Review

Originally slated to launch at the start of 2022, the eagerly-awaited LEGO Clone Command Station pack is now available. But with so much fanfare and hype surrounding the first Star Wars accessory pack, is the $15 Clone Trooper Command Station actually worth adding to your collection in the first place, let alone buying multiple?

Wyze is quickly becoming a household name in affordable home surveillance, and last year the company updated one of its popular cameras with the Wyze Cam Pan v2. Much like the Wyze Cam v3 that we reviewed, the Cam Pan v2 takes a similar design from its earlier version and upgrades it with a new sensor that can nearly see in color in the dark and the ability to pan 360°. Like many of Wyze’s products, it’s packed with features for the $39.99 price tag ($50 on Amazon). Be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details. 

Late last fall, the folks at Bowers & Wilkins resurrected one of the most iconic speakers in the company’s stable, or really any other brand’s for that matter. Fifteen years after its first introduction, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is making a second debut with new modern features like AirPlay 2 – all in that classic and utterly novel design. But, is the Zeppelin’s signature look all it’s cracked up to be, even with some refreshed functionality?

DJI might be best known for drones and camera stabilizers, but it is also branching out into audio. The DJI Mic kit has everything needed to get great wireless audio from up to two people at the same time. While it’s a great accessory for the recent DJI Action 2, the vast compatibility makes it a great choice for many applications. Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear all of the details. 

The SanDisk Extreme Portable Solid-State Drive lineup has been considered to be the best portable SSD products out there by many for at least a few years now. The latest-generation V2 iterations come in a standard and PRO configurations with the main differences landing, for the most part, in the data transfer speeds and build material categories. Nonetheless, both models are easily among the best portable SSD solutions for just about anyone’s EDC, whether you’re a photographer, video-based content creator, or just someone looking for a high-quality solution for speedy backups and on-person storage – some folks even use them to store PS5 games and the like. But with a chance to go hands-on with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable Solid-State Drive V2 recently, I just had to get a closer look and finally put the seemingly best-in-class portable SSD lineup to the test for myself.

Cherry is probably most known for mechanical switches, but Cherry Americas also carries an impressive line-up of peripherals. One of the latest releases, the Cherry DW 9100 Slim, takes a slim and stylish approach to a keyboard and mouse combo with both a wireless dongle and Bluetooth connectivity. Coming in at $109, is this the best combo for the office? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Anker’s new MagGo car mount recently launched as the brand’s latest MagSafe offering. It’s arriving with a steep price tag, so we’re taking a hands-on look to see if the premium solution is actually worth the cost for complementing your iPhone 13. Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review fully investigates.

I’m a fan of the HyperX SoloCast – I’ve used it in many of my review videos to record my voice. It’s small, simple, sounds great, and it is affordable. My only complaints in my dedicated review were around the stand and impact noise transferring from the desk. Luckily, there are some simple upgrades you get to make the HyperX SoloCast sound better for creators, streamers, podcasters, and those who are working from home. 

Being too cold is an easy way to ruin an outdoor experience in the winter. Fieldsheer is one company working to keep adventurers warm with its line-up of battery-powered heated gear. I got my hands on the top-of-the-line Pinnacle Parka jacket as well as the Desert Storm Heated gloves. Both pieces use Fieldsheer’s mobile warming technology, and so far, they’ve kept me warm on some cold Indiana days and have a stylish design as well. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

As the third and final LEGO Star Wars 2022 set for January, today we’re taking a hands-on look at the new Razor Crest Microfighter. Clocking in as the most affordable set from a galaxy far, far away released this winter, is the $10 creation worth adding to your collection in the first place? Head below for the full scoop.

With Meta selling over 10 million of their entry-level Quest 2 headsets, the market for accessories is growing. One handy way to store and charge your new all-in-one VR headset and controllers is a dedicated dock. We took a look at the Anker charging dock last year, but now we’ve got our hands on the flashy new NexiGo Quest 2 charging dock. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Ultra-short throw projectors have been gaining traction lately as an alternative to large smart TVs, but they come at a price. The Wemax Nova features Android TV with thousands of apps, can project an image up to 150 inches, and is listed at $2,699 but often features deals to make that more affordable. At the time of writing, the Nova can be purchased for $270 off on Amazon. But before you buy, be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details.

The new CASETiFY Squid Game AirPods Pro case featuring the show’s animatronic Young-hee doll is the next product to get the Tested with 9to5Toys treatment. Are the Squid Game AirPods Pro cases the same quality and build as other CASETiFY models? Does the art get in the way of the functionality of your Apple charging case? And will the Young-hee artwork come to life in the middle of the night and force me to play children’s games to the death? Yes, no, and maybe. Head below for our review of the Young-hee Squid Game AirPods Pro Case in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

Hoth has been a big focus of the LEGO Star Wars lineup as of late, and now going into 2022 we’re getting a Snowtrooper Battle Pack to complement all of those creations. As the first of these army builders in nearly two years with an increased price tag attached, is it worth picking up even one of these sets, let alone a collection? We take a closer look at the new LEGO Snowtrooper Battle Pack down below to see for ourselves.

While 2021 saw an unprecedented three USC LEGO Star Wars sets released, only one of them earns the title of being the largest creation from a galaxy far, far away this year. That would be the new UCS LEGO AT-AT, which towers over the current lineup with nearly 6,800 pieces. But is the set worth it’s lofty $800 price tag? Let’s take a closer look at this behemoth of a kit to end 2021.

As a gamer in my mid-30’s, I’ve spent a lot of time traversing the worlds that have been created by Bungie: From Myth II: Soulblighter to Oni, and of course, countless hours in Halo and in Destiny. While I don’t have quite the playtime in D2 as I did in D1 or maybe even the original Halo at LAN parties, the Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack for Destiny 2 was a fun nostalgia trip. At $25, spoiler alert, it’s not going to be a must-buy for every guardian in the Destiny 2 universe, but for collectors and hardcore Destiny 2 players, it’s a fun look back mixed with enjoyable new content. Check out the video below to see all of the details. 

Let’s dive into the new Totallee iPhone 13 MagSafe Case: Totallee’s barely there iPhone cases have been lauded across the inter-webs for the super-thin approach, branding-free design, and lightweight form factor, but one thing has always been missing here: built-in MagSafe functionality. 9to5Toys readers will already know it just recently brought that familiar MagSafe logo and built-in magnetic functionality to its lineup when it launched the first-of-its-kind model to its lineup earlier this month, and now it’s time to take a hands-on look. Head below for our review of the Totallee Transparent iPhone 13 MagSafe Case as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Throughout 2021, 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 3 Pro and the Marshall Motif ANC, amongst others, you’ll find all of the best earbuds of 2021 outlined below.

After reviewing the Custom Number Patch model previously, today we are taking a closer look at the CASETiFY Squid Game Young-hee iPhone 13 Case. This one features that terrifyingly adorable death doll from the hit Netflix show’s red light-green light game with a confetti-style CASETiFY logo treatment and has to be my personal favorite design from the collection. Also available for all iPhone models from 7 and up as well as Samsung Galaxy smartphones, be sure to head below for our hands-on review of the CASETiFY Young-hee Squid Game Case in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

This year is coming to a close, which has all of the writers here at 9to5Toys getting a bit retrospective on all of the gear we’ve taken a look at in 2021. Alongside all of the tech, toys, and fashion we’ve reviewed since January, there is a selection of things each of us tried that weren’t covered. Ranging from authentic Pokémon collectibles to M1 Macs, ergonomic desktop accessories, and more, you’ll find all of 9to5Toys’ Favorite Things of 2021 down below.

Out with new colors, lenses, and a few new features, we got to go hands-on with the Amazon Echo Frames. Amazon isn’t the only company to offer smart glasses, but the focus here is squarely on Alexa control. So for those who would want an easier way to control Alexa-enabled devices, the Amazon Echo Frames are very comfortable and convenient. Be sure to hit the video below to see more. 

Whether you’re working from home or firing up the stream, there are some great webcam options out there right now. Go all in with a dedicated DSLR or mirrorless camera, or check out our previous reviews of the Kiyo Pro from Razer and the Elgato Facecam. At $200, Dell’s Ultrasharp Webcam packs many similar features as the offerings from the gaming-oriented marks. Read on to see how it performs, and be sure to hit the video to see examples of it in action. 

Amazon’s latest streaming media player launched earlier this fall, delivering the new flagship deemed the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. With onboard Wi-Fi 6 and faster performance to deliver Dolby Vision playback and Dolby Atmos audio, we’re taking a hands-on look to see just how worthy of a home theater upgrade Amazon’s latest really is.

