Reviews

When you think of mid to low range phones, who do you think of? Oppo, Google’s A series, Samsung, Xiaomi maybe even Huawei. TCL, anyone? Probably not. Best known for their dexterity in the consumer tech world, you may not have realised their venture into the smartphone world. It’s a lucrative market, the most lucrative…

D-Link’s new Eagle Pro AI series of routers is looking to shake things on both sides of the market, from entry-level routers-to premium mesh systems. The R15 AX1500 Eagle Pro AI stands as the entry-level option, but provides some nifty value through its compact design, Wi-Fi 6 functionality and various smart features including Google Assistant…

With a sturdy IP57-rated design, seamlessly adjustable active noise cancelling and up to 30 hours of battery time, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro is another world-class entry into the market of truly wireless earbuds for the brand. And while Jabra may be best known amongst gym-goers for their Active series, these lifestyle-focused earbuds muscle into…

It seems that few markets have grown so rapidly in the past few years as the market for mid-range phones has. It’s a fact that tech in general is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, since 2007 worldwide smartphone sales have increased by almost twelve times. Amongst the largest contributors to this…

In recent years, certain events have forced us to change many aspects of our lives, including the way we work. While many of us are now working from home, it’s important to consider the tech that surrounds us, and if that too, is capable of stepping up to this change in lifestyle. Thankfully, the D-Link…

Asus’ ROG Strix Go 2.4 Electro Punk gaming headset largely delivers on its premium price tag, providing premium audio and a compact design. As the title suggests, it provides 2.4GHz support via a provided USB-C dongle and a bunch of customisation options thanks to the expansive Asus Armoury Crate software. While the Strix Go 2.4…

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless gaming mouse enters the market as a wireless alternative to the already popular Pulsefire Haste. It is in that statement alone that most gamers will naturally gravitate towards such an option, as the Pulsefire Haste not only stands as a favourite for most esports gamers, but for those looking to…

SteelSeries are no stranger to providing some of the highest quality gaming headsets out there. Their newest entry, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, is a tremendous success for those looking toward the premium end of the market. Featuring Active Noise Cancellation, memory foam earcups and a dedicated DAC, there’s not much more you could ask…

It’s no secret that Sonos has dominated the premium end of the audio landscape in recent years. Providing high quality audio and seamless connectivity, it’s definitely hard to argue with the results of the Sonos Arc soundbar or the Sonos Sub. Then there’s the price tag. While some may be put off by the expensive…

When purchasing a gaming keyboard, there are usually so many things to consider based on price point. Mechanical or non-mechanical keys? Is RGB customisation your thing? How about build quality? For the premium price point of A$349, the Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate provides almost everything a gamer would want in a high-end keyboard….

Sennheiser has released their brand new headphones in the Momentum range, known as the True Wireless 3 earbuds. After a 2 year break and time to enjoy the truly excellent Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds (read our review here), the next version has now arrived, complete with an overhauled design and beautiful sound quality that…

Out the gate, the SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless gaming mouse is nothing short of a premium experience. The Aerox line-up might be known for its unorthodox RGB inspired design on the surface, but make no mistake; the Aerox 9 Wireless is serious business.  Ticking many of the boxes the high-end price tag usually entails, this…

The high-end gaming headset market has assumed a predictable but ultimately reliable cycle; good sound quality, comfort for longer listening periods and a decent microphone, capable of making both the necessary callouts in your games and the odd phone call. Every new headset needs to bring something new to the table if they want to…

The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL (TenKeyLess) keyboard is an entry-level gaming keyboard that sits beside its larger sibling, the Apex 3. The Apex 3 TKL does away with the numeric keypad and wrist rest, all while providing a smaller, more compact alternative that holds some nifty features and smooth functionality for genera all-around use, even…

SteelSeries is no stranger to creating some of the most premium gaming accessories and peripherals on the market, with their range of gaming mice providing a wide range of options for different types of gamers, from casual to hardcore. The Prime Mini Wireless however, feels like a fantastic middle ground. It’s incredibly minimal and sleek…

