Review

There are a lot premium brands out there in the charging space. Anker and Belkin are a couple of our favorites here at gadgetnewsonline, for example. It’s important to remember that these brands had to start somewhere, and by churning out one great product after another, they slowly made a name for themselves. This keeps us always on the lookout for which brands could be next innovator in the space, and UGREEN keeps catching our eye. One of the most recent examples of this was the new UGREEN 2-in-1 Charging Station. It features a compact, MagSafe-ready charging design paired with an integrated pad for charging AirPods, and an addition USB-C port along the side. Keep on reading to get my hands-on impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

You’re reading Tested with gadgetnewsonline, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

While wireless earbuds are increasingly popular because of their small size and affordable nature, the water gets murkier when it comes to gaming. Not only do they need to sound good and preferably be affordable, but they also need decent battery life and be comfortable for longer gaming sessions. For those reasons, I’ve only found a few wireless gaming earbuds that I’ve actually enjoyed using. I’ll mainly be talking about the recent ASUS ROG Cetra SpeedNova true wireless earbuds for this review, but I’ll also sprinkle in my experiences with other earbuds I’ve tried over years and what makes them stand out or, more often than not, what makes me put them back in the box. Be sure to hit the video below for all of the details.

Today, Satechi is debuting its new Qi2 Wireless Car Charger. Following the launch of its Qi2 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stands, Satechi is now set to bring the new 15W charging standard to your ride with its new magnetic car mount. While it’s not the first car mount of its type out of the gate with the new Qi2 charging tech, it is the brand’s first, landing with double the power of its previous-generation offering to reliably accompany travelers on road-trips, daily commutes, and just about everything in between. Now available for purchase directly on the brand’s official site and over at Amazon, be sure to head below for more details and some early hands-on impressions. 

Peak Design has made a few changes to its travel offerings, introducing some new Ultralight Packing Cubes that do more than pack, as well as adding new 50L and 80L Travel Duffel options to cover a broader need for space.

I’ve had the pleasure of using quite a few Bluetooth speakers over the years, with some of my recent favorites being the Marshall Kilburn II and Tribit StormBox Micro. So when JBL offered to let me review its new PartyBox 320, I was interested, but not necessarily ecstatic. That started to change once I began digging into the specifications and realized just how monstrous and powerful this speaker could wind up being. My suspicions were confirmed when this 36-pound monster arrived in the mail.

While unboxing the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, I couldn’t help but smile. Looking back, I think it’s because I knew that the size and heft meant that this thing was going to pack a punch. Seeing the actual speaker helped seal the deal too, with loads of easy-to-access controls, plenty of inputs around back, and wheels along the base paired with a handle up top that make it easier to roll it from one place to another. I couldn’t wait to start trying it out, so keep on reading to hear about my experience unboxing, pairing, and using this powerful speaker.

Just after the reveal of its fantastic Apple Find My Wallet Card Tracker with MagSafe charging, Nomad continued its run on your carry gear with its new leather passport wallet. Once again implementing its Horween leather treatment, the brand spent years developing its new travel carrier, has now launched two different models, and we have had a chance to go hands-on with it to give it a run for its money in the latest edition of Tested with gadgetnewsonline. 

I bought my first smart light bulb well over a decade ago now. Over time, I’ve tried countless brands of smart bulbs, smart plugs to control lamps, and have even swapped out light switches for smart ones. Now my home has a mixture of all those things, and I would have it no other way. I’ve generally leaned on Philips Hue for smart bulbs because they’re one of the most platform-agnostic solutions out there, but the arrival of Matter has changed the game. This paved the way for me to eventually try out a 4-pack of Linkind Matter-enabled smart light bulbs at an incredibly low price. Continue reading for my hands-on impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

We have been covering and ranking leather iPhone cases around here for years, I have reviewed something like 100 of them alone, and one brand that has been consistently in the short list over the last couple of years is SANDMARC. Anyone who has read my reviews already knows this, and knows it well. Some folks were just not a fan of its Pro Leather models (I adore them), but the Minimal Leather iPhone case variant is here and it’s here in a major way to save the day. This is a really good leather iPhone case, you’ll find our exclusive discount code below, and some of our hands-on impressions of the latest lineup. 

Trying to choose the perfect Robot vacuum and/or mop in today’s market can be quite an overwhelming experience. Without extensive knowledge of companies or their designs, it can seem like there is always some new or alternate feature that gets in the way of making any final decisions. If you had asked me years ago which models are best for everyday cleaning solutions without needing to babysit it, I’d likely have said that the big brand robots all sport similar performances – especially in the era of “bumper bots.”

In 2024, however, my sentiments towards preferable models has definitely shifted and solidified around a few key brands that are truly putting out innovative changes with each new robot. One of the most advanced – and absolute favorites that I’ve interacted with – has been the brand new Yeedi M12 PRO+ that I’ve gotten to know over these past weeks. Yeedi has truly outdone itself with this model, and deserves a moment to take a bow for their endeavors here. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of its features, what to expect during setup, as well as my personal impressions alongside a few key tips to keep in mind when installing it in your home (especially because, as amazing and life-changing as this tech has been, it is not perfect, just like every other elevated model worth your consideration).

I’ve made a living using computers day-in and day-out for well over a decade now. Within a mere hour or two of starting work each day, I have been consistently plagued by neck and shoulder aches and pains. I’ve tried working in a mobile manner using a MacBook and iPad to at a desk with monitors mounted at the recommended level for the best ergonomics. Nothing has ever worked, until now, and it’s all thanks to FlexiSpot’s OC4-V2 ergonomic office chair. It’s a new release that’s only been listed on Amazon for a couple of weeks now. I’ve been using it day after day for a week or so and now I’d like to share my hands-on impressions as a part of the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

Update: Shark has shared a special early $20 off coupon for readers using the code FAN20 at checkout on Shark’s website.

With summer officially here and the hot weather that always comes with it, consumers are constantly looking for ways to stay cool, myself included. Shark, a household name for vacuums, air purifiers, and hair care, has come out with its first fan, and I had the pleasure of taking it for a test run. The Shark FlexBreeze Fan is powerful and packed with some really cool features that set it apart from other fans on the market, it’s even blowing cool air on me as I write this! Head below for a detailed look at my days testing and enjoying the Shark FlexBreeze fan. 

Finally, the Moza R3 is officially available! At just $400, it’s the cheapest direct drive sim-racing bundle officially licensed for Xbox. I reviewed the bundle back in August of 2023, but due to licensing delays with Microsoft, it wasn’t available to the mass market until today. But have my thoughts on it changed since the review? Be sure to hit the video below to check out the latest. 

Caseology unleashed its new MagSafe Mac folder wallets recently and we were lucky enough to score a sweet press package of all four styles to get a closer look. There are no surprises here in terms of functionality, they are just another solid MagSafe wallet solution that won’t break the bank, but one with an adorable and, for some, nostalgic vibe heavily inspired by the macOS folders. Head below for a closer look at them and our hands-in impressions of the new Caseology (a Spigen sister brand) Mac folder MagSafe wallets in the latest Tested with gadgetnewsonline.  

With what feels like a never ending list of robotic vacuums on the market, it’s actually quite difficult to find something that fully automates the manual labor involved in cleaning floors. Face it, there aren’t very many physical day-to-day activities that robots can actually do for us (yet), but cleaning floors is an area where there is arguably the most hope, thanks to countless companies innovating year after year.

Having spent some time with the new ECOVACS DEEBOT T30S Combo, I am more convinced than ever that we’re headed in the right direction in this product category. ECOVACS really has thought of everything with this lineup, from a robot that can vacuum and mop, to the inclusion of a powerful handheld vacuum for one-off situations, it’s incredibly versatile and ready for just about anything. I’ve tested all sorts of settings on this vacuum, and down below I’ll detail unboxing, the setup experience, app features, and overall performance of the unit.

 Next up in our coverage of Turtle Beach’s latest releases is the brand-new Stealth 500 multi-platform gaming headset. At just $80, it’s the entry-level current-generation wireless headset from Turtle Beach. It features wireless and Bluetooth, is super lightweight, and packs signature audio modes like Superhuman Hearing, and I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do. Be sure to watch the video below to see all of the details. 

mophie unleashed its brand new juice pack battery case for iPhone 15 back in late April, and we are now ready to weigh in after testing it out for a month or so. The brand has been producing these battery cases for some time and its latest has now arrived for all but the Plus variant of Apple’s current-generation handsets. The questions are two-fold for me: is it worth the lofty price of entry? And is it releasing too late into the iPhone 15 life cycle? Head below for my hands-on impressions in the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series. 

