macintosh computers, Adobe’s software and new design tools like Aldus PageMaker.

The result? A revolutionized desktop publishing industry that transformed the landscape of books, magazines and brochures – and a legacy of publishing using Adobe and Apple software that still dominates.

Don’t forget Gary Starkweather in all of this, either. The original inventor of the laser printer worked at Apple in the 1990s where he invented color management technology.

He even consulted on the digital effects for Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, and won a technical Academy Award in 1994 for his work with Lucasfilm and Pixar.

3. The first commercial laser printer was produced for 23 years

That first high-speed commercial model, the IBM 3800, replaced the archaic line printers that used to attach to mainframe computers in data centers.

The 3800 churned out an impressive 215 pages per minute at a relatively modest resolution of 240 dots per inch, and could produce 45,000 characters per second – six times faster than the fastest printer available previously.

Amazingly, IBM refined and updated the 3800 with faster, crisper output, smaller designs, and innovations like long-life components until it was discontinued in 1999 after more than 10,000 IBM 3800s had been deployed globally.

4. The first HP LaserJet was outrageously expensive

The original HP LaserJet arrived in 1984 and was the first laser printer designed for mass-market, office use.

Given the price of printers today you’d be forgiven for thinking that the original LaserJet was just as accessible, but that’s not necessarily the case – it printed eight pages per minute, it used an 8MHz Motorola processor, and cost a mighty $3,495. That’s the equivalent of $10,968 in today’s money.

5. Laser printers operate at nearly 400°F

Laser printers seem mundane, but inside they’ve got some components that get so hot that they could cause third-degree burns.

A key component of every laser printer is the fuser unit, which fuses the toner powder and paper together to actually create prints.

To get the job done, toner needs to be melted so it can fuse with the paper – which means that the fuser needs to operate at temperatures approaching 400°F. That’s as hot as an oven and hot enough to deliver a serious burn to anyone unlucky enough to touch that sort of temperature, and it means that the ink doesn’t ever smudge or run. It also means that the paper has to move seriously quickly through the printer to avoid burning.

Ever wondered why laser printers produce documents that feel warm? Now you know.

6. The ink? It’s not ink

If you hear someone mention the toner used in laser printers then you’d be forgiven for thinking about ink, but it’s actually nothing of the sort.

Toner is actually a dry powder that’s made from fine plastic particles, usually made from polyester resin. They’re combined with pigments and other additives to produce the colors required.

Because laser printing works by heating the toner up until it melts and fusing the melted particles with paper, ink would simply not function properly.

There are advantages to using toner, though: because it’s melted and bonded to paper, it doesn’t smudge immediately after printing in the same way as conventional ink – a factor that supports the faster printing typically found in laser devices. Toner is more resistant to fading than conventional ink, too.

7. Toner has some surprising ingredients

When laser printers first emerged, there wasn’t much attention paid to the safety and environmental credentials of toner. So, back then, you’d regularly find soot and rust if you delved into the mixture – and iron oxide to make it magnetic.

And while things have improved since the 1970s, there’s still a broad array of substances inside your average toner cartridge.

The vast majority of toner is made from plastic that’s milled to a superfine grain – the smaller that gets, the better the print quality.

Plastic doesn’t conduct electricity, so those particles can hold charge. That’s crucial when you consider that laser printers function by manipulating toner using positive and negative electrical charges on the various drums inside.

Most toner these days is made from polyester, but there are several other substances at play. Polypropylene wax is used to stop toner getting stuck to things, and a high-quality type of soot called Carbon Black is often used to create the deep black tones that a good laser printer should produce.

Elsewhere, expect different pigments depending on the color of the cartridge, tiny glass beads to improve the flow of toner over paper, and chemicals to further control electric charges.

8. Lab-grown toner

Traditionally, toner is made by combining all of the relevant ingredients into a single block of material – and then grinding it down until it reaches the required size and shape. It’s then put into cartridges and can get to work in laser printers across the globe.

These days, though, users are demanding more detail and better print quality from their laser printers. To deliver that, manufacturers need to produce smaller particles with more consistent milling quality. Tto get that level of quality, some companies are now using chemical processes to grow toner particles in labs and factories.

The result? Smaller, more consistent shapes, which means more detail, more accurate colors, and more efficient toner.

9. Laser printers use lenses and mirrors, too

As the name suggests, laser printers use laser beams. When you want to print, a laser turns on and off at high speed to target particular sections of a photoreceptor drum.

The drum is positively charged, but those laser hits neutralize sections of the drum with a negative charge – essentially “painting” the design on the drum in negatively charged spaces.

The laser works with a movable mirror and a selection of lenses to render the design on the drum. This means that the laser doesn’t have to move, which reduces the risk of malfunctions and means repairs are easier.

10. Laser printing is based on Xerography

Xerography is a dry copying technique invented by American physicist Chester Carlson in 1942.

It works by creating an electrostatic image on a photoconductive surface, such as the drums found inside modern laser printers. These electrostatic images attract toner particles, allowing them to be transferred to paper and fused to the material.

The history of Xerography can be traced even further back to the dry electrostatic printing process invented by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg in 1778.

After patenting his invention, Carlson started to develop his process into a commercial product in 1946 – and a firm called the Haloid Photographic Company saw potential and signed an agreement to support that development.

It took nearly twenty years until an automatic Xerography process was developed, but that resulted in the first commercial copier being launched and the Haloid Photographic Company changing its name to Xerox.

Fast forward to 1969, when Gary Starkweather saw printing potential in copiers that relied on the older Xerographic technique – and you can trace a line all the way to the present day, where you’ll find laser printers in virtually every office.

For our top picks see our guides to the best home printers and best laser printers.

• MSI has launched two new monitors, the MSI MPG 322UR X24, and the MSI MAG 321UP X24
• Both are 4th-gen QD-OLED monitors, using several new features to improve immersion
• DarkArmor Film and Uniform Luminance work to improve black levels and keep brightness consistent, respectively

QD-OLED displays are consistently lauded as the best on the market, thanks to their deep black levels, which ensure picture quality unmatched by mini-LED and regular LED monitors. However, it doesn't come without a few drawbacks, and that's what MSI's new displays promise to solve.

MSI has launched two new 31.5-inch OLED monitors, which were previously revealed at CES 2026: the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 and the MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED X24.

Both models are 4th-gen QD-OLED displays, packed with several new features such as an AI Care Sensor to prevent burn-in by switching the display off when a user leaves the monitor's view. The most notable features are 'DarkArmor Film' and 'Uniform Luminance', both shaped to help revitalize and enhance the viewing experience.

DarkArmor Film is a new design made to increase black levels by 40% and increase the screen's scratch resistance. Most importantly, MSI claims it eliminates the 'purple tint' often seen on OLED displays in brightly-lit environments.

This should stop sunlight or other light sources from causing frustrating glares, which was the cause of the purple tint, and it's evident in MSI's demonstration video (available above), with the difference showcasing the DarkArmor Film display as the victor.

On top of that, both the 322UR and 321UP utilize Penta Tandem OLED technology, significantly enhancing brightness and improving light efficiency by up to 30% by stacking five light-emitting layers, a feature popular among new-gen OLED TVs and monitors.

Perhaps the bigger feature of the two is MSI's Uniform Luminance, which seeks to eradicate the aggressive auto brightness limiter (ABL) issues that plague OLED displays. Switching from small to bigger windows would result in very noticeable brightness shifts, leading to a jarring and inconsistent viewing experience.

Uniform Luminance uses customizable HDR curves to produce smoother transitions between light and dark scenes, ultimately reducing the impact of aggressive ABL and keeping brightness levels consistent.

Listings at several online retailers have the MSI 322UR QD-OLED X24 available at £895 / $1,099 / AU$1,799, and the MSI 321UP QD-OLED X24 available at $899.99 / (around £799 / AU$1,499). Undoubtedly, these are monitors worth keeping an eye out for, and ones I could see added to my wishlist.

