Anyone who owns a home enjoys camping or works remotely should consider owning a portable power station, like the Andes 1500 from Ampace, for example. This ultra-efficient, sustainable power station is backed by major players in the battery manufacturing industry, and after putting it to the test, I can say it delivers quality portable power in a number of helpful ways.
If you grew up watching the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s like me, there’s a sweet memory of shooting hoops and wanting to dunk like Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. In reality, I can barely touch the rim on a ten-foot hoop, but thanks to the Pro Mini Basketball Hoop from BADGOAL, I was able to create my own dunk contest in the comfort of my home office… although my shooting could use a lot of work. Be sure to watch me embarrass myself on the mini hoop in my video below.
Today we are taking a hands-on look at the new Spigen Tag Me item locators – the brand’s latest AirTag competitors that surfaced earlier this year. They might be about half the price of an AirTag, the question is whether or it’s worth saving the cash or not? Head below for some hands-on impressions of the new Spigen Find My AirTag competitors.
You know CASETiFY? The smartphone case company? Of course you do. Well it has turned its best-selling Bounce case for iPhone and other devices into carry-on luggage and we are hands-on today to give it a run for its money and drop down some impressions for folks.
Anker debuted a pair of new display-equipped chargers at CES this year (reviews on the way for those), but neither of them offered up the versatility I was after in the way its latest Prime Power Bank does. It is also a more compact solution, providing both entirely portable power bank functionality while also doubling as a wall charger – this is exactly what I needed for my EDC, so let’s find out what this thing is like in hand and what it’s like to actually use.
Not all Apple Watch bands are made equal, and this SANDMARC Grade 5 Titanium treatment is more than a few steps above the rest if you ask me. It’s going to cost you, and you’ll need to have a particularly affinity for the finer material things in life to want to shell out the cash, but if you do you’re in for a real treat. Head below for some hands-on impressions.
There’s loads of varying third party MagSafe wallets on the market, many of which offer more features than Apple’s official wallet. Apple’s MagSafe wallet comes in at $49, and is exclusively available in the less-than-ideal FineWoven material.
MOFT’s Magnetic Wallet Stand comes in at half the price, is made of vegan leather, and has a number of unique features.
The world of eBikes is crowded and often derivative. Due to speed laws, many of the performance specs on these bikes are similar, so how does a brand stand out in today’s market? Technology. Urtopia has created a standout all-terrain eBike called the Carbon Fusion GT, the most tech-clad two-wheel vessel I’ve ever tested. Be sure to check out my full video review below.
Utilizing Apple CarPlay has become a pretty common feature across modern automobiles, but in many cases, displaying your iPhone screen directly on your vehicle’s infotainment screen still requires a physical cord. To bridge that gap, we tested out the Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter from TERUNSOUI.
Anyone who has decorated a living space can argue that lighting plays a large role in the overall vibe of the room. Aside from house lights, other devices like an LED floor lamp, for example, can transform the entire mood of a space at the push of a button. That transformation was evident when testing the Smart RBG LED Floor Lamp from Keepsmile.
FlashFinder is the latest gadget we have come across to implement Apple’s Find My tech. We have seen Find My come pre-loaded into everything from wallet tracking cards to carabiner clips, wall chargers, and more. But this is the first time we have seen it come in the form of a miniature, keychain-ready flashlight. And we have now had a chance to test it out in hand – head below for our hands-on impressions.
After we saw major price hikes across the portable SSD space in 2024, and finding myself in need of at least one more modestly-sized external storage solution, the PNY RP60 kept coming back up for a few reasons. But the most glaring details that had me leaning in its direction was the fact that it was a relatively new option from a relatively affordable storage brand – the RP60 is indeed one of the least pricey 1TB portable SSDs rated for speeds up to 2,000MB/s right now from a trusted brand. Head below for our hands-on impressions.
Approaching the end of 2024 I was on the hunt for a something I can charge my Apple Watch with on-the-go. But not just something like those puck-style travel chargers, or even just an alternative to the magnetic charging cable Apple ships with its wearables, something truly portable, something battery-powered that I can use anywhere and just about anytime that also supports the rest of my Apple kit. Dive in below for my hands-on impressions of the Journey GLYDE 4-in-1 Portable Charging Station that does just that.
Well, this is a not brand I was familiar before giving it a shot for review, nor had I ever tested out a case with a digital canvas on the back of it, but here goes. The Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone case did exist during the series 15 release, but the newer iPhone 16 model also arrived and I’m to see if it’s all gimmick or if there’s actually a good case carrying that display.