Things are getting a little crazy in the lightweight gaming mouse market. Today, the Turtle Beach Burst II Air is officially available. Weighing in at just 47g, Burst II Air is one of if not the lightest gaming mice from a big-name brand that I can think of. With the recent Viper V3 Pro weighing in at 54g, is the $99 Burst II Air a worthwhile alternative? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Update: Ninja has shared an exclusive promo for readers – use the code COOLERS at checkout on Ninja’s website to get 20% off all FrostVault models now through the end of 2024.

The excitement surrounding Ninja’s brand-new line of coolers is hard to ignore. Ninja has made a name for itself in the kitchen gadget world, but this is its first line of coolers. Brands like Yeti and Igloo have dominated the cooler scene for years; does the Ninja FrostVault even stand a chance? I had the pleasure of taking the Ninja FrostVault 30qt Hard Cooler with Dry Zone for a test run, and I think you’ll want to keep reading to see how it went. 

I love the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – it’s absolutely packed with premium features that make it work in a wide variety of scenarios across multiple platforms. My only complaint in my original review was that the ANC nubs in the earcups were too prominent and ruined the comfort for me. Now in 2024, SteelSeries has released a white version of the $350 premium multi-platform gaming headset with much smaller ANC nubs! So it should be perfect now, right? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Today we are taking a closer look at the new BANG!CASE for iPhone 14 Pro/Max and iPhone 15 Pro/Max. The interesting new iPhone cover debuted in mid-April courtesy of Bitmo Lab – an sspai and JSAUX brand – as what the company refers to as “the world’s first phone case with three customizable buttons.” It essentially adds a new button to your phone, acting as a sort of second Action Button you can customize to do any number of things. This high-tech approach to smartphone cases is also joined by an interesting clear case back to show of the tech required to run the button, some LED action, and you can still land one at 20% off ahead of launch next month. Head below for our hands-on impressions in the latest edition of Tested with gadgetnewsonline. 

LEGO today is launching its annual Star Wars Day sale ahead of May the 4th. The company just launched a whole host of new kits to celebrate the next month rolling around, and front and center in the collection are creations from a galaxy far, far away. But there’s more this month than just the latest from LEGO Star Wars, namely promotions that help builders make the most out of expanding their collections.

Today we are taking a deeper dive on the JBL Soundgear Sense Open Earbuds. After more pricey models from Bose recently made headlines around here, we though it would be a good idea to check out the somewhat more affordable, let’s call it mid-priced options, and JBL’s Soundgears seemed a suitable candidate at $149.99 shipped. Dive into our hands-on impressions down below.

Traeger enthusiasts sold out the ModiFIRE Sear Grate in minutes when it debuted earlier this year. This is not the first cooking accessory that Traeger has added to its ModiFIRE lineup, and I’m sure it’s not going to be the last. As someone who does all the cooking and grilling in her family, I was eager to give the new Sear Grate a try on the Ironwood WiFi pellet grill as summer approaches. The team at Traeger sent over a ModiFIRE Sear Grate for me to try, and it did not disappoint. Keep reading to find out how my grilling and searing adventures turned out. 

Razer’s latest high-end gaming mouse is the Viper V3 Pro. We got a taste of what could be in store back with the V3 Hyperspeed last fall but it only left me waiting for this – the 54g symmetrical gaming mouse that’s aimed directly at taking down one of the FPS kings, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2. So how does it perform for the $160 price tag? Be sure to hit the video to find out.

Marshall has a new pair of headphones out, and I have been daily driving them for the past few weeks. The Marshall V headphones might not look all too different from their predecessors, but with a tried and true design, that’s hardly an issue. The newfound 100-hour battery life only makes these an easier recommendation, as well as everything else I highlight below.

Burton Goods re-launched earlier this year with a fresh collection of new leather goods for just about all of your Apple gear, from gorgeous MacBook and iPad cases, to its American full-grain Heritage Leather Apple Watch Strap you see here today. The Heritage, like the name suggests and falling in line with the rest of the gear in the lineup, presents a vintage-inspired leather treatment for your high-tech Apple wearable and we have had it on-wrist for the last couple weeks to give a run for its money. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Burton Goods Heritage Leather Apple Watch Strap.

