9to5Toys Tested

We are now ready to take a look at the Caseology iPhone 15 cases that launched in mid September. The brand comes under the Spigen fold to deliver some affordable alternatives for Apple’s latest handsets. We have featured Caseology for years for that very reason and its latest collection continues that trend after landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases. Now after giving a few of the models a run for their money over the last week or so, some clear standouts have emerged and we are ready to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Bellroy unleashed its 2023 leather iPhone 15 cases shortly after the latest Apple handsets debuted on stage, and now it is time to take a closer look. The latest from Bellroy offers fans of Apple’s now defunct leather solutions an option for wrapping iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max in genuine leather despite Cupertino’s move over to the divisive FineWoven treatment. New colorways and similar treatment as last year’s offering are back again for the latest Apple handsets, but are they worth the cash? Head below to find out in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

It’s time go hands-on with SANDMARC’s beautiful titanium Apple Watch bands. After the release of its more affordable stainless steel variants and just before the launch of its amazing new iPhone 15 cases, SANDMARC unleashed a high-end take on the Apple Watch Ultra bracelet-style strap. And not to spoil this entire review, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Made from Grade 4 titanium and now joining its stainless steel models, head below for a closer look and some hands-on impressions of the SANDMARC Titanium Apple Watch Ultra Band – you’ll also find an exclusive discount. 

Spigen’s 2023 cover collection debuted shortly after the Apple handsets did, but the brand took everyone by surprise when it revived its C1 collection to deliver the epic new iMac iPhone 15 cases. Featuring a design directly inspired by Apple’s tear drop iMac circa 1998, it delivers a semi see-through approach and a heavy dose of nostalgia for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users. We have now had a chance top test it out hands-on wrapped around the iPhone 15 Pro and are ready to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review below. 

Today, we are taking a closer look at the Oakywood 2-in-1 Headphone Charging Stand. The brand is known for its use of natural materials mixed with robust metal accents, much like the MagSafe stand collection and desk shelf we reviewed previously, and the 2-in-1 Headphone Charging Stand lands on your work surface with much the same attention to detail. I have always been a fan of office and tech accessories with this sort of design approach and thought it was time to see if Oakywood’s 2-in-1 solution is worthy of carrying my headphones of choice. Head below for some hands-on impressions.

Spigen’s iPhone cases have been featured around for years, and for good reason. They provide good quality covers for the price and offer a ton of different style options to meet a wide range of needs without breaking the bank. The new iPhone 15 collection looked to be much of the same as year’s past at launch and, after giving a number of the cases a run since my iPhone 15 arrived, I can personally back up these initial impressions for the latest models. Head below for some more hands-on details and a look at some of our favorite options in the lineup. 

Revealed just last month, Anker launched a new collection of gear in anticipation of Apple’s switch to USB-C for iPhone 15. The new handsets have officially arrived with that universal port in tow, and today, we’re taking a hands-on look at what is now an essential part of my everyday carry. Meet the new Anker Nano USB-C Power Bank.

It is now time to take a closer look at the MUJJO leather iPhone 15 cases. The brand sat somewhere at the top of the heat in the category last year and is once again in 2023. With Apple’s leather covers going the way of the Dodo this year, brands like MUJJO offer up some of the only ways to wrap your new device in a proper leather cover. The same collection we reviewed last year is making a return for iPhone 15 alongside a new burgundy colorway and the all-new Shield model that combines leather and recycled plastic for a more protective option in the lineup. Head below for our hands-on review of the new MUJJO leather iPhone 15 case as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

After going hands-on with the latest PRO Plus lineup earlier this year, the brand new Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD card lineup was unveiled late last month, and it’s now time to weigh in. The new lineup enters as the brand’s fastest consumer memory cards out there, giving the best options from other storage brands a run for their money at notable price tags. We have had a chance to test out the 256GB model along with the USB card reader for a couple of weeks, and now we are ready to dish up some impressions as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review. 

