The LG Gram 17 (2023) is a pioneer of the excellent 17-inch laptop, making the form factor feasible for many who may have baulked at its large size. And, that’s mostly down to its remarkably light weight.

The range is by no means perfect, often demanding a high price of entry, but it does what it says on the tin. You can a humoungous and bright 17-inch 16:10 2560×1600 resolution display, offering stunning visuals whether your typing away on a spreadsheet or taking in a movie.

Then, the stars of the show are its slender frame and low weight, coming in at just 1.35kg and 17.8mm thin respectively. If you can fit it in your bag then it is sure to not put any strain on your back, and offers a gloriously portable big screen experience when you do come around to whipping it out. Its thin frame doesn’t prevent plenty of ports though, with a strong selection on either side.

The performance is up to standard too, with an Intel Core i7-1360P chip giving you more than enough in the tank for intensive productivity usage. You also get around eight hours of charge for your working day too.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: LG Gram 17 (2023) review

One benefit of a big ol’ chassis to accomodate a 17-inch display is that it offers plenty of room for high-end specifications. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D brings the specs and the immense gaming performance.

The power comes courtesty of an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU combined with AMD’s most powerful laptop chip, the AMD Ryzen 9 7945X3D. The regular ROG Strix Scar 17, and its 16 and 18-inch siblings, were already powerhouses in their own right but AMD’s swanky 3D V-Cache technology gives an added boost to this serious machine. You can get upwards of 70 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 with its demanding RT:Ultra settings turned on. FPS fans are well served too, with Rainbow Six Extraction seeing scores of 192fps in our testing.

This is all presented on a capable 2560×1440 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate panel. It measures in at 17.3-inches, bringing luxurious high-end gaming to a big screen with a dose of portability.

Reviewer: Alun Taylor
Full review: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D review

We described the Medion Erazer Beast X40 as a thoroughbred next-generation gaming laptop, coming with the latest and greatest components from Nvidia and Intel. It can be configured to an RTX 4090 GPU and a Raptor Lake i9-13900HX processor, with DDR5 RAM added on to help future-proof the device for years to come. It blasted through our gaming benchmarks with ease, scoring 122fps in Borderlands 3 at the native resolution with maximum ray tracing and no DLSS upscaling.

The display sits at 17-inches and boasts a WQXGA (25600×1600) resolution, giving you more than enough room to game and watch media content. In our screen tests, it managed to hit 417 nits of brightness, although the contrast ratio was disappointing at just 954:1. These numbers prove that while the Erazer Beast X40 won’t do justice to HDR content, it’s a lot more affordable than some other laptops that come with Mini-LED technology, like the MSI Titan GT77 HX.

We loved the large selection of ports, which include four USB-A ports, one USB-C Thunderbolt 4, a 2.5GbE Ethernet import and an HDMI 2.1 output. It also packs two 3.5mm audio jacks – one combo, one mic in – and an SD card slot. Looking further at what’s under the hood, the Erazer Beast X40 comes with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, which should ensure seamless wireless connections to both the internet and any Bluetooth-supported devices.

The only reason this laptop has been docked half a star is for its lack of HDR performance. Laptops like the Acer Predator Helios 16 (2023) will be your best bet if you don’t want the price to skyrocket but overall, unless you need an OLED or Mini-LED panel then the Medion Erazer Beast X40 is one of the best gaming laptops out there. It’s a lot more affordable than most of its rivals and comes with some of the most powerful internals on the market, giving you the chance to visit some of your favourite games without breaking the bank.

Reviewer: Alun Taylor
Full Review: Medion Erazer Beast X40

Last year’s Dell XPS 17 (2021) was a fantastic laptop and a worthy addition to this list, but the machine has since been supplanted by its own successor, the Dell XPS 17 (2022). Dell hasn’t rocked the boat with any major visual overhauls but the XPS 17 still stands out for packing a lot of great features into a portable package.

Despite its large display, the XPS 17 manages to maintain a slim profile that rids itself of any bulk, weighing between 2.17kg and 2.57kg (depending on the variation you pick up), which makes it a breeze to chuck in and out of a backpack. Sure, it’s not as portable as something like the MacBook Air M2 but if you want that large screen experience on the go then the Dell XPS 17 is one of your best options.

You won’t find much to complain about with regards to port availability either. In addition to two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, the XPS boasts a full sized SD Card reader, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a HDMI slot and an always handy USB-A port. That SD reader in particular makes the XPS 17 an ideal pick for photographers or filmmakers who want to dive into their latest captures quickly, without having to faff around with dongles.

The accompanying 4K IPS display, while not quite as eye-catching as the OLED variant on the Dell XPS 15 (2022), is still impressive enough to lend some very accurate colour profiles to the latest films and TV shows.

The only major downside to the Dell XPS 17 is its battery life which, at around 3 hours and 37 minutes for office work, isn’t ideal for long periods away from a power outlet. Still, if you know you’re headed to a place where topping up the battery is easy enough, then you won’t find this to be an issue.

Reviewer: Stuart Andrews
Full review: Dell XPS 17 (2022) review

If you want the very best wireless PS5 headset on the market right now that offers the perfect blend of connectivity, design and performance, look no further than the Corsair HS80 Max Wireless. 

The HS80 Max Wireless looks sleek with either a black or white finish, classic gamer RGB lighting and a high-end build that matches its equally high price tag. Premium elements like the soft headband and memory foam padding around the earcups provide an exceptional level of support, making it a headset you can comfortably wear for hours on end. 

Sporting 50mm drivers, it’s safe to say that the HS80 Max Wireless delivers a detailed and immersive gaming experience. Every single gunshot, nearby explosion and enemy footstep was clearly heard in online shooters, giving gamers an edge in competitive gameplay. It also makes use of Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio tech to deliver directional sound with impressive accuracy, and if you’re also a PC gamer, you’ll enjoy the Dolby Atmos support too.

Importantly, the wireless cans utilise both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for low-latency connectivity and allow you to connect your phone to your headset while gaming. That, combined with elements like RGB lighting, may make you worry about battery life but fear not; you get a full 24 hours with the RGB enabled, extending to a whopping 65 hours if you decide to turn it off.

Essentially, if you’re looking for the ultimate PS5 gaming headset that ticks all major boxes, the Corsair HS80 Max Wireless is the ideal option. 

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Corsair HS80 Max Wireless review

The AceZone A-Spire may not look as sleek as other options in this chart, but it still does a job, and it does it well. 