We have come away impressed with just about everything we have gone hands-on with from Aer. That includes its Pro Kit tech accessory organizer pouch, the City Tote Bag, and the Aer Travel Pack 3 I’m about to load up to head out traveling once again. But today we are turning our attention to its latest Aer Tech Sling 3 bag – we have been testing the carrier out for a few weeks and are now ready to dish up some hands-on impressions. Head below for the latest edition of Tested with gadgetnewsonline. 

Razer has now unlocked the god-tier of mobile gaming. The company today is launching its latest smartphone controller grip for iPhone 15 and Android handsets. On top of just fully embracing USB-C, the new Razer Kishi Ultra steps up to deliver a more premium experience actually geared towards gamers with support for even larger devices like iPad mini 6. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg for why this is my new favorite controller grip.

Insta360 is back with its latest 360 action cam, the X4. Capturing immersive video in up to a crazy 8K 360° video, it’s been upgraded with a bigger battery and protection with removable lens guards. Combined with some of the easiest-to-use mobile editing features, Insta360 is delivering even more creative possibilities with its latest candy bar-sized camera. Be sure to hit the video below to check out all of the details. 

Sony is taking the wraps off its latest pair of headphones today with the reveal of the new ULT collection. The new ULT Wear headphones do far more than just simplify the naming scheme, with some booming bass, reliable ANC, and other frills like wear detection and Spatial Audio – all at $199.

Today, Logitech is out with the latest esports-focused gaming peripheral, the Pro X 60 keyboard. Making even more room for big mouse swipes than the TKL from last year, the Pro X 60 embraces the popular compact 60% keyboard layout but adds speed and some of the most robust key mapping we’ve ever seen via KeyControl in Logitech G Hub. At $179 is the new Logitech Pro X 60 going to be the go-to esports gaming keyboard? Be sure to hit the video below for all of the details. 

While the $380 Astro A50X has been out for a few months now, it wasn’t until the latest firmware update that it started working as intended for me. I’ve been using it on my live streams from the sim rig, but the HDMI switching never worked between my Xbox Series X and Philips Momentum 55 monitor. But now that it’s working, it’s about time I finished up my full review of this neat but very niche product. Be sure to hit the video below for all of the details. 

The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 lineup is one of the more high-end, powerful, and intelligent systems out there in the robotic vacuum world. While the base models have been out in the wild for some time now, ECOVACS is officially launching the new ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 Combo today – an enhanced version of the DEEBOT X2 system complete with a larger docking station to accomodate the add-on hand vacuum system. I have had a chance to give it all a try around my place for the last couple weeks, and you’ll find my impressions and thoughts on the just about perfect cleaning experience below.

World Backup Day has arrived and, like every year, is reminding you that it’s time to be smarter about your data. Whether it’s beloved family photos, Time Machine backups of your Mac, or your expansive media server, having plan in place to ensure all of your data is protected is crucial. NAS plays an important role in this, and today for the occasion, we’re taking a look at what three different models from Synology bring to the table to join all of the price cuts now live on hard drives and more. Head below for all of our World Backup Day NAS recommendations, tips, and tricks.

Wyze is out with its latest feature-packed budget home security camera, the Wyze Cam v4. With a long list of upgrades in addition to the standard specs we’ve come to expect with Wyze cameras, it’s a welcomed update to the three-year-old Cam v3. Be sure to hit the video below and check out all the details. 

WITHit, a brand that’s new around these here parts, creates a wide range of Apple watch bands, straps, and more. But it was its metal – stainless steel and titanium – models that caught my eye a few weeks ago. Despite the inherent price tag titanium fetches in this product category (or any one for that matter), many of them looked fantastic to my eyes and, in many cases, undercut the prices on some of my favorite options out there. So, naturally, I decided to reach out and give them a run for their money and share my thoughts with the gadgetnewsonline crowd. Head below for my hands-on review of the WITHit Titanium Band for Apple Watch. 

Back during CES 2024, Positive Grid – makers of the fantastic smart Spark guitar amps – debuted the latest edition to its lineup with the Spark LINK wireless guitar system. After getting a chance to go hands-on with its fantastic little intelligent guitar amp-meets-Bluetooth speaker-meets audio interface devices previously, I couldn’t wait to give the new wireless guitar system a run for its money. Now finally out of the pre-order phase and available for purchase, head below for our hands-on impressions of the new Spark LINK wireless guitar system. 