We’re back with another tech review of vital office components. Today’s Toys Tested subject is the ProtoArc KM100-A keyboard and mouse combo. This Apple-friendly desktop combo is slim and sleek and compatible with several different devices, whether you’re working at home or in an office.
We’re back with another product review to help you create an ideal workspace that meets all your comfort and utility needs. This time, we tested the EC100 ergonomic desk chair from ProtoArc. This chair combines ample seating space with stable support.
A dependable and durable keyboard is important when configuring your workspace. But what about those instances where you want to continue your work on the go and only want to bring your phone or tablet? The ProtoArc XK01 TP foldable keyboard is a perfect combination of form and function, whether it’s in your home office or traveling with you on the road.
We have already reviewed the new 4th Gen Scarlett lineup’s smaller and more entry-level models, so we just wanted to touch down here today with some thoughts on the pro-grade and more mid-range home studio variants that debuted earlier this year. Scope out our hands-on impressions down below.
I love leather Apple Watch bands, it’s very much my thing, but I had been on the hunt for something that can provide that sort of timeless, elegant look that I can also wear for hours on end, in any condition, and during just about activity. Traditional leather bands can get a little bit cumbersome and uncomfortable for some folks after extended wearing periods, myself included and especially if its get’s hot or during workouts. So I just had put the waterproof hybrid leather and rubber Nomad Active Band Pro to the test to see if it actually was the solution I have been after.
The growing number of 15W MagSafe charging stands out there is dizzying. It is becoming harder and harder for brands to differentiate themselves from the pack, but I think Journey has managed to pull this off, even if mostly in an aesthetic way, with its new NOVA 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station. And now it’s time to go hands-on to see if the price of entry is worth it.
Moment has been a staple brand around for years, delivering some of the better camera lens attachments in the game while accommodating them by way of its iPhone 16 Camera Case with the built-in Drop-In Lens Mount. It has been popular among readers for good reason, and it’s time to put its new iPhone 16 model to the test to make sure it’s up to par with the Camera Control button and Apple’s latest handset design.
After getting a chance to go hands-on with the latest JBL Live Beam 3 recently, we are now diving into some hands-on impressions of the higher-end JBL Tour Pro 3. They certainly come at more of a premium, but we are also talking about one of the most feature-rich wireless earbuds experiences you can buy in the price range. Let’s jump to see if the $300 sticker tag is worth it.
We have been covering the Peak Design Everyday canvas cases around here for at least a few years now, but this year it has introduced a whole new model made of a vegan Clarino Leather. How does it stand up against the bevy of vegan leather out there? Did the brand right its wrongs from last year’s Action Button mishap? The short answers are it’s very good and yes, it very much did. Scope out our hands-on impressions below.
There’s no shortage of Qi2 chargers on the market in 2024 and we’ve tested a bunch of them here at 9to5Toys, right from Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 charging station from the first wave of these chargers to ESR’s 3-in-1 Qi2 charger more recently. While they all have different form factors and even multiple charging pads and ports for added functionality, none stand out the way UGREEN’s new Uno Qi2 2-in-1 charging station does with its unique design. I’ve been using it as my main charger over the last few weeks and it has won me over not just with its reliable charging but by adding a touch of personality to my desk.
Atom Studios is a relatively new brand on our radar here at 9to5Toys, but after getting a chance to test out its recently-released lineup, we decided it more than deserved some limelight. While you will find some more traditional cases in its iPhone 16 collection, it is its iPhone 16 Agave Leather MagSafe Soft Snap case that really caught our eye. Head below for our exclusive discount code and our hands-on impressions.
MUJJO, much like year’s past, was among the first leather case makers out of the gate when iPhone 16 was unveiled. I have been a fan of the brand’s leather treatments for at least a couple generations now, and with some new color options landing for iPhone 16, was excited to give them a test for 2024. While the initial run of these case had a Camera Control button that wasn’t up to the task, it has now re-issued with corrections, readied replacements for early adopters, and I am here to see if it all worked out.
Harber London, a brand well-known around here for creating gorgeous leather carriers and bags, unleashed its new All-Rounder MacBook Sleeve a couple months back, and now it’s time to weigh in after giving it a good test run. I have been and continue to be a huge fan of the brand’s bags – its Overnighter was just showcased in a recent9to5Toys Travel Kit feature – but this time it is trading out some of the full-grain leather for a recycled fabric and we are ready to serve up our hands-on impressions.
