There are a lot of monitors out there these days, and every one of them is touting how great it is in one way or another. Whether that is visual clarity or resolution, aspect ratio, custom zoning, colors, anything like that.
However, what isn't said is that even though there are iPads that you can buy with tandem OLED displays, most people in a business context or professional context just don't need that and probably don't even understand what they're looking at, even if they had all of the monitors at their disposal. I'm saying this from experience as well. It's not just me saying that as a tech reviewer isolated in a box, but as somebody who procures monitors for a growing business.
I've had several people who, when trying to figure out what they want for a monitor, simply just say they want a 27-inch screen because that's what they're used to and that's all they need and want. I've set up several workstations with much nicer setups, only to see the settings toned down to the point where they are using it as is: a 27-inch HD monitor rather than a fantastic 4K display with color accuracy.
The USB-C feature adds a layer of simplicity to this monitor: instead of needing a dock or an HDMI plug-in, you can simply train your team to plug in their company laptop with a single USB-C cable. One-cable setups are super easy, and this monitor does that very, very well.
For those who need simple and those who don't need anything fancy, this may just be one of the perfect monitors that fits that gap, while every other monitor seems to be trying to push for the best of the best of the best in some other area that may or may not matter to the masses.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Price and Availability
The Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC is widely available from Dell in all regions, as well as retailers such as Amazon. It retails for around $250 / £250.
For what you're getting, that feels like a phenomenal price to me. Especially when buying these out in bulk across multiple locations, offices, or similar setups.
Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Unboxing and First Impressions
Right out of the gate, the unboxing for this one is very similar to the last Dell 27" HD monitor that I tested. It's a very simple white box. Inside is just as simple. There is a monitor, a three-piece stand, and some included cables. The only difference is that this box includes a USB-C cable as well. That is actually a surprising length, making it long enough for you to route into a desk, pull away, or mount somewhere as well, if needed. I would have expected probably a meter or two, but this one seems to be quite a bit longer in a good way.
Once set up, I was able to plug in a test device via USB-C to confirm it had power. Then I tested it with all sorts of different devices that I had. I tested it on my MacBook, my iPad, another iPad, and my iPhone. I tested it with several other laptops and a couple of desktops, and all of them worked out great. This USB-C is quick and responsive. The screen looks sharp, and the few times that you need to use the OSD, it works well.
One thing worth noting on this is that the pop-out ports on the bottom actually work really well. Of course, they're not Thunderbolt 5 speeds, but they're fast enough to get the work done you may need to do on this: charge quick devices, transfer some smaller files, things like that. Of course, it doesn't need to have crazy high-speed transfer rates, because that's not the design of this monitor. That would be like trying to cram 57 cup holders into a Ferrari. That's just not necessary, because that's not what that vehicle is designed for. Same thing here. Why would Dell spend money and time and resources on crazy high-speed USB-C on a device that isn't designed to work that way?
Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Design & Build Quality
I've already mentioned it a little bit, but the design is simple. It's clean, and it's very work-friendly. This isn't the kind of monitor that's going to turn heads, and that's exactly what Dell was hoping for. This is the kind of monitor you would see on the desk of a data admin or an executive admin at a coworking space. Perhaps a hot desk scenario, maybe an accountant, account manager, or things of that nature.
The stand has some slight upgrades from past ones that I've griped about. Instead of a cable pass-through through the base, it actually has a little clip on the back. It's still not perfect, but it seems a little clearer and cleaner to use if you opt not to use the built-in stand. One thing to note is that the monitor is extremely light, so you will need to aggressively adjust your monitor arm to compensate for the reduced weight, which is not usually the case. Usually you have to account for heavier monitors.
There is an OSD joystick for selecting inputs, adjusting USB-C settings, or even choosing the original language when first setting up the monitor. Lastly, I do appreciate that this is a USB-C monitor, as that one-cable setup without needing another dock, another power, or another place to put a docking station really helps clean things up.
Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
This monitor has functioned well for everyday work. I’ll be the first to note that it wouldn't be ideal for color-accurate creative work. Nor would it be great for those who try to fit everything on their display at once, expecting a high-resolution screen to help by scaling. It’s not for video editors, photo editors, creatives, gamers, or those.
