02 Feb
Blog

Belkin Boost Charge Pro review: My favorite bedside charger

The Belkin 3-in-1 Charger can charge your phone, Airpods and Apple Watch at the same time.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro

RRP $149.99

"The Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Charger can charge all your devices at the same time, and it looks good doing it."

benefits

  • Solid, durable construction

  • Strong magnetic attachments

  • Charges three devices simultaneously

  • Pop up watch charger

  • Fast charge for Apple Watch Series 7

disadvantage

  • The plug is way too big

  • No other USB ports

  • Expensive

I've spent the last four years looking for a great bedside charger. When Apple launched MagSafe on the iPhone 12, that search became a little more focused. When Mophie introduced his snap ring adapter That can make basically any Android phone MagSafe compatible, this search has been laser focused. Now the search might be over: The Belkin Boost Charger Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad is about as close to perfection as I've come yet.

draft

This is a flat slab covered in a soft-touch silicone finish that's a bit difficult to keep clean. It measures 9 inches by 3 inches by 0.8 inches, so it's quite large. There are three charging areas: a MagSafe charger for your phone, a charger for your Apple Watch, and a charger for your AirPods, which is really just a Qi charger. I used it primarily to charge my Anker Soundcore Liberty Pro 3 earbuds, but occasionally to charge a second phone. There's a single LED light that shows when your AirPods are charging, but there aren't any other LED light indicators since your phone and smartwatch presumably have their onscreen displays.

The MagSafe charging plate for the iPhone is slightly raised for a good, solid connection. The Apple Watch stand folds up so you can charge either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. The Apple Watch holder is also adjustable depending on what size Apple Watch you have. It can be raised if needed to make room for the case, which is an important design flourish. The magnets on both the MagSafe charging puck and the watch charger are very strong and won't let either device slip.

strong contact

The Belkin 3-in-1 Charger can charge your phone, Airpods and Apple Watch at the same time.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

That's really all there is to it. The Belkin 3-in-1 Boost Charge Pro works well, the magnets are solid, and you can charge as much as you need. I like this device (and MagSafe in general) because the magnets keep my phone and watch connected even if I nudge them at night. Sometimes I'd rather have a phone stand that keeps my phone upright so I can read or check notifications, but on a bedside table it's a good compromise. Once I put my phone on the charger I shouldn't be looking at it anyway. The watch folds up so I can use it as a small watch if needed, and that's good enough.

The plug occupies three outlets on my power strip, which isn't ideal.

The main benefit here is that the Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 Charger has been updated to support both Apple's 15-watt wireless charging for iPhones and fast charging for the Apple Watch Series 7. I personally have an Apple Watch SE, so I can't take advantage of that particular feature, but maybe you can.

The Belkin 3-in-1 charger's power plug seems to be a lot bigger than it needs to be.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

How the charging pad gets its power is not ideal. The Belkin Boost Charge uses a cylinder plug that twists into the base to lock it in place. That's fine, but I'd always prefer a USB-C port so it's easier to travel with. The power supply at the other end is also huge. The plug occupies three outlets on my power strip, which isn't ideal. I actually picked some up One foot extension cord to mitigate that. It makes my power strip a little messier, but at least I get my plugs back.

Not perfect

Another thing I would have liked about this charging stand is additional USB-A or USB-C connectors on the side. The base is thick enough to accommodate both types of connectors and given the size of the connector it would be nice to be able to connect other accessories. You might be thinking, "This thing already charges your phone, watch, and earbuds, what more could you ask for?" That's a perfectly fair point, so it's an forgivable oversight.

The Belkin 3-in-1 Boost Charge Pro charger works well, the magnets are solid, and you can charge as much as you need.

All of this comes at a rather high price of $150, which is certainly on the high side. The addition of fast charging for the Apple Watch Series 7 is nice, and it could be argued that with this charger you don't need the extra power brick you would need to buy for your Apple Watch charger. Still, it's difficult to justify the rather steep cost, especially given Amazon's preponderance of three-device chargers. It's a very clean and good-looking charger with some attractive add-ons, but whether it's enough to justify that much money depends largely on your situation. If you have the available desk space and the right devices to make use of it, this could be a nice addition to your charging arsenal.

The Belkin 3-in-1 Charger's Apple Watch charger flips up so you can charge your watch vertically or horizontally.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

Prices and Availability

The Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Charger is available on the Belkin website for $150. Orders have already started shipping.

Our opinion

All in all, this is a very expensive charging accessory. But it deserves that price with the ability to charge three devices simultaneously and with the support for fast charging on the 7 Series. There's no shortage of three-device chargers available at a fraction of the price of other retailers other than the Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 is solidly built, with strong magnets and fast charging. The plug is a bit bigger than I'd like to see, and I'd rather have a USB-C cable with a charging brick than a barrel charger and a giant plug. But beyond that, this is a simple, understated design that will look good with just about anything in your home.

Is there a better alternative?

This combination of features is hard to find, especially since fast charging is a new concept for the Apple Watch Series 7. So while there's no shortage of great wireless chargers, objectively many of them won't be any better. Remarkable is the Ampere Unravel Wireless Charger, which can also charge three devices simultaneously and fold into a compact cube. But the maximum is 10 watts per charger. The Belkin Boost Charge Pro gives you plenty of power.

How long does it last?

I have no concerns about the durability of this device. There are some minimal moving parts, but otherwise this thing is a solid brick. However, the proprietary barrel loader is a concern. It snaps into place, which is nice, but its shape and the tight confines it's in mean that if it breaks, you'll have to go to Belkin for a replacement. However, Belkin covers most of its devices with a two-year warranty, which should be some consolation.

should you buy it

If you want a good-looking, fast wireless charging trio of pads, then yes. This isn't the cheapest option, but it guarantees to get your Apple devices up and running as soon as possible. Of course, that only applies if you need to charge three devices. The target customer has a MagSafe iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. If you don't have all three (or at least a set of earbuds that charge wirelessly) then this is probably too much charger for you.

Editor's Recommendations



02 Feb
Blog

Dying Light 2: Stay Human review: Less talk, more dropkicks

Players using the paraglider in Dying Light 2.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

RRP $60.00

"With a slow plot and uninteresting characters, Dying Light 2: Stay Human's few redeeming qualities are what sets the franchise apart from other zombie games."

benefits

  • The setting is beautiful

  • Parkour is fun

  • Dropkicks rule

  • variety of activities

  • Deep Customization

disadvantage

  • boring characters

  • Unimaginative missions

  • Misleading Decisions

  • The fight repeats itself

Dying Light 2: Stay Human has been a long time coming, and the years of effort that went into it really shows. Its world is a meticulously designed parkour playground, somewhere that I've happily walked through in my 30 or so hours of play. This is the Dying Light franchise's niche in the ever-expanding sea of ​​zombie games. Its movement and world are second to none – and it's pretty fun to kick a zombie off a rooftop, too.

But that's the beginning and end of everything interesting in Dying Light, making Dying Light 2's narrative adventure all the more confusing. Instead of focusing on his freewheeling and zombie fighting, the game delivers a muddy story burdened with too many uninteresting characters and pushes them into the limelight.

Dying Light 2 is a wonderful game, but its characters' speech wears off faster than the main character's shoe soles.

Lost control

Dying Light 2 picks up well after the original game, putting players in the well-worn sneakers of Aiden Caldwell. He is a pilgrim, a wanderer among the world's few human settlements in search of his long-lost sister. That brings him to the town of Villedor, a stand-in for Dying Lights Harran, albeit one who doesn't flirt with the apocalypse but has instead been living in the aftermath of an apocalypse for over a decade.

Buildings burn in Dying Light 2.

From the start, Dying Light 2 is an expansion of everything from the original Dying Light. The city of Villedor is a grander, taller jungle gym than Harran was. Players can customize their character via an RPG leveling system and modify weapons glued or welded together from the city ruins. It also means the game's story, which throws Aiden in the middle of a conflict between two factions, plays an even bigger role.

While you might not care about the factions and can even choose to play a very egocentric version of Aiden, by working with them, players actually transform Villedor. By killing zombies and running freely to the top of a water tower, turning on power to an area, or simply claiming a derelict windmill, players can allocate territories to each faction. With this new land under their control, the survivors set up traversal assists, like ziplines or airbags that blast Aiden a few dozen feet up. Peacekeepers, on the other hand, focus on defensive city modifications, with their first being sporadically placed car bombs.

The handover of these areas to each faction changes the city's skyline. Survivors will turn rooftops into farms while the Peacekeepers build huge metal forts painted blue. The difference between the city at the beginning and the end of the game's story is considerable, transforming entire areas from barren to full of life, whether peaceful or militaristic.

In Dying Light 2, Frank hands the player a beer.

But factions, and especially faction leaders, don't care if you starve them out of territory. The game's story and gameplay are completely separate, with the two never affecting each other. Instead, factions handle the choices players make during story missions. For example, if you give one faction access to a radio antenna when you've promised another, it means you're going to make a tough decision about who gives you quests.

There are other cases where the decision you made is not the result. From time to time, Dying Light 2 decides that while you may have chosen something with the intention of helping a group or faction, it actually turns out to be the opposite. At several points I made a choice because the game made it seem like I wanted to do that, and in the end it gave me the opposite. This continued throughout the game, eventually leading to me getting an ending that I really didn't want.

The difference between the city at the beginning and the end of the game's story is considerable, transforming entire areas from barren to full of life, whether peaceful or militaristic.

Still, I wasn't too upset with the game's ending. Rather, I was annoyed at how well it aligned with the rest of Aiden's experience. Dying Light 2's story is as dilapidated as some of the game's abandoned buildings. Full of plot holes and poorly written characters, there are very few highlights of excitement in the game's main missions. In the end, I felt like the town of Villedor had more character than any of the game's NPCs. It's dilapidated, aged, and packed with environmental stories that far outstrip the mid-2000s soap opera that plays out between the characters of Dying Light 2. And it's the only thing I actually felt in control of during the game.

feet full of anger

Between the missions of Dying Light 2, players are free to run through Villedor, fighting against its inhabitants – both the undead and the living – and completing various activities. Let me get that out of the way first: Combat in Dying Light 2 is pretty simple. From the start of the game, you swing weapons at enemies and parry their attacks to unleash a powerful kick, knocking a stunned bad guy off his back. Other than that, the combat doesn't progress all that much as the game progresses.

With its RPG leveling system, players can unlock new parkour and power skills, with the former making it even easier to run around the city and the latter making it easier to kill everything that lives in the city. I ended up investing a lot in the parkour route, mainly because I couldn't miss an opportunity to run over walls.

In Dying Light 2 you will have the most fun dropkicking whatever you choose.

But there is one extremely important ability in the power tree that cannot be ignored: The Dropkick. This move was a staple in the first Dying Light and continues to be here. It's unironically the best part of this game. In Dying Light 2, you'll have the most fun dropkicking whatever you choose, from zombies to the bandits who decide to put themselves between you and a spiked wall. Techland could (and should) make a game centered around dropkicking things with no attached story because it would be awesome.

Pushing further into RPG territory, Dying Light 2 features a robust crafting and gear system with various armor pieces supporting different builds. If you're a player who enjoys fighting with one-handed weapons, the Brawler Armor will give you bonuses for doing so. Tank players who want to use a two-handed weapon and block damage like it's nothing can find suitable armor for this build.

Dropkicking two zombies in Dying Light 2.