USB microphones make a great addition to any workspace or gaming rig. They plug right into a computer without the need for any additional hardware and typically have some other built-in features like gain control or a mute button. The Neat Bumblebee II packs some handy features for the very reasonable $100 price point. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details and hear some comparisons with other popular USB mics.

Anker’s new MagGo lineup has been packed with quite a few unique charging solutions, but today we’re taking a look at the most novel and versatile. Arriving with a 2-in-1 design, Anker’s new Convertible MagGo Charger features a detachable MagSafe power bank for iPhone 13 users. But is that added functionality worth the price? OurTested with 9to5Toys review is on the case.

It’s time for our CASETiFY Squid Game iPhone case review. Initially launching to the public back at the top of the month, just in time to get them under the tree, CASETiFY teamed up with Netflix for the first-ever official ‘Squid Game’ tech accessory collection. Today we are taking a look at The Player Custom Number Patch Case. They are available for all Apple handsets from iPhone 7 and up as well as Samsung Galaxy devices. So be sure to head below to decide if you’re in or out on the new Player Custom Number Patch Squid Game iPhone case in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys entry. 

Given the difficulty of snagging a new GPU these days, the NZXT Foundation PC aims to offer high FPS for popular titles in a pre-built PC without the need for a GPU. Using an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with integrated Radeon graphics, this no assembly required tower looks the part and is a great introduction to PC gaming. So what does it have for the $799 price tag? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Even with MagSafe launching almost a year and a half ago, there are still iPhone 12 and 13 cases arriving without support for the standard. If you’ve been looking to supplement a favorite cover with some magnetic mounting features, the Spigen OneTap MagSafe Ring is just the solution. But is it worth the cash over just buying a new case altogether? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review takes a closer look.

Beyerdynamic might not bit the first name that comes to mind for creator and gaming audio, but that might be about to change. Its new PRO X creator series aims to give high-quality audio hardware for content creators and streamers that provide both premium audio and all-day comfort. We got our hands on the open-back DT 900 PRO X headphones and the M 70 PRO X dynamic microphone. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details of the Beyerdynamic Pro X series. 

Whether you’re crushing spreadsheets from home or crushing the competition in Battlefield 2042, having the right mouse can be a great addition to your setup. Covering everything from the best all-around budget mouse to high-end wireless gaming, we’ll take a look at some of my top picks in the mouse gift guide. Stick around and be sure to pick up the best mouse for the members of your house. 

While Battlefield 2042 has been out for a few weeks now, it’s already an evolving game. EA has been releasing multiple updates to both fix bugs and tweak the game in reaction to players’ feedback. Most players who have been able to play so far have had a bug-riddled experience. But does the gameplay make up for the shortcomings of the state of the game at launch? I got to play in the pre-release preview event and have put in about 30 hours since release. Below I’ll share some of my thoughts on my experience so far as a semi-casual player. Be sure to hit the video to see plenty of gameplay.

Projectors are a great way to get a massive theater-like screen in your home, but sometimes it’s inconvenient to mount them or place them at the back of a room where anyone walking around can block the image. That’s where ultra-short throw or UST projectors like the XGIMI Aura come in handy. A 4K laser projector, the Aura sits below a screen on a TV stand to create up to a 150” display while only being about a foot away from the wall and packing 2400 ANSI lumens, integrated Harman Kardon audio, and Android TV OS 10.0. While $2,500 is a lot, a competing TV panel would cost much more for the same size. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Vissles is launching their latest keyboard, the ultra-slim, low-profile, clicky switch-wielding LP85 on Kickstarter. I was a big fan of the V84 that we got our hands on earlier this year, and was excited to try out the latest build. This time it’s a low-profile keyboard with clicky optical switches aimed primarily at Apple users with a reasonable price of $99 for early bird backers. There is also a version made for Windows, but the overall design mimics the Apple Magic keyboard. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

The Xbox Series X and S have been out for over a year now, and we’ve seen some great options appear for controllers. While there hasn’t been a new Elite to join the ranks yet, there are plenty of interesting third-party options. Let’s compare the ones we’ve gotten in our hands and take a look at the pros and cons of each model to try and find out which is the best Xbox controller. 

Epos is on a roll releasing their latest premium gaming headset, the H3Pro Hybrid. Featuring wireless audio along with ANC, this closed-back gaming headset is packed with features for those who want a multi-purpose pair of cans for the battle station and on the go. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

With a focus on photography, Moment has just refreshed its lineup of cases with some new styles for the iPhone 13. Arriving with vibrant designs, MagSafe integration, and drop protection, the real star of the show is support for Moment’s lineup of smartphone lenses. Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review dives in to see just how these these fair as they augment your iPhone photography.