But for people who work on spreadsheets, project management, emails, web-based content, writing documents, working with AI, perhaps even basic coding, and things in this realm, those who don’t have a specialty niche when it comes to displays, this will work great. I immediately thought of my friends who work in finance and Insurance. These guys would kill for a monitor like this, as it does exactly what they need without any fluff. It’s not going to take their time to set up and understand.
Well, of course, the single USB-C is a huge benefit for this monitor. It's also super great for IT professionals who need a simple setup to run a server or plug into a server room or something like that. Other devices can be plugged into the HDMI ports, and then when they walk in with their laptop, they can plug in with USB-C. You could, of course, also plug in other devices via USB-C, like desktops, but that would also be just as easy to plug in an HDMI cable. That's not necessarily a huge selling point.
One of the many things that USB-C can transfer is audio, and while this monitor does have speakers, do not expect them to be anything fancy. You can potentially get away with some background audio, maybe some lo-fi beats on Spotify or a virtual meeting, but I wouldn't expect these to be anything crazy or clear. They'll get the job done in some scenarios, but not in many.
Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
All in all, I think it's pretty clear that this is a simple monitor for simple needs for those who don't have a niche need. Nor do they want to spend what some people spend on a car on a monitor.
Monitor technology has gotten incredible. I would know. I've tested most monitors out right now, and while I do love a fancy monitor, there is something to be said for a simple one that is just plug-and-play, without any bells and whistles, that still costs a very reasonable $200-$250.
There's still plenty of demand for that kind of display, and Dell putting out this monitor shows exactly that.
I spend a lot of time traveling for work, testing laptops, accessories, and other hardware, so I've become very selective about what earns a permanent place in my bag.
These five gadgets are the ones I reach for every trip because they solve real problems without adding much weight, and right now they're all reduced in price on Amazon.
The first thing I never leave home without is Anker's compact 10,000mAh power bank. It's small enough to slip into any bag yet has enough capacity to keep my iPhone 17 Pro and Dell 15 Laptop running through long flights, delayed trains, or full days away from a power outlet. Fast USB-C charging makes topping up devices quick and convenient.
My top business travel gear
A slim, lightweight 10,000mAh power bank with fast USB-C charging, capable of recharging smartphones multiple times. Its durable, scratch-resistant design, two-way USB-C port, and compact size make it ideal for travel and everyday use.View Deal
Create a secure private Wi-Fi network wherever you travel with this compact Wi-Fi 7 router. It supports up to 90 devices, offers VPN protection, multi-mode connectivity, and fast 2.5GbE wired networking for work and entertainment.View Deal
Expand your workspace anywhere with this ultra-slim 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitor. It features an IPS display, built-in adjustable stand, USB-C and HDMI connectivity, HDR support, and a protective sleeve for travel.View Deal
Enjoy quiet, distraction-free working with this compact Bluetooth mouse, featuring 90% quieter clicks, smooth optical tracking, an ambidextrous design, and up to 18 months of battery life for laptops, tablets, and desktops.View Deal
Transfer, edit, and back up files at speeds of up to 2,000MB/s with this rugged portable SSD. It offers 1TB of storage, hardware encryption, advanced thermal management, and broad compatibility with PCs, Macs, cameras, consoles, and smartphones.View Deal
Don't travel without these devices
Reliable internet is incredibly important for me, and while I'll often opt for an eSim on my phone, TP-Link's Roam 7 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Portable Travel Router lets me create a secure private network from hotel, airport, or public Wi-Fi.
Built-in VPN support adds another layer of security when I'm working remotely or accessing sensitive files.
InnoView's 15.6" portable monitor is another essential piece of my travel setup. The Full HD IPS display gives me a second screen for editing, writing, or managing multiple applications at once, while the integrated stand and protective sleeve make it easy to pack and use anywhere.
I always stow Logitech's compact M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse in my bag. It's useful for navigating my screen and silent clicks are welcome when working in cafés, airport lounges, or shared workspaces.
The long battery life means I rarely need to think about replacing batteries between trips.
Finally, I always carry a Samsung T9 Portable SSD. With transfer speeds reaching up to 2,000MB/s, it's ideal for backing up photos, moving large video files, or carrying projects between devices.
Its rugged construction, hardware encryption, and broad compatibility with laptops, desktops, cameras, and even smartphones make it one of the most useful accessories I own.
