Review

While phones are getting better at stabilizing video by themselves, adding a gimbal can almost always make a vast improvement for smooth camera movements. We’ve tried out some of its smaller entry-level phone gimbals in the past, but today we’re checking out the Zhiyun Smooth 5. Starting at $170, it’s considerably more expensive than the Smooth Q3 that we reviewed last year but packs some more features that take this mobile gimbal to the next level. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

While Joby might be most well known for the Gorillapod made popular by boosted board vloggers like Casey Neistat, recently it has been expanding its lineup of offerings for content creators. We went hands on with the mobile vlogging kit that included a light and a microphone, but now Joby is out with a huge line of audio gear for almost any creator. Be sure to hit the video below to hear how these new Joby Wavo mics sound in action.

Update: The new Positive Grid Spark mini Bluetooth speaker and guitar amp is now up for pre-order with a notable launch discount at $185. Regularly $229, Positive Grid says the discounts will be changing throughout the day, but it might not get any better than this. 

Today we are diving into our review of the Positive Grid RIFF guitar audio interface. Positive Grid is best known for its intelligent smart guitar amp products that offer instrumentalists a wonderful practice and recording setup tightly integrated with the brand’s wealth of high-tech jam-along and tone emulation software. The new RIFF interface packs much of this integration into a small audio interface for Mac, Windows, and iOS musicians at an even more affordable price tag. We featured the newly unveiled guitar USB interface at launch alongside a nice introductory price drop offer, but now it’s time to take a closer hands-on look in our Positive Grid RIFF review as part of the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

CASETiFY is one of our favorite iPhone accessories makers here at 9to5, and its latest releases are putting that to the test. Debuting with quite the premium price tags, its new recycled iPhone 13 MagSafe cases are comprised of 65% renewed materials. But is that environmental-consciousness worth the cash? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review is on the case.

Samsung refreshed its lineup of memory cards in the latter portion of last year with its new PRO Plus and EVO Plus microSD solutions alongside some full-size SD cards. Designed for content creators and getting extra storage in that Android handset, they’ll even help store some console games on-the-go within the usual thumbnail-sized form factor. While not the fastest options on the market, they can be affordable on a per-GB basis with respectful transfer speeds, a solid 10-year warranty, and Samsung’s 6-proof protection ratings. Head below for a closer look at the new PRO Plus and EVO Plus microSD solutions in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review. 

Portable projectors are a great way to add some functionality to your entertainment setup. They work great at home plugged in for movie night, but the uses go much further than that. Taking a camping trip and want to watch a movie under the stars? Want to have your friends over for a movie but don’t want to be indoors? With built-in batteries, portable projectors open up a new world of possibilities. We’ve taken a look at our fair share of portable projectors on 9to5Toys, and the AAXA M7 projector offers an impressive feature list for the price. Be sure to hit the video below to see all the details.

This past week, the latest and arguably most defining chapter of the Pokémon franchise was released with Legends: Arceus. Taking a bold new direction for the series, the latest installment arrives with an open-world focus, loads of unique mechanics, and an entire new region to explore. If you’re still deciding whether Pokémon Legends: Arceus is worth adding to your collection, check out our insights from a weekend spent exploring the world of Hisui.

New Wave Toys’ latest miniature retro arcade cabinet is the 1943 X RepliCade overhaul edition. Officially licensed by Capcam, this $170 1/6th scale cabinet features the same impeccable attention to detail that New Wave Toys has put into all of its cabinets in the past. We took a look at the 1942 X RepliCade most recently, but be sure to check out the video and see all of the attention to detail New Wave Toys has put on the 1943 X RepiCade cabinet. 

The latest model SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive is in the spotlight today. Solid-state portable solutions have become far more affordable than year’s past, but they still, for the most part, can’t quite compete with the per TB pricing on traditional hard drives. The G-DRIVE ArmorATD lineup offers up a rugged solution for content creators and more at a relatively affordable cost of entry, but are the far slower transfers speeds compared to that of its SSD brethren worth the savings? Are hard drives even still a worth while investment? Let’s see if the ArmorATD brings enough to the table in other aspects for it to be worth your time. Head below for our hands-on review of the latest-generation SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive

Beyerdynamic’s most recent additions to its gaming lineup are the entry-level MMX 100 and MMX 150 headsets. With a simple feature set and coming in at $100 and $150 respectively, they have plenty of similar features with a few key differences. With Beyerdynamic’s rich heritage of premium audio, how do they stack up in their price range? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Our Tested with 9to5Toys series has gone hands-on with other iPhoneography gear in the past, and JOBY’s new GripTight MagSafe Mounts are the latest to be thrown into the gauntlet. Centered around the headlining feature of MagSafe support for iPhone 13 handsets, we’re finding out if the new releases are worthy additions to your photography setup, or just the latest accessories to get in on the MagSafe fad.

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.