Weighing in at 270g, the streamlined headset is exceedingly comfortable to wear over long periods – our reviewer used it for multiple 8-hour work days without complaint – with a flexible leather-clad headband and soft ear cushions that make it ideal for long gaming sessions eSports stars are known for.

Moreover, the microphone can be positioned just about anywhere and stay in place, with a green mark on the mic itself to properly align it to your face for optimal communication, and it flips out of the way when not in use. The headset also boasts a range of connectivity options, from USB to Bluetooth and even Aux to allow you to interface with multiple devices to deliver the lowest latency possible. 

Importantly, the audio performance is impressive. The 40mm cans aren’t the largest around but they deliver impressive clarity nonetheless, and an accompanying app allows you to tweak the output further. There are even dedicated profiles for FPS games like Apex Legends created in-house at AceZone.

If you’re looking to get into the eSports world, the AceZone A-Spire is a great place to start. 

Reviewer: Sarah Thwaites
Full review: AceZone A-Spire review

Great gaming headsets needn’t cost the earth, and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a great example of that. Coming in at a fraction of the price of some of the top-end options in this chart, the Recon 70 offers the core of what a gamer needs with the right compromises. 

Clad in a sturdy plastic finish available in the signature blue and white colourway of PS5 accessories, the Recon 70 can certainly take a beating with decent flex in the construction and solid-looking wires that won’t snap after a few weeks of use. You’ll find a retractable mic with lift-to-mute tech, a volume wheel on the cups and a wired 3.5mm headphone jack for easy connectivity. 

The audio isn’t to be sniffed at either; the cans delivered a solid balance between hectic explosions, ambient noise and dialogue lines in use, with easily distinguishable footsteps in the likes of Overwatch 2. Things could be improved somewhat in the bass department, but it’s not enough to be a cause for concern. 

Sure, you won’t get premium features like ANC, customisable audio or wireless connectivity, but for the price, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 does the job.

Reviewer: Josh Brown
Full review: Turtle Beach Recon 70 review

If you’re a streamer, a great-quality mic can be your biggest asset – and that’s where the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) comes in. If you don’t like the idea of using a dedicated microphone on a boom arm, the V2 Pro’s incredible built-in microphone has you covered. 

It’s not only a massive improvement on its predecessor, but with a 9.9mm condenser mic running a 32kHz sample rate, it’s capable of delivering a warm response usually free of background noise. The accompanying arm is also sufficiently stiff to not drift away as you game, negating the need to constantly fiddle with it. 

It doesn’t just have a great mic either; using the same Razer Triforce as other Razer headsets, the V2 Pro sounds glorious when playing PS5 shooters with a particularly detailed mid-range and a surprisingly wide sound considering the closed-back design of the cups. 

You’ve also got plenty of choices when it comes to connectivity. You primarily use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (connected via a dongle) for PS5 gaming, but you’ve also got the option of connecting via USB-C, and Bluetooth support means you can connect your phone for music playback too.

Throw in solid battery life – 70 hours on Wi-Fi, 90 hours on Bluetooth – and you’ve got a solid gaming headset with an exceptionally good microphone. 

Reviewer: Callum Bains
Full review: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) review

Gaming headsets are great, but what if you want something a little more compact? Maybe something you could also use on your daily commute to listen to music? Well, that’s where a new category of gaming earbuds comes in, and the Sony Inzone Buds are by far the best we’ve seen for PS5 gamers. 

As you might expect, the Inzone Buds are pretty compact, sporting a mix of a matted and glossy finish that looks good – though you won’t find any gamer-esque RGB lighting here. 

The key thing here is that the buds are much more comfortable to wear than traditional gaming headsets, with a design not too dissimilar to the AirPods Pro with a range of eartips to choose from. That also helps create a decent seal to maximise the ANC capabilities of the buds, which is some of the best around, gaming headset or not.

Connecting to PS5 via a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi dongle, there’s 0 latency compared to regular Bluetooth-powered TWS buds that’s perfect for gaming – especially compared with the spatial audio tech on offer that seriously widens the soundscape. Bass performance isn’t quite as impressive as over-ear cans, but that’s to be expected from such a small form factor. 

Importantly, these can also double up as regular earbuds. And with similar tech to the top-end WF-1000XM5s, they do a pretty good job overall. 

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Sony Inzone Buds review

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset features 50mm drivers and a purposeful and stylish design, according to our reviewer. We liked how sturdy and comfortable these cans were, with the blend of metal and smooth rubber on the earcups making it feel like a truly premium peripheral.

We also found the audio to be fabulous, offering a big, meaty sound profile, which works great for gaming. It supports DTS Headphone:X spatial audio, which we found provided some additional direction for in-game sounds and attacks.

And of course, the standout feature of this headset has to be the 300-hour battery. Our reviewer mentioned how this was tricky to test, though said how the battery never appeared to drain significantly, and how the headset didn’t need to be charged even after a week of usage.

We did note that the microphone was okay, with a clear but thin performance. This will still work well for most gamers, though it is slightly disappointing for the price.

So, if you are after a headset that offers a ridiculously long battery life and comes with impeccable audio, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is one of the best PS5 headset options available, even if it is on the expensive side.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review

There’s a lot to like about the original Pulse 3D headset that launched alongside the PS5, and while it’s definitely worth considering if you’re tied to a strict budget, it absolutely pales in comparison to the far superior PlayStation Pulse Elite.

This newer headset is a far more premium product in almost every way. For starters, it now boasts magnetic drivers which amplify audio quality to a noticeable degree, pairing perfectly with the immersive nature of PlayStation’s 3D audio. It’s surprising too to see magnetic drivers here as they tend to appear on pricier headphones, but to have them on the £129.99/$149.99 Pulse Elite is fantastic.

There’s even a retractable boom mic that allows your vocals to come through clearly to any of your teammates, and it also makes the Pulse Elite brilliantly suited for calls too. Speaking of which, it is possible to connect the headset to your phone although our reviewer noted that it presented a lesser experience in this area, particularly when listening to music. When listening to music on the PS5 however, the Elite did the job perfectly.

Part of the reason why the Elite headset works best with PS5 is because of the PlayStation Link software, which allows for a quick and seamless connection with your console. While it works brilliantly in execution, it does require a USB-A dongle in order to work, but it is included in the box.

There’s also a wall-mounted charger bundled in too, which serves as a handy place to put your Pulse Elite headset when it’s not in use. We found that a quick 10-minute charge could nab you two hours of audio playback in a pinch, but you’re unlikely to need a top-up midgame. Our reviewer was able to get through 10-hours of playtime with more than 50% battery still left in the tank.