This gear, along with crafting components, can be found throughout the world of Dying Light 2, but is most commonly found in the game's Dark Zones. Along with GRE anomalies (mini-bosses that can only be fought at night) and a variety of other abandoned locations, Dark Zones are why you should go out at night when the town of Villedor becomes more dangerous. The undead roam the streets in greater numbers after sundown, and Special Infected, like Howlers, are more likely to launch chases that require players to run from a pack of walkers to the nearest safe zone.

Dark Zones and other nocturnal activities balance this danger with myriad rewards. Dark Zones are packed with valuables, crafting materials, and Inhibitors, a new resource that players can use to improve their overall health and stamina. GRE anomalies reward players with the same. Again, this is a part of Dying Light expanded in Dying Light 2, and the game is better off for that. The night is not something players should avoid, but rather an opportunity for some of the game's more exciting challenges.

Co-op is a great way to enhance the experience, if only a little. Playing with friends can turn the normally serious game into a chaotic mess of multiple Aidens all swinging their guns at enemies. However, it's not a perfect experience. While playing cooperatively with some of the game's developers, I was repeatedly booted out of the game and enemies fell through the floor more than once, including a GRE anomaly mini-boss.

Out of balance

Overall, Dying Light 2 is a constantly choppy experience, due in part to the game's lackluster story and eventually stale combat, as well as a good number of bugs. At several points during my time with Dying Light 2, I had to completely restart the game due to a bug that prevented NPCs from even speaking to me.

Hakon talks to the player in Dying Light 2.

I've also encountered issues where Aiden wouldn't grab anything at all, enemies would freeze in place, and zombies wouldn't attack me. By far the worst bug was when I got a softock even though it was supposed to be patched by the time the game started. Even so, these issues took away from the overall experience even more, leaving a layer of frustration.

Coupled with a lackluster story full of misleading choices and insufferable characters, Dying Light 2 is sustained by its world and struggle, but even then both eventually become boring. Towards the end of the game I didn't feel like I needed to unlock more areas for either faction and the fight had become repetitive.

Coupled with a lackluster story full of misleading choices and insufferable characters, Dying Light 2 is sustained by its world and struggle, but even then both eventually become boring.

While the beginning of my time with Dying Light 2 was fun and I enjoyed being introduced to its world and various systems, they got tiring once I became familiar with each one. Ideas in Dying Light 2 are introduced and hardly evolve, making most systems, from combat to crafting, routine. Parkour changes with the addition of a paraglider and a grappling hook, although the whole experience doesn't feel much different.

Our opinion

Dying Light 2: Stay Human is more of that, a kind of love letter from Techland to the fans of the original Dying Light. Players can explore a larger world with more zombies, participate in a larger story, and customize their character with more robust RPG mechanics. However, nothing in Dying Light 2 advances the game's formula in any meaningful way. After taking 30 hours to beat, after 15 I effectively saw everything the game had to offer. Without a good narrative or a lovable cast of characters, Dying Light 2's story only drags the game down. While playing the game itself is fun, it grinds to a halt with too few exciting parts, and actually completing the game ends in a drudgery.

Is there a better alternative?

Fans of classic zombie games full of blood and guts should try Back 4 Blood. It's available on Xbox Game Pass and is best played with a few friends.

How long it will take?

It took me a whopping 30 hours to complete Dying Light 2, although anyone who rushes through the main story can do it in 20. If you want to do everything in the game, unlock every ability, and complete every activity, it could take up to 100 hours (although Techland claims it can take up to 500).

should you buy it

Yes. Though the pace slows towards the end, Dying Light 2's main gameplay loop is fun enough for anyone to enjoy for at least a few dozen hours.

Dying Light 2 was tested with a PlayStation 5 and an Insignia F30 4K Smart TV.

Editor's Recommendations



02 Feb
Blog

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV review: A greener luxury sport SUV

BMW X5 PHEV in a parking lot

2021 BMW X5 X5 xDrive45e PHEV

RRP $62,900.00

"Go green with the further developed BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV without even noticing it."

benefits

  • Outstanding hybrid drive

  • Cheaper than pure gas versions with incentives

  • BMW luxury, comfort and sportiness

  • Hands-free jam assistance

disadvantage

  • Slow charge rate

  • It lacks the latest BMW infotainment system

New car buyers have made it very clear that they want SUVs. People want to sit higher, feel more secure, and have enough room for trips to Costco, Home Depot, and Target. The problem: SUVs tend to suck more gasoline than, for example, a sedan. But there's a way to have a large luxury vehicle that's also kind to your bank account and the environment.

The 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) takes what people like about the German automaker's luxury SUV and adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's a slick integration that doesn't exhibit any of the occasional weirdness we've seen with the BMW 330e PHEV. Instead, it highlights the work BMW has done to ensure its PHEV transition vehicles just work without sacrificing the BMW experience.

Starting at $63,700, the AWD (all-wheel drive) X5 xDrive45e is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax incentive. That's the same amount you would get for an electric vehicle. The reason for the big discount is its battery pack with a capacity of 24 kWh – 17 kWh of which can be used. This large pack saves a potential customer money not only on sale but also in everyday life.

BMW X5 PHEV in a parking lot.Roberto Baldwin/Digital Trends

This tax incentive also lowers the price of the vehicle below the price of the all-gasoline X5 xDrive40i, which starts at $62,900. That's with no state or local incentives to stack on top. Like the 330e PHEV, the X5 PHEV is the more cost-effective option, both at the door and while driving.

Of course, the EV mode would be the cheapest. The reason the vehicle gets the government's full tax incentive is the same reason it's good at getting around without gas.

In EV-only mode, the X5 xDrive45e has an EPA range of 31 miles. In our testing, we achieved 27 miles of range in mixed driving conditions, including freeway, neighborhood and back roads in 51-degree weather. Cold weather can reduce the efficiency of a battery-powered vehicle, but it seems it was warm enough not to really affect the BMW. The range should be sufficient to bring at least many commuters to work without petrol.

BMW X5 PHEV charging connector.Roberto Baldwin/Digital Trends

However, charging is really a pure at-home experience. The X5 only supports charging up to 3.7kW, making charging on the go a waste of time. During our testing, I had no trouble charging at home while I slept, waking up in the morning with a full battery.

Driving in EV mode has been improved over previous hybrid X5s. The SUV will now cruise at speeds of up to 84 mph, an increase of 9 mph over the 75 mph found on the previous version of the vehicle. With speed limits in some states being 70 mph and up, it's good to know that in the eight states with speed limits of 50 mph, the X5 PHEV can keep up with traffic in EV mode if needed.

Outside of the pure battery drive mode, BMW has done an excellent job of merging the two powertrains in the X5. Where the BMW 330e had a few odd things, the transition from petrol to electric was always seamless during my week with the X5 xDrive45e PHEV. In all six available modes (EV only, Eco, Eco Pro, Adaptive, Sport and driver-set individual mode), the vehicle drove exactly as you would expect.

For those who demand maximum acceleration from their SUV, Sport mode delivers a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds, according to BMW – half a second slower than the gas-powered version. We haven't been able to properly test this on a track, but accelerating from a standstill that number seems likely to be right. In other words, it's not as fast as the regular X5, but the PHEV is still fast enough for the majority of drivers. For those looking for something very sporty there is always the X5 M50i. This is where you stake your cash on an SUV with sports car excitement.

Regardless of the mode, ride quality is adeptly managed thanks to BMW's Dynamic Damper Control and air suspension. The ride quality adapts to the situation, whether in one of the aggressive Sport modes or the calmer Eco and Adaptive modes. The steering is also given impressive mapping, with just the right amount of firmness to push the car to its limits, but also more relaxed for city driving.

BMW x5 PHEV in the parking lot.Roberto Baldwin/Digital Trends

Inside, the X5 xDrive45e matches the interior of almost every other BMW of this generation. The seats are comfortable but have enough side bolsters to keep the driver and passenger in place on tight corners. There is enough head, leg and shoulder room to accommodate my 6'+ frame in all but the center rear seat. Not that a large person should ever be seated there, regardless of what "shotgun" game you play to secure a seat in a vehicle.

In the driver's seat, BMW offers a driver-oriented control center with a 12.3-inch infotainment display tilted towards the driver. The automaker's latest iDrive 8 hasn't made it to the X5 yet – so you get iDrive 7 – but what you lose in the latest system you gain in physical climate control, media controls and programmable buttons. In the center console next to the shifter is the iDrive knob, surrounded by quick buttons to the main infotainment system. Once you memorize these, the infotainment system is much easier to use.

If you're more concerned with connecting your phone, BMW offers wireless CarPlay support, but also Android Auto support, starting with vehicles manufactured since August 2020. If Android is your platform of choice, you should make sure the vehicle supports your phone before driving off the lot.

BMW X5 PHEV infotainment screen.Roberto Baldwin/Digital Trends

BMW's voice assistant lags behind offerings from Mercedes, Android Automotive-enabled Volvos, and even BMW's updated system. Its natural language system is good, but there are better digital helpers out there. This is especially true after driving a vehicle with iDrive 8.

On-the-road technology is still top-notch with the optional BMW hands-free Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for $1,700. At low speeds on selected motorways, the X5 allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel in certain situations. The driver still has to keep an eye on the road, and a sensor in the car tracks their face to make sure this is happening. During the standstill, it worked well with no issues and easily handled cuts.

For those who commute in horrific traffic on a daily basis, it's probably worth the extra money just to reduce at least some cognitive load from traffic. Just make sure you don't let yourself be lulled into not paying attention to the world around you.

At the very back, the X5 sits midway between competitors from Volvo, Mercedes and Audi in the cargo area, with 33.1 cubic feet of space with the second row up. When folded, that expands to 72.3 cubic feet. There is no option for a third row, but I'm fine with that. A third row in this vehicle would be a terrible sitting experience. Those looking to fit more people in their vehicles should jump to the larger SUVs on the market.

Standard safety features include Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rollover Detection and Emergency Brake Assist. The 2021 BMW X5 is a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The AWD X5 has a four-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The X5 PHEV variant has not yet been tested at the time of publishing this review. While we don't expect the PHEV version of the vehicle to deviate too far from the X5's overall rating, the added weight of the battery and electric motor could be a variable affecting the vehicle's ratings.

On the warranty front, the automaker offers a four-year, 50,000-mile limited warranty, a 12-year, unlimited kilometer rust-perforation warranty, and an 8-year, 80,000-mile battery warranty.

How DT would configure this car

With only one trim level for the PHEV version. The all-wheel drive X5 xDrive45e is ready for daily city trips and inclement weather. The added security of hands-free driver assistance makes it worth the extra $1,700. The $5,500 M Sport package is too rich for our blood, but we'd definitely throw in the $350 heated seats and $250 heated steering wheel, which also comes with heated armrests. Finally, if you want to tow with the X5, the tow hitch is $550.

Our opinion

With an impressive pure EV range and enough room for a family and their gear, the X5 xDrive45e PHEV hits all the right spots. It's fast, livable, and requires nothing more than someone to pocket it at night to save some money on the commute. Its price point also makes it cheaper than the other non-M-drive X5s available – all while making all-wheel drive standard. Its slow load rate is a bummer, but it's not a deal-breaker.

Inside, the vehicle is comfortable both front and rear, with a good mix of sportiness in a driver-focused package. The infotainment system feels a bit outdated as BMW's latest version is available for its new electric vehicles. But the inclusion of Android Auto should make many potential buyers very happy after years of BMW only supporting CarPlay.

On the road, the xDrive45e PHEV delivers a BMW experience without the compromises we've come to expect from hybrid systems.

should you get one

Yes. The X5 xDrive45e is a wonderful blend of BMW's sport-luxury SUV and electrification technology. It works both as a family van and as an excellent first or only vehicle for the individual who wants German luxury and sport with enough space for mountain trips or lunch with co-workers.

Editor's Recommendations



02 Feb
Blog

Chord Mojo 2 review: Sound so good, it may move you to tears

Chord Mojo 2 seen from top to bottom.

Chord Mojo 2

RRP $725.00

"The Chord Mojo 2 takes your smartphone or computer and turns it into an amazing sounding, amazingly powerful music machine."

benefits

  • Incredible sound

  • Powerful enough to drive most headphones

  • Multiple device connection options

  • Customizable lossless equalizer

  • Long battery life

disadvantage

  • The equalizer is complicated

  • MicroUSB charging is obsolete

  • No MQA file playback

I had a few people listen to the Mojo 2 DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with a pair of very special headphones, and one person really shed a tear as a particularly emotional song came to an end. This is the Mojo 2 effect. When you use it, you'll shop for new, probably ridiculously expensive, headphones, happily pay for Hi-Res streaming services, and take the time to just relax and listen to some fabulous-sounding music. The Chord Mojo 2 is very special indeed and I've been listening to it for about a month.

design and connections

If you've seen the first Chord Mojo, you'll realize that not much has changed. There are now four buttons on the front and a new USB Type-C port, but otherwise the little box is pretty much identical. There's also an optical/coaxial output and a pair of micro-USB ports, one for charging and the other for the USB Type-A adapter that's included. At the opposite end of the aluminum box you'll find two 3.5mm headphone jacks so you can listen in with a friend.

The Chord Mojo 2 features colorful buttons.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

It's not what I would call a pocket DAC – although it's a bit smaller than the first Chord Mojo – at least by comparison to many of the thumb drive-sized affairs most people will think of. But it fits in a pocket if you really need to take it with you, and there's a battery inside that's good enough for around eight hours. But I don't really see it as an all-round product. It's best enjoyed at home, but the anodized black finish should prove durable when you're carrying it around in a bag.

Bring the Mojo 2 to life and the four buttons all light up different colors and change dynamically as you press them to activate different functions too. That's it for eye-catching design elements, though. This is a small black box that you will buy for what's inside, not what it looks like on the outside.

To get the audio from the Mojo 2 to your phone, use a USB Type-C to Type-C cable if you have an Android phone – it worked out of the box with my Galaxy S21 Ultra and OnePlus 9 Pro. If you have an iPhone, you'll need the Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter, which costs $29 and plugs into the Mojo 2's USB Type-A to Micro-USB adapter. It's a bit messy and may require additional expense if you don't already have the right adapter, but you'll get over it if you listen.

life with mojo

Fair warning here, there will be some conversations that make me sound like an audiophile. It's the effect the Mojo 2 has on you. Before we get into how the Mojo 2 works and how it sounds, let's look at how it fits into your life. The Chord Mojo 2 turns your smartphone into an incredibly powerful music machine, but to fully exploit its talents you have to engage.

The Chord Mojo 2 next to an iPhone 13 Pro.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Chord says the Mojo 2 is designed to work with any pair of headphones, and while that's actually true, it's really wasted on an average pair of headphones. If you're planning on using the EarPods that came with a long-deprecated iPhone 6, don't worry. The Mojo 2 deserves great headphones, and so do your ears. It's also not really suitable for listening to music on the go. It's not overly heavy at 185 grams, but the many cables to fiddle with make it onerous, as does an accident that's imminent. There is no Bluetooth connection. So if you can't live without your wireless headphones, this isn't for you.

Then what is Chord Mojo 2? If, like me, you've often dreamed of building a really powerful music system at home with massive speakers, amplifiers, a pair of mega headphones and all the other high-tech add-ons, but then woke up and realized it you did Don't have the space or the money, the Mojo 2 is the answer.

During my month with the Mojo 2, I've indulged myself by plugging in some amazing headphones and it's been well worth it. I've used the Chord Mojo 2 with Sennheiser HD660S headphones, Jay's Q-Jays, Audeze iSine 20, Grado GS3000e and a pair of (dreamy) Focal Stellia. I've used Tidal, YouTube Music, Apple Music and my own collection for music, mainly with an iPhone 13 Pro but also with my Mac Mini M1 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The Chord Mojo 2 turns your smartphone into an incredibly powerful music machine.

The fact that I'm using the Focal Stellia headphones – which cost $3,000 – may surprise you, but it gets to the heart of what makes the Mojo 2 so special. Much like Focal, Chord has pedigree and exclusivity, and the Mojo 2 is handcrafted in the UK by an audio brand with over 35 years of experience. The Mojo 2 easily drives Stellia using only the iPhone as a source, so it returns a high percentage of that dream home setup experience at a far lower price point and with no footprint.

Listening to the Mojo 2

The Mojo 2 delivers a sound you can almost touch with a glorious richness that's hard to describe. There's depth and clarity, but never uncomfortable fullness or harshness, no matter the music. You feel the instruments and voices and hear all the emotions that can sometimes be lost through inferior equipment and headphones. I demoed the iPhone/Mojo 2/Stellia combo to a few people and everyone was blown away by how it plays their favorite music. One person was truly brought to tears, which underscores the power of the Mojo 2 when paired with a fabulous pair of headphones and your favorite tune.

The Chord Mojo 2 features two headphone jacks.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

I've never heard anything that didn't sound great. The glorious soundstage in Stravinsky's The Firebird Suite (particularly Infernal Dance of King Kaschei) is delightful, with the brass instruments overhead, the drums somewhere lower right, and every other instrument whipping around you in a wonderful, dizzying way. It's perfectly controlled, exciting and totally immersive.

The guitar-driven crescendo of Sky's carillon is executed to perfection, and Richard Burton's soulful voice draws you into Jeff Gordon's Eve of the War, which once again showcases the wide soundstage of Mojo 2 and Stellia. The bass pounding in Ive's Eleven and Iz*One's Sequence never overwhelms the vocals — an integral part of K-pop and J-pop — while the snares in both have a whip-like crackle and the highs of each performer's voice are crisp and free of distortion .

While the Focal Stellia are great, I understand they can be a financial drain, but the Mojo 2 made sure all the headphones I've tested it with sound fantastic. It gives them boldness and depth, a solidity that's lacking when headphones don't get the performance they want. Yes, there's more volume, but it always comes with clarity and sharpness. I've listened for hours because everything sounds exactly how I want it to and there's not a trace of distortion or discomfort.

The joy I get from listening to the Mojo 2 cannot be overstated.

What if you compare it to the original Mojo? When listening through the Audeze iSine in-ears, the Mojo's similarly full-bodied sound is immediately apparent, but the Mojo 2 has tons more power, significantly more bass response, vastly improved clarity and precision, and no hint of distortion at all. If you have a Mojo, it's totally worth upgrading. I also compared it to the cheaper iFi iDSD Nano Black Label and while I like the sound and was happy when paired with the Sennheiser HD660S, it didn't really have the power to drive the Focal Stellia headphones and it did lacked the wonderful, rich sound of the Mojo 2.

The joy I get from listening to the Mojo 2 can't be overstated and I don't think I haven't really explored the breadth of its capabilities.

adjustment

The major technical update from the original Chord Mojo and the secret to its incredible sound is the custom 104-bit, 705/768kHz UHD DSP. According to Chord, it's a world first because it offers a way to adjust tone across the entire frequency range without loss of quality. While it's possible, you'll need the instruction manual, a decent understanding of how to set up an equalizer, and a fair amount of patience to get it right.

The Chord Mojo 2 with headphones and an iPhone 13 Pro.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The setting of the low and high treble as well as the low and medium bass is possible and has 18 levels each. Bring up the equalizer and press the lit buttons to change the frequencies, and the levels are then represented by different button colors. The downside here is that when you do this you have to refer to the manual to understand the changed frequency and new value, and you need a very good visual memory as you don't get a clear representation of the levels as a whole on the device. It's very difficult to keep track of and I reset it many (many) times before pretty much settling for just the flat EQ with a touch more mid-bass.

If you still like to keep messing around with the Mojo 2's sound, the UHD DSP adds a cross-feed function to change the imaging. It's less distracting than the frequency setting as there are only three levels, but again you'll need to remember what the button's color means to understand the setting.

The Chord Mojo in a leather case.Optional leather case for the Chord Mojo 2 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

A handy feature is that the power button shows you the sample rate of the file being played. For example, it glows red for a basic 44Hz file, green for 96kHz, light purple for a 32-bit 768kHz sample rate, and white for DSD 256. The Mojo 2 isn't MQA certified, which is unfortunate and it nailed it could have been virtually unbeatable in terms of file compatibility. It is surprising when several far cheaper DACs offer playback of MQA files.

battery and charging

Despite adding a USB Type-C connector for devices, the Mojo 2 doesn't charge, and you'll have to go back to medieval times with a MicroUSB connector. Yes, you get a cable in the box, but that's not the point. I want to charge the Mojo 2 with the cable I use today for my smartphone, tablet, Kindle, and pretty much every other device I own, rather than the type of cable I left on the bottom of a drawer years ago .

The connectors and ports of the Chord Mojo 2.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

I've found Chord's estimate of eight hours of battery life between charges to be accurate. It's about the same as the original Mojo, which is a little disappointing, but still more than enough for multiple sessions per week. The better news is that the Mojo 2 doesn't get hot when charging, which seriously affected the original model.

price and availability

The Chord Mojo 2 is available now worldwide. It costs $725 in the US, while it costs £449 in the UK. You can buy it online from retailers in Chord's network, and some may also offer the Mojo 2 through Amazon, so it's worth checking out.

Our opinion

The Chord Mojo 2 is an extravagance, and it's a purchase that will likely lead to purchases of other extravagances, as its tremendous capability will encourage you to look for better headphones. It's not the prettiest audio kit you'll buy, the battery and charging technology is light years behind the phone it's likely to plug into, and you'll need to be fairly experienced (and patient) to get the most out of the equalizer -Function of the UHD DSP.

However, these are relatively small points considering how much it adds to the enjoyment of your music. Like fine wine, sound is delivered clean and full-bodied at almost any volume and from any source. It encourages you to take time to settle down and listen to music. Unlike Bluetooth headphones that crowd into a life on the go, the Mojo 2 is about taking your time from it all.

It's the spacious, high-quality, multi-component home audio system you've always wanted, only in a small, convenient and comparatively inexpensive box.

Is there a better alternative?

There are many DACs that vary significantly in price. If you are new to DAC/amplifiers, it is advisable to start with a cheaper model, e.g. Consider the $99 Helm Bolt DAC, which performed well in our most recent group test, or the $330 AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt. Both can play MQA files and do not need to be charged.

How long it will take?

The battery is probably the only limiting factor to the Mojo 2's tech longevity, meaning you can indulge in peace of mind and don't expect to have to upgrade for many years to come. For some perspective, I was still regularly using the original Mojo, which is now more than six years old, until the arrival of the Mojo 2. The strong aluminum body and anodized finish should keep it looking good and relatively well protected, although there's no water resistance. You can buy a leather case if you want to give it a little more protection.

should you buy it

Yes. It's not a wise buy at all, but the same goes for any quality audio device and it's instead defined by the enjoyment you get from it and how amazing it makes your favorite music sound.

Editor's Recommendations



01 Feb
Blog

Tempo Move review: Interactive at-home fitness savant

A man exercising with the Tempo Move system.

