Reviews

The new “first-of-its-kind” SKYVIEW lamp made its official debut last week, and we are now ready to weigh in after putting it to the test. The not quite smart lamp actually has a number of intelligent features in tow, most of which surrounding research done in the way outdoor light conditions can effect our mood and productivity levels, but it also syncs up with the sunset/sunrise conditions in your neck of the woods to provide “light as it was meant be experienced” directly on your nightstand, workspace, or living room end table as well. Head below for our hands-on review of the now available new SKYVIEW lamp. 

For console gamers, one of the most consistent battles has been getting a quality controller that holds off the inevitable stick drift as long as possible. Some companies like Thrustmaster have even gone as far as to make replacement hot-swap modules for when the sticks do start drifting. Gamesir is doing things differently with an Xbox controller that uses contactless hall-effect magnetic sensors that should, in theory, last much longer than the industry-standard potentiometer. So how does the Gamesir G7 SE perform for the reasonable $45 price point? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Sony today is launching its latest pair of flagship true wireless earbuds. In a naming scheme that few will be surprised by, the new WF-1000XM5 arrive with some notable improvements over their predecessor and are now available for $300. I’ve been daily driving them over the past week and am excited to talk about just how well-rounded of an experience the new Sony XM5 offer.

CASETiFY’s latest collaboration is officially hitting store shelves today, with the eagerly awaited Evangelion iPhone 14 case collection now available. I’ve personally been waiting for weeks to share my thoughts on the lineup, and if I didn’t write home enough about the accessories in my launch coverage, I am back to gush all about the new releases.

One thing we take pretty seriously around here is our EDC kits. I, for one, am always on the hunt for the best possible way to carry my day-to-day tech as well as something that can support traveling abroad, day trips, and things of that nature. In need of a new crossbody or belt bag-style solution and after hearing more and more about the brand Aer over the last few months, I decided to test out its Day Sling 3 to see if it was up to the task. Head below for our hands-on review of the Day Sling 3 as part of the latest Tested with gadgetnewsonline. 

Throughout 2023, the LEGO Group has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of Disney animation. Now culminating all of that fanfare in one of the largest kits of the year, today we’re taking a hands-on look at the all-new LEGO Disney Castle (43222) to see if it’s a worthy build to headline such a massive milestone for the company.

The kitchen gadget gurus at Ninja have done it again. This time, the Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven with FlexDoor is pulling out all the stops. With 12 cooking functions and a family-sized capacity, this versatile countertop oven has a lot of exciting features for a beginner in the kitchen or even a seasoned foodie. For $349.99, you’ll be baking, air frying, toasting, and dehydrating in no time.

Last month, Nintendo first revealed its new pastel Joy-Con sets, and now they’re finally here. I instantly had to order the new colorways for Nintendo Switch, and at long last both pairs have landed on my front porch. Toning down the usual neon stylings from past controllers, the new pastel releases bring summer-ready vibes to your hybrid console.

Today we are taking a hands-on look at Journey’s new vegan leather MagSafe kickstand wallet for iPhone 12, 13, and 14 users. After getting a chance to go hands-on with its 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand boasting a removable USB-C Apple Watch charger and the unique ALTI MagSafe charging desk mat before that, we thought we would give the brand’s new EZMO wallet a run for its money. It marks the first time the brand has stepped into the MagSafe card carrier category, and now it’s time to see how it stacks up alongside a 20% discount. Head below for our review of the new Journey Ezmo vegan leather MagSafe kickstand wallet in the latest entry of Tested with gadgetnewsonline. 

One of the collaborations I have been looking forward to most this year has just landed on my doorstep. Earlier in the month, CASETiFY revealed that it would be tapping into the most popular superhero out there right now to deliver a new series of Peter Parker-inspired Apple accessories. Donning the signature red and blue suit design, I just got my hands on a few of the new CASETiFY Spider-Man iPhone 14 cases and its eye-catching AirPods Pro cover.