None of these products are particularly flashy, but every one of them has earned a place in my travel bag by making work easier, more secure, and more productive.
DJI's dominance of the consumer drone market is so total that you have to wonder whether any rival can land a meaningful blow. The Ruko U11Mini 4K is the latest contender to step into the ring, and on paper it looks like a credible one: a sub-250g folding quadcopter with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video, and an optional touchscreen controller that's clearly modeled on DJI's own RC series.
Unfortunately, the closer I looked, the more the U11Mini 4K's limitations revealed themselves, and the gulf between Ruko and DJI's similarly-priced beginner drones remains huge.
In the air, the U11Mini 4K is a mixed bag. Flight is reasonably stable in calm conditions, but it's easily pushed around by wind, and during one flight I experienced an alarming voltage drop that triggered an unscheduled emergency landing. The touchscreen RC3 controller is a solid piece of hardware, and a smart way to sidestep the usual phone-pairing headaches, but its joysticks lack the precision of DJI's equivalents, making smooth, cinematic camera moves a struggle.
There's no obstacle avoidance whatsoever, and the automated flight modes feel half-baked: Point of Interest mode, for instance, simply circles wherever the drone happens to be, rather than the subject you actually want to showcase.
On paper, the Ruko U11Mini 4K looks like a solid DJI Mini 4K competitor, but a few minutes of flying it sadly convinced me otherwise. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The camera quality is similarly inconsistent. 4K video in good light is detailed and perfectly watchable, if a little flat and lacking in dynamic range, but stills are a different story; the U11Mini 4K's exposure metering routinely blows out highlights, and there's no way to fix this reliably even when dialing back the EV.
Storage is another sore point: the drone does have a small but usable amount of internal storage, but with no USB port on the aircraft itself, getting your footage off it is a major chore, and I'd recommend sticking exclusively to a microSD card instead. One that you'll have to supply yourself, as none are included in the box.
All of this would be more forgivable if the U11Mini 4K were a budget bargain, but at around £300 (rising to £499 for the bundle I tested, with its two batteries, hard case and that RC3 controller), it's pitched at almost exactly the same price as the DJI Lito 1 — a drone that beats it comprehensively on image quality, obstacle sensing and battery life. The U11Mini 4K isn't a complete disaster, but nobody should pick one over DJI's equivalent.
The Ruko U11Mini 4K is available now, sold directly through Ruko's website and via Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
Pricing varies considerably depending on region and bundle. In the UK, the base package costs around £300, rising to £499 for the bundle I tested, which includes two batteries, a hard case, and the touchscreen RC3 controller in place of the standard smartphone-based remote.
US pricing follows a similar pattern, though at the time of writing Ruko's online store had both bundles discounted. The two-battery, hard case, RC3 controller bundle was priced at $424.99 (down from $599.99), while a separate three-battery bundle with a hard case and smartphone controller (rather than the RC3) was available for just $339.99 (down from $509.99) — making it the cheaper option overall despite the extra battery.
In Australia, Amazon lists a single-battery, smartphone controller bundle for AU$549.99, with a three-battery, hard case and smartphone controller bundle priced at AU$699.99.
The carry case is a well-designed accessory that'll keep the drone, controller and a couple of extra batteries snug and safe. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
In the UK and Australia, its direct rival is the recently launched DJI Lito 1. This costs £299 in the UK, while in Australia it's priced at AU$539 for the basic bundle (one battery and the RC-N3 smartphone controller) or AU$779 for the Fly More Combo (three batteries, RC-N3 controller, charging hub and shoulder bag). I'd say it's a much better value prospect than the Ruko, and shoppers should definitely consider it if they're hunting for a good entry-level model.
US buyers don't have that option, however, since due to the current DJI ban the Lito 1 isn't sold in America. That leaves older models like the DJI Mini 4K as the more relevant comparison stateside — and despite its age, it's still a better drone than the U11Mini 4K.
Price score: 2.5/5
Ruko U11Mini 4K: Specs
Ruko U11Mini 4K specs
Ruko U11Mini 4K
Camera:
48MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor
Video:
4K 30fps
Flight modes:
Smooth, Normal, Sport
Storage:
Internal memory + microSD card slot (up to 256GB supported)
Battery:
2,200mAh / up to 32 minutes flight time
Charger type:
USB-C / Battery Charging Hub
Weight:
249g / 8.8oz (approx.)