Today we are talking a hands-on look at the brand new Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker. The combination home and on-the-go speaker immediately caught our eye at launch with the retro chic design, and now it’s time to see if its impressive looks and sound quality are worth the price of entry. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker in the latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.
The Arc Pulse has been one of the most popular options this year among 9to5 readers, bumper style or otherwise. It would seem more and more folks are looking to leave the Apple design and their color of choice on display while still trying to maintain some semblance of drop protection at the same time, and the Arc Pulse very much does that. But let’s dive in with some hands-on impressions to see how everything shakes out in practice.
Today we are going hands-on with the new UAG Civilian iPhone 16 Case. The brand is well known for its ultra-protective solutions for Apple’s handsets, but it is the mid-ranger Civilian that catches my eye first, managing to both offer a notable level of protection without looking (or feeling) like there’s a gigantic chunk of plastic around my phone. Let’s dive in down below with some hands-on impressions to see how this year’s model stacks up against Apple’s latest handset design.
It’s time for a hands-on look at what might be the only “official” third-party iPhone 16 case with Camera Control (providing you don’t count Beats). We have seen models with the conductive button cover from SUPCASE and Spigen, but OtterBox seems to have had a more official connection to Apple with its implementation considering you can buy it direct from Cupertino’s stores, so let’s dive in and see if the OtterBox Lumen Series iPhone 16 case with Camera Control is any good.
USB-C hubs have traditionally been functional but forgettable devices with little to no innovation or evolution in their design or utility over the years. UGREEN, however, has found a way to make the mundane USB accessory more interesting by adding a touch of personality and a cheerful face. Its new Uno 6-in-1 USB-C hub — just like the other accessories in its Uno series — offers a playful plugging experience with an LED panel that lights up with a smile when in use. I’ve been using the Uno 6-in-1 as my main hub over the last few weeks and I can finally report on whether this cheap and cheerful gadget is worth the cash.
Nomad’s 2024 iPhone case collection has once again been one of the more popular options among readers and staffers here at 9to5. Its full-wrap Traditional Leather iPhone 16 case is simply gorgeous, and my favorite so far. But now it’s time to look at something a little bit different, something perhaps for folks that like to live on the edge, confident they won’t bounce the edge of the iPhone 16 on the concrete, and those looking to let their new Apple handset shine in all its glorious titanium beauty…we are hands-on with the new iPhone 16 Nomad Magnetic Leather Back case today.
Today we are hands-on with the new Native Union iPhone 16 case collection, and more specifically the (RE) Classic 3.0. In my opinion, the brand has always found a way to stand out amongst the hundreds of case and accessory makers vying for your attention, but it’s now time to see how its latest iteration of the (RE) Classic holds up for iPhone 16 users in the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Today we are serving up some hands-on impressions of the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds. Complete with active noise cancellation and a charging case that features audio retransmission, the brand is well known for producing some of the better sounding audio gear out there, and it’s time to see if the new Pi8 buds are worth a lofty price of admission in the latest edition of https://9to5toys.com/guides/tested/.
Update: Burton Goods has now redesigned the Heritage case with a new 3/4 cutout, completely mitigating the issues I had with the original cutout. You’ll find more details here, and some additional images of the new cutout can be found below.
Earlier this year Burton Goods made its worldwide debut with a range of absolutely gorgeous leather accessories for your Apple gear. Its leather M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro covers were among the most popular we featured among readers, and now it’s time to go hands-on with the brand’s new Heritage Leather iPhone 16 Case as the latest entry to our venerable Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Spigen unleashed its new iPhone 16 case collection with just about all of the usual models and styles folks familiar with the brand will already know…with one exception. With the introduction of the Camera Control button on iPhone 16, Spigen is now one of only a large handful of options out there that actually have a case that forgoes the cutout in favor of a button cover that is supposed to translate the multi-gesture action through to the phone. But at under $30 Prime shipped the question is, does it?
