Reviews

Sony today launched the new DualSense Edge, a next-generation PlayStation 5 controller that marries all of the original next-generation features with some entirely new additions. Complete with swappable joystick modules, there are also back paddles, adjustable trigger depth, and remappable button profiles to elevate the experience. Now that it is widely available, we’re taking a closer look at how the $200 gamepad stacks up.

Anker is finally out with a 15W MagSafe charger, packing Apple’s full magnetic charging spec into a compact design. The new MagSafe 3-in-1 Cube delivers more than just the ideal iPhone 14 companion, with a fold up stand that reveals spot for AirPods to refuel, as well as a hidden Apple Watch charging puck to deliver one of Anker’s most capable power stations yet. But is the Anker 15W MagSafe Cube worth the premium price tag? We take a closer look.

While announcing its Pro Wheel and Pedals, Logitech also revealed its collaboration with Playseat for a branded version of the Trophy racing cockpit. A small tubular cockpit that has the rigidity to handle the max 11nm torque of the Pro Wheel, the Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition is a solid sim racing cockpit choice, but it does come with some limitations. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Corsair is out with a few new wireless gaming headsets. They feature a 2.4gHz connection as well as Bluetooth. At first, they look pretty similar and the differences are few but those differences are key to choosing the right headset from Corsair. Today, we’re taking a look at the Corsair HS55 and HS65. Which one is the best fit for you? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

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.

Roccat’s latest budget keyboard embraces the trends in gaming with a 60% layout and bright RGB. While it cuts the price by utilizing membrane switches, at just $50 the Magma Mini might be the sweet spot for gamers on a budget. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

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.

EarFun has always been a top pick when it comes to feature-packed budget earbuds. Its latest, EarFun Air Pro 3, packs Bluetooth 5.3 and app control. With ANC, wireless charging, and nine hours of playtime, the feature list is extensive for the $80 price point. 

JBL just announced the new Pulse 5 speaker, a refreshed version of the brand’s flashiest way to listen to music. Much like its predecessors, this portable offering pairs battery-powered playback with integrated LED lights for a unique design that sets the JBL Pulse 5 apart from other speakers on the market.

Last month, Wyze announced three brand-new cameras – the Cam OG, Cam OG Telephoto, and Cam Pan v3. While the OGs are a more affordable return to the basics, the Cam Pan v3 is a complete upgrade over the v2. Be sure to hit the video below to see them in action. 

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.  

At long last, BIONICLE is back! Well, sort of. Today the LEGO Group launched its latest gift with purchase, and we’re going hands-on to see just how the modern-day remakes of Tahu and Takua stack up. Available now as a free add-on to select orders over $100, the latest promotional set has been long-awaited by fans of the heroes from Mata Nui. Now to see if the promotion is worth your cash, I’m taking a closer look at BIONICLE and its 2023 comeback.

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.

With another big update, Dice invited a bunch of people to a pre-release capture event showcasing the new class system in Battlefield 2042. In addition to this return to a beloved battlefield staple, the snowy map Breakaway has also seen a huge rework that keeps the action much closer, and there have been quite a few new and old items added back into the Battlefield mix. Be sure to hit the video to see some of the Battlefield 2042 3.2 updates in action. 

At the start of the year, the LEGO Group released its latest version of Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster armor from the MCU. As a massive Iron Man fan and an even bigger enjoyer of the brick-built versions of the Golden Avenger, I finally picked up the kit to add to my collection. Comparing it to some of the previous versions, I go hands on below to see just why the new LEGO Hulkbuster is the best one yet.

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. 

As one of its final releases of the year, Satechi in December released its new Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand. This unique offering delivers a complete charging station for your Apple kit in a design that can fit right in the palm of your hand, while also delivering a premium metal build. But is the final package premium enough to warrant the $100 price tag? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys is on the case.

As its latest release for PC builders, the NZXT H9 is a dual-chamber PC case that offers massive expandability and glass on the front and side to showcase the internals of a build. Starting at $160 for the H9 flow and $240 for the RGB-laden H9 Elite, it’s the new top-of-the-line from NZXT. We got our hands on one with a few other new components to showcase the building process including a PNY RTX 4070ti. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

It is now time to take a closer look at the new Spigen MagSafe charger that just launched. Hitting Amazon and the official site under the radar over the last couple weeks, not only is the puck-style charger already on sale at under $20, but we thought we would give it a run for its already affordable price tag for review as well. Spigen has become known for delivering accessories that hit above their pay grade and it appears the new ArcField magnetic charger is no exception. Head below for our review of the new Spigen MagSafe charger as part of our latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

OLIGHT, a popular EDC pocket flashlight manufacturer, today is announcing its latest addition to the lineup with the Baton 3 Pro Max. This portable flashlight features a large built-in rechargeable battery, comes with a magnetic charger, and dishes out up to 2,500 lumens of brightness. Should you pick one up? We’ve spent the past week or so with the OLIGHT Baton 3 Pro Max to help you make that decision.