• Alienware has launched a new 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED monitor
• The AW2726DM marks a significant change in the monitor market, making OLEDs much more affordable
• It's available for $350 / £369 / AU$699 in the UK, US, and Australia

It's been a long time coming, but OLED monitors have finally approached a stage of affordability for PC gamers and those focused on productivity — and it looks as though Alienware has spearheaded that change.

As reported by Notebookcheck, Alienware has launched a new 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED monitor, the Alienware AW2726DM, available at $350 / £369 / AU$699.

It utilizes a 0.03ms GtG response time, a 240Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium support, HDMI 2.1 support, and most importantly, a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio for perfect black levels — and it has easily entered my wishlist for a second desktop display.

Notably, the AW2726DM is lacking in brightness compared to more expensive QD-OLED models, with only 200 nits of brightness, and it's clear this is where corners have been cut to keep the price as low as possible.

However, that doesn't take away from the massive benefits the display has, as QD-OLED is popular for ensuring each scene in a movie or game has the best color and picture quality via deep black levels, and is mostly noticeable in darker scenes. The display is best used in an environment without light glaring on the screen, as it may easily spoil visuals due to the monitor's entry-level 200 nits of brightness.

The biggest takeaway is the $350 / £369 / AU$699 price, as this effectively makes other IPS or regular LED monitors at the same size and resolution obsolete, as the AW2726DM is now in the same price region, delivering tough competition for non-OLED displays.

It's hard to defeat an OLED panel in most cases, and while mini-LED monitors come close to delivering similar deep black levels, they can't fully compete, with their only main advantage being greater brightness.

Samsung previously made its intentions clear to make OLED more affordable, and while it has done that, Alienware's case stands out, as it has opened the floodgates for even more affordable OLED displays to enter the market.

This is simply because the price tag for the AW2726DM is the lowest I've ever seen for the display type without there being a discount. We may be looking at a future where OLED finally becomes fully mainstream in the desktop monitor market, and I couldn't be happier.

Creative Pebble Pro: Two-minute review

For budget computer speakers, the Creative Pebble Pro punch way above their weight with decent sound and an attractive, petite design. I would even say they belong among the best computer speakers in their price range. You won’t find anything at the Pebble Pro’s price point nearly as good, not to mention most of the alternatives at this price point are other entries in Creative’s Pebble lineup of speakers.

There are some expected compromises, of course, and once you start looking at options above $100 / £100, the competition looks more interesting. The Creative Pebble Pro does come with some features, notably Bluetooth connectivity and RGB lighting, plus they can be powered directly off a computer. But any support for high-res codecs, Dolby or DTS anything, or even EQ controls, are just not here. That said, you would have to look at the best gaming headsets under a hundred bucks to find those kinds of features at the same price point.

While the Creative Pebble Pro isn’t as small as an actual pebble, the speakers are fairly petite, at a little over four and a half inches tall. As the name suggests, they’re spherical, though they have a flat, angled face oriented toward the listener’s ears to compensate for their short stature.

Since they’re so small, there’s only room for one 2.25-inch driver per speaker, so Creative supplements it with a bass port on the back to help fill out the low end. There's also an opaque ring that lines the bottom and lights up when the speakers are turned on.

The right speaker is a little heavier, at the hefty weight of 415 grams (versus 365g for the left) because it’s the one with the power amp inside, as well as controls and ports. The controls consist of a pressable dial, a source button indicated by a Bluetooth symbol, and a button for the RGB lighting. Each control can be used for a variety of functions, so short presses and long presses garner different results. For instance, pressing down on the volume dial mutes the mic input when using the headset port.

Speaking of, the ports are situated in two places near the base of the right speaker. The aforementioned headset input and headphone are on the side, while two USB-C ports and an Aux port are on the back next to the non-detachable cable (which I would consider more of an issue if these speakers weren’t so cheap).

You might be wondering why there are two USB-C ports. Even if you’re not, there’s a reason. One of them functions only for power delivery and doesn’t actually transmit audio. When using this port plugged into a power adapter (not included, though you can use any spare one), the Creative Pebble Pro has a power rating of 15 watts RMS. When just powering the speakers via the other USB-C, which does transmit audio, the speaker system has a more limited power rating of 5 watts RMS.

Frankly, I couldn’t hear much of a difference between using the Creative Pebble Pro in the 5 or 15 watt mode, but it’s really not a big difference in power. Because of that, I typically just powered the speakers directly off a computer.

As far as the sound quality itself, I was impressed considering the price. They didn’t blow me away and they probably won’t blow you away, either, but at seventy bucks, they’re a good and affordable upgrade over laptop speakers.

Having tested these speakers with all sorts of media, I’ve found there to be two takeaways. The first is, of course, that I found them surprisingly decent-sounding with a strong mid-range performance and clear, if slightly dull, high-end. The second is that there’s very little in the way of bass. I almost wish there was a sub-out instead of one of the headphones jacks to bring back some low-end.

You’re not going to feel explosions, whether it’s in films or when playing games due to the limited bass. But, the audio is clear with decent sound imaging, as long as you position the speakers properly. I’m able to easily place where an audio element is in the sound stage, whether it’s a fighter jet flying by or enemy combatants yelling in the distance.

The last thing I’ll mention on the sound front is the fact that the speakers do tend to distort a little bit when turned all the way up on the 15W mode, so these are best used at regular volume levels. If you want really loud speakers for whatever reason, these are not it.

Though I consider the Creative Pebble Pro to be light on features (there are no EQ controls or app), they do at least offer the basics. Bluetooth Connectivity is on hand so that you can either connect your computer wirelessly or switch inputs to stream from your phone. During testing, I had no issues with connectivity or differences in sound quality since the speakers use the newish but not newest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

The speakers also work with the Smartcomms Kit (requiring an additional download) to automatically mute or unmute your voice as well as introduce background noise cancellation when talking.

Probably the more notable and unique feature here, though, is the inclusion of RGB lighting. Since there’s no app, various presses on the controls are used to turn on and off, as well as cycle through and fine-tune the RGB lighting. The amount of effects and colors are somewhat limited compared to other RGB-enabled devices I’ve tested, but they do offer a nice ambient effect to a computer setup. And, as with everything else with these speakers, the RGB lighting looks good for the price.

Creative Pebble Pro: Specifications

Creative Pebble Pro: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

While the Creative Pebble Pro is a solid pair of speakers, the one place that they really shine over the competition is in price. In fact, at $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99, you'll be hard pressed to find a new set of computer speakers for cheaper that aren’t a different model in Creative’s Pebble lineup.

In fact, the only real issue regarding their price is that they don’t come with a power adapter, which goes for an extra $39.99 (about £29.90 / AU$56.51). But before you calculate that into a potential purchase, you really don’t need to buy one for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, these speakers can be powered directly off a computer, though with lower power efficiency. And if you do want them at full power, you can just use any adapter with a USB or USB-C port, such as one of the many you probably have lying around like me from multiple years of smartphone ownership.

Also worth keeping in mind is that the green colorway is only available in the US, while the black and white ones are available everywhere.

Now, the Creative Pebble Pro aren’t the only cheap speakers out there. Edifier has become a recognizable name in the more affordable end of the speaker market and something like the Edifier MR4 are a worthy upgrade. They don’t have RGB lighting, but they sound better. And though their price tag of $129.99 / £109.99 / AU$179.99 (at the time of writing… they look to have gone up in price, possibly due to tariffs) is very good, that’s still double the price of the Creative Pebble Pro.

The Logitech Z407 is also a wonderful option in the more affordable range, with a going rate of $119.99 / £119.99 / AU$249.95. Again, that’s double the Creative Pebble Pro, so Creative wins out on price, but the Z407 does come with a subwoofer and wireless puck for control.