"The Tempo Move offers compact storage, a great app, and plenty of workouts to target every part of your body."

benefits

  • Excellent device storage

  • Intuitive app

  • Responsive AI and reactive fitness tracking

  • Support for up to six users in a Tempo household

  • Competitive price compared to comparable options

disadvantage

  • No Android support

  • No live classes (currently)

  • App can be finicky at times

The last few years have been incredible for the world of home fitness equipment. Today, more than ever, we're buying treadmills, stationary bikes, and other interactive fitness equipment that takes full advantage of the current state of the smart home. Through apps and touch screens, we can track everything from calories burned to training goals for the day, week, month and year.

While some of these home exercise machines advertise impressive features, many also offer top prices. Yes, we all want the luxury of being able to exercise right from our living room, but not all of us can afford the thousands of dollars it takes to do it. That's where hardware like that move pace come inside.

From the creative workout minds that brought us the incredible mirror-mounted Tempo Studio, the Tempo Move is the company's latest technology. Designed for budget-conscious buyers and using our iPhones instead of a dedicated touchscreen, the company's latest addition to its impressive fitness range makes the grade? Read on to see what we thought after using the Tempo Move for a few weeks.

From the box

The Tempo Move cabinet with included weights, dumbbells and Tempo Core.

First impressions matter and the Tempo Move is designed to impress as soon as you unbox the device. For starters, we don't think we've ever seen a fitness company put as much thought into storing gear — let alone hardware — that costs as little as the Move package (currently available for $395).

Weights, dumbbells, and the Tempo Core Module are all designed to fit in a stowable cabinet that's 22 inches high, 13.5 inches wide, and 13.5 inches deep. Closet color options include light blonde and maroon wood finishes.

A magnetized mesh cover slides back to reveal two shelves for storing weight plates. Wooden inserts for weight, resistance band and cable storage can be cleverly removed at the top. There is also a hinged compartment where you can put the dumbbells. Weight plates range from 1.25 to 5 pound increments and the included dumbbells weigh 7.5 pounds each.

A center cut-out can be removed to allow the Tempo Core to sit on top of the cabinet, although you can always place the module right next to your TV if you have space. The Core itself comes with an HDMI/USB-A combo cable.

The top of the Tempo Move case.

Apartment dwellers, you're in luck. The Tempo Move is the perfect home setup when you're short on space. Better still, if you don't have enough space in the TV room to store everything, you can always store the cabinet in another part of your house. When it's time to train, just grab the Tempo Core along with the weights you need for the day.

initial setup

Getting the Tempo Move to work is a fairly simple process. To get started, the first thing you should do is create a Tempo account. You can do this by going to members.tempo.fit/register. The website will ask you to register the device and enter a payment method. While the first 30 days of your Tempo membership are free, after the trial period you'll be spending $40 per month – a price that compares to competitive training subscriptions from companies like Peloton.

In addition to the impressive A.I. skills is the amazingly interactive pace app.

Next, grab your iPhone and download the Tempo app from the App Store (you can also scan the QR code on the quick start guide in the box). Once you launch the app, scan the bottom of your Tempo Core to pair your membership. The first few screens are all about collecting data about what kind of person you are (height, weight, training experience) and what type of goals you want to set (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.).

Next up is the Tempo Core, the actual A/V engine and iPhone docking station, which is your essential A-to-B connection from your Tempo hardware to your TV.

The Tempo Core idle screen.

In the box you will find an HDMI/USB-A cable. Plug the HDMI part into any free port on your TV and the USB-A connector into a free USB port on your TV. In case your TV's USB port is already in use, you can use a dedicated USB power brick instead.

The last step is to dock your iPhone. Since the Tempo Move uses the iPhone's True Depth Sensor for motion tracking, you'll need an iPhone XS/XR or anything up to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Speaking of mobile hardware: Sorry Android users. As of now, Tempo Move is only available for iOS devices.

During setup, we actually had some trouble getting our iPhone 12 to handshake with the Tempo Core. We've followed a few troubleshooting tips, including HDMI and USB-A unplugging and replugging, but to no avail. However, after restarting the phone, everything was connected correctly. Ah, tech.

features

The key technology behind the Tempo Move is 3D Tempo Vision, an A.I. Learning system that tracks your training style and keeps track of everything from form to reps over the long term. Over time, the system becomes intelligent enough to know your training style, which allows it to recommend weight sizes, for example.

As you mimic what your trainer is doing, the exact exercise you are doing is displayed in the top left portion of the TV screen, with the remaining rep time displayed in the top right corner. Actual reps, pace, and heart rate (which requires a compatible wearable) are recorded at the bottom of the screen.

The higher-priced Tempo Studio has 3D Tempo Vision integrated directly into the touchscreen mirror. As for Move, 3D Tempo Vision forms an alliance with your iPhone's various motion tracking features via your device's True Depth Sensor.

In addition to the impressive A.I. skills is the amazingly interactive pace app. At launch, the Home tab shows you how many courses you've completed on the current date, along with calories burned and leaderboard stats (if you're interested). Here you can also see which workouts you have completed throughout the week.

Under the Classes tab you'll find a wide range of training tools, including thousands of classes covering everything from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to stretching, yoga, strength, cardio and more. Tempo Move doesn't currently offer live classes, but we're betting they will soon.

A series of screens in the Tempo app.

The Programs tab lets you choose from a mix of pace-curated workouts for everything from losing weight to getting definition. For those who need a recommendation, a separate "For You" sub-tab suggests programs based on the training experience you entered during registration.

Then there's the Profile tab. Here you can see how many workouts you've completed, how many calories you've burned, and your total. Date ranges include a week, the last 30 days, and all times. If you select the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, you can customize notification settings, change your password, invite up to five family members to your Tempo membership, and more.

training experience

Now it's time for the mat. We placed our Tempo Core on our TV stand, slightly in front of the TV. After docking our phone, the first thing we were asked to do was set up our exercise mat. Ideally you should have this about 5 feet from your TV stand. During setup and throughout your interactive workout, a mat gauge appears at the bottom of the screen to let you know if you're properly within your workout zone.

We started with a 20-minute low-impact cardio workout, because your humble reviewer isn't that adept at the art of training. The onscreen trainer was energetic and encouraging but incredibly talkative. A little too talkative. No big deal – we need to pump up!

As you mimic your trainer's moves, the exact exercise you are performing is displayed in the top left of the TV screen, with the remaining rep time displayed in the top right corner. Actual reps, pace, and heart rate are shown at the bottom of the screen. And hello, it works! Sometimes the little things really count when it comes to consumer tech, and watching the rep count increase with every pathetic squat I performed confirmed that my iPhone was playing well with the Tempo hardware.

The leaderboard is displayed on the right side of the screen. However, I was scared of other people's achievements, so I've hidden this real-time chart (you can do this by selecting Leaderboard on your iPhone and choosing the Hide setting). In the app you can also choose from different music genres during the workout and adjust the volume balance between the music and the trainer.

A man exercising with the Tempo Move system.

When you pause a workout (by pressing the big pause icon on your iPhone screen), your TV screen will show your current circuit along with any upcoming forms that are in the circuit of the workout you're currently working on. All of this information is also displayed on your phone screen right before the actual workout starts.

In my 25 minute total body building and 35 minute strength training classes, it was nice to have the required weights displayed on the screen. However, on both exercises, the Move struggled to keep track of my reps. Even though I left the mat zone a few times, the move still wasn't counting my reps or tracking my pace when I nailed the form to the mat (or nailed it as close to it as possible).

Looking at things later, I realized that this probably wasn't a bug. In fact, the Move doesn't track reps, tempo, or offer form correction for any exercise. A bit of a shame, but I think interactive feedback is provided on enough workouts not to make this such a big deal.

price and guarantee

Tempo is currently offering a solid discount on the Move. Normally, the Tempo Move package costs $500, but Tempo is currently dropping $100 off the retail price. So for $400 you get a solid workout package, a versatile storage cabinet, and a three-year warranty.

However, there is more money to spend. The Tempo Move requires a Tempo subscription, which will set you back $40 a month after the 30-day free trial. All in all – including the massive range of classes, fitness customization, and support for up to six unique users – this isn't a bad monthly premium in our opinion.

Our opinion

If you're looking for an all-in-one home workout experience at a reasonable price, Tempo Move is a fantastic package that we definitely recommend. While you might not get exactly the same experience as the company's more expensive studio hardware (or its competitors' equally priced workout gear), the Move effectively takes your iPhone's performance to the next level.

The fitness tracking is on point, the workouts are rich and the sky is the limit for new features to add. True, it's no fun that Android followers can't play along too. But if you've got a fairly new iPhone and a little cash to spare, both upfront and month-to-month, this is it move pace is the perfect way to get your reps off the ground in the comfort of your living room, bedroom, or basement gym.

How long it will take?

With the Tempo Move, you only rely on two pieces of equipment to power your workout. There's the Tempo Core, which is covered by Tempo's three-year warranty, and the iPhone, which you use for the Tempo app. That being said, we're betting you'll have a successful few years with the Core module, with performance only improving as app updates are rolled out.

In fact, Tempo already has plans to take advantage of more advanced hardware features in later iPhone models, so you can expect improvements and new features in the foreseeable future.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want a more robust platform, Tempo's pricier Studio ($1,995) includes an interactive touchscreen that doubles as a training mirror. Negating your iPhone, everything you would use the Tempo app for is built right into the display. And don't forget: The Studio includes live classes (the Move doesn't).

As for an alternative that matches the price of the Move, we're having a hard time thinking of one. Home fitness equipment typically costs thousands of dollars on top of the monthly subscription you have to factor in.

should you buy it

Absolutely. The Tempo Move offers an incredible training experience through solid equipment and an intuitive companion app.

Editor's Recommendations



31 Jan
Blog

Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate review: My keyboard endgame

asus rog strix flare 2 animate review ii antimate 11

ROG Strix Flare II animation

RRP $220.00

"ROG Strix Flare II Animate is the gaming keyboard of choice for 2022."

benefits

  • Hot swappable keys

  • 8,000 Hz polling rate

  • USB passthrough

  • Comfortable leatherette palm rest

  • Beautiful anime matrix

disadvantage

  • Software could be more focused

  • Expensive for a wired keyboard

Year after year we see a ton of great gaming keyboards that are more or less identical to the competition. None of them are bad, but they are nothing to get excited about. The ROG Strix Flare II Animate is.

It's not just the anime matrix that makes the keyboard stand out. It's not even the 8,000Hz polling rate, the supremely comfortable palm rest, or the hot-swappable keybed. It's the combination of features that sets the ROG Strix Flare II Animate apart.

When Asus announced the keyboard earlier this month, I hoped it would be my gaming keyboard endgame. And after using it for a few weeks, I now know that it is.

draft

ROG logo on the anime matrix.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

ROG Strix Flare II Animate wastes no time impressing you. From the moment I opened the box it was clear where the $220 was going. This is a premium keyboard from top to bottom, and Asus is quick to make you feel like it's money well spent.

As with the budget-oriented Akko 3068B, it's the details that make the difference with the Strix Flare II Animate. The thick braided cable comes with a ROG-branded cable tie already attached, and the keycap pullers are custom-designed to match the look of the keyboard. They even snap together so you don't have to store them separately.

You'll soon forget all these details once the star of the show lights up: The 320 LED AniMe Matrix. By default, it shows a ROG logo that slowly pulsates, and no matter how you configure it, the matrix lights up when you use function and media keys on the keyboard.

I'll cover configuring the matrix below, but I had a custom animation up and running in a few minutes. The Matrix is ​​just a small bundle of gamer influence, but a company could still screw that up. Asus not. The AniMe Matrix is ​​useful when you need it, downright cool when you want it, and it finishes off the look of the keyboard.

Lauter logo on ROG Strix Flare II Animate.

ROG Strix Flare II Animate lock icon.

Opposite the matrix you will find some function and media keys. There's a metal volume wheel, a forward/back toggle, a play/pause button hidden on the side, and dedicated buttons for Windows lock and LED brightness.

On the front you'll find the RGB light diffuser, which is similar to the RGB strips on the sides of the Corsair K100 RGB. Without the palm rest, it offers an even glow that integrates the lighting of your keys. A rain effect, for example, is carried beyond the bottom row of keys into the diffuser.

Asus wanted to include all the features a gaming keyboard could have and they succeeded.

It looks fantastic. Even better, you can snap off the diffuser to attach the faux leather palm rest and let the lighting shine through. It seems that in 2022 Asus wanted to integrate all the functional and visual features of gaming keyboards and they succeeded across the board.

The palm rest plays a major role in this. It's plump and comfortable, and goes a long way in elevating the Strix Flare II Animate against rivals like the Razer Huntsman V2. It locks into place perfectly and refuses to budge, but it does require a bit of adjustment. When the back is raised, the palm rest is almost as high as the bottom row of keys.

Light diffuser of the ROG Strix Flare II Animate.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Luckily, it doesn't affect the typing experience. I ended up closing the rear kickstands with the palm rest attached and it typed Nirvana. In this configuration, the height peaks at the intersection of the keyboard and palm rest, with a subtle downward slope away from the keyboard. No customization here; I loved using the Strix Flare II Animate like this from the very first button press.

My only complaint about the Strix Flare II Animate's design is that there are no tenkeyless or 65% versions. That's just my preference, and if Asus ever decides to branch out, I'll be first in line.

counter

Keyswitch on ROG Strix Flare II Animate.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

The Strix Flare II Animate model I tested came with Asus NX Red switches, which aren't my favorite. Asus offers one of three of its NX switches: either red, brown, or blue, which closely match the feel of their Cherry MX counterparts. I don't like linear switches, but that's the beauty of the Strix Flare II Animate's hot-swappable switches.

The only other mainstream keyboard with this feature is the Logitech G Pro X, which didn't start a trend toward hot-swappable switches. More than two years later, I hope the ROG Strix Flare II Animate is the catalyst.

You can plug any 3-pin switch into ROG Strix Flare II Animate, including switches from Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh. I'm more excited about the smaller switch options – switches from Akko, Glorious PC, and TTC. There has been a boom in third-party switches in recent years, and the ROG Strix Flare II Animate is primed to take advantage of these benefits.

Empty key slot on ROG Strix Flare II Animate.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

All my complaints with the switches don't matter because you can just swap them out. I don't like red switches for typing, so I immediately replaced most of them with my set of Akko Jelly Blues. But I like linear switches for my spacebar where I need to jump fast in games like Destiny 2. The ROG Strix Flare II Animate didn't make me decide.

Given how cheap many third-party switches are, the ROG Strix Flare II Animate encourages experimentation and bridges the gap between mainstream gaming keyboards and boutique options like the Cyberboard R3. Hot-swappable switches are a great way to bring customizations found in gaming PCs to peripherals, and I'm glad Asus is taking the lead with them.

gaming performance

Finger on WASD on a gaming keyboard.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Given how much else the ROG Strix Flare II Animate has to offer, I assumed it would have the same cookie-cutter gaming capabilities as any branded board you could buy at Best Buy or Micro Center. You know what they say about assumptions.

The keyboard has a polling rate of 8,000 Hz, which is only available on a small number of keyboards (including the Corsair K70 RGB TKL). Most keyboards only have a 1,000 Hz polling rate. What's the difference? The higher the polling rate, the faster your keyboard can report keystrokes to your PC.

With mice like the Corsair Saber Pro RGB, however, it's more important than with keyboards. 1,000 Hz already reports keystrokes every millisecond, so increasing it only further divides that millisecond. At 8,000 Hz, for example, it is 0.125 ms. That's not particularly important for a keyboard where you probably won't feel the split-millisecond difference between keystrokes.

I used the 8,000 Hz polling rate for about a week, occasionally switching back to 1,000 Hz for reference. I couldn't tell the difference. It didn't matter if it was Destiny 2, Halo Infinite, or even Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy – the ROG Strix Flare II Animate felt the same regardless of the polling rate.

The gaming experience on the ROG Strix Flare II Animate is great.

It's technically better, but the 8,000Hz polling rate isn't this keyboard's selling point. It's just an advantage. Unfortunately, it is only an advantage for some players. You'll have to be a highly competitive gamer to notice a difference, and you'll need at least a 9th Gen Intel i7 or a 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen 7 to even take advantage of the higher polling rate.

Polling rate aside, the gaming experience on ROG Strix Flare II Animate is great. It's not the switches or keycaps that you can get on any gaming keyboard, it's the palm rest and construction. Angled with attached wrist rest is my new favorite way to play games. It's comfortable and moving between rows immediately felt natural.

software

Asus Armory Crate dashboard.

You can configure the ROG Strix Flare II Animate via Asus Armory Crate. The app comes with all the settings you want, including macro recording, custom RGB effects, and per-key remapping. But it doesn't reach the same heights as Corsair iCue or Logitech G Hub.

Part of the problem is focus. Armory Crate is a hub that includes additional features such as machine-wide profiles, game offerings, and system updates. The extras are great, but they drown out the settings for the ROG Strix Flare II. Razer has this problem with Synapse. There's too much going on, and making fundamental changes harder than it needs to be.

That doesn't mean it's difficult overall. Armory Crate doesn't look as good as iCue or G Hub, but it's just as fast. I managed to update my firmware, adjust my polling rate, choose one of the 10 pre-made lighting effects, and create a custom anime animation in about five minutes after finding the right location.

Keyboard settings in Asus Armory Crate.

Outside of lighting, Armory Crate lets you remap any key with an application shortcut, text input, macro, or anything in between. This also spreads to the media keys. And if you don't want to mess around with the software, you can record your macros on the fly. I was hoping for a more robust macro recorder – Armory Crate sits at 100 commands – but it's still more than enough for most people.

Once you've set everything up, you can save your macros, button assignments, and lighting to one of five built-in profiles.

After learning Armory Crate's quirks, you'll be able to get around without too many problems.

Again, Armory Crate doesn't reach the heights of iCue or G Hub, especially when it comes to custom lighting effects (which are delivered via a separate app, Aura Creator). But it doesn't do anything too outrageous, and after you learn its quirks you'll be able to get around without too many problems.

The anime settings are a bit more complicated. Use one of the presets or a simple image and you'll be fine. Everything else falls apart. The animation timeline is imprecise and lacks settings, and adding your own images or GIFs is an exercise in patience.

Anime settings in Asus Armory Crate.

The problem is that the anime matrix only has 320 LEDs. It becomes harder to tell what you're seeing as the image gets smaller, limiting you to basic shapes and patterns. The built-in clock doesn't show itself well either. You can view your system clock, including a notification for alarms, but numbers don't always play well with the matrix.

It's just an expectation versus reality situation. The anime matrix is ​​limited. Within those limits, however, it's great. It's a fantastic way to get quick status updates about your PC or to check the time, and if you can find an image that goes well with this format, the Matrix will add a lot of personality to a setup.

Our opinion

ROG Strix Flare II Animate is a keyboard that refuses to say no. Plump and comfortable wrist rest? Check. Excellent lighting and customization options? You are here. hot-swappable switch? Asus has them. It's the ultimate gaming keyboard for early 2022, combining distinct elements from both mainstream and boutique gaming keyboards to create something that feels truly special.

It's still a $220 wired gaming keyboard that's hard to swallow. However, if you're like me and are willing to pay a premium price for premium products, it's money well spent.

Are there better alternatives?

Nothing combines all the features of the ROG Strix Flare II Animate, but a few keyboards come close:

  • $200 Razer Huntsman V2 — The closest competitor to the ROG Strix Flare II Animate, with a leatherette palm rest and 8,000 Hz polling rate, but no hot-swappable key switches.
  • $150 Logitech G Pro X keyboard — Comes with hot-swappable keyswitches but is limited to a tenkeyless design and no media or function keys.
  • $230 Corsair K100RGB — Packed with extra macro keys and better software, and designed to match the ROG Strix Flare II Animate with leatherette wrist rest. However, it still lacks hot-swappable key switches.

How long it will take?

Until the LEDs fail. With hot-swappable switches, you can breathe new life into ROG Strix Flare II Animate as long as you can buy button switches.

should you buy it

Yes. ROG Strix Flare II is the gaming keyboard endgame. In early 2022 there is no other keyboard that can do everything this one does. It's expensive, but even similarly priced competitors can't top what Asus offers.

Editor's Recommendations



29 Jan
Blog

Neato D10 Review: Putting the D in deep clean

The Neato D10 is Neato's latest flagship robot vacuum.

Neato D10 Review: Deep cleaning the D

RRP $800.00

"The Neato D10 has a unique shape and three cleaning modes that keep your floors nearly spotless."

benefits

  • 300 minutes of battery life

  • Multiple powerful cleaning modes

  • The unique shape ensures better cleaning on walls

  • Easy to use app

disadvantage

  • No self-draining base

  • Expensive

Robot vacuums are one of the most popular types of smart home products. After all, what's not to love? You get a sleek, smart device that does all the vacuuming for you, without you having to do anything. The Neato D10 embraces this ideal to a large extent.

The Neato D10 is the company's flagship – the big brother of the Neato D9 and Neato D8. Perhaps it's better to say that the D10 combines the best aspects of the D9 and the D8 into the ultimate robot vacuum cleaner.

The Neato D10 is Neato's latest flagship robot vacuum.

So does it deliver on its promise of amazing cleanliness? Absolutely.

A shapely cleaner

Let's get straight to the point: the Neato D10 looks great. That might seem odd when saying it about a robot vacuum, but it's true – the distinctive D-shape stands out from the dozens of flying saucer-shaped robot vacuums on the market, but it's more than just that an aesthetic choice.

The shape allows the Neato D10 to clean right on walls, bookshelves and more.

The shape allows the Neato D10 to clean right on walls, bookshelves and more. The cleaning brush also goes right up to the edge of the vacuum robot; it's not just focused in the center of the device. This actually allows it to clean against edges more effectively, rather than relying on a rotating brush. The end result is a deeper, more thorough clean.

The Neato D10 uses a simple charging station.

The functional design is a big selling point, but I'll be honest: I love the looks of the device. It's slim and good looking, which is more than I can say about many robot vacuums. Many have a functional appearance at best. The Neato D10 looks like what I've come to expect from a vacuum cleaning robot in 2022.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have an auto-drain base. The Neato D10 sticks its charge points against the base, but you'll have to drain them yourself. In my testing, the D10 was able to clean for just over an hour before needing to be emptied. However, this depends on how clean or dirty your floor is.

Versatile cleaning modes

The new My Neato app simplifies and streamlines the operation of the Neato D10. It shows your cleaning history (which shows what day and time you cleaned, as well as what ​​mode), allows you to set up routines, shows all recorded maps and provides easy access to your robot vacuum cleaner.

There are also a few interesting features. The location feature pings your Neato D10 and makes it emit a tone just in case you lose track of where it is. After all, nobody wants to play hide and seek with their smart home devices. The other feature is multiple modes.

The Neato D10 has several powerful cleaning modes.

The Neato D10 has three modes: Eco, Turbo and Max. Eco mode gives you the longest battery life (an impressive 300 minutes) but is by far the weakest of the three modes. It's ideal for everyday cleaning and can handle up to 2,700 square feet on a single charge. Turbo mode gives you more cleaning power at the expense of battery life.

Max mode throws caution to the wind. It's noticeably louder than the other two modes, and Neato claims it "deep cleans out the dirt and debris you can see and can't see." Having tested this, I cannot dispute the result.

I ran Max mode and worried if my carpet would stay attached.

I had already cleaned the floor twice – once in Eco mode and once in Turbo mode – and everything seemed very clean. Even the carpet felt softer. Then I ran Max mode and worried if my carpet would stay attached. It really brings tremendous suction power and fills the dust bin with even more dirt. Of course, Max mode has the shortest battery life, but that's not necessarily a bad thing considering how clean it is.

The Neato D10 will finish cleaning whether it runs out of power or not. As? Very simple: it just returns to its base and charges up until it's ready to continue cleaning. With the Quick Boost feature, it can be charged just enough to finish work before returning for a longer, fuller charge.

The Neato D10 talks to you during operation. If it gets stuck, it will warn you and ask for help. Sometimes it might say that it needs to orientate itself by its surroundings. If you want to change the voice, there are plenty of language options – a fact I appreciate as it means non-English speakers can use this device with ease.

zones and no-go zones

One of the coolest features of the Neato D10 is the ability to create zones. After it creates a map of your home, you can mark specific areas and give them names. After that, you can ask it to only clean those zones – perfect for quick cleaning around the dining table.

You can also set up no-go zones that the vacuum robot avoids. If you notice it getting stuck in a certain spot, e.g. B. on a hump in the floor, or tangled in cables, simply mark this area as a no-go zone and the vacuum will avoid it.

Our opinion

The Neato D10 doesn't really revolutionize anything or have different features than other robot vacuums on the market, but it does everything you expect it to do really well. It's like the classic advice in sports: focus on the essentials. The Neato D10 does this exceptionally well, with versatile cleaning modes, incredible battery life, and most importantly, its iconic shape. While lacking in bells and whistles, you get a satisfyingly deep clean.

Is there a better alternative?

At $800, the Neato D10 doesn't come cheap. Its shape is unique among robot vacuums, but you could also spend $600 and get the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus, which comes with a self-draining base, though at the cost of virtual zoning.

How long it will take?

The Neato D10 is built tough. Every aspect of the machine feels premium, so I suspect it will last for many years to come. If anything goes wrong, Neato Robotics offers a one-year limited warranty.

should you buy it

Yes. The shape of the Neato D10 means it cleans more thoroughly than other models, and its array of features makes it useful in just about any household.

Editor's Recommendations



28 Jan
Blog

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: The sequel is never as good

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Samsung's latest budget flagship.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

RRP $699.00

"The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the able successor to the S20 FE, but comes at a bad time with the S22 around the corner, making it harder to justify its value."

benefits

  • Powerful Specs

  • Solid cameras

  • Stunning 120Hz display

  • Well priced for a flagship

disadvantage

  • Touch screen issues

  • Battery just ok

  • Too much competition at its price

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a lot to offer. Last year, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE was among the best Android smartphones of the year. The combination of specs and value made it an easy recommendation for people who might want to play in the Samsung space, and even the Samsung flagship space, but don't want to spend a four-digit number on it. Fast forward to today, and Samsung is trying to do the same, but something doesn't seem right. Actually, many things seem to be wrong. Let's start with the time measurement.

A long-awaited phone

The camera hump on the back of the Galaxy S21 FE (right) is less pronounced than the S21.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

The Galaxy S20 FE debuted in September 2020, approximately seven months after the Galaxy S20 series and four months before the Galaxy S21 series. Yes, there was a Note release, which is noteworthy (no pun intended) but not significant. This time, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes out almost a year after the launch of the S21 series and just a few weeks before the launch of the S22 series. Not ideal, but consider the competition.

In the past, in the budget flagship space you typically had the OnePlus line of phones, an LG version or two, maybe a Moto "flagship" and the Pixel. OnePlus has achieved full flagship status, LG is out of the game, and Motorola, to put it politely, is targeting a different kind of demographic. But the Google Pixel 6 changed the game in late 2021 and remains one of our favorite phones of 2021. It's also $100 less than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

Suffice it to say that there are many question marks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

In 2020, the Galaxy S20 series was launched for $999 and up. The Galaxy S20 FE launched for $699, a whopping $300 cheaper than its closest flagship sibling. In 2021, the Galaxy S21 series launched at $799, making the S21 FE just $100 less and, as mentioned, $100 more than the Google Pixel 6.

Suffice it to say that there are many question marks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. I've spent the last 10 days on T-Mobile's 5G network, putting it through its paces. In short, I wanted to find out if, despite the imminent launch of the S22, the phone cuts the right rough edges to bring it up to the same value as its predecessor.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Samsung's latest budget flagship.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

design and hardware

In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G doesn't really break the mold compared to its siblings. The camera bump on the back feels less intrusive, but that might be because my comparison device is the Galaxy S21 Ultra. As with the other flagships, the camera hump blends naturally into the back and side of the phone, but it lacks the S21's dual-tone approach and instead opts for a single body. It's prettier because there are no seams, but more boring when it's just a single color.

On the sides are a power button and volume rocker on the right, a single speaker port, a USB-C port, and a SIM tray. On the front, you get a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED panel, which I'll detail below. There's a single punch at the top for the 32-megapixel selfie camera, and at the bottom is the same reliable under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

Inside the phone is a Snapdragon 888 processor. My review unit has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but you can opt for 8GB/256GB if you prefer. There's a 4,500mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging or 15W wireless charging. All in all, these are all respectable specs for a 2021 flagship. The only (barely) outdated hardware is the processor now that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip is available. I don't blame Samsung for sticking with the Snapdragon 888, but I give it less of a pass since the S20 FE came out with the top-of-the-line processor back then.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Samsung's latest budget flagship.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

display

One area Samsung hasn't skimped on is the display. This is a 6.4-inch 2400 x 1800 Dynamic AMOLED panel that's just a touch smaller than the previous generation but retains the same 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone is comfortable to hold and use with one hand, but I wouldn't mind if Samsung shaved off another third of an inch or so.

The display itself is beautiful, with amazing viewing angles and color reproduction. It's a 1080p panel, so not the highest resolution out there. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as a lower resolution will significantly increase battery life, especially when the phone is running at a 120Hz refresh rate. Personally, I can rarely tell the difference between a 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rate; it just doesn't impress me when it's there, nor does its absence bother me. You can (and probably will) have a different preference and more power for yourself.

I usually turn up the brightness so I can capture the rich detail of the games I'm playing or the movies I'm watching, but with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G that just wasn't necessary.

In a surprising twist, I hadn't noticed how bright the display was until I was on day five or six of my review and realized I hadn't turned the brightness up at all, for nothing. This is unusual for me. While I typically use around 70% brightness on a phone, it's not uncommon to crank it up to 100% when watching videos or gaming. I usually turn up the brightness so I can take full advantage of HDR10+ and capture the rich detail of the games I play or the movies I watch, but with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G that just wasn't necessary.

One aspect that Samsung continues to struggle mightily with is touch rejection around the edges of the screen. This is a flat screen, but accidental touches on the edges are annoying and render games like Call of Duty Mobile virtually unplayable. Only after adding a case does the situation improve, but it doesn't go away completely. Granted, my chubby sausage fingers are probably to blame, so your mileage may vary, but I'm sure I'm not the only one having the issue.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Samsung's latest budget flagship.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

While I complain about the over-sensitivity of touch on the phone, allow me to also complain about the lack of touch sensitivity on this phone. This mainly occurred in gaming, but I found small touch targets extremely difficult to press, like buttons in Call of Duty Mobile or even small squares in games like Sudoku. Again, I know I have big fingers, but the Sudoku game in particular surprised me because I don't have this problem with any other phone.

Performance, battery life and connectivity

Overall battery life was below average considering the size. This is a 4,500mAh power cell, and I'd regularly go to sleep when the phone was hovering in the teens or single digits as a percentage. That's after a day of bouncing between four email addresses, Twitter, Discord, Reddit, Kindle, and the entire suite of Microsoft apps (Teams, Outlook, and more). This usually includes a lot of games on Call of Duty Mobile, Sudoku and other games here or there. This phone will get you through a full day's activities, but it can struggle in those final hours.

  • PC Mark Work 3.0 Performance: 13711
  • Geekbench (single/multi-core): 873/2284
  • GFXBench Aztec Ruins OpenGL: 27fps
  • 3DMark: 5062

In terms of performance, the phone packs a Snapdragon 888 with 6GB of RAM, which is enough to handle just about anything. I do notice very occasional stuttering during gaming sessions when I'm really picky, but overall I have no complaints. Connectivity seems really solid, or at least as solid as my phones in the T-Mobile signal dead zone where I live. I had no issues with dropped calls or spotty internet, neither of which manifested itself on my iPhone 13 Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Samsung's latest budget flagship.Adam Doud/Digital Trends

cameras and video

On the camera side, there's little difference between the S21 FE and the S20 FE. Both phones have three camera sensors for ultra wide, wide and telephoto lenses. The main and ultrawide cameras both have 12MP sensors, while the telephoto sits at 8MP. There are some subtle differences in what the newer cameras can capture, e.g. 1080p at 240 frames per second (fps), but overall you'll see little difference between the S20 FE and S21 FE on the rear.

Portrait mode is one of the best I've seen as it easily selects the edges of your subject while blurring the background.

In broad daylight, all cameras work quite well. One subtle difference I noticed was how the main camera seems to pick up brighter colors than the other two sensors at a warmer temperature. This is especially true for red wines, which tend to get oversaturated.

Portrait mode is one of the best I've seen as it easily selects the edges of your subject while blurring the background. If you look at pixels up close, you'll see that it's not perfect, but it's very good. This applies to both the 32-megapixel front camera and the back.

As for the video, it's pretty decent. There is no stabilization both during the day and at night. Especially at night you will see a little jerking when walking. The disappointing thing is that this feature is also present in the front camera. Previous Samsung phones I've reviewed two generations ago have always had rock-solid front-camera stabilization, making them ideal for vloggers who like to walk and talk to their camera. That's just not the case here and it's really disappointing.

You can definitely get some great snaps at night as long as there is ambient light. Both the ultrawide sensor and the telephoto sensor lose detail when you're looking at something that doesn't have sharp edges. This means that text is fine, but the texture of a statue is lost. That's not surprising given that low-light performance pushes most cameras to the limit, not just this phone. Video recording at night isn't great, but it's not terrible either. Useful footage will be the exception, not the rule, but you'll get lucky from time to time.

The zoom isn't great behind the 3x telephoto lens. The Galaxy S21 FE can zoom up to 30x hybrid, but you shouldn't use it unless you're looking for photos to use as models to practice your watercolor painting. The only exception to this rule is the moon. While the resolution isn't great for moon shots, Samsung's A.I. Scene detection can still give you a great handheld shot of the moon. It's a party trick, sure, but it's really impressive.

Overall, the Galaxy S21 FE's camera performance is slightly less capable than current competitors. Don't get me wrong, the cameras are still very good, but they fall short of the size found on the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6.

software and features

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with Samsung's One UI 4.0, which is based on Google's Android 12. For the most part, though, this is Samsung's show; Little here is recognizable as inherently Google. Yes, the software can make changes to the system UI based on your wallpaper, but most of the options available were muted blues and grays rather than the bright orange of the sunset in a photo I included in my wallpaper. It was a little unsettling.

It also lacks the animations that Google gives you when you turn your device on and off. In Android 12, when you press the power button to put the phone to sleep, the black swipe across the screen into the power button. When you wake up the phone, the opposite happens. It's just decorative, but I miss it when using phones other than my Pixel 6.

Much of the One UI is done right, however, with large labels for menus at the top of the screen and buttons accessible near the bottom; that's the default plan for One UI. One area that still needs improvement is the app drawer. It's a side-scrolling affair, which isn't bad in and of itself, but you can't scroll from the start of the menu to the end. Simply put, if you're on-screen with the ace and need to open Zillow, you've got a lot of side swipes in your future.

Of course, if you're like me and have all your apps organized in folders on the home screen, that's not a huge problem. One delightful feature Samsung is adding is the ability to add apps to folders in bulk, and everyone needs to copy that feature now! Some manufacturers do this; those who don't need to queue because it's a feature so incredibly useful it hurts to use phones that don't have it, including the Pixel 6.

Overall, I like One UI, but I prefer Google's approach over Android. From the animations to the theming to the app drawer, it just suits my style a bit more.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is in such a strange place that I'm having a hard time grasping it. Above all. The question I ask myself is why? Why does this phone exist? The next generation of Galaxy smartphones will be unveiled in just over two weeks at the time of this writing. There are worse ways to spend $700 on a smartphone right now. But that's not really a confirmation. Depending on where the S22 series lands in terms of price and specs, this can be a good deal, or it can be a questionable buy where a little extra cash can get you a lot more phone.

To be honest, while this is a really good smartphone for its price, Samsung would probably have been better off not releasing it at all, or launching it right next to the S22 as a 'budget' alternative.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Both Android and iOS have better alternatives to this phone depending on your tastes. Neither the Google Pixel 6 nor the iPhone 13 Cameras have the optical zoom feature, so that's a point for Samsung. But both phones outperform the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G in many ways, including software, camera processing and design. This phone is just too little, too late.

How long it will take?

Samsung covers its phones with a typical one-year warranty. The Snapdragon 888 processor and plastic construction help it last through a normal 24-month phone cycle. While the plastic back doesn't feel as premium, it handles drops and bumps better. The processor and main memory should also be future-proof for at least that long.

should you buy it

No. Simply put, the Google Pixel 6 is a better phone in almost every way, and it's $100 less. If you prefer the iPhone, the iPhone 13 is no problem either. Don't get me wrong, this is a very good phone, but it comes at an odd time. The only reason you should buy this phone is if you absolutely want a Samsung flagship but don't want to buy a nearly a year old phone in the Samsung Galaxy S21, yet another more expensive brand new phone in the S22. That's an oddly specific set of criteria, but that's also Samsung's bread and butter – a phone for all budgets.

Editor's Recommendations



28 Jan
Blog

LG XBoom 360 review: Loud sound and lights for your home

LG XBOOM 360.

LG XBOOM 360

RRP $300.00

"The XBoom 360 keeps the party going with a sophisticated mix of loud sound, lights and DJ effects."

benefits

  • Beautiful, smart design

  • Gets noisy both indoors and outdoors

  • Includes USB and Aux-In ports

  • Excellent app support

  • LED lamp provides a nice ambience

disadvantage

  • No waterproofing

  • Battery life could be better

  • Doesn't always feel wearable

It's not a saying, but it makes sense that the bigger you build a Bluetooth speaker, the bigger the sound you should expect from it. But the bigger a speaker gets, the more of an eyesore it can become, as it needs to be heard but not necessarily seen.

LG's XBoom 360 makes us question that conventional wisdom. It's a big, powerful speaker that also blends into a home as a decorative piece, thanks to a sleek, lantern-like design, a built-in LED light, and a dedicated app that lets you do much more than just play music.

What's in the box

It's a big box, no doubt, but you won't find much inside. As well as the speaker itself, you get the power cord, a sheet of paper listing the various controls, a simple instruction manual, and that's about it. LG does not supply any other cables that could be connected to the XBoom 360.

draft

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

Burgundy is one of those colors that blends well in a variety of environments, much like the Charcoal Black and Peacock Green variants, and it's no wonder LG has tried to be bold without being loud in that way. It probably wanted the sound to do the loud part, which I'll come back to, but as a speaker it has a unique profile. Its tapered design gives it a decent height at 20 inches and weighs just under 13 pounds.

Despite its considerable height, it has a relatively small footprint, so you can place it in all sorts of places.

But despite its considerable height, it has a fairly small footprint, allowing you to place it in all sorts of places – much more so than conventionally shaped boom boxes. However, the height and slimmer base might make it easier to accidentally tip over if you bump into it.

LG wrapped the XBoom 360 in burgundy fabric, which gives it a nice, sophisticated look and a soft texture, but this isn't the kind of speaker you'd want to put within splashing distance of a pool. As much as LG might consider this thing "portable", it's not always a pleasure to move around. The top handle helps a lot, and the higher center of gravity makes it feel like you're carrying a heavier tote bag, but again, you have to consider where you're carrying it. forget the beach Sand will get all over it and with the fabric it will nest everywhere. Pools should be fine some distance from the water, but without a decent IP rating, this is a speaker you'll use at home, whether indoors or out in the safety of a backyard or patio.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Beach-friendly speakers aren't hard to find, while large speakers that don't stick out like sore thumbs in a home can be. The XBoom's 360-degree sound is ideal for outdoor use, and LG has an "Outdoor EQ" mode for just that purpose, while the default setting cranks things down just enough to serenade you indoors.

This sound is driven by a 5.25" fiberglass woofer and 1" tweeter in an inverted cone-shaped baffle designed to deliver sound more efficiently and decidedly omnidirectionally. Basically, you should feel like the speaker sounds exactly the same no matter where you sit (or stand).

The LG XBoom 360 speaker has a handy handle.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

The LED lamp in the open concavity faces the exposed woofer, adding a visual element to the XBoom 360. It's more mood lighting than something to brighten up a room, but it has both chill and party modes for ambience. There's a dedicated button to cycle through the lamp's different light modes, with the app digging much deeper to offer more customization options.

You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll need to further tweak the only custom preset to change the sound.

LG has placed ports at the bottom, including individual USB-A and Aux-In ports. The USB port doubles as a playback port and 5-watt charger for other devices, so you can use it for your phone or tablet in a pinch as well. LG didn't do the same for the aux line-in jack. So if you have designs for connecting a microphone and presenter, it will not let you. The power cord tucks in under the bottom, and it takes some time to wiggle it out if you want to go fully wireless.

setup and configuration

Pairing with the XBoom 360 was easy. After doing it with both an iPhone and an Android device, I then downloaded the app, which recognized the speaker immediately. Beyond the basics, the app acts as a controller for the speaker. The main buttons are clearly visible on top of the speaker, some of which even include Braille for the visually impaired.

The app includes an EQ with seven presets and a custom option that you can tweak to your liking. You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll always have to go back and tweak the only custom preset to change the sound. Otherwise, you can choose one of the other seven presets. This is separate from the aforementioned outdoor EQ, which cranks things up to get louder outside.

LG says the XBoom 360 will play with better quality and less distortion if you turn off an equalizer you might be using in a music app. I'm not sure I've noticed a significant difference either way, but it might be worth experimenting with.

The DJ functions allow you to interact with music playback in a fun way using sound effects. You get drum, club, and other options to create transitions or effects to overlay the track being played. It lays out a lot for you to get started, so don't start from scratch. Sampler Creator lets you record five seconds of any sound you want to play or emulate, then transfer it to DJ mode. After that, you can always play it over a song. If you've always wanted to be a hype man or say something about a favorite song, you might have fun with this one.

If you really want to get loud, the XBoom 360 supports the addition of a second speaker. You don't get stereo pairing for different left and right channels, just a mirroring of the audio being played by the master unit, making it ideal for larger parties where one might not be enough.

sound quality

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG wants to get loud with the Xboom 360, but not at the expense of the full audio spectrum. I realized this as I played through a variety of different tracks in different genres. Bass is clear enough, with the woofer doing the heavy lifting, and you'll notice it at lower volumes if you dial in Bass Boost in the EQ section.

Whether I've been playing something old school from Creedence Clearwater Revival or something current from The Weeknd, the speaker can handle whatever you throw at it in a playlist. It also played well at higher volumes, with distortion only kicking in at volumes that were just ridiculous for indoor listening.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction. Large speakers sometimes drown out the mids to boost the lows and highs so they can get louder. LG maneuvers somewhere in between, letting you hear enough detail in a complex track to enjoy it for what it delivers. We're not talking audiophile quality here, mind you, because fans of hi-res sound are unlikely to be impressed. Finally, the XBoom 360 only supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, so your only other option is to play tracks via USB. I tried it, but didn't like the experience because of the general lack of consistency and control. Aux-in is easier as you control everything from the connected device.

I've also been hesitant to park it in a corner because of the spatial sound it's supposed to pump out. I tried it just to see if the sound coming from behind would bounce off the walls for a fuller or more concave effect, but I'm not sure if it was really there. As I placed it farther from the wall, it sounded less unidirectional and more omnidirectional than originally intended. It could easily cover an apartment or condo, and outside noise won't drown it out in the backyard. I wouldn't necessarily use it in a banquet hall for a wedding as stereo pairing might be better for such events.

What I found bizarre were the inconsistencies with the Bluetooth connectivity. For reasons I couldn't figure out (despite numerous troubleshooting steps), my Pixel 6 Pro never played well with the speaker and kept disconnecting, to the point where I had to repeatedly manually reconnect them. I haven't had any issues like this with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro. There were disconnects and hiccups with both of these phones, except that they were due to distance or obstacles, e.g. B. if they were a few rooms away. With the Pixel 6 Pro, the phone could be two feet away and still drop the connection.

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

light effects

The Mood Lighting section gives you presets based on the type of effect you want. You can also tap My Choices to choose the color you want to see. The dynamics of the lamp depends on which mode you choose. For example, Ambient just keeps the light static, Nature goes with a slow pulse, and Party Pops with a more frenetic show. You choose the mode manually because the XBoom 360 doesn't have the intelligence to automatically switch it based on the tunes it's playing.

It would be unfair to describe the XBoom 360 as a full-fledged LED lamp, also because the light can only emit sideways depending on the location. It doesn't face forward like other party boxes, nor does it face upwards to bounce off walls and a ceiling at the same time. That might put a damper on the "party" side of the equation if you're looking for something more mainstream, but I can see what LG was trying to do here.

The XBoom 360 looks great as a speaker playing music and coming out of the ambient light. There's subtlety that a guy like me appreciates, but I acknowledge not everyone would agree. Even the party lights work for what they are. While I wasn't able to achieve the kind of depth or effects that a Philips Hue or Nanoleaf system could offer, I can say that the insertion of the lamp makes the speaker feel more like a decorative piece to display than a tech device to accessorise looks.

battery life

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG says the XBoom 360 can last up to 10 hours per charge, which is mostly true if you never explore louder volumes. As you almost certainly would, the actual number can vary anywhere from six to eight hours depending on how noisy it gets. The LED light is another battery hog if it's always on and active. You can also save battery by playing audio through the Aux-In port and leaving Bluetooth off.

The app will tell you how much battery you have left, but don't look for context about how much you could save by turning off the lights or turning down the volume. You can always plug it into an outlet to keep it charged. That can be a good idea considering it takes up to five hours to fully charge the speaker with a dead battery. No fast charging for this big guy.