Over the past few months, I’ve started taking a look at transparent charging tech as the trend picks back up from the early 2000s. At the top of the list of accessories that embody those nostalgic design cues is one of the latest releases from Shargeek, with its Shargeek STORM2 Slim power bank. Delivering more than just a slick, transparent design, the portable charger also comes outfitted with an eye-catching 130W output to charge all of the gear in your Apple setup away from home.

It’s time to take a closer look at the new SanDisk portable SSD, officially known as the PRO-G40. The SanDisk portable solid-state drive lineup is easily one of the best and most popular out there. Previously headlined by the generation 2 Extreme and Extreme Pro variants, the Western Digital brand updated its offerings last fall with new SanDisk PRO-G40 – one of the fastest models yet with its usual rugged sensibilities and modern spec sheet. We have been lucky enough to go hands-on with the new PRO-G40 over the last few weeks to give it a run for its money and detail the experience for prospective buyers down below. 

Throughout 2022, we’ve reviewed a collection of the latest true wireless earbuds. Including a wide range of brands, form-factors, and price points, we’ve settled on five of our favorite alternatives to first-party offerings from Apple, Google, and Samsung. Including Anker’s new Soundcore Liberty 4, the stylish Sennheiser Momentum 4s, and some utterly unique offerings from Sony, you’ll find all of the best earbuds of 2022 outlined below.

Being I’ve been slowly building out my sim rig for racing and drifting. The latest addition is the Buttkicker Gamer Pro which does just what its name would suggest – adds haptics in your seat thanks to a large transducer attached directly to a gaming chair or cockpit and an amplifier connected to a gaming console or PC. It can even be set up in multi-unit configurations. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

While we don’t tend to feature all that many full-on drum machines around here, the Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 is just so powerful and interesting I had to give it some air time. After spending more than a few weeks hands-on with the hybrid digital-analog sound maker, it was immediately clear that it sets itself apart from much of the competition in many ways while still providing content-creators, beat-makers, and home producers with a particularly powerful workhorse that’s so much more than just a drum machine. Head below for our impressions of the Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Today we are taking a closer look at the Mous MagSafe Wallet. Mous is probably best known for its protective iPhone cases that don’t really give off that heavy-duty look and feel, but rather something of a more refined look in many cases that fall into the casual or even dressy category. While its MagSafe Card Wallet isn’t overly robust or rugged, it certainly caught our eye with its supple, tumbled leather build and slightly more unique design than many of the vertical-oriented options out there. But is it the right choice for you? Head below to find out in our hands-on review of the Mous MagSafe Card Wallet as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Update: While we haven’t narrowed it down to the top 5 yet for 2023, our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases is now up.

As any avid 9to5Toys reader will know, we test and go hands-on with an inordinate amount of covers for Apple’s latest handsets every year, and it’s time to weigh in on the best iPhone 14 cases of 2022. While like most Apple gear accessory categories, the established brands and products tend to shine every year, this time around we have both a few mainstays and some new options that made their way to the top of the pack. If you’re looking to upgrade your case beyond the model you purchased at launch or just recently acquired a new iPhone 14 over the holidays, you’ll definitely want to take a closer look at our list of the best iPhone 14 cases to at least ensure your well-informed of some of our favorite options out there. 

They might not feature the stark white minimalism of the latest Apple buds, but Audio-Technica’s new ATH-TWX9 set is clearly looking to take on the AirPods Pro 2 to some degree. After debuting back in November, AT’s latest is loaded with noise-cancellation tech, spatial audio, a similar form factor, and built-in sterilization in the wireless charging case, not to mention a somewhat lofty price to match. It’s time to take a closer look at the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

If you saw my review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, you may remember that comfort was my only issue with it. As a $350 headset, it has all of the bells and whistles, but I could also feel the ANC bumps in the earcups when wearing the headset in normal, everyday use. Wicked Cushions has developed a line of aftermarket earpads for many gaming headsets. When it announced a new pair of Wicked Cushions for the Nova Pro Wireless, I immediately purchased a set to see if it worked to make the SteelSeries headset my favorite of the year. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Earlier this year, Marshall refreshed nearly its entire lineup of speakers from the portable offerings to models meant for rocking out at home. We already reviewed a pair of the battery-powered form-factors, and now ahead of the holidays are back to take a look at the brand’s latest at-home speakers. Wrapped in the iconic stylings you’d expect from Marshall, we’re going hands-on with its new III series speakers to see how the Acton, Stanmore, and Woburn stack up.