Price: 5 / 5

Creative Pebble Pro: Scorecard

Creative Pebble Pro: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the Creative Pebble Pro

• Tested over a week
• Listened to different genres of music, shows and movies, and games
• Tested the RGB lighting and various forms of connectivity

I spent a week testing the Creative Pebble Pro 2.0 Computer Speaker System including using them with all sorts of media, from shows and movies to music and computer games. I played around with the RGB lighting as well as the different inputs.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

• First reviewed March 2026

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Two-minute review

Razer has been all about anniversary products in 2026, with special edition variants of some of its most beloved devices with different physical touches, limited quantities and price tags you could wince at – the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition is the latest entry.

Underneath, it's a Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, which is one of the best gaming keyboards you can purchase with the green brand's second-gen analog optical switches, an 8000Hz polling rate and more goodies that have kept it competitive among a sea of newer, Hall effect and TMR-powered keyboards. It's been out for a couple of years by this point, though.

The Huntsman Signature Edition isn't going to do much to move the needle in Razer's favor, though, and arrives as more of a vanity project than a serious release - it is limited to 1337 pieces (get it, that's leet). After all, with the $500 price tag this keyboard comes with, you could nab both a high-power gaming keyboard and then sink the rest of the funds into a top enthusiast-grade product with more customisation than you could shake a stick at.

The fact is, though, that I like what's here. This Huntsman is built like a tank, and I'm a fan of all the little extras it comes with, such as its mirrored surfaces, the large leather-bound box, and the decent array of accessories on show. Gaming performance is also strong with its optical switches, 8000Hz polling rate, and more besides that keep inputs fast and responsive, plus there are extras such as analog capabilities for controller-like inputs and extensive software customisation to boot, so users can tinker until their hearts are content.

I just wince at that price tag, especially with competition such as the Corsair K70 Pro TKL and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 offering similar features for half the cost.

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Price & release date

• $499.99/£499.99/AU$799.99
• Available only from Razer directly
• Top-end of the market

The Razer Huntsman Signature Edition is only available to purchase from Razer's website, and costs $499.99/£499.99/AU$799.99, putting it right at the top end of the gaming keyboard market. It's also limited to 1337 pieces, so you'll need to have been quick on the button to snag one when it went on sale on February 22, 2026.

For the price, you get the keyboard itself alongside accessories including a keycap puller, a special-edition Razer keycap, swappable macOS command keycaps, a braided USB-C/USB-A cable and a leather sound-dampening mat. That all comes in a hefty leather-bound box with the Razer logo.

You can get premium gaming keyboards with a similar feature set for much less than the asking price, including the Corsair K70 Pro TKL and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3. The keyboard this is based on, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, is also much more affordable, and provides an identical core experience to the Huntsman Signature Edition.

• Price score: 2/5

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Design and features

• Sturdy machined aluminum frame
• Lovely attention to detail
• Feature-rich software

Razer has certainly attempted to make the Huntsman Signature Edition look and feel like a $500/£500 keyboard. It carries this premium and understated look that we've seen brands move towards more generally, and it looks fantastic, with a black machined aluminum chassis with touches of gray on the volume roller and macro buttons in the top-right corner.

One of the key upgrades over the standard Huntsman V3 Pro TKL that turns this into a 'Signature Edition' is the decision to CNC-mill the entire chassis in 6063 aluminum, giving it this wonderful heft and thickness. It certainly means this keyboard isn't going to go anywhere when it's put down on your desk.

The rear side and underside of the Huntsman Signature Edition have been PVD surface-treated and hand-polished to achieve a mirror-like finish, giving the keyboard an extra extravagant feel. Granted, you won't be able to see it while you use it, but it shows a keen eye for detail on Razer's side.

I'm also a fan of the fact that this keyboard opts for a closed housing over the more common open, skeletal-feeling frames that are a lot more common on gaming-grade keyboards. It gives this product more of an enthusiast's feel, and also helps prevent ingress of dust or unwanted crud between the switches.

The lovely fit and finish of the Huntsman Signature Edition also extends to its textured PBT keycaps that feel great under finger. Razer also bundles a special Razer accent keycap in the box alongside ones for the bottom row for macOS functions, and a keycap puller so you can change them out if you wish. The lack of a wristrest for more optimal ergonomics is a bit of a shame, though, as some rivals come with one, including Razer's own Huntsman V3 Pro TKL.

The TKL (or tenkeyless) layout on offer is convenient and doesn't sacrifice much on overall functionality for the gains in desk space, only chopping off the number pad. You otherwise get a nav cluster with arrow keys, a feature-rich function row, and the usual alphanumeric set. Unlike other, more drastic space-saving layouts, it's easy to use.

In spite of not having an OLED screen, unlike rivals from other manufacturers, the Huntsman Signature Edition has some functions baked into its function row, including backlighting brightness, macro recording, and global adjustment of the actuation and reset points of the optical analog keyswitches. The tactile dial in the top right corner controls system volume by default.

Software control is handled by Razer Synapse, as with the brand's other peripherals, and the experience is familiar. It's a versatile piece of kit, offering means of controlling the actuation and reset points of switches individually, plus dealing with things such as analog, SOCD and rapid trigger functionality for the switches, and configuring the sharp RGB lighting

If you don't want to deal with sorting actuation and reset points on a per-key basis, then you can also select from a range of presets based on game genre, such as FPS or Racing, to optimise the keyboard's settings in one fell swoop.

• Design and features score: 4/5

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Specs

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Performance

• Very potent optical switches
• Rapid trigger and analog settings for lots of configuration
• Solely wired connectivity, although with 8000Hz polling rate

The internals of the Huntsman Signature Edition haven't changed much from the V3 Pro TKL model, meaning it comes with the same switches – that's the brand's own Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 – which actuate with light gates for immense precision and bring handy extras such as rapid trigger for instant inputs and analog powers for controller-like progressive keypresses.

In a general sense, these optical switches are snappy under finger with a linear keypress, while a 40g weighting keeps them light enough for serious gaming. The switches aren't lubricated, unlike their Hall effect brethren, but feel smooth enough by default that I enjoyed using them for both gaming and general work. In addition, thanks to a stack of sound-dampening material inside the keyboard, the acoustics are excellent with no case rattle or ping.

Sometimes non-standard switches such as these can tend to feel quite hollow and lifeless under finger, but I didn't necessarily feel that way about them during general use for work, writing articles and such for hours on end.

The lack of traditional mechanisms also lends them to being immensely configurable, with the actuation and reset point able to be set anywhere along the travel from 0.1mm to 4mm. This allows for brisk inputs where you'd only need to essentially breathe on the switch before it actuates, before it instantly resets.

This is rapid trigger in action, and it can be very useful in quick draw scenarios in FPS titles. I use Counter-Strike 2 as proving grounds for any gaming keyboard I test, and with the Huntsman Signature Edition, I chose to bind the WASD and weapon selection keys as rapid triggers, which meant movement takes much less effort than a traditional keyboard, and things felt especially responsive.

However, this is only one side of these switches, as they are also analog switches, too – and are a newer version of the ones you'll find in the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog to boot. This means they can offer controller-like inputs with a more progressive scale, which is handy because you can now use a keyboard in titles where you may normally use a controller.

Razer makes it easy to map inputs in its software, and using the default 'Racing' preset in the Synapse software, it maps the WASD keys to left analog stick movement and right and left triggers. I tested it in both BeamNG Drive and in Forza Horizon 5 in races and freeroam, and it felt responsive.

There is a little bit of a learning curve in mastering the power of those analog inputs if you’re used to the more standard on/off nature of mechanical keyswitches, but it is seriously clever, and one of the most underrated features on these switches.