Dimensions:
141 x 86.9 x 57.9mm / 5.55 x 3.42 x 2.28in (folded)
Ruko U11Mini 4K: Design and build quality
Folding design, weighing under 249g
Optional touchscreen RC3 controller
microSD slot supports cards up to 256GB
The U11Mini 4K follows the same folding quadcopter template as most sub-250g drones on the market right now, including DJI's own Mini and Lito series.
It's made from hard plastic, and folds down to a genuinely pocketable size (if we're talking coat rather than trousers, mind you). At under 249g, it sits just inside a weight threshold that exempts it from the strictest drone registration requirements in the UK, US and elsewhere.
Round the back, you'll find a microSD card slot, supporting cards up to 256GB. There's also internal storage built into the drone itself, but accessing it is far more trouble than it's worth.
That's because, bafflingly, there's no USB port anywhere on the drone. The only way to get photos and video off the internal storage is via the controller, transferring wirelessly to an app like Google Photos — a process that, in my testing, also downgraded my 4K footage to 720p in the process. So I'd strongly recommend buying a microSD card (none is included in the box) and ignoring the internal storage altogether.
When folded, the U11Mini 4K would fit in a large coat pocket.Future | Sam KieldsenThe RC3 controller is well built, but does suffer from some janky software issues.Future | Sam KieldsenThe batteries are recharged directly via their on-board USB-C port.Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
A clip-on cover is supplied to protect the camera and gimbal during transport, which is a sensible inclusion — if a little fiddly to fit and remove. Depending on the bundle you buy, you may also get a nicely sturdy hard-sided storage case, which comes with internal spaces for the controller, drone and up to two additional flight batteries.
The RC3 controller from the bundle I reviewed is pretty impressive, at least at first glance. Its built-in touchscreen is clearly inspired by DJI's RC series, and it's a decent effort: solid in the hand, with a bright, crisp display. But it came with its own set of connectivity issues, refusing to play nicely with my home Wi-Fi network and preventing me from downloading the latest firmware updates. I was able to connect it to my iPhone's hotspot, so the Wi-Fi antennas evidently do work in some circumstances, but the fact they wouldn't hook up to a network that works fine with every other drone I've reviewed recently suggests there's a deeper issue here.
Design score: 3/5
Ruko U11Mini 4K: Features and flight performance
32-minute quoted battery life; around 20 minutes in real-world testing
No obstacle avoidance
Automated flight modes feel underbaked
Ruko quotes a battery life of 32 minutes for the U11Mini 4K. In my testing, which happened mostly in fairly breezy coastal conditions, I got closer to 20 minutes before the low battery warnings kicked in.
That discrepancy might be partly down to the wind, which the U11Mini 4K isn't great at handling. Despite Ruko's claimed Level 5 wind resistance (a tolerance of 19-24mph), I watched the drone get visibly knocked around by some standard coastal gusts. You can see the resulting unevenness in the horizon line on some of my footage.
One flight also threw up a worrying issue. A few seconds after take-off, with the battery indicator initially showing around 75%, a low voltage warning flashed up, the battery indicator dropped instantly to around 10%, and I immediately effected a panicked return to home (not wanting the drone to drop straight into the sea). When I checked the battery afterwards, it was still showing roughly 75% charge. Whatever caused that mid-air voltage drop, it's not a reassuring thing to experience while flying.
With no obstacle avoidance tech, you'll need to steer well clear of trees, bushes and lampposts. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Flight itself is reasonably stable and responsive in calm conditions, but the RC3 controller's joysticks let the side down. There's a wide dead zone before inputs register, which makes smooth, considered camera moves all but impossible, and as far as I can tell there's no way to adjust stick sensitivity to compensate. With a DJI drone, the slightest stick pressure produces an immediate and proportional response; here, you're fighting the controller as much as the wind.
Obstacle avoidance is non-existent, so pilots will need to take a lot of care when flying. There's no forward, downward or omnidirectional sensing of any kind, which is a significant omission next to the DJI Lito 1's full suite of vision sensors.
The automated flight modes are similarly disappointing. Point of Interest mode, for instance, should really let you tap a subject on the touchscreen and have the drone circle it automatically; instead, it just flies in a circle around wherever it happens to be at the time, regardless of whether there's anything interesting in front of it. There's also a tracking mode that follows your phone, though I wasn't able to test this myself, since I was flying with the RC3 controller rather than a paired smartphone.
Flight performance score: 3/5
Ruko U11Mini 4K: Image and video quality
1/2-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video at 30fps
Stills are overexposed and oversharpened
No flat/log color profile available
The U11Mini 4K's camera is built around a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor and f/1.8 lens, which on paper is perfectly respectable for a drone at this price. There's no fundamental reason a sensor of this size can't produce good aerial photos and video, but in practice, the U11Mini 4K struggles to get the most out of it.
Stills are the weaker of the two. Exposure metering is unreliable, and the camera has a strong tendency to massively overexpose, particularly in bright conditions. Even dialing back the EV compensation for photos didn't fix this consistently; I was left with whites that were blown out and stripped of any detail far too often. Zoom into the shots even slightly and they're aggressively oversharpened and algorithmically upscaled in a jarring way, too.
Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
Video fares slightly better, for reasons I couldn't quite pin down. At its top quality setting — 4K at 30fps — footage is detailed and rich in good lighting, even if it lacks dynamic range and punch compared to the best in this class. Bright areas can still blow out, while shadows tend to lack detail and look slightly underexposed, but overall it's a far more usable result than the stills.
One thing that might have helped close that gap is a log color profile, but sadly there's nothing of the kind available. A log format may have given me more room to fix the exposure issues in post-production grading, but here what you capture in-camera is largely what you're stuck with, unfortunately.
Image and video quality score: 3/5
Ruko U11Mini 4K: Testing scorecard
Ruko U11Mini 4K
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
Competitive on paper but matched or undercut by the superior DJI Lito 1.
2.5/5
Design
Decent folding build and solid touchscreen controller, but let down by the lack of a USB port.
3/5
Features and flight
Reasonably stable flying, but imprecise controls, no obstacle avoidance, and half-baked automated modes.
3/5
Image and video quality
OK 4K video, but routinely overexposes and there's no log profile to compensate.
3/5
Should I buy the Ruko U11Mini 4K
Buy it if...
You're a US buyer priced out of newer DJI options With the Lito 1 unavailable in the US, the U11Mini 4K gives budget-conscious American buyers another option to weigh against older DJI models like the Mini 4K.
You want the cheapest possible 4K drone with a screen controller If budget is your only real consideration and you can live with its flaws, the U11Mini 4K undercuts some screen-controller rivals on price.
You only ever shoot video, never stills Video output is decent in good light, even if the photo side of things lets the side down badly.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You can stretch to a DJI Lito 1 At the same or lower price, the Lito 1 beats the U11Mini 4K in nearly every meaningful respect.
You want precise, cinematic camera control The RC3 controller's dead zones make smooth, considered camera movement a real struggle.View Deal
You fly somewhere with lots of hazards There's no obstacle avoidance of any kind, a significant safety gap next to rivals like the Lito 1.
Ruko U11Mini 4K: also consider
DJI Lito 1
At the same UK and Australian price as the U11Mini 4K, the Lito 1 is simply a better drone in almost every way, with superior image quality, full obstacle avoidance and longer battery life. The only thing it can't match is the U11Mini 4K's RC3 touchscreen controller, which DJI doesn't bundle with the Lito 1 currently.
Smaller, cheaper and a blast to fly, the tiny, whoop-style Neo 2 doesn't need a controller at all, tracking and filming you autonomously straight out of the box. Its video quality is on par with the Lito 1's, and therefore a clear step up over the U11Mini 4K's, even though it's a much more affordable drone.
I tested all available flight modes and control methods
I captured stills and video in a range of lighting and weather conditions
I assessed battery life, wind resistance and file transfer in real-world use
I flew the U11Mini 4K over several sessions, in a mix of calm and breezy UK coastal conditions, to get a feel for how it handled real-world flying rather than just ideal, sheltered conditions. I tested manual flight extensively, paying close attention to stick precision and responsiveness, and also tried out the drone's automated modes to assess how well they lived up to their billing.