Logitech’s latest keyboard takes a unique approach by living up to its Pop name with a delightfully retro form-factor and unique colorways. But with customizable emoji keys and typewriter inspiration, does the design embrace form over functionality a bit too much? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review takes a closer look at the novel new Mac accessory.

Earlier this fall, SimpliSafe at long last launched its very first outdoor security camera. Arriving with some impressive specs like 1080p recording with a 140-degree field of view and magnetic mounting system, there’s certainly a lot to like. But does the baggage of a full security system deliver enough perks to be worth the hassle? We go hands-on with the SimpliSafe Outdoor Cam to see how it all stacks up.

The Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 13 has arrived, and we are finally ready to weigh in on the experience. Easily among the most anticipated and high-quality options to wrap your new Apple handset in, the latest edition of Twelve South’s staple vintage leather book-style cover is once again at the top of our list for the best options out there. This time around, the brand has implemented a handy magnet system with MagSafe compatibility, and it’s time to take a closer look in our Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 13 review. Head below for the latest entry to Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

With early access for eligible players starting this Friday, EA reached out to quite a few members of the press for a pre-launch review event this week. During this event, we got to try all-out warfare in the form of breakthrough and conquest with up to 128 players, the new extraction-focused hazard zone and even spent some time with the mashup game type portal. All in all, things felt much better than the beta and it was a blast to finally see what Hazard Zone will be like. Be sure to hit the video below to see Battlefield 2042 gameplay from all of these great modes. 

It is time to take a closer look at the OtterBox iPhone 13 PopSocket Case, or the Pro Otter + Pop Symmetry Series Antimicrobial Case, as it is officially known. OtterBox has been a staple in the iPhone protection business for many years, not to mention a mainstay in our yearly roundups of the best cases out there, so it’s time to see what its latest PopSocket-equipped iPhone 13 cover has in store. Head below for our OtterBox iPhone 13 PopSocket Case review in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Forza Horizon 5 is out today, and while some have had early access with premium packages, the majority of racers will be getting on today, thanks to Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft and Xbox sent over a pretty unique press kit complete with a limited-edition Forza Horizon 5 controller, license plate frame, and a “road trip” candle that doesn’t smell like any road trip I’ve been on before. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Anker’s new MagGo Folding MagSafe Power Bank launched at the end of last month, refreshing its existing and quite popular model in the process with a built-in stand. But does the new version continue its predecessor’s reign of being a must-have iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 accessory? That’s what our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review dives in to answer.

DJI and Zhiyun might be two of the most well-known names for gimbals, but Manfrotto is joining the ranks with the MVG220 and MVG460. While it might be more well known for tripods and monopods, adding gimbal stabilization to its products portfolio is a natural move for Manfrotto. We got our hands on the smaller MVG220 and gave it a spin. Be sure to hit the video below and see it in action.

Oakywood — makers of gorgeous wooden tech and desktop accessories — launched its OakyBlocks and wooden wireless charger just last month, and it’s time to take a closer look. The lineup consists of a range of walnut or oak wood desktop accessories including the Qi-enabled wireless charger on display today as well as the Large Tray seen in our recent Gunnar review, a pen tray, phone stand, sticky notes holder, and more with magnetic modular designs. You can learn more about the entire lineup in our launch coverage, but be sure to head below for our Oakywood wooden wireless charger review in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Today we are taking the Gunnar blue light glasses for a test drive. I thought it might be a good time to at least try some of these protective glasses out, considering how many hours per week I’m staring at a screen, and the Gunnar brand is an obvious place to start. The company makes use of patented blue light protection lens technology while offering up a wide range of frame styles to meet your personal tastes. After giving the Gunnar Menlo model blue light glasses a run for a few weeks now, it’s time to weigh in as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Anker is throwing their hat into the ring of smart eyewear with the Soundcore Frames. Featuring a unique design that allows for swapping frames out quickly, these new glasses use built-in speakers for an open-air listening experience. Following our announcement coverage, we got to go hands-on with the new shades and quite a few different frame styles. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Glorious has completed their lineup of mice with wired and wireless versions of their four designs. We’re taking a look at the Model O- Wireless today, but they’ve also opened up pre-orders for the Model D- Wireless. Be sure to hit the video below to check out all of the details of this tiny wireless gaming mouse.