Razer provides its own flavour of SOCD tech with the Huntsman Signature Edition, known here as Snap Tap. This allows you to activate one key while holding down the other for especially quick actions. In this instance, it works based on the most recent one pressed; for instance, if mapped to the A and D keys, it can allow for unnaturally quick side-to-side movement. It's very clever, although not something you'll probably use too much in online games, given Valve wields the ban hammer for anyone who uses it in online Counter-Strike 2 games.

The software controls also open up the power of dual actuation, where you can set two inputs to different parts of a switch's travel, such as pushing it down slightly to walk, before going all the way down to run, or crouch. It's a handy addition for FPS games, although is as far as these switches go. Rival devices offer even more versatility, such as four inputs per key, and other derivatives of the SOCD (Snap Tap) tech, if you wanted even more functionality.

Connectivity with the Huntsman Signature Edition is strictly wired, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless choices available. Over this wired connection, you also get an 8000Hz polling rate for more frequent reporting of inputs than more 'standard' gaming keyboards, which can lead to more responsive inputs. This isn't necessarily something that mere mortals can feel, although for the pros, where every millisecond counts, it's a useful addition.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition

• Tested for around two weeks
• Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
• A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist

I tested the Huntsman Signature Edition for around two weeks, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.

I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Forza Horizon 5, to best gauge its optical switches for speed, precision, and the benefit of its analog powers. I also made sure to use Razer's Synapse software to test every facet of the keyboard.

I've been a journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals, and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.

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

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: One-minute review

In an effort to shake up the gaming mouse market, Logitech has introduced the Pro X2 Superstrike, featuring unique haptic clicks that can be customized to suit individual preferences.

It doesn’t look particularly spectacular, with its simple symmetrical shape and lack of accoutrements, such as RGB lighting. Its two-tone design is quite striking, though.

I found the Pro X2 Superstrike comfortable to hold, although those with smaller hands might find it a bit too cumbersome. Build quality is exceptional, on par with the best gaming mouse constructions. The chassis feels smooth and durable, while every button and the scroll wheel operate with a satisfying solidity.

At 61g, the Pro X2 Superstrike isn’t heavy, either. It’s a shame, though, that most of the weight is concentrated towards the front. This can make lift-offs a little awkward as the mouse has a tendency to tilt every time you do so.

The Pro X2 Superstrike can be customized using Logitech’s G HUB software. Numerous aspects can be configured, from the DPI to bindings, and there are various adjustments for the Pro X2 Superstrike’s Haptic Inductive Trigger System (HITS). There’s also a Bunny Hop (BHOP) mode for preventing accidental scroll wheel flicks.

In action, the Pro X2 Superstrike performs well. It glides smoothly, albeit with slightly more friction than some other gaming mice, and all buttons operate easily and trigger consistently. I didn’t experience any miscrolls when using the middle click, even with the BHOP mode disabled.

The headline HITS feature allows for meaningful changes to click feel, with the actuation point and haptic feedback being adjustable. You can make presses very fast and light, or slow and heavy.

However, there’s no analog functionality or controller emulation, which means neither modular inputs nor dual binding is possible. This feels like a missed opportunity, given there are analog keyboards that offer these abilities.

Rapid Trigger isn’t as pronounced as you get from such keyboards, either. There are only five settings to choose from, and the difference between the slowest and fastest isn’t huge. Quite how useful pros will think an RT mouse is remains to be seen, but it’s at least nice to see a gaming mouse trying something different.

I experienced no wireless connectivity issues during my time with the Pro X2 Superstrike. However, it’s a shame there’s no Bluetooth support, since many other similarly-priced gaming mice feature this. Battery life is impressive, though: in my experience, Logitech’s claimed 90-hour endurance seemed to hold true.

Ultimately, the Pro X2 Superstrike feels like a promising proof-of-concept; until more can be extracted from that haptic system, it remains something of a gimmick. The price-to-features ratio also means that it doesn’t offer the best value for money. It's certainly an excellent performer, but the Pro X2 Superstrike is perhaps best suited to the elites.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike review: Price & availability

• $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$$299.95
• Available now
• High-end of the market

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike costs $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$$299.95 and is available now in one colorway: a black and white finish known as Lunar Eclipse.

This places the mouse at the top end of the market. It’s about the same price as the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, a similarly pro-focused symmetrical wireless gaming mouse. We were very impressed with this model, thanks to its lightweight build and lightning-quick performance – not to mention its phenomenal 150-hour battery life and superb optical scroll wheel.

For something cheaper but more versatile, there’s the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro. Unlike the Pro X2 Superstrike, it features a DPI selector button and multiple wireless connectivity options (2.4GHz and Bluetooth). It games very well, too, although the prominent slope of the mouse buttons mightn’t be for everyone.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike review: Design

• Superb build quality
• No DPI button
• Numerous customizations via G HUB

Logitech hasn’t exactly pushed the envelope in terms of looks, but nevertheless, the Pro X2 Superstrike is still a pleasing piece of design. Its soft form is antithetical to the more angular and aggressive gaming mice – and it’s all the better for it.

The two-tone design also makes it look less anonymous than it otherwise would be. The black buttons contrast starkly with the white finish, while the small logo and various bits of text add interest.

The symmetrical shape is neat and ergonomic, although those with smaller hands might have a hard time gripping it fully, since it’s quite large. It’s not heavy, though, as it weighs just 61g, with most of that mass concentrated at the front end.

The Pro X2 Superstrike bear’s Logitech’s typical high levels of build quality. The plastic chassis feels solid and super smooth, which is certainly welcome but doesn’t offer much purchase. Fortunately, optional grip tape is included for the sidewalls and mouse buttons.

Underneath the Pro X2 Superstrike are two skates: the front one is quite large, while the back one is thin and runs around the bottom curve. If these skates don’t provide enough glide for your liking, you can replace the stock lid for the dongle compartment with one that has a skate on it (included in the box).

All buttons operate sufficiently, although the scroll wheel isn’t the sturdiest: there’s a fair amount of lateral play, but thankfully this didn’t pose an issue during normal use. A bigger issue for some might be the lack of buttons, especially those for cycling DPI or a sniper button.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of scope to customize the buttons that are present using Logitech’s G HUB software. All inputs can be remapped to a multitude of alternatives, from system and mouse adjustments to individual keys and recorded macros.

The Pro X2 Superstrike can also make use of the brand’s ubiquitous G-Shift function, which allows you to assign any button as a ‘shift’ to access a second layer of binds. With this, I managed to create my own DPI button by designating the middle click as the G-Shift and setting the G-Shift layer of the rear side button as the DPI cycler. I kept the middle click functionality present by assigning it to the G-Shift layer of the right mouse button.

G HUB’s most notable adjustments for the Pro X2 Superstrike, though, concern its Haptic Inductive Trigger System (HITS). You can alter the actuation point, Rapid Trigger setting, and haptic feedback of both mouse buttons – either in tandem or individually.

There are 10 actuation points to choose from, which is quite a generous range, given the relatively short travel of the buttons. There’s also a visualizer that moves in real time with the pressure you exert, allowing you to see precisely where your chosen actuation point is.

Unfortunately, however, there’s no such visualizer for the Rapid Trigger; a setting where it’s more important to see how your adjustments work, I’d argue. Another disappointing aspect of the Pro X2 Superstrike’s Rapid Trigger implementation is that there are only five levels to choose from. This contrasts starkly to some of the best gaming keyboards, which offer far more scope in their settings. Haptic feedback for the Pro X2 Superstrike also has five levels, but I feel this is an appropriate number for this particular parameter.

G HUB also lets you toggle the Bunny Hop (BHOP) mode of the Pro X2 Superstrike, which is designed to prevent accidental flicks of the scroll wheel. It does this by preventing a single notch from registering; only the second will, so long as it’s within a certain amount of time of the first. This timeframe is adjustable between 100ms and a full second.