This week, Nvidia is lifting review embargoes on its new RTX 4060 cards. Yesterday the MSRP embargo lifted and today the non-MSRP lifts, which means we can talk about the PNY XLR8 RTX 4060 with RGB, triple fans, and support for overclocking in the PNY VelocityX software. Compared to other cards near it and with a price tag of $340, is this new card the answer for budget gaming? 

Earlier this month, Anker revealed its new Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds. After getting a first look at them in person, I went home with a pair of the brand’s latest true wireless earbuds and have been daily driving them since. The verdict after a few weeks? These may be some of the more affordable options on the market, but the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC punch well above their weight class and may very well be the best $100 earbuds out there.

Today, Insta 360 is out with its latest thumb-sized action camera – the Go 3. Taking some of the most critical feedback from the previous two generations, this new versatile camera comes with an action pod that turns it into more of a GoPro-like camera with a flip touchscreen and the ability to record for up to 170 minutes. We got our hands on an Insta360 Go 3 camera, so be sure to hit the video below and see all of the details. 

It’s time to take a closer look at the new Totallee matte AirPods cases that debuted back in early May of this year. Once again delivering on the branding-free minimalist approach we have seen on its iPhone cases for years, the new Totallee AirPods cases feature a similar vibe in three different colorways with models available for both the latest AirPods Pro 2 and the 3rd generation of the standard model Apple earbuds. We had a chance to give them a try over the last couple weeks and it’s time to let everyone know how it all went in the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series down below. 

Pikmin 4 is set to release next month on July 21. Ahead of time, Nintendo invited me to come check out what the fourth installment of the franchise is all about. Last Thursday, I got to spend over an hour and a half playing Pikmin 4, exploring all there is to be excited about from the upcoming game. Here are my first impressions on the story mode, refreshed gameplay, and the new Dandori Battle versus mode, alongside nearly 10 minutes of new footage from the game.

When it comes to thermometers, ThermoPro is generally a go-to brand for many. Well, the iconic brand is expanding its offers with a new entry into its TempSpike lineup with the Twin TempSpike. Offering much of the same as the original TempSpike, there are a few notable improvements here over the previous generation and offering. We’ve spent the past bit with the new release from ThermoPro, and found that it’s a solid contender in the wireless meat/smoking space… but with one major drawback. Head below the fold to find out all our thoughts in this ThermoPro Twin TempSpike review.

At-home laser engravers are becoming more and more popular. From the ever-popular Glowforge to brands like xTool, using a laser engraver/cutter at home is now easier than ever. However, for the longest time, diode lasers (which are easier to use than CO2, by far, and we’ll break down why below) have lacked in power. Sure, they’re easy to use, but the limitations in speed, capability, and overall power always made CO2 more compelling if you were looking for something to start your business with. I mean, that’s why companies like Glowforge, OMTech, and Monport have taken off recently. But, xTool, a Makeblock company, wanted to change the game when it came to diode lasers. And change the game it did. We’ve spent the past few weeks with the most powerful diode laser…ever. xTool’s D1 Pro 40W laser system might not be easy on the wallet, but it’s easy to use and delivers absolutely stellar results on basically everything it’s compatible with. Have you been looking for a laser just like that? If so, head below the fold to read our full hands-on review of the xTool D1 Pro 40W laser where we help you determine if spending nearly $2,000 on a diode is really worth it… or if you should pursue other options.

Continuing its quest to become a one-stop shop for computers and peripherals, today NZXT is out with a new line of audio equipment. The new NZXT Relay audio system currently consists of a headset, speakers, and a handy auto-switching headphone stand. We got our hands on all of them so be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Earlier this spring, Anker announced its latest foray into an entirely new product category with its EverFrost-powered cooler. Now beginning to ship today for the first time, the new debut effectively arrives as a portable mini fridge with up to 53L of capacity. After trying it out for the past few weeks and even impressing some dads at a recent barbecue, I’m ready to explore if the $799 starting price is worth the cash.

Last month, Logitech continued marching through its catalog to refresh yet another one of its most popular Mac accessories. We’ve been seeing these new S-series releases over the past couple of years, but just what does Logitech bring to the table for its latest keyboard, the MX Keys S? I’ve been spending some time with the new Mac-ready release and can clear everything up below the fold as I take a hands-on look at the new Logitech MX Keys S and its environmentally-conscious design.

Anker’s latest MagSafe charging stand just hit the scene earlier this spring, arriving just in time to pair perfectly with the new StandBy mode for iPhone 14 coming in iOS 17. Capable of refueling your entire Apple kit, our latest Tested with gadgetnewsonline review is investigating if its more affordable price tag means it’s actually worth a spot on your nightstand.

At CES 2023, we went hands-on with the first set of RTX 4090 laptops and came away mightily impressed. Now, we’ve taken the past few weeks to use the latest ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 17 which boasts the most powerful AMD processor yet as well as the most powerful NVIDIA GPU, pairing together to deliver an extremely well-made desktop replacement. It’s powerful, user-upgradable, and can handle anything you throw at it with ease. However, all of that power does come at a cost, and the payment is battery life. If you’re not concerned about battery life, though, keep reading to find out our thoughts on packing a 16-core 32-thread processor that hits 95W and an RTX 4090 that can push 175W into a laptop.

It’s been just over one year since my first video about sim racing. In that comparison between two entry setups, I chose the Logitech G923 over the Thrustmaster T300RS GT – much to the dismay of plenty of YouTube commenters. While the wheelbase on the Thrustmaster was good, the wheel wasn’t great and the pedals were abysmal. Considering that the bundle was $450 at the time of my review and you might quickly want the $250 T-LCM pedals, and perhaps a new wheel, wouldn’t it just be worth it to jump up to an entry-level DD wheel? Sure, the budget still plays into those decisions, but that’s getting easier with more affordable hardware like what we have today – the $530 Moza R5 Bundle. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

IK expanded its AmpliTube amp and guitar tone creation ecosystem earlier this year with the Tonex Pedal. A hardware multi-FX stomp box unit made to allow guitar players and sound designers to load up and design their own amp and tone rigs onto a stage- and studio-ready unit, it also doubles as an audio interface for recording and is backed up by thousands of premade amps patches. We have had a chance to crank this thing up to 11 over the past few weeks, and it’s time to break down the experience for folks interested in this sort of hybrid guitar sound design experience as part of the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Lockly debuted its new ‘first of its kind’ smart safe at CES 2023. The sensor-packed home safe is loaded with high-tech features, from remote access to a biometric fingerprint scanner and an ultra-secure digital keypad, as well as a particularly heavy-duty build. We have had a chance to give it a run for its money over the past few weeks ahead of this month’s official launch and you can get a full breakdown of what to expect in our hands-on review of the new Lockly smart safe down below.

Samsung today is officially launching the world’s first 49-inch OLED gaming monitor with the new Odyssey OLED G9. Arriving with a launch discount attached, we got to spend some hands-on time with the new display to see just how it stacks up.

First unveiled at CES 2023 earlier this year, it’s time to take a closer look at the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock – the “first full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power adapter.” OWC is one of the better Apple gear accessory brands out there, from docks and hubs to memory solutions, portable storage, and more. Much of its gear borders on enterprise-grade quality that carries over to its consumer and prosumer lines in the best way possible. Just about every piece of kit from the brand I have got my hands on over the years has impressed me in terms of overall build quality and performance, and the Thunderbolt Go Dock is no exception. But now, after getting a few weeks to put it through its paces, let’s dive in and take a closer look to see if it’s right for your setup. Head below for our hands-on review of the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock as part of the latest entry in the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series. 