The Displate wall art has indeed been around for a while, but I thought it was time to see if they are truly as good as they sound. Alongside a constantly growing collection of new designs to choose from, the Displate mounting system, at least on paper, seemed to be the easiest possible way decorate my space and home office without damaging the walls or needing to get any tools involved. The short form version of this review is that they do indeed deliver on that promise, but you can get a full rundown of what to expect down below. 

Today we are taking a closer look at Journey’s latest power bank, known as the Rapid GO 10,000mAh Wireless Kickstand. This model adds a few extra touches to your traditional power bank setup, including MagSafe connectivity, an integrated kickstand and finger loop grip, as well as the ability to charge three devices at once. The question is, does it make sense to score a new power bank without Qi2 tech just to save some cash? Head below for our hands-on impressions of Journey’s Rapid GO 10,000mAh Wireless Kickstand Power Bank. 

With more direct drive wheelbases hitting the market, the search for the best sim racing cockpit continues. We’ve tried the Playseat Trophy and the new entry-level GTRacer from Next Level Racing but now we’re taking things up a notch with the GT Omega Titan. While not the top-of-the-line cockpit that the Scottish company sells, it’s a solid choice for a sim-racing cockpit and has been a great upgrade for my live streams. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

ESR just recently launched its new 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand, and I’ve been using it with my Apple setup for the past week. It might not be the most premium option on the market, but it’s the most affordable way to enjoy 15W speeds with a desktop form-factor, AirPods power pad, and Apple Watch charger.

The Scanwatch 2 is one of Withings’ newest hybrid smartwatches, and it features more information on your health within the Withings app than my Apple Watch provides within Apple Health. Available for $349.50, the Scanwatch 2 can detect potential health problems, assess your respiratory system, and of course, provide you with health and activity metrics. I’ve had mine for about a month, and I have been impressed with everything the Scanwatch 2 has to offer. Keep reading below the fold to learn more.

Battlefield Season 7 is right around the corner, and like most updates, EA/Dice invited members of the press and creators to take a sneak peek and try out what’s coming up in a “capture event.” While we couldn’t try out everything that will be released throughout the full season, we did get to try the new maps, and most of the new weapons, and get a feel for some of the other core changes made to gameplay coming in Battlefield 2042 Season 7. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Turtle Beach is no stranger to gaming peripherals and even sim equipment with a variety of flight accessories. Now, with the VelocityOne Race, Turtle Beach is entering the racing world. Coming in at $650, VelocityOne Race works on PC and Xbox and comes with everything necessary to hit the track including a direct drive wheelbase, a wheel with paddle shifters, pedals with a load cell brake, and even a button box. But with more competition than ever in the sim racing world, is it worth the price tag? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

The affordable Blink smart home gear ecosystem is getting a brand new piece of kit today with the introduction of the next-generation Blink Mini 2 smart camera. Delivering enhancements across the board over the previous-generation model while maintaining the same simple setup and easy-to-use live monitoring experience, the Blink Mini is launching at $39.99 for indoor use-only and $49.99 for outdoor use when bundled with the Blink Weather Resistant Power Adapter. Hit the jump for more details and some hands-on impressions.

Some of you might remember our coverage of the RocketBook Sticky Notes some time ago when they first landed on Kickstarter, but they are back and officially launching everywhere starting today. Rocketbook, for those unfamiliar is a brand best known for its smart reusable writing companions – traditional-looking notebooks that deliver a real pen and paper experience, but with the ability to be wiped clean and used endlessly after you beam your handwritten notes to the cloud, email, or over Apple Messages to a friend. The company decided to take its technology and user experience to the old sticky note format, offering up an “endlessly” reusable mini sticky note with the same digitization potential as the pages of its notebook lineup. Head below for more details. 

After getting a chance to take a hands-on look at the brand’s latest LOC8 passport holder wallet, today we are turning our attention to the Journey iPhone Apple Find My MagSafe wallet. The Journey LOC8 MagSafe Finder Wallet features much of the same design approach as the passport holder, including both the material construction and the built in location tracking, but with an iPhone-ready form-factor and built-in kickstand action. Head below for our hands-on impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with gadgetnewsonline series.

NZXT is out with its 2nd generation of peripherals, the Function 2 and Function 2 MiniTKL keyboards, as well as the Lift 2 Symm and Lift 2 Ergo mice. They’ve taken feedback from the 1st generation and honed their offerings. But will they find their place in today’s highly competitive gaming peripheral market? Be sure to hit the video below to find out all about them.