As is standard on pretty much all peripheral software, G HUB provides DPI adjustments, too. This includes five customizable presets, where you can set DPI values between 100 and 44,000. Each of these also has its own lift-off distance setting, although pros might be disappointed with the lack of metrics: the three options to choose from are low, medium, or high, with no measurement in millimeters given.

Overall, though, G HUB is clearly laid out and easy to navigate. I didn’t experience any technical hitches or bugs during my time with it, either.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike review: Performance

• Great-feeling clicks
• Limited usage for haptic buttons
• Front-heavy design not for everyone

The performance of the Pro X2 Superstrike should meet the expectations of elite gamers. With its 8K polling rate, aiming is fast and accurate, while gliding is smooth – although there’s a little more friction than what the smoothest pointers provide. However, the skate-lined dongle lid certainly improved matters, and I can’t say my aiming was adversely affected when playing fast-paced shooters such as Counter-Strike 2.

That front-heavy design proved more of an issue, though. Whenever I lifted the Pro X2 Superstrike before swipes, the whole unit wanted to swing backwards, which forced me to grip harder than I would’ve liked to. I managed to acclimatize to this way of playing to a degree, but it remained a grievance I held with the Pro X2 Superstrike, albeit a minor one.

The middle click is very stable and easy to operate, while the prominent notching of the scroll wheel meant I never felt the need to enable BHOP mode.

The HITS buttons, though, are the standout feature of the Pro X2 Superstrike. The adjustments you make here can translate to radical differences in feel, from light and fast to heavy and slow. When you find the sweet spot, clicks manage to be snappy, impactful, and comfortable all at the same time, which is quite the feat. They always feel very nicely damped, more so than those of other gaming mice – unless you have the haptic feedback on its lowest setting, in which case there's virtually no sensation at all.

Logitech also claims the haptic clicks in the Pro X2 Superstrike reduce latency by up to 30ms compared to traditional microswitches. I can’t say I honestly noticed an increased responsiveness over other gaming mice I’ve tried, but they’re certainly not any slower.

The effect of the Rapid Trigger function is also hard to discern. The difference between the slowest and fastest settings is subtle; pro players may well be more attuned to them, but I don’t think the implementation of RT in the Pro X2 Superstrike is anywhere near as drastic as that of analog keyboards.

The haptic buttons also fall short of such boards in other ways. For instance, you can’t dual bind by making use of partway clicks, as you can with partway presses of analog keys.

Also, the Pro X2 Superstrike can’t emulate the graduated control of gamepad triggers and joysticks, as some analog keyboards can. Granted, the functionality doesn’t always work as well as you might hope, but I still think such emulation on the mouse would be useful for certain games.

What’s more, PC games don’t make use of intricate haptic feedback (at least currently). One of the great things about the PS5 is the haptic triggers of its DualSense. This really does add immersion by imparting an impressive array of sensations, corresponding with the type of game being played and the gameplay context. This aspect is a large part of why it’s one of the best PS5 controllers around.

While it’s nice to be able to adjust the haptics of the Pro X2 Superstrike, the system is limited by comparison. Once you’ve found your ideal setting, you’ll have little incentive to change it, and you’ll find clicks don’t necessarily feel any better than those of best gaming mice with conventional switches.

I have fewer complaints about the connectivity of the Pro X2 Superstrike. The 2.4GHz USB dongle provides a fast and stable connection, and I didn’t experience any drop-outs or lag. One odd glitch, though, was that my last selected DPI setting took a while to kick in whenever the mouse awoke from its sleep. It’s also a shame a mouse this expensive doesn’t have additional Bluetooth support to allow for hot-swapping between multiple devices.

The battery life of the Pro X2 Superstrike is very impressive. After several days of use, it only declined by about 20%, and it seems that Logitech’s 90-hour claim holds water.

Should I buy the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike review: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and general use
• Experience reviewing gaming mice

I tested the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike for several days. I used it for gaming as well as general browsing and light productivity.

I mainly played Counter-Strike 2 – a great test for gaming mice, given its reliance on fast and accurate shooting.

I’ve reviewed plenty of gaming mice previously, from a broad range of brands and varying greatly in their form-factors, feature-sets, and price points. I brought this experience to bear when reviewing the Pro X2 Superstrike, by keeping in mind some of the best I’ve experienced as points of comparison.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed March 2026

With the RAM crisis looming large over the PC gaming landscape, many are reluctant to upgrade their wares anytime soon. The good news, though, is that peripherals are largely unaffected by the outrageous inflation of componentry. Some are even getting discounts, such as this: the superb Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed is just £72.99 (was £99.99) at Amazon right now.

• View the full Amazon Spring Deal Days sale

Other DeathAdder variants are also getting deals on the same page, some of which carry even bigger savings. The wired variant is currently discounted by 36%, while the wireless V3 Pro + HyperPolling model is 42% off, which is a huge cost-cut.

Today's best Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed deal

However, I reckon the sweet spot between saving and actual cost lies with the V3 HyperSpeed deal above. Although it misses out on some of the top-draw features of the Pro variant, it's almost 10g lighter, so preferable for those who prize a low weight above all else.

The latest generation of the DeathAdder, the V4 Pro, is also discounted, but only by 20%, and it remains a lot more expensive than the V3 HyperSpeed. What's more, the V3 can still keep up with the current crop of gaming mice.

In my Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed review, I praised that aforementioned light build, which makes for quick and easy swiping. The large PTFE skates also provide an incredibly smooth surface for glides, while the mouse buttons offer fast yet solid clicks. The middle click feels less satisfying, but it's still up to the task.

Synapse, Razer's peripheral software, offers plenty of scope for customizing the V3. You can even alter the cursor acceleration curve and zero the angle of the mouse to match the way you hold it — tweaks that are rarely seen in other gaming mice. More elite-level tweaks are missing, though: there's no LOD adjustment, no angle-snapping, and no slam-click filter.

The shape of the DeathAdder V3 might prove divisive, too. It's designed to be ergonomic, and while I found it a natural fit for my hand, those who prefer symmetrical forms might take issue. It also lacks Bluetooth support, which means there's no way to hot-swap between multiple devices.

These are minor drawbacks in the grand scheme of things, though. The DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed remains an excellent gaming mouse, and with this sale, there's now even more reason to catch one while you can.

Want to see what else is on sale right now? Take a look at our Amazon Spring Deal Days live hub.

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• Smartwatches: Apple, Samsung & Huawei from £99
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• TVs: from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 30% off Shark & Vax

The RAM crisis continues to wipe out some PC hardware components, with price hikes limiting consumers' purchasing options, notably for GPUs, storage, and undoubtedly, memory kits. It's all thanks to the ongoing AI boom, which shows no signs of bursting, and could last throughout 2026.

Fortunately, not all PC components are impacted by the crisis, and OLED gaming monitors remain untouched. It's not a huge surprise, since gaming monitors don't use RAM, but anything PC-related is at risk of being hit by the raging crisis.

OLED gaming monitors are undoubtedly the best monitors when it comes to contrast levels. They provide the best black levels in images, meaning you're getting the optimal picture quality across games and movies.

Enter: the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG, available on Amazon for $799 (was $999). For UK folks, the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG is available on Amazon for £829 (was £1,049). This is a TrueBlack Glossy OLED 4K display that effectively reduces reflections and improves deep black levels, even in brightly lit environments.

The ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is also a dual-mode monitor, which makes 4K gaming at a 165Hz refresh rate or 1080p at 330Hz possible, with the latter being ideal for competitive gamers. Its counterpart, the XG32UCWMG, also has a dual-mode feature, but is 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz.

It's great to see OLED monitors prices gradually fall, and while the discounts here aren't exactly massive, they serve as examples of how OLED displays are becoming far more mainstream.

If you're lucky enough to own capable PC hardware for 4K gaming, these Asus ROG Strix monitors are among the best options to purchase, while the focus narrows on components directly impacted by the RAM crisis.