It’s time to take a closer look at the new Aer City MacBook Tote bag that launched for the first time a couple weeks ago. It came alongside the brand’s new Dopp Kit 3 and just after we reviewed its Travel Pack 3 as the latest addition to the brand’s City collection. Designed as an all-in-one universal tote bag, it cradles your MacBook and iPad alongside whatever else you might need to lug around or pick up while running errands. While I was a big fan of its Day Sling 3 – it quickly landed in our roundup of the best sling packs out there – it’s time to put the new City MacBook Tote bag through its paces for review as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

We feature loads of different portable SSD options around here, but there are so many out there a few models will inevitably slip between the cracks and the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD is one of them that really shouldn’t. Clocking in with pro-grade speeds faster than most of the competition out there and a build quality reminiscent of the robust metal offerings we have seen from the brand time and time again, the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD should be on your radar and we have recently been giving it a run for its premium price tag to see if it’s worth the cash. 

After coming away impressed with the brand’s Day Sling 3 bag, I was expecting much of the same when it came to the Aer Travel Pack 3 hybrid carry-on backpack and that, for the most part, is exactly what happened. The brand’s TP3 sits somewhere between a larger backpack and a carry-on suitcase – something that, at least on paper, is just what I need for most of my travels – and features plenty of organization pockets, carrying options, and a mostly subtle design aesthetic free of ugly logos and branding. Needless to say, despite not being exactly perfect, I do like this thing quite a lot. Head below for a closer look to find out if it’s right for you in our hands-on Tested with 9to5Toys review of the Aer Travel Pack 3. 

The Sennheiser HD 660S2 audiophile-grade headphones launched earlier this year and it’s time to put them through their paces for review. I am, admittedly, not overly picky when it comes to these sorts of hi-fi cans. I can certainly appreciate the sound quality, but not I’m not type to spend thousands on a pair of cans and that’s where the Sennheiser HD 660S2 come in. They, at least for me, seem to hit the sweet spot between really high-quality sound reproduction without being so expensive than I just can’t bother caring all that much. And I’m happy to say I’ve come away (mostly) quite impressed with the experience thus far. Head below for a deep dive into our time with the Sennheiser HD 660S2 headphones. 

Anker just launched its new Nano Lightning Power Bank. It’s a simple and yet equally peculiar charging accessory for iPhone 14, with a compact build, 5,000mAh internal battery, and the signature fold out Lightning connector. All of which are reasons why it hasn’t left my everyday carry since I unboxed it.

Grovemade introduced its latest collection of desk accessories in mid July, and we have been testing it out ever since. This time around it is offering customers the new Display Rail for perching up notes, smartphones, and the new Notebook that also debuted in the bundle. A small Vertical Organizer is also making its debut with the Note-Taking Kit to organize paperwork and things of that nature. All of it, as anyone who knows the brand will have guessed, is beautifully crafted from natural and premium materials, but is it actually useful? Dive into our hands-on review as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series below to find out. 

It’s now time to take a closer look at the latest model Samsung PRO Plus microSD cards. The brand’s storage business has had a solid run over the last couple years delivering the T7 Shield portable SSD we went hands-on with previously – an updated version of the standard issue T7 that’s easily one of the most popular models among 9to5Toys readers – alongside its popular range of microSD cards. Earlier this year back in April it refreshed its top-of-the-line memory cards with the latest-generation PRO Plus models, pushing the transfer speed capabilities to keep up with the competition and once again offering tech users another compelling choice for gaming consoles, Android handsets, camera rigs, and more. Head below for a closer look at the latest Samsung PRO Plus microSD memory cards in the latest addition to the ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Plugable, a brand known for producing well-made and competitively-priced docking stations, hubs, and more, unleashed its latest Thunderbolt 4/USB4 dock last week, and it’s time for some hands-on impressions. Its latest comes in the form of an 11-port hub complete with USB4 specs for Windows users, Thunderbolt 4 action, dual HDMI display support (more on this below), card readers, and just about everything else you might expect from something in this category. Alongside an ongoing launch price drop on Amazon, we have now had a chance to give the new Plugable USB-C Docking Station a run for its currently discounted money and we are now ready to hit you with the latest entry in the ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Earlier this year, Belkin launched a new addition to its lineup that looks to simplify traveling with your Apple Watch. The new Belkin BoostCharge Pro at first glance looks to arrive with some pretty unremarkable specs at first glance – 10,000mAh batteries with 20W USB-C are hardly anything to be excited about. But where the new release does standout from everything else on the market is the built-in Apple Watch fast charger.