The Cloud line of gaming headsets from HyperX has been a go-to for many gamers. An emphasis on a simple design that is comfortable and has clear audio makes them a great choice. Now, there is a new option – the HyperX Cloud III. With new drivers, a slight redesign, and a new microphone, how does this universal wired headset perform for the $100 price point? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

At the beginning of the year, Satechi launched its new Pro Hub Slim, a more compact version of its USB-C expansions for Mac. A slimmed-down version of the original models, the new Satechi Pro Slim Hub arrives with much of the expected premium build, matching Apple finishes, and USB 4 interface with seven ports in order to deliver a compelling option right before the 15-inch MacBook Air ships.

If you’re in the market for a new EDC flashlight, then the OLIGHT Seeker 4 Mini could be just the ticket. Now available for purchase, the Seeker 4 Mini is an update to one of the brand’s more popular lines and includes a few new features and upgrades that make this my go-to now when I leave the house. Combining both a 1,200-lumen main LED light and a UV light in one compact housing, the all-new Seeker 4 Mini is a solid launch from OLIGHT with a respectable price, and is also on sale 30% off for its launch. Keep reading to find out more about the OLIGHT Seeker 4 Mini and why it’s become my new go-to EDC flashlight.

Battlefield 2042 Season 5 is right around the corner, and as with earlier seasons, Dice invited some members of the press to preview the new content that will be a part of the update. With a new map, new weapons, and many changes, is it enough to keep the momentum that Battlefield 2042 has been receiving alive? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

MagSafe accessories have matured quite a bit in the past few years since launch, with even newer players to the space like ESR stepping in to offer something refreshing. Today we’re taking a hands-on look at its latest debut, with the new HaloLock MagSafe Power Bank delivering a 3-in-1 design. On top of just juicing up your iPhone 14 while away from home, it’ll also double as a stand while sporting a slot to hold ID and bank cards.

We first reported about PCIe 5.0 SSDs way back in January of 2022. Now, we’re finally starting to see some hit the market. While MSI, CORSAIR, and GIGABYTE have all already released their PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs, so far, they’ve been topping out at only around 10,000MB/s. Yes, we say “only” here because Crucial is taking things up a notch with the launch of its T700 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD. Crucial claims that this is the “world’s fastest” SSD, and while we haven’t tested the aforementioned drives, we have spent the past few weeks with the T700 and…the company’s claims are true. With transfer speeds hitting upward of 12,400MB/s, the Crucial T700 has the ability to move a 12GB file in under a second. Let that sink in for 12GB…I mean a second. Not sold yet? Head below for our full review where we compare the drive to other industry-leading SSDs on the market for a true benchmark of how fast it is.

At the end of last year, AMD released its RX 7000-series graphics cards with two heavy-hitters aimed at high-end gaming setups. While NVIDIA did something similar, team green has been steadily releasing GPUs with lower price points using its latest technology, and, well, AMD has been silent. That is, until now. Today, AMD is introducing the RX 7600, a GPU aimed at 1080p gamers with an impressive retail price of $269. This comes in at an additional $30 below the RTX 4060, while delivering pretty impressive performance. I’ve spent the past week with AMD’s latest RX 7600 GPU, and have come away with one take in: could this be the king of budget graphics cards? Read on to find out why this will become one of our go-to recommended graphics cards for low- to mid-range gaming setups.

Continuing its release of 40-series graphics cards, we went hands-on with one of NVIDIA’s latest GPUs – the 4060 Ti 8 GB with an MSRP of $399. The version we have is from PNY’s XLR8 brand and comes in at $449 with RGB lighting. In addition to this card, NVIDIA has also announced the $499 4060 Ti 16 GB, which is to be released in July alongside the base $299 4060. It’s great to see cards from NVIDIA that don’t carry the massive price tags we’ve seen lately, but is the XLR8 PNY 4060 Ti 8GB card worth it for $449? Be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details.

Back at the start of the month, the LEGO Group launched one of its latest sets themed around The Mandalorian. Giving builders plenty of firsts and uncommon inclusions in the Star Wars theme, the LEGO TIE Interceptor and Fang Fighter set not only marks the first appearance of the Imperial starfighter in almost two decades but also arrives with the all-new Darksaber mold and more.