The PC hardware market's current state is unprecedented, and the RAM crisis struck suddenly, so it's not impossible to see shortages or price hikes of other components unrelated to RAM at some point in the future. Thankfully, that currently doesn't (and hopefully shouldn't) include gaming monitors.

While OLED displays are becoming more affordable, I'd act as fast as possible while the trend of plummeting prices lasts.

• Apple's next-gen Studio Display is official and still starts at $1,599
• It sticks with a 27-inch screen, but upgrades the camera, ports, and audio
• It's joined by the new high-end Studio Display XDR, replacing the Pro Display XDR

It’s hard to believe, but Apple’s Studio Display first hit the market back in March 2022. It marked a return to a consumer monitor from the Cupertino-based tech giant, which had previously made several Cinema Displays. Now, though, Apple is ready to usher in its next-generation Studio Display, and the upgrades look pretty solid, albeit they don't change much with the screen itself.

The new Studio Display still boasts a 27-inch 5K Retina display with support for P3 wide color, up to 600 nits of brightness, and more than 14 million pixels, all wrapped in a sleek silver aluminum frame. Apple didn’t upgrade the refresh rate here, though, as the Studio Display still tops out at 60Hz.

Here’s what is new: the 12-megapixel Center Stage camera now supports Desk View and offers an improved audio experience. Sound flows through a six-speaker system with four force-canceling woofers and two tweeters, which Apple says deliver 30% more bass than the first generation. There are still four ports on the back: two USB-C ports that can handle power delivery up to 96W and two new Thunderbolt 5 ports.

The Studio Display still starts at $1,599 / £1499 / AU$2,599 with a tilt-adjustable stand. But Apple has also introduced the Studio Display XDR, which replaces the Pro Display XDR. The Studio Display XDR is significantly more expensive — starting at $3,299 / £2999 / AU$5,499 — but features a 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display with a mini-LED backlight and over 2,000 dimming zones. It boasts a 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync to automatically adjust based on the content shown. Brightness reaches up to 1,000 nits in SDR and up to 2,000 nits in HDR, all while supporting a wider color gamut.

Just like the regular Studio Display, the Studio Display XDR also gets the upgraded 12-megapixel camera, enhanced audio system, and Thunderbolt 5 ports. We’ll have much more to say soon, but for now, Apple’s Studio Display and Studio Display XDR go up for preorder on March 4, 2026, and begin shipping on March 11, 2026.

The Studio Display gets Thunderbolt 5, a better camera, and deeper bass

Apple's updates to the core Studio Display really don't change much with the actual display itself. Rather, the focus here is three-fold: updating the 12-megapixel CenterStage camera, tossing in two Thunderbolt 5 Ports, and improving the already pretty great audio system.

That being said, if you were holding out hope for a ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, that isn't a part of the second-generation Studio Display. Luckily, though, Apple's keeping the existing starting price for the Studio Display at $1,599. The screen here is still the 27-inch 5K Retina display, which delivers punchy, vibrant, and accurate colors at 60Hz and supports Wide Color. It's all wrapped in a premium build and offers great plug-and-play capabilities with any Mac.

Studio Display XDR looks like a powerhouse

Now, while it replaces the Pro Display XDR, the Studio Display XDR looks like a powerhouse, albeit an expensive one, with many of the features folks were hopeful for in the regular Studio Display.

The Studio Display XDR is also a 27-inch monitor, but it offers 2,304 local dimming zones from an advanced mini LED backlight with higher peak brightness for SDR and HDR content, as well as an adaptive ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate that will automatically adjust based on what content is on the screen, ranging between 47Hz and 120Hz. It lands with a 5120-by-2880 resolution, and Apple is especially emphasizing that HDR content will pop here.

More unique for the Studio Display XDR, it features a Medical Imaging Calibrator and new DICOM medical imaging presets to let radiologists use this display view diagnostic images. That means if a radiologist plugs in the Studio Display, XDR is appropriately calibrated to display those scans and images. Apple notes that the macOS Medical Imaging Calibrator is pending FDA clearance but expects it to be available soon in the US.

Apple's also packing in the same 12-megapixel CenterStage camera, the three microphones, and the same six-speaker Spatial Audio supporting sound system into the Studio Display XDR. For the starting price of $3,299, it comes with a tilt-and-height-adjustable stand, but you can also mount it with a VESA mount accessory.

The Studio Display XDR ditches the lattice rear design of the former Pro Display XDR and is built on the same design language as the standard Studio Display — it's just a bit heavier and thicker.

All in all, Apple is now treating its entire display lineup — well, the two it offers — under the unified Studio Display branding. The standard Studio Display remains clearly geared toward most consumers, but based on the specs, it doesn’t appear to deliver a dramatic visual upgrade, as it seems to use the same panel.

Meanwhile, the Studio Display XDR includes a stand and packs in many of the features we were hoping would trickle down to the standard model. We’ll need to go hands-on and properly test both displays to draw final conclusions, but for now, they go up for preorder tomorrow, March 4, 2026. And yes, you do get a  1-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable in the box for both.

• More details of the Apple Studio Display 2 have leaked
• 32-inch and 27-inch models could be incoming
• Apple has several product launches lined up for next week

We have more rumored details around possible successors to the Apple Studio Display, and it would seem that there are two models on the way, potentially offering different sizes and specs to tempt discerning monitor buyers.

The new information comes from Macworld (via MacRumors), and is based on "internal Apple files". There are two models referred to in these files, with the codes J427 and J527, and that suggests two different Studio Display 2 variations are incoming.

We might be about to see both a 32-inch and a 27-inch Apple Studio Display 2, according to the report, with the larger model offering a superior sound system and an improved port selection, as well as the extra screen space.

Both models are apparently set to get ProMotion support for refresh rates up to 120 Hz, while HDR support on both also looks likely. At least one Thunderbolt 5 port, supporting a 5K resolution at 120 Hz, has been mentioned.

A launch next week?

In terms of the design, we're not expecting any changes, and no aesthetic tweaks are mentioned in this report. The current Apple Studio Display offers a 27-inch screen and is up to 58.3 cm (23 inches) tall, depending on the stand you get with it.

This latest report follows on from several previous leaks around this upgraded monitor. Considering the first model came out in 2022, a second-generation model is definitely now due, potentially featuring a switch to mini-LED technology for its display.

Early in February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that shipping times for the Studio Display were starting to slip, suggesting that a refresh is in the works, with an upgraded internal chip – quite possibly the A19 used in the iPhone 17.

Gurman reckoned that a new model might appear sometime near the start of March – and wouldn't you just know it, Apple has a big week of product announcements coming, starting on Monday. Watch this space.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF: One-minute review

OK, let's try to get one thing clear. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF is brand new. It's a super-fast 27-inch OLED gaming monitor that runs at an epic 500Hz refresh rate. It's brighter than previous Samsung 27 inchers. But it doesn't actually sport Samsung's very latest OLED panel technology.

Indeed, the whole narrative around the various generations of Samsung's QD-OLED technology has gotten very complicated of late. In some ways, it's easier to say what this monitor is not than what it is.

With that in mind, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF lacks a couple of the very latest QD-OLED panel features. First, it doesn't have the so-called RGB-stripe subpixel structure. And it lacks the new panel filter that reduces the purple-tint problem in ambient light.

We'll get to the implications of those shortly. But for now, what we're dealing with here is a 27-inch 1440p OLED monitor with a very high refresh rate that will appeal to gamers who value speed above almost, but not quite, all else.

If it's sheer speed you demand, look no further than the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF. The combination of 500Hz refresh and the usual OLED upside of incredible pixel speed makes for a sizzling gaming experience. This monitor is seriously fast.