On the camera side, I shot both stills and 4K video in a variety of lighting conditions, later reviewing the footage and photos on a larger screen to properly judge exposure, detail and dynamic range. The footage you see embedded above was edited in DaVinci Resolve, but not color corrected. Photos were tweaked slightly in Adobe Lightroom.
I also tested battery life under real-world conditions rather than relying on Ruko's quoted 32-minute figure, and ran through the process of transferring footage off the drone via both the microSD card and the internal storage, to evaluate how easy (or otherwise) that process is for a typical buyer.
Adding two additional screens to your laptop, it turns a single laptop screen into a triple-monitor productivity powerhouse setup in seconds, no separate power supply or drivers required.
It's aimed squarely at people who juggle multiple windows, documents, or reference material and don't want to be limited to a single laptop display when they're away from a desk setup.
Today's top laptop monitor extender deal
A pair of 14-inch 1080P FHD IPS panels that attach to the back of your laptop screen, folding out into a triple-monitor setup for laptops between 13" and 17.3". Connects via HDMI or USB-C with no drivers needed — plug in and it works. Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS devices.View Deal
The core appeal here is simple: going from one laptop screen to three without buying, carrying, and setting up separate monitors. Both panels fold flat against the laptop lid for transport and swing out into place when you need them, which makes this a genuinely practical option for anyone who splits their time between a desk, a coffee shop, or a client site.
Both displays are 1080P FHD IPS panels, which means decent color accuracy and wide viewing angles — important since these panels will often be viewed off-center, angled out to either side of your main laptop screen rather than facing you head-on.
Plug-and-play setup via HDMI or USB-C is the other major selling point. There's no software or driver installation required on Windows or Chrome OS machines, so you can be up and running within a minute or two of unboxing it.
However, if you're on a base M1, M2, or M3 MacBook, Apple's chipset only natively supports a single external display without additional hardware. So, you'll need a DisplayLink-compatible adapter to run both extra panels simultaneously. Intel Macs and M-series Pro/Max chips don't have this limitation. Worth checking before you buy if you're on Apple silicon.
For anyone who regularly needs more screen space away from a desk, the AOC 14-inch Laptop Screen Extender is a smart, portable way to get it.
More portable monitor deals
This single-screen FHD laptop screen extender effectively gives you two displays when hooked up to your laptop. It's lightweight with a slim design.View Deal
We genuinely love this portable monitor, and I use it every day as a second screen at work. It's thin, lightweight, hits 2.5K resolution and 180Hz refresh rates, and even comes with a protective sleeve in the box. I scored it 4.5 stars after testing.View Deal
The Z1RC is a 16-inch portable display that performed well during our tests (read the review here). It's cheap, but pleasantly cheerful, and a good alternative to the Z3FC if you're prioritizing color accuracy over refresh rates, hitting 123% sRGB. View Deal
More deals
Pair your screen extender with a new laptop - these are the best deals we've seen recently.
Dell's standard laptop series don't tend to be the flashiest machines, but they do offer great bang for the buck. This Dell 14-inch laptop in particular manages to feature a really up-to-date chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious 1TB SSD for a great price thanks to the official Dell Store's back-to-school sale this week.View Deal
HP's 4th of July sale has some great low-cost Windows 11 options this week, such as this heavily discounted Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i. Inside, this machine features a Core i5 chipset and 16GB of RAM, which should provide smooth performance on even relatively demanding Windows 11 applications. Annoyingly, this machine only features a 256GB SSD, so storage is a little on the short side.View Deal
Processor: Intel Core N150 RAM: 8GB Storage: 64GB
A Chromebook is a fantastic option for budget-conscious students since these lightweight laptops don't require much power to run smoothly. This 2-in-1 14-inch HP Chromebook features a decent Intel chipset and 8GB of RAM, which should be great for all the various browser-based tasks that Chromebooks are intended for, such as streaming content, writing, or emails.View Deal
The Dell 14 Plus is one of our favorite models from Dell in the past few years. It really surprised us when we reviewed it because it offers great performance and a well-thought-out design at an excellent price. Today's best deal is on this Ryzen 7-equipped configuration, which offers plenty of power in this machine's portable 14-inch form factor. View Deal
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.
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.
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.
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.