Reviewer: Chris Smith
Full review: Sony Pulse Elite review

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is, in our opinion, the best gaming CPU in terms of value right now. In testing, we found that the Zen 4 chip offers fantastic gaming performance, similar to the much more powerful (and expensive) Ryzen 9 7900X.

Our results showed there to only be a handful of frames different in AAA titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn and older games such as Dirt Rally. Intriguingly, the 7600X also managed to best the 7900X in Borderlands 3, even if it was only by a single frame per second. The point stands that for the price, the 7600X is an incredible gaming CPU.

As well as offering an excellent performance, the 7600X is also future-proofed for the foreseeable future, with support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, enabling compatibility with cutting-edge RAM and SSDs. Sadly, there’s no support for DDR4 here, so you will be forced to upgrade your RAM when switching up to the Ryzen 7000 Series.

The only cause for concern here is that the Ryzen 5 isn’t great for multi-core performance. If you fancy editing video or creating animations when taking a break from gaming, we recommend opting for the slightly more expensive Intel Core i5-14600K instead.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X review

If you simply want the most powerful gaming CPU available, then our benchmark tests show the Intel Core i9-14900K to be the frontrunner. More often than not, it trumped both the Intel Core i9-13900K and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D in our tests, not only for gaming but for content creation workloads too.

With 24 cores and 32 threads, it is an excellent processor for juggling multiple intensive tasks, making it an extremely versatile chip. It also flaunts support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 to ensure its future-proof for years to come.

We did discover that the performance jump from the Intel Core i9-13900K isn’t as big as we had hoped, with little separating the chips. But since its predecessor still shares the same price point, it still makes sense to opt for the Intel Core i9-14900K.

The absolute best performance does come with a caveat though, as our tests showed it to have an incredibly high power draw and peak temperature. But if you’re happy to invest in a high-end PSU and cooler, then you’ll be rewarded with the best gaming CPU performance that money can buy.

It’s also worth considering the Intel Core i7-14700K, which isn’t quite as strong for multi-workloads, but still packs a powerful performance at a slightly more affordable price.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: Intel Core i9-14900K review

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a curious processor. It’s not the most powerful gaming CPU across the board – that accolade goes to the Intel Core i9-14900K – but it does gain a huge performance boost over its rivals whenever a game leverages the power of the 3D V-Cache technology.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to determine which games actually get a boost from the 3D V-Cache. None of the games that we used for benchmarking showed any evidence of a performance boost, although this is a relatively small sample size.

Nevertheless, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is still capable of fantastic gaming performance in general, while seeing a lower power consumption than its key Intel rivals. So if you want a power-efficient chip with an excellent performance and the odd chance of leapfrogging Intel in performance, then the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is an excellent choice.

Alternatively, if you like the idea of a high-powered AMD processor, but aren’t fussed about the 3D V-Cache technology, then the standard AMD Ryzen 9 7950X chip is a great back-up choice.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D review

The Intel Core i5-14600K isn’t quite as cheap as the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, but it does offer a better performance. In our most recent tests, it consistently outpaced its key AMD rivals at similar price points. It also supports all of the latest cutting-edge technology, including both DDR4 and DDR5, including PCIe 5.0.

This excellent mid-range chip admittedly doesn’t offer a big improvement on the preceding Intel Core i5-13600K, but since Intel has kept the price the same, it still represents outstanding value for gamers.

And while the Intel Core i5-14600K excels at gaming, it also offers a superior multi-core performance than many of the latest AMD chips. This makes it a good option for those who want a versatile PC that can both run the latest games and speed through multi-taking workloads and complicated content creation.

So while the Intel Core i5-14600K may not offer a significant performance jump on previous generations, it’s still the best performance you’ll likely find without spending over £300/$300.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: Intel Core i5-14600K review

The Intel Core i5-11600K is a number of generations behind now, and so lacks support for future-proofed technology. Instead, it only supports PCIe 4.0 and DDR4.

However, we still think it offers fantastic gaming performance at such a low price. Our tests showed it to have a similar gaming performance compared to its 12th Gen sibling.

If you’re on a tight budget, it makes sense to buy a cheap processor and put more cash towards a more powerful graphics card, as that’s what will make a big difference to gaming performance. Check out our Best Graphics Card list for the current top options.

So if you’re building/upgrading a gaming PC on a budget, and don’t mind sacrificing support for the latest and greatest RAM and SSDs, then the Intel Core i5-11600K is a superb option.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Intel Core i5-11600K review

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a terrific all-rounder, offering a superb combination of productivity, creative and gaming performance as well as a stylish and lightweight frame.

On the productivity front, the Asus will comfortably take down plenty of tabs, along with strong multi-tasking capabilities. However, it’s the boosted graphical capabilities of the new Intel Core Ultra and its Arc integrated graphics that are worth noticing. Admittedly, it remains far from a gaming powerhouse but it gives this laptop the ability to comfortably dip its toe into AAA gaming at low to medium settings along with being ideal for creators on the go.

The laptop looks good while doing all this too, from a terrifically bright and detailed 1800p OLED display to a slim 15mm design that weighs just 1.29kg. Despite this, it manages to pack in a solid range of ports, from two Thunderbolt 4 and a USB-C to a handy HDMI 2.1 and a headphone jack. Another factor that manages to not be hindered by the light frame is the keyboard, we found it to be delightfully clicky and crisp.

One area in which high-end Windows productivity laptops have lacked over recent years, particularly Intel ones, is on battery life. Well, the Zenbook 14 OLED may not hit the heights of the MacBook Air, but it comes closer than before. It reaches close to a solid 13 hours of juice.

Reviewer: Stuart Andrews
Full review: Asus Zenbook 14 OLED review

Apple is at it again, creating another excellent all-rounder with its new MacBook Air M3 13-inch. It’s the best MacBook for most people.

Admittedly, not much has changed with the new M3 model compared with the previous M2 iteration, with a nice bump in performance the key change. However, if you want the latest and greatest, you won’t be disappointed with this machine.

This version of the MacBook Air, since it was redesigned last year, offers wondrous fanless power for serious productivity and light creative tasking. Alongside, you get an excellent keyboard, huge trackpad, useful set of ports and a luxurious design.

On top, you get some of the most stunning battery life on the market, with this device being capable of more than 15 hours of work. All around, this is a device that’s a joy to use and offers tremendous value despite its around £1000/$1000 starting price, as you’re getting so much bang for your buck.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple MacBook Air M3 13-inch review

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is the best all-round gaming laptop that we’ve reviewed so far. Not only does it boast incredible gaming firepower, but also an ultra-portable, slender design that’s easy to carry around.

Asus chose to give its G14 range a major design refresh this year, which involved an even thinner design than before. That means it’s remarkably just 16.3mm thick, while hitting the scales at a dainty 1.5kg, which is even lighter than the 15-inch MacBook Air.

Thanks to the discrete Nvidia GPU under the hood, it offers fantastic performance, to such an extent that it can run intensive games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal at a Quad HD resolution. The 14-inch OLED screen also helps to ensure that games look absolutely stunning, with colours popping out of the display.

Having so much firepower does leave battery life a little short, coming in at just 6 hours in our benchmark tests for productivity workloads. But if you’re after an ultra-portable gaming laptop, that’s a minor compromise for such an excellent overall package.

If you think the price of G14 is a tad too high for your budget, then also consider the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8. This is another 5-star gaming laptop with incredible specs for your money. It’s not quite as portable or stylish as the G14, but it performed better in our benchmark tests, making it an outstanding alternative.

Reviewer: Adam Speight
Full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) review

The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360 is the dark horse of the laptop world in 2024. It hasn’t been touted by Samsung all that much, overshadowed by the Galaxy Book 3 Pro and new Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. But, when it comes to broad appeal and value, it’s comfortably the best of the bunch.

Despite its lower price than many key rivals, the 13th Gen Intel Core P-series chip inside provides plenty of productivity performance, no less than you need for a student or word processing workload. And, it’s aided by a display that may look under-specced initially.

Coming in at just Full HD, the screen redeems itself through Samsung’s AMOLED panel, which is crisp and lush. With a 16:9 aspect ratio and 360-degree hinge, this is a laptop that’s ideal for media consumption too.

The keyboard experience is excellent, you can spend hours comfortably typing away on the Galaxy Book 3 360. And, you’ll be proud to do it in whatever setting, with the design matching that of most high-end, and more expensive machines, with an all-metal build. The top-notch S Pen is included too, for breezy drawing and handwriting capabilities.

Reviewer: Adam Speight
Full review: Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360 review

When you’re buying a budget laptop, there are going to be compromises. However, far too many laptops ask you to compromise on too much. The HP Pavilion SE 14 gets the balance right for under £500.

Right off the bat, the Pavilion SE 14 impresses by giving you modern specifications, when many budget laptops ask you to pay top dollar for last year’s processor. This laptop offers up a 13th Gen Intel Core chip alongside a solid 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD. It is a potent combination that’s great for productivity and solid multitasking, while also giving you plenty of room to store tons of documents and photos.

Other key compromises for budget laptops often include a shoddy keyboard and tinny speakers, but the Pavilion SE 14 bats this norm away. The keyboard is comfortable and you’ll have no trouble typing out a long essay on this machine, even if it takes you hours to mull over. We were surprised to discover the speakers offered surprisingly full and loud audio too. The 1080p webcam is another top-notch inclusion for a budget laptop too, meaning this laptop is also suited well to video conferencing.

Where the HP Pavilion SE 14 doesn’t pull up trees is with the display. It isn’t an OLED, so the colours won’t knock your socks off but, being an IPS panel rather than a TN, it offers satisfactory viewing angles and brightness. The battery life isn’t amazing either, at around 7 hours. Nevertheless, the design should still please the likes of students who want something durable yet stylish, with it being made from plastic but offering a deceptively sleek look.

Reviewer: Alun Taylor
Full review: HP Pavilion SE 14 review

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 was part of a new range of ChromeOS devices that launched in 2023. The aim of the Chromebook Plus initiative was to raise standards for cheap Chromebooks, making it easier for buyers to feel comfortable picking one up. The CX34 absolutely did that, a laptop that punches well above its low £429 price point.

The specifications are unlikely to knock your socks off, with just a 12th Gen Intel Core i3 chip leading the charge. But, backed up by 8GB RAM and the lightweight ChromeOS, the CX34 is a machine that can handle intensive browsing with ease and multitask comfortably too. That lightweight ChromeOS also means that, despite donning a rather small 50Wh battery, it manages to give you an impressive 11+ hours of battery life.

The chassis may be plastic and feel rather cheap but it offers stylish signature Asus looks and a plethora of ports. We were also mightily impressed by the solid travel of this keyboard that makes this a joy of a laptop to type away on. The display is strong for the price too, offering pleasing detail if lacking a little in the brightness department.

Google’s Chromebook Plus devices offer some neat new features to users as well. You’ll find the Magic Eraser onboard, moving over from its Pixel phones, letting you erase unwanted figures and objects from images. AI video calling features are here to tidy up your meetings also. Then, there is Offline File Sync, which makes it easy to access your files on the go, a feature long absent from ChromeOS laptops.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) comes with a high price and is aimed squarely at serious professionals who need hardware that can live up to intensive computing and graphical processing demands. If you fall into that bracket, you won’t be disappointed.

The MacBook Pro remains the leader of the pack when it comes to performance up against key rivals on the Windows side of things and it retains the top trick of M-series MacBook, being able to provide almost equal performance when not plugged in as it can when it is. This remains mightily impressive as the drop-off is large on high-performance Windows laptops.

Across most of our testing benchmarks, this laptop barely made noise above a whisper and the machine never got overly warm. If you are someone who has less complex graphical needs but is looking to future-proof your machine by buying more power than you need, you’re going to find a device that tackles most graphical tasks with stunning ease.

Aside from the solid boost to performance, you’ll find strong features that remain the same from the M2-series MacBook Pro. That’s a reinvigorated set of ports and a luscious Mini LED display that’s stunningly bright and accurate. The battery life remains remarkable too, being able to last for around 15 hours of web browsing.

The only reason to snub the MacBook Pro for video editing is if you’d prefer to use Windows instead of macOS. If that’s the case, we recommend checking out the Dell XPS 16 (2024) and Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED instead.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) review

Samsung’s flagship laptops have the habit of being a bit of a mixed bag, and the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is no different. It has some excellent features and some middling ones, but the pick of the bunch is stellar battery life.

In recent years, Windows laptops have struggled to keep pace with the MacBooks and the efficiency that their Apple M-series chips bring. However, this 16-inch machine has managed to get within touching distance. In our testing, we found it could offer around 15 hours at its maximum and will comfortably get you through most working days.

The second best feature of this Samsung laptop is its display. It comes with a luxurious 120Hz 3K AMOLED panel. It’s stunning for watching movies, streaming games and getting down to creative work. This is also a laptop with a 360-hinge meaning you can take advantage of the lush panel in tablet mode, and do some light drawing with the excellent S Pen.

The new Intel Core Ultra chip inside offers strong productivity performance while allowing you to dabble in some light editing and very light gaming. Samsung isn’t the pick of the bunch in terms of getting the most out of this chip but it’ll suit the needs of most typical users.

Reviewer: Adam Speight
Full review: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 review

A new trend has emerged in recent years, as a few manufacturers have launched dual-screen laptops. We’ve already reviewed a couple of them, and the Asus ZenBook Duo (2024) is our favourite option so far.

Not only does the second screen make it easier to view multiple apps and browser tabs simultaneously, but also increases the number of ways you can use the portable. You can stack the two screens vertically or horizontally, with the Bluetooth keyboard placed on the desk in front. Or alternatively, you can sit the keyboard on top of the second screen to take the form of a classic clamshell.

Importantly, the Zenbook Duo excels in areas beyond its dual-screen design. It also has lovely OLED screens, a speedy productivity performance and a keyboard that’s a joy to type on.

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is another great dual-screen laptop, but we still suggest sticking with the Asus model since it offers a more complete package, including more streamlined software, a built-in kickstand and the inclusion of a trackpad on the keyboard.

Reviewer: Stuart Andrews
Full review: Asus ZenBook Duo (2024) review

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is one of the fastest gaming laptops you’re likely to find, taking advantage of AMD’s new 3D V-Cache technology for stunning results.

The laptop is all about cutting-edge gaming performance, so let’s get into it. The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D offers up remarkable QHD results at Ultra settings, achieving above 90fps for both Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal. What’s more, with Cyberpunk 2077’s demanding RT:Ultra mode enabled (for high-quality ray tracing), it was still able to manage 75fps.

There’s a powerful display to present all those glorious frames on too. It’s got a 1440p 240Hz IPS panel that is fast and offers good colour accuracy. It may not have flashy Mini LED technology but it hits all the right notes for gamers, with a 3ms response time included too.

This device also features a MUX switch, making sure your CPU doesn’t get in the way of raw GPU performance. The keyboard is up to the ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D’s high standards too, providing solid travel and feedback.

Reviewer: Alun Taylor
Full review: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D review

The Gigabyte Aorus Gen5 12000 is the fastest SSD we’ve ever tested. It’s capable of a sequential read speed of up to 12,000MB/s, which is twice as fast as a large number of the SSDs currently available on the market. 

The enhanced speeds are all thanks to the jump up to the new PCIe 5.0 standard, although this means you’ll need a cutting-edge PC to make use of its full potential, and so is wasted on consoles such as the PS5. 

Not only did it prove to be excellently speedy when loading up games, but our tests also showed it to only take 37.40 seconds to transfer a 120GB file. New PCIe drives can suffer from overheating woes, but the Gigabyte Aorus Gen5 12000 has fortunately been paired with a solid heatsink to avoid this issue. 

If you want the fastest possible performance, and have the necessary processor and motherboard to reap its full potential, then the Gigabyte Aorus Gen5 12000 is the best SSD you can buy right now.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: Gigabyte Aorus Gen5 12000 review

Most SSD makers are now focusing on making the jump to new PCIe 5.0 drives to take performance to new heights, but the Crucial T500 instead focuses on achieving the best SSD performance on the older PCIe 4.0 generation. 

The Crucial T500 is the fastest PCIe 4.0 SSD we’ve tested, achieving sequential read speeds of up to 7400MB/s, which is pushing the absolute limit of the technology. It performed very well in our benchmark tests too, including the Final Fantasy XIV in-game speed test and only took 37.40 seconds to transfer a 120GB file. 

It comes bundled with a heatsink, which is great to keep it cool and at an optimal performance level, but it’s unfortunately difficult to prise off if you want to use your own heatsink or you’re struggling to fit inside your PC. Fortunately, you are able to purchase the SSD without a heatsink to avoid this issue. 

If you’re still using a PCIe 4.0 processor in your PC, then the Crucial T500 is the best SSD we’ve tested, delivering the fastest speeds we’ve seen from this generation.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: Crucial T500 Review

Purchasing an SSD can be a tad confusing for PS5 owners, as you need to make sure the speeds are just right to ensure a smooth performance without overpaying. The Kingston Fury Renegade SSD is our favourite of the bunch, with a fantastic balance of price and performance. 

The Kingston Fury Renegade is a PCIe 4.0 SSD that’s capable of up to a 7300MB/s sequential speed, which is just shy of the performance of the Crucial T500.Our benchmark tests backed up its high performance claims, proving excellent across the board, including fast gaming load times and speedy file transfers. 

The SSD comes bundled with a solid low-profile heatsink too, which allows it to to easily fit inside a PC or even the PS5.

If you’re looking for an SSD to upgrade your PS5 storage with, then we think the Kingston Fury Renegade SSD is the best SSD to go for. That said, this is still an excellent choice for PC gamers, as the performance isn’t too much different from the excellent Crucial T500.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: Kingston Fury Renegade SSD Review

The WD Black SN850 is one of the more affordable SSDs on this list, and represents superb value due to its excellent performance. It’s also frequently discounted, with the 1TB variation dropping as low as £118.99.

This SSD is compatible with PCs as well as the PS5 console, and it managed to get read and write scores of up to 7000MB/s and 5300MB/s, respectively. File transfer speeds were very impressive, with the 110GB Mortal Kombat 11 transferring over from another Gen 4 SSD at just 1.65GB/s.

There is a drawback to the heatsink model though, as the drive can get very hot during extended use. However, since the average person won’t be testing their SSD in this manner, we can’t see this being a huge issue for most people, even if it is something to be aware of.

Overall, if you’re looking to upgrade your setup but don’t want to break the bank, the WD Black SN850 is one of the best SSD options on the market, and since it can be found in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB variations, you should be able to find a configuration and price that works best for you.

Reviewer: Aleksha McLoughlin
Full review: WD Black SN850 Review

The last few years have seen the emergence of handheld gaming PCs, with the likes of the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally gaining popularity. But one of the downsides to having such a compact device is that there’s no room for a full-size SSD if you want to upgrade the storage. Fortunately, the mini dimensions of the WD_Black SN770M SSD makes it possible for you to boost the storage.

The WD_Black SN770M is available in various sizes, including 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. As the Steam Deck is only available with up to 1TB by default, this means you can effectively double the device’s maximum capacity. The one caveat is that the Steam Deck doesn’t have a spare M.2 slot, so you’ll need to replace the existing drive in order to fit the WD_Black SN770M inside.

Our benchmark tests show the WD_Black SN770M to offer up to a 5215MB/s read speed, which is far faster than any MicroSD card expansion will deliver. The SN770M does lag behind full-size SSDs built for a desktop PC, but that’s no surprise given the dinky dimensions here.

So if you’re looking to upgrade the storage of your Steam Deck, Asus Rog Ally or any other PC handheld, then the WD_Black SN770M is the best SSD you can buy for the job. But look elsewhere if you want a great value SSD for a desktop PC.

Reviewer: Zak Storey
Full review: WD_Black SN770M Review

The Samsung 860 Evo is capable of squeezing every last drop of performance from its old SATA interface. It’s important to note that anyone with a modern NVMe-compatible computer can benefit from the newer M.2 SSD standard, like the PNY XLR8 CS3140. However, Samsung’s solution is still perfectly serviceable and will be compatible with older setups that don’t support NVMe drives.

With the older SATA standard limited to 600MB/s speeds, the Samsung 860 Evo sees low read and write scores coming in at 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively. This means it’s not a great option for gamers, or anyone who wants speedy boot-up times and quick data transfer speeds.

But it will provide serviceable loading and transfer times for anyone who just wants a PC for basic productivity tasks. It’s also a great affordable pick for those who want plenty of storage space at an affordable price, with a fantastic range of configurations including 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. With so many options you should be able to find a price point and storage option that’s right for you.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Samsung 860 Evo review

The Logitech StreamCam scored an almost faultless 4.5 stars from us. It offers a sleek and modern design, with our reviewer noting that the size and shape make it the centrepiece of your streaming setup. The StreamCam is predominantly made of plastic and carries a reassuring heft which reinforces the excellent build quality. We liked the inclusion of fabric around the lens as it added some more texture and personality to the otherwise plastic shell. 

We found mounting the StreamCam to be easy as it comes with a secure-clip-in system that gives you the chance to use it in portrait and landscape orientations. It also comes with the standard tripod thread at the bottom, giving it even more versatility. 

This webcam is capable of outputting video in Full HD (1080p) at 60fps. We felt that it provided an excellent amount of detail and smooth motion, making it a joy to use for streamers. The face-tracking and Auto Framing features were particularly coherent, making it very easy for us to stay in frame and in focus even while moving around. 

If you are interested in a high-end webcam, you might want to consider the Insta360 Link or HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam, both of which can capture content in 4K resolution. As you would expect, these 4K webcams are a lot more expensive than the StreamCam, so you’ll have to decide if a higher resolution is more of a priority than an affordable price tag. 

Overall, if you’re after smooth footage and a polished and mature design, the StreamCam ticks all these boxes. It may even be the best choice for streamers who are first starting out or those who are constantly engaged in work calls since it has support for all third-party video call services including Zoom and Microsoft Teams. 

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech StreamCam review

If you’re relying on a cheap webcam, or the default snapper in your laptop, chances are that the video feed is going to look a little grainy due to the low resolution. That won’t be the case with the Logitech MX Brio, which is capable of recording video in 4K.

It also has an excellent HDR mode that we found to provide sharp contrast and colours. We were impressed with the camera’s performance in both low light and standard environments. 

Despite its quality, the Logitech MX Brio takes up little space, being able to perch atop your monitor and swivel up to 90 degrees to make sure it captures your entire face. The camera even comes with a privacy shutter to cover the lens when not in use. 

If you simply want the best webcam capable of capturing video in 4K, then the Logitech MX Brio gets our shout. But if you want more advanced software features, and are prepared to spend more, then it’s worth considering the Insta360 Link too. 

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech MX Brio review

Logitech is at the top of the mountain when it comes to home working peripherals and its range of webcams is a key part of that. It doesn’t just do high-end either, and we rate the Logitech Brio 100 as the best budget webcam you can buy.

Affordability really is what makes the Brio 100 such a great pick but, of course, that has to be backed up by quality to make it value for money. It comes with a 1080p resolution and up to 30fps. We found the visuals to be up to a good quality, especially for such a cheap option. It’s auto-light balancing feature also worked like a treat too. The Brio 100 comes with a built-in microphone, which was crisp and clear.

The frame of the webcam makes it easy to mount on a monitor, while the Logi Options+ software brings handy customisation options. And, for your peace of mind, there’s a privacy shutter attachment too.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech Brio 100 review

What do you expect of a 4K streaming webcam? Well, the HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam does exactly what it says on the tin. Stunning video quality, that’s here. Crisp and clear microphones, absolutely present. These are the two key factors that make this high-quality webcam our favourite for streaming.

The 4K resolution is paired with 30fps capabilities and offers boosted colour through HDR (high-dynamic range). If you’re after a smoother frame rate then you can drop down to 1080p for 60fps too. The wide FOV and Auto Frame functions are ideal for setting up your frame perfectly, ideal for streamers who like to move around or want their whole set-up shown. Additional features like the HP Accessory Center offer a bunch of handy configuration options as well.

The compact webcam doesn’t look half bad either, with an understated modern design. It’ll sit neatly on top of your monitor and can be easily linked up using USB-C.

The biggest issue with this HP webcam is that it’s expensive. The Elgato Facecam MK.2 is a great alternative, with lower capture quality at 1080p/60fps, but with plenty of clever software that still makes it ideal for streamers.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam review

After a webcam that doesn’t cost the Earth and, perhaps most importantly, doesn’t add an unsightly chunk to the top of your monitor, the Logitech Brio 300 is the pick for you.

The stylish, cone-shaped design makes this a webcam that you won’t be embarrassed to have seen atop your display. At 53.1 x 45 x 65.6mm, the Brio 300 is positively dinky, meaning you could easily take it on the go if needed.

The results are strong too, with the Logitech Brio 300 offering up accurate colour across its 1080p resolution, and a smooth 30fps. There is a 70-degree field of view as well, providing great angles for video conferencing. It is, of course, not as good as a dedicated mic but the singular microphone onboard offers good clarity if you don’t fancy donning a headset or shelling out for a full microphone.

Along with looking stylish, the Brio 300 has the environment in mind, with each model being built with, at least, 48% post-consumer recycled plastic. The design also affords users an integrated privacy shutter for peace of mind.

Logitech’s handy Logi Tune software is included with the Brio 300. The software isn’t as complex as its more powerful options for creators or gamers but many will welcome the simplicity. A key feature it retains is Auto Light Enhancement, aiding the look of your camera feed by fixing overexposed images.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech Brio 300 review

Some webcams shoot fantastic video in daylight, but struggle to produce decent results when faced with a dark, dingy room. It’s possible to buy a camera with an advanced enough sensor to tackle such conditions, but they’re usually very expensive. The Nacon Full HD Webcam has a clever solution, featuring a light-up ring to brighten up your face. 

The light ring can be controlled by a little pad on the webcam’s face, with three available modes with varying levels of brightness and temperature. It’s a versatile webcam in terms of design too, capable of being propped on top of a monitor, or even attached to a tripod. 

It shoots video in 1080p at 30fps, which isn’t particularly exciting, but we nevertheless found it to offer a solid amount of detail with reasonably natural colours. The Nacon struggles in low light though, making it really important to make use of the glow-up ring in such conditions. 

The Nacon Full HD Webcam is a pretty simple webcam truth be told, but with the glow-up ring, built-in microphone and reasonable capture quality, it’s still a worthy buy at its affordable price point.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Nacon Full HD Webcam Review

The Logitech MX Master 3S is, in our view, the best wireless mouse for productivity. It features an 8000 DPI sensor, which is double the sensitivity of the older Master 3, and made for an especially snappy experience for day-to-day working during testing.

In addition, the MX Master 3S also comes with the powers of both Bluetooth and Logi Bolt receiver connectivity, which means you have two ways of connecting the mouse up, and there’s also support for up to three devices, with switching being a doddle during testing thanks to the button on the mouse’s underside.

The battery life here remains unchanged with the last generation, but is still certainly brilliant – it should last for a quoted 70 days on a full charge. And one quick minute of charging via the bundled USB-C cable gives you three hours of playtime.

The design here remains practically identical to the older MX master 3, retaining the tall stature and rubberised coating that offers both modern looks and a mouse that’s especially comfortable to hold over long periods of time. The only real difference when it comes to design is that Logitech has bundled Quiet Click buttons with the Master 3S that offer a dampened sound, which is ideal if you’re someone who doesn’t want to annoy any co-workers. 

The MX Master 3S works with Logitech’s rather clever Options+ software, which offers a handy means of remapping buttons and mouse functions, both for general use, as well as with app specific presets, which is clever. With that being said, perhaps the most clever thing here is the return of Logi Flow. Flow is a feature that allows you to drag and drop documents from one operating system to another, as long as the mouse is connected to two different channels, and the devices you’re using are on the same networks. In testing, with a MacBook Pro and Windows 11 PC, it worked without a hitch and offered quite a boost to productivity.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech MX Master 3S

If you’re looking for a gaming mouse that’s made for serious competive play and is tremendously lightweight, then we rate the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 as the very best wireless gaming mouse around.

The G Pro X Superlight 2 offers a remarkbly speedy 32K DPI Hero 2 sensor and an equally speedy Lightspeed wireless connection, using Logitech’s USB receiver. You also get up to 95 hours of battery life, to keep you gaming for hours on end.

In our testing, we found this wireless mouse to be extremely comfortable and impressively powerful, while Logitech’s software is easy to use and offers refreshingly adaptable customisation options.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 review

Many may still not have heard of the upstart Keychron brand and, if you have, it may be for its keyboards. Well, it does mice too, and we found the Keychron M6 to be the best value wireless mouse you can buy.

What makes this mouse from Keychron particularly impressive is that it features a gaming-grade sensor but within a productivity-focused design. Its a useful marriage for those who crave the speed and accuracy of a gaming mouse but don’t need all the frills that brings too when it’s time to just get some work done.

The Keychron M6 is all the more remarkably because of its low £49/$49. To get such a powerful mouse for such a reasonable price is something truly impressive. It’s also backed up by strong battery life, with weeks of juice.

Reviewer: Josh Brown
Full Review: Keychron M6 review

Logitech makes some great productivity-focused full-size peripherals but, for those with small hands or those on the go, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S is the one to go for. We reckon it’s the best travel mouse.

Costing £89.99/$79.99 this is a mouse to last you for years, with a sturdy and compact body that can be easily slung in a bag. It weighs just 99 grams and comes in at postiviely miniscule measurements of 65 x 34.4 x 100.5mm. Despite its small size, you get a solid 8000 DPI sensor, which is plenty of accuracy for an productivity mouse. It works great across many surfaces too.

Along with the handy Logitech Options+ software for customising your experience, you get useful dual modes of connectivity through Bluetooth and the Logi Bolt receiver.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech MX Anywhere 3S review

The Logitech Lift is an excellent choice if you’re after a wireless mouse that also spares a thought for the true comfort of long working hours.

As the name suggests, and as the chassis demonstrates, this is more of an ergonomic choice given it offers a much more raised, handshake-style position than a standard mouse. During testing, the Lift proved to be more comfortable than other mice we’ve used in the past and did an excellent job of alleviating any wrist strain we would otherwise usually get towards the end of a working day.

Inside, the Logitech Lift comes with up to 4000 DPI’s worth of sensitivity, which is plenty for general office work, and the sensitivity proved to be more than enough to suit its use case during testing. Much like a lot of Logitech’s other products, the Lift comes with the brand’s Easy Switch function that makes switching between up to three connected devices an absolute doddle. Having this within such easy reach is especially handy if you’re someone who often works with multiple devices at once. 

There are also two means of connecting the Lift to a device, either through Bluetooth or the bundled USB receiver, giving you even more control. Unlike Logitech’s more premium peripherals, there isn’t a rechargeable battery inside the Lift, as it’s powered by a AA battery which Logitech says can allow the mouse to last for up to 24 months. It works with Logi+ Options which provides customisation for changing the DPI and mapping out button inputs, which is especially useful.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full review: Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

The Logitech MX Keys S isn’t a huge upgrade on the three-year-old Logitech MX Keys but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The new MX Keys S adds some pleasing tweaks to make our top wireless keyboard pick even better.

The typing experience is exactly the same with the new MX Keys S as it is with the MX Keys, and that’s no bad thing. It isn’t a mechanical keyboard but its membrane keys are impressive in their own right. There’s a pleasantly surprising amount of tactility, and that’s despite a middling level of travel. It’s snappy and extremely comfortable.

The look of the MX Keys S isn’t flashy, it’s understated and professional, ready to comfortably fit into any office setup. It’ll fit seamlessly in terms of connectivity too, with support for Logi Bolt and Bluetooth connectivity.

One of the key changes for the Logitech MX Keys S is in the software department. You’ll now use Logitech Options+ alongside this keyboard, offering more powerful customisation. The headline feature is Smart Actions. Smart Actions is essentially macro functions, allowing you to assign certain keypresses, and combinations of keypresses, to speed up many tasks. These include opening certain programs or saving time on specific actions in apps like Zoom and Teams.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech MX Keys S review

The Keychron Q1 Max is our top pick for the best enthusiast wireless keyboard around, replacing the Q1 Pro model it has built upon by adding a 2.4GHz connection to beef up its connectivity chops.

It may be wireless but this certainly isn’t a keyboard made for the portable life. However, its all-aluminium chassis adds a huge dose of luxury. For some, the Q1 Max may be an acquired taste, with its luxuriousness being combined with a retro look. But, it’s a wondrous thing to look at. 

The nitty-gritty of this excellent enthusiast option is, of course, the typing experience. It is what our reviewer described as “ultra-satisfying”, with a lusciously tactile keypress that doesn’t go overboard on travel.

Reviewer: Josh Brown
Full Review: Keychron Q1 Max review

Portable, low-profile keyboards are all the rage right now, with big brands like Asus offering its takes, alongside newcomers like Keychron and NuPhy having a go. But, right now, the latest Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is our top choice for the best low-profile wireless keyboard.

Over the last few years, we’ve been mightily impressed with the keyboard offering from Asus, from the ROG Azoth to the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. The ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is another top-drawer option, its low-profile switches enable a lightweight and portable chassis while still providing an exceptional and speedy typing experience.

Along with the impressive performance and design, this keyboard offers stunningly long up to 400 hours of battery life and useful connectivity through Bluetooth and 2.4GHz options.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review

The Corsair K100 Air Wireless used to hold the top gaming keyboard position on this list but it was dethroned by the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless, which left a serious impression on our reviewer. It’s built with a solid frame, plastic chassis and metal top plate with absolutely no deck flex to speak of and a decent amount of heft that makes it feel sturdy to use. 

The keycaps, which are comprised of a textured PBT, felt excellent under one’s fingers and are a lot more durable than other, cheaper plastics, which should ensure a long lifespan. The keycaps also have dedicated sub-legends for controlling recording functions on Windows Game Bar, as well as a multi-function button and roller that can be used to toggle lighting and media playback. 

Our review model came with Asus’s own pre-lubricated NX Snow switches; the lubrication made them feel supremely smooth with no form of scratchiness. Our reviewer noted that the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless was a joy to use in testing, with the layers of foam inside the casing also offering excellent acoustics. 

This keyboard is also hot-swappable, allowing you to use any switches you like, provided that they conform to the MX standard of three or five-pin mounting, giving you virtually infinite customisation options. We found the default NX Snow switches to be comfortable to use with smooth actuation and light force. 

Asus delivers on the lighting side of things too, offering a full spectrum of vivid colours that can be customised to best suit your style. We did find the software to be a little fiddly and slow at times, but nothing too arduous. 

Overall, if you’re looking for the most premium gaming keyboard experience on the market right now then the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is the perfect solution.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless

The Logitech MX Mechanical is another fantastic office-based wireless keyboard, but this time features low-profile mechanical key switches for snappier key presses.

It’s based on the same formula as the standard MX Keys above, but features Logitech’s Tactile Quiet switches inside that we think bring with it an excellent typing experience. These provide a satisfying bump halfway down the key travel, as well as a snappy actuation force that makes day-to-day working a real breeze. There are also Linear and Clicky variants available if the tactile bump isn’t to your tastes, but as a handy all-rounder, you can’t go wrong with Browns.

We found the design here to be elegant yet functional with a two-tone grey colouring on the keycaps that looks excellent, alongside a sturdy metal and plastic construction. Everything here looks modern and reflective of an increasingly premium peripheral, as the pricing of the MX Mechanical suggests.

The battery life here proved to be outstanding, as the MX Mechanical lasted as long as Logitech said – two weeks or so with the backlighting fully on, while they also state it’ll last for up to 10 months with it off. The backlighting here is kept clean with a single white light adorning the MX Mechanical’s keys, and we found it to offer a handy boost when working after dark.

You can also connect the MX Mechanical to up to 3 devices at once and switch between them with no delay at all. The keyboard can be connected to your PC via the bundled Logi Bolt USB receiver or Bluetooth, with the dual options proving to be very useful when working on a MacBook and a PC at the same time.

This is an expensive option compared to other wireless office keyboards, but it’s definitely worth it for those looking for more tactile keystrokes. If you do want to save a little bit of money though, then you also have the option of purchasing the slightly more affordable Logitech MX Mechanical Mini which ditches the number pad to achieve a more streamlined design.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard review

If you’ve become accustomed to an ergonomic keyboard or you just fancy a change, we think the Logitech Wave Keys is the best one around, especially when you consider value for money, at its £69.99/$59.99/€79.99 price.

The wavy, ergo-friendly chassis is deftly designed to ease the burden on your wrists. It isn’t a luxury pick necessarily, with plastic used throughout, but this makes it a sturdy and durable option. And, despite this, it is still rather stylish, especially with the comfortable cloth wristrest adorning its bottom section.

The typing experience itself is comfortable if taking some getting used to if you’re not a typical ergonomic keyboard user, but you’ll get there in no time. There’s also an impressive three-year battery life and handy connectivity over Bluetooth and Logi Bolt for up to three devices.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech Wave Keys review

At Trusted Reviews, we cover a lot of enthusiast keyboards and they don’t necessarily appeal to the average user. The Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s falls directly into this bracket, and it’s our top pick for a mini wireless keyboard.

The Pebble Keys 2 K380s catches the eye with its stylish variety of colours and its remarkably portable size. Despite this, the performance is surprisingly component, with a keypress that is both comfortable and, ideal for the office, it’s quiet.

The Logitech software is helpful too, with its Smart Action enabling speedy custom keys to be assigned to make your working day more seamless. Given it’s powered by a pair of AAA batteries, you’re able to get up to a long 36 months out of this keyboard.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s review