It's also punchy thanks to updated QD-OLED panel technology. However, this isn't actually Samsung's very latest tech and that does show in a few areas. The non-standard triangular subpixel structure slightly compromises sharpness, while the QD-OLED purple-tint problem in bright ambient light remains.

More particular to this monitor are disappointing SDR calibration, a lack of USB-C connectivity and somewhat lofty price point. All of which means this isn't an automatic choice for those seeking a 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor. But for esports addicts and other speed freaks, it will still be hard to overlook.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $799 / £699 / AU$1,699
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

At $799 in the US, £699 in the UK and $1,699 in Australia, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF is pretty steep for a mere 27-inch 1440p monitor.

At this price point you can choose from all manner of LCD monitors (many featured in our best monitors buying guide) up to 49 inches, offering all kinds of resolutions and aspect ratios from 4K and beyond.

Of course, this is an OLED gaming monitor, and they all come with a price premium. However, even in that context, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF isn't exactly cheap. We've seen 27-inch OLEDs below $500 now and then, albeit not models that run at 500Hz.

• Value: 3 / 5

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF: Specs

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF: Design

• Slim bezels
• Compact base
• Large power supply brick

If you liked the look of Samsung's previous Odyssey gaming monitors, you're going to love the new Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF. Because it's a dead ringer in design terms.

For the most part, that's good news. This is a slick-looking and well constructed monitor with a modern vibe, thanks to slim bezels on all four sides of its QD-OLED display panel.

It also offers decent ergonomics with both height and tilt adjustment and a reasonably compact stand base that doesn't take up too much desktop space. The main blot on the ergonomic and design copybook, therefore, is the massive external power supply brick.

No doubt it helps to keep the chassis of the monitor slim, but it does make cable management and general tidiness that bit trickier. Speaking of cables, notable by its absence is support for a USB-C input cable.

You do get HDMI and DisplayPort, both of which support the full 500Hz refresh rate. And, yes, this is unambiguously a gaming monitor, so USB-C is that bit less relevant. But at this price point, you'd have thought Samsung might have thrown it in, anyway. That way you can easily, say, share this monitor between your gaming desktop and a work laptop.

• Design: 4 / 5

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF: Performance

• Extremely fast
• Vibrant colors
• Limited SDR presets

The headline feature of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF is its 500Hz refresh rate. Combined with the incredible response speed of all OLEDs, which the monitor industry pretty much universally rates at 0.03ms, and you have a recipe for incredible speed.

That's very much the subjective experience, too. This thing is hella quick, with remarkably little motion blur and essentially no discernible input lag. Put simply, esports fans who play online shooters and appreciate this kind of speed will love this thing.

Of course, the most serious of esports aficionados will probably still favour an even higher refresh rate and smaller 1080p monitor. So, the question then becomes, how is this monitor for everyone else?

Well, with a 2560 by 1440 native resolution, the pixel density is moderate at best compared to a 4K panel of the same size. So, this isn't the crispest or sharpest of displays. That's slightly exacerbated by the panel's triangular rather than RGB-stripe subpixel structure. If you like sharp fonts, this isn't the display for you.

It also suffers from the usual purple tint in bright ambient light that all QD-OLED displays suffer. Well, all bar a new generation of panels, but that tech isn't used here. Then there's the matte anti-glare coating. Sure, it reduces reflectivity. But it also robs this monitor of that sense of inky, almost infinite contrast that glossy OLED monitors deliver in the right circumstances.

Make no mistake, this is still a punchy, vibrant display, as indicated by an increased full-screen brightness rating of 300 nits. By way of example, there's a dark indoor scene in Cyberpunk 2077 involving sizzling arcs of electricity leaping across the screen. And it's absolutely stunning. That's perfect per-pixel lighting, OLED style, for you. No LCD monitor comes close. But with a glossy coating, it would have been even more incredible.

The Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF's factory calibration in SDR mode could be a lot better, too. The OSD doesn't actually offer the usual sRGB or DCI-P3 color presets, and none of the various modes that are offered deliver a properly balanced SDR experience. They're all overly warm in terms of color temperature, and are also oversaturated.

In mitigation, SDR content is actually really nicely calibrated in HDR mode. So, you can actually just run this thing in HDR mode for everything. But the SDR calibration and preset limitations are a little odd.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF?

Buy the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF if...

Don't buy it if...

• Originally reviewed in February 2026

• Gigabyte has revealed new OLED monitors at CES 2026
• A new HyperNits HDR feature seeks to improve brightness levels and avoid dimming issues
• Tandem OLED is also used here to boost brightness and reduce burn-in risks

CES 2026 is coming to a close, and there have been plenty of big reveals regarding gaming, but we're not done yet – a major manufacturer might just have solved one of the biggest issues with OLED gaming monitors.

As reported by KitGuru, Gigabyte has unveiled its new OLED gaming monitors at CES 2026, utilizing a new HDR feature called 'HyperNits' to address OLED Average Picture Level (APL) issues. To put it simply, HyperNits promises to increase overall brightness levels, but avoid blowing out highlights.

The Auto Brightness Limiter (ABL) on OLED monitors is present to protect them from burn-in and increased power consumption, kicking in when APL levels are high – in other words, when bright areas take up a significant portion of the screen.

This has been problematic for gaming scenarios, as games (or even movies) can constantly shift from dark to bright or vice versa, which can lead to a frustrating experience of overall brightness dimming. It's one of the few advantages mini-LED displays have over OLEDs – ABL still exists to some extent on mini-LEDs, but it's not nearly as aggressive as it is on OLEDs.

This was noticeable in my Mobile Pixels 34-inch mini-LED ultrawide review, where blooming and haloing were the downsides, but brightness was consistent even when APL levels were at 100% (gaming in full-screen), showcasing mini-LED's main advantage over OLED.

Gigabyte's HyperNits seeks to improve brightness consistency with OLED displays, with a claim of '30% more brightness' overall when the feature is enabled on the new MO27Q28GR OLED monitor (a mouthful of a model name, I know).

It's also a major plus that the MO27Q28GR is using a tandem OLED panel. This is tech that improves brightness levels, power-efficiency, and reduces the risk of OLED burn-in by stacking two OLED layers together.

With both of these innovations working together, we could be looking at a major advancement for OLED displays from here on out.

Analysis: OLEDs could move further ahead of mini-LEDs if this works

OLEDs remain on top in the battle against mini-LEDs, and some would even argue that there was no battle to begin with. Deep black levels on both are great for gaming immersion, but OLED takes the win in that department – although it's not quite the same story in terms of brightness.

While there are many OLED displays capable of 1,000 nits or more in HDR, the mentioned APL issues stop them from maintaining high brightness levels without noticeable dimming, whereas mini-LEDs are great at consistently high brightness.

If the combination of tandem OLED and HyperNits can avoid such brightness limitations, we could be looking at a scenario where mini-LED is completely left behind, potentially losing what's arguably the only major advantage it has over OLED monitors.

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 live news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything we've seen.

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 for the latest from the CES show floor!

• Nvidia has improved its G-Sync technology to eliminate motion blur entirely
• G-Sync Pulsar works via pulsing technology with individually split backlight sections
• Pulsar-compatible monitors are set to launch on January 7, 2026

CES 2026 is well underway, and while Nvidia has held back on any new GPU announcements, there's plenty for gamers to be excited about in 2026 regarding DLSS 4.5 and improvements to motion clarity when gaming.

Nvidia has unveiled its new G-Sync Pulsar technology, set for launch on January 7, with brand new Acer, Asus, AOC, and MSI Pulsar-compatible gaming monitors launching on the same date. This new technology seeks to evolve Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to eliminate motion blur issues while allowing users to benefit from smooth gameplay.

G-Sync in its current form has been around for a long time now, and this new version was previously teased at CES 2024 - but now it's finally ready and being released in new monitors for gamers to enjoy.