Nomad debuted its new iPhone 16 case collection shortly after the new Apple handsets made their first official appearance, and today we are taking our first hands-on look at one of them. The brand introduced a new model this year known as the Traditional Leather Case for iPhone 16 with a complete leather wrap around the sides and I was very interested the first time I laid eyes on it. So let’s dive in and see if this thing really is one of the best leather iPhone 16 case I have seen yet as part of our hands-on Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Satechi debuted its new Find My passport wallet alongside the rest of the tech industry’s IFA launches, and following a string of models from other brand’s leveraging Apple’s item tracking action. But with Satechi being among our favorite accessory makers out there, and it’s latest release coming along with one very useful feature we have yet to see much from the competition, we decided to get hands-on to give it a run for its money. Head below for our hands-on impressions.
Last week Twelve South unleashed what it called the “world’s firs power supply with Apple Find My” with the latest iteration of its PlugBug wall charger. I was already a fan of the now discontinued original PlugBug with its slender, hug-the-wall form-factor, so I was immediately knocking on Twelve South’s (virtual) door to get my hands-on the new Find My model, because Find My is cool and I wish everything I owned had it to be honest. Head below for our hands-in impressions of the new Twelve South PlugBug with Find My in the latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.
Anyone who owns a car has likely been in the unfortunate situation of a dead battery at least once – especially when you really need to keep a schedule or make it to an important appointment. Sure, if you have a properly stocked garage you might have a bulky battery charger that you can regularly connect over night to keep levels juiced and ready to go, but for many – particularly city dwellers – living in limited apartment space poses a lot of obstacles to this method. Parking is first come, first serve – plus, running extension cords and leaving the charger out along the streets without staying out with it seems like the best way to have it stolen. That’s where the NOCO GB40 Boost Plus Jump Starter comes in – a portable, multi-capable device that has been an absolute life-saver for years now, particularly in the summer and winter seasons when batteries tend to be sapped by the extreme temperatures without warning. Continue reading to get my hands-on impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, 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.
Today we are taking a closer look at the new Spigen ArcField MagFit+ charging stand as part of the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series. There are loads of magnetic charging stands out there…I mean more than basically anyone can keep track of, but this one does find a way to stand out with the Apple-certified 15W iPhone power, 5W Apple Watch charging, and a bonus 3-in-1 + 1 setup. Check out our hands-on impressions below.
Today we are taking hands-on look at Oakywood’s latest addition to its desk organization lineup, the modular drawers. Made to perfectly tuck under its Desk Shelf-meets monitor riser, or be used on their own, they were officially unveiled to the public at the top of the month, and after giving them a test run for a few weeks, I’m ready to weigh in. Head below for my hands-on impressions of the new Oakywood desktop drawers in the latest entry to our long-running Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Troubadour and MUJJO are well known around these parts for delivering high-quality accessories for Apple gear and other tech. The former of which debuted its new Apex Everyday Tote a couple of weeks ago and we have been lucky enough to test drive it in person to see if it deserves to carry around your precious tech cargo. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Troubadour MacBook Apex Everyday Tote in the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Nomad has been on a roll this year with new tech accessory releases, but the most exciting of them, at least for me, is its new Apple Find My Tracking Card. A first for the brand, I had high hopes when I got my hands on one a couple days before the official reveal, and now it’s time to weigh-in after using it everyday for the last month or more. Head below for more details in the latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.
After getting a chance to test out the SANDMARC Telephoto zoom lens for capturing distant images recently, it’s now time to bring it up close and personal with its 100mm iPhone Macro Lens. I had a blast with the zoom lens and came away very impressed, and, maybe it’s just me, but I’m having even more fun with the Macro model. Head below for my hands-on impressions of the 100mm iPhone Macro Lens and an exclusive deal in the latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.
The new Lexar ARMOR 700 is the latest in the brand’s lineup of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2-compatible, USB-C portable SSDs. It lands with a focus on content-creators, wrapped inside of a rugged shell and speeds rated up to 2,000MB/s. We were lucky enough to give the drive a go for the last couple weeks and you’ll find our hands-on impressions of the Apple ProRes-ready solution down below as part of the latest in our Tested with 9to5Toys series.
These days the Bluetooth speaker market can feel overcrowded. This has caused many manufacturers to add lots of gimmicky features that may catch attention at first, but don’t actually matter in the long run. That’s why I was refreshed by the thought of Tribit’s latest portable Bluetooth speaker, StormBox 2. It focuses on the basics and not much else. This is what I’ve loved about the StormBox Micro that I purchased four years ago. It has delivered solid battery life and a surprising amount of power despite its compact form factor. So when Tribit offered to send a review unit of StormBox 2, I was thrilled to accept. Continue reading to get my hands-on impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, 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.
$999