Update: The new Spark Go is now available for purchase on Amazon.

Following the success of its full-size variant, Positive Grid has since released the MINI version we previously went hands-on with and, now, the new Spark GO mini guitar amp, Bluetooth speaker, and audio interface. Designed as an all-in-one intelligent audio device for guitar players, the Spark Go is the most portable model in the lineup, allowing musicians to carry the brand’s smart sound design tech and jam-along features with them just about anywhere while delivering typical wireless listening and recording capabilities. We have now had a chance to really crank the mini amp up to 11 for a couple of weeks and are ready to weigh in with our impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

Earlier this year, 2K Games, in partnership with the LEGO Group, announced that it would be taking a fresh crack at the brick-built racing title. Officially launching today, LEGO 2K Drive races onto the scene to deliver a thrilling open-world adventure game, competitive kart racer, and garage to customize your very own vehicle. Detailed below, we’re diving into see just how the new brick-built world stacks up as well as chat with the game’s art director for a behind the scenes look at the experience.

Intro

Xbox controllers can get very expensive – just look at the line-up of some of our favorites. For those on a budget, though, PowerA has been a consistent source of more affordable options that go beyond the stock controller. Its latest, the PowerA Fusion Pro 3 is packed with features for the $80 price tag but can it compete with more expensive controllers? Be sure to hit the video to see all of the details.

Today Mackie is introducing its new all-in-one content creator and podcasting workstation known as the Mackie DLZ Creator Adaptive Digital Mixer. Delivering a complete podcasting and broadcasting recording rig, it features a large touchscreen display, a series of microphone inputs, a built-in sample/stinger trigger section, all of the headphone outputs you’ll need, and more – you can even record your work directly onto the machine with microSD support if you want. It essentially combines just about all of the most important elements of a good broadcast into a single unit and we have had a chance to give it a test run over the last couple weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look.

Earlier this year, Satechi launched its most popualr charging station to date. Brimming with 200W of GaN power, its latest USB-C offering takes on a desktop form-factor that’s outfitted with enough ports and juice to power up your entire Apple kit. But with a $150 price tag, we’re checking out just what to expect from the experience.

Audio-Technica is launching its latest USB mic today known as the AT2040USB. The brand has been in the transducer and microphone business for over 60 years now and has been delivering some of the best bang for your buck in both the USB and XLR space for nearly as long. Its XLR mics have been a staple in my personal home studio for years, as seen in my latest Behind the Screens feature, and the classic Audio-Technica AT2020+ is a favorite among USB mic users (it has since been superseded by the new AT2020USB-X). But today the brand is starting a new journey with its latest dynamic USB model and we have had a chance to test it out for a few weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look. 

It’s now time to take a hands-on look at Harber London’s luxurious City Leather MacBook Backpack. The brand delivers higher-end leather goods for just about any Apple product, and its carriers have been a real highlight for me after getting a chance to give them a go. The City Backpack on display here, though, is easily one of my favorite designs in its lineup of back-mounted bags ready for lugging around MacBooks and iPads in style, but is it worth the hefty price tag? While it is just what you expect from a bag handmade in Spain and constructed of premium leather, let’s dig in and find out for sure in the latest entry to our long-running Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

Earlier in the spring we covered a discount on AirPods Max, to which readers chimed in that despite being $100 off, there are better options out there. One of the cited options at the top of everyone’s list is the Sennheiser Momentum 4, a recently-released pair of over ear headphones from one of the more beloved brands on the market. I’ve been daily driving these for the past month, and have to say that I agree. But just how well do they stack up against Apple’s flagship headphones?

The Blackshark V2 Pro has been one of the best-reviewed gaming headsets that I can remember. The wired versions are an even better deal. Now, Razer is updating the beloved esports-focused headset with a new microphone, sound modes, and Bluetooth connectivity. Do these upgrades make the Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 worth the $200 price tag? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.