With VRR, monitors usually work to ensure that your frame rate in-game matches that of the GPU's frame rate, helping to reduce visual issues like tearing and stuttery gameplay. It was a successful addition, but not without issues of motion blur coming into play.

Nvidia previously launched Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB and ULMB 2) models to address motion blur issues, but this only worked at fixed refresh rates and would cause flickering if not used at those fixed rates. This ultimately prevents it from working alongside VRR (aka Nvidia's G-Sync) since that includes a dynamic adjustment of your display's refresh rate.

Now, Team Green has found a new solution with G-Sync Pulsar. This only works on Pulsar-compatible displays (of course) via multiple horizontal backlight sections, which each utilize pulsing via a 'rolling scan'. Nvidia states that these pulses happen at '25% of the frame time', giving pixels enough time to stabilize before being backlit.

Essentially, this provides much better motion clarity, as you can see in the image above, since motion hold times are four times shorter than they were previously (which were the cause of motion blur). What this means in simpler terms is gaming at 250fps will feel like gaming on a 1,000Hz monitor when using G-Sync Pulsar.

It's a huge advancement in VRR technology for Nvidia and one that monitor manufacturers should include going forward – fortunately, that starts with the likes of the Asus ROG Strix Pulsar XG27AQNGV, and others starting at $599.

This is the next generation of motion clarity, and while Nvidia's focus is on AI, G-Sync Pulsar and DLSS 4.5 indicate that it's not leaving gaming behind completely – and I'm certainly glad about that.

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 live news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything we've seen.

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 for the latest from the CES show floor!

• HP has revealed a keyboard that's a full-on PC at CES 2026
• The HP EliteBoard G1a is built around a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU
• This means it's a Copilot+ PC and should be pretty capable with Windows 11, though it's still nicely slim

Typically, an all-in-one PC is a computer built into a monitor, but HP is doing things a bit differently with a twist on the formula at CES 2026, having unveiled a mini PC that's packed into a keyboard.

As The Verge spotted, this is the HP EliteBoard G1a and, perhaps inevitably, it's branded as an 'AI PC' which, the PC maker boasts, provides "next-generation local AI power in a keyboard-sized form factor that moves at the speed of modern work".

In short, this is a Copilot+ PC shoehorned into a compact keyboard that's 12mm thick, weighing 750 grams, so it's pretty trim given what the device contains.

Obviously you should temper expectations with the spec of this device, but it does have an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series chip inside which boasts more than the requisite 40 TOPS (it has 50) to qualify as a Copilot+ PC (meaning you get access to exclusive AI features in Windows 11).

More specifically on the CPU front, you get options from a baseline Ryzen AI 5 350 up to a Ryzen AI 7 370 Pro, backed with up to 64GB of system RAM (DDR5) and up to 2TB of storage.

You also get built-in speakers and dual mics, so all you need is a monitor to hook up the keyboard with – or two, as the EliteBoard G1a is capable of driving dual 4K displays – plus a Bluetooth mouse for a full PC setup. (Or you could just run with a touchscreen monitor on its own, of course).

There's Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and this keyboard PC can optionally be configured with a fingerprint sensor for biometric logins, and a 35Wh battery providing a claimed 3.5 hours of juice (which is user replaceable).

HP tells us that the EliteBoard G1a should be on sale in March 2026.

Analysis: Amiga nostalgia

A keyboard-based PC is not actually a first, of course. In fact, you could argue that these were around in the 1980s, and they were called Commodore Amigas (or you could take your retro computing pick, really – although the rival Atari ST was even bulkier). The key (no pun intended) difference is that unlike the Amiga 500 I owned as a teenager, HP's EliteBoard isn't a great chunky thing – it sounds enticingly compact, all in all.

Even so, there are slimline takes on this formula that already exist, like the Raspberry Pi 500 (which, of course, takes the latter part of its name from the aforementioned classic Amiga). This is 23mm thick, so not as slim as HP's creation here, and neither does it pack the same power in its CPU (the Pi has a modest Arm chip).

However, while we don't yet have a price, the EliteBoard is obviously not going to be nearly as cheap as the Pi 500, offering a much more powerful computing (Copilot+) experience. There's the rub, of course, because with the spiraling cost of RAM and storage, HP is launching this new keyboard in very trying market conditions (to say the least – especially as the EliteBoard packs DDR5 RAM).

Consumers who fancy a slice of the PC keyboard action will doubtless find the cost difficult to stomach, though the primary target market of business users may get more palatable volume pricing. Still, I'd still expect the current memory headwinds to make life tricky for HP in terms of selling this machine down the line.

• Acer has revealed a range of new products at CEs 2026
• The main announcement is a fresh line of laptops featuring the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors
• Other reveals included an esports monitor and a Predator-branded e-scooter

The ball is rolling on CES 2026, and that means lots of new hardware reveals. It's an exciting time of year for us here at TechRadar, and it looks like Acer hasn't disappointed, with a range of new products coming in hot.

Leading the pack are several new laptops equipped with Intel's new 3rd-gen Core Ultra CPUs, including the Aspire AI, Swift AI, Swift Edge AI, Swift Go AI, and several new gaming laptops in the Predator and Nitro ranges. Yes, those have 'AI' tacked onto the end of the product name for no good reason, too.

I'm only gently chiding Acer for this, though, as it's become common practice across multiple laptop brands in recent years to include 'AI' in the name. In my inquiries, nobody has been particularly forthcoming about why they're doing this, but it's likely a combination of desire to demonstrate these new laptops' AI capabilities (thanks to the new Intel Core Ultra 300 chips powering them, which boast superior AI performance compared to the previous 200 generation) and pressure from Microsoft to champion Copilot, its AI assistant that now comes baked into Windows 11.

Overall, though? I have to say that these new laptops look good. The Aspire and Swift models come in both 14- and 16-inch display sizes, with the super-premium Swift Edge 14 AI weighing in at less than 1kg with a thickness of 13.95mm, making it one of the thinnest and lightest laptops in its performance class. The new Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is also impressively thin and light for a gaming laptop, packing an RTX 5070 GPU but with a chassis less than 19mm thick.

New visuals

The reveals didn't stop there, though. New monitors are up next: we saw two gaming-focused models under the Predator brand, one curved and one esports-oriented (with a ludicrous '1000 Hz dynamic mode' for maximizing your framerate), along with another gaming monitor from the Nitro family, which offers a 27-inch 5K panel. Meanwhile, digital creatives were served by the new ProDesigner PE320QX, which delivers a stunning 6K resolution and 1.07 billion color support.

Elsewhere in the display space, we saw a new projector, the Vero HL1820. Side note: did you know Acer makes home cinema projectors? I did, but several of my coworkers didn't! As part of the eco-friendly Vero product line, it's constructed with a chassis composed of 50% post-consumer-recycled materials.

There was also a host of connectivity products, primarily some new routers, including the Predator Connect X7S 5G CPE: a wireless router that uses 5G and 4G connectivity to deliver lightning-fast Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for gaming and streaming wherever you may go. Peripherals were included too, with the new Predator Cestus 530 gaming mouse and Galea 570 headset.

Get scootin'

The most unusual reveal, however, was the Predator ES Storm Pro E-scooter. Described as a 'performance-focused e-scooter designed for varied urban conditions', it features a foldable aluminum frame, ten-inch tubeless tires, and of course, RGB lighting. It's a Predator-branded product, after all.

Now, this isn't the first electric scooter Acer has produced; the ES series has been kicking around for a little while now, so it's not surprising to see Acer wheel out a new one at an event like CES. What is surprising is that this model proudly bears the Predator branding. I don't know if there's a lot of crossover between the PC gaming and e-scooter markets, but clearly Acer thinks so.

With IPX5 water resistance and a riding range of approximately 60km on a single charge thanks to regenerative braking technology, it certainly looks pretty sweet. But I don't really know a damn thing about e-scooters, so that's just about all the analysis I can offer on this particular product reveal!