Port Adelaide has long been a street art hub, with the Wonderwalls Festival being a celebrated event. Both local and international artists have produced large scale murals, making the Port an artistic destination. For the 2022 Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide artists Vans the Omega and Dave Court have combined forces to create virtual reality interpretations of…

Let’s get this straight out of the way. If you own the already-excellent Bose QuietComfort 35 II, or the Bose NC 700 headphones then the newer and only slightly more impressive Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones aren’t worth the upgrade. Bose kind of started this whole obsession with supreme noise cancellation, and they perfected the art…

Robot vacuums were one of those fast-emerging categories of technology that I’ve always just kind of ignored for a couple of years. It’s like that sometimes. Hype can take a while to suck you into its trending temptations, and for the most part, I’ve been actually quite enjoying shimmying my trusty Dyson back and forth…

To say the Sony WF1000XM4 was my most anticipated bit of personal audio kit of 2021 is an understatement. If you’ve read my review of the XM3s you’d already know that I’m now a true believer in Sony’s ability to outgun the competition when it comes to headphones and earphones. Now, much has changed, which…

Given smartwatches have now well and truly become an essential purchase for anyone looking to more efficiently track their exercise and gamify their health journey, it’s always worth doing a double-tack at models that have been out for quite some time. These things drop in price regularly, so being able to pick up some of…

Height. I need height. As a 34-year-old man with rapidly thinning hair, I’ve never paid too much attention to the need for a good quality hairdryer. I’ve always been hesitant about throwing consistent billows of heat onto my already brittle hair, so it’s one of the things that most people used that I’ve never really…

Although most headphones on the market – especially those concerned with noise-cancelling – sport a closed-back design, there are some out there that get by just fine with the opposite. We’re talking a closed-back design, which has its own advantages and disadvantages, putting the focus almost entirely on audio performance and not much else. Brooklyn-based…

Saving time in the kitchen has always been a matter of carefully buying the right products, but having a device that saves space as well can profoundly change the way you navigate and engage with your food at home. The Philips All-In-One Cooker is such a device that consolidates many of your kitchen appliances into…

The no-nonsense HyperX Alloy FPS has been a top contender for the best TKL (tenkeyless) mechanical keyboard for many years. However, that hasn’t stopped HyperX from expanding its TKL keyboard range with the HyperX Alloy Origins Core. Originally released in 2019, this keyboard Included added features and accessories for gamers wanting both style and reliability….

It’s hard to see how JBL could have arrived at a better design for the latest in their tiny JBL Clip series. The JBL Clip 4 looks infinitely more attractive than its preceding models – a petite oval speaker with a fabric grille all over it, attached to a built-in carabiner that can hook onto…

Arlo’s Essential series has completely redefined the reliable smart home security brand. I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the balance of price and performance with devices like the Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Camera and Arlo Essential Doorbell. It’s no surprise that the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera continues the series’ dominance over the category, offering a lot…

The Sonos Beam may hold court when it comes to budget-friendly, compact soundbars but Bose has emerged with a solid competitor that, in many ways, is one of the best. That’s no surprise really; Bose has always been impressive when it comes to packing audio prowess into more than just traditional Bluetooth speakers and headphones….

Sennheiser’s pedigree when it comes to superior sound cannot be denied. Their Momentum 2 earbuds are still some of the best on the market, despite being released a few years ago. They’ve since started playing around on the lower end of the price spectrum, attempting to provide value that stretches beyond the price point. The…

JBL’s Charge series has always justified popularity, and no more was that true than for the Charge 4. It’s still one of my favourite portable, durable speakers to take on a short trip away. The Charge 5 is a meaningful improvement over its processor, edging that out and reiterating JBL as a company that really…

It’s little, it’s classy and it’s full of features – the Fujifilm X-E4 packs a punch, but it’s not without a few small drawbacks. New to the market as of March 2021, the X-E4 is a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor camera. It has a tilting touch screen, high-speed burst mode shooting and 4K video capability, and…