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 9to5Toys. 

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 9to5Toys. 

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 9to5Toys series down below. 

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.

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 9to5Toys series. 

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.

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.

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 9to5Toys series.

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 9to5Toys series.

Late last year, Shargeek launched a new version of its popular Mac-themed USB-C charger. Stepping up to include even more power into much of the same classic Apple form-factor, the new release can refuel far more than just an iPhone. Having just launched, we’re taking a hands-on look to see if the new Shargeek Retro 67W GaN Charger and its iconic design are worth the $79 price tag.

Pad & Quill has expanded its lineup of gorgeous Apple Watch bands this year a few times, most recently with the Leather Apple Watch Bomber Strap and the new Adventure Ultra Leather Band on display here today. The latter of which moves away from the usual military-inspired designs the brand has become known for while still delivering on a classy handmade leather treatment that fits right in with the existing lineup. We have had a chance to give the Ultra Strap a go over the last couple weeks and are now ready to leave you with our impressions (spoiler alert, I really loved it) as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Apogee just recently unveiled its latest home and on-the-road interface solution known as the Jam X. As a follow-up to previous iterations in the Jam lineup, Apogee is once again applying its nearly 40 years of expertise in the digital audio space and wrapping it up into a pocket-size solution at a far more affordable price than world-class, pro-grade interfaces used in professional environments all over the world. We have had a chance to give the new Apogee Jam X a run for its money over the last couple of weeks, and it’s time to weigh in as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series.

ROKFORM is an accessory maker with a focus on rugged, purpose-built goods to support your smartphone experience (among other things), and today, we are taking a hands-on look at its brand-new metal MagSafe wallet. Its previous-generation solution sold out, and after receiving a number of requests as to when it would return, ROKFORM decided to head back to the drawing board to come up with something even better. The result is its new Fuzion metal MagSafe wallet with expandable storage, which just officially launched last week after the debut of its Eagle 3, the “first-ever iPhone case developed for golf.” Head below for a closer look and more of our hands-on impressions of its latest magnetic carrier.

Acer today unveiled its latest eco-friendly laptop in the Acer Aspire Vero 15, coming soon for $700, with high-end specs and a recycled plastic body, and we’ve had a chance to spend some time with it ahead of the full launch.

Last month, Belkin refreshed some of its latest MagSafe power banks with some new spring colors, and today we’re taking a hands-on look. Ready to refresh your iPhone 14 through the new season and beyond, this portable power pack arrives in new purple or pink designs. Complete with a fold out kickstand and MagSafe support, we’re seeing just how fresh these new releases are.

The Harber London leather Office Backpack is one of the best MacBook-ready examples I’ve had the pleasure of testing out in years. The brand is the maker of all things tech carriers, laptop sleeves, wallets, Apple Watch straps, and a series of leather backpacks like the one on display here today. It is a family run business based in London, England delivering its goods with a serious attention to detail and fine craftsmanship alongside a combination of 100% recycled and entirely premium materials. And today we are taking a closer look at its Office Backpack for review as part of the ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Today we are taking a hands-on look at SANDMARC’s latest leather Apple Watch band. After releasing what are easily some of my favorite leather iPhone cases over the past couple years, alongside a slew of particularly well-made iPhoneography gear, the brand set its sights on Apple Watch accessories at the tail end of last year to particularly successful effect. Its stainless steel and titanium Apple Watch bracelets look like something from a high-end house of horology, not to mention being some of the more popular options among 9to5Toys readers in 2022, and we wanted to see if its leather Apple Watch bands could keep up. So head below for the latest Tested with 9to5Toys for our hands-on impressions of SANDMARC’s leather Apple Watch band.

The brand new Peak Design MagSafe Car Vent Mount has arrived. It launched today for the first time, but we have had a chance to test the new magnetic vent mount for a few weeks ahead of the launch. To put it bluntly, this is a good one. It’s not exactly the most affordable option out there, but if cheap car mounts have been even mildly as frustrating for you as they have been for me over the years, you’ll want to head below for more details and some of our hands-on impressions of the new Peak Design MagSafe Car Mount. 

Adonit launched its new premium-looking Star iPad pen stylus earlier this year. Looking to offer folks a more classical take on Apple Pencil, it delivers much of the same experience in a more luxury-looking package with a basic overall feature set. While it might not be the best option for hardcore iPad artists, after spending some time hands-on with the Adonit Star, I can say it is worth a closer look for folks that can appreciate this kind of design and those who only require a basic writing device without all the bells and whistles. Head below for a closer look at our hands-on impressions. 

Just before its latest Chromebook solution hit, Plugable launched its new 8-in-1 USB-C iPad Dock. The brand is no stranger to hub and docking solutions of all kinds, but its latest looks to combine the typical iPad stand with an integrated USB-C hub. A compelling feature list and overall aesthetic, we though it would be a good idea to give the new Plugable 8-in-1 USB-C iPad Dock a run for its money as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series and our findings are waiting down below. 

A bit later to the usual launch bonanza that is the weeks following the reveal of a new Apple iPhone, Twelve South eventually got around to launching new covers for the iPhone 14 toward the end of 2022. Of course, the SurfacePad delivers a unique take on the wallet folio form factor, with a slim design that adheres to your device, and today, we’re taking a closer look to see just how this sleek leather build stacks up.

Lately across 9to5 we’ve been boasting about just how good of an experience Apple’s latest iPads make as a full-fledged computer. To help in elevating iPadOS from just a glorified mobile operating system, today we’re taking a look at the new Magnetic iPad Stand from elago. Arriving with an iMac-inspired design, the accessory magnetically holds your iPad Pro in place in order to give it a more desktop-worthy home at your workstation.

Today we are taking a hands-on look at the new range of Oakywood wooden MagSafe stands and mounts. Coming away impressed with its MagSafe charger, desk shelf, iPhone cases, and more in the past, we thought we would give the brand’s latest wood and metal gear a shot as well. Having just launched in the last few weeks and now available at 15% off for the holidays, now’s as good a time as any to feature the wooden MagSafe stands from the brand in our Tested with 9to5Toys feature.

The latest Wrapped Coach AirPods Pro 2 case launched for the fist time at the end of last year and now it’s time to take a hands-on look. The brand’s folio-style iPhone 14 case was a surprising highlight among this year’s massive collection of Apple handset covers we tested out, the higher-end materials and detailed accents especially, so we thought we would see if the matching AirPods Pro 2 case hit the same highs. Head below for a detailed look at the latest Coach AirPods Pro 2 case as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series.  

With a move on the horizon, I’ve been figuring out just what combination of chargers and power strips were going to help me streamine the family room setup. UGREEN’s recent DigiNest Pro has tapped in just in time to save the day, delivering seven ports for topping off everything from my own personal everyday carry to friend’s smartphones and more. Below, I see how the entire package stacks up in this latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.

After going hands on with the brand’s unique ALTI charging desk mat late last year, we have recently had a chance to to give Journey’s new Rapid TRIO 3-in-1 Wireless MagSafe Charging Stand a run for its money. The brand officially unleashed its new magnetic all-in-one charging and organization solution a couple weeks ago now with a familiar form-factor and design but with a few neat tricks up its sleeve as well. And, you’ll want to check out our review of the new Rapid TRIO 3-in-1 down below while it’s still available at 20% off for the launch phase.