Our opinion

LG launched the XBoom 360 for $400, and now it's easier to find at $300. That's not a bad price for what you're getting, provided you have a place to put it and feel mobile enough to take it to other parts of your home or outdoors. It definitely helps if you're entertaining people at home or like to throw parties and want something with lights and DJ mode.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the DJ-style experience, there definitely is. the JBL party box 110 costs about the same and makes almost everything louder, including the lights. JBL has a whole range of such speakers at various price points, giving you some food for thought as to how big you really want to go. the Klangbock (Gen. 3) is a DJ-ready speaker if that's what you're looking for, despite paying upwards of $1,000 for it. On the budget side Anker's Soundcore Trance is not as big as a JBL party box, but has a handle and features a light show and up to 18 hours of battery life.

If you're thinking of a boombox, Monster's Blaster 3.0 is about the same price, except there's not much you can do with the audio profile that's there. Sony has its own SRS-XG500 Boombox for $450 that is more durable thanks to IP66 water and dust resistance.

How long it will take?

Keep it away from water and sand, and you'll likely see this thing play for years. The only other real threat might be playing it too loud for too long, but that's hard to predict. LG built it with components for a wide range of volume levels, so you should be fine. It offers a standard one-year warranty to cover malfunctions but not physical damage.

should you buy it

Yes, as long as it fits what you have in mind. By that I mean a larger speaker that takes up some space and is mostly played indoors or in safer outdoor environments. The app plays a key role in making the XBoom 360 what it is, and learning that part of it could pay dividends when it comes time to entertain a crowd at yours or someone else's.

Editor's Recommendations



28 Jan
Blog

Jabra Elite 7 Pro Review: Perfect True Wireless Earbuds

Man wearing Jabra Elite 7 Pro.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro

MSRP $200.00

“These Elite 7 Pro get everything right and don’t cost a fortune.”

Pros

  • Super comfortable
  • Great sound quality
  • Excellent call quality
  • Very good ANC and transparency
  • Good battery life
  • Wireless charging
  • Tons of customization options
  • Excellent water/dust protection

How do you improve on an awesome set of true wireless earbuds? That’s the question that faced Jabra as it contemplated the design for its new $200 Elite 7 Pro, the successor to its excellent Elite 75t, which proved to be some of the best true wireless earbuds you could buy when they debuted in 2019. The answer, it seems, is to double down on what the Elite 75t got right, and then fill in the missing gaps. Did that formula work out? You bet it did. Let’s take a look.

Design

Jabra Elite 7 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Elite 7 Pro are a natural evolution of Jabra’s true wireless designs. They’re just as rounded and ergonomically shaped as the Elite 75t, yet smaller and lighter. When compared to Jabra’s flagship Elite 85t, the 7 Pro are downright tiny. The multifunction buttons now have a teardrop shape and occupy the entire outer surface of the earbuds, making them impossible to miss. The new design also affords much better water protection, with an IP57 rating (the Elite 75t were IP55), making them effectively waterproof.

The Elite 7 Pro are the most comfortable noise-canceling true wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

But the most noticeable change has to be the charging case. Jabra has abandoned its distinctive, upright design with its flip-top lid for a more conventional clamshell shape. It’s ever so slightly larger now, but it also has wireless charging built-in, something you needed to pay extra for in the past.

It might also be the first charging case that puts its charging port on the front instead of the rear. Though not as pretty, it’s eminently more practical.

The lid isn’t quite as easy to open because of its curved sides, but that’s a minor critique of what is otherwise an excellent design. The earbuds snap in and out of their charging sockets with ease — something that has long been one of Jabra’s strengths.

Comfort, controls, and connections

Jabra Elite 7 Pro seen next to Jabra Elite 75t.Jabra Elite 7 Pro (left) and Elite 75t. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Let’s just get this out of the way: The Elite 7 Pro are the most comfortable noise-canceling true wireless earbuds you can buy right now. The Elite 75t were already mighty comfortable, but Jabra has managed to refine that shape so that they feel even better. The company says it also reengineered the material of the eartips, which probably contributes to their excellent fit. Maybe it’s just the particular shape of my ears, but the Elite 7 Pro feel like they were custom-made for me — I could happily wear them for hours at a time without pain or fatigue. Not sure if you chose the right size of eartips? You can run a fit test within the Sound+ app to find out.

The Elite 7 Pro are the most customizable earbuds I’ve ever tested.

Jabra targets the Elite 7 Active at those who want a set of earbuds for high-intensity activities, and you could totally get away with using the Elite 7 Pro for all but the heaviest of workouts — once in my ears, they didn’t budge at all.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro seen next to Jabra Elite 85t and Elite 75t.Jabra Elite 85t (left), Elite 7 Pro (middle), and Elite 75t. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The controls remain the best in the business: Big, easy-to-press physical buttons that offer an unmistakable tactile click when you use them. With single-, double-, and triple-click gestures, plus one for press-and-hold, you can control everything from calls to playback to active noise cancellation (ANC). If you don’t like Jabra’s default control scheme, you can change it within the Jabra Sound+ app, with almost unlimited freedom to pick and choose what each gesture does. In fact, the Elite 7 Pro are the most customizable earbuds I’ve ever tested. If you can think of a function, I guarantee there’s a section in the Sound+ app that lets you modify it.

You can trigger your phone’s built-in voice assistant, or you can configure the Elite 7 Pro to work with Amazon Alexa. With in-ear detection, you can choose to autopause and play your music when you remove or reinsert one of the earbuds.

With Bluetooth 5.2, the Elite 7 Pro are easy to pair and they can stay reliably connected up to 50 feet away (a little less indoors). You can also use the earbuds independently.

They’re pleasure to listen to, no matter your chosen music genre.

When I initially reviewed the Elite 7 Pro in October 2021, it suffered from just one flaw: It lacked Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously. As of January 27, 2022, that has been rectified via a firmware update, removing my only real criticism of these earbuds.

Sound quality

Man wearing Jabra Elite 7 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Elite 75t possessed enormously powerful bass for such small earbuds, so much so that the low end had a tendency to trample on the midranges. You needed to jump into the EQ settings to rein it in. The Elite Active 75t was milder in the bass department but arguably not as clear. The Elite 7 Pro manages to be the best of both worlds, with a deeply resonant low end that is much better controlled.

A track like Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy, where the opening vocals are essentially whispers that float above a thumping bass line, is an ideal test — if the EQ isn’t just right, the tiny nuances in Eilish’s voice are lost under the pressure of the constant beat. The Elite 7 Pro handle it like a champ, not only giving the low end the power it deserves, but also keeping it where it belongs so that Eilish’s shiver-inducing whispers can be heard with excellent clarity.

Jabra’s call quality has always been good, but I was blown away by the Elite 7 Pro.

You can tweak EQ manually or use Jabra’s small selection of presets in the Sound+ app, but I doubt you’ll need to. The factory EQ is so well-balanced for all kinds of music, I didn’t feel the need to change it at all. You can also choose to use the MySound feature in the Sound+ app, which will attempt to personalize the EQ according to your specific hearing profile. I didn’t find it improved things for me, so I kept it turned off, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Flipping back and forth between the Elite 7 Pro and Jabra’s more expensive Elite 85t proved to be an incredibly tricky comparison. It felt like I could hear a little more detail from the 85t, but you’d literally need to do a side-by-side comparison like I did to notice.

Either way, the Elite 7 Pro are a pleasure to listen to, no matter your chosen genre.

Noise cancellation and transparency

The Elite 85t were Jabra’s first earbuds to offer a hybrid ANC system (the Elite 75t and Active 75t were given ANC with a firmware upgrade, but those buds don’t use the combination of feed-forward and feedback mics that the 85t has). The Elite 7 Pro are better at canceling unwanted sounds than the 85t, but their transparency mode isn’t quite as crystal clear.

I think this is due to the 85t’s semi-open architecture, which lets in a small amount of outside air. That openness simultaneously makes it easier to hear outside sounds and harder to cancel them. The Elite 7 Pro are fully closed, which gives them the noise-canceling edge. The Sound+ app lets you fine-tune the ANC performance, but much like the MySound feature, I didn’t notice a big difference.

The Elite 7 Pro can’t quite keep up with the reigning champs of ANC and transparency — the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — or the AirPods Pro, but considering their lower price, that’s not surprising and, honestly, the difference isn’t huge.

Flipping between the two modes is almost instant: Whether you want quiet or conversation, one press on the left earbud is all you need.

Call quality

For the Elite 7 Pro, Jabra has used what it calls MultiSensor Voice technology, which aims to provide better voice pickup through bone conduction-sensing mics. It’s not hype. Jabra’s call quality has always been good, but I was blown away by how much better the Elite 7 Pro are at calls than Jabra’s previous buds. I stood in a parking lot on a windy day, with an active construction site just a few yards away, and yet almost none of that was audible during my tests. A small amount of compression worked its way in there during the loudest moments, but in general, it was superb. And in a relatively quiet spot, it was impeccable.

With Jabra’s adjustable sidetone feature, you can let in as much of your voice as you want, and there’s even a microphone-mute feature you can engage while on a call — something that even pricey earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds don’t offer.

All of this makes the Elite 7 Pro an ideal choice for those who like to talk.

Battery life

Jabra Elite 7 Pro charging case seen next to Jabra Elite 75t charging case.Jabra Elite 7 Pro wirelessly charging case (left) and Jabra Elite 75t charging case. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Jabra claims you’ll get up to eight hours per charge on the Elite 7 Pro earbuds with ANC on, and the key here is the “up to” part. I played music continuously on them with ANC on and volume set at 50%, and while the left earbud made it the full eight hours, the right earbud only managed 7.5 hours. Given that the right earbud was the first to connect and thus the “primary” earbud, this makes sense — it has to do more work. A fast charge of five minutes will buy you an extra hour of use if you’re in a pinch.

With the charging case included, you should be able to get 30 hours of total playtime, and likely a good bit more if you keep ANC and transparency turned off. The numbers aren’t at the top end of what true wireless earbuds can do, but they’re more than sufficient for daily use and all but the longest of travel plans.

Extras

In addition to the wealth of capabilities I’ve described above, this review wouldn’t be complete unless I mentioned some of the lesser-known features that Jabra throws in, like Find My earbuds, adjustable auto-power off timing, and your choice of voice guidance, tone guidance, or none at all. You can choose if you want to cycle through ANC, transparency, and off modes when activating the mode switch, or you can choose any two of those modes. There’s a separate EQ setting just for phone calls. In-ear detection can be used to automatically answer phone calls or mute the mics. And finally, the Sound+ app offers a series of “soundscapes,” some of which are designed to mask external sounds, while others are meant to be more relaxing or meditative.

What’s in the box?

Jabra Elite 7 Pro box contents.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Jabra is getting better and better at making sustainable product boxes. The Elite 7 Pro comes in an attractive, yet fully recyclable cardboard box, with only one small plastic blister pack for the extra eartips. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds, their charging case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and three sizes of eartip (mediums are installed by default).

Our take

I’ve tried and failed to find something about the Jabra Elite 7 Pro that I don’t like. At this price, nothing beats them. And while better ANC, transparency, and sound quality are available, for most folks, it simply won’t be worth the extra investment to get them.

Is there a better alternative?

No. Jabra has priced the Elite 7 Pro low enough that they obliterate any other set of earbuds that cost around $150 to $200. Your only real options are to spend more on models like the Sony WF-1000XM4, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, or the Master & Dynamic MW08.

How long will they last?

I’m still rocking a set of two-year-old Elite 75t, and while they don’t get constant daily use, they’re still in outstanding shape. I expect the Elite 7 Pro to last for many years. With their IP57 protection, not much will affect them (short of actual immersion in water — don’t do that), and Jabra is so confident in that rating it will extend its normal one-year water and dust warranty to two years if you register your earbuds in the Sound+ app.

Should you buy them?

Yes. They’re an absolutely killer set of true wireless earbuds.

Editors’ Recommendations



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