Reviews

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Behind the Screens feature, and the classic Audio-Technica AT2020+ is a favorite among USB mic users (it has since been superseded by the new AT2020USB-X).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 9to5Toys 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. 

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. 

As it tends to always do on May the 4th, the LEGO Group celebrated Star Wars Day with the launch of its latest collectible kit. Joining the Ultimate Collector Series for 2023, one of the most iconic vehicles in all of the galaxy is getting the display-worthy treatment. Not the first time we’ve seen a UCS version, we’re taking a hands-on look at the latest LEGO X-Wing Starfighter to see if it really was worth a third attempt.

When we reviewed the PlaySeat Trophy Logitech G Edition, I mentioned how expensive it was to get the shifter mount. It costs $50 plus an additional $100 shipping to get it to me here in the US. It’s now listed on B&H but is temporarily out of stock with availability expected in 4-6 months. So, I decided to design and 3D print my own shifter mount, and I’ve been having a blast playing the new Rally Adventure mode in Forza Horizon 5. Let’s dive in and check it out.

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.

The LEGO Group just launched its Star Wars Day celebration, and at the top of all the fanfare is the new mini Death Star II set. This limited-edition creation not only arrives to pay homage to the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi but also arrives as an exciting new build that’s free on select orders. Today we’re taking a closer look at how the kit stacks up to see if it’s worth the entry fee.

Thrustmaster is expanding on its hot-swap controller module lineup with the ESWAP XR Forza Horizon 5 edition. It comes with the standard layout but also packs a racing wheel module and can be reconfigured on the fly. The wheel is also available separately for $39 if you already have an ESWAP controller, but for Forza Horizon 5 fans and collectors, this $180 special-edition controller is worth a look. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

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.

Earlier this year, Anker launched its new AnkerWork M650 wireless microphone kit. Taking on the likes of DJI and Rode, the pair of lavalier microphones is ready to elevate your mobile podcasting setup and iPhoneography shooting rig alike. The only question is, is it worth the $250 price tag?

The battle of high-end gaming headsets is getting more interesting today. Turtle Beach is out with the Stealth Pro – an ANC, wireless, Bluetooth, swappable battery high-end gaming headset that looks like it is aimed directly at one of my favorites – the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details of the Stealth Pro and how the two compare. 

Today, Shark is introducing its latest robot vacuum with the Matrix. Designed around an all-new cleaning system, the Matrix robot vacuum from Shark not only does parallel lines to clean your home but also does perpendicular and diagonal in order to ensure that it scrubs every square inch of carpet from every angle for the deepest clean possible. On top of that, it has a self-empty base, which is bagless and easy to use without taking up a lot of room in your home. Ready to learn more? We’ve spent the past few days with the latest Shark Matrix robot vacuum, and our hands-on review is down below.

If you’re in the photography scene at all, there’s no avoiding just how popular the Fujifilm X100V is. And even if you’re not, odds are you’ve at least seen someone on TikTok or Twitter sharing gorgeous photos all across social media. But if you’ve tried to get your hands on one, all of that popularity has made it nearly impossible to bring those signature vibes to your photography kit.

Last fall, Fujifilm released the new X-T5, a mirrorless camera that not only delivers on those signature vintage shooting capabilities and old-school form factor but packs even more professional features. As far more than just the next best thing to its famous brethren, I’ve been putting the new camera through its paces over the past few months.

NZXT is refreshing its AIO CPU cooler line with the Kraken and Kraken Elite. Each comes in 240mm, 280mm, or 360mm variants. These new coolers are very similar to the older models in both looks and performance, but there are some nice updates. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

This is our hands-on review of the new Sennheiser Profile USB Mic Streaming Set. After launching in late March, we have now had enough time to really put the setup through its paces to deliver a verdict. Sennheiser’s gear has been a staple in professional recording studios since the mid-1940s – you’ll be hard-pressed to find a commercial studio without some of its mics and other gear present, in my experience – but today we are taking a look at the USB side of things for home podcasters, streamers, and music makers. The spoiler version here is that it’s good…really good. Head below for the details.

Today, ShiftCam, a slightly newer brand in the mobile videography/photography space, is introducing its LensUltra Series of smartphone lenses. Comprised of metal and high-quality glass, these lenses offer mobile photographers and videographers a wide range of options when it comes to capturing stunning imagery. We’ve spent the past few weeks with the LensUltra Series, as well as some other gear from ShiftCam, and our thoughts on the latest launch are down below in our hands-on review.

New York-based artist Nik Bentel has been known to bring a level of whimsy to his work that I’ve personally been obsessed with for ages now. As if past work like his Shipping Box Bag didn’t speak to me enough, the artist’s latest piece is looking to capture some iconic macOS imagery. The new Untitled Folder Wallet just launched with some signature Apple inspiration in tow, and after spending the past few days with it in my bag, I can’t stop gushing about why you need to get one for yourself.

Today, we’re taking a look at one of the latest products from Olight with the Obulb Plus. Launching now, we’ve spent the past few weeks with the latest wireless light, which delivers several upgrades over the previous-generation models. For starters, there’s no on-light control for brightness, it uses the latest Olight app, and it gets brighter than the Obulb Pro S. Ready to find out how our hands-on experience is with the Olight Obulb Plus? Keep reading to find out more.

Earlier this year, Twelve South refreshed one of its more popular desktop accessories with the debut of the new HiRise Pro. Packing a few new tricks over its predecessor alongside the usual Twelve South quality, I’ve been putting the stand to the test over the past couple of months to see if its $100 price tag is worth a spot in your desktop MacBook setup.

Intro

As GPU prices return to normal prices, NVIDIA is releasing the new RTX 4070. We’ve gone hands-on with the 4070 Ti in a few different desktops – even comparing three builds with the same GPU. This time, we got our hands on the PNY RTX 4070. Priced at $599, it’s $200 less than the MSRP of the 4070 Ti. Be sure to hit the video below to see how it performs against the bigger and more expensive 4070 Ti. 

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.

Jabra today is officially shipping its latest pair of earbuds. The new Elite 4 were first announced toward the end of March and now are finally available for purchase. Arriving with a higher price tag and some added features compared to the previous versions, we’re taking a hands-on look at how these Jabra Elite 4 earbuds stack up.

NZXT’s latest addition to its peripheral lineup is the Capsule Mini – a smaller version of the Capsule USB microphone we reviewed back in the fall of 2021. The Mini keeps the stylish design language of the larger mic but comes in a much smaller package that won’t take up as much space on a desk – making it ideal for gamers who want more room. It’s also much more affordable at just $70. But how does it stack up against one of my favorite small streaming mics – the HyperX SoloCast? Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear all of the details. 

LEGO just launched a new collection of sets over the weekend, notably bringing a new wave of creations from Guardians of the Galaxy onto store shelves. The latest Marvel kits celebrate the third installment in the trilogy hitting theaters next month. Today we’re taking a hands-on look at the lineup’s flagship set, deemed the “New Guardians’ Ship.” With a vibrant color scheme and even more eye-catching design, we’re seeing just how the $100 LEGO Guardians Bowie set stacks up.

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. 

If you’ve not heard of Voxelab, well, the company is a sub-brand to FlashForge, one of the larger 3D printer manufacturers out there. Last year, we went hands-on with the company’s S2 3D printer, and now, we’re taking a look at the refreshed D1. Delivering a lot of upgrades over the previous generation, the D1 is basically everything we want in a 3D printer… though the price might be a bit more than we’d like. With an auto bed-leveling system, filament runout sensor, and larger print area, keep reading to find out all of our thoughts on the Voxelab Aquila D1 in our hands-on review.

Today, Insta360 is announcing its latest product, and it isn’t a camera this time. The Insta360 Flow is an easy-to-use, run-and-gun smartphone gimbal. Quick setup, powerful AI tools, and handy built-in features make the Flow worth a look for those wanting smoother video out of their mobile devices. Don’t let its small, portable design fool you though, this mobile gimbal is packed with features to make shooting easier. We got our hands on one so be sure to hit the video below and see all of the details. 

Last I checked in on the true wireless earbuds front, I was taking a look at all of the options from last year and sorting through the best of the best to pick some favorites. And while I praised plenty of offerings from 2022 for having unique feature sets, comfy in-ear builds, and of course just sounding great, there’s a new pair of earbuds on the market that has quickly become my favorite. You may balk at the seriously steep price tag of the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, but I’m here to tell you just why these high-end buds are worth a listen.

Xbox controllers can get very expensive – just check out our round-up of some of our favorites here. But there are more affordable options like the brand new HyperX Clutch Gladiate that we are taking a look at today. It is a wired controller but comes in at just $35 and with premium features like programmable buttons on the back and adjustable trigger pull; it’s worth a look for those who aren’t in the market for an expensive controller. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

When the Drop Sense75 was announced last fall with some reviews of the prototype version of the board going live from well-known keyboard enthusiasts, it did not go well. Priced at $350 for the black colorway or $400 for the Polar White that we have here, the sound didn’t live up to the ultra-premium price point. Since those early prototypes, Drop has tweaked the design to address that feedback. So is the Drop Sense75 now worth that premium price? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

When looking for a new gaming PC, there are pros and cons to buying a prebuilt computer or building your own custom rig. Over the last few months, we’ve looked at building a custom PC in the NZXT H9 case, checked out the NZXT Player: Three, and now we are adding the Maingear MG-1 Shroud Edition to the comparison. All three of these builds are packing near-identical processing power with an Intel 13700K or KF as well as an Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the performance and price details.

Last fall, the folks over at Ultimate Ears launched a new generation of its most portable speaker before refreshing it with some new colorways at the beginning of the year. Ahead of spring, we’re taking a hands-on look at a top contender for the year’s best portable Bluetooth speaker. The new WONDERBOOM 3 arrives with all of the usual Ultimate Ears fixing, but also some firsts for the brand like a recycled build.

Today, Solo Stove is announcing a new Pellet Adapter for its Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon smokeless fire pits. Designed to allow you to use standard wood pellets in your Solo Stove, this adapter is quite simple to use and has the ability to make your outdoor parties more maintenance free. Pricing starts at $40 and goes up, and we’ve spent the past week or so using the Pellet Adapter to give you our thoughts. Keep reading to find out what we think about the Solo Stove Pellet Adapter in our hands-on review.

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.

Today, CASETiFY officially launched its latest collection of Star Wars iPhone 14 cases, this time putting everyone’s favorite bounty hunter in the spotlight. The new lineup of gear from The Mandalorian includes more than just phone cases for Apple’s latest, and carries over to a whole host of other accessories. Though CASETiFY’s bread and butter really is the covers, and we’re taking a hands-on look at some of the all-new releases including the shiny Beskar Ingot case.

The Model O Wireless from Glorious was one of my favorite mice when we reviewed it in December 2020. Today, Glorious is launching the next-generation Model O 2 wired and wireless. As with many products these days, the new model means new updates and a higher starting price as well. Are the updates worth the $100 price tag? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Over the past few years, we’ve been annually reviewing the new additions to the LEGO Group’s collection of new Star Wars helmet sets. Back at the start of March, we saw the company officially launch three new additions to the lineup with some iconic Clone Wars characters finally getting the brick-built treatment alongside one of the more unique faces from Return of the Jedi for its 40th anniversary. So if you’re still on the fence, we’re taking a hands-on look to see how the new LEGO Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and Boushh helmets stack up.

When looking at the new Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro that was recently released, I was reminded of the K100 RGB that we reviewed back in October of 2020. With macro keys and extra dials, they both sit near the top of the line for their respective brands. So, which one is the right pick for you? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

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. 

Building a PC from the ground up can be a rewarding experience that helps to better understand the whole system if there are issues or the time comes to upgrade. But with parts shortages and pricing, sometimes you want to open a single box and have a PC that just works. The NZXT Player: Three is a higher-end option from its new Player series of pre-built PCs – and with an Intel 13700KF and an RTX 4070 Ti, it’s a direct comparison to the from-scratch H9 build we completed earlier this year. So be sure to hit the video below and see all of the details of the new NZXT Player: Three pre-built gaming PC.