It’s time to go hands-on with the Teenage Engineering TX-6 mixer and interface hybrid music machine. The TX-6 is much more than just a mini mixer. It certainly does sum individual audio signals/inputs into a single stereo output, six to be exact, like any good mixer should, but it can also act as a sort of audio hub on-the-go, completely tether free, for on-site recordings, live music sets, DJing, and one of the most feature-rich portable audio interfaces out there. Connecting to your DAW over USB-C for 12-track multi-track recording – it is also MFi certified for use with iPhone – plus you’ll find a built-in, albeit relatively basic, drum machine/synthesizer and a series of both standard issue workhorse and more boutique FX that can be used on all of it. Head below for a closer look.

Whether you’re looking to score some extra juice for your iPhone 14 on-the-go or need to lock-in a last-minute gift, Anker makes some of our favorite chargers here at 9to5Toys. Recently the company sent over its latest lineup of MagSafe power banks, and today we’re going hands-on with three different models to see how each of the new releases stack up and compare to other models on the market.

After hearing about the high-end Focal Bathys Bluetooth ANC headphones launch, I was curious how they would stack up against some competition. With other high-end options from Bowers & Wilkens, Apple, and Sony, what is the best pair of Bluetooth ANC headphones? Well, that answer might a bit complicated. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Nostalgic tech is making a comeback to close out 2022, and today we’re taking a look at a charger imbued with all of the charm of a classic Macintosh. Having launched earlier in the year, the recent Shargeek Retro 35 arrives with the latest GaN III tech to power your entire Apple setup with an eye-catching design.

After an interesting few months in the graphics card space, AMD is finally releasing its new flagship cards, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT. AMD’s numbers were impressive, but how do they stack up against current competition?

If the cost of a Wi-Fi-enabled smart deadbolt has turned you away in the past, Home Depot might have something that could be of interest. The $100 Defiant Wi-Fi Deadbolt is available in a variety of styles and comes with a Hubspace smart plug that unlocks Wi-Fi control. It sounds like an affordable way to get a Wi-Fi deadbolt installed in your home, but how does it perform for that price? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

I’ve been seeing more and more coverage of IEMs, or in-ear monitors recently, both for music and for gaming. And while there are some great entry-level and affordable options out there, when Beyerdynamic announced the new $1,000 Xelento Remote 2nd Gen in-ear headphones, I knew I had to reach out and see if I could try a pair. While they certainly aren’t for everybody, the overall experience was different from what I expected. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

We’ve been reviewing a collection of iPhone cases since the new 14 series launched earlier this fall, and today we’re checking out one of the more unique covers to hit the market. Sporting a minimalistic design that wraps your iPhone 14 Pro/Max in a polished aluminum case, the new Arc Pulse bumper case arrives as a more daring take on protecting Apple’s latest smartphone.

SANDMARC makes one of the best leather iPhone 14 cases out there in my opinion, and it’s time to take a closer look. In our continued effort to give hands-on impressions of as many iPhone cases as possible to give folks a better idea of what they are spending their money on, one of the best is on the slate today. There are a few really standout, clean, and handcrafted leather cases we have already touched on this year, but SANDMARC’s wireless charging, MagSafe-compatible leather iPhone cases really set themselves apart from the many options in the category. Hitting just about all the most important form and function design cues alongside an industrial-inspired metal camera array cover, head below for our Tested with 9to5Toys feature on the brand’s new Pro Leather iPhone 14 cases. 

Battlefield 2042 Season 3: Escalation is right around the corner. A new map, three brand-new weapons, a new specialist, and ongoing changes all await returning players. Additionally, starting with season 3, DICE is putting Battlefield 2042 on EA Play which means Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to play without purchasing. Upcoming free-to-play days make it appealing, but will Battlefield 2042 Season 3 bring back many players? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Today, the latest additions to the Pokémon franchise are finally launching with Scarlet and Violet now being available for purchase. We’ve spent the past week journeying through the new region of Paldea to see how the latest stacks up, detailing its bold new approach to open-world game and new mechanics to performance issues and everything in-between.

As a novice sim racer, I bounce between Assetto Corsa on my PC and Forza Horizon 5 on my Xbox Series X with my kids; having a mobile setup that doesn’t take a lot of time to configure is crucial for me to actually get some seat time in. But with the power of the Logitech Pro Wheel and Pedals, something sturdy is also critical – enter the Wheel Stand 2.0 from Next Level Racing. With tons of adjustability and solid metal construction, it’s been a dependable way for me to have a repeatable sim racing setup without sacrificing massive floor space in my studio. But it does come with a few quirks. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

As we near the upper limit of PCIe Gen 4 speeds, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD, a definitive SSD that boasts read/write speeds faster than most of its competitors. If you can’t hold off a year or so before Gen 5, this is the perfect choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals.