The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair shows that for premium comfort you really do have to pay a premium price

One-minute review

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a premium gaming chair which Razer cut no corners on when it comes to design.

If you've got the Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair, it might feel like no significant upgrades have been made to the base model, despite the significant price increase, but when you start to look below the surface there's some impressive new features tucked in its build to make it feel like a worthy investment.

It's got all the features you'd expect to see in a premium chair, such as in-built lumbar support, breathable material, 4D armrests, and quite an impressive seat tilt and recline function. You'll also find Gen-2 EPU leather with "CoolTouch" technology which is a game changer, especially for anyone who finds themselves uncomfortable with the standard faux leather so many gaming chairs are built from. All of these elements come together to create a chair that certainly puts comfort first.

However, due to its plethora of features, you are also expected to pay a premium for it. As a result, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is not a budget-friendly chair, which is enough to put first time buyers off unless they've already committed to a Razer setup.

That said, I've spent over seven weeks with this chair as my primary seat, and can happily say that it does offer some premium comfort, even when closely compared to my faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe gaming chair.

There's a lot to love about the Iskur V2 NewGen, and no matter how you're using it, it always offers high-quality comfort. This is massively supported by the sheer amount you can tailor to your preferences, but the actual chair itself shows that a lot of care has gone into its design. Particularly in the materials used which help to justify its rather steep price tag.

(Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

• Costs $649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95
• Available through Razer
• 5-year extended warranty

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen launched on February 13, 2026, and is by no means a budget-friendly gaming chair with its $650 price tag. Its price point certainly gives the impression that it's more like an investment than a casual purchase, and is bound to get any potential buyers questioning what sets it above the rest of chairs available at the same sort of point.

For this price, you are getting a very sleek, well-built chair that is bound to suit anyone with a Razer-oriented setup already, but there's definitely some comparison to take into account.

Especially when you've got chairs like the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition retailing at a similarly high $799 / £669 and the Corsair TC500 Luxe coming in cheaper at $499.99/£499.99. Two fantastic chairs offering the same level of features for a far more reasonable price.

But that's not to say that the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen doesn't feature anything to justify its rather generous price point. It's certainly built to be a more premium gaming chair, offering features like extra durable armrests, new technology lumbar support, an ultra wide seat base, and a breathable fabric that means you never have to awkwardly peel yourself off the chair, so it's the sort of seat you can use all day without feeling it after a few hours.

(Image credit: Future)

Specs

Price	$649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95
Backrest dimensions	33.5 in / 85 cm (height) x 21.3 in / 54 cm (width)
Max user weight	299 lbs / 136 kgs
Max user height	200cm / 6 ft 6"
Seat width	17.7 in / 45cm (depth) x 15.7 in / 40 cm (width)
Warranty	5 years

Design and features

• A sleek, comfortable chair
• Available in four colourways
• Razer embellishments are embroidered rather than printed

Razer always tends to nail their branding when it comes to hardware, so obviously the Iskur V2 NewGen follows suit. With a sleek black design, and iconic Razer green piping along the edge of both the seat and backrest of the chair, it certainly looks the part. You've also got the addition of embroidered embellishments on the front of the chair with the Razer logo behind where the memory foam cushion sits, and the text Razer logo on the back in the same green.

The main talking point of the chairs design is the snakeskin embroidered backrest and seat, which I really found myself admiring. I'm usually pretty impartial to additional flourishes like this, but had to appreciate the fact it wasn't your standard diamond or crosshatch embroidery we often see on gaming chairs. The Razer Gen-2 EPU leather the entire seat is made out of is worth praising too.

Not only does it feel like a high-quality product rather than the cheap, rustling pleather found on more budget friendly chairs like , but it's surprisingly cooling. Which was fantastic given a week of my testing with this chair was during a heatwave in the UK, so I really put this feature to the test.

This, paired with the dual-density, cold-cured foam seat cushion the product is quick to highlight on its store page, means that you're never stuck feeling a little sweaty in your seat.

(Image credit: Future)

To coincide with the high-quality material the chair is made out of, the armrests need to be highlighted too. My faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe has 4D omni-directional armsets, much like the Iskur, but my biggest pet peeve is that they don't lock into place. So, if you lean at an awkward angle, they'll move.

However, the Iskur V2 NewGen features the same style of armrest with the ability to lock them into place with the handy use of buttons found on the sides of each rest. Plus, the extra durable build means you don't have to worry about peeling or cracking, unlike something I faced with the Secretlab Titan Evo many moons ago.

You also benefit from the first addition of the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support system, which gives you a huge range of back support and is perfect for anyone like me who often finds themselves sat with shrimp-like posture when tethered to a desk for hours on end. This can be fully customised to your preferences too, courtesy of its 360 degrees swivel design.

The sculpted memory foam cushion is a nice touch for extra support, but I would've preferred if this was magnetic rather than relying on an elastic strap around the headrest of the chair. For $699, it would've definitely felt more luxurious to have a magnetic cushion, especially as that's what's included in the Corsair chair. It's also a shame to cover the embroidered embellishments on the chair with both the cushion itself and the elastic strap.

The Iskur V2 NewGen is also currently available in four different colourways: white, black, black and green, and a rather attractive Quartz. So, there is some level of flexibility to get a chair that perfectly fits your existing aesthetic. It's not as customisable as the covers you can get for the Secretlab chairs, but at least you don't have to pay any extra to get a colour.

(Image credit: Future)

Comfort and performance

• Lots of customisation options to suit how you sit
• Ultra wide seat base lets you sit however you like
• Breathable, cooling fabric actually makes a difference

When it comes to a gaming chair, the main factors that go into deciding whether it's good or not are: how comfortable it is to use for extended periods of time, and how much you can customise it to suit your sitting style and position.

Fortunately, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen excels in customization. There are so many buttons and dials to make the most of, which is great for someone who constantly fidgets like I do. The back support also encouraged me to sit with generally better posture during all of my testing, which is something most people who work at a desk could benefit from.

One downside to its performance is that the back cushion, where the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support System is stored, moves around when you shift in your seat. It's not like those head or neck cushions that conveniently shift themselves into an uncomfortable position the second you decide to adjust how you're sat, but it does move with you when you move in the seat.

I'd rather have a solid backrest, like the Secretlab Evo NanoGen or even the Boulies Master Series gaming chair, but this feels like a pretty insignificant gripe in the grand scheme of things. At least it's not one of those lumbar cushions you just have to hope and pray stays in the same place.

The fabric really deserves a special shoutout too. During my testing, the UK was hit with a sweltering heatwave, so I really could put the breathable and cooling material of the chair to the test while I sat and worked away.

It's safe to say that there is actually a noticeable difference too, and I didn't find myself feeling uncomfortably clammy while sitting. Previously, I'd tested the Boulies Master series gaming chair in a rather hot flat, and definitely didn't find the same level of comfort when the temperature began to increase.

This meant I could quite happily spend hours sitting without feeling it or having to get up and walk around a bit. There's enough cushioning to make the chair comfortable, while still being firm enough to support you in all the right places.

This is definitely supported by the ultra-wide seat base which gives you enough room to sit with either your feet on the floor, or your feet on the chair if you want to embrace the terrible posture which I always tend to. But, I'd say it's safe to assume that you'd expect that level of comfort given the premium price tag.

(Image credit: Future)

Assembly

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is easy to put together too. It's suggested as a two-person job on the instructions, but you really only need another set of hands to help position the seat base on the piston - the rest is quite easy to achieve solo.

All the tools you need are packaged delightfully, alongside a pair of gloves (or, Gamer Gauntlets as they're labelled in the box) to make sure you don't get any potentially nasty chemicals on your hands while building.

Not that I did. Again, because of its price tag, I'd expected there to be quite a few additional flourishes that would make assembly that little bit more challenging, but it was remarkably straightforward.

Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen Gaming Chair?

Buy it if...

You're happy to pay more for materials
The cooling features of the Razer chair are what really make it worth paying for. If you run hot, then you'll be familiar with the humbling act of peeling yourself out of your chair after a day at work or a gaming session, whereas this is something you can avoid entirely with the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen.

You have a funky way of sitting which requires more customisation
If you don't sit in the same position all day every day, having a little more support and customisation goes a long way. The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gives you the freedom to sit however you find comfortable, and gives you the opportunity to customise the seat to support that too.

Don't buy it if...

You rely on the comfort from a neck pillow
The neck pillow is an odd shape, and generally the rectangle cushions you get with gaming chairs are more comfortable. So if you rely on this feature for that added comfort, it might put you off the chair as a whole.

Also consider...

If you're not quite convinced by the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, we've got some alternatives you might want to check out.

	Razer Iskur V2 NewGen	Corsair TC500 Luxe	Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen XL
Price	$649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95	$499.99 / £499.99 / AU$699	$849 / £719 / AU$1,199
Dimensions	33.5 in / 85 cm x 21.3 in / 54 cm	13in x 31.9in x 21.2in / 550mm x 800mm x 590mm	35in x 22in / 89cm x 56 cm
Max user weight	299 lbs / 136 kgs	264 lbs / 120kg	396lb / 180kg
Max user height	200cm / 6 ft 6"	6ft 2in / 188cm	16.5in / 41.9cm
Seat width	17.7 in / 45cm (depth) x 15.7 in / 40 cm (width)	23.22in / 59cm	22.8in / 58cm
Warranty	5 years	2 years	5 years

Corsair TC500 Luxe
The Corsair TC500 Luxe is a more affordable, but equally as lavish gaming chair with a wide seat base and plenty of in-built features to help you tailor your seat to your preferences. Much like the Iskur V2 NewGen, it doesn't have a lot of colour options, but if you're not fussy or you've got a more muted setup colour scheme, then it's a fantastic choice for a smaller price tag.

For more information, check out our full Corsair TC500 Luxe review.

Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen
The Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen is a similar price point to the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, and is praised for its comfort and soft materials. There's a lot you can adjust and play around with, and the XL size in particular is perfect for those who need a little more wiggle room when sitting.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen review.

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair

• Spent a month and a half testing the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen
• Tested as my primary office chair for those two months
• Used when working, gaming, and watching films to test comfort

I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair over a month and a half-long period, keeping it as my only chair for work, gaming, and basically anything that required me to sit at my PC. During my testing period, I made use of all its features like the inbuilt lumbar support and adjustable armrests to keep a comfortable position while working, and then a more relaxed position when watching a film.

Regardless of what I was doing at my PC and how I was sitting, whether that was with my legs and feet on the base of the chair, cross-legged, or with my feet on the floor, I never found myself uncomfortable or struggled to sit for long periods of time. I was also able to closely compare it to my standard office chair, the Corsair TC500 Luxe, and it performed incredibly well. I've been struggling to find a competitor for my trusty Corsair TC500 Luxe, but the Iskur V2 NewGen certainly comes close.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2026.

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UBTech just introduced its first full-size Ultra-Bionic humanoid robot, but what it really wants to do is make robot replicas of loved ones — that's a hard no

• UBTech just introduced its most-human-yet robot
• The silicon skin is realistic and creepy
• It launches in China this year but there are also plans to customize the to look however you wish

Ubtech, last seen deploying humanoid robots to patrol the China-Vietnam border, is back with its creepiest creation yet, the UWorld U1, its first mass-produced, full-sized "ultra-bionic humanoid robot."

I know that's a mouthful, but the UWorld U1 Series does mark a departure for UBTech, which has traditionally produced faceless automatons aimed primarily at business, enterprise, and the border. However, the company has long had consumer ambitions, and the UWorld U1 Series may be the bot to realize them.

This new humanoid robot features silicon skin, a lifelike face with eyes that follow you, lashes that blink coquetishly (ick), and 88 degrees of freedom across its full-sized robotic body. It even has what UBTech calls a "dual-pivot biomimetic cervical spine," which apparently gives it more human-like movements.

(Image credit: UBTech)

UBTech unveiled the robots earlier this week at a splashy launch event in Shenzhen, China. There are three models in the Series: the U1 Lite semi-torso edition, the high-performance full-body U1 Pro, and the high-dynamic full-body U1 Ultra.

During the launch on June 30, 2026, several UWorld U1 Ultra humanoids walked the stage, interspersed with actual humans. The idea, I think, was to confuse the viewer so they might not know which was which. In truth, the robots all looked a little plastic, or like characters straight out of your favorite anime, and they walked somewhat awkwardly.

To further prove their believability, UBTech had one robot dance with a tuxedoed human. At times, it looked as if he might be supporting a potentially teetering UWorld U1 robot.

What are these robots for?

In addition to questionable dance moves, UWorld U1 is equipped with an "emotion-aware LLM" that the company claims will help it recognize and respond to "fine-grained emotional states." It's designed as a proactive companion, responding to human interaction in a fraction of a second.

UBTech also, somewhat comically, promises a focus on privacy, in a country where the Chinese government can ask to see all your data at any time. Still, UBTech's privacy architecture is smartly focusing on "minimal cloud dependency," which means most of your data may not be with UBTech anyway.

According to a release, the UWorld U1 is designed to meet a real and growing need in China, where the company claims that 90 million adults are living alone and there are 118 million empty-nest senior citizens.

The company is so concerned about this growing issue that it plans to donate 100 of these robots in 2026. But here's where things get really weird. I'll let Ubtech speak for itself:

"These units will incorporate 3D facial reconstruction and voiceprint-based identity replication technologies to recreate designated individuals, while integrating emotion-driven interaction models and dedicated long-term memory systems."

(Image credit: UBTech)

As I read that, they plan to make these robots look like the person of your choice., Perhaps it's a dead husband or maybe an adult child who moved away. The custom UWorld U1 Ultra will look, sound, and maybe even respond like your missing companion.

Yikes! How did we get here? Why is life imitating Black Mirror? In truth, these robots are unlikely to fool anyone into thinking they're really human. Sure, UBTech did its best to confuse us in the presentation, but in the real world, that cold silicon, odd gait, and sure-to-be-creepy interactions won't be fooling anyone and will be a poor substitute for your missing partner.

Also, if you really are interested, you'll have to move to China and plop down the equivalent of almost $18,000 in US dollars when they ship sometime this year.

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7 discs new 4K Blu-rays to add to your collection from June 2026

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Blu-ray Bounty. This is where we review the latest 4K Blu-ray releases each month, judging each disc on its video and audio quality, to see if they’ll make a worthy addition to your collection. If you’re new to Blu-ray Bounty, you can check out previous editions here.

We’re big fans of 4K Blu-ray here at TechRadar, and some of us are even collectors ourselves. As TechRadar’s TV tester, I use 4K Blu-ray to test the best TVs and the best soundbars, as it offers uncompressed video and audio for the best picture and sound you can get at home.

In last month’s May 2026 edition of the Blu-ray Bounty we looked at five discs, including the highly anticipated Fight Club, as well as Some Like It Hot, Wuthering Heights, Leaving Las Vegas and Point Blank.

This month, we’re looking at seven discs, including one that’s getting a lot of buzz as 'reference-level'. As always on the Blu-ray Bounty, we’re not talking about the movies themselves, just the disc's picture and audio quality.

We’ll be using our usual setup consisting of the LG G5, one of the best OLED TVs of 2025, the Panasonic DP-UB820, the best 4K Blu-ray player on the market, and the Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar system.

As I'm based in the UK, these releases are based on UK release dates, so don't be surprised if any of these titles are already out where you are, or if one of your picks isn't listed — it might just be coming to where you are later.

Speed Racer (Warner Bros.)

Warner Bros. / Future

Warner Bros. / Future

Warner Bros. / Future

Speed Racer tells the story of Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch), a young man who becomes a racecar driver, following in his older brother’s footsteps, in order to save his family's business. Based on the manga series of the same name, the movie also stars Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman.

Speed Racer looks astounding on 4K Blu-ray. Where it really shines is in its color reproduction. Colors are bold, vibrant and punchy throughout, taking on an almost neon-like level of saturation, which perfectly suits the movie. Whether it’s the pulsing lights of the racetrack or the 1960s-inspired clothing and decor of the neighborhood, the colors seriously pop on screen. On the LG G5 I used, there was a gorgeous depth and richness to said colors.

Black tones during night races are inky, textures are incredibly crisp, especially in people's skin and hair, and even the cartoon-ish CGI of the crowd and cars on the track is slick and sharp. The disc also really pushes the boundaries on motion, with the swerving cars and constantly changing camera angles serving as a showcase for your display’s motion handling.

Sound-wise, this is a seriously impressive disc. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is lively, engaging and ridiculously detailed. During the opening race, the bass of the Mach 5’s was powerful but tightly controlled, and the hum of passing engines through the wind was crystal clear through the HW-Q990C’s rear speakers.

There’s ample room in the Atmos mix too, giving every element a chance to breathe. The mapping of sound is impressive too. As Speed grinds his car on the edge of the track in the opening race, I heard the movement of this through the left rear channel clear as day, despite all the bass from the subwoofer, and the speech and other effects through the front channels.

EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert (Universal Pictures)

Universal Pictures / Future

Universal Pictures / Future

Universal Pictures / Future

From Baz Luhrmann (director of the 2022 Elvis biopic) comes EPiC Elvis Presley In Concert, which features never-before-seen archival footage of Elvis’ early performances as part of his legendary Las Vegas residency, as well as archive interviews with Elivs telling his own story.

The disc has a DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack that sounds superb. While Elvis’ narration, made of clips from interviews, is clear, as is the audio of the behind-the-scenes, in-studio sessions, it’s the live performances on stage that sound excellent. The drums are punchy but beautifully intricate, giving the subwoofer a real workout. Elvis’ vocals are powerful, detailed and delivered with real clarity. The bass is refined and clearly audible and guitars are bright and clean. This is a perfectly balanced mix that sounds excellent, regardless of track. Highlights include ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘Burning Love’.

While visuals aren’t the main feature of this disc, the restored footage looks brilliant. Textures are smooth and crisp, as close-up shots of Elvis’ face will even pick out his stubble. Colors are bold and bright, perfectly capturing Elvis’ flashy on-stage costumes and his often colorful offstage outfits . There’s a nice punchy brightness to the disc as well, with highlights on bejewelled, sequin-encrusted costumes really glinting on screen. Naturally, there’s some film grain present from the camera used in the footage, but most shots have been cleanly restored.

Bullet In The Head (1991) (Arrow Video)

Arrow Video / Future

Arrow Video / Future

Future

Bullet In The Head, directed by John Woo, follows Ben, Paul and Frank, three friends who flee Hong Kong after murdering a member of a rival gang. They become smugglers in Saigon, Vietnam, during the height of the Vietnam War in 1967. The movie stars Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung and Waise Lee.

Visually, this is a solid restoration from Arrow. While the movie still has the grainy, sometimes hazy look you’d expect of early-90s Hong Kong Cinema, textures have been cleaned up well, especially in skin and faces, with more intricate detail such as hair looking refined. Colors can appear bold, whether it's the red of Ben’s t-shirt or the brightly colored buildings in Saigon. Black levels are deep during night-time scenes and there is some nice contrast during scenes in the market or when the trio are at the Bolero club in Saigon.

There are three soundtrack options with this disc: Cantonese Mono and Dolby Atmos and English Mono. The Atmos soundtrack is a more spacious extension of the mono, but it does add more volume and depth to the audio. Speech is clearer in the Atmos mix and other sounds, such as punches and crashes during fight scenes, have more impact. Gunshots in shootouts have good clarity and while they don’t quite utilize the rear channels as I’ve heard in other movies, there’s still some nice power on display. Bass from explosions is also tightly controlled.

Body Heat (Criterion Collection)

The Criterion Collection / Future

The Criterion Collection / Future

Future

Starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, Body Heat follows lawyer Ned (Hurt) and Matty (Turner), the wife of a businessman named Edmund (Richard Crenna) as Ned and Matty begin an affair and plot to murder Edmund in order to get his fortune and run away together. The movie was inspired by the 1944 movie Double Indemnity (which I reviewed for the November 2024 Blu-ray Bounty).

Visually, this is another top-notch restoration job from Criterion. Textures look realistic, particularly in skin and in finer details such as hair. As the movie has such a sweltering setting, sweat features regularly and really shows off the level of detail present. Colors are punchy, with more intricate objects such as a red matchbook on Ned’s desk really popping. There are a number of night scenes showing rich black tones, as well as strong shadows cast by bright lights across the character's bodies and faces.

The disc comes with both DTS-HD Stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround soundtrack options. Opting for the 5.1 surround, speech is clear throughout the movie and there are some nice details present, such as the chirping of crickets, which come through the rear channels during some night sequences. The other main component of the soundtrack is the dramatic, string-led score which does a good job utilizing the full surround channels.

Avatar: Fire & Ash (20th Century Studios)

20th Century Studios / Future

20th Century Studios / Future

Future

The third movie in the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire & Ash continues to follow Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) on Pandora, who must now face challenges from an aggressive, new Na’vi tribe. The movie also stars Sigourney Weaver, Steven Lang and Kate Winslet, with the former two appearing in all three of the current Avatar movies.

Avatar: Fire & Ash is visually impressive. The animation is slick, with crisp textures and detail such as the Na’vi’s braids and skin looking 3D-like. Colors are bold and vibrant, whether it’s the blue of the Na’vi themselves or the seas of Pandora and the rich reds of the warpaint of the Mangkwan. Environments are striking, with lush, green trees and fields, with textures in cliffs and rocks showing intricate detail. Night-time scenes show inky blacks and when fire is added to the mix, it shows the discs' strong contrast.

The Dolby Atmos mix included here is excellent for showing off a home theater system. Any sequences where creatures such as the Nightwraiths fly overhead delivers impressive height, with their flight paths accurately mapped. Gunshots have real weight to them, especially with automatic weapons, creating a real thud through both the soundbar and the subwoofer. Speech is clear throughout, even in the most chaotic battle scenes. During these battle scenes, whenever an arrow is fired, it’s extremely detailed, coming through the rear channels crystal clear. Like some other modern blockbusters I’ve tested, this is a great Atmos soundtrack.

Five Easy Pieces (Criterion Collection)

The Criterion Collection / Future

The Criterion Collection / Future

Future

Five Easy Pieces tells the story of Robert Dupea (Jack Nicholson), a piano prodigy turned oil rig worker who returns home to his rich, estranged family and attempts to reconnect upon hearing about his father’s ailing health. The movie also stars Karen Black as Rayette, Robert’s girlfriend.

Criterion delivers another great restoration here. Colors really pop on screen, shown in people’s brightly-colored clothing. A scene at the bowling alley near the opening of the movie shows this, with almost every patron’s clothing looking vivid. Textures, such as the grime on the oil rigger’s faces and frown lines in Robert’s forehead, look lifelike and detailed. There’s plenty of film grain present and it’s more pronounced in some scenes than others (namely outdoor, daytime scenes), so cinephiles will be happy.

For audio, there’s only a mono soundtrack present. This won’t be an audio showcase for your home theater system, but speech is clear and other effects, such as Robert slamming himself against his car-seat, have some impact. The best part of this audio mix is whenever someone plays the piano, namely the scene where Robert plays Chopin’s ‘Prelude, Op. 28, No.4’, as it sounds bright, clean and detailed. This is a well-restored audio mix.

36 Hours (AKA Terror Street) (Hammer)

Hammer / Future

Hammer / Future

Future

36 Hours (released in the US as Terror Street) tells the story of Major Bill Rogers (Dan Duryea), a US pilot who is framed for the murder of his estranged wife Katherine (Elsie Albiin) while he tries to visit her in London. He then has 36 hours to solve her murder so he can return back to the States.

This is a great restoration from Hammer. Textures have been cleaned-up well, making people and their clothing look incredibly lifelike. Contrast is strong throughout, with deep blacks, punchy whites and a full range of gray tones to create a dynamic image. There is the occasional shot where textures can appear fuzzy, but it's rare and considering the age of the movie, it’s surprisingly good-looking throughout. There is grain present, which will please cinephiles, but again there’s been a surprisingly thorough clean-up job here.

There are two options for soundtracks here: mono and DTS-HD 5.1 MA. The mono mix is louder and more direct, but the 5.1 mix has a warmer, cleaner sound that fits the tone of the movie. Dialogue is controlled and clean in all parts of the movie and the melodramatic score is bright and bold, using the rear channels to great effect. Other effects such as gunshots and punches have some solid impact to them as well.

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How to watch France vs Sweden: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time for FIFA World Cup 2026 as Kylian Mbappe leads Les Bleus in last 32

• France vs Sweden Kick-Off time: Tuesday, June 30 | 10pm BST / 5pm ET / 7am AEST (Wed)
• Watch free on ITV (UK) / SBS (AUS) / CazéTV's YouTube (Brazil)
• Unlock your free streams with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)

Free-scoring France face a Sweden side who also boast their fair share of top-quality attackers in the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in New Jersey — and you can watch the game from anywhere for free.

Les Bleus were the joint-top goalscorers in the group stage, finding the net 10 times as they seek a third successive World Cup final. It has not just been the Kylian Mbappe show, either – after France's captain scored four times in the opening two games, Ousmane Dembele took center stage with a 32-minute hat-trick in the 4-1 rout of Norway that sealed Group I top spot. Les Bleus' head coach Didier Deschamps has returned to camp after missing the Norway game to attend his mother's funeral back home in France.

Sweden have already had a rollercoaster World Cup, trading 5-1 scorelines in victory and defeat against Tunisia and the Netherlands, respectively. A 1-1 draw against Japan ensured qualification as one of the best third-place teams, but a defense that has already shipped seven times this tournament will need to tighten up against France's star-studded forward line. Head coach Graham Potter may decide to fight fire with fire and unleash his own impressive attacking options, including strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, and the pacy Anthony Elanga.

The winner faces Paraguay in the last 16.

So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch France vs Sweden for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

How to watch France vs Sweden for free

France vs Sweden is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.

• 🇬🇧 UK: ITV (English commentary)
• 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
• 🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
• 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
• 🇫🇷 France: M6
• 🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
• 🇮🇹 Italy: Rai
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
• 🇪🇸 Spain: RTVE
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
• 🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT

Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.

Use a VPN to watch France vs Sweden live streams

It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual France vs Sweden stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.

Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.

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How to watch France vs Sweden in the US

US viewers can watch France vs Sweden on Fox.

You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch France vs Sweden on Fox One (3-day free trial).

Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).

How to watch France vs Sweden in the UK

UK customers are in luck as they can stream France vs Sweden for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV1 and ITVX.

You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).

Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.

How to watch France vs Sweden in Australia

(Image credit: free)

France vs Sweden will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.

The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.

Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.

How to watch France vs Sweden in Canada

(Image credit: Other)

In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting France vs Sweden.

You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.

Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

France vs Sweden: Match Information

What time does France vs Sweden start?

France vs Sweden kicks-off at 10pm BST / 5pm ET on Tuesday, June 30. That's 7am AEST on Wednesday, July 1 in Australia.

What are the squads for France vs Sweden?

France

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes).

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamenaco (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbache), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain).

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris St-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Phillipe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

Sweden

Goalkeepers: Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby County).

Defenders: Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Herman Johansson (FC Dallas), Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga), Eric Smith (FC St. Pauli), Elliot Stroud (Mjallby AIF).

Midfielders: Mattias Svanberg (VfL Wolfsburg), Jesper Karlstrom (Udinese), Yasin Ayari (Brighton & Hove Albion), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham Hotspur), Besfort Zeneli (Union Saint-Gilloise).

Forwards: Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Ken Sema (Pafos), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Taha Ali (Malmo FF).

France vs Sweden: Road to the last-32

Stage	France	Sweden
Group stage	Group I: 1st, 9 points	Group F: 3rd, 4 points

Can I watch France vs Sweden on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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US bans Polestar but not Volvo in baffling EV ruling — data security fears force exit for premium brand, while its sister company gets a green light

• Connected Car ruling will come into effect in 2027
• Anything with a link to China or Russia is in the spotlight
• Volvo has managed to avoid the same fate

North American fans of beautifully minimal Scandinavian design will no longer be able to purchase one of Polestar’s innovative and stylish EVs as of next year, as a new Connected Vehicle Rule can prohibit the sale of items with a “sufficient nexus” to China or Russia in the US.

The final decision falls to the Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the US Department of Commerce, which declined to grant Polestar authorization to sell vehicles in the US from model year 2027, according to Electrek.

The rule, which was instituted during the final days of the Biden administration but kept under the Trump administration, centers around national security concerns, particularly with those brands controlled by, or subject to, the jurisdiction or direction of China or Russia.

Polestar, which has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, is majority owned by one of the largest automakers in China, Geely Auto, which also happens to own Volvo.

However, its Swedish sibling was granted a waiver in May to continue its sales in the US.

“Companies from these countries may be compelled to share data or allow remote access to connected vehicles in the United States,” the notice of the rule said, according to CNN.

But to add insult to injury, none of the Polestar models that are on sale in North America are assembled in China, with the Polestar 3 built in a Volvo plant in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Polestar 4 built in South Korea.

The company has said that it will keep its 32 US-based dealerships open to continue offering aftercare and support to existing customers, as well as to clear any remaining inventory.

A statement released by the brand said existing Polestar owners and lease customers will “continue to receive the same level of support and access to service as they do today”.

Analysis: Causing more confusion for the EV market

(Image credit: Polestar)

Polestar likely won’t take the ruling to heart, seeing that the majority of its sales come outside of the US anyway, but the Department of Commerce’s decision to ban Polestar and not Volvo remains baffling.

Both brands share much of their basic platform and electrical architecture, while Polestar and Volvo’s infotainment systems are only really discernible by the fonts and graphics they use on-screen.

What’s more, both these brands run Android Automotive Operating Systems and have Google Maps installed natively for navigation, both of which were originally developed by US tech giants.

While the rule appears to have national security at its heart, it also just adds further confusion to a global automotive market that is struggling to keep up with the constantly-moving goalposts, both in terms of shifting emissions rulings and global trade legislation.

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The first Fitbit Air update could fix a major frustration — but Google has shut off a workaround for avoiding the new Google Health app

• The Fitbit Air is getting its first software update
• It should fix problems with automatic workout detection
• An old Fitbit app workaround is going away

The first software update for the Fitbit Air is rolling out now, and the hope is that it's going to fix one particular bugbear for users — but there's also bad news for those who are still using the older Fitbit app rather than the Google Health replacement.

First up, the update is rolling out now, as reported by 9to5Google, though you might not see it right away: look for a notification inside the Google Health app that an update is ready. As per Google, it contains "bug fixes and general improvements".

There's a bit more detail in a post on the Google Health support forum from last month, suggesting that there are fixes to exercise tracking, split runs, exercise exports, multiple device support, and how the device deals with lost connectivity when tracking.

As noted by Android Authority, one of the most commonly reported problems on the Fitbit Air has been the inaccurate labeling of workouts that are detected automatically — tagging runs as general workouts, for example — and this issue now seems to have been resolved.

No more Fitbit app workarounds

Google Ending Support for Fitbit App July 15, 2026 from r/fitbit

While a software update is positive news for Fitbit Air owners, those who have been clinging on to the old Fitbit app on their phones won't be pleased that Google has now closed off a workaround for avoiding the upgrade to Google Health.

As explained by Gadgets & Wearables, some users have been sideloading older versions of the Fitbit app: these older versions don't get automatically replaced by Google Health, so it's a way of sticking with the old app interface and layout.

From July 15 though, these older versions of the Fitbit app are going to stop working. Users will have no choice but to switch to Google Health, which moves around a lot of the key elements on screen and introduces a new AI coach.

Fitbit fans have been complaining loudly about the changes that the Google Health app brings with it, and many are unhappy about being forced to upgrade: "I think I'm going to have to find an alternative to the AI slop," writes one Redditor.

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Megapod is the modular AI data center kit that Elon Musk's Tesla wants to sell — but there's a tiny problem (actually, three)

• Despite Tesla trademark application, the Megapod concept already exists
• Megapod's trademark is owned by someone else
• Nvidia and others already dominate this market

Tesla has filed a trademark application for ‘Megapod’ as the company begins to expand beyond electric cars, batteries and solar energy. Already with fingers in the autonomous transportation and humanoid robotics pies with Robotaxi and Optimus, the company is now looking to build modular AI data center infrastructure.

Though the filing is based on an intent-to-use application, meaning that no commercial product is available yet, it describes a self-contained AI computing platform that includes servers, AI hardware, networking equipment, power distribution units, cooling and software.

However, the project and associated trademark application has already hit three big walls – the concept already exists, the ‘Megapod’ trademark is already owned by somebody else, and the market itself is highly crowded with Nvidia, Huawei and others already more established.

Megapod could be related to Megapack

Tesla already uses the ‘Mega’ naming strategy, as evidenced by its Megapack. A battery system that offers a similar commercial proposition to the proposed Megapod, consisting of factory-built complete modules that can be deployed quickly with minimal on-site assembly or construction.

Rather than customers assembling servers, networking, cooling and other infrastructure themselves on-premises, Megapod could arrive as a plug-and-play AI data center, expandable by its modular design.

The news comes around a year after Musk’s company reportedly wound down its Dojo AI training computer project, indicating that it’s no longer gunning for the AI chip market. It now looks like Tesla could be going after more complete physical infrastructure using existing chips, instead.

Mitsubishi already has its own MegaPod, and it possesses a trademark already. And it’s not the first time Musk has faced complications over trademarks, failing to acquire a Robotaxi trademark over it being too generic and facing Cybercab trademark delays after another applicant got in first.

Submer even sells its own MegaPod, described as a data center in a box, adding to the naming complications.

Is there room for Tesla to join the market?

Trademarks aside, if Tesla were to launch a Megapod-type product, it would face stiff competition from established rivals. Nvidia’s DGX and HGX platforms are already commonplace in enterprise deployments, and Huawei has also developed its own solutions based around its Ascend accelerators. Server manufacturers like Dell and HPE also have their own hardware.

However, Tesla could bring its broader experience to the market to entice some customers into its ecosystem. Integration with its Megapack could, for example, give it uninterrupted power supply – xAI has already purchased $1 billion worth of Megapacks. Purchasing power and other internal efficiencies could also keep costs low.

While the company doesn’t really have an existing enterprise customer base, AI startups could be sold on its tech.

Integrated cooling could also be a major selling point, with thermal efficiency now nearly as important as chip performance itself. Nvidia, for example, has already introduced next-generation liquid cooling specifically for its Rubin systems.

As for what’s next, given Musk’s track record and those of his companies, we’re probably more likely to learn about any potential Megapod developments via X posts or surprise launches, rather than blog posts and official announcements.

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This app turned me into the music creator that GarageBand never could

Over the years, there's been one iPhone app that keeps drawing me back. It’s called GarageBand, and since its iOS release in 2011, it has consistently managed to keep its claws stuck into me. There’s something about being able to generate good-sounding music with just a few loops that keeps me dreaming of being a music creator!

But, as good as GarageBand is, it’s not the only kid on the block, and I’ve recently been wondering what the alternatives are. There’s Splash, WalkBand, and FL Studio Mobile, to name only a few, but I’ve recently landed on BandLab as my favorite GarageBand alternative.

BandLab is a free music-making app and one of the quickest ways to turn ideas into release-ready tracks. It’s feature-rich, comprehensive, and easy-to-use, all with a nifty (albeit ad-heavy) interface, and it's simple and intuitive to use.

Homescreen heroes

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here.

The BandLab app has enough depth to deliver professional results while also being playful enough to have that GarageBand experimental feel. And as you’d imagine, there are a host of AI music generation tools to get your teeth stuck into as well. This is 2026 after all!

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Creating music is a breeze

The first step involves creating music. This can be done by uploading an audio file or adding a track. I started from scratch and laid down a drum beat, which I subsequently edited. Creation and editing tools are fast, intuitive, and easy to find, so even though I was new to BandLab, I was able to find my way around without any problem at all.

From there, I entered Studio mode and started laying down multiple tracks, including voice, drum, bass, and guitar. Each instrument comes with its own interface, but with enough consistency between them to not overcomplicate navigation.

Without any formal training, I was able to add effects, crop clips, and perform auto-pitching. With over 300 sound presets, premade drum kits, and 100K+ loop and layer sounds, I effortlessly created a professional-sounding mix.

If at any time I needed to change the settings of my project, I could do so using the Project Settings tab. It's possible to change the tempo, time signature, and project key. Underneath these, there are the app's studio settings, such as changing the input device, which is your phone by default, or whether or not you want a count-in not.

From there, the library of projects becomes your friend. With it, you can manage albums, bands, playlists, and more. It’s also the easiest way to duplicate tracks for creating multiple edits of the same song.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Collaborate and share

One of the best collaboration tools centers around creating music as a band rather than individually. Any project you’ve already created can be assigned to a band, or if you create a new project, then it can be done at the point of creation. Either way, sharing your project lets other band members contribute to the creation process.

With your music created, it’s time to share it. With BandLab, publishing, sharing, and social media tools are built into the very heart of the app experience. Through it, you can easily connect and collaborate with like-minded creators on the BandLab social music platform.

BandLab is much bigger than just your world of music. The Home tab provides access to a vibrant feed of music and videos from other artists. This helped me discover new artists as well as genres of music that I never considered exploring.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Go big with BandLab Premium

Getting a BandLab membership unlocks exclusive creation features with AI tools. One premium feature that is well worth the monthly cost is AutoMix, which instantly adjusts a track’s volume and panning for a clean, polished mix. All you have to do is pick a genre, and you get a balanced, polished mix in seconds.

BandLab Pro is available for $180 / £149 per year, or if you want the complete unlocked experience, then you’ll need a BandLab Max membership, which costs $360 / £199 per year.

Download BandLab and get creating on iOS and Android.

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I spent a week watching and playing these 3 intriguing horror titles — here's my verdict on which ones are worth your time

I've got quite the varied selection for our first instalment of Scream or Skip, which features a mix of new releases and an indie horror movie I had never heard of until a few days ago.

Scream or Skip

Scream or Skip, that is the question. With so much horror out there to watch and play, our senior entertainment writer, Lucy Buglass, is here to help you decide what's worth your time (or worth a Scream) and what's not (and so worth a Skip). Her goal is to help you beat the endless scrolling and spend more time enjoying some great TV shows, movies, and games. Read the full series here.

Thanks to my social media algorithms being full of horror content, it's never hard for me to discover new things. This month, we have a bit of a water-based theme going on, as two out of my three picks are set there, and the third comes from nautical beginnings.

But they couldn't be more different, ranging from a disturbing coming-of-age story at a lake to a Lovecraftian-style nightmare. There's been a lot of discussion about all three of these, but what did I think of them?

Read on to find out more about my three horror picks across streaming and gaming in June.

TV - The Terror: Devil in Silver

Where to watch: AMC+ (US only for now)
Lucy's verdict: Skip

The Terror: Devil in Silver is the newest installment in the AMC+ horror anthology series, and unfortunately, it has taken a nosedive in quality after the first two seasons. If you take anything away from this, it would be that I recommend you check out 2019's The Terror because it is still the best out of the three stories and is widely available to stream, unlike Devil in Silver, which is currently US-only.

For Devil in Silver, we're in an entirely new setting, moving from a cursed ship at sea to a psychiatric hospital. Here, Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens plays Pepper, who has wrongly been committed there, and begins to experience supernatural events whilst trying to prove he should be freed.

There's no denying the performances are great, both from Stevens and Judith Light, who plays Dorry, a fellow hospital resident. But the series does unfortunately suffer from pacing issues and a lack of genuine scares, meaning it pales in comparison to the original The Terror series. It might be a good pick for those who like a slow burn, but it seems to stand out when compared to the others in the anthology for the wrong reasons.

Movie - Mean Creek

Where to watch: Paramount+ (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
Lucy's verdict: Scream

Mean Creek is a 2004 movie that completely fell under the radar for me. I'd never heard of it until I stumbled across this TikTok video. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, and I must say, I'm glad I watched it. It's billed as a "dark coming of age story" and is very psychological in its approach to horror, so expect a lot of dread and harrowing scenes rather than jumpy moments.

Josh Peck has comfortably moved away from comedy in recent years, and here he plays school bully George, who has terrorized his peers for too long. They decide enough is enough, so they invite George to a fake birthday party at a lake, where they decide to play a prank on him, which involves throwing him overboard during a boating trip.

Inevitably, things go wrong, and this movie examines the consequences of that. It is bleak, realistic, and will linger for a while, and it has been widely praised by horror fans as a result. What goes down is truly horrific, and I'm glad I gave this a go. It is worth the rental price in the UK and Australia, too.

Game - The Sinking City

Where to play: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Lucy's verdict: Scream

There are a lot of Lovecraftian horror games out there; it can be hard to know where to start. The Sinking City 2 releases in August this year, so I wanted to take a look at the first game to see how it holds up.

The Sinking City was released in 2019 and is a survival horror RPG. Here, a half-submerged city is gripped by supernatural forces. You play a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city and the minds of its inhabitants.

I had a great time playing this, and I'm now keen to check out the sequel. You can explore The Sinking City by boat, on foot, and in a diving suit if you're brave enough to swim down into the depths. There's plenty to uncover and lots of fun creature design, and there are multiple endings to explore based on your decisions. This game is also widely available across platforms, which is just another bonus.

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Is your World Cup stream buffering or dropping out? Use your VPN’s IP rotation tool to jump servers without breaking your connection

VPNs offer features and tools to boost your video streaming performance, and some of those are particularly handy for the World Cup.

Anyone using a VPN to get around local broadcast restrictions might still encounter problems if the free World Cup streaming service they're trying to use is blocking access from the IP address that their VPN server has issued.

That can happen before you try to stream or even part way through the match itself. Either way, that's a pain and, with some VPNs, that means disconnecting from the server and then trying out a bunch of others until you identify one that works, but some VPN providers can save you the hassle.

We particularly like the technology that Norton VPN has introduced in time for the 2026 World Cup. It's called Manual IP Rotation and it allows you to ‘rotate’ your VPN’s IP address to another location within the same country, without interrupting the encrypted tunnel you’re streaming through.

Put simply, it’s a one-button solution to streaming services blocking your VPN’s IP. The idea is that you connect once and then never have your World Cup stream interrupted again.

Norton has a 60-day money-back guarantee, so even if you still find that it doesn't work for your needs, you can just get a refund. But do try it out before kick-off just in case, please.

▶︎ World Cup Deal – save $25.89 on Norton VPN Plus
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Watch your World Cup stream uninterrupted. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections, thanks to Manual IP rotation, with servers available around the world, so you can stream from anywhere.

Thanks to its World Cup deal, you can now get Norton VPN Plus for the same price as the Standard plan. That means you get AI-powered scam detection and a password manager effectively for free.

Additional features include:

🛡️ Cover up to 5 devices
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Norton VPN also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee — double the industry standard.View Deal

In terms of the competition, Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN service and comes with its own IP rotation system thanks its Nexus technology, which connects all of its VPN servers together in one network.

And if your streaming service has a specific server on lockdown, NordVPN’s massive network of servers could offer a working alternative.

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I’ve tested more than 20 chargers that can juice up your phone and laptop, and these are the 4 I still choose to use in my real life, including a portable power bank and a wireless charger

I've tested more than 20 chargers here at TechRadar, including everything from small-sized power banks through to gigantic 500W towers, and while many have impressed me greatly with their strong performance and ingenious designs, some have been...less easy to recommend.

There are a lot of underwhelming models out there that won't give you fast charging, have a poor line-up of ports, or break much faster than you'd hope. And so, I want to make sure you can get yourself a charger that's speedy, reliable, well-made — and most importantly, great value for money.

Of all the chargers I've tested, there are 4 that I've come to rely on above all others. I've collected them all together and placed them into this list, so you can copy my charging loadout and wave goodbye to poor performance. Spoiler alert: these are all Anker and UGreen models, which will be of little surprise to many — these two brands are building chargers with an unbelievable power-to-scale ratio, impressive temperature-regulating tech, and flashy looks.

But anyway, you must be curious what models made the cut by now, so let's dive right into my top picks!

1. UGreen Uno Charger 100W

(Image credit: Future)

You saw the robot in that lead image, didn't you. And I bet it sparked your interest, right? Of course it did. And it should, because the UGreen Uno Charger 100W isn't just my favorite charger I've ever tested, it's also the one I've used the most.

In my five-star review, I raved about this charger's quirky robo-shaped design, its incredible performance, high power, and practical build. 100W is enough for me to charge my MacBook Air M4 or high-speed charge my Xiaomi 17 phone. It even shows quirky emotions while I charge, which makes something typically monotonous feel kinda fun.

Despite putting this model through the wringer for over a year and a half, it hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, any wear or tear, or given me any reason to want an upgrade. It's genuinely exceptional, and if you're going to buy one charger on this list, I'd suggest making it this one.

2. Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)

(Image credit: Future)

The Anker Prime Charger 200W has been a stalwart of my desk for quite some time now, and I think I'd struggle to keep my workspace organized without it.

This desktop charger really does have it all. It's got a mega 200W maximum power output, four USB-C and two USB-A ports, and tech that protects against overheating and other nasty malfunctions. It's easily mighty enough to recharge a power-starved laptop and phone simultaneously, and you can probably throw in a few small devices, like an Apple Watch or wireless earbuds for good measure, as well.

What I really love about this device, though, is that it keeps everything in order. I don't need to plug loads of chargers in to keep my (many) devices — I can just plug this into the mains, connect everything I need up, and get seamless and clutter-free results. Another thing to highlight is this device's premium look and durable build — mine still looks like new after almost two years. Not bad for a model you can sometimes find on sale for less than $60 / £55.

3. UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W

(Image credit: Future)

I recently got to review the UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W — yes, its name really is that long. And I found it works like an absolute charm.

In a way, this device is a lot more versatile than I first thought. On the face of it, you think: wireless charger with retractable cable to recharge the power bank, simple. But I've been using it a little differently. See, the charger is capable of recharging while juicing up other devices, which actually makes it a surprisingly effective multi-device charger when you're on the go.

If I'm on the move, I plug the power bank's retractable cable in, charge my wireless earbuds on the wireless pad, and use the charger's additional USB-C port to give my phone or Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones a bit of extra life. Of course, it works great as a basic wireless charger too, especially with its 25W Qi2 compatibility and handy display, but it really feels like the Swiss Army Knife of the charging world.

4. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W

(Image credit: Future)

If I'm out and about, then this Anker power bank is my go-to every time. It's a small yet mighty power bank that's ideal for juicing up your phone on flights or roadtrips, and thanks to its 45W power, it's perfectly capable of fast-charging a lot of modern handsets.

In my Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank review, I described the model as a "highly practical" and "well-designed" option, highlighting its durable and handy built-in charging cord, as well as its neat display and versatile ports. And I enjoyed using it so much that I even added it to my personal charging arsenal.

The 10,000mAh capacity means that this model isn't as well optimized for charging laptops or the most demanding devices, but if you just need something for your phone, wireless earbuds, or other small devices, then it's a top-tier option.

Bonus: UGreen 240W USB-C Cable

I've used the UGreen 240W USB-C Cable for almost every one of my phone and laptop charger reviews, and it's never let me down. I regularly pair it with my UGreen Uno Charger 100W to juice up my laptop or Xiaomi phone, and it's a top performer. And even after almost two years of use, I've not noticed any wear or reduction in charging speeds.

The cable is well over 6ft long, which is really useful for me when I want to charge my phone, but also scroll while at my desk...or in bed. It's made of a pleasingly flexible yet durable material, too, so you won't have to worry much about breakage.

Although I've not done a standalone review of the cable, it gets my full recommendation, and you can purchase it at Amazon US or over on Amazon UK if you live on my side of the pond.

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